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.

The Dictator sent for the Master of the Horse. “Do you see,” he said, “M. Fabius, that the enemy's cavalry have left the fight? They are hampering and impeding themselves with our baggage.

Attack them whilst they are scattered, as plundering parties always are; you will find very few of them in the saddle, very few with swords in their hands. Cut them down whilst they are loading their horses with spoil, with no weapons to defend themselves, and make it a bloody spoil for them!

I will look after the infantry battle, the glory of the cavalry victory shall be yours.”

The cavalry force, riding in perfect order, charged the enemy whilst scattered and hampered by their plunder and filled the whole place with carnage.

Incapable of either resistance or flight they were cut down amongst the packages which they had thrown away and over which their startled horses were stumbling.

After almost annihilating the enemy's cavalry, M. Fabius led his cavalry by a short circuit round the main battle and attacked the Samnite infantry from behind.

The fresh shouting which arose in that direction threw them into a panic, and when the Dictator saw the men in front looking round, the standards getting into confusion, and the whole line wavering, he called upon his men and encouraged them to fresh efforts; he appealed to the military tribunes and first cen- turions by name to join him in renewing the fight.

They again raised the battle-shout and pressed forward, and wherever they advanced they saw more and more demoralisation amongst the enemy.

The cavalry were now within view of those in front, and Cornelius, turning round to his maniples, indicated as well as he could by voice and hand that he recognised the standards and bucklers of his own cavalry.

No sooner did they see and hear them than, forgetting the toil and travail they had endured for almost a whole day, forgetting their wounds, and as eager as though they had just emerged fresh from their camp after receiving the signal for battle, they flung themselves on the enemy.