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
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
the Spoils of the Curiatij set up in that place which is now called Pila Horatia or Horatius's Trophies Can you said he O Romans endure to see this youth whom you so lately beheld adorned with Victory and march triumphantly before you bound whipped and tortured under a Gallows when even the eyes of the Albans could hardly bear so horrid a spectacle Go Officer bind those hands which not long since were armed to gain an Empire for the Roman People Go veil the head of him that freed this City Hang him up drub him even within the Walls so it be near those Trophies and Spoils he took from the Enemy or without the City so it be within view of those Sepulchres where the Curiatij lie buried For whither can you lead this youth where his own brave Actions will not rescue him from the Dishonour of such a base kind of Punishment the People were sorry to see his Fathers tears and that he himself should shew so little concern in all that danger wherefore they acquitted him more out of admiration of his Courage than for the justice of his cause But that the manifest Murther might be attoned for by some means or other 't was ordered that his Father should expiate his Sons guilt by a publick expence He therefore having performed some propitiatory Sacrifices which were afterwards transmitted to the Family of the Horatij made a Gallows cross the way and ordered his Son to pass under it as Soldiers do when they are sold for Slaves And that Gallows is still kept in repair at the publick charge even to this day being called Sororium Tigillum or the Gallows set up on the account of a Sister The Sepulchre of the Maid that was killed was built in the place where she fell of square Stone But the Peace with Alba did not long continue for the Envy of the Common People who took it ill that the publick fortune of their Country should be committed to three Soldiers only corrupted the vain disposition of their Dictators and seeing that good Counsels had not succeeded well he endeavoured to reconcile the minds of his Country-men by ill means To which end as before in time of War he had desired Peace so now in time of Peace he desired War But because he saw their City had much more courage than strength to declare and wage an open War he instigated other people thereunto reserving the treacherous part to be acted by his own Country-men under a shew of alliance and friendship The People of Fidenae who were a Roman Colony having taken advice with the Veientes were moved to make War and take up Arms upon condition that the Albans would revolt to their party When Fidenae was in open Rebellion Tullus sent for Metius and his Army from Alba whom he led against the Enemy and having past the River Anien he pitched his Camp at the meeting of the two Rivers Between that place and Fidenae the Army of the Veientes got over the Tiber and were posted in the right wing near the River whilest those of Fidenae stood in the left more near to the Mountains Tullus led his men against the Veian Enemy and planted the Albans over against the Legion of the Fidenates The Albans had no more courage than honesty and therefore not daring either to stand or move with any confidence crept by degrees to the Mountains Where when they thought themselves safe enough they set their whole Army in array but being in doubt what to do and willing to delay time they took a great deal of pains to range their men Their design was which way soever Fortune should incline that way to bend their forces The Romans who stood next to them began to wonder at first when they saw themselves deserted by the going off of their Allies and immediatly a Trooper galloping away went and told the King that the Albans were gone At which Tullus was put into such a consternation that he made twelve Salij or Priests of Mars and dedicated Temples to Pallor and Pavor i. e. to Paleness and Fear wherewithal he chid the Trooper so loud that the Enemy might hear him and bid him return into the Battel telling him They had no need to fear in that the Alban Army had wheeled about by his order to surprize the Fidenates in their unguarded Reer He likewise commanded the same Person to bid all the Horse advance their Javelins which Action of theirs intercepted the sight of the Alban Army marching off from a great part of the Roman Foot but those who saw them supposing it to be as they had heard the King say fell on the more eagerly The Enemies were terrified for they heard what the King so loudly said and many of the Fidenates as being a Colony belonging to the Romans understood Latin Wherefore last on a sudden they should have been blocked up by the descent of the Albans from the Hills and hindered of regaining the Town they turned their backs Tullus pursued them and having routed the wing of the Fidenates he returned more fiercely upon the Veians who were struck with a strange dread Nor could they endure the shock but running hastily away were