behave themselves bravely and shortly after they march'd to find the Enemy their Forces consisting of Twelve Thousand Foot and Four Thousand Horse and about an Hundred Elephants The Romans were a little surpris'd at the Novelty to see their Enemy thus to change their manner of proceeding by marching down and incamping in the plain Country but being assur'd of the Event they march'd toward them with all Expedition and incamp'd within Twelve Hundred and Fifty Paces of the Carthaginian Army who the next Morning held a Council of War how they should proceed while the Souldiers assembling in great numbers and proclaiming every-where the Name of Xantippus demanded with great earnestness to be led against the Enemy The Officers observing this their Willingness and being urg'd and conjur'd by Xantippus not to let this their Ardour cool without Action the Army was directed to prepare for the Battel and the Order and Manner of their drawing up intirely committed to Xantippus who proceeded after this manner He drew up all the Elephants in Front advanc'd some distance beyond the Line of Battel In the Rear of these at a good distance he appointed the Carthaginian Battalions in the Right Wing was dispos'd part of the Mercenaries and some chosen out of them were mix'd with the Horse advanc'd before the two points of the Battel The Romans seeing the Enemy now ranging into Battalia lost no time but readily advanc'd against them with their usual Courage Nevertheless in regard they had a just Apprehension of the Force of their Elephants they appointed their light arm'd Souldiers to march advanc'd in the Front of their Battel and to sustain them were plac'd good Troops in firm and close order Their Horse were drawn up on the Wings not extending in length so far as their manner usually was which was recompens'd by the addition of Depth whereby they justly computed that they should be the better able to sustain the shock of the Elephants but they were entirely in the wrong touching their Horse those of the Enemy much out-numbring them In short both Armies being drawn up according to the Design of their respective Leaders they remain'd some time in suspence attending the Signal to ingage And now Xantippus commanded the Guides of the Elephants to advance and attempt the breaking of the Romans Order and to the Cavalry which out-wing'd them to surround and attack them in the Flank And the Romans after clashing their Arms and giving a Shout as their manner is began the Battel but their Horse perceiving themselves out-numbred by those of the Enemy soon abandon'd their Post in the Wings and the Foot in the Left-point of their Battel partly out of fear of the Elephants and partly beleiving they should find less to do against the Mercenaries attack'd them on the Right and put them to flight pursuing them to their Retrenchments But it far'd otherwise with those who were oppos'd to the Elephants they being disorder'd by those Animals broken kill'd and trodden under foot True it is that the Body of that Battalian by reason of its great depth and firm order was not presently shaken but when the Rear which yet sustain'd them perceiv'd the Enimies Horse in their Flank and that they were in danger to be surrounded they were forc'd to face about to receive them On the other hand such of the Roman Army as had charg'd though the Elephants were no sooner escap'd that danger but they encounter'd with the Battalion of Carthaginians fresh and in good order who charging them cut them all off And now the Romans being attack'd and worsted on all sides many were destroy'd by the rage and force of those mighty Animals the Elephants many were kill'd on the spot by the Cavalry and very few attempted to fly those who did were most of them by reason it was an open Country slain by the Hourse and the Elephants Five hundred who follow'd Regulus in his flight fell with him alive into the Enemies Hands Of the Carthaginians were kill'd about Eight Hundred most of them Mercenaries who were oppos'd to the Left Wing of the Romans 〈◊〉 whose Army there did not escape above Two Thousand and those were of the Party thâ—â— broke and pursu'd the Carthaginians whâ—â— the Battel first began as was observ'd thâ—â— rest were all slain saving the Consul M. Aâ—lius Regulus and those taken with him an the Cohorts that remain'd escap'd as by Mâ—â—racle to Aspis As for the Carthaginians 〈◊〉 soon as they had pillag'd the Dead thâ—â—â—arch'd back to their City full of Glory anâ— Triumph leading the Consul with them among the rest of the Prisoners Certainly whosoever weighs with Judgment the Success of this Adventure may collect matter of much benefit for reforming the Errors of Mankind For what is more easie to determine in this case of Regulus than that the flatteries of Fortune are of all others the most vain and trustless and we may behold him who but Yesterstay was triumphing in the Pride of his Success refusing the Compassion due to a miserable People to Day seeing himself a Captive and in a state to implore that Grace which he refus'd them In short the Event of this Action confirms that excellent saying of Euripides That one wise Head is more worth than many strong Hands For it is manifest in the Case now before us that the Counsel and Abilities of one single Person subdu'd the Roman Legions who by their Experience and Bravery were esteem'd Invincible rescu'd a sinking and despairing Common-wealth and restor'd Courage to a beaten and spiritless Army grown stupid by their Misfortunes Let it not therefore be thought superfluous that we add these our Reflections while those who shall read what we have written may chance to be edify'd and improve their Minds in that laudable Vertue of Moderation for as there are two ways to correct Men's manners namely by their own Misfortunes and the Example of those of others so tho' the one be more sensible the other is more safe It is therefore the wisest way by shunning the Perils and Difficulties of the one when without toil or hazard we may safely contemplate the other and take out Lessons for our Instruction at other Men's Experience So that in sum it will be found that there is no Doctrine or Method more likely to improve us in the Conduct of our Life than the Experience we may extract from the Study of History which fairly and candidly reports to us the Transactions of Times past for by this means alone it is that we attain Wisdom and Experience for the bare asking which at all Times and in all Events will be found most preferable but so much by way of Refiection The Carthaginians whose Affairs had prosper'd to their Wish express'd their Joy with all possible Piety towards the Gods and mutual Congratulations and Festivals among themselves As to Xantippus who had so happy a share in the Advancement and Prosperity of their Affairs he shortly after an admirable
