---
title: "History of Rome, Books I–X · Ab urbe condita I–X"
author: "Livy"
translator: "Benjamin Oliver Foster"
title_ru: "История Рима от основания города, книги I–X"
author_ru: "Тит Ливий"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 47 of 50
url: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/47/
cite: "Livy, tr. Benjamin Oliver Foster, History of Rome, Books I–X · Ab urbe condita I–X, section 47. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/47/"
---

# History of Rome, Books I–X · Ab urbe condita I–X

*Livy, tr. Benjamin Oliver Foster*

Russian: История Рима от основания города, книги I–X, Тит Ливий

From Aeneas and Romulus to the kings, the founding of the Republic, Lucretia, Horatius at the bridge, Coriolanus, the Gauls in Rome and the Samnite wars.

> Latin: Livy, Ab urbe condita I–X, ed. Robert Seymour Conway and Charles Flamstead Walters (Oxford Classical Texts), from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0914.phi001.perseus-lat3, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Benjamin Oliver Foster, Livy (Loeb Classical Library), from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0914.phi001.perseus-eng1). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (books, chapters and sections), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 47. Book X · chapters 11–20

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/47/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/livy-history-of-rome-1/47/#p-N

[¶0] 11.10. this year —for no cause assigned —there befell an interregnum. The interreges were Appius Claudius, and afterwards Publius Sulpicius. The latter held a consular election, and announced that the choice had fallen on Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Gnaeus Fulvius.

> Latin: 11.10. anno—nec traditur causa—interregnum initum. interreges fuere Ap. Claudius, dein P. Sulpicius. comitia consularia habuit; creavit L. Cornelium Scipionem, Cn. Fulvium consules.

[¶1] 11.11. the beginning of this year Lucanian envoys came to the new consuls to complain that the Samnites, since they had been unable by offering inducements to entice them into an armed alliance, had invaded their territories with a hostile army and by warring on them were obliging them to go to war.

> Latin: 11.11. huius anni oratores Lucanorum ad novos consules venerunt questum, quia condicionibus perlicere se nequiverint ad societatem armorum, Samnites infesto exercitu ingressos fines suos vastare belloque ad bellum cogere.

[¶2] 11.12. The people of Lucania, they said, had on a former occasion strayed all too far from the path of duty, but were now so resolute as to deem it better to endure and suffer anything than ever again to offend the Romans.

> Latin: 11.12. Lucano populo satis superque erratum quondam nunc ita obstinatos animos esse: ut omnia ferre ac pati tolerabilius ducant, quam ut unquam postea nomen Romanum violent.

[¶3] 11.13. besought the Fathers both to take the Lucanians under their protection and to defend them from the violence and oppression of the Samnites. their having gone to war with the Etruscans was necessarily a pledge of loyalty to the Romans, yet they were none the less ready to give hostages.

> Latin: 11.13. patres ut et Lucanos in fidem accipiant et vim atque iniuriam ab se Samnitium arceant: se, quamquam bello cum Samnitibus suscepto necessaria iam facta adversus Romanos fides sit, tamen obsides dare paratos esse. consultatio senatus fuit; ad unum omnes iungendum foedus cum Lucanis resque repetendas ab Samnitibus censent.

[¶4] 12.2. in the senate was soon over. opinion was for entering into a treaty with Lucania and demanding satisfaction of the Samnites. The Lucanians received a friendly answer, and the league was formed. were then sent to command the Samnites to leave the country belonging to Rome's allies, and withdraw their army from the territory of Lucania. were met on the way by messengers, whom the Samnites had dispatched to warn them that if they went before any Samnite council they would not depart unscathed.

> Latin: 12.2. responsum Lucanis ictumque foedus; fetiales missi, qui Samnitem decedere agro sociorum ac deducere exercitum finibus Lucanis iuberent; quibus obviam missi ab Samnitibus, qui denuntiarent, si quod adissent in Samnio concilium, haud inviolatos abituros.

[¶5] 12.3. these things were known at Rome, the senate advised and the people voted a declaration of war against the Samnites. The consuls divided the commands between them, Scipio getting Etruria and Fulvius the Samnites, and set out for their respective wars. Scipio looked forward to a slow campaign like that of the previous year, but was met near Volaterrae by the enemy drawn up in column.

> Latin: 12.3. postquam audita sunt Romae, bellum Samnitibus et patres censuerunt et populus iussit. inter se provincias partiti sunt: Scipioni Etruria, Fulvio Samnites obvenerunt, diversique ad suum quisque bellum proficiscuntur.

[¶6] 12.4. The fighting, which lasted for the best part of a day, was attended with heavy losses on both sides; and night came on while it was yet uncertain to which nation victory had been vouchsafed.

> Latin: 12.4. Scipioni segne bellum et simile prioris anni militiae exspectanti hostes ad Volaterras instructo agmine occurrerunt.

[¶7] 12.5. The morning showed who was victor and who vanquished, for in the silence of the night the Etruscans had decamped. The Romans marched out into line of battle; and when they saw that the enemy by his retreat had conceded their superiority, they advanced and possessed themselves of the camp, which was unoccupied and contained much booty, for it had been a permanent post and had been hurriedly abandoned.

> Latin: 12.5. maiore parte diei magna utrimque caede; nox incertis qua data victoria esset intervenit. insequens victorem victumque ostendit; nam Etrusci silentio noctis castra reliquerant. Romanus egressus in aciem, ubi profectione hostium concessam victoriam videt, progressus ad castra vacuis cum plurima praeda—nam et stativa et trepide deserta fuerant—potitur.

[¶8] 12.7. Scipio then led his troops back into the Faliscan territory, and having left his baggage with a small guard in Falerii, set out with his army in light marching order to ravage the territory of the enemy.

> Latin: 12.7. in Faliscum agrum copiis reductis cum impedimenta Faleriis cum modico praesidio reliquisset, expedito agmine ad populandos hostium fines incedit.

[¶9] 12.8. The whole country was laid waste with fire and sword and booty was brought in from all directions. only was the soil left bare for the enemy, but even strongholds and villages were burned. The consul stopped short of attacking the walled towns, into which the frightened Etruscans had fled for refuge.

> Latin: 12.8. ferro ignique vastantur; praedae undique actae. solum modo vastum hosti relictum sed castellis etiam vicisque inlatus ignis: urbibus oppugnandis temperatum, in quas timor Etruscos compulerat.

