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
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
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
Soldiers comparing this Discipline with the former became more confident of better success for the future and the whole State which had been chill'd with fear began now to be inspirited with fâ—esh vigour and warmth The Officers also of the Army seeing this general briskness of their People taking good heart themselves likewise resolv'd to march against the Enemy and having encouraged their men as the time requir'd went out against the Romans with about twelve thousand Foot four thousand Horse and no less than one hundred Elephants but what most concern'd the Romans was to see the Carthaginians contrary to their usual manner avoiding the hilly rugged Country and keeping to the Plains But by perpetual success the Romans were so elevated that they despis'd an Army so often beaten by them now under a pitiful Greek Commander Nay Regulus himself was not free from the same vanity being carried away with the flattering smiles of Fortune and therefore reflecting that he had defeated the Carthaginians both by Sea and Land taken almost two hundred of their Towns and two hundred thousand men and withal conceiting that he was able to force Carthage it self labouring under such distresses to surrender he refus'd to grant Peace upon any tolerable Conditions and wrote to Rome that he had block'd up Carthage Thus men of great Spirits oftner miscarry for want of moderation in Prosperity than constancy in Adversity Whilst the Carthaginians were incamp'd in a plain and level ground M. Regulus whose main strength consisted in Foot and therefore should have kept the Hills ventur'd down into the Plain thinking every place indifferent for valiant Men to fight in and for the greater show of his confidence passed a River which ran between him and the Enemy and advanced within a mile of them Xanthippus seeing Regulus his ill Conduct declar'd that now the time was come wherein he should make good his word to the Carthaginians for having got the Romans tir'd by their journey in such a place as he desir'd he assur'd himself of Victory The time of the day seemed likewise most opportune for Battel for now it drew towards Evening so that the Carthaginians acquainted with all the Passes of the Country might easily escape by Night if they should be beaten and nothing could hinder them to prosecute their Victory if they should prevail When the Carthaginians therefore consulted what they should do he conjur'd them by all that was good and great not to slip so brave an opportunity and persuaded them to joyn Battel which they easily agreed to the Souldiers calling him by Name and with extraordinary alacrity desiring Battel The Command of all therefore being left to this Spartan General he led out his Army and rang'd them in this manner The Carthaginian Phalanx consisting of the main strength of their Foot was placed upon the Reserve before which at a convenient distance the Elephants were rang'd in one Line equal to the breadth of the Phalanx On both the Wings the Light-armed men and the Horse were posted and behind them on the right Wing the Mercenary Men of Arms. His Army being drawn in this order he commanded the Light-Horse as soon as they had charg'd to fall back to their own Men who were to open their Ranks to receive them and the Enemy being engag'd with stronger forces to issue out again from both the Wings and suddenly flank the Romans fighting with the Phalanx Regulus on the contrary having ranged his men in order of Battel when he saw the Elephants standing in the Carthaginians Van immediately took this course the Light-arm'd he places in the front the Legions in close Ranks on the Reserve and the Wings consisted of the Horse whereby the Army was firm for depth but took up a much narrower compass than before so that when danger was fear'd both from the Elephants and the Horse this order serv'd well enough to hinder the Elephants from breaking in but in an open Field so much room was left to the Enemies Horse that they might surround an Army shrunk into such a small compass The Onset was made by the Elephants Xanthippus having caused them to advance upon the Romans and immediately the Romans clashing their Arms and shouting mingled with the Enemy The Horse also of both sides joyn'd Battel upon the Wing and the Romans here over-power'd by greater numbers of the Enemies when they were no longer able to sustein the shock fled out-right while the Foot towards the left Wing either to avoid the Elephants or in hopes of an easier Conquest over the Mercenaries charged routed and pursued these to their Camp but the rest had a harder task of it with the Elephants who with an intolerable force broke the Ranks trampled the Soldiers and destroyed whole Squadrons together However the depth of the Army sustein'd the shock for a while one Rank still supporting another till the Army in every part began to be distressed at once those in the Rear being encompass'd by the Enemies Horse and those in the Front of the Army as many as had broke through the Elephants were either kill'd by the Phalanx being fresh men and posted to â—eceive them or else by the Light-horse who assaulted them on every side Nor were there fewer kill'd in the flight for the Elephants and Numidian Horse being sent after them slew them here and there