42.60
On
that day there fell on the side of the Romans 200 cavalry and not less than
2000 infantry; about 600 were made prisoners. Out of the king's army 20
cavalry and 40 infantry were killed. On their return to camp the victors were
all in high spirits, but the Thracians surpassed all in the insolence of their joy.
They returned to camp singing and carrying the heads of their enemies fixed
on their spears. Amongst the Romans there was not only grief at their defeat,
but a fear lest the enemy should make a sudden attack on the camp.
Eumenes urged the consul to transfer the camp to the opposite bank of the
Peneus, that they might have the protection of the river until the shaken
soldiers could recover their morale. The consul felt bitterly the disgrace of
admitting that he was afraid, but yielding to reason, he took the troops
across in the dead of night and entrenched himself on the further bank. The
next day the king marched up to provoke his enemy to battle. When he
noticed their camp safely fixed across the river he owned that he was wrong
in not pressing upon his foe the day before, but still more so in remaining
inactive through the night, for had he sent only his light infantry against the
enemy during the confusion caused by the passage of the river, their force
would to a large extent have been wiped out. Now that their camp was in a
safe position the Romans were relieved from the danger of an immediate
attack, but they were much depressed, especially at their loss of prestige. In
the council at the headquarters tent, each in turn threw the blame on the
Aetolians, it was with them that the panic and flight began, and the rest of
the Greek contingents followed the example of the Aetolians. Five Aetolian
officers, said to have been the first who were seen to turn their backs on the
enemy, were sent to Rome. The Thessalians were commended before the
whole army and their leaders were rewarded for their bravery.