[¶10] 12.9. The other consul, Gnaeus Fulvius, fought a famous battle in Samnium, near Bovianum, and gained a victory that was by no means doubtful. then attacked and captured Bovianum, and not long afterwards Aufidena.

> Latin: 12.9. Cn. Fulvi consulis clara pugna in Samnio ad Bovianum haudquaquam ambiguae victoriae fuit. Bovianum inde adgressus nec ita multo post Aufidenam vi cepit. anno Carseolos colonia in agrum Aequicolorum deducta.

[¶11] 13.2. colony was founded in that same year at Carseoli in the land of the Aequicoli. The consul Fulvius triumphed over the Samnites. the consular elections drew near, a rumour arose that the Etruscans and the Samnites were levying huge forces;

> Latin: 13.2. Fulvius consul de Samnitibus triumphavit. comitia consularia instarent, fama exorta Etruscos Samnitesque ingentes conscribere exercitus:

[¶12] 13.3. it was said that in all their councils the leaders of the Etruscans were openly censured for not having brought the Gauls into the war, on whatever terms; and the Samnite magistrates were attacked for having confronted the Romans with an army raised to oppose a Lucanian foe;

> Latin: 13.3. palam omnibus conciliis vexari principes Etruscorum, quod non Gallos quacumque condicione traxerint ad bellum; increpari magistratus Samnitium, quod exercitum adversus Lucanum hostem comparatum obiecerint Romanis;

[¶13] 13.4. thus their enemies were girding themselves for war, in their own might and the might of their allies, and they would have to contend with them on far from even terms.

> Latin: 13.4. itaque suis sociorumque viribus consurgere hostes ad bellum, et haudquaquam pari defungendum esse certamine.

[¶14] 13.5. danger, though illustrious men were candidates for the consulship, made everyone tum to Quintus Fabius Maximus, who was not a candidate, in the first place, and who, when he saw the direction of the people's wishes, actually refused to stand.

> Latin: 13.5. terror, cum illustres viri consulatum peterent, omnes in Q. Fabium Maximum primo non petentem, deinde, ut inclinata studia vidit, etiam recusantem convertit:

[¶15] 13.6. must they trouble him, he asked, who was an old man now and had done with toil and the rewards of toil? his body nor his mind retained their vigour undiminished, and he feared Fortune herself, lest some god might deem that she had already been too kind to him and more constant than human beings were meant to find her.

> Latin: 13.6. quid se iam senem ac perfunctum laboribus laborumque praemiis sollicitarent? corporis nec nee animi vigorem remanere eundem, et fortunam ipsam vereri, ne cui deorum nimia iam in se et constantior quam velint humanae res videatur.

[¶16] 13.7. himself had risen to the glory of his elders, and he rejoiced to see others growing up to the measure of his own.

> Latin: 13.7. se gloriae seniorum succrevisse et ad suam gloriam consurgentes alios laetum aspicere; nec honores magnos fortissimis viris Romae nec honoribus deesse fortes viros.

[¶17] 13.8. was no lack of great offices in Rome for the bravest men, nor of brave men for the offices. moderation but intensified the well —merited enthusiasm of his friends; and Fabius, thinking that it would have to be restrained by respect for the laws, bade read aloud the statute which prohibited the re —election of the same man to the consulship within ten years.

> Latin: 13.8. hac moderatione tam iusta studia; quae verecundia legum restinguenda ratus, legem recitari iussit qua intra decem annos eundem consulem refici non liceret. prae strepitu audita lex est tribunique plebis nihil id impedimenti futurum aiebant: se ad populum laturos uti legibus solveretur.

[¶18] 13.10. there was such a clamouring that the law could scarce be heard, and the tribunes of the plebs declared that it should be no impediment, for they would propose to the people that he be granted a dispensation from the laws. Fabius, for his part, stoutly persisted in his refusal.

> Latin: 13.10. ille quidem in recusando perstabat: quid ergo attineret leges ferri, quibus per eosdem qui tulissent fraus fieret.

[¶19] 13.11. , in that case, he demanded, was the good of making laws, when their very makers broke them? The laws were no longer in control, but were themselves controlled.

> Latin: 13.11. regi leges, non regere. nihilo minus suffragia inibat, et ut quaeque intro vocata erat centuria, consulem haud dubie Fabium dicebat.

[¶20] 13.12. the people proceeded to the election, and every century, as it was summoned within, in no uncertain terms named Fabius consul. at last, overborne by the consent of all the citizens, “Heaven,” he said, "approve, Quirites, of what you are doing and propose to do.

> Latin: 13.12. demum consensu civitatis victus, approbent inquit, quod agitis acturique estis, Quirites., quoniam in me quod vos voltis facturi estis, in collega sit meae apud vos gratiae locus: P. Decium, expertum mihi concordi collegio virum, dignum vobis, dignum parente suo, quaeso mecum consulem faciatis. suffragatio visa. quae supererant centuriae Q. Fabium, P. Decium consules dixere.

[¶21] 13.13. the rest, since you are bound to have your way with me, grant me a favour in the matter of my colleague and make consul with me Publius Decius, a man whose friendliness I have experienced in the fellowship of office, a man worthy of you and worthy of his sire. "The recommendation seemed a reasonable one. the remaining centuries voted for Quintus Fabius and Publius Decius. that year many men were prosecuted by the aediles on the charge of possessing more land than the law allowed. anybody was acquitted, and exorbitant greed was sharply curbed. the new consuls, Quintus Fabius Maximus (in his fourth term) and Publius Decius Mus (in his third), were laying plans together how one should take the field against the Samnites, and the other against the Etruscans, and were considering what forces would suffice for these respective provinces and which of them was the better suited to the one command and which to the other, there came deputies from Sutrium and Nepete and Falerii, with the news that the nations of Etruria were counselling together how they might sue for peace, and thus diverted upon Samnium the whole burden of war.

> Latin: 13.13. anno plerisque dies dicta ab aedilibus, quia plus quam quod lege finitum erat agri possiderent; nec quisquam ferme est purgatus vinculumque ingens immodicae cupiditati iniectum est. novi, Q. Fabius Maximus quartum et P. Decius Mus tertium, cum inter se agitarent uti alter Samnites hostes, alter Etruscos deligeret, quantaeque in hanc aut in illam provinciam copiae satis et uter ad utrum bellum dux idoneus magis esset, ab Sutrio et Nepete et Faleriis legati, auctores concilia Etruriae populorum de petenda pace haberi, totam belli molem in Samnium averterunt.

