with these Magical chains they kept indeed the Field but still were more afraid of their own Companions than of the Enemy The Romans press'd on from either Wing and the Main-Body with all imaginable fury and butchered them at pleasure whil'st they stood thus as it were astonish'd with a double dread of Gods and Men The resistance they made was small and faint and nothing but pure fear kept them from running away So that by this time execution was done upon them up to their very Standards when on a sudden there appeared at a distance on one side of them a great cloud of Dust as if some mighty Army had rais'd it with their march for Sp. Nautius Octavius Metius some call him who had the Conduct of the Alarian Bands before-mentioned purposely made a far greater dust than could be expected from so small a number by causing his Regiment of the Black-Guard as they sat on their Mules to trail after them thick boughs of Trees their Arms and Ensigns in the Front first appeared as it were through a duskish Light but the dust behind them rising higher and thicker seem'd to represent a great Body of Horse flanking an Army of Foot and deceived not only the Samnites but the Romans too And to keep up that useful Error the Consul so loud that even the Enemy might hear him cryed out That Cominium was taken and his Victorious Colleague was come That now they should use their utmost endeavors to compleat the Victory before the other Army snatch'd the Honor of it out of their hands Thus he spake as he gallop'd to and fro amongst the Ranks and at the same time commanded the Colonels and Captains of the Foot to widen their Files and make room for the Horse He had before given Orders to Trebonius and Caedicius that when they should see him flourish his Spear over his head they should advance with the Cavalry and as hard as they could drive Charge the Enemy All things were punctually put in execution according to Order the Files opened to the Right and Left and the Horse thundered out upon the Enemy and broke into the middle of their Main-Body disordering their Ranks which way soever they turn'd their Force Volumnius and Scipio bravely seconded them with the Infantry and whil'st they were thus disarray'd beat down all before them Then the Linnen Brigade went to pot and fell under the fury both of the Gods and Men the sworn and unsworn fled both alike and no longer feared any but the Enemy Their Foot as many as escaped in the Battel were beat into their Camp at Aquilonia their Noble-men and Horse got to Bovianum the Foot were by the Foot pursued and the Horse by Horse the two Wings separated themselves the Right marching up to the Samnites Camp and the Left to the Town Volumnius was somewhat the nimblest and soon made himself Master of the Camp Scipio had an harder task to win the City not that they had greater Courage being all alike dis-heartened with their Over-throw but because Walls will better keep out Assailants than a plain Trench and Rampire and besides from the Courtine they had an advantage to shour down Stones upon them so fast as none could endure it Scipio considering that it would prove a tedious piece of Work unless he could carry the Town at this first Heat whil'st they within were in a fright and before they could recollect their Spirits ask'd his Soldiers If they would suffer this disgrace to see the Camp bravely won by the other Wing and themselves Conquerors too as well as the others to be shamefully repulsed from the City They all testifying their Resolutions to the contrary by a loud shout himself clapping his Target over his Head march'd foremost up to the Gate and all the rest following him in that posture by main force they broke into the City and knocking down those Samnites that were about the Gate made themselves Masters of the Walls but durst not venture up into the middle of the City being so few in number The Consul at first knew nothing of all this but was busie in bringing the Main-Body of his Army to an orderly Retreat for the Sun was now almost down and Night coming on apace made every thing seem dangerous and suspicious even to the Victors themselves but when he was advanced further he saw on his right hand the Enemies Camp taken and on the left heard a confused Cry and Tumult in the City as composed of the mix'd clamors of Men fighting and People in a fright for it happened at that instant the Conflict was at the Gate Upon this he rides up nearer and at last discovered his own Men upon the Walls and that his Work was not yet at an end since by a few Mens rash adventurousness there was an opportunity of performing an excellent piece of Service whereupon he recalled the Forces that were retreating and caused them with Banners displayed to enter the City where near the Gate they took up their Quarters because the Night came on so fast and before Morning the Enemy had deserted it There were slain that day of the Samnites Thirty thousand three hundred and forty taken Three thousand eight hundred and seventy and ninety seven Colours 'T is Recorded That never any General was more chearful and pleasant than Papirius during this Battel whether it were of his own natural Disposition or upon assured confidence of Victory 't was upon this strength of mind that he would not be diverted from fighting by the controverted Auspice and in the heat of the Conflict when others are wont to make Vows of building Temples to the Immortal Gods he only Vow'd That if he defeated the Enemies Legions he would present Jupiter Victor with a Cup of Metheglin before himself tasted a drop of strong Wine Which Vow the Gods accepted and turn'd the ill Presages to good The other Consul had no less success at Cominium for drawing up all his Forces by break of day to the Walls he invested it quite round and set strong Guards at all the Gates to prevent any Sallies But just as he was about to give the Signal for a general Assault the Messenger from his Brother Consul in a great fright brought word That twenty Cohorts of the Enemy were upon their march to relieve the City which made him for a while defer the Storm and draw off part of his Forces For immediatly he dispatch'd the first Legion and twenty Cohorts of the Wings and Horse under the Command of D. Brutus Scaeva to meet this Party of the Enemy with orders to stop or divert their march wherever they should find them and if need were to fight them rather than suffer them to come up to Cominium This care being taken he commands the Scaling-Ladders to be set to the Walls round the Town and several parties in close Order with their Targets over their heads to make up to the Gates so that at once
Van consisted of fifteen Companies placed a small distance from each other of Spear-men or rather Javelyneers called Hastati each Company having twenty Light-arm'd Soldiers and the rest a sort of Targeteers They call'd those Light-arm'd who carried only Spears or Javelins to fight with at hand and a small sort of Darts to throw at a distance In this Fore-front were placed the Flower of the Youths that grew up as Apprentices to the Art of War Then came as many more Companies of those of riper and more manly Age which were called Principes In the next place thirty Companies of Targeteers all with very brave and extraordinary Armor and these were called Antepilani because they were followed by fifteen Squadrons more each of which contained three Divisions and each first Division being that next to the Standard was called Pilum and consisted of three Colours or Companies every one of which contained 186 Men the first Company was of old Soldiers of approved Courage call'd Triarii the second of men of less Force and Experience call'd Rorarii and the third of raw Fellows new listed to fill up the Muster-Rolls call'd Accensi who being of small account always march'd in the Rear When the Army was thus drawn up in Battalia the Hastati or Javelyneers began the Battel and if they were not able to Rout the Enemy they softly and in order Retâ—eated and fell back into the Intervals between the Squadrons of the Principes who receiv'd them and then advanced themselves to Charge the Enemy and were therein seconded by the said Hastati the Triarii all this while abiding firm about their Ensigns setting out their left Legs before them at length their Targets on their shoulders and their short Pikes or Javelins stuck into the Ground at the wrong end sloping and with their Heads bending forwards so that they seem'd Fortified with Palisado's Now if the Principes also prov'd unsuccessful and could not break the Enemy then they orderly by little and little retired from the Fore-front back to the Triarii whence grew the Proverb when a thing was at a dead lift to say ad Triarios redisse that it was come to the Triarii or last pinch then the Triarii at once rising up as soon as they had received the Principes and Hastati into