Archelaus adversus L. Sullam in fronte ad perturbandum hostem falcatas quadrigas locavit, in secunda acie phalangem Macedonicam, in tertia Romanorum more armatos auxiliares, mixtis fugitivis Italicae gentis, quorum pervicaciae plurimum fidebat; {5} levem armaturam in ultimo statuit; in utroque deinde latere equitatum, cuius amplum numerum habebat, circumeundi hostis causa posuit. Contra haec Sulla fossas amplae latitudinis utroque latere duxit et capitibus earum castella communiit: qua {10} ratione, ne circuiretur ab hoste et peditum numero et maxime equitatu superante, consecutus est. Triplicem deinde peditum aciem ordinavit relictis intervallis per quae levem armaturam et equitem, quem in novissimo conlocaverat, cum res exegisset, emitteret. {15} Tum postsignanis qui in secunda acie erant imperavit ut densos numerososque palos firme in terram defigerent, intraque eos appropinquantibus quadrigis antesignanorum aciem recepit: tum demum sublato universorum clamore velites et levem armaturam {20} ingerere tela iussit. Quibus factis quadrigae hostium aut implicitae palis aut exterritae clamore telisque in suos conversae sunt turbaveruntque Macedonum structuram: qua cedente, cum Sulla instaret et Archelaus equitem opposuisset, Romani equites {25} subito emissi averterunt eos consummaverantque victoriam. FRONTINUS, _Strategemata_, ii. 3. 17. [Linenotes: 1. +Archelaus+ (and his brother Neoptolemus) ‘trained in the traditions and experience of Greek and Macedonian masters.’ 2. +falcatas quadrigras.+ Archelaus had 60 of these chariots armed with scythes projecting. Cf. Livy xxxvii. 41. 5. +pervicaciae+ = _steadfastness_ (_per_ + _vic_; cf. _vinco_). 11-12. +qua ratione ... consecutus est.+ Sulla had about 30,000 men (15,000 Romans only) against 120,000. 23. +turbaverunt.+ ‘The war-chariots on this as on other occasions (e.g. at Magnesia) had not only proved a failure, but had actually led to a partial disaster.’ --Ihne. Cf. use of war elephants, e.g. at Beneventum 275 B.C. and at Zama 202 B.C. 27. +victoriam.+ It was a great victory, but the results were trifling, partly because Sulla had no fleet, and partly because his political enemies at Rome were bent on crippling him.] +Historic Parallel.+ The Battle of Magnesia 190 B.C. B14 FIRST MITHRIDATIC WAR, 88-84 B.C. (2) A. _Capture of Athens and the Piraeus, 86 B.C._ Sulla interim cum Mithridatis praefectis circa Athenas ita dimicavit, ut et Athenas reciperet et plurimo circa multiplices Piraei portus munitiones labore expleto amplius CC milia hostium interficeret nec minus multa caperet. . . . Nam oppressi (Athenienses) {5} Mithridatis armis homines miserrimae condicionis cum ab inimicis tenerentur, oppugnabantur ab amicis et animos extra moenia, corpora necessitati servientes intra muros habebant. VELLEIUS PATERCULUS, ii. 23.