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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The History of Rome; Books Nine to
+Twenty-Six, by Titus Livius, Translated by D. Spillan and Cyrus Edmonds,
+Illustrated by D. Spillan and Cyrus Edmonds
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty-Six
+
+Author: Titus Livius
+
+Release Date: February 1, 2004  [eBook #10907]
+Most recently updated: December 6, 2011
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: iso-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HISTORY OF ROME; BOOKS NINE TO
+TWENTY-SIX***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Ben Courtney, and Project Gutenberg
+Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+THE HISTORY OF ROME; BOOKS NINE TO TWENTY-SIX
+
+Literally Translated, with Notes and Illustrations,
+by D. Spillan and Cyrus Edmonds.
+
+TITUS LIVIUS.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK IX.
+
+
+_Titus Veturius and Spurius Postumius, with their army, surrounded
+by the Samnites at the Caudine forks; enter into a treaty, give six
+hundred hostages, and are sent under the yoke. The treaty declared
+invalid; the two generals and the other sureties sent back to the
+Samnites, but are not accepted. Not long after, Papirius Cursor
+obliterates this disgrace, by vanquishing the Samnites, sending them
+under the yoke, and recovering the hostages. Two tribes added. Appius
+Claudius, censor, constructs the Claudian aqueduct, and the Appian
+road; admits the sons of freedom into the senate. Successes against
+the Apulians, Etruscans, Umbrians, Marsians, Pelignians, Aequans, and
+Samnites. Mention made of Alexander the Great, who flourished at this
+time; a comparative estimate of his strength, and that of the Roman
+people, tending to show, that if he had carried his arms into Italy,
+he would not have been as successful there as he had been in the
+Eastern countries._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. This year is followed by the convention of Caudium, so memorable on
+account of the misfortune of the Romans, the consuls being Titus
+Veturius Calvinus and Spurius Postumius. The Samnites had as their
+commander that year Caius Ponius, son to Herennius, born of a father
+most highly renowned for wisdom, and himself a consummate warrior and
+commander. When the ambassadors, who had been sent to make
+restitution, returned, without concluding a peace, he said, "That ye
+may not think that no purpose has been effected by this embassy,
+whatever degree of anger the deities of heaven had conceived against
+us, on account of the infraction of the treaty, has been hereby
+expiated. I am very confident, that whatever deities they were, whose
+will it was that you should be reduced to the necessity of making the
+restitution, which had been demanded according to the treaty, it was
+not agreeable to them, that our atonement for the breach of treason
+should be so haughtily spurned by the Romans. For what more could
+possibly be done towards appeasing the gods, and softening the anger
+of men, than we have done? The effects of the enemy, taken among the
+spoils, which appeared to be our own by the right of war, we restored:
+the authors of the war, as we could not deliver them up alive, we
+delivered them dead: their goods we carried to Rome, lest by retaining
+them, any degree of guilt should remain among us. What more, Roman, do
+I owe to thee? what to the treaty? what to the gods, the guarantees of
+the treaty? What arbitrator shall I call in to judge of your
+resentment, and of my punishment? I decline none; neither nation nor
+private person. But if nothing in human law is left to the weak
+against stronger, I will appeal to the gods, the avengers of
+intolerant arrogance, and will beseech them to turn their wrath
+against those for whom neither the restoration of their own effects
+nor additional heaps of other men's property, can suffice, whose
+cruelty is not satiated by the death of the guilty, by the surrender
+of their lifeless bodies, nor by their goods accompanying the
+surrender of the owner; who cannot be appeased otherwise than by
+giving them our blood to drink, and our entrails to be torn. Samnites,
+war is just to those for whom it is necessary, and arms are clear of
+impiety for those who have no hope left but in arms. Wherefore, as in
+every human undertaking, it is of the utmost importance what matter
+men may set about with the favour, what under the displeasure of the
+gods, be assured that the former wars ye waged in opposition to the
+gods more than to men; in this, which is now impending, ye will act
+under the immediate guidance of the gods themselves."
+
+2. After uttering these predictions, not more cheering than true, he
+led out the troops, and placed his camp about Caudium as much out of
+view as possible. From thence he sent to Calatia, where he heard that
+the Roman consuls were encamped, ten soldiers, in the habit of
+shepherds, and ordered them to keep some cattle feeding in several
+different places, at a small distance from the Roman posts; and that,
+when they fell in with any of their foragers, they should all agree in
+the same story, that the legions of the Samnites were then in Apulia,
+that they were besieging Luceria with their whole force, and very near
+taking it by storm. Such a rumour had been industriously spread
+before, and had already reached the Romans; but these prisoners
+increased the credit of it, especially as they all concurred in the
+same report. There was no doubt but that the Romans would carry
+succour to the Lucerians, as being good and faithful allies; and for
+this further reason, lest all Apulia, through apprehension of the
+impending danger, might go over to the enemy. The only point of
+deliberation was, by what road they should go. There were two roads
+leading to Luceria, one along the coast of the upper sea, wide and
+open; but, as it was the safer, so it was proportionably longer: the
+other, which was shorter, through the Caudine forks. The nature of the
+place is this: there are two deep glens, narrow and covered with wood,
+connected together by mountains ranging on both sides from one to the
+other; between these lies a plain of considerable extent, enclosed in
+the middle, abounding in grass and water, and through the middle of
+which the passage runs: but before you can arrive at it, the first
+defile must be passed, while the only way back is through the road by
+which you entered it; or if in case of resolving to proceed forward,
+you must go by the other glen, which is still more narrow and
+difficult. Into this plain the Romans, having marched down their
+troops by one of those passes through the cleft of a rock, when they
+advanced onward to the other defile, found it blocked up by trees
+thrown across, and a mound of huge stones lying in their way. When the
+stratagem of the enemy now became apparent, there is seen at the same
+time a body of troops on the eminence over the glen. Hastening back,
+then, they proceed to retrace the road by which they had entered; they
+found that also shut up by such another fence, and men in arms. Then,
+without orders, they halted; amazement took possession of their minds,
+and a strange kind of numbness seized their limbs: they then remained
+a long time motionless and silent, each looking to the other, as if
+each thought the other more capable of judging and advising than
+himself. After some time, when they saw that the consul's pavilions
+were being erected, and that some were getting ready the implements
+for throwing up works, although they were sensible that it must appear
+ridiculous the attempt to raise a fortification in their present
+desperate condition, and when almost every hope was lost, would be an
+object of necessity, yet, not to add a fault to their misfortunes,
+they all, without being advised or ordered by any one, set earnestly
+to work, and enclosed a camp with a rampart, close to the water, while
+themselves, besides that the enemy heaped insolent taunts on them,
+seemed with melancholy to acknowledge the apparent fruitlessness of
+their toil and labour. The lieutenants-general and tribunes, without
+being summoned to consultation, (for there was no room for either
+consultation or remedy,) assembled round the dejected consul; while
+the soldiers, crowding to the general's quarters, demanded from their
+leaders that succour, which it was hardly in the power of the immortal
+gods themselves to afford them.
+
+3. Night came on them while lamenting their situation rather than
+consulting, whilst they urged expedients, each according to his
+temper; one crying out, "Let us go over those fences of the roads;"
+others, "over the steeps; through the woods; any way, where arms can
+be carried. Let us be but permitted to come to the enemy, whom we have
+been used to conquer now near thirty years. All places will be level
+and plain to a Roman, fighting against the perfidious Samnite."
+Another would say, "Whither, or by what way can we go? Do we expect to
+remove the mountains from their foundations? While these cliffs hang
+over us, by what road will you reach the enemy? Whether armed or
+unarmed, brave or dastardly, we are all, without distinction, captured
+and vanquished. The enemy will not even show us a weapon by which we
+might die with honour. He will finish the war without moving from his
+seat." In such discourse, thinking of neither food nor rest, the night
+was passed. Nor could the Samnites, though in circumstances so joyous,
+instantly determine how to act: it was therefore universally agreed
+that Herennius Pontius, father of the general, should be consulted by
+letter. He was now grown feeble through age, and had withdrawn
+himself, not only from all military, but also from all civil
+occupations; yet, notwithstanding the decline of his bodily strength,
+his mind retained its full vigour. When he heard that the Roman armies
+were shut up at the Caudine forks between the two glens, being
+consulted by his son's messenger, he gave his opinion, that they
+should all be immediately dismissed from thence unhurt. On this
+counsel being rejected, and the same messenger returning a second
+time, he recommended that they should all, to a man, be put to death.
+When these answers, so opposite to each other, like those of an
+ambiguous oracle, were given, although his son in particular
+considered that the powers of his father's mind, together with those
+of his body, had been impaired by age, was yet prevailed on, by the
+general desire of all, to send for him to consult him. The old man, we
+are told, complied without reluctance, and was carried in a waggon to
+the camp, where, when summoned to give his advice, he spoke in such
+way as to make no alteration in his opinions; he only added the
+reasons for them. That "by his first plan, which he esteemed the best,
+he meant, by an act of extraordinary kindness, to establish perpetual
+peace and friendship with a most powerful nation: by the other, to put
+off the return of war to the distance of many ages, during which the
+Roman state, after the loss of those two armies, could not easily
+recover its strength." A third plan there was not. When his son, and
+the other chiefs, went on to ask him if "a plan of a middle kind might
+not be adopted; that they both should be dismissed unhurt, and, at the
+same time, by the right of war, terms imposed on them as vanquished?"
+"That, indeed," said he, "is a plan of such a nature, as neither
+procures friends or removes enemies. Only preserve those whom ye would
+irritate by ignominious treatment. The Romans are a race who know not
+how to sit down quiet under defeat; whatever that is which the present
+necessity shall brand will rankle in their breasts for ever, and will
+not suffer them to rest, until they have wreaked manifold vengeance on
+your heads." Neither of these plans was approved, and Herennius was
+carried home from the camp.
+
+4. In the Roman camp also, when many fruitless efforts to force a
+passage had been made, and they were now destitute of every means of
+subsistence, forced by necessity, they send ambassadors, who were
+first to ask peace on equal terms; which, if they did not obtain, they
+were to challenge the enemy to battle. To this Pontius answered, that
+"the war was at an end; and since, even in their present vanquished
+and captive state, they were not willing to acknowledge their
+situation, he would send them under the yoke unarmed, each with a
+single garment; that the other conditions of peace should be such as
+were just between the conquerors and the conquered. If their troops
+would depart, and their colonies be withdrawn out of the territories
+of the Samnites; for the future, the Romans and Samnites, under a
+treaty of equality, shall live according to their own respective laws.
+On these terms he was ready to negotiate with the consuls: and if any
+of these should not be accepted, he forbade the ambassadors to come to
+him again." When the result of this embassy was made known, such
+general lamentation suddenly arose, and such melancholy took
+possession of them, that had they been told that all were to die on
+the spot, they could not have felt deeper affliction. After silence
+continued a long time, and the consuls were not able to utter a word,
+either in favour of a treaty so disgraceful, or against a treaty so
+necessary; at length, Lucius Lentulus, who was the first among the
+lieutenants-general, both in respect of bravery, and of the public
+honours which he had attained, addressed them thus: "Consuls, I have
+often heard my father say, that he was the only person in the Capitol
+who did not advise the senate to ransom the state from the Gauls with
+gold; and these he would not concur in, because they had not been
+enclosed with a trench and rampart by the enemy, (who were remarkably
+slothful with respect to works and raising fortifications,) and
+because they might sally forth, if not without great danger, yet
+without certain destruction. Now if, in like manner as they had it in
+their power to run down from the Capitol in arms against their foe, as
+men besieged have often sallied out on the besiegers, it were possible
+for us to come to blows with the enemy, either on equal or unequal
+ground, I would not be wanting in the high quality of my father's
+spirit in stating my advice. I acknowledge, indeed, that death, in
+defence of our country, is highly glorious; and I am ready, either to
+devote myself for the Roman people and the legions, or to plunge into
+the midst of the enemy. But in this spot I behold my country: in this
+spot, the whole of the Roman legions, and unless these choose to rush
+on death in defence of their own individual characters, what have they
+which can be preserved by their death? The houses of the city, some
+may say, and the walls of it, and the crowd who dwell in it, by which
+the city is inhabited. But in fact, in case of the destruction of this
+army, all these are betrayed, not preserved. For who will protect
+them? An unwarlike and unarmed multitude, shall I suppose? Yes, just
+as they defended them against the attack of the Gauls. Will they call
+to their succour an army from Veii, with Camillus at its head? Here on
+the spot, I repeat, are all our hopes and strength; by preserving
+which, we preserve our country; by delivering them up to death, we
+abandon and betray our country. But a surrender is shameful and
+ignominious. True: but such ought to be our affection for our country,
+that we should save it by our own disgrace, if necessity required, as
+freely as by our death. Let therefore that indignity be undergone, how
+great soever, and let us submit to that necessity which even the gods
+themselves do not overcome. Go, consuls, ransom the state for arms,
+which your ancestors ransomed with gold."
+
+5. The consuls having gone to Pontius to confer with him, when he
+talked, in the strain of a conqueror, of a treaty, they declared that
+such could not be concluded without an order of the people, nor
+without the ministry of the heralds, and the other customary rites.
+Accordingly the Caudine peace was not ratified by settled treaty, as
+is commonly believed, and even asserted by Claudius, but by
+conventional sureties. For what occasion would these be either for
+sureties or hostages in the former case, where the ratification is
+performed by the imprecation, "that whichever nation shall give
+occasion to the said terms being violated, may Jupiter strike that
+nation in like manner as the swine is struck by the heralds." The
+consuls, lieutenants-general, quaestors, and military tribunes, became
+sureties; and the names of all these who became sureties are extant;
+where, had the business been transacted by treaty, none would have
+appeared but those of the two heralds. On account of the necessary
+delay of the treaty six hundred horsemen were demanded as hostages,
+who were to suffer death if the compact were not fulfilled; a time was
+then fixed for delivering up the hostages, and sending away the troops
+disarmed. The return of the consuls renewed the general grief in the
+camp, insomuch that the men hardly refrained from offering violence to
+them, "by whose rashness," they said, "they had been brought into such
+a situation; and through whose cowardice they were likely to depart
+with greater disgrace than they came. They had employed no guide
+through the country, nor scouts; but were sent out blindly, like
+beasts into a pitfall" They cast looks on each other, viewed earnestly
+the arms which they must presently surrender; while their persons
+would be subject to the whim of the enemy: figured to themselves the
+hostile yoke, the scoffs of the conquerors, their haughty looks, and
+finally, thus disarmed, their march through the midst of an armed foe.
+In a word, they saw with horror the miserable journey of their
+dishonoured band through the cities of the allies; and their return
+into their own country, to their parents, whither themselves, and
+their ancestors, had so often come in triumph. Observing, that "they
+alone had been conquered without a fight, without a weapon thrown,
+without a wound; that they had not been permitted to draw their
+swords, nor to engage the enemy. In vain had arms, in vain had
+strength, in vain had courage been given them." While they were giving
+vent to such grievous reflections, the fatal hour of their disgrace
+arrived, which was to render every circumstance still more shocking in
+fact, than they had preconceived it in their imaginations. First, they
+were ordered to go out, beyond the rampart, unarmed, and with single
+garments; then the hostages were surrendered, and carried into
+custody. The lictors were next commanded to depart from the consuls,
+and the robes of the latter were stripped off. This excited such a
+degree of commiseration in the breasts of those very men, who a little
+before, pouring execrations upon them, had proposed that they should
+be delivered up and torn to pieces, that every one, forgetting his own
+condition, turned away his eyes from that degradation of so high a
+dignity, as from a spectacle too horrid to behold.
+
+6. First, the consuls, nearly half naked, were sent under the yoke;
+then each officer, according to his rank, was exposed to disgrace, and
+the legions successively. The enemy stood on each side under arms,
+reviling and mocking them; swords were pointed at most of them,
+several were wounded and some even slain, when their looks, rendered
+too fierce by the indignity to which they were subjected, gave offence
+to the conquerors. Thus were they led under the yoke; and what was
+still more intolerable, under the eyes of the enemy. When they had got
+clear of the defile, they seemed as if they had been drawn up from the
+infernal regions, and then for the first time beheld the light; yet,
+when they viewed the ignominious appearance of the army, the light
+itself was more painful to them than any kind of death could have
+been; so that although they might have arrived at Capua before night,
+yet, uncertain with respect to the fidelity of the allies, and because
+shame embarrassed them, in need of every thing, they threw themselves
+carelessly on the ground, on each side of the road: which being told
+at Capua, just compassion for their allies got the better of the
+arrogance natural to the Campanians. They immediately sent to the
+consuls their ensigns of office, the fasces and lictors; to the
+soldiers, arms, horses, clothes, and provisions in abundance: and, on
+their approach to Capua, the whole senate and people went out to meet
+them, and performed every proper office of hospitality, both public
+and private. But the courtesy, kind looks, and address of the allies,
+could not only not draw a word from them, but it could not even
+prevail on them to raise their eyes, or look their consoling friends
+in the face, so completely did shame, in addition to grief, oblige
+them to shun the conversation and society of these their friends. Next
+day, when some young nobles, who had been sent from Capua, to escort
+them on their road to the frontiers of Campania, returned, they were
+called into the senate-house, and, in answer to the inquiries of the
+elder members, said, that "to them they seemed deeply sunk in
+melancholy and dejection; that the whole body moved on in silence,
+almost as if dumb; the former genius of the Romans was prostrated, and
+that their spirit had been taken from them, together with their arms.
+Not one returned a salute, nor returned an answer to those who greeted
+them; as if, through fear, they were unable to utter a word; as if
+their necks still carried the yoke under which they had been sent.
+That the Samnites had obtained a victory, not only glorious, but
+lasting also; for they had subdued, not Rome merely, as the Gauls had
+formerly done, but what was a much wore warlike achievement, the Roman
+courage." When these remarks were made and attentively listened to,
+and the almost extinction of the Roman name was lamented in this
+assembly of faithful allies, Ofilius Calavius, son of Ovius, a man
+highly distinguished, both by his birth and conduct, and at this time
+further respectable on account of his age, is said to have declared
+that he entertained a very different opinion in the case. "This
+obstinate silence," said he, "those eyes fixed on the earth,--those
+ears deaf to all comfort,--with the shame of beholding the light,--are
+indications of a mind calling forth, from its inmost recesses, the
+utmost exertions of resentment. Either he was ignorant of the temper
+of the Romans, or that silence would shortly excite, among the
+Samnites, lamentable cries and groans; for that the remembrance of the
+Caudine peace would be much more sorrowful to the Samnites than to the
+Romans. Each side would have their own native spirit, wherever they
+should happen to engage, but the Samnites would not, every where, have
+the glens of Caudium."
+
+7. Their disaster was, by this time, well known at Rome also. At
+first, they heard that the troops were shut up; afterwards the news of
+the ignominious peace caused greater affliction than had been felt for
+their danger. On the report of their being surrounded, a levy of men
+was begun; but when it was understood that the army had surrendered in
+so disgraceful a manner, the preparations were laid aside; and
+immediately, without any public directions, a general mourning took
+place, with all the various demonstrations of grief. The shops were
+shut; and all business ceased in the forum, spontaneously, before it
+was proclaimed. Laticlaves [Footnote: In the original, _lati clavi_.
+The latus clavus was a tunic, or vest, ornamented with a broad stripe
+of purple on the fore part, worn by the senators; the knights wore a
+similar one, only ornamented with a narrower stripe. Gold rings were
+also used as badges of distinction, the common people wore iron ones.]
+and gold rings were laid aside: and the public were in greater
+tribulation, if possible, than the army itself; they were not only
+enraged against the commanders, the advisers and sureties of the peace,
+but detested even the unoffending soldiers, and asserted, that they
+ought not to be admitted into the city or its habitations. But these
+transports of passion were allayed by the arrival of the troops, which
+excited compassion even in the angry; for entering into the city, not
+like men returning into their country with unexpected safety, but in
+the habit and with the looks of captives, late in the evening; they hid
+themselves so closely in their houses, that, for the next, and several
+following days, not one of them could bear to come in sight of the
+forum, or of the public. The consuls, shut up in private, transacted no
+official business, except that which was wrung from them by a decree of
+the senate, to nominate a dictator to preside at the elections. They
+nominated Quintus Fabius Ambustus, and as master of the horse Publius
+Aelius Paetus. But they having been irregularly appointed, there were
+substituted in their room, Marcus Aemilius Papus dictator, and Lucius
+Valerius Flaccus master of the horse. But neither did these hold the
+elections: and the people being dissatisfied with all the magistrates
+of that year, an interregnum ensued. The interreges were, Quintus
+Fabius Maximus and Marcus Valerius Corvus, who elected consuls Quintus
+Publilius Philo, and Lucius Papirius Cursor a second time; a choice
+universally approved, for there were no commanders at that time of
+higher reputation.
+
+8. They entered into office on the day they were elected, for so it
+had been determined by the fathers. When the customary decrees of the
+senate were passed, they proposed the consideration of the Caudine
+peace; and Publilius, who was in possession of the fasces, said,
+"Spurius Postumius, speak:" he arose with just the same countenance
+with which he had passed under the yoke, and delivered himself to this
+effect: "Consuls, I am well aware that I have been called up first
+with marked ignominy, not with honour; and that I am ordered to speak,
+not as being a senator, but as a person answerable as well for an
+unsuccessful war as for a disgraceful peace. However, since the
+question propounded by you is not concerning our guilt, or our
+punishment; waving a defence, which would not be very difficult,
+before men who are not unacquainted with human casualties or
+necessities, I shall briefly state my opinion on the matter in
+question; which opinion will testify, whether I meant to spare myself
+or your legions, when I engaged as surety to the convention, whether
+dishonourable or necessary: by which, however, the Roman people are
+not bound, inasmuch as it was concluded without their order; nor is
+any thing liable to be forfeited to the Samnites, in consequence of
+it, except our persons. Let us then be delivered up to them by the
+heralds, naked, and in chains. Let us free the people of the religious
+obligation, if we have bound them under any such; so that there may be
+no restriction, divine or human, to prevent your entering on the war
+anew, without violating either religion or justice. I am also of
+opinion, that the consuls, in the mean time, enlist, arm, and lead out
+an army; but that they should not enter the enemy's territories before
+every particular, respecting the surrender of us, be regularly
+executed. You, O immortal gods! I pray and beseech that, although it
+has not been your will that Spurius Postumius and Titus Veturius, as
+consuls, should wage war with success against the Samnites, ye may yet
+deem it sufficient to have seen us sent under the yoke; to have seen
+us bound under an infamous convention; to have seen us delivered into
+the hands of our foes naked and shackled, taking on our own heads the
+whole weight of the enemy's resentment. And grant, that the consuls
+and legions of Rome may wage war against the Samnites, with the same
+fortune with which every war has been waged before we became consuls."
+On his concluding this speech, men's minds were so impressed with both
+admiration and compassion, that now they could scarce believe him to
+be the same Spurius Postumius who had been the author of so shameful a
+peace; again lamenting, that such a man was likely to undergo, among
+the enemy, a punishment even beyond that of others, through resentment
+for annulling the peace. When all the members, extolling him with
+praises, expressed their approbation of his sentiments, a protest was
+attempted for a time by Lucius Livius and Quintus Maelius, tribunes of
+the commons, who said, that "the people could not be acquitted of the
+religious obligation by the consuls being given up, unless all things
+were restored to the Samnites in the same state in which they had been
+at Caudium; nor had they themselves deserved any punishment, for
+having, by becoming sureties to the peace, preserved the army of the
+Roman people; nor, finally, could they, being sacred and inviolable,
+be surrendered to the enemy or treated with violence."
+
+9. To this Postumius replied, "In the mean time surrender us as
+unsanctified persons, which ye may do, without offence to religion;
+those sacred and inviolable personages, the tribunes, ye will
+afterwards deliver up as soon as they go out of office: but, if ye
+listen to me, they will be first scourged with rods, here in the
+Comitium, that they may pay this as interest for their punishment
+being delayed. For, as to their denying that the people are acquitted
+of the religious obligation, by our being given up, who is there so
+ignorant of the laws of the heralds, as not to know, that those men
+speak in that manner, that they themselves may not be surrendered,
+rather than because the case is really so? Still I do not deny,
+conscript fathers, that compacts, on sureties given, are as sacred as
+treaties, in the eyes of all who regard faith between men, with the
+same reverence which is paid to duties respecting the gods: but I
+insist, that without the order of the people, nothing can be ratified
+that is to bind the people. Suppose that, out of the same arrogance
+with which the Samnites wrung from us the convention in question, they
+had compelled us to repeat the established form of words for the
+surrendering of cities, would ye, tribunes, say, that the Roman people
+was surrendered? and, that this city, these temples, and consecrated
+grounds, these lands and waters, were become the property of the
+Samnites? I say no more of the surrender, because our having become
+sureties is the point insisted on. Now, suppose we had become sureties
+that the Roman people should quit this city; that they should set it
+on fire; that they should have no magistrates, no senate, no laws;
+that they should, in future, be ruled by kings: the gods forbid, you
+say. But, the enormity of the articles lessens not the obligation of a
+compact. If there is any thing in which the people can be bound, it
+can in all. Nor is there any importance in another circumstance, which
+weighs, perhaps, with some: whether a consul, a dictator, or a
+praetor, be the surety. And this, indeed, was what even the Samnites
+themselves proved, who were not satisfied with the security of the
+consuls, but compelled the lieutenants-general, quaestors, and
+military tribunes to join them. Let no one, then, demand of me, why I
+entered into such a compact, when neither such power was vested in a
+consul, and when I could not either to them, insure a peace, of which
+I could not command the ratification; or in behalf of you, who had
+given me no powers. Conscript fathers, none of the transactions at
+Caudium were directed by human wisdom. The immortal gods deprived of
+understanding both your generals and those of the enemy. On the one
+side we acted not with sufficient caution in the war; on the other,
+they threw away a victory, which through our folly they had obtained,
+while they hardly confided in the places, by means of which they had
+conquered; but were in haste, on any terms, to take arms out of the
+hands of men who were born to arms. Had their reason been sound, would
+it have been difficult, during the time which they spent in sending
+for old men from home to give them advice, to send ambassadors to
+Rome, and to negotiate a peace and treaty with the senate, and with
+the people? It would have been a journey of only three days to
+expeditious travellers. In the interim, matters might have rested
+under a truce, that is, until their ambassadors should have brought
+from Rome, either certain victory or peace. That would have been
+really a compact, on the faith of sureties, for we should have become
+sureties by order of the people. But, neither would ye have passed
+such an order, nor should we have pledged our faith; nor was it right
+that the affair should have any other issue, than, that they should be
+vainly mocked with a dream, as it were, of greater prosperity than
+their minds were capable of comprehending, and that the same fortune,
+which had entangled our army, should extricate it; that an ineffectual
+victory should be frustrated by a more ineffectual peace; and that a
+convention, on the faith of a surety, should be introduced, which
+bound no other person beside the surety. For what part had ye,
+conscript fathers; what part had the people, in this affair? Who can
+call upon you? Who can say, that he has been deceived by you? Can the
+enemy? Can a citizen? To the enemy ye engaged nothing. Ye ordered no
+citizen to engage on your behalf. Ye are therefore no way concerned
+either with us, to whom ye gave no commission; nor with the Samnites,
+with whom ye transacted no business. We are sureties to the Samnites;
+debtors, sufficiently wealthy in that which is our own, in that which
+we can offer--our bodies and our minds. On these, let them exercise
+their cruelty; against these, let them whet their resentment and their
+swords. As to what relates to the tribunes, consider whether the
+delivering them up can be effected at the present time, or if it must
+be deferred to another day. Meanwhile let us, Titus Veturius, and the
+rest concerned, offer our worthless persons, as atonements for the
+breaking our engagements, and, by our sufferings liberate the Roman
+armies."
+
+10. Both these arguments, and, still more, the author of them,
+powerfully affected the senators; as they did likewise every one, not
+excepting even the tribunes of the commons who declared, that they
+would be directed by the senate. They then instantly resigned their
+office, and were delivered, together with the rest, to the heralds, to
+be conducted to Caudium. On passing this decree of the senate, it
+seemed as if some new light had shone upon the state: Postumius was in
+every mouth: they extolled him to heaven; and pronounced his conduct
+as equal even to the devoting act of the consul Publius Decius, and to
+other illustrious acts. "Through his counsel, and exertions," they
+said, "the state had raised up its head from an ignominious peace. He
+now offered himself to the enemy's rage, and to torments; and was
+suffering, in atonement for the Roman people." All turned their
+thoughts towards arms and war, [and the general cry was,] "When shall
+we be permitted with arms in our hands to meet the Samnites?" While
+the state glowed with resentment and rancour, the levies were composed
+almost entirely of volunteers. New legions, composed of the former
+soldiers, were quickly formed, and an army marched to Caudium. The
+heralds, who went before, on coming to the gate, ordered the sureties
+of the peace to be stripped of their clothes, and their hands to be
+tied behind their backs. As the apparitor, out of respect to his
+dignity, was binding Postumius in a loose manner, "Why do you not,"
+said he, "draw the cord tight, that the surrender may be regularly
+performed?" Then, when they came into the assembly of the Samnites,
+and to the tribunal of Pontius, Aulus Cornelius Arvina, a herald,
+pronounced these words: "Forasmuch as these men, here present, without
+orders from the Roman people, the Quirites, entered into surety, that
+a treaty should be made, and have thereby rendered themselves
+criminal; now, in order that the Roman people may be freed from the
+crime of impiety, I here surrender these men into your hands." On the
+herald saying thus, Postumius gave him a stroke on the thigh with his
+knee, as forcibly as he could, and said with a loud voice, that "he
+was now a citizen of Samnium, the other a Roman ambassador; that the
+herald had been, by him, violently ill-treated, contrary to the law of
+nations; and that his people would therefore have the more justice on
+their side, in waging war."
+
+11. Pontius then said, "Neither will I accept such a surrender, nor
+will the Samnites deem it valid. Spurius Postumius, if you believe
+that there are gods, why do you not undo all that has been done, or
+fulfil your agreement? The Samnite nation is entitled, either to all
+the men whom it had in its power, or, instead of them, to a peace. But
+why do I call on you, who, with as much regard to faith as you are
+able to show, return yourself a prisoner into the hands of the
+conqueror? I call on the Roman people. If they are dissatisfied with
+the convention made at the Caudine forks, let them replace the legions
+within the defile where they were pent up. Let there be no deception
+on either side. Let all that has been done pass as nothing. Let them
+receive again the army which they surrendered by the convention; let
+them return into their camp. Whatever they were in possession of, the
+day before the conference, let them possess again. Then let war and
+resolute counsels be adopted. Then let the convention, and peace, be
+rejected. Let us carry on the war in the same circumstances, and
+situations, in which we were before peace was mentioned. Let neither
+the Roman people blame the convention of the consuls, nor us the faith
+of the Roman people. Will ye never want an excuse for not standing to
+the compacts which ye make on being defeated? Ye gave hostages to
+Porsena: ye clandestinely withdrew them. Ye ransomed your state from
+the Gauls, for gold: while they were receiving the gold, they were put
+to the sword. Ye concluded a peace with us, on condition of our
+restoring your captured legions: that peace ye now annul; in fine, ye
+always spread over your fraudulent conduct some show of right. Do the
+Roman people disapprove of their legions being saved by an ignominious
+peace? Let them have their peace, and return the captured legions to
+the conqueror. This would be conduct consistent with faith, with
+treaties, and with the laws of the heralds. But that you should, in
+consequence of the convention, obtain what you desired, the safety of
+so many of your countrymen, while I obtain not, what I stipulated for
+on sending you back those men, a peace; is this the law which you,
+Aulus Cornelius, which ye, heralds, prescribe to nations? But for my
+part, I neither accept those men whom ye pretend to surrender, nor
+consider them as surrendered; nor do I hinder them from returning into
+their own country, which stands bound under an actual convention,
+formally entered into carrying with them the wrath of all the gods,
+whose authority is thus baffled. Wage war, since Spurius Postumius has
+just now struck with his knee the herald, in character of ambassador.
+The gods are to believe that Postumius is a citizen of Samnium, not of
+Rome; and that a Roman ambassador has been violated by a Samnite; and
+that therefore a just war has been waged against us by you. That men
+of years, and of consular dignity, should not be ashamed to exhibit
+such mockery of religion in the face of day! And should have recourse
+to such shallow artifices to palliate their breach of faith, unworthy
+even of children! Go, lictor, take off the bonds from those Romans.
+Let no one delay them from departing when they think proper."
+Accordingly they returned unhurt from Caudium to the Roman camp,
+having acquitted, certainly, their own faith, and perhaps that of the
+public.
+
+12. The Samnites finding that instead of a peace which flattered their
+pride, the war was revived, and with the utmost inveteracy, not only
+felt, in their minds, a foreboding of all the consequences which
+ensued, but saw them, in a manner, before their eyes. They now, too
+late and in vain, applauded the plans of old Pontius, by blundering
+between which, they had exchanged the possession of victory for an
+uncertain peace; and having lost the opportunity of doing a kindness
+or an injury, were now to fight against men, whom they might have
+either put out of the way, for ever, as enemies; or engaged, for ever,
+as friends. And such was the change which had taken place in men's
+minds, since the Caudine peace, even before any trial of strength had
+shown an advantage on either side, that Postumius, by surrendering
+himself, had acquired greater renown among the Romans, than Pontius
+among the Samnites, by his bloodless victory. The Romans considered
+their being at liberty to make war, a certain victory; while the
+Samnites supposed the Romans victorious, the moment they resumed their
+arms. Meanwhile, the Satricans revolted to the Samnites, who attacked
+the colony of Fregellae, by a sudden surprise in the night,
+accompanied, as it appears, by the Satricans. From that time until
+day, their mutual fears kept both parties quiet: the daylight was the
+signal for battle, which the Fregellans contrived to maintain, for a
+considerable time, without loss of ground; both because they fought
+for their religion and liberty; and the multitude, who were unfit to
+bear arms, assisted them from the tops of the houses. At length a
+stratagem gave the advantage to the assailants; for they suffered the
+voice of a crier to be heard proclaiming, that "whoever laid down his
+arms might retire in safety." This relaxed their eagerness in the
+fight, and they began almost every where to throw away their arms. A
+part, more determined, however, retaining their arms, rushed out by
+the opposite gate, and their boldness brought greater safety to them,
+than their fear, which inclined them to credulity, did to the others:
+for the Samnites, having surrounded the latter with fires, burned them
+all to death, while they made vain appeals to the faith of gods and
+men. The consuls having settled the province between them, Papirius
+proceeded into Apulia to Luceria where the Roman horsemen, given as
+hostages at Caudium were kept in custody: Publilius remained in
+Samnium, to oppose the Caudine legions. This proceeding perplexed the
+minds of the Samnites: they could not safely determine either to go to
+Luceria, lest the enemy should press on their rear or to remain where
+they were, lest in the mean time Luceria should be lost. They
+concluded, therefore, that it would be most advisable to trust to the
+decision of fortune, and to take the issue of a battle with Publilius:
+accordingly they drew out their forces into the field.
+
+13. When Publilius was about to engage, considering it proper to
+address his soldiers first, he ordered an assembly be summoned. But
+though they ran together to the general's quarters with the greatest
+alacrity, yet so loud were the clamours, demanding the fight, that
+none of the general's exhortations were heard: each man's own
+reflections on the late disgrace served as an exhortation. They
+advanced therefore to battle, urging the standard-bearers to hasten;
+at rest, in beginning the conflict, there should be any delay, in
+wielding their javelins and then drawing their swords, they threw away
+the former, as if a signal to that purpose had been given, and,
+drawing the latter, rushed in full speed upon the foe. Nothing of a
+general's skill was displayed in forming ranks or reserves; the
+resentment of the troops performed all, with a degree of fury little
+inferior to madness. The enemy, therefore, were not only completely
+routed, not even daring to embarrass their flight by retreating to
+their camp but dispersing, made towards Apulia in scattered parties:
+afterwards, however, collecting their forces into one body, they
+reached Luceria. The same exasperation, which had carried the Romans
+through the midst of the enemy's line, carried them forward also into
+their camp, where greater carnage was made, and more blood spilt, than
+even in the field, while the greater part of the spoil was destroyed
+in their rage. The other army, with the consul Papirius, had now
+arrived at Arpi, on the sea-coast, having passed without molestation
+through all the countries in their way; which was owing to the
+ill-treatment received by those people from the Samnites, and their
+hatred towards them, rather than to any favour received from the Roman
+people. For such of the Samnites as dwelt on the mountains in separate
+villages, used to ravage the low lands, and the places on the coast;
+and being mountaineers, and savage themselves, despised the husbandmen
+who were of a gentler kind, and, as generally happens, resembled the
+district they inhabited. Now if this tract had been favourably
+affected towards the Samnites, either the Roman army could have been
+prevented from reaching Arpi, or, as it lay between Rome and Arpi, it
+might have intercepted the convoys of provisions, and utterly
+destroyed them by the consequent scarcity of all necessaries. Even as
+it was, when they went from thence to Luceria, both the besiegers and
+the besieged were distressed equally by want. Every kind of supplies
+was brought to the Romans from Arpi; but in so very scanty proportion,
+that the horsemen had to carry corn from thence to the camp, in little
+bags, for the foot, who were employed in the outposts, watches, and
+works; and sometimes falling in with the enemy, they were obliged to
+throw the corn from off their horses, in order to fight. Before the
+arrival of the other consul and his victorious army, both provisions
+had been brought in to the Samnites, and reinforcements conveyed in to
+them from the mountains; but the coming of Publilius contracted all
+their resources; for, committing the siege to the care of his
+colleague, and keeping himself disengaged, he threw every difficulty
+in the way of the enemy's convoys. There being therefore little hope
+for the besieged, or that they would be able much longer to endure
+want, the Samnites, encamped at Luceria, were obliged to collect their
+forces from every side, and come to an engagement with Papirius.
+
+14. At this juncture, while both parties were preparing for an action,
+ambassadors from the Tarentines interposed, requiring both Samnites
+and Romans to desist from war; with menaces, that "if either refused
+to agree to a cessation of hostilities, they would join their arms
+with the other party against them." Papirius, on hearing the purport
+of their embassy, as if influenced by their words, answered, that he
+would consult his colleague: he then sent for him, employing the
+intermediate time in the necessary preparations; and when he had
+conferred with him on a matter, about which no doubt was entertained,
+he made the signal for battle. While the consuls were employed in
+performing the religious rites and the other usual business
+preparatory to an engagement the Tarentine ambassadors put themselves
+in their way, expecting an answer: to whom Papirius said, "Tarentines,
+the priest reports that the auspices are favourable, and that our
+sacrifices have been attended with excellent omens: under the
+direction of the gods, we are proceeding, as you see, to action." He
+then ordered the standards to move, and led out the troops; thus
+rebuking the exorbitant arrogance of that nation, which at a time
+when, through intestine discord and sedition, it was unequal to the
+management of its own affairs, yet presumed to prescribe the bounds of
+peace and war to others. On the other side, the Samnites, who had
+neglected every preparation for fighting, either because they were
+really desirous of peace, or it seemed their interest to pretend to be
+so, in order to conciliate the favour of the Tarentines, when they
+saw, on a sudden, the Romans drawn up for battle, cried out, that
+"they would continue to be directed by the Tarentines, and would
+neither march out, nor carry their arms beyond the rampart. That if
+deceived, they would rather endure any consequence which chance may
+bring, than show contempt to the Tarentines, the advisers of peace."
+The consuls said that "they embraced the omen, and prayed that the
+enemy might continue in the resolution of not even defending their
+rampart." Then, dividing the forces between them, they advanced to the
+works; and, making an assault on every side at once, while some filled
+up the trenches, others tore down the rampart, and tumbled it into the
+trench. All were stimulated, not only by their native courage, but by
+the resentment which, since their disgrace, had been festering in
+their breasts. They made their way into the camp; where, every one
+repeating, that here was not Caudium, nor the forks, nor the
+impassable glens, where cunning haughtily triumphed over error; but
+Roman valour, which no rampart nor trench could ward off;--they slew,
+without distinction, those who resisted and those who fled, the armed
+and unarmed, freemen and slaves, young and old, men and cattle. Nor
+would a single animal have escaped, had not the consuls given the
+signal for retreat; and, by commands and threats, forced out of the
+camp the soldiers, greedy of slaughter. As they were highly incensed
+at being thus interrupted in the gratification of their vengeance, a
+speech was immediately addressed to them, assuring the soldiers, that
+"the consuls neither did nor would fall short of any one of the
+soldiers, in hatred toward the enemy; on the contrary, as they led the
+way in battle, so would they have done the same in executing unbounded
+vengeance, had not the consideration of the six hundred horsemen, who
+were confined as hostages in Luceria, restrained their inclinations;
+lest total despair of pardon might drive on the enemy blindly to take
+vengeance on them, eager to destroy them before they themselves should
+perish." The soldiers highly applauded this conduct, and rejoiced that
+their resentment had been checked, and acknowledged that every thing
+ought to be endured, rather than that the safety of so many Roman
+youths of the first distinction should be brought into danger.
+
+15. The assembly being then dismissed, a consultation was held,
+whether they should press forward the siege of Luceria, with all their
+forces; or, whether with one of the commanders, and his army, trial
+should be made of the Apulians, a nation in the neighbourhood still
+doubtful. The consul Publilius set out to make a circuit through
+Apulia, and in the one expedition either reduced by force, or received
+into alliance on conditions, a considerable number of the states.
+Papirius likewise, who had remained to prosecute the siege of Luceria,
+soon found the event agreeable to his hopes: for all the roads being
+blocked up through which provisions used to be conveyed from Samnium,
+the Samnites, who were in garrison, were reduced so low by famine,
+that they sent ambassadors to the Roman consul, proposing that he
+should raise the siege, on receiving the horsemen who were the cause
+of the war, to whom Papirius returned this answer, that "they ought to
+have consulted Pontius, son of Herennius, by whose advice they had
+sent the Romans under the yoke, what treatment he thought fitting for
+the conquered to undergo. But since, instead of offering fair terms
+themselves, they chose rather that they should be imposed on them by
+their enemies, he desired them to carry back orders to the troops in
+Luceria, that they should leave within the walls their arms, baggage,
+beasts of burthen, and all persons unfit for war. The soldiers he
+would send under the yoke with single garments, retaliating the
+disgrace formerly inflicted, not inflicting a new one." The terms were
+not rejected. Seven thousand soldiers were sent under the yoke, and an
+immense booty was seized in Luceria, all the standards and arms which
+they had lost at Caudium being recovered; and, what greatly surpassed
+all their joy, recovered the horsemen whom the Samnites had sent to
+Luceria to be kept as pledges of the peace. Hardly ever did the Romans
+gain a victory more distinguished for the sudden reverse produced in
+the state of their affairs; especially if it be true, as I find in
+some annals, that Pontius, son of Herennius, the Samnite general, was
+sent under the yoke along with the rest, to atone for the disgrace of
+the consuls. I think it indeed more strange that there should exist
+any doubt whether it was Lucius Cornelius, in quality of dictator,
+Lucius Papirius Cursor being master of the horse, who performed these
+achievements at Caudium, and afterwards at Luceria, as the single
+avenger of the disgrace of the Romans, enjoying the best deserved
+triumph, perhaps, next to that of Furius Camillus, which had ever yet
+been obtained; or whether that honour belongs to the consuls, and
+particularly to Papirius. This uncertainty is followed by another,
+whether, at the next election, Papirius Cursor was chosen consul a
+third time, with Quintus Aulus Ceretanus a second time, being
+re-elected in requital of his services at Luceria; or whether it was
+Lucius Papirius Mugillanus, the surname being mistaken.
+
+16. From henceforth, the accounts are clear, that the other wars were
+conducted to a conclusion by the consuls. Aulius by one successful
+battle, entirely conquered the Forentans. The city, to which their
+army had retreated after its defeat, surrendered on terms, hostages
+having been demanded. With similar success the other consul conducted
+his operations against the Satricans; who, though Roman citizens, had,
+after the misfortune at Caudium, revolted to the Samnites, and
+received a garrison into their city. The Satricans, however, when the
+Roman army approached their walls, sent deputies to sue for peace,
+with humble entreaties; to whom the consul answered harshly, that
+"they must not come again to him, unless they either put to death, or
+delivered up, the Samnite garrison:" by which terms greater terror was
+struck into the colonists than by the arms with which they were
+threatened. The deputies, accordingly, several times asking the
+consul, how he thought that they, who were few and weak, could attempt
+to use force against a garrison so strong and well-armed: he desired
+them to "seek counsel from those, by whose advice they had received
+that garrison into the city." They then departed, and returned to
+their countrymen, having obtained from the consul, with much
+difficulty, permission to consult their senate on the matter, and
+bring back their answer to him. Two factions divided the senate; one
+that whose leaders had been the authors of the defection from the
+Roman people, the other consisted of the citizens who retained their
+loyalty; both, however, showed an earnest desire, that every means
+should be used towards effecting an accommodation with the consul for
+the restoration of peace. As the Samnite garrison, being in no respect
+prepared for holding out a siege, intended to retire the next night
+out of the town, one party thought it sufficient to discover to the
+consul, at what hour, through what gate, and by what road, his enemy
+was to march out. The other, against whose wishes defection to the
+Samnites had occurred, even opened one of the gates for the consul in
+the night, secretly admitting the armed enemy into the town. In
+consequence of this twofold treachery, the Samnite garrison was
+surprised and overpowered by an ambush, placed in the woody places,
+near the road; and, at the same time, a shout was raised in the city,
+which was now filled with the enemy. Thus, in the short space of one
+hour, the Samnites were put to the sword, the Satricans made
+prisoners, and all things reduced under the power of the consul; who,
+having instituted an inquiry by whose means the revolt had taken
+place, scourged with rods and beheaded such as he found to be guilty;
+and then, disarming the Satricans, he placed a strong garrison in the
+place. On this those writers state, that Papirius Cursor proceeded to
+Rome to celebrate his triumph, who say, that it was under his guidance
+Luceria was retaken, and the Samnites sent under the yoke.
+Undoubtedly, as a warrior, he was deserving of every military praise,
+excelling not only in vigour of mind, but likewise in strength of
+body. He possessed extraordinary swiftness of foot, surpassing every
+one of his age in running, from whence came the surname into his
+family; and he is said, either from the robustness of his frame, or
+from much practice, to have been able to digest a very large quantity
+of food and wine. Never did either the foot-soldier or horseman feel
+military service more laborious, under any general, because he was of
+a constitution not to be overcome by fatigue. The cavalry, on some
+occasion, venturing to request that, in consideration of their good
+behaviour, he would excuse them some part of their business, he told
+them, "Ye should not say that no indulgence has been granted you,--I
+excuse you from rubbing your horses' backs when ye dismount." He
+supported also the authority of command, in all its vigour, both among
+the allies and his countrymen. The praetor of Praeneste, through fear,
+had been tardy in bringing forward his men from the reserve to the
+front: he, walking before his tent, ordered him to be called, and then
+bade the lictor to make ready his axe, on which, the Praenestine
+standing frightened almost to death, he said, "Here, lictor, cut away
+this stump, it is troublesome to people as they walk;" and, after thus
+alarming him with the dread of the severest punishment, he imposed a
+fine and dismissed him. It is beyond doubt, that during that age, than
+which none was ever more productive of virtuous characters, there was
+no man in whom the Roman affairs found a more effectual support; nay,
+people even marked him out, in their minds, as a match for Alexander
+the Great, in case that, having completed the conquest of Asia, he
+should have turned his arms on Europe.
+
+17. Nothing can be found farther from my intention, since the
+commencement of this history, than to digress, more than necessity
+required, from the course of narration; and, by embellishing my work
+with variety, to seek pleasing resting-places, as it were, for my
+readers, and relaxation for my own mind: nevertheless, the mention
+of so great a king and commander, now [editorial note: there is
+reason to believe that one or two lines of text might be missing at
+this point] calls forth to public view those silent reflections,
+whom Alexander must have fought. Manlius Torquatus, had he met
+him in the field, might, perhaps, have yielded to Alexander in
+discharging military duties in battle (for these also render
+him no less illustrious); and so might Valerius Corvus; men who
+were distinguished soldiers, before they became commanders. The same,
+too, might have been the case with the Decii, who, after devoting
+their persons, rushed upon the enemy; or of Papirius Cursor, though
+possessed of such powers, both of body and mind. By the counsels of
+one youth, it is possible the wisdom of a whole senate, not to mention
+individuals, might have been baffled, [consisting of such members,]
+that he alone, who declared that "it consisted of kings," conceived a
+correct idea of a Roman senate. But then the danger was, that with
+more judgment than any one of those whom I have named he might choose
+ground for an encampment, provide supplies, guard against stratagems,
+distinguish the season for fighting, form his line of battle, or
+strengthen it properly with reserves. He would have owned that he was
+not dealing with Darius, who drew after him a train of women and
+eunuchs; saw nothing about him but gold and purple; was encumbered
+with the trappings of his state, and should be called his prey, rather
+than his antagonist; whom therefore he vanquished without loss of
+blood and had no other merit, on the occasion, than that of showing a
+proper spirit in despising empty show. The aspect of Italy would have
+appeared to him of a quite different nature from that of India, which
+he traversed in the guise of a traveller, at the head of a crew of
+drunkards, if he had seen the forests of Apulia, and the mountains of
+Lucania, with the vestiges of the disasters of his house, and where
+his uncle Alexander, king of Epirus, had been lately cut off.
+
+18. We are now speaking of Alexander not yet intoxicated by
+prosperity, the seductions of which no man was less capable of
+withstanding. But, if he is to be judged from the tenor of his conduct
+in the new state of his fortune, and from the new disposition, as I
+may say, which he put on after his successes, he would have entered
+Italy more like Darius than Alexander; and would have brought thither
+an army that had forgotten Macedonia, and were degenerating into the
+manners of the Persians. It is painful, in speaking of so great a
+king, to recite his ostentatious change of dress; of requiring that
+people should address him with adulation, prostrating themselves on
+the ground, a practice insupportable to the Macedonians, had they even
+been conquered, much more so when they were victorious; the shocking
+cruelty of his punishments; his murdering his friends in the midst of
+feasting and wine; with the folly of his fiction respecting his birth.
+What must have been the consequence, if his love of wine had daily
+become more intense? if his fierce and uncontrollable anger? And as I
+mention not any one circumstance of which there is a doubt among
+writers, do we consider these as no disparagements to the
+qualifications of a commander? But then, as is frequently repeated by
+the silliest of the Greeks, who are fond of exalting the reputation,
+even of the Parthians, at the expense of the Roman name, the danger
+was that the Roman people would not have had resolution to bear up
+against the splendour of Alexander's name, who, however, in my
+opinion, was not known to them even by common fame; and while, in
+Athens, a state reduced to weakness by the Macedonian arms, which at
+the very time saw the ruins of Thebes smoking in its neighbourhood,
+men had spirit enough to declaim with freedom against him, as is
+manifest from the copies of their speeches, which have been preserved;
+[we are to be told] that out of such a number of Roman chiefs, no one
+would have freely uttered his sentiments. How great soever our idea of
+this man's greatness may be, still it is the greatness of an
+individual, constituted by the successes of a little more than ten
+years; and those who give it pre-eminence on account that the Roman
+people have been defeated, though not in any entire war, yet in
+several battles, whereas Alexander was never once unsuccessful in a
+single fight, do not consider that they are comparing the actions of
+one man, and that a young man, with the exploits of a nation waging
+wars now eight hundred years. Can we wonder if, when on the one side
+more ages are numbered than years on the other, fortune varied more in
+so long a lapse of time than in the short term of thirteen years?
+[Footnote: The duration of Alexander's military career.] But why not
+compare the success of one general with that of another? How many
+Roman commanders might I name who never lost a battle? In the annals
+of the magistrates, and the records, we may run over whole pages of
+consuls and dictators, with whose bravery, and successes also, the
+Roman people never once had reason to be dissatisfied. And what
+renders them more deserving of admiration than Alexander, or any king,
+is, that some of these acted in the office of dictator, which lasted
+only ten, or it might be twenty days, none, in a charge of longer
+duration than the consulship of a year; their levies obstructed by
+plebeian tribunes; often late in taking the field; recalled, before
+the time, on account of elections; amidst the very busiest efforts of
+the campaign, their year of office expired; sometimes the rashness,
+sometimes the perverseness of a colleague, proving an impediment or
+detriment; and finally succeeding to the unfortunate administration of
+a predecessor, with an army of raw or ill-disciplined men. But, on
+the other hand, kings, being not only free from every kind of
+impediment, but masters of circumstances and seasons, control all
+things in subserviency to their designs, themselves uncontrolled by
+any. So that Alexander, unconquered, would have encountered
+unconquered commanders; and would have had stakes of equal consequence
+pledged on the issue. Nay, the hazard had been greater on his side;
+because the Macedonians would have had but one Alexander, who was not
+only liable, but fond of exposing himself to casualties; the Romans
+would have had many equal to Alexander, both in renown, and in the
+greatness of their exploits; any one of whom might live or die
+according to his destiny, without any material consequence to the
+public.
+
+19. It remains that the forces be compared together, with respect to
+their numbers, the quality of the men, and the supplies of
+auxiliaries. Now, in the general surveys of the age, there were rated
+two hundred and fifty thousand men, so that, on every revolt of the
+Latin confederates, ten legions were enlisted almost entirely in the
+city levy. It often happened during those years, that four or five
+armies were employed at a time, in Etruria, in Umbria, the Gauls too
+being at war, in Samnium, in Lucania. Then as to all Latium, with the
+Sabines, and Volscians, the Aequans, and all Campania; half of Umbria,
+Etruria, and the Picentians, Marsians, Pelignians, Vestinians, and
+Apulians; to whom may add, the whole coast of the lower sea, possessed
+by the Greeks, from Thurii to Neapolis and Cumae; and the Samnites
+from thence as far as Antium and Ostia: all these he would have found
+either powerful allies to the Romans or deprived of power by their
+arms. He would have crossed the sea with his veteran Macedonians,
+amounting to no more than thirty thousand infantry and four thousand
+horse, these mostly Thessalians. This was the whole of his strength.
+Had he brought with him Persians and Indians, and those other nations,
+it would be dragging after him an encumbrance other than a support.
+Add to this, that the Romans, being at home, would have had recruits
+at hand: Alexander, waging war in a foreign country, would have found
+his army worn out with long service, as happened afterwards to
+Hannibal. As to arms, theirs were a buckler and long spears; those of
+the Romans, a shield, which covered the body more effectually, and a
+javelin, a much more forcible weapon than the spear, either in
+throwing or striking. The soldiers, on both sides, were used to steady
+combat, and to preserve their ranks. But the Macedonian phalanx was
+unapt for motion, and composed of similar parts throughout: the Roman
+line less compact, consisting of several various parts, was easily
+divided as occasion required, and as easily conjoined. Then what
+soldier is comparable to the Roman in the throwing up of works? who
+better calculated to endure fatigue? Alexander, if overcome in one
+battle, would have been overcome in war. The Roman, whom Claudium,
+whom Cannae, did not crush, what line of battle could crush? In truth,
+even should events have been favourable to him at first, he would have
+often wished for the Persians, the Indians, and the effeminate tribes
+of Asia, as opponents; and would have acknowledged, that his wars had
+been waged with women, as we are told was said by Alexander, king of
+Epirus, after receiving his mortal wound, when comparing the wars
+waged in Asia by this very youth, with those in which himself had been
+engaged. Indeed, when I reflect that, in the first Punic war, a
+contest was maintained by the Romans with the Carthaginians, at sea,
+for twenty-four years, I can scarcely suppose that the life of
+Alexander would have been long enough for the finishing of one war
+[with either of those nations]. And perhaps, as both the Punic state
+was united to the Roman by ancient treaties, and as similar
+apprehensions might arm against a common foe those two nations the
+most potent of the time in arms and in men, he might have been
+overwhelmed in a Punic and a Roman war at once. The Romans have had
+experience of the boasted prowess of the Macedonians in arms, not
+indeed under Alexander as their general, or when their power was at
+the height, but in the wars against Antiochus, Philip, and Perses; and
+not only not with any losses, but not even with any danger to
+themselves. Let not my assertion give offence, nor our civil wars be
+brought into mention; never were we worsted by an enemy's cavalry,
+never by their infantry, never in open fight, never on equal ground,
+much less when the ground was favourable. Our soldiers, heavy laden
+with arms, may reasonably fear a body of cavalry, or arrows; defiles
+of difficult passage, and places impassable to convoys. But they have
+defeated, and will defeat a thousand armies, more formidable than
+those of Alexander and the Macedonians, provided that the same love of
+peace and solicitude about domestic harmony, in which we now live,
+continue permanent.
+
+20. Marcus Foslius Flaccinator and Lucius Plautius Venno were the next
+raised to the consulship. In this year ambassadors came from most of
+the states of the Samnites to procure a renewal of the treaty; and,
+after they had moved the compassion of the senate, by prostrating
+themselves before them, on being referred to the people, they found
+not their prayers so efficacious. The treaty therefore, being refused,
+after they had importuned them individually for several days, was
+obtained. The Teaneans likewise, and Canusians of Apulia, worn out by
+the devastations of their country, surrendered themselves to the
+consul, Lucius Plautius, and gave hostages. This year praefects first
+began to be created for Capua, and a code of laws was given to that
+nation, by Lucius Furius the praetor; both in compliance with their
+own request, as a remedy for the disorder of their affairs, occasioned
+by intestine dissensions. At Rome, two additional tribes were
+constituted, the Ufentine and Falerine. On the affairs of Apulia
+falling into decline, the Teatians of that country came to the new
+consuls, Caius Junius Bubulcus, and Quintus Aemilius Barbula, suing
+for an alliance; and engaging, that peace should be observed towards
+the Romans through every part of Apulia. By pledging themselves boldly
+for this, they obtained the grant of an alliance, not however on terms
+of equality, but of their submitting to the dominion of the Roman
+people. Apulia being entirely reduced, (for Junius had also gained
+possession of Forentum, a town of great strength,) the consuls
+advanced into Lucania; there Nerulum was surprised and stormed by the
+sudden advance of the consul Aemilius. When fame had spread abroad
+among the allies, how firmly the affairs of Capua were settled by [the
+introduction of] the Roman institutions, the Antians, imitating the
+example, presented a complaint of their being without laws, and
+without magistrates; on which the patrons of the colony itself were
+appointed by the senate to form a body of laws for it. Thus not only
+the arms, but the laws, of Rome became extensively prevalent.
+
+21. The consuls, Caius Junius Bubulcus and Quintus Aemilius Barbula,
+at the conclusion of the year, delivered over the legions, not to the
+consuls elected by themselves, who were Spurius Nautius and Marcus
+Popillius, but to a dictator, Lucius Aemilius. He, with Lucius
+Fulvius, master of the horse, having commenced to lay siege to
+Saticula, gave occasion to the Samnites of reviving hostilities. Hence
+a twofold alarm was occasioned to the Roman army. On one side, the
+Samnites having collected a numerous force to relieve their allies
+from the siege, pitched their camp at a small distance from that of
+the Romans: on the other side, the Saticulans, opening suddenly their
+gates, ran up with violent tumult to the posts of the enemy.
+Afterwards, each party, relying on support from the other, more than
+on its own strength, formed a regular attack, and pressed on the
+Romans. The dictator, on his part, though obliged to oppose two
+enemies at once, yet had his line secure on both sides; for he both
+chose a position not easily surrounded, and also formed two different
+fronts. However, he directed his greater efforts against those who had
+sallied from the town, and, without much resistance, drove them back
+within the walls. He then turned his whole force against the Samnites:
+there he found greater difficulty. But the victory, though long
+delayed, was neither doubtful nor alloyed by losses. The Samnites,
+being forced to fly into their camp, extinguished their fires at
+night, and marched away in silence; and renouncing all hopes of
+relieving Saticula, sat themselves down before Plistia, which was in
+alliance with the Romans, that they might, if possible, retort equal
+vexation on their enemy.
+
+22. The year coming to a conclusion, the war was thenceforward
+conducted by a dictator, Quintius Fabius. The new consuls, Lucius
+Papirius Cursor and Quintus Publilius Philo, both a fourth time, as
+the former had done, remained at Rome. Fabius came with a
+reinforcement to Saticula, to receive the army from Aemilius. For the
+Samnites had not continued before Plistia; but having sent for a new
+supply of men from home, and relying on their numbers, had encamped in
+the same spot as before; and, by provoking the Romans to battle,
+endeavoured to divert them from the siege. The dictator, so much the
+more intently, pushed forward his operations against the
+fortifications of the enemy; considering that only as war which was
+directed against the city, and showing an indifference with respect to
+the Samnites, except that he placed guards in proper places, to
+prevent any attempt on his camp. The more furiously did the Samnites
+ride up to the rampart, and allowed him no quiet. When the enemy were
+now come up close to the gates of the camp, Quintus Aulius Cerretanus,
+master of the horse, without consulting the dictator, sallied out
+furiously at the head of all the troops of cavalry, and drove back the
+enemy. In this desultory kind of fight, fortune worked up the strength
+of the combatants in such a manner, as to occasion an extraordinary
+loss on both sides, and the remarkable deaths of the commanders
+themselves. First, the general of the Samnites, indignant at being
+repulsed, and compelled to fly from a place to which he had advanced
+so confidently, by entreating and exhorting his horsemen, renewed the
+battle. As he was easily distinguished among the horsemen, while he
+urged on the fight, the Roman master of the horse galloped up against
+him, with his spear directed, so furiously, that, with one stroke, he
+tumbled him lifeless from his horse. The multitude, however, were not,
+as is generally the case, dismayed by the fall of their leader, but
+rather raised to fury. All who were within reach darted their weapons
+at Aulius, who incautiously pushed forward among the enemy's troops;
+but the chief share of the honour of revenging the death of the
+Samnite general they assigned to his brother; he, urged by rage and
+grief, dragged down the victorious master of the horse from his seat,
+and slew him. Nor were the Samnites far from obtaining his body also,
+as he had fallen among the enemies' troops: but the Romans instantly
+dismounted, and the Samnites were obliged to do the same; and lines
+being thus formed suddenly but, at the same time, untenable through
+scarcity of necessaries: "for all the country round, from which
+provisions could be supplied, has revolted; and besides, even were the
+inhabitants disposed to aid us, the ground is unfavourable. I will not
+therefore mislead you by leaving a camp here, into which ye may
+retreat, as on a former day, without completing the victory. Works
+ought to be secured by arms, not arms by works. Let those keep a camp,
+and repair to it, whose interest it is to protract the war; but let us
+cut off from ourselves every other prospect but that of conquering.
+Advance the standards against the enemy; as soon as the troops shall
+have marched beyond the rampart, let those who have it in orders burn
+the camp. Your losses, soldiers, shall be compensated with the spoil
+of all the nations round who have revolted." The soldiers advanced
+against the enemy with spirit inflamed by the dictator's discourse,
+which seemed indication of an extreme necessity; and, at the same
+time, the very sight of the camp burning behind them, though the
+nearest part only was set on fire, (for so the dictator had ordered,)
+was small incitement: rushing on therefore like madmen, they
+disordered the enemy's battalions at the very first onset; and the
+master of the horse, when he saw at a distance the fire in the camp,
+which was a signal agreed on, made a seasonable attack on their rear.
+The Samnites, thus surrounded on either side, fled different ways. A
+vast number, who had gathered into a body through fear, yet from
+confusion incapable of fleeing, were surrounded and cut to pieces. The
+enemy's camp was taken and plundered; and the soldiers being laden
+with spoil, the dictator led them back to the Roman camp, highly
+rejoiced at the success, but by no means so much as at finding,
+contrary to their expectation, every thing there safe, except a small
+part only, which was injured or destroyed by the fire.
+
+24. They then marched back to Sora; and the new consuls, Marcus
+Poetelius and Caius Sulpicius, receive the army from the dictator
+Fabius, discharging a great part of the veteran soldiers, having
+brought with them new cohorts to supply their place. Now while, on
+account of the dire situation of the city, no certain mode of attack
+could be devised, and success must either be distant in time, or at
+desperate risk; a deserter from Sora came out of the town privately by
+night, and when he had got as far as the Roman watches, desired to be
+conducted instantly to the consuls: which being complied with, he made
+them an offer of delivering the place into their hands. When he
+answered their questions, respecting the means by which he intended to
+make good his promise, appearing to state a project by no means idle,
+he persuaded them to remove the Roman camp, which was almost close to
+the walls, to the distance of six miles; that the consequence would be
+that this would render the guards by day, and the watches by night,
+the less vigilant. He then desired that some cohorts should post
+themselves the following night in the woody places under the town, and
+took with himself ten chosen soldiers, through steep and almost
+impassable ways, into the citadel, where a quantity of missive weapons
+had been collected, larger than bore proportion to the number of men.
+There were stones besides, some lying at random, as in all craggy
+places, and others heaped up designedly by the townsmen, to add to the
+security of the place. Having posted the Romans here, and shown them a
+steep and narrow path leading up from the town to the citadel--"From
+this ascent," said he, "even three armed men would keep off any
+multitude whatever. Now ye are ten in number; and, what is more,
+Romans, and the bravest among the Romans. The night is in your favour,
+which, from the uncertainty it occasions, magnifies every object to
+people once alarmed. I will immediately fill every place with terror:
+be ye alert in defending the citadel." He then ran down in haste,
+crying aloud, "To arms, citizens, we are undone, the citadel is taken
+by the enemy; run, defend it." This he repeated, as he passed the
+doors of the principal men, the same to all whom he met, and also to
+those who ran out in a fright into the streets. The alarm,
+communicated first by one, was soon spread by numbers through all the
+city. The magistrates, dismayed on hearing from scouts that the
+citadel was full of arms and armed men, whose number they multiplied,
+laid aside all hopes of recovering it. All places are filled with
+terror: the gates are broken open by persons half asleep, and for the
+most part unarmed, through one of which the body of Roman troops,
+roused by the noise, burst in, and slew the terrified inhabitants, who
+attempted to skirmish in the streets. Sora was now taken, when, at the
+first light, the consuls arrived, and accepted the surrender of those
+whom fortune had left remaining after the flight and slaughter of the
+night. Of these, they conveyed in chains to Rome two hundred and
+twenty-five, whom all men agreed in pointing out as the authors, both
+of the revolt, and also of the horrid massacre of the colonists. The
+rest they left in safety at Sora, a garrison being placed there. All
+those who were brought to Rome were beaten with rods in the forum, and
+beheaded, to the great joy of the commons, whose interest it most
+highly concerned, that the multitudes, sent to various places in
+colonies should be in safety.
+
+25. The consuls, leaving Sora, turned their warlike operations against
+the lands and cities of the Ausonians; for all places had been set in
+commotion by the coming of the Samnites, when the battle was fought at
+Lautulae: conspiracies likewise had been formed in several parts of
+Campania; nor was Capua itself clear of the charge: nay, the business
+spread even to Rome, and inquiries came to be instituted respecting
+some of the principal men there. However, the Ausonian nation fell
+into the Roman power, in the same manner as Sora, by their cities
+being betrayed: these were Ausona Minturnae, and Vescia. Certain young
+men, of the principal families, twelve in number, having conspired to
+betray their respective cities, came to the consuls; they informed
+them that their countrymen, who had for a long time before honestly
+wished for the coming of the Samnites, on hearing of the battle at
+Lautulae, had looked on the Romans as defeated, and had assisted the
+Samnites with supplies of young men and arms; but that, since the
+Samnites had been beaten out of the country, they were wavering
+between peace and war, not shutting their gates against the Romans,
+lest they should thereby invite an attack; yet determined to shut them
+if an army should approach; that in that fluctuating state they might
+easily be overpowered by surprise. By these men's advice the camp was
+moved nearer; and soldiers were sent, at the same time, to each of the
+three towns; some armed, who were to lie concealed in places near the
+walls; others, in the garb of peace, with swords hidden under their
+clothes, when, on the opening of the gates at the approach of day,
+were to enter into the cities. These latter began with killing the
+guards; at the same time, a signal was made to the men with arms, to
+hasten up from the ambuscades. Thus the gates were seized, and the
+three towns taken in the same hour and by the same device. But as the
+attacks were made in the absence of the generals, there were no bounds
+to the carnage which ensued; and the nation of the Ausonians, when
+there was scarcely any clear proof of the charge of its having
+revolted, was utterly destroyed, as if it had supported a contest
+through a deadly war.
+
+26. During this year, Luceria fell into the hands of the Samnites, the
+Roman garrison being betrayed to the enemy. This matter did not long
+go unpunished with the traitors: the Roman army was not far off, by
+whom the city, which lay in a plain, was taken at the first onset. The
+Lucerians and Samnites were to a man put to the sword; and to such a
+length was resentment carried, that at Rome, on the senate being
+consulted about sending a colony to Luceria, many voted for the
+demolition of it. Besides, their hatred was of the bitterest kind,
+against a people whom they had been obliged twice to subdue by arms;
+the great distance, also, made them averse from sending away their
+citizens among nations so ill-affected towards them. However the
+resolution was carried, that the colonists should be sent; and
+accordingly two thousand five hundred were transported thither. This
+year, when all places were becoming disaffected to the Romans, secret
+conspiracies were formed among the leading men at Capua, as well as at
+other places; a motion concerning which being laid before the senate,
+the matter was by no means neglected. Inquiries were decreed, and it
+was resolved that a dictator should be appointed to enforce these
+inquiries. Caius Maenius was accordingly nominated, and he appointed
+Marcus Foslius master of the horse. People's dread of that office was
+very great, insomuch that the Calavii, Ovius and Novius, who were the
+heads of the conspiracy, either through fear of the dictator's power,
+or the consciousness of guilt, previous to the charge against them
+being laid in form before him, avoided, as appeared beyond doubt,
+trial by a voluntary death. As the subject of the inquiry in Campania
+was thus removed, the proceedings were then directed towards Rome: by
+construing the order of the senate to have meant, that inquiry should
+be made, not specially who at Capua, but generally who at any place
+had caballed or conspired against the state; for that cabals, for the
+attaining of honours, were contrary to the edicts of the state. The
+inquiry was extended to a greater latitude, with respect both to the
+matter, and to the kind of persons concerned, the dictator scrupling
+not to avow, that his power of research was unlimited: in consequence,
+some of the nobility were called to account; and though they applied
+to the tribunes for protection, no one interposed in their behalf, or
+to prevent the charges from being received. On this the nobles, not
+those only against whom the charge was levelled, but the whole body
+jointly insisted that such an imputation lay not against the nobles,
+to whom the way to honours lay open if not obstructed by fraud, but
+against the new men: so that even the dictator and master of the
+horse, with respect to that question, would appear more properly as
+culprits than suitable inquisitors; and this they should know as soon
+as they went out of office. Then indeed Maenius, who was more
+solicitous about his character than his office, advanced into the
+assembly and spoke to this effect, "Romans, both of my past life ye
+are all witnesses; and this honourable office, which ye conferred on
+me, is in itself a testimony of my innocence. For the dictator, proper
+to be chosen for holding these inquiries, was not, as on many other
+occasions, where the exigencies of the state so required, the man who
+was most renowned in war; but him whose counsel of life was most
+remote from such cabals. But certain of the nobility (for what reason
+it is more proper that ye should judge than that I, as a magistrate,
+should, without proof, insinuate) have laboured to stifle entirely the
+inquiries; and then, finding their strength unequal to it, rather than
+stand a trial have fled for refuge to the stronghold of their
+adversaries, an appeal and the support of the tribunes; and on being
+there also repulsed, (so fully were they persuaded that every other
+measure was safer than the attempt to clear themselves,) have made an
+attack upon us; and, though in private characters have not been
+ashamed of instituting a criminal process against a dictator. Now,
+that gods and men may perceive that they to avoid a scrutiny as to
+their own conduct, attempt even things which are impossible, and that
+I willingly meet the charge, and face the accusations of my enemies, I
+divest myself of the dictatorship. And, consuls, I beseech you, that
+if this business is put into your hands by the senate, ye make me and
+Marcus Foslius the first objects of our your examinations; that it may
+be manifested that we are safe from such imputations by our own
+innocence, not by the dignity of office." He then abdicated the
+dictatorship, as did Marcus Foslius, immediately after, his office of
+master of the horse; and being the first brought to trial before the
+consuls, for to them the senate had committed the business, they were
+most honourably acquitted of all the charges brought by the nobles.
+Even Publilius Philo, who had so often been invested with the highest
+honours, and had performed so many eminent services, both at home and
+abroad, being disagreeable to the nobility, was brought to trial, and
+acquitted. Nor did the inquiry continue respectable on account of the
+illustrious names of the accused, longer than while it was new, which
+is usually the case; it then began to descend to persons of inferior
+rank; and, at length, was suppressed, by means of those factions and
+cabals against which it had been instituted.
+
+27. The accounts received of these matters, but more especially the
+hope of a revolt in Campania, for which a conspiracy had been formed,
+recalled the Samnites, who were turning towards Apulia, back to
+Caudium; so that from thence, being near, they might, if any commotion
+should open them an opportunity, snatch Capua out of the hands of the
+Romans. To the same place the consuls repaired with a powerful army.
+They both held back for some time, on the different sides of the
+defiles, the roads being dangerous to either party. Then the Samnites,
+making a short circuit through an open tract, marched down their
+troops into level ground in the Campanian plains, and there the
+hostile camps first came within view of each other. Trial of their
+strength in slight skirmishes was made on both sides, more frequently
+between the horse than the foot; and the Romans were no way
+dissatisfied either at the issue of these, or at the delay by which
+they protracted the war. The Samnite generals, on the contrary,
+considered that their battalions were becoming weakened daily by small
+losses, and the general vigour abated by prolonging the war. They
+therefore marched into the field, disposing their cavalry on both
+wings, with orders to give more heedful attention to the camp behind
+than to the battle; for that the line of infantry would be able to
+provide for their own safety. The consuls took post, Sulpicius on the
+right wing, Poetelius on the left. The right wing was stretched out
+wider than usual, where the Samnites also stood formed in thin ranks,
+either with design of turning the flank of the enemy, or to avoid
+being themselves surrounded. On the left, besides that they were
+formed in more compact order, an addition was made to their strength,
+by a sudden act of the consul Poetelius; for the subsidiary cohorts,
+which were usually reserved for the exigencies of a tedious fight, he
+brought up immediately to the front, and, in the first onset, pushed
+the enemy with the whole of his force. The Samnite line of infantry
+giving way, their cavalry advanced to support them; and as they were
+charging in an oblique direction between the two lines, the Roman
+horse, coming up at full speed, disordered their battalions and ranks
+of infantry and cavalry, so as to oblige the whole line on that side
+to give ground. The left wing had not only the presence of Poetelius
+to animate them, but that of Sulpicius likewise; who, on the shout
+being first raised in that quarter, rode thither from his own
+division, which had not yet engaged. When he saw victory no longer
+doubtful there, he returned to his own post with twelve hundred men,
+but found the state of things there very different; the Romans driven
+from their ground, and the victorious enemy pressing on them thus
+dismayed. However, the arrival of the consul effected a speedy change
+in every particular; for, on the sight of their leader, the spirit of
+the soldiers was revived, and the bravery of the men who came with him
+rendered them more powerful aid than even their number; while the news
+of success in the other wing, which was heard, and after seen,
+restored the fight. From this time, the Romans became victorious
+through the whole extent of the line, and the Samnites, giving up the
+contest, were slain or taken prisoners, except such as made their
+escape to Maleventum, the town which is now called Beneventum. It is
+recorded that thirty thousand of the Samnites were slain or taken.
+
+28. The consuls, after this important victory, led forward the legions
+to lay siege to Bovianum; and there they passed the winter quarters,
+until Caius Poetelius, being nominated dictator, with Marcus Foslius,
+master of the horse, received the command of the army from the new
+consuls, Lucius Papirius Cursor a fifth, and Caius Junius Bubulcus a
+second time. On hearing that the citadel of Fregellae was taken by the
+Samnites, he left Bovianum, and proceeded to Fregellae, whence, having
+recovered possession of it without any contest, the Samnites
+abandoning it in the night, and having placed a strong garrison there,
+he returned to Campania, directing his operations principally to the
+recovery of Nola. Within the walls of this place, the whole multitude
+of the Samnites, and the inhabitants of the country about Nola, betook
+themselves on the approach of the dictator. Having taken a view of the
+situation of the city, in order that the approach to the
+fortifications may be the more open, he set fire to all the buildings
+which stood round the walls, which were very numerous; and, in a short
+time after, Nola was taken, either by the dictator Poetelius, or the
+consul Caius Junius, for both accounts are given. Those who attribute
+to the consul the honour of taking Nola, add, that Atina and Calatia
+were also taken by him, and that Poetelius was created dictator in
+consequence of a pestilence breaking out, merely for the purpose of
+driving the nail. The colonies of Suessa and Pontiae were established
+in this year. Suessa had belonged to the Auruncians: the Volscians had
+occupied Pontiae, an island lying within sight of their shore. A
+decree of the senate was also passed for conducting colonies to
+Interamna and Cassinum. But commissioners were appointed, and
+colonists, to the number of four thousand, were sent by the succeeding
+consuls, Marcus Valerius and Publius Decius.
+
+29. The war with the Samnites being now nearly put an end to, before
+the Roman senate was freed from all concern on that side, a report
+arose of an Etrurian war; and there was not, in those times, any
+nation, excepting the Gauls, whose arms were more dreaded, by reason
+both of the vicinity of their country, and of the multitude of their
+men. While therefore one of the consuls prosecuted the remains of the
+war in Samnium, Publius Decius, who, being attacked by a severe
+illness, remained at Rome, by direction of the senate, nominated Caius
+Junius Bubulcus dictator. He, as the magnitude of the affair demanded,
+compelled all the younger citizens to enlist, and with the utmost
+diligence prepared arms, and the other matters which the occasion
+required. Yet he was not so elated by the power he had collected, as
+to think of commencing offensive operations, but prudently determined
+to remain quiet, unless the Etrurians should become aggressors. The
+plans of the Etrurians were exactly similar with respect to preparing
+for, and abstaining from, war: neither party went beyond their own
+frontiers. The censorship of Appius Claudius and Caius Plautius, for
+this year, was remarkable; but the name of Appius has been handed down
+with more celebrity to posterity, on account of his having made the
+road, [called after him, the Appian,] and for having conveyed water
+into the city. These works he performed alone; for his colleague,
+overwhelmed with shame by reason of the infamous and unworthy choice
+made of senators, had abdicated his office. Appius possessing that
+inflexibility Of temper, which, from the earliest times, had been the
+characteristic of his family, held on the censorship by himself. By
+direction of the same Appius, the Potitian family, in which the office
+of priests attendant on the great altar of Hercules was hereditary,
+instructed some of the public servants in the rites of that solemnity,
+with the intention to delegate the same to them. A circumstance is
+recorded, wonderful to be told, and one which should make people
+scrupulous of disturbing the established modes of religious
+solemnities: for though there were, at that time, twelve branches of
+the Potitian family, all grown-up persons, to the number of thirty,
+yet they were every one, together with their offspring, cut off within
+the year; so that the name of the Potitii became extinct, while the
+censor Appius also was, by the unrelenting wrath of the gods, some
+years after, deprived of sight.
+
+30. The consuls of the succeeding year were, Caius Junius Bubulcus a
+third time, and Quintus Aemilius Barbula a second. In the commencement
+of their office, they complained before the people, that, by the
+improper choice of members of the senate, that body had been
+disgraced, several having been passed over who were preferable to the
+persons chosen in; and they declared, that they would pay no regard to
+such election, which had been made without distinction of right or
+wrong, merely to gratify interest or humour: they then immediately
+called over the list of the senate, in the same order which had
+existed before the censorship of Appius Claudius and Caius Plautius.
+Two public employments, both relating to military affairs, came this
+year into the disposal of the people; one being an order, that sixteen
+of the tribunes, for four legions, should be appointed by the people;
+whereas hitherto they had been generally in the gift of the dictators
+and consuls, very few of the places being left to suffrage. This order
+was proposed by Lucius Atilius and Caius Marcius, plebeian tribunes.
+Another was, that the people likewise should constitute two naval
+commissioners, for the equipping and refitting of the fleet. The
+person who introduced this order of the people, was Marcus Decius,
+plebeian tribune. Another transaction of this year I should pass over
+as trifling, did it not seem to bear some relation to religion. The
+flute-players, taking offence because they had been prohibited by the
+last censors from holding their repasts in the temple of Jupiter,
+which had been customary from very early times, went off in a body to
+Tibur; so that there was not one left in the city to play at the
+sacrifices. The religious tendency of this affair gave uneasiness to
+the senate; and they sent envoys to Tibur to endeavour that these men
+might be sent back to Rome. The Tiburtines readily promised
+compliance, and first, calling them into the senate-house, warmly
+recommended to them to return to Rome; and then, when they could not
+be prevailed on, practised on them an artifice not ill adapted to the
+dispositions of that description of people: on a festival day, they
+invited them separately to their several houses, apparently with the
+intention of heightening the pleasure of their feasts with music, and
+there plied them with wine, of which such people are always fond,
+until they laid them asleep. In this state of insensibility they threw
+them into waggons, and carried them away to Rome: nor did they know
+any thing of the matter, until, the waggons having been left in the
+forum, the light surprised them, still heavily sick from the debauch.
+The people then crowded about them, and, on their consenting at length
+to stay, privilege was granted them to ramble about the city in full
+dress, with music, and the licence which is now practised every year
+during three days. And that licence, which we see practised at
+present, and the right of being fed in the temple, was restored to
+those who played at the sacrifices. These incidents occurred while the
+public attention was deeply engaged by two most important wars.
+
+31. The consuls adjusting the provinces between them, the Samnites
+fell by lot to Junius, the new war of Etruria to Aemilius. In Samnium
+the Samnites had blockaded and reduced by famine Cluvia, a Roman
+garrison, because they had been unable to take it by storm; and, after
+torturing with stripes, in a shocking manner, the townsmen who
+surrendered, they had put them to death. Enraged at this cruelty,
+Junius determined to postpone every thing else to the attacking of
+Cluvia; and, on the first day that he assaulted the walls, took it by
+storm, and slew all who were grown to man's estate. The victorious
+troops were led from thence to Bovianum; this was the capital of the
+Pentrian Samnites, by far the most opulent of their cities, and the
+most powerful both in men and arms. The soldiers, stimulated by the
+hope of plunder, for their resentment was not so violent, soon made
+themselves masters of the town: where there was less severity
+exercised on the enemy; but a quantity of spoil was carried off,
+greater almost than had ever been collected out of all Samnium, and
+the whole was liberally bestowed on the assailants. And when neither
+armies, camps, or cities could now withstand the vast superiority of
+the Romans in arms; the attention of all the leading men in Samnium
+became intent on this, that an opportunity should be sought for some
+stratagem, if by any chance the army, proceeding with incautious
+eagerness for plunder, could be caught in a snare and overpowered.
+Peasants who deserted and some prisoners (some thrown in their way by
+accident, some purposely) reporting to the consul a statement in which
+they concurred, and one which was at the same time true, that a vast
+quantity of cattle had been driven together into a defile of difficult
+access, prevailed on them to lead thither the legions lightly
+accoutred for plunder. Here a very numerous army of the enemy had
+posted themselves, secretly, at all the passes; and, as soon as they
+saw that the Romans had got into the defile, they rose up suddenly,
+with great clamour and tumult, and attacked them unawares. At first an
+event so unexpected caused some confusion, while they were taking
+their arms, and throwing the baggage into the centre; but, as fast as
+each had freed himself from his burden and fitted himself with arms,
+they assembled about the standards, from every side; and all, from the
+long course of their service, knowing their particular ranks, the line
+was formed of its own accord without any directions. The consul,
+riding up to the place where the fight was most warm, leaped from his
+horse, and called "Jupiter, Mars, and the other gods to witness, that
+he had come into that place, not in pursuit of any glory to himself,
+but of booty for his soldiers; nor could any other fault be charged on
+him, than too great a solicitude to enrich his soldiers at the expense
+of the enemy. From that disgrace nothing could extricate him but the
+valour of the troops: let them only join unanimously in a vigorous
+attack against a foe, already vanquished in the field, beaten out of
+their camps, and stripped of their towns, and now trying their last
+hope by the contrivance of an ambuscade, placing their reliance on the
+ground they occupied, not on their arms. But what ground was now
+unsurmountable to Roman valour?" The citadel of Fregellae, and that of
+Sora, were called to their remembrance, with many other places where
+difficulties from situation had been surmounted. Animated by these
+exhortations, the soldiers, regardless of all difficulties, advanced
+against the line of the enemy, posted above them; and here there was
+some fatigue whilst the army was climbing the steep. But as soon as
+the first battalions got footing in the plain, on the summit, and the
+troops perceived that they now stood on equal ground, the dismay was
+instantly turned on the plotters; who, dispersing and casting away
+their arms, attempted, by flight, to recover the same lurking-places
+in which they had lately concealed themselves. But the difficulties of
+the ground, which had been intended for the enemy, now entangled them
+in the snares of their own contrivance. Accordingly very few found
+means to escape; twenty thousand men were slain, and the victorious
+Romans hastened in several parties to secure the booty of cattle,
+spontaneously thrown in their way by the enemy.
+
+32. While such was the situation of affairs in Samnium, all the states
+of Etruria, except the Arretians, had taken arms, and vigorously
+commenced hostilities, by laying siege to Sutrium; which city, being
+in alliance with the Romans, served as a barrier against Etruria.
+Thither the other consul, Aemilius, came with an army to deliver the
+allies from the siege. On the arrival of the Romans, the Sutrians
+conveyed a plentiful supply of provisions into their camp, which was
+pitched before the city. The Etrurians spent the first day in
+deliberating whether they should expedite or protract the war. On the
+day following, when the speedier plan pleased the leaders in
+preference to the safer, as soon as the sun rose the for battle was
+displayed, and the troops marched out to the field; which being
+reported to the consul, he instantly commanded notice to be given,
+that they should dine, and after taking refreshment, then appear under
+arms. The order was obeyed; and the consul, seeing them armed and in
+readiness, ordered the standards to be carried forth beyond the
+rampart, and drew up his men at a small distance from the enemy. Both
+parties stood a long time with fixed attention, each waiting for the
+shout and fight to begin on the opposite side; and the sun had passed
+the meridian before a weapon was thrown by either side. Then, rather
+than leave the place without something being done, the shout was given
+by the Etrurians, the trumpets sounded, and the battalions advanced.
+With no less alertness do the Romans commence the fight: both rushed
+to the fight with violent animosity; the enemy were superior in
+numbers, the Romans in valour. The battle being doubtful, carries off
+great numbers on both sides, particularly the men of greatest courage;
+nor did victory declare itself, until the second line of the Romans
+came up fresh to the front, in the place of the first, who were much
+fatigued. The Etrurians, because their front line was not supported by
+any fresh reserves, fell all before and round the standards, and in no
+battle whatever would there have been seen less disposition to run, or
+a greater effusion of human blood, had not the night sheltered the
+Etrurians, who were resolutely determined on death; so that the
+victors, not the vanquished, were the first who desisted from
+fighting. After sunset the signal for retreat was given, and both
+parties retired in the night to their camps. During the remainder of
+the year, nothing memorable was effected at Sutrium; for, of the
+enemy's army, the whole first line had been cut off in one battle, the
+reserves only being left, who were scarce sufficient to guard the
+camp; and, among the Romans, so numerous were the wounds, that more
+wounded men died after the battle than had fallen in the field.
+
+33. Quintus Fabius, consul for the ensuing year, succeeded to the
+command of the army at Sutrium; the colleague given to him was Caius
+Marcius Rutilus. On the one side, Fabius brought with him a
+reinforcement from Rome, and on the other, a new army had been sent
+for, and came from home, to the Etrurians. Many years had now passed
+without any disputes between the patrician magistrates and plebeian
+tribunes, when a contest took its rise from that family, which seemed
+raised by fate as antagonists to the tribunes and commons of those
+times; Appius Claudius, being censor, when the eighteen months had
+expired, which was the time limited by the Aemilian law for the
+duration of the censorship, although his colleague Caius Plautius had
+already resigned his office, could not be prevailed on, by any means,
+to give up his. There was a tribune of the commons, Publius
+Sempronius; he undertook to enforce a legal process for terminating
+the censorship within the lawful time, which was not more popular than
+just, nor more pleasing to the people generally than to every man of
+character in the city. After he frequently appealed to the Aemilian
+law, and bestowed commendations on Mamercus Aemilius, who, in his
+dictatorship, had been the author of it, for having contracted, within
+the space of a year and six months, the censorship, which formerly had
+lasted five years, and was a power which, in consequence of its long
+continuance, often became tyrannical, he proceeded thus: "Tell me,
+Appius Claudius, in what manner you would have acted, had you been
+censor, at the time when Caius Furius and Marcus Geganius were
+censors?" Appius insisted, that "the tribune's question was irrelevant
+to his case. For, although the Aemilian law might bind those censors,
+during whose magistracy it was passed,--because the people made that
+law after they had become censors; and whatever order is the last
+passed by the people, that is held to be the law, and valid:--yet
+neither he, nor any of those who had been created censors subsequent
+to the passing of that law, could be bound by it."
+
+34. While Appius urged such frivolous arguments as these, which
+carried no conviction whatever, the other said, "Behold, Romans, the
+offspring of that Appius, who being created decemvir for one year,
+created himself for a second; and who, during a third, without being
+created even by himself or by any other, held on the fasces and the
+government though a private individual; nor ceased to continue in
+office, until the government itself, ill acquired, ill administered,
+and ill retained, overwhelmed him in ruin. This is the same family,
+Romans, by whose violence and injustice ye were compelled to banish
+yourselves from your native city, and seize on the Sacred mount; the
+same, against which ye provided for yourselves the protection of
+tribunes; the same, on account of which two armies of you took post on
+the Aventine; the same, which violently opposed the laws against
+usury, and always the agrarian laws; the same, which broke through the
+right of intermarriage between the patricians and the commons; the
+same, which shut up the road to curule offices against the commons:
+this is a name, more hostile to your liberty by far, than that of the
+Tarquins. I pray you, Appius Claudius, though this is now the
+hundredth year since the dictatorship of Mamercus Aemilius, though
+there have been so many men of the highest characters and abilities
+censors, did none of these ever read the twelve tables? none of them
+know, that, whatever was the last order of the people, that was law?
+Nay, certainly they all knew it; and they therefore obeyed the
+Aemilian law, rather than the old one, under which the censors had
+been at first created; because it was the last order; and because,
+when two laws are contradictory, the new always repeals the old. Do
+you mean to say, Appius, that the people are not bound by the Aemilian
+law? Or, that the people are bound, and you alone exempted? The
+Aemilian law bound those violent censors, Caius Furius and Marcus
+Geganius, who showed what mischief that office might do in the state;
+when, out of resentment for the limitation of their power, they
+disfranchised Mamercus Aemilius, the first man of the age, either in
+war or peace. It bound all the censors thenceforward, during the space
+of a hundred years. It binds Caius Plautius your colleague, created
+under the same auspices, with the same privileges. Did not the people
+create him with the fullest privileges with which any censor ever was
+created? Or is yours an excepted case, in which this peculiarity and
+singularity takes place? Shall the person, whom you create king of the
+sacrifices, laying hold of the style of sovereignty, say, that he was
+created with the fullest privileges with which any king was ever
+created at Rome? Who then, do you think, would be content with a
+dictatorship of six months? who, with the office of interrex for five
+days? Whom would you, with confidence, create dictator, for the
+purpose of driving the nail, or of exhibiting games? How foolish, how
+stupid, do ye think, those must appear in this man's eyes, who, after
+performing most important services, abdicated the dictatorship within
+the twentieth day; or who, being irregularly created, resigned their
+office? Why should I bring instances from antiquity? Lately, within
+these last ten years, Caius Maenius, dictator, having enforced
+inquiries, with more strictness than consisted with the safety of some
+powerful men, a charge was thrown out by his enemies, that he himself
+was infected with the very crime against which his inquiries were
+directed;--now Maenius, I say, in order that he might, in a private
+capacity, meet the imputation, abdicated the dictatorship. I expect
+not such moderation in you; you will not degenerate from your family,
+of all others the most imperious and assuming; nor resign your office
+a day, nor even an hour, before you are forced to it. Be it so: but
+then let no one exceed the time limited. It is enough to add a day, or
+a month, to the censorship. But Appius says, I will hold the
+censorship, and hold it alone, three years and six months longer than
+is allowed by the Aemilian law. Surely this is like kingly power. Or
+will you fill up the vacancy with another colleague, a proceeding not
+allowable, even in the case of the death of a censor? You are not
+satisfied that, as if a religious censor, you have degraded a most
+ancient solemnity, and the only one instituted by the very deity to
+whom it is performed, from priests of that rite who were of the
+highest rank to the ministry of mere servants. [You are not satisfied
+that] a family, more ancient than the origin of this city, and
+sanctified by an intercourse of hospitality with the immortal gods,
+has, by means of you and your censorship, been utterly extirpated,
+with all its branches, within the space of a year, unless you involve
+the whole commonwealth in horrid guilt, which my mind feels a horror
+even to contemplate. This city was taken in that lustrum in which
+Lucius Papirius Cursor, on the death of his colleague Julius, the
+censor, rather than resign his office, substituted Marcus Cornelius
+Maluginensis. Yet how much more moderate was his ambition, Appius,
+than yours! Lucius Papirius neither held the censorship alone, nor
+beyond the time prescribed by law. But still he found no one who would
+follow his example; all succeeding censors, in case of the death of a
+colleague, abdicated the office. As for you, neither the expiration of
+the time of your censorship, nor the resignation of your colleague,
+nor law, nor shame restrains you. You make fortitude to consist in
+arrogance, in boldness, in a contempt of gods and men. Appius
+Claudius, in consideration of the dignity and respect due to that
+office which you have borne, I should be sorry, not only to offer you
+personal violence, but even to address you in language too severe.
+With respect to what I have hitherto said, your pride and obstinacy
+forced me to speak. And now, unless you pay obedience to the Aemilian
+law, I shall order you to be led to prison. Nor, since a rule has been
+established by our ancestors, that in the election of censors unless
+two shall obtain the legal number of suffrages, neither shall be
+returned, but the election deferred,--will I suffer you, who could not
+singly be created censor, to hold the censorship without a colleague."
+Having spoken to this effect he ordered the censor to be seized, and
+borne to prison. But although six of the tribunes approved of the
+proceeding of their colleague, three gave their support to Appius, on
+his appealing to them, and he held the censorship alone, to the great
+disgust of all ranks of men.
+
+35. While such was the state of affairs at Rome, the Etrurians had
+laid siege to Sutrium, and the consul Fabius, as he was marching along
+the foot of the mountains, with a design to succour the allies, and
+attempt the enemy's works, if it were by any means practicable, was
+met by their army prepared for battle. As the wide-extended plain
+below showed the greatness of their force, the consul, in order to
+remedy his deficiency in point of number, by advantage of the ground,
+changed the direction of his route a little towards the hills, where
+the way was rugged and covered with stones, and then formed his
+troops, facing the enemy. The Etrurians, thinking of nothing but their
+numbers, on which alone they depended, commence the fight with such
+haste and eagerness, that, in order to come the sooner to a close
+engagement, they threw away their javelins, drew their swords, rushing
+against the enemy. On the other side, the Romans poured down on them,
+sometimes javelins, and sometimes stones which the place abundantly
+supplied; so that whilst the blows on their shields and helmets
+confused even those whom they did not wound, (it was neither an easy
+matter to come to close quarters, nor had they missive weapons with
+which to fight at a distance,) when there was nothing now to protect
+them whilst standing and exposed to the blows, some even giving way,
+and the whole line wavering and unsteady the spearmen and the first
+rank, renewing the shout, rush on them with drawn swords. This attack
+the Etrurians could not withstand, but, facing about, fled
+precipitately towards their camp; when the Roman cavalry, getting
+before them by galloping obliquely across the plain, threw themselves
+in the way of their flight, on which they quitted the road, and bent
+their course to the mountains. From thence, in a body, almost without
+arms, and debilitated with wounds, they made their way into the
+Ciminian forest. The Romans, having slain in many thousands of the
+Etrurians, and taken thirty-eight military standards, took also
+possession of their camp, together with a vast quantity of spoil. They
+then began to consider of pursuing the enemy.
+
+36. The Ciminian forest was in those days deemed as impassable and
+frightful as the German forests have been in latter times; not even
+any trader having ever attempted to pass it. Hardly any, besides the
+general himself, showed boldness enough to enter it; the others had
+not the remembrance of the disaster at Caudium effaced from their
+mind. On this, of those who were present, Marcus Fabius, the consul's
+brother, (some say Caeso, others Caius Claudius, born of the same
+mother with the consul,) undertook to go and explore the country, and
+to bring them in a short time an account of every particular. Being
+educated at Caere, where he had friends, he was perfectly acquainted
+with the Etrurian language. I have seen it affirmed, that, in those
+times, the Roman youth were commonly instructed in the Etrurian
+learning, as they are now in the Greek: but it is more probable, that
+there was something very extraordinary in the person who acted so
+daringly a counterfeit part, and mixed among the enemy. It is said,
+that his only attendant was a slave, who had been bred up with him,
+and who was therefore not ignorant of the same language. They received
+no further instructions at their departure, than a summary description
+of the country through which they were to pass; to this was added the
+names of the principal men in the several states, to prevent their
+being at a loss in conversation, and from being discovered by making
+some mistake. They set out in the dress of shepherds, armed with
+rustic weapons, bills, and two short javelins each. But neither their
+speaking the language of the country, nor the fashion of their dress
+and arms, concealed them so effectually, as the incredible
+circumstance of a stranger's passing the Ciminian forest. They are
+said to have penetrated as far as the Camertian district of the
+Umbrians: there the Romans ventured to own who they were, and being
+introduced to the senate, treated with them, in the name of the
+consul, about an alliance and friendship; and after being entertained
+with courteous hospitality, were desired to acquaint the Romans, that
+if they came into those countries, there should be provisions in
+readiness for the troops sufficient for thirty days, and that they
+should find the youth of the Camertian Umbrians prepared in arms to
+obey their commands. When this information was brought to the consul,
+he sent forward the baggage at the first watch, ordering the legions
+to march in the rear of it. He himself staid behind with the cavalry,
+and the next day, as soon as light appeared, rode up to the posts of
+the enemy, which had been stationed on the outside of the forest; and,
+when he had detained them there for a sufficient length of time, he
+retired to his camp, and marching out by the opposite gate, overtook
+the main body of the army before night. At the first light, on the
+following day, he had gained the summit of Mount Ciminius, from whence
+having a view of the opulent plains of Etruria, he let loose his
+soldiers upon them. When a vast booty had been driven off, some
+tumultuary cohorts of Etrurian peasants, hastily collected by the
+principal inhabitants of the district, met the Romans; but in such
+disorderly array, that these rescuers of the prey were near becoming
+wholly a prey themselves. These being slain or put to flight, and the
+country laid waste to a great extent, the Romans returned to their
+camp victorious, and enriched with plenty of every kind. It happened
+that, in the mean time, five deputies, with two plebeian tribunes, had
+come hither, to charge Fabius, in the name of the senate, not to
+attempt to pass the Ciminian forest. These, rejoicing that they had
+arrived too late to prevent the expedition, returned to Rome with the
+news of its success.
+
+37. By this expedition of the consul, the war, instead of being
+brought nearer to a conclusion, was only spread to a wider extent: for
+all the tract adjacent to the foot of Mount Ciminius had felt his
+devastations; and, out of the indignation conceived thereat, had
+roused to arms, not only the states of Etruria, but the neighbouring
+parts of Umbria. They came therefore to Sutrium, with such a numerous
+army as they had never before brought into the field; and not only
+ventured to encamp on the outside of the wood, but through their
+earnest desire of coming to an engagement as soon as possible, marched
+down the plains to offer battle. The troops, being marshalled, stood
+at first, for some time, on their own ground, having left a space
+sufficient for the Romans to draw up, opposite to them; but perceiving
+that the enemy declined fighting, they advanced to the rampart; where,
+when they observed that even the advanced guards had retired within
+the works, a shout at once was raised around their generals, that they
+should order provisions for that day to be brought down to them: "for
+they were resolved to remain there under arms; and either in the
+night, or, at all events, at the dawn of day, to attack the enemy's
+camp." The Roman troops, though not less eager for action, were
+restrained by the commands of the general. About the tenth hour, the
+consul ordered his men a repast; and gave directions that they should
+be ready in arms, at whatever time of the day or night he should give
+the signal. He then addressed a few words to them; spoke in high terms
+of the wars of the Samnites, and disparagingly of the Etrurians, who
+"were not," he said, "as an enemy to be compared with other enemies,
+nor as a numerous force, with others in point of numbers. Besides, he
+had an engine at work, as they should find in due time; at present it
+was of importance to keep it secret." By these hints he intimated that
+the enemy was circumvented in order to raise the courage of his men,
+damped by the superiority of the enemy's force; and, from their not
+having fortified the post where they lay, the insinuation of a
+stratagem formed against them seemed the more credible. After
+refreshing themselves, they consigned themselves to rest, and being
+roused without noise, about the fourth watch, took arms. Axes are
+distributed among the servants following the army, to tear down the
+rampart and fill up the trench. The line was formed within the works,
+and some chosen cohorts posted close to the gates. Then, a little
+before day, which in summer nights is the time of the profoundest
+sleep, the signal being given, the rampart was levelled, and the
+troops rushing forth, fell upon the enemy, who were every where
+stretched at their length. Some were put to death before they could
+stir; others half asleep, in their beds; the greatest part, while they
+ran in confusion to arms; few, in short, had time afforded them to arm
+themselves; and these, who followed no particular leader, nor orders,
+were quickly routed by the Romans and pursued by the Roman horse. They
+fled different ways; to the camp and to the woods. The latter afforded
+the safer refuge; for the former, being situated in a plain, was taken
+the same day. The gold and silver was ordered to be brought to the
+consul; the rest of the spoil was given to the soldiers. On that day,
+sixty thousand of the enemy were slain or taken. Some affirm, that
+this famous battle was fought on the farther side of the Ciminian
+forest, at Perusia; and that the public had been under great dread,
+lest the army might be enclosed in such a dangerous pass, and
+overpowered by a general combination of the Etrurians and Umbrians.
+But on whatever spot it was fought, it is certain that the Roman power
+prevailed; and, in consequence thereof, ambassadors from Perusia,
+Cortona, and Arretium, which were then among the principal states of
+Etruria, soliciting a peace and alliance with the Romans, obtained a
+truce for thirty years.
+
+38. During these transactions in Etruria, the other consul, Caius
+Marcius Rutilus, took Allifae by storm from the Samnites; and many of
+their forts, and smaller towns, were either destroyed by his arms, or
+surrendered without being injured. About the same time also, the Roman
+fleet, having sailed to Campania, under Publius Cornelius, to whom the
+senate had given the command on the sea-coast, put into Pompeii.
+Immediately on landing, the soldiers of the fleet set out to ravage
+the country about Nuceria: and after they had quickly laid waste the
+parts which lay nearest, and whence they could have returned to the
+ships with safety, they were allured by the temptation of plunder, as
+it often happens, to advance too far, and thereby roused the enemy
+against them. While they rambled about the country, they met no
+opposition, though they might have been cut off to a man; but as they
+were returning, in a careless manner, the peasants overtook them, not
+far from the ships, stripped them of the booty, and even slew a great
+part of them. Those who escaped were driven in confusion to the ships.
+As Fabius' having marched through the Ciminian forest had occasioned
+violent apprehensions at Rome, so it had excited joy in proportion
+among the enemy in Samnium: they talked of the Roman army being pent
+up, and surrounded; and of the Caudine forks, as a model of their
+defeat. "Those people," they said, "ever greedy after further
+acquisitions, were now brought into inextricable difficulties, hemmed
+in, not more effectually by the arms of their enemy, than by the
+disadvantage of the ground." Their joy was even mingled with a degree
+of envy, because fortune, as they thought, had transferred the glory
+of finishing the Roman war, from the Samnites to the Etrurians: they
+hastened, therefore, with their whole collected force, to crush the
+consul Caius Marcius; resolving, if he did not give them an
+opportunity of fighting, to proceed, through the territories of the
+Marsians and Sabines, into Etruria. The consul met them, and a battle
+was fought with great fury on both sides, but without a decisive
+issue. Although both parties suffered severely, yet the discredit of
+defeat fell on the Romans, because several of equestrian rank, some
+military tribunes, with one lieutenant-general, had fallen; and, what
+was more remarkable than all, the consul himself was wounded. On
+account of this event, exaggerated by report as is usual, the senate
+became greatly alarmed, so that they resolved on having a dictator
+nominated. No one entertained a doubt that the nomination would light
+on Papirius Cursor, who was then universally deemed to possess the
+greatest abilities as a commander: but they could not be certain,
+either that a message might be conveyed with safety into Samnium,
+where all was in a state of hostility, or that the consul Marcius was
+alive. The other consul, Fabius, was at enmity with Papirius, on his
+own account; and lest this resentment might prove an obstacle to the
+public good, the senate voted that deputies of consular rank should be
+sent to him, who, uniting their own influence to that of government,
+might prevail on him to drop, for the sake of his country, all
+remembrance of private animosities. When the deputies, having come to
+Fabius, delivered to him the decree of the senate, adding such
+arguments as were suitable to their instructions, the consul, casting
+his eyes towards the ground, retired in silence, leaving them in
+uncertainty what part he intended to act. Then, in the silent time of
+the night, according to the established custom, he nominated Lucius
+Papirius dictator. When the deputies returned him thanks, for so very
+meritoriously subduing his passion, he still persevered in obstinate
+silence, and dismissed them without any answer, or mention of what he
+had done: a proof that he felt an extraordinary degree of resentment,
+which had been suppressed within his breast. Papirius appointed Caius
+Junius Bubulcus master of the horse; and, as he was proceeding in an
+assembly of the Curiae [Footnote: The _comitia curiata_, or
+assemblies of the curiae, alone had the power of conferring military
+command; no magistrate, therefore, could assume the command without
+the previous order of their assembly. In time, this came to be a mere
+matter of form; yet the practice always continued to be observed.] to
+get an order passed respecting the command of the army, an unlucky
+omen obliged him to adjourn it; for the Curia which was to vote first,
+happened to be the Faucian, remarkably distinguished by two disasters,
+the taking of the city, and the Caudine peace; the same Curia having
+voted first in those years in which the said events are found.
+Licinius Macer supposes this Curia ominous, also, on account of a
+third misfortune, that which was experienced at the Cremera.
+
+39. Next day the dictator, taking the auspices anew, obtained the
+order, and, marching out at the head of the legions, lately raised on
+the alarm occasioned by the army passing the Ciminian forest, came to
+Longula; where having received the old troops of the consul Marcius,
+he led on his forces to battle; nor did the enemy seem to decline the
+combat. However, they stood drawn up for battle and under arms, until
+night came on; neither side choosing to begin the fray. After this,
+they continued a considerable time encamped near each other, without
+coming to action; neither diffident of their own strength, nor
+despising the adversary. Meanwhile matters went on actively in
+Etruria; for a decisive battle was fought with the Umbrians, in which
+the enemy was routed, but lost not many men, for they did not maintain
+the fight with the vigour with which they began it. Besides this the
+Etrurians, having raised an army under the sanctions of the devoting
+law, each man choosing another, came to an engagement at the Cape of
+Vadimon, with more numerous forces, and, at the same time, with
+greater spirit than they had ever shown before. The battle was fought
+with such animosity that no javelins were thrown by either party:
+swords alone were made use of; and the fury of the combatants was
+still higher inflamed by the long-continued contest; so that it
+appeared to the Romans as if they were disputing, not with Etrurians,
+whom they had so often conquered, but with a new race. Not the
+semblance of giving ground appeared in any part; the first lines fell;
+and lest the standards should be exposed, without defence, the second
+lines were formed in their place. At length, even the men forming the
+last reserves were called into action; and to such an extremity of
+difficulty and danger had they come, that the Roman cavalry
+dismounted, and pressed forward, through heaps of arms and bodies, to
+the front ranks of the infantry. These starting up a new army, as it
+were, among men now exhausted, disordered the battalions of the
+Etrurians; and the rest, weak as their condition was, seconding their
+assault, broke at last through the enemy's ranks. Their obstinacy then
+began to give way: some companies quitted their posts, and, as soon as
+they once turned their backs, betook themselves to more decided
+flight. That day first broke the strength of the Etrurians, now grown
+exuberant through a long course of prosperity; all the flower of their
+men were cut off in the field, and in the same assault their camp was
+seized and sacked.
+
+40. Equal danger, and an issue equally glorious, soon after attended
+the war with the Samnites; who, besides their many preparations for
+the field, made their army to glitter with new decorations of their
+armour. Their troops were in two divisions, one of which had their
+shields embossed with gold, the other with silver. The shape of the
+shield was this; broad at the middle to cover the breast and
+shoulders, the summit being flat, sloping off gradually so as to
+become pointed below, that it might be wielded with ease; a loose coat
+of mail also served as a protection for the breast, and the left leg
+was covered with a greave; their helmets were adorned with plumes, to
+add to the appearance of their stature. The golden-armed soldiers wore
+tunics of various colours; the silver-armed, of white linen. To the
+latter the right wing was assigned; the former took post on the left.
+The Romans had been apprized of these splendid accoutrements, and had
+been taught by their commanders, that "a soldier ought to be rough;
+not decorated with gold and silver, but placing his confidence in his
+sword. That matters of this kind were in reality spoil rather than
+armour; glittering before action, but soon becoming disfigured amid
+blood and wounds. That the brightest ornament of a soldier was valour;
+that all those trinkets would follow victory, and that those rich
+enemies would be valuable prizes to the conquerors, however poor."
+Cursor, having animated his men with these observations, led them on
+to battle. He took post himself on the right wing, he gave the command
+of the left to the master of the horse. As soon as they engaged, the
+struggle between the two armies became desperate, while it was no less
+so between the dictator and the master of the horse, on which wing
+victory should first show itself. It happened that Junius first, with
+the left wing, made the right of the enemy give way; this consisted of
+men devoted after the custom of Samnites, and on that account
+distinguished by white garments and armour of equal whiteness. Junius,
+saying "he would sacrifice these to Pluto," pressed forward,
+disordered their ranks, and made an evident impression on their line:
+which being perceived by the dictator, he exclaimed, "Shall the
+victory begin on the left wing, and shall the right, the dictator's
+own troops, only second the arms of others, and not claim the greatest
+share of the victory?" This spurred on the soldiers: nor did the
+cavalry yield to the infantry in bravery, nor the ardour of
+lieutenants-general to that of the commanders. Marcius Valerius from
+the right wing, and Publius Decius from the left, both men of consular
+rank, rode off to the cavalry, posted on the extremities of the line,
+and, exhorting them to join in putting in for a share of the honour,
+charged the enemy on the flanks. When the addition of this new alarm
+assailed the enemies' troops on both sides, and the Roman legions,
+having renewed the shout to confound the enemy, rushed on, they began
+to fly. And now the plains were quickly filled with heaps of bodies
+and splendid armour. At first, their camp received the dismayed
+Samnites; but they did not long retain even the possession of that:
+before night it was taken, plundered, and burnt. The dictator
+triumphed, in pursuance of a decree of the senate; and the most
+splendid spectacle by far, of any in his procession, was the captured
+arms: so magnificent were they deemed, that the shields, adorned with
+gold, were distributed among the owners of the silver shops, to serve
+as embellishments to the forum. Hence, it is said, arose the custom of
+the forum being decorated by the aediles, when the grand processions
+are made on occasion of the great games. The Romans, indeed, converted
+these extraordinary arms to the honour of the gods: but the
+Campanians, out of pride, and in hatred of the Samnites, gave them as
+ornaments to their gladiators, who used to be exhibited as a show at
+their feasts, and whom they distinguished by the name of Samnites.
+During this year, the consul Fabius fought with the remnants of the
+Etrurians at Perusia, which city also had violated the truce, and
+gained an easy and decisive victory. He would have taken the town
+itself (for he marched up to the walls,) had not deputies come out and
+capitulated. Having placed a garrison at Perusia, and sent on before
+him to the Roman senate the embassies of Etruria, who solicited
+friendship, the consul rode into the city in triumph, for successes
+more important than those of the dictator. Besides, a great share of
+the honour of reducing the Samnites was attributed to the
+lieutenants-general, Publius Decius and Marcius Valerius: whom, at the
+next election, the people, with universal consent, declared the one
+consul, the other praetor.
+
+41. To Fabius, in consideration of his extraordinary merit in the
+conquest of Etruria, the consulship was continued. Decius was
+appointed his colleague. Valerius was created praetor a fourth time.
+The consuls divided the provinces between them. Etruria fell to
+Decius, Samnium to Fabius. The latter, having marched to Nuceria,
+rejected the application of the people of Alfaterna, who then sued for
+peace, because they had not accepted it when offered, and by force of
+arms compelled them to surrender. A battle was fought with the
+Samnites; the enemy were overcome without much difficulty: nor would
+the memory of that engagement have been preserved, except that in it
+the Marsians first appeared in arms against the Romans. The
+Pelignians, imitating the defection of the Marsians, met the same
+fate. The other consul, Decius, was likewise very successful in his
+operations: through terror he compelled the Tarquinians to supply his
+army with corn, and to sue for a truce for forty years. He took
+several forts from the Volsinians by assault, some of which he
+demolished, that they might not serve as receptacles to the enemy, and
+by extending his operations through every quarter, diffused such a
+dread of his arms, that the whole Etrurian nation sued to the consul
+for an alliance: this they did not obtain; but a truce for a year was
+granted them. The pay of the Roman army for that year was furnished by
+the enemy; and two tunics for each soldier were exacted from them:
+this was the purchase of the truce. The tranquillity now established
+in Etruria was interrupted by a sudden insurrection of the Umbrians, a
+nation which had suffered no injury from the war, except what
+inconvenience the country had felt in the passing of the army. These,
+by calling into the field all their own young men, and forcing a great
+part of the Etrurians to resume their arms, made up such a numerous
+force, that speaking of themselves with ostentatious vanity and of the
+Romans with contempt, they boasted that they would leave Decius behind
+in Etruria, and march away to besiege Rome; which design of theirs
+being reported to the consul Decius, he removed by long marches from
+Etruria towards their city, and sat down in the district of Pupinia,
+in readiness to act according to the intelligence received of the
+enemy. Nor was the insurrection of the Umbrians slighted at Rome:
+their very threats excited tears among the people, who had
+experienced, in the calamities suffered from the Gauls, how insecure a
+city they inhabited. Deputies were therefore despatched to the consul
+Fabius with directions, that, if he had any respite from the war of
+the Samnites, he should with all haste lead his army into Umbria. The
+consul obeyed the order, and by forced marches proceeded to Mevania,
+where the forces of the Umbrians then lay. The unexpected arrival of
+the consul, whom they had believed to be sufficiently employed in
+Samnium, far distant from their country, so thoroughly affrighted the
+Umbrians, that several advised retiring to their fortified towns;
+others, the discontinuing the war. However, one district, called by
+themselves Materina, prevailed on the rest not only to retain their
+arms, but to come to an immediate engagement. They fell upon Fabius
+while he was fortifying his camp. When the consul saw them rushing
+impetuously towards his rampart, he called off his men from the work,
+and drew them up in the best manner which the nature of the place and
+the time allowed; encouraging them by displaying, in honourable and
+just terms, the glory which they had acquired, as well in Etruria as
+in Samnium, he bade them finish this insignificant appendage to the
+Etrurian war, and take vengeance for the impious expressions in which
+these people had threatened to attack the city of Rome. Such was the
+alacrity of the soldiers on hearing this, that, raising the shout
+spontaneously, they interrupted the general's discourse, and, without
+waiting for orders, advanced, with the sound of all the trumpets and
+cornets, in full speed against the enemy. They made their attack not
+as on men, or at least men in arms, but, what must appear wonderful in
+the relation, began by snatching the standards out of the hands which
+held them; and then, the standard-bearers themselves were dragged to
+the consul, and the armed soldiers transferred from the one line to
+the other; and wherever resistance was any where made, the business
+was performed, not so much with swords, as with their shields, with
+the bosses of which, and thrusts of their elbows, they bore down the
+foe. The prisoners were more numerous than the slain, and through the
+whole line the Umbrians called on each other, with one voice, to lay
+down their arms. Thus a surrender was made in the midst of action, by
+the first promoters of the war; and on the next and following days,
+the other states of the Umbrians also surrendered. The Ocriculans were
+admitted to a treaty of friendship on giving security.
+
+42. Fabius, successful in a war allotted to another, led back his army
+into his own province. And as, in the preceding year, the people had,
+in consideration of his services so successfully performed, re-elected
+him to the consulship, so now the senate, from the same motive,
+notwithstanding a warm opposition made by Appius, prolonged his
+command for the year following, in which Appius Claudius and Lucius
+Volumnius were consuls. In some annals I find, that Appius, still
+holding the office of censor, declared himself a candidate for the
+consulship, and that his election was stopped by a protest of Lucius
+Furius, plebeian tribune, until he resigned the censorship. After his
+election to the consulship, the new war with the Sallentine enemies
+being decreed to his colleague, he remained at Rome, with design to
+increase his interest by city intrigues, since the means of procuring
+honour in war were placed in the hands of others. Volumnius had no
+reason to be dissatisfied with his province: he fought many battles
+with good success, and took several cities by assault. He was liberal
+in his donations of the spoil; and this munificence, engaging in
+itself, he enhanced by his courteous demeanour, by which conduct he
+inspired his soldiers with ardour to meet both toil and danger.
+Quintus Fabius, proconsul, fought a pitched battle with the armies of
+the Samnites, near the city of Allifae. The victory was complete. The
+enemy were driven from the field, and pursued to their camp; nor would
+they have kept possession of that, had not the day been almost spent.
+It was invested, however, before night, and guarded until day, lest
+any should slip away. Next morning, while it was scarcely clear day,
+they proposed to capitulate, and it was agreed, that such as were
+natives of Samnium should be dismissed with single garments. All these
+were sent under the yoke. No precaution was taken in favour of the
+allies of the Samnites: they were sold by auction, to the number of
+seven thousand. Those who declared themselves subjects of the
+Hernicians, were kept by themselves under a guard. All these Fabius
+sent to Rome to the senate; and, after being examined, whether it was
+in consequence of a public order, or as volunteers, that they had
+carried arms on the side of the Samnites against the Romans, they were
+distributed among the states of the Latins to be held in custody; and
+it was ordered, that the new consuls, Publius Cornelius Arvina and
+Quintus Marcius Tremulus, who by this time had been elected, should
+lay that affair entire before the senate: this gave such offence to
+the Hernicians, that, at a meeting of all the states, assembled by the
+Anagnians, in the circus called the Maritime, the whole nation of the
+Hernicians, excepting the Alatrians, Ferentines, and Verulans,
+declared war against the Roman people.
+
+43. In Samnium also, in consequence of the departure of Fabius, new
+commotions arose. Calatia and Sora, and the Roman garrisons stationed
+there, were taken, and extreme cruelty was exercised towards the
+captive soldiers: Publius Cornelius was therefore sent thither with an
+army. The command against the new enemy (for by this time an order had
+passed for declaring war against the Anagnians, and the rest of the
+Hernicians) was decreed to Marcius. These, in the beginning, secured
+all the passes between the camps of the consuls, in such a manner,
+that no messenger, however expert, could make his way from one to the
+other; and each consul spent several days in absolute uncertainty
+regarding every matter and in anxious suspense concerning the state of
+the other. Apprehensions for their safety spread even to Rome; so that
+all the younger citizens were compelled to enlist and two regular
+armies were raised, to answer sudden emergencies. The conduct of the
+Hernicians during the progress of the war afterwards, showed nothing
+suitable to the present alarm, or to the ancient renown of that
+nation. Without ever venturing any effort worth mentioning, being
+stripped of three different camps within a few days, they stipulated
+for a truce of thirty days, during which they might send to Rome, to
+the senate, on the terms of furnishing two months' pay, and corn, and
+a tunic to every soldier. They were referred back to Marcius by the
+senate, whom by a decree they empowered to determine regarding the
+Hernicians, and he accepted their submission. Meanwhile, in Samnium,
+the other consul, though superior in strength, was very much
+embarrassed by the nature of his situation; the enemy had blocked up
+all the roads, and seized on the passable defiles, so that no
+provisions could be conveyed; nor could the consul, though he daily
+drew out his troops and offered battle, allure them to an engagement.
+It was evident, that neither could the Samnites support an immediate
+contest, nor the Romans a delay of action. The approach of Marcius,
+who, after he had subdued the Hernicians, hastened to the succour of
+his colleague, put it out of the enemy's power any longer to avoid
+fighting: for they, who had not deemed themselves a match in the
+field, even for one of the armies, could not surely suppose that if
+they should allow the two consular armies to unite, they could have
+any hope remaining: they made an attack therefore on Marcius, as he
+was approaching in the irregular order of march. The baggage was
+hastily thrown together in the centre, and the line formed as well as
+the time permitted. First the shout which reached the standing camp of
+Cornelius, then the dust observed at a distance, excited a bustle in
+the camp of the other consul. Ordering his men instantly to take arms,
+and leading them out to the field with the utmost haste, he charged
+the flank of the enemy's line, which had enough to do in the other
+dispute, at the same time exclaiming, that "it would be the height of
+infamy if they suffered Marcius's army to monopolize the honour of
+both victories, and did not assert their claim to the glory of their
+own war." He bore down all before him, and pushed forward, through the
+midst of the enemy's line, to their camp, which, being left without a
+guard, he took and set on fire; which when the soldiers of Marcius saw
+in flames, and the enemy observed it on looking about, a general
+flight immediately took place among the Samnites. But they could not
+effect an escape in any direction; in every quarter they met death.
+After a slaughter of thirty thousand men, the consuls had now given
+the signal for retreat; and were collecting, into one body, their
+several forces, who were employed in mutual congratulations, when some
+new cohorts of the enemy, which had been levied for a reinforcement,
+being seen at a distance, occasioned a renewal of the carnage. On
+these the conquerors rushed, without any order of the consuls, or
+signal received, crying out, that they would make these Samnites pay
+dearly for their introduction to service. The consuls indulged the
+ardour of the legions, well knowing that the raw troops of the enemy,
+mixed with veterans dispirited by defeat, would be incapable even of
+attempting a contest. Nor were they wrong in their judgment: all the
+forces of the Samnites, old and new, fled to the nearest mountains.
+These the Roman army also ascended, so that no situation afforded
+safety to the vanquished; they were beaten off, even from the summits
+which they had seized. And now they all, with on voice, supplicated
+for a suspension of arms. On which, being ordered to furnish corn for
+three months, pay for a year, and a tunic to each of the soldiers,
+they sent deputies to the senate to sue for peace. Cornelius was left
+in Samnium. Marcius returned into the city, in triumph over the
+Hernicians; and a decree was passed for erecting to him, in the forum,
+an equestrian statue, which was placed before the temple of Castor. To
+three states of the Hernicians, (the Alatrians, Verulans, and
+Ferentines,) their own laws were restored, because they preferred
+these to the being made citizens of Rome; and they were permitted to
+intermarry with each other, a privilege which they alone of the
+Hernicians, for a long time after, enjoyed. To the Anagnians, and the
+others, who had made war on the Romans, was granted the freedom of the
+state, without the right of voting; public assemblies, and
+intermarriages, were not allowed them, and their magistrates were
+prohibited from acting except in the ministration of public worship.
+During this year, Caius Junius Bubulcus, censor, contracted for the
+building of a temple to Health, which he had vowed during his
+consulate in the war with the Samnites. By the same person, and his
+colleague, Marcus Valerius Maximus, roads were made through the fields
+at the public expense. During the same year the treaty with the
+Carthaginians was renewed a third time, and ample presents made to
+their ambassadors who came on that business.
+
+44. This year had a dictator in office, Publius Cornelius Scipio, with
+Publius Decius Mus, master of the horse. By these the election of
+consuls was held, being the purpose for which they had been created,
+because neither of the consuls could be absent from the armies. The
+consuls elected were Lucius Postumius and Titus Minucius; whom Piso
+places next after Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius, omitting the two
+years in which I have set down Claudius with Volumnius, and Cornelius
+with Marcius, as consuls. Whether this happened through a lapse of
+memory in digesting his annals, or whether he purposely passed over
+those two consulates as deeming the accounts of them false, cannot be
+ascertained. During this year the Samnites made incursions into the
+district of Stellae in the Campanian territory. Both the consuls were
+therefore sent into Samnium, and proceeded to different regions,
+Postumius to Tifernum, Minucius to Bovianum. The first engagement
+happened at Tifernum, under the command of Postumius. Some say, that
+the Samnites were completely defeated, and twenty thousand of them
+made prisoners. Others, that the army separated without victory on
+either side; and that Postumius, counterfeiting fear, withdrew his
+forces privately by night, and marched away to the mountains; whither
+the enemy also followed, and took possession of a stronghold two miles
+distant. The consul, having created a belief that he had come thither
+for the sake of a safe post, and a fruitful spot, (and such it really
+was,) secured his camp with strong works. Furnishing it with magazines
+of every thing useful, he left a strong guard to defend it; and at the
+third watch, led away the legions lightly accoutred, by the shortest
+road which he could take, to join his colleague, who lay opposite to
+his foe. There, by advice of Postumius, Minucius came to an engagement
+with the enemy; and when the fight had continued doubtful through a
+great part of the day, Postumius, with his fresh legions, made an
+unexpected attack on the enemy's line, spent by this time with
+fatigue: thus, weariness and wounds having rendered them incapable
+even of flying, they were cut off to a man, and twenty-one standards
+taken. The Romans then proceeded to Postumius's station, where the two
+victorious armies falling upon the enemy, already dismayed by the news
+of what had passed, routed and dispersed them: twenty-six military
+standards were taken here, and the Samnite general, Statius Gellius,
+with a great number of other prisoners, and both the camps were taken.
+Next day Bovianum was besieged, and soon after taken. Both the consuls
+were honoured with a triumph, with high applause of their excellent
+conduct. Some writers say, that the consul Minucius was brought back
+to the camp grievously wounded, and that he died there; that Marcus
+Fulvius was substituted consul in his place, and that it was he who,
+being sent to command Minucius's army, took Bovianum. During the same
+year, Sora, Arpinum, and Censennia were recovered from the Samnites.
+The great statue of Hercules was erected in the Capitol, and
+dedicated.
+
+45. In the succeeding consulate of Publius Sulpicius Saverrio and
+Publius Sempronius Sophus, the Samnites, desirous either of a
+termination or a suspension of hostilities, sent ambassadors to Rome
+to treat of peace; to whose submissive solicitations this answer was
+returned, that, "had not the Samnites frequently solicited peace, at
+times when they were actually preparing for war, their present
+application might, perhaps, in the course of negotiating, have
+produced the desired effect. But now, since words had hitherto proved
+vain, people's conduct must be guided by facts: that Publius
+Sempronius the consul would shortly be in Samnium with an army: that
+he could not be deceived in judging whether their dispositions
+inclined to peace or war. He would bring the senate certain
+information respecting every particular, and their ambassadors might
+follow the consul on his return from Samnium." When the Roman army
+accordingly marched through all parts of Samnium, which was in a state
+of peace, provisions being liberally supplied, a renewal of the old
+treaty was, this year, granted to the Samnites. The Roman arms were
+then turned against the Aequans, their old enemies, but who had, for
+many years past, remained quiet, under the guise of a treacherous
+peace, because, while the Hernicians were in a state of prosperity,
+these had, in conjunction with them, frequently sent aid to the
+Samnites; and after the Hernicians were subdued, almost the whole
+nation, without dissembling that they acted by public authority, had
+revolted to the enemy; and when, after the conclusion of the treaty
+with the Samnites at Rome, ambassadors were sent to demand
+satisfaction, they said, that "this was only a trial made of them, on
+the expectation that they would through fear suffer themselves to be
+made Roman citizens. But how much that condition was to be wished for,
+they had been taught by the Hernicians; who, when they had the option,
+preferred their own laws to the freedom of the Roman state. To people
+who wished for liberty to choose what they judged preferable, the
+necessity of becoming Roman citizens would have the nature of a
+punishment." In resentment of these declarations, uttered publicly in
+their assemblies, the Roman people ordered war to be made on the
+Aequans; and, in prosecution of this new undertaking, both the consuls
+marched from the city, and sat down at the distance of four miles from
+the camp of the enemy. The troops of the Aequans, like tumultuary
+recruits, in consequence of their having passed such a number of years
+without waging war on their own account, were all in disorder and
+confusion, without established officers and without command. Some
+advised to give battle, others to defend the camp; the greater part
+were influenced by concern for the devastation of their lands, likely
+to take place, and the consequent destruction of their cities, left
+with weak garrisons. Among a variety of propositions, one, however,
+was heard which, abandoning all concern for the public interest,
+tended to transfer every man's attention to the care of his private
+concerns. It recommended that, at the first watch, they should depart
+from the camp by different roads, so as to carry all their effects
+into the cities, and to secure them by the strength of the
+fortifications; this they all approved with universal assent. When the
+enemy were now dispersed through the country, the Romans, at the first
+dawn, marched out to the field, and drew up in order of battle; but no
+one coming to oppose them, they advanced in a brisk pace to the
+enemy's camp. But when they perceived neither guards before the gates,
+nor soldiers on the ramparts, nor the usual bustle of a
+camp,--surprised at the extraordinary silence, they halted in
+apprehension of some stratagem. At length, passing over the rampart,
+and finding the whole deserted, they proceeded to search out the
+tracks of the enemy. But these, as they scattered themselves to every
+quarter, occasioned perplexity at first. Afterwards discovering their
+design by means of scouts, they attacked their cities, one after
+another, and within the space of fifty days took, entirely by force,
+forty-one towns, most of which were razed and burnt, and the race of
+the Aequans almost extirpated. A triumph was granted over the Aequans.
+The Marrucinians, Marsians, Pelignians, and Ferentans, warned by the
+example of their disasters, sent deputies to Rome to solicit peace and
+friendship; and these states, on their submissive applications, were
+admitted into alliance.
+
+46. In the same year, Cneius Flavius, son of Cneius, grandson of a
+freed man, a notary, in low circumstances originally, but artful and
+eloquent, was appointed curule aedile. I find in some annals, that,
+being in attendance on the aediles, and seeing that he was voted
+aedile by the prerogative tribe, but that his name would not be
+received, because he acted as a notary, he threw down his tablet, and
+took an oath, that he would not, for the future, follow that business.
+But Licinius Macer contends, that he had dropped the employment of
+notary a considerable time before, having already been a tribune, and
+twice a triumvir, once for regulating the nightly watch, and another
+time for conducting a colony. However, of this there is no dispute,
+that against the nobles, who threw contempt on the meanness of his
+condition, he contended with much firmness. He made public the rules
+of proceeding in judicial causes, hitherto shut up in the closets of
+the pontiffs; and hung up to public view, round the forum, the
+calendar on white tablets, that all might know when business could be
+transacted in the courts. To the great displeasure of the nobles, he
+performed the dedication of the temple of Concord, in the area of
+Vulcan's temple; and the chief pontiff, Cornelius Barbatus, was
+compelled by the united instances of the people, to dictate to him the
+form of words, although he affirmed, that, consistently with the
+practice of antiquity, no other than a consul, or commander-in-chief,
+could dedicate a temple. This occasioned a law to be proposed to the
+people, by direction of the senate, that no person should dedicate a
+temple, or an altar, without an order from the senate, or from a
+majority of the plebeian tribunes. The incident which I am about to
+mention would be trivial in itself, were it not an instance of the
+freedom assumed by plebeians in opposition to the pride of the nobles.
+When Flavius had come to make a visit to his colleague, who was sick,
+and when, by an arrangement between some young nobles who were sitting
+there, they did not rise on his entrance, he ordered his curule chair
+to be brought thither, and from his honourable seat of office enjoyed
+the sight of his enemies tortured with envy. However, a low faction,
+which had gathered strength during the censorship of Appius Claudius,
+had made Flavius an aedile; for he was the first who degraded the
+senate, by electing into it the immediate descendants of freed men;
+and when no one allowed that election as valid, and when he had not
+acquired in the senate-house that influence in the city which he had
+been aiming at, by distributing men of the meanest order among all the
+several tribes, he thus corrupted the assemblies both of the forum and
+of the field of Mars; and so much indignation did the election of
+Flavius excite, that most of the nobles laid aside their gold rings
+and bracelets in consequence of it. From that time the state was split
+into two parties. The uncorrupted part of the people, who favoured and
+supported the good, held one side; the faction of the rabble, the
+other; until Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius were made censors; and
+Fabius, both for the sake of concord, and at the same time to prevent
+the elections remaining in the hands of the lowest of the people,
+purged the rest of the tribes of all the rabble of the forum, and
+threw it into four, and called them city tribes. And this procedure,
+we are told, gave such universal satisfaction, that, by this
+regulation in the orders of the state, he obtained the surname of
+Maximus, which he had not obtained by his many victories. The annual
+review of the knights, on the ides of July, is also said to have been
+instituted by him.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK X.
+
+
+_Submission of the Marcians accepted. The college of Augurs
+augmented from four to nine. The law of appeal to the people carried
+by Valerius the consul. Two more tribes added. War declared against
+the Samnites. Several successful actions. In an engagement against the
+combined forces of the Etruscans, Umbrians, Samnites, and Gauls,
+Publius Decius, after the example of his father, devotes himself for
+the army. Dies, and, by his death, procures the victory to the Romans.
+Defeat of the Samnites by Papirius Cursor. The census held. The
+lustrum closed. The number of the citizens two hundred and sixty-two
+thousand three hundred and twenty-two._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. During the consulate of Lucius Genucius and Servius Cornelius, the
+state enjoyed almost uninterrupted rest from foreign wars. Colonies
+were led out to Sora and Alba. For the latter, situated in the country
+of the Aequans, six thousand colonists were enrolled. Sora had
+formerly belonged to the Volscian territory, but had fallen into the
+possession of the Samnites: thither were sent four thousand settlers.
+This year the freedom of the state was granted to the Arpinians and
+Trebulans. The Frusinonians were fined a third part of their lands,
+because it was discovered that the Hernicians had been tampered with
+by them; and the heads of that conspiracy, after a trial before the
+consuls, held in pursuance of a decree of the senate, were beaten with
+rods and beheaded. However, that the Romans might not pass the year
+entirely exempt from war, a little expedition was made into Umbria;
+intelligence being received from thence, that excursions of men, in
+arms, had been made, from a certain cave, into the adjacent country.
+Into this cave the troops penetrated with their standards, and, the
+place being dark, they received many wounds, chiefly from stones
+thrown. At length the other mouth of the cave being found, for it was
+pervious, both the openings were filled up with wood, which being set
+on fire, there perished by means of the smoke and heat, no less than
+two thousand men; many of whom, at the last, in attempting to make
+their way out, rushed into the very flames. The two Marci, Livius
+Denter and Aemilius, succeeding to the consulship, war was renewed
+with the Aequans; who, being highly displeased at the colony
+established within their territory, as if it were a fortress, having
+made an attempt, with their whole force, to seize it, were repulsed by
+the colonists themselves. They caused, however, such an alarm at Rome,
+that, to quell this insurrection, Caius Junius Bubulcus was nominated
+dictator: for it was scarcely credible that the Aequans, after being
+reduced to such a degree of weakness, should by themselves alone have
+ventured to engage in a war. The dictator, taking the field, with
+Marcus Titinius, master of the horse, in the first engagement reduced
+the Aequans to submission; and returning into the city in triumph, on
+the eighth day, dedicated, in the character of dictator, the temple of
+Health, which he had vowed when consul, and contracted for when
+censor.
+
+2. During this year a fleet of Grecians, under the command of
+Cleonymus, a Lacedaemonian, arrived on the coast of Italy, and took
+Thuriae, a city in the territory of the Sallentines. Against this
+enemy the consul Aemilius was sent, who, in one battle, completely
+defeated them, and drove them on board their ships. Thuriae was then
+restored to its old inhabitants, and peace re-established in the
+country of the Sallentines. In some annals, I find that Junius
+Bubulcus was sent dictator into that country, and that Cleonymus,
+without hazarding an engagement with the Romans, retired out of Italy.
+He then sailed round the promontory of Brundusium, and, steering down
+the middle of the Adriatic gulf, because he dreaded, on the left hand,
+the coasts of Italy destitute of harbours, and, on the right, the
+Illyrians, Liburnians, and Istrians, nations of savages, and noted in
+general for piracy, he passed on to the coasts of the Venetians. Here,
+having landed a small party to explore the country, and being informed
+that a narrow beach stretched along the shore, beyond which were
+marshes, overflowed by the tides; that dry land was seen at no great
+distance, level in the nearest part, and rising behind into hills,
+beyond which was the mouth of a very deep river, into which they had
+seen ships brought round and moored in safety, (this was the river
+Meduacus,) he ordered his fleet to sail into it and go up against the
+stream. As the channel would not admit the heavy ships, the troops,
+removing into the lighter vessels, arrived at a part of the country
+occupied by three maritime cantons of the Patavians, settled on that
+coast. Here they made a descent, leaving a small guard with the ships,
+made themselves masters of these cantons, set fire to the houses,
+drove off a considerable booty of men and cattle, and, allured by the
+sweets of plunder, proceeded still further from the shore. When news
+of this was brought to Patavium, where the contiguity of the Gauls
+kept the inhabitants constantly in arms, they divided their young men
+into two bands, one of which was led towards the quarter where the
+marauders were said to be busy; the other by a different route, to
+avoid meeting any of the pirates, towards the station of the ships,
+fifteen miles distant from the town. An attack was made on the small
+craft, and the guards being killed, the affrighted mariners were
+obliged to remove their ships to the other bank of the river. By land,
+also, the attack on the dispersed plunderers was equally successful;
+and the Grecians, flying back towards their ships, were opposed in
+their way by the Venetians. Thus they were enclosed on both sides, and
+cut to pieces; and some, who were made prisoners, gave information
+that the fleet, with their king, Cleonymus, was but three miles
+distant. Sending the captives into the nearest canton, to be kept
+under a guard, some soldiers got on board the flat-bottomed vessels,
+so constructed for the purpose of passing the shoals with ease; others
+embarked in those which had been lately taken from the enemy, and
+proceeding down the river, surrounded their unwieldy ships, which
+dreaded the unknown sands and flats more than they did the Romans, and
+which showed a greater eagerness to escape into the deep than to make
+resistance. The soldiers pursued them as far as the mouth of the
+river; and having taken and burned a part of the fleet, which in the
+hurry and confusion had been stranded, returned victorious. Cleonymus,
+having met success in no part of the Adriatic sea, departed with
+scarce a fifth part of his navy remaining. Many, now alive, have seen
+the beaks of his ships, and the spoils of the Lacedaemonians, hanging
+in the old temple of Juno. In commemoration of this event, there is
+exhibited at Patavium, every year, on its anniversary day, a naval
+combat on the river in the middle of the town.
+
+3. A treaty was this year concluded at Rome with the Vestinians, who
+solicited friendship. Various causes of apprehension afterwards sprung
+up. News arrived, that Etruria was in rebellion; the insurrection
+having arisen from the dissensions of the Arretians; for the Cilnian
+family having grown exorbitantly powerful, a party, out of envy of
+their wealth, had attempted to expel them by force of arms. [Accounts
+were also received] that the Marsians held forcible possession of the
+lands to which the colony of Carseoli, consisting of four thousand
+men, had been sent. By reason, therefore, of these commotions, Marcus
+Valerius Maximus was nominated dictator, and chose for his master of
+the horse Marcus Aemilius Paullus. This I am inclined to believe,
+rather than that Quintus Fabius, at such an age as he then was, and
+after enjoying many honours, was placed in a station subordinate to
+Valerius: but I think it not unlikely that the mistake arose from the
+surname Maximus. The dictator, having set out at the head of an army,
+in one battle utterly defeated the Marsians, drove them into their
+fortified towns, and afterwards, in the course of a few days, took
+Milionia, Plestina, and Fresilia; and then finding Marsians in a part
+of their lands, granted them a renewal of the treaty. The war was then
+directed against the Etrurians; and when the dictator had gone to
+Rome, for the purpose of renewing the auspices, the master of the
+horse, going out to forage, was surrounded by an ambuscade, and
+obliged to fly shamefully into his camp, after losing several
+standards and many of his men. The occurrence of which discomfiture to
+Fabius is exceedingly improbable; not only because, if in any
+particular, certainly, above all, in the qualifications of a
+commander, he fully merited his surname; but besides, mindful of
+Papirius's severity, he never could have been tempted to fight,
+without the dictator's orders.
+
+4. The news of this disaster excited at Rome an alarm greater than
+suited the importance of the affair; for, as if the army had been
+destroyed, a justitium was proclaimed, guards mounted at the gates,
+and watches set in every street: and armour and weapons were heaped on
+the walls. All the younger citizens being compelled to enlist, the
+dictator was ordered to join the army. There he found every thing in a
+more tranquil state than he expected, and regularity established
+through the care of the master of the horse, the camp removed to a
+place of greater safety, the cohorts, which had lost their standards,
+left without tents on the outside of the ramparts and the troops
+ardently impatient for battle, that their disgrace might be the sooner
+obliterated. He therefore immediately advanced his camp into the
+territory of Rusella. Thither the enemy also followed, and although,
+since their late success, they entertained the most sanguine hopes
+from an open trial of strength, yet they endeavoured to circumvent the
+enemy by a stratagem which they had before practised with success.
+There were, at a small distance from the Roman camp, the half-ruined
+houses of a town which had been burnt in the devastation of the
+country. A body of troops being concealed there, some cattle was
+driven on, within view of a Roman post, commanded by a
+lieutenant-general, Cneius Fulvius. When no one was induced by this
+temptation to stir from his post, one of the herdsmen, advancing close
+to the works, called out, that others were driving out those cattle at
+their leisure from the ruins of the town, why did they remain idle,
+when they might safely drive them through the middle of the Roman
+camp? When this was interpreted to the lieutenant-general, by some
+natives of Caere, and great impatience prevailed through every company
+of the soldiers, who, nevertheless, dared not to move without orders,
+he commanded some who were skilled in the language to observe
+attentively, whether the dialect of the herdsmen resembled that of
+rustics or of citizens. When these reported, that their accent in
+speaking, their manner and appearance, were all of a more polished
+cast than suited shepherds, "Go then," said he, "tell them that they
+may uncover the ambush which they vainly conceal, that the Romans
+understand all their devices, and can now be no more taken by
+stratagem than they can be conquered by arms." When these words were
+heard, and carried to those who lay in ambush, they immediately arose
+from their lurking place, and marched out in order into the plain
+which was open to view on every side The lieutenant-general thought
+their force too powerful for his small band to cope with. He therefore
+sent in haste to Valerius for support, and in the mean time, by
+himself, sustained the enemy's onset.
+
+5. On receiving his message, the dictator ordered the standards to
+move, and the troops to follow in arms. But every thing was executed
+more quickly, almost, than ordered. The standards and arms were
+instantly snatched up, and they were with difficulty restrained from
+running impetuously on, both indignation at their late defeat
+stimulated them, as well as the shouts striking their ears with
+increasing vehemence, as the contest grew hotter They therefore urged
+each other, and pressed the standard-bearers to quicken their pace.
+The dictator, the more eagerly he saw them push forward, took the more
+pains to repress their haste, and ordered them to march at a slower
+rate. On the other side, the Etrurians, putting themselves in motion,
+on the first beginning of the fray had come up with their whole force,
+and several expresses came to the dictator, one after another, that
+all the regions of the Etrurians had joined in the fight, and that his
+men could not any longer withstand them: at the same time, he himself
+saw, from the higher ground, in how perilous a situation the party
+was. Confident, however, that the lieutenant-general was able, even
+yet, to support the contest, and considering that he himself was at
+hand to rescue him from defeat, he wished to let the enemy be
+fatigued, as much as might be, in order that, when in that state, he
+might fall on them with his fresh troops. Slowly as these marched, the
+distance was now just sufficient for the cavalry to begin their career
+for a charge. The battalions of the legions marched in front, lest the
+enemy might suspect any secret or sudden movement, but intervals had
+been left in the ranks of the infantry, affording room for the horses
+to gallop through. At the same instant the line raised the shout, and
+the cavalry, charging at full speed, poured on the enemy, and spread
+at once a general panic. After this, as succour had arrived, almost
+too late, to the party surrounded, so now they were allowed entire
+rest, the fresh troops taking on themselves the whole business of the
+fight. Nor was that either long or dubious. The enemy, now routed,
+fled to their camp, and the Romans advancing to attack it, they gave
+way, and are crowded all together in the remotest part of it. In their
+flight they are obstructed by the narrowness of the gates, the greater
+number climbed up on the mounds and ramparts, to try if they could
+either defend themselves with the aid of the advantageous ground, or
+get over, by any means, and escape. One part of the rampart, happening
+to be badly compacted sunk under the weight of the multitude who stood
+on it, and fell into the trench. On which, crying out that the gods
+had opened that pass to give them safety, they made their way out,
+most of them leaving their arms behind. By this battle the power of
+the Etrurians was, a second time, effectually crushed, so that,
+engaging to furnish a year's pay, and corn for two months, with the
+dictator's permission, they sent ambassadors to Rome to treat of
+peace. This was refused, but a truce for two years was granted to
+them. The dictator returned into the city in triumph. I have seen it
+asserted, that tranquillity was restored in Etruria by the dictator,
+without any memorable battle, only by composing the dissensions of the
+Arretians, and effecting a reconciliation between the Cilnian family
+and the commons. Marcus Valerius was elected consul, before the
+expiration of his dictatorship, many have believed, without his
+soliciting the office, and even while he was absent; and that the
+election was held by an interrex. In one point all agree, that he held
+the consulship with Quintus Appulcius Pansa.
+
+6. During this consulate of Marcus Valerius and Quintus Appulcius,
+affairs abroad wore a very peaceable aspect. Their losses sustained in
+war, together with the truce, kept the Etrurians quiet. The Samnites,
+depressed by the misfortunes of many years, had not yet become
+dissatisfied with their new alliance. At Rome, also, the carrying away
+of such multitudes to colonies, rendered the commons tranquil, and
+lightened their burthens. But, that things might not be tranquil on
+all sides, a contention was excited between the principal persons in
+the commonwealth, patricians on one hand, and plebeians on the other,
+by the two Ogulnii, Quintus and Cneius, plebeian tribunes, who,
+seeking every where occasions of criminating the patricians in the
+hearing of the people, and having found other attempts fruitless, set
+on foot a proceeding by which they might inflame, not the lowest class
+of the commons, but their chief men, the plebeians of consular and
+triumphal rank, to the completion of whose honours nothing was now
+wanting but the offices of the priesthood, which were not yet laid
+open to them. They therefore published a proposal for a law, that,
+whereas there were then four augurs and four pontiffs, and it had been
+determined that the number of priests should be augmented, the four
+additional pontiffs and five augurs should all be chosen out of the
+commons. How the college of augurs could be reduced to the number of
+four, except by the death of two, I do not understand: for it is a
+rule among the augurs, that their number should be composed of threes,
+so that the three ancient tribes, the Ramnes, Titienses, and Luceres,
+should have each its own augur; or, in case there should be occasion
+for more, that each should increase its number of augurs, in equal
+proportion with the rest, in like manner as when, by the addition of
+five to four, they made up the number nine, so that there were three
+to each tribe. However, as it was proposed that they should be chosen
+out of the commons, the patricians were as highly offended at the
+proceeding, as when they saw the consulship made common; yet they
+pretended that the business concerned not them so much as it did the
+gods, who would "take care that their own worship should not be
+contaminated; that, for their parts, they only wished that no
+misfortune might ensue to the commonwealth." But they made a less
+vigorous opposition, as being now accustomed to suffer defeat in such
+kind of disputes; and they saw their adversaries, not, as formerly,
+grasping at that which they could scarcely hope to reach, the higher
+honours; but already in possession of all those advantages, on the
+uncertain prospect of which they had maintained the contest, manifold
+consulships, censorships, and triumphs.
+
+7. The principal struggle, however, in supporting and opposing the
+bill, they say, was between Appius Claudius and Publius Decius Mus.
+After these had urged nearly the same topics, respecting the
+privileges of patricians and plebeians, which had been formerly
+employed for and against the Licinian law, when the proposition was
+brought forward of opening the consulship to plebeians, Decius is said
+to have drawn a lively description of his own father, such as many
+then present in the assembly had seen him, girt in the Gabine dress,
+standing on a spear, in the attitude in which he had devoted himself
+for the people and the legions, and to have added, that the consul
+Publius Decius was then deemed by the immortal gods an offering
+equally pure and pious, as if his colleague, Titus Manlius, had been
+devoted. And might not the same Publius Decius have been, with
+propriety, chosen to perform the public worship of the Roman people?
+Was there any danger that the gods would give less attention to his
+prayers than to those of Appius Claudius? Did the latter perform his
+private acts of adoration with a purer mind, or worship the gods more
+religiously than he? Who had any reason to complain of the vows
+offered in behalf of the commonwealth, by so many plebeian consuls and
+dictators, either when setting out to their armies, or in the heat of
+battle? Were the numbers of commanders reckoned, during those years
+since business began to be transacted under the conduct and auspices
+of plebeians, the same number of triumphs might be found. The commons
+had now no reason to be dissatisfied with their own nobility. On the
+contrary, they were fully convinced, that in case of a sudden war
+breaking out, the senate and people of Rome would not repose greater
+confidence in patrician than in plebeian commanders. "Which being the
+case," said he, "what god or man can deem it an impropriety, if those
+whom ye have honoured with curule chairs, with the purple bordered
+gown, with the palm-vest and embroidered robe, with the triumphal
+crown and laurel, whose houses ye have rendered conspicuous above
+others, by affixing to them the spoils of conquered enemies, should
+add to these the badges of augurs or pontiffs? If a person, who has
+rode through the city in a gilt chariot; and, decorated with the
+ensigns of Jupiter, supremely good and great, has mounted the Capitol,
+should be seen with a chalice and wand; what impropriety, I say, that
+he should, with his head veiled, slay a victim, or take an augury in
+the citadel? When, in the inscription on a person's statue, the
+consulship, censorship, and triumph shall be read with patience, will
+the eyes of readers be unable to endure the addition of the office of
+augur or pontiff? In truth (with deference to the gods I say it) I
+trust that we are, through the kindness of the Roman people, qualified
+in such a manner that we should, by the dignity of our characters,
+reflect back, on the priesthood, not less lustre than we should
+receive; and may demand, rather on behalf of the gods, than for our
+own sakes, that those whom we worship in our private we may also
+worship in a public capacity."
+
+8. "But why do I argue thus, as if the cause of the patricians,
+respecting the priesthood, were untouched? and as if we were not
+already in possession of one sacerdotal office, of the highest class?
+We see plebeian decemvirs, for performing sacrifices, interpreters of
+the Sibylline prophecies, and of the fates of the nation; we also see
+them presidents of Apollo's festival, and of other religious
+performances. Neither was any injustice done to the patricians, when,
+to the two commissioners for performing sacrifices, an additional
+number was joined, in favour of the plebeians; nor is there now, when
+a tribune, a man of courage and activity, wishes to add five places of
+augurs, and four of pontiffs, to which plebeians may be nominated; not
+Appius, with intent to expel you from your places; but, that men of
+plebeian rank may assist you, in the management of divine affairs,
+with the same zeal with which they assist you in matters of human
+concernment. Blush not, Appius, at having a man your colleague in the
+priesthood, whom you might have a colleague in the censorship or
+consulship, whose master of the horse you yourself may be, when he is
+dictator, as well as dictator when he is master of the horse. A Sabine
+adventurer, the first origin of your nobility, either Attus Clausus,
+or Appius Claudius, which you will, the ancient patricians of those
+days admitted into their number: do not then, on your part, disdain to
+admit us into the number of priests. We bring with us numerous
+honours; all those honours, indeed, which have rendered your party so
+proud. Lucius Sextius was the first consul chosen out of the
+plebeians; Caius Licinius Stolo, the first master of the horse; Caius
+Marcius Rutilus, the first dictator, and likewise censor; Quintus
+Publilius Philo, the first praetor. On all occasions was heard a
+repetition of the same arguments; that the right of auspices was
+vested in you; that ye alone had the rights of ancestry; that ye alone
+were legally entitled to the supreme command, and the auspices both in
+peace and war. The supreme command has hitherto been, and will
+continue to be, equally prosperous in plebeian hands as in patrician.
+Have ye never heard it said, that the first created patricians were
+not men sent down from heaven, but such as could cite their fathers,
+that is, nothing more than free born. I can now cite my father, a
+consul; and my son will be able to cite a grandfather. Citizens, there
+is nothing else in it, than that we should never obtain any thing
+without a refusal. The patricians wish only for a dispute; nor do they
+care what issue their disputes may have. For my part, be it
+advantageous, happy, and prosperous to you and to the commonwealth, I
+am of opinion that this law should receive your sanction."
+
+9. The people ordered that the tribes should be instantly called; and
+there was every appearance that the law would be accepted. It was
+deferred, however, for that day, by a protest, from which on the day
+following the tribunes were deterred; and it passed with the
+approbation of a vast majority. The pontiffs created were, Publius
+Decius Mus, the advocate for the law; Publius Sempronius Sophus, Caius
+Marcius Rutilus, and Marcus Livius Denter. The five augurs, who were
+also plebeians, were, Caius Genucius, Publius Aelius Paetus, Marcus
+Minucius Fessus, Caius Marcius, and Titus Publilius. Thus the number
+of the pontiffs was made eight; that of the augurs nine. In the same
+year Marcus Valerius, consul, procured a law to be passed concerning
+appeals; more carefully enforced by additional sanctions. This was the
+third time, since the expulsion of the kings, of this law being
+introduced, and always by the same family. The reason for renewing it
+so often was, I believe, no other, than that the influence of a few
+was apt to prove too powerful for the liberty of the commons. However,
+the Porcian law seems intended, solely, for the security of the
+persons of the citizens; as it visited with a severe penalty any one
+for beating with stripes or putting to death a Roman citizen. The
+Valerian law, after forbidding a person, who had appealed, to be
+beaten with rods and beheaded, added, in case of any one acting
+contrary thereto, that it shall yet be only deemed a wicked act. This,
+I suppose, was judged of sufficient strength to enforce obedience to
+the law in those days; so powerful was then men's sense of shame; at
+present one would scarcely make use of such a threat seriously. The
+Aequans rebelling, the same consul conducted the war against them; in
+which no memorable event occurred; for, except ferocity, they retained
+nothing of their ancient condition. The other consul, Appuleius,
+invested the town of Nequinum in Umbria. The ground, the same whereon
+Narnia now stands, was steep (on one side even perpendicular); this
+rendered the town impregnable either by assault or works. That
+business, therefore, came unfinished into the hands of the succeeding
+consuls, Marcus Fulvius Paetinus and Titus Manlius Torquatus. When all
+the centuries named Quintus Fabius consul for that year though not a
+candidate, Macer Licinius and Tubero state that he himself recommended
+them to postpone the conferring the consulship on him until a year
+wherein there might be more employment for their arms; adding, that,
+during the present year, he might be more useful to the state in the
+management of a city magistracy; and thus, neither dissembling what he
+preferred, nor yet making direct application for it, he was appointed
+curule aedile with Lucius Papirius Cursor. Piso, a more ancient writer
+of annals, prevents me from averring this as certain; he asserts that
+the curule aediles of that year were Caius Domitius Calvinus, son of
+Cneius, and Spurius Carvilius Maximus, son of Caius. I am of opinion,
+that this latter surname caused a mistake concerning the aediles; and
+that thence followed a story conformable to this mistake, patched up
+out of the two elections, of the aediles, and of the consuls. The
+general survey was performed, this year, by Publius Sempronius Sophus
+and Publius Sulpicius Saverrio, censors; and two tribes were added,
+the Aniensian and Terentine. Such were the occurrences at Rome.
+
+10. Meanwhile, after much time had been lost in the tedious siege of
+Nequinum, two of the townsmen, whose houses were contiguous to the
+wall, having formed a subterraneous passage, came by that private way
+to the Roman advanced guards; and being conducted thence to the
+consul, offered to give admittance to a body of armed men within the
+works and walls. The proposal was thought to be such as ought neither
+to be rejected, nor yet assented to without caution. With one of these
+men, the other being detained as an hostage, two spies were sent
+through the mine, and certain information being received from them,
+three hundred men in arms, guided by the deserter, entered the city,
+and seized by night the nearest gate, which being broken open, the
+Roman consul and his army took possession of the city without any
+opposition. In this manner came Nequinum under the dominion of the
+Roman people. A colony was sent thither as a barrier against the
+Umbrians, and called Narnia, from the river Nar. The troops returned
+to Rome with abundance of spoil. This year the Etrurians made
+preparations for war in violation of the truce. But a vast army of the
+Gauls, making an irruption into their territories, while their
+attention was directed to another quarter, suspended for a time the
+execution of their design. They then, relying on the abundance of
+money which they possessed, endeavour to make allies of the Gauls,
+instead of enemies; in order that, with their armies combined, they
+might attack the Romans. The barbarians made no objection to the
+alliance, and a negotiation was opened for settling the price; which
+being adjusted and paid, and every thing else being in readiness for
+commencing their operations, the Etrurians desired them to accompany
+them in their march. This they refused, alleging that "they had
+stipulated a price for making war against the Romans: that the payment
+already made, they had received in consideration of their not wasting
+the Etrurian territory, or using their arms against the inhabitants.
+That notwithstanding, if it was the wish of the Etrurians, they were
+still willing to engage in the war, but on no other condition than
+that of being allowed a share of their lands, and obtaining at length
+some permanent settlement." Many assemblies of the states of Etruria
+were held on this subject, and nothing could be settled; not so much
+by reason of their aversion from the dismemberment of their territory,
+as because every one felt a dread of fixing in so close vicinity to
+themselves people of such a savage race. The Gauls were therefore
+dismissed, and carried home an immense sum of money, acquired without
+toil or danger. The report of a Gallic tumult, in addition to an
+Etrurian war, had caused serious apprehensions at Rome; and, with the
+less hesitation on that account, an alliance was concluded with the
+state of the Picentians.
+
+11. The province of Etruria fell by lot to the consul Titus Manlius;
+who, when he had but just entered the enemy's country, as he was
+exercising the cavalry, in wheeling about at full speed, was thrown
+from his horse, and almost killed on the spot; three days after the
+fall, he died. The Etrurians, embracing this omen, as it were, of the
+future progress of the war, and observing that the gods had commenced
+hostilities on their behalf, assumed new courage. At Rome the news
+caused great affliction, on account both of the loss of such a man and
+of the unseasonableness of the juncture; insomuch that an assembly,
+held for the purpose of substituting a new consul, having been
+conducted agreeably to the wishes of people of the first consequence,
+prevented the senate from ordering a dictator to be created. All the
+votes and centuries concurred unanimously in appointing Marcus
+Valerius consul, the same whom the senate would have ordered to be
+made dictator. They then commanded him to proceed immediately into
+Etruria, to the legions. His coming gave such a check to the
+Etrurians, that not one of them dared thenceforward to appear on the
+outside of their trenches; their own fears operating as a blockade.
+Nor could the new consul, by wasting their lands and burning their
+houses, draw them out to an engagement; for not only country-houses,
+but numbers of their towns, were seen smoking and in ashes, on every
+side. While this war proceeded more slowly than had been expected, an
+account was received of the breaking out of another; which was, not
+without reason, regarded as terrible, in consequence of the heavy
+losses formerly sustained by both parties, from information given by
+their new allies, the Picentians, that the Samnites were looking to
+arms and a renewal of hostilities, and that they themselves had been
+solicited to join therein. The Picentians received the thanks of the
+state; and a large share of the attention of the senate was turned
+from Etruria towards Samnium. The dearness of provisions also
+distressed the state very much, and they would have felt the extremity
+of want, according to the relation of those who make Fabius Maximus
+curule aedile that year, had not the vigilant activity of that man,
+such as he had on many occasions displayed in the field, been exerted
+then with equal zeal at home, in the management of the market, and in
+procuring and forming magazines of corn. An interregnum took place
+this year, the reason of which is not mentioned. Appius Claudius, and,
+after him, Publius Sulpicius, were interreges. The latter held an
+election of consuls, and chose Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Cneius
+Fulvius. In the beginning of this year, ambassadors came from the
+Lucanians to the new consuls to complain, that "the Samnites, finding
+that they could not, by any offers, tempt them to take part in the
+war, had marched an army in a hostile manner into their country, and
+were now laying it waste, and forcing them into a war; that the
+Lucanian people had on former occasions erred enough and more than
+enough; that their minds were so firmly fixed that they thought it
+more endurable to bear and suffer every hardship, rather than ever
+again to outrage the Roman name: they besought the senate to take the
+people of Lucania into their protection, and defend them from the
+injustice and outrage of the Samnites; that although fidelity on their
+part to the Romans would now become necessary, a war being undertaken
+against the Samnites, still they were ready to give hostages."
+
+12. The deliberation of the senate was short. They all, to a man,
+concurred in opinion, that a compact should be entered into with the
+Lucanians, and satisfaction demanded from the Samnites: accordingly, a
+favourable answer was returned to the Lucanians, and the alliance
+concluded. Heralds were then sent, to require of the Samnites, that
+they should depart from the country of the allies, and withdraw their
+troops from the Lucanian territory. These were met by persons
+despatched for the purpose by the Samnites, who gave them warning,
+that "if they appeared at any assembly in Samnium, they must not
+expect to depart in safety." As soon as this was heard at Rome, the
+senate voted, and the people ordered, that war should be declared
+against the Samnites. The consuls, then, dividing the provinces
+between them, Etruria fell to Scipio, the Samnites to Fulvius; and
+they set out by different routes, each against the enemy allotted to
+him. Scipio, while he expected a tedious campaign, like that of the
+preceding year, was met near Volaterra by the Etrurians, in order of
+battle. The fight lasted through the greater part of the day, while
+very many fell on both sides, and night came on while it was uncertain
+to which side victory inclined. But the following dawn showed the
+conqueror and the vanquished; for the Etrurians had decamped in the
+dead of the night. The Romans, marching out with intent to renew the
+engagement, and seeing their superiority acknowledged by the departure
+of the enemy, advanced to their camp; and, finding even this fortified
+post deserted, took possession of it, evacuated as it was, together
+with a vast quantity of spoil. The consul then, leading back his
+forces into the Faliscian territory, and leaving his baggage with a
+small guard at Falerii, set out with his troops, lightly accoutred, to
+ravage the enemy's country. All places are destroyed with fire and
+sword; plunder driven from every side; and not only was the ground
+left a mere waste to the enemy, but their forts and small towns were
+set on fire; he refrained from attacking the cities into which fear
+had driven the Etrurians. The consul Cneius Fulvius fought a glorious
+battle in Samnium, near Bovianum, attended with success by no means
+equivocal. Then, having attacked Bovianum, and not long after
+Aufidena, he took them by storm.
+
+This year a colony was carried out to Carseoli, into the territory of
+the Aequicolae. The consul Fulvius triumphed on his defeat of the
+Samnites.
+
+13. When the consular elections were now at hand, a report prevailed,
+that the Etrurians and Samnites were raising vast armies; that the
+leaders of the Etrurians were, in all their assemblies, openly
+censured for not having procured the aid of the Gauls on any terms;
+and the magistrates of the Samnites arraigned, for having opposed to
+the Romans an army destined to act against the Lucanians. That, in
+consequence, the people were rising up in arms, with all their own
+strength and that of their allies combined; and that this affair
+seemed not likely to be terminated without a contest of much greater
+difficulty than the former. Although the candidates for the consulship
+were men of illustrious characters, yet this alarming intelligence
+turned the thoughts of all on Quintus Fabius Maximus, who sought not
+the employment at first, and afterwards, when he discovered their
+wishes, even declined it. "Why," said he, "should they impose such a
+difficult task on him, who was now in the decline of life, and had
+passed through a full course of labours, and of the rewards of labour?
+Neither the vigour of his body, nor of his mind, remained the same;
+and he dreaded fortune herself, lest to some god she should seem too
+bountiful to him, and more constant than the course of human affairs
+allowed. He had himself succeeded, in gradual succession, to the
+dignities of his seniors; and he beheld, with great satisfaction,
+others rising up to succeed to his glory. There was no scarcity at
+Rome, either of honours suited to men of the highest merit, or of men
+of eminent merit suited to the highest honours." This disinterested
+conduct, instead of repressing, increased, while in fact it justified
+their zeal. But thinking that this ought to be checked by respect for
+the laws, he ordered that clause to be read aloud by which it was not
+lawful that the same person shall be re-elected consul within ten
+years. The law was scarcely heard in consequence of the clamour; and
+the tribunes of the commons declared, that this "decree should be no
+impediment; for they would propose an order to the people, that he
+should be exempted from the obligation of the laws." Still he
+persisted in his opposition, asking, "To what purpose were laws
+enacted, if they eluded by the very persons who procured them? The
+laws now," he said, "instead of being rulers, were overruled." The
+people, nevertheless, proceeded to vote; and, according as each
+century was called in, it immediately named Fabius consul. Then at
+length, overcome by the universal wish of the state, he said, "Romans,
+may the gods approve your present, and all your future proceedings.
+But since, with respect to me, ye intend to act according to your own
+wills, let my interest find room with you, with respect to my
+colleague. I earnestly request, that ye will place in the consulship
+with me Publius Decius; a man with whom I have already experienced the
+utmost harmony in our joint administration of that office; a man
+worthy of you, worthy of his father." The recommendation was deemed
+well founded, and all the remaining centuries voted Quintus Fabius and
+Publius Decius consuls. This year, great numbers were prosecuted by
+the aediles, for having in possession larger quantities of land than
+the state allowed; and hardly any were acquitted: by which means, a
+very great restraint was laid on exorbitant covetousness.
+
+14. Whilst the new consuls, Quintus Fabius Maximus a fourth, and
+Publius Decius Mus a third time, were settling between themselves that
+one should command against the Samnites, and the other against the
+Etrurians; and what number of forces would be sufficient for this and
+for that province; and which would be the fitter commander in each
+war; ambassadors from Sutrium, Nepete, and Falerii, stating that the
+states of Etruria were holding assemblies on the subject of suing for
+peace, they directed the whole force of their arms against Samnium.
+The consuls, in order that the supply of provisions might be the more
+ready, and to leave the enemy in the greater uncertainty on what
+quarter the war would fall, Fabius led his legions towards Samnium
+through the territory of Sora, and Decius his through that of
+Sidicinum. As soon as they arrived at the frontiers of the enemy, both
+advanced briskly, spreading devastation wherever they came; but still
+they explore the country, to a distance beyond where the troops were
+employed in plundering. Accordingly the fact did not escape the notice
+of the Romans, that the enemy were drawn up in a retired valley, near
+Tifernum, which, when the Romans entered, they were preparing to
+attack them from the higher ground. Fabius, sending away his baggage
+to a place of safety, and setting a small guard over it, and having
+given notice to his soldiers that a battle was at hand, advanced in a
+square body to the hiding-place of the enemy already mentioned. The
+Samnites, disappointed in making an unexpected attack, determined on a
+regular engagement, as the matter was now likely to come to an open
+contest. They therefore marched out into the plain; and, with a
+greater share of spirit than of hopes, committed themselves to the
+disposal of fortune. However, whether in consequence of their having
+drawn together, from every state, the whole of the force which it
+possessed, or that the consideration of their all being at stake,
+heightened their courage, they occasioned, even in open fight, a
+considerable alarm. Fabius, when he saw that the enemy in no place
+gave way, ordered Marcus Fulvius and Marcus Valerius, military
+tribunes, with whom he hastened to the front, to go to the cavalry,
+and to exhort them, that, "if they remembered any instance wherein the
+public had received advantage from the service of the horsemen, they
+would, on that day, exert themselves to insure the invincible renown
+of that body; telling them that the enemy stood immovable against the
+efforts of the infantry, and the only hope remaining was in the charge
+of horse." He addressed particularly both these youths, and with the
+same cordiality, loading them with praises and promises. But
+considering that, in case that effort should also fail, it would be
+necessary to accomplish by stratagem what his strength could not
+effect; he ordered Scipio, one of his lieutenants-general, to draw
+off the spearmen of the first legion out of the line; to lead them
+round as secretly as possible to the nearest mountains; and, by an
+ascent concealed from view, to gain the heights, and show himself
+suddenly on the rear of the enemy. The cavalry, led on by the
+tribunes, rushing forward unexpectedly before the van, caused scarcely
+more confusion among the enemy than among their friends. The line of
+the Samnites stood firm against the furious onset of the squadrons; it
+neither could be driven from its ground, nor broken in any part. The
+cavalry, finding their attempts fruitless, withdrew from the fight,
+and retired behind the line of infantry. On this the enemies' courage
+increased, so that the Roman troops in the van would not have been
+able to support the contest, nor the force thus increasing by
+confidence in itself, had not the second line, by the consul's order,
+come up into the place of the first. These fresh troops checked the
+progress of the Samnites, who had now began to gain ground; and, at
+this seasonable juncture, their comrades appearing suddenly on the
+mountains, and raising a shout, occasioned in the Samnites a fear of
+greater danger than really threatened them; Fabius called out aloud
+that his colleague Decius was approaching; on which all the soldiers,
+elated with joy, repeated eagerly, that the other consul was come, the
+legions were arrived! This artifice, useful to the Romans, filled the
+Samnites with dismay and terror; terrified chiefly lest fatigued as
+they were, they should be overpowered by another army fresh and
+unhurt. As they dispersed themselves in their flight on every side,
+there was less effusion of blood than might have been expected,
+considering the completeness of the victory. There were three thousand
+four hundred slain, about eight hundred and thirty made prisoners, and
+twenty-three military standards taken.
+
+15. The Apulians would have joined their forces to the Samnites before
+this battle, had not the consul, Publius Decius, encamped in their
+neighbourhood at Maleventum; and, finding means to bring them to an
+engagement, put them to the rout. Here, likewise, there was more of
+flight than of bloodshed. Two thousand of the Apulians were slain; but
+Decius, despising such an enemy, led his legions into Samnium. There
+the two consular armies, overrunning every part of the country during
+the space of five months, laid it entirely waste. There were in
+Samnium forty-five places where Decius, and eighty-six where the other
+consul, encamped. Nor did they leave traces only of having been there,
+as ramparts and trenches, but other dreadful mementos of it--general
+desolation and regions depopulated. Fabius also took the city of
+Cimetra, where he made prisoners two thousand four hundred soldiers;
+and there were slain in the assault about four hundred and thirty.
+Going thence to Rome to preside at the elections, he used all
+expedition in despatching that business. All the first-called
+centuries voted Quintus Fabius consul. Appius Claudius was a
+candidate, a man of consular rank, daring and ambitious; and as he
+wished not more ardently for the attainment of that honour for
+himself, than he did that the patricians might recover the possession
+of both places in the consulship, he laboured, with all his own power,
+supported by that of the whole body of the nobility, to prevail on
+them to appoint him consul along with Quintus Fabius. To this Fabius
+objected, giving, at first, the same reasons which he had advanced the
+year before. The nobles then all gathered round his seat, and besought
+him to raise up the consulship out of the plebeian mire, and to
+restore both to the office itself, and to the patrician rank, their
+original dignity. Fabius then, procuring silence, allayed their warmth
+by a qualifying speech, declaring, that "he would have so managed, as
+to have received the names of two patricians, if he had seen an
+intention of appointing any other than himself to the consulship. As
+things now stood, he would not set so bad a precedent as to admit his
+own name among the candidates; such a proceeding being contrary to the
+laws." Whereupon Appius Claudius, and Lucius Volumnius, a plebeian,
+who had likewise been colleagues in that office before, were elected
+consuls. The nobility reproached Fabius for declining to act in
+conjunction with Appius Claudius, because he evidently excelled him in
+eloquence and political abilities.
+
+16. When the election was finished, the former consuls, their command
+being continued for six months, were ordered to prosecute the war in
+Samnium. Accordingly, during this next year also, in the consulate of
+Lucius Volumnius and Appius Claudius, Publius Decius, who had been
+left consul in Samnium by his colleague, in the character of
+proconsul, ceased not to spread devastation through all parts of that
+country; until, at last, he drove the army of the Samnites, which
+never dared to face him in the field, entirely out of the country.
+Thus expelled from home, they bent their route to Etruria; and,
+supposing that the business, which they had often in vain endeavoured
+to accomplish by embassies, might now be negotiated with more effect,
+when they were backed by such a powerful armed force, and could
+intermix terror with their entreaties, they demanded a meeting of the
+chiefs of Etruria: which being assembled, they set forth the great
+number of years during which they had waged war with the Romans, in
+the cause of liberty; "they had," they said, "tried to sustain, with
+their own strength, the weight of so great a war: they had also made
+trial of the support of the adjoining nations, which proved of little
+avail. When they were unable longer to maintain the conflict, they had
+sued the Roman people for peace; and had again taken up arms, because
+they felt peace was more grievous to those with servitude, than war to
+free men. That their one only hope remaining rested in the Etrurians.
+They knew that nation to be the most powerful in Italy, in respect of
+arms, men, and money; to have the Gauls their closest neighbours, born
+in the midst of war and arms, of furious courage, both from their
+natural temper, and particularly against the people of Rome, whom they
+boasted, without infringing the truth, of having made their prisoners,
+and of having ransomed for gold. If the Etrurians possessed the same
+spirit which formerly Porsena and their ancestors once had, there was
+nothing to prevent their obliging the Romans, driven from all the
+lands on this side of the Tiber, to fight for their own existence, and
+not for the intolerable dominion which they assumed over Italy. The
+Samnite army had come to them, in readiness for action, furnished with
+arms and pay, and were willing to follow that instant, even should
+they lead to the attack of the city of Rome itself."
+
+17. While they were engaged in these representations, and intriguing
+at Etruria, the operations of the Romans in their own territories
+distressed them severely. For Publius Decius, when he ascertained
+through his scouts the departure of the Samnite army, called a
+council, and there said, "Why do we ramble through the country,
+carrying the war from village to village? Why not attack the cities
+and fortified places? No army now guards Samnium. They have fled their
+country; they are gone into voluntary exile." The proposal being
+universally approved, he marched to attack Murgantia, a city of
+considerable strength; and so great was the ardour of the soldiers,
+resulting from their affection to their commander, and from their
+hopes of richer treasure than could be found in pillaging the country
+places, that in one day they took it by assault. Here, two thousand
+one hundred of the Samnites, making resistance, were surrounded and
+taken prisoners; and abundance of other spoil was captured. Decius,
+not choosing that the troops should be encumbered in their march with
+heavy baggage, ordered them to be called together, and said to them,
+"Do ye intend to rest satisfied with this single victory, and this
+booty? or do ye choose to cherish hopes proportioned to your bravery?
+All the cities of the Samnites, and the property left in them, are
+your own; since, after so often defeating their legions, ye have
+finally driven them out of the country. Sell those effects in your
+hands; and allure traders, by a prospect of profit, to follow you on
+your march. I will, from time to time, supply you with goods for sale.
+Let us go hence to the city of Romulea, where no greater labour, but
+greater gain awaits you." Having sold off the spoil, and warmly
+adopting the general's plan, they proceeded to Romulea. There, also,
+without works or engines, as soon as the battalions approached, the
+soldiers, deterred from the walls by no resistance, hastily applying
+ladders wherever was most convenient to each, they mounted the
+fortifications. The town was taken and plundered. Two thousand three
+hundred men were slain, six thousand taken prisoners, and the soldiers
+obtained abundance of spoil. This they were obliged to sell in like
+manner as the former; and, though no rest was allowed them, they
+proceeded, nevertheless, with the utmost alacrity to Ferentinum. But
+here they met a greater share both of difficulty and danger: the
+fortifications were defended with the utmost vigour, and the place was
+strongly fortified both by nature and art. However, the soldiers, now
+inured to plunder, overcame every obstacle. Three thousand of the
+enemy were killed round the walls, and the spoil was given to the
+troops. In some annals, the principal share of the honour of taking
+these cities is attributed to Maximus. They say that Murgantia was
+taken by Decius; Romulea and Ferentinum by Fabius. Some ascribe this
+honour to the new consuls: others not to both, but to one of these,
+Lucius Volumnius: that to him the province of Samnium had fallen.
+
+18. While things went on thus in Samnium, whoever it was that had the
+command and auspices, powerful combination, composed of many states,
+was formed in Etruria against the Romans, the chief promoter of which
+was Gellius Egnatius, a Samnite. Almost all the Etrurians had united
+in this war. The neighbouring states of Umbria were drawn in, as it
+were, by the contagion; and auxiliaries were procured from the Gauls
+for hire: all their several numbers assembled at the camp of the
+Samnites. When intelligence of this sudden commotion was received at
+Rome, after the consul, Lucius Volumnius, had already set out for
+Samnium, with the second and third legions, and fifteen thousand of
+the allies; it was, therefore, resolved, that Appius Claudius should,
+at the very earliest opportunity, go into Etruria. Two Roman legions
+followed him, the first and fourth, and twelve thousand allies; their
+camp was pitched at a small distance from the enemy. However,
+advantage was gained by his early arrival in this particular, that the
+awe of the Roman name kept in check some states of Etruria which were
+disposed to war, rather than from any judicious or successful
+enterprise achieved under the guidance of the consul. Several battles
+were fought, at times and places unfavourable, and increasing
+confidence rendered the enemy daily more formidable; so that matters
+came nearly to such a state, as that neither could the soldiers rely
+much on their leader, nor the leader on his soldiers. It appears in
+three several histories, that a letter was sent by the consul to call
+his colleague from Samnium. But I will not affirm what requires
+stronger proof, as that point was a matter of dispute between these
+two consuls of the Roman people, a second time associated in the same
+office; Appius denying that the letter was sent, and Volumnius
+affirming that he was called thither by a letter from Appius.
+Volumnius had, by this time, taken three forts in Samnium, in which
+three thousand of the enemy had been slain, and about half that number
+made prisoners; and, a sedition having been raised among the Lucanians
+by the plebeians and the more indigent of the people, he had, to the
+great satisfaction of the nobles, quelled it by sending thither
+Quintus Fabius, proconsul, with his own veteran army. He left to
+Decius the ravaging of the enemy's country; and proceeded with his
+troops into Etruria to his colleague; where, on his arrival, the whole
+army received him with joy. Appius, if he did not write the letter,
+being conscious of this, had, in my opinion, just ground of
+displeasure; but if he had actually stood in need of assistance, his
+disowning it, as he did, arose from an illiberal and ungrateful mind.
+For, on going out to receive him, when they had scarcely exchanged
+salutations, he said, "Is all well, Lucius Volumnius? How stand
+affairs in Samnium? What motive induced you to remove out of your
+province?" Volumnius answered, that "affairs in Samnium were in a
+prosperous state; and that he had come thither in compliance with the
+request in his letter. But, if that were a forged letter, and that
+there was no occasion for him in Etruria, he would instantly face
+about, and depart." "You may depart." replied the other; "no one
+detains you: for it is a perfect inconsistency, that when, perhaps,
+you are scarcely equal to the management of your own war, you should
+vaunt of coming hither to succour others." To this Volumnius rejoined,
+"May Hercules direct all for the best; for his part, he was better
+pleased that he had taken useless trouble, than that any conjuncture
+should have arisen which had made one consular army insufficient for
+Etruria."
+
+19. As the consuls were parting, the lieutenants-general and tribunes
+of Appius's army gathered round them. Some entreated their own general
+that he would not reject the voluntary offer of his colleague's
+assistance, which ought to have been solicited in the first instance:
+the greater number used their endeavours to stop Volumnius, beseeching
+him "not, through a peevish dispute with his colleague, to abandon the
+interest of the commonwealth; and represented to him, that in case any
+misfortune should happen, the blame would fall on the person who
+forsook the other, not on the one forsaken; that the state of affairs
+was such, that the credit and discredit of every success and failure
+in Etruria would be attributed to Lucius Volumnius: for no one would
+inquire, what were the words of Appius, but what the situation of the
+army. Appius indeed had dismissed him, but the commonwealth, and the
+army, required his stay. Let him only make trial of the inclinations
+of the soldiers." By such admonitions and entreaties they, in a
+manner, dragged the consuls, who almost resisted, to an assembly.
+There, longer discourses were made to the same purport, as had passed
+before in the presence of a few. And when Volumnius, who had the
+advantage of the argument, showed himself not deficient in oratory, in
+despite of the extraordinary eloquence of his colleague; Appius
+observed with a sneer, that "they ought to acknowledge themselves
+indebted to him, in having a consul who possessed eloquence also,
+instead of being dumb and speechless, when in their former consulate,
+particularly during the first months, he was not able so much as to
+open his lips; but now, in his harangues, even aspired after
+popularity." Volumnius replied, "How much more earnestly do I wish,
+that you had learned from me to act with spirit, than I from you to
+speak with elegance: that now he made a final proposal, which would
+determine, not which is the better orator, for that is not what the
+public wants, but which is the better commander. The provinces are
+Etruria and Samnium: that he might select which he preferred; that he,
+with his own army, will undertake to manage the business either in
+Etruria or in Samnium." The soldiers then, with loud clamours,
+requested that they would, in conjunction, carry on the war in
+Etruria; when Volumnius perceiving that it was the general wish, said,
+"Since I have been mistaken in apprehending my colleague's meaning, I
+will take care that there shall be no room for mistake with respect to
+the purport of your wishes. Signify by a shout whether you choose that
+I should stay or depart." On this, a shout was raised, so loud, that
+it brought the enemy out of their camp: they snatched up their arms,
+and marched down in order of battle. Volumnius likewise ordered the
+signal to be sounded, and the standard to be advanced from the camp.
+It is said that Appius hesitated, perceiving that, whether he fought
+or remained inactive, his colleague would have the victory; and that,
+afterwards, dreading lest his own legions also should follow
+Volumnius, he also gave the signal, at the earnest desire of his men.
+On neither side were the forces drawn up to advantage; for, on the
+one, Gellius Egnatius, the Samnite general, had gone out to forage
+with a few cohorts, and his men entered on the fight as the violence
+of their passions prompted, rather than under any directions or
+orders. On the other, the Roman armies neither marched out together,
+nor had time sufficient to form: Volumnius began to engage before
+Appius came up to the enemy, consequently the engagement commenced,
+their front in the battle being uneven; and by some accidental
+interchange of their usual opponents, the Etrurians fought against
+Volumnius; and the Samnites, after delaying some time on account of
+the absence of their general, against Appius. We are told that Appius,
+during the heat of the fight, raising his hands toward heaven, so as
+to be seen in the foremost ranks, prayed thus, "Bellona, if thou
+grantest us the victory this day, I vow to thee a temple." And that
+after this vow, as if inspirited by the goddess, he displayed a degree
+of courage equal to that of his colleague and of the troops. The
+generals performed every duty, and each of their armies exerted, with
+emulation, its utmost vigour, lest victory should commence on the
+other side. They therefore routed and put to flight the enemy, who
+were ill able to withstand a force so much superior to any with which
+they had been accustomed to contend: then pressing them as they gave
+ground, and pursuing them closely as they fled, they drove them into
+their camp. There, by the interposition of Gellius and his Samnite
+cohorts, the fight was renewed for a little time. But these being
+likewise soon dispersed, the camp was now stormed by the conquerors;
+and whilst Volumnius, in person, led his troops against one of the
+gates, Appius, frequently invoking Bellona the victorious, inflamed
+the courage of his men, they broke in through the rampart and
+trenches. The camp was taken and plundered, and an abundance of spoil
+was found, and given up to the soldiers. Of the enemy seven thousand
+three hundred were slain; and two thousand one hundred and twenty
+taken.
+
+20. While both the consuls, with the whole force of the Romans,
+pointed their exertions principally against the war in Etruria, a new
+army which arose in Samnium, with design to ravage the frontiers of
+the Roman empire, passed over through the country of the Vescians,
+into the Campanian and Falernian territories, and committed great
+depredations. Volumnius, as he was hastening back to Samnium, by
+forced marches, because the term for which Fabius and Decius had been
+continued in command was nearly expired, heard of this army of
+Samnites, and of the mischief which they had done in Campania;
+determining, therefore, to afford protection to the allies, he altered
+his route towards that quarter. When he arrived in the district of
+Gales, he found marks of their recent ravages; and the people of Gales
+informed him that the enemy carried with them such a quantity of
+spoil, that they could scarcely observe any order in their march: and
+that the commanders then directed publicly that the troops should go
+immediately to Samnium, and having deposited the booty there, that
+they should return to the business of the expedition, as they must not
+commit to the hazard of an engagement an army so heavily laden.
+Notwithstanding that this account carried every appearance of truth,
+he yet thought it necessary to obtain more certain information;
+accordingly he despatched some horsemen, to seize on some of the
+straggling marauders; from these he learned, on inquiry, that the
+enemy lay at the river Vulturnus; that they intended to remove thence
+at the third watch; and that their route was towards Samnium. On
+receiving this intelligence, which could be depended upon, he set out,
+and sat down at such a distance from the enemy, that his approach
+could not be discovered by his being too near them, and, at the same
+time, that he might surprise them, as they should be coming out of
+their camp. A long time before day, he drew nigh to their post, and
+sent persons, who understood the Oscan language, to discover how they
+were employed: these, mixing with the enemy, which they could easily
+do during the confusion in the night, found that the standards had
+gone out thinly attended; that the booty, and those appointed to guard
+it, were then setting out, a contemptible train; each busied about his
+own affairs, without any concert with the rest, or much regard to
+orders. This was judged the fittest time for the attack, and daylight
+was now approaching; he gave orders to sound the charge, and fell on
+the enemy as they were marching out. The Samnites being embarrassed
+with the spoil, and very few armed, some quickened their pace, and
+drove the prey before them; others halted, deliberating whether it
+would be safer to advance, or to return again to the camp; and while
+they hesitated, they were overtaken and cut off. The Romans had by
+this time passed over the rampart, and filled the camp with slaughter
+and confusion: the Samnite army, in addition to the disorder caused by
+the enemy, had their disorder increased by a sudden insurrection of
+their prisoners; some of whom, getting loose, set the rest at liberty,
+while others snatched the arms which were tied up among the baggage,
+and being intermixed with the troops, raised a tumult more terrible
+than the battle itself. They then performed a memorable exploit: for
+making an attack on Statius Minacius, the general, as he was passing
+between the ranks and encouraging his men; then, dispersing the
+horsemen who attended him, they gathered round himself, and dragged
+him, sitting on his horse, a prisoner to the Roman consul. By this
+movement the foremost battalions of the Samnites were brought back,
+and the battle, which seemed to have been already decided, was
+renewed: but they could not support it long. Six thousand of them were
+slain, and two thousand five hundred taken, among whom were four
+military tribunes, together with thirty standards, and, what gave the
+conquerors greater joy than all, seven thousand four hundred prisoners
+were recovered. The spoil which had been taken from the allies was
+immense, and the owners were summoned by a proclamation, to claim and
+receive then property. On the day appointed, all the effects, the
+owners of which did not appear, were given to the soldiers, who were
+obliged to sell them, in order that they might have nothing to think
+of but their duty.
+
+21. The depredations, committed on the lands of Campania, had
+occasioned a violent alarm at Rome, and it happened, that about the
+same time intelligence was brought from Litruria, that, after the
+departure of Volumnius's army, all that country had risen up in arms,
+and that Gellius Egnatius, the leader of the Samnites, was causing the
+Umbrians to join in the insurrection, and tempting the Gauls with high
+offers. Terrified at this news, the senate ordered the courts of
+justice to be shut, and a levy to be made of men of every description.
+Accordingly not only free-born men and the younger sort were obliged
+to enlist, but cohorts were formed of the elder citizens, and the sons
+of freed-men were incorporated in the centuries. Plans were formed for
+the defence of the city, and the praetor, Publius Sempronius, was
+invested with the chief command. However, the senate was exonerated of
+one half of their anxiety, by a letter from the consul, Lucius
+Volumnius informing them that the army, which had ravaged Campania,
+had been defeated and dispersed whereupon, they decreed a public
+thanksgiving for this success, in the name of the consul. The courts
+were opened, after having been shut eighteen days, and the
+thanksgiving was performed with much joy. They then turned their
+thoughts to devising measures for the future security of the country
+depopulated by the Samnites, and, with this view, it was resolved,
+that two colonies should be settled on the frontiers of the Vescian
+and Falernian territories, one at the mouth of the river Liris, which
+has received the name of Minturnae, the other in the Vescian forest,
+which borders on the Falernian territory, where, it is said, stood
+Sinope, a city of Grecians, called thenceforth by the Roman colonists
+Sinuessa. The plebeian tribunes were charged to procure an order of
+the commons, commanding Publius Sempronius, the praetor, to create
+triumphs for conducting the colonies to those places. But persons were
+not readily found to give in their names, because they considered that
+they were being sent into what was almost a perpetual advanced guard
+in a hostile country, not as a provision from concord between consuls,
+and the evils arising from their disagreement in the conduct of
+military affairs; at the same time remarking, "how near the extremity
+of danger matters had been brought, by the late dispute between his
+colleague and himself." He warmly recommended to Decius and Fabius to
+"live together with one mind and one spirit." Observed that "they were
+men qualified by nature for military command: great in action, but
+unpractised in the strife of words and eloquence; their talents were
+such as eminently became consuls. As to the artful and the ingenious
+lawyers and orators, such as Appius Claudius, they ought to be kept at
+home to preside in the city and the forum; and to be appointed
+praetors for the administration of justice." In these proceedings that
+day was spent, and, on the following, the elections both of consuls
+and praetor were held, and were guided by the recommendations
+suggested by the consul. Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius were chosen
+consuls; Appius Claudius, praetor; all of them absent; and, by a
+decree of the senate, followed by an order of the commons, Lucius
+Volumnius was continued in the command for another year.
+
+23. During that year many prodigies happened. For the purpose of
+averting which, the senate decreed a supplication for two days: the
+wine and frankincense for the sacrifices were furnished at the expense
+of the public; and numerous crowds of men and women attended the
+performance. This supplication was rendered remarkable by a quarrel,
+which broke out among the matrons in the chapel of patrician chastity,
+which stands in the cattle market, near the round temple of Hercules.
+Virginia, daughter of Aulus, a patrician, but married to Volumnius the
+consul, a plebeian, was, because she had married out of the
+patricians, excluded by the matrons from sharing in the sacred rites:
+a short altercation ensued, which was afterwards, through the
+intemperance of passion incident to the sex, kindled into a flame of
+contention. Virginia boasted with truth that she had a right to enter
+the temple of patrician chastity, as being of patrician birth, and
+chaste in her character, and, besides, the wife of one husband, to
+whom she was betrothed a virgin, and had no reason to be dissatisfied
+either with her husband, or his exploits or honours: to her
+high-spirited words, she added importance by an extraordinary act. In
+the long street where she resided, she enclosed with a partition a
+part of the house, of a size sufficient for a small chapel, and there
+erected an altar. Then calling together the plebeian matrons, and
+complaining of the injurious behaviour of the patrician ladies, she
+said, "This altar I dedicate to plebeian chastity, and exhort you,
+that the same degree of emulation which prevails among the men of this
+state, on the point of valour, may be maintained by the women on the
+point of chastity; and that you contribute your best care, that this
+altar may have the credit of being attended with a greater degree of
+sanctity, and by chaster women, than the other, if possible." Solemn
+rites were performed at this altar under the same regulations, nearly,
+with those at the more ancient one; no person being allowed the
+privilege of taking part in the sacrifices, except a woman of approved
+chastity, and who was the wife of one husband. This institution, being
+afterwards debased by [the admission of] vicious characters, and not
+only by matrons, but women of every description, sunk at last into
+oblivion. During this year the Ogulnii, Cneius and Quintus, being
+curule aediles, carried on prosecutions against several usurers; whose
+property being fined, out of the produce, which was deposited in the
+treasury, they ordered brazen thresholds for the Capitol, utensils of
+plate for three tables in the chapel of Jupiter, a statue of Jupiter
+in a chariot drawn by four horses placed on the roof, and images of
+the founders of the city in their infant state under the teats of the
+wolf, at the Ruminal fig-tree. They also paved with square stones the
+roads from the Capuan gate to the temple of Mars. By the plebeian
+aediles likewise, Lucius Aelius Paetus and Caius Fulvius Corvus, out
+of money levied as fines on farmers of the public pastures, whom they
+had convicted of malpractices, games were exhibited, and golden bowls
+were placed in the temple of Ceres.
+
+24. Then came into the consulship Quintus Fabius a fifth time, and
+Publius Decius a fourth. They had been colleagues from the censorship,
+and twice in the consulship, and were celebrated not more for their
+glorious achievements, splendid as these were, than for the unanimity
+which had ever subsisted between them. The continuance of this feeling
+I am inclined to think was interrupted by a jarring between the
+[opposite] orders rather than between themselves, the patricians
+endeavouring that Fabius should have Etruria for his province, without
+casting lots, and the plebeians insisting that Decius should bring the
+matter to the decision of lots. There was certainly a contention in
+the senate, and the interest of Fabius being superior there, the
+business was brought before the people. Here, between military men who
+laid greater stress on deeds than on words, the debate was short.
+Fabius said, "that it was unreasonable, after he had planted a tree,
+another should gather the fruit of it. He had opened the Ciminian
+forest, and made a way for the Roman arms, through passes until then
+impracticable. Why had they disturbed him, at that time of his life,
+if they intended to give the management of the war to another?" Then,
+in the way of a gentle reproof, he observed, that "instead of an
+associate in command, he had chosen an adversary; and that Decius
+thought it too much that their unanimity should last through three
+consulates." Declaring, in fine, that "he desired nothing further,
+than that, if they thought him qualified for the command in the
+province, they should send him thither. He had submitted to the
+judgment of the senate, and would now be governed by the authority of
+the people." Publius Decius complained of injustice in the senate; and
+asserted, that "the patricians had laboured, as long as possible, to
+exclude the plebeians from all access to the higher honours; and since
+merit, by its own intrinsic power, had prevailed so far, as that it
+should not, in any rank of men, be precluded from the attainment of
+honours, expedients were sought how not only the suffrages of the
+people, but even the decisions of fortune may be rendered ineffectual,
+and be converted to the aggrandizement of a few. All the consuls
+before him had disposed of the provinces by lots; now, the senate
+bestowed a province on Fabius without lots. If this was meant as a
+mark of honour, the merits of Fabius were so great towards the
+commonwealth, and towards himself in particular, that he would gladly
+second the advancement of his reputation, provided only its splendour
+could be increased without reflecting dishonour on himself. But who
+did not see, that, when a war of difficulty and danger, and out of the
+ordinary course, was committed to only that one consul, the other
+would be considered as useless and insignificant. Fabius gloried in
+his exploits performed in Etruria: Publius Decius wished for a like
+subject of glory, and perhaps would utterly extinguish that fire,
+which the other left smothered, in such a manner that it often broke
+out anew, in sudden conflagrations. In fine, honours and rewards he
+would concede to his colleague, out of respect to his age and
+dignified character: but when danger, when a vigorous struggle with an
+enemy was before them, he never did, nor ever would, willingly, give
+place. With respect to the present dispute, this much he would gain at
+all events, that a business, appertaining to the jurisdiction of the
+people, should be determined by an order of that people, and not
+complimented away by the senate. He prayed Jupiter, supremely good and
+great, and all the immortal gods, not to grant him an equal chance
+with his colleague, unless they intended to grant him equal ability
+and success, in the management of the war. It was certainly in its
+nature reasonable, in the example salutary, and concerned the
+reputation of the Roman people, that the consuls should be men of such
+abilities, that under either of them a war with Etruria could be well
+managed." Fabius, after requesting of the people nothing else than
+that, before the tribes were called in to give their votes, they would
+hear the letters of the praetor Appius Claudius, written from Etruria,
+withdrew from the Comitium, and with no less unanimity of the people
+than of the senate, the province of Etruria was decreed to him without
+having recourse to lots.
+
+25. Immediately almost all the younger citizens flocked together to
+the consul, and readily gave in their names; so strong was their
+desire of serving under such a commander. Seeing so great a multitude
+collected round him, he said, "My intention is to enlist only four
+thousand foot and six hundred horse: such of you as give in your names
+to-day and to-morrow, I will carry with me. I am more solicitous to
+bring home all my soldiers rich, than to employ a great multitude."
+Accordingly, with a competent number of men, who possessed greater
+hopes and confidence because a numerous army had not been required, he
+marched to the town of Aharna, from which the enemy were not far
+distant, and proceeded to the camp of the praetor Appius. When within
+a few miles of it, he was met by some soldiers, sent to cut wood,
+attended by a guard. Observing the lictors preceding him, and learning
+that he was Fabius the consul, they were filled with joy and alacrity;
+they expressed their thanks to the gods, and to the Roman people, for
+having sent them such a commander. Then as they gathered round to pay
+their respects, Fabius inquired whither they were going, and on their
+answering they were going to provide wood, "What do you tell me," said
+he, "have you not a rampart, raised about your camp?" When to this
+they replied, "they had a double rampart, and a trench, and,
+notwithstanding, were in great apprehension."
+
+"Well then," said he, "you have abundance of wood, go back and level
+the rampart." They accordingly returned to the camp and there
+levelling the rampart threw the soldiers who had remained in it, and
+Appius himself, into the greatest fright, until with eager joy each
+called out to the rest, that, "they acted by order of the consul,
+Quintus Fabius." Next day the camp was moved from thence, and the
+praetor, Appius, was dismissed to Rome. From that time the Romans had
+no fixed post, the consul affirming, that it was prejudicial to an
+army to lie in one spot, and that by frequent marches, and changing
+places, it was rendered more healthy, and more capable of brisk
+exertions, and marches were made as long as the winter, which was not
+yet ended, permitted. Then, in the beginning of spring, leaving the
+second legion near Clusium, which they formerly called the Camertian,
+and giving the command of the camp to Lucius Scipio, as propraetor, he
+returned to Rome, in order to adjust measures for carrying on the war,
+either led thereto by his own judgment, because the war seemed to him
+more serious than he had believed, from report, or, being summoned by
+a decree of the senate, for writers give both accounts. Some choose to
+have it believed, that he was forced back by the praetor, Appius
+Claudius, who, both in the senate, and before the people, exaggerated,
+as he was wont in all his letters, the danger of the Etrurian war,
+contending, that "one general, or one army, would not be sufficient to
+oppose four nations. That whether these directed the whole of their
+combined force against him alone, or acted separately in different
+parts, there was reason to fear, that he would be unable to provide
+against every emergency. That he had left there but two Roman legions;
+and that the foot and horse, who came with Fabius, did not amount to
+five thousand. It was, therefore, his opinion, that the consul,
+Publius Decius should, without delay, set out to his colleague in
+Etruria, and that the province of Samnium should be given to Lucius
+Volumnius. But if the consul preferred going to his own province, that
+then Volumnius should march a full consular army into Etruria, to join
+the other consul." When the advice of the praetor influenced a great
+part of the members, they say that Publius Decius recommended that
+every thing should be kept undetermined, and open for Quintus Fabius;
+until he should either come to Rome, if he could do so without
+prejudice to the public, or send some of his lieutenants, from whom
+the senate might learn the real state of the war in Etruria; and with
+what number of troops, and by how many generals, it should be carried
+on.
+
+26. Fabius, as soon as he returned to Rome, qualified his discourses,
+both in the senate and when brought before the people, in such a
+manner as to appear neither to exaggerate or lessen, any particular
+relating to the war; and to show, that, in agreeing to another general
+being joined with him, he rather indulged the apprehensions of others,
+than guarded against any danger to himself, or the public. "But if
+they chose," he said, "to give him an assistant in the war, and
+associate in command, how could he overlook Publius Decius the consul,
+whom he had tried during so many associations in office? There was no
+man living whom he would rather wish to be joined in commission with
+him: with Publius Decius he should have forces sufficient, and never
+too many enemies. If, however, his colleague preferred any other
+employment, let them then give him Lucius Volumnius as an assistant."
+The disposal of every particular was left entirely to Fabius by the
+people and the senate, and even by his colleague. And when Decius
+declared that he was ready to go either to Etruria or Samnium, such
+general congratulation and satisfaction took place, that victory was
+anticipated, and it seemed as if a triumph, not a war, had been
+decreed to the consuls. I find in some writers, that Fabius and
+Decius, immediately on their entering into office, set out together
+for Etruria, without any mention of the casting of lots for the
+provinces, or of the disputes which I have related. Others, not
+satisfied with relating those disputes, have added charges of
+misconduct, laid by Appius before the people against Fabius, when
+absent; and a stubborn opposition, maintained by the praetor against
+the consul, when present; and also another contention between the
+colleagues, Decius insisting that each consul should attend to the
+care of his own separate province. Certainty, however, begins to
+appear from the time when both consuls set out for the campaign. Now,
+before the consuls arrived in Etruria, the Senonian Gauls came in a
+vast body to Clusium, to attack the Roman legion and the camp. Scipio,
+who commanded the camp, wishing to remedy the deficiency of his
+numbers by an advantage in the ground, led his men up a hill, which
+stood between the camp and the city but having, in his haste,
+neglected to examine the place, he reached near the summit, which he
+found already possessed by the enemy, who had ascended on the other
+side. The legion was consequently attacked on the rear, and surrounded
+in the middle, when the enemy pressed it on all sides. Some writers
+say, that the whole were cut off, so that not one survived to give an
+account of it, and that no information of the misfortune reached the
+consuls, who were, at the time, not far from Clusium, until the Gallic
+horsemen came within sight, carrying the heads of the slain, some
+hanging before their horses' breasts, others on the points of their
+spears, and expressing their triumph in songs according to their
+custom. Others affirm, that the defeat was by Umbrians, not Gauls, and
+that the loss sustained was not so great. That a party of foragers,
+under Lucius Manlius Torquatus, lieutenant-general, being surrounded,
+Scipio, the propraetor, brought up relief from the camp, and the
+battle being renewed, that the Umbrians, lately victorious, were
+defeated, and the prisoners and spoil retaken. But it is more probable
+that this blow was suffered from a Gallic than an Umbrian enemy,
+because during that year, as was often the case at other times, the
+danger principally apprehended by the public, was that of a Gallic
+tumult, for which reason, notwithstanding that both the consuls had
+marched against the enemy, with four legions, and a large body of
+Roman cavalry, joined by a thousand chosen horsemen of Campania,
+supplied on the occasion, and a body of the allies and Latin
+confederates, superior in number to the Romans, two other armies were
+posted near the city, on the side facing Etruria, one in the
+Faliscian, the other in the Vatican territory. Cneius Fulvius and
+Lucius Postumius Megellus, both propraetors, were ordered to keep the
+troops stationed in those places.
+
+27. The consuls, having crossed the Apennines, came up with the enemy
+in the territory of Sentinum, their camp was pitched there at the
+distance of about four miles. Several councils were then held by the
+enemy, and their plan of operations was thus settled: that they should
+not encamp together, nor go out together to battle; the Gauls were
+united to the Samnites, the Umbrians to the Etrurians. The day of
+battle was fixed. The part of maintaining the fight was committed to
+the Samnites and Gauls; and the Etrurians and Umbrians were ordered to
+attack the Roman camp during the heat of the engagement. This plan was
+frustrated by three Clusian deserters, who came over by night to
+Fabius, and after disclosing the above designs, were sent back with
+presents, in order that they might discover, and bring intelligence
+of, any new scheme which should be determined on. The consuls then
+wrote to Flavius and Postumius to move their armies, the one from the
+Faliscian, the other from the Vatican country, towards Clusium; and to
+ruin the enemy's territory by every means in their power. The news of
+these depredations drew the Etrurians from Sentinum to protect their
+own region. The consuls, in their absence, practised every means to
+bring on an engagement. For two days they endeavoured, by several
+attacks, to provoke the enemy to fight; in which time, however,
+nothing worth mention was performed. A few fell on each side, but
+still the minds [of the Romans] were irritated to wish for a general
+engagement; yet nothing decisive was hazarded. On the third day, both
+parties marched out their whole force to the field: here, while the
+armies stood in order of battle, a hind, chased by a wolf from the
+mountains, ran through the plain between the two lines: there the
+animals taking different directions, the hind bent its course towards
+the Gauls, the wolf towards the Romans: way was made between the ranks
+for the wolf, the Gauls slew the hind with their javelins; on which
+one of the Roman soldiers in the van said, "To that side, where you
+see an animal, sacred to Diana, lying prostrate, flight and slaughter
+are directed; on this side the victorious wolf of Mars, safe and
+untouched, reminds us of our founder, and of our descent from that
+deity." The Gauls were posted on the right wing, the Samnites on the
+left: against the latter, Fabius drew up, as his right wing, the first
+and third legions: against the Gauls, Decius formed the left wing of
+the fifth and sixth. The second and fourth were employed in the war in
+Samnium, under the proconsul, Lucius Volumnius. In the first encounter
+the action was supported with strength so equal on both sides, that
+had the Etrurians and Umbrians been present, either in the field or at
+the camp, in whichever place they might have employed their force, the
+Romans must have been defeated.
+
+28. However, although the victory was still undecided, fortune not
+having declared in favour of either party, yet the course of the fight
+was by no means similar on both right and left wings. The Romans,
+under Fabius, rather repelled than offered assault, and the contest
+was protracted until very late in the day, for their general knew very
+well, that both Samnites and Gauls were furious in the first onset, so
+that, to withstand them would be sufficient. It was known, too, that
+in a protracted contest the spirits of the Samnites gradually flagged,
+and even the bodies of the Gauls, remarkably ill able to bear labour
+and heat, became quite relaxed, and although, in their first efforts,
+they were more than men, yet in their last they were less than women.
+He, therefore, reserved the strength of his men as unimpaired as
+possible, until the time when the enemy were the more likely to be
+worsted. Decius, more impetuous, as being in the prime of life and
+full flow of spirits, exerted whatever force he had to the utmost in
+the first encounter, and thinking the infantry not sufficiently
+energetic, brought up the cavalry to the fight. Putting himself at the
+head of a troop of young horsemen of distinguished bravery, he
+besought those youths, the flower of the army, to charge the enemy
+with him, [telling them] "they would reap a double share of glory, if
+the victory should commence on the left wing, and through their
+means." Twice they compelled the Gallic cavalry to give way. At the
+second charge, when they advanced farther and were briskly engaged in
+the midst of the enemy's squadrons, by a method of fighting new to
+them, they were thrown into dismay. A number of the enemy, mounted on
+chariots and cars, made towards them with such a prodigious clatter
+from the trampling of the cattle and rolling of wheels, as affrighted
+the horses of the Romans, unaccustomed to such tumultuous operations.
+By this means the victorious cavalry were dispersed, through a panic,
+and men and horses, in their headlong flight, were tumbled
+promiscuously on the ground. Hence also the battalions of the legions
+were thrown into disorder, through the impetuosity of the horses, and
+of the carriages which they dragged through the ranks, many of the
+soldiers in the van were trodden or bruised to death, while the Gallic
+line, as soon as they saw their enemy in confusion, pursued the
+advantage, nor allowed them time to take breath or recover themselves.
+Decius, calling aloud, "Whither were they flying, or what hope could
+they have in running away?" strove to stop them as they turned their
+backs, but finding that he could not, by any efforts, prevail on them
+to keep their posts, so thoroughly were they dismayed, he called on
+his father, Publius Decius, by name. He said, "Why do I any longer
+defer the fate entailed on my family? It is destined to our race, that
+we should serve as expiatory victims to avert the public danger. I
+will now offer the legions of the enemy, together with myself, to be
+immolated to Earth, and the infernal gods." Having thus said, he
+commanded Marcus Livius, a pontiff, whom, at his coming out to the
+field, he had charged not to stir from him, to dictate the form of
+words in which he was to devote himself, and the legions of the enemy,
+for the army of the Roman people, the Quirites. He was accordingly
+devoted with the same imprecations, and in the same habit, in which
+his father, Publius Decius, had ordered himself to be devoted at the
+Veseris in the Latin war. When, immediately after the solemn
+imprecation, he added, that "he drove before him dismay and flight,
+slaughter and blood, and the wrath of the gods celestial and infernal,
+that, with the contagious influence of the furies, the ministers of
+death, he would infect the standards, the weapons, and the armour of
+the enemy, and that the same spot should be that of his perdition, and
+that of the Gauls and Samnites." After uttering these execrations on
+himself and the foe, he spurred forward his horse, where he saw the
+line of the Gauls thickest, and, rushing upon the enemy's weapons, met
+his death.
+
+29. Thenceforward the battle seemed to be fought with a degree of
+force scarcely human. The Romans, on the loss of their general, a
+circumstance which, on other occasions, is wont to inspire terror,
+stopped their flight, and were anxious to begin the combat afresh. The
+Gauls, and especially the multitude which encircled the consul's body,
+as if deprived of reason, cast their javelins at random without
+execution, some became so stupid as not to think of either fighting or
+flying, while on the other side, Livius, the pontiff, to whom Decius
+had transferred his lictors, with orders to act as propraetor, cried
+out aloud, that "the Romans were victorious, being saved by the death
+of their consul. That the Gauls and Samnites were now the victims of
+mother Earth and the infernal gods. That Decius was summoning and
+dragging to himself the army devoted along with him, and that, among
+the enemy, all was full of dismay, and the vengeance of all the
+furies." While the soldiers were busy in restoring the fight, Lucius
+Cornelius Scipio and Caius Marcius, with some reserved troops from the
+rear, who had been sent by Quintus Fabius, the consul, to the support
+of his colleague, came up. There the fate of Decius is ascertained, a
+powerful stimulus to brave every danger in the cause of the public.
+Wherefore, when the Gauls stood in close order, with their shields
+formed into a fence before them, and but little prospect of success
+appeared from a close fight, the javelins, which lay scattered between
+the two lines, were, therefore, by order of the lieutenants-general,
+gathered up from the ground, and thrown against the enemy's shields,
+and as most of them pierced the fence, the long pointed ones even into
+their bodies, their compact band was overthrown in such a manner, that
+a great many, who were unhurt, yet fell as if thunderstruck. Such were
+the changes of fortune on the left wing of the Romans; on the right,
+Fabius had at first protracted the time, as we mentioned above, in
+slow operations, then, as soon as he perceived that neither the shout,
+nor the efforts of the enemy, nor the weapons which they threw,
+retained their former force, having ordered the commanders of the
+cavalry to lead round their squadrons to the flank of the Samnites, so
+that, on receiving the signal, they should charge them in flank, with
+all possible violence, he commanded, at the same time, his infantry to
+advance leisurely, and drive the enemy from their ground. When he saw
+that they were unable to make resistance, and that their exhaustion
+was certain, drawing together all his reserves, whom he had kept fresh
+for that occasion, he made a brisk push with the legions, and gave the
+cavalry the signal to charge. The Samnites could not support the
+shock, but fled precipitately to their camp, passing by the line of
+the Gauls, and leaving their allies to fight by themselves. These
+stood in close order under cover of their shields. Fabius, therefore,
+having heard of the death of his colleague, ordered the squadron of
+Campanian cavalry, in number about five hundred, to fall back from the
+ranks, and riding round, to attack the rear of the Gallic line, then
+the chief strength of the third legion to follow, with directions that
+wherever they should see the enemy's troops disordered by the charge,
+to follow the blow, and cut them to pieces, when in a state of
+consternation. After vowing a temple and the spoils of the enemy to
+Jupiter the Victorious, he proceeded to the camp of the Samnites,
+whither all their forces were hurrying in confusion. The gates not
+affording entrance to such very great numbers, those who were
+necessarily excluded, attempted resistance just at the foot of the
+rampart, and here fell Gellius Egnatius, the Samnite general. These,
+however, were soon driven within the rampart; the camp was taken after
+a slight resistance; and at the same time the Gauls were attacked on
+the rear, and overpowered. There were slain of the enemy on that day
+twenty-five thousand: eight thousand were taken prisoners. Nor was the
+victory an unbloody one; for, of the army of Publius Decius, the
+killed amounted to seven thousand; of the army of Fabius, to one
+thousand two hundred. Fabius, after sending persons to search for the
+body of his colleague, had the spoils of the enemy collected into a
+heap, and burned them as an offering to Jupiter the Victorious. The
+consul's body could not be found that day, being hid under a heap of
+slaughtered Gauls: on the following, it was discovered and brought to
+the camp, amidst abundance of tears shed by the soldiers. Fabius,
+discarding all concern about any other business, solemnized the
+obsequies of his colleague in the most honourable manner, passing on
+him the high encomiums which he had justly merited.
+
+30. During the same period, matters were managed successfully by
+Cneius Fulvius, propraetor, he having, besides the immense losses
+occasioned to the enemy by the devastation of their lands, fought a
+battle with extraordinary success, in which there were above three
+thousand of the Perusians and Clusians slain, and twenty military
+standards taken. The Samnites, in their flight, passing through the
+Pelignian territory, were attacked on all sides by the Pelignians;
+and, out of five thousand, one thousand were killed. The glory of the
+day on which they fought at Sentinum was great, even when truly
+estimated; but some have gone beyond credibility by their
+exaggerations, who assert in their writings, that there were in the
+army of the enemy forty thousand three hundred and thirty foot, six
+thousand horse, and one thousand chariots, that is, including the
+Etrurians and Umbrians, who [they affirm] were present in the
+engagement: and, to magnify likewise the number of Roman forces, they
+add to the consuls another general, Lucius Volumnius, proconsul, and
+his army to the legions of the consul. In the greater number of
+annals, that victory is ascribed entirely to the two consuls.
+Volumnius was employed in the mean time in Samnium; he drove the army
+of the Samnites to Mount Tifernus, and, not deterred by the difficulty
+of the ground, routed and dispersed them. Quintus Fabius, leaving
+Decius's army in Etruria, and leading off his own legions to the city,
+triumphed over the Gauls, Etrurians, and Samnites: the soldiers
+attended him in his triumph. The victory of Quintus Fabius was not
+more highly celebrated, in their coarse military verses, than the
+illustrious death of Publius Decius; and the memory of the father was
+recalled, whose fame had been equalled by the praiseworthy conduct of
+the son, in respect of the issue which resulted both to himself and to
+the public. Out of the spoil, donations were made to the soldiers of
+eighty-two _asses_ [Footnote: _5s. 31d._] to each, with
+cloaks and vests; rewards for service, in that age, by no means
+contemptible.
+
+31. Notwithstanding these successes, peace was not yet established,
+either among the Samnites or Etrurians: for the latter, at the
+instigation of the Perusians, resumed their arms, after his army had
+been withdrawn by the consul; and the Samnites made predatory
+incursions on the territories of Vescia and Formiae; and also on the
+other side, on those of Aesernia, and the parts adjacent to the river
+Vulturnus. Against these was sent the praetor Appius Claudius, with
+the army formerly commanded by Decius. In Etruria, Fabius, on the
+revival of hostilities, slew four thousand five hundred of the
+Perusians, and took prisoners one thousand seven hundred and forty,
+who were ransomed at the rate of three hundred and ten _asses_
+[Footnote: £1.] each. All the rest of the spoil was bestowed on the
+soldiers. The legions of the Samnites, though pursued, some by the
+praetor Appius Claudius, the others by Lucius Volumnius, proconsul,
+formed a junction in the country of the Stellatians. Here sat down the
+whole body of the Samnites; and Appius and Volumnius, with their
+forces united in one camp. A battle was fought with the most rancorous
+animosity, one party being spurred on by rage against men who had so
+often renewed their attacks on them, and the other now fighting in
+support of their last remaining hope. Accordingly, there were slain,
+of the Samnites, sixteen thousand three hundred, and two thousand and
+seven hundred made prisoners: of the Roman army fell two thousand and
+seven hundred. This year, so successful in the operations of war, was
+filled with distress at home, arising from a pestilence, and with
+anxiety, occasioned by prodigies: for accounts were received that, in
+many places, showers of earth had fallen; and that very many persons,
+in the army of Appius Claudius, had been struck by lightning; in
+consequence of which, the books were consulted. At this time, Quintus
+Fabius Gurges, the consul's son, having prosecuted some matrons before
+the people on a charge of adultery, built, with the money accruing
+from the fines which they were condemned to pay, the temple of Venus,
+which stands near the circus. Still we have the wars of the Samnites
+on our hands, notwithstanding that the relation of them has already
+extended, in one continued course, through four volumes of our
+history, and through a period of forty-six years, from the consulate
+of Marcus Valerius and Aulus Cornelius, who first carried the Roman
+arms into Samnium. And, not to recite the long train of disasters
+sustained by both nations, and the toils which they underwent, by
+which, however, their stubborn breasts could not be subdued; even in
+the course of the last year, the Samnites, with their own forces
+separately, and also in conjunction with those of other nations, had
+been defeated by four several armies, and four generals of the Romans,
+in the territory of Sentinum, in that of the Pelignians, at Tifernum,
+and in the plains of the Stellatians; had lost the general of the
+highest character in their nation; and, now, saw their allies in the
+war, the Etrurians, the Umbrians, and the Gauls, in the same situation
+with themselves; but, although they could now no longer stand, either
+by their own or by foreign resources, yet did they not desist from the
+prosecution of hostilities. So far were they from being weary of
+defending liberty, even though unsuccessfully: and they preferred
+being defeated to not aspiring after victory. Who does not find his
+patience tired, either in writing, or reading, of wars of such
+continuance; and which yet exhausted not the resolution of the parties
+concerned?
+
+32. Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius were succeeded in the consulship
+by Lucius Postumius Megellus and Marcus Atilius Regulus. The province
+of Samnium was decreed to both in conjunction; because intelligence
+had been received that the enemy had embodied three armies; with one
+that Etruria was to be recovered; with another the ravages in Campania
+were to be repeated; and the third was intended for the defence of
+their frontiers. Sickness detained Postumius at Rome, but Atilius set
+out immediately, with design to surprise the enemy in Samnium, before
+they should have advanced beyond their own borders; for such had been
+the directions of the senate. The Romans met the enemy, as if by
+mutual appointment, at a spot where, while they could be hindered, not
+only from ravaging, but even from entering the Samnite territory, they
+could likewise hinder the Samnites from continuing their progress into
+the countries which were quiet, and the lands of the allies of the
+Roman people. While their camps lay opposite to each other, the
+Samnites attempted an enterprise, which the Romans, so often their
+conquerors, would scarcely have ventured to undertake; such is the
+rashness inspired by extreme despair: this was to make an assault on
+the Roman camp. And although this attempt, so daring, succeeded not in
+its full extent, yet it was not without effect. There was a fog, which
+continued through a great part of the day, so thick as to exclude the
+light of the sun, and to prevent not only the view of any thing beyond
+the rampart, but scarcely the sight of each other, when they should
+meet. Depending on this, as a covering to the design, when the sun was
+scarcely yet risen, and the light which he did afford was obscured by
+the fog, the Samnites came up to an advanced guard of the Romans at
+one of the gates, who were standing carelessly on their post. In the
+sudden surprise, these had neither courage nor strength to make
+resistance: an assault was then made, through the Decuman gate, in the
+rear of the camp: the quaestor's quarters in consequence were taken,
+and the quaestor, Lucius Opimius Pansa, was there slain; on this a
+general alarm was given to take up arms.
+
+33. The consul, being roused by the tumult, ordered two cohorts of the
+allies, a Lucanian and Suessanian, which happened to be nearest, to
+defend the head-quarters, and led the companies of the legions down
+the principal street. These ran into the ranks, scarcely taking time
+to furnish themselves with arms; and, as they distinguished the enemy
+by their shout rather than by sight, could form no judgment how great
+their number might be: thus, ignorant of the circumstances of their
+situation, they at first drew back, and admitted the enemy into the
+heart of the camp. Then when the consul cried out, asking them,
+whether they intended to let themselves be beaten out beyond the
+rampart, and then to return again to storm their own camp, they raised
+the shout, and uniting their efforts, stood their ground; then made
+advances, pushed closely on the enemy, and having forced them to give
+way, drove them back, without suffering their first terror to abate.
+They soon beat them out beyond the gate and the rampart, but not
+daring to pursue them, because the darkness of the weather made them
+apprehend an ambush, and content with having cleared the camp, they
+retired within the rampart, having killed about three hundred of the
+enemy. Of the Romans, including the first advanced guard and the
+watchmen, and those who were surprised at the quaestor's quarters, two
+hundred and thirty perished. This not unsuccessful piece of boldness
+raised the spirits of the Samnites so high, that they not only did not
+suffer the Romans to march forward into their country, but even to
+procure forage from their lands; and the foragers were obliged to go
+back into the quiet country of Sora. News of these events being
+conveyed to Rome, with circumstances of alarm magnified beyond the
+truth, obliged Lucius Postumius, the consul, though scarcely recovered
+from his illness, to set out for the army. However, before his
+departure, having issued a proclamation that his troops should
+assemble at Sora, he dedicated the temple of Victory, for the building
+of which he had provided, when curule aedile, out of the money arising
+from fines; and, joining the army, he advanced from Sora towards
+Samnium, to the camp of his colleague. The Samnites, despairing of
+being able to make head against the two armies, retreated from thence,
+on which the consuls, separating, proceeded by different routes to lay
+waste the enemy's lands and besiege their towns.
+
+34. Postumius attempted to make himself master of Milionia, at first
+by storm and an assault; but these not succeeding, he carried his
+approaches to the walls, and thus gained an entrance into the place.
+The fight was continued in all parts of the city from the fourth hour
+until near the eighth, the result being a long time uncertain: the
+Romans at last gained possession of the town. Three thousand two
+hundred of the Samnites were killed, four thousand seven hundred
+taken, besides the other booty. From thence the legions were conducted
+to Ferentinum, out of which the inhabitants had, during the night,
+retired in silence through the opposite gate, with all their effects
+which could be either carried or driven. The consul, on his arrival,
+approached the walls with the same order and circumspection, as if he
+were to meet an opposition here equal to what he had experienced at
+Milionia. Then, perceiving a dead silence in the city, and neither
+arms nor men on the towers and ramparts, he restrains the soldiers,
+who were eager to mount the deserted fortifications, lest they might
+fall into a snare. He ordered two divisions of the confederate Latin
+horse to ride round the walls, and explore every particular. These
+horsemen observed one gate, and, at a little distance, another on the
+same side, standing wide open, and on the roads leading from these
+every mark of the enemy having fled by night. They then rode up
+leisurely to the gates, from whence, with perfect safety, they took a
+clear view through straight streets quite across the city. They report
+to the consul, that the city was abandoned by the enemy, as was plain
+from the solitude, the recent tracks on their retreat, and the things
+which, in the confusion of the night, they had left scattered up and
+down. On hearing this, the consul led round the army to that side of
+the city which had been examined, and making the troops halt at a
+little distance from the gate, gave orders that five horsemen should
+ride into the city; and when they should have advanced a good way into
+it, then, if they saw all things safe, three should remain there, and
+the other two return to him with intelligence. These returned and
+said, that they had proceeded to a part of the town from which they
+had a view on every side, and that nothing but silence and solitude
+reigned through the whole extent of it. The consul immediately led
+some light-armed cohorts into the city; ordering the rest to fortify
+a camp in the mean time. The soldiers who entered the town, breaking
+open the doors, found only a few persons, disabled by age or sickness;
+and such effects left behind as could not, without difficulty, be
+removed. These were seized as plunder: and it was discovered from the
+prisoners, that several cities in that quarter had, in pursuance of a
+concerted plan, resolved on flight; that their towns-people had gone
+off at the first watch, and they believed that the same solitude they
+should find in the other places. The accounts of the prisoners proved
+well-founded, and the consul took possession of the forsaken towns.
+
+35. The war was by no means so easy with the other consul, Marcus
+Atilius. As he was marching his legions towards Luceria, to which he
+was informed that the Samnites had laid siege, the enemy met him on
+the border of the Lucerian territory. Rage supplied them, on this
+occasion, with strength to equal his: the battle was stubbornly
+contested, and the victory doubtful; in the issue, however, more
+calamitous on the side of the Romans, both because they were
+unaccustomed to defeat, and that, on leaving the field, they felt more
+sensibly, than during the heat of the action, how much more wounds and
+bloodshed had been on their side. In consequence of this, such dismay
+spread through the camp, as, had it seized them during the engagement,
+a signal defeat would have been the result. Even as the matter stood,
+they spent the night in great anxiety; expecting, every instant, that
+the Samnites would assault the camp; or that, at the first light, they
+should be obliged to stand a battle with a victorious enemy. On the
+side of the enemy, however, although there was less loss, yet there
+was not greater courage. As soon as day appeared, they wished to
+retire without any more fighting; but there was only one road, and
+that leading close by the post of their enemy; on their taking which,
+they seemed as if advancing directly to attack the camp. The consul,
+therefore, ordered his men to take arms, and to follow him outside the
+rampart, giving directions to the lieutenants-general, tribunes, and
+the praefects of the allies, in what manner he would have each of them
+act. They all assured him that "they would do every thing in their
+power, but that the soldiers were quite dejected; that, from their own
+wounds, and the groans of the dying, they had passed the whole night
+without sleep; that if the enemy had approached the camp before day,
+so great were the fears of the troops, that they would certainly have
+deserted their standards." "Even at present they were restrained from
+flight merely by shame; and, in other respects, were little better
+than vanquished men." This account made the consul judge it necessary
+to go himself among the soldiers, and speak to them; and, as he came
+up to each, he rebuked them for their backwardness in taking arms,
+asking, "Why they loitered, and declined the fight? If they did not
+choose to go out of the camp, the enemy would come into it; and they
+must fight in defence of their tents, if they would not in defence of
+the rampart. Men who have arms in their hands, and contend with their
+foe, have always a chance for victory; but the man who waits naked and
+unarmed for his enemy, must suffer either death or slavery." To these
+reprimands and rebukes they answered, that "they were exhausted by the
+fatigue of the battle of yesterday; and had no strength, nor even
+blood remaining; and besides, the enemy appeared more numerous than
+they were the day before." The hostile army, in the mean time, drew
+near; so that, seeing every thing more distinctly as the distance grew
+less, they asserted that the Samnites carried with them pallisades for
+a rampart, and evidently intended to draw lines of circumvallation
+round the camp. On this the consul exclaimed, with great earnestness,
+against submitting to such an ignominious insult, and from so
+dastardly a foe. "Shall we even be blockaded," said he, "in our camp,
+and die, with ignominy, by famine, rather than bravely by the sword,
+if it must be so? May the gods be propitious! and let every one act in
+the manner which he thinks becomes him. The consul Marcus Atilius,
+should no other accompany him, will go out, even alone, to face the
+enemy; and will fall in the middle of the Samnite battalions, rather
+than see the Roman camp enclosed by their trenches." The
+lieutenants-general, tribunes, every troop of the cavalry, and the
+principal centurions, expressed their approbation of what the consul
+said; and the soldiers at length, overcome by shame, took up their
+arms, but in a spiritless manner; and in the same spiritless manner,
+marched out of the camp. In a long train, and that not every where
+connected, melancholy, and seemingly subdued, they proceeded towards
+the enemy, whose hopes and courage, were not more steady than theirs.
+As soon therefore as the Roman standards were beheld, a murmur spread
+from front to rear of the Samnites, that, as they had feared, "the
+Romans were coming out to oppose their march; that there was no road
+open, through which they could even fly thence; in that spot they must
+fall, or else cut down the enemy's ranks, and make their way over
+their bodies."
+
+36. They then threw the baggage in a heap in the centre, and, with
+their arms prepared for battle, formed their line, each falling into
+his post. There was now but a small interval between the two armies,
+and both stood, waiting until the shout and onset should be begun by
+their adversary. Neither party had any inclination to fight, and they
+would have separated, and taken different roads, unhurt and untouched,
+but that each had a dread of being harassed, in retreat, by the other.
+Notwithstanding this shyness and reluctance, an engagement unavoidably
+began, but spiritless, and with a shout which discovered neither
+resolution nor steadiness; nor did any move a foot from his post. The
+Roman consul, then, in order to infuse life into the action, ordered a
+few troops of cavalry to advance out of the line and charge: most of
+whom being thrown from their horses and the rest put in disorder,
+several parties ran forward, both from the Samnite line, to cut off
+those who had fallen, and from the Roman, to protect their friends. In
+consequence the battle became a little more brisk, but the Samnites
+had come forward with more briskness, and also in greater numbers, and
+the disordered cavalry, with their affrighted horses, trod down their
+own party who came to their relief. Flight commencing in this quarter,
+caused the whole Roman line to turn their backs. And now the Samnites
+had no employment for their arms but against the rear of a flying
+enemy, when the consul, galloping on before his men to the gate of the
+camp, posted there a body of cavalry, with orders to treat as an enemy
+any person who should make towards the rampart, whether Roman or
+Samnite; and, placing himself in the way of his men, as they pressed
+in disorder towards the camp, denounced threats to the same purport:
+"Whither are you going, soldiers?" said he; "here also you will find
+both men and arms; nor, while your consul lives, shall you pass the
+rampart, unless victorious. Choose therefore which you will prefer,
+fighting against your own countrymen, or the enemy." While the consul
+was thus speaking the cavalry gathered round, with the points of their
+spears presented, and ordered the infantry to return to the fight. Not
+only his own brave spirit, but fortune likewise aided the consul, for
+the Samnites did not push their advantage; so that he had time to
+wheel round his battalions, and to change his front from the camp
+towards the enemy. The men then began to encourage each other to
+return to the battle, while the centurions snatched the ensigns from
+the standard-bearers and bore them forward, pointing out to the
+soldiers the enemy, coming on in a hurry, few in number, and with
+their ranks disordered. At the same time the consul, with his hands
+lifted up towards heaven, and raising his voice so as to be heard at a
+distance, vowed a temple to Jupiter Stator, if the Roman army should
+rally from flight, and, renewing the battle, cut down and defeat the
+Samnites. All divisions of the army, now, united their efforts to
+restore the fight; officers, soldiers, the whole force, both of
+cavalry and infantry; even the powers of heaven seemed to have looked,
+with favour, on the Roman cause; so speedily was a thorough change
+effected in the fortune of the day, the enemy being repulsed from the
+camp, and, in a short time, driven back to the spot where the battle
+had commenced. Here they stopped, being obstructed by the heap of
+baggage, lying in their way, where they had thrown it together; and
+then, to prevent the plundering of their effects, formed round them a
+circle of troops. On this, the infantry assailed them vigorously in
+front, while the cavalry, wheeling, fell on their rear: and, being
+thus enclosed between the two, they were all either slain, or taken
+prisoners. The number of the prisoners was seven thousand two hundred,
+who were all sent under the yoke; the killed amounted to four thousand
+eight hundred. The victory did not prove a joyous one, even on the
+side of the Romans: when the consul took an account of the loss
+sustained in the two days, the number returned, of soldiers lost, was
+seven thousand three hundred. During these transactions in Apulia, the
+Samnites with the other army having attempted to seize on Iteramna, a
+Roman colony situated on the Latin road, did not however obtain the
+town; whence, after ravaging the country, as they were driving off
+spoil, consisting of men and cattle, together with the colonists whom
+they had taken, they met the consul returning victorious from Luceria,
+and not only lost their booty, but marching in disorder, in a long
+train, and heavily encumbered, were themselves cut to pieces. The
+consul, by proclamation, summoned the owners to Interamna, to claim
+and receive again their property, and leaving his army there, went to
+Rome to hold the elections. On his applying for a triumph, that honour
+was refused him, because he had lost so many thousands of his
+soldiers; and also, because he had sent the prisoners under the yoke
+without imposing any conditions.
+
+37. The other consul, Postumius, because there was no employment for
+his arms in Samnium, having led over his forces into Etruria, first
+laid waste the lands of the Volsinians; and afterwards, on their
+marching out to protect their country, gained a decisive victory over
+them, at a small distance from their own walls. Two thousand two
+hundred of the Etrurians were slain; the proximity of their city
+protected the rest. The army was then led into the territory of
+Rusella, and there, not only were the lands wasted, but the town
+itself taken. More than two thousand men were made prisoners, and
+somewhat less than that number killed on the walls. But a peace,
+effected that year in Etruria, was still more important and honourable
+than the war had been. Three very powerful cities, the chief ones of
+Etruria, (Volsinii, Perusia, and Arretium,) sued for peace; and having
+stipulated with the consul to furnish clothing and corn for his army,
+on condition of being permitted to send deputies to Rome, they
+obtained a truce for forty years, and a fine was imposed on each state
+of five hundred thousand _asses_,[Footnote: £1614. _11s
+8d_] to be immediately paid. When the consul demanded a triumph
+from the senate, in consideration of these services, rather to comply
+with the general practice, than in hope of succeeding; and when he saw
+that one party, his own personal enemies, another party, the friends
+of his colleague, refused him the triumph, the latter to console a
+similar refusal, some on the plea that he had been rather tardy in
+taking his departure from the city; others, that he had passed from
+Samnium into Etruria without orders from the senate; he said,
+"Conscript fathers, I shall not be so far mindful of your dignity, as
+to forget that I am consul. By the same right of office by which I
+conducted the war, I shall now have a triumph, when this war has been
+brought to a happy conclusion, Samnium and Etruria being subdued, and
+victory and peace procured. With these words he left the senate." On
+this arose a contention between the plebeian tribunes; some of them
+declaring that they would protest against his triumphing in a manner
+unprecedented; others, that they would support his pretensions, in
+opposition to their colleagues. The affair came at length to be
+discussed before the people, and the consul being summoned to attend,
+when he represented, that Marcus Horatius and Lucius Valerius, when
+consuls, and lately Caius Marcus Rutilus, father of the present
+censor, had triumphed, not by direction of the senate, but by that of
+the people; he then added that "he would in like manner have laid his
+request before the public, had he not known that some plebeian
+tribunes, the abject slaves of the nobles, would have obstructed the
+law. That the universal approbation and will of the people were and
+should be with him equivalent to any order whatsoever." Accordingly,
+on the day following, by the support of three plebeian tribunes, in
+opposition to the protest of the other seven, and the declared
+judgment of the senate, he triumphed; and the people paid every honour
+to the day. The historical accounts regarding this year are by no
+means consistent; Claudius asserts, that Postumius, after having taken
+several cities in Samnium, was defeated and put to flight in Apulia;
+and that, being wounded himself, he was driven, with a few attendants,
+into Luceria. That the war in Etruria was conducted by Atilius, and
+that it was he who triumphed. Fabius writes, that the two consuls
+acted in conjunction, both in Samnium and at Luceria; that an army was
+led over into Etruria, but by which of the consuls he has not
+mentioned; that at Luceria, great numbers were slain on both sides;
+and that in that battle, the temple of Jupiter Stator was vowed, the
+same vow having been formerly made by Romulus, but the fane only, that
+is, the area appropriated for the temple, had been yet consecrated.
+However, in this year, the state having been twice bound by the same
+vow, it became a matter of religious obligation that the senate should
+order the temple to be erected.
+
+38. In the next year, we find a consul, distinguished by the united
+splendour of his own and his father's glory, Lucius Papirius Cursor,
+as also a war of vast importance, and a victory of such consequence,
+as no man, excepting Lucius Papirius, the consul's father, had ever
+before obtained over the Samnites. It happened too that these had,
+with the same care and pains as on the former occasion, decorated
+their soldiers with the richest suits of splendid armour; and they
+had, likewise, called in to their aid the power of the gods, having,
+as it were, initiated the soldiers, by administering the military
+oath, with the solemn ceremonies practised in ancient times, and
+levied troops in every part of Samnium, under an ordinance entirely
+new, that "if any of the younger inhabitants should not attend the
+meeting, according to the general's proclamation, or shall depart
+without permission, his head should be devoted to Jupiter." Orders
+being then issued, for all to assemble at Aquilonia, the whole
+strength of Samnium came together, amounting to forty thousand men.
+There a piece of ground, in the middle of the camp, was enclosed with
+hurdles and boards, and covered overhead with linen cloth, the sides
+being all of an equal length, about two hundred feet. In this place
+sacrifices were performed, according to directions read out of an old
+linen book, the priest being a very old man, called Ovius Paccius, who
+affirmed, that he took these ceremonials from the ancient ritual of
+the Samnites, being the same which their ancestors used, when they had
+formed the secret design of wresting Capua from the Etrurians. When
+the sacrifices were finished, the general ordered a beadle to summon
+every one of those who were most highly distinguished by their birth
+or conduct: these were introduced singly. Besides the other
+exhibitions of the solemnity, calculated to impress the mind with
+religious awe, there were, in the middle of the covered enclosure,
+altars erected, about which lay the victims slain, and the centurions
+stood around with their swords drawn. The soldier was led up to the
+altars, rather like a victim, than a performer in the ceremony, and
+was bound by an oath not to divulge what he should see and hear in
+that place. He was then compelled to swear, in a dreadful kind of
+form, containing execrations on his own person, on his family and
+race, if he did not go to battle, whithersoever the commanders should
+lead; and, if either he himself fled from the field, or, in case he
+should see any other flying, did not immediately kill him. At first
+some, refusing to take the oath, were put to death round the altars,
+and lying among the carcasses of the victims, served afterwards as a
+warning to others not to refuse it. When those of the first rank in
+the Samnite nation had been bound under these solemnities, the general
+nominated ten, whom he desired to choose each a man, and so to proceed
+until they should have called up the number of sixteen thousand. This
+body, from the covering of the enclosure wherein the nobility had been
+thus devoted, was called the linen legion. They were furnished with
+splendid armour and plumed helmets, to distinguish them above the
+rest. They had another body of forces, amounting to somewhat more than
+twenty thousand, not inferior to the linen legion, either in personal
+appearance, or renown in war, or their equipment. This number,
+composing the main strength of the nation, sat down at Aquilonia.
+
+39. On the other side, the consuls set out from the city. First,
+Spurius Carvilius, to whom had been decreed the veteran legions, which
+Marcus Atilius, the consul of the preceding year, had left in the
+territory of Interamna, marched at their head into Samnium; and, while
+the enemy were busied in their superstitious rites, and holding their
+secret meeting, he took by storm the town of Amiternum. Here were
+slain about two thousand eight hundred men; and four thousand two
+hundred and seventy were made prisoners. Papirius, with a new army,
+which he raised in pursuance of a decree of the senate, made himself
+master of the city of Duronia. He took fewer prisoners than his
+colleague; but slew much greater numbers. Rich booty was acquired in
+both places. The consuls then, overrunning Samnium, and wasting the
+province of Atinum with particular severity, arrived, Carvilius at
+Cominium, and Papirius at Aquilonia, where the main force of the
+Samnites were posted. Here, for some time, there was neither a
+cessation of action, nor any vigorous effort. The day was generally
+spent in provoking the enemy when quiet, and retiring when they
+offered resistance; in menacing, rather than making an attack. By
+which practice of beginning, and then desisting, even those trifling
+skirmishes were continually left without a decision. The other Roman
+camp was twenty miles distant, and the advice of his absent colleague
+was appealed to on every thing which he undertook, while Carvilius, on
+his part, directed a greater share of his attention to Aquilonia,
+where the state of affairs was more critical and important, than to
+Cominium, which he himself was besieging. When Papirius had fully
+adjusted every measure, preparatory to an engagement, he despatched a
+message to his colleague, that "he intended, if the auspices
+permitted, to fight the enemy on the day following; and that it would
+be necessary that he (Carvilius) should at the same time make an
+assault on Cominium, with his utmost force, that the Samnites there
+might have no leisure to send any succour to Aquilonia." The messenger
+had the day for the performance of his journey, and he returned in the
+night, with an answer to the consul, that his colleague approved of
+the plan. Papirius, on sending off the messenger, had instantly called
+an assembly, where he descanted, at large, on the nature of the war in
+general, and on the present mode of equipment adopted by the enemy,
+which served for empty parade, rather than for any thing effectual
+towards insuring success; for "plumes," he said, "made no wounds; that
+a Roman javelin would make its way through shields, however painted
+and gilt; and that the army, refulgent from the whiteness of their
+tunics, would soon be besmeared with blood, when matters came to be
+managed with the sword. His father had formerly cut off, to a man, a
+gold and silver army of the Samnites; and such accoutrements had made
+a more respectable figure, as spoils, in the hands of the conquering
+foe, than as arms in those of the wearers. Perhaps it was allotted, by
+destiny, to his name and family, that they should be opposed in
+command against the most powerful efforts of the Samnites; and should
+bring home spoils, of such beauty, as to serve for ornaments to the
+public places. The immortal gods were certainly on his side, on
+account of the leagues so often solicited and so often broken.
+Besides, if a judgment might be formed of the sentiments of the
+deities, they never were more hostile to any army, than to that which,
+smeared with the blood of human beings mixed with that of cattle in
+their abominable sacrifice, doomed to the twofold resentment of the
+gods, dreading on the one hand the divinities, witnesses of the
+treaties concluded with the Romans, on the other hand the imprecations
+expressed in the oath sworn in contradiction to those treaties, swore
+with reluctance, abhorred the oath, and feared at once the gods, their
+countrymen, and their enemies."
+
+40. When the consul had recounted these particulars, ascertained from
+the information of the deserters, to the soldiers already enraged of
+themselves, they then, filled with confidence in both divine and human
+aid, with one universal shout, demanded the battle; were dissatisfied
+at the action being deferred to the following day; they are impatient
+under the intended delay of a day and a night. Papirius, at the third
+watch, having received his colleague's letter, arose in silence, and
+sent the keeper of the chickens to take the auspices. There was no one
+description of men in the camp who felt not earnest wishes for the
+fight: the highest and the lowest were equally eager; the general
+watching the ardour of the soldiers, and the soldiers that of the
+general. This universal zeal spread even to those employed in taking
+the auspices; for the chickens having refused to feed, the auspex
+ventured to misrepresent the omen, and reported to the consul that
+they had fed voraciously.[Footnote: When the auspices were to be
+taken from the chickens, the keeper threw some of them food upon the
+ground, in their sight, and opened the door of then coop. If they did
+not come out; if they came out slowly; if they refused to feed, or ate
+in a careless manner, the omen was considered as bad. On the contrary,
+if they rushed out hastily and ate greedily, so that some of the food
+fell from their mouths on the ground, this was considered as an omen
+of the best import; it was called _tripudium solistinum_,
+originally, _terripavium_, from _terra_, and _pavire_, to
+strike.] The consul, highly pleased, and giving notice that the
+auspices were excellent, and that they were to act under the direction
+of the gods, displayed the signal for battle. Just as he was going out
+to the field, he happened to receive intelligence from a deserter,
+that twenty cohorts of Samnites, consisting of about four hundred
+each, had marched towards Cominium. Lest his colleague should be
+ignorant of this, he instantly despatched a messenger to him, and then
+ordered the troops to advance with speed, having already assigned to
+each division of the army its proper post, and appointed general
+officers to command them. The command of the right wing he gave to
+Lucius Volumnius, that of the left to Lucius Scipio, that of the
+cavalry to the other lieutenants-general, Caius Caedicius and Caius
+Trebonius. He ordered Spurius Nautius to take off the panniers from
+the mules, and to lead them round quickly, together with his auxiliary
+cohorts, to a rising ground in view; and there to show himself during
+the heat of the engagement, and to raise as much dust as possible.
+While the general was employed in making these dispositions, a dispute
+arose among the keepers of the chickens, about the auspices of the
+day, which was overheard by some Roman horsemen, who, deeming it a
+matter not to be slighted, informed Spurius Papirius, the consul's
+nephew, that there was a doubt about the auspices. The youth, born in
+an age when that sort of learning which inculcates contempt of the
+gods was yet unknown, examined into the affair, that he might not
+carry an uncertain report to the consul; and then acquainted him with
+it. His answer was, "I very much applaud your conduct and zeal.
+However, the person who officiates in taking the auspices, if he makes
+a false report, draws on his own head the evil portended; but to the
+Roman people and their army, the favourable omen reported to me is an
+excellent auspice." He then commanded the centurions to place the
+keepers of the chickens in the front of the line. The Samnites
+likewise brought forward their standards; their main body followed,
+armed and decorated in such a manner, that the enemy afforded a
+magnificent show. Before the shout was raised, or the battle begun,
+the auspex, wounded by a random cast of a javelin, fell before the
+standards; which being told to the consul, he said, "The gods are
+present in the battle; the guilty has met his punishment." While the
+consul uttered these words, a crow, in front of him, cawed with a
+clear voice; at which augury, the consul being rejoiced, and
+affirming, that never had the gods interposed in a more striking
+manner in human affairs, ordered the charge to be sounded and the
+shout to be raised.
+
+41. A furious conflict now ensued, but with very unequal spirit [in
+the combatants]. Anger, hope, and ardour for conquest, hurried on the
+Romans to battle, thirsting for their enemy's blood; while the
+Samnites, for the most part reluctantly, as if compelled by necessity
+and religious dread, rather stood on their defence, than made an
+attack. Nor would they, familiarized as they were to defeats, through
+a course of so many years, have withstood the first shout and shock of
+the Romans, had not another fear, operating still more powerfully in
+their breasts, restrained them from flying. For they had before their
+eyes the whole scene exhibited at the secret sacrifice, the armed
+priests, the promiscuous carnage of men and cattle, the altars
+besmeared with the blood of victims and of their murdered countrymen,
+the dreadful curses, and the direful form of imprecation, drawn up for
+calling down perdition on their family and race. Prevented by these
+shackles from running away, they stood, more afraid of then countrymen
+than of the enemy. The Romans pushed on both the wings, and in the
+centre, and made great havoc among them, stupified as they were,
+through their fears of the gods and of men. A faint resistance is now
+made, as by men whom fear alone prevented from running away. The
+slaughter had now almost reached to their standards, when, on one
+side, appeared a cloud of dust, as if raised by the marching of a
+numerous army: it was Spurius Nautius, (some say Octavius Metius,)
+commander of the auxiliary cohorts: for these raised a greater
+quantity of dust than was proportioned to the number of men, the
+servants of the camp, mounted on the mules, trailing boughs of trees,
+full of leaves, along the ground. Through the light thus obscured,
+arms and standards were seen in front; behind, a higher and denser
+cloud of dust presented the appearance of horsemen bringing up the
+rear. This effectually deceived, not only the Samnites, but the Romans
+themselves: and the consul confirmed the mistake, by calling out among
+the foremost battalions, so that his voice reached also the enemy,
+that "Cominium was taken, and that his victorious colleague was
+approaching," bidding his men "now make haste to complete the defeat
+of the enemy, before the glory should fall to the share of the other
+army." This he said as he sat on horseback, and then ordered the
+tribunes and centurions to open passages for the horse. He had given
+previous directions to Trebonius and Caedicius, that, when they should
+see him waving the point of his spear aloft, they should incite the
+cavalry to charge the enemy with all possible violence. Every
+particular, as previously concerted, was executed with the utmost
+exactness. The passages were opened between the ranks, the cavalry
+darted through, and, with the points of their spears presented, rushed
+into the midst of the enemy's battalions, breaking down the ranks
+wherever they charged. Voluminius and Scipio seconded the blow, and
+taking advantage of the enemy's disorder, made a terrible slaughter.
+Thus attacked, the cohorts, called _linteatae_, regardless of all
+restraints from either gods or men, quitted their posts in confusion,
+the sworn and the unsworn all fled alike, no longer dreading aught but
+the enemies. The body of their infantry which survived the battle,
+were driven into the camp at Aquilonia. The nobility and cavalry
+directed their flight to Bovianum. The horse were pursued by the Roman
+horse, the infantry by their infantry, while the wings proceeded by
+different roads; the right, to the camp of the Samnites; the left to
+the city. Volumnius succeeded first in gaining possession of the camp.
+At the city, Scipio met a stouter resistance; not because the
+conquered troops there had gained courage, but because walls were a
+better defence against armed men than a rampart. From these they
+repelled the enemy with stones. Scipio, considering that unless the
+business were effected during their first panic, and before they could
+recover their spirits, the attack of so strong a town would be very
+tedious, asked his soldiers "if they could endure, without shame, that
+the other wing should already have taken the camp, and that they,
+after all their success, should be repulsed from the gates of the
+city?" Then, all of them loudly declaring their determination to the
+contrary, he himself advanced, the foremost, to the gate, with his
+shield raised over his head: the rest, following under the like cover
+of their shields conjoined, burst into the city, and dispersing the
+Samnites who were near the gate, took possession of the walls, but
+they ventured not to push forward into the interior of the city in
+consequence of the smallness of their number.
+
+42. Of these transactions the consul was for some time ignorant; and
+was busily employed in calling home his troops, for the sun was now
+hastening to set, and the approach of night rendered every place
+suspicious and dangerous, even to victorious troops. Having rode
+forward a considerable way, he saw on the right the camp taken, and
+heard on the left a shouting in the city, with a confused noise of
+fighting, and cries of terror. This happened while the fight was going
+on at the gate. When, on riding up nearer, he saw his own men on the
+walls, and so much progress already made in the business, pleased at
+having gained, through the precipitate conduct of a few, an
+opportunity of striking an important blow, he ordered the troops, whom
+he had sent back to the camp, to be called out, and to march to the
+attack of the city: these, having made good their entrance on the
+nearest side, proceeded no farther, because night approached. Before
+morning, however, the town was abandoned by the enemy. There were
+slain of the Samnites on that day, at Aquilonia, thirty thousand three
+hundred and forty; taken, three thousand eight hundred and seventy,
+with ninety-seven military standards. One circumstance, respecting
+Papirius, is particularly mentioned by historians: that, hardly ever
+was any general seen in the field with a more cheerful countenance;
+whether this was owing to his natural temper or to his confidence of
+success. From the same firmness of mind it proceeded, that he did not
+suffer himself to be diverted from the war by the dispute about the
+auspices; and that, in the heat of the battle, when it was customary
+to vow temples to the immortal gods, he vowed to Jupiter the
+victorious, that if he should defeat the legions of the enemy, he
+would, before he tasted of any generous liquor, make a libation to him
+of a cup of wine and honey. This kind of vow proved acceptable to the
+gods, and they conducted the auspices to a fortunate issue.
+
+43. Matters were conducted with the same success by the other consul
+at Cominium: leading up his forces to the walls, at the first dawn, he
+invested the city on every side, and posted strong guards opposite to
+the gates to prevent any sally being made. Just as he was giving the
+signal, the alarming message from his colleague, touching the march of
+the twenty Samnite cohorts, not only caused him to delay the assault,
+but obliged him to call off a part of his troops, when they were
+formed and ready to begin the attack. He ordered Decius Brutus Scaeva,
+a lieutenant-general, with the first legion, ten auxiliary cohorts,
+and the cavalry, to go and oppose the said detachment; and in whatever
+place he should meet the foe, there to stop and detain them, and even
+to engage in battle, should opportunity offer for it; at all events
+not to suffer those troops to approach Cominium. He then commanded the
+scaling ladders to be brought up to the walls, on every side of the
+city; and, under a fence of closed shields, advanced to the gates.
+Thus, at the same moment, the gates were broken open, and the assault
+made on every part of the walls. Though the Samnites, before they saw
+the assailants on the works, had possessed courage enough to oppose
+their approaches to the city, yet now, when the action was no longer
+carried on at a distance, nor with missile weapons, but in close
+fight; and when those, who had with difficulty gained the walls,
+having overcome the disadvantage of ground, which, they principally
+dreaded, fought with ease on equal ground, against an enemy inferior
+in strength, they all forsook the towers and walls, and being driven
+to the forum, they tried there for a short time, as a last effort, to
+retrieve the fortune of the fight; but soon throwing down their arms,
+surrendered to the consul, to the number of eleven thousand four
+hundred; four thousand three hundred and eighty were slain. Such was
+the course of events at Cominium, such at Aquilonia. In the middle
+space between the two cities, where a third battle had been expected,
+the enemy were not found; for, when they were within seven miles of
+Cominium, they were recalled by their countrymen, and had no part in
+either battle. At night-fall, when they were now within sight of their
+camp, and also of Aquilonia, shouts from both places reaching them
+with equal force induced them to halt; then, on the side of the camp,
+which had been set on fire by the Romans, the wide-spreading flames
+indicating with more certainty the disaster [which had happened],
+prevented their proceeding any farther. In that same spot, stretched
+on the ground at random under their arms, they passed the whole night
+in great inquietude, at one time wishing for, at another dreading the
+light. At the first dawn, while they were still undetermined to what
+quarter they should direct their march, they were obliged to betake
+themselves hastily to flight, being descried by the cavalry; who
+having gone in pursuit of the Samnites, that left the town in the
+night, saw the multitude unprotected either by a rampart or advanced
+guard. This party had likewise been perceived from the walls of
+Aquilonia, and the legionary cohorts now joined in the pursuit. The
+foot were unable to overtake them, but about two hundred and eighty of
+their rear guard were cut off by the cavalry. In their consternation
+they left behind them a great quantity of arms and eighteen military
+standards: they reached Bovianum with the rest of their party in
+safety, as far as could be expected after so disorderly a rout.
+
+44. The joy of both Roman armies was enhanced by the success achieved
+on the other side. Each consul, with the approbation of his colleague,
+gave to his soldiers the plunder of the town which he had taken; and,
+when the houses were cleared, set them on fire. Thus, on the same day,
+Aquilonia and Cominium were both reduced to ashes. The consuls then
+united their camps, where mutual congratulations took place between
+them and between their soldiers. Here, in the view of the two armies,
+Carvilius bestowed on his men commendations and presents according to
+the desert of each; and Papirius likewise, whose troops had been
+engaged in a variety of actions, in the field, in the assault of the
+camp, and in that of the city, presented Spurius Nautius, Spurius
+Papirius, his nephew, four centurions, and a company of the spearmen,
+with bracelets and crowns of gold:--to Nautius, on account of his
+behaviour at the head of his detachment, when he had terrified the
+enemy with the appearance as of a numerous army; to young Papirius, on
+account of his zealous exertions with the cavalry, both in the battle
+and in harassing the Samnites in their flight by night, when they
+withdrew privately from Aquilonia; and to the centurions and company
+of soldiers, because they were the first who gained possession of the
+gate and wall of that town. All the horsemen he presented with gorgets
+and bracelets of silver, on account of their distinguished conduct on
+many occasions. As the time was now come for withdrawing the army out
+of Samnium, the expediency was considered, as to whether they should
+withdraw both, or at least one. It was concluded, that the lower the
+strength of the Samnites was reduced, the greater perseverance and
+vigour ought to be used in prosecuting the war, so that Samnium might
+be given up to the succeeding consuls perfectly subjected. As there
+was now no army of the enemy which could be supposed capable of
+disputing the field, there remained one mode of operations, the
+besieging of the cities; by the destruction of which, they might be
+enabled to enrich their soldiers with the spoil; and, at the same
+time, utterly to destroy the enemy, reduced to the necessity of
+fighting, their all being at stake. The consuls, therefore, after
+despatching letters to the senate and people of Rome, containing
+accounts of the services which they had performed, led away their
+legions to different quarters; Papirius going to attack Saepioura,
+Carvilius to Volana.
+
+45. The letters of the consuls were heard with extraordinary
+exultation, both in the senate-house and in the assembly of the
+people; and, in a thanksgiving of four days' continuance, the public
+rejoicings were celebrated with zeal by individuals. These successes
+were not only important in themselves to the Roman people, but
+peculiarly seasonable; for it happened, that at the same time
+intelligence was brought that the Etrurians were again in arms. The
+reflection naturally occurred to people's minds, how it would have
+been possible, in case any misfortune had happened in Samnium, to have
+withstood the power of Etruria; which, being encouraged by the
+conspiracy of the Samnites, and seeing both the consuls, and the whole
+force of the Romans, employed against them, had made use of that
+juncture, in which the Romans had so much business on their hands, for
+reviving hostilities. Ambassadors from the allies, being introduced to
+the senate by the praetor Marcus Atilius, complained that their
+countries were wasted with fire and sword by the neighbouring
+Etrurians, because they had refused to revolt from the Romans; and
+they besought the conscript fathers to protect them from the violence
+and injustice of their common enemy. The ambassadors were answered,
+that "the senate would take care that the allies should not repent
+their fidelity." That the "Etrurians should shortly be in the same
+situation with the Samnites." Notwithstanding which, the business
+respecting Etruria would have been prosecuted with less vigour, had
+not information been received, that the Faliscians likewise, who had
+for many years lived in friendship with Rome, had united their arms
+with those of the Etrurians. The consideration of the near vicinity of
+that nation quickened the attention of the senate; insomuch that they
+passed a decree that heralds should be sent to demand satisfaction:
+which being refused, war was declared against the Faliscians by
+direction of the senate, and order of the people; and the consuls were
+desired to determine, by lots, which of them should lead an army from
+Samnium into Etruria. Carvilius had, in the mean time, taken from the
+Samnites Volana, Palumbinum, and Herculaneum; Volana after a siege of
+a few days, Palumbinum the same day on which he approached the walls.
+At Herculaneum, it is true, the consul had two regular engagements
+without any decisive advantage on either side, and with greater loss
+on his side than on that of the enemy; but afterwards, encamping on
+the spot, he shut them up within their works. The town was besieged
+and taken. In these three towns were taken or slain ten thousand men,
+of whom the prisoners composed somewhat the greater part. On the
+consuls casting lots for the provinces, Etruria fell to Carvilius, to
+the great satisfaction of the soldiers, who could no longer bear the
+intensity of the cold in Samnium. Papirius was opposed at Saepinum
+with a more powerful force: he had to fight often in pitched battles,
+often on a march, and often under the walls of the city, against the
+eruptions of the enemy; and could neither besiege, nor engage them on
+equal terms; for the Samnites not only protected themselves by walls,
+but likewise protected their walls with numbers of men and arms. At
+length, after a great deal of fighting, he forced them to submit to a
+regular siege. This he carried on with vigour, and made himself master
+of the city by means of his works, and by storm. The rage of the
+soldiers on this occasion caused the greatest slaughter in the taking
+of the town; seven thousand four hundred fell by the sword; the number
+of the prisoners did not amount to three thousand. The spoil, of which
+the quantity was very great, the whole substance of the Samnites being
+collected in a few cities, was given up to the soldiers.
+
+46. The snow had now entirely covered the face of the country, and
+they could no longer dispense with the shelter of houses: the consul
+therefore led home his troops from Samnium. While he was on his way to
+Rome, a triumph was decreed him with universal consent; and
+accordingly he triumphed while in office, and with extraordinary
+splendour, considering the circumstances of those times. The cavalry
+and infantry marched in the procession, adorned with presents. Great
+numbers of civic, vallar, and mural crowns were seen.[Footnote:
+These marks of honour were bestowed for having saved the lives of
+citizens, or for having been the first to mount walls or ramparts.]
+The spoils of the Samnites were inspected with much curiosity, and
+compared, in respect of magnificence and beauty, with those taken by
+his father, which were well known, from being frequently exhibited as
+ornaments of the public places. Several prisoners of distinction,
+renowned for their own exploits and those of their ancestors, were led
+in the cavalcade. There were carried in the train two millions and
+thirty-three thousand _asses_ in weight.[Footnote: £4940 13s.
+6d.] This money was said to be produced by the sale of the prisoners.
+Of silver, taken in the cities, one thousand three hundred and thirty
+pounds. All the silver and brass were lodged in the treasury, no share
+of this part of the spoil being given to the soldiers. The ill humour
+in the commons was further exasperated, because the tax for the
+payment of the army was collected by contribution; whereas, said they,
+if the vain parade of conveying the produce of the spoil to the
+treasury had been disregarded, donations might have been made to the
+soldiers out of the spoil, and the pay of the army also supplied out
+of that fund. The temple of Quirinus, vowed by his father when
+dictator, (for that he himself had vowed it in the heat of battle, I
+do not find in any ancient writer, nor indeed could he in so short a
+time have finished the building of it,) the son, in the office of
+consul, dedicated and adorned with military spoils. And of these, so
+great was the abundance, that not only that temple and the forum were
+decorated with them, but some were also distributed among the allies
+and colonies in the neighbourhood, to serve as ornaments to their
+temples and public places. Immediately after his triumph, he led his
+army into winter quarters in the territory of Vescia; because that
+country was harassed by the Samnites. Meanwhile, in Etruria, the
+consul Carvilius having set about laying siege to Troilium, suffered
+four hundred and seventy of the richest inhabitants to depart; they
+had paid a large sum of money for permission to leave the place: the
+town, with the remaining multitude, he took by storm. He afterwards
+reduced, by force, five forts strongly situated, wherein were slain
+two thousand four hundred of the enemy, and not quite two thousand
+made prisoners. To the Faliscians, who sued for peace, he granted a
+truce for a year, on condition of their furnishing a hundred thousand
+_asses_ in weight,[Footnote: £322 18s. 4d.] and that year's pay
+for his army. This business completed, he returned home to a triumph,
+which, though it was less illustrious than that of his colleague, in
+respect of his share in the defeat of the Samnites, was yet raised to
+an equality with it, by his having put a termination to the war in
+Etruria. He carried into the treasury three hundred and ninety
+thousand _asses_ in weight.[Footnote: £1259 7s. 6d.] Out of the
+remainder of the money accruing to the public from the spoils, he
+contracted for the building of a temple to Fors Fortuna, near to that
+dedicated to the same goddess by king Servius Tullius; and gave to the
+soldiers, out of the spoil, one hundred and two asses[3] each, and
+double that sum to the centurions and horsemen, who received this
+donative the more gratefully, on account of the parsimony of his
+colleague.
+
+47. The favour of the consul saved from a trial, before the people,
+Postumius; who, on a prosecution being commenced against him by Marcus
+Scantius, plebeian tribune, evaded, as was said, the jurisdiction of
+the people, by procuring the commission of lieutenant-general, so the
+indictment against him could only be held out as a threat, and not put
+in force. The The year having now elapsed, new plebeian tribunes had
+come unto office; and for these, in consequence of some irregularity
+on their appointments, others had been, within five days after,
+substituted in their room. The lustrum was closed this year by the
+censors Publius Cornelius Arvina and Caius Marcius Rutilus. The number
+of citizens rated was two hundred and sixty-two thousand three hundred
+and twenty-two. These were the twenty-sixth pair of censors since the
+first institution of that office; and this the nineteenth lustrum. In
+this year, persons who had been presented with crowns, in
+consideration of meritorious behaviour in war, first began to wear
+them at the exhibition of the Roman games. Then, for the first time,
+palms were conferred on the victors according to a custom introduced
+from Greece. In the same year the paving of the road from the temple
+of Mars to Bovillae was completed by the curule aediles, who exhibited
+those games out of fines levied on the farmers of the pastures. Lucius
+Papirius presided at the consular election, and returned consuls
+Quintus Fabius Gurges, son of Maximus, and Decius Junius Brutus
+Scaeva. Papirius himself was made praetor. This year, prosperous in
+many particulars, was scarcely sufficient to afford consolation for
+one calamity, a pestilence, which afflicted both the city and country:
+the mortality was prodigious. To discover what end, or what remedy,
+was appointed by the gods for that calamity, the books were consulted:
+in the books it was found that Aesculapius must be brought to Rome
+from Epidaurus. Nor were any steps taken that year in that matter,
+because the consuls were fully occupied in the war, except that a
+supplication was performed to Aesculapius for one day.
+
+[Here ten books of the original are lost, making a chasm of
+seventy-five years. The translator's object being to publish the work
+of Livy only, he has not thought it his duty to attempt to supply this
+deficiency, either by a compilation of his own, or by transcribing or
+translating those of others. The leader, however, who may be desirous
+of knowing the events which took place during this interval, will find
+as complete a detail of them as can now be given, in Hooke's or
+Rollin's Roman History. The contents of the lost books have been
+preserved, and are as follows--]
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XI.--[Y.R. 460. B.C. 292.] Fabius Gurges, consul, having fought
+an unsuccessful battle with the Samnites, the senate deliberate about
+dismissing him from the command of the army; are prevailed upon not to
+inflict that disgrace upon him, principally by the entreaties of his
+father, Fabius Maximus, and by his promising to join the army, and
+serve, in quality of lieutenant-general, under his son: which promise
+he performs, and the consul, aided by his counsel and co-operation,
+obtains a victory over the Samnites, and a triumph in consequence. C.
+Pontius, the general of the Samnites, led in triumph before the
+victor's carriage, and afterwards beheaded. A plague at Rome. [Y.R.
+461. B.C. 291.] Ambassadors sent to Epidaurus, to bring from thence to
+Rome the statue of Aesculapius: a serpent, of itself, goes on board
+their ship; supposing it to be the abode of the deity, they bring it
+with them; and, upon its quitting their vessel, and swimming to the
+island in the Tiber, they consecrate there a temple to Aesculapius. L.
+Postumius, a man of consular rank, condemned for employing the
+soldiers under his command in working upon his farm. [Y.R. 462. B.C.
+290] Curius Dentatus, consul, having subdued the Samnites, and the
+rebellious Sabines, triumphs twice during his year of office. [Y.R.
+463. B.C. 289.] The colonies of Castrum, Sena, and Adria, established.
+Three judges of capital crimes now first appointed. A census and
+lustrum: the number of citizens found to be two hundred and
+seventy-three thousand. After a long-continued sedition, on account of
+debts, the commons secede to the Janiculum: [Y.R. 466. B.C. 286.] are
+brought back by Hortensius, dictator, who dies in office. Successful
+operations against the Volsinians and Lucanians, [Y.R. 468. B.C. 284.]
+against whom it was thought expedient to send succour to the
+Thuringians.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XII.--[Y.R. 469. B.C. 283.] The Senonian Gauls having slain the
+Roman ambassadors, war is declared against them: they cut off L.
+Caecilius, praetor, with the legions under his command, [Y.R. 470.
+B.C. 282.] The Roman fleet plundered by the Tarentines, and the
+commander slain: ambassadors, sent to complain of this outrage, are
+ill-treated and sent back; whereupon war is declared against them. The
+Samnites revolt; against whom, together with the Lucanians, Bruttians,
+and Etruscans, several unsuccessful battles are fought by different
+generals. [Y.R. 471. B.C. 281.] Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, comes into
+Italy, to succour the Tarentines. A Campanian legion, sent, under the
+command of Decius Jubellius, to garrison Rhegium, murder the
+inhabitants, and seize the city.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XIII.--[Y.R. 472. B.C. 280.] Valerius Laevinus, consul, engages
+with Pyrrhus, and is beaten, his soldiers being terrified at the
+unusual appearance of elephants. After the battle, Pyrrhus, viewing
+the bodies of the Romans who were slain, remarks, that they all of
+them lay with their faces turned towards their enemy. He proceeds
+towards Rome, ravaging the country as he goes along. C. Fabricius is
+sent by the senate to treat for the redemption of the prisoners: the
+king, in vain, attempts to bribe him to desert his country. The
+prisoners restored without ransom. Cineas, ambassador from Pyrrhus to
+the senate, demands, as a condition of peace, that the king be
+admitted into the city of Rome: the consideration of which being
+deferred to a fuller meeting, Appius Claudius, who, on account of a
+disorder in his eyes, had not, for a long time, attended in the
+senate, comes there; moves, and carries his motion, that the demand of
+the king be refused. Cneius Domitius, the first plebeian censor, holds
+a lustrum; the number of the citizens found to be two hundred and
+seventy-eight thousand two hundred and twenty-two. A second, but
+undecided battle with Pyrrhus. [Y.R. 473. B.C. 279.] The treaty with
+the Carthaginians renewed a fourth time. An offer made to Fabricius,
+the consul, by a traitor, to poison Pyrrhus; [Y. R. 474. B. C. 278.]
+he sends him to the king, and discovers to him the treasonable offer.
+Successful operations against the Etruscans, Lucanians, Bruttians, and
+Samnites.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XIV.--Pyrrhus crosses over into Sicily. [Y. R. 475. B. C. 277.]
+Many prodigies, among which, the statue of Jupiter in the Capitol is
+struck by lightning, and thrown down. [Y. R. 476. B. C. 276.] The head
+of it afterwards found by the priests. Curius Dentatus, holding a
+levy, puts up to sale the goods of a person who refuses to answer to
+his name when called upon. [Y. R. 477. B. C. 275.] Pyrrhus, after his
+return from Sicily, is defeated, and compelled to quit Italy. The
+censors hold a lustrum, and find the number of the citizens to be two
+hundred and seventy-one thousand two hundred and twenty-four. [Y. R.
+479. B. c. 273.] A treaty of alliance formed with Ptolemy, king of
+Egypt. Sextilia, a vestal, found guilty of incest, and buried alive.
+Two colonies sent forth, to Posidonium and Cossa. [Y. R. 480. B. C.
+272.] A Carthaginian fleet sails, in aid of the Tarentines, by which
+act the treaty is violated. Successful operations against the
+Lucanians, Samnites, and Bruttians. Death of king Pyrrhus.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XV.--The Tarentines overcome: peace and freedom granted to them.
+[Y. R. 481. B. C. 271.] The Campanian legion, which had forcibly taken
+possession of Rhegium, besieged there; lay down their arms, and are
+punished with death. Some young men, who had ill-treated the
+ambassadors from the Apollonians to the senate of Rome, are delivered
+up to them. Peace granted to the Picentians. [Y. R. 484. B. C. 268.]
+Two colonies established; one at Ariminum in Picenum, another at
+Beneventum in Samnium. Silver coin now, for the first time, used by
+the Roman people. [Y. R. 485. B. C. 267.] The Umbrians and Sallentines
+subdued. The number of quaestors increased to eight.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XVI.--[Y. R. 488. B. C. 264.] Origin and progress of the
+Carthaginian state. After much debate, the senate resolves to succour
+the Mammertines against the Carthaginians, and against Hiero, king of
+Syracuse. Roman cavalry, then, for the first time, cross the sea, and
+engage successfully, in battle with Hiero; who solicits and obtains
+peace. [Y.R. 489. B.C. 263.] A lustrum: the number of the citizens
+amounts to two hundred and ninety-two thousand two hundred and
+twenty-four. D. Junius Brutus exhibits the first show of gladiators,
+in honour of his deceased father. [Y.R. 490. B.C. 262.] The Aesernian
+colony established. Successful operations against the Carthaginians
+and Vulsinians. [Y.R. 491. B.C. 261.]
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XVII.--[Y.R. 492. B.C. 260.] Cneius Cornelius, consul, surrounded
+by the Carthaginian fleet; and, being drawn into a conference by a
+stratagem, is taken. [Y.R. 493. B.C. 259.] C. Duilius, consul, engages
+with and vanquishes the Carthaginian fleet; is the first commander to
+whom a triumph was decreed for a naval victory; in honour of which, he
+is allowed, when returning to his habitation at night, to be attended
+with torches and music. L. Cornelius, consul, fights and subdues the
+Sardinians and Corsicans, together with Hanno, the Carthaginian
+general, in the island of Sardinia. [Y.R. 494. B.C. 258.] Atilius
+Calatinus, consul, drawn into an ambuscade by the Carthaginians, is
+rescued by the skill and valour of M. Calpurnius, a military tribune,
+who making a sudden attack upon the enemy, with a body of only three
+hundred men, turns their whole force against himself. [Y.R. 495. B.C.
+257.] Hannibal, the commander of the Carthaginian fleet which was
+beaten, is put to death by his soldiers.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XVIII.--[Y.R. 496. B.C. 256.] Attilius Regulus, consul, having
+overcome the Carthaginians in a sea-fight, passes over into Africa:
+kills a serpent of prodigious magnitude, with great loss of his own
+men. [Y.R. 497. B.C. 255.] The senate, on account of his successful
+conduct of the war, not appointing him a successor, he writes to them,
+complaining; and, among other reasons for desiring to be recalled,
+alledges, that his little farm, being all his subsistence, was going
+to ruin, owing to the mismanagement of hired stewards. [Y.R. 498. B.C.
+254.] A memorable instance of the instability of fortune exhibited in
+the person of Regulus, who is overcome in battle, and taken prisoner
+by Xanthippus, a Lacedaemonian general. [Y. R. 499. B. C. 253.] The
+Roman fleet shipwrecked; which disaster entirely reverses the good
+fortune which had hitherto attended their affairs. Titus Corucanius,
+the first high priest chosen from among the commons. [Y. R. 500. B. C.
+252.] P. Sempronius Sophus and M. Yalerius Maximus, censors, examine
+into the state of the senate, and expel thirteen of the members of
+that body. [Y. R. 501. B. C. 251.] They hold a lustrum, and find the
+number of citizens to be two hundred and ninety-seven thousand seven
+hundred and ninety-seven. [Y. R. 502. B. C. 250.] Regulus being sent
+by the Carthaginians to Rome to treat for peace, and an exchange of
+prisoners, binds himself by oath to return if these objects be not
+attained; dissuades the senate from agreeing to the propositions: and
+then, in observance of his oath, returning to Carthage, is put to
+death by torture.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XIX.--[Y. R. 502. B. C. 250.] C. Caecilius Metellus, having been
+successful in several engagements with the Carthaginians, triumphs
+with more splendour than had ever yet been seen; thirteen generals of
+the enemy, and one hundred and twenty elephants, being exhibited in
+the procession, [Y. R. 503. B. C. 249.] Claudius Pulcher, consul,
+obstinately persisting, notwithstanding the omens were inauspicious,
+engages the enemy's fleet, and is beaten; drowns the sacred chickens
+which would not feed: recalled by the senate, and ordered to nominate
+a dictator; he appoints Claudius Glicia, one of the lowest of the
+people, who, notwithstanding his being ordered to abdicate the office,
+yet attends the celebration of the public games in his dictator's
+robe. [Y. R. 504. B. C. 248.] Atilius Calatinus, the first dictator
+who marches with an army out of Italy. An exchange of prisoners with
+the Carthaginians. Two colonies established at Fregenae and Brundusium
+in the Sallentine territories. [Y. R. 505. B. C. 247.] A lustrum; the
+citizens numbered amount to two hundred and fifty-one thousand two
+hundred and twenty-two. [Y. R. 506. B. C. 246.] Claudia, the sister of
+Claudius, who had fought unsuccessfully, in contempt of the auspices,
+being pressed by the crowd, as she was returning from the game, cries
+out, _I wish my brother were alive and had again the command of the
+fleet_: for which offence she is tried and fined. [Y. R. 507. B. C.
+245.] Two praetors now first created. Aulus Postumius, consul, being
+priest of Mars, forcibly detained in the city by Caecilius Metellus,
+the high priest, and not suffered to go forth to war, being obliged by
+law to attend to the sacred duties of his office. [Y.R. 508. B.C.
+244.] After several successful engagements with the Carthaginians,
+Caius Lutatius, consul, puts an end to the war, [Y.R. 509. B.C. 243.]
+by gaining a complete victory over their fleet, at the island of
+Aegate. The Carthaginians sue for peace, which is granted to them.
+[Y.R. 510. B.C. 242.] The temple of Vesta being on fire, the high
+priest, Caecilius Metellus, saves the sacred utensils from the flames.
+[Y.R. 511. B.C. 241.] Two new tribes added, the Veline and Quirine.
+The Falisci rebel; are subdued in six days.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XX.--A colony settled at Spoletum. [Y.R. 512. B.C. 240.] An army
+sent against the Ligurians; being the first war with that state. The
+Sardinians and Corsicans rebel, and are subdued. [Y.R. 514. B.C. 238.]
+Tuccia, a vestal, found guilty of incest. War declared against the
+Illyrians, who had slain an ambassador; they are subdued and brought
+to submission. [Y.R. 515. B.C. 237.] The number of praetors increased
+to four. The Transalpine Gauls make an irruption into Italy: are
+conquered and put to the sword. [Y.R. 516. B.C. 236.] The Roman army,
+in conjunction with the Latins, is said to have amounted to no less
+than three hundred thousand men. [Y.R. 517. B.C. 235.] The Roman army
+for the first time crosses the Po; fights with and subdues the
+Insubrian Gauls. [Y.R. 530. B.C. 222.] Claudius Marcellus, consul,
+having slain Viridomarus, the general of the Insubrian Gauls, carries
+off the _spolia opima_. [Y.R. 531. B.C. 221.] The Istrians
+subdued; also the Illyrians, who had rebelled. [Y.R. 532. B.C. 220.]
+The censors hold a lustrum, in which the number of the citizens is
+found to be two hundred and seventy thousand two hundred and thirteen.
+The sons of freed-men formed into four tribes; the Esquiline,
+Palatine, Suburran, and Colline. [Y.R. 533. B.C. 219.] Caius
+Flaminius, censor, constructs the Flaminian road, and builds the
+Flaminian circus.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXI.
+
+
+_Origin of the second Punic war. Hannibal's character. In violation
+of a treaty, he passes the Iberus. Besieges Saguntum, and at length
+takes it. The Romans send ambassadors to Carthage; declare war.
+Hannibal crosses the Pyrenees: makes his way through Gaul; then
+crosses the Alps; defeats the Romans at the Ticinus. The Romans again
+defeated at the Trebia. Cneius Cornelius Scipio defeats the
+Carthaginians in Spain, and takes Hanno, their general, prisoner._
+
+1. I may be permitted to premise at this division of my work, what
+most historians [Footnote: Thucydides seems to be specially referred
+to.] have professed at the beginning of their whole undertaking; that
+I am about to relate the most memorable of all wars that were ever
+waged: the war which the Carthaginians, under the conduct of Hannibal,
+maintained with the Roman people. For never did any states and nations
+more efficient in their resources engage in contest; nor had they
+themselves at any other period so great a degree of power and energy.
+They brought into action too no arts of war unknown to each other, but
+those which had been tried in the first Punic war; and so various was
+the fortune of the conflict, and so doubtful the victory, that they
+who conquered were more exposed to danger. The hatred with which they
+fought also was almost greater than their resources; the Romans being
+indignant that the conquered aggressively took up arms against their
+victors; the Carthaginians, because they considered that in their
+subjection it had been lorded over them with haughtiness and avarice.
+There is besides a story, that Hannibal, when about nine years old,
+while he boyishly coaxed his father Hamilcar that he might be taken to
+Spain, (at the time when the African war was completed, and he was
+employed in sacrificing previously to transporting his army thither,)
+was conducted to the altar; and, having laid his hand on the
+offerings, was bound by an oath to prove himself, as soon as he could,
+an enemy to the Roman people. The loss of Sicily and Sardinia grieved
+the high spirit of Hamilcar: for he deemed that Sicily had been given
+up through a premature despair of their affairs; and that Sardinia,
+during the disturbances in Africa, had been treacherously taken by the
+Romans, while, in addition, the payment of a tribute had been imposed.
+
+2. Being disturbed with these anxieties, he so conducted himself for
+five years in the African war, which commenced shortly after the peace
+with Rome, and then through nine years employed in augmenting the
+Carthaginian empire in Spain, that it was obvious that he was
+revolving in his mind a greater war than he was then engaged in; and
+that if he had lived longer, the Carthaginians under Hamilcar would
+have carried the war into Italy, which, under the command of Hannibal,
+they afterwards did. The timely death of Hamilcar and the youth of
+Hannibal occasioned its delay. Hasdrubal, intervening between the
+father and the son, held the command for about eight years. He was
+first endeared to Hamilcar, as they say, on account of his youthful
+beauty, and then adopted by him, when advanced in age, as his
+son-in-law, on account of his eminent abilities; and, because he was
+his son-in-law, he obtained the supreme authority, against the wishes
+of the nobles, by the influence of the Barcine faction, [Footnote:
+The Barcine faction derived its name from Hamilcar, who was surnamed
+Barca. Hanno appears to have been at the head of the opposite party.]
+which was very powerful with the military and the populace.
+Prosecuting his designs rather by stratagem than force, by
+entertaining the princes, and by means of the friendship of their
+leaders, gaining the favour of unknown nations, he aggrandized the
+Carthaginian power, more than by arms and battles. Yet peace proved no
+greater security to himself. A barbarian, in resentment of his
+master's having been put to death by him, publicly murdered him; and,
+having been seized by the bystanders, he exhibited the same
+countenance as if he had escaped; nay, even when he was lacerated by
+tortures, he preserved such an expression of face, that he presented
+the appearance of one who smiled, his joy getting the better of his
+pains. With this Hasdrubal, because he possessed such wonderful skill
+in gaining over the nations and adding them to his empire, the Roman
+people had renewed the treaty, [Footnote: A. U. C. 526, thirteen
+years after the conclusion of the first Punic war, being the sixth
+treaty between the Carthaginians and Romans. The first was a
+commercial agreement made during the first consulate, in the year that
+the Tarquins were expelled from Rome; but is not mentioned by Livy.
+The second is noted by him, lib. vii. 27, and the third, lib. ix. 43.
+The fourth was concluded during the war with Pyrrhus and the
+Tarentines, Polyb. V. iii. 25: and the fifth was the memorable treaty
+at the close of the first war] on the terms, that the river Iberus
+should be the boundary of both empires; and that to the Saguntines,
+who lay between the territories of the two states, their liberty
+should be preserved.
+
+3. There was no doubt that in appointing a successor to Hasdrubal, the
+approbation of the commons would follow the military prerogative, by
+which the young Hannibal had been immediately carried to the
+praetorium, and hailed as general, amid the loud shouts and
+acquiescence of all. Hasdrubal had sent for him by letter, when scarce
+yet arrived at manhood; and the matter had even been discussed in the
+senate, the Barcine faction using all their efforts, that Hannibal
+might be trained to military service and succeed to his father's
+command. Hanno, the leader of the opposite faction, said, "Hasdrubal
+seems indeed to ask what is reasonable, but I, nevertheless, do not
+think his request ought to be granted." When he had attracted to
+himself the attention of all, through surprise at this ambiguous
+opinion, he proceeded: "Hasdrubal thinks that the flower of youth
+which he gave to the enjoyment of Hannibal's father, may justly be
+expected by himself in return from the son: but it would little become
+us to accustom our youth, in place of a military education, to the
+lustful ambition of the generals. Are we afraid that the son of
+Hamilcar should be too late in seeing the immoderate power and
+splendour of his father's sovereignty? or that we shall not soon
+enough become slaves to the son of him, to whose son-in-law our armies
+were bequeathed as an hereditary right? I am of opinion, that this
+youth should be kept at home, and taught, under the restraint of the
+laws and the authority of magistrates, to live on an equal footing
+with the rest of the citizens, lest at some time or other this small
+fire should kindle a vast conflagration."
+
+4. A few, and nearly every one of the highest merit, concurred with
+Hanno; but, as usually happens, the more numerous party prevailed over
+the better. Hannibal, having been sent into Spain, from his very first
+arrival drew the eyes of the whole army upon him. The veteran soldiers
+imagined that Hamilcar, in his youth, was restored to them; they
+remarked the same vigour in his looks and animation in his eye the
+same features and expression of countenance; and then, in a short
+time, he took care that his father should be of the least powerful
+consideration in conciliating their esteem. There never was a genius
+more fitted for the two most opposite duties of obeying and
+commanding; so that you could not easily decide whether he were dearer
+to the general or the army: and neither did Hasdrubal prefer giving
+the command to any other, when any thing was to be done with courage
+and activity; nor did the soldiers feel more confidence and boldness
+under any other leader. His fearlessness in encountering dangers, and
+his prudence when in the midst of them, were extreme. His body could
+not be exhausted, nor his mind subdued, by any toil. He could alike
+endure either heat or cold. The quantity of his food and drink was
+determined by the wants of nature, and not by pleasure. The seasons of
+his sleeping and waking were distinguished neither by day nor night.
+The time that remained after the transaction of business was given to
+repose; but that repose was neither invited by a soft bed nor by
+quiet. Many have seen him wrapped in a military cloak, lying on the
+ground amid the watches and outposts of the soldiers. His dress was
+not at all superior to that of his equals: his arms and his horses
+were conspicuous. He was at once by far the first of the cavalry and
+infantry; and, foremost to advance to the charge, was last to leave
+the engagement. Excessive vices counterbalanced these high virtues of
+the hero; inhuman cruelty, more than Punic perfidy, no truth, no
+reverence for things sacred, no fear of the gods, no respect for
+oaths, no sense of religion. With a character thus made up of virtue
+and vices, he served for three years under the command of Hasdrubal,
+without neglecting any thing which ought to be done or seen by one who
+was to become a great general.
+
+5. But from the day on which he was declared general, as if Italy had
+been decreed to him as his province, and the war with Rome committed
+to him, thinking there should be no delay, lest, while he
+procrastinated, some unexpected accident might defeat him, as had
+happened to his father, Hamilcar, and afterwards to Hasdrubal, he
+resolved to make war the Saguntines. As there could be no doubt that
+by attacking them the Romans would be excited to arms, he first led
+his army into the territory of the Olcades, a people beyond the
+Iberus, rather within the boundaries than under the dominion of the
+Carthaginians, so that he might not seem to have had the Saguntines
+for his object, but to have been drawn on to the war by the course of
+events; after the adjoining nations had been subdued, and by the
+progressive annexation of conquered territory. He storms and plunders
+Carteia, a wealthy city, the capital of that nation; at which the
+smaller states being dismayed, submitted to his command and to the
+imposition of a tribute. His army, triumphant and enriched with booty,
+was led into winter-quarters to New Carthage. Having there confirmed
+the attachment of all his countrymen and allies by a liberal division
+of the plunder, and by faithfully discharging the arrears of pay, the
+war was extended, in the beginning of spring, to the Vaccaei. The
+cities Hermandica and Arbocala were taken by storm. Arbocala was
+defended for a long time by the valour and number of its inhabitants.
+Those who escaped from Hermandica joining themselves to the exiles of
+the Olcades, a nation subdued the preceding summer, excite the
+Carpetani to arms; and having attacked Hannibal near the river Tagus,
+on his return from the Vaccaei, they threw into disorder his army
+encumbered with spoil. Hannibal avoided an engagement, and having
+pitched his camp on the bank, as soon as quiet and silence prevailed
+among the enemy, forded the river; and having removed his rampart so
+far that the enemy might have room to pass over, resolved to attack
+them in their passage. He commanded the cavalry to charge as soon as
+they should see them advanced into the water. He drew up the line of
+his infantry on the bank with forty elephants in front. The Carpetani,
+with the addition of the Olcades and Vaccaei amounted to a hundred
+thousand, an invincible army, were the fight to take place in the open
+plain. Being therefore both naturally ferocious and confiding in their
+numbers; and since they believed that the enemy had retired through
+fear thinking that victory was only delayed by the intervention of the
+river, they raise a shout, and in every direction, without the command
+of any one, dash into the stream, each where it nearest to him. At the
+same time, a heavy force of cavalry poured into the river from its
+opposite bank, and the engagement commenced in the middle of the
+channel on very unequal terms; for there the foot-soldier, having no
+secure footing, and scarcely trusting to the ford, could be borne down
+even by an unarmed horseman, by the mere shock of his horse urged at
+random; while the horseman, with the command of his body and his
+weapons, his horse moving steadily even through the middle of the
+eddies, could maintain the fight either at close quarters or at a
+distance. A great number were swallowed up by the current; some being
+carried by the whirlpools of the stream to the side of the enemy, were
+trodden down by the elephants; and whilst the last, for whom it was
+more safe to retreat to their own bank, were collecting together after
+their various alarms, Hannibal, before they could regain courage after
+such excessive consternation, having entered the river with his army
+in a close square, forced them to fly from the bank. Having then laid
+waste their territory, he received the submission of the Carpetani
+also within a few days. And now all the country beyond the Iberus,
+excepting that of the Saguntines, was under the power of the
+Carthaginians.
+
+6. As yet there was no war with the Saguntines, but already, in order
+to a war, the seeds of dissension were sown between them and their
+neighbours, particularly the Turetani, with whom when the same person
+sided who had originated the quarrel, and it was evident, not that a
+trial of the question of right, but violence, was his object,
+ambassadors were sent by the Saguntines to Rome to implore assistance
+in the war which now evidently threatened them. The consuls then at
+Rome were Publius Cornelius Scipio and Tiberius Sempronius Longus,
+who, after the ambassadors were introduced into the senate, having
+made a motion on the state of public affairs, it was resolved that
+envoys should be sent into Spain to inspect the circumstances of the
+allies; and if they saw good reason, both to warn Hannibal that he
+should refrain from the Saguntines, the allies of the Roman people,
+and to pass over into Africa to Carthage, and report the complaints of
+the allies of the Roman people. This embassy having been decreed but
+not yet despatched, the news arrived, more quickly than any one
+expected, that Saguntum was besieged. The business was then referred
+anew to the senate. And some, decreeing Spain and Africa as provinces
+for the consuls, thought the war should be maintained both by sea and
+land, while others wished to direct the whole hostilities against
+Spain and Hannibal. There were others again who thought that an affair
+of such importance should not be entered on rashly; and that the
+return of the ambassadors from Spain ought to be awaited. This
+opinion, which seemed the safest, prevailed; and Publius Valerius
+Flaccus, and Quintus Baebius Tamphilus, were, on that account, the
+more quickly despatched as ambassadors to Hannibal at Saguntum, and
+from thence to Carthage, if he did not desist from the war, to demand
+the general himself in atonement for the violation of the treaty.
+
+7. While the Romans thus prepare and deliberate, Saguntum was already
+besieged with the utmost vigour. That city, situated about a mile from
+the sea, was by far the most opulent beyond the Iberus. Its
+inhabitants are said to have been sprung from the island Zacynthus,
+and some of the Rutulian race from Ardea to have been also mixed with
+them; but they had risen in a short time to great wealth, either by
+their gains from the sea or the land, or by the increase of their
+numbers, or the integrity of their principles, by which they
+maintained their faith with their allies, even to their own
+destruction. Hannibal having entered their territory with a hostile
+army, and laid waste the country in every direction, attacks the city
+in three different quarters. There was an angle of the wall sloping
+down into a more level and open valley than the other space around;
+against this he resolved to move the vineae, by means of which the
+battering-ram might be brought up to the wall. But though the ground
+at a distance from the wall was sufficiently level for working the
+vineae, yet their undertakings by no means favourably succeeded, when
+they came to effect their object. Both a huge tower overlooked it, and
+the wall, as in a suspected place, was raised higher than in any other
+part; and a chosen band of youths presented a more vigorous
+resistance, where the greatest danger and labour were indicated. At
+first they repelled the enemy with missile weapons, and suffered no
+place to be sufficiently secure for those engaged in the works;
+afterwards, not only did they brandish their weapons in defence of the
+walls and tower, but they had courage to make sallies on the posts and
+works of the enemy; in which tumultuary engagements, scarcely more
+Saguntines than Carthaginians were slain. But when Hannibal himself,
+while he too incautiously approached the wall, fell severely wounded
+in the thigh by a javelin, such flight and dismay spread around, that
+the works and vineae had nearly been abandoned.
+
+8. For a few days after, while the general's wound was being cured,
+there was rather a blockade than a siege: during which time, though
+there was a respite from fighting, yet there was no intermission in
+the preparation of works and fortifications. Hostilities, therefore,
+broke out afresh with greater fury, and in more places, in some even
+where the ground scarcely admitted of the works, the vineae began to
+be moved forward, and the battering-ram to be advanced to the walls.
+The Carthaginian abounded in the numbers of his troops; for there is
+sufficient reason to believe that he had as many as a hundred and
+fifty thousand in arms. The townsmen began to be embarrassed, by
+having their attention multifariously divided, in order to maintain
+their several defences, and look to every thing; nor were they equal
+to the task, for the walls were now battered by the rams, and many
+parts of them were shattered. One part by continuous ruins left the
+city exposed; three successive towers and all the wall between them
+had fallen down with an immense crash, and the Carthaginians believed
+the town taken by that breach; through which, as if the wall had alike
+protected both, there was a rush from each side to the battle. There
+was nothing resembling the disorderly fighting which, in the storming
+of towns, is wont to be engaged in, on the opportunities of either
+party; but regular lines, as in an open plain, stood arrayed between
+the ruins of the walls and the buildings of the city, which lay but a
+slight distance from the walls. On the one side hope, on the other
+despair, inflamed their courage; the Carthaginian believing that, if a
+little additional effort were used, the city was his; the Saguntines
+opposing their bodies in defence of their native city deprived of its
+walls, and not a man retiring a step, lest he might admit the enemy
+into the place he deserted. The more keenly and closely, therefore,
+they fought on both sides, the more, on that account, were wounded, no
+weapon falling without effect amidst their arms and persons. There was
+used by the Saguntines a missile weapon, called falarica, with the
+shaft of fir, and round in other parts except towards the point,
+whence the iron projected: this part, which was square, as in the
+pilum, they bound around with tow, and besmeared with pitch. It had an
+iron head three feet in length, so that it could pierce through the
+body with the armour. But what caused the greatest fear was, that this
+weapon, even though it stuck in the shield and did not penetrate into
+the body, when it was discharged with the middle part on fire, and
+bore along a much greater flame, produced by the mere motion, obliged
+the armour to be thrown down, and exposed the soldier to succeeding
+blows.
+
+9. When the contest had for a long time continued doubtful, and the
+courage of the Saguntines had increased, because they had succeeded in
+their resistance beyond their hopes, while the Carthaginian, because
+he had not conquered, felt as vanquished, the townsmen suddenly set up
+a shout, and drive their enemies to the ruins of the wall; thence they
+force them, while embarrassed and disordered; and lastly, drove them
+back, routed and put to flight, to their camp. In the mean time it was
+announced that ambassadors had arrived from Rome; to meet whom
+messengers were sent to the sea-side by Hannibal, to tell them that
+they could not safely come to him through so many armed bands of
+savage tribes, and that Hannibal at such an important conjuncture had
+not leisure to listen to embassies. It was obvious that, if not
+admitted, they would immediately repair to Carthage: he therefore
+sends letters and messengers beforehand to the leaders of the Barcine
+faction, to prepare the minds of their partisans, so that the other
+party might not be able in any thing to give an advantage to the
+Romans.
+
+10. That embassy, therefore, excepting that the ambassadors were
+admitted and heard, proved likewise vain and fruitless. Hanno alone,
+in opposition to the rest of the senate, pleaded the cause of the
+treaty, amidst deep silence on account of his authority, and not from
+the approbation of the audience. He said: that he had admonished and
+forewarned them by the gods, the arbiters and witnesses of treaties,
+that they should not send the son of Hamilcar to the army; that the
+manes, that the offspring of that man could not rest in peace, nor
+ever, while any one of the Barcine name and blood survived, would the
+Roman treaties continue undisturbed. "You, supplying as it were fuel
+to the flame, have sent to your armies a youth burning with the desire
+of sovereign power, and seeing but one road to his object, if by
+exciting war after war, he may live surrounded by arms and legions.
+You have therefore fostered this fire, in which you now burn. Your
+armies invest Saguntum, whence they are forbidden by the treaty: ere
+long the Roman legions will invest Carthage, under the guidance of
+those gods through whose aid they revenged in the former war the
+infraction of the treaty. Are you unacquainted with the enemy, or with
+yourselves, or with the fortune of either nation? Your good general
+refused to admit into his camp ambassadors coming from allies and in
+behalf of allies, and set at nought the law of nations. They, however,
+after being there repulsed, where not even the ambassadors of enemies
+are prohibited admittance, come to you: they require restitution
+according to the treaty: let not guilt attach to the state, they
+demand to have delivered up to them the author of the transgression,
+the person who is chargeable with this offence. The more gently they
+proceed,--the slower they are to begin, the more unrelentingly, I
+fear, when they have once commenced, will they indulge resentment. Set
+before your eyes the islands Aegates and Eryx, all that for
+twenty-four years ye have suffered by land and sea. Nor was this boy
+the leader, but his father Hamilcar himself, a second Mars, as these
+people would have it: but we had not refrained from Tarentum, that is,
+from Italy, according to the treaty; as now we do not refrain from
+Saguntum. The gods and men have, therefore, prevailed over us; and as
+to that about which there was a dispute in words, whether of the two
+nations had infringed the treaty, the issue of the war, like an
+equitable judge, hath awarded the victory to the party on whose side
+justice stood. It is against Carthage that Hannibal is now moving his
+vineae and towers: it is the wall of Carthage that he is shaking with
+his battering-ram. The ruins of Saguntum (oh that I may prove a false
+prophet!) will fall on our heads; and the war commenced against the
+Saguntines must be continued against the Romans. Shall we, therefore,
+some one will say, deliver up Hannibal? In what relates to him I am
+aware that my authority is of little weight, on account of my enmity
+with his father. But I both rejoice that Hamilcar perished, for this
+reason, that, had he lived we should have now been engaged in a war
+with the Romans; and this youth, as the fury and firebrand of this
+war, I hate and detest. Nor ought he only to be given up in atonement
+for the violated treaty; but even though no one demanded him, he ought
+to be transported to the extremest shores of earth or sea, and
+banished to a distance, whence neither his name nor any tidings of him
+can reach us, and he be unable to disturb the peace of a tranquil
+state. I therefore give my opinion, that ambassadors be sent
+immediately to Rome to satisfy the senate; others to tell Hannibal to
+lead away his army from Saguntum, and to deliver up Hannibal himself,
+according to the treaty to the Romans; and I propose a third embassy
+to make restitution to the Saguntines."
+
+11. When Hanno had concluded, there was no occasion for any one to
+contend with him in debate, to such a decree were almost all the
+senators devoted to Hannibal; and they accused Hanno of having spoken
+with more malignity than Flaccus Valerius, the Roman ambassador. It
+was then said in answer to the Roman ambassadors, "that the war had
+been commenced by the Saguntines, not by Hannibal; and that the Roman
+people acted unjustly if they preferred the Saguntines to the most
+ancient [Footnote: Alluding to the first treaty made in the year
+that the kings were expelled from Rome.] alliance of the
+Carthaginians." Whilst the Romans waste time in sending embassies,
+Hannibal, because his soldiers were fatigued with the battles and the
+works, allowed them rest for a few days, parties being stationed to
+guard the vineae and other works. In the mean time he inflames their
+minds, now by inciting their anger against the enemy, now with the
+hope of reward. But when he declared before the assembled army, that
+the plunder of the captured city should be given to the soldiers, to
+such a degree were they all excited, that if the signal had been
+immediately given, it appeared that they could not have been resisted
+by any force. The Saguntines, as they had a respite from fighting,
+neither for some days attacking nor attacked, so they had not, by
+night or day, ever ceased from toiling, that they might repair anew
+the wall in the quarter where the town had been exposed by the breach.
+A still more desperate storming than the former then assailed them;
+nor whilst all quarters resounded with various clamours, could they
+satisfactorily know where first or principally they should lend
+assistance. Hannibal, as an encouragement, was present in person,
+where a movable tower, exceeding in height all the fortifications of
+the city, was urged forward. When being brought up it had cleared the
+walls of their defenders by means of the catapultae and ballistae
+ranged through all its stories, then Hannibal, thinking it a
+favourable opportunity, sends about five hundred Africans with
+pickaxes to undermine the wall: nor was the work difficult, since the
+unhewn stones were not fastened with lime, but filled in their
+interstices with clay, after the manner of ancient building. It fell,
+therefore, more extensively than it was struck, and through the open
+spaces of the ruins troops of armed men rushed into the city. They
+also obtain possession of a rising ground; and having collected
+thither catapultae and ballistae, so that they might have a fort in
+the city itself, commanding it like a citadel, they surround it with a
+wall: and the Saguntines raise an inner wall before the part of the
+city which was not yet taken. On both sides they exert the utmost
+vigour in fortifying and fighting: but the Saguntines, by erecting
+these inner defences, diminish daily the size of their city. At the
+same time, the want of all supplies increased through the length of
+the siege, and the expectation of foreign aid diminished, since the
+Romans, their only hope, were at such a distance, and all the country
+round was in the power of the enemy. The sudden departure of Hannibal
+against the Oretani and Carpetani [Footnote: The Carpetani have
+already been mentioned, chap. v. The Oretani, then neighbours,
+occupied the country lying between the sources of the Baetis and the
+Anas, or what are now called the Guadalquiver and Guadiana. In a part
+of Orospeda they deduced their name from a city called Oretum, the
+site of which has been brought to light in a paltry village to which
+the name of Oreto still remains.--_D'Anville_.] revived for a
+little their drooping spirits; which two nations, though, exasperated
+by the severity of the levy, they had occasioned, by detaining the
+commissaries, the fear of a revolt, having been suddenly checked by
+the quickness of Hannibal, laid down the arms they had taken up.
+
+12. Nor was the siege of Saguntum, in the mean time, less vigorously
+maintained; Maharbal, the son of Himilco, whom Hannibal had set over
+the army, carrying on operations so actively that neither the townsmen
+nor their enemies perceived that the general was away. He both engaged
+in several successful battles, and with three battering-rams overthrew
+a portion of the wall; and showed to Hannibal, on his arrival the
+ground all covered with fresh ruins. The army was therefore
+immediately led against the citadel itself, and a desperate combat was
+commenced with much slaughter on both sides, and part of the citadel
+was taken. The slight chance of a peace was then tried by two persons;
+Alcon a Saguntine, and Alorcus a Spaniard. Alcon, thinking he could
+effect something by entreaties, having passed over, without the
+knowledge of the Saguntines, to Hannibal by night, when his tears
+produced no effect, and harsh conditions were offered as from an
+exasperated conqueror, becoming a deserter instead of an advocate,
+remained with the enemy; affirming that the man would be put to death
+who should treat for peace on such terms. For it was required that
+they should make restitution to the Turdetani; and after delivering up
+all their gold and silver, departing from the city each with a single
+garment, should take up their dwelling where the Carthaginian should
+direct. Alcon having denied that the Saguntines would accept such
+terms of peace, Alorcus, asserting that when all else is subdued, the
+mind becomes subdued, offers himself as the proposer of that peace.
+Now at that time he was a soldier of Hannibal's, but publicly the
+friend and host of the Saguntines. Having openly delivered his weapon
+to the guards of the enemy and passed the fortifications, he was
+conducted, as he had himself requested, to the Saguntine praetor;
+whither when there was immediately a general rush of every description
+of people, the rest of the multitude being removed, an audience of the
+senate is given to Alorcus; whose speech was to the following effect:
+
+13. "If your citizen Alcon, as he came to implore a peace from
+Hannibal, had in like manner brought back to you the terms of peace
+proposed by Hannibal, this journey of mine would have been
+unnecessary; by which circumstance I should not have had to come to
+you as the legate of Hannibal, nor as a deserter. Since he has
+remained with your enemies, either through your fault or his own,
+(through his own, if he counterfeited fear; through yours, if among
+you there be danger to those who tell the truth,) that you may not be
+ignorant that there are some terms of safety and peace for you, I have
+come to you in consideration of the ancient ties of hospitality which
+subsist between us. But that I speak what I address to you for your
+sake and that of no other, let even this be the proof: that neither
+while you resisted with your own strength, nor while you expected
+assistance from the Romans, did I ever make any mention of peace to
+you. But now, after you have neither any hope from the Romans, nor
+your own arms nor walls sufficiently defend you, I bring to you a
+peace rather necessary than just: of effecting which there is thus
+some hope, if, as Hannibal offers it in the spirit of a conqueror, you
+listen to it as vanquished; if you will consider not what is taken
+from you as loss, (since all belongs to the conqueror,) but whatever
+is left as a gift. He takes away from you your city, which, already
+for the greater part in ruins, he has almost wholly in his possession;
+he leaves you your territory, intending to mark out a place in which
+you may build a new town; he commands that all the gold and silver,
+both public and private, shall be brought to him; he preserves
+inviolate your persons and those of your wives and children, provided
+you are willing to depart from Saguntum, unarmed, each with two
+garments. These terms a victorious enemy dictates. These, though harsh
+and grievous, your condition commends to you. Indeed I do not despair,
+when the power of every thing is given him, that he will remit
+something from these terms. But even these I think you ought rather to
+endure, than suffer, by the rights of war, yourselves to be
+slaughtered, your wives and children to be ravished and dragged into
+captivity before your faces."
+
+14. When an assembly of the people, by the gradual crowding round of
+the multitude, had mingled with the senate to hear these proposals,
+the chief men suddenly withdrawing before an answer was returned, and
+throwing all the gold and silver collected, both from public and
+private stores, into a fire hastily kindled for that purpose, the
+greater part flung themselves also into it. When the dismay and
+agitation produced by this deed had pervaded the whole city, another
+noise was heard in addition from the citadel. A tower, long battered,
+had fallen down; and when a Carthaginian cohort, rushing through the
+breach, had made a signal to the general that the city was destitute
+of the usual outposts and guards, Hannibal, thinking that there ought
+to be no delay at such an opportunity, having attacked the city with
+his whole forces, took it in a moment, command being given that all
+the adults should be put to death; which command, though cruel, was
+proved in the issue to have been almost necessary. For to whom of
+those men could mercy have been shown, who, either shut up with their
+wives and children, burned their houses over their own heads, or
+abroad in arms made no end of fighting, except in death.
+
+15. The town was taken, with immense spoil. Though the greater part of
+the goods had been purposely damaged by their owners, and resentment
+had made scarce any distinction of age in the massacre, and the
+captives were the booty of the soldiers; still it appears that some
+money was raised from the price of the effects that were sold, and
+that much costly furniture and garments were sent to Carthage. Some
+have written that Saguntum was taken in the eighth month after it
+began to be besieged; that Hannibal then retired to New Carthage, into
+winter quarters; and that in the fifth month after he had set out from
+Carthage he arrived in Italy. If this be so, it was impossible that
+Publius Cornelius and Tiberius Sempronius could have been consuls, to
+whom both at the beginning of the siege the Saguntine ambassadors were
+despatched, and who, during their office, fought with Hannibal; the
+one at the river Ticinus, and both some time after at the Trebia.
+Either all these events took place in a somewhat shorter period, or
+Saguntum was not begun to be besieged, but taken at the beginning of
+the year in which Publius Cornelius and Tiberius Sempronius were
+consuls. For the battle at Trebia could not have been so late as the
+year of Cneius Servilius and Caius Flaminius, since Flaminius entered
+on the office at Ariminum, having been created by the consul Tiberius
+Sempronius; who, having repaired to Rome after the battle at Trebia
+for the purpose of creating consuls, returned when the election was
+finished to the army into winter quarters.
+
+16. Nearly about the same time, both the ambassadors who had returned
+from Carthage brought intelligence to Rome that all appearances were
+hostile, and the destruction of Saguntum was announced. Then such
+grief, and pity for allies so undeservingly destroyed, and shame that
+aid was withheld, and rage against the Carthaginians, and fear for the
+issue of events, as if the enemy were already at the gates, took at
+once possession of the senators, that their minds, disturbed by so
+many simultaneous emotions, trembled with fear rather than
+deliberated. For they considered that neither had a more spirited or
+warlike enemy ever encountered them nor had the Roman state been ever
+so sunk in sloth, and unfit for war: that the Sardinians, the
+Corsicans, the Istrians, and the Illyrians, had rather kept in a state
+of excitement than exercised the Roman arms; and with the Gauls it had
+been more properly a tumult than a war. That the Carthaginian, a
+veteran enemy, ever victorious during the hardest service for
+twenty-three years among the tribes of Spain, first trained to war
+under Hamilcar, then Hasdrubal, now Hannibal, a most active leader,
+and fresh from the destruction of a most opulent city, was passing the
+Iberus; that along with them he was bringing the numerous tribes of
+Spain, already aroused, and was about to excite the nations of Gaul,
+ever desirous of war; and that a war against the world was to be
+maintained in Italy and before the walls of Rome.
+
+17. The provinces had already been previously named for the consuls;
+and having been now ordered to cast lots for them, Spain fell to
+Cornelius, and Africa with Sicily to Sempronius. Six legions were
+decreed for that year, and as many of the allies as should seem good
+to the consuls, and as great a fleet as could be equipped. Twenty-four
+thousand Roman infantry were levied, and one thousand eight hundred
+horse: forty thousand infantry of the allies, and four thousand four
+hundred horse: two hundred and twenty ships of three banks of oars,
+and twenty light galleys, were launched. It was then proposed to the
+people, "whether they willed and commanded that war should be declared
+against the people of Carthage;" and for the sake of that war a
+supplication was made through the city, and the gods were implored
+that the war which the Roman people had decreed might have a
+prosperous and fortunate issue. The forces were thus divided between
+the consuls. To Sempronius two legions were given, (each of these
+consisted of four thousand infantry and three hundred horse,) and
+sixteen thousand of the infantry of the allies, and one thousand eight
+hundred horse: one hundred and sixty ships of war, and twelve light
+galleys. With these land and sea forces Tiberius Sempronius was
+despatched to Sicily, in order to transport his army to Africa if the
+other consul should be able to prevent the Carthaginian from invading
+Italy. Fewer troops were given to Cornelius, because Lucius Manlius,
+the praetor, also had been sent with no weak force into Gaul. The
+number of ships in particular was reduced to Cornelius. Sixty of five
+banks of oars were assigned to him, (for they did not believe that the
+enemy would come by sea, or would fight after that mode of warfare,)
+and two Roman legions with their regular cavalry, and fourteen
+thousand of the infantry of the allies, with one thousand six hundred
+horse. The province of Gaul being not as yet exposed to the
+Carthaginian invasion, had, in the same year, two Roman legions, ten
+thousand allied infantry, one thousand allied cavalry, and six hundred
+Roman.
+
+18. These preparations having been thus made, in order that every
+thing that was proper might be done before they commenced war, they
+send Quintus Fabius, Marcus Livius, Lucius Aemilius, Caius Licinius,
+and Quintus Baebius, men of advanced years, as ambassadors into
+Africa, to inquire of the Carthaginians if Hannibal had laid siege to
+Saguntum by public authority; and if they should confess it, as it
+seemed probable they would, and defend it as done by public authority,
+to declare war against the people of Carthage. After the Romans
+arrived at Carthage, when an audience of the senate was given them,
+and Quintus Fabius had addressed no further inquiry than the one with
+which they had been charged, then one of the Carthaginians replied:
+"Even your former embassy, O Romans, was precipitate, when you
+demanded Hannibal to be given up, as attacking Saguntum on his own
+authority: but your present embassy, though so far milder in words, is
+in fact more severe. For then Hannibal was both accused, and required
+to be delivered up: now both a confession of wrong is exacted from us,
+and, as though we had confessed, restitution is immediately demanded.
+But I think that the question is not, whether Saguntum was attacked by
+private or public authority, but whether it was with right or wrong.
+For in the case of our citizen, the right of inquiry, whether he has
+acted by his own pleasure or ours, and the punishment also, belongs to
+us. The only dispute with you is, whether it was allowed to be done by
+the treaty. Since, therefore, it pleases you that a distinction should
+be made between what commanders do by public authority, and what on
+their own suggestion, there was a treaty between us made by the consul
+Lutatius; in which, though provision was made for the allies of both,
+there is no provision made for the Saguntines, for they were not as
+yet your allies. But in that treaty which was made with Hasdrubal, the
+Saguntines are excepted; against which I am going to say nothing but
+what I have learned from you. For you denied that you were bound by
+the treaty which Caius Lutatius the consul first made with us, because
+that it had neither been made by the authority of the senate nor the
+command of the people; and another treaty was therefore concluded anew
+by public authority. If your treaties do not bind you unless they are
+made by your authority and your commands, neither can the treaty of
+Hasdrubal, which he made without our knowledge, be binding on us.
+Cease, therefore, to make mention of Saguntum and the Iberus, and let
+your mind at length bring forth that with which it has long been in
+labour." Then the Roman, having formed a fold in his robe, said, "Here
+we bring to you peace and war; take which you please." On this speech
+they exclaimed no less fiercely in reply: "he might give which he
+chose;" and when he again, unfolding his robe, said "he gave war,"
+they all answered that "they accepted it, and would maintain it with
+the same spirit with which they accepted it."
+
+19. This direct inquiry and denunciation of war seemed more consistent
+with the dignity of the Roman people, both before and now, especially
+when Saguntum was destroyed, than to cavil in words about the
+obligation of treaties. For if it was a subject for a controversy of
+words, in what was the treaty of Hasdrubal to be compared with the
+former treaty of Lutatius, which was altered? Since in the treaty of
+Lutatius, was expressly added, "that it should only be held good if
+the people sanctioned it;" but in the treaty of Hasdrubal, neither was
+there any such exception; and that treaty during its life had been so
+established by the silence of so many years, that not even after the
+death of its author was any change made in it. Although even were they
+to abide by the former treaty, there had been sufficient provision
+made for the Saguntines by excepting the allies of both states; for
+neither was it added, "those who then were," nor "those who should
+afterwards be admitted." and since it is allowable to admit new
+allies, who could think it proper, either that no people should be
+received for any services into friendship? or that, being received
+under protection, they should not be defended? It was only stipulated,
+that the allies of the Carthaginians should not be excited to revolt,
+nor, revolting of their own accord, be received. The Roman
+ambassadors, according as they had been commanded at Rome, passed over
+from Carthage into Spain, in order to visit the nations, and either to
+allure them into an alliance, or dissuade them from joining the
+Carthaginians. They came first to the Bargusii, by whom having been
+received with welcome, because they were weary of the Carthaginian
+government, they excited many of the states beyond the Iberus to the
+desire of a revolution. Thence they came to the Volciani, whose reply
+being celebrated through Spain, dissuaded the other states from an
+alliance with the Romans; for thus the oldest member in their council
+made answer: "What sense of shame have ye, Romans, to ask of us that
+we should prefer your friendship to that of the Carthaginians, when
+you, their allies, betrayed the Saguntines with greater cruelty than
+that with which the Carthaginians, their enemies, destroyed them?
+There, methinks, you should look for allies, where the massacre of
+Saguntum is unknown. The ruins of Saguntum will remain a warning as
+melancholy as memorable to the states of Spain, that no one should
+confide in the faith or alliance of Rome." Having been then commanded
+to depart immediately from the territory of the Volciani, they
+afterwards received no kinder words from any of the councils of Spain:
+they therefore pass into Gaul, after having gone about through Spain
+to no purpose.
+
+20. Among the Gauls a new and alarming spectacle was seen, by reason
+of their coming (such is the custom of the nation) in arms to the
+assembly. When, extolling in their discourse the renown and valour of
+the Roman people, and the wide extent of their empire, they had
+requested that they would refuse a passage through their territory and
+cities to the Carthaginian invading Italy; such laughter and yelling
+is said to have arisen, that the youths were with difficulty composed
+to order by the magistrates and old men. So absurd and shameless did
+the request seem, to propose that the Gauls, rather than suffer the
+war to pass on to Italy, should turn it upon themselves and expose
+their own lands to be laid waste instead of those of others. When the
+tumult was at length allayed, answer was returned to the ambassadors,
+"that they had neither experienced good from the Romans, nor wrong
+from the Carthaginians, on account of which they should either take up
+arms in behalf of the Romans, or against the Cathaginians. On the
+contrary, they had heard that men of their nation had been driven from
+the lands and confines of Italy by the Roman people, that they had to
+pay a tribute, and suffered other indignities." Nearly the same was
+said and heard in the other assemblies of Gaul; nor did they hear any
+thing friendly or pacific before they came to Marseilles. There, every
+thing found out by the care and fidelity of the allies was made known
+to them--"that the minds of the Gauls had been already prepossessed by
+Hannibal, but that not even by him would that nation be found very
+tractable, (so fierce and untameable are their dispositions,) unless
+the affections of the chiefs should every now and then be conciliated
+with gold, of which that people are most covetous." Having thus gone
+round through the tribes of Spain and Gaul, the ambassadors return to
+Rome not long after the consuls had set out for their provinces. They
+found the whole city on tiptoe in expectation of war, the report being
+sufficiently confirmed, that the Carthaginians had already passed the
+Iberus.
+
+21. Hannibal, after the taking of Saguntum, had retired to New
+Carthage into winter quarters; and there, having heard what had been
+done and decreed at Rome and Carthage, and that he was not only the
+leader, but also the cause of the war, after having divided and sold
+the remains of the plunder, thinking there ought to be no longer
+delay, he calls together and thus addresses his soldiers of the
+Spanish race: "I believe, tribes, that even you yourselves perceive
+that, all the tribes of Spain having been reduced to peace, we must
+either conclude our campaigns and disband our armies, or transfer the
+war into other regions: for thus these nations will flourish amid the
+blessings not only of peace, but also of victory, if we seek from
+other countries spoils and renown. Since, therefore, a campaign far
+from home soon awaits you, and it is uncertain when you shall again
+see your homes, and all that is there dear to you, if any one of you
+wishes to visit his friends, I grant him leave of absence. I give you
+orders to be here at the beginning of spring, that, with the good
+assistance of the gods, we may enter on a war which will prove one of
+great glory and spoil." This power of visiting their homes,
+voluntarily offered, was acceptable to almost all, already longing to
+see their friends, and foreseeing in future a still longer absence
+Repose through the whole season of winter, between toils already
+undergone and those that were soon to be endured, repaired the vigour
+of their bodies and minds to encounter all difficulties afresh. At the
+beginning of spring they assembled according to command. Hannibal,
+when he had reviewed the auxiliaries of all the nations, having gone
+to Gades, performs his vows to Hercules; and binds himself by new
+vows, provided his other projects should have a prosperous issue. Then
+dividing his care at the same time between the offensive and defensive
+operations of the war, lest while he was advancing on Italy by a land
+journey through Spain and Gaul, Africa should be unprotected and
+exposed to the Romans from Sicily, he resolved to strengthen it with a
+powerful force. For this purpose he requested a reinforcement from
+Africa, chiefly of light-armed spearmen, in order that the Africans
+might serve in Spain, and the Spaniards in Africa, each likely to be a
+better soldier at a distance from home, as if bound by mutual pledges.
+He sent into Africa thirteen thousand eight hundred and fifty
+targetteers, eight hundred and seventy Balearic slingers, and one
+thousand two hundred horsemen, composed of various nations. He orders
+these forces partly to be used as a garrison for Carthage and partly
+to be distributed through Africa: at the same time having sent
+commissaries into the different states, he orders four thousand chosen
+youth whom they had levied to be conducted to Carthage, both as a
+garrison and as hostages.
+
+22. Thinking also that Spain ought not to be neglected (and the less
+because he was aware that it had been traversed by the Roman
+ambassadors, to influence the minds of the chiefs,) he assigns that
+province to his brother Hasdrubal, a man of active spirit, and
+strengthens him chiefly with African troops: eleven thousand eight
+hundred and fifty African infantry, three hundred Ligurians, and five
+hundred Balearians. To these forces of infantry were added four
+hundred horsemen of the Libyphoenicians, a mixed race of Carthaginians
+and Africans; of the Numidians and Moors, who border on the ocean, to
+the number of one thousand eight hundred, and a small band of
+Ilergetes from Spain, amounting to two hundred horse: and, that no
+description of land force might be wanting, fourteen elephants. A
+fleet was given him besides to defend the sea-coast, (because it might
+be supposed that the Romans would then fight in the same mode of
+warfare by which they had formerly prevailed,) fifty quinqueremes, two
+quadriremes, five triremes: but only thirty-two quinqueremes and five
+triremes were properly fitted out and manned with rowers. From Gades
+he returned to the winter quarters of the army at Carthage; and thence
+setting out, he led his forces by the city Etovissa to the Iberus and
+the sea-coast. There, it is reported, a youth of divine aspect was
+seen by him in his sleep, who said, "that he was sent by Jupiter as
+the guide of Hannibal into Italy, and that he should, therefore,
+follow him, nor in any direction turn his eyes away from him." At
+first he followed in terror, looking no where, either around or
+behind: afterwards, through the curiosity of the human mind, when he
+revolved in his mind what that could be on which he was forbidden to
+look back, he could not restrain his eyes; then he beheld behind him a
+serpent of wonderful size moving along with an immense destruction of
+trees and bushes, and after it a cloud following with thunderings from
+the skies; and that then inquiring "what was that great commotion, and
+what the cause of the prodigy," he heard in reply: "That it was the
+devastation of Italy: that he should continue to advance forward, nor
+inquire further, but suffer the fates to remain in obscurity."
+
+23. Cheered by this vision, he transported his forces in three
+divisions across the Iberus, having sent emissaries before him to
+conciliate by gifts the minds of the Gauls, in the quarter through
+which his army was to be led, and to examine the passes of the Alps.
+He led ninety thousand infantry and twelve thousand cavalry across the
+Iberus. He then subdued the Ilergetes, the Bargusii, the Ausetani, and
+that part of Lacetania which lies at the foot of the Pyrenaean
+mountains; and he placed Hanno in command over all this district, that
+the narrow gorges which connect Spain with Gaul might be under his
+power. Ten thousand infantry, and a thousand cavalry, were given to
+Hanno for the defence of the country he was to occupy. After the army
+began to march through the passes of the Pyrenees, and a more certain
+rumour of the Roman war spread through the barbarians, three thousand
+of the Carpetanian infantry turned back: it clearly appeared that they
+were not so much swayed by the prospect of the war as by the length of
+the journey and the insuperable passage of the Alps. Hannibal, because
+it was hazardous to recall or detain them by force, lest the fierce
+minds of the rest might also be irritated, sent home above seven
+thousand men, whom also he had observed to be annoyed with the
+service, pretending that the Carpetani had also been dismissed by him.
+
+24. Then, lest delay and ease might unsettle their minds, he crosses
+the Pyrenees with the rest of his forces, and pitches his camp at the
+town Illiberis. The Gauls, though they had heard that the war was
+directed against Italy, yet because there was a report that the
+Spaniards on the other side of the Pyrenees had been reduced by force,
+and that strong forces had been imposed on them, being roused to arms
+through the fear of slavery, assembled certain tribes at Ruscino. When
+this was announced to Hannibal, he, having more fear of the delay than
+of the war, sent envoys to say to their princes, "that he wished to
+confer with them; and that they should either come nearer to
+Illiberis, or that he would proceed to Ruscino, that their meeting
+might be facilitated by vicinity: for that he would either be happy to
+receive them into his camp, or would himself without hesitation come
+to them: since he had entered Gaul as a friend, and not as an enemy,
+and would not draw the sword, if the Gauls did not force him, before
+he came to Italy." These proposals, indeed, were made by his
+messengers. But when the princes of the Gauls, having immediately
+moved their camp to Illiberis, came without reluctance to the
+Carthaginian, being won by his presents, they suffered his army to
+pass through their territories, by the town of Ruscino, without any
+molestation.
+
+25. In the mean time no further intelligence had been brought into
+Italy to Rome by the ambassadors of Marseilles than that Hannibal had
+passed the Iberus; when the Boii asked if he had already passed the
+Alps, revolted after instigating the Insubrians; not so much through
+their ancient resentment towards the Roman people, as on account of
+their having felt aggrieved that the colonies of Placentia and Cremona
+had been lately planted in the Gallic territory about the Po. Having
+therefore, suddenly taken up arms, and made an attack on that very
+territory, they created so much of terror and tumult, that not only
+the rustic population, but even the Roman triumvirs, Caius Lutatius,
+Caius Servilius, and Titus Annius, who had come to assign the lands,
+distrusting the walls of Placentia, fled to Mutina. About the name of
+Luttius there is no doubt: in place of Caius Servilius and Titus
+Annius, some annals have Quintus Acilius and Caius Herenrius; others,
+Publius Cornelius Asina and Caius Papirius Maso. This point is also
+uncertain, whether the ambassadors went to expostulate to the Boii
+suffered violence, or whether an attack was made on the triumvirs
+while measuring out the lands. While they were shut up in Mutina, and
+a people unskilled in the arts of besieging towns, and, at the same
+time, most sluggish at military operations, lay inactive before the
+walls, which they had not touched, pretended proposals for a peace
+were set on foot; and the ambassadors, being invited out to a
+conference by the chiefs of the Gauls, are seized, not only contrary
+to the law of nations, but in violation of the faith which was pledged
+on that very occasion; the Gauls denying that they would set them free
+unless their hostages were restored to them. When this intelligence
+respecting the ambassadors was announced, and that Mutina and its
+garrison were in danger, Lucius Manlius, the praetor, inflamed with
+rage, led his army in haste to Mutina. There were then woods on both
+sides of the road, most of the country being uncultivated. There,
+having advanced without previously exploring his route, he fell
+suddenly into an ambuscade; and after much slaughter of his men, with
+difficulty made his way into the open plains. Here a camp was
+fortified, and because confidence was wanting to the Gauls to attack
+it, the spirit of the soldiers revived, although it was sufficiently
+evident that their strength was much clipped. The journey was then
+commenced anew; nor while the army was led in march through open
+tracts did the enemy appear: but, when the woods were again entered,
+then attacking the rear, amid great confusion and alarm of all, they
+slew eight hundred soldiers, and took six standards. There was an end
+to the Gauls of creating, and to the Romans of experiencing terror,
+when they escaped from the pathless and entangled thicket; then easily
+defending their march through the open ground, the Romans directed
+their course to Tanetum, a village near the Po; where, by a temporary
+fortification, and the supplies conveyed by the river, and also by the
+aid of the Brixian Gauls, they defended themselves against the daily
+increasing multitude of their enemies.
+
+26. When the account of this sudden disturbance was brought to Rome,
+and the senators heard that the Punic had also been increased by a
+Gallic war, they order Caius Atilius, the praetor, to carry assistance
+to Manlius with one Roman legion and five thousand of the allies,
+enrolled in the late levy by the consul: who, without any contest, for
+the enemy had retired through fear, arrived at Tanetum. At the same
+time Publius Cornelius, a new legion having been levied in the room of
+that which was sent with the praetor, setting out from the city with
+sixty ships of war, by the coast of Etruria and Liguria, and then the
+mountains of the Salyes, arrived at Marseilles, and pitched his camp
+at the nearest mouth of the Rhone, (for the stream flows down to the
+sea divided into several channels,) scarcely as yet well believing
+that Hannibal had crossed the Pyrenaean mountains; whom when he
+ascertained to be also meditating the passage of the Rhone, uncertain
+in what place he might meet him, his soldiers not yet being
+sufficiently recovered from the tossing of the sea, he sends forward,
+in the mean time, three hundred chosen horses, with Massilian guides
+and Gallic auxiliaries, to explore all the country, and observe the
+enemy from a safe distance. Hannibal, the other states being pacified
+by fear or bribes, had now come into the territory of the Volcae, a
+powerful nation. They, indeed, dwell on both sides of the Rhone: but
+doubting that the Carthaginian could be driven from the hither bank,
+in order that they might have the river as a defence, having
+transported almost all their effects across the Rhone, occupied in
+arms the farther bank of the river. Hannibal, by means of presents,
+persuades the other inhabitants of the river-side, and some even of
+the Volcae themselves, whom their homes had detained, to collect from
+every quarter and build ships; and they at the same time themselves
+desired that the army should be transported, and their country
+relieved, as soon as possible, from the vast multitude of men that
+burthened it. A great number, therefore, of ships and boats rudely
+formed for the neighbouring passages, were collected together; and the
+Gauls, first beginning the plan, hollowed out some new ones from
+single trees; and then the soldiers themselves, at once induced by the
+plenty of materials and the easiness of the work, hastily formed
+shapeless hulks, in which they could transport themselves and their
+baggage, caring about nothing else, provided they could float and
+contain their burthen.
+
+27. And now, when all things were sufficiently prepared for crossing,
+the enemy over against them occupying the whole bank, horse and foot,
+deterred them. In order to dislodge them, Hannibal orders Hanno, the
+son of Bomilcar, at the first watch of the night, to proceed with a
+part of the forces, principally Spanish, one day's journey up the
+river; and having crossed it where he might first be able, as secretly
+as possible, to lead round his forces, that when the occasion required
+he might attack the enemy in the rear. The Gauls, given him as guides
+for the purpose, inform him that about twenty-five miles from thence,
+the river spreading round a small island, broader where it was
+divided, and therefore with a shallower channel, presented a passage.
+At this place timber was quickly cut down and rafts formed, on which
+men, horses, and other burthens might be conveyed over. The Spaniards,
+without making any difficulty, having put their clothes in bags of
+leather, and themselves leaning on their bucklers placed beneath them,
+swam across the river. And the rest of the army, after passing on the
+rafts joined together, and pitching their camp near the river, being
+fatigued by the journey of the night and the labour of the work, are
+refreshed by the rest of one day, their leader being anxious to
+execute his design at a proper season. Setting out next day from this
+place, they signify by raising a smoke that they had crossed, and were
+not far distant; which when Hannibal understood, that he might not be
+wanting on the opportunity, he gives the signal for passing. The
+infantry already had the boats prepared and fitted; a line of ships
+higher up transporting the horsemen for the most part near their
+horses swimming beside them, in order to break the force of the
+current, rendered the water smooth to the boats crossing below. A
+great part of the horses were led across swimming, held by bridles
+from the stern, except those which they put on board saddled and
+bridled, in order that they might be ready to be used by the rider the
+moment he disembarked on the strand.
+
+28. The Gauls run down to the bank to meet them with various whoopings
+and songs, according to their custom, shaking their shields above
+their heads, and brandishing their weapons in their right hands,
+although such a multitude of ships in front of them alarmed them,
+together with the loud roaring of the river, and the mingled clamours
+of the sailors and soldiers, both those who were striving to break
+through the force of the current, and those who from the other bank
+were encouraging their comrades on their passage. While sufficiently
+dismayed by this tumult in front, more terrifying shouts from behind
+assailed them, their camp having been taken by Hanno; presently he
+himself came up, and a twofold terror encompassed them, both such a
+multitude of armed men landing from the ships, and this unexpected
+army pressing on their rear. When the Gauls, having made a prompt and
+bold effort to force the enemy, were themselves repulsed, they break
+through where a way seemed most open, and fly in consternation to
+their villages around. Hannibal, now despising these tumultuary onsets
+of the Gauls, having transported the rest of his forces at leisure,
+pitches his camp. I believe that there were various plans for
+transporting the elephants; at least there are various accounts of the
+way in which it was done. Some relate, that after the elephants were
+assembled together on the bank, the fiercest of them being provoked by
+his keeper, pursued him as he swam across the water, to which he had
+run for refuge, and drew after him the rest of the herd; the mere
+force of the stream hurrying them to the other bank, when the bottom
+had failed each, fearful of the depth. But there is more reason to
+believe that they were conveyed across on rafts; which plan, as it
+must have appeared the safer before execution, is after it the more
+entitled to credit. They extended from the bank into the river one
+raft two hundred feet long and fifty broad, which, fastened higher up
+by several strong cables to the bank, that it might not be carried
+down by the stream they covered, like a bridge, with earth thrown upon
+it, so that the beasts might tread upon it without fear, as over solid
+ground. Another raft equally broad and a hundred feet long, fit for
+crossing the river, was joined to this first; and when the elephants,
+driven along the stationary raft as along a road had passed, the
+females leading the way, on to the smaller raft which was joined to
+it, the lashings, by which it was slightly fastened, being immediately
+let go, it was drawn by some light boats to the opposite side. The
+first having been thus landed, the rest were then returned for and
+carried across. They gave no signs of alarm whatever while they were
+driven along as it were on a continuous bridge. The first fear was,
+when, the raft being loosed from the rest, they were hurried into the
+deep. Then pressing together, as those at the edges drew back from the
+water, they produced some disorder, till mere terror, when they saw
+water all around, produced quiet. Some, indeed, becoming infuriated,
+fell into the river; but, steadied by their own weight, having thrown
+off their riders, and seeking step by step the shallows, they escaped
+to the shore.
+
+29. Whilst the elephants were conveyed over, Hannibal, in the mean
+time, had sent five hundred Numidian horsemen towards the camp of the
+Romans, to observe where and how numerous their forces were, and what
+they were designing. The three hundred Roman horsemen sent, as was
+before said, from the mouth of the Rhone, meet this band of cavalry;
+and a more furious engagement than could be expected from the number
+of the combatants takes place. For, besides many wounds, the loss on
+both sides was also nearly equal: and the flight and dismay of the
+Numidians gave victory to the Romans, now exceedingly fatigued. There
+fell of the conquerors one hundred and sixty, not all Romans, but
+partly Gauls: of the vanquished more than two hundred. This
+commencement, and at the same time omen of the war, as it portended to
+the Romans a prosperous issue of the whole, so did it also the success
+of a doubtful and by no means bloodless contest. When, after the
+action had thus occurred, his own men returned to each general, Scipio
+could adopt no fixed plan of proceeding, except that he should form
+his measures from the plans and undertakings of the enemy: and
+Hannibal, uncertain whether he should pursue the march he had
+commenced into Italy, or fight with the Roman army which had first
+presented itself, the arrival of ambassadors from the Boii, and of a
+petty prince called Magalus, diverted from an immediate engagement;
+who, declaring that they would be the guides of his journey and the
+companions of his dangers, gave it as their opinion, that Italy ought
+to be attacked with the entire force of the war, his strength having
+been no where previously impaired. The troops indeed feared the enemy,
+the remembrance of the former war not being yet obliterated; but much
+more did they dread the immense journey and the Alps, a thing
+formidable by report, particularly to the inexperienced.
+
+30. Hannibal, therefore, when his own resolution was fixed to proceed
+in his course and advance on Italy, having summoned an assembly, works
+upon the minds of the soldiers in various ways, by reproof and
+exhortation. He said, that "he wondered what sudden fear had seized
+breasts ever before undismayed: that through so many years they had
+made their campaigns with conquest; nor had departed from Spain before
+all the nations and countries which two opposite seas embrace, were
+subjected to the Carthaginians. That then, indignant that the Romans
+demanded those, whosoever had besieged Saguntum, to be delivered up to
+them, as on account of a crime, they had passed the Iberus to blot out
+the name of the Romans, and to emancipate the world. That then the way
+seemed long to no one, though they were pursuing it from the setting
+to the rising of the sun. That now, when they saw by far the greater
+part of their journey accomplished, the passes of the Pyrenees
+surmounted, amid the most ferocious nations, the Rhone, that mighty
+river, crossed, in spite of the opposition of so many thousand Gauls,
+the fury of the river itself having been overcome, when they had the
+Alps in sight, the other side of which was Italy, should they halt
+through weariness at the very gates of the enemy, imagining the Alps
+to be--what else than lofty mountains? That supposing them to be
+higher than the summits of the Pyrenees, assuredly no part of the
+earth reached the sky, nor was insurmountable by mankind. The Alps in
+fact were inhabited and cultivated;--produced and supported living
+beings. Were they passable by a few men and impassable to armies? That
+those very ambassadors whom they saw before them had not crossed the
+Alps borne aloft through the air on wings; neither were their
+ancestors indeed natives of the soil, but settling in Italy from
+foreign countries, had often as emigrants safely crossed these very
+Alps in immense bodies, with their wives and children. To the armed
+soldier, carrying nothing with him but the instruments of war, what in
+reality was impervious or insurmountable? That Saguntum might be
+taken, what dangers, what toils were for eight months undergone! Now,
+when their aim was Rome, the capital of the world, could any thing
+appear so dangerous or difficult as to delay their undertaking? That
+the Gauls had formerly gained possession of that very country which
+the Carthaginian despairs of being able to approach. That they must,
+therefore, either yield in spirit and valour to that nation which they
+had so often during those times overcome; or look forward, as the end
+of their journey, to the plain which spreads between the Tiber and the
+walls of Rome."
+
+31. He orders them, roused by these exhortations, to refresh
+themselves and prepare for the journey. Next day, proceeding upward
+along the bank of the Rhone, he makes for the inland part of Gaul: not
+because it was the more direct route to the Alps, but believing that
+the farther he retired from the sea, the Romans would be less in his
+way; with whom, before he arrived in Italy, he had no intention of
+engaging. After four days' march he came to the Island: there the
+streams of the Arar and the Rhone, flowing down from different
+branches of the Alps, after embracing a pretty large tract of country,
+flow into one. The name of the Island is given to the plains that lie
+between them. The Allobroges dwell near, a nation even in those days
+inferior to none in Gaul in power and fame. They were at that time at
+variance. Two brothers were contending for the sovereignty. The elder,
+named Brancus, who had before been king, was driven out by his younger
+brother and a party of the younger men, who, inferior in right, had
+more of power. When the decision of this quarrel was most opportunely
+referred to Hannibal, being appointed arbitrator of the kingdom, he
+restored the sovereignty to the elder, because such had been the
+opinion of the senate and the chief men. In return for this service,
+he was assisted with a supply of provisions, and plenty of all
+necessaries, particularly clothing, which the Alps, notorious for
+extreme cold, rendered necessary to be prepared. After composing the
+dissensions of the Allobroges, when he now was proceeding to the Alps,
+he directed his course thither, not by the straight road, but turned
+to the left into the country of the Tricastini, thence by the extreme
+boundary of the territory of the Vocontii he proceeded to the
+Tricorii; his way not being any where obstructed till he came to the
+river Druentia. This stream, also arising amid the Alps, is by far the
+most difficult to pass of all the rivers in Gaul; for though it rolls
+down an immense body of water, yet it does not admit of ships;
+because, being restrained by no banks, and flowing in several and not
+always the same channels, and continually forming new shallows and new
+whirlpools, (on which account the passage is also uncertain to a
+person on foot,) and rolling down besides gravelly stones, it affords
+no firm or safe passage to those who enter it; and having been at that
+time swollen by showers, it created great disorder among the soldiers
+as they crossed, when, in addition to other difficulties, they were of
+themselves confused by their own hurry and uncertain shouts.
+
+32. Publius Cornelius the consul, about three days after Hannibal
+moved from the bank of the Rhone, had come to the camp of the enemy,
+with his army drawn up in square, intending to make no delay in
+fighting: but when he saw the fortifications deserted, and that he
+could not easily come up with them so far in advance before him, he
+returned to the sea and his fleet, in order more easily and safely to
+encounter Hannibal when descending from the Alps. But that Spain, the
+province which he had obtained by lot, might not be destitute of Roman
+auxiliaries, he sent his brother Cneius Scipio with the principal part
+of his forces against Hasdrubal, not only to defend the old allies and
+conciliate new, but also to drive Hasdrubal out of Spain. He himself,
+with a very small force, returned to Genoa, intending to defend Italy
+with the army which was around the Po. From the Druentia, by a road
+that lay principally through plains, Hannibal arrived at the Alps
+without molestation from the Gauls that inhabit those regions. Then,
+though the scene had been previously anticipated from report, (by
+which uncertainties are wont to be exaggerated,) yet the height of the
+mountains when viewed so near, and the snows almost mingling with the
+sky, the shapeless huts situated on the cliffs, the cattle and beasts
+of burden withered by the cold, the men unshorn and wildly dressed,
+all things, animate and inanimate, stiffened with frost, and other
+objects more terrible to be seen than described, renewed their alarm.
+To them, marching up the first acclivities, the mountaineers appeared
+occupying the heights over head; who, if they had occupied the more
+concealed valleys, might, by rushing out suddenly to the attack, have
+occasioned great flight and havoc. Hannibal orders them to halt, and
+having sent forward Gauls to view the ground, when he found there was
+no passage that way, he pitches his camp in the widest valley he could
+find, among places all rugged and precipitous. Then, having learned
+from the same Gauls, when they had mixed in conversation with the
+mountaineers, from whom they differed little in language and manners,
+that the pass was only beset during the day, and that at night each
+withdrew to his own dwelling, he advanced at the dawn to the heights,
+as if designing openly and by day to force his way through the defile.
+The day then being passed in feigning a different attempt from that
+which was in preparation, when they had fortified the camp in the same
+place where they had halted, as soon as he perceived that the
+mountaineers had descended from the heights, and that the guards were
+withdrawn, having lighted for show a greater number of fires than was
+proportioned to the number that remained, and having left the baggage
+in the camp, with the cavalry and the principal part of the infantry,
+he himself with a party of light-armed, consisting of all the most
+courageous of his troops, rapidly cleared the defile, and took post on
+those very heights which the enemy had occupied.
+
+33. At dawn of light the next day the camp broke up, and the rest of
+the army began to move forward. The mountaineers, on a signal being
+given, were now assembling from their forts to their usual station,
+when they suddenly behold part of the enemy overhanging them from
+above, in possession of their former position, and the others passing
+along the road. Both these objects, presented at the same time to the
+eye and the mind, made them stand motionless for a little while; but
+when they afterwards saw the confusion in the pass, and that the
+marching body was thrown into disorder by the tumult which itself
+created, principally from the horses being terrified, thinking that
+whatever terror they added would suffice for the destruction of the
+enemy, they scramble along the dangerous rocks, as being accustomed
+alike to pathless and circuitous ways. Then indeed the Carthaginians
+were opposed at once by the enemy and by the difficulties of the
+ground; and each striving to escape first from the danger, there was
+more fighting among themselves than with their opponents. The horses
+in particular created danger in the lines, which, being terrified by
+the discordant clamours which the groves and re-echoing valleys
+augmented, fell into confusion; and if by chance struck or wounded,
+they were so dismayed that they occasioned a great loss both of men
+and baggage of every description: and as the pass on both sides was
+broken and precipitous, this tumult threw many down to an immense
+depth, some even of the armed men; but the beasts of burden, with
+their loads, were rolled down like the fall of some vast fabric.
+Though these disasters were shocking to view, Hannibal however kept
+his place for a little, and kept his men together, lest he might
+augment the tumult and disorder; but afterwards, when he saw the line
+broken, and that there was danger that he should bring over his army,
+preserved to no purpose if deprived of their baggage, he hastened down
+from the higher ground; and though he had routed the enemy by the
+first onset alone, he at the same time increased the disorder in his
+own army: but that tumult was composed in a moment, after the roads
+were cleared by the flight of the mountaineers; and presently the
+whole army was conducted through, not only without being disturbed,
+but almost in silence. He then took a fortified place, which was the
+capital of that district, and the little villages that lay around it,
+and fed his army for three days with the corn and cattle he had taken;
+and during these three days, as the soldiers were neither obstructed
+by the mountaineers, who had been daunted by the first engagement, nor
+yet much by the ground, he made considerable way.
+
+34. He then came to another state, abounding, for a mountainous
+country, with inhabitants; where he was nearly overcome, not by open
+war, but by his own arts of treachery and ambuscade. Some old men,
+governors of forts, came as deputies to the Carthaginian, professing,
+"that having been warned by the useful example of the calamities of
+others, they wished rather to experience the friendship than the
+hostilities of the Carthaginians: they would, therefore, obediently
+execute his commands, and begged that he would accept of a supply of
+provisions, guides of his march, and hostages for the sincerity of
+their promises." Hannibal, when he had answered them in a friendly
+manner, thinking that they should neither be rashly trusted nor yet
+rejected, lest if repulsed they might openly become enemies, having
+received the hostages whom they proffered, and made use of the
+provisions which they of their own accord brought down to the road,
+follows their guides, by no means as among a people with whom he was
+at peace, but with his line of march in close order. The elephants and
+cavalry formed the van of the marching body; he himself, examining
+every thing around, and intent on every circumstance, followed with
+the choicest of the infantry. When they came into a narrower pass,
+lying on one side beneath an overhanging eminence, the barbarians,
+rising at once on all sides from their ambush, assail them in front
+and rear, both at close quarters and from a distance, and roll down
+huge stones on the army. The most numerous body of men pressed on the
+rear; against whom the infantry, facing about and directing their
+attack, made it very obvious, that had not the rear of the army been
+well supported, a great loss must have been sustained in that pass.
+Even as it was they came to the extremity of danger, and almost to
+destruction: for while Hannibal hesitates to lead down his division
+into the defile, because, though he himself was a protection to the
+cavalry, lie had not in the same way left any aid to the infantry in
+the rear; the mountaineers, charging obliquely, and on having broken
+through the middle of the army, took possession of the road; and one
+night was spent by Hannibal without his cavalry and baggage.
+
+35. Next day, the barbarians running in to the attack between (the two
+divisions) less vigorously, the forces were re-united, and the defile
+passed, not without loss, but yet with a greater destruction of beasts
+of burden than of men. From that time the mountaineers fell upon them
+in smaller parties, more like an attack of robbers than war, sometimes
+on the van, sometimes on the rear, according as the ground afforded
+them advantage, or stragglers advancing or loitering gave them an
+opportunity. Though the elephants were driven through steep and narrow
+roads with great loss of time, yet wherever they went they rendered
+the army safe from the enemy, because men unacquainted with such
+animals were afraid of approaching too nearly. On the ninth day they
+came to a summit of the Alps, chiefly through places trackless; and
+after many mistakes of their way, which were caused either by the
+treachery of the guides, or, when they were not trusted, by entering
+valleys at random, on their own conjectures of the route. For two days
+they remained encamped on the summit; and rest was given to the
+soldiers, exhausted with toil and fighting: and several beasts of
+burden, which had fallen down among the rocks, by following the track
+of the army arrived at the camp. A fall of snow, it being now the
+season of the setting of the constellation of the Pleiades, caused
+great fear to the soldiers, already worn out with weariness of so many
+hardships. On the standards being moved forward at daybreak, when the
+army proceeded slowly over all places entirely blocked up with snow,
+and languor and despair strongly appeared in the countenances of all,
+Hannibal, having advanced before the standards, and ordered the
+soldiers to halt on a certain eminence, whence there was a prospect
+far and wide, points out to them Italy and the plains of the Po,
+extending themselves beneath the Alpine mountains; and said "that they
+were now surmounting not only the ramparts of Italy, but also of the
+city of Rome; that the rest of the journey would be smooth and
+down-hill; that after one, or, at most, a second battle, they would
+have the citadel and capital of Italy in their power and possession."
+The army then began to advance, the enemy now making no attempts
+beyond petty thefts, as opportunity offered. But the journey proved
+much more difficult than it had been in the ascent, as the declivity
+of the Alps being generally shorter on the side of Italy is
+consequently steeper; for nearly all the road was precipitous, narrow,
+and slippery, so that neither those who made the least stumble could
+prevent themselves from falling, nor, when fallen, remain in the same
+place, but rolled, both men and beasts of burden, one upon another.
+
+36. They then came to a rock much more narrow, and formed of such
+perpendicular ledges, that a light-armed soldier, carefully making the
+attempt, and clinging with his hands to the bushes and roots around,
+could with difficulty lower himself down. The ground, even before very
+steep by nature, had been broken by a recent falling away of the earth
+into a precipice of nearly a thousand feet in depth. Here when the
+cavalry had halted, as if at the end of their journey, it is announced
+to Hannibal, wondering what obstructed the march that the rock was
+impassable. Having then gone himself to view the place, it seemed
+clear to him that he must lead his army round it, by however great a
+circuit, through the pathless and untrodden regions around. But this
+route also proved impracticable; for while the new snow of a moderate
+depth remained on the old, which had not been removed, their footsteps
+were planted with ease as they walked upon the new snow, which was
+soft and not too deep; but when it was dissolved by the trampling of
+so many men and beasts of burden, they then walked on the bare ice
+below, and through the dirty fluid formed by the melting snow. Here
+there was a wretched struggle, both on account of the slippery ice not
+affording any hold to the step, and giving way beneath the foot more
+readily by reason of the slope; and whether they assisted themselves
+in rising by their hands or their knees, their supports themselves
+giving way, they would stumble again; nor were there any stumps or
+roots near; by pressing against which, one might with hand or foot
+support himself; so that they only floundered on the smooth ice and
+amid the melted snow. The beasts of burden sometimes also went into
+this lower ice by merely treading upon it, at others they broke it
+completely through, by the violence with which they struck in their
+hoofs in their struggling, so that most of them, as if taken in a
+trap, stuck in the hardened and deeply frozen ice.
+
+37. At length, after the men and beasts of burden had been fatigued to
+no purpose, the camp was pitched on the summit, the ground being
+cleared for that purpose with great difficulty, so much snow was there
+to be dug out and carried away. The soldiers being then set to make a
+way down the cliff by which alone a passage could be effected, and it
+being necessary that they should cut through the rocks, having felled
+and lopped a number of large trees which grew around, they make a huge
+pile of timber; and as soon as a strong wind fit for exciting the
+flames arose, they set fire to it, and, pouring vinegar on the heated
+stones, they render them soft and crumbling. They then open a way with
+iron instruments through the rock thus heated by the fire, and soften
+its declivities by gentle windings, so that not only the beasts of
+burden, but also the elephants could be led down it. Four days were
+spent about this rock, the beasts nearly perishing through hunger: for
+the summits of the mountains are for the most part bare, and if there
+is any pasture the snows bury it. The lower parts contain valleys, and
+some sunny hills, and rivulets flowing beside woods, and scenes more
+worthy of the abode of man. There the beasts of burden were sent out
+to pasture, and rest given for three days to the men, fatigued with
+forming the passage: they then descended into the plains, the country
+and the dispositions of the inhabitants being now less rugged.
+
+38. In this manner chiefly they came to Italy in the fifth month (as
+some authors relate) after leaving New Carthage, having crossed the
+Alps in fifteen days. What number of forces Hannibal had when he had
+passed into Italy is by no means agreed upon by authors. Those who
+state them at the highest, make mention of a hundred thousand foot and
+twenty thousand horse; those who state them at the lowest, of twenty
+thousand foot and six thousand horse. Lucius Cincius Alimentus, who
+relates that he was made prisoner by Hannibal, would influence me most
+as an authority, did he not confound the number by adding the Gauls
+and Ligurians. Including these, (who, it is more probable, flocked to
+him afterwards, and so some authors assert,) he says, that eighty
+thousand foot and ten thousand horse were brought into Italy; and that
+he had heard from Hannibal himself, that after crossing the Rhone he
+had lost thirty-six thousand men, and an immense number of horses, and
+other beasts of burden, among the Taurini, the next nation to the
+Gauls, as he descended into Italy. As this circumstance is agreed on
+by all, I am the more surprised that it should be doubtful by what
+road he crossed the Alps; and that it should commonly be believed that
+he passed over the Pennine mountain, and that thence [Footnote: from
+Paenus, Carthaginian.] the name was given to that ridge of the Alps.
+Coelius says, that he passed over the top of Mount Cremo; both which
+passes would have brought him, not to the Taurini, but through the
+Salasian mountaineers to the Libuan Gauls. Neither is it probable that
+these roads into Gaul were then open, especially once those which,
+lead to the Pennine mountain would have been unlocked up by nations
+half German; nor by Hercules (if this argument has weight with any
+one) do the Veragri, the inhabitants of this ridge, know of the name
+being given to these mountains from the passage of the Carthaginians,
+but from the divinity, whom the mountaineers style Penninus,
+worshipped on the highest summit.
+
+39. Very opportunely for the commencement of his operations, a war had
+broken out with the Taurini, the nearest nation, against the
+Insubrians; but Hannibal could not put his troops under arms to assist
+either party, as they very chiefly felt the disorders they had before
+contracted, in remedying them; for ease after toil, plenty after want,
+and attention to their persons after dirt and filth, had variously
+affected their squalid and almost savage-looking bodies. This was the
+reason that Publius Cornelius, the consul, when he had arrived at Pisa
+with his fleet, hastened to the Po, though the troops he received from
+Manlius and Atilius were raw and disheartened by their late disgraces,
+in order that he might engage the enemy when not yet recruited. But
+when the consul came to Placentia, Hannibal had already moved from his
+quarters, and had taken by storm one city of the Taurini, the capital
+of the nation, because they did not come willingly into his alliance;
+and he would have gained over to him, not only from fear, but also
+from inclination, the Gauls who dwell beside the Po, had not the
+arrival of the consul suddenly checked them while watching for an
+opportunity of revolt. Hannibal at the same time moved from the
+Taurini, thinking that the Gauls, uncertain which side to choose,
+would follow him if present among them. The armies were now almost in
+sight of each other, and their leaders, though not at present
+sufficiently acquainted, yet met each other with a certain feeling of
+mutual admiration. For the name of Hannibal, even before the
+destruction of Saguntum, was very celebrated among the Romans; and
+Hannibal believed Scipio to be a superior man, from the very
+circumstance of his having been specially chosen to act as commander
+against himself. They had increased too their estimation of each
+other; Scipio, because, being left behind in Gaul, he had met Hannibal
+when he had crossed into Italy; Hannibal, by his daring attempt of
+crossing the Alps and by its accomplishment. Scipio, however, was the
+first to cross the Po, and having pitched his camp at the river
+Ticinus, he delivered the following oration for the sake of
+encouraging his soldiers before he led them out to form for battle:
+
+40. "If, soldiers, I were leading out that army to battle which I had
+with me in Gaul, I should have thought it superfluous to address you;
+for of what use would it be to exhort either those horsemen who so
+gloriously vanquished the cavalry of the enemy at the river Rhone, or
+those legions with whom, pursuing this very enemy flying before us, I
+obtained in lieu of victory, a confession of superiority, shown by his
+retreat and refusal to fight? Now because that army, levied for the
+province of Spain, maintains the war under my auspices [Footnote:
+Because Spain was his proper province as consul.] and the command of
+my brother Cneius Scipio, in the country where the senate and people
+of Rome wished him to serve, and since I, that you might have a consul
+for your leader against Hannibal and the Carthaginians, have offered
+myself voluntarily for this contest, few words are required to be
+addressed from a new commander to soldiers unacquainted with him. That
+you may not be ignorant of the nature of the war nor of the enemy, you
+have to fight, soldiers, with those whom in the former war you
+conquered both by land and sea; from whom you have exacted tribute for
+twenty years; from whom you hold Sicily and Sardinia, taken as the
+prizes of victory. In the present contest, therefore, you and they
+will have those feelings which are wont to belong to the victors and
+the vanquished. Nor are they now about to fight because they are
+daring, but because it is unavoidable; except you can believe that
+they who declined the engagement when their forces were entire, should
+have now gained more confidence when two-thirds of their infantry and
+cavalry have been lost in the passage of the Alps, and when almost
+greater numbers have perished than survive. Yes, they are few indeed,
+(some may say,) but they are vigorous in mind and body; men whose
+strength and power scarce any force may withstand. On the contrary,
+they are but the resemblances, nay, are rather the shadows of men;
+being worn out with hunger, cold, dirt, and filth, and bruised and
+enfeebled among stones and rocks. Besides all this, their joints are
+frost-bitten, their sinews stiffened with the snow, their limbs
+withered up by the frost, their armour battered and shivered, their
+horses lame and powerless. With such cavalry, with such infantry, you
+have to fight: you will not have enemies in reality, but rather their
+last remains. And I fear nothing more than that when you have fought
+Hannibal, the Alps may appear to have conquered him. But perhaps it
+was fitting that the gods themselves should, without any human aid,
+commence and carry forward a war with a leader and a people that
+violate the faith of treaties; and that we, who next to the gods have
+been injured, should finish the contest thus commenced and nearly
+completed."
+
+41. "I do not fear lest any one should think that I say this
+ostentatiously for the sake of encouraging you, while in my own mind I
+am differently affected. I was at liberty to go with my army into
+Spain, my own province, whither I had already set out; where I should
+have had a brother as the bearer of my councils and my dangers, and
+Hasdrubal, instead of Hannibal, for my antagonist, and without
+question a less laborious war: nevertheless, as I sailed along the
+coast of Gaul, having landed on hearing of this enemy, and having sent
+forward the cavalry, I moved my camp to the Rhone. In a battle of
+cavalry, with which part of my forces the opportunity of engaging was
+afforded, I routed the enemy; and because I could not overtake by land
+his army of infantry, which was rapidly hurried away, as if in flight,
+having returned to the ships with all the speed I could, after
+compassing such an extent of sea and land, I have met him at the foot
+of the Alps. Whether do I appear, while declining the contest, to have
+fallen in unexpectedly with this dreaded foe, or encounter him in his
+track? to challenge him and drag him out to decide the contest? I am
+anxious to try whether the earth has suddenly, in these twenty years,
+sent forth a new race of Carthaginians, or whether these are the same
+who fought at the islands Aegates, and whom you permitted to defeat
+from Eryx, valued at eighteen denarii a head; and whether this
+Hannibal be, as he himself gives out, the rival of the expeditions of
+Hercules, or one left by his father the tributary and taxed subject
+and slave of the Roman people; who, did not his guilt at Saguntum
+drive him to frenzy, would certainly reflect, if not upon his
+conquered country, at least on his family, and his father, and the
+treaties written by the hand of Hamilcar; who, at the command of our
+consul, withdrew the garrison from Eryx; who, indignant and grieving,
+submitted to the harsh conditions imposed on the conquered
+Carthaginians; who agreed to depart from Sicily, and pay tribute to
+the Roman people. I would, therefore, have you fight, soldiers, not
+only with that spirit with which you are wont to encounter other
+enemies, but with a certain indignation and resentment, as if you saw
+your slaves suddenly taking up arms against you. We might have killed
+them when shut up in Eryx by hunger, the most dreadful of human
+tortures; we might have carried over our victorious fleet to Africa,
+and in a few days have destroyed Carthage without any opposition. We
+granted pardon to their prayers; we released them from the blockade;
+we made peace with them when conquered; and we afterwards considered
+them under our protection when they were oppressed by the African war.
+In return for these benefits, they come under the conduct of a furious
+youth to attack our country. And I wish that the contest on your side
+was for glory, and not for safety: it is not about the possession of
+Sicily and Sardinia, concerning which the dispute was formerly, but
+for Italy, that you must fight: nor is there another army behind,
+which, if we should not conquer, can resist the enemy; nor are there
+other Alps, during the passage of which fresh forces may be procured:
+here, soldiers, we must make our stand, as if we fought before the
+walls of Rome. Let every one consider that he defends with his arms
+not only his own person, but his wife and young children: nor let him
+only entertain domestic cares and anxieties, but at the same time let
+him revolve in his mind, that the senate and people of Rome now
+anxiously regard our efforts; and that according as our strength and
+valour shall be, such henceforward will be the fortune of that city
+and of the Roman empire."
+
+42. Thus the consul addressed the Romans. Hannibal, thinking that his
+soldiers ought to be roused by deeds rather than by words, having
+drawn his army around for the spectacle, placed in their midst the
+captive mountaineers in fetters; and after Gallic arms had been thrown
+at their feet, he ordered the interpreter to ask, "whether any among
+them, on condition of being released from chains, and receiving, if
+victorious, armour and a horse, was willing to combat with the sword?"
+When they all, to a man, demanded the combat and the sword, and lots
+were cast into the urn for that purpose, each wished himself the
+person whom fortune might select for the contest. As the lot of each
+man came out, eager and exulting with joy amidst the congratulations
+of his comrades, and dancing after the national custom, he hastily
+snatched up the arms: but when they fought, such was the state of
+feeling, not only among their companions in the same circumstances,
+but among the spectators in general, that the fortune of those who
+conquered was not praised more than that of those who died bravely.
+
+43. When he had dismissed the soldiers, thus affected after viewing
+several pairs of combatants, having then summoned an assembly, he is
+said to have addressed them in these terms: "If, soldiers, you shall
+by and by, in judging of your own fortune, preserve the same feelings
+which you experienced a little before in the example of the fate of
+others, we have already conquered; for neither was that merely a
+spectacle, but as it were a certain representation of your condition.
+And I know not whether fortune has not thrown around you still
+stronger chains and more urgent necessities than around your captives.
+On the right and left two seas enclose you, without your possessing a
+single ship even for escape. The river Po around you, the Po larger
+and more impetuous than the Rhone, the Alps behind, scarcely passed by
+you when fresh and vigorous, hem you in. Here, soldiers, where you
+have first met the enemy, you must conquer or die; and the same
+fortune which has imposed the necessity of fighting, holds out to you,
+if victorious, rewards, than which men are not wont to desire greater,
+even from the immortal gods. If we were only about to recover by our
+valour Sicily and Sardinia, wrested from our fathers, the recompence
+would be sufficiently ample; but whatever, acquired and amassed by so
+many triumphs, the Romans possess, all, with its masters themselves,
+will become yours. To gain this rich reward, hasten, then, and seize
+your arms with the favour of the gods. Long enough in pursuing cattle
+among the desert mountains of Lusitania [Footnote: The ancient name
+of Portugal.] and Celtiberia, you have seen no emolument from so many
+toils and dangers: it is time to make rich and profitable campaigns,
+and to gain the great reward of your labours, after having
+accomplished such a length of journey over so many mountains and
+rivers, and so many nations in arms. Here fortune has granted you the
+termination of your labours; here she will bestow a reward worthy of
+the service you have undergone. Nor, in proportion as the war is great
+in name, ought you to consider that the victory will be difficult. A
+despised enemy has often maintained a sanguinary contest, and renowned
+states and kings been conquered by a very slight effort. For, setting
+aside only the splendour of the Roman name, what remains in which they
+can be compared to you? To pass over in silence your service for
+twenty years, distinguished by such valour and success you have made
+your way to this place from the pillars of Hercules, [Footnote:
+Calpe, a mountain or rather rock in Spain, and Abyla in Africa, fabled
+to have been placed by Hercules as marks of his most distant voyage,
+are now well known as Gibraltar and Ceuta.] from the ocean, and the
+remotest limits of the world advancing victorious through so many of
+the fiercest nations of Gaul and Spain: you will fight with a raw
+army, which this very summer was beaten, conquered, and surrounded by
+the Gauls, as yet unknown to its general, and ignorant of him. Shall I
+compare myself, almost born, and certainly bred in the tent of my
+father, that most illustrious commander, myself the subjugator of
+Spain and Gaul, the conqueror too not only of the Alpine nations, but
+what is much more, of the Alps themselves, with this six months'
+general, the deserter of his army? To whom, if any one, having taken
+away their standards, should show to-day the Carthaginians and Romans,
+I am sure that he would not know of which army he was consul. I do not
+regard it, soldiers, as of small account, that there is not a man
+among you before whose eyes I have not often achieved some military
+exploit; and to whom, in like manner, I the spectator and witness of
+his valour, could not recount his own gallant deeds, particularized by
+time and place. With soldiers who have a thousand times received my
+praises and gifts, I, who was the pupil of you all before I became
+your commander, will march out in battle-array against those who are
+unknown to and ignorant of each other."
+
+44. "On whatever side I turn my eyes I see nothing but what is full of
+courage and energy; a veteran infantry; calvary, both those with and
+those without the bridle, composed of the most gallant nations, you
+our most faithful and valiant allies, you Carthaginians, who are about
+to fight as well for the sake of your country as from the justest
+resentment. We are the assailants in the war, and descend into Italy
+with hostile standards, about to engage so much more boldly and
+bravely than the foe, as the confidence and courage of the assailant
+are greater than those of him who is defensive. Besides suffering,
+injury and indignity inflame and excite our minds: they first demanded
+me your leader for punishment, and then all of you who had laid siege
+to Saguntum; and had we been given up they would have visited us with
+the severest tortures. That most cruel and haughty nation considers
+every thing its own, and at its own disposal; it thinks it right that
+it should regulate with whom we are to have war, with whom peace: it
+circumscribes and shuts us up by the boundaries of mountains and
+rivers, which we must not pass; and then does not adhere to those
+boundaries which it appointed. Pass not the Iberus; have nothing to do
+with the Saguntines. Saguntum is on the Iberus; you must not move a
+step in any direction. Is it a small thing that you take away my most
+ancient provinces Sicily and Sardinia? will you take Spain also? and
+should I withdraw thence, you will cross over into Africa--will cross,
+did I say? they have sent the two consuls of this year one to Africa,
+the other to Spain: there is nothing left to us in any quarter, except
+what we can assert to ourselves by arms. Those may be cowards and
+dastards who have something to look back upon; whom, flying through
+safe and unmolested roads, their own lands and their own country will
+receive: there is a necessity for you to be brave; and since all
+between victory and death is broken off from you by inevitable
+despair, either to conquer, or, if fortune should waver, to meet death
+rather in battle than flight. If this be well fixed and determined in
+the minds of you all, I will repeat, you have already conquered: no
+stronger incentive to victory has been given to man by the immortal
+gods."
+
+45. When the minds of the soldiers on both sides had been animated to
+the contest by these exhortations, the Romans throw a bridge over the
+Ticinus, and, for the sake of defending the bridge, erect a fort on
+it. The Carthaginian, while the Romans were engaged in this work,
+sends Maharbal with a squadron of five hundred Numidian horse, to lay
+waste the territories of the allies of the Roman people. He orders
+that the Gauls should be spared as much as possible, and the minds of
+their chiefs be instigated to a revolt. When the bridge was finished,
+the Roman army being led across into the territory of the Insubrians,
+took up its station five miles from Victumviae. At this place Hannibal
+lay encamped; and having quickly recalled Maharbal and the cavalry,
+when he perceived that a battle was approaching, thinking that in
+exhorting the soldiers enough could never be spoken or addressed by
+way of admonition, he announces to them, when summoned to an assembly,
+stated rewards, in expectation of which they might fight. He promised,
+"that he would give them land in Italy, Africa, Spain, where each man
+might choose, exempt from all burdens to the person who received it,
+and to his children: if any one preferred money to land, he would
+satisfy him in silver; if any of the allies wished to become citizens
+of Carthage, he would grant them permission; if others chose rather to
+return home, he would lend his endeavours that they should not wish
+the situation of any one of their countrymen exchanged for their own."
+To the slaves also who followed their masters he promised freedom, and
+that he would give two slaves in place of each of them to their
+masters. And that they might know that these promises were certain,
+holding in his left hand a lamb, and in his right a flint, having
+prayed to Jupiter and the other gods, that, if he was false to his
+word, they would thus slay him as he slew the lamb; after the prayer
+he broke the skull of the sheep with the stone. Then in truth all,
+receiving as it were the gods as sureties, each for the fulfilment of
+his own hopes, and thinking that the only delay in obtaining the
+object of their wishes arose from their not yet being engaged, with
+one mind and one voice demanded the battle.
+
+46. By no means so great an alacrity prevailed among the Romans, who,
+in addition to other causes, were also alarmed by recent prodigies;
+for both a wolf had entered the camp, and having torn those who met
+him, had escaped unhurt; and a swarm of bees had settled on a tree
+overhanging the general's tent. After these prodigies were expiated,
+Scipio having set out with his cavalry and light-armed spearmen
+towards the camp of the enemy, to observe from a near point their
+forces, how numerous, and of what description they were, falls in with
+Hannibal, who had himself also advanced with his cavalry to explore
+the circumjacent country: neither at first perceived the other, but
+the dust arising from the trampling of so many men and horses soon
+gave the signal of approaching enemies. Both armies halted, and were
+preparing themselves for battle. Scipio places his spearmen and Gallic
+cavalry in front; the Romans and what force of allies he had with him,
+in reserve. Hannibal receives the horsemen who rode with the rein in
+the centre, and strengthens his wings with Numidians. When the shout
+was scarcely raised, the spearmen fled among the reserve to the second
+line: there was then a contest of the cavalry, for some time doubtful;
+but afterwards, on account of the foot soldiers, who were
+intermingled, causing confusion among the horses, many of the riders
+falling off from their horses, or leaping down where they saw their
+friends surrounded and hard pressed, the battle for the most part came
+to be fought on foot; until the Numidians, who were in the wings,
+having made a small circuit, showed themselves on the rear. That alarm
+dismayed the Romans, and the wound of the consul, and the danger to
+his life, warded off by the interposition of his son, then just
+arriving at the age of puberty, augmented their fears. This youth will
+be found to be the same to whom the glory of finishing this war
+belongs, and to whom the name of Africanus was given, on account of
+his splendid victory over Hannibal and the Carthaginians. The flight,
+however, of the spearmen, whom the Numidians attacked first, was the
+most disorderly. The rest of the cavalry, in a close body, protecting,
+not only with their arms, but also with their bodies, the consul, whom
+they had received into the midst of them, brought him back to the camp
+without any where giving way in disorder or precipitation. Coelius
+attributes the honour of saving the consul to a slave, by nation a
+Ligurian. I indeed should rather wish that the account about the son
+was true, which also most authors have transmitted, and the report of
+which has generally obtained credit.
+
+47. This was the first battle with Hannibal; from which it clearly
+appeared that the Carthaginian was superior in cavalry; and on that
+account, that open plains, such as lie between the Po and the Alps,
+were not suited to the Romans for carrying on the war. On the
+following night, therefore, the soldiers being ordered to prepare
+their baggage in silence, the camp broke up from the Ticinus, and they
+hastened to the Po, in order that the rafts by which the consul had
+formed a bridge over the river, being not yet loosened, he might lead
+his forces across without disturbance or pursuit of the enemy. They
+arrived at Placentia before Hannibal had ascertained that they had set
+out from the Ticinus. He took, however, six hundred of those who
+loitered on the farther bank, who were slowly unfastening the raft;
+but he was not able to pass the bridge, as the whole raft floated down
+the stream as soon as the ends were unfastened. Coelius relates that
+Mago, with the cavalry and Spanish infantry, immediately swam the
+river; and that Hannibal himself led the army across by fords higher
+up the Po, the elephants being opposed to the stream in a line to
+break the force of the current. These accounts can scarcely gain
+credit with those who are acquainted with that river; for it is
+neither probable that the cavalry could bear up against the great
+violence of the stream, without losing their arms or horses, even
+supposing that inflated bags of leather had transported all the
+Spaniards; and the fords of the Po, by which an army encumbered with
+baggage could pass, must have been sought by a circuit of many days'
+march. Those authors are more credited by me, who relate that in the
+course of two days a place was with difficulty found fit for forming a
+bridge of rafts across the river, and that by this way the light-armed
+Spanish cavalry was sent forward with Mago. Whilst Hannibal, delaying
+beside the river to give audience to the embassies of the Gauls,
+conveys over the heavy-armed forces of infantry, in the mean time
+Mago and the cavalry proceed towards the enemy at Placentia one day's
+journey after crossing the river. Hannibal, a few days after,
+fortified his camp six miles from Placentia, and on the following day,
+having drawn up his line of battle in sight of the enemy, gave them an
+opportunity of fighting.
+
+48. On the following night a slaughter was made in the Roman camp by
+the auxiliary Gauls, which appeared greater from the tumult than it
+proved in reality. Two thousand infantry and two hundred horse, having
+killed the guards at the gates, desert to Hannibal; whom the
+Carthaginians having addressed kindly, and excited by the hope of
+great rewards, sent each to several states to gain over the minds of
+their countrymen. Scipio, thinking that that slaughter was a signal
+for the revolt of all the Gauls, and that, contaminated with the guilt
+of that affair, they would rush to arms as if a frenzy had been sent
+among them, though he was still suffering severely from his wound, yet
+setting out for the river Trebia at the fourth watch of the following
+night with his army in silence, he removes his camp to higher ground
+and hills more embarrassing to the cavalry. He escaped observation
+less than at the Ticinus: and Hannibal, having despatched first the
+Numidians and then all the cavalry, would have thrown the rear at
+least into great confusion, had not the Numidians, through anxiety for
+booty, turned aside into the deserted Roman camp. There whilst,
+closely examining every part of the camp, they waste time, with no
+sufficient reward for the delay, the enemy escaped out of their hands;
+and when they saw the Romans already across the Trebia, and measuring
+out their camp, they kill a few of the loiterers intercepted on that
+side of the river. Scipio being unable to endure any longer the
+irritation of his wound, caused by the roughness of the road, and
+thinking that he ought to wait for his colleague, (for he had now
+heard that he was recalled from Sicily,) fortified a space of chosen
+ground, which, adjoining the river, seemed safest for a stationary
+camp. When Hannibal had encamped not far from thence, being as much
+elated with the victory of his cavalry, as anxious on account of the
+scarcity which every day assailed him more severely, marching as he
+did through the territory of the enemy, and supplies being no where
+provided, he sends to the village of Clastidium, where the Romans had
+collected a great stock of corn. There, whilst they were preparing for
+an assault, a hope of the town being betrayed to them was held out:
+Dasius, a Brundusian, the governor of the garrison, having been
+corrupted for four hundred pieces of gold, (no great bribe truly,)
+Clastidium is surrendered to Hannibal. It served as a granary for the
+Carthaginians while they lay at the Trebia. No cruelty was used
+towards the prisoners of the surrendered garrison, in order that a
+character for clemency might be acquired at the commencement of his
+proceedings.
+
+49. While the war by land was at a stand beside the Trebia, in the
+mean time operations went on by land and sea around Sicily and the
+islands adjacent to Italy, both under Sempronius the consul, and
+before his arrival. Twenty quinqueremes, with a thousand armed men,
+having been sent by the Carthaginians to lay waste the coast of Italy,
+nine reached the Liparae, eight the island of Vulcan, and three the
+tide drove into the strait. On these being seen from Messana, twelve
+ships sent out by Hiero king of Syracuse, who then happened to be at
+Messana, waiting for the Roman consul, brought back into the port of
+Messana the ships taken without any resistance. It was discovered from
+the prisoners that, besides the twenty ships, to which fleet they
+belonged, and which had been despatched against Italy, thirty-five
+other quinqueremes were directing their course to Sicily, in order to
+gain over their ancient allies: that their main object was to gain
+possession of Lilybaeum, and they believed that that fleet had been
+driven to the islands Aegates by the same storm by which they
+themselves had been dispersed. The king writes these tidings,
+according as they had been received, to Marcus Aemilius the praetor,
+whose province Sicily was, and advises him to occupy Lilybaeum with a
+strong garrison. Immediately the lieutenants, generals, and tribunes,
+with the praetor, were despatched to the different states, in order
+that they might keep their men on vigilant guard; above all things it
+was commanded, that Lilybaeum should be secured: an edict having been
+put forth that, in addition to such warlike preparations, the crews
+should carry down to their ships dressed provisions for ten days, so
+that no one when the signal was given might delay in embarking; and
+that those who were stationed along the whole coast should look out
+from their watch-towers for the approaching fleet of the enemy. The
+Carthaginians, therefore, though they had purposely slackened the
+course of their ships, so that they might reach Lilybaeum just before
+daybreak, were descried before their arrival, because both the moon
+shone all night, and they came with their sails set up. Immediately
+the signal was given from the watch-towers, and the summons to arms
+was shouted through the town, and they embarked in the ships: part of
+the soldiers were left on the walls and at the stations of the gates,
+and part went on board the fleet. The Carthaginians, because they
+perceived that they would not have to do with an unprepared enemy,
+kept back from the harbour till daylight, that interval being spent in
+taking down their rigging and getting ready the fleet for action. When
+the light appeared, they withdrew their fleet into the open sea, that
+there might be room for the battle, and that the ships of the enemy
+might have a free egress from the harbour. Nor did the Romans decline
+the conflict, being emboldened both by the recollection of the
+exploits they had performed near that very spot, and by the numbers
+and valour of their soldiers.
+
+50. When they had advanced into the open sea, the Romans wished to
+come to close fight, and to make a trial of strength hand to hand. The
+Carthaginians, on the contrary, eluded them, and sought to maintain
+the fight by art, not by force, and to make it a battle of ships
+rather than of men and arms: for though they had their fleet
+abundantly supplied with mariners, yet it was deficient in soldiers;
+and when a ship was grappled, a very unequal number of armed men
+fought on board of it. When this was observed, their numbers increased
+the courage of the Romans, and their inferiority of force diminished
+that of the others. Seven Carthaginian ships were immediately
+surrounded; the rest took to flight: one thousand seven hundred
+soldiers and mariners were captured in the ships, and among them were
+three noble Carthaginians. The Roman fleet returned without loss to
+the harbour, only one ship being pierced, and even that also brought
+back into port. After this engagement, before those at Messana were
+aware of its occurrence, Titus Sempronius the consul arrived at
+Messana. As he entered the strait, king Hiero led out a fleet fully
+equipped to meet him; and having passed from the royal ship into that
+of the general, he congratulated him on having arrived safe with his
+army and fleet, and prayed that his expedition to Sicily might be
+prosperous and successful. He then laid before him the state of the
+island and the designs of the Carthaginians, and promised that with
+the same spirit with which he had in his youth assisted the Romans
+during the former war, he would now assist them in his old age; that
+he would gratuitously furnish supplies of corn and clothing to the
+legions and naval crews of the consul; adding, that great danger
+threatened Lilybaeum and the maritime states, and that a change of
+affairs would be acceptable to some of them. For these reasons it
+appeared to the consul that he ought to make no delay, but to repair
+to Lilybaeum with his fleet. The king and the royal squadron set out
+along with him, and on their passage they heard that a battle had been
+fought at Lilybaeum, and that the enemy's ships had been scattered and
+taken.
+
+51. The consul having dismissed Hiero with the royal fleet, and left
+the praetor to defend the coast of Sicily, passed over himself from
+Lilybaeum to the island Melita, which was held in possession by the
+Carthaginians. On his arrival, Hamilcar, the son of Gisgo, the
+commander of the garrison, with little less than two thousand
+soldiers, together with the town and the island, are delivered up to
+him: thence, after a few days, he returned to Lilybaeum, and the
+prisoners taken, both by the consul and the praetor, excepting those
+illustrious for their rank, were publicly sold. When the consul
+considered that Sicily was sufficiently safe on that side, he crossed
+over to the islands of Vulcan, because there was a report that the
+Carthaginian fleet was stationed there: but not one of the enemy was
+discovered about those islands. They had already, as it happened,
+passed over to ravage the coast of Italy, and having laid waste the
+territory of Vibo, were also threatening the city. The descent made by
+the enemy on the Vibonensian territory is announced to the consul as
+he was returning to Sicily: and letters were delivered to him which
+had been sent by the senate, about the passage of Hannibal into Italy,
+commanding him as soon as possible to bring assistance to his
+colleague. Perplexed with having so many anxieties at once, he
+immediately sent his army, embarked in the fleet, by the upper sea to
+Ariminum; he assigned the defence of the territory of Vibo, and the
+sea-coast of Italy, to Sextus Pomponius, his lieutenant-general, with
+twenty-five ships of war: he made up a fleet of fifty ships for Marcus
+Aemilius the praetor; and he himself, after the affairs of Sicily were
+settled, sailing close along the coast of Italy with ten ships,
+arrived at Ariminum, whence, setting out with his army for the river
+Trebia, he joined his colleague.
+
+52. Both the consuls and all the strength of Rome being now opposed to
+Hannibal, made it sufficiently obvious that the Roman empire could
+either be defended by those forces, or that there was no other hope
+left. Yet the one consul being dispirited by the battle of the cavalry
+and his own wound, wished operations to be deferred: the other having
+his spirits unsubdued, and being therefore the more impetuous,
+admitted no delay. The tract of country between the Trebia and the Po
+was then inhabited by the Gauls, who, in this contest of two very
+powerful states, by a doubtful neutrality, were evidently looking
+forward to the favour of the conqueror. The Romans submitted to this
+conduct of the Gauls with tolerable satisfaction, provided they did
+not take any active part at all; but the Carthaginian bore it with
+great discontent, giving out that he had come invited by the Gauls to
+set them at liberty. On account of that resentment, and in order that
+he might at the same time maintain his troops from the plunder, he
+ordered two thousand foot and a thousand horse, chiefly Numidians,
+with some Gauls intermixed, to lay waste all the country
+straightforward as far as the banks of the Po. The Gauls, being in
+want of assistance, though they had up to this time kept their
+inclinations doubtful, are forced by the authors of the injury to turn
+to some who would be their supporters; and having sent ambassadors to
+the consul, they implore the aid of the Romans in behalf of a country
+which was suffering for the too great fidelity of its inhabitants to
+the Romans. Neither the cause nor the time of pleading it was
+satisfactory to Cornelius; and the nation was suspected by him, both
+on account of many treacherous actions, and though others might have
+been forgotten through length of time, on account of the recent
+perfidy of the Boii. Sempronius, on the contrary, thought that it
+would be the strongest tie upon the fidelity of the allies, if those
+were defended who first required support. Then, while his colleague
+hesitated, he sends his own cavalry, with about a thousand spearmen on
+foot in their company, to protect the Gallic territory beyond the
+Trebia. These, when they had unexpectedly attacked the enemy while
+scattered and disordered, and for the most part encumbered with booty,
+caused great terror, slaughter, and flight, even as far as the camp
+and outposts of the enemy; whence being repulsed by the numbers that
+poured out, they again renewed the fight with the assistance of their
+own party. Then pursuing and retreating in doubtful battle, though
+they left it at last equal, yet the fame of the victory was more with
+the Romans than the enemy.
+
+53. But to no one did it appear more important and just than to the
+consul himself. He was transported with joy "that he had conquered
+with that part of the forces with which the other consul had been
+defeated; that the spirits of the soldiers were restored and revived;
+that there was no one, except his colleague, who would wish an
+engagement delayed; and that he, suffering more from disease of mind
+than body, shuddered, through recollection of his wound, at arms and
+battle. But others ought not to sink into decrepitude together with a
+sick man. For why should there be any longer protraction or waste of
+time? What third consul, what other army did they wait for? The camp
+of the Carthaginians was in Italy, and almost in sight of the city. It
+was not Sicily and Sardinia, which had been taken from them when
+vanquished, nor Spain on this side of the Iberus, that was their
+object, but that the Romans should be driven from the land of their
+fathers, and the soil in which they were born. How deeply," he
+continued, "would our fathers groan, who were wont to wage war around
+the walls of Carthage, if they should see us their offspring, two
+consuls and two consular armies, trembling within our camps in the
+heart of Italy, while a Carthaginian had made himself master of all
+the country between the Alps and the Apennine!" Such discourses did he
+hold while sitting beside his sick colleague, and also at the
+head-quarters, almost in the manner of an harangue. The approaching
+period of the elections also stimulated him, lest the war should be
+protracted till the new consuls were chosen, and the opportunity of
+turning all the glory to himself, while his colleague lay sick. He
+orders the soldiers, therefore, Cornelius in vain attempting to
+dissuade him, to get ready for an immediate engagement. Hannibal, as
+he saw what conduct would be best for the enemy, had scarce at first
+any hope that the consuls would do any thing rashly or imprudently,
+but when he discovered that the disposition of the one, first known
+from report, and afterwards from experience, was ardent and impetuous,
+and believed that it had been rendered still more impetuous by the
+successful engagement with his predatory troops, he did not doubt that
+an opportunity of action was near at hand. He was anxious and watchful
+not to omit this opportunity, while the troops of the enemy were raw,
+while his wound rendered the better of the two commanders useless, and
+while the spirits of the Gauls were fresh; of whom he knew that a
+great number would follow him with the greater reluctance the farther
+they were drawn away from home. When, for these and similar reasons,
+he hoped that an engagement was near and desired to make the attack
+himself, if there should be any delay; and when the Gauls, who were
+the safer spies to ascertain what he wished, as they served in both
+camps, had brought intelligence that the Romans were prepared for
+battle, the Carthaginian began to look about for a place for an
+ambuscade.
+
+54. Between the armies was a rivulet, bordered on each side with very
+high banks, and covered around with marshy plants, and with the
+brushwood and brambles with which uncultivated places are generally
+overspread; and when, riding around it, he had, with his own eyes,
+thoroughly reconnoitred a place which was sufficient to afford a
+covert even for cavalry, he said to Mago his brother: "This will be
+the place which you must occupy. Choose out of all the infantry and
+cavalry a hundred men of each, with whom come to me at the first
+watch. Now is the time to refresh their bodies." The council was thus
+dismissed, and in a little time Mago came forward with his chosen men.
+"I see," said Hannibal, "the strength of the men; but that you may be
+strong not only in resolution, but also in number, pick out each from
+the troops and companies nine men like yourselves: Mago will show you
+the place where you are to lie in ambush. You will have an enemy who
+is blind to these arts of war." A thousand horse and a thousand foot,
+under the command of Mago, having been thus sent off, Hannibal orders
+the Numidian cavalry to ride up, after crossing the river Trebia by
+break of day, to the gates of the enemy, and to draw them out to a
+battle by discharging their javelins at the guards; and then, when the
+fight was commenced, by retiring slowly to decoy them across the
+river. These instructions were given to the Numidians: to the other
+leaders of the infantry and cavalry it was commanded that they should
+order all their men to dine; and then, under arms and with their
+horses equipped, to await the signal. Sempronius, eager for the
+contest, led out, on the first tumult raised by the Numidians, all the
+cavalry, being full of confidence in that part of the forces; then six
+thousand infantry, and lastly all his army, to the place already
+determined in his plan. It happened to be the winter season and a
+snowy day, in the region which lies between the Alps and the Apennine,
+and excessively cold by the proximity of rivers and marshes: besides,
+there was no heat in the bodies of the men and horses thus hastily led
+out without having first taken food, or employed any means to keep off
+the cold; and the nearer they approached to the blasts from the river,
+a keener degree of cold blew upon them. But when, in pursuit of the
+flying Numidians, they entered the water, (and it was swollen by rain
+in the night as high as their breasts,) then in truth the bodies of
+all, on landing, were so benumbed, that they were scarcely able to
+hold their arms; and as the day advanced they began to grow faint,
+both from fatigue and hunger.
+
+55. In the mean time the soldiers of Hannibal, fires having been
+kindled before the tents, and oil sent through the companies to soften
+their limbs, and their food having been taken at leisure, as soon as
+it was announced that the enemy had passed the river, seized their
+arms with vigour of mind and body, and advanced to the battle.
+Hannibal placed before the standards the Baliares and the light-armed
+troops, to the amount of nearly eight thousand men; then the
+heavier-armed infantry, the chief of his power and strength: on the
+wings he posted ten thousand horse, and on their extremities stationed
+the elephants divided into two parts. The consul placed on the flanks
+of his infantry the cavalry, recalled by the signal for retreat, as in
+their irregular pursuit of the enemy they were checked, while
+unprepared, by the Numidians suddenly turning upon them. There were of
+infantry eighteen thousand Romans, twenty thousand allies of the Latin
+name, besides the auxiliary forces of the Cenomani, the only Gallic
+nation that had remained faithful: with these forces they engaged the
+enemy. The battle was commenced by the Baliares; whom when the legions
+resisted with superior force, the light-armed troops were hastily
+drawn off to the wings; which movement caused the Roman cavalry to be
+immediately overpowered: for when their four thousand already with
+difficulty withstood by themselves ten thousand of the enemy, the
+wearied, against men for the most part fresh, they were overwhelmed in
+addition by a cloud as it were of javelins, discharged by the
+Baliares; and the elephants besides, which held a prominent position
+at the extremities of the wings, (the horses being greatly terrified
+not only at their appearance, but their unusual smell,) occasioned
+flight to a wide extent. The battle between the infantry was equal
+rather in courage than strength; for the Carthaginian brought the
+latter entire to the action, having a little before refreshed
+themselves, while, on the contrary, the bodies of the Romans,
+suffering from fasting and fatigue, and stiff with cold, were quite
+benumbed. They would have made a stand, however, by dint of courage,
+if they had only had to fight with the infantry. But both the
+Baliares, having beaten off the cavalry, poured darts on their flanks,
+and the elephants had already penetrated to the centre of the line of
+the infantry; while Mago and the Numidians, as soon as the army had
+passed their place of ambush without observing them, starting up on
+their rear, occasioned great disorder and alarm. Nevertheless, amid so
+many surrounding dangers, the line for some time remained unbroken,
+and, most contrary to the expectation of all, against the elephants.
+These the light infantry, posted for the purpose, turned back by
+throwing their spears; and following them up when turned, pierced them
+under the tail, where they received the wounds in the softest skin.
+
+56. Hannibal ordered the elephants, thus thrown into disorder, and
+almost driven by their terror against their own party, to be led away
+from the centre of the line to its extremity against the auxiliary
+Gauls on the left wing. In an instant they occasioned unequivocal
+flight; and a new alarm was added to the Romans when they saw their
+auxiliaries routed. About ten thousand men, therefore, as they now
+were fighting in a circle, the others being unable to escape, broke
+through the middle of the line of the Africans, which was supported by
+the Gallic auxiliaries, with immense slaughter of the enemy: and since
+they neither could return to the camp, being shut out by the river,
+nor, on account of the heavy rain, satisfactorily determine in what
+part they should assist their friends, they proceeded by the direct
+road to Placentia. After this several irruptions were made in all
+directions; and those who sought the river were either swallowed up in
+its eddies, or whilst they hesitated to enter it were cut off by the
+enemy. Some, who had been scattered abroad through the country in
+their flight, by following the traces of the retreating army, arrived
+at Placentia; others, the fear of the enemy inspired with boldness to
+enter the river, having crossed it, reached the camp. The rain mixed
+with snow, and the intolerable severity of the cold, destroyed many
+men and beasts of burden, and almost all the elephants. The river
+Trebia was the termination of the Carthaginians' pursuit of the enemy;
+and they returned to the camp so benumbed with cold, that they could
+scarcely feel joy for the victory. On the following night, therefore,
+though the guard of the camp and the principal part of the soldiers
+that remained passed the Trebia on rafts, they either did not perceive
+it, on account of the beating of the rain, or being unable to bestir
+themselves, through their fatigue and wounds, pretended that they did
+not perceive it; and the Carthaginians remaining quiet, the army was
+silently led by the consul Scipio to Placentia, thence transported
+across the Po to Cremona, lest one colony should be too much burdened
+by the winter quarters of two armies.
+
+57. Such terror on account of this disaster was carried to Rome, that
+they believed that the enemy was already approaching the city with
+hostile standards, and that they had neither hope nor aid by which
+they might repel his attack from the gates and walls. One consul
+having been defeated at the Ticinus, the other having been recalled
+from Sicily, and now both consuls and their two consular armies having
+been vanquished, what other commanders, what other legions were there
+to be sent for? The consul Sempronius came to them whilst thus
+dismayed, having passed at great risk through the cavalry of the
+enemy, scattered in every direction in search of plunder, with
+courage, rather than with any plan or hope of escaping, or of making
+resistance if he should not escape it. Having held the assembly for
+the election of the consuls, the only thing which was particularly
+wanting at present, he returned to the winter quarters. Cneius
+Servilius and Caius Flaminius were elected consuls. But not even the
+winter quarters of the Romans were undisturbed, the Numidian horse
+ranging at large, and where the ground was impracticable for these,
+the Celtiberians and Lusitanians. All supplies, therefore, from every
+quarter, were cut off, except such as the ships conveyed by the Po.
+There was a magazine near Placentia, both fortified with great care
+and secured by a strong garrison. In the hope of taking this fort,
+Hannibal having set out with the cavalry and the light-armed horse,
+and having attacked it by night, as he rested his main hope of
+effecting his enterprise on keeping it concealed, did not escape the
+notice of the guards. Such a clamour was immediately raised, that it
+was heard even at Placentia. The consul; therefore, came up with the
+cavalry about daybreak, having commanded the legions to follow in a
+square band. In the mean time an engagement of cavalry commenced, in
+which the enemy being dismayed because Hannibal retired wounded from
+the fight, the fortress was admirably defended. After this, having
+taken rest for a few days, and before his wound was hardly as yet
+sufficiently healed, he sets out to lay siege to Victumviae. This
+magazine had been fortified by the Romans in the Gallic war;
+afterwards a mixture of inhabitants from the neighbouring states
+around had made the place populous; and at this time the terror
+created by the devastation of the enemy had driven together to it
+numbers from the country. A multitude of this description, excited by
+the report of the brave defence of the fortress near Placentia, having
+snatched up their arms, went out to meet Hannibal. They engaged on the
+road rather like armies in order of march than in line of battle; and
+since on the one side there was nothing but a disorderly crowd, and on
+the other a general confident in his soldiers, and soldiers in their
+general, as many as thirty-five thousand men were routed by a few. On
+the following day, a surrender having been made, they received a
+garrison within their walls; and being ordered to deliver up their
+arms, as soon as they had obeyed the command, a signal is suddenly
+given to the victors to pillage the city, as if it had been taken by
+storm; nor was any outrage, which in such cases is wont to appear to
+writers worthy of relation, left unperpetrated; such a specimen of
+every kind of lust, barbarity, and inhuman insolence was exhibited
+towards that unhappy people. Such were the expeditions of Hannibal
+during the winter.
+
+58. For a short time after, while the cold continued intolerable, rest
+was given to the soldiers; and having set out from his winter quarters
+on the first and uncertain indications of spring, he leads them into
+Etruria, intending to gain that nation to his side, like the Gauls and
+Ligurians, either by force or favour. As he was crossing the
+Apennines, so furious a storm attacked him, that it almost surpassed
+the horrors of the Alps. When the rain and wind together were driven
+directly against their faces, they at first halted, because their arms
+must either be cast away, or striving to advance against the storm
+they were whirled round by the hurricane, and dashed to the ground:
+afterwards, when it now stopped their breath, nor suffered them to
+respire, they sat down for a little, with their backs to the wind.
+Then indeed the sky resounded with loud thunder, and the lightnings
+flashed between its terrific peals; all, bereft of sight and hearing,
+stood torpid with fear. At length, when the rain had spent itself, and
+the fury of the wind was on that account the more increased, it seemed
+necessary to pitch the camp in that very place where they had been
+overtaken by the storm. But this was the beginning of their labours,
+as it were, afresh; for neither could they spread out nor fix any
+tent, nor did that which perchance had been put up remain, the wind
+tearing through and sweeping every thing away: and soon after, when
+the water raised aloft by the wind had been frozen above the cold
+summits of the mountains, it poured down such a torrent of snowy hail,
+that the men, casting away every thing, fell down upon their faces,
+rather buried under than sheltered by their coverings; and so extreme
+an intensity of cold succeeded, that when each wished to raise and
+lift himself from that wretched heap of men and beasts of burden, he
+was for a long time unable, because their sinews being stiffened by
+the cold, they had great difficulty in bending their joints.
+Afterwards, when, by continually moving themselves to and fro, they
+succeeded in recovering the power of motion, and regained their
+spirits, and fires began to be kindled in a few places, every helpless
+man had recourse to the aid of others. They remained as if blockaded
+for two days in that place. Many men and beasts of burden, and also
+seven elephants, of those which had remained from the battle fought at
+the Trebia, were destroyed.
+
+59. Having descended from the Apennines, he moved his camp back
+towards Placentia, and having proceeded as far as ten miles, took up
+his station. On the following day he leads out twelve thousand
+infantry and five thousand cavalry against the enemy. Nor did
+Sempronius the consul (for he had now returned from Rome) decline the
+engagement; and during that day three miles intervened between the two
+camps. On the following day they fought with amazing courage and
+various success. At the first onset the Roman power was so superior,
+that they not only conquered the enemy in the regular battle, but
+pursued them when driven back quite into their camp, and soon after
+also assaulted it. Hannibal, having stationed a few to defend the
+rampart and the gates, and having admitted the rest in close array
+into the middle of the camp orders them to watch attentively the
+signal for sallying out. It was now about the ninth hour of the day
+when the Roman, having fatigued his soldiers to no purpose, after
+there was no hope of gaining possession of the camp, gave the signal
+for retreat; which when Hannibal heard, and saw that the attack was
+slackened, and that they were retreating from the camp, instantly
+having sent out the cavalry on the right and left against the enemy,
+he himself in the middle with the main force of the infantry rushed
+out from the camp. Seldom has there been a combat more furious, and
+few would have been more remarkable for the loss on both sides, if the
+day had suffered it to continue for a longer time. Night broke off the
+battle when raging most from the determined spirit of the combatants.
+The conflict therefore was more severe than the slaughter: and as it
+was pretty much a drawn battle, they separated with equal loss. On
+neither side fell more than six hundred infantry, and half that number
+of cavalry. But the loss of the Romans was more severe than
+proportionate to the number that fell, because several of equestrian
+rank, and five tribunes of the soldiers, and three prefects of the
+allies were slain. After this battle Hannibal retired to the territory
+of the Ligurians, and Sempronius to Luca. Two Roman quaestors, Caius
+Fulvius and Lucius Lucretius, who had been treacherously intercepted,
+with two military tribunes and five of the equestrian order, mostly
+sons of senators, are delivered up to Hannibal when coming among the
+Ligurians, in order that he might feel more convinced that the peace
+and alliance with them would be binding.
+
+60. While these things are transacting in Italy, Cneius Cornelius
+Scipio having been sent into Spain with a fleet and army, when,
+setting out from the mouth of the Rhone, and sailing past the
+Pyrenaean mountains, he had moored his fleet at Emporiae, having there
+landed his army, and beginning with the Lacetani, he brought the whole
+coast, as far as the river Iberus, under the Roman dominion, partly by
+renewing the old, and partly by forming new alliances. The reputation
+for clemency, acquired by these means, had influence not only with the
+maritime states, but now also with the more savage tribes in the
+inland and mountainous districts; nor was peace only effected with
+them, but also an alliance of arms, and several fine cohorts of
+auxiliaries were levied from their numbers. The country on this side
+of the Iberus was the province of Hanno, whom Hannibal had left to
+defend that region. He, therefore, judging that he ought to make
+opposition, before every thing was alienated from him, having pitched
+his camp in sight of the enemy, led out his forces in battle-array;
+nor did it appear to the Roman, that the engagement ought to be
+deferred, as he knew that he must fight with Hanno and Hasdrubal, and
+wished rather to contend against each of them separately, than against
+both together. The conflict did not prove one of great difficulty; six
+thousand of the enemy were slain, and two thousand made prisoners,
+together with the guard of the camp; for both the camp was stormed,
+and the general himself, with several of the chief officers, taken;
+and Scissis, a town near the camp, was also carried by assault. But
+the spoil of this town consisted of things of small value, such as the
+household furniture used by barbarians and slaves that were worth
+little. The camp enriched the soldiers; almost all the valuable
+effects, not only of that army which was conquered, but of that which
+was serving with Hannibal in Italy, having been left on this side the
+Pyrenees, that the baggage might not be cumbrous to those who conveyed
+it.
+
+61. Before any certain news of this disaster arrived, Hasdrubal,
+having passed the Iberus with eight thousand foot and a thousand
+horse, intending to meet the Romans on their first approach, after he
+heard of the ruin of their affairs at Scissis, and the loss of the
+camp, turned his route towards the sea. Not far from Tarraco, having
+despatched his cavalry in various directions, he drove to their ships,
+with great slaughter, and greater route, the soldiers belonging to the
+fleet and the mariners, while scattered and wandering through the
+fields (for it is usually the case that success produces negligence),
+but not daring to remain longer in that quarter, lest he should be
+surprised by Scipio, he withdrew to the other side of the Iberus. And
+Scipio, having quickly brought up his army on the report of fresh
+enemies, after punishing a few captains of ships and leaving a
+moderate garrison at Tarraco, returned with his fleet to Emporiae. He
+had scarcely departed, when Hasdrubal came up, and having instigated
+to a revolt the state of the Ilergetes, which had given hostages to
+Scipio, he lays waste, with the youth of that very people, the lands
+of the faithful allies of the Romans. Scipio being thereupon roused
+from his winter quarters, Hasdrubal again retires from in all the
+country on this side the Iberus. Scipio, when with a hostile army he
+had invaded the state of the Ilergetes, forsaken by the author of
+their revolt, and having driven them all into Athanagia, which was the
+capital of that nation laid siege to the city; and within a few days,
+having imposed the delivery of more hostages than before, and also
+fined the Ilergetes in a sum of money, he received them back into his
+authority and dominion. He then proceeded against the Ausetani near
+the Iberus, who were also the allies of the Carthaginians; and having
+laid siege to their city, he cut off by an ambuscade the Lacetani,
+while bringing assistance by night to their neighbours, having
+attacked them at a small distance from the city, as they were
+designing to enter it. As many as twelve thousand were slain; the
+rest, nearly all without their arms, escaped home, by dispersing
+through the country in every direction. Nor did any thing else but the
+winter, which was unfavourable to the besiegers, secure the besieged.
+The blockade continued for thirty days, during which the snow scarce
+ever lay less deep than four feet; and it had covered to such a degree
+the sheds and mantelets of the Romans, that it alone served as a
+defence when fire was frequently thrown on them by the enemy. At last,
+when Amusitus, their leader, had fled to Hasdrubal, they are
+surrendered, on condition of paying twenty talents of silver. They
+then returned into winter quarters at Tarraco.
+
+62. At Rome during this winter many prodigies either occurred about the
+city, or, as usually happens when the minds of men are once inclined
+to superstition, many were reported and readily believed; among which
+it was said that an infant of good family, only six months old, had
+called out "Io triumphe" in the herb market: that in the cattle market
+an ox had of his own accord ascended to the third story, and that
+thence, being frightened by the noise of the inhabitants, had flung
+himself down; that the appearance of ships had been brightly visible
+in the sky, and that the temple of Hope in the herb market had been
+struck by lightning; that the spear at Lanuvium had shaken itself;
+that a crow had flown down into the temple of Juno and alighted on the
+very couch; that in the territory of Amiternum figures resembling men
+dressed in white raiment had been seen in several places at a
+distance, but had not come close to any one; that in Picenum it had
+rained stones; that at Caere the tablets for divination had been
+lessened in size; and that in Gaul a wolf had snatched out the sword
+from the scabbard of a soldier on guard, and carried it off. On
+account of the other prodigies the decemvirs were ordered to consult
+the books; but on account of its having rained stones in Picenum the
+festival of nine days was proclaimed, and almost all the state was
+occupied in expiating the rest, from time to time. First of all the
+city was purified, and victims of the greater kind were sacrificed to
+those gods to whom they were directed to be offered; and a gift of
+forty pounds' weight of gold was carried to the temple of Juno at
+Lanuvium; and the matrons dedicated a brazen statue to Juno on the
+Aventine; and a lectisternium was ordered at Caere, where the tablets
+for divination had diminished; and a supplication to Fortune at
+Algidum; at Rome also a lectisternium was ordered to Youth, and a
+supplication at the temple of Hercules, first by individuals named and
+afterwards by the whole people at all the shrines; five greater
+victims were offered to Genius; and Caius Atilius Serranus the praetor
+was ordered to make certain vows if the republic should remain in the
+same state for ten years. These things, thus expiated and vowed
+according to the Sibylline books, relieved, in a great degree, the
+public mind from superstitious fears.
+
+63. Flaminius, one of the consuls elect, to whom the legions which
+were wintering at Placentia had fallen by lot, sent an edict and
+letter to the consul, desiring that those forces should be ready in
+camp at Ariminum on the ides of March. He had a design to enter on the
+consulship in his province, recollecting his old contests with the
+fathers, which he had waged with them when tribune of the people, and
+afterwards when consul, first about his election to the office, which
+was annulled, and then about a triumph. He was also odious to the
+fathers on account of a new law which Quintus Claudius, tribune of the
+people, had carried against the senate, Caius Flaminius alone of that
+body assisting him, that no senator, or he who had been father of a
+senator, should possess a ship fit for sea service, containing more
+than three hundred amphorae. This size was considered sufficient for
+conveying the produce of their lands: all traffic appeared unbecoming
+a senator. This contest, maintained with the warmest opposition,
+procured the hatred of the nobility to Flaminius, the advocate of the
+law; but the favour of the people, and afterwards a second consulship.
+For these reasons, thinking that they would detain him in the city by
+falsifying the auspices, by the delay of the Latin festival, and other
+hinderances to which a consul was liable, he pretended a journey, and,
+while yet in a private capacity, departed secretly to his province.
+This proceeding, when it was made public, excited new and additional
+anger in the senators, who were before irritated against him. They
+said, "That Caius Flaminius waged war not only with the senate, but
+now with the immortal gods; that having been formerly made consul
+without the proper auspices, he had disobeyed both gods and men
+recalling him from the very field of battle; and now, through
+consciousness of their having been dishonoured, had shunned the
+Capitol and the customary offering of vows, that he might not on the
+day of entering his office approach the temple of Jupiter, the best
+and greatest of gods; he might not see and consult the senate, himself
+hated by it, as it was hateful to him alone; that he might not
+proclaim the Latin festival, or perform on the Alban mount the
+customary rights to Jupiter Latiaris; that he might not, under the
+direction of the auspices, go up to the Capitol to recite his vows,
+and thence, attended by the lictors, proceed to his province in the
+garb of a general; but that he had set off, like some camp boy,
+without his insignia, without the lictors, in secrecy and stealth,
+just as if he had been quitting his country to go into banishment; as
+if forsooth he would enter his office more consistently with the
+dignity of the consul at Ariminum than Rome, and assume the robe of
+office in a public inn better than before his own household gods."--it
+was unanimously resolved that he, should be recalled and brought back,
+and be constrained to perform in person every duty to gods and men
+before he went to the army and the province. Quintus Terentius and
+Marcus Antistius having set out on this embassy, (for it was decreed
+that ambassadors should be sent,) prevailed with him in no degree more
+than the letter sent by the senate in his former consulship. A few
+days after he entered on his office, and as he was sacrificing a calf,
+after being struck, having broken away from the hands of the
+ministers, sprinkled several of the bystanders with its blood. Flight
+and disorder ensued, to a still greater degree at a distance among
+those who were ignorant what was the cause of the alarm. This
+circumstance was regarded by most persons as an omen of great terror.
+Having then received two legions from Sempronius, the consul of the
+former year, and two from Caius Atilius, the praetor, the army began
+to be led into Etruria, through the passes of the Apennines.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXII.
+
+
+_Hannibal, after an uninterrupted march of four days and three
+nights, arrives in Etruria, through the marshes, in which he lost an
+eye. Caius Flaminius, the consul, an inconsiderate man, having gone
+forth in opposition to the omens, dug up the standards which could not
+otherwise be raised, and been thrown from his horse immediately after
+he had mounted, is insnared by Hannibal, and cut off by his army near
+the Thrasimene lake. Three thousand who had escaped are placed in
+chains by Hannibal, in violation of pledges given. Distress occasioned
+in Rome by the intelligence. The Sibylline books consulted, and a
+sacred spring decreed. Fabius Maximus sent as dictator against
+Hannibal, whom he frustrates by caution and delay. Marcus Minucius,
+the master of the horse, a rash and impetuous man, inveighs against
+the caution of Fabius, and obtains an equality of command with him.
+The army is divided between them, and Minucius engaging Hannibal in an
+unfavourable position, is reduced to the extremity of danger, and is
+rescued by the dictator, and places himself under his authority.
+Hannibal, after ravaging Campania, is shut up by Fabius in a valley
+near the town of Casilinum, but escapes by night, putting to flight
+the Romans on guard by oxen with lighted faggots attached to their
+horns. Hannibal attempts to excite a suspicion of the fidelity of
+Fabius by sparing his farm while ravaging with fire the whole country
+around it. Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro are routed at Cannae,
+and forty thousand men slain, among whom were Paulus the consul,
+eighty senators, and thirty who had served the office of consul,
+praetor, or edile. A design projected by some noble youths of quitting
+Italy in despair after this calamity, is intrepidly quashed by Publius
+Cornelius Scipio, a military tribune, afterwards surnamed Africanus.
+Successes in Spain, eight thousand slaves are enlisted by the Romans,
+they refuse to ransom the captives, they go out in a body to meet
+Varro, and thank him for not having despaired of the commonwealth._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. Spring was now at hand, when Hannibal quitted his winter quarters,
+having both attempted in vain to cross the Apennines, from the
+intolerable cold, and having remained with great danger and alarm. The
+Gauls, whom the hope of plunder and spoil had collected, when, instead
+of being themselves engaged in carrying and driving away booty from
+the lands of others, they saw their own lands made the seat of war and
+burdened by the wintering of the armies of both forces, turned their
+hatred back again from the Romans to Hannibal; and though plots were
+frequently concerted against him by their chieftains, he was preserved
+by the treachery they manifested towards each other; disclosing their
+conspiracy with the same inconstancy with which they had conspired;
+and by changing sometimes his dress, at other times the fashion of his
+hair, he protected himself from treachery by deception. However, this
+fear was the cause of his more speedily quitting his winter quarters.
+Meanwhile Cneius Servilius, the consul, entered upon his office at
+Rome, on the ides of March. There, when he had consulted the senate on
+the state of the republic in general, the indignation against
+Flaminius was rekindled. They said "that they had created indeed two
+consuls, that they had but one; for what regular authority had the
+other, or what auspices? That their magistrates took these with them
+from home, from the tutelar deities of themselves and the state, after
+the celebration of the Latin holidays; the sacrifice upon the mountain
+being completed, and the vows duly offered up in the Capitol: that
+neither could an unofficial individual take the auspices, nor could
+one who had gone from home without them, take them new, and for the
+first time, in a foreign soil." Prodigies announced from many places
+at the same time, augmented the terror: in Sicily, that several darts
+belonging to the soldiers had taken fire; and in Sardinia, that the
+staff of a horseman, who was going his rounds upon a wall, took fire
+as he held it in his hand; that the shores had blazed with frequent
+fires; that two shields had sweated blood at Praeneste; that redhot
+stones had fallen from the heavens at Arpi; that shields were seen in
+the heavens, and the sun fighting with the moon, at Capena; that two
+moons rose in the day-time; that the waters of Caere had flowed mixed
+with blood; and that even the fountain of Hercules had flowed
+sprinkled with spots of blood. In the territory of Antium, that bloody
+ears of corn had fallen into the basket as they were reaping. At
+Falerii, that the heavens appeared cleft as if with a great chasm;
+and, that where it had opened, a vast light had shone forth; that the
+prophetic tablets had spontaneously become less; and that one had
+fallen out thus inscribed, "Mars shakes his spear." During the same
+time, that the statue of Mars at Rome, on the Appian way, had sweated
+at the sight of images of wolves. At Capua that there had been the
+appearance of the heavens being on fire, and of the moon as falling
+amidst rain. After these, credence was given to prodigies of less
+magnitude: that the goats of certain persons had borne wool; that a
+hen had changed herself into a cock; and a cock into a hen: these
+things having been laid before the senate as reported, the authors
+being conducted into the senate-house, the consul took the sense of
+the fathers on religious affairs. It was decreed that those prodigies
+should be expiated, partly with full-grown, partly with sucking
+victims; and that a supplication should be made at every shrine for
+the space of three days; that the other things should be done
+accordingly as the gods should declare in their oracles to be
+agreeable to their will when the decemviri had examined the books. By
+the advice of the decemviri it was decreed, first, that a golden
+thunderbolt of fifty pounds' weight should be made as an offering to
+Jupiter; that offerings of silver should be presented to Juno and
+Minerva; that sacrifices of full-grown victims should be offered to
+Juno Regina on the Aventine; and to Juno Sospita at Lanuvium; that the
+matrons, contributing as much money as might be convenient to each,
+should carry it to the Aventine, as a present to Juno Regina; and that
+a lectisternium should be celebrated. Moreover, that the very
+freed-women should, according to their means, contribute money from
+which a present might be made to Feronia. When these things were done,
+the decemviri sacrificed with the larger victims in the forum at
+Ardea. Lastly, it being now the month of December, a sacrifice was
+made at the temple of Saturn at Rome, and a lectisternium ordered, in
+which senators prepared the couch and a public banquet. Proclamation
+was made through the city, that the Saturnalia should be kept for a
+day and a night; and the people were commanded to account that day as
+a holiday, and observe it for ever.
+
+2. While the consul employs himself at Rome in appeasing the gods and
+holding the levy, Hannibal, setting out from his winter quarters,
+because it was reported that the consul Flaminius had now arrived at
+Arretium, although a longer but more commodious route was pointed out
+to him, takes the nearer road through a marsh where the Arno had, more
+than usual, overflowed its banks. He ordered the Spaniards and
+Africans (in these lay the strength of his veteran army) to lead,
+their own baggage being intermixed with them, lest, being compelled to
+halt any where, they should want what might be necessary for their
+use: the Gauls he ordered to go next, that they might form the middle
+of the marching body; the cavalry to march in the rear: next, Mago
+with the light-armed Numidians to keep the army together, particularly
+coercing the Gauls, if, fatigued with exertion and the length of the
+march, as that nation is wanting in vigour for such exertions, they
+should fall away or halt. The van still followed the standards
+wherever the guides did but lead them, through the exceeding deep and
+almost fathomless eddies of the river, nearly swallowed up in mud, and
+plunging themselves in. The Gauls could neither support themselves
+when fallen, nor raise themselves from the eddies. Nor did they
+sustain their bodies with spirit, nor their minds with hope; some
+scarce dragging on their wearied limbs; others dying where they had
+once fallen, their spirits being subdued with fatigue, among the
+beasts which themselves also lay prostrate in every place. But chiefly
+watching wore them out, endured now for four days and three nights.
+When, the water covering every place, not a dry spot could be found
+where they might stretch their weary bodies, they laid themselves down
+upon their baggage, thrown in heaps into the waters. Piles of beasts,
+which lay every where through the whole route, afforded a necessary
+bed for temporary repose to those seeking any place which was not
+under water. Hannibal himself, riding on the only remaining elephant,
+to be the higher from the water, contracted a disorder in his eyes, at
+first from the unwholesomeness of the vernal air, which is attended
+with transitions from heat to cold; and at length from watching,
+nocturnal damps, the marshy atmosphere disordering his head, and
+because he had neither opportunity nor leisure for remedies, loses one
+of them.
+
+3. Many men and cattle having been lost thus wretchedly, when at
+length he had emerged from the marshes, he pitched his camp as soon as
+he could on dry ground. And here he received information, through the
+scouts sent in advance, that the Roman army was round the walls of
+Arretium. Next the plans and temper of the consul, the situation of
+the country, the roads, the sources from which provisions might be
+obtained, and whatever else it was useful to know; all these things he
+ascertained by the most diligent inquiry. The country was among the
+most fertile of Italy, the plain of Etruria, between Faesulae and
+Arretium, abundant in its supply of corn, cattle, and every other
+requisite. The consul was haughty from his former consulship, and felt
+no proper degree of reverence not only for the laws and the majesty of
+the fathers, but even for the gods. This temerity, inherent in his
+nature, fortune had fostered by a career of prosperity and success in
+civil and military affairs. Thus it was sufficiently evident that,
+heedless of gods and men, he would act in all cases with presumption
+and precipitation; and, that he might fall the more readily into the
+errors natural to him, the Carthaginian begins to fret and irritate
+him; and leaving the enemy on his left, he takes the road to Faesulae,
+and marching through the centre of Etruria, with intent to plunder, he
+exhibits to the consul, in the distance, the greatest devastation he
+could with fires and slaughters. Flaminius, who would not have rested
+even if the enemy had remained quiet; then, indeed, when he saw the
+property of the allies driven and carried away almost before his eyes,
+considering that it reflected disgrace upon him that the Carthaginian
+now roaming at large through the heart of Italy, and marching without
+resistance to storm the very walls of Rome, though every other person
+in the council advised safe rather than showy measures, urging that he
+should wait for his colleague, in order that, joining their armies,
+they might carry on the war with united courage and counsels; and
+that, meanwhile, the enemy should be prevented from his unrestrained
+freedom in plundering by the cavalry and the light-armed auxiliaries;
+in a fury hurried out of the council, and at once gave out the signal
+for marching and for battle. "Nay, rather," says he, "let him be
+before the walls of Arretium, for here is our country, here our
+household gods. Let Hannibal, slipping through our fingers, waste
+Italy through and through; and, ravaging and burning every thing, let
+him arrive at the walls of Rome; let us move hence till the fathers
+shall have summoned Flaminius from Arretium, as they did Camillus of
+old from Veii." While reproaching them thus, and in the act of
+ordering the standards to be speedily pulled up, when he had mounted
+upon his horse, the animal fell suddenly, and threw the unseated
+consul over his head. All the bystanders being alarmed at this as an
+unhappy omen in the commencement of the affair, in addition word is
+brought, that the standard could not be pulled up, though, the
+standard-bearer strove with all his force. Flaminius, turning to the
+messenger, says, "Do you bring, too, letters from the senate,
+forbidding me to act. Go, tell them to dig up the standard, if,
+through fear, their hands are so benumbed that they cannot pluck it
+up." Then the army began to march; the chief officers, besides that
+they dissented from the plan, being terrified by the twofold prodigy;
+while the soldiery in general were elated by the confidence of their
+leader, since they regarded merely the hope he entertained, and not
+the reasons of the hope.
+
+4. Hannibal lays waste the country between the city Cortona and the
+lake Trasimenus, with all the devastation of war, the more to
+exasperate the enemy to revenge the injuries inflicted on his allies.
+They had now reached a place formed by nature for an ambuscade, where
+the Trasimenus comes nearest to the mountains of Cortona. A very
+narrow passage only intervenes, as though room enough just for that
+purpose had been left designedly; after that a somewhat wider plain
+opens itself, and then some hills rise up. On these he pitches his
+camp, in full view, where he himself with his Spaniards and Africans
+only might be posted. The Baliares and his other light troops he leads
+round the mountains; his cavalry he posts at the very entrance of the
+defile, some eminences conveniently concealing them; in order that
+when the Romans had entered, the cavalry advancing, every place might
+be enclosed by the lake and the mountains. Flaminius, passing the
+defiles before it was quite daylight, without reconnoitering, though
+he had arrived at the lake the preceding day at sunset, when the
+troops began to be spread into the wider plain, saw that part only of
+the enemy which was opposite to him; the ambuscade in his rear and
+overhead escaped his notice. And when the Carthaginian had his enemy
+enclosed by the lake and mountains, and surrounded by his troops, he
+gives the signal to all to make a simultaneous charge; and each
+running down the nearest way, the suddenness and unexpectedness of the
+event was increased to the Romans by a mist rising from the lake,
+which had settled thicker on the plain than on the mountains; and thus
+the troops of the enemy ran down from the various eminences,
+sufficiently well discerning each other, and therefore with the
+greater regularity. A shout being raised on all sides, the Roman found
+himself surrounded before he could well see the enemy; and the attack
+on the front and flank had commenced ere his line could be well
+formed, his arms prepared for action, or his swords unsheathed.
+
+5. The consul, while all were panic-struck, himself sufficiently
+undaunted though in so perilous a case, marshals, as well as the time
+and place permitted, the lines which were thrown into confusion by
+each man's turning himself towards the various shouts; and wherever he
+could approach or be heard exhorts them, and bids them stand and
+fight: for that they could not escape thence by vows and prayers to
+the gods but by exertion and valour; that a way was sometimes opened
+by the sword through the midst of marshalled armies, and that
+generally the less the fear the less the danger. However, from the
+noise and tumult, neither his advice nor command could be caught; and
+so far were the soldiers from knowing their own standards, and ranks,
+and position, that they had scarce sufficient courage to take up arms
+and make them ready for battle; and certain of them were surprised
+before they could prepare them, being burdened rather than protected
+by them; while in so great darkness there was more use of ears than of
+eyes. They turned their faces and eyes in every direction towards the
+groans of the wounded, the sounds of blows upon the body or arms, and
+the mingled clamours of the menacing and the affrighted. Some, as they
+were making their escape, were stopped, having encountered a body of
+men engaged in fight; and bands of fugitives returning to the battle,
+diverted others. After charges had been attempted unsuccessfully in
+every direction, and on their flanks the mountains and the lake, on
+the front and rear the lines of the enemy enclosed them, when it was
+evident that there was no hope of safety but in the right hand and the
+sword; then each man became to himself a leader, and encourager to
+action; and an entirely new contest arose, not a regular line, with
+principes, hastati, and triarii; nor of such a sort as that the
+vanguard should fight before the standards, and the rest of the troops
+behind them; nor such that each soldier should be in his own legion,
+cohort, or company: chance collects them into bands; and each man's
+own will assigned to him his post, whether to fight in front or rear;
+and so great was the ardour of the conflict, so intent were their
+minds upon the battle, that not one of the combatants felt an
+earthquake which threw down large portions of many of the cities of
+Italy, turned rivers from their rapid courses, carried the sea up into
+rivers, and levelled mountains with a tremendous crash.
+
+6. The battle was continued near three hours, and in every quarter
+with fierceness; around the consul, however, it was still hotter and
+more determined. Both the strongest of the troops, and himself too,
+promptly brought assistance wherever he perceived his men hard pressed
+and distressed. But, distinguished by his armour, the enemy attacked
+him with the utmost vigour, while his countrymen defended him; until
+an Insubrian horseman, named Ducarius, knowing him also by his face,
+says to his countrymen, "Lo, this is the consul who slew our legions
+and laid waste our fields and city. Now will I offer this victim to
+the shades of my countrymen, miserably slain;" and putting spurs to
+his horse, he rushes through a very dense body of the enemy; and first
+slaying his armour-bearer, who had opposed himself to his attack as he
+approached, ran the consul through with his lance; the triarii,
+opposing their shields, kept him off when seeking to despoil him. Then
+first the flight of a great number began; and now neither the lake nor
+the mountains obstructed their hurried retreat; they run through all
+places, confined and precipitous, as though they were blind; and arms
+and men are tumbled one upon another. A great many, when there
+remained no more space to run, advancing into the water through the
+first shallows of the lake, plunge in, as far as they could stand
+above it with their heads and shoulders. Some there were whom
+inconsiderate fear induced to try to escape even by swimming; but as
+that attempt was inordinate and hopeless, they were either overwhelmed
+in the deep water, their courage failing, or, wearied to no purpose,
+made their way back, with extreme difficulty, to the shallows; and
+there were cut up on all hands by the cavalry of the enemy, which had
+entered the water. Near upon six thousand of the foremost body having
+gallantly forced their way through the opposing enemy, entirely
+unacquainted with what was occurring in their rear, escaped from the
+defile; and having halted on a certain rising ground, and hearing only
+the shouting and clashing of arms, they could not know nor discern, by
+reason of the mist, what was the fortune of the battle. At length, the
+affair being decided, when the mist, dispelled by the increasing heat
+of the sun, had cleared the atmosphere, then, in the clear light, the
+mountains and plains showed their ruin and the Roman army miserably
+destroyed; and thus, lest, being descried at a distance, the cavalry
+should be sent against them, hastily snatching up their standards,
+they hurried away with all possible expedition. On the following day,
+when in addition to their extreme sufferings in other respects, famine
+also was at hand, Maharbal, who had followed them during the night
+with the whole body of cavalry, pledging his honour that he would let
+them depart with single garments, if they would deliver up their arms,
+they surrendered themselves; which promise was kept by Hannibal with
+Punic fidelity, and he threw them all into chains.
+
+7. This is the celebrated battle at the Trasimenus, and recorded among
+the few disasters of the Roman people. Fifteen thousand Romans were
+slain in the battle. Ten thousand, who had been scattered in the
+flight through all Etruria, returned to the city by different roads.
+One thousand five hundred of the enemy perished in the battle; many on
+both sides died afterwards of their wounds. The carnage on both sides
+is related, by some authors, to have been many times greater. I,
+besides that I would relate nothing drawn from a worthless source, to
+which the minds of historians generally incline too much, have as my
+chief authority Fabius, who was contemporary with the events of this
+war. Such of the captives as belonged to the Latin confederacy being
+dismissed without ransom, and the Romans thrown into chains, Hannibal
+ordered the bodies of his own men to be gathered from the heaps of the
+enemy, and buried: the body of Flaminius too, which was searched for
+with great diligence for burial, he could not find. On the first
+intelligence of this defeat at Rome, a concourse of the people,
+dismayed and terrified, took place in the forum. The matrons,
+wandering through the streets, ask all they meet, what sudden disaster
+was reported? what was the fate of the army? And when the multitude,
+like a full assembly, having directed their course to the comitium and
+senate-house, were calling upon the magistrates, at length, a little
+before sunset, Marcus Pomponius, the praetor, declares, "We have been
+defeated in a great battle;" and though nothing more definite was
+heard from him, yet, full of the rumours which they had caught one
+from another, they carry back to their homes intelligence, that the
+consul, with a great part of his troops, was slain; that a few only
+survived, and these either widely dispersed in flight through Etruria,
+or else captured by the enemy. As many as had been the calamities of
+the vanquished army, into so many anxieties were the minds of those
+distracted whose relations had served under Flaminius, and who were
+uninformed of what had been the fate of their friends, nor does any
+one know certainly what he should either hope or fear. During the next
+and several successive days, a greater number of women almost than men
+stood at the gates, waiting either for some one of their friends or
+for intelligence of them, surrounding and earnestly interrogating
+those they met: nor could they be torn away from those they knew
+especially, until they had regularly inquired into every thing. Then
+as they retired from the informants you might discern their various
+expressions of countenance according as intelligence, pleasing or sad,
+was announced to each; and those who congratulated or condoled on
+their return home. The joy and grief of the women were especially
+manifested. They report that one, suddenly meeting her son, who had
+returned safe, expired at the very door before his face--that another,
+who sat grieving at her house at the falsely reported death of her
+son, became a corpse, from excessive joy, at the first sight of him on
+his return. The praetors detained the senators in the house for
+several days from sunrise to sunset, deliberating under whose conduct
+and by what forces, the victorious Carthaginians could be opposed.
+
+8. Before their plans were sufficiently determined another unexpected
+defeat is reported: four thousand horse, sent under the conduct of C.
+Centenius, propraetor, by Servilius to his colleague, were cut off by
+Hannibal in Umbria, to which place, on hearing of the battle at
+Trasimenus, they had turned their course. The report of this event
+variously affected the people. Some, having their minds preoccupied
+with heavier grief, considered the recent loss of cavalry trifling, in
+comparison with their former losses; others did not estimate what had
+occurred by itself, but considered that, as in a body already
+labouring under disease, a slight cause would be felt more violently
+than a more powerful one in a robust constitution, so whatever adverse
+event befell the state in its then sickly and impaired condition,
+ought to be estimated, not by the magnitude of the event itself, but
+with reference to its exhausted strength, which could endure nothing
+that could oppress it. The state therefore took refuge in a remedy for
+a long time before neither wanted nor employed, the appointment of a
+dictator, and because the consul was absent, by whom alone it appeared
+he could be nominated, and because neither message nor letter could
+easily be sent to him through the country occupied by Punic troops,
+and because the people could not appoint a dictator, which had never
+been done to that day, the people created Quintus Fabius Maximus pro
+dictator, and Marcus Minucius Rufus master of the horse. To them the
+senate assigned the task of strengthening the walls and towers of the
+city, of placing guards in such quarters as seemed good, and breaking
+down the bridges of the river, considering that they must now fight at
+home in defence of their city, since they were unable to protect
+Italy.
+
+9. Hannibal, marching directly through Umbria, arrived at Spoletum,
+thence, having completely devastated the adjoining country, and
+commenced an assault upon the city, having been repulsed with great
+loss and conjecturing from the strength of this one colony, which had
+been not very successfully attacked, what was the size of the city of
+Rome, turned aside into the territory of Picenum, which abounded not
+only with every species of grain, but was stored with booty, which his
+rapacious and needy troops eagerly seized. There he continued encamped
+for several days, and his soldiers were refreshed, who had been
+enfeebled by winter marches and marshy ground, and with a battle more
+successful in its result than light or easy. When sufficient time for
+rest had been granted for soldiers delighting more in plunder and
+devastation than ease and repose, setting out, he lays waste the
+territories of Pretutia and Hadria, then of the Marsi, the Marrucini,
+and the Peligni, and the contiguous region of Apulia around Arpi and
+Luceria. Cneius Servilius, the consul, having fought some slight
+battles with the Gauls, and taken one inconsiderable town, when he
+heard of the defeat of his colleague and the army, alarmed now for the
+walls of the capital, marched towards the city, that he might not be
+absent at so extreme a crisis. Quintus Fabius Maximus, a second time
+dictator, assembled the senate the very day he entered on his office;
+and commencing with what related to the gods, after he had distinctly
+proved to the fathers, that Caius Flaminius had erred more from
+neglect of the ceremonies and auspices than from temerity and want of
+judgment, and that the gods themselves should be consulted as to what
+were the expiations of their anger, he obtained a resolution that the
+decemviri should be ordered to inspect the Sibylline books, which is
+rarely decreed, except when some horrid prodigies were announced.
+Having inspected the prophetic books, they reported, that the vow
+which was made to Mars on account of this war, not having been
+regularly fulfilled, must be performed afresh and more fully; that the
+great games must be vowed to Jupiter, temples to Venus Erycina and
+Mens; that a supplication and lectisternium must be made, and a sacred
+spring vowed, if the war should proceed favourably and the state
+continue the condition it was in before the war. Since the management
+of the war would occupy Fabius, the senate orders Marcus Aemilius, the
+praetor, to see that all these things are done in good time, according
+to the directions of the college of pontiffs.
+
+10. These decrees of the senate having been passed, Lucius Cornelius
+Lentulus, pontifex maximus, the college of praetors consulting with
+him, gives his opinion that, first of all, the people should be
+consulted respecting a sacred spring: that it could not be without the
+order of the people. The people having been asked according to this
+form: Do ye will and order that this thing should be performed in this
+manner? If the republic of the Roman people, the Quirites, shall be
+safe and preserved as I wish it may, from these wars for the next five
+years, (the war which is between the Roman people and the
+Carthaginian, and the wars which are with the Cisalpine Gauls), the
+Roman people, the Quirites, shall present whatsoever the spring shall
+produce from herds of swine, sheep, goats, oxen and which shall not
+have been consecrated, to be sacrificed to Jupiter, from the day which
+the senate and people shall appoint. Let him who shall make an
+offering do it when he please, and in what manner he please; in
+whatsoever manner he does it, let it be considered duly done. If that
+which ought to be sacrificed die, let it be unconsecrated, and let no
+guilt attach; if any one unwittingly wound or kill it, let it be no
+injury to him; if any one shall steal it, let no guilt attach to the
+people or to him from whom it was stolen; if any one shall unwittingly
+offer it on a forbidden day, let it be esteemed duly offered; also
+whether by night or day, whether slave or free-man perform it. If the
+senate and people shall order it to be offered sooner than any person
+shall offer it, let the people being acquitted of it be free. On the
+same account great games were vowed, at an expense of three hundred
+and thirty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-three _asses_
+and a third; moreover, it was decreed that sacrifice should be done to
+Jupiter with three hundred oxen, to many other deities with white oxen
+and the other victims. The vows being duly made, a supplication was
+proclaimed; and not only the inhabitants of the city went with their
+wives and children, but such of the rustics also as, possessing any
+property themselves, were interested in the welfare of the state. Then
+a lectisternium was celebrated for three days, the decemviri for
+sacred things superintending. Six couches were seen, for Jupiter and
+Juno one, for Neptune and Minerva another, for Mars and Venus a third,
+for Apollo and Diana a fourth, for Vulcan and Vesta a fifth, for
+Mercury and Ceres a sixth. Then temples were vowed. To Venus Erycina,
+Quintus Fabius Maximus vowed a temple; for so it was delivered from
+the prophetic books, that he should vow it who held the highest
+authority in the state. Titus Otacilius, the praetor vowed a temple to
+Mens.
+
+11. Divine things having been thus performed, the dictator then put
+the question of the war and the state; with what, and how many legions
+the fathers were of opinion that the victorious enemy should be
+opposed. It was decreed that he should receive the army from Cneius
+Servilius, the consul: that he should levy, moreover, from the
+citizens and allies as many horse and foot as seemed good; that he
+should transact and perform every thing else as he considered for the
+good of the state. Fabius said he would add two legions to the army of
+Servilius. These were levied by the master of the horse, and were
+appointed by Fabius to meet him at Tibur on a certain day. And then
+having issued proclamation that those whose towns or castles were
+unfortified should quit them and assemble in places of security; that
+all the inhabitants of that tract through which Hannibal was about to
+march, should remove from the country, having first burnt their
+buildings and spoiled their fruits, that there might not be a supply
+of any thing; he himself set out on the Flaminian road to meet the
+consul and his army; and when he saw in the distance the marching body
+on the Tiber, near Ocriculum, and the consul with the cavalry
+advancing to him, he sent a beadle to acquaint the consul that he must
+meet the dictator without the lictors. When he had obeyed his command,
+and their meeting had exhibited a striking display of the majesty of
+the dictatorship before the citizens and allies, who, from its
+antiquity, had now almost forgotten that authority; a letter arrived
+from the city, stating that the ships of burden, conveying provisions
+from Ostia into Spain to the army, had been captured by the
+Carthaginian fleet off the port of Cossa. The consul, therefore, was
+immediately ordered to proceed to Ostia, and, having manned the ships
+at Rome or Ostia with soldiers and sailors, to pursue the enemy, and
+protect the coasts of Italy. Great numbers of men were levied at Rome,
+sons of freed-men even, who had children, and were of the military
+age, had taken the oath. Of these troops levied in the city, such as
+were under thirty-five were put on board ships, the rest were left to
+protect the city.
+
+12. The dictator, having received the troops of the consul from
+Fulvius Flaccus, his lieutenant-general, marching through the Sabine
+territory, arrived at Tibur on the day which he had appointed the
+new-raised troops to assemble. Thence he went to Praeneste, and
+cutting across the country, came out in the Latin way, whence he led
+his troops towards the enemy, reconnoitering the road with the utmost
+diligence; not intending to expose himself to hazard any where, except
+as far as necessity compelled him. The day he first pitched his camp
+in sight of the enemy, not far from Arpi, the Carthaginian, without
+delay, led out his troops, and forming his line gave an opportunity of
+fighting: but when he found all still with the enemy, and his camp
+free from tumult and disorder, he returned to his camp, saying indeed
+tauntingly, "That even the spirit of the Romans, inherited from Mars,
+was at length subdued; that they were warred down and had manifestly
+given up all claim to valour and renown:" but burning inwardly with
+stifled vexation because he would have to encounter a general by no
+means like Flaminius and Sempronius; and because the Romans, then at
+length schooled by their misfortunes, had sought a general a match for
+Hannibal; and that now he had no longer to fear the headlong violence,
+but the deliberate prudence of the dictator. Having not yet
+experienced his constancy, he began to provoke and try his temper, by
+frequently shifting his camp and laying waste the territories of the
+allies before his eyes: and one while he withdrew out of sight at
+quick march, another while he halted suddenly, and concealed himself
+in some winding of the road, if possible to entrap him on his
+descending into the plain. Fabius kept marching his troops along the
+high grounds, at a moderate distance from the enemy, so as neither to
+let him go altogether nor yet to encounter him. The troops were kept
+within the camp, except so far as necessary wants compelled them to
+quit it; and fetched in food and wood not by small nor rambling
+parties. An outpost of cavalry and light-armed troops, prepared and
+equipped for acting in cases of sudden alarm, rendered every thing
+safe to their own soldiers, and dangerous to the scattered plunderers
+of the enemy. Nor was his whole cause committed to general hazard;
+while slight contests, of small importance in themselves, commenced on
+safe ground, with a retreat at hand, accustomed the soldiery,
+terrified by their former disasters, now at length to think less
+meanly either of their prowess or good fortune. But he did not find
+Hannibal a greater enemy to such sound measures than his master of the
+horse, who was only prevented from plunging the state into ruin by his
+inferiority in command. Presumptuous and precipitate in his measures,
+and unbridled in his tongue, first among a few, then openly and
+publicly, he taunted him with being sluggish instead of patient,
+spiritless instead of cautious; falsely imputing to him those vices
+which bordered on his virtues; and raised himself by means of
+depressing his superiors, which, though a most iniquitous practice,
+has become more general from the too great successes of many.
+
+13. Hannibal crosses over from the Hirpini into Samnium; lays waste
+the territory of Beneventum; takes the town of Telesia; and purposely
+irritates the dictator, if perchance he could draw him down to a
+battle on the plain, exasperated by so many indignities and disasters
+inflicted on his allies. Among the multitude of allies of Italian
+extraction, who had been captured by Hannibal at the Trasimenus, and
+dismissed, were three Campanian horsemen, who had even at that time
+been bribed by many presents and promises from Hannibal to win over
+the affections of their countrymen to him. These, bringing him word
+that he would have an opportunity of getting possession of Capua, if
+he brought his army into the neighbourhood in Campania, induced
+Hannibal to quit Samnium for Campania; though he hesitated,
+fluctuating between confidence and distrust, as the affair was of more
+importance than the authorities. He dismissed them, repeatedly
+charging them to confirm their promises by acts, and ordering them to
+return with a greater number, and some of their leading men. Hannibal
+himself orders his guide to conduct him into the territory of Casinum,
+being certified by persons acquainted with the country, that if he
+seized that pass he would deprive the Romans of a passage by which
+they might get out to the assistance of their allies. But his Punic
+accent, ill adapted to the pronunciation of Latin names, caused the
+guide to understand Casilinum, instead of Casinum; and leaving his
+former course, he descends through the territory of Allifae, Calatia,
+and Cales, into the plain of Stella, where, seeing the country
+enclosed on all sides by mountains and rivers, he calls the guide to
+him, and asks him where in the world he was? when he replied, that on
+that day he would lodge at Casilinum: then at length the error was
+discovered, and that Casinum lay at a great distance in another
+direction. Having scourged the guide with rods and crucified him, in
+order to strike terror into all others, he fortified a camp, and sent
+Maharbal with the cavalry into the Falernian territory to pillage.
+This depredation reached as far as the waters of Sinuessa; the
+Numidians caused destruction to a vast extent, but flight and
+consternation through a still wider space. Yet not even the terror of
+these things, when all around was consuming in the flames of war,
+could shake the fidelity of the allies; for this manifest reason,
+because they lived under a temperate and mild government: nor were
+they unwilling to submit to those who were superior to them, which is
+the only bond of fidelity.
+
+14. But when the enemy's camp was pitched on the Vulturnus, and the
+most delightful country in Italy was being consumed by fire, and the
+farm-houses, on all hands, were smoking from the flames, whilst Fabius
+led his troops along the heights of Mount Massicus, then the strife
+had nearly been kindled anew, for they had been quiet for a few days,
+because, as the army had marched quicker than usual, they had supposed
+that the object of this haste was to save Campania from devastation;
+but when they arrived at the extreme ridge of Mount Massicus, and the
+enemy appeared under their eyes, burning the houses of the Falernian
+territory, and of the settlers of Sinuessa, and no mention made of
+battle, Minucius exclaims, "Are we come here to see our allies
+butchered, and their property burned, as a spectacle to be enjoyed?
+and if we are not moved with shame on account of any others, are we
+not on account of these citizens, whom our fathers sent as settlers to
+Sinuessa, that this frontier might be protected from the Samnite foe:
+which now not the neighbouring Samnite wastes with fire, but a
+Carthaginian foreigner, who has advanced even thus far from the
+remotest limits of the world, through our dilatoriness and inactivity?
+What! are we so degenerate from our ancestors as tamely to see that
+coast filled with Numidian and Moorish foes, along which our fathers
+considered it a disgrace to their government that the Carthaginian
+fleets should cruise? We, who erewhile, indignant at the storming of
+Saguntum, appealed not to men only, but to treaties and to gods,
+behold Hannibal scaling the walls of a Roman colony unmoved. The smoke
+from the flames of our farm-houses and lands comes into our eyes and
+faces; our ears ring with the cries of our weeping allies, imploring
+us to assist them oftener than the gods, while we here are leading our
+troops, like a herd of cattle, through shady forests and lonely paths,
+enveloped in clouds and woods. If Marcus Furius had resolved to
+recover the city from the Gauls, by thus traversing the tops of
+mountains and forests, in the same manner as this modern Camillus goes
+about to recover Italy from Hannibal, who has been sought out for our
+dictator in our distress, on account of his unparalleled talents, Rome
+would be the possession of the Gauls; and I fear lest, if we are thus
+dilatory, our ancestors will so often have preserved it only for the
+Carthaginians and Hannibal; but that man and true Roman, on the very
+day on which intelligence was brought him to Veii, that he was
+appointed dictator, on the authority of the fathers and the nomination
+of the people, came down into the plain, though the Janiculum was high
+enough to admit of his sitting down there, and viewing the enemy at a
+distance, and on that very day defeated the Gallic legions in the
+middle of the city, in the place where the Gallic piles are now, and
+on the following day on the Roman side of Gabii. What many years after
+this, when we were sent under the yoke at the Caudine forks by the
+Samnite foe, did Lucius Papirius Cursor take the yoke from the Roman
+neck and place it upon the proud Samnites, by traversing the heights
+of Samnium? or was it by pressing and besieging Luceria, and
+challenging the victorious enemy? A short time ago, what was it that
+gave victory to Caius Lutatius but expedition? for on the day after he
+caught sight of the enemy he surprised and overpowered the fleet,
+loaded with provisions, and encumbered of itself by its own implements
+and apparatus. It is folly to suppose that the war can be brought to a
+conclusion by sitting still, or by prayers, the troops must be armed
+and led down into the plain, that you may engage man to man. The Roman
+power has grown to its present height by courage and activity, and not
+by such dilatory measures as these, which the cowardly only designate
+as cautious." A crowd of Roman tribunes and knights poured round
+Minucius, while thus, as it were, haranguing, his presumptuous
+expressions reached the ears of the common soldiers, and had the
+question been submitted to the votes of the soldiers, they showed
+evidently that they would have preferred Minucius to Fabius for their
+general.
+
+15. Fabius, keeping his attention fixed no less upon his own troops
+than on the enemy, first shows that his resolution was unconquered by
+the former. Though he well knew that his procrastination was
+disapproved, not only in his own camp, but by this time even at Rome,
+yet, inflexibly adhering to the same line of policy, he delayed
+through the remainder of the summer, in order that Hannibal, devoid of
+all hope of a battle, which he so earnestly desired, might now look
+out for a place for winter quarters, because that district was one of
+present, but not constant, supply, consisting, as it did, of
+plantations and vineyards, and all places planted luxurious rather
+than useful produce. This intelligence was to Fabius by his scouts.
+When he felt convinced that he would return by the same narrow pass
+through which he had entered the Falernian territory, he occupied
+Mount Callicula and Casilinum with a pretty strong guard. Which city,
+intersected by the river Vulturnus, divides the Falernian and
+Campanian territories. He himself leads back his troops along the same
+heights, having sent Lucius Hostilius Mancinus with four hundred of
+the allied cavalry to reconnoitre; who being one of the crowd of
+youths who had often heard the master of the horse fiercely
+haranguing, at first advanced after the manner of a scout, in order
+that he might observe the enemy in security; and when he saw the
+Numidians scattered widely throughout the villages, having gotten an
+opportunity, he also slew a few of them. But from that moment his mind
+was engrossed with the thoughts of a battle, and the injunctions of
+the dictator were forgotten, who had charged him, when he had advanced
+as far as he could with safety, to retreat before he came within the
+enemy's view. The Numidians, party after party, skirmishing and
+retreating, drew the general almost to their camp, to the fatigue of
+his men and horses. Then Karthalo, who had the command of the cavalry,
+charging at full speed, and having put them to flight before he came
+within a dart's throw, pursued them for five miles almost in a
+continuous course. Mancinus, when he saw that the enemy did not desist
+from the pursuit, and that there was no hope of escape, having
+encouraged his troops, turned back to the battle though inferior in
+every kind of force. Accordingly he himself, and the choicest of his
+cavalry, being surrounded, are cut to pieces. The rest in disorderly
+retreat fled first to Cales, and thence to the dictator, by ways
+almost impassable. It happened that on that day Minucius had formed a
+junction with Fabius, having been sent to secure with a guard the pass
+above Tarracina, which, contracted into a narrow gorge, overhangs the
+sea, in order that Hannibal might not be able to get into the Roman
+territory by the Appian way's being unguarded. The dictator and master
+of the horse, uniting their forces, lead them down into the road
+through which Hannibal was about to march his troops. The enemy was
+two miles from that place.
+
+16. The following day the Carthaginians filled the whole road between
+the two camps with his troops in marching order; and though the Romans
+had taken their stand immediately under their rampart, having a
+decidedly superior position, yet the Carthaginian came up with his
+light horse and, with a view to provoke the enemy, carried on a kind
+of desultory attack, first charging and then retreating. The Roman
+line remained in its position. The battle was slow and more
+conformable to the wish of the dictator than of Hannibal. On the part
+of the Romans there fell two hundred, on the part of the enemy eight
+hundred. It now began to appear that Hannibal was hemmed in, the road
+to Casilinum being blockaded; and that while Capua, and Samnium, and
+so many wealthy allies in the rear of the Romans might supply them
+with provisions, the Carthaginian, on the other hand, must winter amid
+the rocks of Formiae and the sands and hideous swamps of Liternum. Nor
+did it escape Hannibal that he was assailed by his own arts;
+wherefore, since he could not escape by way of Casilinum, and since it
+was necessary to make for the mountains, and pass the summit of
+Callicula, lest in any place the Romans should attack his troops while
+enclosed in valleys; having hit upon a stratagem calculated to deceive
+the sight, and excite terror from its appearance, by means of which he
+might baffle the enemy, he resolved to come up by stealth to the
+mountains at the commencement of night. The preparation of his wily
+stratagem was of this description. Torches, collected from every part
+of the country, and bundles of rods and dry cuttings, are fastened
+before the horns of oxen, of which, wild and tame, he had driven away
+a great number among other plunder of the country: the number of oxen
+was made up to nearly two thousand. To Hasdrubal was assigned the task
+of driving to the mountains that herd, after having set fire to their
+horns, as soon as ever it was dark; particularly, if he could, over
+the passes beset by the enemy.
+
+17. As soon as it was dark the camp was moved in silence; the oxen
+were driven a little in advance of the standards. When they arrived at
+the foot of the mountains and the narrow passes, the signal is
+immediately given for setting fire to their horns and driving them
+violently up the mountains before them. The mere terror excited by the
+flame, which cast a glare from their heads, and the heat now
+approaching the quick and the roots of their horns, drove on the oxen
+as if goaded by madness. By which dispersion, on a sudden all the
+surrounding shrubs were in a blaze, as if the mountains and woods had
+been on fire; and the unavailing tossing of their heads quickening the
+flame, exhibited an appearance as of men running to and fro on every
+side. Those who had been placed to guard the passage of the wood, when
+they saw fires on the tops of the mountains, and some over their own
+heads, concluding that they were surrounded, abandoned their post;
+making for the tops of the mountains in the direction in which the
+fewest fires blazed, as being the safest course; however they fell in
+with some oxen which had strayed from their herds. At first, when they
+beheld them at a distance, they stood fixed in amazement at the
+miracle, as it appeared to them, of creatures breathing fire;
+afterwards, when it showed itself to be a human stratagem, then,
+forsooth, concluding that there was an ambuscade, as they are hurrying
+away in flight, with increased alarm, they fall in also with the
+light-armed troops of the enemy. But the night, when the fear was
+equally shared, kept them from commencing the battle till morning.
+Meanwhile Hannibal, having marched his whole army through the pass,
+and having cut off some of the enemy in the very defile, pitches his
+camp in the country of Allifae.
+
+18. Fabius perceived this tumult, but concluding that it was a snare,
+and being disinclined for a battle, particularly by night, kept his
+troops within the works. At break of day a battle took place under the
+summit of the mountain, in which the Romans, who were considerably
+superior in numbers, would have easily overpowered the light-armed of
+the enemy, cut off as they were from their party, had not a cohort of
+Spaniards, sent back by Hannibal for that very purpose, reached the
+spot. That body being more accustomed to mountains, and being more
+adapted, both from the agility of their limbs and also from the
+character of their arms, to skirmishing amid rocks and crags, easily
+foiled, by their manner of fighting, an enemy loaded with arms,
+accustomed to level ground and the steady kind of fighting. Separating
+from a contest thus by no means equal, they proceeded to their camps;
+the Spaniards almost all untouched; the Romans having lost a few.
+Fabius also moved his camp, and passing the defile, took up a position
+above Allifae, in a strong and elevated place. Then Hannibal,
+pretending to march to Rome through Samnium, came back as far as the
+Peligni, spreading devastation. Fabius led his troops along the
+heights midway between the army of the enemy and the city of Rome;
+neither avoiding him altogether, nor coming to an engagement. From the
+Peligni the Carthaginian turned his course, and going back again to
+Apulia, reached Geronium, a city deserted by its inhabitants from
+fear, as a part of its walls had fallen down together in ruins. The
+dictator formed a completely fortified camp in the territory of
+Larinum, and being recalled thence to Rome on account of some sacred
+rites, he not only urged the master of the horse, in virtue of his
+authority, but with advice and almost with prayers, that he would
+trust rather to prudence than fortune; and imitate him as a general
+rather than Sempronius and Flaminius; that he would not suppose that
+nothing had been achieved by having worn out nearly the whole summer
+in baffling the enemy; that physicians too sometimes gained more by
+rest than by motion and action. That it was no small thing to have
+ceased to be conquered by an enemy so often victorious, and to have
+taken breath after successive disasters. Having thus unavailingly
+admonished the master of the horse, he set out for Rome.
+
+19. In the beginning of the summer in which these events occurred, the
+war commenced by land and sea in Spain also. To the number of ships
+which he had received from his brother, equipped and ready for action,
+Hasdrubal added ten. The fleet of forty ships he delivered to Himilco:
+and thus setting out from Carthage, kept his ships near the land,
+while he led his army along the shore, ready to engage with whichever
+part of his forces the enemy might fall in with. Cneius Scipio, when
+he heard that the enemy had quitted his winter quarters, at first
+formed the same plan; but afterwards, not daring to engage him by
+land, from a great rumour of fresh auxiliaries, he advances to meet
+him with a fleet of thirty-five ships, having put some chosen soldiers
+on board. Setting out from Tarraco, on the second day, he reached a
+convenient station, ten miles from the mouth of the Iberus. Two ships
+of the Massilians, sent forward from that place reconnoitering,
+brought word back that the Carthaginian fleet was stationed in the
+mouth of the river, and that the camp was pitched upon the bank. In
+order, therefore, to overpower them while off their guard and
+incautious, by a universal and wide-spread terror, he weighed anchor
+and advanced. In Spain there are several towers placed in high
+situations, which they employ both as watch-towers and as places of
+defence against pirates. From them first, a view of the ships of the
+enemy having been obtained, the signal was given to Hasdrubal; and a
+tumult arose in the camp, and on land sooner than on the ships and at
+sea; the dashing of the oars and other nautical noises not being yet
+distinctly heard, nor the promontories disclosing the fleet. Upon
+this, suddenly one horseman after another, sent out by Hasdrubal,
+orders those who were strolling upon the shore or resting quietly in
+their tents, expecting any thing rather than the enemy and a battle on
+that day, immediately to embark and take up arms: that the Roman fleet
+was now a short distance from the harbour. The horsemen, despatched in
+every direction, delivered these orders; and presently Hasdrubal
+himself comes up with the main army. All places resound with noises of
+various kinds; the soldiers and rowers hurrying together to the ships,
+rather like men running away from the land than marching to battle.
+Scarcely had all embarked, when some, unfastening the hawsers, are
+carried out against the anchors; others cut their cables, that nothing
+might impede them; and by doing every thing with hurry and
+precipitation, the duties of mariners were impeded by the preparations
+of the soldiers, and the soldiers were prevented from taking and
+preparing for action their arms, by the bustle of the mariners. And
+now the Roman was not only approaching, but had drawn up his ships for
+the battle. The Carthaginians, therefore, thrown into disorder, not
+more by the enemy and the battle than by their own tumult, having
+rather made an attempt at fighting than commenced a battle, turned
+their fleet for flight; and as the mouth of the river which was before
+them could not be entered in so broad a line, and by so many pressing
+in at the same time, they ran their ships on shore in every part. And
+being received, some in the shallows, and others on the dry shore,
+some armed and some unarmed, they escaped to their friends, who were
+drawn up in battle-array over the shore. Two Carthaginian ships were
+captured and four sunk on the first encounter.
+
+20. The Romans, though the enemy was master of the shore, and they saw
+armed troops lining the whole bank, promptly pursuing the discomfited
+fleet of the enemy, towed out into the deep all the ships which had
+not either shattered their prows by the violence with which they
+struck the shore, or set their keels fast in the shallows. They
+captured as many as twenty-five out of forty. Nor was that the most
+splendid result of their victory: but they became masters of the whole
+sea on that coast by one slight battle; advancing, then, with their
+fleet to Honosca, and making a descent from the ships upon the coast,
+when they had taken the city by storm and pillaged it, they afterwards
+made for Carthage: then devastating the whole surrounding country,
+they, lastly, set fire also to the buildings contiguous to the wall
+and gates. Thence the fleet laden with plunder, arrived at Longuntica,
+where a great quantity of oakum for naval purposes had been collected
+by Hasdrubal: of this, taking away as much as was sufficient for their
+necessities, they burnt all the rest. Nor did they only sail by the
+prominent coasts of the continent, but crossed over into the island
+Ebusus; where, having with the utmost exertion, but in vain, carried
+on operations against the city, which is the capital of the island,
+for two days, when they found that time was wasted to no purpose upon
+a hopeless task, they turned their efforts to the devastation of the
+country; and having plundered and fired several villages, and acquired
+a greater booty than they had obtained on the continent, they retired
+to their ships, when ambassadors from the Baliares came to Scipio to
+sue for peace. From this place the fleet sailed back, and returned to
+the hither parts of the province, whither ambassadors of all the
+people who dwell on the Iberus, and of many people in the most distant
+parts of Spain, assembled. But the number of states who really became
+subject to the authority and dominion of the Romans, and gave
+hostages, amounted to upwards of one hundred and twenty. The Roman
+therefore, relying sufficiently on his land forces also, advanced as
+far as the pass of Castulo. Hasdrubal retired into Lusitania, and
+nearer the ocean.
+
+21. After this, it seemed probable that the remainder of the summer
+would be peaceful; and so it would have been with regard to the Punic
+enemy: but besides that the tempers of the Spaniards themselves are
+naturally restless, and eager for innovation, Mandonius, together with
+Indibilis, who had formerly been petty prince of the Ilergetes, having
+stirred up their countrymen, came to lay waste the peaceful country of
+the Roman allies, after the Romans had retired from the pass to the
+sea-coast. A military tribune with some light-armed auxiliaries being
+sent against these by Scipio, with a small effort put them all to the
+rout, as being but a disorderly band: some having been captured and
+slain, a great portion of them were deprived of their arms. This
+disturbance, however, brought back Hasdrubal, who was retiring to the
+ocean, to protect his allies on this side the Iberus. The Carthaginian
+camp was in the territory of Ilercao, the Roman camp at the New Fleet,
+when unexpected intelligence turned the war into another quarter. The
+Celtiberians, who had sent the chief men of their country as
+ambassadors to the Romans, and had given them hostages, aroused by a
+message from Scipio, take up arms and invade the province of the
+Carthaginians with a powerful army; take three towns by storm; and
+after that, encountering Hasdrubal himself in two battles with,
+splendid success, slew fifteen thousand and captured four thousand,
+together with many military standards.
+
+22. This being the state of affairs in Spain, Publius Scipio came into
+his province, having been sent thither by the senate, his command
+being continued to him after his consulate, with thirty long ships,
+eight thousand soldiers, and a large importation of provisions. That
+fleet, swelled to an enormous size by a multitude of transports, being
+descried at a distance, entered safe the port of Tarraco, to the great
+joy of the citizens and allies. Landing his troops there, Scipio set
+out and formed a junction with his brother, and thenceforward they
+prosecuted the war with united courage and counsels. While the
+Carthaginians, therefore, were occupied with the Celtiberian war, they
+promptly crossed the Iberus, and not seeing any enemy, pursue their
+course to Saguntum; for it was reported that the hostages from every
+part of Spain, having been consigned to custody, were kept in the
+citadel of that place under a small guard. That pledge alone checked
+the affections of all the people of Spain, which were inclined towards
+an alliance with the Romans; lest the guilt of their defection should
+be expiated with the blood of their children. One man, by a stratagem
+more subtle than honourable, liberated the Spaniards from this
+restraint. There was at Saguntum a noble Spaniard, named Abelux,
+hitherto faithful to the Carthaginians, but now (such are for the most
+part the dispositions of barbarians) had changed his attachment with
+fortune; but considering that a deserter going over to enemies without
+the betraying of something valuable, would be looked upon only as a
+stigmatized and worthless individual, was solicitous to render as
+great a service as possible to his new confederates. Having turned
+over in his mind, then, the various means which, under the favour of
+fortune, he might employ, in preference to every other, he applied
+himself to the delivering up of the hostages; concluding that this one
+thing, above all others, would gain the Romans the friendship of the
+Spanish chieftains. But since he knew that the guards of the hostages
+would do nothing without the authority of Bostar, the governor, he
+addresses himself with craft to Bostar himself. Bostar had his camp
+without the city, just upon the shore, in order to preclude the
+approach of the Romans from that quarter. He informs him, taken aside
+to a secret place, and as if uninformed, in what position affairs
+were: "That hitherto fear had withheld the minds of the Spaniards to
+them, because the Romans were at a great distance: that now the Roman
+camp was on this side the Iberus, a secure fortress and asylum for
+such as desired a change, that therefore those whom fear could not
+bind should be attached by kindness and favour." When Bostar, in
+astonishment, earnestly asked him, what sudden gift of so much
+importance that could be, he replied, "Send back the hostages to their
+states: this will be an acceptable boon, privately to their parents,
+who possess the greatest influence in their respective states, and
+publicly to the people. Every man wishes to have confidence reposed in
+him; and confidence reposed generally enforces the fidelity itself.
+The office of restoring the hostages to their homes, I request for
+myself; that I may enhance my project by the trouble bestowed, and
+that I may add as much value as I can to a service in its own
+intrinsic nature so acceptable." When he had persuaded the man, who
+was not cunning as compared with Carthaginian minds in general, having
+gone secretly and by night to the outposts of the enemy, he met with
+some auxiliary Spaniards; and having been brought by them into the
+presence of Scipio, he explains what brought him. Pledges of fidelity
+having been given and received, and the time and place for delivering
+the hostages having been appointed, he returns to Saguntum. The
+following day he spent with Bostar, in taking his commands for
+effecting the business; having so arranged it, that he should go by
+night, in order that he might escape the observation of the enemy, he
+was dismissed; and awakening the guards of the youths at the hour
+agreed upon with them, set out and led them, as if unconsciously, into
+a snare prepared by his own deceit. They were brought to the Roman
+camp, and every thing else respecting the restoration of the hostages
+was transacted as had been agreed upon with Bostar, and in the same
+course as if the affair had been carried on in the name of the
+Carthaginians. But the favour of the Romans was somewhat greater than
+that of the Carthaginians would have been in a similar case; for
+misfortune and fear might have seemed to have softened them, who had
+been found oppressive and haughty in prosperity. The Roman, on the
+contrary, on his first arrival, having been unknown to them before,
+had begun with an act of clemency and liberality: and Abelux, a man of
+prudence, did not seem likely to have changed his allies without good
+cause. Accordingly all began, with great unanimity, to meditate a
+revolt; and hostilities would immediately have commenced, had not the
+winter intervened, which compelled the Romans, and the Carthaginians
+also, to retire to shelter.
+
+23. Such were the transactions in Spain also during the second summer
+of the Punic war; while in Italy the prudent delay of Fabius had
+procured the Romans some intermission from disasters; which conduct,
+as it kept Hannibal disturbed with no ordinary degree of anxiety, for
+it proved to him that the Romans had at length selected a general who
+would carry on the war with prudence, and not in dependence on
+fortune; so was it treated with contempt by his countrymen, both in
+the camp and in the city; particularly after that a battle had been
+fought during his absence from the temerity of the master of the
+horse, in its issue, as I may justly designate it, rather joyful than
+successful. Two causes were added to augment the unpopularity of the
+dictator: one arising out of a stratagem and artful procedure of
+Hannibal; for the farm of the dictator having been pointed out to him
+by deserters, he ordered that the fire and sword and every outrage of
+enemies should be restrained from it alone, while all around were
+levelled with the ground; in order that it might appear to have been
+the term of some secret compact: the other from an act of his own, at
+first perhaps suspicious, because in it he had not waited for the
+authority of the senate, but in the result turning unequivocally to
+his highest credit, with relation to the exchange of prisoners: for,
+as was the case in the first Punic war, an agreement had been made
+between the Roman and Carthaginian generals, that whichever received
+more prisoners than he restored, should give two pounds and a half of
+silver for every man. And when the Roman had received two hundred and
+forty-seven more than the Carthaginian, and the silver which was due
+for them, after the matter had been frequently agitated in the senate,
+was not promptly supplied, because he had not consulted the fathers,
+he sent his son Quintus to Rome and sold his farm, uninjured by the
+enemy, and thus redeemed the public credit at his own private expense.
+Hannibal lay in a fixed camp before the walls of Geronium, which city
+he had captured and burnt, leaving only a few buildings for the
+purpose of granaries: thence he was in the habit of sending out
+two-thirds of his forces to forage; with the third part kept in
+readiness, he himself remained on guard, both as a protection to his
+camp, and for the purpose of looking out, if from any quarter an
+attack should be made upon his foragers.
+
+24. The Roman army was at that time in the territory of Larinum.
+Minucius, the master of the horse, had the command of it; the
+dictator, as was before mentioned, having gone to the city. But the
+camp, which had been pitched in an elevated and secure situation, was
+now brought down into the plain; plans of a bolder character,
+agreeably with the temper of the general, were in agitation; and
+either an attack was to be made upon the scattered foragers, or upon
+the camp now left with an inconsiderable guard. Nor did it escape the
+observation of Hannibal, that the plan of the war had been changed
+with the general, and that the enemy would act with more boldness than
+counsel. Hannibal himself too, which one would scarcely credit, though
+the enemy was near, despatched a third part of his troops to forage,
+retaining the remaining two-thirds in the camp. After that he advanced
+his camp itself nearer to the enemy, to a hill within the enemy's
+view, nearly two miles from Geronium; that they might be aware that he
+was on the alert to protect his foragers if any attack should be made
+upon them. Then he discovered an eminence nearer to, and commanding
+the very camp of the Romans: and because if he marched openly in the
+day-time to occupy it, the enemy would doubtless anticipate him by a
+shorter way, the Numidians having been sent privately in the night,
+took possession of it. These, occupying this position, the Romans, the
+next day, despising the smallness of their numbers, dislodge, and
+transfer their camp thither themselves. There was now, therefore, but
+a very small space between rampart and rampart, and that the Roman
+line had almost entirely filled; at the same time the cavalry, with
+the light infantry sent out against the foragers through the opposite
+part of the camp, effected a slaughter and flight of the scattered
+enemy far and wide. Nor dared Hannibal hazard a regular battle;
+because with so few troops, that he would scarcely be able to protect
+his camp if attacked. And now he carried on the war (for part of his
+army was away) according to the plans of Fabius, by sitting still and
+creating delays. He had also withdrawn his troops to their former
+camp, which was before the walls of Geronium. Some authors affirm that
+they fought in regular line, and with encountering standards; that in
+the first encounter the Carthaginian was driven in disorder quite to
+his camp; but that, a sally thence having been suddenly made all at
+once, the Romans in their turn became alarmed; that after that the
+battle was restored by the arrival of Numerius Decimius the Samnite;
+that this man, the first in family and fortune, not only in Bovianum,
+whence he came, but in all Samnium, when conducting by command of the
+dictator to the camp eight thousand infantry and five hundred horse,
+having shown himself on the rear of Hannibal, seemed to both parties
+to be a fresh reinforcement coming with Quintus Fabius from Rome; that
+Hannibal, fearing also some ambuscade, withdrew his troops; and that
+the Roman, aided by the Samnite, pursuing him, took by storm two forts
+on that day; that six thousand of the enemy were slain, and about five
+thousand of the Romans; but that though the loss was so nearly equal,
+intelligence was conveyed to Rome of a signal victory; and a letter
+from the master of the horse still more presumptuous.
+
+25. These things were very frequently discussed, both in the senate
+and assemblies. When the dictator alone, while joy pervaded the city,
+attached no credit to the report or letter; and granting that all were
+true, affirmed that he feared more from success than failure; then
+Marcus Metilius, a Plebeian tribune, declares that such conduct surely
+could not be endured. That the dictator, not only when present was an
+obstacle to the right management of the affair, but also being absent
+from the camp, opposed it still when achieved; that he studiously
+dallied in his conduct of the war, that he might continue the longer
+in office, and that he might have the sole command both at Rome and in
+the army. Since one of the consuls had fallen in battle, and the other
+was removed to a distance from Italy, under pretext of pursuing a
+Carthaginian fleet; and the two praetors were occupied in Sicily and
+Sardinia, neither of which provinces required a praetor at this time.
+That Marcus Minucius, the master of the horse, was almost put under a
+guard, lest he should see the enemy, and carry on any warlike
+operation. That therefore, by Hercules, not only Samnium, which had
+now been yielded to the Carthaginians, as if it had been land beyond
+the Iberus, but the Campanian, Calenian, and Falernian territories had
+been devastated, while the dictator was sitting down at Casilinum,
+protecting his own farm with the legions of the Roman people: that the
+army, eager for battle, as well as the master of the horse, were kept
+back almost imprisoned within the rampart: that their arms were taken
+out of their hands, as from captured enemies: at length, as soon as
+ever the dictator had gone away, having marched out beyond their
+rampart, that they had routed the enemy and put him to flight. On
+account of which circumstances, had the Roman commons retained their
+ancient spirit, that he would have boldly proposed to them to annul
+the authority of Quintus Fabius; but now he would bring forward a
+moderate proposition, to make the authority of the master of the horse
+and the dictator equal; and that even then Quintus Fabius should not
+be sent to the army, till he had substituted a consul in the room of
+Caius Flaminius. The dictator kept away from the popular assemblies,
+in which he did not command a favourable hearing, and even in the
+senate he was not heard with favourable ears, when his eloquence was
+employed in praising the enemy, and attributing the disasters of the
+last two years to the temerity and unskilfulness of the generals; and
+when he declared that the master of the horse ought to be called to
+account for having fought contrary to his injunction. That "if the
+supreme command and administration of affairs were intrusted to him,
+he would soon take care that men should know, that to a good general
+fortune was not of great importance; that prudence and conduct
+governed every thing; that it was more glorious for him to have saved
+the army at a crisis, and without disgrace, than to have slain many
+thousands of the enemy." Speeches of this kind having been made
+without effect, and Marcus Atilius Regulus created consul, that he
+might not be present to dispute respecting the right of command, he
+withdrew to the army on the night preceding the day on which the
+proposition was to be decided. When there was an assembly of the
+people at break of day, a secret displeasure towards the dictator, and
+favour towards the master of the horse, rather possessed their minds,
+than that men had not sufficient resolution to advise a measure which
+was agreeable to the public; and though favour carried it, influence
+was wanting to the bill. One man indeed was found who recommended the
+law, Caius Terentius Varro, who had been praetor in the former year,
+sprung not only from humble but mean parentage. They report that his
+father was a butcher, the retailer of his own meat, and that he
+employed this very son in the servile offices of that trade.
+
+26. This young man, when a fortune left him by his father, acquired in
+such a traffic, had inspired him with the hope of a higher condition,
+and the gown and forum were the objects of his choice, by declaiming
+vehemently in behalf of men and causes of the lowest kind, in
+opposition to the interest and character of the good, first came to
+the notice of the people, and then to offices of honour. Having passed
+through the offices of quaestor, plebeian, and curule aedile, and,
+lastly, that of praetor; when now he raised his mind to the hope of
+the consulship, he courted the gale of popular favour by maligning the
+dictator, and received alone the credit of the decree of the people.
+All men, both at Rome and in the army, both friends and foes, except
+the dictator himself, considered this measure to have been passed as
+an insult to him; but the dictator himself bore the wrong which the
+infuriated people had put upon him, with the same gravity with which
+he endured the charges against him which his enemies laid before the
+multitude; and receiving the letter containing a decree of the senate
+respecting the equalization of the command while on his journey,
+satisfied that an equal share of military skill was not imparted
+together with the equal share of command, he returned to the army with
+a mind unsubdued alike by his fellow-citizens and by the enemy.
+
+27. But Minucius, who, in consequence of his success and the favour of
+the populace, was scarcely endurable before now especially,
+unrestrained by shame or moderation, boasted not more in having
+conquered Hannibal than Quintus Fabius. "That he, who had been sought
+out in their distress as the only general, and as a match for
+Hannibal; that he, an event which no record of history contains, was
+by the order of the people placed upon an equal footing with
+himself,--a superior with an inferior officer, a dictator with a
+master of the horse,--in that very city wherein the masters of the
+horse are wont to crouch and tremble at the rods and axes of the
+dictator. With such splendour had his valour and success shone forth.
+That he therefore would follow up his own good fortune, though the
+dictator persisted in his delay and sloth; measures condemned alike by
+the sentence of gods and men." Accordingly, on the first day on which
+he met Quintus Fabius, he intimated "that the first point to be
+settled was the manner in which they should employ the command thus
+equalized. That he was of opinion that the best plan would be for them
+to be invested with the supreme authority and command either on
+alternate days, or, if longer intervals were more agreeable, for any
+determinate periods; in order that the person in command might be a
+match for the enemy, not only in judgment, but in strength, if any
+opportunity for action should occur." Fabius by no means approved of
+this proposition: he said, "that Fortune would have at her disposal
+all things which the rashness of his colleague had; that his command
+had been shared with him, and not taken away; that he would never,
+therefore, willingly withdraw from conducting the war, in whatever
+post he could with prudence and discretion: nor would he divide the
+command with him with respect to times or days, but that he would
+divide the army, and that he would preserve, by his own measures, so
+much as he could, since it was not allowed him to save the whole."
+Thus he carried it, that, as was the custom of consuls, they should
+divide the legions between them: the first and fourth fell to the lot
+of Minucius, the second and third to Fabius. They likewise divided
+equally between them the cavalry, the auxiliaries of the allies and of
+the Latin name. The master of the horse was desirous also that they
+should have separate camps.
+
+28. From this Hannibal derived a twofold joy, for nothing which was
+going on among the enemy escaped him, the deserters revealing many
+things, and he himself examining by his own scouts. For he considered
+that he should be able to entrap the unrestrained temerity of Minucius
+by his usual arts, and that half the force of the sagacity of Fabius
+had vanished. There was an eminence between the camps of Minucius and
+the Carthaginians, whoever occupied it would evidently render the
+position of his enemy less advantageous. Hannibal was not so desirous
+of gaining it without a contest, though that were worth his while, as
+to bring on a quarrel with Minucius, who, he well knew, would at all
+times throw himself in his way to oppose him. All the intervening
+ground was at first sight unavailable to one who wished to plant an
+ambuscade, because it not only had not any part that was woody, but
+none even covered with brambles, but in reality formed by nature to
+cover an ambush, so much the more, because no such deception could be
+apprehended in a naked valley and there were in its curvatures hollow
+rocks, such that some of them were capable of containing two hundred
+armed men. Within these recesses, five thousand infantry and cavalry
+are secreted, as many as could conveniently occupy each. Lest,
+however, in any part, either the motion of any one of them
+thoughtlessly coming out, or the glittering of their arms, should
+discover the stratagem in so open a valley, by sending out a few
+troops at break of day to occupy the before-mentioned eminence, he
+diverts the attention of the enemy. Immediately, on the first view of
+them, the smallness of their number was treated with contempt, and
+each man began to request for himself the task of dislodging the
+enemy. The general himself, among the most headstrong and absurd,
+calls to arms to go and seize the place, and inveighs against the
+enemy with vain presumption and menaces. First, he despatches his
+light-armed, after that his cavalry, in a close body, lastly,
+perceiving that succours were also being sent to the enemy, he marches
+with his legions drawn up in order of battle. Hannibal also, sending
+band after band, as the contest increased, as aids to his men when
+distressed, had now completed a regular army, and a battle was fought
+with the entire strength of both sides. First, the light infantry of
+the Romans, approaching the eminence, which was preoccupied, from the
+lower ground, being repulsed and pushed down, spread a terror among
+the cavalry, which was marching up also and fled back to the standards
+of the legions: the line of infantry alone stood fearless amidst the
+panic-struck; and it appeared that they would by no means have been
+inferior to the enemy, had it been a regular and open battle, so much
+confidence did the successful battle a few days before inspire. But
+the troops in ambush created such confusion and alarm, by charging
+them on both flanks and on their rear, that no one had spirit enough
+left to fight, or hope enough to try to escape.
+
+29. Then Fabius, first having heard the shout of the terrified troops,
+and then having gotten a view of their disordered line, exclaims, "It
+is so; and no sooner than I feared, has adverse fortune overtaken
+temerity. Equalled to Fabius in command, he sees that Hannibal is
+superior to him in courage and in fortune. But another will be the
+time for reproaches and resentment. Now advance your standards beyond
+the rampart: let us wrest the victory from the enemy, and a confession
+of their error from our countrymen." A great part of the troops having
+been now slain, and the rest looking about for a way to escape; the
+army of Fabius showed itself on a sudden for their help, as if sent
+down from heaven. And thus, before he came within a dart's throw or
+joined battle, he both stayed his friends from a precipitate flight
+and the enemy from excessive fierceness of fighting. Those who had
+been scattered up and down, their ranks being broken, fled for refuge
+from every quarter to the fresh army; those who had fled together in
+parties, turning upon the enemy, now forming a circle, retreat slowly,
+now concentrating themselves, stand firm. And now the vanquished and
+the fresh army had nearly formed one line, and were bearing their
+standards against the enemy, when the Carthaginians sounded a retreat;
+Hannibal openly declaring that though he had conquered Minucius, he
+was himself conquered by Fabius. The greater part of the day having
+been thus consumed with varying success, Minucius calling together his
+soldiers, when they had returned to the camp, thus addressed them: "I
+have often heard, soldiers, that he is the greatest man who himself
+counsels what is expedient, and that he who listens to the man who
+gives good advice is the second, but that he who neither himself is
+capable of counselling, and knows not how to obey another, is of the
+lowest order of mind. Since the first place of mind and talent has
+been denied us, let us strive to obtain the second and intermediate
+kind, and while we are learning to command, let us prevail upon
+ourselves to submit to a man of prudence. Let us join camps with
+Fabius, and, carrying our standards to his pavilion, when I have
+saluted him as my parent, which he deserves on account of the service
+he has rendered us and of his dignity; you, my soldiers, shall salute
+those men as patrons, whose arms and right-hands just now protected
+you: and if this day has conferred nothing else upon us, it hath at
+least conferred upon us the glory of possessing grateful hearts."
+
+30. The signal being given, there was a general call to collect the
+baggage: then setting out, and proceeding in order of march to the
+dictator's camp, they excited at once the surprise of the dictator
+himself and all around him. When the standards were planted before the
+tribunal, the master of the horse, advancing before the rest, having
+saluted Fabius as father, and the whole body of his troops having,
+with one voice, saluted the soldiers who surrounded him as patrons,
+said, "To my parents, dictator, to whom I have just now equalled you,
+only in name, as far as I could express myself, I am indebted for my
+life only; to you I owe both my own preservation and that of all these
+soldiers. That order of the people, therefore, with which I have been
+oppressed rather than honoured, I first cancel and annul, and (may it
+be auspicious to me and you, and to these your armies, to the
+preserved and the preserver,) I return to your authority and auspices,
+and restore to you these standards and these legions, and I entreat
+you that, being reconciled, you would order that I may retain the
+mastership of the horse, and that these soldiers may each of them
+retain their ranks." After that hands were joined, and when the
+assembly was dismissed, the soldiers were kindly and hospitably
+invited by those known to them and unknown: and that day, from having
+been a little while ago gloomy in the extreme, and almost accursed,
+was turned into a day of joy. At Rome, the report of the action was
+conveyed thither, and was afterwards confirmed, not less by letters
+from the common soldiers of both armies, than from the generals
+themselves, all men individually extolled Maximus to the skies. His
+renown was equal with Hannibal, and his enemies the Carthaginians and
+then at length they began to feel that they were engaged in war with
+Romans, and in Italy. For the two preceding years they entertained so
+utter a contempt for the Roman generals and soldiers, that they could
+scarcely believe that they were waging war with the same nation which
+their fathers had reported to them as being so formidable. They relate
+also, that Hannibal said, as he returned from the field that at length
+that cloud, which was used to settle on the tops of the mountains, had
+sent down a shower with a storm.
+
+31. While these events occur in Italy, Cneius Servilius Geminus, the
+consul, having sailed round the coast of Sardinia and Corsica with a
+fleet of one hundred and twenty ships, and received hostages from both
+places, crossed over into Africa, and before he made a descent upon
+the continent, having laid waste the island of Meninx, and received
+from the inhabitants of Cercina ten talents of silver, in order that
+their fields too might not be burnt and pillaged, he approached the
+shores of Africa, and landed his troops. Thence the soldiers were led
+out to plunder, and the crews scattered about just as if they were
+plundering uninhabited islands and thus, carelessly falling upon an
+ambuscade, when they were surrounded--the ignorant of the country by
+those acquainted with it, the straggling by those in close array, they
+were driven back to then ships in ignominious flight, and with great
+carnage. As many as one thousand men, together with Sempionius
+Blaesus, the quaestor, having been lost, the fleet hastily setting
+sail from the shore, which was crowded with the enemy, proceeded
+direct for Italy, and was given up at Lilybaeum to Titus Otacilius,
+the praetor, that it might be taken back to Rome by his lieutenant,
+Publius Suia. The consul himself, proceeding through Sicily on foot,
+crossed the strait into Italy, summoned, as well as his colleague,
+Marcus Atilius, by a letter from Quintus Fabius, to receive the armies
+from him, as the period of his command, which was six months, had
+nearly expired. Almost all the annalists record that Fabius conducted
+the war against Hannibal, as dictator Caelius also writes, that he was
+the first dictator created by the people. But it has escaped Caelius
+and all the others that Cneius Servilius, the consul, who was then a
+long way from home in Gaul, which was his province, was the only
+person who possessed the right of appointing a dictator, and that as
+the state, terrified by the disasters which had just befallen it,
+could not abide the delay, it had recourse to the determination that
+the people should create a prodictator, that his subsequent
+achievements, his singular renown as a general, and his descendants,
+who exaggerated the inscription of his statue, easily brought it about
+that he should be called dictator, instead of prodictator.
+
+32. The consuls, Atilius and Geminus Servilius, having received, the
+former the army of Fabius, the latter that of Minucius, and fortified
+their winter quarters in good time, (it was the close of the autumn,)
+carried on the war with the most perfect unanimity, according to the
+plans of Fabius. In many places they fell upon the troops of Hannibal
+when out on foraging excursions, availing themselves of the
+opportunity, and both harassing their march and intercepting the
+stragglers. They did not come to the chance of a general battle, which
+the enemy tried by every artifice to bring about. And Hannibal was so
+straitened by the want of provisions, that had he not feared in
+retiring the appearance of flight, he would have returned to Gaul, no
+hope being left of being able to subsist an army in those quarters, if
+the ensuing consuls should carry on the war upon the same plan. The
+war having been arrested in its progress at Geronium, the winter
+interrupting it, ambassadors from Naples came to Rome. They carried
+into the senate-house forty golden goblets, of great weight, and spoke
+to this effect. "That they knew the treasury of the Romans was
+exhausted by the war, and since the war was carried on alike in
+defence of the cities and the lands of the allies, and of the empire
+and city of Rome, the capital and citadel of Italy, that the
+Neapolitans thought it but fair that they should assist the Roman
+people with whatever gold had been left them by their ancestors as
+well for the decoration of their temples as for the relief of
+misfortune. If they had thought that there was any resource in
+themselves, that they would have offered it with the same zeal. That
+the Roman fathers and people would render an acceptable service to
+them, if they would consider all the goods of the Neapolitans as their
+own, and if they would think them deserving, that they should accept a
+present at their hands, rendered valuable and of consequence rather by
+the spirit and affection of those who gave it with cheerfulness, than
+by its intrinsic worth." Thanks were given to the ambassadors for
+their munificence and attention, and the goblet of least weight was
+accepted.
+
+33. During the same days a Carthaginian spy, who had escaped for two
+years, was apprehended at Rome, and his hands having been cut off, was
+let go: and twenty-five slaves were crucified for forming a conspiracy
+in the Campus Martius; his liberty was given to the informer, and
+twenty thousand _asses_ of the heavy standard. Ambassadors were
+also sent to Philip, king of the Macedonians, to demand Demetrius of
+Pharia, who, having been vanquished in war had fled to him. Others
+were sent to the Ligurians, to expostulate with them for having
+assisted the Carthaginians with their substance and with auxiliaries;
+and, at the same time, to take a near view of what was going on
+amongst the Boii and Insubrians. Ambassadors were also sent to the
+Illyrians to king Pineus, to demand the tribute, the day of payment of
+which had passed; or if he wished to postpone the day, to receive
+hostages. Thus, though an arduous war was on their shoulders, no
+attention to any one concern in any part of the world, however remote,
+escapes the Romans. It was made a matter of superstitious fear also,
+that the temple of Concord, which Lucius Manlius, the praetor, had
+vowed in Gaul two years ago, on occasion of a mutiny, had not been
+contracted for to that day. Accordingly, Cneius Pupius and Caeso
+Quinctius Flaminius, created duumviri by Marcus Aemilius, the city
+praetor, for that purpose, contract for the building a temple in the
+citadel. By the same praetor a letter was sent to the consuls,
+agreeably to a decree of the senate, to the effect that, if they
+thought proper, one of them should come to Rome to elect consuls; and
+that he would proclaim the election for whatever day they might name.
+To this it was replied by the consuls, that they could not leave the
+enemy without detriment to the public; that it would be better,
+therefore, that the election should be held by an interrex, than that
+one of the consuls should be called away from the war. It appeared
+more proper to the fathers, that a dictator should be nominated by a
+consul, for the purpose of holding the election Lucius Veturius Philo
+was nominated, who chose Manius Pomponius Matho master of the horse.
+These having been created with some defect, they were ordered to give
+up their appointment on the fourteenth day; and the state came to an
+interregnum.
+
+34. To the consuls the authority was continued for a year longer.
+Caius Claudius Centho, son of Appius, and then Publius Cornelius
+Asina, were appointed interreges by the fathers. During the
+interregnum of the latter the election was held with a violent contest
+between the patricians and the people, Caius Terentius Varro, whom, as
+a man of their own order, commended to their favour by inveighing
+against the patricians and by other popular arts; who had acquired
+celebrity by maligning others, by undermining the influence of Fabius,
+and bringing into contempt the dictatorial authority, the commons
+strove to raise to the consulship. The patricians opposed him with all
+their might, lest men, by inveighing against them, should come to be
+placed on an equality with them. Quintus Boebius Herennius, a plebeian
+tribune, and kinsman of Caius Terentius, by criminating not only the
+senate, but the augurs also, for having prevented the dictator from
+completing the election, by the odium cast upon them, conciliated
+favour to his own candidate. He asserted, "that Hannibal had been
+brought into Italy by the nobility, who had for many years been
+desirous of a war. That by the fraudulent machinations of the same
+persons the war had been protracted, whereas it might have been
+brought to a conclusion. That it had appeared that the war could be
+maintained with an army consisting of four legions in all, from Marcus
+Minucius's having fought with success in the absence of Fabius. That
+two legions had been exposed to be slain by the enemy, and were
+afterwards rescued from absolute destruction, in order that that man
+might be saluted as father and patron, who had deprived them of
+victory before he delivered them from defeat. That subsequently the
+consuls, pursuing the plans of Fabius, had protracted the war, whereas
+it was in their power to have put a period to it. That this was an
+agreement made by the nobility in general; nor would they ever have
+the war concluded till they had created a consul really plebeian; that
+is, a new man: for that plebeians who had attained nobility were now
+initiated into the mysteries, and had begun to look down with contempt
+upon plebeians, from the moment they ceased to be despised by the
+patricians. Who was not fully aware that their end and object was,
+that an interregnum should be formed, in order that the elections
+might be under the influence of the patricians? That both the consuls
+had that in view in tarrying with the army: and that afterwards a
+dictator having been nominated to hold the election contrary to their
+wishes, they had carried it, as it were, by storm, that the augurs
+should declare the dictator informally elected. That they therefore
+had gotten an interregnum; but one consulate was surely in the hands
+of the Roman people. Thus the people would have that at their own
+unbiassed disposal, and that they would confer it on that man who
+would rather conquer in reality than lengthen the term of his
+command."
+
+35. When the people had been inflamed by these harangues, though there
+were three patrician candidates for the consulship, Publius Cornelius
+Merenda, Lucius Manlius Vulso, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, two of
+plebeian families, who had been ennobled, Caius Atilius Serranus and
+Quintus Aelius Paetus, one of whom was pontiff, the other an augur,
+Terentius alone was created consul, that the comitia for choosing his
+colleague might be in his own management. Then the nobles, finding
+that the competitors whom they had set up were not strong enough,
+though he strenuously refused for a long time, prevail upon Aemilius
+Paulus, who was strongly opposed to the people, to become a candidate.
+He had been consul before with Marcus Livius, and from the
+condemnation of his colleague, and almost of himself, had come off
+scathed. On the next day of the election, all who had opposed Varro
+withdrawing, he is given to the consul rather as a match to oppose him
+than as a colleague. Afterwards the assembly for the election of
+praetors was held, and Manius Pomponius Matho and Publius Furius
+Philus were chosen. The city lot for the administration of justice at
+Rome fell to the lot of Pomponius; between Roman citizens and
+foreigners, to Philus. Two praetors were added, Marcus Claudius
+Marcellus for Sicily, and Lucius Postumius for Gaul. These were all
+appointed in their absence; nor was an honour which he had not
+previously borne committed to any one of them, except the consul
+Terentius, several brave and able men having been passed over,
+because, at such a juncture, it did not appear advisable that a new
+office should be committed to any one.
+
+36. The forces also were augmented. But how great was the augmentation
+of infantry and cavalry authors vary so much, that I scarcely dare
+positively assert. Some state, that ten thousand soldiers were levied
+as a reinforcement; others, four fresh legions, that there might be
+eight legions in service. It is said also, that the complement of the
+legion was increased in respect both to foot and horse, one thousand
+foot and one hundred horse being added to each, so that each might
+contain five thousand foot and three hundred horse; and that the
+allies furnished twice as many cavalry, and an equal number of
+infantry. Some authorities affirm that there were eighty-seven
+thousand two hundred soldiers in the Roman camp when the battle of
+Cannae was fought. There is no dispute, that the war was prosecuted
+with greater energy and spirit than during former years, because the
+dictator had given them a hope that the enemy might be subdued.
+Before, however, the new-raised legions marched from the city, the
+decemviri were ordered to have recourse to and inspect the sacred
+volumes, on account of persons having been generally alarmed by
+extraordinary prodigies; for intelligence was brought, that it had
+rained stones on the Aventine at Rome and at Aricia at the same time.
+That among the Sabines, statues had sweated blood copiously, and at
+Caere the waters had flowed warm, from a fountain. The latter prodigy
+excited a greater degree of alarm, because it had frequently occurred.
+In a street called the Arched Way, near the Campus Martius, several
+men were struck by lightning and killed. These prodigies were expiated
+according to the books. Ambassadors from Paestum brought some golden
+goblets to Rome; they were thanked, as the Neapolitans were, but the
+gold was not accepted.
+
+37. During the same time a fleet from Hiero arrived at Ostia with a
+large cargo of supplies. The Syracusan ambassadors, on being
+introduced into the senate, delivered this message: "That king Hiero
+was so much affected at the slaughter announced to him of Caius
+Flaminius the consul and his troops, that he could not have been more
+distressed at any disasters which could have befallen himself or his
+own kingdom; and accordingly, though he was well aware that the
+greatness of the Roman people was almost more admirable in adversity
+than prosperity, he had nevertheless sent every thing which good and
+faithful allies are wont to contribute to assist the operations of
+war, which he earnestly implored the conscript fathers not to refuse
+to accept. First of all, for the sake of the omen, they had brought a
+golden statue of Victory, of three hundred pounds' weight, which they
+begged them to accept, keep by them, and hold as their own peculiar
+and lasting possession. That they had also brought three hundred
+thousand pecks of wheat, and two hundred thousand of barley, that
+there might be no want of provisions, and that as much more as might
+be necessary they would convey, as a supply, to whatever place they
+might appoint. He knew that the Roman people employed no legionary
+troops or cavalry who were not Romans, or of the Latin confederacy,
+that he had seen foreign auxiliary as well as native light-armed
+troops in the Roman camps, he had, therefore, sent one thousand
+archers and slingers, a suitable force against the Bahares and Moors,
+and other nations which fought with missile weapons" To these presents
+they added also advice "That the praetor to whose lot the province of
+Sicily had fallen, should pass a fleet over to Africa, that the enemy
+also might have a war in their own country, and that less liberty
+should be afforded them of sending reinforcements to Hannibal" The
+senate thus replied to the king. "That Hiero was a good man and an
+admirable ally, and that from the time he first formed a friendship
+with the Roman people he had uniformly cultivated a spirit of
+fidelity, and had munificently assisted the Roman cause at all times
+and in every place. That this was, as it ought to be, a cause of
+gratitude to the Roman people. That the Roman people had not accepted
+gold which had been brought them also from certain states, though they
+felt gratitude for the act. The Victory and the omen," they said,
+"they would accept, and would assign and dedicate to that goddess, as
+her abode, the Capitol, the temple of Jupiter, the best and greatest
+of gods, hoping that, consecrated in that fortress of the city of
+Rome, she would continue there firm and immoveable, kind and
+propitious to the Roman people." The slingers, archers, and corn were
+handed over to the consuls. To the fleet which Titus Otacilius the
+proprietor had in Sicily, twenty-five quinqueremes were added, and
+permission was given him, if he thought it for the interest of the
+state to pass over into Africa.
+
+38. The levy completed, the consuls waited a few days, till the allies
+of the Latin confederacy arrived. At this time the soldiers were bound
+by an oath, which had never before been the case, dictated by the
+military tribunes, that they would assemble at the command of the
+consuls, and not depart without orders; for up to that time the
+military oath only had been employed; and further, when the soldiers
+met to divide into decuries or centuries, the cavalry being formed
+into decuries and the infantry into centuries, all swore together,
+amongst themselves, of their own accord, that they would not depart or
+quit their ranks for flight or fear, except for the purpose of taking
+up or fetching a weapon, and either striking an enemy or saving a
+countryman. This, from being a voluntary compact among the soldiers
+themselves, was converted into the legal compulsion of an oath by the
+tribunes. Before the standards were moved from the city, the harangues
+of Varro were frequent and furious, protesting that the war had been
+invited into Italy by the nobles, and that it would continue fixed in
+the bowels of the state if it employed any more such generals as
+Fabius; that he would bring the war to conclusion on the very day he
+got sight of the enemy. His colleague Paulus made but one speech, on
+the day before they set out from the city, which was more true than
+gratifying to the people, in which nothing was said severely against
+Varro, except this only. "That he wondered how any general, before he
+knew any thing of his own army, or that of the enemy, the situation of
+the places, or the nature of the country, even now while in the city,
+and with the gown on, could tell what he must do when in arms, and
+could even foretell the day on which he would fight standard to
+standard with the enemy. That, for his own part, he would not, before
+the time arrived, prematurely anticipate those measures which
+circumstances imposed on men, rather than men on circumstances. He
+could only wish that those measures which were taken with due caution
+and deliberation might turn out prosperously. That temerity, setting
+aside its folly, had hitherto been also unsuccessful." This obviously
+appeared, that he would prefer safe to precipitate counsels; but that
+he might persevere the more constantly in this, Quintus Fabius Maximus
+is reported to have thus addressed him on his departure.
+
+39. "If you either had a colleague like yourself, Lucius Aemilius,
+which is what I should prefer, or you were like your colleague, an
+address from me would be superfluous. For were you both good consuls,
+you would do every thing for the good of the state from your own sense
+of honour, even without my saying a word: and were you both bad
+consuls, you would neither receive my words into your ears, nor my
+counsels into your minds. As the case now is, looking at your
+colleague and yourself, a man of such character, my address will be
+solely to you; who, I feel convinced, will prove yourself a good man
+and a worthy citizen in vain, if the state on the other hand should
+halt. Pernicious counsels will have the same authority and influence
+as those which are sound. For you are mistaken, Lucius Paulus, if you
+imagine that you will have a less violent contest with Caius Terentius
+than with Hannibal. I know not whether the former, your opponent, or
+the latter, your open enemy, be the more hostile. With the latter you
+will have to contend in the field only; with the former, at every
+place and time. Hannibal, moreover, you have to oppose with your own
+horse and foot; while Varro will head your own soldiers against you.
+Let Caius Flaminius be absent from your thoughts, even for the omen's
+sake. Yet he only began to play the madman's consul, in his province,
+and at the head of the army. This man is raving before he put up for
+the consulship, afterwards while canvassing for it, and now having
+obtained it, before he has seen the camp or the enemy. And he who by
+talking largely of battles and marshalled armies, even now excites
+such storms among the citizens with their gowns on, what do you think
+he will effect among the youth in arms, where words are followed
+forthwith by acts? But be assured, if this man, as he protests he
+will, shall immediately engage the enemy either I am unacquainted with
+military affairs, with this kind of war, and the character of the
+enemy, or another place will become more celebrated than the
+Trasimenus by our disaster. Neither is this the season for boasting
+while I am addressing one man; and besides, I have exceeded the bounds
+of moderation in despising rather than in courting fame. But the case
+is really this. The only way of conducting the war against Hannibal is
+that which I adopted: nor does the event only, that instructor of
+fools, demonstrate it, but that same reasoning which has continued
+hitherto, and will continue unchangeable so long as circumstances
+shall remain the same. We are carrying on war in Italy, in our own
+country, and our own soil. All around us are countrymen and allies in
+abundance. With arms, men, horses, and provisions, they do and will
+assist us. Such proofs of their fidelity have they given in our
+adversity. Time, nay, everyday makes us better, wiser, and firmer.
+Hannibal, on the contrary, is in a foreign, a hostile land, amidst all
+hostile and disadvantageous circumstances, far from his home, far from
+his country; he has peace neither by land nor sea: no cities, no walls
+receive him: he sees nothing any where which he can call his own: he
+daily lives by plunder. He has now scarcely a third part of that army
+which he conveyed across the Iberus. Famine has destroyed more than
+the sword; nor have the few remaining a sufficient supply of
+provisions. Do you doubt, therefore, whether by remaining quiet we
+shall not conquer him who is daily sinking into decrepitude? who has
+neither provisions nor money? How long before the walls of Geronium, a
+miserable fortress of Apulia, as if before the walls of Carthage--?
+But not even in your presence will I boast. See how Cneius Servilius
+and Atilius, the last consuls, fooled him. This is the only path of
+safety, Lucius Paulus, which your countrymen will render more
+difficult and dangerous to you than their enemies will. For your own
+soldiers will desire the same thing as those of the enemy: Varro, a
+Roman consul, and Hannibal, a Carthaginian general, will wish the same
+thing. You alone must resist two generals: and you will resist them
+sufficiently if you stand firm against the report and the rumours of
+men; if neither the empty glory of your colleague, and the unfounded
+calumnies against yourself, shall move you. They say that truth too
+often suffers, but is never destroyed. He who despises fame will have
+it genuine. Let them call you coward instead of cautious, dilatory
+instead of considerate, unwarlike instead of an expert general. I
+would rather that a sagacious enemy should fear you, than that foolish
+countrymen should commend you. A man who hazards all things Hannibal
+will despise, him who does nothing rashly he will fear. And neither do
+I advise that nothing should be done; but that in what you do, reason
+should guide you, and not fortune. All things will be within your own
+power, and your own. Be always ready armed and on the watch, and
+neither be wanting when a favourable opportunity presents itself, nor
+give any favourable opportunity to the enemy. All things are clear and
+sure to the deliberate man. Precipitation is improvident and blind."
+
+40. The address of the consul in reply was by no means cheerful,
+admitting that what he said was true, rather than easy to put in
+practice. He said, "That to him, as dictator, his master of the horse
+was unbearable: what power or influence could a consul have against a
+factious and intemperate colleague? That he had in his former
+consulate escaped a popular conflagration not without being singed:
+his prayer was, that every thing might happen prosperously; but if, on
+the contrary, any misfortune should occur, that he would rather expose
+his life to the weapons of the enemy, than to the votes of his
+incensed countrymen." Directly after this discourse, it is related
+that Paulus set out, escorted by the principal senators. The plebeian
+consul attended his own plebeian party, more distinguished by their
+numbers than respectability. When they had arrived at the camp, the
+old and new troops being united, they formed two distinct camps, so
+that the new and smaller one might be the nearer to Hannibal, and the
+old one might contain the greater part, and all the choicest of the
+troops. They then sent to Rome Marcus Atilius, the consul of the
+former year, who alleged his age in excuse. They appoint Geminus
+Servilius to the command of a Roman legion, and two thousand of the
+allied infantry and cavalry in the lesser camp. Hannibal, although he
+perceived that the forces of the enemy were augmented by one-half, was
+yet wonderfully rejoiced at the arrival of the consuls; for he had not
+only nothing remaining of the provisions which he daily acquired by
+plunder, but there was not even any thing left which he could seize,
+the corn in all the surrounding country having been collected into
+fortified cities, when the country was too unsafe; so that, as was
+afterwards discovered, there scarcely remained corn enough for ten
+days, and the Spaniards would have passed over to the enemy, through
+want of food, if the completion of that time had been awaited.
+
+41. But fortune afforded materials also to the headstrong and
+precipitate disposition of the consul, for in checking the plundering
+parties a battle having taken place, of a tumultuary kind, and
+occasioned rather by a disorderly advance of the soldiers, than by a
+preconcerted plan, or by the command of the general, the contest was
+by no means equal with the Carthaginians. As many as one thousand
+seven hundred of them were slain, but not more than one hundred of the
+Romans and allies. The consul Paulus, however, who was in command on
+that day, (for they held the command on alternate days,) apprehending
+an ambuscade, restrained the victorious troops in their headstrong
+pursuit; while Varro indignantly vociferated, that the enemy had been
+allowed to slip out of their hands, and that the war might have been
+terminated had not the pursuit been stopped. Hannibal was not much
+grieved at that loss; nay, rather he felt convinced, that the temerity
+of the more presumptuous consul, and of the soldiers, particularly the
+fresh ones, would be lured by the bait; and besides, all the
+circumstances of the enemy were as well known to him as his own: that
+dissimilar and discordant men were in command; that nearly two-thirds
+of the army consisted of raw recruits. Accordingly, concluding that he
+now had both a time and place adapted for an ambuscade, on the
+following night he led his troops away with nothing but their arms,
+leaving the camp filled with all their effects, both public and
+private. His infantry drawn up he conceals on the left, on the
+opposite side of the adjoining hills; his cavalry on the right; his
+baggage in an intermediate line he leads over the mountains through a
+valley, in order that he might surprise the enemy when busy in
+plundering the camp, deserted, as they would imagine, by its owners,
+and when encumbered with booty. Numerous fires were left in the camp,
+to produce a belief that his intention was to keep the consuls in
+their places by the appearance of a camp, until he could himself
+escape to a greater distance, in the same manner as he had deceived
+Fabius the year before.
+
+42. When it was day, the outpost withdrawn first occasioned surprise,
+then, on a nearer approach, the unusual stillness. At length, the
+desertion being manifest, there is a general rush to the pavilions of
+the consuls, of those who announced the flight of the enemy so
+precipitate, that they left their camp, with their tents standing;
+and, that their flight might be the more secret, that numerous fires
+were left. Then a clamour arose that they should order the standards
+to be advanced, and lead them in pursuit of the enemy, and to the
+immediate plunder of the camp. The other consul too was as one of the
+common soldiers. Paulus again and again urged, that they should see
+their way before them, and use every precaution. Lastly, when he could
+no longer withstand the sedition and the leader of the sedition, he
+sends Marius Statilius, a prefect, with a Lucanian troop, to
+reconnoitre, who, when he had ridden up to the gates, ordered the rest
+to stay without the works, and entered the camp himself, attended by
+two horsemen. Having carefully examined every thing, he brings back
+word that it was manifestly a snare: that fires were left in that part
+of the camp which faced the enemy: that the tents were open, and that
+all their valuables were left exposed: that in some places he had seen
+silver carelessly thrown about the passages, as if laid there for
+plunder. This intelligence, which it was hoped would deter their minds
+from greediness, inflamed them; and the soldiers clamorously
+declaring, that unless the signal was given they would advance without
+their leaders, they by no means wanted one, for Varro instantly gave
+the signal for marching. Paulus, whom, unwilling from his own
+suggestions to move, the chickens had not encouraged by their
+auspices, ordered the unlucky omen to be reported to his colleague,
+when he was now leading the troops out of the gate. And though Varro
+bore it impatiently, yet the recent fate of Flaminius, and the
+recorded naval defeat of Claudius, the consul in the first Punic war,
+struck religious scruples into his mind. The gods themselves (it might
+almost be said) rather postponed than averted the calamity which hung
+over the Romans; for it fell out by mere accident, that when the
+soldiers did not obey the consul who ordered them to return to the
+camp, two slaves, one belonging to a horseman of Formiae, the other to
+one of Sidicinum, who had been cut off by the Numidians among a party
+of foragers, when Servilius and Atilius were consuls, had escaped on
+that day to their masters: and being brought into the presence of the
+consuls, inform them that the whole army of Hannibal was lying in
+ambush on the other side of the adjoining mountains. The seasonable
+arrival of these men restored the consuls to their authority, when the
+ambition of one of them had relaxed his influence with the soldiers,
+by an undignified compliance.43. Hannibal, perceiving that the Romans
+had been indiscreetly prompted rather than rashly carried to a
+conclusion, returned to his camp without effecting any thing, as his
+stratagem was discovered. He could not remain there many days, in
+consequence of the scarcity of corn; and, moreover, not only among the
+soldiers, who were mixed up of the off-scouring of various nations,
+but even with the general himself, day by day new designs arose: for,
+first, when there had been murmuring of the soldiers, and then an open
+and clamorous demand of their arrears of pay, and a complaint first of
+the scarcity of provisions, and lastly of famine; and there being a
+report that the mercenaries, particularly the Spanish, had formed a
+plan of passing over to the enemy, it is affirmed that Hannibal
+himself too sometimes entertained thoughts of flying into Gaul, so
+that, having left all his infantry, he might hurry away with his
+cavalry. Such being the plans in agitation, and such the state of
+feeling in the camp, he resolved to depart thence into the regions of
+Apulia, which were warmer, and therefore earlier in the harvest.
+Thinking also, that the farther he retired from the enemy, the more
+difficult would desertion be to the wavering. He set out by night,
+having, as before, kindled fires, and leaving a few tents to produce
+an appearance; that a fear of an ambuscade, similar to the former,
+might keep the Romans in their places. But when intelligence was
+brought by the same Lucanian Statilius, who had reconnoitred every
+place on the other side the mountains, and beyond the camp, that the
+enemy was seen marching at a distance, then plans began to be
+deliberated on about pursuing him. The consuls persisted in the same
+opinions they ever entertained; but nearly all acquiesced with Varro,
+and none with Paulus except Servilius, the consul of the former year.
+In compliance with the opinion of the majority, they set out, under
+the impulse of destiny, to render Cannae celebrated by a Roman
+disaster. Hannibal had pitched his camp near that village, with his
+back to the wind Vulturnus, which, in those plains which are parched
+with drought, carries with it clouds of dust. This circumstance was
+not only very advantageous to the camp, but would be a great
+protection to them when they formed their line; as they, with the wind
+blowing only on their backs, would combat with an enemy blinded with
+the thickly blown dust.
+
+44. When the consuls, employing sufficient diligence in exploring the
+road in pursuit of the Carthaginian, had arrived at Cannae, where they
+had the enemy in the sight of them, having divided their forces, they
+fortify two camps with nearly the same interval as before, at
+Geronium. The river Aufidus, which flowed by both the camps, afforded
+approach to the watering parties of each, as opportunity served,
+though not without contest. The Romans in the lesser camp, however,
+which was on the other side the Aufidus, were more freely furnished
+with water, because the further bank had no guard of the enemy.
+Hannibal, entertaining a hope that the consuls would not decline a
+battle in this tract, which was naturally adapted to a cavalry
+engagement, in which portion of his forces he was invincible, formed
+his line, and provoked the enemy by a skirmishing attack with his
+Numidians. Upon this the Roman camp began again to be embroiled by a
+mutiny among the soldiers, and the disagreement of the consuls: since
+Paulus instanced to Varro the temerity of Sempronius and Flaminius;
+while Varro pointed to Fabius, as a specious example to timid and
+inactive generals. The latter called both gods and men to witness,
+"that no part of the blame attached to him that Hannibal had now made
+Italy his own, as it were, by right of possession; that he was held
+bound by his colleague; that the swords and arms were taken out of the
+hands of the indignant soldiers who were eager to fight." The former
+declared, "that if any disaster should befall the legions thus exposed
+and betrayed into an ill-advised and imprudent battle, he should be
+exempt from any blame, though the sharer of all the consequences. That
+he must take care that their hands were equally energetic in the
+battle whose tongues were so forward and impetuous."
+
+45. While time is thus consumed in altercation rather than
+deliberating, Hannibal, who had kept his troops drawn up in order of
+battle till late in the day, when he had led the rest of them back
+into the camp, sends Numidians across the river to attack a watering
+party of the Romans from the lesser camp. Having routed this
+disorderly band by shouting and tumult, before they had well reached
+the opposite bank, they advanced even to an outpost which was before
+the rampart, and near the, very gates of the camp. It seemed so great
+an indignity, that now even the camp of the Romans should be terrified
+by a tumultuary band of auxiliaries, that this cause alone kept back
+the Romans from crossing the river forthwith, and forming their line,
+that the chief command was on that day held by Paulus. Accordingly
+Varro, on the following day, on which it was his turn to hold the
+command, without consulting his colleague, displayed the signal for
+battle, and forming his troops, led them across the river. Paulus
+followed, because he could better disapprove of the proceeding, than
+withhold his assistance. Having crossed the river, they add to their
+forces those which they had in the lesser camp; and thus forming their
+line, place the Roman cavalry in the right wing, which was next the
+river; and next them the infantry: at the extremity of the left wing
+the allied cavalry; within them the allied infantry, extending to the
+centre, and contiguous to the Roman legions. The darters, and the rest
+of the light-armed auxiliaries, formed the van. The consuls commanded
+the wings; Terentius the left, Aemilius the right. To Geminus Sevilius
+was committed the charge of maintaining the battle in the centre.
+
+46. Hannibal, at break of day, having sent before him the Baliares and
+other light-armed troops, crossed the river, and placed his troops in
+line of battle, as he had conveyed them across the river. The Gallic
+and Spanish cavalry he placed in the left wing, opposite the Roman
+cavalry: the right wing was assigned to the Numidian cavalry, the
+centre of the line being strongly formed by the infantry, so that both
+extremities of it were composed of Africans, between which Gauls and
+Spaniards were placed. One would suppose the Africans were for the
+most part Romans, they were so equipped with arms captured at the
+Trebia, and for the greater part at the Trasimenus. The shields of the
+Gauls and Spaniards were of the same shape; their swords unequal and
+dissimilar. The Gauls had very long ones, without points. The
+Spaniards, who were accustomed to stab more than to cut their enemy,
+had swords convenient from their shortness, and with points. The
+aspect of these nations in other respects was terrific, both as to the
+appearance they exhibited and the size of their persons. The Gauls
+were naked above the navel: the Spaniards stood arrayed in linen vests
+resplendent with surprising whiteness, and bordered with purple. The
+whole amount of infantry standing in battle-array was forty thousand,
+of cavalry ten. The generals who commanded the wings were on the left
+Hasdrubal, on the right Maharbal: Hannibal himself, with his brother
+Mago, commanded the centre. The sun very conveniently shone obliquely
+upon both parties; the Romans facing the south, and the Carthaginians
+the north; either placed so designedly, or having stood thus by
+chance. The wind, which the inhabitants of the district call the
+Vulturnus, blowing violently in front of the Romans, prevented their
+seeing far by rolling clouds of dust into their faces.
+
+47. The shout being raised, the auxiliaries charged, and the battle
+commenced in the first place with the light-armed troops: then the
+left wing, consisting of the Gallic and Spanish cavalry, engages with
+the Roman right wing, by no means in the manner of a cavalry battle;
+for they were obliged to engage front to front; for as on one side the
+river, on the other the line of infantry hemmed them in, there was no
+space left at their flanks for evolution, but both parties were
+compelled to press directly forward. At length the horses standing
+still, and being crowded together, man grappling with man, dragged him
+from his horse. The contest now came to be carried on principally on
+foot. The battle, however, was more violent than lasting; and the
+Roman cavalry being repulsed, turn their backs. About the conclusion
+of the contest between the cavalry, the battle between the infantry
+commenced. At first the Gauls and Spaniards preserved their ranks
+unbroken, not inferior in strength or courage: but at length the
+Romans, after long and repeated efforts, drove in with their even
+front and closely compacted line, that part of the enemy's line in the
+form of a wedge, which projected beyond the rest, which was too thin,
+and therefore deficient in strength. These men, thus driven back and
+hastily retreating, they closely pursued; and as they urged their
+course without interruption through this terrified band, as it fled
+with precipitation, were borne first upon the centre line of the
+enemy; and lastly, no one opposing them, they reached the African
+reserved troops. These were posted at the two extremities of the line,
+where it was depressed; while the centre, where the Gauls and
+Spaniards were placed, projected a little. When the wedge thus formed
+being driven in, at first rendered the line level, but afterwards, by
+the pressure, made a curvature in the centre, the Africans, who had
+now formed wings on each side of them, surrounded the Romans on both
+sides, who incautiously rushed into the intermediate space; and
+presently extending their wings, enclosed the enemy on the rear also.
+After this the Romans, who had in vain finished one battle, leaving
+the Gauls and Spaniards, whose rear they had slaughtered, in addition
+commence a fresh encounter with the Africans, not only disadvantageous,
+because being hemmed in they had to fight against troops who surrounded
+them, but also because, fatigued, they fought with those who were fresh
+and vigorous.
+
+48. Now also in the left wing of the Romans, in which the allied
+cavalry were opposed to the Numidians, the battle was joined, which
+was at first languid, commencing with a stratagem on the part of the
+Carthaginians. About five hundred Numidians, who, besides their usual
+arms, had swords concealed beneath their coats of mail, quitting their
+own party, and riding up to the enemy under the semblance of
+deserters, with their bucklers behind them, suddenly leap down from
+their horses; and, throwing down their bucklers and javelins at the
+feet of their enemies, are received into their centre, and being
+conducted to the rear, ordered to remain there; and there they
+continued until the battle became general. But afterwards, when the
+thoughts and attention of all were occupied with the contest,
+snatching up the shields which lay scattered on all hands among the
+heaps of slain, they fell upon the rear of the Roman line, and
+striking their backs and wounding their hams, occasioned vast havoc,
+and still greater panic and confusion. While in one part terror and
+flight prevailed, in another the battle was obstinately persisted in,
+though with little hope. Hasdrubal, who was then commanding in that
+quarter, withdrawing the Numidians from the centre of the army, as the
+conflict with their opponents was slight, sends them in pursuit of the
+scattered fugitives, and joining the Africans, now almost weary with
+slaying rather than fighting the Spanish and Gallic infantry.
+
+49. On the other side of the field, Paulus, though severely wounded
+from a sling in the very commencement of the battle, with a compact
+body of troops, frequently opposed himself to Hannibal, and in several
+quarters restored the battle, the Roman cavalry protecting him; who,
+at length, when the consul had not strength enough even to manage his
+horse, dismounted from their horses. And when some one brought
+intelligence that the consul had ordered the cavalry to dismount, it
+is said that Hannibal observed, "How much rather would I that he
+delivered them to me in chains." The fight maintained by the
+dismounted cavalry was such as might be expected, when the victory was
+undoubtedly on the side of the enemy, the vanquished preferring death
+in their places to flight; and the conquerors, who were enraged at
+them for delaying the victory, butchering those whom they could not
+put to flight. They at length, however, drove the few who remained
+away, worn out with exertion and wounds. After that they were all
+dispersed, and such as could, sought to regain their horses for
+flight. Cneius Lentulus, a military tribune, seeing, as he rode by,
+the consul sitting upon a stone and covered with blood, said to him:
+"Lucius Aemilius! the only man whom the gods ought to regard as being
+guiltless of this day's disaster, take this horse, while you have any
+strength remaining, and I am with you to raise you up and protect you.
+Make not this battle more calamitous by the death of a consul. There
+is sufficient matter for tears and grief without this addition." In
+reply the consul said: "Do thou indeed go on and prosper, Cneius
+Servilius, in your career of virtue! But beware lest you waste in
+bootless commiseration the brief opportunity of escaping from the
+hands of the enemy. Go and tell the fathers publicly, to fortify the
+city of Rome, and garrison it strongly before the victorious enemy
+arrive: and tell Quintus Fabius individually, that Lucius Aemilius
+lived, and now dies, mindful of his injunctions. Allow me to expire
+amid these heaps of my slaughtered troops, that I may not a second
+time be accused after my consulate, or stand forth as the accuser of
+my colleague, in order to defend my own innocence by criminating
+another." While finishing these words, first a crowd of their flying
+countrymen, after that the enemy, came upon them; they overwhelm the
+consul with their weapons, not knowing who he was: in the confusion
+his horse rescued Lentulus. After that they fly precipitately. Seven
+thousand escaped to the lesser camp, ten to the greater, about two
+thousand to the village itself of Cannae who were immediately
+surrounded by Carthalo and the cavalry, no fortifications protecting
+the village. The other consul, whether by design or by chance, made
+good his escape to Venusia with about seventy horse, without mingling
+with any party of the flying troops. Forty thousand foot, two thousand
+seven hundred horse, there being an equal number of citizens and
+allies, are said to have been slain. Among both the quaestors of the
+consuls, Lucius Atilius and Lucius Furius Bibaculus; twenty-one
+military tribunes; several who had passed the offices of consul,
+praetor, and aedile; among these they reckon Cneius Servilius
+Germinus, and Marcus Minucius, who had been master of the horse on a
+former year, and consul some years before: moreover eighty, either
+senators, or who had borne those offices by which they might be
+elected into the senate, and who had voluntarily enrolled themselves
+in the legions. Three thousand infantry and three hundred cavalry are
+said to have been captured in that battle.
+
+50. Such is the battle of Cannae, equal in celebrity to the defeat at
+the Allia: but as it was less important in respect to those things
+which happened after it, because the enemy did not follow up the blow,
+so was it more important and more horrible with respect to the
+slaughter of the army; for with respect to the flight at the Allia, as
+it betrayed the city, so it preserved the army. At Cannae, scarcely
+seventy accompanied the flying consul: almost the whole army shared
+the fate of the other who died. The troops collected in the two camps
+being a half-armed multitude without leaders, those in the larger send
+a message to the others, that they should come over to them at night,
+when the enemy was oppressed with sleep, and wearied with the battle,
+and then, out of joy, overpowered with feasting: that they would go in
+one body to Canusium. Some entirely disapproved of that advice. "For
+why," said they, "did not those who sent for them come themselves,
+since there would be equal facility of forming a junction? Because,
+evidently, all the intermediate space was crowded with the enemy, and
+they would rather expose the persons of others to so great a danger
+than their own." Others did not so much disapprove, as want courage to
+fulfil the advice. Publius Sempronius Tuditanus, a military tribune,
+exclaims, "Would you rather, then, be captured by the most rapacious
+and cruel enemy, and have a price set upon your heads, and have your
+value ascertained by men who will ask whether you are Roman citizens
+or Latin confederates, in order that from your miseries and
+indignities honour may be sought for another? Not you, at least, if
+you are the fellow-citizens of Lucius Aemilius, the consul who
+preferred an honourable death to a life of infamy, and of so many
+brave men who lie heaped around him. But, before the light overtakes
+us and more numerous bodies of the enemy beset the way, let us break
+through those disorderly and irregular troops who are making a noise
+at our gates. By the sword and courage, a road may be made through
+enemies, however dense. In a wedge we shall make our way through this
+loose and disjointed band, as if nothing opposed us. Come along with
+me therefore, ye who wish the safety of yourselves and the state."
+Having thus said, he draws his sword, and forming a wedge, goes
+through the midst of the enemy; and as the Numidians discharged their
+javelins on their right side, which was exposed, they transferred
+their shields to the right hand, and thus escaped, to the number of
+six hundred, to the greater camp; and setting out thence forthwith,
+another large body having joined them, arrived safe at Canusium. These
+measures were taken by the vanquished, according to the impulse of
+their tempers, which his own disposition or which accident gave to
+each, rather than in consequence of any deliberate plan of their own,
+or in obedience to the command of any one.
+
+51. When all others, surrounding the victorious Hannibal,
+congratulated him, and advised that, having completed so great a
+battle, he should himself take the remainder of the day and the
+ensuing night for rest, and grant it to his exhausted troops;
+Maharbal, prefect of the cavalry, who was of opinion that no time
+should be lost, said to him, "Nay, rather, that you may know what has
+been achieved by this battle, five days hence you shall feast in
+triumph in the Capitol. Follow me: I will go first with the cavalry,
+that they may know that I am arrived before they know of me as
+approaching." To Hannibal this project appeared too full of joy, and
+too great for his mind to embrace it and determine upon it at the
+instant. Accordingly, he replied to Maharbal, that "he applauded his
+zeal, but that time was necessary to ponder the proposal." Upon this
+Maharbal observed, "Of a truth the gods have not bestowed all things
+upon the same person. You know how to conquer, Hannibal; but you do
+not know how to make use of your victory." That day's delay is firmly
+believed to have been the preservation of the city and the empire. On
+the following day, as soon as it dawned, they set about gathering the
+spoils and viewing the carnage, which was shocking, even to enemies.
+So many thousands of Romans were lying, foot and horse promiscuously,
+according as accident had brought them together, either in the battle
+or in the flight. Some, whom their wounds, pinched by the morning
+cold, had roused, as they were rising up, covered with blood, from the
+midst of the heaps of slain, were overpowered by the enemy. Some too
+they found lying alive with their thighs and hams cut who, laying bare
+their necks and throats, bid them drain the blood that remained in
+them. Some were found with their heads plunged into the earth, which
+they had excavated; having thus, as it appeared, made pits for
+themselves, and having suffocated themselves by overwhelming their
+faces with the earth which they threw over them. A living Numidian,
+with lacerated nose and ears, stretched beneath a lifeless Roman who
+lay upon him, principally attracted the attention of all; for when his
+hands were powerless to grasp his weapon, turning from rage to
+madness, he had died in the act of tearing his antagonist with his
+teeth.
+
+52. The spoils having been gathered for a great part of the day,
+Hannibal leads his troops to storm the lesser camp, and, first of all,
+interposing a trench, cuts it off from the river. But as the men were
+fatigued with toil, watching, and wounds, a surrender was made sooner
+than he expected. Having agreed to deliver up their arms and horses,
+on condition that the ransom of every Roman should be three hundred
+denarii, for an ally two hundred, for a slave one hundred, and that on
+payment of that ransom they should be allowed to depart with single
+garments, they received the enemy into the camp, and were all
+delivered into custody, the citizens and allies being kept separate.
+While the time is being spent there, all who had strength or spirit
+enough, to the number of four thousand foot and two hundred horse,
+quitted the greater camp and arrived at Canusium; some in a body,
+others widely dispersed through the country, which was no less secure
+a course: the camp itself was surrendered to the enemy by the wounded
+and timid troops, on the same terms as the other was. A very great
+booty was obtained; and with the exception of the men and horses, and
+what silver there was which was for the most part on the trappings of
+the horses; for they had but very little in use for eating from,
+particularly in campaign; all the rest of the booty was given up to be
+plundered. Then he ordered the bodies of his own troops to be
+collected for burial. They are said to have been as many as eight
+thousand of his bravest men. Some authors relate, that the Roman
+consul also was carefully searched for and buried. Those who escaped
+to Canusium, being received by the people of that place within their
+walls and houses only, were assisted with corn, clothes, and
+provisions for their journey, by an Apulian lady, named Busa,
+distinguished for her family and riches; in return for which
+munificence, the senate afterwards, when the war was concluded,
+conferred honours upon her.
+
+53. But, though there were four military tribunes there, Fabius
+Maximus of the first legion, whose father had been dictator the former
+year; and of the second legion, Lucius Publicius Bibulus and Publius
+Cornelius Scipio; and of the third legion, Appius Claudius Pulcher,
+who had been aedile the last year; by the consent of all, the supreme
+command was vested in Publius Scipio, then a very young man, and
+Appius Claudius. To these, while deliberating with a few others on the
+crisis of their affairs, Publius Furius Philus, the son of a man of
+consular dignity, brings intelligence, "That it was in vain that they
+cherished hopes which could never be realized: that the state was
+despaired of, and lamented as lost. That certain noble youths, the
+chief of whom was Lucius Caecilius Metellus, turned their attention to
+the sea and ships, in order that, abandoning Italy, they might escape
+to some king." When this calamity, which was not only dreadful in
+itself, but new, and in addition to the numerous disasters they had
+sustained, had struck them motionless with astonishment and stupor;
+and while those who were present gave it as their opinion that a
+council should be called to deliberate upon it, young Scipio, the
+destined general of this war, asserts, "That it is not a proper
+subject for deliberation: that courage and action, and not
+deliberation, were necessary in so great a calamity. That those who
+wished the safety of the state would attend him forthwith in arms;
+that in no place was the camp of the enemy more truly, than where such
+designs were meditated." He immediately proceeds, attended by a few,
+to the lodging of Metellus; and finding there the council of youths of
+which he had been apprized, he drew his sword over the heads of them,
+deliberating, and said, "With sincerity of soul I swear that neither
+will I myself desert the cause of the Roman republic, nor will I
+suffer any other citizen of Rome to desert it. If knowingly I violate
+my oath, then, O Jupiter, supremely great and good, mayest thou visit
+my house, my family, and my fortune with perdition the most horrible!
+I require you, Lucius Caecilius, and the rest of you who are present,
+to take this oath; and let the man who shall not take it be assured,
+that this sword is drawn against him." Terrified, as though they were
+beholding the victorious Hannibal, they all take the oath, and deliver
+themselves to Scipio to be kept in custody.
+
+54. During the time in which these things were going on at Canusium,
+as many as four thousand foot and horse, who had been dispersed
+through the country in the flight, came to Venusia, to the consul.
+These the Venusini distributed throughout their families, to be kindly
+entertained and taken care of; and also gave to each horseman a gown,
+a tunic, and twenty-five denarii; and to each foot soldier ten
+denarii, and such arms as they wanted; and every other kind of
+hospitality showed them, both publicly and privately: emulously
+striving that the people of Venusia might not be surpassed by a woman
+of Canusium in kind offices. But the great number of her guests
+rendered the burden more oppressive to Busa, for they amounted now to
+ten thousand men. Appius and Scipio, having heard that the other
+consul was safe, immediately send a messenger to inquire how great a
+force of infantry and cavalry he had with him, and at the same time to
+ask, whether it was his pleasure that the army should be brought to
+Venusia, or remain at Canusium. Varro himself led over his forces to
+Canusium. And now there was some appearance of a consular army, and
+they seemed able to defend themselves from the enemy by walls, if not
+by arms. At Rome intelligence had been received, that not even these
+relics of their citizens and allies had survived, but that the two
+consuls, with their armies, were cut to pieces, and all their forces
+annihilated. Never when the city was in safety was there so great a
+panic and confusion within the walls of Rome. I shall therefore shrink
+from the task, and not attempt to relate what in describing I must
+make less than the reality. The consul and his army having been lost
+at the Trasimenus the year before, it was not one wound upon another
+which was announced, but a multiplied disaster, the loss of two
+consular armies, together with the two consuls: and that now there was
+neither any Roman camp, nor general nor soldiery: that Apulia and
+Samnium, and now almost the whole of Italy, were in the possession of
+Hannibal. No other nation surely would not have been overwhelmed by
+such an accumulation of misfortune. Shall I compare with it the
+disaster of the Carthaginians, sustained in a naval battle at the
+islands Aegates, dispirited by which they gave up Sicily and Sardinia,
+and thenceforth submitted to become tributary and stipendiary? Or
+shall I compare with it the defeat in Africa under which this same
+Hannibal afterwards sunk? In no respect are they comparable, except
+that they were endured with less fortitude.
+
+55. Publius Furius Philus and Manius Pomponius, the praetors,
+assembled the senate in the curia hostilia, that they might deliberate
+about the guarding of the city; for they doubted not but that the
+enemy, now their armies were annihilated, would come to assault Rome,
+the only operation of the war which remained. Unable to form any plan
+in misfortunes, not only very great, but unknown and undefined, and
+while the loud lamentations of the women were resounding, and nothing
+was as yet made known, the living and the dead alike being lamented in
+almost every house; such being the state of things, Quintus Fabius
+gave it as his opinion, "That light horsemen should be sent out on the
+Latin and Appian ways, who, questioning those they met, as some would
+certainly be dispersed in all directions from the flight, might bring
+back word what was the fate of the consuls and their armies; and if
+the gods, pitying the empire, had left any remnant of the Roman name
+where these forces were; whither Hannibal had repaired after the
+battle, what he was meditating; what he was doing, or about to do.