the void spaces between their Files suddenly drew to a close Order and shut up as it were all Passages and Entrance and so with one joint close Body of the whole Army there being now no further reserve or hope left resolutely advanc'd to Charge the Enemy who were herewith most surpriz'd and dis-heartened when thinking to Chase those that they seem'd to have vanquish'd they saw a new Battel of fresh Men starting up and the same more numerous The Romans commonly levyed for their Army four Legions each consisting of 5000. Foot and 300. Horse to whom were wont to be added just as many more Auxiliaries furnish'd by the Latines but they now were Enemies and had Marshal'd their Army exactly in the same manner so that they knew well enough before-hand not only that they were to encounter Ensign with Ensign all the Pikes and Javelins with Pikes and Javelins and Principes with Principes but also one Centurion with another if the Armies were not disordered In each Army there was a Primipilus Chief Centurion or Leader of the Triarii The Roman but of a weak and slender Body but otherwise a Man of Courage and Conduct The Latine a mighty stout Fellow and a Devilish Fighter They knew one another well enough as having always equal Charges heretofore when the Roman and Latine Forces used to be united The Roman not greatly trusting to his own strength had got leave of the Consuls before they march'd out of Rome to choose whom he would to be his Deputy Centurion who might be his Second and defend him from this one designed Enemy And it fell out that the young Man by him made choice of in the heat of the Battel engaged the Latine Centurion and slew him The Battel was fought not far from the Foot of the Mountain Vesuvius in the Road to Veseris The Roman Consuls before they put their Army into Battalia having severally killed their Beasts for Sacrifice the Aruspex or Bowel-prying Sooth-sayer is said to have observed in Decius's the head of the Liver to be wounded but in all other respects an acceptable Sacrifice But as for Manlius in his there appeared as good tokens as could be wish'd whereupon quoth Decius 't is well enough since my Brother Consul has the favor of the Gods The Army being drawn up as before related they march'd into the Field Manlius commanding the Right Wing and Decius the Left At first they fought on both sides with equal Courage as well as Forces But after a while the Roman Hastati of the Left Wing no longer able to bear the violent Shock of the Latines retreated to their Principes in which disorder Decius calls aloud to M. Valerius I see O Valerius we have need of the Assistance of the Gods Let the publick High Priest of the People of Rome come and pronounce the Solemn Words with which I am to devote my self for our Army that I may say them after him The Priest ordered him to put on a long Purple Robe embroidered before call'd Praetexta to cover his Head and put forth his hand under the said Robe at his Chin and standing upon a Javelin with both his Feet to say after him as follows O Janus Jupiter Father Mars Bellona you Houshold Deities Novensiles and Indigetes you Gods likewise who have special Power over us and our Enemies and all you Infernal Gods you I invocate you I adore your pardon and leave I implore and your favor I require That you would prosper Power and Victory unto the People of Rome and strike their Enemies with Dread and Terror and Slaughter And as I have solemnly call'd upon you by Name so for the Weal-Publick of the People of Rome and Quirites their Legions and Auxiliaries I here do Devote the Army of the Enemies and all their Aids together with my self to Tellus and the Infernal Gods As soon as he had recited this Prayer he dispatch'd a Lictor or one of the Provost Marshals to T. Manlius to advertise him That his Collegue had seasonably Devoted himself for the Army And then tucking up his Gown after the Gabine Fashion that is one part thrown under his right Arm and the same Lappet back again over the left Shoulder a posture the Gabii were wont to Sacrifice in and being once surprized at their Devotions by an Enemy Charg'd them in that posture and obtain'd the Victory whence for Lucks sake the Roman Consuls used it when they denounced War he mounted his Horse Arm'd at all Points and so spurr'd into the thickest of the Enemy To both Armies he seem'd to carry a Presence full of Majesty and something more than Humane As he sent from Heaven to Atone
Leaguer Then they dismiss'd M. Attilius the last Years Consul who desired to be excused by reason of his Age that he might return to Rome and gave Cn. Servilius the Charge and Command of one Roman Legion and Two thousand Horse and Foot of the Allies in the lesser Camp Annibal though he perceiv'd the Enemy so reinforced and half as strong again as before yet was glad at the coming of these new Consuls For not only all his Provisions which he plundered every day from hand to mouth were spent but there was no possibility of getting more For after the Country found themselves plagued with his continual Incursions they carried all their Corn into Cities and Walled Towns so that as was known afterwards he had not Bread enough left for ten days and the Spaniards for want of Victuals were ready to desert him and only waited for a fit opportunity As the Consul Varro was naturally rash and over-hasty so Fortune administred apt Fewel to put him into a greater Flame for in a tumultuary Skirmish with a Party of Annibals Forragers began rather by a casual Rancounter of the Soldiers than by any considerate Counsel before-hand or directions from the Generals the Carthaginians happened to be worsted there being a matter of Seventeen hundred of them kill'd and not above One hundred of the Romans and their Allies But as the Victors were with full speed pursuing the Chace the Consul Paulus who had the Command that day for they took it by turns restrained them for fear lest they should fall into some Ambuscade which Varro took in great indignation and bawl'd out wherever he came against his Colleague That he had wilfully let the Enemy escape out of his hands and if he had not thus given over the Pursuit the War might have been ended at once Annibal did not lay this loss much to heart but rather made full reckoning that he should thereby as with a Bait draw on the Fool-hardy Consul and his new-rais'd Soldiers for he knew all that pass'd in their Camp as certainly as in his own viz. That the Generals were of disagreeing Tempers always jarring and thwarting one another and that their Army consisted two parts in three of raw untrain'd Soldiers Therefore supposing he had now a fit time and place for putting some Stratagem in execution the next night he marches away all his Men carrying nothing with them but their Arms out of his Camp leaving the same full of all things as well private Goods and Furniture as publick Ammunition and Provisions and behind the next Mountains privately plants his Foot ready drawn up in good order on the left hand and his Horse on the right and his Carriages in the middle that whil'st the Enemy should be busie in rifling the abandon'd Tents and encumbred with Pillage he might fall upon them and cut them to pieces He also left abundance of Fires burning in his Camp to make them believe that he had a mind to amuse the Consuls with a false shew of his continuing there and so get the further off before they pursued him as he cheated Fabius the other Year with the like policy As soon as 't was day the Romans seeing the Enemies Out-guards drawn off and afterwards upon a nearer approach perceiving nothing but an unwonted silence and solitude wondred much what the meaning on 't might be but after they certainly discovered that the Camp was abandoned old running there was to the Consuls Pavilions with the news That the Enemy was run away in so much hast and disorder that they had left all their Tents standing and that their flight might not be perceived left abundance of light-fires all over their Camp The Soldiers began to bawl out and desire That the Ensigns might presently advance that they might pursue the Enemy and rifle their Camp And indeed one of the Consuls was no less eager than the common Soldiers but Paulus told them and frequently repeated it That they must look before they leap'd and proceed cautiously for fear of some trick And at last seeing he could not stop the mutiny nor otherwise appease his Partner the Ring-leader thereof he sent out M. Statilius a Captain with a Troop of Lucan Horse to discover how matters stood who advancing up to the Ports commanding the rest to stay without the Works himself with two Troopers entred within the Rampire and having taken a careful view brings back word That undoubtedly it was a Design for the Fires were only left in that part of the Camp next the Romans The Tents stood open and all things of value exposed besides