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

384 The First and Second Punic Wars
The beginning
of the
fight.
The consul.
Livy xxii. 5.
Confusion.
A desperate
struggle.
ridge.
For this reason the Punic troops ran down from the
various heights in fair sight of one another and therefore
with greater regularity.
As the battle-cry rose on all sides, the Romans found
themselves surrounded before they could well see the
enemy; and the attack on the front and flank had begun
before their line could be well formed, their arms prepared
for action, or their swords unsheathed.
Though all the rest were in a panic, the consul faced the
peril undaunted. As the men turned toward the various
shouts, they threw the line into confusion, but Flaminius
marshalled them as well as time and place permitted.
Wherever he came within hearing,
he encouraged them,
and bade them stand and fight. "We can escape," he
cried, "not by vows and prayers to the gods but by courage
and energy.
Let us hew our way with the sword through
the midst of their marshalled battalions—the less the fear
the less the danger!"
But in the noise and tumult the men heard not his advice
and command; and so far were they from knowing
their own standards and ranks and position, that they
hardly had enough courage to take arms and make ready
for battle.
Some, surprised before they could don their
armor, were burdened rather than protected by it.
In the
thick darkness there was more use for ears than for eyes.
Vainly peering in every direction, they could only hear the
groans of the dying, the clash of blows upon armor, the
mingled clamor of threats and fear. Some in their flight
ran into bands of fighters; others renewing the struggle
were turned back by crowds of runaways.
In vain the Romans charged in every direction, there
was no hope of escape; for on their flanks the mountain
and lake, on the front and rear the lines of the enemy en-