The Roman History (Volume 3) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1830. Excerpt: ... that their whole time was spent in vows and supplies-Year of -ROME tions; he adds, "for in all public calamities and dan-537. gers the Romans are extremely careful to pacify the B-C215 anger of the gods; nor, of the many religious ceremonies prescribed for such occasions, is there one, of" which, how frivolous and impertinent soever it may appear, they think the practice unbecoming." At sunrise in the morning, after the insult by the The battle Numidians, Varro, having the command, led his troops PolTb b 3 of the greater camp over the Aufidus, and joining n& them to those of the lesser, drew them up in the plain after the accustomed manner, excepting that, in all s" i-0L 7the three lines, the battalions stood closer, and those in the first line were deeper, than usual. The Roknights, commanded by 5 milius, formed the it wing close to the river; the cavalry of the allies, under Terentius Varro, made the left. The proconsuls Servilius and Atilius led the main body, consisting of 70,000 foot; for Varro had left 10,000 men in the greater camp, with orders to attack that of Hannibal when the armies should be engaged. The Carthaginian2 no sooner perceived the Romans in motion, but he sent over the Aufidus his slingers, and the other light-armed foot. The rest of the army followed, passing the river at two different places. He drew up his forces in one front. To face the Roman knights he posted his Spanish and Gallic cavalry in his left wing; next these were placed one half of his African infantry, then the Spanish and Gallic foot, then the other half of his Africans; and the Numidian horse made his right wing. Plrtarch reports, that Varro's confidence and his numerous army alarmed the Carthaginians; that Hannibal with a small company went out to take...