Polybius, Histories

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Book 1 - Chapter 40

1
<w lemma="%2A%28o">Ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="proestw%5Cs">προεστὼς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fwn">Καρχηδονίων</w> <w lemma="%2A%29asdrou%2Fbas">Ἀσδρούβας</w>, <w lemma="o%28rw%3Dn">ὁρῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29podeiliw%3Dntas">ἀποδειλιῶντας</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fous">Ῥωμαίους</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="tai%3Ds">ταῖς</w> <w lemma="progegenhme%2Fnais">προγεγενημέναις</w> <w lemma="parata%2Fcesin">παρατάξεσιν</w>, <w lemma="puqo%2Fmenos">πυθόμενος</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="e%28%2Fna">ἕνα</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="strathgw%3Dn">στρατηγῶν</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="h%28misei%2Fas">ἡμισείας</w> <w lemma="duna%2Fmews">δυνάμεως</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29itali%2Fan">Ἰταλίαν</w> <w lemma="a%29phlla%2Fxqai">ἀπηλλάχθαι</w>, <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Akaiki%2Flion">Καικίλιον</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="%2Apano%2Frmw%7C">Πανόρμῳ</w> <w lemma="diatri%2Fbein">διατρίβειν</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="loipo%5Cn">λοιπὸν</w> <w lemma="me%2Fros">μέρος</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxonta">ἔχοντα</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="stratia%3Ds">στρατιᾶς</w>, <w lemma="boulo%2Fmenon">βουλόμενον</w> <w lemma="e%29fedreu%3Dsai">ἐφεδρεῦσαι</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="summa%2Fxwn">συμμάχων</w> <w lemma="karpoi%3Ds">καρποῖς</w> <w lemma="a%29kmazou%2Fshs">ἀκμαζούσης</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="sugkomidh%3Ds">συγκομιδῆς</w>,
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<w lemma="a%29nalabw%5Cn">ἀναλαβὼν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Alilubai%2Fou">Λιλυβαίου</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="du%2Fnamin">δύναμιν</w> <w lemma="w%28%2Frmhsen">ὥρμησεν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="katestratope%2Fdeusen">κατεστρατοπέδευσεν</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Frois">ὅροις</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="xw%2Fras">χώρας</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2Apanormi%2Ftidos">Πανορμίτιδος</w>. <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Akaiki%2Flios">Καικίλιος</w>,
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<w lemma="qewrw%3Dn">θεωρῶν</w> <w lemma="au%29to%5Cn">αὐτὸν</w> <w lemma="katateqarrhko%2Fta">κατατεθαρρηκότα</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="spouda%2Fzwn">σπουδάζων</w> <w lemma="e%29kkalei%3Dsqai">ἐκκαλεῖσθαι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="o%28rmh%5Cn">ὁρμὴν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w>, <w lemma="sunei%3Dxe">συνεῖχε</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="stratiw%2Ftas">στρατιώτας</w> <w lemma="e%29nto%5Cs">ἐντὸς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pulw%3Dn">πυλῶν</w>.
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<w lemma="oi%28%3Ds">οἷς</w> <w lemma="e%29pairo%2Fmenos">ἐπαιρόμενος</w> <w lemma="%2A%29asdrou%2Fbas">Ἀσδρούβας</w>, <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="tolmw%3Dntos">τολμῶντος</w> <w lemma="a%29ntecie%2Fnai">ἀντεξιέναι</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Akaikili%2Fou">Καικιλίου</w>, <w lemma="qrase%2Fws">θρασέως</w> <w lemma="o%28rmh%2Fsas">ὁρμήσας</w> <w lemma="panti%5C">παντὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="strateu%2Fmati">στρατεύματι</w> <w lemma="kath%3Dre">κατῆρε</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="stenw%3Dn">στενῶν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Apanormi%3Dtin">Πανορμῖτιν</w>.
