40.40
The
battle was everywhere a desperate one, but with changing fortunes. The
legionaries fought splendidly, nor did the two divisions of allied troops offer
a less vigorous resistance. The native auxiliaries confronted by men similarly
armed, but somewhat better fighters, could not hold their ground. When the
Celtiberi found that their regular order of battle made them no match for the
legions, they bore down upon them in wedge-formation, a maneuver which
gives them such weight that in whatever direction they carry their attack it
cannot be withstood. Even the legions were now thrown into disorder and
the Roman line was all but broken. Fulvius, seeing this, galloped up to the
legionary cavalry and shouted: "Unless you can come to the rescue it will be
all over with this army." "Say," they shouted in reply, "what you want done,
we shall not be slack in carrying out your orders." He replied: "Close up
your squadrons, cavalry of the two legions, and let your horses go where the
enemy wedge is pressing our men. Your charge will have all the greater
force if you make it on unbitted horses." (We have heard that Roman cavalry
have often done that and covered themselves with glory.) They removed the
horses' bits and charged the wedge in both directions, first forward and then
back again, inflicting great slaughter upon the enemy and shivering all their
spears. When the wedge on which all their hopes rested was broken up, the
Celtiberi so completely lost heart that they gave up almost any attempt at
fighting and began to look about for means of escape. When the auxiliary
cavalry saw the notable feat of the Roman horse they, too, fired by the
courage of the others, and without waiting for orders, spurred their horses
against the enemy who was now thoroughly shaken. This proved decisive;
the Celtiberi fled precipitately in all directions, and the Roman commander,
watching them as they turned their backs, vowed a temple to Fortuna
Equestris and the celebration of solemn Games to Jupiter Optimus Maximus.
The Celtiberi, scattered in flight, were cut to pieces all through the pass. It is
asserted that 17,000 of the enemy were killed on that day, and more than
4000 taken alive, together with 277 military standards and nearly 600 horses.
The victorious army remained encamped in the pass. The victory was not
without loss; 472 Roman soldiers, 1019 soldiers of the allies and 3000 native
auxiliaries perished on the field. With its former glory thus renewed the
victorious army marched to Tarraco. Tiberius Sempronius, who had landed
two days before, went to meet Fulvius and congratulated him upon his
successful conduct of affairs. They were quite at one as to which soldiers
they should release and which retain. After releasing the time-expired men
from their military oath, Fulvius embarked with them for Italy. Sempronius
led the legions into Celtiberia.