History of Rome

​At the first darkness, the camp was moved in silence; the oxen were driven some distance ahead of the standards.

​When they arrived at the foot of the mountains and the narrow passes, the signal was immediately given that the herds, with their horns set on fire, should be driven up the opposing mountains; and the very fear of the flame reflecting from their heads and the heat already reaching the quick and the roots of their horns drove the oxen forward as if stimulated by madness.

​By this sudden dispersion, just as if the forests and mountains had been set on fire, all the brushwood around seemed to burn, and the useless shaking of their heads, which fanned the flame, presented the appearance of men running about in all directions.

​Those who had been stationed to occupy the pass, when they saw certain fires on the tops of the mountains and above themselves, thinking they were surrounded, abandoned their post; making for the highest ridges of the mountains as if seeking the safest path where the flames gleamed least densely, they nevertheless ran into some oxen that had strayed from their herds. And at first, when they saw them from a distance, they stood still, astonished as if by the marvel of creatures breathing fire;

​then, when it appeared to be a human deception, ​then indeed, thinking it was an ambush, they turned to flight with greater tumult. They also ran into the light-armed troops of the enemy; but the night, with fear equalized on both sides, held them back until daylight, neither side beginning a battle.

​Meanwhile, Hannibal, having led his entire army through the pass and having overwhelmed some of the enemy in the pass itself, pitched his camp in the territory of Allifae.