23.47
When
this was reported to Asellus in the camp, he only waited till he could ask the
consul whether he would be allowed, against the regulations, to fight his
challenger. Permission being granted he at once armed himself and, riding in
front of the outposts, called Taurea by name and told him to meet him
wherever he pleased. The Romans had already gone out in crowds to watch
the duel, and the Campanians had not only lined the rampart of their camp,
but had gathered in large numbers on the fortifications of the city. After a
great flourish of words and expressions of mutual defiance they levelled their
spears and spurred their horses. As there was plenty of space they kept
evading each other's thrusts and the fight went on without either being
wounded. Then the Campanian said to the Roman: "This will be a trial of
skill between the horses and not their riders unless we leave the open and go
down into this hollow lane. There will be no room for swerving aside there,
we shall fight at close quarters." Almost before the words were out of his
mouth, Claudius leaped his horse into the lane, and Taurea, bolder in words
than deeds, shouted, "Never be an ass in a ditch," and this expression
became a rustic proverb. After riding some distance along the lane and
finding no opponent, Claudius got into the open and returned to camp,
saying strong things about the cowardice of his adversary. He was welcomed
as victor with cheers and congratulations by his comrades. In the accounts of
this duel on horseback some annalists record an additional circumstance -how far there is any truth in it each must judge for himself, but it is at least
remarkable. They say that Claudius went in pursuit of Taurea who fled to the
city, and galloped in through one open gate and out through another unhurt,
the enemy standing dumbfounded at the extraordinary sight.
