§10.20.1dum ambo consules omnisque Romana vis in Etruscum bellum magis inclinat, in Samnio novi exercitus exorti ad populandos imperii Romani fines per Vescinos in Campaniam Falernumque agrum transcendunt ingentesque praedas faciunt.
While both consuls and the entire Roman force were leaning more toward the Etruscan war, new armies arose in Samnium, and crossed through the territory of the Vescini into Campania and the Falernian territory to ravage the borders of the Roman empire, and took immense booty.
§10.20.2Volumnium magnis itineribus in Samnium redeuntem — iam enim Fabio Decioque prorogati imperii finis aderat — fama de Samnitium exercitu populationibusque Campani agri ad tuendos socios convertit.
As Volumnius was returning to Samnium by forced marches—for the end of the extended command for Fabius and Decius was already near—the report concerning the army of the Samnites and the ravaging of the Campanian territory turned him back to protect the allies.
§10.20.3ut in Calenum agrum venit, et ipse cernit recentia cladis vestigia, et Caleni narrant tantum iam praedae hostis trahere, ut vix explicare agmen possint:
When he came into the Calenian territory, he himself both saw the recent traces of ruin, and the Calenians reported that the enemy was now dragging so much booty that they could scarcely deploy their line of march.
§10.20.4itaque iam propalam duces loqui, extemplo eundum in Samnium esse, ut relicta ibi praeda in expeditionem redeant nec tam oneratum agmen dimicationi committant.
Therefore, they said, the leaders of the enemy were already speaking openly that they must go immediately into Samnium, so that, having left the booty there, they might return to the expedition and not commit so heavily laden an army to a battle.
ea quamquam similia veris erant, §10.20.5certius tamen exploranda ratus dimittit equites, qui vagos praedatores in agris palantes excipiant;
Although these things seemed highly probable, nevertheless, thinking that things should be explored more certainly, he sent out horsemen to intercept the wandering plunderers straying in the fields.
§10.20.6ex quibus inquirendo cognoscit ad Vulturnum flumen sedere hostem, inde tertia vigilia moturum; iter in Samnium esse.
By inquiring from them, he learned that the enemy was encamped near the river Vulturnus, from which they would move during the third watch, and that their route was into Samnium.
§10.20.7his satis exploratis profectus tanto intervallo ab hostibus consedit, ut nec adventus suus propinquitate nimia nosci posset, et egredientem e castris hostem opprimeret.
Having sufficiently explored these matters, he set out and encamped at such a distance from the enemy that his arrival could not be known by too close proximity, and he might surprise the enemy as they were leaving their camp.
§10.20.8aliquanto ante lucem ad castra accessit gnarosque Oscae linguae exploratum, quid agatur, mittit.
Somewhat before dawn he approached the camp and sent men who knew the Oscan language to spy out what was being done.
intermixti hostibus, quod facile erat in nocturna trepidatione, cognoscunt infrequentia armatis signa egressa, praedam praedaeque custodes exire, inmobile agmen et sua quemque molientem nullo inter ullos consensu nec satis certo imperio.
Mingled with the enemy, which was easy in the confusion of the night, they learned that the standards had gone out with few armed men around them, that the booty and its guards were departing, that the line was immobile, and that each man was busy with his own business, with no consensus among any of them and no sufficiently definite command.
§10.20.9tempus adgrediendi aptissimum visum est, et iam lux adpetebat; itaque signa canere iussit agmenque hostium adgreditur.
The time for attacking seemed most favorable, and light was already approaching; therefore, he ordered the signals to sound and attacked the enemy's line of march.
§10.20.10Samnites praeda inpediti, infrequentes armati, pars addere gradum ac prae se agere praedam, pars stare incerti, utrum progredi an regredi in castra tutius foret: inter cunctationem opprimuntur; et Romani iam transcenderant vallum, caedesque ac tumultus erat in castris.
The Samnites, impeded by their booty and few of them armed, some quickened their pace and drove the booty before them, while others stood in doubt whether it would be safer to go forward or to return to the camp: in the midst of their hesitation they were overwhelmed; and the Romans had already scaled the rampart, and slaughter and confusion were inside the camp.
§10.20.11Samnitium agmen praeterquam hostili tumultu captivorum etiam repentina defectione turbatum erat, qui partim ipsi soluti vinctos solvebant, §10.20.12partim arma in sarcinis deligata rapiebant tumultumque proelio ipso terribiliorem intermixti agmini praebebant.
The Samnite column, besides the enemy's attack, was also thrown into confusion by the sudden rebellion of the captives, who partly, having freed themselves, were untying those still bound, and partly snatched weapons that had been bound up in the baggage, and, mingled with the column, presented a confusion more terrible than the battle itself.
§10.20.13memorandum deinde edidere facinus; nam Statium Minacium ducem adeuntem ordines hortantemque invadunt; dissipatis inde equitibus, qui cum eo aderant, ipsum circumsistunt insidentemque equo captum ad consulem Romanum rapiunt.
Then they performed a memorable exploit; for they attacked the leader, Statius Minacius, as he was going through the ranks and encouraging them; having dispersed the horsemen who were with him, they surrounded him, captured him as he sat on his horse, and dragged him away to the Roman consul.
§10.20.14revocata eo tumultu prima signa Samnitium, proeliumque iam profligatum integratum est nec diutius sustineri potuit.
The vanguard of the Samnites was recalled by this tumult, and the battle, which had already been practically decided, was renewed, but it could not be sustained for long.
§10.20.15caesa ad sex milia hominum, duo milia et quingenti capti, in eis tribuni militum quattuor, signa militaria triginta, et, quod laetissimum victoribus fuit, captivorum recepta septem milia et quadringenti, et praeda ingens sociorum; accitique edicto domini ad res suas noscendas recipiendasque praestituta die.
About six thousand men were slain, two thousand five hundred captured, including four military tribunes, and thirty military standards; and, what was most joyful for the victors, seven thousand four hundred captives were recovered, along with an immense booty belonging to the allies; and the owners were summoned by an edict to identify and receive their property on a appointed day.
quarum rerum non extitit dominus, §10.20.16militi concessae, coactique vendere praedam, ne alibi quam in armis animum haberent.
The things for which no owner appeared were granted to the soldiers, and they were compelled to sell the booty, so that they might keep their minds on nothing other than their arms.