History of Rome

​The consuls, having entered the Campanian territory, while they were plundering far and wide, were terrified and thrown into confusion by a sally of the townsmen and Mago with his cavalry; they recalled the soldiers, who were scattered here and there, to their standards, and, being routed when the line was scarcely formed, they lost more than fifteen hundred soldiers.

​From this, immense insolence grew in that nation, proud by its own nature, and they provoked the Romans in many battles; but one battle, entered into carelessly and inconsiderately, had made the consuls more intent on being on their guard.

​However, one small incident restored courage to the former and diminished boldness in the latter; but in war nothing is so trifling that it does not sometimes make the momentum of a great event.

​Titus Quinctius Crispinus had a Campanian guest-friend, Badius, bound to him by a very familiar hospitality. Their intimacy had grown because, before the Campanian defection, Badius, when ill at Rome, had been generously and kindly cared for at the house of Crispinus.

​This Badius then, having advanced before the outposts which stood in front of the gate, ordered Crispinus to be called. When this was announced to Crispinus, thinking that a friendly and familiar conversation was sought, since the memory of private right remained even in the rupture of public treaties, he advanced a little from the rest.

​After they came into view, Badius said, “I challenge you to a fight, Crispinus; let us mount our horses and, with all others removed, let us decide which of us is better in war.”

​To this Crispinus replied that neither for himself nor for the other were enemies lacking in whom they might display their valor; and that he, even if he should meet him in battle, would turn aside, lest he should stain his right hand with the blood of a guest-friend;

​and turning away, he was departing. But indeed, the Campanian then more fiercely taunted him with softness and cowardice, and cast insults worthy of himself upon the innocent man, calling him a guest-friend enemy and pretending to spare one whom he knew to be no match for him.

​If he thought that by the breaking of public treaties private rights were not sufficiently dissolved at the same time, Badius the Campanian openly, in the hearing of both armies, renounced his guest-friendship with Titus Quinctius Crispinus the Roman.

​There was nothing associated, nothing allied between him and that man, an enemy with an enemy, whose country and public and private household gods he had come to attack.

​If he were a man, let him engage. The cavalry of his troop persuaded Crispinus, who had hesitated for a long time, not to allow the Campanian to insult him with impunity;

​and so, having delayed only so long as to consult the generals whether they would permit him to fight outside the ranks against a challenging enemy, with their permission he took up his arms, mounted his horse, and calling Badius by name, challenged him to battle.

​No delay was made by the Campanian; they rushed together with hostile horses. Crispinus transfixed Badius with his spear in the left shoulder above his shield, and as he fell wounded, he leaped down from his horse to dispatch him on foot as he lay.

​Badius, before he could be overpowered, leaving his buckler and horse, fled to his own men;

​Crispinus, displaying the captured horse and arms and the bloody spearhead as distinguished spoils, was conducted to the consuls with great praise and congratulations of the soldiers, and was there magnificently praised and presented with gifts.