ff. The Romans had by
this time passed over the rampart, and filled the camp with slaughter
and confusion: the Samnite army, in addition to the disorder caused by
the enemy, had their disorder increased by a sudden insurrection of
their prisoners; some of whom, getting loose, set the rest at liberty,
while others snatched the arms which were tied up among the baggage,
and being intermixed with the troops, raised a tumult more terrible
than the battle itself. They then performed a memorable exploit: for
making an attack on Statius Minacius, the general, as he was passing
between the ranks and encouraging his men; then, dispersing the
horsemen who attended him, they gathered round himself, and dragged
him, sitting on his horse, a prisoner to the Roman consul. By this
movement the foremost battalions of the Samnites were brought back,
and the battle, which seemed to have been already decided, was
renewed: but they could not support it long. Six thousand of them were
slain, and two thousand five hundred taken, among whom were four
military tribunes, together with thirty standards, and, what gave the
conquerors greater joy than all, seven thousand four hundred prisoners
were recovered. The spoil which had been taken from the allies was
immense, and the owners were summoned by a proclamation, to claim and
receive then property. On the day appointed, all the effects, the
owners of which did not appear, were given to the soldiers, who were
obliged to sell them, in order that they might have nothing to think
of but their duty.

21. The depredations, committed on the lands of Campania, had
occasioned a violent alarm at Rome, and it happened, that about the
same time intelligence was brought from Litruria, that, after the
departure of Volumnius's army, all that country had risen up in arms,
and that Gellius Egnatius, the leader of the Samnites, was causing the
Umbrians to join in the insurrection, and tempting the Gauls with high
offers. Terrified at this news, the senate ordered the courts of
justice to be shut, and a levy to be made of men of every description.
Accordingly not only free-born men and the younger sort were obliged
to enlist, but cohorts were formed of the elder citizens, and the sons
of freed-men were incorporated in the centuries. Plans were formed for
the defence of the city, and the praetor, Publius Sempronius, was
invested with the chief command. However, the senate was exonerated of
one half of their anxiety