the Enemies Camp with two Men only in his company It was not easie to know him by his Face it being not yet Day nor by his Habit for that the Army consisted of great diversity of Garbs He having before observ'd where the King's Tent stood for that they had frequently pickeer'd near that place approach'd undiscover'd and entring the Tent where the King us'd to Eat and give Audience he search'd every-where for him but found him not Ptolomy it seems having lain that Night elsewhere Wherefore wounding only two Persons and killing Androeas the King's Physician he retir'd in safety having executed his Design if we rightly weigh the Hazard but fail'd only through want of information where the King was lodg'd After these two Princes had remain'd five Days thus near each other they agreed to come to a decision Ptolomy first march'd out and soon after Antiochus appear'd in Battel Their Bodies were compos'd of their Phalanxes and chosen Troops arm'd after the Macedonian manner who were oppos'd one to another their Wings were thus order'd in Ptolomy's Polycrates commanded the Left with the Horse that were under his Command and betwixt these and the Phalanx first march'd the Candiots next to the Horse These were follow'd by the Regiment of Guards call'd Agema after these march'd the Buckler-men led by Socrates then the Libyans arm'd like Macedonians The Right was led by Echecrates the Thessalian with the Horse who were under his Command on the Left next Echecrates march'd the Gauls and Thracians then Phoxidas with his Greek Mercenaries after these march'd the Aegyptian Phalanx They plac'd forty Elephants to cover the Left-Wing where the King was to be and the other thirty three stood on the Right to cover the Mercenary Horse Antiochus thus order'd his Battel On his Right he plac'd sixty Elephants to cover the extremities of that Wing where he himself propos'd to stand oppos'd to Ptolomy giving the Conduct to Philip his Foster-Brother in the Rear of these were posted two thousand Horse led by Antipater next these were the like number drawn up in form of a Tenaile after the Horse stood the Candiots in front then the Greek Mercenaries betwixt these stood the five thousand Men that were arm'd like Macedonians under the Command of Byttacus the Macedonian His Left-Wing consisted of two thousand Horse led by Themison After these were the Cardaces the Lydian Slingers and next those three thousand light-arm'd who were under Menedemus The Cyssians Medes and Caramanians follow'd and to these succeeded the Arabs and their Neighbour-People which clos'd up to the Phalanx The Right-point of the Battel was cover'd by the rest of the Elephants which were conducted by Myiscus who had been the King's Page In this order of Battel were the two Armies drawn up while the two Kings attended by their Officers and Favourites went from Rank to Rank to animate their Troops But forasmuch as they had plac'd their greatest Confidence in their Phalanxes which may be call'd Legionaries to these therefore they were more earnest in their Exhortations wherein Sosibius and Arsinoe seconded Ptolomy and Theodotus and Nicarchus Antiochus who were Chiefs of the Legionaries of the one and the other Army In short it may be concluded that the Speeches of these two Princes were near the same whereby to encourage their Troops neither being furnish'd with stronger Reasons than the other for they were but young Kings and had never yet done any thing very memorable out of which to collect Matter for their Exhortations wherefore they labour'd to hearten them to the Battel by laying before them the Prize of Glory that was to be won and the Reputation of their Ancestors and above all made large Promises of Rewards to the Officers in particular and the Soldiers in general to oblige them to their best performance in that occasion Thus then the two Kings animated their Armies partly by themselves and partly by their Interpreters As soon as Ptolomy and his Sister Arsinoe were come to the Left-Wing and Antiochus to the Right of their two Armies attended by their Guards they sounded to the Charge and the Battel began with their Elephants Some of those Beasts on Ptolomy's part came at first boldly on to the Attack and the Men who fought from the Turrets behav'd themselves well fighting from thence with their Pikes but the shock between the Elephants themselves was more remarkable those Animals attempting one the other with an impetuosity hardly to be represented for they fight after this manner They first make proof of their Strength by engaging with their Teeth and with a firm foot keeping their Ground press one against another with their utmost strength till by this contention one of them prevails and compels the other to yield ground to his superiour Strength whereby the Trunk being turn'd aside he is forc'd by endeavouring to disengage himself to expose his Side and Flank to his Enemy who fails not to hit him there goring him with his Tooth as Bulls do with their Horns But it came to pass that Ptolomy's Elephants for the most part wanted Courage to stand the Shock and as the Elephants of Libya who can neither endure the Smell nor Braying of those of India so these frighted at the Strength and Size of the others turn'd their backs before they came near them putting Ptolomy's Regiment of Guards into disorder who were drawn up behind them upon whom they fell In the interim Antiochus leading about his Battalion of Guards and getting before the Elephants charg'd Polycrates at the head of the Horse and at the same time the Mercenary Greeks who were posted near the Phalanx advanc'd against Ptolomy's Buckler-men whose Order had been already broken by the Elephants The Left-Wing of Ptolomy's Army being by this means worsted turn'd their backs and betook them to flight but Echecrates who commanded in the Right and stood waiting to see the issue of the Dispute between the two Points whereof we have been speaking observing a thick Cloud of Dust drive towards him and perceiving their Elephants would do nothing commanded Phoxidas who led the Greek Mercenaries to advance and charge those that were oppos'd to him while he led the Horse about and charge those that were posted behind the Elephants and were cover'd by those Animals whereupon attacking the Enemies Horse in Flank and Reer they put them to flight Nor was Phoxidas and those with him less fortunate who falling on the Medes and Arabs had the like success Thus the right-Right-Wing of Antiochus beat and the Left was beaten and now albeit the Phalanxes on either side were depriv'd of their Points they remain'd however entire and held their Order attending betwixt Hope and Fear the Event Antiochus we observ'd where he fought on the Right had the better but Ptolomy retiring into the Phalanx and appearing in view of both the Armies much discourag'd the Enemy and gave new Heart to his own People to prosecute the Battel insomuch that Andromachus and
Naval Army In short the Design being generally approv'd the Seamen old and new Comers were forthwith order'd to Embark and out of the Legions the choicest best known and willingest Men were pick'd to Embark in this Expedition which they concluded would be but short and the Profit they should reap being as it were certain Orders being now accordingly given and obey'd without giving the least Jealousie to the Enemy the Army departed about Midnight the Men stowing close and mingling promiscuosly a-board keeping the Coast on their Right-hand As soon as Day broke and the headmost of the Fleet were descry'd from Drepanum Adherbal became much surpris'd at this unlook'd for Danger but soon recollecting his Mind and beholding the Enemy now at hand he determin'd to perform all that was possible for him to execute and ingage in any Hazard rather than endure a Siege which by the Preparations he saw threatned him He therefore assembled all the Seamen and Souldiers belonging to the Fleet upon the Shoar and order'd by sound of Trumpet the Mercenary Troops to march out of the Town and joyn them with whom being now assembled he declar'd to them in few words That he was well assur'd they should be too hard for the Romans if they would resolve to oppose them resolutely On the contrary if they through Fear behav'd themselves Ill the Consequence would be to endure all the Sufferings and Calamities incident to a Siege Hereupon the Army unanimously declar'd their forwardness to Engage and requir'd with one Voice to be led forthwith