in several places they saw mony carelesly scattered as a Bait to train them on in hopes of a Booty But all this which was related to check their minds from the over-greedy and dangerous desire of Pillage did but the more enflame them to be at it so that the Soldiers set up a general Cry That if the Signal were not given they would go on without their Officers Nor need they want a Leader for Varro forthwith sounded a March and as he was just going out at the Ports Paulus who made no such hast finding that the Auspices were not favorable caused notice thereof to be given him and though Varro could scarce be held back yet the remembrance of the late Misfortunes of Flaminius and the overthrow of Claudius the Consul at Sea in the first Punic War caused some awe of Religion in his mind but indeed it was the Gods themselves who that day deferred for a time rather than quite remov'd the sore Judgment that was impending on the Romans for when the Consul commanded the Ensigns to be carried back into the Camp and the Soldiers were so set upon Plunder that they refused to obey just upon the nick of the Mutiny two Servants that waited the one upon a Formian the other on a Sidicin Cavalier and had last Year been taken Prisoners amongst the Forragers by some Numidian Horse having made their escape return'd to their Masters and being brought before the Consuls assured them That Annibal's whole Army lay in Ambush behind the Hills This seasonable Intelligence caused the Consuls to be obeyed when one of them by his Ambition in seeking and ill compliance with Popular humors in managing his Office had quite lost that Majesty and Reverence that belong'd to it Annibal perceiving that the Romans though they at first began to stir and make a tumult yet did not proceed to come out according to his expectation concluding that his Plot was discovered returned again into his Camp where he was not able to remain many days for want of Provisions and not only his Soldiers being a mixture of several Nations began to entertain new designs in their Heads but he himself was almost at his Wits end For first they grumbled and after with open mouth call'd for their Arrears and complain'd of the scarcity of their Allowance of Victuals and at last grew afraid of being starv'd
they would attack their Camp and City if the Enemy would not come out to fight both the Armies marched forth into the Plain between their two Camps The Veians abounding in numbers sent a Party round the Mountains to attack the Roman Camp in the time of the Battel The Army of those three Nations stood in such order that the Veians were in the right Wing the Faliscans in the left and the Fidenians in the middle On the other side the Dictator with his right Wing engaged the Falisci and Capitolinus Quintius with the left Wing the Veians whilst the Master of the Horse marched with his Cavalry against the main Body For some small time there was silence and quiet the Etrurians resolving not to joyn Battel unless they were compelled to it whilst the Dictator look'd back to the Castle at Rome to observe when the Augurs by the flying of the Birds thought fit to give the appointed signal which assoon as he beheld he sent the Horse out first with a shout against the Enemy Then the Foot marched after and fought very smartly insomuch that the Etrurian Legions were not able in any part to sustein the shock of the Romans Their Horse made the least resistance and amongst them all the King himself who was by far the stoutest Man they had riding up to the Romans in a full Career prolonged the Fight There was at that time among the Horsemen a certain Tribune named A. Cornelius Cossus a very handsome shaped Man and of equal Courage and Strength who being mindful of his noble Birth and Family which he made much more renowned among Posterity and seeing the Roman Troops very hard put to it by Tolumnius which way soever he bent his Forces no sooner discovered him as he flew in a Kingly Habit to and fro over the whole Army but he cried out Is this the breaker of Human Leagues and the violater of the Law of Nations I 'll presently make him a Sacrifice if the gods will permit any thing here on earth to be sacred to the Ghosts of our Embassadors With that setting spurs to his Horse and riding full Tilt at him he with his Spear dismounted him but so that Tolumnius leaning on his Javelin lit upon his feet from whence rising up to strike at Cossus again he knock'd him down with his Buckler and repeating his strokes upon him with his Spear stuck the King to the Ground Then having rifled his Body cut off his head and got it upon the point of his Spear to shew his Victory over him he routed the Enemy with pure terror which they were in to see their King slain and by that means also the Horse were defeated who alone had made the Victory doubtful The Dictator in the mean time pursuing the routed Legions drove them into their Camp where he slew them A great many of the Fidenates being acquainted with the Country fled into the Mountains whilst Cossus with the Horse passing over the Tiber carried a vast Booty with him to the City But in the midst of the Fight they had another Engagement on the back of their Camp with part of the Enemies Forces whom Tolumnius as I said before had sent round the Hills There Fabius Vibulanus at first defended the Rampire with a Company of Men whom he planted all round it but whilst the Enemy was intent upon that part going out at the right-hand Gate of the Camp with a Party of Triarii commonly the best Soldiers the Romans had he so surprized them that they were all in a fright and though the slaughter was less because they were fewer yet they ran away with as much consternation as the rest did out of the Field Having had such such great success upon all occasions the Dictator by order of the Senate and consent of the People returned Triumphant into the City But that which made the greatest show of all the Triumph was Cossus's carrying the rich spoils of the King whom he had slain whilst the Soldiers sung extemporary Verses of their own making to his praise comparing him even to Romulus Those spoils he fixed with great solemnity as an Offering in the Temple of Jupiter Feretrius near the spoils of Romulus which were the first that were called Spolia Opima i. e. rich spoils and the only ones at that time there turning the eyes of the People from the Dictators Chariot upon himself and being almost the only person that enjoyed the benefit of that day The Dictator offered a Crown of Gold of a pound weight made out of the publick stock by the Peoples Order to Jupiter in the Capitol Now in this affair having followed all Authors that have written before me I have told you that A. Cornelius Cossus a Tribune of the Soldiers was he that brought the second rich spoils into the Temple of Jupiter Feretrius But besides that those are properly called rich spoils which one General takes from another nor do we call any one a General but him under whose Conduct a War is managed the title it self inscribed upon the spoils convinces both them and me that Consul Cossus took them And since I heard Augustus Caesar himself who was the Builder or restorer of all the Temples in the City when he went into the Temple of Jupiter Feretrius which he repaired it being ready to fall down for age read the same thing which was written upon a Linnen Breast-plate I thought it almost sacriledg to rob Cossus of such a witness of his spoils as Caesar the Rebuilder of that very Temple was But if there be any mistake in the case because not only the ancient Annals but the Magistrates Linnen Books laid up in the Temple of Moneta which Macer Licinius quotes make A. Cornelius Cossus to be Consul seven Years after with T. Quintius Pennus yet mine is the common received opinion But for a farther argument that such a famous Fight cannot be transferred to that Year we know that about the time that A. Cornelius was Consul there was no Wars for almost three Years together besides that there happened a Pestilence and great scarcity of Fruits insomuch that some Annals to shew the fatality of that time give us nothing but the names of the Consuls and the third Year from Cossus's Consulship he is said to have been Tribune of the Soldiers with power Consular That the same Year also he was Master of the Horse and in that Dignity fought another famous Battel on Horseback in which I leave every one to their own free conjecture But in this case I am apt to think Men will take the freedom to question the truth of any thing if they make a doubt of it when the Warrior himself laying the fresh spoils in the Holy-place and looking in the face of almost Jupiter himself and Romulus such venerable witness of his false Title wrote himself A. Cornelius Cossus the Consul When M. Cornelius Maluginensis and L. Papirius Crassus were Consuls there were Armies U.