[¶22] 14.4. the consuls set out, in order to lessen the difficulty of getting supplies and to keep the enemy uncertain where the attack would come, Fabius marched into Samnium by way of Sora, Decius through the territory of the Sidicini.

> Latin: 14.4. consules, quo expeditiores commeatus essent et incertior hostis qua venturum bellum foret, Fabius per Soranum, Decius per Sidicinum agrum, in Samnium legiones ducunt.

[¶23] 14.5. at the borders of the enemy, each spread his army over a wide front and pillaged.

> Latin: 14.5. in hostium fines ventum est, uterque populabundus effuso agmine incedit. tamen latius quam populantur;

[¶24] 14.6. they scouted more widely than they pillaged, and the enemy were therefore unable to surprise them near Tifernum, where they had drawn their forces up in a secluded valley, and were preparing to assail the Romans from above, once they should have entered it.

> Latin: 14.6. igitur non fefellere ad Tifernum hostes in occulta valle instructi, quam ingressos Romanos superiore ex loco adoriri parabant.

[¶25] 14.7. the baggage to a place of safety and appointing a small force to guard it, Fabius warned his troops that a struggle was at hand, and forming them into a hollow square, led them up towards the place where the enemy lay, as I have said, concealed.

> Latin: 14.7. Fabius impedimentis in locum tutum remotis praesidioque modico imposito praemonitis militibus adesse certamen, quadrato agmine ad praedictas hostium latebras succedit.

[¶26] 14.8. of their surprise attack, the Samnites —since it must ultimately come to an open trial of strength —likewise preferred to fight a regular engagement.

> Latin: 14.8. Samnites desperato improviso tumultu, quando in apertum semel discrimen evasura esset res, et ipsi acie iusta maluerunt concurrere. in aequum descendunt ac fortunae se maiore animo quam spe committunt.

[¶27] 14.9. accordingly descended to level ground, and committed their cause to Fortune, with courage greater than their hopes., whether owing to their having assembled the fighting strength of all the Samnite nations, or because a contest on which everything was staked heightened their valour, they occasioned some perturbation amongst the Romans, even in an open battle.

> Latin: 14.9. , sive quia ex omnium Samnitium populis, quodcumque roboris fuerat contraxerant, seu quia discrimen summae rerum augebat animos, aliquantum aperta quoque pugna praebuerunt terroris.

[¶28] 14.10. Fabius saw that the enemy were nowhere giving way, he ordered Maximus his son and Marcus Valerius —military tribunes with whom he had hurried to the front —to go to the horsemen and tell them that if they remembered ever an occasion when the state had been helped by the horse, now was the time for them to exert their strength to preserve untarnished the glory of that body:

> Latin: 14.10. Fabius, ubi nulla ex parte hostem loco moveri vidit, Maximum filium et M. Valerium tribunos militum, cum quibus ad primam aciem procurrerat, ire ad equites iubet et adhortari ut, si quando unquam equestri ope adiutam rem publicam meminerint, illo die adnitantur ut ordinis eius gloriam invictam praestent:

[¶29] 14.12. in the struggle of infantry the enemy were yielding not an inch; no hope remained save in a charge of cavalry. each of the young men by name, lie loaded them now with praise and now with promises.

> Latin: 14.12. peditum certamine immobilem hostem restare; omnem reliquam spem in impetu esse equitum. ipsos nominatim iuvenes, pari comitate utrumque, nunc laudibus nunc promissis onerat.

[¶30] 14.13. since it was conceivable that even their prowess might prove to be inadequate, he thought proper to resort to strategy, if strength should not achieve his purpose.

> Latin: 14.13. quando ne ea quoque temptata vis parum proficeret timeri poterat, consilio grassandum, si nihil vires iuvarent ratus, Scipionem legatum hastatos primae legionis subtrahere ex acie et ad montes proximos quam posset occultissime circumducere iubet;

[¶31] 14.14. he ordered Scipio, his lieutenant, to withdraw the hastati of the first legion from the battle and conduct them, as secretly as possible, by a circuitous route to the nearest mountains; they were then, concealing their ascent from observation, to climb the heights and suddenly show themselves on the enemy's rear.

> Latin: 14.14. inde ascensu abdito a conspectu erigere in montes agmen aversoque hosti ab tergo repente se ostendere.

[¶32] 14.15. The cavalry, led by the tribunes, occasioned hardly more confusion in their enemies than in their friends, as they rode out unexpectedly in front of the standards.

> Latin: 14.15. ducibus tribunis haud multo plus hostibus quam suis ex improviso ante signa evecti praebuerunt tumultus.

[¶33] 14.16. The Samnite line held firm against their galloping squadrons, and could at no point be forced back or broken, and the cavalry, finding their attack abortive, retired behind the lines and left the battle.

> Latin: 14.16. incitatas turmas stetit immota Samnitium acies nec parte ulla pelli aut perrumpi potuit; et postquam inritum inceptum erat, recepti post signa proelio excesserunt.

[¶34] 14.17. gave the enemy a fresh access of spirits; and the front ranks would have been incapable of sustaining so long a struggle and the increasing violence with which the enemy's confidence inspired him, had not the second line, by the consul's order, come up to relieve them.

> Latin: 14.17. ex eo hostium animus, nec sustinere frons prima tam longum certamen increscentemque fiducia sui vim potuisset, ni secunda acies iussu consulis in primum successisset.

[¶35] 14.18. fresh strength halted the Samnites, who were now pressing forward; and catching sight just at this juncture of our detachments descending from the mountains, and hearing the cheer they gave, the enemy was filled with terror of worse things than actually threatened him;

> Latin: 14.18. integrae vires sistunt invehentem se iam Samnitem; et tempore in ipso visa ex montibus signa clamorque sublatus non vero tantum metu terruere Samnitium animos;

[¶36] 14.19. for Fabius shouted that his colleague Decius was approaching, and the soldiers themselves in their joy and eagerness cried out that the other consul was at hand —that the legions were at hand; and this mistake, occurring in a good hour for the Romans, filled the Samnites with fear and bewilderment, for they dreaded nothing so much as that the other army, fresh and entire, might overwhelm them in their exhausted state.