+That these points should be searched out and ascertained by active
+youths. That it should be the business of the fathers, since there was
+a deficiency of magistrates, to do away with the tumult and
+trepidation in the city; to keep the women from coming into public,
+and compel each to abide within her own threshold; to put a stop to
+the lamentations of families; to obtain silence in the city; to take
+care that the bearers of every kind of intelligence should be brought
+before the praetors; that each person should await at home the bearer
+of tidings respecting his own fortune: moreover, that they should post
+guards at the gates, to prevent any person from quitting the city; and
+oblige men to place their sole hopes of safety in the preservation of
+the walls and the city. That when the tumult had subsided the fathers
+should be called again to the senate-house, and deliberate on the
+defence of the city."
+
+56. When all had signified their approbation of this opinion, and
+after the crowd had been removed by the magistrates from the forum,
+and the senators had proceeded in different directions to allay the
+tumult; then at length a letter is brought from the consul Terentius,
+stating, "That Lucius Aemilius, the consul, and his army were slain;
+that he himself was at Canusium, collecting, as it were after a
+shipwreck, the remains of this great disaster; that he had nearly ten
+thousand irregular and unorganized troops. That the Carthaginian was
+sitting still at Cannae, bargaining about the price of the captives
+and the other booty, neither with the spirit of a conqueror nor in the
+style of a great general." Then also the losses of private families
+were made known throughout the several houses; and so completely was
+the whole city filled with grief, that the anniversary sacred rite of
+Ceres was intermitted, because it was neither allowable to perform it
+while in mourning, nor was there at that juncture a single matron who
+was not in mourning. Accordingly, lest the same cause should occasion
+the neglect of other public and private sacred rites, the mourning was
+limited to thirty days, by a decree of the senate. Now when the tumult
+in the city was allayed, an additional letter was brought from Sicily,
+from Titus Otacilius, the propraetor, stating, "that the kingdom of
+Hiero was being devastated by the Carthaginian fleet: and that, being
+desirous of affording him the assistance he implored, he received
+intelligence that another Carthaginian fleet was stationed at the
+Aegates, equipped and prepared; in order that when the Carthaginians
+had perceived that he was gone away to protect the coast of Syracuse,
+they might immediately attack Lilybaeum and other parts of the Roman
+province; that he therefore needed a fleet, if they wished him to
+protect the king their ally, and Sicily."
+
+57. The letters of the consul and the propraetor having been read,
+they resolved that Marcus Claudius, who commanded the fleet stationed
+at Ostia, should be sent to the army to Canusium; and a letter be
+written to the consul, to the effect that, having delivered the army
+to the praetor, he should return to Rome the first moment he could,
+consistently with the interest of the republic. They were terrified
+also, in addition to these disasters, both with other prodigies, and
+also because two vestal virgins, Opimia and Floronia, were that year
+convicted of incontinence; one of whom was, according to custom,
+buried alive at the Colline gate; the other destroyed herself. Lucius
+Cantilius, secretary of the pontiff, whom they now call the lesser
+pontiffs, who had debauched Floronia, was beaten by rods in the
+comitium, by order of the chief pontiff, so that he expired under the
+stripes. This impiety being converted into a prodigy, as is usually
+the case when happening in the midst of so many calamities, the
+decemviri were desired to consult the sacred books. Quintus Fabius
+Pictor was also sent to Delphi, to inquire of the oracle by what
+prayers and offerings they might appease the gods, and what
+termination there would be to such great distresses. Meanwhile certain
+extraordinary sacrifices were performed, according to the directions
+of the books of the fates; among which a Gallic man and woman, and a
+Greek man and woman, were let down alive in the cattle market, into a
+place fenced round with stone, which had been already polluted with
+human victims, a rite by no means Roman. The gods being, as they
+supposed, sufficiently appeased, Marcus Claudius Marcellus sends from
+Ostia to Rome, as a garrison for the city, one thousand five hundred
+soldiers, which he had with him, levied for the fleet. He himself
+sending before him a marine legion, (it was the third legion,) under
+the command of the military tribunes, to Teanum Sidicinum, and
+delivering the fleet to Publius Furius Philus, his colleague, after a
+few days, proceeded by long marches to Cannsium. Marcus Junius,
+created dictator on the authority of the senate, and Titus Sempronius,
+master of the horse, proclaiming a levy, enrol the younger men from
+the age of seventeen, and some who wore the toga praetexta: of these,
+four legions and a thousand horse were formed. They send also to the
+allies and the Latin confederacy, to receive the soldiers according to
+the terms of the treaty. They order that arms, weapons, and other
+things should be prepared; and they take down from the temples and
+porticoes the old spoils taken from the enemy. They adopted also
+another and a new form of levy, from the scarcity of free persons, and
+from necessity: they armed eight thousand stout youths from the
+slaves, purchased at the public expense, first inquiring of each
+whether he was willing to serve. They preferred this description of
+troops, though they had the power of redeeming the captives at a less
+expense.
+
+58. For Hannibal, after so great a victory at Cannae, being occupied
+with the cares of a conqueror, rather than one who had a war to
+prosecute, the captives having been brought forward and separated,
+addressed the allies in terms of kindness, as he had done before at
+the Trebia and the lake Trasimenus, and dismissed them without a
+ransom; then he addressed the Romans too, who were called to him, in
+very gentle terms: "That he was not carrying on a war of extermination
+with the Romans, but was contending for honour and empire. That his
+ancestors had yielded to the Roman valour; and that he was
+endeavouring that others might be obliged to yield, in their turn, to
+his good fortune and valour together. Accordingly, he allowed the
+captives the liberty of ransoming themselves, and that the price per
+head should be five hundred denarii for a horseman, three hundred for
+a foot soldier, and one hundred for a slave." Although some addition
+was made to that sum for the cavalry, which they stipulated for
+themselves when they surrendered, yet they joyfully accepted any terms
+of entering into the compact. They determined that ten persons should
+be selected, by their own votes, who might go to Rome to the senate;
+nor was any other guarantee of their fidelity taken than that they
+should swear that they would return. With these was sent Carthalo, a
+noble Carthaginian, who might propose terms, if perchance their minds
+were inclined towards peace. When they had gone out of the camp, one
+of their body, a man who had very little of the Roman character, under
+pretence of having forgotten something, returned to the camp, for the
+purpose of freeing himself from the obligation of his oath, and
+overtook his companions before night. When it was announced that they
+had arrived at Rome, a lictor was despatched to meet Carthalo, to tell
+him, in the words of the dictator, to depart from the Roman
+territories before night.
+
+59. An audience of the senate was granted by the dictator to the
+delegates of the prisoners. The chief of them, Marcus Junius, thus
+spoke: "There is not one of us, conscript fathers, who is not aware
+that there never was a nation which held prisoners in greater contempt
+than our own. But unless our own cause is dearer to us than it should
+be, never did men fall into the hands of the enemy who less deserved
+to be disregarded than we do; for we did not surrender our arms in the
+battle through fear; but having prolonged the battle almost till
+night-fall, while standing upon heaps of our slaughtered countrymen,
+we betook ourselves to our camp. For the remainder of the day and
+during the following night, although exhausted with exertion and
+wounds, we protected our rampart. On the following day, when, beset by
+the enemy, we were deprived of water, and there was no hope of
+breaking through the dense bands of the enemy; and, moreover, not
+considering it an impiety that any Roman soldier should survive the
+battle of Cannae, after fifty thousand of our army had been butchered;
+then at length we agreed upon terms on which we might be ransomed and
+let off; and our arms, in which there was no longer any protection, we
+delivered to the enemy. We had been informed that our ancestors also
+had redeemed themselves from the Gauls with gold, and that though so
+rigid as to the terms of peace, had sent ambassadors to Tarentum for
+the purpose of ransoming the captives. And yet both the fight at the
+Allia with the Gauls, and at Heraclea with Pyrrhus, was disgraceful,
+not so much on account of the loss as the panic and flight. Heaps of
+Roman carcasses cover the plains of Cannae; nor would any of us have
+survived the battle, had not the enemy wanted the strength and the
+sword to slay us. There are, too, some of us, who did not even retreat
+in the field; but being left to guard the camp, came into the hands of
+the enemy when it was surrendered. For my part, I envy not the good
+fortune or condition of any citizen or fellow-soldier, nor would I
+endeavour to raise myself by depressing another: but not even those
+men who, for the most part, leaving their arms, fled from the field,
+and stopped not till they arrived at Venusia or Canusium; not even
+those men, unless some reward is due to them on account of their
+swiftness of foot and running, would justly set themselves before us,
+or boast that there is more protection to the state in them than in
+us. But you will both find them to be good and brave soldiers, and us
+still more zealous, because, by your kindness, we have been ransomed
+and restored to our country. You are levying from every age and
+condition: I hear that eight thousand slaves are being armed. We are
+no fewer in number; nor will the expense of redeeming us be greater
+than that of purchasing these. Should I compare ourselves with them, I
+should injure the name of Roman. I should think also, conscript
+fathers, that in deliberating on such a measure, it ought also to be
+considered, (if you are disposed to be over severe, which you cannot
+do from any demerit of ours,) to what sort of enemy you would abandon
+us. Is it to Pyrrhus, for instance, who treated us, when his
+prisoners, like guests; or to a barbarian and Carthaginian, of whom it
+is difficult to determine whether his rapacity or cruelty be the
+greater? If you were to see the chains, the squalid appearance, the
+loathsomeness of your countrymen, that spectacle would not, I am
+confident, less affect you, than if, on the other hand, you beheld
+your legions prostrate on the plains of Cannae. You may behold the
+solicitude and the tears of our kinsmen, as they stand in the lobby of
+your senate-house, and await your answer. When they are in so much
+suspense and anxiety in behalf of us, and those who are absent, what
+think you must be our own feelings, whose lives and liberty are at
+stake? By Hercules! should Hannibal himself, contrary to his nature,
+be disposed to be lenient towards us, yet we should not consider our
+lives worth possessing, since we have seemed unworthy of being
+ransomed by you. Formerly, prisoners dismissed by Pyrrhus, without
+ransom, returned to Rome; but they returned in company with
+ambassadors, the chief men of the state, who were sent to ransom them.
+Would I return to my country, a citizen, and not considered worth
+three hundred denarii? Every man has his own way of thinking,
+conscript fathers. I know that my life and person are at stake. But
+the danger which threatens my reputation affects me most, if we should
+go away rejected and condemned by you; for men will never suppose that
+you grudged the price of our redemption."
+
+60. When he had finished his address, the crowd of persons in the
+comitium immediately set up a loud lamentation, and stretched out
+their hands to the senate, imploring them to restore to them their
+children, their brothers, and their kinsmen. Their fears and affection
+for their kindred had brought the women also with the crowd of men in
+the forum. Witnesses being excluded, the matter began to be discussed
+in the senate. There being a difference of opinion, and some advising
+that they should be ransomed at the public charge, others, that the
+state should be put to no expense, but that they should not be
+prevented redeeming themselves at their own cost; and that those who
+had not the money at present should receive a loan from the public
+coffer, and security given to the people by their sureties and
+properties; Titus Manlius Torquatus, a man of primitive, and, as some
+considered, over-rigorous severity, being asked his opinion, is
+reported thus to have spoken: "Had the deputies confined themselves to
+making a request, in behalf of those who are in the hands of the
+enemy, that they might be ransomed, I should have briefly given my
+opinion, without inveighing against any one. For what else would have
+been necessary but to admonish you, that you ought to adhere to the
+custom handed down from your ancestors, a precedent indispensable to
+military discipline. But now, since they have almost boasted of having
+surrendered themselves to the enemy, and have claimed to be preferred,
+not only to those who were captured by the enemy in the field, but to
+those also who came to Venusia and Canusium, and even to the consul
+Terentius himself; I will not suffer you to remain in ignorance of
+things which were done there. And I could wish that what I am about to
+bring before you, were stated at Canusium, before the army itself, the
+best witness of every man's cowardice or valour; or at least that one
+person, Publius Sempronius, were here, whom had they followed as their
+leader, they would this day have been soldiers in the Roman camp, and
+not prisoners in the power of the enemy. But though the enemy was
+fatigued with fighting, and engaged in rejoicing for their victory,
+and had, the greater part of them, retired into their camp, and they
+had the night at their disposal for making a sally, and as they were
+seven thousand armed troops, might have forced their way through the
+troops of the enemy, however closely arrayed; yet they neither of
+themselves attempted to do this, nor were willing to follow another.
+Throughout nearly the whole night Sempronius ceased not to admonish
+and exhort them, while but few of the enemy were about the camp, while
+there was stillness and quiet, while the night would conceal their
+design, that they would follow him; that before daybreak they might
+reach places of security, the cities of their allies. If as Publius
+Decius, the military tribune in Samnium, said, within the memory of
+our grandfathers; if he had said, as Calpurnius Flamma, in the first
+Punic war, when we were youths, said to the three hundred volunteers,
+when he was leading them to seize upon an eminence situated in the
+midst of the enemy: LET US DIE, SOLDIERS, AND BY OUR DEATHS RESCUE THE
+SURROUNDED LEGIONS FROM AMBUSCADE;--if Publius Sempronius had said
+thus, he would neither have considered you as Romans nor men, had no
+one stood forward as his companion in so valorous an attempt. He
+points out to you the road that leads not to glory more than to
+safety; he restores you to your country, your parents, your wives and
+children. Do you want courage to effect your preservation? What would
+you do if you had to die for your country? Fifty thousand of your
+countrymen and allies on that very day lay around you slain. If so
+many examples of courage did not move you, nothing ever will. If so
+great a carnage did not make life less dear, none ever will. While in
+freedom and safety, show your affection for your country; nay, rather
+do so while it is your country, and you its citizens. Too late you now
+endeavour to evince your regard for her when degraded, disfranchised
+from the rights of citizens, and become the slaves of the
+Carthaginians. Shall you return by purchase to that degree which you
+have forfeited by cowardice and neglect? You did not listen to
+Sempronius, your countryman, when he bid you take arms and follow him;
+but a little after you listened to Hannibal, when he ordered your arms
+to be surrendered, and your camp betrayed. But why do I charge those
+men with cowardice, when I might tax them with villany? They not only
+refused to follow him who gave them good advice, but endeavoured to
+oppose and hold him back, had not some men of the greatest bravery,
+drawing their swords, removed the cowards. Publius Sempronius, I say,
+was obliged to force his way through a band of his countrymen, before
+he burst through the enemy's troops. Can our country regret such
+citizens as these, whom if all the rest resembled, she would not have
+one citizen of all those who fought at Cannae? Out of seven thousand
+armed men, there were six hundred who had courage to force their way,
+who returned to their country free, and in arms; nor did forty
+thousand of the enemy successfully oppose them. How safe, think you,
+would a passage have been for nearly two legions? Then you would have
+had this day at Canusium, conscript fathers, twenty thousand bold and
+faithful. But now how can these men be called faithful and good
+citizens, (for they do not even call themselves brave,) except any man
+suppose that they showed themselves such when they opposed those who
+were desirous of forcing their way through the enemy? or, unless any
+man can suppose, that they do not envy those men their safety and
+glory acquired by valour, when the must know that their timidity and
+cowardice were the cause of their ignominious servitude? Skulking in
+their tents they preferred to wait for the light and the enemy
+together, when they had an opportunity of sallying forth during the
+silence of the night. But though they had not courage to sally forth
+from the camp, had they courage to defend it strenuously? Having
+endured a siege for several days and nights, did they protect their
+rampart by their arms, and themselves by their rampart? At length,
+having dared and suffered every extremity, every support of life being
+gone, their strength exhausted with famine, and unable to hold their
+arms, were they subdued by the necessities of nature rather than by
+arms? At sunrise, the enemy approached the rampart: before the second
+hour, without hazarding any contest, they delivered up their arms and
+themselves. Here is their military service for you during two days.
+When they ought to have stood firm in array and fight on, then they
+fled back into their camp; when they ought to have fought before their
+rampart, they delivered up their camp: good for nothing, either in the
+field or the camp. I redeem you. When you ought to sally from the
+camp, you linger and hesitate; and when you ought to stay and protect
+your camp in arms, you surrender the camp, your arms, and yourselves
+to the enemy. I am of opinion, conscript fathers, that these men
+should no more be ransomed, than that those should be surrendered to
+Hannibal, who sallied from the camp through the midst of the enemy,
+and, with the most distinguished courage, restored themselves to their
+country."
+
+61. After Manlius had thus spoken, notwithstanding the captives were
+related to many even of the senators, besides the practice of the
+state, which had never shown favour to captives, even from the
+remotest times, the sum of money also influenced them: for they were
+neither willing to drain the treasury, a large sum of money having
+been already issued for buying and arming slaves to serve in the war,
+nor to enrich Hannibal, who, according to report, was particularly in
+want of this very thing. The sad reply, that the captives would not be
+ransomed, being delivered, and fresh grief being added to the former
+on account of the loss of so many citizens, the people accompanied the
+deputies to the gate with copious tears and lamentations. One of them
+went home, because he had evaded his oath by artfully returning to the
+camp. But when this was known and laid before the senate, they all
+resolved that he should be apprehended and conveyed to Hannibal by
+guards, furnished by the state. There is another account respecting
+the prisoners, that ten came first, and that, the senate hesitating
+whether they should be admitted into the city or not, they were
+admitted, on the understanding that they should not have an audience
+of the senate. That when these staid longer than the expectation of
+all, three more came, Scribonius, Calpurnius, and Manlius. That then
+at length a tribune of the people, a relation of Scribonius, laid
+before the senate the redemption of the captives, and that they
+resolved that they should not be ransomed. That the three last
+deputies returned to Hannibal, and the ten former remained, because
+they had evaded their oath, having returned to Hannibal after having
+set out, under pretence of learning afresh the names of the captives.
+That a violent contest took place in the senate, on the question of
+surrendering them, and that those who thought they ought to be
+surrendered were beaten by a few votes, but that they were so branded
+by every kind of stigma and ignominy by the ensuing censors, that some
+of them immediately put themselves to death, and the rest, for all
+their life afterwards, not only shunned the forum, but almost the
+light and publicity. You can more easily wonder that authors differ so
+much than determine what is the truth. How much greater this disaster
+was than any preceding, even this is a proof, that such of the allies
+as had stood firm till that day then began to waver, for no other
+cause certainly but that they despaired of the empire. The people who
+revolted to the Carthaginians were these: the Atellani, Calatini, the
+Hirpini, some of the Apulians, the Samnites, except the Pentrians, all
+the Bruttians, and the Lucanians. Besides these the Surrentinians, and
+almost the whole coast possessed by the Greeks, the people of
+Tarentum, Metapontum, Croton, the Locrians, and all Cisalpine Gaul.
+Yet not even these losses and defections of their allies so shook the
+firmness of the Romans, that any mention of peace was made among them,
+either before the arrival of the consul at Rome, or after he came
+thither, and renewed the memory of the calamity they had suffered. At
+which very juncture, such was the magnanimity of the state, that the
+consul, as he returned after so severe a defeat, of which he himself
+was the principal cause, was met in crowds of all ranks of citizens,
+and thanks bestowed because he had not despaired of the republic, in
+whose case, had he been a Carthaginian commander, no species of
+punishment would have been spared.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXIII.
+
+
+_The Campanians revolt to Hannibal. Mago is sent to Carthage to
+announce the victory of Cannae. Hanno advises the Carthaginian senate
+to make peace with the Romans, but is overborne by the Barcine
+faction. Claudius Marcellus the praetor defeats Hannibal at Nola.
+Hannibal's army is enervated in mind and body by luxurious living at
+Capua. Casilinum is besieged by the Carthaginians, and the inhabitants
+reduced to the last extremity of famine. A hundred and ninety-seven
+senators elected from the equestrian order. Lucius Postumius is, with
+his army, cut off by the Gauls. Cneius and Publius Scipio defeat
+Hasdrubal in Spain, and gain possession of that country. The remains
+of the army, defeated at Cannae, are sent off to Sicily, there to
+remain until the termination of the war. An alliance is formed between
+Philip, king of Macedon, and Hannibal. Sempronius Gracchus defeats the
+Campanians. Successes of Titus Manlius in Sardinia he takes Hasdrubal
+the general, Mago, and Hanno prisoners. Claudius Marcellus again
+defeats the army of Hannibal at Nola, and the hopes of the Romans are
+revived as to the results of the war._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. After the battle of Cannae, Hannibal, having captured and plundered
+the Roman camp, had immediately removed from Apulia into Samnium;
+invited into the territory of the Hirpini by Statius, who promised
+that he would surrender Compsa. Tiebius, a native of Compsa, was
+conspicuous for rank among his countrymen; but a faction of the Mopsii
+kept him down--a family of great influence through the favour of the
+Romans. After intelligence of the battle of Cannae, and a report of
+the approach of Hannibal, circulated by the discourse of Trebius, the
+Mopsian party had retired from the city; which was thus given up to
+the Carthaginian without opposition, and a garrison received into it.
+Leaving there all his booty and baggage, and dividing his forces, he
+orders Mago to receive under his protection the cities of that
+district which might revolt from the Romans, and to force to defection
+those which might be disinclined. He himself, passing through the
+territory of Campania, made for the lower sea, with the intention of
+assaulting Naples, in order that he might be master of a maritime
+city. As soon as he entered the confines of the Neapolitan territory,
+he placed part of his Numidians in ambush, wherever he could find a
+convenient spot; for there are very many hollow roads and secret
+windings: others he ordered to drive before them the booty they had
+collected from the country, and, exhibiting it to the enemy, to ride
+up to the gates of the city. As they appeared to be few in number and
+in disorder, a troop of horse sallied out against them, which was cut
+off, being drawn into an ambuscade by the others, who purposely
+retreated: nor would one of them have escaped, had not the sea been
+near, and some vessels, principally such as are used in fishing,
+observed at a short distance from the shore, afforded an escape for
+those who could swim. Several noble youths, however, were captured and
+slain in that affair. Among whom, Hegeas, the commander of the
+cavalry, fell when pursuing the retreating enemy too eagerly. The
+sight of the walls, which were not favourable to a besieging force,
+deterred the Carthaginian from storming the city.
+
+2. Thence he turned his course to Capua, which was wantoning under a
+long course of prosperity, and the indulgence of fortune: amid the
+general corruption, however, the most conspicuous feature was the
+extravagance of the commons, who exercised their liberty without
+limit. Pacuvius Calavius had rendered the senate subservient to
+himself and the commons, at once a noble and popular man, but who had
+acquired his influence by dishonourable intrigues. Happening to hold
+the chief magistracy during the year in which the defeat at the
+Trasimenus occurred, and thinking that the commons, who had long felt
+the most violent hostility to the senate, would attempt some desperate
+measure, should an opportunity for effecting a change present itself;
+and if Hannibal should come into that quarter with his victorious
+army, would murder the senators and deliver Capua to the
+Carthaginians; as he desired to rule in a state preserved rather than
+subverted (for though depraved he was not utterly abandoned), and as
+he felt convinced that no state could be preserved if bereaved of its
+public council, he adopted a plan by which he might preserve the
+senate and render it subject to himself and the commons. Having
+assembled the senate, he prefaced his remarks by observing, "that
+nothing would induce him to acquiesce in a plan of defection from the
+Romans, were it not absolutely necessary; since he had children by the
+daughter of Appius Claudius, and had a daughter at Rome married to
+Livius: but that a much more serious and alarming matter threatened
+them, than any consequences which could result from such a measure.
+For that the intention of the commons was not to abolish the senate by
+revolting to the Carthaginians, but to murder the senators, and
+deliver the state thus destitute to Hannibal and the Carthaginians.
+That it was in his power to rescue them from this danger, if they
+would resign themselves to his care, and, forgetting their political
+dissensions, confide in him." When, overpowered with fear, they all
+put themselves under his protection, he proceeded: "I will shut you up
+in the senate-house, and pretending myself to be an accomplice in the
+meditated crime, I will, by approving measures which I should in vain
+oppose, find out a way for your safety. For the performance of this
+take whatever pledge you please." Having given his honour, he went
+out; and having ordered the house to be closed, placed a guard in the
+lobby that no one might enter or leave it without his leave.
+
+3. Then assembling the people, he thus addressed them: "What you have
+so often wished for, Campanians, the power of punishing an
+unprincipled and detestable senate, you now have, not at your own
+imminent peril, by riotously storming the houses of each, which are
+guarded and garrisoned with slaves and dependants, but free and
+without danger. Take them all, shut up in the senate-house, alone and
+unarmed; nor need you do any thing precipitately or blindly. I will
+give you the opportunity of pronouncing upon the life or death of
+each, that each may suffer the punishment he has deserved. But, above
+all, it behoves you so to give way to your resentment, as considering
+that your own safety and advantage are of greater importance. For I
+apprehend that you hate these particular senators, and not that you
+are unwilling to have any senate at all; for you must either have a
+king, which all abominate, or a senate, which is the only course
+compatible with a free state. Accordingly you must effect two objects
+at the same time; you must remove the old senate and elect a new one.
+I will order the senators to be summoned one by one, and I shall put
+it to you to decide whether they deserve to live or die: whatever you
+may determine respecting each shall be done; but before you execute
+your sentence on the culprit, you shall elect some brave and strenuous
+man as a fresh senator to supply his place." Upon this he took his
+seat, and, the names having been thrown together into an urn, he
+ordered that the name which had the lot to fall out first should be
+proclaimed, and the person brought forward out of the senate-house.
+When the name was heard, each man strenuously exclaimed that he was a
+wicked and unprincipled fellow, and deserved to be punished. Pacuvius
+then said, "I perceive the sentence which has been passed on this man;
+now choose a good and upright senator in the room of this wicked and
+unprincipled one." At first all was silence, from the want of a better
+man whom they might substitute; afterwards, one of them, laying aside
+his modesty, nominating some one, in an instant a much greater clamour
+arose; while some denied all knowledge of him, others objected to him
+at one time on account of flagitious conduct, at another time on
+account of his humble birth, his sordid circumstances, and the
+disgraceful nature of his trade and occupation. The same occurred with
+increased vehemence with respect to the second and third senators, so
+that it was evident that they were dissatisfied with the senator
+himself, but had not any one to substitute for him; for it was of no
+use that the same persons should be nominated again, to no other
+purpose than to hear of their vices, and the rest were much more mean
+and obscure than those who first occurred to their recollection. Thus
+the assembly separated, affirming that every evil which was most known
+was easiest to be endured, and ordering the senate to be discharged
+from custody.
+
+4. Pacuvius, having thus rendered the senators more subservient to
+himself than to the commons by the gift of their lives, ruled without
+the aid of arms, all persons now acquiescing. Henceforward the
+senators, forgetful of their rank and independence, flattered the
+commons; saluted them courteously; invited them graciously;
+entertained them with sumptuous feasts; undertook those causes, always
+espoused that party, decided as judges in favour of that side, which
+was most popular, and best adapted to conciliate the favour of the
+commons. Now, indeed, every thing was transacted in the senate as if
+it had been an assembly of the people. The Capuans, ever prone to
+luxurious indulgence not only from natural turpitude, but from the
+profusion of the means of voluptuous enjoyment which flowed in upon
+them, and the temptations of all the luxuries of land and sea; at that
+time especially proceeded to such a pitch of extravagance in
+consequence of the obsequiousness of the nobles and the unrestrained
+liberty of the commons, that their lust and prodigality had no bounds.
+To a disregard for the laws, the magistrates, and the senate, now,
+after the disaster of Cannae, was added a contempt for the Roman
+government also, for which there had been some degree of respect. The
+only obstacles to immediate revolt were the intermarriages which, from
+a remote period, had connected many of their distinguished and
+influential families with the Romans; and, which formed the strongest
+bond of union, that while several of their countrymen were serving in
+the Roman armies, particularly three hundred horsemen, the flower of
+the Campanian nobility, had been selected and sent by the Romans to
+garrison the cities of Sicily.
+
+5. The parents and relations of these men with difficulty obtained
+that ambassadors should be sent to the Roman consul. The consul, who
+had not yet set out for Canusium, they found at Venusia with a few
+half-armed troops, an object of entire commiseration to faithful, but
+of contempt to proud and perfidious allies, like the Campanians. The
+consul too increased their contempt of himself and his cause, by too
+much exposing and exhibiting the disastrous state of his affairs; for
+when the ambassadors had delivered their message, which was, that the
+senate and people of Capua were distressed that any adverse event
+should have befallen the Romans, and were promising every assistance
+in prosecuting the war, he observed, "In bidding us order you to
+furnish us with all things which are necessary for the war,
+Campanians, you have rather observed the customary mode of addressing
+allies, than spoken suitably to the present posture of our affairs;
+for hath anything been left us at Cannae, so that, as if we possessed
+that, we can desire what is wanting to be supplied by our allies? Can
+we order a supply of infantry, as if we had any cavalry? Can we say we
+are deficient in money, as if that were the only thing we wanted?
+Fortune has not even left us anything which we can add to. Our
+legions, cavalry, arms, standards, horses, men, money, provisions, all
+perished either in the battle, or in the two camps which were lost the
+following day. You must, therefore, Campanians, not assist us in the
+war, but almost take it upon yourselves in our stead. Call to mind how
+formerly at Saticula we received into our protection and defended your
+ancestors, when dismayed and driven within their walls; terrified not
+only by their Samnite but Sidicinian enemies; and how we carried on,
+with varying success, through a period of almost a century, a war with
+the Samnites, commenced on your account. Add to this, that when you
+gave yourselves up to us we granted you an alliance on equal terms,
+that we allowed you your own laws, and lastly, what before the
+disaster at Cannae was surely a privilege of the highest value, we
+bestowed the freedom of our city on a large portion of you, and held
+it in common with you. It is your duty, therefore, Campanians, to look
+upon this disaster which has been suffered as your own, and to
+consider that our common country must be protected. It is not a
+Samnite or Tuscan foe we are engaged with, so that the empire taken
+from us might still continue in Italy. A Carthaginian enemy draws
+after him from the remotest regions of the world, from the straits of
+the ocean and the pillars of Hercules, a body of soldiers who are not
+even natives of Africa, destitute of all laws, and of the condition
+and almost of the language of men. Savage and ferocious from nature
+and habit, their general has rendered them still more so, by forming
+bridges and works with heaps of human bodies; and, what the tongue can
+scarcely utter, by teaching them to live on human flesh. What man,
+provided he were born in any part of Italy, would not abominate the
+idea of seeing and having for his masters these men, nourished with
+such horrid food, whom even to touch were an impiety; of fetching laws
+from Africa and Carthage; and of suffering Italy to become a province
+of the Moors and Numidians? It will be highly honourable, Campanians,
+that the Roman empire, sinking under this disastrous defeat, should be
+sustained and restored by your fidelity and your strength. I conceive
+that thirty thousand foot and four thousand horse may be raised in
+Campania. You have already abundance of money and corn. If your zeal
+corresponds with your means, neither will Hannibal feel that he has
+been victorious, nor the Romans that they have been defeated."
+
+6. After the consul had thus spoken, the ambassadors were dismissed;
+and as they were returning home, one of them, named Vibius Virius,
+observed, "that the time had arrived at which the Campanians might not
+only recover the territory once injuriously taken away by the Romans,
+but also possess themselves of the sovereignty of Italy. For they
+might form a treaty with Hannibal on whatever terms they pleased; and
+there could be no question but that after Hannibal, having put an end
+to the war, had himself retired victorious into Africa, and had
+withdrawn his troops, the sovereignty of Italy would be left to the
+Campanians." All assenting to Vibius, as he said this, they framed
+their report of the embassy so that all might conclude that the Roman
+power was annihilated. Immediately the commons and the major part of
+the senate turned their attention to revolt. The measure, however, was
+postponed for a few days at the instigation of the elder citizens. At
+last, the opinion of the majority prevailed, that the same ambassadors
+who had gone to the Roman consul should be sent to Hannibal. I find in
+certain annals, that before this embassy proceeded, and before they
+had determined on the measure of revolting, ambassadors were sent by
+the Campanians to Rome, requiring that one of the consuls should be
+elected from Campania if they wished assistance to the Roman cause.
+That from the indignation which arose, they were ordered to be removed
+from the senate-house, and a lictor despatched to conduct them out of
+the city and command them to lodge that day without the Roman
+frontier. But as this request is too much like that which the Latins
+formerly made, and as Coelius and other writers had, not without
+reason, made no mention of it, I have not ventured to vouch for its
+truth.
+
+7. The ambassadors came to Hannibal and concluded a treaty of peace
+with him on the terms, "That no Carthaginian commander should have any
+authority over a Campanian citizen, nor any Campanian serve in war or
+perform any office against his will: that Capua should have her own
+laws and her own magistrates: that the Carthaginian should give to the
+Campanians three hundred captives selected by themselves, who might be
+exchanged for the Campanian horse who were serving in Sicily." Such
+were the stipulations: but in addition to them, the Campanians
+perpetrated the following atrocities; for the commons ordered that the
+prefects of the allies and other citizens of Rome should be suddenly
+seized, while some of them were occupied with military duties, others
+engaged in private business, and be shut up in the baths, as if for
+the purpose of keeping them in custody, where, suffocated with heat
+and vapour, they might expire in a horrid manner. Decius Magius, a man
+who wanted nothing to complete his influence except a sound mind on
+the part of his countrymen, had resisted to the uttermost the
+execution of these measures, and the sending of the embassy to
+Hannibal, and when he heard that a body of troops was sent by
+Hannibal, bringing back to their recollection, as examples, the
+haughty tyranny of Pyrrhus and the miserable slavery of the
+Tarentines, he at first openly and loudly protested that the troops
+should not be admitted, then he urged either that they should expel
+them when received, or, if they had a mind to expiate, by a bold and
+memorable act, the foul crime they had committed in revolting from
+their most ancient and intimate allies, that leaving slain the
+Carthaginian troops they should give themselves back to the Romans.
+These proceedings, having been reported to Hannibal, for they were not
+carried on in secret, he at first sent persons to summon Magius into
+his presence at his camp, then, on his vehemently refusing to come, on
+the ground that Hannibal had no authority over a Campanian, the
+Carthaginian, excited with rage, ordered that the man should be seized
+and dragged to him in chains, but afterwards, fearing lest while force
+was employed some disturbance might take place, or lest, from
+excitement of feeling, some undesigned collision might occur, he set
+out himself from the camp with a small body of troops, having sent a
+message before him to Marius Blosius, the praetor of Campania, to the
+effect, that he would be at Capua the next day. Marius calling an
+assembly, issued an order that they should go out and meet Hannibal in
+a body, accompanied by their wives and children. This was done by all,
+not only with obedience, but with zeal, with the full agreement of the
+common people, and with eagerness to see a general rendered
+illustrious by so many victories. Decius Magius neither went out to
+meet him, nor kept himself in private, by which course he might seem
+to indicate fear from a consciousness of demerit, he promenaded in the
+forum with perfect composure, attended by his son and a few
+dependants, while all the citizens were in a bustle to go to see and
+receive the Carthaginian. Hannibal, on entering the city, immediately
+demanded an audience of the senate; when the chief men of the
+Campanians, beseeching him not to transact any serious business on
+that day, but that he would cheerfully and willingly celebrate a day
+devoted to festivity in consequence of his own arrival, though
+naturally extremely prone to anger, yet, that he might not deny them
+any thing at first, he spent a great part of the day in inspecting the
+city.
+
+8. He lodged at the house of the Ninii Celeres, Stenius and Pacuvius,
+men distinguished by their noble descent and their wealth. Thither
+Pacuvius Calavius, of whom mention has already been made, who was the
+head of the party which had drawn over the state to the Carthaginian
+cause, brought his son, a young man, whom he had forced from the side
+of Decius Magius, in conjunction with whom he had made a most
+determined stand for the Roman alliance in opposition to the league
+with the Carthaginians; nor had the leaning of the state to the other
+side, or his father's authority, altered his sentiments. For this
+youth his father procured pardon from Hannibal, more by prayers than
+by clearing him. Hannibal, overcome by the entreaties and tears of his
+father, even gave orders that he should be invited with his father to
+the banquet; to which entertainment he intended to admit no Campanian
+besides his hosts, and Jubellius Taurea, a man distinguished in war.
+They began to feast early in the day, and the entertainment was not
+conformable to the Carthaginian custom, or to military discipline, but
+as might be expected in a city and in a house both remarkable for
+luxury, was furnished with all the allurements of voluptuousness.
+Perolla, the son of Calavius, was the only person who could not be won
+either by the solicitations of the masters of the house, or those
+which Hannibal sometimes employed. The youth himself pleaded ill
+health as an apology, while his father urged as an excuse the
+disturbed state of his mind, which was not surprising. About sunset,
+Calavius, who had gone out from the banquet, was followed by his son;
+and when they had arrived at a retired place, (it was a garden at the
+back part of the house,) he said, "I have a plan to propose to you, my
+father, by which we shall not only obtain pardon from the Romans for
+our crime, in that we revolted from them to the Carthaginian, but
+shall be held in much higher esteem, than we Campanians ever have
+been." When the father inquired with surprise what that plan could be,
+he threw back his gown off his shoulder and exposed to view his side,
+which was girt with a sword. "Forthwith will I ratify the alliance
+with Rome with the blood of Hannibal. I was desirous that you should
+be informed of it first, in case you might prefer to be absent while
+the deed is performing."
+
+9. On hearing and seeing which the old man, as though he were actually
+present at the transactions which were being named to him, wild with
+fear, exclaimed, "I implore, I beseech you, my son, by all the ties
+which unite children to parents, that you will not resolve to commit
+and to suffer every thing that is horrible before the eyes of a
+father. Did we but a few hours ago, swearing by every deity, and
+joining right hands, pledge our fidelity to Hannibal, that immediately
+on separating from the conference we should arm against him the hands
+which were employed as the sacred pledges of our faith? Do you rise
+from the hospitable board to which as one of three of the Campanians
+you have been admitted by Hannibal, that you may ensanguine that very
+board with the blood of your host. Could I conciliate Hannibal to my
+son, and not my son to Hannibal? But let nothing be held sacred by
+you, neither our pledges, nor the sense of religion, nor filial duty;
+let the most horrid deeds be dared, if with guilt they bring not ruin
+upon us. Will you singly attack Hannibal? What will that numerous
+throng of freemen and slaves be doing? What the eyes of all intent on
+him alone? What those so many right hands? Will they be torpid amidst
+your madness? Will you be able to bear the look of Hannibal himself,
+which armed hosts cannot sustain, from which the Roman people shrink
+with horror? And though other assistance be wanting, will you have the
+hardihood to strike me when I oppose my body in defence of Hannibal's?
+But know that through my breast you must strike and transfix him.
+Suffer yourself to be deterred from your attempt here, rather than to
+be defeated there. May my entreaties prevail with you, as they did for
+you this day." Upon this, perceiving the youth in tears, he threw his
+arms around him, and kissing him affectionately, ceased not his
+entreaties until he prevailed upon him to lay aside his sword and give
+his promise that he would do no such thing. The young man then
+observed, "I will indeed pay to my father the debt of duty which I owe
+to my country, but I am grieved for you on whom the guilt of having
+thrice betrayed your country rests; once when you sanctioned the
+revolt from the Romans; next when you advised the alliance with
+Hannibal; and thirdly, this day, when you are the delay and impediment
+of the restoration of Capua to the Romans. Do thou, my country,
+receive this weapon, armed with which in thy behalf I would fain have
+defended this citadel, since a father wrests it from me." Having thus
+said, he threw the sword into the highway over the garden wall, and
+that the affair might not be suspected, himself returned to the
+banquet.
+
+10. The next day an audience of a full senate was given to Hannibal,
+when the first part of his address was full of graciousness and
+benignity, in which he thanked the Campanians for having preferred his
+friendship to an alliance with the Romans, and held out among his
+other magnificent promises "that Capua should soon become the capital
+of all Italy, and that the Romans as well as the other states should
+receive laws from it. That there was, however, one person who had no
+share in the Carthaginian friendship and the alliance formed with him,
+Decius Magius, who neither was nor ought to be called a Campanian. Him
+he requested to be surrendered to him, and that the sense of the
+senate should be taken respecting his conduct, and a decree passed in
+his presence." All concurred in this proposition, though a great many
+considered him as a man undeserving such severe treatment; and that
+this proceeding was no small infringement of their liberty to begin
+with. Leaving the senate-house, the magistrate took his seat on the
+consecrated bench, ordered Decius Magius to be apprehended, and to be
+placed by himself before his feet to plead his cause. But he, his
+proud spirit being unsubdued, denied that such a measure could be
+enforced agreeably to the conditions of the treaty; upon which he was
+ironed, and ordered to be brought into the camp before a lictor. As
+long as he was conducted with his head uncovered, he moved along
+earnestly haranguing and vociferating to the multitude which poured
+around him on all sides. "You have gotten that liberty, Campanians,
+which you seek; in the middle of the forum, in the light of day,
+before your eyes, I, a man second to none of the Campanians, am
+dragged in chains to suffer death. What greater outrage could have
+been committed had Capua been captured? Go out to meet Hannibal,
+decorate your city to the utmost, consecrate the day of his arrival,
+that you may behold this triumph over a fellow-citizen." As the
+populace seemed to be excited by him, vociferating these things, his
+head was covered, and he was ordered to be dragged away more speedily
+without the gate. Having been thus brought to the camp, he was
+immediately put on board a ship and sent to Carthage, lest if any
+commotion should arise at Capua on account of the injustice of the
+proceeding, the senate also should repent of having given up a leading
+citizen; and lest if an embassy were sent to request his restoration,
+he must either offend his new allies by refusing their first petition,
+or, by granting it, be compelled to retain at Capua a promoter of
+sedition and disturbance. A tempest drove the vessel to Cyrenae, which
+was at that time under the dominion of kings. Here flying for refuge
+to the statue of king Ptolemy, he was conveyed thence in custody to
+Alexandria to Ptolemy; and having instructed him that he had been
+thrown into chains by Hannibal, contrary to the law of treaties, he
+was liberated and allowed to return to whichever place he pleased,
+Rome or Capua. But Magius said, that Capua would not be a safe place
+for him, and that Rome, at a time when there was war between the
+Romans and Capuans, would be rather the residence of a deserter than a
+guest. That there was no place that he should rather dwell in, than in
+the dominions of him whom he esteemed an avenger and the protector of
+his liberty.
+
+11. While these things were carrying on, Quintus Fabius Pictor, the
+ambassador, returned from Delphi to Rome, and read the response of the
+oracle from a written copy. In it both the gods were mentioned, and in
+what manner supplication should be made. It then stated, "If you do
+thus, Romans, your affairs will be more prosperous and less perplexed;
+your state will proceed more agreeably to your wishes; and the victory
+in the war will be on the side of the Roman people. After that your
+state shall have been restored to prosperity and safety, send a
+present to the Pythian Apollo out of the gains you have earned, and
+pay honours to him out of the plunder, the booty, and the spoils.
+Banish licentiousness from among you." Having read aloud these words,
+translated from the Greek verse, he added, that immediately on his
+departure from the oracle, he had paid divine honours to all these
+deities with wine and frankincense; and that he was ordered by the
+chief priest of the temple, that, as he had approached the oracle and
+performed the sacred ceremonies decorated with a laurel crown, so he
+should embark wearing the crown, and not put it off till he had
+arrived at Rome. That he had executed all these injunctions with the
+most scrupulous exactness and diligence, and had deposited the garland
+on the altar of Apollo at Rome. The senate decreed that the sacred
+ceremonies and supplications enjoined should be carefully performed
+with all possible expedition. During these events at Rome and in
+Italy, Mago, the son of Hamilcar, had arrived at Carthage with the
+intelligence of the victory at Cannae. He was not sent direct from the
+field of battle by his brother, but was detained some days in
+receiving the submission of such states of the Bruttii as were in
+revolt. Having obtained an audience of the senate he gave a full
+statement of his brother's exploits in Italy: "That he had fought
+pitched battles with six generals, four of whom were consuls, two a
+dictator and master of the horse, with six consular armies; that he
+had slain above two hundred thousand of the enemy, and captured above
+fifty thousand. That out of the four consuls he had slain two; of the
+two remaining, one was wounded, the other, having lost his whole army,
+had fled from the field with scarcely fifty men; that the master of
+the horse, an authority equal to that of consul, had been routed and
+put to flight; that the dictator, because he had never engaged in a
+pitched battle, was esteemed a matchless general; that the Bruttii,
+the Apulians, part of the Samnites and of the Lucanians had revolted
+to the Carthaginians. That Capua, which was the capital not only of
+Campania, but after the ruin of the Roman power by the battle of
+Cannae, of Italy also, had delivered itself over to Hannibal. That in
+return for these so many and so great victories, gratitude ought
+assuredly to be felt and thanks returned to the immortal gods."
+
+12. Then, in proof of this such joyful news, he ordered the golden
+rings to be poured out in the vestibule of the senate-house, of which
+there was such a heap that some have taken upon themselves to say that
+on being measured they filled three pecks and a half. The statement
+has obtained and is more like the truth, that there were not more than
+a peck. He then added, by way of explanation, to prove the greater
+extent of the slaughter, that none but knights, and of these the
+principal only, wore that ornament. The main drift of his speech was,
+"that the nearer the prospect was of bringing the war to a conclusion,
+the more should Hannibal be aided by every means, for that the seat of
+war was at a long distance from home and in the heart of the enemy's
+country. That a great quantity of corn was consumed and money
+expended; and that so many pitched battles, as they had annihilated
+the armies of the enemy, had also in some degree diminished the forces
+of the victor. That a reinforcement therefore ought to be sent; and
+money for the pay, and corn for the soldiers who had deserved so well
+of the Carthaginian name." After this speech of Mago's, all being
+elated with joy, Himilco, a member of the Barcine faction, conceiving
+this a good opportunity for inveighing against Hanno, said to him,
+"What think you now, Hanno? do you now also regret that the war
+against the Romans was entered upon? Now urge that Hannibal should be
+given up; yes, forbid the rendering of thanks to the immortal gods
+amidst such successes; let us hear a Roman senator in the senate-house
+of the Carthaginians." Upon which Hanno replied, "I should have
+remained silent this day, conscript fathers, lest, amid the general
+joy, I should utter any thing which might be too gloomy for you. But
+now, to a senator, asking whether I still regret the undertaking of
+the war against the Romans, if I should forbear to speak, I should
+seem either arrogant or servile, the former of which is the part of a
+man who is forgetful of the independence of others, the latter of his
+own. I may answer therefore to Himilco, that I have not ceased to
+regret the war, nor shall I cease to censure your invincible general
+until I see the war concluded on some tolerable terms; nor will any
+thing except a new peace put a period to my regret for the loss of the
+old one. Accordingly those achievements, which Mago has so boastingly
+recounted, are a source of present joy to Himilco and the other
+adherents of Hannibal; to me they may become so; because successes in
+war, if we have a mind to make the best use of fortune, will afford us
+a peace on more equitable terms; for if we allow this opportunity to
+pass by, on which we have it in our power to appear to dictate rather
+than to receive terms of peace, I fear lest even this our joy should
+run into excess, and in the end prove groundless. However, let us see
+of what kind it is even now. I have slain the armies of the enemy,
+send me soldiers. What else would you ask if you had been conquered? I
+have captured two of the enemy's camps, full, of course, of booty and
+provisions; supply me with corn and money. What else would you ask had
+you been plundered and stripped of your camp? And that I may not be
+the only person perplexed, I could wish that either Himilco or Mago
+would answer me, for it is just and fair that I also should put a
+question, since I have answered Himilco. Since the battle at Cannae
+annihilated the Roman power, and it is a fact that all Italy is in a
+state of revolt; in the first place, has any one people of the Latin
+confederacy come over to us? In the next place, has any individual of
+the five and thirty tribes deserted to Hannibal?" When Mago had
+answered both these questions in the negative, he continued: "there
+remains then still too large a body of the enemy. But I should be glad
+to know what degree of spirit and hope that body possesses."
+
+13. Mago declaring that he did not know; "Nothing," said he, "is
+easier to be known. Have the Romans sent any ambassadors to Hannibal
+to treat of peace? Have you, in short, ever heard that any mention has
+been made of peace at Rome?" On his answering these questions also in
+the negative: "We have upon our hands then, said he, a war as entire
+as we had on the day on which Hannibal crossed over into Italy. There
+are a great many of us alive now who remember how fluctuating the
+success was in the former Punic war. At no time did our affairs appear
+in so prosperous a condition as they did before the consulship of
+Caius Lutatius and Aulus Posthumius. In the consulship of Caius
+Lutatius and Aulus Posthumius we were completely conquered at the
+islands Aegates. But if now, as well as then, (oh! may the gods avert
+the omen!) fortune should take any turn, do you hope to obtain that
+peace when we shall be vanquished which no one is willing to grant now
+we are victorious. I have an opinion which I should express if any one
+should advise with me on the subject of proffering or accepting terms
+of peace with the enemy; but with respect to the supplies requested by
+Mago, I do not think there is any necessity to send them to a
+victorious army; and I give it as my opinion that they should far less
+be sent to them, if they are deluding us by groundless and empty
+hopes." But few were influenced by the harangue of Hanno, for both the
+jealousy which he entertained towards the Barcine family, made him a
+less weighty authority; and men's minds being taken up with the
+present exultation, would listen to nothing by which their joy could
+be made more groundless, but felt convinced, that if they should make
+a little additional exertion the war might be speedily terminated.
+Accordingly a decree of the senate was made with very general
+approbation, that four thousand Numidians should be sent as a
+reinforcement to Hannibal, with four hundred elephants and many
+talents of silver. Moreover, the dictator was sent forward into Spain
+with Mago to hire twenty thousand foot and four thousand horse, to
+recruit the armies in Italy and Spain.
+
+14. But these resolutions, as generally happens in the season of
+prosperity, were executed in a leisurely and slothful manner. The
+Romans, in addition to their inborn activity of mind, were prevented
+from delaying by the posture of their affairs. For the consul was not
+wanting in any business which was to be done by him; and the dictator,
+Marcus Junius Pera, after the sacred ceremonies were concluded, and
+after having, as is usual, proposed to the people that he might be
+allowed to mount his horse; besides the two legions which had been
+enlisted by the consuls in the beginning of the year, and besides the
+cohorts collected out of the Picenian and Gallic territories,
+descended to that last resort of the state when almost despaired of,
+and when propriety gives place to utility, and made proclamation, that
+of such persons as had been guilty of capital crimes or were in prison
+on judgment for debt, those who would serve as soldiers with him, he
+would order to be released from their liability to punishment and
+their debts. These six thousand he armed with the Gallic spoils which
+were carried in the procession at the triumph of Caius Flaminius. Thus
+he marched from the city at the head of twenty-five thousand men.
+Hannibal, after gaining Capua, made a second fruitless attempt upon
+the minds of the Neapolitans, partly by fear and partly by hope: and
+then marched his troops across into the territory of Nola: not
+immediately in a hostile attitude, for he did not despair of a
+voluntary surrender, yet intending to omit nothing which they could
+suffer or fear, if they delayed the completion of his hopes. The
+senate, and especially the principal members of it, persevered
+faithfully in keeping up the alliance with the Romans; the commons, as
+usual, were all inclined to a change in the government and to espouse
+the cause of Hannibal, placing before their minds the fear lest their
+fields should be devastated, and the many hardships and indignities
+which must be endured in a siege; nor were there wanting persons who
+advised a revolt. In this state of things, when a fear took possession
+of the senate, that it would be impossible to resist the excited
+multitude if they went openly to work, devised a delay of the evil by
+secret simulation. They pretended that they were agreeable to the
+revolt to Hannibal; but that it was not settled on what terms they
+should enter into the new alliance and friendship. Thus having gained
+time, they promptly sent ambassadors to the Roman praetor, Marcellus
+Claudius, who was at Casilinum with his army, and informed him what a
+critical situation Nola was in; that the fields were already in the
+possession of Hannibal and the Carthaginians, and that the city soon
+would be, unless succour were sent; that the senate, by conceding to
+the commons that they would revolt when they pleased, had caused them
+not to hasten too much to revolt. Marcellus, after bestowing high
+commendations on the Nolans, urged them to protract the business till
+his arrival by means of the same pretences; in the mean time, to
+conceal what had passed between them, as well as all hope of succour
+from the Romans. He himself marched from Casilinum to Calatia, and
+thence crossing the Vulturnus, and passing through the territories of
+Saticula and Trebula, pursuing his course along the mountains above
+Suessula, he arrived at Nola.
+
+15. On the approach of the Roman praetor, the Carthaginians retired
+from the territory of Nola and marched down to the sea close upon
+Naples, eager to get possession of a maritime town to which there
+would be a safe course for ships from Africa. But hearing that Naples
+was held by a Roman prefect, Marcus Junius Silanus, who had been
+invited thither by the Neapolitans themselves, he left Naples as he
+had left Nola, and directed his course to Nuceria, which he at length
+starved into capitulation, after having besieged it for a considerable
+time, often by open force, and often by soliciting to no purpose
+sometimes the commons, at other times the nobles; agreeing that they
+should depart with single garments and without arms. Then, as wishing
+to appear from the beginning to show lenity to all the inhabitants of
+Italy except the Romans, he proposed rewards and honours to those who
+might remain with him, and would be willing to serve with him. He
+retained none, however, by the hopes he held out; they all dispersed
+in different directions throughout the cities of Campania, wherever
+either hospitable connexions or the casual impulse of the mind
+directed them, but principally to Nola and Naples. About thirty
+senators, including as it happened all of the first rank, made for
+Capua; but being shut out thence, because they had closed their gates
+on Hannibal, they betook themselves to Cumae. The plunder of Nuceria
+was, given to the soldiery, the city sacked and burned. Marcellus
+continued to hold possession of Nola, relying not more from confidence
+in his own troops than from the favourable disposition of the leading
+inhabitants. Apprehensions were entertained of the commons,
+particularly Lucius Bantius, whose having been privy to an attempt at
+defection, and dread of the Roman praetor, stimulated sometimes to the
+betrayal of his country, at others, should fortune fail him in that
+undertaking, to desertion. He was a young man of vigorous mind, and at
+that time enjoying the greatest renown of almost any of the allied
+cavalry. Found at Cannae half dead amid a heap of slain, Hannibal had
+sent him home, after having had him cured, with the kindest attention,
+and even with presents. In gratitude for this favour, he had conceived
+a wish to put Nola under the power and dominion of the Carthaginian;
+but his anxiety and solicitude for effecting a change did not escape
+the notice of the praetor. However, as it was necessary that he should
+be either restrained by penal inflictions or conciliated by favours,
+he preferred attaching to himself a brave and strenuous ally, to
+depriving the enemy of him; and summoning him into his presence, in
+the kindest manner said, "that the fact that he had many among his
+countrymen who were jealous of him, might be easily collected from the
+circumstance that not one citizen of Nola had informed him how many
+were his splendid military exploits. But that it was impossible for
+the valour of one who served in the Roman camp to remain in obscurity;
+that many who had served with him had reported to him how brave a man
+he was, how often and what dangers he had encountered for the safety
+and honour of the Roman people; and how in the battle of Cannae he had
+not given over fighting till, almost bloodless, he was buried under a
+heap of men, horses, and arms which fell upon him. Go on then," says
+he, "and prosper in your career of valour, with me you shall receive
+every honour and every reward, and the oftener you be with me, the
+more you shall find it will be to your honour and emolument." He
+presented the young man, delighted with these promises, with a horse
+of distinguished beauty, ordered the quaestor to give him five hundred
+denarii, and commanded the lictors to allow him to approach him
+whenever he might please.
+
+16. The violent spirit of the youth was so much soothed by the
+courteous treatment of Marcellus, that thenceforward no one of the
+allies displayed greater courage or fidelity in aiding the Roman
+cause. Hannibal being now at the gates, for he had moved his camp back
+again from Nuceria to Nola, and the commons beginning to turn their
+attention to revolt afresh, Marcellus, on the approach of the enemy,
+retired within the walls; not from apprehension for his camp, but lest
+he should give an opportunity for betraying the city, which too many
+were anxiously watching for. The troops on both sides then began to be
+drawn up; the Romans before the walls of Nola, the Carthaginians
+before their own camp. Hence arose several battles of small account
+between the city and the camp, with varying success, as the generals
+were neither willing to check the small parties who inconsiderately
+challenged the enemy, nor to give the signal for a general engagement.
+While the two armies continued to be thus stationed day after day, the
+chief men of the Nolans informed Marcellus, that conferences were held
+by night between the commons of Nola and the Carthaginians; and that
+it was fixed, that, when the Roman army had gone out at the gates,
+they should make plunder of their baggage and packages, then close the
+gates and post themselves upon the walls, in order that when in
+possession of the government and the city, they might then receive the
+Carthaginian instead of the Roman. On receiving this intelligence
+Marcellus, having bestowed the highest commendations on the senators,
+resolved to hazard the issue of a battle before any commotion should
+arise within the city. He drew up his troops in three divisions at the
+three gates which faced the enemy; he gave orders that the baggage
+should follow close by, that the servants, suttlers' boys, and
+invalids should carry palisades; at the centre gate he stationed the
+choicest of the legionary troops and the Roman cavalry, at the two
+gates on either side, the recruits, the light-armed, and the allied
+cavalry. The Nolans were forbidden to approach the walls and gates,
+and the troops designed for a reserve were set over the baggage, lest
+while the legions were engaged in the battle an attack should be made
+upon it. Thus arranged they were standing within the gates. Hannibal,
+who had waited with his troops drawn up in battle-array, as he had
+done for several days, till the day was far advanced, at first was
+amazed that neither the Roman army marched out of the gates, nor any
+armed man was to be seen on the walls, but afterwards concluding that
+the conferences had been discovered, and that they were quiet through
+fear, he sent back a portion of his troops into the camp, with orders
+to bring into the front line, with speed, every thing requisite for
+assaulting the city; satisfied that if he urged them vigorously while
+they were indisposed to action, the populace would excite some
+commotion in the city. While, in the van, the troops were running up
+and down in a hurried manner in discharge of their several duties, and
+the line was advancing up to the gates, suddenly throwing open the
+gate, Marcellus ordered that the signal should be given, and a shout
+raised, and that first the infantry and after them the cavalry should
+burst forth upon the enemy with all possible impetuosity. They had
+occasioned abundant terror and confusion in the centre of the enemy's
+line, when, at the two side gates, the lieutenant-generals, Publius
+Valerius Flaccus and Caius Aurelius, sallied forth upon the wings. The
+servants, suttlers' boys, and the other multitude appointed to guard
+the baggage, joined in the shout, so that they suddenly exhibited the
+appearance of a vast army to the Carthaginians, who despised chiefly
+their paucity of numbers. For my own part I would not take upon me to
+assert what some authors have declared, that two thousand eight
+hundred of the enemy were slain, and that the Romans lost not more
+than five hundred. Whether the victory was so great or not; it is
+certain that a very important advantage, and perhaps the greatest
+during the war, was gained on that day: for not to be vanquished by
+Hannibal was then a more difficult task to the victorious troops, than
+to conquer him afterwards.
+
+17. When Hannibal, all hope of getting possession of Nola being lost,
+had retired to Acerrae, Marcellus, having closed the gates and posted
+guards in different quarters to prevent any one from going out,
+immediately instituted a judicial inquiry in the forum, into the
+conduct of those who had been secretly in communication with the
+enemy. He beheaded more than seventy who were convicted of treason,
+and ordered their foods to be confiscated to the Roman state; and then
+committing the government to the senate, set out with all his forces,
+and, pitching a camp, took up a position above Suessula. The
+Carthaginian, having at first endeavoured to win over the people of
+Acerrae to a voluntary surrender, but finding them resolved, makes
+preparations for a siege and assault. But the people of Acerrae had
+more spirit than power. Despairing therefore, of the defence of the
+city, when they saw their walls being circumvallated, before the lines
+of the enemy were completed, they stole off in the dead of night
+through the opening in the works, and where the watches had been
+neglected; and pursuing their course through roads and pathless
+regions, accordingly as design or mistake directed each, made their
+escape to those towns of Campania which they knew had not renounced
+their fidelity. After Acerrae was plundered and burnt, Hannibal,
+having received intelligence that the Roman dictator with the
+new-raised legions was seen at some distance from Casilinum, and
+fearing lest, the camp of the enemy being so near, something might
+occur at Capua, marched his army to Casilinum. At that time Casilinum
+was occupied by five hundred Praenestines, with a few Romans and
+Latins, whom the news of the defeat at Cannae had brought to the same
+place. These men setting out from home too late, in consequence of the
+levy at Praeneste not being completed at the appointed day, and
+arriving at Casilinum before the defeat was known there, where they
+united themselves with other troops, Romans and allies, were
+proceeding thence in a tolerably large body, but the news of the
+battle at Cannae them back to Casilinum. Having spent several days
+there in evading and concerting plots, in fear themselves and
+suspected by the Campanians, and having now received certain
+information that the revolt of Capua and the reception of Hannibal
+were in agitation, they put the townsmen to the sword by night, and
+seized upon the part of the town on this side the Vulturnus, for it is
+divided by that river. Such was the garrison the Romans had at
+Casilinum; to these was added a cohort of Perusians, in number four
+hundred and sixty, who had been driven to Casilinum by the same
+intelligence which had brought the Praenestines a few days before.
+They formed a sufficient number of armed men for the defence of walls
+of so limited extent, and protected on one side by the river. The
+scarcity of corn made them even appear too numerous.
+
+18. Hannibal having now advanced within a short distance of the place,
+sent forward a body of Getulians under a commander named Isalca, and
+orders them in the first place, if an opportunity of parley should be
+given, to win them over by fair words, to open the gates, and admit a
+garrison; but, if they persisted in obstinate opposition, to proceed
+to action, and try if in any part he could force an entrance into the
+city. When they had approached the walls, because silence prevailed
+there appeared a solitude; and the barbarian, supposing that they had
+retired through fear, made preparation for forcing the gates and
+breaking away the bars, when, the gates being suddenly thrown open,
+two cohorts, drawn up within for that very purpose, rushed forth with
+great tumult, and made a slaughter of the enemy. The first party being
+thus repulsed, Maharbal was sent with a more powerful body of troops;
+but neither could even he sustain the sally of the cohorts. Lastly,
+Hannibal, fixing his camp directly before the walls, prepared to
+assault this paltry city and garrison, with every effort and all his
+forces, and having completely surrounded the city with a line of
+troops, lost a considerable number of men, including all the most
+forward, who were shot from the walls and turrets, while he pressed on
+and provoked the enemy. Once he was very near cutting them off, by
+throwing in a line of elephants, when aggressively sallying forth, and
+drove them in the utmost confusion into the town; a good many, out of
+so small a number, having been slain. More would have fallen had not
+night interrupted the battle. On the following day, the minds of all
+were possessed with an ardent desire to commence the assault,
+especially after a golden mural crown had been promised, and the
+general himself had reproached the conquerors of Saguntum with the
+slowness of their siege of a little fort situated on level ground;
+reminding them, each and all, of Cannae, Trasimenus, and Trebia. They
+then began to apply the vineae and to spring mines: nor was any
+measure, whether of open force or stratagem, unemployed against the
+various attempts of the enemy. These allies of the Romans erected
+bulwarks against the vineae, cut off the mines of the enemy by
+cross-mines, and met their efforts both covertly and openly, till, at
+last, shame compelled Hannibal to desist from his undertaking; and,
+fortifying a camp in which he placed a small guard, that the affair
+might not appear to have been abandoned, he retired into winter
+quarters to Capua. There he kept, under cover, for the greater part of
+the winter, that army, which, though fortified by frequent and
+continued hardships against every human ill, had yet never experienced
+or been habituated to prosperity. Accordingly, excess of good fortune
+and unrestrained indulgence were the ruin of men whom no severity of
+distress had subdued; and so much the more completely, in proportion
+to the avidity with which they plunged into pleasures to which they
+were unaccustomed. For sleep, wine, feasting, women, baths, and ease,
+which custom rendered more seductive day by day, so completely
+unnerved both mind and body, that from henceforth their past victories
+rather than their present strength protected them; and in this the
+general is considered by those who are skilled in the art of war to
+have committed a greater error than in not having marched his troops
+to Rome forthwith from the field of Cannae: for his delay on that
+occasion might be considered as only to have postponed his victory,
+but this mistake to have bereaved him of the power of conquering.
+Accordingly, by Hercules, as though he marched out of Capua with
+another army, it retained in no respect any of its former discipline;
+for most of the troops returned in the embrace of harlots; and as soon
+as they began to live under tents, and the fatigue of marching and
+other military labours tried them, like raw troops, they failed both
+in bodily strength and spirit. From that time, during the whole period
+of the summer campaign, a great number of them slunk away from the
+standards without furloughs, while Capua was the only retreat of the
+deserters.
+
+19. However, when the rigour of winter began to abate, marching his
+troops out of their winter quarters he returned to Casilinum; where,
+although there had been an intermission of the assault, the
+continuance of the siege had reduced the inhabitants and the garrison
+to the extremity of want. Titus Sempronius commanded the Roman camp,
+the dictator having gone to Rome to renew the auspices. The swollen
+state of the Vulturnus and the entreaties of the people of Nola and
+Acerrae, who feared the Campanians if the Roman troops should leave
+them, kept Marcellus in his place; although desirous himself also to
+bring assistance to the besieged. Gracchus, only maintaining his post
+near Casilinum, because he had been enjoined by the dictator not to
+take any active steps during his absence, did not stir; although
+intelligence was brought from Casilinum which might easily overcome
+every degree of patience. For it appeared that some had precipitated
+themselves from the walls through famine and that they were standing
+unarmed upon the walls, exposing their undefended bodies to the blows
+of the missile weapons. Gracchus, grieved at the intelligence, but not
+daring to fight contrary to the injunctions of the dictator, and yet
+aware that he must fight if he openly attempted to convey in
+provisions, and having no hope of introducing them clandestinely,
+collected corn from all parts of the surrounding country, and filling
+several casks sent a message to the magistrate to Casilinum, directing
+that they might catch the casks which the river would bring down. The
+following night, while all were intent upon the river, and the hopes
+excited by the message from the Romans, the casks sent came floating
+down the centre of the stream, and the corn was equally distributed
+among them all. This was repeated the second and third day; they were
+sent off and arrived during the same night; and hence they escaped the
+notice of the enemy's guards. But afterwards, the river, rendered more
+than ordinarily rapid by continual rains, drove the casks by a cross
+current to the bank which the enemy were guarding; there they were
+discovered sticking among the osiers which grew along the banks; and,
+it being reported to Hannibal, from that time the watches were kept
+more strictly, that nothing sent to the city by the Vulturnus might
+escape notice. However, nuts poured out at the Roman camp floated down
+the centre of the river to Casilinum, and were caught with hurdles. At
+length they were reduced to such a degree of want, that they
+endeavoured to chew the thongs and skins which they tore from their
+shields, after softening them in warm water; nor did they abstain from
+mice or any other kind of animals. They even dug up every kind of herb
+and root from the lowest mounds of their wall; and when the enemy had
+ploughed over all the ground producing herbage which was without the
+wall, they threw in turnip seed, so that Hannibal exclaimed, Must I
+sit here at Casilinum even till these spring up? and he, who up to
+that time had not lent an ear to any terms, then at length allowed
+himself to be treated with respecting the ransom of the free persons.
+Seven ounces of gold for each person were agreed upon as the price;
+and then, under a promise of protection, they surrendered themselves.
+They were kept in chains till the whole of the gold was paid, after
+which they were sent back to Cumae, in fulfilment of the promise. This
+account is more credible than that they were slain by a body of
+cavalry, which was sent to attack them as they were going away. They
+were for the most part Praenestines. Out of the five hundred and
+seventy who formed the garrison, almost one half were destroyed by
+sword or famine; the rest returned safe to Praeneste with their
+praetor Manicius, who had formerly been a scribe. His statue placed in
+the forum at Praeneste, clad in a coat of mail, with a gown on, and
+with the head covered, formed an evidence of this account; as did also
+three images with this legend inscribed on a brazen plate, "Manicius
+vowed these in behalf of the soldiers who were in the garrison at
+Casilinum." The same legend was inscribed under three images placed in
+the temple of Fortune.
+
+20. The town of Casilinum was restored to the Campanians, strengthened
+by a garrison of seven hundred soldiers from the army of Hannibal,
+lest on the departure of the Carthaginian from it, the Romans should
+assault it. To the Praenestine soldiers the Roman senate voted double
+pay and exemption from military service for five years. On being
+offered the freedom of the state, in consideration of their valor,
+they would not make the exchange. The account of the fate of the
+Perusians is less clear, as no light is thrown upon it by any monument
+of their own, or any decree of the Romans. At the same time the
+Petelini, the only Bruttian state which had continued in the Roman
+alliance, were attacked not only by the Carthaginians, who were in
+possession of the surrounding country, but also by the rest of the
+Bruttian states, on account of their having adopted a separate policy.
+The Petelini, unable to bear up against these distresses, sent
+ambassadors to Rome to solicit aid, whose prayers and entreaties (for
+on being told that they must themselves take measures for their own
+safety, they gave themselves up to piteous lamentations in the
+vestibule of the senate-house) excited the deepest commiseration in
+the fathers and the people. On the question being proposed a second
+time to the fathers by Manius Pomponius, the praetor, after examining
+all the resources of the empire, they were compelled to confess that
+they had no longer any protection for their distant allies, and bid
+them return home, and having done every thing which could be expected
+from faithful allies, as to what remained to take measures for their
+own security in the present state of fortune. On the result of this
+embassy being reported to the Petelini, their senate was suddenly
+seized with such violent grief and dismay, that some advised that they
+should run away wherever each man could find an asylum, and abandon
+the city. Some advised, that as they were deserted by their ancient
+allies, they should unite themselves with the rest of the Bruttian
+states, and through them surrender themselves to Hannibal. The opinion
+however which prevailed was that of those who thought that nothing
+should be done in haste and rashly, and that they should take the
+whole matter into their consideration again. The next day, when they
+had cooled upon it, and their trepidation had somewhat subsided, the
+principal men carried their point that they should collect all their
+property out of the fields, and fortify the city and the walls.
+
+21. Much about the same time letters were brought from Sicily and
+Sardinia. That of Titus Otacilius the propraetor was first read in the
+senate. It stated that Lucius Furius the praetor had arrived at
+Lilybaeum from Africa with his fleet. That he himself, having been
+severely wounded, was in imminent danger of his life; that neither pay
+nor corn was punctually furnished to the soldiers or the marines; nor
+were there any resources from which they could be furnished. That he
+earnestly advised that such supplies should be sent with all possible
+expedition; and that, if it was thought proper, they should send one
+of the new praetors to succeed him.
+
+Nearly the same intelligence respecting corn and pay was conveyed in a
+letter from Aulus Cornelius Mammula, the propraetor, from Sardinia.
+The answer to both was, that there were no resources from whence they
+could be supplied, and orders were given to them that they should
+themselves provide for their fleets and armies. Titus Otacilius having
+sent ambassadors to Hiero, the only source of assistance the Romans
+had, received as much money as was wanting to pay the troops and a
+supply of corn for six months. In Sardinia, the allied states
+contributed liberally to Cornelius. The scarcity of money at Rome also
+was so great, that on the proposal of Marcus Minucius, plebeian
+tribune, a financial triumvirate was appointed, consisting of Lucius
+Aemilius Papus, who had been consul and censor, Marcus Atilius
+Regulus, who had been twice consul, and Lucius Scribonius Libo, who
+was then plebeian tribune. Marcus and Caius Atilius were also created
+a duumvirate for dedicating the temple of Concord, which Lucius
+Manlius had vowed when praetor. Three pontiffs were also created,
+Quintus Caecilius Metellus, Quintus Fabius Maximus, and Quintus
+Fulvius Flaccus, in the room of Publius Scantinius deceased, and of
+Lucius Aemilius Paulus the consul, and of Quintus Aelius Paetus, who
+had fallen in the battle of Cannae.
+
+22. The fathers having repaired, as far as human counsels could effect
+it, the other losses from a continued series of unfortunate events, at
+length turned their attention on themselves, on the emptiness of the
+senate-house, and the paucity of those who assembled for public
+deliberation. For the senate-roll had not been reviewed since the
+censorship of Lucius Aemilius and C. Flaminius, though unfortunate
+battles, during a period of five years, as well as the private
+casualties of each, had carried off so many senators. Manius
+Pomponius, the praetor, as the dictator was now gone to the army after
+the loss of Casilinum, at the earnest request of all, brought in a
+bill upon the subject. When Spurius Carvilius, after having lamented
+in a long speech not only the scantiness of the senate, but the
+fewness of citizens who were eligible into that body, with the design
+of making up the numbers of the senate and uniting more closely the
+Romans and the Latin confederacy, declared that he strongly advised
+that the freedom of the state should be conferred upon two senators
+from each of the Latin states, if the Roman fathers thought proper,
+who might be chosen into the senate to supply the places of the
+deceased senators. This proposition the fathers listened to with no
+more equanimity than formerly to the request when made by the Latins
+themselves. A loud and violent expression of disapprobation ran
+through the whole senate-house. In particular, Manlius reminded them
+that there was still existing a man of that stock, from which that
+consul was descended who formerly threatened in the Capitol that he
+would with his own hand put to death any Latin senator he saw in that
+house. Upon which Quintus Fabius Maximus said, "that never was any
+subject introduced into the senate at a juncture more unseasonable
+than the present, when a question had been touched upon which would
+still further irritate the minds of the allies, who were already
+hesitating and wavering in their allegiance. That that rash suggestion
+of one individual ought to be annihilated by the silence of the whole
+body; and that if there ever was a declaration in that house which
+ought to be buried in profound and inviolable silence, surely that
+above all others was one which deserved to be covered and consigned to
+darkness and oblivion, and looked upon as if it had never been made."
+This put a stop to the mention of the subject. They determined that a
+dictator should be created for the purpose of reviewing the senate,
+and that he should be one who had been a censor, and was the oldest
+living of those who had held that office. They likewise gave orders
+that Caius Terentius, the consul, should be called home to nominate a
+dictator; who, leaving his troops in Apulia, returned to Rome with
+great expedition; and, according to custom, on the following night
+nominated Marcus Fabius Buteo dictator, for six months, without a
+master of the horse, in pursuance of the decree of the senate.
+
+23. He having mounted the rostrum attended by the lictors, declared,
+that he neither approved of there being two dictators at one time,
+which had never been done before, nor of his being appointed dictator
+without a master of the horse; nor of the censorian authority being
+committed to one person, and to the same person a second time; nor
+that command should be given to a dictator for six months, unless he
+was created for active operations. That he would himself restrain
+within proper bounds those irregularities which chance, the exigencies
+of the times, and necessity had occasioned. For he would not remove
+any of those whom the censors Flaminius and Aemilius had elected into
+the senate; but would merely order that their names should be
+transcribed and read over, that one man might not exercise the power
+of deciding and determining on the character and morals of a senator;
+and would so elect in place of deceased members, that one rank should
+appear to be preferred to another, and not man to man. The old
+senate-roll having been read, he chose as successors to the deceased,
+first those who had filled a curule office since the censorship of
+Flaminius and Aemilius, but had not yet been elected into the senate,
+as each had been earliest created. He next chose those who had been
+aediles, plebeian tribunes, or quaestors; then of those who had never
+filled the office of magistrate, he selected such as had spoils taken
+from an enemy fixed up at their homes, or had received a civic crown.
+Having thus elected one hundred and seventy-seven senators, with the
+entire approbation of his countrymen, he instantly abdicated his
+office, and, bidding the lictors depart, he descended from the rostrum
+as a private citizen, and mingled with the crowd of persons who were
+engaged in their private affairs, designedly wearing away this time,
+lest he should draw off the people from the forum for the purpose of
+escorting him home. Their zeal, however, did not subside by the delay,
+for they escorted him to his house in great numbers. The consul
+returned to the army the ensuing night, without acquainting the
+senate, lest he should be detained in the city on account of the
+elections.
+
+24. The next day, on the proposition of Manius Pomponius the praetor,
+the senate decreed that a letter should be written to the dictator, to
+the effect, that if he thought it for the interest of the state, he
+should come, together with the master of the horse and the praetor,
+Marcus Marcellus, to hold the election for the succeeding consuls, in
+order that the fathers might learn from them in person in what
+condition the state was, and take measures according to circumstances.
+All who were summoned came, leaving lieutenant-generals to hold
+command of the legions. The dictator, speaking briefly and modestly of
+himself, attributed much of the glory Of the campaign to the master of
+the horse, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus. He then gave out the day for
+the comitia, at which the consuls created were Lucius Posthumius in
+his absence, being then employed in the government of the province of
+Gaul, for the third time, and Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, who was
+then master of the horse and curule aedile. Marcus Valerius Laevinus,
+Appius Claudius Pulcher, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, and Quintus Mucius
+Scaevola, were then created praetors. After the election of the
+magistrates, the dictator returned to his army, which was in winter
+quarters at Teanum, leaving his master of the horse at Rome, to take
+the sense of the fathers relative to the armies to be enlisted and
+embodied for the service of the year, as he was about to enter upon
+the magistracy after a few days. While busily occupied with these
+matters, intelligence arrived of a fresh disaster--fortune crowding
+into this year one calamity after another--that Lucius Posthumius,
+consul elect, himself with all his army was destroyed in Gaul. He was
+to march his troops through a vast wood, which the Gauls called
+Litana. On the right and left of his route, the natives had sawed the
+trees in such a manner that they continued standing upright, but would
+fall when impelled by a slight force. Posthumius had with him two
+Roman legions, and besides had levied so great a number of allies
+along the Adriatic Sea, that he led into the enemy's country
+twenty-five thousand men. As soon as this army entered the wood, the
+Gauls, who were posted around its extreme skirts, pushed down the
+outermost of the sawn trees, which falling on those next them, and
+these again on others which of themselves stood tottering and scarcely
+maintained their position, crushed arms, men, and horses in an
+indiscriminate manner, so that scarcely ten men escaped. For, most of
+them being killed by the trunks and broken boughs of trees, the Gauls,
+who beset the wood on all sides in arms killed the rest, panic-struck
+by so unexpected a disaster. A very small number, who attempted to
+escape by a bridge, were taken prisoners, being intercepted by the
+enemy who had taken possession of it before them. Here Posthumius
+fell, fighting with all his might to prevent his being taken. The Boii
+having cut off his head, carried it and the spoils they stole off his
+body, in triumph into the most sacred temple they had. Afterwards they
+cleansed the head according to their custom, and having covered the
+skull with chased gold, used it as a cup for libations in their solemn
+festivals, and a drinking cup for their high priests and other
+ministers of the temple. The spoils taken by the Gauls were not less
+than the victory. For though great numbers of the beasts were crushed
+by the falling trees, yet as nothing was scattered by flight, every
+thing else was found strewed along the whole line of the prostrate
+band.
+
+25. The news of this disaster arriving, when the state had been in so
+great a panic for many days, that the shops were shut up as if the
+solitude of night reigned through the city; the senate gave it in
+charge to the aediles to go round the city, cause the shops to be
+opened, and this appearance of public affliction to be removed. Then
+Titus Sempronius, having assembled the senate, consoled and encouraged
+the fathers, requesting, "that they who had sustained the defeat at
+Cannae with so much magnanimity would not now be cast down with less
+calamities. That if their arms should prosper, as he hoped they would,
+against Hannibal and the Carthaginians, the war with the Gauls might
+be suspended and deferred without hazard. The gods and the Roman
+people would have it in their power to revenge the treachery of the
+Gauls another time. That they should now deliberate about the
+Carthaginian foe, and the forces with which the war was to be
+prosecuted." He first laid before them the number of foot and horse,
+as well citizens as allies, that were in the dictator's army. Then
+Marcellus gave an account of the amount in his. Those who knew were
+asked what troops were in Apulia with Caius Terentius Varro the
+consul. But no practicable plan could be devised for raising consular
+armies sufficient to support so important a war. For this reason,
+notwithstanding a just resentment irritated them, they determined that
+Gaul should be passed over for that year. The dictator's army was
+assigned to the consul; and they ordered such of the troops of
+Marcellus's army as had fled from Cannae, to be transported into
+Sicily, to serve there as long as the war continued in Italy. Thither,
+likewise, were ordered to be sent as unfit to serve with him, the
+weakest of the dictator's troops, no time of service being appointed,
+but the legal number of campaigns. The two legions in the city were
+voted to the other consul who should be elected in the room of
+Posthumius; and they resolved that he should be elected as soon as the
+auspices would permit. Besides, two legions were immediately to be
+recalled from Sicily, out of which the consul, to whom the city
+legions fell, might take what number of men he should have occasion
+for. The consul Caius Terentius Varro was continued in his command for
+one year, without lessening the army he had for the defence of Apulia.
+
+26. During these transactions and preparations in Italy, the war in
+Spain was prosecuted with no less vigour; but hitherto more favourably
+to the Romans. The two generals had divided their troops, so that
+Cneius acted by land, and Publius by sea. Hasdrubal, general of the
+Carthaginians, sufficiently trusting to neither branch of his forces,
+kept himself at a distance from the enemy, secured by the intervening
+space and the strength of his fortifications, until, after much
+solicitation, four thousand foot and five hundred horse were sent him
+out of Africa as a reinforcement. At length, inspired with fresh
+hopes, he moved nearer the enemy; and himself also ordered a fleet to
+be equipped and prepared for the protection of the islands and
+sea-coasts. In the very onset of renewing the war, he was greatly
+embarrassed by the desertion of the captains of his ships, who had
+ceased to entertain a sincere attachment towards the general and the
+Carthaginian cause, ever since they were severely reprimanded for
+abandoning the fleet in a cowardly manner at the Iberus. These
+deserters had raised an insurrection among the Tartessians, and at
+their instigation some cities had revolted; they had even taken one by
+force. The war was now turned from the Romans into that country, which
+he entered in a hostile manner, and resolved to attack Galbus, a
+distinguished general of the Tartessians, who with a powerful army
+kept close within his camp, before the walls of a city which had been
+captured but a few days before. Accordingly, he sent his light-armed
+troops in advance to provoke the enemy to battle, and part of his
+infantry to ravage the country throughout in every direction, and to
+cut off stragglers. There was a skirmish before the camp, at the same
+time that many were killed and put to flight in the fields. But having
+by different routes returned to their camp, they so quickly shook off
+all fear, that they had courage not only to defend their lines, but
+challenge the enemy to fight. They sallied out, therefore, in a body
+from the camp, dancing according to their custom. Their sudden
+boldness terrified the enemy, who a little before had been the
+assailants. Hasdrubal therefore drew off his troops to a tolerably
+steep eminence, and secured further by having a river between it and
+the enemy. Here the parties of light-armed troops which had been sent
+in advance, and the horse which had been dispersed about, he called in
+to join him. But not thinking himself sufficiently secured by the
+eminence or the river, he fortified his camp completely with a
+rampart. While thus fearing and feared alternately, several skirmishes
+occurred, in which the Numidian cavalry were not so good as the
+Spanish, nor the Moorish darters so good as the Spanish targetteers,
+who equalled them in swiftness, but were superior to them in strength
+and courage.
+
+27. The enemy seeing they could not, by coming up to Hasdrubal's camp,
+draw him out to a battle, nor assault it without great difficulty,
+stormed Asena, whither Hasdrubal, on entering their territories, had
+laid up his corn and other stores. By this they became masters of all
+the surrounding country. But now they became quite ungovernable, both
+when on march and within their camp.
+
+Hasdrubal, therefore, perceiving their negligence, which, as usual,
+was the consequence of success, after having exhorted his troops to
+attack them while they were straggling and without their standards,
+came down the hill, and advanced to their camp in order of battle. On
+his approach being announced in a tumultuous manner, by men who fled
+from the watchposts and advanced guards, they shouted to arms; and as
+each could get his arms, they rushed precipitately to battle, without
+waiting for the word, without standards, without order, and without
+ranks. The foremost of them were already engaged, while some were
+running up in parties, and others had not got out of their camp.
+However, at first, the very boldness of their attack terrified the
+enemy. But when they charged their close ranks with their own which
+were thin, and were not able to defend themselves for want of numbers,
+each began to look out for others to support him; and being repulsed
+in all quarters they collected themselves in form of a circle, where
+being so closely crowded together, body to body, armour to armour,
+that they had not room to wield their arms, they were surrounded by
+the enemy, who continued to slaughter them till late in the day. A
+small number, having forced a passage, made for the woods and hills.
+With like consternation, their camp was abandoned, and next day the
+whole nation submitted. But they did not continue long quiet, for
+immediately upon this, Hasdrubal received orders from Carthage to
+march into Italy with all expedition. The report of which, spreading
+over Spain, made almost all the states declare for the Romans.
+Accordingly he wrote immediately to Carthage, to inform them how much
+mischief the report of his march had produced. "That if he really did
+leave Spain, the Romans would be masters of it all before he could
+pass the Iberus. For, besides that he had neither an army nor a
+general whom he could leave to supply his place, so great were the
+abilities of the Roman generals who commanded there, that they could
+scarcely be opposed with equal forces. If, therefore, they had any
+concern for preserving Spain, they ought to send a general with a
+powerful army to succeed him. To whom, however prosperous all things
+might prove, yet the province would not be a position of ease."
+
+28. Though this letter made at first a great impression on the senate,
+yet, as their interest in Italy was first and most important, they did
+not at all alter their resolution in relation to Hasdrubal and his
+troops. However, they despatched Himilco with a complete army, and an
+augmented fleet, to preserve and defend Spain both by sea and land.
+When he had conveyed over his land and naval forces, he fortified a
+camp; and having drawn his ships upon dry land, and surrounded them
+with a rampart, he marched with a chosen body of cavalry, with all
+possible expedition; using the same caution when passing through
+people who were wavering, and those who were actually enemies; and
+came up with Hasdrubal. As soon as he had informed him of the
+resolutions and orders of the senate, and in his turn been thoroughly
+instructed in what manner to prosecute the war in Spain, he returned
+to his camp; his expedition more than any thing else saving him, for
+he quitted every place before the people could conspire. Before
+Hasdrubal quitted his position he laid all the states in subjection to
+him under contribution. He knew well that Hannibal purchased a passage
+through some nations; that he had no Gallic auxiliaries but such as
+were hired; and that if he had undertaken so arduous a march without
+money, he would scarcely have penetrated so far as the Alps. For this
+reason, having exacted the contributions with great haste, he marched
+down to the Iberus. As soon as the Roman generals got notice of the
+Carthaginian senate's resolution, and Hasdrubal's march, they gave up
+every other concern, and uniting their forces, determined to meet him
+and oppose his attempt. They reflected, that when it was already so
+difficult to make head against Hannibal alone in Italy, there would be
+an end of the Roman empire in Spain, should Hasdrubal join him with a
+Spanish army. Full of anxiety and care on these accounts, they
+assembled their forces at the Iberus, and crossed the river; and after
+deliberating for some time whether they should encamp opposite to the
+enemy, or be satisfied with impeding his intended march by attacking
+the allies of the Carthaginians, they made preparations for besieging
+a city called Ibera, from its contiguity to the river, which was at
+that time the wealthiest in that quarter. When Hasdrubal perceived
+this, instead of carrying assistance to his allies, he proceeded
+himself to besiege a city which had lately placed itself under the
+protection of the Romans; and thus the siege which was now commenced
+was given up by them, and the operations of the war turned against
+Hasdrubal himself.
+
+29. For a few days they remained encamped at a distance of five miles
+from each other, not without skirmishes, but without going out to a
+regular engagement. At length the signal for battle was given out on
+both sides on one and the same day, as though by concert, and they
+marched down into the plain with all their forces. The Roman army
+stood in triple line; a part of the light troops were stationed among
+the first line, the other half were received behind the standards, the
+cavalry covering the wings. Hasdrubal formed his centre strong with
+Spaniards, and placed the Carthaginians in the right wing, the
+Africans and hired auxiliaries in the left. His cavalry he placed
+before the wings, attaching the Numidians to the Carthaginian
+infantry, and the rest to the Africans. Nor were all the Numidians
+placed in the right wing, but such as taking two horses each into the
+field are accustomed frequently to leap full armed, when the battle is
+at the hottest, from a tired horse upon a fresh one, after the manner
+of vaulters: such was their own agility, and so docile their breed of
+horses. While they stood thus drawn up, the hopes entertained by the
+generals on both sides were pretty much upon an equality; for neither
+possessed any great superiority, either in point of the number or
+quality of the troops. The feelings of the soldiers were widely
+different. Their generals had, without difficulty, induced the Romans
+to believe, that although they fought at a distance from their
+country, it was Italy and the city of Rome that they were defending.
+Accordingly, they had brought their minds to a settled resolution to
+conquer or die; as if their return to their country had hinged upon
+the issue of that battle. The other army consisted of less determined
+men; for they were principally Spaniards, who would rather be
+vanquished in Spain, than be victorious to be dragged into Italy. On
+the first onset, therefore, ere their javelins had scarcely been
+thrown, their centre gave ground, and the Romans pressing on with
+great impetuosity, turned their backs. In the wings the battle
+proceeded with no less activity; on one side the Carthaginians, on the
+other the Africans, charged vigorously, while the Romans, in a manner
+surrounded, were exposed to a twofold attack. But when the whole of
+the Roman troops had united in the centre, they possessed sufficient
+strength to compel the wings of the enemy to retire in different
+directions; and thus there were two separate battles, in both of which
+the Romans were decidedly superior, as after the defeat of the enemy's
+centre they had the advantage both in the number and strength of their
+troops. Vast numbers were slain on this occasion; and had not the
+Spaniards fled precipitately from the field ere the battle had scarce
+begun, very few out of the whole army would have survived. There was
+very little fighting of the cavalry, for as soon as the Moors and
+Numidians perceived that the centre gave way, they fled immediately
+with the utmost precipitation, leaving the wings uncovered, and also
+driving the elephants before them. Hasdrubal, after waiting the issue
+of the battle to the very last, fled from the midst of the carnage
+with a few attendants. The Romans took and plundered the camp. This
+victory united with the Romans whatever states of Spain were wavering,
+and left Hasdrubal no hope, not only of leading an army over into
+Italy, but even of remaining very safely in Spain. When these events
+were made generally known at Rome by letters from the Scipios, the
+greatest joy was felt, not so much for the victory, as for the stop
+which was put to the passage of Hasdrubal into Italy.
+
+30. While these transactions were going on in Spain, Petilia, in
+Bruttium, was taken by Himilco, an officer of Hannibal's, several
+months after the siege of it began. This victory cost the
+Carthaginians much blood and many wounds, nor did any power more
+subdue the besieged than that of famine; for after having consumed
+their means of subsistence, derived from fruits and the flesh of every
+kind of quadrupeds, they were at last compelled to live upon skins
+found in shoemakers' shops, on herbs and roots, the tender barks of
+trees, and berries gathered from brambles: nor were they subdued until
+they wanted strength to stand upon the walls and support their arms.
+After gaining Petilia, the Carthaginian marched his forces to
+Consentia, which being less obstinately defended, he compelled to
+surrender within a few days. Nearly about the same time, an army of
+Bruttians invested Croton, a Greek city, formerly powerful in men and
+arms, but at the present time reduced so low by many and great
+misfortunes, that less than twenty thousand inhabitants of all ages
+remained. The enemy, therefore, easily got possession of a city
+destitute of defenders: of the citadel alone possession was retained,
+into which some of the inhabitants fled from the midst of the carnage
+during the confusion created by the capture of the city. The Locrians
+too revolted to the Bruttians and Carthaginians, the populace having
+been betrayed by the nobles. The Rhegians were the only people in that
+quarter who continued to the last in faithful attachment to the
+Romans, and in the enjoyment of their independence. The same
+alteration of feeing extended itself into Sicily also; and not even
+the family of Hiero altogether abstained from defection; for Gelo, his
+oldest son, conceiving a contempt for his father's old age, and, after
+the defeat of Cannae, for the alliance with Rome, went over to the
+Carthaginians; and he would have created a disturbance in Sicily, had
+he not been carried off, when engaged as arming the people and
+soliciting the allies, by a death so seasonable that it threw some
+degree of suspicion even upon his father. Such, with various result,
+were the transactions in Italy, Africa, Sicily, and Spain during this
+year. At the close of the year, Quintus Fabius Maximus requested of
+the senate, that he might be allowed to dedicate the temple of Venus
+Erycina, which he had vowed when dictator. The senate decreed, that
+Tiberius Sempronius, the consul elect, as soon as ever he had entered
+upon his office, should propose to the people, that they should create
+Quintus Fabius duumvir, for the purpose of dedicating the temple.
+Also, in honour of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, who had been consul twice
+and augur, his three sons, Lucius, Marcus, and Quintus exhibited
+funeral games and twenty-two pairs of gladiators for three days in the
+forum. The curule aediles, Caius Laetorius, and Tiberius Sempronius
+Gracchus consul elect, who during his aedileship had been master of
+the horse, celebrated the Roman games, which were repeated for three
+days. The plebeian games of the aediles, Marcus Aurelius Cotta and
+Marcus Claudius Marcellus, were thrice repeated. At the conclusion of
+the third year of the Punic war, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus the
+consul entered upon his office on the ides of March. Of the praetors,
+Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, who had before been consul and censor, had by
+lot the city jurisdiction; Marcus Valerius Laevinus, the foreign.
+Sicily fell to the lot of Appius Claudius Pulcher; Sardinia to Quintus
+Mucius Scaevola. The people ordered that Marcus Marcellus should be in
+command as proconsul, because he was the only Roman general who had
+been successful in his operations in Italy since the defeat at Cannae.
+
+31. The senate decreed, the first day they deliberated in the Capitol,
+that double taxes should be imposed for that year, one moiety of which
+should be immediately levied, as a fund from which pay might be given
+forthwith to all the soldiers, except those who had been at Cannae.
+With regard to the armies they decreed, that Tiberius Sempronius the
+consul should appoint a day for the two city legions to meet at Cales,
+whence these legions should be conveyed into the Claudian camp above
+Suenula. That the legions which were there, and they consisted
+principally of the troops which had fought at Cannae, Appius Claudius
+Pulcher, the praetor, should transport into Sicily; and that those in
+Sicily should be removed to Rome. Marcus Claudius Marcellus was sent
+to the army, which had been ordered to meet at Cales on a certain day,
+with orders to march the city legions thence to the Claudian camp.
+Titus Metilius Croto, lieutenant-general, was sent by Appius Claudius
+Pulcher to receive the old army and remove it into Sicily. People at
+first had expected in silence that the consul would hold an assembly
+for the election of a colleague, but afterwards perceiving that Marcus
+Marcellus, whom they wished above all others to be consul this year,
+on account of his brilliant success during his praetorship, was
+removed to a distant quarter, as it were on purpose, a murmuring arose
+in the senate-house, which the consul perceiving, said "Conscript
+fathers, it was conducive to the interest of the state, both that
+Marcus Marcellus should go into Campania to make the exchange of the
+armies, and that the assembly should not be proclaimed before he had
+returned thence after completing the business with which he was
+charged, in order that you might have him as consul whom the situation
+of the republic required and yourselves prefer." Thus nothing was said
+about the assembly till Marcellus returned. Meanwhile Quintus Fabius
+Maximus and Titus Otacilius Crassus were created duumvirs for
+dedicating temples, Otacilius to Mens, Fabius to Venus Erycina. Both
+are situated in the Capitol, and separated by one channel. It was
+afterwards proposed to the people, to make Roman citizens of the three
+hundred Campanian horsemen who had returned to Rome after having
+faithfully served their period, and also that they should be
+considered to have been citizens of Cumae from the day before that on
+which the Campanians had revolted from the Roman people. It had been a
+principal inducement to this proposition, that they themselves said
+they knew not to what people they belonged, having left their former
+country, and being not yet admitted into that to which they had
+returned. After Marcellus returned from the army, an assembly was
+proclaimed for electing one consul in the room of Lucius Posthumius.
+Marcellus was elected with the greatest unanimity, and was immediately
+to enter upon his office, but as it thundered while he entered upon
+it, the augurs were summoned, who pronounced that they considered the
+creation formal, and the fathers spread a report that the gods were
+displeased, because on that occasion, for the first time, two
+plebeians had been elected consuls. Upon Marcellus's abdicating his
+office, Fabius Maximus, for the third time, was elected in his room.
+This year the sea appeared on fire; at Sinuessa a cow brought forth a
+horse foal; the statues in the temple of Juno Sospita Lanuvium flowed
+down with blood; and a shower of stones fell in the neighbourhood of
+that temple: on account of which shower the nine days' sacred rite was
+celebrated, as is usual on such occasions, and the other prodigies
+were carefully expiated.
+
+32. The consuls divided the armies between them. The army which Marcus
+Junius the dictator had commanded fell to the lot of Fabius. To that
+of Sempronius fell the volunteer slaves, with twenty-five thousand of
+the allies. To Marcus Valerius the praetor were assigned the legions
+which had returned from Sicily. Marcus Claudius, proconsul, was sent
+to that army which lay above Suessula for the protection of Nola. The
+praetors set out for Sicily and Sardinia. The consuls issued a
+proclamation, that as often as they summoned a senate, the senators
+and those who had a right to give their opinion in the senate, should
+assemble at the Capuan gate. The praetors who were charged with the
+administration of justice, fixed their tribunals in the public fish
+market; there they ordered sureties to be entered into, and here
+justice was administered this year. Meanwhile news was brought to
+Carthage, from which place Mago, Hannibal's brother, was on the point
+of carrying over into Italy twelve thousand foot, fifteen hundred
+horse, twenty elephants, and a thousand talents of silver, under a
+convoy of sixty men of war, that the operations of the war had not
+succeeded in Spain, and that almost all the people in that province
+had gone over to the Romans. There were some who were for sending Mago
+with that fleet and those forces into Spain, neglecting Italy, when an
+unexpected prospect of regaining Sardinia broke upon them. They were
+informed, that "the Roman army there was small, that Aulus Cornelius,
+who had been praetor there, and was well acquainted with the province,
+was quitting it, and that a new one was expected. Moreover, that the
+minds of the Sardinians were now wearied with the long continuance of
+rule; and that during the last year it had been exercised with
+severity and rapacity. That the people were weighed down with heavy
+taxes, and an oppressive contribution of corn: that there was nothing
+wanting but a leader to whom they might revolt." This secret embassy
+had been sent by the nobles, Hampsicora being the chief contriver of
+the measure, who at that time was first by far in wealth and
+influence. Disconcerted and elated almost at the same time by these
+accounts, they sent Mago with his fleet and forces into Spain, and
+selecting Hasdrubal as general for Sardinia, assigned to him about as
+large a force as to Mago. At Rome, the consuls, after transacting what
+was necessary to be done in the city now prepared themselves for the
+war. Tiberius Sempronius appointed a day for his soldiers to assemble
+at Sinuessa; and Quintus Fabius also, having first consulted the
+senate, issued a proclamation, that all persons should convey corn
+from the fields into fortified towns, before the calends of June next
+ensuing: if any neglected to do so he would lay waste his lands, sell
+his slaves by auction, and burn his farm-houses. Not even the
+praetors, who were created for the purpose of administering justice,
+were allowed an exemption from military employments. It was resolved
+that Valerius the praetor should go into Apulia, to receive the army
+from Terentius, and that, when the legions from Sicily had arrived, he
+should employ them principally for the protection of that quarter.
+That the army of Terentius should be sent into Sicily, with some one
+of the lieutenant-generals. Twenty-five ships were given to Marcus
+Valerius, to protect the sea-coast between Brundusium and Tarentum. An
+equal number was given to Quintus Fulvius, the city praetor, to
+protect the coasts in the neighbourhood of the city. To Caius
+Terentius, the proconsul, it was given in charge to press soldiers in
+the Picenian territory, and to protect that part of the country; and
+Titus Otacilius Crassus, after he had dedicated the temple of Mens in
+the Capitol, was invested with command, and sent into Sicily to take
+the conduct of the fleet.
+
+33. On this contest, between the two most powerful people in the
+world, all kings and nations had fixed their attention. Among them
+Philip, king of the Macedonians, regarded it with greater anxiety, in
+proportion as he was nearer to Italy, and because he was separated
+from it only by the Ionian Sea. When he first heard that Hannibal had
+crossed the Alps, as he was rejoiced that a war had arisen between the
+Romans and the Carthaginians, so while their strength was yet
+undetermined, he felt doubtful which he should rather wish to be
+victorious. But after the third battle had been fought and the third
+victory had been on the side of the Carthaginians, he inclined to
+fortune, and sent ambassadors to Hannibal. These, avoiding the
+harbours of Brundusium and Tarentum, because they were occupied by
+guards of Roman ships, landed at the temple of Juno Lacinia. Thence
+passing through Apulia, on their way to Capua, they fell in with the
+Roman troops stationed to protect the country, and were conveyed to
+Marcus Valerius Laevinus, the praetor, who lay encamped in the
+neighbourhood of Luceria. Here Xenophanes, who was at the head of the
+embassy, fearlessly stated, that he was sent by King Philip to
+conclude a treaty of alliance and friendship with the Roman people,
+and that he had commissions to the Roman consuls, senate, and people.
+The praetor, highly delighted with this new alliance with a
+distinguished potentate, amidst the desertions of her old allies,
+courteously entertained these enemies as guests, and furnished them
+with persons to accompany them carefully to point out the roads, and
+inform them what places, and what passes, the Romans or the enemy
+occupied. Xenophanes passing through the Roman troops came into
+Campania, whence, by the shortest way, he entered the camp of
+Hannibal, and concluded a treaty of alliance and friendship with him
+on the following terms: That "King Philip, with as large a fleet as he
+could, (and it was thought he could make one of two hundred ships,)
+should pass over into Italy, and lay waste the sea-coast, that he
+should carry on the war by land and sea with all his might; when the
+war was concluded, that all Italy, with the city of Rome itself,
+should be the property of the Carthaginians and Hannibal, and that all
+the booty should be given up to Hannibal. That when Italy was
+completely subdued they should sail into Greece, and carry on war with
+such nations as the king pleased. That the cities on the continent and
+the islands which border on Macedonia, should belong to Philip, and
+his dominions."
+
+34. A treaty was concluded between the Carthaginian general and the
+ambassadors, upon nearly these terms; and Gisgo, Bostar, and Mago were
+sent as ambassadors with them to receive the ratification of the king
+in person. They arrived at the same place, near the temple of Juno
+Lacinia, where the vessel lay concealed in a creek. Setting out
+thence, when they had got into the open sea, they were descried by the
+Roman fleet, which was guarding the coasts of Calabria. Publius
+Valerius Flaccus having sent fly-boats to pursue and bring back the
+ship, the king's party at first attempted to fly; but afterwards,
+finding that they were overmatched in swiftness, they delivered
+themselves up to the Romans, and were brought to the commander of the
+fleet. Upon being asked by him who they were, whence they came, and
+whither they were going, Xenophanes, having once been pretty
+successful, made up a fictitious story and said, "that he was sent
+from Philip to the Romans; that he had succeeded in reaching Marcus
+Valerius, to whom alone he had safe access; that he was unable to make
+his way through Campania, which was beset with the troops of the
+enemy." But afterwards the Carthaginian dress and manners excited
+suspicions of the messengers of Hannibal, and when interrogated, their
+speech betrayed them; then on their companions being removed to
+separate places, and intimidated by threats, even a letter from
+Hannibal to Philip was discovered, and the agreement made between the
+king of the Macedonians and the Carthaginian. These points having been
+ascertained, the best course appeared to be, to convey the prisoners
+and their companions as soon as possible to the senate at Rome, or to
+the consuls, wheresoever they might be; for this service five of the
+fastest sailing vessels were selected, and Lucius Valerius Antias sent
+in command of them, with orders to distribute the ambassadors through
+all the ships separately, and take particular care that they should
+hold no conversation or consultation with each other. About the same
+time Aulus Cornelius Mammula, on his return from the province of
+Sardinia, made a report of the state of affairs in the island; that
+every body contemplated war and revolt; that Quintus Mucius who
+succeeded him, being on his arrival affected by the unwholesomeness of
+the air and water, had fallen into a disorder rather lingering than
+dangerous, and would for a long time be incapable of sustaining the
+violent exertion of the war; that the army there, though strong enough
+for the protection of a province in a state of tranquillity, was,
+nevertheless, not adequate to the maintenance of the war which seemed
+to be about to break out. Upon which the fathers decreed, that Quintus
+Fulvius Flaccus should enlist five thousand foot and four hundred
+horse, and take care that the legion thus formed should be transported
+as soon as possible into Sardinia, and send invested with command
+whomsoever he thought fit to conduct the business of the war until
+Mucius had recovered. For this service Titus Manlius Torquatus was
+sent; he had been twice consul and censor, and had subdued the
+Sardinians during his consulate. Nearly about the same time a fleet
+sent from Carthage to Sardinia under the conduct of Hasdrubal,
+surnamed the Bald, having suffered from a violent tempest, was driven
+upon the Balearian islands, where a good deal of time was lost in
+refitting the ships, which were hauled on shore, so much were they
+damaged, not only in their rigging but also in their hulls.
+
+35. As the war was carried on in Italy with less vigour since the
+battle of Cannae, the strength of one party having been broken, and
+the energy of the other relaxed, the Campanians of themselves made an
+attempt to subjugate Cumae, at first by soliciting them to revolt from
+the Romans, and when that plan did not succeed, they contrived an
+artifice by which to entrap them. All the Campanians had a stated
+sacrifice at Hamae. They informed the Cumans that the Campanian senate
+would come there, and requested that the Cuman senate should also be
+present to deliberate in concert, in order that both people might have
+the same allies and the same enemies; they said that they would have
+an armed force there for their protection, that there might be no
+danger from the Romans or Carthaginians. The Cumans, although they
+suspected treachery, made no objection, concluding that thus the
+deception they meditated might be concealed. Meanwhile Tiberius
+Sempronius, the Roman consul, having purified his army at Sinuessa,
+where he had appointed a day for their meeting, crossed the Vulturnus,
+and pitched his camp in the neighbourhood of Liternum. As his troops
+were stationed here without any employment, he compelled them
+frequently to go through their exercise, that the recruits, which
+consisted principally of volunteer slaves, might accustom themselves
+to follow the standards, and know their own centuries in battle While
+thus engaged, the general was particularly anxious for concord, and
+therefore enjoined the lieutenant-generals and the tribunes that "no
+disunion should be engendered among the different orders, by casting
+reproaches on any one on account of his former condition. That the
+veteran soldier should be content be placed on an equal footing with
+the tiro, the free-man with the volunteer slave; that all should
+consider those men sufficiently respectable in point of character and
+birth, to whom the Roman people had intrusted their arms and
+standards; that the measures which circumstances made it necessary to
+adopt, the same circumstances also made it necessary to support when
+adopted." This was not more carefully prescribed by the generals than
+observed by the soldiers; and in a short time the minds of all were
+united in such perfect harmony, that the condition from which each
+became a soldier was almost forgotten. While Gracchus was thus
+employed, ambassadors from Cumas brought him information of the
+embassy which had come to them from the Campanians, a few days before,
+and the answer they had given them; that the festival would take place
+in three days from that time; that not only the whole body of their
+senate, but that the camp and the army of the Campanians would be
+there. Gracchus having directed the Cumans to convey every thing out
+of their fields into the town, and to remain within their walls,
+marched himself to Cumae, on the day before that on which the
+Campanians were to attend the sacrifice. Hamae was three miles distant
+from his position. The Campanians had by this time assembled there in
+great numbers according to the plan concerted; and not far off Marius
+Alfius, Medixtuticus, which is the name of the chief magistrate of the
+Campanians, lay encamped in a retired spot with fourteen thousand
+armed men, considerably more occupied in making preparation for the
+sacrifice and in concerting the stratagem to be executed during it,
+than in fortifying his camp or any other military work. The sacrifice
+at Hamae lasted for three days. It was a nocturnal rite, so arranged
+as to be completed before midnight. Gracchus, thinking this the proper
+time for executing his plot, placed guards at the gates to prevent any
+one from carrying out intelligence of his intentions; and having
+compelled his men to employ the time from the tenth hour in taking
+refreshment and sleep, in order that they might be able to assemble on
+a signal given as soon as it was dark. He ordered the standards to be
+raised about the first watch, and marching in silence, reached Hamae
+at midnight; where, finding the Campanian camp in a neglected state,
+as might be expected during a festival, he assaulted it at every gate
+at once; some he butchered while stretched on the ground asleep,
+others as they were returning unarmed after finishing the sacrifice.
+In the tumultuous action of this night more than two thousand men were
+slain, together with the general himself, Marius Alfius, and
+thirty-four military standards were captured.
+
+36. Gracchus, having made himself master of the enemy's camp with the
+loss of less than a hundred men, hastily returned to Cumae, fearful of
+an attack from Hannibal, who lay encamped above Capua on Tifata; nor
+did his provident anticipation of the future deceive him; for as soon
+as intelligence was brought to Capua of this loss, Hannibal,
+concluding that he should find at Hamae this army, which consisted for
+the most part of recruits and slaves, extravagantly elated with its
+success, despoiling the vanquished and collecting booty, marched by
+Capua at a rapid pace, ordering those Campanians whom he met in their
+flight to be conducted to Capua under an escort, and the wounded to be
+conveyed in carriages. He found at Hamae the camp abandoned by the
+enemy, where there was nothing to be seen but the traces of the recent
+carnage, and the bodies of his allies strewed in every part. Some
+advised him to lead his troops immediately thence to Cumae, and
+assault the town. Though Hannibal desired, in no ordinary degree, to
+get possession of Cumae at least, as a maritime town, since he could
+not gain Neapolis; yet as his soldiers had brought out with them
+nothing besides their arms on their hasty march, he retired to his
+camp on Tifata. But, wearied with the entreaties of the Campanians, he
+returned thence to Cumae the following day, with every thing requisite
+for besieging the town; and having thoroughly wasted the lands of
+Cumae, pitched, his camp a mile from the town, in which Gracchus had
+stayed more because he was ashamed to abandon, in such an emergency,
+allies who implored his protection and that of the Roman people, than
+because he felt confidence in his army. Nor dared the other consul,
+Fabius, who was encamped at Cales, lead his troops across the
+Vulturnus, being employed at first in taking new auspices, and
+afterwards with the prodigies which were reported one after another;
+and while expiating these, the aruspices answered that they were not
+easily atoned.
+
+37. While these causes detained Fabius, Sempronius was besieged, and
+now works were employed in the attack. Against a very large wooden
+tower which was brought up to the town, the Roman consul raised up
+another considerably higher from the wall itself; for he had made use
+of the wall, which was pretty high of itself, as a platform, placing
+strong piles as supports. From this the besieged at first defended
+their walls and city, with stones, javelins, and other missiles; but
+lastly, when they perceived the tower advanced into contact with the
+wall they threw upon it a large quantity of fire, making use of
+blazing fire-brands; and while the armed men were throwing themselves
+down from the tower in great numbers, in consequence of the flames
+thus occasioned, the troops sallying out of the town at two gates at
+once, routed the enemy, and drove them back to their camp; so that the
+Carthaginians that day were more like persons besieged than besiegers.
+As many as one thousand three hundred of the Carthaginians were slain,
+and fifty-nine made prisoners, having been unexpectedly overpowered,
+while standing careless and unconcerned near the walls and on the
+outposts, fearing any thing rather than a sally. Gracchus sounded a
+retreat, and withdrew his men within the walls, before the enemy could
+recover themselves from the effects of this sudden terror. The next
+day Hannibal, supposing that the consul, elated with his success,
+would engage him in a regular battle, drew up his troops in
+battle-array between the camp and the city; but finding that not a
+man was removed from the customary guard of the town, and that nothing
+was hazarded upon rash hopes, he returned to Tifata without
+accomplishing any thing. At the same time that Cumae was relieved from
+siege, Tiberius Sempronius, surnamed Longus, fought successfully with
+the Carthaginian general, Hanno, at Grumentum in Lucania. He slew
+above two thousand of the enemy, losing two hundred and eighty of his
+own men. He took as many as forty-one military standards. Hanno,
+driven out of the Lucanian territory, drew back among the Bruttii.
+Three towns belonging to the Hirpinians, which had revolted from the
+Romans, were regained by force by the praetor, Marcus Valerius,
+Vercellius and Sicilius, the authors of the revolt, were beheaded;
+above a thousand prisoners sold by auction; and the rest of the booty
+having been given up to the soldiery, the army was marched back to
+Luceria.
+
+38. While these things were taking place in Lucania and Hirpinia, the
+five ships, which were conveying to Rome the captured ambassadors of
+the Macedonians and Carthaginians, after passing round the whole coast
+of Italy from the upper to the lower sea, were sailing by Cumae, when,
+it not being known whether they belonged to enemies or allies,
+Gracchus despatched some ships from his fleet to meet them. When it
+was ascertained, in the course of their mutual inquiries that the
+consul was at Cumae, the ships put in there, the captives were brought
+before the consul, and their letters placed in his hands. The consul,
+after he had read the letters of Philip and Hannibal, sent them all,
+sealed up, to the senate by land, ordering that the ambassadors should
+be conveyed thither by sea. The ambassadors and the letters arriving
+at Rome nearly on the same day, and on examination the answers of the
+ambassadors corresponding with the contents of the letters, at first
+intense anxiety oppressed the fathers, on seeing what a formidable war
+with Macedonia threatened them, when with difficulty bearing up
+against the Punic war; yet so far were they from sinking under their
+calamities, that they immediately began to consider how they might
+divert the enemy from Italy, by commencing hostilities themselves.
+After ordering the prisoners to be confined in chains, and selling
+their attendants by public auction, they decreed, that twenty more
+ships should be got ready, in addition to the twenty-five ships which
+Publius Valerius Flaccus had been appointed to command. These being
+provided and launched, and augmented by the five ships which had
+conveyed the captive ambassadors to Rome, a fleet of fifty ships set
+sail from Ostia to Tarentum. Publius Valerius was ordered to put on
+board the soldiers of Varro, which Lucius Apustius,
+lieutenant-general, commanded at Tarentum; and, with this fleet of
+fifty ships, not only to protect the coast of Italy, but also to make
+inquiry respecting the Macedonian war. If the plans of Philip
+corresponded with his letter, and the discoveries made by his
+ambassadors, he was directed to acquaint the praetor, Marcus Valerius,
+with it, who, leaving Lucius Apustius, lieutenant-general, in command
+of the army, and going to Tarentum to the fleet, was to cross over to
+Macedonia with all speed, and endeavour to detain Philip in his own
+dominions. The money which had been sent into Sicily to Appius
+Claudius, to be repaid to Hiero, was assigned for the support of the
+fleet and the maintenance of the Macedonian war. This money was
+conveyed to Tarentum, by Lucius Apustius, lieutenant-general, and with
+it Hiero sent two hundred thousand pecks of wheat, and a hundred
+thousand of barley.
+
+39. While the Romans were engaged in these preparations and
+transactions, the captured ship, which formed one of those which had
+been sent to Rome, made its escape on the voyage and returned to
+Philip; from which source it became known that the ambassadors with
+their letters had been made prisoners. Not knowing, therefore, what
+had been agreed upon between Hannibal and his ambassadors, or what
+proposals they were to have brought back to him, he sent another
+embassy with the same instructions. The ambassadors sent to Hannibal
+were Heraclitus, surnamed Scotinus, Crito of Beraea, and Sositheus of
+Magnesia; these successfully took and brought back their commissions,
+but the summer had passed before the king could take any step or make
+any attempt. Such an influence had the capture of one vessel, together
+with the ambassadors, in deferring a war which threatened the Romans.
+Fabius crossed the Vulturnus, after having at length expiated the
+prodigies, and both the consuls prosecuted the war in the
+neighbourhood of Capua. Fabius regained by force the towns
+Compulteria, Trebula, and Saticula, which had revolted to the
+Carthaginians; and in them were captured the garrisons of Hannibal and
+a great number of Campanians. At Nola, as had been the case the
+preceding year, the senate sided with the Romans, the commons with
+Hannibal; and deliberations were held clandestinely on the subject of
+massacring the nobles and betraying the city; but to prevent their
+succeeding in their designs, Fabius marched his army between Capua and
+the camp of Hannibal on Tifata, and sat down in the Claudian camp
+above Suessula, whence he sent Marcus Marcellus, the proconsul, with
+those forces which he had under him, to Nola for its protection.
+
+40. In Sardinia also the operations of the war, which had been
+intermitted from the time that Quintus Mucius, the praetor, had been
+seized with a serious illness, began to be conducted by Titus Manlius,
+the praetor. Having hauled the ships of war on shore at Carale, and
+armed his mariners, in order that he might prosecute the war by land,
+and received the army from the praetor, he made up the number of
+twenty-two thousand foot and twelve hundred horse. Setting out for the
+territory of the enemy with these forces of foot and horse, he pitched
+his camp not far from the camp of Hamsicora. It happened that
+Hampsicora was then gone among the Sardinians, called Pelliti, in
+order to arm their youth, whereby he might augment his forces. His
+son, named Hiostus, had the command of the camp, who coming to an
+engagement, with the presumption of youth, was routed and put to
+flight. In that battle as many as three thousand of the Sardinians
+were slain, and about eight hundred taken alive. The rest of the army
+at first wandered in their flight through the fields and woods, but
+afterwards all fled to a city named Cornus, the capital of that
+district, whither there was a report that their general had fled; and
+the war in Sardinia would have been brought to a termination by that
+battle, had not the Carthaginian fleet under the command of Hasdrubal,
+which had been driven by a storm upon the Balearian islands, come in
+seasonably for inspiring a hope of renewing the war. Manlius, after
+hearing of the arrival of the Punic fleet, returned to Carale, which
+afforded Hampsicora an opportunity of forming a junction with the
+Carthaginian. Hasdrubal, having landed his forces and sent back his
+fleet to Carthage, set out under the guidance of Hampsicora, to lay
+waste the lands of the allies of the Romans; and he would have
+proceeded to Carale, had not Manlius, meeting him with his army,
+restrained him from this wide-spread depredation. At first their camps
+were pitched opposite to each other, at a small distance; afterwards
+skirmishes and slight encounters took place with varying success;
+lastly, they came down into the field and fought a regular pitched
+battle for four hours. The Carthaginians caused the battle to continue
+long doubtful, for the Sardinians were accustomed to yield easily; but
+at last, when the Sardinians fell and fled on all sides around them,
+the Carthaginians themselves were routed. But as they were turning
+their backs, the Roman general, wheeling round that wing with which he
+had driven back the Sardinians, intercepted them, after which it was
+rather a carnage than a battle. Two thousand of the enemy, Sardinians
+and Carthaginians together, were slain, about three thousand seven
+hundred captured, with twenty-seven military standards.
+
+41. Above all, the general, Hasdrubal, and two other noble
+Carthaginians having been made prisoners, rendered the battle glorious
+and memorable; Mago, who was of the Barcine family, and nearly related
+to Hannibal, and Hanno, the author of the revolt of the Sardinians,
+and without doubt the instigator of this war. Nor less did the
+Sardinian generals render that battle distinguished by their
+disasters; for not only was Hiostus, son of Hampsicora, slain in the
+battle, but Hampsicora himself flying with a few horse, having heard
+of the death of his son in addition to his unfortunate state,
+committed suicide by night, lest the interference of any person should
+prevent the accomplishment of his design. To the other fugitives the
+city of Cornus afforded a refuge, as it had done before; but Manlius,
+having assaulted it with his victorious troops, regained it in a few
+days. Then other cities also which had gone over to Hampsicora and the
+Carthaginians, surrendered themselves and gave hostages, on which
+having imposed a contribution of money and corn, proportioned to the
+means and delinquency of each, he led back his troops to Carale. There
+launching his ships of war, and putting the soldiers he had brought
+with him on board, he sailed to Rome, reported to the fathers the
+total subjugation of Sardinia, and handed over the contribution of
+money to the quaestors, of corn to the aediles, and the prisoners to
+the praetor Fulvius. During the same time, as Titus Otacilius the
+praetor, who had sailed over with a fleet of fifty ships from
+Lilybaeum to Africa, and laid waste the Carthaginian territory, was
+returning thence to Sardinia, to which place it was reported that
+Hasdrubal had recently crossed over from the Baleares, he fell in with
+his fleet on its return to Africa; and after a slight engagement in
+the open sea, captured seven ships with their crews. Fear dispersed
+the rest far and wide, not less effectually than a storm. It happened
+also, at the same time, that Bomilcar arrived at Locri with soldiers
+sent from Carthage as a reinforcement, bringing with him also
+elephants and provisions. In order to surprise and overpower him,
+Appius Claudius, having hastily led his troops to Messana, under
+pretext of making the circuit of the province, crossed over to Locri,
+the tide being favourable. Bomilcar had by this time left the place,
+having set out for Bruttium to join Hanno. The Locrians closed their
+gates against the Romans, and Appius Claudius returned to Rome without
+achieving any thing, by his strenuous efforts. The same summer
+Marcellus made frequent excursions from Nola, which he was occupying
+with a garrison, into the lands of the Hirpini and Caudine Samnites,
+and so destroyed all before him with fire and sword, that he renewed
+in Samnium the memory of her ancient disasters.
+
+42. Ambassadors were therefore despatched from both nations at the
+same time to Hannibal, who thus addressed the Carthaginian: "Hannibal,
+we carried on hostilities with the Roman people, by ourselves and from
+our own resources, as long as our own arms and our own strength could
+protect us. Our confidence in these failing, we attached ourselves to
+king Pyrrhus. Abandoned by him, we accepted of a peace, dictated by
+necessity, which we continued to observe up to the period when you
+arrived in Italy, through a period of almost fifty years. Your valour
+and good fortune, not more than your unexampled humanity and kindness
+displayed towards our countrymen, whom, when made prisoners, you
+restored to us, so attached us to you, that while you our friend were
+in health and safety, we not only feared not the Romans, but not even
+the anger of the gods, if it were lawful so to express ourselves. And
+yet, by Hercules, you not only being in safety and victorious, but on
+the spot, (when you could almost hear the shrieks of our wives and
+children, and see our buildings in flames,) we have suffered, during
+this summer, such repeated devastations, that Marcellus, and not
+Hannibal, would appear to have been the conqueror at Cannae; while the
+Romans boast that you had strength only to inflict a single blow; and
+having as it were left your sting, now lie torpid. For near a century
+we waged war with the Romans, unaided by any foreign general or army;
+except that for two years Pyrrhus rather augmented his own strength by
+the addition of our troops, than defended us by his. I will not boast
+of our successes, that two consuls and two consular armies were sent
+under the yoke by us, nor of any other joyful and glorious events
+which have happened to us. We can tell of the difficulties and
+distresses we then experienced, with less indignation than those which
+are now occurring. Dictators, those officers of high authority, with
+their masters of horse, two consuls with two consular armies, entered
+our borders, and, after having reconnoitred and posted reserves, led
+on their troops in regular array to devastate our country. Now we are
+the prey of a single propraetor, and of one little garrison, for the
+defence of Nola. Now they do not even confine themselves to plundering
+in companies, but, like marauders, range through our country from one
+end to the other, more unconcernedly than if they were rambling
+through the Roman territory. And the reason is this, you do not
+protect us yourself, and the whole of our youth, which, if at home,
+would keep us in safety, is serving under your banners. We know
+nothing either of you or your army, but we know that it would be easy
+for the man who has routed and dispersed so many Roman armies, to put
+down these rambling freebooters of ours, who roam about in disorder to
+whatsoever quarter the hope of booty, however groundless, attracts
+them. They indeed will be the prey of a few Numidians, and a garrison
+sent to us will also dislodge that at Nola, provided you do not think
+those men undeserving that you should protect them as allies, whom you
+have esteemed worthy of your alliance."
+
+43. To this Hannibal replied, "that the Hirpini and Samnites did every
+thing at once: that they both represented their sufferings, solicited
+succours, and complained that they were undefended and neglected.
+Whereas, they ought first to have represented their sufferings, then
+to have solicited succours; and lastly, if those succours were not
+obtained, then, at length, to make complaint that assistance had been
+implored without effect. That he would lead his troops not into the
+fields of the Hirpini and Samnites, lest he too should be a burthen to
+them, but into the parts immediately contiguous, and belonging to the
+allies of the Roman people, by plundering which, he would enrich his
+own soldiers, and cause the enemy to retire from them through fear.
+With regard to the Roman war, if the battle of Trasimenus was more
+glorious than that at Trebia, and the battle of Cannae than that of
+Trasimenus, that he would eclipse the fame of the battle of Cannae by
+a greater and more brilliant victory." With this answer, and with
+munificent presents, he dismissed the ambassadors. Having left a
+pretty large garrison in Tifata, he set out with the rest of his
+troops to go to Nola. Thither came Hanno from the Bruttii with
+recruits and elephants brought from Carthage. Having encamped not far
+from the place, every thing, upon examination, was found to be widely
+different from what he had heard from the ambassadors of the allies.
+For Marcellus was doing nothing, in such a way that he could be said
+to have committed himself rashly either to fortune or to the enemy. He
+had gone out on plundering expeditions, having previously
+reconnoitred, planted strong guards, and secured a retreat; the same
+caution was observed and the same provisions made, as if Hannibal were
+present. At this time, when he perceived the enemy on the approach, he
+kept his forces within the walls, ordered the senators of Nola to
+patrol the walls, and explore on all hands what was doing among the
+enemy. Of these Herennius Bassus and Herius Petrius, having been
+invited by Hanno, who had come up to the wall, to a conference, and
+gone out with the permission of Marcellus, were thus addressed by him,
+through an interpreter. After extolling the valour and good fortune of
+Hannibal, and vilifying the majesty of the Roman people, which he
+represented as sinking into decrepitude with their strength; he said,
+"but though they were on an equality in these respects, as once
+perhaps they were, yet they who had experienced how oppressive the
+government of Rome was towards its allies, and how great the clemency
+of Hannibal, even towards all his prisoners of the Italian name, were
+bound to prefer the friendship and alliance of the Carthaginians to
+those of the Romans." If both the consuls with their armies were at
+Nola, still they would no more be a match for Hannibal than they had
+been at Cannae, much less would one praetor with a few raw soldiers be
+able to defend it. It was a question which concerned themselves more
+than Hannibal whether he should take possession of Nola as captured or
+surrendered, for that he would certainly make himself master of it, as
+he had done with regard to Capua and Nuceria, and what difference
+there was between the fate of Capua and Nuceria, the Nolans
+themselves, situated as they were nearly midway between them, were
+well aware. He said he was unwilling to presage the evils which would
+result to the city if taken by force, but would in preference pledge
+himself that if they would deliver up Nola, together with Marcellus
+and his garrison, no other person than themselves should dictate the
+conditions on which they should come into the friendship and alliance
+of Hannibal.
+
+44. To this Herennius Bassus replied, that, "a friendship had
+subsisted now for many years between the Romans and the Nolans, which
+neither party up to that day regretted; and even had they been
+disposed to change their friends upon a change of fortune, it was now
+too late to change; had they intended to surrender themselves to
+Hannibal, they should not have called a Roman garrison to their aid:
+that all fortunes both were now and should to the last be shared with
+those who had come to their protection." This conference deprived
+Hannibal of the hope of gaining Nola by treachery; he therefore
+completely invested the city, in order that he might attack the walls
+in every part at once. Marcellus, when he perceived that he had come
+near to the walls, having drawn up his troops within the gate, sallied
+forth with great impetuosity; several were knocked down and slain on
+the first charge: afterwards the troops running up to those who were
+engaged, and their forces being thus placed on an equality? the battle
+began to be fierce; nor would there have been many actions equally
+memorable, had not the combatants been separated by a shower of rain
+attended with a tremendous storm. On that day, after having engaged in
+a slight contest, and with inflamed minds, they retired, the Romans to
+the city, the Carthaginians to their camp. Of the Carthaginians,
+however, there fell from the shock of the first sally not more than
+thirty, of the Romans not one. The rain continued without intermission
+through the whole night, until the third hour of the following day,
+and therefore, though both parties were eager for the contest, they
+nevertheless kept themselves within their works for that day. On the
+third day Hannibal sent a portion of his troops into the lands of the
+Nolans to plunder. Marcellus perceiving this, immediately led out his
+troops and formed for battle, nor did Hannibal decline fighting. The
+interval between the city and the camp was about a mile. In that
+space, and all the country round Nola consists of level ground, the
+armies met. The shout which was raised on both sides, called back to
+the battle, which had now commenced, the nearest of those cohorts
+which had gone out into the fields to plunder. The Nolans too joined
+the Roman line. Marcellus having highly commended them, desired them
+to station themselves in reserve, and to carry the wounded out of the
+field but not take part in the battle, unless they should receive a
+signal from him.
+
+45. It was a doubtful battle; the generals exerting themselves to the
+utmost in exhorting, and the soldiers in fighting Marcellus urged his
+troops to press vigorously on men who had been vanquished but three
+days before, who had been put to flight at Cumae only a few days ago,
+and who had been driven from Nola the preceding year by himself, as
+general, though with different troops. He said, "that all the forces
+of the enemy were not in the field; that they were rambling about the
+country in plundering parties, and that even those who were engaged,
+were enfeebled with Campanian luxury, and worn out with drunkenness,
+lust, and every kind of debauchery, which they had been indulging in
+through the whole winter. That the energy and vigour had left them,
+that the strength of mind and body had vanished, by which the Pyrenees
+and the tops of the Alps had been passed. That those now engaged were
+the remains of those men, with scarcely strength to support their arms
+and limbs. That Capua had been a Cannae to Hannibal; that there his
+courage in battle, his military discipline, the fame he had already
+acquired, and his hopes of future glory, were extinguished." While
+Marcellus was raising the spirits of his troops by thus inveighing
+against the enemy, Hannibal assailed them with still heavier
+reproaches. He said, "he recognised the arms and standards which he
+had seen and employed at Trebia and Trasimenus, and lastly at Cannae;
+but that he had indeed led one sort of troops into winter quarters at
+Capua, and brought another out. Do you, whom two consular armies could
+never withstand, with difficulty maintain your ground against a Roman
+lieutenant-general, and a single legion with a body of auxiliaries?
+Does Marcellus now a second time with impunity assail us with a band
+of raw recruits and Nolan auxiliaries? Where is that soldier of mine,
+who took off the head of Caius Flaminius, the consul, after dragging
+him from his horse? Where is the man who slew Lucius Paulus at Cannae?
+Is it that the steel hath lost its edge? or that your right hands are
+benumbed? or what other miracle is it? You who, when few, have been
+accustomed to conquer numbers, now scarce maintain your ground, the
+many against the few. Brave in speech only, you were wont to boast
+that you would take Rome by storm if you could find a general to lead
+you. Lo! here is a task of less difficulty. I would have you try your
+strength and courage here. Take Nola, a town situated on a plain,
+protected neither by river nor sea; after that, when you have enriched
+yourselves with the plunder and spoils of that wealthy town, I will
+either lead or follow you whithersoever you have a mind."
+
+46. Neither praises nor reproaches had any effect in confirming their
+courage. Driven from their ground in every quarter, while the Romans
+derived fresh spirits, not only from the exhortations of their
+general, but from the Nolans, who, by their acclamations in token of
+their good wishes, fed the flame of battle, the Carthaginians turned
+their backs, and were driven to their camp, which the Roman soldiers
+were eager to attack; but Marcellus led them back to Nola, amidst the
+great joy and congratulations even from the commons, who hitherto had
+been more favourable to the Carthaginians. Of the enemy more than five
+thousand were slain on that day, six hundred made prisoners, with
+nineteen military standards and two elephants. Four elephants were
+killed in the battle. Of the Romans less than a thousand were killed.
+The next day was employed by both parties in burying their dead, under
+a tacit truce. Marcellus burnt the spoils of the enemy, in fulfilment
+of a vow to Vulcan. On the third day after, on account of some pique,
+I suppose, or in the hope of more advantageous service, one thousand
+two hundred and seventy-two horsemen, Numidians and Spaniards,
+deserted to Marcellus. The Romans had frequently availed themselves of
+their brave and faithful service in that war. After the conclusion of
+the war, portions of land were given to the Spaniards in Spain, to the
+Numidians in Africa, in consideration of their valour. Having sent
+Hanno back from Nola to the Bruttians with the troops with which he
+had come, Hannibal went himself into winter quarters in Apulia, and
+took up a position in the neighbourhood of Arpi. Quintus Fabius, as
+soon as he heard that Hannibal was set out into Apulia, conveyed corn,
+collected from Nola and Naples, into the camp above Suessula; and
+having strengthened the fortifications and left a garrison sufficient
+for the protection of the place during the winter, moved his camp
+nearer to Capua, and laid waste the Campanian lands with fire and
+sword; so that at length the Campanians, though not very confident in
+their strength, were obliged to go out of their gates and fortify a
+camp in the open space before the city. They had six thousand armed
+men, the infantry, unfit for action. In their cavalry they had more
+strength. They therefore harassed the enemy by attacking them with
+these. Among the many distinguished persons who served in the
+Campanian cavalry was one Cerrinus Jubellius, surnamed Taurea. Though
+of that extraction, he was a Roman citizen, and by far the bravest
+horseman of all the Campanians, insomuch that when he served under the
+Roman banners, there was but one man, Claudius Asellus, a Roman, who
+rivalled him in his reputation as a horseman. Taurea having for a long
+time diligently sought for this man, riding up to the squadrons of the
+enemy, at length having obtained silence, inquired where Claudius
+Asellus was, and asked why, since he had been accustomed to dispute
+about their merit in words, he would not decide the matter with the
+sword, and if vanquished give him _spolia opima_, or if
+victorious take them.
+
+47. Asellus, who was in the camp, having been informed of this, waited
+only to ask the consul leave to depart from the ordinary course and
+fight an enemy who had challenged him. By his permission, he
+immediately put on his arms, and riding out beyond the advanced guards
+called on Taurea by name, and bid him come to the encounter when he
+pleased. By this time the Romans had gone out in large bodies to
+witness the contest, and the Campanians had crowded not only the
+rampart of the camp, but the walls of the city to get a view of it.
+After a flourish of expressions of mutual defiance, they spurred on
+their horses with their spears pointed. Then evading each other's
+attacks, for they had free space to move in, they protracted the
+battle without a wound. Upon this the Campanian observed to the Roman,
+"This will be only a trial of skill between our horses and not between
+horsemen, unless we ride them down from the plain into this hollow
+way. There, as there will be no room for retiring, we shall come to
+close quarters." Almost quicker than the word, Claudius leaped into
+the hollow way. Taurea, bold in words more than in reality, said,
+"Never be the ass in the ditch;" an expression which from this
+circumstance became a common proverb among rustics. Claudius having
+rode up and down the way to a considerable distance, and again come up
+into the plain without meeting his antagonist, after reflecting in
+reproachful terms on the cowardice of the enemy, returned in triumph
+to the camp, amidst great rejoicing and congratulation. To the account
+of this equestrian contest, some histories add a circumstance which is
+certainly astonishing, how true it is, is an open matter of opinion
+that Claudius, when in pursuit of Taurea, who fled back to the city,
+rode in at one of the gates of the enemy which stood open and made his
+escape unhurt through another, the enemy being thunderstruck at the
+strangeness of the circumstance.
+
+48. The camps were then undisturbed, the consul even moved his camp
+back, that the Campanians might complete their sowing, nor did he do
+any injury to the lands till the blades in the corn-fields were grown
+sufficiently high to be useful for forage. This he conveyed into the
+Claudian camp above Suessula, and there erected winter quarters. He
+ordered Marcus Claudius, the proconsul, to retain at Nola a sufficient
+force for the protection of the place, and send the rest to Rome, that
+they might not be a burthen to their allies nor an expense to the
+republic. Tiberius Gracchus also, having led his legions from Cumae to
+Luceria in Apulia, sent Marcus Valerius, the praetor, thence to
+Brundusium with the troops which he had commanded at Luceria, with
+orders to protect the coast of the Sallentine territory, and make
+provisions with regard to Philip and the Macedonian war. At the close
+of the summer, the events of which I have described, letters arrived
+from Publius and Cneius Scipio, stating the magnitude and success of
+their operations in Spain, but that the army was in want of money,
+clothing, and corn, and that then crews were in want of every thing.
+With regard to the pay, they said, that if the treasury was low, they
+would adopt some plan by which they might procure it from the
+Spaniards, but that the other supplies must certainly be sent from
+Rome, for otherwise neither the army could be kept together nor the
+province preserved. When the letters were read, all to a man admitted
+that the statement was correct, and the request reasonable, but it
+occurred to their minds, what great forces they were maintaining by
+land and sea, and how large a fleet must soon be equipped if a war
+with Macedon should break out, that Sicily and Sardinia, which before
+the war had wielded a revenue, were scarcely able to maintain the
+troops which protected those provinces, that the expenses were
+supplied by a tax, that both the number of the persons who contributed
+this tax was diminished by the great havoc made in their armies at the
+Trasimenus and Cannae, and the few who survived, if they were
+oppressed with multiplied impositions, would perish by a calamity of a
+different kind. That, therefore, if the republic could not subsist by
+credit, it could not stand by its own resources. It was resolved,
+therefore, that Fulvius, the praetor, should present himself to the
+public assembly of the people, point out the necessities of the state,
+and exhort those persons who had increased their patrimonies by
+farming the public revenues, to furnish temporary loans for the
+service of that state, from which they had derived their wealth, and
+contract to supply what was necessary for the army in Spain, on the
+condition of being paid the first when there was money in the
+treasury. These things the praetor laid before the assembly, and fixed
+a day on which he would let on contract the furnishing the army in
+Spain with clothes and corn, and with such other things as were
+necessary for the crews.
+
+49. When the day arrived, three companies, of nineteen persons, came
+forward to enter into the contract; but they made two requests: one
+was, that they should be exempt from military service while employed
+in that revenue business; the second was, that the state should bear
+all losses of the goods they shipped, which might arise either from
+the attacks of the enemy or from storms. Having obtained both their
+requests, they entered into the contract, and the affairs of the state
+were conducted by private funds. This character and love of country
+uniformly pervaded all ranks. As all the engagements were entered into
+with magnanimity, so were they fulfilled with the strictest fidelity;
+and the supplies were furnished in the same manner as formerly, from
+an abundant treasury. At the time when these supplies arrived, the
+town of Illiturgi was being besieged by Hasdrubal, Mago, and Hamilcar
+the son of Bomilcar, on account of its having gone over to the Romans.
+Between these three camps of the enemy, the Scipios effected an
+entrance into the town of their allies, after a violent contest and
+great slaughter of their opponents, and introduced some corn, of which
+there was a scarcity; and after exhorting the townsmen to defend their
+walls with the same spirit which they had seen displayed by the Roman
+army fighting in their behalf, led on their troops to attack the
+largest of the camps, in which Hasdrubal had the command. To this camp
+the two other generals of the Carthaginians with their armies came,
+seeing that the great business was to be done there. They therefore
+sallied from the camp and fought. Of the enemy engaged there were
+sixty thousand; of the Romans about sixteen; the victory, however, was
+so decisive, that the Romans slew more than their own number of the
+enemy, and captured more than three thousand, with nearly a thousand
+horses and fifty-nine military standards, five elephants having been
+slain in the battle. They made themselves masters of the three camps
+on that day. The siege of Illiturgi having been raised, the
+Carthaginian armies were led away to the siege of Intibili; the forces
+having been recruited out of that province, which was, above all
+others, fond of war, provided there was any plunder or pay to be
+obtained, and at that time had an abundance of young men. A second
+regular engagement took place, attended with the same fortune to both
+parties; in which above three thousand of the enemy were slain, more
+than two thousand captured, together with forty-two standards and nine
+elephants. Then, indeed, almost all the people of Spain came over to
+the Romans, and the achievements in Spain during that summer were much
+more important than those in Italy.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXIV.
+
+
+_Hieronymus, king of Syracuse, whose grandfather Hiero had been a
+faithful ally of Rome, revolts to the Carthaginians, and for his
+tyranny is put to death by his subjects. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus,
+the proconsul, defeats the Carthaginians under Hanno at Beneventum
+chiefly by the services of the slaves in his army, whom he
+subsequently liberated. Claudius Marcellus, the consul, besieges
+Syracuse. War is declared against Philip, king of Macedon, he is
+routed by night at Apollonia and retreats into Macedonia. This war is
+intrusted to Valerius the praetor. Operations of the Scipios against
+the Carthaginians in Spain. Syphax, king of the Numidians, is received
+into alliance by the Romans, and is defeated by Masinissa, king of the
+Massillians, who fought on the side of the Carthaginians. The
+Celtiberians joined the Romans, and their troops having been taken
+into pay, mercenary soldiers for the first time served in a Roman
+camp._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. On his return from Campania into Bruttium, Hanno, with the
+assistance and under the guidance of the Bruttians, made an attempt
+upon the Greek cities; which were the more disposed to continue in
+alliance with the Romans, because they perceived that the Bruttians,
+whom they feared and hated, had taken part with the Carthaginians. The
+first place attempted was Rhegium, where several days were spent
+without effect. Meanwhile the Locrians hastily conveyed from the
+country into the city, corn, wood, and other things necessary for
+their use, as also that no booty might be left for the enemy. The
+number of persons which poured out of every gate increased daily, till
+at length those only were left in the city whose duty it was to repair
+the walls and gates, and to collect weapons in the fortresses. Against
+this mixed multitude, composed of persons of all ages and ranks, while
+rambling through the country, and for the most part unarmed, Hamilcar,
+the Carthaginian, sent out his cavalry, who, having been forbidden to
+hurt any one, only interposed their squadrons, so as to cut them off
+from the city when dispersed in flight. The general himself, having
+posted himself upon an eminence which commanded a view of the country
+and the city, ordered a cohort of Bruttians to approach the walls,
+call out the leaders of the Locrians to a conference, and promising
+them the friendship of Hannibal, exhort them to deliver up the city.
+At first the Bruttians were not believed in any thing they stated in
+the conference, but afterwards, when the Carthaginian appeared on the
+hills, and a few who had fled back to the city brought intelligence
+that all the rest of the multitude were in the power of the enemy,
+overcome with fear, they said they would consult the people. An
+assembly of the people was immediately called, when, as all the most
+fickle of the inhabitants were desirous of a change of measures and a
+new alliance, and those whose friends were cut off by the enemy
+without the city, had their minds bound as if they had given hostages,
+while a few rather silently approved of a constant fidelity than
+ventured to support the opinion they approved, the city was
+surrendered to the Carthaginians, with an appearance of perfect
+unanimity. Lucius Atilius, the captain of the garrison, together with
+the Roman soldiers who were with him, having been privately led down
+to the port, and put on board a ship, that they might be conveyed to
+Rhegium, Hamilcar and the Carthaginians were received into the city on
+condition that an alliance should be formed on equal terms; which
+condition, when they had surrendered, the Carthaginian had very nearly
+not performed, as he accused them of having sent away the Roman
+fraudulently, while the Locrians alleged that he had spontaneously
+fled. A body of cavalry went in pursuit of the fugitives, in case the
+tide might happen to detain them in the strait, or might carry the
+ships to land. The persons whom they were in pursuit of they did not
+overtake, but they descried some ships passing over the strait from
+Messana to Rhegium. These contained Roman troops sent by the praetor,
+Claudius, to occupy the city with a garrison. The enemy therefore
+immediately retired from Rhegium. At the command of Hannibal, peace
+was concluded with the Locrians on these terms: that "they should live
+free under their own laws; that the city should be open to the
+Carthaginians, the harbour in the power of the Locrians. That their
+alliance should rest on the principle, that the Carthaginian should
+help the Locrian and the Locrian the Carthaginian in peace and war."
+
+2. Thus the Carthaginian troops were led back from the strait, while
+the Bruttians loudly complained that Locri and Rhegium, cities which
+they had fixed in their minds that they should have the plundering of,
+they had left untouched. Having therefore levied and armed fifteen
+thousand of their own youth, they set out by themselves to lay siege
+to Croto, which was also a Greek city, and on the coast, believing
+that they would obtain a great accession to their power, if they could
+get possession of a city upon the sea-coast, which had a port and was
+strongly defended by walls. This consideration annoyed them, that they
+neither could venture on the business without calling in the
+Carthaginians to their assistance, lest they should appear to have
+done any thing in a manner unbecoming allies, and on the other hand,
+lest, if the Carthaginian general should again show himself to have
+been rather an umpire of peace than an auxiliary in war, they should
+fight in vain against the liberty of Croto, as before in the affair of
+the Locrians. The most advisable course, therefore, appeared to be,
+that ambassadors should be sent to Hannibal, and that a stipulation
+should be obtained from him that Croto, when reduced, should be in
+possession of the Bruttians. Hannibal replied, that it was a question
+which should be determined by persons on the spot, and referred them
+to Hanno, from whom they could obtain no decisive answer. For they
+were unwilling that so celebrated and opulent a city should be
+plundered, and were in hopes that if the Bruttians should attack it,
+while the Carthaginians did not ostensibly approve or assist in the
+attack, the inhabitants would the more readily come over to them. The
+Crotonians were not united either in their measures or wishes. All the
+states of Italy were infected with one disease, as it were, the
+commons dissented from the nobles, the senate favouring the Romans,
+while the commons endeavoured to draw the states over to the
+Carthaginians. A deserter announced to the Bruttii that such a
+dissension prevailed in the city, that Aristomachus was the leader of
+the commons, and the adviser of the surrender of the city, that the
+city was of wide extent and thinly inhabited, that the walls in every
+part were in ruins, that it was only here and there that the guards
+and watches were kept by senators, and that wherever the commons kept
+guard, there an entrance lay open. Under the direction and guidance of
+the deserter, the Bruttians completely invested the city, and being
+received into it by the commons, got possession of every part, except
+the citadel, on the first assault. The nobles held the citadel, which
+they had taken care beforehand to have ready as a refuge against such
+an event. In the same place Aristomachus took refuge, as though he had
+advised the surrender of the city to the Carthaginians, and not to the
+Bruttians.
+
+3. The wall of the city of Croto in circuit extended through a space
+of twelve miles, before the arrival of Pyrrhus in Italy. After the
+devastation occasioned by that war, scarcely half the city was
+inhabited. The river which had flowed through the middle of the town,
+now ran on the outside of the parts which were occupied by buildings,
+and the citadel was at a distance from the inhabited parts. Six miles
+from this celebrated city stood the temple of Juno Lacinia, more
+celebrated even than the city itself, and venerated by all the
+surrounding states. Here was a grove fenced with a dense wood and tall
+fir trees, with rich pastures in its centre, in which cattle of every
+kind, sacred to the goddess, fed without any keeper; the flocks of
+every kind going out separately and returning to their folds, never
+being injured, either from the lying in wait of wild beasts, or the
+dishonesty of men. These flocks were, therefore, a source of great
+revenue, from which a column of solid gold was formed and consecrated;
+and the temple became distinguished for its wealth also, and not only
+for its sanctity. Some miracles are attributed to it, as is generally
+the case with regard to such remarkable places. Rumour says that there
+is an altar in the vestibule of the temple, the ashes of which are
+never moved by any wind. But the citadel of Croto, overhanging the sea
+on one side, on the other, which looks towards the land, was protected
+formerly by its natural situation only, but was afterwards surrounded
+by a wall. It was in this part that Dionysius, the tyrant of Sicily,
+took it by stratagem, approaching by way of some rocks which faced
+from it. This citadel, which was considered sufficiently secure, was
+now occupied by the nobles of Croto, the Bruttians, in conjunction
+even with their own commons, besieging them. The Bruttians, however,
+perceiving at length that it was impossible to take the citadel by
+their own efforts, compelled by necessity, implored the aid of Hanno.
+He endeavoured to bring the Crotonians to surrender, under an
+agreement that they should allow a colony of Bruttians to settle
+there; so that their city, desolate and depopulated by wars, might
+recover its former populousness: but not a man besides Aristomachus
+did he move; they affirmed, that "they would die sooner than, mixing
+with Bruttians, be turned to the rites, manners, and laws, and soon
+the language also of others." Aristomachus alone, since he was neither
+able to persuade them to surrender, nor could obtain an opportunity
+for betraying the citadel as he had betrayed the city, deserted to
+Hanno. A short time afterwards ambassadors of Locri, entering the
+citadel with the permission of Hanno, persuaded them to allow
+themselves to be removed to Locri, and not resolve to hazard
+extremities. They had already obtained leave from Hannibal to do this,
+by ambassadors sent for this purpose. Accordingly, Croto was
+evacuated, and the inhabitants were conducted to the sea, where they
+embarked; and the whole multitude removed to Locri. In Apulia,
+Hannibal and the Romans did not rest even during the winter. The
+consul Sempronius wintered at Luceria, Hannibal not far from Arpi.
+Slight engagements took place between them, accordingly as either side
+had an opportunity or advantage; by which the Roman soldiery were
+improved, and became daily more guarded and more secure against
+stratagems.
+
+4. In Sicily, the death of Hiero, and the transfer of the government
+to his grandson, Hieronymus, had completely altered all things with
+regard to the Romans. Hieronymus was but a boy, as yet scarcely able
+to bear liberty, still less sovereign power. His guardians and friends
+gladly observed in him a disposition which might be easily plunged
+into every kind of vice; which Hiero foreseeing, is said to have
+formed an intention, in the latter part of his long life, of leaving
+Syracuse free, lest the sovereignty which had been acquired and
+established by honourable means, should be made a sport of and fall
+into ruin, under the administration of a boy. This plan of his his
+daughters strenuously opposed, who anticipated that the boy would
+enjoy the name of royalty, but that the administration of all affairs
+would be conducted by themselves and their husbands, Andranodorus and
+Zoippus, for these were left the principal of his guardians. It was
+not an easy task for a man in his ninetieth year, beset night and day
+by the winning artifices of women, to disenthral his judgment, and to
+consult only the good of the state in his domestic affairs.
+Accordingly, all he did was to leave fifteen guardians over his son,
+whom he entreated, on his death-bed, to preserve inviolate that
+alliance with the Romans, which he had himself cultivated for fifty
+years, and to take care that the young king should, above all things,
+tread in the steps of his father, and in that course of conduct in
+which he had been educated. Such were his injunctions. On the death of
+the king, the will was brought forward by the guardians, and the young
+king, who was now about fifteen, introduced into the public assembly,
+where a few persons, who had been placed in different parts on purpose
+to raise acclamations, expressed their approbation of the will; while
+all the rest were overwhelmed with apprehensions, in the destitute
+condition of the state, which had lost as it were its parent. The
+funeral of the king was then performed, which was honoured more by the
+love and affection of his citizens than the attentions of his kindred.
+Andranodorus next effected the removal of the other guardians, giving
+out that Hieronymus had now attained the years of manhood, and was
+competent to assume the government; and thus, by voluntarily resigning
+the guardianship which he shared with several others, united the
+powers of all in himself.
+
+5. It would scarcely have been easy even for any good and moderate
+king, succeeding one so deeply rooted in their affections as Hiero
+was, to obtain the favour of the Syracusans. But Hieronymus, forsooth,
+as if he was desirous of exciting regret for the loss of his
+grandfather by his own vices, showed, immediately on his first
+appearance, how completely every thing was changed. For those who for
+so many years had seen Hiero and his son Gelon differing from the rest
+of the citizens neither in the fashion of their dress nor any other
+mark of distinction, now beheld the purple, the diadem, and armed
+guards, and their king sometimes proceeding from his palace in a
+chariot drawn by four white horses, according to the custom of the
+tyrant Dionysius. This costliness in equipage and appearance was
+accompanied by corresponding contempt of everybody, capricious airs,
+insulting expressions, difficulty of access, not to strangers only,
+but even to his guardians also, unheard of lusts, inhuman cruelty.
+Terror so great took possession of every body therefore, that some of
+his guardians, either by a voluntary death, or by exile, anticipated
+the tenor of his inflictions. Three of those persons to whom alone
+belonged a more familiar access to the palace, Andranodorus and
+Zoippus, sons-in-law of Hiero, and one Thraso, were not much attended
+to upon other subjects, but the two former exerting themselves in
+favour of the Carthaginians, while Thraso argued for the Roman
+alliance, they sometimes engaged the attention of the young king by
+their zeal and earnestness. It was at this time that a conspiracy
+formed against the life of the tyrant was discovered by a certain
+servant, of the same age as Hieronymus, who from his very childhood
+had associated with him on entirely familiar terms. The informer was
+able to name one of the conspirators, Theodotus, by whom he himself
+had been solicited. He was immediately seized, and delivered to
+Andranodorus to be subjected to torture, when, without hesitation, he
+confessed as to himself, but concealed his accomplices. At last, when
+racked with every species of torture, beyond the power of humanity to
+bear, pretending to be overcome by his sufferings, he turned his
+accusation from the guilty to the innocent, and feigned that Thraso
+was the originator of the plot, without whose able guidance, he said,
+they never would have been bold enough to attempt so daring a deed, he
+threw the guilt upon such innocent men, near the king's person, as
+appeared to him to be the most worthless, while fabricating his story
+amid groans and agonies. The naming of Thraso gave the highest degree
+of credibility to the story in the mind of the tyrant. Accordingly he
+was immediately given up to punishment, and others were added who were
+equally innocent. Not one of the conspirators, though their associate
+in the plot was for a long time subjected to torture, either concealed
+himself or fled, so great was their confidence in the fortitude and
+fidelity of Theodotus, and so great was his firmness in concealing
+their secret.
+
+6. Thus on the removal of Thraso, who formed the only bond which held
+together the alliance with the Romans, immediately affairs clearly
+indicated defection. Ambassadors were sent to Hannibal, who sent back
+in company with a young man of noble birth named Hannibal, Hippocrates
+and Epicydes, natives of Carthage, and of Carthaginian extraction on
+their mother's side, but whose grandfather was an exile from Syracuse.
+Through their means an alliance was formed between Hannibal and the
+tyrant of Syracuse; and, with the consent of Hannibal, they remained
+with the tyrant. As soon as Appius Claudius, the praetor, whose
+province Sicily was, had received information of these events, he sent
+ambassadors to Hieronymus; who, upon stating that the object of their
+mission was to renew the alliance which had subsisted between the
+Romans and his grandfather, were heard and dismissed in an insulting
+manner, Hieronymus asking them sneeringly, "how they had fared at the
+battle of Cannae? for that the ambassadors of Hannibal stated what
+could hardly be credited." He said, "he wished to know the truth, in
+order that before he made up his mind, he might determine which he
+should espouse as offering the better prospect." The Romans replied,
+that they would return to him when he had learned to receive embassies
+with seriousness; and, after having cautioned, rather than requested
+him, not rashly to change his alliance, they withdrew. Hieronymus sent
+ambassadors to Carthage, to conclude a league in conformity with the
+alliance with Hannibal. It was settled in the compact, that after they
+had expelled the Romans from Sicily, (which would speedily be effected
+if the Carthaginians sent ships and troops,) the river Himera, which
+divides the island in nearly equal portions, should be the limit of
+the Carthaginian and Syracusan dominions. Afterwards, puffed up by the
+flattery of those persons who bid him be mindful, not of Hiero only,
+but of king Pyrrhus, his maternal grandfather, he sent another
+embassy, in which he expressed his opinion that equity required that
+the whole of Sicily should be conceded to him, and that the dominion
+of Italy should be acquired as the peculiar possession of the
+Carthaginians. This levity and inconstancy of purpose in a hot-headed
+youth, did not excite their surprise, nor did they reprove it, anxious
+only to detach him from the Romans.
+
+7. But every thing conspired to hurry him into perdition. For having
+sent before him Hippocrates and Epicydes with two thousand armed men,
+to make an attempt upon those cities which were occupied by Roman
+garrisons, he himself also proceeded to Leontium with all the
+remaining troops, which amounted to fifteen thousand foot and horse,
+when the conspirators (who all happened to be in the army) took
+possession of an uninhabited house, which commanded a narrow way, by
+which the king was accustomed to go to the forum. The rest stood here
+prepared and armed, waiting for the king to pass by. One of them, by
+name Dinomenes, as he was one of the body-guards, had the task
+assigned him of keeping back the crowd behind in the narrow way, upon
+some pretext, when the king approached the door. All was done
+according to the arrangement. Dinomenes having delayed the crowd, by
+pretending to lift up his foot and loosen a knot which was too tight,
+occasioned such an interval, that an attack being made upon the king,
+as he passed by unattended by his guards, he was pierced with several
+wounds before any assistance could be brought. When the shout and
+tumult was heard, some weapons were discharged on Dinomenes, who now
+openly opposed them; he escaped from them, however, with only two
+wounds. The body-guard, as soon as they saw the king prostrate, betook
+themselves to flight. Of the assassins, some proceeded to the forum to
+the populace, who were rejoiced at the recovery of their liberty;
+others to Syracuse to anticipate the measures of Andranodorus and the
+rest of the royal party. Affairs being in this uncertain state, Appius
+Claudius perceiving a war commencing in his neighbourhood, informed
+the senate by letter, that Sicily had become reconciled to the
+Carthaginians and Hannibal. For his own part, in order to frustrate
+the designs of the Syracusans, he collected all his forces on the
+boundary of the province and the kingdom. At the close of this year,
+Quintus Fabius, by the authority of the senate, fortified and
+garrisoned Puteoli, which, during the war, had begun to be frequented
+as an emporium. Coming thence to Rome to hold the election, he
+appointed the first day for it which could be employed for that
+purpose, and, while on his march, passed by the city and descended
+into the Campus Martius. On that day, the right of voting first having
+fallen by lot on the junior century of the Anien tribe, they appointed
+Titus Otacilius and Marcus Aemilius Regillus, consuls, when Quintus
+Fabius, having obtained silence, delivered the following speech:
+
+8. "If we had either peace in Italy, or had war with such an enemy
+that the necessity to be careful was less urgent than it is, I should
+consider that man as wanting in respect for your liberty, who would at
+all impede that zealous desire which you bring with you into the
+Campus Martius, of conferring honours on whom you please. But since
+during the present war, and with the enemy we have now to encounter,
+none of our generals have ever committed an error which has not been
+attended with most disastrous consequences to us, it behoves you to
+use the same circumspection in giving your suffrages for the creation
+of consuls, which you would exert were you going armed into the field
+of battle. Every man ought thus to say to himself I am nominating a
+consul who is to cope with the general Hannibal. In the present year,
+at Capua, when Jubellius Taurea, the most expert horseman of the
+Campanians, gave a challenge, Claudius Asellus, the most expert among
+the Roman horsemen, was pitted against him. Against the Gaul who at a
+former period gave a challenge on the bridge of the Amo, our ancestors
+sent Titus Manlius, a man of resolute courage and great strength. It
+was for the same reason, I cannot deny it, that confidence was placed
+in Marcus Valerius, not many years ago, when he took arms against a
+Gaul who challenged him to combat in a similar manner. In the same
+manner as we wish to have our foot and horse more powerful, but if
+that is impracticable, equal in strength to the enemy, so let us find
+out a commander who is a match for the general of the enemy. Though we
+should select the man as general whose abilities are greater than
+those of any other in the nation, yet still he is chosen at a moment's
+warning, his office is only annual; whereas he will have to cope with
+a veteran general who has continued in command without interruption,
+unfettered by any restrictions either of duration or of authority,
+which might prevent him from executing or planning every thing
+according as the exigencies of the war shall require. But with us the
+year is gone merely in making preparations, and when we are only
+commencing our operations. Having said enough as to what sort of
+persons you ought to elect as consuls, it remains that I should
+briefly express my opinion of those on whom the choice of the
+prerogative century has fallen. Marcus Aemilius Regillus is flamen of
+Quirinus, whom we can neither send abroad nor retain at home without
+neglecting the gods or the war. Otacilius is married to my sister's
+daughter, and has children by her, but the favours you have conferred
+upon me and my ancestors, are not such as that I should prefer private
+relationship to the public weal. Any sailor or passenger can steer the
+vessel in a calm sea, but when a furious storm has arisen, and the
+vessel is hurried by the tempest along the troubled deep, then there
+is need of a man and pilot We are not sailing on a tranquil sea, but
+have already well nigh sunk with repeated storms, you must therefore
+employ the utmost caution and foresight in determining who shall sit
+at the helm Of you, Titus Otacilius, we have had experience in a
+business of less magnitude, and, certainly you have not given us any
+proof that we ought to confide to you affairs of greater moment The
+fleet which you commanded this year we fitted out for three objects:
+to lay waste the coast of Africa, to protect the shores of Italy, but,
+above all, to prevent the conveyance of reinforcements with pay and
+provisions from Carthage to Hannibal. Now if Titus Otacilius has
+performed for the state, I say not all, but any one of these services,
+make him consul But if, while you had the command of the fleet
+supplies of whatever sort were conveyed safe and untouched to
+Hannibal, even as though he had no enemy on the sea, if the coast of
+Italy has been more infested this year than that of Africa, what can
+you have to urge why you should be preferred before all others as the
+antagonist of Hannibal? Were you consul, we should give it as our
+opinion that a dictator should be appointed in obedience to the
+example of our ancestors Nor could you feel offended that some one in
+the Roman nation was deemed superior to you in war It concerns
+yourself more than any one else, Titus Otacilius, that there be not
+laid upon your shoulders a burthen under which you would fall I
+earnestly exhort you, that with the same feelings which would
+influence you if standing armed for battle, you were called upon
+suddenly to elect two generals, under whose conduct and auspices you
+were to fight, you would this day elect your consuls, to whom your
+children are to swear allegiance, at whose command they are to
+assemble, and under whose protection and care they are to serve. The
+Trasimene Lake and Cannae are melancholy precedents to look back upon,
+but form useful warnings to guard against similar disasters Crier,
+call back the younger century of the Amen tribe to give their votes
+again"
+
+9. Titus Otacilius, vociferating in the most furious manner, that his
+object was to continue in the consulship, the consul ordered the
+lictors to go to him, and as he had not entered the city, but had
+proceeded directly without halting from his march to the Campus
+Martius, admonished him that the axes were in the fasces which were
+carried before him. The prerogative century proceeded to vote a second
+time, when Quintus Fabius Maximus for the fourth time, and Marcus
+Marcellus for the third time, were created consuls. The other
+centuries voted for the same persons without any variation. One
+praetor, likewise, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, was re-elected; the other
+new ones who were chosen, were Titus Otacilius Crassus a second time,
+Quintus Fabius, son of the consul, who was at that time curule aedile,
+and Publius Cornelius Lentulus. The election of the praetors
+completed, a decree of the senate was passed, that Quintus Fulvius
+should have the city department out of the ordinary course, and that
+he in preference to any other should command in the city while the
+consuls were absent in the war. Great floods happened twice during
+this year, and the Tiber overflowed the fields, with great demolition
+of houses and destruction of men and cattle. In the fifth year of the
+second Punic war Quintus Fabius Maximus for the fourth time, and
+Marcus Claudius Marcellus for the third time, entering upon their
+office, drew the attention of the state upon them in a more than
+ordinary degree, for there had not been two such consuls now for many
+years. The old men observed, that thus Maximus Rullus and Publius
+Decius were declared consuls for conducting the Gallic war; that thus
+afterwards Papirius and Carvilius were appointed to that office
+against the Samnites, the Bruttians, and the Lucanian with the
+Tarentine people. Marcellus, who was with the army, was created consul
+in his absence; to Fabius, who was present and held the election
+himself, the office was continued. The critical state of affairs, the
+exigencies of the war, and the danger which threatened the state,
+prevented any one from looking narrowly into the precedent, or
+suspecting that the consul was actuated by an excessive love of
+command; on the contrary, they applauded his magnanimity in that when
+he knew the state was in want of a general of the greatest ability,
+and that he was himself confessedly such an one, he thought less of
+the personal odium which might arise out of the transaction, than of
+the good of the state.
+
+10. On the day on which the consuls entered on their office, the
+senate was assembled in the Capitol, and in the first place a decree
+was passed to the effect that the consuls should draw lots, and settle
+between themselves which should hold the election for the creation of
+censors, before they proceeded to join the army. Next, all those who
+had the command of armies were continued in their offices, and ordered
+to remain in their provinces; Tiberius Gracchus at Luceria, where he
+was with an army of volunteer slaves; Caius Terentius Varro in the
+Picenian, and Manius Pomponius in the Gallic territory. Of the
+praetors of the former year, it was settled that Quintus Mucius should
+have the government of Sardinia as propraetor, Marcus Valerius the
+command of the sea-coast near Brundusium, watchful against all the
+movements of Philip, king of the Macedonians. To Publius Cornelius
+Lentulus, the praetor, the province of Sicily was assigned. Titus
+Otacilius received the same fleet which he had employed the year
+before against the Carthaginians. Many prodigies were reported to have
+happened this year, which increased in proportion as they were
+believed by the credulous and superstitious. That crows had built a
+nest within the temple of Juno Sospita at Lanuvium; that a green
+palm-tree had taken fire in Apulia; that a pool at Mantua, formed by
+the overflowing of the river Mincius, had assumed the appearance of
+blood; that it had rained chalk at Cales, and blood at Rome in the
+cattle market; that a fountain under ground in the Istrian street had
+discharged so violent a stream of water, that rolling along with the
+impetuosity of a torrent, it carried away the butts and casks which
+were near it; that the public court in the Capitol had been struck by
+lightning; also the temple of Vulcan in the Campus Martius, a nut-tree
+in the Sabine territory, a wall and gate at Gabii. Now other miracles
+were published: that the spear of Mars at Praeneste moved forward of
+its own accord; that in Sicily an ox had spoken; that a child in the
+womb of its mother cried out Io Triumphe! in the country of the
+Marrucinians; at Spoletum, that a woman was transformed into a man; at
+Hadria, that an altar, with appearances as of men surrounding it in
+white clothing, was seen in the heavens. Nay, even in the city of Rome
+itself, after a swarm of bees had been seen in the forum, some persons
+roused the citizens to arms, affirming that they saw armed legions on
+the Janiculum; but those who were on the Janiculum at the time,
+declared that they had seen no person there besides the usual
+cultivators of the hill. These prodigies were expiated by victims of
+the larger kind, according to the response of the aruspices; and a
+supplication was ordered to all the deities who had shrines at Rome.
+
+11. The ceremonies which were intended to propitiate the gods being
+completed, the consuls took the sense of the senate on the state of
+the nation, the conduct of the war, what troops should be employed,
+and where they were severally to act. It was resolved that eighteen
+legions should be engaged in the war; that the consuls should take two
+each; that two should be employed in each of the provinces of Gaul,
+Sicily, and Sardinia; that Quintus Fabius, the praetor, should have
+the command of two in Apulia, and Tiberius Gracchus of two legions of
+volunteer slaves in the neighbourhood of Luceria; that one each should
+be left for Caius Terentius, the proconsul, for Picenum, and to Marcus
+Valerius for the fleet off Brundusium, and two for the protection of
+the city. To complete this number of legions six fresh ones were to be
+enlisted, which the consuls were ordered to raise as soon as possible;
+and also to prepare the fleet, so that, together with the ships which
+were stationed off the coasts of Calabria, it might amount that year
+to one hundred and fifty men of war. The levy completed, and the
+hundred new ships launched, Quintus Fabius held the election for the
+creation of censors, when Marcus Atilius Regulus and Publius Furius
+Philus were chosen. A rumour prevailing that war had broken out in
+Sicily, Titus Otacilius was ordered to proceed thither with his fleet;
+but as there was a deficiency of sailors, the consuls, in conformity
+with a decree of the senate, published an order that those persons who
+themselves or whose fathers had been rated in the censorship of Lucius
+Aemilius and Caius Flaminius, at from fifty to one hundred thousand
+_asses_, or whose property had since reached that amount, should
+furnish one sailor and six months' pay; from one to three hundred
+thousand, three sailors with a year's pay; from three hundred thousand
+to a million, five sailors; above one million, seven sailors; that
+senators should furnish eight sailors with a year's pay. The sailors
+furnished according to this proclamation being armed and equipped by
+their masters, embarked with cooked provisions for thirty days. Then
+first it happened that the Roman fleet was manned at the expense of
+individuals.
+
+12. These unusually great preparations alarmed the Campanians
+particularly, lest the Romans should commence the year's campaign with
+the siege of Capua. They therefore sent ambassadors to Hannibal, to
+implore him to bring his army to Capua, and tell him that new armies
+were levying at Rome for the purpose of besieging it; and that there
+was not any city the defection of which had excited more hostile
+feelings. As they announced this with so much fear, Hannibal concluded
+he must make haste lest the Romans should get there before him; and
+setting out from Arpi, took up his position in his old camp at Tifata,
+above Capua. Leaving his Numidians and Spaniards for the protection
+both of the camp and Capua, he went down thence with the rest of his
+troops to the lake Avernus on the pretence of performing sacrifice,
+but in reality to make an attempt upon Puteoli and the garrison in it.
+Maximus, on receiving intelligence that Hannibal had set out from
+Arpi, and was returning to Campania, went back to his army, pursuing
+his journey without intermission by night or by day. He also ordered
+Tiberius Gracchus to bring up his troops from Luceria to Beneventum,
+and Quintus Fabius the praetor, the son of the consul, to go to
+Luceria in the room of Gracchus. At the same time the two praetors set
+out for Sicily, Publius Cornelius to join his army, Otacilius to take
+the command of the sea-coast and the fleet; the rest also proceeded to
+their respective provinces, and those who were continued in command
+remained in the same countries as in the former year.
+
+13. While Hannibal was at the lake Avernus, five noble youths came to
+him from Tarentum. They had been made prisoners partly at the lake
+Trasimenus, and partly at Cannae, and had been sent home by the
+Carthaginian with the same civility which he had shown towards all the
+Roman allies. They stated to him that, impressed with gratitude for
+his favours, they had succeeded in inducing a large portion of the
+Tarentine youth to prefer his alliance and friendship to that of the
+Romans; and that they were sent by their countrymen as ambassadors to
+request Hannibal to bring his forces nearer to Tarentum; that if his
+standards and camp were within sight of Tarentum, that city would be
+delivered into his hands without delay; that the commons were under
+the influence of the youth, and the state of Tarentum in the hands of
+the commons. Hannibal after bestowing the highest commendations upon
+them, and loading them with immense promises, bid them return home to
+mature their plans, saying that he would be there in due time. With
+these hopes, the Tarentines were dismissed. Hannibal had himself
+conceived the strongest desire of getting possession of Tarentum. He
+saw that it was a city opulent and celebrated, on the coast, and lying
+conveniently over against Macedonia. And that as the Romans were in
+possession of Brundusium, king Philip would make for this port if he
+crossed over into Italy. Having completed the sacrifice for which he
+came, and during his stay there laid waste the territory of Cumae as
+far as the promontory of Misenum, he suddenly marched his troops
+thence to Puteoli to surprise the Roman garrison there. It consisted
+of six thousand men, and the place was secured not only by its natural
+situation, but by works also. The Carthaginian having waited there
+three days, and attempted the garrison in every quarter, without any
+success, proceeded thence to devastate the territory of Naples,
+influenced by resentment more than the hope of getting possession of
+the place. The commons of Nola, who had been long disaffected to the
+Romans and at enmity with their own senate, moved into the
+neighbouring fields on his approach; and in conformity with this
+movement ambassadors came to invite Hannibal to join them, bringing
+with them a positive assurance that the city would be surrendered to
+him. The consul, Marcellus, who had been called in by the nobles,
+anticipated their attempt. In one day he had reached Suessula from
+Cales, though the river Vulturnus had delayed him crossing; and from
+thence the ensuing night introduced into Nola for the protection of
+the senate, six thousand foot and three hundred horse. The
+dilatoriness of Hannibal was in proportion to the expedition which the
+consul used in every thing he did in order to preoccupy Nola. Having
+twice already made the attempt unsuccessfully, he was slower to place
+confidence in the Nolans.
+
+14. During the same time, the consul, Fabius, came to attempt
+Casilinum, which was occupied by a Carthaginian garrison; and, as if
+by concert, Hanno approached Beneventum on one side from the
+Bruttians, with a large body of foot and horse, while on the other
+side Gracchus approached it from Luceria. The latter entered the town
+first. Then, hearing that Hanno had pitched his camp three miles from
+the city, at the river Calor, and from thence was laying waste the
+country, he himself marched without the walls, and pitching his camp
+about a mile from the enemy, harangued his soldiers. The legions he
+had consisted for the most part of volunteer slaves, who chose rather
+to earn their liberty silently by another year's service, than demand
+it openly. The general, however, on quitting his winter quarters, had
+perceived that the troops murmured, asking when the time would arrive
+that they should serve as free citizens. He had written to the senate,
+stating not so much what they wanted as what they had deserved; he
+said they had served him with fidelity and courage up to that day, and
+that they wanted nothing but liberty, to bring them up to the model of
+complete soldiers. Permission was given him to act in the business as
+he thought for the interest of the state, and, accordingly, before he
+engaged with the enemy, he declared that the time was now arrived for
+obtaining that liberty which they had so long hoped for; that on the
+following day he should fight a pitched battle on a level and open
+plain, in which the contest would be decided by valour only, without
+any fear of ambuscade. The man who should bring back the head of an
+enemy, he would instantly order to be set free; but that he would
+punish, in a manner suited to a slave, the man who should quit his
+post; that every man's fortune was in his own hands; that not he
+himself alone would authorize their enfranchisement, but the consul,
+Marcus Marcellus, and the whole body of the fathers, who, on being
+consulted by him on the subject, had left the matter to his disposal.
+He then read the letter of the consul and the decree of the senate, on
+which they raised a general shout of approbation, demanded to be led
+to battle, and vehemently urged him to give the signal forthwith.
+Gracchus broke up the assembly, after proclaiming the battle for the
+following day. The soldiers, highly delighted, particularly those
+whose enfranchisement was to be the reward of one day's prowess,
+employed the remaining time in getting ready their arms.
+
+15. The next day, as soon as the trumpets began to sound, they were
+the first to assemble at the general's tent, armed and ready for
+action. When the sun had risen, Gracchus led out his troops to the
+field of battle; nor did the enemy delay to engage him. His troops
+consisted of seventeen thousand infantry, principally Bruttians and
+Lucanians, with twelve hundred horse, among which were very few
+Italians, almost all the rest being Numidians and Moors. The contest
+was fierce and protracted. For four hours neither side had the
+advantage, nor did any other circumstance more impede the Romans, than
+that the heads of their enemies were made the price of their liberty.
+For when each man had gallantly slain his enemy, first, he lost time
+in cutting off his head, which was done with difficulty amid the crowd
+and confusion, and secondly, all the bravest troops ceased to be
+engaged in fight, as their right hands were employed in holding the
+heads; and thus the battle was left to be sustained by the inactive
+and cowardly. But when the military tribunes reported to Gracchus that
+the soldiers were employed not in wounding any of the enemy who were
+standing, but in mangling those who were prostrate, their right hands
+being occupied in holding the heads of men instead of their swords, he
+promptly ordered a signal to be given that they should throw down the
+heads and charge the enemy; that they had given evident and signal
+proofs of valour, and that the liberty of such brave men was certain.
+Then the fight was revived, and the cavalry also were sent out against
+the enemy. The Numidians engaging them with great bravery, and the
+contest between the cavalry being carried on with no less spirit than
+that between the infantry, the victory again became doubtful; when,
+the generals on both sides vilifying their opponents, the Roman
+saying, that their enemies were Bruttians and Lucanians, who had been
+so often vanquished and subjugated by their ancestors; the
+Carthaginian, that the troops opposed to them were Roman slaves,
+soldiers taken out of a workhouse; at last Gracchus exclaimed, that
+his men had no ground to hope for liberty unless the enemy were routed
+and put to flight that day.
+
+16. These words at length kindled their courage so effectually, and
+renewing the shout, as if suddenly changed into other men, they bore
+down upon the enemy with such impetuosity that they could not longer
+be withstood. First, of the Carthaginians who stood before the
+standards; then the standards were thrown into disorder; and lastly
+the whole line was compelled to give way. They then turned their backs
+downright, and fled precipitately to their camp with such terror and
+consternation, that not a man made stand in the gates or on the
+rampart; while the Romans, who pursued them so close as to form almost
+a part of their body commenced the battle anew, enclosed within the
+rampart of the enemy. Here the battle was more bloody as the
+combatants had less room to move, from the narrowness of the place in
+which they fought. The prisoners too assisted; for snatching up swords
+in the confusion, and forming themselves into a body, they slew the
+Carthaginians in the rear and prevented their flight. Thus less than
+two thousand men out of so large an army, and those principally
+cavalry, effected their escape with their commander, all the rest were
+slain or taken prisoners. Thirty-eight standards were taken. Of the
+victors about two thousand fell. All the booty except that of the
+prisoners was given up to the soldiery. Such cattle also as the owners
+should identify within thirty days was excepted. When they returned to
+their camp loaded with spoil, about four thousand of the volunteer
+slaves who had fought with less spirit, and had not joined in breaking
+into the enemy's camp, through fear of punishment, took possession of
+a hill not far from the camp. Being brought down thence the next day
+by a military tribune, it happened that they arrived during an
+assembly of the soldiers which Gracchus had called. At this assembly
+the proconsul, having first rewarded the veteran soldiers with
+military presents, according to the valour displayed, and the service
+rendered by each man in the engagement, then observed, with respect to
+the volunteer slaves, that he would rather that all should be praised
+by him whether deserving it or not, than that any one should be
+chastised on that day. I bid you, said he, all be free, and may the
+event be attended with advantage, happiness, and prosperity to the
+state and to yourselves. These words were followed by the most cordial
+acclamations, the soldiers sometimes embracing and congratulating one
+another, at other times lifting up their hands to heaven, and praying
+that every blessing might attend the Roman people, and Gracchus in
+particular; when Gracchus addressed them thus: "Before I had placed
+you all on an equal footing with respect to the enjoyment of liberty,
+I was unwilling to affix any marks by which the brave and dastardly
+soldier might be distinguished. But now the pledge given by the state
+being redeemed, lest all distinction between courage and cowardice
+should disappear, I shall order that the names of those persons be
+laid before me, who, conscious of their dastardly conduct in the
+battle, have lately seceded. I shall have them cited before me, when I
+shall bind them by an oath, that none of them, except such as shall
+have the plea of sickness, will, so long as they serve, take either
+meat or drink in any other posture than standing. This penalty you
+will bear with patience when you reflect that it is impossible your
+cowardice could be marked with a slighter stigma." He then gave the
+signal for packing up the baggage; and the soldiers, sporting and
+jesting as they drove and carried their booty, returned to Beneventum
+in so playful a mood, that they appeared to be returning, not from the
+field of battle, but from a feast celebrated on some remarkable
+holiday. All the Beneventans pouring out in crowds to meet them at the
+gate, embraced, congratulated, and invited the troops to
+entertainments. They had all prepared banquets in the courts of their
+houses, to which they invited the soldiers, and of which they
+entreated Gracchus to allow them to partake. Gracchus gave permission,
+with the proviso that they should feast in the public street. Each
+person brought every thing out before his door. The volunteers feasted
+with caps of liberty on their heads, or filletted with white wool;
+some reclining at the tables, others standing, who at once partook of
+the repast, and waited upon the rest. It even seemed a fitting
+occasion that Gracchus, on his return to Rome, should order a picture
+representing the festivities of that day to be executed in the temple
+of Liberty, which his father caused to be built on the Aventine out of
+money arising from fines, and which his father also dedicated.
+
+17. While these events occurred at Beneventum, Hannibal having laid
+waste the territory of Naples, moved his camp to Nola. The consul, as
+soon as he was aware of his approach, sent for Pemponius the
+propraetor, with the troops he had in the camp above Suessula; and
+then prepared to meet the enemy and to make no delay in fighting. He
+sent out Caius Claudius Nero in the dead of night with the main
+strength of the cavalry, through the gate which was farthest removed
+from the enemy, with orders to make a circuit so as not to be
+observed, and then slowly to follow the enemy as they moved along, and
+as soon as he perceived the battle begun, to charge them on the rear.
+Whether Nero was prevented from executing these orders by mistaking
+the route, or from the shortness of the time, is doubtful. Though he
+was absent when the battle was fought, the Romans had unquestionably
+the advantage; but as the cavalry did not come up in time, the plan of
+the battle which had been agreed upon was disconcerted and Marcellus,
+not daring to follow the retiring enemy, gave the signal for retreat
+when his soldiers were conquering More than two thousand of the enemy
+are said, however, to have fallen on that day; of the Romans, less
+than four hundred. Nero, after having fruitlessly wearied both men and
+horses, through the day and night, without even having seen the enemy,
+returned about sunset; when the consul went so far in reprimanding him
+as to assert, that he had been the only obstacle to their retorting on
+the enemy the disaster sustained at Cannae. The following day the
+Roman came into the field, but the Carthaginian, beaten even by his
+own tacit confession, kept within his camp. Giving up all hope of
+getting possession of Nola, a thing never attempted without loss,
+during the silence of the night of the third day he set out for
+Tarentum, which he had better hopes of having betrayed to him.
+
+18. Nor were the Roman affairs administered with less spirit at home
+than in the field. The censors being freed from the care of letting
+out the erection of public works, from the low state of the treasury,
+turned their attention to the regulation of men's morals, and the
+chastisement of vices which sprung up during the war, in the same
+manner as constitutions broken down by protracted disease, generate
+other maladies. In the first place, they cited those persons who,
+after the battle of Cannae, were said to have formed a design of
+abandoning the commonwealth, and leaving Italy. The chief of these was
+Lucius Caecilius Metellus, who happened to be then quaestor. In the
+next place, as neither he nor the other persons concerned were able to
+exculpate themselves on being ordered to make their defence, they
+pronounced them guilty of having used words and discourse prejudicial
+to the state, that a conspiracy might be formed for the abandonment of
+Italy. After them were cited those persons who showed too much
+ingenuity in inventing a method of discharging the obligation of their
+oath, namely, such of the prisoners as concluded that the oath which
+they had sworn to return, would be fulfilled by their going back
+privately to Hannibal's camp, after setting out on their journey. Such
+of these and of the above-mentioned as had horses at the public
+expense were deprived of them, and all were degraded from their tribes
+and disfranchised. Nor was the attention of the censors confined to
+the regulation of the senate and the equestrian order. They erased
+from the lists of the junior centuries the names of all who had not
+served during the last four years, unless they were regularly
+exempted, or were prevented by sickness. Those too, amounting to more
+than two thousand names, were numbered among the disfranchised, and
+were all degraded. To this more gentle stigma affixed by the censors,
+a severe decree of the senate was added, to the effect that all those
+whom the censor had stigmatized, should serve on foot, and be sent
+into Sicily to join the remains of the army of Cannae, a class of
+soldiers whose time of service was not to terminate till the enemy was
+driven out of Italy. The censors, in consequence of the poverty of the
+treasury, having abstained from receiving contracts for the repairs of
+the sacred edifices, the furnishing of curule horses, and similar
+matters, the persons who had been accustomed to attend auctions of
+this description, came to the censors in great numbers, and exhorted
+them to "transact all their business and let out the contracts in the
+same manner as if there were money in the treasury. That none of them
+would ask for money out of the treasury before the war was concluded."
+Afterwards the owners of those slaves whom Tiberius Sempronius had
+manumitted at Beneventum, came to them, stating that they were sent
+for by the public bankers, to receive the price of their slaves, but
+that they would not accept of it till the war was concluded. This
+disposition on the part of the commons to sustain the impoverished
+treasury having manifested itself, the property of minors first, and
+then the portions of widows, began to be brought in; the persons who
+brought them being persuaded, that their deposit would no where be
+more secure and inviolable than under the public faith. If any thing
+was bought or laid in for the widows and minors, an order upon the
+quaestor was given for it. This liberality in individuals flowed from
+the city into the camp also, insomuch that no horseman or centurion
+would accept of his pay, and those who would accept it were reproached
+with the appellation of mercenary men.
+
+19. Quintus Fabius, the consul, was encamped before Casilinum, which
+was occupied by a garrison of two thousand Campanians and seven
+hundred of the soldiers of Hannibal. The commander was Statius Metius,
+who was sent there by Cneius Magius Atellanus, who was that year
+Medixtuticus and was arming the slaves and people without distinction,
+in order to assault the Roman camp, while the consul was intently
+occupied in the siege of Casilinum. None of these things escaped
+Fabius. He therefore sent to his colleague at Nola, "That another army
+was requisite, which might be opposed to the Campanians, while the
+siege of Casilinum was going on; that either he should come himself,
+leaving a force sufficient for the protection of Nola, or if the state
+of Nola required him to stay there, in consequence of its not being
+yet secure against the attempts of Hannibal, that he should summon
+Tiberius Gracchus, the proconsul, from Beneventum." On this message,
+Marcellus, leaving two thousand troops in garrison at Nola, came to
+Casilinum with the rest of his forces; and at his arrival the
+Campanians, who were already in motion, desisted from their
+operations. Thus the siege of Casilinum was commenced by the two
+consuls. But as the Roman soldiers received many wounds as they rashly
+approached the walls, and as they did not succeed satisfactorily in
+their attempts. Fabius gave it as his opinion that this, which was a
+small matter, though as difficult as more important ones, should be
+abandoned, and that they should retire from the place, as affairs of
+greater moment were pressing. Marcellus, however, succeeded in
+persuading him that they should not go away with their object
+unaccomplished, observing that as there were many objects which great
+generals should not attempt, so when once attempted they should not be
+abandoned, because the mere report in either case would have important
+consequences. Upon this the vineae and all kinds of military works and
+engines were applied; in consequence of which, the Campanians
+entreated Fabius to allow them to retire to Capua in safety; when a
+few of them having come out of the town, Marcellus took possession
+of the gate through which they passed, and first slew all
+indiscriminately who were near the gate, and then rushing in, the
+slaughter commenced in the town also. About fifty of the Campanians,
+who at first came out of the city, having fled for refuge to Fabius,
+arrived safe at Capua under his protection. Thus Casilinum was
+captured on an accidental opportunity which occurred during the
+conferences and delay of those who were soliciting protection. The
+prisoners, both those who were Campanians and those who were
+Hannibal's soldiers, were sent to Rome, where they were shut up in a
+prison. The crowd of townsmen was distributed among the neighbouring
+people to be kept in custody.
+
+20. At the same time that the consuls retired from Casilinum, their
+object having been accomplished, Gracchus, who was in Lucania, sent,
+under a prefect of the allies, some cohorts which he had levied in
+that country to ravage the lands of the enemy. These, as they were
+straggling in a careless manner, Hanno surprising, retorted upon his
+enemy a defeat not much less disastrous than he had himself received
+at Beneventum, and then hastily retired to the territory of the
+Bruttians, lest Gracchus should overtake him. Of the consuls,
+Marcellus returned to Nola, whence he had come, Fabius proceeded to
+Samnium to waste the lands, and recover by force the cities which had
+revolted. The Samnites of Caudium suffered the severest devastation;
+their fields were laid waste by fire for a wide extent, and both men
+and cattle were conveyed away as booty. The towns of Compulteria,
+Telesia, Compsa, Melae, Fulfulae, and Orbitanium, were taken by storm.
+Blandae, belonging to the Lucanians, and Aecae to the Apulians, were
+taken after a siege. Twenty-five thousand of the enemy were captured
+or slain in these towns, and three hundred and seventy deserters
+recovered; who, being sent to Rome by the consul, were all of them
+beaten with rods in the comitium, and thrown down from the rock. Such
+were the achievements of Fabius within the space of a few days. Ill
+health detained Marcellus from active operations at Nola. The town of
+Accua also was taken by storm, during the same period, by the praetor
+Quintus Fabius, whose province was the neighbourhood of Luceria; he
+also fortified a stationary camp at Ardonea. While the Romans were
+thus employed in different quarters, Hannibal had reached Tarentum,
+utterly destroying every thing whichsoever way he went. In the
+territory of Tarentum, the troops at length began to march in a
+peaceable manner. There nothing was violated, nor did they ever go out
+of the road; it was evident that this was done not from the moderation
+of the soldiery, or their general, but to conciliate the affections of
+the Tarentines. However, on advancing almost close to the walls
+without perceiving any movement, which he expected would occur on the
+sight of his vanguard, he pitched his camp about a mile off the city.
+Three days before the arrival of Hannibal, Marcus Livius, who had been
+sent by Marcus Valerius, the propraetor, commanding the fleet at
+Brundusium, had enlisted the young nobility of Tarentum, and
+stationing guards at every gate, and round the walls, wherever
+circumstances made it necessary, had kept such a strict watch both by
+day and night, as to give no opportunity for making any attempt either
+to the enemy or doubtful allies. On this account several days were
+consumed there to no purpose, when Hannibal, as none of those who had
+come to him at the lake Avernus, either came themselves or sent any
+letter or message, perceiving that he had carelessly followed delusive
+promises, moved his camp thence. Even after this he did not offer any
+violence to the Tarentine territory, not quitting the hope of shaking
+their allegiance to the Romans, though his simulated lenity had
+hitherto been of no advantage to him; but as soon as he came to
+Salapia he collected stores of corn there from the Metapontine and
+Heraclean lands; for midsummer was now past, and the situation pleased
+him as a place for winter quarters. From hence the Moors and Numidians
+were detached to plunder the territory of Sallentum, and the
+neighbouring woods of Apulia, from which not much booty of any other
+sort was obtained, but principally droves of horses, four thousand of
+which were distributed among his horsemen to be broken.
+
+21. The Romans, since a war by no means to be despised was springing
+up in Sicily, and the death of the tyrant had furnished the Syracusans
+with more enterprising leaders, rather than changed their attachment
+to the Carthaginian cause, or the state of their minds, decreed that
+province to Marcus Marcellus, one of their consuls. After the
+assassination of Hieronymus, at first a tumult had taken place among
+the soldiery in the territory of the Leontines. They exclaimed
+furiously that the manes of the king should be appeased with the blood
+of the conspirators. Afterwards the frequent repetition of the word
+liberty, which was restored to them, a word so delightful to the ear,
+the hopes they had conceived of largesses from the royal treasury, and
+of serving in future under better generals, the relation of the horrid
+crimes and more horrid lusts of the tyrant, effected such an
+alteration in their sentiments, that they suffered to lie unburied the
+corpse of the king, whom a little before they regretted. As the rest
+of the conspirators remained behind, in order to keep the army on
+their side, Theodotus and Sosis, mounted on the king's horses, rode
+off to Syracuse with all possible speed, that they might surprise the
+king's party, while unacquainted with all that had occurred. But they
+were anticipated not only by report, than which nothing is swifter in
+such affairs, but also by a messenger who was one of the royal
+servants. In consequence, Andranodorus had occupied with strong
+garrisons the Insula and the citadel, and every other convenient part
+which he could. After sunset, when it was now growing dark, Theodotus
+and Sosis rode in by the Hexapylum, and displayed the royal vest
+stained with blood, and the ornament of the king's head; then passing
+through the Tycha, and calling the people at once to liberty and arms,
+bid them assemble in the Achradina. Some of the multitude ran out into
+the streets, some stood in the porches of their houses, while others
+looked out from the roofs and windows, and inquired what was the
+matter. Every part of the city was filled with lights and noises of
+various kinds. Assemblies of armed men were formed in the open spaces.
+Those who had no arms tore down from the temple of the Olympian
+Jupiter the spoils of the Gauls and Illyrians, which had been
+presented to Hiero by the Roman people, and hung up there by him; at
+the same time offering up prayers to Jupiter, that he would willingly,
+and without feeling offence, lend those consecrated weapons to those
+who were arming themselves in defence of their country, of the temples
+of their gods, and their liberty. This multitude was also joined by
+the watches which were stationed through the principal quarters of the
+city. In the island, Andranodorus, among other places, secured the
+public granaries by a garrison. This place, which was enclosed by a
+wall of stones hewn square, and built up on high, after the manner of
+a citadel, was occupied by a body of youth, who had been appointed to
+garrison it, and these sent messengers to the Achradina, to give
+information that the granaries and the corn were in the power of the
+senate.
+
+22. At break of day the whole populace, armed and unarmed, assembled
+at the senate-house in the Achradina: where from the altar of Concord,
+which stood there, one of the nobles, named Polyaenus, delivered a
+liberal and temperate address. He said, that "men who had experienced
+servitude and contumely, were enraged against an evil which was well
+known, but that the Syracusans had rather heard from their fathers
+than seen with their own eyes the disasters which civil discord
+introduces." He said, "he commended them for the alacrity with which
+they had taken arms; but that he should commend them more if they
+should abstain from using them unless compelled by extreme necessity.
+At present he advised that ambassadors should be sent to Andranodorus,
+to charge him to submit to the direction of the senate and the people,
+to throw open the gates of the island, and withdraw the garrison. If
+he resolved to usurp the sovereignty of which he had been appointed
+guardian, that he would recommend that their liberty be recovered more
+energetically from Andranodorus than it had been from Hieronymus."
+From this assembly ambassadors were despatched. The senate began now
+to meet, which though during the reign of Hiero it had continued to be
+the public council of the state, from the time of his death up to the
+present had never been assembled or consulted upon any subject. When
+the ambassadors came to Andranodorus, he was himself moved by the
+unanimous opinion of his countrymen, by their having possession of
+other parts of the city, and by the fact that the strongest part of
+the island was betrayed and placed in the hands of others; but his
+wife, Demarata, the daughter of Hiero, still swelling with the pride
+of royalty and female presumption, called him out from the presence of
+the ambassadors, and reminded him of the expression so often repeated
+by the tyrant Dionysius, "that a man ought only to relinquish
+sovereign power when dragged by the feet, and not while sitting on
+horseback. That it was an easy thing, at any moment one pleased, to
+give up possession of grandeur, but that to create and obtain them was
+difficult and arduous. That he should obtain from the ambassadors a
+little time to deliberate, and to employ it in fetching the soldiers
+from the Leontines; to whom, if he promised the royal treasure, every
+thing would be at his disposal." This advice, suggested by a woman,
+Andranodorus neither entirely rejected nor immediately adopted,
+considering it the safer way to the attainment of power to temporize
+for the present. Accordingly he told the ambassadors to carry word
+back, that he should act subserviently to the senate and the people.
+The next day, as soon as it was light, he threw open the gates of the
+island, and came into the forum of the Achradina; then mounting the
+altar of Concord, from which Polyaenus had delivered his harangue the
+day before, he commenced a speech by soliciting pardon for his delay.
+"He had kept the gates closed," he said, "not as separating his own
+from the public interest, but from fear as to where the carnage would
+stop when once the sword was drawn; whether they would be satisfied
+with the blood of the tyrant, which was sufficient for their liberty,
+or whether all who were connected with the court, by consanguinity,
+affinity, or any offices, would, as implicated in another's guilt, be
+butchered. After he perceived that those who had liberated their
+country were desirous of preserving it when liberated, and that the
+counsels of all were directed towards the public good, he had not
+hesitated to restore to his country his own person and every thing
+else which had been committed to his honour and guardianship, since
+the person who had intrusted him with them had fallen a victim to his
+own madness." Then turning to the persons who had killed the tyrant,
+and calling on Theodotus and Sosis by name, he said, "You have
+performed a memorable deed, but believe me, your glory is only
+beginning, not yet perfected; and there still remains great danger
+lest the enfranchised state should be destroyed, if you do not provide
+for its tranquillity and harmony."
+
+23. At the conclusion of this speech, he laid the keys of the gates
+and of the royal treasure at their feet; and on that day, retiring
+from the assembly in the highest spirits, they made supplication with
+their wives and children at all the temples of the gods. On the
+following day an assembly was held for the election of praetors.
+Andranodorus was created among the first; the rest consisted for the
+most part of the destroyers of the tyrant; two of these, Sopater and
+Dinomenes, they appointed in their absence. These, on hearing of what
+had passed at Syracuse, conveyed thither the royal treasure which was
+at Leontini, and put it into the hands of quaestors appointed for that
+purpose. The treasure also in the island and the Achradina was
+delivered to them, and that part of the wall which formed too strong a
+separation between the island and the other parts of the city, was
+demolished by general consent. Every thing else which was done was in
+conformity with this inclination of their minds to liberty.
+Hippocrates and Epicydes, on hearing of the death of the tyrant, which
+Hippocrates had wished to conceal even by putting the messenger to
+death, being deserted by the soldiery, returned to Syracuse, as that
+appeared the safest course under present circumstances; but lest if
+they appeared there in common they should become objects of suspicion,
+and looked upon as persons who were seeking an opportunity of
+effecting some change, they in the first place addressed themselves to
+the praetors and then through them to the senate. They declared, that
+"they were sent by Hannibal to Hieronymus, as to a friend and ally;
+that they had obeyed the orders of that man whom their general wished
+them to obey; that they desired to return to Hannibal; but as the
+journey would not be safe, as armed Romans were ranging at large
+through the whole of Sicily, that they requested to be furnished with
+some escort which might convey them in safety to Locri in Italy; and
+that thus they would confer a great obligation upon Hannibal, with
+little trouble." The request was easily obtained, for they were
+desirous of getting rid of these generals of the king, who were
+skilled in war, and at once necessitous and enterprising. But they did
+not exert themselves so as to effect what they desired with the
+requisite speed. Meanwhile these young men, who were of a military
+turn and accustomed to the soldiers, employed themselves in
+circulating charges against the senate and nobles, sometimes in the
+minds of the soldiers themselves, sometimes of the deserters, of which
+the greater part were Roman sailors, at other times of men belonging
+to the lowest order of the populace, insinuating, that "what they were
+secretly labouring and contriving to effect, was to place Syracuse
+under the dominion of the Romans with the pretence of a renewed
+alliance, and then that faction and the few promoters of the alliance
+would be supreme."
+
+24. The crowds of persons disposed to hear and credit these
+insinuations which flowed into Syracuse from every quarter increased
+daily, and afforded hopes, not only to Epicydes but to Andranodorus
+also, of effecting a revolution. The latter, wearied at length by the
+importunities of his wife, who warned him, "that now was the
+favourable time for seizing the government, while every thing was in
+confusion in consequence of liberty being recent and not yet regularly
+established; while a soldiery supported by the royal pay was to be met
+with, and while generals sent by Hannibal and accustomed to the
+soldiery might forward the attempt;" he communicated his design with
+Themistus, who had married the daughter of Gelon, and a few days
+afterwards incautiously disclosed it to a certain tragic actor, named
+Ariston, to whom he was in the habit of committing other secrets. He
+was a man of reputable birth and fortune, nor did his profession
+disgrace them, for among the Greeks no pursuit of that kind was
+considered dishonourable. He therefore discovered the plot to the
+praetors, from a conviction that his country had a superior claim upon
+his fidelity. These having satisfied themselves that his statement was
+not false by indubitable proofs, took the advice of the elder
+senators, and with their sanction, having placed a guard at the doors,
+slew Themistus and Andranodorus as soon as they had entered the
+senate-house. A disturbance arising in consequence of this act, which,
+as none but the praetors knew the cause of it, wore an appearance of
+atrocity, the praetors, having at length procured silence, introduced
+the informer into the senate-house; and after he had in a regular
+manner detailed to the senate every particular, showing that the
+conspiracy owed its origin to the marriage of Harmonia, the daughter
+of Gelon, with Themistus; that the African and Spanish auxiliaries had
+been prepared to murder the praetors and others of the nobility; that
+it had been given out that their goods were to be the booty of the
+assassins; that already a band of mercenaries accustomed to obey the
+command of Andranodorus had been procured for the reoccupation of the
+island; and having then distinctly represented to them the several
+parts which the persons implicated in the transaction were performing,
+and having brought under their view the entire plot prepared for
+execution with men and arms; it seemed to the senate that they had
+fallen as justly as Hieronymus had. A shout was raised before the
+senate-house by a crowd of people variously disposed and uncertain of
+the facts; but as they were conducting themselves in a furious and
+menacing manner, the bodies of the conspirators in the vestibule of
+the senate-house restrained them with such alarm, that they silently
+followed the more discreet part of the commons to an assembly. Sopater
+was the person commissioned by the senate and his colleague to explain
+the affair.
+
+25. Treating them as if they stood upon their trial, he began with
+their past lives; and insisted that Andranodorus and Themistus were
+the authors of every act of iniquity and impiety which had been
+perpetrated since the death of Hiero. "For what," said he, "did the
+boy Hieronymus ever do of his own accord? What could he do who had
+scarce as yet arrived at puberty? His tutors and guardians had ruled,
+while the odium rested on another. Therefore they ought to have been
+put to death either before Hieronymus or with him. Nevertheless those
+men, deservedly marked out for death, had attempted fresh crimes after
+the decease of the tyrant; first openly, when, closing the gates of
+the island, Andranodorus declared himself heir to the throne, and kept
+that as proprietor which he had held only in the capacity of guardian;
+afterwards, when betrayed by those who were in the island and
+blockaded by the whole body of the citizens who held the Achradina, he
+endeavoured to obtain, by secret and artful means, that sovereignty
+which he had in vain attempted openly; whom not even benefits and
+honorary distinction could move, for even this conspirator against the
+liberty of his country was created praetor among her liberators. But
+that wives of royal blood had infected them with this thirst for
+royalty, one having married the daughter of Hiero, the other the
+daughter of Gelon." On hearing these words, a shout arose from every
+part of the assembly, that "none of these women ought to live, and
+that not one of the royal family should be left alive." Such is the
+nature of the populace; they are either cringing slaves or haughty
+tyrants. They know not how with moderation to spurn or to enjoy that
+liberty which holds the middle place; nor are there generally wanting
+ministers, the panders to their resentment, who incite their eager and
+intemperate minds to blood and carnage. Thus, on the present occasion,
+the praetors instantly proposed the passing of a decree, which was
+consented to almost before it was proposed, that all the royal family
+should be put to death; and persons despatched for the purpose by the
+praetors, put to death Demarata, the daughter of Hiero, and Harmonia,
+the daughter of Gelon, the wives of Andranodorus and Themistus.
+
+26. There was a daughter of Hiero, named Heraclea, the wife of
+Zoippus, who, having been sent by Hieronymus as ambassador to king
+Ptolemy, had become a voluntary exile. As soon as she was apprized
+that they were coming to her also, she fled for refuge into the chapel
+to the household gods, accompanied by her two virgin daughters, with
+dishevelled hair, and other marks of wretchedness. In addition to
+this, she had recourse to prayers also; she implored them "by the
+memory of her father, Hiero, and her brother, Gelon, that they would
+not suffer her, a guiltless person, to be consumed by their hatred of
+Hieronymus. That all that she had derived from his reign was the exile
+of her husband. That neither did she enjoy the same advantages as her
+sister while Hieronymus was alive, nor was her cause the same as hers
+now he was dead. What? Though her sister would have shared the throne
+with Andranodorus, had he succeeded in his designs, she must have been
+in servitude with the rest. Can any one doubt, that if information
+should be conveyed to Zoippus that Hieronymus had been put to death,
+and that Syracuse was free, he would instantly embark and return to
+his native land. But how are all human hopes deceived! His wife and
+children are struggling for their lives in his native land, now
+blessed with liberty! In what manner standing in the way of liberty or
+the laws? What danger could arise to any one from them, from a
+solitary, and in a manner, widowed woman and girls living in a state
+of orphanage? But perhaps it will be granted that no danger is to be
+apprehended from them, but alleged that the whole royal family is
+detested. If this were the case, she entreated that they would banish
+them far from Syracuse and Sicily, and order them to be conveyed to
+Alexandria, the wife to her husband, the daughters to their father."
+Seeing that their ears and minds were unimpressed, and that certain of
+them were drawing their swords to prevent a fruitless consumption of
+time, she gave over entreating for herself, and began to implore them
+to "spare, at least, her daughters, at an age which even exasperated
+enemies spared." She entreated them "that they would not, in their
+revenge on tyrants, themselves imitate the crimes which were odious to
+them." While thus employed, they dragged her from the sanctuary and
+murdered her; and after that they fell upon the virgins, who were
+sprinkled with the blood of their mother; who, distracted alike by
+fear and grief, and as if seized with madness, rushed out of the
+chapel with such rapidity, that had there been an opening by which
+they might have escaped into the street, they would have filled the
+city with confusion. As it was, they several times made their escape
+through the midst of so many armed men with their persons uninjured in
+the contracted space which the house afforded, and extricated
+themselves from their grasp, though they had to disengage themselves
+from so many and such strong hands; but at length enfeebled by wounds,
+and after covering every place with blood, they fell down lifeless.
+This murder, piteous as it was in itself, was rendered still more so
+by its happening that a short time after it a message arrived that
+they should not be killed, as the minds of the people were now turned
+to compassion. This compassion then gave rise to a feeling of anger,
+because so much haste had been shown in carrying the punishment into
+effect, and because no opportunity was left for relenting or retracing
+the steps of their passion. The multitude therefore gave vent to their
+indignation, and demanded an election to supply the places of
+Andranodorus and Themistus, for both of them had been praetors; an
+election by no means likely to be agreeable to the praetors.
+
+27. The day was fixed for the election, when, to the surprise of all,
+one person from the extremity of the crowd nominated Epicydes, and
+then another from the same quarter nominated Hippocrates. Afterwards
+the voices in favour of these persons increased with the manifest
+approbation of the multitude. The assembly was one of a heterogeneous
+character, consisting not only of the commons, but a crowd of
+soldiers, with a large admixture even of deserters, who were desirous
+of innovation in every thing. The praetors, at first, concealed their
+feelings, and were for protracting the business; but at length,
+overcome by the general opinion, and apprehensive of a sedition, they
+declared them the praetors. These did not, however, immediately openly
+avow their sentiments, though they were chagrined that ambassadors had
+been sent to Appius Claudius to negotiate a ten days' truce, and that
+on obtaining this, others were sent to treat for the renewal of the
+old alliance. The Romans, with a fleet of a hundred ships, were then
+stationed at Murgantia, waiting the issue of the commotion raised at
+Syracuse by the death of the tyrants, and to what their recent
+acquisition of liberty would impel the people. Meanwhile, the
+Syracusan ambassadors were sent by Appius Claudius to Marcellus on his
+coming into Sicily, and Marcellus having heard the conditions of
+peace, and being of opinion that matters might be brought to a
+settlement, himself also sent ambassadors to Syracuse to treat with
+the praetors in person on the renewal of the alliance. But now by no
+means the same state of quiet and tranquillity existed there.
+Hippocrates and Epicydes, their fears being removed, after that
+intelligence had arrived that a Carthaginian fleet had put in at
+Pachynum, complained sometimes to the mercenary soldiers, at other
+times to the deserters, that Syracuse was being betrayed to the
+Romans. And when Appius began to station his ships at the mouth of the
+port, in order to inspire the other party with courage, their false
+insinuations appeared to receive great corroboration; and on the first
+impulse, the populace had even run down in a disorderly manner to
+prevent them from disembarking.
+
+28. While affairs were in this unsettled state, it was resolved to
+call an assembly; in which, when some leaned to one side and some to
+the other, and an insurrection being on the point of breaking out,
+Apollonides, one of the nobles, delivered a speech fraught with
+salutary advice, considering the critical state of affairs: "Never,"
+he said, "had a state a nearer prospect of safety and annihilation.
+For if they would all unanimously espouse the cause either of the
+Romans or the Carthaginians, there could be no state whose condition
+would be more prosperous and happy; but if they pulled different ways,
+the war between the Romans and Carthaginians would not be more bloody
+than that which would take place between the Syracusans themselves, in
+which both the contending parties would have their forces, their
+troops, and their generals, within the same walls. Every exertion
+ought therefore to be made that all might think alike. Which alliance
+would be productive of the greater advantages, was a question of quite
+a secondary nature, and of less moment; though the authority of Hiero
+ought to be followed in preference to that of Hieronymus in the
+selection of allies, and a friendship of which they had had a happy
+experience through a space of fifty years, ought to be chosen rather
+than one now untried and formerly unfaithful. That it ought also to
+have some weight in their deliberations, that peace with the
+Carthaginians might be refused in such a manner as not immediately, at
+least, to have a war with them, while with the Romans they must
+forthwith have either peace or war." The less of party spirit and
+warmth appeared in this speech the greater weight it had. A military
+council also was united with the praetors and a chosen body of
+senators; the commanders of companies also, and the praefects of the
+allies, were ordered to consult conjointly. After the question had
+been agitated with great warmth, at length, as there appeared to be no
+means of carrying on a war with the Romans, it was resolved that a
+treaty of peace should be formed, and that ambassadors should be sent
+with those from Rome to ratify the same.
+
+29. Not many days intervened before ambassadors came from the
+Leontines, requesting troops to protect their frontiers; an embassy
+which appeared to afford a very favourable opportunity for
+disencumbering the city of a turbulent and disorderly rabble, and for
+removing their leaders to a distance. The praetor, Hippocrates, was
+ordered to lead the deserters thither. Many of the mercenary
+auxiliaries accompanying them made them number four thousand armed
+men. This expedition gave great delight both to those who were sent
+and those who sent them, for to the former an opportunity was afforded
+of change which they had long desired, while the latter were rejoiced
+because they considered that a kind of sink of the city had been
+drained off. But they had, as it were, only relieved a sick body for a
+time, that it might afterwards fall into a more aggravated disease.
+For Hippocrates began to ravage the adjoining parts of the Roman
+province, at first by stealthy excursions, but afterwards, when Appies
+had sent a body of troops to protect the lands of the allies, he made
+an attack with all his forces upon the guard posted over against him,
+and slew many. Marcellus, when informed of this, immediately sent
+ambassadors to Syracuse, who said that the faith of the treaty had
+been broken, and that there would never be wanting a cause for
+hostilities, unless Hippocrates and Epicydes were removed not only
+from Syracuse, but far from all Sicily. Epicydes, lest by being
+present he should be arraigned for the offence committed by his absent
+brother, or should be wanting on his own part in stirring up a war,
+proceeded himself also to the Leontines; and seeing that they were
+already sufficiently exasperated against the Romans, he endeavoured to
+detach them from the Syracusans also. His argument was, that the terms
+on which they had formed a treaty of peace with the Romans were, that
+whatever people had been subject to their kings should be placed under
+their dominion; and that now they were not satisfied with liberty
+unless they could also exercise kingly power and dominion over others.
+The answer, therefore, he said, which they ought to send back was,
+that the Leontines also considered themselves entitled to liberty,
+either on the ground that the tyrant fell in the streets of their
+city, or that there the shout was first raised for liberty; and that
+they were the persons who, abandoning the king's generals, flocked to
+Syracuse. That, therefore, either that article must be expunged from
+the treaty, or that that term of it would not be admitted. They easily
+persuaded the multitude; and when the ambassadors of Syracuse
+complained of the slaughter of the Roman guard, and ordered that
+Hippocrates and Epicydes should depart either to Locri or any other
+place they pleased, provided they quitted Sicily, a reply was made to
+them in a haughty manner, "that they had neither placed themselves at
+the disposal of the Syracusans to make a peace for them with the
+Romans, nor were they bound by the treaties of other people." This
+answer the Syracusans laid before the Romans, declaring at the same
+time that "the Leontines were not under their control, and that,
+therefore, the Romans might make war on them without violating the
+treaty subsisting between them; that they would also not be wanting in
+the war, provided that when brought again under subjection, they
+should form a part of their dominion, agreeably to the conditions of
+the peace."
+
+30. Marcellus marched with his entire forces against Leontini, having
+sent for Appius also, in order that he might attack it in another
+quarter; when, such was the ardour of the troops in consequence of the
+indignation they felt at the Roman guards being put to the sword
+during the negotiations for a peace, that they took the town by storm
+on the first assault. Hippocrates and Epicydes, perceiving that the
+enemy were getting possession of the walls and breaking open the
+gates, retired with a few others into the citadel, from which they
+fled unobserved during the night to Herbessus. The Syracusans, who had
+marched from home with eight thousand troops, were met at the river
+Myla by a messenger, who informed them that the city was taken. The
+rest which he stated was a mixture of truth and falsehood; he said
+that there had been an indiscriminate massacre of the soldiers and the
+townsmen, and that he did not think that one person who had arrived at
+puberty had survived; that the town had been pillaged, and the
+property of the rich men given to the troops. On receiving such
+direful news the army halted; and while all were under violent
+excitement, the generals, Sosis and Dinomenes, consulted together as
+to the course to be taken. The scourging and beheading of two thousand
+deserters had given to this false statement a plausibility which
+excited alarm; but no violence was offered to any of the Leontine or
+other soldiers after the city was taken; and every man's property was
+restored to him, with the exception only of such as was destroyed in
+the first confusion which attended the capture of the city. The
+troops, who complained of their fellow-soldiers having been betrayed
+and butchered, could neither be induced to proceed to Leontini, nor
+wait where they were for more certain intelligence. The praetors,
+perceiving their minds disposed to mutiny, but concluding that their
+violence would not be of long continuance, if those who had led them
+on to such folly were removed, led the troops to Megara, whence they
+themselves with a few horsemen proceeded to Herbessus, under the
+expectation of having the city betrayed to them in the general
+consternation; but being disappointed in this attempt, they resolved
+to resort to force, and moved their camp from Megara on the following
+day, in order to attack Herbessus with all their forces. Hippocrates
+and Epicydes having formed the design of putting themselves into the
+hands of the soldiers, who were for the most part accustomed to them,
+and were now incensed at the report of the massacre of their comrades,
+not so much as a safe measure on the first view of it as that it was
+their only course, now that all hope was cut off, went out to meet the
+army. It happened that the troops which marched in the van were six
+hundred Cretans, who had been engaged in the service of Hieronymus
+under their command, and were under obligation to Hannibal, having
+been captured at the Trasimenus among the Roman auxiliaries, and
+dismissed by him. Hippocrates and Epicydes, recognising them by their
+standards and the fashion of their armour, held out olive branches,
+and the fillets usually worn by suppliants, and implored them to
+receive them into their ranks, protect them when received, and not
+betray them to the Syracusans, by whom they themselves would soon be
+delivered up to the Romans to be butchered.
+
+31. But the Cretans with one accord called out to them to be of good
+courage; that they would share every fortune with them. During this
+conversation, the vanguard had halted, and the march was delayed; nor
+had the cause of the delay as yet reached the generals. After the
+report had spread that Hippocrates and Epicydes were there, and a
+voice was heard through the whole army, which showed evidently that
+the troops were pleased at their arrival, the praetors immediately
+gallopped to the front, and earnestly asked "what was the meaning of
+that violation of discipline, which the Cretans had committed in
+holding conference with the enemy, and allowing them to mingle with
+their ranks without the authority of the praetors." They ordered
+Hippocrates to be seized and thrown into chains. On hearing which such
+a clamour was raised, first by the Cretans and then by the rest, that
+it was quite evident if they proceeded farther that they would have
+cause to fear. In this state of anxiety and perplexity, they gave
+orders to march back to Megara, whence they had set out, and sent
+messengers to Syracuse, to give information of their present
+condition. Hippocrates added a deception, seeing that the minds of the
+troops were disposed to entertain every suspicion. Having sent some
+Cretans to lie in wait in the roads, he read a letter he pretended had
+been intercepted, but which he had written himself. The address was:
+"The praetors of Syracuse to the consul Marcellus." After the
+customary wishing of health, it stated "that he had acted duly and
+properly in sparing none of the Leontines, but that the cause of all
+the mercenary troops was the same, and that Syracuse would never be
+tranquil while there were any foreign auxiliaries in the city or in
+the army. That it was therefore necessary that he should endeavour to
+get into his power those who were encamped at Megara, with their
+praetors, and by punishing them, at length restore Syracuse to
+liberty." After this letter had been read, they ran to seize their
+arms in every direction, with so great a clamour, that the praetors,
+in the utmost consternation, rode away to Syracuse during the
+confusion. The mutiny, however, was not quelled even by their flight,
+but an attack was made upon the Syracusan soldiers; nor would any one
+have escaped their violence, had not Hippocrates and Epicydes opposed
+the resentment of the multitude, not from pity or any humane motive,
+but lest they should cut off all hope of effecting their return; and
+that they might have the soldiers, both as faithful supporters of
+their cause, and as hostages, and conciliate to themselves their
+relatives and friends, in the first place by so great an obligation,
+and in the next by reason of the pledge. Having also experienced that
+the populace could be excited by any cause, however groundless or
+trifling, they procured a soldier of the number of those who were
+besieged at Leontini, whom they suborned to carry a report to
+Syracuse, corresponding with that which had been falsely told at the
+Myla; and by vouching for what he stated, and relating as matters
+which he had seen, those things of which doubts were entertained, to
+kindle the resentment of the people.
+
+32. This man not only obtained credit with the commons, but being
+introduced into the senate-house, produced an impression upon the
+senate also. Some men of no small authority openly declared, that it
+was very fortunate that the rapacity and cruelty of the Romans had
+been made apparent in the case of the Leontines; that if they had
+entered Syracuse, they would have committed the same or even more
+horrible acts, as there the temptations to rapacity would have been
+greater. All, therefore, advised that the gates should be closed and
+the city guarded, but not the same persons were objects of fear or
+hatred to all alike. Among the soldiers of every kind, and a great
+part of the people, the Roman name was hated. The praetors, and a few
+of the nobles, though enraged by the fictitious intelligence, rather
+directed their cautions against a nearer and more immediate evil.
+Hippocrates and Epicycles were now at the Hexapylum; and conversations
+were taking place, fomented by the relatives of the native soldiers
+who were in the army, touching the opening of the gates, and the
+allowing their common country to be defended from the violence of the
+Romans. One of the doors of the Hexapylum was now thrown open, and the
+troops began to be taken in at it, when the praetors interposed; and
+first by commands and menaces, then by advice, they endeavoured to
+deter them from their purpose, and last of all, every other means
+proving ineffectual, forgetful of their dignity, they tried to move
+them by prayers, imploring them not to betray their country to men
+heretofore the satellites of the tyrant, and now the corrupters of the
+army. But the ears of the excited multitude were deaf to all these
+arguments, and the exertions made from within to break open the gates,
+were not less than those without; the gates were all broken open, and
+the whole army received into the Hexapylum. The praetors, with the
+youth of the city, fled into the Achradina; the mercenary soldiers and
+deserters, with all the soldiers of the late king who were at
+Syracuse, joined the forces of the enemy. The Achradina also was
+therefore taken on the first assault, and all the praetors, except
+such as escaped in the confusion, were put to the sword. Night put an
+end to the carnage. On the following day the slaves were invited to
+liberty, and those bound in prison were released; after which this
+mixed rabble created Hippocrates and Epicydes their praetors, and thus
+Syracuse, when for a brief period the light of liberty had shone on
+it, relapsed into her former state of servitude.
+
+33. The Romans, on receiving information of these events, immediately
+moved their camp from Leontini to Syracuse. It happened at this time
+that ambassadors were sent by Appius in a quinquereme, to make their
+way through the harbour. A quadrireme was sent in advance, which was
+captured as soon as it entered the mouth of the harbour, and the
+ambassadors with difficulty made their escape. And now not only the
+laws of peace but of war also were not regarded, when the Roman army
+pitched their camp at Olympium, a temple of Jupiter, a mile and a half
+from the city. From which place also it was thought proper that
+ambassadors should be sent forward; these were met by Hippocrates and
+Epicydes with their friends without the gate, to prevent their
+entering the city. The Roman, who was appointed to speak, said that
+"he did not bring war, but aid and assistance to the Syracusans, not
+only to such as, escaping from the midst of the carnage, fled to the
+Romans for protection, but to those also, who, overpowered by fear,
+were submitting to a servitude more shocking, not only than exile, but
+than death. Nor would the Romans suffer the horrid murder of their
+friends to go unavenged. If, therefore, those who had taken refuge
+with them were allowed to return to their country with safety, the
+authors of the massacre delivered up, and the Syracusans reinstated in
+the enjoyment of their liberty and laws, there would be no necessity
+for arms; but if these things were not done, they would direct their
+arms unceasingly against those who delayed them, whoever they might
+be." Epicydes replied, that "if they had been commissioned with any
+message for them, they would have given them an answer; and when the
+government of Syracuse was in the hands of those persons to whom they
+were come, they might visit Syracuse again. If they should commence
+hostilities, they would learn by actual experience that it was by no
+means the same thing to besiege Syracuse and Leontini." With this he
+left the ambassadors and closed the gate. The siege of Syracuse then
+commenced by sea and land at the same time; by land on the side of the
+Hexapylum; by sea on the side of the Achradina, the wall of which is
+washed by its waves; and as the Romans felt a confidence that as they
+had taken Leontini by the terror they occasioned on the first assault,
+they should be able in some quarter to effect an entrance into a city
+so desert, and diffused over so large an extent of ground, they
+brought up to the walls every kind of engine for besieging cities.
+
+34. And an attempt made with so much energy would have succeeded, had
+it not been for one person then at Syracuse. That person was
+Archimedes, a man of unrivalled skill in observing the heavens and the
+stars, but more deserving of admiration as the inventor and
+constructor of warlike engines and works, by means of which, with a
+very slight effort, he turned to ridicule what the enemy effected with
+great difficulty. The wall which ran along unequal eminences, most of
+which were high and difficult of access, some low and open to approach
+along level vales, he furnished with every kind of warlike engine, as
+seemed suitable to each particular place. Marcellus attacked from the
+quinqueremes the wall of the Achradina, which, as before stated, was
+washed by the sea. From the other ships the archers and slingers and
+light infantry, whose weapon is difficult to be thrown back by the
+unskilful, allowed scarce any person to remain upon the wall
+unwounded. These, as they required room for the discharge of their
+missiles, kept their ships at a distance from the wall. Eight more
+quinqueremes joined together in pairs, the oars on their inner sides
+being removed, so that side might be placed to side, and which forming
+as it were ships, were worked by means of the oars on the outer sides,
+carried turrets built up in stories, and other engines employed in
+battering walls. Against this naval armament, Archimedes placed on
+different parts of the walls engines of various dimensions. Against
+the ships which were at a distance he discharged stones of immense
+weight. Those which were nearer he assailed with lighter, and
+therefore more numerous missiles. Lastly, in order that his own men
+might heap their weapons upon the enemy, without receiving any wounds
+themselves, he perforated the wall from the top to the bottom with a
+great number of loop-holes, about a cubit in diameter, through which
+some with arrows, others with scorpions of moderate size, assailed the
+enemy without being seen. Certain ships which came nearer to the walls
+in order to get within the range of the engines, he placed upon their
+sterns, raising up their prows by throwing upon them an iron grapple,
+attached to a strong chain, by means of a tolleno which projected from
+the wall, and overhung them, having a heavy counterpoise of lead which
+forced back the lever to the ground; then the grapple being suddenly
+disengaged, the ship falling as it were from the wall, was, by these
+means, to the utter consternation of the mariners, dashed in such a
+manner against the water, that even if it fell back in an erect
+position it took in a great quantity of water. Thus the attack by sea
+was foiled, and their whole efforts were directed to an attack by land
+with all their forces. But on this side also the place was furnished
+with a similar array of engines of every kind, procured at the expense
+of Hiero, who had given his attention to this object through a course
+of many years, and constructed by the unrivalled abilities of
+Archimedes. The nature of the place also assisted them; for the rock
+which formed the foundation of the wall was for the most part so
+steep, that not only materials discharged from engines, but such as
+were rolled down by their own gravity, fell upon the enemy with great
+force; the same cause rendered the approach to the city difficult, and
+the footing unsteady. Wherefore, a council being held, it was
+resolved, since every attempt was frustrated, to abstain from
+assaulting the place, and keeping up a blockade, only to cut off the
+provisions of the enemy by sea and land.
+
+35. Meanwhile, Marcellus, who had set out with about a third part of
+the army, to recover the towns which, during the commotion, had gone
+over to the Carthaginians, regained Helorus and Herbessus by voluntary
+surrender. Megara, which he took by storm, he demolished and
+plundered, in order to terrify the rest, but particularly the
+Syracusans. Much about the same time, Himilco, who had kept his fleet
+for a long time at the promontory of Pachynus, landed twenty-five
+thousand infantry, three thousand horse, and twelve elephants, at
+Heraclea, which they call Minoa. This force was much greater than that
+which he had before on board his fleet at Pachynus. But after Syracuse
+was seized by Hippocrates, he proceeded to Carthage, where, being
+aided by ambassadors from Hippocrates, and a letter from Hannibal, who
+said that now was the time to recover Sicily with the highest honour,
+while his own advice given in person had no small influence, he had
+prevailed upon the Carthaginians to transport into Sicily as large a
+force as possible, both of foot and horse. Immediately on his arrival
+he retook Heraclea, and within a few days after Agrigentum; and in the
+other states which sided with the Carthaginians, such confident hopes
+were kindled of driving the Romans out of Sicily, that at last even
+those who were besieged at Syracuse took courage; and thinking that
+half their forces would be sufficient for the defence of the city,
+they divided the business of the war between them in such a manner,
+that Epicydes superintended the defence of the city, while
+Hippocrates, in conjunction with Himilco, prosecuted the war against
+the Roman consul. The latter, having passed by night through the
+intervals between the posts, with ten thousand foot and five hundred
+horse, was pitching a camp near the city Acrillae, when Marcellus came
+upon them, while engaged in raising the fortifications, on his return
+from Agrigentum, which was already occupied by the enemy, having
+failed in his attempt to get there before the enemy by expeditious
+marching, Marcellus calculated upon any thing rather than meeting with
+a Syracusan army at that time and place; but still through fear of
+Himilco and the Carthaginians, for whom he was by no means a match
+with the forces he had with him, he was marching with all possible
+circumspection, and with his troops so arranged, as to be prepared for
+any thing which might occur.
+
+36. It happened that the caution he had observed with intent to guard
+him against the Carthaginians, proved useful against the Sicilians.
+Having caught them in disorder and dispersed, employed in forming
+their camp, and for the most part unarmed, he cut off all their
+infantry. Their cavalry, having commenced a slight engagement, fled to
+Acrae with Hippocrates. This battle having checked the Sicilians in
+their purpose of revolting from the Romans, Marcellus returned to
+Syracuse, and a few days after Himilco, being joined by Hippocrates,
+encamped on the river Anapus, about eight miles distant from that
+place. Nearly about the same time, fifty-five ships of war of the
+Carthaginians, with Bomilcar as commander of the fleet, put into the
+great harbour of Syracuse from the sea, and a Roman fleet of thirty
+quinqueremes landed the first legion at Panormus; and so intent were
+both the contending powers upon Sicily, that the seat of war might
+seem to have been removed from Italy. Himilco, who thought that the
+Roman legion which had been landed at Panormus, would doubtless fall a
+prey to him on its way to Syracuse, was mistaken in his road; for the
+Carthaginian marched through the inland parts of the country, while
+the legion, keeping along the coast, and attended by the fleet, came
+up with Appius Claudius, who had advanced to Pachynum with a part of
+his forces to meet it. Nor did the Carthaginians delay longer at
+Syracuse. Bomilcar, who at the same time that he did not feel
+sufficient confidence in his naval strength, as the Romans had a fleet
+more than double his number, was aware that delay which could be
+attended with no good effect, would only increase the scarcity of
+provisions among the allies by the presence of his troops, sailed out
+into the deep, and crossed over into Africa. Himilco, who had in vain
+followed Marcellus to Syracuse, to see if he could get any opportunity
+of engaging him before he was joined by larger forces, failing in this
+object, and seeing that the enemy were secured at Syracuse, both by
+their fortifications and the strength of their forces, to avoid
+wasting time in sitting by as an idle spectator of the siege of his
+allies, without being able to do any good, marched his troops away, in
+order to bring them up wherever the prospect of revolt from the Romans
+might invite him, and wherever by his presence he might inspire
+additional courage in those who espoused his interest. He first got
+possession of Murgantia, the Roman garrison having been betrayed by
+the inhabitants themselves. Here a great quantity of corn and
+provisions of every kind had been laid up by the Romans.
+
+37. To this revolt the minds of other states also were stimulated; and
+the Roman garrisons were now either driven out of the citadels, or
+treacherously given up and overpowered. Enna, which stood on an
+eminence lofty and of difficult ascent on all sides, was impregnable
+on account of its situation, and had besides in its citadel a strong
+garrison commanded by one who was very unlikely to be overreached by
+treachery, Lucius Pinarius, a man of vigorous mind, who relied more on
+the measures he took to prevent treachery, than on the fidelity of the
+Sicilians; and at that time particularly the intelligence he had
+received of so many cities being betrayed, and revolting, and of the
+massacre of the garrisons, had made him solicitous to use every
+precaution. Accordingly, by day and night equally, every thing was
+kept in readiness, and every place furnished with guards and watches,
+the soldiery being continually under arms and at their posts. But when
+the principal men in Enna, who had already entered into a covenant
+with Himilco to betray the garrison, found that they could get no
+opportunity of circumventing the Roman, they resolved to act openly.
+They urged, that "the city and the citadel ought to be under their
+control, as they had formed an alliance with the Romans on the
+understanding that they were to be free, and had not been delivered
+into their custody as slaves. That they therefore thought it just that
+the keys of the gates should be restored to them. That their honour
+formed the strongest tie upon good allies, and that the people and
+senate of Rome would entertain feelings of gratitude towards them if
+they continued in friendship with them of their own free will, and not
+by compulsion." The Roman replied, that "he was placed there by his
+general to protect the place; that from him he had received the keys
+of the gates and the custody of the citadel, trusts which he held not
+subject to his own will, nor that of the inhabitants of Enna, but to
+his who committed them to him. That among the Romans, for a man to
+quit his post was a capital offence, and that parents had sanctioned
+that law by the death even of their own children. That the consul
+Marcellus was not far off; that they might send ambassadors to him,
+who possessed the right and liberty of deciding." But they said, they
+would certainly not send to him, and solemnly declared, that as they
+could not obtain their object by argument, they would seek some means
+of asserting their liberty. Pinarius upon this observed, "that if they
+thought it too much to send to the consul, still they would, at least,
+grant him an assembly of the people, that it might be ascertained
+whether these denunciations came from a few, or from the whole state."
+An assembly of the people was proclaimed for the next day, with the
+general consent.
+
+38. After this conference, he returned into the citadel, and
+assembling his soldiers, thus addressed them: "Soldiers, I suppose you
+have heard in what manner the Roman garrisons have been betrayed and
+cut off by the Sicilians of late. You have escaped the same treachery,
+first by the kindness of the gods, and secondly by your own good
+conduct, in unremittingly standing and watching under arms. I wish the
+rest of our time may be passed without suffering or committing
+dreadful things. This caution, which we have hitherto employed, has
+been directed against covert treachery, but not succeeding in this as
+they wished, they now publicly and openly demand back the keys of the
+gates; but as soon as we shall have delivered them up, Enna will be
+instantly in the hands of the Carthaginians, and we shall be butchered
+under circumstances more horrid than those with which the garrison of
+Murgantia were massacred. I have with difficulty procured a delay of
+one night for deliberation, that I might employ it in acquainting you
+with the danger which threatens you. At daybreak they intend holding a
+general assembly for the purpose of criminating me, and stirring up
+the people against you; to-morrow, therefore, Enna will be inundated
+either with your blood, or that of its own inhabitants. If they are
+beforehand with you, you will have no hope left, but if you anticipate
+their proceedings, you will have no danger. Victory will belong to
+that side which shall have drawn the sword first. You shall all,
+therefore, full armed, attentively wait the signal. I shall be in the
+assembly, and by talking and disputing will spin out the time till
+every thing shall be ready. When I shall have given the signal with my
+gown, then, mind me raising a shout on all sides rush upon the
+multitude, and fell all before you with the sword, taking care that no
+one survive from whom either force or fraud can be apprehended. You,
+mother Ceres and Proserpine, I entreat, and all ye other gods,
+celestial and infernal, who frequent this city and these consecrated
+lakes and groves, that you would lend us your friendly and propitious
+aid, as we adopt this measure not for the purpose of inflicting, but
+averting injury. I should exhort you at greater length my soldiers, if
+you were about to fight with armed men, men unarmed and off their
+guard, you will slay to satiety. The consul's camp too is near, so
+that nothing can be apprehended from Himilco and the Carthaginians'."
+
+39. Being allowed to retire immediately after this exhortation, they
+employed themselves in taking refreshment. The next day they stationed
+themselves some in one place and others in another, to block up the
+streets, and shut up the ways by which the townsmen might escape, the
+greater part of them stationing themselves upon and round the theatre,
+as they had been accustomed before also to be spectators of the
+assemblies. When the Roman praefect, having been brought into the
+presence of the people by the magistrates, said, that the power and
+authority of deciding the question appertained to the consul, and not
+to him, repeating for the most part what he had urged the day before,
+first of all a small number, and then more, desired him to give up the
+keys, but afterwards all with one consent demanded it, and when he
+hesitated and delayed, threatened him furiously, and seemed as though
+they would not further delay violent extremities then the praefect
+gave the signal agreed upon with his gown and the soldiers, who had
+been long anxiously waiting the signal, and in readiness, raising a
+shout, ran down, some of them from the higher ground, upon the rear of
+the assembly while others blocked up the passages leading out of the
+crowded theatre. The people of Enna thus shut up in the pit were put
+to the sword, being heaped one upon another not only in consequence of
+the slaughter, but also from their own efforts to escape, for some
+scrambling over the heads of others, and those that were unhurt
+falling upon the wounded, and the living upon the dead, they were
+accumulated together. Thence they ran in every direction throughout
+the city, when nothing was any where to be seen but flight and
+bloodshed, as though the city had been captured, for the rage of the
+soldiery was not less excited in putting to the sword an unarmed
+rabble, than it would have been had the heat of battle and an equality
+of danger stimulated it. Thus possession of Enna was retained, by an
+act which was either atrocious or unavoidable. Marcellus did not
+disapprove of the deed, and gave up the plunder of the place to the
+soldiery, concluding that the Sicilians, deterred by this example,
+would refrain from betraying their garrisons. As this city was
+situated in the heart of Sicily, and was distinguished both on account
+of the remarkable strength of its natural situation, and because every
+part of it was rendered sacred by the traces it contained of the rape
+of Proserpine of old, the news of its disaster spread though the whole
+of Sicily in nearly one day, and as people considered that by this
+horrid massacre violence had been done not only to the habitations of
+men, but even of the gods, then indeed those who even before this
+event were in doubt which side they should take, revolted to the
+Carthaginians Hippocrates and Himilco, who had in vain brought up
+their troops to Enna at the invitation of the traitors, retired
+thence, the former to Murgantia, the latter to Agrigentum. Marcellus
+retrograded into the territory of Leontium, and after collecting a
+quantity of corn and other provisions in his camp there, left a small
+body of troops to protect it, and then went to carry on the siege of
+Syracuse. Appius Claudius having been allowed to go from thence to
+Rome to put up for the consulship, he appointed Titus Quintus
+Crispinus to command the fleet and the old camp in his room. He
+himself fortified his camp, and built huts for his troops at a
+distance of five miles from Hexapylum, at a place called Leon. These
+were the transactions in Sicily up to the beginning of the winter.
+
+40. The same summer the war with king Philip, as had been before
+suspected, broke out. Ambassadors from Oricum came to Marcus Valerius,
+the praetor, who was directing his fleet around Brundusium and the
+neighbouring coasts of Calabria, with intelligence, that Philip had
+first made an attempt upon Apollonia, having approached it by sailing
+up the river with a hundred and twenty barks with two banks of oars;
+after that, not succeeding so speedily as he had hoped, that he had
+brought up his army secretly to Oricum by night; which city, as it was
+situated on a plain, and was not secured either by fortifications or
+by men and arms, was overpowered at the first assault. At the same
+time that they delivered this intelligence, they entreated him to
+bring them succour, and repel that decided enemy of the Romans by land
+or by a naval force, since they were attacked for no other cause than
+that they lay over against Italy. Marcus Valerius, leaving Publius
+Valerius lieutenant-general charged with the protection of that
+quarter, set sail with his fleet equipped and prepared, having put on
+board of ships of burthen such soldiers as there was not room for in
+the men of war, and reached Oricum on the second day; and as that city
+was occupied by a slight garrison, which Philip had left on his
+departure thence, he retook it without much opposition. Here
+ambassadors came to him from Apollonia, stating that they were
+subjected to a siege because they were unwilling to revolt from the
+Romans, and that they would not be able any longer to resist the power
+of the Macedonians, unless a Roman force were sent for their
+protection. Having undertaken to perform what they wished, he sent two
+thousand chosen armed men in ships of war to the mouth of the river,
+under the command of Quintus Naevius Crista, praefect of the allies, a
+man of enterprise, and experienced in military affairs. Having landed
+his troops, and sent back the ships to join the rest of the fleet at
+Oricum, whence he had come, he marched his troops at a distance from
+the river, by a way not guarded at all by the king's party, and
+entered the city by night, so that none of the enemy perceived him.
+During the following day they remained quiet, to afford time for the
+praefect to inspect the youth of Apollonia, together with the arms and
+resources of the city. Having derived considerable confidence from a
+review and inspection of these, and at the same time discovering from
+scouts the supineness and negligence which prevailed among the enemy,
+he marched out of the city during the dead of night without any noise,
+and entered the camp of the enemy, which was in such a neglected and
+exposed state, that it was quite clear that a thousand men had passed
+the rampart before any one perceived them, and that had they abstained
+from putting them to the sword, they might have penetrated to the
+royal pavilion. The killing of those who were nearest the gate aroused
+the enemy; and in consequence, they were all seized with such alarm
+and dismay, that not only none of the rest attempted to take arms or
+endeavour to expel the enemy from the camp, but even the king himself,
+betaking himself to flight, in a manner half naked and just as he was
+when roused from his sleep, hurried away to the river and his ships in
+a garb scarcely decent for a private soldier, much less for a king.
+Thither also the rest of the multitude fled with the utmost
+precipitation. Little less than three thousand men were slain or made
+prisoners in the camp; considerably more, however, were captured than
+slain. The camp having been plundered, the Apollonians removed into
+their city the catapults, ballistas, and other engines which had been
+got together for the purpose of assaulting their city, for the
+protection of their walls, in case at any time a similar conjuncture
+should arise; all the rest of the plunder which the camp afforded was
+given up to the Romans. Intelligence of these events having been
+carried to Oricum, Marcus Valerius immediately brought his fleet to
+the mouth of the river, that the king might not attempt to make his
+escape by ship. Thus Philip, having lost all hope of being able to
+cope with his enemies by land or sea, and having either hauled on
+shore or burnt his ships, made for Macedonia by land, his troops being
+for the most part unarmed and despoiled of their baggage. The Roman
+fleet, with Marcus Valerius, wintered at Oricum.
+
+41. The same year the war was prosecuted in Spain with various
+success; for before the Romans crossed the Iberus, Mago and Hasdrubal
+had routed an immense army of Spaniards; and the farther Spain would
+have revolted from the Romans, had not Publius Cornelius, hastily
+crossing the Iberus with his army, given a seasonable stimulus to the
+wavering resolutions of his allies by his arrival among them. The
+Romans first encamped at a place called the High Camp, which is
+remarkable for the death of the great Hamilcar. It was a fortress
+strongly defended by works, and thither they had previously conveyed
+corn; but as the whole circumjacent country was full of enemy's
+troops, and the Roman army on its march had been charged by the
+cavalry of the enemy without being able to take revenge upon them, two
+thousand men, who either loitered behind or had strayed through the
+fields, having been slain, the Romans quitted this place to get nearer
+to a friendly country, and fortified a camp at the mount of Victory.
+To this place came Cneius Scipio with all his forces, and Hasdrubal,
+son of Gisgo, and a third Carthaginian general, with a complete army,
+all of whom took up a position opposite the Roman camp and on the
+other side the river. Publius Scipio, going out with some light troops
+to take a view of the surrounding country, was observed by the enemy;
+and he would have been overpowered in the open plain, had he not
+seized an eminence near him. Here too he was closely invested, but was
+rescued from the troops which environed him by the arrival of his
+brother. Castulo, a city of Spain, so strong and celebrated, and so
+closely connected with the Carthaginians, that Hannibal had taken a
+wife from it, revolted to the Romans. The Carthaginians commenced the
+siege of Illiturgi, because there was a Roman garrison in it; and it
+seemed that they would carry the place, chiefly in consequence of a
+lack of provisions. Cneius Scipio, setting out with a legion lightly
+equipped, in order to bring succour to his allies and the garrison,
+entered the city, passing between the two camps of the enemy, and
+slaying a great number of them. The next day also he sallied out and
+fought with equal success. Above twelve thousand were slain in the two
+battles, more than a thousand made prisoners, and thirty-six military
+standards captured. In consequence of this they retired from
+Illiturgi. After this the siege of Bigerra, a city which was also in
+alliance with the Romans, was commenced by the Carthaginians; but
+Scipio coming up, raised the siege without experiencing any
+opposition.
+
+42. The Carthaginians then removed their camp to Munda, whither the
+Romans speedily followed them. Here a pitched battle was fought, which
+lasted almost four hours; and while the Romans were carrying all
+before them in the most glorious manner, the signal for retreat was
+sounded, because the thigh of Cneius Scipio had been transfixed with a
+javelin. The soldiers round about him were thrown into a state of
+great alarm, lest the wound should be mortal. However, there was no
+doubt but that if they had not been prevented by the intervention of
+this accident, they might have taken the Carthaginian camp that day.
+By this time, not only the men, but the elephants, were driven quite
+up to the rampart; and even upon the top of it nine and thirty
+elephants were pierced with spears. In this battle, too, as many as
+twelve thousand are said to have been slain, nearly three thousand
+captured, with fifty-seven military standards. The Carthaginians
+retired thence to the city Auringis, whither the Romans followed them,
+in order to take advantage of their terror. Here Scipio again fought
+them, having been carried into the field in a small litter; the
+victory was decisive; but not half so many of the enemy were slain as
+before, because fewer survived to fight. But this family, which
+possessed a natural talent at renewing war and restoring its effects,
+in a short time recruited their army, Mago having been sent by his
+brother to press soldiers, and assumed courage to try the issue of a
+fresh struggle. Though the soldiers were for the most part different,
+yet as they fought in a cause which had so often been unsuccessful
+within the space of a few days, they carried into the field the same
+state of mind as those which had been engaged before, and the issue of
+the battle was similar. More than eight thousand were slain, not much
+less than a thousand captured, with fifty-eight military standards.
+The greater part of the spoils had belonged to the Gauls, consisting
+of golden chains and bracelets in great numbers. Also two
+distinguished Gallic petty princes, whose names were Moenicaptus and
+Civismarus, fell in this battle. Eight elephants were captured and
+three slain. When affairs went on so prosperously in Spain, the Romans
+began to feel ashamed that Saguntum, on account of which the war had
+originated, should continue for now the eighth year in the power of
+the enemy. Accordingly, having expelled by force the Carthaginian
+garrison, they retook that town, and restored it to such of the
+ancient inhabitants as had survived the fury of the war. The
+Turditanians also, who had been the cause of the war between that
+people and the Carthaginians, they reduced under their power, sold
+them as slaves, and razed their city.
+
+43. Such were the achievements in Spain during the consulate of
+Quintus Fabius and Marcus Claudius. At Rome, as soon as the new
+plebeian tribunes entered upon their office, Lucius Metellus, a
+plebeian tribune, immediately appointed a day for impleading the
+censors, Publius Furius and Marcus Atilius, before the people. In the
+preceding year, when he was quaestor, they had deprived him of his
+horse, removed him from his tribe, and disfranchised him, on account
+of the conspiracy entered into at Cannae to abandon Italy. But being
+aided by the other nine tribunes, they were forbidden to answer while
+in office, and were discharged. The death of Publius Furius prevented
+their completing the lustrum. Marcus Atilius abdicated his office. An
+assembly for the election of consuls was held by Quintus Fabius
+Maximus. The consuls elected were Quintus Fabius Maximus, son of the
+consul, and Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus a second time, both being
+absent. The praetors appointed were Marcus Atilius, and the two curule
+aediles, Publius Sempronius Tuditanus and Cneius Fulvius Centumalus,
+together with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. It is recorded, that the scenic
+games were this year, for the first time, celebrated for four days by
+the curule aediles. The aedile Tuditanus was the man who made his way
+through the midst of the enemy at Cannae when all the rest were
+paralysed with fear, in consequence of that dreadful calamity. As soon
+as the elections were completed, the consuls elect having been
+summoned to Rome, at the instance of Quintus Fabius, the consul,
+entered upon their office, and took the sense of the senate respecting
+the war, their own provinces as well as those of the praetors, and
+also respecting the armies to be employed, and which each of them was
+to command.
+
+44. The provinces and armies were thus distributed: the prosecution of
+the war with Hannibal was given to the consuls, and of the armies, one
+which Sempronius himself had commanded, and another which the consul
+Fabius had commanded, each consisting of two legions. Marcus Aemilius,
+the praetor, who had the foreign jurisdiction, was to have Luceria as
+his province, with the two legions which Quintus Fabius, then consul,
+had commanded as praetor, his colleague, Marcus Atilius, the city
+praetor, undertaking the duties of his office. The province of
+Ariminum fell to the lot of Publius Sempronius, that of Suessula to
+Cneius Fulvius, with two legions each likewise; Fulvius taking with
+him the city legions; Tuditanus receiving his from Manius Pomponius.
+The following generals were continued in command, and their provinces
+assigned to them thus: to Marcus Claudius, so much of Sicily as lay
+within the limits of the kingdom of Hiero; to Lentulus, the
+propraetor, the old province in that island; to Titus Otacilius, the
+fleet; no additional troops were assigned to them. Marcus Valerius had
+Greece and Macedonia, with the legion and the fleet which he had
+there; Quintus Mucius had Sardinia, with his old army, consisting of
+two legions; Caius Terentius, Picenum, with one legion which he then
+commanded. Besides, orders were given to enlist two legions for the
+city, and twenty thousand men from the allies. With these leaders and
+these forces did they fortify the Roman empire against the many wars
+which had either actually broken out, or were suspected at one and the
+same time. After enlisting the city legions and raising troops to make
+up the numbers of the others, the consuls, before they quitted the
+city, expiated the prodigies which were reported. A wall and a gate
+had been struck by lightning; and at Aricia even the temple of Jupiter
+had been struck by lightning. Other illusions of the eyes and ears
+were credited as realities. An appearance as of ships had been seen in
+the river at Tarracina, when there were none there. A clashing of arms
+was heard in the temple of Jupiter Vicilinus, in the territory of
+Compsa; and a river at Amiternum had flowed bloody. These prodigies
+having been expiated according to a decree of the pontiffs, the
+consuls set out, Sempronius for Lucania, Fabius for Apulia. The father
+of the latter came into the camp at Suessula, as his
+lieutenant-general; and when the son advanced to meet him, the
+lictors, out of respect for his dignity, went on in silence. The old
+man rode past eleven of the fasces, when the consul ordered the lictor
+nearest to him to take care and he called to him to dismount; then at
+length dismounting, he exclaimed, "I wished to try, my son, whether
+you were duly sensible that you are a consul."
+
+45. To this camp came Dasias Altinius of Arpi privately and by night,
+attended by three slaves, with a promise that if he should receive a
+reward for it, he would engage to betray Arpi to them. Fabius having
+laid the matter before a council, some were of opinion that "he ought
+to be scourged and put to death as a deserter, as a man of unstable
+mind, and a common enemy to both sides; who, after the defeat at
+Cannae, had gone over to Hannibal and drawn Arpi into revolt, as if it
+were right that a man's fidelity should vary according to the
+fluctuations of fortune; and who now, when the Roman cause, contrary
+to his hopes and wishes, was as it were rising up again, would seem to
+aggravate his baseness by recompensing those whom he had formerly
+betrayed, by fresh betrayal. That a man whose custom it was to espouse
+one side, while his heart was on another, was unworthy of confidence
+as an ally, and contemptible as an enemy; that he ought to be made a
+third example to deserters, in addition to the betrayers of Falerii
+and Pyrrhus." On the other hand, Fabius, the father of the consul,
+observed, that, "forgetful of circumstances, men were apt to exercise
+a free judgment on every question in the heat of war, as in time of
+peace; for though in the present instance that which ought rather to
+form the object of their endeavours and to occupy their thoughts, is
+by what means it may be brought about that none of the allies may
+revolt from the Roman people, yet that they never think of; but, on
+the contrary, they urge that an example ought to be made of any who
+might repent and look back upon their former alliance. But if it is
+allowable to forsake the Romans, and not allowable to return to them,
+who can doubt but that in a short time the Romans, deserted by their
+allies, will see every state in Italy united in leagues with the
+Carthaginians. Not, however, that he was of opinion that any
+confidence was to be reposed in Altinius, but he would invent some
+middle course of proceeding. Treating him neither as an enemy nor as a
+friend for the present, his wish was, that he should be kept during
+the war in some city whose fidelity could be relied on, at a short
+distance from the camp, in a state of easy restraint; and that when
+the war was concluded, they should then deliberate whether he more
+deserved to be punished for his former defection, or pardoned for his
+present return." The opinion of Fabius was approved of. Altinius was
+bound in chains and given into custody, together with his companions,
+and a large quantity of gold which he brought with him was ordered to
+be kept for him. He was kept at Cales, where, during the day, he was
+unconfined, but attended by guards who locked him up at night. He was
+first missed and inquired for at his house at Arpi. but afterwards,
+when the report of his absence had spread through the city, a violent
+sensation was excited, as if they had lost their leader, and, from the
+apprehension of some attempt to alter the present state of things,
+messengers were immediately despatched to Hannibal. With this the
+Carthaginian was far from being displeased, both because he had long
+regarded the man himself with suspicion, as one of doubtful fidelity,
+and because he had now been lucky enough to get a pretext for
+possessing himself of the property of so wealthy a person. But that
+the world might suppose that he had yielded to resentment more than to
+avarice, he added cruelty to rapacity; for he summoned his wife and
+children to the camp, and after having made inquiry, first, respecting
+the flight of Altinius, and then, touching the quantity of gold and
+silver which was left at his house, and informed himself on all these
+points, he burned them alive.
+
+46. Fabius, setting out from Suessula, first set about the siege of
+Arpi; and having pitched his camp about half a mile from it, he took a
+near view of the site and walls of the city, and resolved to attack
+it, in preference, in that quarter where it was most secured by works,
+and where the least care was taken in guarding it. After getting all
+things together which could be of use in besieging a city, he selected
+the most efficient of the centurions out of the whole army, placing
+them under the command of tribunes of approved valour, and giving them
+six hundred soldiers, a number which was thought sufficient for the
+purpose. These he ordered to bring the scaling ladders to the place
+which he had marked out, as soon as the signal of the fourth watch had
+sounded. In this part there was a low and narrow gate, opening into a
+street which was little frequented, and which led through a deserted
+part of the city. He ordered them, after scaling the wall, to proceed
+to this gate, and break down the bars on the inside by force, and when
+they were in possession of that part of the city, to give a signal
+with a cornet, that the rest of the troops might be brought up,
+observing that he would have every thing prepared and ready. These
+orders were executed promptly, and that which seemed likely to impede
+their operations, served more than any thing to conceal them. A shower
+of rain, which came on suddenly at midnight, compelled the guards and
+watches to slip away from their posts and take shelter in the houses;
+and the noise of the shower, which was somewhat copious, at first
+prevented their hearing that which was made by the men in breaking
+open the gate. Afterwards, when it fell upon the ear more gently and
+uniformly, it lulled a great number of the men to sleep. After they
+had secured possession of the gate, they placed cornet-players in the
+street at equal distances, and desired them to sound, in order to call
+the consul. This being done according to the plan previously agreed
+upon, the consul ordered the troops to march, and a little before
+daylight entered the city through the broken gate.
+
+47. Then at length the enemy were roused, the shower was now
+subsiding, and daylight coming on. Hannibal had a garrison of about
+five thousand armed men in the city, and the inhabitants themselves
+had three thousand men in arms; these the Carthaginians placed in
+front against the enemy, to guard against any treachery on their rear.
+The fight was carried on at first in the dark, and in the narrow
+streets, the Romans having seized not only the streets, but the houses
+also nearest the gate, that they might not be struck or wounded by any
+thing discharged at them from above. Some of the Arpinians and Romans
+recognised each other, which led to conversations, in which the Romans
+asked them, what it was they meant? for what offence on the part of
+the Romans, or what service on that of the Carthaginians, they, who
+were Italians, made war in favour of foreigners and barbarians,
+against their ancient allies the Romans, and endeavoured to render
+Italy tributary and stipendiary to Africa? The Arpinians urged in
+excuse of themselves, that in ignorance of all the circumstances, they
+had been sold to the Carthaginians by their nobility, and that they
+were kept in a state of thraldom and oppression by the few. A
+beginning having been made, greater numbers on both sides entered into
+conversation; and at length the praetor of Arpi was brought by his
+countrymen before the consul, and after exchanging assurances in the
+midst of the standards and the troops, the Arpinians suddenly turned
+their arms against the Carthaginians, in favour of the Romans. Some
+Spaniards also, little less than a thousand in number, after only
+stipulating with the consul that the Carthaginian garrison might be
+allowed to march out unhurt, passed over to the consul. The gates were
+therefore thrown open for the Carthaginians; and being allowed to go
+out unmolested, in conformity with the stipulation, they joined
+Hannibal in Salapia. Thus was Arpi restored to the Romans, without the
+loss of a life, except that of one man, who was formerly a traitor,
+and recently a deserter. The Spaniards were ordered to receive a
+double allowance of provisions, and on very many occasions the
+republic availed itself of their brave and faithful services. While
+one of the consuls was in Apulia, and the other in Lucania, a hundred
+and twelve Campanian noblemen, having gone out of Capua, with the
+permission of the magistrates, under pretence of collecting booty from
+the enemy's lands, came into the Roman camp, which lay above Suessula.
+They told the soldiers, forming the vanguard, that they wished to
+speak with the praetor. Cneius Fulvius commanded the camp; who, on
+being informed of the circumstance, ordered ten of them to be brought
+into his presence unarmed; and after hearing their request, (and all
+they asked was, that when the Romans should recover Capua, their
+property might be restored to them,) they were all received under his
+protection. The other praetor, Sempronius Tuditanus, took by force the
+town of Aternum; more than seven thousand were captured, with a
+considerable quantity of coined brass and silver. A dreadful fire
+happened at Rome, which continued for two nights and a day; every
+thing was burnt to the ground between the Salinae and the Carmental
+gate, with the Aequimaelium and the Jugarian street. In the temples of
+Fortune, Mater Matuta, and Hope, which latter stood without the gate,
+the fire, spreading to a wide extent, consumed much both sacred and
+profane.
+
+48. The same year, the two Cornelii, Publius and Cneius, as affairs
+were now in a prosperous state in Spain, and they had recovered many
+ancient allies, and attached fresh ones to them, extended their views
+even to Africa. Syphax was a king of the Numidians, who had suddenly
+become hostile to the Carthaginians; to him they sent three centurions
+as ambassadors, to form a treaty of friendship and alliance with him;
+and to promise, that, if he persevered in pressing the war against the
+Carthaginians, he would render an acceptable service to the senate and
+people of Rome, and they would endeavour to requite the favour with
+large additions, and at a seasonable time. This embassy was gratifying
+to the barbarian; and when conversing with the ambassadors on the art
+of war he heard the observations of those experienced soldiers, by
+comparing his own practice with so regular a system of discipline, he
+became sensible of how many things he himself was ignorant. Then he
+entreated them to give the first proof of their being good and
+faithful allies, "by letting two of them carry back the result of
+their embassy to their generals, while one remained with him as his
+instructor in military science, observing that the Numidian nation
+were unacquainted with the method of carrying on war with foot forces,
+being useful only as mounted soldiers. That it was in this manner that
+their ancestors had carried on war even from the first origin of their
+nation, and to this they were habituated from their childhood. But
+that they had to contend with an enemy who relied upon the prowess of
+their infantry; with whom, if they wished to be placed upon an
+equality in respect of efficient strength, they must also furnish
+themselves with infantry. That his dominions abounded with a large
+quantity of men fit for the purpose, but that he was unacquainted with
+the art of arming, equipping, and marshalling them; that all his
+infantry were unwieldy and unmanageable, like a rabble collected
+together by chance." The ambassadors answered, that they would comply
+with his request for the present, on his engaging to send him back
+immediately, if their generals did not approve of what they had done.
+The name of the person who staid behind with the king was Quintus
+Statorius. With the two other Romans, the Numidian sent ambassadors
+into Spain, to receive the ratification of the alliance from the Roman
+generals. He gave it in charge to the same persons, forthwith to
+induce the Numidians, who were serving as auxiliaries among the
+Carthaginian troops, to go over to the other side. Statorius raised a
+body of infantry for the king out of the large number of young men
+which he found; and having formed them into companies, in close
+imitation of the Roman method, taught them to follow their standards
+and keep their ranks when being marshalled, and when performing their
+evolutions; and he so habituated them to military works and other
+military duties, that in a short time the king relied not more on his
+cavalry than on his infantry; and in a regular and pitched battle,
+fought on a level plain, he overcame his enemies, the Carthaginians.
+In Spain also the arrival of the king's ambassadors was of the
+greatest advantage to the Romans, for at the news thereof the
+Numidians began rapidly to pass over. Thus the Romans and Syphax were
+united in friendship, which the Carthaginians hearing of, immediately
+sent ambassadors to Gala, who reigned in another part of Numidia, over
+a nation called Massylians.
+
+49. Gala had a son named Masinissa, seventeen years of age, but a
+youth of such talents, that even at that time it was evident that he
+would render the kingdom more extensive and powerful than when he
+received it. The ambassadors represented that, "since Syphax had
+united himself with the Romans, that by their alliance he might
+strengthen his hands against the kings and nations of Africa, it would
+be better for Gala also to unite with the Carthaginians as soon as
+possible, before Syphax crossed over into Spain, or the Romans into
+Africa; that Syphax might be overpowered, while as yet he derived
+nothing from his league with the Romans but the name of it." Gala, his
+son claiming to be intrusted with the conduct of the war, was easily
+prevailed upon to send an army, which, joined by the legions of the
+Carthaginians, totally defeated Syphax in a great battle. In this
+thirty thousand men are said to have been slain. Syphax, with a few
+horsemen, fled from the field, and took refuge among the Maurusian
+Numidians, a nation dwelling at the extremity of Africa, near the
+ocean, and over against Gades. But the barbarians flocking to his
+standard from all sides, in consequence of his great renown, he
+speedily armed a very large force. Before he passed over with these
+forces into Spain, which was separated only by a narrow strait,
+Masinissa came up with his victorious army; and here he acquired great
+glory in the prosecution of the war with Syphax, in which he acted
+alone and unsupported by any aid from the Carthaginians. In Spain
+nothing worth mentioning was performed, except that the Romans drew
+over to their side the Celtiberian youth, by giving them the same pay
+which they had stipulated with the Carthaginians to pay them. They
+also sent above three hundred Spaniards of the greatest distinction
+into Italy, to bring over their countrymen, who served among the
+auxiliary troops of Hannibal. The only memorable circumstance of this
+year in Spain was, that the Romans then, for the first time, employed
+mercenary troops in their camp, namely, the Celtiberians.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXV.
+
+
+_Publius Cornelius Scipio, afterwards called Africanus, elected
+aedile before he had attained the age required by the law. The citadel
+of Tarentum, in which the Roman garrison had taken refuge, betrayed to
+Hannibal. Games instituted in honour of Apollo, called Apollinarian.
+Quintus Fulvius and Appius Claudius, consuls, defeat Hanno the
+Carthaginian general. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus betrayed by a
+Lucanian to Mago, and slain. Centenius Penula, who had been a
+centurion, asks the senate for the command of an army, promising to
+engage and vanquish Hannibal, is cut off with eight thousand men.
+Cneius Fulvius engages Hannibal, and is beaten, with the loss of
+sixteen thousand men slain, he himself escapes with only two hundred
+horsemen. Quintus Fulvius and Appius Claudius, consuls, lay siege to
+Capua. Syracuse taken by Claudius Marcellus after a siege of three
+years. In the tumult occasioned by taking the city, Archimedes is
+killed while intently occupied on some figures which he had drawn in
+the sand. Publius and Cornelius Scipio, after having performed many
+eminent services in Spain, are slain, together with nearly the whole
+of their armies, eight years after their arrival in that country; and
+the possession of that province would have been entirely lost, but for
+the valour and activity of Lucius Marcius, a Roman knight, who,
+collecting the scattered remains of the vanquished armies, utterly
+defeats the enemy, storming their two camps, killing thirty-seven
+thousand of them, and taking eighteen hundred together with an immense
+booty._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. Hannibal passed the summer during which these events occurred in
+Africa and Italy, in the Tarentine territory, with the hope of having
+the city of the Tarentines betrayed to him. Meanwhile some
+inconsiderable towns belonging to them, and to the Sallentines,
+revolted to him. At the same time, of the twelve states of the
+Bruttians, which had in a former year gone over to the Carthaginians,
+the Consentians and Thurians returned to the protection of the Roman
+people. And more would have done the same, had not Titus Pomponius
+Veientanus, praefect of the allies, having acquired the appearance of
+a regular general, in consequence of several successful predatory
+expeditions in the Bruttian territory, got together a tumultuary band,
+and fought a battle with Hanno. In that battle, a great number of men,
+consisting, however, of a disorderly rabble of slaves and rustics,
+were slain or captured. The least part of the loss was, that the
+praefect himself was taken prisoner; for he was not only in the
+present instance guilty of having rashly engaged the enemy, but
+previously, in the capacity of farmer of the revenue, by iniquitous
+practices of every description, had shown himself faithless and
+injurious to the state, as well as the companies. Among the Lucanians,
+the consul, Sempronius, fought several small battles, but none worthy
+of being recorded, he also took several inconsiderable towns. In
+proportion as the war was protracted, and the sentiments no less than
+the circumstances of men fluctuated accordingly as events flowed
+prosperously or otherwise, the citizens were seized with such a
+passion for superstitious observances, and those for the most part
+introduced from foreign countries, that either the people or the gods
+appeared to have undergone a sudden change. And now the Roman rites
+were growing into disuse, not only in private, and within doors, but
+in public also; in the forum and Capitol there were crowds of women
+sacrificing, and offering up prayers to the gods, in modes unusual in
+that country. A low order of sacrificers and soothsayers had enslaved
+men's understandings, and the numbers of these were increased by the
+country people, whom want and terror had driven into the city, from
+the fields which were lain uncultivated during a protracted war, and
+had suffered from the incursions of the enemy, and by the profitable
+cheating in the ignorance of others which they carried on like an
+allowed and customary trade. At first, good men gave protest in
+private to the indignation they felt at these proceedings, but
+afterwards the thing came before the fathers, and formed a matter of
+public complaint. The aediles and triumviri, appointed for the
+execution of criminals, were severely reprimanded by the senate for
+not preventing these irregularities, but when they attempted to remove
+the crowd of persons thus employed from the forum, and to overthrow
+the preparations for their sacred rites, they narrowly escaped
+personal injury. It being now evident, that the evil was too powerful
+to be checked by inferior magistrates, the senate commissioned Marcus
+Atilius, the city praetor, to rid the people of these superstitions.
+He called an assembly, in which he read the decree of the senate, and
+gave notice, that all persons who had any books of divination, or
+forms of prayer, or any written system of sacrificing, should lay all
+the aforesaid books and writings before him before the calends of
+April; and that no person should sacrifice in any public or
+consecrated place according to new or foreign rites.
+
+2. Several of the public priests too died this year: Lucius Cornelius
+Lentulus, chief pontiff, Caius Papirius Maso, son of Caius, a pontiff,
+Publius Furius Philo, an augur, and Caius Papirius Maso, son of
+Lucius, a decemvir for the superintendence of sacred rites. In lieu of
+Lentulus, Marcus Cornelius Cethegus, in lieu of Papirius Cnaeius,
+Servilius Caepio, were created pontiffs. Lucius Quinctius Flaminius
+was created augur, and Lucius Cornelius Lentulus decemvir for the
+superintendence of sacred rites. The time for the election of consuls
+was now approaching; but as it was not thought proper to call the
+consuls away from the war with which they were intently occupied,
+Tiberius Sempronius, the consul, nominated Caius Claudius Centho as
+dictator to hold the election. He appointed Quintus Fulvius Flaccus as
+his master of the horse. On the first day on which the election could
+be held, the dictator appointed as consuls, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus,
+his master of the horse, and Appius Claudius Pulcher, who had held the
+government of Sicily as praetor. The praetors created were Cneius
+Fulvius Flaccus, Caius Claudius Nero, Marcus Junius Silanus, Publius
+Cornelius Sulla. The election completed, the dictator retired from his
+office. This year, Publius Cornelius Scipio, afterwards surnamed
+Africanus, held the office of curule aedile, with Marcus Cornelius
+Cethegus; and when the tribunes of the people opposed his pretensions
+to the aedileship, alleging, that no notice ought to be taken of him,
+because he had not attained the legal age for candidateship, he
+observed, "if the citizens in general are desirous of appointing me
+aedile, I am old enough." Upon this the people ran to their respective
+tribes to give their votes, with feelings so strongly disposed in his
+favour, that the tribunes on a sudden abandoned their attempt. The
+largesses bestowed by the aediles were the following: the Roman games
+were sumptuously exhibited, considering the present state of their
+resources; they were repeated during one day, and a gallon of oil was
+given to each street. Lucius Villius Tapulus, and Marcus Fundanius
+Fundulus, the plebeian aediles, accused some matrons of misconduct
+before the people, and some of them they convicted and sent into
+exile. The plebeian games were repeated during two days, and a feast
+in honour of Jupiter was celebrated on occasion of the games.
+
+3. Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, for the third time, and Appius Claudius
+entered upon the office of consuls. The praetors determined their
+provinces by lot. Publius Cornelius Sulla received both the city and
+the foreign jurisdiction, formerly allotted to two persons, Cneius
+Fulvius Flaccus, Apulia, Caius Claudius Nero, Suessula, and Marcus
+Junius Silanus, Tuscany. To the consuls the conduct of the war with
+Hannibal was decreed with two legions each, one taking the troops of
+Quintus Fabius, the consul of the former year, the other those of
+Fulvius Centumalus. Of the praetors, Fulvius Flaccus was to have the
+legions which were in Luceria under Aemilius the praetor, Nero
+Claudius those in Picenum under Caius Terentius, each raising recruits
+for himself to fill up the number of his troops. To Marcus Junius the
+city legions of the former year were assigned, to be employed against
+the Tuscans. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and Publius Sempronius
+Tuditanus were continued in command in their provinces of Lucania and
+Gaul with the armies they had, as was also Publius Lentulus in that
+part of Sicily which formed the ancient Roman province. Marcus
+Marcellus had Syracuse, and that which was the kingdom of Hiero. Titus
+Otacilius was continued in the command of the fleet, Marcus Valerius
+in that of Greece, Quintus Mucius Scaevola in that of Sardinia. The
+Cornelii, Publius and Cneius, were continued in the command of Spain.
+In addition to the armies already existing, two legions for the
+service of the city were levied by the consuls, and a total of
+twenty-three legions was made up this year. The levy of the consuls
+was impeded by the conduct of Marcus Posthumius Pyrgensis, almost
+accompanied with a serious disturbance. Posthumius was a farmer of the
+revenue, who, for knavery and rapacity, practised through a course of
+many years, had no equal except Titus Pomponius Veientanus, who had
+been taken prisoner the former year by the Carthaginians under the
+conduct of Hanno, while carelessly ravaging the lands in Lucania. As
+the state had taken upon itself the risk of any loss which might arise
+from storms to the commodities conveyed to the armies, not only had
+these two men fabricated false accounts of shipwrecks, but even those
+which had really occurred were occasioned by their own knavery, and
+not by accident. Their plan was to put a few goods of little value
+into old and shattered vessels, which they sank in the deep, taking up
+the sailors in boats prepared for the purpose, and then returning
+falsely the cargo as many times more valuable than it was. This
+fraudulent practice had been pointed out to Marcus Atilius, the
+praetor in a former year, who had communicated it to the senate; no
+decree, however, had been passed censuring it, because the fathers
+were unwilling that any offence should be given to the order of
+revenue farmers while affairs were in such a state. The people were
+severer avengers of the fraud; and at length two tribunes of the
+people, Spurius and Lucius Carvilius, being moved to take some active
+measure, as they saw that this conduct excited universal disgust, and
+had become notorious, proposed that a fine of two hundred thousand
+asses should be imposed on Marcus Posthumius. When the day arrived for
+arguing the question, the people assembled in such numbers, that the
+area of the Capitol could scarcely contain them; and the cause having
+been gone through, the only hope of safety which presented itself was,
+that Caius Servilius Casca, a tribune of the people, a connexion and
+relation of Posthumius, should interpose his protest before the tribes
+were called to give their votes. The witnesses having been produced,
+the tribunes caused the people to withdraw, and the urn was brought,
+in order that the tribes should draw lots which should give the vote
+first. Meanwhile, the farmers of the revenue urged Casca to stop the
+proceedings for that day. The people, however, loudly opposed it; and
+Casca happened to be sitting on the most prominent part of the
+rostrum, whose mind fear and shame were jointly agitating. Seeing that
+no dependence was to be placed in him for protection, the farmers of
+the revenue, forming themselves into a wedge, rushed into the void
+space occasioned by the removal of the people for the purpose of
+causing disturbance, wrangling at the same time with the people and
+the tribunes. The affair had now almost proceeded to violence, when
+Fulvius Flaccus, the consul, addressing the tribunes, said, "Do you
+not see that you are degraded to the common rank, and that an
+insurrection will be the result, unless you speedily dismiss the
+assembly of the commons."
+
+4. The commons being dismissed, the senate was assembled, when the
+consuls proposed the consideration of the interruption experienced by
+the assembly of the commons, in consequence of the violence and
+audacity of the farmers of the revenue. They said, that "Marcus Furius
+Camillus, whose banishment was followed by the downfall of the city,
+had suffered himself to be condemned by his exasperated countrymen.
+That before him, the decemviri, according to whose laws they lived up
+to the present day, and afterwards many men of the first rank in the
+state, had submitted to have sentence passed upon them by the people.
+But Posthumius Pyrgensis had wrested from the Roman people their right
+of suffrage, had dissolved the assembly of the commons, had set at
+nought the authority of the tribunes, had drawn up a body of men in
+battle-array against the Roman people; and seized upon a post, in
+order to cut off the tribunes from the commons, and prevent the tribes
+being called to give their votes. That the only thing which had
+restrained the people from bloodshed and violence, was the forbearance
+of the magistrates in giving way for the moment to the fury and
+audacity of a few individuals, and suffering themselves and the Roman
+people to be overcome; and that no opportunity might be afforded those
+who were seeking an occasion of violence, in dissolving, agreeably to
+the wish of the defendant himself, that assembly which he was about to
+interrupt by force of arms." Observations of this kind having been
+urged with a warmth proportioned to the atrocity of the conduct which
+called them forth, by all the most respectable persons, and the senate
+having passed a decree to the effect that the violence offered was
+prejudicial to the state, and a precedent of pernicious tendency,
+immediately the Carvilii, tribunes of the people, giving up the action
+for a fine, appointed a day on which Posthumius should be tried
+capitally, and ordered, that unless he gave bail, he should be
+apprehended by the beadle, and carried to prison. Posthumius gave
+bail, but did not appear. The tribunes then proposed to the commons,
+and the commons resolved, that if Marcus Posthumius did not appear
+before the calends of May, and if on being cited on that day he did
+not answer, and sufficient cause were not shown why he did not, he
+would be adjudged an exile, his goods would be sold, and himself
+interdicted from water and fire. They then proceeded to indict
+capitally, and demand bail of each of the persons who had been the
+promoters of the disorder and riot. At first they threw into prison
+those who did not give bail, and afterwards even such as could; upon
+which the greater part of them went into exile, to avoid the danger to
+which this proceeding exposed them.
+
+5. The knavery of the revenue farmers, and their subsequent audacious
+conduct to screen themselves from its effects, thus terminated. An
+assembly was then held for the creation of a chief pontiff. The new
+pontiff, Marcus Cornelius Cethegus, presided. The election was
+contested with the greatest obstinacy by three candidates, Quintus
+Fulvius Flaccus, the consul, who had been twice consul before and
+censor, Titus Manhus Torquatus, who had himself also been
+distinguished by two consulships and the censorship, and Publius
+Licinius Ciassus, who was about to stand for the office of curule
+aedile. In this contest, the last-mentioned candidate, though a young
+man, beat the others, who were his superiors in years, and had filled
+offices of honour. Before him there had not been a man for a hundred
+and twenty years, except Publius Cornelius Calussa, who had been
+created chief pontiff without having sat in the curule chair. Though
+the consuls found great difficulty in completing the levy, for in
+consequence of the scarcity of young men, it was not easy to procure
+enough for the two purposes of forming the new city legions, and
+recruiting the old ones, the senate forbade them to desist from the
+attempt, and ordered two triumvirates to be appointed, one of which
+within, the other without the fiftieth mile from the city, might
+ascertain the utmost number of free-born men which were to be found in
+the villages, and market towns, and hamlets, and enlist whom they
+thought strong enough to bear arms, though they had not attained the
+military age. That the tribunes of the people, if they thought proper,
+should propose to the people, that such as should take the military
+oath being under seventeen years, should be allowed to reckon their
+period of service in the same manner as if they had enlisted at
+seventeen or older. The two triumvirates, created agreeably to this
+decree of the senate, enlisted free-born men throughout the country.
+At the same time a letter from Marcellus from Sicily, respecting the
+petition of the troops who served with Publius Lentulus, was read in
+the senate. These troops were the relics of the disaster at Cannae,
+and had been sent out of the way into Sicily, as has been mentioned
+before, on an understanding that they should not be brought home
+before the conclusion of the Carthaginian war.
+
+6. With the permission of Lentulus, these men sent the most
+distinguished of the cavalry and centurions, and a select body of the
+legionary infantry, as ambassadors to Marcellus, to his winter
+quarters. Having obtained leave to speak, one of them thus addressed
+him: "We should have approached you, Marcus Marcellus, when consul in
+Italy, as soon as that decree of the senate was passed respecting us,
+which, though not unjust, was certainly severe, had we not hoped, that
+being sent into a province which was in a state of disorder in
+consequence of the death of its kings, to carry on an arduous war
+against the Sicilians and Carthaginians together, we should make
+atonement to the state by our blood and wounds, in the same manner as,
+within the memory of our fathers, those who were taken prisoners by
+Pyrrhus at Heraclea, made atonement by fighting against the same
+Pyrrhus. And yet, for what fault of ours, conscript fathers, did you
+then, or do you now, feel displeasure towards us; for when I look upon
+you, Marcus Marcellus, I seem to behold both the consuls and the whole
+body of the senate; and had you been our consul at Cannae, a better
+fate would have attended the state as well as ourselves. Permit me, I
+entreat you, before I complain of the hardship of our situation, to
+clear ourselves of the guilt with which we are charged. If it was
+neither by the anger of the gods, nor by fate, according to whose laws
+the course of human affairs is unalterably fixed, but by misconduct
+that we were undone at Cannae; but whose was that misconduct; the
+soldiers', or that of their generals? For my own part, I, as a
+soldier, will never say a word of my commander, particularly when I
+know that he received the thanks of the senate for not having
+despaired of the state; and who has been continued in command through
+every year since his flight from Cannae. We have heard that others
+also who survived that disaster, who were military tribunes, solicit
+and fill offices of honour, and have the command of provinces. Do you
+then, conscript fathers, pardon yourselves and your children, while
+you exercise severity towards such insignificant persons as we are? It
+was no disgrace to a consul and other leading persons in the state, to
+fly when no other hope remained; and did you send your soldiers into
+the field as persons who must of necessity die there? At the Allia
+nearly the whole army fled; at the Caudine Forks the troops delivered
+up their arms to the enemy, without even making an effort; not to
+mention other disgraceful defeats of our armies. Yet, so far from any
+mark of infamy being sought for, which might be fixed upon these
+troops, the city of Rome was recovered by means of those very troops
+who had fled to Veii from the Allia; and the Caudine legions, which
+had returned to Rome without their arms, being sent back armed to
+Samnium, brought under the yoke that very enemy who had exulted in the
+disgrace which, in this instance, attached to them. But is there a man
+who can bring a charge of cowardice or running away against the army
+which fought at Cannae, where more than fifty thousand men fell; from
+whence the consul fled with only seventy horsemen; where not a man
+survived, except perchance those whom the enemy left, being wearied
+with killing? When the proposal to ransom the prisoners was negatived,
+we were the objects of general commendation, because we reserved
+ourselves for the service of the state; because we returned to the
+consul to Venusia, and exhibited an appearance of a regular army. Now
+we are in a worse condition than those who were taken prisoners in the
+time of our fathers; for they only had their arms, the nature of their
+service, and the place where they might pitch their tents in the camp
+altered; all which, however, they got restored by one service rendered
+to the state, and by one successful battle. Not one of them was sent
+away into banishment; not one was deprived of the hope of completing
+the period of his service; in short, an enemy was assigned to them,
+fighting with whom they might at once terminate their life or their
+disgrace. We, to whom nothing can be objected, except that it is owing
+to us that any Roman soldier has survived the battle of Cannae, are
+removed far away, not only from our country and Italy, but even from
+an enemy; where we may grow old in exile, where we can have no hope or
+opportunity of obliterating our disgrace, of appeasing the indignation
+of our countrymen, or, in short, of obtaining an honourable death. We
+seek neither to have our ignominy terminated, nor our virtue rewarded,
+we only ask to be allowed to make trial of our courage, and to
+exercise our virtue. We seek for labour and danger that we may
+discharge the duty of men and soldiers. A war is carrying on in
+Sicily, now for the second year, with the utmost vigour on both sides.
+The Carthaginians are storming some cities, the Romans others, armies
+of infantry and horse are engaging in battle, at Syracuse the war is
+prosecuted by sea and by land. We hear distinctly the shout of the
+combatants, and the din of arms, while we ourselves lie inactive and
+unemployed, as if we had neither hands nor arms. The consul,
+Sempronius has now fought many pitched battles with the enemy with
+legions of slaves. They receive as the fruits of their exertion their
+liberty, and the rights of citizens. Let us at least be employed by
+you as slaves purchased for the service of this war, let us be allowed
+to combat with the enemy and acquire our freedom by fighting. Do you
+wish to make trial of our valour by sea, by land, in a pitched battle,
+or in the assault of towns? We ask as our portion all those
+enterprises which present the greatest difficulty and danger, that
+what ought to have been done at Cannae may be done as soon as
+possible, for the whole of our subsequent lives has been doomed to
+ignominy."
+
+7. At the conclusion of this speech they prostrated themselves at the
+knees of Marcellus. Marcellus replied, that the question was neither
+within his authority nor his power, that he would, however, write to
+the senate, and be guided in every thing he did by the judgment of the
+fathers. This letter was brought to the new consuls, and by them read
+in the senate, and, on the question being put relative to this letter,
+they decreed, "that the senate saw no reason why the interests of the
+republic should be intrusted to the hands of soldiers who had deserted
+then comrades, in battle, at Cannae. If Marcus Marcellus, the
+proconsul, thought otherwise, that he should act as he deemed
+consistent with the good of the republic and his own honour, with this
+proviso, however, that none of these men should be exempt from
+service, nor be presented with any military reward in consideration of
+valour, or be conveyed back to Italy, while the enemy was in that
+country." After this, agreeably to the decree of the senate, and the
+order of the people, an election was held by the city praetor, at
+which five commissioners were created for the purpose of repairing the
+walls and turrets, and two sets of triumviri, one to search for the
+property belonging to the temples, and to register the offerings, the
+other for repairing the temples of Fortune and Mother Matuta within
+the Carmental gate, and also that of Hope without the gate, which had
+been destroyed by fire the year before. Dreadful storms occurred at
+this time. It rained stones for two days without intermission in the
+Alban mount. Many places were struck by lightning; two buildings in
+the Capitol, the rampart in the camp above Suessula in many places,
+and two of the men on guard were killed. A wall and certain towers at
+Cannae were not only struck with lightning, but demolished. At Reate,
+a vast rock was seen to fly about; the sun appeared unusually red and
+blood-like. On account of these prodigies there was a supplication for
+one day, and the consuls employed themselves for several days in
+sacred rites; at the same time there was a sacred rite performed
+through nine days. An accidental circumstance which occurred at a
+distance, hastened the revolt of Tarentum, which had now for a long
+time been the object of the hopes of Hannibal and of the suspicion of
+the Romans. Phileas, a native of Tarentum, who had been a long time at
+Rome under the pretence of an embassy, being a man of a restless mind,
+and ill brooking that inactive state in which he considered that his
+powers had been for too long a time sinking into imbecility,
+discovered for himself a means of access to the Tarentine hostages.
+They were kept in the court of the temple of Liberty, and guarded with
+less care, because it was neither the interest of themselves nor of
+their state to escape from the Romans. By corrupting two of the
+keepers of the temple, he was enabled to hold frequent conferences
+with them, at which he solicited them to come into this design; and
+having brought them out of their place of confinement as soon as it
+was dark, he became the companion of their clandestine flight, and got
+clear away. As soon as day dawned, the news of their escape spread
+through the city, and a party sent in pursuit, having seized them all
+at Tarracina, brought them back. They were led into the Comitium, and
+after being scourged with rods, with the approbation of the people,
+were thrown down from the rock.
+
+8. The severity of this punishment exasperated the inhabitants of two
+of the most distinguished Greek states in Italy, not only publicly as
+communities, but privately as individuals, according as each was
+connected, either by relationship or friendship, with those who had
+been so disgracefully put to death. Of these about thirteen noble
+Tarentine youths formed a conspiracy, the chief of whom were Nico and
+Philemenus. Concluding that it would be right to confer with Hannibal
+before they took any step, they went to him, having been allowed to go
+out of the city by night on pretence of hunting. When they were now
+not far from the camp, all the rest hid themselves in a wood by the
+road side; but Nico and Philemenus, proceeding to the advanced guard,
+were seized, and at their own request brought before Hannibal. Having
+laid before him the motives of their plan, and the object they had in
+view, they received the highest commendation, and were loaded with
+promises; and that their countrymen might believe that they had gone
+out of the city to obtain plunder, they were desired to drive to the
+city some cattle of the Carthaginians which had been sent out to
+graze. A promise was given them that they might do this without danger
+or interruption. The booty of the young men attracted notice, and less
+astonishment was therefore felt that they should frequently repeat the
+attempt. At a second meeting with Hannibal they entered into a solemn
+engagement, that the Tarentines should be free, enjoying their own
+laws, and all their rights uninterfered with; that they should neither
+pay any tribute to the Carthaginians, nor receive a garrison against
+their will; that their present garrison should be delivered up to the
+Carthaginians. These points being agreed upon, Philemenus then began
+to repeat more frequently his customary practice of going out and
+returning to the city followed by his dogs, and furnished with the
+other requisites for hunting; for he was remarkable for his fondness
+of hunting; and generally bringing home something which he had
+captured or taken away from the enemy, who had purposely placed it in
+his way he presented it to the commander or the guards of the gates.
+They supposed that he preferred going and returning by night through
+fear of the enemy. After this practice had become so familiar, that at
+whatever time of the night he gave a signal, by whistling, the gate
+was opened, Hannibal thought that it was now time to put the plan in
+execution. He was at the distance of three days' journey, and to
+diminish the wonder which would be felt at his keeping his camp fixed
+in one and the same place so long, he feigned himself ill. Even to the
+Romans who formed the garrison of Tarentum, his protracted inactivity
+had ceased to be an object of suspicion.
+
+9. But after he determined to proceed to Tarentum, selecting from his
+infantry and cavalry ten thousand men, whom, from activity of body,
+and lightness of arms, he judged best adapted for the expedition, he
+began his march in the fourth watch of the night; and sending in
+advance about eighty Numidian horsemen, ordered them to scour the
+country on each side of the road, and narrowly examine every place,
+lest any of the rustics who might have observed his army at a distance
+should escape; to bring back those who were got before, and kill those
+whom they met, that they might appear to the neighbouring inhabitants
+to be a plundering party, rather than a regular army. Hannibal
+himself, marching at a rapid pace, pitched his camp about fifteen
+miles from Tarentum; and without telling his soldiers even there, what
+was their destination, he only called them together and admonished
+them to march all of them in the road, and not to suffer any one to
+turn aside or deviate from the line; and above all, that they would be
+on the watch, so as to catch the word of command, and not do any thing
+without the order of their leaders; that in due time he would issue
+his commands as to what he wished to be done. About the same hour a
+rumour reached Tarentum, that a few Numidian horsemen were devastating
+the fields, and had terrified the rustics through a wide extent of
+country; at which intelligence the Roman praefect took no further step
+than to order a division of his cavalry to go out the following day at
+sunrise to check the depredations of the enemy; and so far was he from
+directing his attention to any thing else on this account, that on the
+contrary, this excursion of the Numidians was a proof to him that
+Hannibal and his army had not moved from his camp. Early in the night
+Hannibal put his troops in motion, and Philemenus, with his customary
+burden of prey taken in hunting, was his guide. The rest of the
+conspirators waited the accomplishment of what had been concerted; and
+the agreement was, that Philemenus, while bringing in his prey through
+the small gate by which he was accustomed to pass, should introduce
+some armed men, while Hannibal in another quarter approached the gate
+called Temenis, which faced the east, in that quarter which was
+towards the continent, near the tombs which were within the walls.
+When he drew near to the gate, Hannibal raised a fire according to
+agreement, which made a blaze; the same signal was returned by Nico,
+and the fires were extinguished on both sides. Hannibal led his troops
+on in silence to the gate. Nico suddenly fell upon the guards while
+asleep, slew them in their beds, and opened the gate. Hannibal then
+entered with his infantry, ordering his cavalry to stay behind, that
+they might be able to bring their assistance wherever it was required
+without obstruction. Philemenus also in another quarter approached the
+small gate by which he was accustomed to pass and re-pass. His voice,
+which was well known, for he said he could scarcely bear the weight of
+the huge beast he had gotten, and his signal, which had now become
+familiar, having roused the guard, the small gate was opened. Two
+youths carrying in a boar, Philemenus himself followed, with a
+huntsman, unencumbered, and while the attention of the guard was
+incautiously turned upon those who carried the boar, in consequence of
+its astonishing size, he transfixed him with a hunting spear. About
+thirty armed men then entering, slew the rest of the guards, and broke
+open the adjoining gate, when a body of troops, in regular array,
+instantly rushed in. Being conducted hence in silence to the forum,
+they joined Hannibal. The Carthaginian then sent the Tarentines, with
+two thousand Gauls formed into three divisions, in different
+directions through the city, with orders to occupy the most frequented
+streets. A confusion arising, the Romans were put to the sword on all
+hands. The townsmen were spared; but in order to insure this, he
+instructed the Tarentine youths, when they saw any of their friends at
+a distance, to bid them be quiet and silent, and be of good courage.
+
+10. The tumult and clamour was now such as usually takes place in a
+captured city, but no man knew for certain what was the occasion. The
+Tarentines supposed that the Romans had suddenly risen to plunder the
+city. To the Romans it appeared, that some commotion had been set on
+foot by the townsmen with a treacherous design. The praefect, who was
+awakened at the first alarm, escaped to the port, whence getting into
+a boat he was conveyed round to the citadel. The sound of a trumpet
+also from the theatre excited alarm; for it was a Roman trumpet,
+prepared by the conspirators for this very purpose; and as it was
+blown unskilfully by a Grecian, it could not be ascertained who gave
+the signal, or to whom it was given. At dawn of the day, the Romans
+recognised the Carthaginian and Gallic arms, which removed all doubt;
+and the Greeks, seeing the bodies of slain Romans spread about in all
+directions, perceived that the city had been taken by Hannibal. When
+the light had increased, so that they could discriminate with greater
+certainty, and the Romans who survived the carnage had taken refuge in
+the citadel, the tumult now beginning to subside a little, Hannibal
+gave orders to assemble the Tarentines without their arms. All of them
+attended the assembly, except those who had accompanied the Romans in
+their retreat to the citadel, to share every fortune with them. Here
+Hannibal having addressed the Tarentines in terms of kindness, and
+appealed to the services he had rendered to those of their countrymen
+whom he had captured at the Trasimenus and at Cannae, and having at
+the same time inveighed against the haughty domination of the Romans,
+desired that they would every one of them retire to their respective
+houses, and inscribe their names upon their doors; declaring, that he
+should give orders that those houses which had not the names written
+upon them should be plundered. That if any man should write his name
+upon the house of a Roman, (and the Romans occupied houses by
+themselves,) he should treat him as an enemy. Having dismissed the
+assembly, and the names inscribed upon the doors having made it easy
+to distinguish the house of an enemy from that of a friend, on a
+signal given, the troops ran in every direction to plunder the
+lodgings of the Romans, and a considerable booty was found.
+
+11. The next day he led his troops to assault the citadel; but seeing
+that it was protected by very high rocks towards the sea, which washed
+the greater part of it, and formed it into a sort of peninsula, and
+towards the city by a wall and ditch, and consequently that it could
+not be taken by assault or by works; lest the design to protect the
+Tarentines should detain him from the prosecution of more important
+objects, and lest the Romans should have the power of sallying from
+the citadel whenever they pleased against the Tarentines, if left
+without a strong protecting force, he resolved to cut off the
+communication between the citadel and city by a rampart; not without a
+hope that he might have an opportunity of fighting with the Romans,
+when attempting to obstruct the work; and if they should sally forth
+too eagerly, that by killing many of them the strength of the garrison
+would be so far reduced, that the Tarentines alone would be easily
+able to defend themselves from them. After they had begun, the Romans,
+suddenly throwing open the gate, rushed in upon the workmen. The guard
+stationed before the works allowed itself to be driven back, in order
+that their boldness might be increased by success, and that they might
+pursue them when driven back, in greater numbers, and to a greater
+distance. Then on a signal given, the Carthaginians, whom Hannibal
+kept in readiness for this purpose, sprang up on all sides; nor could
+the Romans sustain the attack, but were prevented from precipitate
+flight by the narrowness of the ground, by impediments occasioned in
+some places by the works already commenced, in others by the
+preparations for the work. Most of them were driven headlong into the
+ditch, and more were killed in the flight than in the battle. After
+this the work was commenced without any attempt to obstruct it. A
+large ditch was formed, within which a rampart was thrown up. He
+prepared also to add a wall at a small distance, and on the same side,
+that they might defend themselves from the Romans even without a
+garrison. He, however, left them a small force, at once for their
+protection and to assist in building the wall. The general himself,
+setting out with the rest of his forces, pitched his camp at the river
+Galaesus, five miles from the city. Returning from this position to
+inspect the work, which had gone on somewhat faster than he had
+anticipated, he conceived a hope that the citadel might even be taken
+by storm; for it was not protected by an elevated situation as the
+other parts were, but placed upon a plain, and separated from the city
+only by a wall and ditch. While subjected to an attack from every kind
+of military engine and work, a reinforcement sent from Metapontum
+inspired the Romans with courage to assault the works of the enemy, by
+a sudden attack, under cover of the night. Some of them they threw
+down, others they destroyed by fire, and thus there was an end to
+Hannibal's attempts against the citadel in that quarter. His only
+remaining hope was in a siege; nor did that afford a good prospect of
+success, because, occupying a citadel which was placed on a peninsula
+and commanded the entrance of the harbour, they had the sea open to
+them, while the city, on the contrary, was deprived of any supplies by
+sea: and thus the besiegers were in greater danger of want than the
+besieged. Hannibal assembled the chief men of the Tarentines, and laid
+before them all the present difficulties. He said, "That he could
+neither discover any method by which a citadel so well fortified could
+be taken, nor could he hope for any favourable result from a siege,
+while the enemy was master of the sea; but that if ships could be
+obtained, by which the introduction of supplies might be prevented,
+the enemy would either immediately evacuate it, or surrender
+themselves." The Tarentines agreed with him; but were of opinion, that
+"he who gave the advice ought also to assist in carrying it into
+execution; for if the Carthaginian ships were brought there from
+Sicily, they would be able to effect it; but by what means could their
+own ships, shut up as they were in a confined harbour, the mouth of
+which was in the command of the enemy, be brought out into the open
+sea." "They shall be brought out," said Hannibal. "Many things which
+are difficult in themselves, are easily effected by contrivance. You
+have a city situated upon a plain; you have level and sufficiently
+wide roads extending in every direction. By the road which runs
+through the midst of the city from the harbour to the sea I will
+convey your ships in waggons without any great difficulty, and the sea
+will be ours which the enemy now commands. We will invest the citadel
+on one side by sea, on the other by land; nay, rather, in a short
+time, we will take it either abandoned by the enemy, or with the enemy
+in it." This speech not only inspired hopes of accomplishing the
+object, but excited the greatest admiration of the general. Waggons
+were immediately collected from every quarter and joined together;
+machines were employed to haul the ships on shore, and the road was
+prepared, in order that the waggons might run more easily, and thus
+the difficulty of passing be diminished. Beasts of burden and men were
+next collected, and the work was actively commenced. After the lapse
+of a few days, the fleet, equipped and ready for action, sailed round
+the citadel, and cast anchor just before the mouth of the harbour.
+Such was the state of things at Tarentum, when Hannibal left it and
+returned to his winter quarters. Authors, however, are divided as to
+whether the defection of the Tarentines took place in the present or
+former year. The greater number, and those who, from their age, were
+more able to recollect these events, represent it to have occurred in
+the present year.
+
+12. The Latin holidays detained the consuls and praetors at Rome till
+the fifth of the calends of May; on which day, having completed the
+solemnities on the mount, they proceeded to their respective
+provinces. Afterwards a new difficulty respecting religious matters
+arose out of the prophetic verses of Marcius, who had been a
+distinguished soothsayer; and on a search being made the year before,
+for books of this description, agreeably to a decree of the senate,
+these verses had fallen into the hands of Marcus Atilius, the city
+praetor, who had the management of that business, and he had
+immediately handed them over to the new praetor, Sulla. The importance
+attached to one of the two predictions of Marcius, which was brought
+to light after the event to which it related had occurred, and the
+truth of which was confirmed by the event, attached credence to the
+other, the time of whose fulfilment had not yet arrived. In the former
+prophecy, the disaster at Cannae was predicted in nearly these words:
+"Roman of Trojan descent, fly the river Canna, lest foreigners should
+compel thee to fight in the plain of Diomede. But thou wilt not
+believe me until thou shalt have filled the plain with blood, and the
+river carries into the great sea, from the fruitful land, many
+thousands of your slain countrymen, and thy flesh becomes a prey for
+fishes, birds, and beasts inhabiting the earth. For thus hath Jupiter
+declared to me." Those who had served in that quarter recognised the
+correspondence with respect to the plains of the Argive Diomede and
+the river Canna, as well as the defeat itself. The other prophecy was
+then read, which was more obscure, not only because future events are
+more uncertain than past, but also from being more perplexed in its
+style of composition. "Romans, if you wish to expel the enemy and the
+ulcer which has come from afar, I advise, that games should be vowed,
+which may be performed in a cheerful manner annually to Apollo; when
+the people shall have given a portion of money from the public
+coffers, that private individuals then contribute, each according to
+his ability. That the praetor shall preside in the celebration of
+these games, who holds the supreme administration of justice to the
+people and commons. Let the decemviri perform sacrifice with victims
+after the Grecian fashion. If you do these things properly you will
+ever rejoice, and your affairs will be more prosperous, for that deity
+will destroy your enemies who now, composedly, feed upon your plains."
+They took one day to explain this prophecy. The next day a decree of
+the senate was passed, that the decemviri should inspect the books
+relating to the celebration of games and sacred rites in honour of
+Apollo. After they had been consulted, and a report made to the
+senate, the fathers voted, that "games should be vowed to Apollo and
+celebrated; and that when the games were concluded, twelve thousand
+_asses_ should be given to the praetor to defray the expense of
+sacred ceremonies, and also two victims of the larger sort." A second
+decree was passed, that "the decemviri should perform sacrifice in the
+Grecian mode, and with the following victims: to Apollo, with a gilded
+ox, and two white goats gilded; to Latona, with a gilded heifer." When
+the praetor was about to celebrate the games in the Circus Maximus, he
+issued an order, that during the celebration of the games, the people
+should pay a contribution, as large as was convenient, for the service
+of Apollo. This is the origin of the Apollinarian games, which were
+vowed and celebrated in order to victory, and not restoration to
+health, as is commonly supposed. The people viewed the spectacle in
+garlands; the matrons made supplications; the people in general
+feasted in the courts of their houses, throwing the doors open; and
+the day was distinguished by every description of ceremony.
+
+13. While Hannibal was in the neighbourhood of Tarentum, and both the
+consuls in Samnium, though they seemed as if they were about to
+besiege Capua, the Campanians were experiencing famine, that calamity
+which is the usual attendant of a protracted siege. It was occasioned
+by the Roman armies' having prevented the sowing of the lands. They
+therefore sent ambassadors to Hannibal, imploring him to give orders
+that corn should be conveyed to Capua from the neighbouring places,
+before both the consuls led their legions into their fields, and all
+the roads were blocked up by the troops of the enemy. Hannibal ordered
+Hanno to pass with his army from Bruttium into Campania, and to take
+care that the Campanians were supplied with corn. Hanno, setting out
+from Bruttium with his army, and carefully avoiding the camp of the
+enemy and the consuls who were in Samnium, when he drew near to
+Beneventum, pitched his camp on an eminence three miles from the city.
+He next ordered that the corn which had been collected during the
+summer, should be brought from the neighbouring people in alliance
+with him, into his camp, assigning a guard to escort those supplies.
+He then sent a messenger to the Capuans, fixing a day when they should
+attend at his camp to receive the corn, bringing with them vehicles
+and beasts of every description, collected from every part of their
+country. The Campanians executed this business with their usual
+indolence and carelessness. Somewhat more than four hundred vehicles,
+with a few beasts of burden besides, were sent. After receiving a
+reproof from Hanno for this conduct, who told them, that not even
+hunger, which excited dumb animals to exertion, could stimulate them
+to diligence, another day was named when they were to fetch the corn
+after better preparation. All these transactions being reported to the
+Beneventans, just as they occurred, they lost no time in sending ten
+ambassadors to the Roman consuls, who were encamped in the
+neighbourhood of Bovianum. The consuls, hearing what was going on at
+Capua, arranged it so that one of them should lead an army into
+Campania; and Fulvius, to whose lot that province had fallen, setting
+out by night, entered the walls of Beneventum. Being now near the
+enemy, he obtained information that Hanno had gone out to forage with
+a portion of his troops; that the Campanians were supplied with corn
+by a quaestor; that two thousand waggons had arrived together with an
+undisciplined and unarmed rabble; that every thing was done in a
+disorderly and hurried manner; and that the form of a camp, and all
+military subordination, were destroyed by the intermixture of rustics
+out of the neighbourhood. This intelligence being sufficiently
+authenticated, the consul ordered his soldiers to get ready only their
+standards and arms against the next night, as he must attack the
+Carthaginian camp. They set out at the fourth watch of the night,
+leaving all their packages and baggage of every description at
+Beneventum; and arriving a little before daylight at the camp, they
+occasioned such a panic, that, had the camp been situated on level
+ground, it might doubtlessly have been taken on the first assault. The
+height of its situation and the works defended it; for they could not
+be approached on any side except by a steep and difficult ascent. At
+break of day a hot engagement commenced, when the Carthaginians not
+only defended their rampart, but having more even ground, threw down
+the enemy as they attempted to ascend the steep.
+
+14. Persevering courage, however, at length prevailed over every
+impediment, and they made their way up to the ditch and rampart in
+several parts at the same time, but with many wounds and much loss of
+soldiers. The consul, therefore assembling the military tribunes, said
+they must desist from this inconsiderate enterprise; and that it
+appeared to him to be the safer course, that the troops should be led
+back to Beneventum for that day, and then on the following day to
+pitch his camp close to that of the enemy, so that the Campanians
+could not quit it, nor Hanno return to it; and in order that that
+object might be attained with the greater ease, that he should send
+for his colleague and his army; and that they would direct their whole
+force on that point. This plan of the general was disconcerted, after
+the signal began to sound for a retreat, by the clamours of the
+soldiery, who despised so pusillanimous an order. Nearest to the gate
+of the enemy's camp was a Pelignian cohort, whose commander, Vibius
+Accuaeus, seizing the standard, threw it over the rampart. Then
+pronouncing a curse upon himself and his cohort, if the enemy got
+possession of that standard, he rushed forward before the rest, and
+crossing the ditch and rampart, burst into the camp of the enemy. The
+Pelignians were now fighting within the rampart, when in another
+quarter Valerius Flaccus, a military tribune of the third legion,
+taunting the Romans with cowardice for conceding to allies the honour
+of taking the camp. Titus Pedanius, first centurion of the first
+century, snatched the standard out of the hands of the
+standard-bearer, and cried out, "Soon shall this standard, and this
+centurion, be within the rampart of the enemy; let those follow who
+would prevent the standard's being captured by the enemy." Crossing
+the ditch, he was followed first by the men of his own maniple, and
+then by the whole legion. By this time the consul also, changing his
+plan on seeing them crossing the rampart, began to incite and
+encourage his soldiers, instead of calling them off; representing to
+them, how critical and perilous was the situation of the bravest
+cohort of their allies and a legion of their countrymen. All,
+therefore, severally exerting themselves to the utmost, regardless
+whether the ground were even or uneven, while showers of weapons were
+thrown against them from all sides, the enemy opposing their arms and
+their persons to obstruct them, made their way and burst in. Many who
+were wounded, even those whose blood and strength failed them, pressed
+forward, that they might fall within the rampart of the enemy. The
+camp, therefore, was taken in an instant, as if it had been situated
+upon level ground, and not completely fortified. What followed was a
+carnage rather than a battle. The troops of both sides being huddled
+together within the rampart, above six thousand of the enemy were
+slain; above seven thousand, together with the Campanians who fetched
+the corn, and the whole collection of waggons and beasts of burden,
+were captured. There was also a great booty, which Hanno in his
+predatory excursions, which he had been careful to make in every
+quarter, had drawn together from the lands of the allies of the
+Romans. After throwing down the camp of the enemy, they returned
+thence to Beneventum; and there both the consuls (for Appius Claudius
+came thither a few days after) sold the booty and distributed it,
+making presents to those by whose exertions the camp of the enemy had
+been captured; above all, to Accuaeus the Pelignian, and Titus
+Pedanius, first centurion of the third legion. Hanno, setting off from
+Cominium in the territory of Cere, whither intelligence of the loss of
+the camp had reached him, with a small party of foragers, whom he
+happened to have with him, returned to Bruttium, more after the manner
+of a flight than a march.
+
+15. The Campanians, when informed of the disaster which had befallen
+themselves and their allies, sent ambassadors to Hannibal to inform
+him, that "the two consuls were at Beneventum, which was a day's march
+from Capua; that the war was all but at their gates and their walls;
+and that if he did not hasten to their assistance, Capua would fall
+into the power of the enemy sooner than Arpi had; that not even
+Tarentum itself, much less its citadel, ought to be considered of so
+much consequence as to induce him to deliver up to the Roman people,
+abandoned and undefended, Capua, which he used to place on an equal
+footing with Carthage." Hannibal, promising that he would not neglect
+the interest of the Campanians, sent, for the present, two thousand
+horse, with the ambassadors, aided by which, they might secure their
+lands from devastation. The Romans, meanwhile, among the other things
+which engaged their attention, had an eye to the citadel of Tarentum,
+and the garrison besieged therein. Caius Servilius,
+lieutenant-general, having been sent, according to the advice of the
+fathers, by Publius Cornelius, the praetor, to purchase corn in
+Etruria, made his way into the harbour of Tarentum, through the
+guard-ships of the enemy, with some ships of burden. At his arrival,
+those who before, having very slight hopes of holding out, were
+frequently invited by the enemy, in conferences, to pass over to them,
+now, on the contrary, were the persons to invite and solicit the enemy
+to come over to them; and now, as the soldiers who were at Metapontum
+had been brought to assist in guarding the citadel of Tarentum, the
+garrison was sufficiently powerful. In consequence of this measure,
+the Metapontines, being freed from the fears which had influenced
+them, immediately revolted to Hannibal. The people of Thurium,
+situated on the same coast, did the same. They were influenced not
+more by the defection of the Metapontines and Tarentines, with whom
+they were connected, being sprung from the same country, Achaia, than
+by resentment towards the Romans, in consequence of the recent
+execution of the hostages. The friends and relations of these hostages
+sent a letter and a message to Hanno and Mago, who were not far off
+among the Bruttii, to the effect, that if they brought their troops up
+to the walls, they would deliver the city into their hands. Marcus
+Atinius was in command at Thurium, with a small garrison, who they
+thought might easily be induced to engage rashly in a battle, not from
+any confidence which he reposed in his troops, of which he had very
+few, but in the youth of Thurium, whom he had purposely formed into
+centuries, and armed against emergencies of this kind. The generals,
+after dividing their forces between them, entered the territory of
+Thurium; and Hanno, with a body of infantry, proceeded towards the
+city in hostile array. Hanno staid behind with the cavalry, under the
+cover of some hills, conveniently placed for the concealment of an
+ambush. Atinius, having by his scouts discovered only the body of
+infantry, led his troops into the field, ignorant both of the domestic
+treachery and of the stratagem of the enemy. The engagement with the
+infantry was particularly dull, a few Romans in the first rank
+engaging while the Thurians rather waited than helped on the issue.
+The Carthaginian line retreated, on purpose that they might draw the
+incautious enemy to the back of the hill, where their cavalry were
+lying in ambush; and when they had come there, the cavalry rising up
+on a sudden with a shout, immediately put to flight the almost
+undisciplined rabble of the Thurians, not firmly attached to the side
+on which they fought. The Romans, notwithstanding they were surrounded
+and hard pressed on one side by the infantry, on the other by the
+cavalry, yet prolonged the battle for a considerable time; but at
+length even they were compelled to turn their backs, and fled towards
+the city. There the conspirators, forming themselves into a dense
+body, received the multitude of their countrymen with open gates; but
+when they perceived that the routed Romans were hurrying towards the
+city, they exclaimed that the Carthaginian was close at hand, and that
+the enemy would enter the city mingled with them, unless they speedily
+closed the gates. Thus they shut out the Romans, and left them to be
+cut up by the enemy. Atinius, however, and a few others were taken in.
+After this for a short time there was a division between them, some
+being of opinion that they ought to defend the city, others that they
+ought, after all that had happened, to yield to fortune, and deliver
+up the city to the conquerors; but, as it generally happens, fortune
+and evil counsels prevailed. Having conveyed Atinius and his party to
+the sea and the ships, more because they wished that care should be
+taken of him, in consequence of the mildness and justice of his
+command, than from regard to the Romans, they received the
+Carthaginians into the city. The consuls led their legions from
+Beneventum into the Campanian territory, with the intention not only
+of destroying the corn, which was in the blade, but of laying siege to
+Capua; considering that they would render their consulate illustrious
+by the destruction of so opulent a city, and that they would wipe away
+the foul disgrace of the empire, from the defection of a city so near
+remaining unpunished for three years. Lest, however, Beneventum should
+be left without protection, and that in case of any sudden emergency,
+if Hannibal should come to Capua, in order to bring assistance to his
+friends, which they doubted not he would do, the cavalry might be able
+to sustain his attack, they ordered Tiberius Gracchus to come from
+Lucania to Beneventum with his cavalry and light-armed troops and to
+appoint some person to take the command of the legions and stationary
+camp, for the defence of Lucania.
+
+16. An unlucky prodigy occurred to Gracchus, while sacrificing,
+previous to his departure from Lucania. Two snakes gliding from a
+secret place to the entrails, after the sacrifice was completed, ate
+the liver; and after having been observed, suddenly vanished out of
+sight. The sacrifice having been repeated according to the admonition
+of the aruspices, and the vessel containing the entrails being watched
+with increased attention, it is reported that the snakes came a
+second, and a third time, and, after tasting the liver, went away
+untouched. Though the aruspices forewarned him that the portent had
+reference to the general, and that he ought to be on his guard against
+secret enemies and machinations, yet no foresight could avert the
+destiny which awaited him. There was a Lucanian, named Flavius, the
+leader of that party which adhered to the Romans when the others went
+over to Hannibal; he was this year in the magistracy, having been
+created praetor by the same party. Suddenly changing his mind, and
+seeking to ingratiate himself with the Carthaginians, he did not think
+it enough that he himself should pass over to them, or that he should
+induce the Lucanians to revolt with him, unless he ratified his league
+with the enemy with the head and blood of the general, betrayed to
+them, though his guest. He entered into a secret conference with Mago,
+who had the command in Bruttium, and receiving a solemn promise from
+him, that he would take the Lucanians into his friendship, without
+interfering with their laws, if he should betray the Roman general to
+the Carthaginians, he conducted Mago to a place to which he was about
+to bring Gracchus with a few attendants. He then directed Mago to arm
+his infantry and cavalry, and to occupy the retired places there, in
+which he might conceal a very large number of troops. After thoroughly
+inspecting and exploring the place on all sides, a day was agreed upon
+for the execution of the affair. Flavius came to the Roman general,
+and said, that "he had begun a business of great importance, for the
+completion of which, it was necessary to have the assistance of
+Gracchus himself. That he had persuaded the praetors of all the states
+which had revolted to the Carthaginians in the general defection of
+Italy, to return into the friendship of the Romans, since now the
+Roman power too, which had almost come to ruin by the disaster at
+Cannae. was daily improving and increasing, while the strength of
+Hannibal was sinking into decay, and was almost reduced to nothing. He
+had told them that the Romans would be disposed to accept an atonement
+for their former offence; that there never was any state more easy to
+be entreated, or more ready to grant pardon; how often, he had
+observed to them, had they forgiven rebellion even in their own
+ancestors! These considerations," he said, "he had himself urged, but
+that they would rather hear the same from Gracchus himself in person,
+and touching his right hand, carry with them that pledge of faith.
+That he had agreed upon a place with those who were privy to the
+transaction, out of the way of observation, and at no great distance
+from the Roman camp; that there the business might be settled in few
+words, so that all the Lucanian states might be in the alliance and
+friendship of the Romans." Gracchus, not suspecting any treachery
+either from his words or the nature of the proposal, and being caught
+by the probability of the thing, set out from the camp with his
+lictors and a troop of horse, under the guidance of his host, and fell
+headlong into the snare. The enemy suddenly arose from their
+lurking-place, and Flavius joined them; which made the treachery
+obvious. A shower of weapons was poured from all sides on Gracchus and
+his troop. He immediately leaped from his horse, and ordering the rest
+to do the same, exhorted them, that "as fortune had left them only one
+course, they would render it glorious by their valour. And what is
+there left," said he, "to a handful of men, surrounded by a multitude,
+in a valley hemmed in by a wood and mountains, except death? The only
+question was, whether, tamely exposing themselves to be butchered like
+cattle, they should die unavenged; or whether, drawing the mind off
+from the idea of suffering and anticipation of the event, and giving
+full scope to fury and resentment, they should fall while doing and
+daring, covered with hostile blood, amid heaps of arms and bodies of
+their expiring foes." He desired that "all would aim at the Lucanian
+traitor and deserter;" adding, that "the man who should send that
+victim to the shades before him, would acquire the most distinguished
+glory, and furnish the highest consolation for his own death." While
+thus speaking, he wound his cloak round his left arm, for they had not
+even brought their shields out with them, and then rushed upon the
+enemy. The exertion made in the fight was greater than could be
+expected from the smallness of the number. The bodies of the Romans
+were most exposed to the javelins, with which, as they were thrown on
+all sides from higher ground into a deep valley, they were transfixed.
+The Carthaginians seeing Gracchus now bereft of support, endeavoured
+to take him alive; but he having descried his Lucanian host among the
+enemy, rushed with such fury into their dense body that it became
+impossible to save his life without a great loss. Mago immediately
+sent his corpse to Hannibal, ordering it to be placed, with the fasces
+which were taken at the same time, before the tribunal of the general.
+This is the true account; Gracchus fell in Lucania, near the place
+called the Old Plains.
+
+17. There are some who have put forth an account, stating, that when
+in the territory of Beneventum, near the river Calor, having gone out
+from his camp with his lictors and three servants, for the purpose of
+bathing, he was slain while naked and unarmed, and endeavouring to
+defend himself with the stones which the river brought down, by a
+party of the enemy which happened to be concealed among the osiers
+which grew upon the banks. Others state, that having gone out five
+hundred paces from the camp, at the instance of the aruspices, in
+order to expiate the prodigies before mentioned on unpolluted ground,
+he was cut off by two troops of Numidians who happened to be lying in
+ambush there. So different are the accounts respecting the place and
+manner of the death of so illustrious and distinguished a man. Various
+also are the accounts of the funeral of Gracchus. Some say that he was
+buried by his own friends in the Roman camp; others relate, and this
+is the more generally received account, that a funeral pile was
+erected by Hannibal, in the entrance of the Carthaginian camp; that
+the troops under arms performed evolutions, with the dances of the
+Spaniards, and motions of the arms and body, which were customary with
+the several nations; while Hannibal himself celebrated his obsequies
+with every mark of respect, both in word and deed. Such is the account
+of those who assert that the affair occurred in Lucania. If you are
+disposed to credit the statement of those who relate that he was slain
+at the river Calor, the enemy got possession only of the head of
+Gracchus; which being brought to Hannibal, he immediately despatched
+Carthalo to convey it into the Roman camp to Cneius Cornelius, the
+quaestor, who buried the general in the camp, the Beneventans joining
+the army in the celebration.
+
+18. The consuls having entered the Campanian territory, while
+devastating the country on all sides, were alarmed, and thrown into
+confusion, by an eruption of the townsmen and Mago with his cavalry.
+They called in their troops to their standards from the several
+quarters to which they were dispersed, but having been routed when
+they had scarcely formed their line, they lost above fifteen hundred
+men. The confidence of the Campanians, who were naturally
+presumptuous, became excessive in consequence of this event, and in
+many battles they challenged the Romans; but this one battle, which
+they had been incautiously and imprudently drawn into, had increased
+the vigilance of the consuls. Their spirits were restored, while the
+presumption of the other party was diminished, by one trifling
+occurrence; but in war nothing is so inconsiderable as not to be
+capable, sometimes, of producing important consequences. Titus
+Quinctius Crispinus was a guest of Badius, a Campanian, united with
+him by the greatest intimacy. Their acquaintance had increased from
+the circumstance of Badius having received the most liberal and kind
+attentions at the house of Crispinus, in a fit of illness, at Rome,
+before the Campanian revolt. On the present occasion, Badius,
+advancing in front of the guards, which were stationed before the
+gate, desired Crispinus to be called; and Crispinus, on being informed
+of this, thinking that a friendly and familiar interview was
+requested, and the memory of their private connexion remaining even
+amidst the disruption of public ties, advanced a little from the rest.
+When they had come within view of each other, Badius exclaimed, "I
+challenge you to combat, Crispinus; let us mount our horses, and
+making the rest withdraw, let us try which is the better soldier." In
+reply, Crispinus said, that "neither of them were in want of enemies
+to display their valour upon; for his own part, even if he should meet
+him in the field he would turn aside, lest he should pollute his
+right-hand with the blood of a guest;" and then turning round, was
+going away. But the Campanian, with increased presumption, began to
+charge him with cowardice and effeminacy, and cast upon him reproaches
+which he deserved himself, calling him "an enemy who sheltered himself
+under the title of host, and one who pretended to spare him for whom
+he knew himself not to be a match. If he considered; that when public
+treaties were broken, the ties of private connexion were not severed
+with them, then Badius the Campanian openly, and in the hearing of
+both armies, renounced his connexion of hospitality with Titus
+Quinctius Crispinus the Roman. He said, that there could exist no
+fellowship or alliance with him and an enemy whose country and
+tutelary gods, both public and private, he had come to fight against.
+If he was a man, he would meet him." Crispinus hesitated for a long
+time; but the men of his troop at length prevailed upon him not to
+allow the Campanian to insult him with impunity. Waiting, therefore,
+only to ask his generals whether they would allow him to fight,
+contrary to rule, with an enemy who had challenged him; having
+obtained their permission, he mounted his horse, and addressing Badius
+by name, called him out to the combat. The Campanian made no delay.
+They engaged with their horses excited to hostility. Crispinus
+transfixed Badius with his spear in the left shoulder, over his
+shield. He fell from his horse in consequence of the wound; and
+Crispinus leaped down to despatch him as he lay, on foot. But Badius,
+before his enemy was upon him, ran off to his friends, leaving his
+horse and buckler. Crispinus, decorated with the spoils, and
+displaying the horse and arms which he had seized together with the
+bloody spear, was conducted amid the loud plaudits and congratulations
+of the soldiery into the presence of the consuls, where he was highly
+commended, and was presented with gifts.
+
+19. Hannibal, having moved his camp from the territory of Beneventum
+to Capua, drew out his troops in order of battle the third day after
+his arrival; not entertaining the least doubt but that, as the
+Campanians had fought successfully a few days ago when he was absent,
+the Romans would be still less able to withstand him and his army,
+which had been so often victorious. After the battle had commenced,
+the Roman line was distressed chiefly from the attack of the cavalry,
+being overwhelmed with their darts, till the signal was given to the
+Roman cavalry to direct their horses against the enemy; thus it was a
+battle of the cavalry. But at this time the Sempronian army, commanded
+by Cneius Cornelius the quaestor, being descried at a distance,
+excited alarm in both parties equally, lest those who were approaching
+should be fresh enemies. As if by concert, therefore, both sounded a
+retreat; and the troops were withdrawn from the field to their camps,
+in an equal condition; a greater number, however, of the Romans fell
+in the first charge of the cavalry. The consuls, to divert the
+attention of Hannibal from Capua, departed thence on the following
+night in different directions, Fulvius into the territory of Cuma,
+Claudius into Lucania. The next day Hannibal, having received
+intelligence that the camp of the Romans was deserted, and that they
+had gone off in different directions in two divisions, doubtful at
+first which he should follow, commenced the pursuit of Appius; who,
+after leading him about whichever way he pleased, returned by another
+route to Capua. Hannibal, while in this quarter, had another
+opportunity of gaining an advantage. Marcus Centenius, surnamed
+Penula, was distinguished among the centurions of the first rank by
+the size of his person, and his courage. Having gone through his
+period of service, he was introduced to the senate by Publius
+Cornelius Sulla, when he requested of the fathers that five thousand
+men might be placed at his disposal. He said, that "as he was
+acquainted with the character of the enemy, and the nature of the
+country, he should speedily perform some service; and that he would
+employ those arts by which our generals and armies had been hitherto
+ensnared against the inventor of them." This was not promised more
+foolishly than it was believed; as if the qualifications of a soldier
+and a general were the same. Instead of five, eight thousand men were
+given him, half Romans, half allies. He himself also got together a
+considerable number of volunteers, in the country, on his march; and
+having almost doubled his force, arrived in Lucania, where Hannibal
+had halted after having in vain pursued Claudius. No doubt could be
+entertained of the issue of a contest which was to take place between
+Hannibal, as general on one side, and a centurion on the other;
+between armies, one of which had grown old in victory, the other
+entirely inexperienced, and for the most part even tumultuary and
+half-armed. As soon as the troops came within sight of each other,
+and neither of them declined an engagement, the lines were formed. The
+battle, notwithstanding the utter disparity of the contending parties,
+lasted more than two hours, the Roman troops acting with the greatest
+spirit as long as their general survived. But after that he had
+fallen, for he continually exposed himself to the weapons of the
+enemy, not only from regard to his former character, but through fear
+of the disgrace which would attach to him if he survived a disaster
+occasioned by his own temerity, the Roman line was immediately routed.
+But so completely were they prevented from flying, every way being
+beset by the cavalry, that scarcely a thousand men escaped out of so
+large an army; the rest were destroyed on all hands, in one way or
+other.
+
+20. The siege of Capua was now resumed by the consuls with the utmost
+energy. Every thing requisite for the business was conveyed thither
+and got in readiness. A store of corn was collected at Casilinum; at
+the mouth of the Vulturnus, where a town now stands, a strong post was
+fortified; and a garrison was stationed in Puteoli, which Fabius had
+formerly fortified, in order to have the command of the neighbouring
+sea and the river. Into these two maritime forts, the corn recently
+sent from Sicily, with that which Marcus Junius, the praetor, had
+bought up in Etruria, was conveyed from Ostia, to supply the army
+during the winter. But, in addition to the disaster sustained in
+Lucania, the army also of volunteer slaves, who had served during the
+life of Gracchus with the greatest fidelity, as if discharged from
+service by the death of their general, left their standards. Hannibal
+was not willing that Capua should be neglected, or his allies
+deserted, at so critical a juncture; but, having obtained such success
+from the temerity of one Roman general, his attention was fixed on the
+opportunity which presented itself of crushing the other general and
+his army. Ambassadors from Apulia reported that Cneius Fulvius, the
+praetor, had at first conducted his measures with caution, while
+engaged in besieging certain towns of Apulia, which had revolted to
+Hannibal; but that afterwards, in consequence of extraordinary
+success, both himself and his soldiers, being glutted with booty, had
+so given themselves up to licentiousness and indolence, that all
+military discipline was disregarded. Having frequently on other
+occasions, as well as but a few days ago, experienced what an army was
+good for, when conducted by an unskilful commander, he moved his camp
+into Apulia.
+
+21. The Roman legions, and the praetor, Fulvius, were in the
+neighbourhood of Herdonia, where, receiving intelligence of the
+approach of the enemy, they had nearly torn up the standards and gone
+out to battle without the praetor's orders; nor did any thing tend
+more to prevent it than the assured hope they entertained that they
+could do so whenever they pleased, consulting only their own will. The
+following night, Hannibal having obtained information that the camp
+was in a state of tumult, and that most of the troops were in a
+disorderly manner urging the general to give the signal, and calling
+out to arms, and therefore feeling convinced that an opportunity
+presented itself for a successful battle, distributed three thousand
+light troops in the houses in the neighbourhood, and among the thorns
+and woods. These, on a signal being given, were to rise up from their
+lurking-place with one accord; and Mago, with about two thousand
+horse, was ordered to occupy all the roads in the direction in which
+he supposed their flight would be directed. Having made these
+preparations during the night, he led his troops into the field at
+break of day. Nor did Fulvius decline the challenge; not so much from
+any hope of success entertained by himself, as drawn by the blind
+impetuosity of his soldiers. Accordingly, the line itself was formed
+with the same want of caution with which they entered the field,
+agreeably to the whim of the soldiers, who came up as chance directed,
+and took their stations just where they pleased; which they afterwards
+abandoned, as fear or caprice suggested. The first legion and the left
+wing of the allied troops were drawn up in front. The line was
+extended to a great length, the tribunes remonstrating, that there was
+no strength in it, and that wherever the enemy made the charge they
+would break through it: but no salutary advice reached their minds,
+nor even their ears. Hannibal was now come up, a general of a totally
+different character, with an army neither similar in its nature, nor
+similarly marshalled. The consequence was, that the Romans did not so
+much as sustain their shout and first attack. Their general, equal to
+Centenius in folly and temerity, but by no means to be compared with
+him in courage, when he saw things going against him, and his troops
+in confusion, hastily mounting his horse, fled from the field with
+about two hundred horsemen. The rest of the troops, beaten in front,
+and surrounded on the flank and rear, were slaughtered to such a
+degree, that out of eighteen thousand men, not more than two thousand
+escaped. The enemy got possession of the camp.
+
+22. When these disastrous defeats, happening one upon another, were
+reported at Rome, great grief and consternation seized the city. But
+still, as the consuls had been hitherto successful when it was most
+important, they were the less affected by these disasters. Caius
+Lastorius and Marcus Metilius were sent as ambassadors to the consuls,
+with directions carefully to collect the remains of the two armies,
+and use every endeavour to prevent their surrendering themselves to
+the enemy, through fear or despair, (which was the case after the
+battle of Cannae,) and to search for the deserters from the army of
+volunteer slaves. Publius Cornelius was charged with the same
+business; to him also the levy was intrusted. He caused an order to be
+issued throughout the market and smaller towns, that search should be
+made for the volunteer slaves, and that they should be brought back to
+their standards. All these things were executed with the most vigilant
+care. The consul, Appius Claudius, having placed Decius Junius in
+command at the mouth of the Vulturnus, and Marcus Aurelius Cotta at
+Puteoli, with directions to send off the corn immediately to the camp,
+as each of the ships from Etruria and Sardinia arrived with it,
+returned himself to Capua, and found his colleague Quintus Fulvius at
+Casilinum, conveying every requisite thence, and making every
+preparation for the siege of Capua. Both of them then joined in
+besieging the city, summoning Claudius Nero, the praetor, from the
+Claudian camp at Suessula; who, leaving a small garrison there,
+marched down to Capua with all the rest of his forces. Thus there were
+three generals' tents erected round Capua; and three armies, applying
+themselves to the work in different parts, proceeded to surround the
+city with a ditch and rampart, erecting forts at moderate intervals.
+The Campanians attempting to obstruct the work, a battle was fought in
+several places at once; the consequence of which was, that at length
+the Campanians confined themselves within their gates and walls.
+Before, however, these works were carried quite round, ambassadors
+were sent to Hannibal to complain that Capua was abandoned, and almost
+given up to the Romans, and to implore him, that he would now, at
+least, bring them assistance, when they were not only besieged, but
+surrounded by a rampart. A letter was sent to the consuls from Publius
+Cornelius, the praetor, directing that before they completely enclosed
+Capua with their works, they should grant permission to such of the
+Campanians as chose to quit Capua, and take their property with them.
+That those should retain their liberty, and all their possessions, who
+quitted it before the ides of March, but that those who quitted it
+after that day, as well as those who continued there, would be
+considered as enemies. Proclamation was made to the Campanians to this
+effect, but it was received with such scorn, that they spontaneously
+used insulting language and menaces. Hannibal had marched his legions
+from Herdonea to Tarentum, with the hope of getting possession of the
+citadel of that place, by force or stratagem. But not succeeding
+there, he turned his course to Brundusium, thinking that town would be
+betrayed to him, but, while fruitlessly spending time there also, the
+Campanian ambassadors came to him with complaints and entreaties.
+Hannibal answered them in a proud manner, that he had before raised
+the siege of Capua, and that now the consuls would not sustain his
+approach. The ambassadors, dismissed with these hopes, with difficulty
+effected their return to Capua, which was by this time surrounded by a
+double trench and rampart.
+
+23. At the time when the circumvallation of Capua was carrying on with
+the greatest activity, the siege of Syracuse, which had been forwarded
+by intestine treachery, in addition to the efforts and bravery of the
+general and his army, was brought to a conclusion. For in the
+beginning of spring, Marcellus being in doubt whether he should direct
+the operations of the war against Himilco and Hippocrates at
+Agrigentum, or press the siege of Syracuse, though he saw that it was
+impossible to take the city by force, which, from its situation, both
+with respect to sea and land, was impregnable, nor by famine, as it
+was supported by an uninterrupted supply of provisions from Carthage,
+yet that he might leave no course untried, directed the Syracusan
+deserters (and there were in the Roman camp some men in this situation
+of the highest rank, who had been driven out of the city during the
+defection from the Romans, because they were averse to a change of
+measures) to sound the feelings of those who were of the same party in
+conferences, and to promise them, that if Syracuse was delivered up,
+they should have their liberty, and be governed by their own laws.
+There was no opportunity however, of having a conference; for as many
+were suspected of disaffection, the attention and observation of all
+were exerted, lest any thing of the kind should occur unknown to them.
+One of the exiles, who was a servant, having been allowed to enter the
+city in the character of a deserter, assembled a few persons, and
+opened a conversation upon the subject. After this, certain persons,
+covering themselves with nets in a fishing smack, were in this way
+conveyed round to the Roman camp, and conferred with the fugitives.
+The same was frequently repeated by different parties, one after
+another; and at last they amounted to eighty. But after every thing
+had been concerted for betraying the city, the plot was reported to
+Epicydes, by one Attalus, who felt hurt that he had not been intrusted
+with the secret; and they were all put to death with torture. This
+attempt having miscarried, another hope was immediately raised. One
+Damippus, a Lacedaemonian, who had been sent from Syracuse to king
+Philip, had been taken prisoner by the Roman fleet. Epicydes was
+particularly anxious to ransom this man above any other; nor was
+Marcellus disinclined to grant it; the Romans, even at this time,
+being desirous of gaining the friendship of the Aetolians, with whom
+the Lacedaemonians were in alliance. Some persons having been sent to
+treat respecting his ransom, the most central and convenient place to
+both parties for this purpose appeared to be at the Trogilian port,
+near the tower called Galeagra. As they went there several times, one
+of the Romans, having a near view of the wall, and having determined
+its height, as nearly as it could be done by conjecture, from counting
+the stones, and by forming an estimate, in his own mind, what was the
+height of each stone in the face of the work; and having come to the
+conclusion that it was considerably lower than he himself and all the
+rest had supposed it, and that it was capable of being scaled with
+ladders of moderate size, laid the matter before Marcellus. It
+appeared a thing not to be neglected; but as the spot could not be
+approached, being on this very account guarded with extraordinary
+care, a favourable opportunity of doing it was sought for. This a
+deserter suggested, who brought intelligence that the Syracusans were
+celebrating the festival of Diana; that it was to last three days, and
+that as there was a deficiency of other things during the siege, the
+feasts would be more profusely celebrated with wine, which was
+furnished by Epicydes to the people in general, and distributed
+through the tribes by persons of distinction. When Marcellus had
+received this intelligence, he communicated it to a few of the
+military tribunes; then having selected, through their means, such
+centurions and soldiers as had courage and energy enough for so
+important an enterprise, and having privately gotten together a number
+of scaling-ladders, he directed that a signal should be given to the
+rest of the troops to take their refreshment, and go to rest early,
+for they were to go upon an expedition that night. Then the time, as
+it was supposed, having arrived, when, after having feasted from the
+middle of the day, they would have had their fill of wine, and have
+begun to sleep, he ordered the soldiers of one company to proceed with
+the ladders, while about a thousand armed men were in silence marched
+to the spot in a slender column. The foremost having mounted the wall,
+without noise or confusion, the others followed in order; the boldness
+of the former inspiring even the irresolute with courage.
+
+24. The thousand armed men had now taken a part of the city, when the
+rest, applying a greater number of ladders, mounted the wall on a
+signal given from the Hexapylos. To this place the former party had
+arrived in entire solitude; as the greater part of them, having
+feasted in the towers, were either asleep from the effects of wine, or
+else, half asleep, were still drinking. A few of them, however, they
+surprised in their beds, and put to the sword. They began then to
+break open a postern gate near the Hexapylos, which required great
+force; and a signal was given from the wall by sounding a trumpet, as
+had been agreed upon. After this, the attack was carried on in every
+quarter, not secretly, but by open force; for they had now reached
+Epipolae, a place protected by numerous guards, where the business was
+to terrify the enemy, and not to escape their notice. In effect they
+were terrified; for as soon as the sound of the trumpets was heard,
+and the shouts of the men who had got possession of the walls and a
+part of the city, the guards concluded that every part was taken, and
+some of them fled along the wall, others leaped down from it, or were
+thrown down headlong by a crowd of the terrified townsmen. A great
+part of the inhabitants, however, were ignorant of this disastrous
+event, all of them being overpowered with wine and sleep; and because,
+in a city of so wide extent, what was perceived in one quarter was not
+readily made known through the whole city. A little before day,
+Marcellus having entered the city with all his forces, through the
+Hexapylos, which was forced open roused all the townsmen; who ran to
+arms, in order, if possible, by their efforts, to afford succour to
+the city, which was now almost taken. Epicydes advanced with a body of
+troops at a rapid pace from the Insula, which the Syracusans
+themselves call Nasos, not doubting but that he should be able to
+drive out what he supposed a small party, which had got over the wall
+through the negligence of the guards. He earnestly represented to the
+terrified inhabitants who met him, that they were increasing the
+confusion, and that in their accounts they made things greater and
+more important than they really were. But when he perceived that every
+place around Epipolae was filled with armed men, after just teasing
+the enemy with the discharge of a few missiles, he marched back to the
+Achradina, not so much through fear of the number and strength of the
+enemy, as that some intestine treachery might show itself, taking
+advantage of the opportunity, and he might find the gates of the
+Achradina and island closed upon him in the confusion. When Marcellus,
+having entered the walls, beheld this city as it lay subjected to his
+view from the high ground on which he stood, a city the most
+beautiful, perhaps, of any at that time, he is said to have shed tears
+over it; partly from the inward satisfaction he felt at having
+accomplished so important an enterprise, and partly in consideration
+of its ancient renown. The fleets of the Athenians sunk there, and two
+vast armies destroyed, with two generals of the highest reputation, as
+well as the many wars waged with the Carthaginians with so much peril
+arose before his mind; the many and powerful tyrants and kings; but
+above all Hiero, a king who was not only fresh in his memory, but who
+was distinguished for the signal services he had rendered the Roman
+people, and more than all by the endowments which his own virtues and
+good fortune had conferred. All these considerations presenting
+themselves at once to his recollection, and reflecting, that in an
+instant every thing before him would be in flames, and reduced to
+ashes; before he marched his troops to the Achradina, he sent before
+him some Syracusans, who, as was before observed, were among the Roman
+troops, to induce the enemy, by a persuasive address, to surrender the
+city.
+
+25. The gates and walls of the Achradina were occupied principally by
+deserters, who had no hopes of pardon in case of capitulation. These
+men would neither suffer those who were sent to approach the walls,
+nor to address them. Marcellus, therefore, on the failure of this
+attempt, gave orders to retire to the Euryalus, which is an eminence
+at the extremity of the city, at the farthest point from the sea, and
+commanding the road leading into the fields and the interior of the
+island, and is conveniently situated for the introduction of supplies.
+This fort was commanded by Philodemus, an Argive, who was placed in
+this situation by Epicydes. Marcellus sent Sosis, one of the
+regicides, to him. After a long conversation, being put off for the
+purpose of frustrating him, he brought back word to Marcellus, that
+Philodemus had taken time to deliberate. This man postponing his
+answer day after day, till Hippocrates and Himilco should quit their
+present position, and come up with their legions; not doubting but
+that if he should receive them into the fort, the Roman army, shut up
+as it was within the walls, might be annihilated, Marcellus, who saw
+that the Euryalus would neither be delivered up to him, nor could be
+taken by force, pitched his camp between Neapolis and Tycha, which are
+names of divisions of the city, and are in themselves like cities;
+fearful lest if he entered populous parts of the city, he should not
+be able to restrain his soldiers, greedy of plunder, from running up
+and down after it. When three ambassadors came to him from Tycha and
+Neapolis with fillets and other badges of supplicants, imploring him
+to abstain from fire and slaughter, Marcellus, having held a council
+respecting these entreaties, for so they were, rather than demands,
+ordered his soldiers, according to the unanimous opinion of the
+council, not to offer violence to any free person, but told them that
+every thing else might be their booty. The walls of the houses forming
+a protection for his camp, he posted guards and parties of troops at
+the gates, which were exposed, as they faced the streets, lest any
+attack should be made upon his camp while the soldiers were dispersed
+in pursuit of plunder. After these arrangements, on a signal given,
+the soldiers dispersed for that purpose; and though they broke open
+doors and every place resounded in consequence of the alarm and
+confusion created, they nevertheless refrained from blood. They did
+not desist from plunder till they had gutted the houses of all the
+property which had been accumulated during a long period of
+prosperity. Meanwhile, Philodemus also, who despaired of obtaining
+assistance, having received a pledge that he might return to Epicydes
+in safety, withdrew the garrison, and delivered up the fortress to the
+Romans. While the attention of all was engaged by the tumult
+occasioned in that part of the city which was captured, Bomilcar,
+taking advantage of the night, when, from the violence of the weather
+the Roman fleet was unable to ride at anchor in the deep, set out from
+the bay of Syracuse, with thirty-five ships, and sailed away into the
+main without interruption; leaving fifty-five ships for Epicydes and
+the Syracusans; and having informed the Carthaginians in what a
+critical situation Syracuse was placed, returned, after a few days,
+with a hundred ships; having, as report says, received many presents
+from Epicydes out of the treasure of Hiero.
+
+26. Marcellus, by gaining possession of the Euryalus, and placing a
+garrison in it, was freed from one cause of anxiety; which was, lest
+any hostile force received into that fortress on his rear might annoy
+his troops, shut up and confined as they were within the walls. He
+next invested the Achradina, erecting three camps in convenient
+situations, with the hope of reducing those enclosed within it to the
+want of every necessary. The outposts of both sides had remained
+inactive for several days, when the arrival of Hippocrates and Himilco
+suddenly caused the Romans to be attacked aggressively on all sides;
+for Hippocrates, having fortified a camp at the great harbour, and
+given a signal to those who occupied the Achradina, attacked the old
+camp of the Romans, in which Crispinus had the command; and Epicydes
+sallied out against the outposts of Marcellus, the Carthaginian fleet
+coming up to that part of the shore which lay between the city and the
+Roman camp, so that no succour could be sent by Marcellus to
+Crispinus. The enemy, however, produced more tumult than conflict; for
+Crispinus not only drove back Hippocrates from his works, but pursued
+him as he fled with precipitation, while Marcellus drove Epicydes into
+the city; and it was considered that enough was now done even to
+prevent any danger arising in future from their sudden sallies. They
+were visited too by a plague; a calamity extending to both sides, and
+one which might well divert their attention from schemes of war. For
+as the season of the year was autumn, and the situation naturally
+unwholesome, though this was much more the case without than within
+the city, the intolerable intensity of the heat had an effect upon the
+constitution of almost every man in both the camps. At first they
+sickened and died from the unhealthiness of the season and climate;
+but afterwards the disease was spread merely by attending upon, and
+coming in contact with, those affected; so that those who were seized
+with it either perished neglected and deserted, or else drew with them
+those who sat by them and attended them, by infecting them with the
+same violence of disease. Daily funerals and death were before the
+eye; and lamentations were heard from all sides, day and night. At
+last, their feelings had become so completely brutalized by being
+habituated to these miseries, that they not only did not follow their
+dead with tears and decent lamentations, but they did not even carry
+them out and bury them; so that the bodies of the dead lay strewed
+about, exposed to the view of those who were awaiting a similar fate;
+and thus the dead were the means of destroying the sick, and the sick
+those who were in health, both by fear and by the filthy state and the
+noisome stench of their bodies. Some preferring to die by the sword,
+even rushed alone upon the outposts of the enemy. The violence of the
+plague, however, was much greater in the Carthaginian than the Roman
+army; for the latter, from having been a long time before Syracuse,
+had become more habituated to the climate and the water. Of the army
+of the enemy, the Sicilians, as soon as they perceived that diseases
+had become very common from the unwholesomeness of the situation,
+dispersed to their respective cities in the neighbourhood; but the
+Carthaginians, who had no place to retire to, perished, together with
+their generals, Hippocrates and Himilco, to a man. Marcellus, on
+seeing the violence with which the disease was raging, had removed his
+troops into the city, where their debilitated frames were recruited in
+houses and shade. Many however, of the Roman army were cut off by this
+pestilence.
+
+27. The land forces of the Carthaginians being thus destroyed, the
+Sicilians, who had served under Hippocrates retired to two towns of no
+great size, but well secured by natural situation and fortifications;
+one was three miles, the other fifteen, from Syracuse. Here they
+collected a store of provisions from their own states, and sent for
+reinforcements. Meanwhile, Bomilcar, who had gone a second time to
+Carthage, by so stating the condition of their allies as to inspire a
+hope that they might not only render them effectual aid, but also that
+the Romans might in a manner be made prisoners in the city which they
+had captured, induced the Carthaginians to send with him as many ships
+of burden as possible, laden with every kind of provisions, and to
+augment the number of his ships. Setting sail, therefore, from
+Carthage with a hundred and thirty men of war and seven hundred
+transports, he had tolerably fair winds for crossing over to Sicily,
+but was prevented by the same wind from doubling Cape Pachynum. The
+news of the approach of Bomilcar, and afterwards his unexpected delay,
+excited alternate fear and joy in the Romans and Syracusans. Epicydes,
+apprehensive lest if the same wind which now detained him should
+continue to blow from the east for several days, the Carthaginian
+fleet would return to Africa, put the Achradina in the hands of the
+generals of the mercenary troops, and sailed to Bomilcar; whom he at
+length prevailed upon to try the issue of a naval battle, though he
+found him with his fleet stationed in the direction of Africa, and
+afraid of fighting, not so much because he was unequal in the strength
+or the number of his ships, for he had more than the Romans, as
+because the wind was more favourable to the Roman fleet than to his
+own. Marcellus also seeing that an army of Sicilians was assembling
+from every part of the island, and that the Carthaginian fleet was
+approaching with a great want of supplies, though inferior in the
+number of his ships, resolved to prevent Bomilcar from coming to
+Syracuse, lest, blocked up in the city of his enemies, he should be
+pressed both by sea and land. The two hostile fleets were stationed
+near the promontory of Pachynum, ready to engage as soon as the sea
+should become calm enough to admit of their sailing out into the deep.
+Accordingly, the east wind, which had blown violently for several
+days, now subsiding, Bomilcar got under sail first, his van seeming to
+make for the main sea, in order to double the promontory with greater
+ease; but seeing the Roman ships bearing down upon him, terrified by
+some unexpected occurrence, it is not known what, he sailed away into
+the main sea; and sending messengers to Heraclea, to order the
+transports to return to Africa, he passed along the coast of Sicily
+and made for Tarentum. Epicydes, thus suddenly disappointed in such
+great expectations, to avoid returning to endeavour to raise the siege
+of a city, a great part of which was already in the hands of the
+enemy, sailed to Agrigentum, intending to wait the issue of the
+contest, rather than take any new measures when there.
+
+28. Intelligence of these events having been carried into the camp of
+the Sicilians, that Epicydes had departed from Syracuse, that the
+island was deserted by the Carthaginians, and almost again delivered
+up to the Romans; after sounding the inclinations of the besieged in
+conferences, they sent ambassadors to Marcellus, to treat about terms
+of capitulation. They had not much difficulty in coming to an
+agreement, that all the parts of the island which had been under the
+dominion of their kings should be ceded to the Romans; that the rest,
+with their liberty and their own laws, should be preserved to the
+Sicilians. They then invited to a conference the persons who had been
+intrusted with the management of affairs by Epicydes; to whom they
+said, that they were sent from the army of the Sicilians, at once to
+Marcellus and to them, that both those who were besieged and those who
+were not might share the same fortune; and that neither of them might
+stipulate any thing for themselves separately. They were then allowed
+to enter, in order to converse with their relations and friends; when,
+laying before them the terms which they had made with Marcellus, and
+holding out to them a hope of safety, they induced them to join with
+them in an attack upon the prefects of Epicydes, Polyclitus,
+Philistion, and Epicydes, surnamed Sindon. Having put them to death,
+they summoned the multitude to an assembly; and after complaining of
+the famine, at which they had been accustomed to express their
+dissatisfaction to each other in secret, they said, that "although
+they were pressed by so many calamities, they had no right to accuse
+Fortune, because it was at their own option how long they should
+continue to suffer them. That the motive which the Romans had in
+besieging Syracuse was affection for the Syracusans, and not hatred;
+for when they heard that the government was usurped by Hippocrates and
+Epicydes, the creatures first of Hannibal and then of Hieronymus, they
+took arms and began to besiege the city, in order to reduce not the
+city itself, but its cruel tyrants. But now that Hippocrates is slain,
+Epicydes shut out of Syracuse, his praefects put to death, and the
+Carthaginians driven from the entire possession of Sicily by sea and
+land, what reason can the Romans have left why they should not desire
+the preservation of Syracuse, in the same manner as they would if
+Hiero were still lining, who cultivated the friendship of Rome with
+unequalled fidelity? That, therefore, neither the city nor its
+inhabitants were in any danger, except from themselves, if they
+neglected an opportunity of restoring themselves to the favour of the
+Romans; and that no so favourable a one would ever occur as that which
+presented itself at the present instant, immediately upon its
+appearing that they were delivered from their insolent tyrants."
+
+29. This speech was received with the most unqualified approbation of
+all present. It was resolved, however, that praetors should be elected
+before the nomination of deputies; which being done, some of the
+praetors themselves were sent as deputies to Marcellus, the chief of
+whom thus addressed him: "Neither in the first instance did we
+Syracusans revolt from you, but Hieronymus, whose impiety towards you
+was by no means so great as towards us; nor afterwards was it any
+Syracusan who disturbed the peace established by the death of the
+tyrant, but Hippocrates and Epicydes, creatures of the tyrant; while
+we were overpowered, on the one hand by fear, and on the other by
+treachery. Nor can any one say that there ever was a time when we were
+in possession of our liberty, when we were not also at peace with you.
+In the present instance, manifestly, as soon as ever we became our own
+masters, by the death of those persons who held Syracuse in
+subjection, we lost no time in coming to deliver up our arms, to
+surrender ourselves, our city, and our walls, and to refuse no
+conditions which you shall impose upon us. To you, Marcellus, the gods
+have given the glory of having captured the most renowned and
+beautiful of the Grecian cities. Every memorable exploit which we have
+at any time achieved by land or sea accrues to the splendour of your
+triumph. Would you wish that it should be known only by fame, how
+great a city has been captured by you, rather than that she should
+stand as a monument even to posterity; so that to every one who visits
+her by sea or land, she may point out at one time our trophies gained
+from the Athenians and Carthaginians, at another time those which you
+have gained from us; and that you should transmit Syracuse unimpaired
+to your family, to be kept under the protection and patronage of the
+race of the Marcelli? Let not the memory of Hieronymus have greater
+weight with you than that of Hiero. The latter was your friend for a
+much longer period than the former was your enemy. From the latter you
+have realized even benefits, while the frenzy of Hieronymus only
+brought ruin upon himself." At the hands of the Romans all things were
+obtainable and secure. There was a greater disposition to war, and
+more danger to be apprehended among themselves; for the deserters,
+thinking that they were delivered up to the Romans, induced the
+mercenary auxiliaries to entertain the same apprehension; and hastily
+seizing their arms, they first put the praetors to death, and then ran
+through the city to massacre the Syracusans. In their rage they slew
+all whom chance threw in their way, and plundered every thing which
+presented itself; and then, lest they should have no leaders, they
+elected six praetors, so that three might have the command in the
+Achradina, and three in the island. At length, the tumult having
+subsided, and the mercenary troops having ascertained, by inquiry,
+what had been negotiated with the Romans, it began to appear, as was
+really the case, that their cause and that of the deserters were
+different.
+
+30. The ambassadors returned from Marcellus very opportunely. They
+informed them that they had been influenced by groundless suspicions,
+and that the Romans saw no reason why they should inflict punishment
+upon them. Of the three praefects of the Achradina one was a Spaniard,
+named Mericus. To him one of the Spanish auxiliaries was designedly
+sent, among those who accompanied the ambassadors. Having obtained an
+interview with Mericus in the absence of witnesses, he first explained
+to him the state in which he had left Spain, from which he had lately
+returned: "That there every thing was in subjection to the Roman arms;
+that it was in his power, by doing the Romans a service, to become the
+first man among his countrymen, whether he might be inclined to serve
+with the Romans, or to return to his country. On the other hand, if he
+persisted in preferring to hold out against the siege, what hope could
+he have, shut up as he was by sea and land?" Mericus was moved by
+these suggestions, and when it was resolved upon to send ambassadors
+to Marcellus, he sent his brother among them; who, being brought into
+the presence of Marcellus, apart from the rest, by means of the same
+Spaniard, after receiving an assurance of protection, arranged the
+method of carrying their object into effect, and then returned to the
+Achradina. Mericus then, in order to prevent any one from conceiving a
+suspicion of treachery, declared, that he did not like that deputies
+should be passing to and fro; he thought that they should neither
+admit nor send any; and in order that the guards might be kept more
+strictly, that such parts as were most exposed should be distributed
+among the prefects, each being made responsible for the safety of his
+own quarter. All approved of the distribution of the posts. The
+district which fell to the lot of Mericus himself extended from the
+fountain Arethusa to the mouth of the large harbour, of which he
+caused the Romans to be informed. Accordingly, Marcellus ordered a
+transport with armed men to be towed by a quadrireme to the Achradina
+during the night, and the soldiers to be landed in the vicinity of
+that gate which is near the fountain of Arethusa. This order having
+been executed at the fourth watch, and Mericus having received the
+soldiers when landed at the gate, according to the agreement,
+Marcellus assaulted the walls of the Achradina with all his forces at
+break of day, so that he not only engaged the attention of those who
+occupied the Achradina, but also bands of armed men, quitting their
+own posts ran to the spot from the island, in order to repel the
+furious attack of the Romans. During this confusion, some light ships
+which had been prepared beforehand, and had sailed round, landed a
+body of armed men at the island; these suddenly attacking the
+half-manned stations and the opened door of the gate at which the
+troops had a little before run out, got possession of the island
+without much opposition, abandoned as it was, in consequence of the
+flight and trepidation of its guards. Nor were there any who rendered
+less service, or showed less firmness in maintaining their posts, than
+the deserters; for as they did not repose much confidence even in
+those of their own party, they fled in the middle of the contest. When
+Marcellus learnt that the island was taken, one quarter of the
+Achradina in the hands of his troops, and that Mericus, with the men
+under his command, had joined them, he sounded a retreat, lest the
+royal treasure, the fame of which was greater than the reality, should
+be plundered.
+
+31. The impetuosity of the soldiers having been checked, time and
+opportunity to escape were given to the deserters in the Achradina;
+and the Syracusans, at length delivered from their fears, threw open
+the gates of the Achradina, and sent deputies to Marcellus, requesting
+only safety for themselves and children. Having summoned a council, to
+which the Syracusans were invited who were among the Roman troops,
+having been driven from home during the disturbances, Marcellus
+replied, "that the services rendered by Hiero through a period of
+fifty years, were not more in number than the injuries committed
+against the Roman people in these few years by those who had had
+possession of Syracuse; but that most of these injuries had justly
+recoiled upon their authors, and that they had inflicted much more
+severe punishment upon themselves for the violation of treaties, than
+the Roman people desired. That he was indeed now besieging Syracuse
+for the third year, but not that the Romans might hold that state in a
+condition of slavery, but that the ringleaders of the deserters might
+not keep it in a state of thraldom and oppression. What the Syracusans
+could do was exemplified, either by the conduct of those Syracusans
+who were among the Roman troops, or that of the Spanish general,
+Mericus, who had delivered up the post which he was appointed to
+command, or, lastly, by the late but bold measure adopted by the
+Syracusans themselves. That the greatest possible recompence for all
+the evils and dangers which he had for so long a time undergone, both
+by sea and land, around the walls of Syracuse, was the reflection,
+that he had been able to take that city." The quaestor was then sent
+with a guard to the island, to receive and protect the royal treasure.
+The city was given up to be plundered by the soldiery, after guards
+had been placed at each of the houses of those who had been with the
+Roman troops. While many acts exhibited horrid examples of rage and
+rapacity, it is recorded that Archimedes, while intent on some figures
+which he had described in the dust, although the confusion was as
+great as could possibly exist in a captured city, in which soldiers
+were running up and down in search of plunder, was put to death by a
+soldier, who did not know who he was; that Marcellus was grieved at
+this event, and that pains were taken about his funeral, while his
+relations also for whom diligent inquiry was made, derived honour and
+protection from his name and memory. Such, for the most part, was the
+manner in which Syracuse was captured. The quantity of booty was so
+great, that had Carthage itself, which was carrying on a contest on
+equal terms, been captured, it would scarcely have afforded so much. A
+few days before the taking of Syracuse, Titus Otacilius passed over
+from Lilybaeum to Utica with eighty quinqueremes, and entering the
+harbour before it was light, took some transports laden with corn;
+then landing, he laid waste a considerable portion of the country
+around Utica, and brought back to his ships booty of every
+description. He returned to Lilybaeum, the third day after he set out,
+with a hundred and thirty transports laden with corn and booty. The
+corn he sent immediately to Syracuse; and had it not been for the very
+seasonable arrival of this supply, a destructive famine threatened
+alike the victors and the vanquished.
+
+32. Nothing very memorable had been done in Spain for about two years,
+the operations of the war consisting more in laying plans than in
+fighting; but during the same summer in which the events above
+recorded took place, the Roman generals, quitting their winter
+quarters, united their forces; then a council was summoned; and the
+opinions of all accorded, that since their only object hitherto had
+been to prevent Hasdrubal from pursuing his march into Italy, it was
+now time that an effort should be made to bring the war in Spain to a
+termination; and they thought that the twenty thousand Celtiberians,
+who had been induced to take arms that winter, formed a sufficient
+accession to their strength. There were three armies of the enemy.
+Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, and Mago, who had united their forces, were
+about a five days' journey from the Romans. Hasdrubal, son of
+Hamilcar, who was the old commander in Spain, was nearer to them: he
+was with his army near the city Anitorgis. The Roman generals were
+desirous that he should be overpowered first; and they hoped that they
+had enough and more than enough strength for the purpose. Their only
+source of anxiety was, lest the other Hasdrubal and Mago, terrified at
+his discomfiture, should protract the war by withdrawing into
+trackless forests and mountains. Thinking it, therefore, the wisest
+course to divide their forces and embrace the whole Spanish war, they
+arranged it so that Publius Cornelius should lead two-thirds of the
+Roman and allied troops against Mago and Hasdrubal, and that Cneius
+Cornelius, with the remaining third of the original army, and with the
+Celtiberians added to them, should carry on the war with the Barcine
+Hasdrubal. The two generals and their armies, setting out together,
+preceded by the Celtiberians, pitched their camp near the city
+Anitorgis, within sight of the enemy, the river only separating them.
+Here Cneius Scipio, with the forces above mentioned, halted, but
+Publius Scipio proceeded to the portion of the war assigned to him.
+
+33. Hasdrubal perceiving that there were but few Roman troops in the
+camp, and that their whole dependence was on the Celtiberian
+auxiliaries; and having had experience of the perfidy of the barbarian
+nations in general, and particularly of all those nations among which
+he had served for so many years; as there was every facility of
+intercourse, for both camps were full of Spaniards, by secret
+conferences with the chiefs of the Celtiberians, he agreed with them,
+for a large consideration, to take their forces away. Nor did they
+conceive it to be any great crime; for the object was not that they
+should turn their arms against the Romans, while the reward which they
+were to receive to abstain from the war was large enough to remunerate
+them for their service in it. At the same time the mere rest from
+labour, the return to their homes, with the pleasure of seeing their
+friends and property, were pleasing to the generality. Accordingly,
+the multitude were prevailed upon as easily as their leaders. They
+had, moreover, nothing to fear from the Romans, in consequence of the
+smallness of their numbers, should they endeavour to detain them by
+force. It will indeed be the duty of all Roman generals to take care,
+and the instances here recorded should be considered as strong
+arguments, never to place so much confidence in foreign auxiliaries,
+as not to retain in their camps a preponderance of their own strength
+and of that force which is properly their own. The Celtiberians,
+suddenly taking up their standards, marched away, replying only to the
+Romans, who asked the cause of their departure and entreated them to
+stay, that they were called away by a war at home. Scipio seeing that
+his allies could be detained neither by prayers nor force, and that he
+was neither a match for his enemy without them, nor could again effect
+a junction with his brother, no other course which promised safety
+offering itself, resolved to retire as far as possible, carefully
+using every caution not to encounter the enemy any where on level
+ground. On his departing, the enemy, crossing the river, pursued him
+almost in his footsteps.
+
+34. During the same period an equal terror and a greater danger
+pressed upon Publius Scipio. Masinissa was a young man at that time an
+ally of the Carthaginians, whom afterwards the friendship of the
+Romans rendered illustrious and powerful. He not only opposed himself
+with his Numidian cavalry to Scipio on his approach, but afterwards
+harassed him incessantly day and night, so as both to cut off his
+stragglers, who had gone out to a distance from the camp in search of
+wood and forage, and riding up to the very gates of his camp, and
+charging into the midst of his advanced guards, to fill every quarter
+with the utmost confusion. By night also alarm was frequently
+occasioned in the gates and rampart by his sudden attacks. Nor was
+there any time or place at which the Romans were exempt from fear and
+anxiety; and driven within their rampart, and deprived of every
+necessary, they suffered in a manner a regular siege; and it appeared
+that it would have been still straiter, if Indibilis, who it was
+reported was approaching with seven thousand five hundred Suessetani,
+should form a junction with the Carthaginians. Scipio, though a wary
+and provident general, overpowered by difficulties, adopted the rash
+measure of going to meet Indibilis by night, with the intention of
+fighting him wherever he should meet him. Leaving, therefore, a small
+force in his camp, under the command of Titus Fonteius,
+lieutenant-general, he set out at midnight, and meeting with the
+enemy, came to battle with him. The troops fought in the order of
+march rather than of battle. The Romans, however, had the advantage,
+though in an irregular fight; but the Numidian cavalry, whose
+observation the general supposed that he had escaped, suddenly
+spreading themselves round his flanks, occasioned great terror. After
+a new contest had been entered into with the Numidians, a third enemy
+came up in addition to the rest, the Carthaginian generals having come
+up with their rear when they were now engaged in fighting. Thus the
+Romans were surrounded on every side by enemies; nor could they make
+up their minds which they should attack first, or in what part,
+forming themselves into a close body, they should force their way
+through. The general, while fighting and encouraging his men, exposing
+himself wherever the strife was the hottest, was run through the right
+side with a lance; and when the party of the enemy, which, formed into
+a wedge, had charged the troops collected round the general, perceived
+Scipio falling lifeless from his horse, elated with joy, they ran
+shouting through the whole line with the news that the Roman general
+had fallen. These words spreading in every direction, caused the enemy
+to be considered as victors, and the Romans as vanquished. On the loss
+of the general the troops immediately began to fly from the field; but
+though it was not difficult to force their way through the Numidians
+and the other light-armed auxiliaries, yet it was scarcely possible
+for them to escape so large a body of cavalry, and infantry equal to
+horses in speed. Almost more were slain in the flight than in the
+battle; nor would a man have survived, had not night put a stop to the
+carnage, the day by this time rapidly drawing to a close.
+
+35. After this, the Carthaginian generals, who were not slow in
+following up their victory, immediately after the battle, scarcely
+giving their soldiers necessary rest, hurry their army to Hasdrubal,
+son of Hamilcar; confidently hoping, that after uniting their forces
+with his, the war might be brought to a conclusion. On their arrival,
+the warmest congratulations passed between the troops and their
+generals, who were delighted with their recent victory; for they had
+not only destroyed one distinguished general and all his men, but
+looked forward to another victory of equal magnitude as a matter of
+certainty. The intelligence of this great disaster had not yet reached
+the Romans; but there prevailed a kind of melancholy silence and mute
+foreboding, such as is usually found in minds which have a
+presentiment of impending calamity. The general himself, besides
+feeling that he was deserted by his allies, and that the forces of the
+enemy were so much augmented, was disposed from conjecture and
+reasoning rather to a suspicion that some defeat had been sustained,
+than to any favourable hopes. "For how could Hasdrubal and Mago bring
+up their troops without opposition, unless they had terminated their
+part of the war? How was it that his brother had not opposed his
+progress or followed on his rear? in order that if he could not
+prevent the armies and generals of the enemy from forming a junction,
+he might himself join his forces with his brother's." Disturbed with
+these cares, he believed that the only safe policy for the present was
+to retire as far as possible; and, accordingly, he marched a
+considerable distance thence in one night, the enemy not being aware
+of it, and on that account continuing quiet. At dawn, perceiving that
+their enemy had decamped, they sent the Numidians in advance, and
+began to pursue them as rapidly as possible. The Numidians overtook
+them before night, and charged; sometimes their rear, at other times
+their flanks. They then began to halt and defend themselves as well as
+they could; but Scipio exhorted them at once to fight so as not to
+expose themselves, and march at the same time, lest the infantry
+should overtake them.
+
+36. But having made but little progress for a long time, in
+consequence of his making his troops sometimes advance and at others
+halt, and night now drawing on, Scipio recalled his troops from the
+battle, and collecting them, withdrew to a certain eminence, not very
+safe, indeed, particularly for dispirited troops, but higher than any
+of the surrounding places. There, at first, his infantry, drawn up
+around his baggage and cavalry, which were placed in their centre, had
+no difficulty in repelling the attacks of the charging Numidians; but
+afterwards, when three generals with three regular armies marched up
+in one entire body, and it was evident that his men would not be able
+to do much by arms in defending the position without fortifications,
+the general began to look about, and consider whether he could by any
+means throw a rampart around; but the hill was so bare, and the soil
+so rough, that neither could a bush be found for cutting a palisade,
+nor earth for making a mound, nor the requisites for making a trench
+or any other work; nor was the place naturally steep or abrupt enough
+to render the approach and ascent difficult to the enemy, as it rose
+on every side with a gentle acclivity. However, that they might raise
+up against them some semblance of a rampart, they placed around them
+the panniers tied to the burdens, building them up as it were to the
+usual height, and when there was a deficiency of panniers for raising
+it, they presented against the enemy a heap of baggage of every kind.
+The Carthaginian armies coming up, very easily marched up the
+eminence, but were stopped by the novel appearance of the
+fortification, as by something miraculous, when their leaders called
+out from all sides, asking "what they stopped at? and why they did not
+tear down and demolish that mockery, which was scarcely strong enough
+to impede the progress of women and children; that the enemy, who were
+skulking behind their baggage, were, in fact, captured and in their
+hands." Such were the contemptuous reproofs of their leaders. But it
+was not an easy task either to leap over or remove the burdens raised
+up against them, or to cut through the panniers, closely packed
+together and covered completely with baggage. When the removal of the
+burdens had opened a way to the troops, who were detained by them for
+a long time, and the same had been done in several quarters, the camp
+was now captured on all sides; the Romans were cut to pieces on all
+hands, the few by the many, the dispirited by the victorious. A great
+number of the men, however, having fled for refuge into the
+neighbouring woods, effected their escape to the camp of Publius
+Scipio, which Titus Fonteius commanded. Some authors relate that
+Cneius Scipio was slain on the eminence on the first assault of the
+enemy; others that he escaped with a few attendants to a castle near
+the camp; this, they say, was surrounded with fire, by which means the
+doors which they could not force were consumed; that it was thus
+taken, and all within, together with the general himself, put to
+death. Cneius Scipio was slain in the eighth year after his arrival in
+Spain, and on the twenty-ninth day after the death of his brother. At
+Rome the grief occasioned by their death was not more intense than
+that which was felt throughout Spain. The sorrow of the citizens,
+however, was partly distracted by the loss of the armies, the
+alienation of the province, and the public disaster, while in Spain
+they mourned and regretted the generals themselves, Cneius, however,
+the more, because he had been longer in command of them, had first
+engaged their affections, and first exhibited a specimen of Roman
+justice and forbearance.
+
+37. When it seemed that the Roman armies were annihilated, and Spain
+lost, one man recovered this desperate state of affairs. There was in
+the army one Lucius Marcius, the son of Septimus, a Roman knight, an
+enterprising youth, and possessing a mind and genius far superior to
+the condition in which he had been born. To his high talents had been
+added the discipline of Cneius Scipio, under which he had been
+thoroughly instructed during a course of so many years in all the
+qualifications of a soldier. This man, having collected the troops
+which had been dispersed in the flight, and drafted some from the
+garrisons, had formed an army not to be despised, and united it with
+Titus Tonteius, the lieutenant-general of Publius Scipio. But so
+transcendent was the Roman knight in authority and honour among the
+troops, that when, after fortifying a camp on this side of the Iberus,
+it had been resolved that a general of the two armies should be
+elected in an assembly of the soldiers, relieving each other in the
+guard of the rampart, and in keeping the outposts until every one had
+given his vote, they unanimously conferred the supreme command upon
+Lucius Marcius. All the intervening time, which was but short, was
+occupied in fortifying their camp and collecting provisions, and the
+soldiers executed every order not only with vigour, but with feelings
+by no means depressed. But when intelligence was brought them that
+Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, who was coming to put the finishing stroke to
+the war, had crossed the Iberus and was drawing near, and when they
+saw the signal for battle displayed by a new commander, then calling
+to mind whom they had had for their leaders a little while ago,
+relying on what leaders and what forces they used to go out to fight,
+they all suddenly burst into tears and beat their heads, some raising
+their hands to heaven and arraigning the gods, others prostrating
+themselves upon the ground and invoking by name each his own former
+commander. Nor could their lamentations be restrained, though the
+centurions endeavoured to animate their companies, and though Marcius
+himself soothed and remonstrated with them, asking them "why they had
+given themselves up to womanish and unavailing lamentations rather
+than summon up all their courage to protect themselves and the
+commonwealth together, and not suffer their generals to lie
+unavenged?" But suddenly a shout and the sound of trumpets were heard;
+for by this time the enemy were near the rampart. Upon this, their
+grief being suddenly converted into rage, they hastily ran to arms,
+and, as it were, burning with fury, rushed to the gates and charged
+the enemy, while advancing in a careless and disorderly manner. This
+unexpected event instantly struck terror into the Carthaginians, who
+wondering whence so many enemies could have sprung up so suddenly, as
+the army had been almost annihilated; what could have inspired men who
+had been vanquished and routed with such boldness and confidence in
+themselves; what general could have arisen now that the two Scipios
+were slain; who could command the camp, and who had given the signal
+for battle; in consequence of these so many and so unexpected
+circumstances, at first, being in a state of complete uncertainty and
+amazement, they gave ground; but afterwards, discomfited by the
+violence of the charge, they turned their backs; and either there
+would have been a dreadful slaughter of the flying enemy, or a rash
+and dangerous effort on the part of the pursuers, had not Marcius
+promptly given the signal for retreat, and by throwing himself in the
+way of the front rank, and even holding some back with his own hands,
+repressed the infuriated troops. He then led them back to the camp,
+still eager for blood and slaughter. When the Carthaginians, who were
+at first compelled to fly with precipitation from the rampart of their
+enemy, saw that no one pursued them, concluding that they had stopped
+from fear, now on the other hand went away to their camp at an easy
+pace, with feelings of contempt for the enemy. There was a
+corresponding want of care in guarding their camp; for though the
+enemy were near, yet it seemed that they were but the remains of the
+two armies which had been cut to pieces a few days before. As in
+consequence of this all things were neglected in the enemy's camp,
+Marcius having ascertained this, addressed his mind to a measure which
+on the first view of it might appear rather rash than bold: it was,
+aggressively to assault the enemy's camp, concluding that the camp of
+Hasdrubal, while alone, might be carried with less difficulty than his
+own could be defended, if the three armies and as many generals should
+again unite; taking into consideration also that either if he
+succeeded he would retrieve their prostrate fortune, or if repulsed,
+still, by making the attack himself, he would rescue himself from
+contempt.
+
+38. Lest, however, the suddenness of the affair, and the fear of
+night, should frustrate a measure which was in itself ill adapted to
+his condition, he thought it right that his soldiers should be
+addressed and exhorted; and having called an assembly, he discoursed
+as follows: "Soldiers, either my veneration for our late commanders,
+both living and dead, or our present situation, may impress on every
+one the belief that this command, as it is highly honourable to me,
+conferred by your suffrages, so is it in its nature a heavy and
+anxious charge. For at a time when I should be scarcely so far master
+of myself as to be able to find any solace for my afflicted mind, did
+not fear deaden the sense of sorrow, I am compelled to take upon
+myself alone the task of consulting for the good of you all; a task of
+the greatest difficulty when under the influence of grief. And not
+even at that critical moment, when I ought to be considering in what
+manner I may be enabled to keep together for my country these remains
+of two armies, can I divert my mind from the affliction which
+incessantly preys upon me. For bitter recollection is ever present,
+and the Scipios ever disturb me with anxious cares by day and dreams
+by night, frequently rousing me from my sleep, and imploring me not to
+suffer themselves nor their soldiers, your companions in war, who had
+been victorious in this country for eight years, nor the commonwealth
+to remain unrevenged; enjoining me also to follow their discipline and
+their plans; and desiring that as there was no one more obedient to
+their commands while they were alive than I, so after their death I
+would consider that conduct as best, which I might have the strongest
+reason for believing they would have adopted in each case. I could
+wish also that you, my soldiers, should not show your respect for them
+by lamentations and tears, as if they were dead; (for they still live
+and flourish in the fame of their achievements;) but that whenever the
+memory of those men shall occur to you, you would go into battle as
+though you saw them encouraging you and giving you the signal. Nor
+certainly could anything else than their image presenting itself
+yesterday to your eyes and minds, have enabled you to fight that
+memorable battle, in which you proved to the enemy that the Roman name
+had not become extinct with the Scipios; and that the energy and
+valour of that people, which had not been overwhelmed by the disaster
+at Cannae, would, doubtlessly, emerge from the severest storms of
+fortune. Now since you have dared so much of your own accord, I have a
+mind to try how much you will dare when authorized by your general:
+for yesterday, when I gave the signal for retreat while you were
+pursuing the routed enemy with precipitation, I did not wish to break
+your spirit, but to reserve it for greater glory and more advantageous
+opportunities; that you might afterwards, when prepared and armed,
+seize an occasion of attacking your enemy while off their guard,
+unarmed, and even buried in sleep. Nor do I entertain the hope of
+gaining an opportunity of this kind rashly, but from the actual state
+of things. Doubtless, if any one should ask even himself, by what
+means, though few in number and disheartened by defeat, you defended
+your camp against troops superior in number and victorious, you would
+give no other answer than that, as this was the very thing you were
+afraid of, you had kept every place secured by works and yourselves
+ready and equipped. And so it generally happens: men are least secure
+against that which fortune causes not to be feared; because you leave
+unguarded and exposed what you think is not necessary to be cared
+about. There is nothing whatever which the enemy fear less at the
+present time, than lest we, who were a little while ago besieged and
+assaulted, should aggressively assault their camp ourselves. Let us
+dare, then, to do that which it is incredible we should have the
+courage to attempt; it will be most easy from the very fact of its
+appearing most difficult. At the third watch of the night I will lead
+you thither in silence. I have ascertained by means of scouts that
+they have no regular succession of watches, no proper outposts. Our
+shout at their gates, when heard, and the first assault, will carry
+their camp. Then let that carnage be made among men, torpid with
+sleep, terrified at the unexpected tumult, and overpowered while lying
+defenceless in their beds, from which you were so grieved to be
+recalled yesterday. I know that the measure appears to you a daring
+one; but in difficult and almost desperate circumstances the boldest
+counsels are always the safest. For if when the critical moment has
+arrived, the opportunity of seizing which is of a fleeting nature, you
+delay ever so little, in vain do you seek for it afterwards when it
+has been neglected. One army is near us; two more are not far off. We
+have some hopes if we make an attack now; and you have already made
+trial of your own and their strength. If we postpone the time and
+cease to be despised in consequence of the fame of yesterday's
+irruption, there is danger lest all the generals and all the forces
+should unite. Shall we be able then to withstand three generals and
+three armies, whom Cneius Scipio with his army unimpaired could not
+withstand? As our generals have perished by dividing their forces, so
+the enemy may be overpowered while separated and divided. There is no
+other mode of maintaining the war; let us, therefore, wait for nothing
+but the opportunity of the ensuing night. Now depart, with the favour
+of the gods, and refresh yourselves, that, unfatigued and vigorous,
+you may burst into the enemy's camp with the same spirit with which
+you have defended your own." This new enterprise, proposed by their
+new general, they received with joy; and the more daring it was the
+more it pleased them. The remainder of the day was spent in getting
+their arms in readiness and recruiting their strength, the greater
+part of the night was given to rest, and at the fourth watch they were
+in motion.
+
+39. At a distance of six miles beyond their nearest camp lay other
+forces of the Carthaginians. A deep valley, thickly planted with
+trees, intervened. Near about the middle of this wood a Roman cohort
+and some cavalry were placed in concealment with Punic craft. The
+communication between the two armies being thus cut off, the rest of
+the forces were marched in silence to the nearest body of the enemy;
+and as there were no outposts before the gates, and no guards on the
+rampart, they entered quite into the camp, as though it had been their
+own, no one any where opposing them. The signals were then sounded and
+a shout raised. Some put the enemy to the sword when half asleep;
+others threw fire upon the huts, which were covered in with dry straw;
+others blocked up the gates to intercept their escape. The enemy, who
+were assailed at once with fire, shouting, and the sword, were in a
+manner bereaved of their senses, and could neither hear each other,
+nor take any measures for their security. Unarmed, they fell into the
+midst of troops of armed men: some hastened to the gates; others, as
+the passes were flocked up, leaped over the rampart, and as each
+escaped they fled directly towards the other camp, where they were cut
+off by the cohort and cavalry rushing forward from their concealment,
+and were all slain to a man. And even had any escaped from that
+carnage, the Romans, after taking the nearer camp, ran over to the
+other with such rapidity, that no one could have arrived before them
+with news of the disaster. In this camp, as they were far distant from
+the enemy, and as some had gone off just before daylight for forage,
+wood, and plunder, they found every thing in a still more neglected
+and careless state. Their arms only were placed at the outposts, the
+men being unarmed, and either sitting and reclining upon the ground,
+or else walking up and down before the rampart and the gates. On these
+men, thus at their ease and unguarded, the Romans, still hot from the
+recent battle, and flushed with victory, commenced an attack; no
+effectual opposition therefore could be made to them in the gates.
+Within the gates, the troops having rushed together from every part of
+the camp at the first shout and alarm, a furious conflict arose; which
+would have continued for a long time, had not the bloody appearance of
+the Roman shields discovered to the Carthaginians the defeat of the
+other forces, and consequently struck them with dismay. This alarm
+produced a general flight; and all except those who were overtaken
+with the sword, rushing out precipitately wherever they could find a
+passage, abandoned their camp. Thus, in a night and a day, two camps
+of the enemy were carried, under the conduct of Lucius Marcius.
+Claudius, who translated the annals of Acilius out of Greek into
+Latin, states that as many as thirty-seven thousand men were slain,
+one thousand eight hundred and thirty made prisoners, and a great
+booty obtained; among which was a silver shield of a hundred and
+thirty-eight pounds' weight, with an image upon it of the Barcine
+Hasdrubal. Valerius Antias states, that the camp Of Mago only was
+captured, and seven thousand of the enemy slain; and that in the other
+battle, when the Romans sallied out and fought with Hasdrubal, ten
+thousand were slain, and four thousand three hundred captured. Piso
+writes, that five thousand were slain in an ambuscade when Mago
+incautiously pursued our troops who retired. With all, the name of the
+general, Marcius, is mentioned with great honour, and to his real
+glory they add even miracles. They say, that while he was haranguing
+his men a stream of fire poured from his head without his perceiving
+it, to the great terror of the surrounding soldiers; and that a
+shield, called the Marcian, with an image of Hasdrubal upon it,
+remained in the temple up to the time of the burning of the Capitol, a
+monument of his victory over the Carthaginians. After this, affairs
+continued for a considerable time in a tranquil state in Spain, as
+both parties, after giving and receiving such important defeats,
+hesitated to run the hazard of a general battle.
+
+40. During these transactions in Spain, Marcellus, after the capture
+of Syracuse, having settled the other affairs in Sicily with so much
+honour and integrity as not only to add to his own renown, but also to
+the majesty of the Roman people, conveyed to Rome the ornaments of the
+city, together with the statues and pictures with which Syracuse
+abounded. These were certainly spoils taken from enemies, and acquired
+according to the laws of war; but hence was the origin of the
+admiration of the products of Grecian art, and to that freedom with
+which at present all places, both sacred and profane, are despoiled;
+which at last recoiled upon the Roman gods, and first upon that very
+temple which was so choicely adorned by Marcellus. For foreigners were
+in the habit of visiting the temples dedicated by Marcellus near the
+Capuan gate, on account of their splendid ornaments of this
+description, of which a very small portion can be found. Embassies
+from almost all the states of Sicily came to him. As their cases were
+different, so were also the terms granted to them. Those who had
+either not revolted or had returned to the alliance before the capture
+of Syracuse, were received and honoured as faithful allies. Those who
+had been induced to submit through fear after the capture of Syracuse,
+as vanquished, received laws from the conqueror. The Romans, however,
+had still remaining a war of no small magnitude at Agrigentum, headed
+by Epicydes and Hanno, generals in the late war, and a third new one
+sent by Hannibal in the room of Hippocrates, a Libyphoenician by
+nation, and a native of Hippo, called by his countrymen Mutines; an
+energetic man, and thoroughly instructed in all the arts of war under
+the tuition of Hannibal. To this man the Numidian auxiliaries were
+assigned by Epicydes and Hanno. With these he so thoroughly overran
+the lands of his enemies, and visited his allies with such activity,
+in order to retain them in their allegiance, and for the purpose of
+bringing them seasonable aid as each required it, that in a short time
+he filled all Sicily with his fame, nor was greater confidence placed
+in any one else by those who favoured the Carthaginian interest.
+Accordingly the Carthaginian and Syracusan generals, who had been
+hitherto compelled to keep within the walls of Agrigentum, not more at
+the advice of Mutines than from the confidence they reposed in him,
+had the courage to go out from the walls, and pitched a camp near the
+river Himera. When this was announced to Marcellus, he immediately
+advanced and sat down at a distance of about four miles from the
+enemy, with the intention of waiting to see what steps they took, and
+what they meditated. But Mutines allowed no room or time for delay or
+deliberation, but crossed the river, and, charging the outposts of his
+enemy, created the greatest terror and confusion. The next day, in an
+engagement which might almost be called regular, he compelled his
+enemy to retire within their works. Being called away by a mutiny of
+the Numidians, which had broken out in the camp, and in which about
+three hundred of them had retired to Heraclea Minoa, he set out to
+appease them and bring them back; and is said to have earnestly warned
+the generals not to engage with the enemy during his absence. Both the
+generals were indignant at this conduct, but particularly Hanno, who
+was before disturbed at his reputation. "Is it to be borne," said he,
+"that a mongrel African should impose restraints upon me, a
+Carthaginian general, commissioned by the senate and people?"
+Epicydes, who wished to wait, was prevailed upon by him to agree to
+their crossing the river and offering battle; for, said he, if they
+should wait for Mutines, and the battle should terminate successfully,
+Mutines would certainly have the credit of it.
+
+41. But Marcellus, highly indignant that he who had repulsed Hannibal
+from Nola, when rendered confident by his victory at Cannae, should
+succumb to enemies whom he had vanquished by sea and land, ordered his
+soldiers immediately to take arms and raise the standards. While
+marshalling his army, ten Numidians rode up rapidly from the enemy's
+line with information that their countrymen, first induced by the same
+causes which brought on the mutiny, in which three hundred of their
+number retired to Heraclea, and secondly, because they saw their
+commander, just on the approach of a battle, sent out of the way by
+generals who wished to detract from his glory, would not take any part
+in the battle. This deceitful nation made good their promise in this
+instance. Accordingly the spirits of the Romans were increased by the
+intelligence, which was speedily conveyed through the lines, that the
+enemy were abandoned by the cavalry, which the Romans principally
+feared; while at the same time the enemy were dispirited, not only
+because they were deprived of the principal part of their strength,
+but further, because they were afraid lest they should themselves be
+attacked by their own cavalry. Accordingly, there was no great
+resistance made: the first shout and onset determined the business.
+The Numidians who stood quiet in the wings during the action, when
+they saw their party turning their backs, accompanied them in their
+flight only for a short time; but when they perceived that they were
+all making for Agrigentum with the most violent haste, they turned off
+to the neighbouring towns round about, through fear of a siege. Many
+thousand men were slain and captured, together with eight elephants.
+This was the last battle which Marcellus fought in Sicily, after which
+he returned victorious to Syracuse. The year was now about closing;
+the senate therefore decreed that Publius Cornelius, the praetor,
+should send a letter to Capua to the consuls, with directions that
+while Hannibal was at a distance, and nothing of any great importance
+was going on at Capua, one of them, if they thought fit, should come
+to Rome to elect new magistrates. On the receipt of the letter, the
+consuls arranged it between themselves, that Claudius should hold the
+election, and Fulvius remain at Capua. The consuls created by Claudius
+were Cneius Fulvius Centumalus, and Publius Sulpicius Galba, the son
+of Servius, who had never exercised any curule magistracy. After this
+Lucius Cornelius Lentulus, Marcus Cornelius Cethegus, Caius Sulpicius,
+and Caius Calpurnius Piso, were created praetors. Piso had the city
+jurisdiction; Sulpicius, Sicily; Cethegus, Apulia; Lentulus, Sardinia.
+The consuls were continued in command for a year longer.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXVI.
+
+
+_Hannibal encamps on the banks of the Amo, within three miles of
+Rome. Attended by two thousand horsemen, he advances close to the
+Colline gate to take a view of the walls and situation of the city. On
+two successive days the hostile armies are hindered from engaging by
+the severity of the weather. Capua taken by Quintus Fulvius and Appius
+Claudius, the chief nobles die, voluntarily, by poison. Quintus
+Fulvius having condemned the principal senators to death, at the
+moment they are actually tied to the stakes, receives despatches from
+Rome, commanding him to spare their lives, which he postpones reading
+until the sentence is executed. Publius Scipio, offering himself for
+the service, is sent to command in Spain, takes New Carthage in one
+day. Successes in Sicily. Treaty of friendship with the Aetolians. War
+with Philip, king of Macedonia, and the Acarnanians._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. The consuls, Cneius Fulvius Centumalus and Publius Sulpicius Galba,
+having entered on their office on the ides of March, assembled the
+senate in the Capitol, and took the opinion of the fathers on the
+state of the republic, the manner of conducting the war, and on what
+related to the provinces and the armies. Quintus Fulvius and Appius
+Claudius, the consuls of the former year, were continued in command;
+and the armies which they before had were assigned to them, it being
+added that they should not withdraw from Capua, which they were
+besieging, till they had taken it. The Romans were now solicitously
+intent upon this object, not from resentment so much, which was never
+juster against any city, as from the consideration that as this city,
+so celebrated and powerful, had by its defection drawn away several
+states, so when reduced it would bring back their minds to respect for
+the former supreme government. Two praetors also of the former year,
+Marcus Junius and Publius Sempronius, were each continued in command
+of the two legions which they had under them, the former in Etruria,
+the latter in Gaul. Marcus Marcellus also was continued in command,
+that he might, as proconsul, finish the war in Sicily with the army he
+had there. If he wanted recruits he was to take them from the legions
+which Publius Cornelius, the propraetor, commanded in Sicily, provided
+he did not choose any soldier who was of the number of those whom the
+senate had refused to allow to be discharged, or to return home till
+the war was put an end to. To Caius Sulpicius, to whose lot Sicily had
+fallen, the two legions which Publius Cornelius had commanded were
+assigned, to be recruited from the army of Cneius Fulvius, which had
+been shamefully beaten, and had experienced a dreadful loss the year
+before in Apulia. To soldiers of this description the senate had
+assigned the same period of service as to those who fought at Cannae;
+and as an additional mark of ignominy upon both, they were not allowed
+to winter in towns, or to build huts for wintering within the distance
+of ten miles from any town. To Lucius Cornelius, in Sardinia, the two
+legions which Quintus Mucius had commanded were assigned; if recruits
+were wanted, the consuls were ordered to enlist them. To Titus
+Otacilius and Marcus Valerius was allotted the protection of the
+coasts of Sicily and Greece, with the legions and fleets which they
+had commanded. The Greek coast had fifty ships with one legion; the
+Sicilian, a hundred ships with two legions. Twenty-three legions were
+employed by the Romans in carrying on the war this year by land and
+sea.
+
+2. In the beginning of the year, on a letter from Lucius Marcius being
+laid before the senate, they considered his achievements as most
+glorious; but the title of honour which he assumed (for though he was
+neither invested with the command by the order of the people, nor by
+the direction of the fathers, his letter ran in this form, "The
+propraetor to the senate") gave offence to a great many. It was
+considered as an injurious precedent for generals to be chosen by the
+armies, and for the solemn ceremony of elections, held under auspices,
+to be transferred to camps and provinces, and (far from the control of
+the laws and magistrates) to military thoughtlessness. And though some
+gave it as their opinion, that the sense of the senate should be taken
+on the matter, yet it was thought more advisable that the discussion
+should be postponed till after the departure of the horsemen who
+brought the letter from Marcius. It was resolved, that an answer
+should be returned respecting the corn and clothing of the army,
+stating, that the senate would direct its attention to both those
+matters; but that the letter should not be addressed to Lucius
+Marcius, propraetor, lest he should consider that as already
+determined which was the very point they reserved for discussion.
+After the horsemen were dismissed, it was the first thing the consuls
+brought before the senate; and the opinions of all to a man coincided,
+that the plebeian tribunes should be instructed to consult the commons
+with all possible speed, as to whom they might resolve to send into
+Spain to take the command of that army which had been under the
+conduct of Cneius Scipio. The plebeian tribunes were instructed
+accordingly, and the question was published. But another contest had
+pre-engaged the minds of the people: Caius Sempronius Blaesus, having
+brought Cneius Fulvius to trial for the loss of the army in Apulia,
+harassed him with invectives in the public assemblies: "Many
+generals," he reiterated, "had by indiscretion and ignorance brought
+their armies into most perilous situations, but none, save Cneius
+Fulvius, had corrupted his legions by every species of excess before
+he betrayed them to the enemy; it might therefore with truth be said,
+that they were lost before they saw the enemy, and that they were
+defeated, not by Hannibal, but by their own general. No man, when he
+gave his vote, took sufficient pains in ascertaining who it was to
+whom he was intrusting an army. What a difference was there between
+this man and Tiberius Sempronius! The latter having been intrusted
+with an army of slaves, had in a short time brought it to pass, by
+discipline and authority, that not one of them in the field of battle
+remembered his condition and birth, but they became a protection to
+our allies and a terror to our enemies. They had snatched, as it were,
+from the very jaws of Hannibal, and restored to the Roman people,
+Cumae, Beneventum, and other towns. But Cneius Fulvius had infected
+with the vices peculiar to slaves, an army of Roman citizens, of
+honourable parentage and liberal education; and had thus made them
+insolent and turbulent among their allies, inefficient and dastardly
+among their enemies, unable to sustain, not only the charge, but the
+shout of the Carthaginians. But, by Hercules, it was no wonder that
+the troops did not stand their ground in the battle, when their
+general was the first to fly; with him, the greater wonder was that
+any had fallen at their posts, and that they were not all the
+companions of Cneius Fulvius in his consternation and his flight.
+Caius Flaminius, Lucius Paullus, Lucius Posthumius, Cneius and Publius
+Scipio, had preferred falling in the battle to abandoning their armies
+when in the power of the enemy. But Cneius Fulvius was almost the only
+man who returned to Rome to report the annihilation of his army. It
+was a shameful crime that the army of Cannae should be transported
+into Sicily, because they fled from the field of battle, and not be
+allowed to return till the enemy has quitted Italy; that the same
+decree should have been lately passed with respect to the legions of
+Cneius Fulvius; while Cneius Fulvius himself has no punishment
+inflicted upon him for running away, in a battle brought about by his
+own indiscretion; that he himself should be permitted to pass his old
+age in stews and brothels, where he passed his youth, while his
+troops, whose only crime was that they resembled their general, should
+be sent away in a manner into banishment, and suffer an ignominious
+service. So unequally," he said, "was liberty shared at Rome by the
+rich and the poor, by the ennobled and the common people."
+
+3. The accused shifted the blame from himself to his soldiers; he
+said, "that in consequence of their having in the most turbulent
+manner demanded battle, they were led into the field, not on the day
+they desired, for it was then evening, but on the following; that they
+were drawn up at a suitable time and on favourable ground; but either
+the reputation or the strength of the enemy was such, that they were
+unable to stand their ground. When they all fled precipitately, he
+himself also was carried away with the crowd, as had happened to Varro
+at the battle of Cannae, and to many other generals. How could he, by
+his sole resistance, benefit the republic, unless his death would
+remedy the public disasters? that he was not defeated in consequence
+of a failure in his provisions; that he had not, from want of caution,
+been drawn into a disadvantageous position; that he had not been cut
+off by an ambuscade in consequence of not having explored his route,
+but had been vanquished by open force, and by arms, in a regular
+engagement. He had not in his power the minds of his own troops, or
+those of the enemy. Courage and cowardice were the result of each
+man's natural constitution." He was twice accused, and the penalty was
+laid at a fine. On the third accusation, at which witnesses were
+produced, he was not only overwhelmed with an infinity of disgraceful
+charges, but a great many asserted on oath, that the flight and panic
+commenced with the praetor, that the troops being deserted by him, and
+concluding that the fears of their general were not unfounded, turned
+their backs; when so strong a feeling of indignation was excited, that
+the assembly clamorously rejoined that he ought to be tried capitally.
+This gave rise to a new controversy; for when the tribune, who had
+twice prosecuted him as for a finable offence, now, on the third
+occasion, declared that he prosecuted him capitally; the tribunes of
+the commons being appealed to, said, "they would not prevent their
+colleague from proceeding, as he was permitted according to the custom
+of their ancestors, in the manner he himself preferred, whether
+according to the laws or to custom, until he had obtained judgment
+against a private individual, convicting him either of a capital or
+finable offence." Upon this, Sempronius said, that he charged Cneius
+Fulvius with the crime of treason; and requested Caius Calpurnius, the
+city praetor, to appoint a day for the comitia. Another ground of hope
+was then tried by the accused, viz. if his brother, Quintus Fulvius,
+could be present at his trial, who was at that time flourishing in the
+fame of his past achievements and in the near expectation of taking
+Capua. Fulvius wrote to the senate, requesting the favour in terms
+calculated to excite compassion, in order to save the life of his
+brother; but the fathers replied, that the interest of the state would
+not admit of his leaving Capua. Cneius Fulvius, therefore, before the
+day appointed for the comitia arrived, went into exile to Tarquinii,
+and the commons resolved that it was a legal exile.
+
+4. Meanwhile all the strength of the war was directed against Capua.
+It was, however, more strictly blockaded than besieged. The slaves and
+populace could neither endure the famine, nor send messengers to
+Hannibal through guards so closely stationed. A Numidian was at length
+found, who, on undertaking to make his way with it, was charged with a
+letter; and going out by night, through the midst of the Roman camp,
+in order to fulfil his promise, he inspired the Campanians with
+confidence to try the effect of a sally from every quarter, while they
+had any strength remaining. In the many encounters which followed,
+their cavalry were generally successful, but their infantry were
+beaten: however, it was by no means so joyful to conquer, as it was
+miserable to be worsted in any respect by a besieged and almost
+subdued enemy. A plan was at length adopted, by which their deficiency
+in strength might be compensated by stratagem. Young men were selected
+from all the legions, who, from the vigour and activity of their
+bodies, excelled in swiftness; these were supplied with bucklers
+shorter than those worn by horsemen, and seven javelins each, four
+feet in length, and pointed with steel in the same manner as the
+spears used by light-armed troops. The cavalry taking one of these
+each upon their horses, accustomed them to ride behind them, and to
+leap down nimbly when the signal was given. When, by daily practice,
+they appeared to be able to do this in an orderly manner, they
+advanced into the plain between the camp and the walls, against the
+cavalry of the Campanians, who stood there prepared for action. As
+soon as they came within a dart's cast, on a signal given, the light
+troops leaped down, when a line of infantry formed out of the body of
+horse suddenly rushed upon the cavalry of the enemy, and discharged
+their javelins one after another with great rapidity; which being
+thrown in great numbers upon men and horses indiscriminately, wounded
+a great many. The sudden and unsuspected nature of the attack,
+however, occasioned still greater terror; and the cavalry charging
+them, thus panic-struck, chased them with great slaughter as far as
+their gates. From that time the Roman cavalry had the superiority; and
+it was established that there should be velites in the legions. It is
+said that Quintus Navius was the person who advised the mixing of
+infantry with cavalry, and that he received honour from the general on
+that account.
+
+5. While affairs were in this state at Capua, Hannibal was perplexed
+between two objects, the gaining possession of the citadel of
+Tarentum, and the retaining of Capua. His concern for Capua, however,
+prevailed, on which he saw that the attention of every body, allies
+and enemies, was fixed; and whose fate would be regarded as a proof of
+the consequences resulting from defection from the Romans. Leaving
+therefore, a great part of his baggage among the Bruttians, and all
+his heavier armed troops, he took with him a body of infantry and
+cavalry, the best he could select for marching expeditiously, and bent
+his course into Campania. Rapidly as he marched he was followed by
+thirty-three elephants. He took up his position in a retired valley
+behind Mount Tifata, which overhung Capua. Having at his coming taken
+possession of fort Galatia, the garrison of which he dislodged by
+force, he then directed his efforts against those who were besieging
+Capua. Having sent forward messengers to Capua stating the time at
+which he would attack the Roman camp, in order that they also, having
+gotten themselves in readiness for a sally, might at the same time
+pour forth from all their gates, he occasioned the greatest possible
+terror; for on one side he himself attacked them suddenly, and on the
+other side all the Campanians sallied forth, both foot and horse,
+joined by the Carthaginian garrison under the command of Bostar and
+Hanno. The Romans, lest in so perilous an affair they should leave any
+part unprotected, by running together to any one place, thus divided
+their forces: Appius Claudius was opposed to the Campanians; Fulvius
+to Hannibal; Caius Nero, the propraetor, with the cavalry of the sixth
+legion, placed himself in the road leading to Suessula; and Caius
+Fulvius Flaccus, the lieutenant-general, with the allied cavalry, on
+the side opposite the river Vulturnus. The battle commenced not only
+with the usual clamour and tumult, but in addition to the din of men,
+horses, and arms, a multitude of Campanians, unable to bear arms,
+being distributed along the walls, raised such a shout together with
+the clangour of brazen vessels, similar to that which is usually made
+in the dead of night when the moon is eclipsed, that it diverted the
+attention even of the combatants. Appius easily repulsed the
+Campanians from the rampart. On the other side Hannibal and the
+Carthaginians, forming a larger force, pressed hard on Fulvius. There
+the sixth legion gave way; being repulsed, a cohort of Spaniards with
+three elephants made their way up to the rampart. They had broken
+through the centre of the Roman line, and were in a state of anxious
+and perilous suspense, whether to force their way into the camp, or be
+cut off from their own army. When Fulvius saw the disorder of the
+legion, and the danger the camp was in, he exhorted Quintus Navius,
+and the other principal centurions, to charge the cohort of the enemy
+which was fighting under the rampart; he said, "that the state of
+things was most critical; that either they must retire before them, in
+which case they would burst into the camp with less difficulty than
+they had experienced in breaking through a dense line of troops, or
+they must cut them to pieces under the rampart: nor would it require a
+great effort; for they were few, and cut off from their own troops,
+and if the line which appeared broken, now while the Romans were
+dispirited, should turn upon the enemy on both sides, they would
+become enclosed in the midst, and exposed to a twofold attack."
+Navius, on hearing these words of the general, snatched the standard
+of the second company of spearmen from the standard-bearer, and
+advanced with it against the enemy, threatening that he would throw it
+into the midst of them unless the soldiers promptly followed him and
+took part in the fight. He was of gigantic stature, and his arms set
+him off; the standard also, raised aloft, attracted the gaze both of
+his countrymen and the enemy. When, however, he had reached the
+standards of the Spaniards, javelins were poured upon him from all
+sides, and almost the whole line was turned against him; but neither
+the number of his enemies nor the force of the weapons could repel the
+onset of this hero.
+
+6. Marcus Atilius, the lieutenant-general, also caused the standard of
+the first company of principes of the same legion to be borne against
+a cohort of the Spaniards. Lucius Portius Licinus and Titus Popilius,
+the lieutenant-generals, who had the command of the camp, fought
+valiantly in defence of the rampart, and slew the elephants while in
+the very act of crossing it. The carcasses of these filling up the
+ditch, afforded a passage for the enemy as effectually as if earth had
+been thrown in, or a bridge erected over it; and a horrid carnage took
+place amid the carcasses of the elephants which lay prostrate. On the
+other side of the camp, the Campanians, with the Carthaginian
+garrison, had by this time been repulsed, and the battle was carried
+on immediately under the gate of Capua leading to Vulturnus. Nor did
+the armed men contribute so much in resisting the Romans, who
+endeavoured to force their way in, as the gate itself, which, being
+furnished with ballistas and scorpions, kept the enemy at bay by the
+missiles discharged from it. The ardour of the Romans was also clamped
+by the general, Appius Claudius, receiving a wound; he was struck by a
+javelin in the upper part of his breast, beneath the left shoulder,
+while encouraging his men before the front line. A great number,
+however, of the enemy were slain before the gate, and the rest were
+driven in disorder into the city. When Hannibal saw the destruction of
+the cohort of Spaniards, and that the camp of the enemy was defended
+with the utmost vigour, giving up the assault, he began to withdraw
+his standards, making his infantry face about, but throwing out his
+cavalry in the rear lest the enemy should pursue them closely. The
+ardour of the legions to pursue the enemy was excessive, but Flaccus
+ordered a retreat to be sounded, considering that enough had been
+achieved to convince the Campanians, and Hannibal himself, how unable
+he was to afford them protection. Some who have undertaken to give
+accounts of this battle, record that eight thousand of the army of
+Hannibal, and three thousand Campanians, were slain; that fifteen
+military standards were taken from the Carthaginians, and eighteen
+from the Campanians. In other authors I find the battle to have been
+by no means so important, and that there was more of panic than
+fighting; that a party of Numidians and Spaniards suddenly bursting
+into the Roman camp with some elephants, the elephants, as they made
+their way through the midst of the camp, threw down their tents with a
+great noise, and caused the beasts of burden to break their halters
+and run away. That in addition to the confusion occasioned, a
+stratagem was employed; Hannibal having sent in some persons
+acquainted with the Latin language, for he had some such with him, who
+might command the soldiers, in the name of the consuls, to escape
+every one as fast as he could to the neighbouring mountains, since the
+camp was lost; but that the imposture was soon discovered, and
+frustrated with a great slaughter of the enemy; that the elephants
+were driven out of the camp by fire. However commenced, and however
+terminated, this was the last battle which was fought before the
+surrender of Capua. Seppius Lesius was Medixtuticus, or chief
+magistrate of Capua, that year, a man of obscure origin and slender
+fortune. It is reported that his mother, when formerly expiating a
+prodigy which had occurred in the family in behalf of this boy, who
+was an orphan, received an answer from the aruspex, stating, that "the
+highest office would come to him;" and that not recognising, at Capua,
+any ground for such a hope, exclaimed, "the state of the Campanians
+must be desperate indeed, when the highest office shall come to my
+son." But even this expression, in which the response was turned into
+ridicule, turned to be true, for those persons whose birth allowed
+them to aspire to high offices, refusing to accept them when the city
+was oppressed by sword and famine, and when all hope was lost, Lesius,
+who complained that Capua was deserted and betrayed by its nobles,
+accepted the office of chief magistrate, being the last Campanian who
+held it.
+
+7. But Hannibal, when he saw that the enemy could not be drawn into
+another engagement, nor a passage be forced through their camp into
+Capua, resolved to remove his camp from that place and leave the
+attempt unaccomplished, fearful lest the new consuls might cut off his
+supplies of provision. While anxiously deliberating on the point to
+which he should next direct his course, an impulse suddenly entered
+his mind to make an attack on Rome, the very source of the war. That
+the opportunity of accomplishing this ever coveted object, which
+occurred after the battle of Cannae, had been neglected, and was
+generally censured by others, he himself did not deny. He thought that
+there was some hope that he might be able to get possession of some
+part of the city, in consequence of the panic and confusion which his
+unexpected approach would occasion, and that if Rome were in danger,
+either both the Roman generals, or at least one of them, would
+immediately leave Capua; and if they divided their forces, both
+generals being thus rendered weaker, would afford a favourable
+opportunity either to himself or the Campanians of gaining some
+advantage. One consideration only disquieted him, and that was, lest
+on his departure the Campanians should immediately surrender. By means
+of presents he induced a Numidian, who was ready to attempt any thing,
+however daring, to take charge of a letter; and, entering the Roman
+camp under the disguise of a deserter, to pass out privately on the
+other side and go to Capua. As to the letter, it was full of
+encouragement. It stated, that "his departure, which would be
+beneficial to them, would have the effect of drawing off the Roman
+generals and armies from the siege of Capua to the defence of Rome.
+That they must not allow their spirits to sink; that by a few days'
+patience they would rid themselves entirely of the siege." He then
+ordered the ships on the Vulturnus to be seized, and rowed up to the
+fort which he had before erected for his protection. And when he was
+informed that there were as many as were necessary to convey his army
+across in one night, after providing a stock of provisions for ten
+days, he led his legions down to the river by night, and passed them
+over before daylight.
+
+8. Fulvius Flaccus, who had discovered from deserters that this would
+happen, before it took place, having written to Rome to the senate to
+apprize them of it, men's minds were variously affected by it
+according to the disposition of each. As might be expected in so
+alarming an emergency, the senate was immediately assembled, when
+Publius Cornelius, surnamed Asina, was for recalling all the generals
+and armies from every part of Italy to protect the city, disregarding
+Capua and every other concern. Fabius Maximus thought that it would be
+highly disgraceful to retire from Capua, and allow themselves to be
+terrified and driven about at the nod and menaces of Hannibal. "Was it
+probable that he, who, though victorious at Cannae, nevertheless dared
+not approach the city, now, after having been repulsed from Capua, had
+conceived hopes of making himself master of Rome? It was not to
+besiege Rome, but to raise the siege of Capua that he was coming.
+Jupiter, the witness of treaties violated by Hannibal, and the other
+deities, would defend the city of Rome with that army which is now at
+the city." To these opposite opinions, that of Publius Valerius
+Flaccus, which recommended a middle course, was preferred. Regardful
+of both objects, he thought that a letter should be written to the
+generals at Capua, informing them of the force they had at the city
+for its protection, and stating, that as to the number of forces which
+Hannibal was bringing with him, or how large an army was necessary to
+carry on the siege of Capua, they themselves knew. If one of the
+generals and a part of the army could be sent to Rome, and at the same
+time Capua could be efficiently besieged by the remaining general and
+army, that then Claudius and Fulvius should settle between themselves
+which should continue the siege of Capua, and which should come to
+Rome to protect their capital from being besieged. This decree of the
+senate having been conveyed to Capua, Quintus Fulvius, the proconsul,
+who was to go to Rome, as his colleague was ill from his wound,
+crossed the Vulturnus with a body of troops, to the number of fifteen
+thousand infantry and a thousand horse, selected from the three
+armies. Then having ascertained that Hannibal intended to proceed
+along the Latin road, he sent persons before him to the towns on and
+near the Appian way, Setia, Cora, and Lanuvium, with directions that
+they should not only have provisions ready in their towns, but should
+bring them down to the road from the fields which lay out of the way,
+and that they should draw together into their towns troops for their
+defence, in order that each state might be under its own protection.
+
+9. On the day he crossed the Vulturnus, Hannibal pitched his camp at a
+small distance from the river. The next day, passing by Cales, he
+reached the Sidicinian territory, and having spent a day there in
+devastating the country, he led his troops along the Latin way through
+the territory of Suessa, Allifae, and Casinum. Under the walls of
+Casinum he remained encamped for two days, ravaging the country all
+around; thence passing by Interamna and Aquinum, he came into the
+Fregellan territory, to the river Liris, where he found the bridge
+broken down by the Fregellans in order to impede his progress. Fulvius
+also was detained at the Vulturnus, in consequence of Hannibal's
+having burnt the ships, and the difficulty he had in procuring rafts
+to convey his troops across that river from the great scarcity of
+materials. The army having been conveyed across by rafts, the
+remainder of the march of Fulvius was uninterrupted, a liberal supply
+of provisions having been prepared for him, not only in all the towns,
+but also on the sides of the road; while his men, who were all
+activity, exhorted each other to quicken their pace, remembering that
+they were going to defend their country. A messenger from Fregella,
+who had travelled a day and a night without intermission, arriving at
+Rome, caused the greatest consternation; and the whole city was thrown
+into a state of alarm by the running up and down of persons who made
+vague additions to what they heard, and thus increased the confusion
+which the original intelligence created. The lamentations of women
+were not only heard from private houses, but the matrons from every
+quarter, rushing into the public streets, ran up and down around the
+shrines of the gods, sweeping the altars with their dishevelled hair,
+throwing themselves upon their knees and stretching their uplifted
+hands to heaven and the gods, imploring them to rescue the city of
+Rome out of the hands of their enemies, and preserve the Roman mothers
+and their children from harm. The senate sat in the forum near the
+magistrates, in case they should wish to consult them. Some were
+receiving orders and departing to their own department of duty; others
+were offering themselves wherever there might be occasion for their
+aid. Troops were posted in the citadel, in the Capitol, upon the walls
+around the city, and also on the Alban mount, and the fort of Aesula.
+During this confusion, intelligence was brought that Quintus Fulvius,
+the proconsul, had set out from Capua with an army; when the senate
+decreed that Quintus Fulvius should have equal authority with the
+consuls, lest on entering the city his power should cease. Hannibal,
+having most destructively ravaged the Fregellan territory, on account
+of the bridge having been broken down, came into the territory of the
+Lavici, passing through those of Frusino, Ferentinum, and Anagnia;
+thence passing through Algidum he directed his course to Tusculum; but
+not being received within the walls, he went down to the right below
+Tusculum to Gabii; and marching his army down thence into the
+territory of the Pupinian tribe, he pitched his camp eight miles from
+the city. The nearer the enemy came, the greater was the number of
+fugitives slain by the Numidians who preceded him, and the greater the
+number of prisoners made of every rank and age.
+
+10. During this confusion, Fulvius Flaccus entered the city with his
+troops through the Capuan gate, passed through the midst of the city,
+and through Carinae, to Esquiliae; and going out thence, pitched his
+camp between the Esquiline and Colline gates. The plebeian aediles
+brought a supply of provisions there. The consuls and the senate came
+to the camp, and a consultation was held on the state of the republic.
+It was resolved that the consuls should encamp in the neighbourhood of
+the Colline and Esquiline gates; that Caius Calpurnius, the city
+praetor, should have the command of the Capitol and the citadel; and
+that a full senate should be continually assembled in the forum, in
+case it should be necessary to consult them amidst such sudden
+emergencies. Meanwhile, Hannibal advanced his camp to the Anio, three
+miles from the city, and fixing his position there, he advanced with
+two thousand horse from the Colline gate as far as the temple of
+Hercules, and riding up, took as near a view as he could of the walls
+and site of the city. Flaccus, indignant that he should do this so
+freely, and so much at his ease, sent out a party of cavalry, with
+orders to displace and drive back to their camp the cavalry of the
+enemy. After the fight had begun, the consuls ordered the Numidian
+deserters who were on the Aventine, to the number of twelve hundred,
+to march through the midst of the city to the Esquiliae, judging that
+no troops were better calculated to fight among the hollows, the
+garden walls, and tombs, or in the enclosed roads which were on all
+sides. But some persons, seeing them from the citadel and Capitol as
+they filed off on horseback down the Publician hill, cried out that
+the Aventine was taken. This circumstance occasioned such confusion
+and terror, that if the Carthaginian camp had not been without the
+city, the whole multitude, such was their alarm, would have rushed
+out. They then fled for refuge into their houses and upon the roofs,
+where they threw stones and weapons on their own soldiers as they
+passed along the streets, taking them for enemies. Nor could the
+tumult be repressed, or the mistake explained, as the streets were
+thronged with crowds of rustics and cattle, which the sudden alarm had
+driven into the city. The battle between the cavalry was successful,
+and the enemy were driven away; and as it was necessary to repress the
+tumults which were arising in several quarters without any cause, it
+was resolved that all who had been dictators, consuls, or censors,
+should be invested with authority till such time as the enemy had
+retired from the walls. During the remainder of the day and the
+following night, several tumults arose without any foundation, and
+were repressed.
+
+11. The next day Hannibal, crossing the Anio, drew out all his forces
+in order of battle; nor did Flaccus and the consuls decline to fight.
+When the troops on both sides were drawn up to try the issue of a
+battle, in which Rome was to be the prize of the victors, a violent
+shower of rain mingled with hail created such disorder in both the
+lines, that the troops, scarcely able to hold their arms, retired to
+their camps, less through fear of the enemy than of any thing else. On
+the following day, likewise, a similar tempest separated the armies
+marshalled on the same ground; but after they had retired to their
+camps the weather became wonderfully serene and tranquil. The
+Carthaginians considered this circumstance as a Divine interposition,
+and it is reported that Hannibal was heard to say, "That sometimes he
+wanted the will to make himself master of Rome, at other times the
+opportunity." Two other circumstances also, one inconsiderable, the
+other important, diminished his hopes. The important one was, that
+while he lay with his armed troops near the walls of the city, he was
+informed that troops had marched out of it with colours flying, as a
+reinforcement for Spain; that of less importance was, that he was
+informed by one of his prisoners, that the very ground on which his
+camp stood was sold at this very time, without any diminution in its
+price. Indeed, so great an insult and indignity did it appear to him
+that a purchaser should be found at Rome for the very soil which he
+held and possessed by right of conquest, that he immediately called a
+crier, and ordered that the silversmiths' shops, which at that time
+stood around the Roman forum, should be put up for sale. Induced by
+these circumstances he retired to the river Tutia, six miles from the
+city, whence he proceeded to the grove of Feronia, where was a temple
+at that time celebrated for its riches. The Capenatians and other
+states in the neighbourhood, by bringing here their first-fruits and
+other offerings according to their abilities, kept it decorated with
+abundance of gold and silver. Of all these offerings the temple was
+now despoiled. After the departure of Hannibal, vast heaps of brass
+were found there, as the soldiers, from a religious feeling, had
+thrown in pieces of uncoined brass. The spoliation of this temple is
+undoubted by historians; but Caelius asserts, that Hannibal, in his
+progress to Rome, turned out of his way to it from Eretum. According
+to him his route commenced with Amiternum, Caetilii, and Reate. He
+came from Campania into Samnium, and thence into Pelignia; then
+passing the town Sulmio, he entered the territory of the Marrucini;
+thence through the Alban territory he came to that of the Marsi, from
+which he came to Amiternum and the village of Foruli. Nor is this
+diversity of opinion a proof that the traces of so great an army could
+be confounded in the lapse of so brief a period. That he went that way
+is evident. The only question is, whether he took this route to the
+city, or returned by it from the city into Campania?
+
+12. With regard to Capua, Hannibal did not evince such obstinate
+perseverance in raising the siege of it as the Romans did in pressing
+it; for quitting Lucania, he came into the Bruttian territory, and
+marched to the strait and Rhegium with such rapidity, that he was very
+near taking the place by surprise, in consequence of the suddenness of
+his arrival. Though the siege had been urged with undiminished vigour
+during his absence, yet Capua felt the return of Flaccus; and
+astonishment was excited that Hannibal had not returned with him.
+Afterwards they learnt, by conversations, that they were abandoned and
+deserted, and that the Carthaginians had given up all hopes of
+retaining Capua. In addition to this a proclamation was made by the
+proconsul, agreeably to a decree of the senate, and published among
+the enemy, that any Campanian citizen who came over before a stated
+day should be indemnified. No one, however, came over, as they were
+held together by fear more than fidelity; for the crimes they had
+committed during their revolt were too great to admit of pardon. As
+none of them passed over to the enemy, consulting their own individual
+interest, so no measure of safety was taken with regard to the general
+body. The nobility had deserted the state, nor could they be induced
+to meet in the senate, while the office of chief magistrate was filled
+by a man who had not derived honour to himself from his office, but
+stripped the office of its influence and authority by his own
+unworthiness. Now none of the nobles made their appearance even in the
+forum, or any public place, but shut themselves up in their houses, in
+daily expectation of the downfall of their city, and their own
+destruction together. The chief responsibility in every thing devolved
+upon Bostar and Hanno, the praefects of the Punic garrison, who were
+anxious on account of their own danger, and not that of their allies.
+They addressed a letter to Hannibal, in terms, not only of freedom,
+but severity, charging him with "delivering, not only Capua into the
+hands of the enemy, but with treacherously abandoning themselves also,
+and their troops, to every species of torture;" they told him "he had
+gone off to the Bruttians, in order to get out of the way, as it were,
+lest Capua should be taken before his eyes; while, by Hercules, the
+Romans, on the contrary, could not be drawn off from the siege of
+Capua, even by an attack upon their city. So much more constant were
+the Romans in their enmity than the Carthaginians in their friendship.
+If he would return to Capua and direct the whole operations of the war
+to that point, that both themselves and the Campanians would be
+prepared for a sally. That they had crossed the Alps not to carry on a
+war with the people of Rhegium nor Tarentum. That where the Roman
+legions were, there the armies of the Carthaginians ought to be. Thus
+it was that victories had been gained at Cannae and Trasimenus; by
+uniting, by pitching their camp close to that of the enemy, by trying
+their fortune." A letter to this effect was given to some Numidians
+who had already engaged to render their services for a stated reward.
+These men came into the camp to Flaccus under pretence of being
+deserters, with the intention of quitting it by seizing an
+opportunity, and the famine, which had so long existed at Capua,
+afforded a pretext for desertion which no one could suspect. But a
+Campanian woman, the paramour of one of the deserters, unexpectedly
+entered the camp, and informed the Roman general that the Numidians
+had come over according to a preconcerted plan of treachery, and were
+the bearers of letters to Hannibal; that she was prepared to convict
+one of the party of that fact, as he had discovered it to her. On
+being brought forward, he at first pretended, with considerable
+pertinacity, that he did not know the woman; but afterwards, gradually
+succumbing to the force of truth, when he saw the instruments of
+torture called for and preparing, he confessed that it was so. The
+letters were produced, and a discovery was made of an additional fact,
+before concealed, that other Numidians were strolling about in the
+Roman camp, under pretence of being deserters. Above seventy of these
+were arrested, and, with the late deserters, scourged with rods; and
+after their hands had been cut off, were driven back to Capua. The
+sight of so severe a punishment broke the spirit of the Campanians.
+
+13. The people, rushing in crowds to the senate-house, compelled
+Lesius to assemble a senate, and openly threatened the nobles, who had
+now for a long time absented themselves from the public deliberations,
+that unless they attended the meeting of the senate, they would go
+round to their houses and drag them all before the public by force.
+The fear of this procured the magistrate a full senate. Here, while
+the rest contended for sending ambassadors to the Roman generals,
+Vibius Virrius, who had been the instigator of the revolt from the
+Romans, on being asked his opinion, observed, that "those persons who
+spoke of sending ambassadors, and of peace, and a surrender, did not
+bear in mind either what they would do if they had the Romans in their
+power, or what they themselves must expect to suffer. What! do you
+think," says he, "that your surrender will be like that in which
+formerly we placed ourselves and every thing belonging to us at the
+disposal of the Romans, in order that we might obtain assistance from
+them against the Samnites? Have you already forgotten at what a
+juncture we revolted from the Romans, and what were their
+circumstances? Have you forgotten how at the time of the revolt we put
+to death, with torture and indignity, their garrison, which might have
+been sent out? How often, and with determined hostility, we have
+sallied out against them when besieging us, and assaulted their camp?
+How we invited Hannibal to come and cut them off? And how most
+recently we sent him hence to lay siege to Rome? But come, retrace on
+the other hand what they have done in hostility towards us, that you
+may learn therefrom what you have to hope for. When a foreign enemy
+was in Italy, and that enemy Hannibal; when the flame of war was
+kindled in every quarter; disregarding every other object,
+disregarding even Hannibal himself, they sent two consuls with two
+consular armies to lay siege to Capua. This is the second year, that,
+surrounded with lines and shut up within our walls, they consume us by
+famine, having suffered in like manner with ourselves the extremest
+dangers and the severest hardships, having frequently had their troops
+slain near their rampart and trenches, and at last having been almost
+deprived of their camp. But I pass over these matters. It has been
+usual, even from of old, to suffer dangers and hardships in besieging
+an enemy's city. The following is a proof of their animosity and
+bitter hatred. Hannibal assaulted their camp with an immense force of
+horse and foot, and took a part of it. By so great a danger they were
+not in the least diverted from the siege. Crossing the Vulturnus, he
+laid waste the territory of Cales with fire. Such calamities inflicted
+upon their allies had no effect in calling them off. He ordered his
+troops to march in hostile array to the very city of Rome. They
+despised the tempest which threatened them in this case also. Crossing
+the Anio, he pitched his camp three miles from the city, and lastly,
+came up to the very walls and gates. He gave them to understand that
+he would take their city from them, unless they gave up Capua. But
+they did not give it up. Wild beasts, impelled by headlong fury and
+rage, you may divert from their object to bring assistance to those
+belonging to them, if you attempt to approach their dens and their
+young. The Romans could not be diverted from Capua by the blockade of
+Rome, by their wives and children, whose lamentations could almost be
+heard from this place, by their altars, their hearths, the temples of
+their gods, and the sepulchres of their ancestors profaned and
+violated. So great was their avidity to bring us to punishment, so
+insatiable their thirst for drinking our blood. Nor, perhaps, without
+reason. We too would have done the same had the opportunity been
+afforded us. Since, however, the gods have thought proper to determine
+it otherwise, though I ought not to shrink from death, while I am
+free, while I am master of myself, I have it in my power, by a death
+not only honourable but mild, to escape the tortures and indignities
+which the enemy hope to inflict upon me. I will not see Appius
+Claudius and Quintus Fulvius in the pride and insolence of victory,
+nor will I be dragged in chains through Rome as a spectacle in a
+triumph, that afterwards in a dungeon, or tied to a stake, after my
+back has been lacerated with stripes, I may place my neck under a
+Roman axe. I will neither see my native city demolished and burnt, nor
+the matrons, virgins, and free-born youths of Campania dragged to
+constupration. Alba, from which they themselves derived their origin,
+they demolished from her foundations, that there might remain no trace
+of their rise and extraction, much less can I believe they will spare
+Capua, towards which they bear a more rancorous hatred than towards
+Carthage. For such of you, therefore, as have a mind to yield to fate,
+before they behold such horrors, a banquet is furnished and prepared
+at my house. When satiated with wine and food, the same cup which
+shall have been given to me shall be handed round to them. That potion
+will rescue our bodies from torture, our minds from insult, our eyes
+and ears from seeing and hearing all those cruelties and indignities
+which await the vanquished. There will be persons in readiness who
+will throw our lifeless bodies upon a large pile kindled in the
+court-yard of the house. This is the only free and honourable way to
+death. Our very enemies will admire our courage, and Hannibal will
+learn that those whom he deserted and betrayed were brave allies."
+
+14. More of those who heard this speech of Virrius approved of the
+proposal contained in it, than had strength of mind to execute what
+they approved. The greater part of the senate being not without hopes
+that the Romans, whose clemency they had frequently had proof of in
+many wars, would be exorable by them also, decreed and sent
+ambassadors to surrender Capua to the Romans. About twenty-seven
+senators, following Vibius Virrius to his home, partook of the banquet
+with him; and after having, as far as they could, withdrawn their
+minds, by means of wine, from the perception of the impending evil,
+all took the poison. They then rose from the banquet, after giving
+each other their right hands, and taking a last embrace, mingling
+their tears for their own and their country's fate; some of them
+remained, that they might be burned upon the same pile, and the rest
+retired to their homes. Their veins being filled in consequence of
+what they had eaten, and the wine they drank, rendered the poison less
+efficacious in expediting death; and accordingly, though the greater
+part of them languished the whole of that night and part of the
+following day, all of them, however, breathed their last before the
+gates were opened to the enemy. The following day the gate of Jupiter,
+which faced the Roman camp, was opened by order of the proconsul, when
+one legion and two squadrons of allies marched in at it, under the
+command of Caius Fulvius, lieutenant-general. When he had taken care
+that all the arms and weapons to be found in Capua should be brought
+to him; having placed guards at all the gates to prevent any one's
+going or being sent out, he seized the Carthaginian garrison, and
+ordered the Campanian senators to go into the camp to the Roman
+generals. On their arrival they were all immediately thrown into
+chains, and ordered to lay before the quaestor an account of all the
+gold and silver they had. There were seventy pounds of gold, and three
+thousand two hundred of silver. Twenty-five of the senators were sent
+to Cales, to be kept in custody, and twenty-eight to Teanum; these
+being the persons by whose advice principally it appeared that the
+revolt from the Romans had taken place.
+
+15. Fulvius and Claudius were far from being agreed as to the
+punishment of the Campanian senators. Claudius was disposed to grant
+their prayer for pardon, but Fulvius was more inclined to severity.
+Appius, therefore, was for referring the entire disposal of the
+question to the Roman senate. He thought it right also, that the
+fathers should have the opportunity of asking them whether any of the
+Latin confederates, or of the municipal towns, had taken part in these
+designs, and whether they had derived any assistance from them in the
+war. Fulvius, on the contrary, urged that they ought by no means to
+run the hazard of having the minds of faithful allies harassed by
+doubtful accusations, and subjected to informers who never cared at
+all what they did or what they said. For this reason he said that he
+should prevent and put a stop to any such inquiry. After this
+conversation they separated; Appius not doubting but that his
+colleague, though he expressed himself so warmly, would, nevertheless,
+wait for a letter from Rome, in an affair of such magnitude. But
+Fulvius, fearing that his designs would be frustrated by that very
+means, dismissed his council, and commanded the military tribunes and
+the praefects of the allies to give notice to two thousand chosen
+horsemen to be in readiness at the third trumpet. Setting out for
+Teanum with this body of cavalry, he entered the gate at break of day,
+and proceeded direct to the forum; and a number of people having
+flocked together at the first entrance of the horsemen, he ordered the
+Sidicinian magistrate to be summoned; when he desired him to bring
+forth the Campanians whom he had in custody. These were all
+accordingly brought forth, scourged, and beheaded. He then proceeded
+at full speed to Cales; where, when he had taken his seat on the
+tribunal, and while the Campanians, who had been brought forth, were
+being bound to the stake, an express arrived from Rome, and delivered
+to him a letter from Caius Calpurnius, the praetor, and a decree of
+the senate. A murmur immediately pervaded the whole assembly,
+beginning at the tribunal, that the entire question respecting the
+Campanians was referred to the decision of the fathers, and Fulvius,
+suspecting this to be the case, took the letter, and without opening
+it put it into his bosom, and then commanded the crier to order the
+lictor to do his duty. Thus punishment was inflicted on those also who
+were at Cales. The letter was then read, together with the decree of
+the senate, when it was too late to prevent the business which was
+already executed, and which had been accelerated by every means to
+prevent its being obstructed. When Fulvius was now rising from his
+seat, Jubellius Taurea, a Campanian making his way through the middle
+of the city and the crowd, called upon him by name, and when Flaccus,
+who wondered greatly what he could want, had resumed his seat, he
+said, "Order me also to be put to death, that you may be able to
+boast, that a much braver man than yourself has been put to death by
+you." Fulvius at first said, that the man could not certainly be in
+his senses, then, that he was restrained by a decree of the senate,
+even though he might wish it, when Jubellius exclaimed "Since, after
+the capture of my country, and the loss of my relations and friends,
+after having killed, with my own hand, my wife and children to prevent
+their suffering any indignity, I am not allowed even to die in the
+same manner as these my countrymen, let a rescue be sought in courage
+from this hated existence." So saying, he thrust a sword, which he had
+concealed under his garment, right through his breast, and fell
+lifeless at the general's feet.
+
+16. Because not only what related to the punishment of the Campanians,
+but most of the other particulars of this affair, were transacted
+according to the judgment of Flaccus alone, some authors affirm that
+Appius Claudius died about the time of the surrender of Capua, and
+that this same Taurea neither came to Cales voluntarily nor died by
+his own hand, but that while he was being tied to the stake among the
+rest, Flaccus, who could not distinctly hear what he vociferated from
+the noise which was made, ordered silence, when Taurea said the things
+which have been before related "that he, a man of the greatest
+courage, was being put to death by one who was by no means his equal
+in respect to valour." That immediately on his saying this, the
+herald, by command of the proconsul, pronounced this order. "Lictor,
+apply the rods to this man of courage, and execute the law upon him
+first." Some authors also relate, that he read the decree of the
+senate before he beheaded them, but that as there was a clause in it,
+to the effect, that if he thought proper he should refer the entire
+question to the senate, he construed it that the decision as to what
+was most for the interest of the state was left to himself. He
+returned from Cales to Capua. Atella and Calatia surrendered
+themselves, and were received. Here also the principal promoters of
+the revolt were punished. Thus eighty principal members of the senate
+were put to death, and about three hundred of the Campanian nobles
+thrown into prison. The rest were distributed through the several
+cities of the Latin confederacy, to be kept in custody, where they
+perished in various ways. The rest of the Campanian citizens were
+sold. The remaining subject of deliberation related to the city and
+its territory. Some were of opinion that a city so eminently powerful,
+so near, and so hostile, ought to be demolished. But immediate utility
+prevailed, for on account of the land, which was evidently superior to
+any in Italy from the variety and exuberance of its produce, the city
+was preserved that it might become a settlement of husbandmen. For the
+purpose of peopling the city, a number of sojourners, freed-men,
+dealers, and artificers, were retained, but all the land and buildings
+were made the property of the Roman state. It was resolved, however,
+that Capua should only be inhabited and peopled as a city, that there
+should be no body-politic, nor assembly of the senate or people, nor
+magistrates. For it was thought that a multitude not possessing any
+public council, without a ruling power, and unconnected by the
+participation of any common rights, would be incapable of combination.
+They resolved to send a praefect annually from Rome to administer
+justice. Thus were matters adjusted at Capua, upon a plan in every
+respect worthy of commendation. Punishment was inflicted upon the most
+guilty with rigour and despatch, the populace dispersed beyond all
+hope of return, no rage vented in fire and ruins upon the unoffending
+houses and walls. Together also with advantage, a reputation for
+clemency was obtained among the allies, by the preservation of a city
+of the greatest celebrity and opulence, the demolition of which, all
+Campania, and all the people dwelling in the neighbourhood of
+Campania, would have bewailed, while their enemies were compelled to
+admit the ability of the Romans to punish their faithless allies, and
+how little assistance could be derived from Hannibal towards the
+defence of those whom he had taken under his protection.
+
+17. The Roman senate having gone through every thing which required
+their attention relative to Capua, decreed to Caius Nero six thousand
+foot and three hundred horse, whichever he should himself choose out
+of those two legions which he had commanded at Capua, with an equal
+number of infantry, and eight hundred horse of the Latin confederacy.
+This army Nero embarked at Puteoli, and conveyed over into Spain.
+Having arrived at Tarraco with his ships, landed his troops, hauled
+his ships ashore, and armed his mariners to augment his numbers, he
+proceeded to the river Iberus, and received the army from Titus
+Fonteius and Lucius Marcius. He then marched towards the enemy.
+Hasdrubal, son of Hamilcar, was encamped at the black stones in
+Ausetania, a place situated between the towns Illiturgi and Mentissa.
+The entrance of this defile Nero seized, and Hasdrubal, to prevent his
+being shut up in it, sent a herald to engage that, if he were allowed
+to depart thence, he would convey the whole of his army out of Spain.
+The Roman general having received this proposition gladly, Hasdrubal
+requested the next day for a conference, when the Romans might draw up
+conditions relative to the surrender of the citadels of the towns, and
+the appointment of a day on which the garrisons might be withdrawn,
+and the Carthaginians might remove every thing belonging to them
+without imposition. Having obtained his point in this respect,
+Hasdrubal gave orders that as soon as it was dark, and during the
+whole of the night afterwards, the heaviest part of his force should
+get out of the defile by whatever way they could. The strictest care
+was taken that many should not go out that night, that the very
+fewness of their numbers might both be more adapted to elude the
+notice of the enemy from their silence, and to an escape through
+confined and rugged paths. Next day they met for the conference; but
+that day having been spent, on purpose, in speaking and writing about
+a variety of subjects, which were not to this point, the conference
+was put off to the next day. The addition of the following night gave
+him time to send still more out; nor was the business concluded the
+next day. Thus several days were spent in openly discussing
+conditions, and as many nights in privately sending the Carthaginian
+troops out of their camp; and after the greater part of the army had
+been sent out, he did not even keep to those terms which he had
+himself proposed; and his sincerity decreasing with his fears, they
+became less and less agreed. By this time nearly all the infantry had
+cleared the defile, when at daybreak a dense mist enveloped the whole
+defile and the neighbouring plains; which Hasdrubal perceiving, sent
+to Nero to put off the conference to the following day, as the
+Carthaginians held that day sacred from the transaction of any serious
+business. Not even then was the cheat suspected. Hasdrubal having
+gained the indulgence he sought for that day also, immediately quitted
+his camp with his cavalry and elephants, and without creating any
+alarm escaped to a place of safety. About the fourth hour the mist,
+being dispelled by the sun, left the atmosphere clear, when the Romans
+saw that the camp of the enemy was deserted. Then at length Claudius,
+recognising the Carthaginian perfidy, and perceiving that he had been
+caught by trickery, immediately began to pursue the enemy as they
+moved off, prepared to give battle; but they declined fighting. Some
+skirmishes, however, took place between the rear of the Carthaginians
+and the advanced guard of the Romans.
+
+18. During the time in which these events occurred, neither did those
+states of Spain which had revolted after the defeat that was
+sustained, return to the Romans, nor did any others desert them. At
+Rome, the attention of the senate and people, after the recovery of
+Capua, was not fixed in a greater degree upon Italy than upon Spain.
+They resolved that the army there should be augmented and a general
+sent. They were not, however, so clear as to the person whom they
+should send, as that, where two generals had fallen within the space
+of thirty days, he who was to supply the place of them should be
+selected with unusual care. Some naming one person, and others
+another, they at length came to the resolution that the people should
+assemble for the purpose of electing a proconsul for Spain, and the
+consuls fixed a day for the election. At first they waited in
+expectation that those persons who might think themselves qualified
+for so momentous a command would give in their names, but this
+expectation being disappointed, their grief was renewed for the
+calamity they had suffered, and then regret for the generals they had
+lost. The people thus afflicted, and almost at their wits' end, came
+down, however, to the Campus Martius on the day of the election,
+where, turning towards the magistrates, they looked round at the
+countenances of their most eminent men, who were earnestly gazing at
+each other, and murmured bitterly, that their affairs were in so
+ruinous a state, and the condition of the commonwealth so desperate,
+that no one dared undertake the command in Spain. When suddenly
+Publius Cornelius, son of Publius who had fallen in Spain, who was
+about twenty-four years of age, declaring himself a candidate, took
+his station on an eminence from which he could be seen by all. The
+eyes of the whole assembly were directed towards him, and by
+acclamations and expressions of approbation, a prosperous and happy
+command were at once augured to him. Orders were then given that they
+should proceed to vote, when not only every century, but every
+individual to a man, decided that Publius Scipio should be invested
+with the command in Spain. But after the business had been concluded,
+and the ardour and impetuosity of their zeal had subsided, a sudden
+silence ensued, and a secret reflection on what they had done, whether
+their partiality had not got the better of their judgment? They
+chiefly regretted his youth, but some were terrified at the fortune
+which attended his house and his name, for while the two families to
+which he belonged were in mourning, he was going into a province where
+he must carry on his operations between the tombs of his father and
+his uncle.
+
+19. Perceiving the solicitude and anxiety which people felt, after
+performing the business with so much ardour, he summoned an assembly,
+in which he discoursed in so noble and high minded a manner, on his
+years, the command intrusted to him, and the war which he had to carry
+on, as to rekindle and renew the ardour which had subsided, and
+inspire the people with more confident hopes than the reliance placed
+on human professions, or reasoning on the promising appearance of
+affairs, usually engenders. For Scipio was not only deserving of
+admiration for his real virtues, but also for his peculiar address in
+displaying them, to which he had been formed from his earliest
+years;--effecting many things with the multitude, either by feigning
+nocturnal visions or as with a mind divinely inspired; whether it was
+that he was himself, too, endued with a superstitious turn of mind, or
+that they might execute his commands and adopt his plans without
+hesitation, as if they proceeded from the responses of an oracle. With
+the intention of preparing men's minds for this from the beginning, he
+never at any time from his first assumption of the manly gown
+transacted any business, public or private, without first going to the
+Capitol, entering the temple, and taking his seat there; where he
+generally passed a considerable time in secret and alone. This
+practice, which was adhered to through the whole of his life,
+occasioned in some persons a belief in a notion which generally
+prevailed, whether designedly or undesignedly propagated, that he was
+a man of divine extraction; and revived a report equally absurd and
+fabulous with that formerly spread respecting Alexander the Great,
+that he was begotten by a huge serpent, whose monstrous form was
+frequently observed in the bedchamber of his mother, but which, on any
+one's coming in, suddenly unfolding his coils, glided out of sight.
+The belief in these miraculous accounts was never ridiculed by him,
+but rather increased by his address; neither positively denying any
+such thing nor openly affirming it. There were also many other things,
+some real and others counterfeit, which exceeded in the case of this
+young man the usual measure of human admiration, in reliance on which
+the state intrusted him with an affair of so much difficulty, and with
+so important a command, at an age by no means ripe for it. To the
+forces in Spain, consisting of the remains of the old army, and those
+which had been conveyed over from Puteoli by Claudius Nero, ten
+thousand infantry and a thousand horse were added; and Marcus Junius
+Silanus, the propraetor, was sent to assist in the management of
+affairs. Thus with a fleet of thirty ships, all of which were
+quinqueremes, he set sail from the mouth of the Tiber, and coasting
+along the shore of the Tuscan Sea, the Alps, and the Gallic Gulf, and
+then doubling the promontory of the Pyrenees, landed his troops at
+Emporiae, a Greek city, which also derived its origin from Phocaea.
+Ordering his ships to attend him, he marched by land to Tarraco; where
+he held a congress of deputies from all the allies; for embassies had
+poured forth from every province on the news of his arrival. Here he
+ordered his ships to be hauled on shore, having sent back the four
+triremes of the Massilians which had, in compliment to him, attended
+him from their home. After that, he began to give answers to the
+embassies of the several states, which had been in suspense on account
+of the many vicissitudes of the war; and this with so great dignity,
+arising from the great confidence he had in his own talents, that no
+presumptuous expression ever escaped him; and in every thing he said
+there appeared at once the greatest majesty and sincerity.
+
+20. Setting out from Tarraco, he visited the states of his allies and
+the winter quarters of his army; and bestowed the highest
+commendations upon the soldiers, because, though they had received two
+such disastrous blows in succession, they had retained possession of
+the province, and not allowing the enemy to reap any advantage from
+their successes, had excluded them entirely from the territory on this
+side of the Iberus, and honourably protected their allies. Marcius he
+kept with him, and treated him with such respect, that it was
+perfectly evident there was nothing he feared less than lest any one
+should stand in the way of his own glory. Silanus then took the place
+of Nero, and the fresh troops were led into winter quarters. Scipio
+having in good time visited every place where his presence was
+necessary, and completed every thing which was to be done, returned to
+Tarraco. The reputation of Scipio among his enemies was not inferior
+to that which he enjoyed among his allies and countrymen. They felt
+also a kind of presentiment of what was to come, which occasioned the
+greater apprehension, the less they could account for their fears,
+which had arisen without any cause. They had retired to their winter
+quarters in different directions. Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, had gone
+quite to the ocean and Gades; Mago into the midland parts chiefly
+above the forest of Castulo; Hasdrubal, son of Hamilcar, wintered in
+the neighbourhood of Saguntum, close upon the Iberus. At the close of
+the summer in which Capua was recovered and Scipio entered Spain, a
+Carthaginian fleet, which had been fetched from Sicily to Tarentum, to
+cut off the supplies of the Roman garrison in the citadel of that
+place, had blocked up all the approaches to the citadel from the sea;
+but by lying there too long, they caused a greater scarcity of
+provisions to their friends than to their enemies. For so much corn
+could not be brought in for the townsmen, along the coasts which were
+friendly to them, and through the ports which were kept open through
+the protection afforded by the Carthaginian fleet, as the fleet itself
+consumed, which had on board a crowd made up of every description of
+persons. So that the garrison of the citadel, which was small in
+number, could be supported from the stock they had previously laid in
+without importing any, while that which they imported was not
+sufficient for the supply of the Tarentines and the fleet. At length
+the fleet was sent away with greater satisfaction than it was
+received. The scarcity of provisions, however, was not much relieved
+by it; because when the protection by sea was removed corn could not
+be brought in.
+
+21. At the close of the same summer, Marcus Marcellus arriving at the
+city from his province of Sicily, an audience of the senate was given
+him by Caius Calpurnius, the praetor, in the temple of Bellona. Here,
+after discoursing on the services he had performed, and complaining in
+gentle terms, not on his own account more than that of his soldiers,
+that after having completely reduced the province, he had not been
+allowed to bring home his army, he requested that he might be allowed
+to enter the city in triumph; this he did not obtain. A long debate
+took place on the question, whether it was less consistent to deny a
+triumph on his return to him, in whose name, when absent, a
+supplication had been decreed and honours paid to the immortal gods,
+for successes obtained under his conduct; or, when they had ordered
+him to deliver over his army to a successor, which would not have been
+decreed unless there were still war in the province, to allow him to
+triumph, as if the war had been terminated, when the army, the
+evidence of the triumph being deserved or undeserved, were absent. As
+a middle course between the two opinions, it was resolved that he
+should enter the city in ovation. The plebeian tribunes, by direction
+of the senate, proposed to the people, that Marcus Marcellus should be
+invested with command during the day on which he should enter the city
+in ovation. The day before he entered the city he triumphed on the
+Alban mount; after which he entered the city in ovation, having a
+great quantity of spoils carried before him, together with a model of
+the capture of Syracuse. The catapultas and ballistas, and every other
+instrument of war were carried; likewise the rich ornaments laid up by
+its kings during a long continuance of peace; a quantity of wrought
+silver and brass, and other articles, with precious garments, and a
+number of celebrated statues, with which Syracuse had been adorned in
+such a manner as to rank among the chief Grecian cities in that
+respect. Eight elephants were also led as an emblem of victory over
+the Carthaginians. Sosis, the Syracusan, and Mericus, the Spaniard,
+who preceded him with golden crowns, formed not the least interesting
+part of the spectacle; under the guidance of one of whom the Romans
+had entered Syracuse by night, while the other had betrayed to them
+the island and the garrison in it. To both of them the freedom of the
+city was given, and five hundred acres of land each. Sosis was to have
+his portion in the Syracusan territory, out of the lands which had
+belonged either to the kings or the enemies of the Roman people,
+together with a house at Syracuse, which had belonged to any one of
+those persons who had been punished according to the laws of war.
+Mericus and the Spaniards who had come over with him were ordered to
+have a city and lands assigned to them in Sicily, which had belonged
+to some of those who had revolted from the Romans. It was given in
+charge to Marcus Cornelius to assign them the city and lands wherever
+he thought proper. In the same country, four hundred acres of land
+were decreed to Belligenes, by whose means Mericus had been persuaded
+to come over. After the departure of Marcellus from Sicily, a
+Carthaginian fleet landed eight thousand infantry and three thousand
+Numidian cavalry. To these the Murgantian territories revolted; Hybla,
+Macella, and certain other towns of less note followed their
+defection. The Numidians also, headed by Mutines, ranging without
+restraint through the whole of Sicily, ravaged with fire the lands of
+the allies of the Romans. In addition to these unfortunate
+circumstances, the Roman soldiers, incensed partly because they had
+not been taken from the province with their general, and partly
+because they had been forbidden to winter in towns, discharged their
+duties negligently, and wanted a a leader more than inclination for a
+mutiny. Amid these difficulties Marcus Cornelius, the praetor,
+sometimes by soothing, at other times by reproving them, pacified the
+minds of the soldiers; and reduced to obedience all the states which
+had revolted; out of which he gave Murgantia to those Spaniards who
+were entitled to a city and land, in conformity with the decree of the
+senate.
+
+22. As both the consuls had Apulia for their province, and as there
+was now less to be apprehended from Hannibal and the Carthaginians,
+they were directed to draw lots for the provinces of Apulia and
+Macedonia. Macedonia fell to the lot of Sulpicius, who succeeded
+Laevinus. Fulvius having been called to Rome on account of the
+election, held an assembly to elect new consuls; when the junior
+Veturian century, which had the right of voting first, named Titus
+Manlius Torquatus and Titus Otacilius. A crowd collecting round
+Manlius, who was present, to congratulate him, and it being certain
+that the people would concur in his election, he went, surrounded as
+he was with a multitude of persons, to the tribunal of the consul, and
+requested that he would listen to a few words from him; and that he
+would order the century which had voted to be recalled. While all
+present were waiting impatiently to hear what it was he was going to
+ask, he alleged as an excuse the weakness of his eyes; observing, that
+"a pilot or a general might fairly be charged with presumption who
+should request that the lives and fortunes of others might be
+intrusted to him, when in every thing which was to be done he must
+make use of other people's eyes. Therefore he requested, that, if it
+seemed good to him, he would order the junior Veturian century to come
+and vote again; and to recollect, while electing consuls, the war
+which they had in Italy, and the present exigencies of the state. That
+their ears had scarcely yet ceased to ring with the noise and tumult
+raised by the enemy, when but a few months ago they nearly scaled the
+walls of Rome." This speech was followed by the century's shouting
+out, one and all, that "they would not in the least alter their vote,
+but would name the same persons for consuls;" when Torquatus replied,
+"neither shall I as consul be able to put up with your conduct, nor
+will you be satisfied with my government. Go back and vote again, and
+consider that you have a Punic war in Italy, and that the leader of
+your enemies is Hannibal." Upon this the century, moved by the
+authority of the man and the shouts of admirers around, besought the
+consul to summon the elder Veturian century; for they were desirous of
+conferring with persons older than themselves, and to name the consuls
+in accordance with their advice. The elder Veturian century having
+been summoned, time was allowed them to confer with the others by
+themselves in the _ovile_. The elders said that there were three
+persons whom they ought to deliberate about electing, two of them
+having already served all the offices of honour, namely, Quintus
+Fabius and Marcus Marcellus; and if they wished so particularly to
+elect some fresh person as consul to act against the Carthaginians,
+that Marcus Valerius Laevinus had carried on operations against king
+Philip by sea and land with signal success. Thus, three persons having
+been proposed to them to deliberate about, the seniors were dismissed,
+and the juniors proceeded to vote. They named as consuls, Marcus
+Claudius Marcellus, then glorious with the conquest of Sicily, and
+Marcus Valerius, both in their absence. All the centuries followed the
+recommendation of that which voted first. Let men now ridicule the
+admirers of antiquity. Even if there existed a republic of wise men,
+which the learned rather imagine than know of; for my own part I
+cannot persuade myself that there could possibly be a nobility of
+sounder judgment, and more moderate in their desire of power, or a
+people better moralled. Indeed that a century of juniors should have
+been willing to consult their elders, as to the persons to whom they
+should intrust a command by their vote, is rendered scarcely probable
+by the contempt and levity with which the parental authority is
+treated by children in the present age.
+
+23. The assembly for the election of praetors was then held, at which
+Publius Manlius Vulso, Lucius Manlius Acidinus, Caius Laetorius, and
+Lucius Cincius Alimentus were elected. It happened that just as the
+elections were concluded, news was brought that Titus Otacilius, whom
+it seemed the people would have made consul in his absence, with Titus
+Manlius, had not the course of the elections been interrupted, had
+died in Sicily. The games in honour of Apollo had been performed the
+preceding year, and on the motion of Calpurnius, the praetor, that
+they should be performed this year also, the senate decreed that they
+should be vowed every year for the time to come. The same year several
+prodigies were seen and reported. At the temple of Concord, a statue
+of Victory, which stood on the roof, having been struck by lightning
+and thrown down, stuck among the figures of Victory, which were among
+the ornaments under the eaves, and did not fall to the ground from
+thence. Both from Anagnia and Fregellae it was reported that a wall
+and some gates had been struck by lightning. That in the forum of
+Sudertum streams of blood had continued flowing through a whole day;
+at Eretum, that there had been a shower of stones; and at Reate, that
+a mule had brought forth. These prodigies were expiated with victims
+of the larger sort, the people were commanded to offer up prayers for
+one day, and perform the nine days' sacred rite. Several of the public
+priests died off this year, and fresh ones were appointed. In the room
+of Manius Aemilius Numida, decemvir for sacred rites, Marcus Aemilius
+Lepidus was appointed; in the room of Manius Pomponius Matho, the
+pontiff, Caius Livius; in the room of Spurius Carvilius Maximus, the
+augur, Marcus Servilius. As Titus Otacilius Crassus, a pontiff, died
+after the year was concluded, no person was nominated to succeed him.
+Caius Claudius, flamen of Jupiter, retired from his office, because he
+had distributed the entrails improperly.
+
+24. During the same time Marcus Valerius Laevinus, having first
+sounded the intentions of the leading men by means of secret
+conferences, came with some light ships to a council of the Aetolians,
+which had been previously appointed to meet for this very purpose.
+Here having proudly pointed to the capture of Syracuse and Capua, as
+proofs of the success of the Roman arms in Sicily and Italy, he added,
+that "it was a custom with the Romans, handed down to them from their
+ancestors, to respect their allies; some of whom they had received
+into their state, and had admitted to the same privileges they enjoyed
+themselves, while others they treated so favourably that they chose
+rather to be allies than citizens. That the Aetolians would be
+honoured by them so much the more, because they were the first of the
+nations across the sea which had entered into friendship with them.
+That Philip and the Macedonians were troublesome neighbours to them,
+but that he had broken their strength and spirits already, and would
+still further reduce them to that degree, that they should not only
+evacuate the cities which they had violently taken from the Aetolians,
+but have Macedonia itself disturbed with war. And that as to the
+Acarnanians, whose separation from their body was a source of grief to
+the Aetolians, he would place them again under their ancient system of
+jurisdiction and dominion." These assertions and promises of the Roman
+general, Scopas, who was at that time praetor of the nation, and
+Dorymachus, a leading man among the Aetolians, confirmed on their own
+authority, extolling the power and greatness of the Roman people with
+less reserve, and with greater force of conviction. However, the hope
+of recovering Acarnania principally moved them. The terms, therefore,
+were reduced to writing, on which they should enter into alliance and
+friendship with the Roman people, and it was added, that "if it were
+agreeable to them and they wished it, the Eleans and Lacedaemonians,
+with Attalus, Pleuratus, and Scerdilaedas, should be included on the
+same conditions." Attalus was king of Asia; the latter, kings of the
+Thracians and Illyrians. The conditions were, that "the Aetolians
+should immediately make war on Philip by land, in which the Romans
+should assist, with not less than twenty quinqueremes. That the site
+and buildings, together with the walls and lands, of all the cities as
+far as Corcyra, should become the property of the Aetolians, every
+other kind of booty, of the Romans. That the Romans should endeavour
+to put the Aetolians in possession of Acarnania. If the Aetolians
+should make peace with Philip, they should insert a stipulation that
+the peace should stand good only on condition that they abstained from
+hostilities against the Romans, their allies, and the states subject
+to them. In like manner, if the Romans should form an alliance with
+the king, that they should provide that he should not have liberty to
+make war upon the Aetolians and their allies." Such were the terms
+agreed upon; and copies of them having been made, they were laid up
+two years afterwards by the Aetolians at Olympia, and by the Romans in
+the Capitol, that they might be attested by these consecrated records.
+The delay had been occasioned by the Aetolian ambassadors' having been
+detained at Rome. This, however, did not form an impediment to the
+war's proceeding. Both the Aetolians immediately commenced war against
+Philip, and Laevinus taking, all but the citadel, Zacynthus, a small
+island near to Aetolia, and having one city of the same name with the
+island; and also taking Aeniadae and Nasus from the Acarnanians,
+annexed them to the Aetolians; and also considering that Philip was
+sufficiently engaged in war with his neighbours to prevent his
+thinking of Italy, the Carthaginians, and his compact with Hannibal,
+he retired to Corcyra.
+
+25. To Philip intelligence of the defection of the Aetolians was
+brought while in winter quarters at Pella. As he was about to march an
+army into Greece at the beginning of the spring, he undertook a sudden
+expedition into the territories of Oricum and Apollonia, in order that
+Macedonia might not be molested by the Illyrians, and the cities
+bordering upon them, in consequence of the terror he would thus strike
+them with in turn. The Apollonians came out to oppose him, but he
+drove them, terrified and dismayed, within their walls. After
+devastating the adjacent parts of Illyricum he turned his course into
+Pelagonia, with the same expedition. He then took Sintia, a town of
+the Dardanians, which would have afforded them a passage into
+Macedonia. Having with the greatest despatch performed these
+achievements, not forgetting the war made upon him by the Aetolians
+and Romans in conjunction, he marched down into Thessaly through
+Pelagonia, Lyncus, and Bottiaea. He trusted that people might be
+induced to take part with him in the war against the Aetolians, and,
+therefore, leaving Perseus with four thousand armed men at the gorge,
+which formed the entrance into Thessaly, to prevent the Aetolians from
+passing it, before he should be occupied with more important business,
+he marched his army into Macedonia, and thence into Thrace and
+Maedica. This nation had been accustomed to make incursions into
+Macedonia when they perceived the king engaged in a foreign war, and
+the kingdom left unprotected. Accordingly, he began to devastate the
+lands in the neighbourhood of Phragandae, and to lay siege to the city
+Jamphorina, the capital and chief fortress of Maedica. Scopas, on
+hearing that the king had gone into Thrace, and was engaged in a war
+there, armed all the Aetolian youths, and prepared to invade
+Acarnania. The Acarnanian nation, unequal to their enemy in point of
+strength, and seeing that they had lost Aeniadae and Nasus, and
+moreover that the Roman arms were threatening them, prepare the war
+rather with rage than prudence. Having sent their wives, children, and
+those who were above sixty years old into the neighbouring parts of
+Epirus, all who were between the ages of fifteen and sixty, bound each
+other by an oath not to return unless victorious. That no one might
+receive into his city or house, or admit to his table or hearth, such
+as should retire from the field vanquished, they drew up a form of
+direful execration against their countrymen who should do so; and the
+most solemn entreaty they could devise, to friendly states. At the
+same time they entreated the Epirotes to bury in one tomb such of
+their men as should fall in the encounter, adding this inscription
+over their remains: HERE LIE THE ACARNANIANS, WHO DIED WHILE FIGHTING
+IN DEFENCE OF THEIR COUNTRY, AGAINST THE VIOLENCE AND INJUSTICE OF THE
+AETOLIANS. Having worked up their courage to the highest pitch by
+these means, they fixed their camp at the extreme borders of their
+country in the way of the enemy; and sending messengers to Philip to
+inform him of the critical situation in which they stood, they obliged
+him to suspend the war in which he was engaged, though he had gained
+possession of Jamphorina by surrender, and had succeeded in other
+respects. The ardour of the Aetolians was damped, in the first
+instance, by the news of the combination formed by the Acarnanians;
+but afterwards the intelligence of Philip's approach compelled them
+even to retreat into the interior of the country. Nor did Philip
+proceed farther than Dium, though he had marched with great expedition
+to prevent the Acarnanians being overpowered; and when he had received
+information that the Aetolians had returned out of Acarnania, he also
+returned to Pella.
+
+26. Laevinus set sail from Corcyra in the beginning of the spring, and
+doubling the promontory Leucate, arrived at Naupactus; when he gave
+notice that he should go thence to Anticyra, in order that Scopas and
+the Aetolians might be ready there to join him. Anticyra is situated
+in Locris, on the left hand as you enter the Corinthian Gulf. The
+distance between Naupactus and this place is short both by sea and
+land. In about three days after, the attack upon this place commenced
+on both elements. The attack from the sea produced the greatest
+effect, because there were on board the ships engines and machines of
+every description, and because the Romans besieged from that quarter.
+In a few days, therefore, the town surrendered, and was delivered over
+to the Aetolians, the booty, according to compact, was given up to the
+Romans. Laevinus then received a letter informing him, that he had
+been elected consul in his absence, and that Publius Sulpicius was
+coming as his successor. He arrived at Rome later than he was
+generally expected, being detained by a lingering illness. Marcus
+Marcellus, having entered upon the consulship on the ides of March,
+assembled the senate on that day merely for form's sake He declared,
+that "in the absence of his colleague he would not enter into any
+question relative to the state or the provinces." He said, "he well
+knew there were crowds of Sicilians in the neighbourhood of the city
+at the country-houses of those who maligned him, whom he was so far
+from wishing to prevent from openly publishing, at Rome, the charges
+which had been circulated and got up against him by his enemies, that
+did they not pretend that they entertained some fear of speaking of a
+consul in the absence of his colleague, he would forthwith have given
+them a hearing of the senate. That when his colleague had arrived, he
+would not allow any business to be transacted before the Sicilians
+were brought before the senate. That Marcus Cornelius had in a manner
+held a levy throughout all Sicily, in order that as many as possible
+might come to Rome to prefer complaints against him, that the same
+person had filled the city with letters containing false
+representations that there was still war in Sicily, in order to
+detract from his merit." The consul, having acquired on that day the
+reputation of having a well-regulated mind, dismissed the senate, and
+it appeared that there would be almost a total suspension of every
+kind of business till the other consul returned to the city. The want
+of employment, as usual, produced expressions of discontent among the
+people. They complained of the length of the war, that the lands
+around the city were devastated wherever Hannibal had marched his
+hostile troops; that Italy was exhausted by levies, and that almost
+every year their armies were cut to pieces, that the consuls elected
+were both of them fond of war, men over-enterprising and impetuous,
+who would probably stir up war in a time of profound peace, and
+therefore were the less likely to allow the state to breathe in time
+of war.
+
+27. A fire which broke out in several places at once in the
+neighbourhood of the forum, on the night before the festival of
+Minerva, interrupted these discourses. Seven shops, where five were
+afterwards erected, and the banks, which are now called the new banks,
+were all on fire at once. Afterwards the private dwellings caught, for
+there were no public halls there then, the prisons called the Quarry,
+the fish-market, and the royal palace. The temple of Vesta was with
+difficulty saved, principally by the exertions of thirteen slaves, who
+were redeemed at the public expense and manumitted. The fire continued
+for a day and a night. It was evident to every body that it was caused
+by human contrivance, because the flames burst forth in several places
+at once, and those at a distance from each other. The consul,
+therefore, on the recommendation of the senate, publicly notified,
+that whoever should make known by whose act the conflagration was
+kindled, should rewarded, if a free-man, with money, if a slave, with
+liberty. Induced by this reward, a slave of the Campanian family, the
+Calavii, named Mannus, gave information that "his masters, with five
+noble Campanian youths, whose parents had been executed by Fulvius,
+were the authors of the fire, and that they would commit various other
+acts of the same kind if they were not seized." Upon this they were
+seized, as well as their slaves. At first, the informer and his
+evidence were disparaged, for that "he had run away from his masters
+the day before in consequence of a whipping, and that from an event
+which had happened by mere chance, he had fabricated this charge, from
+resentment and wantonness." But when they were charged by their
+accusers face to face, and the ministers of their villanies begin to
+be examined in the middle of the forum, they all confessed, and
+punishment was inflicted upon the masters and their accessory slaves.
+The informer received his liberty and twenty thousand _asses_.
+The consul Laevinus, while passing by Capua, was surrounded by a
+multitude of Campanians, who besought him, with tears, that they might
+be permitted to go to Rome to the senate, so that if they could at
+length be in any degree moved by compassion, they might not carry
+their resentment so far as to destroy them utterly, nor suffer the
+very name of the Campanian nation to be obliterated by Quintus
+Flaccus. Flaccus declared, that "he had individually no quarrel with
+the Campanians, but that he did entertain an enmity towards them on
+public grounds and because they were foes, and should continue to do
+so as long as he felt assured that they had the same feelings towards
+the Roman people; for that there was no nation or people on earth more
+inveterate against the Roman name. That his reason for keeping them
+shut up within their walls was, that if any of these got out any where
+they roamed through the country like wild beasts, tearing and
+massacring whatever fell in their way. That some of them had deserted
+to Hannibal, others had gone and set fire to Rome; that the consul
+would find the traces of the villany of the Campanians in the
+half-burnt forum. That the temple of Vesta, the eternal fire, and the
+fatal pledge for the continuance of the Roman empire deposited in the
+shrine, had been the objects of their attack. That in his opinion it
+was extremely unsafe for any Campanians to be allowed to enter the
+walls of Rome." Laevinus ordered the Campanians to follow him to Rome,
+after Flaccus had bound them by an oath to return to Capua on the
+fifth day after receiving an answer from the senate. Surrounded by
+this crowd, and followed also by the Sicilians and Aeolians, who came
+out to meet him, he went to Rome; taking with him into the city as
+accusers of two men who had acquired the greatest celebrity by the
+overthrow of two most renowned cities, those whom they had vanquished
+in war. Both the consuls, however, first proposed to the senate the
+consideration of the state of the commonwealth, and the arrangements
+respecting the provinces.
+
+28. On this occasion Laevinus reported the state of Macedonia and
+Greece, of the Aetolians, Acarnanians, and Locrians, and the services
+he had himself performed there on sea and land. That "Philip, who was
+bringing an army against the Aetolians, had been driven back by him
+into Macedonia, and compelled to retire into the heart of his kingdom.
+That the legion might therefore be withdrawn from that quarter, and
+that the fleet was sufficient to keep the king out of Italy." Thus
+much he said respecting himself and the province where he had
+commanded. The consuls jointly proposed the consideration of the
+provinces, when the senate decreed, that, "Italy and the war with
+Hannibal should form the province of one of the consuls; that the
+other should have the command of the fleet which Titus Otacilius had
+commanded, and the province of Sicily, in conjunction with Lucius
+Cincius, the praetor." The two armies decreed to them were those in
+Etruria and Gaul, consisting of four legions. That the two city
+legions of the former year should be sent into Etruria and the two
+which Sulpicius, the consul, had commanded, into Gaul; that he should
+have the command of Gaul, and the legions there whom the consul, who
+had the province of Italy, should appoint. Caius Calpurnius, having
+his command continued to him for a year after the expiration of his
+praetorship, was sent into Etruria. To Quintus Fulvius also the
+province of Capua was decreed, with his command continued for a year.
+The army of citizens and allies was ordered to be reduced, so that,
+out of two, one legion should be formed consisting of five thousand
+foot and three hundred horse, those being discharged who had served
+the greatest number of campaigns. That of the allies there should be
+left seven thousand infantry and three hundred horse, the same rule
+being observed with regard to the periods of their service in
+discharging the old soldiers. With Cneius Fulvius, the consul of the
+former year, no change was made touching his province of Apulia nor
+his army; only he was continued in command for a year. Publius
+Sulpicius, his colleague, was ordered to discharge the whole of his
+army excepting the marines. It was ordered also, that the army which
+Marcus Cornelius had commanded, should be sent out of Sicily as soon
+as the consul arrived in his province. The soldiers which had fought
+at Cannae, amounting to two legions, were assigned to Lucius Cincius,
+the praetor, for the occupation of Sicily. As many legions were
+assigned to Publius Manlius Vulso, the praetor, for Sardinia, being
+those which Lucius Cornelius had commanded in that province the former
+year. The consuls were directed so to raise legions for the service of
+the city, as not to enlist any one who had served in the armies of
+Marcus Claudius, Marcus Valerius, or Quintus Fulvius, so that the
+Roman legions might not exceed twenty-one that year.
+
+29. After the senate had passed these decrees, the consuls drew lots
+for their provinces. Sicily and the fleet fell to the lot of
+Marcellus; Italy, with the war against Hannibal, to Laevinus. This
+result so terrified the Sicilians, who were standing in sight of the
+consuls waiting the determination of the lots, that their bitter
+lamentations and mournful cries both drew upon them the eyes of all at
+the time, and afterwards furnished matter for conversation. For they
+went round to the several senators in mourning garments, affirming,
+that "they would not only abandon, each of them, his native country,
+but all Sicily, if Marcellus should again go thither with command.
+That he had formerly been implacable toward them for no demerit of
+theirs, what would he do now, when exasperated that they had come to
+Rome to complain of him? That it would be better for that island to be
+overwhelmed with the fires of Aetna, or sunk in the sea, than to be
+delivered up, as it were, for execution to an enemy." These complaints
+of the Sicilians, having been carried round to the houses of the
+nobility, and frequently canvassed in conversations, which were
+prompted partly by compassion for the Sicilians and partly by dislike
+for Marcellus, at length reached the senate also. The consuls were
+requested to take the sense of the senate on an exchange of provinces.
+Marcellus said, that "if the Sicilians had already had an audience of
+the senate, his opinion perhaps might have been different, but as the
+case now stood, lest any one should be able to say that they were
+prevented by fear from freely venting their complaints respecting him,
+to whose power they were presently about to be subject, he was
+willing, if it made no difference to his colleague, to exchange
+provinces with him. That he deprecated a premature decision on the
+part of the senate, for since it would be unjust that his colleague
+should have the power of selecting his province without drawing lots,
+how much greater injustice would it be, nay, rather indignity, for his
+lot to be transferred to him." Accordingly the senate, having rather
+shown than decreed what they wished, adjourned. An exchange of
+provinces was made by the consuls of themselves, fate hurrying on
+Marcellus to encounter Hannibal, that he might be the last of the
+Roman generals, who, by his fall, when the affairs of the war were
+most prosperous, might add to the glory of that man, from whom he
+derived the reputation of having been the first Roman general who
+defeated him.
+
+30. After the provinces had been exchanged, the Sicilians, on being
+introduced into the senate, discoursed largely on the constant
+fidelity of king Hiero to the Roman people, converting it into a
+public merit. They said, "that the tyrants, Hieronymus, and, after
+him, Hippocrates and Epicydes, had been objects of detestation to
+them, both on other accounts and especially on account of then
+deserting the Romans to take part with Hannibal. For this cause
+Hieronymus was put to death by the principal young men among them,
+almost with the public concurrence, and a conspiracy was formed to
+murder Epicydes and Hippocrates, by seventy of the most distinguished
+of their youth; but being left without support in consequence of the
+delay of Marcellus, who neglected to bring up his troops to Syracuse
+at the time agreed upon, they were all, on an indictment that was
+made, put to death by the tyrants. That Marcellus, by the cruelty
+exercised in the sacking of Leontini, had given occasion to the
+tyranny of Hippocrates and Epicydes. From that time the leading men
+among the Syracusans never ceased going over to Marcellus, and
+promising him that they would deliver the city to him whenever he
+pleased; but that he, in the first instance, was disposed rather to
+take it by force, and afterwards, finding it impossible to effect his
+object by sea or land, after trying every means, he preferred having
+Syracuse delivered to him by Sosis, a brazier, and Mericus, a
+Spaniard, to receiving it from the principal men of Syracuse, who had
+so often offered it to him voluntarily to no purpose; doubtless in
+order that he might with a fairer pretext butcher and plunder the most
+ancient allies of the Roman people. If it had not been Hieronymus who
+revolted to Hannibal, but the people and senate of Syracuse; if the
+body of the Syracusan people, and not their tyrants, Hippocrates and
+Epicydes, who held them in thraldom, had closed the gates against
+Marcellus; if they had carried on war with the Roman people with the
+animosity of Carthaginians, what more could Marcellus have done in
+hostility than he did, without levelling Syracuse with the ground?
+Nothing indeed was left at Syracuse except the walls and gutted houses
+of her city, the temples of her gods broken open and plundered; her
+very gods and their ornaments having been carried away. From many
+their possessions also were taken away, so that they were unable to
+support themselves and their families, even from the naked soil, the
+only remains of their plundered property. They entreated the conscript
+fathers, that they would order, if not all, at least such of their
+property as could be found and identified, to be restored to the
+owners." After they had made these complaints, Laevinus ordered them
+to withdraw from the senate-house, that the senate might deliberate on
+their requests, when Marcellus exclaimed, "Nay, rather let them stay
+here, that I may reply to their charges in their presence, since we
+conduct your wars for you, conscript fathers, on the condition of
+having as our accusers those whom we have conquered with our arms. Of
+the two cities which have been captured this year, let Capua arraign
+Fulvius, and Syracuse Marcellus."
+
+31. The deputies having been brought back into the senate-house, the
+consul said: "I am not so unmindful of the dignity of the Roman people
+and of the office I fill as consul, conscript fathers, as to make a
+defence against charges brought by Greeks, had the inquiry related
+only to my own delinquency. But it is not so much what I have done, as
+what they deserved to suffer, which comes into dispute. For if they
+were not our enemies, there was no difference between sacking Syracuse
+then, and when Hiero was alive. But if, on the other hand, they have
+renounced their connexion with us, attacked our ambassadors sword in
+hand, shut us out of their city and walls, and defended themselves
+against us with an army of Carthaginians, who can feel indignant that
+they should suffer the hostilities they have offered? I turned away
+from the leading men of the Syracusans, when they were desirous of
+delivering up the city to me, and esteemed Sosis and Mericus as more
+proper persons for so important an affair. Now you are not the meanest
+of the Syracusans, who reproach others with the meanness of their
+condition. But who is there among you, who has promised that he would
+open the gates to me, and receive my armed troops within the city? You
+hate and execrate those who did so; and not even here can you abstain
+from speaking with insult of them; so far is it from being the case
+that you would yourselves have done any thing of the kind. The very
+meanness of the condition of those persons, conscript fathers, with
+which these men reproach them, forms the strongest proof that I did
+not turn away from any man who was willing to render a service to our
+state. Before I began the siege of Syracuse I attempted a peace, at
+one time by sending ambassadors, at another time by going to confer
+with them; and after that they refrained not from laying violent hands
+on my ambassadors, nor would give me an answer when I held an
+interview with their chief men at their gates, then, at length, after
+suffering many hardships by sea and land, I took Syracuse by force of
+arms. Of what befell them after their city was captured they would
+complain with more justice to Hannibal, the Carthaginians, and those
+who were vanquished with them, than to the senate of the victorious
+people. If, conscript fathers, I had intended to conceal the fact that
+I had despoiled Syracuse, I should never have decorated the city of
+Rome with her spoils. As to what things I either took from individuals
+or bestowed upon them, as conqueror, I feel assured that I have acted
+agreeably to the laws of war, and the deserts of each. That you should
+confirm what I have done, conscript fathers, certainly concerns the
+commonwealth more than myself, since I have discharged my duty
+faithfully; but it is the duty of the state to take care, lest, by
+rescinding my acts, they should render other commanders for the time
+to come less zealous. And since, conscript fathers, you have heard
+both what the Sicilians and I had to say, in the presence of each
+other, we will go out of the senate-house together, in order that in
+my absence the senate may deliberate more freely." Accordingly, the
+Sicilians having been dismissed, he himself also went away to the
+Capitol to levy soldiers.
+
+32. The other consul then proposed to the fathers the consideration of
+the requests of the Sicilians, when a long debate took place. A great
+part of the senate acquiesced in an opinion which originated with
+Titus Manlius Torquatus, "that the war ought to have been carried on
+against the tyrants, the enemies both of the Syracusans and the Roman
+people; that the city ought to have been recovered, not captured; and,
+when recovered, should have been firmly established under its ancient
+laws and liberty, and not distressed by war, when worn out with a
+wretched state of bondage. That in the contest between the tyrants and
+the Roman general, that most beautiful and celebrated city, formerly
+the granary and treasury of the Roman people, which was held up as the
+reward of the victor, had been destroyed; a city by whose munificence
+and bounty the commonwealth had been assisted and adorned on many
+occasions, and lastly, during this very Punic war. Should king Hiero,
+that most faithful friend of the Roman empire, rise from the shades,
+with what face could either Syracuse or Rome be shown to him, when,
+after beholding his half-demolished and plundered native city, he
+should see, on entering Rome, the spoils of his country in the
+vestibule, as it were, of the city, and almost in the very gates?"
+Although these and other similar things were said, to throw odium upon
+the consul and excite compassion for the Sicilians, yet the fathers,
+out of regard for Marcellus, passed a milder decree, to the effect,
+"that what Marcellus had done while prosecuting the war, and when
+victorious, should be confirmed. That for the time to come, the senate
+would look to the affairs of Syracuse, and would give it in charge to
+the consul Laevinus, to consult the interest of that state, so far as
+it could be done without detriment to the commonwealth." Two senators
+having been sent to the Capitol to request the consul to return to the
+senate-house, and the Sicilians having been called in, the decree of
+the senate was read. The deputies were addressed in terms of kindness,
+and dismissed, when they threw themselves at the knees of the consul,
+Marcellus, beseeching him to pardon them for what they had said for
+the purpose of exciting compassion, and procuring relief from their
+calamities, and to receive themselves and the city of Syracuse under
+his protection and patronage; after which, the consul addressed them
+kindly and dismissed them.
+
+33. An audience of the senate was then granted to the Campanians.
+Their speech was more calculated to excite compassion, but their case
+less favourable, for neither could they deny that they deserved the
+punishment they had suffered, nor were there any tyrants to whom they
+could transfer their guilt. But they trusted that sufficient atonement
+had been made by the death of so many of their senators by poison and
+the hands of the executioner. They said, "that a few only of their
+nobles remained, being such as were not induced by the consciousness
+of their demerit to adopt any desperate measure respecting themselves,
+and had not been condemned to death through the resentment of their
+conquerors. That these implored the restoration of their liberty, and
+some portion of their goods for themselves and families, being
+citizens of Rome, and most of them connected with the Romans by
+affinity and now too near relationship, in consequence of
+intermarriages which had taken place for a long period." After this
+they were removed from the senate-house, when for a short time doubts
+were entertained whether it would be right or not to send for Quintus
+Fulvius from Capua, (for Claudius, the proconsul, died after the
+capture of that place,) that the question might be canvassed in the
+presence of the general who had been concerned, as was done in the
+affair between Marcellus and the Sicilians. But afterwards, when they
+saw in the senate Marcus Atilius, and Caius Fulvius, the brother of
+Flaccus, his lieutenant-generals, and Quintus Minucius, and Lucius
+Veturius Philo, who were also his lieutenant-generals, who had been
+present at every transaction; and being unwilling that Fulvius should
+be recalled from Capua, or the Campanians put off, Marcus Atilius
+Regulus, who possessed the greatest weight of any of those present who
+had been at Capua, being asked his opinion, thus spoke: "I believe I
+assisted at the council held by the consuls after the capture of
+Capua, when inquiry was made whether any of the Campanians had
+deserved well of our state; and it was found that two women had done
+so; Vestia Oppia, a native of Atella and an inhabitant of Capua, and
+Faucula Cluvia, formerly a common woman. The former had daily offered
+sacrifice for the safety and success of the Roman people, and the
+latter had clandestinely supplied the starving prisoners with food.
+The sentiments of all the rest of the Campanians towards us had been
+the same," he said, "as those of the Carthaginians; and those who had
+been decapitated by Fulvius, were the most conspicuous in rank, but
+not in guilt. I do not see," said he, "how the senate can decide
+respecting the Campanians who are Roman citizens, without an order of
+the people. And the course adopted by our ancestors, in the case of
+the Satricani when they had revolted, was, that Marcus Antistius, the
+plebeian tribune, should first propose and the commons make an order,
+that the senate should have the power of pronouncing judgment upon the
+Satricani. I therefore give it as my opinion, that application should
+be made to the plebeian tribunes, that one or more of them should
+propose to the people a bill, by which we may be empowered to
+determine in the case of the Campanians." Lucius Atilius, plebeian
+tribune, proposed to the people, on the recommendation of the senate,
+a bill to the following effect: "Concerning all the Campanians,
+Atellanians, Calatinians, and Sabatinians, who have surrendered
+themselves to the proconsul Fulvius, and have placed themselves under
+the authority and dominion of the Roman people; also concerning what
+things they have surrendered, together with their persons, both lands
+and city, divine or human, together with their utensils and whatsoever
+else they have surrendered; concerning these things, Roman citizens, I
+ask you what it is your pleasure should be done." The commons thus
+ordered: "Whatsoever the senate on oath, or the majority of those
+present, may determine, that we will and order."
+
+34. The senate having taken the matter into their consideration in
+conformity with this order of the people, first restored to Oppia and
+Cluvia their goods and liberty; directing, that if they wished to
+solicit any other rewards from the senate, they should come to Rome.
+Separate decrees were passed respecting each of the Campanian
+families, all of which it is not worth while to enumerate. The goods
+of some were to be confiscated; themselves, their children, and their
+wives were to be sold, excepting such of their daughters as had
+married before they came into the power of the Roman people. Others
+were ordered to be thrown into chains, and their cases to be
+considered at a future time. They made the amount of income the ground
+on which they decided, whether the goods of the rest of the Campanians
+should be confiscated or not. They voted, that all the cattle taken
+except the horses, all the slaves except adult males, and every thing
+which did not belong to the soil, should be restored to the owners.
+They ordered that all the Campanians, Atellanians, Calatinians, and
+Sabatinians, except such as were themselves, or whose parents were,
+among the enemy, should be free, with a proviso, that none of them
+should become a Roman citizen or a Latin confederate; and that none of
+those who had been at Capua while the gates were shut should remain in
+the city or territory of Capua after a certain day. That a place
+should be assigned to them to inhabit beyond the Tiber, but not
+contiguous to it. That those who had neither been in Capua nor in any
+Campanian city which had revolted from the Romans during the war,
+should inhabit a place on this side the river Liris towards Rome; and
+that those who had come over to the Romans before Hannibal arrived at
+Capua, should be removed to a place on this side the Vulturnus, with a
+proviso, that none of them should have either land or house within
+fifteen miles of the sea. That such of them as were removed to a place
+beyond the Tiber, should neither themselves nor their posterity
+acquire or possess any property any where, except in the Veientian,
+Sutrian, or Nepetian territories; and, except on condition, that no
+one should possess a greater extent of land than fifty acres. That the
+goods of all the senators, and such as had been magistrates at Capua,
+Calatia, and Atella, should be sold at Capua; but that the free
+persons who were decreed to be exposed to sale, should be sent to Rome
+and sold there. As to the images and brazen statues, which were said
+to have been taken from the enemy, whether sacred or profane, they
+referred them to the college of pontiffs. They sent the Campanians
+away, considerably more grieved than they were when they came, in
+consequence of these decrees; and now they no longer complained of the
+severity of Quintus Fulvius towards them, but of the malignity of the
+gods and their own accursed fortune.
+
+35. After the Sicilians and Campanians were dismissed, a levy was
+made; and after the troops had been enlisted for the army, they then
+began to consider about making up the number of rowers; but as there
+was neither a sufficient supply of men for that purpose, nor any money
+at that time in the treasury by which they might be purchased or paid,
+the consuls issued an edict, that private persons should furnish
+rowers in proportion to their income and rank, as had been done
+before, with pay and provisions for thirty days. So great was the
+murmuring and indignation of the people, on account of this edict,
+that a leader, rather than matter, was wanting for an insurrection. It
+was said, that "the consuls, after having ruined the Sicilians and
+Campanians, had undertaken to destroy and lacerate the Roman commons;
+that, drained as they had been for so many years by taxes, they had
+nothing left but wasted and naked lands. That the enemy had burned
+their houses, and the state had taken away their slaves, who were the
+cultivators of their lands, at one time by purchasing them at a low
+rate for soldiers, at another by commanding a supply of rowers. If any
+one had any silver or brass it was taken away from him, for the
+payment of rowers or for annual taxes. That no force could compel and
+no command oblige them to give what they had not got. That they might
+sell their goods and then vent their cruelty on their persons, which
+were all that remained to them. That they had nothing even left from
+which they could be redeemed." These complaints were uttered not in
+secret, but publicly in the forum, and before the eyes of the consuls
+themselves, by an immense crowd which surrounded them; nor could the
+consuls appease them now by coercing nor by soothing them. Upon this
+they said that three days should be allowed them to consider of the
+matter; which interval the consuls employed in examining and planning.
+The following day they assembled the senate to consider of raising a
+supply of rowers; and after arguing at great length that the people's
+refusal was fair, they brought their discourse to this point, that
+whether it were just or unjust, this burden must be borne by private
+individuals. For from what source could they procure rowers, when
+there was no money in the treasury? and how, without fleets, could
+Sicily be kept in subjection, or Philip be prevented from entering
+Italy, or the shores of Italy be protected?
+
+36. In this perplexing state of affairs, when all deliberation was at
+a stand, and a kind of torpor had seized on men's minds, Laevinus, the
+consul, observed, that "as the magistrates were more honoured than the
+senators, and the senators than the people, so also ought they to be
+the first in taking upon themselves every thing that was burdensome
+and arduous. If you would enjoin any duty on an inferior, and would
+first submit yourself and those belonging to you to the obligation,
+you will find everybody else more ready to obey; nor is an expense
+thought heavy, when the people see every one of their principal men
+taking upon himself more than his proportion of it. Are we then
+desirous that the Roman people should have and equip a fleet? that
+private individuals should without repugnance furnish rowers? Let us
+first execute the command ourselves. Let us, senators, bring into the
+treasury to-morrow all our gold, silver, and coined brass, each
+reserving rings for himself, his wife, and children, and a bulla for
+his son; and he who has a wife or daughters, an ounce weight of gold
+for each. Let those who have sat in a curule chair have the ornaments
+of a horse, and a pound weight of silver, that they may have a
+salt-cellar and a dish for the service of the gods. Let the rest of
+us, senators, reserve for each father of a family, a pound weight only
+of silver and five thousand coined _asses_. All the rest of our
+gold, silver, and coined brass, let us immediately carry to the
+triumviri for banking affairs, no decree of the senate having been
+previously made; that our voluntary contributions, and our emulation
+in assisting the state, may excite the minds, first, of the equestrian
+order to emulate us, and after them of the rest of the community. This
+is the only course which we, your consuls, after much conversation on
+the subject, have been able to discover. Adopt it, then, and may the
+gods prosper the measure. If the state is preserved, she can easily
+secure the property of her individual members, but by betraying the
+public interests you would in vain preserve your own." This
+proposition was received with such entire approbation, that thanks
+were spontaneously returned to the consuls. The senate was then
+adjourned, when every one of the members brought his gold, silver, and
+brass into the treasury, with such emulation excited, that they were
+desirous that their names should appear among the first on the public
+tables; so that neither the triumviri were sufficient for receiving
+nor the notaries for entering them. The unanimity displayed by the
+senate was imitated by the equestrian order, and that of the
+equestrian order by the commons. Thus, without any edict, or coercion
+of the magistrates, the state neither wanted rowers to make up the
+numbers, nor money to pay them; and after every thing had been got in
+readiness for the war, the consuls set out for their provinces.
+
+37. Nor was there ever any period of the war, when both the
+Carthaginians and the Romans, plunged alike in vicissitudes, were in a
+state of more anxious suspense between hope and fear. For on the side
+of the Romans, with respect to their provinces, their failure in Spain
+on the one hand, and their successes in Sicily on the other, had
+blended joy and sorrow; and in Italy, the loss of Tarentum was an
+injury and a source of grief to them, while the unexpected
+preservation of the citadel with the garrison was matter of joy to
+them. The sudden terror and panic occasioned by the siege and attack
+of Rome, was turned into joy by the capture of Capua, a few days
+after. Their affairs beyond sea also were equalized by a kind of
+compensation. Philip had become their enemy at a juncture somewhat
+unseasonable; but then the Aetolians, and Attalus, king of Asia, were
+added to their allies; fortune now, in a manner, promising to the
+Romans the empire of the east. The Carthaginians also set the loss of
+Capua against the capture of Tarentum; and as they considered it as
+glorious to them to have reached the walls of Rome without opposition,
+so they were chagrined at the failure of their attempt, and they felt
+ashamed that they had been held in such contempt, that while they lay
+under the walls of Rome, a Roman army was marched out for Spain at an
+opposite gate. With regard also to Spain itself, the greater the
+reason was to hope that the war there was terminated, and that the
+Romans were driven from the country, after the destruction of two such
+renowned generals and their armies, so much the greater was the
+indignation felt, that the victory had been rendered void and
+fruitless by Lucius Marcius, a general irregularly appointed. Thus
+fortune balancing events against each other, all was suspense and
+uncertainty on both sides, their hopes and their fears being as strong
+as though they were now first commencing the war.
+
+38. What grieved Hannibal more than any thing was the fact, that Capua
+having been more perseveringly besieged by the Romans than defended by
+him, had turned from him the regard of many of the states of Italy,
+and it was not only impossible for him to retain possession of all
+these by means of garrisons, unless he could make up his mind to tear
+his army into a number of small portions, which at that time was most
+inexpedient, but he could not, by withdrawing the garrisons, leave the
+fidelity of his allies open to the influence of hope, or subject to
+that of fear. His disposition, which was strongly inclined to avarice
+and cruelty, induced him to plunder the places he could not keep
+possession of, that they might be left for the enemy in a state of
+desolation. This resolution was equally horrid in principle and in its
+issue, for not only were the affections of those who suffered such
+harsh treatment alienated from him, but also of the other states, for
+the warning affected a greater number than did the calamity. Nor did
+the Roman consul fail to sound the inclinations of the cities,
+whenever any prospect of success presented itself. Dasius and Blasius
+were the principal men in Salapia, Dasius was the friend of Hannibal,
+Blasius, as far as he could do it with safety, promoted the Roman
+interest, and, by means of secret messengers, had given Marcellus
+hopes of having the place betrayed to him, but the business could not
+be accomplished without the assistance of Dasius. After much and long
+hesitation and even then more for the want of a better plan than from
+any hope of success, he addressed himself to Dasius; but he, being
+both adverse to the measure and also hostile to his rival in the
+government, discovered the affair to Hannibal. Both parties were
+summoned, and while Hannibal was transacting some business on his
+tribunal, intending presently to take cognizance of the case of
+Blasius, and the accuser and the accused were standing apart from the
+crowd, which was put back, Blasius solicited Dasius on the subject of
+surrendering the city; when he exclaimed, as if the case were now
+clearly proved, that he was being treated with about the betrayal of
+the city, even before the eyes of Hannibal. The more audacious the
+proceeding was, the less probable did it appear to Hannibal and those
+who were present. They considered that the charge was undoubtedly a
+matter of rivalry and animosity, and that it had been brought because
+it was of such a nature that, not admitting of being proved by
+witnesses, it could the more easily be fabricated. Accordingly the
+parties were dismissed. But Blasius, notwithstanding, desisted not
+from his bold undertaking, till by continually harping upon the same
+subject, and proving how conducive such a measure would be to
+themselves and their country, he carried his point that the Punic
+garrison, consisting of five hundred Numidians, and Salapia, should be
+delivered up to Marcellus. Nor could it be betrayed without much
+bloodshed, consisting of the bravest of the cavalry in the whole Punic
+army. Accordingly, though the event was unexpected, and their horses
+were of no use to them in the city, yet hastily taking arms, during
+the confusion, they endeavoured to force their way out; and not being
+able to escape, they fell fighting to the last, not more than fifty of
+them falling into the hands of the enemy alive. The loss of this body
+of cavalry was considerably more detrimental to Hannibal than that of
+Salapia, for the Carthaginian was never afterwards superior in
+cavalry, in which he had before been most effective.
+
+39. During this time the scarcity of provisions in the citadel of
+Tarentum was almost intolerable; the Roman garrison there, and Marcus
+Livius, the praefect of the garrison and the citadel, placing all
+their dependence in the supplies sent from Sicily; that these might
+safely pass along the coast of Italy, a fleet of about twenty ships
+was stationed at Rhegium. Decius Quinctius, a man of obscure birth,
+but who had acquired great renown as a soldier, on account of many
+acts of bravery, had charge of the fleet and the convoys. At first he
+had five ships, the largest of which were two triremes, given to him
+by Marcellus, but afterwards, in consequence of his spirited conduct
+on many occasions, three quinqueremes were added to his number, at
+last, by exacting from the allied states of Rhegium, Velia, and
+Paestum, the ships they were bound to furnish according to treaty, he
+made up a fleet of twenty ships, as was before stated. This fleet
+setting out from Rhegium, was met at Sacriportus, about fifteen miles
+from the city by Democrates, with an equal number of Tarentine ships.
+It happened that the Roman was then coming with his sails up, not
+expecting an approaching contest, but in the neighbourhood of Croto
+and Sybaris, he had supplied his ships with rowers, and had his fleet
+excellently equipped and armed for the size of his vessels, and it
+also happened, that just at the time when the enemy were in sight, the
+wind completely fell, so that there was sufficient time to furl their
+sails, and get their rowers and soldiers in readiness for the
+approaching action. Rarely elsewhere have regular fleets engaged with
+so much spirit, for they fought for what was of greater importance
+than the fleets themselves. The Tarentines, in order that, having
+recovered their city from the Romans after the lapse of almost a
+century, they might also rescue their citadel, hoping also to cut off
+the supplies of their enemy, if by a naval battle they could deprive
+them of the dominion of the sea. The Romans, that, by keeping
+possession of the citadel, they might prove that Tarentum was lost not
+by the strength and valour of their enemies, but by treachery and
+stealth. Accordingly, the signal having been given on both sides, they
+charged each other with the beaks of their ships, and neither did they
+draw back their own, nor allow the ships of the enemy with which they
+were engaged to separate from them, having thrown then grappling
+irons, and thus the battle was carried on in such close quarters, that
+they fought not only with missile weapons, but in a manner foot to
+foot even with their swords. The prows joined together remained
+stationary, while the sterns were moved round by the force of their
+adversaries' oars. The ships were crowded together in so small a
+compass, that scarcely one weapon fell into the sea without taking
+effect. They pressed front against front like lines of troops engaging
+on land, and the combatants could pass from one ship to another. But
+the contest between two ships which had engaged each other in the van,
+was remarkable above the rest. In the Roman ship was Quinctius
+himself, in the Tarentine, Nico, surnamed Perco, who hated, and was
+hated by, the Romans, not only on public grounds, but also personally,
+for he belonged to that faction which had betrayed Tarentum to
+Hannibal. This man transfixed Quinctius with a spear while off his
+guard, and engaged at once in fighting and encouraging his men, and he
+immediately fell headlong with his arms over the prow. The victorious
+Tarentine promptly boarded the ship, which was all in confusion from
+the loss of the commander, and when he had driven the enemy back, and
+the Tarentines had got possession of the prow, the Romans, who had
+formed themselves into a compact body, with difficulty defending the
+stern, suddenly another trireme of the enemy appeared at the stern.
+Thus the Roman ship, enclosed between the two, was captured. Upon this
+a panic spread among the rest, seeing the commander's ship captured,
+and flying in every direction, some were sunk in the deep and some
+rowed hastily to land, where, shortly after, they became a prey to the
+Thurians and Metapontines. Of the storeships which followed, laden
+with provisions, a very few fell into the hands of the enemy; the
+rest, shifting their sails from one side to another with the changing
+winds, escaped into the open sea. An affair took place at Tarentum at
+this time, which was attended with widely different success; for a
+party of four thousand men had gone out to forage, and while they were
+dispersed, and roaming through the country, Livius, the commander of
+the citadel and the Roman garrison, who was anxious to seize every
+opportunity of striking a blow, sent out of the citadel Caius Persius,
+an active officer, with two thousand soldiers, who attacked them
+suddenly when widely dispersed and straggling about the fields; and
+after slaying them for a long time on all hands, drove the few that
+remained of so many into the city, to which they fled in alarm and
+confusion, and where they rushed in at the doors of the gates, which
+were half-opened that the city might not be taken in the same attack.
+In this manner affairs were equally balanced at Tarentum, the Romans
+being victorious by land, and the Tarentines by sea. Both parties were
+equally disappointed in their hope of receiving provisions after they
+were within sight.
+
+40. While these events were occurring, the consul, Laevinus, after a
+great part of the year had elapsed, having arrived in Sicily, where he
+had been expected by both the old and new allies, considered it his
+first and principal duty to adjust the affairs of Syracuse, which were
+still in a state of disorder, the peace being but recent. He then
+marched his legions to Agrigentum, the seat of the remaining part of
+the war, which was occupied by a strong garrison of Carthaginians; and
+here fortune favoured his attempt. Hanno was commander-in-chief of
+the Carthaginians, but their whole reliance was placed upon Mutines
+and the Numidians. Mutines, scouring the whole of Sicily, employed
+himself in carrying off spoil from the allies of the Romans; nor could
+he by force or stratagem be cut off from Agrigentum, or prevented from
+sallying from it whenever he pleased. The renown which he gained by
+this conduct, as it began now to eclipse the fame of the
+commander-in-chief, was at last converted into a source of jealousy;
+so that even now his successes were not as acceptable as they ought to
+have been, on account of the person who gained them. For these reasons
+Hanno at last gave his commission to his own son, concluding that by
+taking away his command he should also deprive him of the influence he
+possessed with the Numidians. But the result was very different; for
+their former attachment to him was increased by the envy incurred by
+him. Nor did he brook the affront put upon him by this injurious
+treatment, but immediately sent secret messengers to Laevinus, to
+treat about delivering up Agrigentum. After an agreement had been
+entered into by means of these persons, and the mode of carrying it
+into execution concerted, the Numidians seized on a gate which leads
+towards the sea, having driven the guards from it, or put them to the
+sword, and then received into the city a party of Romans sent for that
+purpose; and when these troops were now marching into the heart of the
+city and the forum with a great noise, Hanno, concluding that it was
+nothing more than a disturbance and secession of the Numidians, such
+as had happened before, advanced to quell the mutiny; but observing at
+a distance that the numbers were greater than those of the Numidians,
+and hearing the Roman shout, which was far from being new to him, he
+betook himself to flight before he came within reach of their weapons.
+Passing out of the town at a gate in the opposite quarter, and taking
+Epicydes to accompany him, he reached the sea with a few attendants;
+and having very seasonably met with a small vessel, they abandoned to
+the enemy Sicily, for which they had contended for so many years, and
+crossed over into Africa. The remaining multitude of Carthaginians and
+Sicilians fled with headlong haste, but as every passage by which they
+could escape was blockaded up, they were cut to pieces near the gates.
+On gaining possession of the town, Laevinus scourged and beheaded
+those who took the lead in the affairs of Agrigentum. The rest,
+together with the booty, he sold. All the money he sent to Rome.
+Accounts of the sufferings of the Agrigentines spreading through all
+Sicily, all the states suddenly turned to the Romans. In a short time
+twenty towns were betrayed to them, and six taken by storm. As many as
+forty put themselves under their protection, by voluntary surrender.
+The consul having rewarded and punished the leading men of these
+states, according to their several deserts, and compelled the
+Sicilians, now that they had at length laid aside arms, to turn their
+attention to the cultivation of their lands, in order that the island
+might by its produce not only maintain its inhabitants, but, as it had
+frequently done on many former occasions, add to the supplies of Rome
+and Italy, he returned into Italy, taking with him a disorderly
+multitude from Agathyrna. These were as many as four thousand men,
+made up of a mixed assemblage of every description of persons, exiles,
+bankrupts, the greater part of them felons, who had supported
+themselves by rapine and robbery, both when they lived in their native
+towns, under the restraint of the laws, and also after that a
+coincidence in their fortunes, brought about by causes different in
+each case, had congregated them at Agathyrna. These men Laevinus
+thought it hardly safe to leave in the island, when an unwonted
+tranquillity was growing up, as the materials of fresh disturbances;
+and besides, they were likely to be useful to the Rhegians, who were
+in want of a band of men habituated to robbery, for the purpose of
+committing depredations upon the Bruttian territory. Thus, so far as
+related to Sicily, the war was this year terminated.
+
+41. In Spain, in the beginning of spring, Publius Scipio, having
+launched his ships, and summoned the auxiliary troops of his allies to
+Tarraco by an edict, ordered his fleet and transports to proceed
+thence to the mouth of the Iberus. He also ordered his legions to quit
+their winter quarters, and meet at the same place; and then set out
+from Tarraco, with five thousand of the allies, to join the army. On
+his arrival at the camp he considered it right to harangue his
+soldiers, particularly the old ones who had survived such dreadful
+disasters; and therefore, calling an assembly, he thus addressed them:
+"Never was there a new commander before myself who could, with justice
+and good reason, give thanks to his soldiers before he had availed
+himself of their services. Fortune laid me under obligations to you
+before I set eyes on my province or your camp; first, on account of
+the respect you have shown to my father and uncle, both in their
+lifetime and since their death; and secondly, because by your valour
+you have recovered and preserved entire, for the Roman people, and me
+their successor, the possession of the province which had been lost in
+consequence of so dreadful a calamity. But since, now, by the favour
+of the gods, our purpose and endeavour is not that we may remain in
+Spain ourselves, but that the Carthaginians may not; and not to stand
+on the bank of the Iberus, and hinder the enemy from crossing that
+river, but cross it first ourselves, and carry the war to the other
+side, I fear lest to some among you the enterprise should appear too
+important and daring, considering your late misfortunes, which are
+fresh in your recollection, and my years. There is no person from
+whose mind the memory of the defeats sustained in Spain could be
+obliterated with more difficulty than from mine; inasmuch as there my
+father and uncle were both slain within the space of thirty days, so
+that one death after another was accumulated on my family. But as the
+orphanhood and desolation of my own family depresses my mind, so both
+the good fortune and valour of our nation forbid me to despair of the
+safety of the state. It has happened to us by a kind of fatality, that
+in all important wars we have been victorious, after having been
+defeated. I pass over those wars of ancient date with Porsena, the
+Gauls, and Samnites. I will begin with the Punic wars. How many
+fleets, generals, and armies were lost in the former war? Why should I
+mention what has occurred in this present war? I have either been
+myself present at all the defeats sustained, or have felt more than
+any other those from which I was absent. What else are the Trebia, the
+Trasimenus, and Cannae, but monuments of Roman armies and consuls
+slain? Add to these the defection of Italy, of the greater part of
+Sicily and Sardinia, and the last terror and panic, the Carthaginian
+camp pitched between the Anio and the walls of Rome, and the
+victorious Hannibal seen almost in our gates. Amid this general ruin,
+the courage of the Roman people alone stood unabated and unshaken.
+When every thing lay prostrate on the ground, it was this that raised
+and supported the state. You, first of all, my soldiers, under the
+conduct and auspices of my father, opposed Hasdrubal on his way to the
+Alps and Italy, after the defeat of Cannae, who, had he formed a
+junction with his brother, the Roman name would now have been extinct.
+These successes formed a counterpoise to those defeats. Now, by the
+favour of the gods, every thing in Italy and Sicily is going on
+prosperously and successfully, every day affording matter of fresh
+joy, and presenting things in a better light. In Sicily, Syracuse and
+Agrigentum have been captured, the enemy entirely expelled the island,
+and the province placed again under the dominion of the Romans. In
+Italy, Arpi has been recovered and Capua taken. Hannibal has been
+driven into the remotest corner of Bruttium, having fled thither all
+the way from Rome, in the utmost confusion; and now he asks the gods
+no greater boon than that he might be allowed to retire in safety, and
+quit the territory of his enemy. What then, my soldiers, could be more
+preposterous than that you, who here supported the tottering fortune
+of the Roman people, together with my parents, (for they may be
+equally associated in the honour of that epithet,) when calamities
+crowded one upon another in quick succession, and even the gods
+themselves, in a manner, took part with Hannibal, should now sink in
+spirits when every thing is going on happily and prosperously? Even
+with regard to the events which have recently occurred, I could wish
+that they had passed with as little grief to me as to you. At the
+present time the immortal gods who preside over the destinies of the
+Roman empire, who inspired all the centuries to order the command to
+be given to me, those same gods, I say, by auguries and auspices, and
+even by nightly visions, portend entire success and joy. My own mind
+also, which has hitherto been to me the truest prophet, presages that
+Spain will be ours; that the whole Carthaginian name will in a short
+time be banished from this land, and will fill both sea and land with
+ignominious flight. What my mind presages spontaneously, is also
+supported by sound reasoning. Their allies, annoyed by them, are by
+ambassadors imploring our protection; their three generals, having
+differed so far as almost to have abandoned each other, have divided
+their army into three parts, which they have drawn off into regions as
+remote as possible from each other. The same fortune now threatens
+them which lately afflicted us; for they are both deserted by their
+allies, as formerly we were by the Celtiberians, and they have divided
+their forces, which occasioned the ruin of my father and uncle.
+Neither will their intestine differences allow them to unite, nor will
+they be able to cope with us singly. Only do you, my soldiers, favour
+the name of the Scipios, favour the offspring of your generals, a
+scion springing up from the trunks which have been cut down. Come
+then, veterans, lead your new commander and your new army across the
+Iberus, lead us across into a country which you have often traversed,
+with many a deed of valour. I will soon bring it to pass that, as you
+now trace in me a likeness to my father and uncle in my features,
+countenance, and figure, I will so restore a copy of their genius,
+honour, and courage, to you, that every man of you shall say that his
+commander, Scipio, has either returned to life, or has been born
+again."
+
+42. Having animated his troops with this harangue, and leaving Marcus
+Silanus with three thousand infantry and three hundred horse, for the
+protection of that district, he crossed the Iberus with all the rest
+of his troops, consisting of twenty-five thousand infantry and two
+thousand five hundred horse. Though certain persons there endeavoured
+to persuade him that, as the Carthaginian armies had retired from each
+other into three such distant quarters, he should attack the nearest
+of them; yet concluding that if he did so there was danger lest he
+should cause them to concentrate all their forces, and he alone should
+not be a match for so many, he determined for the present to make an
+attack upon New Carthage, a city not only possessing great wealth of
+its own, but also full of every kind of military store belonging to
+the enemy; there were their arms, their money, and the hostages from
+every part of Spain. It was, besides, conveniently situated, not only
+for a passage into Africa, but also near a port sufficiently capacious
+for a fleet of any magnitude, and, for aught I know, the only one on
+the coast of Spain which is washed by our sea. No one but Caius
+Laelius knew whither he was going. He was sent round with the fleet,
+and ordered so to regulate the sailing of his ships, that the army
+might come in view and the fleet enter the harbour at the same time.
+Both the fleet and army arrived at the same time at New Carthage, on
+the seventh day after leaving the Iberus. The camp was pitched over
+against that part of the city which looks to the north. A rampart was
+thrown up as a defence on the rear of it, for the front was secured by
+the nature of the ground. Now the situation of New Carthage is as
+follows: at about the middle of the coast of Spain is a bay facing for
+the most part the south-west, about two thousand five hundred paces in
+depth, and a little more in breadth. In the mouth of this bay is a
+small island forming a barrier towards the sea, and protecting the
+harbour from every wind except the south-west. From the bottom of the
+bay there runs out a peninsula, which forms the eminence on which the
+city is built; which is washed in the east and south by the sea, and
+on the west is enclosed by a lake which extends a little way also
+towards the north, of variable depth according as the sea overflows or
+ebbs. An isthmus of about two hundred paces broad connects the city
+with the continent, on which, though it would have been a work of so
+little labour, the Roman general did not raise a rampart; whether his
+object was to make a display of his confidence to the enemy from
+motives of pride, or that he might have free regress when frequently
+advancing to the walls of the city.
+
+43. Having completed the other requisite works, he drew up his ships
+in the harbour, that he might exhibit to the enemy the appearance of a
+blockade by sea also; he then went round the fleet, and having warned
+the commanders of the ships to be particularly careful in keeping the
+night-watches, because an enemy, when besieged, usually tried every
+effort and in every quarter at first, he returned into his camp; and
+in order to explain to his soldiers the reason why he had adopted the
+plan of commencing the war with the siege of a city, in preference to
+any other, and also by exhortations to inspire them with hopes of
+making themselves masters of it, he summoned them to an assembly, and
+thus addressed them: "Soldiers, if any one among you suppose that you
+have been brought here to attack a single city, that man takes a more
+exact account of your present labour than of its profitable result
+from it. For you will in truth attack the walls of a single city, but
+in that single city you will have made yourselves masters of all
+Spain. Here are the hostages of all her most distinguished kings and
+states; and as soon as you shall have gained possession of these, they
+will immediately deliver into your hands every thing which is now
+subject to the Carthaginians. Here is the whole of the enemy's
+treasure, without which they cannot carry on the war, as they are
+keeping mercenary troops, and which will be most serviceable to us in
+conciliating the affections of the barbarians. Here are their engines,
+their arms, their tackle, and every requisite in war; which will at
+once supply you, and leave the enemy destitute. Besides, we shall gain
+possession of a city, not only of the greatest beauty and wealth, but
+also most convenient as having an excellent harbour, by means of which
+we may be supplied with every requisite for carrying on the war both
+by sea and land. Great as are the advantages we shall thus gain, we
+shall deprive our enemies of much greater. This is their citadel,
+their granary, their treasury, their magazine, their receptacle for
+every thing. Hence there is a direct passage into Africa; this is the
+only station for a fleet between the Pyrenees and Gades; this gives to
+Africa the command of all Spain. But as I perceive you are arrayed and
+marshalled, let us pass on to the assault of New Carthage, with our
+whole strength, and with undaunted courage." Upon this, they all with,
+one accord cried out that it should be done; and he led them to
+Carthage, and ordered that the assault should be made both by sea and
+land.
+
+44. On the other side, Mago, the Carthaginian general, perceiving that
+a siege was being prepared for both by sea and land, himself also
+disposed his forces thus: he placed two thousand of the townsmen to
+oppose the enemy, on the side facing the Roman camp; he occupied the
+citadel with five hundred soldiers, and stationed five hundred on a
+rising ground, facing the east; the rest of his troops he ordered,
+intent on every thing that occurred, to hasten with assistance
+wherever the shout, or any sudden emergency, might call them. Then,
+throwing open the gate, he sent out those he had drawn up in the
+street leading to the camp of the enemy. The Romans, according to the
+direction of their general, retired a little, in order that they might
+be nearer to the reserved troops which were to be sent to their
+assistance during the engagement. At first they stood with pretty
+equal force, but afterwards the reserved troops, sent from time to
+time from the camp, not only obliged the enemy to turn their backs,
+but followed them up so close when flying in disorder, that had not a
+retreat been sounded, they seemed as though they would have rushed
+into the city together with the fugitives. The consternation in the
+field was not greater than in every part of the city; many of the
+outposts were abandoned in panic and flight; and the walls were
+deserted, as they leaped down each in the part nearest him. Scipio,
+who had gone out to an eminence called Mercury's hill, perceiving that
+the walls were abandoned by their defenders in many parts, ordered all
+his men to be called out of his camp and advance to take the city, and
+orders them to bring the scaling-ladders. The general himself, covered
+by the shields of three stout young men, (for now an immense number of
+missiles of every description were let fly from the walls,) came up to
+the city, cheered them on, and gave the requisite orders; and, what
+was of the utmost importance in exciting the courage of his men, he
+appeared among them a witness and spectator of the valour or cowardice
+of each. Accordingly, they rushed forward, amidst wounds and weapons;
+nor could the walls, or the armed troops which stood upon them, repel
+them from eagerly mounting them. At the same time an attack was
+commenced by the fleet upon that part of the city which was washed by
+the sea. But here the alarm occasioned was greater than the force
+which could be employed; for while they were bringing the boats to
+shore, and hastily landing the ladders and the men, each man pressing
+forward to gain the land the shortest way, they hindered one another
+by their very haste and eagerness.
+
+45. In the mean time, the Carthaginians had now filled the walls again
+with armed men, who were supplied with a great quantity of missiles
+from the immense stores which they had laid up. But neither men nor
+missiles, nor any thing else, so effectually defended them as the
+walls themselves, for very few of the ladders were equal to the height
+of them, and all those which were longer than the rest were
+proportionably weaker. Accordingly, those who were highest being
+unable to mount from them, and being followed, nevertheless, by
+others, they broke from the mere weight upon them. Some, though the
+ladders stood, a dizziness having come over their eyes in consequence
+of the height, fell to the ground. And as men and ladders were every
+where tumbling down, while the boldness and alacrity of the enemy were
+increased by the mere success, the signal for retreat was sounded,
+which afforded hopes to the besieged, not only of present rest after
+such a laborious contest, but also for the future, as it appeared
+their city could not be taken by scalade and siege. To raise works
+they considered would be attended with difficulty, and would give time
+to their generals to bring them assistance. Scarcely had the first
+tumult subsided, when Scipio ordered other fresh and unfatigued troops
+to take the ladders from those who were tired and wounded and assault
+the city with increased vigour. Having received intelligence that the
+tide was ebbing, and having before been informed by some fishermen of
+Tarraco who used to pass through the lake, sometimes in light boats,
+and, when these ran aground, by wading, that it afforded an easy
+passage to the wall for footmen, he led some armed men thither in
+person. It was about mid-day, and besides that the water was being
+drawn off naturally, in consequence of the tide receding, a brisk
+north wind rising impelled the water in the lake, which was already in
+motion, in the same direction as the tide, and rendered it so shallow,
+that in some parts the water reached only to the navel, while in
+others it scarcely rose above the knees. Scipio, referring this
+discovery, which he had made by his own diligence and penetration, to
+the gods and to miracle, which had turned the course of the sea,
+withdrawn it from the lake, and opened ways never before trodden by
+human feet to afford a passage to the Romans, ordered them to follow
+Neptune as their guide, and passing through the middle of the lake,
+make good their way to the walls.
+
+46. Those who renewed the assault by land experienced great
+difficulty; for they were baffled not only by the height of the walls,
+but also because they exposed the Romans, as they approached them, to
+the missiles of the enemy from different quarters, so that their sides
+were endangered more than the fronts of their bodies. But in the other
+quarter five hundred passed without difficulty through the lake, and
+then mounted the wall, for neither was it defended by any
+fortifications, because there they thought the city was sufficiently
+protected by the nature of the place and the lake, nor were there any
+outposts or guards stationed there, because all were engaged in
+bringing succour to that quarter in which the danger appeared. Having
+entered the city without opposition, they proceeded direct, with all
+possible speed, to that gate near which the contest was concentrated;
+and so intently occupied with this were not only the minds, but the
+eyes and ears of all, both of those who were engaged in fighting, and
+of those who were looking on and encouraging the combatants, that no
+one perceived that the city had been captured in their rear till the
+weapons fell upon their backs, and they had an enemy on both sides of
+them. Then, the defenders having been thrown into confusion through
+fear, both the walls were captured, and the gate began to be broken
+open both from within and from without; and presently, the doors
+having been broken to pieces by blows, in order that the way might not
+be obstructed, the troops rushed in. A great number had also got over
+the walls, but these employed themselves in putting the townsmen to
+the sword; those which entered by the gate, forming a regular body,
+with officers and in ranks, advanced through the midst of the city
+into the forum. Scipio then perceiving that the enemy fled in two
+different directions, some to the eminence which lay eastward, which
+was occupied by a garrison of five hundred men, others to the citadel,
+into which Mago himself also had fled for refuge, together with almost
+all the troops which had been driven from the walls, sent part of his
+forces to storm the hill, and part he led in person against the
+citadel. Not only was the hill captured at the first assault, but Mago
+also, after making an effort to defend it, when he saw every place
+filled with the enemy, and that there was no hope, surrendered himself
+and the citadel, with the garrison. Until the citadel was surrendered,
+the massacre was continued in every quarter throughout the city; nor
+did they spare any one they met who had arrived at puberty: but after
+that, on a signal given, a stop was put to the carnage, and the
+victors turned their attention to the plunder, of which there was an
+immense quantity of every description.
+
+47. Of males of free condition, as many as ten thousand were captured.
+Of these he allowed to depart such as were citizens of New Carthage;
+and restored to them their city, and all their property which the war
+had left them. The artisans amounted to two thousand, whom he assigned
+to the Roman people as their property; holding out to them a hope of
+speedy emancipation, provided they should address themselves
+strenuously to the service of the war. Of the rest of the mass of
+inhabitants, the young men and able-bodied slaves he assigned for the
+service of the fleet, to fill up the numbers of the rowers. He had
+also augmented his fleet with five ships which he had captured.
+Besides this multitude, there remained the Spanish hostages, to whom
+as much attention was paid as if they had been children of allies. An
+immense quantity of military stores was also taken; one hundred and
+twenty catapultae of the larger size, two hundred and eighty-one of
+the smaller; twenty-three ballistae of the larger size, fifty-two of
+the smaller; an immense number of scorpions of the larger and smaller
+size, and also of arms and missile weapons; and seventy-four military
+standards. Of gold and silver, an immense quantity was brought to the
+general; there were two hundred and seventy-six golden bowls, almost
+all of them weighing a pound; of silver, wrought and coined, eighteen
+thousand three hundred pounds' weight; and of silver vessels an
+immense number. All these were weighed and reckoned to the quaestor,
+Caius Flaminius. There were twenty thousand pecks of wheat, and two
+hundred and seventy of barley. One hundred and thirteen ships of
+burden were boarded and captured in the harbour, some of them with
+their cargoes, consisting of corn and arms, besides brass, iron,
+sails, spartum, and other naval materials, of use in equipping a
+fleet; so that amid such large military stores which were captured,
+Carthage itself was of the least consideration.
+
+48. Having ordered Caius Laelius with the marines to guard the city,
+Scipio led back his legions to the camp the same day in person; and as
+his soldiers were tired, as they had in one day gone through every
+kind of military labour; for they had engaged the enemy in the field,
+and had undergone very great fatigue and danger in taking the city;
+and after they had taken it had fought, and that on disadvantageous
+ground, with those who had fled to the citadel, he ordered them to
+attend to themselves. The next day, having assembled the land and
+naval forces, he, in the first place, ascribed praise and thanks to
+the immortal gods, who had not only in one day made him master of the
+wealthiest city in Spain, but had previously collected in it the
+riches of almost all Africa and Spain; so that while his enemy had
+nothing left, he and his army had a superabundance of every thing. He
+then commended in the highest terms the valour of his soldiers,
+because that neither the sally of the enemy, nor the height of the
+walls, nor the unexplored fords of the lake, nor the fort standing
+upon a high hill, nor the citadel, though most strongly fortified, had
+deterred them from surmounting and breaking through every thing.
+Therefore, though all credit was due to them all, he said that the man
+who first mounted the wall ought to be distinguished above the rest,
+by being honoured with a mural crown; and he desired that he who
+thought himself worthy of that reward would claim it. Two persons laid
+claim to it, Quintus Trebellius, a centurion of the fourth legion, and
+Sextus Digitius, a marine. Nor did these contest so fiercely as each
+excited the zeal of his own body of men. Caius Laelius, admiral of the
+fleet, patronized the marines, and Marcus Sempronius Tuditanus, the
+legionary troops. As this contest began almost to assume the character
+of a mutiny, Scipio having notified that he should appoint three
+delegates, who, after making themselves acquainted with the case, and
+examining the witnesses, might decide which had been the first to
+scale the wall and enter the town, added Publius Cornelius Caudinus, a
+middle party, to Laelius and Sempronius, the advocates of the two
+parties, and ordered these three delegates to sit and determine the
+cause. But as the contest was now carried on with increased warmth,
+because those high characters, who had acted more as moderators of the
+zeal of both than as advocates of any particular party, were
+withdrawn, Caius Laelius, leaving the council, went up to the tribunal
+of Scipio and informed him, "that the contest was proceeding without
+bounds or moderation, and that they had almost come to blows. But
+still, though no violence should take place, that the proceedings
+formed a most hateful precedent, for that the honours due to valour
+were being sought by fraud and perjury. That on one side stood the
+legionary troops, on the other the marines, ready to swear by all the
+gods what they wished, rather than what they knew, to be true, and to
+involve in the guilt of perjury not only themselves and their own
+persons, but the military standards, the eagles, and their solemn oath
+of allegiance. That he laid these matters before him, in accordance
+with the opinion of Publius Cornelius and Marcus Sempronius." Scipio,
+after highly praising Laelius, summoned an assembly, and then
+declared, "that he had ascertained satisfactorily that Quintus
+Trebellius and Sextus Digitius had mounted the wall at the same time,
+and that he presented them both with mural crowns in consideration of
+their valour." He then gave presents to the rest, according to the
+merit and valour of each. Above all he honoured Caius Laelius, the
+admiral of the fleet, by the placing him upon an equality with
+himself, and bestowing upon him every kind of commendation, and also
+by presenting him with a golden crown and thirty oxen.
+
+49. He then ordered the Spanish hostages to be summoned. What the
+number of these was I feel reluctant to state, because in some authors
+I find that it was about three hundred, in others seven hundred and
+twenty-five. There is the same difference between authors with regard
+to the other particulars. One writes that the Punic garrison consisted
+of ten thousand, another of seven, a third of not more than two
+thousand. In some you may find that ten thousand persons were
+captured, in others above twenty-five thousand. I should have stated
+the number of scorpions captured, both of the greater and smaller
+size, at sixty, if I had followed the Greek author, Silenus, if
+Valerius Antius, of the larger at six thousand, of the smaller at
+thirteen, so great is the extent of falsehood. Nor are they agreed
+even respecting the commanders, most say that Laelius commanded the
+fleet, but some say Marcus Junius Silanus. Valerius Antius says, that
+Arines commanded the Punic garrison, and was given up to the Romans;
+other writers say it was Mago. They are not agreed respecting the
+number of the ships taken, respecting the weight of gold and silver,
+and of the money brought into the public treasury. If we must assent
+to some of their statements, the medium is nearest to the truth.
+However, Scipio having summoned the hostages, first bid them all keep
+up their spirits observing, "that they had fallen into the hands of
+the Roman people, who chose to bind men to them by benefits rather
+than by fear, and keep foreign nations attached to them by honour and
+friendship, rather than subject them to a gloomy servitude." Then
+receiving the names of the states to which they belonged, he took an
+account of the captives, distinguishing the number belonging to each
+people, and sent messengers to their homes, to desire that they would
+come and take back their respective friends. If ambassadors from any
+of the states happened to be present, he delivered their countrymen to
+them in person, and assigned to them the quaestor, Caius Flaminius,
+the charge of kindly taking care of the rest. Meanwhile, there
+advanced from the midst of the crowd of hostages a woman in years, the
+wife of Mandonius, who was the brother of Indibilis, the chieftain of
+the Illergetians; she threw herself weeping at the general's feet, and
+began to implore him to give particularly strict injunctions to their
+guardians with respect to the care and treatment of females. Scipio
+replied, that nothing certainly should be wanting; when the woman
+rejoined: "We do not much value such things, for what is not good
+enough for such a condition? A care of a different kind disquiets me,
+when beholding the age of these females; for I am myself no longer
+exposed to the danger peculiar to females." Around her stood the
+daughters of Indibilis, in the bloom of youth and beauty, with others
+of equal rank, all of whom looked up to her as a parent. Scipio then
+said: "Out of regard for that discipline which I myself and the Roman
+nation maintain, I should take care that nothing, which is any where
+held sacred, should be violated among us. In the present case, your
+virtue and your rank cause me to observe it more strictly; for not
+even in the midst of misfortunes have you forgotten the delicacy
+becoming matrons." He then delivered them over to a man of tried
+virtue, ordering him to treat them with no less respect and modesty
+than the wives and mothers of guests.
+
+50. The soldiers then brought to him a female captive, a grown-up
+virgin, of such exquisite beauty, that whichever way she walked she
+attracted the eyes of every body. Scipio, on making inquiries as to
+her country and parentage, heard, among other particulars, that she
+was betrothed to a young prince of the Celtiberians, named Allucius.
+He immediately, therefore, summoned from their abode her parents and
+lover, and having heard in the mean time that the latter was
+desperately enamoured of her, as soon as he arrived he addressed him
+in a more studied manner than her parents. "A young man myself," said
+he, "I address myself to a young man, and therefore there need be the
+less reserve in this conversation. As soon as your intended bride,
+having been captured by my soldiers, was brought into my presence, and
+I was informed that she was endeared to you, which her beauty rendered
+probable, considering that I should myself wish that my affection for
+my intended bride, though excessive, should meet with indulgence,
+could I enjoy the pleasures suited to my age, (particularly in an
+honourable and lawful love,) and were not my mind engrossed by public
+affairs, I indulge as far as I can your passion. Your mistress, while
+under my protection, has received as much respect as under the roof of
+her own parents, your father-in-law and mother-in-law. She has been
+kept in perfect safety for you, that she might be presented to you
+pure, a gift worthy of me and of you. This only reward I bargain for
+in return for the service I have rendered you, that you would be a
+friend to the Roman people, and if you believe that I am a true man,
+as these nations knew my father and uncle to have been heretofore,
+that you would feel assured that in the Roman state there are many
+like us, and that no nation in the world at the present time can be
+mentioned, with which you ought to be less disposed that you, or those
+belonging to you, should be at enmity, or with which you would rather
+be in friendship." The young man, overcome at once with joy and
+modesty, clung to Scipio's right hand, and invoked all the gods to
+recompense him in his behalf, since he himself was far from possessing
+means proportioned either to his own wishes or Scipio's deserts. He
+then addressed himself to the parents and relatives of the damsel,
+who, on receiving her back without any reward, whom they had brought a
+very large weight of gold to redeem, entreated Scipio to accept it
+from them as a present to himself; affirming, that if he would do so,
+they should feel as grateful for it as they did for the restoration of
+their daughter inviolate. As they were so earnest in their entreaties,
+Scipio promised to accept it, and ordered it to be laid at his feet.
+Then calling Allucius to him, he said: "To the dowry which you are
+about to receive from your father-in-law, let these marriage presents
+also from me be added;" bidding him take away the gold and keep it for
+himself. Delighted with these presents and honours, he was dismissed
+to his home, where he inspired his countrymen with the deserved
+praises of Scipio, observing, "that a most godlike youth had come
+among them, who conquered every thing, not only by arms, but by
+kindness and generosity." Accordingly, making a levy among his
+dependants, he returned to Scipio after a few days, with fourteen
+hundred chosen horsemen.
+
+51. Scipio kept Laelius with him until he had disposed of the
+captives, hostages, and booty, in accordance with his advice; but when
+all these matters were satisfactorily arranged, he gave him a
+quinquereme; and selecting from the captives Mago, and about fifteen
+senators who had been made prisoners at the same time with him, put
+them on board, and sent him to Rome with the news of his victory. He
+himself employed the few days he had resolved to stay at Carthage, in
+exercising his naval and land forces. On the first day the legions
+under arms performed evolutions through a space of four miles; on the
+second day he ordered them to repair and clean their arms before their
+tents; on the third day they engaged in imitation of a regular battle
+with wooden swords, throwing javelins with the points covered with
+balls; on the fourth day they rested; on the fifth they again
+performed evolutions under arms. This succession of exercise and rest
+they kept up as long as they staid at Carthage. The rowers and
+mariners, pushing out to sea when the weather was calm, made trial of
+the manageableness of their ships by mock sea-fights. Such exercises,
+both by sea and land, without the city prepared their minds and bodies
+for war. The city itself was all bustle with warlike preparations,
+artificers of every description being collected together in a public
+workshop. The general went round to all the works with equal
+attention. At one time he was employed in the dock-yard with his
+fleet, at another he exercised with the legions; sometimes he would
+devote his time to the inspection of the works, which were every day
+carried on with the greatest eagerness by a multitude of artificers
+both in the workshops, and in the armoury and docks. Having put these
+preparations in a train, repaired the walls in a part where they had
+been shattered, and placed bodies of troops to guard the city, he set
+out for Tarraco; and on his way thither was visited by a number of
+embassies, some of which he dismissed, having given them answers on
+his journey, others he postponed till his arrival at Tarraco; at which
+place he had appointed a meeting of all his new and old allies. Here
+ambassadors from almost all the people dwelling on this side the
+Iberus, and from many dwelling in the further Spain, met. The
+Carthaginian generals at first industriously suppressed the rumour of
+the capture of Carthage; but afterwards, when it became too notorious
+to be concealed or dissembled, they disparaged its importance by their
+language. They said, that "by an unexpected attack, and in a manner by
+stealth, in one day, one city of Spain had been snatched out of their
+hands; that a presumptuous youth, elated with the acquisition of this,
+so inconsiderable an advantage, had, by the extravagance of his joy,
+given it the air of an important victory; but that as soon as he
+should hear that three generals and three victorious armies of his
+enemies were approaching, the deaths which had taken place in his
+family would occur to his recollection." Such was the tone in which
+they spoke of this affair to the people, though they were, at the same
+time, far from ignorant how much their strength had been diminished,
+in every respect, by the loss of Carthage.
+
+END OF VOL. II
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HISTORY OF ROME; BOOKS NINE TO
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+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty-Six, by Titus Livius</title>

