Titus Livius (Livy), Ab urbe condita, Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor), 28.13

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[1]

Scipio, when the news reached him that they had got together so large an army, thought that with Roman legions alone he would be no match for such a multitude unless barbarian auxiliaries should confront them, at least for appearance' sake.

[2] Yet he felt that these must not compose so large a part of his forces that by changing sides —which had been the cause of disaster to his father and uncle —they might decide the outcome.

[3] Accordingly he sent Silanus in advance to Culchas, ¹ who ruled over twenty-eight towns, in order to receive from him the cavalry and infantry which he had promised to enlist during the winter.

[4] Then Scipio himself set out from Tarraco, and gathering up as he went a moderate number of auxiliaries from the allies dwelling near the road, he arrived at Castulo. ²

[5] Thither Silanus brought auxiliaries, three thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry. From there Scipio advanced to the city of Baecula ³ with the entire army, forty-five thousand legionaries and allies, infantry and cavalry.

[6] As they were pitching camp Mago and Masinissa with all their cavalry attacked them ⁴ and would have thrown the ⁵ men working on the fortifications into confusion, had not cavalry concealed by Scipio behind a hill favourably situated for the purpose unexpectedly charged them in their disorder.

[7] These horsemen at the very beginning of the battle put to flight the most active and those who had been the first to ride up close to the earthwork and even among the men at work. With the rest, who had advanced under their standards and in marching order, the battle was more protracted and for a long time indecisive.

[8] But when light cohorts at first drawn off from the outposts, and then soldiers withdrawn from work on the fortifications and ordered to take up arms, came up in increasing number, and fresh to assist the weary, while by this time a long column of men under arms was dashing out from camp into battle, Carthaginians and Numidians thereupon faced about in unmistakable retreat.

[9] And at first they were retiring by troops, while their ranks were not at all broken on account of fear or haste. Then when the Roman fell more fiercely upon their rear and the attack could not be withstood, no longer mindful of their ranks, they scattered in flight hither and thither, each taking the shortest way.

[10] And although the spirit of the Romans was notably higher in consequence of that battle and that of the enemy notably lowered, still for some days following there was never any respite from sudden attacks by cavalry and light-armed.

Ab urbe condita. Titus Livius (Livy). Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor). Medford, MA. .

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

History of Rome (English) (Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Sage, Evan T.; Schlesinger, Alfred C., translators. Cambridge, Mass.; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959. (Loeb Classical Library))

Editions (3)

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.) — 28.13 focus

[1] Scipio, cum ad eum fama tanti comparati exercitus perlata esset, neque Romanis legionibus tantae se fore parem multitudini ratus, ut non in speciem saltem opponerentur barbarorum auxilia, neque in iis tamen tantum virium ponendum,

[2] ut mutando fidem, quae cladis causa fuisset patri patruoque magnum momentum facerent,

[3] praemisso Silano ad Culcham duodetriginta oppidis regnantem, ut equites peditesque ab eo, quos se per hiemem conscripturum pollicitus erat,

[4] acciperet, ipse ab Tarracone profectus protinus ab sociis, qui accolunt viam, modica contrahendo auxilia Castulonem pervenit.

[5] eo adducta ab Silano auxilia tria milia peditum et quingenti equites. inde ad Baeculam urbem progressus omni exercitu civium sociorum, peditum equitumque quinque et quadraginta milibus.

[6] castra ponentes eos Mago et Masinissa cum omni equitatu adgressi sunt, turbassentque munientes, ni abditi post tumulum opportune ad id positum ab Scipione equites inproviso in effusos incurrissent.

[7] ei promptissimum quemque et proxime vallum atque in ipsos munitores primum invectum vixdum proelio inito fuderunt. cum ceteris, qui sub signis atque ordine agminis incesserant, longior et diu ambigua pugna fuit.

[8] sed cum ab stationibus primum expeditae cohortes, deinde ex opere deducti milites atque arma capere iussi plures usque et integri fessis subirent, magnumque iam agmen armatorum a castris in proelium rueret, terga baud haud dubie vertunt Poeni Numidaeque.

[9] et primo turmatim abibant nihil propter pavorem festinationemve confusis ordinibus; dein, postquam acrius ultimis incidebat Romanus neque sustineri impetus poterat, nihil iam ordinum memores passim, qua cuique proximum fuit, in fugam effunduntur.