a-board Adherbal after he had let them know that their Behaviour pleas'd him and applauded this their Forwardness made them Embark and leading himself the Van directed the Fleet to follow and do as he did so putting out to Sea he drew up near the Rocks that lye on the Coast facing the Enemy who was now entring into the Haven The Consul Publius observing the Enemy contrary to his Opinion to make this Stand and that this his sudden Attempt did not only afright them but that on the contrary he beheld them in a posture ready to give him Battel order'd the Fleet to tack and stand back again whereof the headmost were now enter'd into the Port some were in the Haven's Mouth and others not far off But while those in the Van who had receiv'd their Orders were hasting back they encounter'd the others who were yet standing in by which means falling fowl one of another many both Ships and Men were in great danger of perishing But in short they drew out as they were able and as they got clear and obtain'd Sea-room they put themselves in order of Battel along the Shoar with their Prows pointing towards the Enemy Publius who brought up the Rear of his Fleet stood off to Sea and posted himself on the Left of his Line But Adherbal having pass'd the right-Right-wing of the Romans at the head of five Gallies with arm'd Beaks turning the Prow of his own Vessel upon the Enemy and making a Signal for the rest that follow'd him to do the same and being now drawn up in Front he puts out his Sign for the Attack and so in good order they advanc'd against the Romans who as was observ'd were drawn up along or under the Shoar attending the arrival of their Vessels which were not all yet got out of the Port which was the cause of their Fighting greatly to their Disadvantage so near the Land The two Fleets being now near and the Flags of Defiance on both sides put abroad the Battle began where for a while the Conflict seem'd to be equal both Fleets having on Board the hardiest Men they could pick out of their respective Land-armies But in the end Victory began by degrees to declare for the Carthaginians who from the beginning had in many points the Advantage of the Romans In short they surpass'd them in the nimbleness of their Ships which were every way of a better Built and Contrivance their Seamen were likewise more experienc'd and abler Men they were posted also greatly to their advantage having Sea-room wherein to work their Vessels as occasion requir'd so that at any time when press'd by the Enemy they could draw off spread themselves or draw close together at pleasure wherein the lightness of their Vessels very much avail'd Furthermore if at any time the Enemy had given Chace to any of their Gallies and were seperated any distance from their Fleet they would then tack upon them and intercepting them who by reason of their heavy working and the unskilfulness of the Roman Marriners could not disengage themselves so rowing round them and coming on their Flank with their Prows they Sunk many of them on the other hand when any of the Carthaginian Vessels chanc'd to be hard press'd they could come with expedition up to their Relief and Succour them without Hazard But we may say of the Romans that all those Benefits which their Enemy enjoy'd were wanting to them If they chanc'd to be chac'd they were not able to retire for the Shoar under which they sought insomuch that when they were hard driven and were forc'd to give back they were either run aground on the Sands or lost against the Rocks Furthermore the Romans were bereft of one principal Benefit which much conduces to Success in Naval Ingagements namely that through of the sluggishness of their Vessels and the insufficiency of their Marriners they were not able to come up and attack the Enemy in Flank as occasion offer'd nor come and fall on them in the Rear who were already engag'd In a word those who were a-stern were not able to come up the Assistance of those who were press'd at a distance a-head being obstructed by the Neighbourhood of the Shoar wanting void Space wherein to move and bring their Succours where it was needful The Consul observing at length the Distress of his Fleet that some were a-ground on the Sands and others lost against the Rocks himself and about Thirty Vessels that follow'd him stood away to the Left and retir'd out of the Battel leaving Ninety Three of his Gallies taken by the Carthaginians very few of the Men belonging to those that were lost against the Shoar escaping This was a glorious Action for Adherbal to whom the Carthaginians did very great Honour attributing the Success purely to his single Vertue and Bravery While the Romans treated their Consul with grievous Reproaches laying the whole Disaster and the Danger to which his Country was thereby reduc'd to his sole Folly and Temerity formally calling him to his Tryal and loading him with a very rigorous Sentence nevertheless they abated nothing of their Resolution upon these Misfortunes which did not in any wise slacken their Purpose to stretch their utmost strength to recover new Forces for prosecute the War such was the Contention between those two People who should remain Superior And now one of the two new chosen Consuls L. Junius was dispatch'd over
fortify'd one part of his Camp Here he remain'd some Days the better to acquaint himself with the Ground and Situation of the Country and the Disposition of the Enemy feigning to Attack them now in one place now in another marching round them to give them the greater Terrour But perceiving every Post to be well-gaurded and not being able to find any one place that might incourage him to attempt them Cleomenes being vigilant and warily watching his Motions and always present at every place of importance he then chang'd his Purpose till at length the two Generals came to agree to joyn Battel For it was bruited about That Fortune had made choice of these two Great Men equal in Skill and Bravery to try the Mastery one against the other Antigonus order'd the Macedonians who carried Bucklers of Brass mingling among them the Illyrian Cohorts to march against those on Mount Eva these were commanded by Alexander Son of Acmetus and Demetrius the Pharian in the Rear of these he rang'd the Cretians and Acarnanians who were follow'd by a Body of Reserve consisting of two thousand Achaians Towards the River he order'd the Horse who were to ingage those of the Enemy under the Command of Alexander and on the Wings of the Horse he appointed a thousand Achaians and as many Megalopolitans while he himself resolv'd to attack Olympus at the Head of the Macedonians and Mercinaries knowing that Cleomenes was there he order'd the Mercenaries to have the Van and the Macedonian Phalanx to sustain them following-by Platton's whereunto they were compell'd through the difficulties of the Ground the Illyrians who pass'd the River Gorgylus over Night and were posted at the Foot of the Mountain were order'd to begin the Battel for which they were to receive a Signal by a White Flag that should be spread from the nearest Post they had to Olympus and the Signal that was to be given to the Megalopolitans and the Horse was a Purple Cassock or Coat which was to be wav'd in the Air where Antigonus himself was posted When all things were in a readiness the Signal was given to the Illyrians and after they had incourag'd each other they advanc'd towards the Enemy and began to ascend the Mountain while the Foot which Cleomenes had mingled with the Horse observing that the Achaian Cohorts were follow'd with no Reserve or Troops to sustain them advanc'd presently upon them and charg'd them in Flank and much gall'd