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+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The History of Rome; Books Nine to

+Twenty-Six, by Titus Livius, Translated and Illustrated by D. Spillan

+and Cyrus Edmonds</h1>

+<pre>

+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with

+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or

+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included

+with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>

+<p>Title: The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty-Six</p>

+<p>Author: Titus Livius</p>

+<p>Release Date: February 1, 2004  [eBook #10907]<br />

+Most recently updated: December 6, 2011</p>

+<p>Language: English</p>

+<p>Character set encoding: iso-8859-1</p>

+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HISTORY OF ROME; BOOKS NINE TO TWENTY-SIX***</p>

+<p>&nbsp;</p>

+<center><h3>E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Ben Courtney,<br />

+            and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</h3></center>

+<p>&nbsp;</p>

+<hr class="full" />

+<p>&nbsp;</p>

+<p>&nbsp;</p>

+<p>&nbsp;</p>

+

+<h1>THE HISTORY<br />


+  OF ROME.</h1>


+<h2>BY<br />


+  TITUS LIVIUS.</h2>


+<h3>BOOKS NINE TO TWENTY-SIX.</h3>


+<h4>LITERALLY TRANSLATED,<br />


+  WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS,<br />


+  BY<br />


+  D. SPILLAN AND CYRUS EDMONDS.</h4>


+<h3>1868.</h3>


+<div class="menu" align="center">


+  <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5">


+    <tr>


+      <td width="33%"> <a href="#book9"><b>BOOK IX</b></a> <br />


+        <a href="#a1">1</a> <a href="#a2">2</a> <a href="#a3">3</a> <a href="#a4">4</a>


+        <a href="#a5">5</a> <a href="#a6">6</a> <a href="#a7">7</a> <a href="#a8">8</a>


+        <a href="#a9">9</a> <a href="#a10">10</a><br />


+        <a href="#a11">11</a> <a href="#a12">12</a> <a href="#a13">13</a> <a href="#a14">14</a>


+        <a href="#a15">15</a> <a href="#a16">16</a> <a href="#a17">17</a> <a href="#a18">18</a>


+        <a href="#a19">19</a> <a href="#a20">20</a><br />


+        <a href="#a21">21</a> <a href="#a22">22</a> <a href="#a23">23</a> <a href="#a24">24</a>


+        <a href="#a25">25</a> <a href="#a26">26</a> <a href="#a27">27</a> <a href="#a28">28</a>


+        <a href="#a29">29</a> <a href="#a30">30</a><br />


+        <a href="#a31">31</a> <a href="#a32">32</a> <a href="#a33">33</a> <a href="#a34">34</a>


+        <a href="#a35">35</a> <a href="#a36">36</a> <a href="#a37">37</a> <a href="#a38">38</a>


+        <a href="#a39">39</a> <a href="#a40">40</a><br />


+        <a href="#a41">41</a> <a href="#a42">42</a> <a href="#a43">43</a> <a href="#a44">44</a>


+        <a href="#a45">45</a> <a href="#a46">46</a> </td>


+      <td width="33%"> <a href="#book10"><b>BOOK X</b></a><br />


+        <a href="#b1">1</a> <a href="#b2">2</a> <a href="#b3">3</a> <a href="#b4">4</a>


+        <a href="#b5">5</a> <a href="#b6">6</a> <a href="#b7">7</a> <a href="#b8">8</a>


+        <a href="#b9">9</a> <a href="#b10">10</a><br />


+        <a href="#b11">11</a> <a href="#b12">12</a> <a href="#b13">13</a> <a href="#b14">14</a>


+        <a href="#b15">15</a> <a href="#b16">16</a> <a href="#b17">17</a> <a href="#b18">18</a>


+        <a href="#b19">19</a> <a href="#b20">20</a><br />


+        <a href="#b21">21</a> <a href="#b22">22</a> <a href="#b23">23</a> <a href="#b24">24</a>


+        <a href="#b25">25</a> <a href="#b26">26</a> <a href="#b27">27</a> <a href="#b28">28</a>


+        <a href="#b29">29</a> <a href="#b30">30</a><br />


+        <a href="#b31">31</a> <a href="#b32">32</a> <a href="#b33">33</a> <a href="#b34">34</a>


+        <a href="#b35">35</a> <a href="#b36">36</a> <a href="#b37">37</a> <a href="#b38">38</a>


+        <a href="#b39">39</a> <a href="#b40">40</a><br />


+        <a href="#b41">41</a> <a href="#b42">42</a> <a href="#b43">43</a> <a href="#b44">44</a>


+        <a href="#b45">45</a> <a href="#b46">46</a> <a href="#b47">47</a> </td>


+      <td width="33%"><a href="#lost"><b>LOST BOOKS</b></a> <br />


+        <table border="0" cellspacing="10">


+          <tr>


+            <td> <a href="#book11"><b>BOOK XI</b></a><br />


+              <a href="#book12"><b>BOOK XII</b></a><br />


+              <a href="#book13"><b>BOOK XIII</b></a><br />


+              <a href="#book14"><b>BOOK XIV</b></a><br />


+              <a href="#book15"><b>BOOK XV</b></a><br />


+            </td>


+            <td> <a href="#book16"><b>BOOK XVI</b></a><br />


+              <a href="#book17"><b>BOOK XVII</b></a><br />


+              <a href="#book18"> <b>BOOK XVIII</b></a><br />


+              <a href="#book19"><b>BOOK XIX</b></a><br />


+              <a href="#book20"><b>BOOK XX</b></a> </td>


+          </tr>


+        </table>


+      </td>


+    </tr>


+    <tr>


+      <td> <a href="#book21"><b>BOOK XXI</b></a><br />


+        <a href="#c1">1</a> <a href="#c2">2</a> <a href="#c3">3</a> <a href="#c4">4</a>


+        <a href="#c5">5</a> <a href="#c6">6</a> <a href="#c7">7</a> <a href="#c8">8</a>


+        <a href="#c9">9</a> <a href="#c10">10</a><br />


+        <a href="#c11">11</a> <a href="#c12">12</a> <a href="#c13">13</a> <a href="#c14">14</a>


+        <a href="#c15">15</a> <a href="#c16">16</a> <a href="#c17">17</a> <a href="#c18">18</a>


+        <a href="#c19">19</a> <a href="#c20">20</a><br />


+        <a href="#c21">21</a> <a href="#c22">22</a> <a href="#c23">23</a> <a href="#c24">24</a>


+        <a href="#c25">25</a> <a href="#c26">26</a> <a href="#c27">27</a> <a href="#c28">28</a>


+        <a href="#c29">29</a> <a href="#c30">30</a><br />


+        <a href="#c31">31</a> <a href="#c32">32</a> <a href="#c33">33</a> <a href="#c34">34</a>


+        <a href="#c35">35</a> <a href="#c36">36</a> <a href="#c37">37</a> <a href="#c38">38</a>


+        <a href="#c39">39</a> <a href="#c40">40</a><br />


+        <a href="#c41">41</a> <a href="#c42">42</a> <a href="#c43">43</a> <a href="#c44">44</a>


+        <a href="#c45">45</a> <a href="#c46">46</a> <a href="#c47">47</a> <a href="#c48">48</a>


+        <a href="#c49">49</a> <a href="#c50">50</a><br />


+        <a href="#c51">51</a> <a href="#c52">52</a> <a href="#c53">53</a> <a href="#c54">54</a>


+        <a href="#c55">55</a> <a href="#c56">56</a> <a href="#c57">57</a> <a href="#c58">58</a>


+        <a href="#c59">59</a> <a href="#c60">60</a><br />


+        <a href="#c61">61</a> <a href="#c62">62</a> <a href="#c63">63</a> </td>


+      <td> <a href="#book22"><b>BOOK XXII</b></a><br />


+        <a href="#d1">1</a> <a href="#d2">2</a> <a href="#d3">3</a> <a href="#d4">4</a>


+        <a href="#d5">5</a> <a href="#d6">6</a> <a href="#d7">7</a> <a href="#d8">8</a>


+        <a href="#d9">9</a> <a href="#d10">10</a><br />


+        <a href="#d11">11</a> <a href="#d12">12</a> <a href="#d13">13</a> <a href="#d14">14</a>


+        <a href="#d15">15</a> <a href="#d16">16</a> <a href="#d17">17</a> <a href="#d18">18</a>


+        <a href="#d19">19</a> <a href="#d20">20</a><br />


+        <a href="#d21">21</a> <a href="#d22">22</a> <a href="#d23">23</a> <a href="#d24">24</a>


+        <a href="#d25">25</a> <a href="#d26">26</a> <a href="#d27">27</a> <a href="#d28">28</a>


+        <a href="#d29">29</a> <a href="#d30">30</a><br />


+        <a href="#d31">31</a> <a href="#d32">32</a> <a href="#d33">33</a> <a href="#d34">34</a>


+        <a href="#d35">35</a> <a href="#d36">36</a> <a href="#d37">37</a> <a href="#d38">38</a>


+        <a href="#d39">39</a> <a href="#d40">40</a><br />


+        <a href="#d41">41</a> <a href="#d42">42</a> <a href="#d43">43</a> <a href="#d44">44</a>


+        <a href="#d45">45</a> <a href="#d46">46</a> <a href="#d47">47</a> <a href="#d48">48</a>


+        <a href="#d49">49</a> <a href="#d50">50</a><br />


+        <a href="#d51">51</a> <a href="#d52">52</a> <a href="#d53">53</a> <a href="#d54">54</a>


+        <a href="#d55">55</a> <a href="#d56">56</a> <a href="#d57">57</a> <a href="#d58">58</a>


+        <a href="#d59">59</a> <a href="#d60">60</a><br />


+        <a href="#d61">61</a> </td>


+      <td> <a href="#book23"><b>BOOK XXIII</b></a><br />


+        <a href="#e1">1</a> <a href="#e2">2</a> <a href="#e3">3</a> <a href="#e4">4</a>


+        <a href="#e5">5</a> <a href="#e6">6</a> <a href="#e7">7</a> <a href="#e8">8</a>


+        <a href="#e9">9</a> <a href="#e10">10</a><br />


+        <a href="#e11">11</a> <a href="#e12">12</a> <a href="#e13">13</a> <a href="#e14">14</a>


+        <a href="#e15">15</a> <a href="#e16">16</a> <a href="#e17">17</a> <a href="#e18">18</a>


+        <a href="#e19">19</a> <a href="#e20">20</a><br />


+        <a href="#e21">21</a> <a href="#e22">22</a> <a href="#e23">23</a> <a href="#e24">24</a>


+        <a href="#e25">25</a> <a href="#e26">26</a> <a href="#e27">27</a> <a href="#e28">28</a>


+        <a href="#e29">29</a> <a href="#e30">30</a><br />


+        <a href="#e31">31</a> <a href="#e32">32</a> <a href="#e33">33</a> <a href="#e34">34</a>


+        <a href="#e35">35</a> <a href="#e36">36</a> <a href="#e37">37</a> <a href="#e38">38</a>


+        <a href="#e39">39</a> <a href="#e40">40</a><br />


+        <a href="#e41">41</a> <a href="#e42">42</a> <a href="#e43">43</a> <a href="#e44">44</a>


+        <a href="#e45">45</a> <a href="#e46">46</a> <a href="#e47">47</a> <a href="#e48">48</a>


+        <a href="#e49">49</a> </td>


+    </tr>


+    <tr>


+      <td> <a href="#book24"><b>BOOK XXIV</b></a><br />


+        <a href="#f1">1</a> <a href="#f2">2</a> <a href="#f3">3</a> <a href="#f4">4</a>


+        <a href="#f5">5</a> <a href="#f6">6</a> <a href="#f7">7</a> <a href="#f8">8</a>


+        <a href="#f9">9</a> <a href="#f10">10</a><br />


+        <a href="#f11">11</a> <a href="#f12">12</a> <a href="#f13">13</a> <a href="#f14">14</a>


+        <a href="#f15">15</a> <a href="#f16">16</a> <a href="#f17">17</a> <a href="#f18">18</a>


+        <a href="#f19">19</a> <a href="#f20">20</a><br />


+        <a href="#f21">21</a> <a href="#f22">22</a> <a href="#f23">23</a> <a href="#f24">24</a>


+        <a href="#f25">25</a> <a href="#f26">26</a> <a href="#f27">27</a> <a href="#f28">28</a>


+        <a href="#f29">29</a> <a href="#f30">30</a><br />


+        <a href="#f31">31</a> <a href="#f32">32</a> <a href="#f33">33</a> <a href="#f34">34</a>


+        <a href="#f35">35</a> <a href="#f36">36</a> <a href="#f37">37</a> <a href="#f38">38</a>


+        <a href="#f39">39</a> <a href="#f40">40</a><br />


+        <a href="#f41">41</a> <a href="#f42">42</a> <a href="#f43">43</a> <a href="#f44">44</a>


+        <a href="#f45">45</a> <a href="#f46">46</a> <a href="#f47">47</a> <a href="#f48">48</a>


+        <a href="#f49">49</a> </td>


+      <td> <a href="#book25"><b>BOOK XXV</b></a><br />


+        <a href="#g1">1</a> <a href="#g2">2</a> <a href="#g3">3</a> <a href="#g4">4</a>


+        <a href="#g5">5</a> <a href="#g6">6</a> <a href="#g7">7</a> <a href="#g8">8</a>


+        <a href="#g9">9</a> <a href="#g10">10</a><br />


+        <a href="#g11">11</a> <a href="#g12">12</a> <a href="#g13">13</a> <a href="#g14">14</a>


+        <a href="#g15">15</a> <a href="#g16">16</a> <a href="#g17">17</a> <a href="#g18">18</a>


+        <a href="#g19">19</a> <a href="#g20">20</a><br />


+        <a href="#g21">21</a> <a href="#g22">22</a> <a href="#g23">23</a> <a href="#g24">24</a>


+        <a href="#g25">25</a> <a href="#g26">26</a> <a href="#g27">27</a> <a href="#g28">28</a>


+        <a href="#g29">29</a> <a href="#g30">30</a><br />


+        <a href="#g31">31</a> <a href="#g32">32</a> <a href="#g33">33</a> <a href="#g34">34</a>


+        <a href="#g35">35</a> <a href="#g36">36</a> <a href="#g37">37</a> <a href="#g38">38</a>


+        <a href="#g39">39</a> <a href="#g40">40</a><br />


+        <a href="#g41">41</a> </td>


+      <td> <a href="#book26"><b>BOOK XXVI</b></a><br />


+        <a href="#h1">1</a> <a href="#h2">2</a> <a href="#h3">3</a> <a href="#h4">4</a>


+        <a href="#h5">5</a> <a href="#h6">6</a> <a href="#h7">7</a> <a href="#h8">8</a>


+        <a href="#h9">9</a> <a href="#h10">10</a><br />


+        <a href="#h11">11</a> <a href="#h12">12</a> <a href="#h13">13</a> <a href="#h14">14</a>


+        <a href="#h15">15</a> <a href="#h16">16</a> <a href="#h17">17</a> <a href="#h18">18</a>


+        <a href="#h19">19</a> <a href="#h20">20</a><br />


+        <a href="#h21">21</a> <a href="#h22">22</a> <a href="#h23">23</a> <a href="#h24">24</a>


+        <a href="#h25">25</a> <a href="#h26">26</a> <a href="#h27">27</a> <a href="#h28">28</a>


+        <a href="#h29">29</a> <a href="#h30">30</a><br />


+        <a href="#h31">31</a> <a href="#h32">32</a> <a href="#h33">33</a> <a href="#h34">34</a>


+        <a href="#h35">35</a> <a href="#h36">36</a> <a href="#h37">37</a> <a href="#h38">38</a>


+        <a href="#h39">39</a> <a href="#h40">40</a><br />


+        <a href="#h41">41</a> <a href="#h42">42</a> <a href="#h43">43</a> <a href="#h44">44</a>


+        <a href="#h45">45</a> <a href="#h46">46</a> <a href="#h47">47</a> <a href="#h48">48</a>


+        <a href="#h49">49</a> <a href="#h50">50</a><br />


+        <a href="#h51">51</a> </td>


+    </tr>


+  </table>


+</div>


+<br />


+<br />


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book9">BOOK IX.</div>


+<div class="date">B.C. 321-304</div>


+<br />


+<div class="chapmen"><a href="#a1">1</a> <a href="#a2">2</a> <a href="#a3">3</a>


+  <a href="#a4">4</a> <a href="#a5">5</a> <a href="#a6">6</a> <a href="#a7">7</a>


+  <a href="#a8">8</a> <a href="#a9">9</a> <a href="#a10">10</a> <a href="#a11">11</a>


+  <a href="#a12">12</a> <a href="#a13">13</a> <a href="#a14">14</a> <a href="#a15">15</a>


+  <a href="#a16">16</a> <a href="#a17">17</a> <a href="#a18">18</a> <a href="#a19">19</a>


+  <a href="#a20">20</a> <a href="#a21">21</a> <a href="#a22">22</a> <a href="#a23">23</a>


+  <a href="#a24">24</a> <a href="#a25">25</a> <a href="#a26">26</a> <a href="#a27">27</a>


+  <a href="#a28">28</a> <a href="#a29">29</a> <a href="#a30">30</a> <a href="#a31">31</a>


+  <a href="#a32">32</a> <a href="#a33">33</a> <a href="#a34">34</a> <a href="#a35">35</a>


+  <a href="#a36">36</a> <a href="#a37">37</a> <a href="#a38">38</a> <a href="#a39">39</a>


+  <a href="#a40">40</a> <a href="#a41">41</a> <a href="#a42">42</a> <a href="#a43">43</a>


+  <a href="#a44">44</a> <a href="#a45">45</a> <a href="#a46">46</a></div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes"><i>Titus Veturius and Spurius Postumius, with their army,


+  surrounded by the Samnites at the Caudine forks; enter into a treaty, give six


+  hundred hostages, and are sent under the yoke. The treaty declared invalid;


+  the two generals and the other sureties sent back to the Samnites, but are not


+  accepted. Not long after, Papirius Cursor obliterates this disgrace, by vanquishing


+  the Samnites, sending them under the yoke, and recovering the hostages. Two


+  tribes added. Appius Claudius, censor, constructs the Claudian aqueduct, and


+  the Appian road; admits the sons of freedom into the senate. Successes against


+  the Apulians, Etruscans, Umbrians, Marsians, Pelignians, Aequans, and Samnites.


+  Mention made of Alexander the Great, who flourished at this time; a comparative


+  estimate of his strength, and that of the Roman people, tending to show, that


+  if he had carried his arms into Italy, he would not have been as successful


+  there as he had been in the Eastern countries.</i></div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<br />


+<div class="lsidenote">1 </div>


+<a id="a1" />


+<p>This year is followed by the convention of Caudium, so memorable on account


+  of the misfortune of the Romans, the consuls being Titus Veturius Calvinus and


+  Spurius Postumius. The Samnites had as their commander that year Caius Ponius,


+  son to Herennius, born of a father most highly renowned for wisdom, and himself


+  a consummate warrior and commander. When the ambassadors, who had been sent


+  to make restitution, returned, without concluding a peace, he said, "That ye


+  may not think that no purpose has been effected by this embassy, whatever degree


+  of anger the deities of heaven had conceived against us, on account of the infraction


+  of the treaty, has been hereby expiated. I am very confident, that whatever


+  deities they were, whose will it was that you should be reduced to the necessity


+  of making the restitution, which had been demanded according to the treaty,


+  it was not agreeable to them, that our atonement for the breach of treason should


+  be so haughtily spurned by the Romans. For what more could possibly be done


+  towards appeasing the gods, and softening the anger of men, than we have done?


+  The effects of the enemy, taken among the spoils, which appeared to be our own


+  by the right of war, we restored: the authors of the war, as we could not deliver


+  them up alive, we delivered them dead: their goods we carried to Rome, lest


+  by retaining them, any degree of guilt should remain among us. What more, Roman,


+  do I owe to thee? what to the treaty? what to the gods, the guarantees of the


+  treaty? What arbitrator shall I call in to judge of your resentment, and of


+  my punishment? I decline none; neither nation nor private person. But if nothing


+  in human law is left to the weak against stronger, I will appeal to the gods,


+  the avengers of intolerant arrogance, and will beseech them to turn their wrath


+  against those for whom neither the restoration of their own effects nor additional


+  heaps of other men's property, can suffice, whose cruelty is not satiated by


+  the death of the guilty, by the surrender of their lifeless bodies, nor by their


+  goods accompanying the surrender of the owner; who cannot be appeased otherwise


+  than by giving them our blood to drink, and our entrails to be torn. Samnites,


+  war is just to those for whom it is necessary, and arms are clear of impiety


+  for those who have no hope left but in arms. Wherefore, as in every human undertaking,


+  it is of the utmost importance what matter men may set about with the favour,


+  what under the displeasure of the gods, be assured that the former wars ye waged


+  in opposition to the gods more than to men; in this, which is now impending,


+  ye will act under the immediate guidance of the gods themselves." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">2 </div>


+<a id="a2" />


+<p>After uttering these predictions, not more cheering than true, he led out the


+  troops, and placed his camp about Caudium as much out of view as possible. From


+  thence he sent to Calatia, where he heard that the Roman consuls were encamped,


+  ten soldiers, in the habit of shepherds, and ordered them to keep some cattle


+  feeding in several different places, at a small distance from the Roman posts;


+  and that, when they fell in with any of their foragers, they should all agree


+  in the same story, that the legions of the Samnites were then in Apulia, that


+  they were besieging Luceria with their whole force, and very near taking it


+  by storm. Such a rumour had been industriously spread before, and had already


+  reached the Romans; but these prisoners increased the credit of it, especially


+  as they all concurred in the same report. There was no doubt but that the Romans


+  would carry succour to the Lucerians, as being good and faithful allies; and


+  for this further reason, lest all Apulia, through apprehension of the impending


+  danger, might go over to the enemy. The only point of deliberation was, by what


+  road they should go. There were two roads leading to Luceria, one along the


+  coast of the upper sea, wide and open; but, as it was the safer, so it was proportionably


+  longer: the other, which was shorter, through the Caudine forks. The nature


+  of the place is this: there are two deep glens, narrow and covered with wood,


+  connected together by mountains ranging on both sides from one to the other;


+  between these lies a plain of considerable extent, enclosed in the middle, abounding


+  in grass and water, and through the middle of which the passage runs: but before


+  you can arrive at it, the first defile must be passed, while the only way back


+  is through the road by which you entered it; or if in case of resolving to proceed


+  forward, you must go by the other glen, which is still more narrow and difficult.


+  Into this plain the Romans, having marched down their troops by one of those


+  passes through the cleft of a rock, when they advanced onward to the other defile,


+  found it blocked up by trees thrown across, and a mound of huge stones lying


+  in their way. When the stratagem of the enemy now became apparent, there is


+  seen at the same time a body of troops on the eminence over the glen. Hastening


+  back, then, they proceed to retrace the road by which they had entered; they


+  found that also shut up by such another fence, and men in arms. Then, without


+  orders, they halted; amazement took possession of their minds, and a strange


+  kind of numbness seized their limbs: they then remained a long time motionless


+  and silent, each looking to the other, as if each thought the other more capable


+  of judging and advising than himself. After some time, when they saw that the


+  consul's pavilions were being erected, and that some were getting ready the


+  implements for throwing up works, although they were sensible that it must appear


+  ridiculous the attempt to raise a fortification in their present desperate condition,


+  and when almost every hope was lost, would be an object of necessity, yet, not


+  to add a fault to their misfortunes, they all, without being advised or ordered


+  by any one, set earnestly to work, and enclosed a camp with a rampart, close


+  to the water, while themselves, besides that the enemy heaped insolent taunts


+  on them, seemed with melancholy to acknowledge the apparent fruitlessness of


+  their toil and labour. The lieutenants-general and tribunes, without being summoned


+  to consultation, (for there was no room for either consultation or remedy,)


+  assembled round the dejected consul; while the soldiers, crowding to the general's


+  quarters, demanded from their leaders that succour, which it was hardly in the


+  power of the immortal gods themselves to afford them. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">3 </div>


+<a id="a3" />


+<p>Night came on them while lamenting their situation rather than consulting,


+  whilst they urged expedients, each according to his temper; one crying out,


+  "Let us go over those fences of the roads;" others, "over the steeps; through


+  the woods; any way, where arms can be carried. Let us be but permitted to come


+  to the enemy, whom we have been used to conquer now near thirty years. All places


+  will be level and plain to a Roman, fighting against the perfidious Samnite."


+  Another would say, "Whither, or by what way can we go? Do we expect to remove


+  the mountains from their foundations? While these cliffs hang over us, by what


+  road will you reach the enemy? Whether armed or unarmed, brave or dastardly,


+  we are all, without distinction, captured and vanquished. The enemy will not


+  even show us a weapon by which we might die with honour. He will finish the


+  war without moving from his seat." In such discourse, thinking of neither food


+  nor rest, the night was passed. Nor could the Samnites, though in circumstances


+  so joyous, instantly determine how to act: it was therefore universally agreed


+  that Herennius Pontius, father of the general, should be consulted by letter.


+  He was now grown feeble through age, and had withdrawn himself, not only from


+  all military, but also from all civil occupations; yet, notwithstanding the


+  decline of his bodily strength, his mind retained its full vigour. When he heard


+  that the Roman armies were shut up at the Caudine forks between the two glens,


+  being consulted by his son's messenger, he gave his opinion, that they should


+  all be immediately dismissed from thence unhurt. On this counsel being rejected,


+  and the same messenger returning a second time, he recommended that they should


+  all, to a man, be put to death. When these answers, so opposite to each other,


+  like those of an ambiguous oracle, were given, although his son in particular


+  considered that the powers of his father's mind, together with those of his


+  body, had been impaired by age, was yet prevailed on, by the general desire


+  of all, to send for him to consult him. The old man, we are told, complied without


+  reluctance, and was carried in a waggon to the camp, where, when summoned to


+  give his advice, he spoke in such way as to make no alteration in his opinions;


+  he only added the reasons for them. That "by his first plan, which he esteemed


+  the best, he meant, by an act of extraordinary kindness, to establish perpetual


+  peace and friendship with a most powerful nation: by the other, to put off the


+  return of war to the distance of many ages, during which the Roman state, after


+  the loss of those two armies, could not easily recover its strength." A third


+  plan there was not. When his son, and the other chiefs, went on to ask him if


+  "a plan of a middle kind might not be adopted; that they both should be dismissed


+  unhurt, and, at the same time, by the right of war, terms imposed on them as


+  vanquished?" "That, indeed," said he, "is a plan of such a nature, as neither


+  procures friends or removes enemies. Only preserve those whom ye would irritate


+  by ignominious treatment. The Romans are a race who know not how to sit down


+  quiet under defeat; whatever that is which the present necessity shall brand


+  will rankle in their breasts for ever, and will not suffer them to rest, until


+  they have wreaked manifold vengeance on your heads." Neither of these plans


+  was approved, and Herennius was carried home from the camp. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">4 </div>


+<a id="a4" />


+<p>In the Roman camp also, when many fruitless efforts to force a passage had


+  been made, and they were now destitute of every means of subsistence, forced


+  by necessity, they send ambassadors, who were first to ask peace on equal terms;


+  which, if they did not obtain, they were to challenge the enemy to battle. To


+  this Pontius answered, that "the war was at an end; and since, even in their


+  present vanquished and captive state, they were not willing to acknowledge their


+  situation, he would send them under the yoke unarmed, each with a single garment;


+  that the other conditions of peace should be such as were just between the conquerors


+  and the conquered. If their troops would depart, and their colonies be withdrawn


+  out of the territories of the Samnites; for the future, the Romans and Samnites,


+  under a treaty of equality, shall live according to their own respective laws.


+  On these terms he was ready to negotiate with the consuls: and if any of these


+  should not be accepted, he forbade the ambassadors to come to him again." When


+  the result of this embassy was made known, such general lamentation suddenly


+  arose, and such melancholy took possession of them, that had they been told


+  that all were to die on the spot, they could not have felt deeper affliction.


+  After silence continued a long time, and the consuls were not able to utter


+  a word, either in favour of a treaty so disgraceful, or against a treaty so


+  necessary; at length, Lucius Lentulus, who was the first among the lieutenants-general,


+  both in respect of bravery, and of the public honours which he had attained,


+  addressed them thus: "Consuls, I have often heard my father say, that he was


+  the only person in the Capitol who did not advise the senate to ransom the state


+  from the Gauls with gold; and these he would not concur in, because they had


+  not been enclosed with a trench and rampart by the enemy, (who were remarkably


+  slothful with respect to works and raising fortifications,) and because they


+  might sally forth, if not without great danger, yet without certain destruction.


+  Now if, in like manner as they had it in their power to run down from the Capitol


+  in arms against their foe, as men besieged have often sallied out on the besiegers,


+  it were possible for us to come to blows with the enemy, either on equal or


+  unequal ground, I would not be wanting in the high quality of my father's spirit


+  in stating my advice. I acknowledge, indeed, that death, in defence of our country,


+  is highly glorious; and I am ready, either to devote myself for the Roman people


+  and the legions, or to plunge into the midst of the enemy. But in this spot


+  I behold my country: in this spot, the whole of the Roman legions, and unless


+  these choose to rush on death in defence of their own individual characters,


+  what have they which can be preserved by their death? The houses of the city,


+  some may say, and the walls of it, and the crowd who dwell in it, by which the


+  city is inhabited. But in fact, in case of the destruction of this army, all


+  these are betrayed, not preserved. For who will protect them? An unwarlike and


+  unarmed multitude, shall I suppose? Yes, just as they defended them against


+  the attack of the Gauls. Will they call to their succour an army from Veii,


+  with Camillus at its head? Here on the spot, I repeat, are all our hopes and


+  strength; by preserving which, we preserve our country; by delivering them up


+  to death, we abandon and betray our country. But a surrender is shameful and


+  ignominious. True: but such ought to be our affection for our country, that


+  we should save it by our own disgrace, if necessity required, as freely as by


+  our death. Let therefore that indignity be undergone, how great soever, and


+  let us submit to that necessity which even the gods themselves do not overcome.


+  Go, consuls, ransom the state for arms, which your ancestors ransomed with gold."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">5 </div>


+<a id="a5" />


+<p>The consuls having gone to Pontius to confer with him, when he talked, in the


+  strain of a conqueror, of a treaty, they declared that such could not be concluded


+  without an order of the people, nor without the ministry of the heralds, and


+  the other customary rites. Accordingly the Caudine peace was not ratified by


+  settled treaty, as is commonly believed, and even asserted by Claudius, but


+  by conventional sureties. For what occasion would these be either for sureties


+  or hostages in the former case, where the ratification is performed by the imprecation,


+  "that whichever nation shall give occasion to the said terms being violated,


+  may Jupiter strike that nation in like manner as the swine is struck by the


+  heralds." The consuls, lieutenants-general, quaestors, and military tribunes,


+  became sureties; and the names of all these who became sureties are extant;


+  where, had the business been transacted by treaty, none would have appeared


+  but those of the two heralds. On account of the necessary delay of the treaty


+  six hundred horsemen were demanded as hostages, who were to suffer death if


+  the compact were not fulfilled; a time was then fixed for delivering up the


+  hostages, and sending away the troops disarmed. The return of the consuls renewed


+  the general grief in the camp, insomuch that the men hardly refrained from offering


+  violence to them, "by whose rashness," they said, "they had been brought into


+  such a situation; and through whose cowardice they were likely to depart with


+  greater disgrace than they came. They had employed no guide through the country,


+  nor scouts; but were sent out blindly, like beasts into a pitfall" They cast


+  looks on each other, viewed earnestly the arms which they must presently surrender;


+  while their persons would be subject to the whim of the enemy: figured to themselves


+  the hostile yoke, the scoffs of the conquerors, their haughty looks, and finally,


+  thus disarmed, their march through the midst of an armed foe. In a word, they


+  saw with horror the miserable journey of their dishonoured band through the


+  cities of the allies; and their return into their own country, to their parents,


+  whither themselves, and their ancestors, had so often come in triumph. Observing,


+  that "they alone had been conquered without a fight, without a weapon thrown,


+  without a wound; that they had not been permitted to draw their swords, nor


+  to engage the enemy. In vain had arms, in vain had strength, in vain had courage


+  been given them." While they were giving vent to such grievous reflections,


+  the fatal hour of their disgrace arrived, which was to render every circumstance


+  still more shocking in fact, than they had preconceived it in their imaginations.


+  First, they were ordered to go out, beyond the rampart, unarmed, and with single


+  garments; then the hostages were surrendered, and carried into custody. The


+  lictors were next commanded to depart from the consuls, and the robes of the


+  latter were stripped off. This excited such a degree of commiseration in the


+  breasts of those very men, who a little before, pouring execrations upon them,


+  had proposed that they should be delivered up and torn to pieces, that every


+  one, forgetting his own condition, turned away his eyes from that degradation


+  of so high a dignity, as from a spectacle too horrid to behold. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">6 </div>


+<a id="a6" />


+<p>First, the consuls, nearly half naked, were sent under the yoke; then each


+  officer, according to his rank, was exposed to disgrace, and the legions successively.


+  The enemy stood on each side under arms, reviling and mocking them; swords were


+  pointed at most of them, several were wounded and some even slain, when their


+  looks, rendered too fierce by the indignity to which they were subjected, gave


+  offence to the conquerors. Thus were they led under the yoke; and what was still


+  more intolerable, under the eyes of the enemy. When they had got clear of the


+  defile, they seemed as if they had been drawn up from the infernal regions,


+  and then for the first time beheld the light; yet, when they viewed the ignominious


+  appearance of the army, the light itself was more painful to them than any kind


+  of death could have been; so that although they might have arrived at Capua


+  before night, yet, uncertain with respect to the fidelity of the allies, and


+  because shame embarrassed them, in need of every thing, they threw themselves


+  carelessly on the ground, on each side of the road: which being told at Capua,


+  just compassion for their allies got the better of the arrogance natural to


+  the Campanians. They immediately sent to the consuls their ensigns of office,


+  the fasces and lictors; to the soldiers, arms, horses, clothes, and provisions


+  in abundance: and, on their approach to Capua, the whole senate and people went


+  out to meet them, and performed every proper office of hospitality, both public


+  and private. But the courtesy, kind looks, and address of the allies, could


+  not only not draw a word from them, but it could not even prevail on them to


+  raise their eyes, or look their consoling friends in the face, so completely


+  did shame, in addition to grief, oblige them to shun the conversation and society


+  of these their friends. Next day, when some young nobles, who had been sent


+  from Capua, to escort them on their road to the frontiers of Campania, returned,


+  they were called into the senate-house, and, in answer to the inquiries of the


+  elder members, said, that "to them they seemed deeply sunk in melancholy and


+  dejection; that the whole body moved on in silence, almost as if dumb; the former


+  genius of the Romans was prostrated, and that their spirit had been taken from


+  them, together with their arms. Not one returned a salute, nor returned an answer


+  to those who greeted them; as if, through fear, they were unable to utter a


+  word; as if their necks still carried the yoke under which they had been sent.


+  That the Samnites had obtained a victory, not only glorious, but lasting also;


+  for they had subdued, not Rome merely, as the Gauls had formerly done, but what


+  was a much wore warlike achievement, the Roman courage." When these remarks


+  were made and attentively listened to, and the almost extinction of the Roman


+  name was lamented in this assembly of faithful allies, Ofilius Calavius, son


+  of Ovius, a man highly distinguished, both by his birth and conduct, and at


+  this time further respectable on account of his age, is said to have declared


+  that he entertained a very different opinion in the case. "This obstinate silence,"


+  said he, "those eyes fixed on the earth,--those ears deaf to all comfort,--with


+  the shame of beholding the light,--are indications of a mind calling forth,


+  from its inmost recesses, the utmost exertions of resentment. Either he was


+  ignorant of the temper of the Romans, or that silence would shortly excite,


+  among the Samnites, lamentable cries and groans; for that the remembrance of


+  the Caudine peace would be much more sorrowful to the Samnites than to the Romans.


+  Each side would have their own native spirit, wherever they should happen to


+  engage, but the Samnites would not, every where, have the glens of Caudium."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">7 </div>


+<a id="a7" />


+<p>Their disaster was, by this time, well known at Rome also. At first, they heard


+  that the troops were shut up; afterwards the news of the ignominious peace caused


+  greater affliction than had been felt for their danger. On the report of their


+  being surrounded, a levy of men was begun; but when it was understood that the


+  army had surrendered in so disgraceful a manner, the preparations were laid


+  aside; and immediately, without any public directions, a general mourning took


+  place, with all the various demonstrations of grief. The shops were shut; and


+  all business ceased in the forum, spontaneously, before it was proclaimed. Laticlaves


+  [<a href="#foot1">1</a>] and gold rings were laid aside: and the public were


+  in greater tribulation, if possible, than the army itself; they were not only


+  enraged against the commanders, the advisers and sureties of the peace, but


+  detested even the unoffending soldiers, and asserted, that they ought not to


+  be admitted into the city or its habitations. But these transports of passion


+  were allayed by the arrival of the troops, which excited compassion even in


+  the angry; for entering into the city, not like men returning into their country


+  with unexpected safety, but in the habit and with the looks of captives, late


+  in the evening; they hid themselves so closely in their houses, that, for the


+  next, and several following days, not one of them could bear to come in sight


+  of the forum, or of the public. The consuls, shut up in private, transacted


+  no official business, except that which was wrung from them by a decree of the


+  senate, to nominate a dictator to preside at the elections. They nominated Quintus


+  Fabius Ambustus, and as master of the horse Publius Aelius Paetus. But they


+  having been irregularly appointed, there were substituted in their room, Marcus


+  Aemilius Papus dictator, and Lucius Valerius Flaccus master of the horse. But


+  neither did these hold the elections: and the people being dissatisfied with


+  all the magistrates of that year, an interregnum ensued. The interreges were,


+  Quintus Fabius Maximus and Marcus Valerius Corvus, who elected consuls Quintus


+  Publilius Philo, and Lucius Papirius Cursor a second time; a choice universally


+  approved, for there were no commanders at that time of higher reputation. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">8 </div>


+<a id="a8" />


+<p>They entered into office on the day they were elected, for so it had been determined


+  by the fathers. When the customary decrees of the senate were passed, they proposed


+  the consideration of the Caudine peace; and Publilius, who was in possession


+  of the fasces, said, "Spurius Postumius, speak:" he arose with just the same


+  countenance with which he had passed under the yoke, and delivered himself to


+  this effect: "Consuls, I am well aware that I have been called up first with


+  marked ignominy, not with honour; and that I am ordered to speak, not as being


+  a senator, but as a person answerable as well for an unsuccessful war as for


+  a disgraceful peace. However, since the question propounded by you is not concerning


+  our guilt, or our punishment; waving a defence, which would not be very difficult,


+  before men who are not unacquainted with human casualties or necessities, I


+  shall briefly state my opinion on the matter in question; which opinion will


+  testify, whether I meant to spare myself or your legions, when I engaged as


+  surety to the convention, whether dishonourable or necessary: by which, however,


+  the Roman people are not bound, inasmuch as it was concluded without their order;


+  nor is any thing liable to be forfeited to the Samnites, in consequence of it,


+  except our persons. Let us then be delivered up to them by the heralds, naked,


+  and in chains. Let us free the people of the religious obligation, if we have


+  bound them under any such; so that there may be no restriction, divine or human,


+  to prevent your entering on the war anew, without violating either religion


+  or justice. I am also of opinion, that the consuls, in the mean time, enlist,


+  arm, and lead out an army; but that they should not enter the enemy's territories


+  before every particular, respecting the surrender of us, be regularly executed.


+  You, O immortal gods! I pray and beseech that, although it has not been your


+  will that Spurius Postumius and Titus Veturius, as consuls, should wage war


+  with success against the Samnites, ye may yet deem it sufficient to have seen


+  us sent under the yoke; to have seen us bound under an infamous convention;


+  to have seen us delivered into the hands of our foes naked and shackled, taking


+  on our own heads the whole weight of the enemy's resentment. And grant, that


+  the consuls and legions of Rome may wage war against the Samnites, with the


+  same fortune with which every war has been waged before we became consuls."


+  On his concluding this speech, men's minds were so impressed with both admiration


+  and compassion, that now they could scarce believe him to be the same Spurius


+  Postumius who had been the author of so shameful a peace; again lamenting, that


+  such a man was likely to undergo, among the enemy, a punishment even beyond


+  that of others, through resentment for annulling the peace. When all the members,


+  extolling him with praises, expressed their approbation of his sentiments, a


+  protest was attempted for a time by Lucius Livius and Quintus Maelius, tribunes


+  of the commons, who said, that "the people could not be acquitted of the religious


+  obligation by the consuls being given up, unless all things were restored to


+  the Samnites in the same state in which they had been at Caudium; nor had they


+  themselves deserved any punishment, for having, by becoming sureties to the


+  peace, preserved the army of the Roman people; nor, finally, could they, being


+  sacred and inviolable, be surrendered to the enemy or treated with violence."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">9 </div>


+<a id="a9" />


+<p>To this Postumius replied, "In the mean time surrender us as unsanctified persons,


+  which ye may do, without offence to religion; those sacred and inviolable personages,


+  the tribunes, ye will afterwards deliver up as soon as they go out of office:


+  but, if ye listen to me, they will be first scourged with rods, here in the


+  Comitium, that they may pay this as interest for their punishment being delayed.


+  For, as to their denying that the people are acquitted of the religious obligation,


+  by our being given up, who is there so ignorant of the laws of the heralds,


+  as not to know, that those men speak in that manner, that they themselves may


+  not be surrendered, rather than because the case is really so? Still I do not


+  deny, conscript fathers, that compacts, on sureties given, are as sacred as


+  treaties, in the eyes of all who regard faith between men, with the same reverence


+  which is paid to duties respecting the gods: but I insist, that without the


+  order of the people, nothing can be ratified that is to bind the people. Suppose


+  that, out of the same arrogance with which the Samnites wrung from us the convention


+  in question, they had compelled us to repeat the established form of words for


+  the surrendering of cities, would ye, tribunes, say, that the Roman people was


+  surrendered? and, that this city, these temples, and consecrated grounds, these


+  lands and waters, were become the property of the Samnites? I say no more of


+  the surrender, because our having become sureties is the point insisted on.


+  Now, suppose we had become sureties that the Roman people should quit this city;


+  that they should set it on fire; that they should have no magistrates, no senate,


+  no laws; that they should, in future, be ruled by kings: the gods forbid, you


+  say. But, the enormity of the articles lessens not the obligation of a compact.


+  If there is any thing in which the people can be bound, it can in all. Nor is


+  there any importance in another circumstance, which weighs, perhaps, with some:


+  whether a consul, a dictator, or a praetor, be the surety. And this, indeed,


+  was what even the Samnites themselves proved, who were not satisfied with the


+  security of the consuls, but compelled the lieutenants-general, quaestors, and


+  military tribunes to join them. Let no one, then, demand of me, why I entered


+  into such a compact, when neither such power was vested in a consul, and when


+  I could not either to them, insure a peace, of which I could not command the


+  ratification; or in behalf of you, who had given me no powers. Conscript fathers,


+  none of the transactions at Caudium were directed by human wisdom. The immortal


+  gods deprived of understanding both your generals and those of the enemy. On


+  the one side we acted not with sufficient caution in the war; on the other,


+  they threw away a victory, which through our folly they had obtained, while


+  they hardly confided in the places, by means of which they had conquered; but


+  were in haste, on any terms, to take arms out of the hands of men who were born


+  to arms. Had their reason been sound, would it have been difficult, during the


+  time which they spent in sending for old men from home to give them advice,


+  to send ambassadors to Rome, and to negotiate a peace and treaty with the senate,


+  and with the people? It would have been a journey of only three days to expeditious


+  travellers. In the interim, matters might have rested under a truce, that is,


+  until their ambassadors should have brought from Rome, either certain victory


+  or peace. That would have been really a compact, on the faith of sureties, for


+  we should have become sureties by order of the people. But, neither would ye


+  have passed such an order, nor should we have pledged our faith; nor was it


+  right that the affair should have any other issue, than, that they should be


+  vainly mocked with a dream, as it were, of greater prosperity than their minds


+  were capable of comprehending, and that the same fortune, which had entangled


+  our army, should extricate it; that an ineffectual victory should be frustrated


+  by a more ineffectual peace; and that a convention, on the faith of a surety,


+  should be introduced, which bound no other person beside the surety. For what


+  part had ye, conscript fathers; what part had the people, in this affair? Who


+  can call upon you? Who can say, that he has been deceived by you? Can the enemy?


+  Can a citizen? To the enemy ye engaged nothing. Ye ordered no citizen to engage


+  on your behalf. Ye are therefore no way concerned either with us, to whom ye


+  gave no commission; nor with the Samnites, with whom ye transacted no business.


+  We are sureties to the Samnites; debtors, sufficiently wealthy in that which


+  is our own, in that which we can offer--our bodies and our minds. On these,


+  let them exercise their cruelty; against these, let them whet their resentment


+  and their swords. As to what relates to the tribunes, consider whether the delivering


+  them up can be effected at the present time, or if it must be deferred to another


+  day. Meanwhile let us, Titus Veturius, and the rest concerned, offer our worthless


+  persons, as atonements for the breaking our engagements, and, by our sufferings


+  liberate the Roman armies." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">10 </div>


+<a id="a10" />


+<p>Both these arguments, and, still more, the author of them, powerfully affected


+  the senators; as they did likewise every one, not excepting even the tribunes


+  of the commons who declared, that they would be directed by the senate. They


+  then instantly resigned their office, and were delivered, together with the


+  rest, to the heralds, to be conducted to Caudium. On passing this decree of


+  the senate, it seemed as if some new light had shone upon the state: Postumius


+  was in every mouth: they extolled him to heaven; and pronounced his conduct


+  as equal even to the devoting act of the consul Publius Decius, and to other


+  illustrious acts. "Through his counsel, and exertions," they said, "the state


+  had raised up its head from an ignominious peace. He now offered himself to


+  the enemy's rage, and to torments; and was suffering, in atonement for the Roman


+  people." All turned their thoughts towards arms and war, [and the general cry


+  was,] "When shall we be permitted with arms in our hands to meet the Samnites?"


+  While the state glowed with resentment and rancour, the levies were composed


+  almost entirely of volunteers. New legions, composed of the former soldiers,


+  were quickly formed, and an army marched to Caudium. The heralds, who went before,


+  on coming to the gate, ordered the sureties of the peace to be stripped of their


+  clothes, and their hands to be tied behind their backs. As the apparitor, out


+  of respect to his dignity, was binding Postumius in a loose manner, "Why do


+  you not," said he, "draw the cord tight, that the surrender may be regularly


+  performed?" Then, when they came into the assembly of the Samnites, and to the


+  tribunal of Pontius, Aulus Cornelius Arvina, a herald, pronounced these words:


+  "Forasmuch as these men, here present, without orders from the Roman people,


+  the Quirites, entered into surety, that a treaty should be made, and have thereby


+  rendered themselves criminal; now, in order that the Roman people may be freed


+  from the crime of impiety, I here surrender these men into your hands." On the


+  herald saying thus, Postumius gave him a stroke on the thigh with his knee,


+  as forcibly as he could, and said with a loud voice, that "he was now a citizen


+  of Samnium, the other a Roman ambassador; that the herald had been, by him,


+  violently ill-treated, contrary to the law of nations; and that his people would


+  therefore have the more justice on their side, in waging war." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">11 </div>


+<a id="a11" />


+<p>Pontius then said, "Neither will I accept such a surrender, nor will the Samnites


+  deem it valid. Spurius Postumius, if you believe that there are gods, why do


+  you not undo all that has been done, or fulfil your agreement? The Samnite nation


+  is entitled, either to all the men whom it had in its power, or, instead of


+  them, to a peace. But why do I call on you, who, with as much regard to faith


+  as you are able to show, return yourself a prisoner into the hands of the conqueror?


+  I call on the Roman people. If they are dissatisfied with the convention made


+  at the Caudine forks, let them replace the legions within the defile where they


+  were pent up. Let there be no deception on either side. Let all that has been


+  done pass as nothing. Let them receive again the army which they surrendered


+  by the convention; let them return into their camp. Whatever they were in possession


+  of, the day before the conference, let them possess again. Then let war and


+  resolute counsels be adopted. Then let the convention, and peace, be rejected.


+  Let us carry on the war in the same circumstances, and situations, in which


+  we were before peace was mentioned. Let neither the Roman people blame the convention


+  of the consuls, nor us the faith of the Roman people. Will ye never want an


+  excuse for not standing to the compacts which ye make on being defeated? Ye


+  gave hostages to Porsena: ye clandestinely withdrew them. Ye ransomed your state


+  from the Gauls, for gold: while they were receiving the gold, they were put


+  to the sword. Ye concluded a peace with us, on condition of our restoring your


+  captured legions: that peace ye now annul; in fine, ye always spread over your


+  fraudulent conduct some show of right. Do the Roman people disapprove of their


+  legions being saved by an ignominious peace? Let them have their peace, and


+  return the captured legions to the conqueror. This would be conduct consistent


+  with faith, with treaties, and with the laws of the heralds. But that you should,


+  in consequence of the convention, obtain what you desired, the safety of so


+  many of your countrymen, while I obtain not, what I stipulated for on sending


+  you back those men, a peace; is this the law which you, Aulus Cornelius, which


+  ye, heralds, prescribe to nations? But for my part, I neither accept those men


+  whom ye pretend to surrender, nor consider them as surrendered; nor do I hinder


+  them from returning into their own country, which stands bound under an actual


+  convention, formally entered into carrying with them the wrath of all the gods,


+  whose authority is thus baffled. Wage war, since Spurius Postumius has just


+  now struck with his knee the herald, in character of ambassador. The gods are


+  to believe that Postumius is a citizen of Samnium, not of Rome; and that a Roman


+  ambassador has been violated by a Samnite; and that therefore a just war has


+  been waged against us by you. That men of years, and of consular dignity, should


+  not be ashamed to exhibit such mockery of religion in the face of day! And should


+  have recourse to such shallow artifices to palliate their breach of faith, unworthy


+  even of children! Go, lictor, take off the bonds from those Romans. Let no one


+  delay them from departing when they think proper." Accordingly they returned


+  unhurt from Caudium to the Roman camp, having acquitted, certainly, their own


+  faith, and perhaps that of the public. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">12 </div>


+<a id="a12" />


+<p>The Samnites finding that instead of a peace which flattered their pride, the


+  war was revived, and with the utmost inveteracy, not only felt, in their minds,


+  a foreboding of all the consequences which ensued, but saw them, in a manner,


+  before their eyes. They now, too late and in vain, applauded the plans of old


+  Pontius, by blundering between which, they had exchanged the possession of victory


+  for an uncertain peace; and having lost the opportunity of doing a kindness


+  or an injury, were now to fight against men, whom they might have either put


+  out of the way, for ever, as enemies; or engaged, for ever, as friends. And


+  such was the change which had taken place in men's minds, since the Caudine


+  peace, even before any trial of strength had shown an advantage on either side,


+  that Postumius, by surrendering himself, had acquired greater renown among the


+  Romans, than Pontius among the Samnites, by his bloodless victory. The Romans


+  considered their being at liberty to make war, a certain victory; while the


+  Samnites supposed the Romans victorious, the moment they resumed their arms.


+  Meanwhile, the Satricans revolted to the Samnites, who attacked the colony of


+  Fregellae, by a sudden surprise in the night, accompanied, as it appears, by


+  the Satricans. From that time until day, their mutual fears kept both parties


+  quiet: the daylight was the signal for battle, which the Fregellans contrived


+  to maintain, for a considerable time, without loss of ground; both because they


+  fought for their religion and liberty; and the multitude, who were unfit to


+  bear arms, assisted them from the tops of the houses. At length a stratagem


+  gave the advantage to the assailants; for they suffered the voice of a crier


+  to be heard proclaiming, that "whoever laid down his arms might retire in safety."


+  This relaxed their eagerness in the fight, and they began almost every where


+  to throw away their arms. A part, more determined, however, retaining their


+  arms, rushed out by the opposite gate, and their boldness brought greater safety


+  to them, than their fear, which inclined them to credulity, did to the others:


+  for the Samnites, having surrounded the latter with fires, burned them all to


+  death, while they made vain appeals to the faith of gods and men. The consuls


+  having settled the province between them, Papirius proceeded into Apulia to


+  Luceria where the Roman horsemen, given as hostages at Caudium were kept in


+  custody: Publilius remained in Samnium, to oppose the Caudine legions. This


+  proceeding perplexed the minds of the Samnites: they could not safely determine


+  either to go to Luceria, lest the enemy should press on their rear or to remain


+  where they were, lest in the mean time Luceria should be lost. They concluded,


+  therefore, that it would be most advisable to trust to the decision of fortune,


+  and to take the issue of a battle with Publilius: accordingly they drew out


+  their forces into the field. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">13 </div>


+<a id="a13" />


+<p>When Publilius was about to engage, considering it proper to address his soldiers


+  first, he ordered an assembly be summoned. But though they ran together to the


+  general's quarters with the greatest alacrity, yet so loud were the clamours,


+  demanding the fight, that none of the general's exhortations were heard: each


+  man's own reflections on the late disgrace served as an exhortation. They advanced


+  therefore to battle, urging the standard-bearers to hasten; at rest, in beginning


+  the conflict, there should be any delay, in wielding their javelins and then


+  drawing their swords, they threw away the former, as if a signal to that purpose


+  had been given, and, drawing the latter, rushed in full speed upon the foe.


+  Nothing of a general's skill was displayed in forming ranks or reserves; the


+  resentment of the troops performed all, with a degree of fury little inferior


+  to madness. The enemy, therefore, were not only completely routed, not even


+  daring to embarrass their flight by retreating to their camp but dispersing,


+  made towards Apulia in scattered parties: afterwards, however, collecting their


+  forces into one body, they reached Luceria. The same exasperation, which had


+  carried the Romans through the midst of the enemy's line, carried them forward


+  also into their camp, where greater carnage was made, and more blood spilt,


+  than even in the field, while the greater part of the spoil was destroyed in


+  their rage. The other army, with the consul Papirius, had now arrived at Arpi,


+  on the sea-coast, having passed without molestation through all the countries


+  in their way; which was owing to the ill-treatment received by those people


+  from the Samnites, and their hatred towards them, rather than to any favour


+  received from the Roman people. For such of the Samnites as dwelt on the mountains


+  in separate villages, used to ravage the low lands, and the places on the coast;


+  and being mountaineers, and savage themselves, despised the husbandmen who were


+  of a gentler kind, and, as generally happens, resembled the district they inhabited.


+  Now if this tract had been favourably affected towards the Samnites, either


+  the Roman army could have been prevented from reaching Arpi, or, as it lay between


+  Rome and Arpi, it might have intercepted the convoys of provisions, and utterly


+  destroyed them by the consequent scarcity of all necessaries. Even as it was,


+  when they went from thence to Luceria, both the besiegers and the besieged were


+  distressed equally by want. Every kind of supplies was brought to the Romans


+  from Arpi; but in so very scanty proportion, that the horsemen had to carry


+  corn from thence to the camp, in little bags, for the foot, who were employed


+  in the outposts, watches, and works; and sometimes falling in with the enemy,


+  they were obliged to throw the corn from off their horses, in order to fight.


+  Before the arrival of the other consul and his victorious army, both provisions


+  had been brought in to the Samnites, and reinforcements conveyed in to them


+  from the mountains; but the coming of Publilius contracted all their resources;


+  for, committing the siege to the care of his colleague, and keeping himself


+  disengaged, he threw every difficulty in the way of the enemy's convoys. There


+  being therefore little hope for the besieged, or that they would be able much


+  longer to endure want, the Samnites, encamped at Luceria, were obliged to collect


+  their forces from every side, and come to an engagement with Papirius. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">14 </div>


+<a id="a14" />


+<p>At this juncture, while both parties were preparing for an action, ambassadors


+  from the Tarentines interposed, requiring both Samnites and Romans to desist


+  from war; with menaces, that "if either refused to agree to a cessation of hostilities,


+  they would join their arms with the other party against them." Papirius, on


+  hearing the purport of their embassy, as if influenced by their words, answered,


+  that he would consult his colleague: he then sent for him, employing the intermediate


+  time in the necessary preparations; and when he had conferred with him on a


+  matter, about which no doubt was entertained, he made the signal for battle.


+  While the consuls were employed in performing the religious rites and the other


+  usual business preparatory to an engagement the Tarentine ambassadors put themselves


+  in their way, expecting an answer: to whom Papirius said, "Tarentines, the priest


+  reports that the auspices are favourable, and that our sacrifices have been


+  attended with excellent omens: under the direction of the gods, we are proceeding,


+  as you see, to action." He then ordered the standards to move, and led out the


+  troops; thus rebuking the exorbitant arrogance of that nation, which at a time


+  when, through intestine discord and sedition, it was unequal to the management


+  of its own affairs, yet presumed to prescribe the bounds of peace and war to


+  others. On the other side, the Samnites, who had neglected every preparation


+  for fighting, either because they were really desirous of peace, or it seemed


+  their interest to pretend to be so, in order to conciliate the favour of the


+  Tarentines, when they saw, on a sudden, the Romans drawn up for battle, cried


+  out, that "they would continue to be directed by the Tarentines, and would neither


+  march out, nor carry their arms beyond the rampart. That if deceived, they would


+  rather endure any consequence which chance may bring, than show contempt to


+  the Tarentines, the advisers of peace." The consuls said that "they embraced


+  the omen, and prayed that the enemy might continue in the resolution of not


+  even defending their rampart." Then, dividing the forces between them, they


+  advanced to the works; and, making an assault on every side at once, while some


+  filled up the trenches, others tore down the rampart, and tumbled it into the


+  trench. All were stimulated, not only by their native courage, but by the resentment


+  which, since their disgrace, had been festering in their breasts. They made


+  their way into the camp; where, every one repeating, that here was not Caudium,


+  nor the forks, nor the impassable glens, where cunning haughtily triumphed over


+  error; but Roman valour, which no rampart nor trench could ward off;--they slew,


+  without distinction, those who resisted and those who fled, the armed and unarmed,


+  freemen and slaves, young and old, men and cattle. Nor would a single animal


+  have escaped, had not the consuls given the signal for retreat; and, by commands


+  and threats, forced out of the camp the soldiers, greedy of slaughter. As they


+  were highly incensed at being thus interrupted in the gratification of their


+  vengeance, a speech was immediately addressed to them, assuring the soldiers,


+  that "the consuls neither did nor would fall short of any one of the soldiers,


+  in hatred toward the enemy; on the contrary, as they led the way in battle,


+  so would they have done the same in executing unbounded vengeance, had not the


+  consideration of the six hundred horsemen, who were confined as hostages in


+  Luceria, restrained their inclinations; lest total despair of pardon might drive


+  on the enemy blindly to take vengeance on them, eager to destroy them before


+  they themselves should perish." The soldiers highly applauded this conduct,


+  and rejoiced that their resentment had been checked, and acknowledged that every


+  thing ought to be endured, rather than that the safety of so many Roman youths


+  of the first distinction should be brought into danger. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">15 </div>


+<a id="a15" />


+<p>The assembly being then dismissed, a consultation was held, whether they should


+  press forward the siege of Luceria, with all their forces; or, whether with


+  one of the commanders, and his army, trial should be made of the Apulians, a


+  nation in the neighbourhood still doubtful. The consul Publilius set out to


+  make a circuit through Apulia, and in the one expedition either reduced by force,


+  or received into alliance on conditions, a considerable number of the states.


+  Papirius likewise, who had remained to prosecute the siege of Luceria, soon


+  found the event agreeable to his hopes: for all the roads being blocked up through


+  which provisions used to be conveyed from Samnium, the Samnites, who were in


+  garrison, were reduced so low by famine, that they sent ambassadors to the Roman


+  consul, proposing that he should raise the siege, on receiving the horsemen


+  who were the cause of the war, to whom Papirius returned this answer, that "they


+  ought to have consulted Pontius, son of Herennius, by whose advice they had


+  sent the Romans under the yoke, what treatment he thought fitting for the conquered


+  to undergo. But since, instead of offering fair terms themselves, they chose


+  rather that they should be imposed on them by their enemies, he desired them


+  to carry back orders to the troops in Luceria, that they should leave within


+  the walls their arms, baggage, beasts of burthen, and all persons unfit for


+  war. The soldiers he would send under the yoke with single garments, retaliating


+  the disgrace formerly inflicted, not inflicting a new one." The terms were not


+  rejected. Seven thousand soldiers were sent under the yoke, and an immense booty


+  was seized in Luceria, all the standards and arms which they had lost at Caudium


+  being recovered; and, what greatly surpassed all their joy, recovered the horsemen


+  whom the Samnites had sent to Luceria to be kept as pledges of the peace. Hardly


+  ever did the Romans gain a victory more distinguished for the sudden reverse


+  produced in the state of their affairs; especially if it be true, as I find


+  in some annals, that Pontius, son of Herennius, the Samnite general, was sent


+  under the yoke along with the rest, to atone for the disgrace of the consuls.


+  I think it indeed more strange that there should exist any doubt whether it


+  was Lucius Cornelius, in quality of dictator, Lucius Papirius Cursor being master


+  of the horse, who performed these achievements at Caudium, and afterwards at


+  Luceria, as the single avenger of the disgrace of the Romans, enjoying the best


+  deserved triumph, perhaps, next to that of Furius Camillus, which had ever yet


+  been obtained; or whether that honour belongs to the consuls, and particularly


+  to Papirius. This uncertainty is followed by another, whether, at the next election,


+  Papirius Cursor was chosen consul a third time, with Quintus Aulus Ceretanus


+  a second time, being re-elected in requital of his services at Luceria; or whether


+  it was Lucius Papirius Mugillanus, the surname being mistaken. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">16 </div>


+<a id="a16" />


+<p>From henceforth, the accounts are clear, that the other wars were conducted


+  to a conclusion by the consuls. Aulius by one successful battle, entirely conquered


+  the Forentans. The city, to which their army had retreated after its defeat,


+  surrendered on terms, hostages having been demanded. With similar success the


+  other consul conducted his operations against the Satricans; who, though Roman


+  citizens, had, after the misfortune at Caudium, revolted to the Samnites, and


+  received a garrison into their city. The Satricans, however, when the Roman


+  army approached their walls, sent deputies to sue for peace, with humble entreaties;


+  to whom the consul answered harshly, that "they must not come again to him,


+  unless they either put to death, or delivered up, the Samnite garrison:" by


+  which terms greater terror was struck into the colonists than by the arms with


+  which they were threatened. The deputies, accordingly, several times asking


+  the consul, how he thought that they, who were few and weak, could attempt to


+  use force against a garrison so strong and well-armed: he desired them to "seek


+  counsel from those, by whose advice they had received that garrison into the


+  city." They then departed, and returned to their countrymen, having obtained


+  from the consul, with much difficulty, permission to consult their senate on


+  the matter, and bring back their answer to him. Two factions divided the senate;


+  one that whose leaders had been the authors of the defection from the Roman


+  people, the other consisted of the citizens who retained their loyalty; both,


+  however, showed an earnest desire, that every means should be used towards effecting


+  an accommodation with the consul for the restoration of peace. As the Samnite


+  garrison, being in no respect prepared for holding out a siege, intended to


+  retire the next night out of the town, one party thought it sufficient to discover


+  to the consul, at what hour, through what gate, and by what road, his enemy


+  was to march out. The other, against whose wishes defection to the Samnites


+  had occurred, even opened one of the gates for the consul in the night, secretly


+  admitting the armed enemy into the town. In consequence of this twofold treachery,


+  the Samnite garrison was surprised and overpowered by an ambush, placed in the


+  woody places, near the road; and, at the same time, a shout was raised in the


+  city, which was now filled with the enemy. Thus, in the short space of one hour,


+  the Samnites were put to the sword, the Satricans made prisoners, and all things


+  reduced under the power of the consul; who, having instituted an inquiry by


+  whose means the revolt had taken place, scourged with rods and beheaded such


+  as he found to be guilty; and then, disarming the Satricans, he placed a strong


+  garrison in the place. On this those writers state, that Papirius Cursor proceeded


+  to Rome to celebrate his triumph, who say, that it was under his guidance Luceria


+  was retaken, and the Samnites sent under the yoke. Undoubtedly, as a warrior,


+  he was deserving of every military praise, excelling not only in vigour of mind,


+  but likewise in strength of body. He possessed extraordinary swiftness of foot,


+  surpassing every one of his age in running, from whence came the surname into


+  his family; and he is said, either from the robustness of his frame, or from


+  much practice, to have been able to digest a very large quantity of food and


+  wine. Never did either the foot-soldier or horseman feel military service more


+  laborious, under any general, because he was of a constitution not to be overcome


+  by fatigue. The cavalry, on some occasion, venturing to request that, in consideration


+  of their good behaviour, he would excuse them some part of their business, he


+  told them, "Ye should not say that no indulgence has been granted you,--I excuse


+  you from rubbing your horses' backs when ye dismount." He supported also the


+  authority of command, in all its vigour, both among the allies and his countrymen.


+  The praetor of Praeneste, through fear, had been tardy in bringing forward his


+  men from the reserve to the front: he, walking before his tent, ordered him


+  to be called, and then bade the lictor to make ready his axe, on which, the


+  Praenestine standing frightened almost to death, he said, "Here, lictor, cut


+  away this stump, it is troublesome to people as they walk;" and, after thus


+  alarming him with the dread of the severest punishment, he imposed a fine and


+  dismissed him. It is beyond doubt, that during that age, than which none was


+  ever more productive of virtuous characters, there was no man in whom the Roman


+  affairs found a more effectual support; nay, people even marked him out, in


+  their minds, as a match for Alexander the Great, in case that, having completed


+  the conquest of Asia, he should have turned his arms on Europe. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">17 </div>


+<a id="a17" />


+<p>Nothing can be found farther from my intention, since the commencement of this


+  history, than to digress, more than necessity required, from the course of narration;


+  and, by embellishing my work with variety, to seek pleasing resting-places,


+  as it were, for my

  readers, and relaxation for my own mind: nevertheless, the mention
  of so great a king and commander, now [editorial note: there is

+  reason to believe that one or two lines of text might be missing at

+  this point] calls forth to public view those silent reflections,

+  whom Alexander must have fought. Manlius Torquatus, had he met

+  him in the field, might, perhaps, have yielded to Alexander in

+  discharging military duties in battle (for these also render

+  him no less illustrious); and so might Valerius Corvus; men who

+  were distinguished soldiers, before they became commanders. The same,

+

+  too, might have been the case with the Decii, who, after


+  devoting their persons, rushed upon the enemy; or of Papirius Cursor, though


+  possessed of such powers, both of body and mind. By the counsels of one youth,


+  it is possible the wisdom of a whole senate, not to mention individuals, might


+  have been baffled, [consisting of such members,] that he alone, who declared


+  that "it consisted of kings," conceived a correct idea of a Roman senate. But


+  then the danger was, that with more judgment than any one of those whom I have


+  named he might choose ground for an encampment, provide supplies, guard against


+  stratagems, distinguish the season for fighting, form his line of battle, or


+  strengthen it properly with reserves. He would have owned that he was not dealing


+  with Darius, who drew after him a train of women and eunuchs; saw nothing about


+  him but gold and purple; was encumbered with the trappings of his state, and


+  should be called his prey, rather than his antagonist; whom therefore he vanquished


+  without loss of blood and had no other merit, on the occasion, than that of


+  showing a proper spirit in despising empty show. The aspect of Italy would have


+  appeared to him of a quite different nature from that of India, which he traversed


+  in the guise of a traveller, at the head of a crew of drunkards, if he had seen


+  the forests of Apulia, and the mountains of Lucania, with the vestiges of the


+  disasters of his house, and where his uncle Alexander, king of Epirus, had been


+  lately cut off. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">18 </div>


+<a id="a18" />


+<p>We are now speaking of Alexander not yet intoxicated by prosperity, the seductions


+  of which no man was less capable of withstanding. But, if he is to be judged


+  from the tenor of his conduct in the new state of his fortune, and from the


+  new disposition, as I may say, which he put on after his successes, he would


+  have entered Italy more like Darius than Alexander; and would have brought thither


+  an army that had forgotten Macedonia, and were degenerating into the manners


+  of the Persians. It is painful, in speaking of so great a king, to recite his


+  ostentatious change of dress; of requiring that people should address him with


+  adulation, prostrating themselves on the ground, a practice insupportable to


+  the Macedonians, had they even been conquered, much more so when they were victorious;


+  the shocking cruelty of his punishments; his murdering his friends in the midst


+  of feasting and wine; with the folly of his fiction respecting his birth. What


+  must have been the consequence, if his love of wine had daily become more intense?


+  if his fierce and uncontrollable anger? And as I mention not any one circumstance


+  of which there is a doubt among writers, do we consider these as no disparagements


+  to the qualifications of a commander? But then, as is frequently repeated by


+  the silliest of the Greeks, who are fond of exalting the reputation, even of


+  the Parthians, at the expense of the Roman name, the danger was that the Roman


+  people would not have had resolution to bear up against the splendour of Alexander's


+  name, who, however, in my opinion, was not known to them even by common fame;


+  and while, in Athens, a state reduced to weakness by the Macedonian arms, which


+  at the very time saw the ruins of Thebes smoking in its neighbourhood, men had


+  spirit enough to declaim with freedom against him, as is manifest from the copies


+  of their speeches, which have been preserved; [we are to be told] that out of


+  such a number of Roman chiefs, no one would have freely uttered his sentiments.


+  How great soever our idea of this man's greatness may be, still it is the greatness


+  of an individual, constituted by the successes of a little more than ten years;


+  and those who give it pre-eminence on account that the Roman people have been


+  defeated, though not in any entire war, yet in several battles, whereas Alexander


+  was never once unsuccessful in a single fight, do not consider that they are


+  comparing the actions of one man, and that a young man, with the exploits of


+  a nation waging wars now eight hundred years. Can we wonder if, when on the


+  one side more ages are numbered than years on the other, fortune varied more


+  in so long a lapse of time than in the short term of thirteen years? [<a href="#foot2">2</a>]


+  But why not compare the success of one general with that of another? How many


+  Roman commanders might I name who never lost a battle? In the annals of the


+  magistrates, and the records, we may run over whole pages of consuls and dictators,


+  with whose bravery, and successes also, the Roman people never once had reason


+  to be dissatisfied. And what renders them more deserving of admiration than


+  Alexander, or any king, is, that some of these acted in the office of dictator,


+  which lasted only ten, or it might be twenty days, none, in a charge of longer


+  duration than the consulship of a year; their levies obstructed by plebeian


+  tribunes; often late in taking the field; recalled, before the time, on account


+  of elections; amidst the very busiest efforts of the campaign, their year of


+  office expired; sometimes the rashness, sometimes the perverseness of a colleague,


+  proving an impediment or detriment; and finally succeeding to the unfortunate


+  administration of a predecessor, with an army of raw or ill-disciplined men.


+  But, on the other hand, kings, being not only free from every kind of impediment,


+  but masters of circumstances and seasons, control all things in subserviency


+  to their designs, themselves uncontrolled by any. So that Alexander, unconquered,


+  would have encountered unconquered commanders; and would have had stakes of


+  equal consequence pledged on the issue. Nay, the hazard had been greater on


+  his side; because the Macedonians would have had but one Alexander, who was


+  not only liable, but fond of exposing himself to casualties; the Romans would


+  have had many equal to Alexander, both in renown, and in the greatness of their


+  exploits; any one of whom might live or die according to his destiny, without


+  any material consequence to the public. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">19 </div>


+<a id="a19" />


+<p>It remains that the forces be compared together, with respect to their numbers,


+  the quality of the men, and the supplies of auxiliaries. Now, in the general


+  surveys of the age, there were rated two hundred and fifty thousand men, so


+  that, on every revolt of the Latin confederates, ten legions were enlisted almost


+  entirely in the city levy. It often happened during those years, that four or


+  five armies were employed at a time, in Etruria, in Umbria, the Gauls too being


+  at war, in Samnium, in Lucania. Then as to all Latium, with the Sabines, and


+  Volscians, the Aequans, and all Campania; half of Umbria, Etruria, and the Picentians,


+  Marsians, Pelignians, Vestinians, and Apulians; to whom may add, the whole coast


+  of the lower sea, possessed by the Greeks, from Thurii to Neapolis and Cumae;


+  and the Samnites from thence as far as Antium and Ostia: all these he would


+  have found either powerful allies to the Romans or deprived of power by their


+  arms. He would have crossed the sea with his veteran Macedonians, amounting


+  to no more than thirty thousand infantry and four thousand horse, these mostly


+  Thessalians. This was the whole of his strength. Had he brought with him Persians


+  and Indians, and those other nations, it would be dragging after him an encumbrance


+  other than a support. Add to this, that the Romans, being at home, would have


+  had recruits at hand: Alexander, waging war in a foreign country, would have


+  found his army worn out with long service, as happened afterwards to Hannibal.


+  As to arms, theirs were a buckler and long spears; those of the Romans, a shield,


+  which covered the body more effectually, and a javelin, a much more forcible


+  weapon than the spear, either in throwing or striking. The soldiers, on both


+  sides, were used to steady combat, and to preserve their ranks. But the Macedonian


+  phalanx was unapt for motion, and composed of similar parts throughout: the


+  Roman line less compact, consisting of several various parts, was easily divided


+  as occasion required, and as easily conjoined. Then what soldier is comparable


+  to the Roman in the throwing up of works? who better calculated to endure fatigue?


+  Alexander, if overcome in one battle, would have been overcome in war. The Roman,


+  whom Claudium, whom Cannae, did not crush, what line of battle could crush?


+  In truth, even should events have been favourable to him at first, he would


+  have often wished for the Persians, the Indians, and the effeminate tribes of


+  Asia, as opponents; and would have acknowledged, that his wars had been waged


+  with women, as we are told was said by Alexander, king of Epirus, after receiving


+  his mortal wound, when comparing the wars waged in Asia by this very youth,


+  with those in which himself had been engaged. Indeed, when I reflect that, in


+  the first Punic war, a contest was maintained by the Romans with the Carthaginians,


+  at sea, for twenty-four years, I can scarcely suppose that the life of Alexander


+  would have been long enough for the finishing of one war [with either of those


+  nations]. And perhaps, as both the Punic state was united to the Roman by ancient


+  treaties, and as similar apprehensions might arm against a common foe those


+  two nations the most potent of the time in arms and in men, he might have been


+  overwhelmed in a Punic and a Roman war at once. The Romans have had experience


+  of the boasted prowess of the Macedonians in arms, not indeed under Alexander


+  as their general, or when their power was at the height, but in the wars against


+  Antiochus, Philip, and Perses; and not only not with any losses, but not even


+  with any danger to themselves. Let not my assertion give offence, nor our civil


+  wars be brought into mention; never were we worsted by an enemy's cavalry, never


+  by their infantry, never in open fight, never on equal ground, much less when


+  the ground was favourable. Our soldiers, heavy laden with arms, may reasonably


+  fear a body of cavalry, or arrows; defiles of difficult passage, and places


+  impassable to convoys. But they have defeated, and will defeat a thousand armies,


+  more formidable than those of Alexander and the Macedonians, provided that the


+  same love of peace and solicitude about domestic harmony, in which we now live,


+  continue permanent. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">20 </div>


+<a id="a20" />


+<p>Marcus Foslius Flaccinator and Lucius Plautius Venno were the next raised to


+  the consulship. In this year ambassadors came from most of the states of the


+  Samnites to procure a renewal of the treaty; and, after they had moved the compassion


+  of the senate, by prostrating themselves before them, on being referred to the


+  people, they found not their prayers so efficacious. The treaty therefore, being


+  refused, after they had importuned them individually for several days, was obtained.


+  The Teaneans likewise, and Canusians of Apulia, worn out by the devastations


+  of their country, surrendered themselves to the consul, Lucius Plautius, and


+  gave hostages. This year praefects first began to be created for Capua, and


+  a code of laws was given to that nation, by Lucius Furius the praetor; both


+  in compliance with their own request, as a remedy for the disorder of their


+  affairs, occasioned by intestine dissensions. At Rome, two additional tribes


+  were constituted, the Ufentine and Falerine. On the affairs of Apulia falling


+  into decline, the Teatians of that country came to the new consuls, Caius Junius


+  Bubulcus, and Quintus Aemilius Barbula, suing for an alliance; and engaging,


+  that peace should be observed towards the Romans through every part of Apulia.


+  By pledging themselves boldly for this, they obtained the grant of an alliance,


+  not however on terms of equality, but of their submitting to the dominion of


+  the Roman people. Apulia being entirely reduced, (for Junius had also gained


+  possession of Forentum, a town of great strength,) the consuls advanced into


+  Lucania; there Nerulum was surprised and stormed by the sudden advance of the


+  consul Aemilius. When fame had spread abroad among the allies, how firmly the


+  affairs of Capua were settled by [the introduction of] the Roman institutions,


+  the Antians, imitating the example, presented a complaint of their being without


+  laws, and without magistrates; on which the patrons of the colony itself were


+  appointed by the senate to form a body of laws for it. Thus not only the arms,


+  but the laws, of Rome became extensively prevalent. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">21 </div>


+<a id="a21" />


+<p>The consuls, Caius Junius Bubulcus and Quintus Aemilius Barbula, at the conclusion


+  of the year, delivered over the legions, not to the consuls elected by themselves,


+  who were Spurius Nautius and Marcus Popillius, but to a dictator, Lucius Aemilius.


+  He, with Lucius Fulvius, master of the horse, having commenced to lay siege


+  to Saticula, gave occasion to the Samnites of reviving hostilities. Hence a


+  twofold alarm was occasioned to the Roman army. On one side, the Samnites having


+  collected a numerous force to relieve their allies from the siege, pitched their


+  camp at a small distance from that of the Romans: on the other side, the Saticulans,


+  opening suddenly their gates, ran up with violent tumult to the posts of the


+  enemy. Afterwards, each party, relying on support from the other, more than


+  on its own strength, formed a regular attack, and pressed on the Romans. The


+  dictator, on his part, though obliged to oppose two enemies at once, yet had


+  his line secure on both sides; for he both chose a position not easily surrounded,


+  and also formed two different fronts. However, he directed his greater efforts


+  against those who had sallied from the town, and, without much resistance, drove


+  them back within the walls. He then turned his whole force against the Samnites:


+  there he found greater difficulty. But the victory, though long delayed, was


+  neither doubtful nor alloyed by losses. The Samnites, being forced to fly into


+  their camp, extinguished their fires at night, and marched away in silence;


+  and renouncing all hopes of relieving Saticula, sat themselves down before Plistia,


+  which was in alliance with the Romans, that they might, if possible, retort


+  equal vexation on their enemy. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">22 </div>


+<a id="a22" />


+<p>The year coming to a conclusion, the war was thenceforward conducted by a dictator,


+  Quintius Fabius. The new consuls, Lucius Papirius Cursor and Quintus Publilius


+  Philo, both a fourth time, as the former had done, remained at Rome. Fabius


+  came with a reinforcement to Saticula, to receive the army from Aemilius. For


+  the Samnites had not continued before Plistia; but having sent for a new supply


+  of men from home, and relying on their numbers, had encamped in the same spot


+  as before; and, by provoking the Romans to battle, endeavoured to divert them


+  from the siege. The dictator, so much the more intently, pushed forward his


+  operations against the fortifications of the enemy; considering that only as


+  war which was directed against the city, and showing an indifference with respect


+  to the Samnites, except that he placed guards in proper places, to prevent any


+  attempt on his camp. The more furiously did the Samnites ride up to the rampart,


+  and allowed him no quiet. When the enemy were now come up close to the gates


+  of the camp, Quintus Aulius Cerretanus, master of the horse, without consulting


+  the dictator, sallied out furiously at the head of all the troops of cavalry,


+  and drove back the enemy. In this desultory kind of fight, fortune worked up


+  the strength of the combatants in such a manner, as to occasion an extraordinary


+  loss on both sides, and the remarkable deaths of the commanders themselves.


+  First, the general of the Samnites, indignant at being repulsed, and compelled


+  to fly from a place to which he had advanced so confidently, by entreating and


+  exhorting his horsemen, renewed the battle. As he was easily distinguished among


+  the horsemen, while he urged on the fight, the Roman master of the horse galloped


+  up against him, with his spear directed, so furiously, that, with one stroke,


+  he tumbled him lifeless from his horse. The multitude, however, were not, as


+  is generally the case, dismayed by the fall of their leader, but rather raised


+  to fury. All who were within reach darted their weapons at Aulius, who incautiously


+  pushed forward among the enemy's troops; but the chief share of the honour of


+  revenging the death of the Samnite general they assigned to his brother; he,


+  urged by rage and grief, dragged down the victorious master of the horse from


+  his seat, and slew him. Nor were the Samnites far from obtaining his body also,


+  as he had fallen among the enemies' troops: but the Romans instantly dismounted,


+  and the Samnites were obliged to do the same; and lines being thus formed suddenly


+  but, at the same time, untenable through scarcity of necessaries: "for all the


+  country round, from which provisions could be supplied, has revolted; and besides,


+  even were the inhabitants disposed to aid us, the ground is unfavourable. I


+  will not therefore mislead you by leaving a camp here, into which ye may retreat,


+  as on a former day, without completing the victory. Works ought to be secured


+  by arms, not arms by works. Let those keep a camp, and repair to it, whose interest


+  it is to protract the war; but let us cut off from ourselves every other prospect


+  but that of conquering. Advance the standards against the enemy; as soon as


+  the troops shall have marched beyond the rampart, let those who have it in orders


+  burn the camp. Your losses, soldiers, shall be compensated with the spoil of


+  all the nations round who have revolted." The soldiers advanced against the


+  enemy with spirit inflamed by the dictator's discourse, which seemed indication


+  of an extreme necessity; and, at the same time, the very sight of the camp burning


+  behind them, though the nearest part only was set on fire, (for so the dictator


+  had ordered,) was small incitement: rushing on therefore like madmen, they disordered


+  the enemy's battalions at the very first onset; and the master of the horse,


+  when he saw at a distance the fire in the camp, which was a signal agreed on,


+  made a seasonable attack on their rear. The Samnites, thus surrounded on either


+  side, fled different ways. A vast number, who had gathered into a body through


+  fear, yet from confusion incapable of fleeing, were surrounded and cut to pieces.


+  The enemy's camp was taken and plundered; and the soldiers being laden with


+  spoil, the dictator led them back to the Roman camp, highly rejoiced at the


+  success, but by no means so much as at finding, contrary to their expectation,


+  every thing there safe, except a small part only, which was injured or destroyed


+  by the fire. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">24 </div>


+<a id="a24" />


+<p>They then marched back to Sora; and the new consuls, Marcus Poetelius and Caius


+  Sulpicius, receive the army from the dictator Fabius, discharging a great part


+  of the veteran soldiers, having brought with them new cohorts to supply their


+  place. Now while, on account of the dire situation of the city, no certain mode


+  of attack could be devised, and success must either be distant in time, or at


+  desperate risk; a deserter from Sora came out of the town privately by night,


+  and when he had got as far as the Roman watches, desired to be conducted instantly


+  to the consuls: which being complied with, he made them an offer of delivering


+  the place into their hands. When he answered their questions, respecting the


+  means by which he intended to make good his promise, appearing to state a project


+  by no means idle, he persuaded them to remove the Roman camp, which was almost


+  close to the walls, to the distance of six miles; that the consequence would


+  be that this would render the guards by day, and the watches by night, the less


+  vigilant. He then desired that some cohorts should post themselves the following


+  night in the woody places under the town, and took with himself ten chosen soldiers,


+  through steep and almost impassable ways, into the citadel, where a quantity


+  of missive weapons had been collected, larger than bore proportion to the number


+  of men. There were stones besides, some lying at random, as in all craggy places,


+  and others heaped up designedly by the townsmen, to add to the security of the


+  place. Having posted the Romans here, and shown them a steep and narrow path


+  leading up from the town to the citadel--"From this ascent," said he, "even


+  three armed men would keep off any multitude whatever. Now ye are ten in number;


+  and, what is more, Romans, and the bravest among the Romans. The night is in


+  your favour, which, from the uncertainty it occasions, magnifies every object


+  to people once alarmed. I will immediately fill every place with terror: be


+  ye alert in defending the citadel." He then ran down in haste, crying aloud,


+  "To arms, citizens, we are undone, the citadel is taken by the enemy; run, defend


+  it." This he repeated, as he passed the doors of the principal men, the same


+  to all whom he met, and also to those who ran out in a fright into the streets.


+  The alarm, communicated first by one, was soon spread by numbers through all


+  the city. The magistrates, dismayed on hearing from scouts that the citadel


+  was full of arms and armed men, whose number they multiplied, laid aside all


+  hopes of recovering it. All places are filled with terror: the gates are broken


+  open by persons half asleep, and for the most part unarmed, through one of which


+  the body of Roman troops, roused by the noise, burst in, and slew the terrified


+  inhabitants, who attempted to skirmish in the streets. Sora was now taken, when,


+  at the first light, the consuls arrived, and accepted the surrender of those


+  whom fortune had left remaining after the flight and slaughter of the night.


+  Of these, they conveyed in chains to Rome two hundred and twenty-five, whom


+  all men agreed in pointing out as the authors, both of the revolt, and also


+  of the horrid massacre of the colonists. The rest they left in safety at Sora,


+  a garrison being placed there. All those who were brought to Rome were beaten


+  with rods in the forum, and beheaded, to the great joy of the commons, whose


+  interest it most highly concerned, that the multitudes, sent to various places


+  in colonies should be in safety. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">25 </div>


+<a id="a25" />


+<p>The consuls, leaving Sora, turned their warlike operations against the lands


+  and cities of the Ausonians; for all places had been set in commotion by the


+  coming of the Samnites, when the battle was fought at Lautulae: conspiracies


+  likewise had been formed in several parts of Campania; nor was Capua itself


+  clear of the charge: nay, the business spread even to Rome, and inquiries came


+  to be instituted respecting some of the principal men there. However, the Ausonian


+  nation fell into the Roman power, in the same manner as Sora, by their cities


+  being betrayed: these were Ausona Minturnae, and Vescia. Certain young men,


+  of the principal families, twelve in number, having conspired to betray their


+  respective cities, came to the consuls; they informed them that their countrymen,


+  who had for a long time before honestly wished for the coming of the Samnites,


+  on hearing of the battle at Lautulae, had looked on the Romans as defeated,


+  and had assisted the Samnites with supplies of young men and arms; but that,


+  since the Samnites had been beaten out of the country, they were wavering between


+  peace and war, not shutting their gates against the Romans, lest they should


+  thereby invite an attack; yet determined to shut them if an army should approach;


+  that in that fluctuating state they might easily be overpowered by surprise.


+  By these men's advice the camp was moved nearer; and soldiers were sent, at


+  the same time, to each of the three towns; some armed, who were to lie concealed


+  in places near the walls; others, in the garb of peace, with swords hidden under


+  their clothes, when, on the opening of the gates at the approach of day, were


+  to enter into the cities. These latter began with killing the guards; at the


+  same time, a signal was made to the men with arms, to hasten up from the ambuscades.


+  Thus the gates were seized, and the three towns taken in the same hour and by


+  the same device. But as the attacks were made in the absence of the generals,


+  there were no bounds to the carnage which ensued; and the nation of the Ausonians,


+  when there was scarcely any clear proof of the charge of its having revolted,


+  was utterly destroyed, as if it had supported a contest through a deadly war.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">26 </div>


+<a id="a26" />


+<p>During this year, Luceria fell into the hands of the Samnites, the Roman garrison


+  being betrayed to the enemy. This matter did not long go unpunished with the


+  traitors: the Roman army was not far off, by whom the city, which lay in a plain,


+  was taken at the first onset. The Lucerians and Samnites were to a man put to


+  the sword; and to such a length was resentment carried, that at Rome, on the


+  senate being consulted about sending a colony to Luceria, many voted for the


+  demolition of it. Besides, their hatred was of the bitterest kind, against a


+  people whom they had been obliged twice to subdue by arms; the great distance,


+  also, made them averse from sending away their citizens among nations so ill-affected


+  towards them. However the resolution was carried, that the colonists should


+  be sent; and accordingly two thousand five hundred were transported thither.


+  This year, when all places were becoming disaffected to the Romans, secret conspiracies


+  were formed among the leading men at Capua, as well as at other places; a motion


+  concerning which being laid before the senate, the matter was by no means neglected.


+  Inquiries were decreed, and it was resolved that a dictator should be appointed


+  to enforce these inquiries. Caius Maenius was accordingly nominated, and he


+  appointed Marcus Foslius master of the horse. People's dread of that office


+  was very great, insomuch that the Calavii, Ovius and Novius, who were the heads


+  of the conspiracy, either through fear of the dictator's power, or the consciousness


+  of guilt, previous to the charge against them being laid in form before him,


+  avoided, as appeared beyond doubt, trial by a voluntary death. As the subject


+  of the inquiry in Campania was thus removed, the proceedings were then directed


+  towards Rome: by construing the order of the senate to have meant, that inquiry


+  should be made, not specially who at Capua, but generally who at any place had


+  caballed or conspired against the state; for that cabals, for the attaining


+  of honours, were contrary to the edicts of the state. The inquiry was extended


+  to a greater latitude, with respect both to the matter, and to the kind of persons


+  concerned, the dictator scrupling not to avow, that his power of research was


+  unlimited: in consequence, some of the nobility were called to account; and


+  though they applied to the tribunes for protection, no one interposed in their


+  behalf, or to prevent the charges from being received. On this the nobles, not


+  those only against whom the charge was levelled, but the whole body jointly


+  insisted that such an imputation lay not against the nobles, to whom the way


+  to honours lay open if not obstructed by fraud, but against the new men: so


+  that even the dictator and master of the horse, with respect to that question,


+  would appear more properly as culprits than suitable inquisitors; and this they


+  should know as soon as they went out of office. Then indeed Maenius, who was


+  more solicitous about his character than his office, advanced into the assembly


+  and spoke to this effect, "Romans, both of my past life ye are all witnesses;


+  and this honourable office, which ye conferred on me, is in itself a testimony


+  of my innocence. For the dictator, proper to be chosen for holding these inquiries,


+  was not, as on many other occasions, where the exigencies of the state so required,


+  the man who was most renowned in war; but him whose counsel of life was most


+  remote from such cabals. But certain of the nobility (for what reason it is


+  more proper that ye should judge than that I, as a magistrate, should, without


+  proof, insinuate) have laboured to stifle entirely the inquiries; and then,


+  finding their strength unequal to it, rather than stand a trial have fled for


+  refuge to the stronghold of their adversaries, an appeal and the support of


+  the tribunes; and on being there also repulsed, (so fully were they persuaded


+  that every other measure was safer than the attempt to clear themselves,) have


+  made an attack upon us; and, though in private characters have not been ashamed


+  of instituting a criminal process against a dictator. Now, that gods and men


+  may perceive that they to avoid a scrutiny as to their own conduct, attempt


+  even things which are impossible, and that I willingly meet the charge, and


+  face the accusations of my enemies, I divest myself of the dictatorship. And,


+  consuls, I beseech you, that if this business is put into your hands by the


+  senate, ye make me and Marcus Foslius the first objects of our your examinations;


+  that it may be manifested that we are safe from such imputations by our own


+  innocence, not by the dignity of office." He then abdicated the dictatorship,


+  as did Marcus Foslius, immediately after, his office of master of the horse;


+  and being the first brought to trial before the consuls, for to them the senate


+  had committed the business, they were most honourably acquitted of all the charges


+  brought by the nobles. Even Publilius Philo, who had so often been invested


+  with the highest honours, and had performed so many eminent services, both at


+  home and abroad, being disagreeable to the nobility, was brought to trial, and


+  acquitted. Nor did the inquiry continue respectable on account of the illustrious


+  names of the accused, longer than while it was new, which is usually the case;


+  it then began to descend to persons of inferior rank; and, at length, was suppressed,


+  by means of those factions and cabals against which it had been instituted.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">27 </div>


+<a id="a27" />


+<p>The accounts received of these matters, but more especially the hope of a revolt


+  in Campania, for which a conspiracy had been formed, recalled the Samnites,


+  who were turning towards Apulia, back to Caudium; so that from thence, being


+  near, they might, if any commotion should open them an opportunity, snatch Capua


+  out of the hands of the Romans. To the same place the consuls repaired with


+  a powerful army. They both held back for some time, on the different sides of


+  the defiles, the roads being dangerous to either party. Then the Samnites, making


+  a short circuit through an open tract, marched down their troops into level


+  ground in the Campanian plains, and there the hostile camps first came within


+  view of each other. Trial of their strength in slight skirmishes was made on


+  both sides, more frequently between the horse than the foot; and the Romans


+  were no way dissatisfied either at the issue of these, or at the delay by which


+  they protracted the war. The Samnite generals, on the contrary, considered that


+  their battalions were becoming weakened daily by small losses, and the general


+  vigour abated by prolonging the war. They therefore marched into the field,


+  disposing their cavalry on both wings, with orders to give more heedful attention


+  to the camp behind than to the battle; for that the line of infantry would be


+  able to provide for their own safety. The consuls took post, Sulpicius on the


+  right wing, Poetelius on the left. The right wing was stretched out wider than


+  usual, where the Samnites also stood formed in thin ranks, either with design


+  of turning the flank of the enemy, or to avoid being themselves surrounded.


+  On the left, besides that they were formed in more compact order, an addition


+  was made to their strength, by a sudden act of the consul Poetelius; for the


+  subsidiary cohorts, which were usually reserved for the exigencies of a tedious


+  fight, he brought up immediately to the front, and, in the first onset, pushed


+  the enemy with the whole of his force. The Samnite line of infantry giving way,


+  their cavalry advanced to support them; and as they were charging in an oblique


+  direction between the two lines, the Roman horse, coming up at full speed, disordered


+  their battalions and ranks of infantry and cavalry, so as to oblige the whole


+  line on that side to give ground. The left wing had not only the presence of


+  Poetelius to animate them, but that of Sulpicius likewise; who, on the shout


+  being first raised in that quarter, rode thither from his own division, which


+  had not yet engaged. When he saw victory no longer doubtful there, he returned


+  to his own post with twelve hundred men, but found the state of things there


+  very different; the Romans driven from their ground, and the victorious enemy


+  pressing on them thus dismayed. However, the arrival of the consul effected


+  a speedy change in every particular; for, on the sight of their leader, the


+  spirit of the soldiers was revived, and the bravery of the men who came with


+  him rendered them more powerful aid than even their number; while the news of


+  success in the other wing, which was heard, and after seen, restored the fight.


+  From this time, the Romans became victorious through the whole extent of the


+  line, and the Samnites, giving up the contest, were slain or taken prisoners,


+  except such as made their escape to Maleventum, the town which is now called


+  Beneventum. It is recorded that thirty thousand of the Samnites were slain or


+  taken. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">28 </div>


+<a id="a28" />


+<p>The consuls, after this important victory, led forward the legions to lay siege


+  to Bovianum; and there they passed the winter quarters, until Caius Poetelius,


+  being nominated dictator, with Marcus Foslius, master of the horse, received


+  the command of the army from the new consuls, Lucius Papirius Cursor a fifth,


+  and Caius Junius Bubulcus a second time. On hearing that the citadel of Fregellae


+  was taken by the Samnites, he left Bovianum, and proceeded to Fregellae, whence,


+  having recovered possession of it without any contest, the Samnites abandoning


+  it in the night, and having placed a strong garrison there, he returned to Campania,


+  directing his operations principally to the recovery of Nola. Within the walls


+  of this place, the whole multitude of the Samnites, and the inhabitants of the


+  country about Nola, betook themselves on the approach of the dictator. Having


+  taken a view of the situation of the city, in order that the approach to the


+  fortifications may be the more open, he set fire to all the buildings which


+  stood round the walls, which were very numerous; and, in a short time after,


+  Nola was taken, either by the dictator Poetelius, or the consul Caius Junius,


+  for both accounts are given. Those who attribute to the consul the honour of


+  taking Nola, add, that Atina and Calatia were also taken by him, and that Poetelius


+  was created dictator in consequence of a pestilence breaking out, merely for


+  the purpose of driving the nail. The colonies of Suessa and Pontiae were established


+  in this year. Suessa had belonged to the Auruncians: the Volscians had occupied


+  Pontiae, an island lying within sight of their shore. A decree of the senate


+  was also passed for conducting colonies to Interamna and Cassinum. But commissioners


+  were appointed, and colonists, to the number of four thousand, were sent by


+  the succeeding consuls, Marcus Valerius and Publius Decius. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">29 </div>


+<a id="a29" />


+<p>The war with the Samnites being now nearly put an end to, before the Roman


+  senate was freed from all concern on that side, a report arose of an Etrurian


+  war; and there was not, in those times, any nation, excepting the Gauls, whose


+  arms were more dreaded, by reason both of the vicinity of their country, and


+  of the multitude of their men. While therefore one of the consuls prosecuted


+  the remains of the war in Samnium, Publius Decius, who, being attacked by a


+  severe illness, remained at Rome, by direction of the senate, nominated Caius


+  Junius Bubulcus dictator. He, as the magnitude of the affair demanded, compelled


+  all the younger citizens to enlist, and with the utmost diligence prepared arms,


+  and the other matters which the occasion required. Yet he was not so elated


+  by the power he had collected, as to think of commencing offensive operations,


+  but prudently determined to remain quiet, unless the Etrurians should become


+  aggressors. The plans of the Etrurians were exactly similar with respect to


+  preparing for, and abstaining from, war: neither party went beyond their own


+  frontiers. The censorship of Appius Claudius and Caius Plautius, for this year,


+  was remarkable; but the name of Appius has been handed down with more celebrity


+  to posterity, on account of his having made the road, [called after him, the


+  Appian,] and for having conveyed water into the city. These works he performed


+  alone; for his colleague, overwhelmed with shame by reason of the infamous and


+  unworthy choice made of senators, had abdicated his office. Appius possessing


+  that inflexibility Of temper, which, from the earliest times, had been the characteristic


+  of his family, held on the censorship by himself. By direction of the same Appius,


+  the Potitian family, in which the office of priests attendant on the great altar


+  of Hercules was hereditary, instructed some of the public servants in the rites


+  of that solemnity, with the intention to delegate the same to them. A circumstance


+  is recorded, wonderful to be told, and one which should make people scrupulous


+  of disturbing the established modes of religious solemnities: for though there


+  were, at that time, twelve branches of the Potitian family, all grown-up persons,


+  to the number of thirty, yet they were every one, together with their offspring,


+  cut off within the year; so that the name of the Potitii became extinct, while


+  the censor Appius also was, by the unrelenting wrath of the gods, some years


+  after, deprived of sight. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">30 </div>


+<a id="a30" />


+<p>The consuls of the succeeding year were, Caius Junius Bubulcus a third time,


+  and Quintus Aemilius Barbula a second. In the commencement of their office,


+  they complained before the people, that, by the improper choice of members of


+  the senate, that body had been disgraced, several having been passed over who


+  were preferable to the persons chosen in; and they declared, that they would


+  pay no regard to such election, which had been made without distinction of right


+  or wrong, merely to gratify interest or humour: they then immediately called


+  over the list of the senate, in the same order which had existed before the


+  censorship of Appius Claudius and Caius Plautius. Two public employments, both


+  relating to military affairs, came this year into the disposal of the people;


+  one being an order, that sixteen of the tribunes, for four legions, should be


+  appointed by the people; whereas hitherto they had been generally in the gift


+  of the dictators and consuls, very few of the places being left to suffrage.


+  This order was proposed by Lucius Atilius and Caius Marcius, plebeian tribunes.


+  Another was, that the people likewise should constitute two naval commissioners,


+  for the equipping and refitting of the fleet. The person who introduced this


+  order of the people, was Marcus Decius, plebeian tribune. Another transaction


+  of this year I should pass over as trifling, did it not seem to bear some relation


+  to religion. The flute-players, taking offence because they had been prohibited


+  by the last censors from holding their repasts in the temple of Jupiter, which


+  had been customary from very early times, went off in a body to Tibur; so that


+  there was not one left in the city to play at the sacrifices. The religious


+  tendency of this affair gave uneasiness to the senate; and they sent envoys


+  to Tibur to endeavour that these men might be sent back to Rome. The Tiburtines


+  readily promised compliance, and first, calling them into the senate-house,


+  warmly recommended to them to return to Rome; and then, when they could not


+  be prevailed on, practised on them an artifice not ill adapted to the dispositions


+  of that description of people: on a festival day, they invited them separately


+  to their several houses, apparently with the intention of heightening the pleasure


+  of their feasts with music, and there plied them with wine, of which such people


+  are always fond, until they laid them asleep. In this state of insensibility


+  they threw them into waggons, and carried them away to Rome: nor did they know


+  any thing of the matter, until, the waggons having been left in the forum, the


+  light surprised them, still heavily sick from the debauch. The people then crowded


+  about them, and, on their consenting at length to stay, privilege was granted


+  them to ramble about the city in full dress, with music, and the licence which


+  is now practised every year during three days. And that licence, which we see


+  practised at present, and the right of being fed in the temple, was restored


+  to those who played at the sacrifices. These incidents occurred while the public


+  attention was deeply engaged by two most important wars. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">31 </div>


+<a id="a31" />


+<p>The consuls adjusting the provinces between them, the Samnites fell by lot


+  to Junius, the new war of Etruria to Aemilius. In Samnium the Samnites had blockaded


+  and reduced by famine Cluvia, a Roman garrison, because they had been unable


+  to take it by storm; and, after torturing with stripes, in a shocking manner,


+  the townsmen who surrendered, they had put them to death. Enraged at this cruelty,


+  Junius determined to postpone every thing else to the attacking of Cluvia; and,


+  on the first day that he assaulted the walls, took it by storm, and slew all


+  who were grown to man's estate. The victorious troops were led from thence to


+  Bovianum; this was the capital of the Pentrian Samnites, by far the most opulent


+  of their cities, and the most powerful both in men and arms. The soldiers, stimulated


+  by the hope of plunder, for their resentment was not so violent, soon made themselves


+  masters of the town: where there was less severity exercised on the enemy; but


+  a quantity of spoil was carried off, greater almost than had ever been collected


+  out of all Samnium, and the whole was liberally bestowed on the assailants.


+  And when neither armies, camps, or cities could now withstand the vast superiority


+  of the Romans in arms; the attention of all the leading men in Samnium became


+  intent on this, that an opportunity should be sought for some stratagem, if


+  by any chance the army, proceeding with incautious eagerness for plunder, could


+  be caught in a snare and overpowered. Peasants who deserted and some prisoners


+  (some thrown in their way by accident, some purposely) reporting to the consul


+  a statement in which they concurred, and one which was at the same time true,


+  that a vast quantity of cattle had been driven together into a defile of difficult


+  access, prevailed on them to lead thither the legions lightly accoutred for


+  plunder. Here a very numerous army of the enemy had posted themselves, secretly,


+  at all the passes; and, as soon as they saw that the Romans had got into the


+  defile, they rose up suddenly, with great clamour and tumult, and attacked them


+  unawares. At first an event so unexpected caused some confusion, while they


+  were taking their arms, and throwing the baggage into the centre; but, as fast


+  as each had freed himself from his burden and fitted himself with arms, they


+  assembled about the standards, from every side; and all, from the long course


+  of their service, knowing their particular ranks, the line was formed of its


+  own accord without any directions. The consul, riding up to the place where


+  the fight was most warm, leaped from his horse, and called "Jupiter, Mars, and


+  the other gods to witness, that he had come into that place, not in pursuit


+  of any glory to himself, but of booty for his soldiers; nor could any other


+  fault be charged on him, than too great a solicitude to enrich his soldiers


+  at the expense of the enemy. From that disgrace nothing could extricate him


+  but the valour of the troops: let them only join unanimously in a vigorous attack


+  against a foe, already vanquished in the field, beaten out of their camps, and


+  stripped of their towns, and now trying their last hope by the contrivance of


+  an ambuscade, placing their reliance on the ground they occupied, not on their


+  arms. But what ground was now unsurmountable to Roman valour?" The citadel of


+  Fregellae, and that of Sora, were called to their remembrance, with many other


+  places where difficulties from situation had been surmounted. Animated by these


+  exhortations, the soldiers, regardless of all difficulties, advanced against


+  the line of the enemy, posted above them; and here there was some fatigue whilst


+  the army was climbing the steep. But as soon as the first battalions got footing


+  in the plain, on the summit, and the troops perceived that they now stood on


+  equal ground, the dismay was instantly turned on the plotters; who, dispersing


+  and casting away their arms, attempted, by flight, to recover the same lurking-places


+  in which they had lately concealed themselves. But the difficulties of the ground,


+  which had been intended for the enemy, now entangled them in the snares of their


+  own contrivance. Accordingly very few found means to escape; twenty thousand


+  men were slain, and the victorious Romans hastened in several parties to secure


+  the booty of cattle, spontaneously thrown in their way by the enemy. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">32 </div>


+<a id="a32" />


+<p>While such was the situation of affairs in Samnium, all the states of Etruria,


+  except the Arretians, had taken arms, and vigorously commenced hostilities,


+  by laying siege to Sutrium; which city, being in alliance with the Romans, served


+  as a barrier against Etruria. Thither the other consul, Aemilius, came with


+  an army to deliver the allies from the siege. On the arrival of the Romans,


+  the Sutrians conveyed a plentiful supply of provisions into their camp, which


+  was pitched before the city. The Etrurians spent the first day in deliberating


+  whether they should expedite or protract the war. On the day following, when


+  the speedier plan pleased the leaders in preference to the safer, as soon as


+  the sun rose the for battle was displayed, and the troops marched out to the


+  field; which being reported to the consul, he instantly commanded notice to


+  be given, that they should dine, and after taking refreshment, then appear under


+  arms. The order was obeyed; and the consul, seeing them armed and in readiness,


+  ordered the standards to be carried forth beyond the rampart, and drew up his


+  men at a small distance from the enemy. Both parties stood a long time with


+  fixed attention, each waiting for the shout and fight to begin on the opposite


+  side; and the sun had passed the meridian before a weapon was thrown by either


+  side. Then, rather than leave the place without something being done, the shout


+  was given by the Etrurians, the trumpets sounded, and the battalions advanced.


+  With no less alertness do the Romans commence the fight: both rushed to the


+  fight with violent animosity; the enemy were superior in numbers, the Romans


+  in valour. The battle being doubtful, carries off great numbers on both sides,


+  particularly the men of greatest courage; nor did victory declare itself, until


+  the second line of the Romans came up fresh to the front, in the place of the


+  first, who were much fatigued. The Etrurians, because their front line was not


+  supported by any fresh reserves, fell all before and round the standards, and


+  in no battle whatever would there have been seen less disposition to run, or


+  a greater effusion of human blood, had not the night sheltered the Etrurians,


+  who were resolutely determined on death; so that the victors, not the vanquished,


+  were the first who desisted from fighting. After sunset the signal for retreat


+  was given, and both parties retired in the night to their camps. During the


+  remainder of the year, nothing memorable was effected at Sutrium; for, of the


+  enemy's army, the whole first line had been cut off in one battle, the reserves


+  only being left, who were scarce sufficient to guard the camp; and, among the


+  Romans, so numerous were the wounds, that more wounded men died after the battle


+  than had fallen in the field. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">33 </div>


+<a id="a33" />


+<p>Quintus Fabius, consul for the ensuing year, succeeded to the command of the


+  army at Sutrium; the colleague given to him was Caius Marcius Rutilus. On the


+  one side, Fabius brought with him a reinforcement from Rome, and on the other,


+  a new army had been sent for, and came from home, to the Etrurians. Many years


+  had now passed without any disputes between the patrician magistrates and plebeian


+  tribunes, when a contest took its rise from that family, which seemed raised


+  by fate as antagonists to the tribunes and commons of those times; Appius Claudius,


+  being censor, when the eighteen months had expired, which was the time limited


+  by the Aemilian law for the duration of the censorship, although his colleague


+  Caius Plautius had already resigned his office, could not be prevailed on, by


+  any means, to give up his. There was a tribune of the commons, Publius Sempronius;


+  he undertook to enforce a legal process for terminating the censorship within


+  the lawful time, which was not more popular than just, nor more pleasing to


+  the people generally than to every man of character in the city. After he frequently


+  appealed to the Aemilian law, and bestowed commendations on Mamercus Aemilius,


+  who, in his dictatorship, had been the author of it, for having contracted,


+  within the space of a year and six months, the censorship, which formerly had


+  lasted five years, and was a power which, in consequence of its long continuance,


+  often became tyrannical, he proceeded thus: "Tell me, Appius Claudius, in what


+  manner you would have acted, had you been censor, at the time when Caius Furius


+  and Marcus Geganius were censors?" Appius insisted, that "the tribune's question


+  was irrelevant to his case. For, although the Aemilian law might bind those


+  censors, during whose magistracy it was passed,--because the people made that


+  law after they had become censors; and whatever order is the last passed by


+  the people, that is held to be the law, and valid:--yet neither he, nor any


+  of those who had been created censors subsequent to the passing of that law,


+  could be bound by it." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">34 </div>


+<a id="a34" />


+<p>While Appius urged such frivolous arguments as these, which carried no conviction


+  whatever, the other said, "Behold, Romans, the offspring of that Appius, who


+  being created decemvir for one year, created himself for a second; and who,


+  during a third, without being created even by himself or by any other, held


+  on the fasces and the government though a private individual; nor ceased to


+  continue in office, until the government itself, ill acquired, ill administered,


+  and ill retained, overwhelmed him in ruin. This is the same family, Romans,


+  by whose violence and injustice ye were compelled to banish yourselves from


+  your native city, and seize on the Sacred mount; the same, against which ye


+  provided for yourselves the protection of tribunes; the same, on account of


+  which two armies of you took post on the Aventine; the same, which violently


+  opposed the laws against usury, and always the agrarian laws; the same, which


+  broke through the right of intermarriage between the patricians and the commons;


+  the same, which shut up the road to curule offices against the commons: this


+  is a name, more hostile to your liberty by far, than that of the Tarquins. I


+  pray you, Appius Claudius, though this is now the hundredth year since the dictatorship


+  of Mamercus Aemilius, though there have been so many men of the highest characters


+  and abilities censors, did none of these ever read the twelve tables? none of


+  them know, that, whatever was the last order of the people, that was law? Nay,


+  certainly they all knew it; and they therefore obeyed the Aemilian law, rather


+  than the old one, under which the censors had been at first created; because


+  it was the last order; and because, when two laws are contradictory, the new


+  always repeals the old. Do you mean to say, Appius, that the people are not


+  bound by the Aemilian law? Or, that the people are bound, and you alone exempted?


+  The Aemilian law bound those violent censors, Caius Furius and Marcus Geganius,


+  who showed what mischief that office might do in the state; when, out of resentment


+  for the limitation of their power, they disfranchised Mamercus Aemilius, the


+  first man of the age, either in war or peace. It bound all the censors thenceforward,


+  during the space of a hundred years. It binds Caius Plautius your colleague,


+  created under the same auspices, with the same privileges. Did not the people


+  create him with the fullest privileges with which any censor ever was created?


+  Or is yours an excepted case, in which this peculiarity and singularity takes


+  place? Shall the person, whom you create king of the sacrifices, laying hold


+  of the style of sovereignty, say, that he was created with the fullest privileges


+  with which any king was ever created at Rome? Who then, do you think, would


+  be content with a dictatorship of six months? who, with the office of interrex


+  for five days? Whom would you, with confidence, create dictator, for the purpose


+  of driving the nail, or of exhibiting games? How foolish, how stupid, do ye


+  think, those must appear in this man's eyes, who, after performing most important


+  services, abdicated the dictatorship within the twentieth day; or who, being


+  irregularly created, resigned their office? Why should I bring instances from


+  antiquity? Lately, within these last ten years, Caius Maenius, dictator, having


+  enforced inquiries, with more strictness than consisted with the safety of some


+  powerful men, a charge was thrown out by his enemies, that he himself was infected


+  with the very crime against which his inquiries were directed;--now Maenius,


+  I say, in order that he might, in a private capacity, meet the imputation, abdicated


+  the dictatorship. I expect not such moderation in you; you will not degenerate


+  from your family, of all others the most imperious and assuming; nor resign


+  your office a day, nor even an hour, before you are forced to it. Be it so:


+  but then let no one exceed the time limited. It is enough to add a day, or a


+  month, to the censorship. But Appius says, I will hold the censorship, and hold


+  it alone, three years and six months longer than is allowed by the Aemilian


+  law. Surely this is like kingly power. Or will you fill up the vacancy with


+  another colleague, a proceeding not allowable, even in the case of the death


+  of a censor? You are not satisfied that, as if a religious censor, you have


+  degraded a most ancient solemnity, and the only one instituted by the very deity


+  to whom it is performed, from priests of that rite who were of the highest rank


+  to the ministry of mere servants. [You are not satisfied that] a family, more


+  ancient than the origin of this city, and sanctified by an intercourse of hospitality


+  with the immortal gods, has, by means of you and your censorship, been utterly


+  extirpated, with all its branches, within the space of a year, unless you involve


+  the whole commonwealth in horrid guilt, which my mind feels a horror even to


+  contemplate. This city was taken in that lustrum in which Lucius Papirius Cursor,


+  on the death of his colleague Julius, the censor, rather than resign his office,


+  substituted Marcus Cornelius Maluginensis. Yet how much more moderate was his


+  ambition, Appius, than yours! Lucius Papirius neither held the censorship alone,


+  nor beyond the time prescribed by law. But still he found no one who would follow


+  his example; all succeeding censors, in case of the death of a colleague, abdicated


+  the office. As for you, neither the expiration of the time of your censorship,


+  nor the resignation of your colleague, nor law, nor shame restrains you. You


+  make fortitude to consist in arrogance, in boldness, in a contempt of gods and


+  men. Appius Claudius, in consideration of the dignity and respect due to that


+  office which you have borne, I should be sorry, not only to offer you personal


+  violence, but even to address you in language too severe. With respect to what


+  I have hitherto said, your pride and obstinacy forced me to speak. And now,


+  unless you pay obedience to the Aemilian law, I shall order you to be led to


+  prison. Nor, since a rule has been established by our ancestors, that in the


+  election of censors unless two shall obtain the legal number of suffrages, neither


+  shall be returned, but the election deferred,--will I suffer you, who could


+  not singly be created censor, to hold the censorship without a colleague." Having


+  spoken to this effect he ordered the censor to be seized, and borne to prison.


+  But although six of the tribunes approved of the proceeding of their colleague,


+  three gave their support to Appius, on his appealing to them, and he held the


+  censorship alone, to the great disgust of all ranks of men. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">35 </div>


+<a id="a35" />


+<p>While such was the state of affairs at Rome, the Etrurians had laid siege to


+  Sutrium, and the consul Fabius, as he was marching along the foot of the mountains,


+  with a design to succour the allies, and attempt the enemy's works, if it were


+  by any means practicable, was met by their army prepared for battle. As the


+  wide-extended plain below showed the greatness of their force, the consul, in


+  order to remedy his deficiency in point of number, by advantage of the ground,


+  changed the direction of his route a little towards the hills, where the way


+  was rugged and covered with stones, and then formed his troops, facing the enemy.


+  The Etrurians, thinking of nothing but their numbers, on which alone they depended,


+  commence the fight with such haste and eagerness, that, in order to come the


+  sooner to a close engagement, they threw away their javelins, drew their swords,


+  rushing against the enemy. On the other side, the Romans poured down on them,


+  sometimes javelins, and sometimes stones which the place abundantly supplied;


+  so that whilst the blows on their shields and helmets confused even those whom


+  they did not wound, (it was neither an easy matter to come to close quarters,


+  nor had they missive weapons with which to fight at a distance,) when there


+  was nothing now to protect them whilst standing and exposed to the blows, some


+  even giving way, and the whole line wavering and unsteady the spearmen and the


+  first rank, renewing the shout, rush on them with drawn swords. This attack


+  the Etrurians could not withstand, but, facing about, fled precipitately towards


+  their camp; when the Roman cavalry, getting before them by galloping obliquely


+  across the plain, threw themselves in the way of their flight, on which they


+  quitted the road, and bent their course to the mountains. From thence, in a


+  body, almost without arms, and debilitated with wounds, they made their way


+  into the Ciminian forest. The Romans, having slain in many thousands of the


+  Etrurians, and taken thirty-eight military standards, took also possession of


+  their camp, together with a vast quantity of spoil. They then began to consider


+  of pursuing the enemy. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">36 </div>


+<a id="a36" />


+<p>The Ciminian forest was in those days deemed as impassable and frightful as


+  the German forests have been in latter times; not even any trader having ever


+  attempted to pass it. Hardly any, besides the general himself, showed boldness


+  enough to enter it; the others had not the remembrance of the disaster at Caudium


+  effaced from their mind. On this, of those who were present, Marcus Fabius,


+  the consul's brother, (some say Caeso, others Caius Claudius, born of the same


+  mother with the consul,) undertook to go and explore the country, and to bring


+  them in a short time an account of every particular. Being educated at Caere,


+  where he had friends, he was perfectly acquainted with the Etrurian language.


+  I have seen it affirmed, that, in those times, the Roman youth were commonly


+  instructed in the Etrurian learning, as they are now in the Greek: but it is


+  more probable, that there was something very extraordinary in the person who


+  acted so daringly a counterfeit part, and mixed among the enemy. It is said,


+  that his only attendant was a slave, who had been bred up with him, and who


+  was therefore not ignorant of the same language. They received no further instructions


+  at their departure, than a summary description of the country through which


+  they were to pass; to this was added the names of the principal men in the several


+  states, to prevent their being at a loss in conversation, and from being discovered


+  by making some mistake. They set out in the dress of shepherds, armed with rustic


+  weapons, bills, and two short javelins each. But neither their speaking the


+  language of the country, nor the fashion of their dress and arms, concealed


+  them so effectually, as the incredible circumstance of a stranger's passing


+  the Ciminian forest. They are said to have penetrated as far as the Camertian


+  district of the Umbrians: there the Romans ventured to own who they were, and


+  being introduced to the senate, treated with them, in the name of the consul,


+  about an alliance and friendship; and after being entertained with courteous


+  hospitality, were desired to acquaint the Romans, that if they came into those


+  countries, there should be provisions in readiness for the troops sufficient


+  for thirty days, and that they should find the youth of the Camertian Umbrians


+  prepared in arms to obey their commands. When this information was brought to


+  the consul, he sent forward the baggage at the first watch, ordering the legions


+  to march in the rear of it. He himself staid behind with the cavalry, and the


+  next day, as soon as light appeared, rode up to the posts of the enemy, which


+  had been stationed on the outside of the forest; and, when he had detained them


+  there for a sufficient length of time, he retired to his camp, and marching


+  out by the opposite gate, overtook the main body of the army before night. At


+  the first light, on the following day, he had gained the summit of Mount Ciminius,


+  from whence having a view of the opulent plains of Etruria, he let loose his


+  soldiers upon them. When a vast booty had been driven off, some tumultuary cohorts


+  of Etrurian peasants, hastily collected by the principal inhabitants of the


+  district, met the Romans; but in such disorderly array, that these rescuers


+  of the prey were near becoming wholly a prey themselves. These being slain or


+  put to flight, and the country laid waste to a great extent, the Romans returned


+  to their camp victorious, and enriched with plenty of every kind. It happened


+  that, in the mean time, five deputies, with two plebeian tribunes, had come


+  hither, to charge Fabius, in the name of the senate, not to attempt to pass


+  the Ciminian forest. These, rejoicing that they had arrived too late to prevent


+  the expedition, returned to Rome with the news of its success. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">37 </div>


+<a id="a37" />


+<p>By this expedition of the consul, the war, instead of being brought nearer


+  to a conclusion, was only spread to a wider extent: for all the tract adjacent


+  to the foot of Mount Ciminius had felt his devastations; and, out of the indignation


+  conceived thereat, had roused to arms, not only the states of Etruria, but the


+  neighbouring parts of Umbria. They came therefore to Sutrium, with such a numerous


+  army as they had never before brought into the field; and not only ventured


+  to encamp on the outside of the wood, but through their earnest desire of coming


+  to an engagement as soon as possible, marched down the plains to offer battle.


+  The troops, being marshalled, stood at first, for some time, on their own ground,


+  having left a space sufficient for the Romans to draw up, opposite to them;


+  but perceiving that the enemy declined fighting, they advanced to the rampart;


+  where, when they observed that even the advanced guards had retired within the


+  works, a shout at once was raised around their generals, that they should order


+  provisions for that day to be brought down to them: "for they were resolved


+  to remain there under arms; and either in the night, or, at all events, at the


+  dawn of day, to attack the enemy's camp." The Roman troops, though not less


+  eager for action, were restrained by the commands of the general. About the


+  tenth hour, the consul ordered his men a repast; and gave directions that they


+  should be ready in arms, at whatever time of the day or night he should give


+  the signal. He then addressed a few words to them; spoke in high terms of the


+  wars of the Samnites, and disparagingly of the Etrurians, who "were not," he


+  said, "as an enemy to be compared with other enemies, nor as a numerous force,


+  with others in point of numbers. Besides, he had an engine at work, as they


+  should find in due time; at present it was of importance to keep it secret."


+  By these hints he intimated that the enemy was circumvented in order to raise


+  the courage of his men, damped by the superiority of the enemy's force; and,


+  from their not having fortified the post where they lay, the insinuation of


+  a stratagem formed against them seemed the more credible. After refreshing themselves,


+  they consigned themselves to rest, and being roused without noise, about the


+  fourth watch, took arms. Axes are distributed among the servants following the


+  army, to tear down the rampart and fill up the trench. The line was formed within


+  the works, and some chosen cohorts posted close to the gates. Then, a little


+  before day, which in summer nights is the time of the profoundest sleep, the


+  signal being given, the rampart was levelled, and the troops rushing forth,


+  fell upon the enemy, who were every where stretched at their length. Some were


+  put to death before they could stir; others half asleep, in their beds; the


+  greatest part, while they ran in confusion to arms; few, in short, had time


+  afforded them to arm themselves; and these, who followed no particular leader,


+  nor orders, were quickly routed by the Romans and pursued by the Roman horse.


+  They fled different ways; to the camp and to the woods. The latter afforded


+  the safer refuge; for the former, being situated in a plain, was taken the same


+  day. The gold and silver was ordered to be brought to the consul; the rest of


+  the spoil was given to the soldiers. On that day, sixty thousand of the enemy


+  were slain or taken. Some affirm, that this famous battle was fought on the


+  farther side of the Ciminian forest, at Perusia; and that the public had been


+  under great dread, lest the army might be enclosed in such a dangerous pass,


+  and overpowered by a general combination of the Etrurians and Umbrians. But


+  on whatever spot it was fought, it is certain that the Roman power prevailed;


+  and, in consequence thereof, ambassadors from Perusia, Cortona, and Arretium,


+  which were then among the principal states of Etruria, soliciting a peace and


+  alliance with the Romans, obtained a truce for thirty years. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">38 </div>


+<a id="a38" />


+<p>During these transactions in Etruria, the other consul, Caius Marcius Rutilus,


+  took Allifae by storm from the Samnites; and many of their forts, and smaller


+  towns, were either destroyed by his arms, or surrendered without being injured.


+  About the same time also, the Roman fleet, having sailed to Campania, under


+  Publius Cornelius, to whom the senate had given the command on the sea-coast,


+  put into Pompeii. Immediately on landing, the soldiers of the fleet set out


+  to ravage the country about Nuceria: and after they had quickly laid waste the


+  parts which lay nearest, and whence they could have returned to the ships with


+  safety, they were allured by the temptation of plunder, as it often happens,


+  to advance too far, and thereby roused the enemy against them. While they rambled


+  about the country, they met no opposition, though they might have been cut off


+  to a man; but as they were returning, in a careless manner, the peasants overtook


+  them, not far from the ships, stripped them of the booty, and even slew a great


+  part of them. Those who escaped were driven in confusion to the ships. As Fabius'


+  having marched through the Ciminian forest had occasioned violent apprehensions


+  at Rome, so it had excited joy in proportion among the enemy in Samnium: they


+  talked of the Roman army being pent up, and surrounded; and of the Caudine forks,


+  as a model of their defeat. "Those people," they said, "ever greedy after further


+  acquisitions, were now brought into inextricable difficulties, hemmed in, not


+  more effectually by the arms of their enemy, than by the disadvantage of the


+  ground." Their joy was even mingled with a degree of envy, because fortune,


+  as they thought, had transferred the glory of finishing the Roman war, from


+  the Samnites to the Etrurians: they hastened, therefore, with their whole collected


+  force, to crush the consul Caius Marcius; resolving, if he did not give them


+  an opportunity of fighting, to proceed, through the territories of the Marsians


+  and Sabines, into Etruria. The consul met them, and a battle was fought with


+  great fury on both sides, but without a decisive issue. Although both parties


+  suffered severely, yet the discredit of defeat fell on the Romans, because several


+  of equestrian rank, some military tribunes, with one lieutenant-general, had


+  fallen; and, what was more remarkable than all, the consul himself was wounded.


+  On account of this event, exaggerated by report as is usual, the senate became


+  greatly alarmed, so that they resolved on having a dictator nominated. No one


+  entertained a doubt that the nomination would light on Papirius Cursor, who


+  was then universally deemed to possess the greatest abilities as a commander:


+  but they could not be certain, either that a message might be conveyed with


+  safety into Samnium, where all was in a state of hostility, or that the consul


+  Marcius was alive. The other consul, Fabius, was at enmity with Papirius, on


+  his own account; and lest this resentment might prove an obstacle to the public


+  good, the senate voted that deputies of consular rank should be sent to him,


+  who, uniting their own influence to that of government, might prevail on him


+  to drop, for the sake of his country, all remembrance of private animosities.


+  When the deputies, having come to Fabius, delivered to him the decree of the


+  senate, adding such arguments as were suitable to their instructions, the consul,


+  casting his eyes towards the ground, retired in silence, leaving them in uncertainty


+  what part he intended to act. Then, in the silent time of the night, according


+  to the established custom, he nominated Lucius Papirius dictator. When the deputies


+  returned him thanks, for so very meritoriously subduing his passion, he still


+  persevered in obstinate silence, and dismissed them without any answer, or mention


+  of what he had done: a proof that he felt an extraordinary degree of resentment,


+  which had been suppressed within his breast. Papirius appointed Caius Junius


+  Bubulcus master of the horse; and, as he was proceeding in an assembly of the


+  Curiae [<a href="#foot3">3</a>] to get an order passed respecting the command


+  of the army, an unlucky omen obliged him to adjourn it; for the Curia which


+  was to vote first, happened to be the Faucian, remarkably distinguished by two


+  disasters, the taking of the city, and the Caudine peace; the same Curia having


+  voted first in those years in which the said events are found. Licinius Macer


+  supposes this Curia ominous, also, on account of a third misfortune, that which


+  was experienced at the Cremera. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">39 </div>


+<a id="a39" />


+<p>Next day the dictator, taking the auspices anew, obtained the order, and, marching


+  out at the head of the legions, lately raised on the alarm occasioned by the


+  army passing the Ciminian forest, came to Longula; where having received the


+  old troops of the consul Marcius, he led on his forces to battle; nor did the


+  enemy seem to decline the combat. However, they stood drawn up for battle and


+  under arms, until night came on; neither side choosing to begin the fray. After


+  this, they continued a considerable time encamped near each other, without coming


+  to action; neither diffident of their own strength, nor despising the adversary.


+  Meanwhile matters went on actively in Etruria; for a decisive battle was fought


+  with the Umbrians, in which the enemy was routed, but lost not many men, for


+  they did not maintain the fight with the vigour with which they began it. Besides


+  this the Etrurians, having raised an army under the sanctions of the devoting


+  law, each man choosing another, came to an engagement at the Cape of Vadimon,


+  with more numerous forces, and, at the same time, with greater spirit than they


+  had ever shown before. The battle was fought with such animosity that no javelins


+  were thrown by either party: swords alone were made use of; and the fury of


+  the combatants was still higher inflamed by the long-continued contest; so that


+  it appeared to the Romans as if they were disputing, not with Etrurians, whom


+  they had so often conquered, but with a new race. Not the semblance of giving


+  ground appeared in any part; the first lines fell; and lest the standards should


+  be exposed, without defence, the second lines were formed in their place. At


+  length, even the men forming the last reserves were called into action; and


+  to such an extremity of difficulty and danger had they come, that the Roman


+  cavalry dismounted, and pressed forward, through heaps of arms and bodies, to


+  the front ranks of the infantry. These starting up a new army, as it were, among


+  men now exhausted, disordered the battalions of the Etrurians; and the rest,


+  weak as their condition was, seconding their assault, broke at last through


+  the enemy's ranks. Their obstinacy then began to give way: some companies quitted


+  their posts, and, as soon as they once turned their backs, betook themselves


+  to more decided flight. That day first broke the strength of the Etrurians,


+  now grown exuberant through a long course of prosperity; all the flower of their


+  men were cut off in the field, and in the same assault their camp was seized


+  and sacked. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">40 </div>


+<a id="a40" />


+<p>Equal danger, and an issue equally glorious, soon after attended the war with


+  the Samnites; who, besides their many preparations for the field, made their


+  army to glitter with new decorations of their armour. Their troops were in two


+  divisions, one of which had their shields embossed with gold, the other with


+  silver. The shape of the shield was this; broad at the middle to cover the breast


+  and shoulders, the summit being flat, sloping off gradually so as to become


+  pointed below, that it might be wielded with ease; a loose coat of mail also


+  served as a protection for the breast, and the left leg was covered with a greave;


+  their helmets were adorned with plumes, to add to the appearance of their stature.


+  The golden-armed soldiers wore tunics of various colours; the silver-armed,


+  of white linen. To the latter the right wing was assigned; the former took post


+  on the left. The Romans had been apprized of these splendid accoutrements, and


+  had been taught by their commanders, that "a soldier ought to be rough; not


+  decorated with gold and silver, but placing his confidence in his sword. That


+  matters of this kind were in reality spoil rather than armour; glittering before


+  action, but soon becoming disfigured amid blood and wounds. That the brightest


+  ornament of a soldier was valour; that all those trinkets would follow victory,


+  and that those rich enemies would be valuable prizes to the conquerors, however


+  poor." Cursor, having animated his men with these observations, led them on


+  to battle. He took post himself on the right wing, he gave the command of the


+  left to the master of the horse. As soon as they engaged, the struggle between


+  the two armies became desperate, while it was no less so between the dictator


+  and the master of the horse, on which wing victory should first show itself.


+  It happened that Junius first, with the left wing, made the right of the enemy


+  give way; this consisted of men devoted after the custom of Samnites, and on


+  that account distinguished by white garments and armour of equal whiteness.


+  Junius, saying "he would sacrifice these to Pluto," pressed forward, disordered


+  their ranks, and made an evident impression on their line: which being perceived


+  by the dictator, he exclaimed, "Shall the victory begin on the left wing, and


+  shall the right, the dictator's own troops, only second the arms of others,


+  and not claim the greatest share of the victory?" This spurred on the soldiers:


+  nor did the cavalry yield to the infantry in bravery, nor the ardour of lieutenants-general


+  to that of the commanders. Marcius Valerius from the right wing, and Publius


+  Decius from the left, both men of consular rank, rode off to the cavalry, posted


+  on the extremities of the line, and, exhorting them to join in putting in for


+  a share of the honour, charged the enemy on the flanks. When the addition of


+  this new alarm assailed the enemies' troops on both sides, and the Roman legions,


+  having renewed the shout to confound the enemy, rushed on, they began to fly.


+  And now the plains were quickly filled with heaps of bodies and splendid armour.


+  At first, their camp received the dismayed Samnites; but they did not long retain


+  even the possession of that: before night it was taken, plundered, and burnt.


+  The dictator triumphed, in pursuance of a decree of the senate; and the most


+  splendid spectacle by far, of any in his procession, was the captured arms:


+  so magnificent were they deemed, that the shields, adorned with gold, were distributed


+  among the owners of the silver shops, to serve as embellishments to the forum.


+  Hence, it is said, arose the custom of the forum being decorated by the aediles,


+  when the grand processions are made on occasion of the great games. The Romans,


+  indeed, converted these extraordinary arms to the honour of the gods: but the


+  Campanians, out of pride, and in hatred of the Samnites, gave them as ornaments


+  to their gladiators, who used to be exhibited as a show at their feasts, and


+  whom they distinguished by the name of Samnites. During this year, the consul


+  Fabius fought with the remnants of the Etrurians at Perusia, which city also


+  had violated the truce, and gained an easy and decisive victory. He would have


+  taken the town itself (for he marched up to the walls,) had not deputies come


+  out and capitulated. Having placed a garrison at Perusia, and sent on before


+  him to the Roman senate the embassies of Etruria, who solicited friendship,


+  the consul rode into the city in triumph, for successes more important than


+  those of the dictator. Besides, a great share of the honour of reducing the


+  Samnites was attributed to the lieutenants-general, Publius Decius and Marcius


+  Valerius: whom, at the next election, the people, with universal consent, declared


+  the one consul, the other praetor. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">41 </div>


+<a id="a41" />


+<p>To Fabius, in consideration of his extraordinary merit in the conquest of Etruria,


+  the consulship was continued. Decius was appointed his colleague. Valerius was


+  created praetor a fourth time. The consuls divided the provinces between them.


+  Etruria fell to Decius, Samnium to Fabius. The latter, having marched to Nuceria,


+  rejected the application of the people of Alfaterna, who then sued for peace,


+  because they had not accepted it when offered, and by force of arms compelled


+  them to surrender. A battle was fought with the Samnites; the enemy were overcome


+  without much difficulty: nor would the memory of that engagement have been preserved,


+  except that in it the Marsians first appeared in arms against the Romans. The


+  Pelignians, imitating the defection of the Marsians, met the same fate. The


+  other consul, Decius, was likewise very successful in his operations: through


+  terror he compelled the Tarquinians to supply his army with corn, and to sue


+  for a truce for forty years. He took several forts from the Volsinians by assault,


+  some of which he demolished, that they might not serve as receptacles to the


+  enemy, and by extending his operations through every quarter, diffused such


+  a dread of his arms, that the whole Etrurian nation sued to the consul for an


+  alliance: this they did not obtain; but a truce for a year was granted them.


+  The pay of the Roman army for that year was furnished by the enemy; and two


+  tunics for each soldier were exacted from them: this was the purchase of the


+  truce. The tranquillity now established in Etruria was interrupted by a sudden


+  insurrection of the Umbrians, a nation which had suffered no injury from the


+  war, except what inconvenience the country had felt in the passing of the army.


+  These, by calling into the field all their own young men, and forcing a great


+  part of the Etrurians to resume their arms, made up such a numerous force, that


+  speaking of themselves with ostentatious vanity and of the Romans with contempt,


+  they boasted that they would leave Decius behind in Etruria, and march away


+  to besiege Rome; which design of theirs being reported to the consul Decius,


+  he removed by long marches from Etruria towards their city, and sat down in


+  the district of Pupinia, in readiness to act according to the intelligence received


+  of the enemy. Nor was the insurrection of the Umbrians slighted at Rome: their


+  very threats excited tears among the people, who had experienced, in the calamities


+  suffered from the Gauls, how insecure a city they inhabited. Deputies were therefore


+  despatched to the consul Fabius with directions, that, if he had any respite


+  from the war of the Samnites, he should with all haste lead his army into Umbria.


+  The consul obeyed the order, and by forced marches proceeded to Mevania, where


+  the forces of the Umbrians then lay. The unexpected arrival of the consul, whom


+  they had believed to be sufficiently employed in Samnium, far distant from their


+  country, so thoroughly affrighted the Umbrians, that several advised retiring


+  to their fortified towns; others, the discontinuing the war. However, one district,


+  called by themselves Materina, prevailed on the rest not only to retain their


+  arms, but to come to an immediate engagement. They fell upon Fabius while he


+  was fortifying his camp. When the consul saw them rushing impetuously towards


+  his rampart, he called off his men from the work, and drew them up in the best


+  manner which the nature of the place and the time allowed; encouraging them


+  by displaying, in honourable and just terms, the glory which they had acquired,


+  as well in Etruria as in Samnium, he bade them finish this insignificant appendage


+  to the Etrurian war, and take vengeance for the impious expressions in which


+  these people had threatened to attack the city of Rome. Such was the alacrity


+  of the soldiers on hearing this, that, raising the shout spontaneously, they


+  interrupted the general's discourse, and, without waiting for orders, advanced,


+  with the sound of all the trumpets and cornets, in full speed against the enemy.


+  They made their attack not as on men, or at least men in arms, but, what must


+  appear wonderful in the relation, began by snatching the standards out of the


+  hands which held them; and then, the standard-bearers themselves were dragged


+  to the consul, and the armed soldiers transferred from the one line to the other;


+  and wherever resistance was any where made, the business was performed, not


+  so much with swords, as with their shields, with the bosses of which, and thrusts


+  of their elbows, they bore down the foe. The prisoners were more numerous than


+  the slain, and through the whole line the Umbrians called on each other, with


+  one voice, to lay down their arms. Thus a surrender was made in the midst of


+  action, by the first promoters of the war; and on the next and following days,


+  the other states of the Umbrians also surrendered. The Ocriculans were admitted


+  to a treaty of friendship on giving security. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">42 </div>


+<a id="a42" />


+<p>Fabius, successful in a war allotted to another, led back his army into his


+  own province. And as, in the preceding year, the people had, in consideration


+  of his services so successfully performed, re-elected him to the consulship,


+  so now the senate, from the same motive, notwithstanding a warm opposition made


+  by Appius, prolonged his command for the year following, in which Appius Claudius


+  and Lucius Volumnius were consuls. In some annals I find, that Appius, still


+  holding the office of censor, declared himself a candidate for the consulship,


+  and that his election was stopped by a protest of Lucius Furius, plebeian tribune,


+  until he resigned the censorship. After his election to the consulship, the


+  new war with the Sallentine enemies being decreed to his colleague, he remained


+  at Rome, with design to increase his interest by city intrigues, since the means


+  of procuring honour in war were placed in the hands of others. Volumnius had


+  no reason to be dissatisfied with his province: he fought many battles with


+  good success, and took several cities by assault. He was liberal in his donations


+  of the spoil; and this munificence, engaging in itself, he enhanced by his courteous


+  demeanour, by which conduct he inspired his soldiers with ardour to meet both


+  toil and danger. Quintus Fabius, proconsul, fought a pitched battle with the


+  armies of the Samnites, near the city of Allifae. The victory was complete.


+  The enemy were driven from the field, and pursued to their camp; nor would they


+  have kept possession of that, had not the day been almost spent. It was invested,


+  however, before night, and guarded until day, lest any should slip away. Next


+  morning, while it was scarcely clear day, they proposed to capitulate, and it


+  was agreed, that such as were natives of Samnium should be dismissed with single


+  garments. All these were sent under the yoke. No precaution was taken in favour


+  of the allies of the Samnites: they were sold by auction, to the number of seven


+  thousand. Those who declared themselves subjects of the Hernicians, were kept


+  by themselves under a guard. All these Fabius sent to Rome to the senate; and,


+  after being examined, whether it was in consequence of a public order, or as


+  volunteers, that they had carried arms on the side of the Samnites against the


+  Romans, they were distributed among the states of the Latins to be held in custody;


+  and it was ordered, that the new consuls, Publius Cornelius Arvina and Quintus


+  Marcius Tremulus, who by this time had been elected, should lay that affair


+  entire before the senate: this gave such offence to the Hernicians, that, at


+  a meeting of all the states, assembled by the Anagnians, in the circus called


+  the Maritime, the whole nation of the Hernicians, excepting the Alatrians, Ferentines,


+  and Verulans, declared war against the Roman people. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">43 </div>


+<a id="a43" />


+<p>In Samnium also, in consequence of the departure of Fabius, new commotions


+  arose. Calatia and Sora, and the Roman garrisons stationed there, were taken,


+  and extreme cruelty was exercised towards the captive soldiers: Publius Cornelius


+  was therefore sent thither with an army. The command against the new enemy (for


+  by this time an order had passed for declaring war against the Anagnians, and


+  the rest of the Hernicians) was decreed to Marcius. These, in the beginning,


+  secured all the passes between the camps of the consuls, in such a manner, that


+  no messenger, however expert, could make his way from one to the other; and


+  each consul spent several days in absolute uncertainty regarding every matter


+  and in anxious suspense concerning the state of the other. Apprehensions for


+  their safety spread even to Rome; so that all the younger citizens were compelled


+  to enlist and two regular armies were raised, to answer sudden emergencies.


+  The conduct of the Hernicians during the progress of the war afterwards, showed


+  nothing suitable to the present alarm, or to the ancient renown of that nation.


+  Without ever venturing any effort worth mentioning, being stripped of three


+  different camps within a few days, they stipulated for a truce of thirty days,


+  during which they might send to Rome, to the senate, on the terms of furnishing


+  two months' pay, and corn, and a tunic to every soldier. They were referred


+  back to Marcius by the senate, whom by a decree they empowered to determine


+  regarding the Hernicians, and he accepted their submission. Meanwhile, in Samnium,


+  the other consul, though superior in strength, was very much embarrassed by


+  the nature of his situation; the enemy had blocked up all the roads, and seized


+  on the passable defiles, so that no provisions could be conveyed; nor could


+  the consul, though he daily drew out his troops and offered battle, allure them


+  to an engagement. It was evident, that neither could the Samnites support an


+  immediate contest, nor the Romans a delay of action. The approach of Marcius,


+  who, after he had subdued the Hernicians, hastened to the succour of his colleague,


+  put it out of the enemy's power any longer to avoid fighting: for they, who


+  had not deemed themselves a match in the field, even for one of the armies,


+  could not surely suppose that if they should allow the two consular armies to


+  unite, they could have any hope remaining: they made an attack therefore on


+  Marcius, as he was approaching in the irregular order of march. The baggage


+  was hastily thrown together in the centre, and the line formed as well as the


+  time permitted. First the shout which reached the standing camp of Cornelius,


+  then the dust observed at a distance, excited a bustle in the camp of the other


+  consul. Ordering his men instantly to take arms, and leading them out to the


+  field with the utmost haste, he charged the flank of the enemy's line, which


+  had enough to do in the other dispute, at the same time exclaiming, that "it


+  would be the height of infamy if they suffered Marcius's army to monopolize


+  the honour of both victories, and did not assert their claim to the glory of


+  their own war." He bore down all before him, and pushed forward, through the


+  midst of the enemy's line, to their camp, which, being left without a guard,


+  he took and set on fire; which when the soldiers of Marcius saw in flames, and


+  the enemy observed it on looking about, a general flight immediately took place


+  among the Samnites. But they could not effect an escape in any direction; in


+  every quarter they met death. After a slaughter of thirty thousand men, the


+  consuls had now given the signal for retreat; and were collecting, into one


+  body, their several forces, who were employed in mutual congratulations, when


+  some new cohorts of the enemy, which had been levied for a reinforcement, being


+  seen at a distance, occasioned a renewal of the carnage. On these the conquerors


+  rushed, without any order of the consuls, or signal received, crying out, that


+  they would make these Samnites pay dearly for their introduction to service.


+  The consuls indulged the ardour of the legions, well knowing that the raw troops


+  of the enemy, mixed with veterans dispirited by defeat, would be incapable even


+  of attempting a contest. Nor were they wrong in their judgment: all the forces


+  of the Samnites, old and new, fled to the nearest mountains. These the Roman


+  army also ascended, so that no situation afforded safety to the vanquished;


+  they were beaten off, even from the summits which they had seized. And now they


+  all, with on voice, supplicated for a suspension of arms. On which, being ordered


+  to furnish corn for three months, pay for a year, and a tunic to each of the


+  soldiers, they sent deputies to the senate to sue for peace. Cornelius was left


+  in Samnium. Marcius returned into the city, in triumph over the Hernicians;


+  and a decree was passed for erecting to him, in the forum, an equestrian statue,


+  which was placed before the temple of Castor. To three states of the Hernicians,


+  (the Alatrians, Verulans, and Ferentines,) their own laws were restored, because


+  they preferred these to the being made citizens of Rome; and they were permitted


+  to intermarry with each other, a privilege which they alone of the Hernicians,


+  for a long time after, enjoyed. To the Anagnians, and the others, who had made


+  war on the Romans, was granted the freedom of the state, without the right of


+  voting; public assemblies, and intermarriages, were not allowed them, and their


+  magistrates were prohibited from acting except in the ministration of public


+  worship. During this year, Caius Junius Bubulcus, censor, contracted for the


+  building of a temple to Health, which he had vowed during his consulate in the


+  war with the Samnites. By the same person, and his colleague, Marcus Valerius


+  Maximus, roads were made through the fields at the public expense. During the


+  same year the treaty with the Carthaginians was renewed a third time, and ample


+  presents made to their ambassadors who came on that business. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">44 </div>


+<a id="a44" />


+<p>This year had a dictator in office, Publius Cornelius Scipio, with Publius


+  Decius Mus, master of the horse. By these the election of consuls was held,


+  being the purpose for which they had been created, because neither of the consuls


+  could be absent from the armies. The consuls elected were Lucius Postumius and


+  Titus Minucius; whom Piso places next after Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius,


+  omitting the two years in which I have set down Claudius with Volumnius, and


+  Cornelius with Marcius, as consuls. Whether this happened through a lapse of


+  memory in digesting his annals, or whether he purposely passed over those two


+  consulates as deeming the accounts of them false, cannot be ascertained. During


+  this year the Samnites made incursions into the district of Stellae in the Campanian


+  territory. Both the consuls were therefore sent into Samnium, and proceeded


+  to different regions, Postumius to Tifernum, Minucius to Bovianum. The first


+  engagement happened at Tifernum, under the command of Postumius. Some say, that


+  the Samnites were completely defeated, and twenty thousand of them made prisoners.


+  Others, that the army separated without victory on either side; and that Postumius,


+  counterfeiting fear, withdrew his forces privately by night, and marched away


+  to the mountains; whither the enemy also followed, and took possession of a


+  stronghold two miles distant. The consul, having created a belief that he had


+  come thither for the sake of a safe post, and a fruitful spot, (and such it


+  really was,) secured his camp with strong works. Furnishing it with magazines


+  of every thing useful, he left a strong guard to defend it; and at the third


+  watch, led away the legions lightly accoutred, by the shortest road which he


+  could take, to join his colleague, who lay opposite to his foe. There, by advice


+  of Postumius, Minucius came to an engagement with the enemy; and when the fight


+  had continued doubtful through a great part of the day, Postumius, with his


+  fresh legions, made an unexpected attack on the enemy's line, spent by this


+  time with fatigue: thus, weariness and wounds having rendered them incapable


+  even of flying, they were cut off to a man, and twenty-one standards taken.


+  The Romans then proceeded to Postumius's station, where the two victorious armies


+  falling upon the enemy, already dismayed by the news of what had passed, routed


+  and dispersed them: twenty-six military standards were taken here, and the Samnite


+  general, Statius Gellius, with a great number of other prisoners, and both the


+  camps were taken. Next day Bovianum was besieged, and soon after taken. Both


+  the consuls were honoured with a triumph, with high applause of their excellent


+  conduct. Some writers say, that the consul Minucius was brought back to the


+  camp grievously wounded, and that he died there; that Marcus Fulvius was substituted


+  consul in his place, and that it was he who, being sent to command Minucius's


+  army, took Bovianum. During the same year, Sora, Arpinum, and Censennia were


+  recovered from the Samnites. The great statue of Hercules was erected in the


+  Capitol, and dedicated. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">45 </div>


+<a id="a45" />


+<p>In the succeeding consulate of Publius Sulpicius Saverrio and Publius Sempronius


+  Sophus, the Samnites, desirous either of a termination or a suspension of hostilities,


+  sent ambassadors to Rome to treat of peace; to whose submissive solicitations


+  this answer was returned, that, "had not the Samnites frequently solicited peace,


+  at times when they were actually preparing for war, their present application


+  might, perhaps, in the course of negotiating, have produced the desired effect.


+  But now, since words had hitherto proved vain, people's conduct must be guided


+  by facts: that Publius Sempronius the consul would shortly be in Samnium with


+  an army: that he could not be deceived in judging whether their dispositions


+  inclined to peace or war. He would bring the senate certain information respecting


+  every particular, and their ambassadors might follow the consul on his return


+  from Samnium." When the Roman army accordingly marched through all parts of


+  Samnium, which was in a state of peace, provisions being liberally supplied,


+  a renewal of the old treaty was, this year, granted to the Samnites. The Roman


+  arms were then turned against the Aequans, their old enemies, but who had, for


+  many years past, remained quiet, under the guise of a treacherous peace, because,


+  while the Hernicians were in a state of prosperity, these had, in conjunction


+  with them, frequently sent aid to the Samnites; and after the Hernicians were


+  subdued, almost the whole nation, without dissembling that they acted by public


+  authority, had revolted to the enemy; and when, after the conclusion of the


+  treaty with the Samnites at Rome, ambassadors were sent to demand satisfaction,


+  they said, that "this was only a trial made of them, on the expectation that


+  they would through fear suffer themselves to be made Roman citizens. But how


+  much that condition was to be wished for, they had been taught by the Hernicians;


+  who, when they had the option, preferred their own laws to the freedom of the


+  Roman state. To people who wished for liberty to choose what they judged preferable,


+  the necessity of becoming Roman citizens would have the nature of a punishment."


+  In resentment of these declarations, uttered publicly in their assemblies, the


+  Roman people ordered war to be made on the Aequans; and, in prosecution of this


+  new undertaking, both the consuls marched from the city, and sat down at the


+  distance of four miles from the camp of the enemy. The troops of the Aequans,


+  like tumultuary recruits, in consequence of their having passed such a number


+  of years without waging war on their own account, were all in disorder and confusion,


+  without established officers and without command. Some advised to give battle,


+  others to defend the camp; the greater part were influenced by concern for the


+  devastation of their lands, likely to take place, and the consequent destruction


+  of their cities, left with weak garrisons. Among a variety of propositions,


+  one, however, was heard which, abandoning all concern for the public interest,


+  tended to transfer every man's attention to the care of his private concerns.


+  It recommended that, at the first watch, they should depart from the camp by


+  different roads, so as to carry all their effects into the cities, and to secure


+  them by the strength of the fortifications; this they all approved with universal


+  assent. When the enemy were now dispersed through the country, the Romans, at


+  the first dawn, marched out to the field, and drew up in order of battle; but


+  no one coming to oppose them, they advanced in a brisk pace to the enemy's camp.


+  But when they perceived neither guards before the gates, nor soldiers on the


+  ramparts, nor the usual bustle of a camp,--surprised at the extraordinary silence,


+  they halted in apprehension of some stratagem. At length, passing over the rampart,


+  and finding the whole deserted, they proceeded to search out the tracks of the


+  enemy. But these, as they scattered themselves to every quarter, occasioned


+  perplexity at first. Afterwards discovering their design by means of scouts,


+  they attacked their cities, one after another, and within the space of fifty


+  days took, entirely by force, forty-one towns, most of which were razed and


+  burnt, and the race of the Aequans almost extirpated. A triumph was granted


+  over the Aequans. The Marrucinians, Marsians, Pelignians, and Ferentans, warned


+  by the example of their disasters, sent deputies to Rome to solicit peace and


+  friendship; and these states, on their submissive applications, were admitted


+  into alliance. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">46 </div>


+<a id="a46" />


+<p>In the same year, Cneius Flavius, son of Cneius, grandson of a freed man, a


+  notary, in low circumstances originally, but artful and eloquent, was appointed


+  curule aedile. I find in some annals, that, being in attendance on the aediles,


+  and seeing that he was voted aedile by the prerogative tribe, but that his name


+  would not be received, because he acted as a notary, he threw down his tablet,


+  and took an oath, that he would not, for the future, follow that business. But


+  Licinius Macer contends, that he had dropped the employment of notary a considerable


+  time before, having already been a tribune, and twice a triumvir, once for regulating


+  the nightly watch, and another time for conducting a colony. However, of this


+  there is no dispute, that against the nobles, who threw contempt on the meanness


+  of his condition, he contended with much firmness. He made public the rules


+  of proceeding in judicial causes, hitherto shut up in the closets of the pontiffs;


+  and hung up to public view, round the forum, the calendar on white tablets,


+  that all might know when business could be transacted in the courts. To the


+  great displeasure of the nobles, he performed the dedication of the temple of


+  Concord, in the area of Vulcan's temple; and the chief pontiff, Cornelius Barbatus,


+  was compelled by the united instances of the people, to dictate to him the form


+  of words, although he affirmed, that, consistently with the practice of antiquity,


+  no other than a consul, or commander-in-chief, could dedicate a temple. This


+  occasioned a law to be proposed to the people, by direction of the senate, that


+  no person should dedicate a temple, or an altar, without an order from the senate,


+  or from a majority of the plebeian tribunes. The incident which I am about to


+  mention would be trivial in itself, were it not an instance of the freedom assumed


+  by plebeians in opposition to the pride of the nobles. When Flavius had come


+  to make a visit to his colleague, who was sick, and when, by an arrangement


+  between some young nobles who were sitting there, they did not rise on his entrance,


+  he ordered his curule chair to be brought thither, and from his honourable seat


+  of office enjoyed the sight of his enemies tortured with envy. However, a low


+  faction, which had gathered strength during the censorship of Appius Claudius,


+  had made Flavius an aedile; for he was the first who degraded the senate, by


+  electing into it the immediate descendants of freed men; and when no one allowed


+  that election as valid, and when he had not acquired in the senate-house that


+  influence in the city which he had been aiming at, by distributing men of the


+  meanest order among all the several tribes, he thus corrupted the assemblies


+  both of the forum and of the field of Mars; and so much indignation did the


+  election of Flavius excite, that most of the nobles laid aside their gold rings


+  and bracelets in consequence of it. From that time the state was split into


+  two parties. The uncorrupted part of the people, who favoured and supported


+  the good, held one side; the faction of the rabble, the other; until Quintus


+  Fabius and Publius Decius were made censors; and Fabius, both for the sake of


+  concord, and at the same time to prevent the elections remaining in the hands


+  of the lowest of the people, purged the rest of the tribes of all the rabble


+  of the forum, and threw it into four, and called them city tribes. And this


+  procedure, we are told, gave such universal satisfaction, that, by this regulation


+  in the orders of the state, he obtained the surname of Maximus, which he had


+  not obtained by his many victories. The annual review of the knights, on the


+  ides of July, is also said to have been instituted by him. </p>


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book10">BOOK X.</div>


+<div class="date">B.C. 303-293</div>


+<br />


+<div class="chapmen"><a href="#b1">1</a> <a href="#b2">2</a> <a href="#b3">3</a>


+  <a href="#b4">4</a> <a href="#b5">5</a> <a href="#b6">6</a> <a href="#b7">7</a>


+  <a href="#b8">8</a> <a href="#b9">9</a> <a href="#b10">10</a> <a href="#b11">11</a>


+  <a href="#b12">12</a> <a href="#b13">13</a> <a href="#b14">14</a> <a href="#b15">15</a>


+  <a href="#b16">16</a> <a href="#b17">17</a> <a href="#b18">18</a> <a href="#b19">19</a>


+  <a href="#b20">20</a> <a href="#b21">21</a> <a href="#b22">22</a> <a href="#b23">23</a>


+  <a href="#b24">24</a> <a href="#b25">25</a> <a href="#b26">26</a> <a href="#b27">27</a>


+  <a href="#b28">28</a> <a href="#b29">29</a> <a href="#b30">30</a> <a href="#b31">31</a>


+  <a href="#b32">32</a> <a href="#b33">33</a> <a href="#b34">34</a> <a href="#b35">35</a>


+  <a href="#b36">36</a> <a href="#b37">37</a> <a href="#b38">38</a> <a href="#b39">39</a>


+  <a href="#b40">40</a> <a href="#b41">41</a> <a href="#b42">42</a> <a href="#b43">43</a>


+  <a href="#b44">44</a> <a href="#b45">45</a> <a href="#b46">46</a> <a href="#b47">47</a></div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes"><i>Submission of the Marcians accepted. The college of Augurs


+  augmented from four to nine. The law of appeal to the people carried by Valerius


+  the consul. Two more tribes added. War declared against the Samnites. Several


+  successful actions. In an engagement against the combined forces of the Etruscans,


+  Umbrians, Samnites, and Gauls, Publius Decius, after the example of his father,


+  devotes himself for the army. Dies, and, by his death, procures the victory


+  to the Romans. Defeat of the Samnites by Papirius Cursor. The census held. The


+  lustrum closed. The number of the citizens two hundred and sixty-two thousand


+  three hundred and twenty-two.</i></div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="lsidenote">1 </div>


+<a id="b1" />


+<p>During the consulate of Lucius Genucius and Servius Cornelius, the state enjoyed


+  almost uninterrupted rest from foreign wars. Colonies were led out to Sora and


+  Alba. For the latter, situated in the country of the Aequans, six thousand colonists


+  were enrolled. Sora had formerly belonged to the Volscian territory, but had


+  fallen into the possession of the Samnites: thither were sent four thousand


+  settlers. This year the freedom of the state was granted to the Arpinians and


+  Trebulans. The Frusinonians were fined a third part of their lands, because


+  it was discovered that the Hernicians had been tampered with by them; and the


+  heads of that conspiracy, after a trial before the consuls, held in pursuance


+  of a decree of the senate, were beaten with rods and beheaded. However, that


+  the Romans might not pass the year entirely exempt from war, a little expedition


+  was made into Umbria; intelligence being received from thence, that excursions


+  of men, in arms, had been made, from a certain cave, into the adjacent country.