Adversaries the Commons and implore the protection of the Tribunes rather than to justifie themselves and abide a legal Trial And at last having there too met with a repulse thinking all means safer than to stand upon their Innocency they have faln upon us with unjust Calumnies and not blush'd being private Men to arraign your Dictator Therefore that God and the World may see That as they in vain endeavor to avoid the giving an account of their own undue Practices so I am frankly ready to meet their Charge and expose my self to the strictest scrutiny of my Enemies I do here resign my Dictatorship and do request you My Lords the Consuls if the Senate shall commit this Affair to your management That you would begin with me first and this Gentleman M. Foslius that it may appear how we through our own Innocency alone and not by the priviledge of our Offices are protected and safe from these Slanders and pretended Crimes Then forthwith he gave over his Dictatorship and immediatly after Foslius did the same with his Generalship of the Horse And these two were the first that were proceeded against before the Consuls for to them the executing of the aforesaid Commission was awarded by the Senate but notwithstanding all the Prosecution and Depositions of the Nobility they came off with Honor. Likewise Publilius Philo though he had so often pass'd through the highest Offices and perform'd so many gallant Services both at home and abroad being much envyed by the Nobility was forced to take his Tryal and acquitted But this Inquisition into the actions of Persons of Quality was quickly over descending first to meaner People and at last by the same Cabals and Factions which it intended to remedy and punish it was wholly overthrown The report of these Jars at home and especially the hopes of the revolt of Campania as was design'd recall'd the Samnites who before seem'd altogether intent upon Apulia back to Caudium that so being near at hand if any disturbances should administer opportunity they might take Capua from the Romans The Consuls march'd thither with a formidable Army and lingred a while about the Passes and Streights being not able either way with safety to come at the Enemy who at last fetching a compass through the open ways came down into the Plains of Campania and there first both sides came to have a sight of each others Camp after which they exercised each other with petty Skirmishes especially between the Horse Nor had the Romans any cause to complain of the success of those Encounters nor of the delay and spinning out of the War but the Samnites Generals found that their Forces were diminish'd every day and much weakned by this tedious work and therefore resolve upon a Battel placing their Horse in the two Wings but with express charge to have a strict eye towards the Camp to prevent any mischief there and not so much to engage themselves in the Battel which would be safe enough with the Infantry Sulpitius the Consul led on the Right Wing and Paetelius the Left The Right Wing was ranged more wide and open and with thinner Ranks and Files because the Samnites had done the like on that side with a design either to surround the Enemy or prevent being enclosed themselves The Left besides that it was in closer Order happened to be reinforced by the sudden policy of Paetelius causing the subsidiary Legions which were planted in the Rear for Reserves to march up to the Front and so with all his Forces at once charging the Enemy made them retreat The Samnites Cavalry seeing their Foot worsted prepared to relieve them but as they rod cross between the two Armies the Roman Horse gallop'd up to flank them and put both Horse and Foot into Confusion so far that all that part of the Enemies Army was routed On that Wing there was now not only Paetelius but Sulpitius too to encourage the Soldiers for he had strayed from his own Party before they joyn'd Battel upon the extraordinary shout given by the Left Wing at their first Charge and seeing on that part undoubted Victory hasten'd back to his own Charge accompanied with Twelve hundred Men but found things there in a quite contrary posture the Romans retreating and the Victorious Enemy marching full upon them with Ensigns displai'd However the lucky coming in of the Consul presently altered the Scene for as his Men were encouraged at the sight of him so the party he brought with him being very stout Men yielded them a more effectual assistance than might be expected from so small a number This and the news of the other Wings success renewed the Fight and thenceforwards the Romans bore all before them and the Samnites giving over all defence were every where either cut to pieces or taken Prisoners except those who escaped to Maleventum a Town that has since changed its name and is now call'd Beneventum 'T is Recorded That Thirty thousand Samnites were that Day killed or taken After this glorious Victory the Consuls led their Legions to besiege Bovianum and took up their Winter-Quarters before the Town till C. Paetelius made Dictator by the new Consuls L. Papirius Cursor the fifth time and C. Junius Bubulcus the second came down with M. Foslius General of the Horse and received the charge of the Army He being advertiz'd that the Samnites had taken the Fort at Fregellae left Bovianum march'd thither but the Samnites fled away by night so that he recovered the place without a blow struck and having placed there a strong Garison return'd into Campania with a particular design to take the City of Nola by force of Arms within whose Walls all the Peasants thereabouts and a vast multitude of Samnites sheltered themselves The Dictator having taken a view of the place that he might have the more open access to the Walls set all the Houses on Fire that were in the Suburbs along the Counterscarp and there they stood thick and were well inhabited and not long after that Town was taken whether by Paetelius the Dictator or C. Junius the Consul I know not for it is reported of the one as well as the other Those that ascribe the Honor on 't to the Consul add That he also took Atina and Calatia And that Paetelius was created Dictator only for the Ceremony of driving the Nail or Spike for appeasing the Wrath of the Gods by reason the Plague was broke out That Year Colonies were sent to Suessa and Pontiae the former a Town of the Auruncans the latter an Island of the Volscians situate within sight of their own shoar A Decree also passed the Senate for sending other Colonies to Interamna and Cassinum but the same was not done till the time of the next Consuls M. Valerius and P. Decius who created Triumvirs to manage that Affair and sent Four thousand to people those places The Samnite War was now pretty well dispatch'd but before the Senate was
increased with the number of the Ships Thus when the Galleys in the front stood nearest one another and those behind farthest asunder the order of these two Squadrons resembled the figure of a Wedg but when the third Squadron drawn in one Line filled the interval between the two former the figure of their Battalia was made Triangular The Ships belonging to the third Squadron tow'd along their Boats and smaller Vessels Last of all the Triarii being drawn in a Half-Moon extended out their Wings so as to inclose the rest before them Thus the Fleet being open before and close in the Rear seem'd like a Ships Stem being posted in an excellent order to defend it self and attack the Enemy When the Carthaginians Generals heard the Roman Fleet was coming and consider'd that their Town was weak and not tenable the People cow'd and fearful and their Neighbours wavering and dispos'd to Innovations they determined to encounter the Enemy being resolved to run any hazard rather than let them have a free passage to Affrica And when they had in few words encouraged their men bidding them remember they were to fight not onely for themselves but for their Wives and Children and therefore ought to do it with the greatest Valour possible they went on board and launch'd from