in good earnest so that the Report went That most of the Mercinary Troops especially those of the Spanish Nation were upon the point of deserting and going over to the Enemy Annibal is said to have had sometimes thoughts of flying away with his Horse into Gallia and leave his Infantry to shift for themselves His Affairs being in this untoward posture he resolv'd to dislodge and march into the warmer Region of Apulia where the Harvest was more forward as also that being farther off from the Enemy such of his Men as were fickle and inconstant might not be able so easily to run away to them He march'd off therefore in the Night making Fires as before and some few Tents left for a shew that the fear of a like Stratagem as before might keep the Romans from pursuing But after the before-mentioned Lucanus Statilius had diligently search'd all places beyond their Camp and on the other side of the Mountains and brought advice that he had a sight of their Rear at a great distance a Council of War was next day held by the Romans and the matter debated whether or no they should follow and urge him to a Battel The two Consuls were still of the same different Opinions as always they had been but almost all the rest of the Officers concurred with Varro and none but Servilius that was Consul last year join'd with Paulus so by the majority of Votes away they went blinded by Destiny to render the little obscure Town Cannae illustrious to all Posterity for the Romans over-throw Near that Village Annibal had pitch'd his Camp having the Southernly Wind call'd Vulturnus at his back which in the Fields parch'd with drought is wont to raise vast Clouds of dust This was not only very convenient for his Men as they lay intrench'd but like to prove of good advantage to them when they should be drawn up in Battalia for having the Wind behind to cool them they should attack the Enemy who must needs be almost blinded with the dust driven full in their faces so abundantly The Consuls sending out Scouts before diligently to discover the Passages pursued the Carthaginians until they came to Cannae where having a sight of the Enemy they intrench'd themselves in two distinct Camps about the same distance from each other as they lay at Gerion The River Aufidus ran near each Parties Camp and gave both opportunities to supply themselves with Water from thence but not without skirmishing with each other But the Romans that were posted in the lesser Camp beyond the Aufidus could fetch Water with more freedom because the Enemy kept no Guards on the farther Bank of the River Annibal having now got a place of advantage for his Cavalry to engage in as being an open Champian Country and knowing his chief strength and hopes to consist in that part of his Forces offers the Consuls Battel draws up his Army to upbraid them and sends some of his Numidian Troops to skirmish with and provoke them This occasion'd the Roman Camp to be again fill'd with the murmurs of the Common Soldiers and discord between the two Consuls Paulus objecting to Varro the fatal rashness of Sempronius and Flaminius and Varro declaiming as fast at the Conduct of Fabius as commended by none but dull and cowardly Captains the latter call'd Gods and Men to witness that it was none of his fault that Annibal was suffered to demean himself as if he were Soveraign Lord of Italy or had taken possession thereof for his own use for ever but the same was wholly to be attributed to his Colleague who tyed up his hands and suffered not the Soldiers to take their Arms. though their spirits were up and they desired nothing so much as a Battel On the other side Paulus protested That if any disaster should happen to the Roman Legions by their being exposed or rather betrayed to the hazards of a doubtful Battel he would never be guilty of the blame of the Advice though he was ready to take his share whatever it should be in the event and only wish'd That those who were now so nimble and forward with their Tongues might in the Fight prove as brisk with their Hands Whil'st thus they spent time in scolding rather than consulting Annibal who had stood a great part of the day in Battalia retreated with most of his Troops into his Camp but sent over a Party of his Numidians cross the River to fall upon such as went for Water from the Romans lesser Camp whom being but a disorderly Rabble they presently put to flight with the noise and shout they made as soon as they gain'd the opposite Bank and pursued them up to the Out-guards and thence ventured further even almost to the very Ports This the Romans took in mighty dudgeon to see themselves thus affronted by a raskally crew of Moors in their very Camp and the only reason why they did not presently cross the River and fight the Enemy was because Paulus happened that day to have the Soveraign Command But that Power being next day devolved to Varro he without consulting his Colleague displayed the Signal and in Battel-array pass'd the River Paulus following him for though he could not approve the Enterprize yet he was bound to assist him in it Beyond the River they join'd with the Forces of the smaller Camp and drew up in this order On the right Wing which was next the River were placed the Roman Horse and next to them a Body of Foot on the Extremity of the left Wing the Associate Cavalry and within a Body of Foot but the Main-Battel consisted of Roman Legions intermixed with Archers and of the rest of the Light-harness'd Troops was composed the Van-guard The Consuls took charge of the Wings Terentius of the left Aemilius of the right and Cn. Servilius of the Main-Body Annibal as soon as 't was day-light sending before his Slingers and others lightly-armed pass'd the River and as his Forces came over rang'd them in order The French and Spanish Horse in the left Wing near the Bank of the River over against the Roman Cavalry the Numidians had the right Wing and the Main-Body was fortified with Foot so placed as the Africans were on each side and the French and Spaniards between them in the middle You would have fansied the Africans for the most part to have been a Roman Army they were so generally Arm'd with what they had taken either at Trebia or at Thrasymenus The French and Spanish had Targets much alike but their Swords were very different those of the French very long and without points the Spaniard used to push and make Passes at their Enemies rather than hack and slash them with down-right stroaks had shorter ones better to be wielded and with sharp points Those Nations above the rest were terrible as well by the greatness of their Stature and bulk of Body as for their strange habit the French all naked above the Navel
opportunity into their hands to execute their often baffled design of burning the Roman Engines they sallied out in three Bodies and threw Fire-balls and other combustible materials upon them the Timber whereof the Engines were made being very apt to take fire having been fell'd long before and dry'd in the Sun The Romans came together from all quarters to oppose the Enemy but they fought upon great disadvantage for the Carthaginians by the light of the flames the Engines now being set on fire and the violence of the storm were inabled to cast their Darts with greater strength and surer aim Whilst the Romans were hereby incommoded as much as by the Arms of the Enemies For the Wind bearing violently against them blew the smoak ashes and flames in their Faces and drove the Enemies shot with redoubled force upon them they in the mean while shooting faintly and at random being not able to take aim in the dark and the violence of the Wind brake the force of their Shot Thus it came to pass that all the Roman Engines used both for Battery and Mines were burnt to Ashes And hereupon they would have risen from before Lilybaeum as despairing of ever forcing the place had not Hiero by sending to the Camp great Recruits of Provision prevailed with them to continue the Siege After this forbearing all atttacks upon the place they fortified their Camp and resolved to leave the success to time The Besieged likewise having repaired the ruins and breaches of their Walls became more resolute to hold out for the future But at Rome this news was very unwelcome however they were resolved to be avenged on their Enemies for the damages susteined at their hands and one of the Senators who had spoken some words concerning Peace is said to have been kill'd in the Senate-house so steddily and firmly were their minds bent to the War Great preparations were hereupon made and ten thousand Seamen raised and sent over into Sicily where a great number of Saylors had been lost The Consuls this year were P. Clodius Pulcher and L. Junius Pullus though that this same Clodius was the Grand-child of Caecus is falsly reported by some Authors When Clodius was arrived in Sicily and A. U. 504 took the command of the Army before Lilybaeum he assembled the Soldiers and exclaimed mightily against the Consuls the year before saying That more like Besieged than Besiegers they had through Cowardize and Sloth squander'd their time at Lilybaeum doing nothing to the great damage and dishonour of the Roman Name For he was a hot-headed Man fierce of temper and very haughty one that vaunted mightily for his high Birth and Parentage and behav'd himself both in his words and actions like a Man that was transported beyond his Senses he never shewed mercy to any Offender never forgave any fault but punished the least with immoderate severity whilst he himself was guilty of most shameful Oversights and Errours and those too in the management of the most important Affairs For that very Method of the former Consuls at which he was so much offended just now we find imitated afterwards by himself For he also made a kind of Mole to stop up the Entries of the Port nay what was yet a more insupportable piece of madness he with a furious suddenness attack'd Drepanum and lost a brave Navy by his own precipitousness as much as by the valour and good Conduct of Adherbal He had persuaded himself and others that the Enemy ignorant of