In the next
place, the light-armed men, falling upon them before they could
get into their usual order or range themselves in their proper
squadrons, so disturbed and pressed upon them, that they were
obliged to fight at random, without any order at all. But at last,
when Camillus brought on his heavy-armed legions, the barbarians,
with their swords drawn, went vigorously to engage them; the
Romans, however, opposing their javelins, and receiving the force
of their blows on those parts of the defences which were well
guarded with steel, turned the edge of their weapons, beingmade of
a soft and ill-tempered metal, so that their swords bent and
doubled up in their hands; and their shields were pierced through
and through, and grew heavy with the javelins that stuck upon
them. And thus forced to quit their own weapons, they endeavored
to take advantage of those of their enemies, laid hold of the
javelins with their hands, and tried to pluck them away. But the
Romans, perceiving them now naked and defenceless, betook
themselves to their swords, which they so well used, that in a
little time great slaughter was made in the foremost ranks, while
the rest fled over all parts of the level country; the hills and
upper grounds Camillus had secured beforehand, and their camp they
knew it would not be difficult for the enemy to take, as, through
confidence of victory, they had left it unguarded.
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