driven to a River that was behind them to which when they were come some of them shamefully threw away their Arms and ran headlong into the water the rest staying on the banks and doubting whether they should sly or fight were all slain nor was there ever before that time a bloudier Battel fought by the Romans Then the Alban Army who had been Spectators of the Fight was led down into the plains and Metius congratulated Tullus his conquest over his Enemies in answer whereunto Tullus spoke very kindly to Metius and told him He hoped it would be for both their advantages if the Alban and the Roman Camp were both united into one wherefore he gave order it should be so and against the next day prepared a Sacrifice to purifie the Army Next morning as soon as it was day when all things were ready He as the custom is commanded both Armies to meet in one Assembly The criers began at the end and cited the Albans first who being concerned at the novelty of the thing as much as at any thing else that they might hear what the Roman King said stood next to him A Roman Legion all in Arms was ordered to enclose them and the Centurions were imployed to put their orders in execution without any delay Then Tullus thus began Romans If ever you had reason in any Battel before this time first to thank the immortal Gods and then congratulate your own valour it was for yesterdays atchievement For you fought not with Enemies more than which is the most difficult and dangerous engagement with the treachery and perfidiousness of your Allies For to undeceive you the Albans went into the Mountains without my knowledg nor was it my command but my stratagem and only the pretence of a command which
in a confusion of mind thank'd them saying That there was a vast burden laid upon him by the Roman people who had created him Dictator now four times a great one by the Senate through the judgments of that Order concerning him but the far greatest by the difference of his honourable Collegues Wherefore if there cou'd be any more labour or care added to it he wou'd strive to acquit himself as to make that opinion which was the greatest that cou'd be that the City generally had of him lasting That as to the War and the Antians there was more threatenings than danger but that he notwithstanding as he said there was nothing to be feared so he wou'd not say there was any thing to be slighted in that Affair That the City of Rome was begirt by the envy and hatred of its Neighbours so that there was need of more Generals and Armies to manage the Commonwealths business I wou'd have you P. Valerius said he to be my assistant in Command and Counsels and lead forth part of the Legions against the Antian Foe and you Q. Servilius to Encamp in the City with an other Army ready to watch for fear either Etruria in the mean time as of late they did or this new vexation the Latins and the Hernicans shou'd stir for I am sure you 'll so behave your self as may suit with the honour of your Father Grand-Father your self and six Tribuneships A third Army I wou'd have raised out of the Caussaries such as were excused from the Wars upon the score of sickness and elder sort by L. Quintius to be a guard to the City and the Walls Let L. Horatius provide them Darts Arms Corn and other necessaries of War and you Serg. Cornelius we appoint to be Overseer and manager of this publick advice of all Religious Worship of the Assemblies the Laws and all other affairs in the City Upon this all kindly promising to perform their parts in the discharge of their duty Valerius who was his partner in Command added That M. Furius shou'd be his Dictator and he wou'd be his Master of the Horse and therefore look what hopes they had of one sole General the same they might have of the War but he had good hopes himself both of War and Peace and the whole Commonwealth With that the Senators being overjoy'd began to Humm and said The Commonwealth wou'd never need to have a Dictator if it had such men for Officers who agreed so well together were ready to obey as well as to Command and bestowed their commendations upon the people in general rather than arrogated all to themselves that was as much due to all Then having order'd a stop to be made in Judicial proceedings and made a Levy Furius and Valerius went to Satricum to which place the Antians had gathered not only the Volscian Youth chosen out of their new fry but a vast number also of Latins and Hernicans out of Cities that had lived long in peace and were thereby grown very populous Now therefore this new Enemy joyn'd to the old one put the Roman Soldiers into a fright Which when the Centurions told Camillus as he was setting his Army in Battalia viz. That the Soldiers were disturb'd in their minds that they were loth to take up their Arms and that they marched lazily and with reluctance out of the Camp yea that they were some of them heard to say that they must each of them fight with an 100. Enemies and that such a vast multitude cou'd hardly be endured without Arms much