the reinforcement lately sent to the Roman Fleet might be surpriz'd at Drepanum Forasmuch as they would never believe that the Romans would have either Courage or Power to give them Battel by Sea In pursuance hereof he selected two hundred and twenty of the best Ships and manned them with the stoutest he could chuse among the Legionary Soldiers who very ambitiously strove to get themselves listed for this service thinking they went to take some certain booty which was not far distant Drepanum being situate but fifteen miles from Lilybaeum and silently in the Night weighed Anchor and had a lucky Voyage of it in the dark being undiscovered by the Enemy But at the break of day when the foremost Ships were descry'd from Drepanum Adherbal was much surpriz'd at this appearance and doubted not but the Enemy was coming on Now he had two things proposed to his choice either instantly to fight the Enemy or else to venture a Siege by permitting them to Land The last of which he dislik'd both as a kind of treachery and also as a thing dangerous in its consequence Therefore he assembled all the Seamen upon the shore and called all the Mercenary Soldiers together and in few words but those pat to the business told them How great their advantage would be to fight it out like men of Courage and if they refus'd to do so what dangers they must expect from a Siege They entertain'd his words with great acclamations and Adherbal order'd them immediately to imbark and keeping the Admiral Galley aboard of which himself was in their sight to row up after her As soon as he had given these Orders he weighed Anchor first himself sayling just under the Rocks that hang over the Port whilst the Roman Galleys at the same time enter'd into it from the other side Clodius finding he was not to deal with a cow'd Enemy as he fancy'd that would refuse Battel but one resolv'd to defend himself and stand the shock was much surpriz'd at it and hastily countermanded all his Ships intending to embattel them in the open Sea but his Fleet observ'd no kind of order but sailed on very confusedly So that some of his Ships had enter'd the Haven others were making up towards it and some got into the mouth of it Hence it was that whilst they all strove to retire the Ships in this hurry ran one against another whereby their Oars were broken off and great confusion arose among them till having got clear of the Haven as well as they could they immediately drew up in Battel-array close to the shore for the time would not permit them to chuse a better place The Consul himself who at first had brought up the Rear now tack'd about and sailing about before all the rest setled himself upon the left Wing of his Fleet. But Adherbal in the mean while having pass'd by the Enemies left Wing with five Men of War for no more came up just with him began to confront the Romans having the open Sea behind him and at the same time the rest of his Fleet coming up as fast as they could joined these at a just distance according as he had commanded then ranging all his Ships he advanced against the Enemy in good order And now the Flags being hung out from both the Admirals they fell on very furiously both ingaging upon equal hopes but the Carthaginians having the better fortune for tho the Romans exceeded them in number of
took occasion thereby to defend his Brother and all his Collegues saying He wondred how it should happen that they who had sought after the Decemvirate so earnestly themselves should either alone or more than any others oppose the Decemviri Or how it came to pass that though for so many months when the City was at quiet no Man made any question whether they were legal Magistrates that had the sovereign Power in their hands they should now engage in Civil Quarrels when their Enemies were almost at their Gates unless perhaps they thought amidst such disturbances it might not so well be discerned what they did But he thought it not fair or just for any Man now when their minds should be imployed with greater matters to make any other thing the ground of delay to such a weighty affair For his part he would agree that whereas Valerius and Horatius pretended the Decemviri were out of their Office before the Ides of May the Senate when the Wars were over and the Commonwealth at rest should debate of it and that even now Appius Claudius should so prepare himself as to give an account of that Assembly which he being a Decemvir himself held for the creating of the Decemviri and should put it to the question whether they were created for one year only or for so long time 'till what Laws were lacking should be passed But he thought best at present to omit all other things except the War concerning which if common same was false and not only other Messengers but even the Tusculan Embassadors also brought them wrong intelligence they should send out Scouts to find the certainty and bring a true relation of it But if they believed the Messengers and the Embassadors they ought to make a Levy assoon as they could and the Decemviri to lead the Armies where-ever they pleased without any other cause to obstruct them The Junior Senators so over-voted the rest of the House as to make them comply with this advice Therefore Valerius and Horatius rising up again more vehement than before cryed out They would have leave to speak touching the Commonwealth that they would speak to the People if the Faction would not let them do so there for no private persons could hinder them either in the Senate-house or any other Assembly nor would they yield to such imaginary Authority Then Appius supposing that their Power was like to be ruined if they did not resist the violence of those Men with equal audacity cryed out It had been better for you to have spoken to the business in hand and to Valerius who said He would not hold his tongue for any private person he commanded a Lictor to go and seize him Upon which Valerius at the door of the Senate-house calling the Romans to witness of what he had done L. Cornelius took Appius in his Arms and though he did not consult the good of him which he seemed to save decided the contest so that Valerius by Cornelius's means had leave to say what he would But his Liberty reaching no farther than words the Decemviri had their ends The Consular Men also and the Seniors by reason of that remaining grudg they had to the Tribunes Power which they thought the People were more in love with than the Authority of the Consuls were even better pleased afterward that the Decemviri should go out of their Office voluntarily than that the People should rise again through hatred to them For if the matter were gently managed so as to put the Consuls into their former state without popular noise and tumult the People might possibly either by the interposition of Wars or moderation of the Consuls in their Office be brought to forget the Tribunes So then the Senate agreed to make a Levy and the Juniors seeing the Power of the Decemviri was without Appeal answered to their Names When therefore the Legions were raised the Decemviri chose among themselves fit Persons to go into the War and to Command the Army The chief of the Decemviri were Q. Fabius and Ap. Claudius but the War seemed greater at home than abroad They therefore thought that Appius's violence was more fit to appease the City Tumults and that Fabius though a Person of no great constancy in good Actions was very skillful in Military Affairs For the Decemviri and his Collegue had so altered this Man who had been formerly very famous for his Conduct both in Peace and War that he chose rather to be like Appius than himself To him therefore they committed the management of the War against the Sabines making Man Rabuleius and Q. Petilius his Collegues whilst M. Cornelius with L. Minucius T. Antonius Caeso Duilius and M. Sergius was sent into Algidum Sp. Oppius being by general consent left assistant to Ap. Claudius in the Government and Defence of the City But the Commonwealth was managed no better in the Wars than it was at home though the Commanders only fault was that they had made themselves odious to their fellow Citizens but the rest of the blame lay all upon the Soldiers who to hinder any thing fâ—om being ever done prosperously under the Conduct of the Decemviri permitted them to be oveâ—come though to their own as well as their Leaders dishonour So they were routed not only by the Sabines at Eretum but by the Aequi in Algidum Whereupon making hast from Eretum in the night time they pitched their Camp on a rising ground more near the City between Fidenae and Crustumenia to which place seeing the Enemies pursued them they never engaged in a fair Battel buâ— deâ—ended themselves by the Situation of the place and with a Bullwark not by their Courage or Arms. But their offence in Algidum was far greater and so was their slaughter too besides that they lost their Camp also with all their Baggage and ran away to Tusculum where they hoped nor failed they then of their expectation to live by the kindness and mercy of those old friends they had there In the mean time such dreadful news was brought to Rome That laying aside their hatred to the Decemviri the Senate thought fit to set Watches all about the City commanding all that could bear Arms to secure the Walls and stand in Garisons before the Gates Nor only so but they ordered Arms and supplies to be sent to Tusculum and that the Decemviri should go from the Castle of Tusculum into a Camp that the other Camp should be transferred from Fidenae into the Sabine Territories and that by a voluntary Attack upon them the Enemies should be deterred from making any attempt upon the City To the slaughter received from the Enemy the Decemviri added two horrid Exploits the one in the Wars and the other at home The first of which was this There was one L. Siccius in the Country of the Sabines who through the hatred which he bore to the Decemviri having talked privately with the common Soldiers about
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
