About the same time,
P. Crassus, when he had arrived in
Aquitania (which, as has been before said, both from its extent of territory and the great number of its people, is to be reckoned a third part of
Gaul,) understanding that he was to wage war in these parts, where a few years before,
L. Valerius Praeconinus, the lieutenant had been killed, and his army routed, and from which
L. Manilius, the proconsul, had fled with the loss of his baggage, he perceived that no ordinary care must be used by him.
Wherefore, having provided corn, procured auxiliaries and cavalry, [and] having summoned by name many valiant men from
Tolosa ,
Carcaso , and
Narbo , which are the states of the province of
Gaul, that border on these regions [
Aquitania ], he led his army into the territories of the
Sotiates. On his arrival being known, the
Sotiates having brought together great forces and [much] cavalry, in which their strength principally lay, and assailing our army on the march, engaged first in a cavalry action, then when their cavalry was routed, and our men pursuing, they suddenly display their infantry forces, which they had placed in ambuscade in a valley. These attacked our men [while] disordered, and renewed the fight.