+  Into this cave the troops penetrated with their standards, and, the place being


+  dark, they received many wounds, chiefly from stones thrown. At length the other


+  mouth of the cave being found, for it was pervious, both the openings were filled


+  up with wood, which being set on fire, there perished by means of the smoke


+  and heat, no less than two thousand men; many of whom, at the last, in attempting


+  to make their way out, rushed into the very flames. The two Marci, Livius Denter


+  and Aemilius, succeeding to the consulship, war was renewed with the Aequans;


+  who, being highly displeased at the colony established within their territory,


+  as if it were a fortress, having made an attempt, with their whole force, to


+  seize it, were repulsed by the colonists themselves. They caused, however, such


+  an alarm at Rome, that, to quell this insurrection, Caius Junius Bubulcus was


+  nominated dictator: for it was scarcely credible that the Aequans, after being


+  reduced to such a degree of weakness, should by themselves alone have ventured


+  to engage in a war. The dictator, taking the field, with Marcus Titinius, master


+  of the horse, in the first engagement reduced the Aequans to submission; and


+  returning into the city in triumph, on the eighth day, dedicated, in the character


+  of dictator, the temple of Health, which he had vowed when consul, and contracted


+  for when censor. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">2 </div>


+<a id="b2" />


+<p>During this year a fleet of Grecians, under the command of Cleonymus, a Lacedaemonian,


+  arrived on the coast of Italy, and took Thuriae, a city in the territory of


+  the Sallentines. Against this enemy the consul Aemilius was sent, who, in one


+  battle, completely defeated them, and drove them on board their ships. Thuriae


+  was then restored to its old inhabitants, and peace re-established in the country


+  of the Sallentines. In some annals, I find that Junius Bubulcus was sent dictator


+  into that country, and that Cleonymus, without hazarding an engagement with


+  the Romans, retired out of Italy. He then sailed round the promontory of Brundusium,


+  and, steering down the middle of the Adriatic gulf, because he dreaded, on the


+  left hand, the coasts of Italy destitute of harbours, and, on the right, the


+  Illyrians, Liburnians, and Istrians, nations of savages, and noted in general


+  for piracy, he passed on to the coasts of the Venetians. Here, having landed


+  a small party to explore the country, and being informed that a narrow beach


+  stretched along the shore, beyond which were marshes, overflowed by the tides;


+  that dry land was seen at no great distance, level in the nearest part, and


+  rising behind into hills, beyond which was the mouth of a very deep river, into


+  which they had seen ships brought round and moored in safety, (this was the


+  river Meduacus,) he ordered his fleet to sail into it and go up against the


+  stream. As the channel would not admit the heavy ships, the troops, removing


+  into the lighter vessels, arrived at a part of the country occupied by three


+  maritime cantons of the Patavians, settled on that coast. Here they made a descent,


+  leaving a small guard with the ships, made themselves masters of these cantons,


+  set fire to the houses, drove off a considerable booty of men and cattle, and,


+  allured by the sweets of plunder, proceeded still further from the shore. When


+  news of this was brought to Patavium, where the contiguity of the Gauls kept


+  the inhabitants constantly in arms, they divided their young men into two bands,


+  one of which was led towards the quarter where the marauders were said to be


+  busy; the other by a different route, to avoid meeting any of the pirates, towards


+  the station of the ships, fifteen miles distant from the town. An attack was


+  made on the small craft, and the guards being killed, the affrighted mariners


+  were obliged to remove their ships to the other bank of the river. By land,


+  also, the attack on the dispersed plunderers was equally successful; and the


+  Grecians, flying back towards their ships, were opposed in their way by the


+  Venetians. Thus they were enclosed on both sides, and cut to pieces; and some,


+  who were made prisoners, gave information that the fleet, with their king, Cleonymus,


+  was but three miles distant. Sending the captives into the nearest canton, to


+  be kept under a guard, some soldiers got on board the flat-bottomed vessels,


+  so constructed for the purpose of passing the shoals with ease; others embarked


+  in those which had been lately taken from the enemy, and proceeding down the


+  river, surrounded their unwieldy ships, which dreaded the unknown sands and


+  flats more than they did the Romans, and which showed a greater eagerness to


+  escape into the deep than to make resistance. The soldiers pursued them as far


+  as the mouth of the river; and having taken and burned a part of the fleet,


+  which in the hurry and confusion had been stranded, returned victorious. Cleonymus,


+  having met success in no part of the Adriatic sea, departed with scarce a fifth


+  part of his navy remaining. Many, now alive, have seen the beaks of his ships,


+  and the spoils of the Lacedaemonians, hanging in the old temple of Juno. In


+  commemoration of this event, there is exhibited at Patavium, every year, on


+  its anniversary day, a naval combat on the river in the middle of the town.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">3 </div>


+<a id="b3" />


+<p>A treaty was this year concluded at Rome with the Vestinians, who solicited


+  friendship. Various causes of apprehension afterwards sprung up. News arrived,


+  that Etruria was in rebellion; the insurrection having arisen from the dissensions


+  of the Arretians; for the Cilnian family having grown exorbitantly powerful,


+  a party, out of envy of their wealth, had attempted to expel them by force of


+  arms. [Accounts were also received] that the Marsians held forcible possession


+  of the lands to which the colony of Carseoli, consisting of four thousand men,


+  had been sent. By reason, therefore, of these commotions, Marcus Valerius Maximus


+  was nominated dictator, and chose for his master of the horse Marcus Aemilius


+  Paullus. This I am inclined to believe, rather than that Quintus Fabius, at


+  such an age as he then was, and after enjoying many honours, was placed in a


+  station subordinate to Valerius: but I think it not unlikely that the mistake


+  arose from the surname Maximus. The dictator, having set out at the head of


+  an army, in one battle utterly defeated the Marsians, drove them into their


+  fortified towns, and afterwards, in the course of a few days, took Milionia,


+  Plestina, and Fresilia; and then finding Marsians in a part of their lands,


+  granted them a renewal of the treaty. The war was then directed against the


+  Etrurians; and when the dictator had gone to Rome, for the purpose of renewing


+  the auspices, the master of the horse, going out to forage, was surrounded by


+  an ambuscade, and obliged to fly shamefully into his camp, after losing several


+  standards and many of his men. The occurrence of which discomfiture to Fabius


+  is exceedingly improbable; not only because, if in any particular, certainly,


+  above all, in the qualifications of a commander, he fully merited his surname;


+  but besides, mindful of Papirius's severity, he never could have been tempted


+  to fight, without the dictator's orders. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">4 </div>


+<a id="b4" />


+<p>The news of this disaster excited at Rome an alarm greater than suited the


+  importance of the affair; for, as if the army had been destroyed, a justitium


+  was proclaimed, guards mounted at the gates, and watches set in every street:


+  and armour and weapons were heaped on the walls. All the younger citizens being


+  compelled to enlist, the dictator was ordered to join the army. There he found


+  every thing in a more tranquil state than he expected, and regularity established


+  through the care of the master of the horse, the camp removed to a place of


+  greater safety, the cohorts, which had lost their standards, left without tents


+  on the outside of the ramparts and the troops ardently impatient for battle,


+  that their disgrace might be the sooner obliterated. He therefore immediately


+  advanced his camp into the territory of Rusella. Thither the enemy also followed,


+  and although, since their late success, they entertained the most sanguine hopes


+  from an open trial of strength, yet they endeavoured to circumvent the enemy


+  by a stratagem which they had before practised with success. There were, at


+  a small distance from the Roman camp, the half-ruined houses of a town which


+  had been burnt in the devastation of the country. A body of troops being concealed


+  there, some cattle was driven on, within view of a Roman post, commanded by


+  a lieutenant-general, Cneius Fulvius. When no one was induced by this temptation


+  to stir from his post, one of the herdsmen, advancing close to the works, called


+  out, that others were driving out those cattle at their leisure from the ruins


+  of the town, why did they remain idle, when they might safely drive them through


+  the middle of the Roman camp? When this was interpreted to the lieutenant-general,


+  by some natives of Caere, and great impatience prevailed through every company


+  of the soldiers, who, nevertheless, dared not to move without orders, he commanded


+  some who were skilled in the language to observe attentively, whether the dialect


+  of the herdsmen resembled that of rustics or of citizens. When these reported,


+  that their accent in speaking, their manner and appearance, were all of a more


+  polished cast than suited shepherds, "Go then," said he, "tell them that they


+  may uncover the ambush which they vainly conceal, that the Romans understand


+  all their devices, and can now be no more taken by stratagem than they can be


+  conquered by arms." When these words were heard, and carried to those who lay


+  in ambush, they immediately arose from their lurking place, and marched out


+  in order into the plain which was open to view on every side The lieutenant-general


+  thought their force too powerful for his small band to cope with. He therefore


+  sent in haste to Valerius for support, and in the mean time, by himself, sustained


+  the enemy's onset. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">5 </div>


+<a id="b5" />


+<p>On receiving his message, the dictator ordered the standards to move, and the


+  troops to follow in arms. But every thing was executed more quickly, almost,


+  than ordered. The standards and arms were instantly snatched up, and they were


+  with difficulty restrained from running impetuously on, both indignation at


+  their late defeat stimulated them, as well as the shouts striking their ears


+  with increasing vehemence, as the contest grew hotter They therefore urged each


+  other, and pressed the standard-bearers to quicken their pace. The dictator,


+  the more eagerly he saw them push forward, took the more pains to repress their


+  haste, and ordered them to march at a slower rate. On the other side, the Etrurians,


+  putting themselves in motion, on the first beginning of the fray had come up


+  with their whole force, and several expresses came to the dictator, one after


+  another, that all the regions of the Etrurians had joined in the fight, and


+  that his men could not any longer withstand them: at the same time, he himself


+  saw, from the higher ground, in how perilous a situation the party was. Confident,


+  however, that the lieutenant-general was able, even yet, to support the contest,


+  and considering that he himself was at hand to rescue him from defeat, he wished


+  to let the enemy be fatigued, as much as might be, in order that, when in that


+  state, he might fall on them with his fresh troops. Slowly as these marched,


+  the distance was now just sufficient for the cavalry to begin their career for


+  a charge. The battalions of the legions marched in front, lest the enemy might


+  suspect any secret or sudden movement, but intervals had been left in the ranks


+  of the infantry, affording room for the horses to gallop through. At the same


+  instant the line raised the shout, and the cavalry, charging at full speed,


+  poured on the enemy, and spread at once a general panic. After this, as succour


+  had arrived, almost too late, to the party surrounded, so now they were allowed


+  entire rest, the fresh troops taking on themselves the whole business of the


+  fight. Nor was that either long or dubious. The enemy, now routed, fled to their


+  camp, and the Romans advancing to attack it, they gave way, and are crowded


+  all together in the remotest part of it. In their flight they are obstructed


+  by the narrowness of the gates, the greater number climbed up on the mounds


+  and ramparts, to try if they could either defend themselves with the aid of


+  the advantageous ground, or get over, by any means, and escape. One part of


+  the rampart, happening to be badly compacted sunk under the weight of the multitude


+  who stood on it, and fell into the trench. On which, crying out that the gods


+  had opened that pass to give them safety, they made their way out, most of them


+  leaving their arms behind. By this battle the power of the Etrurians was, a


+  second time, effectually crushed, so that, engaging to furnish a year's pay,


+  and corn for two months, with the dictator's permission, they sent ambassadors


+  to Rome to treat of peace. This was refused, but a truce for two years was granted


+  to them. The dictator returned into the city in triumph. I have seen it asserted,


+  that tranquillity was restored in Etruria by the dictator, without any memorable


+  battle, only by composing the dissensions of the Arretians, and effecting a


+  reconciliation between the Cilnian family and the commons. Marcus Valerius was


+  elected consul, before the expiration of his dictatorship, many have believed,


+  without his soliciting the office, and even while he was absent; and that the


+  election was held by an interrex. In one point all agree, that he held the consulship


+  with Quintus Appulcius Pansa. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">6 </div>


+<a id="b6" />


+<p>During this consulate of Marcus Valerius and Quintus Appulcius, affairs abroad


+  wore a very peaceable aspect. Their losses sustained in war, together with the


+  truce, kept the Etrurians quiet. The Samnites, depressed by the misfortunes


+  of many years, had not yet become dissatisfied with their new alliance. At Rome,


+  also, the carrying away of such multitudes to colonies, rendered the commons


+  tranquil, and lightened their burthens. But, that things might not be tranquil


+  on all sides, a contention was excited between the principal persons in the


+  commonwealth, patricians on one hand, and plebeians on the other, by the two


+  Ogulnii, Quintus and Cneius, plebeian tribunes, who, seeking every where occasions


+  of criminating the patricians in the hearing of the people, and having found


+  other attempts fruitless, set on foot a proceeding by which they might inflame,


+  not the lowest class of the commons, but their chief men, the plebeians of consular


+  and triumphal rank, to the completion of whose honours nothing was now wanting


+  but the offices of the priesthood, which were not yet laid open to them. They


+  therefore published a proposal for a law, that, whereas there were then four


+  augurs and four pontiffs, and it had been determined that the number of priests


+  should be augmented, the four additional pontiffs and five augurs should all


+  be chosen out of the commons. How the college of augurs could be reduced to


+  the number of four, except by the death of two, I do not understand: for it


+  is a rule among the augurs, that their number should be composed of threes,


+  so that the three ancient tribes, the Ramnes, Titienses, and Luceres, should


+  have each its own augur; or, in case there should be occasion for more, that


+  each should increase its number of augurs, in equal proportion with the rest,


+  in like manner as when, by the addition of five to four, they made up the number


+  nine, so that there were three to each tribe. However, as it was proposed that


+  they should be chosen out of the commons, the patricians were as highly offended


+  at the proceeding, as when they saw the consulship made common; yet they pretended


+  that the business concerned not them so much as it did the gods, who would "take


+  care that their own worship should not be contaminated; that, for their parts,


+  they only wished that no misfortune might ensue to the commonwealth." But they


+  made a less vigorous opposition, as being now accustomed to suffer defeat in


+  such kind of disputes; and they saw their adversaries, not, as formerly, grasping


+  at that which they could scarcely hope to reach, the higher honours; but already


+  in possession of all those advantages, on the uncertain prospect of which they


+  had maintained the contest, manifold consulships, censorships, and triumphs.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">7 </div>


+<a id="b7" />


+<p>The principal struggle, however, in supporting and opposing the bill, they


+  say, was between Appius Claudius and Publius Decius Mus. After these had urged


+  nearly the same topics, respecting the privileges of patricians and plebeians,


+  which had been formerly employed for and against the Licinian law, when the


+  proposition was brought forward of opening the consulship to plebeians, Decius


+  is said to have drawn a lively description of his own father, such as many then


+  present in the assembly had seen him, girt in the Gabine dress, standing on


+  a spear, in the attitude in which he had devoted himself for the people and


+  the legions, and to have added, that the consul Publius Decius was then deemed


+  by the immortal gods an offering equally pure and pious, as if his colleague,


+  Titus Manlius, had been devoted. And might not the same Publius Decius have


+  been, with propriety, chosen to perform the public worship of the Roman people?


+  Was there any danger that the gods would give less attention to his prayers


+  than to those of Appius Claudius? Did the latter perform his private acts of


+  adoration with a purer mind, or worship the gods more religiously than he? Who


+  had any reason to complain of the vows offered in behalf of the commonwealth,


+  by so many plebeian consuls and dictators, either when setting out to their


+  armies, or in the heat of battle? Were the numbers of commanders reckoned, during


+  those years since business began to be transacted under the conduct and auspices


+  of plebeians, the same number of triumphs might be found. The commons had now


+  no reason to be dissatisfied with their own nobility. On the contrary, they


+  were fully convinced, that in case of a sudden war breaking out, the senate


+  and people of Rome would not repose greater confidence in patrician than in


+  plebeian commanders. "Which being the case," said he, "what god or man can deem


+  it an impropriety, if those whom ye have honoured with curule chairs, with the


+  purple bordered gown, with the palm-vest and embroidered robe, with the triumphal


+  crown and laurel, whose houses ye have rendered conspicuous above others, by


+  affixing to them the spoils of conquered enemies, should add to these the badges


+  of augurs or pontiffs? If a person, who has rode through the city in a gilt


+  chariot; and, decorated with the ensigns of Jupiter, supremely good and great,


+  has mounted the Capitol, should be seen with a chalice and wand; what impropriety,


+  I say, that he should, with his head veiled, slay a victim, or take an augury


+  in the citadel? When, in the inscription on a person's statue, the consulship,


+  censorship, and triumph shall be read with patience, will the eyes of readers


+  be unable to endure the addition of the office of augur or pontiff? In truth


+  (with deference to the gods I say it) I trust that we are, through the kindness


+  of the Roman people, qualified in such a manner that we should, by the dignity


+  of our characters, reflect back, on the priesthood, not less lustre than we


+  should receive; and may demand, rather on behalf of the gods, than for our own


+  sakes, that those whom we worship in our private we may also worship in a public


+  capacity." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">8 </div>


+<a id="b8" />


+<p>"But why do I argue thus, as if the cause of the patricians, respecting the


+  priesthood, were untouched? and as if we were not already in possession of one


+  sacerdotal office, of the highest class? We see plebeian decemvirs, for performing


+  sacrifices, interpreters of the Sibylline prophecies, and of the fates of the


+  nation; we also see them presidents of Apollo's festival, and of other religious


+  performances. Neither was any injustice done to the patricians, when, to the


+  two commissioners for performing sacrifices, an additional number was joined,


+  in favour of the plebeians; nor is there now, when a tribune, a man of courage


+  and activity, wishes to add five places of augurs, and four of pontiffs, to


+  which plebeians may be nominated; not Appius, with intent to expel you from


+  your places; but, that men of plebeian rank may assist you, in the management


+  of divine affairs, with the same zeal with which they assist you in matters


+  of human concernment. Blush not, Appius, at having a man your colleague in the


+  priesthood, whom you might have a colleague in the censorship or consulship,


+  whose master of the horse you yourself may be, when he is dictator, as well


+  as dictator when he is master of the horse. A Sabine adventurer, the first origin


+  of your nobility, either Attus Clausus, or Appius Claudius, which you will,


+  the ancient patricians of those days admitted into their number: do not then,


+  on your part, disdain to admit us into the number of priests. We bring with


+  us numerous honours; all those honours, indeed, which have rendered your party


+  so proud. Lucius Sextius was the first consul chosen out of the plebeians; Caius


+  Licinius Stolo, the first master of the horse; Caius Marcius Rutilus, the first


+  dictator, and likewise censor; Quintus Publilius Philo, the first praetor. On


+  all occasions was heard a repetition of the same arguments; that the right of


+  auspices was vested in you; that ye alone had the rights of ancestry; that ye


+  alone were legally entitled to the supreme command, and the auspices both in


+  peace and war. The supreme command has hitherto been, and will continue to be,


+  equally prosperous in plebeian hands as in patrician. Have ye never heard it


+  said, that the first created patricians were not men sent down from heaven,


+  but such as could cite their fathers, that is, nothing more than free born.


+  I can now cite my father, a consul; and my son will be able to cite a grandfather.


+  Citizens, there is nothing else in it, than that we should never obtain any


+  thing without a refusal. The patricians wish only for a dispute; nor do they


+  care what issue their disputes may have. For my part, be it advantageous, happy,


+  and prosperous to you and to the commonwealth, I am of opinion that this law


+  should receive your sanction." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">9 </div>


+<a id="b9" />


+<p>The people ordered that the tribes should be instantly called; and there was


+  every appearance that the law would be accepted. It was deferred, however, for


+  that day, by a protest, from which on the day following the tribunes were deterred;


+  and it passed with the approbation of a vast majority. The pontiffs created


+  were, Publius Decius Mus, the advocate for the law; Publius Sempronius Sophus,


+  Caius Marcius Rutilus, and Marcus Livius Denter. The five augurs, who were also


+  plebeians, were, Caius Genucius, Publius Aelius Paetus, Marcus Minucius Fessus,


+  Caius Marcius, and Titus Publilius. Thus the number of the pontiffs was made


+  eight; that of the augurs nine. In the same year Marcus Valerius, consul, procured


+  a law to be passed concerning appeals; more carefully enforced by additional


+  sanctions. This was the third time, since the expulsion of the kings, of this


+  law being introduced, and always by the same family. The reason for renewing


+  it so often was, I believe, no other, than that the influence of a few was apt


+  to prove too powerful for the liberty of the commons. However, the Porcian law


+  seems intended, solely, for the security of the persons of the citizens; as


+  it visited with a severe penalty any one for beating with stripes or putting


+  to death a Roman citizen. The Valerian law, after forbidding a person, who had


+  appealed, to be beaten with rods and beheaded, added, in case of any one acting


+  contrary thereto, that it shall yet be only deemed a wicked act. This, I suppose,


+  was judged of sufficient strength to enforce obedience to the law in those days;


+  so powerful was then men's sense of shame; at present one would scarcely make


+  use of such a threat seriously. The Aequans rebelling, the same consul conducted


+  the war against them; in which no memorable event occurred; for, except ferocity,


+  they retained nothing of their ancient condition. The other consul, Appuleius,


+  invested the town of Nequinum in Umbria. The ground, the same whereon Narnia


+  now stands, was steep (on one side even perpendicular); this rendered the town


+  impregnable either by assault or works. That business, therefore, came unfinished


+  into the hands of the succeeding consuls, Marcus Fulvius Paetinus and Titus


+  Manlius Torquatus. When all the centuries named Quintus Fabius consul for that


+  year though not a candidate, Macer Licinius and Tubero state that he himself


+  recommended them to postpone the conferring the consulship on him until a year


+  wherein there might be more employment for their arms; adding, that, during


+  the present year, he might be more useful to the state in the management of


+  a city magistracy; and thus, neither dissembling what he preferred, nor yet


+  making direct application for it, he was appointed curule aedile with Lucius


+  Papirius Cursor. Piso, a more ancient writer of annals, prevents me from averring


+  this as certain; he asserts that the curule aediles of that year were Caius


+  Domitius Calvinus, son of Cneius, and Spurius Carvilius Maximus, son of Caius.


+  I am of opinion, that this latter surname caused a mistake concerning the aediles;


+  and that thence followed a story conformable to this mistake, patched up out


+  of the two elections, of the aediles, and of the consuls. The general survey


+  was performed, this year, by Publius Sempronius Sophus and Publius Sulpicius


+  Saverrio, censors; and two tribes were added, the Aniensian and Terentine. Such


+  were the occurrences at Rome. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">10 </div>


+<a id="b10" />


+<p>Meanwhile, after much time had been lost in the tedious siege of Nequinum,


+  two of the townsmen, whose houses were contiguous to the wall, having formed


+  a subterraneous passage, came by that private way to the Roman advanced guards;


+  and being conducted thence to the consul, offered to give admittance to a body


+  of armed men within the works and walls. The proposal was thought to be such


+  as ought neither to be rejected, nor yet assented to without caution. With one


+  of these men, the other being detained as an hostage, two spies were sent through


+  the mine, and certain information being received from them, three hundred men


+  in arms, guided by the deserter, entered the city, and seized by night the nearest


+  gate, which being broken open, the Roman consul and his army took possession


+  of the city without any opposition. In this manner came Nequinum under the dominion


+  of the Roman people. A colony was sent thither as a barrier against the Umbrians,


+  and called Narnia, from the river Nar. The troops returned to Rome with abundance


+  of spoil. This year the Etrurians made preparations for war in violation of


+  the truce. But a vast army of the Gauls, making an irruption into their territories,


+  while their attention was directed to another quarter, suspended for a time


+  the execution of their design. They then, relying on the abundance of money


+  which they possessed, endeavour to make allies of the Gauls, instead of enemies;


+  in order that, with their armies combined, they might attack the Romans. The


+  barbarians made no objection to the alliance, and a negotiation was opened for


+  settling the price; which being adjusted and paid, and every thing else being


+  in readiness for commencing their operations, the Etrurians desired them to


+  accompany them in their march. This they refused, alleging that "they had stipulated


+  a price for making war against the Romans: that the payment already made, they


+  had received in consideration of their not wasting the Etrurian territory, or


+  using their arms against the inhabitants. That notwithstanding, if it was the


+  wish of the Etrurians, they were still willing to engage in the war, but on


+  no other condition than that of being allowed a share of their lands, and obtaining


+  at length some permanent settlement." Many assemblies of the states of Etruria


+  were held on this subject, and nothing could be settled; not so much by reason


+  of their aversion from the dismemberment of their territory, as because every


+  one felt a dread of fixing in so close vicinity to themselves people of such


+  a savage race. The Gauls were therefore dismissed, and carried home an immense


+  sum of money, acquired without toil or danger. The report of a Gallic tumult,


+  in addition to an Etrurian war, had caused serious apprehensions at Rome; and,


+  with the less hesitation on that account, an alliance was concluded with the


+  state of the Picentians. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">11 </div>


+<a id="b11" />


+<p>The province of Etruria fell by lot to the consul Titus Manlius; who, when


+  he had but just entered the enemy's country, as he was exercising the cavalry,


+  in wheeling about at full speed, was thrown from his horse, and almost killed


+  on the spot; three days after the fall, he died. The Etrurians, embracing this


+  omen, as it were, of the future progress of the war, and observing that the


+  gods had commenced hostilities on their behalf, assumed new courage. At Rome


+  the news caused great affliction, on account both of the loss of such a man


+  and of the unseasonableness of the juncture; insomuch that an assembly, held


+  for the purpose of substituting a new consul, having been conducted agreeably


+  to the wishes of people of the first consequence, prevented the senate from


+  ordering a dictator to be created. All the votes and centuries concurred unanimously


+  in appointing Marcus Valerius consul, the same whom the senate would have ordered


+  to be made dictator. They then commanded him to proceed immediately into Etruria,


+  to the legions. His coming gave such a check to the Etrurians, that not one


+  of them dared thenceforward to appear on the outside of their trenches; their


+  own fears operating as a blockade. Nor could the new consul, by wasting their


+  lands and burning their houses, draw them out to an engagement; for not only


+  country-houses, but numbers of their towns, were seen smoking and in ashes,


+  on every side. While this war proceeded more slowly than had been expected,


+  an account was received of the breaking out of another; which was, not without


+  reason, regarded as terrible, in consequence of the heavy losses formerly sustained


+  by both parties, from information given by their new allies, the Picentians,


+  that the Samnites were looking to arms and a renewal of hostilities, and that


+  they themselves had been solicited to join therein. The Picentians received


+  the thanks of the state; and a large share of the attention of the senate was


+  turned from Etruria towards Samnium. The dearness of provisions also distressed


+  the state very much, and they would have felt the extremity of want, according


+  to the relation of those who make Fabius Maximus curule aedile that year, had


+  not the vigilant activity of that man, such as he had on many occasions displayed


+  in the field, been exerted then with equal zeal at home, in the management of


+  the market, and in procuring and forming magazines of corn. An interregnum took


+  place this year, the reason of which is not mentioned. Appius Claudius, and,


+  after him, Publius Sulpicius, were interreges. The latter held an election of


+  consuls, and chose Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Cneius Fulvius. In the beginning


+  of this year, ambassadors came from the Lucanians to the new consuls to complain,


+  that "the Samnites, finding that they could not, by any offers, tempt them to


+  take part in the war, had marched an army in a hostile manner into their country,


+  and were now laying it waste, and forcing them into a war; that the Lucanian


+  people had on former occasions erred enough and more than enough; that their


+  minds were so firmly fixed that they thought it more endurable to bear and suffer


+  every hardship, rather than ever again to outrage the Roman name: they besought


+  the senate to take the people of Lucania into their protection, and defend them


+  from the injustice and outrage of the Samnites; that although fidelity on their


+  part to the Romans would now become necessary, a war being undertaken against


+  the Samnites, still they were ready to give hostages." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">12 </div>


+<a id="b12" />


+<p>The deliberation of the senate was short. They all, to a man, concurred in


+  opinion, that a compact should be entered into with the Lucanians, and satisfaction


+  demanded from the Samnites: accordingly, a favourable answer was returned to


+  the Lucanians, and the alliance concluded. Heralds were then sent, to require


+  of the Samnites, that they should depart from the country of the allies, and


+  withdraw their troops from the Lucanian territory. These were met by persons


+  despatched for the purpose by the Samnites, who gave them warning, that "if


+  they appeared at any assembly in Samnium, they must not expect to depart in


+  safety." As soon as this was heard at Rome, the senate voted, and the people


+  ordered, that war should be declared against the Samnites. The consuls, then,


+  dividing the provinces between them, Etruria fell to Scipio, the Samnites to


+  Fulvius; and they set out by different routes, each against the enemy allotted


+  to him. Scipio, while he expected a tedious campaign, like that of the preceding


+  year, was met near Volaterra by the Etrurians, in order of battle. The fight


+  lasted through the greater part of the day, while very many fell on both sides,


+  and night came on while it was uncertain to which side victory inclined. But


+  the following dawn showed the conqueror and the vanquished; for the Etrurians


+  had decamped in the dead of the night. The Romans, marching out with intent


+  to renew the engagement, and seeing their superiority acknowledged by the departure


+  of the enemy, advanced to their camp; and, finding even this fortified post


+  deserted, took possession of it, evacuated as it was, together with a vast quantity


+  of spoil. The consul then, leading back his forces into the Faliscian territory,


+  and leaving his baggage with a small guard at Falerii, set out with his troops,


+  lightly accoutred, to ravage the enemy's country. All places are destroyed with


+  fire and sword; plunder driven from every side; and not only was the ground


+  left a mere waste to the enemy, but their forts and small towns were set on


+  fire; he refrained from attacking the cities into which fear had driven the


+  Etrurians. The consul Cneius Fulvius fought a glorious battle in Samnium, near


+  Bovianum, attended with success by no means equivocal. Then, having attacked


+  Bovianum, and not long after Aufidena, he took them by storm. </p>


+<p> This year a colony was carried out to Carseoli, into the territory of the


+  Aequicolae. The consul Fulvius triumphed on his defeat of the Samnites. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">13 </div>


+<a id="b13" />


+<p>When the consular elections were now at hand, a report prevailed, that the


+  Etrurians and Samnites were raising vast armies; that the leaders of the Etrurians


+  were, in all their assemblies, openly censured for not having procured the aid


+  of the Gauls on any terms; and the magistrates of the Samnites arraigned, for


+  having opposed to the Romans an army destined to act against the Lucanians.


+  That, in consequence, the people were rising up in arms, with all their own


+  strength and that of their allies combined; and that this affair seemed not


+  likely to be terminated without a contest of much greater difficulty than the


+  former. Although the candidates for the consulship were men of illustrious characters,


+  yet this alarming intelligence turned the thoughts of all on Quintus Fabius


+  Maximus, who sought not the employment at first, and afterwards, when he discovered


+  their wishes, even declined it. "Why," said he, "should they impose such a difficult


+  task on him, who was now in the decline of life, and had passed through a full


+  course of labours, and of the rewards of labour? Neither the vigour of his body,


+  nor of his mind, remained the same; and he dreaded fortune herself, lest to


+  some god she should seem too bountiful to him, and more constant than the course


+  of human affairs allowed. He had himself succeeded, in gradual succession, to


+  the dignities of his seniors; and he beheld, with great satisfaction, others


+  rising up to succeed to his glory. There was no scarcity at Rome, either of


+  honours suited to men of the highest merit, or of men of eminent merit suited


+  to the highest honours." This disinterested conduct, instead of repressing,


+  increased, while in fact it justified their zeal. But thinking that this ought


+  to be checked by respect for the laws, he ordered that clause to be read aloud


+  by which it was not lawful that the same person shall be re-elected consul within


+  ten years. The law was scarcely heard in consequence of the clamour; and the


+  tribunes of the commons declared, that this "decree should be no impediment;


+  for they would propose an order to the people, that he should be exempted from


+  the obligation of the laws." Still he persisted in his opposition, asking, "To


+  what purpose were laws enacted, if they eluded by the very persons who procured


+  them? The laws now," he said, "instead of being rulers, were overruled." The


+  people, nevertheless, proceeded to vote; and, according as each century was


+  called in, it immediately named Fabius consul. Then at length, overcome by the


+  universal wish of the state, he said, "Romans, may the gods approve your present,


+  and all your future proceedings. But since, with respect to me, ye intend to


+  act according to your own wills, let my interest find room with you, with respect


+  to my colleague. I earnestly request, that ye will place in the consulship with


+  me Publius Decius; a man with whom I have already experienced the utmost harmony


+  in our joint administration of that office; a man worthy of you, worthy of his


+  father." The recommendation was deemed well founded, and all the remaining centuries


+  voted Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius consuls. This year, great numbers were


+  prosecuted by the aediles, for having in possession larger quantities of land


+  than the state allowed; and hardly any were acquitted: by which means, a very


+  great restraint was laid on exorbitant covetousness. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">14 </div>


+<a id="b14" />


+<p>Whilst the new consuls, Quintus Fabius Maximus a fourth, and Publius Decius


+  Mus a third time, were settling between themselves that one should command against


+  the Samnites, and the other against the Etrurians; and what number of forces


+  would be sufficient for this and for that province; and which would be the fitter


+  commander in each war; ambassadors from Sutrium, Nepete, and Falerii, stating


+  that the states of Etruria were holding assemblies on the subject of suing for


+  peace, they directed the whole force of their arms against Samnium. The consuls,


+  in order that the supply of provisions might be the more ready, and to leave


+  the enemy in the greater uncertainty on what quarter the war would fall, Fabius


+  led his legions towards Samnium through the territory of Sora, and Decius his


+  through that of Sidicinum. As soon as they arrived at the frontiers of the enemy,


+  both advanced briskly, spreading devastation wherever they came; but still they


+  explore the country, to a distance beyond where the troops were employed in


+  plundering. Accordingly the fact did not escape the notice of the Romans, that


+  the enemy were drawn up in a retired valley, near Tifernum, which, when the


+  Romans entered, they were preparing to attack them from the higher ground. Fabius,


+  sending away his baggage to a place of safety, and setting a small guard over


+  it, and having given notice to his soldiers that a battle was at hand, advanced


+  in a square body to the hiding-place of the enemy already mentioned. The Samnites,


+  disappointed in making an unexpected attack, determined on a regular engagement,


+  as the matter was now likely to come to an open contest. They therefore marched


+  out into the plain; and, with a greater share of spirit than of hopes, committed


+  themselves to the disposal of fortune. However, whether in consequence of their


+  having drawn together, from every state, the whole of the force which it possessed,


+  or that the consideration of their all being at stake, heightened their courage,


+  they occasioned, even in open fight, a considerable alarm. Fabius, when he saw


+  that the enemy in no place gave way, ordered Marcus Fulvius and Marcus Valerius,


+  military tribunes, with whom he hastened to the front, to go to the cavalry,


+  and to exhort them, that, "if they remembered any instance wherein the public


+  had received advantage from the service of the horsemen, they would, on that


+  day, exert themselves to insure the invincible renown of that body; telling


+  them that the enemy stood immovable against the efforts of the infantry, and


+  the only hope remaining was in the charge of horse." He addressed particularly


+  both these youths, and with the same cordiality, loading them with praises and


+  promises. But considering that, in case that effort should also fail, it would


+  be necessary to accomplish by stratagem what his strength could not effect;


+  he ordered Scipio, one of his lieutenants-general, to draw off the spearmen


+  of the first legion out of the line; to lead them round as secretly as possible


+  to the nearest mountains; and, by an ascent concealed from view, to gain the


+  heights, and show himself suddenly on the rear of the enemy. The cavalry, led


+  on by the tribunes, rushing forward unexpectedly before the van, caused scarcely


+  more confusion among the enemy than among their friends. The line of the Samnites


+  stood firm against the furious onset of the squadrons; it neither could be driven


+  from its ground, nor broken in any part. The cavalry, finding their attempts


+  fruitless, withdrew from the fight, and retired behind the line of infantry.


+  On this the enemies' courage increased, so that the Roman troops in the van


+  would not have been able to support the contest, nor the force thus increasing


+  by confidence in itself, had not the second line, by the consul's order, come


+  up into the place of the first. These fresh troops checked the progress of the


+  Samnites, who had now began to gain ground; and, at this seasonable juncture,


+  their comrades appearing suddenly on the mountains, and raising a shout, occasioned


+  in the Samnites a fear of greater danger than really threatened them; Fabius


+  called out aloud that his colleague Decius was approaching; on which all the


+  soldiers, elated with joy, repeated eagerly, that the other consul was come,


+  the legions were arrived! This artifice, useful to the Romans, filled the Samnites


+  with dismay and terror; terrified chiefly lest fatigued as they were, they should


+  be overpowered by another army fresh and unhurt. As they dispersed themselves


+  in their flight on every side, there was less effusion of blood than might have


+  been expected, considering the completeness of the victory. There were three


+  thousand four hundred slain, about eight hundred and thirty made prisoners,


+  and twenty-three military standards taken. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">15 </div>


+<a id="b15" />


+<p>The Apulians would have joined their forces to the Samnites before this battle,


+  had not the consul, Publius Decius, encamped in their neighbourhood at Maleventum;


+  and, finding means to bring them to an engagement, put them to the rout. Here,


+  likewise, there was more of flight than of bloodshed. Two thousand of the Apulians


+  were slain; but Decius, despising such an enemy, led his legions into Samnium.


+  There the two consular armies, overrunning every part of the country during


+  the space of five months, laid it entirely waste. There were in Samnium forty-five


+  places where Decius, and eighty-six where the other consul, encamped. Nor did


+  they leave traces only of having been there, as ramparts and trenches, but other


+  dreadful mementos of it--general desolation and regions depopulated. Fabius


+  also took the city of Cimetra, where he made prisoners two thousand four hundred


+  soldiers; and there were slain in the assault about four hundred and thirty.


+  Going thence to Rome to preside at the elections, he used all expedition in


+  despatching that business. All the first-called centuries voted Quintus Fabius


+  consul. Appius Claudius was a candidate, a man of consular rank, daring and


+  ambitious; and as he wished not more ardently for the attainment of that honour


+  for himself, than he did that the patricians might recover the possession of


+  both places in the consulship, he laboured, with all his own power, supported


+  by that of the whole body of the nobility, to prevail on them to appoint him


+  consul along with Quintus Fabius. To this Fabius objected, giving, at first,


+  the same reasons which he had advanced the year before. The nobles then all


+  gathered round his seat, and besought him to raise up the consulship out of


+  the plebeian mire, and to restore both to the office itself, and to the patrician


+  rank, their original dignity. Fabius then, procuring silence, allayed their


+  warmth by a qualifying speech, declaring, that "he would have so managed, as


+  to have received the names of two patricians, if he had seen an intention of


+  appointing any other than himself to the consulship. As things now stood, he


+  would not set so bad a precedent as to admit his own name among the candidates;


+  such a proceeding being contrary to the laws." Whereupon Appius Claudius, and


+  Lucius Volumnius, a plebeian, who had likewise been colleagues in that office


+  before, were elected consuls. The nobility reproached Fabius for declining to


+  act in conjunction with Appius Claudius, because he evidently excelled him in


+  eloquence and political abilities. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">16 </div>


+<a id="b16" />


+<p>When the election was finished, the former consuls, their command being continued


+  for six months, were ordered to prosecute the war in Samnium. Accordingly, during


+  this next year also, in the consulate of Lucius Volumnius and Appius Claudius,


+  Publius Decius, who had been left consul in Samnium by his colleague, in the


+  character of proconsul, ceased not to spread devastation through all parts of


+  that country; until, at last, he drove the army of the Samnites, which never


+  dared to face him in the field, entirely out of the country. Thus expelled from


+  home, they bent their route to Etruria; and, supposing that the business, which


+  they had often in vain endeavoured to accomplish by embassies, might now be


+  negotiated with more effect, when they were backed by such a powerful armed


+  force, and could intermix terror with their entreaties, they demanded a meeting


+  of the chiefs of Etruria: which being assembled, they set forth the great number


+  of years during which they had waged war with the Romans, in the cause of liberty;


+  "they had," they said, "tried to sustain, with their own strength, the weight


+  of so great a war: they had also made trial of the support of the adjoining


+  nations, which proved of little avail. When they were unable longer to maintain


+  the conflict, they had sued the Roman people for peace; and had again taken


+  up arms, because they felt peace was more grievous to those with servitude,


+  than war to free men. That their one only hope remaining rested in the Etrurians.


+  They knew that nation to be the most powerful in Italy, in respect of arms,


+  men, and money; to have the Gauls their closest neighbours, born in the midst


+  of war and arms, of furious courage, both from their natural temper, and particularly


+  against the people of Rome, whom they boasted, without infringing the truth,


+  of having made their prisoners, and of having ransomed for gold. If the Etrurians


+  possessed the same spirit which formerly Porsena and their ancestors once had,


+  there was nothing to prevent their obliging the Romans, driven from all the


+  lands on this side of the Tiber, to fight for their own existence, and not for


+  the intolerable dominion which they assumed over Italy. The Samnite army had


+  come to them, in readiness for action, furnished with arms and pay, and were


+  willing to follow that instant, even should they lead to the attack of the city


+  of Rome itself." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">17 </div>


+<a id="b17" />


+<p>While they were engaged in these representations, and intriguing at Etruria,


+  the operations of the Romans in their own territories distressed them severely.


+  For Publius Decius, when he ascertained through his scouts the departure of


+  the Samnite army, called a council, and there said, "Why do we ramble through


+  the country, carrying the war from village to village? Why not attack the cities


+  and fortified places? No army now guards Samnium. They have fled their country;


+  they are gone into voluntary exile." The proposal being universally approved,


+  he marched to attack Murgantia, a city of considerable strength; and so great


+  was the ardour of the soldiers, resulting from their affection to their commander,


+  and from their hopes of richer treasure than could be found in pillaging the


+  country places, that in one day they took it by assault. Here, two thousand


+  one hundred of the Samnites, making resistance, were surrounded and taken prisoners;


+  and abundance of other spoil was captured. Decius, not choosing that the troops


+  should be encumbered in their march with heavy baggage, ordered them to be called


+  together, and said to them, "Do ye intend to rest satisfied with this single


+  victory, and this booty? or do ye choose to cherish hopes proportioned to your


+  bravery? All the cities of the Samnites, and the property left in them, are


+  your own; since, after so often defeating their legions, ye have finally driven


+  them out of the country. Sell those effects in your hands; and allure traders,


+  by a prospect of profit, to follow you on your march. I will, from time to time,


+  supply you with goods for sale. Let us go hence to the city of Romulea, where


+  no greater labour, but greater gain awaits you." Having sold off the spoil,


+  and warmly adopting the general's plan, they proceeded to Romulea. There, also,


+  without works or engines, as soon as the battalions approached, the soldiers,


+  deterred from the walls by no resistance, hastily applying ladders wherever


+  was most convenient to each, they mounted the fortifications. The town was taken


+  and plundered. Two thousand three hundred men were slain, six thousand taken


+  prisoners, and the soldiers obtained abundance of spoil. This they were obliged


+  to sell in like manner as the former; and, though no rest was allowed them,


+  they proceeded, nevertheless, with the utmost alacrity to Ferentinum. But here


+  they met a greater share both of difficulty and danger: the fortifications were


+  defended with the utmost vigour, and the place was strongly fortified both by


+  nature and art. However, the soldiers, now inured to plunder, overcame every


+  obstacle. Three thousand of the enemy were killed round the walls, and the spoil


+  was given to the troops. In some annals, the principal share of the honour of


+  taking these cities is attributed to Maximus. They say that Murgantia was taken


+  by Decius; Romulea and Ferentinum by Fabius. Some ascribe this honour to the


+  new consuls: others not to both, but to one of these, Lucius Volumnius: that


+  to him the province of Samnium had fallen. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">18 </div>


+<a id="b18" />


+<p>While things went on thus in Samnium, whoever it was that had the command and


+  auspices, powerful combination, composed of many states, was formed in Etruria


+  against the Romans, the chief promoter of which was Gellius Egnatius, a Samnite.


+  Almost all the Etrurians had united in this war. The neighbouring states of


+  Umbria were drawn in, as it were, by the contagion; and auxiliaries were procured


+  from the Gauls for hire: all their several numbers assembled at the camp of


+  the Samnites. When intelligence of this sudden commotion was received at Rome,


+  after the consul, Lucius Volumnius, had already set out for Samnium, with the


+  second and third legions, and fifteen thousand of the allies; it was, therefore,


+  resolved, that Appius Claudius should, at the very earliest opportunity, go


+  into Etruria. Two Roman legions followed him, the first and fourth, and twelve


+  thousand allies; their camp was pitched at a small distance from the enemy.


+  However, advantage was gained by his early arrival in this particular, that


+  the awe of the Roman name kept in check some states of Etruria which were disposed


+  to war, rather than from any judicious or successful enterprise achieved under


+  the guidance of the consul. Several battles were fought, at times and places


+  unfavourable, and increasing confidence rendered the enemy daily more formidable;


+  so that matters came nearly to such a state, as that neither could the soldiers


+  rely much on their leader, nor the leader on his soldiers. It appears in three


+  several histories, that a letter was sent by the consul to call his colleague


+  from Samnium. But I will not affirm what requires stronger proof, as that point


+  was a matter of dispute between these two consuls of the Roman people, a second


+  time associated in the same office; Appius denying that the letter was sent,


+  and Volumnius affirming that he was called thither by a letter from Appius.


+  Volumnius had, by this time, taken three forts in Samnium, in which three thousand


+  of the enemy had been slain, and about half that number made prisoners; and,


+  a sedition having been raised among the Lucanians by the plebeians and the more


+  indigent of the people, he had, to the great satisfaction of the nobles, quelled


+  it by sending thither Quintus Fabius, proconsul, with his own veteran army.


+  He left to Decius the ravaging of the enemy's country; and proceeded with his


+  troops into Etruria to his colleague; where, on his arrival, the whole army


+  received him with joy. Appius, if he did not write the letter, being conscious


+  of this, had, in my opinion, just ground of displeasure; but if he had actually


+  stood in need of assistance, his disowning it, as he did, arose from an illiberal


+  and ungrateful mind. For, on going out to receive him, when they had scarcely


+  exchanged salutations, he said, "Is all well, Lucius Volumnius? How stand affairs


+  in Samnium? What motive induced you to remove out of your province?" Volumnius


+  answered, that "affairs in Samnium were in a prosperous state; and that he had


+  come thither in compliance with the request in his letter. But, if that were


+  a forged letter, and that there was no occasion for him in Etruria, he would


+  instantly face about, and depart." "You may depart." replied the other; "no


+  one detains you: for it is a perfect inconsistency, that when, perhaps, you


+  are scarcely equal to the management of your own war, you should vaunt of coming


+  hither to succour others." To this Volumnius rejoined, "May Hercules direct


+  all for the best; for his part, he was better pleased that he had taken useless


+  trouble, than that any conjuncture should have arisen which had made one consular


+  army insufficient for Etruria." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">19 </div>


+<a id="b19" />


+<p>As the consuls were parting, the lieutenants-general and tribunes of Appius's


+  army gathered round them. Some entreated their own general that he would not


+  reject the voluntary offer of his colleague's assistance, which ought to have


+  been solicited in the first instance: the greater number used their endeavours


+  to stop Volumnius, beseeching him "not, through a peevish dispute with his colleague,


+  to abandon the interest of the commonwealth; and represented to him, that in


+  case any misfortune should happen, the blame would fall on the person who forsook


+  the other, not on the one forsaken; that the state of affairs was such, that


+  the credit and discredit of every success and failure in Etruria would be attributed


+  to Lucius Volumnius: for no one would inquire, what were the words of Appius,


+  but what the situation of the army. Appius indeed had dismissed him, but the


+  commonwealth, and the army, required his stay. Let him only make trial of the


+  inclinations of the soldiers." By such admonitions and entreaties they, in a


+  manner, dragged the consuls, who almost resisted, to an assembly. There, longer


+  discourses were made to the same purport, as had passed before in the presence


+  of a few. And when Volumnius, who had the advantage of the argument, showed


+  himself not deficient in oratory, in despite of the extraordinary eloquence


+  of his colleague; Appius observed with a sneer, that "they ought to acknowledge


+  themselves indebted to him, in having a consul who possessed eloquence also,


+  instead of being dumb and speechless, when in their former consulate, particularly


+  during the first months, he was not able so much as to open his lips; but now,


+  in his harangues, even aspired after popularity." Volumnius replied, "How much


+  more earnestly do I wish, that you had learned from me to act with spirit, than


+  I from you to speak with elegance: that now he made a final proposal, which


+  would determine, not which is the better orator, for that is not what the public


+  wants, but which is the better commander. The provinces are Etruria and Samnium:


+  that he might select which he preferred; that he, with his own army, will undertake


+  to manage the business either in Etruria or in Samnium." The soldiers then,


+  with loud clamours, requested that they would, in conjunction, carry on the


+  war in Etruria; when Volumnius perceiving that it was the general wish, said,


+  "Since I have been mistaken in apprehending my colleague's meaning, I will take


+  care that there shall be no room for mistake with respect to the purport of


+  your wishes. Signify by a shout whether you choose that I should stay or depart."


+  On this, a shout was raised, so loud, that it brought the enemy out of their


+  camp: they snatched up their arms, and marched down in order of battle. Volumnius


+  likewise ordered the signal to be sounded, and the standard to be advanced from


+  the camp. It is said that Appius hesitated, perceiving that, whether he fought


+  or remained inactive, his colleague would have the victory; and that, afterwards,


+  dreading lest his own legions also should follow Volumnius, he also gave the


+  signal, at the earnest desire of his men. On neither side were the forces drawn


+  up to advantage; for, on the one, Gellius Egnatius, the Samnite general, had


+  gone out to forage with a few cohorts, and his men entered on the fight as the


+  violence of their passions prompted, rather than under any directions or orders.


+  On the other, the Roman armies neither marched out together, nor had time sufficient


+  to form: Volumnius began to engage before Appius came up to the enemy, consequently


+  the engagement commenced, their front in the battle being uneven; and by some


+  accidental interchange of their usual opponents, the Etrurians fought against


+  Volumnius; and the Samnites, after delaying some time on account of the absence


+  of their general, against Appius. We are told that Appius, during the heat of


+  the fight, raising his hands toward heaven, so as to be seen in the foremost


+  ranks, prayed thus, "Bellona, if thou grantest us the victory this day, I vow


+  to thee a temple." And that after this vow, as if inspirited by the goddess,


+  he displayed a degree of courage equal to that of his colleague and of the troops.


+  The generals performed every duty, and each of their armies exerted, with emulation,


+  its utmost vigour, lest victory should commence on the other side. They therefore


+  routed and put to flight the enemy, who were ill able to withstand a force so


+  much superior to any with which they had been accustomed to contend: then pressing


+  them as they gave ground, and pursuing them closely as they fled, they drove


+  them into their camp. There, by the interposition of Gellius and his Samnite


+  cohorts, the fight was renewed for a little time. But these being likewise soon


+  dispersed, the camp was now stormed by the conquerors; and whilst Volumnius,


+  in person, led his troops against one of the gates, Appius, frequently invoking


+  Bellona the victorious, inflamed the courage of his men, they broke in through


+  the rampart and trenches. The camp was taken and plundered, and an abundance


+  of spoil was found, and given up to the soldiers. Of the enemy seven thousand


+  three hundred were slain; and two thousand one hundred and twenty taken. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">20 </div>


+<a id="b20" />


+<p>While both the consuls, with the whole force of the Romans, pointed their exertions


+  principally against the war in Etruria, a new army which arose in Samnium, with


+  design to ravage the frontiers of the Roman empire, passed over through the


+  country of the Vescians, into the Campanian and Falernian territories, and committed


+  great depredations. Volumnius, as he was hastening back to Samnium, by forced


+  marches, because the term for which Fabius and Decius had been continued in


+  command was nearly expired, heard of this army of Samnites, and of the mischief


+  which they had done in Campania; determining, therefore, to afford protection


+  to the allies, he altered his route towards that quarter. When he arrived in


+  the district of Gales, he found marks of their recent ravages; and the people


+  of Gales informed him that the enemy carried with them such a quantity of spoil,


+  that they could scarcely observe any order in their march: and that the commanders


+  then directed publicly that the troops should go immediately to Samnium, and


+  having deposited the booty there, that they should return to the business of


+  the expedition, as they must not commit to the hazard of an engagement an army


+  so heavily laden. Notwithstanding that this account carried every appearance


+  of truth, he yet thought it necessary to obtain more certain information; accordingly


+  he despatched some horsemen, to seize on some of the straggling marauders; from


+  these he learned, on inquiry, that the enemy lay at the river Vulturnus; that


+  they intended to remove thence at the third watch; and that their route was


+  towards Samnium. On receiving this intelligence, which could be depended upon,


+  he set out, and sat down at such a distance from the enemy, that his approach


+  could not be discovered by his being too near them, and, at the same time, that


+  he might surprise them, as they should be coming out of their camp. A long time


+  before day, he drew nigh to their post, and sent persons, who understood the


+  Oscan language, to discover how they were employed: these, mixing with the enemy,


+  which they could easily do during the confusion in the night, found that the


+  standards had gone out thinly attended; that the booty, and those appointed


+  to guard it, were then setting out, a contemptible train; each busied about


+  his own affairs, without any concert with the rest, or much regard to orders.


+  This was judged the fittest time for the attack, and daylight was now approaching;


+  he gave orders to sound the charge, and fell on the enemy as they were marching


+  out. The Samnites being embarrassed with the spoil, and very few armed, some


+  quickened their pace, and drove the prey before them; others halted, deliberating


+  whether it would be safer to advance, or to return again to the camp; and while


+  they hesitated, they were overtaken and cut off. The Romans had by this time


+  passed over the rampart, and filled the camp with slaughter and confusion: the


+  Samnite army, in addition to the disorder caused by the enemy, had their disorder


+  increased by a sudden insurrection of their prisoners; some of whom, getting


+  loose, set the rest at liberty, while others snatched the arms which were tied


+  up among the baggage, and being intermixed with the troops, raised a tumult


+  more terrible than the battle itself. They then performed a memorable exploit:


+  for making an attack on Statius Minacius, the general, as he was passing between


+  the ranks and encouraging his men; then, dispersing the horsemen who attended


+  him, they gathered round himself, and dragged him, sitting on his horse, a prisoner


+  to the Roman consul. By this movement the foremost battalions of the Samnites


+  were brought back, and the battle, which seemed to have been already decided,


+  was renewed: but they could not support it long. Six thousand of them were slain,


+  and two thousand five hundred taken, among whom were four military tribunes,


+  together with thirty standards, and, what gave the conquerors greater joy than


+  all, seven thousand four hundred prisoners were recovered. The spoil which had


+  been taken from the allies was immense, and the owners were summoned by a proclamation,


+  to claim and receive then property. On the day appointed, all the effects, the


+  owners of which did not appear, were given to the soldiers, who were obliged


+  to sell them, in order that they might have nothing to think of but their duty.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">21 </div>


+<a id="b21" />


+<p>The depredations, committed on the lands of Campania, had occasioned a violent


+  alarm at Rome, and it happened, that about the same time intelligence was brought


+  from Litruria, that, after the departure of Volumnius's army, all that country


+  had risen up in arms, and that Gellius Egnatius, the leader of the Samnites,


+  was causing the Umbrians to join in the insurrection, and tempting the Gauls


+  with high offers. Terrified at this news, the senate ordered the courts of justice


+  to be shut, and a levy to be made of men of every description. Accordingly not


+  only free-born men and the younger sort were obliged to enlist, but cohorts


+  were formed of the elder citizens, and the sons of freed-men were incorporated


+  in the centuries. Plans were formed for the defence of the city, and the praetor,


+  Publius Sempronius, was invested with the chief command. However, the senate


+  was exonerated of one half of their anxiety, by a letter from the consul, Lucius


+  Volumnius informing them that the army, which had ravaged Campania, had been


+  defeated and dispersed whereupon, they decreed a public thanksgiving for this


+  success, in the name of the consul. The courts were opened, after having been


+  shut eighteen days, and the thanksgiving was performed with much joy. They then


+  turned their thoughts to devising measures for the future security of the country


+  depopulated by the Samnites, and, with this view, it was resolved, that two


+  colonies should be settled on the frontiers of the Vescian and Falernian territories,


+  one at the mouth of the river Liris, which has received the name of Minturnae,


+  the other in the Vescian forest, which borders on the Falernian territory, where,


+  it is said, stood Sinope, a city of Grecians, called thenceforth by the Roman


+  colonists Sinuessa. The plebeian tribunes were charged to procure an order of


+  the commons, commanding Publius Sempronius, the praetor, to create triumphs


+  for conducting the colonies to those places. But persons were not readily found


+  to give in their names, because they considered that they were being sent into


+  what was almost a perpetual advanced guard in a hostile country, not as a provision


+  from concord between consuls, and the evils arising from their disagreement


+  in the conduct of military affairs; at the same time remarking, "how near the


+  extremity of danger matters had been brought, by the late dispute between his


+  colleague and himself." He warmly recommended to Decius and Fabius to "live


+  together with one mind and one spirit." Observed that "they were men qualified


+  by nature for military command: great in action, but unpractised in the strife


+  of words and eloquence; their talents were such as eminently became consuls.


+  As to the artful and the ingenious lawyers and orators, such as Appius Claudius,


+  they ought to be kept at home to preside in the city and the forum; and to be


+  appointed praetors for the administration of justice." In these proceedings


+  that day was spent, and, on the following, the elections both of consuls and


+  praetor were held, and were guided by the recommendations suggested by the consul.


+  Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius were chosen consuls; Appius Claudius, praetor;


+  all of them absent; and, by a decree of the senate, followed by an order of


+  the commons, Lucius Volumnius was continued in the command for another year.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">23 </div>


+<a id="b23" />


+<p>During that year many prodigies happened. For the purpose of averting which,


+  the senate decreed a supplication for two days: the wine and frankincense for


+  the sacrifices were furnished at the expense of the public; and numerous crowds


+  of men and women attended the performance. This supplication was rendered remarkable


+  by a quarrel, which broke out among the matrons in the chapel of patrician chastity,


+  which stands in the cattle market, near the round temple of Hercules. Virginia,


+  daughter of Aulus, a patrician, but married to Volumnius the consul, a plebeian,


+  was, because she had married out of the patricians, excluded by the matrons


+  from sharing in the sacred rites: a short altercation ensued, which was afterwards,


+  through the intemperance of passion incident to the sex, kindled into a flame


+  of contention. Virginia boasted with truth that she had a right to enter the


+  temple of patrician chastity, as being of patrician birth, and chaste in her


+  character, and, besides, the wife of one husband, to whom she was betrothed


+  a virgin, and had no reason to be dissatisfied either with her husband, or his


+  exploits or honours: to her high-spirited words, she added importance by an


+  extraordinary act. In the long street where she resided, she enclosed with a


+  partition a part of the house, of a size sufficient for a small chapel, and


+  there erected an altar. Then calling together the plebeian matrons, and complaining


+  of the injurious behaviour of the patrician ladies, she said, "This altar I


+  dedicate to plebeian chastity, and exhort you, that the same degree of emulation


+  which prevails among the men of this state, on the point of valour, may be maintained


+  by the women on the point of chastity; and that you contribute your best care,


+  that this altar may have the credit of being attended with a greater degree


+  of sanctity, and by chaster women, than the other, if possible." Solemn rites


+  were performed at this altar under the same regulations, nearly, with those


+  at the more ancient one; no person being allowed the privilege of taking part


+  in the sacrifices, except a woman of approved chastity, and who was the wife


+  of one husband. This institution, being afterwards debased by [the admission


+  of] vicious characters, and not only by matrons, but women of every description,


+  sunk at last into oblivion. During this year the Ogulnii, Cneius and Quintus,


+  being curule aediles, carried on prosecutions against several usurers; whose


+  property being fined, out of the produce, which was deposited in the treasury,


+  they ordered brazen thresholds for the Capitol, utensils of plate for three


+  tables in the chapel of Jupiter, a statue of Jupiter in a chariot drawn by four


+  horses placed on the roof, and images of the founders of the city in their infant


+  state under the teats of the wolf, at the Ruminal fig-tree. They also paved


+  with square stones the roads from the Capuan gate to the temple of Mars. By


+  the plebeian aediles likewise, Lucius Aelius Paetus and Caius Fulvius Corvus,


+  out of money levied as fines on farmers of the public pastures, whom they had


+  convicted of malpractices, games were exhibited, and golden bowls were placed


+  in the temple of Ceres. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">24 </div>


+<a id="b24" />


+<p>Then came into the consulship Quintus Fabius a fifth time, and Publius Decius


+  a fourth. They had been colleagues from the censorship, and twice in the consulship,


+  and were celebrated not more for their glorious achievements, splendid as these


+  were, than for the unanimity which had ever subsisted between them. The continuance


+  of this feeling I am inclined to think was interrupted by a jarring between


+  the [opposite] orders rather than between themselves, the patricians endeavouring


+  that Fabius should have Etruria for his province, without casting lots, and


+  the plebeians insisting that Decius should bring the matter to the decision


+  of lots. There was certainly a contention in the senate, and the interest of


+  Fabius being superior there, the business was brought before the people. Here,


+  between military men who laid greater stress on deeds than on words, the debate


+  was short. Fabius said, "that it was unreasonable, after he had planted a tree,


+  another should gather the fruit of it. He had opened the Ciminian forest, and


+  made a way for the Roman arms, through passes until then impracticable. Why


+  had they disturbed him, at that time of his life, if they intended to give the


+  management of the war to another?" Then, in the way of a gentle reproof, he


+  observed, that "instead of an associate in command, he had chosen an adversary;


+  and that Decius thought it too much that their unanimity should last through


+  three consulates." Declaring, in fine, that "he desired nothing further, than


+  that, if they thought him qualified for the command in the province, they should


+  send him thither. He had submitted to the judgment of the senate, and would


+  now be governed by the authority of the people." Publius Decius complained of


+  injustice in the senate; and asserted, that "the patricians had laboured, as


+  long as possible, to exclude the plebeians from all access to the higher honours;


+  and since merit, by its own intrinsic power, had prevailed so far, as that it


+  should not, in any rank of men, be precluded from the attainment of honours,


+  expedients were sought how not only the suffrages of the people, but even the


+  decisions of fortune may be rendered ineffectual, and be converted to the aggrandizement


+  of a few. All the consuls before him had disposed of the provinces by lots;


+  now, the senate bestowed a province on Fabius without lots. If this was meant


+  as a mark of honour, the merits of Fabius were so great towards the commonwealth,


+  and towards himself in particular, that he would gladly second the advancement


+  of his reputation, provided only its splendour could be increased without reflecting


+  dishonour on himself. But who did not see, that, when a war of difficulty and


+  danger, and out of the ordinary course, was committed to only that one consul,


+  the other would be considered as useless and insignificant. Fabius gloried in


+  his exploits performed in Etruria: Publius Decius wished for a like subject


+  of glory, and perhaps would utterly extinguish that fire, which the other left


+  smothered, in such a manner that it often broke out anew, in sudden conflagrations.


+  In fine, honours and rewards he would concede to his colleague, out of respect


+  to his age and dignified character: but when danger, when a vigorous struggle


+  with an enemy was before them, he never did, nor ever would, willingly, give


+  place. With respect to the present dispute, this much he would gain at all events,


+  that a business, appertaining to the jurisdiction of the people, should be determined


+  by an order of that people, and not complimented away by the senate. He prayed


+  Jupiter, supremely good and great, and all the immortal gods, not to grant him


+  an equal chance with his colleague, unless they intended to grant him equal


+  ability and success, in the management of the war. It was certainly in its nature


+  reasonable, in the example salutary, and concerned the reputation of the Roman


+  people, that the consuls should be men of such abilities, that under either


+  of them a war with Etruria could be well managed." Fabius, after requesting


+  of the people nothing else than that, before the tribes were called in to give


+  their votes, they would hear the letters of the praetor Appius Claudius, written


+  from Etruria, withdrew from the Comitium, and with no less unanimity of the


+  people than of the senate, the province of Etruria was decreed to him without


+  having recourse to lots. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">25 </div>


+<a id="b25" />


+<p>Immediately almost all the younger citizens flocked together to the consul,


+  and readily gave in their names; so strong was their desire of serving under


+  such a commander. Seeing so great a multitude collected round him, he said,


+  "My intention is to enlist only four thousand foot and six hundred horse: such


+  of you as give in your names to-day and to-morrow, I will carry with me. I am


+  more solicitous to bring home all my soldiers rich, than to employ a great multitude."


+  Accordingly, with a competent number of men, who possessed greater hopes and


+  confidence because a numerous army had not been required, he marched to the


+  town of Aharna, from which the enemy were not far distant, and proceeded to


+  the camp of the praetor Appius. When within a few miles of it, he was met by


+  some soldiers, sent to cut wood, attended by a guard. Observing the lictors


+  preceding him, and learning that he was Fabius the consul, they were filled


+  with joy and alacrity; they expressed their thanks to the gods, and to the Roman


+  people, for having sent them such a commander. Then as they gathered round to


+  pay their respects, Fabius inquired whither they were going, and on their answering


+  they were going to provide wood, "What do you tell me," said he, "have you not


+  a rampart, raised about your camp?" When to this they replied, "they had a double


+  rampart, and a trench, and, notwithstanding, were in great apprehension." </p>


+<p> "Well then," said he, "you have abundance of wood, go back and level the rampart."


+  They accordingly returned to the camp and there levelling the rampart threw


+  the soldiers who had remained in it, and Appius himself, into the greatest fright,


+  until with eager joy each called out to the rest, that, "they acted by order


+  of the consul, Quintus Fabius." Next day the camp was moved from thence, and


+  the praetor, Appius, was dismissed to Rome. From that time the Romans had no


+  fixed post, the consul affirming, that it was prejudicial to an army to lie


+  in one spot, and that by frequent marches, and changing places, it was rendered


+  more healthy, and more capable of brisk exertions, and marches were made as


+  long as the winter, which was not yet ended, permitted. Then, in the beginning


+  of spring, leaving the second legion near Clusium, which they formerly called


+  the Camertian, and giving the command of the camp to Lucius Scipio, as propraetor,


+  he returned to Rome, in order to adjust measures for carrying on the war, either


+  led thereto by his own judgment, because the war seemed to him more serious


+  than he had believed, from report, or, being summoned by a decree of the senate,


+  for writers give both accounts. Some choose to have it believed, that he was


+  forced back by the praetor, Appius Claudius, who, both in the senate, and before


+  the people, exaggerated, as he was wont in all his letters, the danger of the


+  Etrurian war, contending, that "one general, or one army, would not be sufficient


+  to oppose four nations. That whether these directed the whole of their combined


+  force against him alone, or acted separately in different parts, there was reason


+  to fear, that he would be unable to provide against every emergency. That he


+  had left there but two Roman legions; and that the foot and horse, who came


+  with Fabius, did not amount to five thousand. It was, therefore, his opinion,


+  that the consul, Publius Decius should, without delay, set out to his colleague


+  in Etruria, and that the province of Samnium should be given to Lucius Volumnius.


+  But if the consul preferred going to his own province, that then Volumnius should


+  march a full consular army into Etruria, to join the other consul." When the


+  advice of the praetor influenced a great part of the members, they say that


+  Publius Decius recommended that every thing should be kept undetermined, and


+  open for Quintus Fabius; until he should either come to Rome, if he could do


+  so without prejudice to the public, or send some of his lieutenants, from whom


+  the senate might learn the real state of the war in Etruria; and with what number


+  of troops, and by how many generals, it should be carried on. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">26 </div>


+<a id="b26" />


+<p>Fabius, as soon as he returned to Rome, qualified his discourses, both in the


+  senate and when brought before the people, in such a manner as to appear neither


+  to exaggerate or lessen, any particular relating to the war; and to show, that,


+  in agreeing to another general being joined with him, he rather indulged the


+  apprehensions of others, than guarded against any danger to himself, or the


+  public. "But if they chose," he said, "to give him an assistant in the war,


+  and associate in command, how could he overlook Publius Decius the consul, whom


+  he had tried during so many associations in office? There was no man living


+  whom he would rather wish to be joined in commission with him: with Publius


+  Decius he should have forces sufficient, and never too many enemies. If, however,


+  his colleague preferred any other employment, let them then give him Lucius


+  Volumnius as an assistant." The disposal of every particular was left entirely


+  to Fabius by the people and the senate, and even by his colleague. And when


+  Decius declared that he was ready to go either to Etruria or Samnium, such general


+  congratulation and satisfaction took place, that victory was anticipated, and


+  it seemed as if a triumph, not a war, had been decreed to the consuls. I find


+  in some writers, that Fabius and Decius, immediately on their entering into


+  office, set out together for Etruria, without any mention of the casting of


+  lots for the provinces, or of the disputes which I have related. Others, not


+  satisfied with relating those disputes, have added charges of misconduct, laid


+  by Appius before the people against Fabius, when absent; and a stubborn opposition,


+  maintained by the praetor against the consul, when present; and also another


+  contention between the colleagues, Decius insisting that each consul should


+  attend to the care of his own separate province. Certainty, however, begins


+  to appear from the time when both consuls set out for the campaign. Now, before


+  the consuls arrived in Etruria, the Senonian Gauls came in a vast body to Clusium,


+  to attack the Roman legion and the camp. Scipio, who commanded the camp, wishing


+  to remedy the deficiency of his numbers by an advantage in the ground, led his


+  men up a hill, which stood between the camp and the city but having, in his


+  haste, neglected to examine the place, he reached near the summit, which he


+  found already possessed by the enemy, who had ascended on the other side. The


+  legion was consequently attacked on the rear, and surrounded in the middle,


+  when the enemy pressed it on all sides. Some writers say, that the whole were


+  cut off, so that not one survived to give an account of it, and that no information


+  of the misfortune reached the consuls, who were, at the time, not far from Clusium,


+  until the Gallic horsemen came within sight, carrying the heads of the slain,


+  some hanging before their horses' breasts, others on the points of their spears,


+  and expressing their triumph in songs according to their custom. Others affirm,


+  that the defeat was by Umbrians, not Gauls, and that the loss sustained was


+  not so great. That a party of foragers, under Lucius Manlius Torquatus, lieutenant-general,


+  being surrounded, Scipio, the propraetor, brought up relief from the camp, and


+  the battle being renewed, that the Umbrians, lately victorious, were defeated,


+  and the prisoners and spoil retaken. But it is more probable that this blow


+  was suffered from a Gallic than an Umbrian enemy, because during that year,


+  as was often the case at other times, the danger principally apprehended by


+  the public, was that of a Gallic tumult, for which reason, notwithstanding that


+  both the consuls had marched against the enemy, with four legions, and a large


+  body of Roman cavalry, joined by a thousand chosen horsemen of Campania, supplied


+  on the occasion, and a body of the allies and Latin confederates, superior in


+  number to the Romans, two other armies were posted near the city, on the side


+  facing Etruria, one in the Faliscian, the other in the Vatican territory. Cneius


+  Fulvius and Lucius Postumius Megellus, both propraetors, were ordered to keep


+  the troops stationed in those places. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">27 </div>


+<a id="b27" />


+<p>The consuls, having crossed the Apennines, came up with the enemy in the territory


+  of Sentinum, their camp was pitched there at the distance of about four miles.


+  Several councils were then held by the enemy, and their plan of operations was


+  thus settled: that they should not encamp together, nor go out together to battle;


+  the Gauls were united to the Samnites, the Umbrians to the Etrurians. The day


+  of battle was fixed. The part of maintaining the fight was committed to the


+  Samnites and Gauls; and the Etrurians and Umbrians were ordered to attack the


+  Roman camp during the heat of the engagement. This plan was frustrated by three


+  Clusian deserters, who came over by night to Fabius, and after disclosing the


+  above designs, were sent back with presents, in order that they might discover,


+  and bring intelligence of, any new scheme which should be determined on. The


+  consuls then wrote to Flavius and Postumius to move their armies, the one from


+  the Faliscian, the other from the Vatican country, towards Clusium; and to ruin


+  the enemy's territory by every means in their power. The news of these depredations


+  drew the Etrurians from Sentinum to protect their own region. The consuls, in


+  their absence, practised every means to bring on an engagement. For two days


+  they endeavoured, by several attacks, to provoke the enemy to fight; in which


+  time, however, nothing worth mention was performed. A few fell on each side,


+  but still the minds [of the Romans] were irritated to wish for a general engagement;


+  yet nothing decisive was hazarded. On the third day, both parties marched out


+  their whole force to the field: here, while the armies stood in order of battle,


+  a hind, chased by a wolf from the mountains, ran through the plain between the


+  two lines: there the animals taking different directions, the hind bent its


+  course towards the Gauls, the wolf towards the Romans: way was made between


+  the ranks for the wolf, the Gauls slew the hind with their javelins; on which


+  one of the Roman soldiers in the van said, "To that side, where you see an animal,


+  sacred to Diana, lying prostrate, flight and slaughter are directed; on this


+  side the victorious wolf of Mars, safe and untouched, reminds us of our founder,


+  and of our descent from that deity." The Gauls were posted on the right wing,


+  the Samnites on the left: against the latter, Fabius drew up, as his right wing,


+  the first and third legions: against the Gauls, Decius formed the left wing


+  of the fifth and sixth. The second and fourth were employed in the war in Samnium,


+  under the proconsul, Lucius Volumnius. In the first encounter the action was


+  supported with strength so equal on both sides, that had the Etrurians and Umbrians


+  been present, either in the field or at the camp, in whichever place they might


+  have employed their force, the Romans must have been defeated. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">28 </div>


+<a id="b28" />


+<p>However, although the victory was still undecided, fortune not having declared


+  in favour of either party, yet the course of the fight was by no means similar


+  on both right and left wings. The Romans, under Fabius, rather repelled than


+  offered assault, and the contest was protracted until very late in the day,


+  for their general knew very well, that both Samnites and Gauls were furious


+  in the first onset, so that, to withstand them would be sufficient. It was known,


+  too, that in a protracted contest the spirits of the Samnites gradually flagged,


+  and even the bodies of the Gauls, remarkably ill able to bear labour and heat,


+  became quite relaxed, and although, in their first efforts, they were more than


+  men, yet in their last they were less than women. He, therefore, reserved the


+  strength of his men as unimpaired as possible, until the time when the enemy


+  were the more likely to be worsted. Decius, more impetuous, as being in the


+  prime of life and full flow of spirits, exerted whatever force he had to the


+  utmost in the first encounter, and thinking the infantry not sufficiently energetic,


+  brought up the cavalry to the fight. Putting himself at the head of a troop


+  of young horsemen of distinguished bravery, he besought those youths, the flower


+  of the army, to charge the enemy with him, [telling them] "they would reap a


+  double share of glory, if the victory should commence on the left wing, and


+  through their means." Twice they compelled the Gallic cavalry to give way. At


+  the second charge, when they advanced farther and were briskly engaged in the


+  midst of the enemy's squadrons, by a method of fighting new to them, they were


+  thrown into dismay. A number of the enemy, mounted on chariots and cars, made


+  towards them with such a prodigious clatter from the trampling of the cattle


+  and rolling of wheels, as affrighted the horses of the Romans, unaccustomed


+  to such tumultuous operations. By this means the victorious cavalry were dispersed,


+  through a panic, and men and horses, in their headlong flight, were tumbled


+  promiscuously on the ground. Hence also the battalions of the legions were thrown


+  into disorder, through the impetuosity of the horses, and of the carriages which


+  they dragged through the ranks, many of the soldiers in the van were trodden


+  or bruised to death, while the Gallic line, as soon as they saw their enemy


+  in confusion, pursued the advantage, nor allowed them time to take breath or


+  recover themselves. Decius, calling aloud, "Whither were they flying, or what


+  hope could they have in running away?" strove to stop them as they turned their


+  backs, but finding that he could not, by any efforts, prevail on them to keep


+  their posts, so thoroughly were they dismayed, he called on his father, Publius


+  Decius, by name. He said, "Why do I any longer defer the fate entailed on my


+  family? It is destined to our race, that we should serve as expiatory victims


+  to avert the public danger. I will now offer the legions of the enemy, together


+  with myself, to be immolated to Earth, and the infernal gods." Having thus said,


+  he commanded Marcus Livius, a pontiff, whom, at his coming out to the field,


+  he had charged not to stir from him, to dictate the form of words in which he


+  was to devote himself, and the legions of the enemy, for the army of the Roman


+  people, the Quirites. He was accordingly devoted with the same imprecations,


+  and in the same habit, in which his father, Publius Decius, had ordered himself


+  to be devoted at the Veseris in the Latin war. When, immediately after the solemn


+  imprecation, he added, that "he drove before him dismay and flight, slaughter


+  and blood, and the wrath of the gods celestial and infernal, that, with the


+  contagious influence of the furies, the ministers of death, he would infect


+  the standards, the weapons, and the armour of the enemy, and that the same spot


+  should be that of his perdition, and that of the Gauls and Samnites." After


+  uttering these execrations on himself and the foe, he spurred forward his horse,


+  where he saw the line of the Gauls thickest, and, rushing upon the enemy's weapons,


+  met his death. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">29 </div>


+<a id="b29" />


+<p>Thenceforward the battle seemed to be fought with a degree of force scarcely


+  human. The Romans, on the loss of their general, a circumstance which, on other


+  occasions, is wont to inspire terror, stopped their flight, and were anxious


+  to begin the combat afresh. The Gauls, and especially the multitude which encircled


+  the consul's body, as if deprived of reason, cast their javelins at random without


+  execution, some became so stupid as not to think of either fighting or flying,


+  while on the other side, Livius, the pontiff, to whom Decius had transferred


+  his lictors, with orders to act as propraetor, cried out aloud, that "the Romans


+  were victorious, being saved by the death of their consul. That the Gauls and


+  Samnites were now the victims of mother Earth and the infernal gods. That Decius


+  was summoning and dragging to himself the army devoted along with him, and that,


+  among the enemy, all was full of dismay, and the vengeance of all the furies."


+  While the soldiers were busy in restoring the fight, Lucius Cornelius Scipio


+  and Caius Marcius, with some reserved troops from the rear, who had been sent


+  by Quintus Fabius, the consul, to the support of his colleague, came up. There


+  the fate of Decius is ascertained, a powerful stimulus to brave every danger


+  in the cause of the public. Wherefore, when the Gauls stood in close order,


+  with their shields formed into a fence before them, and but little prospect


+  of success appeared from a close fight, the javelins, which lay scattered between


+  the two lines, were, therefore, by order of the lieutenants-general, gathered


+  up from the ground, and thrown against the enemy's shields, and as most of them


+  pierced the fence, the long pointed ones even into their bodies, their compact


+  band was overthrown in such a manner, that a great many, who were unhurt, yet


+  fell as if thunderstruck. Such were the changes of fortune on the left wing


+  of the Romans; on the right, Fabius had at first protracted the time, as we


+  mentioned above, in slow operations, then, as soon as he perceived that neither


+  the shout, nor the efforts of the enemy, nor the weapons which they threw, retained


+  their former force, having ordered the commanders of the cavalry to lead round


+  their squadrons to the flank of the Samnites, so that, on receiving the signal,


+  they should charge them in flank, with all possible violence, he commanded,


+  at the same time, his infantry to advance leisurely, and drive the enemy from


+  their ground. When he saw that they were unable to make resistance, and that


+  their exhaustion was certain, drawing together all his reserves, whom he had


+  kept fresh for that occasion, he made a brisk push with the legions, and gave


+  the cavalry the signal to charge. The Samnites could not support the shock,


+  but fled precipitately to their camp, passing by the line of the Gauls, and


+  leaving their allies to fight by themselves. These stood in close order under


+  cover of their shields. Fabius, therefore, having heard of the death of his


+  colleague, ordered the squadron of Campanian cavalry, in number about five hundred,


+  to fall back from the ranks, and riding round, to attack the rear of the Gallic


+  line, then the chief strength of the third legion to follow, with directions


+  that wherever they should see the enemy's troops disordered by the charge, to


+  follow the blow, and cut them to pieces, when in a state of consternation. After


+  vowing a temple and the spoils of the enemy to Jupiter the Victorious, he proceeded


+  to the camp of the Samnites, whither all their forces were hurrying in confusion.


+  The gates not affording entrance to such very great numbers, those who were


+  necessarily excluded, attempted resistance just at the foot of the rampart,


+  and here fell Gellius Egnatius, the Samnite general. These, however, were soon


+  driven within the rampart; the camp was taken after a slight resistance; and


+  at the same time the Gauls were attacked on the rear, and overpowered. There


+  were slain of the enemy on that day twenty-five thousand: eight thousand were


+  taken prisoners. Nor was the victory an unbloody one; for, of the army of Publius


+  Decius, the killed amounted to seven thousand; of the army of Fabius, to one


+  thousand two hundred. Fabius, after sending persons to search for the body of


+  his colleague, had the spoils of the enemy collected into a heap, and burned


+  them as an offering to Jupiter the Victorious. The consul's body could not be


+  found that day, being hid under a heap of slaughtered Gauls: on the following,


+  it was discovered and brought to the camp, amidst abundance of tears shed by


+  the soldiers. Fabius, discarding all concern about any other business, solemnized


+  the obsequies of his colleague in the most honourable manner, passing on him


+  the high encomiums which he had justly merited. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">30 </div>


+<a id="b30" />


+<p>During the same period, matters were managed successfully by Cneius Fulvius,


+  propraetor, he having, besides the immense losses occasioned to the enemy by


+  the devastation of their lands, fought a battle with extraordinary success,


+  in which there were above three thousand of the Perusians and Clusians slain,


+  and twenty military standards taken. The Samnites, in their flight, passing


+  through the Pelignian territory, were attacked on all sides by the Pelignians;


+  and, out of five thousand, one thousand were killed. The glory of the day on


+  which they fought at Sentinum was great, even when truly estimated; but some


+  have gone beyond credibility by their exaggerations, who assert in their writings,


+  that there were in the army of the enemy forty thousand three hundred and thirty


+  foot, six thousand horse, and one thousand chariots, that is, including the


+  Etrurians and Umbrians, who [they affirm] were present in the engagement: and,


+  to magnify likewise the number of Roman forces, they add to the consuls another


+  general, Lucius Volumnius, proconsul, and his army to the legions of the consul.


+  In the greater number of annals, that victory is ascribed entirely to the two


+  consuls. Volumnius was employed in the mean time in Samnium; he drove the army


+  of the Samnites to Mount Tifernus, and, not deterred by the difficulty of the


+  ground, routed and dispersed them. Quintus Fabius, leaving Decius's army in


+  Etruria, and leading off his own legions to the city, triumphed over the Gauls,


+  Etrurians, and Samnites: the soldiers attended him in his triumph. The victory


+  of Quintus Fabius was not more highly celebrated, in their coarse military verses,


+  than the illustrious death of Publius Decius; and the memory of the father was


+  recalled, whose fame had been equalled by the praiseworthy conduct of the son,


+  in respect of the issue which resulted both to himself and to the public. Out


+  of the spoil, donations were made to the soldiers of eighty-two <i>asses</i>


+  [<a href="#foot4">4</a>] to each, with cloaks and vests; rewards for service,


+  in that age, by no means contemptible. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">31 </div>


+<a id="b31" />


+<p>Notwithstanding these successes, peace was not yet established, either among


+  the Samnites or Etrurians: for the latter, at the instigation of the Perusians,


+  resumed their arms, after his army had been withdrawn by the consul; and the


+  Samnites made predatory incursions on the territories of Vescia and Formiae;


+  and also on the other side, on those of Aesernia, and the parts adjacent to


+  the river Vulturnus. Against these was sent the praetor Appius Claudius, with


+  the army formerly commanded by Decius. In Etruria, Fabius, on the revival of


+  hostilities, slew four thousand five hundred of the Perusians, and took prisoners


+  one thousand seven hundred and forty, who were ransomed at the rate of three


+  hundred and ten <i>asses</i> [<a href="#foot5">5</a>] each. All the rest of


+  the spoil was bestowed on the soldiers. The legions of the Samnites, though


+  pursued, some by the praetor Appius Claudius, the others by Lucius Volumnius,


+  proconsul, formed a junction in the country of the Stellatians. Here sat down


+  the whole body of the Samnites; and Appius and Volumnius, with their forces


+  united in one camp. A battle was fought with the most rancorous animosity, one


+  party being spurred on by rage against men who had so often renewed their attacks


+  on them, and the other now fighting in support of their last remaining hope.


+  Accordingly, there were slain, of the Samnites, sixteen thousand three hundred,


+  and two thousand and seven hundred made prisoners: of the Roman army fell two


+  thousand and seven hundred. This year, so successful in the operations of war,


+  was filled with distress at home, arising from a pestilence, and with anxiety,


+  occasioned by prodigies: for accounts were received that, in many places, showers


+  of earth had fallen; and that very many persons, in the army of Appius Claudius,


+  had been struck by lightning; in consequence of which, the books were consulted.


+  At this time, Quintus Fabius Gurges, the consul's son, having prosecuted some


+  matrons before the people on a charge of adultery, built, with the money accruing


+  from the fines which they were condemned to pay, the temple of Venus, which


+  stands near the circus. Still we have the wars of the Samnites on our hands,


+  notwithstanding that the relation of them has already extended, in one continued


+  course, through four volumes of our history, and through a period of forty-six


+  years, from the consulate of Marcus Valerius and Aulus Cornelius, who first


+  carried the Roman arms into Samnium. And, not to recite the long train of disasters


+  sustained by both nations, and the toils which they underwent, by which, however,


+  their stubborn breasts could not be subdued; even in the course of the last


+  year, the Samnites, with their own forces separately, and also in conjunction


+  with those of other nations, had been defeated by four several armies, and four


+  generals of the Romans, in the territory of Sentinum, in that of the Pelignians,


+  at Tifernum, and in the plains of the Stellatians; had lost the general of the


+  highest character in their nation; and, now, saw their allies in the war, the


+  Etrurians, the Umbrians, and the Gauls, in the same situation with themselves;


+  but, although they could now no longer stand, either by their own or by foreign


+  resources, yet did they not desist from the prosecution of hostilities. So far


+  were they from being weary of defending liberty, even though unsuccessfully:


+  and they preferred being defeated to not aspiring after victory. Who does not


+  find his patience tired, either in writing, or reading, of wars of such continuance;


+  and which yet exhausted not the resolution of the parties concerned? </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">32 </div>


+<a id="b32" />


+<p>Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius were succeeded in the consulship by Lucius


+  Postumius Megellus and Marcus Atilius Regulus. The province of Samnium was decreed


+  to both in conjunction; because intelligence had been received that the enemy


+  had embodied three armies; with one that Etruria was to be recovered; with another


+  the ravages in Campania were to be repeated; and the third was intended for


+  the defence of their frontiers. Sickness detained Postumius at Rome, but Atilius


+  set out immediately, with design to surprise the enemy in Samnium, before they


+  should have advanced beyond their own borders; for such had been the directions


+  of the senate. The Romans met the enemy, as if by mutual appointment, at a spot


+  where, while they could be hindered, not only from ravaging, but even from entering


+  the Samnite territory, they could likewise hinder the Samnites from continuing


+  their progress into the countries which were quiet, and the lands of the allies


+  of the Roman people. While their camps lay opposite to each other, the Samnites


+  attempted an enterprise, which the Romans, so often their conquerors, would


+  scarcely have ventured to undertake; such is the rashness inspired by extreme


+  despair: this was to make an assault on the Roman camp. And although this attempt,


+  so daring, succeeded not in its full extent, yet it was not without effect.


+  There was a fog, which continued through a great part of the day, so thick as


+  to exclude the light of the sun, and to prevent not only the view of any thing


+  beyond the rampart, but scarcely the sight of each other, when they should meet.


+  Depending on this, as a covering to the design, when the sun was scarcely yet


+  risen, and the light which he did afford was obscured by the fog, the Samnites


+  came up to an advanced guard of the Romans at one of the gates, who were standing


+  carelessly on their post. In the sudden surprise, these had neither courage


+  nor strength to make resistance: an assault was then made, through the Decuman


+  gate, in the rear of the camp: the quaestor's quarters in consequence were taken,


+  and the quaestor, Lucius Opimius Pansa, was there slain; on this a general alarm


+  was given to take up arms. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">33 </div>


+<a id="b33" />


+<p>The consul, being roused by the tumult, ordered two cohorts of the allies,


+  a Lucanian and Suessanian, which happened to be nearest, to defend the head-quarters,


+  and led the companies of the legions down the principal street. These ran into


+  the ranks, scarcely taking time to furnish themselves with arms; and, as they


+  distinguished the enemy by their shout rather than by sight, could form no judgment


+  how great their number might be: thus, ignorant of the circumstances of their


+  situation, they at first drew back, and admitted the enemy into the heart of


+  the camp. Then when the consul cried out, asking them, whether they intended


+  to let themselves be beaten out beyond the rampart, and then to return again


+  to storm their own camp, they raised the shout, and uniting their efforts, stood


+  their ground; then made advances, pushed closely on the enemy, and having forced


+  them to give way, drove them back, without suffering their first terror to abate.


+  They soon beat them out beyond the gate and the rampart, but not daring to pursue


+  them, because the darkness of the weather made them apprehend an ambush, and


+  content with having cleared the camp, they retired within the rampart, having


+  killed about three hundred of the enemy. Of the Romans, including the first


+  advanced guard and the watchmen, and those who were surprised at the quaestor's


+  quarters, two hundred and thirty perished. This not unsuccessful piece of boldness


+  raised the spirits of the Samnites so high, that they not only did not suffer


+  the Romans to march forward into their country, but even to procure forage from


+  their lands; and the foragers were obliged to go back into the quiet country


+  of Sora. News of these events being conveyed to Rome, with circumstances of


+  alarm magnified beyond the truth, obliged Lucius Postumius, the consul, though


+  scarcely recovered from his illness, to set out for the army. However, before


+  his departure, having issued a proclamation that his troops should assemble


+  at Sora, he dedicated the temple of Victory, for the building of which he had


+  provided, when curule aedile, out of the money arising from fines; and, joining


+  the army, he advanced from Sora towards Samnium, to the camp of his colleague.


+  The Samnites, despairing of being able to make head against the two armies,


+  retreated from thence, on which the consuls, separating, proceeded by different


+  routes to lay waste the enemy's lands and besiege their towns. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">34 </div>


+<a id="b34" />


+<p>Postumius attempted to make himself master of Milionia, at first by storm and


+  an assault; but these not succeeding, he carried his approaches to the walls,


+  and thus gained an entrance into the place. The fight was continued in all parts


+  of the city from the fourth hour until near the eighth, the result being a long


+  time uncertain: the Romans at last gained possession of the town. Three thousand


+  two hundred of the Samnites were killed, four thousand seven hundred taken,


+  besides the other booty. From thence the legions were conducted to Ferentinum,


+  out of which the inhabitants had, during the night, retired in silence through


+  the opposite gate, with all their effects which could be either carried or driven.


+  The consul, on his arrival, approached the walls with the same order and circumspection,


+  as if he were to meet an opposition here equal to what he had experienced at


+  Milionia. Then, perceiving a dead silence in the city, and neither arms nor


+  men on the towers and ramparts, he restrains the soldiers, who were eager to


+  mount the deserted fortifications, lest they might fall into a snare. He ordered


+  two divisions of the confederate Latin horse to ride round the walls, and explore


+  every particular. These horsemen observed one gate, and, at a little distance,


+  another on the same side, standing wide open, and on the roads leading from


+  these every mark of the enemy having fled by night. They then rode up leisurely


+  to the gates, from whence, with perfect safety, they took a clear view through


+  straight streets quite across the city. They report to the consul, that the


+  city was abandoned by the enemy, as was plain from the solitude, the recent


+  tracks on their retreat, and the things which, in the confusion of the night,


+  they had left scattered up and down. On hearing this, the consul led round the


+  army to that side of the city which had been examined, and making the troops


+  halt at a little distance from the gate, gave orders that five horsemen should


+  ride into the city; and when they should have advanced a good way into it, then,


+  if they saw all things safe, three should remain there, and the other two return


+  to him with intelligence. These returned and said, that they had proceeded to


+  a part of the town from which they had a view on every side, and that nothing


+  but silence and solitude reigned through the whole extent of it. The consul


+  immediately led some light-armed cohorts into the city; ordering the rest to


+  fortify a camp in the mean time. The soldiers who entered the town, breaking


+  open the doors, found only a few persons, disabled by age or sickness; and such


+  effects left behind as could not, without difficulty, be removed. These were


+  seized as plunder: and it was discovered from the prisoners, that several cities


+  in that quarter had, in pursuance of a concerted plan, resolved on flight; that


+  their towns-people had gone off at the first watch, and they believed that the


+  same solitude they should find in the other places. The accounts of the prisoners


+  proved well-founded, and the consul took possession of the forsaken towns. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">35 </div>


+<a id="b35" />


+<p>The war was by no means so easy with the other consul, Marcus Atilius. As he


+  was marching his legions towards Luceria, to which he was informed that the


+  Samnites had laid siege, the enemy met him on the border of the Lucerian territory.


+  Rage supplied them, on this occasion, with strength to equal his: the battle


+  was stubbornly contested, and the victory doubtful; in the issue, however, more


+  calamitous on the side of the Romans, both because they were unaccustomed to


+  defeat, and that, on leaving the field, they felt more sensibly, than during


+  the heat of the action, how much more wounds and bloodshed had been on their


+  side. In consequence of this, such dismay spread through the camp, as, had it


+  seized them during the engagement, a signal defeat would have been the result.


+  Even as the matter stood, they spent the night in great anxiety; expecting,


+  every instant, that the Samnites would assault the camp; or that, at the first


+  light, they should be obliged to stand a battle with a victorious enemy. On


+  the side of the enemy, however, although there was less loss, yet there was


+  not greater courage. As soon as day appeared, they wished to retire without


+  any more fighting; but there was only one road, and that leading close by the


+  post of their enemy; on their taking which, they seemed as if advancing directly


+  to attack the camp. The consul, therefore, ordered his men to take arms, and


+  to follow him outside the rampart, giving directions to the lieutenants-general,


+  tribunes, and the praefects of the allies, in what manner he would have each


+  of them act. They all assured him that "they would do every thing in their power,


+  but that the soldiers were quite dejected; that, from their own wounds, and


+  the groans of the dying, they had passed the whole night without sleep; that


+  if the enemy had approached the camp before day, so great were the fears of


+  the troops, that they would certainly have deserted their standards." "Even


+  at present they were restrained from flight merely by shame; and, in other respects,


+  were little better than vanquished men." This account made the consul judge


+  it necessary to go himself among the soldiers, and speak to them; and, as he


+  came up to each, he rebuked them for their backwardness in taking arms, asking,


+  "Why they loitered, and declined the fight? If they did not choose to go out


+  of the camp, the enemy would come into it; and they must fight in defence of


+  their tents, if they would not in defence of the rampart. Men who have arms


+  in their hands, and contend with their foe, have always a chance for victory;


+  but the man who waits naked and unarmed for his enemy, must suffer either death


+  or slavery." To these reprimands and rebukes they answered, that "they were


+  exhausted by the fatigue of the battle of yesterday; and had no strength, nor


+  even blood remaining; and besides, the enemy appeared more numerous than they


+  were the day before." The hostile army, in the mean time, drew near; so that,


+  seeing every thing more distinctly as the distance grew less, they asserted


+  that the Samnites carried with them pallisades for a rampart, and evidently


+  intended to draw lines of circumvallation round the camp. On this the consul


+  exclaimed, with great earnestness, against submitting to such an ignominious


+  insult, and from so dastardly a foe. "Shall we even be blockaded," said he,


+  "in our camp, and die, with ignominy, by famine, rather than bravely by the


+  sword, if it must be so? May the gods be propitious! and let every one act in


+  the manner which he thinks becomes him. The consul Marcus Atilius, should no


+  other accompany him, will go out, even alone, to face the enemy; and will fall


+  in the middle of the Samnite battalions, rather than see the Roman camp enclosed


+  by their trenches." The lieutenants-general, tribunes, every troop of the cavalry,


+  and the principal centurions, expressed their approbation of what the consul


+  said; and the soldiers at length, overcome by shame, took up their arms, but


+  in a spiritless manner; and in the same spiritless manner, marched out of the


+  camp. In a long train, and that not every where connected, melancholy, and seemingly


+  subdued, they proceeded towards the enemy, whose hopes and courage, were not


+  more steady than theirs. As soon therefore as the Roman standards were beheld,


+  a murmur spread from front to rear of the Samnites, that, as they had feared,


+  "the Romans were coming out to oppose their march; that there was no road open,


+  through which they could even fly thence; in that spot they must fall, or else


+  cut down the enemy's ranks, and make their way over their bodies." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">36 </div>


+<a id="b36" />


+<p>They then threw the baggage in a heap in the centre, and, with their arms prepared


+  for battle, formed their line, each falling into his post. There was now but


+  a small interval between the two armies, and both stood, waiting until the shout


+  and onset should be begun by their adversary. Neither party had any inclination


+  to fight, and they would have separated, and taken different roads, unhurt and


+  untouched, but that each had a dread of being harassed, in retreat, by the other.


+  Notwithstanding this shyness and reluctance, an engagement unavoidably began,


+  but spiritless, and with a shout which discovered neither resolution nor steadiness;


+  nor did any move a foot from his post. The Roman consul, then, in order to infuse


+  life into the action, ordered a few troops of cavalry to advance out of the


+  line and charge: most of whom being thrown from their horses and the rest put


+  in disorder, several parties ran forward, both from the Samnite line, to cut


+  off those who had fallen, and from the Roman, to protect their friends. In consequence


+  the battle became a little more brisk, but the Samnites had come forward with


+  more briskness, and also in greater numbers, and the disordered cavalry, with


+  their affrighted horses, trod down their own party who came to their relief.


+  Flight commencing in this quarter, caused the whole Roman line to turn their


+  backs. And now the Samnites had no employment for their arms but against the


+  rear of a flying enemy, when the consul, galloping on before his men to the


+  gate of the camp, posted there a body of cavalry, with orders to treat as an


+  enemy any person who should make towards the rampart, whether Roman or Samnite;


+  and, placing himself in the way of his men, as they pressed in disorder towards


+  the camp, denounced threats to the same purport: "Whither are you going, soldiers?"


+  said he; "here also you will find both men and arms; nor, while your consul


+  lives, shall you pass the rampart, unless victorious. Choose therefore which


+  you will prefer, fighting against your own countrymen, or the enemy." While


+  the consul was thus speaking the cavalry gathered round, with the points of


+  their spears presented, and ordered the infantry to return to the fight. Not


+  only his own brave spirit, but fortune likewise aided the consul, for the Samnites


+  did not push their advantage; so that he had time to wheel round his battalions,


+  and to change his front from the camp towards the enemy. The men then began


+  to encourage each other to return to the battle, while the centurions snatched


+  the ensigns from the standard-bearers and bore them forward, pointing out to


+  the soldiers the enemy, coming on in a hurry, few in number, and with their


+  ranks disordered. At the same time the consul, with his hands lifted up towards


+  heaven, and raising his voice so as to be heard at a distance, vowed a temple


+  to Jupiter Stator, if the Roman army should rally from flight, and, renewing


+  the battle, cut down and defeat the Samnites. All divisions of the army, now,


+  united their efforts to restore the fight; officers, soldiers, the whole force,


+  both of cavalry and infantry; even the powers of heaven seemed to have looked,


+  with favour, on the Roman cause; so speedily was a thorough change effected


+  in the fortune of the day, the enemy being repulsed from the camp, and, in a


+  short time, driven back to the spot where the battle had commenced. Here they


+  stopped, being obstructed by the heap of baggage, lying in their way, where


+  they had thrown it together; and then, to prevent the plundering of their effects,


+  formed round them a circle of troops. On this, the infantry assailed them vigorously


+  in front, while the cavalry, wheeling, fell on their rear: and, being thus enclosed


+  between the two, they were all either slain, or taken prisoners. The number


+  of the prisoners was seven thousand two hundred, who were all sent under the


+  yoke; the killed amounted to four thousand eight hundred. The victory did not


+  prove a joyous one, even on the side of the Romans: when the consul took an


+  account of the loss sustained in the two days, the number returned, of soldiers


+  lost, was seven thousand three hundred. During these transactions in Apulia,


+  the Samnites with the other army having attempted to seize on Iteramna, a Roman


+  colony situated on the Latin road, did not however obtain the town; whence,


+  after ravaging the country, as they were driving off spoil, consisting of men


+  and cattle, together with the colonists whom they had taken, they met the consul


+  returning victorious from Luceria, and not only lost their booty, but marching


+  in disorder, in a long train, and heavily encumbered, were themselves cut to


+  pieces. The consul, by proclamation, summoned the owners to Interamna, to claim


+  and receive again their property, and leaving his army there, went to Rome to


+  hold the elections. On his applying for a triumph, that honour was refused him,


+  because he had lost so many thousands of his soldiers; and also, because he


+  had sent the prisoners under the yoke without imposing any conditions. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">37 </div>


+<a id="b37" />


+<p>The other consul, Postumius, because there was no employment for his arms in


+  Samnium, having led over his forces into Etruria, first laid waste the lands


+  of the Volsinians; and afterwards, on their marching out to protect their country,


+  gained a decisive victory over them, at a small distance from their own walls.


+  Two thousand two hundred of the Etrurians were slain; the proximity of their


+  city protected the rest. The army was then led into the territory of Rusella,


+  and there, not only were the lands wasted, but the town itself taken. More than


+  two thousand men were made prisoners, and somewhat less than that number killed


+  on the walls. But a peace, effected that year in Etruria, was still more important


+  and honourable than the war had been. Three very powerful cities, the chief


+  ones of Etruria, (Volsinii, Perusia, and Arretium,) sued for peace; and having


+  stipulated with the consul to furnish clothing and corn for his army, on condition


+  of being permitted to send deputies to Rome, they obtained a truce for forty


+  years, and a fine was imposed on each state of five hundred thousand <i>asses</i>,[<a href="#foot6">6</a>]


+  to be immediately paid. When the consul demanded a triumph from the senate,


+  in consideration of these services, rather to comply with the general practice,


+  than in hope of succeeding; and when he saw that one party, his own personal


+  enemies, another party, the friends of his colleague, refused him the triumph,


+  the latter to console a similar refusal, some on the plea that he had been rather


+  tardy in taking his departure from the city; others, that he had passed from


+  Samnium into Etruria without orders from the senate; he said, "Conscript fathers,


+  I shall not be so far mindful of your dignity, as to forget that I am consul.


+  By the same right of office by which I conducted the war, I shall now have a


+  triumph, when this war has been brought to a happy conclusion, Samnium and Etruria


+  being subdued, and victory and peace procured. With these words he left the


+  senate." On this arose a contention between the plebeian tribunes; some of them


+  declaring that they would protest against his triumphing in a manner unprecedented;


+  others, that they would support his pretensions, in opposition to their colleagues.


+  The affair came at length to be discussed before the people, and the consul


+  being summoned to attend, when he represented, that Marcus Horatius and Lucius


+  Valerius, when consuls, and lately Caius Marcus Rutilus, father of the present


+  censor, had triumphed, not by direction of the senate, but by that of the people;


+  he then added that "he would in like manner have laid his request before the


+  public, had he not known that some plebeian tribunes, the abject slaves of the


+  nobles, would have obstructed the law. That the universal approbation and will


+  of the people were and should be with him equivalent to any order whatsoever."


+  Accordingly, on the day following, by the support of three plebeian tribunes,


+  in opposition to the protest of the other seven, and the declared judgment of


+  the senate, he triumphed; and the people paid every honour to the day. The historical


+  accounts regarding this year are by no means consistent; Claudius asserts, that


+  Postumius, after having taken several cities in Samnium, was defeated and put


+  to flight in Apulia; and that, being wounded himself, he was driven, with a


+  few attendants, into Luceria. That the war in Etruria was conducted by Atilius,


+  and that it was he who triumphed. Fabius writes, that the two consuls acted


+  in conjunction, both in Samnium and at Luceria; that an army was led over into


+  Etruria, but by which of the consuls he has not mentioned; that at Luceria,


+  great numbers were slain on both sides; and that in that battle, the temple


+  of Jupiter Stator was vowed, the same vow having been formerly made by Romulus,


+  but the fane only, that is, the area appropriated for the temple, had been yet


+  consecrated. However, in this year, the state having been twice bound by the


+  same vow, it became a matter of religious obligation that the senate should


+  order the temple to be erected. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">38 </div>


+<a id="b38" />


+<p>In the next year, we find a consul, distinguished by the united splendour of


+  his own and his father's glory, Lucius Papirius Cursor, as also a war of vast


+  importance, and a victory of such consequence, as no man, excepting Lucius Papirius,


+  the consul's father, had ever before obtained over the Samnites. It happened


+  too that these had, with the same care and pains as on the former occasion,


+  decorated their soldiers with the richest suits of splendid armour; and they


+  had, likewise, called in to their aid the power of the gods, having, as it were,


+  initiated the soldiers, by administering the military oath, with the solemn


+  ceremonies practised in ancient times, and levied troops in every part of Samnium,


+  under an ordinance entirely new, that "if any of the younger inhabitants should


+  not attend the meeting, according to the general's proclamation, or shall depart


+  without permission, his head should be devoted to Jupiter." Orders being then


+  issued, for all to assemble at Aquilonia, the whole strength of Samnium came


+  together, amounting to forty thousand men. There a piece of ground, in the middle


+  of the camp, was enclosed with hurdles and boards, and covered overhead with


+  linen cloth, the sides being all of an equal length, about two hundred feet.


+  In this place sacrifices were performed, according to directions read out of


+  an old linen book, the priest being a very old man, called Ovius Paccius, who


+  affirmed, that he took these ceremonials from the ancient ritual of the Samnites,


+  being the same which their ancestors used, when they had formed the secret design


+  of wresting Capua from the Etrurians. When the sacrifices were finished, the


+  general ordered a beadle to summon every one of those who were most highly distinguished


+  by their birth or conduct: these were introduced singly. Besides the other exhibitions


+  of the solemnity, calculated to impress the mind with religious awe, there were,


+  in the middle of the covered enclosure, altars erected, about which lay the


+  victims slain, and the centurions stood around with their swords drawn. The


+  soldier was led up to the altars, rather like a victim, than a performer in


+  the ceremony, and was bound by an oath not to divulge what he should see and


+  hear in that place. He was then compelled to swear, in a dreadful kind of form,


+  containing execrations on his own person, on his family and race, if he did


+  not go to battle, whithersoever the commanders should lead; and, if either he


+  himself fled from the field, or, in case he should see any other flying, did


+  not immediately kill him. At first some, refusing to take the oath, were put


+  to death round the altars, and lying among the carcasses of the victims, served


+  afterwards as a warning to others not to refuse it. When those of the first


+  rank in the Samnite nation had been bound under these solemnities, the general


+  nominated ten, whom he desired to choose each a man, and so to proceed until


+  they should have called up the number of sixteen thousand. This body, from the


+  covering of the enclosure wherein the nobility had been thus devoted, was called


+  the linen legion. They were furnished with splendid armour and plumed helmets,


+  to distinguish them above the rest. They had another body of forces, amounting


+  to somewhat more than twenty thousand, not inferior to the linen legion, either


+  in personal appearance, or renown in war, or their equipment. This number, composing


+  the main strength of the nation, sat down at Aquilonia. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">39 </div>


+<a id="b39" />


+<p>On the other side, the consuls set out from the city. First, Spurius Carvilius,


+  to whom had been decreed the veteran legions, which Marcus Atilius, the consul


+  of the preceding year, had left in the territory of Interamna, marched at their


+  head into Samnium; and, while the enemy were busied in their superstitious rites,


+  and holding their secret meeting, he took by storm the town of Amiternum. Here


+  were slain about two thousand eight hundred men; and four thousand two hundred


+  and seventy were made prisoners. Papirius, with a new army, which he raised


+  in pursuance of a decree of the senate, made himself master of the city of Duronia.


+  He took fewer prisoners than his colleague; but slew much greater numbers. Rich


+  booty was acquired in both places. The consuls then, overrunning Samnium, and


+  wasting the province of Atinum with particular severity, arrived, Carvilius


+  at Cominium, and Papirius at Aquilonia, where the main force of the Samnites


+  were posted. Here, for some time, there was neither a cessation of action, nor


+  any vigorous effort. The day was generally spent in provoking the enemy when


+  quiet, and retiring when they offered resistance; in menacing, rather than making


+  an attack. By which practice of beginning, and then desisting, even those trifling


+  skirmishes were continually left without a decision. The other Roman camp was


+  twenty miles distant, and the advice of his absent colleague was appealed to


+  on every thing which he undertook, while Carvilius, on his part, directed a


+  greater share of his attention to Aquilonia, where the state of affairs was


+  more critical and important, than to Cominium, which he himself was besieging.


+  When Papirius had fully adjusted every measure, preparatory to an engagement,


+  he despatched a message to his colleague, that "he intended, if the auspices


+  permitted, to fight the enemy on the day following; and that it would be necessary


+  that he (Carvilius) should at the same time make an assault on Cominium, with


+  his utmost force, that the Samnites there might have no leisure to send any


+  succour to Aquilonia." The messenger had the day for the performance of his


+  journey, and he returned in the night, with an answer to the consul, that his


+  colleague approved of the plan. Papirius, on sending off the messenger, had


+  instantly called an assembly, where he descanted, at large, on the nature of


+  the war in general, and on the present mode of equipment adopted by the enemy,


+  which served for empty parade, rather than for any thing effectual towards insuring


+  success; for "plumes," he said, "made no wounds; that a Roman javelin would


+  make its way through shields, however painted and gilt; and that the army, refulgent


+  from the whiteness of their tunics, would soon be besmeared with blood, when


+  matters came to be managed with the sword. His father had formerly cut off,


+  to a man, a gold and silver army of the Samnites; and such accoutrements had


+  made a more respectable figure, as spoils, in the hands of the conquering foe,


+  than as arms in those of the wearers. Perhaps it was allotted, by destiny, to


+  his name and family, that they should be opposed in command against the most


+  powerful efforts of the Samnites; and should bring home spoils, of such beauty,


+  as to serve for ornaments to the public places. The immortal gods were certainly


+  on his side, on account of the leagues so often solicited and so often broken.


+  Besides, if a judgment might be formed of the sentiments of the deities, they


+  never were more hostile to any army, than to that which, smeared with the blood


+  of human beings mixed with that of cattle in their abominable sacrifice, doomed


+  to the twofold resentment of the gods, dreading on the one hand the divinities,


+  witnesses of the treaties concluded with the Romans, on the other hand the imprecations


+  expressed in the oath sworn in contradiction to those treaties, swore with reluctance,


+  abhorred the oath, and feared at once the gods, their countrymen, and their


+  enemies." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">40 </div>


+<a id="b40" />


+<p>When the consul had recounted these particulars, ascertained from the information


+  of the deserters, to the soldiers already enraged of themselves, they then,


+  filled with confidence in both divine and human aid, with one universal shout,


+  demanded the battle; were dissatisfied at the action being deferred to the following


+  day; they are impatient under the intended delay of a day and a night. Papirius,


+  at the third watch, having received his colleague's letter, arose in silence,


+  and sent the keeper of the chickens to take the auspices. There was no one description


+  of men in the camp who felt not earnest wishes for the fight: the highest and


+  the lowest were equally eager; the general watching the ardour of the soldiers,


+  and the soldiers that of the general. This universal zeal spread even to those


+  employed in taking the auspices; for the chickens having refused to feed, the


+  auspex ventured to misrepresent the omen, and reported to the consul that they


+  had fed voraciously.[<a href="#foot7">7</a>] The consul, highly pleased, and


+  giving notice that the auspices were excellent, and that they were to act under


+  the direction of the gods, displayed the signal for battle. Just as he was going


+  out to the field, he happened to receive intelligence from a deserter, that


+  twenty cohorts of Samnites, consisting of about four hundred each, had marched


+  towards Cominium. Lest his colleague should be ignorant of this, he instantly


+  despatched a messenger to him, and then ordered the troops to advance with speed,


+  having already assigned to each division of the army its proper post, and appointed


+  general officers to command them. The command of the right wing he gave to Lucius


+  Volumnius, that of the left to Lucius Scipio, that of the cavalry to the other


+  lieutenants-general, Caius Caedicius and Caius Trebonius. He ordered Spurius


+  Nautius to take off the panniers from the mules, and to lead them round quickly,


+  together with his auxiliary cohorts, to a rising ground in view; and there to


+  show himself during the heat of the engagement, and to raise as much dust as


+  possible. While the general was employed in making these dispositions, a dispute


+  arose among the keepers of the chickens, about the auspices of the day, which


+  was overheard by some Roman horsemen, who, deeming it a matter not to be slighted,


+  informed Spurius Papirius, the consul's nephew, that there was a doubt about


+  the auspices. The youth, born in an age when that sort of learning which inculcates


+  contempt of the gods was yet unknown, examined into the affair, that he might


+  not carry an uncertain report to the consul; and then acquainted him with it.


+  His answer was, "I very much applaud your conduct and zeal. However, the person


+  who officiates in taking the auspices, if he makes a false report, draws on


+  his own head the evil portended; but to the Roman people and their army, the


+  favourable omen reported to me is an excellent auspice." He then commanded the


+  centurions to place the keepers of the chickens in the front of the line. The


+  Samnites likewise brought forward their standards; their main body followed,


+  armed and decorated in such a manner, that the enemy afforded a magnificent


+  show. Before the shout was raised, or the battle begun, the auspex, wounded


+  by a random cast of a javelin, fell before the standards; which being told to


+  the consul, he said, "The gods are present in the battle; the guilty has met


+  his punishment." While the consul uttered these words, a crow, in front of him,


+  cawed with a clear voice; at which augury, the consul being rejoiced, and affirming,


+  that never had the gods interposed in a more striking manner in human affairs,


+  ordered the charge to be sounded and the shout to be raised. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">41 </div>


+<a id="b41" />


+<p>A furious conflict now ensued, but with very unequal spirit [in the combatants].


+  Anger, hope, and ardour for conquest, hurried on the Romans to battle, thirsting


+  for their enemy's blood; while the Samnites, for the most part reluctantly,


+  as if compelled by necessity and religious dread, rather stood on their defence,


+  than made an attack. Nor would they, familiarized as they were to defeats, through


+  a course of so many years, have withstood the first shout and shock of the Romans,


+  had not another fear, operating still more powerfully in their breasts, restrained


+  them from flying. For they had before their eyes the whole scene exhibited at


+  the secret sacrifice, the armed priests, the promiscuous carnage of men and


+  cattle, the altars besmeared with the blood of victims and of their murdered


+  countrymen, the dreadful curses, and the direful form of imprecation, drawn


+  up for calling down perdition on their family and race. Prevented by these shackles


+  from running away, they stood, more afraid of then countrymen than of the enemy.


+  The Romans pushed on both the wings, and in the centre, and made great havoc


+  among them, stupified as they were, through their fears of the gods and of men.


+  A faint resistance is now made, as by men whom fear alone prevented from running


+  away. The slaughter had now almost reached to their standards, when, on one


+  side, appeared a cloud of dust, as if raised by the marching of a numerous army:


+  it was Spurius Nautius, (some say Octavius Metius,) commander of the auxiliary


+  cohorts: for these raised a greater quantity of dust than was proportioned to


+  the number of men, the servants of the camp, mounted on the mules, trailing


+  boughs of trees, full of leaves, along the ground. Through the light thus obscured,


+  arms and standards were seen in front; behind, a higher and denser cloud of


+  dust presented the appearance of horsemen bringing up the rear. This effectually


+  deceived, not only the Samnites, but the Romans themselves: and the consul confirmed


+  the mistake, by calling out among the foremost battalions, so that his voice


+  reached also the enemy, that "Cominium was taken, and that his victorious colleague


+  was approaching," bidding his men "now make haste to complete the defeat of


+  the enemy, before the glory should fall to the share of the other army." This


+  he said as he sat on horseback, and then ordered the tribunes and centurions


+  to open passages for the horse. He had given previous directions to Trebonius


+  and Caedicius, that, when they should see him waving the point of his spear


+  aloft, they should incite the cavalry to charge the enemy with all possible


+  violence. Every particular, as previously concerted, was executed with the utmost


+  exactness. The passages were opened between the ranks, the cavalry darted through,


+  and, with the points of their spears presented, rushed into the midst of the


+  enemy's battalions, breaking down the ranks wherever they charged. Voluminius


+  and Scipio seconded the blow, and taking advantage of the enemy's disorder,


+  made a terrible slaughter. Thus attacked, the cohorts, called <i>linteatae</i>,


+  regardless of all restraints from either gods or men, quitted their posts in


+  confusion, the sworn and the unsworn all fled alike, no longer dreading aught


+  but the enemies. The body of their infantry which survived the battle, were


+  driven into the camp at Aquilonia. The nobility and cavalry directed their flight


+  to Bovianum. The horse were pursued by the Roman horse, the infantry by their


+  infantry, while the wings proceeded by different roads; the right, to the camp


+  of the Samnites; the left to the city. Volumnius succeeded first in gaining


+  possession of the camp. At the city, Scipio met a stouter resistance; not because


+  the conquered troops there had gained courage, but because walls were a better


+  defence against armed men than a rampart. From these they repelled the enemy


+  with stones. Scipio, considering that unless the business were effected during


+  their first panic, and before they could recover their spirits, the attack of


+  so strong a town would be very tedious, asked his soldiers "if they could endure,


+  without shame, that the other wing should already have taken the camp, and that


+  they, after all their success, should be repulsed from the gates of the city?"


+  Then, all of them loudly declaring their determination to the contrary, he himself


+  advanced, the foremost, to the gate, with his shield raised over his head: the


+  rest, following under the like cover of their shields conjoined, burst into


+  the city, and dispersing the Samnites who were near the gate, took possession


+  of the walls, but they ventured not to push forward into the interior of the


+  city in consequence of the smallness of their number. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">42 </div>


+<a id="b42" />


+<p>Of these transactions the consul was for some time ignorant; and was busily


+  employed in calling home his troops, for the sun was now hastening to set, and


+  the approach of night rendered every place suspicious and dangerous, even to


+  victorious troops. Having rode forward a considerable way, he saw on the right


+  the camp taken, and heard on the left a shouting in the city, with a confused


+  noise of fighting, and cries of terror. This happened while the fight was going


+  on at the gate. When, on riding up nearer, he saw his own men on the walls,


+  and so much progress already made in the business, pleased at having gained,


+  through the precipitate conduct of a few, an opportunity of striking an important


+  blow, he ordered the troops, whom he had sent back to the camp, to be called


+  out, and to march to the attack of the city: these, having made good their entrance


+  on the nearest side, proceeded no farther, because night approached. Before


+  morning, however, the town was abandoned by the enemy. There were slain of the


+  Samnites on that day, at Aquilonia, thirty thousand three hundred and forty;


+  taken, three thousand eight hundred and seventy, with ninety-seven military


+  standards. One circumstance, respecting Papirius, is particularly mentioned


+  by historians: that, hardly ever was any general seen in the field with a more


+  cheerful countenance; whether this was owing to his natural temper or to his


+  confidence of success. From the same firmness of mind it proceeded, that he


+  did not suffer himself to be diverted from the war by the dispute about the


+  auspices; and that, in the heat of the battle, when it was customary to vow


+  temples to the immortal gods, he vowed to Jupiter the victorious, that if he


+  should defeat the legions of the enemy, he would, before he tasted of any generous


+  liquor, make a libation to him of a cup of wine and honey. This kind of vow


+  proved acceptable to the gods, and they conducted the auspices to a fortunate


+  issue. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">43 </div>


+<a id="b43" />


+<p>Matters were conducted with the same success by the other consul at Cominium:


+  leading up his forces to the walls, at the first dawn, he invested the city


+  on every side, and posted strong guards opposite to the gates to prevent any


+  sally being made. Just as he was giving the signal, the alarming message from


+  his colleague, touching the march of the twenty Samnite cohorts, not only caused


+  him to delay the assault, but obliged him to call off a part of his troops,


+  when they were formed and ready to begin the attack. He ordered Decius Brutus


+  Scaeva, a lieutenant-general, with the first legion, ten auxiliary cohorts,


+  and the cavalry, to go and oppose the said detachment; and in whatever place


+  he should meet the foe, there to stop and detain them, and even to engage in


+  battle, should opportunity offer for it; at all events not to suffer those troops


+  to approach Cominium. He then commanded the scaling ladders to be brought up


+  to the walls, on every side of the city; and, under a fence of closed shields,


+  advanced to the gates. Thus, at the same moment, the gates were broken open,


+  and the assault made on every part of the walls. Though the Samnites, before


+  they saw the assailants on the works, had possessed courage enough to oppose


+  their approaches to the city, yet now, when the action was no longer carried


+  on at a distance, nor with missile weapons, but in close fight; and when those,


+  who had with difficulty gained the walls, having overcome the disadvantage of


+  ground, which, they principally dreaded, fought with ease on equal ground, against


+  an enemy inferior in strength, they all forsook the towers and walls, and being


+  driven to the forum, they tried there for a short time, as a last effort, to


+  retrieve the fortune of the fight; but soon throwing down their arms, surrendered


+  to the consul, to the number of eleven thousand four hundred; four thousand


+  three hundred and eighty were slain. Such was the course of events at Cominium,


+  such at Aquilonia. In the middle space between the two cities, where a third


+  battle had been expected, the enemy were not found; for, when they were within


+  seven miles of Cominium, they were recalled by their countrymen, and had no


+  part in either battle. At night-fall, when they were now within sight of their


+  camp, and also of Aquilonia, shouts from both places reaching them with equal


+  force induced them to halt; then, on the side of the camp, which had been set


+  on fire by the Romans, the wide-spreading flames indicating with more certainty


+  the disaster [which had happened], prevented their proceeding any farther. In


+  that same spot, stretched on the ground at random under their arms, they passed


+  the whole night in great inquietude, at one time wishing for, at another dreading


+  the light. At the first dawn, while they were still undetermined to what quarter


+  they should direct their march, they were obliged to betake themselves hastily


+  to flight, being descried by the cavalry; who having gone in pursuit of the


+  Samnites, that left the town in the night, saw the multitude unprotected either


+  by a rampart or advanced guard. This party had likewise been perceived from


+  the walls of Aquilonia, and the legionary cohorts now joined in the pursuit.


+  The foot were unable to overtake them, but about two hundred and eighty of their


+  rear guard were cut off by the cavalry. In their consternation they left behind


+  them a great quantity of arms and eighteen military standards: they reached


+  Bovianum with the rest of their party in safety, as far as could be expected


+  after so disorderly a rout. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">44 </div>


+<a id="b44" />


+<p>The joy of both Roman armies was enhanced by the success achieved on the other


+  side. Each consul, with the approbation of his colleague, gave to his soldiers


+  the plunder of the town which he had taken; and, when the houses were cleared,


+  set them on fire. Thus, on the same day, Aquilonia and Cominium were both reduced


+  to ashes. The consuls then united their camps, where mutual congratulations


+  took place between them and between their soldiers. Here, in the view of the


+  two armies, Carvilius bestowed on his men commendations and presents according


+  to the desert of each; and Papirius likewise, whose troops had been engaged


+  in a variety of actions, in the field, in the assault of the camp, and in that


+  of the city, presented Spurius Nautius, Spurius Papirius, his nephew, four centurions,


+  and a company of the spearmen, with bracelets and crowns of gold:--to Nautius,


+  on account of his behaviour at the head of his detachment, when he had terrified


+  the enemy with the appearance as of a numerous army; to young Papirius, on account


+  of his zealous exertions with the cavalry, both in the battle and in harassing


+  the Samnites in their flight by night, when they withdrew privately from Aquilonia;


+  and to the centurions and company of soldiers, because they were the first who


+  gained possession of the gate and wall of that town. All the horsemen he presented


+  with gorgets and bracelets of silver, on account of their distinguished conduct


+  on many occasions. As the time was now come for withdrawing the army out of


+  Samnium, the expediency was considered, as to whether they should withdraw both,


+  or at least one. It was concluded, that the lower the strength of the Samnites


+  was reduced, the greater perseverance and vigour ought to be used in prosecuting


+  the war, so that Samnium might be given up to the succeeding consuls perfectly


+  subjected. As there was now no army of the enemy which could be supposed capable


+  of disputing the field, there remained one mode of operations, the besieging


+  of the cities; by the destruction of which, they might be enabled to enrich


+  their soldiers with the spoil; and, at the same time, utterly to destroy the


+  enemy, reduced to the necessity of fighting, their all being at stake. The consuls,


+  therefore, after despatching letters to the senate and people of Rome, containing


+  accounts of the services which they had performed, led away their legions to


+  different quarters; Papirius going to attack Saepioura, Carvilius to Volana.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">45 </div>


+<a id="b45" />


+<p>The letters of the consuls were heard with extraordinary exultation, both in


+  the senate-house and in the assembly of the people; and, in a thanksgiving of


+  four days' continuance, the public rejoicings were celebrated with zeal by individuals.


+  These successes were not only important in themselves to the Roman people, but


+  peculiarly seasonable; for it happened, that at the same time intelligence was


+  brought that the Etrurians were again in arms. The reflection naturally occurred


+  to people's minds, how it would have been possible, in case any misfortune had


+  happened in Samnium, to have withstood the power of Etruria; which, being encouraged


+  by the conspiracy of the Samnites, and seeing both the consuls, and the whole


+  force of the Romans, employed against them, had made use of that juncture, in


+  which the Romans had so much business on their hands, for reviving hostilities.


+  Ambassadors from the allies, being introduced to the senate by the praetor Marcus


+  Atilius, complained that their countries were wasted with fire and sword by


+  the neighbouring Etrurians, because they had refused to revolt from the Romans;


+  and they besought the conscript fathers to protect them from the violence and


+  injustice of their common enemy. The ambassadors were answered, </p>


+<p> that "the senate would take care that the allies should not repent their fidelity."


+  That the "Etrurians should shortly be in the same situation with the Samnites."


+  Notwithstanding which, the business respecting Etruria would have been prosecuted


+  with less vigour, had not information been received, that the Faliscians likewise,


+  who had for many years lived in friendship with Rome, had united their arms


+  with those of the Etrurians. The consideration of the near vicinity of that


+  nation quickened the attention of the senate; insomuch that they passed a decree


+  that heralds should be sent to demand satisfaction: which being refused, war


+  was declared against the Faliscians by direction of the senate, and order of


+  the people; and the consuls were desired to determine, by lots, which of them


+  should lead an army from Samnium into Etruria. Carvilius had, in the mean time,


+  taken from the Samnites Volana, Palumbinum, and Herculaneum; Volana after a


+  siege of a few days, Palumbinum the same day on which he approached the walls.


+  At Herculaneum, it is true, the consul had two regular engagements without any


+  decisive advantage on either side, and with greater loss on his side than on


+  that of the enemy; but afterwards, encamping on the spot, he shut them up within


+  their works. The town was besieged and taken. In these three towns were taken


+  or slain ten thousand men, of whom the prisoners composed somewhat the greater


+  part. On the consuls casting lots for the provinces, Etruria fell to Carvilius,


+  to the great satisfaction of the soldiers, who could no longer bear the intensity


+  of the cold in Samnium. Papirius was opposed at Saepinum with a more powerful


+  force: he had to fight often in pitched battles, often on a march, and often


+  under the walls of the city, against the eruptions of the enemy; and could neither


+  besiege, nor engage them on equal terms; for the Samnites not only protected


+  themselves by walls, but likewise protected their walls with numbers of men


+  and arms. At length, after a great deal of fighting, he forced them to submit


+  to a regular siege. This he carried on with vigour, and made himself master


+  of the city by means of his works, and by storm. The rage of the soldiers on


+  this occasion caused the greatest slaughter in the taking of the town; seven


+  thousand four hundred fell by the sword; the number of the prisoners did not


+  amount to three thousand. The spoil, of which the quantity was very great, the


+  whole substance of the Samnites being collected in a few cities, was given up


+  to the soldiers. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">46 </div>


+<a id="b46" />


+<p>The snow had now entirely covered the face of the country, and they could no


+  longer dispense with the shelter of houses: the consul therefore led home his


+  troops from Samnium. While he was on his way to Rome, a triumph was decreed


+  him with universal consent; and accordingly he triumphed while in office, and


+  with extraordinary splendour, considering the circumstances of those times.


+  The cavalry and infantry marched in the procession, adorned with presents. Great


+  numbers of civic, vallar, and mural crowns were seen.[<a href="#foot8">8</a>]


+  The spoils of the Samnites were inspected with much curiosity, and compared,


+  in respect of magnificence and beauty, with those taken by his father, which


+  were well known, from being frequently exhibited as ornaments of the public


+  places. Several prisoners of distinction, renowned for their own exploits and


+  those of their ancestors, were led in the cavalcade. There were carried in the


+  train two millions and thirty-three thousand <i>asses</i> in weight.[<a href="#foot9">9</a>]


+  This money was said to be produced by the sale of the prisoners. Of silver,


+  taken in the cities, one thousand three hundred and thirty pounds. All the silver


+  and brass were lodged in the treasury, no share of this part of the spoil being


+  given to the soldiers. The ill humour in the commons was further exasperated,


+  because the tax for the payment of the army was collected by contribution; whereas,


+  said they, if the vain parade of conveying the produce of the spoil to the treasury


+  had been disregarded, donations might have been made to the soldiers out of


+  the spoil, and the pay of the army also supplied out of that fund. The temple


+  of Quirinus, vowed by his father when dictator, (for that he himself had vowed


+  it in the heat of battle, I do not find in any ancient writer, nor indeed could


+  he in so short a time have finished the building of it,) the son, in the office


+  of consul, dedicated and adorned with military spoils. And of these, so great


+  was the abundance, that not only that temple and the forum were decorated with


+  them, but some were also distributed among the allies and colonies in the neighbourhood,


+  to serve as ornaments to their temples and public places. Immediately after


+  his triumph, he led his army into winter quarters in the territory of Vescia;


+  because that country was harassed by the Samnites. Meanwhile, in Etruria, the


+  consul Carvilius having set about laying siege to Troilium, suffered four hundred


+  and seventy of the richest inhabitants to depart; they had paid a large sum


+  of money for permission to leave the place: the town, with the remaining multitude,


+  he took by storm. He afterwards reduced, by force, five forts strongly situated,


+  wherein were slain two thousand four hundred of the enemy, and not quite two


+  thousand made prisoners. To the Faliscians, who sued for peace, he granted a


+  truce for a year, on condition of their furnishing a hundred thousand <i>asses</i>


+  in weight,[<a href="#foot10">10</a>] and that year's pay for his army. This


+  business completed, he returned home to a triumph, which, though it was less


+  illustrious than that of his colleague, in respect of his share in the defeat


+  of the Samnites, was yet raised to an equality with it, by his having put a


+  termination to the war in Etruria. He carried into the treasury three hundred


+  and ninety thousand <i>asses</i> in weight.[<a href="#foot11">11</a>] Out of


+  the remainder of the money accruing to the public from the spoils, he contracted


+  for the building of a temple to Fors Fortuna, near to that dedicated to the


+  same goddess by king Servius Tullius; and gave to the soldiers, out of the spoil,


+  one hundred and two asses each, and double that sum to the centurions and horsemen,


+  who received this donative the more gratefully, on account of the parsimony


+  of his colleague. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">47 </div>


+<a id="b47" />


+<p>The favour of the consul saved from a trial, before the people, Postumius;


+  who, on a prosecution being commenced against him by Marcus Scantius, plebeian


+  tribune, evaded, as was said, the jurisdiction of the people, by procuring the


+  commission of lieutenant-general, so the indictment against him could only be


+  held out as a threat, and not put in force. The The year having now elapsed,


+  new plebeian tribunes had come unto office; and for these, in consequence of


+  some irregularity on their appointments, others had been, within five days after,


+  substituted in their room. The lustrum was closed this year by the censors Publius


+  Cornelius Arvina and Caius Marcius Rutilus. The number of citizens rated was


+  two hundred and sixty-two thousand three hundred and twenty-two. These were


+  the twenty-sixth pair of censors since the first institution of that office;


+  and this the nineteenth lustrum. In this year, persons who had been presented


+  with crowns, in consideration of meritorious behaviour in war, first began to


+  wear them at the exhibition of the Roman games. Then, for the first time, palms


+  were conferred on the victors according to a custom introduced from Greece.


+  In the same year the paving of the road from the temple of Mars to Bovillae


+  was completed by the curule aediles, who exhibited those games out of fines


+  levied on the farmers of the pastures. Lucius Papirius presided at the consular


+  election, and returned consuls Quintus Fabius Gurges, son of Maximus, and Decius


+  Junius Brutus Scaeva. Papirius himself was made praetor. This year, prosperous


+  in many particulars, was scarcely sufficient to afford consolation for one calamity,


+  a pestilence, which afflicted both the city and country: the mortality was prodigious.


+  To discover what end, or what remedy, was appointed by the gods for that calamity,


+  the books were consulted: in the books it was found that Aesculapius must be


+  brought to Rome from Epidaurus. Nor were any steps taken that year in that matter,


+  because the consuls were fully occupied in the war, except that a supplication


+  was performed to Aesculapius for one day. </p>


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<a id="lost" />


+<div class="bookdes"><i>Here ten books of the original are lost, making a chasm


+  of seventy-five years. The translator's object being to publish the work of


+  Livy only, he has not thought it his duty to attempt to supply this deficiency,


+  either by a compilation of his own, or by transcribing or translating those


+  of others. The leader, however, who may be desirous of knowing the events which


+  took place during this interval, will find as complete a detail of them as can


+  now be given, in Hooke's or Rollin's Roman History.The contents of the lost


+  books have been preserved, and are as follows--</i></div>


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book11">BOOK XI.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">[Y.R. 460. B.C. 292.] Fabius Gurges, consul, having fought


+  an unsuccessful battle with the Samnites, the senate deliberate about dismissing


+  him from the command of the army; are prevailed upon not to inflict that disgrace


+  upon him, principally by the entreaties of his father, Fabius Maximus, and by


+  his promising to join the army, and serve, in quality of lieutenant-general,


+  under his son: which promise he performs, and the consul, aided by his counsel


+  and co-operation, obtains a victory over the Samnites, and a triumph in consequence.


+  C. Pontius, the general of the Samnites, led in triumph before the victor's


+  carriage, and afterwards beheaded. A plague at Rome. [Y.R. 461. B.C. 291.] Ambassadors


+  sent to Epidaurus, to bring from thence to Rome the statue of Aesculapius: a


+  serpent, of itself, goes on board their ship; supposing it to be the abode of


+  the deity, they bring it with them; and, upon its quitting their vessel, and


+  swimming to the island in the Tiber, they consecrate there a temple to Aesculapius.


+  L. Postumius, a man of consular rank, condemned for employing the soldiers under


+  his command in working upon his farm. [Y.R. 462. B.C. 290] Curius Dentatus,


+  consul, having subdued the Samnites, and the rebellious Sabines, triumphs twice


+  during his year of office. [Y.R. 463. B.C. 289.] The colonies of Castrum, Sena,


+  and Adria, established. Three judges of capital crimes now first appointed.


+  A census and lustrum: the number of citizens found to be two hundred and seventy-three


+  thousand. After a long-continued sedition, on account of debts, the commons


+  secede to the Janiculum: [Y.R. 466. B.C. 286.] are brought back by Hortensius,


+  dictator, who dies in office. Successful operations against the Volsinians and


+  Lucanians, [Y.R. 468. B.C. 284.] against whom it was thought expedient to send


+  succour to the Thuringians.</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book12">BOOK XII.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">[Y.R. 469. B.C. 283.] The Senonian Gauls having slain the


+  Roman ambassadors, war is declared against them: they cut off L. Caecilius,


+  praetor, with the legions under his command, [Y.R. 470. B.C. 282.] The Roman


+  fleet plundered by the Tarentines, and the commander slain: ambassadors, sent


+  to complain of this outrage, are ill-treated and sent back; whereupon war is


+  declared against them. The Samnites revolt; against whom, together with the


+  Lucanians, Bruttians, and Etruscans, several unsuccessful battles are fought


+  by different generals. [Y.R. 471. B.C. 281.] Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, comes


+  into Italy, to succour the Tarentines. A Campanian legion, sent, under the command


+  of Decius Jubellius, to garrison Rhegium, murder the inhabitants, and seize


+  the city.</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book13">BOOK XIII.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">[Y.R. 472. B.C. 280.] Valerius Laevinus, consul, engages


+  with Pyrrhus, and is beaten, his soldiers being terrified at the unusual appearance


+  of elephants. After the battle, Pyrrhus, viewing the bodies of the Romans who


+  were slain, remarks, that they all of them lay with their faces turned towards


+  their enemy. He proceeds towards Rome, ravaging the country as he goes along.


+  C. Fabricius is sent by the senate to treat for the redemption of the prisoners:


+  the king, in vain, attempts to bribe him to desert his country. The prisoners


+  restored without ransom. Cineas, ambassador from Pyrrhus to the senate, demands,


+  as a condition of peace, that the king be admitted into the city of Rome: the


+  consideration of which being deferred to a fuller meeting, Appius Claudius,


+  who, on account of a disorder in his eyes, had not, for a long time, attended


+  in the senate, comes there; moves, and carries his motion, that the demand of


+  the king be refused. Cneius Domitius, the first plebeian censor, holds a lustrum;


+  the number of the citizens found to be two hundred and seventy-eight thousand


+  two hundred and twenty-two. A second, but undecided battle with Pyrrhus. [Y.R.


+  473. B.C. 279.] The treaty with the Carthaginians renewed a fourth time. An


+  offer made to Fabricius, the consul, by a traitor, to poison Pyrrhus; [Y. R.


+  474. B. C. 278.] he sends him to the king, and discovers to him the treasonable


+  offer. Successful operations against the Etruscans, Lucanians, Bruttians, and


+  Samnites.</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book14">BOOK XIV.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">Pyrrhus crosses over into Sicily. [Y. R. 475. B. C. 277.]


+  Many prodigies, among which, the statue of Jupiter in the Capitol is struck


+  by lightning, and thrown down. [Y. R. 476. B. C. 276.] The head of it afterwards


+  found by the priests. Curius Dentatus, holding a levy, puts up to sale the goods


+  of a person who refuses to answer to his name when called upon. [Y. R. 477.


+  B. C. 275.] Pyrrhus, after his return from Sicily, is defeated, and compelled


+  to quit Italy. The censors hold a lustrum, and find the number of the citizens


+  to be two hundred and seventy-one thousand two hundred and twenty-four. [Y.


+  R. 479. B. c. 273.] A treaty of alliance formed with Ptolemy, king of Egypt.


+  Sextilia, a vestal, found guilty of incest, and buried alive. Two colonies sent


+  forth, to Posidonium and Cossa. [Y. R. 480. B. C. 272.] A Carthaginian fleet


+  sails, in aid of the Tarentines, by which act the treaty is violated. Successful


+  operations against the Lucanians, Samnites, and Bruttians. Death of king Pyrrhus.</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book15">BOOK XV.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">The Tarentines overcome: peace and freedom granted to them.


+  [Y. R. 481. B. C. 271.] The Campanian legion, which had forcibly taken possession


+  of Rhegium, besieged there; lay down their arms, and are punished with death.


+  Some young men, who had ill-treated the ambassadors from the Apollonians to


+  the senate of Rome, are delivered up to them. Peace granted to the Picentians.


+  [Y. R. 484. B. C. 268.] Two colonies established; one at Ariminum in Picenum,


+  another at Beneventum in Samnium. Silver coin now, for the first time, used


+  by the Roman people. [Y. R. 485. B. C. 267.] The Umbrians and Sallentines subdued.


+  The number of quaestors increased to eight.</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book16">BOOK XVI.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">[Y. R. 488. B. C. 264.] Origin and progress of the Carthaginian


+  state. After much debate, the senate resolves to succour the Mammertines against


+  the Carthaginians, and against Hiero, king of Syracuse. Roman cavalry, then,


+  for the first time, cross the sea, and engage successfully, in battle with Hiero;


+  who solicits and obtains peace. [Y.R. 489. B.C. 263.] A lustrum: the number


+  of the citizens amounts to two hundred and ninety-two thousand two hundred and


+  twenty-four. D. Junius Brutus exhibits the first show of gladiators, in honour


+  of his deceased father. [Y.R. 490. B.C. 262.] The Aesernian colony established.


+  Successful operations against the Carthaginians and Vulsinians. [Y.R. 491. B.C.


+  261.]</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book17">BOOK XVII.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">[Y.R. 492. B.C. 260.] Cneius Cornelius, consul, surrounded


+  by the Carthaginian fleet; and, being drawn into a conference by a stratagem,


+  is taken. [Y.R. 493. B.C. 259.] C. Duilius, consul, engages with and vanquishes


+  the Carthaginian fleet; is the first commander to whom a triumph was decreed


+  for a naval victory; in honour of which, he is allowed, when returning to his


+  habitation at night, to be attended with torches and music. L. Cornelius, consul,


+  fights and subdues the Sardinians and Corsicans, together with Hanno, the Carthaginian


+  general, in the island of Sardinia. [Y.R. 494. B.C. 258.] Atilius Calatinus,


+  consul, drawn into an ambuscade by the Carthaginians, is rescued by the skill


+  and valour of M. Calpurnius, a military tribune, who making a sudden attack


+  upon the enemy, with a body of only three hundred men, turns their whole force


+  against himself. [Y.R. 495. B.C. 257.] Hannibal, the commander of the Carthaginian


+  fleet which was beaten, is put to death by his soldiers.</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book18">BOOK XVIII.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">[Y.R. 496. B.C. 256.] Attilius Regulus, consul, having overcome


+  the Carthaginians in a sea-fight, passes over into Africa: kills a serpent of


+  prodigious magnitude, with great loss of his own men. [Y.R. 497. B.C. 255.]


+  The senate, on account of his successful conduct of the war, not appointing


+  him a successor, he writes to them, complaining; and, among other reasons for


+  desiring to be recalled, alledges, that his little farm, being all his subsistence,


+  was going to ruin, owing to the mismanagement of hired stewards. [Y.R. 498.


+  B.C. 254.] A memorable instance of the instability of fortune exhibited in the


+  person of Regulus, who is overcome in battle, and taken prisoner by Xanthippus,


+  a Lacedaemonian general. [Y. R. 499. B. C. 253.] The Roman fleet shipwrecked;


+  which disaster entirely reverses the good fortune which had hitherto attended


+  their affairs. Titus Corucanius, the first high priest chosen from among the


+  commons. [Y. R. 500. B. C. 252.] P. Sempronius Sophus and M. Yalerius Maximus,


+  censors, examine into the state of the senate, and expel thirteen of the members


+  of that body. [Y. R. 501. B. C. 251.] They hold a lustrum, and find the number


+  of citizens to be two hundred and ninety-seven thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven.


+  [Y. R. 502. B. C. 250.] Regulus being sent by the Carthaginians to Rome to treat


+  for peace, and an exchange of prisoners, binds himself by oath to return if


+  these objects be not attained; dissuades the senate from agreeing to the propositions:


+  and then, in observance of his oath, returning to Carthage, is put to death


+  by torture.</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book19">BOOK XIX.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">[Y. R. 502. B. C. 250.] C. Caecilius Metellus, having been


+  successful in several engagements with the Carthaginians, triumphs with more


+  splendour than had ever yet been seen; thirteen generals of the enemy, and one


+  hundred and twenty elephants, being exhibited in the procession, [Y. R. 503.


+  B. C. 249.] Claudius Pulcher, consul, obstinately persisting, notwithstanding


+  the omens were inauspicious, engages the enemy's fleet, and is beaten; drowns


+  the sacred chickens which would not feed: recalled by the senate, and ordered


+  to nominate a dictator; he appoints Claudius Glicia, one of the lowest of the


+  people, who, notwithstanding his being ordered to abdicate the office, yet attends


+  the celebration of the public games in his dictator's robe. [Y. R. 504. B. C.


+  248.] Atilius Calatinus, the first dictator who marches with an army out of


+  Italy. An exchange of prisoners with the Carthaginians. Two colonies established


+  at Fregenae and Brundusium in the Sallentine territories. [Y. R. 505. B. C.


+  247.] A lustrum; the citizens numbered amount to two hundred and fifty-one thousand


+  two hundred and twenty-two. [Y. R. 506. B. C. 246.] Claudia, the sister of Claudius,


+  who had fought unsuccessfully, in contempt of the auspices, being pressed by


+  the crowd, as she was returning from the game, cries out, <i>I wish my brother


+  were alive and had again the command of the fleet</i>: for which offence she


+  is tried and fined. [Y. R. 507. B. C. 245.] Two praetors now first created.


+  Aulus Postumius, consul, being priest of Mars, forcibly detained in the city


+  by Caecilius Metellus, the high priest, and not suffered to go forth to war,


+  being obliged by law to attend to the sacred duties of his office. [Y.R. 508.


+  B.C. 244.] After several successful engagements with the Carthaginians, Caius


+  Lutatius, consul, puts an end to the war, [Y.R. 509. B.C. 243.] by gaining a


+  complete victory over their fleet, at the island of Aegate. The Carthaginians


+  sue for peace, which is granted to them. [Y.R. 510. B.C. 242.] The temple of


+  Vesta being on fire, the high priest, Caecilius Metellus, saves the sacred utensils


+  from the flames. [Y.R. 511. B.C. 241.] Two new tribes added, the Veline and


+  Quirine. The Falisci rebel; are subdued in six days.</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book20">BOOK XX.</div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes">A colony settled at Spoletum. [Y.R. 512. B.C. 240.] An army


+  sent against the Ligurians; being the first war with that state. The Sardinians


+  and Corsicans rebel, and are subdued. [Y.R. 514. B.C. 238.] Tuccia, a vestal,


+  found guilty of incest. War declared against the Illyrians, who had slain an


+  ambassador; they are subdued and brought to submission. [Y.R. 515. B.C. 237.]


+  The number of praetors increased to four. The Transalpine Gauls make an irruption


+  into Italy: are conquered and put to the sword. [Y.R. 516. B.C. 236.] The Roman


+  army, in conjunction with the Latins, is said to have amounted to no less than


+  three hundred thousand men. [Y.R. 517. B.C. 235.] The Roman army for the first


+  time crosses the Po; fights with and subdues the Insubrian Gauls. [Y.R. 530.


+  B.C. 222.] Claudius Marcellus, consul, having slain Viridomarus, the general


+  of the Insubrian Gauls, carries off the <i>spolia opima</i>. [Y.R. 531. B.C.


+  221.] The Istrians subdued; also the Illyrians, who had rebelled. [Y.R. 532.


+  B.C. 220.] The censors hold a lustrum, in which the number of the citizens is


+  found to be two hundred and seventy thousand two hundred and thirteen. The sons


+  of freed-men formed into four tribes; the Esquiline, Palatine, Suburran, and


+  Colline. [Y.R. 533. B.C. 219.] Caius Flaminius, censor, constructs the Flaminian


+  road, and builds the Flaminian circus.</div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book21">BOOK XXI.</div>


+<div class="date">B.C. 219-218</div>


+<br />


+<div class="chapmen"><a href="#c1">1</a> <a href="#c2">2</a> <a href="#c3">3</a>


+  <a href="#c4">4</a> <a href="#c5">5</a> <a href="#c6">6</a> <a href="#c7">7</a>


+  <a href="#c8">8</a> <a href="#c9">9</a> <a href="#c10">10</a> <a href="#c11">11</a>


+  <a href="#c12">12</a> <a href="#c13">13</a> <a href="#c14">14</a> <a href="#c15">15</a>


+  <a href="#c16">16</a> <a href="#c17">17</a> <a href="#c18">18</a> <a href="#c19">19</a>


+  <a href="#c20">20</a> <a href="#c21">21</a> <a href="#c22">22</a> <a href="#c23">23</a>


+  <a href="#c24">24</a> <a href="#c25">25</a> <a href="#c26">26</a> <a href="#c27">27</a>


+  <a href="#c28">28</a> <a href="#c29">29</a> <a href="#c30">30</a> <a href="#c31">31</a>


+  <a href="#c32">32</a> <a href="#c33">33</a> <a href="#c34">34</a> <a href="#c35">35</a>


+  <a href="#c36">36</a> <a href="#c37">37</a> <a href="#c38">38</a> <a href="#c39">39</a>


+  <a href="#c40">40</a> <a href="#c41">41</a> <a href="#c42">42</a> <a href="#c43">43</a>


+  <a href="#c44">44</a> <a href="#c45">45</a> <a href="#c46">46</a> <a href="#c47">47</a>


+  <a href="#c48">48</a> <a href="#c49">49</a> <a href="#c50">50</a> <a href="#c51">51</a>


+  <a href="#c52">52</a> <a href="#c53">53</a> <a href="#c54">54</a> <a href="#c55">55</a>


+  <a href="#c56">56</a> <a href="#c57">57</a> <a href="#c58">58</a> <a href="#c59">59</a>


+  <a href="#c60">60</a> <a href="#c61">61</a> <a href="#c62">62</a> <a href="#c63">63</a></div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes"><i>Origin of the second Punic war. Hannibal's character.


+  In violation of a treaty, he passes the Iberus. Besieges Saguntum, and at length


+  takes it. The Romans send ambassadors to Carthage; declare war. Hannibal crosses


+  the Pyrenees: makes his way through Gaul; then crosses the Alps; defeats the


+  Romans at the Ticinus. The Romans again defeated at the Trebia. Cneius Cornelius


+  Scipio defeats the Carthaginians in Spain, and takes Hanno, their general, prisoner.</i></div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<br />


+<div class="lsidenote">1 </div>


+<a id="c1" />


+<p>I may be permitted to premise at this division of my work, what most historians


+  [<a href="#foot12">12</a>] have professed at the beginning of their whole undertaking;


+  that I am about to relate the most memorable of all wars that were ever waged:


+  the war which the Carthaginians, under the conduct of Hannibal, maintained with


+  the Roman people. For never did any states and nations more efficient in their


+  resources engage in contest; nor had they themselves at any other period so


+  great a degree of power and energy. They brought into action too no arts of


+  war unknown to each other, but those which had been tried in the first Punic


+  war; and so various was the fortune of the conflict, and so doubtful the victory,


+  that they who conquered were more exposed to danger. The hatred with which they


+  fought also was almost greater than their resources; the Romans being indignant


+  that the conquered aggressively took up arms against their victors; the Carthaginians,


+  because they considered that in their subjection it had been lorded over them


+  with haughtiness and avarice. There is besides a story, that Hannibal, when


+  about nine years old, while he boyishly coaxed his father Hamilcar that he might


+  be taken to Spain, (at the time when the African war was completed, and he was


+  employed in sacrificing previously to transporting his army thither,) was conducted


+  to the altar; and, having laid his hand on the offerings, was bound by an oath


+  to prove himself, as soon as he could, an enemy to the Roman people. The loss


+  of Sicily and Sardinia grieved the high spirit of Hamilcar: for he deemed that


+  Sicily had been given up through a premature despair of their affairs; and that


+  Sardinia, during the disturbances in Africa, had been treacherously taken by


+  the Romans, while, in addition, the payment of a tribute had been imposed. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">2 </div>


+<a id="c2" />


+<p>Being disturbed with these anxieties, he so conducted himself for five years


+  in the African war, which commenced shortly after the peace with Rome, and then


+  through nine years employed in augmenting the Carthaginian empire in Spain,


+  that it was obvious that he was revolving in his mind a greater war than he


+  was then engaged in; and that if he had lived longer, the Carthaginians under


+  Hamilcar would have carried the war into Italy, which, under the command of


+  Hannibal, they afterwards did. The timely death of Hamilcar and the youth of


+  Hannibal occasioned its delay. Hasdrubal, intervening between the father and


+  the son, held the command for about eight years. He was first endeared to Hamilcar,


+  as they say, on account of his youthful beauty, and then adopted by him, when


+  advanced in age, as his son-in-law, on account of his eminent abilities; and,


+  because he was his son-in-law, he obtained the supreme authority, against the


+  wishes of the nobles, by the influence of the Barcine faction, [<a href="#foot13">13</a>]


+  which was very powerful with the military and the populace. Prosecuting his


+  designs rather by stratagem than force, by entertaining the princes, and by


+  means of the friendship of their leaders, gaining the favour of unknown nations,


+  he aggrandized the Carthaginian power, more than by arms and battles. Yet peace


+  proved no greater security to himself. A barbarian, in resentment of his master's


+  having been put to death by him, publicly murdered him; and, having been seized


+  by the bystanders, he exhibited the same countenance as if he had escaped; nay,


+  even when he was lacerated by tortures, he preserved such an expression of face,


+  that he presented the appearance of one who smiled, his joy getting the better


+  of his pains. With this Hasdrubal, because he possessed such wonderful skill


+  in gaining over the nations and adding them to his empire, the Roman people


+  had renewed the treaty, [<a href="#foot14">14</a>] on the terms, that the river


+  Iberus should be the boundary of both empires; and that to the Saguntines, who


+  lay between the territories of the two states, their liberty should be preserved.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">3 </div>


+<a id="c3" />


+<p>There was no doubt that in appointing a successor to Hasdrubal, the approbation


+  of the commons would follow the military prerogative, by which the young Hannibal


+  had been immediately carried to the praetorium, and hailed as general, amid


+  the loud shouts and acquiescence of all. Hasdrubal had sent for him by letter,


+  when scarce yet arrived at manhood; and the matter had even been discussed in


+  the senate, the Barcine faction using all their efforts, that Hannibal might


+  be trained to military service and succeed to his father's command. Hanno, the


+  leader of the opposite faction, said, "Hasdrubal seems indeed to ask what is


+  reasonable, but I, nevertheless, do not think his request ought to be granted."


+  When he had attracted to himself the attention of all, through surprise at this


+  ambiguous opinion, he proceeded: "Hasdrubal thinks that the flower of youth


+  which he gave to the enjoyment of Hannibal's father, may justly be expected


+  by himself in return from the son: but it would little become us to accustom


+  our youth, in place of a military education, to the lustful ambition of the


+  generals. Are we afraid that the son of Hamilcar should be too late in seeing


+  the immoderate power and splendour of his father's sovereignty? or that we shall


+  not soon enough become slaves to the son of him, to whose son-in-law our armies


+  were bequeathed as an hereditary right? I am of opinion, that this youth should


+  be kept at home, and taught, under the restraint of the laws and the authority


+  of magistrates, to live on an equal footing with the rest of the citizens, lest


+  at some time or other this small fire should kindle a vast conflagration." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">4 </div>


+<a id="c4" />


+<p>A few, and nearly every one of the highest merit, concurred with Hanno; but,


+  as usually happens, the more numerous party prevailed over the better. Hannibal,


+  having been sent into Spain, from his very first arrival drew the eyes of the


+  whole army upon him. The veteran soldiers imagined that Hamilcar, in his youth,


+  was restored to them; they remarked the same vigour in his looks and animation


+  in his eye the same features and expression of countenance; and then, in a short


+  time, he took care that his father should be of the least powerful consideration


+  in conciliating their esteem. There never was a genius more fitted for the two


+  most opposite duties of obeying and commanding; so that you could not easily


+  decide whether he were dearer to the general or the army: and neither did Hasdrubal


+  prefer giving the command to any other, when any thing was to be done with courage


+  and activity; nor did the soldiers feel more confidence and boldness under any


+  other leader. His fearlessness in encountering dangers, and his prudence when


+  in the midst of them, were extreme. His body could not be exhausted, nor his


+  mind subdued, by any toil. He could alike endure either heat or cold. The quantity


+  of his food and drink was determined by the wants of nature, and not by pleasure.


+  The seasons of his sleeping and waking were distinguished neither by day nor


+  night. The time that remained after the transaction of business was given to


+  repose; but that repose was neither invited by a soft bed nor by quiet. Many


+  have seen him wrapped in a military cloak, lying on the ground amid the watches


+  and outposts of the soldiers. His dress was not at all superior to that of his


+  equals: his arms and his horses were conspicuous. He was at once by far the


+  first of the cavalry and infantry; and, foremost to advance to the charge, was


+  last to leave the engagement. Excessive vices counterbalanced these high virtues


+  of the hero; inhuman cruelty, more than Punic perfidy, no truth, no reverence


+  for things sacred, no fear of the gods, no respect for oaths, no sense of religion.


+  With a character thus made up of virtue and vices, he served for three years


+  under the command of Hasdrubal, without neglecting any thing which ought to


+  be done or seen by one who was to become a great general. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">5 </div>


+<a id="c5" />


+<p>But from the day on which he was declared general, as if Italy had been decreed


+  to him as his province, and the war with Rome committed to him, thinking there


+  should be no delay, lest, while he procrastinated, some unexpected accident


+  might defeat him, as had happened to his father, Hamilcar, and afterwards to


+  Hasdrubal, he resolved to make war the Saguntines. As there could be no doubt


+  that by attacking them the Romans would be excited to arms, he first led his


+  army into the territory of the Olcades, a people beyond the Iberus, rather within


+  the boundaries than under the dominion of the Carthaginians, so that he might


+  not seem to have had the Saguntines for his object, but to have been drawn on


+  to the war by the course of events; after the adjoining nations had been subdued,


+  and by the progressive annexation of conquered territory. He storms and plunders


+  Carteia, a wealthy city, the capital of that nation; at which the smaller states


+  being dismayed, submitted to his command and to the imposition of a tribute.


+  His army, triumphant and enriched with booty, was led into winter-quarters to


+  New Carthage. Having there confirmed the attachment of all his countrymen and


+  allies by a liberal division of the plunder, and by faithfully discharging the


+  arrears of pay, the war was extended, in the beginning of spring, to the Vaccaei.


+  The cities Hermandica and Arbocala were taken by storm. Arbocala was defended


+  for a long time by the valour and number of its inhabitants. Those who escaped


+  from Hermandica joining themselves to the exiles of the Olcades, a nation subdued


+  the preceding summer, excite the Carpetani to arms; and having attacked Hannibal


+  near the river Tagus, on his return from the Vaccaei, they threw into disorder


+  his army encumbered with spoil. Hannibal avoided an engagement, and having pitched


+  his camp on the bank, as soon as quiet and silence prevailed among the enemy,


+  forded the river; and having removed his rampart so far that the enemy might


+  have room to pass over, resolved to attack them in their passage. He commanded


+  the cavalry to charge as soon as they should see them advanced into the water.


+  He drew up the line of his infantry on the bank with forty elephants in front.


+  The Carpetani, with the addition of the Olcades and Vaccaei amounted to a hundred


+  thousand, an invincible army, were the fight to take place in the open plain.


+  Being therefore both naturally ferocious and confiding in their numbers; and


+  since they believed that the enemy had retired through fear thinking that victory


+  was only delayed by the intervention of the river, they raise a shout, and in


+  every direction, without the command of any one, dash into the stream, each


+  where it nearest to him. At the same time, a heavy force of cavalry poured into


+  the river from its opposite bank, and the engagement commenced in the middle


+  of the channel on very unequal terms; for there the foot-soldier, having no


+  secure footing, and scarcely trusting to the ford, could be borne down even


+  by an unarmed horseman, by the mere shock of his horse urged at random; while


+  the horseman, with the command of his body and his weapons, his horse moving


+  steadily even through the middle of the eddies, could maintain the fight either


+  at close quarters or at a distance. A great number were swallowed up by the


+  current; some being carried by the whirlpools of the stream to the side of the


+  enemy, were trodden down by the elephants; and whilst the last, for whom it


+  was more safe to retreat to their own bank, were collecting together after their


+  various alarms, Hannibal, before they could regain courage after such excessive


+  consternation, having entered the river with his army in a close square, forced


+  them to fly from the bank. Having then laid waste their territory, he received


+  the submission of the Carpetani also within a few days. And now all the country


+  beyond the Iberus, excepting that of the Saguntines, was under the power of


+  the Carthaginians. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">6 </div>


+<a id="c6" />


+<p>As yet there was no war with the Saguntines, but already, in order to a war,


+  the seeds of dissension were sown between them and their neighbours, particularly


+  the Turetani, with whom when the same person sided who had originated the quarrel,


+  and it was evident, not that a trial of the question of right, but violence,


+  was his object, ambassadors were sent by the Saguntines to Rome to implore assistance


+  in the war which now evidently threatened them. The consuls then at Rome were


+  Publius Cornelius Scipio and Tiberius Sempronius Longus, who, after the ambassadors


+  were introduced into the senate, having made a motion on the state of public


+  affairs, it was resolved that envoys should be sent into Spain to inspect the


+  circumstances of the allies; and if they saw good reason, both to warn Hannibal


+  that he should refrain from the Saguntines, the allies of the Roman people,


+  and to pass over into Africa to Carthage, and report the complaints of the allies


+  of the Roman people. This embassy having been decreed but not yet despatched,


+  the news arrived, more quickly than any one expected, that Saguntum was besieged.


+  The business was then referred anew to the senate. And some, decreeing Spain


+  and Africa as provinces for the consuls, thought the war should be maintained


+  both by sea and land, while others wished to direct the whole hostilities against


+  Spain and Hannibal. There were others again who thought that an affair of such


+  importance should not be entered on rashly; and that the return of the ambassadors


+  from Spain ought to be awaited. This opinion, which seemed the safest, prevailed;


+  and Publius Valerius Flaccus, and Quintus Baebius Tamphilus, were, on that account,


+  the more quickly despatched as ambassadors to Hannibal at Saguntum, and from


+  thence to Carthage, if he did not desist from the war, to demand the general


+  himself in atonement for the violation of the treaty. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">7 </div>


+<a id="c7" />


+<p>While the Romans thus prepare and deliberate, Saguntum was already besieged


+  with the utmost vigour. That city, situated about a mile from the sea, was by


+  far the most opulent beyond the Iberus. Its inhabitants are said to have been


+  sprung from the island Zacynthus, and some of the Rutulian race from Ardea to


+  have been also mixed with them; but they had risen in a short time to great


+  wealth, either by their gains from the sea or the land, or by the increase of


+  their numbers, or the integrity of their principles, by which they maintained


+  their faith with their allies, even to their own destruction. Hannibal having


+  entered their territory with a hostile army, and laid waste the country in every


+  direction, attacks the city in three different quarters. There was an angle


+  of the wall sloping down into a more level and open valley than the other space


+  around; against this he resolved to move the vineae, by means of which the battering-ram


+  might be brought up to the wall. But though the ground at a distance from the


+  wall was sufficiently level for working the vineae, yet their undertakings by


+  no means favourably succeeded, when they came to effect their object. Both a


+  huge tower overlooked it, and the wall, as in a suspected place, was raised


+  higher than in any other part; and a chosen band of youths presented a more


+  vigorous resistance, where the greatest danger and labour were indicated. At


+  first they repelled the enemy with missile weapons, and suffered no place to


+  be sufficiently secure for those engaged in the works; afterwards, not only


+  did they brandish their weapons in defence of the walls and tower, but they


+  had courage to make sallies on the posts and works of the enemy; in which tumultuary


+  engagements, scarcely more Saguntines than Carthaginians were slain. But when


+  Hannibal himself, while he too incautiously approached the wall, fell severely


+  wounded in the thigh by a javelin, such flight and dismay spread around, that


+  the works and vineae had nearly been abandoned. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">8 </div>


+<a id="c8" />


+<p>For a few days after, while the general's wound was being cured, there was


+  rather a blockade than a siege: during which time, though there was a respite


+  from fighting, yet there was no intermission in the preparation of works and


+  fortifications. Hostilities, therefore, broke out afresh with greater fury,


+  and in more places, in some even where the ground scarcely admitted of the works,


+  the vineae began to be moved forward, and the battering-ram to be advanced to


+  the walls. The Carthaginian abounded in the numbers of his troops; for there


+  is sufficient reason to believe that he had as many as a hundred and fifty thousand


+  in arms. The townsmen began to be embarrassed, by having their attention multifariously


+  divided, in order to maintain their several defences, and look to every thing;


+  nor were they equal to the task, for the walls were now battered by the rams,


+  and many parts of them were shattered. One part by continuous ruins left the


+  city exposed; three successive towers and all the wall between them had fallen


+  down with an immense crash, and the Carthaginians believed the town taken by


+  that breach; through which, as if the wall had alike protected both, there was


+  a rush from each side to the battle. There was nothing resembling the disorderly


+  fighting which, in the storming of towns, is wont to be engaged in, on the opportunities


+  of either party; but regular lines, as in an open plain, stood arrayed between


+  the ruins of the walls and the buildings of the city, which lay but a slight


+  distance from the walls. On the one side hope, on the other despair, inflamed


+  their courage; the Carthaginian believing that, if a little additional effort


+  were used, the city was his; the Saguntines opposing their bodies in defence


+  of their native city deprived of its walls, and not a man retiring a step, lest


+  he might admit the enemy into the place he deserted. The more keenly and closely,


+  therefore, they fought on both sides, the more, on that account, were wounded,


+  no weapon falling without effect amidst their arms and persons. There was used


+  by the Saguntines a missile weapon, called falarica, with the shaft of fir,


+  and round in other parts except towards the point, whence the iron projected:


+  this part, which was square, as in the pilum, they bound around with tow, and


+  besmeared with pitch. It had an iron head three feet in length, so that it could


+  pierce through the body with the armour. But what caused the greatest fear was,


+  that this weapon, even though it stuck in the shield and did not penetrate into


+  the body, when it was discharged with the middle part on fire, and bore along


+  a much greater flame, produced by the mere motion, obliged the armour to be


+  thrown down, and exposed the soldier to succeeding blows. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">9 </div>


+<a id="c9" />


+<p>When the contest had for a long time continued doubtful, and the courage of


+  the Saguntines had increased, because they had succeeded in their resistance


+  beyond their hopes, while the Carthaginian, because he had not conquered, felt


+  as vanquished, the townsmen suddenly set up a shout, and drive their enemies


+  to the ruins of the wall; thence they force them, while embarrassed and disordered;


+  and lastly, drove them back, routed and put to flight, to their camp. In the


+  mean time it was announced that ambassadors had arrived from Rome; to meet whom


+  messengers were sent to the sea-side by Hannibal, to tell them that they could


+  not safely come to him through so many armed bands of savage tribes, and that


+  Hannibal at such an important conjuncture had not leisure to listen to embassies.


+  It was obvious that, if not admitted, they would immediately repair to Carthage:


+  he therefore sends letters and messengers beforehand to the leaders of the Barcine


+  faction, to prepare the minds of their partisans, so that the other party might


+  not be able in any thing to give an advantage to the Romans. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">10 </div>


+<a id="c10" />


+<p>That embassy, therefore, excepting that the ambassadors were admitted and heard,


+  proved likewise vain and fruitless. Hanno alone, in opposition to the rest of


+  the senate, pleaded the cause of the treaty, amidst deep silence on account


+  of his authority, and not from the approbation of the audience. He said: that


+  he had admonished and forewarned them by the gods, the arbiters and witnesses


+  of treaties, that they should not send the son of Hamilcar to the army; that


+  the manes, that the offspring of that man could not rest in peace, nor ever,


+  while any one of the Barcine name and blood survived, would the Roman treaties


+  continue undisturbed. "You, supplying as it were fuel to the flame, have sent


+  to your armies a youth burning with the desire of sovereign power, and seeing


+  but one road to his object, if by exciting war after war, he may live surrounded


+  by arms and legions. You have therefore fostered this fire, in which you now


+  burn. Your armies invest Saguntum, whence they are forbidden by the treaty:


+  ere long the Roman legions will invest Carthage, under the guidance of those


+  gods through whose aid they revenged in the former war the infraction of the


+  treaty. Are you unacquainted with the enemy, or with yourselves, or with the


+  fortune of either nation? Your good general refused to admit into his camp ambassadors


+  coming from allies and in behalf of allies, and set at nought the law of nations.


+  They, however, after being there repulsed, where not even the ambassadors of


+  enemies are prohibited admittance, come to you: they require restitution according


+  to the treaty: let not guilt attach to the state, they demand to have delivered


+  up to them the author of the transgression, the person who is chargeable with


+  this offence. The more gently they proceed,--the slower they are to begin, the


+  more unrelentingly, I fear, when they have once commenced, will they indulge


+  resentment. Set before your eyes the islands Aegates and Eryx, all that for


+  twenty-four years ye have suffered by land and sea. Nor was this boy the leader,


+  but his father Hamilcar himself, a second Mars, as these people would have it:


+  but we had not refrained from Tarentum, that is, from Italy, according to the


+  treaty; as now we do not refrain from Saguntum. The gods and men have, therefore,


+  prevailed over us; and as to that about which there was a dispute in words,


+  whether of the two nations had infringed the treaty, the issue of the war, like


+  an equitable judge, hath awarded the victory to the party on whose side justice


+  stood. It is against Carthage that Hannibal is now moving his vineae and towers:


+  it is the wall of Carthage that he is shaking with his battering-ram. The ruins


+  of Saguntum (oh that I may prove a false prophet!) will fall on our heads; and


+  the war commenced against the Saguntines must be continued against the Romans.


+  Shall we, therefore, some one will say, deliver up Hannibal? In what relates


+  to him I am aware that my authority is of little weight, on account of my enmity


+  with his father. But I both rejoice that Hamilcar perished, for this reason,


+  that, had he lived we should have now been engaged in a war with the Romans;


+  and this youth, as the fury and firebrand of this war, I hate and detest. Nor


+  ought he only to be given up in atonement for the violated treaty; but even


+  though no one demanded him, he ought to be transported to the extremest shores


+  of earth or sea, and banished to a distance, whence neither his name nor any


+  tidings of him can reach us, and he be unable to disturb the peace of a tranquil


+  state. I therefore give my opinion, that ambassadors be sent immediately to


+  Rome to satisfy the senate; others to tell Hannibal to lead away his army from


+  Saguntum, and to deliver up Hannibal himself, according to the treaty to the


+  Romans; and I propose a third embassy to make restitution to the Saguntines."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">11 </div>


+<a id="c11" />


+<p>When Hanno had concluded, there was no occasion for any one to contend with


+  him in debate, to such a decree were almost all the senators devoted to Hannibal;


+  and they accused Hanno of having spoken with more malignity than Flaccus Valerius,


+  the Roman ambassador. It was then said in answer to the Roman ambassadors, "that


+  the war had been commenced by the Saguntines, not by Hannibal; and that the


+  Roman people acted unjustly if they preferred the Saguntines to the most ancient


+  [<a href="#foot15">15</a>] alliance of the Carthaginians." Whilst the Romans


+  waste time in sending embassies, Hannibal, because his soldiers were fatigued


+  with the battles and the works, allowed them rest for a few days, parties being


+  stationed to guard the vineae and other works. In the mean time he inflames


+  their minds, now by inciting their anger against the enemy, now with the hope


+  of reward. But when he declared before the assembled army, that the plunder


+  of the captured city should be given to the soldiers, to such a degree were


+  they all excited, that if the signal had been immediately given, it appeared


+  that they could not have been resisted by any force. The Saguntines, as they


+  had a respite from fighting, neither for some days attacking nor attacked, so


+  they had not, by night or day, ever ceased from toiling, that they might repair


+  anew the wall in the quarter where the town had been exposed by the breach.


+  A still more desperate storming than the former then assailed them; nor whilst


+  all quarters resounded with various clamours, could they satisfactorily know


+  where first or principally they should lend assistance. Hannibal, as an encouragement,


+  was present in person, where a movable tower, exceeding in height all the fortifications


+  of the city, was urged forward. When being brought up it had cleared the walls


+  of their defenders by means of the catapultae and ballistae ranged through all


+  its stories, then Hannibal, thinking it a favourable opportunity, sends about


+  five hundred Africans with pickaxes to undermine the wall: nor was the work


+  difficult, since the unhewn stones were not fastened with lime, but filled in


+  their interstices with clay, after the manner of ancient building. It fell,


+  therefore, more extensively than it was struck, and through the open spaces


+  of the ruins troops of armed men rushed into the city. They also obtain possession


+  of a rising ground; and having collected thither catapultae and ballistae, so


+  that they might have a fort in the city itself, commanding it like a citadel,


+  they surround it with a wall: and the Saguntines raise an inner wall before


+  the part of the city which was not yet taken. On both sides they exert the utmost


+  vigour in fortifying and fighting: but the Saguntines, by erecting these inner


+  defences, diminish daily the size of their city. At the same time, the want


+  of all supplies increased through the length of the siege, and the expectation


+  of foreign aid diminished, since the Romans, their only hope, were at such a


+  distance, and all the country round was in the power of the enemy. The sudden


+  departure of Hannibal against the Oretani and Carpetani [<a href="#foot16">16</a>]


+  revived for a little their drooping spirits; which two nations, though, exasperated


+  by the severity of the levy, they had occasioned, by detaining the commissaries,


+  the fear of a revolt, having been suddenly checked by the quickness of Hannibal,


+  laid down the arms they had taken up. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">12 </div>


+<a id="c12" />


+<p>Nor was the siege of Saguntum, in the mean time, less vigorously maintained;


+  Maharbal, the son of Himilco, whom Hannibal had set over the army, carrying


+  on operations so actively that neither the townsmen nor their enemies perceived


+  that the general was away. He both engaged in several successful battles, and


+  with three battering-rams overthrew a portion of the wall; and showed to Hannibal,


+  on his arrival the ground all covered with fresh ruins. The army was therefore


+  immediately led against the citadel itself, and a desperate combat was commenced


+  with much slaughter on both sides, and part of the citadel was taken. The slight


+  chance of a peace was then tried by two persons; Alcon a Saguntine, and Alorcus


+  a Spaniard. Alcon, thinking he could effect something by entreaties, having


+  passed over, without the knowledge of the Saguntines, to Hannibal by night,


+  when his tears produced no effect, and harsh conditions were offered as from


+  an exasperated conqueror, becoming a deserter instead of an advocate, remained


+  with the enemy; affirming that the man would be put to death who should treat


+  for peace on such terms. For it was required that they should make restitution


+  to the Turdetani; and after delivering up all their gold and silver, departing


+  from the city each with a single garment, should take up their dwelling where


+  the Carthaginian should direct. Alcon having denied that the Saguntines would


+  accept such terms of peace, Alorcus, asserting that when all else is subdued,


+  the mind becomes subdued, offers himself as the proposer of that peace. Now


+  at that time he was a soldier of Hannibal's, but publicly the friend and host


+  of the Saguntines. Having openly delivered his weapon to the guards of the enemy


+  and passed the fortifications, he was conducted, as he had himself requested,


+  to the Saguntine praetor; whither when there was immediately a general rush


+  of every description of people, the rest of the multitude being removed, an


+  audience of the senate is given to Alorcus; whose speech was to the following


+  effect: </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">13 </div>


+<a id="c13" />


+<p>"If your citizen Alcon, as he came to implore a peace from Hannibal, had in


+  like manner brought back to you the terms of peace proposed by Hannibal, this


+  journey of mine would have been unnecessary; by which circumstance I should


+  not have had to come to you as the legate of Hannibal, nor as a deserter. Since


+  he has remained with your enemies, either through your fault or his own, (through


+  his own, if he counterfeited fear; through yours, if among you there be danger


+  to those who tell the truth,) that you may not be ignorant that there are some


+  terms of safety and peace for you, I have come to you in consideration of the


+  ancient ties of hospitality which subsist between us. But that I speak what


+  I address to you for your sake and that of no other, let even this be the proof:


+  that neither while you resisted with your own strength, nor while you expected


+  assistance from the Romans, did I ever make any mention of peace to you. But


+  now, after you have neither any hope from the Romans, nor your own arms nor


+  walls sufficiently defend you, I bring to you a peace rather necessary than


+  just: of effecting which there is thus some hope, if, as Hannibal offers it


+  in the spirit of a conqueror, you listen to it as vanquished; if you will consider


+  not what is taken from you as loss, (since all belongs to the conqueror,) but


+  whatever is left as a gift. He takes away from you your city, which, already


+  for the greater part in ruins, he has almost wholly in his possession; he leaves


+  you your territory, intending to mark out a place in which you may build a new


+  town; he commands that all the gold and silver, both public and private, shall


+  be brought to him; he preserves inviolate your persons and those of your wives


+  and children, provided you are willing to depart from Saguntum, unarmed, each


+  with two garments. These terms a victorious enemy dictates. These, though harsh


+  and grievous, your condition commends to you. Indeed I do not despair, when


+  the power of every thing is given him, that he will remit something from these


+  terms. But even these I think you ought rather to endure, than suffer, by the


+  rights of war, yourselves to be slaughtered, your wives and children to be ravished


+  and dragged into captivity before your faces." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">14 </div>


+<a id="c14" />


+<p>When an assembly of the people, by the gradual crowding round of the multitude,


+  had mingled with the senate to hear these proposals, the chief men suddenly


+  withdrawing before an answer was returned, and throwing all the gold and silver


+  collected, both from public and private stores, into a fire hastily kindled


+  for that purpose, the greater part flung themselves also into it. When the dismay


+  and agitation produced by this deed had pervaded the whole city, another noise


+  was heard in addition from the citadel. A tower, long battered, had fallen down;


+  and when a Carthaginian cohort, rushing through the breach, had made a signal


+  to the general that the city was destitute of the usual outposts and guards,


+  Hannibal, thinking that there ought to be no delay at such an opportunity, having


+  attacked the city with his whole forces, took it in a moment, command being


+  given that all the adults should be put to death; which command, though cruel,


+  was proved in the issue to have been almost necessary. For to whom of those


+  men could mercy have been shown, who, either shut up with their wives and children,


+  burned their houses over their own heads, or abroad in arms made no end of fighting,


+  except in death. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">15 </div>


+<a id="c15" />


+<p>The town was taken, with immense spoil. Though the greater part of the goods


+  had been purposely damaged by their owners, and resentment had made scarce any


+  distinction of age in the massacre, and the captives were the booty of the soldiers;


+  still it appears that some money was raised from the price of the effects that


+  were sold, and that much costly furniture and garments were sent to Carthage.


+  Some have written that Saguntum was taken in the eighth month after it began


+  to be besieged; that Hannibal then retired to New Carthage, into winter quarters;


+  and that in the fifth month after he had set out from Carthage he arrived in


+  Italy. If this be so, it was impossible that Publius Cornelius and Tiberius


+  Sempronius could have been consuls, to whom both at the beginning of the siege


+  the Saguntine ambassadors were despatched, and who, during their office, fought


+  with Hannibal; the one at the river Ticinus, and both some time after at the


+  Trebia. Either all these events took place in a somewhat shorter period, or


+  Saguntum was not begun to be besieged, but taken at the beginning of the year


+  in which Publius Cornelius and Tiberius Sempronius were consuls. For the battle


+  at Trebia could not have been so late as the year of Cneius Servilius and Caius


+  Flaminius, since Flaminius entered on the office at Ariminum, having been created


+  by the consul Tiberius Sempronius; who, having repaired to Rome after the battle


+  at Trebia for the purpose of creating consuls, returned when the election was


+  finished to the army into winter quarters. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">16 </div>


+<a id="c16" />


+<p>Nearly about the same time, both the ambassadors who had returned from Carthage


+  brought intelligence to Rome that all appearances were hostile, and the destruction


+  of Saguntum was announced. Then such grief, and pity for allies so undeservingly


+  destroyed, and shame that aid was withheld, and rage against the Carthaginians,


+  and fear for the issue of events, as if the enemy were already at the gates,


+  took at once possession of the senators, that their minds, disturbed by so many


+  simultaneous emotions, trembled with fear rather than deliberated. For they


+  considered that neither had a more spirited or warlike enemy ever encountered


+  them nor had the Roman state been ever so sunk in sloth, and unfit for war:


+  that the Sardinians, the Corsicans, the Istrians, and the Illyrians, had rather


+  kept in a state of excitement than exercised the Roman arms; and with the Gauls


+  it had been more properly a tumult than a war. That the Carthaginian, a veteran


+  enemy, ever victorious during the hardest service for twenty-three years among


+  the tribes of Spain, first trained to war under Hamilcar, then Hasdrubal, now


+  Hannibal, a most active leader, and fresh from the destruction of a most opulent


+  city, was passing the Iberus; that along with them he was bringing the numerous


+  tribes of Spain, already aroused, and was about to excite the nations of Gaul,


+  ever desirous of war; and that a war against the world was to be maintained


+  in Italy and before the walls of Rome. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">17 </div>


+<a id="c17" />


+<p>The provinces had already been previously named for the consuls; and having


+  been now ordered to cast lots for them, Spain fell to Cornelius, and Africa


+  with Sicily to Sempronius. Six legions were decreed for that year, and as many


+  of the allies as should seem good to the consuls, and as great a fleet as could


+  be equipped. Twenty-four thousand Roman infantry were levied, and one thousand


+  eight hundred horse: forty thousand infantry of the allies, and four thousand


+  four hundred horse: two hundred and twenty ships of three banks of oars, and


+  twenty light galleys, were launched. It was then proposed to the people, "whether


+  they willed and commanded that war should be declared against the people of


+  Carthage;" and for the sake of that war a supplication was made through the


+  city, and the gods were implored that the war which the Roman people had decreed


+  might have a prosperous and fortunate issue. The forces were thus divided between


+  the consuls. To Sempronius two legions were given, (each of these consisted


+  of four thousand infantry and three hundred horse,) and sixteen thousand of


+  the infantry of the allies, and one thousand eight hundred horse: one hundred


+  and sixty ships of war, and twelve light galleys. With these land and sea forces


+  Tiberius Sempronius was despatched to Sicily, in order to transport his army


+  to Africa if the other consul should be able to prevent the Carthaginian from


+  invading Italy. Fewer troops were given to Cornelius, because Lucius Manlius,


+  the praetor, also had been sent with no weak force into Gaul. The number of


+  ships in particular was reduced to Cornelius. Sixty of five banks of oars were


+  assigned to him, (for they did not believe that the enemy would come by sea,


+  or would fight after that mode of warfare,) and two Roman legions with their


+  regular cavalry, and fourteen thousand of the infantry of the allies, with one


+  thousand six hundred horse. The province of Gaul being not as yet exposed to


+  the Carthaginian invasion, had, in the same year, two Roman legions, ten thousand


+  allied infantry, one thousand allied cavalry, and six hundred Roman. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">18 </div>


+<a id="c18" />


+<p>These preparations having been thus made, in order that every thing that was


+  proper might be done before they commenced war, they send Quintus Fabius, Marcus


+  Livius, Lucius Aemilius, Caius Licinius, and Quintus Baebius, men of advanced


+  years, as ambassadors into Africa, to inquire of the Carthaginians if Hannibal


+  had laid siege to Saguntum by public authority; and if they should confess it,


+  as it seemed probable they would, and defend it as done by public authority,


+  to declare war against the people of Carthage. After the Romans arrived at Carthage,


+  when an audience of the senate was given them, and Quintus Fabius had addressed


+  no further inquiry than the one with which they had been charged, then one of


+  the Carthaginians replied: "Even your former embassy, O Romans, was precipitate,


+  when you demanded Hannibal to be given up, as attacking Saguntum on his own


+  authority: but your present embassy, though so far milder in words, is in fact


+  more severe. For then Hannibal was both accused, and required to be delivered


+  up: now both a confession of wrong is exacted from us, and, as though we had


+  confessed, restitution is immediately demanded. But I think that the question


+  is not, whether Saguntum was attacked by private or public authority, but whether


+  it was with right or wrong. For in the case of our citizen, the right of inquiry,


+  whether he has acted by his own pleasure or ours, and the punishment also, belongs


+  to us. The only dispute with you is, whether it was allowed to be done by the


+  treaty. Since, therefore, it pleases you that a distinction should be made between


+  what commanders do by public authority, and what on their own suggestion, there


+  was a treaty between us made by the consul Lutatius; in which, though provision


+  was made for the allies of both, there is no provision made for the Saguntines,


+  for they were not as yet your allies. But in that treaty which was made with


+  Hasdrubal, the Saguntines are excepted; against which I am going to say nothing


+  but what I have learned from you. For you denied that you were bound by the


+  treaty which Caius Lutatius the consul first made with us, because that it had


+  neither been made by the authority of the senate nor the command of the people;


+  and another treaty was therefore concluded anew by public authority. If your


+  treaties do not bind you unless they are made by your authority and your commands,


+  neither can the treaty of Hasdrubal, which he made without our knowledge, be


+  binding on us. Cease, therefore, to make mention of Saguntum and the Iberus,


+  and let your mind at length bring forth that with which it has long been in


+  labour." Then the Roman, having formed a fold in his robe, said, "Here we bring


+  to you peace and war; take which you please." On this speech they exclaimed


+  no less fiercely in reply: "he might give which he chose;" and when he again,


+  unfolding his robe, said "he gave war," they all answered that "they accepted


+  it, and would maintain it with the same spirit with which they accepted it."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">19 </div>


+<a id="c19" />


+<p>This direct inquiry and denunciation of war seemed more consistent with the


+  dignity of the Roman people, both before and now, especially when Saguntum was


+  destroyed, than to cavil in words about the obligation of treaties. For if it


+  was a subject for a controversy of words, in what was the treaty of Hasdrubal


+  to be compared with the former treaty of Lutatius, which was altered? Since


+  in the treaty of Lutatius, was expressly added, "that it should only be held


+  good if the people sanctioned it;" but in the treaty of Hasdrubal, neither was


+  there any such exception; and that treaty during its life had been so established


+  by the silence of so many years, that not even after the death of its author


+  was any change made in it. Although even were they to abide by the former treaty,


+  there had been sufficient provision made for the Saguntines by excepting the


+  allies of both states; for neither was it added, "those who then were," nor


+  "those who should afterwards be admitted." and since it is allowable to admit


+  new allies, who could think it proper, either that no people should be received


+  for any services into friendship? or that, being received under protection,


+  they should not be defended? It was only stipulated, that the allies of the


+  Carthaginians should not be excited to revolt, nor, revolting of their own accord,


+  be received. The Roman ambassadors, according as they had been commanded at


+  Rome, passed over from Carthage into Spain, in order to visit the nations, and


+  either to allure them into an alliance, or dissuade them from joining the Carthaginians.


+  They came first to the Bargusii, by whom having been received with welcome,


+  because they were weary of the Carthaginian government, they excited many of


+  the states beyond the Iberus to the desire of a revolution. Thence they came


+  to the Volciani, whose reply being celebrated through Spain, dissuaded the other


+  states from an alliance with the Romans; for thus the oldest member in their


+  council made answer: "What sense of shame have ye, Romans, to ask of us that


+  we should prefer your friendship to that of the Carthaginians, when you, their


+  allies, betrayed the Saguntines with greater cruelty than that with which the


+  Carthaginians, their enemies, destroyed them? There, methinks, you should look


+  for allies, where the massacre of Saguntum is unknown. The ruins of Saguntum


+  will remain a warning as melancholy as memorable to the states of Spain, that


+  no one should confide in the faith or alliance of Rome." Having been then commanded


+  to depart immediately from the territory of the Volciani, they afterwards received


+  no kinder words from any of the councils of Spain: they therefore pass into


+  Gaul, after having gone about through Spain to no purpose. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">20 </div>


+<a id="c20" />


+<p>Among the Gauls a new and alarming spectacle was seen, by reason of their coming


+  (such is the custom of the nation) in arms to the assembly. When, extolling


+  in their discourse the renown and valour of the Roman people, and the wide extent


+  of their empire, they had requested that they would refuse a passage through


+  their territory and cities to the Carthaginian invading Italy; such laughter


+  and yelling is said to have arisen, that the youths were with difficulty composed


+  to order by the magistrates and old men. So absurd and shameless did the request


+  seem, to propose that the Gauls, rather than suffer the war to pass on to Italy,


+  should turn it upon themselves and expose their own lands to be laid waste instead


+  of those of others. When the tumult was at length allayed, answer was returned


+  to the ambassadors, "that they had neither experienced good from the Romans,


+  nor wrong from the Carthaginians, on account of which they should either take


+  up arms in behalf of the Romans, or against the Cathaginians. On the contrary,


+  they had heard that men of their nation had been driven from the lands and confines


+  of Italy by the Roman people, that they had to pay a tribute, and suffered other


+  indignities." Nearly the same was said and heard in the other assemblies of


+  Gaul; nor did they hear any thing friendly or pacific before they came to Marseilles.


+  There, every thing found out by the care and fidelity of the allies was made


+  known to them--"that the minds of the Gauls had been already prepossessed by


+  Hannibal, but that not even by him would that nation be found very tractable,


+  (so fierce and untameable are their dispositions,) unless the affections of


+  the chiefs should every now and then be conciliated with gold, of which that


+  people are most covetous." Having thus gone round through the tribes of Spain


+  and Gaul, the ambassadors return to Rome not long after the consuls had set


+  out for their provinces. They found the whole city on tiptoe in expectation


+  of war, the report being sufficiently confirmed, that the Carthaginians had


+  already passed the Iberus. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">21 </div>


+<a id="c21" />


+<p>Hannibal, after the taking of Saguntum, had retired to New Carthage into winter


+  quarters; and there, having heard what had been done and decreed at Rome and


+  Carthage, and that he was not only the leader, but also the cause of the war,


+  after having divided and sold the remains of the plunder, thinking there ought


+  to be no longer delay, he calls together and thus addresses his soldiers of


+  the Spanish race: "I believe, tribes, that even you yourselves perceive that,


+  all the tribes of Spain having been reduced to peace, we must either conclude


+  our campaigns and disband our armies, or transfer the war into other regions:


+  for thus these nations will flourish amid the blessings not only of peace, but


+  also of victory, if we seek from other countries spoils and renown. Since, therefore,


+  a campaign far from home soon awaits you, and it is uncertain when you shall


+  again see your homes, and all that is there dear to you, if any one of you wishes


+  to visit his friends, I grant him leave of absence. I give you orders to be


+  here at the beginning of spring, that, with the good assistance of the gods,


+  we may enter on a war which will prove one of great glory and spoil." This power


+  of visiting their homes, voluntarily offered, was acceptable to almost all,


+  already longing to see their friends, and foreseeing in future a still longer


+  absence Repose through the whole season of winter, between toils already undergone


+  and those that were soon to be endured, repaired the vigour of their bodies


+  and minds to encounter all difficulties afresh. At the beginning of spring they


+  assembled according to command. Hannibal, when he had reviewed the auxiliaries


+  of all the nations, having gone to Gades, performs his vows to Hercules; and


+  binds himself by new vows, provided his other projects should have a prosperous


+  issue. Then dividing his care at the same time between the offensive and defensive


+  operations of the war, lest while he was advancing on Italy by a land journey


+  through Spain and Gaul, Africa should be unprotected and exposed to the Romans


+  from Sicily, he resolved to strengthen it with a powerful force. For this purpose


+  he requested a reinforcement from Africa, chiefly of light-armed spearmen, in


+  order that the Africans might serve in Spain, and the Spaniards in Africa, each


+  likely to be a better soldier at a distance from home, as if bound by mutual


+  pledges. He sent into Africa thirteen thousand eight hundred and fifty targetteers,


+  eight hundred and seventy Balearic slingers, and one thousand two hundred horsemen,


+  composed of various nations. He orders these forces partly to be used as a garrison


+  for Carthage and partly to be distributed through Africa: at the same time having


+  sent commissaries into the different states, he orders four thousand chosen


+  youth whom they had levied to be conducted to Carthage, both as a garrison and


+  as hostages. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">22 </div>


+<a id="c22" />


+<p>Thinking also that Spain ought not to be neglected (and the less because he


+  was aware that it had been traversed by the Roman ambassadors, to influence


+  the minds of the chiefs,) he assigns that province to his brother Hasdrubal,


+  a man of active spirit, and strengthens him chiefly with African troops: eleven


+  thousand eight hundred and fifty African infantry, three hundred Ligurians,


+  and five hundred Balearians. To these forces of infantry were added four hundred


+  horsemen of the Libyphoenicians, a mixed race of Carthaginians and Africans;


+  of the Numidians and Moors, who border on the ocean, to the number of one thousand


+  eight hundred, and a small band of Ilergetes from Spain, amounting to two hundred


+  horse: and, that no description of land force might be wanting, fourteen elephants.


+  A fleet was given him besides to defend the sea-coast, (because it might be


+  supposed that the Romans would then fight in the same mode of warfare by which


+  they had formerly prevailed,) fifty quinqueremes, two quadriremes, five triremes:


+  but only thirty-two quinqueremes and five triremes were properly fitted out


+  and manned with rowers. From Gades he returned to the winter quarters of the


+  army at Carthage; and thence setting out, he led his forces by the city Etovissa


+  to the Iberus and the sea-coast. There, it is reported, a youth of divine aspect


+  was seen by him in his sleep, who said, "that he was sent by Jupiter as the


+  guide of Hannibal into Italy, and that he should, therefore, follow him, nor


+  in any direction turn his eyes away from him." At first he followed in terror,


+  looking no where, either around or behind: afterwards, through the curiosity


+  of the human mind, when he revolved in his mind what that could be on which


+  he was forbidden to look back, he could not restrain his eyes; then he beheld


+  behind him a serpent of wonderful size moving along with an immense destruction


+  of trees and bushes, and after it a cloud following with thunderings from the


+  skies; and that then inquiring "what was that great commotion, and what the


+  cause of the prodigy," he heard in reply: "That it was the devastation of Italy:


+  that he should continue to advance forward, nor inquire further, but suffer


+  the fates to remain in obscurity." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">23 </div>


+<a id="c23" />


+<p>Cheered by this vision, he transported his forces in three divisions across


+  the Iberus, having sent emissaries before him to conciliate by gifts the minds


+  of the Gauls, in the quarter through which his army was to be led, and to examine


+  the passes of the Alps. He led ninety thousand infantry and twelve thousand


+  cavalry across the Iberus. He then subdued the Ilergetes, the Bargusii, the


+  Ausetani, and that part of Lacetania which lies at the foot of the Pyrenaean


+  mountains; and he placed Hanno in command over all this district, that the narrow


+  gorges which connect Spain with Gaul might be under his power. Ten thousand


+  infantry, and a thousand cavalry, were given to Hanno for the defence of the


+  country he was to occupy. After the army began to march through the passes of


+  the Pyrenees, and a more certain rumour of the Roman war spread through the


+  barbarians, three thousand of the Carpetanian infantry turned back: it clearly


+  appeared that they were not so much swayed by the prospect of the war as by


+  the length of the journey and the insuperable passage of the Alps. Hannibal,


+  because it was hazardous to recall or detain them by force, lest the fierce


+  minds of the rest might also be irritated, sent home above seven thousand men,


+  whom also he had observed to be annoyed with the service, pretending that the


+  Carpetani had also been dismissed by him. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">24 </div>


+<a id="c24" />


+<p>Then, lest delay and ease might unsettle their minds, he crosses the Pyrenees


+  with the rest of his forces, and pitches his camp at the town Illiberis. The


+  Gauls, though they had heard that the war was directed against Italy, yet because


+  there was a report that the Spaniards on the other side of the Pyrenees had


+  been reduced by force, and that strong forces had been imposed on them, being


+  roused to arms through the fear of slavery, assembled certain tribes at Ruscino.


+  When this was announced to Hannibal, he, having more fear of the delay than


+  of the war, sent envoys to say to their princes, "that he wished to confer with


+  them; and that they should either come nearer to Illiberis, or that he would


+  proceed to Ruscino, that their meeting might be facilitated by vicinity: for


+  that he would either be happy to receive them into his camp, or would himself


+  without hesitation come to them: since he had entered Gaul as a friend, and


+  not as an enemy, and would not draw the sword, if the Gauls did not force him,


+  before he came to Italy." These proposals, indeed, were made by his messengers.


+  But when the princes of the Gauls, having immediately moved their camp to Illiberis,


+  came without reluctance to the Carthaginian, being won by his presents, they


+  suffered his army to pass through their territories, by the town of Ruscino,


+  without any molestation. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">25 </div>


+<a id="c25" />


+<p>In the mean time no further intelligence had been brought into Italy to Rome


+  by the ambassadors of Marseilles than that Hannibal had passed the Iberus; when


+  the Boii asked if he had already passed the Alps, revolted after instigating


+  the Insubrians; not so much through their ancient resentment towards the Roman


+  people, as on account of their having felt aggrieved that the colonies of Placentia


+  and Cremona had been lately planted in the Gallic territory about the Po. Having


+  therefore, suddenly taken up arms, and made an attack on that very territory,


+  they created so much of terror and tumult, that not only the rustic population,


+  but even the Roman triumvirs, Caius Lutatius, Caius Servilius, and Titus Annius,


+  who had come to assign the lands, distrusting the walls of Placentia, fled to


+  Mutina. About the name of Luttius there is no doubt: in place of Caius Servilius


+  and Titus Annius, some annals have Quintus Acilius and Caius Herenrius; others,


+  Publius Cornelius Asina and Caius Papirius Maso. This point is also uncertain,


+  whether the ambassadors went to expostulate to the Boii suffered violence, or


+  whether an attack was made on the triumvirs while measuring out the lands. While


+  they were shut up in Mutina, and a people unskilled in the arts of besieging


+  towns, and, at the same time, most sluggish at military operations, lay inactive


+  before the walls, which they had not touched, pretended proposals for a peace


+  were set on foot; and the ambassadors, being invited out to a conference by


+  the chiefs of the Gauls, are seized, not only contrary to the law of nations,


+  but in violation of the faith which was pledged on that very occasion; the Gauls


+  denying that they would set them free unless their hostages were restored to


+  them. When this intelligence respecting the ambassadors was announced, and that


+  Mutina and its garrison were in danger, Lucius Manlius, the praetor, inflamed


+  with rage, led his army in haste to Mutina. There were then woods on both sides


+  of the road, most of the country being uncultivated. There, having advanced


+  without previously exploring his route, he fell suddenly into an ambuscade;


+  and after much slaughter of his men, with difficulty made his way into the open


+  plains. Here a camp was fortified, and because confidence was wanting to the


+  Gauls to attack it, the spirit of the soldiers revived, although it was sufficiently


+  evident that their strength was much clipped. The journey was then commenced


+  anew; nor while the army was led in march through open tracts did the enemy


+  appear: but, when the woods were again entered, then attacking the rear, amid


+  great confusion and alarm of all, they slew eight hundred soldiers, and took


+  six standards. There was an end to the Gauls of creating, and to the Romans


+  of experiencing terror, when they escaped from the pathless and entangled thicket;


+  then easily defending their march through the open ground, the Romans directed


+  their course to Tanetum, a village near the Po; where, by a temporary fortification,


+  and the supplies conveyed by the river, and also by the aid of the Brixian Gauls,


+  they defended themselves against the daily increasing multitude of their enemies.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">26 </div>


+<a id="c26" />


+<p>When the account of this sudden disturbance was brought to Rome, and the senators


+  heard that the Punic had also been increased by a Gallic war, they order Caius


+  Atilius, the praetor, to carry assistance to Manlius with one Roman legion and


+  five thousand of the allies, enrolled in the late levy by the consul: who, without


+  any contest, for the enemy had retired through fear, arrived at Tanetum. At


+  the same time Publius Cornelius, a new legion having been levied in the room


+  of that which was sent with the praetor, setting out from the city with sixty


+  ships of war, by the coast of Etruria and Liguria, and then the mountains of


+  the Salyes, arrived at Marseilles, and pitched his camp at the nearest mouth


+  of the Rhone, (for the stream flows down to the sea divided into several channels,)


+  scarcely as yet well believing that Hannibal had crossed the Pyrenaean mountains;


+  whom when he ascertained to be also meditating the passage of the Rhone, uncertain


+  in what place he might meet him, his soldiers not yet being sufficiently recovered


+  from the tossing of the sea, he sends forward, in the mean time, three hundred


+  chosen horses, with Massilian guides and Gallic auxiliaries, to explore all


+  the country, and observe the enemy from a safe distance. Hannibal, the other


+  states being pacified by fear or bribes, had now come into the territory of


+  the Volcae, a powerful nation. They, indeed, dwell on both sides of the Rhone:


+  but doubting that the Carthaginian could be driven from the hither bank, in


+  order that they might have the river as a defence, having transported almost


+  all their effects across the Rhone, occupied in arms the farther bank of the


+  river. Hannibal, by means of presents, persuades the other inhabitants of the


+  river-side, and some even of the Volcae themselves, whom their homes had detained,


+  to collect from every quarter and build ships; and they at the same time themselves


+  desired that the army should be transported, and their country relieved, as


+  soon as possible, from the vast multitude of men that burthened it. A great


+  number, therefore, of ships and boats rudely formed for the neighbouring passages,


+  were collected together; and the Gauls, first beginning the plan, hollowed out


+  some new ones from single trees; and then the soldiers themselves, at once induced


+  by the plenty of materials and the easiness of the work, hastily formed shapeless


+  hulks, in which they could transport themselves and their baggage, caring about


+  nothing else, provided they could float and contain their burthen. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">27 </div>


+<a id="c27" />


+<p>And now, when all things were sufficiently prepared for crossing, the enemy


+  over against them occupying the whole bank, horse and foot, deterred them. In


+  order to dislodge them, Hannibal orders Hanno, the son of Bomilcar, at the first


+  watch of the night, to proceed with a part of the forces, principally Spanish,


+  one day's journey up the river; and having crossed it where he might first be


+  able, as secretly as possible, to lead round his forces, that when the occasion


+  required he might attack the enemy in the rear. The Gauls, given him as guides


+  for the purpose, inform him that about twenty-five miles from thence, the river


+  spreading round a small island, broader where it was divided, and therefore


+  with a shallower channel, presented a passage. At this place timber was quickly


+  cut down and rafts formed, on which men, horses, and other burthens might be


+  conveyed over. The Spaniards, without making any difficulty, having put their


+  clothes in bags of leather, and themselves leaning on their bucklers placed


+  beneath them, swam across the river. And the rest of the army, after passing


+  on the rafts joined together, and pitching their camp near the river, being


+  fatigued by the journey of the night and the labour of the work, are refreshed


+  by the rest of one day, their leader being anxious to execute his design at


+  a proper season. Setting out next day from this place, they signify by raising


+  a smoke that they had crossed, and were not far distant; which when Hannibal


+  understood, that he might not be wanting on the opportunity, he gives the signal


+  for passing. The infantry already had the boats prepared and fitted; a line


+  of ships higher up transporting the horsemen for the most part near their horses


+  swimming beside them, in order to break the force of the current, rendered the


+  water smooth to the boats crossing below. A great part of the horses were led


+  across swimming, held by bridles from the stern, except those which they put


+  on board saddled and bridled, in order that they might be ready to be used by


+  the rider the moment he disembarked on the strand. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">28 </div>


+<a id="c28" />


+<p>The Gauls run down to the bank to meet them with various whoopings and songs,


+  according to their custom, shaking their shields above their heads, and brandishing


+  their weapons in their right hands, although such a multitude of ships in front


+  of them alarmed them, together with the loud roaring of the river, and the mingled


+  clamours of the sailors and soldiers, both those who were striving to break


+  through the force of the current, and those who from the other bank were encouraging


+  their comrades on their passage. While sufficiently dismayed by this tumult


+  in front, more terrifying shouts from behind assailed them, their camp having


+  been taken by Hanno; presently he himself came up, and a twofold terror encompassed


+  them, both such a multitude of armed men landing from the ships, and this unexpected


+  army pressing on their rear. When the Gauls, having made a prompt and bold effort


+  to force the enemy, were themselves repulsed, they break through where a way


+  seemed most open, and fly in consternation to their villages around. Hannibal,


+  now despising these tumultuary onsets of the Gauls, having transported the rest


+  of his forces at leisure, pitches his camp. I believe that there were various


+  plans for transporting the elephants; at least there are various accounts of


+  the way in which it was done. Some relate, that after the elephants were assembled


+  together on the bank, the fiercest of them being provoked by his keeper, pursued


+  him as he swam across the water, to which he had run for refuge, and drew after


+  him the rest of the herd; the mere force of the stream hurrying them to the


+  other bank, when the bottom had failed each, fearful of the depth. But there


+  is more reason to believe that they were conveyed across on rafts; which plan,


+  as it must have appeared the safer before execution, is after it the more entitled


+  to credit. They extended from the bank into the river one raft two hundred feet


+  long and fifty broad, which, fastened higher up by several strong cables to


+  the bank, that it might not be carried down by the stream they covered, like


+  a bridge, with earth thrown upon it, so that the beasts might tread upon it


+  without fear, as over solid ground. Another raft equally broad and a hundred


+  feet long, fit for crossing the river, was joined to this first; and when the


+  elephants, driven along the stationary raft as along a road had passed, the


+  females leading the way, on to the smaller raft which was joined to it, the


+  lashings, by which it was slightly fastened, being immediately let go, it was


+  drawn by some light boats to the opposite side. The first having been thus landed,


+  the rest were then returned for and carried across. They gave no signs of alarm


+  whatever while they were driven along as it were on a continuous bridge. The


+  first fear was, when, the raft being loosed from the rest, they were hurried


+  into the deep. Then pressing together, as those at the edges drew back from


+  the water, they produced some disorder, till mere terror, when they saw water


+  all around, produced quiet. Some, indeed, becoming infuriated, fell into the


+  river; but, steadied by their own weight, having thrown off their riders, and


+  seeking step by step the shallows, they escaped to the shore. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">29 </div>


+<a id="c29" />


+<p>Whilst the elephants were conveyed over, Hannibal, in the mean time, had sent


+  five hundred Numidian horsemen towards the camp of the Romans, to observe where


+  and how numerous their forces were, and what they were designing. The three


+  hundred Roman horsemen sent, as was before said, from the mouth of the Rhone,


+  meet this band of cavalry; and a more furious engagement than could be expected


+  from the number of the combatants takes place. For, besides many wounds, the


+  loss on both sides was also nearly equal: and the flight and dismay of the Numidians


+  gave victory to the Romans, now exceedingly fatigued. There fell of the conquerors


+  one hundred and sixty, not all Romans, but partly Gauls: of the vanquished more


+  than two hundred. This commencement, and at the same time omen of the war, as


+  it portended to the Romans a prosperous issue of the whole, so did it also the


+  success of a doubtful and by no means bloodless contest. When, after the action


+  had thus occurred, his own men returned to each general, Scipio could adopt


+  no fixed plan of proceeding, except that he should form his measures from the


+  plans and undertakings of the enemy: and Hannibal, uncertain whether he should


+  pursue the march he had commenced into Italy, or fight with the Roman army which


+  had first presented itself, the arrival of ambassadors from the Boii, and of


+  a petty prince called Magalus, diverted from an immediate engagement; who, declaring


+  that they would be the guides of his journey and the companions of his dangers,


+  gave it as their opinion, that Italy ought to be attacked with the entire force


+  of the war, his strength having been no where previously impaired. The troops


+  indeed feared the enemy, the remembrance of the former war not being yet obliterated;


+  but much more did they dread the immense journey and the Alps, a thing formidable


+  by report, particularly to the inexperienced. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">30 </div>


+<a id="c30" />


+<p>Hannibal, therefore, when his own resolution was fixed to proceed in his course


+  and advance on Italy, having summoned an assembly, works upon the minds of the


+  soldiers in various ways, by reproof and exhortation. He said, that "he wondered


+  what sudden fear had seized breasts ever before undismayed: that through so


+  many years they had made their campaigns with conquest; nor had departed from


+  Spain before all the nations and countries which two opposite seas embrace,


+  were subjected to the Carthaginians. That then, indignant that the Romans demanded


+  those, whosoever had besieged Saguntum, to be delivered up to them, as on account


+  of a crime, they had passed the Iberus to blot out the name of the Romans, and


+  to emancipate the world. That then the way seemed long to no one, though they


+  were pursuing it from the setting to the rising of the sun. That now, when they


+  saw by far the greater part of their journey accomplished, the passes of the


+  Pyrenees surmounted, amid the most ferocious nations, the Rhone, that mighty


+  river, crossed, in spite of the opposition of so many thousand Gauls, the fury


+  of the river itself having been overcome, when they had the Alps in sight, the


+  other side of which was Italy, should they halt through weariness at the very


+  gates of the enemy, imagining the Alps to be--what else than lofty mountains?


+  That supposing them to be higher than the summits of the Pyrenees, assuredly


+  no part of the earth reached the sky, nor was insurmountable by mankind. The


+  Alps in fact were inhabited and cultivated;--produced and supported living beings.


+  Were they passable by a few men and impassable to armies? That those very ambassadors


+  whom they saw before them had not crossed the Alps borne aloft through the air


+  on wings; neither were their ancestors indeed natives of the soil, but settling


+  in Italy from foreign countries, had often as emigrants safely crossed these


+  very Alps in immense bodies, with their wives and children. To the armed soldier,


+  carrying nothing with him but the instruments of war, what in reality was impervious


+  or insurmountable? That Saguntum might be taken, what dangers, what toils were


+  for eight months undergone! Now, when their aim was Rome, the capital of the


+  world, could any thing appear so dangerous or difficult as to delay their undertaking?


+  That the Gauls had formerly gained possession of that very country which the


+  Carthaginian despairs of being able to approach. That they must, therefore,


+  either yield in spirit and valour to that nation which they had so often during


+  those times overcome; or look forward, as the end of their journey, to the plain


+  which spreads between the Tiber and the walls of Rome." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">31 </div>


+<a id="c31" />


+<p>He orders them, roused by these exhortations, to refresh themselves and prepare


+  for the journey. Next day, proceeding upward along the bank of the Rhone, he


+  makes for the inland part of Gaul: not because it was the more direct route


+  to the Alps, but believing that the farther he retired from the sea, the Romans


+  would be less in his way; with whom, before he arrived in Italy, he had no intention


+  of engaging. After four days' march he came to the Island: there the streams


+  of the Arar and the Rhone, flowing down from different branches of the Alps,


+  after embracing a pretty large tract of country, flow into one. The name of


+  the Island is given to the plains that lie between them. The Allobroges dwell


+  near, a nation even in those days inferior to none in Gaul in power and fame.


+  They were at that time at variance. Two brothers were contending for the sovereignty.


+  The elder, named Brancus, who had before been king, was driven out by his younger


+  brother and a party of the younger men, who, inferior in right, had more of


+  power. When the decision of this quarrel was most opportunely referred to Hannibal,


+  being appointed arbitrator of the kingdom, he restored the sovereignty to the


+  elder, because such had been the opinion of the senate and the chief men. In


+  return for this service, he was assisted with a supply of provisions, and plenty


+  of all necessaries, particularly clothing, which the Alps, notorious for extreme


+  cold, rendered necessary to be prepared. After composing the dissensions of


+  the Allobroges, when he now was proceeding to the Alps, he directed his course


+  thither, not by the straight road, but turned to the left into the country of


+  the Tricastini, thence by the extreme boundary of the territory of the Vocontii


+  he proceeded to the Tricorii; his way not being any where obstructed till he


+  came to the river Druentia. This stream, also arising amid the Alps, is by far


+  the most difficult to pass of all the rivers in Gaul; for though it rolls down


+  an immense body of water, yet it does not admit of ships; because, being restrained


+  by no banks, and flowing in several and not always the same channels, and continually


+  forming new shallows and new whirlpools, (on which account the passage is also


+  uncertain to a person on foot,) and rolling down besides gravelly stones, it


+  affords no firm or safe passage to those who enter it; and having been at that


+  time swollen by showers, it created great disorder among the soldiers as they


+  crossed, when, in addition to other difficulties, they were of themselves confused


+  by their own hurry and uncertain shouts. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">32 </div>


+<a id="c32" />


+<p>Publius Cornelius the consul, about three days after Hannibal moved from the


+  bank of the Rhone, had come to the camp of the enemy, with his army drawn up


+  in square, intending to make no delay in fighting: but when he saw the fortifications


+  deserted, and that he could not easily come up with them so far in advance before


+  him, he returned to the sea and his fleet, in order more easily and safely to


+  encounter Hannibal when descending from the Alps. But that Spain, the province


+  which he had obtained by lot, might not be destitute of Roman auxiliaries, he


+  sent his brother Cneius Scipio with the principal part of his forces against


+  Hasdrubal, not only to defend the old allies and conciliate new, but also to


+  drive Hasdrubal out of Spain. He himself, with a very small force, returned


+  to Genoa, intending to defend Italy with the army which was around the Po. From


+  the Druentia, by a road that lay principally through plains, Hannibal arrived


+  at the Alps without molestation from the Gauls that inhabit those regions. Then,


+  though the scene had been previously anticipated from report, (by which uncertainties


+  are wont to be exaggerated,) yet the height of the mountains when viewed so


+  near, and the snows almost mingling with the sky, the shapeless huts situated


+  on the cliffs, the cattle and beasts of burden withered by the cold, the men


+  unshorn and wildly dressed, all things, animate and inanimate, stiffened with


+  frost, and other objects more terrible to be seen than described, renewed their


+  alarm. To them, marching up the first acclivities, the mountaineers appeared


+  occupying the heights over head; who, if they had occupied the more concealed


+  valleys, might, by rushing out suddenly to the attack, have occasioned great


+  flight and havoc. Hannibal orders them to halt, and having sent forward Gauls


+  to view the ground, when he found there was no passage that way, he pitches


+  his camp in the widest valley he could find, among places all rugged and precipitous.


+  Then, having learned from the same Gauls, when they had mixed in conversation


+  with the mountaineers, from whom they differed little in language and manners,


+  that the pass was only beset during the day, and that at night each withdrew


+  to his own dwelling, he advanced at the dawn to the heights, as if designing


+  openly and by day to force his way through the defile. The day then being passed


+  in feigning a different attempt from that which was in preparation, when they


+  had fortified the camp in the same place where they had halted, as soon as he


+  perceived that the mountaineers had descended from the heights, and that the


+  guards were withdrawn, having lighted for show a greater number of fires than


+  was proportioned to the number that remained, and having left the baggage in


+  the camp, with the cavalry and the principal part of the infantry, he himself


+  with a party of light-armed, consisting of all the most courageous of his troops,


+  rapidly cleared the defile, and took post on those very heights which the enemy


+  had occupied. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">33 </div>


+<a id="c33" />


+<p>At dawn of light the next day the camp broke up, and the rest of the army began


+  to move forward. The mountaineers, on a signal being given, were now assembling


+  from their forts to their usual station, when they suddenly behold part of the


+  enemy overhanging them from above, in possession of their former position, and


+  the others passing along the road. Both these objects, presented at the same


+  time to the eye and the mind, made them stand motionless for a little while;


+  but when they afterwards saw the confusion in the pass, and that the marching


+  body was thrown into disorder by the tumult which itself created, principally


+  from the horses being terrified, thinking that whatever terror they added would


+  suffice for the destruction of the enemy, they scramble along the dangerous


+  rocks, as being accustomed alike to pathless and circuitous ways. Then indeed


+  the Carthaginians were opposed at once by the enemy and by the difficulties


+  of the ground; and each striving to escape first from the danger, there was


+  more fighting among themselves than with their opponents. The horses in particular


+  created danger in the lines, which, being terrified by the discordant clamours


+  which the groves and re-echoing valleys augmented, fell into confusion; and


+  if by chance struck or wounded, they were so dismayed that they occasioned a


+  great loss both of men and baggage of every description: and as the pass on


+  both sides was broken and precipitous, this tumult threw many down to an immense


+  depth, some even of the armed men; but the beasts of burden, with their loads,


+  were rolled down like the fall of some vast fabric. Though these disasters were


+  shocking to view, Hannibal however kept his place for a little, and kept his


+  men together, lest he might augment the tumult and disorder; but afterwards,


+  when he saw the line broken, and that there was danger that he should bring


+  over his army, preserved to no purpose if deprived of their baggage, he hastened


+  down from the higher ground; and though he had routed the enemy by the first


+  onset alone, he at the same time increased the disorder in his own army: but


+  that tumult was composed in a moment, after the roads were cleared by the flight


+  of the mountaineers; and presently the whole army was conducted through, not


+  only without being disturbed, but almost in silence. He then took a fortified


+  place, which was the capital of that district, and the little villages that


+  lay around it, and fed his army for three days with the corn and cattle he had


+  taken; and during these three days, as the soldiers were neither obstructed


+  by the mountaineers, who had been daunted by the first engagement, nor yet much


+  by the ground, he made considerable way. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">34 </div>


+<a id="c34" />


+<p>He then came to another state, abounding, for a mountainous country, with inhabitants;


+  where he was nearly overcome, not by open war, but by his own arts of treachery


+  and ambuscade. Some old men, governors of forts, came as deputies to the Carthaginian,


+  professing, "that having been warned by the useful example of the calamities


+  of others, they wished rather to experience the friendship than the hostilities


+  of the Carthaginians: they would, therefore, obediently execute his commands,


+  and begged that he would accept of a supply of provisions, guides of his march,


+  and hostages for the sincerity of their promises." Hannibal, when he had answered


+  them in a friendly manner, thinking that they should neither be rashly trusted


+  nor yet rejected, lest if repulsed they might openly become enemies, having


+  received the hostages whom they proffered, and made use of the provisions which


+  they of their own accord brought down to the road, follows their guides, by


+  no means as among a people with whom he was at peace, but with his line of march


+  in close order. The elephants and cavalry formed the van of the marching body;


+  he himself, examining every thing around, and intent on every circumstance,


+  followed with the choicest of the infantry. When they came into a narrower pass,


+  lying on one side beneath an overhanging eminence, the barbarians, rising at


+  once on all sides from their ambush, assail them in front and rear, both at


+  close quarters and from a distance, and roll down huge stones on the army. The


+  most numerous body of men pressed on the rear; against whom the infantry, facing


+  about and directing their attack, made it very obvious, that had not the rear


+  of the army been well supported, a great loss must have been sustained in that


+  pass. Even as it was they came to the extremity of danger, and almost to destruction:


+  for while Hannibal hesitates to lead down his division into the defile, because,


+  though he himself was a protection to the cavalry, lie had not in the same way


+  left any aid to the infantry in the rear; the mountaineers, charging obliquely,


+  and on having broken through the middle of the army, took possession of the


+  road; and one night was spent by Hannibal without his cavalry and baggage. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">35 </div>


+<a id="c35" />


+<p>Next day, the barbarians running in to the attack between (the two divisions)


+  less vigorously, the forces were re-united, and the defile passed, not without


+  loss, but yet with a greater destruction of beasts of burden than of men. From


+  that time the mountaineers fell upon them in smaller parties, more like an attack


+  of robbers than war, sometimes on the van, sometimes on the rear, according


+  as the ground afforded them advantage, or stragglers advancing or loitering


+  gave them an opportunity. Though the elephants were driven through steep and


+  narrow roads with great loss of time, yet wherever they went they rendered the


+  army safe from the enemy, because men unacquainted with such animals were afraid


+  of approaching too nearly. On the ninth day they came to a summit of the Alps,


+  chiefly through places trackless; and after many mistakes of their way, which


+  were caused either by the treachery of the guides, or, when they were not trusted,


+  by entering valleys at random, on their own conjectures of the route. For two


+  days they remained encamped on the summit; and rest was given to the soldiers,


+  exhausted with toil and fighting: and several beasts of burden, which had fallen


+  down among the rocks, by following the track of the army arrived at the camp.


+  A fall of snow, it being now the season of the setting of the constellation


+  of the Pleiades, caused great fear to the soldiers, already worn out with weariness


+  of so many hardships. On the standards being moved forward at daybreak, when


+  the army proceeded slowly over all places entirely blocked up with snow, and


+  languor and despair strongly appeared in the countenances of all, Hannibal,


+  having advanced before the standards, and ordered the soldiers to halt on a


+  certain eminence, whence there was a prospect far and wide, points out to them


+  Italy and the plains of the Po, extending themselves beneath the Alpine mountains;


+  and said "that they were now surmounting not only the ramparts of Italy, but


+  also of the city of Rome; that the rest of the journey would be smooth and down-hill;


+  that after one, or, at most, a second battle, they would have the citadel and


+  capital of Italy in their power and possession." The army then began to advance,


+  the enemy now making no attempts beyond petty thefts, as opportunity offered.


+  But the journey proved much more difficult than it had been in the ascent, as


+  the declivity of the Alps being generally shorter on the side of Italy is consequently


+  steeper; for nearly all the road was precipitous, narrow, and slippery, so that


+  neither those who made the least stumble could prevent themselves from falling,


+  nor, when fallen, remain in the same place, but rolled, both men and beasts


+  of burden, one upon another. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">36 </div>


+<a id="c36" />


+<p>They then came to a rock much more narrow, and formed of such perpendicular


+  ledges, that a light-armed soldier, carefully making the attempt, and clinging


+  with his hands to the bushes and roots around, could with difficulty lower himself


+  down. The ground, even before very steep by nature, had been broken by a recent


+  falling away of the earth into a precipice of nearly a thousand feet in depth.


+  Here when the cavalry had halted, as if at the end of their journey, it is announced


+  to Hannibal, wondering what obstructed the march that the rock was impassable.


+  Having then gone himself to view the place, it seemed clear to him that he must


+  lead his army round it, by however great a circuit, through the pathless and


+  untrodden regions around. But this route also proved impracticable; for while


+  the new snow of a moderate depth remained on the old, which had not been removed,


+  their footsteps were planted with ease as they walked upon the new snow, which


+  was soft and not too deep; but when it was dissolved by the trampling of so


+  many men and beasts of burden, they then walked on the bare ice below, and through


+  the dirty fluid formed by the melting snow. Here there was a wretched struggle,


+  both on account of the slippery ice not affording any hold to the step, and


+  giving way beneath the foot more readily by reason of the slope; and whether


+  they assisted themselves in rising by their hands or their knees, their supports


+  themselves giving way, they would stumble again; nor were there any stumps or


+  roots near; by pressing against which, one might with hand or foot support himself;


+  so that they only floundered on the smooth ice and amid the melted snow. The


+  beasts of burden sometimes also went into this lower ice by merely treading


+  upon it, at others they broke it completely through, by the violence with which


+  they struck in their hoofs in their struggling, so that most of them, as if


+  taken in a trap, stuck in the hardened and deeply frozen ice. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">37 </div>


+<a id="c37" />


+<p>At length, after the men and beasts of burden had been fatigued to no purpose,


+  the camp was pitched on the summit, the ground being cleared for that purpose


+  with great difficulty, so much snow was there to be dug out and carried away.


+  The soldiers being then set to make a way down the cliff by which alone a passage


+  could be effected, and it being necessary that they should cut through the rocks,


+  having felled and lopped a number of large trees which grew around, they make


+  a huge pile of timber; and as soon as a strong wind fit for exciting the flames


+  arose, they set fire to it, and, pouring vinegar on the heated stones, they


+  render them soft and crumbling. They then open a way with iron instruments through


+  the rock thus heated by the fire, and soften its declivities by gentle windings,


+  so that not only the beasts of burden, but also the elephants could be led down


+  it. Four days were spent about this rock, the beasts nearly perishing through


+  hunger: for the summits of the mountains are for the most part bare, and if


+  there is any pasture the snows bury it. The lower parts contain valleys, and


+  some sunny hills, and rivulets flowing beside woods, and scenes more worthy


+  of the abode of man. There the beasts of burden were sent out to pasture, and


+  rest given for three days to the men, fatigued with forming the passage: they


+  then descended into the plains, the country and the dispositions of the inhabitants


+  being now less rugged. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">38 </div>


+<a id="c38" />


+<p>In this manner chiefly they came to Italy in the fifth month (as some authors


+  relate) after leaving New Carthage, having crossed the Alps in fifteen days.


+  What number of forces Hannibal had when he had passed into Italy is by no means


+  agreed upon by authors. Those who state them at the highest, make mention of


+  a hundred thousand foot and twenty thousand horse; those who state them at the


+  lowest, of twenty thousand foot and six thousand horse. Lucius Cincius Alimentus,


+  who relates that he was made prisoner by Hannibal, would influence me most as


+  an authority, did he not confound the number by adding the Gauls and Ligurians.


+  Including these, (who, it is more probable, flocked to him afterwards, and so


+  some authors assert,) he says, that eighty thousand foot and ten thousand horse


+  were brought into Italy; and that he had heard from Hannibal himself, that after


+  crossing the Rhone he had lost thirty-six thousand men, and an immense number


+  of horses, and other beasts of burden, among the Taurini, the next nation to


+  the Gauls, as he descended into Italy. As this circumstance is agreed on by


+  all, I am the more surprised that it should be doubtful by what road he crossed


+  the Alps; and that it should commonly be believed that he passed over the Pennine


+  mountain, and that thence [<a href="#foot17">17</a>] the name was given to that


+  ridge of the Alps. Coelius says, that he passed over the top of Mount Cremo;


+  both which passes would have brought him, not to the Taurini, but through the


+  Salasian mountaineers to the Libuan Gauls. Neither is it probable that these


+  roads into Gaul were then open, especially once those which, lead to the Pennine


+  mountain would have been unlocked up by nations half German; nor by Hercules


+  (if this argument has weight with any one) do the Veragri, the inhabitants of


+  this ridge, know of the name being given to these mountains from the passage


+  of the Carthaginians, but from the divinity, whom the mountaineers style Penninus,


+  worshipped on the highest summit. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">39 </div>


+<a id="c39" />


+<p>Very opportunely for the commencement of his operations, a war had broken out


+  with the Taurini, the nearest nation, against the Insubrians; but Hannibal could


+  not put his troops under arms to assist either party, as they very chiefly felt


+  the disorders they had before contracted, in remedying them; for ease after


+  toil, plenty after want, and attention to their persons after dirt and filth,


+  had variously affected their squalid and almost savage-looking bodies. This


+  was the reason that Publius Cornelius, the consul, when he had arrived at Pisa


+  with his fleet, hastened to the Po, though the troops he received from Manlius


+  and Atilius were raw and disheartened by their late disgraces, in order that


+  he might engage the enemy when not yet recruited. But when the consul came to


+  Placentia, Hannibal had already moved from his quarters, and had taken by storm


+  one city of the Taurini, the capital of the nation, because they did not come


+  willingly into his alliance; and he would have gained over to him, not only


+  from fear, but also from inclination, the Gauls who dwell beside the Po, had


+  not the arrival of the consul suddenly checked them while watching for an opportunity


+  of revolt. Hannibal at the same time moved from the Taurini, thinking that the


+  Gauls, uncertain which side to choose, would follow him if present among them.


+  The armies were now almost in sight of each other, and their leaders, though


+  not at present sufficiently acquainted, yet met each other with a certain feeling


+  of mutual admiration. For the name of Hannibal, even before the destruction


+  of Saguntum, was very celebrated among the Romans; and Hannibal believed Scipio


+  to be a superior man, from the very circumstance of his having been specially


+  chosen to act as commander against himself. They had increased too their estimation


+  of each other; Scipio, because, being left behind in Gaul, he had met Hannibal


+  when he had crossed into Italy; Hannibal, by his daring attempt of crossing


+  the Alps and by its accomplishment. Scipio, however, was the first to cross


+  the Po, and having pitched his camp at the river Ticinus, he delivered the following


+  oration for the sake of encouraging his soldiers before he led them out to form


+  for battle: </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">40 </div>


+<a id="c40" />


+<p>"If, soldiers, I were leading out that army to battle which I had with me in


+  Gaul, I should have thought it superfluous to address you; for of what use would


+  it be to exhort either those horsemen who so gloriously vanquished the cavalry


+  of the enemy at the river Rhone, or those legions with whom, pursuing this very


+  enemy flying before us, I obtained in lieu of victory, a confession of superiority,


+  shown by his retreat and refusal to fight? Now because that army, levied for


+  the province of Spain, maintains the war under my auspices [<a href="#foot18">18</a>]


+  and the command of my brother Cneius Scipio, in the country where the senate


+  and people of Rome wished him to serve, and since I, that you might have a consul


+  for your leader against Hannibal and the Carthaginians, have offered myself


+  voluntarily for this contest, few words are required to be addressed from a


+  new commander to soldiers unacquainted with him. That you may not be ignorant


+  of the nature of the war nor of the enemy, you have to fight, soldiers, with


+  those whom in the former war you conquered both by land and sea; from whom you


+  have exacted tribute for twenty years; from whom you hold Sicily and Sardinia,


+  taken as the prizes of victory. In the present contest, therefore, you and they


+  will have those feelings which are wont to belong to the victors and the vanquished.


+  Nor are they now about to fight because they are daring, but because it is unavoidable;


+  except you can believe that they who declined the engagement when their forces


+  were entire, should have now gained more confidence when two-thirds of their


+  infantry and cavalry have been lost in the passage of the Alps, and when almost


+  greater numbers have perished than survive. Yes, they are few indeed, (some


+  may say,) but they are vigorous in mind and body; men whose strength and power


+  scarce any force may withstand. On the contrary, they are but the resemblances,


+  nay, are rather the shadows of men; being worn out with hunger, cold, dirt,


+  and filth, and bruised and enfeebled among stones and rocks. Besides all this,


+  their joints are frost-bitten, their sinews stiffened with the snow, their limbs


+  withered up by the frost, their armour battered and shivered, their horses lame


+  and powerless. With such cavalry, with such infantry, you have to fight: you


+  will not have enemies in reality, but rather their last remains. And I fear


+  nothing more than that when you have fought Hannibal, the Alps may appear to


+  have conquered him. But perhaps it was fitting that the gods themselves should,


+  without any human aid, commence and carry forward a war with a leader and a


+  people that violate the faith of treaties; and that we, who next to the gods


+  have been injured, should finish the contest thus commenced and nearly completed."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">41 </div>


+<a id="c41" />


+<p>"I do not fear lest any one should think that I say this ostentatiously for


+  the sake of encouraging you, while in my own mind I am differently affected.


+  I was at liberty to go with my army into Spain, my own province, whither I had


+  already set out; where I should have had a brother as the bearer of my councils


+  and my dangers, and Hasdrubal, instead of Hannibal, for my antagonist, and without


+  question a less laborious war: nevertheless, as I sailed along the coast of


+  Gaul, having landed on hearing of this enemy, and having sent forward the cavalry,


+  I moved my camp to the Rhone. In a battle of cavalry, with which part of my


+  forces the opportunity of engaging was afforded, I routed the enemy; and because


+  I could not overtake by land his army of infantry, which was rapidly hurried


+  away, as if in flight, having returned to the ships with all the speed I could,


+  after compassing such an extent of sea and land, I have met him at the foot


+  of the Alps. Whether do I appear, while declining the contest, to have fallen


+  in unexpectedly with this dreaded foe, or encounter him in his track? to challenge


+  him and drag him out to decide the contest? I am anxious to try whether the


+  earth has suddenly, in these twenty years, sent forth a new race of Carthaginians,


+  or whether these are the same who fought at the islands Aegates, and whom you


+  permitted to defeat from Eryx, valued at eighteen denarii a head; and whether


+  this Hannibal be, as he himself gives out, the rival of the expeditions of Hercules,


+  or one left by his father the tributary and taxed subject and slave of the Roman


+  people; who, did not his guilt at Saguntum drive him to frenzy, would certainly


+  reflect, if not upon his conquered country, at least on his family, and his


+  father, and the treaties written by the hand of Hamilcar; who, at the command


+  of our consul, withdrew the garrison from Eryx; who, indignant and grieving,


+  submitted to the harsh conditions imposed on the conquered Carthaginians; who


+  agreed to depart from Sicily, and pay tribute to the Roman people. I would,


+  therefore, have you fight, soldiers, not only with that spirit with which you


+  are wont to encounter other enemies, but with a certain indignation and resentment,


+  as if you saw your slaves suddenly taking up arms against you. We might have


+  killed them when shut up in Eryx by hunger, the most dreadful of human tortures;


+  we might have carried over our victorious fleet to Africa, and in a few days


+  have destroyed Carthage without any opposition. We granted pardon to their prayers;


+  we released them from the blockade; we made peace with them when conquered;


+  and we afterwards considered them under our protection when they were oppressed


+  by the African war. In return for these benefits, they come under the conduct


+  of a furious youth to attack our country. And I wish that the contest on your


+  side was for glory, and not for safety: it is not about the possession of Sicily


+  and Sardinia, concerning which the dispute was formerly, but for Italy, that


+  you must fight: nor is there another army behind, which, if we should not conquer,


+  can resist the enemy; nor are there other Alps, during the passage of which


+  fresh forces may be procured: here, soldiers, we must make our stand, as if


+  we fought before the walls of Rome. Let every one consider that he defends with


+  his arms not only his own person, but his wife and young children: nor let him


+  only entertain domestic cares and anxieties, but at the same time let him revolve


+  in his mind, that the senate and people of Rome now anxiously regard our efforts;


+  and that according as our strength and valour shall be, such henceforward will


+  be the fortune of that city and of the Roman empire." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">42 </div>


+<a id="c42" />


+<p>Thus the consul addressed the Romans. Hannibal, thinking that his soldiers


+  ought to be roused by deeds rather than by words, having drawn his army around


+  for the spectacle, placed in their midst the captive mountaineers in fetters;


+  and after Gallic arms had been thrown at their feet, he ordered the interpreter


+  to ask, "whether any among them, on condition of being released from chains,


+  and receiving, if victorious, armour and a horse, was willing to combat with


+  the sword?" When they all, to a man, demanded the combat and the sword, and


+  lots were cast into the urn for that purpose, each wished himself the person


+  whom fortune might select for the contest. As the lot of each man came out,


+  eager and exulting with joy amidst the congratulations of his comrades, and


+  dancing after the national custom, he hastily snatched up the arms: but when


+  they fought, such was the state of feeling, not only among their companions


+  in the same circumstances, but among the spectators in general, that the fortune


+  of those who conquered was not praised more than that of those who died bravely.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">43 </div>


+<a id="c43" />


+<p>When he had dismissed the soldiers, thus affected after viewing several pairs


+  of combatants, having then summoned an assembly, he is said to have addressed


+  them in these terms: "If, soldiers, you shall by and by, in judging of your


+  own fortune, preserve the same feelings which you experienced a little before


+  in the example of the fate of others, we have already conquered; for neither


+  was that merely a spectacle, but as it were a certain representation of your


+  condition. And I know not whether fortune has not thrown around you still stronger


+  chains and more urgent necessities than around your captives. On the right and


+  left two seas enclose you, without your possessing a single ship even for escape.


+  The river Po around you, the Po larger and more impetuous than the Rhone, the


+  Alps behind, scarcely passed by you when fresh and vigorous, hem you in. Here,


+  soldiers, where you have first met the enemy, you must conquer or die; and the


+  same fortune which has imposed the necessity of fighting, holds out to you,


+  if victorious, rewards, than which men are not wont to desire greater, even


+  from the immortal gods. If we were only about to recover by our valour Sicily


+  and Sardinia, wrested from our fathers, the recompence would be sufficiently


+  ample; but whatever, acquired and amassed by so many triumphs, the Romans possess,


+  all, with its masters themselves, will become yours. To gain this rich reward,


+  hasten, then, and seize your arms with the favour of the gods. Long enough in


+  pursuing cattle among the desert mountains of Lusitania [<a href="#foot19">19</a>]


+  and Celtiberia, you have seen no emolument from so many toils and dangers: it


+  is time to make rich and profitable campaigns, and to gain the great reward


+  of your labours, after having accomplished such a length of journey over so


+  many mountains and rivers, and so many nations in arms. Here fortune has granted


+  you the termination of your labours; here she will bestow a reward worthy of


+  the service you have undergone. Nor, in proportion as the war is great in name,


+  ought you to consider that the victory will be difficult. A despised enemy has


+  often maintained a sanguinary contest, and renowned states and kings been conquered


+  by a very slight effort. For, setting aside only the splendour of the Roman


+  name, what remains in which they can be compared to you? To pass over in silence


+  your service for twenty years, distinguished by such valour and success you


+  have made your way to this place from the pillars of Hercules, [<a href="#foot20">20</a>]


+  from the ocean, and the remotest limits of the world advancing victorious through


+  so many of the fiercest nations of Gaul and Spain: you will fight with a raw


+  army, which this very summer was beaten, conquered, and surrounded by the Gauls,


+  as yet unknown to its general, and ignorant of him. Shall I compare myself,


+  almost born, and certainly bred in the tent of my father, that most illustrious


+  commander, myself the subjugator of Spain and Gaul, the conqueror too not only


+  of the Alpine nations, but what is much more, of the Alps themselves, with this


+  six months' general, the deserter of his army? To whom, if any one, having taken


+  away their standards, should show to-day the Carthaginians and Romans, I am


+  sure that he would not know of which army he was consul. I do not regard it,


+  soldiers, as of small account, that there is not a man among you before whose


+  eyes I have not often achieved some military exploit; and to whom, in like manner,


+  I the spectator and witness of his valour, could not recount his own gallant


+  deeds, particularized by time and place. With soldiers who have a thousand times


+  received my praises and gifts, I, who was the pupil of you all before I became


+  your commander, will march out in battle-array against those who are unknown


+  to and ignorant of each other." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">44 </div>


+<a id="c44" />


+<p>"On whatever side I turn my eyes I see nothing but what is full of courage


+  and energy; a veteran infantry; calvary, both those with and those without the


+  bridle, composed of the most gallant nations, you our most faithful and valiant


+  allies, you Carthaginians, who are about to fight as well for the sake of your


+  country as from the justest resentment. We are the assailants in the war, and


+  descend into Italy with hostile standards, about to engage so much more boldly


+  and bravely than the foe, as the confidence and courage of the assailant are


+  greater than those of him who is defensive. Besides suffering, injury and indignity


+  inflame and excite our minds: they first demanded me your leader for punishment,


+  and then all of you who had laid siege to Saguntum; and had we been given up


+  they would have visited us with the severest tortures. That most cruel and haughty


+  nation considers every thing its own, and at its own disposal; it thinks it


+  right that it should regulate with whom we are to have war, with whom peace:


+  it circumscribes and shuts us up by the boundaries of mountains and rivers,


+  which we must not pass; and then does not adhere to those boundaries which it


+  appointed. Pass not the Iberus; have nothing to do with the Saguntines. Saguntum


+  is on the Iberus; you must not move a step in any direction. Is it a small thing


+  that you take away my most ancient provinces Sicily and Sardinia? will you take


+  Spain also? and should I withdraw thence, you will cross over into Africa--will


+  cross, did I say? they have sent the two consuls of this year one to Africa,


+  the other to Spain: there is nothing left to us in any quarter, except what


+  we can assert to ourselves by arms. Those may be cowards and dastards who have


+  something to look back upon; whom, flying through safe and unmolested roads,


+  their own lands and their own country will receive: there is a necessity for


+  you to be brave; and since all between victory and death is broken off from


+  you by inevitable despair, either to conquer, or, if fortune should waver, to


+  meet death rather in battle than flight. If this be well fixed and determined


+  in the minds of you all, I will repeat, you have already conquered: no stronger


+  incentive to victory has been given to man by the immortal gods." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">45 </div>


+<a id="c45" />


+<p>When the minds of the soldiers on both sides had been animated to the contest


+  by these exhortations, the Romans throw a bridge over the Ticinus, and, for


+  the sake of defending the bridge, erect a fort on it. The Carthaginian, while


+  the Romans were engaged in this work, sends Maharbal with a squadron of five


+  hundred Numidian horse, to lay waste the territories of the allies of the Roman


+  people. He orders that the Gauls should be spared as much as possible, and the


+  minds of their chiefs be instigated to a revolt. When the bridge was finished,


+  the Roman army being led across into the territory of the Insubrians, took up


+  its station five miles from Victumviae. At this place Hannibal lay encamped;


+  and having quickly recalled Maharbal and the cavalry, when he perceived that


+  a battle was approaching, thinking that in exhorting the soldiers enough could


+  never be spoken or addressed by way of admonition, he announces to them, when


+  summoned to an assembly, stated rewards, in expectation of which they might


+  fight. He promised, "that he would give them land in Italy, Africa, Spain, where


+  each man might choose, exempt from all burdens to the person who received it,


+  and to his children: if any one preferred money to land, he would satisfy him


+  in silver; if any of the allies wished to become citizens of Carthage, he would


+  grant them permission; if others chose rather to return home, he would lend


+  his endeavours that they should not wish the situation of any one of their countrymen


+  exchanged for their own." To the slaves also who followed their masters he promised


+  freedom, and that he would give two slaves in place of each of them to their


+  masters. And that they might know that these promises were certain, holding


+  in his left hand a lamb, and in his right a flint, having prayed to Jupiter


+  and the other gods, that, if he was false to his word, they would thus slay


+  him as he slew the lamb; after the prayer he broke the skull of the sheep with


+  the stone. Then in truth all, receiving as it were the gods as sureties, each


+  for the fulfilment of his own hopes, and thinking that the only delay in obtaining


+  the object of their wishes arose from their not yet being engaged, with one


+  mind and one voice demanded the battle. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">46 </div>


+<a id="c46" />


+<p>By no means so great an alacrity prevailed among the Romans, who, in addition


+  to other causes, were also alarmed by recent prodigies; for both a wolf had


+  entered the camp, and having torn those who met him, had escaped unhurt; and


+  a swarm of bees had settled on a tree overhanging the general's tent. After


+  these prodigies were expiated, Scipio having set out with his cavalry and light-armed


+  spearmen towards the camp of the enemy, to observe from a near point their forces,


+  how numerous, and of what description they were, falls in with Hannibal, who


+  had himself also advanced with his cavalry to explore the circumjacent country:


+  neither at first perceived the other, but the dust arising from the trampling


+  of so many men and horses soon gave the signal of approaching enemies. Both


+  armies halted, and were preparing themselves for battle. Scipio places his spearmen


+  and Gallic cavalry in front; the Romans and what force of allies he had with


+  him, in reserve. Hannibal receives the horsemen who rode with the rein in the


+  centre, and strengthens his wings with Numidians. When the shout was scarcely


+  raised, the spearmen fled among the reserve to the second line: there was then


+  a contest of the cavalry, for some time doubtful; but afterwards, on account


+  of the foot soldiers, who were intermingled, causing confusion among the horses,


+  many of the riders falling off from their horses, or leaping down where they


+  saw their friends surrounded and hard pressed, the battle for the most part


+  came to be fought on foot; until the Numidians, who were in the wings, having


+  made a small circuit, showed themselves on the rear. That alarm dismayed the


+  Romans, and the wound of the consul, and the danger to his life, warded off


+  by the interposition of his son, then just arriving at the age of puberty, augmented


+  their fears. This youth will be found to be the same to whom the glory of finishing


+  this war belongs, and to whom the name of Africanus was given, on account of


+  his splendid victory over Hannibal and the Carthaginians. The flight, however,


+  of the spearmen, whom the Numidians attacked first, was the most disorderly.


+  The rest of the cavalry, in a close body, protecting, not only with their arms,


+  but also with their bodies, the consul, whom they had received into the midst


+  of them, brought him back to the camp without any where giving way in disorder


+  or precipitation. Coelius attributes the honour of saving the consul to a slave,


+  by nation a Ligurian. I indeed should rather wish that the account about the


+  son was true, which also most authors have transmitted, and the report of which


+  has generally obtained credit. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">47 </div>


+<a id="c47" />


+<p>This was the first battle with Hannibal; from which it clearly appeared that


+  the Carthaginian was superior in cavalry; and on that account, that open plains,


+  such as lie between the Po and the Alps, were not suited to the Romans for carrying


+  on the war. On the following night, therefore, the soldiers being ordered to


+  prepare their baggage in silence, the camp broke up from the Ticinus, and they


+  hastened to the Po, in order that the rafts by which the consul had formed a


+  bridge over the river, being not yet loosened, he might lead his forces across


+  without disturbance or pursuit of the enemy. They arrived at Placentia before


+  Hannibal had ascertained that they had set out from the Ticinus. He took, however,


+  six hundred of those who loitered on the farther bank, who were slowly unfastening


+  the raft; but he was not able to pass the bridge, as the whole raft floated


+  down the stream as soon as the ends were unfastened. Coelius relates that Mago,


+  with the cavalry and Spanish infantry, immediately swam the river; and that


+  Hannibal himself led the army across by fords higher up the Po, the elephants


+  being opposed to the stream in a line to break the force of the current. These


+  accounts can scarcely gain credit with those who are acquainted with that river;


+  for it is neither probable that the cavalry could bear up against the great


+  violence of the stream, without losing their arms or horses, even supposing


+  that inflated bags of leather had transported all the Spaniards; and the fords


+  of the Po, by which an army encumbered with baggage could pass, must have been


+  sought by a circuit of many days' march. Those authors are more credited by


+  me, who relate that in the course of two days a place was with difficulty found


+  fit for forming a bridge of rafts across the river, and that by this way the


+  light-armed Spanish cavalry was sent forward with Mago. Whilst Hannibal, delaying


+  beside the river to give audience to the embassies of the Gauls, conveys over


+  the heavy-armed forces of infantry, in the mean time Mago and the cavalry proceed


+  towards the enemy at Placentia one day's journey after crossing the river. Hannibal,


+  a few days after, fortified his camp six miles from Placentia, and on the following


+  day, having drawn up his line of battle in sight of the enemy, gave them an


+  opportunity of fighting. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">48 </div>


+<a id="c48" />


+<p>On the following night a slaughter was made in the Roman camp by the auxiliary


+  Gauls, which appeared greater from the tumult than it proved in reality. Two


+  thousand infantry and two hundred horse, having killed the guards at the gates,


+  desert to Hannibal; whom the Carthaginians having addressed kindly, and excited


+  by the hope of great rewards, sent each to several states to gain over the minds


+  of their countrymen. Scipio, thinking that that slaughter was a signal for the


+  revolt of all the Gauls, and that, contaminated with the guilt of that affair,


+  they would rush to arms as if a frenzy had been sent among them, though he was


+  still suffering severely from his wound, yet setting out for the river Trebia


+  at the fourth watch of the following night with his army in silence, he removes


+  his camp to higher ground and hills more embarrassing to the cavalry. He escaped


+  observation less than at the Ticinus: and Hannibal, having despatched first


+  the Numidians and then all the cavalry, would have thrown the rear at least


+  into great confusion, had not the Numidians, through anxiety for booty, turned


+  aside into the deserted Roman camp. There whilst, closely examining every part


+  of the camp, they waste time, with no sufficient reward for the delay, the enemy


+  escaped out of their hands; and when they saw the Romans already across the


+  Trebia, and measuring out their camp, they kill a few of the loiterers intercepted


+  on that side of the river. Scipio being unable to endure any longer the irritation


+  of his wound, caused by the roughness of the road, and thinking that he ought


+  to wait for his colleague, (for he had now heard that he was recalled from Sicily,)


+  fortified a space of chosen ground, which, adjoining the river, seemed safest


+  for a stationary camp. When Hannibal had encamped not far from thence, being


+  as much elated with the victory of his cavalry, as anxious on account of the


+  scarcity which every day assailed him more severely, marching as he did through


+  the territory of the enemy, and supplies being no where provided, he sends to


+  the village of Clastidium, where the Romans had collected a great stock of corn.


+  There, whilst they were preparing for an assault, a hope of the town being betrayed


+  to them was held out: Dasius, a Brundusian, the governor of the garrison, having


+  been corrupted for four hundred pieces of gold, (no great bribe truly,) Clastidium


+  is surrendered to Hannibal. It served as a granary for the Carthaginians while


+  they lay at the Trebia. No cruelty was used towards the prisoners of the surrendered


+  garrison, in order that a character for clemency might be acquired at the commencement


+  of his proceedings. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">49 </div>


+<a id="c49" />


+<p>While the war by land was at a stand beside the Trebia, in the mean time operations


+  went on by land and sea around Sicily and the islands adjacent to Italy, both


+  under Sempronius the consul, and before his arrival. Twenty quinqueremes, with


+  a thousand armed men, having been sent by the Carthaginians to lay waste the


+  coast of Italy, nine reached the Liparae, eight the island of Vulcan, and three


+  the tide drove into the strait. On these being seen from Messana, twelve ships


+  sent out by Hiero king of Syracuse, who then happened to be at Messana, waiting


+  for the Roman consul, brought back into the port of Messana the ships taken


+  without any resistance. It was discovered from the prisoners that, besides the


+  twenty ships, to which fleet they belonged, and which had been despatched against


+  Italy, thirty-five other quinqueremes were directing their course to Sicily,


+  in order to gain over their ancient allies: that their main object was to gain


+  possession of Lilybaeum, and they believed that that fleet had been driven to


+  the islands Aegates by the same storm by which they themselves had been dispersed.


+  The king writes these tidings, according as they had been received, to Marcus


+  Aemilius the praetor, whose province Sicily was, and advises him to occupy Lilybaeum


+  with a strong garrison. Immediately the lieutenants, generals, and tribunes,


+  with the praetor, were despatched to the different states, in order that they


+  might keep their men on vigilant guard; above all things it was commanded, that


+  Lilybaeum should be secured: an edict having been put forth that, in addition


+  to such warlike preparations, the crews should carry down to their ships dressed


+  provisions for ten days, so that no one when the signal was given might delay


+  in embarking; and that those who were stationed along the whole coast should


+  look out from their watch-towers for the approaching fleet of the enemy. The


+  Carthaginians, therefore, though they had purposely slackened the course of


+  their ships, so that they might reach Lilybaeum just before daybreak, were descried


+  before their arrival, because both the moon shone all night, and they came with


+  their sails set up. Immediately the signal was given from the watch-towers,


+  and the summons to arms was shouted through the town, and they embarked in the


+  ships: part of the soldiers were left on the walls and at the stations of the


+  gates, and part went on board the fleet. The Carthaginians, because they perceived


+  that they would not have to do with an unprepared enemy, kept back from the


+  harbour till daylight, that interval being spent in taking down their rigging


+  and getting ready the fleet for action. When the light appeared, they withdrew


+  their fleet into the open sea, that there might be room for the battle, and


+  that the ships of the enemy might have a free egress from the harbour. Nor did


+  the Romans decline the conflict, being emboldened both by the recollection of


+  the exploits they had performed near that very spot, and by the numbers and


+  valour of their soldiers. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">50 </div>


+<a id="c50" />


+<p>When they had advanced into the open sea, the Romans wished to come to close


+  fight, and to make a trial of strength hand to hand. The Carthaginians, on the


+  contrary, eluded them, and sought to maintain the fight by art, not by force,


+  and to make it a battle of ships rather than of men and arms: for though they


+  had their fleet abundantly supplied with mariners, yet it was deficient in soldiers;


+  and when a ship was grappled, a very unequal number of armed men fought on board


+  of it. When this was observed, their numbers increased the courage of the Romans,


+  and their inferiority of force diminished that of the others. Seven Carthaginian


+  ships were immediately surrounded; the rest took to flight: one thousand seven


+  hundred soldiers and mariners were captured in the ships, and among them were


+  three noble Carthaginians. The Roman fleet returned without loss to the harbour,


+  only one ship being pierced, and even that also brought back into port. After


+  this engagement, before those at Messana were aware of its occurrence, Titus


+  Sempronius the consul arrived at Messana. As he entered the strait, king Hiero


+  led out a fleet fully equipped to meet him; and having passed from the royal


+  ship into that of the general, he congratulated him on having arrived safe with


+  his army and fleet, and prayed that his expedition to Sicily might be prosperous


+  and successful. He then laid before him the state of the island and the designs


+  of the Carthaginians, and promised that with the same spirit with which he had


+  in his youth assisted the Romans during the former war, he would now assist


+  them in his old age; that he would gratuitously furnish supplies of corn and


+  clothing to the legions and naval crews of the consul; adding, that great danger


+  threatened Lilybaeum and the maritime states, and that a change of affairs would


+  be acceptable to some of them. For these reasons it appeared to the consul that


+  he ought to make no delay, but to repair to Lilybaeum with his fleet. The king


+  and the royal squadron set out along with him, and on their passage they heard


+  that a battle had been fought at Lilybaeum, and that the enemy's ships had been


+  scattered and taken. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">51 </div>


+<a id="c51" />


+<p>The consul having dismissed Hiero with the royal fleet, and left the praetor


+  to defend the coast of Sicily, passed over himself from Lilybaeum to the island


+  Melita, which was held in possession by the Carthaginians. On his arrival, Hamilcar,


+  the son of Gisgo, the commander of the garrison, with little less than two thousand


+  soldiers, together with the town and the island, are delivered up to him: thence,


+  after a few days, he returned to Lilybaeum, and the prisoners taken, both by


+  the consul and the praetor, excepting those illustrious for their rank, were


+  publicly sold. When the consul considered that Sicily was sufficiently safe


+  on that side, he crossed over to the islands of Vulcan, because there was a


+  report that the Carthaginian fleet was stationed there: but not one of the enemy


+  was discovered about those islands. They had already, as it happened, passed


+  over to ravage the coast of Italy, and having laid waste the territory of Vibo,


+  were also threatening the city. The descent made by the enemy on the Vibonensian


+  territory is announced to the consul as he was returning to Sicily: and letters


+  were delivered to him which had been sent by the senate, about the passage of


+  Hannibal into Italy, commanding him as soon as possible to bring assistance


+  to his colleague. Perplexed with having so many anxieties at once, he immediately


+  sent his army, embarked in the fleet, by the upper sea to Ariminum; he assigned


+  the defence of the territory of Vibo, and the sea-coast of Italy, to Sextus


+  Pomponius, his lieutenant-general, with twenty-five ships of war: he made up


+  a fleet of fifty ships for Marcus Aemilius the praetor; and he himself, after


+  the affairs of Sicily were settled, sailing close along the coast of Italy with


+  ten ships, arrived at Ariminum, whence, setting out with his army for the river


+  Trebia, he joined his colleague. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">52 </div>


+<a id="c52" />


+<p>Both the consuls and all the strength of Rome being now opposed to Hannibal,


+  made it sufficiently obvious that the Roman empire could either be defended


+  by those forces, or that there was no other hope left. Yet the one consul being


+  dispirited by the battle of the cavalry and his own wound, wished operations


+  to be deferred: the other having his spirits unsubdued, and being therefore


+  the more impetuous, admitted no delay. The tract of country between the Trebia


+  and the Po was then inhabited by the Gauls, who, in this contest of two very


+  powerful states, by a doubtful neutrality, were evidently looking forward to


+  the favour of the conqueror. The Romans submitted to this conduct of the Gauls


+  with tolerable satisfaction, provided they did not take any active part at all;


+  but the Carthaginian bore it with great discontent, giving out that he had come


+  invited by the Gauls to set them at liberty. On account of that resentment,


+  and in order that he might at the same time maintain his troops from the plunder,


+  he ordered two thousand foot and a thousand horse, chiefly Numidians, with some


+  Gauls intermixed, to lay waste all the country straightforward as far as the


+  banks of the Po. The Gauls, being in want of assistance, though they had up


+  to this time kept their inclinations doubtful, are forced by the authors of


+  the injury to turn to some who would be their supporters; and having sent ambassadors


+  to the consul, they implore the aid of the Romans in behalf of a country which


+  was suffering for the too great fidelity of its inhabitants to the Romans. Neither


+  the cause nor the time of pleading it was satisfactory to Cornelius; and the


+  nation was suspected by him, both on account of many treacherous actions, and


+  though others might have been forgotten through length of time, on account of


+  the recent perfidy of the Boii. Sempronius, on the contrary, thought that it


+  would be the strongest tie upon the fidelity of the allies, if those were defended


+  who first required support. Then, while his colleague hesitated, he sends his


+  own cavalry, with about a thousand spearmen on foot in their company, to protect


+  the Gallic territory beyond the Trebia. These, when they had unexpectedly attacked


+  the enemy while scattered and disordered, and for the most part encumbered with


+  booty, caused great terror, slaughter, and flight, even as far as the camp and


+  outposts of the enemy; whence being repulsed by the numbers that poured out,


+  they again renewed the fight with the assistance of their own party. Then pursuing


+  and retreating in doubtful battle, though they left it at last equal, yet the


+  fame of the victory was more with the Romans than the enemy. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">53 </div>


+<a id="c53" />


+<p>But to no one did it appear more important and just than to the consul himself.


+  He was transported with joy "that he had conquered with that part of the forces


+  with which the other consul had been defeated; that the spirits of the soldiers


+  were restored and revived; that there was no one, except his colleague, who


+  would wish an engagement delayed; and that he, suffering more from disease of


+  mind than body, shuddered, through recollection of his wound, at arms and battle.


+  But others ought not to sink into decrepitude together with a sick man. For


+  why should there be any longer protraction or waste of time? What third consul,


+  what other army did they wait for? The camp of the Carthaginians was in Italy,


+  and almost in sight of the city. It was not Sicily and Sardinia, which had been


+  taken from them when vanquished, nor Spain on this side of the Iberus, that


+  was their object, but that the Romans should be driven from the land of their


+  fathers, and the soil in which they were born. How deeply," he continued, "would


+  our fathers groan, who were wont to wage war around the walls of Carthage, if


+  they should see us their offspring, two consuls and two consular armies, trembling


+  within our camps in the heart of Italy, while a Carthaginian had made himself


+  master of all the country between the Alps and the Apennine!" Such discourses


+  did he hold while sitting beside his sick colleague, and also at the head-quarters,


+  almost in the manner of an harangue. The approaching period of the elections


+  also stimulated him, lest the war should be protracted till the new consuls


+  were chosen, and the opportunity of turning all the glory to himself, while


+  his colleague lay sick. He orders the soldiers, therefore, Cornelius in vain


+  attempting to dissuade him, to get ready for an immediate engagement. Hannibal,


+  as he saw what conduct would be best for the enemy, had scarce at first any


+  hope that the consuls would do any thing rashly or imprudently, but when he


+  discovered that the disposition of the one, first known from report, and afterwards


+  from experience, was ardent and impetuous, and believed that it had been rendered


+  still more impetuous by the successful engagement with his predatory troops,


+  he did not doubt that an opportunity of action was near at hand. He was anxious


+  and watchful not to omit this opportunity, while the troops of the enemy were


+  raw, while his wound rendered the better of the two commanders useless, and


+  while the spirits of the Gauls were fresh; of whom he knew that a great number


+  would follow him with the greater reluctance the farther they were drawn away


+  from home. When, for these and similar reasons, he hoped that an engagement


+  was near and desired to make the attack himself, if there should be any delay;


+  and when the Gauls, who were the safer spies to ascertain what he wished, as


+  they served in both camps, had brought intelligence that the Romans were prepared


+  for battle, the Carthaginian began to look about for a place for an ambuscade.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">54 </div>


+<a id="c54" />


+<p>Between the armies was a rivulet, bordered on each side with very high banks,


+  and covered around with marshy plants, and with the brushwood and brambles with


+  which uncultivated places are generally overspread; and when, riding around


+  it, he had, with his own eyes, thoroughly reconnoitred a place which was sufficient


+  to afford a covert even for cavalry, he said to Mago his brother: "This will


+  be the place which you must occupy. Choose out of all the infantry and cavalry


+  a hundred men of each, with whom come to me at the first watch. Now is the time


+  to refresh their bodies." The council was thus dismissed, and in a little time


+  Mago came forward with his chosen men. "I see," said Hannibal, "the strength


+  of the men; but that you may be strong not only in resolution, but also in number,


+  pick out each from the troops and companies nine men like yourselves: Mago will


+  show you the place where you are to lie in ambush. You will have an enemy who


+  is blind to these arts of war." A thousand horse and a thousand foot, under


+  the command of Mago, having been thus sent off, Hannibal orders the Numidian


+  cavalry to ride up, after crossing the river Trebia by break of day, to the


+  gates of the enemy, and to draw them out to a battle by discharging their javelins


+  at the guards; and then, when the fight was commenced, by retiring slowly to


+  decoy them across the river. These instructions were given to the Numidians:


+  to the other leaders of the infantry and cavalry it was commanded that they


+  should order all their men to dine; and then, under arms and with their horses


+  equipped, to await the signal. Sempronius, eager for the contest, led out, on


+  the first tumult raised by the Numidians, all the cavalry, being full of confidence


+  in that part of the forces; then six thousand infantry, and lastly all his army,


+  to the place already determined in his plan. It happened to be the winter season


+  and a snowy day, in the region which lies between the Alps and the Apennine,


+  and excessively cold by the proximity of rivers and marshes: besides, there


+  was no heat in the bodies of the men and horses thus hastily led out without


+  having first taken food, or employed any means to keep off the cold; and the


+  nearer they approached to the blasts from the river, a keener degree of cold


+  blew upon them. But when, in pursuit of the flying Numidians, they entered the


+  water, (and it was swollen by rain in the night as high as their breasts,) then


+  in truth the bodies of all, on landing, were so benumbed, that they were scarcely


+  able to hold their arms; and as the day advanced they began to grow faint, both


+  from fatigue and hunger. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">55 </div>


+<a id="c55" />


+<p>In the mean time the soldiers of Hannibal, fires having been kindled before


+  the tents, and oil sent through the companies to soften their limbs, and their


+  food having been taken at leisure, as soon as it was announced that the enemy


+  had passed the river, seized their arms with vigour of mind and body, and advanced


+  to the battle. Hannibal placed before the standards the Baliares and the light-armed


+  troops, to the amount of nearly eight thousand men; then the heavier-armed infantry,


+  the chief of his power and strength: on the wings he posted ten thousand horse,


+  and on their extremities stationed the elephants divided into two parts. The


+  consul placed on the flanks of his infantry the cavalry, recalled by the signal


+  for retreat, as in their irregular pursuit of the enemy they were checked, while


+  unprepared, by the Numidians suddenly turning upon them. There were of infantry


+  eighteen thousand Romans, twenty thousand allies of the Latin name, besides


+  the auxiliary forces of the Cenomani, the only Gallic nation that had remained


+  faithful: with these forces they engaged the enemy. The battle was commenced


+  by the Baliares; whom when the legions resisted with superior force, the light-armed


+  troops were hastily drawn off to the wings; which movement caused the Roman


+  cavalry to be immediately overpowered: for when their four thousand already


+  with difficulty withstood by themselves ten thousand of the enemy, the wearied,


+  against men for the most part fresh, they were overwhelmed in addition by a


+  cloud as it were of javelins, discharged by the Baliares; and the elephants


+  besides, which held a prominent position at the extremities of the wings, (the


+  horses being greatly terrified not only at their appearance, but their unusual


+  smell,) occasioned flight to a wide extent. The battle between the infantry


+  was equal rather in courage than strength; for the Carthaginian brought the


+  latter entire to the action, having a little before refreshed themselves, while,


+  on the contrary, the bodies of the Romans, suffering from fasting and fatigue,


+  and stiff with cold, were quite benumbed. They would have made a stand, however,


+  by dint of courage, if they had only had to fight with the infantry. But both


+  the Baliares, having beaten off the cavalry, poured darts on their flanks, and


+  the elephants had already penetrated to the centre of the line of the infantry;


+  while Mago and the Numidians, as soon as the army had passed their place of


+  ambush without observing them, starting up on their rear, occasioned great disorder


+  and alarm. Nevertheless, amid so many surrounding dangers, the line for some


+  time remained unbroken, and, most contrary to the expectation of all, against


+  the elephants. These the light infantry, posted for the purpose, turned back


+  by throwing their spears; and following them up when turned, pierced them under


+  the tail, where they received the wounds in the softest skin. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">56 </div>


+<a id="c56" />


+<p>Hannibal ordered the elephants, thus thrown into disorder, and almost driven


+  by their terror against their own party, to be led away from the centre of the


+  line to its extremity against the auxiliary Gauls on the left wing. In an instant


+  they occasioned unequivocal flight; and a new alarm was added to the Romans


+  when they saw their auxiliaries routed. About ten thousand men, therefore, as


+  they now were fighting in a circle, the others being unable to escape, broke


+  through the middle of the line of the Africans, which was supported by the Gallic


+  auxiliaries, with immense slaughter of the enemy: and since they neither could


+  return to the camp, being shut out by the river, nor, on account of the heavy


+  rain, satisfactorily determine in what part they should assist their friends,


+  they proceeded by the direct road to Placentia. After this several irruptions


+  were made in all directions; and those who sought the river were either swallowed


+  up in its eddies, or whilst they hesitated to enter it were cut off by the enemy.


+  Some, who had been scattered abroad through the country in their flight, by


+  following the traces of the retreating army, arrived at Placentia; others, the


+  fear of the enemy inspired with boldness to enter the river, having crossed


+  it, reached the camp. The rain mixed with snow, and the intolerable severity


+  of the cold, destroyed many men and beasts of burden, and almost all the elephants.


+  The river Trebia was the termination of the Carthaginians' pursuit of the enemy;


+  and they returned to the camp so benumbed with cold, that they could scarcely


+  feel joy for the victory. On the following night, therefore, though the guard


+  of the camp and the principal part of the soldiers that remained passed the


+  Trebia on rafts, they either did not perceive it, on account of the beating


+  of the rain, or being unable to bestir themselves, through their fatigue and


+  wounds, pretended that they did not perceive it; and the Carthaginians remaining


+  quiet, the army was silently led by the consul Scipio to Placentia, thence transported


+  across the Po to Cremona, lest one colony should be too much burdened by the


+  winter quarters of two armies. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">57 </div>


+<a id="c57" />


+<p>Such terror on account of this disaster was carried to Rome, that they believed


+  that the enemy was already approaching the city with hostile standards, and


+  that they had neither hope nor aid by which they might repel his attack from


+  the gates and walls. One consul having been defeated at the Ticinus, the other


+  having been recalled from Sicily, and now both consuls and their two consular


+  armies having been vanquished, what other commanders, what other legions were


+  there to be sent for? The consul Sempronius came to them whilst thus dismayed,


+  having passed at great risk through the cavalry of the enemy, scattered in every


+  direction in search of plunder, with courage, rather than with any plan or hope


+  of escaping, or of making resistance if he should not escape it. Having held


+  the assembly for the election of the consuls, the only thing which was particularly


+  wanting at present, he returned to the winter quarters. Cneius Servilius and


+  Caius Flaminius were elected consuls. But not even the winter quarters of the


+  Romans were undisturbed, the Numidian horse ranging at large, and where the


+  ground was impracticable for these, the Celtiberians and Lusitanians. All supplies,


+  therefore, from every quarter, were cut off, except such as the ships conveyed


+  by the Po. There was a magazine near Placentia, both fortified with great care


+  and secured by a strong garrison. In the hope of taking this fort, Hannibal


+  having set out with the cavalry and the light-armed horse, and having attacked


+  it by night, as he rested his main hope of effecting his enterprise on keeping


+  it concealed, did not escape the notice of the guards. Such a clamour was immediately


+  raised, that it was heard even at Placentia. The consul; therefore, came up


+  with the cavalry about daybreak, having commanded the legions to follow in a


+  square band. In the mean time an engagement of cavalry commenced, in which the


+  enemy being dismayed because Hannibal retired wounded from the fight, the fortress


+  was admirably defended. After this, having taken rest for a few days, and before


+  his wound was hardly as yet sufficiently healed, he sets out to lay siege to


+  Victumviae. This magazine had been fortified by the Romans in the Gallic war;


+  afterwards a mixture of inhabitants from the neighbouring states around had


+  made the place populous; and at this time the terror created by the devastation


+  of the enemy had driven together to it numbers from the country. A multitude


+  of this description, excited by the report of the brave defence of the fortress


+  near Placentia, having snatched up their arms, went out to meet Hannibal. They


+  engaged on the road rather like armies in order of march than in line of battle;


+  and since on the one side there was nothing but a disorderly crowd, and on the


+  other a general confident in his soldiers, and soldiers in their general, as


+  many as thirty-five thousand men were routed by a few. On the following day,


+  a surrender having been made, they received a garrison within their walls; and


+  being ordered to deliver up their arms, as soon as they had obeyed the command,


+  a signal is suddenly given to the victors to pillage the city, as if it had


+  been taken by storm; nor was any outrage, which in such cases is wont to appear


+  to writers worthy of relation, left unperpetrated; such a specimen of every


+  kind of lust, barbarity, and inhuman insolence was exhibited towards that unhappy


+  people. Such were the expeditions of Hannibal during the winter. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">58 </div>


+<a id="c58" />


+<p>For a short time after, while the cold continued intolerable, rest was given


+  to the soldiers; and having set out from his winter quarters on the first and


+  uncertain indications of spring, he leads them into Etruria, intending to gain


+  that nation to his side, like the Gauls and Ligurians, either by force or favour.


+  As he was crossing the Apennines, so furious a storm attacked him, that it almost


+  surpassed the horrors of the Alps. When the rain and wind together were driven


+  directly against their faces, they at first halted, because their arms must


+  either be cast away, or striving to advance against the storm they were whirled


+  round by the hurricane, and dashed to the ground: afterwards, when it now stopped


+  their breath, nor suffered them to respire, they sat down for a little, with


+  their backs to the wind. Then indeed the sky resounded with loud thunder, and


+  the lightnings flashed between its terrific peals; all, bereft of sight and


+  hearing, stood torpid with fear. At length, when the rain had spent itself,


+  and the fury of the wind was on that account the more increased, it seemed necessary


+  to pitch the camp in that very place where they had been overtaken by the storm.


+  But this was the beginning of their labours, as it were, afresh; for neither


+  could they spread out nor fix any tent, nor did that which perchance had been


+  put up remain, the wind tearing through and sweeping every thing away: and soon


+  after, when the water raised aloft by the wind had been frozen above the cold


+  summits of the mountains, it poured down such a torrent of snowy hail, that


+  the men, casting away every thing, fell down upon their faces, rather buried


+  under than sheltered by their coverings; and so extreme an intensity of cold


+  succeeded, that when each wished to raise and lift himself from that wretched


+  heap of men and beasts of burden, he was for a long time unable, because their


+  sinews being stiffened by the cold, they had great difficulty in bending their


+  joints. Afterwards, when, by continually moving themselves to and fro, they


+  succeeded in recovering the power of motion, and regained their spirits, and


+  fires began to be kindled in a few places, every helpless man had recourse to


+  the aid of others. They remained as if blockaded for two days in that place.


+  Many men and beasts of burden, and also seven elephants, of those which had


+  remained from the battle fought at the Trebia, were destroyed. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">59 </div>


+<a id="c59" />


+<p>Having descended from the Apennines, he moved his camp back towards Placentia,


+  and having proceeded as far as ten miles, took up his station. On the following


+  day he leads out twelve thousand infantry and five thousand cavalry against


+  the enemy. Nor did Sempronius the consul (for he had now returned from Rome)


+  decline the engagement; and during that day three miles intervened between the


+  two camps. On the following day they fought with amazing courage and various


+  success. At the first onset the Roman power was so superior, that they not only


+  conquered the enemy in the regular battle, but pursued them when driven back


+  quite into their camp, and soon after also assaulted it. Hannibal, having stationed


+  a few to defend the rampart and the gates, and having admitted the rest in close


+  array into the middle of the camp orders them to watch attentively the signal


+  for sallying out. It was now about the ninth hour of the day when the Roman,


+  having fatigued his soldiers to no purpose, after there was no hope of gaining


+  possession of the camp, gave the signal for retreat; which when Hannibal heard,


+  and saw that the attack was slackened, and that they were retreating from the


+  camp, instantly having sent out the cavalry on the right and left against the


+  enemy, he himself in the middle with the main force of the infantry rushed out


+  from the camp. Seldom has there been a combat more furious, and few would have


+  been more remarkable for the loss on both sides, if the day had suffered it


+  to continue for a longer time. Night broke off the battle when raging most from


+  the determined spirit of the combatants. The conflict therefore was more severe


+  than the slaughter: and as it was pretty much a drawn battle, they separated


+  with equal loss. On neither side fell more than six hundred infantry, and half


+  that number of cavalry. But the loss of the Romans was more severe than proportionate


+  to the number that fell, because several of equestrian rank, and five tribunes


+  of the soldiers, and three prefects of the allies were slain. After this battle


+  Hannibal retired to the territory of the Ligurians, and Sempronius to Luca.


+  Two Roman quaestors, Caius Fulvius and Lucius Lucretius, who had been treacherously


+  intercepted, with two military tribunes and five of the equestrian order, mostly


+  sons of senators, are delivered up to Hannibal when coming among the Ligurians,


+  in order that he might feel more convinced that the peace and alliance with


+  them would be binding. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">60 </div>


+<a id="c60" />


+<p>While these things are transacting in Italy, Cneius Cornelius Scipio having


+  been sent into Spain with a fleet and army, when, setting out from the mouth


+  of the Rhone, and sailing past the Pyrenaean mountains, he had moored his fleet


+  at Emporiae, having there landed his army, and beginning with the Lacetani,


+  he brought the whole coast, as far as the river Iberus, under the Roman dominion,


+  partly by renewing the old, and partly by forming new alliances. The reputation


+  for clemency, acquired by these means, had influence not only with the maritime


+  states, but now also with the more savage tribes in the inland and mountainous


+  districts; nor was peace only effected with them, but also an alliance of arms,


+  and several fine cohorts of auxiliaries were levied from their numbers. The


+  country on this side of the Iberus was the province of Hanno, whom Hannibal


+  had left to defend that region. He, therefore, judging that he ought to make


+  opposition, before every thing was alienated from him, having pitched his camp


+  in sight of the enemy, led out his forces in battle-array; nor did it appear


+  to the Roman, that the engagement ought to be deferred, as he knew that he must


+  fight with Hanno and Hasdrubal, and wished rather to contend against each of


+  them separately, than against both together. The conflict did not prove one


+  of great difficulty; six thousand of the enemy were slain, and two thousand


+  made prisoners, together with the guard of the camp; for both the camp was stormed,


+  and the general himself, with several of the chief officers, taken; and Scissis,


+  a town near the camp, was also carried by assault. But the spoil of this town


+  consisted of things of small value, such as the household furniture used by


+  barbarians and slaves that were worth little. The camp enriched the soldiers;


+  almost all the valuable effects, not only of that army which was conquered,


+  but of that which was serving with Hannibal in Italy, having been left on this


+  side the Pyrenees, that the baggage might not be cumbrous to those who conveyed


+  it. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">61 </div>


+<a id="c61" />


+<p>Before any certain news of this disaster arrived, Hasdrubal, having passed


+  the Iberus with eight thousand foot and a thousand horse, intending to meet


+  the Romans on their first approach, after he heard of the ruin of their affairs


+  at Scissis, and the loss of the camp, turned his route towards the sea. Not


+  far from Tarraco, having despatched his cavalry in various directions, he drove


+  to their ships, with great slaughter, and greater route, the soldiers belonging


+  to the fleet and the mariners, while scattered and wandering through the fields


+  (for it is usually the case that success produces negligence), but not daring


+  to remain longer in that quarter, lest he should be surprised by Scipio, he


+  withdrew to the other side of the Iberus. And Scipio, having quickly brought


+  up his army on the report of fresh enemies, after punishing a few captains of


+  ships and leaving a moderate garrison at Tarraco, returned with his fleet to


+  Emporiae. He had scarcely departed, when Hasdrubal came up, and having instigated


+  to a revolt the state of the Ilergetes, which had given hostages to Scipio,


+  he lays waste, with the youth of that very people, the lands of the faithful


+  allies of the Romans. Scipio being thereupon roused from his winter quarters,


+  Hasdrubal again retires from in all the country on this side the Iberus. Scipio,


+  when with a hostile army he had invaded the state of the Ilergetes, forsaken


+  by the author of their revolt, and having driven them all into Athanagia, which


+  was the capital of that nation laid siege to the city; and within a few days,


+  having imposed the delivery of more hostages than before, and also fined the


+  Ilergetes in a sum of money, he received them back into his authority and dominion.


+  He then proceeded against the Ausetani near the Iberus, who were also the allies


+  of the Carthaginians; and having laid siege to their city, he cut off by an


+  ambuscade the Lacetani, while bringing assistance by night to their neighbours,


+  having attacked them at a small distance from the city, as they were designing


+  to enter it. As many as twelve thousand were slain; the rest, nearly all without


+  their arms, escaped home, by dispersing through the country in every direction.


+  Nor did any thing else but the winter, which was unfavourable to the besiegers,


+  secure the besieged. The blockade continued for thirty days, during which the


+  snow scarce ever lay less deep than four feet; and it had covered to such a


+  degree the sheds and mantelets of the Romans, that it alone served as a defence


+  when fire was frequently thrown on them by the enemy. At last, when Amusitus,


+  their leader, had fled to Hasdrubal, they are surrendered, on condition of paying


+  twenty talents of silver. They then returned into winter quarters at Tarraco.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">62 </div>


+<a id="c62" />


+<p>At Rome during this winter many prodigies either occurred about the city, or,


+  as usually happens when the minds of men are once inclined to superstition,


+  many were reported and readily believed; among which it was said that an infant


+  of good family, only six months old, had called out "Io triumphe" in the herb


+  market: that in the cattle market an ox had of his own accord ascended to the


+  third story, and that thence, being frightened by the noise of the inhabitants,


+  had flung himself down; that the appearance of ships had been brightly visible


+  in the sky, and that the temple of Hope in the herb market had been struck by


+  lightning; that the spear at Lanuvium had shaken itself; that a crow had flown


+  down into the temple of Juno and alighted on the very couch; that in the territory


+  of Amiternum figures resembling men dressed in white raiment had been seen in


+  several places at a distance, but had not come close to any one; that in Picenum


+  it had rained stones; that at Caere the tablets for divination had been lessened


+  in size; and that in Gaul a wolf had snatched out the sword from the scabbard


+  of a soldier on guard, and carried it off. On account of the other prodigies


+  the decemvirs were ordered to consult the books; but on account of its having


+  rained stones in Picenum the festival of nine days was proclaimed, and almost


+  all the state was occupied in expiating the rest, from time to time. First of


+  all the city was purified, and victims of the greater kind were sacrificed to


+  those gods to whom they were directed to be offered; and a gift of forty pounds'


+  weight of gold was carried to the temple of Juno at Lanuvium; and the matrons


+  dedicated a brazen statue to Juno on the Aventine; and a lectisternium was ordered


+  at Caere, where the tablets for divination had diminished; and a supplication


+  to Fortune at Algidum; at Rome also a lectisternium was ordered to Youth, and


+  a supplication at the temple of Hercules, first by individuals named and afterwards


+  by the whole people at all the shrines; five greater victims were offered to


+  Genius; and Caius Atilius Serranus the praetor was ordered to make certain vows


+  if the republic should remain in the same state for ten years. These things,


+  thus expiated and vowed according to the Sibylline books, relieved, in a great


+  degree, the public mind from superstitious fears. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">63 </div>


+<a id="c63" />


+<p>Flaminius, one of the consuls elect, to whom the legions which were wintering


+  at Placentia had fallen by lot, sent an edict and letter to the consul, desiring


+  that those forces should be ready in camp at Ariminum on the ides of March.


+  He had a design to enter on the consulship in his province, recollecting his


+  old contests with the fathers, which he had waged with them when tribune of


+  the people, and afterwards when consul, first about his election to the office,


+  which was annulled, and then about a triumph. He was also odious to the fathers


+  on account of a new law which Quintus Claudius, tribune of the people, had carried


+  against the senate, Caius Flaminius alone of that body assisting him, that no


+  senator, or he who had been father of a senator, should possess a ship fit for


+  sea service, containing more than three hundred amphorae. This size was considered


+  sufficient for conveying the produce of their lands: all traffic appeared unbecoming


+  a senator. This contest, maintained with the warmest opposition, procured the


+  hatred of the nobility to Flaminius, the advocate of the law; but the favour


+  of the people, and afterwards a second consulship. For these reasons, thinking


+  that they would detain him in the city by falsifying the auspices, by the delay


+  of the Latin festival, and other hinderances to which a consul was liable, he


+  pretended a journey, and, while yet in a private capacity, departed secretly


+  to his province. This proceeding, when it was made public, excited new and additional


+  anger in the senators, who were before irritated against him. They said, "That


+  Caius Flaminius waged war not only with the senate, but now with the immortal


+  gods; that having been formerly made consul without the proper auspices, he


+  had disobeyed both gods and men recalling him from the very field of battle;


+  and now, through consciousness of their having been dishonoured, had shunned


+  the Capitol and the customary offering of vows, that he might not on the day


+  of entering his office approach the temple of Jupiter, the best and greatest


+  of gods; he might not see and consult the senate, himself hated by it, as it


+  was hateful to him alone; that he might not proclaim the Latin festival, or


+  perform on the Alban mount the customary rights to Jupiter Latiaris; that he


+  might not, under the direction of the auspices, go up to the Capitol to recite


+  his vows, and thence, attended by the lictors, proceed to his province in the


+  garb of a general; but that he had set off, like some camp boy, without his


+  insignia, without the lictors, in secrecy and stealth, just as if he had been


+  quitting his country to go into banishment; as if forsooth he would enter his


+  office more consistently with the dignity of the consul at Ariminum than Rome,


+  and assume the robe of office in a public inn better than before his own household


+  gods."--it was unanimously resolved that he, should be recalled and brought


+  back, and be constrained to perform in person every duty to gods and men before


+  he went to the army and the province. Quintus Terentius and Marcus Antistius


+  having set out on this embassy, (for it was decreed that ambassadors should


+  be sent,) prevailed with him in no degree more than the letter sent by the senate


+  in his former consulship. A few days after he entered on his office, and as


+  he was sacrificing a calf, after being struck, having broken away from the hands


+  of the ministers, sprinkled several of the bystanders with its blood. Flight


+  and disorder ensued, to a still greater degree at a distance among those who


+  were ignorant what was the cause of the alarm. This circumstance was regarded


+  by most persons as an omen of great terror. Having then received two legions


+  from Sempronius, the consul of the former year, and two from Caius Atilius,


+  the praetor, the army began to be led into Etruria, through the passes of the


+  Apennines. </p>


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book22">BOOK XXII.</div>


+<div class="date">B.C. 217-216</div>


+<br />


+<div class="chapmen"><a href="#d1">1</a> <a href="#d2">2</a> <a href="#d3">3</a>


+  <a href="#d4">4</a> <a href="#d5">5</a> <a href="#d6">6</a> <a href="#d7">7</a>


+  <a href="#d8">8</a> <a href="#d9">9</a> <a href="#d10">10</a> <a href="#d11">11</a>


+  <a href="#d12">12</a> <a href="#d13">13</a> <a href="#d14">14</a> <a href="#d15">15</a>


+  <a href="#d16">16</a> <a href="#d17">17</a> <a href="#d18">18</a> <a href="#d19">19</a>


+  <a href="#d20">20</a> <a href="#d21">21</a> <a href="#d22">22</a> <a href="#d23">23</a>


+  <a href="#d24">24</a> <a href="#d25">25</a> <a href="#d26">26</a> <a href="#d27">27</a>


+  <a href="#d28">28</a> <a href="#d29">29</a> <a href="#d30">30</a> <a href="#d31">31</a>


+  <a href="#d32">32</a> <a href="#d33">33</a> <a href="#d34">34</a> <a href="#d35">35</a>


+  <a href="#d36">36</a> <a href="#d37">37</a> <a href="#d38">38</a> <a href="#d39">39</a>


+  <a href="#d40">40</a> <a href="#d41">41</a> <a href="#d42">42</a> <a href="#d43">43</a>


+  <a href="#d44">44</a> <a href="#d45">45</a> <a href="#d46">46</a> <a href="#d47">47</a>


+  <a href="#d48">48</a> <a href="#d49">49</a> <a href="#d50">50</a> <a href="#d51">51</a>


+  <a href="#d52">52</a> <a href="#d53">53</a> <a href="#d54">54</a> <a href="#d55">55</a>


+  <a href="#d56">56</a> <a href="#d57">57</a> <a href="#d58">58</a> <a href="#d59">59</a>


+  <a href="#d60">60</a> <a href="#d61">61</a></div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes"><i>Hannibal, after an uninterrupted march of four days and


+  three nights, arrives in Etruria, through the marshes, in which he lost an eye.


+  Caius Flaminius, the consul, an inconsiderate man, having gone forth in opposition


+  to the omens, dug up the standards which could not otherwise be raised, and


+  been thrown from his horse immediately after he had mounted, is insnared by


+  Hannibal, and cut off by his army near the Thrasimene lake. Three thousand who


+  had escaped are placed in chains by Hannibal, in violation of pledges given.


+  Distress occasioned in Rome by the intelligence. The Sibylline books consulted,


+  and a sacred spring decreed. Fabius Maximus sent as dictator against Hannibal,


+  whom he frustrates by caution and delay. Marcus Minucius, the master of the


+  horse, a rash and impetuous man, inveighs against the caution of Fabius, and


+  obtains an equality of command with him. The army is divided between them, and


+  Minucius engaging Hannibal in an unfavourable position, is reduced to the extremity


+  of danger, and is rescued by the dictator, and places himself under his authority.


+  Hannibal, after ravaging Campania, is shut up by Fabius in a valley near the


+  town of Casilinum, but escapes by night, putting to flight the Romans on guard


+  by oxen with lighted faggots attached to their horns. Hannibal attempts to excite


+  a suspicion of the fidelity of Fabius by sparing his farm while ravaging with


+  fire the whole country around it. Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro are routed


+  at Cannae, and forty thousand men slain, among whom were Paulus the consul,


+  eighty senators, and thirty who had served the office of consul, praetor, or


+  edile. A design projected by some noble youths of quitting Italy in despair


+  after this calamity, is intrepidly quashed by Publius Cornelius Scipio, a military


+  tribune, afterwards surnamed Africanus. Successes in Spain, eight thousand slaves


+  are enlisted by the Romans, they refuse to ransom the captives, they go out


+  in a body to meet Varro, and thank him for not having despaired of the commonwealth.</i></div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="lsidenote">1 </div>


+<a id="d1" />


+<p>Spring was now at hand, when Hannibal quitted his winter quarters, having both


+  attempted in vain to cross the Apennines, from the intolerable cold, and having


+  remained with great danger and alarm. The Gauls, whom the hope of plunder and


+  spoil had collected, when, instead of being themselves engaged in carrying and


+  driving away booty from the lands of others, they saw their own lands made the


+  seat of war and burdened by the wintering of the armies of both forces, turned


+  their hatred back again from the Romans to Hannibal; and though plots were frequently


+  concerted against him by their chieftains, he was preserved by the treachery


+  they manifested towards each other; disclosing their conspiracy with the same


+  inconstancy with which they had conspired; and by changing sometimes his dress,


+  at other times the fashion of his hair, he protected himself from treachery


+  by deception. However, this fear was the cause of his more speedily quitting


+  his winter quarters. Meanwhile Cneius Servilius, the consul, entered upon his


+  office at Rome, on the ides of March. There, when he had consulted the senate


+  on the state of the republic in general, the indignation against Flaminius was


+  rekindled. They said "that they had created indeed two consuls, that they had


+  but one; for what regular authority had the other, or what auspices? That their


+  magistrates took these with them from home, from the tutelar deities of themselves


+  and the state, after the celebration of the Latin holidays; the sacrifice upon


+  the mountain being completed, and the vows duly offered up in the Capitol: that


+  neither could an unofficial individual take the auspices, nor could one who


+  had gone from home without them, take them new, and for the first time, in a


+  foreign soil." Prodigies announced from many places at the same time, augmented


+  the terror: in Sicily, that several darts belonging to the soldiers had taken


+  fire; and in Sardinia, that the staff of a horseman, who was going his rounds


+  upon a wall, took fire as he held it in his hand; that the shores had blazed


+  with frequent fires; that two shields had sweated blood at Praeneste; that redhot


+  stones had fallen from the heavens at Arpi; that shields were seen in the heavens,


+  and the sun fighting with the moon, at Capena; that two moons rose in the day-time;


+  that the waters of Caere had flowed mixed with blood; and that even the fountain


+  of Hercules had flowed sprinkled with spots of blood. In the territory of Antium,


+  that bloody ears of corn had fallen into the basket as they were reaping. At


+  Falerii, that the heavens appeared cleft as if with a great chasm; and, that


+  where it had opened, a vast light had shone forth; that the prophetic tablets


+  had spontaneously become less; and that one had fallen out thus inscribed, "Mars


+  shakes his spear." During the same time, that the statue of Mars at Rome, on


+  the Appian way, had sweated at the sight of images of wolves. At Capua that


+  there had been the appearance of the heavens being on fire, and of the moon


+  as falling amidst rain. After these, credence was given to prodigies of less


+  magnitude: that the goats of certain persons had borne wool; that a hen had


+  changed herself into a cock; and a cock into a hen: these things having been


+  laid before the senate as reported, the authors being conducted into the senate-house,


+  the consul took the sense of the fathers on religious affairs. It was decreed


+  that those prodigies should be expiated, partly with full-grown, partly with


+  sucking victims; and that a supplication should be made at every shrine for


+  the space of three days; that the other things should be done accordingly as


+  the gods should declare in their oracles to be agreeable to their will when


+  the decemviri had examined the books. By the advice of the decemviri it was


+  decreed, first, that a golden thunderbolt of fifty pounds' weight should be


+  made as an offering to Jupiter; that offerings of silver should be presented


+  to Juno and Minerva; that sacrifices of full-grown victims should be offered


+  to Juno Regina on the Aventine; and to Juno Sospita at Lanuvium; that the matrons,


+  contributing as much money as might be convenient to each, should carry it to


+  the Aventine, as a present to Juno Regina; and that a lectisternium should be


+  celebrated. Moreover, that the very freed-women should, according to their means,


+  contribute money from which a present might be made to Feronia. When these things


+  were done, the decemviri sacrificed with the larger victims in the forum at


+  Ardea. Lastly, it being now the month of December, a sacrifice was made at the


+  temple of Saturn at Rome, and a lectisternium ordered, in which senators prepared


+  the couch and a public banquet. Proclamation was made through the city, that


+  the Saturnalia should be kept for a day and a night; and the people were commanded


+  to account that day as a holiday, and observe it for ever. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">2 </div>


+<a id="d2" />


+<p>While the consul employs himself at Rome in appeasing the gods and holding


+  the levy, Hannibal, setting out from his winter quarters, because it was reported


+  that the consul Flaminius had now arrived at Arretium, although a longer but


+  more commodious route was pointed out to him, takes the nearer road through


+  a marsh where the Arno had, more than usual, overflowed its banks. He ordered


+  the Spaniards and Africans (in these lay the strength of his veteran army) to


+  lead, their own baggage being intermixed with them, lest, being compelled to


+  halt any where, they should want what might be necessary for their use: the


+  Gauls he ordered to go next, that they might form the middle of the marching


+  body; the cavalry to march in the rear: next, Mago with the light-armed Numidians


+  to keep the army together, particularly coercing the Gauls, if, fatigued with


+  exertion and the length of the march, as that nation is wanting in vigour for


+  such exertions, they should fall away or halt. The van still followed the standards


+  wherever the guides did but lead them, through the exceeding deep and almost


+  fathomless eddies of the river, nearly swallowed up in mud, and plunging themselves


+  in. The Gauls could neither support themselves when fallen, nor raise themselves


+  from the eddies. Nor did they sustain their bodies with spirit, nor their minds


+  with hope; some scarce dragging on their wearied limbs; others dying where they


+  had once fallen, their spirits being subdued with fatigue, among the beasts


+  which themselves also lay prostrate in every place. But chiefly watching wore


+  them out, endured now for four days and three nights. When, the water covering


+  every place, not a dry spot could be found where they might stretch their weary


+  bodies, they laid themselves down upon their baggage, thrown in heaps into the


+  waters. Piles of beasts, which lay every where through the whole route, afforded


+  a necessary bed for temporary repose to those seeking any place which was not


+  under water. Hannibal himself, riding on the only remaining elephant, to be


+  the higher from the water, contracted a disorder in his eyes, at first from


+  the unwholesomeness of the vernal air, which is attended with transitions from


+  heat to cold; and at length from watching, nocturnal damps, the marshy atmosphere


+  disordering his head, and because he had neither opportunity nor leisure for


+  remedies, loses one of them. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">3 </div>


+<a id="d3" />


+<p>Many men and cattle having been lost thus wretchedly, when at length he had


+  emerged from the marshes, he pitched his camp as soon as he could on dry ground.


+  And here he received information, through the scouts sent in advance, that the


+  Roman army was round the walls of Arretium. Next the plans and temper of the


+  consul, the situation of the country, the roads, the sources from which provisions


+  might be obtained, and whatever else it was useful to know; all these things


+  he ascertained by the most diligent inquiry. The country was among the most


+  fertile of Italy, the plain of Etruria, between Faesulae and Arretium, abundant


+  in its supply of corn, cattle, and every other requisite. The consul was haughty


+  from his former consulship, and felt no proper degree of reverence not only


+  for the laws and the majesty of the fathers, but even for the gods. This temerity,


+  inherent in his nature, fortune had fostered by a career of prosperity and success


+  in civil and military affairs. Thus it was sufficiently evident that, heedless


+  of gods and men, he would act in all cases with presumption and precipitation;


+  and, that he might fall the more readily into the errors natural to him, the


+  Carthaginian begins to fret and irritate him; and leaving the enemy on his left,


+  he takes the road to Faesulae, and marching through the centre of Etruria, with


+  intent to plunder, he exhibits to the consul, in the distance, the greatest


+  devastation he could with fires and slaughters. Flaminius, who would not have


+  rested even if the enemy had remained quiet; then, indeed, when he saw the property


+  of the allies driven and carried away almost before his eyes, considering that


+  it reflected disgrace upon him that the Carthaginian now roaming at large through


+  the heart of Italy, and marching without resistance to storm the very walls


+  of Rome, though every other person in the council advised safe rather than showy


+  measures, urging that he should wait for his colleague, in order that, joining


+  their armies, they might carry on the war with united courage and counsels;


+  and that, meanwhile, the enemy should be prevented from his unrestrained freedom


+  in plundering by the cavalry and the light-armed auxiliaries; in a fury hurried


+  out of the council, and at once gave out the signal for marching and for battle.


+  "Nay, rather," says he, "let him be before the walls of Arretium, for here is


+  our country, here our household gods. Let Hannibal, slipping through our fingers,


+  waste Italy through and through; and, ravaging and burning every thing, let


+  him arrive at the walls of Rome; let us move hence till the fathers shall have


+  summoned Flaminius from Arretium, as they did Camillus of old from Veii." While


+  reproaching them thus, and in the act of ordering the standards to be speedily


+  pulled up, when he had mounted upon his horse, the animal fell suddenly, and


+  threw the unseated consul over his head. All the bystanders being alarmed at


+  this as an unhappy omen in the commencement of the affair, in addition word


+  is brought, that the standard could not be pulled up, though, the standard-bearer


+  strove with all his force. Flaminius, turning to the messenger, says, "Do you


+  bring, too, letters from the senate, forbidding me to act. Go, tell them to


+  dig up the standard, if, through fear, their hands are so benumbed that they


+  cannot pluck it up." Then the army began to march; the chief officers, besides


+  that they dissented from the plan, being terrified by the twofold prodigy; while


+  the soldiery in general were elated by the confidence of their leader, since


+  they regarded merely the hope he entertained, and not the reasons of the hope.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">4 </div>


+<a id="d4" />


+<p>Hannibal lays waste the country between the city Cortona and the lake Trasimenus,


+  with all the devastation of war, the more to exasperate the enemy to revenge


+  the injuries inflicted on his allies. They had now reached a place formed by


+  nature for an ambuscade, where the Trasimenus comes nearest to the mountains


+  of Cortona. A very narrow passage only intervenes, as though room enough just


+  for that purpose had been left designedly; after that a somewhat wider plain


+  opens itself, and then some hills rise up. On these he pitches his camp, in


+  full view, where he himself with his Spaniards and Africans only might be posted.


+  The Baliares and his other light troops he leads round the mountains; his cavalry


+  he posts at the very entrance of the defile, some eminences conveniently concealing


+  them; in order that when the Romans had entered, the cavalry advancing, every


+  place might be enclosed by the lake and the mountains. Flaminius, passing the


+  defiles before it was quite daylight, without reconnoitering, though he had


+  arrived at the lake the preceding day at sunset, when the troops began to be


+  spread into the wider plain, saw that part only of the enemy which was opposite


+  to him; the ambuscade in his rear and overhead escaped his notice. And when


+  the Carthaginian had his enemy enclosed by the lake and mountains, and surrounded


+  by his troops, he gives the signal to all to make a simultaneous charge; and


+  each running down the nearest way, the suddenness and unexpectedness of the


+  event was increased to the Romans by a mist rising from the lake, which had


+  settled thicker on the plain than on the mountains; and thus the troops of the


+  enemy ran down from the various eminences, sufficiently well discerning each


+  other, and therefore with the greater regularity. A shout being raised on all


+  sides, the Roman found himself surrounded before he could well see the enemy;


+  and the attack on the front and flank had commenced ere his line could be well


+  formed, his arms prepared for action, or his swords unsheathed. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">5 </div>


+<a id="d5" />


+<p>The consul, while all were panic-struck, himself sufficiently undaunted though


+  in so perilous a case, marshals, as well as the time and place permitted, the


+  lines which were thrown into confusion by each man's turning himself towards


+  the various shouts; and wherever he could approach or be heard exhorts them,


+  and bids them stand and fight: for that they could not escape thence by vows


+  and prayers to the gods but by exertion and valour; that a way was sometimes


+  opened by the sword through the midst of marshalled armies, and that generally


+  the less the fear the less the danger. However, from the noise and tumult, neither


+  his advice nor command could be caught; and so far were the soldiers from knowing


+  their own standards, and ranks, and position, that they had scarce sufficient


+  courage to take up arms and make them ready for battle; and certain of them


+  were surprised before they could prepare them, being burdened rather than protected


+  by them; while in so great darkness there was more use of ears than of eyes.


+  They turned their faces and eyes in every direction towards the groans of the


+  wounded, the sounds of blows upon the body or arms, and the mingled clamours


+  of the menacing and the affrighted. Some, as they were making their escape,


+  were stopped, having encountered a body of men engaged in fight; and bands of


+  fugitives returning to the battle, diverted others. After charges had been attempted


+  unsuccessfully in every direction, and on their flanks the mountains and the


+  lake, on the front and rear the lines of the enemy enclosed them, when it was


+  evident that there was no hope of safety but in the right hand and the sword;


+  then each man became to himself a leader, and encourager to action; and an entirely


+  new contest arose, not a regular line, with principes, hastati, and triarii;


+  nor of such a sort as that the vanguard should fight before the standards, and


+  the rest of the troops behind them; nor such that each soldier should be in


+  his own legion, cohort, or company: chance collects them into bands; and each


+  man's own will assigned to him his post, whether to fight in front or rear;


+  and so great was the ardour of the conflict, so intent were their minds upon


+  the battle, that not one of the combatants felt an earthquake which threw down


+  large portions of many of the cities of Italy, turned rivers from their rapid


+  courses, carried the sea up into rivers, and levelled mountains with a tremendous


+  crash. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">6 </div>


+<a id="d6" />


+<p>The battle was continued near three hours, and in every quarter with fierceness;


+  around the consul, however, it was still hotter and more determined. Both the


+  strongest of the troops, and himself too, promptly brought assistance wherever


+  he perceived his men hard pressed and distressed. But, distinguished by his


+  armour, the enemy attacked him with the utmost vigour, while his countrymen


+  defended him; until an Insubrian horseman, named Ducarius, knowing him also


+  by his face, says to his countrymen, "Lo, this is the consul who slew our legions


+  and laid waste our fields and city. Now will I offer this victim to the shades


+  of my countrymen, miserably slain;" and putting spurs to his horse, he rushes


+  through a very dense body of the enemy; and first slaying his armour-bearer,


+  who had opposed himself to his attack as he approached, ran the consul through


+  with his lance; the triarii, opposing their shields, kept him off when seeking


+  to despoil him. Then first the flight of a great number began; and now neither


+  the lake nor the mountains obstructed their hurried retreat; they run through


+  all places, confined and precipitous, as though they were blind; and arms and


+  men are tumbled one upon another. A great many, when there remained no more


+  space to run, advancing into the water through the first shallows of the lake,


+  plunge in, as far as they could stand above it with their heads and shoulders.


+  Some there were whom inconsiderate fear induced to try to escape even by swimming;


+  but as that attempt was inordinate and hopeless, they were either overwhelmed


+  in the deep water, their courage failing, or, wearied to no purpose, made their


+  way back, with extreme difficulty, to the shallows; and there were cut up on


+  all hands by the cavalry of the enemy, which had entered the water. Near upon


+  six thousand of the foremost body having gallantly forced their way through


+  the opposing enemy, entirely unacquainted with what was occurring in their rear,


+  escaped from the defile; and having halted on a certain rising ground, and hearing


+  only the shouting and clashing of arms, they could not know nor discern, by


+  reason of the mist, what was the fortune of the battle. At length, the affair


+  being decided, when the mist, dispelled by the increasing heat of the sun, had


+  cleared the atmosphere, then, in the clear light, the mountains and plains showed


+  their ruin and the Roman army miserably destroyed; and thus, lest, being descried


+  at a distance, the cavalry should be sent against them, hastily snatching up


+  their standards, they hurried away with all possible expedition. On the following


+  day, when in addition to their extreme sufferings in other respects, famine


+  also was at hand, Maharbal, who had followed them during the night with the


+  whole body of cavalry, pledging his honour that he would let them depart with


+  single garments, if they would deliver up their arms, they surrendered themselves;


+  which promise was kept by Hannibal with Punic fidelity, and he threw them all


+  into chains. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">7 </div>


+<a id="d7" />


+<p>This is the celebrated battle at the Trasimenus, and recorded among the few


+  disasters of the Roman people. Fifteen thousand Romans were slain in the battle.


+  Ten thousand, who had been scattered in the flight through all Etruria, returned


+  to the city by different roads. One thousand five hundred of the enemy perished


+  in the battle; many on both sides died afterwards of their wounds. The carnage


+  on both sides is related, by some authors, to have been many times greater.


+  I, besides that I would relate nothing drawn from a worthless source, to which


+  the minds of historians generally incline too much, have as my chief authority


+  Fabius, who was contemporary with the events of this war. Such of the captives


+  as belonged to the Latin confederacy being dismissed without ransom, and the


+  Romans thrown into chains, Hannibal ordered the bodies of his own men to be


+  gathered from the heaps of the enemy, and buried: the body of Flaminius too,


+  which was searched for with great diligence for burial, he could not find. On


+  the first intelligence of this defeat at Rome, a concourse of the people, dismayed


+  and terrified, took place in the forum. The matrons, wandering through the streets,


+  ask all they meet, what sudden disaster was reported? what was the fate of the


+  army? And when the multitude, like a full assembly, having directed their course


+  to the comitium and senate-house, were calling upon the magistrates, at length,


+  a little before sunset, Marcus Pomponius, the praetor, declares, "We have been


+  defeated in a great battle;" and though nothing more definite was heard from


+  him, yet, full of the rumours which they had caught one from another, they carry


+  back to their homes intelligence, that the consul, with a great part of his


+  troops, was slain; that a few only survived, and these either widely dispersed


+  in flight through Etruria, or else captured by the enemy. As many as had been


+  the calamities of the vanquished army, into so many anxieties were the minds


+  of those distracted whose relations had served under Flaminius, and who were


+  uninformed of what had been the fate of their friends, nor does any one know


+  certainly what he should either hope or fear. During the next and several successive


+  days, a greater number of women almost than men stood at the gates, waiting


+  either for some one of their friends or for intelligence of them, surrounding


+  and earnestly interrogating those they met: nor could they be torn away from


+  those they knew especially, until they had regularly inquired into every thing.


+  Then as they retired from the informants you might discern their various expressions


+  of countenance according as intelligence, pleasing or sad, was announced to


+  each; and those who congratulated or condoled on their return home. The joy


+  and grief of the women were especially manifested. They report that one, suddenly


+  meeting her son, who had returned safe, expired at the very door before his


+  face--that another, who sat grieving at her house at the falsely reported death


+  of her son, became a corpse, from excessive joy, at the first sight of him on


+  his return. The praetors detained the senators in the house for several days


+  from sunrise to sunset, deliberating under whose conduct and by what forces,


+  the victorious Carthaginians could be opposed. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">8 </div>


+<a id="d8" />


+<p>Before their plans were sufficiently determined another unexpected defeat is


+  reported: four thousand horse, sent under the conduct of C. Centenius, propraetor,


+  by Servilius to his colleague, were cut off by Hannibal in Umbria, to which


+  place, on hearing of the battle at Trasimenus, they had turned their course.


+  The report of this event variously affected the people. Some, having their minds


+  preoccupied with heavier grief, considered the recent loss of cavalry trifling,


+  in comparison with their former losses; others did not estimate what had occurred


+  by itself, but considered that, as in a body already labouring under disease,


+  a slight cause would be felt more violently than a more powerful one in a robust


+  constitution, so whatever adverse event befell the state in its then sickly


+  and impaired condition, ought to be estimated, not by the magnitude of the event


+  itself, but with reference to its exhausted strength, which could endure nothing


+  that could oppress it. The state therefore took refuge in a remedy for a long


+  time before neither wanted nor employed, the appointment of a dictator, and


+  because the consul was absent, by whom alone it appeared he could be nominated,


+  and because neither message nor letter could easily be sent to him through the


+  country occupied by Punic troops, and because the people could not appoint a


+  dictator, which had never been done to that day, the people created Quintus


+  Fabius Maximus pro dictator, and Marcus Minucius Rufus master of the horse.


+  To them the senate assigned the task of strengthening the walls and towers of


+  the city, of placing guards in such quarters as seemed good, and breaking down


+  the bridges of the river, considering that they must now fight at home in defence


+  of their city, since they were unable to protect Italy. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">9 </div>


+<a id="d9" />


+<p>Hannibal, marching directly through Umbria, arrived at Spoletum, thence, having


+  completely devastated the adjoining country, and commenced an assault upon the


+  city, having been repulsed with great loss and conjecturing from the strength


+  of this one colony, which had been not very successfully attacked, what was


+  the size of the city of Rome, turned aside into the territory of Picenum, which


+  abounded not only with every species of grain, but was stored with booty, which


+  his rapacious and needy troops eagerly seized. There he continued encamped for


+  several days, and his soldiers were refreshed, who had been enfeebled by winter


+  marches and marshy ground, and with a battle more successful in its result than


+  light or easy. When sufficient time for rest had been granted for soldiers delighting


+  more in plunder and devastation than ease and repose, setting out, he lays waste


+  the territories of Pretutia and Hadria, then of the Marsi, the Marrucini, and


+  the Peligni, and the contiguous region of Apulia around Arpi and Luceria. Cneius


+  Servilius, the consul, having fought some slight battles with the Gauls, and


+  taken one inconsiderable town, when he heard of the defeat of his colleague


+  and the army, alarmed now for the walls of the capital, marched towards the


+  city, that he might not be absent at so extreme a crisis. Quintus Fabius Maximus,


+  a second time dictator, assembled the senate the very day he entered on his


+  office; and commencing with what related to the gods, after he had distinctly


+  proved to the fathers, that Caius Flaminius had erred more from neglect of the


+  ceremonies and auspices than from temerity and want of judgment, and that the


+  gods themselves should be consulted as to what were the expiations of their


+  anger, he obtained a resolution that the decemviri should be ordered to inspect


+  the Sibylline books, which is rarely decreed, except when some horrid prodigies


+  were announced. Having inspected the prophetic books, they reported, that the


+  vow which was made to Mars on account of this war, not having been regularly


+  fulfilled, must be performed afresh and more fully; that the great games must


+  be vowed to Jupiter, temples to Venus Erycina and Mens; that a supplication


+  and lectisternium must be made, and a sacred spring vowed, if the war should


+  proceed favourably and the state continue the condition it was in before the


+  war. Since the management of the war would occupy Fabius, the senate orders


+  Marcus Aemilius, the praetor, to see that all these things are done in good


+  time, according to the directions of the college of pontiffs. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">10 </div>


+<a id="d10" />


+<p>These decrees of the senate having been passed, Lucius Cornelius Lentulus,


+  pontifex maximus, the college of praetors consulting with him, gives his opinion


+  that, first of all, the people should be consulted respecting a sacred spring:


+  that it could not be without the order of the people. The people having been


+  asked according to this form: Do ye will and order that this thing should be


+  performed in this manner? If the republic of the Roman people, the Quirites,


+  shall be safe and preserved as I wish it may, from these wars for the next five


+  years, (the war which is between the Roman people and the Carthaginian, and


+  the wars which are with the Cisalpine Gauls), the Roman people, the Quirites,


+  shall present whatsoever the spring shall produce from herds of swine, sheep,


+  goats, oxen and which shall not have been consecrated, to be sacrificed to Jupiter,


+  from the day which the senate and people shall appoint. Let him who shall make


+  an offering do it when he please, and in what manner he please; in whatsoever


+  manner he does it, let it be considered duly done. If that which ought to be


+  sacrificed die, let it be unconsecrated, and let no guilt attach; if any one


+  unwittingly wound or kill it, let it be no injury to him; if any one shall steal


+  it, let no guilt attach to the people or to him from whom it was stolen; if


+  any one shall unwittingly offer it on a forbidden day, let it be esteemed duly


+  offered; also whether by night or day, whether slave or free-man perform it.


+  If the senate and people shall order it to be offered sooner than any person


+  shall offer it, let the people being acquitted of it be free. On the same account


+  great games were vowed, at an expense of three hundred and thirty-three thousand


+  three hundred and thirty-three <i>asses</i> and a third; moreover, it was decreed


+  that sacrifice should be done to Jupiter with three hundred oxen, to many other


+  deities with white oxen and the other victims. The vows being duly made, a supplication


+  was proclaimed; and not only the inhabitants of the city went with their wives


+  and children, but such of the rustics also as, possessing any property themselves,


+  were interested in the welfare of the state. Then a lectisternium was celebrated


+  for three days, the decemviri for sacred things superintending. Six couches


+  were seen, for Jupiter and Juno one, for Neptune and Minerva another, for Mars


+  and Venus a third, for Apollo and Diana a fourth, for Vulcan and Vesta a fifth,


+  for Mercury and Ceres a sixth. Then temples were vowed. To Venus Erycina, Quintus


+  Fabius Maximus vowed a temple; for so it was delivered from the prophetic books,


+  that he should vow it who held the highest authority in the state. Titus Otacilius,


+  the praetor vowed a temple to Mens. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">11 </div>


+<a id="d11" />


+<p>Divine things having been thus performed, the dictator then put the question


+  of the war and the state; with what, and how many legions the fathers were of


+  opinion that the victorious enemy should be opposed. It was decreed that he


+  should receive the army from Cneius Servilius, the consul: that he should levy,


+  moreover, from the citizens and allies as many horse and foot as seemed good;


+  that he should transact and perform every thing else as he considered for the


+  good of the state. Fabius said he would add two legions to the army of Servilius.


+  These were levied by the master of the horse, and were appointed by Fabius to


+  meet him at Tibur on a certain day. And then having issued proclamation that


+  those whose towns or castles were unfortified should quit them and assemble


+  in places of security; that all the inhabitants of that tract through which


+  Hannibal was about to march, should remove from the country, having first burnt


+  their buildings and spoiled their fruits, that there might not be a supply of


+  any thing; he himself set out on the Flaminian road to meet the consul and his


+  army; and when he saw in the distance the marching body on the Tiber, near Ocriculum,


+  and the consul with the cavalry advancing to him, he sent a beadle to acquaint


+  the consul that he must meet the dictator without the lictors. When he had obeyed


+  his command, and their meeting had exhibited a striking display of the majesty


+  of the dictatorship before the citizens and allies, who, from its antiquity,


+  had now almost forgotten that authority; a letter arrived from the city, stating


+  that the ships of burden, conveying provisions from Ostia into Spain to the


+  army, had been captured by the Carthaginian fleet off the port of Cossa. The


+  consul, therefore, was immediately ordered to proceed to Ostia, and, having


+  manned the ships at Rome or Ostia with soldiers and sailors, to pursue the enemy,


+  and protect the coasts of Italy. Great numbers of men were levied at Rome, sons


+  of freed-men even, who had children, and were of the military age, had taken


+  the oath. Of these troops levied in the city, such as were under thirty-five


+  were put on board ships, the rest were left to protect the city. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">12 </div>


+<a id="d12" />


+<p>The dictator, having received the troops of the consul from Fulvius Flaccus,


+  his lieutenant-general, marching through the Sabine territory, arrived at Tibur


+  on the day which he had appointed the new-raised troops to assemble. Thence


+  he went to Praeneste, and cutting across the country, came out in the Latin


+  way, whence he led his troops towards the enemy, reconnoitering the road with


+  the utmost diligence; not intending to expose himself to hazard any where, except


+  as far as necessity compelled him. The day he first pitched his camp in sight


+  of the enemy, not far from Arpi, the Carthaginian, without delay, led out his


+  troops, and forming his line gave an opportunity of fighting: but when he found


+  all still with the enemy, and his camp free from tumult and disorder, he returned


+  to his camp, saying indeed tauntingly, "That even the spirit of the Romans,


+  inherited from Mars, was at length subdued; that they were warred down and had


+  manifestly given up all claim to valour and renown:" but burning inwardly with


+  stifled vexation because he would have to encounter a general by no means like


+  Flaminius and Sempronius; and because the Romans, then at length schooled by


+  their misfortunes, had sought a general a match for Hannibal; and that now he


+  had no longer to fear the headlong violence, but the deliberate prudence of


+  the dictator. Having not yet experienced his constancy, he began to provoke


+  and try his temper, by frequently shifting his camp and laying waste the territories


+  of the allies before his eyes: and one while he withdrew out of sight at quick


+  march, another while he halted suddenly, and concealed himself in some winding


+  of the road, if possible to entrap him on his descending into the plain. Fabius


+  kept marching his troops along the high grounds, at a moderate distance from


+  the enemy, so as neither to let him go altogether nor yet to encounter him.


+  The troops were kept within the camp, except so far as necessary wants compelled


+  them to quit it; and fetched in food and wood not by small nor rambling parties.


+  An outpost of cavalry and light-armed troops, prepared and equipped for acting


+  in cases of sudden alarm, rendered every thing safe to their own soldiers, and


+  dangerous to the scattered plunderers of the enemy. Nor was his whole cause


+  committed to general hazard; while slight contests, of small importance in themselves,


+  commenced on safe ground, with a retreat at hand, accustomed the soldiery, terrified


+  by their former disasters, now at length to think less meanly either of their


+  prowess or good fortune. But he did not find Hannibal a greater enemy to such


+  sound measures than his master of the horse, who was only prevented from plunging


+  the state into ruin by his inferiority in command. Presumptuous and precipitate


+  in his measures, and unbridled in his tongue, first among a few, then openly


+  and publicly, he taunted him with being sluggish instead of patient, spiritless


+  instead of cautious; falsely imputing to him those vices which bordered on his


+  virtues; and raised himself by means of depressing his superiors, which, though


+  a most iniquitous practice, has become more general from the too great successes


+  of many. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">13 </div>


+<a id="d13" />


+<p>Hannibal crosses over from the Hirpini into Samnium; lays waste the territory


+  of Beneventum; takes the town of Telesia; and purposely irritates the dictator,


+  if perchance he could draw him down to a battle on the plain, exasperated by


+  so many indignities and disasters inflicted on his allies. Among the multitude


+  of allies of Italian extraction, who had been captured by Hannibal at the Trasimenus,


+  and dismissed, were three Campanian horsemen, who had even at that time been


+  bribed by many presents and promises from Hannibal to win over the affections


+  of their countrymen to him. These, bringing him word that he would have an opportunity


+  of getting possession of Capua, if he brought his army into the neighbourhood


+  in Campania, induced Hannibal to quit Samnium for Campania; though he hesitated,


+  fluctuating between confidence and distrust, as the affair was of more importance


+  than the authorities. He dismissed them, repeatedly charging them to confirm


+  their promises by acts, and ordering them to return with a greater number, and


+  some of their leading men. Hannibal himself orders his guide to conduct him


+  into the territory of Casinum, being certified by persons acquainted with the


+  country, that if he seized that pass he would deprive the Romans of a passage


+  by which they might get out to the assistance of their allies. But his Punic


+  accent, ill adapted to the pronunciation of Latin names, caused the guide to


+  understand Casilinum, instead of Casinum; and leaving his former course, he


+  descends through the territory of Allifae, Calatia, and Cales, into the plain


+  of Stella, where, seeing the country enclosed on all sides by mountains and


+  rivers, he calls the guide to him, and asks him where in the world he was? when


+  he replied, that on that day he would lodge at Casilinum: then at length the


+  error was discovered, and that Casinum lay at a great distance in another direction.


+  Having scourged the guide with rods and crucified him, in order to strike terror


+  into all others, he fortified a camp, and sent Maharbal with the cavalry into


+  the Falernian territory to pillage. This depredation reached as far as the waters


+  of Sinuessa; the Numidians caused destruction to a vast extent, but flight and


+  consternation through a still wider space. Yet not even the terror of these


+  things, when all around was consuming in the flames of war, could shake the


+  fidelity of the allies; for this manifest reason, because they lived under a


+  temperate and mild government: nor were they unwilling to submit to those who


+  were superior to them, which is the only bond of fidelity. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">14 </div>


+<a id="d14" />


+<p>But when the enemy's camp was pitched on the Vulturnus, and the most delightful


+  country in Italy was being consumed by fire, and the farm-houses, on all hands,


+  were smoking from the flames, whilst Fabius led his troops along the heights


+  of Mount Massicus, then the strife had nearly been kindled anew, for they had


+  been quiet for a few days, because, as the army had marched quicker than usual,


+  they had supposed that the object of this haste was to save Campania from devastation;


+  but when they arrived at the extreme ridge of Mount Massicus, and the enemy


+  appeared under their eyes, burning the houses of the Falernian territory, and


+  of the settlers of Sinuessa, and no mention made of battle, Minucius exclaims,


+  "Are we come here to see our allies butchered, and their property burned, as


+  a spectacle to be enjoyed? and if we are not moved with shame on account of


+  any others, are we not on account of these citizens, whom our fathers sent as


+  settlers to Sinuessa, that this frontier might be protected from the Samnite


+  foe: which now not the neighbouring Samnite wastes with fire, but a Carthaginian


+  foreigner, who has advanced even thus far from the remotest limits of the world,


+  through our dilatoriness and inactivity? What! are we so degenerate from our


+  ancestors as tamely to see that coast filled with Numidian and Moorish foes,


+  along which our fathers considered it a disgrace to their government that the


+  Carthaginian fleets should cruise? We, who erewhile, indignant at the storming


+  of Saguntum, appealed not to men only, but to treaties and to gods, behold Hannibal


+  scaling the walls of a Roman colony unmoved. The smoke from the flames of our


+  farm-houses and lands comes into our eyes and faces; our ears ring with the


+  cries of our weeping allies, imploring us to assist them oftener than the gods,


+  while we here are leading our troops, like a herd of cattle, through shady forests


+  and lonely paths, enveloped in clouds and woods. If Marcus Furius had resolved


+  to recover the city from the Gauls, by thus traversing the tops of mountains


+  and forests, in the same manner as this modern Camillus goes about to recover


+  Italy from Hannibal, who has been sought out for our dictator in our distress,


+  on account of his unparalleled talents, Rome would be the possession of the


+  Gauls; and I fear lest, if we are thus dilatory, our ancestors will so often


+  have preserved it only for the Carthaginians and Hannibal; but that man and


+  true Roman, on the very day on which intelligence was brought him to Veii, that


+  he was appointed dictator, on the authority of the fathers and the nomination


+  of the people, came down into the plain, though the Janiculum was high enough


+  to admit of his sitting down there, and viewing the enemy at a distance, and


+  on that very day defeated the Gallic legions in the middle of the city, in the


+  place where the Gallic piles are now, and on the following day on the Roman


+  side of Gabii. What many years after this, when we were sent under the yoke


+  at the Caudine forks by the Samnite foe, did Lucius Papirius Cursor take the


+  yoke from the Roman neck and place it upon the proud Samnites, by traversing


+  the heights of Samnium? or was it by pressing and besieging Luceria, and challenging


+  the victorious enemy? A short time ago, what was it that gave victory to Caius


+  Lutatius but expedition? for on the day after he caught sight of the enemy he


+  surprised and overpowered the fleet, loaded with provisions, and encumbered


+  of itself by its own implements and apparatus. It is folly to suppose that the


+  war can be brought to a conclusion by sitting still, or by prayers, the troops


+  must be armed and led down into the plain, that you may engage man to man. The


+  Roman power has grown to its present height by courage and activity, and not


+  by such dilatory measures as these, which the cowardly only designate as cautious."


+  A crowd of Roman tribunes and knights poured round Minucius, while thus, as


+  it were, haranguing, his presumptuous expressions reached the ears of the common


+  soldiers, and had the question been submitted to the votes of the soldiers,


+  they showed evidently that they would have preferred Minucius to Fabius for


+  their general. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">15 </div>


+<a id="d15" />


+<p>Fabius, keeping his attention fixed no less upon his own troops than on the


+  enemy, first shows that his resolution was unconquered by the former. Though


+  he well knew that his procrastination was disapproved, not only in his own camp,


+  but by this time even at Rome, yet, inflexibly adhering to the same line of


+  policy, he delayed through the remainder of the summer, in order that Hannibal,


+  devoid of all hope of a battle, which he so earnestly desired, might now look


+  out for a place for winter quarters, because that district was one of present,


+  but not constant, supply, consisting, as it did, of plantations and vineyards,


+  and all places planted luxurious rather than useful produce. This intelligence


+  was to Fabius by his scouts. When he felt convinced that he would return by


+  the same narrow pass through which he had entered the Falernian territory, he


+  occupied Mount Callicula and Casilinum with a pretty strong guard. Which city,


+  intersected by the river Vulturnus, divides the Falernian and Campanian territories.


+  He himself leads back his troops along the same heights, having sent Lucius


+  Hostilius Mancinus with four hundred of the allied cavalry to reconnoitre; who


+  being one of the crowd of youths who had often heard the master of the horse


+  fiercely haranguing, at first advanced after the manner of a scout, in order


+  that he might observe the enemy in security; and when he saw the Numidians scattered


+  widely throughout the villages, having gotten an opportunity, he also slew a


+  few of them. But from that moment his mind was engrossed with the thoughts of


+  a battle, and the injunctions of the dictator were forgotten, who had charged


+  him, when he had advanced as far as he could with safety, to retreat before


+  he came within the enemy's view. The Numidians, party after party, skirmishing


+  and retreating, drew the general almost to their camp, to the fatigue of his


+  men and horses. Then Karthalo, who had the command of the cavalry, charging


+  at full speed, and having put them to flight before he came within a dart's


+  throw, pursued them for five miles almost in a continuous course. Mancinus,


+  when he saw that the enemy did not desist from the pursuit, and that there was


+  no hope of escape, having encouraged his troops, turned back to the battle though


+  inferior in every kind of force. Accordingly he himself, and the choicest of


+  his cavalry, being surrounded, are cut to pieces. The rest in disorderly retreat


+  fled first to Cales, and thence to the dictator, by ways almost impassable.


+  It happened that on that day Minucius had formed a junction with Fabius, having


+  been sent to secure with a guard the pass above Tarracina, which, contracted


+  into a narrow gorge, overhangs the sea, in order that Hannibal might not be


+  able to get into the Roman territory by the Appian way's being unguarded. The


+  dictator and master of the horse, uniting their forces, lead them down into


+  the road through which Hannibal was about to march his troops. The enemy was


+  two miles from that place. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">16 </div>


+<a id="d16" />


+<p>The following day the Carthaginians filled the whole road between the two camps


+  with his troops in marching order; and though the Romans had taken their stand


+  immediately under their rampart, having a decidedly superior position, yet the


+  Carthaginian came up with his light horse and, with a view to provoke the enemy,


+  carried on a kind of desultory attack, first charging and then retreating. The


+  Roman line remained in its position. The battle was slow and more conformable


+  to the wish of the dictator than of Hannibal. On the part of the Romans there


+  fell two hundred, on the part of the enemy eight hundred. It now began to appear


+  that Hannibal was hemmed in, the road to Casilinum being blockaded; and that


+  while Capua, and Samnium, and so many wealthy allies in the rear of the Romans


+  might supply them with provisions, the Carthaginian, on the other hand, must


+  winter amid the rocks of Formiae and the sands and hideous swamps of Liternum.


+  Nor did it escape Hannibal that he was assailed by his own arts; wherefore,


+  since he could not escape by way of Casilinum, and since it was necessary to


+  make for the mountains, and pass the summit of Callicula, lest in any place


+  the Romans should attack his troops while enclosed in valleys; having hit upon


+  a stratagem calculated to deceive the sight, and excite terror from its appearance,


+  by means of which he might baffle the enemy, he resolved to come up by stealth


+  to the mountains at the commencement of night. The preparation of his wily stratagem


+  was of this description. Torches, collected from every part of the country,


+  and bundles of rods and dry cuttings, are fastened before the horns of oxen,


+  of which, wild and tame, he had driven away a great number among other plunder


+  of the country: the number of oxen was made up to nearly two thousand. To Hasdrubal


+  was assigned the task of driving to the mountains that herd, after having set


+  fire to their horns, as soon as ever it was dark; particularly, if he could,


+  over the passes beset by the enemy. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">17 </div>


+<a id="d17" />


+<p>As soon as it was dark the camp was moved in silence; the oxen were driven


+  a little in advance of the standards. When they arrived at the foot of the mountains


+  and the narrow passes, the signal is immediately given for setting fire to their


+  horns and driving them violently up the mountains before them. The mere terror


+  excited by the flame, which cast a glare from their heads, and the heat now


+  approaching the quick and the roots of their horns, drove on the oxen as if


+  goaded by madness. By which dispersion, on a sudden all the surrounding shrubs


+  were in a blaze, as if the mountains and woods had been on fire; and the unavailing


+  tossing of their heads quickening the flame, exhibited an appearance as of men


+  running to and fro on every side. Those who had been placed to guard the passage


+  of the wood, when they saw fires on the tops of the mountains, and some over


+  their own heads, concluding that they were surrounded, abandoned their post;


+  making for the tops of the mountains in the direction in which the fewest fires


+  blazed, as being the safest course; however they fell in with some oxen which


+  had strayed from their herds. At first, when they beheld them at a distance,


+  they stood fixed in amazement at the miracle, as it appeared to them, of creatures


+  breathing fire; afterwards, when it showed itself to be a human stratagem, then,


+  forsooth, concluding that there was an ambuscade, as they are hurrying away


+  in flight, with increased alarm, they fall in also with the light-armed troops


+  of the enemy. But the night, when the fear was equally shared, kept them from


+  commencing the battle till morning. Meanwhile Hannibal, having marched his whole


+  army through the pass, and having cut off some of the enemy in the very defile,


+  pitches his camp in the country of Allifae. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">18 </div>


+<a id="d18" />


+<p>Fabius perceived this tumult, but concluding that it was a snare, and being


+  disinclined for a battle, particularly by night, kept his troops within the


+  works. At break of day a battle took place under the summit of the mountain,


+  in which the Romans, who were considerably superior in numbers, would have easily


+  overpowered the light-armed of the enemy, cut off as they were from their party,


+  had not a cohort of Spaniards, sent back by Hannibal for that very purpose,


+  reached the spot. That body being more accustomed to mountains, and being more


+  adapted, both from the agility of their limbs and also from the character of


+  their arms, to skirmishing amid rocks and crags, easily foiled, by their manner


+  of fighting, an enemy loaded with arms, accustomed to level ground and the steady


+  kind of fighting. Separating from a contest thus by no means equal, they proceeded


+  to their camps; the Spaniards almost all untouched; the Romans having lost a


+  few. Fabius also moved his camp, and passing the defile, took up a position


+  above Allifae, in a strong and elevated place. Then Hannibal, pretending to


+  march to Rome through Samnium, came back as far as the Peligni, spreading devastation.


+  Fabius led his troops along the heights midway between the army of the enemy


+  and the city of Rome; neither avoiding him altogether, nor coming to an engagement.


+  From the Peligni the Carthaginian turned his course, and going back again to


+  Apulia, reached Geronium, a city deserted by its inhabitants from fear, as a


+  part of its walls had fallen down together in ruins. The dictator formed a completely


+  fortified camp in the territory of Larinum, and being recalled thence to Rome


+  on account of some sacred rites, he not only urged the master of the horse,


+  in virtue of his authority, but with advice and almost with prayers, that he


+  would trust rather to prudence than fortune; and imitate him as a general rather


+  than Sempronius and Flaminius; that he would not suppose that nothing had been


+  achieved by having worn out nearly the whole summer in baffling the enemy; that


+  physicians too sometimes gained more by rest than by motion and action. That


+  it was no small thing to have ceased to be conquered by an enemy so often victorious,


+  and to have taken breath after successive disasters. Having thus unavailingly


+  admonished the master of the horse, he set out for Rome. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">19 </div>


+<a id="d19" />


+<p>In the beginning of the summer in which these events occurred, the war commenced


+  by land and sea in Spain also. To the number of ships which he had received


+  from his brother, equipped and ready for action, Hasdrubal added ten. The fleet


+  of forty ships he delivered to Himilco: and thus setting out from Carthage,


+  kept his ships near the land, while he led his army along the shore, ready to


+  engage with whichever part of his forces the enemy might fall in with. Cneius


+  Scipio, when he heard that the enemy had quitted his winter quarters, at first


+  formed the same plan; but afterwards, not daring to engage him by land, from


+  a great rumour of fresh auxiliaries, he advances to meet him with a fleet of


+  thirty-five ships, having put some chosen soldiers on board. Setting out from


+  Tarraco, on the second day, he reached a convenient station, ten miles from


+  the mouth of the Iberus. Two ships of the Massilians, sent forward from that


+  place reconnoitering, brought word back that the Carthaginian fleet was stationed


+  in the mouth of the river, and that the camp was pitched upon the bank. In order,


+  therefore, to overpower them while off their guard and incautious, by a universal


+  and wide-spread terror, he weighed anchor and advanced. In Spain there are several


+  towers placed in high situations, which they employ both as watch-towers and


+  as places of defence against pirates. From them first, a view of the ships of


+  the enemy having been obtained, the signal was given to Hasdrubal; and a tumult


+  arose in the camp, and on land sooner than on the ships and at sea; the dashing


+  of the oars and other nautical noises not being yet distinctly heard, nor the


+  promontories disclosing the fleet. Upon this, suddenly one horseman after another,


+  sent out by Hasdrubal, orders those who were strolling upon the shore or resting


+  quietly in their tents, expecting any thing rather than the enemy and a battle


+  on that day, immediately to embark and take up arms: that the Roman fleet was


+  now a short distance from the harbour. The horsemen, despatched in every direction,


+  delivered these orders; and presently Hasdrubal himself comes up with the main


+  army. All places resound with noises of various kinds; the soldiers and rowers


+  hurrying together to the ships, rather like men running away from the land than


+  marching to battle. Scarcely had all embarked, when some, unfastening the hawsers,


+  are carried out against the anchors; others cut their cables, that nothing might


+  impede them; and by doing every thing with hurry and precipitation, the duties


+  of mariners were impeded by the preparations of the soldiers, and the soldiers


+  were prevented from taking and preparing for action their arms, by the bustle


+  of the mariners. And now the Roman was not only approaching, but had drawn up


+  his ships for the battle. The Carthaginians, therefore, thrown into disorder,


+  not more by the enemy and the battle than by their own tumult, having rather


+  made an attempt at fighting than commenced a battle, turned their fleet for


+  flight; and as the mouth of the river which was before them could not be entered


+  in so broad a line, and by so many pressing in at the same time, they ran their


+  ships on shore in every part. And being received, some in the shallows, and


+  others on the dry shore, some armed and some unarmed, they escaped to their


+  friends, who were drawn up in battle-array over the shore. Two Carthaginian


+  ships were captured and four sunk on the first encounter. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">20 </div>


+<a id="d20" />


+<p>The Romans, though the enemy was master of the shore, and they saw armed troops


+  lining the whole bank, promptly pursuing the discomfited fleet of the enemy,


+  towed out into the deep all the ships which had not either shattered their prows


+  by the violence with which they struck the shore, or set their keels fast in


+  the shallows. They captured as many as twenty-five out of forty. Nor was that


+  the most splendid result of their victory: but they became masters of the whole


+  sea on that coast by one slight battle; advancing, then, with their fleet to


+  Honosca, and making a descent from the ships upon the coast, when they had taken


+  the city by storm and pillaged it, they afterwards made for Carthage: then devastating


+  the whole surrounding country, they, lastly, set fire also to the buildings


+  contiguous to the wall and gates. Thence the fleet laden with plunder, arrived


+  at Longuntica, where a great quantity of oakum for naval purposes had been collected


+  by Hasdrubal: of this, taking away as much as was sufficient for their necessities,


+  they burnt all the rest. Nor did they only sail by the prominent coasts of the


+  continent, but crossed over into the island Ebusus; where, having with the utmost


+  exertion, but in vain, carried on operations against the city, which is the


+  capital of the island, for two days, when they found that time was wasted to


+  no purpose upon a hopeless task, they turned their efforts to the devastation


+  of the country; and having plundered and fired several villages, and acquired


+  a greater booty than they had obtained on the continent, they retired to their


+  ships, when ambassadors from the Baliares came to Scipio to sue for peace. From


+  this place the fleet sailed back, and returned to the hither parts of the province,


+  whither ambassadors of all the people who dwell on the Iberus, and of many people


+  in the most distant parts of Spain, assembled. But the number of states who


+  really became subject to the authority and dominion of the Romans, and gave


+  hostages, amounted to upwards of one hundred and twenty. The Roman therefore,


+  relying sufficiently on his land forces also, advanced as far as the pass of


+  Castulo. Hasdrubal retired into Lusitania, and nearer the ocean. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">21 </div>


+<a id="d21" />


+<p>After this, it seemed probable that the remainder of the summer would be peaceful;


+  and so it would have been with regard to the Punic enemy: but besides that the


+  tempers of the Spaniards themselves are naturally restless, and eager for innovation,


+  Mandonius, together with Indibilis, who had formerly been petty prince of the


+  Ilergetes, having stirred up their countrymen, came to lay waste the peaceful


+  country of the Roman allies, after the Romans had retired from the pass to the


+  sea-coast. A military tribune with some light-armed auxiliaries being sent against


+  these by Scipio, with a small effort put them all to the rout, as being but


+  a disorderly band: some having been captured and slain, a great portion of them


+  were deprived of their arms. This disturbance, however, brought back Hasdrubal,


+  who was retiring to the ocean, to protect his allies on this side the Iberus.


+  The Carthaginian camp was in the territory of Ilercao, the Roman camp at the


+  New Fleet, when unexpected intelligence turned the war into another quarter.


+  The Celtiberians, who had sent the chief men of their country as ambassadors


+  to the Romans, and had given them hostages, aroused by a message from Scipio,


+  take up arms and invade the province of the Carthaginians with a powerful army;


+  take three towns by storm; and after that, encountering Hasdrubal himself in


+  two battles with, splendid success, slew fifteen thousand and captured four


+  thousand, together with many military standards. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">22 </div>


+<a id="d22" />


+<p>This being the state of affairs in Spain, Publius Scipio came into his province,


+  having been sent thither by the senate, his command being continued to him after


+  his consulate, with thirty long ships, eight thousand soldiers, and a large


+  importation of provisions. That fleet, swelled to an enormous size by a multitude


+  of transports, being descried at a distance, entered safe the port of Tarraco,


+  to the great joy of the citizens and allies. Landing his troops there, Scipio


+  set out and formed a junction with his brother, and thenceforward they prosecuted


+  the war with united courage and counsels. While the Carthaginians, therefore,


+  were occupied with the Celtiberian war, they promptly crossed the Iberus, and


+  not seeing any enemy, pursue their course to Saguntum; for it was reported that


+  the hostages from every part of Spain, having been consigned to custody, were


+  kept in the citadel of that place under a small guard. That pledge alone checked


+  the affections of all the people of Spain, which were inclined towards an alliance


+  with the Romans; lest the guilt of their defection should be expiated with the


+  blood of their children. One man, by a stratagem more subtle than honourable,


+  liberated the Spaniards from this restraint. There was at Saguntum a noble Spaniard,


+  named Abelux, hitherto faithful to the Carthaginians, but now (such are for


+  the most part the dispositions of barbarians) had changed his attachment with


+  fortune; but considering that a deserter going over to enemies without the betraying


+  of something valuable, would be looked upon only as a stigmatized and worthless


+  individual, was solicitous to render as great a service as possible to his new


+  confederates. Having turned over in his mind, then, the various means which,


+  under the favour of fortune, he might employ, in preference to every other,


+  he applied himself to the delivering up of the hostages; concluding that this


+  one thing, above all others, would gain the Romans the friendship of the Spanish


+  chieftains. But since he knew that the guards of the hostages would do nothing


+  without the authority of Bostar, the governor, he addresses himself with craft


+  to Bostar himself. Bostar had his camp without the city, just upon the shore,


+  in order to preclude the approach of the Romans from that quarter. He informs


+  him, taken aside to a secret place, and as if uninformed, in what position affairs


+  were: "That hitherto fear had withheld the minds of the Spaniards to them, because


+  the Romans were at a great distance: that now the Roman camp was on this side


+  the Iberus, a secure fortress and asylum for such as desired a change, that


+  therefore those whom fear could not bind should be attached by kindness and


+  favour." When Bostar, in astonishment, earnestly asked him, what sudden gift


+  of so much importance that could be, he replied, "Send back the hostages to


+  their states: this will be an acceptable boon, privately to their parents, who


+  possess the greatest influence in their respective states, and publicly to the


+  people. Every man wishes to have confidence reposed in him; and confidence reposed


+  generally enforces the fidelity itself. The office of restoring the hostages


+  to their homes, I request for myself; that I may enhance my project by the trouble


+  bestowed, and that I may add as much value as I can to a service in its own


+  intrinsic nature so acceptable." When he had persuaded the man, who was not


+  cunning as compared with Carthaginian minds in general, having gone secretly


+  and by night to the outposts of the enemy, he met with some auxiliary Spaniards;


+  and having been brought by them into the presence of Scipio, he explains what


+  brought him. Pledges of fidelity having been given and received, and the time


+  and place for delivering the hostages having been appointed, he returns to Saguntum.


+  The following day he spent with Bostar, in taking his commands for effecting


+  the business; having so arranged it, that he should go by night, in order that


+  he might escape the observation of the enemy, he was dismissed; and awakening


+  the guards of the youths at the hour agreed upon with them, set out and led


+  them, as if unconsciously, into a snare prepared by his own deceit. They were


+  brought to the Roman camp, and every thing else respecting the restoration of


+  the hostages was transacted as had been agreed upon with Bostar, and in the


+  same course as if the affair had been carried on in the name of the Carthaginians.


+  But the favour of the Romans was somewhat greater than that of the Carthaginians


+  would have been in a similar case; for misfortune and fear might have seemed


+  to have softened them, who had been found oppressive and haughty in prosperity.


+  The Roman, on the contrary, on his first arrival, having been unknown to them


+  before, had begun with an act of clemency and liberality: and Abelux, a man


+  of prudence, did not seem likely to have changed his allies without good cause.


+  Accordingly all began, with great unanimity, to meditate a revolt; and hostilities


+  would immediately have commenced, had not the winter intervened, which compelled


+  the Romans, and the Carthaginians also, to retire to shelter. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">23 </div>


+<a id="d23" />


+<p>Such were the transactions in Spain also during the second summer of the Punic


+  war; while in Italy the prudent delay of Fabius had procured the Romans some


+  intermission from disasters; which conduct, as it kept Hannibal disturbed with


+  no ordinary degree of anxiety, for it proved to him that the Romans had at length


+  selected a general who would carry on the war with prudence, and not in dependence


+  on fortune; so was it treated with contempt by his countrymen, both in the camp


+  and in the city; particularly after that a battle had been fought during his


+  absence from the temerity of the master of the horse, in its issue, as I may


+  justly designate it, rather joyful than successful. Two causes were added to


+  augment the unpopularity of the dictator: one arising out of a stratagem and


+  artful procedure of Hannibal; for the farm of the dictator having been pointed


+  out to him by deserters, he ordered that the fire and sword and every outrage


+  of enemies should be restrained from it alone, while all around were levelled


+  with the ground; in order that it might appear to have been the term of some


+  secret compact: the other from an act of his own, at first perhaps suspicious,


+  because in it he had not waited for the authority of the senate, but in the


+  result turning unequivocally to his highest credit, with relation to the exchange


+  of prisoners: for, as was the case in the first Punic war, an agreement had


+  been made between the Roman and Carthaginian generals, that whichever received


+  more prisoners than he restored, should give two pounds and a half of silver


+  for every man. And when the Roman had received two hundred and forty-seven more


+  than the Carthaginian, and the silver which was due for them, after the matter


+  had been frequently agitated in the senate, was not promptly supplied, because


+  he had not consulted the fathers, he sent his son Quintus to Rome and sold his


+  farm, uninjured by the enemy, and thus redeemed the public credit at his own


+  private expense. Hannibal lay in a fixed camp before the walls of Geronium,


+  which city he had captured and burnt, leaving only a few buildings for the purpose


+  of granaries: thence he was in the habit of sending out two-thirds of his forces


+  to forage; with the third part kept in readiness, he himself remained on guard,


+  both as a protection to his camp, and for the purpose of looking out, if from


+  any quarter an attack should be made upon his foragers. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">24 </div>


+<a id="d24" />


+<p>The Roman army was at that time in the territory of Larinum. Minucius, the


+  master of the horse, had the command of it; the dictator, as was before mentioned,


+  having gone to the city. But the camp, which had been pitched in an elevated


+  and secure situation, was now brought down into the plain; plans of a bolder


+  character, agreeably with the temper of the general, were in agitation; and


+  either an attack was to be made upon the scattered foragers, or upon the camp


+  now left with an inconsiderable guard. Nor did it escape the observation of


+  Hannibal, that the plan of the war had been changed with the general, and that


+  the enemy would act with more boldness than counsel. Hannibal himself too, which


+  one would scarcely credit, though the enemy was near, despatched a third part


+  of his troops to forage, retaining the remaining two-thirds in the camp. After


+  that he advanced his camp itself nearer to the enemy, to a hill within the enemy's


+  view, nearly two miles from Geronium; that they might be aware that he was on


+  the alert to protect his foragers if any attack should be made upon them. Then


+  he discovered an eminence nearer to, and commanding the very camp of the Romans:


+  and because if he marched openly in the day-time to occupy it, the enemy would


+  doubtless anticipate him by a shorter way, the Numidians having been sent privately


+  in the night, took possession of it. These, occupying this position, the Romans,


+  the next day, despising the smallness of their numbers, dislodge, and transfer


+  their camp thither themselves. There was now, therefore, but a very small space


+  between rampart and rampart, and that the Roman line had almost entirely filled;


+  at the same time the cavalry, with the light infantry sent out against the foragers


+  through the opposite part of the camp, effected a slaughter and flight of the


+  scattered enemy far and wide. Nor dared Hannibal hazard a regular battle; because


+  with so few troops, that he would scarcely be able to protect his camp if attacked.


+  And now he carried on the war (for part of his army was away) according to the


+  plans of Fabius, by sitting still and creating delays. He had also withdrawn


+  his troops to their former camp, which was before the walls of Geronium. Some


+  authors affirm that they fought in regular line, and with encountering standards;


+  that in the first encounter the Carthaginian was driven in disorder quite to


+  his camp; but that, a sally thence having been suddenly made all at once, the


+  Romans in their turn became alarmed; that after that the battle was restored


+  by the arrival of Numerius Decimius the Samnite; that this man, the first in


+  family and fortune, not only in Bovianum, whence he came, but in all Samnium,


+  when conducting by command of the dictator to the camp eight thousand infantry


+  and five hundred horse, having shown himself on the rear of Hannibal, seemed


+  to both parties to be a fresh reinforcement coming with Quintus Fabius from


+  Rome; that Hannibal, fearing also some ambuscade, withdrew his troops; and that


+  the Roman, aided by the Samnite, pursuing him, took by storm two forts on that


+  day; that six thousand of the enemy were slain, and about five thousand of the


+  Romans; but that though the loss was so nearly equal, intelligence was conveyed


+  to Rome of a signal victory; and a letter from the master of the horse still


+  more presumptuous. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">25 </div>


+<a id="d25" />


+<p>These things were very frequently discussed, both in the senate and assemblies.


+  When the dictator alone, while joy pervaded the city, attached no credit to


+  the report or letter; and granting that all were true, affirmed that he feared


+  more from success than failure; then Marcus Metilius, a Plebeian tribune, declares


+  that such conduct surely could not be endured. That the dictator, not only when


+  present was an obstacle to the right management of the affair, but also being


+  absent from the camp, opposed it still when achieved; that he studiously dallied


+  in his conduct of the war, that he might continue the longer in office, and


+  that he might have the sole command both at Rome and in the army. Since one


+  of the consuls had fallen in battle, and the other was removed to a distance


+  from Italy, under pretext of pursuing a Carthaginian fleet; and the two praetors


+  were occupied in Sicily and Sardinia, neither of which provinces required a


+  praetor at this time. That Marcus Minucius, the master of the horse, was almost


+  put under a guard, lest he should see the enemy, and carry on any warlike operation.


+  That therefore, by Hercules, not only Samnium, which had now been yielded to


+  the Carthaginians, as if it had been land beyond the Iberus, but the Campanian,


+  Calenian, and Falernian territories had been devastated, while the dictator


+  was sitting down at Casilinum, protecting his own farm with the legions of the


+  Roman people: that the army, eager for battle, as well as the master of the


+  horse, were kept back almost imprisoned within the rampart: that their arms


+  were taken out of their hands, as from captured enemies: at length, as soon


+  as ever the dictator had gone away, having marched out beyond their rampart,


+  that they had routed the enemy and put him to flight. On account of which circumstances,


+  had the Roman commons retained their ancient spirit, that he would have boldly


+  proposed to them to annul the authority of Quintus Fabius; but now he would


+  bring forward a moderate proposition, to make the authority of the master of


+  the horse and the dictator equal; and that even then Quintus Fabius should not


+  be sent to the army, till he had substituted a consul in the room of Caius Flaminius.


+  The dictator kept away from the popular assemblies, in which he did not command


+  a favourable hearing, and even in the senate he was not heard with favourable


+  ears, when his eloquence was employed in praising the enemy, and attributing


+  the disasters of the last two years to the temerity and unskilfulness of the


+  generals; and when he declared that the master of the horse ought to be called


+  to account for having fought contrary to his injunction. That "if the supreme


+  command and administration of affairs were intrusted to him, he would soon take


+  care that men should know, that to a good general fortune was not of great importance;


+  that prudence and conduct governed every thing; that it was more glorious for


+  him to have saved the army at a crisis, and without disgrace, than to have slain


+  many thousands of the enemy." Speeches of this kind having been made without


+  effect, and Marcus Atilius Regulus created consul, that he might not be present


+  to dispute respecting the right of command, he withdrew to the army on the night


+  preceding the day on which the proposition was to be decided. When there was


+  an assembly of the people at break of day, a secret displeasure towards the


+  dictator, and favour towards the master of the horse, rather possessed their


+  minds, than that men had not sufficient resolution to advise a measure which


+  was agreeable to the public; and though favour carried it, influence was wanting


+  to the bill. One man indeed was found who recommended the law, Caius Terentius


+  Varro, who had been praetor in the former year, sprung not only from humble


+  but mean parentage. They report that his father was a butcher, the retailer


+  of his own meat, and that he employed this very son in the servile offices of


+  that trade. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">26 </div>


+<a id="d26" />


+<p>This young man, when a fortune left him by his father, acquired in such a traffic,


+  had inspired him with the hope of a higher condition, and the gown and forum


+  were the objects of his choice, by declaiming vehemently in behalf of men and


+  causes of the lowest kind, in opposition to the interest and character of the


+  good, first came to the notice of the people, and then to offices of honour.


+  Having passed through the offices of quaestor, plebeian, and curule aedile,


+  and, lastly, that of praetor; when now he raised his mind to the hope of the


+  consulship, he courted the gale of popular favour by maligning the dictator,


+  and received alone the credit of the decree of the people. All men, both at


+  Rome and in the army, both friends and foes, except the dictator himself, considered


+  this measure to have been passed as an insult to him; but the dictator himself


+  bore the wrong which the infuriated people had put upon him, with the same gravity


+  with which he endured the charges against him which his enemies laid before


+  the multitude; and receiving the letter containing a decree of the senate respecting


+  the equalization of the command while on his journey, satisfied that an equal


+  share of military skill was not imparted together with the equal share of command,


+  he returned to the army with a mind unsubdued alike by his fellow-citizens and


+  by the enemy. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">27 </div>


+<a id="d27" />


+<p>But Minucius, who, in consequence of his success and the favour of the populace,


+  was scarcely endurable before now especially, unrestrained by shame or moderation,


+  boasted not more in having conquered Hannibal than Quintus Fabius. "That he,


+  who had been sought out in their distress as the only general, and as a match


+  for Hannibal; that he, an event which no record of history contains, was by


+  the order of the people placed upon an equal footing with himself,--a superior


+  with an inferior officer, a dictator with a master of the horse,--in that very


+  city wherein the masters of the horse are wont to crouch and tremble at the


+  rods and axes of the dictator. With such splendour had his valour and success


+  shone forth. That he therefore would follow up his own good fortune, though


+  the dictator persisted in his delay and sloth; measures condemned alike by the


+  sentence of gods and men." Accordingly, on the first day on which he met Quintus


+  Fabius, he intimated "that the first point to be settled was the manner in which


+  they should employ the command thus equalized. That he was of opinion that the


+  best plan would be for them to be invested with the supreme authority and command


+  either on alternate days, or, if longer intervals were more agreeable, for any


+  determinate periods; in order that the person in command might be a match for


+  the enemy, not only in judgment, but in strength, if any opportunity for action


+  should occur." Fabius by no means approved of this proposition: he said, "that


+  Fortune would have at her disposal all things which the rashness of his colleague


+  had; that his command had been shared with him, and not taken away; that he


+  would never, therefore, willingly withdraw from conducting the war, in whatever


+  post he could with prudence and discretion: nor would he divide the command


+  with him with respect to times or days, but that he would divide the army, and


+  that he would preserve, by his own measures, so much as he could, since it was


+  not allowed him to save the whole." Thus he carried it, that, as was the custom


+  of consuls, they should divide the legions between them: the first and fourth


+  fell to the lot of Minucius, the second and third to Fabius. They likewise divided


+  equally between them the cavalry, the auxiliaries of the allies and of the Latin


+  name. The master of the horse was desirous also that they should have separate


+  camps. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">28 </div>


+<a id="d28" />


+<p>From this Hannibal derived a twofold joy, for nothing which was going on among


+  the enemy escaped him, the deserters revealing many things, and he himself examining


+  by his own scouts. For he considered that he should be able to entrap the unrestrained


+  temerity of Minucius by his usual arts, and that half the force of the sagacity


+  of Fabius had vanished. There was an eminence between the camps of Minucius


+  and the Carthaginians, whoever occupied it would evidently render the position


+  of his enemy less advantageous. Hannibal was not so desirous of gaining it without


+  a contest, though that were worth his while, as to bring on a quarrel with Minucius,


+  who, he well knew, would at all times throw himself in his way to oppose him.


+  All the intervening ground was at first sight unavailable to one who wished


+  to plant an ambuscade, because it not only had not any part that was woody,


+  but none even covered with brambles, but in reality formed by nature to cover


+  an ambush, so much the more, because no such deception could be apprehended


+  in a naked valley and there were in its curvatures hollow rocks, such that some


+  of them were capable of containing two hundred armed men. Within these recesses,


+  five thousand infantry and cavalry are secreted, as many as could conveniently


+  occupy each. Lest, however, in any part, either the motion of any one of them


+  thoughtlessly coming out, or the glittering of their arms, should discover the


+  stratagem in so open a valley, by sending out a few troops at break of day to


+  occupy the before-mentioned eminence, he diverts the attention of the enemy.


+  Immediately, on the first view of them, the smallness of their number was treated


+  with contempt, and each man began to request for himself the task of dislodging


+  the enemy. The general himself, among the most headstrong and absurd, calls


+  to arms to go and seize the place, and inveighs against the enemy with vain


+  presumption and menaces. First, he despatches his light-armed, after that his


+  cavalry, in a close body, lastly, perceiving that succours were also being sent


+  to the enemy, he marches with his legions drawn up in order of battle. Hannibal


+  also, sending band after band, as the contest increased, as aids to his men


+  when distressed, had now completed a regular army, and a battle was fought with


+  the entire strength of both sides. First, the light infantry of the Romans,


+  approaching the eminence, which was preoccupied, from the lower ground, being


+  repulsed and pushed down, spread a terror among the cavalry, which was marching


+  up also and fled back to the standards of the legions: the line of infantry


+  alone stood fearless amidst the panic-struck; and it appeared that they would


+  by no means have been inferior to the enemy, had it been a regular and open


+  battle, so much confidence did the successful battle a few days before inspire.


+  But the troops in ambush created such confusion and alarm, by charging them


+  on both flanks and on their rear, that no one had spirit enough left to fight,


+  or hope enough to try to escape. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">29 </div>


+<a id="d29" />


+<p>Then Fabius, first having heard the shout of the terrified troops, and then


+  having gotten a view of their disordered line, exclaims, "It is so; and no sooner


+  than I feared, has adverse fortune overtaken temerity. Equalled to Fabius in


+  command, he sees that Hannibal is superior to him in courage and in fortune.


+  But another will be the time for reproaches and resentment. Now advance your


+  standards beyond the rampart: let us wrest the victory from the enemy, and a


+  confession of their error from our countrymen." A great part of the troops having


+  been now slain, and the rest looking about for a way to escape; the army of


+  Fabius showed itself on a sudden for their help, as if sent down from heaven.


+  And thus, before he came within a dart's throw or joined battle, he both stayed


+  his friends from a precipitate flight and the enemy from excessive fierceness


+  of fighting. Those who had been scattered up and down, their ranks being broken,


+  fled for refuge from every quarter to the fresh army; those who had fled together


+  in parties, turning upon the enemy, now forming a circle, retreat slowly, now


+  concentrating themselves, stand firm. And now the vanquished and the fresh army


+  had nearly formed one line, and were bearing their standards against the enemy,


+  when the Carthaginians sounded a retreat; Hannibal openly declaring that though


+  he had conquered Minucius, he was himself conquered by Fabius. The greater part


+  of the day having been thus consumed with varying success, Minucius calling


+  together his soldiers, when they had returned to the camp, thus addressed them:


+  "I have often heard, soldiers, that he is the greatest man who himself counsels


+  what is expedient, and that he who listens to the man who gives good advice


+  is the second, but that he who neither himself is capable of counselling, and


+  knows not how to obey another, is of the lowest order of mind. Since the first


+  place of mind and talent has been denied us, let us strive to obtain the second


+  and intermediate kind, and while we are learning to command, let us prevail


+  upon ourselves to submit to a man of prudence. Let us join camps with Fabius,


+  and, carrying our standards to his pavilion, when I have saluted him as my parent,


+  which he deserves on account of the service he has rendered us and of his dignity;


+  you, my soldiers, shall salute those men as patrons, whose arms and right-hands


+  just now protected you: and if this day has conferred nothing else upon us,


+  it hath at least conferred upon us the glory of possessing grateful hearts."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">30 </div>


+<a id="d30" />


+<p>The signal being given, there was a general call to collect the baggage: then


+  setting out, and proceeding in order of march to the dictator's camp, they excited


+  at once the surprise of the dictator himself and all around him. When the standards


+  were planted before the tribunal, the master of the horse, advancing before


+  the rest, having saluted Fabius as father, and the whole body of his troops


+  having, with one voice, saluted the soldiers who surrounded him as patrons,


+  said, "To my parents, dictator, to whom I have just now equalled you, only in


+  name, as far as I could express myself, I am indebted for my life only; to you


+  I owe both my own preservation and that of all these soldiers. That order of


+  the people, therefore, with which I have been oppressed rather than honoured,


+  I first cancel and annul, and (may it be auspicious to me and you, and to these


+  your armies, to the preserved and the preserver,) I return to your authority


+  and auspices, and restore to you these standards and these legions, and I entreat


+  you that, being reconciled, you would order that I may retain the mastership


+  of the horse, and that these soldiers may each of them retain their ranks."


+  After that hands were joined, and when the assembly was dismissed, the soldiers


+  were kindly and hospitably invited by those known to them and unknown: and that


+  day, from having been a little while ago gloomy in the extreme, and almost accursed,


+  was turned into a day of joy. At Rome, the report of the action was conveyed


+  thither, and was afterwards confirmed, not less by letters from the common soldiers


+  of both armies, than from the generals themselves, all men individually extolled


+  Maximus to the skies. His renown was equal with Hannibal, and his enemies the


+  Carthaginians and then at length they began to feel that they were engaged in


+  war with Romans, and in Italy. For the two preceding years they entertained


+  so utter a contempt for the Roman generals and soldiers, that they could scarcely


+  believe that they were waging war with the same nation which their fathers had


+  reported to them as being so formidable. They relate also, that Hannibal said,


+  as he returned from the field that at length that cloud, which was used to settle


+  on the tops of the mountains, had sent down a shower with a storm. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">31 </div>


+<a id="d31" />


+<p>While these events occur in Italy, Cneius Servilius Geminus, the consul, having


+  sailed round the coast of Sardinia and Corsica with a fleet of one hundred and


+  twenty ships, and received hostages from both places, crossed over into Africa,


+  and before he made a descent upon the continent, having laid waste the island


+  of Meninx, and received from the inhabitants of Cercina ten talents of silver,


+  in order that their fields too might not be burnt and pillaged, he approached


+  the shores of Africa, and landed his troops. Thence the soldiers were led out


+  to plunder, and the crews scattered about just as if they were plundering uninhabited


+  islands and thus, carelessly falling upon an ambuscade, when they were surrounded--the


+  ignorant of the country by those acquainted with it, the straggling by those


+  in close array, they were driven back to then ships in ignominious flight, and


+  with great carnage. As many as one thousand men, together with Sempionius Blaesus,


+  the quaestor, having been lost, the fleet hastily setting sail from the shore,


+  which was crowded with the enemy, proceeded direct for Italy, and was given


+  up at Lilybaeum to Titus Otacilius, the praetor, that it might be taken back


+  to Rome by his lieutenant, Publius Suia. The consul himself, proceeding through


+  Sicily on foot, crossed the strait into Italy, summoned, as well as his colleague,


+  Marcus Atilius, by a letter from Quintus Fabius, to receive the armies from


+  him, as the period of his command, which was six months, had nearly expired.


+  Almost all the annalists record that Fabius conducted the war against Hannibal,


+  as dictator Caelius also writes, that he was the first dictator created by the


+  people. But it has escaped Caelius and all the others that Cneius Servilius,


+  the consul, who was then a long way from home in Gaul, which was his province,


+  was the only person who possessed the right of appointing a dictator, and that


+  as the state, terrified by the disasters which had just befallen it, could not


+  abide the delay, it had recourse to the determination that the people should


+  create a prodictator, that his subsequent achievements, his singular renown


+  as a general, and his descendants, who exaggerated the inscription of his statue,


+  easily brought it about that he should be called dictator, instead of prodictator.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">32 </div>


+<a id="d32" />


+<p>The consuls, Atilius and Geminus Servilius, having received, the former the


+  army of Fabius, the latter that of Minucius, and fortified their winter quarters


+  in good time, (it was the close of the autumn,) carried on the war with the


+  most perfect unanimity, according to the plans of Fabius. In many places they


+  fell upon the troops of Hannibal when out on foraging excursions, availing themselves


+  of the opportunity, and both harassing their march and intercepting the stragglers.


+  They did not come to the chance of a general battle, which the enemy tried by


+  every artifice to bring about. And Hannibal was so straitened by the want of


+  provisions, that had he not feared in retiring the appearance of flight, he


+  would have returned to Gaul, no hope being left of being able to subsist an


+  army in those quarters, if the ensuing consuls should carry on the war upon


+  the same plan. The war having been arrested in its progress at Geronium, the


+  winter interrupting it, ambassadors from Naples came to Rome. They carried into


+  the senate-house forty golden goblets, of great weight, and spoke to this effect.


+  "That they knew the treasury of the Romans was exhausted by the war, and since


+  the war was carried on alike in defence of the cities and the lands of the allies,


+  and of the empire and city of Rome, the capital and citadel of Italy, that the


+  Neapolitans thought it but fair that they should assist the Roman people with


+  whatever gold had been left them by their ancestors as well for the decoration


+  of their temples as for the relief of misfortune. If they had thought that there


+  was any resource in themselves, that they would have offered it with the same


+  zeal. That the Roman fathers and people would render an acceptable service to


+  them, if they would consider all the goods of the Neapolitans as their own,


+  and if they would think them deserving, that they should accept a present at


+  their hands, rendered valuable and of consequence rather by the spirit and affection


+  of those who gave it with cheerfulness, than by its intrinsic worth." Thanks


+  were given to the ambassadors for their munificence and attention, and the goblet


+  of least weight was accepted. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">33 </div>


+<a id="d33" />


+<p>During the same days a Carthaginian spy, who had escaped for two years, was


+  apprehended at Rome, and his hands having been cut off, was let go: and twenty-five


+  slaves were crucified for forming a conspiracy in the Campus Martius; his liberty


+  was given to the informer, and twenty thousand <i>asses</i> of the heavy standard.


+  Ambassadors were also sent to Philip, king of the Macedonians, to demand Demetrius


+  of Pharia, who, having been vanquished in war had fled to him. Others were sent


+  to the Ligurians, to expostulate with them for having assisted the Carthaginians


+  with their substance and with auxiliaries; and, at the same time, to take a


+  near view of what was going on amongst the Boii and Insubrians. Ambassadors


+  were also sent to the Illyrians to king Pineus, to demand the tribute, the day


+  of payment of which had passed; or if he wished to postpone the day, to receive


+  hostages. Thus, though an arduous war was on their shoulders, no attention to


+  any one concern in any part of the world, however remote, escapes the Romans.


+  It was made a matter of superstitious fear also, that the temple of Concord,


+  which Lucius Manlius, the praetor, had vowed in Gaul two years ago, on occasion


+  of a mutiny, had not been contracted for to that day. Accordingly, Cneius Pupius


+  and Caeso Quinctius Flaminius, created duumviri by Marcus Aemilius, the city


+  praetor, for that purpose, contract for the building a temple in the citadel.


+  By the same praetor a letter was sent to the consuls, agreeably to a decree


+  of the senate, to the effect that, if they thought proper, one of them should


+  come to Rome to elect consuls; and that he would proclaim the election for whatever


+  day they might name. To this it was replied by the consuls, that they could


+  not leave the enemy without detriment to the public; that it would be better,


+  therefore, that the election should be held by an interrex, than that one of


+  the consuls should be called away from the war. It appeared more proper to the


+  fathers, that a dictator should be nominated by a consul, for the purpose of


+  holding the election Lucius Veturius Philo was nominated, who chose Manius Pomponius


+  Matho master of the horse. These having been created with some defect, they


+  were ordered to give up their appointment on the fourteenth day; and the state


+  came to an interregnum. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">34 </div>


+<a id="d34" />


+<p>To the consuls the authority was continued for a year longer. Caius Claudius


+  Centho, son of Appius, and then Publius Cornelius Asina, were appointed interreges


+  by the fathers. During the interregnum of the latter the election was held with


+  a violent contest between the patricians and the people, Caius Terentius Varro,


+  whom, as a man of their own order, commended to their favour by inveighing against


+  the patricians and by other popular arts; who had acquired celebrity by maligning


+  others, by undermining the influence of Fabius, and bringing into contempt the


+  dictatorial authority, the commons strove to raise to the consulship. The patricians


+  opposed him with all their might, lest men, by inveighing against them, should


+  come to be placed on an equality with them. Quintus Boebius Herennius, a plebeian


+  tribune, and kinsman of Caius Terentius, by criminating not only the senate,


+  but the augurs also, for having prevented the dictator from completing the election,


+  by the odium cast upon them, conciliated favour to his own candidate. He asserted,


+  "that Hannibal had been brought into Italy by the nobility, who had for many


+  years been desirous of a war. That by the fraudulent machinations of the same


+  persons the war had been protracted, whereas it might have been brought to a


+  conclusion. That it had appeared that the war could be maintained with an army


+  consisting of four legions in all, from Marcus Minucius's having fought with


+  success in the absence of Fabius. That two legions had been exposed to be slain


+  by the enemy, and were afterwards rescued from absolute destruction, in order


+  that that man might be saluted as father and patron, who had deprived them of


+  victory before he delivered them from defeat. That subsequently the consuls,


+  pursuing the plans of Fabius, had protracted the war, whereas it was in their


+  power to have put a period to it. That this was an agreement made by the nobility


+  in general; nor would they ever have the war concluded till they had created


+  a consul really plebeian; that is, a new man: for that plebeians who had attained


+  nobility were now initiated into the mysteries, and had begun to look down with


+  contempt upon plebeians, from the moment they ceased to be despised by the patricians.


+  Who was not fully aware that their end and object was, that an interregnum should


+  be formed, in order that the elections might be under the influence of the patricians?


+  That both the consuls had that in view in tarrying with the army: and that afterwards


+  a dictator having been nominated to hold the election contrary to their wishes,


+  they had carried it, as it were, by storm, that the augurs should declare the


+  dictator informally elected. That they therefore had gotten an interregnum;


+  but one consulate was surely in the hands of the Roman people. Thus the people


+  would have that at their own unbiassed disposal, and that they would confer


+  it on that man who would rather conquer in reality than lengthen the term of


+  his command." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">35 </div>


+<a id="d35" />


+<p>When the people had been inflamed by these harangues, though there were three


+  patrician candidates for the consulship, Publius Cornelius Merenda, Lucius Manlius


+  Vulso, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, two of plebeian families, who had been ennobled,


+  Caius Atilius Serranus and Quintus Aelius Paetus, one of whom was pontiff, the


+  other an augur, Terentius alone was created consul, that the comitia for choosing


+  his colleague might be in his own management. Then the nobles, finding that


+  the competitors whom they had set up were not strong enough, though he strenuously


+  refused for a long time, prevail upon Aemilius Paulus, who was strongly opposed


+  to the people, to become a candidate. He had been consul before with Marcus


+  Livius, and from the condemnation of his colleague, and almost of himself, had


+  come off scathed. On the next day of the election, all who had opposed Varro


+  withdrawing, he is given to the consul rather as a match to oppose him than


+  as a colleague. Afterwards the assembly for the election of praetors was held,


+  and Manius Pomponius Matho and Publius Furius Philus were chosen. The city lot


+  for the administration of justice at Rome fell to the lot of Pomponius; between


+  Roman citizens and foreigners, to Philus. Two praetors were added, Marcus Claudius


+  Marcellus for Sicily, and Lucius Postumius for Gaul. These were all appointed


+  in their absence; nor was an honour which he had not previously borne committed


+  to any one of them, except the consul Terentius, several brave and able men


+  having been passed over, because, at such a juncture, it did not appear advisable


+  that a new office should be committed to any one. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">36 </div>


+<a id="d36" />


+<p>The forces also were augmented. But how great was the augmentation of infantry


+  and cavalry authors vary so much, that I scarcely dare positively assert. Some


+  state, that ten thousand soldiers were levied as a reinforcement; others, four


+  fresh legions, that there might be eight legions in service. It is said also,


+  that the complement of the legion was increased in respect both to foot and


+  horse, one thousand foot and one hundred horse being added to each, so that


+  each might contain five thousand foot and three hundred horse; and that the


+  allies furnished twice as many cavalry, and an equal number of infantry. Some


+  authorities affirm that there were eighty-seven thousand two hundred soldiers


+  in the Roman camp when the battle of Cannae was fought. There is no dispute,


+  that the war was prosecuted with greater energy and spirit than during former


+  years, because the dictator had given them a hope that the enemy might be subdued.


+  Before, however, the new-raised legions marched from the city, the decemviri


+  were ordered to have recourse to and inspect the sacred volumes, on account


+  of persons having been generally alarmed by extraordinary prodigies; for intelligence


+  was brought, that it had rained stones on the Aventine at Rome and at Aricia


+  at the same time. That among the Sabines, statues had sweated blood copiously,


+  and at Caere the waters had flowed warm, from a fountain. The latter prodigy


+  excited a greater degree of alarm, because it had frequently occurred. In a


+  street called the Arched Way, near the Campus Martius, several men were struck


+  by lightning and killed. These prodigies were expiated according to the books.


+  Ambassadors from Paestum brought some golden goblets to Rome; they were thanked,


+  as the Neapolitans were, but the gold was not accepted. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">37 </div>


+<a id="d37" />


+<p>During the same time a fleet from Hiero arrived at Ostia with a large cargo


+  of supplies. The Syracusan ambassadors, on being introduced into the senate,


+  delivered this message: "That king Hiero was so much affected at the slaughter


+  announced to him of Caius Flaminius the consul and his troops, that he could


+  not have been more distressed at any disasters which could have befallen himself


+  or his own kingdom; and accordingly, though he was well aware that the greatness


+  of the Roman people was almost more admirable in adversity than prosperity,


+  he had nevertheless sent every thing which good and faithful allies are wont


+  to contribute to assist the operations of war, which he earnestly implored the


+  conscript fathers not to refuse to accept. First of all, for the sake of the


+  omen, they had brought a golden statue of Victory, of three hundred pounds'


+  weight, which they begged them to accept, keep by them, and hold as their own


+  peculiar and lasting possession. That they had also brought three hundred thousand


+  pecks of wheat, and two hundred thousand of barley, that there might be no want


+  of provisions, and that as much more as might be necessary they would convey,


+  as a supply, to whatever place they might appoint. He knew that the Roman people


+  employed no legionary troops or cavalry who were not Romans, or of the Latin


+  confederacy, that he had seen foreign auxiliary as well as native light-armed


+  troops in the Roman camps, he had, therefore, sent one thousand archers and


+  slingers, a suitable force against the Bahares and Moors, and other nations


+  which fought with missile weapons" To these presents they added also advice


+  "That the praetor to whose lot the province of Sicily had fallen, should pass


+  a fleet over to Africa, that the enemy also might have a war in their own country,


+  and that less liberty should be afforded them of sending reinforcements to Hannibal"


+  The senate thus replied to the king. "That Hiero was a good man and an admirable


+  ally, and that from the time he first formed a friendship with the Roman people


+  he had uniformly cultivated a spirit of fidelity, and had munificently assisted


+  the Roman cause at all times and in every place. That this was, as it ought


+  to be, a cause of gratitude to the Roman people. That the Roman people had not


+  accepted gold which had been brought them also from certain states, though they


+  felt gratitude for the act. The Victory and the omen," they said, "they would


+  accept, and would assign and dedicate to that goddess, as her abode, the Capitol,


+  the temple of Jupiter, the best and greatest of gods, hoping that, consecrated


+  in that fortress of the city of Rome, she would continue there firm and immoveable,


+  kind and propitious to the Roman people." The slingers, archers, and corn were


+  handed over to the consuls. To the fleet which Titus Otacilius the proprietor


+  had in Sicily, twenty-five quinqueremes were added, and permission was given


+  him, if he thought it for the interest of the state to pass over into Africa.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">38 </div>


+<a id="d38" />


+<p>The levy completed, the consuls waited a few days, till the allies of the Latin


+  confederacy arrived. At this time the soldiers were bound by an oath, which


+  had never before been the case, dictated by the military tribunes, that they


+  would assemble at the command of the consuls, and not depart without orders;


+  for up to that time the military oath only had been employed; and further, when


+  the soldiers met to divide into decuries or centuries, the cavalry being formed


+  into decuries and the infantry into centuries, all swore together, amongst themselves,


+  of their own accord, that they would not depart or quit their ranks for flight


+  or fear, except for the purpose of taking up or fetching a weapon, and either


+  striking an enemy or saving a countryman. This, from being a voluntary compact


+  among the soldiers themselves, was converted into the legal compulsion of an


+  oath by the tribunes. Before the standards were moved from the city, the harangues


+  of Varro were frequent and furious, protesting that the war had been invited


+  into Italy by the nobles, and that it would continue fixed in the bowels of


+  the state if it employed any more such generals as Fabius; that he would bring


+  the war to conclusion on the very day he got sight of the enemy. His colleague


+  Paulus made but one speech, on the day before they set out from the city, which


+  was more true than gratifying to the people, in which nothing was said severely


+  against Varro, except this only. "That he wondered how any general, before he


+  knew any thing of his own army, or that of the enemy, the situation of the places,


+  or the nature of the country, even now while in the city, and with the gown


+  on, could tell what he must do when in arms, and could even foretell the day


+  on which he would fight standard to standard with the enemy. That, for his own


+  part, he would not, before the time arrived, prematurely anticipate those measures


+  which circumstances imposed on men, rather than men on circumstances. He could


+  only wish that those measures which were taken with due caution and deliberation


+  might turn out prosperously. That temerity, setting aside its folly, had hitherto


+  been also unsuccessful." This obviously appeared, that he would prefer safe


+  to precipitate counsels; but that he might persevere the more constantly in


+  this, Quintus Fabius Maximus is reported to have thus addressed him on his departure.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">39 </div>


+<a id="d39" />


+<p>"If you either had a colleague like yourself, Lucius Aemilius, which is what


+  I should prefer, or you were like your colleague, an address from me would be


+  superfluous. For were you both good consuls, you would do every thing for the


+  good of the state from your own sense of honour, even without my saying a word:


+  and were you both bad consuls, you would neither receive my words into your


+  ears, nor my counsels into your minds. As the case now is, looking at your colleague


+  and yourself, a man of such character, my address will be solely to you; who,


+  I feel convinced, will prove yourself a good man and a worthy citizen in vain,


+  if the state on the other hand should halt. Pernicious counsels will have the


+  same authority and influence as those which are sound. For you are mistaken,


+  Lucius Paulus, if you imagine that you will have a less violent contest with


+  Caius Terentius than with Hannibal. I know not whether the former, your opponent,


+  or the latter, your open enemy, be the more hostile. With the latter you will


+  have to contend in the field only; with the former, at every place and time.


+  Hannibal, moreover, you have to oppose with your own horse and foot; while Varro


+  will head your own soldiers against you. Let Caius Flaminius be absent from


+  your thoughts, even for the omen's sake. Yet he only began to play the madman's


+  consul, in his province, and at the head of the army. This man is raving before


+  he put up for the consulship, afterwards while canvassing for it, and now having


+  obtained it, before he has seen the camp or the enemy. And he who by talking


+  largely of battles and marshalled armies, even now excites such storms among


+  the citizens with their gowns on, what do you think he will effect among the


+  youth in arms, where words are followed forthwith by acts? But be assured, if


+  this man, as he protests he will, shall immediately engage the enemy either


+  I am unacquainted with military affairs, with this kind of war, and the character


+  of the enemy, or another place will become more celebrated than the Trasimenus


+  by our disaster. Neither is this the season for boasting while I am addressing


+  one man; and besides, I have exceeded the bounds of moderation in despising


+  rather than in courting fame. But the case is really this. The only way of conducting


+  the war against Hannibal is that which I adopted: nor does the event only, that


+  instructor of fools, demonstrate it, but that same reasoning which has continued


+  hitherto, and will continue unchangeable so long as circumstances shall remain


+  the same. We are carrying on war in Italy, in our own country, and our own soil.


+  All around us are countrymen and allies in abundance. With arms, men, horses,


+  and provisions, they do and will assist us. Such proofs of their fidelity have


+  they given in our adversity. Time, nay, everyday makes us better, wiser, and


+  firmer. Hannibal, on the contrary, is in a foreign, a hostile land, amidst all


+  hostile and disadvantageous circumstances, far from his home, far from his country;


+  he has peace neither by land nor sea: no cities, no walls receive him: he sees


+  nothing any where which he can call his own: he daily lives by plunder. He has


+  now scarcely a third part of that army which he conveyed across the Iberus.


+  Famine has destroyed more than the sword; nor have the few remaining a sufficient


+  supply of provisions. Do you doubt, therefore, whether by remaining quiet we


+  shall not conquer him who is daily sinking into decrepitude? who has neither


+  provisions nor money? How long before the walls of Geronium, a miserable fortress


+  of Apulia, as if before the walls of Carthage--? But not even in your presence


+  will I boast. See how Cneius Servilius and Atilius, the last consuls, fooled


+  him. This is the only path of safety, Lucius Paulus, which your countrymen will


+  render more difficult and dangerous to you than their enemies will. For your


+  own soldiers will desire the same thing as those of the enemy: Varro, a Roman


+  consul, and Hannibal, a Carthaginian general, will wish the same thing. You


+  alone must resist two generals: and you will resist them sufficiently if you


+  stand firm against the report and the rumours of men; if neither the empty glory


+  of your colleague, and the unfounded calumnies against yourself, shall move


+  you. They say that truth too often suffers, but is never destroyed. He who despises


+  fame will have it genuine. Let them call you coward instead of cautious, dilatory


+  instead of considerate, unwarlike instead of an expert general. I would rather


+  that a sagacious enemy should fear you, than that foolish countrymen should


+  commend you. A man who hazards all things Hannibal will despise, him who does


+  nothing rashly he will fear. And neither do I advise that nothing should be


+  done; but that in what you do, reason should guide you, and not fortune. All


+  things will be within your own power, and your own. Be always ready armed and


+  on the watch, and neither be wanting when a favourable opportunity presents


+  itself, nor give any favourable opportunity to the enemy. All things are clear


+  and sure to the deliberate man. Precipitation is improvident and blind." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">40 </div>


+<a id="d40" />


+<p>The address of the consul in reply was by no means cheerful, admitting that


+  what he said was true, rather than easy to put in practice. He said, "That to


+  him, as dictator, his master of the horse was unbearable: what power or influence


+  could a consul have against a factious and intemperate colleague? That he had


+  in his former consulate escaped a popular conflagration not without being singed:


+  his prayer was, that every thing might happen prosperously; but if, on the contrary,


+  any misfortune should occur, that he would rather expose his life to the weapons


+  of the enemy, than to the votes of his incensed countrymen." Directly after


+  this discourse, it is related that Paulus set out, escorted by the principal


+  senators. The plebeian consul attended his own plebeian party, more distinguished


+  by their numbers than respectability. When they had arrived at the camp, the


+  old and new troops being united, they formed two distinct camps, so that the


+  new and smaller one might be the nearer to Hannibal, and the old one might contain


+  the greater part, and all the choicest of the troops. They then sent to Rome


+  Marcus Atilius, the consul of the former year, who alleged his age in excuse.


+  They appoint Geminus Servilius to the command of a Roman legion, and two thousand


+  of the allied infantry and cavalry in the lesser camp. Hannibal, although he


+  perceived that the forces of the enemy were augmented by one-half, was yet wonderfully


+  rejoiced at the arrival of the consuls; for he had not only nothing remaining


+  of the provisions which he daily acquired by plunder, but there was not even


+  any thing left which he could seize, the corn in all the surrounding country


+  having been collected into fortified cities, when the country was too unsafe;


+  so that, as was afterwards discovered, there scarcely remained corn enough for


+  ten days, and the Spaniards would have passed over to the enemy, through want


+  of food, if the completion of that time had been awaited. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">41 </div>


+<a id="d41" />


+<p>But fortune afforded materials also to the headstrong and precipitate disposition


+  of the consul, for in checking the plundering parties a battle having taken


+  place, of a tumultuary kind, and occasioned rather by a disorderly advance of


+  the soldiers, than by a preconcerted plan, or by the command of the general,


+  the contest was by no means equal with the Carthaginians. As many as one thousand


+  seven hundred of them were slain, but not more than one hundred of the Romans


+  and allies. The consul Paulus, however, who was in command on that day, (for


+  they held the command on alternate days,) apprehending an ambuscade, restrained


+  the victorious troops in their headstrong pursuit; while Varro indignantly vociferated,


+  that the enemy had been allowed to slip out of their hands, and that the war


+  might have been terminated had not the pursuit been stopped. Hannibal was not


+  much grieved at that loss; nay, rather he felt convinced, that the temerity


+  of the more presumptuous consul, and of the soldiers, particularly the fresh


+  ones, would be lured by the bait; and besides, all the circumstances of the


+  enemy were as well known to him as his own: that dissimilar and discordant men


+  were in command; that nearly two-thirds of the army consisted of raw recruits.


+  Accordingly, concluding that he now had both a time and place adapted for an


+  ambuscade, on the following night he led his troops away with nothing but their


+  arms, leaving the camp filled with all their effects, both public and private.


+  His infantry drawn up he conceals on the left, on the opposite side of the adjoining


+  hills; his cavalry on the right; his baggage in an intermediate line he leads


+  over the mountains through a valley, in order that he might surprise the enemy


+  when busy in plundering the camp, deserted, as they would imagine, by its owners,


+  and when encumbered with booty. Numerous fires were left in the camp, to produce


+  a belief that his intention was to keep the consuls in their places by the appearance


+  of a camp, until he could himself escape to a greater distance, in the same


+  manner as he had deceived Fabius the year before. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">42 </div>


+<a id="d42" />


+<p>When it was day, the outpost withdrawn first occasioned surprise, then, on


+  a nearer approach, the unusual stillness. At length, the desertion being manifest,


+  there is a general rush to the pavilions of the consuls, of those who announced


+  the flight of the enemy so precipitate, that they left their camp, with their


+  tents standing; and, that their flight might be the more secret, that numerous


+  fires were left. Then a clamour arose that they should order the standards to


+  be advanced, and lead them in pursuit of the enemy, and to the immediate plunder


+  of the camp. The other consul too was as one of the common soldiers. Paulus


+  again and again urged, that they should see their way before them, and use every


+  precaution. Lastly, when he could no longer withstand the sedition and the leader


+  of the sedition, he sends Marius Statilius, a prefect, with a Lucanian troop,


+  to reconnoitre, who, when he had ridden up to the gates, ordered the rest to


+  stay without the works, and entered the camp himself, attended by two horsemen.


+  Having carefully examined every thing, he brings back word that it was manifestly


+  a snare: that fires were left in that part of the camp which faced the enemy:


+  that the tents were open, and that all their valuables were left exposed: that


+  in some places he had seen silver carelessly thrown about the passages, as if


+  laid there for plunder. This intelligence, which it was hoped would deter their


+  minds from greediness, inflamed them; and the soldiers clamorously declaring,


+  that unless the signal was given they would advance without their leaders, they


+  by no means wanted one, for Varro instantly gave the signal for marching. Paulus,


+  whom, unwilling from his own suggestions to move, the chickens had not encouraged


+  by their auspices, ordered the unlucky omen to be reported to his colleague,


+  when he was now leading the troops out of the gate. And though Varro bore it


+  impatiently, yet the recent fate of Flaminius, and the recorded naval defeat


+  of Claudius, the consul in the first Punic war, struck religious scruples into


+  his mind. The gods themselves (it might almost be said) rather postponed than


+  averted the calamity which hung over the Romans; for it fell out by mere accident,


+  that when the soldiers did not obey the consul who ordered them to return to


+  the camp, two slaves, one belonging to a horseman of Formiae, the other to one


+  of Sidicinum, who had been cut off by the Numidians among a party of foragers,


+  when Servilius and Atilius were consuls, had escaped on that day to their masters:


+  and being brought into the presence of the consuls, inform them that the whole


+  army of Hannibal was lying in ambush on the other side of the adjoining mountains.


+  The seasonable arrival of these men restored the consuls to their authority,


+  when the ambition of one of them had relaxed his influence with the soldiers,


+  by an undignified compliance.43. Hannibal, perceiving that the Romans had been


+  indiscreetly prompted rather than rashly carried to a conclusion, returned to


+  his camp without effecting any thing, as his stratagem was discovered. He could


+  not remain there many days, in consequence of the scarcity of corn; and, moreover,


+  not only among the soldiers, who were mixed up of the off-scouring of various


+  nations, but even with the general himself, day by day new designs arose: for,


+  first, when there had been murmuring of the soldiers, and then an open and clamorous


+  demand of their arrears of pay, and a complaint first of the scarcity of provisions,


+  and lastly of famine; and there being a report that the mercenaries, particularly


+  the Spanish, had formed a plan of passing over to the enemy, it is affirmed


+  that Hannibal himself too sometimes entertained thoughts of flying into Gaul,


+  so that, having left all his infantry, he might hurry away with his cavalry.


+  Such being the plans in agitation, and such the state of feeling in the camp,


+  he resolved to depart thence into the regions of Apulia, which were warmer,


+  and therefore earlier in the harvest. Thinking also, that the farther he retired


+  from the enemy, the more difficult would desertion be to the wavering. He set


+  out by night, having, as before, kindled fires, and leaving a few tents to produce


+  an appearance; that a fear of an ambuscade, similar to the former, might keep


+  the Romans in their places. But when intelligence was brought by the same Lucanian


+  Statilius, who had reconnoitred every place on the other side the mountains,


+  and beyond the camp, that the enemy was seen marching at a distance, then plans


+  began to be deliberated on about pursuing him. The consuls persisted in the


+  same opinions they ever entertained; but nearly all acquiesced with Varro, and


+  none with Paulus except Servilius, the consul of the former year. In compliance


+  with the opinion of the majority, they set out, under the impulse of destiny,


+  to render Cannae celebrated by a Roman disaster. Hannibal had pitched his camp


+  near that village, with his back to the wind Vulturnus, which, in those plains


+  which are parched with drought, carries with it clouds of dust. This circumstance


+  was not only very advantageous to the camp, but would be a great protection


+  to them when they formed their line; as they, with the wind blowing only on


+  their backs, would combat with an enemy blinded with the thickly blown dust.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">44 </div>


+<a id="d44" />


+<p>When the consuls, employing sufficient diligence in exploring the road in pursuit


+  of the Carthaginian, had arrived at Cannae, where they had the enemy in the


+  sight of them, having divided their forces, they fortify two camps with nearly


+  the same interval as before, at Geronium. The river Aufidus, which flowed by


+  both the camps, afforded approach to the watering parties of each, as opportunity


+  served, though not without contest. The Romans in the lesser camp, however,


+  which was on the other side the Aufidus, were more freely furnished with water,


+  because the further bank had no guard of the enemy. Hannibal, entertaining a


+  hope that the consuls would not decline a battle in this tract, which was naturally


+  adapted to a cavalry engagement, in which portion of his forces he was invincible,


+  formed his line, and provoked the enemy by a skirmishing attack with his Numidians.


+  Upon this the Roman camp began again to be embroiled by a mutiny among the soldiers,


+  and the disagreement of the consuls: since Paulus instanced to Varro the temerity


+  of Sempronius and Flaminius; while Varro pointed to Fabius, as a specious example


+  to timid and inactive generals. The latter called both gods and men to witness,


+  "that no part of the blame attached to him that Hannibal had now made Italy


+  his own, as it were, by right of possession; that he was held bound by his colleague;


+  that the swords and arms were taken out of the hands of the indignant soldiers


+  who were eager to fight." The former declared, "that if any disaster should


+  befall the legions thus exposed and betrayed into an ill-advised and imprudent


+  battle, he should be exempt from any blame, though the sharer of all the consequences.


+  That he must take care that their hands were equally energetic in the battle


+  whose tongues were so forward and impetuous." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">45 </div>


+<a id="d45" />


+<p>While time is thus consumed in altercation rather than deliberating, Hannibal,


+  who had kept his troops drawn up in order of battle till late in the day, when


+  he had led the rest of them back into the camp, sends Numidians across the river


+  to attack a watering party of the Romans from the lesser camp. Having routed


+  this disorderly band by shouting and tumult, before they had well reached the


+  opposite bank, they advanced even to an outpost which was before the rampart,


+  and near the, very gates of the camp. It seemed so great an indignity, that


+  now even the camp of the Romans should be terrified by a tumultuary band of


+  auxiliaries, that this cause alone kept back the Romans from crossing the river


+  forthwith, and forming their line, that the chief command was on that day held


+  by Paulus. Accordingly Varro, on the following day, on which it was his turn


+  to hold the command, without consulting his colleague, displayed the signal


+  for battle, and forming his troops, led them across the river. Paulus followed,


+  because he could better disapprove of the proceeding, than withhold his assistance.


+  Having crossed the river, they add to their forces those which they had in the


+  lesser camp; and thus forming their line, place the Roman cavalry in the right


+  wing, which was next the river; and next them the infantry: at the extremity


+  of the left wing the allied cavalry; within them the allied infantry, extending


+  to the centre, and contiguous to the Roman legions. The darters, and the rest


+  of the light-armed auxiliaries, formed the van. The consuls commanded the wings;


+  Terentius the left, Aemilius the right. To Geminus Sevilius was committed the


+  charge of maintaining the battle in the centre. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">46 </div>


+<a id="d46" />


+<p>Hannibal, at break of day, having sent before him the Baliares and other light-armed


+  troops, crossed the river, and placed his troops in line of battle, as he had


+  conveyed them across the river. The Gallic and Spanish cavalry he placed in


+  the left wing, opposite the Roman cavalry: the right wing was assigned to the


+  Numidian cavalry, the centre of the line being strongly formed by the infantry,


+  so that both extremities of it were composed of Africans, between which Gauls


+  and Spaniards were placed. One would suppose the Africans were for the most


+  part Romans, they were so equipped with arms captured at the Trebia, and for


+  the greater part at the Trasimenus. The shields of the Gauls and Spaniards were


+  of the same shape; their swords unequal and dissimilar. The Gauls had very long


+  ones, without points. The Spaniards, who were accustomed to stab more than to


+  cut their enemy, had swords convenient from their shortness, and with points.


+  The aspect of these nations in other respects was terrific, both as to the appearance


+  they exhibited and the size of their persons. The Gauls were naked above the


+  navel: the Spaniards stood arrayed in linen vests resplendent with surprising


+  whiteness, and bordered with purple. The whole amount of infantry standing in


+  battle-array was forty thousand, of cavalry ten. The generals who commanded


+  the wings were on the left Hasdrubal, on the right Maharbal: Hannibal himself,


+  with his brother Mago, commanded the centre. The sun very conveniently shone


+  obliquely upon both parties; the Romans facing the south, and the Carthaginians


+  the north; either placed so designedly, or having stood thus by chance. The


+  wind, which the inhabitants of the district call the Vulturnus, blowing violently


+  in front of the Romans, prevented their seeing far by rolling clouds of dust


+  into their faces. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">47 </div>


+<a id="d47" />


+<p>The shout being raised, the auxiliaries charged, and the battle commenced in


+  the first place with the light-armed troops: then the left wing, consisting


+  of the Gallic and Spanish cavalry, engages with the Roman right wing, by no


+  means in the manner of a cavalry battle; for they were obliged to engage front


+  to front; for as on one side the river, on the other the line of infantry hemmed


+  them in, there was no space left at their flanks for evolution, but both parties


+  were compelled to press directly forward. At length the horses standing still,


+  and being crowded together, man grappling with man, dragged him from his horse.


+  The contest now came to be carried on principally on foot. The battle, however,


+  was more violent than lasting; and the Roman cavalry being repulsed, turn their


+  backs. About the conclusion of the contest between the cavalry, the battle between


+  the infantry commenced. At first the Gauls and Spaniards preserved their ranks


+  unbroken, not inferior in strength or courage: but at length the Romans, after


+  long and repeated efforts, drove in with their even front and closely compacted


+  line, that part of the enemy's line in the form of a wedge, which projected


+  beyond the rest, which was too thin, and therefore deficient in strength. These


+  men, thus driven back and hastily retreating, they closely pursued; and as they


+  urged their course without interruption through this terrified band, as it fled


+  with precipitation, were borne first upon the centre line of the enemy; and


+  lastly, no one opposing them, they reached the African reserved troops. These


+  were posted at the two extremities of the line, where it was depressed; while


+  the centre, where the Gauls and Spaniards were placed, projected a little. When


+  the wedge thus formed being driven in, at first rendered the line level, but


+  afterwards, by the pressure, made a curvature in the centre, the Africans, who


+  had now formed wings on each side of them, surrounded the Romans on both sides,


+  who incautiously rushed into the intermediate space; and presently extending


+  their wings, enclosed the enemy on the rear also. After this the Romans, who


+  had in vain finished one battle, leaving the Gauls and Spaniards, whose rear


+  they had slaughtered, in addition commence a fresh encounter with the Africans,


+  not only disadvantageous, because being hemmed in they had to fight against


+  troops who surrounded them, but also because, fatigued, they fought with those


+  who were fresh and vigorous. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">48 </div>


+<a id="d48" />


+<p>Now also in the left wing of the Romans, in which the allied cavalry were opposed


+  to the Numidians, the battle was joined, which was at first languid, commencing


+  with a stratagem on the part of the Carthaginians. About five hundred Numidians,


+  who, besides their usual arms, had swords concealed beneath their coats of mail,


+  quitting their own party, and riding up to the enemy under the semblance of


+  deserters, with their bucklers behind them, suddenly leap down from their horses;


+  and, throwing down their bucklers and javelins at the feet of their enemies,


+  are received into their centre, and being conducted to the rear, ordered to


+  remain there; and there they continued until the battle became general. But


+  afterwards, when the thoughts and attention of all were occupied with the contest,


+  snatching up the shields which lay scattered on all hands among the heaps of


+  slain, they fell upon the rear of the Roman line, and striking their backs and


+  wounding their hams, occasioned vast havoc, and still greater panic and confusion.


+  While in one part terror and flight prevailed, in another the battle was obstinately


+  persisted in, though with little hope. Hasdrubal, who was then commanding in


+  that quarter, withdrawing the Numidians from the centre of the army, as the


+  conflict with their opponents was slight, sends them in pursuit of the scattered


+  fugitives, and joining the Africans, now almost weary with slaying rather than


+  fighting the Spanish and Gallic infantry. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">49 </div>


+<a id="d49" />


+<p>On the other side of the field, Paulus, though severely wounded from a sling


+  in the very commencement of the battle, with a compact body of troops, frequently


+  opposed himself to Hannibal, and in several quarters restored the battle, the


+  Roman cavalry protecting him; who, at length, when the consul had not strength


+  enough even to manage his horse, dismounted from their horses. And when some


+  one brought intelligence that the consul had ordered the cavalry to dismount,


+  it is said that Hannibal observed, "How much rather would I that he delivered


+  them to me in chains." The fight maintained by the dismounted cavalry was such


+  as might be expected, when the victory was undoubtedly on the side of the enemy,


+  the vanquished preferring death in their places to flight; and the conquerors,


+  who were enraged at them for delaying the victory, butchering those whom they


+  could not put to flight. They at length, however, drove the few who remained


+  away, worn out with exertion and wounds. After that they were all dispersed,


+  and such as could, sought to regain their horses for flight. Cneius Lentulus,


+  a military tribune, seeing, as he rode by, the consul sitting upon a stone and


+  covered with blood, said to him: "Lucius Aemilius! the only man whom the gods


+  ought to regard as being guiltless of this day's disaster, take this horse,


+  while you have any strength remaining, and I am with you to raise you up and


+  protect you. Make not this battle more calamitous by the death of a consul.


+  There is sufficient matter for tears and grief without this addition." In reply


+  the consul said: "Do thou indeed go on and prosper, Cneius Servilius, in your


+  career of virtue! But beware lest you waste in bootless commiseration the brief


+  opportunity of escaping from the hands of the enemy. Go and tell the fathers


+  publicly, to fortify the city of Rome, and garrison it strongly before the victorious


+  enemy arrive: and tell Quintus Fabius individually, that Lucius Aemilius lived,


+  and now dies, mindful of his injunctions. Allow me to expire amid these heaps


+  of my slaughtered troops, that I may not a second time be accused after my consulate,


+  or stand forth as the accuser of my colleague, in order to defend my own innocence


+  by criminating another." While finishing these words, first a crowd of their


+  flying countrymen, after that the enemy, came upon them; they overwhelm the


+  consul with their weapons, not knowing who he was: in the confusion his horse


+  rescued Lentulus. After that they fly precipitately. Seven thousand escaped


+  to the lesser camp, ten to the greater, about two thousand to the village itself


+  of Cannae who were immediately surrounded by Carthalo and the cavalry, no fortifications


+  protecting the village. The other consul, whether by design or by chance, made


+  good his escape to Venusia with about seventy horse, without mingling with any


+  party of the flying troops. Forty thousand foot, two thousand seven hundred


+  horse, there being an equal number of citizens and allies, are said to have


+  been slain. Among both the quaestors of the consuls, Lucius Atilius and Lucius


+  Furius Bibaculus; twenty-one military tribunes; several who had passed the offices


+  of consul, praetor, and aedile; among these they reckon Cneius Servilius Germinus,


+  and Marcus Minucius, who had been master of the horse on a former year, and


+  consul some years before: moreover eighty, either senators, or who had borne


+  those offices by which they might be elected into the senate, and who had voluntarily


+  enrolled themselves in the legions. Three thousand infantry and three hundred


+  cavalry are said to have been captured in that battle. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">50 </div>


+<a id="d50" />


+<p>Such is the battle of Cannae, equal in celebrity to the defeat at the Allia:


+  but as it was less important in respect to those things which happened after


+  it, because the enemy did not follow up the blow, so was it more important and


+  more horrible with respect to the slaughter of the army; for with respect to


+  the flight at the Allia, as it betrayed the city, so it preserved the army.


+  At Cannae, scarcely seventy accompanied the flying consul: almost the whole


+  army shared the fate of the other who died. The troops collected in the two


+  camps being a half-armed multitude without leaders, those in the larger send


+  a message to the others, that they should come over to them at night, when the


+  enemy was oppressed with sleep, and wearied with the battle, and then, out of


+  joy, overpowered with feasting: that they would go in one body to Canusium.


+  Some entirely disapproved of that advice. "For why," said they, "did not those


+  who sent for them come themselves, since there would be equal facility of forming


+  a junction? Because, evidently, all the intermediate space was crowded with


+  the enemy, and they would rather expose the persons of others to so great a


+  danger than their own." Others did not so much disapprove, as want courage to


+  fulfil the advice. Publius Sempronius Tuditanus, a military tribune, exclaims,


+  "Would you rather, then, be captured by the most rapacious and cruel enemy,


+  and have a price set upon your heads, and have your value ascertained by men


+  who will ask whether you are Roman citizens or Latin confederates, in order


+  that from your miseries and indignities honour may be sought for another? Not


+  you, at least, if you are the fellow-citizens of Lucius Aemilius, the consul


+  who preferred an honourable death to a life of infamy, and of so many brave


+  men who lie heaped around him. But, before the light overtakes us and more numerous


+  bodies of the enemy beset the way, let us break through those disorderly and


+  irregular troops who are making a noise at our gates. By the sword and courage,


+  a road may be made through enemies, however dense. In a wedge we shall make


+  our way through this loose and disjointed band, as if nothing opposed us. Come


+  along with me therefore, ye who wish the safety of yourselves and the state."


+  Having thus said, he draws his sword, and forming a wedge, goes through the


+  midst of the enemy; and as the Numidians discharged their javelins on their


+  right side, which was exposed, they transferred their shields to the right hand,


+  and thus escaped, to the number of six hundred, to the greater camp; and setting


+  out thence forthwith, another large body having joined them, arrived safe at


+  Canusium. These measures were taken by the vanquished, according to the impulse


+  of their tempers, which his own disposition or which accident gave to each,


+  rather than in consequence of any deliberate plan of their own, or in obedience


+  to the command of any one. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">51 </div>


+<a id="d51" />


+<p>When all others, surrounding the victorious Hannibal, congratulated him, and


+  advised that, having completed so great a battle, he should himself take the


+  remainder of the day and the ensuing night for rest, and grant it to his exhausted


+  troops; Maharbal, prefect of the cavalry, who was of opinion that no time should


+  be lost, said to him, "Nay, rather, that you may know what has been achieved


+  by this battle, five days hence you shall feast in triumph in the Capitol. Follow


+  me: I will go first with the cavalry, that they may know that I am arrived before


+  they know of me as approaching." To Hannibal this project appeared too full


+  of joy, and too great for his mind to embrace it and determine upon it at the


+  instant. Accordingly, he replied to Maharbal, that "he applauded his zeal, but


+  that time was necessary to ponder the proposal." Upon this Maharbal observed,


+  "Of a truth the gods have not bestowed all things upon the same person. You


+  know how to conquer, Hannibal; but you do not know how to make use of your victory."


+  That day's delay is firmly believed to have been the preservation of the city


+  and the empire. On the following day, as soon as it dawned, they set about gathering


+  the spoils and viewing the carnage, which was shocking, even to enemies. So


+  many thousands of Romans were lying, foot and horse promiscuously, according


+  as accident had brought them together, either in the battle or in the flight.


