Aemilius Deters the Gauls
But meanwhile Lucius Aemilius, who had been stationed
note
on the coast of the Adriatic at Ariminum,
having been informed that the Gauls had
entered Etruria and were approaching Rome,
set off to the rescue; and after a rapid march appeared on
the ground just at the critical moment. He pitched his
camp close to the enemy; and the fugitives on the hill, seeing
his watch fires, and understanding what had happened, quickly
recovered their courage and sent some of their men unarmed
to make their way through the forest and tell the Consul what
had happened. This news left the Consul as he thought no
alternative but to fight. He therefore ordered the Tribunes to
lead out the infantry at daybreak, while he, taking command
of the cavalry, led the way towards the hill. The Gallic
chieftains too had seen his watch fires, and understood that the
enemy was come; and at once held council of war. The
advice of King Aneroestes was, "that seeing the amount of
booty they had taken,—an incalculable quantity indeed of
captives, cattle, and other spoil,—they had better not run
the risk of another general engagement, but return home in
safety; and having disposed of this booty, and freed themselves
from its incumbrance, return, if they thought good, to make
another determined attack upon Rome." Having resolved to
follow the advice of Aneroestes in the present juncture, the
chiefs broke up their night council, and before daybreak struck
camp, and marched through Etruria by the road which follows
the coast of the Ligurian bay. While Lucius, having taken off
the remnant of the army from the hill, and combined it with
his own forces, determined that it would not be by any means
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advantageous to offer the enemy regular battle; but that it was
better to dog their footsteps, watching for favourable times and
places at which to inflict damage upon them, or wrest some of
their booty from their hands.