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<w lemma="fqei%2Frontos">φθείροντος</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="karpou%5Cs">καρποὺς</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fxri">μέχρι</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="po%2Flews">πόλεως</w>, <w lemma="e%29%2Fmenen">ἔμενεν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="u%28pokeime%2Fnhs">ὑποκειμένης</w> <w lemma="gnw%2Fmhs">γνώμης</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="%2Akaiki%2Flios">Καικίλιος</w>, <w lemma="e%28%2Fws">ἕως</w> <w lemma="au%29to%5Cn">αὐτὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29cekale%2Fsato">ἐξεκαλέσατο</w> <w lemma="diabh%3Dnai">διαβῆναι</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="po%2Flews">πόλεως</w> <w lemma="potamo%2Fn">ποταμόν</w>.
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<w lemma="e%29pei%5C">ἐπεὶ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="qhri%2Fa">θηρία</w> <w lemma="diebi%2Fbasan">διεβίβασαν</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdo%2Fnioi">Καρχηδόνιοι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="du%2Fnamin">δύναμιν</w>, <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="thnikau%3Dta">τηνικαῦτα</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="eu%29zw%2Fnous">εὐζώνους</w> <w lemma="e%29caposte%2Fllwn">ἐξαποστέλλων</w> <w lemma="h%29re%2Fqize">ἠρέθιζε</w>, <w lemma="me%2Fxri">μέχρι</w> <w lemma="pa%3Dn">πᾶν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29kta%2Fcai">ἐκτάξαι</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="strato%2Fpedon">στρατόπεδον</w> <w lemma="h%29na%2Fgkase">ἠνάγκασε</w>.
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<w lemma="sunqeasa%2Fmenos">συνθεασάμενος</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="gino%2Fmenon">γινόμενον</w> <w lemma="o%28%5C">ὃ</w> <w lemma="proe%2Fqeto">προέθετο</w>, <w lemma="tina%5Cs">τινὰς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="eu%29kinh%2Ftwn">εὐκινήτων</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="tei%2Fxous">τείχους</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%2Ffrou">τάφρου</w> <w lemma="parene%2Fbale">παρενέβαλε</w>, <w lemma="prosta%2Fcas">προστάξας</w>, <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="e%29ggi%2Fzh%7C">ἐγγίζῃ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="qhri%2Fa">θηρία</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%2Fs">αὐτούς</w>, <w lemma="xrh%3Dsqai">χρῆσθαι</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="be%2Flesin">βέλεσιν</w> <w lemma="a%29fqo%2Fnws">ἀφθόνως</w>,
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<w lemma="o%28%2Ftan">ὅταν</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29kpie%2Fzwntai">ἐκπιέζωνται</w>, <w lemma="katafeu%2Fgein">καταφεύγειν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="ta%2Ffron">τάφρον</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="tau%2Fths">ταύτης</w> <w lemma="o%28rmwme%2Fnous">ὁρμωμένους</w> <w lemma="ei%29sakonti%2Fzein">εἰσακοντίζειν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="prospi%2Fptonta">προσπίπτοντα</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="zw%2F%7Cwn:">ζῴων·</w>
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<w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="a%29gora%3Ds">ἀγορᾶς</w> <w lemma="banau%2Fsois">βαναύσοις</w> <w lemma="fe%2Frein">φέρειν</w> <w lemma="prose%2Ftace">προσέταξε</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="be%2Flh">βέλη</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="paraba%2Fllein">παραβάλλειν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fcw">ἔξω</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="qeme%2Flion">θεμέλιον</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="tei%2Fxous">τείχους</w>.
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<w lemma="au%29to%5Cs">αὐτὸς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="shmei%2Fas">σημείας</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxwn">ἔχων</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="laio%5Cn">λαιὸν</w> <w lemma="ke%2Fras">κέρας</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="u%28penanti%2Fwn">ὑπεναντίων</w> <w lemma="keime%2Fnhs">κειμένης</w> <w lemma="pu%2Flhs">πύλης</w> <w lemma="e%29festh%2Fkei">ἐφεστήκει</w>, <w lemma="plei%2Fous">πλείους</w> <w lemma="a%29ei%5C">ἀεὶ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fous">πλείους</w> <w lemma="e%29paposte%2Fllwn">ἐπαποστέλλων</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="a%29krobolizome%2Fnois">ἀκροβολιζομένοις</w>.