as they stragled through that open Champian Country M. Regulus with five hundred was taken alive by the Enemy Of all the Army not above two thousand men who had defeated the Mercenaries esaped alive making their retreat hastily to Clupea Of the Punic Army not many fell besides the eight hundred Mercenaries that had fought with the Enemies left Wing After so great an Atchievement when the Army return'd to Carthage carrying the spoils of the slain and triumphing for having taken Regulus Prisoner the Citizens in great numbers pour'd out to meet them others standing either in the Streets or Balconies with incredible pleasure enjoyed that sight which they durst not wish for some time before their minds being scarce able to bear the joy and transports or to believe the truth of this Victory for those who but just now being brought to the brink of despair fear'd to lose their Town Temples and Country could scarce believe so sudden a revolution of Affairs though they saw it but the eyes and minds of all were most intent upon the Generals themselves whilst looking upon Xanthippus one while and Regulus another by their estimate of this they valued and extolled the greatness of their own General For what a mighty Man must he be accounted who has outed such a great and fortunate Warriour so cruel an Enemy and the terrour of Carthage of such a flourishing Army a glorious Name and in fine of Liberty it self and that so easily and speedily too They also admir'd Xanthippus the more for his shape and features seeing so much Valour lay conceal'd under so mean a Stature and an
a Circumvallation was making before their Walls before the Line was finisht in the dead of the night stole away as well as they could by the Guards and fled every one as his Wits guided or his fear carryed him into such Cities of Campania as continued firm to the Romans Annibal after he had plunderd and burnt Acerrae having intelligence that the Roman Dictator and Legions were come up towards Casilinum fearing lest being so near they should have some design upon Capua leads his Army to Casilinum There were then in that Town five hundred Praenestines with a few Romans and Latâ—nes which the news of the defeat at Cannae had brought thither For the levy at Praeneste not being finisht by the day appointed they setting out late from home being come to Casilinum join'd with certain Romans and others of the Allies and set forwards from thence in a pretty handsome Body but the noise of the overthrow at Cannae turn'd them back again to Casilinum where having spent some days suspecting and being no less suspected of the Campanians for they were mutually counter-plotting upon each other hearing at last for certain that Capua was revolted and had entertain'd Annibal they one night massacred the Townsmen and seiz'd on that part of the City which stood on this side Vultuâ—nus for that River ran through and divided it where they still kept Garison being reinforc'd with a Company of Perusines consisting of four hundred and sixty men driven to Casilinum by the same sad tidings that brought the Praenestines thither and as they seem'd enow to defend that place considering the Walls were of so small a space and that they were flankt on one side by the River so for the proportion of Corn whereof they had but little they were indeed too many Annibal being come pretty near sent a Party of Getulians under the Conduct of one Isalca with Orders first if he could come to a Parley to perswade them with fair words to open their Gates and receive a Garison but if they continued obstinate to attack them briskly and try if in any part he could storm the Town When they came up to the Walls this Barbarian Captain finding nothing but stillness and solitude concluded they had abandon'd it for fear and set his men to break open the Gates and force the Locks and Bars but on a sudden the Gates flew open and two compleat Companies drawn up within sally out with a mighty shout and cut to pieces abundance of the Enemy The first being thus repuls'd Maharbal was sent with a greater force yet neither could he endure the charge of these Companies sallying out upon him At last Annibal Encamping just before the Walls prepares with all his Forces and utmost strength to assault this little City and petty Garison and whilst he pressed hard upon them investing it round with his Souldiers he lost a great many men and especially such as were most active and forwards once upon a sally planting his Elephants between them and home he had like to have intâ—rcepted them and forc'd them to run for their lives into the City not a few considering their small number being left dead behind them and more had been cut off if the approach of night had not favour'd them The next day the Assailants were all sharp set to give a fresh and hot charge and the more to enflame them a golden Coronet was proposed to whatever should first scale the Wall and the General himself upbraided them that they who storm'd Saguntum should stand so long trifling about a paltry Borough situate too upon a Plain and at the same time put them all in general and each man by himself in mind of the gallant service they had done at Cannae Thrasymenus and Trebia then began they to play their Engines and undermine nor omitted any thing that could be attempted either by Force or Art The Defendants raised Mounts within to oppose their Fabricks without and prevented their Mines with