32.30
From
there he led his legions into the country of the Boii, whose army had not
long before crossed the Po. They had heard that the consuls intended to
attack with their united legions, and in order that they too might consolidate
their strength by union they had formed a junction with the Insubres and
Cenomani. When a report reached them that one of the consuls was firing
the fields of the Boii, a sharp difference of opinion arose; the Boii demanded
that all should render assistance to those who were hard pressed, the
Insubres declared that they would not leave their own country defenceless.
Their forces were accordingly divided; the Boii went off to protect their
country, the Insubres and Cenomani took up a position on the bank of the
Mincius. On the same river, two miles lower down, Cornelius fixed his
camp. From there he sent to make enquiries in Brixia, their capital. and in
their villages, and from what he learnt he was quite satisfied that it was not
with the sanction of their elders that the younger men had taken up arms, nor
had the national council authorised any assistance being given to the revolted
Insubrians. On learning this he invited their chiefs to a conference and tried
to induce them to break with the Insubres and either return home or go over
to the Romans. He was unable to gain their consent to the latter proposal,
but they gave him assurances that they would take no part in the fighting,
unless occasion should arise, in which case they would assist the Romans.
The Insubres were kept in ignorance of this compact, but they felt somewhat
suspicious as to the intentions of their allies, and in forming their line they
did not venture to entrust them with a position on either wing lest they
should abandon their ground through treachery and involve the whole army
in disaster. They were accordingly stationed in the rear as a reserve. At the
outset of the battle the consul vowed a temple to Juno Sospita in case the
enemy were routed that day, and the shouts of the soldiers assured their
commander that they would enable him to fulfil his vow. Then they charged,
and the Insubres did not stand against the first shock. Some authors say that
the Cenomani attacked them from behind while the battle was going on and
that the twofold attack threw them into complete disorder, 35,000 men being
killed and 5200 made prisoners, including the Carthaginian general Hamilcar,
the prime instigator of the war. 130 standards were taken and numerous
wagons. Those of the Gauls who had followed the Insubres in their revolt
surrendered to the Romans.