d on the battle
inconsiderately, and inconsiderately gave it over: fierce only in their
shout and with their missive weapons, and at the first onset of the
fight, they were unable to withstand the swords, and the close
engagement foot to foot, and the looks of the enemy, darting fire
through their ardour for the fight. Their front line was driven in, and
confusion spread to the reserve troops, and the cavalry occasioned alarm
on their part: the ranks were then broken in many places, every thing
was set in motion, and the line seemed as it were fluctuating. Then
when, the foremost having fallen, each saw that death was about to reach
himself, they turn their backs. The Roman followed close on them; and as
long as they went off armed and in bodies, the labour in the pursuit
fell to the infantry; when it was observed that their arms were thrown
away in every direction, and that the enemy's line was scattered in
flight through the country; then squadrons of horse were sent out,
intimation being given that they should not, by losing time with the
massacre of individuals, afford an opportunity in the mean time to the
multitude to escape: it would be sufficient that their speed should be
retarded by missive weapons and by terror, and that the progress of
their forces should be detained by skirmishing, until the infantry
should be able to overtake and despatch the enemy by regular slaughter.
There was no end of the flight and slaughter before night; on the same
day the camp of the Volscians was taken also and pillaged, and all the
plunder, save the persons of free condition, was given up to the
soldiers. The greatest part of the prisoners consisted of Latins and
Hernicians, and these not men of plebeian rank, so that it could be
supposed that they had served for hire, but some young men of rank were
found among them: an evident proof that the Volscian enemies had been
aided by public authority. Some of the Circeians also were recognised,
and colonists from Velitrae; and being all sent to Rome, on being
interrogated by the leading senators, plainly revealed the same
circumstances as they had done to the dictator, the defection each of
his respective state.

14. The dictator kept his army in the standing camp, not at all doubting
that the senate would order war with these states; when a more momentous
difficulty having occurred at home, rendered it necessary that he should
be sent for to Rome, the sedition gaining strength every