Ab urbe condita

Romans. Way was made for the wolf between the ranks; the Gauls speared the hind. On this a soldier in the front rank exclaimed: “In that place where you see the creature sacred to Diana lying dead, flight and carnage will begin; here the wolf, whole and unhurt, a creature sacred to Mars, reminds us of our Founder and that we too are of the race of

Mars.” The Gauls were stationed on the right, the Samnites on the left.[*](Where the Umbrians were and why they did not take part in this battle are questions to which our extant authorities vouchsafe no reply.) Q. Fabius posted the first and third legions on the right wing, facing the Samnites; to oppose the Gauls, Decius had the fifth and sixth legions, who formed the Roman