shore having great hopes in their Seamen and Soldiers By this time the Romans came on and not far from Heraclea they engag'd with equal Forces The Carthaginians had agreed among themselves that Hanno the same that had been beaten before Agrigentum should command the right Wing and Hamilcar all the rest of the Fleet and having observed the Romans order of Battel they also divided their Fleet into four parts the left Wing being drawn in a Half-moon was order'd to lie near the shore but the rest of the Fleet stood in three Lines facing the Enemy Of these Hanno drew out the right Wing which consisted of the swiftest Galleys as far as he could into the main Sea that he might encompass the Enemy if the fight should begin any where else The Consuls charg'd without delay the Body of the Punic Fleet with their two Squadrons Now Hamilcar to disorder the Romans Battalia had order'd his men when they had joyn'd Battel immediately to retreat which they did and the Romans eagerly pursu'd them but they received no damage by reason of the swiftness of their Ships whilst the Roman Fleet as Hamilcar foresaw was put in disarray the Triarii and the third Squadron as yet not moving Which he no sooner saw but he gave the signal for his men to tack about and receive the Romans pursuing them and upon this arose a doubtful Battel rhe Carthaginians having the odds for swiftness of Ships and skill of Mariners but the Romans for strength of men Therefore so long as the fight was between the Ships rather than the Soldiers the Carthaginians prevailed but when once they came to grapple Ship to Ship then the Romans got the Victory whilst their Soldiers so good at handling their Arms and now in the sight of their Consuls bravely expos'd their lives endeavouring to signalize their Valour in the Action While things went thus on that side Hanno with the right Wing which had not mov'd yet bearing upon the Triarii attacked them from the Sea and distress'd them very sorely At the same time the Carthaginians left Wing changing their former posture and reducing themselves to a streight Line charged the Romans third Squadron which tow'd their Boats with their Beaks running full tilt upon the Enemy The Romans then disengaging themselves from those Boats they towed prepar'd for fight and here also arose a sharp Conflict Thus in three several places there were as many Naval fights as it were at a pretty good distance one from the other Having fought a long time upon equal terms and with doubtful fortune at length it happen'd as it generally does where men are equally engag'd at once in several places that that side which first defeats a party of the Enemies forces overcomes all the rest for Hamilcar being no longer able to withstand the shock drew off and the rest of the Punic Fleet was immediately routed Now whilst L. Manlius the Consul was busie in securing the Ships taken from the Enemy and towing them along M. Regulus seeing his men ingag'd in another place hasten'd to their aid with as many Ships of the second Squadron as had escaped without damage from the former service Soon did the Triarii apprehend their succour and taking heart again after they had desponded upon prospect of their danger began valiantly to encounter with the Enemy Hanno finding these make a stout resistance and himself pressed upon behind hois'd sail and saved himself by slight In the mean time L. Manlius seeing the Romans third Squadron driven towards shore by the Carthaginians left Wing directed his course thither when M. Regulus also came in who had now secur'd the Triarii and the Long-boats Thus was the Scene soon shefled and they were encompass'd themselves who had just before inviron'd the Romans whom they had once at their mercy pent up and inclosed and might have destroyed them to rights but for fear of the grappling-hooks not venturing too near they gave the Consuls time enough insomuch that they rescued their own men and also took fifty Ships of the Enemies with all the men inclosing them suddenly as in a toyl the rest being but few escap'd stealing away near the shore This Battel for variety of Accidents and the sharpness of the Conflict as also for the number of Ships lost may scarce be parallel'd The Carthaginians had sixty three Ships taken and above thirty sunk the Victors had twenty four sunk but none taken by the Enemy After this Victory being returned to Messina they spent some time there in refreshing the Soldiers re-fitting their Galleys and victualling their Fleet. During which time Hamilcar who would have hinder'd the Romans from going to Affrica and being not able to do it by force of Arms betook himself to this Intrigue he sends Hanno to the Consuls to desire a Peace thinking to gain time till the Forces he expected from Carthage were sent him When Hanno was come to the Consuls and heard some people crying out that it was fit he should be treated after the same rate as Cornelius Asina the Consul had been by the Carthaginians five years before If you do so says Hanno defending himself by a sly Complement then you will not be honester men than the Affricans And the Consuls presently understanding what was said commanded those to be silent who had discoursed of making Hanno Prisoner whom they accosted in a Language suitable to the Roman gravity telling him You are secur'd Hanno of any fear of this sort by the honour of the Roman Name But the treaty of Peace had no effect the Carthaginians not acting in earnest and the Consuls being more desirous of Conquest than Peace therefore they resolved no longer
in good earnest so that the Report went That most of the Mercinary Troops especially those of the Spanish Nation were upon the point of deserting and going over to the Enemy Annibal is said to have had sometimes thoughts of flying away with his Horse into Gallia and leave his Infantry to shift for themselves His Affairs being in this untoward posture he resolv'd to dislodge and march into the warmer Region of Apulia where the Harvest was more forward as also that being farther off from the Enemy such of his Men as were fickle and inconstant might not be able so easily to run away to them He march'd off therefore in the Night making Fires as before and some few Tents left for a shew that the fear of a like Stratagem as before might keep the Romans from pursuing But after the before-mentioned Lucanus Statilius had diligently search'd all places beyond their Camp and on the other side of the Mountains and brought advice that he had a sight of their Rear at a great distance a Council of War was next day held by the Romans and the matter debated whether or no they should follow and urge him to a Battel The two Consuls were still of the same different Opinions as always they had been but almost all the rest of the Officers concurred with Varro and none but Servilius that was Consul last year join'd with Paulus so by the majority of Votes away they went blinded by Destiny to render the little obscure Town Cannae illustrious to all Posterity for the Romans over-throw Near that Village Annibal had pitch'd his Camp having the Southernly Wind call'd Vulturnus at his back which in the Fields parch'd with drought is wont to raise vast Clouds of dust This was not only very convenient for his Men as they lay intrench'd but like to prove of good advantage to them when they should be drawn up in Battalia for having the Wind behind to cool them they should attack the Enemy who must needs be almost blinded with the dust driven full in their faces so abundantly The Consuls sending out Scouts before diligently to discover the Passages pursued the Carthaginians until they came to Cannae where having a sight of the Enemy they intrench'd themselves in two distinct Camps about the same distance from each other as they lay at Gerion The River Aufidus ran near each Parties Camp and gave both opportunities to supply themselves with Water from thence but not without skirmishing with each other But the Romans that were posted in the lesser Camp beyond the Aufidus could fetch Water with