increased with the number of the Ships Thus when the Galleys in the front stood nearest one another and those behind farthest asunder the order of these two Squadrons resembled the figure of a Wedg but when the third Squadron drawn in one Line filled the interval between the two former the figure of their Battalia was made Triangular The Ships belonging to the third Squadron tow'd along their Boats and smaller Vessels Last of all the Triarii being drawn in a Half-Moon extended out their Wings so as to inclose the rest before them Thus the Fleet being open before and close in the Rear seem'd like a Ships Stem being posted in an excellent order to defend it self and attack the Enemy When the Carthaginians Generals heard the Roman Fleet was coming and consider'd that their Town was weak and not tenable the People cow'd and fearful and their Neighbours wavering and dispos'd to Innovations they determined to encounter the Enemy being resolved to run any hazard rather than let them have a free passage to Affrica And when they had in few words encouraged their men bidding them remember they were to fight not onely for themselves but for their Wives and Children and therefore ought to do it with the greatest Valour possible they went on board and launch'd from shore having great hopes in their Seamen and Soldiers By this time the Romans came on and not far from Heraclea they engag'd with equal Forces The Carthaginians had agreed among themselves that Hanno the same that had been beaten before Agrigentum should command the right Wing and Hamilcar all the rest of the Fleet and having observed the Romans order of Battel they also divided their Fleet into four parts the left Wing being drawn in a Half-moon was order'd to lie near the shore but the rest of the Fleet stood in three Lines facing the Enemy Of these Hanno drew out the right Wing which consisted of the swiftest Galleys as far as he could into the main Sea that he might encompass the Enemy if the fight should begin any where else The Consuls charg'd without delay the Body of the Punic Fleet with their two Squadrons Now Hamilcar to disorder the Romans Battalia had order'd his men when they had joyn'd Battel immediately to retreat which they did and the Romans eagerly pursu'd them but they received no damage by reason of the swiftness of their Ships whilst the Roman Fleet as Hamilcar foresaw was put in disarray the Triarii and the third Squadron as yet not moving Which he no sooner saw but he gave the signal for his men to tack about and receive the Romans pursuing them and upon this arose a doubtful Battel rhe Carthaginians having the odds for swiftness of Ships and skill of Mariners but the Romans for strength of men Therefore so long as the fight was between the Ships rather than the Soldiers the Carthaginians prevailed but when once they came to grapple Ship to Ship then the Romans got the Victory whilst their Soldiers so good at handling their Arms and now in the sight of their Consuls bravely expos'd their lives endeavouring to signalize their Valour in the Action While things went thus on that side Hanno with the right Wing which had not mov'd yet bearing upon the Triarii attacked them from the Sea and distress'd them very sorely At the same time the Carthaginians left Wing changing their former posture and reducing themselves to a streight Line charged the Romans third Squadron which tow'd their Boats with their Beaks running full tilt upon the Enemy The Romans then disengaging themselves from those Boats they towed prepar'd for fight and here also arose a sharp Conflict Thus in three several places there were as many Naval fights as it were at a pretty good distance one from the other Having fought a long time upon equal terms and with doubtful fortune at length it happen'd as it generally does where men are equally engag'd at once in several places that that side which first defeats a party of the Enemies forces overcomes all the rest for Hamilcar being no longer able to withstand the shock drew off and the rest of the Punic Fleet was immediately routed Now whilst L. Manlius the Consul was busie in securing the Ships taken from the Enemy and towing them along M. Regulus seeing his men ingag'd in another place hasten'd to their aid with as many Ships of the second Squadron as had escaped without damage from the former service Soon did the Triarii apprehend their succour and taking heart again after they had desponded upon prospect of their danger began valiantly to encounter with the Enemy Hanno finding these make a stout resistance and himself pressed upon behind hois'd sail and saved himself by slight In the mean time L. Manlius seeing the Romans third Squadron driven towards shore by the Carthaginians left Wing directed his course thither when M. Regulus also came in who had now secur'd the Triarii and the Long-boats Thus was the Scene soon shefled and they were encompass'd themselves who had just before inviron'd the Romans whom they had once at their mercy pent up and inclosed and might have destroyed them to rights but for fear of the grappling-hooks not venturing too near they gave the Consuls time enough insomuch that they rescued their own men and also took fifty Ships of the Enemies with all the men inclosing them suddenly as in a toyl the rest being but few escap'd stealing away near the shore This Battel for variety of Accidents and the sharpness of the Conflict as also for the number of Ships lost may scarce be parallel'd The Carthaginians had sixty three Ships taken and above thirty sunk the Victors had twenty four sunk but none taken by the Enemy After this Victory being returned to Messina they spent some time there in refreshing the Soldiers re-fitting their Galleys and victualling their Fleet. During which time Hamilcar who would have hinder'd the Romans from going to Affrica and being not able to do it by force of Arms betook himself to this Intrigue he sends Hanno to the Consuls to desire a Peace thinking to gain time till the Forces he expected from Carthage were sent him When Hanno was come to the Consuls and heard some people crying out that it was fit he should be treated after the same rate as Cornelius Asina the Consul had been by the Carthaginians five years before If you do so says Hanno defending himself by a sly Complement then you will not be honester men than the Affricans And the Consuls presently understanding what was said commanded those to be silent who had discoursed of making Hanno Prisoner whom they accosted in a Language suitable to the Roman gravity telling him You are secur'd Hanno of any fear of this sort by the honour of the Roman Name But the treaty of Peace had no effect the Carthaginians not acting in earnest and the Consuls being more desirous of Conquest than Peace therefore they resolved no longer
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
Banners displayed into Italy it becomes us therefore to fight so much the more resolutely and with greater Courage as those commonly who are Assailants come on with braver hopes and brisker spirits than the Defendants Besides you have the resentments of Grief and Injury and Indignation to spur you on against this insolent Enemy who had the impudence to Demand first me your General and afterwards all you that were at the Siege of Saguntum to be delivered up forsooth into their hands as Slaves and executed with the extreamest Tortures A Nation excessive Cruel and so intolerably Proud and Ambitious that they count all things their own and the Affairs of the whole Earth to be managed as they list They will prescribe with whom we shall have War and with whom we may make Peace and the Terms and Conditions of Both They will needs restrain us and limit our Empire to such and such Hills and Rivers beyond which we must not budge on pain of their high Displeasure but in the mean time they themselves know no Bounds nor will observe nor to hold any Capitulations Presume not say they to pass the Iberus meddle not with Saguntum at your peril Saguntum stands on the River Iberus stir not one step forward we charge you They are not content with the Injustice of taking away our Antient Provinces Sicily and Sardinia unless they may ravish Spain too out of our hands And should I abandon that Realm they would no doubt straight pass over and invade Africk they would do I say nay they have already constituted the two Consuls of this present Year one to be over Spain and the other over Africk so that nothing have they left us but what we can win and hold by the Swords point They may be faint-hearted and think of running away who have some place of refuge to retire to who can when they fly get safe by easie and peaceable Passages into their own Territories and be sheltered in their own Country But as for you there is a necessity you should play the Men having not the least prospect of security but in your own incomparable Valor and therefore making no account of any Mediums between Victory and Death on certain despair of all shifts besides must resolve either to overcome or if Fortune should deny you that Honor to fall bravely in the Battel rather than basely in the Rout and to dye Fighting rather than be kill'd Flying If this be but deeply imprinted and fix'd on all your Hearts if this be your general Resolution I will repeat it once again The day is yours Never did the Immortal Gods give any Mortals a more poinant incitement to Victory The spirits of the Soldiers on both sides being by these Orations enflam'd to fight the Romans made a Bridge over the River Ticinus and to secure the Bridge erected a Fort. Whil'st they were busie at that work the Enemy sent out Maharbal with a party of Five hundred Numidian Horse to forrage the Territories of the Romans Allies but with particular Orders to spare the Gauls as much as he could and withal to solicit their Chiefs to a Revolt The Bridge finish'd the Roman Army march'd over into the Insubrians Country and Encamped within five miles of Dimoli a Village where Annibal had his Head-Quarters who dispatch'd Orders instantly to recal Maharbal and his Horse perceiving there was a Battel towards and thinking he could