+  Some, whom their wounds, pinched by the morning cold, had roused, as they were


+  rising up, covered with blood, from the midst of the heaps of slain, were overpowered


+  by the enemy. Some too they found lying alive with their thighs and hams cut


+  who, laying bare their necks and throats, bid them drain the blood that remained


+  in them. Some were found with their heads plunged into the earth, which they


+  had excavated; having thus, as it appeared, made pits for themselves, and having


+  suffocated themselves by overwhelming their faces with the earth which they


+  threw over them. A living Numidian, with lacerated nose and ears, stretched


+  beneath a lifeless Roman who lay upon him, principally attracted the attention


+  of all; for when his hands were powerless to grasp his weapon, turning from


+  rage to madness, he had died in the act of tearing his antagonist with his teeth.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">52 </div>


+<a id="d52" />


+<p>The spoils having been gathered for a great part of the day, Hannibal leads


+  his troops to storm the lesser camp, and, first of all, interposing a trench,


+  cuts it off from the river. But as the men were fatigued with toil, watching,


+  and wounds, a surrender was made sooner than he expected. Having agreed to deliver


+  up their arms and horses, on condition that the ransom of every Roman should


+  be three hundred denarii, for an ally two hundred, for a slave one hundred,


+  and that on payment of that ransom they should be allowed to depart with single


+  garments, they received the enemy into the camp, and were all delivered into


+  custody, the citizens and allies being kept separate. While the time is being


+  spent there, all who had strength or spirit enough, to the number of four thousand


+  foot and two hundred horse, quitted the greater camp and arrived at Canusium;


+  some in a body, others widely dispersed through the country, which was no less


+  secure a course: the camp itself was surrendered to the enemy by the wounded


+  and timid troops, on the same terms as the other was. A very great booty was


+  obtained; and with the exception of the men and horses, and what silver there


+  was which was for the most part on the trappings of the horses; for they had


+  but very little in use for eating from, particularly in campaign; all the rest


+  of the booty was given up to be plundered. Then he ordered the bodies of his


+  own troops to be collected for burial. They are said to have been as many as


+  eight thousand of his bravest men. Some authors relate, that the Roman consul


+  also was carefully searched for and buried. Those who escaped to Canusium, being


+  received by the people of that place within their walls and houses only, were


+  assisted with corn, clothes, and provisions for their journey, by an Apulian


+  lady, named Busa, distinguished for her family and riches; in return for which


+  munificence, the senate afterwards, when the war was concluded, conferred honours


+  upon her. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">53 </div>


+<a id="d53" />


+<p>But, though there were four military tribunes there, Fabius Maximus of the


+  first legion, whose father had been dictator the former year; and of the second


+  legion, Lucius Publicius Bibulus and Publius Cornelius Scipio; and of the third


+  legion, Appius Claudius Pulcher, who had been aedile the last year; by the consent


+  of all, the supreme command was vested in Publius Scipio, then a very young


+  man, and Appius Claudius. To these, while deliberating with a few others on


+  the crisis of their affairs, Publius Furius Philus, the son of a man of consular


+  dignity, brings intelligence, "That it was in vain that they cherished hopes


+  which could never be realized: that the state was despaired of, and lamented


+  as lost. That certain noble youths, the chief of whom was Lucius Caecilius Metellus,


+  turned their attention to the sea and ships, in order that, abandoning Italy,


+  they might escape to some king." When this calamity, which was not only dreadful


+  in itself, but new, and in addition to the numerous disasters they had sustained,


+  had struck them motionless with astonishment and stupor; and while those who


+  were present gave it as their opinion that a council should be called to deliberate


+  upon it, young Scipio, the destined general of this war, asserts, "That it is


+  not a proper subject for deliberation: that courage and action, and not deliberation,


+  were necessary in so great a calamity. That those who wished the safety of the


+  state would attend him forthwith in arms; that in no place was the camp of the


+  enemy more truly, than where such designs were meditated." He immediately proceeds,


+  attended by a few, to the lodging of Metellus; and finding there the council


+  of youths of which he had been apprized, he drew his sword over the heads of


+  them, deliberating, and said, "With sincerity of soul I swear that neither will


+  I myself desert the cause of the Roman republic, nor will I suffer any other


+  citizen of Rome to desert it. If knowingly I violate my oath, then, O Jupiter,


+  supremely great and good, mayest thou visit my house, my family, and my fortune


+  with perdition the most horrible! I require you, Lucius Caecilius, and the rest


+  of you who are present, to take this oath; and let the man who shall not take


+  it be assured, that this sword is drawn against him." Terrified, as though they


+  were beholding the victorious Hannibal, they all take the oath, and deliver


+  themselves to Scipio to be kept in custody. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">54 </div>


+<a id="d54" />


+<p>During the time in which these things were going on at Canusium, as many as


+  four thousand foot and horse, who had been dispersed through the country in


+  the flight, came to Venusia, to the consul. These the Venusini distributed throughout


+  their families, to be kindly entertained and taken care of; and also gave to


+  each horseman a gown, a tunic, and twenty-five denarii; and to each foot soldier


+  ten denarii, and such arms as they wanted; and every other kind of hospitality


+  showed them, both publicly and privately: emulously striving that the people


+  of Venusia might not be surpassed by a woman of Canusium in kind offices. But


+  the great number of her guests rendered the burden more oppressive to Busa,


+  for they amounted now to ten thousand men. Appius and Scipio, having heard that


+  the other consul was safe, immediately send a messenger to inquire how great


+  a force of infantry and cavalry he had with him, and at the same time to ask,


+  whether it was his pleasure that the army should be brought to Venusia, or remain


+  at Canusium. Varro himself led over his forces to Canusium. And now there was


+  some appearance of a consular army, and they seemed able to defend themselves


+  from the enemy by walls, if not by arms. At Rome intelligence had been received,


+  that not even these relics of their citizens and allies had survived, but that


+  the two consuls, with their armies, were cut to pieces, and all their forces


+  annihilated. Never when the city was in safety was there so great a panic and


+  confusion within the walls of Rome. I shall therefore shrink from the task,


+  and not attempt to relate what in describing I must make less than the reality.


+  The consul and his army having been lost at the Trasimenus the year before,


+  it was not one wound upon another which was announced, but a multiplied disaster,


+  the loss of two consular armies, together with the two consuls: and that now


+  there was neither any Roman camp, nor general nor soldiery: that Apulia and


+  Samnium, and now almost the whole of Italy, were in the possession of Hannibal.


+  No other nation surely would not have been overwhelmed by such an accumulation


+  of misfortune. Shall I compare with it the disaster of the Carthaginians, sustained


+  in a naval battle at the islands Aegates, dispirited by which they gave up Sicily


+  and Sardinia, and thenceforth submitted to become tributary and stipendiary?


+  Or shall I compare with it the defeat in Africa under which this same Hannibal


+  afterwards sunk? In no respect are they comparable, except that they were endured


+  with less fortitude. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">55 </div>


+<a id="d55" />


+<p>Publius Furius Philus and Manius Pomponius, the praetors, assembled the senate


+  in the curia hostilia, that they might deliberate about the guarding of the


+  city; for they doubted not but that the enemy, now their armies were annihilated,


+  would come to assault Rome, the only operation of the war which remained. Unable


+  to form any plan in misfortunes, not only very great, but unknown and undefined,


+  and while the loud lamentations of the women were resounding, and nothing was


+  as yet made known, the living and the dead alike being lamented in almost every


+  house; such being the state of things, Quintus Fabius gave it as his opinion,


+  "That light horsemen should be sent out on the Latin and Appian ways, who, questioning


+  those they met, as some would certainly be dispersed in all directions from


+  the flight, might bring back word what was the fate of the consuls and their


+  armies; and if the gods, pitying the empire, had left any remnant of the Roman


+  name where these forces were; whither Hannibal had repaired after the battle,


+  what he was meditating; what he was doing, or about to do. That these points


+  should be searched out and ascertained by active youths. That it should be the


+  business of the fathers, since there was a deficiency of magistrates, to do


+  away with the tumult and trepidation in the city; to keep the women from coming


+  into public, and compel each to abide within her own threshold; to put a stop


+  to the lamentations of families; to obtain silence in the city; to take care


+  that the bearers of every kind of intelligence should be brought before the


+  praetors; that each person should await at home the bearer of tidings respecting


+  his own fortune: moreover, that they should post guards at the gates, to prevent


+  any person from quitting the city; and oblige men to place their sole hopes


+  of safety in the preservation of the walls and the city. That when the tumult


+  had subsided the fathers should be called again to the senate-house, and deliberate


+  on the defence of the city." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">56 </div>


+<a id="d56" />


+<p>When all had signified their approbation of this opinion, and after the crowd


+  had been removed by the magistrates from the forum, and the senators had proceeded


+  in different directions to allay the tumult; then at length a letter is brought


+  from the consul Terentius, stating, "That Lucius Aemilius, the consul, and his


+  army were slain; that he himself was at Canusium, collecting, as it were after


+  a shipwreck, the remains of this great disaster; that he had nearly ten thousand


+  irregular and unorganized troops. That the Carthaginian was sitting still at


+  Cannae, bargaining about the price of the captives and the other booty, neither


+  with the spirit of a conqueror nor in the style of a great general." Then also


+  the losses of private families were made known throughout the several houses;


+  and so completely was the whole city filled with grief, that the anniversary


+  sacred rite of Ceres was intermitted, because it was neither allowable to perform


+  it while in mourning, nor was there at that juncture a single matron who was


+  not in mourning. Accordingly, lest the same cause should occasion the neglect


+  of other public and private sacred rites, the mourning was limited to thirty


+  days, by a decree of the senate. Now when the tumult in the city was allayed,


+  an additional letter was brought from Sicily, from Titus Otacilius, the propraetor,


+  stating, "that the kingdom of Hiero was being devastated by the Carthaginian


+  fleet: and that, being desirous of affording him the assistance he implored,


+  he received intelligence that another Carthaginian fleet was stationed at the


+  Aegates, equipped and prepared; in order that when the Carthaginians had perceived


+  that he was gone away to protect the coast of Syracuse, they might immediately


+  attack Lilybaeum and other parts of the Roman province; that he therefore needed


+  a fleet, if they wished him to protect the king their ally, and Sicily." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">57 </div>


+<a id="d57" />


+<p>The letters of the consul and the propraetor having been read, they resolved


+  that Marcus Claudius, who commanded the fleet stationed at Ostia, should be


+  sent to the army to Canusium; and a letter be written to the consul, to the


+  effect that, having delivered the army to the praetor, he should return to Rome


+  the first moment he could, consistently with the interest of the republic. They


+  were terrified also, in addition to these disasters, both with other prodigies,


+  and also because two vestal virgins, Opimia and Floronia, were that year convicted


+  of incontinence; one of whom was, according to custom, buried alive at the Colline


+  gate; the other destroyed herself. Lucius Cantilius, secretary of the pontiff,


+  whom they now call the lesser pontiffs, who had debauched Floronia, was beaten


+  by rods in the comitium, by order of the chief pontiff, so that he expired under


+  the stripes. This impiety being converted into a prodigy, as is usually the


+  case when happening in the midst of so many calamities, the decemviri were desired


+  to consult the sacred books. Quintus Fabius Pictor was also sent to Delphi,


+  to inquire of the oracle by what prayers and offerings they might appease the


+  gods, and what termination there would be to such great distresses. Meanwhile


+  certain extraordinary sacrifices were performed, according to the directions


+  of the books of the fates; among which a Gallic man and woman, and a Greek man


+  and woman, were let down alive in the cattle market, into a place fenced round


+  with stone, which had been already polluted with human victims, a rite by no


+  means Roman. The gods being, as they supposed, sufficiently appeased, Marcus


+  Claudius Marcellus sends from Ostia to Rome, as a garrison for the city, one


+  thousand five hundred soldiers, which he had with him, levied for the fleet.


+  He himself sending before him a marine legion, (it was the third legion,) under


+  the command of the military tribunes, to Teanum Sidicinum, and delivering the


+  fleet to Publius Furius Philus, his colleague, after a few days, proceeded by


+  long marches to Cannsium. Marcus Junius, created dictator on the authority of


+  the senate, and Titus Sempronius, master of the horse, proclaiming a levy, enrol


+  the younger men from the age of seventeen, and some who wore the toga praetexta:


+  of these, four legions and a thousand horse were formed. They send also to the


+  allies and the Latin confederacy, to receive the soldiers according to the terms


+  of the treaty. They order that arms, weapons, and other things should be prepared;


+  and they take down from the temples and porticoes the old spoils taken from


+  the enemy. They adopted also another and a new form of levy, from the scarcity


+  of free persons, and from necessity: they armed eight thousand stout youths


+  from the slaves, purchased at the public expense, first inquiring of each whether


+  he was willing to serve. They preferred this description of troops, though they


+  had the power of redeeming the captives at a less expense. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">58 </div>


+<a id="d58" />


+<p>For Hannibal, after so great a victory at Cannae, being occupied with the cares


+  of a conqueror, rather than one who had a war to prosecute, the captives having


+  been brought forward and separated, addressed the allies in terms of kindness,


+  as he had done before at the Trebia and the lake Trasimenus, and dismissed them


+  without a ransom; then he addressed the Romans too, who were called to him,


+  in very gentle terms: "That he was not carrying on a war of extermination with


+  the Romans, but was contending for honour and empire. That his ancestors had


+  yielded to the Roman valour; and that he was endeavouring that others might


+  be obliged to yield, in their turn, to his good fortune and valour together.


+  Accordingly, he allowed the captives the liberty of ransoming themselves, and


+  that the price per head should be five hundred denarii for a horseman, three


+  hundred for a foot soldier, and one hundred for a slave." Although some addition


+  was made to that sum for the cavalry, which they stipulated for themselves when


+  they surrendered, yet they joyfully accepted any terms of entering into the


+  compact. They determined that ten persons should be selected, by their own votes,


+  who might go to Rome to the senate; nor was any other guarantee of their fidelity


+  taken than that they should swear that they would return. With these was sent


+  Carthalo, a noble Carthaginian, who might propose terms, if perchance their


+  minds were inclined towards peace. When they had gone out of the camp, one of


+  their body, a man who had very little of the Roman character, under pretence


+  of having forgotten something, returned to the camp, for the purpose of freeing


+  himself from the obligation of his oath, and overtook his companions before


+  night. When it was announced that they had arrived at Rome, a lictor was despatched


+  to meet Carthalo, to tell him, in the words of the dictator, to depart from


+  the Roman territories before night. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">59 </div>


+<a id="d59" />


+<p>An audience of the senate was granted by the dictator to the delegates of the


+  prisoners. The chief of them, Marcus Junius, thus spoke: "There is not one of


+  us, conscript fathers, who is not aware that there never was a nation which


+  held prisoners in greater contempt than our own. But unless our own cause is


+  dearer to us than it should be, never did men fall into the hands of the enemy


+  who less deserved to be disregarded than we do; for we did not surrender our


+  arms in the battle through fear; but having prolonged the battle almost till


+  night-fall, while standing upon heaps of our slaughtered countrymen, we betook


+  ourselves to our camp. For the remainder of the day and during the following


+  night, although exhausted with exertion and wounds, we protected our rampart.


+  On the following day, when, beset by the enemy, we were deprived of water, and


+  there was no hope of breaking through the dense bands of the enemy; and, moreover,


+  not considering it an impiety that any Roman soldier should survive the battle


+  of Cannae, after fifty thousand of our army had been butchered; then at length


+  we agreed upon terms on which we might be ransomed and let off; and our arms,


+  in which there was no longer any protection, we delivered to the enemy. We had


+  been informed that our ancestors also had redeemed themselves from the Gauls


+  with gold, and that though so rigid as to the terms of peace, had sent ambassadors


+  to Tarentum for the purpose of ransoming the captives. And yet both the fight


+  at the Allia with the Gauls, and at Heraclea with Pyrrhus, was disgraceful,


+  not so much on account of the loss as the panic and flight. Heaps of Roman carcasses


+  cover the plains of Cannae; nor would any of us have survived the battle, had


+  not the enemy wanted the strength and the sword to slay us. There are, too,


+  some of us, who did not even retreat in the field; but being left to guard the


+  camp, came into the hands of the enemy when it was surrendered. For my part,


+  I envy not the good fortune or condition of any citizen or fellow-soldier, nor


+  would I endeavour to raise myself by depressing another: but not even those


+  men who, for the most part, leaving their arms, fled from the field, and stopped


+  not till they arrived at Venusia or Canusium; not even those men, unless some


+  reward is due to them on account of their swiftness of foot and running, would


+  justly set themselves before us, or boast that there is more protection to the


+  state in them than in us. But you will both find them to be good and brave soldiers,


+  and us still more zealous, because, by your kindness, we have been ransomed


+  and restored to our country. You are levying from every age and condition: I


+  hear that eight thousand slaves are being armed. We are no fewer in number;


+  nor will the expense of redeeming us be greater than that of purchasing these.


+  Should I compare ourselves with them, I should injure the name of Roman. I should


+  think also, conscript fathers, that in deliberating on such a measure, it ought


+  also to be considered, (if you are disposed to be over severe, which you cannot


+  do from any demerit of ours,) to what sort of enemy you would abandon us. Is


+  it to Pyrrhus, for instance, who treated us, when his prisoners, like guests;


+  or to a barbarian and Carthaginian, of whom it is difficult to determine whether


+  his rapacity or cruelty be the greater? If you were to see the chains, the squalid


+  appearance, the loathsomeness of your countrymen, that spectacle would not,


+  I am confident, less affect you, than if, on the other hand, you beheld your


+  legions prostrate on the plains of Cannae. You may behold the solicitude and


+  the tears of our kinsmen, as they stand in the lobby of your senate-house, and


+  await your answer. When they are in so much suspense and anxiety in behalf of


+  us, and those who are absent, what think you must be our own feelings, whose


+  lives and liberty are at stake? By Hercules! should Hannibal himself, contrary


+  to his nature, be disposed to be lenient towards us, yet we should not consider


+  our lives worth possessing, since we have seemed unworthy of being ransomed


+  by you. Formerly, prisoners dismissed by Pyrrhus, without ransom, returned to


+  Rome; but they returned in company with ambassadors, the chief men of the state,


+  who were sent to ransom them. Would I return to my country, a citizen, and not


+  considered worth three hundred denarii? Every man has his own way of thinking,


+  conscript fathers. I know that my life and person are at stake. But the danger


+  which threatens my reputation affects me most, if we should go away rejected


+  and condemned by you; for men will never suppose that you grudged the price


+  of our redemption." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">60 </div>


+<a id="d60" />


+<p>When he had finished his address, the crowd of persons in the comitium immediately


+  set up a loud lamentation, and stretched out their hands to the senate, imploring


+  them to restore to them their children, their brothers, and their kinsmen. Their


+  fears and affection for their kindred had brought the women also with the crowd


+  of men in the forum. Witnesses being excluded, the matter began to be discussed


+  in the senate. There being a difference of opinion, and some advising that they


+  should be ransomed at the public charge, others, that the state should be put


+  to no expense, but that they should not be prevented redeeming themselves at


+  their own cost; and that those who had not the money at present should receive


+  a loan from the public coffer, and security given to the people by their sureties


+  and properties; Titus Manlius Torquatus, a man of primitive, and, as some considered,


+  over-rigorous severity, being asked his opinion, is reported thus to have spoken:


+  "Had the deputies confined themselves to making a request, in behalf of those


+  who are in the hands of the enemy, that they might be ransomed, I should have


+  briefly given my opinion, without inveighing against any one. For what else


+  would have been necessary but to admonish you, that you ought to adhere to the


+  custom handed down from your ancestors, a precedent indispensable to military


+  discipline. But now, since they have almost boasted of having surrendered themselves


+  to the enemy, and have claimed to be preferred, not only to those who were captured


+  by the enemy in the field, but to those also who came to Venusia and Canusium,


+  and even to the consul Terentius himself; I will not suffer you to remain in


+  ignorance of things which were done there. And I could wish that what I am about


+  to bring before you, were stated at Canusium, before the army itself, the best


+  witness of every man's cowardice or valour; or at least that one person, Publius


+  Sempronius, were here, whom had they followed as their leader, they would this


+  day have been soldiers in the Roman camp, and not prisoners in the power of


+  the enemy. But though the enemy was fatigued with fighting, and engaged in rejoicing


+  for their victory, and had, the greater part of them, retired into their camp,


+  and they had the night at their disposal for making a sally, and as they were


+  seven thousand armed troops, might have forced their way through the troops


+  of the enemy, however closely arrayed; yet they neither of themselves attempted


+  to do this, nor were willing to follow another. Throughout nearly the whole


+  night Sempronius ceased not to admonish and exhort them, while but few of the


+  enemy were about the camp, while there was stillness and quiet, while the night


+  would conceal their design, that they would follow him; that before daybreak


+  they might reach places of security, the cities of their allies. If as Publius


+  Decius, the military tribune in Samnium, said, within the memory of our grandfathers;


+  if he had said, as Calpurnius Flamma, in the first Punic war, when we were youths,


+  said to the three hundred volunteers, when he was leading them to seize upon


+  an eminence situated in the midst of the enemy: LET US DIE, SOLDIERS, AND BY


+  OUR DEATHS RESCUE THE SURROUNDED LEGIONS FROM AMBUSCADE;--if Publius Sempronius


+  had said thus, he would neither have considered you as Romans nor men, had no


+  one stood forward as his companion in so valorous an attempt. He points out


+  to you the road that leads not to glory more than to safety; he restores you


+  to your country, your parents, your wives and children. Do you want courage


+  to effect your preservation? What would you do if you had to die for your country?


+  Fifty thousand of your countrymen and allies on that very day lay around you


+  slain. If so many examples of courage did not move you, nothing ever will. If


+  so great a carnage did not make life less dear, none ever will. While in freedom


+  and safety, show your affection for your country; nay, rather do so while it


+  is your country, and you its citizens. Too late you now endeavour to evince


+  your regard for her when degraded, disfranchised from the rights of citizens,


+  and become the slaves of the Carthaginians. Shall you return by purchase to


+  that degree which you have forfeited by cowardice and neglect? You did not listen


+  to Sempronius, your countryman, when he bid you take arms and follow him; but


+  a little after you listened to Hannibal, when he ordered your arms to be surrendered,


+  and your camp betrayed. But why do I charge those men with cowardice, when I


+  might tax them with villany? They not only refused to follow him who gave them


+  good advice, but endeavoured to oppose and hold him back, had not some men of


+  the greatest bravery, drawing their swords, removed the cowards. Publius Sempronius,


+  I say, was obliged to force his way through a band of his countrymen, before


+  he burst through the enemy's troops. Can our country regret such citizens as


+  these, whom if all the rest resembled, she would not have one citizen of all


+  those who fought at Cannae? Out of seven thousand armed men, there were six


+  hundred who had courage to force their way, who returned to their country free,


+  and in arms; nor did forty thousand of the enemy successfully oppose them. How


+  safe, think you, would a passage have been for nearly two legions? Then you


+  would have had this day at Canusium, conscript fathers, twenty thousand bold


+  and faithful. But now how can these men be called faithful and good citizens,


+  (for they do not even call themselves brave,) except any man suppose that they


+  showed themselves such when they opposed those who were desirous of forcing


+  their way through the enemy? or, unless any man can suppose, that they do not


+  envy those men their safety and glory acquired by valour, when the must know


+  that their timidity and cowardice were the cause of their ignominious servitude?


+  Skulking in their tents they preferred to wait for the light and the enemy together,


+  when they had an opportunity of sallying forth during the silence of the night.


+  But though they had not courage to sally forth from the camp, had they courage


+  to defend it strenuously? Having endured a siege for several days and nights,


+  did they protect their rampart by their arms, and themselves by their rampart?


+  At length, having dared and suffered every extremity, every support of life


+  being gone, their strength exhausted with famine, and unable to hold their arms,


+  were they subdued by the necessities of nature rather than by arms? At sunrise,


+  the enemy approached the rampart: before the second hour, without hazarding


+  any contest, they delivered up their arms and themselves. Here is their military


+  service for you during two days. When they ought to have stood firm in array


+  and fight on, then they fled back into their camp; when they ought to have fought


+  before their rampart, they delivered up their camp: good for nothing, either


+  in the field or the camp. I redeem you. When you ought to sally from the camp,


+  you linger and hesitate; and when you ought to stay and protect your camp in


+  arms, you surrender the camp, your arms, and yourselves to the enemy. I am of


+  opinion, conscript fathers, that these men should no more be ransomed, than


+  that those should be surrendered to Hannibal, who sallied from the camp through


+  the midst of the enemy, and, with the most distinguished courage, restored themselves


+  to their country." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">61 </div>


+<a id="d61" />


+<p>After Manlius had thus spoken, notwithstanding the captives were related to


+  many even of the senators, besides the practice of the state, which had never


+  shown favour to captives, even from the remotest times, the sum of money also


+  influenced them: for they were neither willing to drain the treasury, a large


+  sum of money having been already issued for buying and arming slaves to serve


+  in the war, nor to enrich Hannibal, who, according to report, was particularly


+  in want of this very thing. The sad reply, that the captives would not be ransomed,


+  being delivered, and fresh grief being added to the former on account of the


+  loss of so many citizens, the people accompanied the deputies to the gate with


+  copious tears and lamentations. One of them went home, because he had evaded


+  his oath by artfully returning to the camp. But when this was known and laid


+  before the senate, they all resolved that he should be apprehended and conveyed


+  to Hannibal by guards, furnished by the state. There is another account respecting


+  the prisoners, that ten came first, and that, the senate hesitating whether


+  they should be admitted into the city or not, they were admitted, on the understanding


+  that they should not have an audience of the senate. That when these staid longer


+  than the expectation of all, three more came, Scribonius, Calpurnius, and Manlius.


+  That then at length a tribune of the people, a relation of Scribonius, laid


+  before the senate the redemption of the captives, and that they resolved that


+  they should not be ransomed. That the three last deputies returned to Hannibal,


+  and the ten former remained, because they had evaded their oath, having returned


+  to Hannibal after having set out, under pretence of learning afresh the names


+  of the captives. That a violent contest took place in the senate, on the question


+  of surrendering them, and that those who thought they ought to be surrendered


+  were beaten by a few votes, but that they were so branded by every kind of stigma


+  and ignominy by the ensuing censors, that some of them immediately put themselves


+  to death, and the rest, for all their life afterwards, not only shunned the


+  forum, but almost the light and publicity. You can more easily wonder that authors


+  differ so much than determine what is the truth. How much greater this disaster


+  was than any preceding, even this is a proof, that such of the allies as had


+  stood firm till that day then began to waver, for no other cause certainly but


+  that they despaired of the empire. The people who revolted to the Carthaginians


+  were these: the Atellani, Calatini, the Hirpini, some of the Apulians, the Samnites,


+  except the Pentrians, all the Bruttians, and the Lucanians. Besides these the


+  Surrentinians, and almost the whole coast possessed by the Greeks, the people


+  of Tarentum, Metapontum, Croton, the Locrians, and all Cisalpine Gaul. Yet not


+  even these losses and defections of their allies so shook the firmness of the


+  Romans, that any mention of peace was made among them, either before the arrival


+  of the consul at Rome, or after he came thither, and renewed the memory of the


+  calamity they had suffered. At which very juncture, such was the magnanimity


+  of the state, that the consul, as he returned after so severe a defeat, of which


+  he himself was the principal cause, was met in crowds of all ranks of citizens,


+  and thanks bestowed because he had not despaired of the republic, in whose case,


+  had he been a Carthaginian commander, no species of punishment would have been


+  spared. </p>


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book23">BOOK XXIII.</div>


+<div class="date">B.C. 216-215</div>


+<br />


+<div class="chapmen"><a href="#e1">1</a> <a href="#e2">2</a> <a href="#e3">3</a>


+  <a href="#e4">4</a> <a href="#e5">5</a> <a href="#e6">6</a> <a href="#e7">7</a>


+  <a href="#e8">8</a> <a href="#e9">9</a> <a href="#e10">10</a> <a href="#e11">11</a>


+  <a href="#e12">12</a> <a href="#e13">13</a> <a href="#e14">14</a> <a href="#e15">15</a>


+  <a href="#e16">16</a> <a href="#e17">17</a> <a href="#e18">18</a> <a href="#e19">19</a>


+  <a href="#e20">20</a> <a href="#e21">21</a> <a href="#e22">22</a> <a href="#e23">23</a>


+  <a href="#e24">24</a> <a href="#e25">25</a> <a href="#e26">26</a> <a href="#e27">27</a>


+  <a href="#e28">28</a> <a href="#e29">29</a> <a href="#e30">30</a> <a href="#e31">31</a>


+  <a href="#e32">32</a> <a href="#e33">33</a> <a href="#e34">34</a> <a href="#e35">35</a>


+  <a href="#e36">36</a> <a href="#e37">37</a> <a href="#e38">38</a> <a href="#e39">39</a>


+  <a href="#e40">40</a> <a href="#e41">41</a> <a href="#e42">42</a> <a href="#e43">43</a>


+  <a href="#e44">44</a> <a href="#e45">45</a> <a href="#e46">46</a> <a href="#e47">47</a>


+  <a href="#e48">48</a> <a href="#e49">49</a></div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes"><i>The Campanians revolt to Hannibal. Mago is sent to Carthage


+  to announce the victory of Cannae. Hanno advises the Carthaginian senate to


+  make peace with the Romans, but is overborne by the Barcine faction. Claudius


+  Marcellus the praetor defeats Hannibal at Nola. Hannibal's army is enervated


+  in mind and body by luxurious living at Capua. Casilinum is besieged by the


+  Carthaginians, and the inhabitants reduced to the last extremity of famine.


+  A hundred and ninety-seven senators elected from the equestrian order. Lucius


+  Postumius is, with his army, cut off by the Gauls. Cneius and Publius Scipio


+  defeat Hasdrubal in Spain, and gain possession of that country. The remains


+  of the army, defeated at Cannae, are sent off to Sicily, there to remain until


+  the termination of the war. An alliance is formed between Philip, king of Macedon,


+  and Hannibal. Sempronius Gracchus defeats the Campanians. Successes of Titus


+  Manlius in Sardinia he takes Hasdrubal the general, Mago, and Hanno prisoners.


+  Claudius Marcellus again defeats the army of Hannibal at Nola, and the hopes


+  of the Romans are revived as to the results of the war.</i></div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="lsidenote">1 </div>


+<a id="e1" />


+<p>After the battle of Cannae, Hannibal, having captured and plundered the Roman


+  camp, had immediately removed from Apulia into Samnium; invited into the territory


+  of the Hirpini by Statius, who promised that he would surrender Compsa. Tiebius,


+  a native of Compsa, was conspicuous for rank among his countrymen; but a faction


+  of the Mopsii kept him down--a family of great influence through the favour


+  of the Romans. After intelligence of the battle of Cannae, and a report of the


+  approach of Hannibal, circulated by the discourse of Trebius, the Mopsian party


+  had retired from the city; which was thus given up to the Carthaginian without


+  opposition, and a garrison received into it. Leaving there all his booty and


+  baggage, and dividing his forces, he orders Mago to receive under his protection


+  the cities of that district which might revolt from the Romans, and to force


+  to defection those which might be disinclined. He himself, passing through the


+  territory of Campania, made for the lower sea, with the intention of assaulting


+  Naples, in order that he might be master of a maritime city. As soon as he entered


+  the confines of the Neapolitan territory, he placed part of his Numidians in


+  ambush, wherever he could find a convenient spot; for there are very many hollow


+  roads and secret windings: others he ordered to drive before them the booty


+  they had collected from the country, and, exhibiting it to the enemy, to ride


+  up to the gates of the city. As they appeared to be few in number and in disorder,


+  a troop of horse sallied out against them, which was cut off, being drawn into


+  an ambuscade by the others, who purposely retreated: nor would one of them have


+  escaped, had not the sea been near, and some vessels, principally such as are


+  used in fishing, observed at a short distance from the shore, afforded an escape


+  for those who could swim. Several noble youths, however, were captured and slain


+  in that affair. Among whom, Hegeas, the commander of the cavalry, fell when


+  pursuing the retreating enemy too eagerly. The sight of the walls, which were


+  not favourable to a besieging force, deterred the Carthaginian from storming


+  the city. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">2 </div>


+<a id="e2" />


+<p>Thence he turned his course to Capua, which was wantoning under a long course


+  of prosperity, and the indulgence of fortune: amid the general corruption, however,


+  the most conspicuous feature was the extravagance of the commons, who exercised


+  their liberty without limit. Pacuvius Calavius had rendered the senate subservient


+  to himself and the commons, at once a noble and popular man, but who had acquired


+  his influence by dishonourable intrigues. Happening to hold the chief magistracy


+  during the year in which the defeat at the Trasimenus occurred, and thinking


+  that the commons, who had long felt the most violent hostility to the senate,


+  would attempt some desperate measure, should an opportunity for effecting a


+  change present itself; and if Hannibal should come into that quarter with his


+  victorious army, would murder the senators and deliver Capua to the Carthaginians;


+  as he desired to rule in a state preserved rather than subverted (for though


+  depraved he was not utterly abandoned), and as he felt convinced that no state


+  could be preserved if bereaved of its public council, he adopted a plan by which


+  he might preserve the senate and render it subject to himself and the commons.


+  Having assembled the senate, he prefaced his remarks by observing, "that nothing


+  would induce him to acquiesce in a plan of defection from the Romans, were it


+  not absolutely necessary; since he had children by the daughter of Appius Claudius,


+  and had a daughter at Rome married to Livius: but that a much more serious and


+  alarming matter threatened them, than any consequences which could result from


+  such a measure. For that the intention of the commons was not to abolish the


+  senate by revolting to the Carthaginians, but to murder the senators, and deliver


+  the state thus destitute to Hannibal and the Carthaginians. That it was in his


+  power to rescue them from this danger, if they would resign themselves to his


+  care, and, forgetting their political dissensions, confide in him." When, overpowered


+  with fear, they all put themselves under his protection, he proceeded: "I will


+  shut you up in the senate-house, and pretending myself to be an accomplice in


+  the meditated crime, I will, by approving measures which I should in vain oppose,


+  find out a way for your safety. For the performance of this take whatever pledge


+  you please." Having given his honour, he went out; and having ordered the house


+  to be closed, placed a guard in the lobby that no one might enter or leave it


+  without his leave. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">3 </div>


+<a id="e3" />


+<p>Then assembling the people, he thus addressed them: "What you have so often


+  wished for, Campanians, the power of punishing an unprincipled and detestable


+  senate, you now have, not at your own imminent peril, by riotously storming


+  the houses of each, which are guarded and garrisoned with slaves and dependants,


+  but free and without danger. Take them all, shut up in the senate-house, alone


+  and unarmed; nor need you do any thing precipitately or blindly. I will give


+  you the opportunity of pronouncing upon the life or death of each, that each


+  may suffer the punishment he has deserved. But, above all, it behoves you so


+  to give way to your resentment, as considering that your own safety and advantage


+  are of greater importance. For I apprehend that you hate these particular senators,


+  and not that you are unwilling to have any senate at all; for you must either


+  have a king, which all abominate, or a senate, which is the only course compatible


+  with a free state. Accordingly you must effect two objects at the same time;


+  you must remove the old senate and elect a new one. I will order the senators


+  to be summoned one by one, and I shall put it to you to decide whether they


+  deserve to live or die: whatever you may determine respecting each shall be


+  done; but before you execute your sentence on the culprit, you shall elect some


+  brave and strenuous man as a fresh senator to supply his place." Upon this he


+  took his seat, and, the names having been thrown together into an urn, he ordered


+  that the name which had the lot to fall out first should be proclaimed, and


+  the person brought forward out of the senate-house. When the name was heard,


+  each man strenuously exclaimed that he was a wicked and unprincipled fellow,


+  and deserved to be punished. Pacuvius then said, "I perceive the sentence which


+  has been passed on this man; now choose a good and upright senator in the room


+  of this wicked and unprincipled one." At first all was silence, from the want


+  of a better man whom they might substitute; afterwards, one of them, laying


+  aside his modesty, nominating some one, in an instant a much greater clamour


+  arose; while some denied all knowledge of him, others objected to him at one


+  time on account of flagitious conduct, at another time on account of his humble


+  birth, his sordid circumstances, and the disgraceful nature of his trade and


+  occupation. The same occurred with increased vehemence with respect to the second


+  and third senators, so that it was evident that they were dissatisfied with


+  the senator himself, but had not any one to substitute for him; for it was of


+  no use that the same persons should be nominated again, to no other purpose


+  than to hear of their vices, and the rest were much more mean and obscure than


+  those who first occurred to their recollection. Thus the assembly separated,


+  affirming that every evil which was most known was easiest to be endured, and


+  ordering the senate to be discharged from custody. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">4 </div>


+<a id="e4" />


+<p>Pacuvius, having thus rendered the senators more subservient to himself than


+  to the commons by the gift of their lives, ruled without the aid of arms, all


+  persons now acquiescing. Henceforward the senators, forgetful of their rank


+  and independence, flattered the commons; saluted them courteously; invited them


+  graciously; entertained them with sumptuous feasts; undertook those causes,


+  always espoused that party, decided as judges in favour of that side, which


+  was most popular, and best adapted to conciliate the favour of the commons.


+  Now, indeed, every thing was transacted in the senate as if it had been an assembly


+  of the people. The Capuans, ever prone to luxurious indulgence not only from


+  natural turpitude, but from the profusion of the means of voluptuous enjoyment


+  which flowed in upon them, and the temptations of all the luxuries of land and


+  sea; at that time especially proceeded to such a pitch of extravagance in consequence


+  of the obsequiousness of the nobles and the unrestrained liberty of the commons,


+  that their lust and prodigality had no bounds. To a disregard for the laws,


+  the magistrates, and the senate, now, after the disaster of Cannae, was added


+  a contempt for the Roman government also, for which there had been some degree


+  of respect. The only obstacles to immediate revolt were the intermarriages which,


+  from a remote period, had connected many of their distinguished and influential


+  families with the Romans; and, which formed the strongest bond of union, that


+  while several of their countrymen were serving in the Roman armies, particularly


+  three hundred horsemen, the flower of the Campanian nobility, had been selected


+  and sent by the Romans to garrison the cities of Sicily. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">5 </div>


+<a id="e5" />


+<p>The parents and relations of these men with difficulty obtained that ambassadors


+  should be sent to the Roman consul. The consul, who had not yet set out for


+  Canusium, they found at Venusia with a few half-armed troops, an object of entire


+  commiseration to faithful, but of contempt to proud and perfidious allies, like


+  the Campanians. The consul too increased their contempt of himself and his cause,


+  by too much exposing and exhibiting the disastrous state of his affairs; for


+  when the ambassadors had delivered their message, which was, that the senate


+  and people of Capua were distressed that any adverse event should have befallen


+  the Romans, and were promising every assistance in prosecuting the war, he observed,


+  "In bidding us order you to furnish us with all things which are necessary for


+  the war, Campanians, you have rather observed the customary mode of addressing


+  allies, than spoken suitably to the present posture of our affairs; for hath


+  anything been left us at Cannae, so that, as if we possessed that, we can desire


+  what is wanting to be supplied by our allies? Can we order a supply of infantry,


+  as if we had any cavalry? Can we say we are deficient in money, as if that were


+  the only thing we wanted? Fortune has not even left us anything which we can


+  add to. Our legions, cavalry, arms, standards, horses, men, money, provisions,


+  all perished either in the battle, or in the two camps which were lost the following


+  day. You must, therefore, Campanians, not assist us in the war, but almost take


+  it upon yourselves in our stead. Call to mind how formerly at Saticula we received


+  into our protection and defended your ancestors, when dismayed and driven within


+  their walls; terrified not only by their Samnite but Sidicinian enemies; and


+  how we carried on, with varying success, through a period of almost a century,


+  a war with the Samnites, commenced on your account. Add to this, that when you


+  gave yourselves up to us we granted you an alliance on equal terms, that we


+  allowed you your own laws, and lastly, what before the disaster at Cannae was


+  surely a privilege of the highest value, we bestowed the freedom of our city


+  on a large portion of you, and held it in common with you. It is your duty,


+  therefore, Campanians, to look upon this disaster which has been suffered as


+  your own, and to consider that our common country must be protected. It is not


+  a Samnite or Tuscan foe we are engaged with, so that the empire taken from us


+  might still continue in Italy. A Carthaginian enemy draws after him from the


+  remotest regions of the world, from the straits of the ocean and the pillars


+  of Hercules, a body of soldiers who are not even natives of Africa, destitute


+  of all laws, and of the condition and almost of the language of men. Savage


+  and ferocious from nature and habit, their general has rendered them still more


+  so, by forming bridges and works with heaps of human bodies; and, what the tongue


+  can scarcely utter, by teaching them to live on human flesh. What man, provided


+  he were born in any part of Italy, would not abominate the idea of seeing and


+  having for his masters these men, nourished with such horrid food, whom even


+  to touch were an impiety; of fetching laws from Africa and Carthage; and of


+  suffering Italy to become a province of the Moors and Numidians? It will be


+  highly honourable, Campanians, that the Roman empire, sinking under this disastrous


+  defeat, should be sustained and restored by your fidelity and your strength.


+  I conceive that thirty thousand foot and four thousand horse may be raised in


+  Campania. You have already abundance of money and corn. If your zeal corresponds


+  with your means, neither will Hannibal feel that he has been victorious, nor


+  the Romans that they have been defeated." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">6 </div>


+<a id="e6" />


+<p>After the consul had thus spoken, the ambassadors were dismissed; and as they


+  were returning home, one of them, named Vibius Virius, observed, "that the time


+  had arrived at which the Campanians might not only recover the territory once


+  injuriously taken away by the Romans, but also possess themselves of the sovereignty


+  of Italy. For they might form a treaty with Hannibal on whatever terms they


+  pleased; and there could be no question but that after Hannibal, having put


+  an end to the war, had himself retired victorious into Africa, and had withdrawn


+  his troops, the sovereignty of Italy would be left to the Campanians." All assenting


+  to Vibius, as he said this, they framed their report of the embassy so that


+  all might conclude that the Roman power was annihilated. Immediately the commons


+  and the major part of the senate turned their attention to revolt. The measure,


+  however, was postponed for a few days at the instigation of the elder citizens.


+  At last, the opinion of the majority prevailed, that the same ambassadors who


+  had gone to the Roman consul should be sent to Hannibal. I find in certain annals,


+  that before this embassy proceeded, and before they had determined on the measure


+  of revolting, ambassadors were sent by the Campanians to Rome, requiring that


+  one of the consuls should be elected from Campania if they wished assistance


+  to the Roman cause. That from the indignation which arose, they were ordered


+  to be removed from the senate-house, and a lictor despatched to conduct them


+  out of the city and command them to lodge that day without the Roman frontier.


+  But as this request is too much like that which the Latins formerly made, and


+  as Coelius and other writers had, not without reason, made no mention of it,


+  I have not ventured to vouch for its truth. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">7 </div>


+<a id="e7" />


+<p>The ambassadors came to Hannibal and concluded a treaty of peace with him on


+  the terms, "That no Carthaginian commander should have any authority over a


+  Campanian citizen, nor any Campanian serve in war or perform any office against


+  his will: that Capua should have her own laws and her own magistrates: that


+  the Carthaginian should give to the Campanians three hundred captives selected


+  by themselves, who might be exchanged for the Campanian horse who were serving


+  in Sicily." Such were the stipulations: but in addition to them, the Campanians


+  perpetrated the following atrocities; for the commons ordered that the prefects


+  of the allies and other citizens of Rome should be suddenly seized, while some


+  of them were occupied with military duties, others engaged in private business,


+  and be shut up in the baths, as if for the purpose of keeping them in custody,


+  where, suffocated with heat and vapour, they might expire in a horrid manner.


+  Decius Magius, a man who wanted nothing to complete his influence except a sound


+  mind on the part of his countrymen, had resisted to the uttermost the execution


+  of these measures, and the sending of the embassy to Hannibal, and when he heard


+  that a body of troops was sent by Hannibal, bringing back to their recollection,


+  as examples, the haughty tyranny of Pyrrhus and the miserable slavery of the


+  Tarentines, he at first openly and loudly protested that the troops should not


+  be admitted, then he urged either that they should expel them when received,


+  or, if they had a mind to expiate, by a bold and memorable act, the foul crime


+  they had committed in revolting from their most ancient and intimate allies,


+  that leaving slain the Carthaginian troops they should give themselves back


+  to the Romans. These proceedings, having been reported to Hannibal, for they


+  were not carried on in secret, he at first sent persons to summon Magius into


+  his presence at his camp, then, on his vehemently refusing to come, on the ground


+  that Hannibal had no authority over a Campanian, the Carthaginian, excited with


+  rage, ordered that the man should be seized and dragged to him in chains, but


+  afterwards, fearing lest while force was employed some disturbance might take


+  place, or lest, from excitement of feeling, some undesigned collision might


+  occur, he set out himself from the camp with a small body of troops, having


+  sent a message before him to Marius Blosius, the praetor of Campania, to the


+  effect, that he would be at Capua the next day. Marius calling an assembly,


+  issued an order that they should go out and meet Hannibal in a body, accompanied


+  by their wives and children. This was done by all, not only with obedience,


+  but with zeal, with the full agreement of the common people, and with eagerness


+  to see a general rendered illustrious by so many victories. Decius Magius neither


+  went out to meet him, nor kept himself in private, by which course he might


+  seem to indicate fear from a consciousness of demerit, he promenaded in the


+  forum with perfect composure, attended by his son and a few dependants, while


+  all the citizens were in a bustle to go to see and receive the Carthaginian.


+  Hannibal, on entering the city, immediately demanded an audience of the senate;


+  when the chief men of the Campanians, beseeching him not to transact any serious


+  business on that day, but that he would cheerfully and willingly celebrate a


+  day devoted to festivity in consequence of his own arrival, though naturally


+  extremely prone to anger, yet, that he might not deny them any thing at first,


+  he spent a great part of the day in inspecting the city. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">8 </div>


+<a id="e8" />


+<p>He lodged at the house of the Ninii Celeres, Stenius and Pacuvius, men distinguished


+  by their noble descent and their wealth. Thither Pacuvius Calavius, of whom


+  mention has already been made, who was the head of the party which had drawn


+  over the state to the Carthaginian cause, brought his son, a young man, whom


+  he had forced from the side of Decius Magius, in conjunction with whom he had


+  made a most determined stand for the Roman alliance in opposition to the league


+  with the Carthaginians; nor had the leaning of the state to the other side,


+  or his father's authority, altered his sentiments. For this youth his father


+  procured pardon from Hannibal, more by prayers than by clearing him. Hannibal,


+  overcome by the entreaties and tears of his father, even gave orders that he


+  should be invited with his father to the banquet; to which entertainment he


+  intended to admit no Campanian besides his hosts, and Jubellius Taurea, a man


+  distinguished in war. They began to feast early in the day, and the entertainment


+  was not conformable to the Carthaginian custom, or to military discipline, but


+  as might be expected in a city and in a house both remarkable for luxury, was


+  furnished with all the allurements of voluptuousness. Perolla, the son of Calavius,


+  was the only person who could not be won either by the solicitations of the


+  masters of the house, or those which Hannibal sometimes employed. The youth


+  himself pleaded ill health as an apology, while his father urged as an excuse


+  the disturbed state of his mind, which was not surprising. About sunset, Calavius,


+  who had gone out from the banquet, was followed by his son; and when they had


+  arrived at a retired place, (it was a garden at the back part of the house,)


+  he said, "I have a plan to propose to you, my father, by which we shall not


+  only obtain pardon from the Romans for our crime, in that we revolted from them


+  to the Carthaginian, but shall be held in much higher esteem, than we Campanians


+  ever have been." When the father inquired with surprise what that plan could


+  be, he threw back his gown off his shoulder and exposed to view his side, which


+  was girt with a sword. "Forthwith will I ratify the alliance with Rome with


+  the blood of Hannibal. I was desirous that you should be informed of it first,


+  in case you might prefer to be absent while the deed is performing." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">9 </div>


+<a id="e9" />


+<p>On hearing and seeing which the old man, as though he were actually present


+  at the transactions which were being named to him, wild with fear, exclaimed,


+  "I implore, I beseech you, my son, by all the ties which unite children to parents,


+  that you will not resolve to commit and to suffer every thing that is horrible


+  before the eyes of a father. Did we but a few hours ago, swearing by every deity,


+  and joining right hands, pledge our fidelity to Hannibal, that immediately on


+  separating from the conference we should arm against him the hands which were


+  employed as the sacred pledges of our faith? Do you rise from the hospitable


+  board to which as one of three of the Campanians you have been admitted by Hannibal,


+  that you may ensanguine that very board with the blood of your host. Could I


+  conciliate Hannibal to my son, and not my son to Hannibal? But let nothing be


+  held sacred by you, neither our pledges, nor the sense of religion, nor filial


+  duty; let the most horrid deeds be dared, if with guilt they bring not ruin


+  upon us. Will you singly attack Hannibal? What will that numerous throng of


+  freemen and slaves be doing? What the eyes of all intent on him alone? What


+  those so many right hands? Will they be torpid amidst your madness? Will you


+  be able to bear the look of Hannibal himself, which armed hosts cannot sustain,


+  from which the Roman people shrink with horror? And though other assistance


+  be wanting, will you have the hardihood to strike me when I oppose my body in


+  defence of Hannibal's? But know that through my breast you must strike and transfix


+  him. Suffer yourself to be deterred from your attempt here, rather than to be


+  defeated there. May my entreaties prevail with you, as they did for you this


+  day." Upon this, perceiving the youth in tears, he threw his arms around him,


+  and kissing him affectionately, ceased not his entreaties until he prevailed


+  upon him to lay aside his sword and give his promise that he would do no such


+  thing. The young man then observed, "I will indeed pay to my father the debt


+  of duty which I owe to my country, but I am grieved for you on whom the guilt


+  of having thrice betrayed your country rests; once when you sanctioned the revolt


+  from the Romans; next when you advised the alliance with Hannibal; and thirdly,


+  this day, when you are the delay and impediment of the restoration of Capua


+  to the Romans. Do thou, my country, receive this weapon, armed with which in


+  thy behalf I would fain have defended this citadel, since a father wrests it


+  from me." Having thus said, he threw the sword into the highway over the garden


+  wall, and that the affair might not be suspected, himself returned to the banquet.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">10 </div>


+<a id="e10" />


+<p>The next day an audience of a full senate was given to Hannibal, when the first


+  part of his address was full of graciousness and benignity, in which he thanked


+  the Campanians for having preferred his friendship to an alliance with the Romans,


+  and held out among his other magnificent promises "that Capua should soon become


+  the capital of all Italy, and that the Romans as well as the other states should


+  receive laws from it. That there was, however, one person who had no share in


+  the Carthaginian friendship and the alliance formed with him, Decius Magius,


+  who neither was nor ought to be called a Campanian. Him he requested to be surrendered


+  to him, and that the sense of the senate should be taken respecting his conduct,


+  and a decree passed in his presence." All concurred in this proposition, though


+  a great many considered him as a man undeserving such severe treatment; and


+  that this proceeding was no small infringement of their liberty to begin with.


+  Leaving the senate-house, the magistrate took his seat on the consecrated bench,


+  ordered Decius Magius to be apprehended, and to be placed by himself before


+  his feet to plead his cause. But he, his proud spirit being unsubdued, denied


+  that such a measure could be enforced agreeably to the conditions of the treaty;


+  upon which he was ironed, and ordered to be brought into the camp before a lictor.


+  As long as he was conducted with his head uncovered, he moved along earnestly


+  haranguing and vociferating to the multitude which poured around him on all


+  sides. "You have gotten that liberty, Campanians, which you seek; in the middle


+  of the forum, in the light of day, before your eyes, I, a man second to none


+  of the Campanians, am dragged in chains to suffer death. What greater outrage


+  could have been committed had Capua been captured? Go out to meet Hannibal,


+  decorate your city to the utmost, consecrate the day of his arrival, that you


+  may behold this triumph over a fellow-citizen." As the populace seemed to be


+  excited by him, vociferating these things, his head was covered, and he was


+  ordered to be dragged away more speedily without the gate. Having been thus


+  brought to the camp, he was immediately put on board a ship and sent to Carthage,


+  lest if any commotion should arise at Capua on account of the injustice of the


+  proceeding, the senate also should repent of having given up a leading citizen;


+  and lest if an embassy were sent to request his restoration, he must either


+  offend his new allies by refusing their first petition, or, by granting it,


+  be compelled to retain at Capua a promoter of sedition and disturbance. A tempest


+  drove the vessel to Cyrenae, which was at that time under the dominion of kings.


+  Here flying for refuge to the statue of king Ptolemy, he was conveyed thence


+  in custody to Alexandria to Ptolemy; and having instructed him that he had been


+  thrown into chains by Hannibal, contrary to the law of treaties, he was liberated


+  and allowed to return to whichever place he pleased, Rome or Capua. But Magius


+  said, that Capua would not be a safe place for him, and that Rome, at a time


+  when there was war between the Romans and Capuans, would be rather the residence


+  of a deserter than a guest. That there was no place that he should rather dwell


+  in, than in the dominions of him whom he esteemed an avenger and the protector


+  of his liberty. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">11 </div>


+<a id="e11" />


+<p>While these things were carrying on, Quintus Fabius Pictor, the ambassador,


+  returned from Delphi to Rome, and read the response of the oracle from a written


+  copy. In it both the gods were mentioned, and in what manner supplication should


+  be made. It then stated, "If you do thus, Romans, your affairs will be more


+  prosperous and less perplexed; your state will proceed more agreeably to your


+  wishes; and the victory in the war will be on the side of the Roman people.


+  After that your state shall have been restored to prosperity and safety, send


+  a present to the Pythian Apollo out of the gains you have earned, and pay honours


+  to him out of the plunder, the booty, and the spoils. Banish licentiousness


+  from among you." Having read aloud these words, translated from the Greek verse,


+  he added, that immediately on his departure from the oracle, he had paid divine


+  honours to all these deities with wine and frankincense; and that he was ordered


+  by the chief priest of the temple, that, as he had approached the oracle and


+  performed the sacred ceremonies decorated with a laurel crown, so he should


+  embark wearing the crown, and not put it off till he had arrived at Rome. That


+  he had executed all these injunctions with the most scrupulous exactness and


+  diligence, and had deposited the garland on the altar of Apollo at Rome. The


+  senate decreed that the sacred ceremonies and supplications enjoined should


+  be carefully performed with all possible expedition. During these events at


+  Rome and in Italy, Mago, the son of Hamilcar, had arrived at Carthage with the


+  intelligence of the victory at Cannae. He was not sent direct from the field


+  of battle by his brother, but was detained some days in receiving the submission


+  of such states of the Bruttii as were in revolt. Having obtained an audience


+  of the senate he gave a full statement of his brother's exploits in Italy: "That


+  he had fought pitched battles with six generals, four of whom were consuls,


+  two a dictator and master of the horse, with six consular armies; that he had


+  slain above two hundred thousand of the enemy, and captured above fifty thousand.


+  That out of the four consuls he had slain two; of the two remaining, one was


+  wounded, the other, having lost his whole army, had fled from the field with


+  scarcely fifty men; that the master of the horse, an authority equal to that


+  of consul, had been routed and put to flight; that the dictator, because he


+  had never engaged in a pitched battle, was esteemed a matchless general; that


+  the Bruttii, the Apulians, part of the Samnites and of the Lucanians had revolted


+  to the Carthaginians. That Capua, which was the capital not only of Campania,


+  but after the ruin of the Roman power by the battle of Cannae, of Italy also,


+  had delivered itself over to Hannibal. That in return for these so many and


+  so great victories, gratitude ought assuredly to be felt and thanks returned


+  to the immortal gods." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">12 </div>


+<a id="e12" />


+<p>Then, in proof of this such joyful news, he ordered the golden rings to be


+  poured out in the vestibule of the senate-house, of which there was such a heap


+  that some have taken upon themselves to say that on being measured they filled


+  three pecks and a half. The statement has obtained and is more like the truth,


+  that there were not more than a peck. He then added, by way of explanation,


+  to prove the greater extent of the slaughter, that none but knights, and of


+  these the principal only, wore that ornament. The main drift of his speech was,


+  "that the nearer the prospect was of bringing the war to a conclusion, the more


+  should Hannibal be aided by every means, for that the seat of war was at a long


+  distance from home and in the heart of the enemy's country. That a great quantity


+  of corn was consumed and money expended; and that so many pitched battles, as


+  they had annihilated the armies of the enemy, had also in some degree diminished


+  the forces of the victor. That a reinforcement therefore ought to be sent; and


+  money for the pay, and corn for the soldiers who had deserved so well of the


+  Carthaginian name." After this speech of Mago's, all being elated with joy,


+  Himilco, a member of the Barcine faction, conceiving this a good opportunity


+  for inveighing against Hanno, said to him, "What think you now, Hanno? do you


+  now also regret that the war against the Romans was entered upon? Now urge that


+  Hannibal should be given up; yes, forbid the rendering of thanks to the immortal


+  gods amidst such successes; let us hear a Roman senator in the senate-house


+  of the Carthaginians." Upon which Hanno replied, "I should have remained silent


+  this day, conscript fathers, lest, amid the general joy, I should utter any


+  thing which might be too gloomy for you. But now, to a senator, asking whether


+  I still regret the undertaking of the war against the Romans, if I should forbear


+  to speak, I should seem either arrogant or servile, the former of which is the


+  part of a man who is forgetful of the independence of others, the latter of


+  his own. I may answer therefore to Himilco, that I have not ceased to regret


+  the war, nor shall I cease to censure your invincible general until I see the


+  war concluded on some tolerable terms; nor will any thing except a new peace


+  put a period to my regret for the loss of the old one. Accordingly those achievements,


+  which Mago has so boastingly recounted, are a source of present joy to Himilco


+  and the other adherents of Hannibal; to me they may become so; because successes


+  in war, if we have a mind to make the best use of fortune, will afford us a


+  peace on more equitable terms; for if we allow this opportunity to pass by,


+  on which we have it in our power to appear to dictate rather than to receive


+  terms of peace, I fear lest even this our joy should run into excess, and in


+  the end prove groundless. However, let us see of what kind it is even now. I


+  have slain the armies of the enemy, send me soldiers. What else would you ask


+  if you had been conquered? I have captured two of the enemy's camps, full, of


+  course, of booty and provisions; supply me with corn and money. What else would


+  you ask had you been plundered and stripped of your camp? And that I may not


+  be the only person perplexed, I could wish that either Himilco or Mago would


+  answer me, for it is just and fair that I also should put a question, since


+  I have answered Himilco. Since the battle at Cannae annihilated the Roman power,


+  and it is a fact that all Italy is in a state of revolt; in the first place,


+  has any one people of the Latin confederacy come over to us? In the next place,


+  has any individual of the five and thirty tribes deserted to Hannibal?" When


+  Mago had answered both these questions in the negative, he continued: "there


+  remains then still too large a body of the enemy. But I should be glad to know


+  what degree of spirit and hope that body possesses." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">13 </div>


+<a id="e13" />


+<p>Mago declaring that he did not know; "Nothing," said he, "is easier to be known.


+  Have the Romans sent any ambassadors to Hannibal to treat of peace? Have you,


+  in short, ever heard that any mention has been made of peace at Rome?" On his


+  answering these questions also in the negative: "We have upon our hands then,


+  said he, a war as entire as we had on the day on which Hannibal crossed over


+  into Italy. There are a great many of us alive now who remember how fluctuating


+  the success was in the former Punic war. At no time did our affairs appear in


+  so prosperous a condition as they did before the consulship of Caius Lutatius


+  and Aulus Posthumius. In the consulship of Caius Lutatius and Aulus Posthumius


+  we were completely conquered at the islands Aegates. But if now, as well as


+  then, (oh! may the gods avert the omen!) fortune should take any turn, do you


+  hope to obtain that peace when we shall be vanquished which no one is willing


+  to grant now we are victorious. I have an opinion which I should express if


+  any one should advise with me on the subject of proffering or accepting terms


+  of peace with the enemy; but with respect to the supplies requested by Mago,


+  I do not think there is any necessity to send them to a victorious army; and


+  I give it as my opinion that they should far less be sent to them, if they are


+  deluding us by groundless and empty hopes." But few were influenced by the harangue


+  of Hanno, for both the jealousy which he entertained towards the Barcine family,


+  made him a less weighty authority; and men's minds being taken up with the present


+  exultation, would listen to nothing by which their joy could be made more groundless,


+  but felt convinced, that if they should make a little additional exertion the


+  war might be speedily terminated. Accordingly a decree of the senate was made


+  with very general approbation, that four thousand Numidians should be sent as


+  a reinforcement to Hannibal, with four hundred elephants and many talents of


+  silver. Moreover, the dictator was sent forward into Spain with Mago to hire


+  twenty thousand foot and four thousand horse, to recruit the armies in Italy


+  and Spain. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">14 </div>


+<a id="e14" />


+<p>But these resolutions, as generally happens in the season of prosperity, were


+  executed in a leisurely and slothful manner. The Romans, in addition to their


+  inborn activity of mind, were prevented from delaying by the posture of their


+  affairs. For the consul was not wanting in any business which was to be done


+  by him; and the dictator, Marcus Junius Pera, after the sacred ceremonies were


+  concluded, and after having, as is usual, proposed to the people that he might


+  be allowed to mount his horse; besides the two legions which had been enlisted


+  by the consuls in the beginning of the year, and besides the cohorts collected


+  out of the Picenian and Gallic territories, descended to that last resort of


+  the state when almost despaired of, and when propriety gives place to utility,


+  and made proclamation, that of such persons as had been guilty of capital crimes


+  or were in prison on judgment for debt, those who would serve as soldiers with


+  him, he would order to be released from their liability to punishment and their


+  debts. These six thousand he armed with the Gallic spoils which were carried


+  in the procession at the triumph of Caius Flaminius. Thus he marched from the


+  city at the head of twenty-five thousand men. Hannibal, after gaining Capua,


+  made a second fruitless attempt upon the minds of the Neapolitans, partly by


+  fear and partly by hope: and then marched his troops across into the territory


+  of Nola: not immediately in a hostile attitude, for he did not despair of a


+  voluntary surrender, yet intending to omit nothing which they could suffer or


+  fear, if they delayed the completion of his hopes. The senate, and especially


+  the principal members of it, persevered faithfully in keeping up the alliance


+  with the Romans; the commons, as usual, were all inclined to a change in the


+  government and to espouse the cause of Hannibal, placing before their minds


+  the fear lest their fields should be devastated, and the many hardships and


+  indignities which must be endured in a siege; nor were there wanting persons


+  who advised a revolt. In this state of things, when a fear took possession of


+  the senate, that it would be impossible to resist the excited multitude if they


+  went openly to work, devised a delay of the evil by secret simulation. They


+  pretended that they were agreeable to the revolt to Hannibal; but that it was


+  not settled on what terms they should enter into the new alliance and friendship.


+  Thus having gained time, they promptly sent ambassadors to the Roman praetor,


+  Marcellus Claudius, who was at Casilinum with his army, and informed him what


+  a critical situation Nola was in; that the fields were already in the possession


+  of Hannibal and the Carthaginians, and that the city soon would be, unless succour


+  were sent; that the senate, by conceding to the commons that they would revolt


+  when they pleased, had caused them not to hasten too much to revolt. Marcellus,


+  after bestowing high commendations on the Nolans, urged them to protract the


+  business till his arrival by means of the same pretences; in the mean time,


+  to conceal what had passed between them, as well as all hope of succour from


+  the Romans. He himself marched from Casilinum to Calatia, and thence crossing


+  the Vulturnus, and passing through the territories of Saticula and Trebula,


+  pursuing his course along the mountains above Suessula, he arrived at Nola.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">15 </div>


+<a id="e15" />


+<p>On the approach of the Roman praetor, the Carthaginians retired from the territory


+  of Nola and marched down to the sea close upon Naples, eager to get possession


+  of a maritime town to which there would be a safe course for ships from Africa.


+  But hearing that Naples was held by a Roman prefect, Marcus Junius Silanus,


+  who had been invited thither by the Neapolitans themselves, he left Naples as


+  he had left Nola, and directed his course to Nuceria, which he at length starved


+  into capitulation, after having besieged it for a considerable time, often by


+  open force, and often by soliciting to no purpose sometimes the commons, at


+  other times the nobles; agreeing that they should depart with single garments


+  and without arms. Then, as wishing to appear from the beginning to show lenity


+  to all the inhabitants of Italy except the Romans, he proposed rewards and honours


+  to those who might remain with him, and would be willing to serve with him.


+  He retained none, however, by the hopes he held out; they all dispersed in different


+  directions throughout the cities of Campania, wherever either hospitable connexions


+  or the casual impulse of the mind directed them, but principally to Nola and


+  Naples. About thirty senators, including as it happened all of the first rank,


+  made for Capua; but being shut out thence, because they had closed their gates


+  on Hannibal, they betook themselves to Cumae. The plunder of Nuceria was, given


+  to the soldiery, the city sacked and burned. Marcellus continued to hold possession


+  of Nola, relying not more from confidence in his own troops than from the favourable


+  disposition of the leading inhabitants. Apprehensions were entertained of the


+  commons, particularly Lucius Bantius, whose having been privy to an attempt


+  at defection, and dread of the Roman praetor, stimulated sometimes to the betrayal


+  of his country, at others, should fortune fail him in that undertaking, to desertion.


+  He was a young man of vigorous mind, and at that time enjoying the greatest


+  renown of almost any of the allied cavalry. Found at Cannae half dead amid a


+  heap of slain, Hannibal had sent him home, after having had him cured, with


+  the kindest attention, and even with presents. In gratitude for this favour,


+  he had conceived a wish to put Nola under the power and dominion of the Carthaginian;


+  but his anxiety and solicitude for effecting a change did not escape the notice


+  of the praetor. However, as it was necessary that he should be either restrained


+  by penal inflictions or conciliated by favours, he preferred attaching to himself


+  a brave and strenuous ally, to depriving the enemy of him; and summoning him


+  into his presence, in the kindest manner said, "that the fact that he had many


+  among his countrymen who were jealous of him, might be easily collected from


+  the circumstance that not one citizen of Nola had informed him how many were


+  his splendid military exploits. But that it was impossible for the valour of


+  one who served in the Roman camp to remain in obscurity; that many who had served


+  with him had reported to him how brave a man he was, how often and what dangers


+  he had encountered for the safety and honour of the Roman people; and how in


+  the battle of Cannae he had not given over fighting till, almost bloodless,


+  he was buried under a heap of men, horses, and arms which fell upon him. Go


+  on then," says he, "and prosper in your career of valour, with me you shall


+  receive every honour and every reward, and the oftener you be with me, the more


+  you shall find it will be to your honour and emolument." He presented the young


+  man, delighted with these promises, with a horse of distinguished beauty, ordered


+  the quaestor to give him five hundred denarii, and commanded the lictors to


+  allow him to approach him whenever he might please. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">16 </div>


+<a id="e16" />


+<p>The violent spirit of the youth was so much soothed by the courteous treatment


+  of Marcellus, that thenceforward no one of the allies displayed greater courage


+  or fidelity in aiding the Roman cause. Hannibal being now at the gates, for


+  he had moved his camp back again from Nuceria to Nola, and the commons beginning


+  to turn their attention to revolt afresh, Marcellus, on the approach of the


+  enemy, retired within the walls; not from apprehension for his camp, but lest


+  he should give an opportunity for betraying the city, which too many were anxiously


+  watching for. The troops on both sides then began to be drawn up; the Romans


+  before the walls of Nola, the Carthaginians before their own camp. Hence arose


+  several battles of small account between the city and the camp, with varying


+  success, as the generals were neither willing to check the small parties who


+  inconsiderately challenged the enemy, nor to give the signal for a general engagement.


+  While the two armies continued to be thus stationed day after day, the chief


+  men of the Nolans informed Marcellus, that conferences were held by night between


+  the commons of Nola and the Carthaginians; and that it was fixed, that, when


+  the Roman army had gone out at the gates, they should make plunder of their


+  baggage and packages, then close the gates and post themselves upon the walls,


+  in order that when in possession of the government and the city, they might


+  then receive the Carthaginian instead of the Roman. On receiving this intelligence


+  Marcellus, having bestowed the highest commendations on the senators, resolved


+  to hazard the issue of a battle before any commotion should arise within the


+  city. He drew up his troops in three divisions at the three gates which faced


+  the enemy; he gave orders that the baggage should follow close by, that the


+  servants, suttlers' boys, and invalids should carry palisades; at the centre


+  gate he stationed the choicest of the legionary troops and the Roman cavalry,


+  at the two gates on either side, the recruits, the light-armed, and the allied


+  cavalry. The Nolans were forbidden to approach the walls and gates, and the


+  troops designed for a reserve were set over the baggage, lest while the legions


+  were engaged in the battle an attack should be made upon it. Thus arranged they


+  were standing within the gates. Hannibal, who had waited with his troops drawn


+  up in battle-array, as he had done for several days, till the day was far advanced,


+  at first was amazed that neither the Roman army marched out of the gates, nor


+  any armed man was to be seen on the walls, but afterwards concluding that the


+  conferences had been discovered, and that they were quiet through fear, he sent


+  back a portion of his troops into the camp, with orders to bring into the front


+  line, with speed, every thing requisite for assaulting the city; satisfied that


+  if he urged them vigorously while they were indisposed to action, the populace


+  would excite some commotion in the city. While, in the van, the troops were


+  running up and down in a hurried manner in discharge of their several duties,


+  and the line was advancing up to the gates, suddenly throwing open the gate,


+  Marcellus ordered that the signal should be given, and a shout raised, and that


+  first the infantry and after them the cavalry should burst forth upon the enemy


+  with all possible impetuosity. They had occasioned abundant terror and confusion


+  in the centre of the enemy's line, when, at the two side gates, the lieutenant-generals,


+  Publius Valerius Flaccus and Caius Aurelius, sallied forth upon the wings. The


+  servants, suttlers' boys, and the other multitude appointed to guard the baggage,


+  joined in the shout, so that they suddenly exhibited the appearance of a vast


+  army to the Carthaginians, who despised chiefly their paucity of numbers. For


+  my own part I would not take upon me to assert what some authors have declared,


+  that two thousand eight hundred of the enemy were slain, and that the Romans


+  lost not more than five hundred. Whether the victory was so great or not; it


+  is certain that a very important advantage, and perhaps the greatest during


+  the war, was gained on that day: for not to be vanquished by Hannibal was then


+  a more difficult task to the victorious troops, than to conquer him afterwards.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">17 </div>


+<a id="e17" />


+<p>When Hannibal, all hope of getting possession of Nola being lost, had retired


+  to Acerrae, Marcellus, having closed the gates and posted guards in different


+  quarters to prevent any one from going out, immediately instituted a judicial


+  inquiry in the forum, into the conduct of those who had been secretly in communication


+  with the enemy. He beheaded more than seventy who were convicted of treason,


+  and ordered their foods to be confiscated to the Roman state; and then committing


+  the government to the senate, set out with all his forces, and, pitching a camp,


+  took up a position above Suessula. The Carthaginian, having at first endeavoured


+  to win over the people of Acerrae to a voluntary surrender, but finding them


+  resolved, makes preparations for a siege and assault. But the people of Acerrae


+  had more spirit than power. Despairing therefore, of the defence of the city,


+  when they saw their walls being circumvallated, before the lines of the enemy


+  were completed, they stole off in the dead of night through the opening in the


+  works, and where the watches had been neglected; and pursuing their course through


+  roads and pathless regions, accordingly as design or mistake directed each,


+  made their escape to those towns of Campania which they knew had not renounced


+  their fidelity. After Acerrae was plundered and burnt, Hannibal, having received


+  intelligence that the Roman dictator with the new-raised legions was seen at


+  some distance from Casilinum, and fearing lest, the camp of the enemy being


+  so near, something might occur at Capua, marched his army to Casilinum. At that


+  time Casilinum was occupied by five hundred Praenestines, with a few Romans


+  and Latins, whom the news of the defeat at Cannae had brought to the same place.


+  These men setting out from home too late, in consequence of the levy at Praeneste


+  not being completed at the appointed day, and arriving at Casilinum before the


+  defeat was known there, where they united themselves with other troops, Romans


+  and allies, were proceeding thence in a tolerably large body, but the news of


+  the battle at Cannae them back to Casilinum. Having spent several days there


+  in evading and concerting plots, in fear themselves and suspected by the Campanians,


+  and having now received certain information that the revolt of Capua and the


+  reception of Hannibal were in agitation, they put the townsmen to the sword


+  by night, and seized upon the part of the town on this side the Vulturnus, for


+  it is divided by that river. Such was the garrison the Romans had at Casilinum;


+  to these was added a cohort of Perusians, in number four hundred and sixty,


+  who had been driven to Casilinum by the same intelligence which had brought


+  the Praenestines a few days before. They formed a sufficient number of armed


+  men for the defence of walls of so limited extent, and protected on one side


+  by the river. The scarcity of corn made them even appear too numerous. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">18 </div>


+<a id="e18" />


+<p>Hannibal having now advanced within a short distance of the place, sent forward


+  a body of Getulians under a commander named Isalca, and orders them in the first


+  place, if an opportunity of parley should be given, to win them over by fair


+  words, to open the gates, and admit a garrison; but, if they persisted in obstinate


+  opposition, to proceed to action, and try if in any part he could force an entrance


+  into the city. When they had approached the walls, because silence prevailed


+  there appeared a solitude; and the barbarian, supposing that they had retired


+  through fear, made preparation for forcing the gates and breaking away the bars,


+  when, the gates being suddenly thrown open, two cohorts, drawn up within for


+  that very purpose, rushed forth with great tumult, and made a slaughter of the


+  enemy. The first party being thus repulsed, Maharbal was sent with a more powerful


+  body of troops; but neither could even he sustain the sally of the cohorts.


+  Lastly, Hannibal, fixing his camp directly before the walls, prepared to assault


+  this paltry city and garrison, with every effort and all his forces, and having


+  completely surrounded the city with a line of troops, lost a considerable number


+  of men, including all the most forward, who were shot from the walls and turrets,


+  while he pressed on and provoked the enemy. Once he was very near cutting them


+  off, by throwing in a line of elephants, when aggressively sallying forth, and


+  drove them in the utmost confusion into the town; a good many, out of so small


+  a number, having been slain. More would have fallen had not night interrupted


+  the battle. On the following day, the minds of all were possessed with an ardent


+  desire to commence the assault, especially after a golden mural crown had been


+  promised, and the general himself had reproached the conquerors of Saguntum


+  with the slowness of their siege of a little fort situated on level ground;


+  reminding them, each and all, of Cannae, Trasimenus, and Trebia. They then began


+  to apply the vineae and to spring mines: nor was any measure, whether of open


+  force or stratagem, unemployed against the various attempts of the enemy. These


+  allies of the Romans erected bulwarks against the vineae, cut off the mines


+  of the enemy by cross-mines, and met their efforts both covertly and openly,


+  till, at last, shame compelled Hannibal to desist from his undertaking; and,


+  fortifying a camp in which he placed a small guard, that the affair might not


+  appear to have been abandoned, he retired into winter quarters to Capua. There


+  he kept, under cover, for the greater part of the winter, that army, which,


+  though fortified by frequent and continued hardships against every human ill,


+  had yet never experienced or been habituated to prosperity. Accordingly, excess


+  of good fortune and unrestrained indulgence were the ruin of men whom no severity


+  of distress had subdued; and so much the more completely, in proportion to the


+  avidity with which they plunged into pleasures to which they were unaccustomed.


+  For sleep, wine, feasting, women, baths, and ease, which custom rendered more


+  seductive day by day, so completely unnerved both mind and body, that from henceforth


+  their past victories rather than their present strength protected them; and


+  in this the general is considered by those who are skilled in the art of war


+  to have committed a greater error than in not having marched his troops to Rome


+  forthwith from the field of Cannae: for his delay on that occasion might be


+  considered as only to have postponed his victory, but this mistake to have bereaved


+  him of the power of conquering. Accordingly, by Hercules, as though he marched


+  out of Capua with another army, it retained in no respect any of its former


+  discipline; for most of the troops returned in the embrace of harlots; and as


+  soon as they began to live under tents, and the fatigue of marching and other


+  military labours tried them, like raw troops, they failed both in bodily strength


+  and spirit. From that time, during the whole period of the summer campaign,


+  a great number of them slunk away from the standards without furloughs, while


+  Capua was the only retreat of the deserters. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">19 </div>


+<a id="e19" />


+<p>However, when the rigour of winter began to abate, marching his troops out


+  of their winter quarters he returned to Casilinum; where, although there had


+  been an intermission of the assault, the continuance of the siege had reduced


+  the inhabitants and the garrison to the extremity of want. Titus Sempronius


+  commanded the Roman camp, the dictator having gone to Rome to renew the auspices.


+  The swollen state of the Vulturnus and the entreaties of the people of Nola


+  and Acerrae, who feared the Campanians if the Roman troops should leave them,


+  kept Marcellus in his place; although desirous himself also to bring assistance


+  to the besieged. Gracchus, only maintaining his post near Casilinum, because


+  he had been enjoined by the dictator not to take any active steps during his


+  absence, did not stir; although intelligence was brought from Casilinum which


+  might easily overcome every degree of patience. For it appeared that some had


+  precipitated themselves from the walls through famine and that they were standing


+  unarmed upon the walls, exposing their undefended bodies to the blows of the


+  missile weapons. Gracchus, grieved at the intelligence, but not daring to fight


+  contrary to the injunctions of the dictator, and yet aware that he must fight


+  if he openly attempted to convey in provisions, and having no hope of introducing


+  them clandestinely, collected corn from all parts of the surrounding country,


+  and filling several casks sent a message to the magistrate to Casilinum, directing


+  that they might catch the casks which the river would bring down. The following


+  night, while all were intent upon the river, and the hopes excited by the message


+  from the Romans, the casks sent came floating down the centre of the stream,


+  and the corn was equally distributed among them all. This was repeated the second


+  and third day; they were sent off and arrived during the same night; and hence


+  they escaped the notice of the enemy's guards. But afterwards, the river, rendered


+  more than ordinarily rapid by continual rains, drove the casks by a cross current


+  to the bank which the enemy were guarding; there they were discovered sticking


+  among the osiers which grew along the banks; and, it being reported to Hannibal,


+  from that time the watches were kept more strictly, that nothing sent to the


+  city by the Vulturnus might escape notice. However, nuts poured out at the Roman


+  camp floated down the centre of the river to Casilinum, and were caught with


+  hurdles. At length they were reduced to such a degree of want, that they endeavoured


+  to chew the thongs and skins which they tore from their shields, after softening


+  them in warm water; nor did they abstain from mice or any other kind of animals.


+  They even dug up every kind of herb and root from the lowest mounds of their


+  wall; and when the enemy had ploughed over all the ground producing herbage


+  which was without the wall, they threw in turnip seed, so that Hannibal exclaimed,


+  Must I sit here at Casilinum even till these spring up? and he, who up to that


+  time had not lent an ear to any terms, then at length allowed himself to be


+  treated with respecting the ransom of the free persons. Seven ounces of gold


+  for each person were agreed upon as the price; and then, under a promise of


+  protection, they surrendered themselves. They were kept in chains till the whole


+  of the gold was paid, after which they were sent back to Cumae, in fulfilment


+  of the promise. This account is more credible than that they were slain by a


+  body of cavalry, which was sent to attack them as they were going away. They


+  were for the most part Praenestines. Out of the five hundred and seventy who


+  formed the garrison, almost one half were destroyed by sword or famine; the


+  rest returned safe to Praeneste with their praetor Manicius, who had formerly


+  been a scribe. His statue placed in the forum at Praeneste, clad in a coat of


+  mail, with a gown on, and with the head covered, formed an evidence of this


+  account; as did also three images with this legend inscribed on a brazen plate,


+  "Manicius vowed these in behalf of the soldiers who were in the garrison at


+  Casilinum." The same legend was inscribed under three images placed in the temple


+  of Fortune. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">20 </div>


+<a id="e20" />


+<p>The town of Casilinum was restored to the Campanians, strengthened by a garrison


+  of seven hundred soldiers from the army of Hannibal, lest on the departure of


+  the Carthaginian from it, the Romans should assault it. To the Praenestine soldiers


+  the Roman senate voted double pay and exemption from military service for five


+  years. On being offered the freedom of the state, in consideration of their


+  valor, they would not make the exchange. The account of the fate of the Perusians


+  is less clear, as no light is thrown upon it by any monument of their own, or


+  any decree of the Romans. At the same time the Petelini, the only Bruttian state


+  which had continued in the Roman alliance, were attacked not only by the Carthaginians,


+  who were in possession of the surrounding country, but also by the rest of the


+  Bruttian states, on account of their having adopted a separate policy. The Petelini,


+  unable to bear up against these distresses, sent ambassadors to Rome to solicit


+  aid, whose prayers and entreaties (for on being told that they must themselves


+  take measures for their own safety, they gave themselves up to piteous lamentations


+  in the vestibule of the senate-house) excited the deepest commiseration in the


+  fathers and the people. On the question being proposed a second time to the


+  fathers by Manius Pomponius, the praetor, after examining all the resources


+  of the empire, they were compelled to confess that they had no longer any protection


+  for their distant allies, and bid them return home, and having done every thing


+  which could be expected from faithful allies, as to what remained to take measures


+  for their own security in the present state of fortune. On the result of this


+  embassy being reported to the Petelini, their senate was suddenly seized with


+  such violent grief and dismay, that some advised that they should run away wherever


+  each man could find an asylum, and abandon the city. Some advised, that as they


+  were deserted by their ancient allies, they should unite themselves with the


+  rest of the Bruttian states, and through them surrender themselves to Hannibal.


+  The opinion however which prevailed was that of those who thought that nothing


+  should be done in haste and rashly, and that they should take the whole matter


+  into their consideration again. The next day, when they had cooled upon it,


+  and their trepidation had somewhat subsided, the principal men carried their


+  point that they should collect all their property out of the fields, and fortify


+  the city and the walls. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">21 </div>


+<a id="e21" />


+<p>Much about the same time letters were brought from Sicily and Sardinia. That


+  of Titus Otacilius the propraetor was first read in the senate. It stated that


+  Lucius Furius the praetor had arrived at Lilybaeum from Africa with his fleet.


+  That he himself, having been severely wounded, was in imminent danger of his


+  life; that neither pay nor corn was punctually furnished to the soldiers or


+  the marines; nor were there any resources from which they could be furnished.


+  That he earnestly advised that such supplies should be sent with all possible


+  expedition; and that, if it was thought proper, they should send one of the


+  new praetors to succeed him. </p>


+<p> Nearly the same intelligence respecting corn and pay was conveyed in a letter


+  from Aulus Cornelius Mammula, the propraetor, from Sardinia. The answer to both


+  was, that there were no resources from whence they could be supplied, and orders


+  were given to them that they should themselves provide for their fleets and


+  armies. Titus Otacilius having sent ambassadors to Hiero, the only source of


+  assistance the Romans had, received as much money as was wanting to pay the


+  troops and a supply of corn for six months. In Sardinia, the allied states contributed


+  liberally to Cornelius. The scarcity of money at Rome also was so great, that


+  on the proposal of Marcus Minucius, plebeian tribune, a financial triumvirate


+  was appointed, consisting of Lucius Aemilius Papus, who had been consul and


+  censor, Marcus Atilius Regulus, who had been twice consul, and Lucius Scribonius


+  Libo, who was then plebeian tribune. Marcus and Caius Atilius were also created


+  a duumvirate for dedicating the temple of Concord, which Lucius Manlius had


+  vowed when praetor. Three pontiffs were also created, Quintus Caecilius Metellus,


+  Quintus Fabius Maximus, and Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, in the room of Publius


+  Scantinius deceased, and of Lucius Aemilius Paulus the consul, and of Quintus


+  Aelius Paetus, who had fallen in the battle of Cannae. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">22 </div>


+<a id="e22" />


+<p>The fathers having repaired, as far as human counsels could effect it, the


+  other losses from a continued series of unfortunate events, at length turned


+  their attention on themselves, on the emptiness of the senate-house, and the


+  paucity of those who assembled for public deliberation. For the senate-roll


+  had not been reviewed since the censorship of Lucius Aemilius and C. Flaminius,


+  though unfortunate battles, during a period of five years, as well as the private


+  casualties of each, had carried off so many senators. Manius Pomponius, the


+  praetor, as the dictator was now gone to the army after the loss of Casilinum,


+  at the earnest request of all, brought in a bill upon the subject. When Spurius


+  Carvilius, after having lamented in a long speech not only the scantiness of


+  the senate, but the fewness of citizens who were eligible into that body, with


+  the design of making up the numbers of the senate and uniting more closely the


+  Romans and the Latin confederacy, declared that he strongly advised that the


+  freedom of the state should be conferred upon two senators from each of the


+  Latin states, if the Roman fathers thought proper, who might be chosen into


+  the senate to supply the places of the deceased senators. This proposition the


+  fathers listened to with no more equanimity than formerly to the request when


+  made by the Latins themselves. A loud and violent expression of disapprobation


+  ran through the whole senate-house. In particular, Manlius reminded them that


+  there was still existing a man of that stock, from which that consul was descended


+  who formerly threatened in the Capitol that he would with his own hand put to


+  death any Latin senator he saw in that house. Upon which Quintus Fabius Maximus


+  said, "that never was any subject introduced into the senate at a juncture more


+  unseasonable than the present, when a question had been touched upon which would


+  still further irritate the minds of the allies, who were already hesitating


+  and wavering in their allegiance. That that rash suggestion of one individual


+  ought to be annihilated by the silence of the whole body; and that if there


+  ever was a declaration in that house which ought to be buried in profound and


+  inviolable silence, surely that above all others was one which deserved to be


+  covered and consigned to darkness and oblivion, and looked upon as if it had


+  never been made." This put a stop to the mention of the subject. They determined


+  that a dictator should be created for the purpose of reviewing the senate, and


+  that he should be one who had been a censor, and was the oldest living of those


+  who had held that office. They likewise gave orders that Caius Terentius, the


+  consul, should be called home to nominate a dictator; who, leaving his troops


+  in Apulia, returned to Rome with great expedition; and, according to custom,


+  on the following night nominated Marcus Fabius Buteo dictator, for six months,


+  without a master of the horse, in pursuance of the decree of the senate. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">23 </div>


+<a id="e23" />


+<p>He having mounted the rostrum attended by the lictors, declared, that he neither


+  approved of there being two dictators at one time, which had never been done


+  before, nor of his being appointed dictator without a master of the horse; nor


+  of the censorian authority being committed to one person, and to the same person


+  a second time; nor that command should be given to a dictator for six months,


+  unless he was created for active operations. That he would himself restrain


+  within proper bounds those irregularities which chance, the exigencies of the


+  times, and necessity had occasioned. For he would not remove any of those whom


+  the censors Flaminius and Aemilius had elected into the senate; but would merely


+  order that their names should be transcribed and read over, that one man might


+  not exercise the power of deciding and determining on the character and morals


+  of a senator; and would so elect in place of deceased members, that one rank


+  should appear to be preferred to another, and not man to man. The old senate-roll


+  having been read, he chose as successors to the deceased, first those who had


+  filled a curule office since the censorship of Flaminius and Aemilius, but had


+  not yet been elected into the senate, as each had been earliest created. He


+  next chose those who had been aediles, plebeian tribunes, or quaestors; then


+  of those who had never filled the office of magistrate, he selected such as


+  had spoils taken from an enemy fixed up at their homes, or had received a civic


+  crown. Having thus elected one hundred and seventy-seven senators, with the


+  entire approbation of his countrymen, he instantly abdicated his office, and,


+  bidding the lictors depart, he descended from the rostrum as a private citizen,


+  and mingled with the crowd of persons who were engaged in their private affairs,


+  designedly wearing away this time, lest he should draw off the people from the


+  forum for the purpose of escorting him home. Their zeal, however, did not subside


+  by the delay, for they escorted him to his house in great numbers. The consul


+  returned to the army the ensuing night, without acquainting the senate, lest


+  he should be detained in the city on account of the elections. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">24 </div>


+<a id="e24" />


+<p>The next day, on the proposition of Manius Pomponius the praetor, the senate


+  decreed that a letter should be written to the dictator, to the effect, that


+  if he thought it for the interest of the state, he should come, together with


+  the master of the horse and the praetor, Marcus Marcellus, to hold the election


+  for the succeeding consuls, in order that the fathers might learn from them


+  in person in what condition the state was, and take measures according to circumstances.


+  All who were summoned came, leaving lieutenant-generals to hold command of the


+  legions. The dictator, speaking briefly and modestly of himself, attributed


+  much of the glory Of the campaign to the master of the horse, Tiberius Sempronius


+  Gracchus. He then gave out the day for the comitia, at which the consuls created


+  were Lucius Posthumius in his absence, being then employed in the government


+  of the province of Gaul, for the third time, and Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus,


+  who was then master of the horse and curule aedile. Marcus Valerius Laevinus,


+  Appius Claudius Pulcher, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, and Quintus Mucius Scaevola,


+  were then created praetors. After the election of the magistrates, the dictator


+  returned to his army, which was in winter quarters at Teanum, leaving his master


+  of the horse at Rome, to take the sense of the fathers relative to the armies


+  to be enlisted and embodied for the service of the year, as he was about to


+  enter upon the magistracy after a few days. While busily occupied with these


+  matters, intelligence arrived of a fresh disaster--fortune crowding into this


+  year one calamity after another--that Lucius Posthumius, consul elect, himself


+  with all his army was destroyed in Gaul. He was to march his troops through


+  a vast wood, which the Gauls called Litana. On the right and left of his route,


+  the natives had sawed the trees in such a manner that they continued standing


+  upright, but would fall when impelled by a slight force. Posthumius had with


+  him two Roman legions, and besides had levied so great a number of allies along


+  the Adriatic Sea, that he led into the enemy's country twenty-five thousand


+  men. As soon as this army entered the wood, the Gauls, who were posted around


+  its extreme skirts, pushed down the outermost of the sawn trees, which falling


+  on those next them, and these again on others which of themselves stood tottering


+  and scarcely maintained their position, crushed arms, men, and horses in an


+  indiscriminate manner, so that scarcely ten men escaped. For, most of them being


+  killed by the trunks and broken boughs of trees, the Gauls, who beset the wood


+  on all sides in arms killed the rest, panic-struck by so unexpected a disaster.


+  A very small number, who attempted to escape by a bridge, were taken prisoners,


+  being intercepted by the enemy who had taken possession of it before them. Here


+  Posthumius fell, fighting with all his might to prevent his being taken. The


+  Boii having cut off his head, carried it and the spoils they stole off his body,


+  in triumph into the most sacred temple they had. Afterwards they cleansed the


+  head according to their custom, and having covered the skull with chased gold,


+  used it as a cup for libations in their solemn festivals, and a drinking cup


+  for their high priests and other ministers of the temple. The spoils taken by


+  the Gauls were not less than the victory. For though great numbers of the beasts


+  were crushed by the falling trees, yet as nothing was scattered by flight, every


+  thing else was found strewed along the whole line of the prostrate band. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">25 </div>


+<a id="e25" />


+<p>The news of this disaster arriving, when the state had been in so great a panic


+  for many days, that the shops were shut up as if the solitude of night reigned


+  through the city; the senate gave it in charge to the aediles to go round the


+  city, cause the shops to be opened, and this appearance of public affliction


+  to be removed. Then Titus Sempronius, having assembled the senate, consoled


+  and encouraged the fathers, requesting, "that they who had sustained the defeat


+  at Cannae with so much magnanimity would not now be cast down with less calamities.


+  That if their arms should prosper, as he hoped they would, against Hannibal


+  and the Carthaginians, the war with the Gauls might be suspended and deferred


+  without hazard. The gods and the Roman people would have it in their power to


+  revenge the treachery of the Gauls another time. That they should now deliberate


+  about the Carthaginian foe, and the forces with which the war was to be prosecuted."


+  He first laid before them the number of foot and horse, as well citizens as


+  allies, that were in the dictator's army. Then Marcellus gave an account of


+  the amount in his. Those who knew were asked what troops were in Apulia with


+  Caius Terentius Varro the consul. But no practicable plan could be devised for


+  raising consular armies sufficient to support so important a war. For this reason,


+  notwithstanding a just resentment irritated them, they determined that Gaul


+  should be passed over for that year. The dictator's army was assigned to the


+  consul; and they ordered such of the troops of Marcellus's army as had fled


+  from Cannae, to be transported into Sicily, to serve there as long as the war


+  continued in Italy. Thither, likewise, were ordered to be sent as unfit to serve


+  with him, the weakest of the dictator's troops, no time of service being appointed,


+  but the legal number of campaigns. The two legions in the city were voted to


+  the other consul who should be elected in the room of Posthumius; and they resolved


+  that he should be elected as soon as the auspices would permit. Besides, two


+  legions were immediately to be recalled from Sicily, out of which the consul,


+  to whom the city legions fell, might take what number of men he should have


+  occasion for. The consul Caius Terentius Varro was continued in his command


+  for one year, without lessening the army he had for the defence of Apulia. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">26 </div>


+<a id="e26" />


+<p>During these transactions and preparations in Italy, the war in Spain was prosecuted


+  with no less vigour; but hitherto more favourably to the Romans. The two generals


+  had divided their troops, so that Cneius acted by land, and Publius by sea.


+  Hasdrubal, general of the Carthaginians, sufficiently trusting to neither branch


+  of his forces, kept himself at a distance from the enemy, secured by the intervening


+  space and the strength of his fortifications, until, after much solicitation,


+  four thousand foot and five hundred horse were sent him out of Africa as a reinforcement.


+  At length, inspired with fresh hopes, he moved nearer the enemy; and himself


+  also ordered a fleet to be equipped and prepared for the protection of the islands


+  and sea-coasts. In the very onset of renewing the war, he was greatly embarrassed


+  by the desertion of the captains of his ships, who had ceased to entertain a


+  sincere attachment towards the general and the Carthaginian cause, ever since


+  they were severely reprimanded for abandoning the fleet in a cowardly manner


+  at the Iberus. These deserters had raised an insurrection among the Tartessians,


+  and at their instigation some cities had revolted; they had even taken one by


+  force. The war was now turned from the Romans into that country, which he entered


+  in a hostile manner, and resolved to attack Galbus, a distinguished general


+  of the Tartessians, who with a powerful army kept close within his camp, before


+  the walls of a city which had been captured but a few days before. Accordingly,


+  he sent his light-armed troops in advance to provoke the enemy to battle, and


+  part of his infantry to ravage the country throughout in every direction, and


+  to cut off stragglers. There was a skirmish before the camp, at the same time


+  that many were killed and put to flight in the fields. But having by different


+  routes returned to their camp, they so quickly shook off all fear, that they


+  had courage not only to defend their lines, but challenge the enemy to fight.


+  They sallied out, therefore, in a body from the camp, dancing according to their


+  custom. Their sudden boldness terrified the enemy, who a little before had been


+  the assailants. Hasdrubal therefore drew off his troops to a tolerably steep


+  eminence, and secured further by having a river between it and the enemy. Here


+  the parties of light-armed troops which had been sent in advance, and the horse


+  which had been dispersed about, he called in to join him. But not thinking himself


+  sufficiently secured by the eminence or the river, he fortified his camp completely


+  with a rampart. While thus fearing and feared alternately, several skirmishes


+  occurred, in which the Numidian cavalry were not so good as the Spanish, nor


+  the Moorish darters so good as the Spanish targetteers, who equalled them in


+  swiftness, but were superior to them in strength and courage. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">27 </div>


+<a id="e27" />


+<p>The enemy seeing they could not, by coming up to Hasdrubal's camp, draw him


+  out to a battle, nor assault it without great difficulty, stormed Asena, whither


+  Hasdrubal, on entering their territories, had laid up his corn and other stores.


+  By this they became masters of all the surrounding country. But now they became


+  quite ungovernable, both when on march and within their camp. </p>


+<p> Hasdrubal, therefore, perceiving their negligence, which, as usual, was the


+  consequence of success, after having exhorted his troops to attack them while


+  they were straggling and without their standards, came down the hill, and advanced


+  to their camp in order of battle. On his approach being announced in a tumultuous


+  manner, by men who fled from the watchposts and advanced guards, they shouted


+  to arms; and as each could get his arms, they rushed precipitately to battle,


+  without waiting for the word, without standards, without order, and without


+  ranks. The foremost of them were already engaged, while some were running up


+  in parties, and others had not got out of their camp. However, at first, the


+  very boldness of their attack terrified the enemy. But when they charged their


+  close ranks with their own which were thin, and were not able to defend themselves


+  for want of numbers, each began to look out for others to support him; and being


+  repulsed in all quarters they collected themselves in form of a circle, where


+  being so closely crowded together, body to body, armour to armour, that they


+  had not room to wield their arms, they were surrounded by the enemy, who continued


+  to slaughter them till late in the day. A small number, having forced a passage,


+  made for the woods and hills. With like consternation, their camp was abandoned,


+  and next day the whole nation submitted. But they did not continue long quiet,


+  for immediately upon this, Hasdrubal received orders from Carthage to march


+  into Italy with all expedition. The report of which, spreading over Spain, made


+  almost all the states declare for the Romans. Accordingly he wrote immediately


+  to Carthage, to inform them how much mischief the report of his march had produced.


+  "That if he really did leave Spain, the Romans would be masters of it all before


+  he could pass the Iberus. For, besides that he had neither an army nor a general


+  whom he could leave to supply his place, so great were the abilities of the


+  Roman generals who commanded there, that they could scarcely be opposed with


+  equal forces. If, therefore, they had any concern for preserving Spain, they


+  ought to send a general with a powerful army to succeed him. To whom, however


+  prosperous all things might prove, yet the province would not be a position


+  of ease." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">28 </div>


+<a id="e28" />


+<p>Though this letter made at first a great impression on the senate, yet, as


+  their interest in Italy was first and most important, they did not at all alter


+  their resolution in relation to Hasdrubal and his troops. However, they despatched


+  Himilco with a complete army, and an augmented fleet, to preserve and defend


+  Spain both by sea and land. When he had conveyed over his land and naval forces,


+  he fortified a camp; and having drawn his ships upon dry land, and surrounded


+  them with a rampart, he marched with a chosen body of cavalry, with all possible


+  expedition; using the same caution when passing through people who were wavering,


+  and those who were actually enemies; and came up with Hasdrubal. As soon as


+  he had informed him of the resolutions and orders of the senate, and in his


+  turn been thoroughly instructed in what manner to prosecute the war in Spain,


+  he returned to his camp; his expedition more than any thing else saving him,


+  for he quitted every place before the people could conspire. Before Hasdrubal


+  quitted his position he laid all the states in subjection to him under contribution.


+  He knew well that Hannibal purchased a passage through some nations; that he


+  had no Gallic auxiliaries but such as were hired; and that if he had undertaken


+  so arduous a march without money, he would scarcely have penetrated so far as


+  the Alps. For this reason, having exacted the contributions with great haste,


+  he marched down to the Iberus. As soon as the Roman generals got notice of the


+  Carthaginian senate's resolution, and Hasdrubal's march, they gave up every


+  other concern, and uniting their forces, determined to meet him and oppose his


+  attempt. They reflected, that when it was already so difficult to make head


+  against Hannibal alone in Italy, there would be an end of the Roman empire in


+  Spain, should Hasdrubal join him with a Spanish army. Full of anxiety and care


+  on these accounts, they assembled their forces at the Iberus, and crossed the


+  river; and after deliberating for some time whether they should encamp opposite


+  to the enemy, or be satisfied with impeding his intended march by attacking


+  the allies of the Carthaginians, they made preparations for besieging a city


+  called Ibera, from its contiguity to the river, which was at that time the wealthiest


+  in that quarter. When Hasdrubal perceived this, instead of carrying assistance


+  to his allies, he proceeded himself to besiege a city which had lately placed


+  itself under the protection of the Romans; and thus the siege which was now


+  commenced was given up by them, and the operations of the war turned against


+  Hasdrubal himself. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">29 </div>


+<a id="e29" />


+<p>For a few days they remained encamped at a distance of five miles from each


+  other, not without skirmishes, but without going out to a regular engagement.


+  At length the signal for battle was given out on both sides on one and the same


+  day, as though by concert, and they marched down into the plain with all their


+  forces. The Roman army stood in triple line; a part of the light troops were


+  stationed among the first line, the other half were received behind the standards,


+  the cavalry covering the wings. Hasdrubal formed his centre strong with Spaniards,


+  and placed the Carthaginians in the right wing, the Africans and hired auxiliaries


+  in the left. His cavalry he placed before the wings, attaching the Numidians


+  to the Carthaginian infantry, and the rest to the Africans. Nor were all the


+  Numidians placed in the right wing, but such as taking two horses each into


+  the field are accustomed frequently to leap full armed, when the battle is at


+  the hottest, from a tired horse upon a fresh one, after the manner of vaulters:


+  such was their own agility, and so docile their breed of horses. While they


+  stood thus drawn up, the hopes entertained by the generals on both sides were


+  pretty much upon an equality; for neither possessed any great superiority, either


+  in point of the number or quality of the troops. The feelings of the soldiers


+  were widely different. Their generals had, without difficulty, induced the Romans


+  to believe, that although they fought at a distance from their country, it was


+  Italy and the city of Rome that they were defending. Accordingly, they had brought


+  their minds to a settled resolution to conquer or die; as if their return to


+  their country had hinged upon the issue of that battle. The other army consisted


+  of less determined men; for they were principally Spaniards, who would rather


+  be vanquished in Spain, than be victorious to be dragged into Italy. On the


+  first onset, therefore, ere their javelins had scarcely been thrown, their centre


+  gave ground, and the Romans pressing on with great impetuosity, turned their


+  backs. In the wings the battle proceeded with no less activity; on one side


+  the Carthaginians, on the other the Africans, charged vigorously, while the


+  Romans, in a manner surrounded, were exposed to a twofold attack. But when the


+  whole of the Roman troops had united in the centre, they possessed sufficient


+  strength to compel the wings of the enemy to retire in different directions;


+  and thus there were two separate battles, in both of which the Romans were decidedly


+  superior, as after the defeat of the enemy's centre they had the advantage both


+  in the number and strength of their troops. Vast numbers were slain on this


+  occasion; and had not the Spaniards fled precipitately from the field ere the


+  battle had scarce begun, very few out of the whole army would have survived.


+  There was very little fighting of the cavalry, for as soon as the Moors and


+  Numidians perceived that the centre gave way, they fled immediately with the


+  utmost precipitation, leaving the wings uncovered, and also driving the elephants


+  before them. Hasdrubal, after waiting the issue of the battle to the very last,


+  fled from the midst of the carnage with a few attendants. The Romans took and


+  plundered the camp. This victory united with the Romans whatever states of Spain


+  were wavering, and left Hasdrubal no hope, not only of leading an army over


+  into Italy, but even of remaining very safely in Spain. When these events were


+  made generally known at Rome by letters from the Scipios, the greatest joy was


+  felt, not so much for the victory, as for the stop which was put to the passage


+  of Hasdrubal into Italy. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">30 </div>


+<a id="e30" />


+<p>While these transactions were going on in Spain, Petilia, in Bruttium, was


+  taken by Himilco, an officer of Hannibal's, several months after the siege of


+  it began. This victory cost the Carthaginians much blood and many wounds, nor


+  did any power more subdue the besieged than that of famine; for after having


+  consumed their means of subsistence, derived from fruits and the flesh of every


+  kind of quadrupeds, they were at last compelled to live upon skins found in


+  shoemakers' shops, on herbs and roots, the tender barks of trees, and berries


+  gathered from brambles: nor were they subdued until they wanted strength to


+  stand upon the walls and support their arms. After gaining Petilia, the Carthaginian


+  marched his forces to Consentia, which being less obstinately defended, he compelled


+  to surrender within a few days. Nearly about the same time, an army of Bruttians


+  invested Croton, a Greek city, formerly powerful in men and arms, but at the


+  present time reduced so low by many and great misfortunes, that less than twenty


+  thousand inhabitants of all ages remained. The enemy, therefore, easily got


+  possession of a city destitute of defenders: of the citadel alone possession


+  was retained, into which some of the inhabitants fled from the midst of the


+  carnage during the confusion created by the capture of the city. The Locrians


+  too revolted to the Bruttians and Carthaginians, the populace having been betrayed


+  by the nobles. The Rhegians were the only people in that quarter who continued


+  to the last in faithful attachment to the Romans, and in the enjoyment of their


+  independence. The same alteration of feeing extended itself into Sicily also;


+  and not even the family of Hiero altogether abstained from defection; for Gelo,


+  his oldest son, conceiving a contempt for his father's old age, and, after the


+  defeat of Cannae, for the alliance with Rome, went over to the Carthaginians;


+  and he would have created a disturbance in Sicily, had he not been carried off,


+  when engaged as arming the people and soliciting the allies, by a death so seasonable


+  that it threw some degree of suspicion even upon his father. Such, with various


+  result, were the transactions in Italy, Africa, Sicily, and Spain during this


+  year. At the close of the year, Quintus Fabius Maximus requested of the senate,


+  that he might be allowed to dedicate the temple of Venus Erycina, which he had


+  vowed when dictator. The senate decreed, that Tiberius Sempronius, the consul


+  elect, as soon as ever he had entered upon his office, should propose to the


+  people, that they should create Quintus Fabius duumvir, for the purpose of dedicating


+  the temple. Also, in honour of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, who had been consul


+  twice and augur, his three sons, Lucius, Marcus, and Quintus exhibited funeral


+  games and twenty-two pairs of gladiators for three days in the forum. The curule


+  aediles, Caius Laetorius, and Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus consul elect, who


+  during his aedileship had been master of the horse, celebrated the Roman games,


+  which were repeated for three days. The plebeian games of the aediles, Marcus


+  Aurelius Cotta and Marcus Claudius Marcellus, were thrice repeated. At the conclusion


+  of the third year of the Punic war, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus the consul


+  entered upon his office on the ides of March. Of the praetors, Quintus Fulvius


+  Flaccus, who had before been consul and censor, had by lot the city jurisdiction;


+  Marcus Valerius Laevinus, the foreign. Sicily fell to the lot of Appius Claudius


+  Pulcher; Sardinia to Quintus Mucius Scaevola. The people ordered that Marcus


+  Marcellus should be in command as proconsul, because he was the only Roman general


+  who had been successful in his operations in Italy since the defeat at Cannae.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">31 </div>


+<a id="e31" />


+<p>The senate decreed, the first day they deliberated in the Capitol, that double


+  taxes should be imposed for that year, one moiety of which should be immediately


+  levied, as a fund from which pay might be given forthwith to all the soldiers,


+  except those who had been at Cannae. With regard to the armies they decreed,


+  that Tiberius Sempronius the consul should appoint a day for the two city legions


+  to meet at Cales, whence these legions should be conveyed into the Claudian


+  camp above Suenula. That the legions which were there, and they consisted principally


+  of the troops which had fought at Cannae, Appius Claudius Pulcher, the praetor,


+  should transport into Sicily; and that those in Sicily should be removed to


+  Rome. Marcus Claudius Marcellus was sent to the army, which had been ordered


+  to meet at Cales on a certain day, with orders to march the city legions thence


+  to the Claudian camp. Titus Metilius Croto, lieutenant-general, was sent by


+  Appius Claudius Pulcher to receive the old army and remove it into Sicily. People


+  at first had expected in silence that the consul would hold an assembly for


+  the election of a colleague, but afterwards perceiving that Marcus Marcellus,


+  whom they wished above all others to be consul this year, on account of his


+  brilliant success during his praetorship, was removed to a distant quarter,


+  as it were on purpose, a murmuring arose in the senate-house, which the consul


+  perceiving, said "Conscript fathers, it was conducive to the interest of the


+  state, both that Marcus Marcellus should go into Campania to make the exchange


+  of the armies, and that the assembly should not be proclaimed before he had


+  returned thence after completing the business with which he was charged, in


+  order that you might have him as consul whom the situation of the republic required


+  and yourselves prefer." Thus nothing was said about the assembly till Marcellus


+  returned. Meanwhile Quintus Fabius Maximus and Titus Otacilius Crassus were


+  created duumvirs for dedicating temples, Otacilius to Mens, Fabius to Venus


+  Erycina. Both are situated in the Capitol, and separated by one channel. It


+  was afterwards proposed to the people, to make Roman citizens of the three hundred


+  Campanian horsemen who had returned to Rome after having faithfully served their


+  period, and also that they should be considered to have been citizens of Cumae


+  from the day before that on which the Campanians had revolted from the Roman


+  people. It had been a principal inducement to this proposition, that they themselves


+  said they knew not to what people they belonged, having left their former country,


+  and being not yet admitted into that to which they had returned. After Marcellus


+  returned from the army, an assembly was proclaimed for electing one consul in


+  the room of Lucius Posthumius. Marcellus was elected with the greatest unanimity,


+  and was immediately to enter upon his office, but as it thundered while he entered


+  upon it, the augurs were summoned, who pronounced that they considered the creation


+  formal, and the fathers spread a report that the gods were displeased, because


+  on that occasion, for the first time, two plebeians had been elected consuls.


+  Upon Marcellus's abdicating his office, Fabius Maximus, for the third time,


+  was elected in his room. This year the sea appeared on fire; at Sinuessa a cow


+  brought forth a horse foal; the statues in the temple of Juno Sospita Lanuvium


+  flowed down with blood; and a shower of stones fell in the neighbourhood of


+  that temple: on account of which shower the nine days' sacred rite was celebrated,


+  as is usual on such occasions, and the other prodigies were carefully expiated.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">32 </div>


+<a id="e32" />


+<p>The consuls divided the armies between them. The army which Marcus Junius the


+  dictator had commanded fell to the lot of Fabius. To that of Sempronius fell


+  the volunteer slaves, with twenty-five thousand of the allies. To Marcus Valerius


+  the praetor were assigned the legions which had returned from Sicily. Marcus


+  Claudius, proconsul, was sent to that army which lay above Suessula for the


+  protection of Nola. The praetors set out for Sicily and Sardinia. The consuls


+  issued a proclamation, that as often as they summoned a senate, the senators


+  and those who had a right to give their opinion in the senate, should assemble


+  at the Capuan gate. The praetors who were charged with the administration of


+  justice, fixed their tribunals in the public fish market; there they ordered


+  sureties to be entered into, and here justice was administered this year. Meanwhile


+  news was brought to Carthage, from which place Mago, Hannibal's brother, was


+  on the point of carrying over into Italy twelve thousand foot, fifteen hundred


+  horse, twenty elephants, and a thousand talents of silver, under a convoy of


+  sixty men of war, that the operations of the war had not succeeded in Spain,


+  and that almost all the people in that province had gone over to the Romans.


+  There were some who were for sending Mago with that fleet and those forces into


+  Spain, neglecting Italy, when an unexpected prospect of regaining Sardinia broke


+  upon them. They were informed, that "the Roman army there was small, that Aulus


+  Cornelius, who had been praetor there, and was well acquainted with the province,


+  was quitting it, and that a new one was expected. Moreover, that the minds of


+  the Sardinians were now wearied with the long continuance of rule; and that


+  during the last year it had been exercised with severity and rapacity. That


+  the people were weighed down with heavy taxes, and an oppressive contribution


+  of corn: that there was nothing wanting but a leader to whom they might revolt."


+  This secret embassy had been sent by the nobles, Hampsicora being the chief


+  contriver of the measure, who at that time was first by far in wealth and influence.


+  Disconcerted and elated almost at the same time by these accounts, they sent


+  Mago with his fleet and forces into Spain, and selecting Hasdrubal as general


+  for Sardinia, assigned to him about as large a force as to Mago. At Rome, the


+  consuls, after transacting what was necessary to be done in the city now prepared


+  themselves for the war. Tiberius Sempronius appointed a day for his soldiers


+  to assemble at Sinuessa; and Quintus Fabius also, having first consulted the


+  senate, issued a proclamation, that all persons should convey corn from the


+  fields into fortified towns, before the calends of June next ensuing: if any


+  neglected to do so he would lay waste his lands, sell his slaves by auction,


+  and burn his farm-houses. Not even the praetors, who were created for the purpose


+  of administering justice, were allowed an exemption from military employments.


+  It was resolved that Valerius the praetor should go into Apulia, to receive


+  the army from Terentius, and that, when the legions from Sicily had arrived,


+  he should employ them principally for the protection of that quarter. That the


+  army of Terentius should be sent into Sicily, with some one of the lieutenant-generals.


+  Twenty-five ships were given to Marcus Valerius, to protect the sea-coast between


+  Brundusium and Tarentum. An equal number was given to Quintus Fulvius, the city


+  praetor, to protect the coasts in the neighbourhood of the city. To Caius Terentius,


+  the proconsul, it was given in charge to press soldiers in the Picenian territory,


+  and to protect that part of the country; and Titus Otacilius Crassus, after


+  he had dedicated the temple of Mens in the Capitol, was invested with command,


+  and sent into Sicily to take the conduct of the fleet. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">33 </div>


+<a id="e33" />


+<p>On this contest, between the two most powerful people in the world, all kings


+  and nations had fixed their attention. Among them Philip, king of the Macedonians,


+  regarded it with greater anxiety, in proportion as he was nearer to Italy, and


+  because he was separated from it only by the Ionian Sea. When he first heard


+  that Hannibal had crossed the Alps, as he was rejoiced that a war had arisen


+  between the Romans and the Carthaginians, so while their strength was yet undetermined,


+  he felt doubtful which he should rather wish to be victorious. But after the


+  third battle had been fought and the third victory had been on the side of the


+  Carthaginians, he inclined to fortune, and sent ambassadors to Hannibal. These,


+  avoiding the harbours of Brundusium and Tarentum, because they were occupied


+  by guards of Roman ships, landed at the temple of Juno Lacinia. Thence passing


+  through Apulia, on their way to Capua, they fell in with the Roman troops stationed


+  to protect the country, and were conveyed to Marcus Valerius Laevinus, the praetor,


+  who lay encamped in the neighbourhood of Luceria. Here Xenophanes, who was at


+  the head of the embassy, fearlessly stated, that he was sent by King Philip


+  to conclude a treaty of alliance and friendship with the Roman people, and that


+  he had commissions to the Roman consuls, senate, and people. The praetor, highly


+  delighted with this new alliance with a distinguished potentate, amidst the


+  desertions of her old allies, courteously entertained these enemies as guests,


+  and furnished them with persons to accompany them carefully to point out the


+  roads, and inform them what places, and what passes, the Romans or the enemy


+  occupied. Xenophanes passing through the Roman troops came into Campania, whence,


+  by the shortest way, he entered the camp of Hannibal, and concluded a treaty


+  of alliance and friendship with him on the following terms: That "King Philip,


+  with as large a fleet as he could, (and it was thought he could make one of


+  two hundred ships,) should pass over into Italy, and lay waste the sea-coast,


+  that he should carry on the war by land and sea with all his might; when the


+  war was concluded, that all Italy, with the city of Rome itself, should be the


+  property of the Carthaginians and Hannibal, and that all the booty should be


+  given up to Hannibal. That when Italy was completely subdued they should sail


+  into Greece, and carry on war with such nations as the king pleased. That the


+  cities on the continent and the islands which border on Macedonia, should belong


+  to Philip, and his dominions." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">34 </div>


+<a id="e34" />


+<p>A treaty was concluded between the Carthaginian general and the ambassadors,


+  upon nearly these terms; and Gisgo, Bostar, and Mago were sent as ambassadors


+  with them to receive the ratification of the king in person. They arrived at


+  the same place, near the temple of Juno Lacinia, where the vessel lay concealed


+  in a creek. Setting out thence, when they had got into the open sea, they were


+  descried by the Roman fleet, which was guarding the coasts of Calabria. Publius


+  Valerius Flaccus having sent fly-boats to pursue and bring back the ship, the


+  king's party at first attempted to fly; but afterwards, finding that they were


+  overmatched in swiftness, they delivered themselves up to the Romans, and were


+  brought to the commander of the fleet. Upon being asked by him who they were,


+  whence they came, and whither they were going, Xenophanes, having once been


+  pretty successful, made up a fictitious story and said, "that he was sent from


+  Philip to the Romans; that he had succeeded in reaching Marcus Valerius, to


+  whom alone he had safe access; that he was unable to make his way through Campania,


+  which was beset with the troops of the enemy." But afterwards the Carthaginian


+  dress and manners excited suspicions of the messengers of Hannibal, and when


+  interrogated, their speech betrayed them; then on their companions being removed


+  to separate places, and intimidated by threats, even a letter from Hannibal


+  to Philip was discovered, and the agreement made between the king of the Macedonians


+  and the Carthaginian. These points having been ascertained, the best course


+  appeared to be, to convey the prisoners and their companions as soon as possible


+  to the senate at Rome, or to the consuls, wheresoever they might be; for this


+  service five of the fastest sailing vessels were selected, and Lucius Valerius


+  Antias sent in command of them, with orders to distribute the ambassadors through


+  all the ships separately, and take particular care that they should hold no


+  conversation or consultation with each other. About the same time Aulus Cornelius


+  Mammula, on his return from the province of Sardinia, made a report of the state


+  of affairs in the island; that every body contemplated war and revolt; that


+  Quintus Mucius who succeeded him, being on his arrival affected by the unwholesomeness


+  of the air and water, had fallen into a disorder rather lingering than dangerous,


+  and would for a long time be incapable of sustaining the violent exertion of


+  the war; that the army there, though strong enough for the protection of a province


+  in a state of tranquillity, was, nevertheless, not adequate to the maintenance


+  of the war which seemed to be about to break out. Upon which the fathers decreed,


+  that Quintus Fulvius Flaccus should enlist five thousand foot and four hundred


+  horse, and take care that the legion thus formed should be transported as soon


+  as possible into Sardinia, and send invested with command whomsoever he thought


+  fit to conduct the business of the war until Mucius had recovered. For this


+  service Titus Manlius Torquatus was sent; he had been twice consul and censor,


+  and had subdued the Sardinians during his consulate. Nearly about the same time


+  a fleet sent from Carthage to Sardinia under the conduct of Hasdrubal, surnamed


+  the Bald, having suffered from a violent tempest, was driven upon the Balearian


+  islands, where a good deal of time was lost in refitting the ships, which were


+  hauled on shore, so much were they damaged, not only in their rigging but also


+  in their hulls. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">35 </div>


+<a id="e35" />


+<p>As the war was carried on in Italy with less vigour since the battle of Cannae,


+  the strength of one party having been broken, and the energy of the other relaxed,


+  the Campanians of themselves made an attempt to subjugate Cumae, at first by


+  soliciting them to revolt from the Romans, and when that plan did not succeed,


+  they contrived an artifice by which to entrap them. All the Campanians had a


+  stated sacrifice at Hamae. They informed the Cumans that the Campanian senate


+  would come there, and requested that the Cuman senate should also be present


+  to deliberate in concert, in order that both people might have the same allies


+  and the same enemies; they said that they would have an armed force there for


+  their protection, that there might be no danger from the Romans or Carthaginians.


+  The Cumans, although they suspected treachery, made no objection, concluding


+  that thus the deception they meditated might be concealed. Meanwhile Tiberius


+  Sempronius, the Roman consul, having purified his army at Sinuessa, where he


+  had appointed a day for their meeting, crossed the Vulturnus, and pitched his


+  camp in the neighbourhood of Liternum. As his troops were stationed here without


+  any employment, he compelled them frequently to go through their exercise, that


+  the recruits, which consisted principally of volunteer slaves, might accustom


+  themselves to follow the standards, and know their own centuries in battle While


+  thus engaged, the general was particularly anxious for concord, and therefore


+  enjoined the lieutenant-generals and the tribunes that "no disunion should be


+  engendered among the different orders, by casting reproaches on any one on account


+  of his former condition. That the veteran soldier should be content be placed


+  on an equal footing with the tiro, the free-man with the volunteer slave; that


+  all should consider those men sufficiently respectable in point of character


+  and birth, to whom the Roman people had intrusted their arms and standards;


+  that the measures which circumstances made it necessary to adopt, the same circumstances


+  also made it necessary to support when adopted." This was not more carefully


+  prescribed by the generals than observed by the soldiers; and in a short time


+  the minds of all were united in such perfect harmony, that the condition from


+  which each became a soldier was almost forgotten. While Gracchus was thus employed,


+  ambassadors from Cumas brought him information of the embassy which had come


+  to them from the Campanians, a few days before, and the answer they had given


+  them; that the festival would take place in three days from that time; that


+  not only the whole body of their senate, but that the camp and the army of the


+  Campanians would be there. Gracchus having directed the Cumans to convey every


+  thing out of their fields into the town, and to remain within their walls, marched


+  himself to Cumae, on the day before that on which the Campanians were to attend


+  the sacrifice. Hamae was three miles distant from his position. The Campanians


+  had by this time assembled there in great numbers according to the plan concerted;


+  and not far off Marius Alfius, Medixtuticus, which is the name of the chief


+  magistrate of the Campanians, lay encamped in a retired spot with fourteen thousand


+  armed men, considerably more occupied in making preparation for the sacrifice


+  and in concerting the stratagem to be executed during it, than in fortifying


+  his camp or any other military work. The sacrifice at Hamae lasted for three


+  days. It was a nocturnal rite, so arranged as to be completed before midnight.


+  Gracchus, thinking this the proper time for executing his plot, placed guards


+  at the gates to prevent any one from carrying out intelligence of his intentions;


+  and having compelled his men to employ the time from the tenth hour in taking


+  refreshment and sleep, in order that they might be able to assemble on a signal


+  given as soon as it was dark. He ordered the standards to be raised about the


+  first watch, and marching in silence, reached Hamae at midnight; where, finding


+  the Campanian camp in a neglected state, as might be expected during a festival,


+  he assaulted it at every gate at once; some he butchered while stretched on


+  the ground asleep, others as they were returning unarmed after finishing the


+  sacrifice. In the tumultuous action of this night more than two thousand men


+  were slain, together with the general himself, Marius Alfius, and thirty-four


+  military standards were captured. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">36 </div>


+<a id="e36" />


+<p>Gracchus, having made himself master of the enemy's camp with the loss of less


+  than a hundred men, hastily returned to Cumae, fearful of an attack from Hannibal,


+  who lay encamped above Capua on Tifata; nor did his provident anticipation of


+  the future deceive him; for as soon as intelligence was brought to Capua of


+  this loss, Hannibal, concluding that he should find at Hamae this army, which


+  consisted for the most part of recruits and slaves, extravagantly elated with


+  its success, despoiling the vanquished and collecting booty, marched by Capua


+  at a rapid pace, ordering those Campanians whom he met in their flight to be


+  conducted to Capua under an escort, and the wounded to be conveyed in carriages.


+  He found at Hamae the camp abandoned by the enemy, where there was nothing to


+  be seen but the traces of the recent carnage, and the bodies of his allies strewed


+  in every part. Some advised him to lead his troops immediately thence to Cumae,


+  and assault the town. Though Hannibal desired, in no ordinary degree, to get


+  possession of Cumae at least, as a maritime town, since he could not gain Neapolis;


+  yet as his soldiers had brought out with them nothing besides their arms on


+  their hasty march, he retired to his camp on Tifata. But, wearied with the entreaties


+  of the Campanians, he returned thence to Cumae the following day, with every


+  thing requisite for besieging the town; and having thoroughly wasted the lands


+  of Cumae, pitched, his camp a mile from the town, in which Gracchus had stayed


+  more because he was ashamed to abandon, in such an emergency, allies who implored


+  his protection and that of the Roman people, than because he felt confidence


+  in his army. Nor dared the other consul, Fabius, who was encamped at Cales,


+  lead his troops across the Vulturnus, being employed at first in taking new


+  auspices, and afterwards with the prodigies which were reported one after another;


+  and while expiating these, the aruspices answered that they were not easily


+  atoned. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">37 </div>


+<a id="e37" />


+<p>While these causes detained Fabius, Sempronius was besieged, and now works


+  were employed in the attack. Against a very large wooden tower which was brought


+  up to the town, the Roman consul raised up another considerably higher from


+  the wall itself; for he had made use of the wall, which was pretty high of itself,


+  as a platform, placing strong piles as supports. From this the besieged at first


+  defended their walls and city, with stones, javelins, and other missiles; but


+  lastly, when they perceived the tower advanced into contact with the wall they


+  threw upon it a large quantity of fire, making use of blazing fire-brands; and


+  while the armed men were throwing themselves down from the tower in great numbers,


+  in consequence of the flames thus occasioned, the troops sallying out of the


+  town at two gates at once, routed the enemy, and drove them back to their camp;


+  so that the Carthaginians that day were more like persons besieged than besiegers.


+  As many as one thousand three hundred of the Carthaginians were slain, and fifty-nine


+  made prisoners, having been unexpectedly overpowered, while standing careless


+  and unconcerned near the walls and on the outposts, fearing any thing rather


+  than a sally. Gracchus sounded a retreat, and withdrew his men within the walls,


+  before the enemy could recover themselves from the effects of this sudden terror.


+  The next day Hannibal, supposing that the consul, elated with his success, would


+  engage him in a regular battle, drew up his troops in battle-array between the


+  camp and the city; but finding that not a man was removed from the customary


+  guard of the town, and that nothing was hazarded upon rash hopes, he returned


+  to Tifata without accomplishing any thing. At the same time that Cumae was relieved


+  from siege, Tiberius Sempronius, surnamed Longus, fought successfully with the


+  Carthaginian general, Hanno, at Grumentum in Lucania. He slew above two thousand


+  of the enemy, losing two hundred and eighty of his own men. He took as many


+  as forty-one military standards. Hanno, driven out of the Lucanian territory,


+  drew back among the Bruttii. Three towns belonging to the Hirpinians, which


+  had revolted from the Romans, were regained by force by the praetor, Marcus


+  Valerius, Vercellius and Sicilius, the authors of the revolt, were beheaded;


+  above a thousand prisoners sold by auction; and the rest of the booty having


+  been given up to the soldiery, the army was marched back to Luceria. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">38 </div>


+<a id="e38" />


+<p>While these things were taking place in Lucania and Hirpinia, the five ships,


+  which were conveying to Rome the captured ambassadors of the Macedonians and


+  Carthaginians, after passing round the whole coast of Italy from the upper to


+  the lower sea, were sailing by Cumae, when, it not being known whether they


+  belonged to enemies or allies, Gracchus despatched some ships from his fleet


+  to meet them. When it was ascertained, in the course of their mutual inquiries


+  that the consul was at Cumae, the ships put in there, the captives were brought


+  before the consul, and their letters placed in his hands. The consul, after


+  he had read the letters of Philip and Hannibal, sent them all, sealed up, to


+  the senate by land, ordering that the ambassadors should be conveyed thither


+  by sea. The ambassadors and the letters arriving at Rome nearly on the same


+  day, and on examination the answers of the ambassadors corresponding with the


+  contents of the letters, at first intense anxiety oppressed the fathers, on


+  seeing what a formidable war with Macedonia threatened them, when with difficulty


+  bearing up against the Punic war; yet so far were they from sinking under their


+  calamities, that they immediately began to consider how they might divert the


+  enemy from Italy, by commencing hostilities themselves. After ordering the prisoners


+  to be confined in chains, and selling their attendants by public auction, they


+  decreed, that twenty more ships should be got ready, in addition to the twenty-five


+  ships which Publius Valerius Flaccus had been appointed to command. These being


+  provided and launched, and augmented by the five ships which had conveyed the


+  captive ambassadors to Rome, a fleet of fifty ships set sail from Ostia to Tarentum.


+  Publius Valerius was ordered to put on board the soldiers of Varro, which Lucius


+  Apustius, lieutenant-general, commanded at Tarentum; and, with this fleet of


+  fifty ships, not only to protect the coast of Italy, but also to make inquiry


+  respecting the Macedonian war. If the plans of Philip corresponded with his


+  letter, and the discoveries made by his ambassadors, he was directed to acquaint


+  the praetor, Marcus Valerius, with it, who, leaving Lucius Apustius, lieutenant-general,


+  in command of the army, and going to Tarentum to the fleet, was to cross over


+  to Macedonia with all speed, and endeavour to detain Philip in his own dominions.


+  The money which had been sent into Sicily to Appius Claudius, to be repaid to


+  Hiero, was assigned for the support of the fleet and the maintenance of the


+  Macedonian war. This money was conveyed to Tarentum, by Lucius Apustius, lieutenant-general,


+  and with it Hiero sent two hundred thousand pecks of wheat, and a hundred thousand


+  of barley. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">39 </div>


+<a id="e39" />


+<p>While the Romans were engaged in these preparations and transactions, the captured


+  ship, which formed one of those which had been sent to Rome, made its escape


+  on the voyage and returned to Philip; from which source it became known that


+  the ambassadors with their letters had been made prisoners. Not knowing, therefore,


+  what had been agreed upon between Hannibal and his ambassadors, or what proposals


+  they were to have brought back to him, he sent another embassy with the same


+  instructions. The ambassadors sent to Hannibal were Heraclitus, surnamed Scotinus,


+  Crito of Beraea, and Sositheus of Magnesia; these successfully took and brought


+  back their commissions, but the summer had passed before the king could take


+  any step or make any attempt. Such an influence had the capture of one vessel,


+  together with the ambassadors, in deferring a war which threatened the Romans.


+  Fabius crossed the Vulturnus, after having at length expiated the prodigies,


+  and both the consuls prosecuted the war in the neighbourhood of Capua. Fabius


+  regained by force the towns Compulteria, Trebula, and Saticula, which had revolted


+  to the Carthaginians; and in them were captured the garrisons of Hannibal and


+  a great number of Campanians. At Nola, as had been the case the preceding year,


+  the senate sided with the Romans, the commons with Hannibal; and deliberations


+  were held clandestinely on the subject of massacring the nobles and betraying


+  the city; but to prevent their succeeding in their designs, Fabius marched his


+  army between Capua and the camp of Hannibal on Tifata, and sat down in the Claudian


+  camp above Suessula, whence he sent Marcus Marcellus, the proconsul, with those


+  forces which he had under him, to Nola for its protection. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">40 </div>


+<a id="e40" />


+<p>In Sardinia also the operations of the war, which had been intermitted from


+  the time that Quintus Mucius, the praetor, had been seized with a serious illness,


+  began to be conducted by Titus Manlius, the praetor. Having hauled the ships


+  of war on shore at Carale, and armed his mariners, in order that he might prosecute


+  the war by land, and received the army from the praetor, he made up the number


+  of twenty-two thousand foot and twelve hundred horse. Setting out for the territory


+  of the enemy with these forces of foot and horse, he pitched his camp not far


+  from the camp of Hamsicora. It happened that Hampsicora was then gone among


+  the Sardinians, called Pelliti, in order to arm their youth, whereby he might


+  augment his forces. His son, named Hiostus, had the command of the camp, who


+  coming to an engagement, with the presumption of youth, was routed and put to


+  flight. In that battle as many as three thousand of the Sardinians were slain,


+  and about eight hundred taken alive. The rest of the army at first wandered


+  in their flight through the fields and woods, but afterwards all fled to a city


+  named Cornus, the capital of that district, whither there was a report that


+  their general had fled; and the war in Sardinia would have been brought to a


+  termination by that battle, had not the Carthaginian fleet under the command


+  of Hasdrubal, which had been driven by a storm upon the Balearian islands, come


+  in seasonably for inspiring a hope of renewing the war. Manlius, after hearing


+  of the arrival of the Punic fleet, returned to Carale, which afforded Hampsicora


+  an opportunity of forming a junction with the Carthaginian. Hasdrubal, having


+  landed his forces and sent back his fleet to Carthage, set out under the guidance


+  of Hampsicora, to lay waste the lands of the allies of the Romans; and he would


+  have proceeded to Carale, had not Manlius, meeting him with his army, restrained


+  him from this wide-spread depredation. At first their camps were pitched opposite


+  to each other, at a small distance; afterwards skirmishes and slight encounters


+  took place with varying success; lastly, they came down into the field and fought


+  a regular pitched battle for four hours. The Carthaginians caused the battle


+  to continue long doubtful, for the Sardinians were accustomed to yield easily;


+  but at last, when the Sardinians fell and fled on all sides around them, the


+  Carthaginians themselves were routed. But as they were turning their backs,


+  the Roman general, wheeling round that wing with which he had driven back the


+  Sardinians, intercepted them, after which it was rather a carnage than a battle.


+  Two thousand of the enemy, Sardinians and Carthaginians together, were slain,


+  about three thousand seven hundred captured, with twenty-seven military standards.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">41 </div>


+<a id="e41" />


+<p>Above all, the general, Hasdrubal, and two other noble Carthaginians having


+  been made prisoners, rendered the battle glorious and memorable; Mago, who was


+  of the Barcine family, and nearly related to Hannibal, and Hanno, the author


+  of the revolt of the Sardinians, and without doubt the instigator of this war.


+  Nor less did the Sardinian generals render that battle distinguished by their


+  disasters; for not only was Hiostus, son of Hampsicora, slain in the battle,


+  but Hampsicora himself flying with a few horse, having heard of the death of


+  his son in addition to his unfortunate state, committed suicide by night, lest


+  the interference of any person should prevent the accomplishment of his design.


+  To the other fugitives the city of Cornus afforded a refuge, as it had done


+  before; but Manlius, having assaulted it with his victorious troops, regained


+  it in a few days. Then other cities also which had gone over to Hampsicora and


+  the Carthaginians, surrendered themselves and gave hostages, on which having


+  imposed a contribution of money and corn, proportioned to the means and delinquency


+  of each, he led back his troops to Carale. There launching his ships of war,


+  and putting the soldiers he had brought with him on board, he sailed to Rome,


+  reported to the fathers the total subjugation of Sardinia, and handed over the


+  contribution of money to the quaestors, of corn to the aediles, and the prisoners


+  to the praetor Fulvius. During the same time, as Titus Otacilius the praetor,


+  who had sailed over with a fleet of fifty ships from Lilybaeum to Africa, and


+  laid waste the Carthaginian territory, was returning thence to Sardinia, to


+  which place it was reported that Hasdrubal had recently crossed over from the


+  Baleares, he fell in with his fleet on its return to Africa; and after a slight


+  engagement in the open sea, captured seven ships with their crews. Fear dispersed


+  the rest far and wide, not less effectually than a storm. It happened also,


+  at the same time, that Bomilcar arrived at Locri with soldiers sent from Carthage


+  as a reinforcement, bringing with him also elephants and provisions. In order


+  to surprise and overpower him, Appius Claudius, having hastily led his troops


+  to Messana, under pretext of making the circuit of the province, crossed over


+  to Locri, the tide being favourable. Bomilcar had by this time left the place,


+  having set out for Bruttium to join Hanno. The Locrians closed their gates against


+  the Romans, and Appius Claudius returned to Rome without achieving any thing,


+  by his strenuous efforts. The same summer Marcellus made frequent excursions


+  from Nola, which he was occupying with a garrison, into the lands of the Hirpini


+  and Caudine Samnites, and so destroyed all before him with fire and sword, that


+  he renewed in Samnium the memory of her ancient disasters. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">42 </div>


+<a id="e42" />


+<p>Ambassadors were therefore despatched from both nations at the same time to


+  Hannibal, who thus addressed the Carthaginian: "Hannibal, we carried on hostilities


+  with the Roman people, by ourselves and from our own resources, as long as our


+  own arms and our own strength could protect us. Our confidence in these failing,


+  we attached ourselves to king Pyrrhus. Abandoned by him, we accepted of a peace,


+  dictated by necessity, which we continued to observe up to the period when you


+  arrived in Italy, through a period of almost fifty years. Your valour and good


+  fortune, not more than your unexampled humanity and kindness displayed towards


+  our countrymen, whom, when made prisoners, you restored to us, so attached us


+  to you, that while you our friend were in health and safety, we not only feared


+  not the Romans, but not even the anger of the gods, if it were lawful so to


+  express ourselves. And yet, by Hercules, you not only being in safety and victorious,


+  but on the spot, (when you could almost hear the shrieks of our wives and children,


+  and see our buildings in flames,) we have suffered, during this summer, such


+  repeated devastations, that Marcellus, and not Hannibal, would appear to have


+  been the conqueror at Cannae; while the Romans boast that you had strength only


+  to inflict a single blow; and having as it were left your sting, now lie torpid.


+  For near a century we waged war with the Romans, unaided by any foreign general


+  or army; except that for two years Pyrrhus rather augmented his own strength


+  by the addition of our troops, than defended us by his. I will not boast of


+  our successes, that two consuls and two consular armies were sent under the


+  yoke by us, nor of any other joyful and glorious events which have happened


+  to us. We can tell of the difficulties and distresses we then experienced, with


+  less indignation than those which are now occurring. Dictators, those officers


+  of high authority, with their masters of horse, two consuls with two consular


+  armies, entered our borders, and, after having reconnoitred and posted reserves,


+  led on their troops in regular array to devastate our country. Now we are the


+  prey of a single propraetor, and of one little garrison, for the defence of


+  Nola. Now they do not even confine themselves to plundering in companies, but,


+  like marauders, range through our country from one end to the other, more unconcernedly


+  than if they were rambling through the Roman territory. And the reason is this,


+  you do not protect us yourself, and the whole of our youth, which, if at home,


+  would keep us in safety, is serving under your banners. We know nothing either


+  of you or your army, but we know that it would be easy for the man who has routed


+  and dispersed so many Roman armies, to put down these rambling freebooters of


+  ours, who roam about in disorder to whatsoever quarter the hope of booty, however


+  groundless, attracts them. They indeed will be the prey of a few Numidians,


+  and a garrison sent to us will also dislodge that at Nola, provided you do not


+  think those men undeserving that you should protect them as allies, whom you


+  have esteemed worthy of your alliance." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">43 </div>


+<a id="e43" />


+<p>To this Hannibal replied, "that the Hirpini and Samnites did every thing at


+  once: that they both represented their sufferings, solicited succours, and complained


+  that they were undefended and neglected. Whereas, they ought first to have represented


+  their sufferings, then to have solicited succours; and lastly, if those succours


+  were not obtained, then, at length, to make complaint that assistance had been


+  implored without effect. That he would lead his troops not into the fields of


+  the Hirpini and Samnites, lest he too should be a burthen to them, but into


+  the parts immediately contiguous, and belonging to the allies of the Roman people,


+  by plundering which, he would enrich his own soldiers, and cause the enemy to


+  retire from them through fear. With regard to the Roman war, if the battle of


+  Trasimenus was more glorious than that at Trebia, and the battle of Cannae than


+  that of Trasimenus, that he would eclipse the fame of the battle of Cannae by


+  a greater and more brilliant victory." With this answer, and with munificent


+  presents, he dismissed the ambassadors. Having left a pretty large garrison


+  in Tifata, he set out with the rest of his troops to go to Nola. Thither came


+  Hanno from the Bruttii with recruits and elephants brought from Carthage. Having


+  encamped not far from the place, every thing, upon examination, was found to


+  be widely different from what he had heard from the ambassadors of the allies.


+  For Marcellus was doing nothing, in such a way that he could be said to have


+  committed himself rashly either to fortune or to the enemy. He had gone out


+  on plundering expeditions, having previously reconnoitred, planted strong guards,


+  and secured a retreat; the same caution was observed and the same provisions


+  made, as if Hannibal were present. At this time, when he perceived the enemy


+  on the approach, he kept his forces within the walls, ordered the senators of


+  Nola to patrol the walls, and explore on all hands what was doing among the


+  enemy. Of these Herennius Bassus and Herius Petrius, having been invited by


+  Hanno, who had come up to the wall, to a conference, and gone out with the permission


+  of Marcellus, were thus addressed by him, through an interpreter. After extolling


+  the valour and good fortune of Hannibal, and vilifying the majesty of the Roman


+  people, which he represented as sinking into decrepitude with their strength;


+  he said, "but though they were on an equality in these respects, as once perhaps


+  they were, yet they who had experienced how oppressive the government of Rome


+  was towards its allies, and how great the clemency of Hannibal, even towards


+  all his prisoners of the Italian name, were bound to prefer the friendship and


+  alliance of the Carthaginians to those of the Romans." If both the consuls with


+  their armies were at Nola, still they would no more be a match for Hannibal


+  than they had been at Cannae, much less would one praetor with a few raw soldiers


+  be able to defend it. It was a question which concerned themselves more than


+  Hannibal whether he should take possession of Nola as captured or surrendered,


+  for that he would certainly make himself master of it, as he had done with regard


+  to Capua and Nuceria, and what difference there was between the fate of Capua


+  and Nuceria, the Nolans themselves, situated as they were nearly midway between


+  them, were well aware. He said he was unwilling to presage the evils which would


+  result to the city if taken by force, but would in preference pledge himself


+  that if they would deliver up Nola, together with Marcellus and his garrison,


+  no other person than themselves should dictate the conditions on which they


+  should come into the friendship and alliance of Hannibal. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">44 </div>


+<a id="e44" />


+<p>To this Herennius Bassus replied, that, "a friendship had subsisted now for


+  many years between the Romans and the Nolans, which neither party up to that


+  day regretted; and even had they been disposed to change their friends upon


+  a change of fortune, it was now too late to change; had they intended to surrender


+  themselves to Hannibal, they should not have called a Roman garrison to their


+  aid: that all fortunes both were now and should to the last be shared with those


+  who had come to their protection." This conference deprived Hannibal of the


+  hope of gaining Nola by treachery; he therefore completely invested the city,


+  in order that he might attack the walls in every part at once. Marcellus, when


+  he perceived that he had come near to the walls, having drawn up his troops


+  within the gate, sallied forth with great impetuosity; several were knocked


+  down and slain on the first charge: afterwards the troops running up to those


+  who were engaged, and their forces being thus placed on an equality? the battle


+  began to be fierce; nor would there have been many actions equally memorable,


+  had not the combatants been separated by a shower of rain attended with a tremendous


+  storm. On that day, after having engaged in a slight contest, and with inflamed


+  minds, they retired, the Romans to the city, the Carthaginians to their camp.


+  Of the Carthaginians, however, there fell from the shock of the first sally


+  not more than thirty, of the Romans not one. The rain continued without intermission


+  through the whole night, until the third hour of the following day, and therefore,


+  though both parties were eager for the contest, they nevertheless kept themselves


+  within their works for that day. On the third day Hannibal sent a portion of


+  his troops into the lands of the Nolans to plunder. Marcellus perceiving this,


+  immediately led out his troops and formed for battle, nor did Hannibal decline


+  fighting. The interval between the city and the camp was about a mile. In that


+  space, and all the country round Nola consists of level ground, the armies met.


+  The shout which was raised on both sides, called back to the battle, which had


+  now commenced, the nearest of those cohorts which had gone out into the fields


+  to plunder. The Nolans too joined the Roman line. Marcellus having highly commended


+  them, desired them to station themselves in reserve, and to carry the wounded


+  out of the field but not take part in the battle, unless they should receive


+  a signal from him. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">45 </div>


+<a id="e45" />


+<p>It was a doubtful battle; the generals exerting themselves to the utmost in


+  exhorting, and the soldiers in fighting Marcellus urged his troops to press


+  vigorously on men who had been vanquished but three days before, who had been


+  put to flight at Cumae only a few days ago, and who had been driven from Nola


+  the preceding year by himself, as general, though with different troops. He


+  said, "that all the forces of the enemy were not in the field; that they were


+  rambling about the country in plundering parties, and that even those who were


+  engaged, were enfeebled with Campanian luxury, and worn out with drunkenness,


+  lust, and every kind of debauchery, which they had been indulging in through


+  the whole winter. That the energy and vigour had left them, that the strength


+  of mind and body had vanished, by which the Pyrenees and the tops of the Alps


+  had been passed. That those now engaged were the remains of those men, with


+  scarcely strength to support their arms and limbs. That Capua had been a Cannae


+  to Hannibal; that there his courage in battle, his military discipline, the


+  fame he had already acquired, and his hopes of future glory, were extinguished."


+  While Marcellus was raising the spirits of his troops by thus inveighing against


+  the enemy, Hannibal assailed them with still heavier reproaches. He said, "he


+  recognised the arms and standards which he had seen and employed at Trebia and


+  Trasimenus, and lastly at Cannae; but that he had indeed led one sort of troops


+  into winter quarters at Capua, and brought another out. Do you, whom two consular


+  armies could never withstand, with difficulty maintain your ground against a


+  Roman lieutenant-general, and a single legion with a body of auxiliaries? Does


+  Marcellus now a second time with impunity assail us with a band of raw recruits


+  and Nolan auxiliaries? Where is that soldier of mine, who took off the head


+  of Caius Flaminius, the consul, after dragging him from his horse? Where is


+  the man who slew Lucius Paulus at Cannae? Is it that the steel hath lost its


+  edge? or that your right hands are benumbed? or what other miracle is it? You


+  who, when few, have been accustomed to conquer numbers, now scarce maintain


+  your ground, the many against the few. Brave in speech only, you were wont to


+  boast that you would take Rome by storm if you could find a general to lead


+  you. Lo! here is a task of less difficulty. I would have you try your strength


+  and courage here. Take Nola, a town situated on a plain, protected neither by


+  river nor sea; after that, when you have enriched yourselves with the plunder


+  and spoils of that wealthy town, I will either lead or follow you whithersoever


+  you have a mind." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">46 </div>


+<a id="e46" />


+<p>Neither praises nor reproaches had any effect in confirming their courage.


+  Driven from their ground in every quarter, while the Romans derived fresh spirits,


+  not only from the exhortations of their general, but from the Nolans, who, by


+  their acclamations in token of their good wishes, fed the flame of battle, the


+  Carthaginians turned their backs, and were driven to their camp, which the Roman


+  soldiers were eager to attack; but Marcellus led them back to Nola, amidst the


+  great joy and congratulations even from the commons, who hitherto had been more


+  favourable to the Carthaginians. Of the enemy more than five thousand were slain


+  on that day, six hundred made prisoners, with nineteen military standards and


+  two elephants. Four elephants were killed in the battle. Of the Romans less


+  than a thousand were killed. The next day was employed by both parties in burying


+  their dead, under a tacit truce. Marcellus burnt the spoils of the enemy, in


+  fulfilment of a vow to Vulcan. On the third day after, on account of some pique,


+  I suppose, or in the hope of more advantageous service, one thousand two hundred


+  and seventy-two horsemen, Numidians and Spaniards, deserted to Marcellus. The


+  Romans had frequently availed themselves of their brave and faithful service


+  in that war. After the conclusion of the war, portions of land were given to


+  the Spaniards in Spain, to the Numidians in Africa, in consideration of their


+  valour. Having sent Hanno back from Nola to the Bruttians with the troops with


+  which he had come, Hannibal went himself into winter quarters in Apulia, and


+  took up a position in the neighbourhood of Arpi. Quintus Fabius, as soon as


+  he heard that Hannibal was set out into Apulia, conveyed corn, collected from


+  Nola and Naples, into the camp above Suessula; and having strengthened the fortifications


+  and left a garrison sufficient for the protection of the place during the winter,


+  moved his camp nearer to Capua, and laid waste the Campanian lands with fire


+  and sword; so that at length the Campanians, though not very confident in their


+  strength, were obliged to go out of their gates and fortify a camp in the open


+  space before the city. They had six thousand armed men, the infantry, unfit


+  for action. In their cavalry they had more strength. They therefore harassed


+  the enemy by attacking them with these. Among the many distinguished persons


+  who served in the Campanian cavalry was one Cerrinus Jubellius, surnamed Taurea.


+  Though of that extraction, he was a Roman citizen, and by far the bravest horseman


+  of all the Campanians, insomuch that when he served under the Roman banners,


+  there was but one man, Claudius Asellus, a Roman, who rivalled him in his reputation


+  as a horseman. Taurea having for a long time diligently sought for this man,


+  riding up to the squadrons of the enemy, at length having obtained silence,


+  inquired where Claudius Asellus was, and asked why, since he had been accustomed


+  to dispute about their merit in words, he would not decide the matter with the


+  sword, and if vanquished give him <i>spolia opima</i>, or if victorious take


+  them. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">47 </div>


+<a id="e47" />


+<p>Asellus, who was in the camp, having been informed of this, waited only to


+  ask the consul leave to depart from the ordinary course and fight an enemy who


+  had challenged him. By his permission, he immediately put on his arms, and riding


+  out beyond the advanced guards called on Taurea by name, and bid him come to


+  the encounter when he pleased. By this time the Romans had gone out in large


+  bodies to witness the contest, and the Campanians had crowded not only the rampart


+  of the camp, but the walls of the city to get a view of it. After a flourish


+  of expressions of mutual defiance, they spurred on their horses with their spears


+  pointed. Then evading each other's attacks, for they had free space to move


+  in, they protracted the battle without a wound. Upon this the Campanian observed


+  to the Roman, "This will be only a trial of skill between our horses and not


+  between horsemen, unless we ride them down from the plain into this hollow way.


+  There, as there will be no room for retiring, we shall come to close quarters."


+  Almost quicker than the word, Claudius leaped into the hollow way. Taurea, bold


+  in words more than in reality, said, "Never be the ass in the ditch;" an expression


+  which from this circumstance became a common proverb among rustics. Claudius


+  having rode up and down the way to a considerable distance, and again come up


+  into the plain without meeting his antagonist, after reflecting in reproachful


+  terms on the cowardice of the enemy, returned in triumph to the camp, amidst


+  great rejoicing and congratulation. To the account of this equestrian contest,


+  some histories add a circumstance which is certainly astonishing, how true it


+  is, is an open matter of opinion that Claudius, when in pursuit of Taurea, who


+  fled back to the city, rode in at one of the gates of the enemy which stood


+  open and made his escape unhurt through another, the enemy being thunderstruck


+  at the strangeness of the circumstance. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">48 </div>


+<a id="e48" />


+<p>The camps were then undisturbed, the consul even moved his camp back, that


+  the Campanians might complete their sowing, nor did he do any injury to the


+  lands till the blades in the corn-fields were grown sufficiently high to be


+  useful for forage. This he conveyed into the Claudian camp above Suessula, and


+  there erected winter quarters. He ordered Marcus Claudius, the proconsul, to


+  retain at Nola a sufficient force for the protection of the place, and send


+  the rest to Rome, that they might not be a burthen to their allies nor an expense


+  to the republic. Tiberius Gracchus also, having led his legions from Cumae to


+  Luceria in Apulia, sent Marcus Valerius, the praetor, thence to Brundusium with


+  the troops which he had commanded at Luceria, with orders to protect the coast


+  of the Sallentine territory, and make provisions with regard to Philip and the


+  Macedonian war. At the close of the summer, the events of which I have described,


+  letters arrived from Publius and Cneius Scipio, stating the magnitude and success


+  of their operations in Spain, but that the army was in want of money, clothing,


+  and corn, and that then crews were in want of every thing. With regard to the


+  pay, they said, that if the treasury was low, they would adopt some plan by


+  which they might procure it from the Spaniards, but that the other supplies


+  must certainly be sent from Rome, for otherwise neither the army could be kept


+  together nor the province preserved. When the letters were read, all to a man


+  admitted that the statement was correct, and the request reasonable, but it


+  occurred to their minds, what great forces they were maintaining by land and


+  sea, and how large a fleet must soon be equipped if a war with Macedon should


+  break out, that Sicily and Sardinia, which before the war had wielded a revenue,


+  were scarcely able to maintain the troops which protected those provinces, that


+  the expenses were supplied by a tax, that both the number of the persons who


+  contributed this tax was diminished by the great havoc made in their armies


+  at the Trasimenus and Cannae, and the few who survived, if they were oppressed


+  with multiplied impositions, would perish by a calamity of a different kind.


+  That, therefore, if the republic could not subsist by credit, it could not stand


+  by its own resources. It was resolved, therefore, that Fulvius, the praetor,


+  should present himself to the public assembly of the people, point out the necessities


+  of the state, and exhort those persons who had increased their patrimonies by


+  farming the public revenues, to furnish temporary loans for the service of that


+  state, from which they had derived their wealth, and contract to supply what


+  was necessary for the army in Spain, on the condition of being paid the first


+  when there was money in the treasury. These things the praetor laid before the


+  assembly, and fixed a day on which he would let on contract the furnishing the


+  army in Spain with clothes and corn, and with such other things as were necessary


+  for the crews. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">49 </div>


+<a id="e49" />


+<p>When the day arrived, three companies, of nineteen persons, came forward to


+  enter into the contract; but they made two requests: one was, that they should


+  be exempt from military service while employed in that revenue business; the


+  second was, that the state should bear all losses of the goods they shipped,


+  which might arise either from the attacks of the enemy or from storms. Having


+  obtained both their requests, they entered into the contract, and the affairs


+  of the state were conducted by private funds. This character and love of country


+  uniformly pervaded all ranks. As all the engagements were entered into with


+  magnanimity, so were they fulfilled with the strictest fidelity; and the supplies


+  were furnished in the same manner as formerly, from an abundant treasury. At


+  the time when these supplies arrived, the town of Illiturgi was being besieged


+  by Hasdrubal, Mago, and Hamilcar the son of Bomilcar, on account of its having


+  gone over to the Romans. Between these three camps of the enemy, the Scipios


+  effected an entrance into the town of their allies, after a violent contest


+  and great slaughter of their opponents, and introduced some corn, of which there


+  was a scarcity; and after exhorting the townsmen to defend their walls with


+  the same spirit which they had seen displayed by the Roman army fighting in


+  their behalf, led on their troops to attack the largest of the camps, in which


+  Hasdrubal had the command. To this camp the two other generals of the Carthaginians


+  with their armies came, seeing that the great business was to be done there.


+  They therefore sallied from the camp and fought. Of the enemy engaged there


+  were sixty thousand; of the Romans about sixteen; the victory, however, was


+  so decisive, that the Romans slew more than their own number of the enemy, and


+  captured more than three thousand, with nearly a thousand horses and fifty-nine


+  military standards, five elephants having been slain in the battle. They made


+  themselves masters of the three camps on that day. The siege of Illiturgi having


+  been raised, the Carthaginian armies were led away to the siege of Intibili;


+  the forces having been recruited out of that province, which was, above all


+  others, fond of war, provided there was any plunder or pay to be obtained, and


+  at that time had an abundance of young men. A second regular engagement took


+  place, attended with the same fortune to both parties; in which above three


+  thousand of the enemy were slain, more than two thousand captured, together


+  with forty-two standards and nine elephants. Then, indeed, almost all the people


+  of Spain came over to the Romans, and the achievements in Spain during that


+  summer were much more important than those in Italy. </p>


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book24">BOOK XXIV.</div>


+<div class="date">B.C. 215-213</div>


+<br />


+<div class="chapmen"><a href="#f1">1</a> <a href="#f2">2</a> <a href="#f3">3</a>


+  <a href="#f4">4</a> <a href="#f5">5</a> <a href="#f6">6</a> <a href="#f7">7</a>


+  <a href="#f8">8</a> <a href="#f9">9</a> <a href="#f10">10</a> <a href="#f11">11</a>


+  <a href="#f12">12</a> <a href="#f13">13</a> <a href="#f14">14</a> <a href="#f15">15</a>


+  <a href="#f16">16</a> <a href="#f17">17</a> <a href="#f18">18</a> <a href="#f19">19</a>


+  <a href="#f20">20</a> <a href="#f21">21</a> <a href="#f22">22</a> <a href="#f23">23</a>


+  <a href="#f24">24</a> <a href="#f25">25</a> <a href="#f26">26</a> <a href="#f27">27</a>


+  <a href="#f28">28</a> <a href="#f29">29</a> <a href="#f30">30</a> <a href="#f31">31</a>


+  <a href="#f32">32</a> <a href="#f33">33</a> <a href="#f34">34</a> <a href="#f35">35</a>


+  <a href="#f36">36</a> <a href="#f37">37</a> <a href="#f38">38</a> <a href="#f39">39</a>


+  <a href="#f40">40</a> <a href="#f41">41</a> <a href="#f42">42</a> <a href="#f43">43</a>


+  <a href="#f44">44</a> <a href="#f45">45</a> <a href="#f46">46</a> <a href="#f47">47</a>


+  <a href="#f48">48</a> <a href="#f49">49</a></div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes"><i>Hieronymus, king of Syracuse, whose grandfather Hiero


+  had been a faithful ally of Rome, revolts to the Carthaginians, and for his


+  tyranny is put to death by his subjects. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, the proconsul,


+  defeats the Carthaginians under Hanno at Beneventum chiefly by the services


+  of the slaves in his army, whom he subsequently liberated. Claudius Marcellus,


+  the consul, besieges Syracuse. War is declared against Philip, king of Macedon,


+  he is routed by night at Apollonia and retreats into Macedonia. This war is


+  intrusted to Valerius the praetor. Operations of the Scipios against the Carthaginians


+  in Spain. Syphax, king of the Numidians, is received into alliance by the Romans,


+  and is defeated by Masinissa, king of the Massillians, who fought on the side


+  of the Carthaginians. The Celtiberians joined the Romans, and their troops having


+  been taken into pay, mercenary soldiers for the first time served in a Roman


+  camp.</i></div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="lsidenote">1 </div>


+<a id="f1" />


+<p>On his return from Campania into Bruttium, Hanno, with the assistance and under


+  the guidance of the Bruttians, made an attempt upon the Greek cities; which


+  were the more disposed to continue in alliance with the Romans, because they


+  perceived that the Bruttians, whom they feared and hated, had taken part with


+  the Carthaginians. The first place attempted was Rhegium, where several days


+  were spent without effect. Meanwhile the Locrians hastily conveyed from the


+  country into the city, corn, wood, and other things necessary for their use,


+  as also that no booty might be left for the enemy. The number of persons which


+  poured out of every gate increased daily, till at length those only were left


+  in the city whose duty it was to repair the walls and gates, and to collect


+  weapons in the fortresses. Against this mixed multitude, composed of persons


+  of all ages and ranks, while rambling through the country, and for the most


+  part unarmed, Hamilcar, the Carthaginian, sent out his cavalry, who, having


+  been forbidden to hurt any one, only interposed their squadrons, so as to cut


+  them off from the city when dispersed in flight. The general himself, having


+  posted himself upon an eminence which commanded a view of the country and the


+  city, ordered a cohort of Bruttians to approach the walls, call out the leaders


+  of the Locrians to a conference, and promising them the friendship of Hannibal,


+  exhort them to deliver up the city. At first the Bruttians were not believed


+  in any thing they stated in the conference, but afterwards, when the Carthaginian


+  appeared on the hills, and a few who had fled back to the city brought intelligence


+  that all the rest of the multitude were in the power of the enemy, overcome


+  with fear, they said they would consult the people. An assembly of the people


+  was immediately called, when, as all the most fickle of the inhabitants were


+  desirous of a change of measures and a new alliance, and those whose friends


+  were cut off by the enemy without the city, had their minds bound as if they


+  had given hostages, while a few rather silently approved of a constant fidelity


+  than ventured to support the opinion they approved, the city was surrendered


+  to the Carthaginians, with an appearance of perfect unanimity. Lucius Atilius,


+  the captain of the garrison, together with the Roman soldiers who were with


+  him, having been privately led down to the port, and put on board a ship, that


+  they might be conveyed to Rhegium, Hamilcar and the Carthaginians were received


+  into the city on condition that an alliance should be formed on equal terms;


+  which condition, when they had surrendered, the Carthaginian had very nearly


+  not performed, as he accused them of having sent away the Roman fraudulently,


+  while the Locrians alleged that he had spontaneously fled. A body of cavalry


+  went in pursuit of the fugitives, in case the tide might happen to detain them


+  in the strait, or might carry the ships to land. The persons whom they were


+  in pursuit of they did not overtake, but they descried some ships passing over


+  the strait from Messana to Rhegium. These contained Roman troops sent by the


+  praetor, Claudius, to occupy the city with a garrison. The enemy therefore immediately


+  retired from Rhegium. At the command of Hannibal, peace was concluded with the


+  Locrians on these terms: that "they should live free under their own laws; that


+  the city should be open to the Carthaginians, the harbour in the power of the


+  Locrians. That their alliance should rest on the principle, that the Carthaginian


+  should help the Locrian and the Locrian the Carthaginian in peace and war."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">2 </div>


+<a id="f2" />


+<p>Thus the Carthaginian troops were led back from the strait, while the Bruttians


+  loudly complained that Locri and Rhegium, cities which they had fixed in their


+  minds that they should have the plundering of, they had left untouched. Having


+  therefore levied and armed fifteen thousand of their own youth, they set out


+  by themselves to lay siege to Croto, which was also a Greek city, and on the


+  coast, believing that they would obtain a great accession to their power, if


+  they could get possession of a city upon the sea-coast, which had a port and


+  was strongly defended by walls. This consideration annoyed them, that they neither


+  could venture on the business without calling in the Carthaginians to their


+  assistance, lest they should appear to have done any thing in a manner unbecoming


+  allies, and on the other hand, lest, if the Carthaginian general should again


+  show himself to have been rather an umpire of peace than an auxiliary in war,


+  they should fight in vain against the liberty of Croto, as before in the affair


+  of the Locrians. The most advisable course, therefore, appeared to be, that


+  ambassadors should be sent to Hannibal, and that a stipulation should be obtained


+  from him that Croto, when reduced, should be in possession of the Bruttians.


+  Hannibal replied, that it was a question which should be determined by persons


+  on the spot, and referred them to Hanno, from whom they could obtain no decisive


+  answer. For they were unwilling that so celebrated and opulent a city should


+  be plundered, and were in hopes that if the Bruttians should attack it, while


+  the Carthaginians did not ostensibly approve or assist in the attack, the inhabitants


+  would the more readily come over to them. The Crotonians were not united either


+  in their measures or wishes. All the states of Italy were infected with one


+  disease, as it were, the commons dissented from the nobles, the senate favouring


+  the Romans, while the commons endeavoured to draw the states over to the Carthaginians.


+  A deserter announced to the Bruttii that such a dissension prevailed in the


+  city, that Aristomachus was the leader of the commons, and the adviser of the


+  surrender of the city, that the city was of wide extent and thinly inhabited,


+  that the walls in every part were in ruins, that it was only here and there


+  that the guards and watches were kept by senators, and that wherever the commons


+  kept guard, there an entrance lay open. Under the direction and guidance of


+  the deserter, the Bruttians completely invested the city, and being received


+  into it by the commons, got possession of every part, except the citadel, on


+  the first assault. The nobles held the citadel, which they had taken care beforehand


+  to have ready as a refuge against such an event. In the same place Aristomachus


+  took refuge, as though he had advised the surrender of the city to the Carthaginians,


+  and not to the Bruttians. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">3 </div>


+<a id="f3" />


+<p>The wall of the city of Croto in circuit extended through a space of twelve


+  miles, before the arrival of Pyrrhus in Italy. After the devastation occasioned


+  by that war, scarcely half the city was inhabited. The river which had flowed


+  through the middle of the town, now ran on the outside of the parts which were


+  occupied by buildings, and the citadel was at a distance from the inhabited


+  parts. Six miles from this celebrated city stood the temple of Juno Lacinia,


+  more celebrated even than the city itself, and venerated by all the surrounding


+  states. Here was a grove fenced with a dense wood and tall fir trees, with rich


+  pastures in its centre, in which cattle of every kind, sacred to the goddess,


+  fed without any keeper; the flocks of every kind going out separately and returning


+  to their folds, never being injured, either from the lying in wait of wild beasts,


+  or the dishonesty of men. These flocks were, therefore, a source of great revenue,


+  from which a column of solid gold was formed and consecrated; and the temple


+  became distinguished for its wealth also, and not only for its sanctity. Some


+  miracles are attributed to it, as is generally the case with regard to such


+  remarkable places. Rumour says that there is an altar in the vestibule of the


+  temple, the ashes of which are never moved by any wind. But the citadel of Croto,


+  overhanging the sea on one side, on the other, which looks towards the land,


+  was protected formerly by its natural situation only, but was afterwards surrounded


+  by a wall. It was in this part that Dionysius, the tyrant of Sicily, took it


+  by stratagem, approaching by way of some rocks which faced from it. This citadel,


+  which was considered sufficiently secure, was now occupied by the nobles of


+  Croto, the Bruttians, in conjunction even with their own commons, besieging


+  them. The Bruttians, however, perceiving at length that it was impossible to


+  take the citadel by their own efforts, compelled by necessity, implored the


+  aid of Hanno. He endeavoured to bring the Crotonians to surrender, under an


+  agreement that they should allow a colony of Bruttians to settle there; so that


+  their city, desolate and depopulated by wars, might recover its former populousness:


+  but not a man besides Aristomachus did he move; they affirmed, that "they would


+  die sooner than, mixing with Bruttians, be turned to the rites, manners, and


+  laws, and soon the language also of others." Aristomachus alone, since he was


+  neither able to persuade them to surrender, nor could obtain an opportunity


+  for betraying the citadel as he had betrayed the city, deserted to Hanno. A


+  short time afterwards ambassadors of Locri, entering the citadel with the permission


+  of Hanno, persuaded them to allow themselves to be removed to Locri, and not


+  resolve to hazard extremities. They had already obtained leave from Hannibal


+  to do this, by ambassadors sent for this purpose. Accordingly, Croto was evacuated,


+  and the inhabitants were conducted to the sea, where they embarked; and the


+  whole multitude removed to Locri. In Apulia, Hannibal and the Romans did not


+  rest even during the winter. The consul Sempronius wintered at Luceria, Hannibal


+  not far from Arpi. Slight engagements took place between them, accordingly as


+  either side had an opportunity or advantage; by which the Roman soldiery were


+  improved, and became daily more guarded and more secure against stratagems.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">4 </div>


+<a id="f4" />


+<p>In Sicily, the death of Hiero, and the transfer of the government to his grandson,


+  Hieronymus, had completely altered all things with regard to the Romans. Hieronymus


+  was but a boy, as yet scarcely able to bear liberty, still less sovereign power.


+  His guardians and friends gladly observed in him a disposition which might be


+  easily plunged into every kind of vice; which Hiero foreseeing, is said to have


+  formed an intention, in the latter part of his long life, of leaving Syracuse


+  free, lest the sovereignty which had been acquired and established by honourable


+  means, should be made a sport of and fall into ruin, under the administration


+  of a boy. This plan of his his daughters strenuously opposed, who anticipated


+  that the boy would enjoy the name of royalty, but that the administration of


+  all affairs would be conducted by themselves and their husbands, Andranodorus


+  and Zoippus, for these were left the principal of his guardians. It was not


+  an easy task for a man in his ninetieth year, beset night and day by the winning


+  artifices of women, to disenthral his judgment, and to consult only the good


+  of the state in his domestic affairs. Accordingly, all he did was to leave fifteen


+  guardians over his son, whom he entreated, on his death-bed, to preserve inviolate


+  that alliance with the Romans, which he had himself cultivated for fifty years,


+  and to take care that the young king should, above all things, tread in the


+  steps of his father, and in that course of conduct in which he had been educated.


+  Such were his injunctions. On the death of the king, the will was brought forward


+  by the guardians, and the young king, who was now about fifteen, introduced


+  into the public assembly, where a few persons, who had been placed in different


+  parts on purpose to raise acclamations, expressed their approbation of the will;


+  while all the rest were overwhelmed with apprehensions, in the destitute condition


+  of the state, which had lost as it were its parent. The funeral of the king


+  was then performed, which was honoured more by the love and affection of his


+  citizens than the attentions of his kindred. Andranodorus next effected the


+  removal of the other guardians, giving out that Hieronymus had now attained


+  the years of manhood, and was competent to assume the government; and thus,


+  by voluntarily resigning the guardianship which he shared with several others,


+  united the powers of all in himself. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">5 </div>


+<a id="f5" />


+<p>It would scarcely have been easy even for any good and moderate king, succeeding


+  one so deeply rooted in their affections as Hiero was, to obtain the favour


+  of the Syracusans. But Hieronymus, forsooth, as if he was desirous of exciting


+  regret for the loss of his grandfather by his own vices, showed, immediately


+  on his first appearance, how completely every thing was changed. For those who


+  for so many years had seen Hiero and his son Gelon differing from the rest of


+  the citizens neither in the fashion of their dress nor any other mark of distinction,


+  now beheld the purple, the diadem, and armed guards, and their king sometimes


+  proceeding from his palace in a chariot drawn by four white horses, according


+  to the custom of the tyrant Dionysius. This costliness in equipage and appearance


+  was accompanied by corresponding contempt of everybody, capricious airs, insulting


+  expressions, difficulty of access, not to strangers only, but even to his guardians


+  also, unheard of lusts, inhuman cruelty. Terror so great took possession of


+  every body therefore, that some of his guardians, either by a voluntary death,


+  or by exile, anticipated the tenor of his inflictions. Three of those persons


+  to whom alone belonged a more familiar access to the palace, Andranodorus and


+  Zoippus, sons-in-law of Hiero, and one Thraso, were not much attended to upon


+  other subjects, but the two former exerting themselves in favour of the Carthaginians,


+  while Thraso argued for the Roman alliance, they sometimes engaged the attention


+  of the young king by their zeal and earnestness. It was at this time that a


+  conspiracy formed against the life of the tyrant was discovered by a certain


+  servant, of the same age as Hieronymus, who from his very childhood had associated


+  with him on entirely familiar terms. The informer was able to name one of the


+  conspirators, Theodotus, by whom he himself had been solicited. He was immediately


+  seized, and delivered to Andranodorus to be subjected to torture, when, without


+  hesitation, he confessed as to himself, but concealed his accomplices. At last,


+  when racked with every species of torture, beyond the power of humanity to bear,


+  pretending to be overcome by his sufferings, he turned his accusation from the


+  guilty to the innocent, and feigned that Thraso was the originator of the plot,


+  without whose able guidance, he said, they never would have been bold enough


+  to attempt so daring a deed, he threw the guilt upon such innocent men, near


+  the king's person, as appeared to him to be the most worthless, while fabricating


+  his story amid groans and agonies. The naming of Thraso gave the highest degree


+  of credibility to the story in the mind of the tyrant. Accordingly he was immediately


+  given up to punishment, and others were added who were equally innocent. Not


+  one of the conspirators, though their associate in the plot was for a long time


+  subjected to torture, either concealed himself or fled, so great was their confidence


+  in the fortitude and fidelity of Theodotus, and so great was his firmness in


+  concealing their secret. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">6 </div>


+<a id="f6" />


+<p>Thus on the removal of Thraso, who formed the only bond which held together


+  the alliance with the Romans, immediately affairs clearly indicated defection.


+  Ambassadors were sent to Hannibal, who sent back in company with a young man


+  of noble birth named Hannibal, Hippocrates and Epicydes, natives of Carthage,


+  and of Carthaginian extraction on their mother's side, but whose grandfather


+  was an exile from Syracuse. Through their means an alliance was formed between


+  Hannibal and the tyrant of Syracuse; and, with the consent of Hannibal, they


+  remained with the tyrant. As soon as Appius Claudius, the praetor, whose province


+  Sicily was, had received information of these events, he sent ambassadors to


+  Hieronymus; who, upon stating that the object of their mission was to renew


+  the alliance which had subsisted between the Romans and his grandfather, were


+  heard and dismissed in an insulting manner, Hieronymus asking them sneeringly,


+  "how they had fared at the battle of Cannae? for that the ambassadors of Hannibal


+  stated what could hardly be credited." He said, "he wished to know the truth,


+  in order that before he made up his mind, he might determine which he should


+  espouse as offering the better prospect." The Romans replied, that they would


+  return to him when he had learned to receive embassies with seriousness; and,


+  after having cautioned, rather than requested him, not rashly to change his


+  alliance, they withdrew. Hieronymus sent ambassadors to Carthage, to conclude


+  a league in conformity with the alliance with Hannibal. It was settled in the


+  compact, that after they had expelled the Romans from Sicily, (which would speedily


+  be effected if the Carthaginians sent ships and troops,) the river Himera, which


+  divides the island in nearly equal portions, should be the limit of the Carthaginian


+  and Syracusan dominions. Afterwards, puffed up by the flattery of those persons


+  who bid him be mindful, not of Hiero only, but of king Pyrrhus, his maternal


+  grandfather, he sent another embassy, in which he expressed his opinion that


+  equity required that the whole of Sicily should be conceded to him, and that


+  the dominion of Italy should be acquired as the peculiar possession of the Carthaginians.


+  This levity and inconstancy of purpose in a hot-headed youth, did not excite


+  their surprise, nor did they reprove it, anxious only to detach him from the


+  Romans. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">7 </div>


+<a id="f7" />


+<p>But every thing conspired to hurry him into perdition. For having sent before


+  him Hippocrates and Epicydes with two thousand armed men, to make an attempt


+  upon those cities which were occupied by Roman garrisons, he himself also proceeded


+  to Leontium with all the remaining troops, which amounted to fifteen thousand


+  foot and horse, when the conspirators (who all happened to be in the army) took


+  possession of an uninhabited house, which commanded a narrow way, by which the


+  king was accustomed to go to the forum. The rest stood here prepared and armed,


+  waiting for the king to pass by. One of them, by name Dinomenes, as he was one


+  of the body-guards, had the task assigned him of keeping back the crowd behind


+  in the narrow way, upon some pretext, when the king approached the door. All


+  was done according to the arrangement. Dinomenes having delayed the crowd, by


+  pretending to lift up his foot and loosen a knot which was too tight, occasioned


+  such an interval, that an attack being made upon the king, as he passed by unattended


+  by his guards, he was pierced with several wounds before any assistance could


+  be brought. When the shout and tumult was heard, some weapons were discharged


+  on Dinomenes, who now openly opposed them; he escaped from them, however, with


+  only two wounds. The body-guard, as soon as they saw the king prostrate, betook


+  themselves to flight. Of the assassins, some proceeded to the forum to the populace,


+  who were rejoiced at the recovery of their liberty; others to Syracuse to anticipate


+  the measures of Andranodorus and the rest of the royal party. Affairs being


+  in this uncertain state, Appius Claudius perceiving a war commencing in his


+  neighbourhood, informed the senate by letter, that Sicily had become reconciled


+  to the Carthaginians and Hannibal. For his own part, in order to frustrate the


+  designs of the Syracusans, he collected all his forces on the boundary of the


+  province and the kingdom. At the close of this year, Quintus Fabius, by the


+  authority of the senate, fortified and garrisoned Puteoli, which, during the


+  war, had begun to be frequented as an emporium. Coming thence to Rome to hold


+  the election, he appointed the first day for it which could be employed for


+  that purpose, and, while on his march, passed by the city and descended into


+  the Campus Martius. On that day, the right of voting first having fallen by


+  lot on the junior century of the Anien tribe, they appointed Titus Otacilius


+  and Marcus Aemilius Regillus, consuls, when Quintus Fabius, having obtained


+  silence, delivered the following speech: </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">8 </div>


+<a id="f8" />


+<p>"If we had either peace in Italy, or had war with such an enemy that the necessity


+  to be careful was less urgent than it is, I should consider that man as wanting


+  in respect for your liberty, who would at all impede that zealous desire which


+  you bring with you into the Campus Martius, of conferring honours on whom you


+  please. But since during the present war, and with the enemy we have now to


+  encounter, none of our generals have ever committed an error which has not been


+  attended with most disastrous consequences to us, it behoves you to use the


+  same circumspection in giving your suffrages for the creation of consuls, which


+  you would exert were you going armed into the field of battle. Every man ought


+  thus to say to himself I am nominating a consul who is to cope with the general


+  Hannibal. In the present year, at Capua, when Jubellius Taurea, the most expert


+  horseman of the Campanians, gave a challenge, Claudius Asellus, the most expert


+  among the Roman horsemen, was pitted against him. Against the Gaul who at a


+  former period gave a challenge on the bridge of the Amo, our ancestors sent


+  Titus Manlius, a man of resolute courage and great strength. It was for the


+  same reason, I cannot deny it, that confidence was placed in Marcus Valerius,


+  not many years ago, when he took arms against a Gaul who challenged him to combat


+  in a similar manner. In the same manner as we wish to have our foot and horse


+  more powerful, but if that is impracticable, equal in strength to the enemy,


+  so let us find out a commander who is a match for the general of the enemy.


+  Though we should select the man as general whose abilities are greater than


+  those of any other in the nation, yet still he is chosen at a moment's warning,


+  his office is only annual; whereas he will have to cope with a veteran general


+  who has continued in command without interruption, unfettered by any restrictions


+  either of duration or of authority, which might prevent him from executing or


+  planning every thing according as the exigencies of the war shall require. But


+  with us the year is gone merely in making preparations, and when we are only


+  commencing our operations. Having said enough as to what sort of persons you


+  ought to elect as consuls, it remains that I should briefly express my opinion


+  of those on whom the choice of the prerogative century has fallen. Marcus Aemilius


+  Regillus is flamen of Quirinus, whom we can neither send abroad nor retain at


+  home without neglecting the gods or the war. Otacilius is married to my sister's


+  daughter, and has children by her, but the favours you have conferred upon me


+  and my ancestors, are not such as that I should prefer private relationship


+  to the public weal. Any sailor or passenger can steer the vessel in a calm sea,


+  but when a furious storm has arisen, and the vessel is hurried by the tempest


+  along the troubled deep, then there is need of a man and pilot We are not sailing


+  on a tranquil sea, but have already well nigh sunk with repeated storms, you


+  must therefore employ the utmost caution and foresight in determining who shall


+  sit at the helm Of you, Titus Otacilius, we have had experience in a business


+  of less magnitude, and, certainly you have not given us any proof that we ought


+  to confide to you affairs of greater moment The fleet which you commanded this


+  year we fitted out for three objects: to lay waste the coast of Africa, to protect


+  the shores of Italy, but, above all, to prevent the conveyance of reinforcements


+  with pay and provisions from Carthage to Hannibal. Now if Titus Otacilius has


+  performed for the state, I say not all, but any one of these services, make


+  him consul But if, while you had the command of the fleet supplies of whatever


+  sort were conveyed safe and untouched to Hannibal, even as though he had no


+  enemy on the sea, if the coast of Italy has been more infested this year than


+  that of Africa, what can you have to urge why you should be preferred before


+  all others as the antagonist of Hannibal? Were you consul, we should give it


+  as our opinion that a dictator should be appointed in obedience to the example


+  of our ancestors Nor could you feel offended that some one in the Roman nation


+  was deemed superior to you in war It concerns yourself more than any one else,


+  Titus Otacilius, that there be not laid upon your shoulders a burthen under


+  which you would fall I earnestly exhort you, that with the same feelings which


+  would influence you if standing armed for battle, you were called upon suddenly


+  to elect two generals, under whose conduct and auspices you were to fight, you


+  would this day elect your consuls, to whom your children are to swear allegiance,


+  at whose command they are to assemble, and under whose protection and care they


+  are to serve. The Trasimene Lake and Cannae are melancholy precedents to look


+  back upon, but form useful warnings to guard against similar disasters Crier,


+  call back the younger century of the Amen tribe to give their votes again" </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">9 </div>


+<a id="f9" />


+<p>Titus Otacilius, vociferating in the most furious manner, that his object was


+  to continue in the consulship, the consul ordered the lictors to go to him,


+  and as he had not entered the city, but had proceeded directly without halting


+  from his march to the Campus Martius, admonished him that the axes were in the


+  fasces which were carried before him. The prerogative century proceeded to vote


+  a second time, when Quintus Fabius Maximus for the fourth time, and Marcus Marcellus


+  for the third time, were created consuls. The other centuries voted for the


+  same persons without any variation. One praetor, likewise, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus,


+  was re-elected; the other new ones who were chosen, were Titus Otacilius Crassus


+  a second time, Quintus Fabius, son of the consul, who was at that time curule


+  aedile, and Publius Cornelius Lentulus. The election of the praetors completed,


+  a decree of the senate was passed, that Quintus Fulvius should have the city


+  department out of the ordinary course, and that he in preference to any other


+  should command in the city while the consuls were absent in the war. Great floods


+  happened twice during this year, and the Tiber overflowed the fields, with great


+  demolition of houses and destruction of men and cattle. In the fifth year of


+  the second Punic war Quintus Fabius Maximus for the fourth time, and Marcus


+  Claudius Marcellus for the third time, entering upon their office, drew the


+  attention of the state upon them in a more than ordinary degree, for there had


+  not been two such consuls now for many years. The old men observed, that thus


+  Maximus Rullus and Publius Decius were declared consuls for conducting the Gallic


+  war; that thus afterwards Papirius and Carvilius were appointed to that office


+  against the Samnites, the Bruttians, and the Lucanian with the Tarentine people.


+  Marcellus, who was with the army, was created consul in his absence; to Fabius,


+  who was present and held the election himself, the office was continued. The


+  critical state of affairs, the exigencies of the war, and the danger which threatened


+  the state, prevented any one from looking narrowly into the precedent, or suspecting


+  that the consul was actuated by an excessive love of command; on the contrary,


+  they applauded his magnanimity in that when he knew the state was in want of


+  a general of the greatest ability, and that he was himself confessedly such


+  an one, he thought less of the personal odium which might arise out of the transaction,


+  than of the good of the state. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">10 </div>


+<a id="f10" />


+<p>On the day on which the consuls entered on their office, the senate was assembled


+  in the Capitol, and in the first place a decree was passed to the effect that


+  the consuls should draw lots, and settle between themselves which should hold


+  the election for the creation of censors, before they proceeded to join the


+  army. Next, all those who had the command of armies were continued in their


+  offices, and ordered to remain in their provinces; Tiberius Gracchus at Luceria,


+  where he was with an army of volunteer slaves; Caius Terentius Varro in the


+  Picenian, and Manius Pomponius in the Gallic territory. Of the praetors of the


+  former year, it was settled that Quintus Mucius should have the government of


+  Sardinia as propraetor, Marcus Valerius the command of the sea-coast near Brundusium,


+  watchful against all the movements of Philip, king of the Macedonians. To Publius


+  Cornelius Lentulus, the praetor, the province of Sicily was assigned. Titus


+  Otacilius received the same fleet which he had employed the year before against


+  the Carthaginians. Many prodigies were reported to have happened this year,


+  which increased in proportion as they were believed by the credulous and superstitious.


+  That crows had built a nest within the temple of Juno Sospita at Lanuvium; that


+  a green palm-tree had taken fire in Apulia; that a pool at Mantua, formed by


+  the overflowing of the river Mincius, had assumed the appearance of blood; that


+  it had rained chalk at Cales, and blood at Rome in the cattle market; that a


+  fountain under ground in the Istrian street had discharged so violent a stream


+  of water, that rolling along with the impetuosity of a torrent, it carried away


+  the butts and casks which were near it; that the public court in the Capitol


+  had been struck by lightning; also the temple of Vulcan in the Campus Martius,


+  a nut-tree in the Sabine territory, a wall and gate at Gabii. Now other miracles


+  were published: that the spear of Mars at Praeneste moved forward of its own


+  accord; that in Sicily an ox had spoken; that a child in the womb of its mother


+  cried out Io Triumphe! in the country of the Marrucinians; at Spoletum, that


+  a woman was transformed into a man; at Hadria, that an altar, with appearances


+  as of men surrounding it in white clothing, was seen in the heavens. Nay, even


+  in the city of Rome itself, after a swarm of bees had been seen in the forum,


+  some persons roused the citizens to arms, affirming that they saw armed legions


+  on the Janiculum; but those who were on the Janiculum at the time, declared


+  that they had seen no person there besides the usual cultivators of the hill.


+  These prodigies were expiated by victims of the larger kind, according to the


+  response of the aruspices; and a supplication was ordered to all the deities


+  who had shrines at Rome. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">11 </div>


+<a id="f11" />


+<p>The ceremonies which were intended to propitiate the gods being completed,


+  the consuls took the sense of the senate on the state of the nation, the conduct


+  of the war, what troops should be employed, and where they were severally to


+  act. It was resolved that eighteen legions should be engaged in the war; that


+  the consuls should take two each; that two should be employed in each of the


+  provinces of Gaul, Sicily, and Sardinia; that Quintus Fabius, the praetor, should


+  have the command of two in Apulia, and Tiberius Gracchus of two legions of volunteer


+  slaves in the neighbourhood of Luceria; that one each should be left for Caius


+  Terentius, the proconsul, for Picenum, and to Marcus Valerius for the fleet


+  off Brundusium, and two for the protection of the city. To complete this number


+  of legions six fresh ones were to be enlisted, which the consuls were ordered


+  to raise as soon as possible; and also to prepare the fleet, so that, together


+  with the ships which were stationed off the coasts of Calabria, it might amount


+  that year to one hundred and fifty men of war. The levy completed, and the hundred


+  new ships launched, Quintus Fabius held the election for the creation of censors,


+  when Marcus Atilius Regulus and Publius Furius Philus were chosen. A rumour


+  prevailing that war had broken out in Sicily, Titus Otacilius was ordered to


+  proceed thither with his fleet; but as there was a deficiency of sailors, the


+  consuls, in conformity with a decree of the senate, published an order that


+  those persons who themselves or whose fathers had been rated in the censorship


+  of Lucius Aemilius and Caius Flaminius, at from fifty to one hundred thousand


+  <i>asses</i>, or whose property had since reached that amount, should furnish


+  one sailor and six months' pay; from one to three hundred thousand, three sailors


+  with a year's pay; from three hundred thousand to a million, five sailors; above


+  one million, seven sailors; that senators should furnish eight sailors with


+  a year's pay. The sailors furnished according to this proclamation being armed


+  and equipped by their masters, embarked with cooked provisions for thirty days.


+  Then first it happened that the Roman fleet was manned at the expense of individuals.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">12 </div>


+<a id="f12" />


+<p>These unusually great preparations alarmed the Campanians particularly, lest


+  the Romans should commence the year's campaign with the siege of Capua. They


+  therefore sent ambassadors to Hannibal, to implore him to bring his army to


+  Capua, and tell him that new armies were levying at Rome for the purpose of


+  besieging it; and that there was not any city the defection of which had excited


+  more hostile feelings. As they announced this with so much fear, Hannibal concluded


+  he must make haste lest the Romans should get there before him; and setting


+  out from Arpi, took up his position in his old camp at Tifata, above Capua.


+  Leaving his Numidians and Spaniards for the protection both of the camp and


+  Capua, he went down thence with the rest of his troops to the lake Avernus on


+  the pretence of performing sacrifice, but in reality to make an attempt upon


+  Puteoli and the garrison in it. Maximus, on receiving intelligence that Hannibal


+  had set out from Arpi, and was returning to Campania, went back to his army,


+  pursuing his journey without intermission by night or by day. He also ordered


+  Tiberius Gracchus to bring up his troops from Luceria to Beneventum, and Quintus


+  Fabius the praetor, the son of the consul, to go to Luceria in the room of Gracchus.


+  At the same time the two praetors set out for Sicily, Publius Cornelius to join


+  his army, Otacilius to take the command of the sea-coast and the fleet; the


+  rest also proceeded to their respective provinces, and those who were continued


+  in command remained in the same countries as in the former year. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">13 </div>


+<a id="f13" />


+<p>While Hannibal was at the lake Avernus, five noble youths came to him from


+  Tarentum. They had been made prisoners partly at the lake Trasimenus, and partly


+  at Cannae, and had been sent home by the Carthaginian with the same civility


+  which he had shown towards all the Roman allies. They stated to him that, impressed


+  with gratitude for his favours, they had succeeded in inducing a large portion


+  of the Tarentine youth to prefer his alliance and friendship to that of the


+  Romans; and that they were sent by their countrymen as ambassadors to request


+  Hannibal to bring his forces nearer to Tarentum; that if his standards and camp


+  were within sight of Tarentum, that city would be delivered into his hands without


+  delay; that the commons were under the influence of the youth, and the state


+  of Tarentum in the hands of the commons. Hannibal after bestowing the highest


+  commendations upon them, and loading them with immense promises, bid them return


+  home to mature their plans, saying that he would be there in due time. With


+  these hopes, the Tarentines were dismissed. Hannibal had himself conceived the


+  strongest desire of getting possession of Tarentum. He saw that it was a city


+  opulent and celebrated, on the coast, and lying conveniently over against Macedonia.


+  And that as the Romans were in possession of Brundusium, king Philip would make


+  for this port if he crossed over into Italy. Having completed the sacrifice


+  for which he came, and during his stay there laid waste the territory of Cumae


+  as far as the promontory of Misenum, he suddenly marched his troops thence to


+  Puteoli to surprise the Roman garrison there. It consisted of six thousand men,


+  and the place was secured not only by its natural situation, but by works also.


+  The Carthaginian having waited there three days, and attempted the garrison


+  in every quarter, without any success, proceeded thence to devastate the territory


+  of Naples, influenced by resentment more than the hope of getting possession


+  of the place. The commons of Nola, who had been long disaffected to the Romans


+  and at enmity with their own senate, moved into the neighbouring fields on his


+  approach; and in conformity with this movement ambassadors came to invite Hannibal


+  to join them, bringing with them a positive assurance that the city would be


+  surrendered to him. The consul, Marcellus, who had been called in by the nobles,


+  anticipated their attempt. In one day he had reached Suessula from Cales, though


+  the river Vulturnus had delayed him crossing; and from thence the ensuing night


+  introduced into Nola for the protection of the senate, six thousand foot and


+  three hundred horse. The dilatoriness of Hannibal was in proportion to the expedition


+  which the consul used in every thing he did in order to preoccupy Nola. Having


+  twice already made the attempt unsuccessfully, he was slower to place confidence


+  in the Nolans. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">14 </div>


+<a id="f14" />


+<p>During the same time, the consul, Fabius, came to attempt Casilinum, which


+  was occupied by a Carthaginian garrison; and, as if by concert, Hanno approached


+  Beneventum on one side from the Bruttians, with a large body of foot and horse,


+  while on the other side Gracchus approached it from Luceria. The latter entered


+  the town first. Then, hearing that Hanno had pitched his camp three miles from


+  the city, at the river Calor, and from thence was laying waste the country,


+  he himself marched without the walls, and pitching his camp about a mile from


+  the enemy, harangued his soldiers. The legions he had consisted for the most


+  part of volunteer slaves, who chose rather to earn their liberty silently by


+  another year's service, than demand it openly. The general, however, on quitting


+  his winter quarters, had perceived that the troops murmured, asking when the


+  time would arrive that they should serve as free citizens. He had written to


+  the senate, stating not so much what they wanted as what they had deserved;


+  he said they had served him with fidelity and courage up to that day, and that


+  they wanted nothing but liberty, to bring them up to the model of complete soldiers.


+  Permission was given him to act in the business as he thought for the interest


+  of the state, and, accordingly, before he engaged with the enemy, he declared


+  that the time was now arrived for obtaining that liberty which they had so long


+  hoped for; that on the following day he should fight a pitched battle on a level


+  and open plain, in which the contest would be decided by valour only, without


+  any fear of ambuscade. The man who should bring back the head of an enemy, he


+  would instantly order to be set free; but that he would punish, in a manner


+  suited to a slave, the man who should quit his post; that every man's fortune


+  was in his own hands; that not he himself alone would authorize their enfranchisement,


+  but the consul, Marcus Marcellus, and the whole body of the fathers, who, on


+  being consulted by him on the subject, had left the matter to his disposal.


+  He then read the letter of the consul and the decree of the senate, on which


+  they raised a general shout of approbation, demanded to be led to battle, and


+  vehemently urged him to give the signal forthwith. Gracchus broke up the assembly,


+  after proclaiming the battle for the following day. The soldiers, highly delighted,


+  particularly those whose enfranchisement was to be the reward of one day's prowess,


+  employed the remaining time in getting ready their arms. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">15 </div>


+<a id="f15" />


+<p>The next day, as soon as the trumpets began to sound, they were the first to


+  assemble at the general's tent, armed and ready for action. When the sun had


+  risen, Gracchus led out his troops to the field of battle; nor did the enemy


+  delay to engage him. His troops consisted of seventeen thousand infantry, principally


+  Bruttians and Lucanians, with twelve hundred horse, among which were very few


+  Italians, almost all the rest being Numidians and Moors. The contest was fierce


+  and protracted. For four hours neither side had the advantage, nor did any other


+  circumstance more impede the Romans, than that the heads of their enemies were


+  made the price of their liberty. For when each man had gallantly slain his enemy,


+  first, he lost time in cutting off his head, which was done with difficulty


+  amid the crowd and confusion, and secondly, all the bravest troops ceased to


+  be engaged in fight, as their right hands were employed in holding the heads;


+  and thus the battle was left to be sustained by the inactive and cowardly. But


+  when the military tribunes reported to Gracchus that the soldiers were employed


+  not in wounding any of the enemy who were standing, but in mangling those who


+  were prostrate, their right hands being occupied in holding the heads of men


+  instead of their swords, he promptly ordered a signal to be given that they


+  should throw down the heads and charge the enemy; that they had given evident


+  and signal proofs of valour, and that the liberty of such brave men was certain.


+  Then the fight was revived, and the cavalry also were sent out against the enemy.


+  The Numidians engaging them with great bravery, and the contest between the


+  cavalry being carried on with no less spirit than that between the infantry,


+  the victory again became doubtful; when, the generals on both sides vilifying


+  their opponents, the Roman saying, that their enemies were Bruttians and Lucanians,


+  who had been so often vanquished and subjugated by their ancestors; the Carthaginian,


+  that the troops opposed to them were Roman slaves, soldiers taken out of a workhouse;


+  at last Gracchus exclaimed, that his men had no ground to hope for liberty unless


+  the enemy were routed and put to flight that day. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">16 </div>


+<a id="f16" />


+<p>These words at length kindled their courage so effectually, and renewing the


+  shout, as if suddenly changed into other men, they bore down upon the enemy


+  with such impetuosity that they could not longer be withstood. First, of the


+  Carthaginians who stood before the standards; then the standards were thrown


+  into disorder; and lastly the whole line was compelled to give way. They then


+  turned their backs downright, and fled precipitately to their camp with such


+  terror and consternation, that not a man made stand in the gates or on the rampart;


+  while the Romans, who pursued them so close as to form almost a part of their


+  body commenced the battle anew, enclosed within the rampart of the enemy. Here


+  the battle was more bloody as the combatants had less room to move, from the


+  narrowness of the place in which they fought. The prisoners too assisted; for


+  snatching up swords in the confusion, and forming themselves into a body, they


+  slew the Carthaginians in the rear and prevented their flight. Thus less than


+  two thousand men out of so large an army, and those principally cavalry, effected


+  their escape with their commander, all the rest were slain or taken prisoners.


+  Thirty-eight standards were taken. Of the victors about two thousand fell. All


+  the booty except that of the prisoners was given up to the soldiery. Such cattle


+  also as the owners should identify within thirty days was excepted. When they


+  returned to their camp loaded with spoil, about four thousand of the volunteer


+  slaves who had fought with less spirit, and had not joined in breaking into


+  the enemy's camp, through fear of punishment, took possession of a hill not


+  far from the camp. Being brought down thence the next day by a military tribune,


+  it happened that they arrived during an assembly of the soldiers which Gracchus


+  had called. At this assembly the proconsul, having first rewarded the veteran


+  soldiers with military presents, according to the valour displayed, and the


+  service rendered by each man in the engagement, then observed, with respect


+  to the volunteer slaves, that he would rather that all should be praised by


+  him whether deserving it or not, than that any one should be chastised on that


+  day. I bid you, said he, all be free, and may the event be attended with advantage,


+  happiness, and prosperity to the state and to yourselves. These words were followed


+  by the most cordial acclamations, the soldiers sometimes embracing and congratulating


+  one another, at other times lifting up their hands to heaven, and praying that


+  every blessing might attend the Roman people, and Gracchus in particular; when


+  Gracchus addressed them thus: "Before I had placed you all on an equal footing


+  with respect to the enjoyment of liberty, I was unwilling to affix any marks


+  by which the brave and dastardly soldier might be distinguished. But now the


+  pledge given by the state being redeemed, lest all distinction between courage


+  and cowardice should disappear, I shall order that the names of those persons


+  be laid before me, who, conscious of their dastardly conduct in the battle,


+  have lately seceded. I shall have them cited before me, when I shall bind them


+  by an oath, that none of them, except such as shall have the plea of sickness,


+  will, so long as they serve, take either meat or drink in any other posture


+  than standing. This penalty you will bear with patience when you reflect that


+  it is impossible your cowardice could be marked with a slighter stigma." He


+  then gave the signal for packing up the baggage; and the soldiers, sporting


+  and jesting as they drove and carried their booty, returned to Beneventum in


+  so playful a mood, that they appeared to be returning, not from the field of


+  battle, but from a feast celebrated on some remarkable holiday. All the Beneventans


+  pouring out in crowds to meet them at the gate, embraced, congratulated, and


+  invited the troops to entertainments. They had all prepared banquets in the


+  courts of their houses, to which they invited the soldiers, and of which they


+  entreated Gracchus to allow them to partake. Gracchus gave permission, with


+  the proviso that they should feast in the public street. Each person brought


+  every thing out before his door. The volunteers feasted with caps of liberty


+  on their heads, or filletted with white wool; some reclining at the tables,


+  others standing, who at once partook of the repast, and waited upon the rest.


+  It even seemed a fitting occasion that Gracchus, on his return to Rome, should


+  order a picture representing the festivities of that day to be executed in the


+  temple of Liberty, which his father caused to be built on the Aventine out of


+  money arising from fines, and which his father also dedicated. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">17 </div>


+<a id="f17" />


+<p>While these events occurred at Beneventum, Hannibal having laid waste the territory


+  of Naples, moved his camp to Nola. The consul, as soon as he was aware of his


+  approach, sent for Pemponius the propraetor, with the troops he had in the camp


+  above Suessula; and then prepared to meet the enemy and to make no delay in


+  fighting. He sent out Caius Claudius Nero in the dead of night with the main


+  strength of the cavalry, through the gate which was farthest removed from the


+  enemy, with orders to make a circuit so as not to be observed, and then slowly


+  to follow the enemy as they moved along, and as soon as he perceived the battle


+  begun, to charge them on the rear. Whether Nero was prevented from executing


+  these orders by mistaking the route, or from the shortness of the time, is doubtful.


+  Though he was absent when the battle was fought, the Romans had unquestionably


+  the advantage; but as the cavalry did not come up in time, the plan of the battle


+  which had been agreed upon was disconcerted and Marcellus, not daring to follow


+  the retiring enemy, gave the signal for retreat when his soldiers were conquering


+  More than two thousand of the enemy are said, however, to have fallen on that


+  day; of the Romans, less than four hundred. Nero, after having fruitlessly wearied


+  both men and horses, through the day and night, without even having seen the


+  enemy, returned about sunset; when the consul went so far in reprimanding him


+  as to assert, that he had been the only obstacle to their retorting on the enemy


+  the disaster sustained at Cannae. The following day the Roman came into the


+  field, but the Carthaginian, beaten even by his own tacit confession, kept within


+  his camp. Giving up all hope of getting possession of Nola, a thing never attempted


+  without loss, during the silence of the night of the third day he set out for


+  Tarentum, which he had better hopes of having betrayed to him. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">18 </div>


+<a id="f18" />


+<p>Nor were the Roman affairs administered with less spirit at home than in the


+  field. The censors being freed from the care of letting out the erection of


+  public works, from the low state of the treasury, turned their attention to


+  the regulation of men's morals, and the chastisement of vices which sprung up


+  during the war, in the same manner as constitutions broken down by protracted


+  disease, generate other maladies. In the first place, they cited those persons


+  who, after the battle of Cannae, were said to have formed a design of abandoning


+  the commonwealth, and leaving Italy. The chief of these was Lucius Caecilius


+  Metellus, who happened to be then quaestor. In the next place, as neither he


+  nor the other persons concerned were able to exculpate themselves on being ordered


+  to make their defence, they pronounced them guilty of having used words and


+  discourse prejudicial to the state, that a conspiracy might be formed for the


+  abandonment of Italy. After them were cited those persons who showed too much


+  ingenuity in inventing a method of discharging the obligation of their oath,


+  namely, such of the prisoners as concluded that the oath which they had sworn


+  to return, would be fulfilled by their going back privately to Hannibal's camp,


+  after setting out on their journey. Such of these and of the above-mentioned


+  as had horses at the public expense were deprived of them, and all were degraded


+  from their tribes and disfranchised. Nor was the attention of the censors confined


+  to the regulation of the senate and the equestrian order. They erased from the


+  lists of the junior centuries the names of all who had not served during the


+  last four years, unless they were regularly exempted, or were prevented by sickness.


+  Those too, amounting to more than two thousand names, were numbered among the


+  disfranchised, and were all degraded. To this more gentle stigma affixed by


+  the censors, a severe decree of the senate was added, to the effect that all


+  those whom the censor had stigmatized, should serve on foot, and be sent into


+  Sicily to join the remains of the army of Cannae, a class of soldiers whose


+  time of service was not to terminate till the enemy was driven out of Italy.


+  The censors, in consequence of the poverty of the treasury, having abstained


+  from receiving contracts for the repairs of the sacred edifices, the furnishing


+  of curule horses, and similar matters, the persons who had been accustomed to


+  attend auctions of this description, came to the censors in great numbers, and


+  exhorted them to "transact all their business and let out the contracts in the


+  same manner as if there were money in the treasury. That none of them would


+  ask for money out of the treasury before the war was concluded." Afterwards


+  the owners of those slaves whom Tiberius Sempronius had manumitted at Beneventum,


+  came to them, stating that they were sent for by the public bankers, to receive


+  the price of their slaves, but that they would not accept of it till the war


+  was concluded. This disposition on the part of the commons to sustain the impoverished


+  treasury having manifested itself, the property of minors first, and then the


+  portions of widows, began to be brought in; the persons who brought them being


+  persuaded, that their deposit would no where be more secure and inviolable than


+  under the public faith. If any thing was bought or laid in for the widows and


+  minors, an order upon the quaestor was given for it. This liberality in individuals


+  flowed from the city into the camp also, insomuch that no horseman or centurion


+  would accept of his pay, and those who would accept it were reproached with


+  the appellation of mercenary men. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">19 </div>


+<a id="f19" />


+<p>Quintus Fabius, the consul, was encamped before Casilinum, which was occupied


+  by a garrison of two thousand Campanians and seven hundred of the soldiers of


+  Hannibal. The commander was Statius Metius, who was sent there by Cneius Magius


+  Atellanus, who was that year Medixtuticus and was arming the slaves and people


+  without distinction, in order to assault the Roman camp, while the consul was


+  intently occupied in the siege of Casilinum. None of these things escaped Fabius.


+  He therefore sent to his colleague at Nola, "That another army was requisite,


+  which might be opposed to the Campanians, while the siege of Casilinum was going


+  on; that either he should come himself, leaving a force sufficient for the protection


+  of Nola, or if the state of Nola required him to stay there, in consequence


+  of its not being yet secure against the attempts of Hannibal, that he should


+  summon Tiberius Gracchus, the proconsul, from Beneventum." On this message,


+  Marcellus, leaving two thousand troops in garrison at Nola, came to Casilinum


+  with the rest of his forces; and at his arrival the Campanians, who were already


+  in motion, desisted from their operations. Thus the siege of Casilinum was commenced


+  by the two consuls. But as the Roman soldiers received many wounds as they rashly


+  approached the walls, and as they did not succeed satisfactorily in their attempts.


+  Fabius gave it as his opinion that this, which was a small matter, though as


+  difficult as more important ones, should be abandoned, and that they should


+  retire from the place, as affairs of greater moment were pressing. Marcellus,


+  however, succeeded in persuading him that they should not go away with their


+  object unaccomplished, observing that as there were many objects which great


+  generals should not attempt, so when once attempted they should not be abandoned,


+  because the mere report in either case would have important consequences. Upon


+  this the vineae and all kinds of military works and engines were applied; in


+  consequence of which, the Campanians entreated Fabius to allow them to retire


+  to Capua in safety; when a few of them having come out of the town, Marcellus


+  took possession of the gate through which they passed, and first slew all indiscriminately


+  who were near the gate, and then rushing in, the slaughter commenced in the


+  town also. About fifty of the Campanians, who at first came out of the city,


+  having fled for refuge to Fabius, arrived safe at Capua under his protection.


+  Thus Casilinum was captured on an accidental opportunity which occurred during


+  the conferences and delay of those who were soliciting protection. The prisoners,


+  both those who were Campanians and those who were Hannibal's soldiers, were


+  sent to Rome, where they were shut up in a prison. The crowd of townsmen was


+  distributed among the neighbouring people to be kept in custody. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">20 </div>


+<a id="f20" />


+<p>At the same time that the consuls retired from Casilinum, their object having


+  been accomplished, Gracchus, who was in Lucania, sent, under a prefect of the


+  allies, some cohorts which he had levied in that country to ravage the lands


+  of the enemy. These, as they were straggling in a careless manner, Hanno surprising,


+  retorted upon his enemy a defeat not much less disastrous than he had himself


+  received at Beneventum, and then hastily retired to the territory of the Bruttians,


+  lest Gracchus should overtake him. Of the consuls, Marcellus returned to Nola,


+  whence he had come, Fabius proceeded to Samnium to waste the lands, and recover


+  by force the cities which had revolted. The Samnites of Caudium suffered the


+  severest devastation; their fields were laid waste by fire for a wide extent,


+  and both men and cattle were conveyed away as booty. The towns of Compulteria,


+  Telesia, Compsa, Melae, Fulfulae, and Orbitanium, were taken by storm. Blandae,


+  belonging to the Lucanians, and Aecae to the Apulians, were taken after a siege.


+  Twenty-five thousand of the enemy were captured or slain in these towns, and


+  three hundred and seventy deserters recovered; who, being sent to Rome by the


+  consul, were all of them beaten with rods in the comitium, and thrown down from


+  the rock. Such were the achievements of Fabius within the space of a few days.


+  Ill health detained Marcellus from active operations at Nola. The town of Accua


+  also was taken by storm, during the same period, by the praetor Quintus Fabius,


+  whose province was the neighbourhood of Luceria; he also fortified a stationary


+  camp at Ardonea. While the Romans were thus employed in different quarters,


+  Hannibal had reached Tarentum, utterly destroying every thing whichsoever way


+  he went. In the territory of Tarentum, the troops at length began to march in


+  a peaceable manner. There nothing was violated, nor did they ever go out of


+  the road; it was evident that this was done not from the moderation of the soldiery,


+  or their general, but to conciliate the affections of the Tarentines. However,


+  on advancing almost close to the walls without perceiving any movement, which


+  he expected would occur on the sight of his vanguard, he pitched his camp about


+  a mile off the city. Three days before the arrival of Hannibal, Marcus Livius,


+  who had been sent by Marcus Valerius, the propraetor, commanding the fleet at


+  Brundusium, had enlisted the young nobility of Tarentum, and stationing guards


+  at every gate, and round the walls, wherever circumstances made it necessary,


+  had kept such a strict watch both by day and night, as to give no opportunity


+  for making any attempt either to the enemy or doubtful allies. On this account


+  several days were consumed there to no purpose, when Hannibal, as none of those


+  who had come to him at the lake Avernus, either came themselves or sent any


+  letter or message, perceiving that he had carelessly followed delusive promises,


+  moved his camp thence. Even after this he did not offer any violence to the


+  Tarentine territory, not quitting the hope of shaking their allegiance to the


+  Romans, though his simulated lenity had hitherto been of no advantage to him;


+  but as soon as he came to Salapia he collected stores of corn there from the


+  Metapontine and Heraclean lands; for midsummer was now past, and the situation


+  pleased him as a place for winter quarters. From hence the Moors and Numidians


+  were detached to plunder the territory of Sallentum, and the neighbouring woods


+  of Apulia, from which not much booty of any other sort was obtained, but principally


+  droves of horses, four thousand of which were distributed among his horsemen


+  to be broken. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">21 </div>


+<a id="f21" />


+<p>The Romans, since a war by no means to be despised was springing up in Sicily,


+  and the death of the tyrant had furnished the Syracusans with more enterprising


+  leaders, rather than changed their attachment to the Carthaginian cause, or


+  the state of their minds, decreed that province to Marcus Marcellus, one of


+  their consuls. After the assassination of Hieronymus, at first a tumult had


+  taken place among the soldiery in the territory of the Leontines. They exclaimed


+  furiously that the manes of the king should be appeased with the blood of the


+  conspirators. Afterwards the frequent repetition of the word liberty, which


+  was restored to them, a word so delightful to the ear, the hopes they had conceived


+  of largesses from the royal treasury, and of serving in future under better


+  generals, the relation of the horrid crimes and more horrid lusts of the tyrant,


+  effected such an alteration in their sentiments, that they suffered to lie unburied


+  the corpse of the king, whom a little before they regretted. As the rest of


+  the conspirators remained behind, in order to keep the army on their side, Theodotus


+  and Sosis, mounted on the king's horses, rode off to Syracuse with all possible


+  speed, that they might surprise the king's party, while unacquainted with all


+  that had occurred. But they were anticipated not only by report, than which


+  nothing is swifter in such affairs, but also by a messenger who was one of the


+  royal servants. In consequence, Andranodorus had occupied with strong garrisons


+  the Insula and the citadel, and every other convenient part which he could.


+  After sunset, when it was now growing dark, Theodotus and Sosis rode in by the


+  Hexapylum, and displayed the royal vest stained with blood, and the ornament


+  of the king's head; then passing through the Tycha, and calling the people at


+  once to liberty and arms, bid them assemble in the Achradina. Some of the multitude


+  ran out into the streets, some stood in the porches of their houses, while others


+  looked out from the roofs and windows, and inquired what was the matter. Every


+  part of the city was filled with lights and noises of various kinds. Assemblies


+  of armed men were formed in the open spaces. Those who had no arms tore down


+  from the temple of the Olympian Jupiter the spoils of the Gauls and Illyrians,


+  which had been presented to Hiero by the Roman people, and hung up there by


+  him; at the same time offering up prayers to Jupiter, that he would willingly,


+  and without feeling offence, lend those consecrated weapons to those who were


+  arming themselves in defence of their country, of the temples of their gods,


+  and their liberty. This multitude was also joined by the watches which were


+  stationed through the principal quarters of the city. In the island, Andranodorus,


+  among other places, secured the public granaries by a garrison. This place,


+  which was enclosed by a wall of stones hewn square, and built up on high, after


+  the manner of a citadel, was occupied by a body of youth, who had been appointed


+  to garrison it, and these sent messengers to the Achradina, to give information


+  that the granaries and the corn were in the power of the senate. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">22 </div>


+<a id="f22" />


+<p>At break of day the whole populace, armed and unarmed, assembled at the senate-house


+  in the Achradina: where from the altar of Concord, which stood there, one of


+  the nobles, named Polyaenus, delivered a liberal and temperate address. He said,


+  that "men who had experienced servitude and contumely, were enraged against


+  an evil which was well known, but that the Syracusans had rather heard from


+  their fathers than seen with their own eyes the disasters which civil discord


+  introduces." He said, "he commended them for the alacrity with which they had


+  taken arms; but that he should commend them more if they should abstain from


+  using them unless compelled by extreme necessity. At present he advised that


+  ambassadors should be sent to Andranodorus, to charge him to submit to the direction


+  of the senate and the people, to throw open the gates of the island, and withdraw


+  the garrison. If he resolved to usurp the sovereignty of which he had been appointed


+  guardian, that he would recommend that their liberty be recovered more energetically


+  from Andranodorus than it had been from Hieronymus." From this assembly ambassadors


+  were despatched. The senate began now to meet, which though during the reign


+  of Hiero it had continued to be the public council of the state, from the time


+  of his death up to the present had never been assembled or consulted upon any


+  subject. When the ambassadors came to Andranodorus, he was himself moved by


+  the unanimous opinion of his countrymen, by their having possession of other


+  parts of the city, and by the fact that the strongest part of the island was


+  betrayed and placed in the hands of others; but his wife, Demarata, the daughter


+  of Hiero, still swelling with the pride of royalty and female presumption, called


+  him out from the presence of the ambassadors, and reminded him of the expression


+  so often repeated by the tyrant Dionysius, "that a man ought only to relinquish


+  sovereign power when dragged by the feet, and not while sitting on horseback.


+  That it was an easy thing, at any moment one pleased, to give up possession


+  of grandeur, but that to create and obtain them was difficult and arduous. That


+  he should obtain from the ambassadors a little time to deliberate, and to employ


+  it in fetching the soldiers from the Leontines; to whom, if he promised the


+  royal treasure, every thing would be at his disposal." This advice, suggested


+  by a woman, Andranodorus neither entirely rejected nor immediately adopted,


+  considering it the safer way to the attainment of power to temporize for the


+  present. Accordingly he told the ambassadors to carry word back, that he should


+  act subserviently to the senate and the people. The next day, as soon as it


+  was light, he threw open the gates of the island, and came into the forum of


+  the Achradina; then mounting the altar of Concord, from which Polyaenus had


+  delivered his harangue the day before, he commenced a speech by soliciting pardon


+  for his delay. "He had kept the gates closed," he said, "not as separating his


+  own from the public interest, but from fear as to where the carnage would stop


+  when once the sword was drawn; whether they would be satisfied with the blood


+  of the tyrant, which was sufficient for their liberty, or whether all who were


+  connected with the court, by consanguinity, affinity, or any offices, would,


+  as implicated in another's guilt, be butchered. After he perceived that those


+  who had liberated their country were desirous of preserving it when liberated,


+  and that the counsels of all were directed towards the public good, he had not


+  hesitated to restore to his country his own person and every thing else which


+  had been committed to his honour and guardianship, since the person who had


+  intrusted him with them had fallen a victim to his own madness." Then turning


+  to the persons who had killed the tyrant, and calling on Theodotus and Sosis


+  by name, he said, "You have performed a memorable deed, but believe me, your


+  glory is only beginning, not yet perfected; and there still remains great danger


+  lest the enfranchised state should be destroyed, if you do not provide for its


+  tranquillity and harmony." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">23 </div>


+<a id="f23" />


+<p>At the conclusion of this speech, he laid the keys of the gates and of the


+  royal treasure at their feet; and on that day, retiring from the assembly in


+  the highest spirits, they made supplication with their wives and children at


+  all the temples of the gods. On the following day an assembly was held for the


+  election of praetors. Andranodorus was created among the first; the rest consisted


+  for the most part of the destroyers of the tyrant; two of these, Sopater and


+  Dinomenes, they appointed in their absence. These, on hearing of what had passed


+  at Syracuse, conveyed thither the royal treasure which was at Leontini, and


+  put it into the hands of quaestors appointed for that purpose. The treasure


+  also in the island and the Achradina was delivered to them, and that part of


+  the wall which formed too strong a separation between the island and the other


+  parts of the city, was demolished by general consent. Every thing else which


+  was done was in conformity with this inclination of their minds to liberty.


+  Hippocrates and Epicydes, on hearing of the death of the tyrant, which Hippocrates


+  had wished to conceal even by putting the messenger to death, being deserted


+  by the soldiery, returned to Syracuse, as that appeared the safest course under


+  present circumstances; but lest if they appeared there in common they should


+  become objects of suspicion, and looked upon as persons who were seeking an


+  opportunity of effecting some change, they in the first place addressed themselves


+  to the praetors and then through them to the senate. They declared, that "they


+  were sent by Hannibal to Hieronymus, as to a friend and ally; that they had


+  obeyed the orders of that man whom their general wished them to obey; that they


+  desired to return to Hannibal; but as the journey would not be safe, as armed


+  Romans were ranging at large through the whole of Sicily, that they requested


+  to be furnished with some escort which might convey them in safety to Locri


+  in Italy; and that thus they would confer a great obligation upon Hannibal,


+  with little trouble." The request was easily obtained, for they were desirous


+  of getting rid of these generals of the king, who were skilled in war, and at


+  once necessitous and enterprising. But they did not exert themselves so as to


+  effect what they desired with the requisite speed. Meanwhile these young men,


+  who were of a military turn and accustomed to the soldiers, employed themselves


+  in circulating charges against the senate and nobles, sometimes in the minds


+  of the soldiers themselves, sometimes of the deserters, of which the greater


+  part were Roman sailors, at other times of men belonging to the lowest order


+  of the populace, insinuating, that "what they were secretly labouring and contriving


+  to effect, was to place Syracuse under the dominion of the Romans with the pretence


+  of a renewed alliance, and then that faction and the few promoters of the alliance


+  would be supreme." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">24 </div>


+<a id="f24" />


+<p>The crowds of persons disposed to hear and credit these insinuations which


+  flowed into Syracuse from every quarter increased daily, and afforded hopes,


+  not only to Epicydes but to Andranodorus also, of effecting a revolution. The


+  latter, wearied at length by the importunities of his wife, who warned him,


+  "that now was the favourable time for seizing the government, while every thing


+  was in confusion in consequence of liberty being recent and not yet regularly


+  established; while a soldiery supported by the royal pay was to be met with,


+  and while generals sent by Hannibal and accustomed to the soldiery might forward


+  the attempt;" he communicated his design with Themistus, who had married the


+  daughter of Gelon, and a few days afterwards incautiously disclosed it to a


+  certain tragic actor, named Ariston, to whom he was in the habit of committing


+  other secrets. He was a man of reputable birth and fortune, nor did his profession


+  disgrace them, for among the Greeks no pursuit of that kind was considered dishonourable.


+  He therefore discovered the plot to the praetors, from a conviction that his


+  country had a superior claim upon his fidelity. These having satisfied themselves


+  that his statement was not false by indubitable proofs, took the advice of the


+  elder senators, and with their sanction, having placed a guard at the doors,


+  slew Themistus and Andranodorus as soon as they had entered the senate-house.


+  A disturbance arising in consequence of this act, which, as none but the praetors


+  knew the cause of it, wore an appearance of atrocity, the praetors, having at


+  length procured silence, introduced the informer into the senate-house; and


+  after he had in a regular manner detailed to the senate every particular, showing


+  that the conspiracy owed its origin to the marriage of Harmonia, the daughter


+  of Gelon, with Themistus; that the African and Spanish auxiliaries had been


+  prepared to murder the praetors and others of the nobility; that it had been


+  given out that their goods were to be the booty of the assassins; that already


+  a band of mercenaries accustomed to obey the command of Andranodorus had been


+  procured for the reoccupation of the island; and having then distinctly represented


+  to them the several parts which the persons implicated in the transaction were


+  performing, and having brought under their view the entire plot prepared for


+  execution with men and arms; it seemed to the senate that they had fallen as


+  justly as Hieronymus had. A shout was raised before the senate-house by a crowd


+  of people variously disposed and uncertain of the facts; but as they were conducting


+  themselves in a furious and menacing manner, the bodies of the conspirators


+  in the vestibule of the senate-house restrained them with such alarm, that they


+  silently followed the more discreet part of the commons to an assembly. Sopater


+  was the person commissioned by the senate and his colleague to explain the affair.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">25 </div>


+<a id="f25" />


+<p>Treating them as if they stood upon their trial, he began with their past lives;


+  and insisted that Andranodorus and Themistus were the authors of every act of


+  iniquity and impiety which had been perpetrated since the death of Hiero. "For


+  what," said he, "did the boy Hieronymus ever do of his own accord? What could


+  he do who had scarce as yet arrived at puberty? His tutors and guardians had


+  ruled, while the odium rested on another. Therefore they ought to have been


+  put to death either before Hieronymus or with him. Nevertheless those men, deservedly


+  marked out for death, had attempted fresh crimes after the decease of the tyrant;


+  first openly, when, closing the gates of the island, Andranodorus declared himself


+  heir to the throne, and kept that as proprietor which he had held only in the


+  capacity of guardian; afterwards, when betrayed by those who were in the island


+  and blockaded by the whole body of the citizens who held the Achradina, he endeavoured


+  to obtain, by secret and artful means, that sovereignty which he had in vain


+  attempted openly; whom not even benefits and honorary distinction could move,


+  for even this conspirator against the liberty of his country was created praetor


+  among her liberators. But that wives of royal blood had infected them with this


+  thirst for royalty, one having married the daughter of Hiero, the other the


+  daughter of Gelon." On hearing these words, a shout arose from every part of


+  the assembly, that "none of these women ought to live, and that not one of the


+  royal family should be left alive." Such is the nature of the populace; they


+  are either cringing slaves or haughty tyrants. They know not how with moderation


+  to spurn or to enjoy that liberty which holds the middle place; nor are there


+  generally wanting ministers, the panders to their resentment, who incite their


+  eager and intemperate minds to blood and carnage. Thus, on the present occasion,


+  the praetors instantly proposed the passing of a decree, which was consented


+  to almost before it was proposed, that all the royal family should be put to


+  death; and persons despatched for the purpose by the praetors, put to death


+  Demarata, the daughter of Hiero, and Harmonia, the daughter of Gelon, the wives


+  of Andranodorus and Themistus. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">26 </div>


+<a id="f26" />


+<p>There was a daughter of Hiero, named Heraclea, the wife of Zoippus, who, having


+  been sent by Hieronymus as ambassador to king Ptolemy, had become a voluntary


+  exile. As soon as she was apprized that they were coming to her also, she fled


+  for refuge into the chapel to the household gods, accompanied by her two virgin


+  daughters, with dishevelled hair, and other marks of wretchedness. In addition


+  to this, she had recourse to prayers also; she implored them "by the memory


+  of her father, Hiero, and her brother, Gelon, that they would not suffer her,


+  a guiltless person, to be consumed by their hatred of Hieronymus. That all that


+  she had derived from his reign was the exile of her husband. That neither did


+  she enjoy the same advantages as her sister while Hieronymus was alive, nor


+  was her cause the same as hers now he was dead. What? Though her sister would


+  have shared the throne with Andranodorus, had he succeeded in his designs, she


+  must have been in servitude with the rest. Can any one doubt, that if information


+  should be conveyed to Zoippus that Hieronymus had been put to death, and that


+  Syracuse was free, he would instantly embark and return to his native land.


+  But how are all human hopes deceived! His wife and children are struggling for


+  their lives in his native land, now blessed with liberty! In what manner standing


+  in the way of liberty or the laws? What danger could arise to any one from them,


+  from a solitary, and in a manner, widowed woman and girls living in a state


+  of orphanage? But perhaps it will be granted that no danger is to be apprehended


+  from them, but alleged that the whole royal family is detested. If this were


+  the case, she entreated that they would banish them far from Syracuse and Sicily,


+  and order them to be conveyed to Alexandria, the wife to her husband, the daughters


+  to their father." Seeing that their ears and minds were unimpressed, and that


+  certain of them were drawing their swords to prevent a fruitless consumption


+  of time, she gave over entreating for herself, and began to implore them to


+  "spare, at least, her daughters, at an age which even exasperated enemies spared."


+  She entreated them "that they would not, in their revenge on tyrants, themselves


+  imitate the crimes which were odious to them." While thus employed, they dragged


+  her from the sanctuary and murdered her; and after that they fell upon the virgins,


+  who were sprinkled with the blood of their mother; who, distracted alike by


+  fear and grief, and as if seized with madness, rushed out of the chapel with


+  such rapidity, that had there been an opening by which they might have escaped


+  into the street, they would have filled the city with confusion. As it was,


+  they several times made their escape through the midst of so many armed men


+  with their persons uninjured in the contracted space which the house afforded,


+  and extricated themselves from their grasp, though they had to disengage themselves


+  from so many and such strong hands; but at length enfeebled by wounds, and after


+  covering every place with blood, they fell down lifeless. This murder, piteous


+  as it was in itself, was rendered still more so by its happening that a short


+  time after it a message arrived that they should not be killed, as the minds


+  of the people were now turned to compassion. This compassion then gave rise


+  to a feeling of anger, because so much haste had been shown in carrying the


+  punishment into effect, and because no opportunity was left for relenting or


+  retracing the steps of their passion. The multitude therefore gave vent to their


+  indignation, and demanded an election to supply the places of Andranodorus and


+  Themistus, for both of them had been praetors; an election by no means likely


+  to be agreeable to the praetors. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">27 </div>


+<a id="f27" />


+<p>The day was fixed for the election, when, to the surprise of all, one person


+  from the extremity of the crowd nominated Epicydes, and then another from the


+  same quarter nominated Hippocrates. Afterwards the voices in favour of these


+  persons increased with the manifest approbation of the multitude. The assembly


+  was one of a heterogeneous character, consisting not only of the commons, but


+  a crowd of soldiers, with a large admixture even of deserters, who were desirous


+  of innovation in every thing. The praetors, at first, concealed their feelings,


+  and were for protracting the business; but at length, overcome by the general


+  opinion, and apprehensive of a sedition, they declared them the praetors. These


+  did not, however, immediately openly avow their sentiments, though they were


+  chagrined that ambassadors had been sent to Appius Claudius to negotiate a ten


+  days' truce, and that on obtaining this, others were sent to treat for the renewal


+  of the old alliance. The Romans, with a fleet of a hundred ships, were then


+  stationed at Murgantia, waiting the issue of the commotion raised at Syracuse


+  by the death of the tyrants, and to what their recent acquisition of liberty


+  would impel the people. Meanwhile, the Syracusan ambassadors were sent by Appius


+  Claudius to Marcellus on his coming into Sicily, and Marcellus having heard


+  the conditions of peace, and being of opinion that matters might be brought


+  to a settlement, himself also sent ambassadors to Syracuse to treat with the


+  praetors in person on the renewal of the alliance. But now by no means the same


+  state of quiet and tranquillity existed there. Hippocrates and Epicydes, their


+  fears being removed, after that intelligence had arrived that a Carthaginian


+  fleet had put in at Pachynum, complained sometimes to the mercenary soldiers,


+  at other times to the deserters, that Syracuse was being betrayed to the Romans.


+  And when Appius began to station his ships at the mouth of the port, in order


+  to inspire the other party with courage, their false insinuations appeared to


+  receive great corroboration; and on the first impulse, the populace had even


+  run down in a disorderly manner to prevent them from disembarking. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">28 </div>


+<a id="f28" />


+<p>While affairs were in this unsettled state, it was resolved to call an assembly;


+  in which, when some leaned to one side and some to the other, and an insurrection


+  being on the point of breaking out, Apollonides, one of the nobles, delivered


+  a speech fraught with salutary advice, considering the critical state of affairs:


+  "Never," he said, "had a state a nearer prospect of safety and annihilation.


+  For if they would all unanimously espouse the cause either of the Romans or


+  the Carthaginians, there could be no state whose condition would be more prosperous


+  and happy; but if they pulled different ways, the war between the Romans and


+  Carthaginians would not be more bloody than that which would take place between


+  the Syracusans themselves, in which both the contending parties would have their


+  forces, their troops, and their generals, within the same walls. Every exertion


+  ought therefore to be made that all might think alike. Which alliance would


+  be productive of the greater advantages, was a question of quite a secondary


+  nature, and of less moment; though the authority of Hiero ought to be followed


+  in preference to that of Hieronymus in the selection of allies, and a friendship


+  of which they had had a happy experience through a space of fifty years, ought


+  to be chosen rather than one now untried and formerly unfaithful. That it ought


+  also to have some weight in their deliberations, that peace with the Carthaginians


+  might be refused in such a manner as not immediately, at least, to have a war


+  with them, while with the Romans they must forthwith have either peace or war."


+  The less of party spirit and warmth appeared in this speech the greater weight


+  it had. A military council also was united with the praetors and a chosen body


+  of senators; the commanders of companies also, and the praefects of the allies,


+  were ordered to consult conjointly. After the question had been agitated with


+  great warmth, at length, as there appeared to be no means of carrying on a war


+  with the Romans, it was resolved that a treaty of peace should be formed, and


+  that ambassadors should be sent with those from Rome to ratify the same. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">29 </div>


+<a id="f29" />


+<p>Not many days intervened before ambassadors came from the Leontines, requesting


+  troops to protect their frontiers; an embassy which appeared to afford a very


+  favourable opportunity for disencumbering the city of a turbulent and disorderly


+  rabble, and for removing their leaders to a distance. The praetor, Hippocrates,


+  was ordered to lead the deserters thither. Many of the mercenary auxiliaries


+  accompanying them made them number four thousand armed men. This expedition


+  gave great delight both to those who were sent and those who sent them, for


+  to the former an opportunity was afforded of change which they had long desired,


+  while the latter were rejoiced because they considered that a kind of sink of


+  the city had been drained off. But they had, as it were, only relieved a sick


+  body for a time, that it might afterwards fall into a more aggravated disease.


+  For Hippocrates began to ravage the adjoining parts of the Roman province, at


+  first by stealthy excursions, but afterwards, when Appies had sent a body of


+  troops to protect the lands of the allies, he made an attack with all his forces


+  upon the guard posted over against him, and slew many. Marcellus, when informed


+  of this, immediately sent ambassadors to Syracuse, who said that the faith of


+  the treaty had been broken, and that there would never be wanting a cause for


+  hostilities, unless Hippocrates and Epicydes were removed not only from Syracuse,


+  but far from all Sicily. Epicydes, lest by being present he should be arraigned


+  for the offence committed by his absent brother, or should be wanting on his


+  own part in stirring up a war, proceeded himself also to the Leontines; and


+  seeing that they were already sufficiently exasperated against the Romans, he


+  endeavoured to detach them from the Syracusans also. His argument was, that


+  the terms on which they had formed a treaty of peace with the Romans were, that


+  whatever people had been subject to their kings should be placed under their


+  dominion; and that now they were not satisfied with liberty unless they could


+  also exercise kingly power and dominion over others. The answer, therefore,


+  he said, which they ought to send back was, that the Leontines also considered


+  themselves entitled to liberty, either on the ground that the tyrant fell in


+  the streets of their city, or that there the shout was first raised for liberty;


+  and that they were the persons who, abandoning the king's generals, flocked


+  to Syracuse. That, therefore, either that article must be expunged from the


+  treaty, or that that term of it would not be admitted. They easily persuaded


+  the multitude; and when the ambassadors of Syracuse complained of the slaughter


+  of the Roman guard, and ordered that Hippocrates and Epicydes should depart


+  either to Locri or any other place they pleased, provided they quitted Sicily,


+  a reply was made to them in a haughty manner, "that they had neither placed


+  themselves at the disposal of the Syracusans to make a peace for them with the


+  Romans, nor were they bound by the treaties of other people." This answer the


+  Syracusans laid before the Romans, declaring at the same time that "the Leontines


+  were not under their control, and that, therefore, the Romans might make war


+  on them without violating the treaty subsisting between them; that they would


+  also not be wanting in the war, provided that when brought again under subjection,


+  they should form a part of their dominion, agreeably to the conditions of the


+  peace." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">30 </div>


+<a id="f30" />


+<p>Marcellus marched with his entire forces against Leontini, having sent for


+  Appius also, in order that he might attack it in another quarter; when, such


+  was the ardour of the troops in consequence of the indignation they felt at


+  the Roman guards being put to the sword during the negotiations for a peace,


+  that they took the town by storm on the first assault. Hippocrates and Epicydes,


+  perceiving that the enemy were getting possession of the walls and breaking


+  open the gates, retired with a few others into the citadel, from which they


+  fled unobserved during the night to Herbessus. The Syracusans, who had marched


+  from home with eight thousand troops, were met at the river Myla by a messenger,


+  who informed them that the city was taken. The rest which he stated was a mixture


+  of truth and falsehood; he said that there had been an indiscriminate massacre


+  of the soldiers and the townsmen, and that he did not think that one person


+  who had arrived at puberty had survived; that the town had been pillaged, and


+  the property of the rich men given to the troops. On receiving such direful


+  news the army halted; and while all were under violent excitement, the generals,


+  Sosis and Dinomenes, consulted together as to the course to be taken. The scourging


+  and beheading of two thousand deserters had given to this false statement a


+  plausibility which excited alarm; but no violence was offered to any of the


+  Leontine or other soldiers after the city was taken; and every man's property


+  was restored to him, with the exception only of such as was destroyed in the


+  first confusion which attended the capture of the city. The troops, who complained


+  of their fellow-soldiers having been betrayed and butchered, could neither be


+  induced to proceed to Leontini, nor wait where they were for more certain intelligence.


+  The praetors, perceiving their minds disposed to mutiny, but concluding that


+  their violence would not be of long continuance, if those who had led them on


+  to such folly were removed, led the troops to Megara, whence they themselves


+  with a few horsemen proceeded to Herbessus, under the expectation of having


+  the city betrayed to them in the general consternation; but being disappointed


+  in this attempt, they resolved to resort to force, and moved their camp from


+  Megara on the following day, in order to attack Herbessus with all their forces.


+  Hippocrates and Epicydes having formed the design of putting themselves into


+  the hands of the soldiers, who were for the most part accustomed to them, and


+  were now incensed at the report of the massacre of their comrades, not so much


+  as a safe measure on the first view of it as that it was their only course,


+  now that all hope was cut off, went out to meet the army. It happened that the


+  troops which marched in the van were six hundred Cretans, who had been engaged


+  in the service of Hieronymus under their command, and were under obligation


+  to Hannibal, having been captured at the Trasimenus among the Roman auxiliaries,


+  and dismissed by him. Hippocrates and Epicydes, recognising them by their standards


+  and the fashion of their armour, held out olive branches, and the fillets usually


+  worn by suppliants, and implored them to receive them into their ranks, protect


+  them when received, and not betray them to the Syracusans, by whom they themselves


+  would soon be delivered up to the Romans to be butchered. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">31 </div>


+<a id="f31" />


+<p>But the Cretans with one accord called out to them to be of good courage; that


+  they would share every fortune with them. During this conversation, the vanguard


+  had halted, and the march was delayed; nor had the cause of the delay as yet


+  reached the generals. After the report had spread that Hippocrates and Epicydes


+  were there, and a voice was heard through the whole army, which showed evidently


+  that the troops were pleased at their arrival, the praetors immediately gallopped


+  to the front, and earnestly asked "what was the meaning of that violation of


+  discipline, which the Cretans had committed in holding conference with the enemy,


+  and allowing them to mingle with their ranks without the authority of the praetors."


+  They ordered Hippocrates to be seized and thrown into chains. On hearing which


+  such a clamour was raised, first by the Cretans and then by the rest, that it


+  was quite evident if they proceeded farther that they would have cause to fear.


+  In this state of anxiety and perplexity, they gave orders to march back to Megara,


+  whence they had set out, and sent messengers to Syracuse, to give information


+  of their present condition. Hippocrates added a deception, seeing that the minds


+  of the troops were disposed to entertain every suspicion. Having sent some Cretans


+  to lie in wait in the roads, he read a letter he pretended had been intercepted,


+  but which he had written himself. The address was: "The praetors of Syracuse


+  to the consul Marcellus." After the customary wishing of health, it stated "that


+  he had acted duly and properly in sparing none of the Leontines, but that the


+  cause of all the mercenary troops was the same, and that Syracuse would never


+  be tranquil while there were any foreign auxiliaries in the city or in the army.


+  That it was therefore necessary that he should endeavour to get into his power


+  those who were encamped at Megara, with their praetors, and by punishing them,


+  at length restore Syracuse to liberty." After this letter had been read, they


+  ran to seize their arms in every direction, with so great a clamour, that the


+  praetors, in the utmost consternation, rode away to Syracuse during the confusion.


+  The mutiny, however, was not quelled even by their flight, but an attack was


+  made upon the Syracusan soldiers; nor would any one have escaped their violence,


+  had not Hippocrates and Epicydes opposed the resentment of the multitude, not


+  from pity or any humane motive, but lest they should cut off all hope of effecting


+  their return; and that they might have the soldiers, both as faithful supporters


+  of their cause, and as hostages, and conciliate to themselves their relatives


+  and friends, in the first place by so great an obligation, and in the next by


+  reason of the pledge. Having also experienced that the populace could be excited


+  by any cause, however groundless or trifling, they procured a soldier of the


+  number of those who were besieged at Leontini, whom they suborned to carry a


+  report to Syracuse, corresponding with that which had been falsely told at the


+  Myla; and by vouching for what he stated, and relating as matters which he had


+  seen, those things of which doubts were entertained, to kindle the resentment


+  of the people. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">32 </div>


+<a id="f32" />


+<p>This man not only obtained credit with the commons, but being introduced into


+  the senate-house, produced an impression upon the senate also. Some men of no


+  small authority openly declared, that it was very fortunate that the rapacity


+  and cruelty of the Romans had been made apparent in the case of the Leontines;


+  that if they had entered Syracuse, they would have committed the same or even


+  more horrible acts, as there the temptations to rapacity would have been greater.


+  All, therefore, advised that the gates should be closed and the city guarded,


+  but not the same persons were objects of fear or hatred to all alike. Among


+  the soldiers of every kind, and a great part of the people, the Roman name was


+  hated. The praetors, and a few of the nobles, though enraged by the fictitious


+  intelligence, rather directed their cautions against a nearer and more immediate


+  evil. Hippocrates and Epicycles were now at the Hexapylum; and conversations


+  were taking place, fomented by the relatives of the native soldiers who were


+  in the army, touching the opening of the gates, and the allowing their common


+  country to be defended from the violence of the Romans. One of the doors of


+  the Hexapylum was now thrown open, and the troops began to be taken in at it,


+  when the praetors interposed; and first by commands and menaces, then by advice,


+  they endeavoured to deter them from their purpose, and last of all, every other


+  means proving ineffectual, forgetful of their dignity, they tried to move them


+  by prayers, imploring them not to betray their country to men heretofore the


+  satellites of the tyrant, and now the corrupters of the army. But the ears of


+  the excited multitude were deaf to all these arguments, and the exertions made


+  from within to break open the gates, were not less than those without; the gates


+  were all broken open, and the whole army received into the Hexapylum. The praetors,


+  with the youth of the city, fled into the Achradina; the mercenary soldiers


+  and deserters, with all the soldiers of the late king who were at Syracuse,


+  joined the forces of the enemy. The Achradina also was therefore taken on the


+  first assault, and all the praetors, except such as escaped in the confusion,


+  were put to the sword. Night put an end to the carnage. On the following day


+  the slaves were invited to liberty, and those bound in prison were released;


+  after which this mixed rabble created Hippocrates and Epicydes their praetors,


+  and thus Syracuse, when for a brief period the light of liberty had shone on


+  it, relapsed into her former state of servitude. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">33 </div>


+<a id="f33" />


+<p>The Romans, on receiving information of these events, immediately moved their


+  camp from Leontini to Syracuse. It happened at this time that ambassadors were


+  sent by Appius in a quinquereme, to make their way through the harbour. A quadrireme


+  was sent in advance, which was captured as soon as it entered the mouth of the


+  harbour, and the ambassadors with difficulty made their escape. And now not


+  only the laws of peace but of war also were not regarded, when the Roman army


+  pitched their camp at Olympium, a temple of Jupiter, a mile and a half from


+  the city. From which place also it was thought proper that ambassadors should


+  be sent forward; these were met by Hippocrates and Epicydes with their friends


+  without the gate, to prevent their entering the city. The Roman, who was appointed


+  to speak, said that "he did not bring war, but aid and assistance to the Syracusans,


+  not only to such as, escaping from the midst of the carnage, fled to the Romans


+  for protection, but to those also, who, overpowered by fear, were submitting


+  to a servitude more shocking, not only than exile, but than death. Nor would


+  the Romans suffer the horrid murder of their friends to go unavenged. If, therefore,


+  those who had taken refuge with them were allowed to return to their country


+  with safety, the authors of the massacre delivered up, and the Syracusans reinstated


+  in the enjoyment of their liberty and laws, there would be no necessity for


+  arms; but if these things were not done, they would direct their arms unceasingly


+  against those who delayed them, whoever they might be." Epicydes replied, that


+  "if they had been commissioned with any message for them, they would have given


+  them an answer; and when the government of Syracuse was in the hands of those


+  persons to whom they were come, they might visit Syracuse again. If they should


+  commence hostilities, they would learn by actual experience that it was by no


+  means the same thing to besiege Syracuse and Leontini." With this he left the


+  ambassadors and closed the gate. The siege of Syracuse then commenced by sea


+  and land at the same time; by land on the side of the Hexapylum; by sea on the


+  side of the Achradina, the wall of which is washed by its waves; and as the


+  Romans felt a confidence that as they had taken Leontini by the terror they


+  occasioned on the first assault, they should be able in some quarter to effect


+  an entrance into a city so desert, and diffused over so large an extent of ground,


+  they brought up to the walls every kind of engine for besieging cities. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">34 </div>


+<a id="f34" />


+<p>And an attempt made with so much energy would have succeeded, had it not been


+  for one person then at Syracuse. That person was Archimedes, a man of unrivalled


+  skill in observing the heavens and the stars, but more deserving of admiration


+  as the inventor and constructor of warlike engines and works, by means of which,


+  with a very slight effort, he turned to ridicule what the enemy effected with


+  great difficulty. The wall which ran along unequal eminences, most of which


+  were high and difficult of access, some low and open to approach along level


+  vales, he furnished with every kind of warlike engine, as seemed suitable to


+  each particular place. Marcellus attacked from the quinqueremes the wall of


+  the Achradina, which, as before stated, was washed by the sea. From the other


+  ships the archers and slingers and light infantry, whose weapon is difficult


+  to be thrown back by the unskilful, allowed scarce any person to remain upon


+  the wall unwounded. These, as they required room for the discharge of their


+  missiles, kept their ships at a distance from the wall. Eight more quinqueremes


+  joined together in pairs, the oars on their inner sides being removed, so that


+  side might be placed to side, and which forming as it were ships, were worked


+  by means of the oars on the outer sides, carried turrets built up in stories,


+  and other engines employed in battering walls. Against this naval armament,


+  Archimedes placed on different parts of the walls engines of various dimensions.


+  Against the ships which were at a distance he discharged stones of immense weight.


+  Those which were nearer he assailed with lighter, and therefore more numerous


+  missiles. Lastly, in order that his own men might heap their weapons upon the


+  enemy, without receiving any wounds themselves, he perforated the wall from


+  the top to the bottom with a great number of loop-holes, about a cubit in diameter,


+  through which some with arrows, others with scorpions of moderate size, assailed


+  the enemy without being seen. Certain ships which came nearer to the walls in


+  order to get within the range of the engines, he placed upon their sterns, raising


+  up their prows by throwing upon them an iron grapple, attached to a strong chain,


+  by means of a tolleno which projected from the wall, and overhung them, having


+  a heavy counterpoise of lead which forced back the lever to the ground; then


+  the grapple being suddenly disengaged, the ship falling as it were from the


+  wall, was, by these means, to the utter consternation of the mariners, dashed


+  in such a manner against the water, that even if it fell back in an erect position


+  it took in a great quantity of water. Thus the attack by sea was foiled, and


+  their whole efforts were directed to an attack by land with all their forces.


+  But on this side also the place was furnished with a similar array of engines


+  of every kind, procured at the expense of Hiero, who had given his attention


+  to this object through a course of many years, and constructed by the unrivalled


+  abilities of Archimedes. The nature of the place also assisted them; for the


+  rock which formed the foundation of the wall was for the most part so steep,


+  that not only materials discharged from engines, but such as were rolled down


+  by their own gravity, fell upon the enemy with great force; the same cause rendered


+  the approach to the city difficult, and the footing unsteady. Wherefore, a council


+  being held, it was resolved, since every attempt was frustrated, to abstain


+  from assaulting the place, and keeping up a blockade, only to cut off the provisions


+  of the enemy by sea and land. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">35 </div>


+<a id="f35" />


+<p>Meanwhile, Marcellus, who had set out with about a third part of the army,


+  to recover the towns which, during the commotion, had gone over to the Carthaginians,


+  regained Helorus and Herbessus by voluntary surrender. Megara, which he took


+  by storm, he demolished and plundered, in order to terrify the rest, but particularly


+  the Syracusans. Much about the same time, Himilco, who had kept his fleet for


+  a long time at the promontory of Pachynus, landed twenty-five thousand infantry,


+  three thousand horse, and twelve elephants, at Heraclea, which they call Minoa.


+  This force was much greater than that which he had before on board his fleet


+  at Pachynus. But after Syracuse was seized by Hippocrates, he proceeded to Carthage,


+  where, being aided by ambassadors from Hippocrates, and a letter from Hannibal,


+  who said that now was the time to recover Sicily with the highest honour, while


+  his own advice given in person had no small influence, he had prevailed upon


+  the Carthaginians to transport into Sicily as large a force as possible, both


+  of foot and horse. Immediately on his arrival he retook Heraclea, and within


+  a few days after Agrigentum; and in the other states which sided with the Carthaginians,


+  such confident hopes were kindled of driving the Romans out of Sicily, that


+  at last even those who were besieged at Syracuse took courage; and thinking


+  that half their forces would be sufficient for the defence of the city, they


+  divided the business of the war between them in such a manner, that Epicydes


+  superintended the defence of the city, while Hippocrates, in conjunction with


+  Himilco, prosecuted the war against the Roman consul. The latter, having passed


+  by night through the intervals between the posts, with ten thousand foot and


+  five hundred horse, was pitching a camp near the city Acrillae, when Marcellus


+  came upon them, while engaged in raising the fortifications, on his return from


+  Agrigentum, which was already occupied by the enemy, having failed in his attempt


+  to get there before the enemy by expeditious marching, Marcellus calculated


+  upon any thing rather than meeting with a Syracusan army at that time and place;


+  but still through fear of Himilco and the Carthaginians, for whom he was by


+  no means a match with the forces he had with him, he was marching with all possible


+  circumspection, and with his troops so arranged, as to be prepared for any thing


+  which might occur. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">36 </div>


+<a id="f36" />


+<p>It happened that the caution he had observed with intent to guard him against


+  the Carthaginians, proved useful against the Sicilians. Having caught them in


+  disorder and dispersed, employed in forming their camp, and for the most part


+  unarmed, he cut off all their infantry. Their cavalry, having commenced a slight


+  engagement, fled to Acrae with Hippocrates. This battle having checked the Sicilians


+  in their purpose of revolting from the Romans, Marcellus returned to Syracuse,


+  and a few days after Himilco, being joined by Hippocrates, encamped on the river


+  Anapus, about eight miles distant from that place. Nearly about the same time,


+  fifty-five ships of war of the Carthaginians, with Bomilcar as commander of


+  the fleet, put into the great harbour of Syracuse from the sea, and a Roman


+  fleet of thirty quinqueremes landed the first legion at Panormus; and so intent


+  were both the contending powers upon Sicily, that the seat of war might seem


+  to have been removed from Italy. Himilco, who thought that the Roman legion


+  which had been landed at Panormus, would doubtless fall a prey to him on its


+  way to Syracuse, was mistaken in his road; for the Carthaginian marched through


+  the inland parts of the country, while the legion, keeping along the coast,


+  and attended by the fleet, came up with Appius Claudius, who had advanced to


+  Pachynum with a part of his forces to meet it. Nor did the Carthaginians delay


+  longer at Syracuse. Bomilcar, who at the same time that he did not feel sufficient


+  confidence in his naval strength, as the Romans had a fleet more than double


+  his number, was aware that delay which could be attended with no good effect,


+  would only increase the scarcity of provisions among the allies by the presence


+  of his troops, sailed out into the deep, and crossed over into Africa. Himilco,


+  who had in vain followed Marcellus to Syracuse, to see if he could get any opportunity


+  of engaging him before he was joined by larger forces, failing in this object,


+  and seeing that the enemy were secured at Syracuse, both by their fortifications


+  and the strength of their forces, to avoid wasting time in sitting by as an


+  idle spectator of the siege of his allies, without being able to do any good,


+  marched his troops away, in order to bring them up wherever the prospect of


+  revolt from the Romans might invite him, and wherever by his presence he might


+  inspire additional courage in those who espoused his interest. He first got


+  possession of Murgantia, the Roman garrison having been betrayed by the inhabitants


+  themselves. Here a great quantity of corn and provisions of every kind had been


+  laid up by the Romans. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">37 </div>


+<a id="f37" />


+<p>To this revolt the minds of other states also were stimulated; and the Roman


+  garrisons were now either driven out of the citadels, or treacherously given


+  up and overpowered. Enna, which stood on an eminence lofty and of difficult


+  ascent on all sides, was impregnable on account of its situation, and had besides


+  in its citadel a strong garrison commanded by one who was very unlikely to be


+  overreached by treachery, Lucius Pinarius, a man of vigorous mind, who relied


+  more on the measures he took to prevent treachery, than on the fidelity of the


+  Sicilians; and at that time particularly the intelligence he had received of


+  so many cities being betrayed, and revolting, and of the massacre of the garrisons,


+  had made him solicitous to use every precaution. Accordingly, by day and night


+  equally, every thing was kept in readiness, and every place furnished with guards


+  and watches, the soldiery being continually under arms and at their posts. But


+  when the principal men in Enna, who had already entered into a covenant with


+  Himilco to betray the garrison, found that they could get no opportunity of


+  circumventing the Roman, they resolved to act openly. They urged, that "the


+  city and the citadel ought to be under their control, as they had formed an


+  alliance with the Romans on the understanding that they were to be free, and


+  had not been delivered into their custody as slaves. That they therefore thought


+  it just that the keys of the gates should be restored to them. That their honour


+  formed the strongest tie upon good allies, and that the people and senate of


+  Rome would entertain feelings of gratitude towards them if they continued in


+  friendship with them of their own free will, and not by compulsion." The Roman


+  replied, that "he was placed there by his general to protect the place; that


+  from him he had received the keys of the gates and the custody of the citadel,


+  trusts which he held not subject to his own will, nor that of the inhabitants


+  of Enna, but to his who committed them to him. That among the Romans, for a


+  man to quit his post was a capital offence, and that parents had sanctioned


+  that law by the death even of their own children. That the consul Marcellus


+  was not far off; that they might send ambassadors to him, who possessed the


+  right and liberty of deciding." But they said, they would certainly not send


+  to him, and solemnly declared, that as they could not obtain their object by


+  argument, they would seek some means of asserting their liberty. Pinarius upon


+  this observed, "that if they thought it too much to send to the consul, still


+  they would, at least, grant him an assembly of the people, that it might be


+  ascertained whether these denunciations came from a few, or from the whole state."


+  An assembly of the people was proclaimed for the next day, with the general


+  consent. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">38 </div>


+<a id="f38" />


+<p>After this conference, he returned into the citadel, and assembling his soldiers,


+  thus addressed them: "Soldiers, I suppose you have heard in what manner the


+  Roman garrisons have been betrayed and cut off by the Sicilians of late. You


+  have escaped the same treachery, first by the kindness of the gods, and secondly


+  by your own good conduct, in unremittingly standing and watching under arms.


+  I wish the rest of our time may be passed without suffering or committing dreadful


+  things. This caution, which we have hitherto employed, has been directed against


+  covert treachery, but not succeeding in this as they wished, they now publicly


+  and openly demand back the keys of the gates; but as soon as we shall have delivered


+  them up, Enna will be instantly in the hands of the Carthaginians, and we shall


+  be butchered under circumstances more horrid than those with which the garrison


+  of Murgantia were massacred. I have with difficulty procured a delay of one


+  night for deliberation, that I might employ it in acquainting you with the danger


+  which threatens you. At daybreak they intend holding a general assembly for


+  the purpose of criminating me, and stirring up the people against you; to-morrow,


+  therefore, Enna will be inundated either with your blood, or that of its own


+  inhabitants. If they are beforehand with you, you will have no hope left, but


+  if you anticipate their proceedings, you will have no danger. Victory will belong


+  to that side which shall have drawn the sword first. You shall all, therefore,


+  full armed, attentively wait the signal. I shall be in the assembly, and by


+  talking and disputing will spin out the time till every thing shall be ready.


+  When I shall have given the signal with my gown, then, mind me raising a shout


+  on all sides rush upon the multitude, and fell all before you with the sword,


+  taking care that no one survive from whom either force or fraud can be apprehended.


+  You, mother Ceres and Proserpine, I entreat, and all ye other gods, celestial


+  and infernal, who frequent this city and these consecrated lakes and groves,


+  that you would lend us your friendly and propitious aid, as we adopt this measure


+  not for the purpose of inflicting, but averting injury. I should exhort you


+  at greater length my soldiers, if you were about to fight with armed men, men


+  unarmed and off their guard, you will slay to satiety. The consul's camp too


+  is near, so that nothing can be apprehended from Himilco and the Carthaginians'."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">39 </div>


+<a id="f39" />


+<p>Being allowed to retire immediately after this exhortation, they employed themselves


+  in taking refreshment. The next day they stationed themselves some in one place


+  and others in another, to block up the streets, and shut up the ways by which


+  the townsmen might escape, the greater part of them stationing themselves upon


+  and round the theatre, as they had been accustomed before also to be spectators


+  of the assemblies. When the Roman praefect, having been brought into the presence


+  of the people by the magistrates, said, that the power and authority of deciding


+  the question appertained to the consul, and not to him, repeating for the most


+  part what he had urged the day before, first of all a small number, and then


+  more, desired him to give up the keys, but afterwards all with one consent demanded


+  it, and when he hesitated and delayed, threatened him furiously, and seemed


+  as though they would not further delay violent extremities then the praefect


+  gave the signal agreed upon with his gown and the soldiers, who had been long


+  anxiously waiting the signal, and in readiness, raising a shout, ran down, some


+  of them from the higher ground, upon the rear of the assembly while others blocked


+  up the passages leading out of the crowded theatre. The people of Enna thus


+  shut up in the pit were put to the sword, being heaped one upon another not


+  only in consequence of the slaughter, but also from their own efforts to escape,


+  for some scrambling over the heads of others, and those that were unhurt falling


+  upon the wounded, and the living upon the dead, they were accumulated together.


+  Thence they ran in every direction throughout the city, when nothing was any


+  where to be seen but flight and bloodshed, as though the city had been captured,


+  for the rage of the soldiery was not less excited in putting to the sword an


+  unarmed rabble, than it would have been had the heat of battle and an equality


+  of danger stimulated it. Thus possession of Enna was retained, by an act which


+  was either atrocious or unavoidable. Marcellus did not disapprove of the deed,


+  and gave up the plunder of the place to the soldiery, concluding that the Sicilians,


+  deterred by this example, would refrain from betraying their garrisons. As this


+  city was situated in the heart of Sicily, and was distinguished both on account


+  of the remarkable strength of its natural situation, and because every part


+  of it was rendered sacred by the traces it contained of the rape of Proserpine


+  of old, the news of its disaster spread though the whole of Sicily in nearly


+  one day, and as people considered that by this horrid massacre violence had


+  been done not only to the habitations of men, but even of the gods, then indeed


+  those who even before this event were in doubt which side they should take,


+  revolted to the Carthaginians Hippocrates and Himilco, who had in vain brought


+  up their troops to Enna at the invitation of the traitors, retired thence, the


+  former to Murgantia, the latter to Agrigentum. Marcellus retrograded into the


+  territory of Leontium, and after collecting a quantity of corn and other provisions


+  in his camp there, left a small body of troops to protect it, and then went


+  to carry on the siege of Syracuse. Appius Claudius having been allowed to go


+  from thence to Rome to put up for the consulship, he appointed Titus Quintus


+  Crispinus to command the fleet and the old camp in his room. He himself fortified


+  his camp, and built huts for his troops at a distance of five miles from Hexapylum,


+  at a place called Leon. These were the transactions in Sicily up to the beginning


+  of the winter. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">40 </div>


+<a id="f40" />


+<p>The same summer the war with king Philip, as had been before suspected, broke


+  out. Ambassadors from Oricum came to Marcus Valerius, the praetor, who was directing


+  his fleet around Brundusium and the neighbouring coasts of Calabria, with intelligence,


+  that Philip had first made an attempt upon Apollonia, having approached it by


+  sailing up the river with a hundred and twenty barks with two banks of oars;


+  after that, not succeeding so speedily as he had hoped, that he had brought


+  up his army secretly to Oricum by night; which city, as it was situated on a


+  plain, and was not secured either by fortifications or by men and arms, was


+  overpowered at the first assault. At the same time that they delivered this


+  intelligence, they entreated him to bring them succour, and repel that decided


+  enemy of the Romans by land or by a naval force, since they were attacked for


+  no other cause than that they lay over against Italy. Marcus Valerius, leaving


+  Publius Valerius lieutenant-general charged with the protection of that quarter,


+  set sail with his fleet equipped and prepared, having put on board of ships


+  of burthen such soldiers as there was not room for in the men of war, and reached


+  Oricum on the second day; and as that city was occupied by a slight garrison,


+  which Philip had left on his departure thence, he retook it without much opposition.


+  Here ambassadors came to him from Apollonia, stating that they were subjected


+  to a siege because they were unwilling to revolt from the Romans, and that they


+  would not be able any longer to resist the power of the Macedonians, unless


+  a Roman force were sent for their protection. Having undertaken to perform what


+  they wished, he sent two thousand chosen armed men in ships of war to the mouth


+  of the river, under the command of Quintus Naevius Crista, praefect of the allies,


+  a man of enterprise, and experienced in military affairs. Having landed his


+  troops, and sent back the ships to join the rest of the fleet at Oricum, whence


+  he had come, he marched his troops at a distance from the river, by a way not


+  guarded at all by the king's party, and entered the city by night, so that none


+  of the enemy perceived him. During the following day they remained quiet, to


+  afford time for the praefect to inspect the youth of Apollonia, together with


+  the arms and resources of the city. Having derived considerable confidence from


+  a review and inspection of these, and at the same time discovering from scouts


+  the supineness and negligence which prevailed among the enemy, he marched out


+  of the city during the dead of night without any noise, and entered the camp


+  of the enemy, which was in such a neglected and exposed state, that it was quite


+  clear that a thousand men had passed the rampart before any one perceived them,


+  and that had they abstained from putting them to the sword, they might have


+  penetrated to the royal pavilion. The killing of those who were nearest the


+  gate aroused the enemy; and in consequence, they were all seized with such alarm


+  and dismay, that not only none of the rest attempted to take arms or endeavour


+  to expel the enemy from the camp, but even the king himself, betaking himself


+  to flight, in a manner half naked and just as he was when roused from his sleep,


+  hurried away to the river and his ships in a garb scarcely decent for a private


+  soldier, much less for a king. Thither also the rest of the multitude fled with


+  the utmost precipitation. Little less than three thousand men were slain or


+  made prisoners in the camp; considerably more, however, were captured than slain.


+  The camp having been plundered, the Apollonians removed into their city the


+  catapults, ballistas, and other engines which had been got together for the


+  purpose of assaulting their city, for the protection of their walls, in case


+  at any time a similar conjuncture should arise; all the rest of the plunder


+  which the camp afforded was given up to the Romans. Intelligence of these events


+  having been carried to Oricum, Marcus Valerius immediately brought his fleet


+  to the mouth of the river, that the king might not attempt to make his escape


+  by ship. Thus Philip, having lost all hope of being able to cope with his enemies


+  by land or sea, and having either hauled on shore or burnt his ships, made for


+  Macedonia by land, his troops being for the most part unarmed and despoiled


+  of their baggage. The Roman fleet, with Marcus Valerius, wintered at Oricum.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">41 </div>


+<a id="f41" />


+<p>The same year the war was prosecuted in Spain with various success; for before


+  the Romans crossed the Iberus, Mago and Hasdrubal had routed an immense army


+  of Spaniards; and the farther Spain would have revolted from the Romans, had


+  not Publius Cornelius, hastily crossing the Iberus with his army, given a seasonable


+  stimulus to the wavering resolutions of his allies by his arrival among them.


+  The Romans first encamped at a place called the High Camp, which is remarkable


+  for the death of the great Hamilcar. It was a fortress strongly defended by


+  works, and thither they had previously conveyed corn; but as the whole circumjacent


+  country was full of enemy's troops, and the Roman army on its march had been


+  charged by the cavalry of the enemy without being able to take revenge upon


+  them, two thousand men, who either loitered behind or had strayed through the


+  fields, having been slain, the Romans quitted this place to get nearer to a


+  friendly country, and fortified a camp at the mount of Victory. To this place


+  came Cneius Scipio with all his forces, and Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, and a third


+  Carthaginian general, with a complete army, all of whom took up a position opposite


+  the Roman camp and on the other side the river. Publius Scipio, going out with


+  some light troops to take a view of the surrounding country, was observed by


+  the enemy; and he would have been overpowered in the open plain, had he not


+  seized an eminence near him. Here too he was closely invested, but was rescued


+  from the troops which environed him by the arrival of his brother. Castulo,


+  a city of Spain, so strong and celebrated, and so closely connected with the


+  Carthaginians, that Hannibal had taken a wife from it, revolted to the Romans.


+  The Carthaginians commenced the siege of Illiturgi, because there was a Roman


+  garrison in it; and it seemed that they would carry the place, chiefly in consequence


+  of a lack of provisions. Cneius Scipio, setting out with a legion lightly equipped,


+  in order to bring succour to his allies and the garrison, entered the city,


+  passing between the two camps of the enemy, and slaying a great number of them.


+  The next day also he sallied out and fought with equal success. Above twelve


+  thousand were slain in the two battles, more than a thousand made prisoners,


+  and thirty-six military standards captured. In consequence of this they retired


+  from Illiturgi. After this the siege of Bigerra, a city which was also in alliance


+  with the Romans, was commenced by the Carthaginians; but Scipio coming up, raised


+  the siege without experiencing any opposition. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">42 </div>


+<a id="f42" />


+<p>The Carthaginians then removed their camp to Munda, whither the Romans speedily


+  followed them. Here a pitched battle was fought, which lasted almost four hours;


+  and while the Romans were carrying all before them in the most glorious manner,


+  the signal for retreat was sounded, because the thigh of Cneius Scipio had been


+  transfixed with a javelin. The soldiers round about him were thrown into a state


+  of great alarm, lest the wound should be mortal. However, there was no doubt


+  but that if they had not been prevented by the intervention of this accident,


+  they might have taken the Carthaginian camp that day. By this time, not only


+  the men, but the elephants, were driven quite up to the rampart; and even upon


+  the top of it nine and thirty elephants were pierced with spears. In this battle,


+  too, as many as twelve thousand are said to have been slain, nearly three thousand


+  captured, with fifty-seven military standards. The Carthaginians retired thence


+  to the city Auringis, whither the Romans followed them, in order to take advantage


+  of their terror. Here Scipio again fought them, having been carried into the


+  field in a small litter; the victory was decisive; but not half so many of the


+  enemy were slain as before, because fewer survived to fight. But this family,


+  which possessed a natural talent at renewing war and restoring its effects,


+  in a short time recruited their army, Mago having been sent by his brother to


+  press soldiers, and assumed courage to try the issue of a fresh struggle. Though


+  the soldiers were for the most part different, yet as they fought in a cause


+  which had so often been unsuccessful within the space of a few days, they carried


+  into the field the same state of mind as those which had been engaged before,


+  and the issue of the battle was similar. More than eight thousand were slain,


+  not much less than a thousand captured, with fifty-eight military standards.


+  The greater part of the spoils had belonged to the Gauls, consisting of golden


+  chains and bracelets in great numbers. Also two distinguished Gallic petty princes,


+  whose names were Moenicaptus and Civismarus, fell in this battle. Eight elephants


+  were captured and three slain. When affairs went on so prosperously in Spain,


+  the Romans began to feel ashamed that Saguntum, on account of which the war


+  had originated, should continue for now the eighth year in the power of the


+  enemy. Accordingly, having expelled by force the Carthaginian garrison, they


+  retook that town, and restored it to such of the ancient inhabitants as had


+  survived the fury of the war. The Turditanians also, who had been the cause


+  of the war between that people and the Carthaginians, they reduced under their


+  power, sold them as slaves, and razed their city. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">43 </div>


+<a id="f43" />


+<p>Such were the achievements in Spain during the consulate of Quintus Fabius


+  and Marcus Claudius. At Rome, as soon as the new plebeian tribunes entered upon


+  their office, Lucius Metellus, a plebeian tribune, immediately appointed a day


+  for impleading the censors, Publius Furius and Marcus Atilius, before the people.


+  In the preceding year, when he was quaestor, they had deprived him of his horse,


+  removed him from his tribe, and disfranchised him, on account of the conspiracy


+  entered into at Cannae to abandon Italy. But being aided by the other nine tribunes,


+  they were forbidden to answer while in office, and were discharged. The death


+  of Publius Furius prevented their completing the lustrum. Marcus Atilius abdicated


+  his office. An assembly for the election of consuls was held by Quintus Fabius


+  Maximus. The consuls elected were Quintus Fabius Maximus, son of the consul,


+  and Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus a second time, both being absent. The praetors


+  appointed were Marcus Atilius, and the two curule aediles, Publius Sempronius


+  Tuditanus and Cneius Fulvius Centumalus, together with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.


+  It is recorded, that the scenic games were this year, for the first time, celebrated


+  for four days by the curule aediles. The aedile Tuditanus was the man who made


+  his way through the midst of the enemy at Cannae when all the rest were paralysed


+  with fear, in consequence of that dreadful calamity. As soon as the elections


+  were completed, the consuls elect having been summoned to Rome, at the instance


+  of Quintus Fabius, the consul, entered upon their office, and took the sense


+  of the senate respecting the war, their own provinces as well as those of the


+  praetors, and also respecting the armies to be employed, and which each of them


+  was to command. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">44 </div>


+<a id="f44" />


+<p>The provinces and armies were thus distributed: the prosecution of the war


+  with Hannibal was given to the consuls, and of the armies, one which Sempronius


+  himself had commanded, and another which the consul Fabius had commanded, each


+  consisting of two legions. Marcus Aemilius, the praetor, who had the foreign


+  jurisdiction, was to have Luceria as his province, with the two legions which


+  Quintus Fabius, then consul, had commanded as praetor, his colleague, Marcus


+  Atilius, the city praetor, undertaking the duties of his office. The province


+  of Ariminum fell to the lot of Publius Sempronius, that of Suessula to Cneius


+  Fulvius, with two legions each likewise; Fulvius taking with him the city legions;


+  Tuditanus receiving his from Manius Pomponius. The following generals were continued


+  in command, and their provinces assigned to them thus: to Marcus Claudius, so


+  much of Sicily as lay within the limits of the kingdom of Hiero; to Lentulus,


+  the propraetor, the old province in that island; to Titus Otacilius, the fleet;


+  no additional troops were assigned to them. Marcus Valerius had Greece and Macedonia,


+  with the legion and the fleet which he had there; Quintus Mucius had Sardinia,


+  with his old army, consisting of two legions; Caius Terentius, Picenum, with


+  one legion which he then commanded. Besides, orders were given to enlist two


+  legions for the city, and twenty thousand men from the allies. With these leaders


+  and these forces did they fortify the Roman empire against the many wars which


+  had either actually broken out, or were suspected at one and the same time.


+  After enlisting the city legions and raising troops to make up the numbers of


+  the others, the consuls, before they quitted the city, expiated the prodigies


+  which were reported. A wall and a gate had been struck by lightning; and at


+  Aricia even the temple of Jupiter had been struck by lightning. Other illusions


+  of the eyes and ears were credited as realities. An appearance as of ships had


+  been seen in the river at Tarracina, when there were none there. A clashing


+  of arms was heard in the temple of Jupiter Vicilinus, in the territory of Compsa;


+  and a river at Amiternum had flowed bloody. These prodigies having been expiated


+  according to a decree of the pontiffs, the consuls set out, Sempronius for Lucania,


+  Fabius for Apulia. The father of the latter came into the camp at Suessula,


+  as his lieutenant-general; and when the son advanced to meet him, the lictors,


+  out of respect for his dignity, went on in silence. The old man rode past eleven


+  of the fasces, when the consul ordered the lictor nearest to him to take care


+  and he called to him to dismount; then at length dismounting, he exclaimed,


+  "I wished to try, my son, whether you were duly sensible that you are a consul."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">45 </div>


+<a id="f45" />


+<p>To this camp came Dasias Altinius of Arpi privately and by night, attended


+  by three slaves, with a promise that if he should receive a reward for it, he


+  would engage to betray Arpi to them. Fabius having laid the matter before a


+  council, some were of opinion that "he ought to be scourged and put to death


+  as a deserter, as a man of unstable mind, and a common enemy to both sides;


+  who, after the defeat at Cannae, had gone over to Hannibal and drawn Arpi into


+  revolt, as if it were right that a man's fidelity should vary according to the


+  fluctuations of fortune; and who now, when the Roman cause, contrary to his


+  hopes and wishes, was as it were rising up again, would seem to aggravate his


+  baseness by recompensing those whom he had formerly betrayed, by fresh betrayal.


+  That a man whose custom it was to espouse one side, while his heart was on another,


+  was unworthy of confidence as an ally, and contemptible as an enemy; that he


+  ought to be made a third example to deserters, in addition to the betrayers


+  of Falerii and Pyrrhus." On the other hand, Fabius, the father of the consul,


+  observed, that, "forgetful of circumstances, men were apt to exercise a free


+  judgment on every question in the heat of war, as in time of peace; for though


+  in the present instance that which ought rather to form the object of their


+  endeavours and to occupy their thoughts, is by what means it may be brought


+  about that none of the allies may revolt from the Roman people, yet that they


+  never think of; but, on the contrary, they urge that an example ought to be


+  made of any who might repent and look back upon their former alliance. But if


+  it is allowable to forsake the Romans, and not allowable to return to them,


+  who can doubt but that in a short time the Romans, deserted by their allies,


+  will see every state in Italy united in leagues with the Carthaginians. Not,


+  however, that he was of opinion that any confidence was to be reposed in Altinius,


+  but he would invent some middle course of proceeding. Treating him neither as


+  an enemy nor as a friend for the present, his wish was, that he should be kept


+  during the war in some city whose fidelity could be relied on, at a short distance


+  from the camp, in a state of easy restraint; and that when the war was concluded,


+  they should then deliberate whether he more deserved to be punished for his


+  former defection, or pardoned for his present return." The opinion of Fabius


+  was approved of. Altinius was bound in chains and given into custody, together


+  with his companions, and a large quantity of gold which he brought with him


+  was ordered to be kept for him. He was kept at Cales, where, during the day,


+  he was unconfined, but attended by guards who locked him up at night. He was


+  first missed and inquired for at his house at Arpi. but afterwards, when the


+  report of his absence had spread through the city, a violent sensation was excited,


+  as if they had lost their leader, and, from the apprehension of some attempt


+  to alter the present state of things, messengers were immediately despatched


+  to Hannibal. With this the Carthaginian was far from being displeased, both


+  because he had long regarded the man himself with suspicion, as one of doubtful


+  fidelity, and because he had now been lucky enough to get a pretext for possessing


+  himself of the property of so wealthy a person. But that the world might suppose


+  that he had yielded to resentment more than to avarice, he added cruelty to


+  rapacity; for he summoned his wife and children to the camp, and after having


+  made inquiry, first, respecting the flight of Altinius, and then, touching the


+  quantity of gold and silver which was left at his house, and informed himself


+  on all these points, he burned them alive. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">46 </div>


+<a id="f46" />


+<p>Fabius, setting out from Suessula, first set about the siege of Arpi; and having


+  pitched his camp about half a mile from it, he took a near view of the site


+  and walls of the city, and resolved to attack it, in preference, in that quarter


+  where it was most secured by works, and where the least care was taken in guarding


+  it. After getting all things together which could be of use in besieging a city,


+  he selected the most efficient of the centurions out of the whole army, placing


+  them under the command of tribunes of approved valour, and giving them six hundred


+  soldiers, a number which was thought sufficient for the purpose. These he ordered


+  to bring the scaling ladders to the place which he had marked out, as soon as


+  the signal of the fourth watch had sounded. In this part there was a low and


+  narrow gate, opening into a street which was little frequented, and which led


+  through a deserted part of the city. He ordered them, after scaling the wall,


+  to proceed to this gate, and break down the bars on the inside by force, and


+  when they were in possession of that part of the city, to give a signal with


+  a cornet, that the rest of the troops might be brought up, observing that he


+  would have every thing prepared and ready. These orders were executed promptly,


+  and that which seemed likely to impede their operations, served more than any


+  thing to conceal them. A shower of rain, which came on suddenly at midnight,


+  compelled the guards and watches to slip away from their posts and take shelter


+  in the houses; and the noise of the shower, which was somewhat copious, at first


+  prevented their hearing that which was made by the men in breaking open the


+  gate. Afterwards, when it fell upon the ear more gently and uniformly, it lulled


+  a great number of the men to sleep. After they had secured possession of the


+  gate, they placed cornet-players in the street at equal distances, and desired


+  them to sound, in order to call the consul. This being done according to the


+  plan previously agreed upon, the consul ordered the troops to march, and a little


+  before daylight entered the city through the broken gate. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">47 </div>


+<a id="f47" />


+<p>Then at length the enemy were roused, the shower was now subsiding, and daylight


+  coming on. Hannibal had a garrison of about five thousand armed men in the city,


+  and the inhabitants themselves had three thousand men in arms; these the Carthaginians


+  placed in front against the enemy, to guard against any treachery on their rear.


+  The fight was carried on at first in the dark, and in the narrow streets, the


+  Romans having seized not only the streets, but the houses also nearest the gate,


+  that they might not be struck or wounded by any thing discharged at them from


+  above. Some of the Arpinians and Romans recognised each other, which led to


+  conversations, in which the Romans asked them, what it was they meant? for what


+  offence on the part of the Romans, or what service on that of the Carthaginians,


+  they, who were Italians, made war in favour of foreigners and barbarians, against


+  their ancient allies the Romans, and endeavoured to render Italy tributary and


+  stipendiary to Africa? The Arpinians urged in excuse of themselves, that in


+  ignorance of all the circumstances, they had been sold to the Carthaginians


+  by their nobility, and that they were kept in a state of thraldom and oppression


+  by the few. A beginning having been made, greater numbers on both sides entered


+  into conversation; and at length the praetor of Arpi was brought by his countrymen


+  before the consul, and after exchanging assurances in the midst of the standards


+  and the troops, the Arpinians suddenly turned their arms against the Carthaginians,


+  in favour of the Romans. Some Spaniards also, little less than a thousand in


+  number, after only stipulating with the consul that the Carthaginian garrison


+  might be allowed to march out unhurt, passed over to the consul. The gates were


+  therefore thrown open for the Carthaginians; and being allowed to go out unmolested,


+  in conformity with the stipulation, they joined Hannibal in Salapia. Thus was


+  Arpi restored to the Romans, without the loss of a life, except that of one


+  man, who was formerly a traitor, and recently a deserter. The Spaniards were


+  ordered to receive a double allowance of provisions, and on very many occasions


+  the republic availed itself of their brave and faithful services. While one


+  of the consuls was in Apulia, and the other in Lucania, a hundred and twelve


+  Campanian noblemen, having gone out of Capua, with the permission of the magistrates,


+  under pretence of collecting booty from the enemy's lands, came into the Roman


+  camp, which lay above Suessula. They told the soldiers, forming the vanguard,


+  that they wished to speak with the praetor. Cneius Fulvius commanded the camp;


+  who, on being informed of the circumstance, ordered ten of them to be brought


+  into his presence unarmed; and after hearing their request, (and all they asked


+  was, that when the Romans should recover Capua, their property might be restored


+  to them,) they were all received under his protection. The other praetor, Sempronius


+  Tuditanus, took by force the town of Aternum; more than seven thousand were


+  captured, with a considerable quantity of coined brass and silver. A dreadful


+  fire happened at Rome, which continued for two nights and a day; every thing


+  was burnt to the ground between the Salinae and the Carmental gate, with the


+  Aequimaelium and the Jugarian street. In the temples of Fortune, Mater Matuta,


+  and Hope, which latter stood without the gate, the fire, spreading to a wide


+  extent, consumed much both sacred and profane. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">48 </div>


+<a id="f48" />


+<p>The same year, the two Cornelii, Publius and Cneius, as affairs were now in


+  a prosperous state in Spain, and they had recovered many ancient allies, and


+  attached fresh ones to them, extended their views even to Africa. Syphax was


+  a king of the Numidians, who had suddenly become hostile to the Carthaginians;


+  to him they sent three centurions as ambassadors, to form a treaty of friendship


+  and alliance with him; and to promise, that, if he persevered in pressing the


+  war against the Carthaginians, he would render an acceptable service to the


+  senate and people of Rome, and they would endeavour to requite the favour with


+  large additions, and at a seasonable time. This embassy was gratifying to the


+  barbarian; and when conversing with the ambassadors on the art of war he heard


+  the observations of those experienced soldiers, by comparing his own practice


+  with so regular a system of discipline, he became sensible of how many things


+  he himself was ignorant. Then he entreated them to give the first proof of their


+  being good and faithful allies, "by letting two of them carry back the result


+  of their embassy to their generals, while one remained with him as his instructor


+  in military science, observing that the Numidian nation were unacquainted with


+  the method of carrying on war with foot forces, being useful only as mounted


+  soldiers. That it was in this manner that their ancestors had carried on war


+  even from the first origin of their nation, and to this they were habituated


+  from their childhood. But that they had to contend with an enemy who relied


+  upon the prowess of their infantry; with whom, if they wished to be placed upon


+  an equality in respect of efficient strength, they must also furnish themselves


+  with infantry. That his dominions abounded with a large quantity of men fit


+  for the purpose, but that he was unacquainted with the art of arming, equipping,


+  and marshalling them; that all his infantry were unwieldy and unmanageable,


+  like a rabble collected together by chance." The ambassadors answered, that


+  they would comply with his request for the present, on his engaging to send


+  him back immediately, if their generals did not approve of what they had done.


+  The name of the person who staid behind with the king was Quintus Statorius.


+  With the two other Romans, the Numidian sent ambassadors into Spain, to receive


+  the ratification of the alliance from the Roman generals. He gave it in charge


+  to the same persons, forthwith to induce the Numidians, who were serving as


+  auxiliaries among the Carthaginian troops, to go over to the other side. Statorius


+  raised a body of infantry for the king out of the large number of young men


+  which he found; and having formed them into companies, in close imitation of


+  the Roman method, taught them to follow their standards and keep their ranks


+  when being marshalled, and when performing their evolutions; and he so habituated


+  them to military works and other military duties, that in a short time the king


+  relied not more on his cavalry than on his infantry; and in a regular and pitched


+  battle, fought on a level plain, he overcame his enemies, the Carthaginians.


+  In Spain also the arrival of the king's ambassadors was of the greatest advantage


+  to the Romans, for at the news thereof the Numidians began rapidly to pass over.


+  Thus the Romans and Syphax were united in friendship, which the Carthaginians


+  hearing of, immediately sent ambassadors to Gala, who reigned in another part


+  of Numidia, over a nation called Massylians. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">49 </div>


+<a id="f49" />


+<p>Gala had a son named Masinissa, seventeen years of age, but a youth of such


+  talents, that even at that time it was evident that he would render the kingdom


+  more extensive and powerful than when he received it. The ambassadors represented


+  that, "since Syphax had united himself with the Romans, that by their alliance


+  he might strengthen his hands against the kings and nations of Africa, it would


+  be better for Gala also to unite with the Carthaginians as soon as possible,


+  before Syphax crossed over into Spain, or the Romans into Africa; that Syphax


+  might be overpowered, while as yet he derived nothing from his league with the


+  Romans but the name of it." Gala, his son claiming to be intrusted with the


+  conduct of the war, was easily prevailed upon to send an army, which, joined


+  by the legions of the Carthaginians, totally defeated Syphax in a great battle.


+  In this thirty thousand men are said to have been slain. Syphax, with a few


+  horsemen, fled from the field, and took refuge among the Maurusian Numidians,


+  a nation dwelling at the extremity of Africa, near the ocean, and over against


+  Gades. But the barbarians flocking to his standard from all sides, in consequence


+  of his great renown, he speedily armed a very large force. Before he passed


+  over with these forces into Spain, which was separated only by a narrow strait,


+  Masinissa came up with his victorious army; and here he acquired great glory


+  in the prosecution of the war with Syphax, in which he acted alone and unsupported


+  by any aid from the Carthaginians. In Spain nothing worth mentioning was performed,


+  except that the Romans drew over to their side the Celtiberian youth, by giving


+  them the same pay which they had stipulated with the Carthaginians to pay them.


+  They also sent above three hundred Spaniards of the greatest distinction into


+  Italy, to bring over their countrymen, who served among the auxiliary troops


+  of Hannibal. The only memorable circumstance of this year in Spain was, that


+  the Romans then, for the first time, employed mercenary troops in their camp,


+  namely, the Celtiberians. </p>


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book25">BOOK XXV.</div>


+<div class="date">B.C. 213-212</div>


+<br />


+<div class="chapmen"><a href="#g1">1</a> <a href="#g2">2</a> <a href="#g3">3</a>


+  <a href="#g4">4</a> <a href="#g5">5</a> <a href="#g6">6</a> <a href="#g7">7</a>


+  <a href="#g8">8</a> <a href="#g9">9</a> <a href="#g10">10</a> <a href="#g11">11</a>


+  <a href="#g12">12</a> <a href="#g13">13</a> <a href="#g14">14</a> <a href="#g15">15</a>


+  <a href="#g16">16</a> <a href="#g17">17</a> <a href="#g18">18</a> <a href="#g19">19</a>


+  <a href="#g20">20</a> <a href="#g21">21</a> <a href="#g22">22</a> <a href="#g23">23</a>


+  <a href="#g24">24</a> <a href="#g25">25</a> <a href="#g26">26</a> <a href="#g27">27</a>


+  <a href="#g28">28</a> <a href="#g29">29</a> <a href="#g30">30</a> <a href="#g31">31</a>


+  <a href="#g32">32</a> <a href="#g33">33</a> <a href="#g34">34</a> <a href="#g35">35</a>


+  <a href="#g36">36</a> <a href="#g37">37</a> <a href="#g38">38</a> <a href="#g39">39</a>


+  <a href="#g40">40</a> <a href="#g41">41</a></div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes"><i>Publius Cornelius Scipio, afterwards called Africanus,


+  elected aedile before he had attained the age required by the law. The citadel


+  of Tarentum, in which the Roman garrison had taken refuge, betrayed to Hannibal.


+  Games instituted in honour of Apollo, called Apollinarian. Quintus Fulvius and


+  Appius Claudius, consuls, defeat Hanno the Carthaginian general. Tiberius Sempronius


+  Gracchus betrayed by a Lucanian to Mago, and slain. Centenius Penula, who had


+  been a centurion, asks the senate for the command of an army, promising to engage


+  and vanquish Hannibal, is cut off with eight thousand men. Cneius Fulvius engages


+  Hannibal, and is beaten, with the loss of sixteen thousand men slain, he himself


+  escapes with only two hundred horsemen. Quintus Fulvius and Appius Claudius,


+  consuls, lay siege to Capua. Syracuse taken by Claudius Marcellus after a siege


+  of three years. In the tumult occasioned by taking the city, Archimedes is killed


+  while intently occupied on some figures which he had drawn in the sand. Publius


+  and Cornelius Scipio, after having performed many eminent services in Spain,


+  are slain, together with nearly the whole of their armies, eight years after


+  their arrival in that country; and the possession of that province would have


+  been entirely lost, but for the valour and activity of Lucius Marcius, a Roman


+  knight, who, collecting the scattered remains of the vanquished armies, utterly


+  defeats the enemy, storming their two camps, killing thirty-seven thousand of


+  them, and taking eighteen hundred together with an immense booty.</i></div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="lsidenote">1 </div>


+<a id="g1" />


+<p>Hannibal passed the summer during which these events occurred in Africa and


+  Italy, in the Tarentine territory, with the hope of having the city of the Tarentines


+  betrayed to him. Meanwhile some inconsiderable towns belonging to them, and


+  to the Sallentines, revolted to him. At the same time, of the twelve states


+  of the Bruttians, which had in a former year gone over to the Carthaginians,


+  the Consentians and Thurians returned to the protection of the Roman people.


+  And more would have done the same, had not Titus Pomponius Veientanus, praefect


+  of the allies, having acquired the appearance of a regular general, in consequence


+  of several successful predatory expeditions in the Bruttian territory, got together


+  a tumultuary band, and fought a battle with Hanno. In that battle, a great number


+  of men, consisting, however, of a disorderly rabble of slaves and rustics, were


+  slain or captured. The least part of the loss was, that the praefect himself


+  was taken prisoner; for he was not only in the present instance guilty of having


+  rashly engaged the enemy, but previously, in the capacity of farmer of the revenue,


+  by iniquitous practices of every description, had shown himself faithless and


+  injurious to the state, as well as the companies. Among the Lucanians, the consul,


+  Sempronius, fought several small battles, but none worthy of being recorded,


+  he also took several inconsiderable towns. In proportion as the war was protracted,


+  and the sentiments no less than the circumstances of men fluctuated accordingly


+  as events flowed prosperously or otherwise, the citizens were seized with such


+  a passion for superstitious observances, and those for the most part introduced


+  from foreign countries, that either the people or the gods appeared to have


+  undergone a sudden change. And now the Roman rites were growing into disuse,


+  not only in private, and within doors, but in public also; in the forum and


+  Capitol there were crowds of women sacrificing, and offering up prayers to the


+  gods, in modes unusual in that country. A low order of sacrificers and soothsayers


+  had enslaved men's understandings, and the numbers of these were increased by


+  the country people, whom want and terror had driven into the city, from the


+  fields which were lain uncultivated during a protracted war, and had suffered


+  from the incursions of the enemy, and by the profitable cheating in the ignorance


+  of others which they carried on like an allowed and customary trade. At first,


+  good men gave protest in private to the indignation they felt at these proceedings,


+  but afterwards the thing came before the fathers, and formed a matter of public


+  complaint. The aediles and triumviri, appointed for the execution of criminals,


+  were severely reprimanded by the senate for not preventing these irregularities,


+  but when they attempted to remove the crowd of persons thus employed from the


+  forum, and to overthrow the preparations for their sacred rites, they narrowly


+  escaped personal injury. It being now evident, that the evil was too powerful


+  to be checked by inferior magistrates, the senate commissioned Marcus Atilius,


+  the city praetor, to rid the people of these superstitions. He called an assembly,


+  in which he read the decree of the senate, and gave notice, that all persons


+  who had any books of divination, or forms of prayer, or any written system of


+  sacrificing, should lay all the aforesaid books and writings before him before


+  the calends of April; and that no person should sacrifice in any public or consecrated


+  place according to new or foreign rites. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">2 </div>


+<a id="g2" />


+<p>Several of the public priests too died this year: Lucius Cornelius Lentulus,


+  chief pontiff, Caius Papirius Maso, son of Caius, a pontiff, Publius Furius


+  Philo, an augur, and Caius Papirius Maso, son of Lucius, a decemvir for the


+  superintendence of sacred rites. In lieu of Lentulus, Marcus Cornelius Cethegus,


+  in lieu of Papirius Cnaeius, Servilius Caepio, were created pontiffs. Lucius


+  Quinctius Flaminius was created augur, and Lucius Cornelius Lentulus decemvir


+  for the superintendence of sacred rites. The time for the election of consuls


+  was now approaching; but as it was not thought proper to call the consuls away


+  from the war with which they were intently occupied, Tiberius Sempronius, the


+  consul, nominated Caius Claudius Centho as dictator to hold the election. He


+  appointed Quintus Fulvius Flaccus as his master of the horse. On the first day


+  on which the election could be held, the dictator appointed as consuls, Quintus


+  Fulvius Flaccus, his master of the horse, and Appius Claudius Pulcher, who had


+  held the government of Sicily as praetor. The praetors created were Cneius Fulvius


+  Flaccus, Caius Claudius Nero, Marcus Junius Silanus, Publius Cornelius Sulla.


+  The election completed, the dictator retired from his office. This year, Publius


+  Cornelius Scipio, afterwards surnamed Africanus, held the office of curule aedile,


+  with Marcus Cornelius Cethegus; and when the tribunes of the people opposed


+  his pretensions to the aedileship, alleging, that no notice ought to be taken


+  of him, because he had not attained the legal age for candidateship, he observed,


+  "if the citizens in general are desirous of appointing me aedile, I am old enough."


+  Upon this the people ran to their respective tribes to give their votes, with


+  feelings so strongly disposed in his favour, that the tribunes on a sudden abandoned


+  their attempt. The largesses bestowed by the aediles were the following: the


+  Roman games were sumptuously exhibited, considering the present state of their


+  resources; they were repeated during one day, and a gallon of oil was given


+  to each street. Lucius Villius Tapulus, and Marcus Fundanius Fundulus, the plebeian


+  aediles, accused some matrons of misconduct before the people, and some of them


+  they convicted and sent into exile. The plebeian games were repeated during


+  two days, and a feast in honour of Jupiter was celebrated on occasion of the


+  games. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">3 </div>


+<a id="g3" />


+<p>Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, for the third time, and Appius Claudius entered upon


+  the office of consuls. The praetors determined their provinces by lot. Publius


+  Cornelius Sulla received both the city and the foreign jurisdiction, formerly


+  allotted to two persons, Cneius Fulvius Flaccus, Apulia, Caius Claudius Nero,


+  Suessula, and Marcus Junius Silanus, Tuscany. To the consuls the conduct of


+  the war with Hannibal was decreed with two legions each, one taking the troops


+  of Quintus Fabius, the consul of the former year, the other those of Fulvius


+  Centumalus. Of the praetors, Fulvius Flaccus was to have the legions which were


+  in Luceria under Aemilius the praetor, Nero Claudius those in Picenum under


+  Caius Terentius, each raising recruits for himself to fill up the number of


+  his troops. To Marcus Junius the city legions of the former year were assigned,


+  to be employed against the Tuscans. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and Publius


+  Sempronius Tuditanus were continued in command in their provinces of Lucania


+  and Gaul with the armies they had, as was also Publius Lentulus in that part


+  of Sicily which formed the ancient Roman province. Marcus Marcellus had Syracuse,


+  and that which was the kingdom of Hiero. Titus Otacilius was continued in the


+  command of the fleet, Marcus Valerius in that of Greece, Quintus Mucius Scaevola


+  in that of Sardinia. The Cornelii, Publius and Cneius, were continued in the


+  command of Spain. In addition to the armies already existing, two legions for


+  the service of the city were levied by the consuls, and a total of twenty-three


+  legions was made up this year. The levy of the consuls was impeded by the conduct


+  of Marcus Posthumius Pyrgensis, almost accompanied with a serious disturbance.


+  Posthumius was a farmer of the revenue, who, for knavery and rapacity, practised


+  through a course of many years, had no equal except Titus Pomponius Veientanus,


+  who had been taken prisoner the former year by the Carthaginians under the conduct


+  of Hanno, while carelessly ravaging the lands in Lucania. As the state had taken


+  upon itself the risk of any loss which might arise from storms to the commodities


+  conveyed to the armies, not only had these two men fabricated false accounts


+  of shipwrecks, but even those which had really occurred were occasioned by their


+  own knavery, and not by accident. Their plan was to put a few goods of little


+  value into old and shattered vessels, which they sank in the deep, taking up


+  the sailors in boats prepared for the purpose, and then returning falsely the


+  cargo as many times more valuable than it was. This fraudulent practice had


+  been pointed out to Marcus Atilius, the praetor in a former year, who had communicated


+  it to the senate; no decree, however, had been passed censuring it, because


+  the fathers were unwilling that any offence should be given to the order of


+  revenue farmers while affairs were in such a state. The people were severer


+  avengers of the fraud; and at length two tribunes of the people, Spurius and


+  Lucius Carvilius, being moved to take some active measure, as they saw that


+  this conduct excited universal disgust, and had become notorious, proposed that


+  a fine of two hundred thousand asses should be imposed on Marcus Posthumius.


+  When the day arrived for arguing the question, the people assembled in such


+  numbers, that the area of the Capitol could scarcely contain them; and the cause


+  having been gone through, the only hope of safety which presented itself was,


+  that Caius Servilius Casca, a tribune of the people, a connexion and relation


+  of Posthumius, should interpose his protest before the tribes were called to


+  give their votes. The witnesses having been produced, the tribunes caused the


+  people to withdraw, and the urn was brought, in order that the tribes should


+  draw lots which should give the vote first. Meanwhile, the farmers of the revenue


+  urged Casca to stop the proceedings for that day. The people, however, loudly


+  opposed it; and Casca happened to be sitting on the most prominent part of the


+  rostrum, whose mind fear and shame were jointly agitating. Seeing that no dependence


+  was to be placed in him for protection, the farmers of the revenue, forming


+  themselves into a wedge, rushed into the void space occasioned by the removal


+  of the people for the purpose of causing disturbance, wrangling at the same


+  time with the people and the tribunes. The affair had now almost proceeded to


+  violence, when Fulvius Flaccus, the consul, addressing the tribunes, said, "Do


+  you not see that you are degraded to the common rank, and that an insurrection


+  will be the result, unless you speedily dismiss the assembly of the commons."


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">4 </div>


+<a id="g4" />


+<p>The commons being dismissed, the senate was assembled, when the consuls proposed


+  the consideration of the interruption experienced by the assembly of the commons,


+  in consequence of the violence and audacity of the farmers of the revenue. They


+  said, that "Marcus Furius Camillus, whose banishment was followed by the downfall


+  of the city, had suffered himself to be condemned by his exasperated countrymen.


+  That before him, the decemviri, according to whose laws they lived up to the


+  present day, and afterwards many men of the first rank in the state, had submitted


+  to have sentence passed upon them by the people. But Posthumius Pyrgensis had


+  wrested from the Roman people their right of suffrage, had dissolved the assembly


+  of the commons, had set at nought the authority of the tribunes, had drawn up


+  a body of men in battle-array against the Roman people; and seized upon a post,


+  in order to cut off the tribunes from the commons, and prevent the tribes being


+  called to give their votes. That the only thing which had restrained the people


+  from bloodshed and violence, was the forbearance of the magistrates in giving


+  way for the moment to the fury and audacity of a few individuals, and suffering


+  themselves and the Roman people to be overcome; and that no opportunity might


+  be afforded those who were seeking an occasion of violence, in dissolving, agreeably


+  to the wish of the defendant himself, that assembly which he was about to interrupt


+  by force of arms." Observations of this kind having been urged with a warmth


+  proportioned to the atrocity of the conduct which called them forth, by all


+  the most respectable persons, and the senate having passed a decree to the effect


+  that the violence offered was prejudicial to the state, and a precedent of pernicious


+  tendency, immediately the Carvilii, tribunes of the people, giving up the action


+  for a fine, appointed a day on which Posthumius should be tried capitally, and


+  ordered, that unless he gave bail, he should be apprehended by the beadle, and


+  carried to prison. Posthumius gave bail, but did not appear. The tribunes then


+  proposed to the commons, and the commons resolved, that if Marcus Posthumius


+  did not appear before the calends of May, and if on being cited on that day


+  he did not answer, and sufficient cause were not shown why he did not, he would


+  be adjudged an exile, his goods would be sold, and himself interdicted from


+  water and fire. They then proceeded to indict capitally, and demand bail of


+  each of the persons who had been the promoters of the disorder and riot. At


+  first they threw into prison those who did not give bail, and afterwards even


+  such as could; upon which the greater part of them went into exile, to avoid


+  the danger to which this proceeding exposed them. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">5 </div>


+<a id="g5" />


+<p>The knavery of the revenue farmers, and their subsequent audacious conduct


+  to screen themselves from its effects, thus terminated. An assembly was then


+  held for the creation of a chief pontiff. The new pontiff, Marcus Cornelius


+  Cethegus, presided. The election was contested with the greatest obstinacy by


+  three candidates, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, the consul, who had been twice consul


+  before and censor, Titus Manhus Torquatus, who had himself also been distinguished


+  by two consulships and the censorship, and Publius Licinius Ciassus, who was


+  about to stand for the office of curule aedile. In this contest, the last-mentioned


+  candidate, though a young man, beat the others, who were his superiors in years,


+  and had filled offices of honour. Before him there had not been a man for a


+  hundred and twenty years, except Publius Cornelius Calussa, who had been created


+  chief pontiff without having sat in the curule chair. Though the consuls found


+  great difficulty in completing the levy, for in consequence of the scarcity


+  of young men, it was not easy to procure enough for the two purposes of forming


+  the new city legions, and recruiting the old ones, the senate forbade them to


+  desist from the attempt, and ordered two triumvirates to be appointed, one of


+  which within, the other without the fiftieth mile from the city, might ascertain


+  the utmost number of free-born men which were to be found in the villages, and


+  market towns, and hamlets, and enlist whom they thought strong enough to bear


+  arms, though they had not attained the military age. That the tribunes of the


+  people, if they thought proper, should propose to the people, that such as should


+  take the military oath being under seventeen years, should be allowed to reckon


+  their period of service in the same manner as if they had enlisted at seventeen


+  or older. The two triumvirates, created agreeably to this decree of the senate,


+  enlisted free-born men throughout the country. At the same time a letter from


+  Marcellus from Sicily, respecting the petition of the troops who served with


+  Publius Lentulus, was read in the senate. These troops were the relics of the


+  disaster at Cannae, and had been sent out of the way into Sicily, as has been


+  mentioned before, on an understanding that they should not be brought home before


+  the conclusion of the Carthaginian war. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">6 </div>


+<a id="g6" />


+<p>With the permission of Lentulus, these men sent the most distinguished of the


+  cavalry and centurions, and a select body of the legionary infantry, as ambassadors


+  to Marcellus, to his winter quarters. Having obtained leave to speak, one of


+  them thus addressed him: "We should have approached you, Marcus Marcellus, when


+  consul in Italy, as soon as that decree of the senate was passed respecting


+  us, which, though not unjust, was certainly severe, had we not hoped, that being


+  sent into a province which was in a state of disorder in consequence of the


+  death of its kings, to carry on an arduous war against the Sicilians and Carthaginians


+  together, we should make atonement to the state by our blood and wounds, in


+  the same manner as, within the memory of our fathers, those who were taken prisoners


+  by Pyrrhus at Heraclea, made atonement by fighting against the same Pyrrhus.


+  And yet, for what fault of ours, conscript fathers, did you then, or do you


+  now, feel displeasure towards us; for when I look upon you, Marcus Marcellus,


+  I seem to behold both the consuls and the whole body of the senate; and had


+  you been our consul at Cannae, a better fate would have attended the state as


+  well as ourselves. Permit me, I entreat you, before I complain of the hardship


+  of our situation, to clear ourselves of the guilt with which we are charged.


+  If it was neither by the anger of the gods, nor by fate, according to whose


+  laws the course of human affairs is unalterably fixed, but by misconduct that


+  we were undone at Cannae; but whose was that misconduct; the soldiers', or that


+  of their generals? For my own part, I, as a soldier, will never say a word of


+  my commander, particularly when I know that he received the thanks of the senate


+  for not having despaired of the state; and who has been continued in command


+  through every year since his flight from Cannae. We have heard that others also


+  who survived that disaster, who were military tribunes, solicit and fill offices


+  of honour, and have the command of provinces. Do you then, conscript fathers,


+  pardon yourselves and your children, while you exercise severity towards such


+  insignificant persons as we are? It was no disgrace to a consul and other leading


+  persons in the state, to fly when no other hope remained; and did you send your


+  soldiers into the field as persons who must of necessity die there? At the Allia


+  nearly the whole army fled; at the Caudine Forks the troops delivered up their


+  arms to the enemy, without even making an effort; not to mention other disgraceful


+  defeats of our armies. Yet, so far from any mark of infamy being sought for,


+  which might be fixed upon these troops, the city of Rome was recovered by means


+  of those very troops who had fled to Veii from the Allia; and the Caudine legions,


+  which had returned to Rome without their arms, being sent back armed to Samnium,


+  brought under the yoke that very enemy who had exulted in the disgrace which,


+  in this instance, attached to them. But is there a man who can bring a charge


+  of cowardice or running away against the army which fought at Cannae, where


+  more than fifty thousand men fell; from whence the consul fled with only seventy


+  horsemen; where not a man survived, except perchance those whom the enemy left,


+  being wearied with killing? When the proposal to ransom the prisoners was negatived,


+  we were the objects of general commendation, because we reserved ourselves for


+  the service of the state; because we returned to the consul to Venusia, and


+  exhibited an appearance of a regular army. Now we are in a worse condition than


+  those who were taken prisoners in the time of our fathers; for they only had


+  their arms, the nature of their service, and the place where they might pitch


+  their tents in the camp altered; all which, however, they got restored by one


+  service rendered to the state, and by one successful battle. Not one of them


+  was sent away into banishment; not one was deprived of the hope of completing


+  the period of his service; in short, an enemy was assigned to them, fighting


+  with whom they might at once terminate their life or their disgrace. We, to


+  whom nothing can be objected, except that it is owing to us that any Roman soldier


+  has survived the battle of Cannae, are removed far away, not only from our country


+  and Italy, but even from an enemy; where we may grow old in exile, where we


+  can have no hope or opportunity of obliterating our disgrace, of appeasing the


+  indignation of our countrymen, or, in short, of obtaining an honourable death.


+  We seek neither to have our ignominy terminated, nor our virtue rewarded, we


+  only ask to be allowed to make trial of our courage, and to exercise our virtue.


+  We seek for labour and danger that we may discharge the duty of men and soldiers.


+  A war is carrying on in Sicily, now for the second year, with the utmost vigour


+  on both sides. The Carthaginians are storming some cities, the Romans others,


+  armies of infantry and horse are engaging in battle, at Syracuse the war is


+  prosecuted by sea and by land. We hear distinctly the shout of the combatants,


+  and the din of arms, while we ourselves lie inactive and unemployed, as if we


+  had neither hands nor arms. The consul, Sempronius has now fought many pitched


+  battles with the enemy with legions of slaves. They receive as the fruits of


+  their exertion their liberty, and the rights of citizens. Let us at least be


+  employed by you as slaves purchased for the service of this war, let us be allowed


+  to combat with the enemy and acquire our freedom by fighting. Do you wish to


+  make trial of our valour by sea, by land, in a pitched battle, or in the assault


+  of towns? We ask as our portion all those enterprises which present the greatest


+  difficulty and danger, that what ought to have been done at Cannae may be done


+  as soon as possible, for the whole of our subsequent lives has been doomed to


+  ignominy." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">7 </div>


+<a id="g7" />


+<p>At the conclusion of this speech they prostrated themselves at the knees of


+  Marcellus. Marcellus replied, that the question was neither within his authority


+  nor his power, that he would, however, write to the senate, and be guided in


+  every thing he did by the judgment of the fathers. This letter was brought to


+  the new consuls, and by them read in the senate, and, on the question being


+  put relative to this letter, they decreed, "that the senate saw no reason why


+  the interests of the republic should be intrusted to the hands of soldiers who


+  had deserted then comrades, in battle, at Cannae. If Marcus Marcellus, the proconsul,


+  thought otherwise, that he should act as he deemed consistent with the good


+  of the republic and his own honour, with this proviso, however, that none of


+  these men should be exempt from service, nor be presented with any military


+  reward in consideration of valour, or be conveyed back to Italy, while the enemy


+  was in that country." After this, agreeably to the decree of the senate, and


+  the order of the people, an election was held by the city praetor, at which


+  five commissioners were created for the purpose of repairing the walls and turrets,


+  and two sets of triumviri, one to search for the property belonging to the temples,


+  and to register the offerings, the other for repairing the temples of Fortune


+  and Mother Matuta within the Carmental gate, and also that of Hope without the


+  gate, which had been destroyed by fire the year before. Dreadful storms occurred


+  at this time. It rained stones for two days without intermission in the Alban


+  mount. Many places were struck by lightning; two buildings in the Capitol, the


+  rampart in the camp above Suessula in many places, and two of the men on guard


+  were killed. A wall and certain towers at Cannae were not only struck with lightning,


+  but demolished. At Reate, a vast rock was seen to fly about; the sun appeared


+  unusually red and blood-like. On account of these prodigies there was a supplication


+  for one day, and the consuls employed themselves for several days in sacred


+  rites; at the same time there was a sacred rite performed through nine days.


+  An accidental circumstance which occurred at a distance, hastened the revolt


+  of Tarentum, which had now for a long time been the object of the hopes of Hannibal


+  and of the suspicion of the Romans. Phileas, a native of Tarentum, who had been


+  a long time at Rome under the pretence of an embassy, being a man of a restless


+  mind, and ill brooking that inactive state in which he considered that his powers


+  had been for too long a time sinking into imbecility, discovered for himself


+  a means of access to the Tarentine hostages. They were kept in the court of


+  the temple of Liberty, and guarded with less care, because it was neither the


+  interest of themselves nor of their state to escape from the Romans. By corrupting


+  two of the keepers of the temple, he was enabled to hold frequent conferences


+  with them, at which he solicited them to come into this design; and having brought


+  them out of their place of confinement as soon as it was dark, he became the


+  companion of their clandestine flight, and got clear away. As soon as day dawned,


+  the news of their escape spread through the city, and a party sent in pursuit,


+  having seized them all at Tarracina, brought them back. They were led into the


+  Comitium, and after being scourged with rods, with the approbation of the people,


+  were thrown down from the rock. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">8 </div>


+<a id="g8" />


+<p>The severity of this punishment exasperated the inhabitants of two of the most


+  distinguished Greek states in Italy, not only publicly as communities, but privately


+  as individuals, according as each was connected, either by relationship or friendship,


+  with those who had been so disgracefully put to death. Of these about thirteen


+  noble Tarentine youths formed a conspiracy, the chief of whom were Nico and


+  Philemenus. Concluding that it would be right to confer with Hannibal before


+  they took any step, they went to him, having been allowed to go out of the city


+  by night on pretence of hunting. When they were now not far from the camp, all


+  the rest hid themselves in a wood by the road side; but Nico and Philemenus,


+  proceeding to the advanced guard, were seized, and at their own request brought


+  before Hannibal. Having laid before him the motives of their plan, and the object


+  they had in view, they received the highest commendation, and were loaded with


+  promises; and that their countrymen might believe that they had gone out of


+  the city to obtain plunder, they were desired to drive to the city some cattle


+  of the Carthaginians which had been sent out to graze. A promise was given them


+  that they might do this without danger or interruption. The booty of the young


+  men attracted notice, and less astonishment was therefore felt that they should


+  frequently repeat the attempt. At a second meeting with Hannibal they entered


+  into a solemn engagement, that the Tarentines should be free, enjoying their


+  own laws, and all their rights uninterfered with; that they should neither pay


+  any tribute to the Carthaginians, nor receive a garrison against their will;


+  that their present garrison should be delivered up to the Carthaginians. These


+  points being agreed upon, Philemenus then began to repeat more frequently his


+  customary practice of going out and returning to the city followed by his dogs,


+  and furnished with the other requisites for hunting; for he was remarkable for


+  his fondness of hunting; and generally bringing home something which he had


+  captured or taken away from the enemy, who had purposely placed it in his way


+  he presented it to the commander or the guards of the gates. They supposed that


+  he preferred going and returning by night through fear of the enemy. After this


+  practice had become so familiar, that at whatever time of the night he gave


+  a signal, by whistling, the gate was opened, Hannibal thought that it was now


+  time to put the plan in execution. He was at the distance of three days' journey,


+  and to diminish the wonder which would be felt at his keeping his camp fixed


+  in one and the same place so long, he feigned himself ill. Even to the Romans


+  who formed the garrison of Tarentum, his protracted inactivity had ceased to


+  be an object of suspicion. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">9 </div>


+<a id="g9" />


+<p>But after he determined to proceed to Tarentum, selecting from his infantry


+  and cavalry ten thousand men, whom, from activity of body, and lightness of


+  arms, he judged best adapted for the expedition, he began his march in the fourth


+  watch of the night; and sending in advance about eighty Numidian horsemen, ordered


+  them to scour the country on each side of the road, and narrowly examine every


+  place, lest any of the rustics who might have observed his army at a distance


+  should escape; to bring back those who were got before, and kill those whom


+  they met, that they might appear to the neighbouring inhabitants to be a plundering


+  party, rather than a regular army. Hannibal himself, marching at a rapid pace,


+  pitched his camp about fifteen miles from Tarentum; and without telling his


+  soldiers even there, what was their destination, he only called them together


+  and admonished them to march all of them in the road, and not to suffer any


+  one to turn aside or deviate from the line; and above all, that they would be


+  on the watch, so as to catch the word of command, and not do any thing without


+  the order of their leaders; that in due time he would issue his commands as


+  to what he wished to be done. About the same hour a rumour reached Tarentum,


+  that a few Numidian horsemen were devastating the fields, and had terrified


+  the rustics through a wide extent of country; at which intelligence the Roman


+  praefect took no further step than to order a division of his cavalry to go


+  out the following day at sunrise to check the depredations of the enemy; and


+  so far was he from directing his attention to any thing else on this account,


+  that on the contrary, this excursion of the Numidians was a proof to him that


+  Hannibal and his army had not moved from his camp. Early in the night Hannibal


+  put his troops in motion, and Philemenus, with his customary burden of prey


+  taken in hunting, was his guide. The rest of the conspirators waited the accomplishment


+  of what had been concerted; and the agreement was, that Philemenus, while bringing


+  in his prey through the small gate by which he was accustomed to pass, should


+  introduce some armed men, while Hannibal in another quarter approached the gate


+  called Temenis, which faced the east, in that quarter which was towards the


+  continent, near the tombs which were within the walls. When he drew near to


+  the gate, Hannibal raised a fire according to agreement, which made a blaze;


+  the same signal was returned by Nico, and the fires were extinguished on both


+  sides. Hannibal led his troops on in silence to the gate. Nico suddenly fell


+  upon the guards while asleep, slew them in their beds, and opened the gate.


+  Hannibal then entered with his infantry, ordering his cavalry to stay behind,


+  that they might be able to bring their assistance wherever it was required without


+  obstruction. Philemenus also in another quarter approached the small gate by


+  which he was accustomed to pass and re-pass. His voice, which was well known,


+  for he said he could scarcely bear the weight of the huge beast he had gotten,


+  and his signal, which had now become familiar, having roused the guard, the


+  small gate was opened. Two youths carrying in a boar, Philemenus himself followed,


+  with a huntsman, unencumbered, and while the attention of the guard was incautiously


+  turned upon those who carried the boar, in consequence of its astonishing size,


+  he transfixed him with a hunting spear. About thirty armed men then entering,


+  slew the rest of the guards, and broke open the adjoining gate, when a body


+  of troops, in regular array, instantly rushed in. Being conducted hence in silence


+  to the forum, they joined Hannibal. The Carthaginian then sent the Tarentines,


+  with two thousand Gauls formed into three divisions, in different directions


+  through the city, with orders to occupy the most frequented streets. A confusion


+  arising, the Romans were put to the sword on all hands. The townsmen were spared;


+  but in order to insure this, he instructed the Tarentine youths, when they saw


+  any of their friends at a distance, to bid them be quiet and silent, and be


+  of good courage. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">10 </div>


+<a id="g10" />


+<p>The tumult and clamour was now such as usually takes place in a captured city,


+  but no man knew for certain what was the occasion. The Tarentines supposed that


+  the Romans had suddenly risen to plunder the city. To the Romans it appeared,


+  that some commotion had been set on foot by the townsmen with a treacherous


+  design. The praefect, who was awakened at the first alarm, escaped to the port,


+  whence getting into a boat he was conveyed round to the citadel. The sound of


+  a trumpet also from the theatre excited alarm; for it was a Roman trumpet, prepared


+  by the conspirators for this very purpose; and as it was blown unskilfully by


+  a Grecian, it could not be ascertained who gave the signal, or to whom it was


+  given. At dawn of the day, the Romans recognised the Carthaginian and Gallic


+  arms, which removed all doubt; and the Greeks, seeing the bodies of slain Romans


+  spread about in all directions, perceived that the city had been taken by Hannibal.


+  When the light had increased, so that they could discriminate with greater certainty,


+  and the Romans who survived the carnage had taken refuge in the citadel, the


+  tumult now beginning to subside a little, Hannibal gave orders to assemble the


+  Tarentines without their arms. All of them attended the assembly, except those


+  who had accompanied the Romans in their retreat to the citadel, to share every


+  fortune with them. Here Hannibal having addressed the Tarentines in terms of


+  kindness, and appealed to the services he had rendered to those of their countrymen


+  whom he had captured at the Trasimenus and at Cannae, and having at the same


+  time inveighed against the haughty domination of the Romans, desired that they


+  would every one of them retire to their respective houses, and inscribe their


+  names upon their doors; declaring, that he should give orders that those houses


+  which had not the names written upon them should be plundered. That if any man


+  should write his name upon the house of a Roman, (and the Romans occupied houses


+  by themselves,) he should treat him as an enemy. Having dismissed the assembly,


+  and the names inscribed upon the doors having made it easy to distinguish the


+  house of an enemy from that of a friend, on a signal given, the troops ran in


+  every direction to plunder the lodgings of the Romans, and a considerable booty


+  was found. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">11 </div>


+<a id="g11" />


+<p>The next day he led his troops to assault the citadel; but seeing that it was


+  protected by very high rocks towards the sea, which washed the greater part


+  of it, and formed it into a sort of peninsula, and towards the city by a wall


+  and ditch, and consequently that it could not be taken by assault or by works;


+  lest the design to protect the Tarentines should detain him from the prosecution


+  of more important objects, and lest the Romans should have the power of sallying


+  from the citadel whenever they pleased against the Tarentines, if left without


+  a strong protecting force, he resolved to cut off the communication between


+  the citadel and city by a rampart; not without a hope that he might have an


+  opportunity of fighting with the Romans, when attempting to obstruct the work;


+  and if they should sally forth too eagerly, that by killing many of them the


+  strength of the garrison would be so far reduced, that the Tarentines alone


+  would be easily able to defend themselves from them. After they had begun, the


+  Romans, suddenly throwing open the gate, rushed in upon the workmen. The guard


+  stationed before the works allowed itself to be driven back, in order that their


+  boldness might be increased by success, and that they might pursue them when


+  driven back, in greater numbers, and to a greater distance. Then on a signal


+  given, the Carthaginians, whom Hannibal kept in readiness for this purpose,


+  sprang up on all sides; nor could the Romans sustain the attack, but were prevented


+  from precipitate flight by the narrowness of the ground, by impediments occasioned


+  in some places by the works already commenced, in others by the preparations


+  for the work. Most of them were driven headlong into the ditch, and more were


+  killed in the flight than in the battle. After this the work was commenced without


+  any attempt to obstruct it. A large ditch was formed, within which a rampart


+  was thrown up. He prepared also to add a wall at a small distance, and on the


+  same side, that they might defend themselves from the Romans even without a


+  garrison. He, however, left them a small force, at once for their protection


+  and to assist in building the wall. The general himself, setting out with the


+  rest of his forces, pitched his camp at the river Galaesus, five miles from


+  the city. Returning from this position to inspect the work, which had gone on


+  somewhat faster than he had anticipated, he conceived a hope that the citadel


+  might even be taken by storm; for it was not protected by an elevated situation


+  as the other parts were, but placed upon a plain, and separated from the city


+  only by a wall and ditch. While subjected to an attack from every kind of military


+  engine and work, a reinforcement sent from Metapontum inspired the Romans with


+  courage to assault the works of the enemy, by a sudden attack, under cover of


+  the night. Some of them they threw down, others they destroyed by fire, and


+  thus there was an end to Hannibal's attempts against the citadel in that quarter.


+  His only remaining hope was in a siege; nor did that afford a good prospect


+  of success, because, occupying a citadel which was placed on a peninsula and


+  commanded the entrance of the harbour, they had the sea open to them, while


+  the city, on the contrary, was deprived of any supplies by sea: and thus the


+  besiegers were in greater danger of want than the besieged. Hannibal assembled


+  the chief men of the Tarentines, and laid before them all the present difficulties.


+  He said, "That he could neither discover any method by which a citadel so well


+  fortified could be taken, nor could he hope for any favourable result from a


+  siege, while the enemy was master of the sea; but that if ships could be obtained,


+  by which the introduction of supplies might be prevented, the enemy would either


+  immediately evacuate it, or surrender themselves." The Tarentines agreed with


+  him; but were of opinion, that "he who gave the advice ought also to assist


+  in carrying it into execution; for if the Carthaginian ships were brought there


+  from Sicily, they would be able to effect it; but by what means could their


+  own ships, shut up as they were in a confined harbour, the mouth of which was


+  in the command of the enemy, be brought out into the open sea." "They shall


+  be brought out," said Hannibal. "Many things which are difficult in themselves,


+  are easily effected by contrivance. You have a city situated upon a plain; you


+  have level and sufficiently wide roads extending in every direction. By the


+  road which runs through the midst of the city from the harbour to the sea I


+  will convey your ships in waggons without any great difficulty, and the sea


+  will be ours which the enemy now commands. We will invest the citadel on one


+  side by sea, on the other by land; nay, rather, in a short time, we will take


+  it either abandoned by the enemy, or with the enemy in it." This speech not


+  only inspired hopes of accomplishing the object, but excited the greatest admiration


+  of the general. Waggons were immediately collected from every quarter and joined


+  together; machines were employed to haul the ships on shore, and the road was


+  prepared, in order that the waggons might run more easily, and thus the difficulty


+  of passing be diminished. Beasts of burden and men were next collected, and


+  the work was actively commenced. After the lapse of a few days, the fleet, equipped


+  and ready for action, sailed round the citadel, and cast anchor just before


+  the mouth of the harbour. Such was the state of things at Tarentum, when Hannibal


+  left it and returned to his winter quarters. Authors, however, are divided as


+  to whether the defection of the Tarentines took place in the present or former


+  year. The greater number, and those who, from their age, were more able to recollect


+  these events, represent it to have occurred in the present year. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">12 </div>


+<a id="g12" />


+<p>The Latin holidays detained the consuls and praetors at Rome till the fifth


+  of the calends of May; on which day, having completed the solemnities on the


+  mount, they proceeded to their respective provinces. Afterwards a new difficulty


+  respecting religious matters arose out of the prophetic verses of Marcius, who


+  had been a distinguished soothsayer; and on a search being made the year before,


+  for books of this description, agreeably to a decree of the senate, these verses


+  had fallen into the hands of Marcus Atilius, the city praetor, who had the management


+  of that business, and he had immediately handed them over to the new praetor,


+  Sulla. The importance attached to one of the two predictions of Marcius, which


+  was brought to light after the event to which it related had occurred, and the


+  truth of which was confirmed by the event, attached credence to the other, the


+  time of whose fulfilment had not yet arrived. In the former prophecy, the disaster


+  at Cannae was predicted in nearly these words: "Roman of Trojan descent, fly


+  the river Canna, lest foreigners should compel thee to fight in the plain of


+  Diomede. But thou wilt not believe me until thou shalt have filled the plain


+  with blood, and the river carries into the great sea, from the fruitful land,


+  many thousands of your slain countrymen, and thy flesh becomes a prey for fishes,


+  birds, and beasts inhabiting the earth. For thus hath Jupiter declared to me."


+  Those who had served in that quarter recognised the correspondence with respect


+  to the plains of the Argive Diomede and the river Canna, as well as the defeat


+  itself. The other prophecy was then read, which was more obscure, not only because


+  future events are more uncertain than past, but also from being more perplexed


+  in its style of composition. "Romans, if you wish to expel the enemy and the


+  ulcer which has come from afar, I advise, that games should be vowed, which


+  may be performed in a cheerful manner annually to Apollo; when the people shall


+  have given a portion of money from the public coffers, that private individuals


+  then contribute, each according to his ability. That the praetor shall preside


+  in the celebration of these games, who holds the supreme administration of justice


+  to the people and commons. Let the decemviri perform sacrifice with victims


+  after the Grecian fashion. If you do these things properly you will ever rejoice,


+  and your affairs will be more prosperous, for that deity will destroy your enemies


+  who now, composedly, feed upon your plains." They took one day to explain this


+  prophecy. The next day a decree of the senate was passed, that the decemviri


+  should inspect the books relating to the celebration of games and sacred rites


+  in honour of Apollo. After they had been consulted, and a report made to the


+  senate, the fathers voted, that "games should be vowed to Apollo and celebrated;


+  and that when the games were concluded, twelve thousand <i>asses</i> should


+  be given to the praetor to defray the expense of sacred ceremonies, and also


+  two victims of the larger sort." A second decree was passed, that "the decemviri


+  should perform sacrifice in the Grecian mode, and with the following victims:


+  to Apollo, with a gilded ox, and two white goats gilded; to Latona, with a gilded


+  heifer." When the praetor was about to celebrate the games in the Circus Maximus,


+  he issued an order, that during the celebration of the games, the people should


+  pay a contribution, as large as was convenient, for the service of Apollo. This


+  is the origin of the Apollinarian games, which were vowed and celebrated in


+  order to victory, and not restoration to health, as is commonly supposed. The


+  people viewed the spectacle in garlands; the matrons made supplications; the


+  people in general feasted in the courts of their houses, throwing the doors


+  open; and the day was distinguished by every description of ceremony. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">13 </div>


+<a id="g13" />


+<p>While Hannibal was in the neighbourhood of Tarentum, and both the consuls in


+  Samnium, though they seemed as if they were about to besiege Capua, the Campanians


+  were experiencing famine, that calamity which is the usual attendant of a protracted


+  siege. It was occasioned by the Roman armies' having prevented the sowing of


+  the lands. They therefore sent ambassadors to Hannibal, imploring him to give


+  orders that corn should be conveyed to Capua from the neighbouring places, before


+  both the consuls led their legions into their fields, and all the roads were


+  blocked up by the troops of the enemy. Hannibal ordered Hanno to pass with his


+  army from Bruttium into Campania, and to take care that the Campanians were


+  supplied with corn. Hanno, setting out from Bruttium with his army, and carefully


+  avoiding the camp of the enemy and the consuls who were in Samnium, when he


+  drew near to Beneventum, pitched his camp on an eminence three miles from the


+  city. He next ordered that the corn which had been collected during the summer,


+  should be brought from the neighbouring people in alliance with him, into his


+  camp, assigning a guard to escort those supplies. He then sent a messenger to


+  the Capuans, fixing a day when they should attend at his camp to receive the


+  corn, bringing with them vehicles and beasts of every description, collected


+  from every part of their country. The Campanians executed this business with


+  their usual indolence and carelessness. Somewhat more than four hundred vehicles,


+  with a few beasts of burden besides, were sent. After receiving a reproof from


+  Hanno for this conduct, who told them, that not even hunger, which excited dumb


+  animals to exertion, could stimulate them to diligence, another day was named


+  when they were to fetch the corn after better preparation. All these transactions


+  being reported to the Beneventans, just as they occurred, they lost no time


+  in sending ten ambassadors to the Roman consuls, who were encamped in the neighbourhood


+  of Bovianum. The consuls, hearing what was going on at Capua, arranged it so


+  that one of them should lead an army into Campania; and Fulvius, to whose lot


+  that province had fallen, setting out by night, entered the walls of Beneventum.


+  Being now near the enemy, he obtained information that Hanno had gone out to


+  forage with a portion of his troops; that the Campanians were supplied with


+  corn by a quaestor; that two thousand waggons had arrived together with an undisciplined


+  and unarmed rabble; that every thing was done in a disorderly and hurried manner;


+  and that the form of a camp, and all military subordination, were destroyed


+  by the intermixture of rustics out of the neighbourhood. This intelligence being


+  sufficiently authenticated, the consul ordered his soldiers to get ready only


+  their standards and arms against the next night, as he must attack the Carthaginian


+  camp. They set out at the fourth watch of the night, leaving all their packages


+  and baggage of every description at Beneventum; and arriving a little before


+  daylight at the camp, they occasioned such a panic, that, had the camp been


+  situated on level ground, it might doubtlessly have been taken on the first


+  assault. The height of its situation and the works defended it; for they could


+  not be approached on any side except by a steep and difficult ascent. At break


+  of day a hot engagement commenced, when the Carthaginians not only defended


+  their rampart, but having more even ground, threw down the enemy as they attempted


+  to ascend the steep. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">14 </div>


+<a id="g14" />


+<p>Persevering courage, however, at length prevailed over every impediment, and


+  they made their way up to the ditch and rampart in several parts at the same


+  time, but with many wounds and much loss of soldiers. The consul, therefore


+  assembling the military tribunes, said they must desist from this inconsiderate


+  enterprise; and that it appeared to him to be the safer course, that the troops


+  should be led back to Beneventum for that day, and then on the following day


+  to pitch his camp close to that of the enemy, so that the Campanians could not


+  quit it, nor Hanno return to it; and in order that that object might be attained


+  with the greater ease, that he should send for his colleague and his army; and


+  that they would direct their whole force on that point. This plan of the general


+  was disconcerted, after the signal began to sound for a retreat, by the clamours


+  of the soldiery, who despised so pusillanimous an order. Nearest to the gate


+  of the enemy's camp was a Pelignian cohort, whose commander, Vibius Accuaeus,


+  seizing the standard, threw it over the rampart. Then pronouncing a curse upon


+  himself and his cohort, if the enemy got possession of that standard, he rushed


+  forward before the rest, and crossing the ditch and rampart, burst into the


+  camp of the enemy. The Pelignians were now fighting within the rampart, when


+  in another quarter Valerius Flaccus, a military tribune of the third legion,


+  taunting the Romans with cowardice for conceding to allies the honour of taking


+  the camp. Titus Pedanius, first centurion of the first century, snatched the


+  standard out of the hands of the standard-bearer, and cried out, "Soon shall


+  this standard, and this centurion, be within the rampart of the enemy; let those


+  follow who would prevent the standard's being captured by the enemy." Crossing


+  the ditch, he was followed first by the men of his own maniple, and then by


+  the whole legion. By this time the consul also, changing his plan on seeing


+  them crossing the rampart, began to incite and encourage his soldiers, instead


+  of calling them off; representing to them, how critical and perilous was the


+  situation of the bravest cohort of their allies and a legion of their countrymen.


+  All, therefore, severally exerting themselves to the utmost, regardless whether


+  the ground were even or uneven, while showers of weapons were thrown against


+  them from all sides, the enemy opposing their arms and their persons to obstruct


+  them, made their way and burst in. Many who were wounded, even those whose blood


+  and strength failed them, pressed forward, that they might fall within the rampart


+  of the enemy. The camp, therefore, was taken in an instant, as if it had been


+  situated upon level ground, and not completely fortified. What followed was


+  a carnage rather than a battle. The troops of both sides being huddled together


+  within the rampart, above six thousand of the enemy were slain; above seven


+  thousand, together with the Campanians who fetched the corn, and the whole collection


+  of waggons and beasts of burden, were captured. There was also a great booty,


+  which Hanno in his predatory excursions, which he had been careful to make in


+  every quarter, had drawn together from the lands of the allies of the Romans.


+  After throwing down the camp of the enemy, they returned thence to Beneventum;


+  and there both the consuls (for Appius Claudius came thither a few days after)


+  sold the booty and distributed it, making presents to those by whose exertions


+  the camp of the enemy had been captured; above all, to Accuaeus the Pelignian,


+  and Titus Pedanius, first centurion of the third legion. Hanno, setting off


+  from Cominium in the territory of Cere, whither intelligence of the loss of


+  the camp had reached him, with a small party of foragers, whom he happened to


+  have with him, returned to Bruttium, more after the manner of a flight than


+  a march. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">15 </div>


+<a id="g15" />


+<p>The Campanians, when informed of the disaster which had befallen themselves


+  and their allies, sent ambassadors to Hannibal to inform him, that "the two


+  consuls were at Beneventum, which was a day's march from Capua; that the war


+  was all but at their gates and their walls; and that if he did not hasten to


+  their assistance, Capua would fall into the power of the enemy sooner than Arpi


+  had; that not even Tarentum itself, much less its citadel, ought to be considered


+  of so much consequence as to induce him to deliver up to the Roman people, abandoned


+  and undefended, Capua, which he used to place on an equal footing with Carthage."


+  Hannibal, promising that he would not neglect the interest of the Campanians,


+  sent, for the present, two thousand horse, with the ambassadors, aided by which,


+  they might secure their lands from devastation. The Romans, meanwhile, among


+  the other things which engaged their attention, had an eye to the citadel of


+  Tarentum, and the garrison besieged therein. Caius Servilius, lieutenant-general,


+  having been sent, according to the advice of the fathers, by Publius Cornelius,


+  the praetor, to purchase corn in Etruria, made his way into the harbour of Tarentum,


+  through the guard-ships of the enemy, with some ships of burden. At his arrival,


+  those who before, having very slight hopes of holding out, were frequently invited


+  by the enemy, in conferences, to pass over to them, now, on the contrary, were


+  the persons to invite and solicit the enemy to come over to them; and now, as


+  the soldiers who were at Metapontum had been brought to assist in guarding the


+  citadel of Tarentum, the garrison was sufficiently powerful. In consequence


+  of this measure, the Metapontines, being freed from the fears which had influenced


+  them, immediately revolted to Hannibal. The people of Thurium, situated on the


+  same coast, did the same. They were influenced not more by the defection of


+  the Metapontines and Tarentines, with whom they were connected, being sprung


+  from the same country, Achaia, than by resentment towards the Romans, in consequence


+  of the recent execution of the hostages. The friends and relations of these


+  hostages sent a letter and a message to Hanno and Mago, who were not far off


+  among the Bruttii, to the effect, that if they brought their troops up to the


+  walls, they would deliver the city into their hands. Marcus Atinius was in command


+  at Thurium, with a small garrison, who they thought might easily be induced


+  to engage rashly in a battle, not from any confidence which he reposed in his


+  troops, of which he had very few, but in the youth of Thurium, whom he had purposely


+  formed into centuries, and armed against emergencies of this kind. The generals,


+  after dividing their forces between them, entered the territory of Thurium;


+  and Hanno, with a body of infantry, proceeded towards the city in hostile array.


+  Hanno staid behind with the cavalry, under the cover of some hills, conveniently


+  placed for the concealment of an ambush. Atinius, having by his scouts discovered


+  only the body of infantry, led his troops into the field, ignorant both of the


+  domestic treachery and of the stratagem of the enemy. The engagement with the


+  infantry was particularly dull, a few Romans in the first rank engaging while


+  the Thurians rather waited than helped on the issue. The Carthaginian line retreated,


+  on purpose that they might draw the incautious enemy to the back of the hill,


+  where their cavalry were lying in ambush; and when they had come there, the


+  cavalry rising up on a sudden with a shout, immediately put to flight the almost


+  undisciplined rabble of the Thurians, not firmly attached to the side on which


+  they fought. The Romans, notwithstanding they were surrounded and hard pressed


+  on one side by the infantry, on the other by the cavalry, yet prolonged the


+  battle for a considerable time; but at length even they were compelled to turn


+  their backs, and fled towards the city. There the conspirators, forming themselves


+  into a dense body, received the multitude of their countrymen with open gates;


+  but when they perceived that the routed Romans were hurrying towards the city,


+  they exclaimed that the Carthaginian was close at hand, and that the enemy would


+  enter the city mingled with them, unless they speedily closed the gates. Thus


+  they shut out the Romans, and left them to be cut up by the enemy. Atinius,


+  however, and a few others were taken in. After this for a short time there was


+  a division between them, some being of opinion that they ought to defend the


+  city, others that they ought, after all that had happened, to yield to fortune,


+  and deliver up the city to the conquerors; but, as it generally happens, fortune


+  and evil counsels prevailed. Having conveyed Atinius and his party to the sea


+  and the ships, more because they wished that care should be taken of him, in


+  consequence of the mildness and justice of his command, than from regard to


+  the Romans, they received the Carthaginians into the city. The consuls led their


+  legions from Beneventum into the Campanian territory, with the intention not


+  only of destroying the corn, which was in the blade, but of laying siege to


+  Capua; considering that they would render their consulate illustrious by the


+  destruction of so opulent a city, and that they would wipe away the foul disgrace


+  of the empire, from the defection of a city so near remaining unpunished for


+  three years. Lest, however, Beneventum should be left without protection, and


+  that in case of any sudden emergency, if Hannibal should come to Capua, in order


+  to bring assistance to his friends, which they doubted not he would do, the


+  cavalry might be able to sustain his attack, they ordered Tiberius Gracchus


+  to come from Lucania to Beneventum with his cavalry and light-armed troops and


+  to appoint some person to take the command of the legions and stationary camp,


+  for the defence of Lucania. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">16 </div>


+<a id="g16" />


+<p>An unlucky prodigy occurred to Gracchus, while sacrificing, previous to his


+  departure from Lucania. Two snakes gliding from a secret place to the entrails,


+  after the sacrifice was completed, ate the liver; and after having been observed,


+  suddenly vanished out of sight. The sacrifice having been repeated according


+  to the admonition of the aruspices, and the vessel containing the entrails being


+  watched with increased attention, it is reported that the snakes came a second,


+  and a third time, and, after tasting the liver, went away untouched. Though


+  the aruspices forewarned him that the portent had reference to the general,


+  and that he ought to be on his guard against secret enemies and machinations,


+  yet no foresight could avert the destiny which awaited him. There was a Lucanian,


+  named Flavius, the leader of that party which adhered to the Romans when the


+  others went over to Hannibal; he was this year in the magistracy, having been


+  created praetor by the same party. Suddenly changing his mind, and seeking to


+  ingratiate himself with the Carthaginians, he did not think it enough that he


+  himself should pass over to them, or that he should induce the Lucanians to


+  revolt with him, unless he ratified his league with the enemy with the head


+  and blood of the general, betrayed to them, though his guest. He entered into


+  a secret conference with Mago, who had the command in Bruttium, and receiving


+  a solemn promise from him, that he would take the Lucanians into his friendship,


+  without interfering with their laws, if he should betray the Roman general to


+  the Carthaginians, he conducted Mago to a place to which he was about to bring


+  Gracchus with a few attendants. He then directed Mago to arm his infantry and


+  cavalry, and to occupy the retired places there, in which he might conceal a


+  very large number of troops. After thoroughly inspecting and exploring the place


+  on all sides, a day was agreed upon for the execution of the affair. Flavius


+  came to the Roman general, and said, that "he had begun a business of great


+  importance, for the completion of which, it was necessary to have the assistance


+  of Gracchus himself. That he had persuaded the praetors of all the states which


+  had revolted to the Carthaginians in the general defection of Italy, to return


+  into the friendship of the Romans, since now the Roman power too, which had


+  almost come to ruin by the disaster at Cannae. was daily improving and increasing,


+  while the strength of Hannibal was sinking into decay, and was almost reduced


+  to nothing. He had told them that the Romans would be disposed to accept an


+  atonement for their former offence; that there never was any state more easy


+  to be entreated, or more ready to grant pardon; how often, he had observed to


+  them, had they forgiven rebellion even in their own ancestors! These considerations,"


+  he said, "he had himself urged, but that they would rather hear the same from


+  Gracchus himself in person, and touching his right hand, carry with them that


+  pledge of faith. That he had agreed upon a place with those who were privy to


+  the transaction, out of the way of observation, and at no great distance from


+  the Roman camp; that there the business might be settled in few words, so that


+  all the Lucanian states might be in the alliance and friendship of the Romans."


+  Gracchus, not suspecting any treachery either from his words or the nature of


+  the proposal, and being caught by the probability of the thing, set out from


+  the camp with his lictors and a troop of horse, under the guidance of his host,


+  and fell headlong into the snare. The enemy suddenly arose from their lurking-place,


+  and Flavius joined them; which made the treachery obvious. A shower of weapons


+  was poured from all sides on Gracchus and his troop. He immediately leaped from


+  his horse, and ordering the rest to do the same, exhorted them, that "as fortune


+  had left them only one course, they would render it glorious by their valour.


+  And what is there left," said he, "to a handful of men, surrounded by a multitude,


+  in a valley hemmed in by a wood and mountains, except death? The only question


+  was, whether, tamely exposing themselves to be butchered like cattle, they should


+  die unavenged; or whether, drawing the mind off from the idea of suffering and


+  anticipation of the event, and giving full scope to fury and resentment, they


+  should fall while doing and daring, covered with hostile blood, amid heaps of


+  arms and bodies of their expiring foes." He desired that "all would aim at the


+  Lucanian traitor and deserter;" adding, that "the man who should send that victim


+  to the shades before him, would acquire the most distinguished glory, and furnish


+  the highest consolation for his own death." While thus speaking, he wound his


+  cloak round his left arm, for they had not even brought their shields out with


+  them, and then rushed upon the enemy. The exertion made in the fight was greater


+  than could be expected from the smallness of the number. The bodies of the Romans


+  were most exposed to the javelins, with which, as they were thrown on all sides


+  from higher ground into a deep valley, they were transfixed. The Carthaginians


+  seeing Gracchus now bereft of support, endeavoured to take him alive; but he


+  having descried his Lucanian host among the enemy, rushed with such fury into


+  their dense body that it became impossible to save his life without a great


+  loss. Mago immediately sent his corpse to Hannibal, ordering it to be placed,


+  with the fasces which were taken at the same time, before the tribunal of the


+  general. This is the true account; Gracchus fell in Lucania, near the place


+  called the Old Plains. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">17 </div>


+<a id="g17" />


+<p>There are some who have put forth an account, stating, that when in the territory


+  of Beneventum, near the river Calor, having gone out from his camp with his


+  lictors and three servants, for the purpose of bathing, he was slain while naked


+  and unarmed, and endeavouring to defend himself with the stones which the river


+  brought down, by a party of the enemy which happened to be concealed among the


+  osiers which grew upon the banks. Others state, that having gone out five hundred


+  paces from the camp, at the instance of the aruspices, in order to expiate the


+  prodigies before mentioned on unpolluted ground, he was cut off by two troops


+  of Numidians who happened to be lying in ambush there. So different are the


+  accounts respecting the place and manner of the death of so illustrious and


+  distinguished a man. Various also are the accounts of the funeral of Gracchus.


+  Some say that he was buried by his own friends in the Roman camp; others relate,


+  and this is the more generally received account, that a funeral pile was erected


+  by Hannibal, in the entrance of the Carthaginian camp; that the troops under


+  arms performed evolutions, with the dances of the Spaniards, and motions of


+  the arms and body, which were customary with the several nations; while Hannibal


+  himself celebrated his obsequies with every mark of respect, both in word and


+  deed. Such is the account of those who assert that the affair occurred in Lucania.


+  If you are disposed to credit the statement of those who relate that he was


+  slain at the river Calor, the enemy got possession only of the head of Gracchus;


+  which being brought to Hannibal, he immediately despatched Carthalo to convey


+  it into the Roman camp to Cneius Cornelius, the quaestor, who buried the general


+  in the camp, the Beneventans joining the army in the celebration. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">18 </div>


+<a id="g18" />


+<p>The consuls having entered the Campanian territory, while devastating the country


+  on all sides, were alarmed, and thrown into confusion, by an eruption of the


+  townsmen and Mago with his cavalry. They called in their troops to their standards


+  from the several quarters to which they were dispersed, but having been routed


+  when they had scarcely formed their line, they lost above fifteen hundred men.


+  The confidence of the Campanians, who were naturally presumptuous, became excessive


+  in consequence of this event, and in many battles they challenged the Romans;


+  but this one battle, which they had been incautiously and imprudently drawn


+  into, had increased the vigilance of the consuls. Their spirits were restored,


+  while the presumption of the other party was diminished, by one trifling occurrence;


+  but in war nothing is so inconsiderable as not to be capable, sometimes, of


+  producing important consequences. Titus Quinctius Crispinus was a guest of Badius,


+  a Campanian, united with him by the greatest intimacy. Their acquaintance had


+  increased from the circumstance of Badius having received the most liberal and


+  kind attentions at the house of Crispinus, in a fit of illness, at Rome, before


+  the Campanian revolt. On the present occasion, Badius, advancing in front of


+  the guards, which were stationed before the gate, desired Crispinus to be called;


+  and Crispinus, on being informed of this, thinking that a friendly and familiar


+  interview was requested, and the memory of their private connexion remaining


+  even amidst the disruption of public ties, advanced a little from the rest.


+  When they had come within view of each other, Badius exclaimed, "I challenge


+  you to combat, Crispinus; let us mount our horses, and making the rest withdraw,


+  let us try which is the better soldier." In reply, Crispinus said, that "neither


+  of them were in want of enemies to display their valour upon; for his own part,


+  even if he should meet him in the field he would turn aside, lest he should


+  pollute his right-hand with the blood of a guest;" and then turning round, was


+  going away. But the Campanian, with increased presumption, began to charge him


+  with cowardice and effeminacy, and cast upon him reproaches which he deserved


+  himself, calling him "an enemy who sheltered himself under the title of host,


+  and one who pretended to spare him for whom he knew himself not to be a match.


+  If he considered; that when public treaties were broken, the ties of private


+  connexion were not severed with them, then Badius the Campanian openly, and


+  in the hearing of both armies, renounced his connexion of hospitality with Titus


+  Quinctius Crispinus the Roman. He said, that there could exist no fellowship


+  or alliance with him and an enemy whose country and tutelary gods, both public


+  and private, he had come to fight against. If he was a man, he would meet him."


+  Crispinus hesitated for a long time; but the men of his troop at length prevailed


+  upon him not to allow the Campanian to insult him with impunity. Waiting, therefore,


+  only to ask his generals whether they would allow him to fight, contrary to


+  rule, with an enemy who had challenged him; having obtained their permission,


+  he mounted his horse, and addressing Badius by name, called him out to the combat.


+  The Campanian made no delay. They engaged with their horses excited to hostility.


+  Crispinus transfixed Badius with his spear in the left shoulder, over his shield.


+  He fell from his horse in consequence of the wound; and Crispinus leaped down


+  to despatch him as he lay, on foot. But Badius, before his enemy was upon him,


+  ran off to his friends, leaving his horse and buckler. Crispinus, decorated


+  with the spoils, and displaying the horse and arms which he had seized together


+  with the bloody spear, was conducted amid the loud plaudits and congratulations


+  of the soldiery into the presence of the consuls, where he was highly commended,


+  and was presented with gifts. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">19 </div>


+<a id="g19" />


+<p>Hannibal, having moved his camp from the territory of Beneventum to Capua,


+  drew out his troops in order of battle the third day after his arrival; not


+  entertaining the least doubt but that, as the Campanians had fought successfully


+  a few days ago when he was absent, the Romans would be still less able to withstand


+  him and his army, which had been so often victorious. After the battle had commenced,


+  the Roman line was distressed chiefly from the attack of the cavalry, being


+  overwhelmed with their darts, till the signal was given to the Roman cavalry


+  to direct their horses against the enemy; thus it was a battle of the cavalry.


+  But at this time the Sempronian army, commanded by Cneius Cornelius the quaestor,


+  being descried at a distance, excited alarm in both parties equally, lest those


+  who were approaching should be fresh enemies. As if by concert, therefore, both


+  sounded a retreat; and the troops were withdrawn from the field to their camps,


+  in an equal condition; a greater number, however, of the Romans fell in the


+  first charge of the cavalry. The consuls, to divert the attention of Hannibal


+  from Capua, departed thence on the following night in different directions,


+  Fulvius into the territory of Cuma, Claudius into Lucania. The next day Hannibal,


+  having received intelligence that the camp of the Romans was deserted, and that


+  they had gone off in different directions in two divisions, doubtful at first


+  which he should follow, commenced the pursuit of Appius; who, after leading


+  him about whichever way he pleased, returned by another route to Capua. Hannibal,


+  while in this quarter, had another opportunity of gaining an advantage. Marcus


+  Centenius, surnamed Penula, was distinguished among the centurions of the first


+  rank by the size of his person, and his courage. Having gone through his period


+  of service, he was introduced to the senate by Publius Cornelius Sulla, when


+  he requested of the fathers that five thousand men might be placed at his disposal.


+  He said, that "as he was acquainted with the character of the enemy, and the


+  nature of the country, he should speedily perform some service; and that he


+  would employ those arts by which our generals and armies had been hitherto ensnared


+  against the inventor of them." This was not promised more foolishly than it


+  was believed; as if the qualifications of a soldier and a general were the same.


+  Instead of five, eight thousand men were given him, half Romans, half allies.


+  He himself also got together a considerable number of volunteers, in the country,


+  on his march; and having almost doubled his force, arrived in Lucania, where


+  Hannibal had halted after having in vain pursued Claudius. No doubt could be


+  entertained of the issue of a contest which was to take place between Hannibal,


+  as general on one side, and a centurion on the other; between armies, one of


+  which had grown old in victory, the other entirely inexperienced, and for the


+  most part even tumultuary and half-armed. As soon as the troops came within


+  sight of each other, and neither of them declined an engagement, the lines were


+  formed. The battle, notwithstanding the utter disparity of the contending parties,


+  lasted more than two hours, the Roman troops acting with the greatest spirit


+  as long as their general survived. But after that he had fallen, for he continually


+  exposed himself to the weapons of the enemy, not only from regard to his former


+  character, but through fear of the disgrace which would attach to him if he


+  survived a disaster occasioned by his own temerity, the Roman line was immediately


+  routed. But so completely were they prevented from flying, every way being beset


+  by the cavalry, that scarcely a thousand men escaped out of so large an army;


+  the rest were destroyed on all hands, in one way or other. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">20 </div>


+<a id="g20" />


+<p>The siege of Capua was now resumed by the consuls with the utmost energy. Every


+  thing requisite for the business was conveyed thither and got in readiness.


+  A store of corn was collected at Casilinum; at the mouth of the Vulturnus, where


+  a town now stands, a strong post was fortified; and a garrison was stationed


+  in Puteoli, which Fabius had formerly fortified, in order to have the command


+  of the neighbouring sea and the river. Into these two maritime forts, the corn


+  recently sent from Sicily, with that which Marcus Junius, the praetor, had bought


+  up in Etruria, was conveyed from Ostia, to supply the army during the winter.


+  But, in addition to the disaster sustained in Lucania, the army also of volunteer


+  slaves, who had served during the life of Gracchus with the greatest fidelity,


+  as if discharged from service by the death of their general, left their standards.


+  Hannibal was not willing that Capua should be neglected, or his allies deserted,


+  at so critical a juncture; but, having obtained such success from the temerity


+  of one Roman general, his attention was fixed on the opportunity which presented


+  itself of crushing the other general and his army. Ambassadors from Apulia reported


+  that Cneius Fulvius, the praetor, had at first conducted his measures with caution,


+  while engaged in besieging certain towns of Apulia, which had revolted to Hannibal;


+  but that afterwards, in consequence of extraordinary success, both himself and


+  his soldiers, being glutted with booty, had so given themselves up to licentiousness


+  and indolence, that all military discipline was disregarded. Having frequently


+  on other occasions, as well as but a few days ago, experienced what an army


+  was good for, when conducted by an unskilful commander, he moved his camp into


+  Apulia. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">21 </div>


+<a id="g21" />


+<p>The Roman legions, and the praetor, Fulvius, were in the neighbourhood of Herdonia,


+  where, receiving intelligence of the approach of the enemy, they had nearly


+  torn up the standards and gone out to battle without the praetor's orders; nor


+  did any thing tend more to prevent it than the assured hope they entertained


+  that they could do so whenever they pleased, consulting only their own will.


+  The following night, Hannibal having obtained information that the camp was


+  in a state of tumult, and that most of the troops were in a disorderly manner


+  urging the general to give the signal, and calling out to arms, and therefore


+  feeling convinced that an opportunity presented itself for a successful battle,


+  distributed three thousand light troops in the houses in the neighbourhood,


+  and among the thorns and woods. These, on a signal being given, were to rise


+  up from their lurking-place with one accord; and Mago, with about two thousand


+  horse, was ordered to occupy all the roads in the direction in which he supposed


+  their flight would be directed. Having made these preparations during the night,


+  he led his troops into the field at break of day. Nor did Fulvius decline the


+  challenge; not so much from any hope of success entertained by himself, as drawn


+  by the blind impetuosity of his soldiers. Accordingly, the line itself was formed


+  with the same want of caution with which they entered the field, agreeably to


+  the whim of the soldiers, who came up as chance directed, and took their stations


+  just where they pleased; which they afterwards abandoned, as fear or caprice


+  suggested. The first legion and the left wing of the allied troops were drawn


+  up in front. The line was extended to a great length, the tribunes remonstrating,


+  that there was no strength in it, and that wherever the enemy made the charge


+  they would break through it: but no salutary advice reached their minds, nor


+  even their ears. Hannibal was now come up, a general of a totally different


+  character, with an army neither similar in its nature, nor similarly marshalled.


+  The consequence was, that the Romans did not so much as sustain their shout


+  and first attack. Their general, equal to Centenius in folly and temerity, but


+  by no means to be compared with him in courage, when he saw things going against


+  him, and his troops in confusion, hastily mounting his horse, fled from the


+  field with about two hundred horsemen. The rest of the troops, beaten in front,


+  and surrounded on the flank and rear, were slaughtered to such a degree, that


+  out of eighteen thousand men, not more than two thousand escaped. The enemy


+  got possession of the camp. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">22 </div>


+<a id="g22" />


+<p>When these disastrous defeats, happening one upon another, were reported at


+  Rome, great grief and consternation seized the city. But still, as the consuls


+  had been hitherto successful when it was most important, they were the less


+  affected by these disasters. Caius Lastorius and Marcus Metilius were sent as


+  ambassadors to the consuls, with directions carefully to collect the remains


+  of the two armies, and use every endeavour to prevent their surrendering themselves


+  to the enemy, through fear or despair, (which was the case after the battle


+  of Cannae,) and to search for the deserters from the army of volunteer slaves.


+  Publius Cornelius was charged with the same business; to him also the levy was


+  intrusted. He caused an order to be issued throughout the market and smaller


+  towns, that search should be made for the volunteer slaves, and that they should


+  be brought back to their standards. All these things were executed with the


+  most vigilant care. The consul, Appius Claudius, having placed Decius Junius


+  in command at the mouth of the Vulturnus, and Marcus Aurelius Cotta at Puteoli,


+  with directions to send off the corn immediately to the camp, as each of the


+  ships from Etruria and Sardinia arrived with it, returned himself to Capua,


+  and found his colleague Quintus Fulvius at Casilinum, conveying every requisite


+  thence, and making every preparation for the siege of Capua. Both of them then


+  joined in besieging the city, summoning Claudius Nero, the praetor, from the


+  Claudian camp at Suessula; who, leaving a small garrison there, marched down


+  to Capua with all the rest of his forces. Thus there were three generals' tents


+  erected round Capua; and three armies, applying themselves to the work in different


+  parts, proceeded to surround the city with a ditch and rampart, erecting forts


+  at moderate intervals. The Campanians attempting to obstruct the work, a battle


+  was fought in several places at once; the consequence of which was, that at


+  length the Campanians confined themselves within their gates and walls. Before,


+  however, these works were carried quite round, ambassadors were sent to Hannibal


+  to complain that Capua was abandoned, and almost given up to the Romans, and


+  to implore him, that he would now, at least, bring them assistance, when they


+  were not only besieged, but surrounded by a rampart. A letter was sent to the


+  consuls from Publius Cornelius, the praetor, directing that before they completely


+  enclosed Capua with their works, they should grant permission to such of the


+  Campanians as chose to quit Capua, and take their property with them. That those


+  should retain their liberty, and all their possessions, who quitted it before


+  the ides of March, but that those who quitted it after that day, as well as


+  those who continued there, would be considered as enemies. Proclamation was


+  made to the Campanians to this effect, but it was received with such scorn,


+  that they spontaneously used insulting language and menaces. Hannibal had marched


+  his legions from Herdonea to Tarentum, with the hope of getting possession of


+  the citadel of that place, by force or stratagem. But not succeeding there,


+  he turned his course to Brundusium, thinking that town would be betrayed to


+  him, but, while fruitlessly spending time there also, the Campanian ambassadors


+  came to him with complaints and entreaties. Hannibal answered them in a proud


+  manner, that he had before raised the siege of Capua, and that now the consuls


+  would not sustain his approach. The ambassadors, dismissed with these hopes,


+  with difficulty effected their return to Capua, which was by this time surrounded


+  by a double trench and rampart. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">23 </div>


+<a id="g23" />


+<p>At the time when the circumvallation of Capua was carrying on with the greatest


+  activity, the siege of Syracuse, which had been forwarded by intestine treachery,


+  in addition to the efforts and bravery of the general and his army, was brought


+  to a conclusion. For in the beginning of spring, Marcellus being in doubt whether


+  he should direct the operations of the war against Himilco and Hippocrates at


+  Agrigentum, or press the siege of Syracuse, though he saw that it was impossible


+  to take the city by force, which, from its situation, both with respect to sea


+  and land, was impregnable, nor by famine, as it was supported by an uninterrupted


+  supply of provisions from Carthage, yet that he might leave no course untried,


+  directed the Syracusan deserters (and there were in the Roman camp some men


+  in this situation of the highest rank, who had been driven out of the city during


+  the defection from the Romans, because they were averse to a change of measures)


+  to sound the feelings of those who were of the same party in conferences, and


+  to promise them, that if Syracuse was delivered up, they should have their liberty,


+  and be governed by their own laws. There was no opportunity however, of having


+  a conference; for as many were suspected of disaffection, the attention and


+  observation of all were exerted, lest any thing of the kind should occur unknown


+  to them. One of the exiles, who was a servant, having been allowed to enter


+  the city in the character of a deserter, assembled a few persons, and opened


+  a conversation upon the subject. After this, certain persons, covering themselves


+  with nets in a fishing smack, were in this way conveyed round to the Roman camp,


+  and conferred with the fugitives. The same was frequently repeated by different


+  parties, one after another; and at last they amounted to eighty. But after every


+  thing had been concerted for betraying the city, the plot was reported to Epicydes,


+  by one Attalus, who felt hurt that he had not been intrusted with the secret;


+  and they were all put to death with torture. This attempt having miscarried,


+  another hope was immediately raised. One Damippus, a Lacedaemonian, who had


+  been sent from Syracuse to king Philip, had been taken prisoner by the Roman


+  fleet. Epicydes was particularly anxious to ransom this man above any other;


+  nor was Marcellus disinclined to grant it; the Romans, even at this time, being


+  desirous of gaining the friendship of the Aetolians, with whom the Lacedaemonians


+  were in alliance. Some persons having been sent to treat respecting his ransom,


+  the most central and convenient place to both parties for this purpose appeared


+  to be at the Trogilian port, near the tower called Galeagra. As they went there


+  several times, one of the Romans, having a near view of the wall, and having


+  determined its height, as nearly as it could be done by conjecture, from counting


+  the stones, and by forming an estimate, in his own mind, what was the height


+  of each stone in the face of the work; and having come to the conclusion that


+  it was considerably lower than he himself and all the rest had supposed it,


+  and that it was capable of being scaled with ladders of moderate size, laid


+  the matter before Marcellus. It appeared a thing not to be neglected; but as


+  the spot could not be approached, being on this very account guarded with extraordinary


+  care, a favourable opportunity of doing it was sought for. This a deserter suggested,


+  who brought intelligence that the Syracusans were celebrating the festival of


+  Diana; that it was to last three days, and that as there was a deficiency of


+  other things during the siege, the feasts would be more profusely celebrated


+  with wine, which was furnished by Epicydes to the people in general, and distributed


+  through the tribes by persons of distinction. When Marcellus had received this


+  intelligence, he communicated it to a few of the military tribunes; then having


+  selected, through their means, such centurions and soldiers as had courage and


+  energy enough for so important an enterprise, and having privately gotten together


+  a number of scaling-ladders, he directed that a signal should be given to the


+  rest of the troops to take their refreshment, and go to rest early, for they


+  were to go upon an expedition that night. Then the time, as it was supposed,


+  having arrived, when, after having feasted from the middle of the day, they


+  would have had their fill of wine, and have begun to sleep, he ordered the soldiers


+  of one company to proceed with the ladders, while about a thousand armed men


+  were in silence marched to the spot in a slender column. The foremost having


+  mounted the wall, without noise or confusion, the others followed in order;


+  the boldness of the former inspiring even the irresolute with courage. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">24 </div>


+<a id="g24" />


+<p>The thousand armed men had now taken a part of the city, when the rest, applying


+  a greater number of ladders, mounted the wall on a signal given from the Hexapylos.


+  To this place the former party had arrived in entire solitude; as the greater


+  part of them, having feasted in the towers, were either asleep from the effects


+  of wine, or else, half asleep, were still drinking. A few of them, however,


+  they surprised in their beds, and put to the sword. They began then to break


+  open a postern gate near the Hexapylos, which required great force; and a signal


+  was given from the wall by sounding a trumpet, as had been agreed upon. After


+  this, the attack was carried on in every quarter, not secretly, but by open


+  force; for they had now reached Epipolae, a place protected by numerous guards,


+  where the business was to terrify the enemy, and not to escape their notice.


+  In effect they were terrified; for as soon as the sound of the trumpets was


+  heard, and the shouts of the men who had got possession of the walls and a part


+  of the city, the guards concluded that every part was taken, and some of them


+  fled along the wall, others leaped down from it, or were thrown down headlong


+  by a crowd of the terrified townsmen. A great part of the inhabitants, however,


+  were ignorant of this disastrous event, all of them being overpowered with wine


+  and sleep; and because, in a city of so wide extent, what was perceived in one


+  quarter was not readily made known through the whole city. A little before day,


+  Marcellus having entered the city with all his forces, through the Hexapylos,


+  which was forced open roused all the townsmen; who ran to arms, in order, if


+  possible, by their efforts, to afford succour to the city, which was now almost


+  taken. Epicydes advanced with a body of troops at a rapid pace from the Insula,


+  which the Syracusans themselves call Nasos, not doubting but that he should


+  be able to drive out what he supposed a small party, which had got over the


+  wall through the negligence of the guards. He earnestly represented to the terrified


+  inhabitants who met him, that they were increasing the confusion, and that in


+  their accounts they made things greater and more important than they really


+  were. But when he perceived that every place around Epipolae was filled with


+  armed men, after just teasing the enemy with the discharge of a few missiles,


+  he marched back to the Achradina, not so much through fear of the number and


+  strength of the enemy, as that some intestine treachery might show itself, taking


+  advantage of the opportunity, and he might find the gates of the Achradina and


+  island closed upon him in the confusion. When Marcellus, having entered the


+  walls, beheld this city as it lay subjected to his view from the high ground


+  on which he stood, a city the most beautiful, perhaps, of any at that time,


+  he is said to have shed tears over it; partly from the inward satisfaction he


+  felt at having accomplished so important an enterprise, and partly in consideration


+  of its ancient renown. The fleets of the Athenians sunk there, and two vast


+  armies destroyed, with two generals of the highest reputation, as well as the


+  many wars waged with the Carthaginians with so much peril arose before his mind;


+  the many and powerful tyrants and kings; but above all Hiero, a king who was


+  not only fresh in his memory, but who was distinguished for the signal services


+  he had rendered the Roman people, and more than all by the endowments which


+  his own virtues and good fortune had conferred. All these considerations presenting


+  themselves at once to his recollection, and reflecting, that in an instant every


+  thing before him would be in flames, and reduced to ashes; before he marched


+  his troops to the Achradina, he sent before him some Syracusans, who, as was


+  before observed, were among the Roman troops, to induce the enemy, by a persuasive


+  address, to surrender the city. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">25 </div>


+<a id="g25" />


+<p>The gates and walls of the Achradina were occupied principally by deserters,


+  who had no hopes of pardon in case of capitulation. These men would neither


+  suffer those who were sent to approach the walls, nor to address them. Marcellus,


+  therefore, on the failure of this attempt, gave orders to retire to the Euryalus,


+  which is an eminence at the extremity of the city, at the farthest point from


+  the sea, and commanding the road leading into the fields and the interior of


+  the island, and is conveniently situated for the introduction of supplies. This


+  fort was commanded by Philodemus, an Argive, who was placed in this situation


+  by Epicydes. Marcellus sent Sosis, one of the regicides, to him. After a long


+  conversation, being put off for the purpose of frustrating him, he brought back


+  word to Marcellus, that Philodemus had taken time to deliberate. This man postponing


+  his answer day after day, till Hippocrates and Himilco should quit their present


+  position, and come up with their legions; not doubting but that if he should


+  receive them into the fort, the Roman army, shut up as it was within the walls,


+  might be annihilated, Marcellus, who saw that the Euryalus would neither be


+  delivered up to him, nor could be taken by force, pitched his camp between Neapolis


+  and Tycha, which are names of divisions of the city, and are in themselves like


+  cities; fearful lest if he entered populous parts of the city, he should not


+  be able to restrain his soldiers, greedy of plunder, from running up and down


+  after it. When three ambassadors came to him from Tycha and Neapolis with fillets


+  and other badges of supplicants, imploring him to abstain from fire and slaughter,


+  Marcellus, having held a council respecting these entreaties, for so they were,


+  rather than demands, ordered his soldiers, according to the unanimous opinion


+  of the council, not to offer violence to any free person, but told them that


+  every thing else might be their booty. The walls of the houses forming a protection


+  for his camp, he posted guards and parties of troops at the gates, which were


+  exposed, as they faced the streets, lest any attack should be made upon his


+  camp while the soldiers were dispersed in pursuit of plunder. After these arrangements,


+  on a signal given, the soldiers dispersed for that purpose; and though they


+  broke open doors and every place resounded in consequence of the alarm and confusion


+  created, they nevertheless refrained from blood. They did not desist from plunder


+  till they had gutted the houses of all the property which had been accumulated


+  during a long period of prosperity. Meanwhile, Philodemus also, who despaired


+  of obtaining assistance, having received a pledge that he might return to Epicydes


+  in safety, withdrew the garrison, and delivered up the fortress to the Romans.


+  While the attention of all was engaged by the tumult occasioned in that part


+  of the city which was captured, Bomilcar, taking advantage of the night, when,


+  from the violence of the weather the Roman fleet was unable to ride at anchor


+  in the deep, set out from the bay of Syracuse, with thirty-five ships, and sailed


+  away into the main without interruption; leaving fifty-five ships for Epicydes


+  and the Syracusans; and having informed the Carthaginians in what a critical


+  situation Syracuse was placed, returned, after a few days, with a hundred ships;


+  having, as report says, received many presents from Epicydes out of the treasure


+  of Hiero. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">26 </div>


+<a id="g26" />


+<p>Marcellus, by gaining possession of the Euryalus, and placing a garrison in


+  it, was freed from one cause of anxiety; which was, lest any hostile force received


+  into that fortress on his rear might annoy his troops, shut up and confined


+  as they were within the walls. He next invested the Achradina, erecting three


+  camps in convenient situations, with the hope of reducing those enclosed within


+  it to the want of every necessary. The outposts of both sides had remained inactive


+  for several days, when the arrival of Hippocrates and Himilco suddenly caused


+  the Romans to be attacked aggressively on all sides; for Hippocrates, having


+  fortified a camp at the great harbour, and given a signal to those who occupied


+  the Achradina, attacked the old camp of the Romans, in which Crispinus had the


+  command; and Epicydes sallied out against the outposts of Marcellus, the Carthaginian


+  fleet coming up to that part of the shore which lay between the city and the


+  Roman camp, so that no succour could be sent by Marcellus to Crispinus. The


+  enemy, however, produced more tumult than conflict; for Crispinus not only drove


+  back Hippocrates from his works, but pursued him as he fled with precipitation,


+  while Marcellus drove Epicydes into the city; and it was considered that enough


+  was now done even to prevent any danger arising in future from their sudden


+  sallies. They were visited too by a plague; a calamity extending to both sides,


+  and one which might well divert their attention from schemes of war. For as


+  the season of the year was autumn, and the situation naturally unwholesome,


+  though this was much more the case without than within the city, the intolerable


+  intensity of the heat had an effect upon the constitution of almost every man


+  in both the camps. At first they sickened and died from the unhealthiness of


+  the season and climate; but afterwards the disease was spread merely by attending


+  upon, and coming in contact with, those affected; so that those who were seized


+  with it either perished neglected and deserted, or else drew with them those


+  who sat by them and attended them, by infecting them with the same violence


+  of disease. Daily funerals and death were before the eye; and lamentations were


+  heard from all sides, day and night. At last, their feelings had become so completely


+  brutalized by being habituated to these miseries, that they not only did not


+  follow their dead with tears and decent lamentations, but they did not even


+  carry them out and bury them; so that the bodies of the dead lay strewed about,


+  exposed to the view of those who were awaiting a similar fate; and thus the


+  dead were the means of destroying the sick, and the sick those who were in health,


+  both by fear and by the filthy state and the noisome stench of their bodies.


+  Some preferring to die by the sword, even rushed alone upon the outposts of


+  the enemy. The violence of the plague, however, was much greater in the Carthaginian


+  than the Roman army; for the latter, from having been a long time before Syracuse,


+  had become more habituated to the climate and the water. Of the army of the


+  enemy, the Sicilians, as soon as they perceived that diseases had become very


+  common from the unwholesomeness of the situation, dispersed to their respective


+  cities in the neighbourhood; but the Carthaginians, who had no place to retire


+  to, perished, together with their generals, Hippocrates and Himilco, to a man.


+  Marcellus, on seeing the violence with which the disease was raging, had removed


+  his troops into the city, where their debilitated frames were recruited in houses


+  and shade. Many however, of the Roman army were cut off by this pestilence.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">27 </div>


+<a id="g27" />


+<p>The land forces of the Carthaginians being thus destroyed, the Sicilians, who


+  had served under Hippocrates retired to two towns of no great size, but well


+  secured by natural situation and fortifications; one was three miles, the other


+  fifteen, from Syracuse. Here they collected a store of provisions from their


+  own states, and sent for reinforcements. Meanwhile, Bomilcar, who had gone a


+  second time to Carthage, by so stating the condition of their allies as to inspire


+  a hope that they might not only render them effectual aid, but also that the


+  Romans might in a manner be made prisoners in the city which they had captured,


+  induced the Carthaginians to send with him as many ships of burden as possible,


+  laden with every kind of provisions, and to augment the number of his ships.


+  Setting sail, therefore, from Carthage with a hundred and thirty men of war


+  and seven hundred transports, he had tolerably fair winds for crossing over


+  to Sicily, but was prevented by the same wind from doubling Cape Pachynum. The


+  news of the approach of Bomilcar, and afterwards his unexpected delay, excited


+  alternate fear and joy in the Romans and Syracusans. Epicydes, apprehensive


+  lest if the same wind which now detained him should continue to blow from the


+  east for several days, the Carthaginian fleet would return to Africa, put the


+  Achradina in the hands of the generals of the mercenary troops, and sailed to


+  Bomilcar; whom he at length prevailed upon to try the issue of a naval battle,


+  though he found him with his fleet stationed in the direction of Africa, and


+  afraid of fighting, not so much because he was unequal in the strength or the


+  number of his ships, for he had more than the Romans, as because the wind was


+  more favourable to the Roman fleet than to his own. Marcellus also seeing that


+  an army of Sicilians was assembling from every part of the island, and that


+  the Carthaginian fleet was approaching with a great want of supplies, though


+  inferior in the number of his ships, resolved to prevent Bomilcar from coming


+  to Syracuse, lest, blocked up in the city of his enemies, he should be pressed


+  both by sea and land. The two hostile fleets were stationed near the promontory


+  of Pachynum, ready to engage as soon as the sea should become calm enough to


+  admit of their sailing out into the deep. Accordingly, the east wind, which


+  had blown violently for several days, now subsiding, Bomilcar got under sail


+  first, his van seeming to make for the main sea, in order to double the promontory


+  with greater ease; but seeing the Roman ships bearing down upon him, terrified


+  by some unexpected occurrence, it is not known what, he sailed away into the


+  main sea; and sending messengers to Heraclea, to order the transports to return


+  to Africa, he passed along the coast of Sicily and made for Tarentum. Epicydes,


+  thus suddenly disappointed in such great expectations, to avoid returning to


+  endeavour to raise the siege of a city, a great part of which was already in


+  the hands of the enemy, sailed to Agrigentum, intending to wait the issue of


+  the contest, rather than take any new measures when there. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">28 </div>


+<a id="g28" />


+<p>Intelligence of these events having been carried into the camp of the Sicilians,


+  that Epicydes had departed from Syracuse, that the island was deserted by the


+  Carthaginians, and almost again delivered up to the Romans; after sounding the


+  inclinations of the besieged in conferences, they sent ambassadors to Marcellus,


+  to treat about terms of capitulation. They had not much difficulty in coming


+  to an agreement, that all the parts of the island which had been under the dominion


+  of their kings should be ceded to the Romans; that the rest, with their liberty


+  and their own laws, should be preserved to the Sicilians. They then invited


+  to a conference the persons who had been intrusted with the management of affairs


+  by Epicydes; to whom they said, that they were sent from the army of the Sicilians,


+  at once to Marcellus and to them, that both those who were besieged and those


+  who were not might share the same fortune; and that neither of them might stipulate


+  any thing for themselves separately. They were then allowed to enter, in order


+  to converse with their relations and friends; when, laying before them the terms


+  which they had made with Marcellus, and holding out to them a hope of safety,


+  they induced them to join with them in an attack upon the prefects of Epicydes,


+  Polyclitus, Philistion, and Epicydes, surnamed Sindon. Having put them to death,


+  they summoned the multitude to an assembly; and after complaining of the famine,


+  at which they had been accustomed to express their dissatisfaction to each other


+  in secret, they said, that "although they were pressed by so many calamities,


+  they had no right to accuse Fortune, because it was at their own option how


+  long they should continue to suffer them. That the motive which the Romans had


+  in besieging Syracuse was affection for the Syracusans, and not hatred; for


+  when they heard that the government was usurped by Hippocrates and Epicydes,


+  the creatures first of Hannibal and then of Hieronymus, they took arms and began


+  to besiege the city, in order to reduce not the city itself, but its cruel tyrants.


+  But now that Hippocrates is slain, Epicydes shut out of Syracuse, his praefects


+  put to death, and the Carthaginians driven from the entire possession of Sicily


+  by sea and land, what reason can the Romans have left why they should not desire


+  the preservation of Syracuse, in the same manner as they would if Hiero were


+  still lining, who cultivated the friendship of Rome with unequalled fidelity?


+  That, therefore, neither the city nor its inhabitants were in any danger, except


+  from themselves, if they neglected an opportunity of restoring themselves to


+  the favour of the Romans; and that no so favourable a one would ever occur as


+  that which presented itself at the present instant, immediately upon its appearing


+  that they were delivered from their insolent tyrants." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">29 </div>


+<a id="g29" />


+<p>This speech was received with the most unqualified approbation of all present.


+  It was resolved, however, that praetors should be elected before the nomination


+  of deputies; which being done, some of the praetors themselves were sent as


+  deputies to Marcellus, the chief of whom thus addressed him: "Neither in the


+  first instance did we Syracusans revolt from you, but Hieronymus, whose impiety


+  towards you was by no means so great as towards us; nor afterwards was it any


+  Syracusan who disturbed the peace established by the death of the tyrant, but


+  Hippocrates and Epicydes, creatures of the tyrant; while we were overpowered,


+  on the one hand by fear, and on the other by treachery. Nor can any one say


+  that there ever was a time when we were in possession of our liberty, when we


+  were not also at peace with you. In the present instance, manifestly, as soon


+  as ever we became our own masters, by the death of those persons who held Syracuse


+  in subjection, we lost no time in coming to deliver up our arms, to surrender


+  ourselves, our city, and our walls, and to refuse no conditions which you shall


+  impose upon us. To you, Marcellus, the gods have given the glory of having captured


+  the most renowned and beautiful of the Grecian cities. Every memorable exploit


+  which we have at any time achieved by land or sea accrues to the splendour of


+  your triumph. Would you wish that it should be known only by fame, how great


+  a city has been captured by you, rather than that she should stand as a monument


+  even to posterity; so that to every one who visits her by sea or land, she may


+  point out at one time our trophies gained from the Athenians and Carthaginians,


+  at another time those which you have gained from us; and that you should transmit


+  Syracuse unimpaired to your family, to be kept under the protection and patronage


+  of the race of the Marcelli? Let not the memory of Hieronymus have greater weight


+  with you than that of Hiero. The latter was your friend for a much longer period


+  than the former was your enemy. From the latter you have realized even benefits,


+  while the frenzy of Hieronymus only brought ruin upon himself." At the hands


+  of the Romans all things were obtainable and secure. There was a greater disposition


+  to war, and more danger to be apprehended among themselves; for the deserters,


+  thinking that they were delivered up to the Romans, induced the mercenary auxiliaries


+  to entertain the same apprehension; and hastily seizing their arms, they first


+  put the praetors to death, and then ran through the city to massacre the Syracusans.


+  In their rage they slew all whom chance threw in their way, and plundered every


+  thing which presented itself; and then, lest they should have no leaders, they


+  elected six praetors, so that three might have the command in the Achradina,


+  and three in the island. At length, the tumult having subsided, and the mercenary


+  troops having ascertained, by inquiry, what had been negotiated with the Romans,


+  it began to appear, as was really the case, that their cause and that of the


+  deserters were different. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">30 </div>


+<a id="g30" />


+<p>The ambassadors returned from Marcellus very opportunely. They informed them


+  that they had been influenced by groundless suspicions, and that the Romans


+  saw no reason why they should inflict punishment upon them. Of the three praefects


+  of the Achradina one was a Spaniard, named Mericus. To him one of the Spanish


+  auxiliaries was designedly sent, among those who accompanied the ambassadors.


+  Having obtained an interview with Mericus in the absence of witnesses, he first


+  explained to him the state in which he had left Spain, from which he had lately


+  returned: "That there every thing was in subjection to the Roman arms; that


+  it was in his power, by doing the Romans a service, to become the first man


+  among his countrymen, whether he might be inclined to serve with the Romans,


+  or to return to his country. On the other hand, if he persisted in preferring


+  to hold out against the siege, what hope could he have, shut up as he was by


+  sea and land?" Mericus was moved by these suggestions, and when it was resolved


+  upon to send ambassadors to Marcellus, he sent his brother among them; who,


+  being brought into the presence of Marcellus, apart from the rest, by means


+  of the same Spaniard, after receiving an assurance of protection, arranged the


+  method of carrying their object into effect, and then returned to the Achradina.


+  Mericus then, in order to prevent any one from conceiving a suspicion of treachery,


+  declared, that he did not like that deputies should be passing to and fro; he


+  thought that they should neither admit nor send any; and in order that the guards


+  might be kept more strictly, that such parts as were most exposed should be


+  distributed among the prefects, each being made responsible for the safety of


+  his own quarter. All approved of the distribution of the posts. The district


+  which fell to the lot of Mericus himself extended from the fountain Arethusa


+  to the mouth of the large harbour, of which he caused the Romans to be informed.


+  Accordingly, Marcellus ordered a transport with armed men to be towed by a quadrireme


+  to the Achradina during the night, and the soldiers to be landed in the vicinity


+  of that gate which is near the fountain of Arethusa. This order having been


+  executed at the fourth watch, and Mericus having received the soldiers when


+  landed at the gate, according to the agreement, Marcellus assaulted the walls


+  of the Achradina with all his forces at break of day, so that he not only engaged


+  the attention of those who occupied the Achradina, but also bands of armed men,


+  quitting their own posts ran to the spot from the island, in order to repel


+  the furious attack of the Romans. During this confusion, some light ships which


+  had been prepared beforehand, and had sailed round, landed a body of armed men


+  at the island; these suddenly attacking the half-manned stations and the opened


+  door of the gate at which the troops had a little before run out, got possession


+  of the island without much opposition, abandoned as it was, in consequence of


+  the flight and trepidation of its guards. Nor were there any who rendered less


+  service, or showed less firmness in maintaining their posts, than the deserters;


+  for as they did not repose much confidence even in those of their own party,


+  they fled in the middle of the contest. When Marcellus learnt that the island


+  was taken, one quarter of the Achradina in the hands of his troops, and that


+  Mericus, with the men under his command, had joined them, he sounded a retreat,


+  lest the royal treasure, the fame of which was greater than the reality, should


+  be plundered. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">31 </div>


+<a id="g31" />


+<p>The impetuosity of the soldiers having been checked, time and opportunity to


+  escape were given to the deserters in the Achradina; and the Syracusans, at


+  length delivered from their fears, threw open the gates of the Achradina, and


+  sent deputies to Marcellus, requesting only safety for themselves and children.


+  Having summoned a council, to which the Syracusans were invited who were among


+  the Roman troops, having been driven from home during the disturbances, Marcellus


+  replied, "that the services rendered by Hiero through a period of fifty years,


+  were not more in number than the injuries committed against the Roman people


+  in these few years by those who had had possession of Syracuse; but that most


+  of these injuries had justly recoiled upon their authors, and that they had


+  inflicted much more severe punishment upon themselves for the violation of treaties,


+  than the Roman people desired. That he was indeed now besieging Syracuse for


+  the third year, but not that the Romans might hold that state in a condition


+  of slavery, but that the ringleaders of the deserters might not keep it in a


+  state of thraldom and oppression. What the Syracusans could do was exemplified,


+  either by the conduct of those Syracusans who were among the Roman troops, or


+  that of the Spanish general, Mericus, who had delivered up the post which he


+  was appointed to command, or, lastly, by the late but bold measure adopted by


+  the Syracusans themselves. That the greatest possible recompence for all the


+  evils and dangers which he had for so long a time undergone, both by sea and


+  land, around the walls of Syracuse, was the reflection, that he had been able


+  to take that city." The quaestor was then sent with a guard to the island, to


+  receive and protect the royal treasure. The city was given up to be plundered


+  by the soldiery, after guards had been placed at each of the houses of those


+  who had been with the Roman troops. While many acts exhibited horrid examples


+  of rage and rapacity, it is recorded that Archimedes, while intent on some figures


+  which he had described in the dust, although the confusion was as great as could


+  possibly exist in a captured city, in which soldiers were running up and down


+  in search of plunder, was put to death by a soldier, who did not know who he


+  was; that Marcellus was grieved at this event, and that pains were taken about


+  his funeral, while his relations also for whom diligent inquiry was made, derived


+  honour and protection from his name and memory. Such, for the most part, was


+  the manner in which Syracuse was captured. The quantity of booty was so great,


+  that had Carthage itself, which was carrying on a contest on equal terms, been


+  captured, it would scarcely have afforded so much. A few days before the taking


+  of Syracuse, Titus Otacilius passed over from Lilybaeum to Utica with eighty


+  quinqueremes, and entering the harbour before it was light, took some transports


+  laden with corn; then landing, he laid waste a considerable portion of the country


+  around Utica, and brought back to his ships booty of every description. He returned


+  to Lilybaeum, the third day after he set out, with a hundred and thirty transports


+  laden with corn and booty. The corn he sent immediately to Syracuse; and had


+  it not been for the very seasonable arrival of this supply, a destructive famine


+  threatened alike the victors and the vanquished. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">32 </div>


+<a id="g32" />


+<p>Nothing very memorable had been done in Spain for about two years, the operations


+  of the war consisting more in laying plans than in fighting; but during the


+  same summer in which the events above recorded took place, the Roman generals,


+  quitting their winter quarters, united their forces; then a council was summoned;


+  and the opinions of all accorded, that since their only object hitherto had


+  been to prevent Hasdrubal from pursuing his march into Italy, it was now time


+  that an effort should be made to bring the war in Spain to a termination; and


+  they thought that the twenty thousand Celtiberians, who had been induced to


+  take arms that winter, formed a sufficient accession to their strength. There


+  were three armies of the enemy. Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, and Mago, who had united


+  their forces, were about a five days' journey from the Romans. Hasdrubal, son


+  of Hamilcar, who was the old commander in Spain, was nearer to them: he was


+  with his army near the city Anitorgis. The Roman generals were desirous that


+  he should be overpowered first; and they hoped that they had enough and more


+  than enough strength for the purpose. Their only source of anxiety was, lest


+  the other Hasdrubal and Mago, terrified at his discomfiture, should protract


+  the war by withdrawing into trackless forests and mountains. Thinking it, therefore,


+  the wisest course to divide their forces and embrace the whole Spanish war,


+  they arranged it so that Publius Cornelius should lead two-thirds of the Roman


+  and allied troops against Mago and Hasdrubal, and that Cneius Cornelius, with


+  the remaining third of the original army, and with the Celtiberians added to


+  them, should carry on the war with the Barcine Hasdrubal. The two generals and


+  their armies, setting out together, preceded by the Celtiberians, pitched their


+  camp near the city Anitorgis, within sight of the enemy, the river only separating


+  them. Here Cneius Scipio, with the forces above mentioned, halted, but Publius


+  Scipio proceeded to the portion of the war assigned to him. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">33 </div>


+<a id="g33" />


+<p>Hasdrubal perceiving that there were but few Roman troops in the camp, and


+  that their whole dependence was on the Celtiberian auxiliaries; and having had


+  experience of the perfidy of the barbarian nations in general, and particularly


+  of all those nations among which he had served for so many years; as there was


+  every facility of intercourse, for both camps were full of Spaniards, by secret


+  conferences with the chiefs of the Celtiberians, he agreed with them, for a


+  large consideration, to take their forces away. Nor did they conceive it to


+  be any great crime; for the object was not that they should turn their arms


+  against the Romans, while the reward which they were to receive to abstain from


+  the war was large enough to remunerate them for their service in it. At the


+  same time the mere rest from labour, the return to their homes, with the pleasure


+  of seeing their friends and property, were pleasing to the generality. Accordingly,


+  the multitude were prevailed upon as easily as their leaders. They had, moreover,


+  nothing to fear from the Romans, in consequence of the smallness of their numbers,


+  should they endeavour to detain them by force. It will indeed be the duty of


+  all Roman generals to take care, and the instances here recorded should be considered


+  as strong arguments, never to place so much confidence in foreign auxiliaries,


+  as not to retain in their camps a preponderance of their own strength and of


+  that force which is properly their own. The Celtiberians, suddenly taking up


+  their standards, marched away, replying only to the Romans, who asked the cause


+  of their departure and entreated them to stay, that they were called away by


+  a war at home. Scipio seeing that his allies could be detained neither by prayers


+  nor force, and that he was neither a match for his enemy without them, nor could


+  again effect a junction with his brother, no other course which promised safety


+  offering itself, resolved to retire as far as possible, carefully using every


+  caution not to encounter the enemy any where on level ground. On his departing,


+  the enemy, crossing the river, pursued him almost in his footsteps. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">34 </div>


+<a id="g34" />


+<p>During the same period an equal terror and a greater danger pressed upon Publius


+  Scipio. Masinissa was a young man at that time an ally of the Carthaginians,


+  whom afterwards the friendship of the Romans rendered illustrious and powerful.


+  He not only opposed himself with his Numidian cavalry to Scipio on his approach,


+  but afterwards harassed him incessantly day and night, so as both to cut off


+  his stragglers, who had gone out to a distance from the camp in search of wood


+  and forage, and riding up to the very gates of his camp, and charging into the


+  midst of his advanced guards, to fill every quarter with the utmost confusion.


+  By night also alarm was frequently occasioned in the gates and rampart by his


+  sudden attacks. Nor was there any time or place at which the Romans were exempt


+  from fear and anxiety; and driven within their rampart, and deprived of every


+  necessary, they suffered in a manner a regular siege; and it appeared that it


+  would have been still straiter, if Indibilis, who it was reported was approaching


+  with seven thousand five hundred Suessetani, should form a junction with the


+  Carthaginians. Scipio, though a wary and provident general, overpowered by difficulties,


+  adopted the rash measure of going to meet Indibilis by night, with the intention


+  of fighting him wherever he should meet him. Leaving, therefore, a small force


+  in his camp, under the command of Titus Fonteius, lieutenant-general, he set


+  out at midnight, and meeting with the enemy, came to battle with him. The troops


+  fought in the order of march rather than of battle. The Romans, however, had


+  the advantage, though in an irregular fight; but the Numidian cavalry, whose


+  observation the general supposed that he had escaped, suddenly spreading themselves


+  round his flanks, occasioned great terror. After a new contest had been entered


+  into with the Numidians, a third enemy came up in addition to the rest, the


+  Carthaginian generals having come up with their rear when they were now engaged


+  in fighting. Thus the Romans were surrounded on every side by enemies; nor could


+  they make up their minds which they should attack first, or in what part, forming


+  themselves into a close body, they should force their way through. The general,


+  while fighting and encouraging his men, exposing himself wherever the strife


+  was the hottest, was run through the right side with a lance; and when the party


+  of the enemy, which, formed into a wedge, had charged the troops collected round


+  the general, perceived Scipio falling lifeless from his horse, elated with joy,


+  they ran shouting through the whole line with the news that the Roman general


+  had fallen. These words spreading in every direction, caused the enemy to be


+  considered as victors, and the Romans as vanquished. On the loss of the general


+  the troops immediately began to fly from the field; but though it was not difficult


+  to force their way through the Numidians and the other light-armed auxiliaries,


+  yet it was scarcely possible for them to escape so large a body of cavalry,


+  and infantry equal to horses in speed. Almost more were slain in the flight


+  than in the battle; nor would a man have survived, had not night put a stop


+  to the carnage, the day by this time rapidly drawing to a close. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">35 </div>


+<a id="g35" />


+<p>After this, the Carthaginian generals, who were not slow in following up their


+  victory, immediately after the battle, scarcely giving their soldiers necessary


+  rest, hurry their army to Hasdrubal, son of Hamilcar; confidently hoping, that


+  after uniting their forces with his, the war might be brought to a conclusion.


+  On their arrival, the warmest congratulations passed between the troops and


+  their generals, who were delighted with their recent victory; for they had not


+  only destroyed one distinguished general and all his men, but looked forward


+  to another victory of equal magnitude as a matter of certainty. The intelligence


+  of this great disaster had not yet reached the Romans; but there prevailed a


+  kind of melancholy silence and mute foreboding, such as is usually found in


+  minds which have a presentiment of impending calamity. The general himself,


+  besides feeling that he was deserted by his allies, and that the forces of the


+  enemy were so much augmented, was disposed from conjecture and reasoning rather


+  to a suspicion that some defeat had been sustained, than to any favourable hopes.


+  "For how could Hasdrubal and Mago bring up their troops without opposition,


+  unless they had terminated their part of the war? How was it that his brother


+  had not opposed his progress or followed on his rear? in order that if he could


+  not prevent the armies and generals of the enemy from forming a junction, he


+  might himself join his forces with his brother's." Disturbed with these cares,


+  he believed that the only safe policy for the present was to retire as far as


+  possible; and, accordingly, he marched a considerable distance thence in one


+  night, the enemy not being aware of it, and on that account continuing quiet.


+  At dawn, perceiving that their enemy had decamped, they sent the Numidians in


+  advance, and began to pursue them as rapidly as possible. The Numidians overtook


+  them before night, and charged; sometimes their rear, at other times their flanks.


+  They then began to halt and defend themselves as well as they could; but Scipio


+  exhorted them at once to fight so as not to expose themselves, and march at


+  the same time, lest the infantry should overtake them. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">36 </div>


+<a id="g36" />


+<p>But having made but little progress for a long time, in consequence of his


+  making his troops sometimes advance and at others halt, and night now drawing


+  on, Scipio recalled his troops from the battle, and collecting them, withdrew


+  to a certain eminence, not very safe, indeed, particularly for dispirited troops,


+  but higher than any of the surrounding places. There, at first, his infantry,


+  drawn up around his baggage and cavalry, which were placed in their centre,


+  had no difficulty in repelling the attacks of the charging Numidians; but afterwards,


+  when three generals with three regular armies marched up in one entire body,


+  and it was evident that his men would not be able to do much by arms in defending


+  the position without fortifications, the general began to look about, and consider


+  whether he could by any means throw a rampart around; but the hill was so bare,


+  and the soil so rough, that neither could a bush be found for cutting a palisade,


+  nor earth for making a mound, nor the requisites for making a trench or any


+  other work; nor was the place naturally steep or abrupt enough to render the


+  approach and ascent difficult to the enemy, as it rose on every side with a


+  gentle acclivity. However, that they might raise up against them some semblance


+  of a rampart, they placed around them the panniers tied to the burdens, building


+  them up as it were to the usual height, and when there was a deficiency of panniers


+  for raising it, they presented against the enemy a heap of baggage of every


+  kind. The Carthaginian armies coming up, very easily marched up the eminence,


+  but were stopped by the novel appearance of the fortification, as by something


+  miraculous, when their leaders called out from all sides, asking "what they


+  stopped at? and why they did not tear down and demolish that mockery, which


+  was scarcely strong enough to impede the progress of women and children; that


+  the enemy, who were skulking behind their baggage, were, in fact, captured and


+  in their hands." Such were the contemptuous reproofs of their leaders. But it


+  was not an easy task either to leap over or remove the burdens raised up against


+  them, or to cut through the panniers, closely packed together and covered completely


+  with baggage. When the removal of the burdens had opened a way to the troops,


+  who were detained by them for a long time, and the same had been done in several


+  quarters, the camp was now captured on all sides; the Romans were cut to pieces


+  on all hands, the few by the many, the dispirited by the victorious. A great


+  number of the men, however, having fled for refuge into the neighbouring woods,


+  effected their escape to the camp of Publius Scipio, which Titus Fonteius commanded.


+  Some authors relate that Cneius Scipio was slain on the eminence on the first


+  assault of the enemy; others that he escaped with a few attendants to a castle


+  near the camp; this, they say, was surrounded with fire, by which means the


+  doors which they could not force were consumed; that it was thus taken, and


+  all within, together with the general himself, put to death. Cneius Scipio was


+  slain in the eighth year after his arrival in Spain, and on the twenty-ninth


+  day after the death of his brother. At Rome the grief occasioned by their death


+  was not more intense than that which was felt throughout Spain. The sorrow of


+  the citizens, however, was partly distracted by the loss of the armies, the


+  alienation of the province, and the public disaster, while in Spain they mourned


+  and regretted the generals themselves, Cneius, however, the more, because he


+  had been longer in command of them, had first engaged their affections, and


+  first exhibited a specimen of Roman justice and forbearance. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">37 </div>


+<a id="g37" />


+<p>When it seemed that the Roman armies were annihilated, and Spain lost, one


+  man recovered this desperate state of affairs. There was in the army one Lucius


+  Marcius, the son of Septimus, a Roman knight, an enterprising youth, and possessing


+  a mind and genius far superior to the condition in which he had been born. To


+  his high talents had been added the discipline of Cneius Scipio, under which


+  he had been thoroughly instructed during a course of so many years in all the


+  qualifications of a soldier. This man, having collected the troops which had


+  been dispersed in the flight, and drafted some from the garrisons, had formed


+  an army not to be despised, and united it with Titus Tonteius, the lieutenant-general


+  of Publius Scipio. But so transcendent was the Roman knight in authority and


+  honour among the troops, that when, after fortifying a camp on this side of


+  the Iberus, it had been resolved that a general of the two armies should be


+  elected in an assembly of the soldiers, relieving each other in the guard of


+  the rampart, and in keeping the outposts until every one had given his vote,


+  they unanimously conferred the supreme command upon Lucius Marcius. All the


+  intervening time, which was but short, was occupied in fortifying their camp


+  and collecting provisions, and the soldiers executed every order not only with


+  vigour, but with feelings by no means depressed. But when intelligence was brought


+  them that Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, who was coming to put the finishing stroke


+  to the war, had crossed the Iberus and was drawing near, and when they saw the


+  signal for battle displayed by a new commander, then calling to mind whom they


+  had had for their leaders a little while ago, relying on what leaders and what


+  forces they used to go out to fight, they all suddenly burst into tears and


+  beat their heads, some raising their hands to heaven and arraigning the gods,


+  others prostrating themselves upon the ground and invoking by name each his


+  own former commander. Nor could their lamentations be restrained, though the


+  centurions endeavoured to animate their companies, and though Marcius himself


+  soothed and remonstrated with them, asking them "why they had given themselves


+  up to womanish and unavailing lamentations rather than summon up all their courage


+  to protect themselves and the commonwealth together, and not suffer their generals


+  to lie unavenged?" But suddenly a shout and the sound of trumpets were heard;


+  for by this time the enemy were near the rampart. Upon this, their grief being


+  suddenly converted into rage, they hastily ran to arms, and, as it were, burning


+  with fury, rushed to the gates and charged the enemy, while advancing in a careless


+  and disorderly manner. This unexpected event instantly struck terror into the


+  Carthaginians, who wondering whence so many enemies could have sprung up so


+  suddenly, as the army had been almost annihilated; what could have inspired


+  men who had been vanquished and routed with such boldness and confidence in


+  themselves; what general could have arisen now that the two Scipios were slain;


+  who could command the camp, and who had given the signal for battle; in consequence


+  of these so many and so unexpected circumstances, at first, being in a state


+  of complete uncertainty and amazement, they gave ground; but afterwards, discomfited


+  by the violence of the charge, they turned their backs; and either there would


+  have been a dreadful slaughter of the flying enemy, or a rash and dangerous


+  effort on the part of the pursuers, had not Marcius promptly given the signal


+  for retreat, and by throwing himself in the way of the front rank, and even


+  holding some back with his own hands, repressed the infuriated troops. He then


+  led them back to the camp, still eager for blood and slaughter. When the Carthaginians,


+  who were at first compelled to fly with precipitation from the rampart of their


+  enemy, saw that no one pursued them, concluding that they had stopped from fear,


+  now on the other hand went away to their camp at an easy pace, with feelings


+  of contempt for the enemy. There was a corresponding want of care in guarding


+  their camp; for though the enemy were near, yet it seemed that they were but


+  the remains of the two armies which had been cut to pieces a few days before.


+  As in consequence of this all things were neglected in the enemy's camp, Marcius


+  having ascertained this, addressed his mind to a measure which on the first


+  view of it might appear rather rash than bold: it was, aggressively to assault


+  the enemy's camp, concluding that the camp of Hasdrubal, while alone, might


+  be carried with less difficulty than his own could be defended, if the three


+  armies and as many generals should again unite; taking into consideration also


+  that either if he succeeded he would retrieve their prostrate fortune, or if


+  repulsed, still, by making the attack himself, he would rescue himself from


+  contempt. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">38 </div>


+<a id="g38" />


+<p>Lest, however, the suddenness of the affair, and the fear of night, should


+  frustrate a measure which was in itself ill adapted to his condition, he thought


+  it right that his soldiers should be addressed and exhorted; and having called


+  an assembly, he discoursed as follows: "Soldiers, either my veneration for our


+  late commanders, both living and dead, or our present situation, may impress


+  on every one the belief that this command, as it is highly honourable to me,


+  conferred by your suffrages, so is it in its nature a heavy and anxious charge.


+  For at a time when I should be scarcely so far master of myself as to be able


+  to find any solace for my afflicted mind, did not fear deaden the sense of sorrow,


+  I am compelled to take upon myself alone the task of consulting for the good


+  of you all; a task of the greatest difficulty when under the influence of grief.


+  And not even at that critical moment, when I ought to be considering in what


+  manner I may be enabled to keep together for my country these remains of two


+  armies, can I divert my mind from the affliction which incessantly preys upon


+  me. For bitter recollection is ever present, and the Scipios ever disturb me


+  with anxious cares by day and dreams by night, frequently rousing me from my


+  sleep, and imploring me not to suffer themselves nor their soldiers, your companions


+  in war, who had been victorious in this country for eight years, nor the commonwealth


+  to remain unrevenged; enjoining me also to follow their discipline and their


+  plans; and desiring that as there was no one more obedient to their commands


+  while they were alive than I, so after their death I would consider that conduct


+  as best, which I might have the strongest reason for believing they would have


+  adopted in each case. I could wish also that you, my soldiers, should not show


+  your respect for them by lamentations and tears, as if they were dead; (for


+  they still live and flourish in the fame of their achievements;) but that whenever


+  the memory of those men shall occur to you, you would go into battle as though


+  you saw them encouraging you and giving you the signal. Nor certainly could


+  anything else than their image presenting itself yesterday to your eyes and


+  minds, have enabled you to fight that memorable battle, in which you proved


+  to the enemy that the Roman name had not become extinct with the Scipios; and


+  that the energy and valour of that people, which had not been overwhelmed by


+  the disaster at Cannae, would, doubtlessly, emerge from the severest storms


+  of fortune. Now since you have dared so much of your own accord, I have a mind


+  to try how much you will dare when authorized by your general: for yesterday,


+  when I gave the signal for retreat while you were pursuing the routed enemy


+  with precipitation, I did not wish to break your spirit, but to reserve it for


+  greater glory and more advantageous opportunities; that you might afterwards,


+  when prepared and armed, seize an occasion of attacking your enemy while off


+  their guard, unarmed, and even buried in sleep. Nor do I entertain the hope


+  of gaining an opportunity of this kind rashly, but from the actual state of


+  things. Doubtless, if any one should ask even himself, by what means, though


+  few in number and disheartened by defeat, you defended your camp against troops


+  superior in number and victorious, you would give no other answer than that,


+  as this was the very thing you were afraid of, you had kept every place secured


+  by works and yourselves ready and equipped. And so it generally happens: men


+  are least secure against that which fortune causes not to be feared; because


+  you leave unguarded and exposed what you think is not necessary to be cared


+  about. There is nothing whatever which the enemy fear less at the present time,


+  than lest we, who were a little while ago besieged and assaulted, should aggressively


+  assault their camp ourselves. Let us dare, then, to do that which it is incredible


+  we should have the courage to attempt; it will be most easy from the very fact


+  of its appearing most difficult. At the third watch of the night I will lead


+  you thither in silence. I have ascertained by means of scouts that they have


+  no regular succession of watches, no proper outposts. Our shout at their gates,


+  when heard, and the first assault, will carry their camp. Then let that carnage


+  be made among men, torpid with sleep, terrified at the unexpected tumult, and


+  overpowered while lying defenceless in their beds, from which you were so grieved


+  to be recalled yesterday. I know that the measure appears to you a daring one;


+  but in difficult and almost desperate circumstances the boldest counsels are


+  always the safest. For if when the critical moment has arrived, the opportunity


+  of seizing which is of a fleeting nature, you delay ever so little, in vain


+  do you seek for it afterwards when it has been neglected. One army is near us;


+  two more are not far off. We have some hopes if we make an attack now; and you


+  have already made trial of your own and their strength. If we postpone the time


+  and cease to be despised in consequence of the fame of yesterday's irruption,


+  there is danger lest all the generals and all the forces should unite. Shall


+  we be able then to withstand three generals and three armies, whom Cneius Scipio


+  with his army unimpaired could not withstand? As our generals have perished


+  by dividing their forces, so the enemy may be overpowered while separated and


+  divided. There is no other mode of maintaining the war; let us, therefore, wait


+  for nothing but the opportunity of the ensuing night. Now depart, with the favour


+  of the gods, and refresh yourselves, that, unfatigued and vigorous, you may


+  burst into the enemy's camp with the same spirit with which you have defended


+  your own." This new enterprise, proposed by their new general, they received


+  with joy; and the more daring it was the more it pleased them. The remainder


+  of the day was spent in getting their arms in readiness and recruiting their


+  strength, the greater part of the night was given to rest, and at the fourth


+  watch they were in motion. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">39 </div>


+<a id="g39" />


+<p>At a distance of six miles beyond their nearest camp lay other forces of the


+  Carthaginians. A deep valley, thickly planted with trees, intervened. Near about


+  the middle of this wood a Roman cohort and some cavalry were placed in concealment


+  with Punic craft. The communication between the two armies being thus cut off,


+  the rest of the forces were marched in silence to the nearest body of the enemy;


+  and as there were no outposts before the gates, and no guards on the rampart,


+  they entered quite into the camp, as though it had been their own, no one any


+  where opposing them. The signals were then sounded and a shout raised. Some


+  put the enemy to the sword when half asleep; others threw fire upon the huts,


+  which were covered in with dry straw; others blocked up the gates to intercept


+  their escape. The enemy, who were assailed at once with fire, shouting, and


+  the sword, were in a manner bereaved of their senses, and could neither hear


+  each other, nor take any measures for their security. Unarmed, they fell into


+  the midst of troops of armed men: some hastened to the gates; others, as the


+  passes were flocked up, leaped over the rampart, and as each escaped they fled


+  directly towards the other camp, where they were cut off by the cohort and cavalry


+  rushing forward from their concealment, and were all slain to a man. And even


+  had any escaped from that carnage, the Romans, after taking the nearer camp,


+  ran over to the other with such rapidity, that no one could have arrived before


+  them with news of the disaster. In this camp, as they were far distant from


+  the enemy, and as some had gone off just before daylight for forage, wood, and


+  plunder, they found every thing in a still more neglected and careless state.


