A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Pyrrhus Defeats the Romans 367
(When Pyrrhus heard that the Roman army had come The battle of
into Lucania to oppose him, he marched forth to meet it at
Heraclea.)
Learning that the Romans were near, and were
encamping on the farther side of the river Siris, he rode
down to the river to view them. When he saw their even
ranks, their
orderly movements, and their well-arranged
camp, he was surprised, and said to the nearest of his
friends,
"These barbarians, Megacles, have nothing barbarian
in their military discipline, but we shall soon learn
what they can do."
He began already to feel some uncertainty as to the issue
of the campaign, and determined to wait till his allies came
up, and until then to watch the movements of the Romans
and prevent their crossing the river. As they perceived his
object, however, they quickly crossed the river, the infantry
at a ford,
the cavalry at many points at once, so
that the Greeks, fearing that they might be surrounded,
drew back.
Perceiving the movement, Pyrrhus ordered his
instantly to form the troops in
officers
order of battle and wait
under arms while he himself charged with the cavalry,
three thousand strong, for he hoped to catch the Romans
in the act of crossing the river and consequently in disorder.
When he saw many shields of the Roman infantry appearing
over the river bank and their horsemen all ranged in
order, he closed up his own ranks and charged them. He
himself took the lead, a conspicuous figure in his beautiful
glittering armor, and he proved by his exploits that he
deserved his high reputation; for though he fought personally
and engaged in
combat with the enemy, he continually
watched the whole battle, and handled his troops
with as much facility as though he were not in the thick of
the fight,
appearing always where his presence was most
2S0 B.C.