never enough hearten on and encourage his Men assembled them again to an Audience where he publikely proposed to them the following Rewards if they would act gallantly and win the Day viz. That he would endow every Man of them with fair Lands either in Italy Africk or Spain as each of them should chuse to remain free to them and their Heirs or if any would rather have a present sum of mony than Land he would content him with Silver such of the Allies as desired it should be made Free Denizons of Carthage and for such as should rather chuse to return home he would be so kind to them as they should not wish to exchange Fortunes with the best of their Country-men Furthermore to all servants attending their Masters he promised to set them Free and give their Masters two slaves in lieu of each of them And for their assurance that all this should be accomplish'd and made good holding a Lamb in his Left hand and a great Flint-stone in his Right he solemnly wish'd and pray'd That if he fail'd in any point Jove and the rest of the Gods might so destroy him as he there kill'd that Lamb and presently with the Stone dash'd out its brains Then all fancying the Gods to be engaged on their side full of hopes and counting every moments delay to be but so much a deferring of their Victory with unanimous Shouts and Acclamations they cryed out for a Battel The Romans for their part were nothing so jolly for besides other Discouragements they were terrified with some late Prodigies as that a Wolf had come into their Camp and after it had worried those that stood in its way made its escape unhurt and a swarm of Bees settled on a Tree that was just over the Generals Pavilion Which ominous Tokens being expiated by Sacrifices Scipio with his Cavalry and light Darters advanc'd towards the Enemies Camp where whil'st they were near hand viewing their Forces how many and of what condition they might be Annibal being abroad on a like Design with his Horse happened to encounter them at first they saw not each other but the Clouds of Dust raised by the March of so many Horse and Men gave each Party notice of the Enemies approach whereupon both made an Halt and prepared for an Engagement Scipio planted his Archers and French Horse in the Fore-front the Romans and stoutest of the Allies for Reserves Annibals main Body consisted of great Barbed Horse and the fleet Numidians on either Wing But on the first Charge the Roman Archers retired back unto the second Battalions amongst the Rere-guard by means whereof the Horse alone fought a good while sharply and with equal success but by and by their Horses being disordered by the Footmen intermingled amongst them and many of the Troopers either thrown off or forced to alight from their Horses to assist such of their Fellows as they saw environed and over-match'd the Conflict in most places seem'd very doubtful until the Numidians that were on the Wings having wheel'd about at some distance appeared on the Rear That sight perfectly dismayed the Romans whose Consternation was encreased by their Generals being wounded who not without great difficulty was rescued and carryed off by his Son though then but a mere Lad and in his first Apprentiship of Arms but the very same for whom Fate had reserv'd the Glory of finishing this War and who was afterwards surnamed Africanus for his signal and absolute Victories over Annibal and the Carthaginians However the greatest Defeat was of the
the Spaniards very gay in pure white Jackets embroidered with Purple The number of all his Forces that day in the Field is said to be Forty thousand Foot and Ten thousand Horse The left Wing was led by Asdrubal the right by Maharbal and in the Main-Battel was Annibal himself with his Brother Mago The Sun shone very indifferently on both their Flanks whether they drew up so on purpose or by chance the Romans fronted the South and the Carthaginians towards the North But the South-East Wind which the Inhabitants of those parts call Vulturnus rising very high drove mighty heaps of dust full in the Romans faces and almost choak'd and blinded them After the shout set up on both sides the Auxiliaries began to skirmish with their Darts and light Weapons then the left Wing of French and Spanish Horse charg'd the Roman Cavalry in the right but not after the usual method of Horse-Service for here they were forc'd to confront one another strait forwards having no room for wheeling about being shut up on the one side by the River and on the other by the Battalions of Foot so that standing all thick together as soon as their Horses began to be disordered the Riders grappled together and each Man laying hold on his opposite pull'd him down and so for the most part fought on foot yet was this Conflict rather sharp for a spurt than of long continuance for the Roman Cavalry were beat back and fled Then began the Foot to engage the French and Spaniards with equal strength and courage for a good while kept their Ranks but after several vigorous Efforts the Romans being as thick in the Front as in the Main-Body broke into that pointed Squadron of the Enemy which was thinner rang'd and swelling out at some distance from their main Battel and thereby the less able to resist their Impression and having once made them give ground followed their Blows so close that all at once with the same violence they pierc'd through them as they fled headlong until they got into the midst of their Main-Body and thence without resistance came up with their African Reserves who having drawn in their Wings on both sides the Gauls and Spaniards stood to it for a while stoutly somewhat advanc'd before the rest but they too being so far beat back as to range even with the rest of the Front after some further enforcement shrunk away leaving a Lane in the middle into which the Romans unwarily pressing after them the Africans charg'd them on the Flanks and spreading out their Wings encompass'd them on the Rear Henceforwards the Romans having in vain perform'd this first Encounter were forc'd to give over the Chase of the French and Spaniards and renew the Fight with the Africans upon a double disadvantage as being both surrounded and to deal with a fresh Enemy when they themselves were already almost tired out In the mean time there was hot Service in the Romans left Wing where their Associate Troops opposed the Numidian Horse yet it began but faintly at first and was manag'd with Punick Treachery for near upon Five hundred Numidians having besides the rest of their Arms and Javelins got short Skeins hidden under their Harness came riding full speed from their Army as Deserters with their Bucklers at their backs and all on a sudden dismounting cast both their Bucklers and Javelins at their Enemies Feet whereupon the Romans opening to the right and left received them into their Main-Body conducted them up to their Reserves and ordered them to abide in the Rear where they continued quiet until such time as they saw them fiercely engaged in all parts and that every Mans eye and mind was intent and altogether taken up therewith then snatching up Bucklers from amongst the heaps of the dead they fell upon the Romans behind and wounding their backs and cutting their ham-strings committed great slaughter but raised a far greater Terror and Tumult whil'st thus the Romans in some places were frighted and fled and in others fought stoutly though with little hopes Asdrubal who commanded that Wing detach'd the Numidians from the main Battel where they did little Service to pursue such as fled and seeing the Africans almost wearyed out rather with Killing than Fighting he reinforc'd them with the French and Spaniards INSTRVCTORUM AD PVGNAM CANNENSEM EXERCITVUM DELINEATIO Thus was the Battel at Cannae no less famous for the Romans defeat than that at the River Allia For though this prov'd not so fatal in the event because the Enemy did not make hast enough to improve his Victory yet here the slaughter was greater and the flight more dishonorable For as their running away at Allia betrayed the City so it saved the Army whereas at Cannae there were not above fifty followed the Consul that fled and as for the other Consul that was slain almost his whole Army took them to their heels The multitude in the two Camps being without any Commanders in chief and scarce half arm'd those that were in the bigger Camp sent messengers to the others That whil'st the Enemy wearied both with the Fight and with frollicking afterwards for their Victory took their repose and slept soundly they should come over to them and so in a joint Body march away for Canusium This advice some did altogether disdain For why quoth they do they send for us and not come hither themselves since so we had as soon be joyn'd But here 's the business they see all the Passage betwixt is full of the Enemy and they would willingly expose other mens Bodies to the danger rather than their own Others would not budge not so much for any dislike of the motion as for that their hearts failed them to attempt it Whereupon P. Sempronius Tuditanus a Colonel thus rounded them up What then Will you chuse rather to be taken by an Enemy whose Cruelty nothing can equal but his Covetousness Will you suffer your selves to be sold at so much an head and hear them when they enquire the price ask whether you are a Roman Citizen or a Latine Allie That so the proud Victor may encrease his Glory by your Misery and Reproach Certainly none of you will endure this if at least you are Fellow-Citizens with the brave Aemilius and so many other gallant and most valiant Men whose Bodies lie round about him who rather resolv'd to die in the Bed of Honor than live with Infamy Let us therefore forthwith before 't is light and more numerous Troops block up our Passage break through those few who in disorder make a noise before our Portals a good Heart and a good Sword will make way though they were never so thick with a pointed Battalion like a wedge weâ—l pierce through the midst of these straglers as easily as if none were to oppose us Come along then with me as many of you as are willing to save either your selves or the Common-wealth With these words he draws
