am runs down a valley into the
lake, and in the valley, completely hidden from the sight of an enemy
approaching, Hannibal placed the Numidian cavalry and the Gaulish
infantry. Among some woods clothing the lower slope of the hills facing
the lake he placed his light troops, while the Spanish and African
infantry and the Gaulish cavalry were similarly hidden on the outer
slopes of the hill in readiness to close in on the rear of the Romans
when they had entered on the road between the hills and the lake.

No better position could have been chosen for a surprise. When once the
Romans had entered the path between the hills and the lake there was no
escape for them. They were shut up between the wood clad hills swarming
with the Carthaginian light troops and the lake, while the heavy
infantry and cavalry of Hannibal were ready to fall on them front and
rear.

When Flaminius arrived at Cortona late at night he heard of the ravages
and executions committed by the Carthaginians, as they had passed
through early in the morning, and resolved to press forward at daybreak
in hopes of finding some opportunity for falling upon and punishing
them. When day broke it seemed favourable to his design, for a thick
mist was rising from the lake and marshes. This, he thought, would
conceal his advance from the Carthaginians, while, as the high ground
ahead rose above the mist, he would be enabled to see their position. He
pushed forward then rapidly, thinking that he should be able to overtake
the rear of the Carthaginian army as it moved slowly along encumbered
with its plunder.

As he neared the entrance to the pass he caught sight of the heavy
armed Carthaginians on the distant hill above the level of the mist,
and believing that his own movements were hidden from the enemy, pushed
forward as fast as the infantry could march. But the moment the rear of
his column had entered the narrow flat between the foot of the hills and
the lake, the Numidians quietly moved down and closed the pass behind
them, while Hannibal with his heavy infantry descended from the farther
hill to confront him. When all was ready he gave the signal, and at once
in front, on their right flank, and on their rear the Carthaginians fell
upon them.

The light troops heralded their attack by rolling a vast quantity of
rocks down the hill on the long column, and then, pressing down through
the woods, poured their arrows and javelins into the struggling mass.

Take