4.18
Amongst the enemy there
was diversity of opinion. The men of Falerii,
impatient at serving so far from home, and full of
self-confidence, demanded battle; those of Veii and
Fidenae placed more hope in a prolongation of the
war. Although Tolumnius was more inclined to the
opinion of his own men, he announced that he would
give battle the next day, in case the Faliscans
should refuse to serve through a protracted
campaign. This hesitation on the part of the enemy
gave the Dictator and the Romans fresh courage. The
next day, whilst the soldiers were declaring that
unless they had the chance of fighting they would
attack the enemy's camp and city, both armies
advanced on to the level ground between their
respective camps. The Veientine general, who was
greatly superior in numbers, sent a detachment round
the back of the hills to attack the Roman camp
during the battle. The armies of the three States
were stationed thus: The Veientines were on the
right wing, the Faliscans on the left, the Fidenates
in the centre. The Dictator led his right wing
against the Faliscans, Capitolinus Quinctius
directed the attack of the left against the
Veientines, whilst the Master of the Horse advanced
with his cavalry against the enemy's centre. For a
few moments all was silent and motionless, as the
Etruscans would not commence the fight unless they
were compelled, and the Dictator was watching the
Citadel of Rome and waiting for the agreed signal
from the augurs as soon as the omens should prove
favourable. No sooner had he caught sight of it than
he let loose the cavalry, who, raising a loud
battle-cry, charged; the infantry followed with a
furious onslaught. In no quarter did the legions of
Etruria stand the Roman charge; their cavalry
offered the stoutest resistance, and the king,
himself by far the bravest of them, charged the
Romans whilst they were scattered everywhere in
pursuit of the enemy, and so prolonged the contest.