- Source
- Titi Livi ab urbe condita libri editionem priman, Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.
- Translation
- AI-generated (gemini-3.5-flash) — machine translation; may contain errors
- Languages
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- CTS URN
- urn:cts:latinLit:phi0914.phi001.humanitext-lat2:26.4.1-26.4.10
- Generated
- Humanitext Reader · reader.humanitext.ai · 2026-10-28
During the siege of Capua, the Romans learn of the enemy's breakout plan. They introduce a new tactic of mixing light-armed infantry with cavalry, defeating the Campanian cavalry and gaining the upper hand.
inter haec vis omnis belli versa in Capuam erat; obsidebatur tamen acrius quam oppugnabatur; nec aut famem tolerare servitia ac plebs poterant aut mittere nuntios ad Hannibalem per custodias tam artas.
Meanwhile, the entire force of the war was turned towards Capua; however, it was besieged more vigorously than it was assaulted; and neither could the slaves and the common people endure the famine, nor could they send messengers to Hannibal through guards so strict.
inventus est Numida, qui acceptis litteris evasurum se professus praestaret1 promissum. per media Romana castra nocte egressus spem accendit Campanis, dum aliquid virium superesset, ab omni parte eruptionem temptandi.
A Numidian was found who, having received a letter, promised that he would escape and fulfilled his promise. Having gone out by night through the middle of the Roman camp, he kindled a hope in the Campanians to attempt a breakout from every side while some strength remained.
ceterum in multis certaminibus equestria proelia ferme prospera faciebant, pedite superabantur. sed nequaquam tam laetum vincere quam triste vinci ulla parte erat ab obsesso et prope expugnato hoste.2
Furthermore, in many contests they were generally successful in cavalry battles, but were surpassed in infantry. But it was by no means as joyful to conquer as it was sorrowful to be conquered in any part by an enemy who was besieged and almost captured.
inita tandem ratio est, ut quod viribus deerat3 arte aequaretur. ex omnibus legionibus electi sunt iuvenes maxime vigore ac levitate corporum veloces; eis parmae breviores quam equestres et septena iacula quaternos longa pedes data praefixa ferro, quale hastis velitaribus inest.
Finally, a plan was adopted so that what was lacking in strength might be equalized by skill. From all the legions, young men were chosen who were especially swift due to their vigor and agility of body; they were given smaller shields than those of the cavalry, and seven javelins each, four feet long, tipped with iron such as is on the spears of the light-armed troops.
eos singulos in equos suos accipientes equites adsuefecerunt et vehi post sese et desilire perniciter, ubi datum signum esset.
The cavalry, taking them up individually onto their own horses, accustomed them both to ride behind them and to leap down nimbly when the signal was given.
id postquam adsuetudine cotidiana satis intrepide fieri visum est, in campum, qui medius inter castra murumque erat, adversus instructos Campanorum equites processerunt, et, ubi ad coniectum teli ventum est, signo dato velites desiliunt. pedestris inde acies ex equitatu repente in hostium equites incurrit, iaculaque cum impetu alia super alia emittunt.
When, after daily practice, it seemed that this was done fearlessly enough, they advanced into the plain which was halfway between the camp and the wall, against the drawn-up cavalry of the Campanians. And, when they had come within weapon’s throw, at the given signal the light-armed troops leaped down. Then, an infantry line suddenly rushed from the cavalry upon the enemy’s cavalry, and with force they discharged javelins one after another.
quibus plurimis in equos virosque passim coniectis permultos volneraverunt, pavoris tamen plus ex re nova atque inopinata iniectum est, et in perculsum hostem equites invecti fugam stragemque eorum usque ad portas fecerunt.
By casting very many of these here and there upon horses and men, they wounded a great many; however, more terror was struck by this novel and unexpected tactic, and the cavalry, charging into the dismayed enemy, routed and slaughtered them all the way to the gates.
inde equitatu quoque superior Romana res fuit. institutum, ut velites in legionibus essent.
From then on, the Roman cause was superior in cavalry as well. It was established that light-armed troops should be in the legions.
auctorem peditum equiti inmiscendorum centurionem Q. Navium ferunt, honorique id ei4 apud imperatorem fuisse.
They say that the author of mixing infantry with cavalry was the centurion Quintus Navius, and that this was a source of honor for him with the general.
- 26.4.2praestaret
Subjunctive imperfect in a relative clause of characteristic, indicating 'a Numidian was found of such a character as to' fulfill his promise, following professus.
- 26.4.3ab obsesso et prope expugnato hoste
Ablative with the preposition ab indicating the agent of the passive infinitive vinci ('to be defeated'), in contrast with the preceding active infinitive vincere ('to conquer').
- 26.4.4quod viribus deesat
A noun clause introduced by the relative pronoun quod ('that which'), serving as the subject within the ut... clause. viribus is the dative governed by deesse.
- 26.4.10honorique id ei
A double dative construction: honori is the dative of purpose/effect ('as a source of honor'), and ei is the dative of reference/interest ('for him').