less Armed He presently mounted his Horse and turning before the Ensigns toward the main Body of his Army rode among the Ranks and ask'd them What sadness is this fellow Soldiers what unusual delay Don't you know your Enemy or me or your selves What is your Enemy but perpetual matter for your courage and glory to work upon You on the contrary when I was your General to pass by the Falerians and Veians whom we took and the Gaullick Legions that were slain in our own Country after it was by them taken made a triple triumph but t'other day for a threefold Victory over these very Volsci the Aequi and Etruria Don't you acknowledge me for your General because I was not a Dictator but a Tribune when I gave you the signal I don't desire the greatest Commands over you nor ought you to look upon any thing else in me besides my own person For my Dictatorship never raised my courage as on the other hand even Banishment never lessen'd it We therefore are all the same men still and since we have brought all the same resolutions to this War as to the former let us exspect the same event Assoon as you engage let every man do as he hath learnt and used to do so shall you Conquer and they fly before you Then having given the signal he straight alighted from his Horse and laying hold of the Ensign-bearer that was next to him forced him along with him towards the Enemy crying out Fellow-Soldier advance your Ensign which when they saw viz. that Camillus himself though by old age render'd unfit for action made way toward the Enemy they all in like manner ran forward hollowing and saying with one accord Follow the General They likewise report that an Ensign was thrown by Camillus's order into the Body of the Enemies and that the Antesignani were encouraged to regain it They say also that the Antians was there first beaten and that a dread was infused not only into the Front but even the Reer too of the Army nor did the force only of the Romans back'd by the presence of their General put the Enemy into confusion but besides that there was nothing more terrible to the Volscians apprehensions than an accidental sight of Camillus himself So that which way soever he went he carried certain Victory along with him And that was very plain from this instance that when the left Wing was almost routed he immediately took Horse and riding up with a Footmans Sheild in his hand by his very presence retrieved the Battel and shew'd that the rest of the Army were Victorious Now therefore they had like to have got the day but that they were hindred by the multitude and flight of the Foe having a great multitude to kill though they themselves were tired when on a sudden there came a shower pouring down with great violence which rather obstructed a certain Victory than put an end to the fight Upon that they retreated and the following night when the Romans were quiet made an end of the War For the Latins and the Hernicans leaving the Volscians went home having success proportionable to their evil Counsels The Volscians seeing themselves deserted even by those in confidence of whom they had rebell'd left their Camp and shut themselves up in the Walls of Satricum where Camillus began first to inclose them with a Bullwark and to attack them from a Rampire
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
exceeding thick together with their Targets before them so that to cope with them at handy-stroaks was to little purpose the Roman Commanders therefore ordered the Darts and Lances that lay scattered on the ground between the two Armies to be gathered up and flung at the Enemy who now stood like a Tortoise in his shell impregnable But these Darts and Javelins sticking in their Targets and many of them lighting upon and with their sharp points piercing into their Bodies that Wedge-like Battalion began to scatter and many of them though not wounded did like men amaz'd tumble upon one another Thus various was the Fortune of the Romans Left Wing But on the Right Fabius having as aforesaid lingered out the day at last when he perceiv'd that the Enemies shouts grew fainter their Charges weaker and their Darts and Javelins not lanc'd with the same force and vigor as before he commands the Captains of the Horse to wheel about from the Wings that upon a Signal given they might Charge the Samnites on the Flank In the mean time he by degrees advanc'd his Legionary Foot and made the Enemy give ground seeing therefore that they made no considerable resistance and that 't was plain they were wearyed out then he brought up all his Reserves which he had kept fresh for such an opportunity and at the same time gave the Signal to the Cavalry to fall on The Samnites were not able to stand the fury of such an impetuous Charge but fled in confusion to recover their Camp running by the Battalions of their Friends the Gauls whom they left to maintain the Fight as well as they could The Gauls compacted themselves in a close order and stood immoveable and therefore Fabius being advertis'd of the death of his