+  Their arms only were placed at the outposts, the men being unarmed, and either


+  sitting and reclining upon the ground, or else walking up and down before the


+  rampart and the gates. On these men, thus at their ease and unguarded, the Romans,


+  still hot from the recent battle, and flushed with victory, commenced an attack;


+  no effectual opposition therefore could be made to them in the gates. Within


+  the gates, the troops having rushed together from every part of the camp at


+  the first shout and alarm, a furious conflict arose; which would have continued


+  for a long time, had not the bloody appearance of the Roman shields discovered


+  to the Carthaginians the defeat of the other forces, and consequently struck


+  them with dismay. This alarm produced a general flight; and all except those


+  who were overtaken with the sword, rushing out precipitately wherever they could


+  find a passage, abandoned their camp. Thus, in a night and a day, two camps


+  of the enemy were carried, under the conduct of Lucius Marcius. Claudius, who


+  translated the annals of Acilius out of Greek into Latin, states that as many


+  as thirty-seven thousand men were slain, one thousand eight hundred and thirty


+  made prisoners, and a great booty obtained; among which was a silver shield


+  of a hundred and thirty-eight pounds' weight, with an image upon it of the Barcine


+  Hasdrubal. Valerius Antias states, that the camp Of Mago only was captured,


+  and seven thousand of the enemy slain; and that in the other battle, when the


+  Romans sallied out and fought with Hasdrubal, ten thousand were slain, and four


+  thousand three hundred captured. Piso writes, that five thousand were slain


+  in an ambuscade when Mago incautiously pursued our troops who retired. With


+  all, the name of the general, Marcius, is mentioned with great honour, and to


+  his real glory they add even miracles. They say, that while he was haranguing


+  his men a stream of fire poured from his head without his perceiving it, to


+  the great terror of the surrounding soldiers; and that a shield, called the


+  Marcian, with an image of Hasdrubal upon it, remained in the temple up to the


+  time of the burning of the Capitol, a monument of his victory over the Carthaginians.


+  After this, affairs continued for a considerable time in a tranquil state in


+  Spain, as both parties, after giving and receiving such important defeats, hesitated


+  to run the hazard of a general battle. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">40 </div>


+<a id="g40" />


+<p>During these transactions in Spain, Marcellus, after the capture of Syracuse,


+  having settled the other affairs in Sicily with so much honour and integrity


+  as not only to add to his own renown, but also to the majesty of the Roman people,


+  conveyed to Rome the ornaments of the city, together with the statues and pictures


+  with which Syracuse abounded. These were certainly spoils taken from enemies,


+  and acquired according to the laws of war; but hence was the origin of the admiration


+  of the products of Grecian art, and to that freedom with which at present all


+  places, both sacred and profane, are despoiled; which at last recoiled upon


+  the Roman gods, and first upon that very temple which was so choicely adorned


+  by Marcellus. For foreigners were in the habit of visiting the temples dedicated


+  by Marcellus near the Capuan gate, on account of their splendid ornaments of


+  this description, of which a very small portion can be found. Embassies from


+  almost all the states of Sicily came to him. As their cases were different,


+  so were also the terms granted to them. Those who had either not revolted or


+  had returned to the alliance before the capture of Syracuse, were received and


+  honoured as faithful allies. Those who had been induced to submit through fear


+  after the capture of Syracuse, as vanquished, received laws from the conqueror.


+  The Romans, however, had still remaining a war of no small magnitude at Agrigentum,


+  headed by Epicydes and Hanno, generals in the late war, and a third new one


+  sent by Hannibal in the room of Hippocrates, a Libyphoenician by nation, and


+  a native of Hippo, called by his countrymen Mutines; an energetic man, and thoroughly


+  instructed in all the arts of war under the tuition of Hannibal. To this man


+  the Numidian auxiliaries were assigned by Epicydes and Hanno. With these he


+  so thoroughly overran the lands of his enemies, and visited his allies with


+  such activity, in order to retain them in their allegiance, and for the purpose


+  of bringing them seasonable aid as each required it, that in a short time he


+  filled all Sicily with his fame, nor was greater confidence placed in any one


+  else by those who favoured the Carthaginian interest. Accordingly the Carthaginian


+  and Syracusan generals, who had been hitherto compelled to keep within the walls


+  of Agrigentum, not more at the advice of Mutines than from the confidence they


+  reposed in him, had the courage to go out from the walls, and pitched a camp


+  near the river Himera. When this was announced to Marcellus, he immediately


+  advanced and sat down at a distance of about four miles from the enemy, with


+  the intention of waiting to see what steps they took, and what they meditated.


+  But Mutines allowed no room or time for delay or deliberation, but crossed the


+  river, and, charging the outposts of his enemy, created the greatest terror


+  and confusion. The next day, in an engagement which might almost be called regular,


+  he compelled his enemy to retire within their works. Being called away by a


+  mutiny of the Numidians, which had broken out in the camp, and in which about


+  three hundred of them had retired to Heraclea Minoa, he set out to appease them


+  and bring them back; and is said to have earnestly warned the generals not to


+  engage with the enemy during his absence. Both the generals were indignant at


+  this conduct, but particularly Hanno, who was before disturbed at his reputation.


+  "Is it to be borne," said he, "that a mongrel African should impose restraints


+  upon me, a Carthaginian general, commissioned by the senate and people?" Epicydes,


+  who wished to wait, was prevailed upon by him to agree to their crossing the


+  river and offering battle; for, said he, if they should wait for Mutines, and


+  the battle should terminate successfully, Mutines would certainly have the credit


+  of it. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">41 </div>


+<a id="g41" />


+<p>But Marcellus, highly indignant that he who had repulsed Hannibal from Nola,


+  when rendered confident by his victory at Cannae, should succumb to enemies


+  whom he had vanquished by sea and land, ordered his soldiers immediately to


+  take arms and raise the standards. While marshalling his army, ten Numidians


+  rode up rapidly from the enemy's line with information that their countrymen,


+  first induced by the same causes which brought on the mutiny, in which three


+  hundred of their number retired to Heraclea, and secondly, because they saw


+  their commander, just on the approach of a battle, sent out of the way by generals


+  who wished to detract from his glory, would not take any part in the battle.


+  This deceitful nation made good their promise in this instance. Accordingly


+  the spirits of the Romans were increased by the intelligence, which was speedily


+  conveyed through the lines, that the enemy were abandoned by the cavalry, which


+  the Romans principally feared; while at the same time the enemy were dispirited,


+  not only because they were deprived of the principal part of their strength,


+  but further, because they were afraid lest they should themselves be attacked


+  by their own cavalry. Accordingly, there was no great resistance made: the first


+  shout and onset determined the business. The Numidians who stood quiet in the


+  wings during the action, when they saw their party turning their backs, accompanied


+  them in their flight only for a short time; but when they perceived that they


+  were all making for Agrigentum with the most violent haste, they turned off


+  to the neighbouring towns round about, through fear of a siege. Many thousand


+  men were slain and captured, together with eight elephants. This was the last


+  battle which Marcellus fought in Sicily, after which he returned victorious


+  to Syracuse. The year was now about closing; the senate therefore decreed that


+  Publius Cornelius, the praetor, should send a letter to Capua to the consuls,


+  with directions that while Hannibal was at a distance, and nothing of any great


+  importance was going on at Capua, one of them, if they thought fit, should come


+  to Rome to elect new magistrates. On the receipt of the letter, the consuls


+  arranged it between themselves, that Claudius should hold the election, and


+  Fulvius remain at Capua. The consuls created by Claudius were Cneius Fulvius


+  Centumalus, and Publius Sulpicius Galba, the son of Servius, who had never exercised


+  any curule magistracy. After this Lucius Cornelius Lentulus, Marcus Cornelius


+  Cethegus, Caius Sulpicius, and Caius Calpurnius Piso, were created praetors.


+  Piso had the city jurisdiction; Sulpicius, Sicily; Cethegus, Apulia; Lentulus,


+  Sardinia. The consuls were continued in command for a year longer. </p>


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="book" id="book26">BOOK XXVI.</div>


+<div class="date">B.C 212-211</div>


+<br />


+<div class="chapmen"><a href="#h1">1</a> <a href="#h2">2</a> <a href="#h3">3</a>


+  <a href="#h4">4</a> <a href="#h5">5</a> <a href="#h6">6</a> <a href="#h7">7</a>


+  <a href="#h8">8</a> <a href="#h9">9</a> <a href="#h10">10</a> <a href="#h11">11</a>


+  <a href="#h12">12</a> <a href="#h13">13</a> <a href="#h14">14</a> <a href="#h15">15</a>


+  <a href="#h16">16</a> <a href="#h17">17</a> <a href="#h18">18</a> <a href="#h19">19</a>


+  <a href="#h20">20</a> <a href="#h21">21</a> <a href="#h22">22</a> <a href="#h23">23</a>


+  <a href="#h24">24</a> <a href="#h25">25</a> <a href="#h26">26</a> <a href="#h27">27</a>


+  <a href="#h28">28</a> <a href="#h29">29</a> <a href="#h30">30</a> <a href="#h31">31</a>


+  <a href="#h32">32</a> <a href="#h33">33</a> <a href="#h34">34</a> <a href="#h35">35</a>


+  <a href="#h36">36</a> <a href="#h37">37</a> <a href="#h38">38</a> <a href="#h39">39</a>


+  <a href="#h40">40</a> <a href="#h41">41</a> <a href="#h42">42</a> <a href="#h43">43</a>


+  <a href="#h44">44</a> <a href="#h45">45</a> <a href="#h46">46</a> <a href="#h47">47</a>


+  <a href="#h48">48</a> <a href="#h49">49</a> <a href="#h50">50</a> <a href="#h51">51</a></div>


+<br />


+<div class="bookdes"><i>Hannibal encamps on the banks of the Amo, within three


+  miles of Rome. Attended by two thousand horsemen, he advances close to the Colline


+  gate to take a view of the walls and situation of the city. On two successive


+  days the hostile armies are hindered from engaging by the severity of the weather.


+  Capua taken by Quintus Fulvius and Appius Claudius, the chief nobles die, voluntarily,


+  by poison. Quintus Fulvius having condemned the principal senators to death,


+  at the moment they are actually tied to the stakes, receives despatches from


+  Rome, commanding him to spare their lives, which he postpones reading until


+  the sentence is executed. Publius Scipio, offering himself for the service,


+  is sent to command in Spain, takes New Carthage in one day. Successes in Sicily.


+  Treaty of friendship with the Aetolians. War with Philip, king of Macedonia,


+  and the Acarnanians.</i></div>


+<br />


+<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*</h3>


+<div class="lsidenote">1 </div>


+<a id="h1" />


+<p>The consuls, Cneius Fulvius Centumalus and Publius Sulpicius Galba, having


+  entered on their office on the ides of March, assembled the senate in the Capitol,


+  and took the opinion of the fathers on the state of the republic, the manner


+  of conducting the war, and on what related to the provinces and the armies.


+  Quintus Fulvius and Appius Claudius, the consuls of the former year, were continued


+  in command; and the armies which they before had were assigned to them, it being


+  added that they should not withdraw from Capua, which they were besieging, till


+  they had taken it. The Romans were now solicitously intent upon this object,


+  not from resentment so much, which was never juster against any city, as from


+  the consideration that as this city, so celebrated and powerful, had by its


+  defection drawn away several states, so when reduced it would bring back their


+  minds to respect for the former supreme government. Two praetors also of the


+  former year, Marcus Junius and Publius Sempronius, were each continued in command


+  of the two legions which they had under them, the former in Etruria, the latter


+  in Gaul. Marcus Marcellus also was continued in command, that he might, as proconsul,


+  finish the war in Sicily with the army he had there. If he wanted recruits he


+  was to take them from the legions which Publius Cornelius, the propraetor, commanded


+  in Sicily, provided he did not choose any soldier who was of the number of those


+  whom the senate had refused to allow to be discharged, or to return home till


+  the war was put an end to. To Caius Sulpicius, to whose lot Sicily had fallen,


+  the two legions which Publius Cornelius had commanded were assigned, to be recruited


+  from the army of Cneius Fulvius, which had been shamefully beaten, and had experienced


+  a dreadful loss the year before in Apulia. To soldiers of this description the


+  senate had assigned the same period of service as to those who fought at Cannae;


+  and as an additional mark of ignominy upon both, they were not allowed to winter


+  in towns, or to build huts for wintering within the distance of ten miles from


+  any town. To Lucius Cornelius, in Sardinia, the two legions which Quintus Mucius


+  had commanded were assigned; if recruits were wanted, the consuls were ordered


+  to enlist them. To Titus Otacilius and Marcus Valerius was allotted the protection


+  of the coasts of Sicily and Greece, with the legions and fleets which they had


+  commanded. The Greek coast had fifty ships with one legion; the Sicilian, a


+  hundred ships with two legions. Twenty-three legions were employed by the Romans


+  in carrying on the war this year by land and sea. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">2 </div>


+<a id="h2" />


+<p>In the beginning of the year, on a letter from Lucius Marcius being laid before


+  the senate, they considered his achievements as most glorious; but the title


+  of honour which he assumed (for though he was neither invested with the command


+  by the order of the people, nor by the direction of the fathers, his letter


+  ran in this form, "The propraetor to the senate") gave offence to a great many.


+  It was considered as an injurious precedent for generals to be chosen by the


+  armies, and for the solemn ceremony of elections, held under auspices, to be


+  transferred to camps and provinces, and (far from the control of the laws and


+  magistrates) to military thoughtlessness. And though some gave it as their opinion,


+  that the sense of the senate should be taken on the matter, yet it was thought


+  more advisable that the discussion should be postponed till after the departure


+  of the horsemen who brought the letter from Marcius. It was resolved, that an


+  answer should be returned respecting the corn and clothing of the army, stating,


+  that the senate would direct its attention to both those matters; but that the


+  letter should not be addressed to Lucius Marcius, propraetor, lest he should


+  consider that as already determined which was the very point they reserved for


+  discussion. After the horsemen were dismissed, it was the first thing the consuls


+  brought before the senate; and the opinions of all to a man coincided, that


+  the plebeian tribunes should be instructed to consult the commons with all possible


+  speed, as to whom they might resolve to send into Spain to take the command


+  of that army which had been under the conduct of Cneius Scipio. The plebeian


+  tribunes were instructed accordingly, and the question was published. But another


+  contest had pre-engaged the minds of the people: Caius Sempronius Blaesus, having


+  brought Cneius Fulvius to trial for the loss of the army in Apulia, harassed


+  him with invectives in the public assemblies: "Many generals," he reiterated,


+  "had by indiscretion and ignorance brought their armies into most perilous situations,


+  but none, save Cneius Fulvius, had corrupted his legions by every species of


+  excess before he betrayed them to the enemy; it might therefore with truth be


+  said, that they were lost before they saw the enemy, and that they were defeated,


+  not by Hannibal, but by their own general. No man, when he gave his vote, took


+  sufficient pains in ascertaining who it was to whom he was intrusting an army.


+  What a difference was there between this man and Tiberius Sempronius! The latter


+  having been intrusted with an army of slaves, had in a short time brought it


+  to pass, by discipline and authority, that not one of them in the field of battle


+  remembered his condition and birth, but they became a protection to our allies


+  and a terror to our enemies. They had snatched, as it were, from the very jaws


+  of Hannibal, and restored to the Roman people, Cumae, Beneventum, and other


+  towns. But Cneius Fulvius had infected with the vices peculiar to slaves, an


+  army of Roman citizens, of honourable parentage and liberal education; and had


+  thus made them insolent and turbulent among their allies, inefficient and dastardly


+  among their enemies, unable to sustain, not only the charge, but the shout of


+  the Carthaginians. But, by Hercules, it was no wonder that the troops did not


+  stand their ground in the battle, when their general was the first to fly; with


+  him, the greater wonder was that any had fallen at their posts, and that they


+  were not all the companions of Cneius Fulvius in his consternation and his flight.


+  Caius Flaminius, Lucius Paullus, Lucius Posthumius, Cneius and Publius Scipio,


+  had preferred falling in the battle to abandoning their armies when in the power


+  of the enemy. But Cneius Fulvius was almost the only man who returned to Rome


+  to report the annihilation of his army. It was a shameful crime that the army


+  of Cannae should be transported into Sicily, because they fled from the field


+  of battle, and not be allowed to return till the enemy has quitted Italy; that


+  the same decree should have been lately passed with respect to the legions of


+  Cneius Fulvius; while Cneius Fulvius himself has no punishment inflicted upon


+  him for running away, in a battle brought about by his own indiscretion; that


+  he himself should be permitted to pass his old age in stews and brothels, where


+  he passed his youth, while his troops, whose only crime was that they resembled


+  their general, should be sent away in a manner into banishment, and suffer an


+  ignominious service. So unequally," he said, "was liberty shared at Rome by


+  the rich and the poor, by the ennobled and the common people." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">3 </div>


+<a id="h3" />


+<p>The accused shifted the blame from himself to his soldiers; he said, "that


+  in consequence of their having in the most turbulent manner demanded battle,


+  they were led into the field, not on the day they desired, for it was then evening,


+  but on the following; that they were drawn up at a suitable time and on favourable


+  ground; but either the reputation or the strength of the enemy was such, that


+  they were unable to stand their ground. When they all fled precipitately, he


+  himself also was carried away with the crowd, as had happened to Varro at the


+  battle of Cannae, and to many other generals. How could he, by his sole resistance,


+  benefit the republic, unless his death would remedy the public disasters? that


+  he was not defeated in consequence of a failure in his provisions; that he had


+  not, from want of caution, been drawn into a disadvantageous position; that


+  he had not been cut off by an ambuscade in consequence of not having explored


+  his route, but had been vanquished by open force, and by arms, in a regular


+  engagement. He had not in his power the minds of his own troops, or those of


+  the enemy. Courage and cowardice were the result of each man's natural constitution."


+  He was twice accused, and the penalty was laid at a fine. On the third accusation,


+  at which witnesses were produced, he was not only overwhelmed with an infinity


+  of disgraceful charges, but a great many asserted on oath, that the flight and


+  panic commenced with the praetor, that the troops being deserted by him, and


+  concluding that the fears of their general were not unfounded, turned their


+  backs; when so strong a feeling of indignation was excited, that the assembly


+  clamorously rejoined that he ought to be tried capitally. This gave rise to


+  a new controversy; for when the tribune, who had twice prosecuted him as for


+  a finable offence, now, on the third occasion, declared that he prosecuted him


+  capitally; the tribunes of the commons being appealed to, said, "they would


+  not prevent their colleague from proceeding, as he was permitted according to


+  the custom of their ancestors, in the manner he himself preferred, whether according


+  to the laws or to custom, until he had obtained judgment against a private individual,


+  convicting him either of a capital or finable offence." Upon this, Sempronius


+  said, that he charged Cneius Fulvius with the crime of treason; and requested


+  Caius Calpurnius, the city praetor, to appoint a day for the comitia. Another


+  ground of hope was then tried by the accused, viz. if his brother, Quintus Fulvius,


+  could be present at his trial, who was at that time flourishing in the fame


+  of his past achievements and in the near expectation of taking Capua. Fulvius


+  wrote to the senate, requesting the favour in terms calculated to excite compassion,


+  in order to save the life of his brother; but the fathers replied, that the


+  interest of the state would not admit of his leaving Capua. Cneius Fulvius,


+  therefore, before the day appointed for the comitia arrived, went into exile


+  to Tarquinii, and the commons resolved that it was a legal exile. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">4 </div>


+<a id="h4" />


+<p>Meanwhile all the strength of the war was directed against Capua. It was, however,


+  more strictly blockaded than besieged. The slaves and populace could neither


+  endure the famine, nor send messengers to Hannibal through guards so closely


+  stationed. A Numidian was at length found, who, on undertaking to make his way


+  with it, was charged with a letter; and going out by night, through the midst


+  of the Roman camp, in order to fulfil his promise, he inspired the Campanians


+  with confidence to try the effect of a sally from every quarter, while they


+  had any strength remaining. In the many encounters which followed, their cavalry


+  were generally successful, but their infantry were beaten: however, it was by


+  no means so joyful to conquer, as it was miserable to be worsted in any respect


+  by a besieged and almost subdued enemy. A plan was at length adopted, by which


+  their deficiency in strength might be compensated by stratagem. Young men were


+  selected from all the legions, who, from the vigour and activity of their bodies,


+  excelled in swiftness; these were supplied with bucklers shorter than those


+  worn by horsemen, and seven javelins each, four feet in length, and pointed


+  with steel in the same manner as the spears used by light-armed troops. The


+  cavalry taking one of these each upon their horses, accustomed them to ride


+  behind them, and to leap down nimbly when the signal was given. When, by daily


+  practice, they appeared to be able to do this in an orderly manner, they advanced


+  into the plain between the camp and the walls, against the cavalry of the Campanians,


+  who stood there prepared for action. As soon as they came within a dart's cast,


+  on a signal given, the light troops leaped down, when a line of infantry formed


+  out of the body of horse suddenly rushed upon the cavalry of the enemy, and


+  discharged their javelins one after another with great rapidity; which being


+  thrown in great numbers upon men and horses indiscriminately, wounded a great


+  many. The sudden and unsuspected nature of the attack, however, occasioned still


+  greater terror; and the cavalry charging them, thus panic-struck, chased them


+  with great slaughter as far as their gates. From that time the Roman cavalry


+  had the superiority; and it was established that there should be velites in


+  the legions. It is said that Quintus Navius was the person who advised the mixing


+  of infantry with cavalry, and that he received honour from the general on that


+  account. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">5 </div>


+<a id="h5" />


+<p>While affairs were in this state at Capua, Hannibal was perplexed between two


+  objects, the gaining possession of the citadel of Tarentum, and the retaining


+  of Capua. His concern for Capua, however, prevailed, on which he saw that the


+  attention of every body, allies and enemies, was fixed; and whose fate would


+  be regarded as a proof of the consequences resulting from defection from the


+  Romans. Leaving therefore, a great part of his baggage among the Bruttians,


+  and all his heavier armed troops, he took with him a body of infantry and cavalry,


+  the best he could select for marching expeditiously, and bent his course into


+  Campania. Rapidly as he marched he was followed by thirty-three elephants. He


+  took up his position in a retired valley behind Mount Tifata, which overhung


+  Capua. Having at his coming taken possession of fort Galatia, the garrison of


+  which he dislodged by force, he then directed his efforts against those who


+  were besieging Capua. Having sent forward messengers to Capua stating the time


+  at which he would attack the Roman camp, in order that they also, having gotten


+  themselves in readiness for a sally, might at the same time pour forth from


+  all their gates, he occasioned the greatest possible terror; for on one side


+  he himself attacked them suddenly, and on the other side all the Campanians


+  sallied forth, both foot and horse, joined by the Carthaginian garrison under


+  the command of Bostar and Hanno. The Romans, lest in so perilous an affair they


+  should leave any part unprotected, by running together to any one place, thus


+  divided their forces: Appius Claudius was opposed to the Campanians; Fulvius


+  to Hannibal; Caius Nero, the propraetor, with the cavalry of the sixth legion,


+  placed himself in the road leading to Suessula; and Caius Fulvius Flaccus, the


+  lieutenant-general, with the allied cavalry, on the side opposite the river


+  Vulturnus. The battle commenced not only with the usual clamour and tumult,


+  but in addition to the din of men, horses, and arms, a multitude of Campanians,


+  unable to bear arms, being distributed along the walls, raised such a shout


+  together with the clangour of brazen vessels, similar to that which is usually


+  made in the dead of night when the moon is eclipsed, that it diverted the attention


+  even of the combatants. Appius easily repulsed the Campanians from the rampart.


+  On the other side Hannibal and the Carthaginians, forming a larger force, pressed


+  hard on Fulvius. There the sixth legion gave way; being repulsed, a cohort of


+  Spaniards with three elephants made their way up to the rampart. They had broken


+  through the centre of the Roman line, and were in a state of anxious and perilous


+  suspense, whether to force their way into the camp, or be cut off from their


+  own army. When Fulvius saw the disorder of the legion, and the danger the camp


+  was in, he exhorted Quintus Navius, and the other principal centurions, to charge


+  the cohort of the enemy which was fighting under the rampart; he said, "that


+  the state of things was most critical; that either they must retire before them,


+  in which case they would burst into the camp with less difficulty than they


+  had experienced in breaking through a dense line of troops, or they must cut


+  them to pieces under the rampart: nor would it require a great effort; for they


+  were few, and cut off from their own troops, and if the line which appeared


+  broken, now while the Romans were dispirited, should turn upon the enemy on


+  both sides, they would become enclosed in the midst, and exposed to a twofold


+  attack." Navius, on hearing these words of the general, snatched the standard


+  of the second company of spearmen from the standard-bearer, and advanced with


+  it against the enemy, threatening that he would throw it into the midst of them


+  unless the soldiers promptly followed him and took part in the fight. He was


+  of gigantic stature, and his arms set him off; the standard also, raised aloft,


+  attracted the gaze both of his countrymen and the enemy. When, however, he had


+  reached the standards of the Spaniards, javelins were poured upon him from all


+  sides, and almost the whole line was turned against him; but neither the number


+  of his enemies nor the force of the weapons could repel the onset of this hero.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">6 </div>


+<a id="h6" />


+<p>Marcus Atilius, the lieutenant-general, also caused the standard of the first


+  company of principes of the same legion to be borne against a cohort of the


+  Spaniards. Lucius Portius Licinus and Titus Popilius, the lieutenant-generals,


+  who had the command of the camp, fought valiantly in defence of the rampart,


+  and slew the elephants while in the very act of crossing it. The carcasses of


+  these filling up the ditch, afforded a passage for the enemy as effectually


+  as if earth had been thrown in, or a bridge erected over it; and a horrid carnage


+  took place amid the carcasses of the elephants which lay prostrate. On the other


+  side of the camp, the Campanians, with the Carthaginian garrison, had by this


+  time been repulsed, and the battle was carried on immediately under the gate


+  of Capua leading to Vulturnus. Nor did the armed men contribute so much in resisting


+  the Romans, who endeavoured to force their way in, as the gate itself, which,


+  being furnished with ballistas and scorpions, kept the enemy at bay by the missiles


+  discharged from it. The ardour of the Romans was also clamped by the general,


+  Appius Claudius, receiving a wound; he was struck by a javelin in the upper


+  part of his breast, beneath the left shoulder, while encouraging his men before


+  the front line. A great number, however, of the enemy were slain before the


+  gate, and the rest were driven in disorder into the city. When Hannibal saw


+  the destruction of the cohort of Spaniards, and that the camp of the enemy was


+  defended with the utmost vigour, giving up the assault, he began to withdraw


+  his standards, making his infantry face about, but throwing out his cavalry


+  in the rear lest the enemy should pursue them closely. The ardour of the legions


+  to pursue the enemy was excessive, but Flaccus ordered a retreat to be sounded,


+  considering that enough had been achieved to convince the Campanians, and Hannibal


+  himself, how unable he was to afford them protection. Some who have undertaken


+  to give accounts of this battle, record that eight thousand of the army of Hannibal,


+  and three thousand Campanians, were slain; that fifteen military standards were


+  taken from the Carthaginians, and eighteen from the Campanians. In other authors


+  I find the battle to have been by no means so important, and that there was


+  more of panic than fighting; that a party of Numidians and Spaniards suddenly


+  bursting into the Roman camp with some elephants, the elephants, as they made


+  their way through the midst of the camp, threw down their tents with a great


+  noise, and caused the beasts of burden to break their halters and run away.


+  That in addition to the confusion occasioned, a stratagem was employed; Hannibal


+  having sent in some persons acquainted with the Latin language, for he had some


+  such with him, who might command the soldiers, in the name of the consuls, to


+  escape every one as fast as he could to the neighbouring mountains, since the


+  camp was lost; but that the imposture was soon discovered, and frustrated with


+  a great slaughter of the enemy; that the elephants were driven out of the camp


+  by fire. However commenced, and however terminated, this was the last battle


+  which was fought before the surrender of Capua. Seppius Lesius was Medixtuticus,


+  or chief magistrate of Capua, that year, a man of obscure origin and slender


+  fortune. It is reported that his mother, when formerly expiating a prodigy which


+  had occurred in the family in behalf of this boy, who was an orphan, received


+  an answer from the aruspex, stating, that "the highest office would come to


+  him;" and that not recognising, at Capua, any ground for such a hope, exclaimed,


+  "the state of the Campanians must be desperate indeed, when the highest office


+  shall come to my son." But even this expression, in which the response was turned


+  into ridicule, turned to be true, for those persons whose birth allowed them


+  to aspire to high offices, refusing to accept them when the city was oppressed


+  by sword and famine, and when all hope was lost, Lesius, who complained that


+  Capua was deserted and betrayed by its nobles, accepted the office of chief


+  magistrate, being the last Campanian who held it. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">7 </div>


+<a id="h7" />


+<p>But Hannibal, when he saw that the enemy could not be drawn into another engagement,


+  nor a passage be forced through their camp into Capua, resolved to remove his


+  camp from that place and leave the attempt unaccomplished, fearful lest the


+  new consuls might cut off his supplies of provision. While anxiously deliberating


+  on the point to which he should next direct his course, an impulse suddenly


+  entered his mind to make an attack on Rome, the very source of the war. That


+  the opportunity of accomplishing this ever coveted object, which occurred after


+  the battle of Cannae, had been neglected, and was generally censured by others,


+  he himself did not deny. He thought that there was some hope that he might be


+  able to get possession of some part of the city, in consequence of the panic


+  and confusion which his unexpected approach would occasion, and that if Rome


+  were in danger, either both the Roman generals, or at least one of them, would


+  immediately leave Capua; and if they divided their forces, both generals being


+  thus rendered weaker, would afford a favourable opportunity either to himself


+  or the Campanians of gaining some advantage. One consideration only disquieted


+  him, and that was, lest on his departure the Campanians should immediately surrender.


+  By means of presents he induced a Numidian, who was ready to attempt any thing,


+  however daring, to take charge of a letter; and, entering the Roman camp under


+  the disguise of a deserter, to pass out privately on the other side and go to


+  Capua. As to the letter, it was full of encouragement. It stated, that "his


+  departure, which would be beneficial to them, would have the effect of drawing


+  off the Roman generals and armies from the siege of Capua to the defence of


+  Rome. That they must not allow their spirits to sink; that by a few days' patience


+  they would rid themselves entirely of the siege." He then ordered the ships


+  on the Vulturnus to be seized, and rowed up to the fort which he had before


+  erected for his protection. And when he was informed that there were as many


+  as were necessary to convey his army across in one night, after providing a


+  stock of provisions for ten days, he led his legions down to the river by night,


+  and passed them over before daylight. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">8 </div>


+<a id="h8" />


+<p>Fulvius Flaccus, who had discovered from deserters that this would happen,


+  before it took place, having written to Rome to the senate to apprize them of


+  it, men's minds were variously affected by it according to the disposition of


+  each. As might be expected in so alarming an emergency, the senate was immediately


+  assembled, when Publius Cornelius, surnamed Asina, was for recalling all the


+  generals and armies from every part of Italy to protect the city, disregarding


+  Capua and every other concern. Fabius Maximus thought that it would be highly


+  disgraceful to retire from Capua, and allow themselves to be terrified and driven


+  about at the nod and menaces of Hannibal. "Was it probable that he, who, though


+  victorious at Cannae, nevertheless dared not approach the city, now, after having


+  been repulsed from Capua, had conceived hopes of making himself master of Rome?


+  It was not to besiege Rome, but to raise the siege of Capua that he was coming.


+  Jupiter, the witness of treaties violated by Hannibal, and the other deities,


+  would defend the city of Rome with that army which is now at the city." To these


+  opposite opinions, that of Publius Valerius Flaccus, which recommended a middle


+  course, was preferred. Regardful of both objects, he thought that a letter should


+  be written to the generals at Capua, informing them of the force they had at


+  the city for its protection, and stating, that as to the number of forces which


+  Hannibal was bringing with him, or how large an army was necessary to carry


+  on the siege of Capua, they themselves knew. If one of the generals and a part


+  of the army could be sent to Rome, and at the same time Capua could be efficiently


+  besieged by the remaining general and army, that then Claudius and Fulvius should


+  settle between themselves which should continue the siege of Capua, and which


+  should come to Rome to protect their capital from being besieged. This decree


+  of the senate having been conveyed to Capua, Quintus Fulvius, the proconsul,


+  who was to go to Rome, as his colleague was ill from his wound, crossed the


+  Vulturnus with a body of troops, to the number of fifteen thousand infantry


+  and a thousand horse, selected from the three armies. Then having ascertained


+  that Hannibal intended to proceed along the Latin road, he sent persons before


+  him to the towns on and near the Appian way, Setia, Cora, and Lanuvium, with


+  directions that they should not only have provisions ready in their towns, but


+  should bring them down to the road from the fields which lay out of the way,


+  and that they should draw together into their towns troops for their defence,


+  in order that each state might be under its own protection. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">9 </div>


+<a id="h9" />


+<p>On the day he crossed the Vulturnus, Hannibal pitched his camp at a small distance


+  from the river. The next day, passing by Cales, he reached the Sidicinian territory,


+  and having spent a day there in devastating the country, he led his troops along


+  the Latin way through the territory of Suessa, Allifae, and Casinum. Under the


+  walls of Casinum he remained encamped for two days, ravaging the country all


+  around; thence passing by Interamna and Aquinum, he came into the Fregellan


+  territory, to the river Liris, where he found the bridge broken down by the


+  Fregellans in order to impede his progress. Fulvius also was detained at the


+  Vulturnus, in consequence of Hannibal's having burnt the ships, and the difficulty


+  he had in procuring rafts to convey his troops across that river from the great


+  scarcity of materials. The army having been conveyed across by rafts, the remainder


+  of the march of Fulvius was uninterrupted, a liberal supply of provisions having


+  been prepared for him, not only in all the towns, but also on the sides of the


+  road; while his men, who were all activity, exhorted each other to quicken their


+  pace, remembering that they were going to defend their country. A messenger


+  from Fregella, who had travelled a day and a night without intermission, arriving


+  at Rome, caused the greatest consternation; and the whole city was thrown into


+  a state of alarm by the running up and down of persons who made vague additions


+  to what they heard, and thus increased the confusion which the original intelligence


+  created. The lamentations of women were not only heard from private houses,


+  but the matrons from every quarter, rushing into the public streets, ran up


+  and down around the shrines of the gods, sweeping the altars with their dishevelled


+  hair, throwing themselves upon their knees and stretching their uplifted hands


+  to heaven and the gods, imploring them to rescue the city of Rome out of the


+  hands of their enemies, and preserve the Roman mothers and their children from


+  harm. The senate sat in the forum near the magistrates, in case they should


+  wish to consult them. Some were receiving orders and departing to their own


+  department of duty; others were offering themselves wherever there might be


+  occasion for their aid. Troops were posted in the citadel, in the Capitol, upon


+  the walls around the city, and also on the Alban mount, and the fort of Aesula.


+  During this confusion, intelligence was brought that Quintus Fulvius, the proconsul,


+  had set out from Capua with an army; when the senate decreed that Quintus Fulvius


+  should have equal authority with the consuls, lest on entering the city his


+  power should cease. Hannibal, having most destructively ravaged the Fregellan


+  territory, on account of the bridge having been broken down, came into the territory


+  of the Lavici, passing through those of Frusino, Ferentinum, and Anagnia; thence


+  passing through Algidum he directed his course to Tusculum; but not being received


+  within the walls, he went down to the right below Tusculum to Gabii; and marching


+  his army down thence into the territory of the Pupinian tribe, he pitched his


+  camp eight miles from the city. The nearer the enemy came, the greater was the


+  number of fugitives slain by the Numidians who preceded him, and the greater


+  the number of prisoners made of every rank and age. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">10 </div>


+<a id="h10" />


+<p>During this confusion, Fulvius Flaccus entered the city with his troops through


+  the Capuan gate, passed through the midst of the city, and through Carinae,


+  to Esquiliae; and going out thence, pitched his camp between the Esquiline and


+  Colline gates. The plebeian aediles brought a supply of provisions there. The


+  consuls and the senate came to the camp, and a consultation was held on the


+  state of the republic. It was resolved that the consuls should encamp in the


+  neighbourhood of the Colline and Esquiline gates; that Caius Calpurnius, the


+  city praetor, should have the command of the Capitol and the citadel; and that


+  a full senate should be continually assembled in the forum, in case it should


+  be necessary to consult them amidst such sudden emergencies. Meanwhile, Hannibal


+  advanced his camp to the Anio, three miles from the city, and fixing his position


+  there, he advanced with two thousand horse from the Colline gate as far as the


+  temple of Hercules, and riding up, took as near a view as he could of the walls


+  and site of the city. Flaccus, indignant that he should do this so freely, and


+  so much at his ease, sent out a party of cavalry, with orders to displace and


+  drive back to their camp the cavalry of the enemy. After the fight had begun,


+  the consuls ordered the Numidian deserters who were on the Aventine, to the


+  number of twelve hundred, to march through the midst of the city to the Esquiliae,


+  judging that no troops were better calculated to fight among the hollows, the


+  garden walls, and tombs, or in the enclosed roads which were on all sides. But


+  some persons, seeing them from the citadel and Capitol as they filed off on


+  horseback down the Publician hill, cried out that the Aventine was taken. This


+  circumstance occasioned such confusion and terror, that if the Carthaginian


+  camp had not been without the city, the whole multitude, such was their alarm,


+  would have rushed out. They then fled for refuge into their houses and upon


+  the roofs, where they threw stones and weapons on their own soldiers as they


+  passed along the streets, taking them for enemies. Nor could the tumult be repressed,


+  or the mistake explained, as the streets were thronged with crowds of rustics


+  and cattle, which the sudden alarm had driven into the city. The battle between


+  the cavalry was successful, and the enemy were driven away; and as it was necessary


+  to repress the tumults which were arising in several quarters without any cause,


+  it was resolved that all who had been dictators, consuls, or censors, should


+  be invested with authority till such time as the enemy had retired from the


+  walls. During the remainder of the day and the following night, several tumults


+  arose without any foundation, and were repressed. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">11 </div>


+<a id="h11" />


+<p>The next day Hannibal, crossing the Anio, drew out all his forces in order


+  of battle; nor did Flaccus and the consuls decline to fight. When the troops


+  on both sides were drawn up to try the issue of a battle, in which Rome was


+  to be the prize of the victors, a violent shower of rain mingled with hail created


+  such disorder in both the lines, that the troops, scarcely able to hold their


+  arms, retired to their camps, less through fear of the enemy than of any thing


+  else. On the following day, likewise, a similar tempest separated the armies


+  marshalled on the same ground; but after they had retired to their camps the


+  weather became wonderfully serene and tranquil. The Carthaginians considered


+  this circumstance as a Divine interposition, and it is reported that Hannibal


+  was heard to say, "That sometimes he wanted the will to make himself master


+  of Rome, at other times the opportunity." Two other circumstances also, one


+  inconsiderable, the other important, diminished his hopes. The important one


+  was, that while he lay with his armed troops near the walls of the city, he


+  was informed that troops had marched out of it with colours flying, as a reinforcement


+  for Spain; that of less importance was, that he was informed by one of his prisoners,


+  that the very ground on which his camp stood was sold at this very time, without


+  any diminution in its price. Indeed, so great an insult and indignity did it


+  appear to him that a purchaser should be found at Rome for the very soil which


+  he held and possessed by right of conquest, that he immediately called a crier,


+  and ordered that the silversmiths' shops, which at that time stood around the


+  Roman forum, should be put up for sale. Induced by these circumstances he retired


+  to the river Tutia, six miles from the city, whence he proceeded to the grove


+  of Feronia, where was a temple at that time celebrated for its riches. The Capenatians


+  and other states in the neighbourhood, by bringing here their first-fruits and


+  other offerings according to their abilities, kept it decorated with abundance


+  of gold and silver. Of all these offerings the temple was now despoiled. After


+  the departure of Hannibal, vast heaps of brass were found there, as the soldiers,


+  from a religious feeling, had thrown in pieces of uncoined brass. The spoliation


+  of this temple is undoubted by historians; but Caelius asserts, that Hannibal,


+  in his progress to Rome, turned out of his way to it from Eretum. According


+  to him his route commenced with Amiternum, Caetilii, and Reate. He came from


+  Campania into Samnium, and thence into Pelignia; then passing the town Sulmio,


+  he entered the territory of the Marrucini; thence through the Alban territory


+  he came to that of the Marsi, from which he came to Amiternum and the village


+  of Foruli. Nor is this diversity of opinion a proof that the traces of so great


+  an army could be confounded in the lapse of so brief a period. That he went


+  that way is evident. The only question is, whether he took this route to the


+  city, or returned by it from the city into Campania? </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">12 </div>


+<a id="h12" />


+<p>With regard to Capua, Hannibal did not evince such obstinate perseverance in


+  raising the siege of it as the Romans did in pressing it; for quitting Lucania,


+  he came into the Bruttian territory, and marched to the strait and Rhegium with


+  such rapidity, that he was very near taking the place by surprise, in consequence


+  of the suddenness of his arrival. Though the siege had been urged with undiminished


+  vigour during his absence, yet Capua felt the return of Flaccus; and astonishment


+  was excited that Hannibal had not returned with him. Afterwards they learnt,


+  by conversations, that they were abandoned and deserted, and that the Carthaginians


+  had given up all hopes of retaining Capua. In addition to this a proclamation


+  was made by the proconsul, agreeably to a decree of the senate, and published


+  among the enemy, that any Campanian citizen who came over before a stated day


+  should be indemnified. No one, however, came over, as they were held together


+  by fear more than fidelity; for the crimes they had committed during their revolt


+  were too great to admit of pardon. As none of them passed over to the enemy,


+  consulting their own individual interest, so no measure of safety was taken


+  with regard to the general body. The nobility had deserted the state, nor could


+  they be induced to meet in the senate, while the office of chief magistrate


+  was filled by a man who had not derived honour to himself from his office, but


+  stripped the office of its influence and authority by his own unworthiness.


+  Now none of the nobles made their appearance even in the forum, or any public


+  place, but shut themselves up in their houses, in daily expectation of the downfall


+  of their city, and their own destruction together. The chief responsibility


+  in every thing devolved upon Bostar and Hanno, the praefects of the Punic garrison,


+  who were anxious on account of their own danger, and not that of their allies.


+  They addressed a letter to Hannibal, in terms, not only of freedom, but severity,


+  charging him with "delivering, not only Capua into the hands of the enemy, but


+  with treacherously abandoning themselves also, and their troops, to every species


+  of torture;" they told him "he had gone off to the Bruttians, in order to get


+  out of the way, as it were, lest Capua should be taken before his eyes; while,


+  by Hercules, the Romans, on the contrary, could not be drawn off from the siege


+  of Capua, even by an attack upon their city. So much more constant were the


+  Romans in their enmity than the Carthaginians in their friendship. If he would


+  return to Capua and direct the whole operations of the war to that point, that


+  both themselves and the Campanians would be prepared for a sally. That they


+  had crossed the Alps not to carry on a war with the people of Rhegium nor Tarentum.


+  That where the Roman legions were, there the armies of the Carthaginians ought


+  to be. Thus it was that victories had been gained at Cannae and Trasimenus;


+  by uniting, by pitching their camp close to that of the enemy, by trying their


+  fortune." A letter to this effect was given to some Numidians who had already


+  engaged to render their services for a stated reward. These men came into the


+  camp to Flaccus under pretence of being deserters, with the intention of quitting


+  it by seizing an opportunity, and the famine, which had so long existed at Capua,


+  afforded a pretext for desertion which no one could suspect. But a Campanian


+  woman, the paramour of one of the deserters, unexpectedly entered the camp,


+  and informed the Roman general that the Numidians had come over according to


+  a preconcerted plan of treachery, and were the bearers of letters to Hannibal;


+  that she was prepared to convict one of the party of that fact, as he had discovered


+  it to her. On being brought forward, he at first pretended, with considerable


+  pertinacity, that he did not know the woman; but afterwards, gradually succumbing


+  to the force of truth, when he saw the instruments of torture called for and


+  preparing, he confessed that it was so. The letters were produced, and a discovery


+  was made of an additional fact, before concealed, that other Numidians were


+  strolling about in the Roman camp, under pretence of being deserters. Above


+  seventy of these were arrested, and, with the late deserters, scourged with


+  rods; and after their hands had been cut off, were driven back to Capua. The


+  sight of so severe a punishment broke the spirit of the Campanians. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">13 </div>


+<a id="h13" />


+<p>The people, rushing in crowds to the senate-house, compelled Lesius to assemble


+  a senate, and openly threatened the nobles, who had now for a long time absented


+  themselves from the public deliberations, that unless they attended the meeting


+  of the senate, they would go round to their houses and drag them all before


+  the public by force. The fear of this procured the magistrate a full senate.


+  Here, while the rest contended for sending ambassadors to the Roman generals,


+  Vibius Virrius, who had been the instigator of the revolt from the Romans, on


+  being asked his opinion, observed, that "those persons who spoke of sending


+  ambassadors, and of peace, and a surrender, did not bear in mind either what


+  they would do if they had the Romans in their power, or what they themselves


+  must expect to suffer. What! do you think," says he, "that your surrender will


+  be like that in which formerly we placed ourselves and every thing belonging


+  to us at the disposal of the Romans, in order that we might obtain assistance


+  from them against the Samnites? Have you already forgotten at what a juncture


+  we revolted from the Romans, and what were their circumstances? Have you forgotten


+  how at the time of the revolt we put to death, with torture and indignity, their


+  garrison, which might have been sent out? How often, and with determined hostility,


+  we have sallied out against them when besieging us, and assaulted their camp?


+  How we invited Hannibal to come and cut them off? And how most recently we sent


+  him hence to lay siege to Rome? But come, retrace on the other hand what they


+  have done in hostility towards us, that you may learn therefrom what you have


+  to hope for. When a foreign enemy was in Italy, and that enemy Hannibal; when


+  the flame of war was kindled in every quarter; disregarding every other object,


+  disregarding even Hannibal himself, they sent two consuls with two consular


+  armies to lay siege to Capua. This is the second year, that, surrounded with


+  lines and shut up within our walls, they consume us by famine, having suffered


+  in like manner with ourselves the extremest dangers and the severest hardships,


+  having frequently had their troops slain near their rampart and trenches, and


+  at last having been almost deprived of their camp. But I pass over these matters.


+  It has been usual, even from of old, to suffer dangers and hardships in besieging


+  an enemy's city. The following is a proof of their animosity and bitter hatred.


+  Hannibal assaulted their camp with an immense force of horse and foot, and took


+  a part of it. By so great a danger they were not in the least diverted from


+  the siege. Crossing the Vulturnus, he laid waste the territory of Cales with


+  fire. Such calamities inflicted upon their allies had no effect in calling them


+  off. He ordered his troops to march in hostile array to the very city of Rome.


+  They despised the tempest which threatened them in this case also. Crossing


+  the Anio, he pitched his camp three miles from the city, and lastly, came up


+  to the very walls and gates. He gave them to understand that he would take their


+  city from them, unless they gave up Capua. But they did not give it up. Wild


+  beasts, impelled by headlong fury and rage, you may divert from their object


+  to bring assistance to those belonging to them, if you attempt to approach their


+  dens and their young. The Romans could not be diverted from Capua by the blockade


+  of Rome, by their wives and children, whose lamentations could almost be heard


+  from this place, by their altars, their hearths, the temples of their gods,


+  and the sepulchres of their ancestors profaned and violated. So great was their


+  avidity to bring us to punishment, so insatiable their thirst for drinking our


+  blood. Nor, perhaps, without reason. We too would have done the same had the


+  opportunity been afforded us. Since, however, the gods have thought proper to


+  determine it otherwise, though I ought not to shrink from death, while I am


+  free, while I am master of myself, I have it in my power, by a death not only


+  honourable but mild, to escape the tortures and indignities which the enemy


+  hope to inflict upon me. I will not see Appius Claudius and Quintus Fulvius


+  in the pride and insolence of victory, nor will I be dragged in chains through


+  Rome as a spectacle in a triumph, that afterwards in a dungeon, or tied to a


+  stake, after my back has been lacerated with stripes, I may place my neck under


+  a Roman axe. I will neither see my native city demolished and burnt, nor the


+  matrons, virgins, and free-born youths of Campania dragged to constupration.


+  Alba, from which they themselves derived their origin, they demolished from


+  her foundations, that there might remain no trace of their rise and extraction,


+  much less can I believe they will spare Capua, towards which they bear a more


+  rancorous hatred than towards Carthage. For such of you, therefore, as have


+  a mind to yield to fate, before they behold such horrors, a banquet is furnished


+  and prepared at my house. When satiated with wine and food, the same cup which


+  shall have been given to me shall be handed round to them. That potion will


+  rescue our bodies from torture, our minds from insult, our eyes and ears from


+  seeing and hearing all those cruelties and indignities which await the vanquished.


+  There will be persons in readiness who will throw our lifeless bodies upon a


+  large pile kindled in the court-yard of the house. This is the only free and


+  honourable way to death. Our very enemies will admire our courage, and Hannibal


+  will learn that those whom he deserted and betrayed were brave allies." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">14 </div>


+<a id="h14" />


+<p>More of those who heard this speech of Virrius approved of the proposal contained


+  in it, than had strength of mind to execute what they approved. The greater


+  part of the senate being not without hopes that the Romans, whose clemency they


+  had frequently had proof of in many wars, would be exorable by them also, decreed


+  and sent ambassadors to surrender Capua to the Romans. About twenty-seven senators,


+  following Vibius Virrius to his home, partook of the banquet with him; and after


+  having, as far as they could, withdrawn their minds, by means of wine, from


+  the perception of the impending evil, all took the poison. They then rose from


+  the banquet, after giving each other their right hands, and taking a last embrace,


+  mingling their tears for their own and their country's fate; some of them remained,


+  that they might be burned upon the same pile, and the rest retired to their


+  homes. Their veins being filled in consequence of what they had eaten, and the


+  wine they drank, rendered the poison less efficacious in expediting death; and


+  accordingly, though the greater part of them languished the whole of that night


+  and part of the following day, all of them, however, breathed their last before


+  the gates were opened to the enemy. The following day the gate of Jupiter, which


+  faced the Roman camp, was opened by order of the proconsul, when one legion


+  and two squadrons of allies marched in at it, under the command of Caius Fulvius,


+  lieutenant-general. When he had taken care that all the arms and weapons to


+  be found in Capua should be brought to him; having placed guards at all the


+  gates to prevent any one's going or being sent out, he seized the Carthaginian


+  garrison, and ordered the Campanian senators to go into the camp to the Roman


+  generals. On their arrival they were all immediately thrown into chains, and


+  ordered to lay before the quaestor an account of all the gold and silver they


+  had. There were seventy pounds of gold, and three thousand two hundred of silver.


+  Twenty-five of the senators were sent to Cales, to be kept in custody, and twenty-eight


+  to Teanum; these being the persons by whose advice principally it appeared that


+  the revolt from the Romans had taken place. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">15 </div>


+<a id="h15" />


+<p>Fulvius and Claudius were far from being agreed as to the punishment of the


+  Campanian senators. Claudius was disposed to grant their prayer for pardon,


+  but Fulvius was more inclined to severity. Appius, therefore, was for referring


+  the entire disposal of the question to the Roman senate. He thought it right


+  also, that the fathers should have the opportunity of asking them whether any


+  of the Latin confederates, or of the municipal towns, had taken part in these


+  designs, and whether they had derived any assistance from them in the war. Fulvius,


+  on the contrary, urged that they ought by no means to run the hazard of having


+  the minds of faithful allies harassed by doubtful accusations, and subjected


+  to informers who never cared at all what they did or what they said. For this


+  reason he said that he should prevent and put a stop to any such inquiry. After


+  this conversation they separated; Appius not doubting but that his colleague,


+  though he expressed himself so warmly, would, nevertheless, wait for a letter


+  from Rome, in an affair of such magnitude. But Fulvius, fearing that his designs


+  would be frustrated by that very means, dismissed his council, and commanded


+  the military tribunes and the praefects of the allies to give notice to two


+  thousand chosen horsemen to be in readiness at the third trumpet. Setting out


+  for Teanum with this body of cavalry, he entered the gate at break of day, and


+  proceeded direct to the forum; and a number of people having flocked together


+  at the first entrance of the horsemen, he ordered the Sidicinian magistrate


+  to be summoned; when he desired him to bring forth the Campanians whom he had


+  in custody. These were all accordingly brought forth, scourged, and beheaded.


+  He then proceeded at full speed to Cales; where, when he had taken his seat


+  on the tribunal, and while the Campanians, who had been brought forth, were


+  being bound to the stake, an express arrived from Rome, and delivered to him


+  a letter from Caius Calpurnius, the praetor, and a decree of the senate. A murmur


+  immediately pervaded the whole assembly, beginning at the tribunal, that the


+  entire question respecting the Campanians was referred to the decision of the


+  fathers, and Fulvius, suspecting this to be the case, took the letter, and without


+  opening it put it into his bosom, and then commanded the crier to order the


+  lictor to do his duty. Thus punishment was inflicted on those also who were


+  at Cales. The letter was then read, together with the decree of the senate,


+  when it was too late to prevent the business which was already executed, and


+  which had been accelerated by every means to prevent its being obstructed. When


+  Fulvius was now rising from his seat, Jubellius Taurea, a Campanian making his


+  way through the middle of the city and the crowd, called upon him by name, and


+  when Flaccus, who wondered greatly what he could want, had resumed his seat,


+  he said, "Order me also to be put to death, that you may be able to boast, that


+  a much braver man than yourself has been put to death by you." Fulvius at first


+  said, that the man could not certainly be in his senses, then, that he was restrained


+  by a decree of the senate, even though he might wish it, when Jubellius exclaimed


+  "Since, after the capture of my country, and the loss of my relations and friends,


+  after having killed, with my own hand, my wife and children to prevent their


+  suffering any indignity, I am not allowed even to die in the same manner as


+  these my countrymen, let a rescue be sought in courage from this hated existence."


+  So saying, he thrust a sword, which he had concealed under his garment, right


+  through his breast, and fell lifeless at the general's feet. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">16 </div>


+<a id="h16" />


+<p>Because not only what related to the punishment of the Campanians, but most


+  of the other particulars of this affair, were transacted according to the judgment


+  of Flaccus alone, some authors affirm that Appius Claudius died about the time


+  of the surrender of Capua, and that this same Taurea neither came to Cales voluntarily


+  nor died by his own hand, but that while he was being tied to the stake among


+  the rest, Flaccus, who could not distinctly hear what he vociferated from the


+  noise which was made, ordered silence, when Taurea said the things which have


+  been before related "that he, a man of the greatest courage, was being put to


+  death by one who was by no means his equal in respect to valour." That immediately


+  on his saying this, the herald, by command of the proconsul, pronounced this


+  order. "Lictor, apply the rods to this man of courage, and execute the law upon


+  him first." Some authors also relate, that he read the decree of the senate


+  before he beheaded them, but that as there was a clause in it, to the effect,


+  that if he thought proper he should refer the entire question to the senate,


+  he construed it that the decision as to what was most for the interest of the


+  state was left to himself. He returned from Cales to Capua. Atella and Calatia


+  surrendered themselves, and were received. Here also the principal promoters


+  of the revolt were punished. Thus eighty principal members of the senate were


+  put to death, and about three hundred of the Campanian nobles thrown into prison.


+  The rest were distributed through the several cities of the Latin confederacy,


+  to be kept in custody, where they perished in various ways. The rest of the


+  Campanian citizens were sold. The remaining subject of deliberation related


+  to the city and its territory. Some were of opinion that a city so eminently


+  powerful, so near, and so hostile, ought to be demolished. But immediate utility


+  prevailed, for on account of the land, which was evidently superior to any in


+  Italy from the variety and exuberance of its produce, the city was preserved


+  that it might become a settlement of husbandmen. For the purpose of peopling


+  the city, a number of sojourners, freed-men, dealers, and artificers, were retained,


+  but all the land and buildings were made the property of the Roman state. It


+  was resolved, however, that Capua should only be inhabited and peopled as a


+  city, that there should be no body-politic, nor assembly of the senate or people,


+  nor magistrates. For it was thought that a multitude not possessing any public


+  council, without a ruling power, and unconnected by the participation of any


+  common rights, would be incapable of combination. They resolved to send a praefect


+  annually from Rome to administer justice. Thus were matters adjusted at Capua,


+  upon a plan in every respect worthy of commendation. Punishment was inflicted


+  upon the most guilty with rigour and despatch, the populace dispersed beyond


+  all hope of return, no rage vented in fire and ruins upon the unoffending houses


+  and walls. Together also with advantage, a reputation for clemency was obtained


+  among the allies, by the preservation of a city of the greatest celebrity and


+  opulence, the demolition of which, all Campania, and all the people dwelling


+  in the neighbourhood of Campania, would have bewailed, while their enemies were


+  compelled to admit the ability of the Romans to punish their faithless allies,


+  and how little assistance could be derived from Hannibal towards the defence


+  of those whom he had taken under his protection. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">17 </div>


+<a id="h17" />


+<p>The Roman senate having gone through every thing which required their attention


+  relative to Capua, decreed to Caius Nero six thousand foot and three hundred


+  horse, whichever he should himself choose out of those two legions which he


+  had commanded at Capua, with an equal number of infantry, and eight hundred


+  horse of the Latin confederacy. This army Nero embarked at Puteoli, and conveyed


+  over into Spain. Having arrived at Tarraco with his ships, landed his troops,


+  hauled his ships ashore, and armed his mariners to augment his numbers, he proceeded


+  to the river Iberus, and received the army from Titus Fonteius and Lucius Marcius.


+  He then marched towards the enemy. Hasdrubal, son of Hamilcar, was encamped


+  at the black stones in Ausetania, a place situated between the towns Illiturgi


+  and Mentissa. The entrance of this defile Nero seized, and Hasdrubal, to prevent


+  his being shut up in it, sent a herald to engage that, if he were allowed to


+  depart thence, he would convey the whole of his army out of Spain. The Roman


+  general having received this proposition gladly, Hasdrubal requested the next


+  day for a conference, when the Romans might draw up conditions relative to the


+  surrender of the citadels of the towns, and the appointment of a day on which


+  the garrisons might be withdrawn, and the Carthaginians might remove every thing


+  belonging to them without imposition. Having obtained his point in this respect,


+  Hasdrubal gave orders that as soon as it was dark, and during the whole of the


+  night afterwards, the heaviest part of his force should get out of the defile


+  by whatever way they could. The strictest care was taken that many should not


+  go out that night, that the very fewness of their numbers might both be more


+  adapted to elude the notice of the enemy from their silence, and to an escape


+  through confined and rugged paths. Next day they met for the conference; but


+  that day having been spent, on purpose, in speaking and writing about a variety


+  of subjects, which were not to this point, the conference was put off to the


+  next day. The addition of the following night gave him time to send still more


+  out; nor was the business concluded the next day. Thus several days were spent


+  in openly discussing conditions, and as many nights in privately sending the


+  Carthaginian troops out of their camp; and after the greater part of the army


+  had been sent out, he did not even keep to those terms which he had himself


+  proposed; and his sincerity decreasing with his fears, they became less and


+  less agreed. By this time nearly all the infantry had cleared the defile, when


+  at daybreak a dense mist enveloped the whole defile and the neighbouring plains;


+  which Hasdrubal perceiving, sent to Nero to put off the conference to the following


+  day, as the Carthaginians held that day sacred from the transaction of any serious


+  business. Not even then was the cheat suspected. Hasdrubal having gained the


+  indulgence he sought for that day also, immediately quitted his camp with his


+  cavalry and elephants, and without creating any alarm escaped to a place of


+  safety. About the fourth hour the mist, being dispelled by the sun, left the


+  atmosphere clear, when the Romans saw that the camp of the enemy was deserted.


+  Then at length Claudius, recognising the Carthaginian perfidy, and perceiving


+  that he had been caught by trickery, immediately began to pursue the enemy as


+  they moved off, prepared to give battle; but they declined fighting. Some skirmishes,


+  however, took place between the rear of the Carthaginians and the advanced guard


+  of the Romans. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">18 </div>


+<a id="h18" />


+<p>During the time in which these events occurred, neither did those states of


+  Spain which had revolted after the defeat that was sustained, return to the


+  Romans, nor did any others desert them. At Rome, the attention of the senate


+  and people, after the recovery of Capua, was not fixed in a greater degree upon


+  Italy than upon Spain. They resolved that the army there should be augmented


+  and a general sent. They were not, however, so clear as to the person whom they


+  should send, as that, where two generals had fallen within the space of thirty


+  days, he who was to supply the place of them should be selected with unusual


+  care. Some naming one person, and others another, they at length came to the


+  resolution that the people should assemble for the purpose of electing a proconsul


+  for Spain, and the consuls fixed a day for the election. At first they waited


+  in expectation that those persons who might think themselves qualified for so


+  momentous a command would give in their names, but this expectation being disappointed,


+  their grief was renewed for the calamity they had suffered, and then regret


+  for the generals they had lost. The people thus afflicted, and almost at their


+  wits' end, came down, however, to the Campus Martius on the day of the election,


+  where, turning towards the magistrates, they looked round at the countenances


+  of their most eminent men, who were earnestly gazing at each other, and murmured


+  bitterly, that their affairs were in so ruinous a state, and the condition of


+  the commonwealth so desperate, that no one dared undertake the command in Spain.


+  When suddenly Publius Cornelius, son of Publius who had fallen in Spain, who


+  was about twenty-four years of age, declaring himself a candidate, took his


+  station on an eminence from which he could be seen by all. The eyes of the whole


+  assembly were directed towards him, and by acclamations and expressions of approbation,


+  a prosperous and happy command were at once augured to him. Orders were then


+  given that they should proceed to vote, when not only every century, but every


+  individual to a man, decided that Publius Scipio should be invested with the


+  command in Spain. But after the business had been concluded, and the ardour


+  and impetuosity of their zeal had subsided, a sudden silence ensued, and a secret


+  reflection on what they had done, whether their partiality had not got the better


+  of their judgment? They chiefly regretted his youth, but some were terrified


+  at the fortune which attended his house and his name, for while the two families


+  to which he belonged were in mourning, he was going into a province where he


+  must carry on his operations between the tombs of his father and his uncle.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">19 </div>


+<a id="h19" />


+<p>Perceiving the solicitude and anxiety which people felt, after performing the


+  business with so much ardour, he summoned an assembly, in which he discoursed


+  in so noble and high minded a manner, on his years, the command intrusted to


+  him, and the war which he had to carry on, as to rekindle and renew the ardour


+  which had subsided, and inspire the people with more confident hopes than the


+  reliance placed on human professions, or reasoning on the promising appearance


+  of affairs, usually engenders. For Scipio was not only deserving of admiration


+  for his real virtues, but also for his peculiar address in displaying them,


+  to which he had been formed from his earliest years;--effecting many things


+  with the multitude, either by feigning nocturnal visions or as with a mind divinely


+  inspired; whether it was that he was himself, too, endued with a superstitious


+  turn of mind, or that they might execute his commands and adopt his plans without


+  hesitation, as if they proceeded from the responses of an oracle. With the intention


+  of preparing men's minds for this from the beginning, he never at any time from


+  his first assumption of the manly gown transacted any business, public or private,


+  without first going to the Capitol, entering the temple, and taking his seat


+  there; where he generally passed a considerable time in secret and alone. This


+  practice, which was adhered to through the whole of his life, occasioned in


+  some persons a belief in a notion which generally prevailed, whether designedly


+  or undesignedly propagated, that he was a man of divine extraction; and revived


+  a report equally absurd and fabulous with that formerly spread respecting Alexander


+  the Great, that he was begotten by a huge serpent, whose monstrous form was


+  frequently observed in the bedchamber of his mother, but which, on any one's


+  coming in, suddenly unfolding his coils, glided out of sight. The belief in


+  these miraculous accounts was never ridiculed by him, but rather increased by


+  his address; neither positively denying any such thing nor openly affirming


+  it. There were also many other things, some real and others counterfeit, which


+  exceeded in the case of this young man the usual measure of human admiration,


+  in reliance on which the state intrusted him with an affair of so much difficulty,


+  and with so important a command, at an age by no means ripe for it. To the forces


+  in Spain, consisting of the remains of the old army, and those which had been


+  conveyed over from Puteoli by Claudius Nero, ten thousand infantry and a thousand


+  horse were added; and Marcus Junius Silanus, the propraetor, was sent to assist


+  in the management of affairs. Thus with a fleet of thirty ships, all of which


+  were quinqueremes, he set sail from the mouth of the Tiber, and coasting along


+  the shore of the Tuscan Sea, the Alps, and the Gallic Gulf, and then doubling


+  the promontory of the Pyrenees, landed his troops at Emporiae, a Greek city,


+  which also derived its origin from Phocaea. Ordering his ships to attend him,


+  he marched by land to Tarraco; where he held a congress of deputies from all


+  the allies; for embassies had poured forth from every province on the news of


+  his arrival. Here he ordered his ships to be hauled on shore, having sent back


+  the four triremes of the Massilians which had, in compliment to him, attended


+  him from their home. After that, he began to give answers to the embassies of


+  the several states, which had been in suspense on account of the many vicissitudes


+  of the war; and this with so great dignity, arising from the great confidence


+  he had in his own talents, that no presumptuous expression ever escaped him;


+  and in every thing he said there appeared at once the greatest majesty and sincerity.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">20 </div>


+<a id="h20" />


+<p>Setting out from Tarraco, he visited the states of his allies and the winter


+  quarters of his army; and bestowed the highest commendations upon the soldiers,


+  because, though they had received two such disastrous blows in succession, they


+  had retained possession of the province, and not allowing the enemy to reap


+  any advantage from their successes, had excluded them entirely from the territory


+  on this side of the Iberus, and honourably protected their allies. Marcius he


+  kept with him, and treated him with such respect, that it was perfectly evident


+  there was nothing he feared less than lest any one should stand in the way of


+  his own glory. Silanus then took the place of Nero, and the fresh troops were


+  led into winter quarters. Scipio having in good time visited every place where


+  his presence was necessary, and completed every thing which was to be done,


+  returned to Tarraco. The reputation of Scipio among his enemies was not inferior


+  to that which he enjoyed among his allies and countrymen. They felt also a kind


+  of presentiment of what was to come, which occasioned the greater apprehension,


+  the less they could account for their fears, which had arisen without any cause.


+  They had retired to their winter quarters in different directions. Hasdrubal,


+  son of Gisgo, had gone quite to the ocean and Gades; Mago into the midland parts


+  chiefly above the forest of Castulo; Hasdrubal, son of Hamilcar, wintered in


+  the neighbourhood of Saguntum, close upon the Iberus. At the close of the summer


+  in which Capua was recovered and Scipio entered Spain, a Carthaginian fleet,


+  which had been fetched from Sicily to Tarentum, to cut off the supplies of the


+  Roman garrison in the citadel of that place, had blocked up all the approaches


+  to the citadel from the sea; but by lying there too long, they caused a greater


+  scarcity of provisions to their friends than to their enemies. For so much corn


+  could not be brought in for the townsmen, along the coasts which were friendly


+  to them, and through the ports which were kept open through the protection afforded


+  by the Carthaginian fleet, as the fleet itself consumed, which had on board


+  a crowd made up of every description of persons. So that the garrison of the


+  citadel, which was small in number, could be supported from the stock they had


+  previously laid in without importing any, while that which they imported was


+  not sufficient for the supply of the Tarentines and the fleet. At length the


+  fleet was sent away with greater satisfaction than it was received. The scarcity


+  of provisions, however, was not much relieved by it; because when the protection


+  by sea was removed corn could not be brought in. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">21 </div>


+<a id="h21" />


+<p>At the close of the same summer, Marcus Marcellus arriving at the city from


+  his province of Sicily, an audience of the senate was given him by Caius Calpurnius,


+  the praetor, in the temple of Bellona. Here, after discoursing on the services


+  he had performed, and complaining in gentle terms, not on his own account more


+  than that of his soldiers, that after having completely reduced the province,


+  he had not been allowed to bring home his army, he requested that he might be


+  allowed to enter the city in triumph; this he did not obtain. A long debate


+  took place on the question, whether it was less consistent to deny a triumph


+  on his return to him, in whose name, when absent, a supplication had been decreed


+  and honours paid to the immortal gods, for successes obtained under his conduct;


+  or, when they had ordered him to deliver over his army to a successor, which


+  would not have been decreed unless there were still war in the province, to


+  allow him to triumph, as if the war had been terminated, when the army, the


+  evidence of the triumph being deserved or undeserved, were absent. As a middle


+  course between the two opinions, it was resolved that he should enter the city


+  in ovation. The plebeian tribunes, by direction of the senate, proposed to the


+  people, that Marcus Marcellus should be invested with command during the day


+  on which he should enter the city in ovation. The day before he entered the


+  city he triumphed on the Alban mount; after which he entered the city in ovation,


+  having a great quantity of spoils carried before him, together with a model


+  of the capture of Syracuse. The catapultas and ballistas, and every other instrument


+  of war were carried; likewise the rich ornaments laid up by its kings during


+  a long continuance of peace; a quantity of wrought silver and brass, and other


+  articles, with precious garments, and a number of celebrated statues, with which


+  Syracuse had been adorned in such a manner as to rank among the chief Grecian


+  cities in that respect. Eight elephants were also led as an emblem of victory


+  over the Carthaginians. Sosis, the Syracusan, and Mericus, the Spaniard, who


+  preceded him with golden crowns, formed not the least interesting part of the


+  spectacle; under the guidance of one of whom the Romans had entered Syracuse


+  by night, while the other had betrayed to them the island and the garrison in


+  it. To both of them the freedom of the city was given, and five hundred acres


+  of land each. Sosis was to have his portion in the Syracusan territory, out


+  of the lands which had belonged either to the kings or the enemies of the Roman


+  people, together with a house at Syracuse, which had belonged to any one of


+  those persons who had been punished according to the laws of war. Mericus and


+  the Spaniards who had come over with him were ordered to have a city and lands


+  assigned to them in Sicily, which had belonged to some of those who had revolted


+  from the Romans. It was given in charge to Marcus Cornelius to assign them the


+  city and lands wherever he thought proper. In the same country, four hundred


+  acres of land were decreed to Belligenes, by whose means Mericus had been persuaded


+  to come over. After the departure of Marcellus from Sicily, a Carthaginian fleet


+  landed eight thousand infantry and three thousand Numidian cavalry. To these


+  the Murgantian territories revolted; Hybla, Macella, and certain other towns


+  of less note followed their defection. The Numidians also, headed by Mutines,


+  ranging without restraint through the whole of Sicily, ravaged with fire the


+  lands of the allies of the Romans. In addition to these unfortunate circumstances,


+  the Roman soldiers, incensed partly because they had not been taken from the


+  province with their general, and partly because they had been forbidden to winter


+  in towns, discharged their duties negligently, and wanted a a leader more than


+  inclination for a mutiny. Amid these difficulties Marcus Cornelius, the praetor,


+  sometimes by soothing, at other times by reproving them, pacified the minds


+  of the soldiers; and reduced to obedience all the states which had revolted;


+  out of which he gave Murgantia to those Spaniards who were entitled to a city


+  and land, in conformity with the decree of the senate. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">22 </div>


+<a id="h22" />


+<p>As both the consuls had Apulia for their province, and as there was now less


+  to be apprehended from Hannibal and the Carthaginians, they were directed to


+  draw lots for the provinces of Apulia and Macedonia. Macedonia fell to the lot


+  of Sulpicius, who succeeded Laevinus. Fulvius having been called to Rome on


+  account of the election, held an assembly to elect new consuls; when the junior


+  Veturian century, which had the right of voting first, named Titus Manlius Torquatus


+  and Titus Otacilius. A crowd collecting round Manlius, who was present, to congratulate


+  him, and it being certain that the people would concur in his election, he went,


+  surrounded as he was with a multitude of persons, to the tribunal of the consul,


+  and requested that he would listen to a few words from him; and that he would


+  order the century which had voted to be recalled. While all present were waiting


+  impatiently to hear what it was he was going to ask, he alleged as an excuse


+  the weakness of his eyes; observing, that "a pilot or a general might fairly


+  be charged with presumption who should request that the lives and fortunes of


+  others might be intrusted to him, when in every thing which was to be done he


+  must make use of other people's eyes. Therefore he requested, that, if it seemed


+  good to him, he would order the junior Veturian century to come and vote again;


+  and to recollect, while electing consuls, the war which they had in Italy, and


+  the present exigencies of the state. That their ears had scarcely yet ceased


+  to ring with the noise and tumult raised by the enemy, when but a few months


+  ago they nearly scaled the walls of Rome." This speech was followed by the century's


+  shouting out, one and all, that "they would not in the least alter their vote,


+  but would name the same persons for consuls;" when Torquatus replied, "neither


+  shall I as consul be able to put up with your conduct, nor will you be satisfied


+  with my government. Go back and vote again, and consider that you have a Punic


+  war in Italy, and that the leader of your enemies is Hannibal." Upon this the


+  century, moved by the authority of the man and the shouts of admirers around,


+  besought the consul to summon the elder Veturian century; for they were desirous


+  of conferring with persons older than themselves, and to name the consuls in


+  accordance with their advice. The elder Veturian century having been summoned,


+  time was allowed them to confer with the others by themselves in the <i>ovile</i>.


+  The elders said that there were three persons whom they ought to deliberate


+  about electing, two of them having already served all the offices of honour,


+  namely, Quintus Fabius and Marcus Marcellus; and if they wished so particularly


+  to elect some fresh person as consul to act against the Carthaginians, that


+  Marcus Valerius Laevinus had carried on operations against king Philip by sea


+  and land with signal success. Thus, three persons having been proposed to them


+  to deliberate about, the seniors were dismissed, and the juniors proceeded to


+  vote. They named as consuls, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, then glorious with the


+  conquest of Sicily, and Marcus Valerius, both in their absence. All the centuries


+  followed the recommendation of that which voted first. Let men now ridicule


+  the admirers of antiquity. Even if there existed a republic of wise men, which


+  the learned rather imagine than know of; for my own part I cannot persuade myself


+  that there could possibly be a nobility of sounder judgment, and more moderate


+  in their desire of power, or a people better moralled. Indeed that a century


+  of juniors should have been willing to consult their elders, as to the persons


+  to whom they should intrust a command by their vote, is rendered scarcely probable


+  by the contempt and levity with which the parental authority is treated by children


+  in the present age. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">23 </div>


+<a id="h23" />


+<p>The assembly for the election of praetors was then held, at which Publius Manlius


+  Vulso, Lucius Manlius Acidinus, Caius Laetorius, and Lucius Cincius Alimentus


+  were elected. It happened that just as the elections were concluded, news was


+  brought that Titus Otacilius, whom it seemed the people would have made consul


+  in his absence, with Titus Manlius, had not the course of the elections been


+  interrupted, had died in Sicily. The games in honour of Apollo had been performed


+  the preceding year, and on the motion of Calpurnius, the praetor, that they


+  should be performed this year also, the senate decreed that they should be vowed


+  every year for the time to come. The same year several prodigies were seen and


+  reported. At the temple of Concord, a statue of Victory, which stood on the


+  roof, having been struck by lightning and thrown down, stuck among the figures


+  of Victory, which were among the ornaments under the eaves, and did not fall


+  to the ground from thence. Both from Anagnia and Fregellae it was reported that


+  a wall and some gates had been struck by lightning. That in the forum of Sudertum


+  streams of blood had continued flowing through a whole day; at Eretum, that


+  there had been a shower of stones; and at Reate, that a mule had brought forth.


+  These prodigies were expiated with victims of the larger sort, the people were


+  commanded to offer up prayers for one day, and perform the nine days' sacred


+  rite. Several of the public priests died off this year, and fresh ones were


+  appointed. In the room of Manius Aemilius Numida, decemvir for sacred rites,


+  Marcus Aemilius Lepidus was appointed; in the room of Manius Pomponius Matho,


+  the pontiff, Caius Livius; in the room of Spurius Carvilius Maximus, the augur,


+  Marcus Servilius. As Titus Otacilius Crassus, a pontiff, died after the year


+  was concluded, no person was nominated to succeed him. Caius Claudius, flamen


+  of Jupiter, retired from his office, because he had distributed the entrails


+  improperly. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">24 </div>


+<a id="h24" />


+<p>During the same time Marcus Valerius Laevinus, having first sounded the intentions


+  of the leading men by means of secret conferences, came with some light ships


+  to a council of the Aetolians, which had been previously appointed to meet for


+  this very purpose. Here having proudly pointed to the capture of Syracuse and


+  Capua, as proofs of the success of the Roman arms in Sicily and Italy, he added,


+  that "it was a custom with the Romans, handed down to them from their ancestors,


+  to respect their allies; some of whom they had received into their state, and


+  had admitted to the same privileges they enjoyed themselves, while others they


+  treated so favourably that they chose rather to be allies than citizens. That


+  the Aetolians would be honoured by them so much the more, because they were


+  the first of the nations across the sea which had entered into friendship with


+  them. That Philip and the Macedonians were troublesome neighbours to them, but


+  that he had broken their strength and spirits already, and would still further


+  reduce them to that degree, that they should not only evacuate the cities which


+  they had violently taken from the Aetolians, but have Macedonia itself disturbed


+  with war. And that as to the Acarnanians, whose separation from their body was


+  a source of grief to the Aetolians, he would place them again under their ancient


+  system of jurisdiction and dominion." These assertions and promises of the Roman


+  general, Scopas, who was at that time praetor of the nation, and Dorymachus,


+  a leading man among the Aetolians, confirmed on their own authority, extolling


+  the power and greatness of the Roman people with less reserve, and with greater


+  force of conviction. However, the hope of recovering Acarnania principally moved


+  them. The terms, therefore, were reduced to writing, on which they should enter


+  into alliance and friendship with the Roman people, and it was added, that "if


+  it were agreeable to them and they wished it, the Eleans and Lacedaemonians,


+  with Attalus, Pleuratus, and Scerdilaedas, should be included on the same conditions."


+  Attalus was king of Asia; the latter, kings of the Thracians and Illyrians.


+  The conditions were, that "the Aetolians should immediately make war on Philip


+  by land, in which the Romans should assist, with not less than twenty quinqueremes.


+  That the site and buildings, together with the walls and lands, of all the cities


+  as far as Corcyra, should become the property of the Aetolians, every other


+  kind of booty, of the Romans. That the Romans should endeavour to put the Aetolians


+  in possession of Acarnania. If the Aetolians should make peace with Philip,


+  they should insert a stipulation that the peace should stand good only on condition


+  that they abstained from hostilities against the Romans, their allies, and the


+  states subject to them. In like manner, if the Romans should form an alliance


+  with the king, that they should provide that he should not have liberty to make


+  war upon the Aetolians and their allies." Such were the terms agreed upon; and


+  copies of them having been made, they were laid up two years afterwards by the


+  Aetolians at Olympia, and by the Romans in the Capitol, that they might be attested


+  by these consecrated records. The delay had been occasioned by the Aetolian


+  ambassadors' having been detained at Rome. This, however, did not form an impediment


+  to the war's proceeding. Both the Aetolians immediately commenced war against


+  Philip, and Laevinus taking, all but the citadel, Zacynthus, a small island


+  near to Aetolia, and having one city of the same name with the island; and also


+  taking Aeniadae and Nasus from the Acarnanians, annexed them to the Aetolians;


+  and also considering that Philip was sufficiently engaged in war with his neighbours


+  to prevent his thinking of Italy, the Carthaginians, and his compact with Hannibal,


+  he retired to Corcyra. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">25 </div>


+<a id="h25" />


+<p>To Philip intelligence of the defection of the Aetolians was brought while


+  in winter quarters at Pella. As he was about to march an army into Greece at


+  the beginning of the spring, he undertook a sudden expedition into the territories


+  of Oricum and Apollonia, in order that Macedonia might not be molested by the


+  Illyrians, and the cities bordering upon them, in consequence of the terror


+  he would thus strike them with in turn. The Apollonians came out to oppose him,


+  but he drove them, terrified and dismayed, within their walls. After devastating


+  the adjacent parts of Illyricum he turned his course into Pelagonia, with the


+  same expedition. He then took Sintia, a town of the Dardanians, which would


+  have afforded them a passage into Macedonia. Having with the greatest despatch


+  performed these achievements, not forgetting the war made upon him by the Aetolians


+  and Romans in conjunction, he marched down into Thessaly through Pelagonia,


+  Lyncus, and Bottiaea. He trusted that people might be induced to take part with


+  him in the war against the Aetolians, and, therefore, leaving Perseus with four


+  thousand armed men at the gorge, which formed the entrance into Thessaly, to


+  prevent the Aetolians from passing it, before he should be occupied with more


+  important business, he marched his army into Macedonia, and thence into Thrace


+  and Maedica. This nation had been accustomed to make incursions into Macedonia


+  when they perceived the king engaged in a foreign war, and the kingdom left


+  unprotected. Accordingly, he began to devastate the lands in the neighbourhood


+  of Phragandae, and to lay siege to the city Jamphorina, the capital and chief


+  fortress of Maedica. Scopas, on hearing that the king had gone into Thrace,


+  and was engaged in a war there, armed all the Aetolian youths, and prepared


+  to invade Acarnania. The Acarnanian nation, unequal to their enemy in point


+  of strength, and seeing that they had lost Aeniadae and Nasus, and moreover


+  that the Roman arms were threatening them, prepare the war rather with rage


+  than prudence. Having sent their wives, children, and those who were above sixty


+  years old into the neighbouring parts of Epirus, all who were between the ages


+  of fifteen and sixty, bound each other by an oath not to return unless victorious.


+  That no one might receive into his city or house, or admit to his table or hearth,


+  such as should retire from the field vanquished, they drew up a form of direful


+  execration against their countrymen who should do so; and the most solemn entreaty


+  they could devise, to friendly states. At the same time they entreated the Epirotes


+  to bury in one tomb such of their men as should fall in the encounter, adding


+  this inscription over their remains: HERE LIE THE ACARNANIANS, WHO DIED WHILE


+  FIGHTING IN DEFENCE OF THEIR COUNTRY, AGAINST THE VIOLENCE AND INJUSTICE OF


+  THE AETOLIANS. Having worked up their courage to the highest pitch by these


+  means, they fixed their camp at the extreme borders of their country in the


+  way of the enemy; and sending messengers to Philip to inform him of the critical


+  situation in which they stood, they obliged him to suspend the war in which


+  he was engaged, though he had gained possession of Jamphorina by surrender,


+  and had succeeded in other respects. The ardour of the Aetolians was damped,


+  in the first instance, by the news of the combination formed by the Acarnanians;


+  but afterwards the intelligence of Philip's approach compelled them even to


+  retreat into the interior of the country. Nor did Philip proceed farther than


+  Dium, though he had marched with great expedition to prevent the Acarnanians


+  being overpowered; and when he had received information that the Aetolians had


+  returned out of Acarnania, he also returned to Pella. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">26 </div>


+<a id="h26" />


+<p>Laevinus set sail from Corcyra in the beginning of the spring, and doubling


+  the promontory Leucate, arrived at Naupactus; when he gave notice that he should


+  go thence to Anticyra, in order that Scopas and the Aetolians might be ready


+  there to join him. Anticyra is situated in Locris, on the left hand as you enter


+  the Corinthian Gulf. The distance between Naupactus and this place is short


+  both by sea and land. In about three days after, the attack upon this place


+  commenced on both elements. The attack from the sea produced the greatest effect,


+  because there were on board the ships engines and machines of every description,


+  and because the Romans besieged from that quarter. In a few days, therefore,


+  the town surrendered, and was delivered over to the Aetolians, the booty, according


+  to compact, was given up to the Romans. Laevinus then received a letter informing


+  him, that he had been elected consul in his absence, and that Publius Sulpicius


+  was coming as his successor. He arrived at Rome later than he was generally


+  expected, being detained by a lingering illness. Marcus Marcellus, having entered


+  upon the consulship on the ides of March, assembled the senate on that day merely


+  for form's sake He declared, that "in the absence of his colleague he would


+  not enter into any question relative to the state or the provinces." He said,


+  "he well knew there were crowds of Sicilians in the neighbourhood of the city


+  at the country-houses of those who maligned him, whom he was so far from wishing


+  to prevent from openly publishing, at Rome, the charges which had been circulated


+  and got up against him by his enemies, that did they not pretend that they entertained


+  some fear of speaking of a consul in the absence of his colleague, he would


+  forthwith have given them a hearing of the senate. That when his colleague had


+  arrived, he would not allow any business to be transacted before the Sicilians


+  were brought before the senate. That Marcus Cornelius had in a manner held a


+  levy throughout all Sicily, in order that as many as possible might come to


+  Rome to prefer complaints against him, that the same person had filled the city


+  with letters containing false representations that there was still war in Sicily,


+  in order to detract from his merit." The consul, having acquired on that day


+  the reputation of having a well-regulated mind, dismissed the senate, and it


+  appeared that there would be almost a total suspension of every kind of business


+  till the other consul returned to the city. The want of employment, as usual,


+  produced expressions of discontent among the people. They complained of the


+  length of the war, that the lands around the city were devastated wherever Hannibal


+  had marched his hostile troops; that Italy was exhausted by levies, and that


+  almost every year their armies were cut to pieces, that the consuls elected


+  were both of them fond of war, men over-enterprising and impetuous, who would


+  probably stir up war in a time of profound peace, and therefore were the less


+  likely to allow the state to breathe in time of war. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">27 </div>


+<a id="h27" />


+<p>A fire which broke out in several places at once in the neighbourhood of the


+  forum, on the night before the festival of Minerva, interrupted these discourses.


+  Seven shops, where five were afterwards erected, and the banks, which are now


+  called the new banks, were all on fire at once. Afterwards the private dwellings


+  caught, for there were no public halls there then, the prisons called the Quarry,


+  the fish-market, and the royal palace. The temple of Vesta was with difficulty


+  saved, principally by the exertions of thirteen slaves, who were redeemed at


+  the public expense and manumitted. The fire continued for a day and a night.


+  It was evident to every body that it was caused by human contrivance, because


+  the flames burst forth in several places at once, and those at a distance from


+  each other. The consul, therefore, on the recommendation of the senate, publicly


+  notified, that whoever should make known by whose act the conflagration was


+  kindled, should rewarded, if a free-man, with money, if a slave, with liberty.


+  Induced by this reward, a slave of the Campanian family, the Calavii, named


+  Mannus, gave information that "his masters, with five noble Campanian youths,


+  whose parents had been executed by Fulvius, were the authors of the fire, and


+  that they would commit various other acts of the same kind if they were not


+  seized." Upon this they were seized, as well as their slaves. At first, the


+  informer and his evidence were disparaged, for that "he had run away from his


+  masters the day before in consequence of a whipping, and that from an event


+  which had happened by mere chance, he had fabricated this charge, from resentment


+  and wantonness." But when they were charged by their accusers face to face,


+  and the ministers of their villanies begin to be examined in the middle of the


+  forum, they all confessed, and punishment was inflicted upon the masters and


+  their accessory slaves. The informer received his liberty and twenty thousand


+  <i>asses</i>. The consul Laevinus, while passing by Capua, was surrounded by


+  a multitude of Campanians, who besought him, with tears, that they might be


+  permitted to go to Rome to the senate, so that if they could at length be in


+  any degree moved by compassion, they might not carry their resentment so far


+  as to destroy them utterly, nor suffer the very name of the Campanian nation


+  to be obliterated by Quintus Flaccus. Flaccus declared, that "he had individually


+  no quarrel with the Campanians, but that he did entertain an enmity towards


+  them on public grounds and because they were foes, and should continue to do


+  so as long as he felt assured that they had the same feelings towards the Roman


+  people; for that there was no nation or people on earth more inveterate against


+  the Roman name. That his reason for keeping them shut up within their walls


+  was, that if any of these got out any where they roamed through the country


+  like wild beasts, tearing and massacring whatever fell in their way. That some


+  of them had deserted to Hannibal, others had gone and set fire to Rome; that


+  the consul would find the traces of the villany of the Campanians in the half-burnt


+  forum. That the temple of Vesta, the eternal fire, and the fatal pledge for


+  the continuance of the Roman empire deposited in the shrine, had been the objects


+  of their attack. That in his opinion it was extremely unsafe for any Campanians


+  to be allowed to enter the walls of Rome." Laevinus ordered the Campanians to


+  follow him to Rome, after Flaccus had bound them by an oath to return to Capua


+  on the fifth day after receiving an answer from the senate. Surrounded by this


+  crowd, and followed also by the Sicilians and Aeolians, who came out to meet


+  him, he went to Rome; taking with him into the city as accusers of two men who


+  had acquired the greatest celebrity by the overthrow of two most renowned cities,


+  those whom they had vanquished in war. Both the consuls, however, first proposed


+  to the senate the consideration of the state of the commonwealth, and the arrangements


+  respecting the provinces. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">28 </div>


+<a id="h28" />


+<p>On this occasion Laevinus reported the state of Macedonia and Greece, of the


+  Aetolians, Acarnanians, and Locrians, and the services he had himself performed


+  there on sea and land. That "Philip, who was bringing an army against the Aetolians,


+  had been driven back by him into Macedonia, and compelled to retire into the


+  heart of his kingdom. That the legion might therefore be withdrawn from that


+  quarter, and that the fleet was sufficient to keep the king out of Italy." Thus


+  much he said respecting himself and the province where he had commanded. The


+  consuls jointly proposed the consideration of the provinces, when the senate


+  decreed, that, "Italy and the war with Hannibal should form the province of


+  one of the consuls; that the other should have the command of the fleet which


+  Titus Otacilius had commanded, and the province of Sicily, in conjunction with


+  Lucius Cincius, the praetor." The two armies decreed to them were those in Etruria


+  and Gaul, consisting of four legions. That the two city legions of the former


+  year should be sent into Etruria and the two which Sulpicius, the consul, had


+  commanded, into Gaul; that he should have the command of Gaul, and the legions


+  there whom the consul, who had the province of Italy, should appoint. Caius


+  Calpurnius, having his command continued to him for a year after the expiration


+  of his praetorship, was sent into Etruria. To Quintus Fulvius also the province


+  of Capua was decreed, with his command continued for a year. The army of citizens


+  and allies was ordered to be reduced, so that, out of two, one legion should


+  be formed consisting of five thousand foot and three hundred horse, those being


+  discharged who had served the greatest number of campaigns. That of the allies


+  there should be left seven thousand infantry and three hundred horse, the same


+  rule being observed with regard to the periods of their service in discharging


+  the old soldiers. With Cneius Fulvius, the consul of the former year, no change


+  was made touching his province of Apulia nor his army; only he was continued


+  in command for a year. Publius Sulpicius, his colleague, was ordered to discharge


+  the whole of his army excepting the marines. It was ordered also, that the army


+  which Marcus Cornelius had commanded, should be sent out of Sicily as soon as


+  the consul arrived in his province. The soldiers which had fought at Cannae,


+  amounting to two legions, were assigned to Lucius Cincius, the praetor, for


+  the occupation of Sicily. As many legions were assigned to Publius Manlius Vulso,


+  the praetor, for Sardinia, being those which Lucius Cornelius had commanded


+  in that province the former year. The consuls were directed so to raise legions


+  for the service of the city, as not to enlist any one who had served in the


+  armies of Marcus Claudius, Marcus Valerius, or Quintus Fulvius, so that the


+  Roman legions might not exceed twenty-one that year. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">29 </div>


+<a id="h29" />


+<p>After the senate had passed these decrees, the consuls drew lots for their


+  provinces. Sicily and the fleet fell to the lot of Marcellus; Italy, with the


+  war against Hannibal, to Laevinus. This result so terrified the Sicilians, who


+  were standing in sight of the consuls waiting the determination of the lots,


+  that their bitter lamentations and mournful cries both drew upon them the eyes


+  of all at the time, and afterwards furnished matter for conversation. For they


+  went round to the several senators in mourning garments, affirming, that "they


+  would not only abandon, each of them, his native country, but all Sicily, if


+  Marcellus should again go thither with command. That he had formerly been implacable


+  toward them for no demerit of theirs, what would he do now, when exasperated


+  that they had come to Rome to complain of him? That it would be better for that


+  island to be overwhelmed with the fires of Aetna, or sunk in the sea, than to


+  be delivered up, as it were, for execution to an enemy." These complaints of


+  the Sicilians, having been carried round to the houses of the nobility, and


+  frequently canvassed in conversations, which were prompted partly by compassion


+  for the Sicilians and partly by dislike for Marcellus, at length reached the


+  senate also. The consuls were requested to take the sense of the senate on an


+  exchange of provinces. Marcellus said, that "if the Sicilians had already had


+  an audience of the senate, his opinion perhaps might have been different, but


+  as the case now stood, lest any one should be able to say that they were prevented


+  by fear from freely venting their complaints respecting him, to whose power


+  they were presently about to be subject, he was willing, if it made no difference


+  to his colleague, to exchange provinces with him. That he deprecated a premature


+  decision on the part of the senate, for since it would be unjust that his colleague


+  should have the power of selecting his province without drawing lots, how much


+  greater injustice would it be, nay, rather indignity, for his lot to be transferred


+  to him." Accordingly the senate, having rather shown than decreed what they


+  wished, adjourned. An exchange of provinces was made by the consuls of themselves,


+  fate hurrying on Marcellus to encounter Hannibal, that he might be the last


+  of the Roman generals, who, by his fall, when the affairs of the war were most


+  prosperous, might add to the glory of that man, from whom he derived the reputation


+  of having been the first Roman general who defeated him. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">30 </div>


+<a id="h30" />


+<p>After the provinces had been exchanged, the Sicilians, on being introduced


+  into the senate, discoursed largely on the constant fidelity of king Hiero to


+  the Roman people, converting it into a public merit. They said, "that the tyrants,


+  Hieronymus, and, after him, Hippocrates and Epicydes, had been objects of detestation


+  to them, both on other accounts and especially on account of then deserting


+  the Romans to take part with Hannibal. For this cause Hieronymus was put to


+  death by the principal young men among them, almost with the public concurrence,


+  and a conspiracy was formed to murder Epicydes and Hippocrates, by seventy of


+  the most distinguished of their youth; but being left without support in consequence


+  of the delay of Marcellus, who neglected to bring up his troops to Syracuse


+  at the time agreed upon, they were all, on an indictment that was made, put


+  to death by the tyrants. That Marcellus, by the cruelty exercised in the sacking


+  of Leontini, had given occasion to the tyranny of Hippocrates and Epicydes.


+  From that time the leading men among the Syracusans never ceased going over


+  to Marcellus, and promising him that they would deliver the city to him whenever


+  he pleased; but that he, in the first instance, was disposed rather to take


+  it by force, and afterwards, finding it impossible to effect his object by sea


+  or land, after trying every means, he preferred having Syracuse delivered to


+  him by Sosis, a brazier, and Mericus, a Spaniard, to receiving it from the principal


+  men of Syracuse, who had so often offered it to him voluntarily to no purpose;


+  doubtless in order that he might with a fairer pretext butcher and plunder the


+  most ancient allies of the Roman people. If it had not been Hieronymus who revolted


+  to Hannibal, but the people and senate of Syracuse; if the body of the Syracusan


+  people, and not their tyrants, Hippocrates and Epicydes, who held them in thraldom,


+  had closed the gates against Marcellus; if they had carried on war with the


+  Roman people with the animosity of Carthaginians, what more could Marcellus


+  have done in hostility than he did, without levelling Syracuse with the ground?


+  Nothing indeed was left at Syracuse except the walls and gutted houses of her


+  city, the temples of her gods broken open and plundered; her very gods and their


+  ornaments having been carried away. From many their possessions also were taken


+  away, so that they were unable to support themselves and their families, even


+  from the naked soil, the only remains of their plundered property. They entreated


+  the conscript fathers, that they would order, if not all, at least such of their


+  property as could be found and identified, to be restored to the owners." After


+  they had made these complaints, Laevinus ordered them to withdraw from the senate-house,


+  that the senate might deliberate on their requests, when Marcellus exclaimed,


+  "Nay, rather let them stay here, that I may reply to their charges in their


+  presence, since we conduct your wars for you, conscript fathers, on the condition


+  of having as our accusers those whom we have conquered with our arms. Of the


+  two cities which have been captured this year, let Capua arraign Fulvius, and


+  Syracuse Marcellus." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">31 </div>


+<a id="h31" />


+<p>The deputies having been brought back into the senate-house, the consul said:


+  "I am not so unmindful of the dignity of the Roman people and of the office


+  I fill as consul, conscript fathers, as to make a defence against charges brought


+  by Greeks, had the inquiry related only to my own delinquency. But it is not


+  so much what I have done, as what they deserved to suffer, which comes into


+  dispute. For if they were not our enemies, there was no difference between sacking


+  Syracuse then, and when Hiero was alive. But if, on the other hand, they have


+  renounced their connexion with us, attacked our ambassadors sword in hand, shut


+  us out of their city and walls, and defended themselves against us with an army


+  of Carthaginians, who can feel indignant that they should suffer the hostilities


+  they have offered? I turned away from the leading men of the Syracusans, when


+  they were desirous of delivering up the city to me, and esteemed Sosis and Mericus


+  as more proper persons for so important an affair. Now you are not the meanest


+  of the Syracusans, who reproach others with the meanness of their condition.


+  But who is there among you, who has promised that he would open the gates to


+  me, and receive my armed troops within the city? You hate and execrate those


+  who did so; and not even here can you abstain from speaking with insult of them;


+  so far is it from being the case that you would yourselves have done any thing


+  of the kind. The very meanness of the condition of those persons, conscript


+  fathers, with which these men reproach them, forms the strongest proof that


+  I did not turn away from any man who was willing to render a service to our


+  state. Before I began the siege of Syracuse I attempted a peace, at one time


+  by sending ambassadors, at another time by going to confer with them; and after


+  that they refrained not from laying violent hands on my ambassadors, nor would


+  give me an answer when I held an interview with their chief men at their gates,


+  then, at length, after suffering many hardships by sea and land, I took Syracuse


+  by force of arms. Of what befell them after their city was captured they would


+  complain with more justice to Hannibal, the Carthaginians, and those who were


+  vanquished with them, than to the senate of the victorious people. If, conscript


+  fathers, I had intended to conceal the fact that I had despoiled Syracuse, I


+  should never have decorated the city of Rome with her spoils. As to what things


+  I either took from individuals or bestowed upon them, as conqueror, I feel assured


+  that I have acted agreeably to the laws of war, and the deserts of each. That


+  you should confirm what I have done, conscript fathers, certainly concerns the


+  commonwealth more than myself, since I have discharged my duty faithfully; but


+  it is the duty of the state to take care, lest, by rescinding my acts, they


+  should render other commanders for the time to come less zealous. And since,


+  conscript fathers, you have heard both what the Sicilians and I had to say,


+  in the presence of each other, we will go out of the senate-house together,


+  in order that in my absence the senate may deliberate more freely." Accordingly,


+  the Sicilians having been dismissed, he himself also went away to the Capitol


+  to levy soldiers. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">32 </div>


+<a id="h32" />


+<p>The other consul then proposed to the fathers the consideration of the requests


+  of the Sicilians, when a long debate took place. A great part of the senate


+  acquiesced in an opinion which originated with Titus Manlius Torquatus, "that


+  the war ought to have been carried on against the tyrants, the enemies both


+  of the Syracusans and the Roman people; that the city ought to have been recovered,


+  not captured; and, when recovered, should have been firmly established under


+  its ancient laws and liberty, and not distressed by war, when worn out with


+  a wretched state of bondage. That in the contest between the tyrants and the


+  Roman general, that most beautiful and celebrated city, formerly the granary


+  and treasury of the Roman people, which was held up as the reward of the victor,


+  had been destroyed; a city by whose munificence and bounty the commonwealth


+  had been assisted and adorned on many occasions, and lastly, during this very


+  Punic war. Should king Hiero, that most faithful friend of the Roman empire,


+  rise from the shades, with what face could either Syracuse or Rome be shown


+  to him, when, after beholding his half-demolished and plundered native city,


+  he should see, on entering Rome, the spoils of his country in the vestibule,


+  as it were, of the city, and almost in the very gates?" Although these and other


+  similar things were said, to throw odium upon the consul and excite compassion


+  for the Sicilians, yet the fathers, out of regard for Marcellus, passed a milder


+  decree, to the effect, "that what Marcellus had done while prosecuting the war,


+  and when victorious, should be confirmed. That for the time to come, the senate


+  would look to the affairs of Syracuse, and would give it in charge to the consul


+  Laevinus, to consult the interest of that state, so far as it could be done


+  without detriment to the commonwealth." Two senators having been sent to the


+  Capitol to request the consul to return to the senate-house, and the Sicilians


+  having been called in, the decree of the senate was read. The deputies were


+  addressed in terms of kindness, and dismissed, when they threw themselves at


+  the knees of the consul, Marcellus, beseeching him to pardon them for what they


+  had said for the purpose of exciting compassion, and procuring relief from their


+  calamities, and to receive themselves and the city of Syracuse under his protection


+  and patronage; after which, the consul addressed them kindly and dismissed them.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">33 </div>


+<a id="h33" />


+<p>An audience of the senate was then granted to the Campanians. Their speech


+  was more calculated to excite compassion, but their case less favourable, for


+  neither could they deny that they deserved the punishment they had suffered,


+  nor were there any tyrants to whom they could transfer their guilt. But they


+  trusted that sufficient atonement had been made by the death of so many of their


+  senators by poison and the hands of the executioner. They said, "that a few


+  only of their nobles remained, being such as were not induced by the consciousness


+  of their demerit to adopt any desperate measure respecting themselves, and had


+  not been condemned to death through the resentment of their conquerors. That


+  these implored the restoration of their liberty, and some portion of their goods


+  for themselves and families, being citizens of Rome, and most of them connected


+  with the Romans by affinity and now too near relationship, in consequence of


+  intermarriages which had taken place for a long period." After this they were


+  removed from the senate-house, when for a short time doubts were entertained


+  whether it would be right or not to send for Quintus Fulvius from Capua, (for


+  Claudius, the proconsul, died after the capture of that place,) that the question


+  might be canvassed in the presence of the general who had been concerned, as


+  was done in the affair between Marcellus and the Sicilians. But afterwards,


+  when they saw in the senate Marcus Atilius, and Caius Fulvius, the brother of


+  Flaccus, his lieutenant-generals, and Quintus Minucius, and Lucius Veturius


+  Philo, who were also his lieutenant-generals, who had been present at every


+  transaction; and being unwilling that Fulvius should be recalled from Capua,


+  or the Campanians put off, Marcus Atilius Regulus, who possessed the greatest


+  weight of any of those present who had been at Capua, being asked his opinion,


+  thus spoke: "I believe I assisted at the council held by the consuls after the


+  capture of Capua, when inquiry was made whether any of the Campanians had deserved


+  well of our state; and it was found that two women had done so; Vestia Oppia,


+  a native of Atella and an inhabitant of Capua, and Faucula Cluvia, formerly


+  a common woman. The former had daily offered sacrifice for the safety and success


+  of the Roman people, and the latter had clandestinely supplied the starving


+  prisoners with food. The sentiments of all the rest of the Campanians towards


+  us had been the same," he said, "as those of the Carthaginians; and those who


+  had been decapitated by Fulvius, were the most conspicuous in rank, but not


+  in guilt. I do not see," said he, "how the senate can decide respecting the


+  Campanians who are Roman citizens, without an order of the people. And the course


+  adopted by our ancestors, in the case of the Satricani when they had revolted,


+  was, that Marcus Antistius, the plebeian tribune, should first propose and the


+  commons make an order, that the senate should have the power of pronouncing


+  judgment upon the Satricani. I therefore give it as my opinion, that application


+  should be made to the plebeian tribunes, that one or more of them should propose


+  to the people a bill, by which we may be empowered to determine in the case


+  of the Campanians." Lucius Atilius, plebeian tribune, proposed to the people,


+  on the recommendation of the senate, a bill to the following effect: "Concerning


+  all the Campanians, Atellanians, Calatinians, and Sabatinians, who have surrendered


+  themselves to the proconsul Fulvius, and have placed themselves under the authority


+  and dominion of the Roman people; also concerning what things they have surrendered,


+  together with their persons, both lands and city, divine or human, together


+  with their utensils and whatsoever else they have surrendered; concerning these


+  things, Roman citizens, I ask you what it is your pleasure should be done."


+  The commons thus ordered: "Whatsoever the senate on oath, or the majority of


+  those present, may determine, that we will and order." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">34 </div>


+<a id="h34" />


+<p>The senate having taken the matter into their consideration in conformity with


+  this order of the people, first restored to Oppia and Cluvia their goods and


+  liberty; directing, that if they wished to solicit any other rewards from the


+  senate, they should come to Rome. Separate decrees were passed respecting each


+  of the Campanian families, all of which it is not worth while to enumerate.


+  The goods of some were to be confiscated; themselves, their children, and their


+  wives were to be sold, excepting such of their daughters as had married before


+  they came into the power of the Roman people. Others were ordered to be thrown


+  into chains, and their cases to be considered at a future time. They made the


+  amount of income the ground on which they decided, whether the goods of the


+  rest of the Campanians should be confiscated or not. They voted, that all the


+  cattle taken except the horses, all the slaves except adult males, and every


+  thing which did not belong to the soil, should be restored to the owners. They


+  ordered that all the Campanians, Atellanians, Calatinians, and Sabatinians,


+  except such as were themselves, or whose parents were, among the enemy, should


+  be free, with a proviso, that none of them should become a Roman citizen or


+  a Latin confederate; and that none of those who had been at Capua while the


+  gates were shut should remain in the city or territory of Capua after a certain


+  day. That a place should be assigned to them to inhabit beyond the Tiber, but


+  not contiguous to it. That those who had neither been in Capua nor in any Campanian


+  city which had revolted from the Romans during the war, should inhabit a place


+  on this side the river Liris towards Rome; and that those who had come over


+  to the Romans before Hannibal arrived at Capua, should be removed to a place


+  on this side the Vulturnus, with a proviso, that none of them should have either


+  land or house within fifteen miles of the sea. That such of them as were removed


+  to a place beyond the Tiber, should neither themselves nor their posterity acquire


+  or possess any property any where, except in the Veientian, Sutrian, or Nepetian


+  territories; and, except on condition, that no one should possess a greater


+  extent of land than fifty acres. That the goods of all the senators, and such


+  as had been magistrates at Capua, Calatia, and Atella, should be sold at Capua;


+  but that the free persons who were decreed to be exposed to sale, should be


+  sent to Rome and sold there. As to the images and brazen statues, which were


+  said to have been taken from the enemy, whether sacred or profane, they referred


+  them to the college of pontiffs. They sent the Campanians away, considerably


+  more grieved than they were when they came, in consequence of these decrees;


+  and now they no longer complained of the severity of Quintus Fulvius towards


+  them, but of the malignity of the gods and their own accursed fortune. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">35 </div>


+<a id="h35" />


+<p>After the Sicilians and Campanians were dismissed, a levy was made; and after


+  the troops had been enlisted for the army, they then began to consider about


+  making up the number of rowers; but as there was neither a sufficient supply


+  of men for that purpose, nor any money at that time in the treasury by which


+  they might be purchased or paid, the consuls issued an edict, that private persons


+  should furnish rowers in proportion to their income and rank, as had been done


+  before, with pay and provisions for thirty days. So great was the murmuring


+  and indignation of the people, on account of this edict, that a leader, rather


+  than matter, was wanting for an insurrection. It was said, that "the consuls,


+  after having ruined the Sicilians and Campanians, had undertaken to destroy


+  and lacerate the Roman commons; that, drained as they had been for so many years


+  by taxes, they had nothing left but wasted and naked lands. That the enemy had


+  burned their houses, and the state had taken away their slaves, who were the


+  cultivators of their lands, at one time by purchasing them at a low rate for


+  soldiers, at another by commanding a supply of rowers. If any one had any silver


+  or brass it was taken away from him, for the payment of rowers or for annual


+  taxes. That no force could compel and no command oblige them to give what they


+  had not got. That they might sell their goods and then vent their cruelty on


+  their persons, which were all that remained to them. That they had nothing even


+  left from which they could be redeemed." These complaints were uttered not in


+  secret, but publicly in the forum, and before the eyes of the consuls themselves,


+  by an immense crowd which surrounded them; nor could the consuls appease them


+  now by coercing nor by soothing them. Upon this they said that three days should


+  be allowed them to consider of the matter; which interval the consuls employed


+  in examining and planning. The following day they assembled the senate to consider


+  of raising a supply of rowers; and after arguing at great length that the people's


+  refusal was fair, they brought their discourse to this point, that whether it


+  were just or unjust, this burden must be borne by private individuals. For from


+  what source could they procure rowers, when there was no money in the treasury?


+  and how, without fleets, could Sicily be kept in subjection, or Philip be prevented


+  from entering Italy, or the shores of Italy be protected? </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">36 </div>


+<a id="h36" />


+<p>In this perplexing state of affairs, when all deliberation was at a stand,


+  and a kind of torpor had seized on men's minds, Laevinus, the consul, observed,


+  that "as the magistrates were more honoured than the senators, and the senators


+  than the people, so also ought they to be the first in taking upon themselves


+  every thing that was burdensome and arduous. If you would enjoin any duty on


+  an inferior, and would first submit yourself and those belonging to you to the


+  obligation, you will find everybody else more ready to obey; nor is an expense


+  thought heavy, when the people see every one of their principal men taking upon


+  himself more than his proportion of it. Are we then desirous that the Roman


+  people should have and equip a fleet? that private individuals should without


+  repugnance furnish rowers? Let us first execute the command ourselves. Let us,


+  senators, bring into the treasury to-morrow all our gold, silver, and coined


+  brass, each reserving rings for himself, his wife, and children, and a bulla


+  for his son; and he who has a wife or daughters, an ounce weight of gold for


+  each. Let those who have sat in a curule chair have the ornaments of a horse,


+  and a pound weight of silver, that they may have a salt-cellar and a dish for


+  the service of the gods. Let the rest of us, senators, reserve for each father


+  of a family, a pound weight only of silver and five thousand coined <i>asses</i>.


+  All the rest of our gold, silver, and coined brass, let us immediately carry


+  to the triumviri for banking affairs, no decree of the senate having been previously


+  made; that our voluntary contributions, and our emulation in assisting the state,


+  may excite the minds, first, of the equestrian order to emulate us, and after


+  them of the rest of the community. This is the only course which we, your consuls,


+  after much conversation on the subject, have been able to discover. Adopt it,


+  then, and may the gods prosper the measure. If the state is preserved, she can


+  easily secure the property of her individual members, but by betraying the public


+  interests you would in vain preserve your own." This proposition was received


+  with such entire approbation, that thanks were spontaneously returned to the


+  consuls. The senate was then adjourned, when every one of the members brought


+  his gold, silver, and brass into the treasury, with such emulation excited,


+  that they were desirous that their names should appear among the first on the


+  public tables; so that neither the triumviri were sufficient for receiving nor


+  the notaries for entering them. The unanimity displayed by the senate was imitated


+  by the equestrian order, and that of the equestrian order by the commons. Thus,


+  without any edict, or coercion of the magistrates, the state neither wanted


+  rowers to make up the numbers, nor money to pay them; and after every thing


+  had been got in readiness for the war, the consuls set out for their provinces.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">37 </div>


+<a id="h37" />


+<p>Nor was there ever any period of the war, when both the Carthaginians and the


+  Romans, plunged alike in vicissitudes, were in a state of more anxious suspense


+  between hope and fear. For on the side of the Romans, with respect to their


+  provinces, their failure in Spain on the one hand, and their successes in Sicily


+  on the other, had blended joy and sorrow; and in Italy, the loss of Tarentum


+  was an injury and a source of grief to them, while the unexpected preservation


+  of the citadel with the garrison was matter of joy to them. The sudden terror


+  and panic occasioned by the siege and attack of Rome, was turned into joy by


+  the capture of Capua, a few days after. Their affairs beyond sea also were equalized


+  by a kind of compensation. Philip had become their enemy at a juncture somewhat


+  unseasonable; but then the Aetolians, and Attalus, king of Asia, were added


+  to their allies; fortune now, in a manner, promising to the Romans the empire


+  of the east. The Carthaginians also set the loss of Capua against the capture


+  of Tarentum; and as they considered it as glorious to them to have reached the


+  walls of Rome without opposition, so they were chagrined at the failure of their


+  attempt, and they felt ashamed that they had been held in such contempt, that


+  while they lay under the walls of Rome, a Roman army was marched out for Spain


+  at an opposite gate. With regard also to Spain itself, the greater the reason


+  was to hope that the war there was terminated, and that the Romans were driven


+  from the country, after the destruction of two such renowned generals and their


+  armies, so much the greater was the indignation felt, that the victory had been


+  rendered void and fruitless by Lucius Marcius, a general irregularly appointed.


+  Thus fortune balancing events against each other, all was suspense and uncertainty


+  on both sides, their hopes and their fears being as strong as though they were


+  now first commencing the war. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">38 </div>


+<a id="h38" />


+<p>What grieved Hannibal more than any thing was the fact, that Capua having been


+  more perseveringly besieged by the Romans than defended by him, had turned from


+  him the regard of many of the states of Italy, and it was not only impossible


+  for him to retain possession of all these by means of garrisons, unless he could


+  make up his mind to tear his army into a number of small portions, which at


+  that time was most inexpedient, but he could not, by withdrawing the garrisons,


+  leave the fidelity of his allies open to the influence of hope, or subject to


+  that of fear. His disposition, which was strongly inclined to avarice and cruelty,


+  induced him to plunder the places he could not keep possession of, that they


+  might be left for the enemy in a state of desolation. This resolution was equally


+  horrid in principle and in its issue, for not only were the affections of those


+  who suffered such harsh treatment alienated from him, but also of the other


+  states, for the warning affected a greater number than did the calamity. Nor


+  did the Roman consul fail to sound the inclinations of the cities, whenever


+  any prospect of success presented itself. Dasius and Blasius were the principal


+  men in Salapia, Dasius was the friend of Hannibal, Blasius, as far as he could


+  do it with safety, promoted the Roman interest, and, by means of secret messengers,


+  had given Marcellus hopes of having the place betrayed to him, but the business


+  could not be accomplished without the assistance of Dasius. After much and long


+  hesitation and even then more for the want of a better plan than from any hope


+  of success, he addressed himself to Dasius; but he, being both adverse to the


+  measure and also hostile to his rival in the government, discovered the affair


+  to Hannibal. Both parties were summoned, and while Hannibal was transacting


+  some business on his tribunal, intending presently to take cognizance of the


+  case of Blasius, and the accuser and the accused were standing apart from the


+  crowd, which was put back, Blasius solicited Dasius on the subject of surrendering


+  the city; when he exclaimed, as if the case were now clearly proved, that he


+  was being treated with about the betrayal of the city, even before the eyes


+  of Hannibal. The more audacious the proceeding was, the less probable did it


+  appear to Hannibal and those who were present. They considered that the charge


+  was undoubtedly a matter of rivalry and animosity, and that it had been brought


+  because it was of such a nature that, not admitting of being proved by witnesses,


+  it could the more easily be fabricated. Accordingly the parties were dismissed.


+  But Blasius, notwithstanding, desisted not from his bold undertaking, till by


+  continually harping upon the same subject, and proving how conducive such a


+  measure would be to themselves and their country, he carried his point that


+  the Punic garrison, consisting of five hundred Numidians, and Salapia, should


+  be delivered up to Marcellus. Nor could it be betrayed without much bloodshed,


+  consisting of the bravest of the cavalry in the whole Punic army. Accordingly,


+  though the event was unexpected, and their horses were of no use to them in


+  the city, yet hastily taking arms, during the confusion, they endeavoured to


+  force their way out; and not being able to escape, they fell fighting to the


+  last, not more than fifty of them falling into the hands of the enemy alive.


+  The loss of this body of cavalry was considerably more detrimental to Hannibal


+  than that of Salapia, for the Carthaginian was never afterwards superior in


+  cavalry, in which he had before been most effective. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">39 </div>


+<a id="h39" />


+<p>During this time the scarcity of provisions in the citadel of Tarentum was


+  almost intolerable; the Roman garrison there, and Marcus Livius, the praefect


+  of the garrison and the citadel, placing all their dependence in the supplies


+  sent from Sicily; that these might safely pass along the coast of Italy, a fleet


+  of about twenty ships was stationed at Rhegium. Decius Quinctius, a man of obscure


+  birth, but who had acquired great renown as a soldier, on account of many acts


+  of bravery, had charge of the fleet and the convoys. At first he had five ships,


+  the largest of which were two triremes, given to him by Marcellus, but afterwards,


+  in consequence of his spirited conduct on many occasions, three quinqueremes


+  were added to his number, at last, by exacting from the allied states of Rhegium,


+  Velia, and Paestum, the ships they were bound to furnish according to treaty,


+  he made up a fleet of twenty ships, as was before stated. This fleet setting


+  out from Rhegium, was met at Sacriportus, about fifteen miles from the city


+  by Democrates, with an equal number of Tarentine ships. It happened that the


+  Roman was then coming with his sails up, not expecting an approaching contest,


+  but in the neighbourhood of Croto and Sybaris, he had supplied his ships with


+  rowers, and had his fleet excellently equipped and armed for the size of his


+  vessels, and it also happened, that just at the time when the enemy were in


+  sight, the wind completely fell, so that there was sufficient time to furl their


+  sails, and get their rowers and soldiers in readiness for the approaching action.


+  Rarely elsewhere have regular fleets engaged with so much spirit, for they fought


+  for what was of greater importance than the fleets themselves. The Tarentines,


+  in order that, having recovered their city from the Romans after the lapse of


+  almost a century, they might also rescue their citadel, hoping also to cut off


+  the supplies of their enemy, if by a naval battle they could deprive them of


+  the dominion of the sea. The Romans, that, by keeping possession of the citadel,


+  they might prove that Tarentum was lost not by the strength and valour of their


+  enemies, but by treachery and stealth. Accordingly, the signal having been given


+  on both sides, they charged each other with the beaks of their ships, and neither


+  did they draw back their own, nor allow the ships of the enemy with which they


+  were engaged to separate from them, having thrown then grappling irons, and


+  thus the battle was carried on in such close quarters, that they fought not


+  only with missile weapons, but in a manner foot to foot even with their swords.


+  The prows joined together remained stationary, while the sterns were moved round


+  by the force of their adversaries' oars. The ships were crowded together in


+  so small a compass, that scarcely one weapon fell into the sea without taking


+  effect. They pressed front against front like lines of troops engaging on land,


+  and the combatants could pass from one ship to another. But the contest between


+  two ships which had engaged each other in the van, was remarkable above the


+  rest. In the Roman ship was Quinctius himself, in the Tarentine, Nico, surnamed


+  Perco, who hated, and was hated by, the Romans, not only on public grounds,


+  but also personally, for he belonged to that faction which had betrayed Tarentum


+  to Hannibal. This man transfixed Quinctius with a spear while off his guard,


+  and engaged at once in fighting and encouraging his men, and he immediately


+  fell headlong with his arms over the prow. The victorious Tarentine promptly


+  boarded the ship, which was all in confusion from the loss of the commander,


+  and when he had driven the enemy back, and the Tarentines had got possession


+  of the prow, the Romans, who had formed themselves into a compact body, with


+  difficulty defending the stern, suddenly another trireme of the enemy appeared


+  at the stern. Thus the Roman ship, enclosed between the two, was captured. Upon


+  this a panic spread among the rest, seeing the commander's ship captured, and


+  flying in every direction, some were sunk in the deep and some rowed hastily


+  to land, where, shortly after, they became a prey to the Thurians and Metapontines.


+  Of the storeships which followed, laden with provisions, a very few fell into


+  the hands of the enemy; the rest, shifting their sails from one side to another


+  with the changing winds, escaped into the open sea. An affair took place at


+  Tarentum at this time, which was attended with widely different success; for


+  a party of four thousand men had gone out to forage, and while they were dispersed,


+  and roaming through the country, Livius, the commander of the citadel and the


+  Roman garrison, who was anxious to seize every opportunity of striking a blow,


+  sent out of the citadel Caius Persius, an active officer, with two thousand


+  soldiers, who attacked them suddenly when widely dispersed and straggling about


+  the fields; and after slaying them for a long time on all hands, drove the few


+  that remained of so many into the city, to which they fled in alarm and confusion,


+  and where they rushed in at the doors of the gates, which were half-opened that


+  the city might not be taken in the same attack. In this manner affairs were


+  equally balanced at Tarentum, the Romans being victorious by land, and the Tarentines


+  by sea. Both parties were equally disappointed in their hope of receiving provisions


+  after they were within sight. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">40 </div>


+<a id="h40" />


+<p>While these events were occurring, the consul, Laevinus, after a great part


+  of the year had elapsed, having arrived in Sicily, where he had been expected


+  by both the old and new allies, considered it his first and principal duty to


+  adjust the affairs of Syracuse, which were still in a state of disorder, the


+  peace being but recent. He then marched his legions to Agrigentum, the seat


+  of the remaining part of the war, which was occupied by a strong garrison of


+  Carthaginians; and here fortune favoured his attempt. Hanno was commander-in-chief


+  of the Carthaginians, but their whole reliance was placed upon Mutines and the


+  Numidians. Mutines, scouring the whole of Sicily, employed himself in carrying


+  off spoil from the allies of the Romans; nor could he by force or stratagem


+  be cut off from Agrigentum, or prevented from sallying from it whenever he pleased.


+  The renown which he gained by this conduct, as it began now to eclipse the fame


+  of the commander-in-chief, was at last converted into a source of jealousy;


+  so that even now his successes were not as acceptable as they ought to have


+  been, on account of the person who gained them. For these reasons Hanno at last


+  gave his commission to his own son, concluding that by taking away his command


+  he should also deprive him of the influence he possessed with the Numidians.


+  But the result was very different; for their former attachment to him was increased


+  by the envy incurred by him. Nor did he brook the affront put upon him by this


+  injurious treatment, but immediately sent secret messengers to Laevinus, to


+  treat about delivering up Agrigentum. After an agreement had been entered into


+  by means of these persons, and the mode of carrying it into execution concerted,


+  the Numidians seized on a gate which leads towards the sea, having driven the


+  guards from it, or put them to the sword, and then received into the city a


+  party of Romans sent for that purpose; and when these troops were now marching


+  into the heart of the city and the forum with a great noise, Hanno, concluding


+  that it was nothing more than a disturbance and secession of the Numidians,


+  such as had happened before, advanced to quell the mutiny; but observing at


+  a distance that the numbers were greater than those of the Numidians, and hearing


+  the Roman shout, which was far from being new to him, he betook himself to flight


+  before he came within reach of their weapons. Passing out of the town at a gate


+  in the opposite quarter, and taking Epicydes to accompany him, he reached the


+  sea with a few attendants; and having very seasonably met with a small vessel,


+  they abandoned to the enemy Sicily, for which they had contended for so many


+  years, and crossed over into Africa. The remaining multitude of Carthaginians


+  and Sicilians fled with headlong haste, but as every passage by which they could


+  escape was blockaded up, they were cut to pieces near the gates. On gaining


+  possession of the town, Laevinus scourged and beheaded those who took the lead


+  in the affairs of Agrigentum. The rest, together with the booty, he sold. All


+  the money he sent to Rome. Accounts of the sufferings of the Agrigentines spreading


+  through all Sicily, all the states suddenly turned to the Romans. In a short


+  time twenty towns were betrayed to them, and six taken by storm. As many as


+  forty put themselves under their protection, by voluntary surrender. The consul


+  having rewarded and punished the leading men of these states, according to their


+  several deserts, and compelled the Sicilians, now that they had at length laid


+  aside arms, to turn their attention to the cultivation of their lands, in order


+  that the island might by its produce not only maintain its inhabitants, but,


+  as it had frequently done on many former occasions, add to the supplies of Rome


+  and Italy, he returned into Italy, taking with him a disorderly multitude from


+  Agathyrna. These were as many as four thousand men, made up of a mixed assemblage


+  of every description of persons, exiles, bankrupts, the greater part of them


+  felons, who had supported themselves by rapine and robbery, both when they lived


+  in their native towns, under the restraint of the laws, and also after that


+  a coincidence in their fortunes, brought about by causes different in each case,


+  had congregated them at Agathyrna. These men Laevinus thought it hardly safe


+  to leave in the island, when an unwonted tranquillity was growing up, as the


+  materials of fresh disturbances; and besides, they were likely to be useful


+  to the Rhegians, who were in want of a band of men habituated to robbery, for


+  the purpose of committing depredations upon the Bruttian territory. Thus, so


+  far as related to Sicily, the war was this year terminated. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">41 </div>


+<a id="h41" />


+<p>In Spain, in the beginning of spring, Publius Scipio, having launched his ships,


+  and summoned the auxiliary troops of his allies to Tarraco by an edict, ordered


+  his fleet and transports to proceed thence to the mouth of the Iberus. He also


+  ordered his legions to quit their winter quarters, and meet at the same place;


+  and then set out from Tarraco, with five thousand of the allies, to join the


+  army. On his arrival at the camp he considered it right to harangue his soldiers,


+  particularly the old ones who had survived such dreadful disasters; and therefore,


+  calling an assembly, he thus addressed them: "Never was there a new commander


+  before myself who could, with justice and good reason, give thanks to his soldiers


+  before he had availed himself of their services. Fortune laid me under obligations


+  to you before I set eyes on my province or your camp; first, on account of the


+  respect you have shown to my father and uncle, both in their lifetime and since


+  their death; and secondly, because by your valour you have recovered and preserved


+  entire, for the Roman people, and me their successor, the possession of the


+  province which had been lost in consequence of so dreadful a calamity. But since,


+  now, by the favour of the gods, our purpose and endeavour is not that we may


+  remain in Spain ourselves, but that the Carthaginians may not; and not to stand


+  on the bank of the Iberus, and hinder the enemy from crossing that river, but


+  cross it first ourselves, and carry the war to the other side, I fear lest to


+  some among you the enterprise should appear too important and daring, considering


+  your late misfortunes, which are fresh in your recollection, and my years. There


+  is no person from whose mind the memory of the defeats sustained in Spain could


+  be obliterated with more difficulty than from mine; inasmuch as there my father


+  and uncle were both slain within the space of thirty days, so that one death


+  after another was accumulated on my family. But as the orphanhood and desolation


+  of my own family depresses my mind, so both the good fortune and valour of our


+  nation forbid me to despair of the safety of the state. It has happened to us


+  by a kind of fatality, that in all important wars we have been victorious, after


+  having been defeated. I pass over those wars of ancient date with Porsena, the


+  Gauls, and Samnites. I will begin with the Punic wars. How many fleets, generals,


+  and armies were lost in the former war? Why should I mention what has occurred


+  in this present war? I have either been myself present at all the defeats sustained,


+  or have felt more than any other those from which I was absent. What else are


+  the Trebia, the Trasimenus, and Cannae, but monuments of Roman armies and consuls


+  slain? Add to these the defection of Italy, of the greater part of Sicily and


+  Sardinia, and the last terror and panic, the Carthaginian camp pitched between


+  the Anio and the walls of Rome, and the victorious Hannibal seen almost in our


+  gates. Amid this general ruin, the courage of the Roman people alone stood unabated


+  and unshaken. When every thing lay prostrate on the ground, it was this that


+  raised and supported the state. You, first of all, my soldiers, under the conduct


+  and auspices of my father, opposed Hasdrubal on his way to the Alps and Italy,


+  after the defeat of Cannae, who, had he formed a junction with his brother,


+  the Roman name would now have been extinct. These successes formed a counterpoise


+  to those defeats. Now, by the favour of the gods, every thing in Italy and Sicily


+  is going on prosperously and successfully, every day affording matter of fresh


+  joy, and presenting things in a better light. In Sicily, Syracuse and Agrigentum


+  have been captured, the enemy entirely expelled the island, and the province


+  placed again under the dominion of the Romans. In Italy, Arpi has been recovered


+  and Capua taken. Hannibal has been driven into the remotest corner of Bruttium,


+  having fled thither all the way from Rome, in the utmost confusion; and now


+  he asks the gods no greater boon than that he might be allowed to retire in


+  safety, and quit the territory of his enemy. What then, my soldiers, could be


+  more preposterous than that you, who here supported the tottering fortune of


+  the Roman people, together with my parents, (for they may be equally associated


+  in the honour of that epithet,) when calamities crowded one upon another in


+  quick succession, and even the gods themselves, in a manner, took part with


+  Hannibal, should now sink in spirits when every thing is going on happily and


+  prosperously? Even with regard to the events which have recently occurred, I


+  could wish that they had passed with as little grief to me as to you. At the


+  present time the immortal gods who preside over the destinies of the Roman empire,


+  who inspired all the centuries to order the command to be given to me, those


+  same gods, I say, by auguries and auspices, and even by nightly visions, portend


+  entire success and joy. My own mind also, which has hitherto been to me the


+  truest prophet, presages that Spain will be ours; that the whole Carthaginian


+  name will in a short time be banished from this land, and will fill both sea


+  and land with ignominious flight. What my mind presages spontaneously, is also


+  supported by sound reasoning. Their allies, annoyed by them, are by ambassadors


+  imploring our protection; their three generals, having differed so far as almost


+  to have abandoned each other, have divided their army into three parts, which


+  they have drawn off into regions as remote as possible from each other. The


+  same fortune now threatens them which lately afflicted us; for they are both


+  deserted by their allies, as formerly we were by the Celtiberians, and they


+  have divided their forces, which occasioned the ruin of my father and uncle.


+  Neither will their intestine differences allow them to unite, nor will they


+  be able to cope with us singly. Only do you, my soldiers, favour the name of


+  the Scipios, favour the offspring of your generals, a scion springing up from


+  the trunks which have been cut down. Come then, veterans, lead your new commander


+  and your new army across the Iberus, lead us across into a country which you


+  have often traversed, with many a deed of valour. I will soon bring it to pass


+  that, as you now trace in me a likeness to my father and uncle in my features,


+  countenance, and figure, I will so restore a copy of their genius, honour, and


+  courage, to you, that every man of you shall say that his commander, Scipio,


+  has either returned to life, or has been born again." </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">42 </div>


+<a id="h42" />


+<p>Having animated his troops with this harangue, and leaving Marcus Silanus with


+  three thousand infantry and three hundred horse, for the protection of that


+  district, he crossed the Iberus with all the rest of his troops, consisting


+  of twenty-five thousand infantry and two thousand five hundred horse. Though


+  certain persons there endeavoured to persuade him that, as the Carthaginian


+  armies had retired from each other into three such distant quarters, he should


+  attack the nearest of them; yet concluding that if he did so there was danger


+  lest he should cause them to concentrate all their forces, and he alone should


+  not be a match for so many, he determined for the present to make an attack


+  upon New Carthage, a city not only possessing great wealth of its own, but also


+  full of every kind of military store belonging to the enemy; there were their


+  arms, their money, and the hostages from every part of Spain. It was, besides,


+  conveniently situated, not only for a passage into Africa, but also near a port


+  sufficiently capacious for a fleet of any magnitude, and, for aught I know,


+  the only one on the coast of Spain which is washed by our sea. No one but Caius


+  Laelius knew whither he was going. He was sent round with the fleet, and ordered


+  so to regulate the sailing of his ships, that the army might come in view and


+  the fleet enter the harbour at the same time. Both the fleet and army arrived


+  at the same time at New Carthage, on the seventh day after leaving the Iberus.


+  The camp was pitched over against that part of the city which looks to the north.


+  A rampart was thrown up as a defence on the rear of it, for the front was secured


+  by the nature of the ground. Now the situation of New Carthage is as follows:


+  at about the middle of the coast of Spain is a bay facing for the most part


+  the south-west, about two thousand five hundred paces in depth, and a little


+  more in breadth. In the mouth of this bay is a small island forming a barrier


+  towards the sea, and protecting the harbour from every wind except the south-west.


+  From the bottom of the bay there runs out a peninsula, which forms the eminence


+  on which the city is built; which is washed in the east and south by the sea,


+  and on the west is enclosed by a lake which extends a little way also towards


+  the north, of variable depth according as the sea overflows or ebbs. An isthmus


+  of about two hundred paces broad connects the city with the continent, on which,


+  though it would have been a work of so little labour, the Roman general did


+  not raise a rampart; whether his object was to make a display of his confidence


+  to the enemy from motives of pride, or that he might have free regress when


+  frequently advancing to the walls of the city. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">43 </div>


+<a id="h43" />


+<p>Having completed the other requisite works, he drew up his ships in the harbour,


+  that he might exhibit to the enemy the appearance of a blockade by sea also;


+  he then went round the fleet, and having warned the commanders of the ships


+  to be particularly careful in keeping the night-watches, because an enemy, when


+  besieged, usually tried every effort and in every quarter at first, he returned


+  into his camp; and in order to explain to his soldiers the reason why he had


+  adopted the plan of commencing the war with the siege of a city, in preference


+  to any other, and also by exhortations to inspire them with hopes of making


+  themselves masters of it, he summoned them to an assembly, and thus addressed


+  them: "Soldiers, if any one among you suppose that you have been brought here


+  to attack a single city, that man takes a more exact account of your present


+  labour than of its profitable result from it. For you will in truth attack the


+  walls of a single city, but in that single city you will have made yourselves


+  masters of all Spain. Here are the hostages of all her most distinguished kings


+  and states; and as soon as you shall have gained possession of these, they will


+  immediately deliver into your hands every thing which is now subject to the


+  Carthaginians. Here is the whole of the enemy's treasure, without which they


+  cannot carry on the war, as they are keeping mercenary troops, and which will


+  be most serviceable to us in conciliating the affections of the barbarians.


+  Here are their engines, their arms, their tackle, and every requisite in war;


+  which will at once supply you, and leave the enemy destitute. Besides, we shall


+  gain possession of a city, not only of the greatest beauty and wealth, but also


+  most convenient as having an excellent harbour, by means of which we may be


+  supplied with every requisite for carrying on the war both by sea and land.


+  Great as are the advantages we shall thus gain, we shall deprive our enemies


+  of much greater. This is their citadel, their granary, their treasury, their


+  magazine, their receptacle for every thing. Hence there is a direct passage


+  into Africa; this is the only station for a fleet between the Pyrenees and Gades;


+  this gives to Africa the command of all Spain. But as I perceive you are arrayed


+  and marshalled, let us pass on to the assault of New Carthage, with our whole


+  strength, and with undaunted courage." Upon this, they all with, one accord


+  cried out that it should be done; and he led them to Carthage, and ordered that


+  the assault should be made both by sea and land. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">44 </div>


+<a id="h44" />


+<p>On the other side, Mago, the Carthaginian general, perceiving that a siege


+  was being prepared for both by sea and land, himself also disposed his forces


+  thus: he placed two thousand of the townsmen to oppose the enemy, on the side


+  facing the Roman camp; he occupied the citadel with five hundred soldiers, and


+  stationed five hundred on a rising ground, facing the east; the rest of his


+  troops he ordered, intent on every thing that occurred, to hasten with assistance


+  wherever the shout, or any sudden emergency, might call them. Then, throwing


+  open the gate, he sent out those he had drawn up in the street leading to the


+  camp of the enemy. The Romans, according to the direction of their general,


+  retired a little, in order that they might be nearer to the reserved troops


+  which were to be sent to their assistance during the engagement. At first they


+  stood with pretty equal force, but afterwards the reserved troops, sent from


+  time to time from the camp, not only obliged the enemy to turn their backs,


+  but followed them up so close when flying in disorder, that had not a retreat


+  been sounded, they seemed as though they would have rushed into the city together


+  with the fugitives. The consternation in the field was not greater than in every


+  part of the city; many of the outposts were abandoned in panic and flight; and


+  the walls were deserted, as they leaped down each in the part nearest him. Scipio,


+  who had gone out to an eminence called Mercury's hill, perceiving that the walls


+  were abandoned by their defenders in many parts, ordered all his men to be called


+  out of his camp and advance to take the city, and orders them to bring the scaling-ladders.


+  The general himself, covered by the shields of three stout young men, (for now


+  an immense number of missiles of every description were let fly from the walls,)


+  came up to the city, cheered them on, and gave the requisite orders; and, what


+  was of the utmost importance in exciting the courage of his men, he appeared


+  among them a witness and spectator of the valour or cowardice of each. Accordingly,


+  they rushed forward, amidst wounds and weapons; nor could the walls, or the


+  armed troops which stood upon them, repel them from eagerly mounting them. At


+  the same time an attack was commenced by the fleet upon that part of the city


+  which was washed by the sea. But here the alarm occasioned was greater than


+  the force which could be employed; for while they were bringing the boats to


+  shore, and hastily landing the ladders and the men, each man pressing forward


+  to gain the land the shortest way, they hindered one another by their very haste


+  and eagerness. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">45 </div>


+<a id="h45" />


+<p>In the mean time, the Carthaginians had now filled the walls again with armed


+  men, who were supplied with a great quantity of missiles from the immense stores


+  which they had laid up. But neither men nor missiles, nor any thing else, so


+  effectually defended them as the walls themselves, for very few of the ladders


+  were equal to the height of them, and all those which were longer than the rest


+  were proportionably weaker. Accordingly, those who were highest being unable


+  to mount from them, and being followed, nevertheless, by others, they broke


+  from the mere weight upon them. Some, though the ladders stood, a dizziness


+  having come over their eyes in consequence of the height, fell to the ground.


+  And as men and ladders were every where tumbling down, while the boldness and


+  alacrity of the enemy were increased by the mere success, the signal for retreat


+  was sounded, which afforded hopes to the besieged, not only of present rest


+  after such a laborious contest, but also for the future, as it appeared their


+  city could not be taken by scalade and siege. To raise works they considered


+  would be attended with difficulty, and would give time to their generals to


+  bring them assistance. Scarcely had the first tumult subsided, when Scipio ordered


+  other fresh and unfatigued troops to take the ladders from those who were tired


+  and wounded and assault the city with increased vigour. Having received intelligence


+  that the tide was ebbing, and having before been informed by some fishermen


+  of Tarraco who used to pass through the lake, sometimes in light boats, and,


+  when these ran aground, by wading, that it afforded an easy passage to the wall


+  for footmen, he led some armed men thither in person. It was about mid-day,


+  and besides that the water was being drawn off naturally, in consequence of


+  the tide receding, a brisk north wind rising impelled the water in the lake,


+  which was already in motion, in the same direction as the tide, and rendered


+  it so shallow, that in some parts the water reached only to the navel, while


+  in others it scarcely rose above the knees. Scipio, referring this discovery,


+  which he had made by his own diligence and penetration, to the gods and to miracle,


+  which had turned the course of the sea, withdrawn it from the lake, and opened


+  ways never before trodden by human feet to afford a passage to the Romans, ordered


+  them to follow Neptune as their guide, and passing through the middle of the


+  lake, make good their way to the walls. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">46 </div>


+<a id="h46" />


+<p>Those who renewed the assault by land experienced great difficulty; for they


+  were baffled not only by the height of the walls, but also because they exposed


+  the Romans, as they approached them, to the missiles of the enemy from different


+  quarters, so that their sides were endangered more than the fronts of their


+  bodies. But in the other quarter five hundred passed without difficulty through


+  the lake, and then mounted the wall, for neither was it defended by any fortifications,


+  because there they thought the city was sufficiently protected by the nature


+  of the place and the lake, nor were there any outposts or guards stationed there,


+  because all were engaged in bringing succour to that quarter in which the danger


+  appeared. Having entered the city without opposition, they proceeded direct,


+  with all possible speed, to that gate near which the contest was concentrated;


+  and so intently occupied with this were not only the minds, but the eyes and


+  ears of all, both of those who were engaged in fighting, and of those who were


+  looking on and encouraging the combatants, that no one perceived that the city


+  had been captured in their rear till the weapons fell upon their backs, and


+  they had an enemy on both sides of them. Then, the defenders having been thrown


+  into confusion through fear, both the walls were captured, and the gate began


+  to be broken open both from within and from without; and presently, the doors


+  having been broken to pieces by blows, in order that the way might not be obstructed,


+  the troops rushed in. A great number had also got over the walls, but these


+  employed themselves in putting the townsmen to the sword; those which entered


+  by the gate, forming a regular body, with officers and in ranks, advanced through


+  the midst of the city into the forum. Scipio then perceiving that the enemy


+  fled in two different directions, some to the eminence which lay eastward, which


+  was occupied by a garrison of five hundred men, others to the citadel, into


+  which Mago himself also had fled for refuge, together with almost all the troops


+  which had been driven from the walls, sent part of his forces to storm the hill,


+  and part he led in person against the citadel. Not only was the hill captured


+  at the first assault, but Mago also, after making an effort to defend it, when


+  he saw every place filled with the enemy, and that there was no hope, surrendered


+  himself and the citadel, with the garrison. Until the citadel was surrendered,


+  the massacre was continued in every quarter throughout the city; nor did they


+  spare any one they met who had arrived at puberty: but after that, on a signal


+  given, a stop was put to the carnage, and the victors turned their attention


+  to the plunder, of which there was an immense quantity of every description.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">47 </div>


+<a id="h47" />


+<p>Of males of free condition, as many as ten thousand were captured. Of these


+  he allowed to depart such as were citizens of New Carthage; and restored to


+  them their city, and all their property which the war had left them. The artisans


+  amounted to two thousand, whom he assigned to the Roman people as their property;


+  holding out to them a hope of speedy emancipation, provided they should address


+  themselves strenuously to the service of the war. Of the rest of the mass of


+  inhabitants, the young men and able-bodied slaves he assigned for the service


+  of the fleet, to fill up the numbers of the rowers. He had also augmented his


+  fleet with five ships which he had captured. Besides this multitude, there remained


+  the Spanish hostages, to whom as much attention was paid as if they had been


+  children of allies. An immense quantity of military stores was also taken; one


+  hundred and twenty catapultae of the larger size, two hundred and eighty-one


+  of the smaller; twenty-three ballistae of the larger size, fifty-two of the


+  smaller; an immense number of scorpions of the larger and smaller size, and


+  also of arms and missile weapons; and seventy-four military standards. Of gold


+  and silver, an immense quantity was brought to the general; there were two hundred


+  and seventy-six golden bowls, almost all of them weighing a pound; of silver,


+  wrought and coined, eighteen thousand three hundred pounds' weight; and of silver


+  vessels an immense number. All these were weighed and reckoned to the quaestor,


+  Caius Flaminius. There were twenty thousand pecks of wheat, and two hundred


+  and seventy of barley. One hundred and thirteen ships of burden were boarded


+  and captured in the harbour, some of them with their cargoes, consisting of


+  corn and arms, besides brass, iron, sails, spartum, and other naval materials,


+  of use in equipping a fleet; so that amid such large military stores which were


+  captured, Carthage itself was of the least consideration. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">48 </div>


+<a id="h48" />


+<p>Having ordered Caius Laelius with the marines to guard the city, Scipio led


+  back his legions to the camp the same day in person; and as his soldiers were


+  tired, as they had in one day gone through every kind of military labour; for


+  they had engaged the enemy in the field, and had undergone very great fatigue


+  and danger in taking the city; and after they had taken it had fought, and that


+  on disadvantageous ground, with those who had fled to the citadel, he ordered


+  them to attend to themselves. The next day, having assembled the land and naval


+  forces, he, in the first place, ascribed praise and thanks to the immortal gods,


+  who had not only in one day made him master of the wealthiest city in Spain,


+  but had previously collected in it the riches of almost all Africa and Spain;


+  so that while his enemy had nothing left, he and his army had a superabundance


+  of every thing. He then commended in the highest terms the valour of his soldiers,


+  because that neither the sally of the enemy, nor the height of the walls, nor


+  the unexplored fords of the lake, nor the fort standing upon a high hill, nor


+  the citadel, though most strongly fortified, had deterred them from surmounting


+  and breaking through every thing. Therefore, though all credit was due to them


+  all, he said that the man who first mounted the wall ought to be distinguished


+  above the rest, by being honoured with a mural crown; and he desired that he


+  who thought himself worthy of that reward would claim it. Two persons laid claim


+  to it, Quintus Trebellius, a centurion of the fourth legion, and Sextus Digitius,


+  a marine. Nor did these contest so fiercely as each excited the zeal of his


+  own body of men. Caius Laelius, admiral of the fleet, patronized the marines,


+  and Marcus Sempronius Tuditanus, the legionary troops. As this contest began


+  almost to assume the character of a mutiny, Scipio having notified that he should


+  appoint three delegates, who, after making themselves acquainted with the case,


+  and examining the witnesses, might decide which had been the first to scale


+  the wall and enter the town, added Publius Cornelius Caudinus, a middle party,


+  to Laelius and Sempronius, the advocates of the two parties, and ordered these


+  three delegates to sit and determine the cause. But as the contest was now carried


+  on with increased warmth, because those high characters, who had acted more


+  as moderators of the zeal of both than as advocates of any particular party,


+  were withdrawn, Caius Laelius, leaving the council, went up to the tribunal


+  of Scipio and informed him, "that the contest was proceeding without bounds


+  or moderation, and that they had almost come to blows. But still, though no


+  violence should take place, that the proceedings formed a most hateful precedent,


+  for that the honours due to valour were being sought by fraud and perjury. That


+  on one side stood the legionary troops, on the other the marines, ready to swear


+  by all the gods what they wished, rather than what they knew, to be true, and


+  to involve in the guilt of perjury not only themselves and their own persons,


+  but the military standards, the eagles, and their solemn oath of allegiance.


+  That he laid these matters before him, in accordance with the opinion of Publius


+  Cornelius and Marcus Sempronius." Scipio, after highly praising Laelius, summoned


+  an assembly, and then declared, "that he had ascertained satisfactorily that


+  Quintus Trebellius and Sextus Digitius had mounted the wall at the same time,


+  and that he presented them both with mural crowns in consideration of their


+  valour." He then gave presents to the rest, according to the merit and valour


+  of each. Above all he honoured Caius Laelius, the admiral of the fleet, by the


+  placing him upon an equality with himself, and bestowing upon him every kind


+  of commendation, and also by presenting him with a golden crown and thirty oxen.


+</p>


+<div class="lsidenote">49 </div>


+<a id="h49" />


+<p>He then ordered the Spanish hostages to be summoned. What the number of these


+  was I feel reluctant to state, because in some authors I find that it was about


+  three hundred, in others seven hundred and twenty-five. There is the same difference


+  between authors with regard to the other particulars. One writes that the Punic


+  garrison consisted of ten thousand, another of seven, a third of not more than


+  two thousand. In some you may find that ten thousand persons were captured,


+  in others above twenty-five thousand. I should have stated the number of scorpions


+  captured, both of the greater and smaller size, at sixty, if I had followed


+  the Greek author, Silenus, if Valerius Antius, of the larger at six thousand,


+  of the smaller at thirteen, so great is the extent of falsehood. Nor are they


+  agreed even respecting the commanders, most say that Laelius commanded the fleet,


+  but some say Marcus Junius Silanus. Valerius Antius says, that Arines commanded


+  the Punic garrison, and was given up to the Romans; other writers say it was


+  Mago. They are not agreed respecting the number of the ships taken, respecting


+  the weight of gold and silver, and of the money brought into the public treasury.


+  If we must assent to some of their statements, the medium is nearest to the


+  truth. However, Scipio having summoned the hostages, first bid them all keep


+  up their spirits observing, "that they had fallen into the hands of the Roman


+  people, who chose to bind men to them by benefits rather than by fear, and keep


+  foreign nations attached to them by honour and friendship, rather than subject


+  them to a gloomy servitude." Then receiving the names of the states to which


+  they belonged, he took an account of the captives, distinguishing the number


+  belonging to each people, and sent messengers to their homes, to desire that


+  they would come and take back their respective friends. If ambassadors from


+  any of the states happened to be present, he delivered their countrymen to them


+  in person, and assigned to them the quaestor, Caius Flaminius, the charge of


+  kindly taking care of the rest. Meanwhile, there advanced from the midst of


+  the crowd of hostages a woman in years, the wife of Mandonius, who was the brother


+  of Indibilis, the chieftain of the Illergetians; she threw herself weeping at


+  the general's feet, and began to implore him to give particularly strict injunctions


+  to their guardians with respect to the care and treatment of females. Scipio


+  replied, that nothing certainly should be wanting; when the woman rejoined:


+  "We do not much value such things, for what is not good enough for such a condition?


+  A care of a different kind disquiets me, when beholding the age of these females;


+  for I am myself no longer exposed to the danger peculiar to females." Around


+  her stood the daughters of Indibilis, in the bloom of youth and beauty, with


+  others of equal rank, all of whom looked up to her as a parent. Scipio then


+  said: "Out of regard for that discipline which I myself and the Roman nation


+  maintain, I should take care that nothing, which is any where held sacred, should


+  be violated among us. In the present case, your virtue and your rank cause me


+  to observe it more strictly; for not even in the midst of misfortunes have you


+  forgotten the delicacy becoming matrons." He then delivered them over to a man


+  of tried virtue, ordering him to treat them with no less respect and modesty


+  than the wives and mothers of guests. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">50 </div>


+<a id="h50" />


+<p>The soldiers then brought to him a female captive, a grown-up virgin, of such


+  exquisite beauty, that whichever way she walked she attracted the eyes of every


+  body. Scipio, on making inquiries as to her country and parentage, heard, among


+  other particulars, that she was betrothed to a young prince of the Celtiberians,


+  named Allucius. He immediately, therefore, summoned from their abode her parents


+  and lover, and having heard in the mean time that the latter was desperately


+  enamoured of her, as soon as he arrived he addressed him in a more studied manner


+  than her parents. "A young man myself," said he, "I address myself to a young


+  man, and therefore there need be the less reserve in this conversation. As soon


+  as your intended bride, having been captured by my soldiers, was brought into


+  my presence, and I was informed that she was endeared to you, which her beauty


+  rendered probable, considering that I should myself wish that my affection for


+  my intended bride, though excessive, should meet with indulgence, could I enjoy


+  the pleasures suited to my age, (particularly in an honourable and lawful love,)


+  and were not my mind engrossed by public affairs, I indulge as far as I can


+  your passion. Your mistress, while under my protection, has received as much


+  respect as under the roof of her own parents, your father-in-law and mother-in-law.


+  She has been kept in perfect safety for you, that she might be presented to


+  you pure, a gift worthy of me and of you. This only reward I bargain for in


+  return for the service I have rendered you, that you would be a friend to the


+  Roman people, and if you believe that I am a true man, as these nations knew


+  my father and uncle to have been heretofore, that you would feel assured that


+  in the Roman state there are many like us, and that no nation in the world at


+  the present time can be mentioned, with which you ought to be less disposed


+  that you, or those belonging to you, should be at enmity, or with which you


+  would rather be in friendship." The young man, overcome at once with joy and


+  modesty, clung to Scipio's right hand, and invoked all the gods to recompense


+  him in his behalf, since he himself was far from possessing means proportioned


+  either to his own wishes or Scipio's deserts. He then addressed himself to the


+  parents and relatives of the damsel, who, on receiving her back without any


+  reward, whom they had brought a very large weight of gold to redeem, entreated


+  Scipio to accept it from them as a present to himself; affirming, that if he


+  would do so, they should feel as grateful for it as they did for the restoration


+  of their daughter inviolate. As they were so earnest in their entreaties, Scipio


+  promised to accept it, and ordered it to be laid at his feet. Then calling Allucius


+  to him, he said: "To the dowry which you are about to receive from your father-in-law,


+  let these marriage presents also from me be added;" bidding him take away the


+  gold and keep it for himself. Delighted with these presents and honours, he


+  was dismissed to his home, where he inspired his countrymen with the deserved


+  praises of Scipio, observing, "that a most godlike youth had come among them,


+  who conquered every thing, not only by arms, but by kindness and generosity."


+  Accordingly, making a levy among his dependants, he returned to Scipio after


+  a few days, with fourteen hundred chosen horsemen. </p>


+<div class="lsidenote">51 </div>


+<a id="h51" />


+<p>Scipio kept Laelius with him until he had disposed of the captives, hostages,


+  and booty, in accordance with his advice; but when all these matters were satisfactorily


+  arranged, he gave him a quinquereme; and selecting from the captives Mago, and


+  about fifteen senators who had been made prisoners at the same time with him,


+  put them on board, and sent him to Rome with the news of his victory. He himself


+  employed the few days he had resolved to stay at Carthage, in exercising his


+  naval and land forces. On the first day the legions under arms performed evolutions


+  through a space of four miles; on the second day he ordered them to repair and


+  clean their arms before their tents; on the third day they engaged in imitation


+  of a regular battle with wooden swords, throwing javelins with the points covered


+  with balls; on the fourth day they rested; on the fifth they again performed


+  evolutions under arms. This succession of exercise and rest they kept up as


+  long as they staid at Carthage. The rowers and mariners, pushing out to sea


+  when the weather was calm, made trial of the manageableness of their ships by


+  mock sea-fights. Such exercises, both by sea and land, without the city prepared


+  their minds and bodies for war. The city itself was all bustle with warlike


+  preparations, artificers of every description being collected together in a


+  public workshop. The general went round to all the works with equal attention.


+  At one time he was employed in the dock-yard with his fleet, at another he exercised


+  with the legions; sometimes he would devote his time to the inspection of the


+  works, which were every day carried on with the greatest eagerness by a multitude


+  of artificers both in the workshops, and in the armoury and docks. Having put


+  these preparations in a train, repaired the walls in a part where they had been


+  shattered, and placed bodies of troops to guard the city, he set out for Tarraco;


+  and on his way thither was visited by a number of embassies, some of which he


+  dismissed, having given them answers on his journey, others he postponed till


+  his arrival at Tarraco; at which place he had appointed a meeting of all his


+  new and old allies. Here ambassadors from almost all the people dwelling on


+  this side the Iberus, and from many dwelling in the further Spain, met. The


+  Carthaginian generals at first industriously suppressed the rumour of the capture


+  of Carthage; but afterwards, when it became too notorious to be concealed or


+  dissembled, they disparaged its importance by their language. They said, that


+  "by an unexpected attack, and in a manner by stealth, in one day, one city of


+  Spain had been snatched out of their hands; that a presumptuous youth, elated


+  with the acquisition of this, so inconsiderable an advantage, had, by the extravagance


+  of his joy, given it the air of an important victory; but that as soon as he


+  should hear that three generals and three victorious armies of his enemies were


+  approaching, the deaths which had taken place in his family would occur to his


+  recollection." Such was the tone in which they spoke of this affair to the people,


+  though they were, at the same time, far from ignorant how much their strength


+  had been diminished, in every respect, by the loss of Carthage. </p>


+<h2> END OF VOL. II </h2>


+<div id="footnotes">


+  <h3>FOOTNOTES</h3>


+  <div class="foots">


+    <div id="foot1"><b>Footnote 1</b>: In the original, <i>lati clavi</i>. The


+      latus clavus was a tunic, or vest, ornamented with a broad stripe of purple


+      on the fore part, worn by the senators; the knights wore a similar one,


+      only ornamented with a narrower stripe. Gold rings were also used as badges


+      of distinction, the common people wore iron ones. </div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot2"><b>Footnote 2</b>: The duration of Alexander's military career.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot3"><b>Footnote 3</b>: The <i>comitia curiata</i>, or assemblies


+      of the curiae, alone had the power of conferring military command; no magistrate,


+      therefore, could assume the command without the previous order of their


+      assembly. In time, this came to be a mere matter of form; yet the practice


+      always continued to be observed.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot4"><b>Footnote 4</b>: 5s. 31d.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot5"><b>Footnote 5</b>: &pound;1.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot6"><b>Footnote 6</b>: &pound;1614. 11s 8d.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot7"><b>Footnote 7</b>: When the auspices were to be taken from


+      the chickens, the keeper threw some of them food upon the ground, in their


+      sight, and opened the door of then coop. If they did not come out; if they


+      came out slowly; if they refused to feed, or ate in a careless manner, the


+      omen was considered as bad. On the contrary, if they rushed out hastily


+      and ate greedily, so that some of the food fell from their mouths on the


+      ground, this was considered as an omen of the best import; it was called


+      <i>tripudium solistinum</i>, originally, <i>terripavium</i>, from <i> terra</i>,


+      and <i>pavire</i>, to strike.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot8"><b>Footnote 8</b>: These marks of honour were bestowed for


+      having saved the lives of citizens, or for having been the first to mount


+      walls or ramparts.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot9"><b>Footnote 9</b>: &pound;4940 13s.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot10"><b>Footnote 10</b>: &pound;322 18s. 4d.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot11"><b>Footnote 11</b>: &pound;1259 7s. 6d.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot12"><b>Footnote 12</b>: Thucydides seems to be specially referred


+      to.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot13"><b>Footnote 13</b>: The Barcine faction derived its name


+      from Hamilcar, who was surnamed Barca. Hanno appears to have been at the


+      head of the opposite party.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot14"><b>Footnote 14</b>: A.U.C. 526, thirteen years after the


+      conclusion of the first Punic war, being the sixth treaty between the Carthaginians


+      and Romans. The first was a commercial agreement made during the first consulate,


+      in the year that the Tarquins were expelled from Rome; but is not mentioned


+      by Livy. The second is noted by him, lib. vii. 27, and the third, lib. ix.


+      43. The fourth was concluded during the war with Pyrrhus and the Tarentines,


+      Polyb. V. iii. 25: and the fifth was the memorable treaty at the close of


+      the first war.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot15"><b>Footnote 15</b>: Alluding to the first treaty made in


+      the year that the kings were expelled from Rome.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot16"><b>Footnote 16</b>: The Carpetani have already been mentioned,


+      chap. v. The Oretani, then neighbours, occupied the country lying between


+      the sources of the Baetis and the Anas, or what are now called the Guadalquiver


+      and Guadiana. In a part of Orospeda they deduced their name from a city


+      called Oretum, the site of which has been brought to light in a paltry village


+      to which the name of Oreto still remains.--<i>D'Anville</i>.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot17"><b>Footnote 17</b>: from Paenus, Carthaginian.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot18"><b>Footnote 18</b>: Because Spain was his proper province