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<w lemma="a%28%2Fma">ἅμα</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="o%28losxereste%2Fran">ὁλοσχερεστέραν</w> <w lemma="gene%2Fsqai">γενέσθαι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="sumplokh%5Cn">συμπλοκὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29ntifilodocou%3Dntes">ἀντιφιλοδοξοῦντες</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29lefa%2Fntwn">ἐλεφάντων</w> <w lemma="e%29pista%2Ftai">ἐπιστάται</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29asdrou%2Fban">Ἀσδρούβαν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="boulo%2Fmenoi">βουλόμενοι</w> <w lemma="di%27">δι᾽</w> <w lemma="au%28tw%3Dn">αὑτῶν</w> <w lemma="poih%3Dsai">ποιῆσαι</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="prote%2Frhma">προτέρημα</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fntes">πάντες</w> <w lemma="w%28%2Frmhsan">ὥρμησαν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="prokinduneu%2Fontas:">προκινδυνεύοντας·</w> <w lemma="treya%2Fmenoi">τρεψάμενοι</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftous">τούτους</w> <w lemma="r%28a%7Cdi%2Fws">ῥᾳδίως</w> <w lemma="sunedi%2Fwcan">συνεδίωξαν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="ta%2Ffron">τάφρον</w>.
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<w lemma="prospeso%2Fntwn">προσπεσόντων</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="qhri%2Fwn">θηρίων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="titrwskome%2Fnwn">τιτρωσκομένων</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="tei%2Fxous">τείχους</w> <w lemma="toceuo%2Fntwn">τοξευόντων</w>, <w lemma="sunakontizome%2Fnwn">συνακοντιζομένων</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29nergoi%3Ds">ἐνεργοῖς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="puknoi%3Ds">πυκνοῖς</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="u%28ssoi%3Ds">ὑσσοῖς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="gro%2Fsfois">γρόσφοις</w> <w lemma="u%28p%27">ὑπ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29kerai%2Fwn">ἀκεραίων</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="ta%2Ffrou">τάφρου</w> <w lemma="diatetagme%2Fnwn">διατεταγμένων</w>,
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<w lemma="sumbelh%3D">συμβελῆ</w> <w lemma="gino%2Fmena">γινόμενα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="katatraumatizo%2Fmena">κατατραυματιζόμενα</w> <w lemma="taxe%2Fws">ταχέως</w> <w lemma="dietara%2Fxqh">διεταράχθη</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="strafe%2Fnta">στραφέντα</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="i%29di%2Fwn">ἰδίων</w> <w lemma="e%29fe%2Freto">ἐφέρετο</w>, <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fndras">ἄνδρας</w> <w lemma="katapatou%3Dnta">καταπατοῦντα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="diafqei%2Fronta">διαφθείροντα</w>, <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="ta%2Fceis">τάξεις</w> <w lemma="sugxe%2Fonta">συγχέοντα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kataspw%3Dnta">κατασπῶντα</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="au%28tw%3Dn">αὑτῶν</w>.
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<w lemma="a%28%5C">ἃ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="katidw%5Cn">κατιδὼν</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="%2Akaiki%2Flios">Καικίλιος</w> <w lemma="e%29ch%3Dge">ἐξῆγε</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="du%2Fnamin">δύναμιν</w> <w lemma="e%29nergw%3Ds:">ἐνεργῶς·</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sumpesw%5Cn">συμπεσὼν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="plagi%2Fou">πλαγίου</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="ke%2Fras">κέρας</w> <w lemma="tetaragme%2Fnois">τεταραγμένοις</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="polemi%2Fois">πολεμίοις</w> <w lemma="a%29kerai%2Fous">ἀκεραίους</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxwn">ἔχων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="suntetagme%2Fnous">συντεταγμένους</w> <w lemma="troph%5Cn">τροπὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29poi%2Fei">ἐποίει</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="u%28penanti%2Fwn">ὑπεναντίων</w> <w lemma="i%29sxura%5Cn">ἰσχυρὰν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pollou%5Cs">πολλοὺς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3Dn">αὐτῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29pe%2Fkteinen">ἀπέκτεινεν</w>, <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="loipou%5Cs">λοιποὺς</w> <w lemma="h%29na%2Fgkase">ἠνάγκασε</w> <w lemma="feu%2Fgein">φεύγειν</w> <w lemma="protropa%2Fdhn">προτροπάδην</w>.
