25.18
The
consuls had invaded the territory of Capua and were devastating it far and
wide when great alarm and confusion were caused by a sudden sortie of the
townsmen supported by Mago and his troopers. They hurriedly recalled to
the standards the men who were scattered in all directions, but they had
hardly time to form their line before they were routed and lost more than
1500 men. The self-confidence and arrogance of the people of Capua were
immensely strengthened by this success and they were continually
challenging the Romans to fight. But that one engagement brought about by
want of caution and foresight put the consuls much more on their guard. An
incident occurred, however, which put heart into the Romans and lessened
the confidence of the other side, an insignificant one it is true, but in war
nothing is so insignificant as not sometimes to involve serious consequences.
T. Quinctius Crispinus had a friend in Capua called Badius, and their
friendship was a very close and intimate one. The intimacy had been formed
before the defection of Capua when Badius was lying ill in Rome at
Crispinus' house and received the kindest and most careful attention from his
host. One day this Badius walked up to the sentinels on duty before the
camp gate and asked them to call Crispinus. Crispinus, on receiving the
message, imagined that he had not forgotten the old ties of friendship even
though public treaties were torn up, and that he wanted a friendly and
familiar talk, and accordingly he went on a short distance from his comrades.
As soon as they came in sight of one another Badius called out: "I, Badius,
challenge you, Crispinus, to battle. Let us mount our horses and, when the
others have withdrawn, decide who of us is the better fighter." Crispinus
replied that neither he nor his challenger lacked enemies upon whom they
could display their courage, but as for himself, even if he met Badius on the
field of battle, he would avoid him sooner than pollute his right hand with a
friend's blood. Then he turned round and was in the act of departing when
Badius became more insolent and began to taunt him with effeminacy and
cowardice and hurled at him abusive epithets which he himself more properly
deserved. He said that he was an enemy masquerading as a friend and
pretending to spare a man for whom he knew he was no match. If he were
under the impression that when the bonds which held states together were
broken the bonds of private friendship were not broken at the same time,
then he, Badius of Capua, openly renounced in the hearing of both armies
the friendship of T. Quinctius Crispinus the Roman. "There is," he went on,
"no fellowship, no bond of alliance between foe and foe, between me and the
man who has come to attack my home, my country, and my country's gods.
If you are a man, meet me!" For a long time Crispinus hesitated, but the men
of his troop at last prevailed upon him not to let the Campanian insult him
with impunity, and so, only waiting till he could ask his commanders if they
would allow him, against regulations, to fight an enemy who challenged him,
he mounted his horse with their permission and called upon Badius by name
to come out and fight. The Campanian showed no hesitation; they spurred
their horses against each other and met. Crispinus with his lance wounded
Badius in his left shoulder above his shield. He fell from his horse and
Crispinus leaped down from the saddle to despatch him as he lay. Badius,
before he was overpowered, escaped to his comrades, leaving shield and
horse behind. Crispinus, proudly displaying his spoils, the horse and shield
which he had taken, was conducted amid the cheers and congratulations of
the soldiers to the consuls. Here he was addressed in terms of high praise
and loaded with gifts.