Enemy and caused his Forlorn Hope and Horse that were scouring the Fields to retreat thither also for their better security and not thinking fit to trust either to the Hill or River fortified his Camp with a Rampire in this interchangeable fear on both sides there pass'd some Skirmishes but neither the Numidian Horse were so good as the Spanish nor were the Moorish Archers able to deal with the Carpesian Targeteers who for agility were their equals and in courage and strength of body their Superiours At last seeing they could neither provoke Asdrubal to a Battel with all their braving him just under his Camp nor yet could easily storm his Works they went and took the City Asena where Asdrubal at his first coming upon their Frontiers had laid up his stores of Corn and other Provisions and thenceforwards grew so insolent that they would be under no Command either in the Field or the Camp which disorders Asdrubal perceiving to be occasion'd as usually it happens by their late success having encouraged his men to fall upon them as they were roving about without their Colours and in no Order descending from the Hill he marches in Battalia towards their Camp Of whose approach notice being given by some Messengers running in hast from the Sentinels and Out guards they cry'd out To Arms To Arms and as every one could get ready without Command or Ensigns they hurried confusedly to oppose him and some were already engaged whilst others were but coming up in heaps and some not yet got out of their Camp At first their boldness rendred them formidable but the Carthaginians being rang'd close and thick together the others soon found they were too few to deal with them and therefore began to look about for the rest of their Fellows and being every where worsted cast themselves in a Ring and made as good a defence as they could but being then thrust up so close had not room enough to wield their Arms and so being environ'd by the Enemy were for a good part of the day cut to pieces by degrees only a small Party broke through by dint of Sword and escap'd to the Woods and Mountains with the same fright they abandon'd their Camp and next day the whole Nation made their submission to the Carthaginians but did not long continue quiet for within a while after Asdrubal receiv'd Orders from Carthage to march away with all Expedition into Italy which being nois'd through Spain turn'd in a manner all their hearts to the Romans whereupon Asdrubal dispatcht an Express to Carthage with Letters to acquaint them how prejudicial the bare report of his going was to their affairs That if he should set forwards and go out of those parts before he could be pass'd the Iberus the Romans would be Masters of all Spain For besides that he had no sufficient Guard nor Commander to leave behind in his stead the Roman Generals there were such that it would be hard to make head against them with equal Forces Therefore if they had any regard of Spain it would be requisite to send some body to succeed him with a strong Army who would find his hands full enough of business let things succeed never so prosperously These Letters at first startled the Senate yet because all their aim was at Italy they would not reverse their orders touching Asdrubal's march thither only sent Himilco with a compleat Army and a Navy newly augmented to hold Spain in Obedience and defend it by Sea and Land Who having cross'd the Sea landed his Men and fortifyed them in a Camp drew his Ships also on Shore and cast up Works to secure them and then with a select party of Horse made what hast he could possibly through Nations some professed Enemies and others wavering in their inclinations and did not stop or stay at any place but always upon his Guard until he came to Asdrubal to whom having communicated the Senates command and from him received an account of the present state of Affairs and how the War in Spain was to be manag'd with like expedition return'd back to his Camp the celerity of his march being his only security for he was always gone from a place before the People could agree get together to surprise him Before Asdrubal began his march he levyed what Money he could in all the Cities and States in his Jurisdiction for well he knew that Annibal was forc'd to pay for his passage through certain Countries and that the assistance he had from the Gauls was hired and if he had undertaken that Journey empty-handed would scarce ever have penetrated so far as the Alps therefore having in great hast collected his Money away he marches towards Iberus Upon intelligence of these resolutions of the Carthaginians and Asdrubal's march both the Roman Generals laying aside all other Affairs prepared to join all their Forces together and go meet and oppose him for since Annibal himself was so formidable an Enemy that all Italy could scarce make head against him they concluded if Asdrubal and the Spanish Army should once join him there would presently be an end of the Roman Empire intent on these considerations they draw their Forces towards the Iberus and having pass'd the River call'd a Council of War to debate whether they should encamp themselves and wait the coming up of the Enemy to fight them or by falling upon some of the Carthaginians Allies retard their march And the latter being resolv'd on down they sat before Ibera a City not far from the River and the richest at that time in those parts Whereof Asdrubal having notice to help his Friends by diverting the Romans went and besieg'd a City that had lately submitted to the Romans whereupon they rais'd their Siege and advanc'd to engage Asdrubal himself For some Days both Armies lay but at five Miles distance not without some skirmishes and at last on one and the same day as if it had been by agreement each Party put forth the signal of Battel and with all the Forces they could make came into the Field The Romans drew up in three Battalions part of the Foot before the Standards as a Van guard the rest behind the Standards as a Rereguard and the Horse on both Wings Asdrubal plac'd his Spaniards in the Main Battel on the right Wing his Carthaginians and his Moors on the Left and as for his Auxiliary Horse the Numidians he clapt before the Carthaginian Foot to Guard them and disposed of the rest of the African Troops about the Skirts and edges of the several Batallions Nor were all the Numidians posted in the Right Wing but only those who after the manner of Vaulters led two Horses a piece and used oft-times in the hottest of the conflict to leap armed as they were from their wearied Horse upon the fresh one so nimble they were themsâ—lves and so tractable their Horses standing thus in Battalia the Generals of each side having equal hopes of success
into a Macedonian War when they were scarce able to weather out that with the Carthaginians yet so far were they from despairing that immediately they began to consult how they should first invade the Enemy at home and so divert them from coming into Italy And to that purpose having secured the Embassadours in Chains and sold their Attendants for Slaves they decreed that twenty Ships ready fitted up should be added to these five and twenty that Valerius had which with the five Ships that brought in the Ambassadours making in all a Navy of fifty Sail loosed from Ostia and arrived at Tarentum where Q Fulvius was appointed Admiral and having taken on Board those Souldiers which lay there under the Command of L. Apustius Varro's Lieutenant General was with that Fleet and those Forces order'd not only to Cruise up and down for the security of Italy but to inquire what posture the Macedonians were in and if they found them preparing for War then to give immediate notice to M. Valerius who in that case was to leave his Army to the Command of Apustius and go in person to the Fleet and by making a descent into Macedonia hold Philip in play at home to maintain this Navy and carry on the Macedonian War that money was imployed which before was to have been repaid to King Hiero who also of his own generosity furnisht them with two hundred thousand Modii of Wheat and one hundred thousand of Barly Whilst these preparations were making one of those Ships that had been taken and sent to Rome made her escape and got home to King Philip by which he understood that his Embassadours and Letters were taken but being still ignorant what terms they had made with Annibal dispatches another Embassy viz. Heraclitus Surnam'd Scotius Crito Berraeus and Sositheus Magnes who got thither and return'd in safety but in the mean time the Summer was spent and so the King could do nothing this Year of so great importance was the taking of that small Bark where the Embassadours were that it diverted for the present an imminent War Fabius having at length expiated the before-mentioned Prodigies passes the River Vulturnus and thence forwards the two Consuls act in Conjunction and retake Combulteria and Trebula and Saticula Cities that had revolted to Annibal whose Garrisons and abundance of Campanians were there made Prisoners At Nola the Senate was for the Romans as in the year before but the Commons for Annibal and Cabals held for cutting off their principal Citizens and surrendring the Town to him to prevent which Fabius drew his Forces between Capua and Annibal who lay Encamp'd at Tifata and fortified himself on Mount Vesuvius where Claudius lay before and sent M. Marcellus the Pro-Consul with what Forces he had to keep Garrison at Nola. In Sardinia T. Manlius apply'd himself to manage publick Affairs which had been neglected ever since Q. Mucius the Praetor had been taken very ill for after he had drawn the Gallies on shore and arm'd all the Mariners for Land Service and receiv'd the Army into his charge from the Praetor he having then in all two and twenty thousand Foot and twelve hundred Horse march'd with them into the Enemies Country and Encamp'd not far from the place where Hampsicoras's Army lay but he himself at that time was gone amongst the Pellidians a