more freedom because the Enemy kept no Guards on the farther Bank of the River Annibal having now got a place of advantage for his Cavalry to engage in as being an open Champian Country and knowing his chief strength and hopes to consist in that part of his Forces offers the Consuls Battel draws up his Army to upbraid them and sends some of his Numidian Troops to skirmish with and provoke them This occasion'd the Roman Camp to be again fill'd with the murmurs of the Common Soldiers and discord between the two Consuls Paulus objecting to Varro the fatal rashness of Sempronius and Flaminius and Varro declaiming as fast at the Conduct of Fabius as commended by none but dull and cowardly Captains the latter call'd Gods and Men to witness that it was none of his fault that Annibal was suffered to demean himself as if he were Soveraign Lord of Italy or had taken possession thereof for his own use for ever but the same was wholly to be attributed to his Colleague who tyed up his hands and suffered not the Soldiers to take their Arms. though their spirits were up and they desired nothing so much as a Battel On the other side Paulus protested That if any disaster should happen to the Roman Legions by their being exposed or rather betrayed to the hazards of a doubtful Battel he would never be guilty of the blame of the Advice though he was ready to take his share whatever it should be in the event and only wish'd That those who were now so nimble and forward with their Tongues might in the Fight prove as brisk with their Hands Whil'st thus they spent time in scolding rather than consulting Annibal who had stood a great part of the day in Battalia retreated with most of his Troops into his Camp but sent over a Party of his Numidians cross the River to fall upon such as went for Water from the Romans lesser Camp whom being but a disorderly Rabble they presently put to flight with the noise and shout they made as soon as they gain'd the opposite Bank and pursued them up to the Out-guards and thence ventured further even almost to the very Ports This the Romans took in mighty dudgeon to see themselves thus affronted by a raskally crew of Moors in their very Camp and the only reason why they did not presently cross the River and fight the Enemy was because Paulus happened that day to have the Soveraign Command But that Power being next day devolved to Varro he without consulting his Colleague displayed the Signal and in Battel-array pass'd the River Paulus following him for though he could not approve the Enterprize yet he was bound to assist him in it Beyond the River they join'd with the Forces of the smaller Camp and drew up in this order On the right Wing which was next the River were placed the Roman Horse and next to them a Body of Foot on the Extremity of the left Wing the Associate Cavalry and within a Body of Foot but the Main-Battel consisted of Roman Legions intermixed with Archers and of the rest of the Light-harness'd Troops was composed the Van-guard The Consuls took charge of the Wings Terentius of the left Aemilius of the right and Cn. Servilius of the Main-Body Annibal as soon as 't was day-light sending before his Slingers and others lightly-armed pass'd the River and as his Forces came over rang'd them in order The French and Spanish Horse in the left Wing near the Bank of the River over against the Roman Cavalry the Numidians had the right Wing and the Main-Body was fortified with Foot so placed as the Africans were on each side and the French and Spaniards between them in the middle You would have fansied the Africans for the most part to have been a Roman Army they were so generally Arm'd with what they had taken either at Trebia or at Thrasymenus The French and Spanish had Targets much alike but their Swords were very different those of the French very long and without points the Spaniard used to push and make Passes at their Enemies rather than hack and slash them with down-right stroaks had shorter ones better to be wielded and with sharp points Those Nations above the rest were terrible as well by the greatness of their Stature and bulk of Body as for their strange habit the French all naked above the Navel
before their Camp but that which delay'd the Battel was that Asdrubal advancing with a small Party of Horse before the Ensigns to take a view of the Enemy happen'd to observe amongst them a great many old Targets which he had never seen before and Horses more lank and lean than formerly besides they seem'd to be more in number Hereupon suspecting that which was indeed in haste he sounds a Retreat and sent out some to the River where they had their water to see if they could catch any of them or at least to take notice whether they were swarthy and Sun-burnt more than ordinary as having been travelling lately Likewise he order'd a View to be taken at a distance of their Camp whether the Rampier were any where enlarged and to listen attentively whether they could hear one or two Trumpets sound in their Camp who bringing back an Account of all these Circumstances the Camps not being enlarged was a thing that continued their mistake For they were still but two just as they were formerly one of M. Livius the other of L. Porcius and the Rampiers or Trenches of either not set out one jot further in any place But that which sway'd most with Asdrubal as being an ancient experienced General and well acquainted with the Roman Customs against whom he had so many years waged War was this That they told him they heard one Trumpet in the Praetors Camp but two in the Consuls whence he concluded That undoubtedly both Consuls were there but how the other of them should get away from Annibal sorely troubled his mind for he could not imagine that which was the truth of the Case viz. That Annibal should be trickt in a matter of such moment as to be ignorant what was become of that General and that Army whose Camp was held within view of his own Therefore he concluded That he must by some unusual and mighty overthrow be disabled to follow him and was greatly afraid that himself was come with help too late when their affairs were grown desperate and that the Romans were courted by the same good Fortune in Italy as in Spain and sometimes again he thought his Letters might not come to his Brothers hands but that the Consul might intercept them and so hasten to prevent and cut him off by the way Not a little perplext with these various thoughts he puts out all the Fires and commanded all his Souldiers without noise to get together their Baggage and be ready to march on a Signal given at the first Watch But in that consternation and hurry in the dark two Fellows whom they had for their Guides being not carefully lookt after gave them the slip one running into a lurking hole which he had a good while had in his Eye the other being well acquainted with the shallows of the River Metaurus waded over so that the Army deserted by their Guides was forc'd to march at random through the Fields and divers of them weary and sleepy with watching laid them down here and there and left their Colours with very few Souldiers about them Asdrubal commanded them to follow the River and march on its Banks till the day should shew them the Road but going thus by the windings and turnings of the stream they ridded but little ground and when in the morning they endeavour'd to get over they could find no place convenient for the further they went upwards off from the Sea the higher were the Banks which straitning the River made it deeper though narrower than it was lower so that spending all the day thus unfortunately he gave the Enemy opportunity to pursue him First Nero with all the Cavalry came up then Porcius with the Light-arm'd Foot who on all sides playing upon Asdrubals Forces already weary and disheartned oblig'd them to quit their march which was no better than a Chace and to endeavour to encamp themselves on an high Bank just by the River side but then Livius was come up with all the rest of the Infantry not in the usual posture