§22.24.1Romanus tunc exercitus in agro Larinati erat.
At that time the Roman army was in the territory of Larinum.
praeerat Minucius magister equitum profecto, sicut ante dictum est, ad urbem dictatore.
Minucius, the master of the horse, was in command, since the dictator, as has been said before, had set out for the city.
§22.24.2ceterum castra, quae in monte alto ac tuto loco posita fuerant, iam in planum deferuntur, agitabanturque pro ingenio ducis consilia calidiora, ut impetus aut in frumentatores palatos aut in castra relicta cum levi praesidio fieret.
However, the camp, which had been placed on a high mountain and in a secure position, was now brought down into the plain, and bolder plans were being agitated in accordance with the general's character, so that an attack might be made either on the scattered foragers or on the camp left with a light guard.
§22.24.3nec Hannibalem fefellit cum duce mutatam esse belli rationem et ferocius quam consultius rem hostes gesturos.
Nor did it escape Hannibal that the method of war had changed with the commander, and that the enemy would conduct operations more fiercely than cautiously.
§22.24.4ipse autem, quod minime quis crederet, cum hostis propius esset, tertiam partem militum frumentatum duabus in castris retentis dimisit, §22.24.5dein castra ipsa propius hostem movit duo ferme a Gereonio milia in tumulum hosti conspectum, ut intentum se sciret esse ad frumentatores, si qua vis fieret, tutandos.
Moreover, he himself—what one would least believe when the enemy was so near—retaining two-thirds of his soldiers in the camp, sent out a third part to forage; then he moved the camp itself closer to the enemy, about two miles from Gereonium, onto a hill in sight of the enemy, so that they might know he was alert to protect the foragers if any force should be offered.
§22.24.6propior inde ei atque ipsis imminens Romanorum castris tumulus apparuit; ad quem capiendum si luce palam iretur, quia haud dubie hostis breviore via praeventurus erat, nocte clam missi Numidae ceperunt.
From there, a hill appeared closer to him and directly threatening the Roman camp itself; to seize this, if they went openly by day, because the enemy would undoubtedly forestall them by a shorter path, Numidians sent secretly by night captured it.
§22.24.7quos tenentis locum contempta paucitate Romani postero die cum deiecissent, ipsi eo transferunt castra.
When the Romans, despising their small number, had dislodged those who held the position on the following day, they themselves transferred their camp thither.
§22.24.8tum utique exiguum spatii vallum a vallo aberat, et id ipsum totum prope compleverat Romana acies.
Then indeed only a tiny space of ground separated rampart from rampart, and almost the whole of that space the Roman battle-line had filled.
simul et per aversa castra equitatus cum levi armatura emissus in frumentatores late caedem fugamque hostium palatorum fecit.
At the same time, cavalry sent out with light-armed troops from the rear of the camp caused widespread slaughter and flight among the scattered enemy foragers.
§22.24.9nec acie certare Hannibal ausus, quia tanta paucitate vix castra, si oppugnarentur, tutari poterat.
Nor did Hannibal dare to contend in a regular battle, because with so small a force he could scarcely protect his camp if it were attacked.
iamque artibus Fabii, §22.24.10sedendo et cunctando, bellum gerebat receperatque suos in priora castra, quae pro Gereoni moenibus erant.
And now, by the arts of Fabius, by sitting still and delaying, he was conducting the war, and had withdrawn his men to their former camp, which was before the walls of Gereonium.
iusta quoque acie §22.24.11et collatis signis dimicatum quidam auctores sunt: primo concursu Poenum usque ad castra fusum, inde eruptione facta repente versum terrorem in Romanos, Numeri Decimi Samnitis deinde interventu proelium restitutum.
Some authors write that a battle was also fought in a regular engagement and with clashed standards: at the first encounter, the Carthaginian was routed even to his camp; then, a sally being made, terror was suddenly turned upon the Romans; and next, by the intervention of Numerius Decimius the Samnite, the battle was restored.
§22.24.12hunc, principem genere ac divitiis non Boviani modo, unde erat, sed toto Samnio, iussu dictatoris octo milia peditum et equites quingentos ducentem in castra, ab tergo cum apparuisset Hannibali, speciem parti utrique praebuisse novi praesidii cum Q. Fabio ab Roma venientis.
This man, chief in birth and wealth not only of Bovianum, whence he came, but of all Samnium, was leading eight thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry to the camp by order of the dictator; when he appeared from behind, he presented to both sides the appearance of a new reinforcement coming from Rome with Q. Fabius.
§22.24.13Hannibalem insidiarum quoque aliquid timentem recepisse suos, Romanum insecutum adiuvante Samnite duo castella eo die expugnasse.
Hannibal, fearing also some ambush, withdrew his men, and the Roman, pursuing with the help of the Samnite, stormed two forts on that day.
§22.24.14sex milia hostium caesa, quinque admodum Romanorum; tamen in tam pari prope clade vanam famam egregiae victoriae cum vanioribus litteris magistri equitum Romam perlatam.
Six thousand of the enemy were slain, and fully five thousand of the Romans; yet, in a disaster so nearly equal, a groundless rumor of a brilliant victory, with still more groundless letters from the master of the horse, was carried to Rome.