> Latin: 14.19. nam et Fabius Decium collegam adpropinquare exclamavit, et pro se quisque miles adesse alterum consulem, adesse legiones gaudio alacres fremunt; errorque utilis Romanis oblatus fugae formidinisque Samnites implevit, maxime territos ne ab altero exercitu integro intactoque fessi opprimerentur.

[¶37] 14.21. The slaughter was less than is usual in so great a victory, for the enemy scattered far and wide in their flight. thousand four hundred were slain; about eight hundred and thirty were made prisoners, and twenty —three standards were taken.

> Latin: 14.21. quia passim in fugam dissipati sunt, minor caedes quam pro tanta victoria fuit: tria milia et quadringenti caesi, capti octingenti ferme et triginta, signa militaria capta tria et viginti. Samnitibus Apuli se ante proelium coniunxissent, ni P. Decius consul iis ad Maleventum castra obiecisset, extractos deinde ad certamen fudisset.

[¶38] 15.2. The Apulians would have joined the Samnites before the battle had not Publius Decius the consul encamped over against them at Maleventum, and then drawn them into an engagement and defeated them. this instance also the rout was greater than the slaughter: two thousand Apulians were killed, and Decius, scorning such an enemy, led his legions into Samnium.

> Latin: 15.2. quoque plus fugae fuit quam caedis: duo milia Apulorum caesa; spretoque eo hoste Decius in Samnium legiones duxit.

[¶39] 15.3. the two consular armies, overrunning the land in different directions, had laid all waste within four months' time.

> Latin: 15.3. duo consulares exercitus diversis vagati partibus omnia spatio quinque mensum evastarunt.

[¶40] 15.4. were forty —five places in Samnium where Decius had encamped; the other consul had encamped in eighty —six.

> Latin: 15.4. et quadraginta loca in Samnio fuere in quibus Deci castra fuerunt, alterius consulis sex et octoginta;

[¶41] 15.5. did they leave behind them only the traces of their ramparts and their trenches, but other much more conspicuous memorials, in the havoc and devastation of the country round about. Fabius also captured the city of Cimetra.

> Latin: 15.5. nec valli tantum ac fossarum vestigia relicta, sed multo alia illis insigniora monumenta vastitatis circa regionumque depopulatarum.

[¶42] 15.6. this siege two thousand nine hundred men —at —arms were taken and some nine hundred and thirty were slain fighting.

> Latin: 15.6. Fabius etiam urbem Cimetram cepit. capta armatorum duo milia nongenti, caesi pugnantes ferme nongenti triginta.

[¶43] 15.7. this he set out for Rome for the election, which he made haste to call. The centuries that voted first were all naming Quintus Fabius for consul, when Appius Claudius, who was a candidate for that post and a pushing and ambitious man, but no more eager to gain the honour for himself than to have the patricians recover two consular places, exerted his own strength and that of the whole nobility to induce them to elect him as Fabius's colleague.

> Latin: 15.7. comitiorum casa Romam profectus maturavit eam rem agere. primo vocatae Q. Fabium consulem dicerent omnes centuriae, Ap. Claudius, consularis candidatus, vir acer et ambitiosus, non sui magis honoris causa quam ut patricii reciperarent duo consularia loca, cum suis tum totius nobilitatis viribus incubuit ut se cum Q. Fabio consulem dicerent.

[¶44] 15.9. Fabius would not have it so, raising virtually the same objections he had raised in the previous year. The nobles all thronged about his seat, and besought him to lift up the consulship out of the plebeian mire and restore both to the office and to the aristocratic families their old —time dignity.

> Latin: 15.9. Fabius de se eadem fere quae priore anno dicendo abnuere. sellam omnis nobilitas; orare ut ex caeno plebeio consulatum extraheret maiestatemque pristinam cum honori tum patriciis gentibus redderet.

[¶45] 15.10. silence, Fabius soothed their excited feelings with a temperate speech, in which he said that he would have done as they desired and have received the names of two patricians, if he had seen another than himself being made consul;

> Latin: 15.10. Fabius silentio facto media oratione studia hominum sedavit; facturum enim se fuisse dixit ut duorum patriciorum nomina reciperet, si alium quam se consulem fieri videret;

[¶46] 15.11. as it was, he would not entertain his own name at an election, for to do so would violate the laws and establish a most evil precedent.

> Latin: 15.11. nunc se suam rationem comitiis, cum contra leges futurum sit, pessimo pessino exemplo non habiturum.

[¶47] 15.12. Lucius Volumnius, a plebeian, was returned, together with Appius Claudius, with whom he had also been paired in an earlier consulship. The nobles taunted Fabius with having avoided Appius Claudius for a colleague, as a man clearly his superior in eloquence and statecraft.

> Latin: 15.12. L. Volumnius de plebe cum Ap. Claudio consul est factus, priore item consulatu inter se comparati. obiectare Fabio fugisse eum Ap. Claudium collegam, eloquentia civilibusque artibus haud dubie praestantem. perfectis veteres consules iussi bellum in Samnio gerere prorogato in sex menses imperio.

[¶48] 16.2. The election over, the old consuls were bidden to carry on the war in Samnium, having received an extension of their command for six months. in the following year likewise —the consulship of Lucius Volumnius and Appius Claudius —Publius Decius, who had been left behind in Samnium, when consul, by his colleague, ceased not as proconsul to lay waste the farms, until finally he forced the army of the Samnites —which would nowhere risk a battle —to withdraw from the country.

> Latin: 16.2. insequenti quoque anno L. Volumnio Ap. Claudio consulibus P. Decius, qui consul in Samnio relictus a collega fuerat, proconsul idem populari non destitit agros, donec done Samnitium exercitum nusquam se proelio committentem postremo expulit finibus.

[¶49] 16.3. retreated into Etruria, and thinking that what they had often tried in vain to bring about by means of embassies they might with so great a body of armed men and the menace which would be added to their entreaties accomplish more effectually, called for a council of the Etruscan leaders.

> Latin: 16.3. Etruriam pulsi petierunt, et quod legationibus nequiquam saepe temptaverant, id se tanto agmine armatorum mixtis terrore precibus acturos efficacius rati, postulaverunt principum Etruriae concilium.

[¶50] 16.4. its assembling, they pointed out for how many years they had been fighting with the Romans for their liberty.