Countermines and cross Trenches so as both above ground and beneath they frustrated all their designs till at last Annibal for very shame gave over the Enterprize And having fortified his standing Camp and left a competent Guard to defend it because he would not seem wholly to quit the Siege withdrew into Capua for his Winter Quarters There he kept his Army most part of the Winter in close Houses and waâ—m Beds who always before had been enur'd to all the hardships that men could endure and not acquainted with good keeping much less with the delights of the World Thus those very men that had triumph over the horrours of the Alps and were not to be broken by any Extremity were spoil'd and undone by too good usage and excess of pleasures to which they so much the more greedily abandon'd themselves as they were unaccustomed thereunto Sleep and drunkenness and delicate Fare and Wenching the Stews and the Hot Houses Ease and Idleness which every day gâ—ew more pleasant and habitual had so weakned their Bodies and debauch'd their minds that henceforwards they subsisted rather by the reputation of their past Victories than any present strength or manhood Insomuch that those well skill'd in affairs of War reckon this Wintering at Capua to be no less an over sight in Annibal than his not marching to rights to Rome from the Battel of Cannae For that delay did only seem to defer but this errour destroy'd the hopes of Victory for ever Most certain it is he march'd out of Capua as it were with a new Army for they had nothing of their old Discipline or hardy Courage For not only they parted thence intangled or encumbred with Harlots but when they came to lie abroad in the Field and to endure hard marches and other military toils their Bodies and Spirits fainted just as if they had been raw fresh-water Souldiers so that all that Summer abundance of them fled from their Colours and the chief place of resort where they lurk'd and shelter'd themselves was Capua The Winter being pretty well over Annibal again took the Field and return'd to Casilinum where though there had not been much Battery yet the Blockade continuing had reduced the Townsmen and Garison to the extremity of want Marcellus with all his heart would have relieved them but he was hindred both by the overflow of the River Vulturnus and the intreaties of the people of Nola and Acerrae fearing to be over-run by the Capuans if once the Roman Garisons were withdrawn As for T. Sempronius Gracchus who at that time commanded in chief the Roman Army in those parts the Dictator being gone to Rome to repeat the Auspices had given express Orders not to attempt any thing in his absence so that though he lay Encamp'd near Casilinum yet he could not stir a foot to help them and yet there came to him daily such tidings as might have provok'd the greatest patience in the World for 't was certain that some not able
Elect was slain and his Army defeated in Gallia The manner thus There was a vast Forrest the Gauls call'd it Litana through which he was to march the Trees whereof on the right and left hand of the pass the Gauls had more than half saw'd through near the Root on the inside so that though they stood upright with a little shog they would fall down Posthumius had only two Legions of Romans but had levied so many of the associates near the upper Sea as made him five and twenty thousand strong The Gauls lay lurking about the edges of this Forrest and when he with his Army was got into the narrow way threw down the Trees that stood next which topling down one another on either side fell upon the Romans and knockt o' th' head both Horse and Men that scarce ten escap'd For as most of them were struck stark dead either with the Bodies of the Trees or with the broken Boughs and Branches so the rest affrighted with this unexpected accident were kill'd by the Enemy who in Arms had beset all the passes some few of all that multitude being taken alive who making towards a Bridge that the Enemy had before possess'd themselves of were there intercepted amongst whom the Consul Posthumius resolving not to be made a Prisoner was slain Whose Armour and Head after they had cut it off the Boii carried in triumph to one of their most eminent Temples and having cleansed the skull according to their mode gilded it with gold which serv'd them both for a Chalice in their solemn Sacrifices and an ordinary drinking Cup for their chief Priest and his Assistants nor was the booty of less importance to the Gauls than their Victory for though the Horse were generally kill'd by the fall of the Timber yet the rest of the Goods and Baggage nothing being carried off was found all along scatter'd on the ground amongst the dead in the same order as they march'd These sad tidings having put the City into such consternation that for several dayes together all Shops were shut up and no more stirring about streets than if it had been perpetually night the Senate order'd the Aediles to walk about and cause the Shops to be open'd and remove this show of publick grief Then T. Sempronius having assembled the Senate purposely on this occasion comforted the Fathers as well as he could and desired That as they were not dismaid or cast down at the mighty loss at Cannae so they would not now suffer their spirits to shrink for lesser Calamities That if as he hop'd they had but good success against Annibal and his Carthaginians the War with the