§25.34.1per eosdem dies P. Scipionem par terror, periculum maius ab novo hoste urgebat.
During those same days, a similar terror and a greater danger from a new enemy were pressing upon Publius Scipio.
§25.34.2Masinissa erat iuvenis, eo tempore socius Carthaginiensium, quem deinde clarum potentemque Romana fecit amicitia.
Masinissa was a young man, at that time an ally of the Carthaginians, whom later Roman friendship made famous and powerful.
is tum cum equitatu Numidarum §25.34.3et advenienti P. Scipioni occurrit et deinde adsidue dies noctesque infestus aderat, §25.34.4ut non vagos tantum procul a castris lignatum pabulatumque progressos exciperet, sed ipsis obequitaret castris invectusque in medias saepe stationes omnia ingenti tumultu turbaret.
He at that time, with the cavalry of the Numidians, both met Publius Scipio as he was advancing and then was constantly present, hostile day and night, so that he not only captured those who wandered far from the camp to gather wood and forage, but rode up to the camp itself, and often charging into the middle of the outposts, threw everything into great confusion.
§25.34.5noctibus quoque saepe incursu repentino in portis valloque trepidatum est, nec aut locus aut tempus ullum vacuum a metu ac sollicitudine erat Romanis, §25.34.6compulsique intra vallum adempto rerum omnium usu.
At night also, there was often alarm at the gates and the rampart from sudden attacks, nor was there any place or time free from fear and anxiety for the Romans, and they were driven inside the rampart, deprived of the use of all things.
cum prope iusta obsidio esset futuramque artiorem eam appareret, si se Indibilis, quem cum septem milibus et quingentis Suessetanorum adventare fama erat, Poenis coniunxisset, dux cautus §25.34.7et providens Scipio victus necessitatibus temerarium capit consilium, ut nocte Indibili obviam iret et, quocumque occurrisset loco, proelium consereret.
Since it was almost a regular siege, and it was apparent that it would become tighter if Indibilis, who rumor had it was approaching with seven thousand five hundred Suessetani, should join the Carthaginians, the cautious leader and far-seeing Scipio, overcome by necessity, took a daring counsel: to go to meet Indibilis by night and, in whatever place he should encounter him, to join battle.
§25.34.8relicto igitur modico praesidio in castris praepositoque Ti. Fonteio legato media nocte profectus cum obviis hostibus manus conseruit.
Therefore, having left a modest garrison in the camp and placed the lieutenant Tiberius Fonteius in charge, he set out at midnight and joined battle with the enemy who met him.
§25.34.9agmina magis quam acies pugnabant, superior tamen, ut in tumultuaria pugna, Romanus erat.
Columns rather than battle lines were fighting, yet the Roman was superior, as is usual in a disorderly fight.
ceterum et equites Numidae repente, quos fefellisse se dux ratus erat, ab lateribus circumfusi magnum terrorem intulere, §25.34.10et contracto adversus Numidas certamine novo tertius insuper advenit hostis, duces Poeni adsecuti ab tergo iam pugnantis; ancepsque proelium Romanos circumsteterat incertos, in quem potissimum hostem quamve in partem conferti eruptionem facerent.
But suddenly the Numidian cavalry, whom the general had believed he had eluded, surrounding them from the flanks, brought great terror, and when a new contest was started against the Numidians, a third enemy arrived in addition, the Carthaginian generals having caught up with them and attacking from the rear as they were already fighting; and a double battle had surrounded the Romans, who were uncertain against which enemy in particular or in which direction they, crowded together, should make a breakout.
§25.34.11pugnanti hortantique imperatori et offerenti se, ubi plurimus labor erat, latus dextrum lancea traicitur; cuneusque is hostium, qui in confertos circa ducem impetum fecerat, ut exanimem labentem ex equo Scipionem vidit, alacres gaudio cum clamore per totam aciem nuntiantes discurrunt imperatorem Romanum cecidisse.
While the commander was fighting, encouraging, and offering himself where the struggle was greatest, his right side was pierced by a spear; and that wedge of the enemy, which had made an attack on those crowded around the leader, as soon as they saw Scipio falling lifeless from his horse, ran about in high spirits with a shout of joy through the whole line, announcing that the Roman commander had fallen.
§25.34.12ea pervagata passim vox ut et hostes haud dubie pro victoribus et Romani pro victis essent, fecit.
That report, spreading everywhere, caused the enemy to behave undoubtedly as victors and the Romans as vanquished.
fuga confestim ex acie duce amisso fieri coepta est; §25.34.13ceterum ut ad erumpendum inter Numidas leviumque armorum alia auxilia haud difficilis erat, §25.34.14ita effugere tantum equitum aequantiumque equos velocitate peditum vix poterant; caesique prope plures in fuga quam in pugna sunt, nec superfuisset quisquam, ni praecipiti iam ad vesperum die nox intervenisset.
But although to break through among the Numidians and other auxiliaries of light armor was not very difficult, yet they could scarcely escape so many cavalry and infantry equaling horses in speed; and almost more were slain in flight than in battle, nor would anyone have survived, had not night intervened, with the day already rapidly declining toward evening.