They were not
in great numbers. Caesar specially says that the Romans were as numerous
as they. But everything else was against the Romans. Sabinus could give no
directions. They were in a narrow meadow, with wooded hills on each side
of them filled with enemies whom they could not reach. When they charged,
the light-footed barbarians ran back; when they retired, they closed in
upon them again, and not a dart, an arrow, or a stone missed its mark
among the crowded cohorts. Bravely as the Romans fought, they were in a
trap where their courage was useless to them. The battle lasted from dawn
till the afternoon, and though they were falling fast, there was no
flinching and no cowardice. Caesar, who inquired particularly into the
minutest circumstances of the disaster, records by name the officers who
distinguished themselves; he mentions one whose courage he had marked
before, who was struck down with a lance through his thighs, and another
who was killed in rescuing his son. The brave Cotta was hit in the mouth
by a stone as he was cheering on his men. The end came at last. Sabinus,
helpless and distracted, caught sight of Ambiorix in the confusion, and
sent an interpreter to implore him to spare the remainder of the army.
Ambiorix answered that Sabinus might come to him, if he pleased; he hoped
he might persuade his tribe to be merciful; he promised that Sabinus
himself should suffer no injury.
Pages:
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392