> Latin: 16.4. coacto per quot annos pro libertate dimicent cum Romanis exponunt: omnia expertos esse si suismet ipsorum viribus tolerare tantam molem belli possent;

[¶51] 16.5. had made every effort, they said, if haply they might of their own strength bear up under so great a war; and had also —but to little purpose —made trial of the help of neighbouring nations. to sustain the war, they had sought peace of the Roman People; but had renewed hostilities, because peace with servitude was harder to endure than war with liberty.

> Latin: 16.5. temptasse etiam haud baud magni momenti finitimarum gentium auxilia. pacem a populo Romano, cum bellum tolerare non possent; rebellasse, quod pax servientibus gravior quam liberis bellum esset.

[¶52] 16.6. sole remaining hope lay in the Etruscans, whom they knew for the richest nation of Italy, in arms, in men, and in money; a nation, too, that marched with the Gauls, men born amid the clash of arms and possessing not only an instinctive love of fighting but a feeling of enmity to the Roman People, whose defeat at their hands and ransom for gold they were wont to relate with no idle boast.

> Latin: 16.6. sibi spem reliquam in Etruscis restare; scire gentem Italiae opulentissimam oppulentissimam armis, viris, pecunia esse; habere accolas Gallos, inter ferrum et arma natos, feroces cum suopte ingenio tum adversus Romanum populum, quem captum a se auroque redemptum, haud vana iactantes, memorent;

[¶53] 16.7. the Etruscans had the spirit that once had animated Porsinna and their forefathers, there was no reason why they should not expel the Romans from all the country north of the Tiber, and compel them to fight, not for an intolerable sovereignty over Italy, but for their own existence.

> Latin: 16.7. nihil abesse, si sit animus Etruscis qui Porsinnae quondam maioribusque eorum fuerit, quin Romanos omni agro cis Tiberim pulsos dimicare pro salute sua non de intolerando Italiae regno cogant.

[¶54] 16.8. was a Samnite army, provided with arms and pay, and ready to follow on the instant, though they should lead it to the assault of Rome itself. they were thus boasting and intriguing in Etruria, the Roman invasion was distressing their countrymen at home. Publius Decius, having ascertained through scouts that the Samnite army had departed, summoned a council, and said, “do we range about the countryside, bringing war to this, that, and the other village?” “do we not assail cities and walled towns? is no longer any army defending Samnium; they have withdrawn beyond their borders, sentenced to banishment by their own decree.”

> Latin: 16.8. Samnitem illis exercitum paratum, instructum armis, stipendio venisse, et confestim secuturos, vel si ad ipsam Romanam urbem oppugnandam ducant. eos in Etruria iactantes molientesque bellum domi Romanum urebat. P. Decius, ubi comperit per exploratores profectum Samnitium exercitum, advocato consilio per agros inquit vagamur vicatim circumferentes bellum? urbes et moenia adgredimur? iam exercitus Samnio praesidet;

[¶55] 17.3. their unanimous approval he led them to the assault of Murgantia, a strong city; and such was the ardour of the troops, by reason both of affection for their general and the hopes that they entertained of greater booty than was to be got by ranging the country, that they took the place by force of arms in a single day.

> Latin: 17.3. cessere finibus ac sibimet ipsi exsilium conscivere. cunctis ad Murgantiam, validam urbem, oppugnandam ducit, tantusque ardor militum fuit et caritate ducis et spe maioris quam ex agrestibus populationibus praedae ut uno die vi atque armis urbem caperent.

[¶56] 17.4. two thousand one hundred Samnites were surrounded and made prisoners as they fought, and vast spoils of other kinds were seized.

> Latin: 17.4. duo milia Samnitium et centum pugnantes circumventi captique, et alia praeda ingens capta est. ne impedimentis gravibus agmen oneraret, convocari milites Decius iubet.

[¶57] 17.5. these should encumber the marching army with heavy baggage, Decius called the soldiers together and thus addressed them: “this single victory or these spoils content you? your expectations not be equal to your courage? the cities of the Samnites and the riches left behind in them are yours, since, after defeating their legions in so many battles, you have in the end expelled them from their country.”

> Latin: 17.5. inquit victoria sola aut hac praeda contenti estis futuri? vos pro virtute spes gerere? Samnitium urbes fortunaeque in urbibus relictae vestrae sunt, quando legiones eorum tot proeliis fusas postremo finibus expulistis.

[¶58] 17.6. “these prizes and with hope of gain lure the traders on to follow your column; I will find you from time to time wares to dispose of.”

> Latin: 17.6. ista et inlicite lucro mercatorem ut sequatur agmen; ego subinde suggeram quae vendatis. Romuleam urbem hinc eamus, ubi vos labor haud baud maior, praeda maior manet.

[¶59] 17.7. “us go from here to the city Romulea, where no greater toil awaits you, but greater booty.” The booty was sold off, and the men themselves urging on their general, they marched to Romulea., too, they used no siege —works or artillery; but once they had come up under the walls, no force could constrain them to retire; quickly setting up their ladders at the nearest places, they swarmed over the battlements.

> Latin: 17.7. praeda ultro adhortantes imperatorem ad Romuleam pergunt. quoque sine opere, sine tormentis, simul admota sunt signa, nulla vi deterriti a muris, qua cuique proximum fuit, scalis raptim admotis in moenia evasere.

[¶60] 17.8. The town was captured and sacked; two thousand three hundred were slain and six thousand made prisoners, and the soldiers came into possession of huge spoils which they were obliged, as before, to sell.

> Latin: 17.8. oppidum ac direptum est; ad duo milia et trecenti occisi et sex milia hominum capta, et miles ingenti praeda potitus, quam vendere, sicut priorem, coactus;

[¶61] 17.9. that they marched with the utmost alacrity —though they had been allowed no time to rest —to Ferentinum.

> Latin: 17.9. Ferentinum inde, quamquam nihil quietis dabatur, tamen summa alacritate ductus est.

[¶62] 17.10. there they encountered more difficulty and danger: the city was defended with the utmost energy, and fortification and nature had combined to make it safe; yet all obstacles were overcome by a soldiery grown used to plunder. three thousand of the enemy were slain about the walls; the spoils went to the men.

> Latin: 17.10. ibi plus laboris ac periculi fuit: et defensa summa vi moenia sunt, et locus erat munimento naturaque tutus; sed evicit omnia adsuetus praedae miles. tria milia hostium circa muros caesa; praeda militis fuit.

[¶63] 17.11. the glory accruing from these sieges the larger share is in certain annals assigned to Maximus; they allow that Murgantia was stormed by Decius, but give to Fabius Ferentinum and Romulea.