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<w lemma="qhri%2Fa">θηρία</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="su%5Cn">σὺν</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%3Ds">αὐτοῖς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29indoi%3Ds">Ἰνδοῖς</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Flabe">ἔλαβε</w> <w lemma="de%2Fka">δέκα</w>, <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="loipw%3Dn">λοιπῶν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29indou%5Cs">Ἰνδοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29perrifo%2Ftwn">ἀπερριφότων</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="ma%2Fxhn">μάχην</w> <w lemma="perielasa%2Fmenos">περιελασάμενος</w> <w lemma="e%29kuri%2Feuse">ἐκυρίευσε</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fntwn">πάντων</w>.
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<w lemma="tau%3Dta">ταῦτα</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29pitelesa%2Fmenos">ἐπιτελεσάμενος</w> <w lemma="o%28mologoume%2Fnws">ὁμολογουμένως</w> <w lemma="ai%29%2Ftios">αἴτιος</w> <w lemma="e%29do%2Fkei">ἐδόκει</w> <w lemma="gegone%2Fnai">γεγονέναι</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fwn">Ῥωμαίων</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fgmasi">πράγμασι</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="a%29naqarrh%3Dsai">ἀναθαρρῆσαι</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="pezika%5Cs">πεζικὰς</w> <w lemma="duna%2Fmeis">δυνάμεις</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="krath%3Dsai">κρατῆσαι</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="u%28pai%2Fqrwn">ὑπαίθρων</w>.
The Carthaginian commander-in-chief, Hasdrubal, had noted the lack of courage which the Romans exhibited, on the occasions when they were in presence of the enemy, and when he learnt that while one of the Consuls with half the whole force had left for <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Italy&groupId=656&placeId=1199">Italy</a>, Caecilius and the rest of the army remained at Panormus with the object of protecting the corn of the allies — it now being the height of the harvest —
removed his forces from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Lilybaeum&groupId=690&placeId=1261">Lilybaeum</a> and encamped on the frontier of the territory of Panormus.
Caecilius, observing Hasdrubal's aggressive spirit and wishing to provoke him to attack, kept his own soldiers within the gates.
Hasdrubal gained fresh confidence from this, thinking that Caecilius did not venture to come out, and boldly advancing with his whole force, descended through the pass on the territory of Panormus.
Caecilius, adhering to his original plan, let him ravage the crops up to the walls, until he had led him on to cross the river that runs in front of the town.
Once the Carthaginians had got their elephants and other forces across, he kept sending out light-armed troops to molest them, until he had compelled them to deploy their whole force.
When he saw that what he had designed was taking place he stationed some of his light troops before the wall and the trench, ordering them, if the elephants approached, not to spare their missiles,
and when driven from their position, they were to take refuge in the trench and sallying from it again shoot at those elephants which charged at them.
Ordering the lower classes of the civil population to bring the missiles and arrange them outside at the foot of the wall,
he himself with his maniples took up his position at the gate which faced the enemy's left wing and kept sending constant reinforcements to those engaged in shooting.
When this latter force more generally engaged with the enemy, the drivers of the elephants, anxious to exhibit their prowess to Hasdrubal and wishing the victory to be due to themselves, all charged those of the enemy who were in advance and putting them easily to flight pursued them to the trench.
When the elephants charged the trench and began to be wounded by those who were shooting from the wall, while at the same time a rapid shower of javelins and spears fell on them from the fresh troops drawn up before the trench,
they very soon, finding themselves hit and hurt in many places, were thrown into confusion and turned on their own troops, trampling down and killing the men and disturbing and breaking the ranks.
Caecilius, on seeing this, made a vigorous sally and falling on the flank of the enemy, who were now in disorder, with his own fresh and well-ordered troops caused a severe rout among them, killing many and compelling the rest to quit the field in headlong flight.
He took ten elephants with their mahouts, and after the battle, having penned up the others who had thrown their mahouts, he captured them all.
By this exploit he was universally acknowledged to have caused the Roman land forces to pluck up courage again and gain the command of the open country.