§7.7.1priusquam dictator legionesque novae in Hernicos venirent, ductu C. Sulpici legati res per occasionem gesta egregie est.
Before the dictator and the new legions arrived among the Hernici, a brilliant success was achieved under the leadership of the lieutenant Gaius Sulpicius, who took advantage of an opportunity.
§7.7.2in Hernicos, morte consulis contemptim ad castra Romana cum haud dubia expugnandi spe succedentes, hortante legato et plenis irae atque indignitatis militum animis eruptio est facta.
Against the Hernici, who, despising the death of the consul, were advancing toward the Roman camp with no doubtful hope of storming it, a sally was made at the encouragement of the lieutenant, and with the minds of the soldiers full of anger and indignation.
multum ab spe adeundi valli res Hernicis afuit; adeo turbatis inde ordinibus abscessere.
The result for the Hernici was far from their hope of reaching the rampart; they retreated from there with their ranks greatly disordered.
§7.7.3dictatoris deinde adventu novus veteri exercitus iungitur et copiae duplicantur; et pro contione dictator laudibus legati militumque, quorum virtute castra defensa erant, simul audientibus laudes meritas tollit animos, simul ceteros ad aemulandas virtutes acuit.
Then, upon the arrival of the dictator, the new army was joined to the old, and the forces were doubled; and in an assembly, by praising the lieutenant and the soldiers by whose valor the camp had been defended, the dictator at once raised the spirits of those who heard their well-deserved praises, and at the same time stimulated the rest to emulate their valor.
§7.7.4neque segnius ad hostes bellum apparatur, qui et parti ante decoris memores neque ignari auctarum virium hostis suas quoque vires augent.
Nor was the war prepared for with less vigor by the enemy, who, mindful of their former glory and not unaware of the increased strength of the foe, also increased their own forces.
omne Hernicum nomen, omnis militaris aetas excitur; quadringenariae octo cohortes, lecta robora virorum, scribuntur.
All who bore the Hernician name, and all of military age, were called out; eight cohorts of four hundred men each, the chosen strength of their men, were enrolled.
§7.7.5hunc eximium florem iuventutis eo etiam, quod, ut duplex acciperent stipendium, decreverant, spei animorumque inplevere; inmunes quoque operum militarium erant, ut in unum pugnae laborem reservati plus sibi quam pro virili parte adnitendum scirent; §7.7.6extra ordinem etiam in acie locati, quo conspectior virtus esset.
They filled this choice flower of the youth with hope and courage, also by the fact that they had decreed that they should receive double pay; they were also exempt from military labors, so that, being reserved for the single labor of the battle, they might know that they had to exert themselves beyond the ordinary share of a man; they were also posted outside the regular ranks in the battle line, so that their valor might be more conspicuous.
duum milium planities castra Romana ab Hernicis dirimebat;
A plain of two miles separated the Roman camp from the Hernici.
§7.7.7ibi pari ferme utrimque spatio in medio pugnatum est.
There, they fought in the middle, at an almost equal distance from both sides.
primo stetit ambigua spe pugna nequi quam saepe conatis equitibus Romanis impetu turbare hostium aciem.
At first, the battle stood in suspense, with doubtful hope, the Roman cavalry having often attempted in vain to throw the enemy's line into confusion by a charge.
§7.7.8postquam equestris pugna effectu quam conatibus vanior erat, consulto prius dictatore equites, permissu deinde eius relictis equis, clamore ingenti provolant ante signa et novam integrant pugnam.
After the cavalry fight proved more fruitless in result than in effort, the cavalry, having first consulted the dictator, and then with his permission left their horses, dashed forward before the standards with a huge shout and renewed the battle.
§7.7.9neque sustineri poterant, ni extraordinariae cohortes pari corporum animorumque robore se obiecissent.
Nor could they have been withstood, if the extraordinary cohorts had not opposed them with equal strength of body and mind.