History of Rome

​By this expedition of the consul, the war was rather stirred up more widely than brought to an end; for the region lying at the foot of the Ciminian mountain had felt the devastation, and had aroused by its indignation not only the peoples of Etruria but also the neighboring parts of Umbria.

​Therefore, an army of such size as had never come before arrived at Sutrium;

​and not only was the camp moved forward from the forests, but also, because of their eagerness to fight as soon as possible, the battle line was brought down into the plains. Then, having been drawn up, it stood at first in its own place, leaving space for the enemy to draw up against them; then, after they perceived that the enemy was declining battle, they advanced to the rampart.

​There, after they perceived that the outposts also had been withdrawn within the fortifications, a shout suddenly arose around the generals, demanding that they order that day’s provisions to be brought to them there from the camp: that they would remain under arms and would attack the camp of the enemy either in the night or certainly at first light.

​The Roman army, not a bit less restless, was held in check by the command of their leader. It was about the tenth hour of the day when the consul ordered the soldiers to take food; he instructed them to be under arms at whatever hour of day or night he should give the signal;

​he addressed the soldiers in a few words, extolling the Samnite wars and minimizing the Etruscans; he said that neither enemy should be compared to enemy, nor multitude to multitude; that there was, moreover, another secret weapon; they would know it in due time; meanwhile, there was need for silence. By these evasive words, he simulated that the enemy was being betrayed, ​so that the spirit of the soldiers, terrified by the multitude, might be restored; and because the enemy had encamped without fortification, what was simulated seemed more like the truth. Restored by food, they gave their bodies to rest, and having been aroused without confusion at about the fourth watch, they took up their arms.

​Mattocks were distributed to the camp followers for tearing down the rampart and filling the ditches. The battle line was drawn up inside the fortifications, and selected cohorts were stationed at the exits of the gates.

​Then, the signal being given a little before light, which in summer nights is the time of most profound sleep, the battle line burst out after the rampart was torn down, and fell upon the enemy scattered everywhere; slaughter overwhelmed some motionless, some half-asleep in their beds, and the greatest part trembling as they reached for their arms; space to arm themselves was given to only a few;

​and even those, following no certain signal nor leader, the Roman routed and pursued as they fled. They made in different directions for the camp and for the forests. The forests gave a safer refuge; for the camp, situated in the plains, was captured on the same day. Gold and silver were ordered to be brought back to the consul; the rest of the booty belonged to the soldiers. About sixty thousand of the enemy were slain or captured on that day.

​Some authors state that this so famous battle was fought across the Ciminian forest near Perusia, and that the city was in great fear lest the army, cut off by so hostile a pass, should be overwhelmed by the Etruscans and Umbrians rising up on all sides.

​But wherever it was fought, the Roman cause was superior. Therefore, from Perusia, Cortona, and Arretium, which were almost the capitals of the Etruscan peoples at that time, legates seeking peace and a treaty from the Romans obtained a truce for thirty years.