10.44
The
rejoicings in each of the Roman armies were all the greater because of the
success achieved by the other. The consuls, by mutual agreement, gave up
the captured cities to be sacked by the soldiery. When they had cleared out
the houses they set them on fire and in one day Aquilonia and Cominium
were burnt to the ground. Amidst their own mutual congratulations and
those of their soldiers, the consuls united their camps. In the presence of the
two armies rewards and decorations were bestowed by both Carvilius and
Papirius. Papirius had seen his men through many different actions in the
open field, around their camp, under city walls, and the rewards he bestowed
were well merited. Spurius Nautius, Spurius Papirius, his nephew, four
centurions, and a maniple of hastati all received golden bracelets and crowns.
Sp. Nautius won his for his success in the maneuver by which he frightened
the enemy with the appearance of a large army; the young Papirius owed his
reward to the work he did with his cavalry in the battle and in the following
night, when he harassed the retreat of the Samnites from Aquilonia; the
centurions and men of the maniple were rewarded for having been the first to
seize the gate and wall of the city. All the cavalry were presented with
ornaments for their helmets and silver bracelets as rewards for their brilliant
work in various localities. Subsequently a council of war was held to settle
whether the time had come for withdrawing both armies from Samnium, or,
at all events, one of them. It was thought best to continue the war, and to
carry it on more and more ruthlessly in proportion as the Samnites became
weaker, in order that they might hand over to the consuls who succeeded
them a thoroughly subdued nation. As the enemy had now no army in a
condition to fight in the open field, the war could only be carried on by
attacking their cities, and the sack of those which they captured would enrich
the soldiers, whilst the enemy, compelled to fight for their hearths and
homes, would gradually become exhausted. In pursuance of this plan the
consuls sent despatches to Rome giving an account of their operations and
then separated, Papirius marching to Saepinum, whilst Carvilius led his
legions to the assault on Velia.