9.35
During
these proceedings in Rome the siege of Sutrium was being kept up by the
Etruscans. The consul Fabius was marching to assist the allies of Rome and
to attempt the enemy's lines wherever it seemed practicable. His route lay
along the lowest slopes of the mountain range, when he came upon the
hostile forces drawn up in battle formation. The wide plain which stretched
below revealed their enormous numbers, and in order to compensate for his
own inferiority in that respect by the advantage of position, he deflected his
column a little way on to the rising ground, which was rough and covered
with stones. He then formed his front against the enemy. The Etruscans,
thinking of nothing but their numbers, on which they solely relied, came on
with such eager impetuosity that they flung away their javelins in order to
come more quickly to a hand-to-hand fight, and rushed upon their foe with
drawn swords. The Romans, on the other hand, showered down upon them
first their javelins and then the stones with which the ground plentifully
supplied them. Shields and helmets alike were struck, and those who were
not wounded were confounded and bewildered; it was almost impossible for
them to get to close quarters, and they had no missiles with which to keep
up the fight from a distance. Whilst they were standing as a mark for the
missiles, without any sufficient protection, some even retreating, the whole
line wavering and unsteady, the Roman hastati and principes raised their
battle-shout again and charged down upon them with drawn swords. The
Etruscans did not wait for the charge but faced about and in disorderly flight
made for their camp. The Roman cavalry, however, galloping in a slanting
direction across the plain, headed off the fugitives, who gave up all idea of
reaching their camp and turned off to the mountains. For the most part
without arms, and with a large proportion of wounded, the fugitives entered
the Ciminian forest. Many thousands of Etruscans were killed, thirty-eight
standards were taken, and in the capture of the camp the Romans secured an
immense amount of booty. Then the question was discussed whether to
pursue the enemy or no.