+      as consul.</div>


+    <br />


+    <div id="foot19"><b>Footnote 19</b>: The ancient name of Portugal.</div>


+    <br />


+  </div>


+</div>


+<p>&nbsp;</p>

+<p>&nbsp;</p>

+<hr class="full" />

+

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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The History of Rome; Books Nine to
+Twenty-Six, by Titus Livius, Translated by D. Spillan and Cyrus Edmonds,
+Illustrated by D. Spillan and Cyrus Edmonds
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty-Six
+
+Author: Titus Livius
+
+Release Date: February 1, 2004  [eBook #10907]
+Most recently updated: December 6, 2011
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HISTORY OF ROME; BOOKS NINE TO
+TWENTY-SIX***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Ben Courtney, and Project Gutenberg
+Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+THE HISTORY OF ROME; BOOKS NINE TO TWENTY-SIX
+
+Literally Translated, with Notes and Illustrations,
+by D. Spillan and Cyrus Edmonds.
+
+TITUS LIVIUS.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK IX.
+
+
+_Titus Veturius and Spurius Postumius, with their army, surrounded
+by the Samnites at the Caudine forks; enter into a treaty, give six
+hundred hostages, and are sent under the yoke. The treaty declared
+invalid; the two generals and the other sureties sent back to the
+Samnites, but are not accepted. Not long after, Papirius Cursor
+obliterates this disgrace, by vanquishing the Samnites, sending them
+under the yoke, and recovering the hostages. Two tribes added. Appius
+Claudius, censor, constructs the Claudian aqueduct, and the Appian
+road; admits the sons of freedom into the senate. Successes against
+the Apulians, Etruscans, Umbrians, Marsians, Pelignians, Aequans, and
+Samnites. Mention made of Alexander the Great, who flourished at this
+time; a comparative estimate of his strength, and that of the Roman
+people, tending to show, that if he had carried his arms into Italy,
+he would not have been as successful there as he had been in the
+Eastern countries._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. This year is followed by the convention of Caudium, so memorable on
+account of the misfortune of the Romans, the consuls being Titus
+Veturius Calvinus and Spurius Postumius. The Samnites had as their
+commander that year Caius Ponius, son to Herennius, born of a father
+most highly renowned for wisdom, and himself a consummate warrior and
+commander. When the ambassadors, who had been sent to make
+restitution, returned, without concluding a peace, he said, "That ye
+may not think that no purpose has been effected by this embassy,
+whatever degree of anger the deities of heaven had conceived against
+us, on account of the infraction of the treaty, has been hereby
+expiated. I am very confident, that whatever deities they were, whose
+will it was that you should be reduced to the necessity of making the
+restitution, which had been demanded according to the treaty, it was
+not agreeable to them, that our atonement for the breach of treason
+should be so haughtily spurned by the Romans. For what more could
+possibly be done towards appeasing the gods, and softening the anger
+of men, than we have done? The effects of the enemy, taken among the
+spoils, which appeared to be our own by the right of war, we restored:
+the authors of the war, as we could not deliver them up alive, we
+delivered them dead: their goods we carried to Rome, lest by retaining
+them, any degree of guilt should remain among us. What more, Roman, do
+I owe to thee? what to the treaty? what to the gods, the guarantees of
+the treaty? What arbitrator shall I call in to judge of your
+resentment, and of my punishment? I decline none; neither nation nor
+private person. But if nothing in human law is left to the weak
+against stronger, I will appeal to the gods, the avengers of
+intolerant arrogance, and will beseech them to turn their wrath
+against those for whom neither the restoration of their own effects
+nor additional heaps of other men's property, can suffice, whose
+cruelty is not satiated by the death of the guilty, by the surrender
+of their lifeless bodies, nor by their goods accompanying the
+surrender of the owner; who cannot be appeased otherwise than by
+giving them our blood to drink, and our entrails to be torn. Samnites,
+war is just to those for whom it is necessary, and arms are clear of
+impiety for those who have no hope left but in arms. Wherefore, as in
+every human undertaking, it is of the utmost importance what matter
+men may set about with the favour, what under the displeasure of the
+gods, be assured that the former wars ye waged in opposition to the
+gods more than to men; in this, which is now impending, ye will act
+under the immediate guidance of the gods themselves."
+
+2. After uttering these predictions, not more cheering than true, he
+led out the troops, and placed his camp about Caudium as much out of
+view as possible. From thence he sent to Calatia, where he heard that
+the Roman consuls were encamped, ten soldiers, in the habit of
+shepherds, and ordered them to keep some cattle feeding in several
+different places, at a small distance from the Roman posts; and that,
+when they fell in with any of their foragers, they should all agree in
+the same story, that the legions of the Samnites were then in Apulia,
+that they were besieging Luceria with their whole force, and very near
+taking it by storm. Such a rumour had been industriously spread
+before, and had already reached the Romans; but these prisoners
+increased the credit of it, especially as they all concurred in the
+same report. There was no doubt but that the Romans would carry
+succour to the Lucerians, as being good and faithful allies; and for
+this further reason, lest all Apulia, through apprehension of the
+impending danger, might go over to the enemy. The only point of
+deliberation was, by what road they should go. There were two roads
+leading to Luceria, one along the coast of the upper sea, wide and
+open; but, as it was the safer, so it was proportionably longer: the
+other, which was shorter, through the Caudine forks. The nature of the
+place is this: there are two deep glens, narrow and covered with wood,
+connected together by mountains ranging on both sides from one to the
+other; between these lies a plain of considerable extent, enclosed in
+the middle, abounding in grass and water, and through the middle of
+which the passage runs: but before you can arrive at it, the first
+defile must be passed, while the only way back is through the road by
+which you entered it; or if in case of resolving to proceed forward,
+you must go by the other glen, which is still more narrow and
+difficult. Into this plain the Romans, having marched down their
+troops by one of those passes through the cleft of a rock, when they
+advanced onward to the other defile, found it blocked up by trees
+thrown across, and a mound of huge stones lying in their way. When the
+stratagem of the enemy now became apparent, there is seen at the same
+time a body of troops on the eminence over the glen. Hastening back,
+then, they proceed to retrace the road by which they had entered; they
+found that also shut up by such another fence, and men in arms. Then,
+without orders, they halted; amazement took possession of their minds,
+and a strange kind of numbness seized their limbs: they then remained
+a long time motionless and silent, each looking to the other, as if
+each thought the other more capable of judging and advising than
+himself. After some time, when they saw that the consul's pavilions
+were being erected, and that some were getting ready the implements
+for throwing up works, although they were sensible that it must appear
+ridiculous the attempt to raise a fortification in their present
+desperate condition, and when almost every hope was lost, would be an
+object of necessity, yet, not to add a fault to their misfortunes,
+they all, without being advised or ordered by any one, set earnestly
+to work, and enclosed a camp with a rampart, close to the water, while
+themselves, besides that the enemy heaped insolent taunts on them,
+seemed with melancholy to acknowledge the apparent fruitlessness of
+their toil and labour. The lieutenants-general and tribunes, without
+being summoned to consultation, (for there was no room for either
+consultation or remedy,) assembled round the dejected consul; while
+the soldiers, crowding to the general's quarters, demanded from their
+leaders that succour, which it was hardly in the power of the immortal
+gods themselves to afford them.
+
+3. Night came on them while lamenting their situation rather than
+consulting, whilst they urged expedients, each according to his
+temper; one crying out, "Let us go over those fences of the roads;"
+others, "over the steeps; through the woods; any way, where arms can
+be carried. Let us be but permitted to come to the enemy, whom we have
+been used to conquer now near thirty years. All places will be level
+and plain to a Roman, fighting against the perfidious Samnite."
+Another would say, "Whither, or by what way can we go? Do we expect to
+remove the mountains from their foundations? While these cliffs hang
+over us, by what road will you reach the enemy? Whether armed or
+unarmed, brave or dastardly, we are all, without distinction, captured
+and vanquished. The enemy will not even show us a weapon by which we
+might die with honour. He will finish the war without moving from his
+seat." In such discourse, thinking of neither food nor rest, the night
+was passed. Nor could the Samnites, though in circumstances so joyous,
+instantly determine how to act: it was therefore universally agreed
+that Herennius Pontius, father of the general, should be consulted by
+letter. He was now grown feeble through age, and had withdrawn
+himself, not only from all military, but also from all civil
+occupations; yet, notwithstanding the decline of his bodily strength,
+his mind retained its full vigour. When he heard that the Roman armies
+were shut up at the Caudine forks between the two glens, being
+consulted by his son's messenger, he gave his opinion, that they
+should all be immediately dismissed from thence unhurt. On this
+counsel being rejected, and the same messenger returning a second
+time, he recommended that they should all, to a man, be put to death.
+When these answers, so opposite to each other, like those of an
+ambiguous oracle, were given, although his son in particular
+considered that the powers of his father's mind, together with those
+of his body, had been impaired by age, was yet prevailed on, by the
+general desire of all, to send for him to consult him. The old man, we
+are told, complied without reluctance, and was carried in a waggon to
+the camp, where, when summoned to give his advice, he spoke in such
+way as to make no alteration in his opinions; he only added the
+reasons for them. That "by his first plan, which he esteemed the best,
+he meant, by an act of extraordinary kindness, to establish perpetual
+peace and friendship with a most powerful nation: by the other, to put
+off the return of war to the distance of many ages, during which the
+Roman state, after the loss of those two armies, could not easily
+recover its strength." A third plan there was not. When his son, and
+the other chiefs, went on to ask him if "a plan of a middle kind might
+not be adopted; that they both should be dismissed unhurt, and, at the
+same time, by the right of war, terms imposed on them as vanquished?"
+"That, indeed," said he, "is a plan of such a nature, as neither
+procures friends or removes enemies. Only preserve those whom ye would
+irritate by ignominious treatment. The Romans are a race who know not
+how to sit down quiet under defeat; whatever that is which the present
+necessity shall brand will rankle in their breasts for ever, and will
+not suffer them to rest, until they have wreaked manifold vengeance on
+your heads." Neither of these plans was approved, and Herennius was
+carried home from the camp.
+
+4. In the Roman camp also, when many fruitless efforts to force a
+passage had been made, and they were now destitute of every means of
+subsistence, forced by necessity, they send ambassadors, who were
+first to ask peace on equal terms; which, if they did not obtain, they
+were to challenge the enemy to battle. To this Pontius answered, that
+"the war was at an end; and since, even in their present vanquished
+and captive state, they were not willing to acknowledge their
+situation, he would send them under the yoke unarmed, each with a
+single garment; that the other conditions of peace should be such as
+were just between the conquerors and the conquered. If their troops
+would depart, and their colonies be withdrawn out of the territories
+of the Samnites; for the future, the Romans and Samnites, under a
+treaty of equality, shall live according to their own respective laws.
+On these terms he was ready to negotiate with the consuls: and if any
+of these should not be accepted, he forbade the ambassadors to come to
+him again." When the result of this embassy was made known, such
+general lamentation suddenly arose, and such melancholy took
+possession of them, that had they been told that all were to die on
+the spot, they could not have felt deeper affliction. After silence
+continued a long time, and the consuls were not able to utter a word,
+either in favour of a treaty so disgraceful, or against a treaty so
+necessary; at length, Lucius Lentulus, who was the first among the
+lieutenants-general, both in respect of bravery, and of the public
+honours which he had attained, addressed them thus: "Consuls, I have
+often heard my father say, that he was the only person in the Capitol
+who did not advise the senate to ransom the state from the Gauls with
+gold; and these he would not concur in, because they had not been
+enclosed with a trench and rampart by the enemy, (who were remarkably
+slothful with respect to works and raising fortifications,) and
+because they might sally forth, if not without great danger, yet
+without certain destruction. Now if, in like manner as they had it in
+their power to run down from the Capitol in arms against their foe, as
+men besieged have often sallied out on the besiegers, it were possible
+for us to come to blows with the enemy, either on equal or unequal
+ground, I would not be wanting in the high quality of my father's
+spirit in stating my advice. I acknowledge, indeed, that death, in
+defence of our country, is highly glorious; and I am ready, either to
+devote myself for the Roman people and the legions, or to plunge into
+the midst of the enemy. But in this spot I behold my country: in this
+spot, the whole of the Roman legions, and unless these choose to rush
+on death in defence of their own individual characters, what have they
+which can be preserved by their death? The houses of the city, some
+may say, and the walls of it, and the crowd who dwell in it, by which
+the city is inhabited. But in fact, in case of the destruction of this
+army, all these are betrayed, not preserved. For who will protect
+them? An unwarlike and unarmed multitude, shall I suppose? Yes, just
+as they defended them against the attack of the Gauls. Will they call
+to their succour an army from Veii, with Camillus at its head? Here on
+the spot, I repeat, are all our hopes and strength; by preserving
+which, we preserve our country; by delivering them up to death, we
+abandon and betray our country. But a surrender is shameful and
+ignominious. True: but such ought to be our affection for our country,
+that we should save it by our own disgrace, if necessity required, as
+freely as by our death. Let therefore that indignity be undergone, how
+great soever, and let us submit to that necessity which even the gods
+themselves do not overcome. Go, consuls, ransom the state for arms,
+which your ancestors ransomed with gold."
+
+5. The consuls having gone to Pontius to confer with him, when he
+talked, in the strain of a conqueror, of a treaty, they declared that
+such could not be concluded without an order of the people, nor
+without the ministry of the heralds, and the other customary rites.
+Accordingly the Caudine peace was not ratified by settled treaty, as
+is commonly believed, and even asserted by Claudius, but by
+conventional sureties. For what occasion would these be either for
+sureties or hostages in the former case, where the ratification is
+performed by the imprecation, "that whichever nation shall give
+occasion to the said terms being violated, may Jupiter strike that
+nation in like manner as the swine is struck by the heralds." The
+consuls, lieutenants-general, quaestors, and military tribunes, became
+sureties; and the names of all these who became sureties are extant;
+where, had the business been transacted by treaty, none would have
+appeared but those of the two heralds. On account of the necessary
+delay of the treaty six hundred horsemen were demanded as hostages,
+who were to suffer death if the compact were not fulfilled; a time was
+then fixed for delivering up the hostages, and sending away the troops
+disarmed. The return of the consuls renewed the general grief in the
+camp, insomuch that the men hardly refrained from offering violence to
+them, "by whose rashness," they said, "they had been brought into such
+a situation; and through whose cowardice they were likely to depart
+with greater disgrace than they came. They had employed no guide
+through the country, nor scouts; but were sent out blindly, like
+beasts into a pitfall" They cast looks on each other, viewed earnestly
+the arms which they must presently surrender; while their persons
+would be subject to the whim of the enemy: figured to themselves the
+hostile yoke, the scoffs of the conquerors, their haughty looks, and
+finally, thus disarmed, their march through the midst of an armed foe.
+In a word, they saw with horror the miserable journey of their
+dishonoured band through the cities of the allies; and their return
+into their own country, to their parents, whither themselves, and
+their ancestors, had so often come in triumph. Observing, that "they
+alone had been conquered without a fight, without a weapon thrown,
+without a wound; that they had not been permitted to draw their
+swords, nor to engage the enemy. In vain had arms, in vain had
+strength, in vain had courage been given them." While they were giving
+vent to such grievous reflections, the fatal hour of their disgrace
+arrived, which was to render every circumstance still more shocking in
+fact, than they had preconceived it in their imaginations. First, they
+were ordered to go out, beyond the rampart, unarmed, and with single
+garments; then the hostages were surrendered, and carried into
+custody. The lictors were next commanded to depart from the consuls,
+and the robes of the latter were stripped off. This excited such a
+degree of commiseration in the breasts of those very men, who a little
+before, pouring execrations upon them, had proposed that they should
+be delivered up and torn to pieces, that every one, forgetting his own
+condition, turned away his eyes from that degradation of so high a
+dignity, as from a spectacle too horrid to behold.
+
+6. First, the consuls, nearly half naked, were sent under the yoke;
+then each officer, according to his rank, was exposed to disgrace, and
+the legions successively. The enemy stood on each side under arms,
+reviling and mocking them; swords were pointed at most of them,
+several were wounded and some even slain, when their looks, rendered
+too fierce by the indignity to which they were subjected, gave offence
+to the conquerors. Thus were they led under the yoke; and what was
+still more intolerable, under the eyes of the enemy. When they had got
+clear of the defile, they seemed as if they had been drawn up from the
+infernal regions, and then for the first time beheld the light; yet,
+when they viewed the ignominious appearance of the army, the light
+itself was more painful to them than any kind of death could have
+been; so that although they might have arrived at Capua before night,
+yet, uncertain with respect to the fidelity of the allies, and because
+shame embarrassed them, in need of every thing, they threw themselves
+carelessly on the ground, on each side of the road: which being told
+at Capua, just compassion for their allies got the better of the
+arrogance natural to the Campanians. They immediately sent to the
+consuls their ensigns of office, the fasces and lictors; to the
+soldiers, arms, horses, clothes, and provisions in abundance: and, on
+their approach to Capua, the whole senate and people went out to meet
+them, and performed every proper office of hospitality, both public
+and private. But the courtesy, kind looks, and address of the allies,
+could not only not draw a word from them, but it could not even
+prevail on them to raise their eyes, or look their consoling friends
+in the face, so completely did shame, in addition to grief, oblige
+them to shun the conversation and society of these their friends. Next
+day, when some young nobles, who had been sent from Capua, to escort
+them on their road to the frontiers of Campania, returned, they were
+called into the senate-house, and, in answer to the inquiries of the
+elder members, said, that "to them they seemed deeply sunk in
+melancholy and dejection; that the whole body moved on in silence,
+almost as if dumb; the former genius of the Romans was prostrated, and
+that their spirit had been taken from them, together with their arms.
+Not one returned a salute, nor returned an answer to those who greeted
+them; as if, through fear, they were unable to utter a word; as if
+their necks still carried the yoke under which they had been sent.
+That the Samnites had obtained a victory, not only glorious, but
+lasting also; for they had subdued, not Rome merely, as the Gauls had
+formerly done, but what was a much wore warlike achievement, the Roman
+courage." When these remarks were made and attentively listened to,
+and the almost extinction of the Roman name was lamented in this
+assembly of faithful allies, Ofilius Calavius, son of Ovius, a man
+highly distinguished, both by his birth and conduct, and at this time
+further respectable on account of his age, is said to have declared
+that he entertained a very different opinion in the case. "This
+obstinate silence," said he, "those eyes fixed on the earth,--those
+ears deaf to all comfort,--with the shame of beholding the light,--are
+indications of a mind calling forth, from its inmost recesses, the
+utmost exertions of resentment. Either he was ignorant of the temper
+of the Romans, or that silence would shortly excite, among the
+Samnites, lamentable cries and groans; for that the remembrance of the
+Caudine peace would be much more sorrowful to the Samnites than to the
+Romans. Each side would have their own native spirit, wherever they
+should happen to engage, but the Samnites would not, every where, have
+the glens of Caudium."
+
+7. Their disaster was, by this time, well known at Rome also. At
+first, they heard that the troops were shut up; afterwards the news of
+the ignominious peace caused greater affliction than had been felt for
+their danger. On the report of their being surrounded, a levy of men
+was begun; but when it was understood that the army had surrendered in
+so disgraceful a manner, the preparations were laid aside; and
+immediately, without any public directions, a general mourning took
+place, with all the various demonstrations of grief. The shops were
+shut; and all business ceased in the forum, spontaneously, before it
+was proclaimed. Laticlaves [Footnote: In the original, _lati clavi_.
+The latus clavus was a tunic, or vest, ornamented with a broad stripe
+of purple on the fore part, worn by the senators; the knights wore a
+similar one, only ornamented with a narrower stripe. Gold rings were
+also used as badges of distinction, the common people wore iron ones.]
+and gold rings were laid aside: and the public were in greater
+tribulation, if possible, than the army itself; they were not only
+enraged against the commanders, the advisers and sureties of the peace,
+but detested even the unoffending soldiers, and asserted, that they
+ought not to be admitted into the city or its habitations. But these
+transports of passion were allayed by the arrival of the troops, which
+excited compassion even in the angry; for entering into the city, not
+like men returning into their country with unexpected safety, but in
+the habit and with the looks of captives, late in the evening; they hid
+themselves so closely in their houses, that, for the next, and several
+following days, not one of them could bear to come in sight of the
+forum, or of the public. The consuls, shut up in private, transacted no
+official business, except that which was wrung from them by a decree of
+the senate, to nominate a dictator to preside at the elections. They
+nominated Quintus Fabius Ambustus, and as master of the horse Publius
+Aelius Paetus. But they having been irregularly appointed, there were
+substituted in their room, Marcus Aemilius Papus dictator, and Lucius
+Valerius Flaccus master of the horse. But neither did these hold the
+elections: and the people being dissatisfied with all the magistrates
+of that year, an interregnum ensued. The interreges were, Quintus
+Fabius Maximus and Marcus Valerius Corvus, who elected consuls Quintus
+Publilius Philo, and Lucius Papirius Cursor a second time; a choice
+universally approved, for there were no commanders at that time of
+higher reputation.
+
+8. They entered into office on the day they were elected, for so it
+had been determined by the fathers. When the customary decrees of the
+senate were passed, they proposed the consideration of the Caudine
+peace; and Publilius, who was in possession of the fasces, said,
+"Spurius Postumius, speak:" he arose with just the same countenance
+with which he had passed under the yoke, and delivered himself to this
+effect: "Consuls, I am well aware that I have been called up first
+with marked ignominy, not with honour; and that I am ordered to speak,
+not as being a senator, but as a person answerable as well for an
+unsuccessful war as for a disgraceful peace. However, since the
+question propounded by you is not concerning our guilt, or our
+punishment; waving a defence, which would not be very difficult,
+before men who are not unacquainted with human casualties or
+necessities, I shall briefly state my opinion on the matter in
+question; which opinion will testify, whether I meant to spare myself
+or your legions, when I engaged as surety to the convention, whether
+dishonourable or necessary: by which, however, the Roman people are
+not bound, inasmuch as it was concluded without their order; nor is
+any thing liable to be forfeited to the Samnites, in consequence of
+it, except our persons. Let us then be delivered up to them by the
+heralds, naked, and in chains. Let us free the people of the religious
+obligation, if we have bound them under any such; so that there may be
+no restriction, divine or human, to prevent your entering on the war
+anew, without violating either religion or justice. I am also of
+opinion, that the consuls, in the mean time, enlist, arm, and lead out
+an army; but that they should not enter the enemy's territories before
+every particular, respecting the surrender of us, be regularly
+executed. You, O immortal gods! I pray and beseech that, although it
+has not been your will that Spurius Postumius and Titus Veturius, as
+consuls, should wage war with success against the Samnites, ye may yet
+deem it sufficient to have seen us sent under the yoke; to have seen
+us bound under an infamous convention; to have seen us delivered into
+the hands of our foes naked and shackled, taking on our own heads the
+whole weight of the enemy's resentment. And grant, that the consuls
+and legions of Rome may wage war against the Samnites, with the same
+fortune with which every war has been waged before we became consuls."
+On his concluding this speech, men's minds were so impressed with both
+admiration and compassion, that now they could scarce believe him to
+be the same Spurius Postumius who had been the author of so shameful a
+peace; again lamenting, that such a man was likely to undergo, among
+the enemy, a punishment even beyond that of others, through resentment
+for annulling the peace. When all the members, extolling him with
+praises, expressed their approbation of his sentiments, a protest was
+attempted for a time by Lucius Livius and Quintus Maelius, tribunes of
+the commons, who said, that "the people could not be acquitted of the
+religious obligation by the consuls being given up, unless all things
+were restored to the Samnites in the same state in which they had been
+at Caudium; nor had they themselves deserved any punishment, for
+having, by becoming sureties to the peace, preserved the army of the
+Roman people; nor, finally, could they, being sacred and inviolable,
+be surrendered to the enemy or treated with violence."
+
+9. To this Postumius replied, "In the mean time surrender us as
+unsanctified persons, which ye may do, without offence to religion;
+those sacred and inviolable personages, the tribunes, ye will
+afterwards deliver up as soon as they go out of office: but, if ye
+listen to me, they will be first scourged with rods, here in the
+Comitium, that they may pay this as interest for their punishment
+being delayed. For, as to their denying that the people are acquitted
+of the religious obligation, by our being given up, who is there so
+ignorant of the laws of the heralds, as not to know, that those men
+speak in that manner, that they themselves may not be surrendered,
+rather than because the case is really so? Still I do not deny,
+conscript fathers, that compacts, on sureties given, are as sacred as
+treaties, in the eyes of all who regard faith between men, with the
+same reverence which is paid to duties respecting the gods: but I
+insist, that without the order of the people, nothing can be ratified
+that is to bind the people. Suppose that, out of the same arrogance
+with which the Samnites wrung from us the convention in question, they
+had compelled us to repeat the established form of words for the
+surrendering of cities, would ye, tribunes, say, that the Roman people
+was surrendered? and, that this city, these temples, and consecrated
+grounds, these lands and waters, were become the property of the
+Samnites? I say no more of the surrender, because our having become
+sureties is the point insisted on. Now, suppose we had become sureties
+that the Roman people should quit this city; that they should set it
+on fire; that they should have no magistrates, no senate, no laws;
+that they should, in future, be ruled by kings: the gods forbid, you
+say. But, the enormity of the articles lessens not the obligation of a
+compact. If there is any thing in which the people can be bound, it
+can in all. Nor is there any importance in another circumstance, which
+weighs, perhaps, with some: whether a consul, a dictator, or a
+praetor, be the surety. And this, indeed, was what even the Samnites
+themselves proved, who were not satisfied with the security of the
+consuls, but compelled the lieutenants-general, quaestors, and
+military tribunes to join them. Let no one, then, demand of me, why I
+entered into such a compact, when neither such power was vested in a
+consul, and when I could not either to them, insure a peace, of which
+I could not command the ratification; or in behalf of you, who had
+given me no powers. Conscript fathers, none of the transactions at
+Caudium were directed by human wisdom. The immortal gods deprived of
+understanding both your generals and those of the enemy. On the one
+side we acted not with sufficient caution in the war; on the other,
+they threw away a victory, which through our folly they had obtained,
+while they hardly confided in the places, by means of which they had
+conquered; but were in haste, on any terms, to take arms out of the
+hands of men who were born to arms. Had their reason been sound, would
+it have been difficult, during the time which they spent in sending
+for old men from home to give them advice, to send ambassadors to
+Rome, and to negotiate a peace and treaty with the senate, and with
+the people? It would have been a journey of only three days to
+expeditious travellers. In the interim, matters might have rested
+under a truce, that is, until their ambassadors should have brought
+from Rome, either certain victory or peace. That would have been
+really a compact, on the faith of sureties, for we should have become
+sureties by order of the people. But, neither would ye have passed
+such an order, nor should we have pledged our faith; nor was it right
+that the affair should have any other issue, than, that they should be
+vainly mocked with a dream, as it were, of greater prosperity than
+their minds were capable of comprehending, and that the same fortune,
+which had entangled our army, should extricate it; that an ineffectual
+victory should be frustrated by a more ineffectual peace; and that a
+convention, on the faith of a surety, should be introduced, which
+bound no other person beside the surety. For what part had ye,
+conscript fathers; what part had the people, in this affair? Who can
+call upon you? Who can say, that he has been deceived by you? Can the
+enemy? Can a citizen? To the enemy ye engaged nothing. Ye ordered no
+citizen to engage on your behalf. Ye are therefore no way concerned
+either with us, to whom ye gave no commission; nor with the Samnites,
+with whom ye transacted no business. We are sureties to the Samnites;
+debtors, sufficiently wealthy in that which is our own, in that which
+we can offer--our bodies and our minds. On these, let them exercise
+their cruelty; against these, let them whet their resentment and their
+swords. As to what relates to the tribunes, consider whether the
+delivering them up can be effected at the present time, or if it must
+be deferred to another day. Meanwhile let us, Titus Veturius, and the
+rest concerned, offer our worthless persons, as atonements for the
+breaking our engagements, and, by our sufferings liberate the Roman
+armies."
+
+10. Both these arguments, and, still more, the author of them,
+powerfully affected the senators; as they did likewise every one, not
+excepting even the tribunes of the commons who declared, that they
+would be directed by the senate. They then instantly resigned their
+office, and were delivered, together with the rest, to the heralds, to
+be conducted to Caudium. On passing this decree of the senate, it
+seemed as if some new light had shone upon the state: Postumius was in
+every mouth: they extolled him to heaven; and pronounced his conduct
+as equal even to the devoting act of the consul Publius Decius, and to
+other illustrious acts. "Through his counsel, and exertions," they
+said, "the state had raised up its head from an ignominious peace. He
+now offered himself to the enemy's rage, and to torments; and was
+suffering, in atonement for the Roman people." All turned their
+thoughts towards arms and war, [and the general cry was,] "When shall
+we be permitted with arms in our hands to meet the Samnites?" While
+the state glowed with resentment and rancour, the levies were composed
+almost entirely of volunteers. New legions, composed of the former
+soldiers, were quickly formed, and an army marched to Caudium. The
+heralds, who went before, on coming to the gate, ordered the sureties
+of the peace to be stripped of their clothes, and their hands to be
+tied behind their backs. As the apparitor, out of respect to his
+dignity, was binding Postumius in a loose manner, "Why do you not,"
+said he, "draw the cord tight, that the surrender may be regularly
+performed?" Then, when they came into the assembly of the Samnites,
+and to the tribunal of Pontius, Aulus Cornelius Arvina, a herald,
+pronounced these words: "Forasmuch as these men, here present, without
+orders from the Roman people, the Quirites, entered into surety, that
+a treaty should be made, and have thereby rendered themselves
+criminal; now, in order that the Roman people may be freed from the
+crime of impiety, I here surrender these men into your hands." On the
+herald saying thus, Postumius gave him a stroke on the thigh with his
+knee, as forcibly as he could, and said with a loud voice, that "he
+was now a citizen of Samnium, the other a Roman ambassador; that the
+herald had been, by him, violently ill-treated, contrary to the law of
+nations; and that his people would therefore have the more justice on
+their side, in waging war."
+
+11. Pontius then said, "Neither will I accept such a surrender, nor
+will the Samnites deem it valid. Spurius Postumius, if you believe
+that there are gods, why do you not undo all that has been done, or
+fulfil your agreement? The Samnite nation is entitled, either to all
+the men whom it had in its power, or, instead of them, to a peace. But
+why do I call on you, who, with as much regard to faith as you are
+able to show, return yourself a prisoner into the hands of the
+conqueror? I call on the Roman people. If they are dissatisfied with
+the convention made at the Caudine forks, let them replace the legions
+within the defile where they were pent up. Let there be no deception
+on either side. Let all that has been done pass as nothing. Let them
+receive again the army which they surrendered by the convention; let
+them return into their camp. Whatever they were in possession of, the
+day before the conference, let them possess again. Then let war and
+resolute counsels be adopted. Then let the convention, and peace, be
+rejected. Let us carry on the war in the same circumstances, and
+situations, in which we were before peace was mentioned. Let neither
+the Roman people blame the convention of the consuls, nor us the faith
+of the Roman people. Will ye never want an excuse for not standing to
+the compacts which ye make on being defeated? Ye gave hostages to
+Porsena: ye clandestinely withdrew them. Ye ransomed your state from
+the Gauls, for gold: while they were receiving the gold, they were put
+to the sword. Ye concluded a peace with us, on condition of our
+restoring your captured legions: that peace ye now annul; in fine, ye
+always spread over your fraudulent conduct some show of right. Do the
+Roman people disapprove of their legions being saved by an ignominious
+peace? Let them have their peace, and return the captured legions to
+the conqueror. This would be conduct consistent with faith, with
+treaties, and with the laws of the heralds. But that you should, in
+consequence of the convention, obtain what you desired, the safety of
+so many of your countrymen, while I obtain not, what I stipulated for
+on sending you back those men, a peace; is this the law which you,
+Aulus Cornelius, which ye, heralds, prescribe to nations? But for my
+part, I neither accept those men whom ye pretend to surrender, nor
+consider them as surrendered; nor do I hinder them from returning into
+their own country, which stands bound under an actual convention,
+formally entered into carrying with them the wrath of all the gods,
+whose authority is thus baffled. Wage war, since Spurius Postumius has
+just now struck with his knee the herald, in character of ambassador.
+The gods are to believe that Postumius is a citizen of Samnium, not of
+Rome; and that a Roman ambassador has been violated by a Samnite; and
+that therefore a just war has been waged against us by you. That men
+of years, and of consular dignity, should not be ashamed to exhibit
+such mockery of religion in the face of day! And should have recourse
+to such shallow artifices to palliate their breach of faith, unworthy
+even of children! Go, lictor, take off the bonds from those Romans.
+Let no one delay them from departing when they think proper."
+Accordingly they returned unhurt from Caudium to the Roman camp,
+having acquitted, certainly, their own faith, and perhaps that of the
+public.
+
+12. The Samnites finding that instead of a peace which flattered their
+pride, the war was revived, and with the utmost inveteracy, not only
+felt, in their minds, a foreboding of all the consequences which
+ensued, but saw them, in a manner, before their eyes. They now, too
+late and in vain, applauded the plans of old Pontius, by blundering
+between which, they had exchanged the possession of victory for an
+uncertain peace; and having lost the opportunity of doing a kindness
+or an injury, were now to fight against men, whom they might have
+either put out of the way, for ever, as enemies; or engaged, for ever,
+as friends. And such was the change which had taken place in men's
+minds, since the Caudine peace, even before any trial of strength had
+shown an advantage on either side, that Postumius, by surrendering
+himself, had acquired greater renown among the Romans, than Pontius
+among the Samnites, by his bloodless victory. The Romans considered
+their being at liberty to make war, a certain victory; while the
+Samnites supposed the Romans victorious, the moment they resumed their
+arms. Meanwhile, the Satricans revolted to the Samnites, who attacked
+the colony of Fregellae, by a sudden surprise in the night,
+accompanied, as it appears, by the Satricans. From that time until
+day, their mutual fears kept both parties quiet: the daylight was the
+signal for battle, which the Fregellans contrived to maintain, for a
+considerable time, without loss of ground; both because they fought
+for their religion and liberty; and the multitude, who were unfit to
+bear arms, assisted them from the tops of the houses. At length a
+stratagem gave the advantage to the assailants; for they suffered the
+voice of a crier to be heard proclaiming, that "whoever laid down his
+arms might retire in safety." This relaxed their eagerness in the
+fight, and they began almost every where to throw away their arms. A
+part, more determined, however, retaining their arms, rushed out by
+the opposite gate, and their boldness brought greater safety to them,
+than their fear, which inclined them to credulity, did to the others:
+for the Samnites, having surrounded the latter with fires, burned them
+all to death, while they made vain appeals to the faith of gods and
+men. The consuls having settled the province between them, Papirius
+proceeded into Apulia to Luceria where the Roman horsemen, given as
+hostages at Caudium were kept in custody: Publilius remained in
+Samnium, to oppose the Caudine legions. This proceeding perplexed the
+minds of the Samnites: they could not safely determine either to go to
+Luceria, lest the enemy should press on their rear or to remain where
+they were, lest in the mean time Luceria should be lost. They
+concluded, therefore, that it would be most advisable to trust to the
+decision of fortune, and to take the issue of a battle with Publilius:
+accordingly they drew out their forces into the field.
+
+13. When Publilius was about to engage, considering it proper to
+address his soldiers first, he ordered an assembly be summoned. But
+though they ran together to the general's quarters with the greatest
+alacrity, yet so loud were the clamours, demanding the fight, that
+none of the general's exhortations were heard: each man's own
+reflections on the late disgrace served as an exhortation. They
+advanced therefore to battle, urging the standard-bearers to hasten;
+at rest, in beginning the conflict, there should be any delay, in
+wielding their javelins and then drawing their swords, they threw away
+the former, as if a signal to that purpose had been given, and,
+drawing the latter, rushed in full speed upon the foe. Nothing of a
+general's skill was displayed in forming ranks or reserves; the
+resentment of the troops performed all, with a degree of fury little
+inferior to madness. The enemy, therefore, were not only completely
+routed, not even daring to embarrass their flight by retreating to
+their camp but dispersing, made towards Apulia in scattered parties:
+afterwards, however, collecting their forces into one body, they
+reached Luceria. The same exasperation, which had carried the Romans
+through the midst of the enemy's line, carried them forward also into
+their camp, where greater carnage was made, and more blood spilt, than
+even in the field, while the greater part of the spoil was destroyed
+in their rage. The other army, with the consul Papirius, had now
+arrived at Arpi, on the sea-coast, having passed without molestation
+through all the countries in their way; which was owing to the
+ill-treatment received by those people from the Samnites, and their
+hatred towards them, rather than to any favour received from the Roman
+people. For such of the Samnites as dwelt on the mountains in separate
+villages, used to ravage the low lands, and the places on the coast;
+and being mountaineers, and savage themselves, despised the husbandmen
+who were of a gentler kind, and, as generally happens, resembled the
+district they inhabited. Now if this tract had been favourably
+affected towards the Samnites, either the Roman army could have been
+prevented from reaching Arpi, or, as it lay between Rome and Arpi, it
+might have intercepted the convoys of provisions, and utterly
+destroyed them by the consequent scarcity of all necessaries. Even as
+it was, when they went from thence to Luceria, both the besiegers and
+the besieged were distressed equally by want. Every kind of supplies
+was brought to the Romans from Arpi; but in so very scanty proportion,
+that the horsemen had to carry corn from thence to the camp, in little
+bags, for the foot, who were employed in the outposts, watches, and
+works; and sometimes falling in with the enemy, they were obliged to
+throw the corn from off their horses, in order to fight. Before the
+arrival of the other consul and his victorious army, both provisions
+had been brought in to the Samnites, and reinforcements conveyed in to
+them from the mountains; but the coming of Publilius contracted all
+their resources; for, committing the siege to the care of his
+colleague, and keeping himself disengaged, he threw every difficulty
+in the way of the enemy's convoys. There being therefore little hope
+for the besieged, or that they would be able much longer to endure
+want, the Samnites, encamped at Luceria, were obliged to collect their
+forces from every side, and come to an engagement with Papirius.
+
+14. At this juncture, while both parties were preparing for an action,
+ambassadors from the Tarentines interposed, requiring both Samnites
+and Romans to desist from war; with menaces, that "if either refused
+to agree to a cessation of hostilities, they would join their arms
+with the other party against them." Papirius, on hearing the purport
+of their embassy, as if influenced by their words, answered, that he
+would consult his colleague: he then sent for him, employing the
+intermediate time in the necessary preparations; and when he had
+conferred with him on a matter, about which no doubt was entertained,
+he made the signal for battle. While the consuls were employed in
+performing the religious rites and the other usual business
+preparatory to an engagement the Tarentine ambassadors put themselves
+in their way, expecting an answer: to whom Papirius said, "Tarentines,
+the priest reports that the auspices are favourable, and that our
+sacrifices have been attended with excellent omens: under the
+direction of the gods, we are proceeding, as you see, to action." He
+then ordered the standards to move, and led out the troops; thus
+rebuking the exorbitant arrogance of that nation, which at a time
+when, through intestine discord and sedition, it was unequal to the
+management of its own affairs, yet presumed to prescribe the bounds of
+peace and war to others. On the other side, the Samnites, who had
+neglected every preparation for fighting, either because they were
+really desirous of peace, or it seemed their interest to pretend to be
+so, in order to conciliate the favour of the Tarentines, when they
+saw, on a sudden, the Romans drawn up for battle, cried out, that
+"they would continue to be directed by the Tarentines, and would
+neither march out, nor carry their arms beyond the rampart. That if
+deceived, they would rather endure any consequence which chance may
+bring, than show contempt to the Tarentines, the advisers of peace."
+The consuls said that "they embraced the omen, and prayed that the
+enemy might continue in the resolution of not even defending their
+rampart." Then, dividing the forces between them, they advanced to the
+works; and, making an assault on every side at once, while some filled
+up the trenches, others tore down the rampart, and tumbled it into the
+trench. All were stimulated, not only by their native courage, but by
+the resentment which, since their disgrace, had been festering in
+their breasts. They made their way into the camp; where, every one
+repeating, that here was not Caudium, nor the forks, nor the
+impassable glens, where cunning haughtily triumphed over error; but
+Roman valour, which no rampart nor trench could ward off;--they slew,
+without distinction, those who resisted and those who fled, the armed
+and unarmed, freemen and slaves, young and old, men and cattle. Nor
+would a single animal have escaped, had not the consuls given the
+signal for retreat; and, by commands and threats, forced out of the
+camp the soldiers, greedy of slaughter. As they were highly incensed
+at being thus interrupted in the gratification of their vengeance, a
+speech was immediately addressed to them, assuring the soldiers, that
+"the consuls neither did nor would fall short of any one of the
+soldiers, in hatred toward the enemy; on the contrary, as they led the
+way in battle, so would they have done the same in executing unbounded
+vengeance, had not the consideration of the six hundred horsemen, who
+were confined as hostages in Luceria, restrained their inclinations;
+lest total despair of pardon might drive on the enemy blindly to take
+vengeance on them, eager to destroy them before they themselves should
+perish." The soldiers highly applauded this conduct, and rejoiced that
+their resentment had been checked, and acknowledged that every thing
+ought to be endured, rather than that the safety of so many Roman
+youths of the first distinction should be brought into danger.
+
+15. The assembly being then dismissed, a consultation was held,
+whether they should press forward the siege of Luceria, with all their
+forces; or, whether with one of the commanders, and his army, trial
+should be made of the Apulians, a nation in the neighbourhood still
+doubtful. The consul Publilius set out to make a circuit through
+Apulia, and in the one expedition either reduced by force, or received
+into alliance on conditions, a considerable number of the states.
+Papirius likewise, who had remained to prosecute the siege of Luceria,
+soon found the event agreeable to his hopes: for all the roads being
+blocked up through which provisions used to be conveyed from Samnium,
+the Samnites, who were in garrison, were reduced so low by famine,
+that they sent ambassadors to the Roman consul, proposing that he
+should raise the siege, on receiving the horsemen who were the cause
+of the war, to whom Papirius returned this answer, that "they ought to
+have consulted Pontius, son of Herennius, by whose advice they had
+sent the Romans under the yoke, what treatment he thought fitting for
+the conquered to undergo. But since, instead of offering fair terms
+themselves, they chose rather that they should be imposed on them by
+their enemies, he desired them to carry back orders to the troops in
+Luceria, that they should leave within the walls their arms, baggage,
+beasts of burthen, and all persons unfit for war. The soldiers he
+would send under the yoke with single garments, retaliating the
+disgrace formerly inflicted, not inflicting a new one." The terms were
+not rejected. Seven thousand soldiers were sent under the yoke, and an
+immense booty was seized in Luceria, all the standards and arms which
+they had lost at Caudium being recovered; and, what greatly surpassed
+all their joy, recovered the horsemen whom the Samnites had sent to
+Luceria to be kept as pledges of the peace. Hardly ever did the Romans
+gain a victory more distinguished for the sudden reverse produced in
+the state of their affairs; especially if it be true, as I find in
+some annals, that Pontius, son of Herennius, the Samnite general, was
+sent under the yoke along with the rest, to atone for the disgrace of
+the consuls. I think it indeed more strange that there should exist
+any doubt whether it was Lucius Cornelius, in quality of dictator,
+Lucius Papirius Cursor being master of the horse, who performed these
+achievements at Caudium, and afterwards at Luceria, as the single
+avenger of the disgrace of the Romans, enjoying the best deserved
+triumph, perhaps, next to that of Furius Camillus, which had ever yet
+been obtained; or whether that honour belongs to the consuls, and
+particularly to Papirius. This uncertainty is followed by another,
+whether, at the next election, Papirius Cursor was chosen consul a
+third time, with Quintus Aulus Ceretanus a second time, being
+re-elected in requital of his services at Luceria; or whether it was
+Lucius Papirius Mugillanus, the surname being mistaken.
+
+16. From henceforth, the accounts are clear, that the other wars were
+conducted to a conclusion by the consuls. Aulius by one successful
+battle, entirely conquered the Forentans. The city, to which their
+army had retreated after its defeat, surrendered on terms, hostages
+having been demanded. With similar success the other consul conducted
+his operations against the Satricans; who, though Roman citizens, had,
+after the misfortune at Caudium, revolted to the Samnites, and
+received a garrison into their city. The Satricans, however, when the
+Roman army approached their walls, sent deputies to sue for peace,
+with humble entreaties; to whom the consul answered harshly, that
+"they must not come again to him, unless they either put to death, or
+delivered up, the Samnite garrison:" by which terms greater terror was
+struck into the colonists than by the arms with which they were
+threatened. The deputies, accordingly, several times asking the
+consul, how he thought that they, who were few and weak, could attempt
+to use force against a garrison so strong and well-armed: he desired
+them to "seek counsel from those, by whose advice they had received
+that garrison into the city." They then departed, and returned to
+their countrymen, having obtained from the consul, with much
+difficulty, permission to consult their senate on the matter, and
+bring back their answer to him. Two factions divided the senate; one
+that whose leaders had been the authors of the defection from the
+Roman people, the other consisted of the citizens who retained their
+loyalty; both, however, showed an earnest desire, that every means
+should be used towards effecting an accommodation with the consul for
+the restoration of peace. As the Samnite garrison, being in no respect
+prepared for holding out a siege, intended to retire the next night
+out of the town, one party thought it sufficient to discover to the
+consul, at what hour, through what gate, and by what road, his enemy
+was to march out. The other, against whose wishes defection to the
+Samnites had occurred, even opened one of the gates for the consul in
+the night, secretly admitting the armed enemy into the town. In
+consequence of this twofold treachery, the Samnite garrison was
+surprised and overpowered by an ambush, placed in the woody places,
+near the road; and, at the same time, a shout was raised in the city,
+which was now filled with the enemy. Thus, in the short space of one
+hour, the Samnites were put to the sword, the Satricans made
+prisoners, and all things reduced under the power of the consul; who,
+having instituted an inquiry by whose means the revolt had taken
+place, scourged with rods and beheaded such as he found to be guilty;
+and then, disarming the Satricans, he placed a strong garrison in the
+place. On this those writers state, that Papirius Cursor proceeded to
+Rome to celebrate his triumph, who say, that it was under his guidance
+Luceria was retaken, and the Samnites sent under the yoke.
+Undoubtedly, as a warrior, he was deserving of every military praise,
+excelling not only in vigour of mind, but likewise in strength of
+body. He possessed extraordinary swiftness of foot, surpassing every
+one of his age in running, from whence came the surname into his
+family; and he is said, either from the robustness of his frame, or
+from much practice, to have been able to digest a very large quantity
+of food and wine. Never did either the foot-soldier or horseman feel
+military service more laborious, under any general, because he was of
+a constitution not to be overcome by fatigue. The cavalry, on some
+occasion, venturing to request that, in consideration of their good
+behaviour, he would excuse them some part of their business, he told
+them, "Ye should not say that no indulgence has been granted you,--I
+excuse you from rubbing your horses' backs when ye dismount." He
+supported also the authority of command, in all its vigour, both among
+the allies and his countrymen. The praetor of Praeneste, through fear,
+had been tardy in bringing forward his men from the reserve to the
+front: he, walking before his tent, ordered him to be called, and then
+bade the lictor to make ready his axe, on which, the Praenestine
+standing frightened almost to death, he said, "Here, lictor, cut away
+this stump, it is troublesome to people as they walk;" and, after thus
+alarming him with the dread of the severest punishment, he imposed a
+fine and dismissed him. It is beyond doubt, that during that age, than
+which none was ever more productive of virtuous characters, there was
+no man in whom the Roman affairs found a more effectual support; nay,
+people even marked him out, in their minds, as a match for Alexander
+the Great, in case that, having completed the conquest of Asia, he
+should have turned his arms on Europe.
+
+17. Nothing can be found farther from my intention, since the
+commencement of this history, than to digress, more than necessity
+required, from the course of narration; and, by embellishing my work
+with variety, to seek pleasing resting-places, as it were, for my
+readers, and relaxation for my own mind: nevertheless, the mention
+of so great a king and commander, now [editorial note: there is
+reason to believe that one or two lines of text might be missing at
+this point] calls forth to public view those silent reflections,
+whom Alexander must have fought. Manlius Torquatus, had he met
+him in the field, might, perhaps, have yielded to Alexander in
+discharging military duties in battle (for these also render
+him no less illustrious); and so might Valerius Corvus; men who
+were distinguished soldiers, before they became commanders. The same,
+too, might have been the case with the Decii, who, after devoting
+their persons, rushed upon the enemy; or of Papirius Cursor, though
+possessed of such powers, both of body and mind. By the counsels of
+one youth, it is possible the wisdom of a whole senate, not to mention
+individuals, might have been baffled, [consisting of such members,]
+that he alone, who declared that "it consisted of kings," conceived a
+correct idea of a Roman senate. But then the danger was, that with
+more judgment than any one of those whom I have named he might choose
+ground for an encampment, provide supplies, guard against stratagems,
+distinguish the season for fighting, form his line of battle, or
+strengthen it properly with reserves. He would have owned that he was
+not dealing with Darius, who drew after him a train of women and
+eunuchs; saw nothing about him but gold and purple; was encumbered
+with the trappings of his state, and should be called his prey, rather
+than his antagonist; whom therefore he vanquished without loss of
+blood and had no other merit, on the occasion, than that of showing a
+proper spirit in despising empty show. The aspect of Italy would have
+appeared to him of a quite different nature from that of India, which
+he traversed in the guise of a traveller, at the head of a crew of
+drunkards, if he had seen the forests of Apulia, and the mountains of
+Lucania, with the vestiges of the disasters of his house, and where
+his uncle Alexander, king of Epirus, had been lately cut off.
+
+18. We are now speaking of Alexander not yet intoxicated by
+prosperity, the seductions of which no man was less capable of
+withstanding. But, if he is to be judged from the tenor of his conduct
+in the new state of his fortune, and from the new disposition, as I
+may say, which he put on after his successes, he would have entered
+Italy more like Darius than Alexander; and would have brought thither
+an army that had forgotten Macedonia, and were degenerating into the
+manners of the Persians. It is painful, in speaking of so great a
+king, to recite his ostentatious change of dress; of requiring that
+people should address him with adulation, prostrating themselves on
+the ground, a practice insupportable to the Macedonians, had they even
+been conquered, much more so when they were victorious; the shocking
+cruelty of his punishments; his murdering his friends in the midst of
+feasting and wine; with the folly of his fiction respecting his birth.
+What must have been the consequence, if his love of wine had daily
+become more intense? if his fierce and uncontrollable anger? And as I
+mention not any one circumstance of which there is a doubt among
+writers, do we consider these as no disparagements to the
+qualifications of a commander? But then, as is frequently repeated by
+the silliest of the Greeks, who are fond of exalting the reputation,
+even of the Parthians, at the expense of the Roman name, the danger
+was that the Roman people would not have had resolution to bear up
+against the splendour of Alexander's name, who, however, in my
+opinion, was not known to them even by common fame; and while, in
+Athens, a state reduced to weakness by the Macedonian arms, which at
+the very time saw the ruins of Thebes smoking in its neighbourhood,
+men had spirit enough to declaim with freedom against him, as is
+manifest from the copies of their speeches, which have been preserved;
+[we are to be told] that out of such a number of Roman chiefs, no one
+would have freely uttered his sentiments. How great soever our idea of
+this man's greatness may be, still it is the greatness of an
+individual, constituted by the successes of a little more than ten
+years; and those who give it pre-eminence on account that the Roman
+people have been defeated, though not in any entire war, yet in
+several battles, whereas Alexander was never once unsuccessful in a
+single fight, do not consider that they are comparing the actions of
+one man, and that a young man, with the exploits of a nation waging
+wars now eight hundred years. Can we wonder if, when on the one side
+more ages are numbered than years on the other, fortune varied more in
+so long a lapse of time than in the short term of thirteen years?
+[Footnote: The duration of Alexander's military career.] But why not
+compare the success of one general with that of another? How many
+Roman commanders might I name who never lost a battle? In the annals
+of the magistrates, and the records, we may run over whole pages of
+consuls and dictators, with whose bravery, and successes also, the
+Roman people never once had reason to be dissatisfied. And what
+renders them more deserving of admiration than Alexander, or any king,
+is, that some of these acted in the office of dictator, which lasted
+only ten, or it might be twenty days, none, in a charge of longer
+duration than the consulship of a year; their levies obstructed by
+plebeian tribunes; often late in taking the field; recalled, before
+the time, on account of elections; amidst the very busiest efforts of
+the campaign, their year of office expired; sometimes the rashness,
+sometimes the perverseness of a colleague, proving an impediment or
+detriment; and finally succeeding to the unfortunate administration of
+a predecessor, with an army of raw or ill-disciplined men. But, on
+the other hand, kings, being not only free from every kind of
+impediment, but masters of circumstances and seasons, control all
+things in subserviency to their designs, themselves uncontrolled by
+any. So that Alexander, unconquered, would have encountered
+unconquered commanders; and would have had stakes of equal consequence
+pledged on the issue. Nay, the hazard had been greater on his side;
+because the Macedonians would have had but one Alexander, who was not
+only liable, but fond of exposing himself to casualties; the Romans
+would have had many equal to Alexander, both in renown, and in the
+greatness of their exploits; any one of whom might live or die
+according to his destiny, without any material consequence to the
+public.
+
+19. It remains that the forces be compared together, with respect to
+their numbers, the quality of the men, and the supplies of
+auxiliaries. Now, in the general surveys of the age, there were rated
+two hundred and fifty thousand men, so that, on every revolt of the
+Latin confederates, ten legions were enlisted almost entirely in the
+city levy. It often happened during those years, that four or five
+armies were employed at a time, in Etruria, in Umbria, the Gauls too
+being at war, in Samnium, in Lucania. Then as to all Latium, with the
+Sabines, and Volscians, the Aequans, and all Campania; half of Umbria,
+Etruria, and the Picentians, Marsians, Pelignians, Vestinians, and
+Apulians; to whom may add, the whole coast of the lower sea, possessed
+by the Greeks, from Thurii to Neapolis and Cumae; and the Samnites
+from thence as far as Antium and Ostia: all these he would have found
+either powerful allies to the Romans or deprived of power by their
+arms. He would have crossed the sea with his veteran Macedonians,
+amounting to no more than thirty thousand infantry and four thousand
+horse, these mostly Thessalians. This was the whole of his strength.
+Had he brought with him Persians and Indians, and those other nations,
+it would be dragging after him an encumbrance other than a support.
+Add to this, that the Romans, being at home, would have had recruits
+at hand: Alexander, waging war in a foreign country, would have found
+his army worn out with long service, as happened afterwards to
+Hannibal. As to arms, theirs were a buckler and long spears; those of
+the Romans, a shield, which covered the body more effectually, and a
+javelin, a much more forcible weapon than the spear, either in
+throwing or striking. The soldiers, on both sides, were used to steady
+combat, and to preserve their ranks. But the Macedonian phalanx was
+unapt for motion, and composed of similar parts throughout: the Roman
+line less compact, consisting of several various parts, was easily
+divided as occasion required, and as easily conjoined. Then what
+soldier is comparable to the Roman in the throwing up of works? who
+better calculated to endure fatigue? Alexander, if overcome in one
+battle, would have been overcome in war. The Roman, whom Claudium,
+whom Cannae, did not crush, what line of battle could crush? In truth,
+even should events have been favourable to him at first, he would have
+often wished for the Persians, the Indians, and the effeminate tribes
+of Asia, as opponents; and would have acknowledged, that his wars had
+been waged with women, as we are told was said by Alexander, king of
+Epirus, after receiving his mortal wound, when comparing the wars
+waged in Asia by this very youth, with those in which himself had been
+engaged. Indeed, when I reflect that, in the first Punic war, a
+contest was maintained by the Romans with the Carthaginians, at sea,
+for twenty-four years, I can scarcely suppose that the life of
+Alexander would have been long enough for the finishing of one war
+[with either of those nations]. And perhaps, as both the Punic state
+was united to the Roman by ancient treaties, and as similar
+apprehensions might arm against a common foe those two nations the
+most potent of the time in arms and in men, he might have been
+overwhelmed in a Punic and a Roman war at once. The Romans have had
+experience of the boasted prowess of the Macedonians in arms, not
+indeed under Alexander as their general, or when their power was at
+the height, but in the wars against Antiochus, Philip, and Perses; and
+not only not with any losses, but not even with any danger to
+themselves. Let not my assertion give offence, nor our civil wars be
+brought into mention; never were we worsted by an enemy's cavalry,
+never by their infantry, never in open fight, never on equal ground,
+much less when the ground was favourable. Our soldiers, heavy laden
+with arms, may reasonably fear a body of cavalry, or arrows; defiles
+of difficult passage, and places impassable to convoys. But they have
+defeated, and will defeat a thousand armies, more formidable than
+those of Alexander and the Macedonians, provided that the same love of
+peace and solicitude about domestic harmony, in which we now live,
+continue permanent.
+
+20. Marcus Foslius Flaccinator and Lucius Plautius Venno were the next
+raised to the consulship. In this year ambassadors came from most of
+the states of the Samnites to procure a renewal of the treaty; and,
+after they had moved the compassion of the senate, by prostrating
+themselves before them, on being referred to the people, they found
+not their prayers so efficacious. The treaty therefore, being refused,
+after they had importuned them individually for several days, was
+obtained. The Teaneans likewise, and Canusians of Apulia, worn out by
+the devastations of their country, surrendered themselves to the
+consul, Lucius Plautius, and gave hostages. This year praefects first
+began to be created for Capua, and a code of laws was given to that
+nation, by Lucius Furius the praetor; both in compliance with their
+own request, as a remedy for the disorder of their affairs, occasioned
+by intestine dissensions. At Rome, two additional tribes were
+constituted, the Ufentine and Falerine. On the affairs of Apulia
+falling into decline, the Teatians of that country came to the new
+consuls, Caius Junius Bubulcus, and Quintus Aemilius Barbula, suing
+for an alliance; and engaging, that peace should be observed towards
+the Romans through every part of Apulia. By pledging themselves boldly
+for this, they obtained the grant of an alliance, not however on terms
+of equality, but of their submitting to the dominion of the Roman
+people. Apulia being entirely reduced, (for Junius had also gained
+possession of Forentum, a town of great strength,) the consuls
+advanced into Lucania; there Nerulum was surprised and stormed by the
+sudden advance of the consul Aemilius. When fame had spread abroad
+among the allies, how firmly the affairs of Capua were settled by [the
+introduction of] the Roman institutions, the Antians, imitating the
+example, presented a complaint of their being without laws, and
+without magistrates; on which the patrons of the colony itself were
+appointed by the senate to form a body of laws for it. Thus not only
+the arms, but the laws, of Rome became extensively prevalent.
+
+21. The consuls, Caius Junius Bubulcus and Quintus Aemilius Barbula,
+at the conclusion of the year, delivered over the legions, not to the
+consuls elected by themselves, who were Spurius Nautius and Marcus
+Popillius, but to a dictator, Lucius Aemilius. He, with Lucius
+Fulvius, master of the horse, having commenced to lay siege to
+Saticula, gave occasion to the Samnites of reviving hostilities. Hence
+a twofold alarm was occasioned to the Roman army. On one side, the
+Samnites having collected a numerous force to relieve their allies
+from the siege, pitched their camp at a small distance from that of
+the Romans: on the other side, the Saticulans, opening suddenly their
+gates, ran up with violent tumult to the posts of the enemy.
+Afterwards, each party, relying on support from the other, more than
+on its own strength, formed a regular attack, and pressed on the
+Romans. The dictator, on his part, though obliged to oppose two
+enemies at once, yet had his line secure on both sides; for he both
+chose a position not easily surrounded, and also formed two different
+fronts. However, he directed his greater efforts against those who had
+sallied from the town, and, without much resistance, drove them back
+within the walls. He then turned his whole force against the Samnites:
+there he found greater difficulty. But the victory, though long
+delayed, was neither doubtful nor alloyed by losses. The Samnites,
+being forced to fly into their camp, extinguished their fires at
+night, and marched away in silence; and renouncing all hopes of
+relieving Saticula, sat themselves down before Plistia, which was in
+alliance with the Romans, that they might, if possible, retort equal
+vexation on their enemy.
+
+22. The year coming to a conclusion, the war was thenceforward
+conducted by a dictator, Quintius Fabius. The new consuls, Lucius
+Papirius Cursor and Quintus Publilius Philo, both a fourth time, as
+the former had done, remained at Rome. Fabius came with a
+reinforcement to Saticula, to receive the army from Aemilius. For the
+Samnites had not continued before Plistia; but having sent for a new
+supply of men from home, and relying on their numbers, had encamped in
+the same spot as before; and, by provoking the Romans to battle,
+endeavoured to divert them from the siege. The dictator, so much the
+more intently, pushed forward his operations against the
+fortifications of the enemy; considering that only as war which was
+directed against the city, and showing an indifference with respect to
+the Samnites, except that he placed guards in proper places, to
+prevent any attempt on his camp. The more furiously did the Samnites
+ride up to the rampart, and allowed him no quiet. When the enemy were
+now come up close to the gates of the camp, Quintus Aulius Cerretanus,
+master of the horse, without consulting the dictator, sallied out
+furiously at the head of all the troops of cavalry, and drove back the
+enemy. In this desultory kind of fight, fortune worked up the strength
+of the combatants in such a manner, as to occasion an extraordinary
+loss on both sides, and the remarkable deaths of the commanders
+themselves. First, the general of the Samnites, indignant at being
+repulsed, and compelled to fly from a place to which he had advanced
+so confidently, by entreating and exhorting his horsemen, renewed the
+battle. As he was easily distinguished among the horsemen, while he
+urged on the fight, the Roman master of the horse galloped up against
+him, with his spear directed, so furiously, that, with one stroke, he
+tumbled him lifeless from his horse. The multitude, however, were not,
+as is generally the case, dismayed by the fall of their leader, but
+rather raised to fury. All who were within reach darted their weapons
+at Aulius, who incautiously pushed forward among the enemy's troops;
+but the chief share of the honour of revenging the death of the
+Samnite general they assigned to his brother; he, urged by rage and
+grief, dragged down the victorious master of the horse from his seat,
+and slew him. Nor were the Samnites far from obtaining his body also,
+as he had fallen among the enemies' troops: but the Romans instantly
+dismounted, and the Samnites were obliged to do the same; and lines
+being thus formed suddenly but, at the same time, untenable through
+scarcity of necessaries: "for all the country round, from which
+provisions could be supplied, has revolted; and besides, even were the
+inhabitants disposed to aid us, the ground is unfavourable. I will not
+therefore mislead you by leaving a camp here, into which ye may
+retreat, as on a former day, without completing the victory. Works
+ought to be secured by arms, not arms by works. Let those keep a camp,
+and repair to it, whose interest it is to protract the war; but let us
+cut off from ourselves every other prospect but that of conquering.
+Advance the standards against the enemy; as soon as the troops shall
+have marched beyond the rampart, let those who have it in orders burn
+the camp. Your losses, soldiers, shall be compensated with the spoil
+of all the nations round who have revolted." The soldiers advanced
+against the enemy with spirit inflamed by the dictator's discourse,
+which seemed indication of an extreme necessity; and, at the same
+time, the very sight of the camp burning behind them, though the
+nearest part only was set on fire, (for so the dictator had ordered,)
+was small incitement: rushing on therefore like madmen, they
+disordered the enemy's battalions at the very first onset; and the
+master of the horse, when he saw at a distance the fire in the camp,
+which was a signal agreed on, made a seasonable attack on their rear.
+The Samnites, thus surrounded on either side, fled different ways. A
+vast number, who had gathered into a body through fear, yet from
+confusion incapable of fleeing, were surrounded and cut to pieces. The
+enemy's camp was taken and plundered; and the soldiers being laden
+with spoil, the dictator led them back to the Roman camp, highly
+rejoiced at the success, but by no means so much as at finding,
+contrary to their expectation, every thing there safe, except a small
+part only, which was injured or destroyed by the fire.
+
+24. They then marched back to Sora; and the new consuls, Marcus
+Poetelius and Caius Sulpicius, receive the army from the dictator
+Fabius, discharging a great part of the veteran soldiers, having
+brought with them new cohorts to supply their place. Now while, on
+account of the dire situation of the city, no certain mode of attack
+could be devised, and success must either be distant in time, or at
+desperate risk; a deserter from Sora came out of the town privately by
+night, and when he had got as far as the Roman watches, desired to be
+conducted instantly to the consuls: which being complied with, he made
+them an offer of delivering the place into their hands. When he
+answered their questions, respecting the means by which he intended to
+make good his promise, appearing to state a project by no means idle,
+he persuaded them to remove the Roman camp, which was almost close to
+the walls, to the distance of six miles; that the consequence would be
+that this would render the guards by day, and the watches by night,
+the less vigilant. He then desired that some cohorts should post
+themselves the following night in the woody places under the town, and
+took with himself ten chosen soldiers, through steep and almost
+impassable ways, into the citadel, where a quantity of missive weapons
+had been collected, larger than bore proportion to the number of men.
+There were stones besides, some lying at random, as in all craggy
+places, and others heaped up designedly by the townsmen, to add to the
+security of the place. Having posted the Romans here, and shown them a
+steep and narrow path leading up from the town to the citadel--"From
+this ascent," said he, "even three armed men would keep off any
+multitude whatever. Now ye are ten in number; and, what is more,
+Romans, and the bravest among the Romans. The night is in your favour,
+which, from the uncertainty it occasions, magnifies every object to
+people once alarmed. I will immediately fill every place with terror:
+be ye alert in defending the citadel." He then ran down in haste,
+crying aloud, "To arms, citizens, we are undone, the citadel is taken
+by the enemy; run, defend it." This he repeated, as he passed the
+doors of the principal men, the same to all whom he met, and also to
+those who ran out in a fright into the streets. The alarm,
+communicated first by one, was soon spread by numbers through all the
+city. The magistrates, dismayed on hearing from scouts that the
+citadel was full of arms and armed men, whose number they multiplied,
+laid aside all hopes of recovering it. All places are filled with
+terror: the gates are broken open by persons half asleep, and for the
+most part unarmed, through one of which the body of Roman troops,
+roused by the noise, burst in, and slew the terrified inhabitants, who
+attempted to skirmish in the streets. Sora was now taken, when, at the
+first light, the consuls arrived, and accepted the surrender of those
+whom fortune had left remaining after the flight and slaughter of the
+night. Of these, they conveyed in chains to Rome two hundred and
+twenty-five, whom all men agreed in pointing out as the authors, both
+of the revolt, and also of the horrid massacre of the colonists. The
+rest they left in safety at Sora, a garrison being placed there. All
+those who were brought to Rome were beaten with rods in the forum, and
+beheaded, to the great joy of the commons, whose interest it most
+highly concerned, that the multitudes, sent to various places in
+colonies should be in safety.
+
+25. The consuls, leaving Sora, turned their warlike operations against
+the lands and cities of the Ausonians; for all places had been set in
+commotion by the coming of the Samnites, when the battle was fought at
+Lautulae: conspiracies likewise had been formed in several parts of
+Campania; nor was Capua itself clear of the charge: nay, the business
+spread even to Rome, and inquiries came to be instituted respecting
+some of the principal men there. However, the Ausonian nation fell
+into the Roman power, in the same manner as Sora, by their cities
+being betrayed: these were Ausona Minturnae, and Vescia. Certain young
+men, of the principal families, twelve in number, having conspired to
+betray their respective cities, came to the consuls; they informed
+them that their countrymen, who had for a long time before honestly
+wished for the coming of the Samnites, on hearing of the battle at
+Lautulae, had looked on the Romans as defeated, and had assisted the
+Samnites with supplies of young men and arms; but that, since the
+Samnites had been beaten out of the country, they were wavering
+between peace and war, not shutting their gates against the Romans,
+lest they should thereby invite an attack; yet determined to shut them
+if an army should approach; that in that fluctuating state they might
+easily be overpowered by surprise. By these men's advice the camp was
+moved nearer; and soldiers were sent, at the same time, to each of the
+three towns; some armed, who were to lie concealed in places near the
+walls; others, in the garb of peace, with swords hidden under their
+clothes, when, on the opening of the gates at the approach of day,
+were to enter into the cities. These latter began with killing the
+guards; at the same time, a signal was made to the men with arms, to
+hasten up from the ambuscades. Thus the gates were seized, and the
+three towns taken in the same hour and by the same device. But as the
+attacks were made in the absence of the generals, there were no bounds
+to the carnage which ensued; and the nation of the Ausonians, when
+there was scarcely any clear proof of the charge of its having
+revolted, was utterly destroyed, as if it had supported a contest
+through a deadly war.
+
+26. During this year, Luceria fell into the hands of the Samnites, the
+Roman garrison being betrayed to the enemy. This matter did not long
+go unpunished with the traitors: the Roman army was not far off, by
+whom the city, which lay in a plain, was taken at the first onset. The
+Lucerians and Samnites were to a man put to the sword; and to such a
+length was resentment carried, that at Rome, on the senate being
+consulted about sending a colony to Luceria, many voted for the
+demolition of it. Besides, their hatred was of the bitterest kind,
+against a people whom they had been obliged twice to subdue by arms;
+the great distance, also, made them averse from sending away their
+citizens among nations so ill-affected towards them. However the
+resolution was carried, that the colonists should be sent; and
+accordingly two thousand five hundred were transported thither. This
+year, when all places were becoming disaffected to the Romans, secret
+conspiracies were formed among the leading men at Capua, as well as at
+other places; a motion concerning which being laid before the senate,
+the matter was by no means neglected. Inquiries were decreed, and it
+was resolved that a dictator should be appointed to enforce these
+inquiries. Caius Maenius was accordingly nominated, and he appointed
+Marcus Foslius master of the horse. People's dread of that office was
+very great, insomuch that the Calavii, Ovius and Novius, who were the
+heads of the conspiracy, either through fear of the dictator's power,
+or the consciousness of guilt, previous to the charge against them
+being laid in form before him, avoided, as appeared beyond doubt,
+trial by a voluntary death. As the subject of the inquiry in Campania
+was thus removed, the proceedings were then directed towards Rome: by
+construing the order of the senate to have meant, that inquiry should
+be made, not specially who at Capua, but generally who at any place
+had caballed or conspired against the state; for that cabals, for the
+attaining of honours, were contrary to the edicts of the state. The
+inquiry was extended to a greater latitude, with respect both to the
+matter, and to the kind of persons concerned, the dictator scrupling
+not to avow, that his power of research was unlimited: in consequence,
+some of the nobility were called to account; and though they applied
+to the tribunes for protection, no one interposed in their behalf, or
+to prevent the charges from being received. On this the nobles, not
+those only against whom the charge was levelled, but the whole body
+jointly insisted that such an imputation lay not against the nobles,
+to whom the way to honours lay open if not obstructed by fraud, but
+against the new men: so that even the dictator and master of the
+horse, with respect to that question, would appear more properly as
+culprits than suitable inquisitors; and this they should know as soon
+as they went out of office. Then indeed Maenius, who was more
+solicitous about his character than his office, advanced into the
+assembly and spoke to this effect, "Romans, both of my past life ye
+are all witnesses; and this honourable office, which ye conferred on
+me, is in itself a testimony of my innocence. For the dictator, proper
+to be chosen for holding these inquiries, was not, as on many other
+occasions, where the exigencies of the state so required, the man who
+was most renowned in war; but him whose counsel of life was most
+remote from such cabals. But certain of the nobility (for what reason
+it is more proper that ye should judge than that I, as a magistrate,
+should, without proof, insinuate) have laboured to stifle entirely the
+inquiries; and then, finding their strength unequal to it, rather than
+stand a trial have fled for refuge to the stronghold of their
+adversaries, an appeal and the support of the tribunes; and on being
+there also repulsed, (so fully were they persuaded that every other
+measure was safer than the attempt to clear themselves,) have made an
+attack upon us; and, though in private characters have not been
+ashamed of instituting a criminal process against a dictator. Now,
+that gods and men may perceive that they to avoid a scrutiny as to
+their own conduct, attempt even things which are impossible, and that
+I willingly meet the charge, and face the accusations of my enemies, I
+divest myself of the dictatorship. And, consuls, I beseech you, that
+if this business is put into your hands by the senate, ye make me and
+Marcus Foslius the first objects of our your examinations; that it may
+be manifested that we are safe from such imputations by our own
+innocence, not by the dignity of office." He then abdicated the
+dictatorship, as did Marcus Foslius, immediately after, his office of
+master of the horse; and being the first brought to trial before the
+consuls, for to them the senate had committed the business, they were
+most honourably acquitted of all the charges brought by the nobles.
+Even Publilius Philo, who had so often been invested with the highest
+honours, and had performed so many eminent services, both at home and
+abroad, being disagreeable to the nobility, was brought to trial, and
+acquitted. Nor did the inquiry continue respectable on account of the
+illustrious names of the accused, longer than while it was new, which
+is usually the case; it then began to descend to persons of inferior
+rank; and, at length, was suppressed, by means of those factions and
+cabals against which it had been instituted.
+
+27. The accounts received of these matters, but more especially the
+hope of a revolt in Campania, for which a conspiracy had been formed,
+recalled the Samnites, who were turning towards Apulia, back to
+Caudium; so that from thence, being near, they might, if any commotion
+should open them an opportunity, snatch Capua out of the hands of the
+Romans. To the same place the consuls repaired with a powerful army.
+They both held back for some time, on the different sides of the
+defiles, the roads being dangerous to either party. Then the Samnites,
+making a short circuit through an open tract, marched down their
+troops into level ground in the Campanian plains, and there the
+hostile camps first came within view of each other. Trial of their
+strength in slight skirmishes was made on both sides, more frequently
+between the horse than the foot; and the Romans were no way
+dissatisfied either at the issue of these, or at the delay by which
+they protracted the war. The Samnite generals, on the contrary,
+considered that their battalions were becoming weakened daily by small
+losses, and the general vigour abated by prolonging the war. They
+therefore marched into the field, disposing their cavalry on both
+wings, with orders to give more heedful attention to the camp behind
+than to the battle; for that the line of infantry would be able to
+provide for their own safety. The consuls took post, Sulpicius on the
+right wing, Poetelius on the left. The right wing was stretched out
+wider than usual, where the Samnites also stood formed in thin ranks,
+either with design of turning the flank of the enemy, or to avoid
+being themselves surrounded. On the left, besides that they were
+formed in more compact order, an addition was made to their strength,
+by a sudden act of the consul Poetelius; for the subsidiary cohorts,
+which were usually reserved for the exigencies of a tedious fight, he
+brought up immediately to the front, and, in the first onset, pushed
+the enemy with the whole of his force. The Samnite line of infantry
+giving way, their cavalry advanced to support them; and as they were
+charging in an oblique direction between the two lines, the Roman
+horse, coming up at full speed, disordered their battalions and ranks
+of infantry and cavalry, so as to oblige the whole line on that side
+to give ground. The left wing had not only the presence of Poetelius
+to animate them, but that of Sulpicius likewise; who, on the shout
+being first raised in that quarter, rode thither from his own
+division, which had not yet engaged. When he saw victory no longer
+doubtful there, he returned to his own post with twelve hundred men,
+but found the state of things there very different; the Romans driven
+from their ground, and the victorious enemy pressing on them thus
+dismayed. However, the arrival of the consul effected a speedy change
+in every particular; for, on the sight of their leader, the spirit of
+the soldiers was revived, and the bravery of the men who came with him
+rendered them more powerful aid than even their number; while the news
+of success in the other wing, which was heard, and after seen,
+restored the fight. From this time, the Romans became victorious
+through the whole extent of the line, and the Samnites, giving up the
+contest, were slain or taken prisoners, except such as made their
+escape to Maleventum, the town which is now called Beneventum. It is
+recorded that thirty thousand of the Samnites were slain or taken.
+
+28. The consuls, after this important victory, led forward the legions
+to lay siege to Bovianum; and there they passed the winter quarters,
+until Caius Poetelius, being nominated dictator, with Marcus Foslius,
+master of the horse, received the command of the army from the new
+consuls, Lucius Papirius Cursor a fifth, and Caius Junius Bubulcus a
+second time. On hearing that the citadel of Fregellae was taken by the
+Samnites, he left Bovianum, and proceeded to Fregellae, whence, having
+recovered possession of it without any contest, the Samnites
+abandoning it in the night, and having placed a strong garrison there,
+he returned to Campania, directing his operations principally to the
+recovery of Nola. Within the walls of this place, the whole multitude
+of the Samnites, and the inhabitants of the country about Nola, betook
+themselves on the approach of the dictator. Having taken a view of the
+situation of the city, in order that the approach to the
+fortifications may be the more open, he set fire to all the buildings
+which stood round the walls, which were very numerous; and, in a short
+time after, Nola was taken, either by the dictator Poetelius, or the
+consul Caius Junius, for both accounts are given. Those who attribute
+to the consul the honour of taking Nola, add, that Atina and Calatia
+were also taken by him, and that Poetelius was created dictator in
+consequence of a pestilence breaking out, merely for the purpose of
+driving the nail. The colonies of Suessa and Pontiae were established
+in this year. Suessa had belonged to the Auruncians: the Volscians had
+occupied Pontiae, an island lying within sight of their shore. A
+decree of the senate was also passed for conducting colonies to
+Interamna and Cassinum. But commissioners were appointed, and
+colonists, to the number of four thousand, were sent by the succeeding
+consuls, Marcus Valerius and Publius Decius.
+
+29. The war with the Samnites being now nearly put an end to, before
+the Roman senate was freed from all concern on that side, a report
+arose of an Etrurian war; and there was not, in those times, any
+nation, excepting the Gauls, whose arms were more dreaded, by reason
+both of the vicinity of their country, and of the multitude of their
+men. While therefore one of the consuls prosecuted the remains of the
+war in Samnium, Publius Decius, who, being attacked by a severe
+illness, remained at Rome, by direction of the senate, nominated Caius
+Junius Bubulcus dictator. He, as the magnitude of the affair demanded,
+compelled all the younger citizens to enlist, and with the utmost
+diligence prepared arms, and the other matters which the occasion
+required. Yet he was not so elated by the power he had collected, as
+to think of commencing offensive operations, but prudently determined
+to remain quiet, unless the Etrurians should become aggressors. The
+plans of the Etrurians were exactly similar with respect to preparing
+for, and abstaining from, war: neither party went beyond their own
+frontiers. The censorship of Appius Claudius and Caius Plautius, for
+this year, was remarkable; but the name of Appius has been handed down
+with more celebrity to posterity, on account of his having made the
+road, [called after him, the Appian,] and for having conveyed water
+into the city. These works he performed alone; for his colleague,
+overwhelmed with shame by reason of the infamous and unworthy choice
+made of senators, had abdicated his office. Appius possessing that
+inflexibility Of temper, which, from the earliest times, had been the
+characteristic of his family, held on the censorship by himself. By
+direction of the same Appius, the Potitian family, in which the office
+of priests attendant on the great altar of Hercules was hereditary,
+instructed some of the public servants in the rites of that solemnity,
+with the intention to delegate the same to them. A circumstance is
+recorded, wonderful to be told, and one which should make people
+scrupulous of disturbing the established modes of religious
+solemnities: for though there were, at that time, twelve branches of
+the Potitian family, all grown-up persons, to the number of thirty,
+yet they were every one, together with their offspring, cut off within
+the year; so that the name of the Potitii became extinct, while the
+censor Appius also was, by the unrelenting wrath of the gods, some
+years after, deprived of sight.
+
+30. The consuls of the succeeding year were, Caius Junius Bubulcus a
+third time, and Quintus Aemilius Barbula a second. In the commencement
+of their office, they complained before the people, that, by the
+improper choice of members of the senate, that body had been
+disgraced, several having been passed over who were preferable to the
+persons chosen in; and they declared, that they would pay no regard to
+such election, which had been made without distinction of right or
+wrong, merely to gratify interest or humour: they then immediately
+called over the list of the senate, in the same order which had
+existed before the censorship of Appius Claudius and Caius Plautius.
+Two public employments, both relating to military affairs, came this
+year into the disposal of the people; one being an order, that sixteen
+of the tribunes, for four legions, should be appointed by the people;
+whereas hitherto they had been generally in the gift of the dictators
+and consuls, very few of the places being left to suffrage. This order
+was proposed by Lucius Atilius and Caius Marcius, plebeian tribunes.
+Another was, that the people likewise should constitute two naval
+commissioners, for the equipping and refitting of the fleet. The
+person who introduced this order of the people, was Marcus Decius,
+plebeian tribune. Another transaction of this year I should pass over
+as trifling, did it not seem to bear some relation to religion. The
+flute-players, taking offence because they had been prohibited by the
+last censors from holding their repasts in the temple of Jupiter,
+which had been customary from very early times, went off in a body to
+Tibur; so that there was not one left in the city to play at the
+sacrifices. The religious tendency of this affair gave uneasiness to
+the senate; and they sent envoys to Tibur to endeavour that these men
+might be sent back to Rome. The Tiburtines readily promised
+compliance, and first, calling them into the senate-house, warmly
+recommended to them to return to Rome; and then, when they could not
+be prevailed on, practised on them an artifice not ill adapted to the
+dispositions of that description of people: on a festival day, they
+invited them separately to their several houses, apparently with the
+intention of heightening the pleasure of their feasts with music, and
+there plied them with wine, of which such people are always fond,
+until they laid them asleep. In this state of insensibility they threw
+them into waggons, and carried them away to Rome: nor did they know
+any thing of the matter, until, the waggons having been left in the
+forum, the light surprised them, still heavily sick from the debauch.
+The people then crowded about them, and, on their consenting at length
+to stay, privilege was granted them to ramble about the city in full
+dress, with music, and the licence which is now practised every year
+during three days. And that licence, which we see practised at
+present, and the right of being fed in the temple, was restored to
+those who played at the sacrifices. These incidents occurred while the
+public attention was deeply engaged by two most important wars.
+
+31. The consuls adjusting the provinces between them, the Samnites
+fell by lot to Junius, the new war of Etruria to Aemilius. In Samnium
+the Samnites had blockaded and reduced by famine Cluvia, a Roman
+garrison, because they had been unable to take it by storm; and, after
+torturing with stripes, in a shocking manner, the townsmen who
+surrendered, they had put them to death. Enraged at this cruelty,
+Junius determined to postpone every thing else to the attacking of
+Cluvia; and, on the first day that he assaulted the walls, took it by
+storm, and slew all who were grown to man's estate. The victorious
+troops were led from thence to Bovianum; this was the capital of the
+Pentrian Samnites, by far the most opulent of their cities, and the
+most powerful both in men and arms. The soldiers, stimulated by the
+hope of plunder, for their resentment was not so violent, soon made
+themselves masters of the town: where there was less severity
+exercised on the enemy; but a quantity of spoil was carried off,
+greater almost than had ever been collected out of all Samnium, and
+the whole was liberally bestowed on the assailants. And when neither
+armies, camps, or cities could now withstand the vast superiority of
+the Romans in arms; the attention of all the leading men in Samnium
+became intent on this, that an opportunity should be sought for some
+stratagem, if by any chance the army, proceeding with incautious
+eagerness for plunder, could be caught in a snare and overpowered.
+Peasants who deserted and some prisoners (some thrown in their way by
+accident, some purposely) reporting to the consul a statement in which
+they concurred, and one which was at the same time true, that a vast
+quantity of cattle had been driven together into a defile of difficult
+access, prevailed on them to lead thither the legions lightly
+accoutred for plunder. Here a very numerous army of the enemy had
+posted themselves, secretly, at all the passes; and, as soon as they
+saw that the Romans had got into the defile, they rose up suddenly,
+with great clamour and tumult, and attacked them unawares. At first an
+event so unexpected caused some confusion, while they were taking
+their arms, and throwing the baggage into the centre; but, as fast as
+each had freed himself from his burden and fitted himself with arms,
+they assembled about the standards, from every side; and all, from the
+long course of their service, knowing their particular ranks, the line
+was formed of its own accord without any directions. The consul,
+riding up to the place where the fight was most warm, leaped from his
+horse, and called "Jupiter, Mars, and the other gods to witness, that
+he had come into that place, not in pursuit of any glory to himself,
+but of booty for his soldiers; nor could any other fault be charged on
+him, than too great a solicitude to enrich his soldiers at the expense
+of the enemy. From that disgrace nothing could extricate him but the
+valour of the troops: let them only join unanimously in a vigorous
+attack against a foe, already vanquished in the field, beaten out of
+their camps, and stripped of their towns, and now trying their last
+hope by the contrivance of an ambuscade, placing their reliance on the
+ground they occupied, not on their arms. But what ground was now
+unsurmountable to Roman valour?" The citadel of Fregellae, and that of
+Sora, were called to their remembrance, with many other places where
+difficulties from situation had been surmounted. Animated by these
+exhortations, the soldiers, regardless of all difficulties, advanced
+against the line of the enemy, posted above them; and here there was
+some fatigue whilst the army was climbing the steep. But as soon as
+the first battalions got footing in the plain, on the summit, and the
+troops perceived that they now stood on equal ground, the dismay was
+instantly turned on the plotters; who, dispersing and casting away
+their arms, attempted, by flight, to recover the same lurking-places
+in which they had lately concealed themselves. But the difficulties of
+the ground, which had been intended for the enemy, now entangled them
+in the snares of their own contrivance. Accordingly very few found
+means to escape; twenty thousand men were slain, and the victorious
+Romans hastened in several parties to secure the booty of cattle,
+spontaneously thrown in their way by the enemy.
+
+32. While such was the situation of affairs in Samnium, all the states
+of Etruria, except the Arretians, had taken arms, and vigorously
+commenced hostilities, by laying siege to Sutrium; which city, being
+in alliance with the Romans, served as a barrier against Etruria.
+Thither the other consul, Aemilius, came with an army to deliver the
+allies from the siege. On the arrival of the Romans, the Sutrians
+conveyed a plentiful supply of provisions into their camp, which was
+pitched before the city. The Etrurians spent the first day in
+deliberating whether they should expedite or protract the war. On the
+day following, when the speedier plan pleased the leaders in
+preference to the safer, as soon as the sun rose the for battle was
+displayed, and the troops marched out to the field; which being
+reported to the consul, he instantly commanded notice to be given,
+that they should dine, and after taking refreshment, then appear under
+arms. The order was obeyed; and the consul, seeing them armed and in
+readiness, ordered the standards to be carried forth beyond the
+rampart, and drew up his men at a small distance from the enemy. Both
+parties stood a long time with fixed attention, each waiting for the
+shout and fight to begin on the opposite side; and the sun had passed
+the meridian before a weapon was thrown by either side. Then, rather
+than leave the place without something being done, the shout was given
+by the Etrurians, the trumpets sounded, and the battalions advanced.
+With no less alertness do the Romans commence the fight: both rushed
+to the fight with violent animosity; the enemy were superior in
+numbers, the Romans in valour. The battle being doubtful, carries off
+great numbers on both sides, particularly the men of greatest courage;
+nor did victory declare itself, until the second line of the Romans
+came up fresh to the front, in the place of the first, who were much
+fatigued. The Etrurians, because their front line was not supported by
+any fresh reserves, fell all before and round the standards, and in no
+battle whatever would there have been seen less disposition to run, or
+a greater effusion of human blood, had not the night sheltered the
+Etrurians, who were resolutely determined on death; so that the
+victors, not the vanquished, were the first who desisted from
+fighting. After sunset the signal for retreat was given, and both
+parties retired in the night to their camps. During the remainder of
+the year, nothing memorable was effected at Sutrium; for, of the
+enemy's army, the whole first line had been cut off in one battle, the
+reserves only being left, who were scarce sufficient to guard the
+camp; and, among the Romans, so numerous were the wounds, that more
+wounded men died after the battle than had fallen in the field.
+
+33. Quintus Fabius, consul for the ensuing year, succeeded to the
+command of the army at Sutrium; the colleague given to him was Caius
+Marcius Rutilus. On the one side, Fabius brought with him a
+reinforcement from Rome, and on the other, a new army had been sent
+for, and came from home, to the Etrurians. Many years had now passed
+without any disputes between the patrician magistrates and plebeian
+tribunes, when a contest took its rise from that family, which seemed
+raised by fate as antagonists to the tribunes and commons of those
+times; Appius Claudius, being censor, when the eighteen months had
+expired, which was the time limited by the Aemilian law for the
+duration of the censorship, although his colleague Caius Plautius had
+already resigned his office, could not be prevailed on, by any means,
+to give up his. There was a tribune of the commons, Publius
+Sempronius; he undertook to enforce a legal process for terminating
+the censorship within the lawful time, which was not more popular than
+just, nor more pleasing to the people generally than to every man of
+character in the city. After he frequently appealed to the Aemilian
+law, and bestowed commendations on Mamercus Aemilius, who, in his
+dictatorship, had been the author of it, for having contracted, within
+the space of a year and six months, the censorship, which formerly had
+lasted five years, and was a power which, in consequence of its long
+continuance, often became tyrannical, he proceeded thus: "Tell me,
+Appius Claudius, in what manner you would have acted, had you been
+censor, at the time when Caius Furius and Marcus Geganius were
+censors?" Appius insisted, that "the tribune's question was irrelevant
+to his case. For, although the Aemilian law might bind those censors,
+during whose magistracy it was passed,--because the people made that
+law after they had become censors; and whatever order is the last
+passed by the people, that is held to be the law, and valid:--yet
+neither he, nor any of those who had been created censors subsequent
+to the passing of that law, could be bound by it."
+
+34. While Appius urged such frivolous arguments as these, which
+carried no conviction whatever, the other said, "Behold, Romans, the
+offspring of that Appius, who being created decemvir for one year,
+created himself for a second; and who, during a third, without being
+created even by himself or by any other, held on the fasces and the
+government though a private individual; nor ceased to continue in
+office, until the government itself, ill acquired, ill administered,
+and ill retained, overwhelmed him in ruin. This is the same family,
+Romans, by whose violence and injustice ye were compelled to banish
+yourselves from your native city, and seize on the Sacred mount; the
+same, against which ye provided for yourselves the protection of
+tribunes; the same, on account of which two armies of you took post on
+the Aventine; the same, which violently opposed the laws against
+usury, and always the agrarian laws; the same, which broke through the
+right of intermarriage between the patricians and the commons; the
+same, which shut up the road to curule offices against the commons:
+this is a name, more hostile to your liberty by far, than that of the
+Tarquins. I pray you, Appius Claudius, though this is now the
+hundredth year since the dictatorship of Mamercus Aemilius, though
+there have been so many men of the highest characters and abilities
+censors, did none of these ever read the twelve tables? none of them
+know, that, whatever was the last order of the people, that was law?
+Nay, certainly they all knew it; and they therefore obeyed the
+Aemilian law, rather than the old one, under which the censors had
+been at first created; because it was the last order; and because,
+when two laws are contradictory, the new always repeals the old. Do
+you mean to say, Appius, that the people are not bound by the Aemilian
+law? Or, that the people are bound, and you alone exempted? The
+Aemilian law bound those violent censors, Caius Furius and Marcus
+Geganius, who showed what mischief that office might do in the state;
+when, out of resentment for the limitation of their power, they
+disfranchised Mamercus Aemilius, the first man of the age, either in
+war or peace. It bound all the censors thenceforward, during the space
+of a hundred years. It binds Caius Plautius your colleague, created
+under the same auspices, with the same privileges. Did not the people
+create him with the fullest privileges with which any censor ever was
+created? Or is yours an excepted case, in which this peculiarity and
+singularity takes place? Shall the person, whom you create king of the
+sacrifices, laying hold of the style of sovereignty, say, that he was
+created with the fullest privileges with which any king was ever
+created at Rome? Who then, do you think, would be content with a
+dictatorship of six months? who, with the office of interrex for five
+days? Whom would you, with confidence, create dictator, for the
+purpose of driving the nail, or of exhibiting games? How foolish, how
+stupid, do ye think, those must appear in this man's eyes, who, after
+performing most important services, abdicated the dictatorship within
+the twentieth day; or who, being irregularly created, resigned their
+office? Why should I bring instances from antiquity? Lately, within
+these last ten years, Caius Maenius, dictator, having enforced
+inquiries, with more strictness than consisted with the safety of some
+powerful men, a charge was thrown out by his enemies, that he himself
+was infected with the very crime against which his inquiries were
+directed;--now Maenius, I say, in order that he might, in a private
+capacity, meet the imputation, abdicated the dictatorship. I expect
+not such moderation in you; you will not degenerate from your family,
+of all others the most imperious and assuming; nor resign your office
+a day, nor even an hour, before you are forced to it. Be it so: but
+then let no one exceed the time limited. It is enough to add a day, or
+a month, to the censorship. But Appius says, I will hold the
+censorship, and hold it alone, three years and six months longer than
+is allowed by the Aemilian law. Surely this is like kingly power. Or
+will you fill up the vacancy with another colleague, a proceeding not
+allowable, even in the case of the death of a censor? You are not
+satisfied that, as if a religious censor, you have degraded a most
+ancient solemnity, and the only one instituted by the very deity to
+whom it is performed, from priests of that rite who were of the
+highest rank to the ministry of mere servants. [You are not satisfied
+that] a family, more ancient than the origin of this city, and
+sanctified by an intercourse of hospitality with the immortal gods,
+has, by means of you and your censorship, been utterly extirpated,
+with all its branches, within the space of a year, unless you involve
+the whole commonwealth in horrid guilt, which my mind feels a horror
+even to contemplate. This city was taken in that lustrum in which
+Lucius Papirius Cursor, on the death of his colleague Julius, the
+censor, rather than resign his office, substituted Marcus Cornelius
+Maluginensis. Yet how much more moderate was his ambition, Appius,
+than yours! Lucius Papirius neither held the censorship alone, nor
+beyond the time prescribed by law. But still he found no one who would
+follow his example; all succeeding censors, in case of the death of a
+colleague, abdicated the office. As for you, neither the expiration of
+the time of your censorship, nor the resignation of your colleague,
+nor law, nor shame restrains you. You make fortitude to consist in
+arrogance, in boldness, in a contempt of gods and men. Appius
+Claudius, in consideration of the dignity and respect due to that
+office which you have borne, I should be sorry, not only to offer you
+personal violence, but even to address you in language too severe.
+With respect to what I have hitherto said, your pride and obstinacy
+forced me to speak. And now, unless you pay obedience to the Aemilian
+law, I shall order you to be led to prison. Nor, since a rule has been
+established by our ancestors, that in the election of censors unless
+two shall obtain the legal number of suffrages, neither shall be
+returned, but the election deferred,--will I suffer you, who could not
+singly be created censor, to hold the censorship without a colleague."
+Having spoken to this effect he ordered the censor to be seized, and
+borne to prison. But although six of the tribunes approved of the
+proceeding of their colleague, three gave their support to Appius, on
+his appealing to them, and he held the censorship alone, to the great
+disgust of all ranks of men.
+
+35. While such was the state of affairs at Rome, the Etrurians had
+laid siege to Sutrium, and the consul Fabius, as he was marching along
+the foot of the mountains, with a design to succour the allies, and
+attempt the enemy's works, if it were by any means practicable, was
+met by their army prepared for battle. As the wide-extended plain
+below showed the greatness of their force, the consul, in order to
+remedy his deficiency in point of number, by advantage of the ground,
+changed the direction of his route a little towards the hills, where
+the way was rugged and covered with stones, and then formed his
+troops, facing the enemy. The Etrurians, thinking of nothing but their
+numbers, on which alone they depended, commence the fight with such
+haste and eagerness, that, in order to come the sooner to a close
+engagement, they threw away their javelins, drew their swords, rushing
+against the enemy. On the other side, the Romans poured down on them,
+sometimes javelins, and sometimes stones which the place abundantly
+supplied; so that whilst the blows on their shields and helmets
+confused even those whom they did not wound, (it was neither an easy
+matter to come to close quarters, nor had they missive weapons with
+which to fight at a distance,) when there was nothing now to protect
+them whilst standing and exposed to the blows, some even giving way,
+and the whole line wavering and unsteady the spearmen and the first
+rank, renewing the shout, rush on them with drawn swords. This attack
+the Etrurians could not withstand, but, facing about, fled
+precipitately towards their camp; when the Roman cavalry, getting
+before them by galloping obliquely across the plain, threw themselves
+in the way of their flight, on which they quitted the road, and bent
+their course to the mountains. From thence, in a body, almost without
+arms, and debilitated with wounds, they made their way into the
+Ciminian forest. The Romans, having slain in many thousands of the
+Etrurians, and taken thirty-eight military standards, took also
+possession of their camp, together with a vast quantity of spoil. They
+then began to consider of pursuing the enemy.
+
+36. The Ciminian forest was in those days deemed as impassable and
+frightful as the German forests have been in latter times; not even
+any trader having ever attempted to pass it. Hardly any, besides the
+general himself, showed boldness enough to enter it; the others had
+not the remembrance of the disaster at Caudium effaced from their
+mind. On this, of those who were present, Marcus Fabius, the consul's
+brother, (some say Caeso, others Caius Claudius, born of the same
+mother with the consul,) undertook to go and explore the country, and
+to bring them in a short time an account of every particular. Being
+educated at Caere, where he had friends, he was perfectly acquainted
+with the Etrurian language. I have seen it affirmed, that, in those
+times, the Roman youth were commonly instructed in the Etrurian
+learning, as they are now in the Greek: but it is more probable, that
+there was something very extraordinary in the person who acted so
+daringly a counterfeit part, and mixed among the enemy. It is said,
+that his only attendant was a slave, who had been bred up with him,
+and who was therefore not ignorant of the same language. They received
+no further instructions at their departure, than a summary description
+of the country through which they were to pass; to this was added the
+names of the principal men in the several states, to prevent their
+being at a loss in conversation, and from being discovered by making
+some mistake. They set out in the dress of shepherds, armed with
+rustic weapons, bills, and two short javelins each. But neither their
+speaking the language of the country, nor the fashion of their dress
+and arms, concealed them so effectually, as the incredible
+circumstance of a stranger's passing the Ciminian forest. They are
+said to have penetrated as far as the Camertian district of the
+Umbrians: there the Romans ventured to own who they were, and being
+introduced to the senate, treated with them, in the name of the
+consul, about an alliance and friendship; and after being entertained
+with courteous hospitality, were desired to acquaint the Romans, that
+if they came into those countries, there should be provisions in
+readiness for the troops sufficient for thirty days, and that they
+should find the youth of the Camertian Umbrians prepared in arms to
+obey their commands. When this information was brought to the consul,
+he sent forward the baggage at the first watch, ordering the legions
+to march in the rear of it. He himself staid behind with the cavalry,
+and the next day, as soon as light appeared, rode up to the posts of
+the enemy, which had been stationed on the outside of the forest; and,
+when he had detained them there for a sufficient length of time, he
+retired to his camp, and marching out by the opposite gate, overtook
+the main body of the army before night. At the first light, on the
+following day, he had gained the summit of Mount Ciminius, from whence
+having a view of the opulent plains of Etruria, he let loose his
+soldiers upon them. When a vast booty had been driven off, some
+tumultuary cohorts of Etrurian peasants, hastily collected by the
+principal inhabitants of the district, met the Romans; but in such
+disorderly array, that these rescuers of the prey were near becoming
+wholly a prey themselves. These being slain or put to flight, and the
+country laid waste to a great extent, the Romans returned to their
+camp victorious, and enriched with plenty of every kind. It happened
+that, in the mean time, five deputies, with two plebeian tribunes, had
+come hither, to charge Fabius, in the name of the senate, not to
+attempt to pass the Ciminian forest. These, rejoicing that they had
+arrived too late to prevent the expedition, returned to Rome with the
+news of its success.
+
+37. By this expedition of the consul, the war, instead of being
+brought nearer to a conclusion, was only spread to a wider extent: for
+all the tract adjacent to the foot of Mount Ciminius had felt his
+devastations; and, out of the indignation conceived thereat, had
+roused to arms, not only the states of Etruria, but the neighbouring
+parts of Umbria. They came therefore to Sutrium, with such a numerous
+army as they had never before brought into the field; and not only
+ventured to encamp on the outside of the wood, but through their
+earnest desire of coming to an engagement as soon as possible, marched
+down the plains to offer battle. The troops, being marshalled, stood
+at first, for some time, on their own ground, having left a space
+sufficient for the Romans to draw up, opposite to them; but perceiving
+that the enemy declined fighting, they advanced to the rampart; where,
+when they observed that even the advanced guards had retired within
+the works, a shout at once was raised around their generals, that they
+should order provisions for that day to be brought down to them: "for
+they were resolved to remain there under arms; and either in the
+night, or, at all events, at the dawn of day, to attack the enemy's
+camp." The Roman troops, though not less eager for action, were
+restrained by the commands of the general. About the tenth hour, the
+consul ordered his men a repast; and gave directions that they should
+be ready in arms, at whatever time of the day or night he should give
+the signal. He then addressed a few words to them; spoke in high terms
+of the wars of the Samnites, and disparagingly of the Etrurians, who
+"were not," he said, "as an enemy to be compared with other enemies,
+nor as a numerous force, with others in point of numbers. Besides, he
+had an engine at work, as they should find in due time; at present it
+was of importance to keep it secret." By these hints he intimated that
+the enemy was circumvented in order to raise the courage of his men,
+damped by the superiority of the enemy's force; and, from their not
+having fortified the post where they lay, the insinuation of a
+stratagem formed against them seemed the more credible. After
+refreshing themselves, they consigned themselves to rest, and being
+roused without noise, about the fourth watch, took arms. Axes are
+distributed among the servants following the army, to tear down the
+rampart and fill up the trench. The line was formed within the works,
+and some chosen cohorts posted close to the gates. Then, a little
+before day, which in summer nights is the time of the profoundest
+sleep, the signal being given, the rampart was levelled, and the
+troops rushing forth, fell upon the enemy, who were every where
+stretched at their length. Some were put to death before they could
+stir; others half asleep, in their beds; the greatest part, while they
+ran in confusion to arms; few, in short, had time afforded them to arm
+themselves; and these, who followed no particular leader, nor orders,
+were quickly routed by the Romans and pursued by the Roman horse. They
+fled different ways; to the camp and to the woods. The latter afforded
+the safer refuge; for the former, being situated in a plain, was taken
+the same day. The gold and silver was ordered to be brought to the
+consul; the rest of the spoil was given to the soldiers. On that day,
+sixty thousand of the enemy were slain or taken. Some affirm, that
+this famous battle was fought on the farther side of the Ciminian
+forest, at Perusia; and that the public had been under great dread,
+lest the army might be enclosed in such a dangerous pass, and
+overpowered by a general combination of the Etrurians and Umbrians.
+But on whatever spot it was fought, it is certain that the Roman power
+prevailed; and, in consequence thereof, ambassadors from Perusia,
+Cortona, and Arretium, which were then among the principal states of
+Etruria, soliciting a peace and alliance with the Romans, obtained a
+truce for thirty years.
+
+38. During these transactions in Etruria, the other consul, Caius
+Marcius Rutilus, took Allifae by storm from the Samnites; and many of
+their forts, and smaller towns, were either destroyed by his arms, or
+surrendered without being injured. About the same time also, the Roman
+fleet, having sailed to Campania, under Publius Cornelius, to whom the
+senate had given the command on the sea-coast, put into Pompeii.
+Immediately on landing, the soldiers of the fleet set out to ravage
+the country about Nuceria: and after they had quickly laid waste the
+parts which lay nearest, and whence they could have returned to the
+ships with safety, they were allured by the temptation of plunder, as
+it often happens, to advance too far, and thereby roused the enemy
+against them. While they rambled about the country, they met no
+opposition, though they might have been cut off to a man; but as they
+were returning, in a careless manner, the peasants overtook them, not
+far from the ships, stripped them of the booty, and even slew a great
+part of them. Those who escaped were driven in confusion to the ships.
+As Fabius' having marched through the Ciminian forest had occasioned
+violent apprehensions at Rome, so it had excited joy in proportion
+among the enemy in Samnium: they talked of the Roman army being pent
+up, and surrounded; and of the Caudine forks, as a model of their
+defeat. "Those people," they said, "ever greedy after further
+acquisitions, were now brought into inextricable difficulties, hemmed
+in, not more effectually by the arms of their enemy, than by the
+disadvantage of the ground." Their joy was even mingled with a degree
+of envy, because fortune, as they thought, had transferred the glory
+of finishing the Roman war, from the Samnites to the Etrurians: they
+hastened, therefore, with their whole collected force, to crush the
+consul Caius Marcius; resolving, if he did not give them an
+opportunity of fighting, to proceed, through the territories of the
+Marsians and Sabines, into Etruria. The consul met them, and a battle
+was fought with great fury on both sides, but without a decisive
+issue. Although both parties suffered severely, yet the discredit of
+defeat fell on the Romans, because several of equestrian rank, some
+military tribunes, with one lieutenant-general, had fallen; and, what
+was more remarkable than all, the consul himself was wounded. On
+account of this event, exaggerated by report as is usual, the senate
+became greatly alarmed, so that they resolved on having a dictator
+nominated. No one entertained a doubt that the nomination would light
+on Papirius Cursor, who was then universally deemed to possess the
+greatest abilities as a commander: but they could not be certain,
+either that a message might be conveyed with safety into Samnium,
+where all was in a state of hostility, or that the consul Marcius was
+alive. The other consul, Fabius, was at enmity with Papirius, on his
+own account; and lest this resentment might prove an obstacle to the
+public good, the senate voted that deputies of consular rank should be
+sent to him, who, uniting their own influence to that of government,
+might prevail on him to drop, for the sake of his country, all
+remembrance of private animosities. When the deputies, having come to
+Fabius, delivered to him the decree of the senate, adding such
+arguments as were suitable to their instructions, the consul, casting
+his eyes towards the ground, retired in silence, leaving them in
+uncertainty what part he intended to act. Then, in the silent time of
+the night, according to the established custom, he nominated Lucius
+Papirius dictator. When the deputies returned him thanks, for so very
+meritoriously subduing his passion, he still persevered in obstinate
+silence, and dismissed them without any answer, or mention of what he
+had done: a proof that he felt an extraordinary degree of resentment,
+which had been suppressed within his breast. Papirius appointed Caius
+Junius Bubulcus master of the horse; and, as he was proceeding in an
+assembly of the Curiae [Footnote: The _comitia curiata_, or
+assemblies of the curiae, alone had the power of conferring military
+command; no magistrate, therefore, could assume the command without
+the previous order of their assembly. In time, this came to be a mere
+matter of form; yet the practice always continued to be observed.] to
+get an order passed respecting the command of the army, an unlucky
+omen obliged him to adjourn it; for the Curia which was to vote first,
+happened to be the Faucian, remarkably distinguished by two disasters,
+the taking of the city, and the Caudine peace; the same Curia having
+voted first in those years in which the said events are found.
+Licinius Macer supposes this Curia ominous, also, on account of a
+third misfortune, that which was experienced at the Cremera.
+
+39. Next day the dictator, taking the auspices anew, obtained the
+order, and, marching out at the head of the legions, lately raised on
+the alarm occasioned by the army passing the Ciminian forest, came to
+Longula; where having received the old troops of the consul Marcius,
+he led on his forces to battle; nor did the enemy seem to decline the
+combat. However, they stood drawn up for battle and under arms, until
+night came on; neither side choosing to begin the fray. After this,
+they continued a considerable time encamped near each other, without
+coming to action; neither diffident of their own strength, nor
+despising the adversary. Meanwhile matters went on actively in
+Etruria; for a decisive battle was fought with the Umbrians, in which
+the enemy was routed, but lost not many men, for they did not maintain
+the fight with the vigour with which they began it. Besides this the
+Etrurians, having raised an army under the sanctions of the devoting
+law, each man choosing another, came to an engagement at the Cape of
+Vadimon, with more numerous forces, and, at the same time, with
+greater spirit than they had ever shown before. The battle was fought
+with such animosity that no javelins were thrown by either party:
+swords alone were made use of; and the fury of the combatants was
+still higher inflamed by the long-continued contest; so that it
+appeared to the Romans as if they were disputing, not with Etrurians,
+whom they had so often conquered, but with a new race. Not the
+semblance of giving ground appeared in any part; the first lines fell;
+and lest the standards should be exposed, without defence, the second
+lines were formed in their place. At length, even the men forming the
+last reserves were called into action; and to such an extremity of
+difficulty and danger had they come, that the Roman cavalry
+dismounted, and pressed forward, through heaps of arms and bodies, to
+the front ranks of the infantry. These starting up a new army, as it
+were, among men now exhausted, disordered the battalions of the
+Etrurians; and the rest, weak as their condition was, seconding their
+assault, broke at last through the enemy's ranks. Their obstinacy then
+began to give way: some companies quitted their posts, and, as soon as
+they once turned their backs, betook themselves to more decided
+flight. That day first broke the strength of the Etrurians, now grown
+exuberant through a long course of prosperity; all the flower of their
+men were cut off in the field, and in the same assault their camp was
+seized and sacked.
+
+40. Equal danger, and an issue equally glorious, soon after attended
+the war with the Samnites; who, besides their many preparations for
+the field, made their army to glitter with new decorations of their
+armour. Their troops were in two divisions, one of which had their
+shields embossed with gold, the other with silver. The shape of the
+shield was this; broad at the middle to cover the breast and
+shoulders, the summit being flat, sloping off gradually so as to
+become pointed below, that it might be wielded with ease; a loose coat
+of mail also served as a protection for the breast, and the left leg
+was covered with a greave; their helmets were adorned with plumes, to
+add to the appearance of their stature. The golden-armed soldiers wore
+tunics of various colours; the silver-armed, of white linen. To the
+latter the right wing was assigned; the former took post on the left.
+The Romans had been apprized of these splendid accoutrements, and had
+been taught by their commanders, that "a soldier ought to be rough;
+not decorated with gold and silver, but placing his confidence in his
+sword. That matters of this kind were in reality spoil rather than
+armour; glittering before action, but soon becoming disfigured amid
+blood and wounds. That the brightest ornament of a soldier was valour;
+that all those trinkets would follow victory, and that those rich
+enemies would be valuable prizes to the conquerors, however poor."
+Cursor, having animated his men with these observations, led them on
+to battle. He took post himself on the right wing, he gave the command
+of the left to the master of the horse. As soon as they engaged, the
+struggle between the two armies became desperate, while it was no less
+so between the dictator and the master of the horse, on which wing
+victory should first show itself. It happened that Junius first, with
+the left wing, made the right of the enemy give way; this consisted of
+men devoted after the custom of Samnites, and on that account
+distinguished by white garments and armour of equal whiteness. Junius,
+saying "he would sacrifice these to Pluto," pressed forward,
+disordered their ranks, and made an evident impression on their line:
+which being perceived by the dictator, he exclaimed, "Shall the
+victory begin on the left wing, and shall the right, the dictator's
+own troops, only second the arms of others, and not claim the greatest
+share of the victory?" This spurred on the soldiers: nor did the
+cavalry yield to the infantry in bravery, nor the ardour of
+lieutenants-general to that of the commanders. Marcius Valerius from
+the right wing, and Publius Decius from the left, both men of consular
+rank, rode off to the cavalry, posted on the extremities of the line,
+and, exhorting them to join in putting in for a share of the honour,
+charged the enemy on the flanks. When the addition of this new alarm
+assailed the enemies' troops on both sides, and the Roman legions,
+having renewed the shout to confound the enemy, rushed on, they began
+to fly. And now the plains were quickly filled with heaps of bodies
+and splendid armour. At first, their camp received the dismayed
+Samnites; but they did not long retain even the possession of that:
+before night it was taken, plundered, and burnt. The dictator
+triumphed, in pursuance of a decree of the senate; and the most
+splendid spectacle by far, of any in his procession, was the captured
+arms: so magnificent were they deemed, that the shields, adorned with
+gold, were distributed among the owners of the silver shops, to serve
+as embellishments to the forum. Hence, it is said, arose the custom of
+the forum being decorated by the aediles, when the grand processions
+are made on occasion of the great games. The Romans, indeed, converted
+these extraordinary arms to the honour of the gods: but the
+Campanians, out of pride, and in hatred of the Samnites, gave them as
+ornaments to their gladiators, who used to be exhibited as a show at
+their feasts, and whom they distinguished by the name of Samnites.
+During this year, the consul Fabius fought with the remnants of the
+Etrurians at Perusia, which city also had violated the truce, and
+gained an easy and decisive victory. He would have taken the town
+itself (for he marched up to the walls,) had not deputies come out and
+capitulated. Having placed a garrison at Perusia, and sent on before
+him to the Roman senate the embassies of Etruria, who solicited
+friendship, the consul rode into the city in triumph, for successes
+more important than those of the dictator. Besides, a great share of
+the honour of reducing the Samnites was attributed to the
+lieutenants-general, Publius Decius and Marcius Valerius: whom, at the
+next election, the people, with universal consent, declared the one
+consul, the other praetor.
+
+41. To Fabius, in consideration of his extraordinary merit in the
+conquest of Etruria, the consulship was continued. Decius was
+appointed his colleague. Valerius was created praetor a fourth time.
+The consuls divided the provinces between them. Etruria fell to
+Decius, Samnium to Fabius. The latter, having marched to Nuceria,
+rejected the application of the people of Alfaterna, who then sued for
+peace, because they had not accepted it when offered, and by force of
+arms compelled them to surrender. A battle was fought with the
+Samnites; the enemy were overcome without much difficulty: nor would
+the memory of that engagement have been preserved, except that in it
+the Marsians first appeared in arms against the Romans. The
+Pelignians, imitating the defection of the Marsians, met the same
+fate. The other consul, Decius, was likewise very successful in his
+operations: through terror he compelled the Tarquinians to supply his
+army with corn, and to sue for a truce for forty years. He took
+several forts from the Volsinians by assault, some of which he
+demolished, that they might not serve as receptacles to the enemy, and
+by extending his operations through every quarter, diffused such a
+dread of his arms, that the whole Etrurian nation sued to the consul
+for an alliance: this they did not obtain; but a truce for a year was
+granted them. The pay of the Roman army for that year was furnished by
+the enemy; and two tunics for each soldier were exacted from them:
+this was the purchase of the truce. The tranquillity now established
+in Etruria was interrupted by a sudden insurrection of the Umbrians, a
+nation which had suffered no injury from the war, except what
+inconvenience the country had felt in the passing of the army. These,
+by calling into the field all their own young men, and forcing a great
+part of the Etrurians to resume their arms, made up such a numerous
+force, that speaking of themselves with ostentatious vanity and of the
+Romans with contempt, they boasted that they would leave Decius behind
+in Etruria, and march away to besiege Rome; which design of theirs
+being reported to the consul Decius, he removed by long marches from
+Etruria towards their city, and sat down in the district of Pupinia,
+in readiness to act according to the intelligence received of the
+enemy. Nor was the insurrection of the Umbrians slighted at Rome:
+their very threats excited tears among the people, who had
+experienced, in the calamities suffered from the Gauls, how insecure a
+city they inhabited. Deputies were therefore despatched to the consul
+Fabius with directions, that, if he had any respite from the war of
+the Samnites, he should with all haste lead his army into Umbria. The
+consul obeyed the order, and by forced marches proceeded to Mevania,
+where the forces of the Umbrians then lay. The unexpected arrival of
+the consul, whom they had believed to be sufficiently employed in
+Samnium, far distant from their country, so thoroughly affrighted the
+Umbrians, that several advised retiring to their fortified towns;
+others, the discontinuing the war. However, one district, called by
+themselves Materina, prevailed on the rest not only to retain their
+arms, but to come to an immediate engagement. They fell upon Fabius
+while he was fortifying his camp. When the consul saw them rushing
+impetuously towards his rampart, he called off his men from the work,
+and drew them up in the best manner which the nature of the place and
+the time allowed; encouraging them by displaying, in honourable and
+just terms, the glory which they had acquired, as well in Etruria as
+in Samnium, he bade them finish this insignificant appendage to the
+Etrurian war, and take vengeance for the impious expressions in which
+these people had threatened to attack the city of Rome. Such was the
+alacrity of the soldiers on hearing this, that, raising the shout
+spontaneously, they interrupted the general's discourse, and, without
+waiting for orders, advanced, with the sound of all the trumpets and
+cornets, in full speed against the enemy. They made their attack not
+as on men, or at least men in arms, but, what must appear wonderful in
+the relation, began by snatching the standards out of the hands which
+held them; and then, the standard-bearers themselves were dragged to
+the consul, and the armed soldiers transferred from the one line to
+the other; and wherever resistance was any where made, the business
+was performed, not so much with swords, as with their shields, with
+the bosses of which, and thrusts of their elbows, they bore down the
+foe. The prisoners were more numerous than the slain, and through the
+whole line the Umbrians called on each other, with one voice, to lay
+down their arms. Thus a surrender was made in the midst of action, by
+the first promoters of the war; and on the next and following days,
+the other states of the Umbrians also surrendered. The Ocriculans were
+admitted to a treaty of friendship on giving security.
+
+42. Fabius, successful in a war allotted to another, led back his army
+into his own province. And as, in the preceding year, the people had,
+in consideration of his services so successfully performed, re-elected
+him to the consulship, so now the senate, from the same motive,
+notwithstanding a warm opposition made by Appius, prolonged his
+command for the year following, in which Appius Claudius and Lucius
+Volumnius were consuls. In some annals I find, that Appius, still
+holding the office of censor, declared himself a candidate for the
+consulship, and that his election was stopped by a protest of Lucius
+Furius, plebeian tribune, until he resigned the censorship. After his
+election to the consulship, the new war with the Sallentine enemies
+being decreed to his colleague, he remained at Rome, with design to
+increase his interest by city intrigues, since the means of procuring
+honour in war were placed in the hands of others. Volumnius had no
+reason to be dissatisfied with his province: he fought many battles
+with good success, and took several cities by assault. He was liberal
+in his donations of the spoil; and this munificence, engaging in
+itself, he enhanced by his courteous demeanour, by which conduct he
+inspired his soldiers with ardour to meet both toil and danger.
+Quintus Fabius, proconsul, fought a pitched battle with the armies of
+the Samnites, near the city of Allifae. The victory was complete. The
+enemy were driven from the field, and pursued to their camp; nor would
+they have kept possession of that, had not the day been almost spent.
+It was invested, however, before night, and guarded until day, lest
+any should slip away. Next morning, while it was scarcely clear day,
+they proposed to capitulate, and it was agreed, that such as were
+natives of Samnium should be dismissed with single garments. All these
+were sent under the yoke. No precaution was taken in favour of the
+allies of the Samnites: they were sold by auction, to the number of
+seven thousand. Those who declared themselves subjects of the
+Hernicians, were kept by themselves under a guard. All these Fabius
+sent to Rome to the senate; and, after being examined, whether it was
+in consequence of a public order, or as volunteers, that they had
+carried arms on the side of the Samnites against the Romans, they were
+distributed among the states of the Latins to be held in custody; and
+it was ordered, that the new consuls, Publius Cornelius Arvina and
+Quintus Marcius Tremulus, who by this time had been elected, should
+lay that affair entire before the senate: this gave such offence to
+the Hernicians, that, at a meeting of all the states, assembled by the
+Anagnians, in the circus called the Maritime, the whole nation of the
+Hernicians, excepting the Alatrians, Ferentines, and Verulans,
+declared war against the Roman people.
+
+43. In Samnium also, in consequence of the departure of Fabius, new
+commotions arose. Calatia and Sora, and the Roman garrisons stationed
+there, were taken, and extreme cruelty was exercised towards the
+captive soldiers: Publius Cornelius was therefore sent thither with an
+army. The command against the new enemy (for by this time an order had
+passed for declaring war against the Anagnians, and the rest of the
+Hernicians) was decreed to Marcius. These, in the beginning, secured
+all the passes between the camps of the consuls, in such a manner,
+that no messenger, however expert, could make his way from one to the
+other; and each consul spent several days in absolute uncertainty
+regarding every matter and in anxious suspense concerning the state of
+the other. Apprehensions for their safety spread even to Rome; so that
+all the younger citizens were compelled to enlist and two regular
+armies were raised, to answer sudden emergencies. The conduct of the
+Hernicians during the progress of the war afterwards, showed nothing
+suitable to the present alarm, or to the ancient renown of that
+nation. Without ever venturing any effort worth mentioning, being
+stripped of three different camps within a few days, they stipulated
+for a truce of thirty days, during which they might send to Rome, to
+the senate, on the terms of furnishing two months' pay, and corn, and
+a tunic to every soldier. They were referred back to Marcius by the
+senate, whom by a decree they empowered to determine regarding the
+Hernicians, and he accepted their submission. Meanwhile, in Samnium,
+the other consul, though superior in strength, was very much
+embarrassed by the nature of his situation; the enemy had blocked up
+all the roads, and seized on the passable defiles, so that no
+provisions could be conveyed; nor could the consul, though he daily
+drew out his troops and offered battle, allure them to an engagement.
+It was evident, that neither could the Samnites support an immediate
+contest, nor the Romans a delay of action. The approach of Marcius,
+who, after he had subdued the Hernicians, hastened to the succour of
+his colleague, put it out of the enemy's power any longer to avoid
+fighting: for they, who had not deemed themselves a match in the
+field, even for one of the armies, could not surely suppose that if
+they should allow the two consular armies to unite, they could have
+any hope remaining: they made an attack therefore on Marcius, as he
+was approaching in the irregular order of march. The baggage was
+hastily thrown together in the centre, and the line formed as well as
+the time permitted. First the shout which reached the standing camp of
+Cornelius, then the dust observed at a distance, excited a bustle in
+the camp of the other consul. Ordering his men instantly to take arms,
+and leading them out to the field with the utmost haste, he charged
+the flank of the enemy's line, which had enough to do in the other
+dispute, at the same time exclaiming, that "it would be the height of
+infamy if they suffered Marcius's army to monopolize the honour of
+both victories, and did not assert their claim to the glory of their
+own war." He bore down all before him, and pushed forward, through the
+midst of the enemy's line, to their camp, which, being left without a
+guard, he took and set on fire; which when the soldiers of Marcius saw
+in flames, and the enemy observed it on looking about, a general
+flight immediately took place among the Samnites. But they could not
+effect an escape in any direction; in every quarter they met death.
+After a slaughter of thirty thousand men, the consuls had now given
+the signal for retreat; and were collecting, into one body, their
+several forces, who were employed in mutual congratulations, when some
+new cohorts of the enemy, which had been levied for a reinforcement,
+being seen at a distance, occasioned a renewal of the carnage. On
+these the conquerors rushed, without any order of the consuls, or
+signal received, crying out, that they would make these Samnites pay
+dearly for their introduction to service. The consuls indulged the
+ardour of the legions, well knowing that the raw troops of the enemy,
+mixed with veterans dispirited by defeat, would be incapable even of
+attempting a contest. Nor were they wrong in their judgment: all the
+forces of the Samnites, old and new, fled to the nearest mountains.
+These the Roman army also ascended, so that no situation afforded
+safety to the vanquished; they were beaten off, even from the summits
+which they had seized. And now they all, with on voice, supplicated
+for a suspension of arms. On which, being ordered to furnish corn for
+three months, pay for a year, and a tunic to each of the soldiers,
+they sent deputies to the senate to sue for peace. Cornelius was left
+in Samnium. Marcius returned into the city, in triumph over the
+Hernicians; and a decree was passed for erecting to him, in the forum,
+an equestrian statue, which was placed before the temple of Castor. To
+three states of the Hernicians, (the Alatrians, Verulans, and
+Ferentines,) their own laws were restored, because they preferred
+these to the being made citizens of Rome; and they were permitted to
+intermarry with each other, a privilege which they alone of the
+Hernicians, for a long time after, enjoyed. To the Anagnians, and the
+others, who had made war on the Romans, was granted the freedom of the
+state, without the right of voting; public assemblies, and
+intermarriages, were not allowed them, and their magistrates were
+prohibited from acting except in the ministration of public worship.
+During this year, Caius Junius Bubulcus, censor, contracted for the
+building of a temple to Health, which he had vowed during his
+consulate in the war with the Samnites. By the same person, and his
+colleague, Marcus Valerius Maximus, roads were made through the fields
+at the public expense. During the same year the treaty with the
+Carthaginians was renewed a third time, and ample presents made to
+their ambassadors who came on that business.
+
+44. This year had a dictator in office, Publius Cornelius Scipio, with
+Publius Decius Mus, master of the horse. By these the election of
+consuls was held, being the purpose for which they had been created,
+because neither of the consuls could be absent from the armies. The
+consuls elected were Lucius Postumius and Titus Minucius; whom Piso
+places next after Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius, omitting the two
+years in which I have set down Claudius with Volumnius, and Cornelius
+with Marcius, as consuls. Whether this happened through a lapse of
+memory in digesting his annals, or whether he purposely passed over
+those two consulates as deeming the accounts of them false, cannot be
+ascertained. During this year the Samnites made incursions into the
+district of Stellae in the Campanian territory. Both the consuls were
+therefore sent into Samnium, and proceeded to different regions,
+Postumius to Tifernum, Minucius to Bovianum. The first engagement
+happened at Tifernum, under the command of Postumius. Some say, that
+the Samnites were completely defeated, and twenty thousand of them
+made prisoners. Others, that the army separated without victory on
+either side; and that Postumius, counterfeiting fear, withdrew his
+forces privately by night, and marched away to the mountains; whither
+the enemy also followed, and took possession of a stronghold two miles
+distant. The consul, having created a belief that he had come thither
+for the sake of a safe post, and a fruitful spot, (and such it really
+was,) secured his camp with strong works. Furnishing it with magazines
+of every thing useful, he left a strong guard to defend it; and at the
+third watch, led away the legions lightly accoutred, by the shortest
+road which he could take, to join his colleague, who lay opposite to
+his foe. There, by advice of Postumius, Minucius came to an engagement
+with the enemy; and when the fight had continued doubtful through a
+great part of the day, Postumius, with his fresh legions, made an
+unexpected attack on the enemy's line, spent by this time with
+fatigue: thus, weariness and wounds having rendered them incapable
+even of flying, they were cut off to a man, and twenty-one standards
+taken. The Romans then proceeded to Postumius's station, where the two
+victorious armies falling upon the enemy, already dismayed by the news
+of what had passed, routed and dispersed them: twenty-six military
+standards were taken here, and the Samnite general, Statius Gellius,
+with a great number of other prisoners, and both the camps were taken.
+Next day Bovianum was besieged, and soon after taken. Both the consuls
+were honoured with a triumph, with high applause of their excellent
+conduct. Some writers say, that the consul Minucius was brought back
+to the camp grievously wounded, and that he died there; that Marcus
+Fulvius was substituted consul in his place, and that it was he who,
+being sent to command Minucius's army, took Bovianum. During the same
+year, Sora, Arpinum, and Censennia were recovered from the Samnites.
+The great statue of Hercules was erected in the Capitol, and
+dedicated.
+
+45. In the succeeding consulate of Publius Sulpicius Saverrio and
+Publius Sempronius Sophus, the Samnites, desirous either of a
+termination or a suspension of hostilities, sent ambassadors to Rome
+to treat of peace; to whose submissive solicitations this answer was
+returned, that, "had not the Samnites frequently solicited peace, at
+times when they were actually preparing for war, their present
+application might, perhaps, in the course of negotiating, have
+produced the desired effect. But now, since words had hitherto proved
+vain, people's conduct must be guided by facts: that Publius
+Sempronius the consul would shortly be in Samnium with an army: that
+he could not be deceived in judging whether their dispositions
+inclined to peace or war. He would bring the senate certain
+information respecting every particular, and their ambassadors might
+follow the consul on his return from Samnium." When the Roman army
+accordingly marched through all parts of Samnium, which was in a state
+of peace, provisions being liberally supplied, a renewal of the old
+treaty was, this year, granted to the Samnites. The Roman arms were
+then turned against the Aequans, their old enemies, but who had, for
+many years past, remained quiet, under the guise of a treacherous
+peace, because, while the Hernicians were in a state of prosperity,
+these had, in conjunction with them, frequently sent aid to the
+Samnites; and after the Hernicians were subdued, almost the whole
+nation, without dissembling that they acted by public authority, had
+revolted to the enemy; and when, after the conclusion of the treaty
+with the Samnites at Rome, ambassadors were sent to demand
+satisfaction, they said, that "this was only a trial made of them, on
+the expectation that they would through fear suffer themselves to be
+made Roman citizens. But how much that condition was to be wished for,
+they had been taught by the Hernicians; who, when they had the option,
+preferred their own laws to the freedom of the Roman state. To people
+who wished for liberty to choose what they judged preferable, the
+necessity of becoming Roman citizens would have the nature of a
+punishment." In resentment of these declarations, uttered publicly in
+their assemblies, the Roman people ordered war to be made on the
+Aequans; and, in prosecution of this new undertaking, both the consuls
+marched from the city, and sat down at the distance of four miles from
+the camp of the enemy. The troops of the Aequans, like tumultuary
+recruits, in consequence of their having passed such a number of years
+without waging war on their own account, were all in disorder and
+confusion, without established officers and without command. Some
+advised to give battle, others to defend the camp; the greater part
+were influenced by concern for the devastation of their lands, likely
+to take place, and the consequent destruction of their cities, left
+with weak garrisons. Among a variety of propositions, one, however,
+was heard which, abandoning all concern for the public interest,
+tended to transfer every man's attention to the care of his private
+concerns. It recommended that, at the first watch, they should depart
+from the camp by different roads, so as to carry all their effects
+into the cities, and to secure them by the strength of the
+fortifications; this they all approved with universal assent. When the
+enemy were now dispersed through the country, the Romans, at the first
+dawn, marched out to the field, and drew up in order of battle; but no
+one coming to oppose them, they advanced in a brisk pace to the
+enemy's camp. But when they perceived neither guards before the gates,
+nor soldiers on the ramparts, nor the usual bustle of a
+camp,--surprised at the extraordinary silence, they halted in
+apprehension of some stratagem. At length, passing over the rampart,
+and finding the whole deserted, they proceeded to search out the
+tracks of the enemy. But these, as they scattered themselves to every
+quarter, occasioned perplexity at first. Afterwards discovering their
+design by means of scouts, they attacked their cities, one after
+another, and within the space of fifty days took, entirely by force,
+forty-one towns, most of which were razed and burnt, and the race of
+the Aequans almost extirpated. A triumph was granted over the Aequans.
+The Marrucinians, Marsians, Pelignians, and Ferentans, warned by the
+example of their disasters, sent deputies to Rome to solicit peace and
+friendship; and these states, on their submissive applications, were
+admitted into alliance.
+
+46. In the same year, Cneius Flavius, son of Cneius, grandson of a
+freed man, a notary, in low circumstances originally, but artful and
+eloquent, was appointed curule aedile. I find in some annals, that,
+being in attendance on the aediles, and seeing that he was voted
+aedile by the prerogative tribe, but that his name would not be
+received, because he acted as a notary, he threw down his tablet, and
+took an oath, that he would not, for the future, follow that business.
+But Licinius Macer contends, that he had dropped the employment of
+notary a considerable time before, having already been a tribune, and
+twice a triumvir, once for regulating the nightly watch, and another
+time for conducting a colony. However, of this there is no dispute,
+that against the nobles, who threw contempt on the meanness of his
+condition, he contended with much firmness. He made public the rules
+of proceeding in judicial causes, hitherto shut up in the closets of
+the pontiffs; and hung up to public view, round the forum, the
+calendar on white tablets, that all might know when business could be
+transacted in the courts. To the great displeasure of the nobles, he
+performed the dedication of the temple of Concord, in the area of
+Vulcan's temple; and the chief pontiff, Cornelius Barbatus, was
+compelled by the united instances of the people, to dictate to him the
+form of words, although he affirmed, that, consistently with the
+practice of antiquity, no other than a consul, or commander-in-chief,
+could dedicate a temple. This occasioned a law to be proposed to the
+people, by direction of the senate, that no person should dedicate a
+temple, or an altar, without an order from the senate, or from a
+majority of the plebeian tribunes. The incident which I am about to
+mention would be trivial in itself, were it not an instance of the
+freedom assumed by plebeians in opposition to the pride of the nobles.
+When Flavius had come to make a visit to his colleague, who was sick,
+and when, by an arrangement between some young nobles who were sitting
+there, they did not rise on his entrance, he ordered his curule chair
+to be brought thither, and from his honourable seat of office enjoyed
+the sight of his enemies tortured with envy. However, a low faction,
+which had gathered strength during the censorship of Appius Claudius,
+had made Flavius an aedile; for he was the first who degraded the
+senate, by electing into it the immediate descendants of freed men;
+and when no one allowed that election as valid, and when he had not
+acquired in the senate-house that influence in the city which he had
+been aiming at, by distributing men of the meanest order among all the
+several tribes, he thus corrupted the assemblies both of the forum and
+of the field of Mars; and so much indignation did the election of
+Flavius excite, that most of the nobles laid aside their gold rings
+and bracelets in consequence of it. From that time the state was split
+into two parties. The uncorrupted part of the people, who favoured and
+supported the good, held one side; the faction of the rabble, the
+other; until Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius were made censors; and
+Fabius, both for the sake of concord, and at the same time to prevent
+the elections remaining in the hands of the lowest of the people,
+purged the rest of the tribes of all the rabble of the forum, and
+threw it into four, and called them city tribes. And this procedure,
+we are told, gave such universal satisfaction, that, by this
+regulation in the orders of the state, he obtained the surname of
+Maximus, which he had not obtained by his many victories. The annual
+review of the knights, on the ides of July, is also said to have been
+instituted by him.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK X.
+
+
+_Submission of the Marcians accepted. The college of Augurs
+augmented from four to nine. The law of appeal to the people carried
+by Valerius the consul. Two more tribes added. War declared against
+the Samnites. Several successful actions. In an engagement against the
+combined forces of the Etruscans, Umbrians, Samnites, and Gauls,
+Publius Decius, after the example of his father, devotes himself for
+the army. Dies, and, by his death, procures the victory to the Romans.
+Defeat of the Samnites by Papirius Cursor. The census held. The
+lustrum closed. The number of the citizens two hundred and sixty-two
+thousand three hundred and twenty-two._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. During the consulate of Lucius Genucius and Servius Cornelius, the
+state enjoyed almost uninterrupted rest from foreign wars. Colonies
+were led out to Sora and Alba. For the latter, situated in the country
+of the Aequans, six thousand colonists were enrolled. Sora had
+formerly belonged to the Volscian territory, but had fallen into the
+possession of the Samnites: thither were sent four thousand settlers.
+This year the freedom of the state was granted to the Arpinians and
+Trebulans. The Frusinonians were fined a third part of their lands,
+because it was discovered that the Hernicians had been tampered with
+by them; and the heads of that conspiracy, after a trial before the
+consuls, held in pursuance of a decree of the senate, were beaten with
+rods and beheaded. However, that the Romans might not pass the year
+entirely exempt from war, a little expedition was made into Umbria;
+intelligence being received from thence, that excursions of men, in
+arms, had been made, from a certain cave, into the adjacent country.
+Into this cave the troops penetrated with their standards, and, the
+place being dark, they received many wounds, chiefly from stones
+thrown. At length the other mouth of the cave being found, for it was
+pervious, both the openings were filled up with wood, which being set
+on fire, there perished by means of the smoke and heat, no less than
+two thousand men; many of whom, at the last, in attempting to make
+their way out, rushed into the very flames. The two Marci, Livius
+Denter and Aemilius, succeeding to the consulship, war was renewed
+with the Aequans; who, being highly displeased at the colony
+established within their territory, as if it were a fortress, having
+made an attempt, with their whole force, to seize it, were repulsed by
+the colonists themselves. They caused, however, such an alarm at Rome,
+that, to quell this insurrection, Caius Junius Bubulcus was nominated
+dictator: for it was scarcely credible that the Aequans, after being
+reduced to such a degree of weakness, should by themselves alone have
+ventured to engage in a war. The dictator, taking the field, with
+Marcus Titinius, master of the horse, in the first engagement reduced
+the Aequans to submission; and returning into the city in triumph, on
+the eighth day, dedicated, in the character of dictator, the temple of
+Health, which he had vowed when consul, and contracted for when
+censor.
+
+2. During this year a fleet of Grecians, under the command of
+Cleonymus, a Lacedaemonian, arrived on the coast of Italy, and took
+Thuriae, a city in the territory of the Sallentines. Against this
+enemy the consul Aemilius was sent, who, in one battle, completely
+defeated them, and drove them on board their ships. Thuriae was then
+restored to its old inhabitants, and peace re-established in the
+country of the Sallentines. In some annals, I find that Junius
+Bubulcus was sent dictator into that country, and that Cleonymus,
+without hazarding an engagement with the Romans, retired out of Italy.
+He then sailed round the promontory of Brundusium, and, steering down
+the middle of the Adriatic gulf, because he dreaded, on the left hand,
+the coasts of Italy destitute of harbours, and, on the right, the
+Illyrians, Liburnians, and Istrians, nations of savages, and noted in
+general for piracy, he passed on to the coasts of the Venetians. Here,
+having landed a small party to explore the country, and being informed
+that a narrow beach stretched along the shore, beyond which were
+marshes, overflowed by the tides; that dry land was seen at no great
+distance, level in the nearest part, and rising behind into hills,
+beyond which was the mouth of a very deep river, into which they had
+seen ships brought round and moored in safety, (this was the river
+Meduacus,) he ordered his fleet to sail into it and go up against the
+stream. As the channel would not admit the heavy ships, the troops,
+removing into the lighter vessels, arrived at a part of the country
+occupied by three maritime cantons of the Patavians, settled on that
+coast. Here they made a descent, leaving a small guard with the ships,
+made themselves masters of these cantons, set fire to the houses,
+drove off a considerable booty of men and cattle, and, allured by the
+sweets of plunder, proceeded still further from the shore. When news
+of this was brought to Patavium, where the contiguity of the Gauls
+kept the inhabitants constantly in arms, they divided their young men
+into two bands, one of which was led towards the quarter where the
+marauders were said to be busy; the other by a different route, to
+avoid meeting any of the pirates, towards the station of the ships,
+fifteen miles distant from the town. An attack was made on the small
+craft, and the guards being killed, the affrighted mariners were
+obliged to remove their ships to the other bank of the river. By land,
+also, the attack on the dispersed plunderers was equally successful;
+and the Grecians, flying back towards their ships, were opposed in
+their way by the Venetians. Thus they were enclosed on both sides, and
+cut to pieces; and some, who were made prisoners, gave information
+that the fleet, with their king, Cleonymus, was but three miles
+distant. Sending the captives into the nearest canton, to be kept
+under a guard, some soldiers got on board the flat-bottomed vessels,
+so constructed for the purpose of passing the shoals with ease; others
+embarked in those which had been lately taken from the enemy, and
+proceeding down the river, surrounded their unwieldy ships, which
+dreaded the unknown sands and flats more than they did the Romans, and
+which showed a greater eagerness to escape into the deep than to make
+resistance. The soldiers pursued them as far as the mouth of the
+river; and having taken and burned a part of the fleet, which in the
+hurry and confusion had been stranded, returned victorious. Cleonymus,
+having met success in no part of the Adriatic sea, departed with
+scarce a fifth part of his navy remaining. Many, now alive, have seen
+the beaks of his ships, and the spoils of the Lacedaemonians, hanging
+in the old temple of Juno. In commemoration of this event, there is
+exhibited at Patavium, every year, on its anniversary day, a naval
+combat on the river in the middle of the town.
+
+3. A treaty was this year concluded at Rome with the Vestinians, who
+solicited friendship. Various causes of apprehension afterwards sprung
+up. News arrived, that Etruria was in rebellion; the insurrection
+having arisen from the dissensions of the Arretians; for the Cilnian
+family having grown exorbitantly powerful, a party, out of envy of
+their wealth, had attempted to expel them by force of arms. [Accounts
+were also received] that the Marsians held forcible possession of the
+lands to which the colony of Carseoli, consisting of four thousand
+men, had been sent. By reason, therefore, of these commotions, Marcus
+Valerius Maximus was nominated dictator, and chose for his master of
+the horse Marcus Aemilius Paullus. This I am inclined to believe,
+rather than that Quintus Fabius, at such an age as he then was, and
+after enjoying many honours, was placed in a station subordinate to
+Valerius: but I think it not unlikely that the mistake arose from the
+surname Maximus. The dictator, having set out at the head of an army,
+in one battle utterly defeated the Marsians, drove them into their
+fortified towns, and afterwards, in the course of a few days, took
+Milionia, Plestina, and Fresilia; and then finding Marsians in a part
+of their lands, granted them a renewal of the treaty. The war was then
+directed against the Etrurians; and when the dictator had gone to
+Rome, for the purpose of renewing the auspices, the master of the
+horse, going out to forage, was surrounded by an ambuscade, and
+obliged to fly shamefully into his camp, after losing several
+standards and many of his men. The occurrence of which discomfiture to
+Fabius is exceedingly improbable; not only because, if in any
+particular, certainly, above all, in the qualifications of a
+commander, he fully merited his surname; but besides, mindful of
+Papirius's severity, he never could have been tempted to fight,
+without the dictator's orders.
+
+4. The news of this disaster excited at Rome an alarm greater than
+suited the importance of the affair; for, as if the army had been
+destroyed, a justitium was proclaimed, guards mounted at the gates,
+and watches set in every street: and armour and weapons were heaped on
+the walls. All the younger citizens being compelled to enlist, the
+dictator was ordered to join the army. There he found every thing in a
+more tranquil state than he expected, and regularity established
+through the care of the master of the horse, the camp removed to a
+place of greater safety, the cohorts, which had lost their standards,
+left without tents on the outside of the ramparts and the troops
+ardently impatient for battle, that their disgrace might be the sooner
+obliterated. He therefore immediately advanced his camp into the
+territory of Rusella. Thither the enemy also followed, and although,
+since their late success, they entertained the most sanguine hopes
+from an open trial of strength, yet they endeavoured to circumvent the
+enemy by a stratagem which they had before practised with success.
+There were, at a small distance from the Roman camp, the half-ruined
+houses of a town which had been burnt in the devastation of the
+country. A body of troops being concealed there, some cattle was
+driven on, within view of a Roman post, commanded by a
+lieutenant-general, Cneius Fulvius. When no one was induced by this
+temptation to stir from his post, one of the herdsmen, advancing close
+to the works, called out, that others were driving out those cattle at
+their leisure from the ruins of the town, why did they remain idle,
+when they might safely drive them through the middle of the Roman
+camp? When this was interpreted to the lieutenant-general, by some
+natives of Caere, and great impatience prevailed through every company
+of the soldiers, who, nevertheless, dared not to move without orders,
+he commanded some who were skilled in the language to observe
+attentively, whether the dialect of the herdsmen resembled that of
+rustics or of citizens. When these reported, that their accent in
+speaking, their manner and appearance, were all of a more polished
+cast than suited shepherds, "Go then," said he, "tell them that they
+may uncover the ambush which they vainly conceal, that the Romans
+understand all their devices, and can now be no more taken by
+stratagem than they can be conquered by arms." When these words were
+heard, and carried to those who lay in ambush, they immediately arose
+from their lurking place, and marched out in order into the plain
+which was open to view on every side The lieutenant-general thought
+their force too powerful for his small band to cope with. He therefore
+sent in haste to Valerius for support, and in the mean time, by
+himself, sustained the enemy's onset.
+
+5. On receiving his message, the dictator ordered the standards to
+move, and the troops to follow in arms. But every thing was executed
+more quickly, almost, than ordered. The standards and arms were
+instantly snatched up, and they were with difficulty restrained from
+running impetuously on, both indignation at their late defeat
+stimulated them, as well as the shouts striking their ears with
+increasing vehemence, as the contest grew hotter They therefore urged
+each other, and pressed the standard-bearers to quicken their pace.
+The dictator, the more eagerly he saw them push forward, took the more
+pains to repress their haste, and ordered them to march at a slower
+rate. On the other side, the Etrurians, putting themselves in motion,
+on the first beginning of the fray had come up with their whole force,
+and several expresses came to the dictator, one after another, that
+all the regions of the Etrurians had joined in the fight, and that his
+men could not any longer withstand them: at the same time, he himself
+saw, from the higher ground, in how perilous a situation the party
+was. Confident, however, that the lieutenant-general was able, even
+yet, to support the contest, and considering that he himself was at
+hand to rescue him from defeat, he wished to let the enemy be
+fatigued, as much as might be, in order that, when in that state, he
+might fall on them with his fresh troops. Slowly as these marched, the
+distance was now just sufficient for the cavalry to begin their career
+for a charge. The battalions of the legions marched in front, lest the
+enemy might suspect any secret or sudden movement, but intervals had
+been left in the ranks of the infantry, affording room for the horses
+to gallop through. At the same instant the line raised the shout, and
+the cavalry, charging at full speed, poured on the enemy, and spread
+at once a general panic. After this, as succour had arrived, almost
+too late, to the party surrounded, so now they were allowed entire
+rest, the fresh troops taking on themselves the whole business of the
+fight. Nor was that either long or dubious. The enemy, now routed,
+fled to their camp, and the Romans advancing to attack it, they gave
+way, and are crowded all together in the remotest part of it. In their
+flight they are obstructed by the narrowness of the gates, the greater
+number climbed up on the mounds and ramparts, to try if they could
+either defend themselves with the aid of the advantageous ground, or
+get over, by any means, and escape. One part of the rampart, happening
+to be badly compacted sunk under the weight of the multitude who stood
+on it, and fell into the trench. On which, crying out that the gods
+had opened that pass to give them safety, they made their way out,
+most of them leaving their arms behind. By this battle the power of
+the Etrurians was, a second time, effectually crushed, so that,
+engaging to furnish a year's pay, and corn for two months, with the
+dictator's permission, they sent ambassadors to Rome to treat of
+peace. This was refused, but a truce for two years was granted to
+them. The dictator returned into the city in triumph. I have seen it
+asserted, that tranquillity was restored in Etruria by the dictator,
+without any memorable battle, only by composing the dissensions of the
+Arretians, and effecting a reconciliation between the Cilnian family
+and the commons. Marcus Valerius was elected consul, before the
+expiration of his dictatorship, many have believed, without his
+soliciting the office, and even while he was absent; and that the
+election was held by an interrex. In one point all agree, that he held
+the consulship with Quintus Appulcius Pansa.
+
+6. During this consulate of Marcus Valerius and Quintus Appulcius,
+affairs abroad wore a very peaceable aspect. Their losses sustained in
+war, together with the truce, kept the Etrurians quiet. The Samnites,
+depressed by the misfortunes of many years, had not yet become
+dissatisfied with their new alliance. At Rome, also, the carrying away
+of such multitudes to colonies, rendered the commons tranquil, and
+lightened their burthens. But, that things might not be tranquil on
+all sides, a contention was excited between the principal persons in
+the commonwealth, patricians on one hand, and plebeians on the other,
+by the two Ogulnii, Quintus and Cneius, plebeian tribunes, who,
+seeking every where occasions of criminating the patricians in the
+hearing of the people, and having found other attempts fruitless, set
+on foot a proceeding by which they might inflame, not the lowest class
+of the commons, but their chief men, the plebeians of consular and
+triumphal rank, to the completion of whose honours nothing was now
+wanting but the offices of the priesthood, which were not yet laid
+open to them. They therefore published a proposal for a law, that,
+whereas there were then four augurs and four pontiffs, and it had been
+determined that the number of priests should be augmented, the four
+additional pontiffs and five augurs should all be chosen out of the
+commons. How the college of augurs could be reduced to the number of
+four, except by the death of two, I do not understand: for it is a
+rule among the augurs, that their number should be composed of threes,
+so that the three ancient tribes, the Ramnes, Titienses, and Luceres,
+should have each its own augur; or, in case there should be occasion
+for more, that each should increase its number of augurs, in equal
+proportion with the rest, in like manner as when, by the addition of
+five to four, they made up the number nine, so that there were three
+to each tribe. However, as it was proposed that they should be chosen
+out of the commons, the patricians were as highly offended at the
+proceeding, as when they saw the consulship made common; yet they
+pretended that the business concerned not them so much as it did the
+gods, who would "take care that their own worship should not be
+contaminated; that, for their parts, they only wished that no
+misfortune might ensue to the commonwealth." But they made a less
+vigorous opposition, as being now accustomed to suffer defeat in such
+kind of disputes; and they saw their adversaries, not, as formerly,
+grasping at that which they could scarcely hope to reach, the higher
+honours; but already in possession of all those advantages, on the
+uncertain prospect of which they had maintained the contest, manifold
+consulships, censorships, and triumphs.
+
+7. The principal struggle, however, in supporting and opposing the
+bill, they say, was between Appius Claudius and Publius Decius Mus.
+After these had urged nearly the same topics, respecting the
+privileges of patricians and plebeians, which had been formerly
+employed for and against the Licinian law, when the proposition was
+brought forward of opening the consulship to plebeians, Decius is said
+to have drawn a lively description of his own father, such as many
+then present in the assembly had seen him, girt in the Gabine dress,
+standing on a spear, in the attitude in which he had devoted himself
+for the people and the legions, and to have added, that the consul
+Publius Decius was then deemed by the immortal gods an offering
+equally pure and pious, as if his colleague, Titus Manlius, had been
+devoted. And might not the same Publius Decius have been, with
+propriety, chosen to perform the public worship of the Roman people?
+Was there any danger that the gods would give less attention to his
+prayers than to those of Appius Claudius? Did the latter perform his
+private acts of adoration with a purer mind, or worship the gods more
+religiously than he? Who had any reason to complain of the vows
+offered in behalf of the commonwealth, by so many plebeian consuls and
+dictators, either when setting out to their armies, or in the heat of
+battle? Were the numbers of commanders reckoned, during those years
+since business began to be transacted under the conduct and auspices
+of plebeians, the same number of triumphs might be found. The commons
+had now no reason to be dissatisfied with their own nobility. On the
+contrary, they were fully convinced, that in case of a sudden war
+breaking out, the senate and people of Rome would not repose greater
+confidence in patrician than in plebeian commanders. "Which being the
+case," said he, "what god or man can deem it an impropriety, if those
+whom ye have honoured with curule chairs, with the purple bordered
+gown, with the palm-vest and embroidered robe, with the triumphal
+crown and laurel, whose houses ye have rendered conspicuous above
+others, by affixing to them the spoils of conquered enemies, should
+add to these the badges of augurs or pontiffs? If a person, who has
+rode through the city in a gilt chariot; and, decorated with the
+ensigns of Jupiter, supremely good and great, has mounted the Capitol,
+should be seen with a chalice and wand; what impropriety, I say, that
+he should, with his head veiled, slay a victim, or take an augury in
+the citadel? When, in the inscription on a person's statue, the
+consulship, censorship, and triumph shall be read with patience, will
+the eyes of readers be unable to endure the addition of the office of
+augur or pontiff? In truth (with deference to the gods I say it) I
+trust that we are, through the kindness of the Roman people, qualified
+in such a manner that we should, by the dignity of our characters,
+reflect back, on the priesthood, not less lustre than we should
+receive; and may demand, rather on behalf of the gods, than for our
+own sakes, that those whom we worship in our private we may also
+worship in a public capacity."
+
+8. "But why do I argue thus, as if the cause of the patricians,
+respecting the priesthood, were untouched? and as if we were not
+already in possession of one sacerdotal office, of the highest class?
+We see plebeian decemvirs, for performing sacrifices, interpreters of
+the Sibylline prophecies, and of the fates of the nation; we also see
+them presidents of Apollo's festival, and of other religious
+performances. Neither was any injustice done to the patricians, when,
+to the two commissioners for performing sacrifices, an additional
+number was joined, in favour of the plebeians; nor is there now, when
+a tribune, a man of courage and activity, wishes to add five places of
+augurs, and four of pontiffs, to which plebeians may be nominated; not
+Appius, with intent to expel you from your places; but, that men of
+plebeian rank may assist you, in the management of divine affairs,
+with the same zeal with which they assist you in matters of human
+concernment. Blush not, Appius, at having a man your colleague in the
+priesthood, whom you might have a colleague in the censorship or
+consulship, whose master of the horse you yourself may be, when he is
+dictator, as well as dictator when he is master of the horse. A Sabine
+adventurer, the first origin of your nobility, either Attus Clausus,
+or Appius Claudius, which you will, the ancient patricians of those
+days admitted into their number: do not then, on your part, disdain to
+admit us into the number of priests. We bring with us numerous
+honours; all those honours, indeed, which have rendered your party so
+proud. Lucius Sextius was the first consul chosen out of the
+plebeians; Caius Licinius Stolo, the first master of the horse; Caius
+Marcius Rutilus, the first dictator, and likewise censor; Quintus
+Publilius Philo, the first praetor. On all occasions was heard a
+repetition of the same arguments; that the right of auspices was
+vested in you; that ye alone had the rights of ancestry; that ye alone
+were legally entitled to the supreme command, and the auspices both in
+peace and war. The supreme command has hitherto been, and will
+continue to be, equally prosperous in plebeian hands as in patrician.
+Have ye never heard it said, that the first created patricians were
+not men sent down from heaven, but such as could cite their fathers,
+that is, nothing more than free born. I can now cite my father, a
+consul; and my son will be able to cite a grandfather. Citizens, there
+is nothing else in it, than that we should never obtain any thing
+without a refusal. The patricians wish only for a dispute; nor do they
+care what issue their disputes may have. For my part, be it
+advantageous, happy, and prosperous to you and to the commonwealth, I
+am of opinion that this law should receive your sanction."
+
+9. The people ordered that the tribes should be instantly called; and
+there was every appearance that the law would be accepted. It was
+deferred, however, for that day, by a protest, from which on the day
+following the tribunes were deterred; and it passed with the
+approbation of a vast majority. The pontiffs created were, Publius
+Decius Mus, the advocate for the law; Publius Sempronius Sophus, Caius
+Marcius Rutilus, and Marcus Livius Denter. The five augurs, who were
+also plebeians, were, Caius Genucius, Publius Aelius Paetus, Marcus
+Minucius Fessus, Caius Marcius, and Titus Publilius. Thus the number
+of the pontiffs was made eight; that of the augurs nine. In the same
+year Marcus Valerius, consul, procured a law to be passed concerning
+appeals; more carefully enforced by additional sanctions. This was the
+third time, since the expulsion of the kings, of this law being
+introduced, and always by the same family. The reason for renewing it
+so often was, I believe, no other, than that the influence of a few
+was apt to prove too powerful for the liberty of the commons. However,
+the Porcian law seems intended, solely, for the security of the
+persons of the citizens; as it visited with a severe penalty any one
+for beating with stripes or putting to death a Roman citizen. The
+Valerian law, after forbidding a person, who had appealed, to be
+beaten with rods and beheaded, added, in case of any one acting
+contrary thereto, that it shall yet be only deemed a wicked act. This,
+I suppose, was judged of sufficient strength to enforce obedience to
+the law in those days; so powerful was then men's sense of shame; at
+present one would scarcely make use of such a threat seriously. The
+Aequans rebelling, the same consul conducted the war against them; in
+which no memorable event occurred; for, except ferocity, they retained
+nothing of their ancient condition. The other consul, Appuleius,
+invested the town of Nequinum in Umbria. The ground, the same whereon
+Narnia now stands, was steep (on one side even perpendicular); this
+rendered the town impregnable either by assault or works. That
+business, therefore, came unfinished into the hands of the succeeding
+consuls, Marcus Fulvius Paetinus and Titus Manlius Torquatus. When all
+the centuries named Quintus Fabius consul for that year though not a
+candidate, Macer Licinius and Tubero state that he himself recommended
+them to postpone the conferring the consulship on him until a year
+wherein there might be more employment for their arms; adding, that,
+during the present year, he might be more useful to the state in the
+management of a city magistracy; and thus, neither dissembling what he
+preferred, nor yet making direct application for it, he was appointed
+curule aedile with Lucius Papirius Cursor. Piso, a more ancient writer
+of annals, prevents me from averring this as certain; he asserts that
+the curule aediles of that year were Caius Domitius Calvinus, son of
+Cneius, and Spurius Carvilius Maximus, son of Caius. I am of opinion,
+that this latter surname caused a mistake concerning the aediles; and
+that thence followed a story conformable to this mistake, patched up
+out of the two elections, of the aediles, and of the consuls. The
+general survey was performed, this year, by Publius Sempronius Sophus
+and Publius Sulpicius Saverrio, censors; and two tribes were added,
+the Aniensian and Terentine. Such were the occurrences at Rome.
+
+10. Meanwhile, after much time had been lost in the tedious siege of
+Nequinum, two of the townsmen, whose houses were contiguous to the
+wall, having formed a subterraneous passage, came by that private way
+to the Roman advanced guards; and being conducted thence to the
+consul, offered to give admittance to a body of armed men within the
+works and walls. The proposal was thought to be such as ought neither
+to be rejected, nor yet assented to without caution. With one of these
+men, the other being detained as an hostage, two spies were sent
+through the mine, and certain information being received from them,
+three hundred men in arms, guided by the deserter, entered the city,
+and seized by night the nearest gate, which being broken open, the
+Roman consul and his army took possession of the city without any
+opposition. In this manner came Nequinum under the dominion of the
+Roman people. A colony was sent thither as a barrier against the
+Umbrians, and called Narnia, from the river Nar. The troops returned
+to Rome with abundance of spoil. This year the Etrurians made
+preparations for war in violation of the truce. But a vast army of the
+Gauls, making an irruption into their territories, while their
+attention was directed to another quarter, suspended for a time the
+execution of their design. They then, relying on the abundance of
+money which they possessed, endeavour to make allies of the Gauls,
+instead of enemies; in order that, with their armies combined, they
+might attack the Romans. The barbarians made no objection to the
+alliance, and a negotiation was opened for settling the price; which
+being adjusted and paid, and every thing else being in readiness for
+commencing their operations, the Etrurians desired them to accompany
+them in their march. This they refused, alleging that "they had
+stipulated a price for making war against the Romans: that the payment
+already made, they had received in consideration of their not wasting
+the Etrurian territory, or using their arms against the inhabitants.
+That notwithstanding, if it was the wish of the Etrurians, they were
+still willing to engage in the war, but on no other condition than
+that of being allowed a share of their lands, and obtaining at length
+some permanent settlement." Many assemblies of the states of Etruria
+were held on this subject, and nothing could be settled; not so much
+by reason of their aversion from the dismemberment of their territory,
+as because every one felt a dread of fixing in so close vicinity to
+themselves people of such a savage race. The Gauls were therefore
+dismissed, and carried home an immense sum of money, acquired without
+toil or danger. The report of a Gallic tumult, in addition to an
+Etrurian war, had caused serious apprehensions at Rome; and, with the
+less hesitation on that account, an alliance was concluded with the
+state of the Picentians.
+
+11. The province of Etruria fell by lot to the consul Titus Manlius;
+who, when he had but just entered the enemy's country, as he was
+exercising the cavalry, in wheeling about at full speed, was thrown
+from his horse, and almost killed on the spot; three days after the
+fall, he died. The Etrurians, embracing this omen, as it were, of the
+future progress of the war, and observing that the gods had commenced
+hostilities on their behalf, assumed new courage. At Rome the news
+caused great affliction, on account both of the loss of such a man and
+of the unseasonableness of the juncture; insomuch that an assembly,
+held for the purpose of substituting a new consul, having been
+conducted agreeably to the wishes of people of the first consequence,
+prevented the senate from ordering a dictator to be created. All the
+votes and centuries concurred unanimously in appointing Marcus
+Valerius consul, the same whom the senate would have ordered to be
+made dictator. They then commanded him to proceed immediately into
+Etruria, to the legions. His coming gave such a check to the
+Etrurians, that not one of them dared thenceforward to appear on the
+outside of their trenches; their own fears operating as a blockade.
+Nor could the new consul, by wasting their lands and burning their
+houses, draw them out to an engagement; for not only country-houses,
+but numbers of their towns, were seen smoking and in ashes, on every
+side. While this war proceeded more slowly than had been expected, an
+account was received of the breaking out of another; which was, not
+without reason, regarded as terrible, in consequence of the heavy
+losses formerly sustained by both parties, from information given by
+their new allies, the Picentians, that the Samnites were looking to
+arms and a renewal of hostilities, and that they themselves had been
+solicited to join therein. The Picentians received the thanks of the
+state; and a large share of the attention of the senate was turned
+from Etruria towards Samnium. The dearness of provisions also
+distressed the state very much, and they would have felt the extremity
+of want, according to the relation of those who make Fabius Maximus
+curule aedile that year, had not the vigilant activity of that man,
+such as he had on many occasions displayed in the field, been exerted
+then with equal zeal at home, in the management of the market, and in
+procuring and forming magazines of corn. An interregnum took place
+this year, the reason of which is not mentioned. Appius Claudius, and,
+after him, Publius Sulpicius, were interreges. The latter held an
+election of consuls, and chose Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Cneius
+Fulvius. In the beginning of this year, ambassadors came from the
+Lucanians to the new consuls to complain, that "the Samnites, finding
+that they could not, by any offers, tempt them to take part in the
+war, had marched an army in a hostile manner into their country, and
+were now laying it waste, and forcing them into a war; that the
+Lucanian people had on former occasions erred enough and more than
+enough; that their minds were so firmly fixed that they thought it
+more endurable to bear and suffer every hardship, rather than ever
+again to outrage the Roman name: they besought the senate to take the
+people of Lucania into their protection, and defend them from the
+injustice and outrage of the Samnites; that although fidelity on their
+part to the Romans would now become necessary, a war being undertaken
+against the Samnites, still they were ready to give hostages."
+
+12. The deliberation of the senate was short. They all, to a man,
+concurred in opinion, that a compact should be entered into with the
+Lucanians, and satisfaction demanded from the Samnites: accordingly, a
+favourable answer was returned to the Lucanians, and the alliance
+concluded. Heralds were then sent, to require of the Samnites, that
+they should depart from the country of the allies, and withdraw their
+troops from the Lucanian territory. These were met by persons
+despatched for the purpose by the Samnites, who gave them warning,
+that "if they appeared at any assembly in Samnium, they must not
+expect to depart in safety." As soon as this was heard at Rome, the
+senate voted, and the people ordered, that war should be declared
+against the Samnites. The consuls, then, dividing the provinces
+between them, Etruria fell to Scipio, the Samnites to Fulvius; and
+they set out by different routes, each against the enemy allotted to
+him. Scipio, while he expected a tedious campaign, like that of the
+preceding year, was met near Volaterra by the Etrurians, in order of
+battle. The fight lasted through the greater part of the day, while
+very many fell on both sides, and night came on while it was uncertain
+to which side victory inclined. But the following dawn showed the
+conqueror and the vanquished; for the Etrurians had decamped in the
+dead of the night. The Romans, marching out with intent to renew the
+engagement, and seeing their superiority acknowledged by the departure
+of the enemy, advanced to their camp; and, finding even this fortified
+post deserted, took possession of it, evacuated as it was, together
+with a vast quantity of spoil. The consul then, leading back his
+forces into the Faliscian territory, and leaving his baggage with a
+small guard at Falerii, set out with his troops, lightly accoutred, to
+ravage the enemy's country. All places are destroyed with fire and
+sword; plunder driven from every side; and not only was the ground
+left a mere waste to the enemy, but their forts and small towns were
+set on fire; he refrained from attacking the cities into which fear
+had driven the Etrurians. The consul Cneius Fulvius fought a glorious
+battle in Samnium, near Bovianum, attended with success by no means
+equivocal. Then, having attacked Bovianum, and not long after
+Aufidena, he took them by storm.
+
+This year a colony was carried out to Carseoli, into the territory of
+the Aequicolae. The consul Fulvius triumphed on his defeat of the
+Samnites.
+
+13. When the consular elections were now at hand, a report prevailed,
+that the Etrurians and Samnites were raising vast armies; that the
+leaders of the Etrurians were, in all their assemblies, openly
+censured for not having procured the aid of the Gauls on any terms;
+and the magistrates of the Samnites arraigned, for having opposed to
+the Romans an army destined to act against the Lucanians. That, in
+consequence, the people were rising up in arms, with all their own
+strength and that of their allies combined; and that this affair
+seemed not likely to be terminated without a contest of much greater
+difficulty than the former. Although the candidates for the consulship
+were men of illustrious characters, yet this alarming intelligence
+turned the thoughts of all on Quintus Fabius Maximus, who sought not
+the employment at first, and afterwards, when he discovered their
+wishes, even declined it. "Why," said he, "should they impose such a
+difficult task on him, who was now in the decline of life, and had
+passed through a full course of labours, and of the rewards of labour?
+Neither the vigour of his body, nor of his mind, remained the same;
+and he dreaded fortune herself, lest to some god she should seem too
+bountiful to him, and more constant than the course of human affairs
+allowed. He had himself succeeded, in gradual succession, to the
+dignities of his seniors; and he beheld, with great satisfaction,
+others rising up to succeed to his glory. There was no scarcity at
+Rome, either of honours suited to men of the highest merit, or of men
+of eminent merit suited to the highest honours." This disinterested
+conduct, instead of repressing, increased, while in fact it justified
+their zeal. But thinking that this ought to be checked by respect for
+the laws, he ordered that clause to be read aloud by which it was not
+lawful that the same person shall be re-elected consul within ten
+years. The law was scarcely heard in consequence of the clamour; and
+the tribunes of the commons declared, that this "decree should be no
+impediment; for they would propose an order to the people, that he
+should be exempted from the obligation of the laws." Still he
+persisted in his opposition, asking, "To what purpose were laws
+enacted, if they eluded by the very persons who procured them? The
+laws now," he said, "instead of being rulers, were overruled." The
+people, nevertheless, proceeded to vote; and, according as each
+century was called in, it immediately named Fabius consul. Then at
+length, overcome by the universal wish of the state, he said, "Romans,
+may the gods approve your present, and all your future proceedings.
+But since, with respect to me, ye intend to act according to your own
+wills, let my interest find room with you, with respect to my
+colleague. I earnestly request, that ye will place in the consulship
+with me Publius Decius; a man with whom I have already experienced the
+utmost harmony in our joint administration of that office; a man
+worthy of you, worthy of his father." The recommendation was deemed
+well founded, and all the remaining centuries voted Quintus Fabius and
+Publius Decius consuls. This year, great numbers were prosecuted by
+the aediles, for having in possession larger quantities of land than
+the state allowed; and hardly any were acquitted: by which means, a
+very great restraint was laid on exorbitant covetousness.
+
+14. Whilst the new consuls, Quintus Fabius Maximus a fourth, and
+Publius Decius Mus a third time, were settling between themselves that
+one should command against the Samnites, and the other against the
+Etrurians; and what number of forces would be sufficient for this and
+for that province; and which would be the fitter commander in each
+war; ambassadors from Sutrium, Nepete, and Falerii, stating that the
+states of Etruria were holding assemblies on the subject of suing for
+peace, they directed the whole force of their arms against Samnium.
+The consuls, in order that the supply of provisions might be the more
+ready, and to leave the enemy in the greater uncertainty on what
+quarter the war would fall, Fabius led his legions towards Samnium
+through the territory of Sora, and Decius his through that of
+Sidicinum. As soon as they arrived at the frontiers of the enemy, both
+advanced briskly, spreading devastation wherever they came; but still
+they explore the country, to a distance beyond where the troops were
+employed in plundering. Accordingly the fact did not escape the notice
+of the Romans, that the enemy were drawn up in a retired valley, near
+Tifernum, which, when the Romans entered, they were preparing to
+attack them from the higher ground. Fabius, sending away his baggage
+to a place of safety, and setting a small guard over it, and having
+given notice to his soldiers that a battle was at hand, advanced in a
+square body to the hiding-place of the enemy already mentioned. The
+Samnites, disappointed in making an unexpected attack, determined on a
+regular engagement, as the matter was now likely to come to an open
+contest. They therefore marched out into the plain; and, with a
+greater share of spirit than of hopes, committed themselves to the
+disposal of fortune. However, whether in consequence of their having
+drawn together, from every state, the whole of the force which it
+possessed, or that the consideration of their all being at stake,
+heightened their courage, they occasioned, even in open fight, a
+considerable alarm. Fabius, when he saw that the enemy in no place
+gave way, ordered Marcus Fulvius and Marcus Valerius, military
+tribunes, with whom he hastened to the front, to go to the cavalry,
+and to exhort them, that, "if they remembered any instance wherein the
+public had received advantage from the service of the horsemen, they
+would, on that day, exert themselves to insure the invincible renown
+of that body; telling them that the enemy stood immovable against the
+efforts of the infantry, and the only hope remaining was in the charge
+of horse." He addressed particularly both these youths, and with the
+same cordiality, loading them with praises and promises. But
+considering that, in case that effort should also fail, it would be
+necessary to accomplish by stratagem what his strength could not
+effect; he ordered Scipio, one of his lieutenants-general, to draw
+off the spearmen of the first legion out of the line; to lead them
+round as secretly as possible to the nearest mountains; and, by an
+ascent concealed from view, to gain the heights, and show himself
+suddenly on the rear of the enemy. The cavalry, led on by the
+tribunes, rushing forward unexpectedly before the van, caused scarcely
+more confusion among the enemy than among their friends. The line of
+the Samnites stood firm against the furious onset of the squadrons; it
+neither could be driven from its ground, nor broken in any part. The
+cavalry, finding their attempts fruitless, withdrew from the fight,
+and retired behind the line of infantry. On this the enemies' courage
+increased, so that the Roman troops in the van would not have been
+able to support the contest, nor the force thus increasing by
+confidence in itself, had not the second line, by the consul's order,
+come up into the place of the first. These fresh troops checked the
+progress of the Samnites, who had now began to gain ground; and, at
+this seasonable juncture, their comrades appearing suddenly on the
+mountains, and raising a shout, occasioned in the Samnites a fear of
+greater danger than really threatened them; Fabius called out aloud
+that his colleague Decius was approaching; on which all the soldiers,
+elated with joy, repeated eagerly, that the other consul was come, the
+legions were arrived! This artifice, useful to the Romans, filled the
+Samnites with dismay and terror; terrified chiefly lest fatigued as
+they were, they should be overpowered by another army fresh and
+unhurt. As they dispersed themselves in their flight on every side,
+there was less effusion of blood than might have been expected,
+considering the completeness of the victory. There were three thousand
+four hundred slain, about eight hundred and thirty made prisoners, and
+twenty-three military standards taken.
+
+15. The Apulians would have joined their forces to the Samnites before
+this battle, had not the consul, Publius Decius, encamped in their
+neighbourhood at Maleventum; and, finding means to bring them to an
+engagement, put them to the rout. Here, likewise, there was more of
+flight than of bloodshed. Two thousand of the Apulians were slain; but
+Decius, despising such an enemy, led his legions into Samnium. There
+the two consular armies, overrunning every part of the country during
+the space of five months, laid it entirely waste. There were in
+Samnium forty-five places where Decius, and eighty-six where the other
+consul, encamped. Nor did they leave traces only of having been there,
+as ramparts and trenches, but other dreadful mementos of it--general
+desolation and regions depopulated. Fabius also took the city of
+Cimetra, where he made prisoners two thousand four hundred soldiers;
+and there were slain in the assault about four hundred and thirty.
+Going thence to Rome to preside at the elections, he used all
+expedition in despatching that business. All the first-called
+centuries voted Quintus Fabius consul. Appius Claudius was a
+candidate, a man of consular rank, daring and ambitious; and as he
+wished not more ardently for the attainment of that honour for
+himself, than he did that the patricians might recover the possession
+of both places in the consulship, he laboured, with all his own power,
+supported by that of the whole body of the nobility, to prevail on
+them to appoint him consul along with Quintus Fabius. To this Fabius
+objected, giving, at first, the same reasons which he had advanced the
+year before. The nobles then all gathered round his seat, and besought
+him to raise up the consulship out of the plebeian mire, and to
+restore both to the office itself, and to the patrician rank, their
+original dignity. Fabius then, procuring silence, allayed their warmth
+by a qualifying speech, declaring, that "he would have so managed, as
+to have received the names of two patricians, if he had seen an
+intention of appointing any other than himself to the consulship. As
+things now stood, he would not set so bad a precedent as to admit his
+own name among the candidates; such a proceeding being contrary to the
+laws." Whereupon Appius Claudius, and Lucius Volumnius, a plebeian,
+who had likewise been colleagues in that office before, were elected
+consuls. The nobility reproached Fabius for declining to act in
+conjunction with Appius Claudius, because he evidently excelled him in
+eloquence and political abilities.
+
+16. When the election was finished, the former consuls, their command
+being continued for six months, were ordered to prosecute the war in
+Samnium. Accordingly, during this next year also, in the consulate of
+Lucius Volumnius and Appius Claudius, Publius Decius, who had been
+left consul in Samnium by his colleague, in the character of
+proconsul, ceased not to spread devastation through all parts of that
+country; until, at last, he drove the army of the Samnites, which
+never dared to face him in the field, entirely out of the country.
+Thus expelled from home, they bent their route to Etruria; and,
+supposing that the business, which they had often in vain endeavoured
+to accomplish by embassies, might now be negotiated with more effect,
+when they were backed by such a powerful armed force, and could
+intermix terror with their entreaties, they demanded a meeting of the
+chiefs of Etruria: which being assembled, they set forth the great
+number of years during which they had waged war with the Romans, in
+the cause of liberty; "they had," they said, "tried to sustain, with
+their own strength, the weight of so great a war: they had also made
+trial of the support of the adjoining nations, which proved of little
+avail. When they were unable longer to maintain the conflict, they had
+sued the Roman people for peace; and had again taken up arms, because
+they felt peace was more grievous to those with servitude, than war to
+free men. That their one only hope remaining rested in the Etrurians.
+They knew that nation to be the most powerful in Italy, in respect of
+arms, men, and money; to have the Gauls their closest neighbours, born
+in the midst of war and arms, of furious courage, both from their
+natural temper, and particularly against the people of Rome, whom they
+boasted, without infringing the truth, of having made their prisoners,
+and of having ransomed for gold. If the Etrurians possessed the same
+spirit which formerly Porsena and their ancestors once had, there was
+nothing to prevent their obliging the Romans, driven from all the
+lands on this side of the Tiber, to fight for their own existence, and
+not for the intolerable dominion which they assumed over Italy. The
+Samnite army had come to them, in readiness for action, furnished with
+arms and pay, and were willing to follow that instant, even should
+they lead to the attack of the city of Rome itself."
+
+17. While they were engaged in these representations, and intriguing
+at Etruria, the operations of the Romans in their own territories
+distressed them severely. For Publius Decius, when he ascertained
+through his scouts the departure of the Samnite army, called a
+council, and there said, "Why do we ramble through the country,
+carrying the war from village to village? Why not attack the cities
+and fortified places? No army now guards Samnium. They have fled their
+country; they are gone into voluntary exile." The proposal being
+universally approved, he marched to attack Murgantia, a city of
+considerable strength; and so great was the ardour of the soldiers,
+resulting from their affection to their commander, and from their
+hopes of richer treasure than could be found in pillaging the country
+places, that in one day they took it by assault. Here, two thousand
+one hundred of the Samnites, making resistance, were surrounded and
+taken prisoners; and abundance of other spoil was captured. Decius,
+not choosing that the troops should be encumbered in their march with
+heavy baggage, ordered them to be called together, and said to them,
+"Do ye intend to rest satisfied with this single victory, and this
+booty? or do ye choose to cherish hopes proportioned to your bravery?
+All the cities of the Samnites, and the property left in them, are
+your own; since, after so often defeating their legions, ye have
+finally driven them out of the country. Sell those effects in your
+hands; and allure traders, by a prospect of profit, to follow you on
+your march. I will, from time to time, supply you with goods for sale.
+Let us go hence to the city of Romulea, where no greater labour, but
+greater gain awaits you." Having sold off the spoil, and warmly
+adopting the general's plan, they proceeded to Romulea. There, also,
+without works or engines, as soon as the battalions approached, the
+soldiers, deterred from the walls by no resistance, hastily applying
+ladders wherever was most convenient to each, they mounted the
+fortifications. The town was taken and plundered. Two thousand three
+hundred men were slain, six thousand taken prisoners, and the soldiers
+obtained abundance of spoil. This they were obliged to sell in like
+manner as the former; and, though no rest was allowed them, they
+proceeded, nevertheless, with the utmost alacrity to Ferentinum. But
+here they met a greater share both of difficulty and danger: the
+fortifications were defended with the utmost vigour, and the place was
+strongly fortified both by nature and art. However, the soldiers, now
+inured to plunder, overcame every obstacle. Three thousand of the
+enemy were killed round the walls, and the spoil was given to the
+troops. In some annals, the principal share of the honour of taking
+these cities is attributed to Maximus. They say that Murgantia was
+taken by Decius; Romulea and Ferentinum by Fabius. Some ascribe this
+honour to the new consuls: others not to both, but to one of these,
+Lucius Volumnius: that to him the province of Samnium had fallen.
+
+18. While things went on thus in Samnium, whoever it was that had the
+command and auspices, powerful combination, composed of many states,
+was formed in Etruria against the Romans, the chief promoter of which
+was Gellius Egnatius, a Samnite. Almost all the Etrurians had united
+in this war. The neighbouring states of Umbria were drawn in, as it
+were, by the contagion; and auxiliaries were procured from the Gauls
+for hire: all their several numbers assembled at the camp of the
+Samnites. When intelligence of this sudden commotion was received at
+Rome, after the consul, Lucius Volumnius, had already set out for
+Samnium, with the second and third legions, and fifteen thousand of
+the allies; it was, therefore, resolved, that Appius Claudius should,
+at the very earliest opportunity, go into Etruria. Two Roman legions
+followed him, the first and fourth, and twelve thousand allies; their
+camp was pitched at a small distance from the enemy. However,
+advantage was gained by his early arrival in this particular, that the
+awe of the Roman name kept in check some states of Etruria which were
+disposed to war, rather than from any judicious or successful
+enterprise achieved under the guidance of the consul. Several battles
+were fought, at times and places unfavourable, and increasing
+confidence rendered the enemy daily more formidable; so that matters
+came nearly to such a state, as that neither could the soldiers rely
+much on their leader, nor the leader on his soldiers. It appears in
+three several histories, that a letter was sent by the consul to call
+his colleague from Samnium. But I will not affirm what requires
+stronger proof, as that point was a matter of dispute between these
+two consuls of the Roman people, a second time associated in the same
+office; Appius denying that the letter was sent, and Volumnius
+affirming that he was called thither by a letter from Appius.
+Volumnius had, by this time, taken three forts in Samnium, in which
+three thousand of the enemy had been slain, and about half that number
+made prisoners; and, a sedition having been raised among the Lucanians
+by the plebeians and the more indigent of the people, he had, to the
+great satisfaction of the nobles, quelled it by sending thither
+Quintus Fabius, proconsul, with his own veteran army. He left to
+Decius the ravaging of the enemy's country; and proceeded with his
+troops into Etruria to his colleague; where, on his arrival, the whole
+army received him with joy. Appius, if he did not write the letter,
+being conscious of this, had, in my opinion, just ground of
+displeasure; but if he had actually stood in need of assistance, his
+disowning it, as he did, arose from an illiberal and ungrateful mind.
+For, on going out to receive him, when they had scarcely exchanged
+salutations, he said, "Is all well, Lucius Volumnius? How stand
+affairs in Samnium? What motive induced you to remove out of your
+province?" Volumnius answered, that "affairs in Samnium were in a
+prosperous state; and that he had come thither in compliance with the
+request in his letter. But, if that were a forged letter, and that
+there was no occasion for him in Etruria, he would instantly face
+about, and depart." "You may depart." replied the other; "no one
+detains you: for it is a perfect inconsistency, that when, perhaps,
+you are scarcely equal to the management of your own war, you should
+vaunt of coming hither to succour others." To this Volumnius rejoined,
+"May Hercules direct all for the best; for his part, he was better
+pleased that he had taken useless trouble, than that any conjuncture
+should have arisen which had made one consular army insufficient for
+Etruria."
+
+19. As the consuls were parting, the lieutenants-general and tribunes
+of Appius's army gathered round them. Some entreated their own general
+that he would not reject the voluntary offer of his colleague's
+assistance, which ought to have been solicited in the first instance:
+the greater number used their endeavours to stop Volumnius, beseeching
+him "not, through a peevish dispute with his colleague, to abandon the
+interest of the commonwealth; and represented to him, that in case any
+misfortune should happen, the blame would fall on the person who
+forsook the other, not on the one forsaken; that the state of affairs
+was such, that the credit and discredit of every success and failure
+in Etruria would be attributed to Lucius Volumnius: for no one would
+inquire, what were the words of Appius, but what the situation of the
+army. Appius indeed had dismissed him, but the commonwealth, and the
+army, required his stay. Let him only make trial of the inclinations
+of the soldiers." By such admonitions and entreaties they, in a
+manner, dragged the consuls, who almost resisted, to an assembly.
+There, longer discourses were made to the same purport, as had passed
+before in the presence of a few. And when Volumnius, who had the
+advantage of the argument, showed himself not deficient in oratory, in
+despite of the extraordinary eloquence of his colleague; Appius
+observed with a sneer, that "they ought to acknowledge themselves
+indebted to him, in having a consul who possessed eloquence also,
+instead of being dumb and speechless, when in their former consulate,
+particularly during the first months, he was not able so much as to
+open his lips; but now, in his harangues, even aspired after
+popularity." Volumnius replied, "How much more earnestly do I wish,
+that you had learned from me to act with spirit, than I from you to
+speak with elegance: that now he made a final proposal, which would
+determine, not which is the better orator, for that is not what the
+public wants, but which is the better commander. The provinces are
+Etruria and Samnium: that he might select which he preferred; that he,
+with his own army, will undertake to manage the business either in
+Etruria or in Samnium." The soldiers then, with loud clamours,
+requested that they would, in conjunction, carry on the war in
+Etruria; when Volumnius perceiving that it was the general wish, said,
+"Since I have been mistaken in apprehending my colleague's meaning, I
+will take care that there shall be no room for mistake with respect to
+the purport of your wishes. Signify by a shout whether you choose that
+I should stay or depart." On this, a shout was raised, so loud, that
+it brought the enemy out of their camp: they snatched up their arms,
+and marched down in order of battle. Volumnius likewise ordered the
+signal to be sounded, and the standard to be advanced from the camp.
+It is said that Appius hesitated, perceiving that, whether he fought
+or remained inactive, his colleague would have the victory; and that,
+afterwards, dreading lest his own legions also should follow
+Volumnius, he also gave the signal, at the earnest desire of his men.
+On neither side were the forces drawn up to advantage; for, on the
+one, Gellius Egnatius, the Samnite general, had gone out to forage
+with a few cohorts, and his men entered on the fight as the violence
+of their passions prompted, rather than under any directions or
+orders. On the other, the Roman armies neither marched out together,
+nor had time sufficient to form: Volumnius began to engage before
+Appius came up to the enemy, consequently the engagement commenced,
+their front in the battle being uneven; and by some accidental
+interchange of their usual opponents, the Etrurians fought against
+Volumnius; and the Samnites, after delaying some time on account of
+the absence of their general, against Appius. We are told that Appius,
+during the heat of the fight, raising his hands toward heaven, so as
+to be seen in the foremost ranks, prayed thus, "Bellona, if thou
+grantest us the victory this day, I vow to thee a temple." And that
+after this vow, as if inspirited by the goddess, he displayed a degree
+of courage equal to that of his colleague and of the troops. The
+generals performed every duty, and each of their armies exerted, with
+emulation, its utmost vigour, lest victory should commence on the
+other side. They therefore routed and put to flight the enemy, who
+were ill able to withstand a force so much superior to any with which
+they had been accustomed to contend: then pressing them as they gave
+ground, and pursuing them closely as they fled, they drove them into
+their camp. There, by the interposition of Gellius and his Samnite
+cohorts, the fight was renewed for a little time. But these being
+likewise soon dispersed, the camp was now stormed by the conquerors;
+and whilst Volumnius, in person, led his troops against one of the
+gates, Appius, frequently invoking Bellona the victorious, inflamed
+the courage of his men, they broke in through the rampart and
+trenches. The camp was taken and plundered, and an abundance of spoil
+was found, and given up to the soldiers. Of the enemy seven thousand
+three hundred were slain; and two thousand one hundred and twenty
+taken.
+
+20. While both the consuls, with the whole force of the Romans,
+pointed their exertions principally against the war in Etruria, a new
+army which arose in Samnium, with design to ravage the frontiers of
+the Roman empire, passed over through the country of the Vescians,
+into the Campanian and Falernian territories, and committed great
+depredations. Volumnius, as he was hastening back to Samnium, by
+forced marches, because the term for which Fabius and Decius had been
+continued in command was nearly expired, heard of this army of
+Samnites, and of the mischief which they had done in Campania;
+determining, therefore, to afford protection to the allies, he altered
+his route towards that quarter. When he arrived in the district of
+Gales, he found marks of their recent ravages; and the people of Gales
+informed him that the enemy carried with them such a quantity of
+spoil, that they could scarcely observe any order in their march: and
+that the commanders then directed publicly that the troops should go
+immediately to Samnium, and having deposited the booty there, that
+they should return to the business of the expedition, as they must not
+commit to the hazard of an engagement an army so heavily laden.
+Notwithstanding that this account carried every appearance of truth,
+he yet thought it necessary to obtain more certain information;
+accordingly he despatched some horsemen, to seize on some of the
+straggling marauders; from these he learned, on inquiry, that the
+enemy lay at the river Vulturnus; that they intended to remove thence
+at the third watch; and that their route was towards Samnium. On
+receiving this intelligence, which could be depended upon, he set out,
+and sat down at such a distance from the enemy, that his approach
+could not be discovered by his being too near them, and, at the same
+time, that he might surprise them, as they should be coming out of
+their camp. A long time before day, he drew nigh to their post, and
+sent persons, who understood the Oscan language, to discover how they
+were employed: these, mixing with the enemy, which they could easily
+do during the confusion in the night, found that the standards had
+gone out thinly attended; that the booty, and those appointed to guard
+it, were then setting out, a contemptible train; each busied about his
+own affairs, without any concert with the rest, or much regard to
+orders. This was judged the fittest time for the attack, and daylight
+was now approaching; he gave orders to sound the charge, and fell on
+the enemy as they were marching out. The Samnites being embarrassed
+with the spoil, and very few armed, some quickened their pace, and
+drove the prey before them; others halted, deliberating whether it
+would be safer to advance, or to return again to the camp; and while
+they hesitated, they were overtaken and cut off. The Romans had by
+this time passed over the rampart, and filled the camp with slaughter
+and confusion: the Samnite army, in addition to the disorder caused by
+the enemy, had their disorder increased by a sudden insurrection of
+their prisoners; some of whom, getting loose, set the rest at liberty,
+while others snatched the arms which were tied up among the baggage,
+and being intermixed with the troops, raised a tumult more terrible
+than the battle itself. They then performed a memorable exploit: for
+making an attack on Statius Minacius, the general, as he was passing
+between the ranks and encouraging his men; then, dispersing the
+horsemen who attended him, they gathered round himself, and dragged
+him, sitting on his horse, a prisoner to the Roman consul. By this
+movement the foremost battalions of the Samnites were brought back,
+and the battle, which seemed to have been already decided, was
+renewed: but they could not support it long. Six thousand of them were
+slain, and two thousand five hundred taken, among whom were four
+military tribunes, together with thirty standards, and, what gave the
+conquerors greater joy than all, seven thousand four hundred prisoners
+were recovered. The spoil which had been taken from the allies was
+immense, and the owners were summoned by a proclamation, to claim and
+receive then property. On the day appointed, all the effects, the
+owners of which did not appear, were given to the soldiers, who were
+obliged to sell them, in order that they might have nothing to think
+of but their duty.
+
+21. The depredations, committed on the lands of Campania, had
+occasioned a violent alarm at Rome, and it happened, that about the
+same time intelligence was brought from Litruria, that, after the
+departure of Volumnius's army, all that country had risen up in arms,
+and that Gellius Egnatius, the leader of the Samnites, was causing the
+Umbrians to join in the insurrection, and tempting the Gauls with high
+offers. Terrified at this news, the senate ordered the courts of
+justice to be shut, and a levy to be made of men of every description.
+Accordingly not only free-born men and the younger sort were obliged
+to enlist, but cohorts were formed of the elder citizens, and the sons
+of freed-men were incorporated in the centuries. Plans were formed for
+the defence of the city, and the praetor, Publius Sempronius, was
+invested with the chief command. However, the senate was exonerated of
+one half of their anxiety, by a letter from the consul, Lucius
+Volumnius informing them that the army, which had ravaged Campania,
+had been defeated and dispersed whereupon, they decreed a public
+thanksgiving for this success, in the name of the consul. The courts
+were opened, after having been shut eighteen days, and the
+thanksgiving was performed with much joy. They then turned their
+thoughts to devising measures for the future security of the country
+depopulated by the Samnites, and, with this view, it was resolved,
+that two colonies should be settled on the frontiers of the Vescian
+and Falernian territories, one at the mouth of the river Liris, which
+has received the name of Minturnae, the other in the Vescian forest,
+which borders on the Falernian territory, where, it is said, stood
+Sinope, a city of Grecians, called thenceforth by the Roman colonists
+Sinuessa. The plebeian tribunes were charged to procure an order of
+the commons, commanding Publius Sempronius, the praetor, to create
+triumphs for conducting the colonies to those places. But persons were
+not readily found to give in their names, because they considered that
+they were being sent into what was almost a perpetual advanced guard
+in a hostile country, not as a provision from concord between consuls,
+and the evils arising from their disagreement in the conduct of
+military affairs; at the same time remarking, "how near the extremity
+of danger matters had been brought, by the late dispute between his
+colleague and himself." He warmly recommended to Decius and Fabius to
+"live together with one mind and one spirit." Observed that "they were
+men qualified by nature for military command: great in action, but
+unpractised in the strife of words and eloquence; their talents were
+such as eminently became consuls. As to the artful and the ingenious
+lawyers and orators, such as Appius Claudius, they ought to be kept at
+home to preside in the city and the forum; and to be appointed
+praetors for the administration of justice." In these proceedings that
+day was spent, and, on the following, the elections both of consuls
+and praetor were held, and were guided by the recommendations
+suggested by the consul. Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius were chosen
+consuls; Appius Claudius, praetor; all of them absent; and, by a
+decree of the senate, followed by an order of the commons, Lucius
+Volumnius was continued in the command for another year.
+
+23. During that year many prodigies happened. For the purpose of
+averting which, the senate decreed a supplication for two days: the
+wine and frankincense for the sacrifices were furnished at the expense
+of the public; and numerous crowds of men and women attended the
+performance. This supplication was rendered remarkable by a quarrel,
+which broke out among the matrons in the chapel of patrician chastity,
+which stands in the cattle market, near the round temple of Hercules.
+Virginia, daughter of Aulus, a patrician, but married to Volumnius the
+consul, a plebeian, was, because she had married out of the
+patricians, excluded by the matrons from sharing in the sacred rites:
+a short altercation ensued, which was afterwards, through the
+intemperance of passion incident to the sex, kindled into a flame of
+contention. Virginia boasted with truth that she had a right to enter
+the temple of patrician chastity, as being of patrician birth, and
+chaste in her character, and, besides, the wife of one husband, to
+whom she was betrothed a virgin, and had no reason to be dissatisfied
+either with her husband, or his exploits or honours: to her
+high-spirited words, she added importance by an extraordinary act. In
+the long street where she resided, she enclosed with a partition a
+part of the house, of a size sufficient for a small chapel, and there
+erected an altar. Then calling together the plebeian matrons, and
+complaining of the injurious behaviour of the patrician ladies, she
+said, "This altar I dedicate to plebeian chastity, and exhort you,
+that the same degree of emulation which prevails among the men of this
+state, on the point of valour, may be maintained by the women on the
+point of chastity; and that you contribute your best care, that this
+altar may have the credit of being attended with a greater degree of
+sanctity, and by chaster women, than the other, if possible." Solemn
+rites were performed at this altar under the same regulations, nearly,
+with those at the more ancient one; no person being allowed the
+privilege of taking part in the sacrifices, except a woman of approved
+chastity, and who was the wife of one husband. This institution, being
+afterwards debased by [the admission of] vicious characters, and not
+only by matrons, but women of every description, sunk at last into
+oblivion. During this year the Ogulnii, Cneius and Quintus, being
+curule aediles, carried on prosecutions against several usurers; whose
+property being fined, out of the produce, which was deposited in the
+treasury, they ordered brazen thresholds for the Capitol, utensils of
+plate for three tables in the chapel of Jupiter, a statue of Jupiter
+in a chariot drawn by four horses placed on the roof, and images of
+the founders of the city in their infant state under the teats of the
+wolf, at the Ruminal fig-tree. They also paved with square stones the
+roads from the Capuan gate to the temple of Mars. By the plebeian
+aediles likewise, Lucius Aelius Paetus and Caius Fulvius Corvus, out
+of money levied as fines on farmers of the public pastures, whom they
+had convicted of malpractices, games were exhibited, and golden bowls
+were placed in the temple of Ceres.
+
+24. Then came into the consulship Quintus Fabius a fifth time, and
+Publius Decius a fourth. They had been colleagues from the censorship,
+and twice in the consulship, and were celebrated not more for their
+glorious achievements, splendid as these were, than for the unanimity
+which had ever subsisted between them. The continuance of this feeling
+I am inclined to think was interrupted by a jarring between the
+[opposite] orders rather than between themselves, the patricians
+endeavouring that Fabius should have Etruria for his province, without
+casting lots, and the plebeians insisting that Decius should bring the
+matter to the decision of lots. There was certainly a contention in
+the senate, and the interest of Fabius being superior there, the
+business was brought before the people. Here, between military men who
+laid greater stress on deeds than on words, the debate was short.
+Fabius said, "that it was unreasonable, after he had planted a tree,
+another should gather the fruit of it. He had opened the Ciminian
+forest, and made a way for the Roman arms, through passes until then
+impracticable. Why had they disturbed him, at that time of his life,
+if they intended to give the management of the war to another?" Then,
+in the way of a gentle reproof, he observed, that "instead of an
+associate in command, he had chosen an adversary; and that Decius
+thought it too much that their unanimity should last through three
+consulates." Declaring, in fine, that "he desired nothing further,
+than that, if they thought him qualified for the command in the
+province, they should send him thither. He had submitted to the
+judgment of the senate, and would now be governed by the authority of
+the people." Publius Decius complained of injustice in the senate; and
+asserted, that "the patricians had laboured, as long as possible, to
+exclude the plebeians from all access to the higher honours; and since
+merit, by its own intrinsic power, had prevailed so far, as that it
+should not, in any rank of men, be precluded from the attainment of
+honours, expedients were sought how not only the suffrages of the
+people, but even the decisions of fortune may be rendered ineffectual,
+and be converted to the aggrandizement of a few. All the consuls
+before him had disposed of the provinces by lots; now, the senate
+bestowed a province on Fabius without lots. If this was meant as a
+mark of honour, the merits of Fabius were so great towards the
+commonwealth, and towards himself in particular, that he would gladly
+second the advancement of his reputation, provided only its splendour
+could be increased without reflecting dishonour on himself. But who
+did not see, that, when a war of difficulty and danger, and out of the
+ordinary course, was committed to only that one consul, the other
+would be considered as useless and insignificant. Fabius gloried in
+his exploits performed in Etruria: Publius Decius wished for a like
+subject of glory, and perhaps would utterly extinguish that fire,
+which the other left smothered, in such a manner that it often broke
+out anew, in sudden conflagrations. In fine, honours and rewards he
+would concede to his colleague, out of respect to his age and
+dignified character: but when danger, when a vigorous struggle with an
+enemy was before them, he never did, nor ever would, willingly, give
+place. With respect to the present dispute, this much he would gain at
+all events, that a business, appertaining to the jurisdiction of the
+people, should be determined by an order of that people, and not
+complimented away by the senate. He prayed Jupiter, supremely good and
+great, and all the immortal gods, not to grant him an equal chance
+with his colleague, unless they intended to grant him equal ability
+and success, in the management of the war. It was certainly in its
+nature reasonable, in the example salutary, and concerned the
+reputation of the Roman people, that the consuls should be men of such
+abilities, that under either of them a war with Etruria could be well
+managed." Fabius, after requesting of the people nothing else than
+that, before the tribes were called in to give their votes, they would
+hear the letters of the praetor Appius Claudius, written from Etruria,
+withdrew from the Comitium, and with no less unanimity of the people
+than of the senate, the province of Etruria was decreed to him without
+having recourse to lots.
+
+25. Immediately almost all the younger citizens flocked together to
+the consul, and readily gave in their names; so strong was their
+desire of serving under such a commander. Seeing so great a multitude
+collected round him, he said, "My intention is to enlist only four
+thousand foot and six hundred horse: such of you as give in your names
+to-day and to-morrow, I will carry with me. I am more solicitous to
+bring home all my soldiers rich, than to employ a great multitude."
+Accordingly, with a competent number of men, who possessed greater
+hopes and confidence because a numerous army had not been required, he
+marched to the town of Aharna, from which the enemy were not far
+distant, and proceeded to the camp of the praetor Appius. When within
+a few miles of it, he was met by some soldiers, sent to cut wood,
+attended by a guard. Observing the lictors preceding him, and learning
+that he was Fabius the consul, they were filled with joy and alacrity;
+they expressed their thanks to the gods, and to the Roman people, for
+having sent them such a commander. Then as they gathered round to pay
+their respects, Fabius inquired whither they were going, and on their
+answering they were going to provide wood, "What do you tell me," said
+he, "have you not a rampart, raised about your camp?" When to this
+they replied, "they had a double rampart, and a trench, and,
+notwithstanding, were in great apprehension."
+
+"Well then," said he, "you have abundance of wood, go back and level
+the rampart." They accordingly returned to the camp and there
+levelling the rampart threw the soldiers who had remained in it, and
+Appius himself, into the greatest fright, until with eager joy each
+called out to the rest, that, "they acted by order of the consul,
+Quintus Fabius." Next day the camp was moved from thence, and the
+praetor, Appius, was dismissed to Rome. From that time the Romans had
+no fixed post, the consul affirming, that it was prejudicial to an
+army to lie in one spot, and that by frequent marches, and changing
+places, it was rendered more healthy, and more capable of brisk
+exertions, and marches were made as long as the winter, which was not
+yet ended, permitted. Then, in the beginning of spring, leaving the
+second legion near Clusium, which they formerly called the Camertian,
+and giving the command of the camp to Lucius Scipio, as propraetor, he
+returned to Rome, in order to adjust measures for carrying on the war,
+either led thereto by his own judgment, because the war seemed to him
+more serious than he had believed, from report, or, being summoned by
+a decree of the senate, for writers give both accounts. Some choose to
+have it believed, that he was forced back by the praetor, Appius
+Claudius, who, both in the senate, and before the people, exaggerated,
+as he was wont in all his letters, the danger of the Etrurian war,
+contending, that "one general, or one army, would not be sufficient to
+oppose four nations. That whether these directed the whole of their
+combined force against him alone, or acted separately in different
+parts, there was reason to fear, that he would be unable to provide
+against every emergency. That he had left there but two Roman legions;
+and that the foot and horse, who came with Fabius, did not amount to
+five thousand. It was, therefore, his opinion, that the consul,
+Publius Decius should, without delay, set out to his colleague in
+Etruria, and that the province of Samnium should be given to Lucius
+Volumnius. But if the consul preferred going to his own province, that
+then Volumnius should march a full consular army into Etruria, to join
+the other consul." When the advice of the praetor influenced a great
+part of the members, they say that Publius Decius recommended that
+every thing should be kept undetermined, and open for Quintus Fabius;
+until he should either come to Rome, if he could do so without
+prejudice to the public, or send some of his lieutenants, from whom
+the senate might learn the real state of the war in Etruria; and with
+what number of troops, and by how many generals, it should be carried
+on.
+
+26. Fabius, as soon as he returned to Rome, qualified his discourses,
+both in the senate and when brought before the people, in such a
+manner as to appear neither to exaggerate or lessen, any particular
+relating to the war; and to show, that, in agreeing to another general
+being joined with him, he rather indulged the apprehensions of others,
+than guarded against any danger to himself, or the public. "But if
+they chose," he said, "to give him an assistant in the war, and
+associate in command, how could he overlook Publius Decius the consul,
+whom he had tried during so many associations in office? There was no
+man living whom he would rather wish to be joined in commission with
+him: with Publius Decius he should have forces sufficient, and never
+too many enemies. If, however, his colleague preferred any other
+employment, let them then give him Lucius Volumnius as an assistant."
+The disposal of every particular was left entirely to Fabius by the
+people and the senate, and even by his colleague. And when Decius
+declared that he was ready to go either to Etruria or Samnium, such
+general congratulation and satisfaction took place, that victory was
+anticipated, and it seemed as if a triumph, not a war, had been
+decreed to the consuls. I find in some writers, that Fabius and
+Decius, immediately on their entering into office, set out together
+for Etruria, without any mention of the casting of lots for the
+provinces, or of the disputes which I have related. Others, not
+satisfied with relating those disputes, have added charges of
+misconduct, laid by Appius before the people against Fabius, when
+absent; and a stubborn opposition, maintained by the praetor against
+the consul, when present; and also another contention between the
+colleagues, Decius insisting that each consul should attend to the
+care of his own separate province. Certainty, however, begins to
+appear from the time when both consuls set out for the campaign. Now,
+before the consuls arrived in Etruria, the Senonian Gauls came in a
+vast body to Clusium, to attack the Roman legion and the camp. Scipio,
+who commanded the camp, wishing to remedy the deficiency of his
+numbers by an advantage in the ground, led his men up a hill, which
+stood between the camp and the city but having, in his haste,
+neglected to examine the place, he reached near the summit, which he
+found already possessed by the enemy, who had ascended on the other
+side. The legion was consequently attacked on the rear, and surrounded
+in the middle, when the enemy pressed it on all sides. Some writers
+say, that the whole were cut off, so that not one survived to give an
+account of it, and that no information of the misfortune reached the
+consuls, who were, at the time, not far from Clusium, until the Gallic
+horsemen came within sight, carrying the heads of the slain, some
+hanging before their horses' breasts, others on the points of their
+spears, and expressing their triumph in songs according to their
+custom. Others affirm, that the defeat was by Umbrians, not Gauls, and
+that the loss sustained was not so great. That a party of foragers,
+under Lucius Manlius Torquatus, lieutenant-general, being surrounded,
+Scipio, the propraetor, brought up relief from the camp, and the
+battle being renewed, that the Umbrians, lately victorious, were
+defeated, and the prisoners and spoil retaken. But it is more probable
+that this blow was suffered from a Gallic than an Umbrian enemy,
+because during that year, as was often the case at other times, the
+danger principally apprehended by the public, was that of a Gallic
+tumult, for which reason, notwithstanding that both the consuls had
+marched against the enemy, with four legions, and a large body of
+Roman cavalry, joined by a thousand chosen horsemen of Campania,
+supplied on the occasion, and a body of the allies and Latin
+confederates, superior in number to the Romans, two other armies were
+posted near the city, on the side facing Etruria, one in the
+Faliscian, the other in the Vatican territory. Cneius Fulvius and
+Lucius Postumius Megellus, both propraetors, were ordered to keep the
+troops stationed in those places.
+
+27. The consuls, having crossed the Apennines, came up with the enemy
+in the territory of Sentinum, their camp was pitched there at the
+distance of about four miles. Several councils were then held by the
+enemy, and their plan of operations was thus settled: that they should
+not encamp together, nor go out together to battle; the Gauls were
+united to the Samnites, the Umbrians to the Etrurians. The day of
+battle was fixed. The part of maintaining the fight was committed to
+the Samnites and Gauls; and the Etrurians and Umbrians were ordered to
+attack the Roman camp during the heat of the engagement. This plan was
+frustrated by three Clusian deserters, who came over by night to
+Fabius, and after disclosing the above designs, were sent back with
+presents, in order that they might discover, and bring intelligence
+of, any new scheme which should be determined on. The consuls then
+wrote to Flavius and Postumius to move their armies, the one from the
+Faliscian, the other from the Vatican country, towards Clusium; and to
+ruin the enemy's territory by every means in their power. The news of
+these depredations drew the Etrurians from Sentinum to protect their
+own region. The consuls, in their absence, practised every means to
+bring on an engagement. For two days they endeavoured, by several
+attacks, to provoke the enemy to fight; in which time, however,
+nothing worth mention was performed. A few fell on each side, but
+still the minds [of the Romans] were irritated to wish for a general
+engagement; yet nothing decisive was hazarded. On the third day, both
+parties marched out their whole force to the field: here, while the
+armies stood in order of battle, a hind, chased by a wolf from the
+mountains, ran through the plain between the two lines: there the
+animals taking different directions, the hind bent its course towards
+the Gauls, the wolf towards the Romans: way was made between the ranks
+for the wolf, the Gauls slew the hind with their javelins; on which
+one of the Roman soldiers in the van said, "To that side, where you
+see an animal, sacred to Diana, lying prostrate, flight and slaughter
+are directed; on this side the victorious wolf of Mars, safe and
+untouched, reminds us of our founder, and of our descent from that
+deity." The Gauls were posted on the right wing, the Samnites on the
+left: against the latter, Fabius drew up, as his right wing, the first
+and third legions: against the Gauls, Decius formed the left wing of
+the fifth and sixth. The second and fourth were employed in the war in
+Samnium, under the proconsul, Lucius Volumnius. In the first encounter
+the action was supported with strength so equal on both sides, that
+had the Etrurians and Umbrians been present, either in the field or at
+the camp, in whichever place they might have employed their force, the
+Romans must have been defeated.
+
+28. However, although the victory was still undecided, fortune not
+having declared in favour of either party, yet the course of the fight
+was by no means similar on both right and left wings. The Romans,
+under Fabius, rather repelled than offered assault, and the contest
+was protracted until very late in the day, for their general knew very
+well, that both Samnites and Gauls were furious in the first onset, so
+that, to withstand them would be sufficient. It was known, too, that
+in a protracted contest the spirits of the Samnites gradually flagged,
+and even the bodies of the Gauls, remarkably ill able to bear labour
+and heat, became quite relaxed, and although, in their first efforts,
+they were more than men, yet in their last they were less than women.
+He, therefore, reserved the strength of his men as unimpaired as
+possible, until the time when the enemy were the more likely to be
+worsted. Decius, more impetuous, as being in the prime of life and
+full flow of spirits, exerted whatever force he had to the utmost in
+the first encounter, and thinking the infantry not sufficiently
+energetic, brought up the cavalry to the fight. Putting himself at the
+head of a troop of young horsemen of distinguished bravery, he
+besought those youths, the flower of the army, to charge the enemy
+with him, [telling them] "they would reap a double share of glory, if
+the victory should commence on the left wing, and through their
+means." Twice they compelled the Gallic cavalry to give way. At the
+second charge, when they advanced farther and were briskly engaged in
+the midst of the enemy's squadrons, by a method of fighting new to
+them, they were thrown into dismay. A number of the enemy, mounted on
+chariots and cars, made towards them with such a prodigious clatter
+from the trampling of the cattle and rolling of wheels, as affrighted
+the horses of the Romans, unaccustomed to such tumultuous operations.
+By this means the victorious cavalry were dispersed, through a panic,
+and men and horses, in their headlong flight, were tumbled
+promiscuously on the ground. Hence also the battalions of the legions
+were thrown into disorder, through the impetuosity of the horses, and
+of the carriages which they dragged through the ranks, many of the
+soldiers in the van were trodden or bruised to death, while the Gallic
+line, as soon as they saw their enemy in confusion, pursued the
+advantage, nor allowed them time to take breath or recover themselves.
+Decius, calling aloud, "Whither were they flying, or what hope could
+they have in running away?" strove to stop them as they turned their
+backs, but finding that he could not, by any efforts, prevail on them
+to keep their posts, so thoroughly were they dismayed, he called on
+his father, Publius Decius, by name. He said, "Why do I any longer
+defer the fate entailed on my family? It is destined to our race, that
+we should serve as expiatory victims to avert the public danger. I
+will now offer the legions of the enemy, together with myself, to be
+immolated to Earth, and the infernal gods." Having thus said, he
+commanded Marcus Livius, a pontiff, whom, at his coming out to the
+field, he had charged not to stir from him, to dictate the form of
+words in which he was to devote himself, and the legions of the enemy,
+for the army of the Roman people, the Quirites. He was accordingly
+devoted with the same imprecations, and in the same habit, in which
+his father, Publius Decius, had ordered himself to be devoted at the
+Veseris in the Latin war. When, immediately after the solemn
+imprecation, he added, that "he drove before him dismay and flight,
+slaughter and blood, and the wrath of the gods celestial and infernal,
+that, with the contagious influence of the furies, the ministers of
+death, he would infect the standards, the weapons, and the armour of
+the enemy, and that the same spot should be that of his perdition, and
+that of the Gauls and Samnites." After uttering these execrations on
+himself and the foe, he spurred forward his horse, where he saw the
+line of the Gauls thickest, and, rushing upon the enemy's weapons, met
+his death.
+
+29. Thenceforward the battle seemed to be fought with a degree of
+force scarcely human. The Romans, on the loss of their general, a
+circumstance which, on other occasions, is wont to inspire terror,
+stopped their flight, and were anxious to begin the combat afresh. The
+Gauls, and especially the multitude which encircled the consul's body,
+as if deprived of reason, cast their javelins at random without
+execution, some became so stupid as not to think of either fighting or
+flying, while on the other side, Livius, the pontiff, to whom Decius
+had transferred his lictors, with orders to act as propraetor, cried
+out aloud, that "the Romans were victorious, being saved by the death
+of their consul. That the Gauls and Samnites were now the victims of
+mother Earth and the infernal gods. That Decius was summoning and
+dragging to himself the army devoted along with him, and that, among
+the enemy, all was full of dismay, and the vengeance of all the
+furies." While the soldiers were busy in restoring the fight, Lucius
+Cornelius Scipio and Caius Marcius, with some reserved troops from the
+rear, who had been sent by Quintus Fabius, the consul, to the support
+of his colleague, came up. There the fate of Decius is ascertained, a
+powerful stimulus to brave every danger in the cause of the public.
+Wherefore, when the Gauls stood in close order, with their shields
+formed into a fence before them, and but little prospect of success
+appeared from a close fight, the javelins, which lay scattered between
+the two lines, were, therefore, by order of the lieutenants-general,
+gathered up from the ground, and thrown against the enemy's shields,
+and as most of them pierced the fence, the long pointed ones even into
+their bodies, their compact band was overthrown in such a manner, that
+a great many, who were unhurt, yet fell as if thunderstruck. Such were
+the changes of fortune on the left wing of the Romans; on the right,
+Fabius had at first protracted the time, as we mentioned above, in
+slow operations, then, as soon as he perceived that neither the shout,
+nor the efforts of the enemy, nor the weapons which they threw,
+retained their former force, having ordered the commanders of the
+cavalry to lead round their squadrons to the flank of the Samnites, so
+that, on receiving the signal, they should charge them in flank, with
+all possible violence, he commanded, at the same time, his infantry to
+advance leisurely, and drive the enemy from their ground. When he saw
+that they were unable to make resistance, and that their exhaustion
+was certain, drawing together all his reserves, whom he had kept fresh
+for that occasion, he made a brisk push with the legions, and gave the
+cavalry the signal to charge. The Samnites could not support the
+shock, but fled precipitately to their camp, passing by the line of
+the Gauls, and leaving their allies to fight by themselves. These
+stood in close order under cover of their shields. Fabius, therefore,
+having heard of the death of his colleague, ordered the squadron of
+Campanian cavalry, in number about five hundred, to fall back from the
+ranks, and riding round, to attack the rear of the Gallic line, then
+the chief strength of the third legion to follow, with directions that
+wherever they should see the enemy's troops disordered by the charge,
+to follow the blow, and cut them to pieces, when in a state of
+consternation. After vowing a temple and the spoils of the enemy to
+Jupiter the Victorious, he proceeded to the camp of the Samnites,
+whither all their forces were hurrying in confusion. The gates not
+affording entrance to such very great numbers, those who were
+necessarily excluded, attempted resistance just at the foot of the
+rampart, and here fell Gellius Egnatius, the Samnite general. These,
+however, were soon driven within the rampart; the camp was taken after
+a slight resistance; and at the same time the Gauls were attacked on
+the rear, and overpowered. There were slain of the enemy on that day
+twenty-five thousand: eight thousand were taken prisoners. Nor was the
+victory an unbloody one; for, of the army of Publius Decius, the
+killed amounted to seven thousand; of the army of Fabius, to one
+thousand two hundred. Fabius, after sending persons to search for the
+body of his colleague, had the spoils of the enemy collected into a
+heap, and burned them as an offering to Jupiter the Victorious. The
+consul's body could not be found that day, being hid under a heap of
+slaughtered Gauls: on the following, it was discovered and brought to
+the camp, amidst abundance of tears shed by the soldiers. Fabius,
+discarding all concern about any other business, solemnized the
+obsequies of his colleague in the most honourable manner, passing on
+him the high encomiums which he had justly merited.
+
+30. During the same period, matters were managed successfully by
+Cneius Fulvius, propraetor, he having, besides the immense losses
+occasioned to the enemy by the devastation of their lands, fought a
+battle with extraordinary success, in which there were above three
+thousand of the Perusians and Clusians slain, and twenty military
+standards taken. The Samnites, in their flight, passing through the
+Pelignian territory, were attacked on all sides by the Pelignians;
+and, out of five thousand, one thousand were killed. The glory of the
+day on which they fought at Sentinum was great, even when truly
+estimated; but some have gone beyond credibility by their
+exaggerations, who assert in their writings, that there were in the
+army of the enemy forty thousand three hundred and thirty foot, six
+thousand horse, and one thousand chariots, that is, including the
+Etrurians and Umbrians, who [they affirm] were present in the
+engagement: and, to magnify likewise the number of Roman forces, they
+add to the consuls another general, Lucius Volumnius, proconsul, and
+his army to the legions of the consul. In the greater number of
+annals, that victory is ascribed entirely to the two consuls.
+Volumnius was employed in the mean time in Samnium; he drove the army
+of the Samnites to Mount Tifernus, and, not deterred by the difficulty
+of the ground, routed and dispersed them. Quintus Fabius, leaving
+Decius's army in Etruria, and leading off his own legions to the city,
+triumphed over the Gauls, Etrurians, and Samnites: the soldiers
+attended him in his triumph. The victory of Quintus Fabius was not
+more highly celebrated, in their coarse military verses, than the
+illustrious death of Publius Decius; and the memory of the father was
+recalled, whose fame had been equalled by the praiseworthy conduct of
+the son, in respect of the issue which resulted both to himself and to
+the public. Out of the spoil, donations were made to the soldiers of
+eighty-two _asses_ [Footnote: _5s. 31d._] to each, with
+cloaks and vests; rewards for service, in that age, by no means
+contemptible.
+
+31. Notwithstanding these successes, peace was not yet established,
+either among the Samnites or Etrurians: for the latter, at the
+instigation of the Perusians, resumed their arms, after his army had
+been withdrawn by the consul; and the Samnites made predatory
+incursions on the territories of Vescia and Formiae; and also on the
+other side, on those of Aesernia, and the parts adjacent to the river
+Vulturnus. Against these was sent the praetor Appius Claudius, with
+the army formerly commanded by Decius. In Etruria, Fabius, on the
+revival of hostilities, slew four thousand five hundred of the
+Perusians, and took prisoners one thousand seven hundred and forty,
+who were ransomed at the rate of three hundred and ten _asses_
+[Footnote: L1.] each. All the rest of the spoil was bestowed on the
+soldiers. The legions of the Samnites, though pursued, some by the
+praetor Appius Claudius, the others by Lucius Volumnius, proconsul,
+formed a junction in the country of the Stellatians. Here sat down the
+whole body of the Samnites; and Appius and Volumnius, with their
+forces united in one camp. A battle was fought with the most rancorous
+animosity, one party being spurred on by rage against men who had so
+often renewed their attacks on them, and the other now fighting in
+support of their last remaining hope. Accordingly, there were slain,
+of the Samnites, sixteen thousand three hundred, and two thousand and
+seven hundred made prisoners: of the Roman army fell two thousand and
+seven hundred. This year, so successful in the operations of war, was
+filled with distress at home, arising from a pestilence, and with
+anxiety, occasioned by prodigies: for accounts were received that, in
+many places, showers of earth had fallen; and that very many persons,
+in the army of Appius Claudius, had been struck by lightning; in
+consequence of which, the books were consulted. At this time, Quintus
+Fabius Gurges, the consul's son, having prosecuted some matrons before
+the people on a charge of adultery, built, with the money accruing
+from the fines which they were condemned to pay, the temple of Venus,
+which stands near the circus. Still we have the wars of the Samnites
+on our hands, notwithstanding that the relation of them has already
+extended, in one continued course, through four volumes of our
+history, and through a period of forty-six years, from the consulate
+of Marcus Valerius and Aulus Cornelius, who first carried the Roman
+arms into Samnium. And, not to recite the long train of disasters
+sustained by both nations, and the toils which they underwent, by
+which, however, their stubborn breasts could not be subdued; even in
+the course of the last year, the Samnites, with their own forces
+separately, and also in conjunction with those of other nations, had
+been defeated by four several armies, and four generals of the Romans,
+in the territory of Sentinum, in that of the Pelignians, at Tifernum,
+and in the plains of the Stellatians; had lost the general of the
+highest character in their nation; and, now, saw their allies in the
+war, the Etrurians, the Umbrians, and the Gauls, in the same situation
+with themselves; but, although they could now no longer stand, either
+by their own or by foreign resources, yet did they not desist from the
+prosecution of hostilities. So far were they from being weary of
+defending liberty, even though unsuccessfully: and they preferred
+being defeated to not aspiring after victory. Who does not find his
+patience tired, either in writing, or reading, of wars of such
+continuance; and which yet exhausted not the resolution of the parties
+concerned?
+
+32. Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius were succeeded in the consulship
+by Lucius Postumius Megellus and Marcus Atilius Regulus. The province
+of Samnium was decreed to both in conjunction; because intelligence
+had been received that the enemy had embodied three armies; with one
+that Etruria was to be recovered; with another the ravages in Campania
+were to be repeated; and the third was intended for the defence of
+their frontiers. Sickness detained Postumius at Rome, but Atilius set
+out immediately, with design to surprise the enemy in Samnium, before
+they should have advanced beyond their own borders; for such had been
+the directions of the senate. The Romans met the enemy, as if by
+mutual appointment, at a spot where, while they could be hindered, not
+only from ravaging, but even from entering the Samnite territory, they
+could likewise hinder the Samnites from continuing their progress into
+the countries which were quiet, and the lands of the allies of the
+Roman people. While their camps lay opposite to each other, the
+Samnites attempted an enterprise, which the Romans, so often their
+conquerors, would scarcely have ventured to undertake; such is the
+rashness inspired by extreme despair: this was to make an assault on
+the Roman camp. And although this attempt, so daring, succeeded not in
+its full extent, yet it was not without effect. There was a fog, which
+continued through a great part of the day, so thick as to exclude the
+light of the sun, and to prevent not only the view of any thing beyond
+the rampart, but scarcely the sight of each other, when they should
+meet. Depending on this, as a covering to the design, when the sun was
+scarcely yet risen, and the light which he did afford was obscured by
+the fog, the Samnites came up to an advanced guard of the Romans at
+one of the gates, who were standing carelessly on their post. In the
+sudden surprise, these had neither courage nor strength to make
+resistance: an assault was then made, through the Decuman gate, in the
+rear of the camp: the quaestor's quarters in consequence were taken,
+and the quaestor, Lucius Opimius Pansa, was there slain; on this a
+general alarm was given to take up arms.
+
+33. The consul, being roused by the tumult, ordered two cohorts of the
+allies, a Lucanian and Suessanian, which happened to be nearest, to
+defend the head-quarters, and led the companies of the legions down
+the principal street. These ran into the ranks, scarcely taking time
+to furnish themselves with arms; and, as they distinguished the enemy
+by their shout rather than by sight, could form no judgment how great
+their number might be: thus, ignorant of the circumstances of their
+situation, they at first drew back, and admitted the enemy into the
+heart of the camp. Then when the consul cried out, asking them,
+whether they intended to let themselves be beaten out beyond the
+rampart, and then to return again to storm their own camp, they raised
+the shout, and uniting their efforts, stood their ground; then made
+advances, pushed closely on the enemy, and having forced them to give
+way, drove them back, without suffering their first terror to abate.
+They soon beat them out beyond the gate and the rampart, but not
+daring to pursue them, because the darkness of the weather made them
+apprehend an ambush, and content with having cleared the camp, they
+retired within the rampart, having killed about three hundred of the
+enemy. Of the Romans, including the first advanced guard and the
+watchmen, and those who were surprised at the quaestor's quarters, two
+hundred and thirty perished. This not unsuccessful piece of boldness
+raised the spirits of the Samnites so high, that they not only did not
+suffer the Romans to march forward into their country, but even to
+procure forage from their lands; and the foragers were obliged to go
+back into the quiet country of Sora. News of these events being
+conveyed to Rome, with circumstances of alarm magnified beyond the
+truth, obliged Lucius Postumius, the consul, though scarcely recovered
+from his illness, to set out for the army. However, before his
+departure, having issued a proclamation that his troops should
+assemble at Sora, he dedicated the temple of Victory, for the building
+of which he had provided, when curule aedile, out of the money arising
+from fines; and, joining the army, he advanced from Sora towards
+Samnium, to the camp of his colleague. The Samnites, despairing of
+being able to make head against the two armies, retreated from thence,
+on which the consuls, separating, proceeded by different routes to lay
+waste the enemy's lands and besiege their towns.
+
+34. Postumius attempted to make himself master of Milionia, at first
+by storm and an assault; but these not succeeding, he carried his
+approaches to the walls, and thus gained an entrance into the place.
+The fight was continued in all parts of the city from the fourth hour
+until near the eighth, the result being a long time uncertain: the
+Romans at last gained possession of the town. Three thousand two
+hundred of the Samnites were killed, four thousand seven hundred
+taken, besides the other booty. From thence the legions were conducted
+to Ferentinum, out of which the inhabitants had, during the night,
+retired in silence through the opposite gate, with all their effects
+which could be either carried or driven. The consul, on his arrival,
+approached the walls with the same order and circumspection, as if he
+were to meet an opposition here equal to what he had experienced at
+Milionia. Then, perceiving a dead silence in the city, and neither
+arms nor men on the towers and ramparts, he restrains the soldiers,
+who were eager to mount the deserted fortifications, lest they might
+fall into a snare. He ordered two divisions of the confederate Latin
+horse to ride round the walls, and explore every particular. These
+horsemen observed one gate, and, at a little distance, another on the
+same side, standing wide open, and on the roads leading from these
+every mark of the enemy having fled by night. They then rode up
+leisurely to the gates, from whence, with perfect safety, they took a
+clear view through straight streets quite across the city. They report
+to the consul, that the city was abandoned by the enemy, as was plain
+from the solitude, the recent tracks on their retreat, and the things
+which, in the confusion of the night, they had left scattered up and
+down. On hearing this, the consul led round the army to that side of
+the city which had been examined, and making the troops halt at a
+little distance from the gate, gave orders that five horsemen should
+ride into the city; and when they should have advanced a good way into
+it, then, if they saw all things safe, three should remain there, and
+the other two return to him with intelligence. These returned and
+said, that they had proceeded to a part of the town from which they
+had a view on every side, and that nothing but silence and solitude
+reigned through the whole extent of it. The consul immediately led
+some light-armed cohorts into the city; ordering the rest to fortify
+a camp in the mean time. The soldiers who entered the town, breaking
+open the doors, found only a few persons, disabled by age or sickness;
+and such effects left behind as could not, without difficulty, be
+removed. These were seized as plunder: and it was discovered from the
+prisoners, that several cities in that quarter had, in pursuance of a
+concerted plan, resolved on flight; that their towns-people had gone
+off at the first watch, and they believed that the same solitude they
+should find in the other places. The accounts of the prisoners proved
+well-founded, and the consul took possession of the forsaken towns.
+
+35. The war was by no means so easy with the other consul, Marcus
+Atilius. As he was marching his legions towards Luceria, to which he
+was informed that the Samnites had laid siege, the enemy met him on
+the border of the Lucerian territory. Rage supplied them, on this
+occasion, with strength to equal his: the battle was stubbornly
+contested, and the victory doubtful; in the issue, however, more
+calamitous on the side of the Romans, both because they were
+unaccustomed to defeat, and that, on leaving the field, they felt more
+sensibly, than during the heat of the action, how much more wounds and
+bloodshed had been on their side. In consequence of this, such dismay
+spread through the camp, as, had it seized them during the engagement,
+a signal defeat would have been the result. Even as the matter stood,
+they spent the night in great anxiety; expecting, every instant, that
+the Samnites would assault the camp; or that, at the first light, they
+should be obliged to stand a battle with a victorious enemy. On the
+side of the enemy, however, although there was less loss, yet there
+was not greater courage. As soon as day appeared, they wished to
+retire without any more fighting; but there was only one road, and
+that leading close by the post of their enemy; on their taking which,
+they seemed as if advancing directly to attack the camp. The consul,
+therefore, ordered his men to take arms, and to follow him outside the
+rampart, giving directions to the lieutenants-general, tribunes, and
+the praefects of the allies, in what manner he would have each of them
+act. They all assured him that "they would do every thing in their
+power, but that the soldiers were quite dejected; that, from their own
+wounds, and the groans of the dying, they had passed the whole night
+without sleep; that if the enemy had approached the camp before day,
+so great were the fears of the troops, that they would certainly have
+deserted their standards." "Even at present they were restrained from
+flight merely by shame; and, in other respects, were little better
+than vanquished men." This account made the consul judge it necessary
+to go himself among the soldiers, and speak to them; and, as he came
+up to each, he rebuked them for their backwardness in taking arms,
+asking, "Why they loitered, and declined the fight? If they did not
+choose to go out of the camp, the enemy would come into it; and they
+must fight in defence of their tents, if they would not in defence of
+the rampart. Men who have arms in their hands, and contend with their
+foe, have always a chance for victory; but the man who waits naked and
+unarmed for his enemy, must suffer either death or slavery." To these
+reprimands and rebukes they answered, that "they were exhausted by the
+fatigue of the battle of yesterday; and had no strength, nor even
+blood remaining; and besides, the enemy appeared more numerous than
+they were the day before." The hostile army, in the mean time, drew
+near; so that, seeing every thing more distinctly as the distance grew
+less, they asserted that the Samnites carried with them pallisades for
+a rampart, and evidently intended to draw lines of circumvallation
+round the camp. On this the consul exclaimed, with great earnestness,
+against submitting to such an ignominious insult, and from so
+dastardly a foe. "Shall we even be blockaded," said he, "in our camp,
+and die, with ignominy, by famine, rather than bravely by the sword,
+if it must be so? May the gods be propitious! and let every one act in
+the manner which he thinks becomes him. The consul Marcus Atilius,
+should no other accompany him, will go out, even alone, to face the
+enemy; and will fall in the middle of the Samnite battalions, rather
+than see the Roman camp enclosed by their trenches." The
+lieutenants-general, tribunes, every troop of the cavalry, and the
+principal centurions, expressed their approbation of what the consul
+said; and the soldiers at length, overcome by shame, took up their
+arms, but in a spiritless manner; and in the same spiritless manner,
+marched out of the camp. In a long train, and that not every where
+connected, melancholy, and seemingly subdued, they proceeded towards
+the enemy, whose hopes and courage, were not more steady than theirs.
+As soon therefore as the Roman standards were beheld, a murmur spread
+from front to rear of the Samnites, that, as they had feared, "the
+Romans were coming out to oppose their march; that there was no road
+open, through which they could even fly thence; in that spot they must
+fall, or else cut down the enemy's ranks, and make their way over
+their bodies."
+
+36. They then threw the baggage in a heap in the centre, and, with
+their arms prepared for battle, formed their line, each falling into
+his post. There was now but a small interval between the two armies,
+and both stood, waiting until the shout and onset should be begun by
+their adversary. Neither party had any inclination to fight, and they
+would have separated, and taken different roads, unhurt and untouched,
+but that each had a dread of being harassed, in retreat, by the other.
+Notwithstanding this shyness and reluctance, an engagement unavoidably
+began, but spiritless, and with a shout which discovered neither
+resolution nor steadiness; nor did any move a foot from his post. The
+Roman consul, then, in order to infuse life into the action, ordered a
+few troops of cavalry to advance out of the line and charge: most of
+whom being thrown from their horses and the rest put in disorder,
+several parties ran forward, both from the Samnite line, to cut off
+those who had fallen, and from the Roman, to protect their friends. In
+consequence the battle became a little more brisk, but the Samnites
+had come forward with more briskness, and also in greater numbers, and
+the disordered cavalry, with their affrighted horses, trod down their
+own party who came to their relief. Flight commencing in this quarter,
+caused the whole Roman line to turn their backs. And now the Samnites
+had no employment for their arms but against the rear of a flying
+enemy, when the consul, galloping on before his men to the gate of the
+camp, posted there a body of cavalry, with orders to treat as an enemy
+any person who should make towards the rampart, whether Roman or
+Samnite; and, placing himself in the way of his men, as they pressed
+in disorder towards the camp, denounced threats to the same purport:
+"Whither are you going, soldiers?" said he; "here also you will find
+both men and arms; nor, while your consul lives, shall you pass the
+rampart, unless victorious. Choose therefore which you will prefer,
+fighting against your own countrymen, or the enemy." While the consul
+was thus speaking the cavalry gathered round, with the points of their
+spears presented, and ordered the infantry to return to the fight. Not
+only his own brave spirit, but fortune likewise aided the consul, for
+the Samnites did not push their advantage; so that he had time to
+wheel round his battalions, and to change his front from the camp
+towards the enemy. The men then began to encourage each other to
+return to the battle, while the centurions snatched the ensigns from
+the standard-bearers and bore them forward, pointing out to the
+soldiers the enemy, coming on in a hurry, few in number, and with
+their ranks disordered. At the same time the consul, with his hands
+lifted up towards heaven, and raising his voice so as to be heard at a
+distance, vowed a temple to Jupiter Stator, if the Roman army should
+rally from flight, and, renewing the battle, cut down and defeat the
+Samnites. All divisions of the army, now, united their efforts to
+restore the fight; officers, soldiers, the whole force, both of
+cavalry and infantry; even the powers of heaven seemed to have looked,
+with favour, on the Roman cause; so speedily was a thorough change
+effected in the fortune of the day, the enemy being repulsed from the
+camp, and, in a short time, driven back to the spot where the battle
+had commenced. Here they stopped, being obstructed by the heap of
+baggage, lying in their way, where they had thrown it together; and
+then, to prevent the plundering of their effects, formed round them a
+circle of troops. On this, the infantry assailed them vigorously in
+front, while the cavalry, wheeling, fell on their rear: and, being
+thus enclosed between the two, they were all either slain, or taken
+prisoners. The number of the prisoners was seven thousand two hundred,
+who were all sent under the yoke; the killed amounted to four thousand
+eight hundred. The victory did not prove a joyous one, even on the
+side of the Romans: when the consul took an account of the loss
+sustained in the two days, the number returned, of soldiers lost, was
+seven thousand three hundred. During these transactions in Apulia, the
+Samnites with the other army having attempted to seize on Iteramna, a
+Roman colony situated on the Latin road, did not however obtain the
+town; whence, after ravaging the country, as they were driving off
+spoil, consisting of men and cattle, together with the colonists whom
+they had taken, they met the consul returning victorious from Luceria,
+and not only lost their booty, but marching in disorder, in a long
+train, and heavily encumbered, were themselves cut to pieces. The
+consul, by proclamation, summoned the owners to Interamna, to claim
+and receive again their property, and leaving his army there, went to
+Rome to hold the elections. On his applying for a triumph, that honour
+was refused him, because he had lost so many thousands of his
+soldiers; and also, because he had sent the prisoners under the yoke
+without imposing any conditions.
+
+37. The other consul, Postumius, because there was no employment for
+his arms in Samnium, having led over his forces into Etruria, first
+laid waste the lands of the Volsinians; and afterwards, on their
+marching out to protect their country, gained a decisive victory over
+them, at a small distance from their own walls. Two thousand two
+hundred of the Etrurians were slain; the proximity of their city
+protected the rest. The army was then led into the territory of
+Rusella, and there, not only were the lands wasted, but the town
+itself taken. More than two thousand men were made prisoners, and
+somewhat less than that number killed on the walls. But a peace,
+effected that year in Etruria, was still more important and honourable
+than the war had been. Three very powerful cities, the chief ones of
+Etruria, (Volsinii, Perusia, and Arretium,) sued for peace; and having
+stipulated with the consul to furnish clothing and corn for his army,
+on condition of being permitted to send deputies to Rome, they
+obtained a truce for forty years, and a fine was imposed on each state
+of five hundred thousand _asses_,[Footnote: L1614. _11s
+8d_] to be immediately paid. When the consul demanded a triumph
+from the senate, in consideration of these services, rather to comply
+with the general practice, than in hope of succeeding; and when he saw
+that one party, his own personal enemies, another party, the friends
+of his colleague, refused him the triumph, the latter to console a
+similar refusal, some on the plea that he had been rather tardy in
+taking his departure from the city; others, that he had passed from
+Samnium into Etruria without orders from the senate; he said,
+"Conscript fathers, I shall not be so far mindful of your dignity, as
+to forget that I am consul. By the same right of office by which I
+conducted the war, I shall now have a triumph, when this war has been
+brought to a happy conclusion, Samnium and Etruria being subdued, and
+victory and peace procured. With these words he left the senate." On
+this arose a contention between the plebeian tribunes; some of them
+declaring that they would protest against his triumphing in a manner
+unprecedented; others, that they would support his pretensions, in
+opposition to their colleagues. The affair came at length to be
+discussed before the people, and the consul being summoned to attend,
+when he represented, that Marcus Horatius and Lucius Valerius, when
+consuls, and lately Caius Marcus Rutilus, father of the present
+censor, had triumphed, not by direction of the senate, but by that of
+the people; he then added that "he would in like manner have laid his
+request before the public, had he not known that some plebeian
+tribunes, the abject slaves of the nobles, would have obstructed the
+law. That the universal approbation and will of the people were and
+should be with him equivalent to any order whatsoever." Accordingly,
+on the day following, by the support of three plebeian tribunes, in
+opposition to the protest of the other seven, and the declared
+judgment of the senate, he triumphed; and the people paid every honour
+to the day. The historical accounts regarding this year are by no
+means consistent; Claudius asserts, that Postumius, after having taken
+several cities in Samnium, was defeated and put to flight in Apulia;
+and that, being wounded himself, he was driven, with a few attendants,
+into Luceria. That the war in Etruria was conducted by Atilius, and
+that it was he who triumphed. Fabius writes, that the two consuls
+acted in conjunction, both in Samnium and at Luceria; that an army was
+led over into Etruria, but by which of the consuls he has not
+mentioned; that at Luceria, great numbers were slain on both sides;
+and that in that battle, the temple of Jupiter Stator was vowed, the
+same vow having been formerly made by Romulus, but the fane only, that
+is, the area appropriated for the temple, had been yet consecrated.
+However, in this year, the state having been twice bound by the same
+vow, it became a matter of religious obligation that the senate should
+order the temple to be erected.
+
+38. In the next year, we find a consul, distinguished by the united
+splendour of his own and his father's glory, Lucius Papirius Cursor,
+as also a war of vast importance, and a victory of such consequence,
+as no man, excepting Lucius Papirius, the consul's father, had ever
+before obtained over the Samnites. It happened too that these had,
+with the same care and pains as on the former occasion, decorated
+their soldiers with the richest suits of splendid armour; and they
+had, likewise, called in to their aid the power of the gods, having,
+as it were, initiated the soldiers, by administering the military
+oath, with the solemn ceremonies practised in ancient times, and
+levied troops in every part of Samnium, under an ordinance entirely
+new, that "if any of the younger inhabitants should not attend the
+meeting, according to the general's proclamation, or shall depart
+without permission, his head should be devoted to Jupiter." Orders
+being then issued, for all to assemble at Aquilonia, the whole
+strength of Samnium came together, amounting to forty thousand men.
+There a piece of ground, in the middle of the camp, was enclosed with
+hurdles and boards, and covered overhead with linen cloth, the sides
+being all of an equal length, about two hundred feet. In this place
+sacrifices were performed, according to directions read out of an old
+linen book, the priest being a very old man, called Ovius Paccius, who
+affirmed, that he took these ceremonials from the ancient ritual of
+the Samnites, being the same which their ancestors used, when they had
+formed the secret design of wresting Capua from the Etrurians. When
+the sacrifices were finished, the general ordered a beadle to summon
+every one of those who were most highly distinguished by their birth
+or conduct: these were introduced singly. Besides the other
+exhibitions of the solemnity, calculated to impress the mind with
+religious awe, there were, in the middle of the covered enclosure,
+altars erected, about which lay the victims slain, and the centurions
+stood around with their swords drawn. The soldier was led up to the
+altars, rather like a victim, than a performer in the ceremony, and
+was bound by an oath not to divulge what he should see and hear in
+that place. He was then compelled to swear, in a dreadful kind of
+form, containing execrations on his own person, on his family and
+race, if he did not go to battle, whithersoever the commanders should
+lead; and, if either he himself fled from the field, or, in case he
+should see any other flying, did not immediately kill him. At first
+some, refusing to take the oath, were put to death round the altars,
+and lying among the carcasses of the victims, served afterwards as a
+warning to others not to refuse it. When those of the first rank in
+the Samnite nation had been bound under these solemnities, the general
+nominated ten, whom he desired to choose each a man, and so to proceed
+until they should have called up the number of sixteen thousand. This
+body, from the covering of the enclosure wherein the nobility had been
+thus devoted, was called the linen legion. They were furnished with
+splendid armour and plumed helmets, to distinguish them above the
+rest. They had another body of forces, amounting to somewhat more than
+twenty thousand, not inferior to the linen legion, either in personal
+appearance, or renown in war, or their equipment. This number,
+composing the main strength of the nation, sat down at Aquilonia.
+
+39. On the other side, the consuls set out from the city. First,
+Spurius Carvilius, to whom had been decreed the veteran legions, which
+Marcus Atilius, the consul of the preceding year, had left in the
+territory of Interamna, marched at their head into Samnium; and, while
+the enemy were busied in their superstitious rites, and holding their
+secret meeting, he took by storm the town of Amiternum. Here were
+slain about two thousand eight hundred men; and four thousand two
+hundred and seventy were made prisoners. Papirius, with a new army,
+which he raised in pursuance of a decree of the senate, made himself
+master of the city of Duronia. He took fewer prisoners than his
+colleague; but slew much greater numbers. Rich booty was acquired in
+both places. The consuls then, overrunning Samnium, and wasting the
+province of Atinum with particular severity, arrived, Carvilius at
+Cominium, and Papirius at Aquilonia, where the main force of the
+Samnites were posted. Here, for some time, there was neither a
+cessation of action, nor any vigorous effort. The day was generally
+spent in provoking the enemy when quiet, and retiring when they
+offered resistance; in menacing, rather than making an attack. By
+which practice of beginning, and then desisting, even those trifling
+skirmishes were continually left without a decision. The other Roman
+camp was twenty miles distant, and the advice of his absent colleague
+was appealed to on every thing which he undertook, while Carvilius, on
+his part, directed a greater share of his attention to Aquilonia,
+where the state of affairs was more critical and important, than to
+Cominium, which he himself was besieging. When Papirius had fully
+adjusted every measure, preparatory to an engagement, he despatched a
+message to his colleague, that "he intended, if the auspices
+permitted, to fight the enemy on the day following; and that it would
+be necessary that he (Carvilius) should at the same time make an
+assault on Cominium, with his utmost force, that the Samnites there
+might have no leisure to send any succour to Aquilonia." The messenger
+had the day for the performance of his journey, and he returned in the
+night, with an answer to the consul, that his colleague approved of
+the plan. Papirius, on sending off the messenger, had instantly called
+an assembly, where he descanted, at large, on the nature of the war in
+general, and on the present mode of equipment adopted by the enemy,
+which served for empty parade, rather than for any thing effectual
+towards insuring success; for "plumes," he said, "made no wounds; that
+a Roman javelin would make its way through shields, however painted
+and gilt; and that the army, refulgent from the whiteness of their
+tunics, would soon be besmeared with blood, when matters came to be
+managed with the sword. His father had formerly cut off, to a man, a
+gold and silver army of the Samnites; and such accoutrements had made
+a more respectable figure, as spoils, in the hands of the conquering
+foe, than as arms in those of the wearers. Perhaps it was allotted, by
+destiny, to his name and family, that they should be opposed in
+command against the most powerful efforts of the Samnites; and should
+bring home spoils, of such beauty, as to serve for ornaments to the
+public places. The immortal gods were certainly on his side, on
+account of the leagues so often solicited and so often broken.
+Besides, if a judgment might be formed of the sentiments of the
+deities, they never were more hostile to any army, than to that which,
+smeared with the blood of human beings mixed with that of cattle in
+their abominable sacrifice, doomed to the twofold resentment of the
+gods, dreading on the one hand the divinities, witnesses of the
+treaties concluded with the Romans, on the other hand the imprecations
+expressed in the oath sworn in contradiction to those treaties, swore
+with reluctance, abhorred the oath, and feared at once the gods, their
+countrymen, and their enemies."
+
+40. When the consul had recounted these particulars, ascertained from
+the information of the deserters, to the soldiers already enraged of
+themselves, they then, filled with confidence in both divine and human
+aid, with one universal shout, demanded the battle; were dissatisfied
+at the action being deferred to the following day; they are impatient
+under the intended delay of a day and a night. Papirius, at the third
+watch, having received his colleague's letter, arose in silence, and
+sent the keeper of the chickens to take the auspices. There was no one
+description of men in the camp who felt not earnest wishes for the
+fight: the highest and the lowest were equally eager; the general
+watching the ardour of the soldiers, and the soldiers that of the
+general. This universal zeal spread even to those employed in taking
+the auspices; for the chickens having refused to feed, the auspex
+ventured to misrepresent the omen, and reported to the consul that
+they had fed voraciously.[Footnote: When the auspices were to be
+taken from the chickens, the keeper threw some of them food upon the
+ground, in their sight, and opened the door of then coop. If they did
+not come out; if they came out slowly; if they refused to feed, or ate
+in a careless manner, the omen was considered as bad. On the contrary,
+if they rushed out hastily and ate greedily, so that some of the food
+fell from their mouths on the ground, this was considered as an omen
+of the best import; it was called _tripudium solistinum_,
+originally, _terripavium_, from _terra_, and _pavire_, to
+strike.] The consul, highly pleased, and giving notice that the
+auspices were excellent, and that they were to act under the direction
+of the gods, displayed the signal for battle. Just as he was going out
+to the field, he happened to receive intelligence from a deserter,
+that twenty cohorts of Samnites, consisting of about four hundred
+each, had marched towards Cominium. Lest his colleague should be
+ignorant of this, he instantly despatched a messenger to him, and then
+ordered the troops to advance with speed, having already assigned to
+each division of the army its proper post, and appointed general
+officers to command them. The command of the right wing he gave to
+Lucius Volumnius, that of the left to Lucius Scipio, that of the
+cavalry to the other lieutenants-general, Caius Caedicius and Caius
+Trebonius. He ordered Spurius Nautius to take off the panniers from
+the mules, and to lead them round quickly, together with his auxiliary
+cohorts, to a rising ground in view; and there to show himself during
+the heat of the engagement, and to raise as much dust as possible.
+While the general was employed in making these dispositions, a dispute
+arose among the keepers of the chickens, about the auspices of the
+day, which was overheard by some Roman horsemen, who, deeming it a
+matter not to be slighted, informed Spurius Papirius, the consul's
+nephew, that there was a doubt about the auspices. The youth, born in
+an age when that sort of learning which inculcates contempt of the
+gods was yet unknown, examined into the affair, that he might not
+carry an uncertain report to the consul; and then acquainted him with
+it. His answer was, "I very much applaud your conduct and zeal.
+However, the person who officiates in taking the auspices, if he makes
+a false report, draws on his own head the evil portended; but to the
+Roman people and their army, the favourable omen reported to me is an
+excellent auspice." He then commanded the centurions to place the
+keepers of the chickens in the front of the line. The Samnites
+likewise brought forward their standards; their main body followed,
+armed and decorated in such a manner, that the enemy afforded a
+magnificent show. Before the shout was raised, or the battle begun,
+the auspex, wounded by a random cast of a javelin, fell before the
+standards; which being told to the consul, he said, "The gods are
+present in the battle; the guilty has met his punishment." While the
+consul uttered these words, a crow, in front of him, cawed with a
+clear voice; at which augury, the consul being rejoiced, and
+affirming, that never had the gods interposed in a more striking
+manner in human affairs, ordered the charge to be sounded and the
+shout to be raised.
+
+41. A furious conflict now ensued, but with very unequal spirit [in
+the combatants]. Anger, hope, and ardour for conquest, hurried on the
+Romans to battle, thirsting for their enemy's blood; while the
+Samnites, for the most part reluctantly, as if compelled by necessity
+and religious dread, rather stood on their defence, than made an
+attack. Nor would they, familiarized as they were to defeats, through
+a course of so many years, have withstood the first shout and shock of
+the Romans, had not another fear, operating still more powerfully in
+their breasts, restrained them from flying. For they had before their
+eyes the whole scene exhibited at the secret sacrifice, the armed
+priests, the promiscuous carnage of men and cattle, the altars
+besmeared with the blood of victims and of their murdered countrymen,
+the dreadful curses, and the direful form of imprecation, drawn up for
+calling down perdition on their family and race. Prevented by these
+shackles from running away, they stood, more afraid of then countrymen
+than of the enemy. The Romans pushed on both the wings, and in the
+centre, and made great havoc among them, stupified as they were,
+through their fears of the gods and of men. A faint resistance is now
+made, as by men whom fear alone prevented from running away. The
+slaughter had now almost reached to their standards, when, on one
+side, appeared a cloud of dust, as if raised by the marching of a
+numerous army: it was Spurius Nautius, (some say Octavius Metius,)
+commander of the auxiliary cohorts: for these raised a greater
+quantity of dust than was proportioned to the number of men, the
+servants of the camp, mounted on the mules, trailing boughs of trees,
+full of leaves, along the ground. Through the light thus obscured,
+arms and standards were seen in front; behind, a higher and denser
+cloud of dust presented the appearance of horsemen bringing up the
+rear. This effectually deceived, not only the Samnites, but the Romans
+themselves: and the consul confirmed the mistake, by calling out among
+the foremost battalions, so that his voice reached also the enemy,
+that "Cominium was taken, and that his victorious colleague was
+approaching," bidding his men "now make haste to complete the defeat
+of the enemy, before the glory should fall to the share of the other
+army." This he said as he sat on horseback, and then ordered the
+tribunes and centurions to open passages for the horse. He had given
+previous directions to Trebonius and Caedicius, that, when they should
+see him waving the point of his spear aloft, they should incite the
+cavalry to charge the enemy with all possible violence. Every
+particular, as previously concerted, was executed with the utmost
+exactness. The passages were opened between the ranks, the cavalry
+darted through, and, with the points of their spears presented, rushed
+into the midst of the enemy's battalions, breaking down the ranks
+wherever they charged. Voluminius and Scipio seconded the blow, and
+taking advantage of the enemy's disorder, made a terrible slaughter.
+Thus attacked, the cohorts, called _linteatae_, regardless of all
+restraints from either gods or men, quitted their posts in confusion,
+the sworn and the unsworn all fled alike, no longer dreading aught but
+the enemies. The body of their infantry which survived the battle,
+were driven into the camp at Aquilonia. The nobility and cavalry
+directed their flight to Bovianum. The horse were pursued by the Roman
+horse, the infantry by their infantry, while the wings proceeded by
+different roads; the right, to the camp of the Samnites; the left to
+the city. Volumnius succeeded first in gaining possession of the camp.
+At the city, Scipio met a stouter resistance; not because the
+conquered troops there had gained courage, but because walls were a
+better defence against armed men than a rampart. From these they
+repelled the enemy with stones. Scipio, considering that unless the
+business were effected during their first panic, and before they could
+recover their spirits, the attack of so strong a town would be very
+tedious, asked his soldiers "if they could endure, without shame, that
+the other wing should already have taken the camp, and that they,
+after all their success, should be repulsed from the gates of the
+city?" Then, all of them loudly declaring their determination to the
+contrary, he himself advanced, the foremost, to the gate, with his
+shield raised over his head: the rest, following under the like cover
+of their shields conjoined, burst into the city, and dispersing the
+Samnites who were near the gate, took possession of the walls, but
+they ventured not to push forward into the interior of the city in
+consequence of the smallness of their number.
+
+42. Of these transactions the consul was for some time ignorant; and
+was busily employed in calling home his troops, for the sun was now
+hastening to set, and the approach of night rendered every place
+suspicious and dangerous, even to victorious troops. Having rode
+forward a considerable way, he saw on the right the camp taken, and
+heard on the left a shouting in the city, with a confused noise of
+fighting, and cries of terror. This happened while the fight was going
+on at the gate. When, on riding up nearer, he saw his own men on the
+walls, and so much progress already made in the business, pleased at
+having gained, through the precipitate conduct of a few, an
+opportunity of striking an important blow, he ordered the troops, whom
+he had sent back to the camp, to be called out, and to march to the
+attack of the city: these, having made good their entrance on the
+nearest side, proceeded no farther, because night approached. Before
+morning, however, the town was abandoned by the enemy. There were
+slain of the Samnites on that day, at Aquilonia, thirty thousand three
+hundred and forty; taken, three thousand eight hundred and seventy,
+with ninety-seven military standards. One circumstance, respecting
+Papirius, is particularly mentioned by historians: that, hardly ever
+was any general seen in the field with a more cheerful countenance;
+whether this was owing to his natural temper or to his confidence of
+success. From the same firmness of mind it proceeded, that he did not
+suffer himself to be diverted from the war by the dispute about the
+auspices; and that, in the heat of the battle, when it was customary
+to vow temples to the immortal gods, he vowed to Jupiter the
+victorious, that if he should defeat the legions of the enemy, he
+would, before he tasted of any generous liquor, make a libation to him
+of a cup of wine and honey. This kind of vow proved acceptable to the
+gods, and they conducted the auspices to a fortunate issue.
+
+43. Matters were conducted with the same success by the other consul
+at Cominium: leading up his forces to the walls, at the first dawn, he
+invested the city on every side, and posted strong guards opposite to
+the gates to prevent any sally being made. Just as he was giving the
+signal, the alarming message from his colleague, touching the march of
+the twenty Samnite cohorts, not only caused him to delay the assault,
+but obliged him to call off a part of his troops, when they were
+formed and ready to begin the attack. He ordered Decius Brutus Scaeva,
+a lieutenant-general, with the first legion, ten auxiliary cohorts,
+and the cavalry, to go and oppose the said detachment; and in whatever
+place he should meet the foe, there to stop and detain them, and even
+to engage in battle, should opportunity offer for it; at all events
+not to suffer those troops to approach Cominium. He then commanded the
+scaling ladders to be brought up to the walls, on every side of the
+city; and, under a fence of closed shields, advanced to the gates.
+Thus, at the same moment, the gates were broken open, and the assault
+made on every part of the walls. Though the Samnites, before they saw
+the assailants on the works, had possessed courage enough to oppose
+their approaches to the city, yet now, when the action was no longer
+carried on at a distance, nor with missile weapons, but in close
+fight; and when those, who had with difficulty gained the walls,
+having overcome the disadvantage of ground, which, they principally
+dreaded, fought with ease on equal ground, against an enemy inferior
+in strength, they all forsook the towers and walls, and being driven
+to the forum, they tried there for a short time, as a last effort, to
+retrieve the fortune of the fight; but soon throwing down their arms,
+surrendered to the consul, to the number of eleven thousand four
+hundred; four thousand three hundred and eighty were slain. Such was
+the course of events at Cominium, such at Aquilonia. In the middle
+space between the two cities, where a third battle had been expected,
+the enemy were not found; for, when they were within seven miles of
+Cominium, they were recalled by their countrymen, and had no part in
+either battle. At night-fall, when they were now within sight of their
+camp, and also of Aquilonia, shouts from both places reaching them
+with equal force induced them to halt; then, on the side of the camp,
+which had been set on fire by the Romans, the wide-spreading flames
+indicating with more certainty the disaster [which had happened],
+prevented their proceeding any farther. In that same spot, stretched
+on the ground at random under their arms, they passed the whole night
+in great inquietude, at one time wishing for, at another dreading the
+light. At the first dawn, while they were still undetermined to what
+quarter they should direct their march, they were obliged to betake
+themselves hastily to flight, being descried by the cavalry; who
+having gone in pursuit of the Samnites, that left the town in the
+night, saw the multitude unprotected either by a rampart or advanced
+guard. This party had likewise been perceived from the walls of
+Aquilonia, and the legionary cohorts now joined in the pursuit. The
+foot were unable to overtake them, but about two hundred and eighty of
+their rear guard were cut off by the cavalry. In their consternation
+they left behind them a great quantity of arms and eighteen military
+standards: they reached Bovianum with the rest of their party in
+safety, as far as could be expected after so disorderly a rout.
+
+44. The joy of both Roman armies was enhanced by the success achieved
+on the other side. Each consul, with the approbation of his colleague,
+gave to his soldiers the plunder of the town which he had taken; and,
+when the houses were cleared, set them on fire. Thus, on the same day,
+Aquilonia and Cominium were both reduced to ashes. The consuls then
+united their camps, where mutual congratulations took place between
+them and between their soldiers. Here, in the view of the two armies,
+Carvilius bestowed on his men commendations and presents according to
+the desert of each; and Papirius likewise, whose troops had been
+engaged in a variety of actions, in the field, in the assault of the
+camp, and in that of the city, presented Spurius Nautius, Spurius
+Papirius, his nephew, four centurions, and a company of the spearmen,
+with bracelets and crowns of gold:--to Nautius, on account of his
+behaviour at the head of his detachment, when he had terrified the
+enemy with the appearance as of a numerous army; to young Papirius, on
+account of his zealous exertions with the cavalry, both in the battle
+and in harassing the Samnites in their flight by night, when they
+withdrew privately from Aquilonia; and to the centurions and company
+of soldiers, because they were the first who gained possession of the
+gate and wall of that town. All the horsemen he presented with gorgets
+and bracelets of silver, on account of their distinguished conduct on
+many occasions. As the time was now come for withdrawing the army out
+of Samnium, the expediency was considered, as to whether they should
+withdraw both, or at least one. It was concluded, that the lower the
+strength of the Samnites was reduced, the greater perseverance and
+vigour ought to be used in prosecuting the war, so that Samnium might
+be given up to the succeeding consuls perfectly subjected. As there
+was now no army of the enemy which could be supposed capable of
+disputing the field, there remained one mode of operations, the
+besieging of the cities; by the destruction of which, they might be
+enabled to enrich their soldiers with the spoil; and, at the same
+time, utterly to destroy the enemy, reduced to the necessity of
+fighting, their all being at stake. The consuls, therefore, after
+despatching letters to the senate and people of Rome, containing
+accounts of the services which they had performed, led away their
+legions to different quarters; Papirius going to attack Saepioura,
+Carvilius to Volana.
+
+45. The letters of the consuls were heard with extraordinary
+exultation, both in the senate-house and in the assembly of the
+people; and, in a thanksgiving of four days' continuance, the public
+rejoicings were celebrated with zeal by individuals. These successes
+were not only important in themselves to the Roman people, but
+peculiarly seasonable; for it happened, that at the same time
+intelligence was brought that the Etrurians were again in arms. The
+reflection naturally occurred to people's minds, how it would have
+been possible, in case any misfortune had happened in Samnium, to have
+withstood the power of Etruria; which, being encouraged by the
+conspiracy of the Samnites, and seeing both the consuls, and the whole
+force of the Romans, employed against them, had made use of that
+juncture, in which the Romans had so much business on their hands, for
+reviving hostilities. Ambassadors from the allies, being introduced to
+the senate by the praetor Marcus Atilius, complained that their
+countries were wasted with fire and sword by the neighbouring
+Etrurians, because they had refused to revolt from the Romans; and
+they besought the conscript fathers to protect them from the violence
+and injustice of their common enemy. The ambassadors were answered,
+that "the senate would take care that the allies should not repent
+their fidelity." That the "Etrurians should shortly be in the same
+situation with the Samnites." Notwithstanding which, the business
+respecting Etruria would have been prosecuted with less vigour, had
+not information been received, that the Faliscians likewise, who had
+for many years lived in friendship with Rome, had united their arms
+with those of the Etrurians. The consideration of the near vicinity of
+that nation quickened the attention of the senate; insomuch that they
+passed a decree that heralds should be sent to demand satisfaction:
+which being refused, war was declared against the Faliscians by
+direction of the senate, and order of the people; and the consuls were
+desired to determine, by lots, which of them should lead an army from
+Samnium into Etruria. Carvilius had, in the mean time, taken from the
+Samnites Volana, Palumbinum, and Herculaneum; Volana after a siege of
+a few days, Palumbinum the same day on which he approached the walls.
+At Herculaneum, it is true, the consul had two regular engagements
+without any decisive advantage on either side, and with greater loss
+on his side than on that of the enemy; but afterwards, encamping on
+the spot, he shut them up within their works. The town was besieged
+and taken. In these three towns were taken or slain ten thousand men,
+of whom the prisoners composed somewhat the greater part. On the
+consuls casting lots for the provinces, Etruria fell to Carvilius, to
+the great satisfaction of the soldiers, who could no longer bear the
+intensity of the cold in Samnium. Papirius was opposed at Saepinum
+with a more powerful force: he had to fight often in pitched battles,
+often on a march, and often under the walls of the city, against the
+eruptions of the enemy; and could neither besiege, nor engage them on
+equal terms; for the Samnites not only protected themselves by walls,
+but likewise protected their walls with numbers of men and arms. At
+length, after a great deal of fighting, he forced them to submit to a
+regular siege. This he carried on with vigour, and made himself master
+of the city by means of his works, and by storm. The rage of the
+soldiers on this occasion caused the greatest slaughter in the taking
+of the town; seven thousand four hundred fell by the sword; the number
+of the prisoners did not amount to three thousand. The spoil, of which
+the quantity was very great, the whole substance of the Samnites being
+collected in a few cities, was given up to the soldiers.
+
+46. The snow had now entirely covered the face of the country, and
+they could no longer dispense with the shelter of houses: the consul
+therefore led home his troops from Samnium. While he was on his way to
+Rome, a triumph was decreed him with universal consent; and
+accordingly he triumphed while in office, and with extraordinary
+splendour, considering the circumstances of those times. The cavalry
+and infantry marched in the procession, adorned with presents. Great
+numbers of civic, vallar, and mural crowns were seen.[Footnote:
+These marks of honour were bestowed for having saved the lives of
+citizens, or for having been the first to mount walls or ramparts.]
+The spoils of the Samnites were inspected with much curiosity, and
+compared, in respect of magnificence and beauty, with those taken by
+his father, which were well known, from being frequently exhibited as
+ornaments of the public places. Several prisoners of distinction,
+renowned for their own exploits and those of their ancestors, were led
+in the cavalcade. There were carried in the train two millions and
+thirty-three thousand _asses_ in weight.[Footnote: L4940 13s.
+6d.] This money was said to be produced by the sale of the prisoners.
+Of silver, taken in the cities, one thousand three hundred and thirty
+pounds. All the silver and brass were lodged in the treasury, no share
+of this part of the spoil being given to the soldiers. The ill humour
+in the commons was further exasperated, because the tax for the
+payment of the army was collected by contribution; whereas, said they,
+if the vain parade of conveying the produce of the spoil to the
+treasury had been disregarded, donations might have been made to the
+soldiers out of the spoil, and the pay of the army also supplied out
+of that fund. The temple of Quirinus, vowed by his father when
+dictator, (for that he himself had vowed it in the heat of battle, I
+do not find in any ancient writer, nor indeed could he in so short a
+time have finished the building of it,) the son, in the office of
+consul, dedicated and adorned with military spoils. And of these, so
+great was the abundance, that not only that temple and the forum were
+decorated with them, but some were also distributed among the allies
+and colonies in the neighbourhood, to serve as ornaments to their
+temples and public places. Immediately after his triumph, he led his
+army into winter quarters in the territory of Vescia; because that
+country was harassed by the Samnites. Meanwhile, in Etruria, the
+consul Carvilius having set about laying siege to Troilium, suffered
+four hundred and seventy of the richest inhabitants to depart; they
+had paid a large sum of money for permission to leave the place: the
+town, with the remaining multitude, he took by storm. He afterwards
+reduced, by force, five forts strongly situated, wherein were slain
+two thousand four hundred of the enemy, and not quite two thousand
+made prisoners. To the Faliscians, who sued for peace, he granted a
+truce for a year, on condition of their furnishing a hundred thousand
+_asses_ in weight,[Footnote: L322 18s. 4d.] and that year's pay
+for his army. This business completed, he returned home to a triumph,
+which, though it was less illustrious than that of his colleague, in
+respect of his share in the defeat of the Samnites, was yet raised to
+an equality with it, by his having put a termination to the war in
+Etruria. He carried into the treasury three hundred and ninety
+thousand _asses_ in weight.[Footnote: L1259 7s. 6d.] Out of the
+remainder of the money accruing to the public from the spoils, he
+contracted for the building of a temple to Fors Fortuna, near to that
+dedicated to the same goddess by king Servius Tullius; and gave to the
+soldiers, out of the spoil, one hundred and two asses[3] each, and
+double that sum to the centurions and horsemen, who received this
+donative the more gratefully, on account of the parsimony of his
+colleague.
+
+47. The favour of the consul saved from a trial, before the people,
+Postumius; who, on a prosecution being commenced against him by Marcus
+Scantius, plebeian tribune, evaded, as was said, the jurisdiction of
+the people, by procuring the commission of lieutenant-general, so the
+indictment against him could only be held out as a threat, and not put
+in force. The The year having now elapsed, new plebeian tribunes had
+come unto office; and for these, in consequence of some irregularity
+on their appointments, others had been, within five days after,
+substituted in their room. The lustrum was closed this year by the
+censors Publius Cornelius Arvina and Caius Marcius Rutilus. The number
+of citizens rated was two hundred and sixty-two thousand three hundred
+and twenty-two. These were the twenty-sixth pair of censors since the
+first institution of that office; and this the nineteenth lustrum. In
+this year, persons who had been presented with crowns, in
+consideration of meritorious behaviour in war, first began to wear
+them at the exhibition of the Roman games. Then, for the first time,
+palms were conferred on the victors according to a custom introduced
+from Greece. In the same year the paving of the road from the temple
+of Mars to Bovillae was completed by the curule aediles, who exhibited
+those games out of fines levied on the farmers of the pastures. Lucius
+Papirius presided at the consular election, and returned consuls
+Quintus Fabius Gurges, son of Maximus, and Decius Junius Brutus
+Scaeva. Papirius himself was made praetor. This year, prosperous in
+many particulars, was scarcely sufficient to afford consolation for
+one calamity, a pestilence, which afflicted both the city and country:
+the mortality was prodigious. To discover what end, or what remedy,
+was appointed by the gods for that calamity, the books were consulted:
+in the books it was found that Aesculapius must be brought to Rome
+from Epidaurus. Nor were any steps taken that year in that matter,
+because the consuls were fully occupied in the war, except that a
+supplication was performed to Aesculapius for one day.
+
+[Here ten books of the original are lost, making a chasm of
+seventy-five years. The translator's object being to publish the work
+of Livy only, he has not thought it his duty to attempt to supply this
+deficiency, either by a compilation of his own, or by transcribing or
+translating those of others. The leader, however, who may be desirous
+of knowing the events which took place during this interval, will find
+as complete a detail of them as can now be given, in Hooke's or
+Rollin's Roman History. The contents of the lost books have been
+preserved, and are as follows--]
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XI.--[Y.R. 460. B.C. 292.] Fabius Gurges, consul, having fought
+an unsuccessful battle with the Samnites, the senate deliberate about
+dismissing him from the command of the army; are prevailed upon not to
+inflict that disgrace upon him, principally by the entreaties of his
+father, Fabius Maximus, and by his promising to join the army, and
+serve, in quality of lieutenant-general, under his son: which promise
+he performs, and the consul, aided by his counsel and co-operation,
+obtains a victory over the Samnites, and a triumph in consequence. C.
+Pontius, the general of the Samnites, led in triumph before the
+victor's carriage, and afterwards beheaded. A plague at Rome. [Y.R.
+461. B.C. 291.] Ambassadors sent to Epidaurus, to bring from thence to
+Rome the statue of Aesculapius: a serpent, of itself, goes on board
+their ship; supposing it to be the abode of the deity, they bring it
+with them; and, upon its quitting their vessel, and swimming to the
+island in the Tiber, they consecrate there a temple to Aesculapius. L.
+Postumius, a man of consular rank, condemned for employing the
+soldiers under his command in working upon his farm. [Y.R. 462. B.C.
+290] Curius Dentatus, consul, having subdued the Samnites, and the
+rebellious Sabines, triumphs twice during his year of office. [Y.R.
+463. B.C. 289.] The colonies of Castrum, Sena, and Adria, established.
+Three judges of capital crimes now first appointed. A census and
+lustrum: the number of citizens found to be two hundred and
+seventy-three thousand. After a long-continued sedition, on account of
+debts, the commons secede to the Janiculum: [Y.R. 466. B.C. 286.] are
+brought back by Hortensius, dictator, who dies in office. Successful
+operations against the Volsinians and Lucanians, [Y.R. 468. B.C. 284.]
+against whom it was thought expedient to send succour to the
+Thuringians.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XII.--[Y.R. 469. B.C. 283.] The Senonian Gauls having slain the
+Roman ambassadors, war is declared against them: they cut off L.
+Caecilius, praetor, with the legions under his command, [Y.R. 470.
+B.C. 282.] The Roman fleet plundered by the Tarentines, and the
+commander slain: ambassadors, sent to complain of this outrage, are
+ill-treated and sent back; whereupon war is declared against them. The
+Samnites revolt; against whom, together with the Lucanians, Bruttians,
+and Etruscans, several unsuccessful battles are fought by different
+generals. [Y.R. 471. B.C. 281.] Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, comes into
+Italy, to succour the Tarentines. A Campanian legion, sent, under the
+command of Decius Jubellius, to garrison Rhegium, murder the
+inhabitants, and seize the city.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XIII.--[Y.R. 472. B.C. 280.] Valerius Laevinus, consul, engages
+with Pyrrhus, and is beaten, his soldiers being terrified at the
+unusual appearance of elephants. After the battle, Pyrrhus, viewing
+the bodies of the Romans who were slain, remarks, that they all of
+them lay with their faces turned towards their enemy. He proceeds
+towards Rome, ravaging the country as he goes along. C. Fabricius is
+sent by the senate to treat for the redemption of the prisoners: the
+king, in vain, attempts to bribe him to desert his country. The
+prisoners restored without ransom. Cineas, ambassador from Pyrrhus to
+the senate, demands, as a condition of peace, that the king be
+admitted into the city of Rome: the consideration of which being
+deferred to a fuller meeting, Appius Claudius, who, on account of a
+disorder in his eyes, had not, for a long time, attended in the
+senate, comes there; moves, and carries his motion, that the demand of
+the king be refused. Cneius Domitius, the first plebeian censor, holds
+a lustrum; the number of the citizens found to be two hundred and
+seventy-eight thousand two hundred and twenty-two. A second, but
+undecided battle with Pyrrhus. [Y.R. 473. B.C. 279.] The treaty with
+the Carthaginians renewed a fourth time. An offer made to Fabricius,
+the consul, by a traitor, to poison Pyrrhus; [Y. R. 474. B. C. 278.]
+he sends him to the king, and discovers to him the treasonable offer.
+Successful operations against the Etruscans, Lucanians, Bruttians, and
+Samnites.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XIV.--Pyrrhus crosses over into Sicily. [Y. R. 475. B. C. 277.]
+Many prodigies, among which, the statue of Jupiter in the Capitol is
+struck by lightning, and thrown down. [Y. R. 476. B. C. 276.] The head
+of it afterwards found by the priests. Curius Dentatus, holding a
+levy, puts up to sale the goods of a person who refuses to answer to
+his name when called upon. [Y. R. 477. B. C. 275.] Pyrrhus, after his
+return from Sicily, is defeated, and compelled to quit Italy. The
+censors hold a lustrum, and find the number of the citizens to be two
+hundred and seventy-one thousand two hundred and twenty-four. [Y. R.
+479. B. c. 273.] A treaty of alliance formed with Ptolemy, king of
+Egypt. Sextilia, a vestal, found guilty of incest, and buried alive.
+Two colonies sent forth, to Posidonium and Cossa. [Y. R. 480. B. C.
+272.] A Carthaginian fleet sails, in aid of the Tarentines, by which
+act the treaty is violated. Successful operations against the
+Lucanians, Samnites, and Bruttians. Death of king Pyrrhus.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XV.--The Tarentines overcome: peace and freedom granted to them.
+[Y. R. 481. B. C. 271.] The Campanian legion, which had forcibly taken
+possession of Rhegium, besieged there; lay down their arms, and are
+punished with death. Some young men, who had ill-treated the
+ambassadors from the Apollonians to the senate of Rome, are delivered
+up to them. Peace granted to the Picentians. [Y. R. 484. B. C. 268.]
+Two colonies established; one at Ariminum in Picenum, another at
+Beneventum in Samnium. Silver coin now, for the first time, used by
+the Roman people. [Y. R. 485. B. C. 267.] The Umbrians and Sallentines
+subdued. The number of quaestors increased to eight.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XVI.--[Y. R. 488. B. C. 264.] Origin and progress of the
+Carthaginian state. After much debate, the senate resolves to succour
+the Mammertines against the Carthaginians, and against Hiero, king of
+Syracuse. Roman cavalry, then, for the first time, cross the sea, and
+engage successfully, in battle with Hiero; who solicits and obtains
+peace. [Y.R. 489. B.C. 263.] A lustrum: the number of the citizens
+amounts to two hundred and ninety-two thousand two hundred and
+twenty-four. D. Junius Brutus exhibits the first show of gladiators,
+in honour of his deceased father. [Y.R. 490. B.C. 262.] The Aesernian
+colony established. Successful operations against the Carthaginians
+and Vulsinians. [Y.R. 491. B.C. 261.]
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XVII.--[Y.R. 492. B.C. 260.] Cneius Cornelius, consul, surrounded
+by the Carthaginian fleet; and, being drawn into a conference by a
+stratagem, is taken. [Y.R. 493. B.C. 259.] C. Duilius, consul, engages
+with and vanquishes the Carthaginian fleet; is the first commander to
+whom a triumph was decreed for a naval victory; in honour of which, he
+is allowed, when returning to his habitation at night, to be attended
+with torches and music. L. Cornelius, consul, fights and subdues the
+Sardinians and Corsicans, together with Hanno, the Carthaginian
+general, in the island of Sardinia. [Y.R. 494. B.C. 258.] Atilius
+Calatinus, consul, drawn into an ambuscade by the Carthaginians, is
+rescued by the skill and valour of M. Calpurnius, a military tribune,
+who making a sudden attack upon the enemy, with a body of only three
+hundred men, turns their whole force against himself. [Y.R. 495. B.C.
+257.] Hannibal, the commander of the Carthaginian fleet which was
+beaten, is put to death by his soldiers.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XVIII.--[Y.R. 496. B.C. 256.] Attilius Regulus, consul, having
+overcome the Carthaginians in a sea-fight, passes over into Africa:
+kills a serpent of prodigious magnitude, with great loss of his own
+men. [Y.R. 497. B.C. 255.] The senate, on account of his successful
+conduct of the war, not appointing him a successor, he writes to them,
+complaining; and, among other reasons for desiring to be recalled,
+alledges, that his little farm, being all his subsistence, was going
+to ruin, owing to the mismanagement of hired stewards. [Y.R. 498. B.C.
+254.] A memorable instance of the instability of fortune exhibited in
+the person of Regulus, who is overcome in battle, and taken prisoner
+by Xanthippus, a Lacedaemonian general. [Y. R. 499. B. C. 253.] The
+Roman fleet shipwrecked; which disaster entirely reverses the good
+fortune which had hitherto attended their affairs. Titus Corucanius,
+the first high priest chosen from among the commons. [Y. R. 500. B. C.
+252.] P. Sempronius Sophus and M. Yalerius Maximus, censors, examine
+into the state of the senate, and expel thirteen of the members of
+that body. [Y. R. 501. B. C. 251.] They hold a lustrum, and find the
+number of citizens to be two hundred and ninety-seven thousand seven
+hundred and ninety-seven. [Y. R. 502. B. C. 250.] Regulus being sent
+by the Carthaginians to Rome to treat for peace, and an exchange of
+prisoners, binds himself by oath to return if these objects be not
+attained; dissuades the senate from agreeing to the propositions: and
+then, in observance of his oath, returning to Carthage, is put to
+death by torture.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XIX.--[Y. R. 502. B. C. 250.] C. Caecilius Metellus, having been
+successful in several engagements with the Carthaginians, triumphs
+with more splendour than had ever yet been seen; thirteen generals of
+the enemy, and one hundred and twenty elephants, being exhibited in
+the procession, [Y. R. 503. B. C. 249.] Claudius Pulcher, consul,
+obstinately persisting, notwithstanding the omens were inauspicious,
+engages the enemy's fleet, and is beaten; drowns the sacred chickens
+which would not feed: recalled by the senate, and ordered to nominate
+a dictator; he appoints Claudius Glicia, one of the lowest of the
+people, who, notwithstanding his being ordered to abdicate the office,
+yet attends the celebration of the public games in his dictator's
+robe. [Y. R. 504. B. C. 248.] Atilius Calatinus, the first dictator
+who marches with an army out of Italy. An exchange of prisoners with
+the Carthaginians. Two colonies established at Fregenae and Brundusium
+in the Sallentine territories. [Y. R. 505. B. C. 247.] A lustrum; the
+citizens numbered amount to two hundred and fifty-one thousand two
+hundred and twenty-two. [Y. R. 506. B. C. 246.] Claudia, the sister of
+Claudius, who had fought unsuccessfully, in contempt of the auspices,
+being pressed by the crowd, as she was returning from the game, cries
+out, _I wish my brother were alive and had again the command of the
+fleet_: for which offence she is tried and fined. [Y. R. 507. B. C.
+245.] Two praetors now first created. Aulus Postumius, consul, being
+priest of Mars, forcibly detained in the city by Caecilius Metellus,
+the high priest, and not suffered to go forth to war, being obliged by
+law to attend to the sacred duties of his office. [Y.R. 508. B.C.
+244.] After several successful engagements with the Carthaginians,
+Caius Lutatius, consul, puts an end to the war, [Y.R. 509. B.C. 243.]
+by gaining a complete victory over their fleet, at the island of
+Aegate. The Carthaginians sue for peace, which is granted to them.
+[Y.R. 510. B.C. 242.] The temple of Vesta being on fire, the high
+priest, Caecilius Metellus, saves the sacred utensils from the flames.
+[Y.R. 511. B.C. 241.] Two new tribes added, the Veline and Quirine.
+The Falisci rebel; are subdued in six days.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XX.--A colony settled at Spoletum. [Y.R. 512. B.C. 240.] An army
+sent against the Ligurians; being the first war with that state. The
+Sardinians and Corsicans rebel, and are subdued. [Y.R. 514. B.C. 238.]
+Tuccia, a vestal, found guilty of incest. War declared against the
+Illyrians, who had slain an ambassador; they are subdued and brought
+to submission. [Y.R. 515. B.C. 237.] The number of praetors increased
+to four. The Transalpine Gauls make an irruption into Italy: are
+conquered and put to the sword. [Y.R. 516. B.C. 236.] The Roman army,
+in conjunction with the Latins, is said to have amounted to no less
+than three hundred thousand men. [Y.R. 517. B.C. 235.] The Roman army
+for the first time crosses the Po; fights with and subdues the
+Insubrian Gauls. [Y.R. 530. B.C. 222.] Claudius Marcellus, consul,
+having slain Viridomarus, the general of the Insubrian Gauls, carries
+off the _spolia opima_. [Y.R. 531. B.C. 221.] The Istrians
+subdued; also the Illyrians, who had rebelled. [Y.R. 532. B.C. 220.]
+The censors hold a lustrum, in which the number of the citizens is
+found to be two hundred and seventy thousand two hundred and thirteen.
+The sons of freed-men formed into four tribes; the Esquiline,
+Palatine, Suburran, and Colline. [Y.R. 533. B.C. 219.] Caius
+Flaminius, censor, constructs the Flaminian road, and builds the
+Flaminian circus.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXI.
+
+
+_Origin of the second Punic war. Hannibal's character. In violation
+of a treaty, he passes the Iberus. Besieges Saguntum, and at length
+takes it. The Romans send ambassadors to Carthage; declare war.
+Hannibal crosses the Pyrenees: makes his way through Gaul; then
+crosses the Alps; defeats the Romans at the Ticinus. The Romans again
+defeated at the Trebia. Cneius Cornelius Scipio defeats the
+Carthaginians in Spain, and takes Hanno, their general, prisoner._
+
+1. I may be permitted to premise at this division of my work, what
+most historians [Footnote: Thucydides seems to be specially referred
+to.] have professed at the beginning of their whole undertaking; that
+I am about to relate the most memorable of all wars that were ever
+waged: the war which the Carthaginians, under the conduct of Hannibal,
+maintained with the Roman people. For never did any states and nations
+more efficient in their resources engage in contest; nor had they
+themselves at any other period so great a degree of power and energy.
+They brought into action too no arts of war unknown to each other, but
+those which had been tried in the first Punic war; and so various was
+the fortune of the conflict, and so doubtful the victory, that they
+who conquered were more exposed to danger. The hatred with which they
+fought also was almost greater than their resources; the Romans being
+indignant that the conquered aggressively took up arms against their
+victors; the Carthaginians, because they considered that in their
+subjection it had been lorded over them with haughtiness and avarice.
+There is besides a story, that Hannibal, when about nine years old,
+while he boyishly coaxed his father Hamilcar that he might be taken to
+Spain, (at the time when the African war was completed, and he was
+employed in sacrificing previously to transporting his army thither,)
+was conducted to the altar; and, having laid his hand on the
+offerings, was bound by an oath to prove himself, as soon as he could,
+an enemy to the Roman people. The loss of Sicily and Sardinia grieved
+the high spirit of Hamilcar: for he deemed that Sicily had been given
+up through a premature despair of their affairs; and that Sardinia,
+during the disturbances in Africa, had been treacherously taken by the
+Romans, while, in addition, the payment of a tribute had been imposed.
+
+2. Being disturbed with these anxieties, he so conducted himself for
+five years in the African war, which commenced shortly after the peace
+with Rome, and then through nine years employed in augmenting the
+Carthaginian empire in Spain, that it was obvious that he was
+revolving in his mind a greater war than he was then engaged in; and
+that if he had lived longer, the Carthaginians under Hamilcar would
+have carried the war into Italy, which, under the command of Hannibal,
+they afterwards did. The timely death of Hamilcar and the youth of
+Hannibal occasioned its delay. Hasdrubal, intervening between the
+father and the son, held the command for about eight years. He was
+first endeared to Hamilcar, as they say, on account of his youthful
+beauty, and then adopted by him, when advanced in age, as his
+son-in-law, on account of his eminent abilities; and, because he was
+his son-in-law, he obtained the supreme authority, against the wishes
+of the nobles, by the influence of the Barcine faction, [Footnote:
+The Barcine faction derived its name from Hamilcar, who was surnamed
+Barca. Hanno appears to have been at the head of the opposite party.]
+which was very powerful with the military and the populace.
+Prosecuting his designs rather by stratagem than force, by
+entertaining the princes, and by means of the friendship of their
+leaders, gaining the favour of unknown nations, he aggrandized the
+Carthaginian power, more than by arms and battles. Yet peace proved no
+greater security to himself. A barbarian, in resentment of his
+master's having been put to death by him, publicly murdered him; and,
+having been seized by the bystanders, he exhibited the same
+countenance as if he had escaped; nay, even when he was lacerated by
+tortures, he preserved such an expression of face, that he presented
+the appearance of one who smiled, his joy getting the better of his
+pains. With this Hasdrubal, because he possessed such wonderful skill
+in gaining over the nations and adding them to his empire, the Roman
+people had renewed the treaty, [Footnote: A. U. C. 526, thirteen
+years after the conclusion of the first Punic war, being the sixth
+treaty between the Carthaginians and Romans. The first was a
+commercial agreement made during the first consulate, in the year that
+the Tarquins were expelled from Rome; but is not mentioned by Livy.
+The second is noted by him, lib. vii. 27, and the third, lib. ix. 43.
+The fourth was concluded during the war with Pyrrhus and the
+Tarentines, Polyb. V. iii. 25: and the fifth was the memorable treaty
+at the close of the first war] on the terms, that the river Iberus
+should be the boundary of both empires; and that to the Saguntines,
+who lay between the territories of the two states, their liberty
+should be preserved.
+
+3. There was no doubt that in appointing a successor to Hasdrubal, the
+approbation of the commons would follow the military prerogative, by
+which the young Hannibal had been immediately carried to the
+praetorium, and hailed as general, amid the loud shouts and
+acquiescence of all. Hasdrubal had sent for him by letter, when scarce
+yet arrived at manhood; and the matter had even been discussed in the
+senate, the Barcine faction using all their efforts, that Hannibal
+might be trained to military service and succeed to his father's
+command. Hanno, the leader of the opposite faction, said, "Hasdrubal
+seems indeed to ask what is reasonable, but I, nevertheless, do not
+think his request ought to be granted." When he had attracted to
+himself the attention of all, through surprise at this ambiguous
+opinion, he proceeded: "Hasdrubal thinks that the flower of youth
+which he gave to the enjoyment of Hannibal's father, may justly be
+expected by himself in return from the son: but it would little become
+us to accustom our youth, in place of a military education, to the
+lustful ambition of the generals. Are we afraid that the son of
+Hamilcar should be too late in seeing the immoderate power and
+splendour of his father's sovereignty? or that we shall not soon
+enough become slaves to the son of him, to whose son-in-law our armies
+were bequeathed as an hereditary right? I am of opinion, that this
+youth should be kept at home, and taught, under the restraint of the
+laws and the authority of magistrates, to live on an equal footing
+with the rest of the citizens, lest at some time or other this small
+fire should kindle a vast conflagration."
+
+4. A few, and nearly every one of the highest merit, concurred with
+Hanno; but, as usually happens, the more numerous party prevailed over
+the better. Hannibal, having been sent into Spain, from his very first
+arrival drew the eyes of the whole army upon him. The veteran soldiers
+imagined that Hamilcar, in his youth, was restored to them; they
+remarked the same vigour in his looks and animation in his eye the
+same features and expression of countenance; and then, in a short
+time, he took care that his father should be of the least powerful
+consideration in conciliating their esteem. There never was a genius
+more fitted for the two most opposite duties of obeying and
+commanding; so that you could not easily decide whether he were dearer
+to the general or the army: and neither did Hasdrubal prefer giving
+the command to any other, when any thing was to be done with courage
+and activity; nor did the soldiers feel more confidence and boldness
+under any other leader. His fearlessness in encountering dangers, and
+his prudence when in the midst of them, were extreme. His body could
+not be exhausted, nor his mind subdued, by any toil. He could alike
+endure either heat or cold. The quantity of his food and drink was
+determined by the wants of nature, and not by pleasure. The seasons of
+his sleeping and waking were distinguished neither by day nor night.
+The time that remained after the transaction of business was given to
+repose; but that repose was neither invited by a soft bed nor by
+quiet. Many have seen him wrapped in a military cloak, lying on the
+ground amid the watches and outposts of the soldiers. His dress was
+not at all superior to that of his equals: his arms and his horses
+were conspicuous. He was at once by far the first of the cavalry and
+infantry; and, foremost to advance to the charge, was last to leave
+the engagement. Excessive vices counterbalanced these high virtues of
+the hero; inhuman cruelty, more than Punic perfidy, no truth, no
+reverence for things sacred, no fear of the gods, no respect for
+oaths, no sense of religion. With a character thus made up of virtue
+and vices, he served for three years under the command of Hasdrubal,
+without neglecting any thing which ought to be done or seen by one who
+was to become a great general.
+
+5. But from the day on which he was declared general, as if Italy had
+been decreed to him as his province, and the war with Rome committed
+to him, thinking there should be no delay, lest, while he
+procrastinated, some unexpected accident might defeat him, as had
+happened to his father, Hamilcar, and afterwards to Hasdrubal, he
+resolved to make war the Saguntines. As there could be no doubt that
+by attacking them the Romans would be excited to arms, he first led
+his army into the territory of the Olcades, a people beyond the
+Iberus, rather within the boundaries than under the dominion of the
+Carthaginians, so that he might not seem to have had the Saguntines
+for his object, but to have been drawn on to the war by the course of
+events; after the adjoining nations had been subdued, and by the
+progressive annexation of conquered territory. He storms and plunders
+Carteia, a wealthy city, the capital of that nation; at which the
+smaller states being dismayed, submitted to his command and to the
+imposition of a tribute. His army, triumphant and enriched with booty,
+was led into winter-quarters to New Carthage. Having there confirmed
+the attachment of all his countrymen and allies by a liberal division
+of the plunder, and by faithfully discharging the arrears of pay, the
+war was extended, in the beginning of spring, to the Vaccaei. The
+cities Hermandica and Arbocala were taken by storm. Arbocala was
+defended for a long time by the valour and number of its inhabitants.
+Those who escaped from Hermandica joining themselves to the exiles of
+the Olcades, a nation subdued the preceding summer, excite the
+Carpetani to arms; and having attacked Hannibal near the river Tagus,
+on his return from the Vaccaei, they threw into disorder his army
+encumbered with spoil. Hannibal avoided an engagement, and having
+pitched his camp on the bank, as soon as quiet and silence prevailed
+among the enemy, forded the river; and having removed his rampart so
+far that the enemy might have room to pass over, resolved to attack
+them in their passage. He commanded the cavalry to charge as soon as
+they should see them advanced into the water. He drew up the line of
+his infantry on the bank with forty elephants in front. The Carpetani,
+with the addition of the Olcades and Vaccaei amounted to a hundred
+thousand, an invincible army, were the fight to take place in the open
+plain. Being therefore both naturally ferocious and confiding in their
+numbers; and since they believed that the enemy had retired through
+fear thinking that victory was only delayed by the intervention of the
+river, they raise a shout, and in every direction, without the command
+of any one, dash into the stream, each where it nearest to him. At the
+same time, a heavy force of cavalry poured into the river from its
+opposite bank, and the engagement commenced in the middle of the
+channel on very unequal terms; for there the foot-soldier, having no
+secure footing, and scarcely trusting to the ford, could be borne down
+even by an unarmed horseman, by the mere shock of his horse urged at
+random; while the horseman, with the command of his body and his
+weapons, his horse moving steadily even through the middle of the
+eddies, could maintain the fight either at close quarters or at a
+distance. A great number were swallowed up by the current; some being
+carried by the whirlpools of the stream to the side of the enemy, were
+trodden down by the elephants; and whilst the last, for whom it was
+more safe to retreat to their own bank, were collecting together after
+their various alarms, Hannibal, before they could regain courage after
+such excessive consternation, having entered the river with his army
+in a close square, forced them to fly from the bank. Having then laid
+waste their territory, he received the submission of the Carpetani
+also within a few days. And now all the country beyond the Iberus,
+excepting that of the Saguntines, was under the power of the
+Carthaginians.
+
+6. As yet there was no war with the Saguntines, but already, in order
+to a war, the seeds of dissension were sown between them and their
+neighbours, particularly the Turetani, with whom when the same person
+sided who had originated the quarrel, and it was evident, not that a
+trial of the question of right, but violence, was his object,
+ambassadors were sent by the Saguntines to Rome to implore assistance
+in the war which now evidently threatened them. The consuls then at
+Rome were Publius Cornelius Scipio and Tiberius Sempronius Longus,
+who, after the ambassadors were introduced into the senate, having
+made a motion on the state of public affairs, it was resolved that
+envoys should be sent into Spain to inspect the circumstances of the
+allies; and if they saw good reason, both to warn Hannibal that he
+should refrain from the Saguntines, the allies of the Roman people,
+and to pass over into Africa to Carthage, and report the complaints of
+the allies of the Roman people. This embassy having been decreed but
+not yet despatched, the news arrived, more quickly than any one
+expected, that Saguntum was besieged. The business was then referred
+anew to the senate. And some, decreeing Spain and Africa as provinces
+for the consuls, thought the war should be maintained both by sea and
+land, while others wished to direct the whole hostilities against
+Spain and Hannibal. There were others again who thought that an affair
+of such importance should not be entered on rashly; and that the
+return of the ambassadors from Spain ought to be awaited. This
+opinion, which seemed the safest, prevailed; and Publius Valerius
+Flaccus, and Quintus Baebius Tamphilus, were, on that account, the
+more quickly despatched as ambassadors to Hannibal at Saguntum, and
+from thence to Carthage, if he did not desist from the war, to demand
+the general himself in atonement for the violation of the treaty.
+
+7. While the Romans thus prepare and deliberate, Saguntum was already
+besieged with the utmost vigour. That city, situated about a mile from
+the sea, was by far the most opulent beyond the Iberus. Its
+inhabitants are said to have been sprung from the island Zacynthus,
+and some of the Rutulian race from Ardea to have been also mixed with
+them; but they had risen in a short time to great wealth, either by
+their gains from the sea or the land, or by the increase of their
+numbers, or the integrity of their principles, by which they
+maintained their faith with their allies, even to their own
+destruction. Hannibal having entered their territory with a hostile
+army, and laid waste the country in every direction, attacks the city
+in three different quarters. There was an angle of the wall sloping
+down into a more level and open valley than the other space around;
+against this he resolved to move the vineae, by means of which the
+battering-ram might be brought up to the wall. But though the ground
+at a distance from the wall was sufficiently level for working the
+vineae, yet their undertakings by no means favourably succeeded, when
+they came to effect their object. Both a huge tower overlooked it, and
+the wall, as in a suspected place, was raised higher than in any other
+part; and a chosen band of youths presented a more vigorous
+resistance, where the greatest danger and labour were indicated. At
+first they repelled the enemy with missile weapons, and suffered no
+place to be sufficiently secure for those engaged in the works;
+afterwards, not only did they brandish their weapons in defence of the
+walls and tower, but they had courage to make sallies on the posts and
+works of the enemy; in which tumultuary engagements, scarcely more
+Saguntines than Carthaginians were slain. But when Hannibal himself,
+while he too incautiously approached the wall, fell severely wounded
+in the thigh by a javelin, such flight and dismay spread around, that
+the works and vineae had nearly been abandoned.
+
+8. For a few days after, while the general's wound was being cured,
+there was rather a blockade than a siege: during which time, though
+there was a respite from fighting, yet there was no intermission in
+the preparation of works and fortifications. Hostilities, therefore,
+broke out afresh with greater fury, and in more places, in some even
+where the ground scarcely admitted of the works, the vineae began to
+be moved forward, and the battering-ram to be advanced to the walls.
+The Carthaginian abounded in the numbers of his troops; for there is
+sufficient reason to believe that he had as many as a hundred and
+fifty thousand in arms. The townsmen began to be embarrassed, by
+having their attention multifariously divided, in order to maintain
+their several defences, and look to every thing; nor were they equal
+to the task, for the walls were now battered by the rams, and many
+parts of them were shattered. One part by continuous ruins left the
+city exposed; three successive towers and all the wall between them
+had fallen down with an immense crash, and the Carthaginians believed
+the town taken by that breach; through which, as if the wall had alike
+protected both, there was a rush from each side to the battle. There
+was nothing resembling the disorderly fighting which, in the storming
+of towns, is wont to be engaged in, on the opportunities of either
+party; but regular lines, as in an open plain, stood arrayed between
+the ruins of the walls and the buildings of the city, which lay but a
+slight distance from the walls. On the one side hope, on the other
+despair, inflamed their courage; the Carthaginian believing that, if a
+little additional effort were used, the city was his; the Saguntines
+opposing their bodies in defence of their native city deprived of its
+walls, and not a man retiring a step, lest he might admit the enemy
+into the place he deserted. The more keenly and closely, therefore,
+they fought on both sides, the more, on that account, were wounded, no
+weapon falling without effect amidst their arms and persons. There was
+used by the Saguntines a missile weapon, called falarica, with the
+shaft of fir, and round in other parts except towards the point,
+whence the iron projected: this part, which was square, as in the
+pilum, they bound around with tow, and besmeared with pitch. It had an
+iron head three feet in length, so that it could pierce through the
+body with the armour. But what caused the greatest fear was, that this
+weapon, even though it stuck in the shield and did not penetrate into
+the body, when it was discharged with the middle part on fire, and
+bore along a much greater flame, produced by the mere motion, obliged
+the armour to be thrown down, and exposed the soldier to succeeding
+blows.
+
+9. When the contest had for a long time continued doubtful, and the
+courage of the Saguntines had increased, because they had succeeded in
+their resistance beyond their hopes, while the Carthaginian, because
+he had not conquered, felt as vanquished, the townsmen suddenly set up
+a shout, and drive their enemies to the ruins of the wall; thence they
+force them, while embarrassed and disordered; and lastly, drove them
+back, routed and put to flight, to their camp. In the mean time it was
+announced that ambassadors had arrived from Rome; to meet whom
+messengers were sent to the sea-side by Hannibal, to tell them that
+they could not safely come to him through so many armed bands of
+savage tribes, and that Hannibal at such an important conjuncture had
+not leisure to listen to embassies. It was obvious that, if not
+admitted, they would immediately repair to Carthage: he therefore
+sends letters and messengers beforehand to the leaders of the Barcine
+faction, to prepare the minds of their partisans, so that the other
+party might not be able in any thing to give an advantage to the
+Romans.
+
+10. That embassy, therefore, excepting that the ambassadors were
+admitted and heard, proved likewise vain and fruitless. Hanno alone,
+in opposition to the rest of the senate, pleaded the cause of the
+treaty, amidst deep silence on account of his authority, and not from
+the approbation of the audience. He said: that he had admonished and
+forewarned them by the gods, the arbiters and witnesses of treaties,
+that they should not send the son of Hamilcar to the army; that the
+manes, that the offspring of that man could not rest in peace, nor
+ever, while any one of the Barcine name and blood survived, would the
+Roman treaties continue undisturbed. "You, supplying as it were fuel
+to the flame, have sent to your armies a youth burning with the desire
+of sovereign power, and seeing but one road to his object, if by
+exciting war after war, he may live surrounded by arms and legions.
+You have therefore fostered this fire, in which you now burn. Your
+armies invest Saguntum, whence they are forbidden by the treaty: ere
+long the Roman legions will invest Carthage, under the guidance of
+those gods through whose aid they revenged in the former war the
+infraction of the treaty. Are you unacquainted with the enemy, or with
+yourselves, or with the fortune of either nation? Your good general
+refused to admit into his camp ambassadors coming from allies and in
+behalf of allies, and set at nought the law of nations. They, however,
+after being there repulsed, where not even the ambassadors of enemies
+are prohibited admittance, come to you: they require restitution
+according to the treaty: let not guilt attach to the state, they
+demand to have delivered up to them the author of the transgression,
+the person who is chargeable with this offence. The more gently they
+proceed,--the slower they are to begin, the more unrelentingly, I
+fear, when they have once commenced, will they indulge resentment. Set
+before your eyes the islands Aegates and Eryx, all that for
+twenty-four years ye have suffered by land and sea. Nor was this boy
+the leader, but his father Hamilcar himself, a second Mars, as these
+people would have it: but we had not refrained from Tarentum, that is,
+from Italy, according to the treaty; as now we do not refrain from
+Saguntum. The gods and men have, therefore, prevailed over us; and as
+to that about which there was a dispute in words, whether of the two
+nations had infringed the treaty, the issue of the war, like an
+equitable judge, hath awarded the victory to the party on whose side
+justice stood. It is against Carthage that Hannibal is now moving his
+vineae and towers: it is the wall of Carthage that he is shaking with
+his battering-ram. The ruins of Saguntum (oh that I may prove a false
+prophet!) will fall on our heads; and the war commenced against the
+Saguntines must be continued against the Romans. Shall we, therefore,
+some one will say, deliver up Hannibal? In what relates to him I am
+aware that my authority is of little weight, on account of my enmity
+with his father. But I both rejoice that Hamilcar perished, for this
+reason, that, had he lived we should have now been engaged in a war
+with the Romans; and this youth, as the fury and firebrand of this
+war, I hate and detest. Nor ought he only to be given up in atonement
+for the violated treaty; but even though no one demanded him, he ought
+to be transported to the extremest shores of earth or sea, and
+banished to a distance, whence neither his name nor any tidings of him
+can reach us, and he be unable to disturb the peace of a tranquil
+state. I therefore give my opinion, that ambassadors be sent
+immediately to Rome to satisfy the senate; others to tell Hannibal to
+lead away his army from Saguntum, and to deliver up Hannibal himself,
+according to the treaty to the Romans; and I propose a third embassy
+to make restitution to the Saguntines."
+
+11. When Hanno had concluded, there was no occasion for any one to
+contend with him in debate, to such a decree were almost all the
+senators devoted to Hannibal; and they accused Hanno of having spoken
+with more malignity than Flaccus Valerius, the Roman ambassador. It
+was then said in answer to the Roman ambassadors, "that the war had
+been commenced by the Saguntines, not by Hannibal; and that the Roman
+people acted unjustly if they preferred the Saguntines to the most
+ancient [Footnote: Alluding to the first treaty made in the year
+that the kings were expelled from Rome.] alliance of the
+Carthaginians." Whilst the Romans waste time in sending embassies,
+Hannibal, because his soldiers were fatigued with the battles and the
+works, allowed them rest for a few days, parties being stationed to
+guard the vineae and other works. In the mean time he inflames their
+minds, now by inciting their anger against the enemy, now with the
+hope of reward. But when he declared before the assembled army, that
+the plunder of the captured city should be given to the soldiers, to
+such a degree were they all excited, that if the signal had been
+immediately given, it appeared that they could not have been resisted
+by any force. The Saguntines, as they had a respite from fighting,
+neither for some days attacking nor attacked, so they had not, by
+night or day, ever ceased from toiling, that they might repair anew
+the wall in the quarter where the town had been exposed by the breach.
+A still more desperate storming than the former then assailed them;
+nor whilst all quarters resounded with various clamours, could they
+satisfactorily know where first or principally they should lend
+assistance. Hannibal, as an encouragement, was present in person,
+where a movable tower, exceeding in height all the fortifications of
+the city, was urged forward. When being brought up it had cleared the
+walls of their defenders by means of the catapultae and ballistae
+ranged through all its stories, then Hannibal, thinking it a
+favourable opportunity, sends about five hundred Africans with
+pickaxes to undermine the wall: nor was the work difficult, since the
+unhewn stones were not fastened with lime, but filled in their
+interstices with clay, after the manner of ancient building. It fell,
+therefore, more extensively than it was struck, and through the open
+spaces of the ruins troops of armed men rushed into the city. They
+also obtain possession of a rising ground; and having collected
+thither catapultae and ballistae, so that they might have a fort in
+the city itself, commanding it like a citadel, they surround it with a
+wall: and the Saguntines raise an inner wall before the part of the
+city which was not yet taken. On both sides they exert the utmost
+vigour in fortifying and fighting: but the Saguntines, by erecting
+these inner defences, diminish daily the size of their city. At the
+same time, the want of all supplies increased through the length of
+the siege, and the expectation of foreign aid diminished, since the
+Romans, their only hope, were at such a distance, and all the country
+round was in the power of the enemy. The sudden departure of Hannibal
+against the Oretani and Carpetani [Footnote: The Carpetani have
+already been mentioned, chap. v. The Oretani, then neighbours,
+occupied the country lying between the sources of the Baetis and the
+Anas, or what are now called the Guadalquiver and Guadiana. In a part
+of Orospeda they deduced their name from a city called Oretum, the
+site of which has been brought to light in a paltry village to which
+the name of Oreto still remains.--_D'Anville_.] revived for a
+little their drooping spirits; which two nations, though, exasperated
+by the severity of the levy, they had occasioned, by detaining the
+commissaries, the fear of a revolt, having been suddenly checked by
+the quickness of Hannibal, laid down the arms they had taken up.
+
+12. Nor was the siege of Saguntum, in the mean time, less vigorously
+maintained; Maharbal, the son of Himilco, whom Hannibal had set over
+the army, carrying on operations so actively that neither the townsmen
+nor their enemies perceived that the general was away. He both engaged
+in several successful battles, and with three battering-rams overthrew
+a portion of the wall; and showed to Hannibal, on his arrival the
+ground all covered with fresh ruins. The army was therefore
+immediately led against the citadel itself, and a desperate combat was
+commenced with much slaughter on both sides, and part of the citadel
+was taken. The slight chance of a peace was then tried by two persons;
+Alcon a Saguntine, and Alorcus a Spaniard. Alcon, thinking he could
+effect something by entreaties, having passed over, without the
+knowledge of the Saguntines, to Hannibal by night, when his tears
+produced no effect, and harsh conditions were offered as from an
+exasperated conqueror, becoming a deserter instead of an advocate,
+remained with the enemy; affirming that the man would be put to death
+who should treat for peace on such terms. For it was required that
+they should make restitution to the Turdetani; and after delivering up
+all their gold and silver, departing from the city each with a single
+garment, should take up their dwelling where the Carthaginian should
+direct. Alcon having denied that the Saguntines would accept such
+terms of peace, Alorcus, asserting that when all else is subdued, the
+mind becomes subdued, offers himself as the proposer of that peace.
+Now at that time he was a soldier of Hannibal's, but publicly the
+friend and host of the Saguntines. Having openly delivered his weapon
+to the guards of the enemy and passed the fortifications, he was
+conducted, as he had himself requested, to the Saguntine praetor;
+whither when there was immediately a general rush of every description
+of people, the rest of the multitude being removed, an audience of the
+senate is given to Alorcus; whose speech was to the following effect:
+
+13. "If your citizen Alcon, as he came to implore a peace from
+Hannibal, had in like manner brought back to you the terms of peace
+proposed by Hannibal, this journey of mine would have been
+unnecessary; by which circumstance I should not have had to come to
+you as the legate of Hannibal, nor as a deserter. Since he has
+remained with your enemies, either through your fault or his own,
+(through his own, if he counterfeited fear; through yours, if among
+you there be danger to those who tell the truth,) that you may not be
+ignorant that there are some terms of safety and peace for you, I have
+come to you in consideration of the ancient ties of hospitality which
+subsist between us. But that I speak what I address to you for your
+sake and that of no other, let even this be the proof: that neither
+while you resisted with your own strength, nor while you expected
+assistance from the Romans, did I ever make any mention of peace to
+you. But now, after you have neither any hope from the Romans, nor
+your own arms nor walls sufficiently defend you, I bring to you a
+peace rather necessary than just: of effecting which there is thus
+some hope, if, as Hannibal offers it in the spirit of a conqueror, you
+listen to it as vanquished; if you will consider not what is taken
+from you as loss, (since all belongs to the conqueror,) but whatever
+is left as a gift. He takes away from you your city, which, already
+for the greater part in ruins, he has almost wholly in his possession;
+he leaves you your territory, intending to mark out a place in which
+you may build a new town; he commands that all the gold and silver,
+both public and private, shall be brought to him; he preserves
+inviolate your persons and those of your wives and children, provided
+you are willing to depart from Saguntum, unarmed, each with two
+garments. These terms a victorious enemy dictates. These, though harsh
+and grievous, your condition commends to you. Indeed I do not despair,
+when the power of every thing is given him, that he will remit
+something from these terms. But even these I think you ought rather to
+endure, than suffer, by the rights of war, yourselves to be
+slaughtered, your wives and children to be ravished and dragged into
+captivity before your faces."
+
+14. When an assembly of the people, by the gradual crowding round of
+the multitude, had mingled with the senate to hear these proposals,
+the chief men suddenly withdrawing before an answer was returned, and
+throwing all the gold and silver collected, both from public and
+private stores, into a fire hastily kindled for that purpose, the
+greater part flung themselves also into it. When the dismay and
+agitation produced by this deed had pervaded the whole city, another
+noise was heard in addition from the citadel. A tower, long battered,
+had fallen down; and when a Carthaginian cohort, rushing through the
+breach, had made a signal to the general that the city was destitute
+of the usual outposts and guards, Hannibal, thinking that there ought
+to be no delay at such an opportunity, having attacked the city with
+his whole forces, took it in a moment, command being given that all
+the adults should be put to death; which command, though cruel, was
+proved in the issue to have been almost necessary. For to whom of
+those men could mercy have been shown, who, either shut up with their
+wives and children, burned their houses over their own heads, or
+abroad in arms made no end of fighting, except in death.
+
+15. The town was taken, with immense spoil. Though the greater part of
+the goods had been purposely damaged by their owners, and resentment
+had made scarce any distinction of age in the massacre, and the
+captives were the booty of the soldiers; still it appears that some
+money was raised from the price of the effects that were sold, and
+that much costly furniture and garments were sent to Carthage. Some
+have written that Saguntum was taken in the eighth month after it
+began to be besieged; that Hannibal then retired to New Carthage, into
+winter quarters; and that in the fifth month after he had set out from
+Carthage he arrived in Italy. If this be so, it was impossible that
+Publius Cornelius and Tiberius Sempronius could have been consuls, to
+whom both at the beginning of the siege the Saguntine ambassadors were
+despatched, and who, during their office, fought with Hannibal; the
+one at the river Ticinus, and both some time after at the Trebia.
+Either all these events took place in a somewhat shorter period, or
+Saguntum was not begun to be besieged, but taken at the beginning of
+the year in which Publius Cornelius and Tiberius Sempronius were
+consuls. For the battle at Trebia could not have been so late as the
+year of Cneius Servilius and Caius Flaminius, since Flaminius entered
+on the office at Ariminum, having been created by the consul Tiberius
+Sempronius; who, having repaired to Rome after the battle at Trebia
+for the purpose of creating consuls, returned when the election was
+finished to the army into winter quarters.
+
+16. Nearly about the same time, both the ambassadors who had returned
+from Carthage brought intelligence to Rome that all appearances were
+hostile, and the destruction of Saguntum was announced. Then such
+grief, and pity for allies so undeservingly destroyed, and shame that
+aid was withheld, and rage against the Carthaginians, and fear for the
+issue of events, as if the enemy were already at the gates, took at
+once possession of the senators, that their minds, disturbed by so
+many simultaneous emotions, trembled with fear rather than
+deliberated. For they considered that neither had a more spirited or
+warlike enemy ever encountered them nor had the Roman state been ever
+so sunk in sloth, and unfit for war: that the Sardinians, the
+Corsicans, the Istrians, and the Illyrians, had rather kept in a state
+of excitement than exercised the Roman arms; and with the Gauls it had
+been more properly a tumult than a war. That the Carthaginian, a
+veteran enemy, ever victorious during the hardest service for
+twenty-three years among the tribes of Spain, first trained to war
+under Hamilcar, then Hasdrubal, now Hannibal, a most active leader,
+and fresh from the destruction of a most opulent city, was passing the
+Iberus; that along with them he was bringing the numerous tribes of
+Spain, already aroused, and was about to excite the nations of Gaul,
+ever desirous of war; and that a war against the world was to be
+maintained in Italy and before the walls of Rome.
+
+17. The provinces had already been previously named for the consuls;
+and having been now ordered to cast lots for them, Spain fell to
+Cornelius, and Africa with Sicily to Sempronius. Six legions were
+decreed for that year, and as many of the allies as should seem good
+to the consuls, and as great a fleet as could be equipped. Twenty-four
+thousand Roman infantry were levied, and one thousand eight hundred
+horse: forty thousand infantry of the allies, and four thousand four
+hundred horse: two hundred and twenty ships of three banks of oars,
+and twenty light galleys, were launched. It was then proposed to the
+people, "whether they willed and commanded that war should be declared
+against the people of Carthage;" and for the sake of that war a
+supplication was made through the city, and the gods were implored
+that the war which the Roman people had decreed might have a
+prosperous and fortunate issue. The forces were thus divided between
+the consuls. To Sempronius two legions were given, (each of these
+consisted of four thousand infantry and three hundred horse,) and
+sixteen thousand of the infantry of the allies, and one thousand eight
+hundred horse: one hundred and sixty ships of war, and twelve light
+galleys. With these land and sea forces Tiberius Sempronius was
+despatched to Sicily, in order to transport his army to Africa if the
+other consul should be able to prevent the Carthaginian from invading
+Italy. Fewer troops were given to Cornelius, because Lucius Manlius,
+the praetor, also had been sent with no weak force into Gaul. The
+number of ships in particular was reduced to Cornelius. Sixty of five
+banks of oars were assigned to him, (for they did not believe that the
+enemy would come by sea, or would fight after that mode of warfare,)
+and two Roman legions with their regular cavalry, and fourteen
+thousand of the infantry of the allies, with one thousand six hundred
+horse. The province of Gaul being not as yet exposed to the
+Carthaginian invasion, had, in the same year, two Roman legions, ten
+thousand allied infantry, one thousand allied cavalry, and six hundred
+Roman.
+
+18. These preparations having been thus made, in order that every
+thing that was proper might be done before they commenced war, they
+send Quintus Fabius, Marcus Livius, Lucius Aemilius, Caius Licinius,
+and Quintus Baebius, men of advanced years, as ambassadors into
+Africa, to inquire of the Carthaginians if Hannibal had laid siege to
+Saguntum by public authority; and if they should confess it, as it
+seemed probable they would, and defend it as done by public authority,
+to declare war against the people of Carthage. After the Romans
+arrived at Carthage, when an audience of the senate was given them,
+and Quintus Fabius had addressed no further inquiry than the one with
+which they had been charged, then one of the Carthaginians replied:
+"Even your former embassy, O Romans, was precipitate, when you
+demanded Hannibal to be given up, as attacking Saguntum on his own
+authority: but your present embassy, though so far milder in words, is
+in fact more severe. For then Hannibal was both accused, and required
+to be delivered up: now both a confession of wrong is exacted from us,
+and, as though we had confessed, restitution is immediately demanded.
+But I think that the question is not, whether Saguntum was attacked by
+private or public authority, but whether it was with right or wrong.
+For in the case of our citizen, the right of inquiry, whether he has
+acted by his own pleasure or ours, and the punishment also, belongs to
+us. The only dispute with you is, whether it was allowed to be done by
+the treaty. Since, therefore, it pleases you that a distinction should
+be made between what commanders do by public authority, and what on
+their own suggestion, there was a treaty between us made by the consul
+Lutatius; in which, though provision was made for the allies of both,
+there is no provision made for the Saguntines, for they were not as
+yet your allies. But in that treaty which was made with Hasdrubal, the
+Saguntines are excepted; against which I am going to say nothing but
+what I have learned from you. For you denied that you were bound by
+the treaty which Caius Lutatius the consul first made with us, because
+that it had neither been made by the authority of the senate nor the
+command of the people; and another treaty was therefore concluded anew
+by public authority. If your treaties do not bind you unless they are
+made by your authority and your commands, neither can the treaty of
+Hasdrubal, which he made without our knowledge, be binding on us.
+Cease, therefore, to make mention of Saguntum and the Iberus, and let
+your mind at length bring forth that with which it has long been in
+labour." Then the Roman, having formed a fold in his robe, said, "Here
+we bring to you peace and war; take which you please." On this speech
+they exclaimed no less fiercely in reply: "he might give which he
+chose;" and when he again, unfolding his robe, said "he gave war,"
+they all answered that "they accepted it, and would maintain it with
+the same spirit with which they accepted it."
+
+19. This direct inquiry and denunciation of war seemed more consistent
+with the dignity of the Roman people, both before and now, especially
+when Saguntum was destroyed, than to cavil in words about the
+obligation of treaties. For if it was a subject for a controversy of
+words, in what was the treaty of Hasdrubal to be compared with the
+former treaty of Lutatius, which was altered? Since in the treaty of
+Lutatius, was expressly added, "that it should only be held good if
+the people sanctioned it;" but in the treaty of Hasdrubal, neither was
+there any such exception; and that treaty during its life had been so
+established by the silence of so many years, that not even after the
+death of its author was any change made in it. Although even were they
+to abide by the former treaty, there had been sufficient provision
+made for the Saguntines by excepting the allies of both states; for
+neither was it added, "those who then were," nor "those who should
+afterwards be admitted." and since it is allowable to admit new
+allies, who could think it proper, either that no people should be
+received for any services into friendship? or that, being received
+under protection, they should not be defended? It was only stipulated,
+that the allies of the Carthaginians should not be excited to revolt,
+nor, revolting of their own accord, be received. The Roman
+ambassadors, according as they had been commanded at Rome, passed over
+from Carthage into Spain, in order to visit the nations, and either to
+allure them into an alliance, or dissuade them from joining the
+Carthaginians. They came first to the Bargusii, by whom having been
+received with welcome, because they were weary of the Carthaginian
+government, they excited many of the states beyond the Iberus to the
+desire of a revolution. Thence they came to the Volciani, whose reply
+being celebrated through Spain, dissuaded the other states from an
+alliance with the Romans; for thus the oldest member in their council
+made answer: "What sense of shame have ye, Romans, to ask of us that
+we should prefer your friendship to that of the Carthaginians, when
+you, their allies, betrayed the Saguntines with greater cruelty than
+that with which the Carthaginians, their enemies, destroyed them?
+There, methinks, you should look for allies, where the massacre of
+Saguntum is unknown. The ruins of Saguntum will remain a warning as
+melancholy as memorable to the states of Spain, that no one should
+confide in the faith or alliance of Rome." Having been then commanded
+to depart immediately from the territory of the Volciani, they
+afterwards received no kinder words from any of the councils of Spain:
+they therefore pass into Gaul, after having gone about through Spain
+to no purpose.
+
+20. Among the Gauls a new and alarming spectacle was seen, by reason
+of their coming (such is the custom of the nation) in arms to the
+assembly. When, extolling in their discourse the renown and valour of
+the Roman people, and the wide extent of their empire, they had
+requested that they would refuse a passage through their territory and
+cities to the Carthaginian invading Italy; such laughter and yelling
+is said to have arisen, that the youths were with difficulty composed
+to order by the magistrates and old men. So absurd and shameless did
+the request seem, to propose that the Gauls, rather than suffer the
+war to pass on to Italy, should turn it upon themselves and expose
+their own lands to be laid waste instead of those of others. When the
+tumult was at length allayed, answer was returned to the ambassadors,
+"that they had neither experienced good from the Romans, nor wrong
+from the Carthaginians, on account of which they should either take up
+arms in behalf of the Romans, or against the Cathaginians. On the
+contrary, they had heard that men of their nation had been driven from
+the lands and confines of Italy by the Roman people, that they had to
+pay a tribute, and suffered other indignities." Nearly the same was
+said and heard in the other assemblies of Gaul; nor did they hear any
+thing friendly or pacific before they came to Marseilles. There, every
+thing found out by the care and fidelity of the allies was made known
+to them--"that the minds of the Gauls had been already prepossessed by
+Hannibal, but that not even by him would that nation be found very
+tractable, (so fierce and untameable are their dispositions,) unless
+the affections of the chiefs should every now and then be conciliated
+with gold, of which that people are most covetous." Having thus gone
+round through the tribes of Spain and Gaul, the ambassadors return to
+Rome not long after the consuls had set out for their provinces. They
+found the whole city on tiptoe in expectation of war, the report being
+sufficiently confirmed, that the Carthaginians had already passed the
+Iberus.
+
+21. Hannibal, after the taking of Saguntum, had retired to New
+Carthage into winter quarters; and there, having heard what had been
+done and decreed at Rome and Carthage, and that he was not only the
+leader, but also the cause of the war, after having divided and sold
+the remains of the plunder, thinking there ought to be no longer
+delay, he calls together and thus addresses his soldiers of the
+Spanish race: "I believe, tribes, that even you yourselves perceive
+that, all the tribes of Spain having been reduced to peace, we must
+either conclude our campaigns and disband our armies, or transfer the
+war into other regions: for thus these nations will flourish amid the
+blessings not only of peace, but also of victory, if we seek from
+other countries spoils and renown. Since, therefore, a campaign far
+from home soon awaits you, and it is uncertain when you shall again
+see your homes, and all that is there dear to you, if any one of you
+wishes to visit his friends, I grant him leave of absence. I give you
+orders to be here at the beginning of spring, that, with the good
+assistance of the gods, we may enter on a war which will prove one of
+great glory and spoil." This power of visiting their homes,
+voluntarily offered, was acceptable to almost all, already longing to
+see their friends, and foreseeing in future a still longer absence
+Repose through the whole season of winter, between toils already
+undergone and those that were soon to be endured, repaired the vigour
+of their bodies and minds to encounter all difficulties afresh. At the
+beginning of spring they assembled according to command. Hannibal,
+when he had reviewed the auxiliaries of all the nations, having gone
+to Gades, performs his vows to Hercules; and binds himself by new
+vows, provided his other projects should have a prosperous issue. Then
+dividing his care at the same time between the offensive and defensive
+operations of the war, lest while he was advancing on Italy by a land
+journey through Spain and Gaul, Africa should be unprotected and
+exposed to the Romans from Sicily, he resolved to strengthen it with a
+powerful force. For this purpose he requested a reinforcement from
+Africa, chiefly of light-armed spearmen, in order that the Africans
+might serve in Spain, and the Spaniards in Africa, each likely to be a
+better soldier at a distance from home, as if bound by mutual pledges.
+He sent into Africa thirteen thousand eight hundred and fifty
+targetteers, eight hundred and seventy Balearic slingers, and one
+thousand two hundred horsemen, composed of various nations. He orders
+these forces partly to be used as a garrison for Carthage and partly
+to be distributed through Africa: at the same time having sent
+commissaries into the different states, he orders four thousand chosen
+youth whom they had levied to be conducted to Carthage, both as a
+garrison and as hostages.
+
+22. Thinking also that Spain ought not to be neglected (and the less
+because he was aware that it had been traversed by the Roman
+ambassadors, to influence the minds of the chiefs,) he assigns that
+province to his brother Hasdrubal, a man of active spirit, and
+strengthens him chiefly with African troops: eleven thousand eight
+hundred and fifty African infantry, three hundred Ligurians, and five
+hundred Balearians. To these forces of infantry were added four
+hundred horsemen of the Libyphoenicians, a mixed race of Carthaginians
+and Africans; of the Numidians and Moors, who border on the ocean, to
+the number of one thousand eight hundred, and a small band of
+Ilergetes from Spain, amounting to two hundred horse: and, that no
+description of land force might be wanting, fourteen elephants. A
+fleet was given him besides to defend the sea-coast, (because it might
+be supposed that the Romans would then fight in the same mode of
+warfare by which they had formerly prevailed,) fifty quinqueremes, two
+quadriremes, five triremes: but only thirty-two quinqueremes and five
+triremes were properly fitted out and manned with rowers. From Gades
+he returned to the winter quarters of the army at Carthage; and thence
+setting out, he led his forces by the city Etovissa to the Iberus and
+the sea-coast. There, it is reported, a youth of divine aspect was
+seen by him in his sleep, who said, "that he was sent by Jupiter as
+the guide of Hannibal into Italy, and that he should, therefore,
+follow him, nor in any direction turn his eyes away from him." At
+first he followed in terror, looking no where, either around or
+behind: afterwards, through the curiosity of the human mind, when he
+revolved in his mind what that could be on which he was forbidden to
+look back, he could not restrain his eyes; then he beheld behind him a
+serpent of wonderful size moving along with an immense destruction of
+trees and bushes, and after it a cloud following with thunderings from
+the skies; and that then inquiring "what was that great commotion, and
+what the cause of the prodigy," he heard in reply: "That it was the
+devastation of Italy: that he should continue to advance forward, nor
+inquire further, but suffer the fates to remain in obscurity."
+
+23. Cheered by this vision, he transported his forces in three
+divisions across the Iberus, having sent emissaries before him to
+conciliate by gifts the minds of the Gauls, in the quarter through
+which his army was to be led, and to examine the passes of the Alps.
+He led ninety thousand infantry and twelve thousand cavalry across the
+Iberus. He then subdued the Ilergetes, the Bargusii, the Ausetani, and
+that part of Lacetania which lies at the foot of the Pyrenaean
+mountains; and he placed Hanno in command over all this district, that
+the narrow gorges which connect Spain with Gaul might be under his
+power. Ten thousand infantry, and a thousand cavalry, were given to
+Hanno for the defence of the country he was to occupy. After the army
+began to march through the passes of the Pyrenees, and a more certain
+rumour of the Roman war spread through the barbarians, three thousand
+of the Carpetanian infantry turned back: it clearly appeared that they
+were not so much swayed by the prospect of the war as by the length of
+the journey and the insuperable passage of the Alps. Hannibal, because
+it was hazardous to recall or detain them by force, lest the fierce
+minds of the rest might also be irritated, sent home above seven
+thousand men, whom also he had observed to be annoyed with the
+service, pretending that the Carpetani had also been dismissed by him.
+
+24. Then, lest delay and ease might unsettle their minds, he crosses
+the Pyrenees with the rest of his forces, and pitches his camp at the
+town Illiberis. The Gauls, though they had heard that the war was
+directed against Italy, yet because there was a report that the
+Spaniards on the other side of the Pyrenees had been reduced by force,
+and that strong forces had been imposed on them, being roused to arms
+through the fear of slavery, assembled certain tribes at Ruscino. When
+this was announced to Hannibal, he, having more fear of the delay than
+of the war, sent envoys to say to their princes, "that he wished to
+confer with them; and that they should either come nearer to
+Illiberis, or that he would proceed to Ruscino, that their meeting
+might be facilitated by vicinity: for that he would either be happy to
+receive them into his camp, or would himself without hesitation come
+to them: since he had entered Gaul as a friend, and not as an enemy,
+and would not draw the sword, if the Gauls did not force him, before
+he came to Italy." These proposals, indeed, were made by his
+messengers. But when the princes of the Gauls, having immediately
+moved their camp to Illiberis, came without reluctance to the
+Carthaginian, being won by his presents, they suffered his army to
+pass through their territories, by the town of Ruscino, without any
+molestation.
+
+25. In the mean time no further intelligence had been brought into
+Italy to Rome by the ambassadors of Marseilles than that Hannibal had
+passed the Iberus; when the Boii asked if he had already passed the
+Alps, revolted after instigating the Insubrians; not so much through
+their ancient resentment towards the Roman people, as on account of
+their having felt aggrieved that the colonies of Placentia and Cremona
+had been lately planted in the Gallic territory about the Po. Having
+therefore, suddenly taken up arms, and made an attack on that very
+territory, they created so much of terror and tumult, that not only
+the rustic population, but even the Roman triumvirs, Caius Lutatius,
+Caius Servilius, and Titus Annius, who had come to assign the lands,
+distrusting the walls of Placentia, fled to Mutina. About the name of
+Luttius there is no doubt: in place of Caius Servilius and Titus
+Annius, some annals have Quintus Acilius and Caius Herenrius; others,
+Publius Cornelius Asina and Caius Papirius Maso. This point is also
+uncertain, whether the ambassadors went to expostulate to the Boii
+suffered violence, or whether an attack was made on the triumvirs
+while measuring out the lands. While they were shut up in Mutina, and
+a people unskilled in the arts of besieging towns, and, at the same
+time, most sluggish at military operations, lay inactive before the
+walls, which they had not touched, pretended proposals for a peace
+were set on foot; and the ambassadors, being invited out to a
+conference by the chiefs of the Gauls, are seized, not only contrary
+to the law of nations, but in violation of the faith which was pledged
+on that very occasion; the Gauls denying that they would set them free
+unless their hostages were restored to them. When this intelligence
+respecting the ambassadors was announced, and that Mutina and its
+garrison were in danger, Lucius Manlius, the praetor, inflamed with
+rage, led his army in haste to Mutina. There were then woods on both
+sides of the road, most of the country being uncultivated. There,
+having advanced without previously exploring his route, he fell
+suddenly into an ambuscade; and after much slaughter of his men, with
+difficulty made his way into the open plains. Here a camp was
+fortified, and because confidence was wanting to the Gauls to attack
+it, the spirit of the soldiers revived, although it was sufficiently
+evident that their strength was much clipped. The journey was then
+commenced anew; nor while the army was led in march through open
+tracts did the enemy appear: but, when the woods were again entered,
+then attacking the rear, amid great confusion and alarm of all, they
+slew eight hundred soldiers, and took six standards. There was an end
+to the Gauls of creating, and to the Romans of experiencing terror,
+when they escaped from the pathless and entangled thicket; then easily
+defending their march through the open ground, the Romans directed
+their course to Tanetum, a village near the Po; where, by a temporary
+fortification, and the supplies conveyed by the river, and also by the
+aid of the Brixian Gauls, they defended themselves against the daily
+increasing multitude of their enemies.
+
+26. When the account of this sudden disturbance was brought to Rome,
+and the senators heard that the Punic had also been increased by a
+Gallic war, they order Caius Atilius, the praetor, to carry assistance
+to Manlius with one Roman legion and five thousand of the allies,
+enrolled in the late levy by the consul: who, without any contest, for
+the enemy had retired through fear, arrived at Tanetum. At the same
+time Publius Cornelius, a new legion having been levied in the room of
+that which was sent with the praetor, setting out from the city with
+sixty ships of war, by the coast of Etruria and Liguria, and then the
+mountains of the Salyes, arrived at Marseilles, and pitched his camp
+at the nearest mouth of the Rhone, (for the stream flows down to the
+sea divided into several channels,) scarcely as yet well believing
+that Hannibal had crossed the Pyrenaean mountains; whom when he
+ascertained to be also meditating the passage of the Rhone, uncertain
+in what place he might meet him, his soldiers not yet being
+sufficiently recovered from the tossing of the sea, he sends forward,
+in the mean time, three hundred chosen horses, with Massilian guides
+and Gallic auxiliaries, to explore all the country, and observe the
+enemy from a safe distance. Hannibal, the other states being pacified
+by fear or bribes, had now come into the territory of the Volcae, a
+powerful nation. They, indeed, dwell on both sides of the Rhone: but
+doubting that the Carthaginian could be driven from the hither bank,
+in order that they might have the river as a defence, having
+transported almost all their effects across the Rhone, occupied in
+arms the farther bank of the river. Hannibal, by means of presents,
+persuades the other inhabitants of the river-side, and some even of
+the Volcae themselves, whom their homes had detained, to collect from
+every quarter and build ships; and they at the same time themselves
+desired that the army should be transported, and their country
+relieved, as soon as possible, from the vast multitude of men that
+burthened it. A great number, therefore, of ships and boats rudely
+formed for the neighbouring passages, were collected together; and the
+Gauls, first beginning the plan, hollowed out some new ones from
+single trees; and then the soldiers themselves, at once induced by the
+plenty of materials and the easiness of the work, hastily formed
+shapeless hulks, in which they could transport themselves and their
+baggage, caring about nothing else, provided they could float and
+contain their burthen.
+
+27. And now, when all things were sufficiently prepared for crossing,
+the enemy over against them occupying the whole bank, horse and foot,
+deterred them. In order to dislodge them, Hannibal orders Hanno, the
+son of Bomilcar, at the first watch of the night, to proceed with a
+part of the forces, principally Spanish, one day's journey up the
+river; and having crossed it where he might first be able, as secretly
+as possible, to lead round his forces, that when the occasion required
+he might attack the enemy in the rear. The Gauls, given him as guides
+for the purpose, inform him that about twenty-five miles from thence,
+the river spreading round a small island, broader where it was
+divided, and therefore with a shallower channel, presented a passage.
+At this place timber was quickly cut down and rafts formed, on which
+men, horses, and other burthens might be conveyed over. The Spaniards,
+without making any difficulty, having put their clothes in bags of
+leather, and themselves leaning on their bucklers placed beneath them,
+swam across the river. And the rest of the army, after passing on the
+rafts joined together, and pitching their camp near the river, being
+fatigued by the journey of the night and the labour of the work, are
+refreshed by the rest of one day, their leader being anxious to
+execute his design at a proper season. Setting out next day from this
+place, they signify by raising a smoke that they had crossed, and were
+not far distant; which when Hannibal understood, that he might not be
+wanting on the opportunity, he gives the signal for passing. The
+infantry already had the boats prepared and fitted; a line of ships
+higher up transporting the horsemen for the most part near their
+horses swimming beside them, in order to break the force of the
+current, rendered the water smooth to the boats crossing below. A
+great part of the horses were led across swimming, held by bridles
+from the stern, except those which they put on board saddled and
+bridled, in order that they might be ready to be used by the rider the
+moment he disembarked on the strand.
+
+28. The Gauls run down to the bank to meet them with various whoopings
+and songs, according to their custom, shaking their shields above
+their heads, and brandishing their weapons in their right hands,
+although such a multitude of ships in front of them alarmed them,
+together with the loud roaring of the river, and the mingled clamours
+of the sailors and soldiers, both those who were striving to break
+through the force of the current, and those who from the other bank
+were encouraging their comrades on their passage. While sufficiently
+dismayed by this tumult in front, more terrifying shouts from behind
+assailed them, their camp having been taken by Hanno; presently he
+himself came up, and a twofold terror encompassed them, both such a
+multitude of armed men landing from the ships, and this unexpected
+army pressing on their rear. When the Gauls, having made a prompt and
+bold effort to force the enemy, were themselves repulsed, they break
+through where a way seemed most open, and fly in consternation to
+their villages around. Hannibal, now despising these tumultuary onsets
+of the Gauls, having transported the rest of his forces at leisure,
+pitches his camp. I believe that there were various plans for
+transporting the elephants; at least there are various accounts of the
+way in which it was done. Some relate, that after the elephants were
+assembled together on the bank, the fiercest of them being provoked by
+his keeper, pursued him as he swam across the water, to which he had
+run for refuge, and drew after him the rest of the herd; the mere
+force of the stream hurrying them to the other bank, when the bottom
+had failed each, fearful of the depth. But there is more reason to
+believe that they were conveyed across on rafts; which plan, as it
+must have appeared the safer before execution, is after it the more
+entitled to credit. They extended from the bank into the river one
+raft two hundred feet long and fifty broad, which, fastened higher up
+by several strong cables to the bank, that it might not be carried
+down by the stream they covered, like a bridge, with earth thrown upon
+it, so that the beasts might tread upon it without fear, as over solid
+ground. Another raft equally broad and a hundred feet long, fit for
+crossing the river, was joined to this first; and when the elephants,
+driven along the stationary raft as along a road had passed, the
+females leading the way, on to the smaller raft which was joined to
+it, the lashings, by which it was slightly fastened, being immediately
+let go, it was drawn by some light boats to the opposite side. The
+first having been thus landed, the rest were then returned for and
+carried across. They gave no signs of alarm whatever while they were
+driven along as it were on a continuous bridge. The first fear was,
+when, the raft being loosed from the rest, they were hurried into the
+deep. Then pressing together, as those at the edges drew back from the
+water, they produced some disorder, till mere terror, when they saw
+water all around, produced quiet. Some, indeed, becoming infuriated,
+fell into the river; but, steadied by their own weight, having thrown
+off their riders, and seeking step by step the shallows, they escaped
+to the shore.
+
+29. Whilst the elephants were conveyed over, Hannibal, in the mean
+time, had sent five hundred Numidian horsemen towards the camp of the
+Romans, to observe where and how numerous their forces were, and what
+they were designing. The three hundred Roman horsemen sent, as was
+before said, from the mouth of the Rhone, meet this band of cavalry;
+and a more furious engagement than could be expected from the number
+of the combatants takes place. For, besides many wounds, the loss on
+both sides was also nearly equal: and the flight and dismay of the
+Numidians gave victory to the Romans, now exceedingly fatigued. There
+fell of the conquerors one hundred and sixty, not all Romans, but
+partly Gauls: of the vanquished more than two hundred. This
+commencement, and at the same time omen of the war, as it portended to
+the Romans a prosperous issue of the whole, so did it also the success
+of a doubtful and by no means bloodless contest. When, after the
+action had thus occurred, his own men returned to each general, Scipio
+could adopt no fixed plan of proceeding, except that he should form
+his measures from the plans and undertakings of the enemy: and
+Hannibal, uncertain whether he should pursue the march he had
+commenced into Italy, or fight with the Roman army which had first
+presented itself, the arrival of ambassadors from the Boii, and of a
+petty prince called Magalus, diverted from an immediate engagement;
+who, declaring that they would be the guides of his journey and the
+companions of his dangers, gave it as their opinion, that Italy ought
+to be attacked with the entire force of the war, his strength having
+been no where previously impaired. The troops indeed feared the enemy,
+the remembrance of the former war not being yet obliterated; but much
+more did they dread the immense journey and the Alps, a thing
+formidable by report, particularly to the inexperienced.
+
+30. Hannibal, therefore, when his own resolution was fixed to proceed
+in his course and advance on Italy, having summoned an assembly, works
+upon the minds of the soldiers in various ways, by reproof and
+exhortation. He said, that "he wondered what sudden fear had seized
+breasts ever before undismayed: that through so many years they had
+made their campaigns with conquest; nor had departed from Spain before
+all the nations and countries which two opposite seas embrace, were
+subjected to the Carthaginians. That then, indignant that the Romans
+demanded those, whosoever had besieged Saguntum, to be delivered up to
+them, as on account of a crime, they had passed the Iberus to blot out
+the name of the Romans, and to emancipate the world. That then the way
+seemed long to no one, though they were pursuing it from the setting
+to the rising of the sun. That now, when they saw by far the greater
+part of their journey accomplished, the passes of the Pyrenees
+surmounted, amid the most ferocious nations, the Rhone, that mighty
+river, crossed, in spite of the opposition of so many thousand Gauls,
+the fury of the river itself having been overcome, when they had the
+Alps in sight, the other side of which was Italy, should they halt
+through weariness at the very gates of the enemy, imagining the Alps
+to be--what else than lofty mountains? That supposing them to be
+higher than the summits of the Pyrenees, assuredly no part of the
+earth reached the sky, nor was insurmountable by mankind. The Alps in
+fact were inhabited and cultivated;--produced and supported living
+beings. Were they passable by a few men and impassable to armies? That
+those very ambassadors whom they saw before them had not crossed the
+Alps borne aloft through the air on wings; neither were their
+ancestors indeed natives of the soil, but settling in Italy from
+foreign countries, had often as emigrants safely crossed these very
+Alps in immense bodies, with their wives and children. To the armed
+soldier, carrying nothing with him but the instruments of war, what in
+reality was impervious or insurmountable? That Saguntum might be
+taken, what dangers, what toils were for eight months undergone! Now,
+when their aim was Rome, the capital of the world, could any thing
+appear so dangerous or difficult as to delay their undertaking? That
+the Gauls had formerly gained possession of that very country which
+the Carthaginian despairs of being able to approach. That they must,
+therefore, either yield in spirit and valour to that nation which they
+had so often during those times overcome; or look forward, as the end
+of their journey, to the plain which spreads between the Tiber and the
+walls of Rome."
+
+31. He orders them, roused by these exhortations, to refresh
+themselves and prepare for the journey. Next day, proceeding upward
+along the bank of the Rhone, he makes for the inland part of Gaul: not
+because it was the more direct route to the Alps, but believing that
+the farther he retired from the sea, the Romans would be less in his
+way; with whom, before he arrived in Italy, he had no intention of
+engaging. After four days' march he came to the Island: there the
+streams of the Arar and the Rhone, flowing down from different
+branches of the Alps, after embracing a pretty large tract of country,
+flow into one. The name of the Island is given to the plains that lie
+between them. The Allobroges dwell near, a nation even in those days
+inferior to none in Gaul in power and fame. They were at that time at
+variance. Two brothers were contending for the sovereignty. The elder,
+named Brancus, who had before been king, was driven out by his younger
+brother and a party of the younger men, who, inferior in right, had
+more of power. When the decision of this quarrel was most opportunely
+referred to Hannibal, being appointed arbitrator of the kingdom, he
+restored the sovereignty to the elder, because such had been the
+opinion of the senate and the chief men. In return for this service,
+he was assisted with a supply of provisions, and plenty of all
+necessaries, particularly clothing, which the Alps, notorious for
+extreme cold, rendered necessary to be prepared. After composing the
+dissensions of the Allobroges, when he now was proceeding to the Alps,
+he directed his course thither, not by the straight road, but turned
+to the left into the country of the Tricastini, thence by the extreme
+boundary of the territory of the Vocontii he proceeded to the
+Tricorii; his way not being any where obstructed till he came to the
+river Druentia. This stream, also arising amid the Alps, is by far the
+most difficult to pass of all the rivers in Gaul; for though it rolls
+down an immense body of water, yet it does not admit of ships;
+because, being restrained by no banks, and flowing in several and not
+always the same channels, and continually forming new shallows and new
+whirlpools, (on which account the passage is also uncertain to a
+person on foot,) and rolling down besides gravelly stones, it affords
+no firm or safe passage to those who enter it; and having been at that
+time swollen by showers, it created great disorder among the soldiers
+as they crossed, when, in addition to other difficulties, they were of
+themselves confused by their own hurry and uncertain shouts.
+
+32. Publius Cornelius the consul, about three days after Hannibal
+moved from the bank of the Rhone, had come to the camp of the enemy,
+with his army drawn up in square, intending to make no delay in
+fighting: but when he saw the fortifications deserted, and that he
+could not easily come up with them so far in advance before him, he
+returned to the sea and his fleet, in order more easily and safely to
+encounter Hannibal when descending from the Alps. But that Spain, the
+province which he had obtained by lot, might not be destitute of Roman
+auxiliaries, he sent his brother Cneius Scipio with the principal part
+of his forces against Hasdrubal, not only to defend the old allies and
+conciliate new, but also to drive Hasdrubal out of Spain. He himself,
+with a very small force, returned to Genoa, intending to defend Italy
+with the army which was around the Po. From the Druentia, by a road
+that lay principally through plains, Hannibal arrived at the Alps
+without molestation from the Gauls that inhabit those regions. Then,
+though the scene had been previously anticipated from report, (by
+which uncertainties are wont to be exaggerated,) yet the height of the
+mountains when viewed so near, and the snows almost mingling with the
+sky, the shapeless huts situated on the cliffs, the cattle and beasts
+of burden withered by the cold, the men unshorn and wildly dressed,
+all things, animate and inanimate, stiffened with frost, and other
+objects more terrible to be seen than described, renewed their alarm.
+To them, marching up the first acclivities, the mountaineers appeared
+occupying the heights over head; who, if they had occupied the more
+concealed valleys, might, by rushing out suddenly to the attack, have
+occasioned great flight and havoc. Hannibal orders them to halt, and
+having sent forward Gauls to view the ground, when he found there was
+no passage that way, he pitches his camp in the widest valley he could
+find, among places all rugged and precipitous. Then, having learned
+from the same Gauls, when they had mixed in conversation with the
+mountaineers, from whom they differed little in language and manners,
+that the pass was only beset during the day, and that at night each
+withdrew to his own dwelling, he advanced at the dawn to the heights,
+as if designing openly and by day to force his way through the defile.
+The day then being passed in feigning a different attempt from that
+which was in preparation, when they had fortified the camp in the same
+place where they had halted, as soon as he perceived that the
+mountaineers had descended from the heights, and that the guards were
+withdrawn, having lighted for show a greater number of fires than was
+proportioned to the number that remained, and having left the baggage
+in the camp, with the cavalry and the principal part of the infantry,
+he himself with a party of light-armed, consisting of all the most
+courageous of his troops, rapidly cleared the defile, and took post on
+those very heights which the enemy had occupied.
+
+33. At dawn of light the next day the camp broke up, and the rest of
+the army began to move forward. The mountaineers, on a signal being
+given, were now assembling from their forts to their usual station,
+when they suddenly behold part of the enemy overhanging them from
+above, in possession of their former position, and the others passing
+along the road. Both these objects, presented at the same time to the
+eye and the mind, made them stand motionless for a little while; but
+when they afterwards saw the confusion in the pass, and that the
+marching body was thrown into disorder by the tumult which itself
+created, principally from the horses being terrified, thinking that
+whatever terror they added would suffice for the destruction of the
+enemy, they scramble along the dangerous rocks, as being accustomed
+alike to pathless and circuitous ways. Then indeed the Carthaginians
+were opposed at once by the enemy and by the difficulties of the
+ground; and each striving to escape first from the danger, there was
+more fighting among themselves than with their opponents. The horses
+in particular created danger in the lines, which, being terrified by
+the discordant clamours which the groves and re-echoing valleys
+augmented, fell into confusion; and if by chance struck or wounded,
+they were so dismayed that they occasioned a great loss both of men
+and baggage of every description: and as the pass on both sides was
+broken and precipitous, this tumult threw many down to an immense
+depth, some even of the armed men; but the beasts of burden, with
+their loads, were rolled down like the fall of some vast fabric.
+Though these disasters were shocking to view, Hannibal however kept
+his place for a little, and kept his men together, lest he might
+augment the tumult and disorder; but afterwards, when he saw the line
+broken, and that there was danger that he should bring over his army,
+preserved to no purpose if deprived of their baggage, he hastened down
+from the higher ground; and though he had routed the enemy by the
+first onset alone, he at the same time increased the disorder in his
+own army: but that tumult was composed in a moment, after the roads
+were cleared by the flight of the mountaineers; and presently the
+whole army was conducted through, not only without being disturbed,
+but almost in silence. He then took a fortified place, which was the
+capital of that district, and the little villages that lay around it,
+and fed his army for three days with the corn and cattle he had taken;
+and during these three days, as the soldiers were neither obstructed
+by the mountaineers, who had been daunted by the first engagement, nor
+yet much by the ground, he made considerable way.
+
+34. He then came to another state, abounding, for a mountainous
+country, with inhabitants; where he was nearly overcome, not by open
+war, but by his own arts of treachery and ambuscade. Some old men,
+governors of forts, came as deputies to the Carthaginian, professing,
+"that having been warned by the useful example of the calamities of
+others, they wished rather to experience the friendship than the
+hostilities of the Carthaginians: they would, therefore, obediently
+execute his commands, and begged that he would accept of a supply of
+provisions, guides of his march, and hostages for the sincerity of
+their promises." Hannibal, when he had answered them in a friendly
+manner, thinking that they should neither be rashly trusted nor yet
+rejected, lest if repulsed they might openly become enemies, having
+received the hostages whom they proffered, and made use of the
+provisions which they of their own accord brought down to the road,
+follows their guides, by no means as among a people with whom he was
+at peace, but with his line of march in close order. The elephants and
+cavalry formed the van of the marching body; he himself, examining
+every thing around, and intent on every circumstance, followed with
+the choicest of the infantry. When they came into a narrower pass,
+lying on one side beneath an overhanging eminence, the barbarians,
+rising at once on all sides from their ambush, assail them in front
+and rear, both at close quarters and from a distance, and roll down
+huge stones on the army. The most numerous body of men pressed on the
+rear; against whom the infantry, facing about and directing their
+attack, made it very obvious, that had not the rear of the army been
+well supported, a great loss must have been sustained in that pass.
+Even as it was they came to the extremity of danger, and almost to
+destruction: for while Hannibal hesitates to lead down his division
+into the defile, because, though he himself was a protection to the
+cavalry, lie had not in the same way left any aid to the infantry in
+the rear; the mountaineers, charging obliquely, and on having broken
+through the middle of the army, took possession of the road; and one
+night was spent by Hannibal without his cavalry and baggage.
+
+35. Next day, the barbarians running in to the attack between (the two
+divisions) less vigorously, the forces were re-united, and the defile
+passed, not without loss, but yet with a greater destruction of beasts
+of burden than of men. From that time the mountaineers fell upon them
+in smaller parties, more like an attack of robbers than war, sometimes
+on the van, sometimes on the rear, according as the ground afforded
+them advantage, or stragglers advancing or loitering gave them an
+opportunity. Though the elephants were driven through steep and narrow
+roads with great loss of time, yet wherever they went they rendered
+the army safe from the enemy, because men unacquainted with such
+animals were afraid of approaching too nearly. On the ninth day they
+came to a summit of the Alps, chiefly through places trackless; and
+after many mistakes of their way, which were caused either by the
+treachery of the guides, or, when they were not trusted, by entering
+valleys at random, on their own conjectures of the route. For two days
+they remained encamped on the summit; and rest was given to the
+soldiers, exhausted with toil and fighting: and several beasts of
+burden, which had fallen down among the rocks, by following the track
+of the army arrived at the camp. A fall of snow, it being now the
+season of the setting of the constellation of the Pleiades, caused
+great fear to the soldiers, already worn out with weariness of so many
+hardships. On the standards being moved forward at daybreak, when the
+army proceeded slowly over all places entirely blocked up with snow,
+and languor and despair strongly appeared in the countenances of all,
+Hannibal, having advanced before the standards, and ordered the
+soldiers to halt on a certain eminence, whence there was a prospect
+far and wide, points out to them Italy and the plains of the Po,
+extending themselves beneath the Alpine mountains; and said "that they
+were now surmounting not only the ramparts of Italy, but also of the
+city of Rome; that the rest of the journey would be smooth and
+down-hill; that after one, or, at most, a second battle, they would
+have the citadel and capital of Italy in their power and possession."
+The army then began to advance, the enemy now making no attempts
+beyond petty thefts, as opportunity offered. But the journey proved
+much more difficult than it had been in the ascent, as the declivity
+of the Alps being generally shorter on the side of Italy is
+consequently steeper; for nearly all the road was precipitous, narrow,
+and slippery, so that neither those who made the least stumble could
+prevent themselves from falling, nor, when fallen, remain in the same
+place, but rolled, both men and beasts of burden, one upon another.
+
+36. They then came to a rock much more narrow, and formed of such
+perpendicular ledges, that a light-armed soldier, carefully making the
+attempt, and clinging with his hands to the bushes and roots around,
+could with difficulty lower himself down. The ground, even before very
+steep by nature, had been broken by a recent falling away of the earth
+into a precipice of nearly a thousand feet in depth. Here when the
+cavalry had halted, as if at the end of their journey, it is announced
+to Hannibal, wondering what obstructed the march that the rock was
+impassable. Having then gone himself to view the place, it seemed
+clear to him that he must lead his army round it, by however great a
+circuit, through the pathless and untrodden regions around. But this
+route also proved impracticable; for while the new snow of a moderate
+depth remained on the old, which had not been removed, their footsteps
+were planted with ease as they walked upon the new snow, which was
+soft and not too deep; but when it was dissolved by the trampling of
+so many men and beasts of burden, they then walked on the bare ice
+below, and through the dirty fluid formed by the melting snow. Here
+there was a wretched struggle, both on account of the slippery ice not
+affording any hold to the step, and giving way beneath the foot more
+readily by reason of the slope; and whether they assisted themselves
+in rising by their hands or their knees, their supports themselves
+giving way, they would stumble again; nor were there any stumps or
+roots near; by pressing against which, one might with hand or foot
+support himself; so that they only floundered on the smooth ice and
+amid the melted snow. The beasts of burden sometimes also went into
+this lower ice by merely treading upon it, at others they broke it
+completely through, by the violence with which they struck in their
+hoofs in their struggling, so that most of them, as if taken in a
+trap, stuck in the hardened and deeply frozen ice.
+
+37. At length, after the men and beasts of burden had been fatigued to
+no purpose, the camp was pitched on the summit, the ground being
+cleared for that purpose with great difficulty, so much snow was there
+to be dug out and carried away. The soldiers being then set to make a
+way down the cliff by which alone a passage could be effected, and it
+being necessary that they should cut through the rocks, having felled
+and lopped a number of large trees which grew around, they make a huge
+pile of timber; and as soon as a strong wind fit for exciting the
+flames arose, they set fire to it, and, pouring vinegar on the heated
+stones, they render them soft and crumbling. They then open a way with
+iron instruments through the rock thus heated by the fire, and soften
+its declivities by gentle windings, so that not only the beasts of
+burden, but also the elephants could be led down it. Four days were
+spent about this rock, the beasts nearly perishing through hunger: for
+the summits of the mountains are for the most part bare, and if there
+is any pasture the snows bury it. The lower parts contain valleys, and
+some sunny hills, and rivulets flowing beside woods, and scenes more
+worthy of the abode of man. There the beasts of burden were sent out
+to pasture, and rest given for three days to the men, fatigued with
+forming the passage: they then descended into the plains, the country
+and the dispositions of the inhabitants being now less rugged.
+
+38. In this manner chiefly they came to Italy in the fifth month (as
+some authors relate) after leaving New Carthage, having crossed the
+Alps in fifteen days. What number of forces Hannibal had when he had
+passed into Italy is by no means agreed upon by authors. Those who
+state them at the highest, make mention of a hundred thousand foot and
+twenty thousand horse; those who state them at the lowest, of twenty
+thousand foot and six thousand horse. Lucius Cincius Alimentus, who
+relates that he was made prisoner by Hannibal, would influence me most
+as an authority, did he not confound the number by adding the Gauls
+and Ligurians. Including these, (who, it is more probable, flocked to
+him afterwards, and so some authors assert,) he says, that eighty
+thousand foot and ten thousand horse were brought into Italy; and that
+he had heard from Hannibal himself, that after crossing the Rhone he
+had lost thirty-six thousand men, and an immense number of horses, and
+other beasts of burden, among the Taurini, the next nation to the
+Gauls, as he descended into Italy. As this circumstance is agreed on
+by all, I am the more surprised that it should be doubtful by what
+road he crossed the Alps; and that it should commonly be believed that
+he passed over the Pennine mountain, and that thence [Footnote: from
+Paenus, Carthaginian.] the name was given to that ridge of the Alps.
+Coelius says, that he passed over the top of Mount Cremo; both which
+passes would have brought him, not to the Taurini, but through the
+Salasian mountaineers to the Libuan Gauls. Neither is it probable that
+these roads into Gaul were then open, especially once those which,
+lead to the Pennine mountain would have been unlocked up by nations
+half German; nor by Hercules (if this argument has weight with any
+one) do the Veragri, the inhabitants of this ridge, know of the name
+being given to these mountains from the passage of the Carthaginians,
+but from the divinity, whom the mountaineers style Penninus,
+worshipped on the highest summit.
+
+39. Very opportunely for the commencement of his operations, a war had
+broken out with the Taurini, the nearest nation, against the
+Insubrians; but Hannibal could not put his troops under arms to assist
+either party, as they very chiefly felt the disorders they had before
+contracted, in remedying them; for ease after toil, plenty after want,
+and attention to their persons after dirt and filth, had variously
+affected their squalid and almost savage-looking bodies. This was the
+reason that Publius Cornelius, the consul, when he had arrived at Pisa
+with his fleet, hastened to the Po, though the troops he received from
+Manlius and Atilius were raw and disheartened by their late disgraces,
+in order that he might engage the enemy when not yet recruited. But
+when the consul came to Placentia, Hannibal had already moved from his
+quarters, and had taken by storm one city of the Taurini, the capital
+of the nation, because they did not come willingly into his alliance;
+and he would have gained over to him, not only from fear, but also
+from inclination, the Gauls who dwell beside the Po, had not the
+arrival of the consul suddenly checked them while watching for an
+opportunity of revolt. Hannibal at the same time moved from the
+Taurini, thinking that the Gauls, uncertain which side to choose,
+would follow him if present among them. The armies were now almost in
+sight of each other, and their leaders, though not at present
+sufficiently acquainted, yet met each other with a certain feeling of
+mutual admiration. For the name of Hannibal, even before the
+destruction of Saguntum, was very celebrated among the Romans; and
+Hannibal believed Scipio to be a superior man, from the very
+circumstance of his having been specially chosen to act as commander
+against himself. They had increased too their estimation of each
+other; Scipio, because, being left behind in Gaul, he had met Hannibal
+when he had crossed into Italy; Hannibal, by his daring attempt of
+crossing the Alps and by its accomplishment. Scipio, however, was the
+first to cross the Po, and having pitched his camp at the river
+Ticinus, he delivered the following oration for the sake of
+encouraging his soldiers before he led them out to form for battle:
+
+40. "If, soldiers, I were leading out that army to battle which I had
+with me in Gaul, I should have thought it superfluous to address you;
+for of what use would it be to exhort either those horsemen who so
+gloriously vanquished the cavalry of the enemy at the river Rhone, or
+those legions with whom, pursuing this very enemy flying before us, I
+obtained in lieu of victory, a confession of superiority, shown by his
+retreat and refusal to fight? Now because that army, levied for the
+province of Spain, maintains the war under my auspices [Footnote:
+Because Spain was his proper province as consul.] and the command of
+my brother Cneius Scipio, in the country where the senate and people
+of Rome wished him to serve, and since I, that you might have a consul
+for your leader against Hannibal and the Carthaginians, have offered
+myself voluntarily for this contest, few words are required to be
+addressed from a new commander to soldiers unacquainted with him. That
+you may not be ignorant of the nature of the war nor of the enemy, you
+have to fight, soldiers, with those whom in the former war you
+conquered both by land and sea; from whom you have exacted tribute for
+twenty years; from whom you hold Sicily and Sardinia, taken as the
+prizes of victory. In the present contest, therefore, you and they
+will have those feelings which are wont to belong to the victors and
+the vanquished. Nor are they now about to fight because they are
+daring, but because it is unavoidable; except you can believe that
+they who declined the engagement when their forces were entire, should
+have now gained more confidence when two-thirds of their infantry and
+cavalry have been lost in the passage of the Alps, and when almost
+greater numbers have perished than survive. Yes, they are few indeed,
+(some may say,) but they are vigorous in mind and body; men whose
+strength and power scarce any force may withstand. On the contrary,
+they are but the resemblances, nay, are rather the shadows of men;
+being worn out with hunger, cold, dirt, and filth, and bruised and
+enfeebled among stones and rocks. Besides all this, their joints are
+frost-bitten, their sinews stiffened with the snow, their limbs
+withered up by the frost, their armour battered and shivered, their
+horses lame and powerless. With such cavalry, with such infantry, you
+have to fight: you will not have enemies in reality, but rather their
+last remains. And I fear nothing more than that when you have fought
+Hannibal, the Alps may appear to have conquered him. But perhaps it
+was fitting that the gods themselves should, without any human aid,
+commence and carry forward a war with a leader and a people that
+violate the faith of treaties; and that we, who next to the gods have
+been injured, should finish the contest thus commenced and nearly
+completed."
+
+41. "I do not fear lest any one should think that I say this
+ostentatiously for the sake of encouraging you, while in my own mind I
+am differently affected. I was at liberty to go with my army into
+Spain, my own province, whither I had already set out; where I should
+have had a brother as the bearer of my councils and my dangers, and
+Hasdrubal, instead of Hannibal, for my antagonist, and without
+question a less laborious war: nevertheless, as I sailed along the
+coast of Gaul, having landed on hearing of this enemy, and having sent
+forward the cavalry, I moved my camp to the Rhone. In a battle of
+cavalry, with which part of my forces the opportunity of engaging was
+afforded, I routed the enemy; and because I could not overtake by land
+his army of infantry, which was rapidly hurried away, as if in flight,
+having returned to the ships with all the speed I could, after
+compassing such an extent of sea and land, I have met him at the foot
+of the Alps. Whether do I appear, while declining the contest, to have
+fallen in unexpectedly with this dreaded foe, or encounter him in his
+track? to challenge him and drag him out to decide the contest? I am
+anxious to try whether the earth has suddenly, in these twenty years,
+sent forth a new race of Carthaginians, or whether these are the same
+who fought at the islands Aegates, and whom you permitted to defeat
+from Eryx, valued at eighteen denarii a head; and whether this
+Hannibal be, as he himself gives out, the rival of the expeditions of
+Hercules, or one left by his father the tributary and taxed subject
+and slave of the Roman people; who, did not his guilt at Saguntum
+drive him to frenzy, would certainly reflect, if not upon his
+conquered country, at least on his family, and his father, and the
+treaties written by the hand of Hamilcar; who, at the command of our
+consul, withdrew the garrison from Eryx; who, indignant and grieving,
+submitted to the harsh conditions imposed on the conquered
+Carthaginians; who agreed to depart from Sicily, and pay tribute to
+the Roman people. I would, therefore, have you fight, soldiers, not
+only with that spirit with which you are wont to encounter other
+enemies, but with a certain indignation and resentment, as if you saw
+your slaves suddenly taking up arms against you. We might have killed
+them when shut up in Eryx by hunger, the most dreadful of human
+tortures; we might have carried over our victorious fleet to Africa,
+and in a few days have destroyed Carthage without any opposition. We
+granted pardon to their prayers; we released them from the blockade;
+we made peace with them when conquered; and we afterwards considered
+them under our protection when they were oppressed by the African war.
+In return for these benefits, they come under the conduct of a furious
+youth to attack our country. And I wish that the contest on your side
+was for glory, and not for safety: it is not about the possession of
+Sicily and Sardinia, concerning which the dispute was formerly, but
+for Italy, that you must fight: nor is there another army behind,
+which, if we should not conquer, can resist the enemy; nor are there
+other Alps, during the passage of which fresh forces may be procured:
+here, soldiers, we must make our stand, as if we fought before the
+walls of Rome. Let every one consider that he defends with his arms
+not only his own person, but his wife and young children: nor let him
+only entertain domestic cares and anxieties, but at the same time let
+him revolve in his mind, that the senate and people of Rome now
+anxiously regard our efforts; and that according as our strength and
+valour shall be, such henceforward will be the fortune of that city
+and of the Roman empire."
+
+42. Thus the consul addressed the Romans. Hannibal, thinking that his
+soldiers ought to be roused by deeds rather than by words, having
+drawn his army around for the spectacle, placed in their midst the
+captive mountaineers in fetters; and after Gallic arms had been thrown
+at their feet, he ordered the interpreter to ask, "whether any among
+them, on condition of being released from chains, and receiving, if
+victorious, armour and a horse, was willing to combat with the sword?"
+When they all, to a man, demanded the combat and the sword, and lots
+were cast into the urn for that purpose, each wished himself the
+person whom fortune might select for the contest. As the lot of each
+man came out, eager and exulting with joy amidst the congratulations
+of his comrades, and dancing after the national custom, he hastily
+snatched up the arms: but when they fought, such was the state of
+feeling, not only among their companions in the same circumstances,
+but among the spectators in general, that the fortune of those who
+conquered was not praised more than that of those who died bravely.
+
+43. When he had dismissed the soldiers, thus affected after viewing
+several pairs of combatants, having then summoned an assembly, he is
+said to have addressed them in these terms: "If, soldiers, you shall
+by and by, in judging of your own fortune, preserve the same feelings
+which you experienced a little before in the example of the fate of
+others, we have already conquered; for neither was that merely a
+spectacle, but as it were a certain representation of your condition.
+And I know not whether fortune has not thrown around you still
+stronger chains and more urgent necessities than around your captives.
+On the right and left two seas enclose you, without your possessing a
+single ship even for escape. The river Po around you, the Po larger
+and more impetuous than the Rhone, the Alps behind, scarcely passed by
+you when fresh and vigorous, hem you in. Here, soldiers, where you
+have first met the enemy, you must conquer or die; and the same
+fortune which has imposed the necessity of fighting, holds out to you,
+if victorious, rewards, than which men are not wont to desire greater,
+even from the immortal gods. If we were only about to recover by our
+valour Sicily and Sardinia, wrested from our fathers, the recompence
+would be sufficiently ample; but whatever, acquired and amassed by so
+many triumphs, the Romans possess, all, with its masters themselves,
+will become yours. To gain this rich reward, hasten, then, and seize
+your arms with the favour of the gods. Long enough in pursuing cattle
+among the desert mountains of Lusitania [Footnote: The ancient name
+of Portugal.] and Celtiberia, you have seen no emolument from so many
+toils and dangers: it is time to make rich and profitable campaigns,
+and to gain the great reward of your labours, after having
+accomplished such a length of journey over so many mountains and
+rivers, and so many nations in arms. Here fortune has granted you the
+termination of your labours; here she will bestow a reward worthy of
+the service you have undergone. Nor, in proportion as the war is great
+in name, ought you to consider that the victory will be difficult. A
+despised enemy has often maintained a sanguinary contest, and renowned
+states and kings been conquered by a very slight effort. For, setting
+aside only the splendour of the Roman name, what remains in which they
+can be compared to you? To pass over in silence your service for
+twenty years, distinguished by such valour and success you have made
+your way to this place from the pillars of Hercules, [Footnote:
+Calpe, a mountain or rather rock in Spain, and Abyla in Africa, fabled
+to have been placed by Hercules as marks of his most distant voyage,
+are now well known as Gibraltar and Ceuta.] from the ocean, and the
+remotest limits of the world advancing victorious through so many of
+the fiercest nations of Gaul and Spain: you will fight with a raw
+army, which this very summer was beaten, conquered, and surrounded by
+the Gauls, as yet unknown to its general, and ignorant of him. Shall I
+compare myself, almost born, and certainly bred in the tent of my
+father, that most illustrious commander, myself the subjugator of
+Spain and Gaul, the conqueror too not only of the Alpine nations, but
+what is much more, of the Alps themselves, with this six months'
+general, the deserter of his army? To whom, if any one, having taken
+away their standards, should show to-day the Carthaginians and Romans,
+I am sure that he would not know of which army he was consul. I do not
+regard it, soldiers, as of small account, that there is not a man
+among you before whose eyes I have not often achieved some military
+exploit; and to whom, in like manner, I the spectator and witness of
+his valour, could not recount his own gallant deeds, particularized by
+time and place. With soldiers who have a thousand times received my
+praises and gifts, I, who was the pupil of you all before I became
+your commander, will march out in battle-array against those who are
+unknown to and ignorant of each other."
+
+44. "On whatever side I turn my eyes I see nothing but what is full of
+courage and energy; a veteran infantry; calvary, both those with and
+those without the bridle, composed of the most gallant nations, you
+our most faithful and valiant allies, you Carthaginians, who are about
+to fight as well for the sake of your country as from the justest
+resentment. We are the assailants in the war, and descend into Italy
+with hostile standards, about to engage so much more boldly and
+bravely than the foe, as the confidence and courage of the assailant
+are greater than those of him who is defensive. Besides suffering,
+injury and indignity inflame and excite our minds: they first demanded
+me your leader for punishment, and then all of you who had laid siege
+to Saguntum; and had we been given up they would have visited us with
+the severest tortures. That most cruel and haughty nation considers
+every thing its own, and at its own disposal; it thinks it right that
+it should regulate with whom we are to have war, with whom peace: it
+circumscribes and shuts us up by the boundaries of mountains and
+rivers, which we must not pass; and then does not adhere to those
+boundaries which it appointed. Pass not the Iberus; have nothing to do
+with the Saguntines. Saguntum is on the Iberus; you must not move a
+step in any direction. Is it a small thing that you take away my most
+ancient provinces Sicily and Sardinia? will you take Spain also? and
+should I withdraw thence, you will cross over into Africa--will cross,
+did I say? they have sent the two consuls of this year one to Africa,
+the other to Spain: there is nothing left to us in any quarter, except
+what we can assert to ourselves by arms. Those may be cowards and
+dastards who have something to look back upon; whom, flying through
+safe and unmolested roads, their own lands and their own country will
+receive: there is a necessity for you to be brave; and since all
+between victory and death is broken off from you by inevitable
+despair, either to conquer, or, if fortune should waver, to meet death
+rather in battle than flight. If this be well fixed and determined in
+the minds of you all, I will repeat, you have already conquered: no
+stronger incentive to victory has been given to man by the immortal
+gods."
+
+45. When the minds of the soldiers on both sides had been animated to
+the contest by these exhortations, the Romans throw a bridge over the
+Ticinus, and, for the sake of defending the bridge, erect a fort on
+it. The Carthaginian, while the Romans were engaged in this work,
+sends Maharbal with a squadron of five hundred Numidian horse, to lay
+waste the territories of the allies of the Roman people. He orders
+that the Gauls should be spared as much as possible, and the minds of
+their chiefs be instigated to a revolt. When the bridge was finished,
+the Roman army being led across into the territory of the Insubrians,
+took up its station five miles from Victumviae. At this place Hannibal
+lay encamped; and having quickly recalled Maharbal and the cavalry,
+when he perceived that a battle was approaching, thinking that in
+exhorting the soldiers enough could never be spoken or addressed by
+way of admonition, he announces to them, when summoned to an assembly,
+stated rewards, in expectation of which they might fight. He promised,
+"that he would give them land in Italy, Africa, Spain, where each man
+might choose, exempt from all burdens to the person who received it,
+and to his children: if any one preferred money to land, he would
+satisfy him in silver; if any of the allies wished to become citizens
+of Carthage, he would grant them permission; if others chose rather to
+return home, he would lend his endeavours that they should not wish
+the situation of any one of their countrymen exchanged for their own."
+To the slaves also who followed their masters he promised freedom, and
+that he would give two slaves in place of each of them to their
+masters. And that they might know that these promises were certain,
+holding in his left hand a lamb, and in his right a flint, having
+prayed to Jupiter and the other gods, that, if he was false to his
+word, they would thus slay him as he slew the lamb; after the prayer
+he broke the skull of the sheep with the stone. Then in truth all,
+receiving as it were the gods as sureties, each for the fulfilment of
+his own hopes, and thinking that the only delay in obtaining the
+object of their wishes arose from their not yet being engaged, with
+one mind and one voice demanded the battle.
+
+46. By no means so great an alacrity prevailed among the Romans, who,
+in addition to other causes, were also alarmed by recent prodigies;
+for both a wolf had entered the camp, and having torn those who met
+him, had escaped unhurt; and a swarm of bees had settled on a tree
+overhanging the general's tent. After these prodigies were expiated,
+Scipio having set out with his cavalry and light-armed spearmen
+towards the camp of the enemy, to observe from a near point their
+forces, how numerous, and of what description they were, falls in with
+Hannibal, who had himself also advanced with his cavalry to explore
+the circumjacent country: neither at first perceived the other, but
+the dust arising from the trampling of so many men and horses soon
+gave the signal of approaching enemies. Both armies halted, and were
+preparing themselves for battle. Scipio places his spearmen and Gallic
+cavalry in front; the Romans and what force of allies he had with him,
+in reserve. Hannibal receives the horsemen who rode with the rein in
+the centre, and strengthens his wings with Numidians. When the shout
+was scarcely raised, the spearmen fled among the reserve to the second
+line: there was then a contest of the cavalry, for some time doubtful;
+but afterwards, on account of the foot soldiers, who were
+intermingled, causing confusion among the horses, many of the riders
+falling off from their horses, or leaping down where they saw their
+friends surrounded and hard pressed, the battle for the most part came
+to be fought on foot; until the Numidians, who were in the wings,
+having made a small circuit, showed themselves on the rear. That alarm
+dismayed the Romans, and the wound of the consul, and the danger to
+his life, warded off by the interposition of his son, then just
+arriving at the age of puberty, augmented their fears. This youth will
+be found to be the same to whom the glory of finishing this war
+belongs, and to whom the name of Africanus was given, on account of
+his splendid victory over Hannibal and the Carthaginians. The flight,
+however, of the spearmen, whom the Numidians attacked first, was the
+most disorderly. The rest of the cavalry, in a close body, protecting,
+not only with their arms, but also with their bodies, the consul, whom
+they had received into the midst of them, brought him back to the camp
+without any where giving way in disorder or precipitation. Coelius
+attributes the honour of saving the consul to a slave, by nation a
+Ligurian. I indeed should rather wish that the account about the son
+was true, which also most authors have transmitted, and the report of
+which has generally obtained credit.
+
+47. This was the first battle with Hannibal; from which it clearly
+appeared that the Carthaginian was superior in cavalry; and on that
+account, that open plains, such as lie between the Po and the Alps,
+were not suited to the Romans for carrying on the war. On the
+following night, therefore, the soldiers being ordered to prepare
+their baggage in silence, the camp broke up from the Ticinus, and they
+hastened to the Po, in order that the rafts by which the consul had
+formed a bridge over the river, being not yet loosened, he might lead
+his forces across without disturbance or pursuit of the enemy. They
+arrived at Placentia before Hannibal had ascertained that they had set
+out from the Ticinus. He took, however, six hundred of those who
+loitered on the farther bank, who were slowly unfastening the raft;
+but he was not able to pass the bridge, as the whole raft floated down
+the stream as soon as the ends were unfastened. Coelius relates that
+Mago, with the cavalry and Spanish infantry, immediately swam the
+river; and that Hannibal himself led the army across by fords higher
+up the Po, the elephants being opposed to the stream in a line to
+break the force of the current. These accounts can scarcely gain
+credit with those who are acquainted with that river; for it is
+neither probable that the cavalry could bear up against the great
+violence of the stream, without losing their arms or horses, even
+supposing that inflated bags of leather had transported all the
+Spaniards; and the fords of the Po, by which an army encumbered with
+baggage could pass, must have been sought by a circuit of many days'
+march. Those authors are more credited by me, who relate that in the
+course of two days a place was with difficulty found fit for forming a
+bridge of rafts across the river, and that by this way the light-armed
+Spanish cavalry was sent forward with Mago. Whilst Hannibal, delaying
+beside the river to give audience to the embassies of the Gauls,
+conveys over the heavy-armed forces of infantry, in the mean time
+Mago and the cavalry proceed towards the enemy at Placentia one day's
+journey after crossing the river. Hannibal, a few days after,
+fortified his camp six miles from Placentia, and on the following day,
+having drawn up his line of battle in sight of the enemy, gave them an
+opportunity of fighting.
+
+48. On the following night a slaughter was made in the Roman camp by
+the auxiliary Gauls, which appeared greater from the tumult than it
+proved in reality. Two thousand infantry and two hundred horse, having
+killed the guards at the gates, desert to Hannibal; whom the
+Carthaginians having addressed kindly, and excited by the hope of
+great rewards, sent each to several states to gain over the minds of
+their countrymen. Scipio, thinking that that slaughter was a signal
+for the revolt of all the Gauls, and that, contaminated with the guilt
+of that affair, they would rush to arms as if a frenzy had been sent
+among them, though he was still suffering severely from his wound, yet
+setting out for the river Trebia at the fourth watch of the following
+night with his army in silence, he removes his camp to higher ground
+and hills more embarrassing to the cavalry. He escaped observation
+less than at the Ticinus: and Hannibal, having despatched first the
+Numidians and then all the cavalry, would have thrown the rear at
+least into great confusion, had not the Numidians, through anxiety for
+booty, turned aside into the deserted Roman camp. There whilst,
+closely examining every part of the camp, they waste time, with no
+sufficient reward for the delay, the enemy escaped out of their hands;
+and when they saw the Romans already across the Trebia, and measuring
+out their camp, they kill a few of the loiterers intercepted on that
+side of the river. Scipio being unable to endure any longer the
+irritation of his wound, caused by the roughness of the road, and
+thinking that he ought to wait for his colleague, (for he had now
+heard that he was recalled from Sicily,) fortified a space of chosen
+ground, which, adjoining the river, seemed safest for a stationary
+camp. When Hannibal had encamped not far from thence, being as much
+elated with the victory of his cavalry, as anxious on account of the
+scarcity which every day assailed him more severely, marching as he
+did through the territory of the enemy, and supplies being no where
+provided, he sends to the village of Clastidium, where the Romans had
+collected a great stock of corn. There, whilst they were preparing for
+an assault, a hope of the town being betrayed to them was held out:
+Dasius, a Brundusian, the governor of the garrison, having been
+corrupted for four hundred pieces of gold, (no great bribe truly,)
+Clastidium is surrendered to Hannibal. It served as a granary for the
+Carthaginians while they lay at the Trebia. No cruelty was used
+towards the prisoners of the surrendered garrison, in order that a
+character for clemency might be acquired at the commencement of his
+proceedings.
+
+49. While the war by land was at a stand beside the Trebia, in the
+mean time operations went on by land and sea around Sicily and the
+islands adjacent to Italy, both under Sempronius the consul, and
+before his arrival. Twenty quinqueremes, with a thousand armed men,
+having been sent by the Carthaginians to lay waste the coast of Italy,
+nine reached the Liparae, eight the island of Vulcan, and three the
+tide drove into the strait. On these being seen from Messana, twelve
+ships sent out by Hiero king of Syracuse, who then happened to be at
+Messana, waiting for the Roman consul, brought back into the port of
+Messana the ships taken without any resistance. It was discovered from
+the prisoners that, besides the twenty ships, to which fleet they
+belonged, and which had been despatched against Italy, thirty-five
+other quinqueremes were directing their course to Sicily, in order to
+gain over their ancient allies: that their main object was to gain
+possession of Lilybaeum, and they believed that that fleet had been
+driven to the islands Aegates by the same storm by which they
+themselves had been dispersed. The king writes these tidings,
+according as they had been received, to Marcus Aemilius the praetor,
+whose province Sicily was, and advises him to occupy Lilybaeum with a
+strong garrison. Immediately the lieutenants, generals, and tribunes,
+with the praetor, were despatched to the different states, in order
+that they might keep their men on vigilant guard; above all things it
+was commanded, that Lilybaeum should be secured: an edict having been
+put forth that, in addition to such warlike preparations, the crews
+should carry down to their ships dressed provisions for ten days, so
+that no one when the signal was given might delay in embarking; and
+that those who were stationed along the whole coast should look out
+from their watch-towers for the approaching fleet of the enemy. The
+Carthaginians, therefore, though they had purposely slackened the
+course of their ships, so that they might reach Lilybaeum just before
+daybreak, were descried before their arrival, because both the moon
+shone all night, and they came with their sails set up. Immediately
+the signal was given from the watch-towers, and the summons to arms
+was shouted through the town, and they embarked in the ships: part of
+the soldiers were left on the walls and at the stations of the gates,
+and part went on board the fleet. The Carthaginians, because they
+perceived that they would not have to do with an unprepared enemy,
+kept back from the harbour till daylight, that interval being spent in
+taking down their rigging and getting ready the fleet for action. When
+the light appeared, they withdrew their fleet into the open sea, that
+there might be room for the battle, and that the ships of the enemy
+might have a free egress from the harbour. Nor did the Romans decline
+the conflict, being emboldened both by the recollection of the
+exploits they had performed near that very spot, and by the numbers
+and valour of their soldiers.
+
+50. When they had advanced into the open sea, the Romans wished to
+come to close fight, and to make a trial of strength hand to hand. The
+Carthaginians, on the contrary, eluded them, and sought to maintain
+the fight by art, not by force, and to make it a battle of ships
+rather than of men and arms: for though they had their fleet
+abundantly supplied with mariners, yet it was deficient in soldiers;
+and when a ship was grappled, a very unequal number of armed men
+fought on board of it. When this was observed, their numbers increased
+the courage of the Romans, and their inferiority of force diminished
+that of the others. Seven Carthaginian ships were immediately
+surrounded; the rest took to flight: one thousand seven hundred
+soldiers and mariners were captured in the ships, and among them were
+three noble Carthaginians. The Roman fleet returned without loss to
+the harbour, only one ship being pierced, and even that also brought
+back into port. After this engagement, before those at Messana were
+aware of its occurrence, Titus Sempronius the consul arrived at
+Messana. As he entered the strait, king Hiero led out a fleet fully
+equipped to meet him; and having passed from the royal ship into that
+of the general, he congratulated him on having arrived safe with his
+army and fleet, and prayed that his expedition to Sicily might be
+prosperous and successful. He then laid before him the state of the
+island and the designs of the Carthaginians, and promised that with
+the same spirit with which he had in his youth assisted the Romans
+during the former war, he would now assist them in his old age; that
+he would gratuitously furnish supplies of corn and clothing to the
+legions and naval crews of the consul; adding, that great danger
+threatened Lilybaeum and the maritime states, and that a change of
+affairs would be acceptable to some of them. For these reasons it
+appeared to the consul that he ought to make no delay, but to repair
+to Lilybaeum with his fleet. The king and the royal squadron set out
+along with him, and on their passage they heard that a battle had been
+fought at Lilybaeum, and that the enemy's ships had been scattered and
+taken.
+
+51. The consul having dismissed Hiero with the royal fleet, and left
+the praetor to defend the coast of Sicily, passed over himself from
+Lilybaeum to the island Melita, which was held in possession by the
+Carthaginians. On his arrival, Hamilcar, the son of Gisgo, the
+commander of the garrison, with little less than two thousand
+soldiers, together with the town and the island, are delivered up to
+him: thence, after a few days, he returned to Lilybaeum, and the
+prisoners taken, both by the consul and the praetor, excepting those
+illustrious for their rank, were publicly sold. When the consul
+considered that Sicily was sufficiently safe on that side, he crossed
+over to the islands of Vulcan, because there was a report that the
+Carthaginian fleet was stationed there: but not one of the enemy was
+discovered about those islands. They had already, as it happened,
+passed over to ravage the coast of Italy, and having laid waste the
+territory of Vibo, were also threatening the city. The descent made by
+the enemy on the Vibonensian territory is announced to the consul as
+he was returning to Sicily: and letters were delivered to him which
+had been sent by the senate, about the passage of Hannibal into Italy,
+commanding him as soon as possible to bring assistance to his
+colleague. Perplexed with having so many anxieties at once, he
+immediately sent his army, embarked in the fleet, by the upper sea to
+Ariminum; he assigned the defence of the territory of Vibo, and the
+sea-coast of Italy, to Sextus Pomponius, his lieutenant-general, with
+twenty-five ships of war: he made up a fleet of fifty ships for Marcus
+Aemilius the praetor; and he himself, after the affairs of Sicily were
+settled, sailing close along the coast of Italy with ten ships,
+arrived at Ariminum, whence, setting out with his army for the river
+Trebia, he joined his colleague.
+
+52. Both the consuls and all the strength of Rome being now opposed to
+Hannibal, made it sufficiently obvious that the Roman empire could
+either be defended by those forces, or that there was no other hope
+left. Yet the one consul being dispirited by the battle of the cavalry
+and his own wound, wished operations to be deferred: the other having
+his spirits unsubdued, and being therefore the more impetuous,
+admitted no delay. The tract of country between the Trebia and the Po
+was then inhabited by the Gauls, who, in this contest of two very
+powerful states, by a doubtful neutrality, were evidently looking
+forward to the favour of the conqueror. The Romans submitted to this
+conduct of the Gauls with tolerable satisfaction, provided they did
+not take any active part at all; but the Carthaginian bore it with
+great discontent, giving out that he had come invited by the Gauls to
+set them at liberty. On account of that resentment, and in order that
+he might at the same time maintain his troops from the plunder, he
+ordered two thousand foot and a thousand horse, chiefly Numidians,
+with some Gauls intermixed, to lay waste all the country
+straightforward as far as the banks of the Po. The Gauls, being in
+want of assistance, though they had up to this time kept their
+inclinations doubtful, are forced by the authors of the injury to turn
+to some who would be their supporters; and having sent ambassadors to
+the consul, they implore the aid of the Romans in behalf of a country
+which was suffering for the too great fidelity of its inhabitants to
+the Romans. Neither the cause nor the time of pleading it was
+satisfactory to Cornelius; and the nation was suspected by him, both
+on account of many treacherous actions, and though others might have
+been forgotten through length of time, on account of the recent
+perfidy of the Boii. Sempronius, on the contrary, thought that it
+would be the strongest tie upon the fidelity of the allies, if those
+were defended who first required support. Then, while his colleague
+hesitated, he sends his own cavalry, with about a thousand spearmen on
+foot in their company, to protect the Gallic territory beyond the
+Trebia. These, when they had unexpectedly attacked the enemy while
+scattered and disordered, and for the most part encumbered with booty,
+caused great terror, slaughter, and flight, even as far as the camp
+and outposts of the enemy; whence being repulsed by the numbers that
+poured out, they again renewed the fight with the assistance of their
+own party. Then pursuing and retreating in doubtful battle, though
+they left it at last equal, yet the fame of the victory was more with
+the Romans than the enemy.
+
+53. But to no one did it appear more important and just than to the
+consul himself. He was transported with joy "that he had conquered
+with that part of the forces with which the other consul had been
+defeated; that the spirits of the soldiers were restored and revived;
+that there was no one, except his colleague, who would wish an
+engagement delayed; and that he, suffering more from disease of mind
+than body, shuddered, through recollection of his wound, at arms and
+battle. But others ought not to sink into decrepitude together with a
+sick man. For why should there be any longer protraction or waste of
+time? What third consul, what other army did they wait for? The camp
+of the Carthaginians was in Italy, and almost in sight of the city. It
+was not Sicily and Sardinia, which had been taken from them when
+vanquished, nor Spain on this side of the Iberus, that was their
+object, but that the Romans should be driven from the land of their
+fathers, and the soil in which they were born. How deeply," he
+continued, "would our fathers groan, who were wont to wage war around
+the walls of Carthage, if they should see us their offspring, two
+consuls and two consular armies, trembling within our camps in the
+heart of Italy, while a Carthaginian had made himself master of all
+the country between the Alps and the Apennine!" Such discourses did he
+hold while sitting beside his sick colleague, and also at the
+head-quarters, almost in the manner of an harangue. The approaching
+period of the elections also stimulated him, lest the war should be
+protracted till the new consuls were chosen, and the opportunity of
+turning all the glory to himself, while his colleague lay sick. He
+orders the soldiers, therefore, Cornelius in vain attempting to
+dissuade him, to get ready for an immediate engagement. Hannibal, as
+he saw what conduct would be best for the enemy, had scarce at first
+any hope that the consuls would do any thing rashly or imprudently,
+but when he discovered that the disposition of the one, first known
+from report, and afterwards from experience, was ardent and impetuous,
+and believed that it had been rendered still more impetuous by the
+successful engagement with his predatory troops, he did not doubt that
+an opportunity of action was near at hand. He was anxious and watchful
+not to omit this opportunity, while the troops of the enemy were raw,
+while his wound rendered the better of the two commanders useless, and
+while the spirits of the Gauls were fresh; of whom he knew that a
+great number would follow him with the greater reluctance the farther
+they were drawn away from home. When, for these and similar reasons,
+he hoped that an engagement was near and desired to make the attack
+himself, if there should be any delay; and when the Gauls, who were
+the safer spies to ascertain what he wished, as they served in both
+camps, had brought intelligence that the Romans were prepared for
+battle, the Carthaginian began to look about for a place for an
+ambuscade.
+
+54. Between the armies was a rivulet, bordered on each side with very
+high banks, and covered around with marshy plants, and with the
+brushwood and brambles with which uncultivated places are generally
+overspread; and when, riding around it, he had, with his own eyes,
+thoroughly reconnoitred a place which was sufficient to afford a
+covert even for cavalry, he said to Mago his brother: "This will be
+the place which you must occupy. Choose out of all the infantry and
+cavalry a hundred men of each, with whom come to me at the first
+watch. Now is the time to refresh their bodies." The council was thus
+dismissed, and in a little time Mago came forward with his chosen men.
+"I see," said Hannibal, "the strength of the men; but that you may be
+strong not only in resolution, but also in number, pick out each from
+the troops and companies nine men like yourselves: Mago will show you
+the place where you are to lie in ambush. You will have an enemy who
+is blind to these arts of war." A thousand horse and a thousand foot,
+under the command of Mago, having been thus sent off, Hannibal orders
+the Numidian cavalry to ride up, after crossing the river Trebia by
+break of day, to the gates of the enemy, and to draw them out to a
+battle by discharging their javelins at the guards; and then, when the
+fight was commenced, by retiring slowly to decoy them across the
+river. These instructions were given to the Numidians: to the other
+leaders of the infantry and cavalry it was commanded that they should
+order all their men to dine; and then, under arms and with their
+horses equipped, to await the signal. Sempronius, eager for the
+contest, led out, on the first tumult raised by the Numidians, all the
+cavalry, being full of confidence in that part of the forces; then six
+thousand infantry, and lastly all his army, to the place already
+determined in his plan. It happened to be the winter season and a
+snowy day, in the region which lies between the Alps and the Apennine,
+and excessively cold by the proximity of rivers and marshes: besides,
+there was no heat in the bodies of the men and horses thus hastily led
+out without having first taken food, or employed any means to keep off
+the cold; and the nearer they approached to the blasts from the river,
+a keener degree of cold blew upon them. But when, in pursuit of the
+flying Numidians, they entered the water, (and it was swollen by rain
+in the night as high as their breasts,) then in truth the bodies of
+all, on landing, were so benumbed, that they were scarcely able to
+hold their arms; and as the day advanced they began to grow faint,
+both from fatigue and hunger.
+
+55. In the mean time the soldiers of Hannibal, fires having been
+kindled before the tents, and oil sent through the companies to soften
+their limbs, and their food having been taken at leisure, as soon as
+it was announced that the enemy had passed the river, seized their
+arms with vigour of mind and body, and advanced to the battle.
+Hannibal placed before the standards the Baliares and the light-armed
+troops, to the amount of nearly eight thousand men; then the
+heavier-armed infantry, the chief of his power and strength: on the
+wings he posted ten thousand horse, and on their extremities stationed
+the elephants divided into two parts. The consul placed on the flanks
+of his infantry the cavalry, recalled by the signal for retreat, as in
+their irregular pursuit of the enemy they were checked, while
+unprepared, by the Numidians suddenly turning upon them. There were of
+infantry eighteen thousand Romans, twenty thousand allies of the Latin
+name, besides the auxiliary forces of the Cenomani, the only Gallic
+nation that had remained faithful: with these forces they engaged the
+enemy. The battle was commenced by the Baliares; whom when the legions
+resisted with superior force, the light-armed troops were hastily
+drawn off to the wings; which movement caused the Roman cavalry to be
+immediately overpowered: for when their four thousand already with
+difficulty withstood by themselves ten thousand of the enemy, the
+wearied, against men for the most part fresh, they were overwhelmed in
+addition by a cloud as it were of javelins, discharged by the
+Baliares; and the elephants besides, which held a prominent position
+at the extremities of the wings, (the horses being greatly terrified
+not only at their appearance, but their unusual smell,) occasioned
+flight to a wide extent. The battle between the infantry was equal
+rather in courage than strength; for the Carthaginian brought the
+latter entire to the action, having a little before refreshed
+themselves, while, on the contrary, the bodies of the Romans,
+suffering from fasting and fatigue, and stiff with cold, were quite
+benumbed. They would have made a stand, however, by dint of courage,
+if they had only had to fight with the infantry. But both the
+Baliares, having beaten off the cavalry, poured darts on their flanks,
+and the elephants had already penetrated to the centre of the line of
+the infantry; while Mago and the Numidians, as soon as the army had
+passed their place of ambush without observing them, starting up on
+their rear, occasioned great disorder and alarm. Nevertheless, amid so
+many surrounding dangers, the line for some time remained unbroken,
+and, most contrary to the expectation of all, against the elephants.
+These the light infantry, posted for the purpose, turned back by
+throwing their spears; and following them up when turned, pierced them
+under the tail, where they received the wounds in the softest skin.
+
+56. Hannibal ordered the elephants, thus thrown into disorder, and
+almost driven by their terror against their own party, to be led away
+from the centre of the line to its extremity against the auxiliary
+Gauls on the left wing. In an instant they occasioned unequivocal
+flight; and a new alarm was added to the Romans when they saw their
+auxiliaries routed. About ten thousand men, therefore, as they now
+were fighting in a circle, the others being unable to escape, broke
+through the middle of the line of the Africans, which was supported by
+the Gallic auxiliaries, with immense slaughter of the enemy: and since
+they neither could return to the camp, being shut out by the river,
+nor, on account of the heavy rain, satisfactorily determine in what
+part they should assist their friends, they proceeded by the direct
+road to Placentia. After this several irruptions were made in all
+directions; and those who sought the river were either swallowed up in
+its eddies, or whilst they hesitated to enter it were cut off by the
+enemy. Some, who had been scattered abroad through the country in
+their flight, by following the traces of the retreating army, arrived
+at Placentia; others, the fear of the enemy inspired with boldness to
+enter the river, having crossed it, reached the camp. The rain mixed
+with snow, and the intolerable severity of the cold, destroyed many
+men and beasts of burden, and almost all the elephants. The river
+Trebia was the termination of the Carthaginians' pursuit of the enemy;
+and they returned to the camp so benumbed with cold, that they could
+scarcely feel joy for the victory. On the following night, therefore,
+though the guard of the camp and the principal part of the soldiers
+that remained passed the Trebia on rafts, they either did not perceive
+it, on account of the beating of the rain, or being unable to bestir
+themselves, through their fatigue and wounds, pretended that they did
+not perceive it; and the Carthaginians remaining quiet, the army was
+silently led by the consul Scipio to Placentia, thence transported
+across the Po to Cremona, lest one colony should be too much burdened
+by the winter quarters of two armies.
+
+57. Such terror on account of this disaster was carried to Rome, that
+they believed that the enemy was already approaching the city with
+hostile standards, and that they had neither hope nor aid by which
+they might repel his attack from the gates and walls. One consul
+having been defeated at the Ticinus, the other having been recalled
+from Sicily, and now both consuls and their two consular armies having
+been vanquished, what other commanders, what other legions were there
+to be sent for? The consul Sempronius came to them whilst thus
+dismayed, having passed at great risk through the cavalry of the
+enemy, scattered in every direction in search of plunder, with
+courage, rather than with any plan or hope of escaping, or of making
+resistance if he should not escape it. Having held the assembly for
+the election of the consuls, the only thing which was particularly
+wanting at present, he returned to the winter quarters. Cneius
+Servilius and Caius Flaminius were elected consuls. But not even the
+winter quarters of the Romans were undisturbed, the Numidian horse
+ranging at large, and where the ground was impracticable for these,
+the Celtiberians and Lusitanians. All supplies, therefore, from every
+quarter, were cut off, except such as the ships conveyed by the Po.
+There was a magazine near Placentia, both fortified with great care
+and secured by a strong garrison. In the hope of taking this fort,
+Hannibal having set out with the cavalry and the light-armed horse,
+and having attacked it by night, as he rested his main hope of
+effecting his enterprise on keeping it concealed, did not escape the
+notice of the guards. Such a clamour was immediately raised, that it
+was heard even at Placentia. The consul; therefore, came up with the
+cavalry about daybreak, having commanded the legions to follow in a
+square band. In the mean time an engagement of cavalry commenced, in
+which the enemy being dismayed because Hannibal retired wounded from
+the fight, the fortress was admirably defended. After this, having
+taken rest for a few days, and before his wound was hardly as yet
+sufficiently healed, he sets out to lay siege to Victumviae. This
+magazine had been fortified by the Romans in the Gallic war;
+afterwards a mixture of inhabitants from the neighbouring states
+around had made the place populous; and at this time the terror
+created by the devastation of the enemy had driven together to it
+numbers from the country. A multitude of this description, excited by
+the report of the brave defence of the fortress near Placentia, having
+snatched up their arms, went out to meet Hannibal. They engaged on the
+road rather like armies in order of march than in line of battle; and
+since on the one side there was nothing but a disorderly crowd, and on
+the other a general confident in his soldiers, and soldiers in their
+general, as many as thirty-five thousand men were routed by a few. On
+the following day, a surrender having been made, they received a
+garrison within their walls; and being ordered to deliver up their
+arms, as soon as they had obeyed the command, a signal is suddenly
+given to the victors to pillage the city, as if it had been taken by
+storm; nor was any outrage, which in such cases is wont to appear to
+writers worthy of relation, left unperpetrated; such a specimen of
+every kind of lust, barbarity, and inhuman insolence was exhibited
+towards that unhappy people. Such were the expeditions of Hannibal
+during the winter.
+
+58. For a short time after, while the cold continued intolerable, rest
+was given to the soldiers; and having set out from his winter quarters
+on the first and uncertain indications of spring, he leads them into
+Etruria, intending to gain that nation to his side, like the Gauls and
+Ligurians, either by force or favour. As he was crossing the
+Apennines, so furious a storm attacked him, that it almost surpassed
+the horrors of the Alps. When the rain and wind together were driven
+directly against their faces, they at first halted, because their arms
+must either be cast away, or striving to advance against the storm
+they were whirled round by the hurricane, and dashed to the ground:
+afterwards, when it now stopped their breath, nor suffered them to
+respire, they sat down for a little, with their backs to the wind.
+Then indeed the sky resounded with loud thunder, and the lightnings
+flashed between its terrific peals; all, bereft of sight and hearing,
+stood torpid with fear. At length, when the rain had spent itself, and
+the fury of the wind was on that account the more increased, it seemed
+necessary to pitch the camp in that very place where they had been
+overtaken by the storm. But this was the beginning of their labours,
+as it were, afresh; for neither could they spread out nor fix any
+tent, nor did that which perchance had been put up remain, the wind
+tearing through and sweeping every thing away: and soon after, when
+the water raised aloft by the wind had been frozen above the cold
+summits of the mountains, it poured down such a torrent of snowy hail,
+that the men, casting away every thing, fell down upon their faces,
+rather buried under than sheltered by their coverings; and so extreme
+an intensity of cold succeeded, that when each wished to raise and
+lift himself from that wretched heap of men and beasts of burden, he
+was for a long time unable, because their sinews being stiffened by
+the cold, they had great difficulty in bending their joints.
+Afterwards, when, by continually moving themselves to and fro, they
+succeeded in recovering the power of motion, and regained their
+spirits, and fires began to be kindled in a few places, every helpless
+man had recourse to the aid of others. They remained as if blockaded
+for two days in that place. Many men and beasts of burden, and also
+seven elephants, of those which had remained from the battle fought at
+the Trebia, were destroyed.
+
+59. Having descended from the Apennines, he moved his camp back
+towards Placentia, and having proceeded as far as ten miles, took up
+his station. On the following day he leads out twelve thousand
+infantry and five thousand cavalry against the enemy. Nor did
+Sempronius the consul (for he had now returned from Rome) decline the
+engagement; and during that day three miles intervened between the two
+camps. On the following day they fought with amazing courage and
+various success. At the first onset the Roman power was so superior,
+that they not only conquered the enemy in the regular battle, but
+pursued them when driven back quite into their camp, and soon after
+also assaulted it. Hannibal, having stationed a few to defend the
+rampart and the gates, and having admitted the rest in close array
+into the middle of the camp orders them to watch attentively the
+signal for sallying out. It was now about the ninth hour of the day
+when the Roman, having fatigued his soldiers to no purpose, after
+there was no hope of gaining possession of the camp, gave the signal
+for retreat; which when Hannibal heard, and saw that the attack was
+slackened, and that they were retreating from the camp, instantly
+having sent out the cavalry on the right and left against the enemy,
+he himself in the middle with the main force of the infantry rushed
+out from the camp. Seldom has there been a combat more furious, and
+few would have been more remarkable for the loss on both sides, if the
+day had suffered it to continue for a longer time. Night broke off the
+battle when raging most from the determined spirit of the combatants.
+The conflict therefore was more severe than the slaughter: and as it
+was pretty much a drawn battle, they separated with equal loss. On
+neither side fell more than six hundred infantry, and half that number
+of cavalry. But the loss of the Romans was more severe than
+proportionate to the number that fell, because several of equestrian
+rank, and five tribunes of the soldiers, and three prefects of the
+allies were slain. After this battle Hannibal retired to the territory
+of the Ligurians, and Sempronius to Luca. Two Roman quaestors, Caius
+Fulvius and Lucius Lucretius, who had been treacherously intercepted,
+with two military tribunes and five of the equestrian order, mostly
+sons of senators, are delivered up to Hannibal when coming among the
+Ligurians, in order that he might feel more convinced that the peace
+and alliance with them would be binding.
+
+60. While these things are transacting in Italy, Cneius Cornelius
+Scipio having been sent into Spain with a fleet and army, when,
+setting out from the mouth of the Rhone, and sailing past the
+Pyrenaean mountains, he had moored his fleet at Emporiae, having there
+landed his army, and beginning with the Lacetani, he brought the whole
+coast, as far as the river Iberus, under the Roman dominion, partly by
+renewing the old, and partly by forming new alliances. The reputation
+for clemency, acquired by these means, had influence not only with the
+maritime states, but now also with the more savage tribes in the
+inland and mountainous districts; nor was peace only effected with
+them, but also an alliance of arms, and several fine cohorts of
+auxiliaries were levied from their numbers. The country on this side
+of the Iberus was the province of Hanno, whom Hannibal had left to
+defend that region. He, therefore, judging that he ought to make
+opposition, before every thing was alienated from him, having pitched
+his camp in sight of the enemy, led out his forces in battle-array;
+nor did it appear to the Roman, that the engagement ought to be
+deferred, as he knew that he must fight with Hanno and Hasdrubal, and
+wished rather to contend against each of them separately, than against
+both together. The conflict did not prove one of great difficulty; six
+thousand of the enemy were slain, and two thousand made prisoners,
+together with the guard of the camp; for both the camp was stormed,
+and the general himself, with several of the chief officers, taken;
+and Scissis, a town near the camp, was also carried by assault. But
+the spoil of this town consisted of things of small value, such as the
+household furniture used by barbarians and slaves that were worth
+little. The camp enriched the soldiers; almost all the valuable
+effects, not only of that army which was conquered, but of that which
+was serving with Hannibal in Italy, having been left on this side the
+Pyrenees, that the baggage might not be cumbrous to those who conveyed
+it.
+
+61. Before any certain news of this disaster arrived, Hasdrubal,
+having passed the Iberus with eight thousand foot and a thousand
+horse, intending to meet the Romans on their first approach, after he
+heard of the ruin of their affairs at Scissis, and the loss of the
+camp, turned his route towards the sea. Not far from Tarraco, having
+despatched his cavalry in various directions, he drove to their ships,
+with great slaughter, and greater route, the soldiers belonging to the
+fleet and the mariners, while scattered and wandering through the
+fields (for it is usually the case that success produces negligence),
+but not daring to remain longer in that quarter, lest he should be
+surprised by Scipio, he withdrew to the other side of the Iberus. And
+Scipio, having quickly brought up his army on the report of fresh
+enemies, after punishing a few captains of ships and leaving a
+moderate garrison at Tarraco, returned with his fleet to Emporiae. He
+had scarcely departed, when Hasdrubal came up, and having instigated
+to a revolt the state of the Ilergetes, which had given hostages to
+Scipio, he lays waste, with the youth of that very people, the lands
+of the faithful allies of the Romans. Scipio being thereupon roused
+from his winter quarters, Hasdrubal again retires from in all the
+country on this side the Iberus. Scipio, when with a hostile army he
+had invaded the state of the Ilergetes, forsaken by the author of
+their revolt, and having driven them all into Athanagia, which was the
+capital of that nation laid siege to the city; and within a few days,
+having imposed the delivery of more hostages than before, and also
+fined the Ilergetes in a sum of money, he received them back into his
+authority and dominion. He then proceeded against the Ausetani near
+the Iberus, who were also the allies of the Carthaginians; and having
+laid siege to their city, he cut off by an ambuscade the Lacetani,
+while bringing assistance by night to their neighbours, having
+attacked them at a small distance from the city, as they were
+designing to enter it. As many as twelve thousand were slain; the
+rest, nearly all without their arms, escaped home, by dispersing
+through the country in every direction. Nor did any thing else but the
+winter, which was unfavourable to the besiegers, secure the besieged.
+The blockade continued for thirty days, during which the snow scarce
+ever lay less deep than four feet; and it had covered to such a degree
+the sheds and mantelets of the Romans, that it alone served as a
+defence when fire was frequently thrown on them by the enemy. At last,
+when Amusitus, their leader, had fled to Hasdrubal, they are
+surrendered, on condition of paying twenty talents of silver. They
+then returned into winter quarters at Tarraco.
+
+62. At Rome during this winter many prodigies either occurred about the
+city, or, as usually happens when the minds of men are once inclined
+to superstition, many were reported and readily believed; among which
+it was said that an infant of good family, only six months old, had
+called out "Io triumphe" in the herb market: that in the cattle market
+an ox had of his own accord ascended to the third story, and that
+thence, being frightened by the noise of the inhabitants, had flung
+himself down; that the appearance of ships had been brightly visible
+in the sky, and that the temple of Hope in the herb market had been
+struck by lightning; that the spear at Lanuvium had shaken itself;
+that a crow had flown down into the temple of Juno and alighted on the
+very couch; that in the territory of Amiternum figures resembling men
+dressed in white raiment had been seen in several places at a
+distance, but had not come close to any one; that in Picenum it had
+rained stones; that at Caere the tablets for divination had been
+lessened in size; and that in Gaul a wolf had snatched out the sword
+from the scabbard of a soldier on guard, and carried it off. On
+account of the other prodigies the decemvirs were ordered to consult
+the books; but on account of its having rained stones in Picenum the
+festival of nine days was proclaimed, and almost all the state was
+occupied in expiating the rest, from time to time. First of all the
+city was purified, and victims of the greater kind were sacrificed to
+those gods to whom they were directed to be offered; and a gift of
+forty pounds' weight of gold was carried to the temple of Juno at
+Lanuvium; and the matrons dedicated a brazen statue to Juno on the
+Aventine; and a lectisternium was ordered at Caere, where the tablets
+for divination had diminished; and a supplication to Fortune at
+Algidum; at Rome also a lectisternium was ordered to Youth, and a
+supplication at the temple of Hercules, first by individuals named and
+afterwards by the whole people at all the shrines; five greater
+victims were offered to Genius; and Caius Atilius Serranus the praetor
+was ordered to make certain vows if the republic should remain in the
+same state for ten years. These things, thus expiated and vowed
+according to the Sibylline books, relieved, in a great degree, the
+public mind from superstitious fears.
+
+63. Flaminius, one of the consuls elect, to whom the legions which
+were wintering at Placentia had fallen by lot, sent an edict and
+letter to the consul, desiring that those forces should be ready in
+camp at Ariminum on the ides of March. He had a design to enter on the
+consulship in his province, recollecting his old contests with the
+fathers, which he had waged with them when tribune of the people, and
+afterwards when consul, first about his election to the office, which
+was annulled, and then about a triumph. He was also odious to the
+fathers on account of a new law which Quintus Claudius, tribune of the
+people, had carried against the senate, Caius Flaminius alone of that
+body assisting him, that no senator, or he who had been father of a
+senator, should possess a ship fit for sea service, containing more
+than three hundred amphorae. This size was considered sufficient for
+conveying the produce of their lands: all traffic appeared unbecoming
+a senator. This contest, maintained with the warmest opposition,
+procured the hatred of the nobility to Flaminius, the advocate of the
+law; but the favour of the people, and afterwards a second consulship.
+For these reasons, thinking that they would detain him in the city by
+falsifying the auspices, by the delay of the Latin festival, and other
+hinderances to which a consul was liable, he pretended a journey, and,
+while yet in a private capacity, departed secretly to his province.
+This proceeding, when it was made public, excited new and additional
+anger in the senators, who were before irritated against him. They
+said, "That Caius Flaminius waged war not only with the senate, but
+now with the immortal gods; that having been formerly made consul
+without the proper auspices, he had disobeyed both gods and men
+recalling him from the very field of battle; and now, through
+consciousness of their having been dishonoured, had shunned the
+Capitol and the customary offering of vows, that he might not on the
+day of entering his office approach the temple of Jupiter, the best
+and greatest of gods; he might not see and consult the senate, himself
+hated by it, as it was hateful to him alone; that he might not
+proclaim the Latin festival, or perform on the Alban mount the
+customary rights to Jupiter Latiaris; that he might not, under the
+direction of the auspices, go up to the Capitol to recite his vows,
+and thence, attended by the lictors, proceed to his province in the
+garb of a general; but that he had set off, like some camp boy,
+without his insignia, without the lictors, in secrecy and stealth,
+just as if he had been quitting his country to go into banishment; as
+if forsooth he would enter his office more consistently with the
+dignity of the consul at Ariminum than Rome, and assume the robe of
+office in a public inn better than before his own household gods."--it
+was unanimously resolved that he, should be recalled and brought back,
+and be constrained to perform in person every duty to gods and men
+before he went to the army and the province. Quintus Terentius and
+Marcus Antistius having set out on this embassy, (for it was decreed
+that ambassadors should be sent,) prevailed with him in no degree more
+than the letter sent by the senate in his former consulship. A few
+days after he entered on his office, and as he was sacrificing a calf,
+after being struck, having broken away from the hands of the
+ministers, sprinkled several of the bystanders with its blood. Flight
+and disorder ensued, to a still greater degree at a distance among
+those who were ignorant what was the cause of the alarm. This
+circumstance was regarded by most persons as an omen of great terror.
+Having then received two legions from Sempronius, the consul of the
+former year, and two from Caius Atilius, the praetor, the army began
+to be led into Etruria, through the passes of the Apennines.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXII.
+
+
+_Hannibal, after an uninterrupted march of four days and three
+nights, arrives in Etruria, through the marshes, in which he lost an
+eye. Caius Flaminius, the consul, an inconsiderate man, having gone
+forth in opposition to the omens, dug up the standards which could not
+otherwise be raised, and been thrown from his horse immediately after
+he had mounted, is insnared by Hannibal, and cut off by his army near
+the Thrasimene lake. Three thousand who had escaped are placed in
+chains by Hannibal, in violation of pledges given. Distress occasioned
+in Rome by the intelligence. The Sibylline books consulted, and a
+sacred spring decreed. Fabius Maximus sent as dictator against
+Hannibal, whom he frustrates by caution and delay. Marcus Minucius,
+the master of the horse, a rash and impetuous man, inveighs against
+the caution of Fabius, and obtains an equality of command with him.
+The army is divided between them, and Minucius engaging Hannibal in an
+unfavourable position, is reduced to the extremity of danger, and is
+rescued by the dictator, and places himself under his authority.
+Hannibal, after ravaging Campania, is shut up by Fabius in a valley
+near the town of Casilinum, but escapes by night, putting to flight
+the Romans on guard by oxen with lighted faggots attached to their
+horns. Hannibal attempts to excite a suspicion of the fidelity of
+Fabius by sparing his farm while ravaging with fire the whole country
+around it. Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro are routed at Cannae,
+and forty thousand men slain, among whom were Paulus the consul,
+eighty senators, and thirty who had served the office of consul,
+praetor, or edile. A design projected by some noble youths of quitting
+Italy in despair after this calamity, is intrepidly quashed by Publius
+Cornelius Scipio, a military tribune, afterwards surnamed Africanus.
+Successes in Spain, eight thousand slaves are enlisted by the Romans,
+they refuse to ransom the captives, they go out in a body to meet
+Varro, and thank him for not having despaired of the commonwealth._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. Spring was now at hand, when Hannibal quitted his winter quarters,
+having both attempted in vain to cross the Apennines, from the
+intolerable cold, and having remained with great danger and alarm. The
+Gauls, whom the hope of plunder and spoil had collected, when, instead
+of being themselves engaged in carrying and driving away booty from
+the lands of others, they saw their own lands made the seat of war and
+burdened by the wintering of the armies of both forces, turned their
+hatred back again from the Romans to Hannibal; and though plots were
+frequently concerted against him by their chieftains, he was preserved
+by the treachery they manifested towards each other; disclosing their
+conspiracy with the same inconstancy with which they had conspired;
+and by changing sometimes his dress, at other times the fashion of his
+hair, he protected himself from treachery by deception. However, this
+fear was the cause of his more speedily quitting his winter quarters.
+Meanwhile Cneius Servilius, the consul, entered upon his office at
+Rome, on the ides of March. There, when he had consulted the senate on
+the state of the republic in general, the indignation against
+Flaminius was rekindled. They said "that they had created indeed two
+consuls, that they had but one; for what regular authority had the
+other, or what auspices? That their magistrates took these with them
+from home, from the tutelar deities of themselves and the state, after
+the celebration of the Latin holidays; the sacrifice upon the mountain
+being completed, and the vows duly offered up in the Capitol: that
+neither could an unofficial individual take the auspices, nor could
+one who had gone from home without them, take them new, and for the
+first time, in a foreign soil." Prodigies announced from many places
+at the same time, augmented the terror: in Sicily, that several darts
+belonging to the soldiers had taken fire; and in Sardinia, that the
+staff of a horseman, who was going his rounds upon a wall, took fire
+as he held it in his hand; that the shores had blazed with frequent
+fires; that two shields had sweated blood at Praeneste; that redhot
+stones had fallen from the heavens at Arpi; that shields were seen in
+the heavens, and the sun fighting with the moon, at Capena; that two
+moons rose in the day-time; that the waters of Caere had flowed mixed
+with blood; and that even the fountain of Hercules had flowed
+sprinkled with spots of blood. In the territory of Antium, that bloody
+ears of corn had fallen into the basket as they were reaping. At
+Falerii, that the heavens appeared cleft as if with a great chasm;
+and, that where it had opened, a vast light had shone forth; that the
+prophetic tablets had spontaneously become less; and that one had
+fallen out thus inscribed, "Mars shakes his spear." During the same
+time, that the statue of Mars at Rome, on the Appian way, had sweated
+at the sight of images of wolves. At Capua that there had been the
+appearance of the heavens being on fire, and of the moon as falling
+amidst rain. After these, credence was given to prodigies of less
+magnitude: that the goats of certain persons had borne wool; that a
+hen had changed herself into a cock; and a cock into a hen: these
+things having been laid before the senate as reported, the authors
+being conducted into the senate-house, the consul took the sense of
+the fathers on religious affairs. It was decreed that those prodigies
+should be expiated, partly with full-grown, partly with sucking
+victims; and that a supplication should be made at every shrine for
+the space of three days; that the other things should be done
+accordingly as the gods should declare in their oracles to be
+agreeable to their will when the decemviri had examined the books. By
+the advice of the decemviri it was decreed, first, that a golden
+thunderbolt of fifty pounds' weight should be made as an offering to
+Jupiter; that offerings of silver should be presented to Juno and
+Minerva; that sacrifices of full-grown victims should be offered to
+Juno Regina on the Aventine; and to Juno Sospita at Lanuvium; that the
+matrons, contributing as much money as might be convenient to each,
+should carry it to the Aventine, as a present to Juno Regina; and that
+a lectisternium should be celebrated. Moreover, that the very
+freed-women should, according to their means, contribute money from
+which a present might be made to Feronia. When these things were done,
+the decemviri sacrificed with the larger victims in the forum at
+Ardea. Lastly, it being now the month of December, a sacrifice was
+made at the temple of Saturn at Rome, and a lectisternium ordered, in
+which senators prepared the couch and a public banquet. Proclamation
+was made through the city, that the Saturnalia should be kept for a
+day and a night; and the people were commanded to account that day as
+a holiday, and observe it for ever.
+
+2. While the consul employs himself at Rome in appeasing the gods and
+holding the levy, Hannibal, setting out from his winter quarters,
+because it was reported that the consul Flaminius had now arrived at
+Arretium, although a longer but more commodious route was pointed out
+to him, takes the nearer road through a marsh where the Arno had, more
+than usual, overflowed its banks. He ordered the Spaniards and
+Africans (in these lay the strength of his veteran army) to lead,
+their own baggage being intermixed with them, lest, being compelled to
+halt any where, they should want what might be necessary for their
+use: the Gauls he ordered to go next, that they might form the middle
+of the marching body; the cavalry to march in the rear: next, Mago
+with the light-armed Numidians to keep the army together, particularly
+coercing the Gauls, if, fatigued with exertion and the length of the
+march, as that nation is wanting in vigour for such exertions, they
+should fall away or halt. The van still followed the standards
+wherever the guides did but lead them, through the exceeding deep and
+almost fathomless eddies of the river, nearly swallowed up in mud, and
+plunging themselves in. The Gauls could neither support themselves
+when fallen, nor raise themselves from the eddies. Nor did they
+sustain their bodies with spirit, nor their minds with hope; some
+scarce dragging on their wearied limbs; others dying where they had
+once fallen, their spirits being subdued with fatigue, among the
+beasts which themselves also lay prostrate in every place. But chiefly
+watching wore them out, endured now for four days and three nights.
+When, the water covering every place, not a dry spot could be found
+where they might stretch their weary bodies, they laid themselves down
+upon their baggage, thrown in heaps into the waters. Piles of beasts,
+which lay every where through the whole route, afforded a necessary
+bed for temporary repose to those seeking any place which was not
+under water. Hannibal himself, riding on the only remaining elephant,
+to be the higher from the water, contracted a disorder in his eyes, at
+first from the unwholesomeness of the vernal air, which is attended
+with transitions from heat to cold; and at length from watching,
+nocturnal damps, the marshy atmosphere disordering his head, and
+because he had neither opportunity nor leisure for remedies, loses one
+of them.
+
+3. Many men and cattle having been lost thus wretchedly, when at
+length he had emerged from the marshes, he pitched his camp as soon as
+he could on dry ground. And here he received information, through the
+scouts sent in advance, that the Roman army was round the walls of
+Arretium. Next the plans and temper of the consul, the situation of
+the country, the roads, the sources from which provisions might be
+obtained, and whatever else it was useful to know; all these things he
+ascertained by the most diligent inquiry. The country was among the
+most fertile of Italy, the plain of Etruria, between Faesulae and
+Arretium, abundant in its supply of corn, cattle, and every other
+requisite. The consul was haughty from his former consulship, and felt
+no proper degree of reverence not only for the laws and the majesty of
+the fathers, but even for the gods. This temerity, inherent in his
+nature, fortune had fostered by a career of prosperity and success in
+civil and military affairs. Thus it was sufficiently evident that,
+heedless of gods and men, he would act in all cases with presumption
+and precipitation; and, that he might fall the more readily into the
+errors natural to him, the Carthaginian begins to fret and irritate
+him; and leaving the enemy on his left, he takes the road to Faesulae,
+and marching through the centre of Etruria, with intent to plunder, he
+exhibits to the consul, in the distance, the greatest devastation he
+could with fires and slaughters. Flaminius, who would not have rested
+even if the enemy had remained quiet; then, indeed, when he saw the
+property of the allies driven and carried away almost before his eyes,
+considering that it reflected disgrace upon him that the Carthaginian
+now roaming at large through the heart of Italy, and marching without
+resistance to storm the very walls of Rome, though every other person
+in the council advised safe rather than showy measures, urging that he
+should wait for his colleague, in order that, joining their armies,
+they might carry on the war with united courage and counsels; and
+that, meanwhile, the enemy should be prevented from his unrestrained
+freedom in plundering by the cavalry and the light-armed auxiliaries;
+in a fury hurried out of the council, and at once gave out the signal
+for marching and for battle. "Nay, rather," says he, "let him be
+before the walls of Arretium, for here is our country, here our
+household gods. Let Hannibal, slipping through our fingers, waste
+Italy through and through; and, ravaging and burning every thing, let
+him arrive at the walls of Rome; let us move hence till the fathers
+shall have summoned Flaminius from Arretium, as they did Camillus of
+old from Veii." While reproaching them thus, and in the act of
+ordering the standards to be speedily pulled up, when he had mounted
+upon his horse, the animal fell suddenly, and threw the unseated
+consul over his head. All the bystanders being alarmed at this as an
+unhappy omen in the commencement of the affair, in addition word is
+brought, that the standard could not be pulled up, though, the
+standard-bearer strove with all his force. Flaminius, turning to the
+messenger, says, "Do you bring, too, letters from the senate,
+forbidding me to act. Go, tell them to dig up the standard, if,
+through fear, their hands are so benumbed that they cannot pluck it
+up." Then the army began to march; the chief officers, besides that
+they dissented from the plan, being terrified by the twofold prodigy;
+while the soldiery in general were elated by the confidence of their
+leader, since they regarded merely the hope he entertained, and not
+the reasons of the hope.
+
+4. Hannibal lays waste the country between the city Cortona and the
+lake Trasimenus, with all the devastation of war, the more to
+exasperate the enemy to revenge the injuries inflicted on his allies.
+They had now reached a place formed by nature for an ambuscade, where
+the Trasimenus comes nearest to the mountains of Cortona. A very
+narrow passage only intervenes, as though room enough just for that
+purpose had been left designedly; after that a somewhat wider plain
+opens itself, and then some hills rise up. On these he pitches his
+camp, in full view, where he himself with his Spaniards and Africans
+only might be posted. The Baliares and his other light troops he leads
+round the mountains; his cavalry he posts at the very entrance of the
+defile, some eminences conveniently concealing them; in order that
+when the Romans had entered, the cavalry advancing, every place might
+be enclosed by the lake and the mountains. Flaminius, passing the
+defiles before it was quite daylight, without reconnoitering, though
+he had arrived at the lake the preceding day at sunset, when the
+troops began to be spread into the wider plain, saw that part only of
+the enemy which was opposite to him; the ambuscade in his rear and
+overhead escaped his notice. And when the Carthaginian had his enemy
+enclosed by the lake and mountains, and surrounded by his troops, he
+gives the signal to all to make a simultaneous charge; and each
+running down the nearest way, the suddenness and unexpectedness of the
+event was increased to the Romans by a mist rising from the lake,
+which had settled thicker on the plain than on the mountains; and thus
+the troops of the enemy ran down from the various eminences,
+sufficiently well discerning each other, and therefore with the
+greater regularity. A shout being raised on all sides, the Roman found
+himself surrounded before he could well see the enemy; and the attack
+on the front and flank had commenced ere his line could be well
+formed, his arms prepared for action, or his swords unsheathed.
+
+5. The consul, while all were panic-struck, himself sufficiently
+undaunted though in so perilous a case, marshals, as well as the time
+and place permitted, the lines which were thrown into confusion by
+each man's turning himself towards the various shouts; and wherever he
+could approach or be heard exhorts them, and bids them stand and
+fight: for that they could not escape thence by vows and prayers to
+the gods but by exertion and valour; that a way was sometimes opened
+by the sword through the midst of marshalled armies, and that
+generally the less the fear the less the danger. However, from the
+noise and tumult, neither his advice nor command could be caught; and
+so far were the soldiers from knowing their own standards, and ranks,
+and position, that they had scarce sufficient courage to take up arms
+and make them ready for battle; and certain of them were surprised
+before they could prepare them, being burdened rather than protected
+by them; while in so great darkness there was more use of ears than of
+eyes. They turned their faces and eyes in every direction towards the
+groans of the wounded, the sounds of blows upon the body or arms, and
+the mingled clamours of the menacing and the affrighted. Some, as they
+were making their escape, were stopped, having encountered a body of
+men engaged in fight; and bands of fugitives returning to the battle,
+diverted others. After charges had been attempted unsuccessfully in
+every direction, and on their flanks the mountains and the lake, on
+the front and rear the lines of the enemy enclosed them, when it was
+evident that there was no hope of safety but in the right hand and the
+sword; then each man became to himself a leader, and encourager to
+action; and an entirely new contest arose, not a regular line, with
+principes, hastati, and triarii; nor of such a sort as that the
+vanguard should fight before the standards, and the rest of the troops
+behind them; nor such that each soldier should be in his own legion,
+cohort, or company: chance collects them into bands; and each man's
+own will assigned to him his post, whether to fight in front or rear;
+and so great was the ardour of the conflict, so intent were their
+minds upon the battle, that not one of the combatants felt an
+earthquake which threw down large portions of many of the cities of
+Italy, turned rivers from their rapid courses, carried the sea up into
+rivers, and levelled mountains with a tremendous crash.
+
+6. The battle was continued near three hours, and in every quarter
+with fierceness; around the consul, however, it was still hotter and
+more determined. Both the strongest of the troops, and himself too,
+promptly brought assistance wherever he perceived his men hard pressed
+and distressed. But, distinguished by his armour, the enemy attacked
+him with the utmost vigour, while his countrymen defended him; until
+an Insubrian horseman, named Ducarius, knowing him also by his face,
+says to his countrymen, "Lo, this is the consul who slew our legions
+and laid waste our fields and city. Now will I offer this victim to
+the shades of my countrymen, miserably slain;" and putting spurs to
+his horse, he rushes through a very dense body of the enemy; and first
+slaying his armour-bearer, who had opposed himself to his attack as he
+approached, ran the consul through with his lance; the triarii,
+opposing their shields, kept him off when seeking to despoil him. Then
+first the flight of a great number began; and now neither the lake nor
+the mountains obstructed their hurried retreat; they run through all
+places, confined and precipitous, as though they were blind; and arms
+and men are tumbled one upon another. A great many, when there
+remained no more space to run, advancing into the water through the
+first shallows of the lake, plunge in, as far as they could stand
+above it with their heads and shoulders. Some there were whom
+inconsiderate fear induced to try to escape even by swimming; but as
+that attempt was inordinate and hopeless, they were either overwhelmed
+in the deep water, their courage failing, or, wearied to no purpose,
+made their way back, with extreme difficulty, to the shallows; and
+there were cut up on all hands by the cavalry of the enemy, which had
+entered the water. Near upon six thousand of the foremost body having
+gallantly forced their way through the opposing enemy, entirely
+unacquainted with what was occurring in their rear, escaped from the
+defile; and having halted on a certain rising ground, and hearing only
+the shouting and clashing of arms, they could not know nor discern, by
+reason of the mist, what was the fortune of the battle. At length, the
+affair being decided, when the mist, dispelled by the increasing heat
+of the sun, had cleared the atmosphere, then, in the clear light, the
+mountains and plains showed their ruin and the Roman army miserably
+destroyed; and thus, lest, being descried at a distance, the cavalry
+should be sent against them, hastily snatching up their standards,
+they hurried away with all possible expedition. On the following day,
+when in addition to their extreme sufferings in other respects, famine
+also was at hand, Maharbal, who had followed them during the night
+with the whole body of cavalry, pledging his honour that he would let
+them depart with single garments, if they would deliver up their arms,
+they surrendered themselves; which promise was kept by Hannibal with
+Punic fidelity, and he threw them all into chains.
+
+7. This is the celebrated battle at the Trasimenus, and recorded among
+the few disasters of the Roman people. Fifteen thousand Romans were
+slain in the battle. Ten thousand, who had been scattered in the
+flight through all Etruria, returned to the city by different roads.
+One thousand five hundred of the enemy perished in the battle; many on
+both sides died afterwards of their wounds. The carnage on both sides
+is related, by some authors, to have been many times greater. I,
+besides that I would relate nothing drawn from a worthless source, to
+which the minds of historians generally incline too much, have as my
+chief authority Fabius, who was contemporary with the events of this
+war. Such of the captives as belonged to the Latin confederacy being
+dismissed without ransom, and the Romans thrown into chains, Hannibal
+ordered the bodies of his own men to be gathered from the heaps of the
+enemy, and buried: the body of Flaminius too, which was searched for
+with great diligence for burial, he could not find. On the first
+intelligence of this defeat at Rome, a concourse of the people,
+dismayed and terrified, took place in the forum. The matrons,
+wandering through the streets, ask all they meet, what sudden disaster
+was reported? what was the fate of the army? And when the multitude,
+like a full assembly, having directed their course to the comitium and
+senate-house, were calling upon the magistrates, at length, a little
+before sunset, Marcus Pomponius, the praetor, declares, "We have been
+defeated in a great battle;" and though nothing more definite was
+heard from him, yet, full of the rumours which they had caught one
+from another, they carry back to their homes intelligence, that the
+consul, with a great part of his troops, was slain; that a few only
+survived, and these either widely dispersed in flight through Etruria,
+or else captured by the enemy. As many as had been the calamities of
+the vanquished army, into so many anxieties were the minds of those
+distracted whose relations had served under Flaminius, and who were
+uninformed of what had been the fate of their friends, nor does any
+one know certainly what he should either hope or fear. During the next
+and several successive days, a greater number of women almost than men
+stood at the gates, waiting either for some one of their friends or
+for intelligence of them, surrounding and earnestly interrogating
+those they met: nor could they be torn away from those they knew
+especially, until they had regularly inquired into every thing. Then
+as they retired from the informants you might discern their various
+expressions of countenance according as intelligence, pleasing or sad,
+was announced to each; and those who congratulated or condoled on
+their return home. The joy and grief of the women were especially
+manifested. They report that one, suddenly meeting her son, who had
+returned safe, expired at the very door before his face--that another,
+who sat grieving at her house at the falsely reported death of her
+son, became a corpse, from excessive joy, at the first sight of him on
+his return. The praetors detained the senators in the house for
+several days from sunrise to sunset, deliberating under whose conduct
+and by what forces, the victorious Carthaginians could be opposed.
+
+8. Before their plans were sufficiently determined another unexpected
+defeat is reported: four thousand horse, sent under the conduct of C.
+Centenius, propraetor, by Servilius to his colleague, were cut off by
+Hannibal in Umbria, to which place, on hearing of the battle at
+Trasimenus, they had turned their course. The report of this event
+variously affected the people. Some, having their minds preoccupied
+with heavier grief, considered the recent loss of cavalry trifling, in
+comparison with their former losses; others did not estimate what had
+occurred by itself, but considered that, as in a body already
+labouring under disease, a slight cause would be felt more violently
+than a more powerful one in a robust constitution, so whatever adverse
+event befell the state in its then sickly and impaired condition,
+ought to be estimated, not by the magnitude of the event itself, but
+with reference to its exhausted strength, which could endure nothing
+that could oppress it. The state therefore took refuge in a remedy for
+a long time before neither wanted nor employed, the appointment of a
+dictator, and because the consul was absent, by whom alone it appeared
+he could be nominated, and because neither message nor letter could
+easily be sent to him through the country occupied by Punic troops,
+and because the people could not appoint a dictator, which had never
+been done to that day, the people created Quintus Fabius Maximus pro
+dictator, and Marcus Minucius Rufus master of the horse. To them the
+senate assigned the task of strengthening the walls and towers of the
+city, of placing guards in such quarters as seemed good, and breaking
+down the bridges of the river, considering that they must now fight at
+home in defence of their city, since they were unable to protect
+Italy.
+
+9. Hannibal, marching directly through Umbria, arrived at Spoletum,
+thence, having completely devastated the adjoining country, and
+commenced an assault upon the city, having been repulsed with great
+loss and conjecturing from the strength of this one colony, which had
+been not very successfully attacked, what was the size of the city of
+Rome, turned aside into the territory of Picenum, which abounded not
+only with every species of grain, but was stored with booty, which his
+rapacious and needy troops eagerly seized. There he continued encamped
+for several days, and his soldiers were refreshed, who had been
+enfeebled by winter marches and marshy ground, and with a battle more
+successful in its result than light or easy. When sufficient time for
+rest had been granted for soldiers delighting more in plunder and
+devastation than ease and repose, setting out, he lays waste the
+territories of Pretutia and Hadria, then of the Marsi, the Marrucini,
+and the Peligni, and the contiguous region of Apulia around Arpi and
+Luceria. Cneius Servilius, the consul, having fought some slight
+battles with the Gauls, and taken one inconsiderable town, when he
+heard of the defeat of his colleague and the army, alarmed now for the
+walls of the capital, marched towards the city, that he might not be
+absent at so extreme a crisis. Quintus Fabius Maximus, a second time
+dictator, assembled the senate the very day he entered on his office;
+and commencing with what related to the gods, after he had distinctly
+proved to the fathers, that Caius Flaminius had erred more from
+neglect of the ceremonies and auspices than from temerity and want of
+judgment, and that the gods themselves should be consulted as to what
+were the expiations of their anger, he obtained a resolution that the
+decemviri should be ordered to inspect the Sibylline books, which is
+rarely decreed, except when some horrid prodigies were announced.
+Having inspected the prophetic books, they reported, that the vow
+which was made to Mars on account of this war, not having been
+regularly fulfilled, must be performed afresh and more fully; that the
+great games must be vowed to Jupiter, temples to Venus Erycina and
+Mens; that a supplication and lectisternium must be made, and a sacred
+spring vowed, if the war should proceed favourably and the state
+continue the condition it was in before the war. Since the management
+of the war would occupy Fabius, the senate orders Marcus Aemilius, the
+praetor, to see that all these things are done in good time, according
+to the directions of the college of pontiffs.
+
+10. These decrees of the senate having been passed, Lucius Cornelius
+Lentulus, pontifex maximus, the college of praetors consulting with
+him, gives his opinion that, first of all, the people should be
+consulted respecting a sacred spring: that it could not be without the
+order of the people. The people having been asked according to this
+form: Do ye will and order that this thing should be performed in this
+manner? If the republic of the Roman people, the Quirites, shall be
+safe and preserved as I wish it may, from these wars for the next five
+years, (the war which is between the Roman people and the
+Carthaginian, and the wars which are with the Cisalpine Gauls), the
+Roman people, the Quirites, shall present whatsoever the spring shall
+produce from herds of swine, sheep, goats, oxen and which shall not
+have been consecrated, to be sacrificed to Jupiter, from the day which
+the senate and people shall appoint. Let him who shall make an
+offering do it when he please, and in what manner he please; in
+whatsoever manner he does it, let it be considered duly done. If that
+which ought to be sacrificed die, let it be unconsecrated, and let no
+guilt attach; if any one unwittingly wound or kill it, let it be no
+injury to him; if any one shall steal it, let no guilt attach to the
+people or to him from whom it was stolen; if any one shall unwittingly
+offer it on a forbidden day, let it be esteemed duly offered; also
+whether by night or day, whether slave or free-man perform it. If the
+senate and people shall order it to be offered sooner than any person
+shall offer it, let the people being acquitted of it be free. On the
+same account great games were vowed, at an expense of three hundred
+and thirty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-three _asses_
+and a third; moreover, it was decreed that sacrifice should be done to
+Jupiter with three hundred oxen, to many other deities with white oxen
+and the other victims. The vows being duly made, a supplication was
+proclaimed; and not only the inhabitants of the city went with their
+wives and children, but such of the rustics also as, possessing any
+property themselves, were interested in the welfare of the state. Then
+a lectisternium was celebrated for three days, the decemviri for
+sacred things superintending. Six couches were seen, for Jupiter and
+Juno one, for Neptune and Minerva another, for Mars and Venus a third,
+for Apollo and Diana a fourth, for Vulcan and Vesta a fifth, for
+Mercury and Ceres a sixth. Then temples were vowed. To Venus Erycina,
+Quintus Fabius Maximus vowed a temple; for so it was delivered from
+the prophetic books, that he should vow it who held the highest
+authority in the state. Titus Otacilius, the praetor vowed a temple to
+Mens.
+
+11. Divine things having been thus performed, the dictator then put
+the question of the war and the state; with what, and how many legions
+the fathers were of opinion that the victorious enemy should be
+opposed. It was decreed that he should receive the army from Cneius
+Servilius, the consul: that he should levy, moreover, from the
+citizens and allies as many horse and foot as seemed good; that he
+should transact and perform every thing else as he considered for the
+good of the state. Fabius said he would add two legions to the army of
+Servilius. These were levied by the master of the horse, and were
+appointed by Fabius to meet him at Tibur on a certain day. And then
+having issued proclamation that those whose towns or castles were
+unfortified should quit them and assemble in places of security; that
+all the inhabitants of that tract through which Hannibal was about to
+march, should remove from the country, having first burnt their
+buildings and spoiled their fruits, that there might not be a supply
+of any thing; he himself set out on the Flaminian road to meet the
+consul and his army; and when he saw in the distance the marching body
+on the Tiber, near Ocriculum, and the consul with the cavalry
+advancing to him, he sent a beadle to acquaint the consul that he must
+meet the dictator without the lictors. When he had obeyed his command,
+and their meeting had exhibited a striking display of the majesty of
+the dictatorship before the citizens and allies, who, from its
+antiquity, had now almost forgotten that authority; a letter arrived
+from the city, stating that the ships of burden, conveying provisions
+from Ostia into Spain to the army, had been captured by the
+Carthaginian fleet off the port of Cossa. The consul, therefore, was
+immediately ordered to proceed to Ostia, and, having manned the ships
+at Rome or Ostia with soldiers and sailors, to pursue the enemy, and
+protect the coasts of Italy. Great numbers of men were levied at Rome,
+sons of freed-men even, who had children, and were of the military
+age, had taken the oath. Of these troops levied in the city, such as
+were under thirty-five were put on board ships, the rest were left to
+protect the city.
+
+12. The dictator, having received the troops of the consul from
+Fulvius Flaccus, his lieutenant-general, marching through the Sabine
+territory, arrived at Tibur on the day which he had appointed the
+new-raised troops to assemble. Thence he went to Praeneste, and
+cutting across the country, came out in the Latin way, whence he led
+his troops towards the enemy, reconnoitering the road with the utmost
+diligence; not intending to expose himself to hazard any where, except
+as far as necessity compelled him. The day he first pitched his camp
+in sight of the enemy, not far from Arpi, the Carthaginian, without
+delay, led out his troops, and forming his line gave an opportunity of
+fighting: but when he found all still with the enemy, and his camp
+free from tumult and disorder, he returned to his camp, saying indeed
+tauntingly, "That even the spirit of the Romans, inherited from Mars,
+was at length subdued; that they were warred down and had manifestly
+given up all claim to valour and renown:" but burning inwardly with
+stifled vexation because he would have to encounter a general by no
+means like Flaminius and Sempronius; and because the Romans, then at
+length schooled by their misfortunes, had sought a general a match for
+Hannibal; and that now he had no longer to fear the headlong violence,
+but the deliberate prudence of the dictator. Having not yet
+experienced his constancy, he began to provoke and try his temper, by
+frequently shifting his camp and laying waste the territories of the
+allies before his eyes: and one while he withdrew out of sight at
+quick march, another while he halted suddenly, and concealed himself
+in some winding of the road, if possible to entrap him on his
+descending into the plain. Fabius kept marching his troops along the
+high grounds, at a moderate distance from the enemy, so as neither to
+let him go altogether nor yet to encounter him. The troops were kept
+within the camp, except so far as necessary wants compelled them to
+quit it; and fetched in food and wood not by small nor rambling
+parties. An outpost of cavalry and light-armed troops, prepared and
+equipped for acting in cases of sudden alarm, rendered every thing
+safe to their own soldiers, and dangerous to the scattered plunderers
+of the enemy. Nor was his whole cause committed to general hazard;
+while slight contests, of small importance in themselves, commenced on
+safe ground, with a retreat at hand, accustomed the soldiery,
+terrified by their former disasters, now at length to think less
+meanly either of their prowess or good fortune. But he did not find
+Hannibal a greater enemy to such sound measures than his master of the
+horse, who was only prevented from plunging the state into ruin by his
+inferiority in command. Presumptuous and precipitate in his measures,
+and unbridled in his tongue, first among a few, then openly and
+publicly, he taunted him with being sluggish instead of patient,
+spiritless instead of cautious; falsely imputing to him those vices
+which bordered on his virtues; and raised himself by means of
+depressing his superiors, which, though a most iniquitous practice,
+has become more general from the too great successes of many.
+
+13. Hannibal crosses over from the Hirpini into Samnium; lays waste
+the territory of Beneventum; takes the town of Telesia; and purposely
+irritates the dictator, if perchance he could draw him down to a
+battle on the plain, exasperated by so many indignities and disasters
+inflicted on his allies. Among the multitude of allies of Italian
+extraction, who had been captured by Hannibal at the Trasimenus, and
+dismissed, were three Campanian horsemen, who had even at that time
+been bribed by many presents and promises from Hannibal to win over
+the affections of their countrymen to him. These, bringing him word
+that he would have an opportunity of getting possession of Capua, if
+he brought his army into the neighbourhood in Campania, induced
+Hannibal to quit Samnium for Campania; though he hesitated,
+fluctuating between confidence and distrust, as the affair was of more
+importance than the authorities. He dismissed them, repeatedly
+charging them to confirm their promises by acts, and ordering them to
+return with a greater number, and some of their leading men. Hannibal
+himself orders his guide to conduct him into the territory of Casinum,
+being certified by persons acquainted with the country, that if he
+seized that pass he would deprive the Romans of a passage by which
+they might get out to the assistance of their allies. But his Punic
+accent, ill adapted to the pronunciation of Latin names, caused the
+guide to understand Casilinum, instead of Casinum; and leaving his
+former course, he descends through the territory of Allifae, Calatia,
+and Cales, into the plain of Stella, where, seeing the country
+enclosed on all sides by mountains and rivers, he calls the guide to
+him, and asks him where in the world he was? when he replied, that on
+that day he would lodge at Casilinum: then at length the error was
+discovered, and that Casinum lay at a great distance in another
+direction. Having scourged the guide with rods and crucified him, in
+order to strike terror into all others, he fortified a camp, and sent
+Maharbal with the cavalry into the Falernian territory to pillage.
+This depredation reached as far as the waters of Sinuessa; the
+Numidians caused destruction to a vast extent, but flight and
+consternation through a still wider space. Yet not even the terror of
+these things, when all around was consuming in the flames of war,
+could shake the fidelity of the allies; for this manifest reason,
+because they lived under a temperate and mild government: nor were
+they unwilling to submit to those who were superior to them, which is
+the only bond of fidelity.
+
+14. But when the enemy's camp was pitched on the Vulturnus, and the
+most delightful country in Italy was being consumed by fire, and the
+farm-houses, on all hands, were smoking from the flames, whilst Fabius
+led his troops along the heights of Mount Massicus, then the strife
+had nearly been kindled anew, for they had been quiet for a few days,
+because, as the army had marched quicker than usual, they had supposed
+that the object of this haste was to save Campania from devastation;
+but when they arrived at the extreme ridge of Mount Massicus, and the
+enemy appeared under their eyes, burning the houses of the Falernian
+territory, and of the settlers of Sinuessa, and no mention made of
+battle, Minucius exclaims, "Are we come here to see our allies
+butchered, and their property burned, as a spectacle to be enjoyed?
+and if we are not moved with shame on account of any others, are we
+not on account of these citizens, whom our fathers sent as settlers to
+Sinuessa, that this frontier might be protected from the Samnite foe:
+which now not the neighbouring Samnite wastes with fire, but a
+Carthaginian foreigner, who has advanced even thus far from the
+remotest limits of the world, through our dilatoriness and inactivity?
+What! are we so degenerate from our ancestors as tamely to see that
+coast filled with Numidian and Moorish foes, along which our fathers
+considered it a disgrace to their government that the Carthaginian
+fleets should cruise? We, who erewhile, indignant at the storming of
+Saguntum, appealed not to men only, but to treaties and to gods,
+behold Hannibal scaling the walls of a Roman colony unmoved. The smoke
+from the flames of our farm-houses and lands comes into our eyes and
+faces; our ears ring with the cries of our weeping allies, imploring
+us to assist them oftener than the gods, while we here are leading our
+troops, like a herd of cattle, through shady forests and lonely paths,
+enveloped in clouds and woods. If Marcus Furius had resolved to
+recover the city from the Gauls, by thus traversing the tops of
+mountains and forests, in the same manner as this modern Camillus goes
+about to recover Italy from Hannibal, who has been sought out for our
+dictator in our distress, on account of his unparalleled talents, Rome
+would be the possession of the Gauls; and I fear lest, if we are thus
+dilatory, our ancestors will so often have preserved it only for the
+Carthaginians and Hannibal; but that man and true Roman, on the very
+day on which intelligence was brought him to Veii, that he was
+appointed dictator, on the authority of the fathers and the nomination
+of the people, came down into the plain, though the Janiculum was high
+enough to admit of his sitting down there, and viewing the enemy at a
+distance, and on that very day defeated the Gallic legions in the
+middle of the city, in the place where the Gallic piles are now, and
+on the following day on the Roman side of Gabii. What many years after
+this, when we were sent under the yoke at the Caudine forks by the
+Samnite foe, did Lucius Papirius Cursor take the yoke from the Roman
+neck and place it upon the proud Samnites, by traversing the heights
+of Samnium? or was it by pressing and besieging Luceria, and
+challenging the victorious enemy? A short time ago, what was it that
+gave victory to Caius Lutatius but expedition? for on the day after he
+caught sight of the enemy he surprised and overpowered the fleet,
+loaded with provisions, and encumbered of itself by its own implements
+and apparatus. It is folly to suppose that the war can be brought to a
+conclusion by sitting still, or by prayers, the troops must be armed
+and led down into the plain, that you may engage man to man. The Roman
+power has grown to its present height by courage and activity, and not
+by such dilatory measures as these, which the cowardly only designate
+as cautious." A crowd of Roman tribunes and knights poured round
+Minucius, while thus, as it were, haranguing, his presumptuous
+expressions reached the ears of the common soldiers, and had the
+question been submitted to the votes of the soldiers, they showed
+evidently that they would have preferred Minucius to Fabius for their
+general.
+
+15. Fabius, keeping his attention fixed no less upon his own troops
+than on the enemy, first shows that his resolution was unconquered by
+the former. Though he well knew that his procrastination was
+disapproved, not only in his own camp, but by this time even at Rome,
+yet, inflexibly adhering to the same line of policy, he delayed
+through the remainder of the summer, in order that Hannibal, devoid of
+all hope of a battle, which he so earnestly desired, might now look
+out for a place for winter quarters, because that district was one of
+present, but not constant, supply, consisting, as it did, of
+plantations and vineyards, and all places planted luxurious rather
+than useful produce. This intelligence was to Fabius by his scouts.
+When he felt convinced that he would return by the same narrow pass
+through which he had entered the Falernian territory, he occupied
+Mount Callicula and Casilinum with a pretty strong guard. Which city,
+intersected by the river Vulturnus, divides the Falernian and
+Campanian territories. He himself leads back his troops along the same
+heights, having sent Lucius Hostilius Mancinus with four hundred of
+the allied cavalry to reconnoitre; who being one of the crowd of
+youths who had often heard the master of the horse fiercely
+haranguing, at first advanced after the manner of a scout, in order
+that he might observe the enemy in security; and when he saw the
+Numidians scattered widely throughout the villages, having gotten an
+opportunity, he also slew a few of them. But from that moment his mind
+was engrossed with the thoughts of a battle, and the injunctions of
+the dictator were forgotten, who had charged him, when he had advanced
+as far as he could with safety, to retreat before he came within the
+enemy's view. The Numidians, party after party, skirmishing and
+retreating, drew the general almost to their camp, to the fatigue of
+his men and horses. Then Karthalo, who had the command of the cavalry,
+charging at full speed, and having put them to flight before he came
+within a dart's throw, pursued them for five miles almost in a
+continuous course. Mancinus, when he saw that the enemy did not desist
+from the pursuit, and that there was no hope of escape, having
+encouraged his troops, turned back to the battle though inferior in
+every kind of force. Accordingly he himself, and the choicest of his
+cavalry, being surrounded, are cut to pieces. The rest in disorderly
+retreat fled first to Cales, and thence to the dictator, by ways
+almost impassable. It happened that on that day Minucius had formed a
+junction with Fabius, having been sent to secure with a guard the pass
+above Tarracina, which, contracted into a narrow gorge, overhangs the
+sea, in order that Hannibal might not be able to get into the Roman
+territory by the Appian way's being unguarded. The dictator and master
+of the horse, uniting their forces, lead them down into the road
+through which Hannibal was about to march his troops. The enemy was
+two miles from that place.
+
+16. The following day the Carthaginians filled the whole road between
+the two camps with his troops in marching order; and though the Romans
+had taken their stand immediately under their rampart, having a
+decidedly superior position, yet the Carthaginian came up with his
+light horse and, with a view to provoke the enemy, carried on a kind
+of desultory attack, first charging and then retreating. The Roman
+line remained in its position. The battle was slow and more
+conformable to the wish of the dictator than of Hannibal. On the part
+of the Romans there fell two hundred, on the part of the enemy eight
+hundred. It now began to appear that Hannibal was hemmed in, the road
+to Casilinum being blockaded; and that while Capua, and Samnium, and
+so many wealthy allies in the rear of the Romans might supply them
+with provisions, the Carthaginian, on the other hand, must winter amid
+the rocks of Formiae and the sands and hideous swamps of Liternum. Nor
+did it escape Hannibal that he was assailed by his own arts;
+wherefore, since he could not escape by way of Casilinum, and since it
+was necessary to make for the mountains, and pass the summit of
+Callicula, lest in any place the Romans should attack his troops while
+enclosed in valleys; having hit upon a stratagem calculated to deceive
+the sight, and excite terror from its appearance, by means of which he
+might baffle the enemy, he resolved to come up by stealth to the
+mountains at the commencement of night. The preparation of his wily
+stratagem was of this description. Torches, collected from every part
+of the country, and bundles of rods and dry cuttings, are fastened
+before the horns of oxen, of which, wild and tame, he had driven away
+a great number among other plunder of the country: the number of oxen
+was made up to nearly two thousand. To Hasdrubal was assigned the task
+of driving to the mountains that herd, after having set fire to their
+horns, as soon as ever it was dark; particularly, if he could, over
+the passes beset by the enemy.
+
+17. As soon as it was dark the camp was moved in silence; the oxen
+were driven a little in advance of the standards. When they arrived at
+the foot of the mountains and the narrow passes, the signal is
+immediately given for setting fire to their horns and driving them
+violently up the mountains before them. The mere terror excited by the
+flame, which cast a glare from their heads, and the heat now
+approaching the quick and the roots of their horns, drove on the oxen
+as if goaded by madness. By which dispersion, on a sudden all the
+surrounding shrubs were in a blaze, as if the mountains and woods had
+been on fire; and the unavailing tossing of their heads quickening the
+flame, exhibited an appearance as of men running to and fro on every
+side. Those who had been placed to guard the passage of the wood, when
+they saw fires on the tops of the mountains, and some over their own
+heads, concluding that they were surrounded, abandoned their post;
+making for the tops of the mountains in the direction in which the
+fewest fires blazed, as being the safest course; however they fell in
+with some oxen which had strayed from their herds. At first, when they
+beheld them at a distance, they stood fixed in amazement at the
+miracle, as it appeared to them, of creatures breathing fire;
+afterwards, when it showed itself to be a human stratagem, then,
+forsooth, concluding that there was an ambuscade, as they are hurrying
+away in flight, with increased alarm, they fall in also with the
+light-armed troops of the enemy. But the night, when the fear was
+equally shared, kept them from commencing the battle till morning.
+Meanwhile Hannibal, having marched his whole army through the pass,
+and having cut off some of the enemy in the very defile, pitches his
+camp in the country of Allifae.
+
+18. Fabius perceived this tumult, but concluding that it was a snare,
+and being disinclined for a battle, particularly by night, kept his
+troops within the works. At break of day a battle took place under the
+summit of the mountain, in which the Romans, who were considerably
+superior in numbers, would have easily overpowered the light-armed of
+the enemy, cut off as they were from their party, had not a cohort of
+Spaniards, sent back by Hannibal for that very purpose, reached the
+spot. That body being more accustomed to mountains, and being more
+adapted, both from the agility of their limbs and also from the
+character of their arms, to skirmishing amid rocks and crags, easily
+foiled, by their manner of fighting, an enemy loaded with arms,
+accustomed to level ground and the steady kind of fighting. Separating
+from a contest thus by no means equal, they proceeded to their camps;
+the Spaniards almost all untouched; the Romans having lost a few.
+Fabius also moved his camp, and passing the defile, took up a position
+above Allifae, in a strong and elevated place. Then Hannibal,
+pretending to march to Rome through Samnium, came back as far as the
+Peligni, spreading devastation. Fabius led his troops along the
+heights midway between the army of the enemy and the city of Rome;
+neither avoiding him altogether, nor coming to an engagement. From the
+Peligni the Carthaginian turned his course, and going back again to
+Apulia, reached Geronium, a city deserted by its inhabitants from
+fear, as a part of its walls had fallen down together in ruins. The
+dictator formed a completely fortified camp in the territory of
+Larinum, and being recalled thence to Rome on account of some sacred
+rites, he not only urged the master of the horse, in virtue of his
+authority, but with advice and almost with prayers, that he would
+trust rather to prudence than fortune; and imitate him as a general
+rather than Sempronius and Flaminius; that he would not suppose that
+nothing had been achieved by having worn out nearly the whole summer
+in baffling the enemy; that physicians too sometimes gained more by
+rest than by motion and action. That it was no small thing to have
+ceased to be conquered by an enemy so often victorious, and to have
+taken breath after successive disasters. Having thus unavailingly
+admonished the master of the horse, he set out for Rome.
+
+19. In the beginning of the summer in which these events occurred, the
+war commenced by land and sea in Spain also. To the number of ships
+which he had received from his brother, equipped and ready for action,
+Hasdrubal added ten. The fleet of forty ships he delivered to Himilco:
+and thus setting out from Carthage, kept his ships near the land,
+while he led his army along the shore, ready to engage with whichever
+part of his forces the enemy might fall in with. Cneius Scipio, when
+he heard that the enemy had quitted his winter quarters, at first
+formed the same plan; but afterwards, not daring to engage him by
+land, from a great rumour of fresh auxiliaries, he advances to meet
+him with a fleet of thirty-five ships, having put some chosen soldiers
+on board. Setting out from Tarraco, on the second day, he reached a
+convenient station, ten miles from the mouth of the Iberus. Two ships
+of the Massilians, sent forward from that place reconnoitering,
+brought word back that the Carthaginian fleet was stationed in the
+mouth of the river, and that the camp was pitched upon the bank. In
+order, therefore, to overpower them while off their guard and
+incautious, by a universal and wide-spread terror, he weighed anchor
+and advanced. In Spain there are several towers placed in high
+situations, which they employ both as watch-towers and as places of
+defence against pirates. From them first, a view of the ships of the
+enemy having been obtained, the signal was given to Hasdrubal; and a
+tumult arose in the camp, and on land sooner than on the ships and at
+sea; the dashing of the oars and other nautical noises not being yet
+distinctly heard, nor the promontories disclosing the fleet. Upon
+this, suddenly one horseman after another, sent out by Hasdrubal,
+orders those who were strolling upon the shore or resting quietly in
+their tents, expecting any thing rather than the enemy and a battle on
+that day, immediately to embark and take up arms: that the Roman fleet
+was now a short distance from the harbour. The horsemen, despatched in
+every direction, delivered these orders; and presently Hasdrubal
+himself comes up with the main army. All places resound with noises of
+various kinds; the soldiers and rowers hurrying together to the ships,
+rather like men running away from the land than marching to battle.
+Scarcely had all embarked, when some, unfastening the hawsers, are
+carried out against the anchors; others cut their cables, that nothing
+might impede them; and by doing every thing with hurry and
+precipitation, the duties of mariners were impeded by the preparations
+of the soldiers, and the soldiers were prevented from taking and
+preparing for action their arms, by the bustle of the mariners. And
+now the Roman was not only approaching, but had drawn up his ships for
+the battle. The Carthaginians, therefore, thrown into disorder, not
+more by the enemy and the battle than by their own tumult, having
+rather made an attempt at fighting than commenced a battle, turned
+their fleet for flight; and as the mouth of the river which was before
+them could not be entered in so broad a line, and by so many pressing
+in at the same time, they ran their ships on shore in every part. And
+being received, some in the shallows, and others on the dry shore,
+some armed and some unarmed, they escaped to their friends, who were
+drawn up in battle-array over the shore. Two Carthaginian ships were
+captured and four sunk on the first encounter.
+
+20. The Romans, though the enemy was master of the shore, and they saw
+armed troops lining the whole bank, promptly pursuing the discomfited
+fleet of the enemy, towed out into the deep all the ships which had
+not either shattered their prows by the violence with which they
+struck the shore, or set their keels fast in the shallows. They
+captured as many as twenty-five out of forty. Nor was that the most
+splendid result of their victory: but they became masters of the whole
+sea on that coast by one slight battle; advancing, then, with their
+fleet to Honosca, and making a descent from the ships upon the coast,
+when they had taken the city by storm and pillaged it, they afterwards
+made for Carthage: then devastating the whole surrounding country,
+they, lastly, set fire also to the buildings contiguous to the wall
+and gates. Thence the fleet laden with plunder, arrived at Longuntica,
+where a great quantity of oakum for naval purposes had been collected
+by Hasdrubal: of this, taking away as much as was sufficient for their
+necessities, they burnt all the rest. Nor did they only sail by the
+prominent coasts of the continent, but crossed over into the island
+Ebusus; where, having with the utmost exertion, but in vain, carried
+on operations against the city, which is the capital of the island,
+for two days, when they found that time was wasted to no purpose upon
+a hopeless task, they turned their efforts to the devastation of the
+country; and having plundered and fired several villages, and acquired
+a greater booty than they had obtained on the continent, they retired
+to their ships, when ambassadors from the Baliares came to Scipio to
+sue for peace. From this place the fleet sailed back, and returned to
+the hither parts of the province, whither ambassadors of all the
+people who dwell on the Iberus, and of many people in the most distant
+parts of Spain, assembled. But the number of states who really became
+subject to the authority and dominion of the Romans, and gave
+hostages, amounted to upwards of one hundred and twenty. The Roman
+therefore, relying sufficiently on his land forces also, advanced as
+far as the pass of Castulo. Hasdrubal retired into Lusitania, and
+nearer the ocean.
+
+21. After this, it seemed probable that the remainder of the summer
+would be peaceful; and so it would have been with regard to the Punic
+enemy: but besides that the tempers of the Spaniards themselves are
+naturally restless, and eager for innovation, Mandonius, together with
+Indibilis, who had formerly been petty prince of the Ilergetes, having
+stirred up their countrymen, came to lay waste the peaceful country of
+the Roman allies, after the Romans had retired from the pass to the
+sea-coast. A military tribune with some light-armed auxiliaries being
+sent against these by Scipio, with a small effort put them all to the
+rout, as being but a disorderly band: some having been captured and
+slain, a great portion of them were deprived of their arms. This
+disturbance, however, brought back Hasdrubal, who was retiring to the
+ocean, to protect his allies on this side the Iberus. The Carthaginian
+camp was in the territory of Ilercao, the Roman camp at the New Fleet,
+when unexpected intelligence turned the war into another quarter. The
+Celtiberians, who had sent the chief men of their country as
+ambassadors to the Romans, and had given them hostages, aroused by a
+message from Scipio, take up arms and invade the province of the
+Carthaginians with a powerful army; take three towns by storm; and
+after that, encountering Hasdrubal himself in two battles with,
+splendid success, slew fifteen thousand and captured four thousand,
+together with many military standards.
+
+22. This being the state of affairs in Spain, Publius Scipio came into
+his province, having been sent thither by the senate, his command
+being continued to him after his consulate, with thirty long ships,
+eight thousand soldiers, and a large importation of provisions. That
+fleet, swelled to an enormous size by a multitude of transports, being
+descried at a distance, entered safe the port of Tarraco, to the great
+joy of the citizens and allies. Landing his troops there, Scipio set
+out and formed a junction with his brother, and thenceforward they
+prosecuted the war with united courage and counsels. While the
+Carthaginians, therefore, were occupied with the Celtiberian war, they
+promptly crossed the Iberus, and not seeing any enemy, pursue their
+course to Saguntum; for it was reported that the hostages from every
+part of Spain, having been consigned to custody, were kept in the
+citadel of that place under a small guard. That pledge alone checked
+the affections of all the people of Spain, which were inclined towards
+an alliance with the Romans; lest the guilt of their defection should
+be expiated with the blood of their children. One man, by a stratagem
+more subtle than honourable, liberated the Spaniards from this
+restraint. There was at Saguntum a noble Spaniard, named Abelux,
+hitherto faithful to the Carthaginians, but now (such are for the most
+part the dispositions of barbarians) had changed his attachment with
+fortune; but considering that a deserter going over to enemies without
+the betraying of something valuable, would be looked upon only as a
+stigmatized and worthless individual, was solicitous to render as
+great a service as possible to his new confederates. Having turned
+over in his mind, then, the various means which, under the favour of
+fortune, he might employ, in preference to every other, he applied
+himself to the delivering up of the hostages; concluding that this one
+thing, above all others, would gain the Romans the friendship of the
+Spanish chieftains. But since he knew that the guards of the hostages
+would do nothing without the authority of Bostar, the governor, he
+addresses himself with craft to Bostar himself. Bostar had his camp
+without the city, just upon the shore, in order to preclude the
+approach of the Romans from that quarter. He informs him, taken aside
+to a secret place, and as if uninformed, in what position affairs
+were: "That hitherto fear had withheld the minds of the Spaniards to
+them, because the Romans were at a great distance: that now the Roman
+camp was on this side the Iberus, a secure fortress and asylum for
+such as desired a change, that therefore those whom fear could not
+bind should be attached by kindness and favour." When Bostar, in
+astonishment, earnestly asked him, what sudden gift of so much
+importance that could be, he replied, "Send back the hostages to their
+states: this will be an acceptable boon, privately to their parents,
+who possess the greatest influence in their respective states, and
+publicly to the people. Every man wishes to have confidence reposed in
+him; and confidence reposed generally enforces the fidelity itself.
+The office of restoring the hostages to their homes, I request for
+myself; that I may enhance my project by the trouble bestowed, and
+that I may add as much value as I can to a service in its own
+intrinsic nature so acceptable." When he had persuaded the man, who
+was not cunning as compared with Carthaginian minds in general, having
+gone secretly and by night to the outposts of the enemy, he met with
+some auxiliary Spaniards; and having been brought by them into the
+presence of Scipio, he explains what brought him. Pledges of fidelity
+having been given and received, and the time and place for delivering
+the hostages having been appointed, he returns to Saguntum. The
+following day he spent with Bostar, in taking his commands for
+effecting the business; having so arranged it, that he should go by
+night, in order that he might escape the observation of the enemy, he
+was dismissed; and awakening the guards of the youths at the hour
+agreed upon with them, set out and led them, as if unconsciously, into
+a snare prepared by his own deceit. They were brought to the Roman
+camp, and every thing else respecting the restoration of the hostages
+was transacted as had been agreed upon with Bostar, and in the same
+course as if the affair had been carried on in the name of the
+Carthaginians. But the favour of the Romans was somewhat greater than
+that of the Carthaginians would have been in a similar case; for
+misfortune and fear might have seemed to have softened them, who had
+been found oppressive and haughty in prosperity. The Roman, on the
+contrary, on his first arrival, having been unknown to them before,
+had begun with an act of clemency and liberality: and Abelux, a man of
+prudence, did not seem likely to have changed his allies without good
+cause. Accordingly all began, with great unanimity, to meditate a
+revolt; and hostilities would immediately have commenced, had not the
+winter intervened, which compelled the Romans, and the Carthaginians
+also, to retire to shelter.
+
+23. Such were the transactions in Spain also during the second summer
+of the Punic war; while in Italy the prudent delay of Fabius had
+procured the Romans some intermission from disasters; which conduct,
+as it kept Hannibal disturbed with no ordinary degree of anxiety, for
+it proved to him that the Romans had at length selected a general who
+would carry on the war with prudence, and not in dependence on
+fortune; so was it treated with contempt by his countrymen, both in
+the camp and in the city; particularly after that a battle had been
+fought during his absence from the temerity of the master of the
+horse, in its issue, as I may justly designate it, rather joyful than
+successful. Two causes were added to augment the unpopularity of the
+dictator: one arising out of a stratagem and artful procedure of
+Hannibal; for the farm of the dictator having been pointed out to him
+by deserters, he ordered that the fire and sword and every outrage of
+enemies should be restrained from it alone, while all around were
+levelled with the ground; in order that it might appear to have been
+the term of some secret compact: the other from an act of his own, at
+first perhaps suspicious, because in it he had not waited for the
+authority of the senate, but in the result turning unequivocally to
+his highest credit, with relation to the exchange of prisoners: for,
+as was the case in the first Punic war, an agreement had been made
+between the Roman and Carthaginian generals, that whichever received
+more prisoners than he restored, should give two pounds and a half of
+silver for every man. And when the Roman had received two hundred and
+forty-seven more than the Carthaginian, and the silver which was due
+for them, after the matter had been frequently agitated in the senate,
+was not promptly supplied, because he had not consulted the fathers,
+he sent his son Quintus to Rome and sold his farm, uninjured by the
+enemy, and thus redeemed the public credit at his own private expense.
+Hannibal lay in a fixed camp before the walls of Geronium, which city
+he had captured and burnt, leaving only a few buildings for the
+purpose of granaries: thence he was in the habit of sending out
+two-thirds of his forces to forage; with the third part kept in
+readiness, he himself remained on guard, both as a protection to his
+camp, and for the purpose of looking out, if from any quarter an
+attack should be made upon his foragers.
+
+24. The Roman army was at that time in the territory of Larinum.
+Minucius, the master of the horse, had the command of it; the
+dictator, as was before mentioned, having gone to the city. But the
+camp, which had been pitched in an elevated and secure situation, was
+now brought down into the plain; plans of a bolder character,
+agreeably with the temper of the general, were in agitation; and
+either an attack was to be made upon the scattered foragers, or upon
+the camp now left with an inconsiderable guard. Nor did it escape the
+observation of Hannibal, that the plan of the war had been changed
+with the general, and that the enemy would act with more boldness than
+counsel. Hannibal himself too, which one would scarcely credit, though
+the enemy was near, despatched a third part of his troops to forage,
+retaining the remaining two-thirds in the camp. After that he advanced
+his camp itself nearer to the enemy, to a hill within the enemy's
+view, nearly two miles from Geronium; that they might be aware that he
+was on the alert to protect his foragers if any attack should be made
+upon them. Then he discovered an eminence nearer to, and commanding
+the very camp of the Romans: and because if he marched openly in the
+day-time to occupy it, the enemy would doubtless anticipate him by a
+shorter way, the Numidians having been sent privately in the night,
+took possession of it. These, occupying this position, the Romans, the
+next day, despising the smallness of their numbers, dislodge, and
+transfer their camp thither themselves. There was now, therefore, but
+a very small space between rampart and rampart, and that the Roman
+line had almost entirely filled; at the same time the cavalry, with
+the light infantry sent out against the foragers through the opposite
+part of the camp, effected a slaughter and flight of the scattered
+enemy far and wide. Nor dared Hannibal hazard a regular battle;
+because with so few troops, that he would scarcely be able to protect
+his camp if attacked. And now he carried on the war (for part of his
+army was away) according to the plans of Fabius, by sitting still and
+creating delays. He had also withdrawn his troops to their former
+camp, which was before the walls of Geronium. Some authors affirm that
+they fought in regular line, and with encountering standards; that in
+the first encounter the Carthaginian was driven in disorder quite to
+his camp; but that, a sally thence having been suddenly made all at
+once, the Romans in their turn became alarmed; that after that the
+battle was restored by the arrival of Numerius Decimius the Samnite;
+that this man, the first in family and fortune, not only in Bovianum,
+whence he came, but in all Samnium, when conducting by command of the
+dictator to the camp eight thousand infantry and five hundred horse,
+having shown himself on the rear of Hannibal, seemed to both parties
+to be a fresh reinforcement coming with Quintus Fabius from Rome; that
+Hannibal, fearing also some ambuscade, withdrew his troops; and that
+the Roman, aided by the Samnite, pursuing him, took by storm two forts
+on that day; that six thousand of the enemy were slain, and about five
+thousand of the Romans; but that though the loss was so nearly equal,
+intelligence was conveyed to Rome of a signal victory; and a letter
+from the master of the horse still more presumptuous.
+
+25. These things were very frequently discussed, both in the senate
+and assemblies. When the dictator alone, while joy pervaded the city,
+attached no credit to the report or letter; and granting that all were
+true, affirmed that he feared more from success than failure; then
+Marcus Metilius, a Plebeian tribune, declares that such conduct surely
+could not be endured. That the dictator, not only when present was an
+obstacle to the right management of the affair, but also being absent
+from the camp, opposed it still when achieved; that he studiously
+dallied in his conduct of the war, that he might continue the longer
+in office, and that he might have the sole command both at Rome and in
+the army. Since one of the consuls had fallen in battle, and the other
+was removed to a distance from Italy, under pretext of pursuing a
+Carthaginian fleet; and the two praetors were occupied in Sicily and
+Sardinia, neither of which provinces required a praetor at this time.
+That Marcus Minucius, the master of the horse, was almost put under a
+guard, lest he should see the enemy, and carry on any warlike
+operation. That therefore, by Hercules, not only Samnium, which had
+now been yielded to the Carthaginians, as if it had been land beyond
+the Iberus, but the Campanian, Calenian, and Falernian territories had
+been devastated, while the dictator was sitting down at Casilinum,
+protecting his own farm with the legions of the Roman people: that the
+army, eager for battle, as well as the master of the horse, were kept
+back almost imprisoned within the rampart: that their arms were taken
+out of their hands, as from captured enemies: at length, as soon as
+ever the dictator had gone away, having marched out beyond their
+rampart, that they had routed the enemy and put him to flight. On
+account of which circumstances, had the Roman commons retained their
+ancient spirit, that he would have boldly proposed to them to annul
+the authority of Quintus Fabius; but now he would bring forward a
+moderate proposition, to make the authority of the master of the horse
+and the dictator equal; and that even then Quintus Fabius should not
+be sent to the army, till he had substituted a consul in the room of
+Caius Flaminius. The dictator kept away from the popular assemblies,
+in which he did not command a favourable hearing, and even in the
+senate he was not heard with favourable ears, when his eloquence was
+employed in praising the enemy, and attributing the disasters of the
+last two years to the temerity and unskilfulness of the generals; and
+when he declared that the master of the horse ought to be called to
+account for having fought contrary to his injunction. That "if the
+supreme command and administration of affairs were intrusted to him,
+he would soon take care that men should know, that to a good general
+fortune was not of great importance; that prudence and conduct
+governed every thing; that it was more glorious for him to have saved
+the army at a crisis, and without disgrace, than to have slain many
+thousands of the enemy." Speeches of this kind having been made
+without effect, and Marcus Atilius Regulus created consul, that he
+might not be present to dispute respecting the right of command, he
+withdrew to the army on the night preceding the day on which the
+proposition was to be decided. When there was an assembly of the
+people at break of day, a secret displeasure towards the dictator, and
+favour towards the master of the horse, rather possessed their minds,
+than that men had not sufficient resolution to advise a measure which
+was agreeable to the public; and though favour carried it, influence
+was wanting to the bill. One man indeed was found who recommended the
+law, Caius Terentius Varro, who had been praetor in the former year,
+sprung not only from humble but mean parentage. They report that his
+father was a butcher, the retailer of his own meat, and that he
+employed this very son in the servile offices of that trade.
+
+26. This young man, when a fortune left him by his father, acquired in
+such a traffic, had inspired him with the hope of a higher condition,
+and the gown and forum were the objects of his choice, by declaiming
+vehemently in behalf of men and causes of the lowest kind, in
+opposition to the interest and character of the good, first came to
+the notice of the people, and then to offices of honour. Having passed
+through the offices of quaestor, plebeian, and curule aedile, and,
+lastly, that of praetor; when now he raised his mind to the hope of
+the consulship, he courted the gale of popular favour by maligning the
+dictator, and received alone the credit of the decree of the people.
+All men, both at Rome and in the army, both friends and foes, except
+the dictator himself, considered this measure to have been passed as
+an insult to him; but the dictator himself bore the wrong which the
+infuriated people had put upon him, with the same gravity with which
+he endured the charges against him which his enemies laid before the
+multitude; and receiving the letter containing a decree of the senate
+respecting the equalization of the command while on his journey,
+satisfied that an equal share of military skill was not imparted
+together with the equal share of command, he returned to the army with
+a mind unsubdued alike by his fellow-citizens and by the enemy.
+
+27. But Minucius, who, in consequence of his success and the favour of
+the populace, was scarcely endurable before now especially,
+unrestrained by shame or moderation, boasted not more in having
+conquered Hannibal than Quintus Fabius. "That he, who had been sought
+out in their distress as the only general, and as a match for
+Hannibal; that he, an event which no record of history contains, was
+by the order of the people placed upon an equal footing with
+himself,--a superior with an inferior officer, a dictator with a
+master of the horse,--in that very city wherein the masters of the
+horse are wont to crouch and tremble at the rods and axes of the
+dictator. With such splendour had his valour and success shone forth.
+That he therefore would follow up his own good fortune, though the
+dictator persisted in his delay and sloth; measures condemned alike by
+the sentence of gods and men." Accordingly, on the first day on which
+he met Quintus Fabius, he intimated "that the first point to be
+settled was the manner in which they should employ the command thus
+equalized. That he was of opinion that the best plan would be for them
+to be invested with the supreme authority and command either on
+alternate days, or, if longer intervals were more agreeable, for any
+determinate periods; in order that the person in command might be a
+match for the enemy, not only in judgment, but in strength, if any
+opportunity for action should occur." Fabius by no means approved of
+this proposition: he said, "that Fortune would have at her disposal
+all things which the rashness of his colleague had; that his command
+had been shared with him, and not taken away; that he would never,
+therefore, willingly withdraw from conducting the war, in whatever
+post he could with prudence and discretion: nor would he divide the
+command with him with respect to times or days, but that he would
+divide the army, and that he would preserve, by his own measures, so
+much as he could, since it was not allowed him to save the whole."
+Thus he carried it, that, as was the custom of consuls, they should
+divide the legions between them: the first and fourth fell to the lot
+of Minucius, the second and third to Fabius. They likewise divided
+equally between them the cavalry, the auxiliaries of the allies and of
+the Latin name. The master of the horse was desirous also that they
+should have separate camps.
+
+28. From this Hannibal derived a twofold joy, for nothing which was
+going on among the enemy escaped him, the deserters revealing many
+things, and he himself examining by his own scouts. For he considered
+that he should be able to entrap the unrestrained temerity of Minucius
+by his usual arts, and that half the force of the sagacity of Fabius
+had vanished. There was an eminence between the camps of Minucius and
+the Carthaginians, whoever occupied it would evidently render the
+position of his enemy less advantageous. Hannibal was not so desirous
+of gaining it without a contest, though that were worth his while, as
+to bring on a quarrel with Minucius, who, he well knew, would at all
+times throw himself in his way to oppose him. All the intervening
+ground was at first sight unavailable to one who wished to plant an
+ambuscade, because it not only had not any part that was woody, but
+none even covered with brambles, but in reality formed by nature to
+cover an ambush, so much the more, because no such deception could be
+apprehended in a naked valley and there were in its curvatures hollow
+rocks, such that some of them were capable of containing two hundred
+armed men. Within these recesses, five thousand infantry and cavalry
+are secreted, as many as could conveniently occupy each. Lest,
+however, in any part, either the motion of any one of them
+thoughtlessly coming out, or the glittering of their arms, should
+discover the stratagem in so open a valley, by sending out a few
+troops at break of day to occupy the before-mentioned eminence, he
+diverts the attention of the enemy. Immediately, on the first view of
+them, the smallness of their number was treated with contempt, and
+each man began to request for himself the task of dislodging the
+enemy. The general himself, among the most headstrong and absurd,
+calls to arms to go and seize the place, and inveighs against the
+enemy with vain presumption and menaces. First, he despatches his
+light-armed, after that his cavalry, in a close body, lastly,
+perceiving that succours were also being sent to the enemy, he marches
+with his legions drawn up in order of battle. Hannibal also, sending
+band after band, as the contest increased, as aids to his men when
+distressed, had now completed a regular army, and a battle was fought
+with the entire strength of both sides. First, the light infantry of
+the Romans, approaching the eminence, which was preoccupied, from the
+lower ground, being repulsed and pushed down, spread a terror among
+the cavalry, which was marching up also and fled back to the standards
+of the legions: the line of infantry alone stood fearless amidst the
+panic-struck; and it appeared that they would by no means have been
+inferior to the enemy, had it been a regular and open battle, so much
+confidence did the successful battle a few days before inspire. But
+the troops in ambush created such confusion and alarm, by charging
+them on both flanks and on their rear, that no one had spirit enough
+left to fight, or hope enough to try to escape.
+
+29. Then Fabius, first having heard the shout of the terrified troops,
+and then having gotten a view of their disordered line, exclaims, "It
+is so; and no sooner than I feared, has adverse fortune overtaken
+temerity. Equalled to Fabius in command, he sees that Hannibal is
+superior to him in courage and in fortune. But another will be the
+time for reproaches and resentment. Now advance your standards beyond
+the rampart: let us wrest the victory from the enemy, and a confession
+of their error from our countrymen." A great part of the troops having
+been now slain, and the rest looking about for a way to escape; the
+army of Fabius showed itself on a sudden for their help, as if sent
+down from heaven. And thus, before he came within a dart's throw or
+joined battle, he both stayed his friends from a precipitate flight
+and the enemy from excessive fierceness of fighting. Those who had
+been scattered up and down, their ranks being broken, fled for refuge
+from every quarter to the fresh army; those who had fled together in
+parties, turning upon the enemy, now forming a circle, retreat slowly,
+now concentrating themselves, stand firm. And now the vanquished and
+the fresh army had nearly formed one line, and were bearing their
+standards against the enemy, when the Carthaginians sounded a retreat;
+Hannibal openly declaring that though he had conquered Minucius, he
+was himself conquered by Fabius. The greater part of the day having
+been thus consumed with varying success, Minucius calling together his
+soldiers, when they had returned to the camp, thus addressed them: "I
+have often heard, soldiers, that he is the greatest man who himself
+counsels what is expedient, and that he who listens to the man who
+gives good advice is the second, but that he who neither himself is
+capable of counselling, and knows not how to obey another, is of the
+lowest order of mind. Since the first place of mind and talent has
+been denied us, let us strive to obtain the second and intermediate
+kind, and while we are learning to command, let us prevail upon
+ourselves to submit to a man of prudence. Let us join camps with
+Fabius, and, carrying our standards to his pavilion, when I have
+saluted him as my parent, which he deserves on account of the service
+he has rendered us and of his dignity; you, my soldiers, shall salute
+those men as patrons, whose arms and right-hands just now protected
+you: and if this day has conferred nothing else upon us, it hath at
+least conferred upon us the glory of possessing grateful hearts."
+
+30. The signal being given, there was a general call to collect the
+baggage: then setting out, and proceeding in order of march to the
+dictator's camp, they excited at once the surprise of the dictator
+himself and all around him. When the standards were planted before the
+tribunal, the master of the horse, advancing before the rest, having
+saluted Fabius as father, and the whole body of his troops having,
+with one voice, saluted the soldiers who surrounded him as patrons,
+said, "To my parents, dictator, to whom I have just now equalled you,
+only in name, as far as I could express myself, I am indebted for my
+life only; to you I owe both my own preservation and that of all these
+soldiers. That order of the people, therefore, with which I have been
+oppressed rather than honoured, I first cancel and annul, and (may it
+be auspicious to me and you, and to these your armies, to the
+preserved and the preserver,) I return to your authority and auspices,
+and restore to you these standards and these legions, and I entreat
+you that, being reconciled, you would order that I may retain the
+mastership of the horse, and that these soldiers may each of them
+retain their ranks." After that hands were joined, and when the
+assembly was dismissed, the soldiers were kindly and hospitably
+invited by those known to them and unknown: and that day, from having
+been a little while ago gloomy in the extreme, and almost accursed,
+was turned into a day of joy. At Rome, the report of the action was
+conveyed thither, and was afterwards confirmed, not less by letters
+from the common soldiers of both armies, than from the generals
+themselves, all men individually extolled Maximus to the skies. His
+renown was equal with Hannibal, and his enemies the Carthaginians and
+then at length they began to feel that they were engaged in war with
+Romans, and in Italy. For the two preceding years they entertained so
+utter a contempt for the Roman generals and soldiers, that they could
+scarcely believe that they were waging war with the same nation which
+their fathers had reported to them as being so formidable. They relate
+also, that Hannibal said, as he returned from the field that at length
+that cloud, which was used to settle on the tops of the mountains, had
+sent down a shower with a storm.
+
+31. While these events occur in Italy, Cneius Servilius Geminus, the
+consul, having sailed round the coast of Sardinia and Corsica with a
+fleet of one hundred and twenty ships, and received hostages from both
+places, crossed over into Africa, and before he made a descent upon
+the continent, having laid waste the island of Meninx, and received
+from the inhabitants of Cercina ten talents of silver, in order that
+their fields too might not be burnt and pillaged, he approached the
+shores of Africa, and landed his troops. Thence the soldiers were led
+out to plunder, and the crews scattered about just as if they were
+plundering uninhabited islands and thus, carelessly falling upon an
+ambuscade, when they were surrounded--the ignorant of the country by
+those acquainted with it, the straggling by those in close array, they
+were driven back to then ships in ignominious flight, and with great
+carnage. As many as one thousand men, together with Sempionius
+Blaesus, the quaestor, having been lost, the fleet hastily setting
+sail from the shore, which was crowded with the enemy, proceeded
+direct for Italy, and was given up at Lilybaeum to Titus Otacilius,
+the praetor, that it might be taken back to Rome by his lieutenant,
+Publius Suia. The consul himself, proceeding through Sicily on foot,
+crossed the strait into Italy, summoned, as well as his colleague,
+Marcus Atilius, by a letter from Quintus Fabius, to receive the armies
+from him, as the period of his command, which was six months, had
+nearly expired. Almost all the annalists record that Fabius conducted
+the war against Hannibal, as dictator Caelius also writes, that he was
+the first dictator created by the people. But it has escaped Caelius
+and all the others that Cneius Servilius, the consul, who was then a
+long way from home in Gaul, which was his province, was the only
+person who possessed the right of appointing a dictator, and that as
+the state, terrified by the disasters which had just befallen it,
+could not abide the delay, it had recourse to the determination that
+the people should create a prodictator, that his subsequent
+achievements, his singular renown as a general, and his descendants,
+who exaggerated the inscription of his statue, easily brought it about
+that he should be called dictator, instead of prodictator.
+
+32. The consuls, Atilius and Geminus Servilius, having received, the
+former the army of Fabius, the latter that of Minucius, and fortified
+their winter quarters in good time, (it was the close of the autumn,)
+carried on the war with the most perfect unanimity, according to the
+plans of Fabius. In many places they fell upon the troops of Hannibal
+when out on foraging excursions, availing themselves of the
+opportunity, and both harassing their march and intercepting the
+stragglers. They did not come to the chance of a general battle, which
+the enemy tried by every artifice to bring about. And Hannibal was so
+straitened by the want of provisions, that had he not feared in
+retiring the appearance of flight, he would have returned to Gaul, no
+hope being left of being able to subsist an army in those quarters, if
+the ensuing consuls should carry on the war upon the same plan. The
+war having been arrested in its progress at Geronium, the winter
+interrupting it, ambassadors from Naples came to Rome. They carried
+into the senate-house forty golden goblets, of great weight, and spoke
+to this effect. "That they knew the treasury of the Romans was
+exhausted by the war, and since the war was carried on alike in
+defence of the cities and the lands of the allies, and of the empire
+and city of Rome, the capital and citadel of Italy, that the
+Neapolitans thought it but fair that they should assist the Roman
+people with whatever gold had been left them by their ancestors as
+well for the decoration of their temples as for the relief of
+misfortune. If they had thought that there was any resource in
+themselves, that they would have offered it with the same zeal. That
+the Roman fathers and people would render an acceptable service to
+them, if they would consider all the goods of the Neapolitans as their
+own, and if they would think them deserving, that they should accept a
+present at their hands, rendered valuable and of consequence rather by
+the spirit and affection of those who gave it with cheerfulness, than
+by its intrinsic worth." Thanks were given to the ambassadors for
+their munificence and attention, and the goblet of least weight was
+accepted.
+
+33. During the same days a Carthaginian spy, who had escaped for two
+years, was apprehended at Rome, and his hands having been cut off, was
+let go: and twenty-five slaves were crucified for forming a conspiracy
+in the Campus Martius; his liberty was given to the informer, and
+twenty thousand _asses_ of the heavy standard. Ambassadors were
+also sent to Philip, king of the Macedonians, to demand Demetrius of
+Pharia, who, having been vanquished in war had fled to him. Others
+were sent to the Ligurians, to expostulate with them for having
+assisted the Carthaginians with their substance and with auxiliaries;
+and, at the same time, to take a near view of what was going on
+amongst the Boii and Insubrians. Ambassadors were also sent to the
+Illyrians to king Pineus, to demand the tribute, the day of payment of
+which had passed; or if he wished to postpone the day, to receive
+hostages. Thus, though an arduous war was on their shoulders, no
+attention to any one concern in any part of the world, however remote,
+escapes the Romans. It was made a matter of superstitious fear also,
+that the temple of Concord, which Lucius Manlius, the praetor, had
+vowed in Gaul two years ago, on occasion of a mutiny, had not been
+contracted for to that day. Accordingly, Cneius Pupius and Caeso
+Quinctius Flaminius, created duumviri by Marcus Aemilius, the city
+praetor, for that purpose, contract for the building a temple in the
+citadel. By the same praetor a letter was sent to the consuls,
+agreeably to a decree of the senate, to the effect that, if they
+thought proper, one of them should come to Rome to elect consuls; and
+that he would proclaim the election for whatever day they might name.
+To this it was replied by the consuls, that they could not leave the
+enemy without detriment to the public; that it would be better,
+therefore, that the election should be held by an interrex, than that
+one of the consuls should be called away from the war. It appeared
+more proper to the fathers, that a dictator should be nominated by a
+consul, for the purpose of holding the election Lucius Veturius Philo
+was nominated, who chose Manius Pomponius Matho master of the horse.
+These having been created with some defect, they were ordered to give
+up their appointment on the fourteenth day; and the state came to an
+interregnum.
+
+34. To the consuls the authority was continued for a year longer.
+Caius Claudius Centho, son of Appius, and then Publius Cornelius
+Asina, were appointed interreges by the fathers. During the
+interregnum of the latter the election was held with a violent contest
+between the patricians and the people, Caius Terentius Varro, whom, as
+a man of their own order, commended to their favour by inveighing
+against the patricians and by other popular arts; who had acquired
+celebrity by maligning others, by undermining the influence of Fabius,
+and bringing into contempt the dictatorial authority, the commons
+strove to raise to the consulship. The patricians opposed him with all
+their might, lest men, by inveighing against them, should come to be
+placed on an equality with them. Quintus Boebius Herennius, a plebeian
+tribune, and kinsman of Caius Terentius, by criminating not only the
+senate, but the augurs also, for having prevented the dictator from
+completing the election, by the odium cast upon them, conciliated
+favour to his own candidate. He asserted, "that Hannibal had been
+brought into Italy by the nobility, who had for many years been
+desirous of a war. That by the fraudulent machinations of the same
+persons the war had been protracted, whereas it might have been
+brought to a conclusion. That it had appeared that the war could be
+maintained with an army consisting of four legions in all, from Marcus
+Minucius's having fought with success in the absence of Fabius. That
+two legions had been exposed to be slain by the enemy, and were
+afterwards rescued from absolute destruction, in order that that man
+might be saluted as father and patron, who had deprived them of
+victory before he delivered them from defeat. That subsequently the
+consuls, pursuing the plans of Fabius, had protracted the war, whereas
+it was in their power to have put a period to it. That this was an
+agreement made by the nobility in general; nor would they ever have
+the war concluded till they had created a consul really plebeian; that
+is, a new man: for that plebeians who had attained nobility were now
+initiated into the mysteries, and had begun to look down with contempt
+upon plebeians, from the moment they ceased to be despised by the
+patricians. Who was not fully aware that their end and object was,
+that an interregnum should be formed, in order that the elections
+might be under the influence of the patricians? That both the consuls
+had that in view in tarrying with the army: and that afterwards a
+dictator having been nominated to hold the election contrary to their
+wishes, they had carried it, as it were, by storm, that the augurs
+should declare the dictator informally elected. That they therefore
+had gotten an interregnum; but one consulate was surely in the hands
+of the Roman people. Thus the people would have that at their own
+unbiassed disposal, and that they would confer it on that man who
+would rather conquer in reality than lengthen the term of his
+command."
+
+35. When the people had been inflamed by these harangues, though there
+were three patrician candidates for the consulship, Publius Cornelius
+Merenda, Lucius Manlius Vulso, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, two of
+plebeian families, who had been ennobled, Caius Atilius Serranus and
+Quintus Aelius Paetus, one of whom was pontiff, the other an augur,
+Terentius alone was created consul, that the comitia for choosing his
+colleague might be in his own management. Then the nobles, finding
+that the competitors whom they had set up were not strong enough,
+though he strenuously refused for a long time, prevail upon Aemilius
+Paulus, who was strongly opposed to the people, to become a candidate.
+He had been consul before with Marcus Livius, and from the
+condemnation of his colleague, and almost of himself, had come off
+scathed. On the next day of the election, all who had opposed Varro
+withdrawing, he is given to the consul rather as a match to oppose him
+than as a colleague. Afterwards the assembly for the election of
+praetors was held, and Manius Pomponius Matho and Publius Furius
+Philus were chosen. The city lot for the administration of justice at
+Rome fell to the lot of Pomponius; between Roman citizens and
+foreigners, to Philus. Two praetors were added, Marcus Claudius
+Marcellus for Sicily, and Lucius Postumius for Gaul. These were all
+appointed in their absence; nor was an honour which he had not
+previously borne committed to any one of them, except the consul
+Terentius, several brave and able men having been passed over,
+because, at such a juncture, it did not appear advisable that a new
+office should be committed to any one.
+
+36. The forces also were augmented. But how great was the augmentation
+of infantry and cavalry authors vary so much, that I scarcely dare
+positively assert. Some state, that ten thousand soldiers were levied
+as a reinforcement; others, four fresh legions, that there might be
+eight legions in service. It is said also, that the complement of the
+legion was increased in respect both to foot and horse, one thousand
+foot and one hundred horse being added to each, so that each might
+contain five thousand foot and three hundred horse; and that the
+allies furnished twice as many cavalry, and an equal number of
+infantry. Some authorities affirm that there were eighty-seven
+thousand two hundred soldiers in the Roman camp when the battle of
+Cannae was fought. There is no dispute, that the war was prosecuted
+with greater energy and spirit than during former years, because the
+dictator had given them a hope that the enemy might be subdued.
+Before, however, the new-raised legions marched from the city, the
+decemviri were ordered to have recourse to and inspect the sacred
+volumes, on account of persons having been generally alarmed by
+extraordinary prodigies; for intelligence was brought, that it had
+rained stones on the Aventine at Rome and at Aricia at the same time.
+That among the Sabines, statues had sweated blood copiously, and at
+Caere the waters had flowed warm, from a fountain. The latter prodigy
+excited a greater degree of alarm, because it had frequently occurred.
+In a street called the Arched Way, near the Campus Martius, several
+men were struck by lightning and killed. These prodigies were expiated
+according to the books. Ambassadors from Paestum brought some golden
+goblets to Rome; they were thanked, as the Neapolitans were, but the
+gold was not accepted.
+
+37. During the same time a fleet from Hiero arrived at Ostia with a
+large cargo of supplies. The Syracusan ambassadors, on being
+introduced into the senate, delivered this message: "That king Hiero
+was so much affected at the slaughter announced to him of Caius
+Flaminius the consul and his troops, that he could not have been more
+distressed at any disasters which could have befallen himself or his
+own kingdom; and accordingly, though he was well aware that the
+greatness of the Roman people was almost more admirable in adversity
+than prosperity, he had nevertheless sent every thing which good and
+faithful allies are wont to contribute to assist the operations of
+war, which he earnestly implored the conscript fathers not to refuse
+to accept. First of all, for the sake of the omen, they had brought a
+golden statue of Victory, of three hundred pounds' weight, which they
+begged them to accept, keep by them, and hold as their own peculiar
+and lasting possession. That they had also brought three hundred
+thousand pecks of wheat, and two hundred thousand of barley, that
+there might be no want of provisions, and that as much more as might
+be necessary they would convey, as a supply, to whatever place they
+might appoint. He knew that the Roman people employed no legionary
+troops or cavalry who were not Romans, or of the Latin confederacy,
+that he had seen foreign auxiliary as well as native light-armed
+troops in the Roman camps, he had, therefore, sent one thousand
+archers and slingers, a suitable force against the Bahares and Moors,
+and other nations which fought with missile weapons" To these presents
+they added also advice "That the praetor to whose lot the province of
+Sicily had fallen, should pass a fleet over to Africa, that the enemy
+also might have a war in their own country, and that less liberty
+should be afforded them of sending reinforcements to Hannibal" The
+senate thus replied to the king. "That Hiero was a good man and an
+admirable ally, and that from the time he first formed a friendship
+with the Roman people he had uniformly cultivated a spirit of
+fidelity, and had munificently assisted the Roman cause at all times
+and in every place. That this was, as it ought to be, a cause of
+gratitude to the Roman people. That the Roman people had not accepted
+gold which had been brought them also from certain states, though they
+felt gratitude for the act. The Victory and the omen," they said,
+"they would accept, and would assign and dedicate to that goddess, as
+her abode, the Capitol, the temple of Jupiter, the best and greatest
+of gods, hoping that, consecrated in that fortress of the city of
+Rome, she would continue there firm and immoveable, kind and
+propitious to the Roman people." The slingers, archers, and corn were
+handed over to the consuls. To the fleet which Titus Otacilius the
+proprietor had in Sicily, twenty-five quinqueremes were added, and
+permission was given him, if he thought it for the interest of the
+state to pass over into Africa.
+
+38. The levy completed, the consuls waited a few days, till the allies
+of the Latin confederacy arrived. At this time the soldiers were bound
+by an oath, which had never before been the case, dictated by the
+military tribunes, that they would assemble at the command of the
+consuls, and not depart without orders; for up to that time the
+military oath only had been employed; and further, when the soldiers
+met to divide into decuries or centuries, the cavalry being formed
+into decuries and the infantry into centuries, all swore together,
+amongst themselves, of their own accord, that they would not depart or
+quit their ranks for flight or fear, except for the purpose of taking
+up or fetching a weapon, and either striking an enemy or saving a
+countryman. This, from being a voluntary compact among the soldiers
+themselves, was converted into the legal compulsion of an oath by the
+tribunes. Before the standards were moved from the city, the harangues
+of Varro were frequent and furious, protesting that the war had been
+invited into Italy by the nobles, and that it would continue fixed in
+the bowels of the state if it employed any more such generals as
+Fabius; that he would bring the war to conclusion on the very day he
+got sight of the enemy. His colleague Paulus made but one speech, on
+the day before they set out from the city, which was more true than
+gratifying to the people, in which nothing was said severely against
+Varro, except this only. "That he wondered how any general, before he
+knew any thing of his own army, or that of the enemy, the situation of
+the places, or the nature of the country, even now while in the city,
+and with the gown on, could tell what he must do when in arms, and
+could even foretell the day on which he would fight standard to
+standard with the enemy. That, for his own part, he would not, before
+the time arrived, prematurely anticipate those measures which
+circumstances imposed on men, rather than men on circumstances. He
+could only wish that those measures which were taken with due caution
+and deliberation might turn out prosperously. That temerity, setting
+aside its folly, had hitherto been also unsuccessful." This obviously
+appeared, that he would prefer safe to precipitate counsels; but that
+he might persevere the more constantly in this, Quintus Fabius Maximus
+is reported to have thus addressed him on his departure.
+
+39. "If you either had a colleague like yourself, Lucius Aemilius,
+which is what I should prefer, or you were like your colleague, an
+address from me would be superfluous. For were you both good consuls,
+you would do every thing for the good of the state from your own sense
+of honour, even without my saying a word: and were you both bad
+consuls, you would neither receive my words into your ears, nor my
+counsels into your minds. As the case now is, looking at your
+colleague and yourself, a man of such character, my address will be
+solely to you; who, I feel convinced, will prove yourself a good man
+and a worthy citizen in vain, if the state on the other hand should
+halt. Pernicious counsels will have the same authority and influence
+as those which are sound. For you are mistaken, Lucius Paulus, if you
+imagine that you will have a less violent contest with Caius Terentius
+than with Hannibal. I know not whether the former, your opponent, or
+the latter, your open enemy, be the more hostile. With the latter you
+will have to contend in the field only; with the former, at every
+place and time. Hannibal, moreover, you have to oppose with your own
+horse and foot; while Varro will head your own soldiers against you.
+Let Caius Flaminius be absent from your thoughts, even for the omen's
+sake. Yet he only began to play the madman's consul, in his province,
+and at the head of the army. This man is raving before he put up for
+the consulship, afterwards while canvassing for it, and now having
+obtained it, before he has seen the camp or the enemy. And he who by
+talking largely of battles and marshalled armies, even now excites
+such storms among the citizens with their gowns on, what do you think
+he will effect among the youth in arms, where words are followed
+forthwith by acts? But be assured, if this man, as he protests he
+will, shall immediately engage the enemy either I am unacquainted with
+military affairs, with this kind of war, and the character of the
+enemy, or another place will become more celebrated than the
+Trasimenus by our disaster. Neither is this the season for boasting
+while I am addressing one man; and besides, I have exceeded the bounds
+of moderation in despising rather than in courting fame. But the case
+is really this. The only way of conducting the war against Hannibal is
+that which I adopted: nor does the event only, that instructor of
+fools, demonstrate it, but that same reasoning which has continued
+hitherto, and will continue unchangeable so long as circumstances
+shall remain the same. We are carrying on war in Italy, in our own
+country, and our own soil. All around us are countrymen and allies in
+abundance. With arms, men, horses, and provisions, they do and will
+assist us. Such proofs of their fidelity have they given in our
+adversity. Time, nay, everyday makes us better, wiser, and firmer.
+Hannibal, on the contrary, is in a foreign, a hostile land, amidst all
+hostile and disadvantageous circumstances, far from his home, far from
+his country; he has peace neither by land nor sea: no cities, no walls
+receive him: he sees nothing any where which he can call his own: he
+daily lives by plunder. He has now scarcely a third part of that army
+which he conveyed across the Iberus. Famine has destroyed more than
+the sword; nor have the few remaining a sufficient supply of
+provisions. Do you doubt, therefore, whether by remaining quiet we
+shall not conquer him who is daily sinking into decrepitude? who has
+neither provisions nor money? How long before the walls of Geronium, a
+miserable fortress of Apulia, as if before the walls of Carthage--?
+But not even in your presence will I boast. See how Cneius Servilius
+and Atilius, the last consuls, fooled him. This is the only path of
+safety, Lucius Paulus, which your countrymen will render more
+difficult and dangerous to you than their enemies will. For your own
+soldiers will desire the same thing as those of the enemy: Varro, a
+Roman consul, and Hannibal, a Carthaginian general, will wish the same
+thing. You alone must resist two generals: and you will resist them
+sufficiently if you stand firm against the report and the rumours of
+men; if neither the empty glory of your colleague, and the unfounded
+calumnies against yourself, shall move you. They say that truth too
+often suffers, but is never destroyed. He who despises fame will have
+it genuine. Let them call you coward instead of cautious, dilatory
+instead of considerate, unwarlike instead of an expert general. I
+would rather that a sagacious enemy should fear you, than that foolish
+countrymen should commend you. A man who hazards all things Hannibal
+will despise, him who does nothing rashly he will fear. And neither do
+I advise that nothing should be done; but that in what you do, reason
+should guide you, and not fortune. All things will be within your own
+power, and your own. Be always ready armed and on the watch, and
+neither be wanting when a favourable opportunity presents itself, nor
+give any favourable opportunity to the enemy. All things are clear and
+sure to the deliberate man. Precipitation is improvident and blind."
+
+40. The address of the consul in reply was by no means cheerful,
+admitting that what he said was true, rather than easy to put in
+practice. He said, "That to him, as dictator, his master of the horse
+was unbearable: what power or influence could a consul have against a
+factious and intemperate colleague? That he had in his former
+consulate escaped a popular conflagration not without being singed:
+his prayer was, that every thing might happen prosperously; but if, on
+the contrary, any misfortune should occur, that he would rather expose
+his life to the weapons of the enemy, than to the votes of his
+incensed countrymen." Directly after this discourse, it is related
+that Paulus set out, escorted by the principal senators. The plebeian
+consul attended his own plebeian party, more distinguished by their
+numbers than respectability. When they had arrived at the camp, the
+old and new troops being united, they formed two distinct camps, so
+that the new and smaller one might be the nearer to Hannibal, and the
+old one might contain the greater part, and all the choicest of the
+troops. They then sent to Rome Marcus Atilius, the consul of the
+former year, who alleged his age in excuse. They appoint Geminus
+Servilius to the command of a Roman legion, and two thousand of the
+allied infantry and cavalry in the lesser camp. Hannibal, although he
+perceived that the forces of the enemy were augmented by one-half, was
+yet wonderfully rejoiced at the arrival of the consuls; for he had not
+only nothing remaining of the provisions which he daily acquired by
+plunder, but there was not even any thing left which he could seize,
+the corn in all the surrounding country having been collected into
+fortified cities, when the country was too unsafe; so that, as was
+afterwards discovered, there scarcely remained corn enough for ten
+days, and the Spaniards would have passed over to the enemy, through
+want of food, if the completion of that time had been awaited.
+
+41. But fortune afforded materials also to the headstrong and
+precipitate disposition of the consul, for in checking the plundering
+parties a battle having taken place, of a tumultuary kind, and
+occasioned rather by a disorderly advance of the soldiers, than by a
+preconcerted plan, or by the command of the general, the contest was
+by no means equal with the Carthaginians. As many as one thousand
+seven hundred of them were slain, but not more than one hundred of the
+Romans and allies. The consul Paulus, however, who was in command on
+that day, (for they held the command on alternate days,) apprehending
+an ambuscade, restrained the victorious troops in their headstrong
+pursuit; while Varro indignantly vociferated, that the enemy had been
+allowed to slip out of their hands, and that the war might have been
+terminated had not the pursuit been stopped. Hannibal was not much
+grieved at that loss; nay, rather he felt convinced, that the temerity
+of the more presumptuous consul, and of the soldiers, particularly the
+fresh ones, would be lured by the bait; and besides, all the
+circumstances of the enemy were as well known to him as his own: that
+dissimilar and discordant men were in command; that nearly two-thirds
+of the army consisted of raw recruits. Accordingly, concluding that he
+now had both a time and place adapted for an ambuscade, on the
+following night he led his troops away with nothing but their arms,
+leaving the camp filled with all their effects, both public and
+private. His infantry drawn up he conceals on the left, on the
+opposite side of the adjoining hills; his cavalry on the right; his
+baggage in an intermediate line he leads over the mountains through a
+valley, in order that he might surprise the enemy when busy in
+plundering the camp, deserted, as they would imagine, by its owners,
+and when encumbered with booty. Numerous fires were left in the camp,
+to produce a belief that his intention was to keep the consuls in
+their places by the appearance of a camp, until he could himself
+escape to a greater distance, in the same manner as he had deceived
+Fabius the year before.
+
+42. When it was day, the outpost withdrawn first occasioned surprise,
+then, on a nearer approach, the unusual stillness. At length, the
+desertion being manifest, there is a general rush to the pavilions of
+the consuls, of those who announced the flight of the enemy so
+precipitate, that they left their camp, with their tents standing;
+and, that their flight might be the more secret, that numerous fires
+were left. Then a clamour arose that they should order the standards
+to be advanced, and lead them in pursuit of the enemy, and to the
+immediate plunder of the camp. The other consul too was as one of the
+common soldiers. Paulus again and again urged, that they should see
+their way before them, and use every precaution. Lastly, when he could
+no longer withstand the sedition and the leader of the sedition, he
+sends Marius Statilius, a prefect, with a Lucanian troop, to
+reconnoitre, who, when he had ridden up to the gates, ordered the rest
+to stay without the works, and entered the camp himself, attended by
+two horsemen. Having carefully examined every thing, he brings back
+word that it was manifestly a snare: that fires were left in that part
+of the camp which faced the enemy: that the tents were open, and that
+all their valuables were left exposed: that in some places he had seen
+silver carelessly thrown about the passages, as if laid there for
+plunder. This intelligence, which it was hoped would deter their minds
+from greediness, inflamed them; and the soldiers clamorously
+declaring, that unless the signal was given they would advance without
+their leaders, they by no means wanted one, for Varro instantly gave
+the signal for marching. Paulus, whom, unwilling from his own
+suggestions to move, the chickens had not encouraged by their
+auspices, ordered the unlucky omen to be reported to his colleague,
+when he was now leading the troops out of the gate. And though Varro
+bore it impatiently, yet the recent fate of Flaminius, and the
+recorded naval defeat of Claudius, the consul in the first Punic war,
+struck religious scruples into his mind. The gods themselves (it might
+almost be said) rather postponed than averted the calamity which hung
+over the Romans; for it fell out by mere accident, that when the
+soldiers did not obey the consul who ordered them to return to the
+camp, two slaves, one belonging to a horseman of Formiae, the other to
+one of Sidicinum, who had been cut off by the Numidians among a party
+of foragers, when Servilius and Atilius were consuls, had escaped on
+that day to their masters: and being brought into the presence of the
+consuls, inform them that the whole army of Hannibal was lying in
+ambush on the other side of the adjoining mountains. The seasonable
+arrival of these men restored the consuls to their authority, when the
+ambition of one of them had relaxed his influence with the soldiers,
+by an undignified compliance.43. Hannibal, perceiving that the Romans
+had been indiscreetly prompted rather than rashly carried to a
+conclusion, returned to his camp without effecting any thing, as his
+stratagem was discovered. He could not remain there many days, in
+consequence of the scarcity of corn; and, moreover, not only among the
+soldiers, who were mixed up of the off-scouring of various nations,
+but even with the general himself, day by day new designs arose: for,
+first, when there had been murmuring of the soldiers, and then an open
+and clamorous demand of their arrears of pay, and a complaint first of
+the scarcity of provisions, and lastly of famine; and there being a
+report that the mercenaries, particularly the Spanish, had formed a
+plan of passing over to the enemy, it is affirmed that Hannibal
+himself too sometimes entertained thoughts of flying into Gaul, so
+that, having left all his infantry, he might hurry away with his
+cavalry. Such being the plans in agitation, and such the state of
+feeling in the camp, he resolved to depart thence into the regions of
+Apulia, which were warmer, and therefore earlier in the harvest.
+Thinking also, that the farther he retired from the enemy, the more
+difficult would desertion be to the wavering. He set out by night,
+having, as before, kindled fires, and leaving a few tents to produce
+an appearance; that a fear of an ambuscade, similar to the former,
+might keep the Romans in their places. But when intelligence was
+brought by the same Lucanian Statilius, who had reconnoitred every
+place on the other side the mountains, and beyond the camp, that the
+enemy was seen marching at a distance, then plans began to be
+deliberated on about pursuing him. The consuls persisted in the same
+opinions they ever entertained; but nearly all acquiesced with Varro,
+and none with Paulus except Servilius, the consul of the former year.
+In compliance with the opinion of the majority, they set out, under
+the impulse of destiny, to render Cannae celebrated by a Roman
+disaster. Hannibal had pitched his camp near that village, with his
+back to the wind Vulturnus, which, in those plains which are parched
+with drought, carries with it clouds of dust. This circumstance was
+not only very advantageous to the camp, but would be a great
+protection to them when they formed their line; as they, with the wind
+blowing only on their backs, would combat with an enemy blinded with
+the thickly blown dust.
+
+44. When the consuls, employing sufficient diligence in exploring the
+road in pursuit of the Carthaginian, had arrived at Cannae, where they
+had the enemy in the sight of them, having divided their forces, they
+fortify two camps with nearly the same interval as before, at
+Geronium. The river Aufidus, which flowed by both the camps, afforded
+approach to the watering parties of each, as opportunity served,
+though not without contest. The Romans in the lesser camp, however,
+which was on the other side the Aufidus, were more freely furnished
+with water, because the further bank had no guard of the enemy.
+Hannibal, entertaining a hope that the consuls would not decline a
+battle in this tract, which was naturally adapted to a cavalry
+engagement, in which portion of his forces he was invincible, formed
+his line, and provoked the enemy by a skirmishing attack with his
+Numidians. Upon this the Roman camp began again to be embroiled by a
+mutiny among the soldiers, and the disagreement of the consuls: since
+Paulus instanced to Varro the temerity of Sempronius and Flaminius;
+while Varro pointed to Fabius, as a specious example to timid and
+inactive generals. The latter called both gods and men to witness,
+"that no part of the blame attached to him that Hannibal had now made
+Italy his own, as it were, by right of possession; that he was held
+bound by his colleague; that the swords and arms were taken out of the
+hands of the indignant soldiers who were eager to fight." The former
+declared, "that if any disaster should befall the legions thus exposed
+and betrayed into an ill-advised and imprudent battle, he should be
+exempt from any blame, though the sharer of all the consequences. That
+he must take care that their hands were equally energetic in the
+battle whose tongues were so forward and impetuous."
+
+45. While time is thus consumed in altercation rather than
+deliberating, Hannibal, who had kept his troops drawn up in order of
+battle till late in the day, when he had led the rest of them back
+into the camp, sends Numidians across the river to attack a watering
+party of the Romans from the lesser camp. Having routed this
+disorderly band by shouting and tumult, before they had well reached
+the opposite bank, they advanced even to an outpost which was before
+the rampart, and near the, very gates of the camp. It seemed so great
+an indignity, that now even the camp of the Romans should be terrified
+by a tumultuary band of auxiliaries, that this cause alone kept back
+the Romans from crossing the river forthwith, and forming their line,
+that the chief command was on that day held by Paulus. Accordingly
+Varro, on the following day, on which it was his turn to hold the
+command, without consulting his colleague, displayed the signal for
+battle, and forming his troops, led them across the river. Paulus
+followed, because he could better disapprove of the proceeding, than
+withhold his assistance. Having crossed the river, they add to their
+forces those which they had in the lesser camp; and thus forming their
+line, place the Roman cavalry in the right wing, which was next the
+river; and next them the infantry: at the extremity of the left wing
+the allied cavalry; within them the allied infantry, extending to the
+centre, and contiguous to the Roman legions. The darters, and the rest
+of the light-armed auxiliaries, formed the van. The consuls commanded
+the wings; Terentius the left, Aemilius the right. To Geminus Sevilius
+was committed the charge of maintaining the battle in the centre.
+
+46. Hannibal, at break of day, having sent before him the Baliares and
+other light-armed troops, crossed the river, and placed his troops in
+line of battle, as he had conveyed them across the river. The Gallic
+and Spanish cavalry he placed in the left wing, opposite the Roman
+cavalry: the right wing was assigned to the Numidian cavalry, the
+centre of the line being strongly formed by the infantry, so that both
+extremities of it were composed of Africans, between which Gauls and
+Spaniards were placed. One would suppose the Africans were for the
+most part Romans, they were so equipped with arms captured at the
+Trebia, and for the greater part at the Trasimenus. The shields of the
+Gauls and Spaniards were of the same shape; their swords unequal and
+dissimilar. The Gauls had very long ones, without points. The
+Spaniards, who were accustomed to stab more than to cut their enemy,
+had swords convenient from their shortness, and with points. The
+aspect of these nations in other respects was terrific, both as to the
+appearance they exhibited and the size of their persons. The Gauls
+were naked above the navel: the Spaniards stood arrayed in linen vests
+resplendent with surprising whiteness, and bordered with purple. The
+whole amount of infantry standing in battle-array was forty thousand,
+of cavalry ten. The generals who commanded the wings were on the left
+Hasdrubal, on the right Maharbal: Hannibal himself, with his brother
+Mago, commanded the centre. The sun very conveniently shone obliquely
+upon both parties; the Romans facing the south, and the Carthaginians
+the north; either placed so designedly, or having stood thus by
+chance. The wind, which the inhabitants of the district call the
+Vulturnus, blowing violently in front of the Romans, prevented their
+seeing far by rolling clouds of dust into their faces.
+
+47. The shout being raised, the auxiliaries charged, and the battle
+commenced in the first place with the light-armed troops: then the
+left wing, consisting of the Gallic and Spanish cavalry, engages with
+the Roman right wing, by no means in the manner of a cavalry battle;
+for they were obliged to engage front to front; for as on one side the
+river, on the other the line of infantry hemmed them in, there was no
+space left at their flanks for evolution, but both parties were
+compelled to press directly forward. At length the horses standing
+still, and being crowded together, man grappling with man, dragged him
+from his horse. The contest now came to be carried on principally on
+foot. The battle, however, was more violent than lasting; and the
+Roman cavalry being repulsed, turn their backs. About the conclusion
+of the contest between the cavalry, the battle between the infantry
+commenced. At first the Gauls and Spaniards preserved their ranks
+unbroken, not inferior in strength or courage: but at length the
+Romans, after long and repeated efforts, drove in with their even
+front and closely compacted line, that part of the enemy's line in the
+form of a wedge, which projected beyond the rest, which was too thin,
+and therefore deficient in strength. These men, thus driven back and
+hastily retreating, they closely pursued; and as they urged their
+course without interruption through this terrified band, as it fled
+with precipitation, were borne first upon the centre line of the
+enemy; and lastly, no one opposing them, they reached the African
+reserved troops. These were posted at the two extremities of the line,
+where it was depressed; while the centre, where the Gauls and
+Spaniards were placed, projected a little. When the wedge thus formed
+being driven in, at first rendered the line level, but afterwards, by
+the pressure, made a curvature in the centre, the Africans, who had
+now formed wings on each side of them, surrounded the Romans on both
+sides, who incautiously rushed into the intermediate space; and
+presently extending their wings, enclosed the enemy on the rear also.
+After this the Romans, who had in vain finished one battle, leaving
+the Gauls and Spaniards, whose rear they had slaughtered, in addition
+commence a fresh encounter with the Africans, not only disadvantageous,
+because being hemmed in they had to fight against troops who surrounded
+them, but also because, fatigued, they fought with those who were fresh
+and vigorous.
+
+48. Now also in the left wing of the Romans, in which the allied
+cavalry were opposed to the Numidians, the battle was joined, which
+was at first languid, commencing with a stratagem on the part of the
+Carthaginians. About five hundred Numidians, who, besides their usual
+arms, had swords concealed beneath their coats of mail, quitting their
+own party, and riding up to the enemy under the semblance of
+deserters, with their bucklers behind them, suddenly leap down from
+their horses; and, throwing down their bucklers and javelins at the
+feet of their enemies, are received into their centre, and being
+conducted to the rear, ordered to remain there; and there they
+continued until the battle became general. But afterwards, when the
+thoughts and attention of all were occupied with the contest,
+snatching up the shields which lay scattered on all hands among the
+heaps of slain, they fell upon the rear of the Roman line, and
+striking their backs and wounding their hams, occasioned vast havoc,
+and still greater panic and confusion. While in one part terror and
+flight prevailed, in another the battle was obstinately persisted in,
+though with little hope. Hasdrubal, who was then commanding in that
+quarter, withdrawing the Numidians from the centre of the army, as the
+conflict with their opponents was slight, sends them in pursuit of the
+scattered fugitives, and joining the Africans, now almost weary with
+slaying rather than fighting the Spanish and Gallic infantry.
+
+49. On the other side of the field, Paulus, though severely wounded
+from a sling in the very commencement of the battle, with a compact
+body of troops, frequently opposed himself to Hannibal, and in several
+quarters restored the battle, the Roman cavalry protecting him; who,
+at length, when the consul had not strength enough even to manage his
+horse, dismounted from their horses. And when some one brought
+intelligence that the consul had ordered the cavalry to dismount, it
+is said that Hannibal observed, "How much rather would I that he
+delivered them to me in chains." The fight maintained by the
+dismounted cavalry was such as might be expected, when the victory was
+undoubtedly on the side of the enemy, the vanquished preferring death
+in their places to flight; and the conquerors, who were enraged at
+them for delaying the victory, butchering those whom they could not
+put to flight. They at length, however, drove the few who remained
+away, worn out with exertion and wounds. After that they were all
+dispersed, and such as could, sought to regain their horses for
+flight. Cneius Lentulus, a military tribune, seeing, as he rode by,
+the consul sitting upon a stone and covered with blood, said to him:
+"Lucius Aemilius! the only man whom the gods ought to regard as being
+guiltless of this day's disaster, take this horse, while you have any
+strength remaining, and I am with you to raise you up and protect you.
+Make not this battle more calamitous by the death of a consul. There
+is sufficient matter for tears and grief without this addition." In
+reply the consul said: "Do thou indeed go on and prosper, Cneius
+Servilius, in your career of virtue! But beware lest you waste in
+bootless commiseration the brief opportunity of escaping from the
+hands of the enemy. Go and tell the fathers publicly, to fortify the
+city of Rome, and garrison it strongly before the victorious enemy
+arrive: and tell Quintus Fabius individually, that Lucius Aemilius
+lived, and now dies, mindful of his injunctions. Allow me to expire
+amid these heaps of my slaughtered troops, that I may not a second
+time be accused after my consulate, or stand forth as the accuser of
+my colleague, in order to defend my own innocence by criminating
+another." While finishing these words, first a crowd of their flying
+countrymen, after that the enemy, came upon them; they overwhelm the
+consul with their weapons, not knowing who he was: in the confusion
+his horse rescued Lentulus. After that they fly precipitately. Seven
+thousand escaped to the lesser camp, ten to the greater, about two
+thousand to the village itself of Cannae who were immediately
+surrounded by Carthalo and the cavalry, no fortifications protecting
+the village. The other consul, whether by design or by chance, made
+good his escape to Venusia with about seventy horse, without mingling
+with any party of the flying troops. Forty thousand foot, two thousand
+seven hundred horse, there being an equal number of citizens and
+allies, are said to have been slain. Among both the quaestors of the
+consuls, Lucius Atilius and Lucius Furius Bibaculus; twenty-one
+military tribunes; several who had passed the offices of consul,
+praetor, and aedile; among these they reckon Cneius Servilius
+Germinus, and Marcus Minucius, who had been master of the horse on a
+former year, and consul some years before: moreover eighty, either
+senators, or who had borne those offices by which they might be
+elected into the senate, and who had voluntarily enrolled themselves
+in the legions. Three thousand infantry and three hundred cavalry are
+said to have been captured in that battle.
+
+50. Such is the battle of Cannae, equal in celebrity to the defeat at
+the Allia: but as it was less important in respect to those things
+which happened after it, because the enemy did not follow up the blow,
+so was it more important and more horrible with respect to the
+slaughter of the army; for with respect to the flight at the Allia, as
+it betrayed the city, so it preserved the army. At Cannae, scarcely
+seventy accompanied the flying consul: almost the whole army shared
+the fate of the other who died. The troops collected in the two camps
+being a half-armed multitude without leaders, those in the larger send
+a message to the others, that they should come over to them at night,
+when the enemy was oppressed with sleep, and wearied with the battle,
+and then, out of joy, overpowered with feasting: that they would go in
+one body to Canusium. Some entirely disapproved of that advice. "For
+why," said they, "did not those who sent for them come themselves,
+since there would be equal facility of forming a junction? Because,
+evidently, all the intermediate space was crowded with the enemy, and
+they would rather expose the persons of others to so great a danger
+than their own." Others did not so much disapprove, as want courage to
+fulfil the advice. Publius Sempronius Tuditanus, a military tribune,
+exclaims, "Would you rather, then, be captured by the most rapacious
+and cruel enemy, and have a price set upon your heads, and have your
+value ascertained by men who will ask whether you are Roman citizens
+or Latin confederates, in order that from your miseries and
+indignities honour may be sought for another? Not you, at least, if
+you are the fellow-citizens of Lucius Aemilius, the consul who
+preferred an honourable death to a life of infamy, and of so many
+brave men who lie heaped around him. But, before the light overtakes
+us and more numerous bodies of the enemy beset the way, let us break
+through those disorderly and irregular troops who are making a noise
+at our gates. By the sword and courage, a road may be made through
+enemies, however dense. In a wedge we shall make our way through this
+loose and disjointed band, as if nothing opposed us. Come along with
+me therefore, ye who wish the safety of yourselves and the state."
+Having thus said, he draws his sword, and forming a wedge, goes
+through the midst of the enemy; and as the Numidians discharged their
+javelins on their right side, which was exposed, they transferred
+their shields to the right hand, and thus escaped, to the number of
+six hundred, to the greater camp; and setting out thence forthwith,
+another large body having joined them, arrived safe at Canusium. These
+measures were taken by the vanquished, according to the impulse of
+their tempers, which his own disposition or which accident gave to
+each, rather than in consequence of any deliberate plan of their own,
+or in obedience to the command of any one.
+
+51. When all others, surrounding the victorious Hannibal,
+congratulated him, and advised that, having completed so great a
+battle, he should himself take the remainder of the day and the
+ensuing night for rest, and grant it to his exhausted troops;
+Maharbal, prefect of the cavalry, who was of opinion that no time
+should be lost, said to him, "Nay, rather, that you may know what has
+been achieved by this battle, five days hence you shall feast in
+triumph in the Capitol. Follow me: I will go first with the cavalry,
+that they may know that I am arrived before they know of me as
+approaching." To Hannibal this project appeared too full of joy, and
+too great for his mind to embrace it and determine upon it at the
+instant. Accordingly, he replied to Maharbal, that "he applauded his
+zeal, but that time was necessary to ponder the proposal." Upon this
+Maharbal observed, "Of a truth the gods have not bestowed all things
+upon the same person. You know how to conquer, Hannibal; but you do
+not know how to make use of your victory." That day's delay is firmly
+believed to have been the preservation of the city and the empire. On
+the following day, as soon as it dawned, they set about gathering the
+spoils and viewing the carnage, which was shocking, even to enemies.
+So many thousands of Romans were lying, foot and horse promiscuously,
+according as accident had brought them together, either in the battle
+or in the flight. Some, whom their wounds, pinched by the morning
+cold, had roused, as they were rising up, covered with blood, from the
+midst of the heaps of slain, were overpowered by the enemy. Some too
+they found lying alive with their thighs and hams cut who, laying bare
+their necks and throats, bid them drain the blood that remained in
+them. Some were found with their heads plunged into the earth, which
+they had excavated; having thus, as it appeared, made pits for
+themselves, and having suffocated themselves by overwhelming their
+faces with the earth which they threw over them. A living Numidian,
+with lacerated nose and ears, stretched beneath a lifeless Roman who
+lay upon him, principally attracted the attention of all; for when his
+hands were powerless to grasp his weapon, turning from rage to
+madness, he had died in the act of tearing his antagonist with his
+teeth.
+
+52. The spoils having been gathered for a great part of the day,
+Hannibal leads his troops to storm the lesser camp, and, first of all,
+interposing a trench, cuts it off from the river. But as the men were
+fatigued with toil, watching, and wounds, a surrender was made sooner
+than he expected. Having agreed to deliver up their arms and horses,
+on condition that the ransom of every Roman should be three hundred
+denarii, for an ally two hundred, for a slave one hundred, and that on
+payment of that ransom they should be allowed to depart with single
+garments, they received the enemy into the camp, and were all
+delivered into custody, the citizens and allies being kept separate.
+While the time is being spent there, all who had strength or spirit
+enough, to the number of four thousand foot and two hundred horse,
+quitted the greater camp and arrived at Canusium; some in a body,
+others widely dispersed through the country, which was no less secure
+a course: the camp itself was surrendered to the enemy by the wounded
+and timid troops, on the same terms as the other was. A very great
+booty was obtained; and with the exception of the men and horses, and
+what silver there was which was for the most part on the trappings of
+the horses; for they had but very little in use for eating from,
+particularly in campaign; all the rest of the booty was given up to be
+plundered. Then he ordered the bodies of his own troops to be
+collected for burial. They are said to have been as many as eight
+thousand of his bravest men. Some authors relate, that the Roman
+consul also was carefully searched for and buried. Those who escaped
+to Canusium, being received by the people of that place within their
+walls and houses only, were assisted with corn, clothes, and
+provisions for their journey, by an Apulian lady, named Busa,
+distinguished for her family and riches; in return for which
+munificence, the senate afterwards, when the war was concluded,
+conferred honours upon her.
+
+53. But, though there were four military tribunes there, Fabius
+Maximus of the first legion, whose father had been dictator the former
+year; and of the second legion, Lucius Publicius Bibulus and Publius
+Cornelius Scipio; and of the third legion, Appius Claudius Pulcher,
+who had been aedile the last year; by the consent of all, the supreme
+command was vested in Publius Scipio, then a very young man, and
+Appius Claudius. To these, while deliberating with a few others on the
+crisis of their affairs, Publius Furius Philus, the son of a man of
+consular dignity, brings intelligence, "That it was in vain that they
+cherished hopes which could never be realized: that the state was
+despaired of, and lamented as lost. That certain noble youths, the
+chief of whom was Lucius Caecilius Metellus, turned their attention to
+the sea and ships, in order that, abandoning Italy, they might escape
+to some king." When this calamity, which was not only dreadful in
+itself, but new, and in addition to the numerous disasters they had
+sustained, had struck them motionless with astonishment and stupor;
+and while those who were present gave it as their opinion that a
+council should be called to deliberate upon it, young Scipio, the
+destined general of this war, asserts, "That it is not a proper
+subject for deliberation: that courage and action, and not
+deliberation, were necessary in so great a calamity. That those who
+wished the safety of the state would attend him forthwith in arms;
+that in no place was the camp of the enemy more truly, than where such
+designs were meditated." He immediately proceeds, attended by a few,
+to the lodging of Metellus; and finding there the council of youths of
+which he had been apprized, he drew his sword over the heads of them,
+deliberating, and said, "With sincerity of soul I swear that neither
+will I myself desert the cause of the Roman republic, nor will I
+suffer any other citizen of Rome to desert it. If knowingly I violate
+my oath, then, O Jupiter, supremely great and good, mayest thou visit
+my house, my family, and my fortune with perdition the most horrible!
+I require you, Lucius Caecilius, and the rest of you who are present,
+to take this oath; and let the man who shall not take it be assured,
+that this sword is drawn against him." Terrified, as though they were
+beholding the victorious Hannibal, they all take the oath, and deliver
+themselves to Scipio to be kept in custody.
+
+54. During the time in which these things were going on at Canusium,
+as many as four thousand foot and horse, who had been dispersed
+through the country in the flight, came to Venusia, to the consul.
+These the Venusini distributed throughout their families, to be kindly
+entertained and taken care of; and also gave to each horseman a gown,
+a tunic, and twenty-five denarii; and to each foot soldier ten
+denarii, and such arms as they wanted; and every other kind of
+hospitality showed them, both publicly and privately: emulously
+striving that the people of Venusia might not be surpassed by a woman
+of Canusium in kind offices. But the great number of her guests
+rendered the burden more oppressive to Busa, for they amounted now to
+ten thousand men. Appius and Scipio, having heard that the other
+consul was safe, immediately send a messenger to inquire how great a
+force of infantry and cavalry he had with him, and at the same time to
+ask, whether it was his pleasure that the army should be brought to
+Venusia, or remain at Canusium. Varro himself led over his forces to
+Canusium. And now there was some appearance of a consular army, and
+they seemed able to defend themselves from the enemy by walls, if not
+by arms. At Rome intelligence had been received, that not even these
+relics of their citizens and allies had survived, but that the two
+consuls, with their armies, were cut to pieces, and all their forces
+annihilated. Never when the city was in safety was there so great a
+panic and confusion within the walls of Rome. I shall therefore shrink
+from the task, and not attempt to relate what in describing I must
+make less than the reality. The consul and his army having been lost
+at the Trasimenus the year before, it was not one wound upon another
+which was announced, but a multiplied disaster, the loss of two
+consular armies, together with the two consuls: and that now there was
+neither any Roman camp, nor general nor soldiery: that Apulia and
+Samnium, and now almost the whole of Italy, were in the possession of
+Hannibal. No other nation surely would not have been overwhelmed by
+such an accumulation of misfortune. Shall I compare with it the
+disaster of the Carthaginians, sustained in a naval battle at the
+islands Aegates, dispirited by which they gave up Sicily and Sardinia,
+and thenceforth submitted to become tributary and stipendiary? Or
+shall I compare with it the defeat in Africa under which this same
+Hannibal afterwards sunk? In no respect are they comparable, except
+that they were endured with less fortitude.
+
+55. Publius Furius Philus and Manius Pomponius, the praetors,
+assembled the senate in the curia hostilia, that they might deliberate
+about the guarding of the city; for they doubted not but that the
+enemy, now their armies were annihilated, would come to assault Rome,
+the only operation of the war which remained. Unable to form any plan
+in misfortunes, not only very great, but unknown and undefined, and
+while the loud lamentations of the women were resounding, and nothing
+was as yet made known, the living and the dead alike being lamented in
+almost every house; such being the state of things, Quintus Fabius
+gave it as his opinion, "That light horsemen should be sent out on the
+Latin and Appian ways, who, questioning those they met, as some would
+certainly be dispersed in all directions from the flight, might bring
+back word what was the fate of the consuls and their armies; and if
+the gods, pitying the empire, had left any remnant of the Roman name