> Latin: 17.11. oppugnatarum urbium decoris pars maior in quibusdam annalibus ad Maximum trahitur: Murgantiam ab Decio, a Fabio Ferentinum Romuleamque oppugnatas tradunt.

[¶64] 17.12. are those who claim the credit for the new consuls, and some give it not to both but to one of them, Lucius Volumnius, to whom, they say, fell the command in Samnium. these operations were being carried out in Samnium —whoever had the command and auspices —a mighty war was preparing against the Romans in Etruria, on the part of many nations, at the instigation of a Samnite named Gellius Egnatius. The Tuscans had almost all voted for war; the nearest Umbrian tribes had caught the contagion; and Gallic auxiliaries were being solicited for pay.

> Latin: 17.12. qui novorum consulum hanc gloriam faciant, quidam non amborum sed alterius, L. Volumni: ei Samnium provinciam evenisse. ea in Samnio cuiuscumque ductu auspicioque gererentur, Romanis in Etruria interim bellum ingens multis ex gentibus concitur, cuius auctor Gellius Egnatius ex Samnitibus Sannitibus erat. fere omnes consciverant bellum; traxerat contagio proximos Umbriae populos, et Gallica auxilia mercede sollicitabantur; omnis ea multitudo ad castra Samnitium conveniebat.

[¶65] 18.3. this multitude was assembling at the camp of the Samnites. news of this sudden rising was brought to Rome, Lucius Volumnius the consul, with the second and third legions and fifteen thousand of the allies, had already set out for Samnium, and it was resolved to send Appius Claudius into Etruria at the earliest possible moment.

> Latin: 18.3. tumultus repens postquam est Romam perlatus, cum iam L. Volumnius consul cum legione secunda ac tertia sociorumque milibus quindecim profectus in Samnium esset, Ap. Claudium primo quoque tempore in Etruriam ire placuit.

[¶66] 18.4. Roman legions followed him, the first and fourth, and twelve thousand of the allies.

> Latin: 18.4. Romanae legiones secutae, prima et quarta, et sociorum duodecim milia; castra haud procul ab hoste posita.

[¶67] 18.5. encamped not far from the enemy. the consul's prompt arrival accomplished more, by checking, through dread of the Roman name, certain peoples of Etruria that were already meditating war, than he gained by his generalship, which was characterized neither by much ability nor by good fortune.

> Latin: 18.5. magis eo profectum est quod mature ventum erat ut quosdam spectantes iam arma Etruriae populos metus Romani nominis comprimeret quam quod ductu consulis quicquam ibi satis scite aut fortunate gestum sit:

[¶68] 18.6. repeatedly joined battle at untoward times and places, and the enemy grew every day more hopeful and more formidable, until now the soldiers were near losing confidence in their commander and he in them.

> Latin: 18.6. multa proelia locis et temporibus iniquis commissa, spesque in dies graviorem hostem faciebat, et iam prope erat ut nec duci milites nec militibus dux satis fideret.

[¶69] 18.7. find it recorded by three annalists that he dispatched a letter sending for his colleague out of Samnium; yet am I loath to set it down for certain, since the consuls of the Roman People, now holding that office for the second time, disputed about that very point-Appius denying that he had sent a letter, Volumnius affirming that a letter from Appius had summoned him.

> Latin: 18.7. ad collegam accersendum ex Samnio missas in trinis annalibus invenio; piget tamen in certo ponere, cum ea ipsa inter consules populi Romani, iam iterum eodem honore fungentes, disceptatio fuerit, Appio abnuente missas, Volumnio adfirmante Appi se litteris accitum.

[¶70] 18.8. Volumnius had already captured three fortresses in Samnium, in which some three thousand of the enemy had been slain and about half as many taken prisoners; and dispatching Quintus Fabius as proconsul with a seasoned army into Lucania, he had suppressed —with the hearty approval of the optimates —certain insurrections which had broken out there at the instigation of necessitous plebeian agitators.

> Latin: 18.8. Volumnius in Samnio tria castella ceperat, in quibus ad tria milia hostium caesa erant, dimidium fere eius captum, et Lucanorum seditiones a plebeiis et egentibus ducibus ortas summa optimatium voluntate per Q. Fabium, pro consule missum eo cum vetere exercitu, compresserat.

[¶71] 18.9. to Decius the devastation of the fields, Volumnius himself with his own troops marched to join his colleague in Etruria, where he was welcomed on his arrival with general rejoicings.

> Latin: 18.9. Decio populandos hostium agros relinquit, ipse cum suis copiis in Etruriam ad collegam pergit. advenientem laeti omnes accepere.

[¶72] 18.10. what Appius was feeling his conscience alone could tell! —indeed he was justly angered if he had sent no word, but illiberal and ungracious if he had needed help and now sought to dissemble —for coming forth to meet his colleague, before they had fairly greeted one another, he demanded, “all well, Lucius Volumnius?

> Latin: 18.10. ex conscientia sua credo animum habuisse—haud immerito iratum si nihil scripserat, inliberali et ingrato animo, si eguerat ope, dissimulantem, —vix enim salute mutua reddita cum obviam egressus esset, salvae inquit, L.

[¶73] 18.11. stand affairs in Samnium? has moved you to come out of your own province?”

> Latin: 18.11. Volumni? sese in Samnio res habent? te causa, ut provincia tua excederes induxit?

[¶74] 18.12. Volumnius replied that affairs were prospering in Samnium, and that he was come being sent for by Appius' own letter; but if this were a forgery and he were not needed in Etruria, he would immediately face about and march back.

> Latin: 18.12. Volumnius in Samnio res prosperas esse ait, litteris eius accitum venisse; quae si falsae fuerint nec usus sui sit in Etruriam, extemplo conversis signis abiturum.

[¶75] 18.13. “all means go!” cried Appius. “one hinders you! truly it is no way fitting that when, perhaps, you are hardly equal to your own war, you should boast of coming hither to help others.”

> Latin: 18.13. vero abeas inquit, neque cneque te quisquam moratur; etenim minime consentaneum est, cum bello tuo forsitan vix sufficias, huc hue te ad opem ferendam aliis gloriari venisse.