those who were endeavouring to gain the Mountain at the same time Euclidas who was posted on the top of the Hill press'd them in Front and the Mercinaries warmly attack'd their Rear Philopoemen a Megalopolitan observing this Disorder presently conceiv'd what would be the Issue accordingly he told his Opinion to the Commanders in Chief of the Danger these Troops were in but observing they gave no heed to his Advice being then but Young and having never yet born any Command he therefore after he had incourag'd his Country Men attack'd with incredible Bravery the Enemies Horse This Action forc'd the Mercinaries who had fallen on the Illyrians Flank to retire to their Relief which was their proper Post who observing them to be now ingag'd and retreating from those whom they had before attack'd hastned to sustain them by which means the Illyrians and Macedonians and all those who were marching up the Mountain were deliver'd from the Obstacle that retarded their Motion and now resolutely advanc'd on the Enemy and it afterwards appear'd that their Success against Euclidas was owing to Philopoemen And it is reported that after the Battel Antigonus the better to try Alexander ask'd him How it came to pass that he adventur'd to Ingage before he receiv'd the Signal and that Alexander should reply It was not by his Order but that a certain young Man of Megalopolis had been the occasion without any Direction from him And that Antigonus reply'd thereupon That that young Man had judg'd rightly of the occasion of Victory and had done the part of a good Captain and that Alexander had acted like a young Soldier And now Euclidas observing the Illyrian Cohorts to approach forgot as one may say the advantage of the Ground where he was posted for it is the Rule of experienced Leaders when they are posted on superior Ground to the Enemy to move towards them and improve the advantage of the Shock that the descent of the Hill lends them thereby to give the greater Terrour to the Enemy and then if Necessity obliges them slowly to retire and gain the summet of the Hill for by disordering thus the Enemy and depriving them of the advantage they promis'd themselves by their different sort of Arms and the Order in which they march'd it would not have been hard for him to have forc'd them down the Hill so commodiously posted as he was But Euclidas perform'd nothing of all this but acted rather directly contrary and as if to do nothing at all would conduce to the Victory he remain'd on the top of the Hill where he was first posted imagining it to be his Duty there to attend the coming of the Enemy to the end that when he should have defeated them they might be the more intangled and obstructed in their Flight by reason of the Precipices and the broken Ground of the Mountain But it happen'd quite otherwise than he had conjectur'd for while he had so plac'd himself that he had left no room behind him to retire he found himself oblig'd to fight and defend himself on the top of the Hill against the intire unbroken Body of the Illyrian Cohorts whom he had permitted to gain the top and were now advancing toward him on level Ground so that he became an easie Conquest to the Illyrians having no Ground whereon to make an orderly Retreat all behind him being Rocks and Precipices In the mean time the Horse were warmly ingag'd where the Achaians perform'd all that could be look'd for in the like occasion for they knew this Battel did as it were decide their Liberty but Philopoemen was remarkable above all the rest whose Horse being first kill'd under him and afterward fighting among the Foot he was there struck through both his thighs at one stroke On the other-side the two Princes began the Battel on Mount Olympus with their light-arm'd Soldiers and their Mercenaries consisting of about five Thousand on each part Sometimes they fought by Parties and then again encountred with gross Bodies but with great Resolution on both sides the Action being under the Eye of their Masters and in View of both Armies sometimes they mingled and fought Man to Man and then Troop against Troop but howsoever it happen'd they fought with wonderful Resolution During this variety of Action Cleomenes receiv'd notice that his Brother was beaten out of the Field and that the Horse that fought in the Plain began to give Ground so that fearing to be incompass'd by the Enemy on all sides he was
gain'd the Hills and the Horse in the Plains bringing up and sustaining the Rear and who now drew near an Eminence call'd Propus They sent out their Horse after them to whom they joyn'd their light-arm'd Troops under the leading of Epistratus the Acarnanian these had order to fall on their Rear-guard to make some proof of the mettle of the Enemy Now if it were reasonable to come to a Battel they could not have made a worse choice than to attack the Enemy in the Rear for their Gross had already pass'd the Plains but to have done as they ought would have been to have ingag'd their Van as soon as they had enter'd on the Champaign Ground In which case they had had the benefit of fighting with the Advantage both in the nature of their Arms and the strength of their Order wherein in plain Ground they were in both superior to the Enemy who could not possibly have then fought without great odds against them But while they committed this over-sight and attack'd not the Aetolians till they had gain'd the Advantage of Ground it was no wonder that the Success fell out accordingly For the light-arm'd Troops no sooner came to the Charge when the Aetolian Horse had gain'd the Mountain firm and in good order keeping a good round march whereby to come up and Joyn their Foot Aratus who could not very well discover how the Affair went and not rightly judging of the Danger to which he was going to expose himself imagining the Enemies hasty Motion to be no other than Flight detach'd his Curiassiers from the Wings and commanded them to advance to the Charge to reinforce and sustain the light-arm'd Soldiers In the mean time drawing up the rest of his Troops into one Battalion he march'd himself at the Head of them and hastily advanc'd towards the Enemy doing every thing with precipitation But the Aetolian Horse had no sooner pass'd the Plain and joyn'd the Foot who had the Rear-guard and had now gain'd the Mountain when they immediately made a halt and ordering their Foot on the Flanks incourag'd one another to fear nothing And now facing about the Shouts they made caus'd those who were at a distance to return and hasten to their assistance so that their number increasing in confidence of their superiour Strength and the benefit of charging from higher Ground they boldly attack'd the Enemies Horse and their light-arm'd Troops and after a long and obstinate Dispute the Achaians were worsted Who flying so terrify'd those who were coming in no very good order to their Relief that they likewise retreated as fast as they came partly out of ignorance of the state of the Battel partly by meeting those of their Party who were flying for Safety from the Enemy This was the reason why it came to pass that this Party only of five Hundred of their Men was beaten and above two Thousand betook themselves to flight without ingaging And now the Aetolians who took Counsel of the present posture of the Field follow'd them hard in the Rear with great Shouts and Acclamations In short while the Achaian Troops were retreating back to the Gross as they thought of the Army which they hop'd would afford them a safe reception their Retreat was Soldier-like in good and safe order but as soon as they perceiv'd them to have quitted the advantageous Post they