people of Sardinia to muster their youth for recruiting his Forces and his Son Hiostus was then left Commander in Chief who being a rash young man inconsiderately ventur'd upon a Battel and was routed three thousand of his men kill'd and near three hundred taken alive the rest of the Army fled scatter'd through the Fields and at last gather'd up towards a City named Cornus the Metropolis of that Region whither 't was reported their General was fled before them This Victory had put an end to the War in Sardinia had not the Punick Fleet under Asdrubal which the Tempest drove upon the Balearean Islands now arriv'd seasonably to buoy up the Islanders to fresh Rebellion upon the news of their Arrival Manlius betook himself to Caraleis whereby Hampsicora had an opportunity of joining with Asdrubal who having landed his Souldiers and sent back his Fleet to Carthage march'd under the Guidance of Hampsicora to Forage the Territories of those that continued in obedience to the Romans and was like to have come up as far as Caraleis if Manlius going out with his Army against him had not restrain'd their extravagant plundering First they Encamp'd near each other then Picqueerings and some small Skirmishes followed at last they drew into the Field and fought a pitcht Battel for four hours together As for the Sardinians they signified little being always used to be beaten but the Carthaginians stood to 't stoutly but at last seeing the Sardinians all about them either lie dead or running away they also gave ground and the Romans wheeling about that Wing which had routed ihe Sardinians hem'd them in and then it was rather a slaughter than a fight twelve thousand of the Enemy were kill'd and of Sardinians and Punicks together three thousand and six hundred taken with seven and twenty Colours That which most signaliz'd the Victory was the taking of General Asdrubal and Mago and Hanno two Noblemen of Carthage Mago was of the Barchine Family and near related to Annibal Hanno the person that stirr'd up the Sardinians to Rebellion and the undoubted Author of that War noâ— was the Field less famous for the loss of the Sardinian Generals for both Hampsicora's Son Hiostus was kill'd upon the spot and Hampsicora himself flying with a few Horse hearing after all the rest of the sad Tydings of the Death of his Son in the Night that no body might prevent him made away himself The rest took shelter as they had done formerly in the City Cornus but Manlius investing it with his Victorious Army soon made himself Master thereof after which other Towns that had join'd with Hampsicora and the Carthaginians sent Hostages and surrendred themselves upon whom Manlius set a Fine of so much money for his Souldiers pay and so much Corn according to every ones ability and offence and then return'd with his Army to Caraleis and from thence to Rome giving the Senate an account that Sardinia was wholly subdued and delivering the money raiz'd to the Quaestors the Corn to the Aediles and the Prisoners to Fulvius the Praetor Much about this time the other Praetor T. Otacilius sailing from Lilybeum into Africk and having wasted the Carthaginian Territories upon news of Asdrubals being gone from the Balearean Isles hastned back for Sardinia and by the way met with the Enemies Fleet going home of whom after a slight Engagement he took seven with all the Seamen thereunto belonging and the rest for fear were scatter'd as if it had been a Tempest all over the Sea Now also Bomilcar with certain Bands of Souldiers for recruits and forty Elephants and good store of
Roman Garrison were sent them Which he promised them and in order thereunto dispatcht two thousand choice men to the mouth of the River that runs from thence under the Command of Q. Naevius Crista a diligent man and excellent Souldier who having Landed his men and sent back his Ships to Oric march'd at a great distance from the River by a way not at all guarded by the Kings Forces and so in the night got into the City without being perceiv'd The next day he rested his men and spent his own time in mustering the youth of the City and surveying their Arms and the strength of the place with which being well satisfied and encouraged and withal inform'd by his Scouts how secure and negligent the Enemy was he makes a Sally in the dead of the night and with a still march entred the Enemies Camp who lay so naked and horrible careless that 't is certain above a thousand of his men were got over their Rampier before one of them took the Alarm and if they had forborn falling upon them they might have gone up to the Kings Tent before any notice taken but the killing of some near the Ports awaken'd the Enemy who were all in such a fright and consternation that not a man took Arms to oppose them nay the King himself as he started out of sleep half naked and in an habit scarce fit for a common Souldier much less a Prince fled to the River and got on board his Fleet whither his people follow'd after him in heaps There were well near three thousand in all taken and slain but the greater number taken The Camp was plundred the Apollonians got all his Capults Balists and other Battering Engines which they carried home to secure their own Walls whenever there should happen the like occasion all the rest of the Booty fell to the share of the Roman Souldiers As soon as news of this defeat came to Oric Valerius presently set Sail with his Fleet to the mouth of the River to prevent the Kings Escape by Sea whereupon Philip distrusting his power on Sea as well as on shore to be too weak to cope with the Romans sunk and burnt his Ships and so march'd by Land to Macedonia his Forces having lost all their Baggage and most part of their Arms the Roman Navy continued all Winter with Valerius at Oric Variety of Action happen'd this year in Spain for before the Romans could get over the River Iberus Mago and Asdrubal had routed a mighty Host of Spaniards so as all the further part of Spain had revolted if P. Cornelius had not with great Expedition transported his Army and seasonably come up to assure the minds of his wavering Allies He first encamp'd at a place call'd High Castle famous for the death of the great Amilcar It was a place well fortified and they had already stor'd up their Corn there yet because it was in the midst of the Enemies Quarters whose Cavalry had several times faln upon the Roman Fort and got off again clear In which Incursions they had slain at least two thousand men either loitering behind the rest or carelesly straggling about the Country it was thought fit to remove from thence into places more quiet and secure and so encamped on Mount Victoria thither came Cn. Scipio with all his Forces and also Asdrubal the Son of Gisco the third in renown and quality of all the Punick Generals with a compleat Army and both these sat down on the other side the River over against the first mentioned Camp of the Romans P. Scipio riding out with a few light Horse to take a view of the ground the Enemy discover'd him and in that open Champain Country had undoubtely cut him off but that he got to an Hill of advantage hard by where he was encompass'd for some time but by the coming up of his Brother with a Party to his Rescue got off without much loss Castulo a strong and noble City of Spain and so strictly allied to the Carthaginians that Annibal married his Wife from thence did yet notwithstanding now quit their Party and join with the Romans The Carthaginians began to assault Illiturgis where there lay a Roman Garrison whom they hoped to master the sooner because they understood they were already in great want of Provisions Cn. Scipio to relieve his Confederates and his own Souldiers that were there march'd with a Legion of Souldiers lightly arm'd between the Enemies two Camps skirmishing with them all the way not without great slaughter and so entred the City and the next day made a Sally no less fortunate For in those two Conflicts he kill'd above twelve thousand of the Enemy took more than ten thousand Prisoners with six and thirty Colours Thus was the Siege of Illiturgis raised and in the next place the Carthaginians laid Siege to Bigerra which was also in Amity with the Romans but Cn. Scipio advancing thither they quitted the same without fighting After which the Punick Camp lying at Munda the Romans followed hard at their heels where they fought a pitch'd Battel for four hours space but the Romans having much the better of the day were on a sudden call'd off by a Retreat sounded because Cn. Scipio was hurt in the Thigh with a barbed Javelin and the Souldiers about him were in some disorder fearing the wound was mortal If that accident had not stopt them 't is certain they had that day taken the Enemies Camp for they had already driven not only the Souldiers but the Elephants too up to the French and as they stood there as it were at Bay no less than thirty nine Elephants were kill'd and wounded with Darts and Javelins In this Battel likewise were kill'd by report twelve thousand almost three thousand taken Prisoners and fifty seven Colours won The Enemy retreated from thence to the City Aurinx and the Romans to give them no breathing time after their late Overthrows pursued hard after them There again Scipio though carried into the Field in an Horse-litter fought them and had the Victory clear though not half so many of the Enemy kill'd as before because there were not now so many left to fight But being amongst a people naturally addicted to Wars Mago sent forth by his Brother Asdrubal to make new Levies soon recruited the Army and then they had the heart to venture another Battel As most of their men were thus new-rais'd and the rest such as had been so often cow'd before so their success was according eight thousand kill'd not less than two thousand taken Prisoners and fifty eight Colours together with abundance of Gallick Spoils Gold Rings Chains and Bracelets likewise two Princes of the Gauls whose names were Menicapto and Civismaro lost their lives in this Battel eight Elephants taken and three kill'd And now after all these successes in Spain the Romans began to be asham'd that they had suffer'd the City of Saguntum the original Cause of the whole
