22.52
After
most of the day had been spent in collecting the spoils, Hannibal led his men
to the attack on the smaller camp and commenced operations by throwing up
a breastwork to cut off their water supply from the river. As, however, all
the defenders were exhausted by toil and want of sleep, as well as by
wounds, the surrender was effected sooner than he had anticipated. They
agreed to give up their arms and horses, and to pay for each Roman three
hundred "chariot pieces," for each ally two hundred, and for each officer's
servant one hundred, on condition that after the money was paid they should
be allowed to depart with one garment apiece. Then they admitted the enemy
into the camp and were all placed under guard, the Romans and the allies
separately. Whilst time was being spent there, all those in the larger camp,
who had sufficient strength and courage, to the number of 4000 infantry and
200 cavalry, made their escape to Canusium, some in a body, others
straggling through the fields, which was quite as safe a thing to do. Those
who were wounded and those who had been afraid to venture surrendered
the camp on the same terms as had been agreed upon in the other camp. An
immense amount of booty was secured, and the whole of it was made over
to the troops with the exception of the horses and prisoners and whatever
silver there might be. Most of this was on the trappings of the horses, for
they used very little silver plate at table, at all events when on a campaign.
Hannibal then ordered the bodies of his own soldiers to be collected for
burial; it is said that there were as many as 8000 of his best troops. Some
authors state that he also had a search made for the body of the Roman
consul, which he buried. Those who had escaped to Canusium were simply
allowed shelter within its walls and houses, but a high-born and wealthy
Apulian lady, named Busa, assisted them with corn and clothes and even
provisions for their journey. For this munificence the senate, at the close of
the war, voted her public honours