had taken that their Order was broken and confus'd marching in a Defileé then they sell into Confusion likewise and scattering and dispersing themselves here and there some got into neighbouring Towns others meeting a Battalion of their own Troops that advanc'd to their Succour so terrify'd each other tho' no Enemy were near that they both broke and dispers'd Of those that shifted for themselves as we observ'd some got into the Towns round about and a good Party escap'd to Orchomenus and Caphya which were not far off For had they not had those safe Retreats at hand they had been intirely ruin'd Thus have we related the Story of this Battel which was fought near Caphya As soon as the Megalopolitans came to understand that the Aetolians were encamp'd in the Territory of Methydrium they drew their whole Forces together and march'd to the Assistance of the Achaians but they arriv'd not till the Day after the Battel and their coming prov'd of no other use than to take care of burying the dead Bodies of those with whom they expected to have joyn'd and hop'd to have reliev'd So that digging a great Ditch in the Territory of the Caphyans they there bury'd the dead performing the Obsequies of those unfortunate Men with great Honour and Solemnity And now the Aetolians having obtain'd a Victory so contrary to their Hopes by the single service of their Horse and light-arm'd Soldiers took their march thereupon without fear or danger quite cross the Country of Peloponnesus And after making an attempt on Pellene and harrassing the Territory of Sicyon they took their way by the Isthmus These matters then which we have now related were the cause of the Confederate War and the Decree that was conceiv'd thereupon and confirm'd in a general Assembly of the Allies at Corinth where King Philip who procur'd the same and was present was the beginning of the said War In the mean time the Achaians soon after this Defeat call an Assembly where Aratus was severely prosecuted with Complaints on all hands As having been manifestly the occasion of the loss and dishonour they had sustain'd And by how much his Enemies press'd him with Accusations and with strong Reasons laid open his mismanagement by so much did the Hatred and Indignation of the People increase against him First there was no dispute but that Aratus had greatly err'd in having as one may say usurp'd the Magistracy by taking it upon him before he was regularly elected into his Charge And he could not deny but that what he had enterpriz'd thereupon had very ill succeeded Furthermore they blam'd him for that seeing the Aetolians yet in the heart of Peloponnesus he had been prevail'd with to dismiss the Achaian Troops notwithstanding he had been before well assur'd that Scopas and Dorimachus were sirmly determin'd to embroil their Affairs and to do all they could to ingage them in a War The third Article against him was His adventuring to ingage with so few Troops when he might with ease have made a good Retreat to the neighbouring Towns where he might at leisure have reinforc'd his Army and then given the Enemy Battel if he had seen cause The last and heaviest Charge against him was That after he had resolv'd to give the Enemy Battel he did not make one Soldier-like step in the whole Conduct of the Action For it had been in his choice to have sought on plain Ground which would have been much to his advantage for there the heavy-arm'd Troops could have ingag'd from whose service he could hardly have sail'd of Success While on the contrary he
light arm'd Foot and those who carry'd Bucklers in the Rear But when he observ'd the Enemy to approach with Precipitation and as it were without any Order he presently changed the Order of his Battel commanding those who were in the Rear to advance to the Front who marching with a compass became opposs'd in Battel to the Enemy who taking those Motions to be an effect of Fear and a sort of Retreat attack'd them with great Resolution tho' without any Order But Hamilcar's Horse were no sooner advanc'd and those who follow'd them boldly sustaining them and altogether coming to the Charge when the Enemy who came in confusion and in haste began to fear finding so contrary to their Opinion the Resistance that was made which not being able to endure they soon betook themselves to flight one of their Parties encountring with another of their own which was coming to their Relief took them for Enemies in the Fright and ingaging defeated one the other most of the rest were destroy'd by the Horse and the Elephants In this Conflict there dy'd of the Africans near Six Thousand Men and about Two Thousand were taken Prisoners the Remainder some got into the Town near the Bridge and some into the Camp before Vtica After the Victory Hamilcar pursues the Straglers every-where taking the Town by the Bridge which the Enemy had abandon'd and retir'd to Tunes and forraging the Country round about some Towns yielding to him out of Fear others were reduc'd by force by which means having in a good degree recover'd the Carthaginians form the Fear they were under being almost at the point of Despair he gave them new Courage and lent them more Assurance in danger In the mean time Matho who continu'd the Siege of Hippona advis'd Spendius and Autaritus who was Chief among the Gauls to be careful not to lose sight of the Enemy but to take care however not to be surpris'd in the Champion Country by reason of Hamilcar's Superiour Strength in Horse and Elephants but to keep the skirts of the Hills and to march and incamp as near the Enemy as they could and to take the advantage of attacking them when they should perceive them at any time incumber'd or molested in their March but while he gave them this Counsel he forgot not to solicit the Numidians and Africans for Succours and to incite them to make use of the present Occasion to recover their Liberty So Spendius made choice of Six Thousand Men out of the several Nations that were incamp'd at Tunes to march and attend the Motions of the Carthaginians wheresoever they went keeping as he was advis'd the Foot of the Mountains He took likewise with him the Horse of Autaritus amounting to Two Thousand Gauls all the rest of that Nation who had serv'd at Erix under Autaritus having taken Pay with the Romans And while Hamilcar was incamp'd in a Plain surrounded on all sides with Hills Spendius receives Succours both of Africans and Numidians and resolves to attack the Carthaginians by surrounding them appointing the Numidians to ingage in the Rear the Africans in the Front resolving himself to fall on their Flank The Carthaginians were hereby reduc'd to very great straits looking on the Danger to be almost inevitable But it happen'd that at this time there was a certain Numidian in the Enemies Army call'd Naravasus a Man of Account both for Nobility and Courage He had heretofore been of the Carthaginian Party on the account of the Friendship that had been between them and his Father and now charm'd by the Vertue and Fame of Hamilcar he was resolv'd to renew old Kindness and conceiving this a proper occasion to put his Purpose in effect he determin'd to find out Hamilcar and contract this new-design'd Friendship with him Accordingly he advanceth towards their Camp attended only with about an Hundred Numidians and coming near their Lines he there halts and with a noble Assurance makes a Sign with his Hand that he had something to communicate with them Hamilcar not a little wondring at the Hardiness of the Action sent a Horse-man out to him to whom Naravasus reply'd He had something to say to the General but in regard the Carthaginians shew'd some Diffidence