Gauls might without any danger or inconveniency be laid aside at present and deferr'd to a better opportunity The revenge of this treacherous trick remaining still in the power of the Gods and People of Rome to take it when they thought fit but the main business now before them was to consult and take measures for mannaging the War against Annibal their grand Enemy in order to which he himself in the first place gave their Lordships an Account what Foot and Horse there were in the Dictators Army either of natural Romans or Auxiliaries from their Allies Then Marcellus stated the Forces under his Command and the numbers of those in Apulia with C. Terentius the Consul were also given in by such as were well acquainted therewith after which they proceeded to Debate whether two Consular Armies well appointed would be sufficient for carrying on so great a War Thus for the present they let the Gauls alone though their Fingers itcht to be at them in revenge of the late defeat the Dictators Army was assign'd to the Consul and those in Marcellus's Army that escap'd at Cannae were sent into Sicily to remain in service there as long as the War should continue in Italy and thither likewise were drawn out of the Dictators Army such as were able to do the least service without assigning them any certain time of abiding there otherwise than as the Law at the end of their ten years service should discharge them The two City Legions were decreed to the Consul that should be chosen in the room of L. Postumius who 't was Order'd should be Elected as soon as ever the lucky Auspices would permit Likewise two Legions with all Expedition were to be brought out of Sicily out of which the said Consul that was to command the City-Legions might take what recruits he thought fit the Command of the Consul C. Terentius was continued over the Army for another year nor were any of the Forces he had with him for the Guard of Apulia to be withdrawn from thence Whilst these Preparations were making in Italy the War went on briskly in Spain and hitherto to the advantage of the Romans the two Scipio's having divided the Forces between them Cneus being General at Land and Publius Admiral at Sea Asdrubal the Punick General mistrusting he was not able to deal with either of them kept off at a great distance and in places of security and after much intreaty and long sollicitation had four thousand Foot and five hundred Horse sent from Annibal to reinforce him with which new help having gather'd new hopes he advanc'd somewhat nearer and began to Equip out a Fleet for the defence of the Coasts but whilst he was in the heat of that work all was spoil'd by the revolt of most of his Sea-Commanders who having been sharply treated and reproacht for running from their Ships on the River Iberus and suffering them to be taken by the Enemy could never after endure Asdrubal nor much valued in their hearts the Carthaginian Interest These Renegades caused an Insurrection amongst the Carpesians and by their means several Cities revolted and one was taken by storm Asdrubal therefore being forc'd to divert his War from the Romans and endeavour to subdue these Mutineers marcht with a stout Army into those parts to fall upon Galbus the General of the Carpesians who lay Encamp'd with a strong Army under the Walls of the late taken City and sending before some of his light-arm'd men to draw on the Enemy to a Battel sent part of his Foot to Forage the Country and take up what Straglers they could meet with Thus at one and the same time there was a Skirmish before the Camp and in the Fields where they were either slain or put to flight but having by running several ways from all parts recovered again their Camp their fears were dispell'd and on a sudden they grew so couragious as not only to defend their own Works but also to attacque the Enemy so out they sallied in a Body leaping and Skipping as their manner was and with their confidence daunted the Enemy who but just before challeng'd them into the Field therefore both Asdrubal himself retired with his Forces to an Hill of good height and situate for his advantage having a River between him and the
Scipio having sent C. Laelius with Syphax and other Captives to Rome along with whom also went Ambassadors from Masinissa himself removed his Camp back to Tunis and perfected those Fortifications that he had begun Mean while the Carthaginians being filled not only with a short but almost a vain joy by reason of their present good success in opposing the Roman Navy when they heard that Syphax was taken in whom they had reposed more hopes if possible than in Asdrubal and all their own Army were dismay'd when they heard no body now speak any more for a War and sent thirty of the ancient Nobility as Envoys to desire a Peace For that was their great Council and the best means they had to rule even the Senate it self Who when they came into the Roman Camp and to the Praetorium they threw themselves using the fashion I suppose of that Country whence they originally came prostrate on the ground And their Speech was suitable to such an humble posture For they did not excuse themselves but laid all the original blame upon Annibal and such as favoured his ambition They begged pardon for their City which had been twice already overthrown by the temerity of its Citizens but might again be restored through the bounty of their Enemies That the Roman People sought