[p. 349] In the summer in which these events occurred in1 Africa Publius Sempronius, the [4??] consul who had the land of the Bruttii as his province, engaged with Hannibal in the territory of Croton in an unorganized battle while actually on the march. They fought in columns rather than in battle-line. The Romans were worsted, and in what was in fact a confused struggle rather than a battle about twelve hundred of the consul's army were slain. [5] There was a panic-stricken retreat to the camp, and yet the enemy did not venture to attack it. [6] But in the silence of the following night the consul set out, and after despatching a messenger to Publius Licinius, the proconsul, urging him to bring up his legions, he united their forces. [7] Thus two generals and two armies once more confronted Hannibal, and there was no delay in engaging, since doubled forces emboldened the consul, as his recent victory did the Carthaginian. Sempronius led his legions into the first line, while Publius Licinius' legions were posted in reserve. [8] At the beginning of the battle the consul vowed a temple to Fortuna Primigenia,2 if he should rout the enemy that day; and he had his wish. The Carthaginians were routed and put to flight. [9] Over four thousand armed men were slain, a little less than three hundred were captured alive, and forty horses and eleven military standards taken. Discouraged by defeat, Hannibal led his army back to Croton.
[10] At the same time Marcus Cornelius, the consul, in [p. 351]the north of Italy held Etruria in check not so much3 by arms as by the alarm produced by the trials,4 while almost the whole land was inclined towards Mago and through him to the hope of a political change. [11] In accordance with a decree of the senate he conducted these cases with no respect of persons. And at first many noble Etruscans who either had gone in person to Mago or had sent others to him reporting on the disloyalty of their communities, had appeared and had been condemned. [12] Later on men who from a guilty conscience went into voluntary exile, on being condemned in absence, eluded bodily punishment, merely exposing their property instead to possible confiscation.5