to trust him Naravasus forthwith dismounts and giving his Horse and Arms to his Guard in that manner naked and disarm'd with a gallant Boldness adventures into Hamilcar's Trenches Every body wonder'd at the Bravery of the Man but receiv'd him amicably and freely discours'd with him and being conducted to Hamilcar he told him He wanted not good Inclinations for the Carthaginians in general but his Ambition was principally to ingage in a Friendship with him which was the Motive that brought him which if he approv'd he should find him for the future a faithful Friend whether it were for Counsel or Action This Discourse of Naravasus and the Action it self perform'd with so frank a Boldness fill'd Barcas with unspeakable Joy insomuch that without the least shew of Distrust he embrac'd the Offer and not only made him his Confident in his most secret Negotiations and his Companion in all his Enterprizes but to purchase his Fidelity to the Carthaginians he promis'd him his Daughter to Wife And when the Conference and Treaty was ended Naravasus joins Hamilcar with a Body of Two Thousand Numidians with which Re-inforcement he offers the Enemy Battel Spendius likewise on his part being strengthen'd by the Africans marches against him where the Battel was obstinately fought The Victory was long in suspence but Hamilcar in the end had the Day whose Elephants did great Service and Naravasus signaliz'd himself above all others Spendius and Autaritus escap'd by Flight about Ten Thousand of their Men being slain and Four Thousand taken Prisoners After the Battel Hamilcar releas'd all the Prisoners that were willing to take Pay in the Army and arm'd them with the Spoils of the Dead As to those that were not willing to serve he assembl'd them together and there told them That he freely Pardon'd and Remited their Fault for that time and gave them their Liberty leaving every one to his own Course with this Caution only That if ever they were taken in Arms against the Carthaginians they were to expect no Mercy During these Transactions the Mercenaries that were in Garison in Sardinia mutiny'd likewise after the Example of Matho and Spendius and having shut up Bostar their Commander in chief in the Citadel they at length murther'd both him and all the Carthaginians with him Whereupon the Republick sent a Re-inforcement of more Troops under the Command of one Hanno whose Soldiers likewise abandon'd him on their arrival and join'd with the Rebels and at the same time seiz'd on their Leader and crucify'd him They likewise barbarously murther'd all the Carthaginians they could find in the Island and making themselves Masters of the strong Places kept them in possession and domineer'd till a Dissention happen'd between them and the Natives
they must then determine to endure the last effects of Misery and Misfortune He said There could be none among them so weak or stupid who reflecting on the tedious and terrible March they had had from their Native Homes thither the many Perils Combats and dangerous Rencounters they had pass'd the fearful Rivers they had Forded and the like Dangers in their passage can have the least shadow of expectation by slight ever to return back And that since that Hope was totally extinguish'd they would do well to have the same Motions of Compassion of their own Fortune as they entertain'd but now for that of others For as they esteem'd the Condition of the Victors and the Vanquish'd equal or rather saw cause to pity the Survivers they could do no less for themselves than fight bravely chiefly indeed to Conquer but to die rather than not Overcome For should it be their hap to be Vanquish'd there would be no hopes of living but if they could with determination imprint these Reslections in their Minds there would be no doubt of Success nor fear but they should live to enjoy the Fruits of it That in a word none ever brought such Thoughts about them into the Field whether out of their own Temper or Necessity that were not crown'd with Victory That the Romans hitherto had to deal with Enemies otherwise than so inspir'd who for the most part plac'd their Safety in flight by reason they â—ought in the neighbourhood of their Country which was their refuge and by which means they wanted Resolution to sustain the shock of Danger like an Enemy strengthen'd by Despair Hannibal's Army heard with chearfulness the discourse he made them and manifested their Minds to be such as their Captain himself desir'd He therefore highly applauded their generous Behaviour and after he had told them they should be in a readiness to march early on the Morrow he dismiss'd the Assembly Cornelius Scipio had now pass'd the Po and because he design'd to advance further he caus'd a Bridge to be made over the Tesin And drawing the Army together he told them many things touching the Dignity and Glory of the Roman-State and of the memorable Actions of their Ancestors But take the relation a little more or less of what he deliver'd on that occasion He told them That tho' it might have so happen'd that they had never yet try'd the Enemy they had now to deal with they should nevertheless have reason to rely on Victory but since they were to fight against Carthaginians they ought to hold it an insupportable Indignity to the Name of a Roman that People so often by them beaten and who had been so long their Tributaries and bred to Servitude should presume to look with an angry Eye on a Roman But saith he since we have learn'd by many glorious Experiments that this Enemy will never have assurance to endure our approach What ought we not to hope if things are rightly weigh'd How lately was it prov'd that their Horse is inferiour to ours which beat them at the Rhosne and after killing many pursu'd the rest to their Camp He told them That the General and the rest of the Army having had News of the approach of the Roman Legions had retreated as if they sled and the Terror they were in had compell'd them sore against their Wills to attempt passing the Alpes back again He farther told them That Hannibal was come with but an handful of Men having lost the greatest part of his Army in his March and that those he had with him were so harrass'd and weaken'd with Diseases and the Hardships they had suffer'd that they were totally disabled for Service He farther told them That the greatest part of their Horse were lost and made unserviceable by the broken and stony ways they had march'd through He endeavour'd by the like suggestions to perswade the Army that the showing themselves only would be enough to obtain the Victory and that furthermore barely to behold the Enemy they had to deal with would inspire them with Contempt He said in short That he would not have quitted the Fleet nor his Spanish Expedition whither he had been commanded to go nor would have taken his March so willingly had he not been firmly convine'd by many Arguments and Reasons that the Journey he had undertaken was greatly for the Good of his Country and that the Victory was certain And now being a Man of great Account and Authority and it seeming to them that what he said was true the Army with great Ardour and Resolution demanded to be led against the Enemy So after having commended their Chearfulness and made them an Exhortation to be always in a Posture to receive his farther Commands he dismiss'd them On the Morrow these two Captains began their March along the River towards that part which regards the Mountains The Romans on the Left the others on the Right The next Day receiving News by their respective Foragers that the Armies drew near they both thought good to encamp where they were and intrench