40.28
The
two camps of the Ligurians were on the near side of the mountain. During
the first days they all used to march out of their camps at sunrise in proper
formation; afterwards they did not take up arms unless they had been gorged
with food and wine; they left their camps without any order, scattered about
the field, feeling confident that their enemy would not advance outside his
rampart. Whilst they were coming up in this disorderly fashion, the
battle-shout was suddenly raised by every one in the camp, camp-followers
and sutlers alike, and the Romans dashed out from all the gates. So little did
the Ligurians expect this that they were thrown into as much confusion as if
they had fallen into an ambush. For a few moments there was some
appearance of a battle, then there was a wild flight and slaughter of the
fugitives in all directions. The signal was given to the cavalry to mount their
horses and allow no one to escape; the enemy were all driven headlong into
their camp and then driven out of it. Over 15,000 Ligurians were killed that
day and 2500 taken prisoners. Three days afterwards the entire tribe of the
Ingauni made their submission and gave hostages. Search was made for the
pilots and sailors who had been in the pirate ships, and they were all placed
under guard. Thirty-two of these ships were captured by Matienus off the
coast of Liguria. L. Aurelius Cotta and C. Sulpicius Gallus were sent to
Rome to report what had happened and also to request that L. Aemilius,
having brought his province into order, might be permitted to leave and
bring away his soldiers with him and then disband them. Both requests were
granted by the senate and thanksgivings at all the shrines were ordered for
three days. Petilius was ordered to disband the citizen legions, and Fabius
received orders to suspend the enrolment of Latin and allied troops. The City
praetor was also ordered by the senate to write to the consuls and inform
them that the senate thought it right that the men which had been hastily
raised to meet the emergency should be disbanded as soon as possible.
