30.35
Laelius and Masinissa, who had followed
up the defeated cavalry a considerable distance, now returned from the
pursuit at the right moment and attacked the enemy in the rear. This at last
decided the action. The enemy were routed, many were surrounded and
killed in action, those who dispersed in flight over the open country were
killed by the cavalry who were in possession of every part. Above 20,000 of
the Carthaginians and their allies perished on that day and almost as many
were made prisoners. 132 standards were secured and 11 elephants. The
victors lost 1500 men. Hannibal escaped in the melee with a few horsemen
and fled to Hadrumetum. Before quitting the field he had done everything
possible in the battle itself and in the preparation for it. Scipio himself
acknowledged and all experienced soldiers agreed that Hannibal had shown
singular skill in the disposition of his troops. He placed his elephants in front
so that their irregular charge and irresistible force might make it impossible
for the Romans to keep their ranks and maintain the order of their formation,
in which their strength and confidence mainly lay. Then he posted the
mercenaries in front of his Carthaginians, in order that this motley force
drawn from all nations, held together not by a spirit of loyalty but by their
pay, might not find it easy to run away. Having to sustain the first onset they
might wear down the impetuosity of the enemy, and if they did nothing else
they might blunt his sword by their wounds. Then came the Carthaginian and
African troops, the mainstay of his hopes. They were equal in all respects to
their adversaries and even had the advantage inasmuch as they would come
fresh into action against a foe weakened by wounds and fatigue. As to the
Italian troops, he had his doubts as to whether they would turn out friends or
foes and withdrew them consequently into the rearmost line. After giving
this final proof of his great abilities, Hannibal fled, as has been stated, to
Hadrumetum. From here he was summoned to Carthage, to which city he
returned thirty-six years after he had left it as a boy. He told the senate
frankly that he had lost not a battle merely but the whole war, and that their
only chance of safety lay in obtaining peace.