for Empire over their conquered Foes not their ruine and that they were ready to serve them patiently let their Commands be what they would To which Scipio answer'd That he came into Africa with that hope which by the prosperous event of the War was increased that he should carry Victory not Peace back with him home yet though he had a Victory just at hand he did not refuse a Peace that all the World might see the People of Rome did not only with justice undertake but also put an end to their Wars But he would make these Terms of Peace with them That the Captives Renegadoes and Fugitives should be all sent back that they should draw their Armies out of Gaul and Italy that they should not meddle with Spain that they should quit all the Islands that lye between Italy and Africa that they should deliver up all their long Ships excepting twenty and give him 500000 bushels of Wheat and 300000 of Barley What summ of Money he enjoyned them to pay is not agreed upon for I find in some Authors that they were assessed at 5000 Talents and in others 5000 pounds of Silver bullion and in others a double stipend to the Army And upon these conditions said he I 'll give you three days to consult whether you are willing to conclude a Peace If you like them make a Truce with me and send Ambassadors to the Senate at Rome The Carthaginians being thus dismissed were of opinion that they ought not to refuse any Terms whatsoever for they sought all means to delay the time till Annibal came over into Africa and therefore sent some Ambassadors to Scipio to make a Truce and others to Rome to desire a Peace carrying along with them some few Captives Renegadoes and Fugitives for a show that the Peace might be the more easily obtained Laelius with Syphax and the noblest Numidian Captives was come to Rome many days before and told the Senate in order all that had been done in Africa to their great joy at present and their hopes for the future Thereupon the Senate having advised of the matter thought fit to send the King Prisoner to Alba and keep Laelius there till the Carthaginian Ambassadors came Then they decreed a Supplication to be made for four days together P. Aelius the Praetor when the Senate was adjourn'd and an Assembly immediately after called went up with C. Laelius into the Rostra the place for Orations where the people hearing that the Carthaginian Armies were defeated that a King of high Renown was conquered and taken and that all Numidia was over-run with a mighty Victory they could not contain their satisfaction in silence but with shouts and other ways as the Mobile uses expressed their immoderate joy Wherefore the Praetor immediately gave Order That the Sextons should open all the Temples in the City and give the people leave to go about to salute all the Gods and give them thanks all day long The next day he brought Masinissa's Ambassadors into the Senate Who first of all congratulated the Senate that P. Scipio had been so successful in Africa and next gave thanks for that he had not only called Masinissa King but also made him one by restoring him to his Fathers Kingdom in which when Syphax was taken off he was like to reign without any fear or molestation And furthermore that having praised him before a publick Assembly he had also honoured him with several great Presents of which Masinissa not only already had done but always would do his endeavour to make himself seem worthy That they desired the Senate by Decree to confirm the Name of King together with those other favours and bounties which Scipio had conferred upon him and if they pleased that Masinissa desired also that the Numidian Captives who were in custody at Rome might be sent back for that would be a great advantage to him among his Country-men To which the Ambassadors received this Answer That they as well as the King congratulated the success of their affairs in Africa and that Scipio did well and as he ought to do in calling him King as also that whatever else he had done that might be for Masinissa 's honour the Senate did both approve and commend Besides which they decreed That the Ambassadors should carry certain Presents to the King to wit two Purple Soldiers Cloaks with each a golden Button and a Tunick studded with the figure of a broad Nail-head two Horses with Trappings and two Suits of Arms for an Horseman with Coats of Mail and Tents and other military Furniture such as it was the fashion to present to a Consul The Praetor was order'd to send these things to the King And to make the Ambassadors themselves each of them Presents of at least 5000 Asses i. e. 290 l. and their Retinue each of them 1000 Asses i. e. 58 l. with two Garments to the Ambassadors but only one apiece to their Attendants and the Numidians who being let out of Prison were to be restored to the King Besides which there were Houses places in the Theatre and Banquets appointed for the Ambassadors The same Summer that these things were decreed at Rome and done in Africa P. Quintilius Varus the Praetor and M. Cornelius the Proconsul fought a set Battle in the Country of the Insubrian Gauls with Mago the Carthaginian The Praetors Legions were in the main Body whilst Cornelius kept his in the Reer being himself on Horse-back in the Front and before the two Wings the Praetor and the Proconsul exhorted their Soldiers to fall upon the Enemy as hard as they could But seeing that they could not any ways move them