[10] et quamquam eo proelio aliquantum et Romanis aucti et deminuti hostibus animi erant, tamen numquam per aliquot insequentes dies ab excursionibus equitum levisque armaturae cessatum est.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Conway, Robert Seymour; Walters, Charles Flamstead; Johnson, Stephen Keymer, editors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1914-1935. (Oxford Classical Texts)) — 28.13 focus

[1]

Scipio cum ad eum fama tanti comparati exercitus perlata esset, neque Romanis legionibus tantae se parem multitudini ratus ut non in speciem saltem opponerentur barbarorum auxilia,

[2] neque in iis tamen tantum uirium ponendum ut mutando fidem, quae cladis causa fuisset patri patruoque,

[3] magnum momentum facerent, praemisso Silano ad Culcham, duodetriginta oppidis regnantem, ut equites peditesque ab eo quos se per hiemem conscripturum pollicitus erat acciperet,

[4] ipse ab Tarracone profectus protinus ab sociis qui accolunt uiam modica contrahendo auxilia Castulonem peruenit.

[5] eo adducta ab Silano auxilia, tria milia peditum et quingenti equites. inde ad Baeculam urbem processum cum omni exercitu ciuium, sociorum, peditum equitumque quinque et quadraginta milibus.

[6] castra ponentes eos Mago et Masinissa cum omni equitatu adgressi sunt, turbassentque munientes ni abditi post tumulum opportune ad id positum ab Scipione equites improuiso in effusos incurrissent.

[7] ii promptissimum quemque et proxime uallum atque in ipsos munitores primum inuectum uixdum proelio inito fuderunt: cum ceteris, qui sub signis atque ordine agminis incesserant, longior et diu ambigua pugna fuit.

[8] sed cum ab stationibus primum expeditae cohortes, deinde ex opere deducti milites atque arma capere iussi plures usque et integri fessis subirent magnumque iam agmen armatorum a castris in proelium rueret, terga haud dubie uertunt Poeni Numidaeque.

[9] et primo turmatim abibant, nihil propter pauorem festinationemue confusis ordinibus; dein, postquam acrius ultimis incidebat Romanus neque sustineri impetus poterat, nihil iam ordinum memores passim qua cuique proximum fuit in fugam effunduntur.

[10] et quamquam eo proelio aliquantum et Romanis aucti et deminuti hostibus animi erant, tamen nunquam per aliquot insequentes dies ab excursionibus equitum leuisque armaturae cessatum est.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Livy in Fourteen Volumes. Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Schlesinger, Alfred C., editors. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959 (printing).) — 28.13 focus

[1]

Scipio , cum ad eum fama tanti comparati exercitus perlata esset, neque Romanis legionibus tantae se fore ¹ parem multitudini ratus ut non in speciem saltem opponerentur barbarorum auxilia,

[2] neque in iis tamen tantum virium ponendum ut mutando fidem, quae cladis causa fuisset patri patruoque, magnum momentum facerent,

[3] praemisso Silano ad Culcham duodetriginta oppidis regnantem, ut equites peditesque ab eo quos se per hiemem conscripturum pollicitus erat acciperet,

[4] ipse ab Tarracone profectus protinus ab sociis qui accolunt viam modica contrahendo auxilia Castulonem pervenit.

[5] eo adducta ab Silano auxilia, tria milia peditum et quingenti equites. inde ad Baeculam urbem progressus ² omni exercitu civium, sociorum, peditum equitumque quinque et quadraginta milibus.

[6] Castra ponentes eos Mago et Masinissa cum omni equitatu adgressi sunt, turbassentque munientes, ni abditi post tumulum ³ opportune ad id positum ab Scipione equites inproviso in effusos incurrissent.

[8] Sed cum ab stationibus primum expeditae cohortes, deinde ex opere deducti milites atque arma capere iussi plures usque ⁴ et integri fessis subirent, ⁵ magnumque iam agmen armatorum a castris in proelium rueret, terga haud dubie vertunt Poeni Numidaeque.

[9] et primo turmatim abibant, nihil propter pavorem festinationemve confusis ordinibus; dein, postquam acrius ultimis incidebat Romanus neque sustineri impetus poterat, nihil iam ordinum memores passim, qua cuique proximum fuit, in fugam effunduntur.

[10] et quamquam eo proelio aliquantum et ⁶ Romanis aucti et deminuti hostibus animi erant, tamen numquam ⁷ per aliquot insequentes dies ab excursionibus equitum levisque armaturae cessatum est.

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 28.13 focus

[1]

When Scipio received an account of the collection of so large an army, he felt convinced that he would not be a match for so great a multitude with the Roman legions only, without making a show at least of the auxiliary troops of the barbarians;

[2] at the same time that he did not think it right that they should form so large a portion of his force as to occasion important consequences if they should change sides, which had brought ruin upon his father and his uncle.

[3] Therefore, sending forward Silanus to Colca, who was sovereign of twenty-eight towns, to receive from him the infantry and cavalry, which he promised to enlist during the winter, he himself set out from Tarraco;

[4] and collecting small bodies of auxiliaries from his allies, who lay near his road as he proceeded, he came to Castulo.