and killed the Elephants on the very Rampier just as they were getting over whose bodies falling back into the Trench served as a Bridge for the Enemy to get over upon so as there upon the Carcasses of the Elephants happen'd a very great slaughter of men On the other side of the Camp the Capuans and Punick Garrison were long since beat back and in the pursuit the Conflict was hot at the very Gate of Capua which opens to the River Vulturnus nor was it so much the Valour of the Defendants that hindred the Romans from breaking into the City as the Balists and Scorpions and other Engines placed there which gaul'd them at a distance but especially that brave Attacque of the Romans was dasht by the hurt of their General Appius Claudius who as he was encouraging his men at the head of them happen'd to be wounded with a Dart above his breast in the left shoulder However a great number of the Enemy were slain before the Gate and the rest in confusion beat into the City And Annibal perceiving the slaughter that was made of the Spanish Regiment and how valiantly the Camp was defended despairing of success gave over the Assault sounded a Retreat to his Foot and to secure them placed his Horse in the Rear lest the Enemy should fall upon them as they march'd off which the Roman Legions were wondrous eager to have done but Flaccus thought it better to forbear judging they had done well enough already in effecting two such signal Services in one day viz. to let both the Capuans and Annibal himself see how little he was able to contribute to their Relief Those that write the story of this Battel relate that there were kill'd eight thousand of Annibals Army and three thousand Capuans fifteen Colours taken from the former and eighteen from the latter But in others I do not find the Fight so considerable but that the Fright was far greater than the Conflict for they say That the Numidians and Spaniards unexpectedly broke into the Roman Camp and that their Elephants passing through the midst thereof overthrew abundance of their Tents with an horrid noise which made the Sumpter-Horses break their bridles and run straggling to and fro bearing down all before them and that besides this Confuâ—ion Annibal added a Stratagem by sending in certain persons that could speak the Latine Tongue very well for some such he had with him who in the Consuls Names commanded the Souldiers That since the Camp was lost every one should shift for himself to the adjacent Mountains But this fraud was soon discovered and revenged by a great slaughter of his men and that the Elephants were driven out of the Camp with fire 'T is certain this however it began or ended was the last that was fought before the Surrender of Capua whose chief Magistrate whom they call Medixtutichus for that year was one Seppius Lesius a person of mean obscure Birth 'T is reported that his Mother upon a time being to expiate some domestical ill Omen that happen'd in her House on his behalf being then an Orphan the Southsayer told her That Boy should one day arrive to the chief place of dignity in Capua who not believing any such matter replyed Truly Sir Capua must be in a sad condition when my Child comes to be the most honourable person there which words spoken in jest prov'd true in sad earnest For the City being straitned with Sword and Famine and its case desperate all persons of Qâ—ality declining Offices Lesius by complaining That Capua was abandon'd and betray'd by the great men prevail'd with the people to Elect him and was the last of the Capuans that there bore Rule Annibal finding that he could neither tempt the Romans to venture a pitcht Field nor was able to break through their Leaguer to relieve the Town was forc'd without effecting his design to dislodge from thence lest the new Consuls should blockade him up and intercept his provisions As he was studying what course to take next a freak took him in the head to march to rights to Rome and strike at the very Root of the War which as he had always desired so both others commonly grumbled and himself could not deny That he had slipt a fair opportunity for that purpose after the Victory at Cannae nor did he despair but that by surprize and the unexpected terrour of an assault he might make himself Master at least of some part of the City Besides if Rome were once in danger he believ'd one or both the Roman Generals would quit Capua and hasten to its rescue whose Forces being divided and consequently weakned might give either him or the Capuans an opportunity of some good Fortune against them The only thing that troubled him was the fear lest upon notice of his retreat the Capuans in despair should yield to a surrender To prevent which he hires a Numidian a bold Fellow fit for any desperate undertaking for a large reward to fly unto the Roman Camp as a Deserter and thence to get into the City with Letters privately bestow'd about him the tenour of which was full of encouragement That his marching from thence was for their good and safety whereby he doubted not but to draw the Roman Forces from assaulting Capua to defend their own City of Rome and therefore they should not despond but hold out a few days longer and he would warrant them the Siege should be raised Then he caused all the Vessels taken in the River Vulturnus to be brought up to the Fort which he had before erected there for his security and understanding there were enow of them to transport his whole Army in one night he drew down his Legions thither in the dark and before Morning had ferried them all over Before this was accomplisht Fulvius Flaccus by some Renegado's got an inkling of the design and sent an Express to Rome to advertize the Senate which news variously affected mens minds according to their several fancies and dispositions and as so important an occurrence required the Senate was immediately Assembled to consult what was to be done P. Cornelius sirnamed Asina was of Opinion That without regard of Capua or any thing else all the Generals and Forces throughout Italy should be forthwith sent for to secure the City But Fabius Maximus thought it the most dishonourable thing in the World to raise the Siege of Capua and be terrified and hurry to and fro at every beck and vain Menace of Annibal He that when he was Victorious at Cannae durst not yet approach the City is it likely he can have any hopes of taking Rome when he was soundly beat but the other day from Capua If he were marching that way it was not to besiege Rome but only to raise the Siege of Capua which otherwise he knew not how to relieve That there was no doubt but Jove the witness to those Leagues which Annibal had violated and the other Gods
him U. C. 543 THE Affairs of Spain standing thus as we have related In Italy the Consul Marcellus after the Recovery of Salapia by Treachery took by Force Maronea and Sales two Towns of the Samnites not less than three thousand of Annibals Souldiers left there in Garrison being cut to pieces A great part of the Spoil was divided amongst the Souldiers and amongst other things there were got two hundred and forty thousand Bushels of Wheat and one hundred and ten thousand of Barley yet was not this good News equal to that Loss which presently after followed near Herdonea where Cn. Fulvius the Proconsul lay encamp'd hoping to recover that City which after the defeat at Cannae had revolted from the Romans a place neither very well situate for Defence nor having in it any considerable Garrison but that which most increased Fulvius's hopes a man naturally negligent and presuming was That those within began to be weary of the Carthaginians Government especially after the loss of Salapia and when they heard that Annibal was retired to the Bruttians of all this Annibal had private notice from Herdonea and excited as well with desires of retaining an Associate City as of surprizing a careless Enemy marches thither with great Expedition that he might arrive before they had any notice of his coming and that he might terrifie them the more advanc'd in Battel-Array The Romans with equal boldness but far inferiour both in Strength and Conduct drew up in an hurry and gave them Battel their fifth Legion and left Wing charging with great resolution but Annibal had ordered his Cavalry That whilst the Foot were engaged and their thoughts and eyes wholly taken up they should fetch a Compass and some of them attacque the Enemies Camp and the rest fall upon their Rear he himself frequently repeating to his men the Name of Cn. Fulvius as ominous because two years before he had defeated a Praetor of the same Name almost in the same place and did assure them the Fortune of this Battel would be alike nor did he deceive them For after many of the Romans were faln in the Foot-Service and yet kept both their Ground and their Ranks on a sudden the Enemies Horse fell upon their backs and a sad Cry was heard from the Camp The sixth Legion which composed the second Battalion being put into disorder by the Numidian Troops discomposed the fifth and all those that were in the Front so some of them were put to flight and many cut to pieces amongst whom was Cn. Fulvius himself with twelve Colonels But how many in all of the Romans and their Confederates were slain in that Fight who can certainly affirm when I find in some Authors thirteen thousand in others but seven thousand the Conquerour enjoy'd their Camp and all their Spoil And as for the City Herdonea perceiving it had been inclinable to revolt to the Romans and that it would hardly continue Loyal after he was gone he burnt it down having caused the chief Citizens that had caball'd with Fulvius to be executed and the rest of the Inhabitants to be transported to Metapontum and the Surians Such of the Romans as made shift to escape fled scarce half arm'd by several ways to Marcellus the Consul in Samnium Marcellus nothing daunted with this Defeat gave the Senate an account of it but withal advertiz'd them That he himself the same