ir belts. The fugitives were
driven back to their encampments, when a most tragic scene was
exhibited. The women standing on the waggons clothed in black
massacred the fugitives, some their husbands, and others their
brothers and fathers, and then strangling their infants they threw
them under the wheels and the feet of the beasts of burden, and killed
themselves. It is said that one woman hung herself from the end of the
pole of a waggon with her children fastened to her feet by cords; and
that the men, not finding any trees near, tied themselves to the horns
of the oxen and some to their feet, and then goading the animals to
make them plunge about, were dragged and trampled till they died. But
though so many perished in this manner, above sixty thousand were
taken prisoners, and the number of those who fell was said to be twice
as many. Now all the valuable property became the booty of the
soldiers of Marius, but the military spoils and standards and
trumpets, it is said, were carried to the tent of Catulus; and Catulus
relied chiefly on this as a proof that the victory was gained by his
men. A dispute having arisen among the soldiers, as might be expected,
some ambassadors from Parma[102] who were present were chosen to act
as arbitrators, and the soldiers of Catulus leading them among the
dead bodies of the enemy, pointed out that the barbarians were pierced
by their spears, which were recognised by the marks on them, for
Catulus had taken care to have his name cut on the shafts.
Notwithstanding this, the whole credit was given to Marius, both on
account of the previous victory and his superior rank.[103] And what
was most of all, the people gave him the title of the third
founder[104] of Rome, considering that the danger which he had averted
was not less than that of the Gallic invasion, and in their rejoicings
with their wives and children at home they coupled Marius with the
gods in the religious ceremonies that preceded the banquet and in
their libations, and they thought that he alone ought to celebrate
both triumphs. Marius, however, did not triumph alone, but Catulus
shared the honour, for Marius wished to show that he was not elated by
his victories: there was another reason also; he was afraid of the
soldiers, who were prepared not to let Marius triumph, if Catulus were
deprived of the honour.

XXVIII. Though Marius was now discharging his fifth consulship, he was
more anxious to obtain a sixth than others