tering, a new line which
appeared unexpectedly, receiving the antepilani into the intervals
between the ranks, raised a shout, and broke through the first line of
the Latins; and goading their faces, after cutting down those who
constituted their principal strength, they passed almost intact through
the other companies, with such slaughter that they scarcely left one
fourth of the enemy. The Samnites also, drawn up at a distance at the
foot of the mountain, struck terror into the Latins. But of all, whether
citizens or allies, the principal praise for that action was due to the
consuls; the one of whom turned on himself alone all the threats and
dangers (denounced) by the divinities of heaven and hell; the other
evinced such valour and such judgment in the battle, that it was
universally agreed among both the Romans and Latins who have transmitted
to posterity an account of the battle, that, on whichever side Titus
Manlius held the command, the victory must belong to that. The Latins in
their flight betook themselves to Minturnae. Immediately after the battle
the camp was taken, and great numbers still alive were surprised
therein, chiefly Campanians. Night surprised them in their search, and
prevented the body of Decius from being discovered on that day. On the
day after it was found amid vast heaps of slaughtered enemies, pierced
with a great number of darts, and his funeral was solemnized under the
direction of his colleague, in a manner suited to his death. It seems
right to add here, that it is lawful for a consul, a dictator, and a
praetor, when he devotes the legions of the enemy, to devote not himself
particularly, but whatever citizen he may choose out of a Roman legion
regularly enrolled: if the person who has been devoted die, the matter
is duly performed; if he do not perish, then an image, seven feet high
or more, must be buried in the ground, and a victim slain, as an
expiation. Where that image shall be buried, there it is not lawful that
a Roman magistrate should pass. But if he wish to devote himself, as
Decius did, unless he who has devoted himself die, he shall not with
propriety perform any act of religion regarding either himself or the
public. Should he wish to devote his arms to Vulcan or to any other god,
he has a right, whether he shall please, by a victim, or in any other
manner. It is not proper that the enemy should get possession of the
weapon, on which the consul, standing, pronounced the imp