of a march but ready arm'd and in good order when they were all join'd and arrang'd in Battalia Claudius had charge of the Right Wing Livy of the Left and the Praetor of the main Battel Asdrubal seeing there was no avoiding but fight he must left off fortifying the place for a Camp and put himself in order as fast as they in the middle of his Front and before the Standards he plac'd his Elephants next them in the left Wing were his French men to oppose Claudius not that he trusted so much to them as that he thought the Enemy would be afraid of them himself in person on the Right Wing with a body of Spaniards in whom and his old Souldiers he reposed his greatest hopes resolv'd to confront Livius the Ligurians were behind the Elephants in the middle but the Battel was rather drawn out in length than breadth The French men were defended by an Hill that bore out over them The Spaniards Front was over against the Romans left Wing and all the right hand Battalions were as it were out of the Battel and did nothing for by reason of the Hill they could neither a Front nor a Flank charge the Enemy Between Livius and Asdrubal was begun a mighty Conflict with great and dreadful slaughter on each side There were the two Generals there the best part of the Romans Foot and Horse there were the Spaniards experienc'd Souldiers and wonted to cope with the Romans and there too were the Ligurians an hardy and Warlike people thither too the Elephants were turn'd who at first disorder'd the Front and made the Standards retreat but the Battel then growing more fierce and the clamours louder they would no longer be rul'd by their Riders but run up and down the two Armies like Ships without a Steersman so that you could not tell to which side they belong'd On the other hand Claudius seeing with all their efforts his men could not gain the Hill that was against them Cries out And did we march such a tedious way and in such hast to do just nothing at all Saying which words he detach'd some Regiments and wheel'd about behind the whole Army and unexpectedly not only to the Enemy but to those of his own Party charges the Enemy on the Enemies left Flank and was so nimble that presently after they appear'd on one side some of them were got behind them so that the poor Spaniards and Ligurians were slaughter'd on all sides Front Flank and Rear and the Execution was come up to the French but there was no resistance worth speaking of for a great part of them had before deserted their Colours running away in the night or lying asleep under the Hedges and those that were present being wearied with marching and watching for of all people they can least endure toil they were scarce able to bear their Arms on their shoulders and besides it was about Noon and
he pleased he wrested whither he would He likewise fortold them that the Gods had given encouragement to them to go out to fight as to their Forefathers when they formerly ingaged at the Islands called Aegateis and therefore that there would be an end of the War and they should be at rest that the Booty of Carthage was as good as in their hands and that they should very shortly return into their Country to their Parents Wives Children and Houshold-Gods All which he spoke wich such an haughty carriage and pleasant aspect that you would have thought he had already gained the Victory Then he placed the Spear-men first and behind them the Principes the first Soldiers in the Van of the Army who were furnished with a Javelin c. and put the Triarii in the Reer He did not set the Regiments each in close Order before their Ensigns but the Maniples or Companies at some distance one from the other that the Enemies Elephants might have room enough when they came in so as not to break their Ranks He planted Laelius who had formerly been his Lieutenant but that was Questor by an Order of Senate without drawing Lots for it with the Italian Horse in the left Wing and Masinissa with the Numidians in the right He also filled up the wide spaces between the Maniples with the Velites of the Antesignani or light-arm'd Soldiers that fought among those that were before the Ensigns to whom he gave a charge That at the coming up of the Elephants they should either retire directly behind the Ranks or applying themselves to the Antesignani by running to the right and left among them should give the beasts way to rush in upon the dangerous Weapons Annibal for a terror set the Elephants which were eighty in number and more than he had ever had in any Battle before first in Array and after them the Ligurian and Gallick Auxiliaries with the Balearians and Mores mixt among them In the second Division of the Army he placed the Carthaginians Africans and the Legion of Macedonians and then leaving a small interval he put the Italian Soldiers in the Reer who were most of them Bruttians that of force and necessity more than any good will had follow'd him out of Italy He also rang'd the Horse all round the Wings the Carthaginians in the right and the Numidians in the left His address to the Army was very various being made to so many different sorts of men whose Language Manners Laws Arms Garb Complexion and ground of War was no ways the same The Auxiliaries he said should have a present and manifold reward out of the Booty The Gauls were inflamed with a natural and peculiar hatred toward the Romans The Ligurians had the fruitful Plains of Italy being brought down out of craggy Mountains into great hopes of Victory shewn unto them The Mores and Numidians he terrified with the tyrannical sway that Masinissa was like to bear over them infusing several hopes and fears into the rest of them and minding the Carthaginians of the Walls of their Country their Houshold-Gods the Sepulchres of their Ancestors their Parents Children fearful Wives and how they must expect either destruction and slavery or to be Emperors of the whole World but said no mean thing to them that tended to promote either their hope or fear And just as their General was saying this among his Country-men to the Carthaginian Officers that led their own People and to the Foreigners also by Interpreters that were mingled among them the Trumpets and Cornets sounded from the Roman Army and there was such a noise set up that the Elephants ran upon their own Men especially in the left Wing where the Mores and Numidians stood Masinissa seeing that with ease increased their dread and bereft the Army on that side of all assistance from their Horse But some few of the Beasts being unaffrighted were driven up into the Enemy and made a greater slaughter among the light-arm'd Soldiers though they receiv'd many wounds themselves For the light-arm'd Men retiring into the Maniples and having made way for the Elephants to save themselves from being trod to pieces threw their Spears on both sides into them nor were the Antesignani with their Javelins idle till such time as being by the Weapons which fell upon them from all parts forced out of the Roman Army they put to flight even the Carthaginian Horse in their own right Wing Laelius when he saw the Enemy in a confusion supplied fresh matter of terrour to them The Punick Army was now on both sides bereft of its Horse when the Foot fell on notwithstanding it was not equal to the Enemy either in hopes or strength Besides which though it he a small thing to speak of it was of great moment in the managing of the same affair the clamour or shout the Romans made was all of one tone and consequently so much the greater and more terrible whilst the Enemies voices were dissonant because their Languages were so different The Fight likewise on the Romans side was steddy because they lay heavy upon the Enemy not only through their own weight and strength but that of their Arms too whilst on the other side there was only more swiftness and agility than strength shown in their first Onset Wherefore upon the first effort the Romans made the Enemy immediately give way and then with their Elbows and Bucklers punching them on still as they got ground upon