Ab urbe condita

Their noise and tumult never grew weaker, the fighting went on perfectly steadily, and it looked as if it would only be terminated by the complete exhaustion of the combatants or the approach of night.

By this time the men were beginning to lose their strength and the sword its vigour, whilst the generals were baffled. A troop of Samnite cavalry, who had ridden some distance round the Roman rear, discovered that their baggage was lying at a distance from the combatants without any guard or protection of any kind. On learning this the whole of the cavalry rode up to it eager to secure the plunder.

A messenger in hot haste reported this to the Dictator, who remarked: “All right, let them encumber themselves with spoil.” Then the soldiers one after another began to exclaim that their belongings were being plundered and carried off.