Ab urbe condita

with an enemy who was no match for them, the defenders abandoned their walls and towers and were driven back into the forum.

Here they made a desperate effort to retrieve their fortune, but after a brief struggle they threw down their arms and 11,400 men surrendered after losing 4880 killed.

Thus matters went at Cominium as they had gone at Aquilonia. In the country between these two cities, where a third battle was expected, nothing was seen of the 20 cohorts. When they were still seven miles from Cominium they were recalled by their comrades, and so did not come in for either battle.

Just as twilight was setting in, when they had reached a spot from which their camp and Aquilonia were both visible, a noise of shouting from both quarters made them call a halt.

Then in the direction of their camp, which had been set on fire by the Romans, flames sheeting up far and wide, a more certain indication of disaster, stopped them from going any further.

They threw themselves down just where they were under arms, and passed a restless night waiting for and dreading the day.

When it began to grew light, whilst they were still uncertain what direction to take, they were espied by the cavalry who had gone in pursuit of the Samnites in their nocturnal retreat from Aquilonia. The whole body were plainly discernible, with no entrenchments to protect them, no outposts on guard.

They were visible, too, from the walls of the city, and in a short time the legionary cohorts were on their track. Thev made a hasty flight, and the infantry were unable to come up with them, but some 280 in the extreme rear were cut down by the cavalry. A great quantity of arms and 22 standards were left hehind in their hurry to escape.

The other body who had escaped from Aquilenia reached Bovianum in comparative safety, considering the confusion which marked their retreat.