Capture of Mediolanum and End of the War
Next year, upon embassies coming from the Celts,
note
desiring peace and making unlimited offers of
submission, the new Consuls, Marcus Claudius
Marcellus and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus,
were urgent that no peace should be granted them. Thus
frustrated, they determined to try a last chance, and once more
took active measures to hire thirty thousand Gaesatae,—the
Gallic tribe which lives on the Rhone. Having obtained these,
they held themselves in readiness, and waited for the attack of
their enemies. At the beginning of spring the Consuls assumed
command of their forces, and marched them into the territory
of the Insubres; and there encamped under the walls of the
city of Acerrae, which lies between the Padus and the Alps,
and laid siege to it. The Insubres, being unable to render
any assistance, because all the positions of vantage had been
seized by the enemy first, and being yet very anxious to break
up the siege of Acerrae, detached a portion of their forces to
affect a diversion by crossing the Padus and laying siege to
Clastidium. Intelligence of this movement being brought to
the Consuls, Marcus Claudius, taking with him his cavalry and
some light infantry, made a forced march to relieve the besieged inhabitants. When the Celts heard of his approach,
they raised the siege; and, marching out to meet him, offered
him battle. At first they held their ground against a furious
charge of cavalry which the Roman Consul launched at them;
but when they presently found themselves surrounded by the
enemy on their rear and flank, unable to maintain the
fight any longer, they fled before the cavalry; and many of
them were driven into the river, and were swept away by the
stream, though the larger number were cut down by their
enemies. Acerrae also, richly stored with corn, fell into the
hands of the Romans: the Gauls having evacuated it, and
retired to Mediolanum, which is the most commanding position in the territory of the Insubres. Gnaeus followed them
closely, and suddenly appeared at Mediolanum. The Gauls at
first did not stir; but upon his starting on his return march to
Acerrae, they sallied out, and having boldly attacked his rear,
killed a good many men, and even drove a part of it into
flight; until Gnaeus recalled some of his vanguard, and urged
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them to stand and engage the enemy. The Roman soldiers
obeyed orders, and offered a vigorous resistance to the attacking party. The Celts, encouraged by their success, held their
ground for a certain time with some gallantry, but before long
turned and fled to the neighbouring mountains. Gnaeus followed
them, wasting the country as he went, and took Mediolanum
by assault. At this the chiefs of the Insubres, despairing of
safety, made a complete and absolute submission to Rome.
