9.32
During
these occurrences in Samnium the whole of the cities of Etruria with the
exception of Arretium had taken up arms and commenced what proved to be
a serious war by an attack on Sutrium. This city was in alliance with Rome,
and served as a barrier on the side of Etruria. Aemilius marched thither to
raise the siege, and selected a site before the city where he entrenched
himself. His camp was plentifully supplied with provisions from Sutrium.
The Etruscans spent the day after his arrival in discussing whether they
should bring on an immediate engagement or protract the war. Their
generals decided upon the more energetic course as the safer one, and the
next day at sunrise the signal for battle was displayed and the troops
marched into the field. As soon as this was reported to the consul he ordered
the tessera to be given out, instructing the men to take their breakfast, and
after they were strengthened by food to arm themselves for battle. When he
saw that they were in complete readiness, he ordered the standards to go
forward, and after the army had emerged from the camp he formed his
battle-line not far from the enemy. For some time both sides stood in
expectation, each waiting for the other to raise the battle-shout and begin the
fighting. The sun passed the meridian before a single missile was discharged
on either side. At length the Etruscans, not caring to leave the field without
securing some success, raised the battle-shout; the trumpets sounded and the
standards advanced. The Romans showed no less eagerness to engage. They
closed with each other in deadly earnest. The Etruscans had the advantage in
numbers, the Romans in courage. The contest was equally maintained and
cost many lives, including the bravest on both sides, nor did either army
show any signs of giving way until the second Roman line came up fresh into
the place of the first, who were wearied and exhausted. The Etruscans had
no reserves to support their first line, and all fell in front of their standards or
around them. No battle would have witnessed fewer fugitives or involved
greater carnage had not the Tuscans, who had made up their minds to die,
found protection in the approach of night, so that the victors were the first to
desist from fighting. After sunset the signal was given to retire, and both
armies returned in the night to their respective camps. Nothing further worth
mention took place that year at Sutrium. The enemy had lost the whole of
their first line in a single battle and had only their reserves left, who were
hardly sufficient to protect their camp. Amongst the Romans there were so
many wounded that those who left the field disabled were more numerous
than those who had fallen in the battle.