[5] To this place Silanus led the auxiliaries, consisting of three thousand infantry and five hundred horse. Thence he advanced to the city of Baecula, with his entire army of countrymen and allies, foot and horse, amounting to forty-five thousand.

[6] Mago and Masinissa attacked them with the whole body of their cavalry while forming their camp, and would have dispersed those engaged in the works, had not a party of horse, concealed by Scipio behind an eminence conveniently situated for the purpose, unexpectedly charged them when rushing on to

[7] the attack, and, ere the battle was well begun, routed all the most forward, both those who had advanced nearest the rampart, and those who were foremost in charging the very workmen. With the rest of the troops who came up with their standards, and in order of march, the contest lasted longer, and was for a considerable time doubtful.

[8] But when first the light cohorts from the outposts, and then the troops withdrawn from the works and ordered to take arms, came up, being more numerous than those which had been engaged, and fresh while they were fatigued, and now a large body of armed troops rushed from the camp to the battle, the Carthaginians and Numidians at once turned their backs.

[9] At first they moved off in troops without breaking their ranks, through fear or precipitation; but afterwards, when the Romans pressed furiously upon their rear, and they were unable to bear the violence of their attack, then at length, utterly regardless of order, they fled precipitately in every direction, as suited each man's convenience.

[10] And although, in consequence of this battle, the spirits of the Romans were considerably raised, and those of the enemy depressed, yet, for several days following, the horsemen and light-armed troops never ceased from skirmishes.

History of Rome Perseus (Volumes 1-2. Roberts, Canon, Rev, translator. London, New York: J. M. Dent and Sons; E. P. Dutton and Co., 1912.) — 28.13 focus

[1]

When intelligence was brought to Scipio of the muster of this large army, he did not consider that he could meet it with his Roman legions unless he employed his native auxiliaries to give at all events the appearance of greater strength.

[2] At the same time he felt that he ought not to depend too much upon them, for if they changed sides it might lead to the same disaster as that which had overtaken his father and his uncle.

[3] Culchas, whose authority extended over twenty-eight towns, had promised to raise a force of infantry and cavalry during the winter, and Silanus was sent to bring them up.

[4] Then breaking up his quarters at Tarraco, Scipio marched down to Castulo, picking up small contingents furnished by the friendly tribes which lay on his line of march.

[5] There Silanus joined him with 3000 infantry and 500 cavalry.

[6] His entire army, Romans and allied contingents, infantry and cavalry, amounted now to 55,000 men. With this force he advanced to meet the enemy and took up his position near Baecula.

[7] Whilst his men were entrenching their camp they were attacked by Mago and Masinissa with the whole of their cavalry and would have been thrown into great disorder had not Scipio made a charge with a body of horse which he had placed in concealment behind a hill.

[8] These speedily routed those of the assailants who had ridden close up to the lines and were actually attacking the entrenching parties; with the others, however, who kept their ranks and were advancing in steady order the conflict was more sustained, and for a considerable time remained undecided.

[9] But when the cohorts of light infantry came in from the

[10] outposts, and the men at work on the intrenchments had seized their arms and, fresh for action, were in ever increasing numbers relieving their wearied comrades until a considerable body of armed men were hastening from the camp to do battle, the Carthaginians and Numidians retreated.

[11] At first they retired in order though hurriedly and kept their ranks, but when the Romans pressed their

[12] attacks home and resistance was no longer possible, they broke and fled as best they could.

[13] Though this action did much to raise the spirits of the Romans and depress those of the enemy, there were for several days incessant skirmishes between the cavalry and light infantry on both sides.

Notes on the current edition

Ab Urbe Condita With An English Translation, books 1-10, 21-45, with periochae 11-20

1. Kolichas in Polybius l.c. §§ 3, 5.

2. On a tributary of the upper Baetis, giving its name to the Saltus Castulonensis (Sierra Morena). The main road to Corduba and Gades passed through the city; Strabo III, iv. 9. fin. Cf. xix. 2, 4; xx. 8; XXIV. xli. 7.

3. Cf. Vol. VII. p. 283 n. It was west of Castulo but on the same road. The site cannot be certainly determined, although it has been identified with Bailén. Cf. Polybius XI. xx. 5; Veith in Kromayer op. cit. IV. 503 if.; Scullard op. cit. 300 ff.

4. The reader would naturally assume that this attack and the important battle which follows took place very near Baecula. But at xii. 14 the Carthaginian generals were encamped near Silpia (Ilipa), i.e. less than 60 miles from the Atlantic at the nearest point, while Baecula is 130 miles farther in a straight line. In Polybius it is Scipio who does the marching (XI. xx. 9). No long march of the Carthaginians to meet him is mentioned, and near Baecula there is no open plain suited to this battle. Hence this was near modern Seville and not a

second battle of Baecula,

as Mommsen, Ihne and others have it.

5. B.C. 206

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 28.13

Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor)

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