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), 30.8

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Section

← Previous Next →

[1]

Scipio, as though the war was already over so far as concerned Syphax and the Carthaginians, was intent upon the siege of Utica and already bringing up his engines to the walls when news of renewed hostilities turned his attention in another direction.

[2] And leaving sufficient land and sea forces merely to keep up the appearance of a blockade, he himself at once advanced with the main body of his army against the enemy. ¹

[3] At first he established himself upon a hill about four miles from the king's camp. On the following day with his cavalry he went down into the so-called Great Plain, ² at the foot ³ of that hill, and spent the day in light engagements, advancing against the enemy's outposts and challenging them.

[4] And on the next two days by irregular charges, now from one side and now from the other by turns, they accomplished nothing worthy of mention. On the fourth day both went down into battle-line.

[5] The Roman placed his principes behind the front line maniples, made up of the hastati, and as reserves the tiarii.⁴ The Italic cavalry he posted on the right wing, on the left the Numidians and Masinissa.

[6] Syphax and Hasdrubal opposed the Numidians to the Italic cavalry, the Carthaginians to Masinissa, and then placed the Celtiberians in the centre of the battle-line facing the maniples ⁵ of the legions. In this formation they clashed.

[7] By the first attack both wings, Numidians and Carthaginians alike, were beaten back at the same time. For neither could the Numidians, most of them rustics, withstand the Roman cavalry, nor could the Carthaginians, who were likewise raw recruits, hold out against Masinissa, a foe to be feared for other reasons and also on account of his recent victory.

[8] Stripped of both wings the line of the Celtiberians made a stand because they could see no safety in flight since they did not know the country, and they had no hope of pardon from Scipio since they had come to Africa as mercenaries to attack him in spite of his kind ⁶ treatment of them and their tribe.

[9] Therefore when the enemy had completely encircled them, falling one above another they were resolute in dying. And while all the enemy were intent upon them Syphax and Hasdrubal took advantage of a considerable interval for flight. Nightfall surprised the victors exhausted by a slaughter outlasting the battle.

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.) — 30.8 focus

[1] Scipionem, velut iam debellato, quod ad Syphacem Carthaginiensesque attineret, Uticae oppugnandae intentum, iamque machinas admoventem muris avertit fama redintegrati belli;

[2] modicisque praesidiis ad speciem modo obsidionis terra marique relictis ipse cum robore exercitus ire ad hostes pergit.

[3] primo in tumulo quattuor milia ferme distante ab castris regiis consedit; postero die cum equitatu in Magnos — ita vocant — campos subiectos ei tumulo degressus succedendo ad stationes hostium lacessendoque levibus proeliis diem absumpsit.

[4] et per insequens biduum tumultuosis hinc atque illinc excursionibus in vicem nihil dictu satis dignum fecerunt;

[5] quarto die in aciem utrimque descensum est. Romanus principes post hastatorum prima signa, in subsidiis triarios constituit; equitatum Italicum ab dextro cornu, ab laevo Numidas Masinissamque opposuit.

[6] Syphax Hasdrubalque Numidis adversus Italicuum Italicum equitatum, Carthaginiensibus contra Masinissam locatis Celtiberos in mediam aciem adversus signa legionum accepere.

[7] ita instructi concurrunt. primo impetu simul utraque cornua, et Numidae et Carthaginienses, pulsi; nam neque Numidae, maxima pars agrestes, Romanum equitatum neque Carthaginienses, et ipse novus miles, Masinissam recenti super cetera victoria terribilem sustinuere. nudata utrimque cornibus Celtiberum acies stabat,

[8] quod nec in fuga salus ulla ostendebatur locis ignotis, neque spes veniae ab Scipione erat, quem bene meritum de se et gente sua mercennariis armis oppugnatum in Africam venissent.

[9] igitur circumfusis undique hostibus alii super alios cadentes obstinate moriebantur; omnibusque in eos versis aliquantum ad fugam temporis Syphax et Hasdrubal praeceperunt. fatigatos caede diutius quam pugna victores nox oppressit.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Conway, Robert Seymour; Walters, Charles Flamstead; Johnson, Stephen Keymer, editors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1914-1935. (Oxford Classical Texts)) — 30.8 focus

[1]

Scipionem, uelut iam debellato quod ad Syphacem Carthaginiensesque attineret, Uticae oppugnandae intentum iamque machinas admouentem muris auertit fama redintegrati belli;

[2] modicisque praesidiis ad speciem modo obsidionis terra marique relictis ipse cum robore exercitus ire ad hostes pergit.

