Victory Over the Insubres
The Consuls of the next year, however, Publius Furius
note
Philus and Caius Flaminius, once more invaded
the Celtic lands, marching through the territory
of the Anamares, who live not far from Placentia. note Having secured the friendship of this tribe, they crossed into the country
of the Insubres, near the confluence of the Adua and Padus.
They suffered some annoyance from the enemy, as they were
crossing the river, and as they were pitching their camp; and
after remaining for a short time, they made terms with the
Insubres and left their country. After a circuitous march of
several days, they crossed the River Clusius, and came into the
territory of the Cenomani. As these people were allies of
Rome, they reinforced the army with some of their men,
which then descended once more from the Alpine regions
into the plains belonging to the Insubres, and began laying
waste their land and plundering their houses. The Insubrian
chiefs, seeing that nothing could change the determination of
the Romans to destroy them, determined that they had
better try their fortune by a great and decisive battle.
They therefore mustered all their forces, took down from the
temple of Minerva the golden standards, which are called "the
immovables," and having made other necessary preparations,
in high spirits and formidable array, encamped opposite to
their enemies to the number of fifty thousand. Seeing themselves thus outnumbered, the Romans at first determined to
avail themselves of the forces of the allied Celtic tribes; but
when they reflected on the fickle character of the Gauls, and
that they were about to fight with an enemy of the same race
as these auxiliary troops, they hesitated to associate such men
with themselves, at a crisis of such danger, and in an action of
such importance. However, they finally decided to do this.
They themselves stayed on the side of the river next the
enemy: and sending the Celtic contingent to the other side,
they pulled up the bridges; which at once precluded any
fear of danger from them, and left themselves no hope of safety
-- 129 --
except in victory; the impassable river being thus in their rear.
These dispositions made, they were ready to engage.