them they proceeded for some time without resistance the Reer pressing on the Van assoon as they perceived the Enemies Body to move which very thing also conduced very much to the routing of them On the other hand among the Enemies the second Division of their Army consisting of Africans and Carthaginians were so far from enduring the Retreat of their Auxiliaries in the Front that they gave back lest the Enemy when they had killed the Vanguard should have fallen upon them Wherefore the Punick Auxiliaries immediately turned their backs upon the Romans and facing their own Men fled partly into the second Division part of which they also slew for not receiving them as being e'rewhiles not assisted by them and then moreover excluded And now there were in a manner two Battles the Carthaginians being forced to ingage not only with the Enemy but their own Party also Yet notwithstanding they did not let them into their Body when they were so dismay'd and furious but closing their Ranks turned them out into the Wings and the open Plains beyond the Army because they were afraid to mingle men in such a consternation and so much wounded with a fresh and steady Army But the heaps of dead Men and Arms had so filled up the place in which the Auxiliaries a little before had stood that their passage that way was full as difficult as it had been through the main Body of the Enemy Wherefore the Spear-men that were first pursuing the Enemy over the
cross'd over to Delus About that time the Consul Acilius attack'd Naupactum Contrary Winds kept Livy for some dayes at Delos that being the most stormy place among the Cyclades which are disjoin'd from each other sometimes with greater and sometimes with lesser streights Polyxenidas being inform'd by the Scout-Ships he had sent to cruise about that the Roman Fleet stood at Delos sent Messengers to the King who omitting what he was then doing in Hellespont return'd as fast as he possibly could with his Beaked Ships to Ephesus where he immediately consulted Whether he should run the hazard of a naval fight To which Polyxenidas answer'd That he ought not to be idle but that he should engage before Eumenes 's Navy and the Rhodians join'd the Romans for by that means they should not be much too disproportionate in number who were in all other superiour to the Foe both as to the swiftness of their Navy and the variety of their Auxiliaries For the Roman Ships as they were clouterly built and immoveable so also as coming into an Enemies Country were loaded with provisions but theirs would have nothing as leaving all things in peace round about them excepting Souldiers and Arms besides that the knowledge of the Sea Lands and Winds would be of great advantage to them though they would all be prejudicial to the Enemy who had no skill in them The Author of this Counsel moved them every one and he put his advice in execution too Having staid two days to make provision the third day with a hundred Ships of which seventy were cover'd and the rest open all of a smaller size setting out went to Phocaea There the King having heard that the Roman Navy was at hand because he resolv'd not to be present at that Naval Engagement he departed to Magnesia by Sipylus to raise Land Forces The Fleet went to Cyssus a Port of the Erythraeans as being a more commodious place for them to stay and expect the Enemy The Romans as soon as the Northwinds were fallen for they had blown for some dayes made over from Dolus to Phanae a Port belonging to the Chians lying toward the Aegean Sea from whence they brought their Ships about to the chief City and having taken in provisions went over to Phocaea Eumenes going to Elaea to his Navy some few days after with 24. cover'd Ships and more open ones return'd a little way from Phocaea to the Romans who were making ready for a Sea sight So going from thence with 150. cover'd Ships and almost 50. open ones they being at first blown toward the shore by contrary North-winds were forced to go in a slender Body almost one a Breast till when the wind was a little allay'd they endeavour'd to put over into the Port of Corycus which is above Cyssus Polyxenidas when he heard that the Enemy was at hand being glad of the opportunity of fighting himself extended his left Wing into the Sea bidding his Officers place the right Wing toward the Land and went forth with an even Front to the fight Which when the Roman saw he furl'd his Sails and lower'd his Masts and setting his tackling at the same time in order staid for the Ships that came after They were now almost thirty in Front with whom that he might match the left Wing he made all the Sail he could into the main Sea commanding those that follow'd to plant themselves opposite to the right Wing near the Land Eumenes brought up the Reer But when they first began to bustle in removing the tackle he himself also put the Ships forward with what speed he could And now they were all in view when two Punick Vessels went before the Roman Navy that met with three of the Kings Ships two of which as being of an odd number got about one of the other First therefore they broke off the Oars from both sides and then the Souldiers got on Board it where knocking down and killing the Defendants they took the Ship The one that was engaged on even hand when she saw the other taken ran back to the Navy before she was circumvented by all three of them at once Livius inflamed with indignation bore up to the Enemy with his Admirals Ship Against whom when those two that had beset the one Punick Ship came up with the same hopes he order'd the Rowers to let fall their Oars into the Water on both sides to keep the Ship steady and to throw harping Irons into the Enemies Ships that were hard by but when he had made the Fight like to a Land Battle to remember their Roman Courage and not think that he led Kings Slaves instead of men By this means far more easily than two before took one than one defeated and seized two Ships And now the Fleets were throughly engaged so that they all fought pell mell on every side Eumenes who came last when the fight was begun when he observ'd that the left Wing of the Enemies was put into a confusion by Livius himself set upon the right where the fight was equal Nor was it long before the left Wing began first to fly For Polyxenidas as soon as he saw himself unquestionably overcome in point of Courage by the Enemy immediately hoisted his Top-sails and ran for 't as fast as he could as they also did long after who were engaged near the Land with Eumenes The Romans and Eumenes as long as their Men could row and that they were in hopes of gauling their Enemies Reer pursued them with great resolution But when they saw through the swiftness of the Adversaries Ships being light that their own who were laden with Provisions could not make way fast enough after them at last they stopt having taken thirteen Ships with the Soldiers and Rowers in them of which they sunk ten Of the Roman Navy only the Punick Ship that was encompassed by the two at the beginning of the fight was lost Polyxenidas ran all the way till he came to the Port of Ephesus The Romans turned that Day at that place whence the Kings Navy came forth but the next Day made all hast imaginable to pursue the Enemy About the middle of their Voyage they met twenty five Rhodian Men of War with Pausistratus their Admiral So having joyn'd them they followed the Foe to Ephesus where they stood before the mouth of the Port in Battel array After they had made the conquer'd confess what they pleas'd the Rhodians and Eumenes were sent home but the Romans sailing toward Chius in the way to which they first passed by Phoenicus a Port in the Erythrean Dominions cast their Anchors in the Night and the next Day went forward not only to the Island but the very City Where having stay'd some few Days to refresh their Rowers more than any thing else they went over to Phocaea and having left there four five-bank'd Gallies for defence of the place the Fleet came to Canae where since the Winter was now at