[3] primo in tumulo quattuor milia ferme distante ab castris regiis consedit; postero die cum equitatu in Magnos—ita uocant—campos subiectos ei tumulo degressus, succedendo ad stationes hostium lacessendoque leuibus proeliis diem absumpsit.

[4] et per insequens biduum tumultuosis hinc atque illinc excursionibus in uicem nihil dictu satis dignum fecerunt: quarto die in aciem utrimque descensum est.

[5] Romanus principes post hastatorum prima signa, in subsidiis triarios constituit: equitatum Italicum ab dextro cornu, ab laeuo Numidas Masinissamque opposuit.

[6] Syphax Hasdrubalque Numidis aduersus Italicum equitatum, Carthaginiensibus contra Masinissam locatis Celtiberos in mediam aciem aduersus signa legionum accepere. ita instructi concurrunt.

[7] primo impetu simul utraque cornua, et Numidae et Carthaginienses, pulsi; nam neque Numidae, maxima pars agrestes, Romanum equitatum neque Carthaginienses, et ipse nouus miles, Masinissam recenti super cetera uictoria terribilem sustinuere.

[8] nudata utrimque cornibus Celtiberum acies stabat quod nec in fuga salus ulla ostendebatur locis ignotis neque spes ueniae ab Scipione erat, quem bene meritum de se et gente sua mercennariis armis in Africam oppugnatum euenissent.

[9] igitur circumfusis undique hostibus alii super alios cadentes obstinate moriebantur; omnibusque in eos uersis aliquantum ad fugam temporis Syphax et Hasdrubal praeceperunt. fatigatos caede diutius quam pugna uictores nox oppressit.

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).) — 30.8 focus

[1]

Scipionem , velut iam debellato quod ad Syphacem Carthaginiensesque attineret, Uticae oppugnandae intentum iamque machinas admoventem muris avertit fama redintegrati belli;

[2] modicisque praesidiis ad speciem modo obsidionis terra marique relictis ipse cum robore exercitus ire ad hostes pergit.

[3] primo in tumulo quattuor milia ferme distante ab castris regiis consedit; postero die cum equitatu in Magnos—ita vocant—Campos subiectos ei tumulo ¹ degressus, succedendo ad stationes hostium lacessendoque levibus proeliis diem absumpsit.

[4] et per insequens biduum tumultuosis hinc atque illinc excursionibus in vicem nihil dictu satis dignum fecerunt; quarto die in aciem utrimque descensum est.

[5] Romanus principes post ² hastatorum prima signa, in subsidiis triarios constituit; equitatum Italicum ab dextro cornu, ab laevo Numidas Masinissamque opposuit.

[6] Syphax Hasdrubalque Numidis adversus Italicum equitatum, Carthaginiensibus contra Masinissam locatis Celtiberos in- mediam aciem adversus signa legionum accepere.

[7] ita instructi concurrunt. primo³ impetu simul utraque cornua, et Numidae et Carthaginienses, pulsi; nam neque ⁴ Numidae, maxima pars agrestes, Romanum equitatum neque Carthaginienses, et ipse novus miles, Masinissam recenti super cetera victoria terribilem sustinuere.

[8] nudata utrimque cornibus Celtiberum acies stabat, quod nec in fuga salus ulla ostendebatur locis ignotis, neque spes veniae ab Scipione erat, quem bene meritum de se et gente sua mercennariis armis in Africam oppugnatum ⁵⁶ venissent.

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 30.8 focus

[1]

Scipio, considering that Syphax and the Carthaginians could make no further efforts, gave his whole attention to the siege of Utica, and was now bringing up his engines to the walls, when he was diverted from his purpose by a report of the renewal of the war;

[2] and, leaving small forces merely to keep up the appearence of a siege by sea and land, he set out himself with the main strength of his army to meet the enemy.

[3] At first he took up his position on an eminence about five miles distant from the king's camp. The next day, coming down with his cavalry into a place called the great plains, which lay at the foot of that eminence, he spent the day in advancing up to the outposts of the enemy, and provoking them by skirmishing attacks.

[4] During the ensuing two days, irregular excursions were made by both sides alternately, but nothing worthy of notice was achieved. On the fourth day, both sides came down in battle-array.

[5] The Romans placed their principes behind the spearmen, which latter formed the front line, and the triarii they stationed in reserve; the Italian cavalry they opposed to the enemy in the right wing, the Numidians and Masinissa on the left.