[¶76] 18.14. Volumnius prayed that Hercules might direct all for the best; he had rather, he said, his trouble should go for naught than that anything should have befallen to make one consular army insufficient for Etruria. The consuls were parting, when the lieutenants and tribunes from the army of Appius gathered round them. of them besought their general not to spurn his colleague's help —which ought even to have been asked for —now that it was proffered voluntarily; the greater number threw themselves in the way of Volumnius, as he turned to go, and conjured him not to betray the welfare of the state by an unworthy quarrel with his colleague:

> Latin: 18.14. Hercules verteret, dicere Volumnius: malle frustra operam insumptam, quam quicquam incidisse cur non satis esset Etruriae unus consularis exercitus. iam consules legati tribunique ex Appiano exercitu circumsistunt. imperatorem suum orare, ne collegae auxilium, quod acciendum ultro fuerit, sua sponte oblatum sperneretur; plures abeunti Volumnio obsistere; obtestari ne pravo cum collega certamine rem publicam prodat: si qua clades incidisset, desertori magis quam deserto noxae fore;

[¶77] 19.3. if any disaster should occur, the blame would lie more with the deserter than the deserted; to such a pass had matters come that the entire credit or disgrace of success or failure in Etruria was referred to Lucius Volumnius;

> Latin: 19.3. eo rem adductam ut omne rei bene aut secus gestae in Etruria decus dedecusque ad L. Volumnium sit delegatum; neminem quaesiturum quae verba Appi sed quae fortuna exercitus fuerit;

[¶78] 19.4. no one would enquire what the words of Appius had been, but what the fortune of the army; he was being dismissed by Appius, but retained by the republic and the army; let him but test the wishes of the soldiers.

> Latin: 19.4. dimitti ab Appio eum sed a re publica et ab exercitu retineri; experiretur modo voluntatem militum.

[¶79] 19.5. admonishing and entreating them they dragged the all but resisting consuls to the place of assembly. they spoke at greater length, but substantially to the same effect as they had argued before in the hearing of a few; and when Volumnius, besides having the better cause, likewise showed himself to be no mean orator in opposing the rare eloquence of his colleague, Appius jeeringly remarked that they ought to give himself the credit, for that instead of a mute and tongue —tied consul they had got one who was actually fluent, since in his former consulship, at all events in its early months, he had been incapable of opening his mouth, but was now delivering popular orations.

> Latin: 19.5. monendo obtestandoque prope restitantes consules in contionem pertraxerunt. orationes longiores habitae in eandem ferme sententiam in quam inter paucos certatum verbis fuerat. cum Volumnius, causa superior, ne infacundus quidem adversus eximiam eloquentiam collegae visus esset, cavillansque Appius sibi acceptum referre diceret debere, quod ex muto atque elingui facundum etiam consulem haberent; priore consulatu, primis utique mensibus, hiscere eum nequisse, nunc iam populares orationes serere, mallem inquit Volumnius, tu u a me strenue facere quam ego abs te scite loqui didicissem.

[¶80] 19.8. — “I could wish,” exclaimed Volumnius, “that you might rather have learnt from me to act with vigour than that I should have learnt to speak cleverly from you!” conclusion he proposed a compact which would determine, not which was the better orator —for this was not what the republic wanted —but the better general.

> Latin: 19.8. condicionem ferre quae decretura sit non orator—neque enim id desiderare rem publicam—sed imperator uter sit melior.

[¶81] 19.9. Etruria and Samnium were the nations to be conquered; let Appius choose which he liked; with his own army he would campaign either in Etruria or in Samnium.

> Latin: 19.9. Etruriam et Samnium provincias esse; utram mallet eligeret; suo exercitu se vel in Etruria vel in Samnio rem gesturum.

[¶82] 19.10. the soldiers began to cry out that both should undertake the Etruscan war together.

> Latin: 19.10. militum clamor ortus ut simul ambo bellum Etruscum susciperent.

[¶83] 19.11. them to be of one mind in this, Volumnius said, “I erred in interpreting my colleague's wishes, I will not make the blunder of leaving yours in doubt: do you signify by a shout whether you would have me stay or go.”

> Latin: 19.11. animadverso consensu Volumnius in collegae voluntate interpretanda inquit erravi, non committam ut quid vos velitis obscurum sit: manere an abire me velitis clamore significate.

[¶84] 19.12. in truth they cheered so loud that the enemy were drawn out from their camp, and snatching up their arms went down into line of battle. Volumnius, too, bade sound the signal and advance the banners from the camp.

> Latin: 19.12. vero tantus est clamor exortus ut hostes e castris exciret. arreptis in aciem descendunt. Volumnius signa canere ac vexilla efferri castris iussit; Appium addubitasse ferunt, cernentem seu pugnante seu quieto se fore collegae victoriam;

[¶85] 19.13. Appius, they say, was uncertain what to do, perceiving that, whether he fought or refrained from fighting, the victory would be his colleague's; then, fearing that even his own legions would follow Volumnius, he, too, gave his men the signal for which they were clamouring.

> Latin: 19.13. deinde veritum ne suae quoque legiones Volumnium sequerentur, et ipsum flagitantibus suis signum dedisse.

[¶86] 19.14. neither side had the forces been very advantageously marshalled; for the Samnite commander Gellius Egnatius had taken a few cohorts and gone off to forage, and his soldiers were entering the battle more as their own impulse guided them than under anybody's leadership or orders, and the Roman armies were not both led out together nor had they sufficient time to form.

> Latin: 19.14. neutra parte satis commode instructi fuerunt; nam et Samnitium dux Gellius Egnatius pabulatum cum cohortibus paucis ierat suoque impetu magis milites quam cuiusquam ductu aut imperio pugnam capessebant et Romani exercitus nec pariter ambo ducti nec satis temporis ad instruendum fuit. concurrit Volumnius quam Appius ad hostem perveniret;

[¶87] 19.16. Volumnius was engaged before Appius came within reach of the enemy, and the line of attack was accordingly uneven., as though lots had been cast, there was a shifting of the customary opponents, the Etruscans confronting Volumnius, and the Samnites —after a little hesitation, owing to the absence of their general —meeting Appius.

> Latin: 19.16. itaque fronte inaequali concursum est; et velut sorte quadam mutante adsuetos inter se hostes Etrusci Volumnio, Samnites parumper cunctati, quia dux aberat, Appio occurrere.

[¶88] 19.17. is said that when the conflict was at its hottest, Appius was seen to lift up his hands in the very forefront of the standards and utter this petition: “Bellona, if to —day thou grant us the victory, then do I vow thee a temple.” pronounced this prayer, as though the goddess were inspiring him, he kept pace with the courage of his colleague and the army kept pace with his.

