37.42
These
useless shams, however, were soon to prove the cause of a real disaster. The
auxiliary troops who were posted in reserve next to them were so
demoralised by the panic and confusion of the chariots that they took to
flight and exposed the whole line as far as the cataphracti. Now that the
reserves were broken the Roman horse made a charge against these, and
many of them did not await even the first shock, some were routed, others
owing to the weight of their mail armour were caught and killed. Then the
remainder of the left wing entirely gave way, and when the auxiliaries who
were stationed between the cavalry and the phalanx were thrown into
disorder the demoralisation reached the centre. Here the ranks were broken
and they were prevented from using their extraordinarily long spears-the
Macedonians call them "sarisae" -by their own comrades who ran back for
shelter amongst them. Whilst they were in this disorder the Romans
advanced against them and discharged their javelins. Even the elephants
posted between the divisions of the phalanx did not deter them, accustomed
as they were in the African wars to evade the charge of the beast and attack
its sides with their javelins or, if they could get nearer to it, hamstring it with
their swords. The centre front was now almost entirely beaten down and the
reserves, having been outflanked, were being cut down from the rear. At this
juncture the Romans heard in another part of the field the cries of their own
men in flight, almost at the very gates of their camp. Antiochus from his
position on his right wing had noticed that the Romans, trusting to the
protection of the river, had only four squadrons of cavalry in position there,
and these, keeping in touch with their infantry. had left the bank of the river
exposed. He attacked this part of the line with his auxiliaries and cataphracti,
and not only forced back their front, but wheeling round along the river,
pressed on their flank until the cavalry were put to flight and the infantry,
who were next to them, were driven with them in headlong flight to their
camp.