person that curb'd the pride of Annibal after the Victory at Cannae was now again advancing towards him and doubted not but quickly to interrupt his jollity But at Rome their Fear for the future was no less than their Sorrow for the past Overthrow The Consul marching from Samnium into Lucania encamp'd near Numistro in a Plain within view of Annibal who lay on the Hill And for greater shew of confidence was the first that drew out into the Field Annibal was as ready to meet him and their Battalia's were so ordered that the Carthaginians right Wing possess'd themselves of the Hill and the Romans left Wing spread up to the very Town They fought fiercely from Nine a Clock until Night for when the Van-guards on both sides were tired out the first Legion of the Romans and their left Wing of Horse on their side and the Spanish Forces and Balearian Slingers with the Elephants on Annibal's side renew'd the Battel and stood firm for a long time neither of them giving ground At last the third Legion was brought in to supply the first and the left Wing of Horse to assist the right as likewise the Enemy was re-inforc'd with new Troops so that the Skirmish which before was faint and dull was on a sudden more eager and dreadful than ever before managed with fresh courages as well as Bodies and long it might have continued had not the approach of night parted them leaving it uncertain to which of them the honour of the Victory might belong The Romans next morning drew up in Battalia by Sun rising and stood expecting the Enemy a great part of the day but finding that not one of them would stir out of their Camp they at leisure gathered the Spoil of the Field and drawing together their own slain in an heap burnt their Bodies The Night following Annibal silently dislodg'd and march'd away for Apulia Marcellus as soon as it was day perceiving the Enemies flight leaving his wounded men in Numistra with a small Garrison under the command of L. Furius Purpureo a Colonel with the gross of his Army pursued them and came up with them about Venusia there for some days the Out-Guards both Horse and Foot skirmish'd with each other but in a tumultuary manner rather than any set Engagement wherein the Romans had generally the better on 't From thence the Armies passed through all Apulia without any memorable Action by reason Annibal always marched in the night seeking out some place of advantage for Ambuscades to avoid which Marcellus would not stir to follow him but in broad day light and sending forth Scouts before to discover the Coasts At Capua Flaccus still spends his time in selling the Noblemens Estates and letting out to farm the forfeited Lands which he let all for so much Corn-Rent and that there might not be wanting new matter for severities against that wretched people a fresh Design and Conspiracy secretly carried on by them was discovered you must know He had drawn his Souldiers out of the City both that he might the better lett the empty Houses with the Fields as also fearing lest the exceeding pleasantness and delights of the Town should debauch and effeminate them as it had done Annibal's therefore he forced them to build them Hutts all along under the Walls and about the Gates which were most of them made of Hurdles and Boards and some wattled with Reeds and all thatch'd with Straw as it were on purpose to serve for Fewel in case of a Fire Now there were one hundred and seventy Capuans the chief of them
in their courage and strength When his Men were now tired the Consul brought the Regiments of reserves out of the second Division of the Army into the fight whereby to animate their drooping hearts and then they being now made a new Army the fresh men with their new Weapons setting upon the tired Enemies first broke in upon them with a brisk effort in form of a Wedge as it were and soon after routed them so that they ran over the Fields as fast as they could back to their Camp When Cato saw all places fill'd with the flying Enemy he rode back to the second Legion that was in the Reer and ordering the Ensigns to be carried before him commanded them to march with all speed and attack the Enemies Camp But if any of them ran too eagerly out of their ranks not only he himself smote him with a Dart but bad the Tribunes and Centurions to correct them for it And now they were besieging the Enemies Camp when the Romans were repell'd with stones and stakes and all sorts of Weapons from the Bullwark But when the new Legion came on then not only the Besiegers were the more incouraged but the Enemy also more fiercely defended their Bullwark The Consul took a view of all places quite round to get an opportunity of breaking in upon them where they made the weakest resistance At the left Gate he saw them very thin and thither therefore led he the Vanguard and the Spearmen of the second Legion The Guard that was at the Gate could not endure the shock of them and the rest also when they saw the Enemy within the Bullwark being forced from their very Camp threw down their Ensigns and Arms and were kill'd in the very Gates by their own men that could not all get out at such narrow passages whilst the Souldiers of the second Regiment gauled them behind and the rest rifled their Camp Valerius Antias sayes that there were above forty thousand of the Enemy that day slain and Cato who was never backward to praise himself sayes there were a great many kill'd but does not mention the exact number of them He is thought to have done three very commendable things that day the one in that having led his Army about a good way from his Fleet and Camp where they could have no hopes but in their valour he began the fight amidst his Enemies the other in that he set the Regiments upon the Enemies Reer and the third for that he order'd the second Legion when all the rest were dispers'd to pursue the Enemy to march regularly in Rank and File under the Ensigns up to the Gate of the Enemies Camp Nor did he lie idle after he had got the Victory but having given the signal for a retreat and brought his men back all laden with spoils into the Camp he gave them some few hours of that night to take their rest in and then led them forth to plunder the Country And there indeed they were very extravagant in what they did the Enemy being all routed and dispersed which forced the Emporitan Spaniards and their Neighbours to a surrender no less than the unfortunate Battle the day before Many also of other Cities that had fled into Emporiae surrender'd themselves all which when he had saluted them very kindly and refresh'd them with Wine and Victuals he sent to their own homes Then presently he removed his Camp from that place and which way soever his Army went Embassadours met him from Cities that surrender'd themselves But when he came to Tarraco all Spain on this side Iberus was already subdu'd and the Captives as well Romans as Allies of the Latine Race who were oppressed in Spain by several misfortunes were brought back as a present to the Consul After that there was a report that the Consul would lead his Army into Turdetania and a false rumour also spread that he would go toward the inaccessible and devious mountainers Upon this vain report without any authority for it seven Castles belonging to the Bergistans revolted and that people the Consul bringing down his Army upon them subdu'd without any memorable Engagement But not long after the same Nation when the Consul was gone back to Tarraco and before he went forward any way from thence fell off again But were a second time reduced though they had not the same kind usage as before being all sold for slaves that they might never more disturb the Peace In the mean time P. Manlius the Praetor having received the old Army from Q. Minucius whom he succeeded and likewise join'd to it Ap. Claudius Nero's old Army out of the farther Spain went into Turdetania Now the Turdetans are accounted the most effeminate of all the Spaniards Yet relying upon their multitude they went to meet the Roman Army But the Horse being sent in upon them immediately put their Army into disorder The Foot conflict had no difficulty in it at all for the old Souldiers understanding very well the Enemies methods and the Discipline of War made no question of the Victory And yet they did not end the War with that fight The Turdetans hired ten thousand Celtiberians and prepared for the War with Foreign Arms. In the mean time the Consul being concern'd at the Rebellion of the Bergistans and supposing that the other Cities would upon occasion do the same thing disarm'd all the Spaniards on this side Iberus Which thing they took so very ill that many of them made away with themselves for being a Warlike Nation they thought it not worth while to live without Arms. Which when the Consul heard he order'd the Senators of every City to be called before him and told them It is not more our interest than yours that you should not rebel For that hath hitherto been always done with greater disadvantage to the Spaniards than trouble to the Roman Army But I suppose there is one way to prevent that by putting you out of a capacity to rebel And I am resolv'd to bring that about the mildest way I can Pray do you also assist with your Counsel in the affair for I 'll follow no advice more willingly than what you your selves shall give me Whereupon they being silent he told them he 'd give them some few dayes time to consider of it But when being summon'd again they held their tongues at the second Council also he in one day pull'd down all their Walls and then marching toward those that were not yet reduced as soon as he came into every Country admitted all the people that dwelt there round about to make their Surrenders save that he took Segestica a great and opulent City with Engines and Galleries like Pent-Houses made of Boards and cover'd with raw Hides c. to keep off Arrows c. from the Souldiers whilst they made their approaches to the Walls of a Town Now he found it so much the more difficult to subdue his Enemies then than those that
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