> Latin: 19.17. Appius in medio pugnae discrimine, ita ut inter prima signa manibus ad caelum sublatis conspiceretur, ita precatus esse: Bellona, si hodie nobis victoriam duis, ast ego tibi templum voveo.

[¶89] 19.18. now the generals were quitting themselves like true commanders, and the soldiers were striving that victory might not come first on the other wing.

> Latin: 19.18. precatus, velut instigante dea, et ipse collegae et exercitus virtutem aequavit ducis. et duces imperatoria opera exsequuntur, et milites ne ab altera parte prius victoria incipiat adnituntur.

[¶90] 19.19. therefore routed and put to flight the enemy, who found it no easy task to withstand a greater force than they had been wont to engage with.

> Latin: 19.19. fundunt fugantque hostes, maiorem molem haud facile sustinentes quam cum qua manus conserere adsueti fuerant.

[¶91] 19.20. hard upon them when they faltered and pursuing where they fled, the Romans drove them to their camp., on the appearance of Gellius and the Sabellian cohorts, the battle was renewed for a little while;

> Latin: 19.20. cedentes insequendoque effusos compulere ad castra. interventu Gelli cohortiumque Sabellarum paulisper recruduit pugna. quoque mox fusis iam a victoribus castra oppugnabantur;

[¶92] 19.21. but presently, when these too had been dispersed, the conquering troops assailed the camp, and while Volumnius himself led a charge against the gate, and Appius, calling from time to time on Bellona, goddess of victory, inspirited his soldiers, they burst through the trenches and the rampart.

> Latin: 19.21. et cum Volumnius ipse portae signa inferret, Appius Bellonam victricem identidem celebrans accenderet militum animos, per vallum, per fossas inruperunt.

[¶93] 19.22. The camp was taken and pillaged, and the vast booty found there was given over to the soldiers. thousand eight hundred of the enemy were slain, two thousand one hundred and twenty taken prisoners. both consuls and all the strength of Rome were being devoted mainly to the Etruscan war, new armies rose up in Samnium to waste the territories under Roman sway, and crossing over into Campania and the Falernian district, through the land of the Vescini, gathered in huge spoils. Volumnius was returning by long marches into Samnium —for now the extension of authority granted to Fabius and Decius was drawing to a close —a rumour about the Samnite army and its depredations in the territory of Campania turned him aside to the defence of the allies.

> Latin: 19.22. capta direptaque; praeda ingens parta et militi concessa est. milia octingenti hostium occisi, duo milia et centum viginti capti. ambo consules omnisque Romana vis in Etruscum bellum magis inclinat, in Samnio novi exercitus exorti ad populandos imperii Romani fines per Vescinos in Campaniam Falernumque agrum transcendunt ingentesque praedas faciunt. Volumnium magnis itineribus in Samnium redeuntem— iam enim Fabio Decioque prorogati imperii finis aderat—fama de Samnitium exercitu populationibusque Campani agri ad tuendos socios convertit.

[¶94] 20.3. he came to the Calenian country, he saw for himself the fresh traces of the enemy's ravages, and the Calenians informed him that the Samnites had already so great a train of booty as to march with difficulty, and their leaders were saying openly that they must retire at once into Samnium, and leaving their plunder there, return to the invasion, and not subject an army so heavily burdened to the risks of battle.

> Latin: 20.3. in Calenum venit, et ipse cernit recentia cladis vestigia et Caleni narrant tantum iam praedae hostes trahere ut vix explicare agmen possint:

[¶95] 20.4. These reports were plausible enough; nevertheless he thought it right to obtain more authentic information.

> Latin: 20.4. itaque iam propalam duces loqui extemplo eundum in Samnium esse, ut relicta ibi praeda in expeditionem redeant nec tam oneratum agmen dimicationibus committant.

[¶96] 20.5. therefore sent out horsemen in various directions, to intercept straggling plunderers in the fields, from whom he learned, on questioning them, that their army was encamped at the Volturnus river, whence they would set forward in the third watch and march towards Samnium.

> Latin: 20.5. quamquam similia veris erant, certius tamen exploranda ratus dimittit equites, qui vagos praedatores in agris palantes intercipiant; ex quibus inquirendo cognoscit ad Volturnum flumen sedere hostem, inde tertia vigilia moturum; iter in Samnium esse.

[¶97] 20.7. satisfied of the truth of these reports, he followed the enemy and encamped at such a distance from them that while they could not learn of his arrival from his being too close at hand, he yet might surprise them as they were leaving their camp.

> Latin: 20.7. satis exploratis profectus tanto intervallo ab hostibus consedit ut nec adventus suus propinquitate nimia nosci posset et egredientem e castris hostem opprimeret.

[¶98] 20.8. little before dawn he approached the camp and sent ahead men who knew the Oscan language to find out what was being done. with their enemies, as they could easily do in the confusion of the dark, they learned that the standards had gone forward with a scanty following of men —at —arms, that the booty and its escort were just setting out, but that the column was incapable of progress, since every man was intent upon his own affairs, with no common understanding among any of them nor any very definite leadership.

> Latin: 20.8. ante lucem ad castra accessit gnarosque Oscae linguae exploratum quid agatur mittit. hostibus, quod facile erat in nocturna trepidatione, cognoscunt infrequentia armatis signa egressa, praedam praedaeque custodes exire, immobile agmen et sua quemque molientem nullo inter ullos consensu nec satis certo imperio.

[¶99] 20.9. The time seemed highly suitable for delivering an attack, and the day was breaking.

> Latin: 20.9. adgrediendi aptissimum visum est, et iam lux adpetebat; itaque signa canere iussit agmenque hostium adgreditur.

[¶100] 20.10. Volumnius therefore ordered them to sound the charge and assailed the enemy's column. The Samnites were impeded by their booty and few of them were armed; some quickened their pace and drove the cattle before them, some stood still, uncertain whether it were safer to go on or to return to camp; while they hesitated, the Romans were upon them, and now they had scaled the rampart and the camp was filled with carnage and commotion.

> Latin: 20.10. Samnites praeda impediti, infrequentes armati, pars addere gradum ac prae se agere praedam, pars stare incerti utrum progredi an regredi in castra tutius foret: inter cunctationem opprimuntur et Romani iam transcenderant vallum caedesque ac tumultus erat in castris.