+where these forces were; whither Hannibal had repaired after the
+battle, what he was meditating; what he was doing, or about to do.
+That these points should be searched out and ascertained by active
+youths. That it should be the business of the fathers, since there was
+a deficiency of magistrates, to do away with the tumult and
+trepidation in the city; to keep the women from coming into public,
+and compel each to abide within her own threshold; to put a stop to
+the lamentations of families; to obtain silence in the city; to take
+care that the bearers of every kind of intelligence should be brought
+before the praetors; that each person should await at home the bearer
+of tidings respecting his own fortune: moreover, that they should post
+guards at the gates, to prevent any person from quitting the city; and
+oblige men to place their sole hopes of safety in the preservation of
+the walls and the city. That when the tumult had subsided the fathers
+should be called again to the senate-house, and deliberate on the
+defence of the city."
+
+56. When all had signified their approbation of this opinion, and
+after the crowd had been removed by the magistrates from the forum,
+and the senators had proceeded in different directions to allay the
+tumult; then at length a letter is brought from the consul Terentius,
+stating, "That Lucius Aemilius, the consul, and his army were slain;
+that he himself was at Canusium, collecting, as it were after a
+shipwreck, the remains of this great disaster; that he had nearly ten
+thousand irregular and unorganized troops. That the Carthaginian was
+sitting still at Cannae, bargaining about the price of the captives
+and the other booty, neither with the spirit of a conqueror nor in the
+style of a great general." Then also the losses of private families
+were made known throughout the several houses; and so completely was
+the whole city filled with grief, that the anniversary sacred rite of
+Ceres was intermitted, because it was neither allowable to perform it
+while in mourning, nor was there at that juncture a single matron who
+was not in mourning. Accordingly, lest the same cause should occasion
+the neglect of other public and private sacred rites, the mourning was
+limited to thirty days, by a decree of the senate. Now when the tumult
+in the city was allayed, an additional letter was brought from Sicily,
+from Titus Otacilius, the propraetor, stating, "that the kingdom of
+Hiero was being devastated by the Carthaginian fleet: and that, being
+desirous of affording him the assistance he implored, he received
+intelligence that another Carthaginian fleet was stationed at the
+Aegates, equipped and prepared; in order that when the Carthaginians
+had perceived that he was gone away to protect the coast of Syracuse,
+they might immediately attack Lilybaeum and other parts of the Roman
+province; that he therefore needed a fleet, if they wished him to
+protect the king their ally, and Sicily."
+
+57. The letters of the consul and the propraetor having been read,
+they resolved that Marcus Claudius, who commanded the fleet stationed
+at Ostia, should be sent to the army to Canusium; and a letter be
+written to the consul, to the effect that, having delivered the army
+to the praetor, he should return to Rome the first moment he could,
+consistently with the interest of the republic. They were terrified
+also, in addition to these disasters, both with other prodigies, and
+also because two vestal virgins, Opimia and Floronia, were that year
+convicted of incontinence; one of whom was, according to custom,
+buried alive at the Colline gate; the other destroyed herself. Lucius
+Cantilius, secretary of the pontiff, whom they now call the lesser
+pontiffs, who had debauched Floronia, was beaten by rods in the
+comitium, by order of the chief pontiff, so that he expired under the
+stripes. This impiety being converted into a prodigy, as is usually
+the case when happening in the midst of so many calamities, the
+decemviri were desired to consult the sacred books. Quintus Fabius
+Pictor was also sent to Delphi, to inquire of the oracle by what
+prayers and offerings they might appease the gods, and what
+termination there would be to such great distresses. Meanwhile certain
+extraordinary sacrifices were performed, according to the directions
+of the books of the fates; among which a Gallic man and woman, and a
+Greek man and woman, were let down alive in the cattle market, into a
+place fenced round with stone, which had been already polluted with
+human victims, a rite by no means Roman. The gods being, as they
+supposed, sufficiently appeased, Marcus Claudius Marcellus sends from
+Ostia to Rome, as a garrison for the city, one thousand five hundred
+soldiers, which he had with him, levied for the fleet. He himself
+sending before him a marine legion, (it was the third legion,) under
+the command of the military tribunes, to Teanum Sidicinum, and
+delivering the fleet to Publius Furius Philus, his colleague, after a
+few days, proceeded by long marches to Cannsium. Marcus Junius,
+created dictator on the authority of the senate, and Titus Sempronius,
+master of the horse, proclaiming a levy, enrol the younger men from
+the age of seventeen, and some who wore the toga praetexta: of these,
+four legions and a thousand horse were formed. They send also to the
+allies and the Latin confederacy, to receive the soldiers according to
+the terms of the treaty. They order that arms, weapons, and other
+things should be prepared; and they take down from the temples and
+porticoes the old spoils taken from the enemy. They adopted also
+another and a new form of levy, from the scarcity of free persons, and
+from necessity: they armed eight thousand stout youths from the
+slaves, purchased at the public expense, first inquiring of each
+whether he was willing to serve. They preferred this description of
+troops, though they had the power of redeeming the captives at a less
+expense.
+
+58. For Hannibal, after so great a victory at Cannae, being occupied
+with the cares of a conqueror, rather than one who had a war to
+prosecute, the captives having been brought forward and separated,
+addressed the allies in terms of kindness, as he had done before at
+the Trebia and the lake Trasimenus, and dismissed them without a
+ransom; then he addressed the Romans too, who were called to him, in
+very gentle terms: "That he was not carrying on a war of extermination
+with the Romans, but was contending for honour and empire. That his
+ancestors had yielded to the Roman valour; and that he was
+endeavouring that others might be obliged to yield, in their turn, to
+his good fortune and valour together. Accordingly, he allowed the
+captives the liberty of ransoming themselves, and that the price per
+head should be five hundred denarii for a horseman, three hundred for
+a foot soldier, and one hundred for a slave." Although some addition
+was made to that sum for the cavalry, which they stipulated for
+themselves when they surrendered, yet they joyfully accepted any terms
+of entering into the compact. They determined that ten persons should
+be selected, by their own votes, who might go to Rome to the senate;
+nor was any other guarantee of their fidelity taken than that they
+should swear that they would return. With these was sent Carthalo, a
+noble Carthaginian, who might propose terms, if perchance their minds
+were inclined towards peace. When they had gone out of the camp, one
+of their body, a man who had very little of the Roman character, under
+pretence of having forgotten something, returned to the camp, for the
+purpose of freeing himself from the obligation of his oath, and
+overtook his companions before night. When it was announced that they
+had arrived at Rome, a lictor was despatched to meet Carthalo, to tell
+him, in the words of the dictator, to depart from the Roman
+territories before night.
+
+59. An audience of the senate was granted by the dictator to the
+delegates of the prisoners. The chief of them, Marcus Junius, thus
+spoke: "There is not one of us, conscript fathers, who is not aware
+that there never was a nation which held prisoners in greater contempt
+than our own. But unless our own cause is dearer to us than it should
+be, never did men fall into the hands of the enemy who less deserved
+to be disregarded than we do; for we did not surrender our arms in the
+battle through fear; but having prolonged the battle almost till
+night-fall, while standing upon heaps of our slaughtered countrymen,
+we betook ourselves to our camp. For the remainder of the day and
+during the following night, although exhausted with exertion and
+wounds, we protected our rampart. On the following day, when, beset by
+the enemy, we were deprived of water, and there was no hope of
+breaking through the dense bands of the enemy; and, moreover, not
+considering it an impiety that any Roman soldier should survive the
+battle of Cannae, after fifty thousand of our army had been butchered;
+then at length we agreed upon terms on which we might be ransomed and
+let off; and our arms, in which there was no longer any protection, we
+delivered to the enemy. We had been informed that our ancestors also
+had redeemed themselves from the Gauls with gold, and that though so
+rigid as to the terms of peace, had sent ambassadors to Tarentum for
+the purpose of ransoming the captives. And yet both the fight at the
+Allia with the Gauls, and at Heraclea with Pyrrhus, was disgraceful,
+not so much on account of the loss as the panic and flight. Heaps of
+Roman carcasses cover the plains of Cannae; nor would any of us have
+survived the battle, had not the enemy wanted the strength and the
+sword to slay us. There are, too, some of us, who did not even retreat
+in the field; but being left to guard the camp, came into the hands of
+the enemy when it was surrendered. For my part, I envy not the good
+fortune or condition of any citizen or fellow-soldier, nor would I
+endeavour to raise myself by depressing another: but not even those
+men who, for the most part, leaving their arms, fled from the field,
+and stopped not till they arrived at Venusia or Canusium; not even
+those men, unless some reward is due to them on account of their
+swiftness of foot and running, would justly set themselves before us,
+or boast that there is more protection to the state in them than in
+us. But you will both find them to be good and brave soldiers, and us
+still more zealous, because, by your kindness, we have been ransomed
+and restored to our country. You are levying from every age and
+condition: I hear that eight thousand slaves are being armed. We are
+no fewer in number; nor will the expense of redeeming us be greater
+than that of purchasing these. Should I compare ourselves with them, I
+should injure the name of Roman. I should think also, conscript
+fathers, that in deliberating on such a measure, it ought also to be
+considered, (if you are disposed to be over severe, which you cannot
+do from any demerit of ours,) to what sort of enemy you would abandon
+us. Is it to Pyrrhus, for instance, who treated us, when his
+prisoners, like guests; or to a barbarian and Carthaginian, of whom it
+is difficult to determine whether his rapacity or cruelty be the
+greater? If you were to see the chains, the squalid appearance, the
+loathsomeness of your countrymen, that spectacle would not, I am
+confident, less affect you, than if, on the other hand, you beheld
+your legions prostrate on the plains of Cannae. You may behold the
+solicitude and the tears of our kinsmen, as they stand in the lobby of
+your senate-house, and await your answer. When they are in so much
+suspense and anxiety in behalf of us, and those who are absent, what
+think you must be our own feelings, whose lives and liberty are at
+stake? By Hercules! should Hannibal himself, contrary to his nature,
+be disposed to be lenient towards us, yet we should not consider our
+lives worth possessing, since we have seemed unworthy of being
+ransomed by you. Formerly, prisoners dismissed by Pyrrhus, without
+ransom, returned to Rome; but they returned in company with
+ambassadors, the chief men of the state, who were sent to ransom them.
+Would I return to my country, a citizen, and not considered worth
+three hundred denarii? Every man has his own way of thinking,
+conscript fathers. I know that my life and person are at stake. But
+the danger which threatens my reputation affects me most, if we should
+go away rejected and condemned by you; for men will never suppose that
+you grudged the price of our redemption."
+
+60. When he had finished his address, the crowd of persons in the
+comitium immediately set up a loud lamentation, and stretched out
+their hands to the senate, imploring them to restore to them their
+children, their brothers, and their kinsmen. Their fears and affection
+for their kindred had brought the women also with the crowd of men in
+the forum. Witnesses being excluded, the matter began to be discussed
+in the senate. There being a difference of opinion, and some advising
+that they should be ransomed at the public charge, others, that the
+state should be put to no expense, but that they should not be
+prevented redeeming themselves at their own cost; and that those who
+had not the money at present should receive a loan from the public
+coffer, and security given to the people by their sureties and
+properties; Titus Manlius Torquatus, a man of primitive, and, as some
+considered, over-rigorous severity, being asked his opinion, is
+reported thus to have spoken: "Had the deputies confined themselves to
+making a request, in behalf of those who are in the hands of the
+enemy, that they might be ransomed, I should have briefly given my
+opinion, without inveighing against any one. For what else would have
+been necessary but to admonish you, that you ought to adhere to the
+custom handed down from your ancestors, a precedent indispensable to
+military discipline. But now, since they have almost boasted of having
+surrendered themselves to the enemy, and have claimed to be preferred,
+not only to those who were captured by the enemy in the field, but to
+those also who came to Venusia and Canusium, and even to the consul
+Terentius himself; I will not suffer you to remain in ignorance of
+things which were done there. And I could wish that what I am about to
+bring before you, were stated at Canusium, before the army itself, the
+best witness of every man's cowardice or valour; or at least that one
+person, Publius Sempronius, were here, whom had they followed as their
+leader, they would this day have been soldiers in the Roman camp, and
+not prisoners in the power of the enemy. But though the enemy was
+fatigued with fighting, and engaged in rejoicing for their victory,
+and had, the greater part of them, retired into their camp, and they
+had the night at their disposal for making a sally, and as they were
+seven thousand armed troops, might have forced their way through the
+troops of the enemy, however closely arrayed; yet they neither of
+themselves attempted to do this, nor were willing to follow another.
+Throughout nearly the whole night Sempronius ceased not to admonish
+and exhort them, while but few of the enemy were about the camp, while
+there was stillness and quiet, while the night would conceal their
+design, that they would follow him; that before daybreak they might
+reach places of security, the cities of their allies. If as Publius
+Decius, the military tribune in Samnium, said, within the memory of
+our grandfathers; if he had said, as Calpurnius Flamma, in the first
+Punic war, when we were youths, said to the three hundred volunteers,
+when he was leading them to seize upon an eminence situated in the
+midst of the enemy: LET US DIE, SOLDIERS, AND BY OUR DEATHS RESCUE THE
+SURROUNDED LEGIONS FROM AMBUSCADE;--if Publius Sempronius had said
+thus, he would neither have considered you as Romans nor men, had no
+one stood forward as his companion in so valorous an attempt. He
+points out to you the road that leads not to glory more than to
+safety; he restores you to your country, your parents, your wives and
+children. Do you want courage to effect your preservation? What would
+you do if you had to die for your country? Fifty thousand of your
+countrymen and allies on that very day lay around you slain. If so
+many examples of courage did not move you, nothing ever will. If so
+great a carnage did not make life less dear, none ever will. While in
+freedom and safety, show your affection for your country; nay, rather
+do so while it is your country, and you its citizens. Too late you now
+endeavour to evince your regard for her when degraded, disfranchised
+from the rights of citizens, and become the slaves of the
+Carthaginians. Shall you return by purchase to that degree which you
+have forfeited by cowardice and neglect? You did not listen to
+Sempronius, your countryman, when he bid you take arms and follow him;
+but a little after you listened to Hannibal, when he ordered your arms
+to be surrendered, and your camp betrayed. But why do I charge those
+men with cowardice, when I might tax them with villany? They not only
+refused to follow him who gave them good advice, but endeavoured to
+oppose and hold him back, had not some men of the greatest bravery,
+drawing their swords, removed the cowards. Publius Sempronius, I say,
+was obliged to force his way through a band of his countrymen, before
+he burst through the enemy's troops. Can our country regret such
+citizens as these, whom if all the rest resembled, she would not have
+one citizen of all those who fought at Cannae? Out of seven thousand
+armed men, there were six hundred who had courage to force their way,
+who returned to their country free, and in arms; nor did forty
+thousand of the enemy successfully oppose them. How safe, think you,
+would a passage have been for nearly two legions? Then you would have
+had this day at Canusium, conscript fathers, twenty thousand bold and
+faithful. But now how can these men be called faithful and good
+citizens, (for they do not even call themselves brave,) except any man
+suppose that they showed themselves such when they opposed those who
+were desirous of forcing their way through the enemy? or, unless any
+man can suppose, that they do not envy those men their safety and
+glory acquired by valour, when the must know that their timidity and
+cowardice were the cause of their ignominious servitude? Skulking in
+their tents they preferred to wait for the light and the enemy
+together, when they had an opportunity of sallying forth during the
+silence of the night. But though they had not courage to sally forth
+from the camp, had they courage to defend it strenuously? Having
+endured a siege for several days and nights, did they protect their
+rampart by their arms, and themselves by their rampart? At length,
+having dared and suffered every extremity, every support of life being
+gone, their strength exhausted with famine, and unable to hold their
+arms, were they subdued by the necessities of nature rather than by
+arms? At sunrise, the enemy approached the rampart: before the second
+hour, without hazarding any contest, they delivered up their arms and
+themselves. Here is their military service for you during two days.
+When they ought to have stood firm in array and fight on, then they
+fled back into their camp; when they ought to have fought before their
+rampart, they delivered up their camp: good for nothing, either in the
+field or the camp. I redeem you. When you ought to sally from the
+camp, you linger and hesitate; and when you ought to stay and protect
+your camp in arms, you surrender the camp, your arms, and yourselves
+to the enemy. I am of opinion, conscript fathers, that these men
+should no more be ransomed, than that those should be surrendered to
+Hannibal, who sallied from the camp through the midst of the enemy,
+and, with the most distinguished courage, restored themselves to their
+country."
+
+61. After Manlius had thus spoken, notwithstanding the captives were
+related to many even of the senators, besides the practice of the
+state, which had never shown favour to captives, even from the
+remotest times, the sum of money also influenced them: for they were
+neither willing to drain the treasury, a large sum of money having
+been already issued for buying and arming slaves to serve in the war,
+nor to enrich Hannibal, who, according to report, was particularly in
+want of this very thing. The sad reply, that the captives would not be
+ransomed, being delivered, and fresh grief being added to the former
+on account of the loss of so many citizens, the people accompanied the
+deputies to the gate with copious tears and lamentations. One of them
+went home, because he had evaded his oath by artfully returning to the
+camp. But when this was known and laid before the senate, they all
+resolved that he should be apprehended and conveyed to Hannibal by
+guards, furnished by the state. There is another account respecting
+the prisoners, that ten came first, and that, the senate hesitating
+whether they should be admitted into the city or not, they were
+admitted, on the understanding that they should not have an audience
+of the senate. That when these staid longer than the expectation of
+all, three more came, Scribonius, Calpurnius, and Manlius. That then
+at length a tribune of the people, a relation of Scribonius, laid
+before the senate the redemption of the captives, and that they
+resolved that they should not be ransomed. That the three last
+deputies returned to Hannibal, and the ten former remained, because
+they had evaded their oath, having returned to Hannibal after having
+set out, under pretence of learning afresh the names of the captives.
+That a violent contest took place in the senate, on the question of
+surrendering them, and that those who thought they ought to be
+surrendered were beaten by a few votes, but that they were so branded
+by every kind of stigma and ignominy by the ensuing censors, that some
+of them immediately put themselves to death, and the rest, for all
+their life afterwards, not only shunned the forum, but almost the
+light and publicity. You can more easily wonder that authors differ so
+much than determine what is the truth. How much greater this disaster
+was than any preceding, even this is a proof, that such of the allies
+as had stood firm till that day then began to waver, for no other
+cause certainly but that they despaired of the empire. The people who
+revolted to the Carthaginians were these: the Atellani, Calatini, the
+Hirpini, some of the Apulians, the Samnites, except the Pentrians, all
+the Bruttians, and the Lucanians. Besides these the Surrentinians, and
+almost the whole coast possessed by the Greeks, the people of
+Tarentum, Metapontum, Croton, the Locrians, and all Cisalpine Gaul.
+Yet not even these losses and defections of their allies so shook the
+firmness of the Romans, that any mention of peace was made among them,
+either before the arrival of the consul at Rome, or after he came
+thither, and renewed the memory of the calamity they had suffered. At
+which very juncture, such was the magnanimity of the state, that the
+consul, as he returned after so severe a defeat, of which he himself
+was the principal cause, was met in crowds of all ranks of citizens,
+and thanks bestowed because he had not despaired of the republic, in
+whose case, had he been a Carthaginian commander, no species of
+punishment would have been spared.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXIII.
+
+
+_The Campanians revolt to Hannibal. Mago is sent to Carthage to
+announce the victory of Cannae. Hanno advises the Carthaginian senate
+to make peace with the Romans, but is overborne by the Barcine
+faction. Claudius Marcellus the praetor defeats Hannibal at Nola.
+Hannibal's army is enervated in mind and body by luxurious living at
+Capua. Casilinum is besieged by the Carthaginians, and the inhabitants
+reduced to the last extremity of famine. A hundred and ninety-seven
+senators elected from the equestrian order. Lucius Postumius is, with
+his army, cut off by the Gauls. Cneius and Publius Scipio defeat
+Hasdrubal in Spain, and gain possession of that country. The remains
+of the army, defeated at Cannae, are sent off to Sicily, there to
+remain until the termination of the war. An alliance is formed between
+Philip, king of Macedon, and Hannibal. Sempronius Gracchus defeats the
+Campanians. Successes of Titus Manlius in Sardinia he takes Hasdrubal
+the general, Mago, and Hanno prisoners. Claudius Marcellus again
+defeats the army of Hannibal at Nola, and the hopes of the Romans are
+revived as to the results of the war._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. After the battle of Cannae, Hannibal, having captured and plundered
+the Roman camp, had immediately removed from Apulia into Samnium;
+invited into the territory of the Hirpini by Statius, who promised
+that he would surrender Compsa. Tiebius, a native of Compsa, was
+conspicuous for rank among his countrymen; but a faction of the Mopsii
+kept him down--a family of great influence through the favour of the
+Romans. After intelligence of the battle of Cannae, and a report of
+the approach of Hannibal, circulated by the discourse of Trebius, the
+Mopsian party had retired from the city; which was thus given up to
+the Carthaginian without opposition, and a garrison received into it.
+Leaving there all his booty and baggage, and dividing his forces, he
+orders Mago to receive under his protection the cities of that
+district which might revolt from the Romans, and to force to defection
+those which might be disinclined. He himself, passing through the
+territory of Campania, made for the lower sea, with the intention of
+assaulting Naples, in order that he might be master of a maritime
+city. As soon as he entered the confines of the Neapolitan territory,
+he placed part of his Numidians in ambush, wherever he could find a
+convenient spot; for there are very many hollow roads and secret
+windings: others he ordered to drive before them the booty they had
+collected from the country, and, exhibiting it to the enemy, to ride
+up to the gates of the city. As they appeared to be few in number and
+in disorder, a troop of horse sallied out against them, which was cut
+off, being drawn into an ambuscade by the others, who purposely
+retreated: nor would one of them have escaped, had not the sea been
+near, and some vessels, principally such as are used in fishing,
+observed at a short distance from the shore, afforded an escape for
+those who could swim. Several noble youths, however, were captured and
+slain in that affair. Among whom, Hegeas, the commander of the
+cavalry, fell when pursuing the retreating enemy too eagerly. The
+sight of the walls, which were not favourable to a besieging force,
+deterred the Carthaginian from storming the city.
+
+2. Thence he turned his course to Capua, which was wantoning under a
+long course of prosperity, and the indulgence of fortune: amid the
+general corruption, however, the most conspicuous feature was the
+extravagance of the commons, who exercised their liberty without
+limit. Pacuvius Calavius had rendered the senate subservient to
+himself and the commons, at once a noble and popular man, but who had
+acquired his influence by dishonourable intrigues. Happening to hold
+the chief magistracy during the year in which the defeat at the
+Trasimenus occurred, and thinking that the commons, who had long felt
+the most violent hostility to the senate, would attempt some desperate
+measure, should an opportunity for effecting a change present itself;
+and if Hannibal should come into that quarter with his victorious
+army, would murder the senators and deliver Capua to the
+Carthaginians; as he desired to rule in a state preserved rather than
+subverted (for though depraved he was not utterly abandoned), and as
+he felt convinced that no state could be preserved if bereaved of its
+public council, he adopted a plan by which he might preserve the
+senate and render it subject to himself and the commons. Having
+assembled the senate, he prefaced his remarks by observing, "that
+nothing would induce him to acquiesce in a plan of defection from the
+Romans, were it not absolutely necessary; since he had children by the
+daughter of Appius Claudius, and had a daughter at Rome married to
+Livius: but that a much more serious and alarming matter threatened
+them, than any consequences which could result from such a measure.
+For that the intention of the commons was not to abolish the senate by
+revolting to the Carthaginians, but to murder the senators, and
+deliver the state thus destitute to Hannibal and the Carthaginians.
+That it was in his power to rescue them from this danger, if they
+would resign themselves to his care, and, forgetting their political
+dissensions, confide in him." When, overpowered with fear, they all
+put themselves under his protection, he proceeded: "I will shut you up
+in the senate-house, and pretending myself to be an accomplice in the
+meditated crime, I will, by approving measures which I should in vain
+oppose, find out a way for your safety. For the performance of this
+take whatever pledge you please." Having given his honour, he went
+out; and having ordered the house to be closed, placed a guard in the
+lobby that no one might enter or leave it without his leave.
+
+3. Then assembling the people, he thus addressed them: "What you have
+so often wished for, Campanians, the power of punishing an
+unprincipled and detestable senate, you now have, not at your own
+imminent peril, by riotously storming the houses of each, which are
+guarded and garrisoned with slaves and dependants, but free and
+without danger. Take them all, shut up in the senate-house, alone and
+unarmed; nor need you do any thing precipitately or blindly. I will
+give you the opportunity of pronouncing upon the life or death of
+each, that each may suffer the punishment he has deserved. But, above
+all, it behoves you so to give way to your resentment, as considering
+that your own safety and advantage are of greater importance. For I
+apprehend that you hate these particular senators, and not that you
+are unwilling to have any senate at all; for you must either have a
+king, which all abominate, or a senate, which is the only course
+compatible with a free state. Accordingly you must effect two objects
+at the same time; you must remove the old senate and elect a new one.
+I will order the senators to be summoned one by one, and I shall put
+it to you to decide whether they deserve to live or die: whatever you
+may determine respecting each shall be done; but before you execute
+your sentence on the culprit, you shall elect some brave and strenuous
+man as a fresh senator to supply his place." Upon this he took his
+seat, and, the names having been thrown together into an urn, he
+ordered that the name which had the lot to fall out first should be
+proclaimed, and the person brought forward out of the senate-house.
+When the name was heard, each man strenuously exclaimed that he was a
+wicked and unprincipled fellow, and deserved to be punished. Pacuvius
+then said, "I perceive the sentence which has been passed on this man;
+now choose a good and upright senator in the room of this wicked and
+unprincipled one." At first all was silence, from the want of a better
+man whom they might substitute; afterwards, one of them, laying aside
+his modesty, nominating some one, in an instant a much greater clamour
+arose; while some denied all knowledge of him, others objected to him
+at one time on account of flagitious conduct, at another time on
+account of his humble birth, his sordid circumstances, and the
+disgraceful nature of his trade and occupation. The same occurred with
+increased vehemence with respect to the second and third senators, so
+that it was evident that they were dissatisfied with the senator
+himself, but had not any one to substitute for him; for it was of no
+use that the same persons should be nominated again, to no other
+purpose than to hear of their vices, and the rest were much more mean
+and obscure than those who first occurred to their recollection. Thus
+the assembly separated, affirming that every evil which was most known
+was easiest to be endured, and ordering the senate to be discharged
+from custody.
+
+4. Pacuvius, having thus rendered the senators more subservient to
+himself than to the commons by the gift of their lives, ruled without
+the aid of arms, all persons now acquiescing. Henceforward the
+senators, forgetful of their rank and independence, flattered the
+commons; saluted them courteously; invited them graciously;
+entertained them with sumptuous feasts; undertook those causes, always
+espoused that party, decided as judges in favour of that side, which
+was most popular, and best adapted to conciliate the favour of the
+commons. Now, indeed, every thing was transacted in the senate as if
+it had been an assembly of the people. The Capuans, ever prone to
+luxurious indulgence not only from natural turpitude, but from the
+profusion of the means of voluptuous enjoyment which flowed in upon
+them, and the temptations of all the luxuries of land and sea; at that
+time especially proceeded to such a pitch of extravagance in
+consequence of the obsequiousness of the nobles and the unrestrained
+liberty of the commons, that their lust and prodigality had no bounds.
+To a disregard for the laws, the magistrates, and the senate, now,
+after the disaster of Cannae, was added a contempt for the Roman
+government also, for which there had been some degree of respect. The
+only obstacles to immediate revolt were the intermarriages which, from
+a remote period, had connected many of their distinguished and
+influential families with the Romans; and, which formed the strongest
+bond of union, that while several of their countrymen were serving in
+the Roman armies, particularly three hundred horsemen, the flower of
+the Campanian nobility, had been selected and sent by the Romans to
+garrison the cities of Sicily.
+
+5. The parents and relations of these men with difficulty obtained
+that ambassadors should be sent to the Roman consul. The consul, who
+had not yet set out for Canusium, they found at Venusia with a few
+half-armed troops, an object of entire commiseration to faithful, but
+of contempt to proud and perfidious allies, like the Campanians. The
+consul too increased their contempt of himself and his cause, by too
+much exposing and exhibiting the disastrous state of his affairs; for
+when the ambassadors had delivered their message, which was, that the
+senate and people of Capua were distressed that any adverse event
+should have befallen the Romans, and were promising every assistance
+in prosecuting the war, he observed, "In bidding us order you to
+furnish us with all things which are necessary for the war,
+Campanians, you have rather observed the customary mode of addressing
+allies, than spoken suitably to the present posture of our affairs;
+for hath anything been left us at Cannae, so that, as if we possessed
+that, we can desire what is wanting to be supplied by our allies? Can
+we order a supply of infantry, as if we had any cavalry? Can we say we
+are deficient in money, as if that were the only thing we wanted?
+Fortune has not even left us anything which we can add to. Our
+legions, cavalry, arms, standards, horses, men, money, provisions, all
+perished either in the battle, or in the two camps which were lost the
+following day. You must, therefore, Campanians, not assist us in the
+war, but almost take it upon yourselves in our stead. Call to mind how
+formerly at Saticula we received into our protection and defended your
+ancestors, when dismayed and driven within their walls; terrified not
+only by their Samnite but Sidicinian enemies; and how we carried on,
+with varying success, through a period of almost a century, a war with
+the Samnites, commenced on your account. Add to this, that when you
+gave yourselves up to us we granted you an alliance on equal terms,
+that we allowed you your own laws, and lastly, what before the
+disaster at Cannae was surely a privilege of the highest value, we
+bestowed the freedom of our city on a large portion of you, and held
+it in common with you. It is your duty, therefore, Campanians, to look
+upon this disaster which has been suffered as your own, and to
+consider that our common country must be protected. It is not a
+Samnite or Tuscan foe we are engaged with, so that the empire taken
+from us might still continue in Italy. A Carthaginian enemy draws
+after him from the remotest regions of the world, from the straits of
+the ocean and the pillars of Hercules, a body of soldiers who are not
+even natives of Africa, destitute of all laws, and of the condition
+and almost of the language of men. Savage and ferocious from nature
+and habit, their general has rendered them still more so, by forming
+bridges and works with heaps of human bodies; and, what the tongue can
+scarcely utter, by teaching them to live on human flesh. What man,
+provided he were born in any part of Italy, would not abominate the
+idea of seeing and having for his masters these men, nourished with
+such horrid food, whom even to touch were an impiety; of fetching laws
+from Africa and Carthage; and of suffering Italy to become a province
+of the Moors and Numidians? It will be highly honourable, Campanians,
+that the Roman empire, sinking under this disastrous defeat, should be
+sustained and restored by your fidelity and your strength. I conceive
+that thirty thousand foot and four thousand horse may be raised in
+Campania. You have already abundance of money and corn. If your zeal
+corresponds with your means, neither will Hannibal feel that he has
+been victorious, nor the Romans that they have been defeated."
+
+6. After the consul had thus spoken, the ambassadors were dismissed;
+and as they were returning home, one of them, named Vibius Virius,
+observed, "that the time had arrived at which the Campanians might not
+only recover the territory once injuriously taken away by the Romans,
+but also possess themselves of the sovereignty of Italy. For they
+might form a treaty with Hannibal on whatever terms they pleased; and
+there could be no question but that after Hannibal, having put an end
+to the war, had himself retired victorious into Africa, and had
+withdrawn his troops, the sovereignty of Italy would be left to the
+Campanians." All assenting to Vibius, as he said this, they framed
+their report of the embassy so that all might conclude that the Roman
+power was annihilated. Immediately the commons and the major part of
+the senate turned their attention to revolt. The measure, however, was
+postponed for a few days at the instigation of the elder citizens. At
+last, the opinion of the majority prevailed, that the same ambassadors
+who had gone to the Roman consul should be sent to Hannibal. I find in
+certain annals, that before this embassy proceeded, and before they
+had determined on the measure of revolting, ambassadors were sent by
+the Campanians to Rome, requiring that one of the consuls should be
+elected from Campania if they wished assistance to the Roman cause.
+That from the indignation which arose, they were ordered to be removed
+from the senate-house, and a lictor despatched to conduct them out of
+the city and command them to lodge that day without the Roman
+frontier. But as this request is too much like that which the Latins
+formerly made, and as Coelius and other writers had, not without
+reason, made no mention of it, I have not ventured to vouch for its
+truth.
+
+7. The ambassadors came to Hannibal and concluded a treaty of peace
+with him on the terms, "That no Carthaginian commander should have any
+authority over a Campanian citizen, nor any Campanian serve in war or
+perform any office against his will: that Capua should have her own
+laws and her own magistrates: that the Carthaginian should give to the
+Campanians three hundred captives selected by themselves, who might be
+exchanged for the Campanian horse who were serving in Sicily." Such
+were the stipulations: but in addition to them, the Campanians
+perpetrated the following atrocities; for the commons ordered that the
+prefects of the allies and other citizens of Rome should be suddenly
+seized, while some of them were occupied with military duties, others
+engaged in private business, and be shut up in the baths, as if for
+the purpose of keeping them in custody, where, suffocated with heat
+and vapour, they might expire in a horrid manner. Decius Magius, a man
+who wanted nothing to complete his influence except a sound mind on
+the part of his countrymen, had resisted to the uttermost the
+execution of these measures, and the sending of the embassy to
+Hannibal, and when he heard that a body of troops was sent by
+Hannibal, bringing back to their recollection, as examples, the
+haughty tyranny of Pyrrhus and the miserable slavery of the
+Tarentines, he at first openly and loudly protested that the troops
+should not be admitted, then he urged either that they should expel
+them when received, or, if they had a mind to expiate, by a bold and
+memorable act, the foul crime they had committed in revolting from
+their most ancient and intimate allies, that leaving slain the
+Carthaginian troops they should give themselves back to the Romans.
+These proceedings, having been reported to Hannibal, for they were not
+carried on in secret, he at first sent persons to summon Magius into
+his presence at his camp, then, on his vehemently refusing to come, on
+the ground that Hannibal had no authority over a Campanian, the
+Carthaginian, excited with rage, ordered that the man should be seized
+and dragged to him in chains, but afterwards, fearing lest while force
+was employed some disturbance might take place, or lest, from
+excitement of feeling, some undesigned collision might occur, he set
+out himself from the camp with a small body of troops, having sent a
+message before him to Marius Blosius, the praetor of Campania, to the
+effect, that he would be at Capua the next day. Marius calling an
+assembly, issued an order that they should go out and meet Hannibal in
+a body, accompanied by their wives and children. This was done by all,
+not only with obedience, but with zeal, with the full agreement of the
+common people, and with eagerness to see a general rendered
+illustrious by so many victories. Decius Magius neither went out to
+meet him, nor kept himself in private, by which course he might seem
+to indicate fear from a consciousness of demerit, he promenaded in the
+forum with perfect composure, attended by his son and a few
+dependants, while all the citizens were in a bustle to go to see and
+receive the Carthaginian. Hannibal, on entering the city, immediately
+demanded an audience of the senate; when the chief men of the
+Campanians, beseeching him not to transact any serious business on
+that day, but that he would cheerfully and willingly celebrate a day
+devoted to festivity in consequence of his own arrival, though
+naturally extremely prone to anger, yet, that he might not deny them
+any thing at first, he spent a great part of the day in inspecting the
+city.
+
+8. He lodged at the house of the Ninii Celeres, Stenius and Pacuvius,
+men distinguished by their noble descent and their wealth. Thither
+Pacuvius Calavius, of whom mention has already been made, who was the
+head of the party which had drawn over the state to the Carthaginian
+cause, brought his son, a young man, whom he had forced from the side
+of Decius Magius, in conjunction with whom he had made a most
+determined stand for the Roman alliance in opposition to the league
+with the Carthaginians; nor had the leaning of the state to the other
+side, or his father's authority, altered his sentiments. For this
+youth his father procured pardon from Hannibal, more by prayers than
+by clearing him. Hannibal, overcome by the entreaties and tears of his
+father, even gave orders that he should be invited with his father to
+the banquet; to which entertainment he intended to admit no Campanian
+besides his hosts, and Jubellius Taurea, a man distinguished in war.
+They began to feast early in the day, and the entertainment was not
+conformable to the Carthaginian custom, or to military discipline, but
+as might be expected in a city and in a house both remarkable for
+luxury, was furnished with all the allurements of voluptuousness.
+Perolla, the son of Calavius, was the only person who could not be won
+either by the solicitations of the masters of the house, or those
+which Hannibal sometimes employed. The youth himself pleaded ill
+health as an apology, while his father urged as an excuse the
+disturbed state of his mind, which was not surprising. About sunset,
+Calavius, who had gone out from the banquet, was followed by his son;
+and when they had arrived at a retired place, (it was a garden at the
+back part of the house,) he said, "I have a plan to propose to you, my
+father, by which we shall not only obtain pardon from the Romans for
+our crime, in that we revolted from them to the Carthaginian, but
+shall be held in much higher esteem, than we Campanians ever have
+been." When the father inquired with surprise what that plan could be,
+he threw back his gown off his shoulder and exposed to view his side,
+which was girt with a sword. "Forthwith will I ratify the alliance
+with Rome with the blood of Hannibal. I was desirous that you should
+be informed of it first, in case you might prefer to be absent while
+the deed is performing."
+
+9. On hearing and seeing which the old man, as though he were actually
+present at the transactions which were being named to him, wild with
+fear, exclaimed, "I implore, I beseech you, my son, by all the ties
+which unite children to parents, that you will not resolve to commit
+and to suffer every thing that is horrible before the eyes of a
+father. Did we but a few hours ago, swearing by every deity, and
+joining right hands, pledge our fidelity to Hannibal, that immediately
+on separating from the conference we should arm against him the hands
+which were employed as the sacred pledges of our faith? Do you rise
+from the hospitable board to which as one of three of the Campanians
+you have been admitted by Hannibal, that you may ensanguine that very
+board with the blood of your host. Could I conciliate Hannibal to my
+son, and not my son to Hannibal? But let nothing be held sacred by
+you, neither our pledges, nor the sense of religion, nor filial duty;
+let the most horrid deeds be dared, if with guilt they bring not ruin
+upon us. Will you singly attack Hannibal? What will that numerous
+throng of freemen and slaves be doing? What the eyes of all intent on
+him alone? What those so many right hands? Will they be torpid amidst
+your madness? Will you be able to bear the look of Hannibal himself,
+which armed hosts cannot sustain, from which the Roman people shrink
+with horror? And though other assistance be wanting, will you have the
+hardihood to strike me when I oppose my body in defence of Hannibal's?
+But know that through my breast you must strike and transfix him.
+Suffer yourself to be deterred from your attempt here, rather than to
+be defeated there. May my entreaties prevail with you, as they did for
+you this day." Upon this, perceiving the youth in tears, he threw his
+arms around him, and kissing him affectionately, ceased not his
+entreaties until he prevailed upon him to lay aside his sword and give
+his promise that he would do no such thing. The young man then
+observed, "I will indeed pay to my father the debt of duty which I owe
+to my country, but I am grieved for you on whom the guilt of having
+thrice betrayed your country rests; once when you sanctioned the
+revolt from the Romans; next when you advised the alliance with
+Hannibal; and thirdly, this day, when you are the delay and impediment
+of the restoration of Capua to the Romans. Do thou, my country,
+receive this weapon, armed with which in thy behalf I would fain have
+defended this citadel, since a father wrests it from me." Having thus
+said, he threw the sword into the highway over the garden wall, and
+that the affair might not be suspected, himself returned to the
+banquet.
+
+10. The next day an audience of a full senate was given to Hannibal,
+when the first part of his address was full of graciousness and
+benignity, in which he thanked the Campanians for having preferred his
+friendship to an alliance with the Romans, and held out among his
+other magnificent promises "that Capua should soon become the capital
+of all Italy, and that the Romans as well as the other states should
+receive laws from it. That there was, however, one person who had no
+share in the Carthaginian friendship and the alliance formed with him,
+Decius Magius, who neither was nor ought to be called a Campanian. Him
+he requested to be surrendered to him, and that the sense of the
+senate should be taken respecting his conduct, and a decree passed in
+his presence." All concurred in this proposition, though a great many
+considered him as a man undeserving such severe treatment; and that
+this proceeding was no small infringement of their liberty to begin
+with. Leaving the senate-house, the magistrate took his seat on the
+consecrated bench, ordered Decius Magius to be apprehended, and to be
+placed by himself before his feet to plead his cause. But he, his
+proud spirit being unsubdued, denied that such a measure could be
+enforced agreeably to the conditions of the treaty; upon which he was
+ironed, and ordered to be brought into the camp before a lictor. As
+long as he was conducted with his head uncovered, he moved along
+earnestly haranguing and vociferating to the multitude which poured
+around him on all sides. "You have gotten that liberty, Campanians,
+which you seek; in the middle of the forum, in the light of day,
+before your eyes, I, a man second to none of the Campanians, am
+dragged in chains to suffer death. What greater outrage could have
+been committed had Capua been captured? Go out to meet Hannibal,
+decorate your city to the utmost, consecrate the day of his arrival,
+that you may behold this triumph over a fellow-citizen." As the
+populace seemed to be excited by him, vociferating these things, his
+head was covered, and he was ordered to be dragged away more speedily
+without the gate. Having been thus brought to the camp, he was
+immediately put on board a ship and sent to Carthage, lest if any
+commotion should arise at Capua on account of the injustice of the
+proceeding, the senate also should repent of having given up a leading
+citizen; and lest if an embassy were sent to request his restoration,
+he must either offend his new allies by refusing their first petition,
+or, by granting it, be compelled to retain at Capua a promoter of
+sedition and disturbance. A tempest drove the vessel to Cyrenae, which
+was at that time under the dominion of kings. Here flying for refuge
+to the statue of king Ptolemy, he was conveyed thence in custody to
+Alexandria to Ptolemy; and having instructed him that he had been
+thrown into chains by Hannibal, contrary to the law of treaties, he
+was liberated and allowed to return to whichever place he pleased,
+Rome or Capua. But Magius said, that Capua would not be a safe place
+for him, and that Rome, at a time when there was war between the
+Romans and Capuans, would be rather the residence of a deserter than a
+guest. That there was no place that he should rather dwell in, than in
+the dominions of him whom he esteemed an avenger and the protector of
+his liberty.
+
+11. While these things were carrying on, Quintus Fabius Pictor, the
+ambassador, returned from Delphi to Rome, and read the response of the
+oracle from a written copy. In it both the gods were mentioned, and in
+what manner supplication should be made. It then stated, "If you do
+thus, Romans, your affairs will be more prosperous and less perplexed;
+your state will proceed more agreeably to your wishes; and the victory
+in the war will be on the side of the Roman people. After that your
+state shall have been restored to prosperity and safety, send a
+present to the Pythian Apollo out of the gains you have earned, and
+pay honours to him out of the plunder, the booty, and the spoils.
+Banish licentiousness from among you." Having read aloud these words,
+translated from the Greek verse, he added, that immediately on his
+departure from the oracle, he had paid divine honours to all these
+deities with wine and frankincense; and that he was ordered by the
+chief priest of the temple, that, as he had approached the oracle and
+performed the sacred ceremonies decorated with a laurel crown, so he
+should embark wearing the crown, and not put it off till he had
+arrived at Rome. That he had executed all these injunctions with the
+most scrupulous exactness and diligence, and had deposited the garland
+on the altar of Apollo at Rome. The senate decreed that the sacred
+ceremonies and supplications enjoined should be carefully performed
+with all possible expedition. During these events at Rome and in
+Italy, Mago, the son of Hamilcar, had arrived at Carthage with the
+intelligence of the victory at Cannae. He was not sent direct from the
+field of battle by his brother, but was detained some days in
+receiving the submission of such states of the Bruttii as were in
+revolt. Having obtained an audience of the senate he gave a full
+statement of his brother's exploits in Italy: "That he had fought
+pitched battles with six generals, four of whom were consuls, two a
+dictator and master of the horse, with six consular armies; that he
+had slain above two hundred thousand of the enemy, and captured above
+fifty thousand. That out of the four consuls he had slain two; of the
+two remaining, one was wounded, the other, having lost his whole army,
+had fled from the field with scarcely fifty men; that the master of
+the horse, an authority equal to that of consul, had been routed and
+put to flight; that the dictator, because he had never engaged in a
+pitched battle, was esteemed a matchless general; that the Bruttii,
+the Apulians, part of the Samnites and of the Lucanians had revolted
+to the Carthaginians. That Capua, which was the capital not only of
+Campania, but after the ruin of the Roman power by the battle of
+Cannae, of Italy also, had delivered itself over to Hannibal. That in
+return for these so many and so great victories, gratitude ought
+assuredly to be felt and thanks returned to the immortal gods."
+
+12. Then, in proof of this such joyful news, he ordered the golden
+rings to be poured out in the vestibule of the senate-house, of which
+there was such a heap that some have taken upon themselves to say that
+on being measured they filled three pecks and a half. The statement
+has obtained and is more like the truth, that there were not more than
+a peck. He then added, by way of explanation, to prove the greater
+extent of the slaughter, that none but knights, and of these the
+principal only, wore that ornament. The main drift of his speech was,
+"that the nearer the prospect was of bringing the war to a conclusion,
+the more should Hannibal be aided by every means, for that the seat of
+war was at a long distance from home and in the heart of the enemy's
+country. That a great quantity of corn was consumed and money
+expended; and that so many pitched battles, as they had annihilated
+the armies of the enemy, had also in some degree diminished the forces
+of the victor. That a reinforcement therefore ought to be sent; and
+money for the pay, and corn for the soldiers who had deserved so well
+of the Carthaginian name." After this speech of Mago's, all being
+elated with joy, Himilco, a member of the Barcine faction, conceiving
+this a good opportunity for inveighing against Hanno, said to him,
+"What think you now, Hanno? do you now also regret that the war
+against the Romans was entered upon? Now urge that Hannibal should be
+given up; yes, forbid the rendering of thanks to the immortal gods
+amidst such successes; let us hear a Roman senator in the senate-house
+of the Carthaginians." Upon which Hanno replied, "I should have
+remained silent this day, conscript fathers, lest, amid the general
+joy, I should utter any thing which might be too gloomy for you. But
+now, to a senator, asking whether I still regret the undertaking of
+the war against the Romans, if I should forbear to speak, I should
+seem either arrogant or servile, the former of which is the part of a
+man who is forgetful of the independence of others, the latter of his
+own. I may answer therefore to Himilco, that I have not ceased to
+regret the war, nor shall I cease to censure your invincible general
+until I see the war concluded on some tolerable terms; nor will any
+thing except a new peace put a period to my regret for the loss of the
+old one. Accordingly those achievements, which Mago has so boastingly
+recounted, are a source of present joy to Himilco and the other
+adherents of Hannibal; to me they may become so; because successes in
+war, if we have a mind to make the best use of fortune, will afford us
+a peace on more equitable terms; for if we allow this opportunity to
+pass by, on which we have it in our power to appear to dictate rather
+than to receive terms of peace, I fear lest even this our joy should
+run into excess, and in the end prove groundless. However, let us see
+of what kind it is even now. I have slain the armies of the enemy,
+send me soldiers. What else would you ask if you had been conquered? I
+have captured two of the enemy's camps, full, of course, of booty and
+provisions; supply me with corn and money. What else would you ask had
+you been plundered and stripped of your camp? And that I may not be
+the only person perplexed, I could wish that either Himilco or Mago
+would answer me, for it is just and fair that I also should put a
+question, since I have answered Himilco. Since the battle at Cannae
+annihilated the Roman power, and it is a fact that all Italy is in a
+state of revolt; in the first place, has any one people of the Latin
+confederacy come over to us? In the next place, has any individual of
+the five and thirty tribes deserted to Hannibal?" When Mago had
+answered both these questions in the negative, he continued: "there
+remains then still too large a body of the enemy. But I should be glad
+to know what degree of spirit and hope that body possesses."
+
+13. Mago declaring that he did not know; "Nothing," said he, "is
+easier to be known. Have the Romans sent any ambassadors to Hannibal
+to treat of peace? Have you, in short, ever heard that any mention has
+been made of peace at Rome?" On his answering these questions also in
+the negative: "We have upon our hands then, said he, a war as entire
+as we had on the day on which Hannibal crossed over into Italy. There
+are a great many of us alive now who remember how fluctuating the
+success was in the former Punic war. At no time did our affairs appear
+in so prosperous a condition as they did before the consulship of
+Caius Lutatius and Aulus Posthumius. In the consulship of Caius
+Lutatius and Aulus Posthumius we were completely conquered at the
+islands Aegates. But if now, as well as then, (oh! may the gods avert
+the omen!) fortune should take any turn, do you hope to obtain that
+peace when we shall be vanquished which no one is willing to grant now
+we are victorious. I have an opinion which I should express if any one
+should advise with me on the subject of proffering or accepting terms
+of peace with the enemy; but with respect to the supplies requested by
+Mago, I do not think there is any necessity to send them to a
+victorious army; and I give it as my opinion that they should far less
+be sent to them, if they are deluding us by groundless and empty
+hopes." But few were influenced by the harangue of Hanno, for both the
+jealousy which he entertained towards the Barcine family, made him a
+less weighty authority; and men's minds being taken up with the
+present exultation, would listen to nothing by which their joy could
+be made more groundless, but felt convinced, that if they should make
+a little additional exertion the war might be speedily terminated.
+Accordingly a decree of the senate was made with very general
+approbation, that four thousand Numidians should be sent as a
+reinforcement to Hannibal, with four hundred elephants and many
+talents of silver. Moreover, the dictator was sent forward into Spain
+with Mago to hire twenty thousand foot and four thousand horse, to
+recruit the armies in Italy and Spain.
+
+14. But these resolutions, as generally happens in the season of
+prosperity, were executed in a leisurely and slothful manner. The
+Romans, in addition to their inborn activity of mind, were prevented
+from delaying by the posture of their affairs. For the consul was not
+wanting in any business which was to be done by him; and the dictator,
+Marcus Junius Pera, after the sacred ceremonies were concluded, and
+after having, as is usual, proposed to the people that he might be
+allowed to mount his horse; besides the two legions which had been
+enlisted by the consuls in the beginning of the year, and besides the
+cohorts collected out of the Picenian and Gallic territories,
+descended to that last resort of the state when almost despaired of,
+and when propriety gives place to utility, and made proclamation, that
+of such persons as had been guilty of capital crimes or were in prison
+on judgment for debt, those who would serve as soldiers with him, he
+would order to be released from their liability to punishment and
+their debts. These six thousand he armed with the Gallic spoils which
+were carried in the procession at the triumph of Caius Flaminius. Thus
+he marched from the city at the head of twenty-five thousand men.
+Hannibal, after gaining Capua, made a second fruitless attempt upon
+the minds of the Neapolitans, partly by fear and partly by hope: and
+then marched his troops across into the territory of Nola: not
+immediately in a hostile attitude, for he did not despair of a
+voluntary surrender, yet intending to omit nothing which they could
+suffer or fear, if they delayed the completion of his hopes. The
+senate, and especially the principal members of it, persevered
+faithfully in keeping up the alliance with the Romans; the commons, as
+usual, were all inclined to a change in the government and to espouse
+the cause of Hannibal, placing before their minds the fear lest their
+fields should be devastated, and the many hardships and indignities
+which must be endured in a siege; nor were there wanting persons who
+advised a revolt. In this state of things, when a fear took possession
+of the senate, that it would be impossible to resist the excited
+multitude if they went openly to work, devised a delay of the evil by
+secret simulation. They pretended that they were agreeable to the
+revolt to Hannibal; but that it was not settled on what terms they
+should enter into the new alliance and friendship. Thus having gained
+time, they promptly sent ambassadors to the Roman praetor, Marcellus
+Claudius, who was at Casilinum with his army, and informed him what a
+critical situation Nola was in; that the fields were already in the
+possession of Hannibal and the Carthaginians, and that the city soon
+would be, unless succour were sent; that the senate, by conceding to
+the commons that they would revolt when they pleased, had caused them
+not to hasten too much to revolt. Marcellus, after bestowing high
+commendations on the Nolans, urged them to protract the business till
+his arrival by means of the same pretences; in the mean time, to
+conceal what had passed between them, as well as all hope of succour
+from the Romans. He himself marched from Casilinum to Calatia, and
+thence crossing the Vulturnus, and passing through the territories of
+Saticula and Trebula, pursuing his course along the mountains above
+Suessula, he arrived at Nola.
+
+15. On the approach of the Roman praetor, the Carthaginians retired
+from the territory of Nola and marched down to the sea close upon
+Naples, eager to get possession of a maritime town to which there
+would be a safe course for ships from Africa. But hearing that Naples
+was held by a Roman prefect, Marcus Junius Silanus, who had been
+invited thither by the Neapolitans themselves, he left Naples as he
+had left Nola, and directed his course to Nuceria, which he at length
+starved into capitulation, after having besieged it for a considerable
+time, often by open force, and often by soliciting to no purpose
+sometimes the commons, at other times the nobles; agreeing that they
+should depart with single garments and without arms. Then, as wishing
+to appear from the beginning to show lenity to all the inhabitants of
+Italy except the Romans, he proposed rewards and honours to those who
+might remain with him, and would be willing to serve with him. He
+retained none, however, by the hopes he held out; they all dispersed
+in different directions throughout the cities of Campania, wherever
+either hospitable connexions or the casual impulse of the mind
+directed them, but principally to Nola and Naples. About thirty
+senators, including as it happened all of the first rank, made for
+Capua; but being shut out thence, because they had closed their gates
+on Hannibal, they betook themselves to Cumae. The plunder of Nuceria
+was, given to the soldiery, the city sacked and burned. Marcellus
+continued to hold possession of Nola, relying not more from confidence
+in his own troops than from the favourable disposition of the leading
+inhabitants. Apprehensions were entertained of the commons,
+particularly Lucius Bantius, whose having been privy to an attempt at
+defection, and dread of the Roman praetor, stimulated sometimes to the
+betrayal of his country, at others, should fortune fail him in that
+undertaking, to desertion. He was a young man of vigorous mind, and at
+that time enjoying the greatest renown of almost any of the allied
+cavalry. Found at Cannae half dead amid a heap of slain, Hannibal had
+sent him home, after having had him cured, with the kindest attention,
+and even with presents. In gratitude for this favour, he had conceived
+a wish to put Nola under the power and dominion of the Carthaginian;
+but his anxiety and solicitude for effecting a change did not escape
+the notice of the praetor. However, as it was necessary that he should
+be either restrained by penal inflictions or conciliated by favours,
+he preferred attaching to himself a brave and strenuous ally, to
+depriving the enemy of him; and summoning him into his presence, in
+the kindest manner said, "that the fact that he had many among his
+countrymen who were jealous of him, might be easily collected from the
+circumstance that not one citizen of Nola had informed him how many
+were his splendid military exploits. But that it was impossible for
+the valour of one who served in the Roman camp to remain in obscurity;
+that many who had served with him had reported to him how brave a man
+he was, how often and what dangers he had encountered for the safety
+and honour of the Roman people; and how in the battle of Cannae he had
+not given over fighting till, almost bloodless, he was buried under a
+heap of men, horses, and arms which fell upon him. Go on then," says
+he, "and prosper in your career of valour, with me you shall receive
+every honour and every reward, and the oftener you be with me, the
+more you shall find it will be to your honour and emolument." He
+presented the young man, delighted with these promises, with a horse
+of distinguished beauty, ordered the quaestor to give him five hundred
+denarii, and commanded the lictors to allow him to approach him
+whenever he might please.
+
+16. The violent spirit of the youth was so much soothed by the
+courteous treatment of Marcellus, that thenceforward no one of the
+allies displayed greater courage or fidelity in aiding the Roman
+cause. Hannibal being now at the gates, for he had moved his camp back
+again from Nuceria to Nola, and the commons beginning to turn their
+attention to revolt afresh, Marcellus, on the approach of the enemy,
+retired within the walls; not from apprehension for his camp, but lest
+he should give an opportunity for betraying the city, which too many
+were anxiously watching for. The troops on both sides then began to be
+drawn up; the Romans before the walls of Nola, the Carthaginians
+before their own camp. Hence arose several battles of small account
+between the city and the camp, with varying success, as the generals
+were neither willing to check the small parties who inconsiderately
+challenged the enemy, nor to give the signal for a general engagement.
+While the two armies continued to be thus stationed day after day, the
+chief men of the Nolans informed Marcellus, that conferences were held
+by night between the commons of Nola and the Carthaginians; and that
+it was fixed, that, when the Roman army had gone out at the gates,
+they should make plunder of their baggage and packages, then close the
+gates and post themselves upon the walls, in order that when in
+possession of the government and the city, they might then receive the
+Carthaginian instead of the Roman. On receiving this intelligence
+Marcellus, having bestowed the highest commendations on the senators,
+resolved to hazard the issue of a battle before any commotion should
+arise within the city. He drew up his troops in three divisions at the
+three gates which faced the enemy; he gave orders that the baggage
+should follow close by, that the servants, suttlers' boys, and
+invalids should carry palisades; at the centre gate he stationed the
+choicest of the legionary troops and the Roman cavalry, at the two
+gates on either side, the recruits, the light-armed, and the allied
+cavalry. The Nolans were forbidden to approach the walls and gates,
+and the troops designed for a reserve were set over the baggage, lest
+while the legions were engaged in the battle an attack should be made
+upon it. Thus arranged they were standing within the gates. Hannibal,
+who had waited with his troops drawn up in battle-array, as he had
+done for several days, till the day was far advanced, at first was
+amazed that neither the Roman army marched out of the gates, nor any
+armed man was to be seen on the walls, but afterwards concluding that
+the conferences had been discovered, and that they were quiet through
+fear, he sent back a portion of his troops into the camp, with orders
+to bring into the front line, with speed, every thing requisite for
+assaulting the city; satisfied that if he urged them vigorously while
+they were indisposed to action, the populace would excite some
+commotion in the city. While, in the van, the troops were running up
+and down in a hurried manner in discharge of their several duties, and
+the line was advancing up to the gates, suddenly throwing open the
+gate, Marcellus ordered that the signal should be given, and a shout
+raised, and that first the infantry and after them the cavalry should
+burst forth upon the enemy with all possible impetuosity. They had
+occasioned abundant terror and confusion in the centre of the enemy's
+line, when, at the two side gates, the lieutenant-generals, Publius
+Valerius Flaccus and Caius Aurelius, sallied forth upon the wings. The
+servants, suttlers' boys, and the other multitude appointed to guard
+the baggage, joined in the shout, so that they suddenly exhibited the
+appearance of a vast army to the Carthaginians, who despised chiefly
+their paucity of numbers. For my own part I would not take upon me to
+assert what some authors have declared, that two thousand eight
+hundred of the enemy were slain, and that the Romans lost not more
+than five hundred. Whether the victory was so great or not; it is
+certain that a very important advantage, and perhaps the greatest
+during the war, was gained on that day: for not to be vanquished by
+Hannibal was then a more difficult task to the victorious troops, than
+to conquer him afterwards.
+
+17. When Hannibal, all hope of getting possession of Nola being lost,
+had retired to Acerrae, Marcellus, having closed the gates and posted
+guards in different quarters to prevent any one from going out,
+immediately instituted a judicial inquiry in the forum, into the
+conduct of those who had been secretly in communication with the
+enemy. He beheaded more than seventy who were convicted of treason,
+and ordered their foods to be confiscated to the Roman state; and then
+committing the government to the senate, set out with all his forces,
+and, pitching a camp, took up a position above Suessula. The
+Carthaginian, having at first endeavoured to win over the people of
+Acerrae to a voluntary surrender, but finding them resolved, makes
+preparations for a siege and assault. But the people of Acerrae had
+more spirit than power. Despairing therefore, of the defence of the
+city, when they saw their walls being circumvallated, before the lines
+of the enemy were completed, they stole off in the dead of night
+through the opening in the works, and where the watches had been
+neglected; and pursuing their course through roads and pathless
+regions, accordingly as design or mistake directed each, made their
+escape to those towns of Campania which they knew had not renounced
+their fidelity. After Acerrae was plundered and burnt, Hannibal,
+having received intelligence that the Roman dictator with the
+new-raised legions was seen at some distance from Casilinum, and
+fearing lest, the camp of the enemy being so near, something might
+occur at Capua, marched his army to Casilinum. At that time Casilinum
+was occupied by five hundred Praenestines, with a few Romans and
+Latins, whom the news of the defeat at Cannae had brought to the same
+place. These men setting out from home too late, in consequence of the
+levy at Praeneste not being completed at the appointed day, and
+arriving at Casilinum before the defeat was known there, where they
+united themselves with other troops, Romans and allies, were
+proceeding thence in a tolerably large body, but the news of the
+battle at Cannae them back to Casilinum. Having spent several days
+there in evading and concerting plots, in fear themselves and
+suspected by the Campanians, and having now received certain
+information that the revolt of Capua and the reception of Hannibal
+were in agitation, they put the townsmen to the sword by night, and
+seized upon the part of the town on this side the Vulturnus, for it is
+divided by that river. Such was the garrison the Romans had at
+Casilinum; to these was added a cohort of Perusians, in number four
+hundred and sixty, who had been driven to Casilinum by the same
+intelligence which had brought the Praenestines a few days before.
+They formed a sufficient number of armed men for the defence of walls
+of so limited extent, and protected on one side by the river. The
+scarcity of corn made them even appear too numerous.
+
+18. Hannibal having now advanced within a short distance of the place,
+sent forward a body of Getulians under a commander named Isalca, and
+orders them in the first place, if an opportunity of parley should be
+given, to win them over by fair words, to open the gates, and admit a
+garrison; but, if they persisted in obstinate opposition, to proceed
+to action, and try if in any part he could force an entrance into the
+city. When they had approached the walls, because silence prevailed
+there appeared a solitude; and the barbarian, supposing that they had
+retired through fear, made preparation for forcing the gates and
+breaking away the bars, when, the gates being suddenly thrown open,
+two cohorts, drawn up within for that very purpose, rushed forth with
+great tumult, and made a slaughter of the enemy. The first party being
+thus repulsed, Maharbal was sent with a more powerful body of troops;
+but neither could even he sustain the sally of the cohorts. Lastly,
+Hannibal, fixing his camp directly before the walls, prepared to
+assault this paltry city and garrison, with every effort and all his
+forces, and having completely surrounded the city with a line of
+troops, lost a considerable number of men, including all the most
+forward, who were shot from the walls and turrets, while he pressed on
+and provoked the enemy. Once he was very near cutting them off, by
+throwing in a line of elephants, when aggressively sallying forth, and
+drove them in the utmost confusion into the town; a good many, out of
+so small a number, having been slain. More would have fallen had not
+night interrupted the battle. On the following day, the minds of all
+were possessed with an ardent desire to commence the assault,
+especially after a golden mural crown had been promised, and the
+general himself had reproached the conquerors of Saguntum with the
+slowness of their siege of a little fort situated on level ground;
+reminding them, each and all, of Cannae, Trasimenus, and Trebia. They
+then began to apply the vineae and to spring mines: nor was any
+measure, whether of open force or stratagem, unemployed against the
+various attempts of the enemy. These allies of the Romans erected
+bulwarks against the vineae, cut off the mines of the enemy by
+cross-mines, and met their efforts both covertly and openly, till, at
+last, shame compelled Hannibal to desist from his undertaking; and,
+fortifying a camp in which he placed a small guard, that the affair
+might not appear to have been abandoned, he retired into winter
+quarters to Capua. There he kept, under cover, for the greater part of
+the winter, that army, which, though fortified by frequent and
+continued hardships against every human ill, had yet never experienced
+or been habituated to prosperity. Accordingly, excess of good fortune
+and unrestrained indulgence were the ruin of men whom no severity of
+distress had subdued; and so much the more completely, in proportion
+to the avidity with which they plunged into pleasures to which they
+were unaccustomed. For sleep, wine, feasting, women, baths, and ease,
+which custom rendered more seductive day by day, so completely
+unnerved both mind and body, that from henceforth their past victories
+rather than their present strength protected them; and in this the
+general is considered by those who are skilled in the art of war to
+have committed a greater error than in not having marched his troops
+to Rome forthwith from the field of Cannae: for his delay on that
+occasion might be considered as only to have postponed his victory,
+but this mistake to have bereaved him of the power of conquering.
+Accordingly, by Hercules, as though he marched out of Capua with
+another army, it retained in no respect any of its former discipline;
+for most of the troops returned in the embrace of harlots; and as soon
+as they began to live under tents, and the fatigue of marching and
+other military labours tried them, like raw troops, they failed both
+in bodily strength and spirit. From that time, during the whole period
+of the summer campaign, a great number of them slunk away from the
+standards without furloughs, while Capua was the only retreat of the
+deserters.
+
+19. However, when the rigour of winter began to abate, marching his
+troops out of their winter quarters he returned to Casilinum; where,
+although there had been an intermission of the assault, the
+continuance of the siege had reduced the inhabitants and the garrison
+to the extremity of want. Titus Sempronius commanded the Roman camp,
+the dictator having gone to Rome to renew the auspices. The swollen
+state of the Vulturnus and the entreaties of the people of Nola and
+Acerrae, who feared the Campanians if the Roman troops should leave
+them, kept Marcellus in his place; although desirous himself also to
+bring assistance to the besieged. Gracchus, only maintaining his post
+near Casilinum, because he had been enjoined by the dictator not to
+take any active steps during his absence, did not stir; although
+intelligence was brought from Casilinum which might easily overcome
+every degree of patience. For it appeared that some had precipitated
+themselves from the walls through famine and that they were standing
+unarmed upon the walls, exposing their undefended bodies to the blows
+of the missile weapons. Gracchus, grieved at the intelligence, but not
+daring to fight contrary to the injunctions of the dictator, and yet
+aware that he must fight if he openly attempted to convey in
+provisions, and having no hope of introducing them clandestinely,
+collected corn from all parts of the surrounding country, and filling
+several casks sent a message to the magistrate to Casilinum, directing
+that they might catch the casks which the river would bring down. The
+following night, while all were intent upon the river, and the hopes
+excited by the message from the Romans, the casks sent came floating
+down the centre of the stream, and the corn was equally distributed
+among them all. This was repeated the second and third day; they were
+sent off and arrived during the same night; and hence they escaped the
+notice of the enemy's guards. But afterwards, the river, rendered more
+than ordinarily rapid by continual rains, drove the casks by a cross
+current to the bank which the enemy were guarding; there they were
+discovered sticking among the osiers which grew along the banks; and,
+it being reported to Hannibal, from that time the watches were kept
+more strictly, that nothing sent to the city by the Vulturnus might
+escape notice. However, nuts poured out at the Roman camp floated down
+the centre of the river to Casilinum, and were caught with hurdles. At
+length they were reduced to such a degree of want, that they
+endeavoured to chew the thongs and skins which they tore from their
+shields, after softening them in warm water; nor did they abstain from
+mice or any other kind of animals. They even dug up every kind of herb
+and root from the lowest mounds of their wall; and when the enemy had
+ploughed over all the ground producing herbage which was without the
+wall, they threw in turnip seed, so that Hannibal exclaimed, Must I
+sit here at Casilinum even till these spring up? and he, who up to
+that time had not lent an ear to any terms, then at length allowed
+himself to be treated with respecting the ransom of the free persons.
+Seven ounces of gold for each person were agreed upon as the price;
+and then, under a promise of protection, they surrendered themselves.
+They were kept in chains till the whole of the gold was paid, after
+which they were sent back to Cumae, in fulfilment of the promise. This
+account is more credible than that they were slain by a body of
+cavalry, which was sent to attack them as they were going away. They
+were for the most part Praenestines. Out of the five hundred and
+seventy who formed the garrison, almost one half were destroyed by
+sword or famine; the rest returned safe to Praeneste with their
+praetor Manicius, who had formerly been a scribe. His statue placed in
+the forum at Praeneste, clad in a coat of mail, with a gown on, and
+with the head covered, formed an evidence of this account; as did also
+three images with this legend inscribed on a brazen plate, "Manicius
+vowed these in behalf of the soldiers who were in the garrison at
+Casilinum." The same legend was inscribed under three images placed in
+the temple of Fortune.
+
+20. The town of Casilinum was restored to the Campanians, strengthened
+by a garrison of seven hundred soldiers from the army of Hannibal,
+lest on the departure of the Carthaginian from it, the Romans should
+assault it. To the Praenestine soldiers the Roman senate voted double
+pay and exemption from military service for five years. On being
+offered the freedom of the state, in consideration of their valor,
+they would not make the exchange. The account of the fate of the
+Perusians is less clear, as no light is thrown upon it by any monument
+of their own, or any decree of the Romans. At the same time the
+Petelini, the only Bruttian state which had continued in the Roman
+alliance, were attacked not only by the Carthaginians, who were in
+possession of the surrounding country, but also by the rest of the
+Bruttian states, on account of their having adopted a separate policy.
+The Petelini, unable to bear up against these distresses, sent
+ambassadors to Rome to solicit aid, whose prayers and entreaties (for
+on being told that they must themselves take measures for their own
+safety, they gave themselves up to piteous lamentations in the
+vestibule of the senate-house) excited the deepest commiseration in
+the fathers and the people. On the question being proposed a second
+time to the fathers by Manius Pomponius, the praetor, after examining
+all the resources of the empire, they were compelled to confess that
+they had no longer any protection for their distant allies, and bid
+them return home, and having done every thing which could be expected
+from faithful allies, as to what remained to take measures for their
+own security in the present state of fortune. On the result of this
+embassy being reported to the Petelini, their senate was suddenly
+seized with such violent grief and dismay, that some advised that they
+should run away wherever each man could find an asylum, and abandon
+the city. Some advised, that as they were deserted by their ancient
+allies, they should unite themselves with the rest of the Bruttian
+states, and through them surrender themselves to Hannibal. The opinion
+however which prevailed was that of those who thought that nothing
+should be done in haste and rashly, and that they should take the
+whole matter into their consideration again. The next day, when they
+had cooled upon it, and their trepidation had somewhat subsided, the
+principal men carried their point that they should collect all their
+property out of the fields, and fortify the city and the walls.
+
+21. Much about the same time letters were brought from Sicily and
+Sardinia. That of Titus Otacilius the propraetor was first read in the
+senate. It stated that Lucius Furius the praetor had arrived at
+Lilybaeum from Africa with his fleet. That he himself, having been
+severely wounded, was in imminent danger of his life; that neither pay
+nor corn was punctually furnished to the soldiers or the marines; nor
+were there any resources from which they could be furnished. That he
+earnestly advised that such supplies should be sent with all possible
+expedition; and that, if it was thought proper, they should send one
+of the new praetors to succeed him.
+
+Nearly the same intelligence respecting corn and pay was conveyed in a
+letter from Aulus Cornelius Mammula, the propraetor, from Sardinia.
+The answer to both was, that there were no resources from whence they
+could be supplied, and orders were given to them that they should
+themselves provide for their fleets and armies. Titus Otacilius having
+sent ambassadors to Hiero, the only source of assistance the Romans
+had, received as much money as was wanting to pay the troops and a
+supply of corn for six months. In Sardinia, the allied states
+contributed liberally to Cornelius. The scarcity of money at Rome also
+was so great, that on the proposal of Marcus Minucius, plebeian
+tribune, a financial triumvirate was appointed, consisting of Lucius
+Aemilius Papus, who had been consul and censor, Marcus Atilius
+Regulus, who had been twice consul, and Lucius Scribonius Libo, who
+was then plebeian tribune. Marcus and Caius Atilius were also created
+a duumvirate for dedicating the temple of Concord, which Lucius
+Manlius had vowed when praetor. Three pontiffs were also created,
+Quintus Caecilius Metellus, Quintus Fabius Maximus, and Quintus
+Fulvius Flaccus, in the room of Publius Scantinius deceased, and of
+Lucius Aemilius Paulus the consul, and of Quintus Aelius Paetus, who
+had fallen in the battle of Cannae.
+
+22. The fathers having repaired, as far as human counsels could effect
+it, the other losses from a continued series of unfortunate events, at
+length turned their attention on themselves, on the emptiness of the
+senate-house, and the paucity of those who assembled for public
+deliberation. For the senate-roll had not been reviewed since the
+censorship of Lucius Aemilius and C. Flaminius, though unfortunate
+battles, during a period of five years, as well as the private
+casualties of each, had carried off so many senators. Manius
+Pomponius, the praetor, as the dictator was now gone to the army after
+the loss of Casilinum, at the earnest request of all, brought in a
+bill upon the subject. When Spurius Carvilius, after having lamented
+in a long speech not only the scantiness of the senate, but the
+fewness of citizens who were eligible into that body, with the design
+of making up the numbers of the senate and uniting more closely the
+Romans and the Latin confederacy, declared that he strongly advised
+that the freedom of the state should be conferred upon two senators
+from each of the Latin states, if the Roman fathers thought proper,
+who might be chosen into the senate to supply the places of the
+deceased senators. This proposition the fathers listened to with no
+more equanimity than formerly to the request when made by the Latins
+themselves. A loud and violent expression of disapprobation ran
+through the whole senate-house. In particular, Manlius reminded them
+that there was still existing a man of that stock, from which that
+consul was descended who formerly threatened in the Capitol that he
+would with his own hand put to death any Latin senator he saw in that
+house. Upon which Quintus Fabius Maximus said, "that never was any
+subject introduced into the senate at a juncture more unseasonable
+than the present, when a question had been touched upon which would
+still further irritate the minds of the allies, who were already
+hesitating and wavering in their allegiance. That that rash suggestion
+of one individual ought to be annihilated by the silence of the whole
+body; and that if there ever was a declaration in that house which
+ought to be buried in profound and inviolable silence, surely that
+above all others was one which deserved to be covered and consigned to
+darkness and oblivion, and looked upon as if it had never been made."
+This put a stop to the mention of the subject. They determined that a
+dictator should be created for the purpose of reviewing the senate,
+and that he should be one who had been a censor, and was the oldest
+living of those who had held that office. They likewise gave orders
+that Caius Terentius, the consul, should be called home to nominate a
+dictator; who, leaving his troops in Apulia, returned to Rome with
+great expedition; and, according to custom, on the following night
+nominated Marcus Fabius Buteo dictator, for six months, without a
+master of the horse, in pursuance of the decree of the senate.
+
+23. He having mounted the rostrum attended by the lictors, declared,
+that he neither approved of there being two dictators at one time,
+which had never been done before, nor of his being appointed dictator
+without a master of the horse; nor of the censorian authority being
+committed to one person, and to the same person a second time; nor
+that command should be given to a dictator for six months, unless he
+was created for active operations. That he would himself restrain
+within proper bounds those irregularities which chance, the exigencies
+of the times, and necessity had occasioned. For he would not remove
+any of those whom the censors Flaminius and Aemilius had elected into
+the senate; but would merely order that their names should be
+transcribed and read over, that one man might not exercise the power
+of deciding and determining on the character and morals of a senator;
+and would so elect in place of deceased members, that one rank should
+appear to be preferred to another, and not man to man. The old
+senate-roll having been read, he chose as successors to the deceased,
+first those who had filled a curule office since the censorship of
+Flaminius and Aemilius, but had not yet been elected into the senate,
+as each had been earliest created. He next chose those who had been
+aediles, plebeian tribunes, or quaestors; then of those who had never
+filled the office of magistrate, he selected such as had spoils taken
+from an enemy fixed up at their homes, or had received a civic crown.
+Having thus elected one hundred and seventy-seven senators, with the
+entire approbation of his countrymen, he instantly abdicated his
+office, and, bidding the lictors depart, he descended from the rostrum
+as a private citizen, and mingled with the crowd of persons who were
+engaged in their private affairs, designedly wearing away this time,
+lest he should draw off the people from the forum for the purpose of
+escorting him home. Their zeal, however, did not subside by the delay,
+for they escorted him to his house in great numbers. The consul
+returned to the army the ensuing night, without acquainting the
+senate, lest he should be detained in the city on account of the
+elections.
+
+24. The next day, on the proposition of Manius Pomponius the praetor,
+the senate decreed that a letter should be written to the dictator, to
+the effect, that if he thought it for the interest of the state, he
+should come, together with the master of the horse and the praetor,
+Marcus Marcellus, to hold the election for the succeeding consuls, in
+order that the fathers might learn from them in person in what
+condition the state was, and take measures according to circumstances.
+All who were summoned came, leaving lieutenant-generals to hold
+command of the legions. The dictator, speaking briefly and modestly of
+himself, attributed much of the glory Of the campaign to the master of
+the horse, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus. He then gave out the day for
+the comitia, at which the consuls created were Lucius Posthumius in
+his absence, being then employed in the government of the province of
+Gaul, for the third time, and Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, who was
+then master of the horse and curule aedile. Marcus Valerius Laevinus,
+Appius Claudius Pulcher, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, and Quintus Mucius
+Scaevola, were then created praetors. After the election of the
+magistrates, the dictator returned to his army, which was in winter
+quarters at Teanum, leaving his master of the horse at Rome, to take
+the sense of the fathers relative to the armies to be enlisted and
+embodied for the service of the year, as he was about to enter upon
+the magistracy after a few days. While busily occupied with these
+matters, intelligence arrived of a fresh disaster--fortune crowding
+into this year one calamity after another--that Lucius Posthumius,
+consul elect, himself with all his army was destroyed in Gaul. He was
+to march his troops through a vast wood, which the Gauls called
+Litana. On the right and left of his route, the natives had sawed the
+trees in such a manner that they continued standing upright, but would
+fall when impelled by a slight force. Posthumius had with him two
+Roman legions, and besides had levied so great a number of allies
+along the Adriatic Sea, that he led into the enemy's country
+twenty-five thousand men. As soon as this army entered the wood, the
+Gauls, who were posted around its extreme skirts, pushed down the
+outermost of the sawn trees, which falling on those next them, and
+these again on others which of themselves stood tottering and scarcely
+maintained their position, crushed arms, men, and horses in an
+indiscriminate manner, so that scarcely ten men escaped. For, most of
+them being killed by the trunks and broken boughs of trees, the Gauls,
+who beset the wood on all sides in arms killed the rest, panic-struck
+by so unexpected a disaster. A very small number, who attempted to
+escape by a bridge, were taken prisoners, being intercepted by the
+enemy who had taken possession of it before them. Here Posthumius
+fell, fighting with all his might to prevent his being taken. The Boii
+having cut off his head, carried it and the spoils they stole off his
+body, in triumph into the most sacred temple they had. Afterwards they
+cleansed the head according to their custom, and having covered the
+skull with chased gold, used it as a cup for libations in their solemn
+festivals, and a drinking cup for their high priests and other
+ministers of the temple. The spoils taken by the Gauls were not less
+than the victory. For though great numbers of the beasts were crushed
+by the falling trees, yet as nothing was scattered by flight, every
+thing else was found strewed along the whole line of the prostrate
+band.
+
+25. The news of this disaster arriving, when the state had been in so
+great a panic for many days, that the shops were shut up as if the
+solitude of night reigned through the city; the senate gave it in
+charge to the aediles to go round the city, cause the shops to be
+opened, and this appearance of public affliction to be removed. Then
+Titus Sempronius, having assembled the senate, consoled and encouraged
+the fathers, requesting, "that they who had sustained the defeat at
+Cannae with so much magnanimity would not now be cast down with less
+calamities. That if their arms should prosper, as he hoped they would,
+against Hannibal and the Carthaginians, the war with the Gauls might
+be suspended and deferred without hazard. The gods and the Roman
+people would have it in their power to revenge the treachery of the
+Gauls another time. That they should now deliberate about the
+Carthaginian foe, and the forces with which the war was to be
+prosecuted." He first laid before them the number of foot and horse,
+as well citizens as allies, that were in the dictator's army. Then
+Marcellus gave an account of the amount in his. Those who knew were
+asked what troops were in Apulia with Caius Terentius Varro the
+consul. But no practicable plan could be devised for raising consular
+armies sufficient to support so important a war. For this reason,
+notwithstanding a just resentment irritated them, they determined that
+Gaul should be passed over for that year. The dictator's army was
+assigned to the consul; and they ordered such of the troops of
+Marcellus's army as had fled from Cannae, to be transported into
+Sicily, to serve there as long as the war continued in Italy. Thither,
+likewise, were ordered to be sent as unfit to serve with him, the
+weakest of the dictator's troops, no time of service being appointed,
+but the legal number of campaigns. The two legions in the city were
+voted to the other consul who should be elected in the room of
+Posthumius; and they resolved that he should be elected as soon as the
+auspices would permit. Besides, two legions were immediately to be
+recalled from Sicily, out of which the consul, to whom the city
+legions fell, might take what number of men he should have occasion
+for. The consul Caius Terentius Varro was continued in his command for
+one year, without lessening the army he had for the defence of Apulia.
+
+26. During these transactions and preparations in Italy, the war in
+Spain was prosecuted with no less vigour; but hitherto more favourably
+to the Romans. The two generals had divided their troops, so that
+Cneius acted by land, and Publius by sea. Hasdrubal, general of the
+Carthaginians, sufficiently trusting to neither branch of his forces,
+kept himself at a distance from the enemy, secured by the intervening
+space and the strength of his fortifications, until, after much
+solicitation, four thousand foot and five hundred horse were sent him
+out of Africa as a reinforcement. At length, inspired with fresh
+hopes, he moved nearer the enemy; and himself also ordered a fleet to
+be equipped and prepared for the protection of the islands and
+sea-coasts. In the very onset of renewing the war, he was greatly
+embarrassed by the desertion of the captains of his ships, who had
+ceased to entertain a sincere attachment towards the general and the
+Carthaginian cause, ever since they were severely reprimanded for
+abandoning the fleet in a cowardly manner at the Iberus. These
+deserters had raised an insurrection among the Tartessians, and at
+their instigation some cities had revolted; they had even taken one by
+force. The war was now turned from the Romans into that country, which
+he entered in a hostile manner, and resolved to attack Galbus, a
+distinguished general of the Tartessians, who with a powerful army
+kept close within his camp, before the walls of a city which had been
+captured but a few days before. Accordingly, he sent his light-armed
+troops in advance to provoke the enemy to battle, and part of his
+infantry to ravage the country throughout in every direction, and to
+cut off stragglers. There was a skirmish before the camp, at the same
+time that many were killed and put to flight in the fields. But having
+by different routes returned to their camp, they so quickly shook off
+all fear, that they had courage not only to defend their lines, but
+challenge the enemy to fight. They sallied out, therefore, in a body
+from the camp, dancing according to their custom. Their sudden
+boldness terrified the enemy, who a little before had been the
+assailants. Hasdrubal therefore drew off his troops to a tolerably
+steep eminence, and secured further by having a river between it and
+the enemy. Here the parties of light-armed troops which had been sent
+in advance, and the horse which had been dispersed about, he called in
+to join him. But not thinking himself sufficiently secured by the
+eminence or the river, he fortified his camp completely with a
+rampart. While thus fearing and feared alternately, several skirmishes
+occurred, in which the Numidian cavalry were not so good as the
+Spanish, nor the Moorish darters so good as the Spanish targetteers,
+who equalled them in swiftness, but were superior to them in strength
+and courage.
+
+27. The enemy seeing they could not, by coming up to Hasdrubal's camp,
+draw him out to a battle, nor assault it without great difficulty,
+stormed Asena, whither Hasdrubal, on entering their territories, had
+laid up his corn and other stores. By this they became masters of all
+the surrounding country. But now they became quite ungovernable, both
+when on march and within their camp.
+
+Hasdrubal, therefore, perceiving their negligence, which, as usual,
+was the consequence of success, after having exhorted his troops to
+attack them while they were straggling and without their standards,
+came down the hill, and advanced to their camp in order of battle. On
+his approach being announced in a tumultuous manner, by men who fled
+from the watchposts and advanced guards, they shouted to arms; and as
+each could get his arms, they rushed precipitately to battle, without
+waiting for the word, without standards, without order, and without
+ranks. The foremost of them were already engaged, while some were
+running up in parties, and others had not got out of their camp.
+However, at first, the very boldness of their attack terrified the
+enemy. But when they charged their close ranks with their own which
+were thin, and were not able to defend themselves for want of numbers,
+each began to look out for others to support him; and being repulsed
+in all quarters they collected themselves in form of a circle, where
+being so closely crowded together, body to body, armour to armour,
+that they had not room to wield their arms, they were surrounded by
+the enemy, who continued to slaughter them till late in the day. A
+small number, having forced a passage, made for the woods and hills.
+With like consternation, their camp was abandoned, and next day the
+whole nation submitted. But they did not continue long quiet, for
+immediately upon this, Hasdrubal received orders from Carthage to
+march into Italy with all expedition. The report of which, spreading
+over Spain, made almost all the states declare for the Romans.
+Accordingly he wrote immediately to Carthage, to inform them how much
+mischief the report of his march had produced. "That if he really did
+leave Spain, the Romans would be masters of it all before he could
+pass the Iberus. For, besides that he had neither an army nor a
+general whom he could leave to supply his place, so great were the
+abilities of the Roman generals who commanded there, that they could
+scarcely be opposed with equal forces. If, therefore, they had any
+concern for preserving Spain, they ought to send a general with a
+powerful army to succeed him. To whom, however prosperous all things
+might prove, yet the province would not be a position of ease."
+
+28. Though this letter made at first a great impression on the senate,
+yet, as their interest in Italy was first and most important, they did
+not at all alter their resolution in relation to Hasdrubal and his
+troops. However, they despatched Himilco with a complete army, and an
+augmented fleet, to preserve and defend Spain both by sea and land.
+When he had conveyed over his land and naval forces, he fortified a
+camp; and having drawn his ships upon dry land, and surrounded them
+with a rampart, he marched with a chosen body of cavalry, with all
+possible expedition; using the same caution when passing through
+people who were wavering, and those who were actually enemies; and
+came up with Hasdrubal. As soon as he had informed him of the
+resolutions and orders of the senate, and in his turn been thoroughly
+instructed in what manner to prosecute the war in Spain, he returned
+to his camp; his expedition more than any thing else saving him, for
+he quitted every place before the people could conspire. Before
+Hasdrubal quitted his position he laid all the states in subjection to
+him under contribution. He knew well that Hannibal purchased a passage
+through some nations; that he had no Gallic auxiliaries but such as
+were hired; and that if he had undertaken so arduous a march without
+money, he would scarcely have penetrated so far as the Alps. For this
+reason, having exacted the contributions with great haste, he marched
+down to the Iberus. As soon as the Roman generals got notice of the
+Carthaginian senate's resolution, and Hasdrubal's march, they gave up
+every other concern, and uniting their forces, determined to meet him
+and oppose his attempt. They reflected, that when it was already so
+difficult to make head against Hannibal alone in Italy, there would be
+an end of the Roman empire in Spain, should Hasdrubal join him with a
+Spanish army. Full of anxiety and care on these accounts, they
+assembled their forces at the Iberus, and crossed the river; and after
+deliberating for some time whether they should encamp opposite to the
+enemy, or be satisfied with impeding his intended march by attacking
+the allies of the Carthaginians, they made preparations for besieging
+a city called Ibera, from its contiguity to the river, which was at
+that time the wealthiest in that quarter. When Hasdrubal perceived
+this, instead of carrying assistance to his allies, he proceeded
+himself to besiege a city which had lately placed itself under the
+protection of the Romans; and thus the siege which was now commenced
+was given up by them, and the operations of the war turned against
+Hasdrubal himself.
+
+29. For a few days they remained encamped at a distance of five miles
+from each other, not without skirmishes, but without going out to a
+regular engagement. At length the signal for battle was given out on
+both sides on one and the same day, as though by concert, and they
+marched down into the plain with all their forces. The Roman army
+stood in triple line; a part of the light troops were stationed among
+the first line, the other half were received behind the standards, the
+cavalry covering the wings. Hasdrubal formed his centre strong with
+Spaniards, and placed the Carthaginians in the right wing, the
+Africans and hired auxiliaries in the left. His cavalry he placed
+before the wings, attaching the Numidians to the Carthaginian
+infantry, and the rest to the Africans. Nor were all the Numidians
+placed in the right wing, but such as taking two horses each into the
+field are accustomed frequently to leap full armed, when the battle is
+at the hottest, from a tired horse upon a fresh one, after the manner
+of vaulters: such was their own agility, and so docile their breed of
+horses. While they stood thus drawn up, the hopes entertained by the
+generals on both sides were pretty much upon an equality; for neither
+possessed any great superiority, either in point of the number or
+quality of the troops. The feelings of the soldiers were widely
+different. Their generals had, without difficulty, induced the Romans
+to believe, that although they fought at a distance from their
+country, it was Italy and the city of Rome that they were defending.
+Accordingly, they had brought their minds to a settled resolution to
+conquer or die; as if their return to their country had hinged upon
+the issue of that battle. The other army consisted of less determined
+men; for they were principally Spaniards, who would rather be
+vanquished in Spain, than be victorious to be dragged into Italy. On
+the first onset, therefore, ere their javelins had scarcely been
+thrown, their centre gave ground, and the Romans pressing on with
+great impetuosity, turned their backs. In the wings the battle
+proceeded with no less activity; on one side the Carthaginians, on the
+other the Africans, charged vigorously, while the Romans, in a manner
+surrounded, were exposed to a twofold attack. But when the whole of
+the Roman troops had united in the centre, they possessed sufficient
+strength to compel the wings of the enemy to retire in different
+directions; and thus there were two separate battles, in both of which
+the Romans were decidedly superior, as after the defeat of the enemy's
+centre they had the advantage both in the number and strength of their
+troops. Vast numbers were slain on this occasion; and had not the
+Spaniards fled precipitately from the field ere the battle had scarce
+begun, very few out of the whole army would have survived. There was
+very little fighting of the cavalry, for as soon as the Moors and
+Numidians perceived that the centre gave way, they fled immediately
+with the utmost precipitation, leaving the wings uncovered, and also
+driving the elephants before them. Hasdrubal, after waiting the issue
+of the battle to the very last, fled from the midst of the carnage
+with a few attendants. The Romans took and plundered the camp. This
+victory united with the Romans whatever states of Spain were wavering,
+and left Hasdrubal no hope, not only of leading an army over into
+Italy, but even of remaining very safely in Spain. When these events
+were made generally known at Rome by letters from the Scipios, the
+greatest joy was felt, not so much for the victory, as for the stop
+which was put to the passage of Hasdrubal into Italy.
+
+30. While these transactions were going on in Spain, Petilia, in
+Bruttium, was taken by Himilco, an officer of Hannibal's, several
+months after the siege of it began. This victory cost the
+Carthaginians much blood and many wounds, nor did any power more
+subdue the besieged than that of famine; for after having consumed
+their means of subsistence, derived from fruits and the flesh of every
+kind of quadrupeds, they were at last compelled to live upon skins
+found in shoemakers' shops, on herbs and roots, the tender barks of
+trees, and berries gathered from brambles: nor were they subdued until
+they wanted strength to stand upon the walls and support their arms.
+After gaining Petilia, the Carthaginian marched his forces to
+Consentia, which being less obstinately defended, he compelled to
+surrender within a few days. Nearly about the same time, an army of
+Bruttians invested Croton, a Greek city, formerly powerful in men and
+arms, but at the present time reduced so low by many and great
+misfortunes, that less than twenty thousand inhabitants of all ages
+remained. The enemy, therefore, easily got possession of a city
+destitute of defenders: of the citadel alone possession was retained,
+into which some of the inhabitants fled from the midst of the carnage
+during the confusion created by the capture of the city. The Locrians
+too revolted to the Bruttians and Carthaginians, the populace having
+been betrayed by the nobles. The Rhegians were the only people in that
+quarter who continued to the last in faithful attachment to the
+Romans, and in the enjoyment of their independence. The same
+alteration of feeing extended itself into Sicily also; and not even
+the family of Hiero altogether abstained from defection; for Gelo, his
+oldest son, conceiving a contempt for his father's old age, and, after
+the defeat of Cannae, for the alliance with Rome, went over to the
+Carthaginians; and he would have created a disturbance in Sicily, had
+he not been carried off, when engaged as arming the people and
+soliciting the allies, by a death so seasonable that it threw some
+degree of suspicion even upon his father. Such, with various result,
+were the transactions in Italy, Africa, Sicily, and Spain during this
+year. At the close of the year, Quintus Fabius Maximus requested of
+the senate, that he might be allowed to dedicate the temple of Venus
+Erycina, which he had vowed when dictator. The senate decreed, that
+Tiberius Sempronius, the consul elect, as soon as ever he had entered
+upon his office, should propose to the people, that they should create
+Quintus Fabius duumvir, for the purpose of dedicating the temple.
+Also, in honour of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, who had been consul twice
+and augur, his three sons, Lucius, Marcus, and Quintus exhibited
+funeral games and twenty-two pairs of gladiators for three days in the
+forum. The curule aediles, Caius Laetorius, and Tiberius Sempronius
+Gracchus consul elect, who during his aedileship had been master of
+the horse, celebrated the Roman games, which were repeated for three
+days. The plebeian games of the aediles, Marcus Aurelius Cotta and
+Marcus Claudius Marcellus, were thrice repeated. At the conclusion of
+the third year of the Punic war, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus the
+consul entered upon his office on the ides of March. Of the praetors,
+Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, who had before been consul and censor, had by
+lot the city jurisdiction; Marcus Valerius Laevinus, the foreign.
+Sicily fell to the lot of Appius Claudius Pulcher; Sardinia to Quintus
+Mucius Scaevola. The people ordered that Marcus Marcellus should be in
+command as proconsul, because he was the only Roman general who had
+been successful in his operations in Italy since the defeat at Cannae.
+
+31. The senate decreed, the first day they deliberated in the Capitol,
+that double taxes should be imposed for that year, one moiety of which
+should be immediately levied, as a fund from which pay might be given
+forthwith to all the soldiers, except those who had been at Cannae.
+With regard to the armies they decreed, that Tiberius Sempronius the
+consul should appoint a day for the two city legions to meet at Cales,
+whence these legions should be conveyed into the Claudian camp above
+Suenula. That the legions which were there, and they consisted
+principally of the troops which had fought at Cannae, Appius Claudius
+Pulcher, the praetor, should transport into Sicily; and that those in
+Sicily should be removed to Rome. Marcus Claudius Marcellus was sent
+to the army, which had been ordered to meet at Cales on a certain day,
+with orders to march the city legions thence to the Claudian camp.
+Titus Metilius Croto, lieutenant-general, was sent by Appius Claudius
+Pulcher to receive the old army and remove it into Sicily. People at
+first had expected in silence that the consul would hold an assembly
+for the election of a colleague, but afterwards perceiving that Marcus
+Marcellus, whom they wished above all others to be consul this year,
+on account of his brilliant success during his praetorship, was
+removed to a distant quarter, as it were on purpose, a murmuring arose
+in the senate-house, which the consul perceiving, said "Conscript
+fathers, it was conducive to the interest of the state, both that
+Marcus Marcellus should go into Campania to make the exchange of the
+armies, and that the assembly should not be proclaimed before he had
+returned thence after completing the business with which he was
+charged, in order that you might have him as consul whom the situation
+of the republic required and yourselves prefer." Thus nothing was said
+about the assembly till Marcellus returned. Meanwhile Quintus Fabius
+Maximus and Titus Otacilius Crassus were created duumvirs for
+dedicating temples, Otacilius to Mens, Fabius to Venus Erycina. Both
+are situated in the Capitol, and separated by one channel. It was
+afterwards proposed to the people, to make Roman citizens of the three
+hundred Campanian horsemen who had returned to Rome after having
+faithfully served their period, and also that they should be
+considered to have been citizens of Cumae from the day before that on
+which the Campanians had revolted from the Roman people. It had been a
+principal inducement to this proposition, that they themselves said
+they knew not to what people they belonged, having left their former
+country, and being not yet admitted into that to which they had
+returned. After Marcellus returned from the army, an assembly was
+proclaimed for electing one consul in the room of Lucius Posthumius.
+Marcellus was elected with the greatest unanimity, and was immediately
+to enter upon his office, but as it thundered while he entered upon
+it, the augurs were summoned, who pronounced that they considered the
+creation formal, and the fathers spread a report that the gods were
+displeased, because on that occasion, for the first time, two
+plebeians had been elected consuls. Upon Marcellus's abdicating his
+office, Fabius Maximus, for the third time, was elected in his room.
+This year the sea appeared on fire; at Sinuessa a cow brought forth a
+horse foal; the statues in the temple of Juno Sospita Lanuvium flowed
+down with blood; and a shower of stones fell in the neighbourhood of
+that temple: on account of which shower the nine days' sacred rite was
+celebrated, as is usual on such occasions, and the other prodigies
+were carefully expiated.
+
+32. The consuls divided the armies between them. The army which Marcus
+Junius the dictator had commanded fell to the lot of Fabius. To that
+of Sempronius fell the volunteer slaves, with twenty-five thousand of
+the allies. To Marcus Valerius the praetor were assigned the legions
+which had returned from Sicily. Marcus Claudius, proconsul, was sent
+to that army which lay above Suessula for the protection of Nola. The
+praetors set out for Sicily and Sardinia. The consuls issued a
+proclamation, that as often as they summoned a senate, the senators
+and those who had a right to give their opinion in the senate, should
+assemble at the Capuan gate. The praetors who were charged with the
+administration of justice, fixed their tribunals in the public fish
+market; there they ordered sureties to be entered into, and here
+justice was administered this year. Meanwhile news was brought to
+Carthage, from which place Mago, Hannibal's brother, was on the point
+of carrying over into Italy twelve thousand foot, fifteen hundred
+horse, twenty elephants, and a thousand talents of silver, under a
+convoy of sixty men of war, that the operations of the war had not
+succeeded in Spain, and that almost all the people in that province
+had gone over to the Romans. There were some who were for sending Mago
+with that fleet and those forces into Spain, neglecting Italy, when an
+unexpected prospect of regaining Sardinia broke upon them. They were
+informed, that "the Roman army there was small, that Aulus Cornelius,
+who had been praetor there, and was well acquainted with the province,
+was quitting it, and that a new one was expected. Moreover, that the
+minds of the Sardinians were now wearied with the long continuance of
+rule; and that during the last year it had been exercised with
+severity and rapacity. That the people were weighed down with heavy
+taxes, and an oppressive contribution of corn: that there was nothing
+wanting but a leader to whom they might revolt." This secret embassy
+had been sent by the nobles, Hampsicora being the chief contriver of
+the measure, who at that time was first by far in wealth and
+influence. Disconcerted and elated almost at the same time by these
+accounts, they sent Mago with his fleet and forces into Spain, and
+selecting Hasdrubal as general for Sardinia, assigned to him about as
+large a force as to Mago. At Rome, the consuls, after transacting what
+was necessary to be done in the city now prepared themselves for the
+war. Tiberius Sempronius appointed a day for his soldiers to assemble
+at Sinuessa; and Quintus Fabius also, having first consulted the
+senate, issued a proclamation, that all persons should convey corn
+from the fields into fortified towns, before the calends of June next
+ensuing: if any neglected to do so he would lay waste his lands, sell
+his slaves by auction, and burn his farm-houses. Not even the
+praetors, who were created for the purpose of administering justice,
+were allowed an exemption from military employments. It was resolved
+that Valerius the praetor should go into Apulia, to receive the army
+from Terentius, and that, when the legions from Sicily had arrived, he
+should employ them principally for the protection of that quarter.
+That the army of Terentius should be sent into Sicily, with some one
+of the lieutenant-generals. Twenty-five ships were given to Marcus
+Valerius, to protect the sea-coast between Brundusium and Tarentum. An
+equal number was given to Quintus Fulvius, the city praetor, to
+protect the coasts in the neighbourhood of the city. To Caius
+Terentius, the proconsul, it was given in charge to press soldiers in
+the Picenian territory, and to protect that part of the country; and
+Titus Otacilius Crassus, after he had dedicated the temple of Mens in
+the Capitol, was invested with command, and sent into Sicily to take
+the conduct of the fleet.
+
+33. On this contest, between the two most powerful people in the
+world, all kings and nations had fixed their attention. Among them
+Philip, king of the Macedonians, regarded it with greater anxiety, in
+proportion as he was nearer to Italy, and because he was separated
+from it only by the Ionian Sea. When he first heard that Hannibal had
+crossed the Alps, as he was rejoiced that a war had arisen between the
+Romans and the Carthaginians, so while their strength was yet
+undetermined, he felt doubtful which he should rather wish to be
+victorious. But after the third battle had been fought and the third
+victory had been on the side of the Carthaginians, he inclined to
+fortune, and sent ambassadors to Hannibal. These, avoiding the
+harbours of Brundusium and Tarentum, because they were occupied by
+guards of Roman ships, landed at the temple of Juno Lacinia. Thence
+passing through Apulia, on their way to Capua, they fell in with the
+Roman troops stationed to protect the country, and were conveyed to
+Marcus Valerius Laevinus, the praetor, who lay encamped in the
+neighbourhood of Luceria. Here Xenophanes, who was at the head of the
+embassy, fearlessly stated, that he was sent by King Philip to
+conclude a treaty of alliance and friendship with the Roman people,
+and that he had commissions to the Roman consuls, senate, and people.
+The praetor, highly delighted with this new alliance with a
+distinguished potentate, amidst the desertions of her old allies,
+courteously entertained these enemies as guests, and furnished them
+with persons to accompany them carefully to point out the roads, and
+inform them what places, and what passes, the Romans or the enemy
+occupied. Xenophanes passing through the Roman troops came into
+Campania, whence, by the shortest way, he entered the camp of
+Hannibal, and concluded a treaty of alliance and friendship with him
+on the following terms: That "King Philip, with as large a fleet as he
+could, (and it was thought he could make one of two hundred ships,)
+should pass over into Italy, and lay waste the sea-coast, that he
+should carry on the war by land and sea with all his might; when the
+war was concluded, that all Italy, with the city of Rome itself,
+should be the property of the Carthaginians and Hannibal, and that all
+the booty should be given up to Hannibal. That when Italy was
+completely subdued they should sail into Greece, and carry on war with
+such nations as the king pleased. That the cities on the continent and
+the islands which border on Macedonia, should belong to Philip, and
+his dominions."
+
+34. A treaty was concluded between the Carthaginian general and the
+ambassadors, upon nearly these terms; and Gisgo, Bostar, and Mago were
+sent as ambassadors with them to receive the ratification of the king
+in person. They arrived at the same place, near the temple of Juno
+Lacinia, where the vessel lay concealed in a creek. Setting out
+thence, when they had got into the open sea, they were descried by the
+Roman fleet, which was guarding the coasts of Calabria. Publius
+Valerius Flaccus having sent fly-boats to pursue and bring back the
+ship, the king's party at first attempted to fly; but afterwards,
+finding that they were overmatched in swiftness, they delivered
+themselves up to the Romans, and were brought to the commander of the
+fleet. Upon being asked by him who they were, whence they came, and
+whither they were going, Xenophanes, having once been pretty
+successful, made up a fictitious story and said, "that he was sent
+from Philip to the Romans; that he had succeeded in reaching Marcus
+Valerius, to whom alone he had safe access; that he was unable to make
+his way through Campania, which was beset with the troops of the
+enemy." But afterwards the Carthaginian dress and manners excited
+suspicions of the messengers of Hannibal, and when interrogated, their
+speech betrayed them; then on their companions being removed to
+separate places, and intimidated by threats, even a letter from
+Hannibal to Philip was discovered, and the agreement made between the
+king of the Macedonians and the Carthaginian. These points having been
+ascertained, the best course appeared to be, to convey the prisoners
+and their companions as soon as possible to the senate at Rome, or to
+the consuls, wheresoever they might be; for this service five of the
+fastest sailing vessels were selected, and Lucius Valerius Antias sent
+in command of them, with orders to distribute the ambassadors through
+all the ships separately, and take particular care that they should
+hold no conversation or consultation with each other. About the same
+time Aulus Cornelius Mammula, on his return from the province of
+Sardinia, made a report of the state of affairs in the island; that
+every body contemplated war and revolt; that Quintus Mucius who
+succeeded him, being on his arrival affected by the unwholesomeness of
+the air and water, had fallen into a disorder rather lingering than
+dangerous, and would for a long time be incapable of sustaining the
+violent exertion of the war; that the army there, though strong enough
+for the protection of a province in a state of tranquillity, was,
+nevertheless, not adequate to the maintenance of the war which seemed
+to be about to break out. Upon which the fathers decreed, that Quintus
+Fulvius Flaccus should enlist five thousand foot and four hundred
+horse, and take care that the legion thus formed should be transported
+as soon as possible into Sardinia, and send invested with command
+whomsoever he thought fit to conduct the business of the war until
+Mucius had recovered. For this service Titus Manlius Torquatus was
+sent; he had been twice consul and censor, and had subdued the
+Sardinians during his consulate. Nearly about the same time a fleet
+sent from Carthage to Sardinia under the conduct of Hasdrubal,
+surnamed the Bald, having suffered from a violent tempest, was driven
+upon the Balearian islands, where a good deal of time was lost in
+refitting the ships, which were hauled on shore, so much were they
+damaged, not only in their rigging but also in their hulls.
+
+35. As the war was carried on in Italy with less vigour since the
+battle of Cannae, the strength of one party having been broken, and
+the energy of the other relaxed, the Campanians of themselves made an
+attempt to subjugate Cumae, at first by soliciting them to revolt from
+the Romans, and when that plan did not succeed, they contrived an
+artifice by which to entrap them. All the Campanians had a stated
+sacrifice at Hamae. They informed the Cumans that the Campanian senate
+would come there, and requested that the Cuman senate should also be
+present to deliberate in concert, in order that both people might have
+the same allies and the same enemies; they said that they would have
+an armed force there for their protection, that there might be no
+danger from the Romans or Carthaginians. The Cumans, although they
+suspected treachery, made no objection, concluding that thus the
+deception they meditated might be concealed. Meanwhile Tiberius
+Sempronius, the Roman consul, having purified his army at Sinuessa,
+where he had appointed a day for their meeting, crossed the Vulturnus,
+and pitched his camp in the neighbourhood of Liternum. As his troops
+were stationed here without any employment, he compelled them
+frequently to go through their exercise, that the recruits, which
+consisted principally of volunteer slaves, might accustom themselves
+to follow the standards, and know their own centuries in battle While
+thus engaged, the general was particularly anxious for concord, and
+therefore enjoined the lieutenant-generals and the tribunes that "no
+disunion should be engendered among the different orders, by casting
+reproaches on any one on account of his former condition. That the
+veteran soldier should be content be placed on an equal footing with
+the tiro, the free-man with the volunteer slave; that all should
+consider those men sufficiently respectable in point of character and
+birth, to whom the Roman people had intrusted their arms and
+standards; that the measures which circumstances made it necessary to
+adopt, the same circumstances also made it necessary to support when
+adopted." This was not more carefully prescribed by the generals than
+observed by the soldiers; and in a short time the minds of all were
+united in such perfect harmony, that the condition from which each
+became a soldier was almost forgotten. While Gracchus was thus
+employed, ambassadors from Cumas brought him information of the
+embassy which had come to them from the Campanians, a few days before,
+and the answer they had given them; that the festival would take place
+in three days from that time; that not only the whole body of their
+senate, but that the camp and the army of the Campanians would be
+there. Gracchus having directed the Cumans to convey every thing out
+of their fields into the town, and to remain within their walls,
+marched himself to Cumae, on the day before that on which the
+Campanians were to attend the sacrifice. Hamae was three miles distant
+from his position. The Campanians had by this time assembled there in
+great numbers according to the plan concerted; and not far off Marius
+Alfius, Medixtuticus, which is the name of the chief magistrate of the
+Campanians, lay encamped in a retired spot with fourteen thousand
+armed men, considerably more occupied in making preparation for the
+sacrifice and in concerting the stratagem to be executed during it,
+than in fortifying his camp or any other military work. The sacrifice
+at Hamae lasted for three days. It was a nocturnal rite, so arranged
+as to be completed before midnight. Gracchus, thinking this the proper
+time for executing his plot, placed guards at the gates to prevent any
+one from carrying out intelligence of his intentions; and having
+compelled his men to employ the time from the tenth hour in taking
+refreshment and sleep, in order that they might be able to assemble on
+a signal given as soon as it was dark. He ordered the standards to be
+raised about the first watch, and marching in silence, reached Hamae
+at midnight; where, finding the Campanian camp in a neglected state,
+as might be expected during a festival, he assaulted it at every gate
+at once; some he butchered while stretched on the ground asleep,
+others as they were returning unarmed after finishing the sacrifice.
+In the tumultuous action of this night more than two thousand men were
+slain, together with the general himself, Marius Alfius, and
+thirty-four military standards were captured.
+
+36. Gracchus, having made himself master of the enemy's camp with the
+loss of less than a hundred men, hastily returned to Cumae, fearful of
+an attack from Hannibal, who lay encamped above Capua on Tifata; nor
+did his provident anticipation of the future deceive him; for as soon
+as intelligence was brought to Capua of this loss, Hannibal,
+concluding that he should find at Hamae this army, which consisted for
+the most part of recruits and slaves, extravagantly elated with its
+success, despoiling the vanquished and collecting booty, marched by
+Capua at a rapid pace, ordering those Campanians whom he met in their
+flight to be conducted to Capua under an escort, and the wounded to be
+conveyed in carriages. He found at Hamae the camp abandoned by the
+enemy, where there was nothing to be seen but the traces of the recent
+carnage, and the bodies of his allies strewed in every part. Some
+advised him to lead his troops immediately thence to Cumae, and
+assault the town. Though Hannibal desired, in no ordinary degree, to
+get possession of Cumae at least, as a maritime town, since he could
+not gain Neapolis; yet as his soldiers had brought out with them
+nothing besides their arms on their hasty march, he retired to his
+camp on Tifata. But, wearied with the entreaties of the Campanians, he
+returned thence to Cumae the following day, with every thing requisite
+for besieging the town; and having thoroughly wasted the lands of
+Cumae, pitched, his camp a mile from the town, in which Gracchus had
+stayed more because he was ashamed to abandon, in such an emergency,
+allies who implored his protection and that of the Roman people, than
+because he felt confidence in his army. Nor dared the other consul,
+Fabius, who was encamped at Cales, lead his troops across the
+Vulturnus, being employed at first in taking new auspices, and
+afterwards with the prodigies which were reported one after another;
+and while expiating these, the aruspices answered that they were not
+easily atoned.
+
+37. While these causes detained Fabius, Sempronius was besieged, and
+now works were employed in the attack. Against a very large wooden
+tower which was brought up to the town, the Roman consul raised up
+another considerably higher from the wall itself; for he had made use
+of the wall, which was pretty high of itself, as a platform, placing
+strong piles as supports. From this the besieged at first defended
+their walls and city, with stones, javelins, and other missiles; but
+lastly, when they perceived the tower advanced into contact with the
+wall they threw upon it a large quantity of fire, making use of
+blazing fire-brands; and while the armed men were throwing themselves
+down from the tower in great numbers, in consequence of the flames
+thus occasioned, the troops sallying out of the town at two gates at
+once, routed the enemy, and drove them back to their camp; so that the
+Carthaginians that day were more like persons besieged than besiegers.
+As many as one thousand three hundred of the Carthaginians were slain,
+and fifty-nine made prisoners, having been unexpectedly overpowered,
+while standing careless and unconcerned near the walls and on the
+outposts, fearing any thing rather than a sally. Gracchus sounded a
+retreat, and withdrew his men within the walls, before the enemy could
+recover themselves from the effects of this sudden terror. The next
+day Hannibal, supposing that the consul, elated with his success,
+would engage him in a regular battle, drew up his troops in
+battle-array between the camp and the city; but finding that not a
+man was removed from the customary guard of the town, and that nothing
+was hazarded upon rash hopes, he returned to Tifata without
+accomplishing any thing. At the same time that Cumae was relieved from
+siege, Tiberius Sempronius, surnamed Longus, fought successfully with
+the Carthaginian general, Hanno, at Grumentum in Lucania. He slew
+above two thousand of the enemy, losing two hundred and eighty of his
+own men. He took as many as forty-one military standards. Hanno,
+driven out of the Lucanian territory, drew back among the Bruttii.
+Three towns belonging to the Hirpinians, which had revolted from the
+Romans, were regained by force by the praetor, Marcus Valerius,
+Vercellius and Sicilius, the authors of the revolt, were beheaded;
+above a thousand prisoners sold by auction; and the rest of the booty
+having been given up to the soldiery, the army was marched back to
+Luceria.
+
+38. While these things were taking place in Lucania and Hirpinia, the
+five ships, which were conveying to Rome the captured ambassadors of
+the Macedonians and Carthaginians, after passing round the whole coast
+of Italy from the upper to the lower sea, were sailing by Cumae, when,
+it not being known whether they belonged to enemies or allies,
+Gracchus despatched some ships from his fleet to meet them. When it
+was ascertained, in the course of their mutual inquiries that the
+consul was at Cumae, the ships put in there, the captives were brought
+before the consul, and their letters placed in his hands. The consul,
+after he had read the letters of Philip and Hannibal, sent them all,
+sealed up, to the senate by land, ordering that the ambassadors should
+be conveyed thither by sea. The ambassadors and the letters arriving
+at Rome nearly on the same day, and on examination the answers of the
+ambassadors corresponding with the contents of the letters, at first
+intense anxiety oppressed the fathers, on seeing what a formidable war
+with Macedonia threatened them, when with difficulty bearing up
+against the Punic war; yet so far were they from sinking under their
+calamities, that they immediately began to consider how they might
+divert the enemy from Italy, by commencing hostilities themselves.
+After ordering the prisoners to be confined in chains, and selling
+their attendants by public auction, they decreed, that twenty more
+ships should be got ready, in addition to the twenty-five ships which
+Publius Valerius Flaccus had been appointed to command. These being
+provided and launched, and augmented by the five ships which had
+conveyed the captive ambassadors to Rome, a fleet of fifty ships set
+sail from Ostia to Tarentum. Publius Valerius was ordered to put on
+board the soldiers of Varro, which Lucius Apustius,
+lieutenant-general, commanded at Tarentum; and, with this fleet of
+fifty ships, not only to protect the coast of Italy, but also to make
+inquiry respecting the Macedonian war. If the plans of Philip
+corresponded with his letter, and the discoveries made by his
+ambassadors, he was directed to acquaint the praetor, Marcus Valerius,
+with it, who, leaving Lucius Apustius, lieutenant-general, in command
+of the army, and going to Tarentum to the fleet, was to cross over to
+Macedonia with all speed, and endeavour to detain Philip in his own
+dominions. The money which had been sent into Sicily to Appius
+Claudius, to be repaid to Hiero, was assigned for the support of the
+fleet and the maintenance of the Macedonian war. This money was
+conveyed to Tarentum, by Lucius Apustius, lieutenant-general, and with
+it Hiero sent two hundred thousand pecks of wheat, and a hundred
+thousand of barley.
+
+39. While the Romans were engaged in these preparations and
+transactions, the captured ship, which formed one of those which had
+been sent to Rome, made its escape on the voyage and returned to
+Philip; from which source it became known that the ambassadors with
+their letters had been made prisoners. Not knowing, therefore, what
+had been agreed upon between Hannibal and his ambassadors, or what
+proposals they were to have brought back to him, he sent another
+embassy with the same instructions. The ambassadors sent to Hannibal
+were Heraclitus, surnamed Scotinus, Crito of Beraea, and Sositheus of
+Magnesia; these successfully took and brought back their commissions,
+but the summer had passed before the king could take any step or make
+any attempt. Such an influence had the capture of one vessel, together
+with the ambassadors, in deferring a war which threatened the Romans.
+Fabius crossed the Vulturnus, after having at length expiated the
+prodigies, and both the consuls prosecuted the war in the
+neighbourhood of Capua. Fabius regained by force the towns
+Compulteria, Trebula, and Saticula, which had revolted to the
+Carthaginians; and in them were captured the garrisons of Hannibal and
+a great number of Campanians. At Nola, as had been the case the
+preceding year, the senate sided with the Romans, the commons with
+Hannibal; and deliberations were held clandestinely on the subject of
+massacring the nobles and betraying the city; but to prevent their
+succeeding in their designs, Fabius marched his army between Capua and
+the camp of Hannibal on Tifata, and sat down in the Claudian camp
+above Suessula, whence he sent Marcus Marcellus, the proconsul, with
+those forces which he had under him, to Nola for its protection.
+
+40. In Sardinia also the operations of the war, which had been
+intermitted from the time that Quintus Mucius, the praetor, had been
+seized with a serious illness, began to be conducted by Titus Manlius,
+the praetor. Having hauled the ships of war on shore at Carale, and
+armed his mariners, in order that he might prosecute the war by land,
+and received the army from the praetor, he made up the number of
+twenty-two thousand foot and twelve hundred horse. Setting out for the
+territory of the enemy with these forces of foot and horse, he pitched
+his camp not far from the camp of Hamsicora. It happened that
+Hampsicora was then gone among the Sardinians, called Pelliti, in
+order to arm their youth, whereby he might augment his forces. His
+son, named Hiostus, had the command of the camp, who coming to an
+engagement, with the presumption of youth, was routed and put to
+flight. In that battle as many as three thousand of the Sardinians
+were slain, and about eight hundred taken alive. The rest of the army
+at first wandered in their flight through the fields and woods, but
+afterwards all fled to a city named Cornus, the capital of that
+district, whither there was a report that their general had fled; and
+the war in Sardinia would have been brought to a termination by that
+battle, had not the Carthaginian fleet under the command of Hasdrubal,
+which had been driven by a storm upon the Balearian islands, come in
+seasonably for inspiring a hope of renewing the war. Manlius, after
+hearing of the arrival of the Punic fleet, returned to Carale, which
+afforded Hampsicora an opportunity of forming a junction with the
+Carthaginian. Hasdrubal, having landed his forces and sent back his
+fleet to Carthage, set out under the guidance of Hampsicora, to lay
+waste the lands of the allies of the Romans; and he would have
+proceeded to Carale, had not Manlius, meeting him with his army,
+restrained him from this wide-spread depredation. At first their camps
+were pitched opposite to each other, at a small distance; afterwards
+skirmishes and slight encounters took place with varying success;
+lastly, they came down into the field and fought a regular pitched
+battle for four hours. The Carthaginians caused the battle to continue
+long doubtful, for the Sardinians were accustomed to yield easily; but
+at last, when the Sardinians fell and fled on all sides around them,
+the Carthaginians themselves were routed. But as they were turning
+their backs, the Roman general, wheeling round that wing with which he
+had driven back the Sardinians, intercepted them, after which it was
+rather a carnage than a battle. Two thousand of the enemy, Sardinians
+and Carthaginians together, were slain, about three thousand seven
+hundred captured, with twenty-seven military standards.
+
+41. Above all, the general, Hasdrubal, and two other noble
+Carthaginians having been made prisoners, rendered the battle glorious
+and memorable; Mago, who was of the Barcine family, and nearly related
+to Hannibal, and Hanno, the author of the revolt of the Sardinians,
+and without doubt the instigator of this war. Nor less did the
+Sardinian generals render that battle distinguished by their
+disasters; for not only was Hiostus, son of Hampsicora, slain in the
+battle, but Hampsicora himself flying with a few horse, having heard
+of the death of his son in addition to his unfortunate state,
+committed suicide by night, lest the interference of any person should
+prevent the accomplishment of his design. To the other fugitives the
+city of Cornus afforded a refuge, as it had done before; but Manlius,
+having assaulted it with his victorious troops, regained it in a few
+days. Then other cities also which had gone over to Hampsicora and the
+Carthaginians, surrendered themselves and gave hostages, on which
+having imposed a contribution of money and corn, proportioned to the
+means and delinquency of each, he led back his troops to Carale. There
+launching his ships of war, and putting the soldiers he had brought
+with him on board, he sailed to Rome, reported to the fathers the
+total subjugation of Sardinia, and handed over the contribution of
+money to the quaestors, of corn to the aediles, and the prisoners to
+the praetor Fulvius. During the same time, as Titus Otacilius the
+praetor, who had sailed over with a fleet of fifty ships from
+Lilybaeum to Africa, and laid waste the Carthaginian territory, was
+returning thence to Sardinia, to which place it was reported that
+Hasdrubal had recently crossed over from the Baleares, he fell in with
+his fleet on its return to Africa; and after a slight engagement in
+the open sea, captured seven ships with their crews. Fear dispersed
+the rest far and wide, not less effectually than a storm. It happened
+also, at the same time, that Bomilcar arrived at Locri with soldiers
+sent from Carthage as a reinforcement, bringing with him also
+elephants and provisions. In order to surprise and overpower him,
+Appius Claudius, having hastily led his troops to Messana, under
+pretext of making the circuit of the province, crossed over to Locri,
+the tide being favourable. Bomilcar had by this time left the place,
+having set out for Bruttium to join Hanno. The Locrians closed their
+gates against the Romans, and Appius Claudius returned to Rome without
+achieving any thing, by his strenuous efforts. The same summer
+Marcellus made frequent excursions from Nola, which he was occupying
+with a garrison, into the lands of the Hirpini and Caudine Samnites,
+and so destroyed all before him with fire and sword, that he renewed
+in Samnium the memory of her ancient disasters.
+
+42. Ambassadors were therefore despatched from both nations at the
+same time to Hannibal, who thus addressed the Carthaginian: "Hannibal,
+we carried on hostilities with the Roman people, by ourselves and from
+our own resources, as long as our own arms and our own strength could
+protect us. Our confidence in these failing, we attached ourselves to
+king Pyrrhus. Abandoned by him, we accepted of a peace, dictated by
+necessity, which we continued to observe up to the period when you
+arrived in Italy, through a period of almost fifty years. Your valour
+and good fortune, not more than your unexampled humanity and kindness
+displayed towards our countrymen, whom, when made prisoners, you
+restored to us, so attached us to you, that while you our friend were
+in health and safety, we not only feared not the Romans, but not even
+the anger of the gods, if it were lawful so to express ourselves. And
+yet, by Hercules, you not only being in safety and victorious, but on
+the spot, (when you could almost hear the shrieks of our wives and
+children, and see our buildings in flames,) we have suffered, during
+this summer, such repeated devastations, that Marcellus, and not
+Hannibal, would appear to have been the conqueror at Cannae; while the
+Romans boast that you had strength only to inflict a single blow; and
+having as it were left your sting, now lie torpid. For near a century
+we waged war with the Romans, unaided by any foreign general or army;
+except that for two years Pyrrhus rather augmented his own strength by
+the addition of our troops, than defended us by his. I will not boast
+of our successes, that two consuls and two consular armies were sent
+under the yoke by us, nor of any other joyful and glorious events
+which have happened to us. We can tell of the difficulties and
+distresses we then experienced, with less indignation than those which
+are now occurring. Dictators, those officers of high authority, with
+their masters of horse, two consuls with two consular armies, entered
+our borders, and, after having reconnoitred and posted reserves, led
+on their troops in regular array to devastate our country. Now we are
+the prey of a single propraetor, and of one little garrison, for the
+defence of Nola. Now they do not even confine themselves to plundering
+in companies, but, like marauders, range through our country from one
+end to the other, more unconcernedly than if they were rambling
+through the Roman territory. And the reason is this, you do not
+protect us yourself, and the whole of our youth, which, if at home,
+would keep us in safety, is serving under your banners. We know
+nothing either of you or your army, but we know that it would be easy
+for the man who has routed and dispersed so many Roman armies, to put
+down these rambling freebooters of ours, who roam about in disorder to
+whatsoever quarter the hope of booty, however groundless, attracts
+them. They indeed will be the prey of a few Numidians, and a garrison
+sent to us will also dislodge that at Nola, provided you do not think
+those men undeserving that you should protect them as allies, whom you
+have esteemed worthy of your alliance."
+
+43. To this Hannibal replied, "that the Hirpini and Samnites did every
+thing at once: that they both represented their sufferings, solicited
+succours, and complained that they were undefended and neglected.
+Whereas, they ought first to have represented their sufferings, then
+to have solicited succours; and lastly, if those succours were not
+obtained, then, at length, to make complaint that assistance had been
+implored without effect. That he would lead his troops not into the
+fields of the Hirpini and Samnites, lest he too should be a burthen to
+them, but into the parts immediately contiguous, and belonging to the
+allies of the Roman people, by plundering which, he would enrich his
+own soldiers, and cause the enemy to retire from them through fear.
+With regard to the Roman war, if the battle of Trasimenus was more
+glorious than that at Trebia, and the battle of Cannae than that of
+Trasimenus, that he would eclipse the fame of the battle of Cannae by
+a greater and more brilliant victory." With this answer, and with
+munificent presents, he dismissed the ambassadors. Having left a
+pretty large garrison in Tifata, he set out with the rest of his
+troops to go to Nola. Thither came Hanno from the Bruttii with
+recruits and elephants brought from Carthage. Having encamped not far
+from the place, every thing, upon examination, was found to be widely
+different from what he had heard from the ambassadors of the allies.
+For Marcellus was doing nothing, in such a way that he could be said
+to have committed himself rashly either to fortune or to the enemy. He
+had gone out on plundering expeditions, having previously
+reconnoitred, planted strong guards, and secured a retreat; the same
+caution was observed and the same provisions made, as if Hannibal were
+present. At this time, when he perceived the enemy on the approach, he
+kept his forces within the walls, ordered the senators of Nola to
+patrol the walls, and explore on all hands what was doing among the
+enemy. Of these Herennius Bassus and Herius Petrius, having been
+invited by Hanno, who had come up to the wall, to a conference, and
+gone out with the permission of Marcellus, were thus addressed by him,
+through an interpreter. After extolling the valour and good fortune of
+Hannibal, and vilifying the majesty of the Roman people, which he
+represented as sinking into decrepitude with their strength; he said,
+"but though they were on an equality in these respects, as once
+perhaps they were, yet they who had experienced how oppressive the
+government of Rome was towards its allies, and how great the clemency
+of Hannibal, even towards all his prisoners of the Italian name, were
+bound to prefer the friendship and alliance of the Carthaginians to
+those of the Romans." If both the consuls with their armies were at
+Nola, still they would no more be a match for Hannibal than they had
+been at Cannae, much less would one praetor with a few raw soldiers be
+able to defend it. It was a question which concerned themselves more
+than Hannibal whether he should take possession of Nola as captured or
+surrendered, for that he would certainly make himself master of it, as
+he had done with regard to Capua and Nuceria, and what difference
+there was between the fate of Capua and Nuceria, the Nolans
+themselves, situated as they were nearly midway between them, were
+well aware. He said he was unwilling to presage the evils which would
+result to the city if taken by force, but would in preference pledge
+himself that if they would deliver up Nola, together with Marcellus
+and his garrison, no other person than themselves should dictate the
+conditions on which they should come into the friendship and alliance
+of Hannibal.
+
+44. To this Herennius Bassus replied, that, "a friendship had
+subsisted now for many years between the Romans and the Nolans, which
+neither party up to that day regretted; and even had they been
+disposed to change their friends upon a change of fortune, it was now
+too late to change; had they intended to surrender themselves to
+Hannibal, they should not have called a Roman garrison to their aid:
+that all fortunes both were now and should to the last be shared with
+those who had come to their protection." This conference deprived
+Hannibal of the hope of gaining Nola by treachery; he therefore
+completely invested the city, in order that he might attack the walls
+in every part at once. Marcellus, when he perceived that he had come
+near to the walls, having drawn up his troops within the gate, sallied
+forth with great impetuosity; several were knocked down and slain on
+the first charge: afterwards the troops running up to those who were
+engaged, and their forces being thus placed on an equality? the battle
+began to be fierce; nor would there have been many actions equally
+memorable, had not the combatants been separated by a shower of rain
+attended with a tremendous storm. On that day, after having engaged in
+a slight contest, and with inflamed minds, they retired, the Romans to
+the city, the Carthaginians to their camp. Of the Carthaginians,
+however, there fell from the shock of the first sally not more than
+thirty, of the Romans not one. The rain continued without intermission
+through the whole night, until the third hour of the following day,
+and therefore, though both parties were eager for the contest, they
+nevertheless kept themselves within their works for that day. On the
+third day Hannibal sent a portion of his troops into the lands of the
+Nolans to plunder. Marcellus perceiving this, immediately led out his
+troops and formed for battle, nor did Hannibal decline fighting. The
+interval between the city and the camp was about a mile. In that
+space, and all the country round Nola consists of level ground, the
+armies met. The shout which was raised on both sides, called back to
+the battle, which had now commenced, the nearest of those cohorts
+which had gone out into the fields to plunder. The Nolans too joined
+the Roman line. Marcellus having highly commended them, desired them
+to station themselves in reserve, and to carry the wounded out of the
+field but not take part in the battle, unless they should receive a
+signal from him.
+
+45. It was a doubtful battle; the generals exerting themselves to the
+utmost in exhorting, and the soldiers in fighting Marcellus urged his
+troops to press vigorously on men who had been vanquished but three
+days before, who had been put to flight at Cumae only a few days ago,
+and who had been driven from Nola the preceding year by himself, as
+general, though with different troops. He said, "that all the forces
+of the enemy were not in the field; that they were rambling about the
+country in plundering parties, and that even those who were engaged,
+were enfeebled with Campanian luxury, and worn out with drunkenness,
+lust, and every kind of debauchery, which they had been indulging in
+through the whole winter. That the energy and vigour had left them,
+that the strength of mind and body had vanished, by which the Pyrenees
+and the tops of the Alps had been passed. That those now engaged were
+the remains of those men, with scarcely strength to support their arms
+and limbs. That Capua had been a Cannae to Hannibal; that there his
+courage in battle, his military discipline, the fame he had already
+acquired, and his hopes of future glory, were extinguished." While
+Marcellus was raising the spirits of his troops by thus inveighing
+against the enemy, Hannibal assailed them with still heavier
+reproaches. He said, "he recognised the arms and standards which he
+had seen and employed at Trebia and Trasimenus, and lastly at Cannae;
+but that he had indeed led one sort of troops into winter quarters at
+Capua, and brought another out. Do you, whom two consular armies could
+never withstand, with difficulty maintain your ground against a Roman
+lieutenant-general, and a single legion with a body of auxiliaries?
+Does Marcellus now a second time with impunity assail us with a band
+of raw recruits and Nolan auxiliaries? Where is that soldier of mine,
+who took off the head of Caius Flaminius, the consul, after dragging
+him from his horse? Where is the man who slew Lucius Paulus at Cannae?
+Is it that the steel hath lost its edge? or that your right hands are
+benumbed? or what other miracle is it? You who, when few, have been
+accustomed to conquer numbers, now scarce maintain your ground, the
+many against the few. Brave in speech only, you were wont to boast
+that you would take Rome by storm if you could find a general to lead
+you. Lo! here is a task of less difficulty. I would have you try your
+strength and courage here. Take Nola, a town situated on a plain,
+protected neither by river nor sea; after that, when you have enriched
+yourselves with the plunder and spoils of that wealthy town, I will
+either lead or follow you whithersoever you have a mind."
+
+46. Neither praises nor reproaches had any effect in confirming their
+courage. Driven from their ground in every quarter, while the Romans
+derived fresh spirits, not only from the exhortations of their
+general, but from the Nolans, who, by their acclamations in token of
+their good wishes, fed the flame of battle, the Carthaginians turned
+their backs, and were driven to their camp, which the Roman soldiers
+were eager to attack; but Marcellus led them back to Nola, amidst the
+great joy and congratulations even from the commons, who hitherto had
+been more favourable to the Carthaginians. Of the enemy more than five
+thousand were slain on that day, six hundred made prisoners, with
+nineteen military standards and two elephants. Four elephants were
+killed in the battle. Of the Romans less than a thousand were killed.
+The next day was employed by both parties in burying their dead, under
+a tacit truce. Marcellus burnt the spoils of the enemy, in fulfilment
+of a vow to Vulcan. On the third day after, on account of some pique,
+I suppose, or in the hope of more advantageous service, one thousand
+two hundred and seventy-two horsemen, Numidians and Spaniards,
+deserted to Marcellus. The Romans had frequently availed themselves of
+their brave and faithful service in that war. After the conclusion of
+the war, portions of land were given to the Spaniards in Spain, to the
+Numidians in Africa, in consideration of their valour. Having sent
+Hanno back from Nola to the Bruttians with the troops with which he
+had come, Hannibal went himself into winter quarters in Apulia, and
+took up a position in the neighbourhood of Arpi. Quintus Fabius, as
+soon as he heard that Hannibal was set out into Apulia, conveyed corn,
+collected from Nola and Naples, into the camp above Suessula; and
+having strengthened the fortifications and left a garrison sufficient
+for the protection of the place during the winter, moved his camp
+nearer to Capua, and laid waste the Campanian lands with fire and
+sword; so that at length the Campanians, though not very confident in
+their strength, were obliged to go out of their gates and fortify a
+camp in the open space before the city. They had six thousand armed
+men, the infantry, unfit for action. In their cavalry they had more
+strength. They therefore harassed the enemy by attacking them with
+these. Among the many distinguished persons who served in the
+Campanian cavalry was one Cerrinus Jubellius, surnamed Taurea. Though
+of that extraction, he was a Roman citizen, and by far the bravest
+horseman of all the Campanians, insomuch that when he served under the
+Roman banners, there was but one man, Claudius Asellus, a Roman, who
+rivalled him in his reputation as a horseman. Taurea having for a long
+time diligently sought for this man, riding up to the squadrons of the
+enemy, at length having obtained silence, inquired where Claudius
+Asellus was, and asked why, since he had been accustomed to dispute
+about their merit in words, he would not decide the matter with the
+sword, and if vanquished give him _spolia opima_, or if
+victorious take them.
+
+47. Asellus, who was in the camp, having been informed of this, waited
+only to ask the consul leave to depart from the ordinary course and
+fight an enemy who had challenged him. By his permission, he
+immediately put on his arms, and riding out beyond the advanced guards
+called on Taurea by name, and bid him come to the encounter when he
+pleased. By this time the Romans had gone out in large bodies to
+witness the contest, and the Campanians had crowded not only the
+rampart of the camp, but the walls of the city to get a view of it.
+After a flourish of expressions of mutual defiance, they spurred on
+their horses with their spears pointed. Then evading each other's
+attacks, for they had free space to move in, they protracted the
+battle without a wound. Upon this the Campanian observed to the Roman,
+"This will be only a trial of skill between our horses and not between
+horsemen, unless we ride them down from the plain into this hollow
+way. There, as there will be no room for retiring, we shall come to
+close quarters." Almost quicker than the word, Claudius leaped into
+the hollow way. Taurea, bold in words more than in reality, said,
+"Never be the ass in the ditch;" an expression which from this
+circumstance became a common proverb among rustics. Claudius having
+rode up and down the way to a considerable distance, and again come up
+into the plain without meeting his antagonist, after reflecting in
+reproachful terms on the cowardice of the enemy, returned in triumph
+to the camp, amidst great rejoicing and congratulation. To the account
+of this equestrian contest, some histories add a circumstance which is
+certainly astonishing, how true it is, is an open matter of opinion
+that Claudius, when in pursuit of Taurea, who fled back to the city,
+rode in at one of the gates of the enemy which stood open and made his
+escape unhurt through another, the enemy being thunderstruck at the
+strangeness of the circumstance.
+
+48. The camps were then undisturbed, the consul even moved his camp
+back, that the Campanians might complete their sowing, nor did he do
+any injury to the lands till the blades in the corn-fields were grown
+sufficiently high to be useful for forage. This he conveyed into the
+Claudian camp above Suessula, and there erected winter quarters. He
+ordered Marcus Claudius, the proconsul, to retain at Nola a sufficient
+force for the protection of the place, and send the rest to Rome, that
+they might not be a burthen to their allies nor an expense to the
+republic. Tiberius Gracchus also, having led his legions from Cumae to
+Luceria in Apulia, sent Marcus Valerius, the praetor, thence to
+Brundusium with the troops which he had commanded at Luceria, with
+orders to protect the coast of the Sallentine territory, and make
+provisions with regard to Philip and the Macedonian war. At the close
+of the summer, the events of which I have described, letters arrived
+from Publius and Cneius Scipio, stating the magnitude and success of
+their operations in Spain, but that the army was in want of money,
+clothing, and corn, and that then crews were in want of every thing.
+With regard to the pay, they said, that if the treasury was low, they
+would adopt some plan by which they might procure it from the
+Spaniards, but that the other supplies must certainly be sent from
+Rome, for otherwise neither the army could be kept together nor the
+province preserved. When the letters were read, all to a man admitted
+that the statement was correct, and the request reasonable, but it
+occurred to their minds, what great forces they were maintaining by
+land and sea, and how large a fleet must soon be equipped if a war
+with Macedon should break out, that Sicily and Sardinia, which before
+the war had wielded a revenue, were scarcely able to maintain the
+troops which protected those provinces, that the expenses were
+supplied by a tax, that both the number of the persons who contributed
+this tax was diminished by the great havoc made in their armies at the
+Trasimenus and Cannae, and the few who survived, if they were
+oppressed with multiplied impositions, would perish by a calamity of a
+different kind. That, therefore, if the republic could not subsist by
+credit, it could not stand by its own resources. It was resolved,
+therefore, that Fulvius, the praetor, should present himself to the
+public assembly of the people, point out the necessities of the state,
+and exhort those persons who had increased their patrimonies by
+farming the public revenues, to furnish temporary loans for the
+service of that state, from which they had derived their wealth, and
+contract to supply what was necessary for the army in Spain, on the
+condition of being paid the first when there was money in the
+treasury. These things the praetor laid before the assembly, and fixed
+a day on which he would let on contract the furnishing the army in
+Spain with clothes and corn, and with such other things as were
+necessary for the crews.
+
+49. When the day arrived, three companies, of nineteen persons, came
+forward to enter into the contract; but they made two requests: one
+was, that they should be exempt from military service while employed
+in that revenue business; the second was, that the state should bear
+all losses of the goods they shipped, which might arise either from
+the attacks of the enemy or from storms. Having obtained both their
+requests, they entered into the contract, and the affairs of the state
+were conducted by private funds. This character and love of country
+uniformly pervaded all ranks. As all the engagements were entered into
+with magnanimity, so were they fulfilled with the strictest fidelity;
+and the supplies were furnished in the same manner as formerly, from
+an abundant treasury. At the time when these supplies arrived, the
+town of Illiturgi was being besieged by Hasdrubal, Mago, and Hamilcar
+the son of Bomilcar, on account of its having gone over to the Romans.
+Between these three camps of the enemy, the Scipios effected an
+entrance into the town of their allies, after a violent contest and
+great slaughter of their opponents, and introduced some corn, of which
+there was a scarcity; and after exhorting the townsmen to defend their
+walls with the same spirit which they had seen displayed by the Roman
+army fighting in their behalf, led on their troops to attack the
+largest of the camps, in which Hasdrubal had the command. To this camp
+the two other generals of the Carthaginians with their armies came,
+seeing that the great business was to be done there. They therefore
+sallied from the camp and fought. Of the enemy engaged there were
+sixty thousand; of the Romans about sixteen; the victory, however, was
+so decisive, that the Romans slew more than their own number of the
+enemy, and captured more than three thousand, with nearly a thousand
+horses and fifty-nine military standards, five elephants having been
+slain in the battle. They made themselves masters of the three camps
+on that day. The siege of Illiturgi having been raised, the
+Carthaginian armies were led away to the siege of Intibili; the forces
+having been recruited out of that province, which was, above all
+others, fond of war, provided there was any plunder or pay to be
+obtained, and at that time had an abundance of young men. A second
+regular engagement took place, attended with the same fortune to both
+parties; in which above three thousand of the enemy were slain, more
+than two thousand captured, together with forty-two standards and nine
+elephants. Then, indeed, almost all the people of Spain came over to
+the Romans, and the achievements in Spain during that summer were much
+more important than those in Italy.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXIV.
+
+
+_Hieronymus, king of Syracuse, whose grandfather Hiero had been a
+faithful ally of Rome, revolts to the Carthaginians, and for his
+tyranny is put to death by his subjects. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus,
+the proconsul, defeats the Carthaginians under Hanno at Beneventum
+chiefly by the services of the slaves in his army, whom he
+subsequently liberated. Claudius Marcellus, the consul, besieges
+Syracuse. War is declared against Philip, king of Macedon, he is
+routed by night at Apollonia and retreats into Macedonia. This war is
+intrusted to Valerius the praetor. Operations of the Scipios against
+the Carthaginians in Spain. Syphax, king of the Numidians, is received
+into alliance by the Romans, and is defeated by Masinissa, king of the
+Massillians, who fought on the side of the Carthaginians. The
+Celtiberians joined the Romans, and their troops having been taken
+into pay, mercenary soldiers for the first time served in a Roman
+camp._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. On his return from Campania into Bruttium, Hanno, with the
+assistance and under the guidance of the Bruttians, made an attempt
+upon the Greek cities; which were the more disposed to continue in
+alliance with the Romans, because they perceived that the Bruttians,
+whom they feared and hated, had taken part with the Carthaginians. The
+first place attempted was Rhegium, where several days were spent
+without effect. Meanwhile the Locrians hastily conveyed from the
+country into the city, corn, wood, and other things necessary for
+their use, as also that no booty might be left for the enemy. The
+number of persons which poured out of every gate increased daily, till
+at length those only were left in the city whose duty it was to repair
+the walls and gates, and to collect weapons in the fortresses. Against
+this mixed multitude, composed of persons of all ages and ranks, while
+rambling through the country, and for the most part unarmed, Hamilcar,
+the Carthaginian, sent out his cavalry, who, having been forbidden to
+hurt any one, only interposed their squadrons, so as to cut them off
+from the city when dispersed in flight. The general himself, having
+posted himself upon an eminence which commanded a view of the country
+and the city, ordered a cohort of Bruttians to approach the walls,
+call out the leaders of the Locrians to a conference, and promising
+them the friendship of Hannibal, exhort them to deliver up the city.
+At first the Bruttians were not believed in any thing they stated in
+the conference, but afterwards, when the Carthaginian appeared on the
+hills, and a few who had fled back to the city brought intelligence
+that all the rest of the multitude were in the power of the enemy,
+overcome with fear, they said they would consult the people. An
+assembly of the people was immediately called, when, as all the most
+fickle of the inhabitants were desirous of a change of measures and a
+new alliance, and those whose friends were cut off by the enemy
+without the city, had their minds bound as if they had given hostages,
+while a few rather silently approved of a constant fidelity than
+ventured to support the opinion they approved, the city was
+surrendered to the Carthaginians, with an appearance of perfect
+unanimity. Lucius Atilius, the captain of the garrison, together with
+the Roman soldiers who were with him, having been privately led down
+to the port, and put on board a ship, that they might be conveyed to
+Rhegium, Hamilcar and the Carthaginians were received into the city on
+condition that an alliance should be formed on equal terms; which
+condition, when they had surrendered, the Carthaginian had very nearly
+not performed, as he accused them of having sent away the Roman
+fraudulently, while the Locrians alleged that he had spontaneously
+fled. A body of cavalry went in pursuit of the fugitives, in case the
+tide might happen to detain them in the strait, or might carry the
+ships to land. The persons whom they were in pursuit of they did not
+overtake, but they descried some ships passing over the strait from
+Messana to Rhegium. These contained Roman troops sent by the praetor,
+Claudius, to occupy the city with a garrison. The enemy therefore
+immediately retired from Rhegium. At the command of Hannibal, peace
+was concluded with the Locrians on these terms: that "they should live
+free under their own laws; that the city should be open to the
+Carthaginians, the harbour in the power of the Locrians. That their
+alliance should rest on the principle, that the Carthaginian should
+help the Locrian and the Locrian the Carthaginian in peace and war."
+
+2. Thus the Carthaginian troops were led back from the strait, while
+the Bruttians loudly complained that Locri and Rhegium, cities which
+they had fixed in their minds that they should have the plundering of,
+they had left untouched. Having therefore levied and armed fifteen
+thousand of their own youth, they set out by themselves to lay siege
+to Croto, which was also a Greek city, and on the coast, believing
+that they would obtain a great accession to their power, if they could
+get possession of a city upon the sea-coast, which had a port and was
+strongly defended by walls. This consideration annoyed them, that they
+neither could venture on the business without calling in the
+Carthaginians to their assistance, lest they should appear to have
+done any thing in a manner unbecoming allies, and on the other hand,
+lest, if the Carthaginian general should again show himself to have
+been rather an umpire of peace than an auxiliary in war, they should
+fight in vain against the liberty of Croto, as before in the affair of
+the Locrians. The most advisable course, therefore, appeared to be,
+that ambassadors should be sent to Hannibal, and that a stipulation
+should be obtained from him that Croto, when reduced, should be in
+possession of the Bruttians. Hannibal replied, that it was a question
+which should be determined by persons on the spot, and referred them
+to Hanno, from whom they could obtain no decisive answer. For they
+were unwilling that so celebrated and opulent a city should be
+plundered, and were in hopes that if the Bruttians should attack it,
+while the Carthaginians did not ostensibly approve or assist in the
+attack, the inhabitants would the more readily come over to them. The
+Crotonians were not united either in their measures or wishes. All the
+states of Italy were infected with one disease, as it were, the
+commons dissented from the nobles, the senate favouring the Romans,
+while the commons endeavoured to draw the states over to the
+Carthaginians. A deserter announced to the Bruttii that such a
+dissension prevailed in the city, that Aristomachus was the leader of
+the commons, and the adviser of the surrender of the city, that the
+city was of wide extent and thinly inhabited, that the walls in every
+part were in ruins, that it was only here and there that the guards
+and watches were kept by senators, and that wherever the commons kept
+guard, there an entrance lay open. Under the direction and guidance of
+the deserter, the Bruttians completely invested the city, and being
+received into it by the commons, got possession of every part, except
+the citadel, on the first assault. The nobles held the citadel, which
+they had taken care beforehand to have ready as a refuge against such
+an event. In the same place Aristomachus took refuge, as though he had
+advised the surrender of the city to the Carthaginians, and not to the
+Bruttians.
+
+3. The wall of the city of Croto in circuit extended through a space
+of twelve miles, before the arrival of Pyrrhus in Italy. After the
+devastation occasioned by that war, scarcely half the city was
+inhabited. The river which had flowed through the middle of the town,
+now ran on the outside of the parts which were occupied by buildings,
+and the citadel was at a distance from the inhabited parts. Six miles
+from this celebrated city stood the temple of Juno Lacinia, more
+celebrated even than the city itself, and venerated by all the
+surrounding states. Here was a grove fenced with a dense wood and tall
+fir trees, with rich pastures in its centre, in which cattle of every
+kind, sacred to the goddess, fed without any keeper; the flocks of
+every kind going out separately and returning to their folds, never
+being injured, either from the lying in wait of wild beasts, or the
+dishonesty of men. These flocks were, therefore, a source of great
+revenue, from which a column of solid gold was formed and consecrated;
+and the temple became distinguished for its wealth also, and not only
+for its sanctity. Some miracles are attributed to it, as is generally
+the case with regard to such remarkable places. Rumour says that there
+is an altar in the vestibule of the temple, the ashes of which are
+never moved by any wind. But the citadel of Croto, overhanging the sea
+on one side, on the other, which looks towards the land, was protected
+formerly by its natural situation only, but was afterwards surrounded
+by a wall. It was in this part that Dionysius, the tyrant of Sicily,
+took it by stratagem, approaching by way of some rocks which faced
+from it. This citadel, which was considered sufficiently secure, was
+now occupied by the nobles of Croto, the Bruttians, in conjunction
+even with their own commons, besieging them. The Bruttians, however,
+perceiving at length that it was impossible to take the citadel by
+their own efforts, compelled by necessity, implored the aid of Hanno.
+He endeavoured to bring the Crotonians to surrender, under an
+agreement that they should allow a colony of Bruttians to settle
+there; so that their city, desolate and depopulated by wars, might
+recover its former populousness: but not a man besides Aristomachus
+did he move; they affirmed, that "they would die sooner than, mixing
+with Bruttians, be turned to the rites, manners, and laws, and soon
+the language also of others." Aristomachus alone, since he was neither
+able to persuade them to surrender, nor could obtain an opportunity
+for betraying the citadel as he had betrayed the city, deserted to
+Hanno. A short time afterwards ambassadors of Locri, entering the
+citadel with the permission of Hanno, persuaded them to allow
+themselves to be removed to Locri, and not resolve to hazard
+extremities. They had already obtained leave from Hannibal to do this,
+by ambassadors sent for this purpose. Accordingly, Croto was
+evacuated, and the inhabitants were conducted to the sea, where they
+embarked; and the whole multitude removed to Locri. In Apulia,
+Hannibal and the Romans did not rest even during the winter. The
+consul Sempronius wintered at Luceria, Hannibal not far from Arpi.
+Slight engagements took place between them, accordingly as either side
+had an opportunity or advantage; by which the Roman soldiery were
+improved, and became daily more guarded and more secure against
+stratagems.
+
+4. In Sicily, the death of Hiero, and the transfer of the government
+to his grandson, Hieronymus, had completely altered all things with
+regard to the Romans. Hieronymus was but a boy, as yet scarcely able
+to bear liberty, still less sovereign power. His guardians and friends
+gladly observed in him a disposition which might be easily plunged
+into every kind of vice; which Hiero foreseeing, is said to have
+formed an intention, in the latter part of his long life, of leaving
+Syracuse free, lest the sovereignty which had been acquired and
+established by honourable means, should be made a sport of and fall
+into ruin, under the administration of a boy. This plan of his his
+daughters strenuously opposed, who anticipated that the boy would
+enjoy the name of royalty, but that the administration of all affairs
+would be conducted by themselves and their husbands, Andranodorus and
+Zoippus, for these were left the principal of his guardians. It was
+not an easy task for a man in his ninetieth year, beset night and day
+by the winning artifices of women, to disenthral his judgment, and to
+consult only the good of the state in his domestic affairs.
+Accordingly, all he did was to leave fifteen guardians over his son,
+whom he entreated, on his death-bed, to preserve inviolate that
+alliance with the Romans, which he had himself cultivated for fifty
+years, and to take care that the young king should, above all things,
+tread in the steps of his father, and in that course of conduct in
+which he had been educated. Such were his injunctions. On the death of
+the king, the will was brought forward by the guardians, and the young
+king, who was now about fifteen, introduced into the public assembly,
+where a few persons, who had been placed in different parts on purpose
+to raise acclamations, expressed their approbation of the will; while
+all the rest were overwhelmed with apprehensions, in the destitute
+condition of the state, which had lost as it were its parent. The
+funeral of the king was then performed, which was honoured more by the
+love and affection of his citizens than the attentions of his kindred.
+Andranodorus next effected the removal of the other guardians, giving
+out that Hieronymus had now attained the years of manhood, and was
+competent to assume the government; and thus, by voluntarily resigning
+the guardianship which he shared with several others, united the
+powers of all in himself.
+
+5. It would scarcely have been easy even for any good and moderate
+king, succeeding one so deeply rooted in their affections as Hiero
+was, to obtain the favour of the Syracusans. But Hieronymus, forsooth,
+as if he was desirous of exciting regret for the loss of his
+grandfather by his own vices, showed, immediately on his first
+appearance, how completely every thing was changed. For those who for
+so many years had seen Hiero and his son Gelon differing from the rest
+of the citizens neither in the fashion of their dress nor any other
+mark of distinction, now beheld the purple, the diadem, and armed
+guards, and their king sometimes proceeding from his palace in a
+chariot drawn by four white horses, according to the custom of the
+tyrant Dionysius. This costliness in equipage and appearance was
+accompanied by corresponding contempt of everybody, capricious airs,
+insulting expressions, difficulty of access, not to strangers only,
+but even to his guardians also, unheard of lusts, inhuman cruelty.
+Terror so great took possession of every body therefore, that some of
+his guardians, either by a voluntary death, or by exile, anticipated
+the tenor of his inflictions. Three of those persons to whom alone
+belonged a more familiar access to the palace, Andranodorus and
+Zoippus, sons-in-law of Hiero, and one Thraso, were not much attended
+to upon other subjects, but the two former exerting themselves in
+favour of the Carthaginians, while Thraso argued for the Roman
+alliance, they sometimes engaged the attention of the young king by
+their zeal and earnestness. It was at this time that a conspiracy
+formed against the life of the tyrant was discovered by a certain
+servant, of the same age as Hieronymus, who from his very childhood
+had associated with him on entirely familiar terms. The informer was
+able to name one of the conspirators, Theodotus, by whom he himself
+had been solicited. He was immediately seized, and delivered to
+Andranodorus to be subjected to torture, when, without hesitation, he
+confessed as to himself, but concealed his accomplices. At last, when
+racked with every species of torture, beyond the power of humanity to
+bear, pretending to be overcome by his sufferings, he turned his
+accusation from the guilty to the innocent, and feigned that Thraso
+was the originator of the plot, without whose able guidance, he said,
+they never would have been bold enough to attempt so daring a deed, he
+threw the guilt upon such innocent men, near the king's person, as
+appeared to him to be the most worthless, while fabricating his story
+amid groans and agonies. The naming of Thraso gave the highest degree
+of credibility to the story in the mind of the tyrant. Accordingly he
+was immediately given up to punishment, and others were added who were
+equally innocent. Not one of the conspirators, though their associate
+in the plot was for a long time subjected to torture, either concealed
+himself or fled, so great was their confidence in the fortitude and
+fidelity of Theodotus, and so great was his firmness in concealing
+their secret.
+
+6. Thus on the removal of Thraso, who formed the only bond which held
+together the alliance with the Romans, immediately affairs clearly
+indicated defection. Ambassadors were sent to Hannibal, who sent back
+in company with a young man of noble birth named Hannibal, Hippocrates
+and Epicydes, natives of Carthage, and of Carthaginian extraction on
+their mother's side, but whose grandfather was an exile from Syracuse.
+Through their means an alliance was formed between Hannibal and the
+tyrant of Syracuse; and, with the consent of Hannibal, they remained
+with the tyrant. As soon as Appius Claudius, the praetor, whose
+province Sicily was, had received information of these events, he sent
+ambassadors to Hieronymus; who, upon stating that the object of their
+mission was to renew the alliance which had subsisted between the
+Romans and his grandfather, were heard and dismissed in an insulting
+manner, Hieronymus asking them sneeringly, "how they had fared at the
+battle of Cannae? for that the ambassadors of Hannibal stated what
+could hardly be credited." He said, "he wished to know the truth, in
+order that before he made up his mind, he might determine which he
+should espouse as offering the better prospect." The Romans replied,
+that they would return to him when he had learned to receive embassies
+with seriousness; and, after having cautioned, rather than requested
+him, not rashly to change his alliance, they withdrew. Hieronymus sent
+ambassadors to Carthage, to conclude a league in conformity with the
+alliance with Hannibal. It was settled in the compact, that after they
+had expelled the Romans from Sicily, (which would speedily be effected
+if the Carthaginians sent ships and troops,) the river Himera, which
+divides the island in nearly equal portions, should be the limit of
+the Carthaginian and Syracusan dominions. Afterwards, puffed up by the
+flattery of those persons who bid him be mindful, not of Hiero only,
+but of king Pyrrhus, his maternal grandfather, he sent another
+embassy, in which he expressed his opinion that equity required that
+the whole of Sicily should be conceded to him, and that the dominion
+of Italy should be acquired as the peculiar possession of the
+Carthaginians. This levity and inconstancy of purpose in a hot-headed
+youth, did not excite their surprise, nor did they reprove it, anxious
+only to detach him from the Romans.
+
+7. But every thing conspired to hurry him into perdition. For having
+sent before him Hippocrates and Epicydes with two thousand armed men,
+to make an attempt upon those cities which were occupied by Roman
+garrisons, he himself also proceeded to Leontium with all the
+remaining troops, which amounted to fifteen thousand foot and horse,
+when the conspirators (who all happened to be in the army) took
+possession of an uninhabited house, which commanded a narrow way, by
+which the king was accustomed to go to the forum. The rest stood here
+prepared and armed, waiting for the king to pass by. One of them, by
+name Dinomenes, as he was one of the body-guards, had the task
+assigned him of keeping back the crowd behind in the narrow way, upon
+some pretext, when the king approached the door. All was done
+according to the arrangement. Dinomenes having delayed the crowd, by
+pretending to lift up his foot and loosen a knot which was too tight,
+occasioned such an interval, that an attack being made upon the king,
+as he passed by unattended by his guards, he was pierced with several
+wounds before any assistance could be brought. When the shout and
+tumult was heard, some weapons were discharged on Dinomenes, who now
+openly opposed them; he escaped from them, however, with only two
+wounds. The body-guard, as soon as they saw the king prostrate, betook
+themselves to flight. Of the assassins, some proceeded to the forum to
+the populace, who were rejoiced at the recovery of their liberty;
+others to Syracuse to anticipate the measures of Andranodorus and the
+rest of the royal party. Affairs being in this uncertain state, Appius
+Claudius perceiving a war commencing in his neighbourhood, informed
+the senate by letter, that Sicily had become reconciled to the
+Carthaginians and Hannibal. For his own part, in order to frustrate
+the designs of the Syracusans, he collected all his forces on the
+boundary of the province and the kingdom. At the close of this year,
+Quintus Fabius, by the authority of the senate, fortified and
+garrisoned Puteoli, which, during the war, had begun to be frequented
+as an emporium. Coming thence to Rome to hold the election, he
+appointed the first day for it which could be employed for that
+purpose, and, while on his march, passed by the city and descended
+into the Campus Martius. On that day, the right of voting first having
+fallen by lot on the junior century of the Anien tribe, they appointed
+Titus Otacilius and Marcus Aemilius Regillus, consuls, when Quintus
+Fabius, having obtained silence, delivered the following speech:
+
+8. "If we had either peace in Italy, or had war with such an enemy
+that the necessity to be careful was less urgent than it is, I should
+consider that man as wanting in respect for your liberty, who would at
+all impede that zealous desire which you bring with you into the
+Campus Martius, of conferring honours on whom you please. But since
+during the present war, and with the enemy we have now to encounter,
+none of our generals have ever committed an error which has not been
+attended with most disastrous consequences to us, it behoves you to
+use the same circumspection in giving your suffrages for the creation
+of consuls, which you would exert were you going armed into the field
+of battle. Every man ought thus to say to himself I am nominating a
+consul who is to cope with the general Hannibal. In the present year,
+at Capua, when Jubellius Taurea, the most expert horseman of the
+Campanians, gave a challenge, Claudius Asellus, the most expert among
+the Roman horsemen, was pitted against him. Against the Gaul who at a
+former period gave a challenge on the bridge of the Amo, our ancestors
+sent Titus Manlius, a man of resolute courage and great strength. It
+was for the same reason, I cannot deny it, that confidence was placed
+in Marcus Valerius, not many years ago, when he took arms against a
+Gaul who challenged him to combat in a similar manner. In the same
+manner as we wish to have our foot and horse more powerful, but if
+that is impracticable, equal in strength to the enemy, so let us find
+out a commander who is a match for the general of the enemy. Though we
+should select the man as general whose abilities are greater than
+those of any other in the nation, yet still he is chosen at a moment's
+warning, his office is only annual; whereas he will have to cope with
+a veteran general who has continued in command without interruption,
+unfettered by any restrictions either of duration or of authority,
+which might prevent him from executing or planning every thing
+according as the exigencies of the war shall require. But with us the
+year is gone merely in making preparations, and when we are only
+commencing our operations. Having said enough as to what sort of
+persons you ought to elect as consuls, it remains that I should
+briefly express my opinion of those on whom the choice of the
+prerogative century has fallen. Marcus Aemilius Regillus is flamen of
+Quirinus, whom we can neither send abroad nor retain at home without
+neglecting the gods or the war. Otacilius is married to my sister's
+daughter, and has children by her, but the favours you have conferred
+upon me and my ancestors, are not such as that I should prefer private
+relationship to the public weal. Any sailor or passenger can steer the
+vessel in a calm sea, but when a furious storm has arisen, and the
+vessel is hurried by the tempest along the troubled deep, then there
+is need of a man and pilot We are not sailing on a tranquil sea, but
+have already well nigh sunk with repeated storms, you must therefore
+employ the utmost caution and foresight in determining who shall sit
+at the helm Of you, Titus Otacilius, we have had experience in a
+business of less magnitude, and, certainly you have not given us any
+proof that we ought to confide to you affairs of greater moment The
+fleet which you commanded this year we fitted out for three objects:
+to lay waste the coast of Africa, to protect the shores of Italy, but,
+above all, to prevent the conveyance of reinforcements with pay and
+provisions from Carthage to Hannibal. Now if Titus Otacilius has
+performed for the state, I say not all, but any one of these services,
+make him consul But if, while you had the command of the fleet
+supplies of whatever sort were conveyed safe and untouched to
+Hannibal, even as though he had no enemy on the sea, if the coast of
+Italy has been more infested this year than that of Africa, what can
+you have to urge why you should be preferred before all others as the
+antagonist of Hannibal? Were you consul, we should give it as our
+opinion that a dictator should be appointed in obedience to the
+example of our ancestors Nor could you feel offended that some one in
+the Roman nation was deemed superior to you in war It concerns
+yourself more than any one else, Titus Otacilius, that there be not
+laid upon your shoulders a burthen under which you would fall I
+earnestly exhort you, that with the same feelings which would
+influence you if standing armed for battle, you were called upon
+suddenly to elect two generals, under whose conduct and auspices you
+were to fight, you would this day elect your consuls, to whom your
+children are to swear allegiance, at whose command they are to
+assemble, and under whose protection and care they are to serve. The
+Trasimene Lake and Cannae are melancholy precedents to look back upon,
+but form useful warnings to guard against similar disasters Crier,
+call back the younger century of the Amen tribe to give their votes
+again"
+
+9. Titus Otacilius, vociferating in the most furious manner, that his
+object was to continue in the consulship, the consul ordered the
+lictors to go to him, and as he had not entered the city, but had
+proceeded directly without halting from his march to the Campus
+Martius, admonished him that the axes were in the fasces which were
+carried before him. The prerogative century proceeded to vote a second
+time, when Quintus Fabius Maximus for the fourth time, and Marcus
+Marcellus for the third time, were created consuls. The other
+centuries voted for the same persons without any variation. One
+praetor, likewise, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, was re-elected; the other
+new ones who were chosen, were Titus Otacilius Crassus a second time,
+Quintus Fabius, son of the consul, who was at that time curule aedile,
+and Publius Cornelius Lentulus. The election of the praetors
+completed, a decree of the senate was passed, that Quintus Fulvius
+should have the city department out of the ordinary course, and that
+he in preference to any other should command in the city while the
+consuls were absent in the war. Great floods happened twice during
+this year, and the Tiber overflowed the fields, with great demolition
+of houses and destruction of men and cattle. In the fifth year of the
+second Punic war Quintus Fabius Maximus for the fourth time, and
+Marcus Claudius Marcellus for the third time, entering upon their
+office, drew the attention of the state upon them in a more than
+ordinary degree, for there had not been two such consuls now for many
+years. The old men observed, that thus Maximus Rullus and Publius
+Decius were declared consuls for conducting the Gallic war; that thus
+afterwards Papirius and Carvilius were appointed to that office
+against the Samnites, the Bruttians, and the Lucanian with the
+Tarentine people. Marcellus, who was with the army, was created consul
+in his absence; to Fabius, who was present and held the election
+himself, the office was continued. The critical state of affairs, the
+exigencies of the war, and the danger which threatened the state,
+prevented any one from looking narrowly into the precedent, or
+suspecting that the consul was actuated by an excessive love of
+command; on the contrary, they applauded his magnanimity in that when
+he knew the state was in want of a general of the greatest ability,
+and that he was himself confessedly such an one, he thought less of
+the personal odium which might arise out of the transaction, than of
+the good of the state.
+
+10. On the day on which the consuls entered on their office, the
+senate was assembled in the Capitol, and in the first place a decree
+was passed to the effect that the consuls should draw lots, and settle
+between themselves which should hold the election for the creation of
+censors, before they proceeded to join the army. Next, all those who
+had the command of armies were continued in their offices, and ordered
+to remain in their provinces; Tiberius Gracchus at Luceria, where he
+was with an army of volunteer slaves; Caius Terentius Varro in the
+Picenian, and Manius Pomponius in the Gallic territory. Of the
+praetors of the former year, it was settled that Quintus Mucius should
+have the government of Sardinia as propraetor, Marcus Valerius the
+command of the sea-coast near Brundusium, watchful against all the
+movements of Philip, king of the Macedonians. To Publius Cornelius
+Lentulus, the praetor, the province of Sicily was assigned. Titus
+Otacilius received the same fleet which he had employed the year
+before against the Carthaginians. Many prodigies were reported to have
+happened this year, which increased in proportion as they were
+believed by the credulous and superstitious. That crows had built a
+nest within the temple of Juno Sospita at Lanuvium; that a green
+palm-tree had taken fire in Apulia; that a pool at Mantua, formed by
+the overflowing of the river Mincius, had assumed the appearance of
+blood; that it had rained chalk at Cales, and blood at Rome in the
+cattle market; that a fountain under ground in the Istrian street had
+discharged so violent a stream of water, that rolling along with the
+impetuosity of a torrent, it carried away the butts and casks which
+were near it; that the public court in the Capitol had been struck by
+lightning; also the temple of Vulcan in the Campus Martius, a nut-tree
+in the Sabine territory, a wall and gate at Gabii. Now other miracles
+were published: that the spear of Mars at Praeneste moved forward of
+its own accord; that in Sicily an ox had spoken; that a child in the
+womb of its mother cried out Io Triumphe! in the country of the
+Marrucinians; at Spoletum, that a woman was transformed into a man; at
+Hadria, that an altar, with appearances as of men surrounding it in
+white clothing, was seen in the heavens. Nay, even in the city of Rome
+itself, after a swarm of bees had been seen in the forum, some persons
+roused the citizens to arms, affirming that they saw armed legions on
+the Janiculum; but those who were on the Janiculum at the time,
+declared that they had seen no person there besides the usual
+cultivators of the hill. These prodigies were expiated by victims of
+the larger kind, according to the response of the aruspices; and a
+supplication was ordered to all the deities who had shrines at Rome.
+
+11. The ceremonies which were intended to propitiate the gods being
+completed, the consuls took the sense of the senate on the state of
+the nation, the conduct of the war, what troops should be employed,
+and where they were severally to act. It was resolved that eighteen
+legions should be engaged in the war; that the consuls should take two
+each; that two should be employed in each of the provinces of Gaul,
+Sicily, and Sardinia; that Quintus Fabius, the praetor, should have
+the command of two in Apulia, and Tiberius Gracchus of two legions of
+volunteer slaves in the neighbourhood of Luceria; that one each should
+be left for Caius Terentius, the proconsul, for Picenum, and to Marcus
+Valerius for the fleet off Brundusium, and two for the protection of
+the city. To complete this number of legions six fresh ones were to be
+enlisted, which the consuls were ordered to raise as soon as possible;
+and also to prepare the fleet, so that, together with the ships which
+were stationed off the coasts of Calabria, it might amount that year
+to one hundred and fifty men of war. The levy completed, and the
+hundred new ships launched, Quintus Fabius held the election for the
+creation of censors, when Marcus Atilius Regulus and Publius Furius
+Philus were chosen. A rumour prevailing that war had broken out in
+Sicily, Titus Otacilius was ordered to proceed thither with his fleet;
+but as there was a deficiency of sailors, the consuls, in conformity
+with a decree of the senate, published an order that those persons who
+themselves or whose fathers had been rated in the censorship of Lucius
+Aemilius and Caius Flaminius, at from fifty to one hundred thousand
+_asses_, or whose property had since reached that amount, should
+furnish one sailor and six months' pay; from one to three hundred
+thousand, three sailors with a year's pay; from three hundred thousand
+to a million, five sailors; above one million, seven sailors; that
+senators should furnish eight sailors with a year's pay. The sailors
+furnished according to this proclamation being armed and equipped by
+their masters, embarked with cooked provisions for thirty days. Then
+first it happened that the Roman fleet was manned at the expense of
+individuals.
+
+12. These unusually great preparations alarmed the Campanians
+particularly, lest the Romans should commence the year's campaign with
+the siege of Capua. They therefore sent ambassadors to Hannibal, to
+implore him to bring his army to Capua, and tell him that new armies
+were levying at Rome for the purpose of besieging it; and that there
+was not any city the defection of which had excited more hostile
+feelings. As they announced this with so much fear, Hannibal concluded
+he must make haste lest the Romans should get there before him; and
+setting out from Arpi, took up his position in his old camp at Tifata,
+above Capua. Leaving his Numidians and Spaniards for the protection
+both of the camp and Capua, he went down thence with the rest of his
+troops to the lake Avernus on the pretence of performing sacrifice,
+but in reality to make an attempt upon Puteoli and the garrison in it.
+Maximus, on receiving intelligence that Hannibal had set out from
+Arpi, and was returning to Campania, went back to his army, pursuing
+his journey without intermission by night or by day. He also ordered
+Tiberius Gracchus to bring up his troops from Luceria to Beneventum,
+and Quintus Fabius the praetor, the son of the consul, to go to
+Luceria in the room of Gracchus. At the same time the two praetors set
+out for Sicily, Publius Cornelius to join his army, Otacilius to take
+the command of the sea-coast and the fleet; the rest also proceeded to
+their respective provinces, and those who were continued in command
+remained in the same countries as in the former year.
+
+13. While Hannibal was at the lake Avernus, five noble youths came to
+him from Tarentum. They had been made prisoners partly at the lake
+Trasimenus, and partly at Cannae, and had been sent home by the
+Carthaginian with the same civility which he had shown towards all the
+Roman allies. They stated to him that, impressed with gratitude for
+his favours, they had succeeded in inducing a large portion of the
+Tarentine youth to prefer his alliance and friendship to that of the
+Romans; and that they were sent by their countrymen as ambassadors to
+request Hannibal to bring his forces nearer to Tarentum; that if his
+standards and camp were within sight of Tarentum, that city would be
+delivered into his hands without delay; that the commons were under
+the influence of the youth, and the state of Tarentum in the hands of
+the commons. Hannibal after bestowing the highest commendations upon
+them, and loading them with immense promises, bid them return home to
+mature their plans, saying that he would be there in due time. With
+these hopes, the Tarentines were dismissed. Hannibal had himself
+conceived the strongest desire of getting possession of Tarentum. He
+saw that it was a city opulent and celebrated, on the coast, and lying
+conveniently over against Macedonia. And that as the Romans were in
+possession of Brundusium, king Philip would make for this port if he
+crossed over into Italy. Having completed the sacrifice for which he
+came, and during his stay there laid waste the territory of Cumae as
+far as the promontory of Misenum, he suddenly marched his troops
+thence to Puteoli to surprise the Roman garrison there. It consisted
+of six thousand men, and the place was secured not only by its natural
+situation, but by works also. The Carthaginian having waited there
+three days, and attempted the garrison in every quarter, without any
+success, proceeded thence to devastate the territory of Naples,
+influenced by resentment more than the hope of getting possession of
+the place. The commons of Nola, who had been long disaffected to the
+Romans and at enmity with their own senate, moved into the
+neighbouring fields on his approach; and in conformity with this
+movement ambassadors came to invite Hannibal to join them, bringing
+with them a positive assurance that the city would be surrendered to
+him. The consul, Marcellus, who had been called in by the nobles,
+anticipated their attempt. In one day he had reached Suessula from
+Cales, though the river Vulturnus had delayed him crossing; and from
+thence the ensuing night introduced into Nola for the protection of
+the senate, six thousand foot and three hundred horse. The
+dilatoriness of Hannibal was in proportion to the expedition which the
+consul used in every thing he did in order to preoccupy Nola. Having
+twice already made the attempt unsuccessfully, he was slower to place
+confidence in the Nolans.
+
+14. During the same time, the consul, Fabius, came to attempt
+Casilinum, which was occupied by a Carthaginian garrison; and, as if
+by concert, Hanno approached Beneventum on one side from the
+Bruttians, with a large body of foot and horse, while on the other
+side Gracchus approached it from Luceria. The latter entered the town
+first. Then, hearing that Hanno had pitched his camp three miles from
+the city, at the river Calor, and from thence was laying waste the
+country, he himself marched without the walls, and pitching his camp
+about a mile from the enemy, harangued his soldiers. The legions he
+had consisted for the most part of volunteer slaves, who chose rather
+to earn their liberty silently by another year's service, than demand
+it openly. The general, however, on quitting his winter quarters, had
+perceived that the troops murmured, asking when the time would arrive
+that they should serve as free citizens. He had written to the senate,
+stating not so much what they wanted as what they had deserved; he
+said they had served him with fidelity and courage up to that day, and
+that they wanted nothing but liberty, to bring them up to the model of
+complete soldiers. Permission was given him to act in the business as
+he thought for the interest of the state, and, accordingly, before he
+engaged with the enemy, he declared that the time was now arrived for
+obtaining that liberty which they had so long hoped for; that on the
+following day he should fight a pitched battle on a level and open
+plain, in which the contest would be decided by valour only, without
+any fear of ambuscade. The man who should bring back the head of an
+enemy, he would instantly order to be set free; but that he would
+punish, in a manner suited to a slave, the man who should quit his
+post; that every man's fortune was in his own hands; that not he
+himself alone would authorize their enfranchisement, but the consul,
+Marcus Marcellus, and the whole body of the fathers, who, on being
+consulted by him on the subject, had left the matter to his disposal.
+He then read the letter of the consul and the decree of the senate, on
+which they raised a general shout of approbation, demanded to be led
+to battle, and vehemently urged him to give the signal forthwith.
+Gracchus broke up the assembly, after proclaiming the battle for the
+following day. The soldiers, highly delighted, particularly those
+whose enfranchisement was to be the reward of one day's prowess,
+employed the remaining time in getting ready their arms.
+
+15. The next day, as soon as the trumpets began to sound, they were
+the first to assemble at the general's tent, armed and ready for
+action. When the sun had risen, Gracchus led out his troops to the
+field of battle; nor did the enemy delay to engage him. His troops
+consisted of seventeen thousand infantry, principally Bruttians and
+Lucanians, with twelve hundred horse, among which were very few
+Italians, almost all the rest being Numidians and Moors. The contest
+was fierce and protracted. For four hours neither side had the
+advantage, nor did any other circumstance more impede the Romans, than
+that the heads of their enemies were made the price of their liberty.
+For when each man had gallantly slain his enemy, first, he lost time
+in cutting off his head, which was done with difficulty amid the crowd
+and confusion, and secondly, all the bravest troops ceased to be
+engaged in fight, as their right hands were employed in holding the
+heads; and thus the battle was left to be sustained by the inactive
+and cowardly. But when the military tribunes reported to Gracchus that
+the soldiers were employed not in wounding any of the enemy who were
+standing, but in mangling those who were prostrate, their right hands
+being occupied in holding the heads of men instead of their swords, he
+promptly ordered a signal to be given that they should throw down the
+heads and charge the enemy; that they had given evident and signal
+proofs of valour, and that the liberty of such brave men was certain.
+Then the fight was revived, and the cavalry also were sent out against
+the enemy. The Numidians engaging them with great bravery, and the
+contest between the cavalry being carried on with no less spirit than
+that between the infantry, the victory again became doubtful; when,
+the generals on both sides vilifying their opponents, the Roman
+saying, that their enemies were Bruttians and Lucanians, who had been
+so often vanquished and subjugated by their ancestors; the
+Carthaginian, that the troops opposed to them were Roman slaves,
+soldiers taken out of a workhouse; at last Gracchus exclaimed, that
+his men had no ground to hope for liberty unless the enemy were routed
+and put to flight that day.
+
+16. These words at length kindled their courage so effectually, and
+renewing the shout, as if suddenly changed into other men, they bore
+down upon the enemy with such impetuosity that they could not longer
+be withstood. First, of the Carthaginians who stood before the
+standards; then the standards were thrown into disorder; and lastly
+the whole line was compelled to give way. They then turned their backs
+downright, and fled precipitately to their camp with such terror and
+consternation, that not a man made stand in the gates or on the
+rampart; while the Romans, who pursued them so close as to form almost
+a part of their body commenced the battle anew, enclosed within the
+rampart of the enemy. Here the battle was more bloody as the
+combatants had less room to move, from the narrowness of the place in
+which they fought. The prisoners too assisted; for snatching up swords
+in the confusion, and forming themselves into a body, they slew the
+Carthaginians in the rear and prevented their flight. Thus less than
+two thousand men out of so large an army, and those principally
+cavalry, effected their escape with their commander, all the rest were
+slain or taken prisoners. Thirty-eight standards were taken. Of the
+victors about two thousand fell. All the booty except that of the
+prisoners was given up to the soldiery. Such cattle also as the owners
+should identify within thirty days was excepted. When they returned to
+their camp loaded with spoil, about four thousand of the volunteer
+slaves who had fought with less spirit, and had not joined in breaking
+into the enemy's camp, through fear of punishment, took possession of
+a hill not far from the camp. Being brought down thence the next day
+by a military tribune, it happened that they arrived during an
+assembly of the soldiers which Gracchus had called. At this assembly
+the proconsul, having first rewarded the veteran soldiers with
+military presents, according to the valour displayed, and the service
+rendered by each man in the engagement, then observed, with respect to
+the volunteer slaves, that he would rather that all should be praised
+by him whether deserving it or not, than that any one should be
+chastised on that day. I bid you, said he, all be free, and may the
+event be attended with advantage, happiness, and prosperity to the
+state and to yourselves. These words were followed by the most cordial
+acclamations, the soldiers sometimes embracing and congratulating one
+another, at other times lifting up their hands to heaven, and praying
+that every blessing might attend the Roman people, and Gracchus in
+particular; when Gracchus addressed them thus: "Before I had placed
+you all on an equal footing with respect to the enjoyment of liberty,
+I was unwilling to affix any marks by which the brave and dastardly
+soldier might be distinguished. But now the pledge given by the state
+being redeemed, lest all distinction between courage and cowardice
+should disappear, I shall order that the names of those persons be
+laid before me, who, conscious of their dastardly conduct in the
+battle, have lately seceded. I shall have them cited before me, when I
+shall bind them by an oath, that none of them, except such as shall
+have the plea of sickness, will, so long as they serve, take either
+meat or drink in any other posture than standing. This penalty you
+will bear with patience when you reflect that it is impossible your
+cowardice could be marked with a slighter stigma." He then gave the
+signal for packing up the baggage; and the soldiers, sporting and
+jesting as they drove and carried their booty, returned to Beneventum
+in so playful a mood, that they appeared to be returning, not from the
+field of battle, but from a feast celebrated on some remarkable
+holiday. All the Beneventans pouring out in crowds to meet them at the
+gate, embraced, congratulated, and invited the troops to
+entertainments. They had all prepared banquets in the courts of their
+houses, to which they invited the soldiers, and of which they
+entreated Gracchus to allow them to partake. Gracchus gave permission,
+with the proviso that they should feast in the public street. Each
+person brought every thing out before his door. The volunteers feasted
+with caps of liberty on their heads, or filletted with white wool;
+some reclining at the tables, others standing, who at once partook of
+the repast, and waited upon the rest. It even seemed a fitting
+occasion that Gracchus, on his return to Rome, should order a picture
+representing the festivities of that day to be executed in the temple
+of Liberty, which his father caused to be built on the Aventine out of
+money arising from fines, and which his father also dedicated.
+
+17. While these events occurred at Beneventum, Hannibal having laid
+waste the territory of Naples, moved his camp to Nola. The consul, as
+soon as he was aware of his approach, sent for Pemponius the
+propraetor, with the troops he had in the camp above Suessula; and
+then prepared to meet the enemy and to make no delay in fighting. He
+sent out Caius Claudius Nero in the dead of night with the main
+strength of the cavalry, through the gate which was farthest removed
+from the enemy, with orders to make a circuit so as not to be
+observed, and then slowly to follow the enemy as they moved along, and
+as soon as he perceived the battle begun, to charge them on the rear.
+Whether Nero was prevented from executing these orders by mistaking
+the route, or from the shortness of the time, is doubtful. Though he
+was absent when the battle was fought, the Romans had unquestionably
+the advantage; but as the cavalry did not come up in time, the plan of
+the battle which had been agreed upon was disconcerted and Marcellus,
+not daring to follow the retiring enemy, gave the signal for retreat
+when his soldiers were conquering More than two thousand of the enemy
+are said, however, to have fallen on that day; of the Romans, less
+than four hundred. Nero, after having fruitlessly wearied both men and
+horses, through the day and night, without even having seen the enemy,
+returned about sunset; when the consul went so far in reprimanding him
+as to assert, that he had been the only obstacle to their retorting on
+the enemy the disaster sustained at Cannae. The following day the
+Roman came into the field, but the Carthaginian, beaten even by his
+own tacit confession, kept within his camp. Giving up all hope of
+getting possession of Nola, a thing never attempted without loss,
+during the silence of the night of the third day he set out for
+Tarentum, which he had better hopes of having betrayed to him.
+
+18. Nor were the Roman affairs administered with less spirit at home
+than in the field. The censors being freed from the care of letting
+out the erection of public works, from the low state of the treasury,
+turned their attention to the regulation of men's morals, and the
+chastisement of vices which sprung up during the war, in the same
+manner as constitutions broken down by protracted disease, generate
+other maladies. In the first place, they cited those persons who,
+after the battle of Cannae, were said to have formed a design of
+abandoning the commonwealth, and leaving Italy. The chief of these was
+Lucius Caecilius Metellus, who happened to be then quaestor. In the
+next place, as neither he nor the other persons concerned were able to
+exculpate themselves on being ordered to make their defence, they
+pronounced them guilty of having used words and discourse prejudicial
+to the state, that a conspiracy might be formed for the abandonment of
+Italy. After them were cited those persons who showed too much
+ingenuity in inventing a method of discharging the obligation of their
+oath, namely, such of the prisoners as concluded that the oath which
+they had sworn to return, would be fulfilled by their going back
+privately to Hannibal's camp, after setting out on their journey. Such
+of these and of the above-mentioned as had horses at the public
+expense were deprived of them, and all were degraded from their tribes
+and disfranchised. Nor was the attention of the censors confined to
+the regulation of the senate and the equestrian order. They erased
+from the lists of the junior centuries the names of all who had not
+served during the last four years, unless they were regularly
+exempted, or were prevented by sickness. Those too, amounting to more
+than two thousand names, were numbered among the disfranchised, and
+were all degraded. To this more gentle stigma affixed by the censors,
+a severe decree of the senate was added, to the effect that all those
+whom the censor had stigmatized, should serve on foot, and be sent
+into Sicily to join the remains of the army of Cannae, a class of
+soldiers whose time of service was not to terminate till the enemy was
+driven out of Italy. The censors, in consequence of the poverty of the
+treasury, having abstained from receiving contracts for the repairs of
+the sacred edifices, the furnishing of curule horses, and similar
+matters, the persons who had been accustomed to attend auctions of
+this description, came to the censors in great numbers, and exhorted
+them to "transact all their business and let out the contracts in the
+same manner as if there were money in the treasury. That none of them
+would ask for money out of the treasury before the war was concluded."
+Afterwards the owners of those slaves whom Tiberius Sempronius had
+manumitted at Beneventum, came to them, stating that they were sent
+for by the public bankers, to receive the price of their slaves, but
+that they would not accept of it till the war was concluded. This
+disposition on the part of the commons to sustain the impoverished
+treasury having manifested itself, the property of minors first, and
+then the portions of widows, began to be brought in; the persons who
+brought them being persuaded, that their deposit would no where be
+more secure and inviolable than under the public faith. If any thing
+was bought or laid in for the widows and minors, an order upon the
+quaestor was given for it. This liberality in individuals flowed from
+the city into the camp also, insomuch that no horseman or centurion
+would accept of his pay, and those who would accept it were reproached
+with the appellation of mercenary men.
+
+19. Quintus Fabius, the consul, was encamped before Casilinum, which
+was occupied by a garrison of two thousand Campanians and seven
+hundred of the soldiers of Hannibal. The commander was Statius Metius,
+who was sent there by Cneius Magius Atellanus, who was that year
+Medixtuticus and was arming the slaves and people without distinction,
+in order to assault the Roman camp, while the consul was intently
+occupied in the siege of Casilinum. None of these things escaped
+Fabius. He therefore sent to his colleague at Nola, "That another army
+was requisite, which might be opposed to the Campanians, while the
+siege of Casilinum was going on; that either he should come himself,
+leaving a force sufficient for the protection of Nola, or if the state
+of Nola required him to stay there, in consequence of its not being
+yet secure against the attempts of Hannibal, that he should summon
+Tiberius Gracchus, the proconsul, from Beneventum." On this message,
+Marcellus, leaving two thousand troops in garrison at Nola, came to
+Casilinum with the rest of his forces; and at his arrival the
+Campanians, who were already in motion, desisted from their
+operations. Thus the siege of Casilinum was commenced by the two
+consuls. But as the Roman soldiers received many wounds as they rashly
+approached the walls, and as they did not succeed satisfactorily in
+their attempts. Fabius gave it as his opinion that this, which was a
+small matter, though as difficult as more important ones, should be
+abandoned, and that they should retire from the place, as affairs of
+greater moment were pressing. Marcellus, however, succeeded in
+persuading him that they should not go away with their object
+unaccomplished, observing that as there were many objects which great
+generals should not attempt, so when once attempted they should not be
+abandoned, because the mere report in either case would have important
+consequences. Upon this the vineae and all kinds of military works and
+engines were applied; in consequence of which, the Campanians
+entreated Fabius to allow them to retire to Capua in safety; when a
+few of them having come out of the town, Marcellus took possession
+of the gate through which they passed, and first slew all
+indiscriminately who were near the gate, and then rushing in, the
+slaughter commenced in the town also. About fifty of the Campanians,
+who at first came out of the city, having fled for refuge to Fabius,
+arrived safe at Capua under his protection. Thus Casilinum was
+captured on an accidental opportunity which occurred during the
+conferences and delay of those who were soliciting protection. The
+prisoners, both those who were Campanians and those who were
+Hannibal's soldiers, were sent to Rome, where they were shut up in a
+prison. The crowd of townsmen was distributed among the neighbouring
+people to be kept in custody.
+
+20. At the same time that the consuls retired from Casilinum, their
+object having been accomplished, Gracchus, who was in Lucania, sent,
+under a prefect of the allies, some cohorts which he had levied in
+that country to ravage the lands of the enemy. These, as they were
+straggling in a careless manner, Hanno surprising, retorted upon his
+enemy a defeat not much less disastrous than he had himself received
+at Beneventum, and then hastily retired to the territory of the
+Bruttians, lest Gracchus should overtake him. Of the consuls,
+Marcellus returned to Nola, whence he had come, Fabius proceeded to
+Samnium to waste the lands, and recover by force the cities which had
+revolted. The Samnites of Caudium suffered the severest devastation;
+their fields were laid waste by fire for a wide extent, and both men
+and cattle were conveyed away as booty. The towns of Compulteria,
+Telesia, Compsa, Melae, Fulfulae, and Orbitanium, were taken by storm.
+Blandae, belonging to the Lucanians, and Aecae to the Apulians, were
+taken after a siege. Twenty-five thousand of the enemy were captured
+or slain in these towns, and three hundred and seventy deserters
+recovered; who, being sent to Rome by the consul, were all of them
+beaten with rods in the comitium, and thrown down from the rock. Such
+were the achievements of Fabius within the space of a few days. Ill
+health detained Marcellus from active operations at Nola. The town of
+Accua also was taken by storm, during the same period, by the praetor
+Quintus Fabius, whose province was the neighbourhood of Luceria; he
+also fortified a stationary camp at Ardonea. While the Romans were
+thus employed in different quarters, Hannibal had reached Tarentum,
+utterly destroying every thing whichsoever way he went. In the
+territory of Tarentum, the troops at length began to march in a
+peaceable manner. There nothing was violated, nor did they ever go out
+of the road; it was evident that this was done not from the moderation
+of the soldiery, or their general, but to conciliate the affections of
+the Tarentines. However, on advancing almost close to the walls
+without perceiving any movement, which he expected would occur on the
+sight of his vanguard, he pitched his camp about a mile off the city.
+Three days before the arrival of Hannibal, Marcus Livius, who had been
+sent by Marcus Valerius, the propraetor, commanding the fleet at
+Brundusium, had enlisted the young nobility of Tarentum, and
+stationing guards at every gate, and round the walls, wherever
+circumstances made it necessary, had kept such a strict watch both by
+day and night, as to give no opportunity for making any attempt either
+to the enemy or doubtful allies. On this account several days were
+consumed there to no purpose, when Hannibal, as none of those who had
+come to him at the lake Avernus, either came themselves or sent any
+letter or message, perceiving that he had carelessly followed delusive
+promises, moved his camp thence. Even after this he did not offer any
+violence to the Tarentine territory, not quitting the hope of shaking
+their allegiance to the Romans, though his simulated lenity had
+hitherto been of no advantage to him; but as soon as he came to
+Salapia he collected stores of corn there from the Metapontine and
+Heraclean lands; for midsummer was now past, and the situation pleased
+him as a place for winter quarters. From hence the Moors and Numidians
+were detached to plunder the territory of Sallentum, and the
+neighbouring woods of Apulia, from which not much booty of any other
+sort was obtained, but principally droves of horses, four thousand of
+which were distributed among his horsemen to be broken.
+
+21. The Romans, since a war by no means to be despised was springing
+up in Sicily, and the death of the tyrant had furnished the Syracusans
+with more enterprising leaders, rather than changed their attachment
+to the Carthaginian cause, or the state of their minds, decreed that
+province to Marcus Marcellus, one of their consuls. After the
+assassination of Hieronymus, at first a tumult had taken place among
+the soldiery in the territory of the Leontines. They exclaimed
+furiously that the manes of the king should be appeased with the blood
+of the conspirators. Afterwards the frequent repetition of the word
+liberty, which was restored to them, a word so delightful to the ear,
+the hopes they had conceived of largesses from the royal treasury, and
+of serving in future under better generals, the relation of the horrid
+crimes and more horrid lusts of the tyrant, effected such an
+alteration in their sentiments, that they suffered to lie unburied the
+corpse of the king, whom a little before they regretted. As the rest
+of the conspirators remained behind, in order to keep the army on
+their side, Theodotus and Sosis, mounted on the king's horses, rode
+off to Syracuse with all possible speed, that they might surprise the
+king's party, while unacquainted with all that had occurred. But they
+were anticipated not only by report, than which nothing is swifter in
+such affairs, but also by a messenger who was one of the royal
+servants. In consequence, Andranodorus had occupied with strong
+garrisons the Insula and the citadel, and every other convenient part
+which he could. After sunset, when it was now growing dark, Theodotus
+and Sosis rode in by the Hexapylum, and displayed the royal vest
+stained with blood, and the ornament of the king's head; then passing
+through the Tycha, and calling the people at once to liberty and arms,
+bid them assemble in the Achradina. Some of the multitude ran out into
+the streets, some stood in the porches of their houses, while others
+looked out from the roofs and windows, and inquired what was the
+matter. Every part of the city was filled with lights and noises of
+various kinds. Assemblies of armed men were formed in the open spaces.
+Those who had no arms tore down from the temple of the Olympian
+Jupiter the spoils of the Gauls and Illyrians, which had been
+presented to Hiero by the Roman people, and hung up there by him; at
+the same time offering up prayers to Jupiter, that he would willingly,
+and without feeling offence, lend those consecrated weapons to those
+who were arming themselves in defence of their country, of the temples
+of their gods, and their liberty. This multitude was also joined by
+the watches which were stationed through the principal quarters of the
+city. In the island, Andranodorus, among other places, secured the
+public granaries by a garrison. This place, which was enclosed by a
+wall of stones hewn square, and built up on high, after the manner of
+a citadel, was occupied by a body of youth, who had been appointed to
+garrison it, and these sent messengers to the Achradina, to give
+information that the granaries and the corn were in the power of the
+senate.
+
+22. At break of day the whole populace, armed and unarmed, assembled
+at the senate-house in the Achradina: where from the altar of Concord,
+which stood there, one of the nobles, named Polyaenus, delivered a
+liberal and temperate address. He said, that "men who had experienced
+servitude and contumely, were enraged against an evil which was well
+known, but that the Syracusans had rather heard from their fathers
+than seen with their own eyes the disasters which civil discord
+introduces." He said, "he commended them for the alacrity with which
+they had taken arms; but that he should commend them more if they
+should abstain from using them unless compelled by extreme necessity.
+At present he advised that ambassadors should be sent to Andranodorus,
+to charge him to submit to the direction of the senate and the people,
+to throw open the gates of the island, and withdraw the garrison. If
+he resolved to usurp the sovereignty of which he had been appointed
+guardian, that he would recommend that their liberty be recovered more
+energetically from Andranodorus than it had been from Hieronymus."
+From this assembly ambassadors were despatched. The senate began now
+to meet, which though during the reign of Hiero it had continued to be
+the public council of the state, from the time of his death up to the
+present had never been assembled or consulted upon any subject. When
+the ambassadors came to Andranodorus, he was himself moved by the
+unanimous opinion of his countrymen, by their having possession of
+other parts of the city, and by the fact that the strongest part of
+the island was betrayed and placed in the hands of others; but his
+wife, Demarata, the daughter of Hiero, still swelling with the pride
+of royalty and female presumption, called him out from the presence of
+the ambassadors, and reminded him of the expression so often repeated
+by the tyrant Dionysius, "that a man ought only to relinquish
+sovereign power when dragged by the feet, and not while sitting on
+horseback. That it was an easy thing, at any moment one pleased, to
+give up possession of grandeur, but that to create and obtain them was
+difficult and arduous. That he should obtain from the ambassadors a
+little time to deliberate, and to employ it in fetching the soldiers
+from the Leontines; to whom, if he promised the royal treasure, every
+thing would be at his disposal." This advice, suggested by a woman,
+Andranodorus neither entirely rejected nor immediately adopted,
+considering it the safer way to the attainment of power to temporize
+for the present. Accordingly he told the ambassadors to carry word
+back, that he should act subserviently to the senate and the people.
+The next day, as soon as it was light, he threw open the gates of the
+island, and came into the forum of the Achradina; then mounting the
+altar of Concord, from which Polyaenus had delivered his harangue the
+day before, he commenced a speech by soliciting pardon for his delay.
+"He had kept the gates closed," he said, "not as separating his own
+from the public interest, but from fear as to where the carnage would
+stop when once the sword was drawn; whether they would be satisfied
+with the blood of the tyrant, which was sufficient for their liberty,
+or whether all who were connected with the court, by consanguinity,
+affinity, or any offices, would, as implicated in another's guilt, be
+butchered. After he perceived that those who had liberated their
+country were desirous of preserving it when liberated, and that the
+counsels of all were directed towards the public good, he had not
+hesitated to restore to his country his own person and every thing
+else which had been committed to his honour and guardianship, since
+the person who had intrusted him with them had fallen a victim to his
+own madness." Then turning to the persons who had killed the tyrant,
+and calling on Theodotus and Sosis by name, he said, "You have
+performed a memorable deed, but believe me, your glory is only
+beginning, not yet perfected; and there still remains great danger
+lest the enfranchised state should be destroyed, if you do not provide
+for its tranquillity and harmony."
+
+23. At the conclusion of this speech, he laid the keys of the gates
+and of the royal treasure at their feet; and on that day, retiring
+from the assembly in the highest spirits, they made supplication with
+their wives and children at all the temples of the gods. On the
+following day an assembly was held for the election of praetors.
+Andranodorus was created among the first; the rest consisted for the
+most part of the destroyers of the tyrant; two of these, Sopater and
+Dinomenes, they appointed in their absence. These, on hearing of what
+had passed at Syracuse, conveyed thither the royal treasure which was
+at Leontini, and put it into the hands of quaestors appointed for that
+purpose. The treasure also in the island and the Achradina was
+delivered to them, and that part of the wall which formed too strong a
+separation between the island and the other parts of the city, was
+demolished by general consent. Every thing else which was done was in
+conformity with this inclination of their minds to liberty.
+Hippocrates and Epicydes, on hearing of the death of the tyrant, which
+Hippocrates had wished to conceal even by putting the messenger to
+death, being deserted by the soldiery, returned to Syracuse, as that
+appeared the safest course under present circumstances; but lest if
+they appeared there in common they should become objects of suspicion,
+and looked upon as persons who were seeking an opportunity of
+effecting some change, they in the first place addressed themselves to
+the praetors and then through them to the senate. They declared, that
+"they were sent by Hannibal to Hieronymus, as to a friend and ally;
+that they had obeyed the orders of that man whom their general wished
+them to obey; that they desired to return to Hannibal; but as the
+journey would not be safe, as armed Romans were ranging at large
+through the whole of Sicily, that they requested to be furnished with
+some escort which might convey them in safety to Locri in Italy; and
+that thus they would confer a great obligation upon Hannibal, with
+little trouble." The request was easily obtained, for they were
+desirous of getting rid of these generals of the king, who were
+skilled in war, and at once necessitous and enterprising. But they did
+not exert themselves so as to effect what they desired with the
+requisite speed. Meanwhile these young men, who were of a military
+turn and accustomed to the soldiers, employed themselves in
+circulating charges against the senate and nobles, sometimes in the
+minds of the soldiers themselves, sometimes of the deserters, of which
+the greater part were Roman sailors, at other times of men belonging
+to the lowest order of the populace, insinuating, that "what they were
+secretly labouring and contriving to effect, was to place Syracuse
+under the dominion of the Romans with the pretence of a renewed
+alliance, and then that faction and the few promoters of the alliance
+would be supreme."
+
+24. The crowds of persons disposed to hear and credit these
+insinuations which flowed into Syracuse from every quarter increased
+daily, and afforded hopes, not only to Epicydes but to Andranodorus
+also, of effecting a revolution. The latter, wearied at length by the
+importunities of his wife, who warned him, "that now was the
+favourable time for seizing the government, while every thing was in
+confusion in consequence of liberty being recent and not yet regularly
+established; while a soldiery supported by the royal pay was to be met
+with, and while generals sent by Hannibal and accustomed to the
+soldiery might forward the attempt;" he communicated his design with
+Themistus, who had married the daughter of Gelon, and a few days
+afterwards incautiously disclosed it to a certain tragic actor, named
+Ariston, to whom he was in the habit of committing other secrets. He
+was a man of reputable birth and fortune, nor did his profession
+disgrace them, for among the Greeks no pursuit of that kind was
+considered dishonourable. He therefore discovered the plot to the
+praetors, from a conviction that his country had a superior claim upon
+his fidelity. These having satisfied themselves that his statement was
+not false by indubitable proofs, took the advice of the elder
+senators, and with their sanction, having placed a guard at the doors,
+slew Themistus and Andranodorus as soon as they had entered the
+senate-house. A disturbance arising in consequence of this act, which,
+as none but the praetors knew the cause of it, wore an appearance of
+atrocity, the praetors, having at length procured silence, introduced
+the informer into the senate-house; and after he had in a regular
+manner detailed to the senate every particular, showing that the
+conspiracy owed its origin to the marriage of Harmonia, the daughter
+of Gelon, with Themistus; that the African and Spanish auxiliaries had
+been prepared to murder the praetors and others of the nobility; that
+it had been given out that their goods were to be the booty of the
+assassins; that already a band of mercenaries accustomed to obey the
+command of Andranodorus had been procured for the reoccupation of the
+island; and having then distinctly represented to them the several
+parts which the persons implicated in the transaction were performing,
+and having brought under their view the entire plot prepared for
+execution with men and arms; it seemed to the senate that they had
+fallen as justly as Hieronymus had. A shout was raised before the
+senate-house by a crowd of people variously disposed and uncertain of
+the facts; but as they were conducting themselves in a furious and
+menacing manner, the bodies of the conspirators in the vestibule of
+the senate-house restrained them with such alarm, that they silently
+followed the more discreet part of the commons to an assembly. Sopater
+was the person commissioned by the senate and his colleague to explain
+the affair.
+
+25. Treating them as if they stood upon their trial, he began with
+their past lives; and insisted that Andranodorus and Themistus were
+the authors of every act of iniquity and impiety which had been
+perpetrated since the death of Hiero. "For what," said he, "did the
+boy Hieronymus ever do of his own accord? What could he do who had
+scarce as yet arrived at puberty? His tutors and guardians had ruled,
+while the odium rested on another. Therefore they ought to have been
+put to death either before Hieronymus or with him. Nevertheless those
+men, deservedly marked out for death, had attempted fresh crimes after
+the decease of the tyrant; first openly, when, closing the gates of
+the island, Andranodorus declared himself heir to the throne, and kept
+that as proprietor which he had held only in the capacity of guardian;
+afterwards, when betrayed by those who were in the island and
+blockaded by the whole body of the citizens who held the Achradina, he
+endeavoured to obtain, by secret and artful means, that sovereignty
+which he had in vain attempted openly; whom not even benefits and
+honorary distinction could move, for even this conspirator against the
+liberty of his country was created praetor among her liberators. But
+that wives of royal blood had infected them with this thirst for
+royalty, one having married the daughter of Hiero, the other the
+daughter of Gelon." On hearing these words, a shout arose from every
+part of the assembly, that "none of these women ought to live, and
+that not one of the royal family should be left alive." Such is the
+nature of the populace; they are either cringing slaves or haughty
+tyrants. They know not how with moderation to spurn or to enjoy that
+liberty which holds the middle place; nor are there generally wanting
+ministers, the panders to their resentment, who incite their eager and
+intemperate minds to blood and carnage. Thus, on the present occasion,
+the praetors instantly proposed the passing of a decree, which was
+consented to almost before it was proposed, that all the royal family
+should be put to death; and persons despatched for the purpose by the
+praetors, put to death Demarata, the daughter of Hiero, and Harmonia,
+the daughter of Gelon, the wives of Andranodorus and Themistus.
+
+26. There was a daughter of Hiero, named Heraclea, the wife of
+Zoippus, who, having been sent by Hieronymus as ambassador to king
+Ptolemy, had become a voluntary exile. As soon as she was apprized
+that they were coming to her also, she fled for refuge into the chapel
+to the household gods, accompanied by her two virgin daughters, with
+dishevelled hair, and other marks of wretchedness. In addition to
+this, she had recourse to prayers also; she implored them "by the
+memory of her father, Hiero, and her brother, Gelon, that they would
+not suffer her, a guiltless person, to be consumed by their hatred of
+Hieronymus. That all that she had derived from his reign was the exile
+of her husband. That neither did she enjoy the same advantages as her
+sister while Hieronymus was alive, nor was her cause the same as hers
+now he was dead. What? Though her sister would have shared the throne
+with Andranodorus, had he succeeded in his designs, she must have been
+in servitude with the rest. Can any one doubt, that if information
+should be conveyed to Zoippus that Hieronymus had been put to death,
+and that Syracuse was free, he would instantly embark and return to
+his native land. But how are all human hopes deceived! His wife and
+children are struggling for their lives in his native land, now
+blessed with liberty! In what manner standing in the way of liberty or
+the laws? What danger could arise to any one from them, from a
+solitary, and in a manner, widowed woman and girls living in a state
+of orphanage? But perhaps it will be granted that no danger is to be
+apprehended from them, but alleged that the whole royal family is
+detested. If this were the case, she entreated that they would banish
+them far from Syracuse and Sicily, and order them to be conveyed to
+Alexandria, the wife to her husband, the daughters to their father."
+Seeing that their ears and minds were unimpressed, and that certain of
+them were drawing their swords to prevent a fruitless consumption of
+time, she gave over entreating for herself, and began to implore them
+to "spare, at least, her daughters, at an age which even exasperated
+enemies spared." She entreated them "that they would not, in their
+revenge on tyrants, themselves imitate the crimes which were odious to
+them." While thus employed, they dragged her from the sanctuary and
+murdered her; and after that they fell upon the virgins, who were
+sprinkled with the blood of their mother; who, distracted alike by
+fear and grief, and as if seized with madness, rushed out of the
+chapel with such rapidity, that had there been an opening by which
+they might have escaped into the street, they would have filled the
+city with confusion. As it was, they several times made their escape
+through the midst of so many armed men with their persons uninjured in
+the contracted space which the house afforded, and extricated
+themselves from their grasp, though they had to disengage themselves
+from so many and such strong hands; but at length enfeebled by wounds,
+and after covering every place with blood, they fell down lifeless.
+This murder, piteous as it was in itself, was rendered still more so
+by its happening that a short time after it a message arrived that
+they should not be killed, as the minds of the people were now turned
+to compassion. This compassion then gave rise to a feeling of anger,
+because so much haste had been shown in carrying the punishment into
+effect, and because no opportunity was left for relenting or retracing
+the steps of their passion. The multitude therefore gave vent to their
+indignation, and demanded an election to supply the places of
+Andranodorus and Themistus, for both of them had been praetors; an
+election by no means likely to be agreeable to the praetors.
+
+27. The day was fixed for the election, when, to the surprise of all,
+one person from the extremity of the crowd nominated Epicydes, and
+then another from the same quarter nominated Hippocrates. Afterwards
+the voices in favour of these persons increased with the manifest
+approbation of the multitude. The assembly was one of a heterogeneous
+character, consisting not only of the commons, but a crowd of
+soldiers, with a large admixture even of deserters, who were desirous
+of innovation in every thing. The praetors, at first, concealed their
+feelings, and were for protracting the business; but at length,
+overcome by the general opinion, and apprehensive of a sedition, they
+declared them the praetors. These did not, however, immediately openly
+avow their sentiments, though they were chagrined that ambassadors had
+been sent to Appius Claudius to negotiate a ten days' truce, and that
+on obtaining this, others were sent to treat for the renewal of the
+old alliance. The Romans, with a fleet of a hundred ships, were then
+stationed at Murgantia, waiting the issue of the commotion raised at
+Syracuse by the death of the tyrants, and to what their recent
+acquisition of liberty would impel the people. Meanwhile, the
+Syracusan ambassadors were sent by Appius Claudius to Marcellus on his
+coming into Sicily, and Marcellus having heard the conditions of
+peace, and being of opinion that matters might be brought to a
+settlement, himself also sent ambassadors to Syracuse to treat with
+the praetors in person on the renewal of the alliance. But now by no
+means the same state of quiet and tranquillity existed there.
+Hippocrates and Epicydes, their fears being removed, after that
+intelligence had arrived that a Carthaginian fleet had put in at
+Pachynum, complained sometimes to the mercenary soldiers, at other
+times to the deserters, that Syracuse was being betrayed to the
+Romans. And when Appius began to station his ships at the mouth of the
+port, in order to inspire the other party with courage, their false
+insinuations appeared to receive great corroboration; and on the first
+impulse, the populace had even run down in a disorderly manner to
+prevent them from disembarking.
+
+28. While affairs were in this unsettled state, it was resolved to
+call an assembly; in which, when some leaned to one side and some to
+the other, and an insurrection being on the point of breaking out,
+Apollonides, one of the nobles, delivered a speech fraught with
+salutary advice, considering the critical state of affairs: "Never,"
+he said, "had a state a nearer prospect of safety and annihilation.
+For if they would all unanimously espouse the cause either of the
+Romans or the Carthaginians, there could be no state whose condition
+would be more prosperous and happy; but if they pulled different ways,
+the war between the Romans and Carthaginians would not be more bloody
+than that which would take place between the Syracusans themselves, in
+which both the contending parties would have their forces, their
+troops, and their generals, within the same walls. Every exertion
+ought therefore to be made that all might think alike. Which alliance
+would be productive of the greater advantages, was a question of quite
+a secondary nature, and of less moment; though the authority of Hiero
+ought to be followed in preference to that of Hieronymus in the
+selection of allies, and a friendship of which they had had a happy
+experience through a space of fifty years, ought to be chosen rather
+than one now untried and formerly unfaithful. That it ought also to
+have some weight in their deliberations, that peace with the
+Carthaginians might be refused in such a manner as not immediately, at
+least, to have a war with them, while with the Romans they must
+forthwith have either peace or war." The less of party spirit and
+warmth appeared in this speech the greater weight it had. A military
+council also was united with the praetors and a chosen body of
+senators; the commanders of companies also, and the praefects of the
+allies, were ordered to consult conjointly. After the question had
+been agitated with great warmth, at length, as there appeared to be no
+means of carrying on a war with the Romans, it was resolved that a
+treaty of peace should be formed, and that ambassadors should be sent
+with those from Rome to ratify the same.
+
+29. Not many days intervened before ambassadors came from the
+Leontines, requesting troops to protect their frontiers; an embassy
+which appeared to afford a very favourable opportunity for
+disencumbering the city of a turbulent and disorderly rabble, and for
+removing their leaders to a distance. The praetor, Hippocrates, was
+ordered to lead the deserters thither. Many of the mercenary
+auxiliaries accompanying them made them number four thousand armed
+men. This expedition gave great delight both to those who were sent
+and those who sent them, for to the former an opportunity was afforded
+of change which they had long desired, while the latter were rejoiced
+because they considered that a kind of sink of the city had been
+drained off. But they had, as it were, only relieved a sick body for a
+time, that it might afterwards fall into a more aggravated disease.
+For Hippocrates began to ravage the adjoining parts of the Roman
+province, at first by stealthy excursions, but afterwards, when Appies
+had sent a body of troops to protect the lands of the allies, he made
+an attack with all his forces upon the guard posted over against him,
+and slew many. Marcellus, when informed of this, immediately sent
+ambassadors to Syracuse, who said that the faith of the treaty had
+been broken, and that there would never be wanting a cause for
+hostilities, unless Hippocrates and Epicydes were removed not only
+from Syracuse, but far from all Sicily. Epicydes, lest by being
+present he should be arraigned for the offence committed by his absent
+brother, or should be wanting on his own part in stirring up a war,
+proceeded himself also to the Leontines; and seeing that they were
+already sufficiently exasperated against the Romans, he endeavoured to
+detach them from the Syracusans also. His argument was, that the terms
+on which they had formed a treaty of peace with the Romans were, that
+whatever people had been subject to their kings should be placed under
+their dominion; and that now they were not satisfied with liberty
+unless they could also exercise kingly power and dominion over others.
+The answer, therefore, he said, which they ought to send back was,
+that the Leontines also considered themselves entitled to liberty,
+either on the ground that the tyrant fell in the streets of their
+city, or that there the shout was first raised for liberty; and that
+they were the persons who, abandoning the king's generals, flocked to
+Syracuse. That, therefore, either that article must be expunged from
+the treaty, or that that term of it would not be admitted. They easily
+persuaded the multitude; and when the ambassadors of Syracuse
+complained of the slaughter of the Roman guard, and ordered that
+Hippocrates and Epicydes should depart either to Locri or any other
+place they pleased, provided they quitted Sicily, a reply was made to
+them in a haughty manner, "that they had neither placed themselves at
+the disposal of the Syracusans to make a peace for them with the
+Romans, nor were they bound by the treaties of other people." This
+answer the Syracusans laid before the Romans, declaring at the same
+time that "the Leontines were not under their control, and that,
+therefore, the Romans might make war on them without violating the
+treaty subsisting between them; that they would also not be wanting in
+the war, provided that when brought again under subjection, they
+should form a part of their dominion, agreeably to the conditions of
+the peace."
+
+30. Marcellus marched with his entire forces against Leontini, having
+sent for Appius also, in order that he might attack it in another
+quarter; when, such was the ardour of the troops in consequence of the
+indignation they felt at the Roman guards being put to the sword
+during the negotiations for a peace, that they took the town by storm
+on the first assault. Hippocrates and Epicydes, perceiving that the
+enemy were getting possession of the walls and breaking open the
+gates, retired with a few others into the citadel, from which they
+fled unobserved during the night to Herbessus. The Syracusans, who had
+marched from home with eight thousand troops, were met at the river
+Myla by a messenger, who informed them that the city was taken. The
+rest which he stated was a mixture of truth and falsehood; he said
+that there had been an indiscriminate massacre of the soldiers and the
+townsmen, and that he did not think that one person who had arrived at
+puberty had survived; that the town had been pillaged, and the
+property of the rich men given to the troops. On receiving such
+direful news the army halted; and while all were under violent
+excitement, the generals, Sosis and Dinomenes, consulted together as
+to the course to be taken. The scourging and beheading of two thousand
+deserters had given to this false statement a plausibility which
+excited alarm; but no violence was offered to any of the Leontine or
+other soldiers after the city was taken; and every man's property was
+restored to him, with the exception only of such as was destroyed in
+the first confusion which attended the capture of the city. The
+troops, who complained of their fellow-soldiers having been betrayed
+and butchered, could neither be induced to proceed to Leontini, nor
+wait where they were for more certain intelligence. The praetors,
+perceiving their minds disposed to mutiny, but concluding that their
+violence would not be of long continuance, if those who had led them
+on to such folly were removed, led the troops to Megara, whence they
+themselves with a few horsemen proceeded to Herbessus, under the
+expectation of having the city betrayed to them in the general
+consternation; but being disappointed in this attempt, they resolved
+to resort to force, and moved their camp from Megara on the following
+day, in order to attack Herbessus with all their forces. Hippocrates
+and Epicydes having formed the design of putting themselves into the
+hands of the soldiers, who were for the most part accustomed to them,
+and were now incensed at the report of the massacre of their comrades,
+not so much as a safe measure on the first view of it as that it was
+their only course, now that all hope was cut off, went out to meet the
+army. It happened that the troops which marched in the van were six
+hundred Cretans, who had been engaged in the service of Hieronymus
+under their command, and were under obligation to Hannibal, having
+been captured at the Trasimenus among the Roman auxiliaries, and
+dismissed by him. Hippocrates and Epicydes, recognising them by their
+standards and the fashion of their armour, held out olive branches,
+and the fillets usually worn by suppliants, and implored them to
+receive them into their ranks, protect them when received, and not
+betray them to the Syracusans, by whom they themselves would soon be
+delivered up to the Romans to be butchered.
+
+31. But the Cretans with one accord called out to them to be of good
+courage; that they would share every fortune with them. During this
+conversation, the vanguard had halted, and the march was delayed; nor
+had the cause of the delay as yet reached the generals. After the
+report had spread that Hippocrates and Epicydes were there, and a
+voice was heard through the whole army, which showed evidently that
+the troops were pleased at their arrival, the praetors immediately
+gallopped to the front, and earnestly asked "what was the meaning of
+that violation of discipline, which the Cretans had committed in
+holding conference with the enemy, and allowing them to mingle with
+their ranks without the authority of the praetors." They ordered
+Hippocrates to be seized and thrown into chains. On hearing which such
+a clamour was raised, first by the Cretans and then by the rest, that
+it was quite evident if they proceeded farther that they would have
+cause to fear. In this state of anxiety and perplexity, they gave
+orders to march back to Megara, whence they had set out, and sent
+messengers to Syracuse, to give information of their present
+condition. Hippocrates added a deception, seeing that the minds of the
+troops were disposed to entertain every suspicion. Having sent some
+Cretans to lie in wait in the roads, he read a letter he pretended had
+been intercepted, but which he had written himself. The address was:
+"The praetors of Syracuse to the consul Marcellus." After the
+customary wishing of health, it stated "that he had acted duly and
+properly in sparing none of the Leontines, but that the cause of all
+the mercenary troops was the same, and that Syracuse would never be
+tranquil while there were any foreign auxiliaries in the city or in
+the army. That it was therefore necessary that he should endeavour to
+get into his power those who were encamped at Megara, with their
+praetors, and by punishing them, at length restore Syracuse to
+liberty." After this letter had been read, they ran to seize their
+arms in every direction, with so great a clamour, that the praetors,
+in the utmost consternation, rode away to Syracuse during the
+confusion. The mutiny, however, was not quelled even by their flight,
+but an attack was made upon the Syracusan soldiers; nor would any one
+have escaped their violence, had not Hippocrates and Epicydes opposed
+the resentment of the multitude, not from pity or any humane motive,
+but lest they should cut off all hope of effecting their return; and
+that they might have the soldiers, both as faithful supporters of
+their cause, and as hostages, and conciliate to themselves their
+relatives and friends, in the first place by so great an obligation,
+and in the next by reason of the pledge. Having also experienced that
+the populace could be excited by any cause, however groundless or
+trifling, they procured a soldier of the number of those who were
+besieged at Leontini, whom they suborned to carry a report to
+Syracuse, corresponding with that which had been falsely told at the
+Myla; and by vouching for what he stated, and relating as matters
+which he had seen, those things of which doubts were entertained, to
+kindle the resentment of the people.
+
+32. This man not only obtained credit with the commons, but being
+introduced into the senate-house, produced an impression upon the
+senate also. Some men of no small authority openly declared, that it
+was very fortunate that the rapacity and cruelty of the Romans had
+been made apparent in the case of the Leontines; that if they had
+entered Syracuse, they would have committed the same or even more
+horrible acts, as there the temptations to rapacity would have been
+greater. All, therefore, advised that the gates should be closed and
+the city guarded, but not the same persons were objects of fear or
+hatred to all alike. Among the soldiers of every kind, and a great
+part of the people, the Roman name was hated. The praetors, and a few
+of the nobles, though enraged by the fictitious intelligence, rather
+directed their cautions against a nearer and more immediate evil.
+Hippocrates and Epicycles were now at the Hexapylum; and conversations
+were taking place, fomented by the relatives of the native soldiers
+who were in the army, touching the opening of the gates, and the
+allowing their common country to be defended from the violence of the
+Romans. One of the doors of the Hexapylum was now thrown open, and the
+troops began to be taken in at it, when the praetors interposed; and
+first by commands and menaces, then by advice, they endeavoured to
+deter them from their purpose, and last of all, every other means
+proving ineffectual, forgetful of their dignity, they tried to move
+them by prayers, imploring them not to betray their country to men
+heretofore the satellites of the tyrant, and now the corrupters of the
+army. But the ears of the excited multitude were deaf to all these
+arguments, and the exertions made from within to break open the gates,
+were not less than those without; the gates were all broken open, and
+the whole army received into the Hexapylum. The praetors, with the
+youth of the city, fled into the Achradina; the mercenary soldiers and
+deserters, with all the soldiers of the late king who were at
+Syracuse, joined the forces of the enemy. The Achradina also was
+therefore taken on the first assault, and all the praetors, except
+such as escaped in the confusion, were put to the sword. Night put an
+end to the carnage. On the following day the slaves were invited to
+liberty, and those bound in prison were released; after which this
+mixed rabble created Hippocrates and Epicydes their praetors, and thus
+Syracuse, when for a brief period the light of liberty had shone on
+it, relapsed into her former state of servitude.
+
+33. The Romans, on receiving information of these events, immediately
+moved their camp from Leontini to Syracuse. It happened at this time
+that ambassadors were sent by Appius in a quinquereme, to make their
+way through the harbour. A quadrireme was sent in advance, which was
+captured as soon as it entered the mouth of the harbour, and the
+ambassadors with difficulty made their escape. And now not only the
+laws of peace but of war also were not regarded, when the Roman army
+pitched their camp at Olympium, a temple of Jupiter, a mile and a half
+from the city. From which place also it was thought proper that
+ambassadors should be sent forward; these were met by Hippocrates and
+Epicydes with their friends without the gate, to prevent their
+entering the city. The Roman, who was appointed to speak, said that
+"he did not bring war, but aid and assistance to the Syracusans, not
+only to such as, escaping from the midst of the carnage, fled to the
+Romans for protection, but to those also, who, overpowered by fear,
+were submitting to a servitude more shocking, not only than exile, but
+than death. Nor would the Romans suffer the horrid murder of their
+friends to go unavenged. If, therefore, those who had taken refuge
+with them were allowed to return to their country with safety, the
+authors of the massacre delivered up, and the Syracusans reinstated in
+the enjoyment of their liberty and laws, there would be no necessity
+for arms; but if these things were not done, they would direct their
+arms unceasingly against those who delayed them, whoever they might
+be." Epicydes replied, that "if they had been commissioned with any
+message for them, they would have given them an answer; and when the
+government of Syracuse was in the hands of those persons to whom they
+were come, they might visit Syracuse again. If they should commence
+hostilities, they would learn by actual experience that it was by no
+means the same thing to besiege Syracuse and Leontini." With this he
+left the ambassadors and closed the gate. The siege of Syracuse then
+commenced by sea and land at the same time; by land on the side of the
+Hexapylum; by sea on the side of the Achradina, the wall of which is
+washed by its waves; and as the Romans felt a confidence that as they
+had taken Leontini by the terror they occasioned on the first assault,
+they should be able in some quarter to effect an entrance into a city
+so desert, and diffused over so large an extent of ground, they
+brought up to the walls every kind of engine for besieging cities.
+
+34. And an attempt made with so much energy would have succeeded, had
+it not been for one person then at Syracuse. That person was
+Archimedes, a man of unrivalled skill in observing the heavens and the
+stars, but more deserving of admiration as the inventor and
+constructor of warlike engines and works, by means of which, with a
+very slight effort, he turned to ridicule what the enemy effected with
+great difficulty. The wall which ran along unequal eminences, most of
+which were high and difficult of access, some low and open to approach
+along level vales, he furnished with every kind of warlike engine, as
+seemed suitable to each particular place. Marcellus attacked from the
+quinqueremes the wall of the Achradina, which, as before stated, was
+washed by the sea. From the other ships the archers and slingers and
+light infantry, whose weapon is difficult to be thrown back by the
+unskilful, allowed scarce any person to remain upon the wall
+unwounded. These, as they required room for the discharge of their
+missiles, kept their ships at a distance from the wall. Eight more
+quinqueremes joined together in pairs, the oars on their inner sides
+being removed, so that side might be placed to side, and which forming
+as it were ships, were worked by means of the oars on the outer sides,
+carried turrets built up in stories, and other engines employed in
+battering walls. Against this naval armament, Archimedes placed on
+different parts of the walls engines of various dimensions. Against
+the ships which were at a distance he discharged stones of immense
+weight. Those which were nearer he assailed with lighter, and
+therefore more numerous missiles. Lastly, in order that his own men
+might heap their weapons upon the enemy, without receiving any wounds
+themselves, he perforated the wall from the top to the bottom with a
+great number of loop-holes, about a cubit in diameter, through which
+some with arrows, others with scorpions of moderate size, assailed the
+enemy without being seen. Certain ships which came nearer to the walls
+in order to get within the range of the engines, he placed upon their
+sterns, raising up their prows by throwing upon them an iron grapple,
+attached to a strong chain, by means of a tolleno which projected from
+the wall, and overhung them, having a heavy counterpoise of lead which
+forced back the lever to the ground; then the grapple being suddenly
+disengaged, the ship falling as it were from the wall, was, by these
+means, to the utter consternation of the mariners, dashed in such a
+manner against the water, that even if it fell back in an erect
+position it took in a great quantity of water. Thus the attack by sea
+was foiled, and their whole efforts were directed to an attack by land
+with all their forces. But on this side also the place was furnished
+with a similar array of engines of every kind, procured at the expense
+of Hiero, who had given his attention to this object through a course
+of many years, and constructed by the unrivalled abilities of
+Archimedes. The nature of the place also assisted them; for the rock
+which formed the foundation of the wall was for the most part so
+steep, that not only materials discharged from engines, but such as
+were rolled down by their own gravity, fell upon the enemy with great
+force; the same cause rendered the approach to the city difficult, and
+the footing unsteady. Wherefore, a council being held, it was
+resolved, since every attempt was frustrated, to abstain from
+assaulting the place, and keeping up a blockade, only to cut off the
+provisions of the enemy by sea and land.
+
+35. Meanwhile, Marcellus, who had set out with about a third part of
+the army, to recover the towns which, during the commotion, had gone
+over to the Carthaginians, regained Helorus and Herbessus by voluntary
+surrender. Megara, which he took by storm, he demolished and
+plundered, in order to terrify the rest, but particularly the
+Syracusans. Much about the same time, Himilco, who had kept his fleet
+for a long time at the promontory of Pachynus, landed twenty-five
+thousand infantry, three thousand horse, and twelve elephants, at
+Heraclea, which they call Minoa. This force was much greater than that
+which he had before on board his fleet at Pachynus. But after Syracuse
+was seized by Hippocrates, he proceeded to Carthage, where, being
+aided by ambassadors from Hippocrates, and a letter from Hannibal, who
+said that now was the time to recover Sicily with the highest honour,
+while his own advice given in person had no small influence, he had
+prevailed upon the Carthaginians to transport into Sicily as large a
+force as possible, both of foot and horse. Immediately on his arrival
+he retook Heraclea, and within a few days after Agrigentum; and in the
+other states which sided with the Carthaginians, such confident hopes
+were kindled of driving the Romans out of Sicily, that at last even
+those who were besieged at Syracuse took courage; and thinking that
+half their forces would be sufficient for the defence of the city,
+they divided the business of the war between them in such a manner,
+that Epicydes superintended the defence of the city, while
+Hippocrates, in conjunction with Himilco, prosecuted the war against
+the Roman consul. The latter, having passed by night through the
+intervals between the posts, with ten thousand foot and five hundred
+horse, was pitching a camp near the city Acrillae, when Marcellus came
+upon them, while engaged in raising the fortifications, on his return
+from Agrigentum, which was already occupied by the enemy, having
+failed in his attempt to get there before the enemy by expeditious
+marching, Marcellus calculated upon any thing rather than meeting with
+a Syracusan army at that time and place; but still through fear of
+Himilco and the Carthaginians, for whom he was by no means a match
+with the forces he had with him, he was marching with all possible
+circumspection, and with his troops so arranged, as to be prepared for
+any thing which might occur.
+
+36. It happened that the caution he had observed with intent to guard
+him against the Carthaginians, proved useful against the Sicilians.
+Having caught them in disorder and dispersed, employed in forming
+their camp, and for the most part unarmed, he cut off all their
+infantry. Their cavalry, having commenced a slight engagement, fled to
+Acrae with Hippocrates. This battle having checked the Sicilians in
+their purpose of revolting from the Romans, Marcellus returned to
+Syracuse, and a few days after Himilco, being joined by Hippocrates,
+encamped on the river Anapus, about eight miles distant from that
+place. Nearly about the same time, fifty-five ships of war of the
+Carthaginians, with Bomilcar as commander of the fleet, put into the
+great harbour of Syracuse from the sea, and a Roman fleet of thirty
+quinqueremes landed the first legion at Panormus; and so intent were
+both the contending powers upon Sicily, that the seat of war might
+seem to have been removed from Italy. Himilco, who thought that the
+Roman legion which had been landed at Panormus, would doubtless fall a
+prey to him on its way to Syracuse, was mistaken in his road; for the
+Carthaginian marched through the inland parts of the country, while
+the legion, keeping along the coast, and attended by the fleet, came
+up with Appius Claudius, who had advanced to Pachynum with a part of
+his forces to meet it. Nor did the Carthaginians delay longer at
+Syracuse. Bomilcar, who at the same time that he did not feel
+sufficient confidence in his naval strength, as the Romans had a fleet
+more than double his number, was aware that delay which could be
+attended with no good effect, would only increase the scarcity of
+provisions among the allies by the presence of his troops, sailed out
+into the deep, and crossed over into Africa. Himilco, who had in vain
+followed Marcellus to Syracuse, to see if he could get any opportunity
+of engaging him before he was joined by larger forces, failing in this
+object, and seeing that the enemy were secured at Syracuse, both by
+their fortifications and the strength of their forces, to avoid
+wasting time in sitting by as an idle spectator of the siege of his
+allies, without being able to do any good, marched his troops away, in
+order to bring them up wherever the prospect of revolt from the Romans
+might invite him, and wherever by his presence he might inspire
+additional courage in those who espoused his interest. He first got
+possession of Murgantia, the Roman garrison having been betrayed by
+the inhabitants themselves. Here a great quantity of corn and
+provisions of every kind had been laid up by the Romans.
+
+37. To this revolt the minds of other states also were stimulated; and
+the Roman garrisons were now either driven out of the citadels, or
+treacherously given up and overpowered. Enna, which stood on an
+eminence lofty and of difficult ascent on all sides, was impregnable
+on account of its situation, and had besides in its citadel a strong
+garrison commanded by one who was very unlikely to be overreached by
+treachery, Lucius Pinarius, a man of vigorous mind, who relied more on
+the measures he took to prevent treachery, than on the fidelity of the
+Sicilians; and at that time particularly the intelligence he had
+received of so many cities being betrayed, and revolting, and of the
+massacre of the garrisons, had made him solicitous to use every
+precaution. Accordingly, by day and night equally, every thing was
+kept in readiness, and every place furnished with guards and watches,
+the soldiery being continually under arms and at their posts. But when
+the principal men in Enna, who had already entered into a covenant
+with Himilco to betray the garrison, found that they could get no
+opportunity of circumventing the Roman, they resolved to act openly.
+They urged, that "the city and the citadel ought to be under their
+control, as they had formed an alliance with the Romans on the
+understanding that they were to be free, and had not been delivered
+into their custody as slaves. That they therefore thought it just that
+the keys of the gates should be restored to them. That their honour
+formed the strongest tie upon good allies, and that the people and
+senate of Rome would entertain feelings of gratitude towards them if
+they continued in friendship with them of their own free will, and not
+by compulsion." The Roman replied, that "he was placed there by his
+general to protect the place; that from him he had received the keys
+of the gates and the custody of the citadel, trusts which he held not
+subject to his own will, nor that of the inhabitants of Enna, but to
+his who committed them to him. That among the Romans, for a man to
+quit his post was a capital offence, and that parents had sanctioned
+that law by the death even of their own children. That the consul
+Marcellus was not far off; that they might send ambassadors to him,
+who possessed the right and liberty of deciding." But they said, they
+would certainly not send to him, and solemnly declared, that as they
+could not obtain their object by argument, they would seek some means
+of asserting their liberty. Pinarius upon this observed, "that if they
+thought it too much to send to the consul, still they would, at least,
+grant him an assembly of the people, that it might be ascertained
+whether these denunciations came from a few, or from the whole state."
+An assembly of the people was proclaimed for the next day, with the
+general consent.
+
+38. After this conference, he returned into the citadel, and
+assembling his soldiers, thus addressed them: "Soldiers, I suppose you
+have heard in what manner the Roman garrisons have been betrayed and
+cut off by the Sicilians of late. You have escaped the same treachery,
+first by the kindness of the gods, and secondly by your own good
+conduct, in unremittingly standing and watching under arms. I wish the
+rest of our time may be passed without suffering or committing
+dreadful things. This caution, which we have hitherto employed, has
+been directed against covert treachery, but not succeeding in this as
+they wished, they now publicly and openly demand back the keys of the
+gates; but as soon as we shall have delivered them up, Enna will be
+instantly in the hands of the Carthaginians, and we shall be butchered
+under circumstances more horrid than those with which the garrison of
+Murgantia were massacred. I have with difficulty procured a delay of
+one night for deliberation, that I might employ it in acquainting you
+with the danger which threatens you. At daybreak they intend holding a
+general assembly for the purpose of criminating me, and stirring up
+the people against you; to-morrow, therefore, Enna will be inundated
+either with your blood, or that of its own inhabitants. If they are
+beforehand with you, you will have no hope left, but if you anticipate
+their proceedings, you will have no danger. Victory will belong to
+that side which shall have drawn the sword first. You shall all,
+therefore, full armed, attentively wait the signal. I shall be in the
+assembly, and by talking and disputing will spin out the time till
+every thing shall be ready. When I shall have given the signal with my
+gown, then, mind me raising a shout on all sides rush upon the
+multitude, and fell all before you with the sword, taking care that no
+one survive from whom either force or fraud can be apprehended. You,
+mother Ceres and Proserpine, I entreat, and all ye other gods,
+celestial and infernal, who frequent this city and these consecrated
+lakes and groves, that you would lend us your friendly and propitious
+aid, as we adopt this measure not for the purpose of inflicting, but
+averting injury. I should exhort you at greater length my soldiers, if
+you were about to fight with armed men, men unarmed and off their
+guard, you will slay to satiety. The consul's camp too is near, so
+that nothing can be apprehended from Himilco and the Carthaginians'."
+
+39. Being allowed to retire immediately after this exhortation, they
+employed themselves in taking refreshment. The next day they stationed
+themselves some in one place and others in another, to block up the
+streets, and shut up the ways by which the townsmen might escape, the
+greater part of them stationing themselves upon and round the theatre,
+as they had been accustomed before also to be spectators of the
+assemblies. When the Roman praefect, having been brought into the
+presence of the people by the magistrates, said, that the power and
+authority of deciding the question appertained to the consul, and not
+to him, repeating for the most part what he had urged the day before,
+first of all a small number, and then more, desired him to give up the
+keys, but afterwards all with one consent demanded it, and when he
+hesitated and delayed, threatened him furiously, and seemed as though
+they would not further delay violent extremities then the praefect
+gave the signal agreed upon with his gown and the soldiers, who had
+been long anxiously waiting the signal, and in readiness, raising a
+shout, ran down, some of them from the higher ground, upon the rear of
+the assembly while others blocked up the passages leading out of the
+crowded theatre. The people of Enna thus shut up in the pit were put
+to the sword, being heaped one upon another not only in consequence of
+the slaughter, but also from their own efforts to escape, for some
+scrambling over the heads of others, and those that were unhurt
+falling upon the wounded, and the living upon the dead, they were
+accumulated together. Thence they ran in every direction throughout
+the city, when nothing was any where to be seen but flight and
+bloodshed, as though the city had been captured, for the rage of the
+soldiery was not less excited in putting to the sword an unarmed
+rabble, than it would have been had the heat of battle and an equality
+of danger stimulated it. Thus possession of Enna was retained, by an
+act which was either atrocious or unavoidable. Marcellus did not
+disapprove of the deed, and gave up the plunder of the place to the
+soldiery, concluding that the Sicilians, deterred by this example,
+would refrain from betraying their garrisons. As this city was
+situated in the heart of Sicily, and was distinguished both on account
+of the remarkable strength of its natural situation, and because every
+part of it was rendered sacred by the traces it contained of the rape
+of Proserpine of old, the news of its disaster spread though the whole
+of Sicily in nearly one day, and as people considered that by this
+horrid massacre violence had been done not only to the habitations of
+men, but even of the gods, then indeed those who even before this
+event were in doubt which side they should take, revolted to the
+Carthaginians Hippocrates and Himilco, who had in vain brought up
+their troops to Enna at the invitation of the traitors, retired
+thence, the former to Murgantia, the latter to Agrigentum. Marcellus
+retrograded into the territory of Leontium, and after collecting a
+quantity of corn and other provisions in his camp there, left a small
+body of troops to protect it, and then went to carry on the siege of
+Syracuse. Appius Claudius having been allowed to go from thence to
+Rome to put up for the consulship, he appointed Titus Quintus
+Crispinus to command the fleet and the old camp in his room. He
+himself fortified his camp, and built huts for his troops at a
+distance of five miles from Hexapylum, at a place called Leon. These
+were the transactions in Sicily up to the beginning of the winter.
+
+40. The same summer the war with king Philip, as had been before
+suspected, broke out. Ambassadors from Oricum came to Marcus Valerius,
+the praetor, who was directing his fleet around Brundusium and the
+neighbouring coasts of Calabria, with intelligence, that Philip had
+first made an attempt upon Apollonia, having approached it by sailing
+up the river with a hundred and twenty barks with two banks of oars;
+after that, not succeeding so speedily as he had hoped, that he had
+brought up his army secretly to Oricum by night; which city, as it was
+situated on a plain, and was not secured either by fortifications or
+by men and arms, was overpowered at the first assault. At the same
+time that they delivered this intelligence, they entreated him to
+bring them succour, and repel that decided enemy of the Romans by land
+or by a naval force, since they were attacked for no other cause than
+that they lay over against Italy. Marcus Valerius, leaving Publius
+Valerius lieutenant-general charged with the protection of that
+quarter, set sail with his fleet equipped and prepared, having put on
+board of ships of burthen such soldiers as there was not room for in
+the men of war, and reached Oricum on the second day; and as that city
+was occupied by a slight garrison, which Philip had left on his
+departure thence, he retook it without much opposition. Here
+ambassadors came to him from Apollonia, stating that they were
+subjected to a siege because they were unwilling to revolt from the
+Romans, and that they would not be able any longer to resist the power
+of the Macedonians, unless a Roman force were sent for their
+protection. Having undertaken to perform what they wished, he sent two
+thousand chosen armed men in ships of war to the mouth of the river,
+under the command of Quintus Naevius Crista, praefect of the allies, a
+man of enterprise, and experienced in military affairs. Having landed
+his troops, and sent back the ships to join the rest of the fleet at
+Oricum, whence he had come, he marched his troops at a distance from
+the river, by a way not guarded at all by the king's party, and
+entered the city by night, so that none of the enemy perceived him.
+During the following day they remained quiet, to afford time for the
+praefect to inspect the youth of Apollonia, together with the arms and
+resources of the city. Having derived considerable confidence from a
+review and inspection of these, and at the same time discovering from
+scouts the supineness and negligence which prevailed among the enemy,
+he marched out of the city during the dead of night without any noise,
+and entered the camp of the enemy, which was in such a neglected and
+exposed state, that it was quite clear that a thousand men had passed
+the rampart before any one perceived them, and that had they abstained
+from putting them to the sword, they might have penetrated to the
+royal pavilion. The killing of those who were nearest the gate aroused
+the enemy; and in consequence, they were all seized with such alarm
+and dismay, that not only none of the rest attempted to take arms or
+endeavour to expel the enemy from the camp, but even the king himself,
+betaking himself to flight, in a manner half naked and just as he was
+when roused from his sleep, hurried away to the river and his ships in
+a garb scarcely decent for a private soldier, much less for a king.
+Thither also the rest of the multitude fled with the utmost
+precipitation. Little less than three thousand men were slain or made
+prisoners in the camp; considerably more, however, were captured than
+slain. The camp having been plundered, the Apollonians removed into
+their city the catapults, ballistas, and other engines which had been
+got together for the purpose of assaulting their city, for the
+protection of their walls, in case at any time a similar conjuncture
+should arise; all the rest of the plunder which the camp afforded was
+given up to the Romans. Intelligence of these events having been
+carried to Oricum, Marcus Valerius immediately brought his fleet to
+the mouth of the river, that the king might not attempt to make his
+escape by ship. Thus Philip, having lost all hope of being able to
+cope with his enemies by land or sea, and having either hauled on
+shore or burnt his ships, made for Macedonia by land, his troops being
+for the most part unarmed and despoiled of their baggage. The Roman
+fleet, with Marcus Valerius, wintered at Oricum.
+
+41. The same year the war was prosecuted in Spain with various
+success; for before the Romans crossed the Iberus, Mago and Hasdrubal
+had routed an immense army of Spaniards; and the farther Spain would
+have revolted from the Romans, had not Publius Cornelius, hastily
+crossing the Iberus with his army, given a seasonable stimulus to the
+wavering resolutions of his allies by his arrival among them. The
+Romans first encamped at a place called the High Camp, which is
+remarkable for the death of the great Hamilcar. It was a fortress
+strongly defended by works, and thither they had previously conveyed
+corn; but as the whole circumjacent country was full of enemy's
+troops, and the Roman army on its march had been charged by the
+cavalry of the enemy without being able to take revenge upon them, two
+thousand men, who either loitered behind or had strayed through the
+fields, having been slain, the Romans quitted this place to get nearer
+to a friendly country, and fortified a camp at the mount of Victory.
+To this place came Cneius Scipio with all his forces, and Hasdrubal,
+son of Gisgo, and a third Carthaginian general, with a complete army,
+all of whom took up a position opposite the Roman camp and on the
+other side the river. Publius Scipio, going out with some light troops
+to take a view of the surrounding country, was observed by the enemy;
+and he would have been overpowered in the open plain, had he not
+seized an eminence near him. Here too he was closely invested, but was
+rescued from the troops which environed him by the arrival of his
+brother. Castulo, a city of Spain, so strong and celebrated, and so
+closely connected with the Carthaginians, that Hannibal had taken a
+wife from it, revolted to the Romans. The Carthaginians commenced the
+siege of Illiturgi, because there was a Roman garrison in it; and it
+seemed that they would carry the place, chiefly in consequence of a
+lack of provisions. Cneius Scipio, setting out with a legion lightly
+equipped, in order to bring succour to his allies and the garrison,
+entered the city, passing between the two camps of the enemy, and
+slaying a great number of them. The next day also he sallied out and
+fought with equal success. Above twelve thousand were slain in the two
+battles, more than a thousand made prisoners, and thirty-six military
+standards captured. In consequence of this they retired from
+Illiturgi. After this the siege of Bigerra, a city which was also in
+alliance with the Romans, was commenced by the Carthaginians; but
+Scipio coming up, raised the siege without experiencing any
+opposition.
+
+42. The Carthaginians then removed their camp to Munda, whither the
+Romans speedily followed them. Here a pitched battle was fought, which
+lasted almost four hours; and while the Romans were carrying all
+before them in the most glorious manner, the signal for retreat was
+sounded, because the thigh of Cneius Scipio had been transfixed with a
+javelin. The soldiers round about him were thrown into a state of
+great alarm, lest the wound should be mortal. However, there was no
+doubt but that if they had not been prevented by the intervention of
+this accident, they might have taken the Carthaginian camp that day.
+By this time, not only the men, but the elephants, were driven quite
+up to the rampart; and even upon the top of it nine and thirty
+elephants were pierced with spears. In this battle, too, as many as
+twelve thousand are said to have been slain, nearly three thousand
+captured, with fifty-seven military standards. The Carthaginians
+retired thence to the city Auringis, whither the Romans followed them,
+in order to take advantage of their terror. Here Scipio again fought
+them, having been carried into the field in a small litter; the
+victory was decisive; but not half so many of the enemy were slain as
+before, because fewer survived to fight. But this family, which
+possessed a natural talent at renewing war and restoring its effects,
+in a short time recruited their army, Mago having been sent by his
+brother to press soldiers, and assumed courage to try the issue of a
+fresh struggle. Though the soldiers were for the most part different,
+yet as they fought in a cause which had so often been unsuccessful
+within the space of a few days, they carried into the field the same
+state of mind as those which had been engaged before, and the issue of
+the battle was similar. More than eight thousand were slain, not much
+less than a thousand captured, with fifty-eight military standards.
+The greater part of the spoils had belonged to the Gauls, consisting
+of golden chains and bracelets in great numbers. Also two
+distinguished Gallic petty princes, whose names were Moenicaptus and
+Civismarus, fell in this battle. Eight elephants were captured and
+three slain. When affairs went on so prosperously in Spain, the Romans
+began to feel ashamed that Saguntum, on account of which the war had
+originated, should continue for now the eighth year in the power of
+the enemy. Accordingly, having expelled by force the Carthaginian
+garrison, they retook that town, and restored it to such of the
+ancient inhabitants as had survived the fury of the war. The
+Turditanians also, who had been the cause of the war between that
+people and the Carthaginians, they reduced under their power, sold
+them as slaves, and razed their city.
+
+43. Such were the achievements in Spain during the consulate of
+Quintus Fabius and Marcus Claudius. At Rome, as soon as the new
+plebeian tribunes entered upon their office, Lucius Metellus, a
+plebeian tribune, immediately appointed a day for impleading the
+censors, Publius Furius and Marcus Atilius, before the people. In the
+preceding year, when he was quaestor, they had deprived him of his
+horse, removed him from his tribe, and disfranchised him, on account
+of the conspiracy entered into at Cannae to abandon Italy. But being
+aided by the other nine tribunes, they were forbidden to answer while
+in office, and were discharged. The death of Publius Furius prevented
+their completing the lustrum. Marcus Atilius abdicated his office. An
+assembly for the election of consuls was held by Quintus Fabius
+Maximus. The consuls elected were Quintus Fabius Maximus, son of the
+consul, and Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus a second time, both being
+absent. The praetors appointed were Marcus Atilius, and the two curule
+aediles, Publius Sempronius Tuditanus and Cneius Fulvius Centumalus,
+together with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. It is recorded, that the scenic
+games were this year, for the first time, celebrated for four days by
+the curule aediles. The aedile Tuditanus was the man who made his way
+through the midst of the enemy at Cannae when all the rest were
+paralysed with fear, in consequence of that dreadful calamity. As soon
+as the elections were completed, the consuls elect having been
+summoned to Rome, at the instance of Quintus Fabius, the consul,
+entered upon their office, and took the sense of the senate respecting
+the war, their own provinces as well as those of the praetors, and
+also respecting the armies to be employed, and which each of them was
+to command.
+
+44. The provinces and armies were thus distributed: the prosecution of
+the war with Hannibal was given to the consuls, and of the armies, one
+which Sempronius himself had commanded, and another which the consul
+Fabius had commanded, each consisting of two legions. Marcus Aemilius,
+the praetor, who had the foreign jurisdiction, was to have Luceria as
+his province, with the two legions which Quintus Fabius, then consul,
+had commanded as praetor, his colleague, Marcus Atilius, the city
+praetor, undertaking the duties of his office. The province of
+Ariminum fell to the lot of Publius Sempronius, that of Suessula to
+Cneius Fulvius, with two legions each likewise; Fulvius taking with
+him the city legions; Tuditanus receiving his from Manius Pomponius.
+The following generals were continued in command, and their provinces
+assigned to them thus: to Marcus Claudius, so much of Sicily as lay
+within the limits of the kingdom of Hiero; to Lentulus, the
+propraetor, the old province in that island; to Titus Otacilius, the
+fleet; no additional troops were assigned to them. Marcus Valerius had
+Greece and Macedonia, with the legion and the fleet which he had
+there; Quintus Mucius had Sardinia, with his old army, consisting of
+two legions; Caius Terentius, Picenum, with one legion which he then
+commanded. Besides, orders were given to enlist two legions for the
+city, and twenty thousand men from the allies. With these leaders and
+these forces did they fortify the Roman empire against the many wars
+which had either actually broken out, or were suspected at one and the
+same time. After enlisting the city legions and raising troops to make
+up the numbers of the others, the consuls, before they quitted the
+city, expiated the prodigies which were reported. A wall and a gate
+had been struck by lightning; and at Aricia even the temple of Jupiter
+had been struck by lightning. Other illusions of the eyes and ears
+were credited as realities. An appearance as of ships had been seen in
+the river at Tarracina, when there were none there. A clashing of arms
+was heard in the temple of Jupiter Vicilinus, in the territory of
+Compsa; and a river at Amiternum had flowed bloody. These prodigies
+having been expiated according to a decree of the pontiffs, the
+consuls set out, Sempronius for Lucania, Fabius for Apulia. The father
+of the latter came into the camp at Suessula, as his
+lieutenant-general; and when the son advanced to meet him, the
+lictors, out of respect for his dignity, went on in silence. The old
+man rode past eleven of the fasces, when the consul ordered the lictor
+nearest to him to take care and he called to him to dismount; then at
+length dismounting, he exclaimed, "I wished to try, my son, whether
+you were duly sensible that you are a consul."
+
+45. To this camp came Dasias Altinius of Arpi privately and by night,
+attended by three slaves, with a promise that if he should receive a
+reward for it, he would engage to betray Arpi to them. Fabius having
+laid the matter before a council, some were of opinion that "he ought
+to be scourged and put to death as a deserter, as a man of unstable
+mind, and a common enemy to both sides; who, after the defeat at
+Cannae, had gone over to Hannibal and drawn Arpi into revolt, as if it
+were right that a man's fidelity should vary according to the
+fluctuations of fortune; and who now, when the Roman cause, contrary
+to his hopes and wishes, was as it were rising up again, would seem to
+aggravate his baseness by recompensing those whom he had formerly
+betrayed, by fresh betrayal. That a man whose custom it was to espouse
+one side, while his heart was on another, was unworthy of confidence
+as an ally, and contemptible as an enemy; that he ought to be made a
+third example to deserters, in addition to the betrayers of Falerii
+and Pyrrhus." On the other hand, Fabius, the father of the consul,
+observed, that, "forgetful of circumstances, men were apt to exercise
+a free judgment on every question in the heat of war, as in time of
+peace; for though in the present instance that which ought rather to
+form the object of their endeavours and to occupy their thoughts, is
+by what means it may be brought about that none of the allies may
+revolt from the Roman people, yet that they never think of; but, on
+the contrary, they urge that an example ought to be made of any who
+might repent and look back upon their former alliance. But if it is
+allowable to forsake the Romans, and not allowable to return to them,
+who can doubt but that in a short time the Romans, deserted by their
+allies, will see every state in Italy united in leagues with the
+Carthaginians. Not, however, that he was of opinion that any
+confidence was to be reposed in Altinius, but he would invent some
+middle course of proceeding. Treating him neither as an enemy nor as a
+friend for the present, his wish was, that he should be kept during
+the war in some city whose fidelity could be relied on, at a short
+distance from the camp, in a state of easy restraint; and that when
+the war was concluded, they should then deliberate whether he more
+deserved to be punished for his former defection, or pardoned for his
+present return." The opinion of Fabius was approved of. Altinius was
+bound in chains and given into custody, together with his companions,
+and a large quantity of gold which he brought with him was ordered to
+be kept for him. He was kept at Cales, where, during the day, he was
+unconfined, but attended by guards who locked him up at night. He was
+first missed and inquired for at his house at Arpi. but afterwards,
+when the report of his absence had spread through the city, a violent
+sensation was excited, as if they had lost their leader, and, from the
+apprehension of some attempt to alter the present state of things,
+messengers were immediately despatched to Hannibal. With this the
+Carthaginian was far from being displeased, both because he had long
+regarded the man himself with suspicion, as one of doubtful fidelity,
+and because he had now been lucky enough to get a pretext for
+possessing himself of the property of so wealthy a person. But that
+the world might suppose that he had yielded to resentment more than to
+avarice, he added cruelty to rapacity; for he summoned his wife and
+children to the camp, and after having made inquiry, first, respecting
+the flight of Altinius, and then, touching the quantity of gold and
+silver which was left at his house, and informed himself on all these
+points, he burned them alive.
+
+46. Fabius, setting out from Suessula, first set about the siege of
+Arpi; and having pitched his camp about half a mile from it, he took a
+near view of the site and walls of the city, and resolved to attack
+it, in preference, in that quarter where it was most secured by works,
+and where the least care was taken in guarding it. After getting all
+things together which could be of use in besieging a city, he selected
+the most efficient of the centurions out of the whole army, placing
+them under the command of tribunes of approved valour, and giving them
+six hundred soldiers, a number which was thought sufficient for the
+purpose. These he ordered to bring the scaling ladders to the place
+which he had marked out, as soon as the signal of the fourth watch had
+sounded. In this part there was a low and narrow gate, opening into a
+street which was little frequented, and which led through a deserted
+part of the city. He ordered them, after scaling the wall, to proceed
+to this gate, and break down the bars on the inside by force, and when
+they were in possession of that part of the city, to give a signal
+with a cornet, that the rest of the troops might be brought up,
+observing that he would have every thing prepared and ready. These
+orders were executed promptly, and that which seemed likely to impede
+their operations, served more than any thing to conceal them. A shower
+of rain, which came on suddenly at midnight, compelled the guards and
+watches to slip away from their posts and take shelter in the houses;
+and the noise of the shower, which was somewhat copious, at first
+prevented their hearing that which was made by the men in breaking
+open the gate. Afterwards, when it fell upon the ear more gently and
+uniformly, it lulled a great number of the men to sleep. After they
+had secured possession of the gate, they placed cornet-players in the
+street at equal distances, and desired them to sound, in order to call
+the consul. This being done according to the plan previously agreed
+upon, the consul ordered the troops to march, and a little before
+daylight entered the city through the broken gate.
+
+47. Then at length the enemy were roused, the shower was now
+subsiding, and daylight coming on. Hannibal had a garrison of about
+five thousand armed men in the city, and the inhabitants themselves
+had three thousand men in arms; these the Carthaginians placed in
+front against the enemy, to guard against any treachery on their rear.
+The fight was carried on at first in the dark, and in the narrow
+streets, the Romans having seized not only the streets, but the houses
+also nearest the gate, that they might not be struck or wounded by any
+thing discharged at them from above. Some of the Arpinians and Romans
+recognised each other, which led to conversations, in which the Romans
+asked them, what it was they meant? for what offence on the part of
+the Romans, or what service on that of the Carthaginians, they, who
+were Italians, made war in favour of foreigners and barbarians,
+against their ancient allies the Romans, and endeavoured to render
+Italy tributary and stipendiary to Africa? The Arpinians urged in
+excuse of themselves, that in ignorance of all the circumstances, they
+had been sold to the Carthaginians by their nobility, and that they
+were kept in a state of thraldom and oppression by the few. A
+beginning having been made, greater numbers on both sides entered into
+conversation; and at length the praetor of Arpi was brought by his
+countrymen before the consul, and after exchanging assurances in the
+midst of the standards and the troops, the Arpinians suddenly turned
+their arms against the Carthaginians, in favour of the Romans. Some
+Spaniards also, little less than a thousand in number, after only
+stipulating with the consul that the Carthaginian garrison might be
+allowed to march out unhurt, passed over to the consul. The gates were
+therefore thrown open for the Carthaginians; and being allowed to go
+out unmolested, in conformity with the stipulation, they joined
+Hannibal in Salapia. Thus was Arpi restored to the Romans, without the
+loss of a life, except that of one man, who was formerly a traitor,
+and recently a deserter. The Spaniards were ordered to receive a
+double allowance of provisions, and on very many occasions the
+republic availed itself of their brave and faithful services. While
+one of the consuls was in Apulia, and the other in Lucania, a hundred
+and twelve Campanian noblemen, having gone out of Capua, with the
+permission of the magistrates, under pretence of collecting booty from
+the enemy's lands, came into the Roman camp, which lay above Suessula.
+They told the soldiers, forming the vanguard, that they wished to
+speak with the praetor. Cneius Fulvius commanded the camp; who, on
+being informed of the circumstance, ordered ten of them to be brought
+into his presence unarmed; and after hearing their request, (and all
+they asked was, that when the Romans should recover Capua, their
+property might be restored to them,) they were all received under his
+protection. The other praetor, Sempronius Tuditanus, took by force the
+town of Aternum; more than seven thousand were captured, with a
+considerable quantity of coined brass and silver. A dreadful fire
+happened at Rome, which continued for two nights and a day; every
+thing was burnt to the ground between the Salinae and the Carmental
+gate, with the Aequimaelium and the Jugarian street. In the temples of
+Fortune, Mater Matuta, and Hope, which latter stood without the gate,
+the fire, spreading to a wide extent, consumed much both sacred and
+profane.
+
+48. The same year, the two Cornelii, Publius and Cneius, as affairs
+were now in a prosperous state in Spain, and they had recovered many
+ancient allies, and attached fresh ones to them, extended their views
+even to Africa. Syphax was a king of the Numidians, who had suddenly
+become hostile to the Carthaginians; to him they sent three centurions
+as ambassadors, to form a treaty of friendship and alliance with him;
+and to promise, that, if he persevered in pressing the war against the
+Carthaginians, he would render an acceptable service to the senate and
+people of Rome, and they would endeavour to requite the favour with
+large additions, and at a seasonable time. This embassy was gratifying
+to the barbarian; and when conversing with the ambassadors on the art
+of war he heard the observations of those experienced soldiers, by
+comparing his own practice with so regular a system of discipline, he
+became sensible of how many things he himself was ignorant. Then he
+entreated them to give the first proof of their being good and
+faithful allies, "by letting two of them carry back the result of
+their embassy to their generals, while one remained with him as his
+instructor in military science, observing that the Numidian nation
+were unacquainted with the method of carrying on war with foot forces,
+being useful only as mounted soldiers. That it was in this manner that
+their ancestors had carried on war even from the first origin of their
+nation, and to this they were habituated from their childhood. But
+that they had to contend with an enemy who relied upon the prowess of
+their infantry; with whom, if they wished to be placed upon an
+equality in respect of efficient strength, they must also furnish
+themselves with infantry. That his dominions abounded with a large
+quantity of men fit for the purpose, but that he was unacquainted with
+the art of arming, equipping, and marshalling them; that all his
+infantry were unwieldy and unmanageable, like a rabble collected
+together by chance." The ambassadors answered, that they would comply
+with his request for the present, on his engaging to send him back
+immediately, if their generals did not approve of what they had done.
+The name of the person who staid behind with the king was Quintus
+Statorius. With the two other Romans, the Numidian sent ambassadors
+into Spain, to receive the ratification of the alliance from the Roman
+generals. He gave it in charge to the same persons, forthwith to
+induce the Numidians, who were serving as auxiliaries among the
+Carthaginian troops, to go over to the other side. Statorius raised a
+body of infantry for the king out of the large number of young men
+which he found; and having formed them into companies, in close
+imitation of the Roman method, taught them to follow their standards
+and keep their ranks when being marshalled, and when performing their
+evolutions; and he so habituated them to military works and other
+military duties, that in a short time the king relied not more on his
+cavalry than on his infantry; and in a regular and pitched battle,
+fought on a level plain, he overcame his enemies, the Carthaginians.
+In Spain also the arrival of the king's ambassadors was of the
+greatest advantage to the Romans, for at the news thereof the
+Numidians began rapidly to pass over. Thus the Romans and Syphax were
+united in friendship, which the Carthaginians hearing of, immediately
+sent ambassadors to Gala, who reigned in another part of Numidia, over
+a nation called Massylians.
+
+49. Gala had a son named Masinissa, seventeen years of age, but a
+youth of such talents, that even at that time it was evident that he
+would render the kingdom more extensive and powerful than when he
+received it. The ambassadors represented that, "since Syphax had
+united himself with the Romans, that by their alliance he might
+strengthen his hands against the kings and nations of Africa, it would
+be better for Gala also to unite with the Carthaginians as soon as
+possible, before Syphax crossed over into Spain, or the Romans into
+Africa; that Syphax might be overpowered, while as yet he derived
+nothing from his league with the Romans but the name of it." Gala, his
+son claiming to be intrusted with the conduct of the war, was easily
+prevailed upon to send an army, which, joined by the legions of the
+Carthaginians, totally defeated Syphax in a great battle. In this
+thirty thousand men are said to have been slain. Syphax, with a few
+horsemen, fled from the field, and took refuge among the Maurusian
+Numidians, a nation dwelling at the extremity of Africa, near the
+ocean, and over against Gades. But the barbarians flocking to his
+standard from all sides, in consequence of his great renown, he
+speedily armed a very large force. Before he passed over with these
+forces into Spain, which was separated only by a narrow strait,
+Masinissa came up with his victorious army; and here he acquired great
+glory in the prosecution of the war with Syphax, in which he acted
+alone and unsupported by any aid from the Carthaginians. In Spain
+nothing worth mentioning was performed, except that the Romans drew
+over to their side the Celtiberian youth, by giving them the same pay
+which they had stipulated with the Carthaginians to pay them. They
+also sent above three hundred Spaniards of the greatest distinction
+into Italy, to bring over their countrymen, who served among the
+auxiliary troops of Hannibal. The only memorable circumstance of this
+year in Spain was, that the Romans then, for the first time, employed
+mercenary troops in their camp, namely, the Celtiberians.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXV.
+
+
+_Publius Cornelius Scipio, afterwards called Africanus, elected
+aedile before he had attained the age required by the law. The citadel
+of Tarentum, in which the Roman garrison had taken refuge, betrayed to
+Hannibal. Games instituted in honour of Apollo, called Apollinarian.
+Quintus Fulvius and Appius Claudius, consuls, defeat Hanno the
+Carthaginian general. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus betrayed by a
+Lucanian to Mago, and slain. Centenius Penula, who had been a
+centurion, asks the senate for the command of an army, promising to
+engage and vanquish Hannibal, is cut off with eight thousand men.
+Cneius Fulvius engages Hannibal, and is beaten, with the loss of
+sixteen thousand men slain, he himself escapes with only two hundred
+horsemen. Quintus Fulvius and Appius Claudius, consuls, lay siege to
+Capua. Syracuse taken by Claudius Marcellus after a siege of three
+years. In the tumult occasioned by taking the city, Archimedes is
+killed while intently occupied on some figures which he had drawn in
+the sand. Publius and Cornelius Scipio, after having performed many
+eminent services in Spain, are slain, together with nearly the whole
+of their armies, eight years after their arrival in that country; and
+the possession of that province would have been entirely lost, but for
+the valour and activity of Lucius Marcius, a Roman knight, who,
+collecting the scattered remains of the vanquished armies, utterly
+defeats the enemy, storming their two camps, killing thirty-seven
+thousand of them, and taking eighteen hundred together with an immense
+booty._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. Hannibal passed the summer during which these events occurred in
+Africa and Italy, in the Tarentine territory, with the hope of having
+the city of the Tarentines betrayed to him. Meanwhile some
+inconsiderable towns belonging to them, and to the Sallentines,
+revolted to him. At the same time, of the twelve states of the
+Bruttians, which had in a former year gone over to the Carthaginians,
+the Consentians and Thurians returned to the protection of the Roman
+people. And more would have done the same, had not Titus Pomponius
+Veientanus, praefect of the allies, having acquired the appearance of
+a regular general, in consequence of several successful predatory
+expeditions in the Bruttian territory, got together a tumultuary band,
+and fought a battle with Hanno. In that battle, a great number of men,
+consisting, however, of a disorderly rabble of slaves and rustics,
+were slain or captured. The least part of the loss was, that the
+praefect himself was taken prisoner; for he was not only in the
+present instance guilty of having rashly engaged the enemy, but
+previously, in the capacity of farmer of the revenue, by iniquitous
+practices of every description, had shown himself faithless and
+injurious to the state, as well as the companies. Among the Lucanians,
+the consul, Sempronius, fought several small battles, but none worthy
+of being recorded, he also took several inconsiderable towns. In
+proportion as the war was protracted, and the sentiments no less than
+the circumstances of men fluctuated accordingly as events flowed
+prosperously or otherwise, the citizens were seized with such a
+passion for superstitious observances, and those for the most part
+introduced from foreign countries, that either the people or the gods
+appeared to have undergone a sudden change. And now the Roman rites
+were growing into disuse, not only in private, and within doors, but
+in public also; in the forum and Capitol there were crowds of women
+sacrificing, and offering up prayers to the gods, in modes unusual in
+that country. A low order of sacrificers and soothsayers had enslaved
+men's understandings, and the numbers of these were increased by the
+country people, whom want and terror had driven into the city, from
+the fields which were lain uncultivated during a protracted war, and
+had suffered from the incursions of the enemy, and by the profitable
+cheating in the ignorance of others which they carried on like an
+allowed and customary trade. At first, good men gave protest in
+private to the indignation they felt at these proceedings, but
+afterwards the thing came before the fathers, and formed a matter of
+public complaint. The aediles and triumviri, appointed for the
+execution of criminals, were severely reprimanded by the senate for
+not preventing these irregularities, but when they attempted to remove
+the crowd of persons thus employed from the forum, and to overthrow
+the preparations for their sacred rites, they narrowly escaped
+personal injury. It being now evident, that the evil was too powerful
+to be checked by inferior magistrates, the senate commissioned Marcus
+Atilius, the city praetor, to rid the people of these superstitions.
+He called an assembly, in which he read the decree of the senate, and
+gave notice, that all persons who had any books of divination, or
+forms of prayer, or any written system of sacrificing, should lay all
+the aforesaid books and writings before him before the calends of
+April; and that no person should sacrifice in any public or
+consecrated place according to new or foreign rites.
+
+2. Several of the public priests too died this year: Lucius Cornelius
+Lentulus, chief pontiff, Caius Papirius Maso, son of Caius, a pontiff,
+Publius Furius Philo, an augur, and Caius Papirius Maso, son of
+Lucius, a decemvir for the superintendence of sacred rites. In lieu of
+Lentulus, Marcus Cornelius Cethegus, in lieu of Papirius Cnaeius,
+Servilius Caepio, were created pontiffs. Lucius Quinctius Flaminius
+was created augur, and Lucius Cornelius Lentulus decemvir for the
+superintendence of sacred rites. The time for the election of consuls
+was now approaching; but as it was not thought proper to call the
+consuls away from the war with which they were intently occupied,
+Tiberius Sempronius, the consul, nominated Caius Claudius Centho as
+dictator to hold the election. He appointed Quintus Fulvius Flaccus as
+his master of the horse. On the first day on which the election could
+be held, the dictator appointed as consuls, Quintus Fulvius Flaccus,
+his master of the horse, and Appius Claudius Pulcher, who had held the
+government of Sicily as praetor. The praetors created were Cneius
+Fulvius Flaccus, Caius Claudius Nero, Marcus Junius Silanus, Publius
+Cornelius Sulla. The election completed, the dictator retired from his
+office. This year, Publius Cornelius Scipio, afterwards surnamed
+Africanus, held the office of curule aedile, with Marcus Cornelius
+Cethegus; and when the tribunes of the people opposed his pretensions
+to the aedileship, alleging, that no notice ought to be taken of him,
+because he had not attained the legal age for candidateship, he
+observed, "if the citizens in general are desirous of appointing me
+aedile, I am old enough." Upon this the people ran to their respective
+tribes to give their votes, with feelings so strongly disposed in his
+favour, that the tribunes on a sudden abandoned their attempt. The
+largesses bestowed by the aediles were the following: the Roman games
+were sumptuously exhibited, considering the present state of their
+resources; they were repeated during one day, and a gallon of oil was
+given to each street. Lucius Villius Tapulus, and Marcus Fundanius
+Fundulus, the plebeian aediles, accused some matrons of misconduct
+before the people, and some of them they convicted and sent into
+exile. The plebeian games were repeated during two days, and a feast
+in honour of Jupiter was celebrated on occasion of the games.
+
+3. Quintus Fulvius Flaccus, for the third time, and Appius Claudius
+entered upon the office of consuls. The praetors determined their
+provinces by lot. Publius Cornelius Sulla received both the city and
+the foreign jurisdiction, formerly allotted to two persons, Cneius
+Fulvius Flaccus, Apulia, Caius Claudius Nero, Suessula, and Marcus
+Junius Silanus, Tuscany. To the consuls the conduct of the war with
+Hannibal was decreed with two legions each, one taking the troops of
+Quintus Fabius, the consul of the former year, the other those of
+Fulvius Centumalus. Of the praetors, Fulvius Flaccus was to have the
+legions which were in Luceria under Aemilius the praetor, Nero
+Claudius those in Picenum under Caius Terentius, each raising recruits
+for himself to fill up the number of his troops. To Marcus Junius the
+city legions of the former year were assigned, to be employed against
+the Tuscans. Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and Publius Sempronius
+Tuditanus were continued in command in their provinces of Lucania and
+Gaul with the armies they had, as was also Publius Lentulus in that
+part of Sicily which formed the ancient Roman province. Marcus
+Marcellus had Syracuse, and that which was the kingdom of Hiero. Titus
+Otacilius was continued in the command of the fleet, Marcus Valerius
+in that of Greece, Quintus Mucius Scaevola in that of Sardinia. The
+Cornelii, Publius and Cneius, were continued in the command of Spain.
+In addition to the armies already existing, two legions for the
+service of the city were levied by the consuls, and a total of
+twenty-three legions was made up this year. The levy of the consuls
+was impeded by the conduct of Marcus Posthumius Pyrgensis, almost
+accompanied with a serious disturbance. Posthumius was a farmer of the
+revenue, who, for knavery and rapacity, practised through a course of
+many years, had no equal except Titus Pomponius Veientanus, who had
+been taken prisoner the former year by the Carthaginians under the
+conduct of Hanno, while carelessly ravaging the lands in Lucania. As
+the state had taken upon itself the risk of any loss which might arise
+from storms to the commodities conveyed to the armies, not only had
+these two men fabricated false accounts of shipwrecks, but even those
+which had really occurred were occasioned by their own knavery, and
+not by accident. Their plan was to put a few goods of little value
+into old and shattered vessels, which they sank in the deep, taking up
+the sailors in boats prepared for the purpose, and then returning
+falsely the cargo as many times more valuable than it was. This
+fraudulent practice had been pointed out to Marcus Atilius, the
+praetor in a former year, who had communicated it to the senate; no
+decree, however, had been passed censuring it, because the fathers
+were unwilling that any offence should be given to the order of
+revenue farmers while affairs were in such a state. The people were
+severer avengers of the fraud; and at length two tribunes of the
+people, Spurius and Lucius Carvilius, being moved to take some active
+measure, as they saw that this conduct excited universal disgust, and
+had become notorious, proposed that a fine of two hundred thousand
+asses should be imposed on Marcus Posthumius. When the day arrived for
+arguing the question, the people assembled in such numbers, that the
+area of the Capitol could scarcely contain them; and the cause having
+been gone through, the only hope of safety which presented itself was,
+that Caius Servilius Casca, a tribune of the people, a connexion and
+relation of Posthumius, should interpose his protest before the tribes
+were called to give their votes. The witnesses having been produced,
+the tribunes caused the people to withdraw, and the urn was brought,
+in order that the tribes should draw lots which should give the vote
+first. Meanwhile, the farmers of the revenue urged Casca to stop the
+proceedings for that day. The people, however, loudly opposed it; and
+Casca happened to be sitting on the most prominent part of the
+rostrum, whose mind fear and shame were jointly agitating. Seeing that
+no dependence was to be placed in him for protection, the farmers of
+the revenue, forming themselves into a wedge, rushed into the void
+space occasioned by the removal of the people for the purpose of
+causing disturbance, wrangling at the same time with the people and
+the tribunes. The affair had now almost proceeded to violence, when
+Fulvius Flaccus, the consul, addressing the tribunes, said, "Do you
+not see that you are degraded to the common rank, and that an
+insurrection will be the result, unless you speedily dismiss the
+assembly of the commons."
+
+4. The commons being dismissed, the senate was assembled, when the
+consuls proposed the consideration of the interruption experienced by
+the assembly of the commons, in consequence of the violence and
+audacity of the farmers of the revenue. They said, that "Marcus Furius
+Camillus, whose banishment was followed by the downfall of the city,
+had suffered himself to be condemned by his exasperated countrymen.
+That before him, the decemviri, according to whose laws they lived up
+to the present day, and afterwards many men of the first rank in the
+state, had submitted to have sentence passed upon them by the people.
+But Posthumius Pyrgensis had wrested from the Roman people their right
+of suffrage, had dissolved the assembly of the commons, had set at
+nought the authority of the tribunes, had drawn up a body of men in
+battle-array against the Roman people; and seized upon a post, in
+order to cut off the tribunes from the commons, and prevent the tribes
+being called to give their votes. That the only thing which had
+restrained the people from bloodshed and violence, was the forbearance
+of the magistrates in giving way for the moment to the fury and
+audacity of a few individuals, and suffering themselves and the Roman
+people to be overcome; and that no opportunity might be afforded those
+who were seeking an occasion of violence, in dissolving, agreeably to
+the wish of the defendant himself, that assembly which he was about to
+interrupt by force of arms." Observations of this kind having been
+urged with a warmth proportioned to the atrocity of the conduct which
+called them forth, by all the most respectable persons, and the senate
+having passed a decree to the effect that the violence offered was
+prejudicial to the state, and a precedent of pernicious tendency,
+immediately the Carvilii, tribunes of the people, giving up the action
+for a fine, appointed a day on which Posthumius should be tried
+capitally, and ordered, that unless he gave bail, he should be
+apprehended by the beadle, and carried to prison. Posthumius gave
+bail, but did not appear. The tribunes then proposed to the commons,
+and the commons resolved, that if Marcus Posthumius did not appear
+before the calends of May, and if on being cited on that day he did
+not answer, and sufficient cause were not shown why he did not, he
+would be adjudged an exile, his goods would be sold, and himself
+interdicted from water and fire. They then proceeded to indict
+capitally, and demand bail of each of the persons who had been the
+promoters of the disorder and riot. At first they threw into prison
+those who did not give bail, and afterwards even such as could; upon
+which the greater part of them went into exile, to avoid the danger to
+which this proceeding exposed them.
+
+5. The knavery of the revenue farmers, and their subsequent audacious
+conduct to screen themselves from its effects, thus terminated. An
+assembly was then held for the creation of a chief pontiff. The new
+pontiff, Marcus Cornelius Cethegus, presided. The election was
+contested with the greatest obstinacy by three candidates, Quintus
+Fulvius Flaccus, the consul, who had been twice consul before and
+censor, Titus Manhus Torquatus, who had himself also been
+distinguished by two consulships and the censorship, and Publius
+Licinius Ciassus, who was about to stand for the office of curule
+aedile. In this contest, the last-mentioned candidate, though a young
+man, beat the others, who were his superiors in years, and had filled
+offices of honour. Before him there had not been a man for a hundred
+and twenty years, except Publius Cornelius Calussa, who had been
+created chief pontiff without having sat in the curule chair. Though
+the consuls found great difficulty in completing the levy, for in
+consequence of the scarcity of young men, it was not easy to procure
+enough for the two purposes of forming the new city legions, and
+recruiting the old ones, the senate forbade them to desist from the
+attempt, and ordered two triumvirates to be appointed, one of which
+within, the other without the fiftieth mile from the city, might
+ascertain the utmost number of free-born men which were to be found in
+the villages, and market towns, and hamlets, and enlist whom they
+thought strong enough to bear arms, though they had not attained the
+military age. That the tribunes of the people, if they thought proper,
+should propose to the people, that such as should take the military
+oath being under seventeen years, should be allowed to reckon their
+period of service in the same manner as if they had enlisted at
+seventeen or older. The two triumvirates, created agreeably to this
+decree of the senate, enlisted free-born men throughout the country.
+At the same time a letter from Marcellus from Sicily, respecting the
+petition of the troops who served with Publius Lentulus, was read in
+the senate. These troops were the relics of the disaster at Cannae,
+and had been sent out of the way into Sicily, as has been mentioned
+before, on an understanding that they should not be brought home
+before the conclusion of the Carthaginian war.
+
+6. With the permission of Lentulus, these men sent the most
+distinguished of the cavalry and centurions, and a select body of the
+legionary infantry, as ambassadors to Marcellus, to his winter
+quarters. Having obtained leave to speak, one of them thus addressed
+him: "We should have approached you, Marcus Marcellus, when consul in
+Italy, as soon as that decree of the senate was passed respecting us,
+which, though not unjust, was certainly severe, had we not hoped, that
+being sent into a province which was in a state of disorder in
+consequence of the death of its kings, to carry on an arduous war
+against the Sicilians and Carthaginians together, we should make
+atonement to the state by our blood and wounds, in the same manner as,
+within the memory of our fathers, those who were taken prisoners by
+Pyrrhus at Heraclea, made atonement by fighting against the same
+Pyrrhus. And yet, for what fault of ours, conscript fathers, did you
+then, or do you now, feel displeasure towards us; for when I look upon
+you, Marcus Marcellus, I seem to behold both the consuls and the whole
+body of the senate; and had you been our consul at Cannae, a better
+fate would have attended the state as well as ourselves. Permit me, I
+entreat you, before I complain of the hardship of our situation, to
+clear ourselves of the guilt with which we are charged. If it was
+neither by the anger of the gods, nor by fate, according to whose laws
+the course of human affairs is unalterably fixed, but by misconduct
+that we were undone at Cannae; but whose was that misconduct; the
+soldiers', or that of their generals? For my own part, I, as a
+soldier, will never say a word of my commander, particularly when I
+know that he received the thanks of the senate for not having
+despaired of the state; and who has been continued in command through
+every year since his flight from Cannae. We have heard that others
+also who survived that disaster, who were military tribunes, solicit
+and fill offices of honour, and have the command of provinces. Do you
+then, conscript fathers, pardon yourselves and your children, while
+you exercise severity towards such insignificant persons as we are? It
+was no disgrace to a consul and other leading persons in the state, to
+fly when no other hope remained; and did you send your soldiers into
+the field as persons who must of necessity die there? At the Allia
+nearly the whole army fled; at the Caudine Forks the troops delivered
+up their arms to the enemy, without even making an effort; not to
+mention other disgraceful defeats of our armies. Yet, so far from any
+mark of infamy being sought for, which might be fixed upon these
+troops, the city of Rome was recovered by means of those very troops
+who had fled to Veii from the Allia; and the Caudine legions, which
+had returned to Rome without their arms, being sent back armed to
+Samnium, brought under the yoke that very enemy who had exulted in the
+disgrace which, in this instance, attached to them. But is there a man
+who can bring a charge of cowardice or running away against the army
+which fought at Cannae, where more than fifty thousand men fell; from
+whence the consul fled with only seventy horsemen; where not a man
+survived, except perchance those whom the enemy left, being wearied
+with killing? When the proposal to ransom the prisoners was negatived,
+we were the objects of general commendation, because we reserved
+ourselves for the service of the state; because we returned to the
+consul to Venusia, and exhibited an appearance of a regular army. Now
+we are in a worse condition than those who were taken prisoners in the
+time of our fathers; for they only had their arms, the nature of their
+service, and the place where they might pitch their tents in the camp
+altered; all which, however, they got restored by one service rendered
+to the state, and by one successful battle. Not one of them was sent
+away into banishment; not one was deprived of the hope of completing
+the period of his service; in short, an enemy was assigned to them,
+fighting with whom they might at once terminate their life or their
+disgrace. We, to whom nothing can be objected, except that it is owing
+to us that any Roman soldier has survived the battle of Cannae, are
+removed far away, not only from our country and Italy, but even from
+an enemy; where we may grow old in exile, where we can have no hope or
+opportunity of obliterating our disgrace, of appeasing the indignation
+of our countrymen, or, in short, of obtaining an honourable death. We
+seek neither to have our ignominy terminated, nor our virtue rewarded,
+we only ask to be allowed to make trial of our courage, and to
+exercise our virtue. We seek for labour and danger that we may
+discharge the duty of men and soldiers. A war is carrying on in
+Sicily, now for the second year, with the utmost vigour on both sides.
+The Carthaginians are storming some cities, the Romans others, armies
+of infantry and horse are engaging in battle, at Syracuse the war is
+prosecuted by sea and by land. We hear distinctly the shout of the
+combatants, and the din of arms, while we ourselves lie inactive and
+unemployed, as if we had neither hands nor arms. The consul,
+Sempronius has now fought many pitched battles with the enemy with
+legions of slaves. They receive as the fruits of their exertion their
+liberty, and the rights of citizens. Let us at least be employed by
+you as slaves purchased for the service of this war, let us be allowed
+to combat with the enemy and acquire our freedom by fighting. Do you
+wish to make trial of our valour by sea, by land, in a pitched battle,
+or in the assault of towns? We ask as our portion all those
+enterprises which present the greatest difficulty and danger, that
+what ought to have been done at Cannae may be done as soon as
+possible, for the whole of our subsequent lives has been doomed to
+ignominy."
+
+7. At the conclusion of this speech they prostrated themselves at the
+knees of Marcellus. Marcellus replied, that the question was neither
+within his authority nor his power, that he would, however, write to
+the senate, and be guided in every thing he did by the judgment of the
+fathers. This letter was brought to the new consuls, and by them read
+in the senate, and, on the question being put relative to this letter,
+they decreed, "that the senate saw no reason why the interests of the
+republic should be intrusted to the hands of soldiers who had deserted
+then comrades, in battle, at Cannae. If Marcus Marcellus, the
+proconsul, thought otherwise, that he should act as he deemed
+consistent with the good of the republic and his own honour, with this
+proviso, however, that none of these men should be exempt from
+service, nor be presented with any military reward in consideration of
+valour, or be conveyed back to Italy, while the enemy was in that
+country." After this, agreeably to the decree of the senate, and the
+order of the people, an election was held by the city praetor, at
+which five commissioners were created for the purpose of repairing the
+walls and turrets, and two sets of triumviri, one to search for the
+property belonging to the temples, and to register the offerings, the
+other for repairing the temples of Fortune and Mother Matuta within
+the Carmental gate, and also that of Hope without the gate, which had
+been destroyed by fire the year before. Dreadful storms occurred at
+this time. It rained stones for two days without intermission in the
+Alban mount. Many places were struck by lightning; two buildings in
+the Capitol, the rampart in the camp above Suessula in many places,
+and two of the men on guard were killed. A wall and certain towers at
+Cannae were not only struck with lightning, but demolished. At Reate,
+a vast rock was seen to fly about; the sun appeared unusually red and
+blood-like. On account of these prodigies there was a supplication for
+one day, and the consuls employed themselves for several days in
+sacred rites; at the same time there was a sacred rite performed
+through nine days. An accidental circumstance which occurred at a
+distance, hastened the revolt of Tarentum, which had now for a long
+time been the object of the hopes of Hannibal and of the suspicion of
+the Romans. Phileas, a native of Tarentum, who had been a long time at
+Rome under the pretence of an embassy, being a man of a restless mind,
+and ill brooking that inactive state in which he considered that his
+powers had been for too long a time sinking into imbecility,
+discovered for himself a means of access to the Tarentine hostages.
+They were kept in the court of the temple of Liberty, and guarded with
+less care, because it was neither the interest of themselves nor of
+their state to escape from the Romans. By corrupting two of the
+keepers of the temple, he was enabled to hold frequent conferences
+with them, at which he solicited them to come into this design; and
+having brought them out of their place of confinement as soon as it
+was dark, he became the companion of their clandestine flight, and got
+clear away. As soon as day dawned, the news of their escape spread
+through the city, and a party sent in pursuit, having seized them all
+at Tarracina, brought them back. They were led into the Comitium, and
+after being scourged with rods, with the approbation of the people,
+were thrown down from the rock.
+
+8. The severity of this punishment exasperated the inhabitants of two
+of the most distinguished Greek states in Italy, not only publicly as
+communities, but privately as individuals, according as each was
+connected, either by relationship or friendship, with those who had
+been so disgracefully put to death. Of these about thirteen noble
+Tarentine youths formed a conspiracy, the chief of whom were Nico and
+Philemenus. Concluding that it would be right to confer with Hannibal
+before they took any step, they went to him, having been allowed to go
+out of the city by night on pretence of hunting. When they were now
+not far from the camp, all the rest hid themselves in a wood by the
+road side; but Nico and Philemenus, proceeding to the advanced guard,
+were seized, and at their own request brought before Hannibal. Having
+laid before him the motives of their plan, and the object they had in
+view, they received the highest commendation, and were loaded with
+promises; and that their countrymen might believe that they had gone
+out of the city to obtain plunder, they were desired to drive to the
+city some cattle of the Carthaginians which had been sent out to
+graze. A promise was given them that they might do this without danger
+or interruption. The booty of the young men attracted notice, and less
+astonishment was therefore felt that they should frequently repeat the
+attempt. At a second meeting with Hannibal they entered into a solemn
+engagement, that the Tarentines should be free, enjoying their own
+laws, and all their rights uninterfered with; that they should neither
+pay any tribute to the Carthaginians, nor receive a garrison against
+their will; that their present garrison should be delivered up to the
+Carthaginians. These points being agreed upon, Philemenus then began
+to repeat more frequently his customary practice of going out and
+returning to the city followed by his dogs, and furnished with the
+other requisites for hunting; for he was remarkable for his fondness
+of hunting; and generally bringing home something which he had
+captured or taken away from the enemy, who had purposely placed it in
+his way he presented it to the commander or the guards of the gates.
+They supposed that he preferred going and returning by night through
+fear of the enemy. After this practice had become so familiar, that at
+whatever time of the night he gave a signal, by whistling, the gate
+was opened, Hannibal thought that it was now time to put the plan in
+execution. He was at the distance of three days' journey, and to
+diminish the wonder which would be felt at his keeping his camp fixed
+in one and the same place so long, he feigned himself ill. Even to the
+Romans who formed the garrison of Tarentum, his protracted inactivity
+had ceased to be an object of suspicion.
+
+9. But after he determined to proceed to Tarentum, selecting from his
+infantry and cavalry ten thousand men, whom, from activity of body,
+and lightness of arms, he judged best adapted for the expedition, he
+began his march in the fourth watch of the night; and sending in
+advance about eighty Numidian horsemen, ordered them to scour the
+country on each side of the road, and narrowly examine every place,
+lest any of the rustics who might have observed his army at a distance
+should escape; to bring back those who were got before, and kill those
+whom they met, that they might appear to the neighbouring inhabitants
+to be a plundering party, rather than a regular army. Hannibal
+himself, marching at a rapid pace, pitched his camp about fifteen
+miles from Tarentum; and without telling his soldiers even there, what
+was their destination, he only called them together and admonished
+them to march all of them in the road, and not to suffer any one to
+turn aside or deviate from the line; and above all, that they would be
+on the watch, so as to catch the word of command, and not do any thing
+without the order of their leaders; that in due time he would issue
+his commands as to what he wished to be done. About the same hour a
+rumour reached Tarentum, that a few Numidian horsemen were devastating
+the fields, and had terrified the rustics through a wide extent of
+country; at which intelligence the Roman praefect took no further step
+than to order a division of his cavalry to go out the following day at
+sunrise to check the depredations of the enemy; and so far was he from
+directing his attention to any thing else on this account, that on the
+contrary, this excursion of the Numidians was a proof to him that
+Hannibal and his army had not moved from his camp. Early in the night
+Hannibal put his troops in motion, and Philemenus, with his customary
+burden of prey taken in hunting, was his guide. The rest of the
+conspirators waited the accomplishment of what had been concerted; and
+the agreement was, that Philemenus, while bringing in his prey through
+the small gate by which he was accustomed to pass, should introduce
+some armed men, while Hannibal in another quarter approached the gate
+called Temenis, which faced the east, in that quarter which was
+towards the continent, near the tombs which were within the walls.
+When he drew near to the gate, Hannibal raised a fire according to
+agreement, which made a blaze; the same signal was returned by Nico,
+and the fires were extinguished on both sides. Hannibal led his troops
+on in silence to the gate. Nico suddenly fell upon the guards while
+asleep, slew them in their beds, and opened the gate. Hannibal then
+entered with his infantry, ordering his cavalry to stay behind, that
+they might be able to bring their assistance wherever it was required
+without obstruction. Philemenus also in another quarter approached the
+small gate by which he was accustomed to pass and re-pass. His voice,
+which was well known, for he said he could scarcely bear the weight of
+the huge beast he had gotten, and his signal, which had now become
+familiar, having roused the guard, the small gate was opened. Two
+youths carrying in a boar, Philemenus himself followed, with a
+huntsman, unencumbered, and while the attention of the guard was
+incautiously turned upon those who carried the boar, in consequence of
+its astonishing size, he transfixed him with a hunting spear. About
+thirty armed men then entering, slew the rest of the guards, and broke
+open the adjoining gate, when a body of troops, in regular array,
+instantly rushed in. Being conducted hence in silence to the forum,
+they joined Hannibal. The Carthaginian then sent the Tarentines, with
+two thousand Gauls formed into three divisions, in different
+directions through the city, with orders to occupy the most frequented
+streets. A confusion arising, the Romans were put to the sword on all
+hands. The townsmen were spared; but in order to insure this, he
+instructed the Tarentine youths, when they saw any of their friends at
+a distance, to bid them be quiet and silent, and be of good courage.
+
+10. The tumult and clamour was now such as usually takes place in a
+captured city, but no man knew for certain what was the occasion. The
+Tarentines supposed that the Romans had suddenly risen to plunder the
+city. To the Romans it appeared, that some commotion had been set on
+foot by the townsmen with a treacherous design. The praefect, who was
+awakened at the first alarm, escaped to the port, whence getting into
+a boat he was conveyed round to the citadel. The sound of a trumpet
+also from the theatre excited alarm; for it was a Roman trumpet,
+prepared by the conspirators for this very purpose; and as it was
+blown unskilfully by a Grecian, it could not be ascertained who gave
+the signal, or to whom it was given. At dawn of the day, the Romans
+recognised the Carthaginian and Gallic arms, which removed all doubt;
+and the Greeks, seeing the bodies of slain Romans spread about in all
+directions, perceived that the city had been taken by Hannibal. When
+the light had increased, so that they could discriminate with greater
+certainty, and the Romans who survived the carnage had taken refuge in
+the citadel, the tumult now beginning to subside a little, Hannibal
+gave orders to assemble the Tarentines without their arms. All of them
+attended the assembly, except those who had accompanied the Romans in
+their retreat to the citadel, to share every fortune with them. Here
+Hannibal having addressed the Tarentines in terms of kindness, and
+appealed to the services he had rendered to those of their countrymen
+whom he had captured at the Trasimenus and at Cannae, and having at
+the same time inveighed against the haughty domination of the Romans,
+desired that they would every one of them retire to their respective
+houses, and inscribe their names upon their doors; declaring, that he
+should give orders that those houses which had not the names written
+upon them should be plundered. That if any man should write his name
+upon the house of a Roman, (and the Romans occupied houses by
+themselves,) he should treat him as an enemy. Having dismissed the
+assembly, and the names inscribed upon the doors having made it easy
+to distinguish the house of an enemy from that of a friend, on a
+signal given, the troops ran in every direction to plunder the
+lodgings of the Romans, and a considerable booty was found.
+
+11. The next day he led his troops to assault the citadel; but seeing
+that it was protected by very high rocks towards the sea, which washed
+the greater part of it, and formed it into a sort of peninsula, and
+towards the city by a wall and ditch, and consequently that it could
+not be taken by assault or by works; lest the design to protect the
+Tarentines should detain him from the prosecution of more important
+objects, and lest the Romans should have the power of sallying from
+the citadel whenever they pleased against the Tarentines, if left
+without a strong protecting force, he resolved to cut off the
+communication between the citadel and city by a rampart; not without a
+hope that he might have an opportunity of fighting with the Romans,
+when attempting to obstruct the work; and if they should sally forth
+too eagerly, that by killing many of them the strength of the garrison
+would be so far reduced, that the Tarentines alone would be easily
+able to defend themselves from them. After they had begun, the Romans,
+suddenly throwing open the gate, rushed in upon the workmen. The guard
+stationed before the works allowed itself to be driven back, in order
+that their boldness might be increased by success, and that they might
+pursue them when driven back, in greater numbers, and to a greater
+distance. Then on a signal given, the Carthaginians, whom Hannibal
+kept in readiness for this purpose, sprang up on all sides; nor could
+the Romans sustain the attack, but were prevented from precipitate
+flight by the narrowness of the ground, by impediments occasioned in
+some places by the works already commenced, in others by the
+preparations for the work. Most of them were driven headlong into the
+ditch, and more were killed in the flight than in the battle. After
+this the work was commenced without any attempt to obstruct it. A
+large ditch was formed, within which a rampart was thrown up. He
+prepared also to add a wall at a small distance, and on the same side,
+that they might defend themselves from the Romans even without a
+garrison. He, however, left them a small force, at once for their
+protection and to assist in building the wall. The general himself,
+setting out with the rest of his forces, pitched his camp at the river
+Galaesus, five miles from the city. Returning from this position to
+inspect the work, which had gone on somewhat faster than he had
+anticipated, he conceived a hope that the citadel might even be taken
+by storm; for it was not protected by an elevated situation as the
+other parts were, but placed upon a plain, and separated from the city
+only by a wall and ditch. While subjected to an attack from every kind
+of military engine and work, a reinforcement sent from Metapontum
+inspired the Romans with courage to assault the works of the enemy, by
+a sudden attack, under cover of the night. Some of them they threw
+down, others they destroyed by fire, and thus there was an end to
+Hannibal's attempts against the citadel in that quarter. His only
+remaining hope was in a siege; nor did that afford a good prospect of
+success, because, occupying a citadel which was placed on a peninsula
+and commanded the entrance of the harbour, they had the sea open to
+them, while the city, on the contrary, was deprived of any supplies by
+sea: and thus the besiegers were in greater danger of want than the
+besieged. Hannibal assembled the chief men of the Tarentines, and laid
+before them all the present difficulties. He said, "That he could
+neither discover any method by which a citadel so well fortified could
+be taken, nor could he hope for any favourable result from a siege,
+while the enemy was master of the sea; but that if ships could be
+obtained, by which the introduction of supplies might be prevented,
+the enemy would either immediately evacuate it, or surrender
+themselves." The Tarentines agreed with him; but were of opinion, that
+"he who gave the advice ought also to assist in carrying it into
+execution; for if the Carthaginian ships were brought there from
+Sicily, they would be able to effect it; but by what means could their
+own ships, shut up as they were in a confined harbour, the mouth of
+which was in the command of the enemy, be brought out into the open
+sea." "They shall be brought out," said Hannibal. "Many things which
+are difficult in themselves, are easily effected by contrivance. You
+have a city situated upon a plain; you have level and sufficiently
+wide roads extending in every direction. By the road which runs
+through the midst of the city from the harbour to the sea I will
+convey your ships in waggons without any great difficulty, and the sea
+will be ours which the enemy now commands. We will invest the citadel
+on one side by sea, on the other by land; nay, rather, in a short
+time, we will take it either abandoned by the enemy, or with the enemy
+in it." This speech not only inspired hopes of accomplishing the
+object, but excited the greatest admiration of the general. Waggons
+were immediately collected from every quarter and joined together;
+machines were employed to haul the ships on shore, and the road was
+prepared, in order that the waggons might run more easily, and thus
+the difficulty of passing be diminished. Beasts of burden and men were
+next collected, and the work was actively commenced. After the lapse
+of a few days, the fleet, equipped and ready for action, sailed round
+the citadel, and cast anchor just before the mouth of the harbour.
+Such was the state of things at Tarentum, when Hannibal left it and
+returned to his winter quarters. Authors, however, are divided as to
+whether the defection of the Tarentines took place in the present or
+former year. The greater number, and those who, from their age, were
+more able to recollect these events, represent it to have occurred in
+the present year.
+
+12. The Latin holidays detained the consuls and praetors at Rome till
+the fifth of the calends of May; on which day, having completed the
+solemnities on the mount, they proceeded to their respective
+provinces. Afterwards a new difficulty respecting religious matters
+arose out of the prophetic verses of Marcius, who had been a
+distinguished soothsayer; and on a search being made the year before,
+for books of this description, agreeably to a decree of the senate,
+these verses had fallen into the hands of Marcus Atilius, the city
+praetor, who had the management of that business, and he had
+immediately handed them over to the new praetor, Sulla. The importance
+attached to one of the two predictions of Marcius, which was brought
+to light after the event to which it related had occurred, and the
+truth of which was confirmed by the event, attached credence to the
+other, the time of whose fulfilment had not yet arrived. In the former
+prophecy, the disaster at Cannae was predicted in nearly these words:
+"Roman of Trojan descent, fly the river Canna, lest foreigners should
+compel thee to fight in the plain of Diomede. But thou wilt not
+believe me until thou shalt have filled the plain with blood, and the
+river carries into the great sea, from the fruitful land, many
+thousands of your slain countrymen, and thy flesh becomes a prey for
+fishes, birds, and beasts inhabiting the earth. For thus hath Jupiter
+declared to me." Those who had served in that quarter recognised the
+correspondence with respect to the plains of the Argive Diomede and
+the river Canna, as well as the defeat itself. The other prophecy was
+then read, which was more obscure, not only because future events are
+more uncertain than past, but also from being more perplexed in its
+style of composition. "Romans, if you wish to expel the enemy and the
+ulcer which has come from afar, I advise, that games should be vowed,
+which may be performed in a cheerful manner annually to Apollo; when
+the people shall have given a portion of money from the public
+coffers, that private individuals then contribute, each according to
+his ability. That the praetor shall preside in the celebration of
+these games, who holds the supreme administration of justice to the
+people and commons. Let the decemviri perform sacrifice with victims
+after the Grecian fashion. If you do these things properly you will
+ever rejoice, and your affairs will be more prosperous, for that deity
+will destroy your enemies who now, composedly, feed upon your plains."
+They took one day to explain this prophecy. The next day a decree of
+the senate was passed, that the decemviri should inspect the books
+relating to the celebration of games and sacred rites in honour of
+Apollo. After they had been consulted, and a report made to the
+senate, the fathers voted, that "games should be vowed to Apollo and
+celebrated; and that when the games were concluded, twelve thousand
+_asses_ should be given to the praetor to defray the expense of
+sacred ceremonies, and also two victims of the larger sort." A second
+decree was passed, that "the decemviri should perform sacrifice in the
+Grecian mode, and with the following victims: to Apollo, with a gilded
+ox, and two white goats gilded; to Latona, with a gilded heifer." When
+the praetor was about to celebrate the games in the Circus Maximus, he
+issued an order, that during the celebration of the games, the people
+should pay a contribution, as large as was convenient, for the service
+of Apollo. This is the origin of the Apollinarian games, which were
+vowed and celebrated in order to victory, and not restoration to
+health, as is commonly supposed. The people viewed the spectacle in
+garlands; the matrons made supplications; the people in general
+feasted in the courts of their houses, throwing the doors open; and
+the day was distinguished by every description of ceremony.
+
+13. While Hannibal was in the neighbourhood of Tarentum, and both the
+consuls in Samnium, though they seemed as if they were about to
+besiege Capua, the Campanians were experiencing famine, that calamity
+which is the usual attendant of a protracted siege. It was occasioned
+by the Roman armies' having prevented the sowing of the lands. They
+therefore sent ambassadors to Hannibal, imploring him to give orders
+that corn should be conveyed to Capua from the neighbouring places,
+before both the consuls led their legions into their fields, and all
+the roads were blocked up by the troops of the enemy. Hannibal ordered
+Hanno to pass with his army from Bruttium into Campania, and to take
+care that the Campanians were supplied with corn. Hanno, setting out
+from Bruttium with his army, and carefully avoiding the camp of the
+enemy and the consuls who were in Samnium, when he drew near to
+Beneventum, pitched his camp on an eminence three miles from the city.
+He next ordered that the corn which had been collected during the
+summer, should be brought from the neighbouring people in alliance
+with him, into his camp, assigning a guard to escort those supplies.
+He then sent a messenger to the Capuans, fixing a day when they should
+attend at his camp to receive the corn, bringing with them vehicles
+and beasts of every description, collected from every part of their
+country. The Campanians executed this business with their usual
+indolence and carelessness. Somewhat more than four hundred vehicles,
+with a few beasts of burden besides, were sent. After receiving a
+reproof from Hanno for this conduct, who told them, that not even
+hunger, which excited dumb animals to exertion, could stimulate them
+to diligence, another day was named when they were to fetch the corn
+after better preparation. All these transactions being reported to the
+Beneventans, just as they occurred, they lost no time in sending ten
+ambassadors to the Roman consuls, who were encamped in the
+neighbourhood of Bovianum. The consuls, hearing what was going on at
+Capua, arranged it so that one of them should lead an army into
+Campania; and Fulvius, to whose lot that province had fallen, setting
+out by night, entered the walls of Beneventum. Being now near the
+enemy, he obtained information that Hanno had gone out to forage with
+a portion of his troops; that the Campanians were supplied with corn
+by a quaestor; that two thousand waggons had arrived together with an
+undisciplined and unarmed rabble; that every thing was done in a
+disorderly and hurried manner; and that the form of a camp, and all
+military subordination, were destroyed by the intermixture of rustics
+out of the neighbourhood. This intelligence being sufficiently
+authenticated, the consul ordered his soldiers to get ready only their
+standards and arms against the next night, as he must attack the
+Carthaginian camp. They set out at the fourth watch of the night,
+leaving all their packages and baggage of every description at
+Beneventum; and arriving a little before daylight at the camp, they
+occasioned such a panic, that, had the camp been situated on level
+ground, it might doubtlessly have been taken on the first assault. The
+height of its situation and the works defended it; for they could not
+be approached on any side except by a steep and difficult ascent. At
+break of day a hot engagement commenced, when the Carthaginians not
+only defended their rampart, but having more even ground, threw down
+the enemy as they attempted to ascend the steep.
+
+14. Persevering courage, however, at length prevailed over every
+impediment, and they made their way up to the ditch and rampart in
+several parts at the same time, but with many wounds and much loss of
+soldiers. The consul, therefore assembling the military tribunes, said
+they must desist from this inconsiderate enterprise; and that it
+appeared to him to be the safer course, that the troops should be led
+back to Beneventum for that day, and then on the following day to
+pitch his camp close to that of the enemy, so that the Campanians
+could not quit it, nor Hanno return to it; and in order that that
+object might be attained with the greater ease, that he should send
+for his colleague and his army; and that they would direct their whole
+force on that point. This plan of the general was disconcerted, after
+the signal began to sound for a retreat, by the clamours of the
+soldiery, who despised so pusillanimous an order. Nearest to the gate
+of the enemy's camp was a Pelignian cohort, whose commander, Vibius
+Accuaeus, seizing the standard, threw it over the rampart. Then
+pronouncing a curse upon himself and his cohort, if the enemy got
+possession of that standard, he rushed forward before the rest, and
+crossing the ditch and rampart, burst into the camp of the enemy. The
+Pelignians were now fighting within the rampart, when in another
+quarter Valerius Flaccus, a military tribune of the third legion,
+taunting the Romans with cowardice for conceding to allies the honour
+of taking the camp. Titus Pedanius, first centurion of the first
+century, snatched the standard out of the hands of the
+standard-bearer, and cried out, "Soon shall this standard, and this
+centurion, be within the rampart of the enemy; let those follow who
+would prevent the standard's being captured by the enemy." Crossing
+the ditch, he was followed first by the men of his own maniple, and
+then by the whole legion. By this time the consul also, changing his
+plan on seeing them crossing the rampart, began to incite and
+encourage his soldiers, instead of calling them off; representing to
+them, how critical and perilous was the situation of the bravest
+cohort of their allies and a legion of their countrymen. All,
+therefore, severally exerting themselves to the utmost, regardless
+whether the ground were even or uneven, while showers of weapons were
+thrown against them from all sides, the enemy opposing their arms and
+their persons to obstruct them, made their way and burst in. Many who
+were wounded, even those whose blood and strength failed them, pressed
+forward, that they might fall within the rampart of the enemy. The
+camp, therefore, was taken in an instant, as if it had been situated
+upon level ground, and not completely fortified. What followed was a
+carnage rather than a battle. The troops of both sides being huddled
+together within the rampart, above six thousand of the enemy were
+slain; above seven thousand, together with the Campanians who fetched
+the corn, and the whole collection of waggons and beasts of burden,
+were captured. There was also a great booty, which Hanno in his
+predatory excursions, which he had been careful to make in every
+quarter, had drawn together from the lands of the allies of the
+Romans. After throwing down the camp of the enemy, they returned
+thence to Beneventum; and there both the consuls (for Appius Claudius
+came thither a few days after) sold the booty and distributed it,
+making presents to those by whose exertions the camp of the enemy had
+been captured; above all, to Accuaeus the Pelignian, and Titus
+Pedanius, first centurion of the third legion. Hanno, setting off from
+Cominium in the territory of Cere, whither intelligence of the loss of
+the camp had reached him, with a small party of foragers, whom he
+happened to have with him, returned to Bruttium, more after the manner
+of a flight than a march.
+
+15. The Campanians, when informed of the disaster which had befallen
+themselves and their allies, sent ambassadors to Hannibal to inform
+him, that "the two consuls were at Beneventum, which was a day's march
+from Capua; that the war was all but at their gates and their walls;
+and that if he did not hasten to their assistance, Capua would fall
+into the power of the enemy sooner than Arpi had; that not even
+Tarentum itself, much less its citadel, ought to be considered of so
+much consequence as to induce him to deliver up to the Roman people,
+abandoned and undefended, Capua, which he used to place on an equal
+footing with Carthage." Hannibal, promising that he would not neglect
+the interest of the Campanians, sent, for the present, two thousand
+horse, with the ambassadors, aided by which, they might secure their
+lands from devastation. The Romans, meanwhile, among the other things
+which engaged their attention, had an eye to the citadel of Tarentum,
+and the garrison besieged therein. Caius Servilius,
+lieutenant-general, having been sent, according to the advice of the
+fathers, by Publius Cornelius, the praetor, to purchase corn in
+Etruria, made his way into the harbour of Tarentum, through the
+guard-ships of the enemy, with some ships of burden. At his arrival,
+those who before, having very slight hopes of holding out, were
+frequently invited by the enemy, in conferences, to pass over to them,
+now, on the contrary, were the persons to invite and solicit the enemy
+to come over to them; and now, as the soldiers who were at Metapontum
+had been brought to assist in guarding the citadel of Tarentum, the
+garrison was sufficiently powerful. In consequence of this measure,
+the Metapontines, being freed from the fears which had influenced
+them, immediately revolted to Hannibal. The people of Thurium,
+situated on the same coast, did the same. They were influenced not
+more by the defection of the Metapontines and Tarentines, with whom
+they were connected, being sprung from the same country, Achaia, than
+by resentment towards the Romans, in consequence of the recent
+execution of the hostages. The friends and relations of these hostages
+sent a letter and a message to Hanno and Mago, who were not far off
+among the Bruttii, to the effect, that if they brought their troops up
+to the walls, they would deliver the city into their hands. Marcus
+Atinius was in command at Thurium, with a small garrison, who they
+thought might easily be induced to engage rashly in a battle, not from
+any confidence which he reposed in his troops, of which he had very
+few, but in the youth of Thurium, whom he had purposely formed into
+centuries, and armed against emergencies of this kind. The generals,
+after dividing their forces between them, entered the territory of
+Thurium; and Hanno, with a body of infantry, proceeded towards the
+city in hostile array. Hanno staid behind with the cavalry, under the
+cover of some hills, conveniently placed for the concealment of an
+ambush. Atinius, having by his scouts discovered only the body of
+infantry, led his troops into the field, ignorant both of the domestic
+treachery and of the stratagem of the enemy. The engagement with the
+infantry was particularly dull, a few Romans in the first rank
+engaging while the Thurians rather waited than helped on the issue.
+The Carthaginian line retreated, on purpose that they might draw the
+incautious enemy to the back of the hill, where their cavalry were
+lying in ambush; and when they had come there, the cavalry rising up
+on a sudden with a shout, immediately put to flight the almost
+undisciplined rabble of the Thurians, not firmly attached to the side
+on which they fought. The Romans, notwithstanding they were surrounded
+and hard pressed on one side by the infantry, on the other by the
+cavalry, yet prolonged the battle for a considerable time; but at
+length even they were compelled to turn their backs, and fled towards
+the city. There the conspirators, forming themselves into a dense
+body, received the multitude of their countrymen with open gates; but
+when they perceived that the routed Romans were hurrying towards the
+city, they exclaimed that the Carthaginian was close at hand, and that
+the enemy would enter the city mingled with them, unless they speedily
+closed the gates. Thus they shut out the Romans, and left them to be
+cut up by the enemy. Atinius, however, and a few others were taken in.
+After this for a short time there was a division between them, some
+being of opinion that they ought to defend the city, others that they
+ought, after all that had happened, to yield to fortune, and deliver
+up the city to the conquerors; but, as it generally happens, fortune
+and evil counsels prevailed. Having conveyed Atinius and his party to
+the sea and the ships, more because they wished that care should be
+taken of him, in consequence of the mildness and justice of his
+command, than from regard to the Romans, they received the
+Carthaginians into the city. The consuls led their legions from
+Beneventum into the Campanian territory, with the intention not only
+of destroying the corn, which was in the blade, but of laying siege to
+Capua; considering that they would render their consulate illustrious
+by the destruction of so opulent a city, and that they would wipe away
+the foul disgrace of the empire, from the defection of a city so near
+remaining unpunished for three years. Lest, however, Beneventum should
+be left without protection, and that in case of any sudden emergency,
+if Hannibal should come to Capua, in order to bring assistance to his
+friends, which they doubted not he would do, the cavalry might be able
+to sustain his attack, they ordered Tiberius Gracchus to come from
+Lucania to Beneventum with his cavalry and light-armed troops and to
+appoint some person to take the command of the legions and stationary
+camp, for the defence of Lucania.
+
+16. An unlucky prodigy occurred to Gracchus, while sacrificing,
+previous to his departure from Lucania. Two snakes gliding from a
+secret place to the entrails, after the sacrifice was completed, ate
+the liver; and after having been observed, suddenly vanished out of
+sight. The sacrifice having been repeated according to the admonition
+of the aruspices, and the vessel containing the entrails being watched
+with increased attention, it is reported that the snakes came a
+second, and a third time, and, after tasting the liver, went away
+untouched. Though the aruspices forewarned him that the portent had
+reference to the general, and that he ought to be on his guard against
+secret enemies and machinations, yet no foresight could avert the
+destiny which awaited him. There was a Lucanian, named Flavius, the
+leader of that party which adhered to the Romans when the others went
+over to Hannibal; he was this year in the magistracy, having been
+created praetor by the same party. Suddenly changing his mind, and
+seeking to ingratiate himself with the Carthaginians, he did not think
+it enough that he himself should pass over to them, or that he should
+induce the Lucanians to revolt with him, unless he ratified his league
+with the enemy with the head and blood of the general, betrayed to
+them, though his guest. He entered into a secret conference with Mago,
+who had the command in Bruttium, and receiving a solemn promise from
+him, that he would take the Lucanians into his friendship, without
+interfering with their laws, if he should betray the Roman general to
+the Carthaginians, he conducted Mago to a place to which he was about
+to bring Gracchus with a few attendants. He then directed Mago to arm
+his infantry and cavalry, and to occupy the retired places there, in
+which he might conceal a very large number of troops. After thoroughly
+inspecting and exploring the place on all sides, a day was agreed upon
+for the execution of the affair. Flavius came to the Roman general,
+and said, that "he had begun a business of great importance, for the
+completion of which, it was necessary to have the assistance of
+Gracchus himself. That he had persuaded the praetors of all the states
+which had revolted to the Carthaginians in the general defection of
+Italy, to return into the friendship of the Romans, since now the
+Roman power too, which had almost come to ruin by the disaster at
+Cannae. was daily improving and increasing, while the strength of
+Hannibal was sinking into decay, and was almost reduced to nothing. He
+had told them that the Romans would be disposed to accept an atonement
+for their former offence; that there never was any state more easy to
+be entreated, or more ready to grant pardon; how often, he had
+observed to them, had they forgiven rebellion even in their own
+ancestors! These considerations," he said, "he had himself urged, but
+that they would rather hear the same from Gracchus himself in person,
+and touching his right hand, carry with them that pledge of faith.
+That he had agreed upon a place with those who were privy to the
+transaction, out of the way of observation, and at no great distance
+from the Roman camp; that there the business might be settled in few
+words, so that all the Lucanian states might be in the alliance and
+friendship of the Romans." Gracchus, not suspecting any treachery
+either from his words or the nature of the proposal, and being caught
+by the probability of the thing, set out from the camp with his
+lictors and a troop of horse, under the guidance of his host, and fell
+headlong into the snare. The enemy suddenly arose from their
+lurking-place, and Flavius joined them; which made the treachery
+obvious. A shower of weapons was poured from all sides on Gracchus and
+his troop. He immediately leaped from his horse, and ordering the rest
+to do the same, exhorted them, that "as fortune had left them only one
+course, they would render it glorious by their valour. And what is
+there left," said he, "to a handful of men, surrounded by a multitude,
+in a valley hemmed in by a wood and mountains, except death? The only
+question was, whether, tamely exposing themselves to be butchered like
+cattle, they should die unavenged; or whether, drawing the mind off
+from the idea of suffering and anticipation of the event, and giving
+full scope to fury and resentment, they should fall while doing and
+daring, covered with hostile blood, amid heaps of arms and bodies of
+their expiring foes." He desired that "all would aim at the Lucanian
+traitor and deserter;" adding, that "the man who should send that
+victim to the shades before him, would acquire the most distinguished
+glory, and furnish the highest consolation for his own death." While
+thus speaking, he wound his cloak round his left arm, for they had not
+even brought their shields out with them, and then rushed upon the
+enemy. The exertion made in the fight was greater than could be
+expected from the smallness of the number. The bodies of the Romans
+were most exposed to the javelins, with which, as they were thrown on
+all sides from higher ground into a deep valley, they were transfixed.
+The Carthaginians seeing Gracchus now bereft of support, endeavoured
+to take him alive; but he having descried his Lucanian host among the
+enemy, rushed with such fury into their dense body that it became
+impossible to save his life without a great loss. Mago immediately
+sent his corpse to Hannibal, ordering it to be placed, with the fasces
+which were taken at the same time, before the tribunal of the general.
+This is the true account; Gracchus fell in Lucania, near the place
+called the Old Plains.
+
+17. There are some who have put forth an account, stating, that when
+in the territory of Beneventum, near the river Calor, having gone out
+from his camp with his lictors and three servants, for the purpose of
+bathing, he was slain while naked and unarmed, and endeavouring to
+defend himself with the stones which the river brought down, by a
+party of the enemy which happened to be concealed among the osiers
+which grew upon the banks. Others state, that having gone out five
+hundred paces from the camp, at the instance of the aruspices, in
+order to expiate the prodigies before mentioned on unpolluted ground,
+he was cut off by two troops of Numidians who happened to be lying in
+ambush there. So different are the accounts respecting the place and
+manner of the death of so illustrious and distinguished a man. Various
+also are the accounts of the funeral of Gracchus. Some say that he was
+buried by his own friends in the Roman camp; others relate, and this
+is the more generally received account, that a funeral pile was
+erected by Hannibal, in the entrance of the Carthaginian camp; that
+the troops under arms performed evolutions, with the dances of the
+Spaniards, and motions of the arms and body, which were customary with
+the several nations; while Hannibal himself celebrated his obsequies
+with every mark of respect, both in word and deed. Such is the account
+of those who assert that the affair occurred in Lucania. If you are
+disposed to credit the statement of those who relate that he was slain
+at the river Calor, the enemy got possession only of the head of
+Gracchus; which being brought to Hannibal, he immediately despatched
+Carthalo to convey it into the Roman camp to Cneius Cornelius, the
+quaestor, who buried the general in the camp, the Beneventans joining
+the army in the celebration.
+
+18. The consuls having entered the Campanian territory, while
+devastating the country on all sides, were alarmed, and thrown into
+confusion, by an eruption of the townsmen and Mago with his cavalry.
+They called in their troops to their standards from the several
+quarters to which they were dispersed, but having been routed when
+they had scarcely formed their line, they lost above fifteen hundred
+men. The confidence of the Campanians, who were naturally
+presumptuous, became excessive in consequence of this event, and in
+many battles they challenged the Romans; but this one battle, which
+they had been incautiously and imprudently drawn into, had increased
+the vigilance of the consuls. Their spirits were restored, while the
+presumption of the other party was diminished, by one trifling
+occurrence; but in war nothing is so inconsiderable as not to be
+capable, sometimes, of producing important consequences. Titus
+Quinctius Crispinus was a guest of Badius, a Campanian, united with
+him by the greatest intimacy. Their acquaintance had increased from
+the circumstance of Badius having received the most liberal and kind
+attentions at the house of Crispinus, in a fit of illness, at Rome,
+before the Campanian revolt. On the present occasion, Badius,
+advancing in front of the guards, which were stationed before the
+gate, desired Crispinus to be called; and Crispinus, on being informed
+of this, thinking that a friendly and familiar interview was
+requested, and the memory of their private connexion remaining even
+amidst the disruption of public ties, advanced a little from the rest.
+When they had come within view of each other, Badius exclaimed, "I
+challenge you to combat, Crispinus; let us mount our horses, and
+making the rest withdraw, let us try which is the better soldier." In
+reply, Crispinus said, that "neither of them were in want of enemies
+to display their valour upon; for his own part, even if he should meet
+him in the field he would turn aside, lest he should pollute his
+right-hand with the blood of a guest;" and then turning round, was
+going away. But the Campanian, with increased presumption, began to
+charge him with cowardice and effeminacy, and cast upon him reproaches
+which he deserved himself, calling him "an enemy who sheltered himself
+under the title of host, and one who pretended to spare him for whom
+he knew himself not to be a match. If he considered; that when public
+treaties were broken, the ties of private connexion were not severed
+with them, then Badius the Campanian openly, and in the hearing of
+both armies, renounced his connexion of hospitality with Titus
+Quinctius Crispinus the Roman. He said, that there could exist no
+fellowship or alliance with him and an enemy whose country and
+tutelary gods, both public and private, he had come to fight against.
+If he was a man, he would meet him." Crispinus hesitated for a long
+time; but the men of his troop at length prevailed upon him not to
+allow the Campanian to insult him with impunity. Waiting, therefore,
+only to ask his generals whether they would allow him to fight,
+contrary to rule, with an enemy who had challenged him; having
+obtained their permission, he mounted his horse, and addressing Badius
+by name, called him out to the combat. The Campanian made no delay.
+They engaged with their horses excited to hostility. Crispinus
+transfixed Badius with his spear in the left shoulder, over his
+shield. He fell from his horse in consequence of the wound; and
+Crispinus leaped down to despatch him as he lay, on foot. But Badius,
+before his enemy was upon him, ran off to his friends, leaving his
+horse and buckler. Crispinus, decorated with the spoils, and
+displaying the horse and arms which he had seized together with the
+bloody spear, was conducted amid the loud plaudits and congratulations
+of the soldiery into the presence of the consuls, where he was highly
+commended, and was presented with gifts.
+
+19. Hannibal, having moved his camp from the territory of Beneventum
+to Capua, drew out his troops in order of battle the third day after
+his arrival; not entertaining the least doubt but that, as the
+Campanians had fought successfully a few days ago when he was absent,
+the Romans would be still less able to withstand him and his army,
+which had been so often victorious. After the battle had commenced,
+the Roman line was distressed chiefly from the attack of the cavalry,
+being overwhelmed with their darts, till the signal was given to the
+Roman cavalry to direct their horses against the enemy; thus it was a
+battle of the cavalry. But at this time the Sempronian army, commanded
+by Cneius Cornelius the quaestor, being descried at a distance,
+excited alarm in both parties equally, lest those who were approaching
+should be fresh enemies. As if by concert, therefore, both sounded a
+retreat; and the troops were withdrawn from the field to their camps,
+in an equal condition; a greater number, however, of the Romans fell
+in the first charge of the cavalry. The consuls, to divert the
+attention of Hannibal from Capua, departed thence on the following
+night in different directions, Fulvius into the territory of Cuma,
+Claudius into Lucania. The next day Hannibal, having received
+intelligence that the camp of the Romans was deserted, and that they
+had gone off in different directions in two divisions, doubtful at
+first which he should follow, commenced the pursuit of Appius; who,
+after leading him about whichever way he pleased, returned by another
+route to Capua. Hannibal, while in this quarter, had another
+opportunity of gaining an advantage. Marcus Centenius, surnamed
+Penula, was distinguished among the centurions of the first rank by
+the size of his person, and his courage. Having gone through his
+period of service, he was introduced to the senate by Publius
+Cornelius Sulla, when he requested of the fathers that five thousand
+men might be placed at his disposal. He said, that "as he was
+acquainted with the character of the enemy, and the nature of the
+country, he should speedily perform some service; and that he would
+employ those arts by which our generals and armies had been hitherto
+ensnared against the inventor of them." This was not promised more
+foolishly than it was believed; as if the qualifications of a soldier
+and a general were the same. Instead of five, eight thousand men were
+given him, half Romans, half allies. He himself also got together a
+considerable number of volunteers, in the country, on his march; and
+having almost doubled his force, arrived in Lucania, where Hannibal
+had halted after having in vain pursued Claudius. No doubt could be
+entertained of the issue of a contest which was to take place between
+Hannibal, as general on one side, and a centurion on the other;
+between armies, one of which had grown old in victory, the other
+entirely inexperienced, and for the most part even tumultuary and
+half-armed. As soon as the troops came within sight of each other,
+and neither of them declined an engagement, the lines were formed. The
+battle, notwithstanding the utter disparity of the contending parties,
+lasted more than two hours, the Roman troops acting with the greatest
+spirit as long as their general survived. But after that he had
+fallen, for he continually exposed himself to the weapons of the
+enemy, not only from regard to his former character, but through fear
+of the disgrace which would attach to him if he survived a disaster
+occasioned by his own temerity, the Roman line was immediately routed.
+But so completely were they prevented from flying, every way being
+beset by the cavalry, that scarcely a thousand men escaped out of so
+large an army; the rest were destroyed on all hands, in one way or
+other.
+
+20. The siege of Capua was now resumed by the consuls with the utmost
+energy. Every thing requisite for the business was conveyed thither
+and got in readiness. A store of corn was collected at Casilinum; at
+the mouth of the Vulturnus, where a town now stands, a strong post was
+fortified; and a garrison was stationed in Puteoli, which Fabius had
+formerly fortified, in order to have the command of the neighbouring
+sea and the river. Into these two maritime forts, the corn recently
+sent from Sicily, with that which Marcus Junius, the praetor, had
+bought up in Etruria, was conveyed from Ostia, to supply the army
+during the winter. But, in addition to the disaster sustained in
+Lucania, the army also of volunteer slaves, who had served during the
+life of Gracchus with the greatest fidelity, as if discharged from
+service by the death of their general, left their standards. Hannibal
+was not willing that Capua should be neglected, or his allies
+deserted, at so critical a juncture; but, having obtained such success
+from the temerity of one Roman general, his attention was fixed on the
+opportunity which presented itself of crushing the other general and
+his army. Ambassadors from Apulia reported that Cneius Fulvius, the
+praetor, had at first conducted his measures with caution, while
+engaged in besieging certain towns of Apulia, which had revolted to
+Hannibal; but that afterwards, in consequence of extraordinary
+success, both himself and his soldiers, being glutted with booty, had
+so given themselves up to licentiousness and indolence, that all
+military discipline was disregarded. Having frequently on other
+occasions, as well as but a few days ago, experienced what an army was
+good for, when conducted by an unskilful commander, he moved his camp
+into Apulia.
+
+21. The Roman legions, and the praetor, Fulvius, were in the
+neighbourhood of Herdonia, where, receiving intelligence of the
+approach of the enemy, they had nearly torn up the standards and gone
+out to battle without the praetor's orders; nor did any thing tend
+more to prevent it than the assured hope they entertained that they
+could do so whenever they pleased, consulting only their own will. The
+following night, Hannibal having obtained information that the camp
+was in a state of tumult, and that most of the troops were in a
+disorderly manner urging the general to give the signal, and calling
+out to arms, and therefore feeling convinced that an opportunity
+presented itself for a successful battle, distributed three thousand
+light troops in the houses in the neighbourhood, and among the thorns
+and woods. These, on a signal being given, were to rise up from their
+lurking-place with one accord; and Mago, with about two thousand
+horse, was ordered to occupy all the roads in the direction in which
+he supposed their flight would be directed. Having made these
+preparations during the night, he led his troops into the field at
+break of day. Nor did Fulvius decline the challenge; not so much from
+any hope of success entertained by himself, as drawn by the blind
+impetuosity of his soldiers. Accordingly, the line itself was formed
+with the same want of caution with which they entered the field,
+agreeably to the whim of the soldiers, who came up as chance directed,
+and took their stations just where they pleased; which they afterwards
+abandoned, as fear or caprice suggested. The first legion and the left
+wing of the allied troops were drawn up in front. The line was
+extended to a great length, the tribunes remonstrating, that there was
+no strength in it, and that wherever the enemy made the charge they
+would break through it: but no salutary advice reached their minds,
+nor even their ears. Hannibal was now come up, a general of a totally
+different character, with an army neither similar in its nature, nor
+similarly marshalled. The consequence was, that the Romans did not so
+much as sustain their shout and first attack. Their general, equal to
+Centenius in folly and temerity, but by no means to be compared with
+him in courage, when he saw things going against him, and his troops
+in confusion, hastily mounting his horse, fled from the field with
+about two hundred horsemen. The rest of the troops, beaten in front,
+and surrounded on the flank and rear, were slaughtered to such a
+degree, that out of eighteen thousand men, not more than two thousand
+escaped. The enemy got possession of the camp.
+
+22. When these disastrous defeats, happening one upon another, were
+reported at Rome, great grief and consternation seized the city. But
+still, as the consuls had been hitherto successful when it was most
+important, they were the less affected by these disasters. Caius
+Lastorius and Marcus Metilius were sent as ambassadors to the consuls,
+with directions carefully to collect the remains of the two armies,
+and use every endeavour to prevent their surrendering themselves to
+the enemy, through fear or despair, (which was the case after the
+battle of Cannae,) and to search for the deserters from the army of
+volunteer slaves. Publius Cornelius was charged with the same
+business; to him also the levy was intrusted. He caused an order to be
+issued throughout the market and smaller towns, that search should be
+made for the volunteer slaves, and that they should be brought back to
+their standards. All these things were executed with the most vigilant
+care. The consul, Appius Claudius, having placed Decius Junius in
+command at the mouth of the Vulturnus, and Marcus Aurelius Cotta at
+Puteoli, with directions to send off the corn immediately to the camp,
+as each of the ships from Etruria and Sardinia arrived with it,
+returned himself to Capua, and found his colleague Quintus Fulvius at
+Casilinum, conveying every requisite thence, and making every
+preparation for the siege of Capua. Both of them then joined in
+besieging the city, summoning Claudius Nero, the praetor, from the
+Claudian camp at Suessula; who, leaving a small garrison there,
+marched down to Capua with all the rest of his forces. Thus there were
+three generals' tents erected round Capua; and three armies, applying
+themselves to the work in different parts, proceeded to surround the
+city with a ditch and rampart, erecting forts at moderate intervals.
+The Campanians attempting to obstruct the work, a battle was fought in
+several places at once; the consequence of which was, that at length
+the Campanians confined themselves within their gates and walls.
+Before, however, these works were carried quite round, ambassadors
+were sent to Hannibal to complain that Capua was abandoned, and almost
+given up to the Romans, and to implore him, that he would now, at
+least, bring them assistance, when they were not only besieged, but
+surrounded by a rampart. A letter was sent to the consuls from Publius
+Cornelius, the praetor, directing that before they completely enclosed
+Capua with their works, they should grant permission to such of the
+Campanians as chose to quit Capua, and take their property with them.
+That those should retain their liberty, and all their possessions, who
+quitted it before the ides of March, but that those who quitted it
+after that day, as well as those who continued there, would be
+considered as enemies. Proclamation was made to the Campanians to this
+effect, but it was received with such scorn, that they spontaneously
+used insulting language and menaces. Hannibal had marched his legions
+from Herdonea to Tarentum, with the hope of getting possession of the
+citadel of that place, by force or stratagem. But not succeeding
+there, he turned his course to Brundusium, thinking that town would be
+betrayed to him, but, while fruitlessly spending time there also, the
+Campanian ambassadors came to him with complaints and entreaties.
+Hannibal answered them in a proud manner, that he had before raised
+the siege of Capua, and that now the consuls would not sustain his
+approach. The ambassadors, dismissed with these hopes, with difficulty
+effected their return to Capua, which was by this time surrounded by a
+double trench and rampart.
+
+23. At the time when the circumvallation of Capua was carrying on with
+the greatest activity, the siege of Syracuse, which had been forwarded
+by intestine treachery, in addition to the efforts and bravery of the
+general and his army, was brought to a conclusion. For in the
+beginning of spring, Marcellus being in doubt whether he should direct
+the operations of the war against Himilco and Hippocrates at
+Agrigentum, or press the siege of Syracuse, though he saw that it was
+impossible to take the city by force, which, from its situation, both
+with respect to sea and land, was impregnable, nor by famine, as it
+was supported by an uninterrupted supply of provisions from Carthage,
+yet that he might leave no course untried, directed the Syracusan
+deserters (and there were in the Roman camp some men in this situation
+of the highest rank, who had been driven out of the city during the
+defection from the Romans, because they were averse to a change of
+measures) to sound the feelings of those who were of the same party in
+conferences, and to promise them, that if Syracuse was delivered up,
+they should have their liberty, and be governed by their own laws.
+There was no opportunity however, of having a conference; for as many
+were suspected of disaffection, the attention and observation of all
+were exerted, lest any thing of the kind should occur unknown to them.
+One of the exiles, who was a servant, having been allowed to enter the
+city in the character of a deserter, assembled a few persons, and
+opened a conversation upon the subject. After this, certain persons,
+covering themselves with nets in a fishing smack, were in this way
+conveyed round to the Roman camp, and conferred with the fugitives.
+The same was frequently repeated by different parties, one after
+another; and at last they amounted to eighty. But after every thing
+had been concerted for betraying the city, the plot was reported to
+Epicydes, by one Attalus, who felt hurt that he had not been intrusted
+with the secret; and they were all put to death with torture. This
+attempt having miscarried, another hope was immediately raised. One
+Damippus, a Lacedaemonian, who had been sent from Syracuse to king
+Philip, had been taken prisoner by the Roman fleet. Epicydes was
+particularly anxious to ransom this man above any other; nor was
+Marcellus disinclined to grant it; the Romans, even at this time,
+being desirous of gaining the friendship of the Aetolians, with whom
+the Lacedaemonians were in alliance. Some persons having been sent to
+treat respecting his ransom, the most central and convenient place to
+both parties for this purpose appeared to be at the Trogilian port,
+near the tower called Galeagra. As they went there several times, one
+of the Romans, having a near view of the wall, and having determined
+its height, as nearly as it could be done by conjecture, from counting
+the stones, and by forming an estimate, in his own mind, what was the
+height of each stone in the face of the work; and having come to the
+conclusion that it was considerably lower than he himself and all the
+rest had supposed it, and that it was capable of being scaled with
+ladders of moderate size, laid the matter before Marcellus. It
+appeared a thing not to be neglected; but as the spot could not be
+approached, being on this very account guarded with extraordinary
+care, a favourable opportunity of doing it was sought for. This a
+deserter suggested, who brought intelligence that the Syracusans were
+celebrating the festival of Diana; that it was to last three days, and
+that as there was a deficiency of other things during the siege, the
+feasts would be more profusely celebrated with wine, which was
+furnished by Epicydes to the people in general, and distributed
+through the tribes by persons of distinction. When Marcellus had
+received this intelligence, he communicated it to a few of the
+military tribunes; then having selected, through their means, such
+centurions and soldiers as had courage and energy enough for so
+important an enterprise, and having privately gotten together a number
+of scaling-ladders, he directed that a signal should be given to the
+rest of the troops to take their refreshment, and go to rest early,
+for they were to go upon an expedition that night. Then the time, as
+it was supposed, having arrived, when, after having feasted from the
+middle of the day, they would have had their fill of wine, and have
+begun to sleep, he ordered the soldiers of one company to proceed with
+the ladders, while about a thousand armed men were in silence marched
+to the spot in a slender column. The foremost having mounted the wall,
+without noise or confusion, the others followed in order; the boldness
+of the former inspiring even the irresolute with courage.
+
+24. The thousand armed men had now taken a part of the city, when the
+rest, applying a greater number of ladders, mounted the wall on a
+signal given from the Hexapylos. To this place the former party had
+arrived in entire solitude; as the greater part of them, having
+feasted in the towers, were either asleep from the effects of wine, or
+else, half asleep, were still drinking. A few of them, however, they
+surprised in their beds, and put to the sword. They began then to
+break open a postern gate near the Hexapylos, which required great
+force; and a signal was given from the wall by sounding a trumpet, as
+had been agreed upon. After this, the attack was carried on in every
+quarter, not secretly, but by open force; for they had now reached
+Epipolae, a place protected by numerous guards, where the business was
+to terrify the enemy, and not to escape their notice. In effect they
+were terrified; for as soon as the sound of the trumpets was heard,
+and the shouts of the men who had got possession of the walls and a
+part of the city, the guards concluded that every part was taken, and
+some of them fled along the wall, others leaped down from it, or were
+thrown down headlong by a crowd of the terrified townsmen. A great
+part of the inhabitants, however, were ignorant of this disastrous
+event, all of them being overpowered with wine and sleep; and because,
+in a city of so wide extent, what was perceived in one quarter was not
+readily made known through the whole city. A little before day,
+Marcellus having entered the city with all his forces, through the
+Hexapylos, which was forced open roused all the townsmen; who ran to
+arms, in order, if possible, by their efforts, to afford succour to
+the city, which was now almost taken. Epicydes advanced with a body of
+troops at a rapid pace from the Insula, which the Syracusans
+themselves call Nasos, not doubting but that he should be able to
+drive out what he supposed a small party, which had got over the wall
+through the negligence of the guards. He earnestly represented to the
+terrified inhabitants who met him, that they were increasing the
+confusion, and that in their accounts they made things greater and
+more important than they really were. But when he perceived that every
+place around Epipolae was filled with armed men, after just teasing
+the enemy with the discharge of a few missiles, he marched back to the
+Achradina, not so much through fear of the number and strength of the
+enemy, as that some intestine treachery might show itself, taking
+advantage of the opportunity, and he might find the gates of the
+Achradina and island closed upon him in the confusion. When Marcellus,
+having entered the walls, beheld this city as it lay subjected to his
+view from the high ground on which he stood, a city the most
+beautiful, perhaps, of any at that time, he is said to have shed tears
+over it; partly from the inward satisfaction he felt at having
+accomplished so important an enterprise, and partly in consideration
+of its ancient renown. The fleets of the Athenians sunk there, and two
+vast armies destroyed, with two generals of the highest reputation, as
+well as the many wars waged with the Carthaginians with so much peril
+arose before his mind; the many and powerful tyrants and kings; but
+above all Hiero, a king who was not only fresh in his memory, but who
+was distinguished for the signal services he had rendered the Roman
+people, and more than all by the endowments which his own virtues and
+good fortune had conferred. All these considerations presenting
+themselves at once to his recollection, and reflecting, that in an
+instant every thing before him would be in flames, and reduced to
+ashes; before he marched his troops to the Achradina, he sent before
+him some Syracusans, who, as was before observed, were among the Roman
+troops, to induce the enemy, by a persuasive address, to surrender the
+city.
+
+25. The gates and walls of the Achradina were occupied principally by
+deserters, who had no hopes of pardon in case of capitulation. These
+men would neither suffer those who were sent to approach the walls,
+nor to address them. Marcellus, therefore, on the failure of this
+attempt, gave orders to retire to the Euryalus, which is an eminence
+at the extremity of the city, at the farthest point from the sea, and
+commanding the road leading into the fields and the interior of the
+island, and is conveniently situated for the introduction of supplies.
+This fort was commanded by Philodemus, an Argive, who was placed in
+this situation by Epicydes. Marcellus sent Sosis, one of the
+regicides, to him. After a long conversation, being put off for the
+purpose of frustrating him, he brought back word to Marcellus, that
+Philodemus had taken time to deliberate. This man postponing his
+answer day after day, till Hippocrates and Himilco should quit their
+present position, and come up with their legions; not doubting but
+that if he should receive them into the fort, the Roman army, shut up
+as it was within the walls, might be annihilated, Marcellus, who saw
+that the Euryalus would neither be delivered up to him, nor could be
+taken by force, pitched his camp between Neapolis and Tycha, which are
+names of divisions of the city, and are in themselves like cities;
+fearful lest if he entered populous parts of the city, he should not
+be able to restrain his soldiers, greedy of plunder, from running up
+and down after it. When three ambassadors came to him from Tycha and
+Neapolis with fillets and other badges of supplicants, imploring him
+to abstain from fire and slaughter, Marcellus, having held a council
+respecting these entreaties, for so they were, rather than demands,
+ordered his soldiers, according to the unanimous opinion of the
+council, not to offer violence to any free person, but told them that
+every thing else might be their booty. The walls of the houses forming
+a protection for his camp, he posted guards and parties of troops at
+the gates, which were exposed, as they faced the streets, lest any
+attack should be made upon his camp while the soldiers were dispersed
+in pursuit of plunder. After these arrangements, on a signal given,
+the soldiers dispersed for that purpose; and though they broke open
+doors and every place resounded in consequence of the alarm and
+confusion created, they nevertheless refrained from blood. They did
+not desist from plunder till they had gutted the houses of all the
+property which had been accumulated during a long period of
+prosperity. Meanwhile, Philodemus also, who despaired of obtaining
+assistance, having received a pledge that he might return to Epicydes
+in safety, withdrew the garrison, and delivered up the fortress to the
+Romans. While the attention of all was engaged by the tumult
+occasioned in that part of the city which was captured, Bomilcar,
+taking advantage of the night, when, from the violence of the weather
+the Roman fleet was unable to ride at anchor in the deep, set out from
+the bay of Syracuse, with thirty-five ships, and sailed away into the
+main without interruption; leaving fifty-five ships for Epicydes and
+the Syracusans; and having informed the Carthaginians in what a
+critical situation Syracuse was placed, returned, after a few days,
+with a hundred ships; having, as report says, received many presents
+from Epicydes out of the treasure of Hiero.
+
+26. Marcellus, by gaining possession of the Euryalus, and placing a
+garrison in it, was freed from one cause of anxiety; which was, lest
+any hostile force received into that fortress on his rear might annoy
+his troops, shut up and confined as they were within the walls. He
+next invested the Achradina, erecting three camps in convenient
+situations, with the hope of reducing those enclosed within it to the
+want of every necessary. The outposts of both sides had remained
+inactive for several days, when the arrival of Hippocrates and Himilco
+suddenly caused the Romans to be attacked aggressively on all sides;
+for Hippocrates, having fortified a camp at the great harbour, and
+given a signal to those who occupied the Achradina, attacked the old
+camp of the Romans, in which Crispinus had the command; and Epicydes
+sallied out against the outposts of Marcellus, the Carthaginian fleet
+coming up to that part of the shore which lay between the city and the
+Roman camp, so that no succour could be sent by Marcellus to
+Crispinus. The enemy, however, produced more tumult than conflict; for
+Crispinus not only drove back Hippocrates from his works, but pursued
+him as he fled with precipitation, while Marcellus drove Epicydes into
+the city; and it was considered that enough was now done even to
+prevent any danger arising in future from their sudden sallies. They
+were visited too by a plague; a calamity extending to both sides, and
+one which might well divert their attention from schemes of war. For
+as the season of the year was autumn, and the situation naturally
+unwholesome, though this was much more the case without than within
+the city, the intolerable intensity of the heat had an effect upon the
+constitution of almost every man in both the camps. At first they
+sickened and died from the unhealthiness of the season and climate;
+but afterwards the disease was spread merely by attending upon, and
+coming in contact with, those affected; so that those who were seized
+with it either perished neglected and deserted, or else drew with them
+those who sat by them and attended them, by infecting them with the
+same violence of disease. Daily funerals and death were before the
+eye; and lamentations were heard from all sides, day and night. At
+last, their feelings had become so completely brutalized by being
+habituated to these miseries, that they not only did not follow their
+dead with tears and decent lamentations, but they did not even carry
+them out and bury them; so that the bodies of the dead lay strewed
+about, exposed to the view of those who were awaiting a similar fate;
+and thus the dead were the means of destroying the sick, and the sick
+those who were in health, both by fear and by the filthy state and the
+noisome stench of their bodies. Some preferring to die by the sword,
+even rushed alone upon the outposts of the enemy. The violence of the
+plague, however, was much greater in the Carthaginian than the Roman
+army; for the latter, from having been a long time before Syracuse,
+had become more habituated to the climate and the water. Of the army
+of the enemy, the Sicilians, as soon as they perceived that diseases
+had become very common from the unwholesomeness of the situation,
+dispersed to their respective cities in the neighbourhood; but the
+Carthaginians, who had no place to retire to, perished, together with
+their generals, Hippocrates and Himilco, to a man. Marcellus, on
+seeing the violence with which the disease was raging, had removed his
+troops into the city, where their debilitated frames were recruited in
+houses and shade. Many however, of the Roman army were cut off by this
+pestilence.
+
+27. The land forces of the Carthaginians being thus destroyed, the
+Sicilians, who had served under Hippocrates retired to two towns of no
+great size, but well secured by natural situation and fortifications;
+one was three miles, the other fifteen, from Syracuse. Here they
+collected a store of provisions from their own states, and sent for
+reinforcements. Meanwhile, Bomilcar, who had gone a second time to
+Carthage, by so stating the condition of their allies as to inspire a
+hope that they might not only render them effectual aid, but also that
+the Romans might in a manner be made prisoners in the city which they
+had captured, induced the Carthaginians to send with him as many ships
+of burden as possible, laden with every kind of provisions, and to
+augment the number of his ships. Setting sail, therefore, from
+Carthage with a hundred and thirty men of war and seven hundred
+transports, he had tolerably fair winds for crossing over to Sicily,
+but was prevented by the same wind from doubling Cape Pachynum. The
+news of the approach of Bomilcar, and afterwards his unexpected delay,
+excited alternate fear and joy in the Romans and Syracusans. Epicydes,
+apprehensive lest if the same wind which now detained him should
+continue to blow from the east for several days, the Carthaginian
+fleet would return to Africa, put the Achradina in the hands of the
+generals of the mercenary troops, and sailed to Bomilcar; whom he at
+length prevailed upon to try the issue of a naval battle, though he
+found him with his fleet stationed in the direction of Africa, and
+afraid of fighting, not so much because he was unequal in the strength
+or the number of his ships, for he had more than the Romans, as
+because the wind was more favourable to the Roman fleet than to his
+own. Marcellus also seeing that an army of Sicilians was assembling
+from every part of the island, and that the Carthaginian fleet was
+approaching with a great want of supplies, though inferior in the
+number of his ships, resolved to prevent Bomilcar from coming to
+Syracuse, lest, blocked up in the city of his enemies, he should be
+pressed both by sea and land. The two hostile fleets were stationed
+near the promontory of Pachynum, ready to engage as soon as the sea
+should become calm enough to admit of their sailing out into the deep.
+Accordingly, the east wind, which had blown violently for several
+days, now subsiding, Bomilcar got under sail first, his van seeming to
+make for the main sea, in order to double the promontory with greater
+ease; but seeing the Roman ships bearing down upon him, terrified by
+some unexpected occurrence, it is not known what, he sailed away into
+the main sea; and sending messengers to Heraclea, to order the
+transports to return to Africa, he passed along the coast of Sicily
+and made for Tarentum. Epicydes, thus suddenly disappointed in such
+great expectations, to avoid returning to endeavour to raise the siege
+of a city, a great part of which was already in the hands of the
+enemy, sailed to Agrigentum, intending to wait the issue of the
+contest, rather than take any new measures when there.
+
+28. Intelligence of these events having been carried into the camp of
+the Sicilians, that Epicydes had departed from Syracuse, that the
+island was deserted by the Carthaginians, and almost again delivered
+up to the Romans; after sounding the inclinations of the besieged in
+conferences, they sent ambassadors to Marcellus, to treat about terms
+of capitulation. They had not much difficulty in coming to an
+agreement, that all the parts of the island which had been under the
+dominion of their kings should be ceded to the Romans; that the rest,
+with their liberty and their own laws, should be preserved to the
+Sicilians. They then invited to a conference the persons who had been
+intrusted with the management of affairs by Epicydes; to whom they
+said, that they were sent from the army of the Sicilians, at once to
+Marcellus and to them, that both those who were besieged and those who
+were not might share the same fortune; and that neither of them might
+stipulate any thing for themselves separately. They were then allowed
+to enter, in order to converse with their relations and friends; when,
+laying before them the terms which they had made with Marcellus, and
+holding out to them a hope of safety, they induced them to join with
+them in an attack upon the prefects of Epicydes, Polyclitus,
+Philistion, and Epicydes, surnamed Sindon. Having put them to death,
+they summoned the multitude to an assembly; and after complaining of
+the famine, at which they had been accustomed to express their
+dissatisfaction to each other in secret, they said, that "although
+they were pressed by so many calamities, they had no right to accuse
+Fortune, because it was at their own option how long they should
+continue to suffer them. That the motive which the Romans had in
+besieging Syracuse was affection for the Syracusans, and not hatred;
+for when they heard that the government was usurped by Hippocrates and
+Epicydes, the creatures first of Hannibal and then of Hieronymus, they
+took arms and began to besiege the city, in order to reduce not the
+city itself, but its cruel tyrants. But now that Hippocrates is slain,
+Epicydes shut out of Syracuse, his praefects put to death, and the
+Carthaginians driven from the entire possession of Sicily by sea and
+land, what reason can the Romans have left why they should not desire
+the preservation of Syracuse, in the same manner as they would if
+Hiero were still lining, who cultivated the friendship of Rome with
+unequalled fidelity? That, therefore, neither the city nor its
+inhabitants were in any danger, except from themselves, if they
+neglected an opportunity of restoring themselves to the favour of the
+Romans; and that no so favourable a one would ever occur as that which
+presented itself at the present instant, immediately upon its
+appearing that they were delivered from their insolent tyrants."
+
+29. This speech was received with the most unqualified approbation of
+all present. It was resolved, however, that praetors should be elected
+before the nomination of deputies; which being done, some of the
+praetors themselves were sent as deputies to Marcellus, the chief of
+whom thus addressed him: "Neither in the first instance did we
+Syracusans revolt from you, but Hieronymus, whose impiety towards you
+was by no means so great as towards us; nor afterwards was it any
+Syracusan who disturbed the peace established by the death of the
+tyrant, but Hippocrates and Epicydes, creatures of the tyrant; while
+we were overpowered, on the one hand by fear, and on the other by
+treachery. Nor can any one say that there ever was a time when we were
+in possession of our liberty, when we were not also at peace with you.
+In the present instance, manifestly, as soon as ever we became our own
+masters, by the death of those persons who held Syracuse in
+subjection, we lost no time in coming to deliver up our arms, to
+surrender ourselves, our city, and our walls, and to refuse no
+conditions which you shall impose upon us. To you, Marcellus, the gods
+have given the glory of having captured the most renowned and
+beautiful of the Grecian cities. Every memorable exploit which we have
+at any time achieved by land or sea accrues to the splendour of your
+triumph. Would you wish that it should be known only by fame, how
+great a city has been captured by you, rather than that she should
+stand as a monument even to posterity; so that to every one who visits
+her by sea or land, she may point out at one time our trophies gained
+from the Athenians and Carthaginians, at another time those which you
+have gained from us; and that you should transmit Syracuse unimpaired
+to your family, to be kept under the protection and patronage of the
+race of the Marcelli? Let not the memory of Hieronymus have greater
+weight with you than that of Hiero. The latter was your friend for a
+much longer period than the former was your enemy. From the latter you
+have realized even benefits, while the frenzy of Hieronymus only
+brought ruin upon himself." At the hands of the Romans all things were
+obtainable and secure. There was a greater disposition to war, and
+more danger to be apprehended among themselves; for the deserters,
+thinking that they were delivered up to the Romans, induced the
+mercenary auxiliaries to entertain the same apprehension; and hastily
+seizing their arms, they first put the praetors to death, and then ran
+through the city to massacre the Syracusans. In their rage they slew
+all whom chance threw in their way, and plundered every thing which
+presented itself; and then, lest they should have no leaders, they
+elected six praetors, so that three might have the command in the
+Achradina, and three in the island. At length, the tumult having
+subsided, and the mercenary troops having ascertained, by inquiry,
+what had been negotiated with the Romans, it began to appear, as was
+really the case, that their cause and that of the deserters were
+different.
+
+30. The ambassadors returned from Marcellus very opportunely. They
+informed them that they had been influenced by groundless suspicions,
+and that the Romans saw no reason why they should inflict punishment
+upon them. Of the three praefects of the Achradina one was a Spaniard,
+named Mericus. To him one of the Spanish auxiliaries was designedly
+sent, among those who accompanied the ambassadors. Having obtained an
+interview with Mericus in the absence of witnesses, he first explained
+to him the state in which he had left Spain, from which he had lately
+returned: "That there every thing was in subjection to the Roman arms;
+that it was in his power, by doing the Romans a service, to become the
+first man among his countrymen, whether he might be inclined to serve
+with the Romans, or to return to his country. On the other hand, if he
+persisted in preferring to hold out against the siege, what hope could
+he have, shut up as he was by sea and land?" Mericus was moved by
+these suggestions, and when it was resolved upon to send ambassadors
+to Marcellus, he sent his brother among them; who, being brought into
+the presence of Marcellus, apart from the rest, by means of the same
+Spaniard, after receiving an assurance of protection, arranged the
+method of carrying their object into effect, and then returned to the
+Achradina. Mericus then, in order to prevent any one from conceiving a
+suspicion of treachery, declared, that he did not like that deputies
+should be passing to and fro; he thought that they should neither
+admit nor send any; and in order that the guards might be kept more
+strictly, that such parts as were most exposed should be distributed
+among the prefects, each being made responsible for the safety of his
+own quarter. All approved of the distribution of the posts. The
+district which fell to the lot of Mericus himself extended from the
+fountain Arethusa to the mouth of the large harbour, of which he
+caused the Romans to be informed. Accordingly, Marcellus ordered a
+transport with armed men to be towed by a quadrireme to the Achradina
+during the night, and the soldiers to be landed in the vicinity of
+that gate which is near the fountain of Arethusa. This order having
+been executed at the fourth watch, and Mericus having received the
+soldiers when landed at the gate, according to the agreement,
+Marcellus assaulted the walls of the Achradina with all his forces at
+break of day, so that he not only engaged the attention of those who
+occupied the Achradina, but also bands of armed men, quitting their
+own posts ran to the spot from the island, in order to repel the
+furious attack of the Romans. During this confusion, some light ships
+which had been prepared beforehand, and had sailed round, landed a
+body of armed men at the island; these suddenly attacking the
+half-manned stations and the opened door of the gate at which the
+troops had a little before run out, got possession of the island
+without much opposition, abandoned as it was, in consequence of the
+flight and trepidation of its guards. Nor were there any who rendered
+less service, or showed less firmness in maintaining their posts, than
+the deserters; for as they did not repose much confidence even in
+those of their own party, they fled in the middle of the contest. When
+Marcellus learnt that the island was taken, one quarter of the
+Achradina in the hands of his troops, and that Mericus, with the men
+under his command, had joined them, he sounded a retreat, lest the
+royal treasure, the fame of which was greater than the reality, should
+be plundered.
+
+31. The impetuosity of the soldiers having been checked, time and
+opportunity to escape were given to the deserters in the Achradina;
+and the Syracusans, at length delivered from their fears, threw open
+the gates of the Achradina, and sent deputies to Marcellus, requesting
+only safety for themselves and children. Having summoned a council, to
+which the Syracusans were invited who were among the Roman troops,
+having been driven from home during the disturbances, Marcellus
+replied, "that the services rendered by Hiero through a period of
+fifty years, were not more in number than the injuries committed
+against the Roman people in these few years by those who had had
+possession of Syracuse; but that most of these injuries had justly
+recoiled upon their authors, and that they had inflicted much more
+severe punishment upon themselves for the violation of treaties, than
+the Roman people desired. That he was indeed now besieging Syracuse
+for the third year, but not that the Romans might hold that state in a
+condition of slavery, but that the ringleaders of the deserters might
+not keep it in a state of thraldom and oppression. What the Syracusans
+could do was exemplified, either by the conduct of those Syracusans
+who were among the Roman troops, or that of the Spanish general,
+Mericus, who had delivered up the post which he was appointed to
+command, or, lastly, by the late but bold measure adopted by the
+Syracusans themselves. That the greatest possible recompence for all
+the evils and dangers which he had for so long a time undergone, both
+by sea and land, around the walls of Syracuse, was the reflection,
+that he had been able to take that city." The quaestor was then sent
+with a guard to the island, to receive and protect the royal treasure.
+The city was given up to be plundered by the soldiery, after guards
+had been placed at each of the houses of those who had been with the
+Roman troops. While many acts exhibited horrid examples of rage and
+rapacity, it is recorded that Archimedes, while intent on some figures
+which he had described in the dust, although the confusion was as
+great as could possibly exist in a captured city, in which soldiers
+were running up and down in search of plunder, was put to death by a
+soldier, who did not know who he was; that Marcellus was grieved at
+this event, and that pains were taken about his funeral, while his
+relations also for whom diligent inquiry was made, derived honour and
+protection from his name and memory. Such, for the most part, was the
+manner in which Syracuse was captured. The quantity of booty was so
+great, that had Carthage itself, which was carrying on a contest on
+equal terms, been captured, it would scarcely have afforded so much. A
+few days before the taking of Syracuse, Titus Otacilius passed over
+from Lilybaeum to Utica with eighty quinqueremes, and entering the
+harbour before it was light, took some transports laden with corn;
+then landing, he laid waste a considerable portion of the country
+around Utica, and brought back to his ships booty of every
+description. He returned to Lilybaeum, the third day after he set out,
+with a hundred and thirty transports laden with corn and booty. The
+corn he sent immediately to Syracuse; and had it not been for the very
+seasonable arrival of this supply, a destructive famine threatened
+alike the victors and the vanquished.
+
+32. Nothing very memorable had been done in Spain for about two years,
+the operations of the war consisting more in laying plans than in
+fighting; but during the same summer in which the events above
+recorded took place, the Roman generals, quitting their winter
+quarters, united their forces; then a council was summoned; and the
+opinions of all accorded, that since their only object hitherto had
+been to prevent Hasdrubal from pursuing his march into Italy, it was
+now time that an effort should be made to bring the war in Spain to a
+termination; and they thought that the twenty thousand Celtiberians,
+who had been induced to take arms that winter, formed a sufficient
+accession to their strength. There were three armies of the enemy.
+Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, and Mago, who had united their forces, were
+about a five days' journey from the Romans. Hasdrubal, son of
+Hamilcar, who was the old commander in Spain, was nearer to them: he
+was with his army near the city Anitorgis. The Roman generals were
+desirous that he should be overpowered first; and they hoped that they
+had enough and more than enough strength for the purpose. Their only
+source of anxiety was, lest the other Hasdrubal and Mago, terrified at
+his discomfiture, should protract the war by withdrawing into
+trackless forests and mountains. Thinking it, therefore, the wisest
+course to divide their forces and embrace the whole Spanish war, they
+arranged it so that Publius Cornelius should lead two-thirds of the
+Roman and allied troops against Mago and Hasdrubal, and that Cneius
+Cornelius, with the remaining third of the original army, and with the
+Celtiberians added to them, should carry on the war with the Barcine
+Hasdrubal. The two generals and their armies, setting out together,
+preceded by the Celtiberians, pitched their camp near the city
+Anitorgis, within sight of the enemy, the river only separating them.
+Here Cneius Scipio, with the forces above mentioned, halted, but
+Publius Scipio proceeded to the portion of the war assigned to him.
+
+33. Hasdrubal perceiving that there were but few Roman troops in the
+camp, and that their whole dependence was on the Celtiberian
+auxiliaries; and having had experience of the perfidy of the barbarian
+nations in general, and particularly of all those nations among which
+he had served for so many years; as there was every facility of
+intercourse, for both camps were full of Spaniards, by secret
+conferences with the chiefs of the Celtiberians, he agreed with them,
+for a large consideration, to take their forces away. Nor did they
+conceive it to be any great crime; for the object was not that they
+should turn their arms against the Romans, while the reward which they
+were to receive to abstain from the war was large enough to remunerate
+them for their service in it. At the same time the mere rest from
+labour, the return to their homes, with the pleasure of seeing their
+friends and property, were pleasing to the generality. Accordingly,
+the multitude were prevailed upon as easily as their leaders. They
+had, moreover, nothing to fear from the Romans, in consequence of the
+smallness of their numbers, should they endeavour to detain them by
+force. It will indeed be the duty of all Roman generals to take care,
+and the instances here recorded should be considered as strong
+arguments, never to place so much confidence in foreign auxiliaries,
+as not to retain in their camps a preponderance of their own strength
+and of that force which is properly their own. The Celtiberians,
+suddenly taking up their standards, marched away, replying only to the
+Romans, who asked the cause of their departure and entreated them to
+stay, that they were called away by a war at home. Scipio seeing that
+his allies could be detained neither by prayers nor force, and that he
+was neither a match for his enemy without them, nor could again effect
+a junction with his brother, no other course which promised safety
+offering itself, resolved to retire as far as possible, carefully
+using every caution not to encounter the enemy any where on level
+ground. On his departing, the enemy, crossing the river, pursued him
+almost in his footsteps.
+
+34. During the same period an equal terror and a greater danger
+pressed upon Publius Scipio. Masinissa was a young man at that time an
+ally of the Carthaginians, whom afterwards the friendship of the
+Romans rendered illustrious and powerful. He not only opposed himself
+with his Numidian cavalry to Scipio on his approach, but afterwards
+harassed him incessantly day and night, so as both to cut off his
+stragglers, who had gone out to a distance from the camp in search of
+wood and forage, and riding up to the very gates of his camp, and
+charging into the midst of his advanced guards, to fill every quarter
+with the utmost confusion. By night also alarm was frequently
+occasioned in the gates and rampart by his sudden attacks. Nor was
+there any time or place at which the Romans were exempt from fear and
+anxiety; and driven within their rampart, and deprived of every
+necessary, they suffered in a manner a regular siege; and it appeared
+that it would have been still straiter, if Indibilis, who it was
+reported was approaching with seven thousand five hundred Suessetani,
+should form a junction with the Carthaginians. Scipio, though a wary
+and provident general, overpowered by difficulties, adopted the rash
+measure of going to meet Indibilis by night, with the intention of
+fighting him wherever he should meet him. Leaving, therefore, a small
+force in his camp, under the command of Titus Fonteius,
+lieutenant-general, he set out at midnight, and meeting with the
+enemy, came to battle with him. The troops fought in the order of
+march rather than of battle. The Romans, however, had the advantage,
+though in an irregular fight; but the Numidian cavalry, whose
+observation the general supposed that he had escaped, suddenly
+spreading themselves round his flanks, occasioned great terror. After
+a new contest had been entered into with the Numidians, a third enemy
+came up in addition to the rest, the Carthaginian generals having come
+up with their rear when they were now engaged in fighting. Thus the
+Romans were surrounded on every side by enemies; nor could they make
+up their minds which they should attack first, or in what part,
+forming themselves into a close body, they should force their way
+through. The general, while fighting and encouraging his men, exposing
+himself wherever the strife was the hottest, was run through the right
+side with a lance; and when the party of the enemy, which, formed into
+a wedge, had charged the troops collected round the general, perceived
+Scipio falling lifeless from his horse, elated with joy, they ran
+shouting through the whole line with the news that the Roman general
+had fallen. These words spreading in every direction, caused the enemy
+to be considered as victors, and the Romans as vanquished. On the loss
+of the general the troops immediately began to fly from the field; but
+though it was not difficult to force their way through the Numidians
+and the other light-armed auxiliaries, yet it was scarcely possible
+for them to escape so large a body of cavalry, and infantry equal to
+horses in speed. Almost more were slain in the flight than in the
+battle; nor would a man have survived, had not night put a stop to the
+carnage, the day by this time rapidly drawing to a close.
+
+35. After this, the Carthaginian generals, who were not slow in
+following up their victory, immediately after the battle, scarcely
+giving their soldiers necessary rest, hurry their army to Hasdrubal,
+son of Hamilcar; confidently hoping, that after uniting their forces
+with his, the war might be brought to a conclusion. On their arrival,
+the warmest congratulations passed between the troops and their
+generals, who were delighted with their recent victory; for they had
+not only destroyed one distinguished general and all his men, but
+looked forward to another victory of equal magnitude as a matter of
+certainty. The intelligence of this great disaster had not yet reached
+the Romans; but there prevailed a kind of melancholy silence and mute
+foreboding, such as is usually found in minds which have a
+presentiment of impending calamity. The general himself, besides
+feeling that he was deserted by his allies, and that the forces of the
+enemy were so much augmented, was disposed from conjecture and
+reasoning rather to a suspicion that some defeat had been sustained,
+than to any favourable hopes. "For how could Hasdrubal and Mago bring
+up their troops without opposition, unless they had terminated their
+part of the war? How was it that his brother had not opposed his
+progress or followed on his rear? in order that if he could not
+prevent the armies and generals of the enemy from forming a junction,
+he might himself join his forces with his brother's." Disturbed with
+these cares, he believed that the only safe policy for the present was
+to retire as far as possible; and, accordingly, he marched a
+considerable distance thence in one night, the enemy not being aware
+of it, and on that account continuing quiet. At dawn, perceiving that
+their enemy had decamped, they sent the Numidians in advance, and
+began to pursue them as rapidly as possible. The Numidians overtook
+them before night, and charged; sometimes their rear, at other times
+their flanks. They then began to halt and defend themselves as well as
+they could; but Scipio exhorted them at once to fight so as not to
+expose themselves, and march at the same time, lest the infantry
+should overtake them.
+
+36. But having made but little progress for a long time, in
+consequence of his making his troops sometimes advance and at others
+halt, and night now drawing on, Scipio recalled his troops from the
+battle, and collecting them, withdrew to a certain eminence, not very
+safe, indeed, particularly for dispirited troops, but higher than any
+of the surrounding places. There, at first, his infantry, drawn up
+around his baggage and cavalry, which were placed in their centre, had
+no difficulty in repelling the attacks of the charging Numidians; but
+afterwards, when three generals with three regular armies marched up
+in one entire body, and it was evident that his men would not be able
+to do much by arms in defending the position without fortifications,
+the general began to look about, and consider whether he could by any
+means throw a rampart around; but the hill was so bare, and the soil
+so rough, that neither could a bush be found for cutting a palisade,
+nor earth for making a mound, nor the requisites for making a trench
+or any other work; nor was the place naturally steep or abrupt enough
+to render the approach and ascent difficult to the enemy, as it rose
+on every side with a gentle acclivity. However, that they might raise
+up against them some semblance of a rampart, they placed around them
+the panniers tied to the burdens, building them up as it were to the
+usual height, and when there was a deficiency of panniers for raising
+it, they presented against the enemy a heap of baggage of every kind.
+The Carthaginian armies coming up, very easily marched up the
+eminence, but were stopped by the novel appearance of the
+fortification, as by something miraculous, when their leaders called
+out from all sides, asking "what they stopped at? and why they did not
+tear down and demolish that mockery, which was scarcely strong enough
+to impede the progress of women and children; that the enemy, who were
+skulking behind their baggage, were, in fact, captured and in their
+hands." Such were the contemptuous reproofs of their leaders. But it
+was not an easy task either to leap over or remove the burdens raised
+up against them, or to cut through the panniers, closely packed
+together and covered completely with baggage. When the removal of the
+burdens had opened a way to the troops, who were detained by them for
+a long time, and the same had been done in several quarters, the camp
+was now captured on all sides; the Romans were cut to pieces on all
+hands, the few by the many, the dispirited by the victorious. A great
+number of the men, however, having fled for refuge into the
+neighbouring woods, effected their escape to the camp of Publius
+Scipio, which Titus Fonteius commanded. Some authors relate that
+Cneius Scipio was slain on the eminence on the first assault of the
+enemy; others that he escaped with a few attendants to a castle near
+the camp; this, they say, was surrounded with fire, by which means the
+doors which they could not force were consumed; that it was thus
+taken, and all within, together with the general himself, put to
+death. Cneius Scipio was slain in the eighth year after his arrival in
+Spain, and on the twenty-ninth day after the death of his brother. At
+Rome the grief occasioned by their death was not more intense than
+that which was felt throughout Spain. The sorrow of the citizens,
+however, was partly distracted by the loss of the armies, the
+alienation of the province, and the public disaster, while in Spain
+they mourned and regretted the generals themselves, Cneius, however,
+the more, because he had been longer in command of them, had first
+engaged their affections, and first exhibited a specimen of Roman
+justice and forbearance.
+
+37. When it seemed that the Roman armies were annihilated, and Spain
+lost, one man recovered this desperate state of affairs. There was in
+the army one Lucius Marcius, the son of Septimus, a Roman knight, an
+enterprising youth, and possessing a mind and genius far superior to
+the condition in which he had been born. To his high talents had been
+added the discipline of Cneius Scipio, under which he had been
+thoroughly instructed during a course of so many years in all the
+qualifications of a soldier. This man, having collected the troops
+which had been dispersed in the flight, and drafted some from the
+garrisons, had formed an army not to be despised, and united it with
+Titus Tonteius, the lieutenant-general of Publius Scipio. But so
+transcendent was the Roman knight in authority and honour among the
+troops, that when, after fortifying a camp on this side of the Iberus,
+it had been resolved that a general of the two armies should be
+elected in an assembly of the soldiers, relieving each other in the
+guard of the rampart, and in keeping the outposts until every one had
+given his vote, they unanimously conferred the supreme command upon
+Lucius Marcius. All the intervening time, which was but short, was
+occupied in fortifying their camp and collecting provisions, and the
+soldiers executed every order not only with vigour, but with feelings
+by no means depressed. But when intelligence was brought them that
+Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, who was coming to put the finishing stroke to
+the war, had crossed the Iberus and was drawing near, and when they
+saw the signal for battle displayed by a new commander, then calling
+to mind whom they had had for their leaders a little while ago,
+relying on what leaders and what forces they used to go out to fight,
+they all suddenly burst into tears and beat their heads, some raising
+their hands to heaven and arraigning the gods, others prostrating
+themselves upon the ground and invoking by name each his own former
+commander. Nor could their lamentations be restrained, though the
+centurions endeavoured to animate their companies, and though Marcius
+himself soothed and remonstrated with them, asking them "why they had
+given themselves up to womanish and unavailing lamentations rather
+than summon up all their courage to protect themselves and the
+commonwealth together, and not suffer their generals to lie
+unavenged?" But suddenly a shout and the sound of trumpets were heard;
+for by this time the enemy were near the rampart. Upon this, their
+grief being suddenly converted into rage, they hastily ran to arms,
+and, as it were, burning with fury, rushed to the gates and charged
+the enemy, while advancing in a careless and disorderly manner. This
+unexpected event instantly struck terror into the Carthaginians, who
+wondering whence so many enemies could have sprung up so suddenly, as
+the army had been almost annihilated; what could have inspired men who
+had been vanquished and routed with such boldness and confidence in
+themselves; what general could have arisen now that the two Scipios
+were slain; who could command the camp, and who had given the signal
+for battle; in consequence of these so many and so unexpected
+circumstances, at first, being in a state of complete uncertainty and
+amazement, they gave ground; but afterwards, discomfited by the
+violence of the charge, they turned their backs; and either there
+would have been a dreadful slaughter of the flying enemy, or a rash
+and dangerous effort on the part of the pursuers, had not Marcius
+promptly given the signal for retreat, and by throwing himself in the
+way of the front rank, and even holding some back with his own hands,
+repressed the infuriated troops. He then led them back to the camp,
+still eager for blood and slaughter. When the Carthaginians, who were
+at first compelled to fly with precipitation from the rampart of their
+enemy, saw that no one pursued them, concluding that they had stopped
+from fear, now on the other hand went away to their camp at an easy
+pace, with feelings of contempt for the enemy. There was a
+corresponding want of care in guarding their camp; for though the
+enemy were near, yet it seemed that they were but the remains of the
+two armies which had been cut to pieces a few days before. As in
+consequence of this all things were neglected in the enemy's camp,
+Marcius having ascertained this, addressed his mind to a measure which
+on the first view of it might appear rather rash than bold: it was,
+aggressively to assault the enemy's camp, concluding that the camp of
+Hasdrubal, while alone, might be carried with less difficulty than his
+own could be defended, if the three armies and as many generals should
+again unite; taking into consideration also that either if he
+succeeded he would retrieve their prostrate fortune, or if repulsed,
+still, by making the attack himself, he would rescue himself from
+contempt.
+
+38. Lest, however, the suddenness of the affair, and the fear of
+night, should frustrate a measure which was in itself ill adapted to
+his condition, he thought it right that his soldiers should be
+addressed and exhorted; and having called an assembly, he discoursed
+as follows: "Soldiers, either my veneration for our late commanders,
+both living and dead, or our present situation, may impress on every
+one the belief that this command, as it is highly honourable to me,
+conferred by your suffrages, so is it in its nature a heavy and
+anxious charge. For at a time when I should be scarcely so far master
+of myself as to be able to find any solace for my afflicted mind, did
+not fear deaden the sense of sorrow, I am compelled to take upon
+myself alone the task of consulting for the good of you all; a task of
+the greatest difficulty when under the influence of grief. And not
+even at that critical moment, when I ought to be considering in what
+manner I may be enabled to keep together for my country these remains
+of two armies, can I divert my mind from the affliction which
+incessantly preys upon me. For bitter recollection is ever present,
+and the Scipios ever disturb me with anxious cares by day and dreams
+by night, frequently rousing me from my sleep, and imploring me not to
+suffer themselves nor their soldiers, your companions in war, who had
+been victorious in this country for eight years, nor the commonwealth
+to remain unrevenged; enjoining me also to follow their discipline and
+their plans; and desiring that as there was no one more obedient to
+their commands while they were alive than I, so after their death I
+would consider that conduct as best, which I might have the strongest
+reason for believing they would have adopted in each case. I could
+wish also that you, my soldiers, should not show your respect for them
+by lamentations and tears, as if they were dead; (for they still live
+and flourish in the fame of their achievements;) but that whenever the
+memory of those men shall occur to you, you would go into battle as
+though you saw them encouraging you and giving you the signal. Nor
+certainly could anything else than their image presenting itself
+yesterday to your eyes and minds, have enabled you to fight that
+memorable battle, in which you proved to the enemy that the Roman name
+had not become extinct with the Scipios; and that the energy and
+valour of that people, which had not been overwhelmed by the disaster
+at Cannae, would, doubtlessly, emerge from the severest storms of
+fortune. Now since you have dared so much of your own accord, I have a
+mind to try how much you will dare when authorized by your general:
+for yesterday, when I gave the signal for retreat while you were
+pursuing the routed enemy with precipitation, I did not wish to break
+your spirit, but to reserve it for greater glory and more advantageous
+opportunities; that you might afterwards, when prepared and armed,
+seize an occasion of attacking your enemy while off their guard,
+unarmed, and even buried in sleep. Nor do I entertain the hope of
+gaining an opportunity of this kind rashly, but from the actual state
+of things. Doubtless, if any one should ask even himself, by what
+means, though few in number and disheartened by defeat, you defended
+your camp against troops superior in number and victorious, you would
+give no other answer than that, as this was the very thing you were
+afraid of, you had kept every place secured by works and yourselves
+ready and equipped. And so it generally happens: men are least secure
+against that which fortune causes not to be feared; because you leave
+unguarded and exposed what you think is not necessary to be cared
+about. There is nothing whatever which the enemy fear less at the
+present time, than lest we, who were a little while ago besieged and
+assaulted, should aggressively assault their camp ourselves. Let us
+dare, then, to do that which it is incredible we should have the
+courage to attempt; it will be most easy from the very fact of its
+appearing most difficult. At the third watch of the night I will lead
+you thither in silence. I have ascertained by means of scouts that
+they have no regular succession of watches, no proper outposts. Our
+shout at their gates, when heard, and the first assault, will carry
+their camp. Then let that carnage be made among men, torpid with
+sleep, terrified at the unexpected tumult, and overpowered while lying
+defenceless in their beds, from which you were so grieved to be
+recalled yesterday. I know that the measure appears to you a daring
+one; but in difficult and almost desperate circumstances the boldest
+counsels are always the safest. For if when the critical moment has
+arrived, the opportunity of seizing which is of a fleeting nature, you
+delay ever so little, in vain do you seek for it afterwards when it
+has been neglected. One army is near us; two more are not far off. We
+have some hopes if we make an attack now; and you have already made
+trial of your own and their strength. If we postpone the time and
+cease to be despised in consequence of the fame of yesterday's
+irruption, there is danger lest all the generals and all the forces
+should unite. Shall we be able then to withstand three generals and
+three armies, whom Cneius Scipio with his army unimpaired could not
+withstand? As our generals have perished by dividing their forces, so
+the enemy may be overpowered while separated and divided. There is no
+other mode of maintaining the war; let us, therefore, wait for nothing
+but the opportunity of the ensuing night. Now depart, with the favour
+of the gods, and refresh yourselves, that, unfatigued and vigorous,
+you may burst into the enemy's camp with the same spirit with which
+you have defended your own." This new enterprise, proposed by their
+new general, they received with joy; and the more daring it was the
+more it pleased them. The remainder of the day was spent in getting
+their arms in readiness and recruiting their strength, the greater
+part of the night was given to rest, and at the fourth watch they were
+in motion.
+
+39. At a distance of six miles beyond their nearest camp lay other
+forces of the Carthaginians. A deep valley, thickly planted with
+trees, intervened. Near about the middle of this wood a Roman cohort
+and some cavalry were placed in concealment with Punic craft. The
+communication between the two armies being thus cut off, the rest of
+the forces were marched in silence to the nearest body of the enemy;
+and as there were no outposts before the gates, and no guards on the
+rampart, they entered quite into the camp, as though it had been their
+own, no one any where opposing them. The signals were then sounded and
+a shout raised. Some put the enemy to the sword when half asleep;
+others threw fire upon the huts, which were covered in with dry straw;
+others blocked up the gates to intercept their escape. The enemy, who
+were assailed at once with fire, shouting, and the sword, were in a
+manner bereaved of their senses, and could neither hear each other,
+nor take any measures for their security. Unarmed, they fell into the
+midst of troops of armed men: some hastened to the gates; others, as
+the passes were flocked up, leaped over the rampart, and as each
+escaped they fled directly towards the other camp, where they were cut
+off by the cohort and cavalry rushing forward from their concealment,
+and were all slain to a man. And even had any escaped from that
+carnage, the Romans, after taking the nearer camp, ran over to the
+other with such rapidity, that no one could have arrived before them
+with news of the disaster. In this camp, as they were far distant from
+the enemy, and as some had gone off just before daylight for forage,
+wood, and plunder, they found every thing in a still more neglected
+and careless state. Their arms only were placed at the outposts, the
+men being unarmed, and either sitting and reclining upon the ground,
+or else walking up and down before the rampart and the gates. On these
+men, thus at their ease and unguarded, the Romans, still hot from the
+recent battle, and flushed with victory, commenced an attack; no
+effectual opposition therefore could be made to them in the gates.
+Within the gates, the troops having rushed together from every part of
+the camp at the first shout and alarm, a furious conflict arose; which
+would have continued for a long time, had not the bloody appearance of
+the Roman shields discovered to the Carthaginians the defeat of the
+other forces, and consequently struck them with dismay. This alarm
+produced a general flight; and all except those who were overtaken
+with the sword, rushing out precipitately wherever they could find a
+passage, abandoned their camp. Thus, in a night and a day, two camps
+of the enemy were carried, under the conduct of Lucius Marcius.
+Claudius, who translated the annals of Acilius out of Greek into
+Latin, states that as many as thirty-seven thousand men were slain,
+one thousand eight hundred and thirty made prisoners, and a great
+booty obtained; among which was a silver shield of a hundred and
+thirty-eight pounds' weight, with an image upon it of the Barcine
+Hasdrubal. Valerius Antias states, that the camp Of Mago only was
+captured, and seven thousand of the enemy slain; and that in the other
+battle, when the Romans sallied out and fought with Hasdrubal, ten
+thousand were slain, and four thousand three hundred captured. Piso
+writes, that five thousand were slain in an ambuscade when Mago
+incautiously pursued our troops who retired. With all, the name of the
+general, Marcius, is mentioned with great honour, and to his real
+glory they add even miracles. They say, that while he was haranguing
+his men a stream of fire poured from his head without his perceiving
+it, to the great terror of the surrounding soldiers; and that a
+shield, called the Marcian, with an image of Hasdrubal upon it,
+remained in the temple up to the time of the burning of the Capitol, a
+monument of his victory over the Carthaginians. After this, affairs
+continued for a considerable time in a tranquil state in Spain, as
+both parties, after giving and receiving such important defeats,
+hesitated to run the hazard of a general battle.
+
+40. During these transactions in Spain, Marcellus, after the capture
+of Syracuse, having settled the other affairs in Sicily with so much
+honour and integrity as not only to add to his own renown, but also to
+the majesty of the Roman people, conveyed to Rome the ornaments of the
+city, together with the statues and pictures with which Syracuse
+abounded. These were certainly spoils taken from enemies, and acquired
+according to the laws of war; but hence was the origin of the
+admiration of the products of Grecian art, and to that freedom with
+which at present all places, both sacred and profane, are despoiled;
+which at last recoiled upon the Roman gods, and first upon that very
+temple which was so choicely adorned by Marcellus. For foreigners were
+in the habit of visiting the temples dedicated by Marcellus near the
+Capuan gate, on account of their splendid ornaments of this
+description, of which a very small portion can be found. Embassies
+from almost all the states of Sicily came to him. As their cases were
+different, so were also the terms granted to them. Those who had
+either not revolted or had returned to the alliance before the capture
+of Syracuse, were received and honoured as faithful allies. Those who
+had been induced to submit through fear after the capture of Syracuse,
+as vanquished, received laws from the conqueror. The Romans, however,
+had still remaining a war of no small magnitude at Agrigentum, headed
+by Epicydes and Hanno, generals in the late war, and a third new one
+sent by Hannibal in the room of Hippocrates, a Libyphoenician by
+nation, and a native of Hippo, called by his countrymen Mutines; an
+energetic man, and thoroughly instructed in all the arts of war under
+the tuition of Hannibal. To this man the Numidian auxiliaries were
+assigned by Epicydes and Hanno. With these he so thoroughly overran
+the lands of his enemies, and visited his allies with such activity,
+in order to retain them in their allegiance, and for the purpose of
+bringing them seasonable aid as each required it, that in a short time
+he filled all Sicily with his fame, nor was greater confidence placed
+in any one else by those who favoured the Carthaginian interest.
+Accordingly the Carthaginian and Syracusan generals, who had been
+hitherto compelled to keep within the walls of Agrigentum, not more at
+the advice of Mutines than from the confidence they reposed in him,
+had the courage to go out from the walls, and pitched a camp near the
+river Himera. When this was announced to Marcellus, he immediately
+advanced and sat down at a distance of about four miles from the
+enemy, with the intention of waiting to see what steps they took, and
+what they meditated. But Mutines allowed no room or time for delay or
+deliberation, but crossed the river, and, charging the outposts of his
+enemy, created the greatest terror and confusion. The next day, in an
+engagement which might almost be called regular, he compelled his
+enemy to retire within their works. Being called away by a mutiny of
+the Numidians, which had broken out in the camp, and in which about
+three hundred of them had retired to Heraclea Minoa, he set out to
+appease them and bring them back; and is said to have earnestly warned
+the generals not to engage with the enemy during his absence. Both the
+generals were indignant at this conduct, but particularly Hanno, who
+was before disturbed at his reputation. "Is it to be borne," said he,
+"that a mongrel African should impose restraints upon me, a
+Carthaginian general, commissioned by the senate and people?"
+Epicydes, who wished to wait, was prevailed upon by him to agree to
+their crossing the river and offering battle; for, said he, if they
+should wait for Mutines, and the battle should terminate successfully,
+Mutines would certainly have the credit of it.
+
+41. But Marcellus, highly indignant that he who had repulsed Hannibal
+from Nola, when rendered confident by his victory at Cannae, should
+succumb to enemies whom he had vanquished by sea and land, ordered his
+soldiers immediately to take arms and raise the standards. While
+marshalling his army, ten Numidians rode up rapidly from the enemy's
+line with information that their countrymen, first induced by the same
+causes which brought on the mutiny, in which three hundred of their
+number retired to Heraclea, and secondly, because they saw their
+commander, just on the approach of a battle, sent out of the way by
+generals who wished to detract from his glory, would not take any part
+in the battle. This deceitful nation made good their promise in this
+instance. Accordingly the spirits of the Romans were increased by the
+intelligence, which was speedily conveyed through the lines, that the
+enemy were abandoned by the cavalry, which the Romans principally
+feared; while at the same time the enemy were dispirited, not only
+because they were deprived of the principal part of their strength,
+but further, because they were afraid lest they should themselves be
+attacked by their own cavalry. Accordingly, there was no great
+resistance made: the first shout and onset determined the business.
+The Numidians who stood quiet in the wings during the action, when
+they saw their party turning their backs, accompanied them in their
+flight only for a short time; but when they perceived that they were
+all making for Agrigentum with the most violent haste, they turned off
+to the neighbouring towns round about, through fear of a siege. Many
+thousand men were slain and captured, together with eight elephants.
+This was the last battle which Marcellus fought in Sicily, after which
+he returned victorious to Syracuse. The year was now about closing;
+the senate therefore decreed that Publius Cornelius, the praetor,
+should send a letter to Capua to the consuls, with directions that
+while Hannibal was at a distance, and nothing of any great importance
+was going on at Capua, one of them, if they thought fit, should come
+to Rome to elect new magistrates. On the receipt of the letter, the
+consuls arranged it between themselves, that Claudius should hold the
+election, and Fulvius remain at Capua. The consuls created by Claudius
+were Cneius Fulvius Centumalus, and Publius Sulpicius Galba, the son
+of Servius, who had never exercised any curule magistracy. After this
+Lucius Cornelius Lentulus, Marcus Cornelius Cethegus, Caius Sulpicius,
+and Caius Calpurnius Piso, were created praetors. Piso had the city
+jurisdiction; Sulpicius, Sicily; Cethegus, Apulia; Lentulus, Sardinia.
+The consuls were continued in command for a year longer.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XXVI.
+
+
+_Hannibal encamps on the banks of the Amo, within three miles of
+Rome. Attended by two thousand horsemen, he advances close to the
+Colline gate to take a view of the walls and situation of the city. On
+two successive days the hostile armies are hindered from engaging by
+the severity of the weather. Capua taken by Quintus Fulvius and Appius
+Claudius, the chief nobles die, voluntarily, by poison. Quintus
+Fulvius having condemned the principal senators to death, at the
+moment they are actually tied to the stakes, receives despatches from
+Rome, commanding him to spare their lives, which he postpones reading
+until the sentence is executed. Publius Scipio, offering himself for
+the service, is sent to command in Spain, takes New Carthage in one
+day. Successes in Sicily. Treaty of friendship with the Aetolians. War
+with Philip, king of Macedonia, and the Acarnanians._
+
+       *        *        *        *        *
+
+1. The consuls, Cneius Fulvius Centumalus and Publius Sulpicius Galba,
+having entered on their office on the ides of March, assembled the
+senate in the Capitol, and took the opinion of the fathers on the
+state of the republic, the manner of conducting the war, and on what
+related to the provinces and the armies. Quintus Fulvius and Appius
+Claudius, the consuls of the former year, were continued in command;
+and the armies which they before had were assigned to them, it being
+added that they should not withdraw from Capua, which they were
+besieging, till they had taken it. The Romans were now solicitously
+intent upon this object, not from resentment so much, which was never
+juster against any city, as from the consideration that as this city,
+so celebrated and powerful, had by its defection drawn away several
+states, so when reduced it would bring back their minds to respect for
+the former supreme government. Two praetors also of the former year,
+Marcus Junius and Publius Sempronius, were each continued in command
+of the two legions which they had under them, the former in Etruria,
+the latter in Gaul. Marcus Marcellus also was continued in command,
+that he might, as proconsul, finish the war in Sicily with the army he
+had there. If he wanted recruits he was to take them from the legions
+which Publius Cornelius, the propraetor, commanded in Sicily, provided
+he did not choose any soldier who was of the number of those whom the
+senate had refused to allow to be discharged, or to return home till
+the war was put an end to. To Caius Sulpicius, to whose lot Sicily had
+fallen, the two legions which Publius Cornelius had commanded were
+assigned, to be recruited from the army of Cneius Fulvius, which had
+been shamefully beaten, and had experienced a dreadful loss the year
+before in Apulia. To soldiers of this description the senate had
+assigned the same period of service as to those who fought at Cannae;
+and as an additional mark of ignominy upon both, they were not allowed
+to winter in towns, or to build huts for wintering within the distance
+of ten miles from any town. To Lucius Cornelius, in Sardinia, the two
+legions which Quintus Mucius had commanded were assigned; if recruits
+were wanted, the consuls were ordered to enlist them. To Titus
+Otacilius and Marcus Valerius was allotted the protection of the
+coasts of Sicily and Greece, with the legions and fleets which they
+had commanded. The Greek coast had fifty ships with one legion; the
+Sicilian, a hundred ships with two legions. Twenty-three legions were
+employed by the Romans in carrying on the war this year by land and
+sea.
+
+2. In the beginning of the year, on a letter from Lucius Marcius being
+laid before the senate, they considered his achievements as most
+glorious; but the title of honour which he assumed (for though he was
+neither invested with the command by the order of the people, nor by
+the direction of the fathers, his letter ran in this form, "The
+propraetor to the senate") gave offence to a great many. It was
+considered as an injurious precedent for generals to be chosen by the
+armies, and for the solemn ceremony of elections, held under auspices,
+to be transferred to camps and provinces, and (far from the control of
+the laws and magistrates) to military thoughtlessness. And though some
+gave it as their opinion, that the sense of the senate should be taken
+on the matter, yet it was thought more advisable that the discussion
+should be postponed till after the departure of the horsemen who
+brought the letter from Marcius. It was resolved, that an answer
+should be returned respecting the corn and clothing of the army,
+stating, that the senate would direct its attention to both those
+matters; but that the letter should not be addressed to Lucius
+Marcius, propraetor, lest he should consider that as already
+determined which was the very point they reserved for discussion.
+After the horsemen were dismissed, it was the first thing the consuls
+brought before the senate; and the opinions of all to a man coincided,
+that the plebeian tribunes should be instructed to consult the commons
+with all possible speed, as to whom they might resolve to send into
+Spain to take the command of that army which had been under the
+conduct of Cneius Scipio. The plebeian tribunes were instructed
+accordingly, and the question was published. But another contest had
+pre-engaged the minds of the people: Caius Sempronius Blaesus, having
+brought Cneius Fulvius to trial for the loss of the army in Apulia,
+harassed him with invectives in the public assemblies: "Many
+generals," he reiterated, "had by indiscretion and ignorance brought
+their armies into most perilous situations, but none, save Cneius
+Fulvius, had corrupted his legions by every species of excess before
+he betrayed them to the enemy; it might therefore with truth be said,
+that they were lost before they saw the enemy, and that they were
+defeated, not by Hannibal, but by their own general. No man, when he
+gave his vote, took sufficient pains in ascertaining who it was to
+whom he was intrusting an army. What a difference was there between
+this man and Tiberius Sempronius! The latter having been intrusted
+with an army of slaves, had in a short time brought it to pass, by
+discipline and authority, that not one of them in the field of battle
+remembered his condition and birth, but they became a protection to
+our allies and a terror to our enemies. They had snatched, as it were,
+from the very jaws of Hannibal, and restored to the Roman people,
+Cumae, Beneventum, and other towns. But Cneius Fulvius had infected
+with the vices peculiar to slaves, an army of Roman citizens, of
+honourable parentage and liberal education; and had thus made them
+insolent and turbulent among their allies, inefficient and dastardly
+among their enemies, unable to sustain, not only the charge, but the
+shout of the Carthaginians. But, by Hercules, it was no wonder that
+the troops did not stand their ground in the battle, when their
+general was the first to fly; with him, the greater wonder was that
+any had fallen at their posts, and that they were not all the
+companions of Cneius Fulvius in his consternation and his flight.
+Caius Flaminius, Lucius Paullus, Lucius Posthumius, Cneius and Publius
+Scipio, had preferred falling in the battle to abandoning their armies
+when in the power of the enemy. But Cneius Fulvius was almost the only
+man who returned to Rome to report the annihilation of his army. It
+was a shameful crime that the army of Cannae should be transported
+into Sicily, because they fled from the field of battle, and not be
+allowed to return till the enemy has quitted Italy; that the same
+decree should have been lately passed with respect to the legions of
+Cneius Fulvius; while Cneius Fulvius himself has no punishment
+inflicted upon him for running away, in a battle brought about by his
+own indiscretion; that he himself should be permitted to pass his old
+age in stews and brothels, where he passed his youth, while his
+troops, whose only crime was that they resembled their general, should
+be sent away in a manner into banishment, and suffer an ignominious
+service. So unequally," he said, "was liberty shared at Rome by the
+rich and the poor, by the ennobled and the common people."
+
+3. The accused shifted the blame from himself to his soldiers; he
+said, "that in consequence of their having in the most turbulent
+manner demanded battle, they were led into the field, not on the day
+they desired, for it was then evening, but on the following; that they
+were drawn up at a suitable time and on favourable ground; but either
+the reputation or the strength of the enemy was such, that they were
+unable to stand their ground. When they all fled precipitately, he
+himself also was carried away with the crowd, as had happened to Varro
+at the battle of Cannae, and to many other generals. How could he, by
+his sole resistance, benefit the republic, unless his death would
+remedy the public disasters? that he was not defeated in consequence
+of a failure in his provisions; that he had not, from want of caution,
+been drawn into a disadvantageous position; that he had not been cut
+off by an ambuscade in consequence of not having explored his route,
+but had been vanquished by open force, and by arms, in a regular
+engagement. He had not in his power the minds of his own troops, or
+those of the enemy. Courage and cowardice were the result of each
+man's natural constitution." He was twice accused, and the penalty was
+laid at a fine. On the third accusation, at which witnesses were
+produced, he was not only overwhelmed with an infinity of disgraceful
+charges, but a great many asserted on oath, that the flight and panic
+commenced with the praetor, that the troops being deserted by him, and
+concluding that the fears of their general were not unfounded, turned
+their backs; when so strong a feeling of indignation was excited, that
+the assembly clamorously rejoined that he ought to be tried capitally.
+This gave rise to a new controversy; for when the tribune, who had
+twice prosecuted him as for a finable offence, now, on the third
+occasion, declared that he prosecuted him capitally; the tribunes of
+the commons being appealed to, said, "they would not prevent their
+colleague from proceeding, as he was permitted according to the custom
+of their ancestors, in the manner he himself preferred, whether
+according to the laws or to custom, until he had obtained judgment
+against a private individual, convicting him either of a capital or
+finable offence." Upon this, Sempronius said, that he charged Cneius
+Fulvius with the crime of treason; and requested Caius Calpurnius, the
+city praetor, to appoint a day for the comitia. Another ground of hope
+was then tried by the accused, viz. if his brother, Quintus Fulvius,
+could be present at his trial, who was at that time flourishing in the
+fame of his past achievements and in the near expectation of taking
+Capua. Fulvius wrote to the senate, requesting the favour in terms
+calculated to excite compassion, in order to save the life of his
+brother; but the fathers replied, that the interest of the state would
+not admit of his leaving Capua. Cneius Fulvius, therefore, before the
+day appointed for the comitia arrived, went into exile to Tarquinii,
+and the commons resolved that it was a legal exile.
+
+4. Meanwhile all the strength of the war was directed against Capua.
+It was, however, more strictly blockaded than besieged. The slaves and
+populace could neither endure the famine, nor send messengers to
+Hannibal through guards so closely stationed. A Numidian was at length
+found, who, on undertaking to make his way with it, was charged with a
+letter; and going out by night, through the midst of the Roman camp,
+in order to fulfil his promise, he inspired the Campanians with
+confidence to try the effect of a sally from every quarter, while they
+had any strength remaining. In the many encounters which followed,
+their cavalry were generally successful, but their infantry were
+beaten: however, it was by no means so joyful to conquer, as it was
+miserable to be worsted in any respect by a besieged and almost
+subdued enemy. A plan was at length adopted, by which their deficiency
+in strength might be compensated by stratagem. Young men were selected
+from all the legions, who, from the vigour and activity of their
+bodies, excelled in swiftness; these were supplied with bucklers
+shorter than those worn by horsemen, and seven javelins each, four
+feet in length, and pointed with steel in the same manner as the
+spears used by light-armed troops. The cavalry taking one of these
+each upon their horses, accustomed them to ride behind them, and to
+leap down nimbly when the signal was given. When, by daily practice,
+they appeared to be able to do this in an orderly manner, they
+advanced into the plain between the camp and the walls, against the
+cavalry of the Campanians, who stood there prepared for action. As
+soon as they came within a dart's cast, on a signal given, the light
+troops leaped down, when a line of infantry formed out of the body of
+horse suddenly rushed upon the cavalry of the enemy, and discharged
+their javelins one after another with great rapidity; which being
+thrown in great numbers upon men and horses indiscriminately, wounded
+a great many. The sudden and unsuspected nature of the attack,
+however, occasioned still greater terror; and the cavalry charging
+them, thus panic-struck, chased them with great slaughter as far as
+their gates. From that time the Roman cavalry had the superiority; and
+it was established that there should be velites in the legions. It is
+said that Quintus Navius was the person who advised the mixing of
+infantry with cavalry, and that he received honour from the general on
+that account.
+
+5. While affairs were in this state at Capua, Hannibal was perplexed
+between two objects, the gaining possession of the citadel of
+Tarentum, and the retaining of Capua. His concern for Capua, however,
+prevailed, on which he saw that the attention of every body, allies
+and enemies, was fixed; and whose fate would be regarded as a proof of
+the consequences resulting from defection from the Romans. Leaving
+therefore, a great part of his baggage among the Bruttians, and all
+his heavier armed troops, he took with him a body of infantry and
+cavalry, the best he could select for marching expeditiously, and bent
+his course into Campania. Rapidly as he marched he was followed by
+thirty-three elephants. He took up his position in a retired valley
+behind Mount Tifata, which overhung Capua. Having at his coming taken
+possession of fort Galatia, the garrison of which he dislodged by
+force, he then directed his efforts against those who were besieging
+Capua. Having sent forward messengers to Capua stating the time at
+which he would attack the Roman camp, in order that they also, having
+gotten themselves in readiness for a sally, might at the same time
+pour forth from all their gates, he occasioned the greatest possible
+terror; for on one side he himself attacked them suddenly, and on the
+other side all the Campanians sallied forth, both foot and horse,
+joined by the Carthaginian garrison under the command of Bostar and
+Hanno. The Romans, lest in so perilous an affair they should leave any
+part unprotected, by running together to any one place, thus divided
+their forces: Appius Claudius was opposed to the Campanians; Fulvius
+to Hannibal; Caius Nero, the propraetor, with the cavalry of the sixth
+legion, placed himself in the road leading to Suessula; and Caius
+Fulvius Flaccus, the lieutenant-general, with the allied cavalry, on
+the side opposite the river Vulturnus. The battle commenced not only
+with the usual clamour and tumult, but in addition to the din of men,
+horses, and arms, a multitude of Campanians, unable to bear arms,
+being distributed along the walls, raised such a shout together with
+the clangour of brazen vessels, similar to that which is usually made
+in the dead of night when the moon is eclipsed, that it diverted the
+attention even of the combatants. Appius easily repulsed the
+Campanians from the rampart. On the other side Hannibal and the
+Carthaginians, forming a larger force, pressed hard on Fulvius. There
+the sixth legion gave way; being repulsed, a cohort of Spaniards with
+three elephants made their way up to the rampart. They had broken
+through the centre of the Roman line, and were in a state of anxious
+and perilous suspense, whether to force their way into the camp, or be
+cut off from their own army. When Fulvius saw the disorder of the
+legion, and the danger the camp was in, he exhorted Quintus Navius,
+and the other principal centurions, to charge the cohort of the enemy
+which was fighting under the rampart; he said, "that the state of
+things was most critical; that either they must retire before them, in
+which case they would burst into the camp with less difficulty than
+they had experienced in breaking through a dense line of troops, or
+they must cut them to pieces under the rampart: nor would it require a
+great effort; for they were few, and cut off from their own troops,
+and if the line which appeared broken, now while the Romans were
+dispirited, should turn upon the enemy on both sides, they would
+become enclosed in the midst, and exposed to a twofold attack."
+Navius, on hearing these words of the general, snatched the standard
+of the second company of spearmen from the standard-bearer, and
+advanced with it against the enemy, threatening that he would throw it
+into the midst of them unless the soldiers promptly followed him and
+took part in the fight. He was of gigantic stature, and his arms set
+him off; the standard also, raised aloft, attracted the gaze both of
+his countrymen and the enemy. When, however, he had reached the
+standards of the Spaniards, javelins were poured upon him from all
+sides, and almost the whole line was turned against him; but neither
+the number of his enemies nor the force of the weapons could repel the
+onset of this hero.
+
+6. Marcus Atilius, the lieutenant-general, also caused the standard of
+the first company of principes of the same legion to be borne against
+a cohort of the Spaniards. Lucius Portius Licinus and Titus Popilius,
+the lieutenant-generals, who had the command of the camp, fought
+valiantly in defence of the rampart, and slew the elephants while in
+the very act of crossing it. The carcasses of these filling up the
+ditch, afforded a passage for the enemy as effectually as if earth had
+been thrown in, or a bridge erected over it; and a horrid carnage took
+place amid the carcasses of the elephants which lay prostrate. On the
+other side of the camp, the Campanians, with the Carthaginian
+garrison, had by this time been repulsed, and the battle was carried
+on immediately under the gate of Capua leading to Vulturnus. Nor did
+the armed men contribute so much in resisting the Romans, who
+endeavoured to force their way in, as the gate itself, which, being
+furnished with ballistas and scorpions, kept the enemy at bay by the
+missiles discharged from it. The ardour of the Romans was also clamped
+by the general, Appius Claudius, receiving a wound; he was struck by a
+javelin in the upper part of his breast, beneath the left shoulder,
+while encouraging his men before the front line. A great number,
+however, of the enemy were slain before the gate, and the rest were
+driven in disorder into the city. When Hannibal saw the destruction of
+the cohort of Spaniards, and that the camp of the enemy was defended
+with the utmost vigour, giving up the assault, he began to withdraw
+his standards, making his infantry face about, but throwing out his
+cavalry in the rear lest the enemy should pursue them closely. The
+ardour of the legions to pursue the enemy was excessive, but Flaccus
+ordered a retreat to be sounded, considering that enough had been
+achieved to convince the Campanians, and Hannibal himself, how unable
+he was to afford them protection. Some who have undertaken to give
+accounts of this battle, record that eight thousand of the army of
+Hannibal, and three thousand Campanians, were slain; that fifteen
+military standards were taken from the Carthaginians, and eighteen
+from the Campanians. In other authors I find the battle to have been
+by no means so important, and that there was more of panic than
+fighting; that a party of Numidians and Spaniards suddenly bursting
+into the Roman camp with some elephants, the elephants, as they made
+their way through the midst of the camp, threw down their tents with a
+great noise, and caused the beasts of burden to break their halters
+and run away. That in addition to the confusion occasioned, a
+stratagem was employed; Hannibal having sent in some persons
+acquainted with the Latin language, for he had some such with him, who
+might command the soldiers, in the name of the consuls, to escape
+every one as fast as he could to the neighbouring mountains, since the
+camp was lost; but that the imposture was soon discovered, and
+frustrated with a great slaughter of the enemy; that the elephants
+were driven out of the camp by fire. However commenced, and however
+terminated, this was the last battle which was fought before the
+surrender of Capua. Seppius Lesius was Medixtuticus, or chief
+magistrate of Capua, that year, a man of obscure origin and slender
+fortune. It is reported that his mother, when formerly expiating a
+prodigy which had occurred in the family in behalf of this boy, who
+was an orphan, received an answer from the aruspex, stating, that "the
+highest office would come to him;" and that not recognising, at Capua,
+any ground for such a hope, exclaimed, "the state of the Campanians
+must be desperate indeed, when the highest office shall come to my
+son." But even this expression, in which the response was turned into
+ridicule, turned to be true, for those persons whose birth allowed
+them to aspire to high offices, refusing to accept them when the city
+was oppressed by sword and famine, and when all hope was lost, Lesius,
+who complained that Capua was deserted and betrayed by its nobles,
+accepted the office of chief magistrate, being the last Campanian who
+held it.
+
+7. But Hannibal, when he saw that the enemy could not be drawn into
+another engagement, nor a passage be forced through their camp into
+Capua, resolved to remove his camp from that place and leave the
+attempt unaccomplished, fearful lest the new consuls might cut off his
+supplies of provision. While anxiously deliberating on the point to
+which he should next direct his course, an impulse suddenly entered
+his mind to make an attack on Rome, the very source of the war. That
+the opportunity of accomplishing this ever coveted object, which
+occurred after the battle of Cannae, had been neglected, and was
+generally censured by others, he himself did not deny. He thought that
+there was some hope that he might be able to get possession of some
+part of the city, in consequence of the panic and confusion which his
+unexpected approach would occasion, and that if Rome were in danger,
+either both the Roman generals, or at least one of them, would
+immediately leave Capua; and if they divided their forces, both
+generals being thus rendered weaker, would afford a favourable
+opportunity either to himself or the Campanians of gaining some
+advantage. One consideration only disquieted him, and that was, lest
+on his departure the Campanians should immediately surrender. By means
+of presents he induced a Numidian, who was ready to attempt any thing,
+however daring, to take charge of a letter; and, entering the Roman
+camp under the disguise of a deserter, to pass out privately on the
+other side and go to Capua. As to the letter, it was full of
+encouragement. It stated, that "his departure, which would be
+beneficial to them, would have the effect of drawing off the Roman
+generals and armies from the siege of Capua to the defence of Rome.
+That they must not allow their spirits to sink; that by a few days'
+patience they would rid themselves entirely of the siege." He then
+ordered the ships on the Vulturnus to be seized, and rowed up to the
+fort which he had before erected for his protection. And when he was
+informed that there were as many as were necessary to convey his army
+across in one night, after providing a stock of provisions for ten
+days, he led his legions down to the river by night, and passed them
+over before daylight.
+
+8. Fulvius Flaccus, who had discovered from deserters that this would
+happen, before it took place, having written to Rome to the senate to
+apprize them of it, men's minds were variously affected by it
+according to the disposition of each. As might be expected in so
+alarming an emergency, the senate was immediately assembled, when
+Publius Cornelius, surnamed Asina, was for recalling all the generals
+and armies from every part of Italy to protect the city, disregarding
+Capua and every other concern. Fabius Maximus thought that it would be
+highly disgraceful to retire from Capua, and allow themselves to be
+terrified and driven about at the nod and menaces of Hannibal. "Was it
+probable that he, who, though victorious at Cannae, nevertheless dared
+not approach the city, now, after having been repulsed from Capua, had
+conceived hopes of making himself master of Rome? It was not to
+besiege Rome, but to raise the siege of Capua that he was coming.
+Jupiter, the witness of treaties violated by Hannibal, and the other
+deities, would defend the city of Rome with that army which is now at
+the city." To these opposite opinions, that of Publius Valerius
+Flaccus, which recommended a middle course, was preferred. Regardful
+of both objects, he thought that a letter should be written to the
+generals at Capua, informing them of the force they had at the city
+for its protection, and stating, that as to the number of forces which
+Hannibal was bringing with him, or how large an army was necessary to
+carry on the siege of Capua, they themselves knew. If one of the
+generals and a part of the army could be sent to Rome, and at the same
+time Capua could be efficiently besieged by the remaining general and
+army, that then Claudius and Fulvius should settle between themselves
+which should continue the siege of Capua, and which should come to
+Rome to protect their capital from being besieged. This decree of the
+senate having been conveyed to Capua, Quintus Fulvius, the proconsul,
+who was to go to Rome, as his colleague was ill from his wound,
+crossed the Vulturnus with a body of troops, to the number of fifteen
+thousand infantry and a thousand horse, selected from the three
+armies. Then having ascertained that Hannibal intended to proceed
+along the Latin road, he sent persons before him to the towns on and
+near the Appian way, Setia, Cora, and Lanuvium, with directions that
+they should not only have provisions ready in their towns, but should
+bring them down to the road from the fields which lay out of the way,
+and that they should draw together into their towns troops for their
+defence, in order that each state might be under its own protection.
+
+9. On the day he crossed the Vulturnus, Hannibal pitched his camp at a
+small distance from the river. The next day, passing by Cales, he
+reached the Sidicinian territory, and having spent a day there in
+devastating the country, he led his troops along the Latin way through
+the territory of Suessa, Allifae, and Casinum. Under the walls of
+Casinum he remained encamped for two days, ravaging the country all
+around; thence passing by Interamna and Aquinum, he came into the
+Fregellan territory, to the river Liris, where he found the bridge
+broken down by the Fregellans in order to impede his progress. Fulvius
+also was detained at the Vulturnus, in consequence of Hannibal's
+having burnt the ships, and the difficulty he had in procuring rafts
+to convey his troops across that river from the great scarcity of
+materials. The army having been conveyed across by rafts, the
+remainder of the march of Fulvius was uninterrupted, a liberal supply
+of provisions having been prepared for him, not only in all the towns,
+but also on the sides of the road; while his men, who were all
+activity, exhorted each other to quicken their pace, remembering that
+they were going to defend their country. A messenger from Fregella,
+who had travelled a day and a night without intermission, arriving at
+Rome, caused the greatest consternation; and the whole city was thrown
+into a state of alarm by the running up and down of persons who made
+vague additions to what they heard, and thus increased the confusion
+which the original intelligence created. The lamentations of women
+were not only heard from private houses, but the matrons from every
+quarter, rushing into the public streets, ran up and down around the
+shrines of the gods, sweeping the altars with their dishevelled hair,
+throwing themselves upon their knees and stretching their uplifted
+hands to heaven and the gods, imploring them to rescue the city of
+Rome out of the hands of their enemies, and preserve the Roman mothers
+and their children from harm. The senate sat in the forum near the
+magistrates, in case they should wish to consult them. Some were
+receiving orders and departing to their own department of duty; others
+were offering themselves wherever there might be occasion for their
+aid. Troops were posted in the citadel, in the Capitol, upon the walls
+around the city, and also on the Alban mount, and the fort of Aesula.
+During this confusion, intelligence was brought that Quintus Fulvius,
+the proconsul, had set out from Capua with an army; when the senate
+decreed that Quintus Fulvius should have equal authority with the
+consuls, lest on entering the city his power should cease. Hannibal,
+having most destructively ravaged the Fregellan territory, on account
+of the bridge having been broken down, came into the territory of the
+Lavici, passing through those of Frusino, Ferentinum, and Anagnia;
+thence passing through Algidum he directed his course to Tusculum; but
+not being received within the walls, he went down to the right below
+Tusculum to Gabii; and marching his army down thence into the
+territory of the Pupinian tribe, he pitched his camp eight miles from
+the city. The nearer the enemy came, the greater was the number of
+fugitives slain by the Numidians who preceded him, and the greater the
+number of prisoners made of every rank and age.
+
+10. During this confusion, Fulvius Flaccus entered the city with his
+troops through the Capuan gate, passed through the midst of the city,
+and through Carinae, to Esquiliae; and going out thence, pitched his
+camp between the Esquiline and Colline gates. The plebeian aediles
+brought a supply of provisions there. The consuls and the senate came
+to the camp, and a consultation was held on the state of the republic.
+It was resolved that the consuls should encamp in the neighbourhood of
+the Colline and Esquiline gates; that Caius Calpurnius, the city
+praetor, should have the command of the Capitol and the citadel; and
+that a full senate should be continually assembled in the forum, in
+case it should be necessary to consult them amidst such sudden
+emergencies. Meanwhile, Hannibal advanced his camp to the Anio, three
+miles from the city, and fixing his position there, he advanced with
+two thousand horse from the Colline gate as far as the temple of
+Hercules, and riding up, took as near a view as he could of the walls
+and site of the city. Flaccus, indignant that he should do this so
+freely, and so much at his ease, sent out a party of cavalry, with
+orders to displace and drive back to their camp the cavalry of the
+enemy. After the fight had begun, the consuls ordered the Numidian
+deserters who were on the Aventine, to the number of twelve hundred,
+to march through the midst of the city to the Esquiliae, judging that
+no troops were better calculated to fight among the hollows, the
+garden walls, and tombs, or in the enclosed roads which were on all
+sides. But some persons, seeing them from the citadel and Capitol as
+they filed off on horseback down the Publician hill, cried out that
+the Aventine was taken. This circumstance occasioned such confusion
+and terror, that if the Carthaginian camp had not been without the
+city, the whole multitude, such was their alarm, would have rushed
+out. They then fled for refuge into their houses and upon the roofs,
+where they threw stones and weapons on their own soldiers as they
+passed along the streets, taking them for enemies. Nor could the
+tumult be repressed, or the mistake explained, as the streets were
+thronged with crowds of rustics and cattle, which the sudden alarm had
+driven into the city. The battle between the cavalry was successful,
+and the enemy were driven away; and as it was necessary to repress the
+tumults which were arising in several quarters without any cause, it
+was resolved that all who had been dictators, consuls, or censors,
+should be invested with authority till such time as the enemy had
+retired from the walls. During the remainder of the day and the
+following night, several tumults arose without any foundation, and
+were repressed.
+
+11. The next day Hannibal, crossing the Anio, drew out all his forces
+in order of battle; nor did Flaccus and the consuls decline to fight.
+When the troops on both sides were drawn up to try the issue of a
+battle, in which Rome was to be the prize of the victors, a violent
+shower of rain mingled with hail created such disorder in both the
+lines, that the troops, scarcely able to hold their arms, retired to
+their camps, less through fear of the enemy than of any thing else. On
+the following day, likewise, a similar tempest separated the armies
+marshalled on the same ground; but after they had retired to their
+camps the weather became wonderfully serene and tranquil. The
+Carthaginians considered this circumstance as a Divine interposition,
+and it is reported that Hannibal was heard to say, "That sometimes he
+wanted the will to make himself master of Rome, at other times the
+opportunity." Two other circumstances also, one inconsiderable, the
+other important, diminished his hopes. The important one was, that
+while he lay with his armed troops near the walls of the city, he was
+informed that troops had marched out of it with colours flying, as a
+reinforcement for Spain; that of less importance was, that he was
+informed by one of his prisoners, that the very ground on which his
+camp stood was sold at this very time, without any diminution in its
+price. Indeed, so great an insult and indignity did it appear to him
+that a purchaser should be found at Rome for the very soil which he
+held and possessed by right of conquest, that he immediately called a
+crier, and ordered that the silversmiths' shops, which at that time
+stood around the Roman forum, should be put up for sale. Induced by
+these circumstances he retired to the river Tutia, six miles from the
+city, whence he proceeded to the grove of Feronia, where was a temple
+at that time celebrated for its riches. The Capenatians and other
+states in the neighbourhood, by bringing here their first-fruits and
+other offerings according to their abilities, kept it decorated with
+abundance of gold and silver. Of all these offerings the temple was
+now despoiled. After the departure of Hannibal, vast heaps of brass
+were found there, as the soldiers, from a religious feeling, had
+thrown in pieces of uncoined brass. The spoliation of this temple is
+undoubted by historians; but Caelius asserts, that Hannibal, in his
+progress to Rome, turned out of his way to it from Eretum. According
+to him his route commenced with Amiternum, Caetilii, and Reate. He
+came from Campania into Samnium, and thence into Pelignia; then
+passing the town Sulmio, he entered the territory of the Marrucini;
+thence through the Alban territory he came to that of the Marsi, from
+which he came to Amiternum and the village of Foruli. Nor is this
+diversity of opinion a proof that the traces of so great an army could
+be confounded in the lapse of so brief a period. That he went that way
+is evident. The only question is, whether he took this route to the
+city, or returned by it from the city into Campania?
+
+12. With regard to Capua, Hannibal did not evince such obstinate
+perseverance in raising the siege of it as the Romans did in pressing
+it; for quitting Lucania, he came into the Bruttian territory, and
+marched to the strait and Rhegium with such rapidity, that he was very
+near taking the place by surprise, in consequence of the suddenness of
+his arrival. Though the siege had been urged with undiminished vigour
+during his absence, yet Capua felt the return of Flaccus; and
+astonishment was excited that Hannibal had not returned with him.
+Afterwards they learnt, by conversations, that they were abandoned and
+deserted, and that the Carthaginians had given up all hopes of
+retaining Capua. In addition to this a proclamation was made by the
+proconsul, agreeably to a decree of the senate, and published among
+the enemy, that any Campanian citizen who came over before a stated
+day should be indemnified. No one, however, came over, as they were
+held together by fear more than fidelity; for the crimes they had
+committed during their revolt were too great to admit of pardon. As
+none of them passed over to the enemy, consulting their own individual
+interest, so no measure of safety was taken with regard to the general
+body. The nobility had deserted the state, nor could they be induced
+to meet in the senate, while the office of chief magistrate was filled
+by a man who had not derived honour to himself from his office, but
+stripped the office of its influence and authority by his own
+unworthiness. Now none of the nobles made their appearance even in the
+forum, or any public place, but shut themselves up in their houses, in
+daily expectation of the downfall of their city, and their own
+destruction together. The chief responsibility in every thing devolved
+upon Bostar and Hanno, the praefects of the Punic garrison, who were
+anxious on account of their own danger, and not that of their allies.
+They addressed a letter to Hannibal, in terms, not only of freedom,
+but severity, charging him with "delivering, not only Capua into the
+hands of the enemy, but with treacherously abandoning themselves also,
+and their troops, to every species of torture;" they told him "he had
+gone off to the Bruttians, in order to get out of the way, as it were,
+lest Capua should be taken before his eyes; while, by Hercules, the
+Romans, on the contrary, could not be drawn off from the siege of
+Capua, even by an attack upon their city. So much more constant were
+the Romans in their enmity than the Carthaginians in their friendship.
+If he would return to Capua and direct the whole operations of the war
+to that point, that both themselves and the Campanians would be
+prepared for a sally. That they had crossed the Alps not to carry on a
+war with the people of Rhegium nor Tarentum. That where the Roman
+legions were, there the armies of the Carthaginians ought to be. Thus
+it was that victories had been gained at Cannae and Trasimenus; by
+uniting, by pitching their camp close to that of the enemy, by trying
+their fortune." A letter to this effect was given to some Numidians
+who had already engaged to render their services for a stated reward.
+These men came into the camp to Flaccus under pretence of being
+deserters, with the intention of quitting it by seizing an
+opportunity, and the famine, which had so long existed at Capua,
+afforded a pretext for desertion which no one could suspect. But a
+Campanian woman, the paramour of one of the deserters, unexpectedly
+entered the camp, and informed the Roman general that the Numidians
+had come over according to a preconcerted plan of treachery, and were
+the bearers of letters to Hannibal; that she was prepared to convict
+one of the party of that fact, as he had discovered it to her. On
+being brought forward, he at first pretended, with considerable
+pertinacity, that he did not know the woman; but afterwards, gradually
+succumbing to the force of truth, when he saw the instruments of
+torture called for and preparing, he confessed that it was so. The
+letters were produced, and a discovery was made of an additional fact,
+before concealed, that other Numidians were strolling about in the
+Roman camp, under pretence of being deserters. Above seventy of these
+were arrested, and, with the late deserters, scourged with rods; and
+after their hands had been cut off, were driven back to Capua. The
+sight of so severe a punishment broke the spirit of the Campanians.
+
+13. The people, rushing in crowds to the senate-house, compelled
+Lesius to assemble a senate, and openly threatened the nobles, who had
+now for a long time absented themselves from the public deliberations,
+that unless they attended the meeting of the senate, they would go
+round to their houses and drag them all before the public by force.
+The fear of this procured the magistrate a full senate. Here, while
+the rest contended for sending ambassadors to the Roman generals,
+Vibius Virrius, who had been the instigator of the revolt from the
+Romans, on being asked his opinion, observed, that "those persons who
+spoke of sending ambassadors, and of peace, and a surrender, did not
+bear in mind either what they would do if they had the Romans in their
+power, or what they themselves must expect to suffer. What! do you
+think," says he, "that your surrender will be like that in which
+formerly we placed ourselves and every thing belonging to us at the
+disposal of the Romans, in order that we might obtain assistance from
+them against the Samnites? Have you already forgotten at what a
+juncture we revolted from the Romans, and what were their
+circumstances? Have you forgotten how at the time of the revolt we put
+to death, with torture and indignity, their garrison, which might have
+been sent out? How often, and with determined hostility, we have
+sallied out against them when besieging us, and assaulted their camp?
+How we invited Hannibal to come and cut them off? And how most
+recently we sent him hence to lay siege to Rome? But come, retrace on
+the other hand what they have done in hostility towards us, that you
+may learn therefrom what you have to hope for. When a foreign enemy
+was in Italy, and that enemy Hannibal; when the flame of war was
+kindled in every quarter; disregarding every other object,
+disregarding even Hannibal himself, they sent two consuls with two
+consular armies to lay siege to Capua. This is the second year, that,
+surrounded with lines and shut up within our walls, they consume us by
+famine, having suffered in like manner with ourselves the extremest
+dangers and the severest hardships, having frequently had their troops
+slain near their rampart and trenches, and at last having been almost
+deprived of their camp. But I pass over these matters. It has been
+usual, even from of old, to suffer dangers and hardships in besieging
+an enemy's city. The following is a proof of their animosity and
+bitter hatred. Hannibal assaulted their camp with an immense force of
+horse and foot, and took a part of it. By so great a danger they were
+not in the least diverted from the siege. Crossing the Vulturnus, he
+laid waste the territory of Cales with fire. Such calamities inflicted
+upon their allies had no effect in calling them off. He ordered his
+troops to march in hostile array to the very city of Rome. They
+despised the tempest which threatened them in this case also. Crossing
+the Anio, he pitched his camp three miles from the city, and lastly,
+came up to the very walls and gates. He gave them to understand that
+he would take their city from them, unless they gave up Capua. But
+they did not give it up. Wild beasts, impelled by headlong fury and
+rage, you may divert from their object to bring assistance to those
+belonging to them, if you attempt to approach their dens and their
+young. The Romans could not be diverted from Capua by the blockade of
+Rome, by their wives and children, whose lamentations could almost be
+heard from this place, by their altars, their hearths, the temples of
+their gods, and the sepulchres of their ancestors profaned and
+violated. So great was their avidity to bring us to punishment, so
+insatiable their thirst for drinking our blood. Nor, perhaps, without
+reason. We too would have done the same had the opportunity been
+afforded us. Since, however, the gods have thought proper to determine
+it otherwise, though I ought not to shrink from death, while I am
+free, while I am master of myself, I have it in my power, by a death
+not only honourable but mild, to escape the tortures and indignities
+which the enemy hope to inflict upon me. I will not see Appius
+Claudius and Quintus Fulvius in the pride and insolence of victory,
+nor will I be dragged in chains through Rome as a spectacle in a
+triumph, that afterwards in a dungeon, or tied to a stake, after my
+back has been lacerated with stripes, I may place my neck under a
+Roman axe. I will neither see my native city demolished and burnt, nor
+the matrons, virgins, and free-born youths of Campania dragged to
+constupration. Alba, from which they themselves derived their origin,
+they demolished from her foundations, that there might remain no trace
+of their rise and extraction, much less can I believe they will spare
+Capua, towards which they bear a more rancorous hatred than towards
+Carthage. For such of you, therefore, as have a mind to yield to fate,
+before they behold such horrors, a banquet is furnished and prepared
+at my house. When satiated with wine and food, the same cup which
+shall have been given to me shall be handed round to them. That potion
+will rescue our bodies from torture, our minds from insult, our eyes
+and ears from seeing and hearing all those cruelties and indignities
+which await the vanquished. There will be persons in readiness who
+will throw our lifeless bodies upon a large pile kindled in the
+court-yard of the house. This is the only free and honourable way to
+death. Our very enemies will admire our courage, and Hannibal will
+learn that those whom he deserted and betrayed were brave allies."
+
+14. More of those who heard this speech of Virrius approved of the
+proposal contained in it, than had strength of mind to execute what
+they approved. The greater part of the senate being not without hopes
+that the Romans, whose clemency they had frequently had proof of in
+many wars, would be exorable by them also, decreed and sent
+ambassadors to surrender Capua to the Romans. About twenty-seven
+senators, following Vibius Virrius to his home, partook of the banquet
+with him; and after having, as far as they could, withdrawn their
+minds, by means of wine, from the perception of the impending evil,
+all took the poison. They then rose from the banquet, after giving
+each other their right hands, and taking a last embrace, mingling
+their tears for their own and their country's fate; some of them
+remained, that they might be burned upon the same pile, and the rest
+retired to their homes. Their veins being filled in consequence of
+what they had eaten, and the wine they drank, rendered the poison less
+efficacious in expediting death; and accordingly, though the greater
+part of them languished the whole of that night and part of the
+following day, all of them, however, breathed their last before the
+gates were opened to the enemy. The following day the gate of Jupiter,
+which faced the Roman camp, was opened by order of the proconsul, when
+one legion and two squadrons of allies marched in at it, under the
+command of Caius Fulvius, lieutenant-general. When he had taken care
+that all the arms and weapons to be found in Capua should be brought
+to him; having placed guards at all the gates to prevent any one's
+going or being sent out, he seized the Carthaginian garrison, and
+ordered the Campanian senators to go into the camp to the Roman
+generals. On their arrival they were all immediately thrown into
+chains, and ordered to lay before the quaestor an account of all the
+gold and silver they had. There were seventy pounds of gold, and three
+thousand two hundred of silver. Twenty-five of the senators were sent
+to Cales, to be kept in custody, and twenty-eight to Teanum; these
+being the persons by whose advice principally it appeared that the
+revolt from the Romans had taken place.
+
+15. Fulvius and Claudius were far from being agreed as to the
+punishment of the Campanian senators. Claudius was disposed to grant
+their prayer for pardon, but Fulvius was more inclined to severity.
+Appius, therefore, was for referring the entire disposal of the
+question to the Roman senate. He thought it right also, that the
+fathers should have the opportunity of asking them whether any of the
+Latin confederates, or of the municipal towns, had taken part in these
+designs, and whether they had derived any assistance from them in the
+war. Fulvius, on the contrary, urged that they ought by no means to
+run the hazard of having the minds of faithful allies harassed by
+doubtful accusations, and subjected to informers who never cared at
+all what they did or what they said. For this reason he said that he
+should prevent and put a stop to any such inquiry. After this
+conversation they separated; Appius not doubting but that his
+colleague, though he expressed himself so warmly, would, nevertheless,
+wait for a letter from Rome, in an affair of such magnitude. But
+Fulvius, fearing that his designs would be frustrated by that very
+means, dismissed his council, and commanded the military tribunes and
+the praefects of the allies to give notice to two thousand chosen
+horsemen to be in readiness at the third trumpet. Setting out for
+Teanum with this body of cavalry, he entered the gate at break of day,
+and proceeded direct to the forum; and a number of people having
+flocked together at the first entrance of the horsemen, he ordered the
+Sidicinian magistrate to be summoned; when he desired him to bring
+forth the Campanians whom he had in custody. These were all
+accordingly brought forth, scourged, and beheaded. He then proceeded
+at full speed to Cales; where, when he had taken his seat on the
+tribunal, and while the Campanians, who had been brought forth, were
+being bound to the stake, an express arrived from Rome, and delivered
+to him a letter from Caius Calpurnius, the praetor, and a decree of
+the senate. A murmur immediately pervaded the whole assembly,
+beginning at the tribunal, that the entire question respecting the
+Campanians was referred to the decision of the fathers, and Fulvius,
+suspecting this to be the case, took the letter, and without opening
+it put it into his bosom, and then commanded the crier to order the
+lictor to do his duty. Thus punishment was inflicted on those also who
+were at Cales. The letter was then read, together with the decree of
+the senate, when it was too late to prevent the business which was
+already executed, and which had been accelerated by every means to
+prevent its being obstructed. When Fulvius was now rising from his
+seat, Jubellius Taurea, a Campanian making his way through the middle
+of the city and the crowd, called upon him by name, and when Flaccus,
+who wondered greatly what he could want, had resumed his seat, he
+said, "Order me also to be put to death, that you may be able to
+boast, that a much braver man than yourself has been put to death by
+you." Fulvius at first said, that the man could not certainly be in
+his senses, then, that he was restrained by a decree of the senate,
+even though he might wish it, when Jubellius exclaimed "Since, after
+the capture of my country, and the loss of my relations and friends,
+after having killed, with my own hand, my wife and children to prevent
+their suffering any indignity, I am not allowed even to die in the
+same manner as these my countrymen, let a rescue be sought in courage
+from this hated existence." So saying, he thrust a sword, which he had
+concealed under his garment, right through his breast, and fell
+lifeless at the general's feet.
+
+16. Because not only what related to the punishment of the Campanians,
+but most of the other particulars of this affair, were transacted
+according to the judgment of Flaccus alone, some authors affirm that
+Appius Claudius died about the time of the surrender of Capua, and
+that this same Taurea neither came to Cales voluntarily nor died by
+his own hand, but that while he was being tied to the stake among the
+rest, Flaccus, who could not distinctly hear what he vociferated from
+the noise which was made, ordered silence, when Taurea said the things
+which have been before related "that he, a man of the greatest
+courage, was being put to death by one who was by no means his equal
+in respect to valour." That immediately on his saying this, the
+herald, by command of the proconsul, pronounced this order. "Lictor,
+apply the rods to this man of courage, and execute the law upon him
+first." Some authors also relate, that he read the decree of the
+senate before he beheaded them, but that as there was a clause in it,
+to the effect, that if he thought proper he should refer the entire
+question to the senate, he construed it that the decision as to what
+was most for the interest of the state was left to himself. He
+returned from Cales to Capua. Atella and Calatia surrendered
+themselves, and were received. Here also the principal promoters of
+the revolt were punished. Thus eighty principal members of the senate
+were put to death, and about three hundred of the Campanian nobles
+thrown into prison. The rest were distributed through the several
+cities of the Latin confederacy, to be kept in custody, where they
+perished in various ways. The rest of the Campanian citizens were
+sold. The remaining subject of deliberation related to the city and
+its territory. Some were of opinion that a city so eminently powerful,
+so near, and so hostile, ought to be demolished. But immediate utility
+prevailed, for on account of the land, which was evidently superior to
+any in Italy from the variety and exuberance of its produce, the city
+was preserved that it might become a settlement of husbandmen. For the
+purpose of peopling the city, a number of sojourners, freed-men,
+dealers, and artificers, were retained, but all the land and buildings
+were made the property of the Roman state. It was resolved, however,
+that Capua should only be inhabited and peopled as a city, that there
+should be no body-politic, nor assembly of the senate or people, nor
+magistrates. For it was thought that a multitude not possessing any
+public council, without a ruling power, and unconnected by the
+participation of any common rights, would be incapable of combination.
+They resolved to send a praefect annually from Rome to administer
+justice. Thus were matters adjusted at Capua, upon a plan in every
+respect worthy of commendation. Punishment was inflicted upon the most
+guilty with rigour and despatch, the populace dispersed beyond all
+hope of return, no rage vented in fire and ruins upon the unoffending
+houses and walls. Together also with advantage, a reputation for
+clemency was obtained among the allies, by the preservation of a city
+of the greatest celebrity and opulence, the demolition of which, all
+Campania, and all the people dwelling in the neighbourhood of
+Campania, would have bewailed, while their enemies were compelled to
+admit the ability of the Romans to punish their faithless allies, and
+how little assistance could be derived from Hannibal towards the
+defence of those whom he had taken under his protection.
+
+17. The Roman senate having gone through every thing which required
+their attention relative to Capua, decreed to Caius Nero six thousand
+foot and three hundred horse, whichever he should himself choose out
+of those two legions which he had commanded at Capua, with an equal
+number of infantry, and eight hundred horse of the Latin confederacy.
+This army Nero embarked at Puteoli, and conveyed over into Spain.
+Having arrived at Tarraco with his ships, landed his troops, hauled
+his ships ashore, and armed his mariners to augment his numbers, he
+proceeded to the river Iberus, and received the army from Titus
+Fonteius and Lucius Marcius. He then marched towards the enemy.
+Hasdrubal, son of Hamilcar, was encamped at the black stones in
+Ausetania, a place situated between the towns Illiturgi and Mentissa.
+The entrance of this defile Nero seized, and Hasdrubal, to prevent his
+being shut up in it, sent a herald to engage that, if he were allowed
+to depart thence, he would convey the whole of his army out of Spain.
+The Roman general having received this proposition gladly, Hasdrubal
+requested the next day for a conference, when the Romans might draw up
+conditions relative to the surrender of the citadels of the towns, and
+the appointment of a day on which the garrisons might be withdrawn,
+and the Carthaginians might remove every thing belonging to them
+without imposition. Having obtained his point in this respect,
+Hasdrubal gave orders that as soon as it was dark, and during the
+whole of the night afterwards, the heaviest part of his force should
+get out of the defile by whatever way they could. The strictest care
+was taken that many should not go out that night, that the very
+fewness of their numbers might both be more adapted to elude the
+notice of the enemy from their silence, and to an escape through
+confined and rugged paths. Next day they met for the conference; but
+that day having been spent, on purpose, in speaking and writing about
+a variety of subjects, which were not to this point, the conference
+was put off to the next day. The addition of the following night gave
+him time to send still more out; nor was the business concluded the
+next day. Thus several days were spent in openly discussing
+conditions, and as many nights in privately sending the Carthaginian
+troops out of their camp; and after the greater part of the army had
+been sent out, he did not even keep to those terms which he had
+himself proposed; and his sincerity decreasing with his fears, they
+became less and less agreed. By this time nearly all the infantry had
+cleared the defile, when at daybreak a dense mist enveloped the whole
+defile and the neighbouring plains; which Hasdrubal perceiving, sent
+to Nero to put off the conference to the following day, as the
+Carthaginians held that day sacred from the transaction of any serious
+business. Not even then was the cheat suspected. Hasdrubal having
+gained the indulgence he sought for that day also, immediately quitted
+his camp with his cavalry and elephants, and without creating any
+alarm escaped to a place of safety. About the fourth hour the mist,
+being dispelled by the sun, left the atmosphere clear, when the Romans
+saw that the camp of the enemy was deserted. Then at length Claudius,
+recognising the Carthaginian perfidy, and perceiving that he had been
+caught by trickery, immediately began to pursue the enemy as they
+moved off, prepared to give battle; but they declined fighting. Some
+skirmishes, however, took place between the rear of the Carthaginians
+and the advanced guard of the Romans.
+
+18. During the time in which these events occurred, neither did those
+states of Spain which had revolted after the defeat that was
+sustained, return to the Romans, nor did any others desert them. At
+Rome, the attention of the senate and people, after the recovery of
+Capua, was not fixed in a greater degree upon Italy than upon Spain.
+They resolved that the army there should be augmented and a general
+sent. They were not, however, so clear as to the person whom they
+should send, as that, where two generals had fallen within the space
+of thirty days, he who was to supply the place of them should be
+selected with unusual care. Some naming one person, and others
+another, they at length came to the resolution that the people should
+assemble for the purpose of electing a proconsul for Spain, and the
+consuls fixed a day for the election. At first they waited in
+expectation that those persons who might think themselves qualified
+for so momentous a command would give in their names, but this
+expectation being disappointed, their grief was renewed for the
+calamity they had suffered, and then regret for the generals they had
+lost. The people thus afflicted, and almost at their wits' end, came
+down, however, to the Campus Martius on the day of the election,
+where, turning towards the magistrates, they looked round at the
+countenances of their most eminent men, who were earnestly gazing at
+each other, and murmured bitterly, that their affairs were in so
+ruinous a state, and the condition of the commonwealth so desperate,
+that no one dared undertake the command in Spain. When suddenly
+Publius Cornelius, son of Publius who had fallen in Spain, who was
+about twenty-four years of age, declaring himself a candidate, took
+his station on an eminence from which he could be seen by all. The
+eyes of the whole assembly were directed towards him, and by
+acclamations and expressions of approbation, a prosperous and happy
+command were at once augured to him. Orders were then given that they
+should proceed to vote, when not only every century, but every
+individual to a man, decided that Publius Scipio should be invested
+with the command in Spain. But after the business had been concluded,
+and the ardour and impetuosity of their zeal had subsided, a sudden
+silence ensued, and a secret reflection on what they had done, whether
+their partiality had not got the better of their judgment? They
+chiefly regretted his youth, but some were terrified at the fortune
+which attended his house and his name, for while the two families to
+which he belonged were in mourning, he was going into a province where
+he must carry on his operations between the tombs of his father and
+his uncle.
+
+19. Perceiving the solicitude and anxiety which people felt, after
+performing the business with so much ardour, he summoned an assembly,
+in which he discoursed in so noble and high minded a manner, on his
+years, the command intrusted to him, and the war which he had to carry
+on, as to rekindle and renew the ardour which had subsided, and
+inspire the people with more confident hopes than the reliance placed
+on human professions, or reasoning on the promising appearance of
+affairs, usually engenders. For Scipio was not only deserving of
+admiration for his real virtues, but also for his peculiar address in
+displaying them, to which he had been formed from his earliest
+years;--effecting many things with the multitude, either by feigning
+nocturnal visions or as with a mind divinely inspired; whether it was
+that he was himself, too, endued with a superstitious turn of mind, or
+that they might execute his commands and adopt his plans without
+hesitation, as if they proceeded from the responses of an oracle. With
+the intention of preparing men's minds for this from the beginning, he
+never at any time from his first assumption of the manly gown
+transacted any business, public or private, without first going to the
+Capitol, entering the temple, and taking his seat there; where he
+generally passed a considerable time in secret and alone. This
+practice, which was adhered to through the whole of his life,
+occasioned in some persons a belief in a notion which generally
+prevailed, whether designedly or undesignedly propagated, that he was
+a man of divine extraction; and revived a report equally absurd and
+fabulous with that formerly spread respecting Alexander the Great,
+that he was begotten by a huge serpent, whose monstrous form was
+frequently observed in the bedchamber of his mother, but which, on any
+one's coming in, suddenly unfolding his coils, glided out of sight.
+The belief in these miraculous accounts was never ridiculed by him,
+but rather increased by his address; neither positively denying any
+such thing nor openly affirming it. There were also many other things,
+some real and others counterfeit, which exceeded in the case of this
+young man the usual measure of human admiration, in reliance on which
+the state intrusted him with an affair of so much difficulty, and with
+so important a command, at an age by no means ripe for it. To the
+forces in Spain, consisting of the remains of the old army, and those
+which had been conveyed over from Puteoli by Claudius Nero, ten
+thousand infantry and a thousand horse were added; and Marcus Junius
+Silanus, the propraetor, was sent to assist in the management of
+affairs. Thus with a fleet of thirty ships, all of which were
+quinqueremes, he set sail from the mouth of the Tiber, and coasting
+along the shore of the Tuscan Sea, the Alps, and the Gallic Gulf, and
+then doubling the promontory of the Pyrenees, landed his troops at
+Emporiae, a Greek city, which also derived its origin from Phocaea.
+Ordering his ships to attend him, he marched by land to Tarraco; where
+he held a congress of deputies from all the allies; for embassies had
+poured forth from every province on the news of his arrival. Here he
+ordered his ships to be hauled on shore, having sent back the four
+triremes of the Massilians which had, in compliment to him, attended
+him from their home. After that, he began to give answers to the
+embassies of the several states, which had been in suspense on account
+of the many vicissitudes of the war; and this with so great dignity,
+arising from the great confidence he had in his own talents, that no
+presumptuous expression ever escaped him; and in every thing he said
+there appeared at once the greatest majesty and sincerity.
+
+20. Setting out from Tarraco, he visited the states of his allies and
+the winter quarters of his army; and bestowed the highest
+commendations upon the soldiers, because, though they had received two
+such disastrous blows in succession, they had retained possession of
+the province, and not allowing the enemy to reap any advantage from
+their successes, had excluded them entirely from the territory on this
+side of the Iberus, and honourably protected their allies. Marcius he
+kept with him, and treated him with such respect, that it was
+perfectly evident there was nothing he feared less than lest any one
+should stand in the way of his own glory. Silanus then took the place
+of Nero, and the fresh troops were led into winter quarters. Scipio
+having in good time visited every place where his presence was
+necessary, and completed every thing which was to be done, returned to
+Tarraco. The reputation of Scipio among his enemies was not inferior
+to that which he enjoyed among his allies and countrymen. They felt
+also a kind of presentiment of what was to come, which occasioned the
+greater apprehension, the less they could account for their fears,
+which had arisen without any cause. They had retired to their winter
+quarters in different directions. Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, had gone
+quite to the ocean and Gades; Mago into the midland parts chiefly
+above the forest of Castulo; Hasdrubal, son of Hamilcar, wintered in
+the neighbourhood of Saguntum, close upon the Iberus. At the close of
+the summer in which Capua was recovered and Scipio entered Spain, a
+Carthaginian fleet, which had been fetched from Sicily to Tarentum, to
+cut off the supplies of the Roman garrison in the citadel of that
+place, had blocked up all the approaches to the citadel from the sea;
+but by lying there too long, they caused a greater scarcity of
+provisions to their friends than to their enemies. For so much corn
+could not be brought in for the townsmen, along the coasts which were
+friendly to them, and through the ports which were kept open through
+the protection afforded by the Carthaginian fleet, as the fleet itself
+consumed, which had on board a crowd made up of every description of
+persons. So that the garrison of the citadel, which was small in
+number, could be supported from the stock they had previously laid in
+without importing any, while that which they imported was not
+sufficient for the supply of the Tarentines and the fleet. At length
+the fleet was sent away with greater satisfaction than it was
+received. The scarcity of provisions, however, was not much relieved
+by it; because when the protection by sea was removed corn could not
+be brought in.
+
+21. At the close of the same summer, Marcus Marcellus arriving at the
+city from his province of Sicily, an audience of the senate was given
+him by Caius Calpurnius, the praetor, in the temple of Bellona. Here,
+after discoursing on the services he had performed, and complaining in
+gentle terms, not on his own account more than that of his soldiers,
+that after having completely reduced the province, he had not been
+allowed to bring home his army, he requested that he might be allowed
+to enter the city in triumph; this he did not obtain. A long debate
+took place on the question, whether it was less consistent to deny a
+triumph on his return to him, in whose name, when absent, a
+supplication had been decreed and honours paid to the immortal gods,
+for successes obtained under his conduct; or, when they had ordered
+him to deliver over his army to a successor, which would not have been
+decreed unless there were still war in the province, to allow him to
+triumph, as if the war had been terminated, when the army, the
+evidence of the triumph being deserved or undeserved, were absent. As
+a middle course between the two opinions, it was resolved that he
+should enter the city in ovation. The plebeian tribunes, by direction
+of the senate, proposed to the people, that Marcus Marcellus should be
+invested with command during the day on which he should enter the city
+in ovation. The day before he entered the city he triumphed on the
+Alban mount; after which he entered the city in ovation, having a
+great quantity of spoils carried before him, together with a model of
+the capture of Syracuse. The catapultas and ballistas, and every other
+instrument of war were carried; likewise the rich ornaments laid up by
+its kings during a long continuance of peace; a quantity of wrought
+silver and brass, and other articles, with precious garments, and a
+number of celebrated statues, with which Syracuse had been adorned in
+such a manner as to rank among the chief Grecian cities in that
+respect. Eight elephants were also led as an emblem of victory over
+the Carthaginians. Sosis, the Syracusan, and Mericus, the Spaniard,
+who preceded him with golden crowns, formed not the least interesting
+part of the spectacle; under the guidance of one of whom the Romans
+had entered Syracuse by night, while the other had betrayed to them
+the island and the garrison in it. To both of them the freedom of the
+city was given, and five hundred acres of land each. Sosis was to have
+his portion in the Syracusan territory, out of the lands which had
+belonged either to the kings or the enemies of the Roman people,
+together with a house at Syracuse, which had belonged to any one of
+those persons who had been punished according to the laws of war.
+Mericus and the Spaniards who had come over with him were ordered to
+have a city and lands assigned to them in Sicily, which had belonged
+to some of those who had revolted from the Romans. It was given in
+charge to Marcus Cornelius to assign them the city and lands wherever
+he thought proper. In the same country, four hundred acres of land
+were decreed to Belligenes, by whose means Mericus had been persuaded
+to come over. After the departure of Marcellus from Sicily, a
+Carthaginian fleet landed eight thousand infantry and three thousand
+Numidian cavalry. To these the Murgantian territories revolted; Hybla,
+Macella, and certain other towns of less note followed their
+defection. The Numidians also, headed by Mutines, ranging without
+restraint through the whole of Sicily, ravaged with fire the lands of
+the allies of the Romans. In addition to these unfortunate
+circumstances, the Roman soldiers, incensed partly because they had
+not been taken from the province with their general, and partly
+because they had been forbidden to winter in towns, discharged their
+duties negligently, and wanted a a leader more than inclination for a
+mutiny. Amid these difficulties Marcus Cornelius, the praetor,
+sometimes by soothing, at other times by reproving them, pacified the
+minds of the soldiers; and reduced to obedience all the states which
+had revolted; out of which he gave Murgantia to those Spaniards who
+were entitled to a city and land, in conformity with the decree of the
+senate.
+
+22. As both the consuls had Apulia for their province, and as there
+was now less to be apprehended from Hannibal and the Carthaginians,
+they were directed to draw lots for the provinces of Apulia and
+Macedonia. Macedonia fell to the lot of Sulpicius, who succeeded
+Laevinus. Fulvius having been called to Rome on account of the
+election, held an assembly to elect new consuls; when the junior
+Veturian century, which had the right of voting first, named Titus
+Manlius Torquatus and Titus Otacilius. A crowd collecting round
+Manlius, who was present, to congratulate him, and it being certain
+that the people would concur in his election, he went, surrounded as
+he was with a multitude of persons, to the tribunal of the consul, and
+requested that he would listen to a few words from him; and that he
+would order the century which had voted to be recalled. While all
+present were waiting impatiently to hear what it was he was going to
+ask, he alleged as an excuse the weakness of his eyes; observing, that
+"a pilot or a general might fairly be charged with presumption who
+should request that the lives and fortunes of others might be
+intrusted to him, when in every thing which was to be done he must
+make use of other people's eyes. Therefore he requested, that, if it
+seemed good to him, he would order the junior Veturian century to come
+and vote again; and to recollect, while electing consuls, the war
+which they had in Italy, and the present exigencies of the state. That
+their ears had scarcely yet ceased to ring with the noise and tumult
+raised by the enemy, when but a few months ago they nearly scaled the
+walls of Rome." This speech was followed by the century's shouting
+out, one and all, that "they would not in the least alter their vote,
+but would name the same persons for consuls;" when Torquatus replied,
+"neither shall I as consul be able to put up with your conduct, nor
+will you be satisfied with my government. Go back and vote again, and
+consider that you have a Punic war in Italy, and that the leader of
+your enemies is Hannibal." Upon this the century, moved by the
+authority of the man and the shouts of admirers around, besought the
+consul to summon the elder Veturian century; for they were desirous of
+conferring with persons older than themselves, and to name the consuls
+in accordance with their advice. The elder Veturian century having
+been summoned, time was allowed them to confer with the others by
+themselves in the _ovile_. The elders said that there were three
+persons whom they ought to deliberate about electing, two of them
+having already served all the offices of honour, namely, Quintus
+Fabius and Marcus Marcellus; and if they wished so particularly to
+elect some fresh person as consul to act against the Carthaginians,
+that Marcus Valerius Laevinus had carried on operations against king
+Philip by sea and land with signal success. Thus, three persons having
+been proposed to them to deliberate about, the seniors were dismissed,
+and the juniors proceeded to vote. They named as consuls, Marcus
+Claudius Marcellus, then glorious with the conquest of Sicily, and
+Marcus Valerius, both in their absence. All the centuries followed the
+recommendation of that which voted first. Let men now ridicule the
+admirers of antiquity. Even if there existed a republic of wise men,
+which the learned rather imagine than know of; for my own part I
+cannot persuade myself that there could possibly be a nobility of
+sounder judgment, and more moderate in their desire of power, or a
+people better moralled. Indeed that a century of juniors should have
+been willing to consult their elders, as to the persons to whom they
+should intrust a command by their vote, is rendered scarcely probable
+by the contempt and levity with which the parental authority is
+treated by children in the present age.
+
+23. The assembly for the election of praetors was then held, at which
+Publius Manlius Vulso, Lucius Manlius Acidinus, Caius Laetorius, and
+Lucius Cincius Alimentus were elected. It happened that just as the
+elections were concluded, news was brought that Titus Otacilius, whom
+it seemed the people would have made consul in his absence, with Titus
+Manlius, had not the course of the elections been interrupted, had
+died in Sicily. The games in honour of Apollo had been performed the
+preceding year, and on the motion of Calpurnius, the praetor, that
+they should be performed this year also, the senate decreed that they
+should be vowed every year for the time to come. The same year several
+prodigies were seen and reported. At the temple of Concord, a statue
+of Victory, which stood on the roof, having been struck by lightning
+and thrown down, stuck among the figures of Victory, which were among
+the ornaments under the eaves, and did not fall to the ground from
+thence. Both from Anagnia and Fregellae it was reported that a wall
+and some gates had been struck by lightning. That in the forum of
+Sudertum streams of blood had continued flowing through a whole day;
+at Eretum, that there had been a shower of stones; and at Reate, that
+a mule had brought forth. These prodigies were expiated with victims
+of the larger sort, the people were commanded to offer up prayers for
+one day, and perform the nine days' sacred rite. Several of the public
+priests died off this year, and fresh ones were appointed. In the room
+of Manius Aemilius Numida, decemvir for sacred rites, Marcus Aemilius
+Lepidus was appointed; in the room of Manius Pomponius Matho, the
+pontiff, Caius Livius; in the room of Spurius Carvilius Maximus, the
+augur, Marcus Servilius. As Titus Otacilius Crassus, a pontiff, died
+after the year was concluded, no person was nominated to succeed him.
+Caius Claudius, flamen of Jupiter, retired from his office, because he
+had distributed the entrails improperly.
+
+24. During the same time Marcus Valerius Laevinus, having first
+sounded the intentions of the leading men by means of secret
+conferences, came with some light ships to a council of the Aetolians,
+which had been previously appointed to meet for this very purpose.
+Here having proudly pointed to the capture of Syracuse and Capua, as
+proofs of the success of the Roman arms in Sicily and Italy, he added,
+that "it was a custom with the Romans, handed down to them from their
+ancestors, to respect their allies; some of whom they had received
+into their state, and had admitted to the same privileges they enjoyed
+themselves, while others they treated so favourably that they chose
+rather to be allies than citizens. That the Aetolians would be
+honoured by them so much the more, because they were the first of the
+nations across the sea which had entered into friendship with them.
+That Philip and the Macedonians were troublesome neighbours to them,
+but that he had broken their strength and spirits already, and would
+still further reduce them to that degree, that they should not only
+evacuate the cities which they had violently taken from the Aetolians,
+but have Macedonia itself disturbed with war. And that as to the
+Acarnanians, whose separation from their body was a source of grief to
+the Aetolians, he would place them again under their ancient system of
+jurisdiction and dominion." These assertions and promises of the Roman
+general, Scopas, who was at that time praetor of the nation, and
+Dorymachus, a leading man among the Aetolians, confirmed on their own
+authority, extolling the power and greatness of the Roman people with
+less reserve, and with greater force of conviction. However, the hope
+of recovering Acarnania principally moved them. The terms, therefore,
+were reduced to writing, on which they should enter into alliance and
+friendship with the Roman people, and it was added, that "if it were
+agreeable to them and they wished it, the Eleans and Lacedaemonians,
+with Attalus, Pleuratus, and Scerdilaedas, should be included on the
+same conditions." Attalus was king of Asia; the latter, kings of the
+Thracians and Illyrians. The conditions were, that "the Aetolians
+should immediately make war on Philip by land, in which the Romans
+should assist, with not less than twenty quinqueremes. That the site
+and buildings, together with the walls and lands, of all the cities as
+far as Corcyra, should become the property of the Aetolians, every
+other kind of booty, of the Romans. That the Romans should endeavour
+to put the Aetolians in possession of Acarnania. If the Aetolians
+should make peace with Philip, they should insert a stipulation that
+the peace should stand good only on condition that they abstained from
+hostilities against the Romans, their allies, and the states subject
+to them. In like manner, if the Romans should form an alliance with
+the king, that they should provide that he should not have liberty to
+make war upon the Aetolians and their allies." Such were the terms
+agreed upon; and copies of them having been made, they were laid up
+two years afterwards by the Aetolians at Olympia, and by the Romans in
+the Capitol, that they might be attested by these consecrated records.
+The delay had been occasioned by the Aetolian ambassadors' having been
+detained at Rome. This, however, did not form an impediment to the
+war's proceeding. Both the Aetolians immediately commenced war against
+Philip, and Laevinus taking, all but the citadel, Zacynthus, a small
+island near to Aetolia, and having one city of the same name with the
+island; and also taking Aeniadae and Nasus from the Acarnanians,
+annexed them to the Aetolians; and also considering that Philip was
+sufficiently engaged in war with his neighbours to prevent his
+thinking of Italy, the Carthaginians, and his compact with Hannibal,
+he retired to Corcyra.
+
+25. To Philip intelligence of the defection of the Aetolians was
+brought while in winter quarters at Pella. As he was about to march an
+army into Greece at the beginning of the spring, he undertook a sudden
+expedition into the territories of Oricum and Apollonia, in order that
+Macedonia might not be molested by the Illyrians, and the cities
+bordering upon them, in consequence of the terror he would thus strike
+them with in turn. The Apollonians came out to oppose him, but he
+drove them, terrified and dismayed, within their walls. After
+devastating the adjacent parts of Illyricum he turned his course into
+Pelagonia, with the same expedition. He then took Sintia, a town of
+the Dardanians, which would have afforded them a passage into
+Macedonia. Having with the greatest despatch performed these
+achievements, not forgetting the war made upon him by the Aetolians
+and Romans in conjunction, he marched down into Thessaly through
+Pelagonia, Lyncus, and Bottiaea. He trusted that people might be
+induced to take part with him in the war against the Aetolians, and,
+therefore, leaving Perseus with four thousand armed men at the gorge,
+which formed the entrance into Thessaly, to prevent the Aetolians from
+passing it, before he should be occupied with more important business,
+he marched his army into Macedonia, and thence into Thrace and
+Maedica. This nation had been accustomed to make incursions into
+Macedonia when they perceived the king engaged in a foreign war, and
+the kingdom left unprotected. Accordingly, he began to devastate the
+lands in the neighbourhood of Phragandae, and to lay siege to the city
+Jamphorina, the capital and chief fortress of Maedica. Scopas, on
+hearing that the king had gone into Thrace, and was engaged in a war
+there, armed all the Aetolian youths, and prepared to invade
+Acarnania. The Acarnanian nation, unequal to their enemy in point of
+strength, and seeing that they had lost Aeniadae and Nasus, and
+moreover that the Roman arms were threatening them, prepare the war
+rather with rage than prudence. Having sent their wives, children, and
+those who were above sixty years old into the neighbouring parts of
+Epirus, all who were between the ages of fifteen and sixty, bound each
+other by an oath not to return unless victorious. That no one might
+receive into his city or house, or admit to his table or hearth, such
+as should retire from the field vanquished, they drew up a form of
+direful execration against their countrymen who should do so; and the
+most solemn entreaty they could devise, to friendly states. At the
+same time they entreated the Epirotes to bury in one tomb such of
+their men as should fall in the encounter, adding this inscription
+over their remains: HERE LIE THE ACARNANIANS, WHO DIED WHILE FIGHTING
+IN DEFENCE OF THEIR COUNTRY, AGAINST THE VIOLENCE AND INJUSTICE OF THE
+AETOLIANS. Having worked up their courage to the highest pitch by
+these means, they fixed their camp at the extreme borders of their
+country in the way of the enemy; and sending messengers to Philip to
+inform him of the critical situation in which they stood, they obliged
+him to suspend the war in which he was engaged, though he had gained
+possession of Jamphorina by surrender, and had succeeded in other
+respects. The ardour of the Aetolians was damped, in the first
+instance, by the news of the combination formed by the Acarnanians;
+but afterwards the intelligence of Philip's approach compelled them
+even to retreat into the interior of the country. Nor did Philip
+proceed farther than Dium, though he had marched with great expedition
+to prevent the Acarnanians being overpowered; and when he had received
+information that the Aetolians had returned out of Acarnania, he also
+returned to Pella.
+
+26. Laevinus set sail from Corcyra in the beginning of the spring, and
+doubling the promontory Leucate, arrived at Naupactus; when he gave
+notice that he should go thence to Anticyra, in order that Scopas and
+the Aetolians might be ready there to join him. Anticyra is situated
+in Locris, on the left hand as you enter the Corinthian Gulf. The
+distance between Naupactus and this place is short both by sea and
+land. In about three days after, the attack upon this place commenced
+on both elements. The attack from the sea produced the greatest
+effect, because there were on board the ships engines and machines of
+every description, and because the Romans besieged from that quarter.
+In a few days, therefore, the town surrendered, and was delivered over
+to the Aetolians, the booty, according to compact, was given up to the
+Romans. Laevinus then received a letter informing him, that he had
+been elected consul in his absence, and that Publius Sulpicius was
+coming as his successor. He arrived at Rome later than he was
+generally expected, being detained by a lingering illness. Marcus
+Marcellus, having entered upon the consulship on the ides of March,
+assembled the senate on that day merely for form's sake He declared,
+that "in the absence of his colleague he would not enter into any
+question relative to the state or the provinces." He said, "he well
+knew there were crowds of Sicilians in the neighbourhood of the city
+at the country-houses of those who maligned him, whom he was so far
+from wishing to prevent from openly publishing, at Rome, the charges
+which had been circulated and got up against him by his enemies, that
+did they not pretend that they entertained some fear of speaking of a
+consul in the absence of his colleague, he would forthwith have given
+them a hearing of the senate. That when his colleague had arrived, he
+would not allow any business to be transacted before the Sicilians
+were brought before the senate. That Marcus Cornelius had in a manner
+held a levy throughout all Sicily, in order that as many as possible
+might come to Rome to prefer complaints against him, that the same
+person had filled the city with letters containing false
+representations that there was still war in Sicily, in order to
+detract from his merit." The consul, having acquired on that day the
+reputation of having a well-regulated mind, dismissed the senate, and
+it appeared that there would be almost a total suspension of every
+kind of business till the other consul returned to the city. The want
+of employment, as usual, produced expressions of discontent among the
+people. They complained of the length of the war, that the lands
+around the city were devastated wherever Hannibal had marched his
+hostile troops; that Italy was exhausted by levies, and that almost
+every year their armies were cut to pieces, that the consuls elected
+were both of them fond of war, men over-enterprising and impetuous,
+who would probably stir up war in a time of profound peace, and
+therefore were the less likely to allow the state to breathe in time
+of war.
+
+27. A fire which broke out in several places at once in the
+neighbourhood of the forum, on the night before the festival of
+Minerva, interrupted these discourses. Seven shops, where five were
+afterwards erected, and the banks, which are now called the new banks,
+were all on fire at once. Afterwards the private dwellings caught, for
+there were no public halls there then, the prisons called the Quarry,
+the fish-market, and the royal palace. The temple of Vesta was with
+difficulty saved, principally by the exertions of thirteen slaves, who
+were redeemed at the public expense and manumitted. The fire continued
+for a day and a night. It was evident to every body that it was caused
+by human contrivance, because the flames burst forth in several places
+at once, and those at a distance from each other. The consul,
+therefore, on the recommendation of the senate, publicly notified,
+that whoever should make known by whose act the conflagration was
+kindled, should rewarded, if a free-man, with money, if a slave, with
+liberty. Induced by this reward, a slave of the Campanian family, the
+Calavii, named Mannus, gave information that "his masters, with five
+noble Campanian youths, whose parents had been executed by Fulvius,
+were the authors of the fire, and that they would commit various other
+acts of the same kind if they were not seized." Upon this they were
+seized, as well as their slaves. At first, the informer and his
+evidence were disparaged, for that "he had run away from his masters
+the day before in consequence of a whipping, and that from an event
+which had happened by mere chance, he had fabricated this charge, from
+resentment and wantonness." But when they were charged by their
+accusers face to face, and the ministers of their villanies begin to
+be examined in the middle of the forum, they all confessed, and
+punishment was inflicted upon the masters and their accessory slaves.
+The informer received his liberty and twenty thousand _asses_.
+The consul Laevinus, while passing by Capua, was surrounded by a
+multitude of Campanians, who besought him, with tears, that they might
+be permitted to go to Rome to the senate, so that if they could at
+length be in any degree moved by compassion, they might not carry
+their resentment so far as to destroy them utterly, nor suffer the
+very name of the Campanian nation to be obliterated by Quintus
+Flaccus. Flaccus declared, that "he had individually no quarrel with
+the Campanians, but that he did entertain an enmity towards them on
+public grounds and because they were foes, and should continue to do
+so as long as he felt assured that they had the same feelings towards
+the Roman people; for that there was no nation or people on earth more
+inveterate against the Roman name. That his reason for keeping them
+shut up within their walls was, that if any of these got out any where
+they roamed through the country like wild beasts, tearing and
+massacring whatever fell in their way. That some of them had deserted
+to Hannibal, others had gone and set fire to Rome; that the consul
+would find the traces of the villany of the Campanians in the
+half-burnt forum. That the temple of Vesta, the eternal fire, and the
+fatal pledge for the continuance of the Roman empire deposited in the
+shrine, had been the objects of their attack. That in his opinion it
+was extremely unsafe for any Campanians to be allowed to enter the
+walls of Rome." Laevinus ordered the Campanians to follow him to Rome,
+after Flaccus had bound them by an oath to return to Capua on the
+fifth day after receiving an answer from the senate. Surrounded by
+this crowd, and followed also by the Sicilians and Aeolians, who came
+out to meet him, he went to Rome; taking with him into the city as
+accusers of two men who had acquired the greatest celebrity by the
+overthrow of two most renowned cities, those whom they had vanquished
+in war. Both the consuls, however, first proposed to the senate the
+consideration of the state of the commonwealth, and the arrangements
+respecting the provinces.
+
+28. On this occasion Laevinus reported the state of Macedonia and
+Greece, of the Aetolians, Acarnanians, and Locrians, and the services
+he had himself performed there on sea and land. That "Philip, who was
+bringing an army against the Aetolians, had been driven back by him
+into Macedonia, and compelled to retire into the heart of his kingdom.
+That the legion might therefore be withdrawn from that quarter, and
+that the fleet was sufficient to keep the king out of Italy." Thus
+much he said respecting himself and the province where he had
+commanded. The consuls jointly proposed the consideration of the
+provinces, when the senate decreed, that, "Italy and the war with
+Hannibal should form the province of one of the consuls; that the
+other should have the command of the fleet which Titus Otacilius had
+commanded, and the province of Sicily, in conjunction with Lucius
+Cincius, the praetor." The two armies decreed to them were those in
+Etruria and Gaul, consisting of four legions. That the two city
+legions of the former year should be sent into Etruria and the two
+which Sulpicius, the consul, had commanded, into Gaul; that he should
+have the command of Gaul, and the legions there whom the consul, who
+had the province of Italy, should appoint. Caius Calpurnius, having
+his command continued to him for a year after the expiration of his
+praetorship, was sent into Etruria. To Quintus Fulvius also the
+province of Capua was decreed, with his command continued for a year.
+The army of citizens and allies was ordered to be reduced, so that,
+out of two, one legion should be formed consisting of five thousand
+foot and three hundred horse, those being discharged who had served
+the greatest number of campaigns. That of the allies there should be
+left seven thousand infantry and three hundred horse, the same rule
+being observed with regard to the periods of their service in
+discharging the old soldiers. With Cneius Fulvius, the consul of the
+former year, no change was made touching his province of Apulia nor
+his army; only he was continued in command for a year. Publius
+Sulpicius, his colleague, was ordered to discharge the whole of his
+army excepting the marines. It was ordered also, that the army which
+Marcus Cornelius had commanded, should be sent out of Sicily as soon
+as the consul arrived in his province. The soldiers which had fought
+at Cannae, amounting to two legions, were assigned to Lucius Cincius,
+the praetor, for the occupation of Sicily. As many legions were
+assigned to Publius Manlius Vulso, the praetor, for Sardinia, being
+those which Lucius Cornelius had commanded in that province the former
+year. The consuls were directed so to raise legions for the service of
+the city, as not to enlist any one who had served in the armies of
+Marcus Claudius, Marcus Valerius, or Quintus Fulvius, so that the
+Roman legions might not exceed twenty-one that year.
+
+29. After the senate had passed these decrees, the consuls drew lots
+for their provinces. Sicily and the fleet fell to the lot of
+Marcellus; Italy, with the war against Hannibal, to Laevinus. This
+result so terrified the Sicilians, who were standing in sight of the
+consuls waiting the determination of the lots, that their bitter
+lamentations and mournful cries both drew upon them the eyes of all at
+the time, and afterwards furnished matter for conversation. For they
+went round to the several senators in mourning garments, affirming,
+that "they would not only abandon, each of them, his native country,
+but all Sicily, if Marcellus should again go thither with command.
+That he had formerly been implacable toward them for no demerit of
+theirs, what would he do now, when exasperated that they had come to
+Rome to complain of him? That it would be better for that island to be
+overwhelmed with the fires of Aetna, or sunk in the sea, than to be
+delivered up, as it were, for execution to an enemy." These complaints
+of the Sicilians, having been carried round to the houses of the
+nobility, and frequently canvassed in conversations, which were
+prompted partly by compassion for the Sicilians and partly by dislike
+for Marcellus, at length reached the senate also. The consuls were
+requested to take the sense of the senate on an exchange of provinces.
+Marcellus said, that "if the Sicilians had already had an audience of
+the senate, his opinion perhaps might have been different, but as the
+case now stood, lest any one should be able to say that they were
+prevented by fear from freely venting their complaints respecting him,
+to whose power they were presently about to be subject, he was
+willing, if it made no difference to his colleague, to exchange
+provinces with him. That he deprecated a premature decision on the
+part of the senate, for since it would be unjust that his colleague
+should have the power of selecting his province without drawing lots,
+how much greater injustice would it be, nay, rather indignity, for his
+lot to be transferred to him." Accordingly the senate, having rather
+shown than decreed what they wished, adjourned. An exchange of
+provinces was made by the consuls of themselves, fate hurrying on
+Marcellus to encounter Hannibal, that he might be the last of the
+Roman generals, who, by his fall, when the affairs of the war were
+most prosperous, might add to the glory of that man, from whom he
+derived the reputation of having been the first Roman general who
+defeated him.
+
+30. After the provinces had been exchanged, the Sicilians, on being
+introduced into the senate, discoursed largely on the constant
+fidelity of king Hiero to the Roman people, converting it into a
+public merit. They said, "that the tyrants, Hieronymus, and, after
+him, Hippocrates and Epicydes, had been objects of detestation to
+them, both on other accounts and especially on account of then
+deserting the Romans to take part with Hannibal. For this cause
+Hieronymus was put to death by the principal young men among them,
+almost with the public concurrence, and a conspiracy was formed to
+murder Epicydes and Hippocrates, by seventy of the most distinguished
+of their youth; but being left without support in consequence of the
+delay of Marcellus, who neglected to bring up his troops to Syracuse
+at the time agreed upon, they were all, on an indictment that was
+made, put to death by the tyrants. That Marcellus, by the cruelty
+exercised in the sacking of Leontini, had given occasion to the
+tyranny of Hippocrates and Epicydes. From that time the leading men
+among the Syracusans never ceased going over to Marcellus, and
+promising him that they would deliver the city to him whenever he
+pleased; but that he, in the first instance, was disposed rather to
+take it by force, and afterwards, finding it impossible to effect his
+object by sea or land, after trying every means, he preferred having
+Syracuse delivered to him by Sosis, a brazier, and Mericus, a
+Spaniard, to receiving it from the principal men of Syracuse, who had
+so often offered it to him voluntarily to no purpose; doubtless in
+order that he might with a fairer pretext butcher and plunder the most
+ancient allies of the Roman people. If it had not been Hieronymus who
+revolted to Hannibal, but the people and senate of Syracuse; if the
+body of the Syracusan people, and not their tyrants, Hippocrates and
+Epicydes, who held them in thraldom, had closed the gates against
+Marcellus; if they had carried on war with the Roman people with the
+animosity of Carthaginians, what more could Marcellus have done in
+hostility than he did, without levelling Syracuse with the ground?
+Nothing indeed was left at Syracuse except the walls and gutted houses
+of her city, the temples of her gods broken open and plundered; her
+very gods and their ornaments having been carried away. From many
+their possessions also were taken away, so that they were unable to
+support themselves and their families, even from the naked soil, the
+only remains of their plundered property. They entreated the conscript
+fathers, that they would order, if not all, at least such of their
+property as could be found and identified, to be restored to the
+owners." After they had made these complaints, Laevinus ordered them
+to withdraw from the senate-house, that the senate might deliberate on
+their requests, when Marcellus exclaimed, "Nay, rather let them stay
+here, that I may reply to their charges in their presence, since we
+conduct your wars for you, conscript fathers, on the condition of
+having as our accusers those whom we have conquered with our arms. Of
+the two cities which have been captured this year, let Capua arraign
+Fulvius, and Syracuse Marcellus."
+
+31. The deputies having been brought back into the senate-house, the
+consul said: "I am not so unmindful of the dignity of the Roman people
+and of the office I fill as consul, conscript fathers, as to make a
+defence against charges brought by Greeks, had the inquiry related
+only to my own delinquency. But it is not so much what I have done, as
+what they deserved to suffer, which comes into dispute. For if they
+were not our enemies, there was no difference between sacking Syracuse
+then, and when Hiero was alive. But if, on the other hand, they have
+renounced their connexion with us, attacked our ambassadors sword in
+hand, shut us out of their city and walls, and defended themselves
+against us with an army of Carthaginians, who can feel indignant that
+they should suffer the hostilities they have offered? I turned away
+from the leading men of the Syracusans, when they were desirous of
+delivering up the city to me, and esteemed Sosis and Mericus as more
+proper persons for so important an affair. Now you are not the meanest
+of the Syracusans, who reproach others with the meanness of their
+condition. But who is there among you, who has promised that he would
+open the gates to me, and receive my armed troops within the city? You
+hate and execrate those who did so; and not even here can you abstain
+from speaking with insult of them; so far is it from being the case
+that you would yourselves have done any thing of the kind. The very
+meanness of the condition of those persons, conscript fathers, with
+which these men reproach them, forms the strongest proof that I did
+not turn away from any man who was willing to render a service to our
+state. Before I began the siege of Syracuse I attempted a peace, at
+one time by sending ambassadors, at another time by going to confer
+with them; and after that they refrained not from laying violent hands
+on my ambassadors, nor would give me an answer when I held an
+interview with their chief men at their gates, then, at length, after
+suffering many hardships by sea and land, I took Syracuse by force of
+arms. Of what befell them after their city was captured they would
+complain with more justice to Hannibal, the Carthaginians, and those
+who were vanquished with them, than to the senate of the victorious
+people. If, conscript fathers, I had intended to conceal the fact that
+I had despoiled Syracuse, I should never have decorated the city of
+Rome with her spoils. As to what things I either took from individuals
+or bestowed upon them, as conqueror, I feel assured that I have acted
+agreeably to the laws of war, and the deserts of each. That you should
+confirm what I have done, conscript fathers, certainly concerns the
+commonwealth more than myself, since I have discharged my duty
+faithfully; but it is the duty of the state to take care, lest, by
+rescinding my acts, they should render other commanders for the time
+to come less zealous. And since, conscript fathers, you have heard
+both what the Sicilians and I had to say, in the presence of each
+other, we will go out of the senate-house together, in order that in
+my absence the senate may deliberate more freely." Accordingly, the
+Sicilians having been dismissed, he himself also went away to the
+Capitol to levy soldiers.
+
+32. The other consul then proposed to the fathers the consideration of
+the requests of the Sicilians, when a long debate took place. A great
+part of the senate acquiesced in an opinion which originated with
+Titus Manlius Torquatus, "that the war ought to have been carried on
+against the tyrants, the enemies both of the Syracusans and the Roman
+people; that the city ought to have been recovered, not captured; and,
+when recovered, should have been firmly established under its ancient
+laws and liberty, and not distressed by war, when worn out with a
+wretched state of bondage. That in the contest between the tyrants and
+the Roman general, that most beautiful and celebrated city, formerly
+the granary and treasury of the Roman people, which was held up as the
+reward of the victor, had been destroyed; a city by whose munificence
+and bounty the commonwealth had been assisted and adorned on many
+occasions, and lastly, during this very Punic war. Should king Hiero,
+that most faithful friend of the Roman empire, rise from the shades,
+with what face could either Syracuse or Rome be shown to him, when,
+after beholding his half-demolished and plundered native city, he
+should see, on entering Rome, the spoils of his country in the
+vestibule, as it were, of the city, and almost in the very gates?"
+Although these and other similar things were said, to throw odium upon
+the consul and excite compassion for the Sicilians, yet the fathers,
+out of regard for Marcellus, passed a milder decree, to the effect,
+"that what Marcellus had done while prosecuting the war, and when
+victorious, should be confirmed. That for the time to come, the senate
+would look to the affairs of Syracuse, and would give it in charge to
+the consul Laevinus, to consult the interest of that state, so far as
+it could be done without detriment to the commonwealth." Two senators
+having been sent to the Capitol to request the consul to return to the
+senate-house, and the Sicilians having been called in, the decree of
+the senate was read. The deputies were addressed in terms of kindness,
+and dismissed, when they threw themselves at the knees of the consul,
+Marcellus, beseeching him to pardon them for what they had said for
+the purpose of exciting compassion, and procuring relief from their
+calamities, and to receive themselves and the city of Syracuse under
+his protection and patronage; after which, the consul addressed them
+kindly and dismissed them.
+
+33. An audience of the senate was then granted to the Campanians.
+Their speech was more calculated to excite compassion, but their case
+less favourable, for neither could they deny that they deserved the
+punishment they had suffered, nor were there any tyrants to whom they
+could transfer their guilt. But they trusted that sufficient atonement
+had been made by the death of so many of their senators by poison and
+the hands of the executioner. They said, "that a few only of their
+nobles remained, being such as were not induced by the consciousness
+of their demerit to adopt any desperate measure respecting themselves,
+and had not been condemned to death through the resentment of their
+conquerors. That these implored the restoration of their liberty, and
+some portion of their goods for themselves and families, being
+citizens of Rome, and most of them connected with the Romans by
+affinity and now too near relationship, in consequence of
+intermarriages which had taken place for a long period." After this
+they were removed from the senate-house, when for a short time doubts
+were entertained whether it would be right or not to send for Quintus
+Fulvius from Capua, (for Claudius, the proconsul, died after the
+capture of that place,) that the question might be canvassed in the
+presence of the general who had been concerned, as was done in the
+affair between Marcellus and the Sicilians. But afterwards, when they
+saw in the senate Marcus Atilius, and Caius Fulvius, the brother of
+Flaccus, his lieutenant-generals, and Quintus Minucius, and Lucius
+Veturius Philo, who were also his lieutenant-generals, who had been
+present at every transaction; and being unwilling that Fulvius should
+be recalled from Capua, or the Campanians put off, Marcus Atilius
+Regulus, who possessed the greatest weight of any of those present who
+had been at Capua, being asked his opinion, thus spoke: "I believe I
+assisted at the council held by the consuls after the capture of
+Capua, when inquiry was made whether any of the Campanians had
+deserved well of our state; and it was found that two women had done
+so; Vestia Oppia, a native of Atella and an inhabitant of Capua, and
+Faucula Cluvia, formerly a common woman. The former had daily offered
+sacrifice for the safety and success of the Roman people, and the
+latter had clandestinely supplied the starving prisoners with food.
+The sentiments of all the rest of the Campanians towards us had been
+the same," he said, "as those of the Carthaginians; and those who had
+been decapitated by Fulvius, were the most conspicuous in rank, but
+not in guilt. I do not see," said he, "how the senate can decide
+respecting the Campanians who are Roman citizens, without an order of
+the people. And the course adopted by our ancestors, in the case of
+the Satricani when they had revolted, was, that Marcus Antistius, the
+plebeian tribune, should first propose and the commons make an order,
+that the senate should have the power of pronouncing judgment upon the
+Satricani. I therefore give it as my opinion, that application should
+be made to the plebeian tribunes, that one or more of them should
+propose to the people a bill, by which we may be empowered to
+determine in the case of the Campanians." Lucius Atilius, plebeian
+tribune, proposed to the people, on the recommendation of the senate,
+a bill to the following effect: "Concerning all the Campanians,
+Atellanians, Calatinians, and Sabatinians, who have surrendered
+themselves to the proconsul Fulvius, and have placed themselves under
+the authority and dominion of the Roman people; also concerning what
+things they have surrendered, together with their persons, both lands
+and city, divine or human, together with their utensils and whatsoever
+else they have surrendered; concerning these things, Roman citizens, I
+ask you what it is your pleasure should be done." The commons thus
+ordered: "Whatsoever the senate on oath, or the majority of those
+present, may determine, that we will and order."
+
+34. The senate having taken the matter into their consideration in
+conformity with this order of the people, first restored to Oppia and
+Cluvia their goods and liberty; directing, that if they wished to
+solicit any other rewards from the senate, they should come to Rome.
+Separate decrees were passed respecting each of the Campanian
+families, all of which it is not worth while to enumerate. The goods
+of some were to be confiscated; themselves, their children, and their
+wives were to be sold, excepting such of their daughters as had
+married before they came into the power of the Roman people. Others
+were ordered to be thrown into chains, and their cases to be
+considered at a future time. They made the amount of income the ground
+on which they decided, whether the goods of the rest of the Campanians
+should be confiscated or not. They voted, that all the cattle taken
+except the horses, all the slaves except adult males, and every thing
+which did not belong to the soil, should be restored to the owners.
+They ordered that all the Campanians, Atellanians, Calatinians, and
+Sabatinians, except such as were themselves, or whose parents were,
+among the enemy, should be free, with a proviso, that none of them
+should become a Roman citizen or a Latin confederate; and that none of
+those who had been at Capua while the gates were shut should remain in
+the city or territory of Capua after a certain day. That a place
+should be assigned to them to inhabit beyond the Tiber, but not
+contiguous to it. That those who had neither been in Capua nor in any
+Campanian city which had revolted from the Romans during the war,
+should inhabit a place on this side the river Liris towards Rome; and
+that those who had come over to the Romans before Hannibal arrived at
+Capua, should be removed to a place on this side the Vulturnus, with a
+proviso, that none of them should have either land or house within
+fifteen miles of the sea. That such of them as were removed to a place
+beyond the Tiber, should neither themselves nor their posterity
+acquire or possess any property any where, except in the Veientian,
+Sutrian, or Nepetian territories; and, except on condition, that no
+one should possess a greater extent of land than fifty acres. That the
+goods of all the senators, and such as had been magistrates at Capua,
+Calatia, and Atella, should be sold at Capua; but that the free
+persons who were decreed to be exposed to sale, should be sent to Rome
+and sold there. As to the images and brazen statues, which were said
+to have been taken from the enemy, whether sacred or profane, they
+referred them to the college of pontiffs. They sent the Campanians
+away, considerably more grieved than they were when they came, in
+consequence of these decrees; and now they no longer complained of the
+severity of Quintus Fulvius towards them, but of the malignity of the
+gods and their own accursed fortune.
+
+35. After the Sicilians and Campanians were dismissed, a levy was
+made; and after the troops had been enlisted for the army, they then
+began to consider about making up the number of rowers; but as there
+was neither a sufficient supply of men for that purpose, nor any money
+at that time in the treasury by which they might be purchased or paid,
+the consuls issued an edict, that private persons should furnish
+rowers in proportion to their income and rank, as had been done
+before, with pay and provisions for thirty days. So great was the
+murmuring and indignation of the people, on account of this edict,
+that a leader, rather than matter, was wanting for an insurrection. It
+was said, that "the consuls, after having ruined the Sicilians and
+Campanians, had undertaken to destroy and lacerate the Roman commons;
+that, drained as they had been for so many years by taxes, they had
+nothing left but wasted and naked lands. That the enemy had burned
+their houses, and the state had taken away their slaves, who were the
+cultivators of their lands, at one time by purchasing them at a low
+rate for soldiers, at another by commanding a supply of rowers. If any
+one had any silver or brass it was taken away from him, for the
+payment of rowers or for annual taxes. That no force could compel and
+no command oblige them to give what they had not got. That they might
+sell their goods and then vent their cruelty on their persons, which
+were all that remained to them. That they had nothing even left from
+which they could be redeemed." These complaints were uttered not in
+secret, but publicly in the forum, and before the eyes of the consuls
+themselves, by an immense crowd which surrounded them; nor could the
+consuls appease them now by coercing nor by soothing them. Upon this
+they said that three days should be allowed them to consider of the
+matter; which interval the consuls employed in examining and planning.
+The following day they assembled the senate to consider of raising a
+supply of rowers; and after arguing at great length that the people's
+refusal was fair, they brought their discourse to this point, that
+whether it were just or unjust, this burden must be borne by private
+individuals. For from what source could they procure rowers, when
+there was no money in the treasury? and how, without fleets, could
+Sicily be kept in subjection, or Philip be prevented from entering
+Italy, or the shores of Italy be protected?
+
+36. In this perplexing state of affairs, when all deliberation was at
+a stand, and a kind of torpor had seized on men's minds, Laevinus, the
+consul, observed, that "as the magistrates were more honoured than the
+senators, and the senators than the people, so also ought they to be
+the first in taking upon themselves every thing that was burdensome
+and arduous. If you would enjoin any duty on an inferior, and would
+first submit yourself and those belonging to you to the obligation,
+you will find everybody else more ready to obey; nor is an expense
+thought heavy, when the people see every one of their principal men
+taking upon himself more than his proportion of it. Are we then
+desirous that the Roman people should have and equip a fleet? that
+private individuals should without repugnance furnish rowers? Let us
+first execute the command ourselves. Let us, senators, bring into the
+treasury to-morrow all our gold, silver, and coined brass, each
+reserving rings for himself, his wife, and children, and a bulla for
+his son; and he who has a wife or daughters, an ounce weight of gold
+for each. Let those who have sat in a curule chair have the ornaments
+of a horse, and a pound weight of silver, that they may have a
+salt-cellar and a dish for the service of the gods. Let the rest of
+us, senators, reserve for each father of a family, a pound weight only
+of silver and five thousand coined _asses_. All the rest of our
+gold, silver, and coined brass, let us immediately carry to the
+triumviri for banking affairs, no decree of the senate having been
+previously made; that our voluntary contributions, and our emulation
+in assisting the state, may excite the minds, first, of the equestrian
+order to emulate us, and after them of the rest of the community. This
+is the only course which we, your consuls, after much conversation on
+the subject, have been able to discover. Adopt it, then, and may the
+gods prosper the measure. If the state is preserved, she can easily
+secure the property of her individual members, but by betraying the
+public interests you would in vain preserve your own." This
+proposition was received with such entire approbation, that thanks
+were spontaneously returned to the consuls. The senate was then
+adjourned, when every one of the members brought his gold, silver, and
+brass into the treasury, with such emulation excited, that they were
+desirous that their names should appear among the first on the public
+tables; so that neither the triumviri were sufficient for receiving
+nor the notaries for entering them. The unanimity displayed by the
+senate was imitated by the equestrian order, and that of the
+equestrian order by the commons. Thus, without any edict, or coercion
+of the magistrates, the state neither wanted rowers to make up the
+numbers, nor money to pay them; and after every thing had been got in
+readiness for the war, the consuls set out for their provinces.
+
+37. Nor was there ever any period of the war, when both the
+Carthaginians and the Romans, plunged alike in vicissitudes, were in a
+state of more anxious suspense between hope and fear. For on the side
+of the Romans, with respect to their provinces, their failure in Spain
+on the one hand, and their successes in Sicily on the other, had
+blended joy and sorrow; and in Italy, the loss of Tarentum was an
+injury and a source of grief to them, while the unexpected
+preservation of the citadel with the garrison was matter of joy to
+them. The sudden terror and panic occasioned by the siege and attack
+of Rome, was turned into joy by the capture of Capua, a few days
+after. Their affairs beyond sea also were equalized by a kind of
+compensation. Philip had become their enemy at a juncture somewhat
+unseasonable; but then the Aetolians, and Attalus, king of Asia, were
+added to their allies; fortune now, in a manner, promising to the
+Romans the empire of the east. The Carthaginians also set the loss of
+Capua against the capture of Tarentum; and as they considered it as
+glorious to them to have reached the walls of Rome without opposition,
+so they were chagrined at the failure of their attempt, and they felt
+ashamed that they had been held in such contempt, that while they lay
+under the walls of Rome, a Roman army was marched out for Spain at an
+opposite gate. With regard also to Spain itself, the greater the
+reason was to hope that the war there was terminated, and that the
+Romans were driven from the country, after the destruction of two such
+renowned generals and their armies, so much the greater was the
+indignation felt, that the victory had been rendered void and
+fruitless by Lucius Marcius, a general irregularly appointed. Thus
+fortune balancing events against each other, all was suspense and
+uncertainty on both sides, their hopes and their fears being as strong
+as though they were now first commencing the war.
+
+38. What grieved Hannibal more than any thing was the fact, that Capua
+having been more perseveringly besieged by the Romans than defended by
+him, had turned from him the regard of many of the states of Italy,
+and it was not only impossible for him to retain possession of all
+these by means of garrisons, unless he could make up his mind to tear
+his army into a number of small portions, which at that time was most
+inexpedient, but he could not, by withdrawing the garrisons, leave the
+fidelity of his allies open to the influence of hope, or subject to
+that of fear. His disposition, which was strongly inclined to avarice
+and cruelty, induced him to plunder the places he could not keep
+possession of, that they might be left for the enemy in a state of
+desolation. This resolution was equally horrid in principle and in its
+issue, for not only were the affections of those who suffered such
+harsh treatment alienated from him, but also of the other states, for
+the warning affected a greater number than did the calamity. Nor did
+the Roman consul fail to sound the inclinations of the cities,
+whenever any prospect of success presented itself. Dasius and Blasius
+were the principal men in Salapia, Dasius was the friend of Hannibal,
+Blasius, as far as he could do it with safety, promoted the Roman
+interest, and, by means of secret messengers, had given Marcellus
+hopes of having the place betrayed to him, but the business could not
+be accomplished without the assistance of Dasius. After much and long
+hesitation and even then more for the want of a better plan than from
+any hope of success, he addressed himself to Dasius; but he, being
+both adverse to the measure and also hostile to his rival in the
+government, discovered the affair to Hannibal. Both parties were
+summoned, and while Hannibal was transacting some business on his
+tribunal, intending presently to take cognizance of the case of
+Blasius, and the accuser and the accused were standing apart from the
+crowd, which was put back, Blasius solicited Dasius on the subject of
+surrendering the city; when he exclaimed, as if the case were now
+clearly proved, that he was being treated with about the betrayal of
+the city, even before the eyes of Hannibal. The more audacious the
+proceeding was, the less probable did it appear to Hannibal and those
+who were present. They considered that the charge was undoubtedly a
+matter of rivalry and animosity, and that it had been brought because
+it was of such a nature that, not admitting of being proved by
+witnesses, it could the more easily be fabricated. Accordingly the
+parties were dismissed. But Blasius, notwithstanding, desisted not
+from his bold undertaking, till by continually harping upon the same
+subject, and proving how conducive such a measure would be to
+themselves and their country, he carried his point that the Punic
+garrison, consisting of five hundred Numidians, and Salapia, should be
+delivered up to Marcellus. Nor could it be betrayed without much
+bloodshed, consisting of the bravest of the cavalry in the whole Punic
+army. Accordingly, though the event was unexpected, and their horses
+were of no use to them in the city, yet hastily taking arms, during
+the confusion, they endeavoured to force their way out; and not being
+able to escape, they fell fighting to the last, not more than fifty of
+them falling into the hands of the enemy alive. The loss of this body
+of cavalry was considerably more detrimental to Hannibal than that of
+Salapia, for the Carthaginian was never afterwards superior in
+cavalry, in which he had before been most effective.
+
+39. During this time the scarcity of provisions in the citadel of
+Tarentum was almost intolerable; the Roman garrison there, and Marcus
+Livius, the praefect of the garrison and the citadel, placing all
+their dependence in the supplies sent from Sicily; that these might
+safely pass along the coast of Italy, a fleet of about twenty ships
+was stationed at Rhegium. Decius Quinctius, a man of obscure birth,
+but who had acquired great renown as a soldier, on account of many
+acts of bravery, had charge of the fleet and the convoys. At first he
+had five ships, the largest of which were two triremes, given to him
+by Marcellus, but afterwards, in consequence of his spirited conduct
+on many occasions, three quinqueremes were added to his number, at
+last, by exacting from the allied states of Rhegium, Velia, and
+Paestum, the ships they were bound to furnish according to treaty, he
+made up a fleet of twenty ships, as was before stated. This fleet
+setting out from Rhegium, was met at Sacriportus, about fifteen miles
+from the city by Democrates, with an equal number of Tarentine ships.
+It happened that the Roman was then coming with his sails up, not
+expecting an approaching contest, but in the neighbourhood of Croto
+and Sybaris, he had supplied his ships with rowers, and had his fleet
+excellently equipped and armed for the size of his vessels, and it
+also happened, that just at the time when the enemy were in sight, the
+wind completely fell, so that there was sufficient time to furl their
+sails, and get their rowers and soldiers in readiness for the
+approaching action. Rarely elsewhere have regular fleets engaged with
+so much spirit, for they fought for what was of greater importance
+than the fleets themselves. The Tarentines, in order that, having
+recovered their city from the Romans after the lapse of almost a
+century, they might also rescue their citadel, hoping also to cut off
+the supplies of their enemy, if by a naval battle they could deprive
+them of the dominion of the sea. The Romans, that, by keeping
+possession of the citadel, they might prove that Tarentum was lost not
+by the strength and valour of their enemies, but by treachery and
+stealth. Accordingly, the signal having been given on both sides, they
+charged each other with the beaks of their ships, and neither did they
+draw back their own, nor allow the ships of the enemy with which they
+were engaged to separate from them, having thrown then grappling
+irons, and thus the battle was carried on in such close quarters, that
+they fought not only with missile weapons, but in a manner foot to
+foot even with their swords. The prows joined together remained
+stationary, while the sterns were moved round by the force of their
+adversaries' oars. The ships were crowded together in so small a
+compass, that scarcely one weapon fell into the sea without taking
+effect. They pressed front against front like lines of troops engaging
+on land, and the combatants could pass from one ship to another. But
+the contest between two ships which had engaged each other in the van,
+was remarkable above the rest. In the Roman ship was Quinctius
+himself, in the Tarentine, Nico, surnamed Perco, who hated, and was
+hated by, the Romans, not only on public grounds, but also personally,
+for he belonged to that faction which had betrayed Tarentum to
+Hannibal. This man transfixed Quinctius with a spear while off his
+guard, and engaged at once in fighting and encouraging his men, and he
+immediately fell headlong with his arms over the prow. The victorious
+Tarentine promptly boarded the ship, which was all in confusion from
+the loss of the commander, and when he had driven the enemy back, and
+the Tarentines had got possession of the prow, the Romans, who had
+formed themselves into a compact body, with difficulty defending the
+stern, suddenly another trireme of the enemy appeared at the stern.
+Thus the Roman ship, enclosed between the two, was captured. Upon this
+a panic spread among the rest, seeing the commander's ship captured,
+and flying in every direction, some were sunk in the deep and some
+rowed hastily to land, where, shortly after, they became a prey to the
+Thurians and Metapontines. Of the storeships which followed, laden
+with provisions, a very few fell into the hands of the enemy; the
+rest, shifting their sails from one side to another with the changing
+winds, escaped into the open sea. An affair took place at Tarentum at
+this time, which was attended with widely different success; for a
+party of four thousand men had gone out to forage, and while they were
+dispersed, and roaming through the country, Livius, the commander of
+the citadel and the Roman garrison, who was anxious to seize every
+opportunity of striking a blow, sent out of the citadel Caius Persius,
+an active officer, with two thousand soldiers, who attacked them
+suddenly when widely dispersed and straggling about the fields; and
+after slaying them for a long time on all hands, drove the few that
+remained of so many into the city, to which they fled in alarm and
+confusion, and where they rushed in at the doors of the gates, which
+were half-opened that the city might not be taken in the same attack.
+In this manner affairs were equally balanced at Tarentum, the Romans
+being victorious by land, and the Tarentines by sea. Both parties were
+equally disappointed in their hope of receiving provisions after they
+were within sight.
+
+40. While these events were occurring, the consul, Laevinus, after a
+great part of the year had elapsed, having arrived in Sicily, where he
+had been expected by both the old and new allies, considered it his
+first and principal duty to adjust the affairs of Syracuse, which were
+still in a state of disorder, the peace being but recent. He then
+marched his legions to Agrigentum, the seat of the remaining part of
+the war, which was occupied by a strong garrison of Carthaginians; and
+here fortune favoured his attempt. Hanno was commander-in-chief of
+the Carthaginians, but their whole reliance was placed upon Mutines
+and the Numidians. Mutines, scouring the whole of Sicily, employed
+himself in carrying off spoil from the allies of the Romans; nor could
+he by force or stratagem be cut off from Agrigentum, or prevented from
+sallying from it whenever he pleased. The renown which he gained by
+this conduct, as it began now to eclipse the fame of the
+commander-in-chief, was at last converted into a source of jealousy;
+so that even now his successes were not as acceptable as they ought to
+have been, on account of the person who gained them. For these reasons
+Hanno at last gave his commission to his own son, concluding that by
+taking away his command he should also deprive him of the influence he
+possessed with the Numidians. But the result was very different; for
+their former attachment to him was increased by the envy incurred by
+him. Nor did he brook the affront put upon him by this injurious
+treatment, but immediately sent secret messengers to Laevinus, to
+treat about delivering up Agrigentum. After an agreement had been
+entered into by means of these persons, and the mode of carrying it
+into execution concerted, the Numidians seized on a gate which leads
+towards the sea, having driven the guards from it, or put them to the
+sword, and then received into the city a party of Romans sent for that
+purpose; and when these troops were now marching into the heart of the
+city and the forum with a great noise, Hanno, concluding that it was
+nothing more than a disturbance and secession of the Numidians, such
+as had happened before, advanced to quell the mutiny; but observing at
+a distance that the numbers were greater than those of the Numidians,
+and hearing the Roman shout, which was far from being new to him, he
+betook himself to flight before he came within reach of their weapons.
+Passing out of the town at a gate in the opposite quarter, and taking
+Epicydes to accompany him, he reached the sea with a few attendants;
+and having very seasonably met with a small vessel, they abandoned to
+the enemy Sicily, for which they had contended for so many years, and
+crossed over into Africa. The remaining multitude of Carthaginians and
+Sicilians fled with headlong haste, but as every passage by which they
+could escape was blockaded up, they were cut to pieces near the gates.
+On gaining possession of the town, Laevinus scourged and beheaded
+those who took the lead in the affairs of Agrigentum. The rest,
+together with the booty, he sold. All the money he sent to Rome.
+Accounts of the sufferings of the Agrigentines spreading through all
+Sicily, all the states suddenly turned to the Romans. In a short time
+twenty towns were betrayed to them, and six taken by storm. As many as
+forty put themselves under their protection, by voluntary surrender.
+The consul having rewarded and punished the leading men of these
+states, according to their several deserts, and compelled the
+Sicilians, now that they had at length laid aside arms, to turn their
+attention to the cultivation of their lands, in order that the island
+might by its produce not only maintain its inhabitants, but, as it had
+frequently done on many former occasions, add to the supplies of Rome
+and Italy, he returned into Italy, taking with him a disorderly
+multitude from Agathyrna. These were as many as four thousand men,
+made up of a mixed assemblage of every description of persons, exiles,
+bankrupts, the greater part of them felons, who had supported
+themselves by rapine and robbery, both when they lived in their native
+towns, under the restraint of the laws, and also after that a
+coincidence in their fortunes, brought about by causes different in
+each case, had congregated them at Agathyrna. These men Laevinus
+thought it hardly safe to leave in the island, when an unwonted
+tranquillity was growing up, as the materials of fresh disturbances;
+and besides, they were likely to be useful to the Rhegians, who were
+in want of a band of men habituated to robbery, for the purpose of
+committing depredations upon the Bruttian territory. Thus, so far as
+related to Sicily, the war was this year terminated.
+
+41. In Spain, in the beginning of spring, Publius Scipio, having
+launched his ships, and summoned the auxiliary troops of his allies to
+Tarraco by an edict, ordered his fleet and transports to proceed
+thence to the mouth of the Iberus. He also ordered his legions to quit
+their winter quarters, and meet at the same place; and then set out
+from Tarraco, with five thousand of the allies, to join the army. On
+his arrival at the camp he considered it right to harangue his
+soldiers, particularly the old ones who had survived such dreadful
+disasters; and therefore, calling an assembly, he thus addressed them:
+"Never was there a new commander before myself who could, with justice
+and good reason, give thanks to his soldiers before he had availed
+himself of their services. Fortune laid me under obligations to you
+before I set eyes on my province or your camp; first, on account of
+the respect you have shown to my father and uncle, both in their
+lifetime and since their death; and secondly, because by your valour
+you have recovered and preserved entire, for the Roman people, and me
+their successor, the possession of the province which had been lost in
+consequence of so dreadful a calamity. But since, now, by the favour
+of the gods, our purpose and endeavour is not that we may remain in
+Spain ourselves, but that the Carthaginians may not; and not to stand
+on the bank of the Iberus, and hinder the enemy from crossing that
+river, but cross it first ourselves, and carry the war to the other
+side, I fear lest to some among you the enterprise should appear too
+important and daring, considering your late misfortunes, which are
+fresh in your recollection, and my years. There is no person from
+whose mind the memory of the defeats sustained in Spain could be
+obliterated with more difficulty than from mine; inasmuch as there my
+father and uncle were both slain within the space of thirty days, so
+that one death after another was accumulated on my family. But as the
+orphanhood and desolation of my own family depresses my mind, so both
+the good fortune and valour of our nation forbid me to despair of the
+safety of the state. It has happened to us by a kind of fatality, that
+in all important wars we have been victorious, after having been
+defeated. I pass over those wars of ancient date with Porsena, the
+Gauls, and Samnites. I will begin with the Punic wars. How many
+fleets, generals, and armies were lost in the former war? Why should I
+mention what has occurred in this present war? I have either been
+myself present at all the defeats sustained, or have felt more than
+any other those from which I was absent. What else are the Trebia, the
+Trasimenus, and Cannae, but monuments of Roman armies and consuls
+slain? Add to these the defection of Italy, of the greater part of
+Sicily and Sardinia, and the last terror and panic, the Carthaginian
+camp pitched between the Anio and the walls of Rome, and the
+victorious Hannibal seen almost in our gates. Amid this general ruin,
+the courage of the Roman people alone stood unabated and unshaken.
+When every thing lay prostrate on the ground, it was this that raised
+and supported the state. You, first of all, my soldiers, under the
+conduct and auspices of my father, opposed Hasdrubal on his way to the
+Alps and Italy, after the defeat of Cannae, who, had he formed a
+junction with his brother, the Roman name would now have been extinct.
+These successes formed a counterpoise to those defeats. Now, by the
+favour of the gods, every thing in Italy and Sicily is going on
+prosperously and successfully, every day affording matter of fresh
+joy, and presenting things in a better light. In Sicily, Syracuse and
+Agrigentum have been captured, the enemy entirely expelled the island,
+and the province placed again under the dominion of the Romans. In
+Italy, Arpi has been recovered and Capua taken. Hannibal has been
+driven into the remotest corner of Bruttium, having fled thither all
+the way from Rome, in the utmost confusion; and now he asks the gods
+no greater boon than that he might be allowed to retire in safety, and
+quit the territory of his enemy. What then, my soldiers, could be more
+preposterous than that you, who here supported the tottering fortune
+of the Roman people, together with my parents, (for they may be
+equally associated in the honour of that epithet,) when calamities
+crowded one upon another in quick succession, and even the gods
+themselves, in a manner, took part with Hannibal, should now sink in
+spirits when every thing is going on happily and prosperously? Even
+with regard to the events which have recently occurred, I could wish
+that they had passed with as little grief to me as to you. At the
+present time the immortal gods who preside over the destinies of the
+Roman empire, who inspired all the centuries to order the command to
+be given to me, those same gods, I say, by auguries and auspices, and
+even by nightly visions, portend entire success and joy. My own mind
+also, which has hitherto been to me the truest prophet, presages that
+Spain will be ours; that the whole Carthaginian name will in a short
+time be banished from this land, and will fill both sea and land with
+ignominious flight. What my mind presages spontaneously, is also
+supported by sound reasoning. Their allies, annoyed by them, are by
+ambassadors imploring our protection; their three generals, having
+differed so far as almost to have abandoned each other, have divided
+their army into three parts, which they have drawn off into regions as
+remote as possible from each other. The same fortune now threatens
+them which lately afflicted us; for they are both deserted by their
+allies, as formerly we were by the Celtiberians, and they have divided
+their forces, which occasioned the ruin of my father and uncle.
+Neither will their intestine differences allow them to unite, nor will
+they be able to cope with us singly. Only do you, my soldiers, favour
+the name of the Scipios, favour the offspring of your generals, a
+scion springing up from the trunks which have been cut down. Come
+then, veterans, lead your new commander and your new army across the
+Iberus, lead us across into a country which you have often traversed,
+with many a deed of valour. I will soon bring it to pass that, as you
+now trace in me a likeness to my father and uncle in my features,
+countenance, and figure, I will so restore a copy of their genius,
+honour, and courage, to you, that every man of you shall say that his
+commander, Scipio, has either returned to life, or has been born
+again."
+
+42. Having animated his troops with this harangue, and leaving Marcus
+Silanus with three thousand infantry and three hundred horse, for the
+protection of that district, he crossed the Iberus with all the rest
+of his troops, consisting of twenty-five thousand infantry and two
+thousand five hundred horse. Though certain persons there endeavoured
+to persuade him that, as the Carthaginian armies had retired from each
+other into three such distant quarters, he should attack the nearest
+of them; yet concluding that if he did so there was danger lest he
+should cause them to concentrate all their forces, and he alone should
+not be a match for so many, he determined for the present to make an
+attack upon New Carthage, a city not only possessing great wealth of
+its own, but also full of every kind of military store belonging to
+the enemy; there were their arms, their money, and the hostages from
+every part of Spain. It was, besides, conveniently situated, not only
+for a passage into Africa, but also near a port sufficiently capacious
+for a fleet of any magnitude, and, for aught I know, the only one on
+the coast of Spain which is washed by our sea. No one but Caius
+Laelius knew whither he was going. He was sent round with the fleet,
+and ordered so to regulate the sailing of his ships, that the army
+might come in view and the fleet enter the harbour at the same time.
+Both the fleet and army arrived at the same time at New Carthage, on
+the seventh day after leaving the Iberus. The camp was pitched over
+against that part of the city which looks to the north. A rampart was
+thrown up as a defence on the rear of it, for the front was secured by
+the nature of the ground. Now the situation of New Carthage is as
+follows: at about the middle of the coast of Spain is a bay facing for
+the most part the south-west, about two thousand five hundred paces in
+depth, and a little more in breadth. In the mouth of this bay is a
+small island forming a barrier towards the sea, and protecting the
+harbour from every wind except the south-west. From the bottom of the
+bay there runs out a peninsula, which forms the eminence on which the
+city is built; which is washed in the east and south by the sea, and
+on the west is enclosed by a lake which extends a little way also
+towards the north, of variable depth according as the sea overflows or
+ebbs. An isthmus of about two hundred paces broad connects the city
+with the continent, on which, though it would have been a work of so
+little labour, the Roman general did not raise a rampart; whether his
+object was to make a display of his confidence to the enemy from
+motives of pride, or that he might have free regress when frequently
+advancing to the walls of the city.
+
+43. Having completed the other requisite works, he drew up his ships
+in the harbour, that he might exhibit to the enemy the appearance of a
+blockade by sea also; he then went round the fleet, and having warned
+the commanders of the ships to be particularly careful in keeping the
+night-watches, because an enemy, when besieged, usually tried every
+effort and in every quarter at first, he returned into his camp; and
+in order to explain to his soldiers the reason why he had adopted the
+plan of commencing the war with the siege of a city, in preference to
+any other, and also by exhortations to inspire them with hopes of
+making themselves masters of it, he summoned them to an assembly, and
+thus addressed them: "Soldiers, if any one among you suppose that you
+have been brought here to attack a single city, that man takes a more
+exact account of your present labour than of its profitable result
+from it. For you will in truth attack the walls of a single city, but
+in that single city you will have made yourselves masters of all
+Spain. Here are the hostages of all her most distinguished kings and
+states; and as soon as you shall have gained possession of these, they
+will immediately deliver into your hands every thing which is now
+subject to the Carthaginians. Here is the whole of the enemy's
+treasure, without which they cannot carry on the war, as they are
+keeping mercenary troops, and which will be most serviceable to us in
+conciliating the affections of the barbarians. Here are their engines,
+their arms, their tackle, and every requisite in war; which will at
+once supply you, and leave the enemy destitute. Besides, we shall gain
+possession of a city, not only of the greatest beauty and wealth, but
+also most convenient as having an excellent harbour, by means of which
+we may be supplied with every requisite for carrying on the war both
+by sea and land. Great as are the advantages we shall thus gain, we
+shall deprive our enemies of much greater. This is their citadel,
+their granary, their treasury, their magazine, their receptacle for
+every thing. Hence there is a direct passage into Africa; this is the
+only station for a fleet between the Pyrenees and Gades; this gives to
+Africa the command of all Spain. But as I perceive you are arrayed and
+marshalled, let us pass on to the assault of New Carthage, with our
+whole strength, and with undaunted courage." Upon this, they all with,
+one accord cried out that it should be done; and he led them to
+Carthage, and ordered that the assault should be made both by sea and
+land.
+
+44. On the other side, Mago, the Carthaginian general, perceiving that
+a siege was being prepared for both by sea and land, himself also
+disposed his forces thus: he placed two thousand of the townsmen to
+oppose the enemy, on the side facing the Roman camp; he occupied the
+citadel with five hundred soldiers, and stationed five hundred on a
+rising ground, facing the east; the rest of his troops he ordered,
+intent on every thing that occurred, to hasten with assistance
+wherever the shout, or any sudden emergency, might call them. Then,
+throwing open the gate, he sent out those he had drawn up in the
+street leading to the camp of the enemy. The Romans, according to the
+direction of their general, retired a little, in order that they might
+be nearer to the reserved troops which were to be sent to their
+assistance during the engagement. At first they stood with pretty
+equal force, but afterwards the reserved troops, sent from time to
+time from the camp, not only obliged the enemy to turn their backs,
+but followed them up so close when flying in disorder, that had not a
+retreat been sounded, they seemed as though they would have rushed
+into the city together with the fugitives. The consternation in the
+field was not greater than in every part of the city; many of the
+outposts were abandoned in panic and flight; and the walls were
+deserted, as they leaped down each in the part nearest him. Scipio,
+who had gone out to an eminence called Mercury's hill, perceiving that
+the walls were abandoned by their defenders in many parts, ordered all
+his men to be called out of his camp and advance to take the city, and
+orders them to bring the scaling-ladders. The general himself, covered
+by the shields of three stout young men, (for now an immense number of
+missiles of every description were let fly from the walls,) came up to
+the city, cheered them on, and gave the requisite orders; and, what
+was of the utmost importance in exciting the courage of his men, he
+appeared among them a witness and spectator of the valour or cowardice
+of each. Accordingly, they rushed forward, amidst wounds and weapons;
+nor could the walls, or the armed troops which stood upon them, repel
+them from eagerly mounting them. At the same time an attack was
+commenced by the fleet upon that part of the city which was washed by
+the sea. But here the alarm occasioned was greater than the force
+which could be employed; for while they were bringing the boats to
+shore, and hastily landing the ladders and the men, each man pressing
+forward to gain the land the shortest way, they hindered one another
+by their very haste and eagerness.
+
+45. In the mean time, the Carthaginians had now filled the walls again
+with armed men, who were supplied with a great quantity of missiles
+from the immense stores which they had laid up. But neither men nor
+missiles, nor any thing else, so effectually defended them as the
+walls themselves, for very few of the ladders were equal to the height
+of them, and all those which were longer than the rest were
+proportionably weaker. Accordingly, those who were highest being
+unable to mount from them, and being followed, nevertheless, by
+others, they broke from the mere weight upon them. Some, though the
+ladders stood, a dizziness having come over their eyes in consequence
+of the height, fell to the ground. And as men and ladders were every
+where tumbling down, while the boldness and alacrity of the enemy were
+increased by the mere success, the signal for retreat was sounded,
+which afforded hopes to the besieged, not only of present rest after
+such a laborious contest, but also for the future, as it appeared
+their city could not be taken by scalade and siege. To raise works
+they considered would be attended with difficulty, and would give time
+to their generals to bring them assistance. Scarcely had the first
+tumult subsided, when Scipio ordered other fresh and unfatigued troops
+to take the ladders from those who were tired and wounded and assault
+the city with increased vigour. Having received intelligence that the
+tide was ebbing, and having before been informed by some fishermen of
+Tarraco who used to pass through the lake, sometimes in light boats,
+and, when these ran aground, by wading, that it afforded an easy
+passage to the wall for footmen, he led some armed men thither in
+person. It was about mid-day, and besides that the water was being
+drawn off naturally, in consequence of the tide receding, a brisk
+north wind rising impelled the water in the lake, which was already in
+motion, in the same direction as the tide, and rendered it so shallow,
+that in some parts the water reached only to the navel, while in
+others it scarcely rose above the knees. Scipio, referring this
+discovery, which he had made by his own diligence and penetration, to
+the gods and to miracle, which had turned the course of the sea,
+withdrawn it from the lake, and opened ways never before trodden by
+human feet to afford a passage to the Romans, ordered them to follow
+Neptune as their guide, and passing through the middle of the lake,
+make good their way to the walls.
+
+46. Those who renewed the assault by land experienced great
+difficulty; for they were baffled not only by the height of the walls,
+but also because they exposed the Romans, as they approached them, to
+the missiles of the enemy from different quarters, so that their sides
+were endangered more than the fronts of their bodies. But in the other
+quarter five hundred passed without difficulty through the lake, and
+then mounted the wall, for neither was it defended by any
+fortifications, because there they thought the city was sufficiently
+protected by the nature of the place and the lake, nor were there any
+outposts or guards stationed there, because all were engaged in
+bringing succour to that quarter in which the danger appeared. Having
+entered the city without opposition, they proceeded direct, with all
+possible speed, to that gate near which the contest was concentrated;
+and so intently occupied with this were not only the minds, but the
+eyes and ears of all, both of those who were engaged in fighting, and
+of those who were looking on and encouraging the combatants, that no
+one perceived that the city had been captured in their rear till the
+weapons fell upon their backs, and they had an enemy on both sides of
+them. Then, the defenders having been thrown into confusion through
+fear, both the walls were captured, and the gate began to be broken
+open both from within and from without; and presently, the doors
+having been broken to pieces by blows, in order that the way might not
+be obstructed, the troops rushed in. A great number had also got over
+the walls, but these employed themselves in putting the townsmen to
+the sword; those which entered by the gate, forming a regular body,
+with officers and in ranks, advanced through the midst of the city
+into the forum. Scipio then perceiving that the enemy fled in two
+different directions, some to the eminence which lay eastward, which
+was occupied by a garrison of five hundred men, others to the citadel,
+into which Mago himself also had fled for refuge, together with almost
+all the troops which had been driven from the walls, sent part of his
+forces to storm the hill, and part he led in person against the
+citadel. Not only was the hill captured at the first assault, but Mago
+also, after making an effort to defend it, when he saw every place
+filled with the enemy, and that there was no hope, surrendered himself
+and the citadel, with the garrison. Until the citadel was surrendered,
+the massacre was continued in every quarter throughout the city; nor
+did they spare any one they met who had arrived at puberty: but after
+that, on a signal given, a stop was put to the carnage, and the
+victors turned their attention to the plunder, of which there was an
+immense quantity of every description.
+
+47. Of males of free condition, as many as ten thousand were captured.
+Of these he allowed to depart such as were citizens of New Carthage;
+and restored to them their city, and all their property which the war
+had left them. The artisans amounted to two thousand, whom he assigned
+to the Roman people as their property; holding out to them a hope of
+speedy emancipation, provided they should address themselves
+strenuously to the service of the war. Of the rest of the mass of
+inhabitants, the young men and able-bodied slaves he assigned for the
+service of the fleet, to fill up the numbers of the rowers. He had
+also augmented his fleet with five ships which he had captured.
+Besides this multitude, there remained the Spanish hostages, to whom
+as much attention was paid as if they had been children of allies. An
+immense quantity of military stores was also taken; one hundred and
+twenty catapultae of the larger size, two hundred and eighty-one of
+the smaller; twenty-three ballistae of the larger size, fifty-two of
+the smaller; an immense number of scorpions of the larger and smaller
+size, and also of arms and missile weapons; and seventy-four military
+standards. Of gold and silver, an immense quantity was brought to the
+general; there were two hundred and seventy-six golden bowls, almost
+all of them weighing a pound; of silver, wrought and coined, eighteen
+thousand three hundred pounds' weight; and of silver vessels an
+immense number. All these were weighed and reckoned to the quaestor,
+Caius Flaminius. There were twenty thousand pecks of wheat, and two
+hundred and seventy of barley. One hundred and thirteen ships of
+burden were boarded and captured in the harbour, some of them with
+their cargoes, consisting of corn and arms, besides brass, iron,
+sails, spartum, and other naval materials, of use in equipping a
+fleet; so that amid such large military stores which were captured,
+Carthage itself was of the least consideration.
+
+48. Having ordered Caius Laelius with the marines to guard the city,
+Scipio led back his legions to the camp the same day in person; and as
+his soldiers were tired, as they had in one day gone through every
+kind of military labour; for they had engaged the enemy in the field,
+and had undergone very great fatigue and danger in taking the city;
+and after they had taken it had fought, and that on disadvantageous
+ground, with those who had fled to the citadel, he ordered them to
+attend to themselves. The next day, having assembled the land and
+naval forces, he, in the first place, ascribed praise and thanks to
+the immortal gods, who had not only in one day made him master of the
+wealthiest city in Spain, but had previously collected in it the
+riches of almost all Africa and Spain; so that while his enemy had
+nothing left, he and his army had a superabundance of every thing. He
+then commended in the highest terms the valour of his soldiers,
+because that neither the sally of the enemy, nor the height of the
+walls, nor the unexplored fords of the lake, nor the fort standing
+upon a high hill, nor the citadel, though most strongly fortified, had
+deterred them from surmounting and breaking through every thing.
+Therefore, though all credit was due to them all, he said that the man
+who first mounted the wall ought to be distinguished above the rest,
+by being honoured with a mural crown; and he desired that he who
+thought himself worthy of that reward would claim it. Two persons laid
+claim to it, Quintus Trebellius, a centurion of the fourth legion, and
+Sextus Digitius, a marine. Nor did these contest so fiercely as each
+excited the zeal of his own body of men. Caius Laelius, admiral of the
+fleet, patronized the marines, and Marcus Sempronius Tuditanus, the
+legionary troops. As this contest began almost to assume the character
+of a mutiny, Scipio having notified that he should appoint three
+delegates, who, after making themselves acquainted with the case, and
+examining the witnesses, might decide which had been the first to
+scale the wall and enter the town, added Publius Cornelius Caudinus, a
+middle party, to Laelius and Sempronius, the advocates of the two
+parties, and ordered these three delegates to sit and determine the
+cause. But as the contest was now carried on with increased warmth,
+because those high characters, who had acted more as moderators of the
+zeal of both than as advocates of any particular party, were
+withdrawn, Caius Laelius, leaving the council, went up to the tribunal
+of Scipio and informed him, "that the contest was proceeding without
+bounds or moderation, and that they had almost come to blows. But
+still, though no violence should take place, that the proceedings
+formed a most hateful precedent, for that the honours due to valour
+were being sought by fraud and perjury. That on one side stood the
+legionary troops, on the other the marines, ready to swear by all the
+gods what they wished, rather than what they knew, to be true, and to
+involve in the guilt of perjury not only themselves and their own
+persons, but the military standards, the eagles, and their solemn oath
+of allegiance. That he laid these matters before him, in accordance
+with the opinion of Publius Cornelius and Marcus Sempronius." Scipio,
+after highly praising Laelius, summoned an assembly, and then
+declared, "that he had ascertained satisfactorily that Quintus
+Trebellius and Sextus Digitius had mounted the wall at the same time,
+and that he presented them both with mural crowns in consideration of
+their valour." He then gave presents to the rest, according to the
+merit and valour of each. Above all he honoured Caius Laelius, the
+admiral of the fleet, by the placing him upon an equality with
+himself, and bestowing upon him every kind of commendation, and also
+by presenting him with a golden crown and thirty oxen.
+
+49. He then ordered the Spanish hostages to be summoned. What the
+number of these was I feel reluctant to state, because in some authors
+I find that it was about three hundred, in others seven hundred and
+twenty-five. There is the same difference between authors with regard
+to the other particulars. One writes that the Punic garrison consisted
+of ten thousand, another of seven, a third of not more than two
+thousand. In some you may find that ten thousand persons were
+captured, in others above twenty-five thousand. I should have stated
+the number of scorpions captured, both of the greater and smaller
+size, at sixty, if I had followed the Greek author, Silenus, if
+Valerius Antius, of the larger at six thousand, of the smaller at
+thirteen, so great is the extent of falsehood. Nor are they agreed
+even respecting the commanders, most say that Laelius commanded the
+fleet, but some say Marcus Junius Silanus. Valerius Antius says, that
+Arines commanded the Punic garrison, and was given up to the Romans;
+other writers say it was Mago. They are not agreed respecting the
+number of the ships taken, respecting the weight of gold and silver,
+and of the money brought into the public treasury. If we must assent
+to some of their statements, the medium is nearest to the truth.
+However, Scipio having summoned the hostages, first bid them all keep
+up their spirits observing, "that they had fallen into the hands of
+the Roman people, who chose to bind men to them by benefits rather
+than by fear, and keep foreign nations attached to them by honour and
+friendship, rather than subject them to a gloomy servitude." Then
+receiving the names of the states to which they belonged, he took an
+account of the captives, distinguishing the number belonging to each
+people, and sent messengers to their homes, to desire that they would
+come and take back their respective friends. If ambassadors from any
+of the states happened to be present, he delivered their countrymen to
+them in person, and assigned to them the quaestor, Caius Flaminius,
+the charge of kindly taking care of the rest. Meanwhile, there
+advanced from the midst of the crowd of hostages a woman in years, the
+wife of Mandonius, who was the brother of Indibilis, the chieftain of
+the Illergetians; she threw herself weeping at the general's feet, and
+began to implore him to give particularly strict injunctions to their
+guardians with respect to the care and treatment of females. Scipio
+replied, that nothing certainly should be wanting; when the woman
+rejoined: "We do not much value such things, for what is not good
+enough for such a condition? A care of a different kind disquiets me,
+when beholding the age of these females; for I am myself no longer
+exposed to the danger peculiar to females." Around her stood the
+daughters of Indibilis, in the bloom of youth and beauty, with others
+of equal rank, all of whom looked up to her as a parent. Scipio then
+said: "Out of regard for that discipline which I myself and the Roman
+nation maintain, I should take care that nothing, which is any where
+held sacred, should be violated among us. In the present case, your
+virtue and your rank cause me to observe it more strictly; for not
+even in the midst of misfortunes have you forgotten the delicacy
+becoming matrons." He then delivered them over to a man of tried
+virtue, ordering him to treat them with no less respect and modesty
+than the wives and mothers of guests.
+
+50. The soldiers then brought to him a female captive, a grown-up
+virgin, of such exquisite beauty, that whichever way she walked she
+attracted the eyes of every body. Scipio, on making inquiries as to
+her country and parentage, heard, among other particulars, that she
+was betrothed to a young prince of the Celtiberians, named Allucius.
+He immediately, therefore, summoned from their abode her parents and
+lover, and having heard in the mean time that the latter was
+desperately enamoured of her, as soon as he arrived he addressed him
+in a more studied manner than her parents. "A young man myself," said
+he, "I address myself to a young man, and therefore there need be the
+less reserve in this conversation. As soon as your intended bride,
+having been captured by my soldiers, was brought into my presence, and
+I was informed that she was endeared to you, which her beauty rendered
+probable, considering that I should myself wish that my affection for
+my intended bride, though excessive, should meet with indulgence,
+could I enjoy the pleasures suited to my age, (particularly in an
+honourable and lawful love,) and were not my mind engrossed by public
+affairs, I indulge as far as I can your passion. Your mistress, while
+under my protection, has received as much respect as under the roof of
+her own parents, your father-in-law and mother-in-law. She has been
+kept in perfect safety for you, that she might be presented to you
+pure, a gift worthy of me and of you. This only reward I bargain for
+in return for the service I have rendered you, that you would be a
+friend to the Roman people, and if you believe that I am a true man,
+as these nations knew my father and uncle to have been heretofore,
+that you would feel assured that in the Roman state there are many
+like us, and that no nation in the world at the present time can be
+mentioned, with which you ought to be less disposed that you, or those
+belonging to you, should be at enmity, or with which you would rather
+be in friendship." The young man, overcome at once with joy and
+modesty, clung to Scipio's right hand, and invoked all the gods to
+recompense him in his behalf, since he himself was far from possessing
+means proportioned either to his own wishes or Scipio's deserts. He
+then addressed himself to the parents and relatives of the damsel,
+who, on receiving her back without any reward, whom they had brought a
+very large weight of gold to redeem, entreated Scipio to accept it
+from them as a present to himself; affirming, that if he would do so,
+they should feel as grateful for it as they did for the restoration of
+their daughter inviolate. As they were so earnest in their entreaties,
+Scipio promised to accept it, and ordered it to be laid at his feet.
+Then calling Allucius to him, he said: "To the dowry which you are
+about to receive from your father-in-law, let these marriage presents
+also from me be added;" bidding him take away the gold and keep it for
+himself. Delighted with these presents and honours, he was dismissed
+to his home, where he inspired his countrymen with the deserved
+praises of Scipio, observing, "that a most godlike youth had come
+among them, who conquered every thing, not only by arms, but by
+kindness and generosity." Accordingly, making a levy among his
+dependants, he returned to Scipio after a few days, with fourteen
+hundred chosen horsemen.
+
+51. Scipio kept Laelius with him until he had disposed of the
+captives, hostages, and booty, in accordance with his advice; but when
+all these matters were satisfactorily arranged, he gave him a
+quinquereme; and selecting from the captives Mago, and about fifteen
+senators who had been made prisoners at the same time with him, put
+them on board, and sent him to Rome with the news of his victory. He
+himself employed the few days he had resolved to stay at Carthage, in
+exercising his naval and land forces. On the first day the legions
+under arms performed evolutions through a space of four miles; on the
+second day he ordered them to repair and clean their arms before their
+tents; on the third day they engaged in imitation of a regular battle
+with wooden swords, throwing javelins with the points covered with
+balls; on the fourth day they rested; on the fifth they again
+performed evolutions under arms. This succession of exercise and rest
+they kept up as long as they staid at Carthage. The rowers and
+mariners, pushing out to sea when the weather was calm, made trial of
+the manageableness of their ships by mock sea-fights. Such exercises,
+both by sea and land, without the city prepared their minds and bodies
+for war. The city itself was all bustle with warlike preparations,
+artificers of every description being collected together in a public
+workshop. The general went round to all the works with equal
+attention. At one time he was employed in the dock-yard with his
+fleet, at another he exercised with the legions; sometimes he would
+devote his time to the inspection of the works, which were every day
+carried on with the greatest eagerness by a multitude of artificers
+both in the workshops, and in the armoury and docks. Having put these
+preparations in a train, repaired the walls in a part where they had
+been shattered, and placed bodies of troops to guard the city, he set
+out for Tarraco; and on his way thither was visited by a number of
+embassies, some of which he dismissed, having given them answers on
+his journey, others he postponed till his arrival at Tarraco; at which
+place he had appointed a meeting of all his new and old allies. Here
+ambassadors from almost all the people dwelling on this side the
+Iberus, and from many dwelling in the further Spain, met. The
+Carthaginian generals at first industriously suppressed the rumour of
+the capture of Carthage; but afterwards, when it became too notorious
+to be concealed or dissembled, they disparaged its importance by their
+language. They said, that "by an unexpected attack, and in a manner by
+stealth, in one day, one city of Spain had been snatched out of their
+hands; that a presumptuous youth, elated with the acquisition of this,
+so inconsiderable an advantage, had, by the extravagance of his joy,
+given it the air of an important victory; but that as soon as he
+should hear that three generals and three victorious armies of his
+enemies were approaching, the deaths which had taken place in his
+family would occur to his recollection." Such was the tone in which
+they spoke of this affair to the people, though they were, at the same
+time, far from ignorant how much their strength had been diminished,
+in every respect, by the loss of Carthage.
+
+END OF VOL. II
+
+
+
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