Colleague commands a Wing of Campanian Horse consisting of almost Five hundred to withdraw out of the Conflict and wheeling about to Charge them in the Rear and the formost Divisions of the third Legion to follow them and wherever the Horse should disorder the Enemy they were to second them Whil'st he himself having first vow'd a Temple to Jupiter the Conqueror and all the spoils of the Enemy pursued the Samnites to their Camp where he found all on an heap and in the greatest consternation imaginable under the Rampire for the Ports were so narrow that they could not all get in at once They that were shut out by the throng made an offer to renew the Fight and there Gellius Egnatius the Samnites General was slain but they were quickly cut off or beat into the Works which after a small skirmish were also taken by the Romans and then the Gauls surrounded and cut to pieces There were kill'd that day of the Enemies Five and twenty thousand and Eight thousand taken Prisoners Nor was this glorious Victory purchased without Roman Blood for of P. Decius's Army there fell Seven thousand and Fabius lost Twelve hundred The Spoils of the Enemy were all heap'd up together and burnt as a Sacrifice to Jove the Victor The Consul Decius's Body could not that day be found being covered with the Carcasses of the Gauls but next day it was discover'd and brought to the Roman Camp with a general lamentation of his Soldiers Whose Funeral Obsequies Fabius setting all other Affairs aside for the time caused to be Celebrated with the highest Honors and Applauses About the same time likewise Cn. Fulvius the Pro-Praetor had as good Success in Tuscany as could be wish'd for besides the vast damage done the Enemy by over-running and plundering the Country he routed them in a pitch'd Battel where of Perusines and Clusines above Three thousand were slain and twenty Colours taken As the Relicks of the Samnites Army fled through the Territories of the Pelignians they were by them intercepted and slaughtered so that of Five thousand there was scarce a thousand left This Battel fought in the Sentinates Country was certainly a great Action and deservedly famous if a Man keep strictly to Truth and make no more on 't than 't was but some have Romanc'd upon it and say That the Enemy had Forty thousand three hundred and thirty Foot Six thousand Horse and a Thousand War-Chariots including the Umbrians and Tuscans whom they will have to be in this Fight and that they may encrease the Roman Forces proportionably they add to them L. Volumnius the Pro-Consul and his Army But in most Chronicles the honor of this Victory is ascribed only to the two Consuls for Volumnius was at that time managing the War in Samnium where having forc'd the Enemy to take the Hill Tifernum nothing discouraged with the disadvantage of the place he pursued and utterly routed them Q. Fabius leaving the Decian Army in Tuscany march'd back with his own Legions to Rome and Triumph'd over the Gauls Tuscans and Samnites the Soldiers following him with their rude Military Catches wherein they did not more celebrate and applaud the Victory of Fabius than the noble Death of Decius equalling the Glories of the Son in all respects publick or private with the Renown of his Father who exposed himself in the same manner for the good of his Country not many years before In lieu of the spoil the Soldiers had given them Eighty two pieces of Mony apiece and every one a Campaign Coat and Tunick no contemptible Military Reward in those days But for all these notable Victories neither the Samnites nor the Tuscans would yet be quiet for as soon as the Consul was gone with his Army the Perusines began to Rebel and the Samnites in several Parties came down to forrage and ransack the adjacent Provinces some into the Territories of Vestin and Formianum and others into Aeserniac and the Banks of the River Volturnus Against whom Appius Claudius the Praetor was sent forth with the Army which Decius lately commanded Fabius himself undertook to chastize the Tuscan Rebels and killed Four thousand and five hundred of the Perusines and took One thousand seven hundred and forty of them Prisoners who were forced to pay Three hundred and ten Asses that is about Forty six shillings and ten pence apiece for their Ransome All the rest of the Booty was distributed amongst the Soldiers The Samnite Forces being hard pursued by App. Claudius one way and by L. Volumnius the other rendezvouz'd altogether in the Territory of Stella and there also Claudius and Volumnius join'd their Troops A sharp and cruel Fight it was on both sides the one enraged against those that had so oft rebelled and the other now grown desperate and resolv'd to run all hazards Of the Samnites Sixteen thousand and three hundred slain of the Romans Two thousand seven hundred This Year so prosperous in Mititary Affairs was by reason of Pestilence very dolesom and mens minds much perplex'd wtth Prodigies for 't was reported that in divers places it rain'd Earth and in the Army of App. Claudius several Soldiers were blasted with Lightening therefore the Books of the Sybils