[6] Syphax and Hasdrubal, placing the Numidians against the Italian cavalry, and the Carthaginians opposite to Masinissa, received the Celtiberians into the centre of their line, to face the Roman legions. Thus arranged, they then commenced the encounter.

[7] At the first charge, both the wings, the Numidians and Carthaginians, were together driven from their ground; for neither could the Numidians, who consisted principally of rustics, sustain the shock of the Roman cavalry, nor the Carthaginians, who were also raw soldiers, withstand Masinissa, who, in addition to other circumstances, was rendered formidable by his recent victory.

[8] The Celtiberian line, though stript of the support of both the wings, stood their ground; for neither did any hope of safety by flight present itself, as they were ignorant of the country, nor could they expect pardon from Scipio, against whom, though he had deserved well both of them and their nation, they had come into Africa to fight for hire.

[9] Surrounded, therefore, on all sides by the enemy, they died with obstinate resolution, falling one upon another; and, while the attention of all was turned upon them, Syphax and Hasdrubal gained a considerable space of time to effect their escape. The victors, fatigued with the slaughter, which had continued for a greater length of time than the battle, were interrupted by the night.

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.) — 30.8 focus

[1]

Just as though the war were at end, so far as Syphax and the Carthaginians were concerned, Scipio pressed on the siege of Utica and was already bringing his engines up to the walls when he received intelligence of the enemy's activity.

[2] Leaving a small force to keep up the appearance of an investment by land and sea, he marched with the main body of his army to meet his foes.

[3] His first position was on a hill some four miles distant from the king's camp. The next day he marched his cavalry down into what are called the Magni Campi, a stretch of level country extending from the foot of the hill, and spent the day in riding up to the enemies' outposts and harassing them with skirmishes.

[4] For the next two days both sides kept up this desultory fighting without any result worth mentioning; on the fourth day both sides came down to battle.

[5] The Roman commander drew up his principes behind the leading maniples of the hastati, and the triarii as reserves; the Italian cavalry were stationed on the right wing, Masinissa and the Numidians on the left.

[6] Syphax and Hasdrubal placed the Numidian cavalry opposite the Italian, and the Carthaginian horse fronted Masinissa, whilst the Celtiberians formed the centre to meet the charge of the legions. In this formation they closed.

[7] The Numidians and Carthaginians on the two wings were routed at the first charge; the former consisting mostly of peasants could not withstand the Roman horse, nor could the Carthaginians, also raw levies, hold their own against Masinissa, whose recent victory had made him more formidable than ever.

[8] Though exposed on both flanks the Celtiberians stood their ground, for as they did not know the country, flight offered no chance of safety, nor could they hope for any quarter from Scipio after carrying their mercenary arms into Africa to attack the man who had done so much for them and their countrymen.

[9] Completely enveloped by their foes they died fighting to the last, and fell one after another on the ground where they stood. Whilst the attention of all was turned to them, Syphax and Hasdrubal gained time to make their escape. The victors, wearied with slaughter more than with fighting, were at last overtaken by the night.

Notes on the current edition

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

1. This and the next sentence would lead us to suppose the advance to have been for a short distance only. But Livy, condensing Polybius, omits to mention a five-days' march. The battle-field then will be some 80 miles south-west of Utica. Syphax and Hasdrubal had removed to that distance in order to gain time and to receive reinforcements from Numidia.

2. La Dakhla, the broad central valley of the Medjerda (Bagradas), the granary of Tunisia.. In geological times a broad lake 25 miles long. Spaces so ample make it impossible to identify the field of battle. Ennius in a fragment represents Scipio as addressing the patria: she, has no reason for fear in view of his Victories: Testes sunt Campi Magni; Vahlen3 p. 213; Cicero de Orat. III, 11.67; Warmington, Remains of Old Latin I. p. 398; cf. Polybius vii. 9; viii. 2; Appian Pun. 68 fin. ; Veith, Antike Schlachtfelder III. 2. 589 ff.; Gsell, Hist. ancienne de l'Afrique du Nord III. 229 ff.; Scullard, Scipio Africanus 209 ff.

3. B.C. 203

4. This was the customary formation, as Polybius observes; viii. 5; cf below, xxxii. 11; XXII v. 7.

5. For Polybius' terms for the maniple cf. p. 62, n. 2. In the passage used by Livy here both shmai/a and spei=ra occur; viii. 5, 7; cf. XV. ix. 7.

6. B.C. 203

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 30.8

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

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Perseus

Notes on the current edition

Stable identifiers