e eminences conveniently concealing them; in order that
when the Romans had entered, the cavalry advancing, every place might
be enclosed by the lake and the mountains. Flaminius, passing the
defiles before it was quite daylight, without reconnoitering, though
he had arrived at the lake the preceding day at sunset, when the
troops began to be spread into the wider plain, saw that part only of
the enemy which was opposite to him; the ambuscade in his rear and
overhead escaped his notice. And when the Carthaginian had his enemy
enclosed by the lake and mountains, and surrounded by his troops, he
gives the signal to all to make a simultaneous charge; and each
running down the nearest way, the suddenness and unexpectedness of the
event was increased to the Romans by a mist rising from the lake,
which had settled thicker on the plain than on the mountains; and thus
the troops of the enemy ran down from the various eminences,
sufficiently well discerning each other, and therefore with the
greater regularity. A shout being raised on all sides, the Roman found
himself surrounded before he could well see the enemy; and the attack
on the front and flank had commenced ere his line could be well
formed, his arms prepared for action, or his swords unsheathed.

5. The consul, while all were panic-struck, himself sufficiently
undaunted though in so perilous a case, marshals, as well as the time
and place permitted, the lines which were thrown into confusion by
each man's turning himself towards the various shouts; and wherever he
could approach or be heard exhorts them, and bids them stand and
fight: for that they could not escape thence by vows and prayers to
the gods but by exertion and valour; that a way was sometimes opened
by the sword through the midst of marshalled armies, and that
generally the less the fear the less the danger. However, from the
noise and tumult, neither his advice nor command could be caught; and
so far were the soldiers from knowing their own standards, and ranks,
and position, that they had scarce sufficient courage to take up arms
and make them ready for battle; and certain of them were surprised
before they could prepare them, being burdened rather than protected
by them; while in so great darkness there was more use of ears than of
eyes. They turned their faces and eyes in every direction towards the
groans of the wounded, the sounds of blows upon the body or arms, and
the mingled clamours of the menaci