the Enemies Camp for fear of being punisht withdrew themselves to a little Hill hard by but next day being sent for by the Colonels repaired to the Camp where Gracchus at the Head of the whole Army made a Speech And after he had rewarded such of the old Souldiers as had signalized themselves with particular marks of Military Honour As to the Bondmen he told them That he had rather commend them altogether in general both worthy and unworthy than to sully the Glory of that day with punishing of any and therefore wishing it might be for the good and prosperity of the Common-wealth and themselves he did pronounce them all Free-men At which word they shouted with mighty alacrity and embraced and congratulated each other and with hands lifted up to Heaven begg'd for a thousand Blessings on the People of Rome and especially to their Noble General Gracchus who then continued his Speech thus Till I had made you all equal in the Priviledge of Freedom I was unwilling to make any difference between you for any mans stoutness or misbehaviour but now having discharg'd the Trust committed to me by the Commonwealth that Valour and Cowardise may not seem to be altogether equalized I will command a Catalogue of their Names to be brought in who conscious of their own failure did lately withdraw themselves and calling them over one by one will oblige them to take a Corporal Oath That unless in case of sickness as long as they continue Souldiers they shall not sit down as others do to eat or drink but take their refection standing on their feet which punishment I am sure you will be content to undergo when you consider what you have deserv'd and that it was not possible I should more gently chastise your offence Then he gave Order to truss up their Baggage and mâ—rch and the Souldiers carrying or driving before them their Booties return'd to Beneventum joquing and frollicking all the way as if they had come from a Banquet or some great Festival rather than from sighting a sharp and bloody Battel The Inhabitants of Beneventum ran out in multitudes to meet and welcome them and invited them to their Houses to give them Entertainment and Lodging They had provided Collations for them in their Couâ—t-yards and askt leave of Gracchus to treat his Souldiers who granted it on condition that they should all dine in the open street which was done accordingly the Volunteers having got Caps on or Fillets of Wool about their heads in token of Liberty and whilst those that had behaved themselves couragiously sat at their Victuals the others according to their Oaths waited on them and eat their meat standing So pleasant a sight that Gracchus after he came to Rome caused the Representation thereof to be curiously drawn and the Picture put up in the Temple of the Goddess Liberty which his Father had built and dedicated in Mount Aventine with the Monies levied for certain Fines whilst he was in Office Whilst these Actions passed at Beneventum Annibal having harassed all the Territories of Naples came before Nola. On advice of whose Advance the Consul having sent for Pomponius the Propraetor with the Army that lay at Suessula prepares to meet and fight him without delay In the dead of the night he sent out Claudius Nero with the strength of his Cavalry at a back Port with Orders to fetch a compass and get behind the Enemy and when he perceived them engaged to fall upon their Rear but whether by mistaking the way or for want of time I know not he failed therein And during his absence the two Armies encountred wherein though the Romans had apparently the better yet they missed of their main end because the Horse came not up in time nor durst Marcellus pursue the Enemy when they gave ground but sounded a Retreat to his men in the midst of their Victory two thousand of the Enemy and upwards are reckon'd to have been slain that day and of the Romans not four hundred About Sun-set Nero came back having wearied out his Horses and Men with marching all night and day and not so much as seen the Enemy to whom the Consul gave a sharp Reprimand saying 'T was long of him and no body else that they had not that day been fully revenged on the Enemy for the loss at Cannae The next morning the Romans drew out again into the Field but the Punicks tacitely yielding themselves beaten kept within their Works and the third day in the dead of the night quitting all hopes of gaining Nola an Enterprize that never had succeeded marched away for Tarentum on better assurance of being let in there by Treachery At home at Rome the Civil Affairs were managed with no less Courage than the Wars abroad in the Field The Censors by reason the Exchequer was empty being at leisure from letting out and looking after publick Buildings employed themselves to reform mens manners and chastise those vices which in this time of War were grown up as bodies languishing under Chronick distempers are apt daily to breed new diseases First they