§22.50.1haec est pugna Cannensis,Alliensi cladi nobilitate par, §22.50.2ceterum uti eis, quae post pugnam accidere, levior, quia ab hoste est cessatum, sic strage exercitus gravior foediorque.
This is the battle of Cannae, equal in notoriety to the disaster at the Allia, but as it was less severe in respect to what happened after the battle, because the enemy was inactive, so it was heavier and more shameful in the slaughter of the army.
§22.50.3fuga namque ad Aliam sicut urbem prodidit, ita exercitum servavit; ad Cannas fugientem consulem vix quinquaginta secuti sunt, alterius morientis prope totus exercitus fuit.
For the flight at the Allia, although it betrayed the city, yet saved the army; at Cannae, scarcely fifty followed the fleeing consul, while almost the entire army shared the fate of the other who died.
§22.50.4binis in castris cum multitudo semiermis sine ducibus esset, nuntium, qui in maioribus erant, mittunt, dum proelio, deinde ex laetitia epulis fatigatos quies nocturna hostes premeret, ut ad se transirent: uno agmine Canusium abituros esse.
When there was a leaderless, half-armed multitude in both camps, those in the larger camp sent a messenger to ask them to cross over to them while the enemy was weighed down by night's rest, exhausted by the battle and then by feasting in their joy, so that they might depart for Canusium in a single column.
§22.50.5eam sententiam alii totam aspernari: cur enim illos, qui se arcessant, ipsos non venire, cum aeque coniungi possent? quia videlicet plena hostium omnia in medio essent, et aliorum quam sua corpora tanto periculo mallent obicere.
Some rejected this proposal entirely: for why, they asked, did those who summoned them not come themselves, since they could join together equally? Obviously, because all the space between was full of enemies, and they preferred to expose other people's bodies to such danger rather than their own.
§22.50.6aliis non tam sententia displicere quam animus deesse. tum p.
To others, the proposal did not so much displease them as courage was lacking.
Sempronius Tuditanus tribunus militum “capi ergo mavultis” inquit “ab avarissimo et crudelissimo hoste, aestimarique capita vestra et exquiri pretia ab interrogantibus, Romanus civis sis an Latinus socius, ut ex tua contumelia et miseria alteri honos quaeratur?
Then Publius Sempronius Tuditanus, a military tribune, said: "Do you then prefer to be captured by a most avaricious and cruel enemy, and to have your heads valued and prices demanded by those who ask whether you are a Roman citizen or a Latin ally, so that honor may be sought for another from your insult and misery?
§22.50.7non tu si quidem L. Aemili consulis, qui se bene mori quam turpiter vivere maluit, et tot fortissimorum virorum, qui circa eum cumulati iacent, cives estis.
Not so, if indeed you are citizens of the consul Lucius Aemilius, who preferred to die well rather than live shamefully, and of so many most brave men who lie piled up around him.
§22.50.8sed antequam opprimit lux maioraque hostium agmina obsaepiunt iter, per hos, qui inordinati atque inconpositi obstrepunt portis, erumpamus.
But before the light overtakes us and larger columns of the enemy block the way, let us break out through these who, disordered and unorganized, are making an uproar at the gates.
§22.50.9ferro atque audacia via fit quamvis per confertos hostis.
By the sword and by boldness a way is made, however thick the enemies are.
cuneo quidem hoc laxum atque solutum agmen, ut si nihil obstet, disicias.
With a wedge-formation indeed, you may scatter this loose and uncompacted column as if nothing stood in your way.
itaque ite mecum, qui et vosmet ipsos et rem publicam salvam vultis. ” §22.50.10haec ubi dicta dedit, stringit gladium cuneoque facto per medios vadit hostis: et cum in latus dextrum, §22.50.11quod patebat, Numidae iacularentur, translatis in dextrum scutis in maiora castra ad sescenti evaserunt, atque inde protinus aio magno agmine adiuncto Canusium incolumes perveniunt.
Therefore come with me, you who want both yourselves and the republic to be safe." When he had said this, he drew his sword and, having formed a wedge, marched through the midst of the enemy; and when the Numidians cast their javelins at their right side, which was exposed, they transferred their shields to the right and about six hundred escaped into the larger camp, and from there, with another large column immediately joined, they arrived safely at Canusium.
§22.50.12haec apud victos magis impetu animorum, quem ingenium suum cuique aut fors dabat, quam ex consilio ipsorum aut imperio cuiusquam agebantur.
These things were done among the vanquished more by the impulse of their minds, which his own character or fortune gave to each, than by their own counsel or by the command of anyone.