7.7
After
Genucius had fallen, C. Sulpicius had assumed the command, and before the
arrival of the Dictator and the newly-raised legions, he distinguished himself
by a smart action. The death of the consul had led the Hernici to think very
lightly of the Roman arms, and they surrounded the Roman camp fully
expecting to carry it by assault. The defenders, encouraged by their general
and burning with rage and indignation at their recent defeat, made a sortie,
and not only destroyed any hopes the Hernici had of forcing the
entrenchment but created such disorder amongst them that they precipitately
retreated. By the arrival of the Dictator and the junction of the old and
newly-raised legions, their strength was doubled. In the presence of the
entire force, the Dictator commended Sulpicius and the men who had so
gallantly defended the camp, and whilst he raised the courage of those who
listened to the praise which they so well deserved, he at the same time made
the rest all the keener to emulate them. The enemy showed no less energy in
preparing for a renewal of the struggle. Aware of the increase in the strength
of their enemy, and animated by the thought of their recent victory, they
called every man in the Hernican nation who could bear arms. Eight cohorts
were formed of four hundred men each, who had been carefully selected.
These, the picked flower of their manhood, were full of hope and courage,
and they were further encouraged by a decree which had been passed to
allow them double pay. They were exempt from all fatigue duty, in order
that they might devote themselves more than the rest of the troops to the one
duty reserved for them -that of fighting. In order to make their courage
more conspicuous they occupied a special position in the fighting line. The
Roman camp was separated from the Hernican by a plain two miles broad. In
the middle of this plain, almost equally distant from both camps, the battle
took place. For some time neither side gained any advantage, though the
Roman cavalry made frequent attempts to break the enemy's line. When they
found that the effect produced was much feebler than the efforts they made,
they obtained the Dictator's permission to abandon their horses and fight on
foot. They raised a loud cheer and commenced a novel kind of fighting by
charging as infantry. Their onset would have been irresistible had not the
special cohorts of the enemy opposed them with a strength and courage
equal to their own.