cited those that after the Battel at Cannae would have abandoned the Commonwealth and consulted to go out of Italy the chief of whom L. Caecilius Metellus happened now to be Questor who with the rest being commanded to plead what they could for themselves and able to alledge nothing material they were Convicted of having used words and discourses tending to sedition and the destruction of the Commonwealth In the next place those two subtle Expounders of discharging a solemn Oath were summon'd who when some of the Prisoners that had sworn to return to Annibal went privately on a feigned Errand back to his Camp had Voted them thereby to be released from the obligation of their Oath both these and the others before-mention'd as many as serv'd on the City Horses had their Horses taken from them were degraded and condemn'd to forfeit their Votes and serve without pay Nor did the Censors Care extend only to reform and punish the Crimes of Senators and those of the Equestrian Order but caused a Roll to be brought in of all those young men who without being sick or other lawful Plea had not for four years last past serv'd in the Army of whom above two thousand were found guilty removed out of their Tribe and numbred amongst the Aerarii to which was added a severe Decree of the Senate That all those whom the Censors had so branded should serve on Foot and be sent into Sicily to the reliques of the Army defeated at Cannae who were not to be discharg'd from service until the Enemy was beaten out of Italy The Censors for want of Treasure forbearing to let out the repairs of the Temples and providing Chariot Horses for the State and other publick works many persons that were wont to undertake the same by the great made Addresses to them desiring That they would proceed therein as formerly when
quitted that vain enterprise they came the next Day to Teius and in the Port that is behind the City which they themselves call Geraesticum having moved their Ships the Praetor sent out his Souldiers to plunder all the Fields about the City The Teians seeing what havock was made sent Agents to the Romans with all the tokens of humility who clearing the City of all hostile words or actions against the Romans the Praetor Told them not only that they supplyed the Enemies Fleet with all sorts of Provisions but also how much Wine they had promised Polyxenidas Which if they would give to the Roman Fleet he would recall the Souldiers from plundering their Country but if not would look upon them as Enemies When the Embassadors had brought back this dismal answer the Magistrates summon'd the People to an Assembly to consult what to do Now it so happening that Polyxenidas was coming that way with the Kings Fleet when he heard that the Romans were removed from Samus and having pursued the Pyrates to Myonnesus had ravaged the Teian Territories whilst their Ships stood in the Port of Geraesticum himself cast an Anchor in a by-Port over against Myonnesus at an Island which the Seamen call Macris From thence enquiring thereabout what the Enemy did was at first in great hopes that as he had defeated the Rhodian Fleet at Samus by besetting the Ports mouth where they were to go out so he might now serve the Romans nor is the nature of the place much unlike but the Port by Promontories that almost meet each other is so enclosed that two Ships can scarce go out of it at once Polyxenidas intended to secure the mouth of it in the Night time and having ordered ten Ships to stand at the two Promontories who on both sides should flank the Enemies Ships as they came out to put his Soldiers out of the other part of the Fleet as he had done at Panormus ashore and so both by Sea and Land surprise the Foe Nor had this been a vain design in him had not the Romans when the Teians had promised That they would do as they were commanded thought it more convenient in order to take in their Provisions that their Navy should go into the Port that is before the City But Eudamus the Rhodian is also said to have found a fault in the other Port when two Ships happened to strike against each other in the narrow mouth of it and break their Oars And among other things this also mov'd the Praetor to remove the Fleet that there was danger from the Land Antiochus being encamped not far from that place The Fleet being come over to the City the Soldiers and Seamen belonging to Polyxenidas went on Shore without any Bodies knowledge to divide their Provisions and the Wine especially for their Ships when as it happened in the middle of the Day a Country Fellow who was brought to the Praetor told him That for the two Days last past there had a Fleet stood at the Isle of Macris and that a little before that time there were some Ships seen to move as though they were going away The Praetor being surprised with the relation ordered the Trumpeters to sound that if any of the Men were straggling about the Fields they might return sending the Tribunes into the City to bring the Soldiers and the Seamen into the Ships Thereupon