25. The next night the Volscians, relying on the dissension among the
Romans, made an attempt on their camp, to see if any desertion or
treachery might be resorted to during the night. The sentinels on guard
perceived them; the army was called up, and the signal being given they
ran to arms. Thus that attempt of the Volscians was frustrated; the
remainder of the night was dedicated to repose on both sides. The next
morning at daybreak the Volscians, having filled the trenches, attacked
the rampart. And already the fortifications were being demolished on
every side, when the consul, although all on every side, and more
especially the debtors, cried out that he should give the signal, having
delayed a little while for the purpose of trying the feelings of the
soldiers, when their great ardour became sufficiently apparent, having
at length given the signal for sallying forth, he lets out the soldiers
now impatient for the fight. At the very first onset the enemy were
routed; the rear of them who fled was harassed, as long as the infantry
was able to overtake them; the cavalry drove them in consternation to
their very camp. In a little time the camp itself was taken and
plundered, the legions having surrounded it, as the panic had driven the
Volscians even from thence also. On the next day the legions being led
to Suessa Pometia, whither the enemy had retreated, in a few days the
town is taken; when taken, it was given up for plunder: by these means
the needy soldiers were somewhat relieved. The consul leads back his
victorious army to Rome with the greatest glory to himself: as he is
setting out for Rome, the deputies of the Ecetrans, (a part) of the
Volscians, alarmed for their state after the taking of Pometia, come to
him. By a decree of the senate peace is granted them, but their land is
taken from them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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