27.2
Marcellus was not particularly disturbed by
this serious disaster. He sent a despatch to the senate informing them of the
loss of the general and his army at Herdonea and adding that he himself was
the same Marcellus who had beaten Hannibal when flushed with his victory
at Cannae, that he intended to meet him and would soon put an end to any
pleasure he might feel at his recent success. In Rome itself there was great
mourning for what had happened and great apprehension as to what might
happen in the future. The consul marched out of Samnium and advanced as
far as Numistro in Lucania. Here he encamped on level ground in full view
of Hannibal, who was occupying a hill. To show the confidence he felt, he
was the first to offer battle, and when Hannibal saw the standards emerging
from the gates of the camp, he did not decline the challenge. They formed
their lines so that the Carthaginian rested his right on the hill, while the
Roman left was protected by the town. The troops who were first engaged
were, on the Roman side, the first legion and the right wing of the allies;
those under Hannibal comprised the Spanish infantry and the Balearic
slingers. When the action had commenced the elephants were driven on to
the field. The contest was prolonged from the third hour of the day until
nightfall, and when the front lines were worn out, the third legion relieved
the first and the left wing of the allies took the place of the right. Fresh
troops also came into action on the other side, with the result that instead of
a spiritless and exhausted struggle a fierce fight broke out anew between
men who were fresh in mind and body. Night, however, separated the
combatants whilst the victory was yet undecided." The following day the
Romans remained under arms from sunrise till well on in the day, ready to
renew the contest. But as no enemy showed himself, they began to gather
the spoils of the field, and after collecting the bodies of the slain into one
heap, they burnt them. Hannibal broke up his camp quietly at night and
withdrew into Apulia. When daylight revealed the enemies' flight, Marcellus
made up his mind to follow in his track. He left the wounded with a small
guard at Numistro under the charge of L. Furius Purpurio, one of his military
tribunes, and came up with Hannibal at Venusia. Here for some days there
were skirmishes between the outposts and slight actions in which both
cavalry and infantry took part, but no regular battle. In nearly every case the
Romans had the advantage. Both armies traversed Apulia without fighting
any important action, Hannibal marching by night always on the look-out for
a chance of surprise or ambush, Marcellus never moving but in daylight, and
then only after careful reconnoitring.