themselves But the next Morning Hannibal at the head of his whole Body of Horse and Scipio with his to whom they joyn'd their Archers took the Field both wishing to see each other And they no sooner perceiv'd by the Dust that was rais'd that the Gross on each side drew near when they began to range themselves in order of Battel Scipio put his Darters in the Van and mix'd the Gaulish Horse among them and having ordered the rest Front-wise mov'd slowly on As for Hannibal he plac'd his Horse that went with a single Bridle in the Van-guard together with all the other chosen Horse he had and so advanc'd against the Romans He had likewise plac'd his Numidians on the Wings to the end he might be able to come to attack the Romans Flank and so surround them And as the Leaders on both sides and the Troops they commanded were eager to engage they soon came to Blows But scarce had the Roman Darters deliver'd their first Volley when terrify'd with the Violence of the Enemies Charge and fearing to be trod and run down by the Horse which advane'd they retir'd in haste through the Intervals of their Battel among their Horse Those Bodies that came to ingage hand to hand fought with Resolution on both sides and equal Bravery a good space and the dispute seem'd no other than between Horse and Foot mingled for many in the heat of the Battel alighted and fought on Foot But when the Numidians by taking a compass had got on the Romans Flank the Darters who had retreated thither as was observ'd were sorely streighten'd and soon defeated the Numidians having in ' compass'd the greatest part of them And now at length those in the Van on the part of the Romans who before stood so firm having lost many Men who had sold themselves at a good Price were likewise driven to give ground upon the
a long Line joining them at the extremity with the others possessing all that side of the Ground that look'd toward the South In the Right-Wing he posted the Roman Horse filling with them the space between the rest and the River The Foot he dispos'd in the same manner but in closer Order in the Rear than in the Front in regard the number of the Cohorts was doubled On the left Wing was plac'd the Horse of the Consederates the light-arm'd Troops were advanc'd some distance before the Line of Battel the whole Roman Army taking in the Troops of the Allies consisting of fourscore Thousand Foot and six Thousand Horse In the mean time Hannibal order'd the Baleares and light-arm'd Troops to pass the River posting them advanc'd before the Ensigns Then commanding the Gross of the Army to march he pass'd the River likewise in two places and rang'd them in order of Battel fronting the Enemy On the left point being the part nearest the River he posted his Spanish and Gaulish Horse opposed to that of the Romans next these he plac'd the one half of his African Foot who bare weighty Armour their Flank being likewise secur'd by the rest of the Africans His Numidian Horse he posted on the Right Wing and after having thus form'd his Line of Battel drawn out in length and of equal depth he made the Centre or middle Battalions which was compos'd of Spanish and Gaulish Legionaries to move a little forward in such manner as that the Figure when they had so done with the two Wings might be liken'd to a Yoak Crescent-wise or convex'd in the mid'st for having propos'd that the Gauls and Spaniards should first engage the Africans were posted at hand so as to fortifie and sustain them His Africans were arm'd after the Roman manner being well furnish'd for that Service out of the Spoils of the Enemy in former Battels The Spanish and Gaulish Bucklers were of one sort but their Swords were not alike The Spaniards wear Swords short stiff and pointed fit both for cutting and thrusting but the Gauls were only for cutting-strokes In a word it was a surprising Sight to behold them for the Gauls were stripp'd naked from the Waste upward and the Spaniards clad in white Linen-Cassocks border'd with Purple after the fashion of their Country In Hannibal's Army there were ten Thousand Horse but the Foot taking in the Auxiliaries and all did not exceed forty Thousand In the Roman Battel Aemilius was posted in the Right Terentius in the Left and the last Year's Consuls Marcus Attilius and Cn. Servilius led the Body On the part of the Carthaginians Asdrubal was posted on the Right Wing Hanno on the Left and Hannibal led the Body accompany'd by his Brother Mago The Roman Army fac'd toward the South and the Carthaginians consequently towards the North so that the rising Sun molested neither The Forlorn or advanc'd Parties began the Day and these light-arm'd Troops contended for a while with equal Courage and Success but as soon as the Spanish and Gaulish Horse on the Left Wing advanc'd against the Romans the Battel grew hot and bloody For they fought not now as had been the custom in other Battels by charging and wheeling off and then returning to the Charge But here when once they came to join the Horse-men mingling and often disengaging from their Horses fought it out Man to Man on Foot But the Carthaginian Horse in the end prevail'd killing the greatest part of the Romans on the place tho' their Behaviour was without blame Those who endeavour'd to escape took along the River but were most of them cut off Asdrubal giving no Quarter And now the Cohorts taking place of the light-arm'd Troops it was there likewise hotly disputed for a space but the Spaniards and Gauls who did not presently lose their Order were at length broken and forc'd to give ground to the superior number of the Romans and retreating back the Crescent or convex Part of the Figure which was form'd by this Body of Men and who first engag'd sunk back into the void space in the Rear The Roman Cohorts eagerly pursuing the advantage easily pierc'd the Body of the Enemy's Battel which was but weak and compos'd only of Gauls to the place where the Battalions stood in close order â—â—at had been drawn thither for that purpose during the Fight from the Right and Left Wings where all the Danger was In short the Romans thus pressing the Enemy who open'd to the Right and Left to give them passage advanc'd so far into the void space that they had now the African Foot who bare weighty Armour on their Flank both ways who moving from the Right and Left Wings inwards charg'd the Romans on both their Flanks at once each acting as the present occasion advis'd In short every thing came to pass as Hannibal had skilfully devis'd for the Romans pursuing the Gauls whom he well knew were not their match became at length encompass'd by the Africans By which means they were so enclos'd that they were not able to fight in a Body but as it were Man to Man or by small Parties against strong Bodies that press'd them from all Parts And now forasmuch as Aemilius who was posted in the Right Wing and had his share in the Conflict with Asdrubal and the Horse yet being hitherto unhurt and willing to equal his Actions with his Words by which he had encourag'd the Army seeing that all the Hopes they had left was in their Foot he charg'd through the Enemy's Battel killing and forcing all that stood in his way where he did his utmost to encourage his People Hannibal acting the same Part in the same Post having from the beginning conducted that part of his Army in Person As to the Numidians who fought in the Righ Wing against Varro and the Horse that were posted in the Left Wing of the Romans neither they nor the others acted any thing memorable on that side saving that the Numidians so amus'd the Romans by beating about them now offering to charge in one place now in another that they were thereby prevented from succouring those that were elsewhere distress'd But now that Asdrubal had compleated his Victory and destroy'd the greatest part of the Horse whom he had follow'd along the River and was return'd to re-enforce the Numidians then the Horse of the Roman Allies beholding their Danger turn'd their backs 'T is said that Asdrubal in this occasion perform'd an artful and prudent part who well knowing that the Numidians were singular at the pursuit of a slying Enemy he therefore order'd them to follow hard after the running Romans while he heading a Body of Foot advanc'd to re-enforce the Africans and coming in fell on the Rear of the Romans Battel and charg'd them likewise elsewhere with certain Squadrons of Horse which greatly hearten'd the Africans and as much terrify'd the Romans L. Aemilius having receiv'd many Wounds dy'd in the Battel after he