arose as great a tumult as though it had been upon the sudden breaking out of a Fire or the taking of a City some running into the City to call back their Men and others running back from the City to their Ships though albeit for a while their orders were confounded by uncertain clamours which were increased too by the Trumpets at last they ran all together to the Ships They could scarce each one of them distinguish or go to his own for the hurry they were in and they had through their consternation been in great danger both by Sea and Land had not Aemilius divided them into several parties and gone first out with his Admirals Ship into the main Sea where he received them as they came after and placed them each one in their order front-wise whilst Eudamus and the Rhodian Fleet stood at the Land that the Men might get on board without any fear and every Ship come forth as soon as it was ready By this means they not only ranged themselves in the Praetors sight but the Rhodians brought up the Reer and the Fleet went out to Sea all in Battalia as though they had seen the Kings Men. They were between the Promontory of Myonnesus and Corycum when they saw the Enemy The Kings Fleet too coming in a long Train with two Ships a Breast put their Ships also into Battalia running out so far with their left Wing that they might be able to embrace and circumvent the right Wing of the Romans Which when Eudamus who brought up the Reer saw that the Romans could not even their Ranks and that they were just ready to be surrounded in the right Wing he put his Ships briskly forward and the Rhodian Ships were by far the swiftest in the whole Fleet and having even the Wing ran with his own Ship against the Admirals in which was Polyxenidas And now the sight began in all parts of both the Navies On the Roman side there were eighty Ships engaged of which twenty two were Rhodians The Enemies Fleet consisted of ninety save one among which there were Ships of the greatest Bulk three six-bank'd and two seven-bank'd Gallies In the strength of their Ships and courage of their men the Romans far out did the Rhodians but the Rhodian Ships them in the agility and skill of their Pilots as well as the dexterity of their Rowers But those were the greatest terrour to the Enemy who carry'd fire before them and that which at Panormus was the only cause of their escape was now the greatest moment toward a Victory For the Kings Ships for fear of the fire which came toward them avoiding to meet them with their Prows besides that they could not strike the Enemy with their beaks themselves also made a fair Broadside for the Enemy to hit for if any of them â—ngaged they were certain to be burnt so that they were terrified at the fire more than the sight Yet the courage of their Souldiers as it usually does proved of very great importance in the War For when the Romans had broken the main Body of the Enemy tacking about they went and opposed those that fought in the Reer against the Rhodians so that in a moment of time both the main body of Antiochus and the Ships in the left Wing being circumvented were sunk The right Wing continu'd entire and was terrified more at the misfortune of their Allies than at their own danger But when they saw the rest circumvented and Polyxenidas the Admirals Ship leaving her Allies set Sail immediately they hoisted their Topsails and there was
than they should do which occasion'd dissonant clamours in all places insomuch that the Enemy knew what they were going to do before they themselves he thought fit that the Tribune or Colonel should give the word privately to the eldest Captain of the Legion and that he and so the rest in order should tell the next Centurion what was convenient to be done whether the Orders came from the Van to the Reer of the Army or from the Reer to the Van. He likewise which was a thing never practised before forbad the Sentinels to carry their Shields with them when they went upon the Watch for a Sentinel or Watchman did not go in to a Fight so as to have occasion to use his Armies but to Watch that when he perceiv'd the Enemy was a coming he might retreat and Alarm others He likewise prohibited those that had Helmets on to stand with their Shields erect before them and then when they were weary leaning upon their Pile Javelin to stand and sleep with their head laid upon the brim of their Shield so as that the Enemy might see them by their shining Arms at a great distance though they saw nothing before them He likewise alter'd the manner of their stations They all stood all day in their Arms and the Horsemen with their Horses bridled Which seeing they had done in the heat of Summer so long till the scorching Sun made them ready to faint and the Enemy came many times fresh upon when they and their Horses were quite tired insomuch that a few were able to worst a great many he therefore order'd that so many should keep guard from Morning till Noon and that others in the Afternoon should relieve them by which means the Enemy could never