§38.22.1sub idem tempus L. Manlius et C. Helvius, cum, quoad viam colles obliqui dederunt, escendissent, postquam ad invia ventum est, flexere iter in partem montis, §38.22.2quae una habebat iter, et sequi consulis agmen modico uterque intervallo velut ex composito coeperunt, quod primo optimum factu fuisset, in id necessitate ipsa compulsi; §38.22.3subsidia enim in talibus iniquitatibus locorum maximo saepe usui fuerunt, ut primis forte deturbatis secundi et tegant pulsos et integri pugnam excipiant.
about the same time, Lucius Manlius and Gaius Helvius, having ascended as far as the sloping hills afforded a path, after they came to impassable places, turned their course towards that part of the mountain alone had a path, and both began to follow the consul's column at a moderate distance as if by agreement, being driven by necessity itself to that which at first would have been the best thing to do; in such inequalities of terrain, reserves have often been of the greatest use, so that if by chance the first are repulsed, the second may both cover those who are driven back and, being fresh, take up the fight.
§38.22.4consul, postquam ad tumulos ab levi armatura captos prima signa legionum pervenerunt, respirare et conquiescere paulisper militem iubet; simul strata per tumulos corpora Gallorum ostentat,
consul, after the first standards of the legions reached the hills captured by the light infantry, ordered the soldiers to take breath and rest for a little while; at the same time he pointed out the bodies of the Gauls strewn over the hills, asked since the light infantry had produced such a battle, what was to be expected from the legions, what from the regular weapons, what from the courage of the bravest soldiers?
§38.22.5et, cum levis armatura proelium tale ediderit, quid ab legionibus, quid ab iustis armis, quid ab animis fortissimorum militum expectari? castra illis capienda esse, in quae compulsus ab levi armatura hostis trepidet.
They must take the camp, in which the enemy, driven by the light infantry, was in a panic.
§38.22.6praecedere tamen iubet levem armaturam, quae, cum staret agmen, colligendis per tumulos telis, ut missilia sufficerent, haud segne id ipsum tempus consumpserat.
, he ordered the light infantry to go ahead, who, while the column was standing still, had spent that very time not sluggishly in gathering weapons over the hills so that their missiles would suffice.
§38.22.7iam castris appropinquabant; et Galli, ne parum se munimenta sua tegerent, armati pro vallo constiterant.
they were approaching the camp; and the Gauls, lest their fortifications protect them too little, had stood armed in front of the rampart.
obruti deinde omni genere telorum, cum, quo plures atque densiores erant, eo minus vani quicquam intercideret teli, intra vallum momento temporis compelluntur stationibus tantum firmis ad ipsos aditus portarum relictis.
Then, overwhelmed by every kind of missile, since the more numerous and crowded they were, the less any missile fell in vain, they were driven inside the rampart in a moment of time, with only strong guard-posts left at the very entrances of the gates.
§38.22.8in multitudinem compulsam in castra vis ingens missilium telorum coniciebatur, et vulnerari multos clamor permixtus mulierum atque puerorum ploratibus significabat.
immense force of missiles was thrown into the crowd driven into the camp, and the shouting, mixed with the wailing of women and children, indicated that many were being wounded.
§38.22.9in eos, qui portas stationibus suis clauserant, legionum antesignani pila coniecerunt.
those who had closed the gates with their guard-posts, the vanguard of the legions threw their javelins.
iis vero non vulnerabantur, sed transverberatis scutis plerique inter se conserti haerebant; nec diutius impetum Romanorum sustinuerunt.
By these indeed they were not wounded, but, their shields being pierced through, most of them stuck together, bound to one another; nor did they sustain the attack of the Romans any longer.