23.27
When
they found that though they rode up to the Carthaginian lines they could not
entice the enemy into action, whilst an attack upon the camp was a far from
easy matter, they successfully assaulted the town of Ascua, where Hasdrubal
had stored his corn and other supplies on entering their territories, and
became masters of all the country round. Now there was no longer any
discipline amongst them, whether on the march or in camp. Hasdrubal soon
became aware of this, and seeing that success had made them careless, he
urged his men to attack them whilst they were scattered away from their
standards; he himself meanwhile descended from the hill and marched with
his men in attack formation straight to their camp. News of his approach was
brought by men rushing in from the look-out stations and outposts and there
was a general call to arms. As each man seized his weapons he hurried with
the others into battle, without order or formation, or word of command or
standards. The foremost of them were already engaged, whilst others were
still running up in small groups and some had not yet left the camp. Their
reckless daring, however, at first checked the enemy, but soon, finding that
whilst loose and scattered themselves, they were charging an enemy in close
formation, and that their scanty numbers imperilled their safety, they looked
round at one another, and as they were being repulsed in every direction they
formed a square. Standing close together with their shields touching they
were gradually driven into such a close mass that they had hardly room to
use their weapons, and for a great part of the day were simply cut down by
the enemy who completely surrounded them. A very few cut their way out
and made for the woods and hills. The camp was abandoned in the same
panic and the whole tribe made their surrender the following day. But they
did not remain quiet long, for just after this battle an order was received
from Carthage for Hasdrubal to lead his army as soon as he could into Italy.
This became generally known throughout Spain and the result was that there
was a universal feeling in favour of Rome. Hasdrubal at once sent a despatch
to Carthage pointing out what mischief the mere rumour of his departure had
caused, and also that if he did really leave Spain it would pass into the hands
of the Romans before he crossed the Ebro. He went on to say that not only
had he neither a force nor a general to leave in his place, but the Roman
generals were men whom he found it difficult to oppose even when his
strength was equal to theirs. If, therefore, they were at all anxious to retain
Spain they should send a man with a powerful army to succeed him, and
even though all went well with his successor he would not find it an easy
province to govern.