come fresh upon them when they were all tired Having declar'd in a publick Assembly that thus he would have things carry'd he afterward made an Oration suitable to that modest Assembly That the General only ought to take care and consult what ought to be done in the Army sometimes by himself and sometimes with those that he call'd to Council with him but that those who were not called ought not â—â—ther publickly or privately to give their judgments That a Souldier ought to take care of these three things his body to have it in as good health and as nimble as may be to have his arms fit for his â—â—fe and his mind ready upon all sudden orders and to know that the immortal Gods and his General take care for all things else That in an Army where the Souldiers the Consul and the General are toss'd about by vulgar reports there can be no safety That he according to the duty of a General would take care to give them an opportunity of doing their business with success but then they ought not to inquire into any thing that was to come only when the signal was given then to shew themselves Souldiers Having given them these Precepts he dismiss'd the Assembly the old Souldiers making an open confession that they as though they had been fresh raw Fellows never knew till that day what was to be done in point of military Discipline Nor did they shew by these words only with what assent they had heard the Consuls Speech but their actions shew'd the same For you could see no one in the whole Camp that after a little while was unimploy'd some sharpning their Swords others scouring their Helmets Murrions Shields and Coats of Mail whilst others were a fitting their Arms to their Bodies and try'd the agility of their limbs when under them Others again were brandishing their Piles others flourishing their Swords and looking upon the points of them so that a man might easily perceive that as soon as ever they had an opportunity of joining Battle with the Enemy they would enter upon the War so as to gain either a very famous Victory or die a memorable death Perseus also when he saw that upon the Consuls coming it being in the beginning of the Spring too all things were in an hurry and disturbance with the Enemy as though a new War had been levied removed his Camp from Phila and pitch'd it upon the opposite Bank whilst the General went about to view his works and foresaw questionless where he might pass over Which thing encouraged the Romans but very much terrified the Macedonians and their King Wherefore at first he endeavour'd to suppress and stisle the report of that matter by sending certain persons to forbid Pantauchus who was coming from thence to come near the Camp but now there were not only certain Boyes seen by their Friends as they were led among the Illyrian Hostages but likewise the more care was taken of every thing the sooner it was divulged by the Kings Servants they being very much given to tattle About the same time the Rhodian Embassadours came into the Camp with the same terms of Peace that put the Senate into such a passion at Rome But they were heard at the Council of War there in the Camp with much more regret and detestation Whereupon when others said they ought to be turn'd headlong out of the Camp without any Answer at all Aemilius declar'd that after fifteen dayes he would give them an Answer In the mean time that all people might see how far the authority of the Rhodians who came to impose conditions of Peace prevailed with him he began to consult about the method how to mannage and carry on the War Some and espâ—cially the Seniors thought it best for him to make his attack by the Bank of Enipeus and those Fortifications saying that the Macedonians could not resist such a thick body of men who made an attack all together they having been beaten the year before out of so many Castles somewhat higher and stronger than their present Fortifications wherein they had planted good Guards Others thought it convenient For Octavius to go to Thessalonica and by pillaging the Sea Coast to divert the Kings Forces so that when they saw another War break out upon their Reer the King wheeling about to defend the inner part of his Kingdom might be forced in some measure to desert the passes over Enipeus But to himself the Bank seemed unpassable not only by nature but by reason of the works and besides that there were Warlike Engines planted upon it he likewise heard that the Enemy threw Darts with greater skill and certainty than ordinary But the Generals mind was wholly bent another way and therefore having dismiss'd the Council he sent privately for two Perraebian Merchants called Schaenus and Menophilus men whose fidelity and prudence too he now was well acquainted with and ask'd them what sort of passes there were into Perraebia To which they answering that the wayes were good enough but that they were beset by the Kings Guards he began to hope that if he surpriz'd them in the night time with a strong party the Garison might be destroy'd For Darts