History of Rome

​When the news was brought, the dictator ordered the standards to be advanced and the armed men to follow. But almost everything was swifter than his command; the standards and arms were immediately snatched, ​and they could scarcely be held back from rushing and running. Not only did their anger from the recently sustained defeat stimulate them, but also the more excited shouting reaching them from the increasing conflict.

​Therefore, they urged one another and exhorted the standard-bearers, to go more quickly; the more the dictator saw them hurrying, the more eagerly he held back the line and ordered them to advance slowly.

​The Etruscans, on the other hand, excited from the beginning of the battle, were present with all their forces; and messengers, one after another, reported to the dictator that all the legions of the Etruscans had joined the battle, and that they could no longer be resisted by his own men, and he himself saw from a higher place in how great a danger the outpost was. But, being sufficiently confident, ​that even now the lieutenant was capable of sustaining the battle and that he, the avenger of their danger, was not far away, he wished the enemy to be fatigued as much as possible, so that he might attack the weary with fresh strength.

​Although they proceeded slowly, there was nevertheless already a moderate distance for beginning a charge, at least for the cavalry. The first standards of the legions advanced, so that the enemy might not fear anything hidden or sudden; but he had left intervals between the ranks of the infantry, where the horses could be let loose in a sufficiently wide space.

​The battle line raised a shout at the same time, and the cavalry, being let loose, rushed at the enemy in a free charge, pouring sudden terror upon those opposed to the equestrian storm.

​Therefore, just as it was an aid almost too late for those who were now nearly surrounded, so rest was given to all. The fresh troops took up the battle, and it was neither long nor doubtful.

​The routed enemy sought their camp, and yielded to the Romans who were now bringing up their standards, and crowded together into the furthest part of the camp.

​The fugitives stuck in the narrow spaces of the gates; a large part climbed the rampart and the mound, to see if they could either defend themselves from a higher place or cross over somehow and escape.

​By chance, in a certain place, the mound, which was poorly consolidated, collapsed into the ditch from the weight of those standing on top; and there, when they cried out that the gods were opening a way of flight, more unarmed than armed men escaped.

​By this battle, the strength of the Etruscans was broken again, and, having agreed to a year’s pay and two months’ grain, they were permitted by the dictator to send ambassadors to Rome concerning peace.

​Peace was denied, and a truce of two years was granted. The dictator returned to the city in triumph. I have authorities who state that Etruria was pacified by the dictator without any memorable battle, but only by composing the seditions of the Arretines and reconciling the Cilnian family with the plebeians. Marcus Valerius was made consul from the dictatorship.

​Some have recorded that he was elected though not seeking it, and indeed even absent, and that those comitia were held by an interrex; this one thing is not disputed, that he held the consulship with Apuleius Pansa.