41.26
In
Spain the Celtiberi who, after their defeat, had submitted to Ti. Gracchus,
remained quiet during M. Titinius' administration. On the arrival of Appius
Claudius they resumed hostilities and began by a sudden attack on the
Roman camp. The day had hardly dawned when the sentinels on the rampart
and the men on outpost duty at the gates caught sight of the enemy
advancing in the distance and gave the alarm. Appius Claudius hoisted the
signal for action and after addressing a few words to the soldiers made a
simultaneous sortie from three gates. The Celtiberi met them as they
emerged and for a short time the fighting was equal on both sides, because
owing to the confined space the Romans could not all get into action. As
soon as they got clear of the rampart they followed those in front of them in
a compact mass in order to be able to deploy into line and extend their front
to the same length as that of the enemy by whom they were being
surrounded. Then they made a sudden charge which the Celtiberi could not
withstand. In less than two hours they were defeated; 15,000 were either
killed or taken prisoners; 32 standards were captured. The camp was
stormed the same day and the war brought to an end. The survivors from the
battle dispersed to their various towns. After that they submitted quietly to
the authority of Rome.