reply'd with Indignation That he held no intercourse with Rebels But Alexis boldly affirming the contrary demanded leave to search and ent'ring by force into his Lodgings he found the Letter with which pretext he immediately kill'd Epigenes on the place the King being perswaded to think him Guilty And tho' the principal Men about him were aw'd into Silence and did not dare to move therein nevertheless the Action gave them great Jealousie and Offence Upon the Army's arrival at Euphrates Antiochus join'd the Troops that he found there and pursu'd his march and coming near Antioch in Mygdonia Winter being now at hand he there remain'd till the Colds were over and in forty Days after arriv'd at Liba Here he fell to deliberate with his Officers what course was best to take to find out Molon and by what means they should sustain the Army in their march for Molon was in possession of all the Country about Babylon Hermias propos'd to keep along the River Tigris by which means they should have the benefit of that River and two others Lycus and Kâ—pros to cover and defend their Camp But Zeuxes tho' he wanted assurance to deliver his Mind as he ought having the Fate of Epigenes before his Eyes nevertheless such was the Weakness and Danger of Hermias's Advice that with some difficulty he reply'd That there was a necessity of their passing the Tigris and made appear the great Impediments they should meet with in holding their march along the River He principally urg'd that after a long and tedious Journey and a march of six Days through a continu'd Desart they would come to a place call'd The King's Ditch which place if it should chance to be possess'd by the Enemy would entirely bar their further Progress which might be the means of exposing the Army to great danger by their being compell'd to return by the Desart where which was especially to be consider'd they should be reduc'd to want every needful thing On the other hand he made appear That in case they pass'd the Tigris it was more than probable that those of the Country of Apollonia would see their Error and return to their Duty who it was plain were compell'd and not out of Good-will but out of Fear and Necessity had taken part with Molon Furthermore being to march through a plentiful Country there would be no danger of being driven to streights for any thing And what was of further importance when Molon should see his passage â—ack into Media shut up and behold himself 〈◊〉 streights for Provision he would be constrain'd either to come to the issue of a Battel 〈◊〉 in case of refusal would hazard the desertion of his Troops to the King This Advice of Zeuxes was approv'd pursuant to which the Army being divided into three Bodies they pass'd over the Troops with their Baggage in three several places So they prosecuted their march towards Dura which was at that time streighten'd by one of Molon's Officers who on their approach left the Siege Then continuing their march without halting they pass'd by Oricum in eight Days and came to Apollonia And now Molon being inform'd of the King's Arrival and not being very well assur'd of the Good-will of the Susians and Babylonians whom he had but lately reduc'd and who were surpriz'd into submission and further fearing the Enemies design of blocking up his Passage back into Media he resolv'd to lay a Bridge over the Tigris and passing his Army determin'd to gain the Mountains of Apollonia before Antiochus should arrive for he rely'd much on his Slingers which they call Cyrthii Whereupon putting in execution what had been resolv'd he march'd the Army away with great diligence But the King chancing to move with all his Troops about the same time from Apollonia that Molon's Army approach'd the Mountains certain advanc'd Parties of choice Men of either Army happen'd to meet on the Hills These had some dispute and pickeer'd for a while but on the approach of the gross of the Army they retir'd and the two Armies Encamp'd about five Miles asunder But Molon during the Night made reflection how dangerous it was for Men in Rebellion to march against their Prince in broad-day and give him Battel wherefore he became of Opinion that the much safer course would be to fall on Antiochus by Night which was accordingly resolv'd so detaching a Body of select Troops he lead them by secret ways towards the Mountains and from thence determin'd to fall on the Enemies Camp from high Ground But while he was on his March he was given to understand That Ten of his People had deserted and stole away to the King whereupon he desisted and return'd back by the way he came but coming to the Camp about break of Day he fill'd the whole Army with Fear and Tumult For being surpriz'd and awaken'd with the Noise the Terror grew to that degree that they had like to have abandon'd their Works but by Molon's Care and Diligence all was appeas'd In the mean while the King who was prepar'd to come to a Battel order'd his Troops to march out by break of day On the right of the Battel he rang'd the Lanciers under the Leading of Ardyes of whose Conduct in War he had receiv'd sufficient Proofs After these he posted the Candiots who had been sent pursuant to the Treaty of Peace These were join'd by the Galatians and Tectosages and next these he plac'd the Mercenary Strangers who were brought from Greece The King himself was at the head of a strong Battalion where the Cohorts were dispos'd after the same manner On the left he posted the Horse that are call'd the Troops of the King's Allies ordering his Elephants by tens with Intervals between them a little advanc'd before the Battel On the Wings were posted the Auxiliary Troops both Horse and Foot who had Orders to attack the Enemy in Flank as soon as the Battel should begin Then the King going from Rank to Rank spoke to the Soldiers and in few words as the time and occasion permitted animated them to their Duty He gave the leading of the left-Left-Wing to Hermias and Zeuxes remaining himself in the Right Molon also march'd out his Army and rang'd them with difficulty enough by reason of the last Night's disorder nevertheless he form'd his Troops according to the Measures the other Army had taken and plac'd his Buckler-men Galatians and heavy-arm'd Soldiers in the Centre He distributed his Archers Slingers and all his light-arm'd Troops without the Horse on the Right and Left posted his Chariots arm'd with Sithes advanc'd before the Line of Battel He gave the Command of the Left to Neolaus his Brother reserving the Right to himself Being thus drawn up the Battel began and in a word the Right of Molon's Army preserv'd their Fidelity to the last engaging Zeuxes with great Resolution But the Left no sooner advanc'd near the King when they deserted and went over to him which Accident as