d suddenly there arose from the Allemanni a
great shout, mingled with indignant cries, all exclaiming with one
voice that the princes ought to leave their horses and fight in the
ranks on equal terms with their men, lest if any mischance should occur
they should avail themselves of the facility of escaping, and leave the
mass of the army in miserable plight.

35. When this was known, Chnodomarius immediately leapt down from his
horse, and the rest of the princes followed his example without
hesitation. For indeed none of them doubted but that their side would be
victorious.

36. Then the signal for battle being given as usual by the sound of
trumpets, the armies rushed to the combat with all their force. First of
all javelins were hurled, and the Germans, hastening on with the utmost
impetuosity, brandishing their javelins in their right hands, dashed
among the squadrons of our cavalry, uttering fearful cries. They had
excited themselves to more than usual rage; their flowing hair bristling
with their eagerness, and fury blazing from their eyes. While in
opposition to them our soldiers, standing steadily, protecting their
heads with the bulwark of their shields, and drawing their swords or
brandishing their javelins, equally threatened death to their
assailants.

37. And while in the very conflict of battle, the cavalry kept their
gallant squadrons in close order, and the infantry strengthened their
flanks, standing shoulder to shoulder with closely-locked shields,
clouds of thick dust arose, and the battle rocked to and fro, our men
sometimes advancing, sometimes receding. Some of the most powerful
warriors among the barbarians pressed upon their antagonists with their
knees, trying to throw them down; and in the general excitement men
fought hand to hand, shield pressing upon shield; while the heaven
resounded with the loud cries of the conquerors and of the dying.
Presently, when our left wing, advancing forward, had driven back with
superior strength the vast bands of German assailants, and was itself
advancing with loud cries against the enemy, our cavalry on the right
wing unexpectedly retreated in disorder; but when the leading fugitives
came upon those in the rear, they halted, perceiving themselves covered
by the legions, and renewed the battle.

38. This disaster had arisen from the cuirassiers seeing their commander
slightly wounded, and one of their comrades crushed under the weight of
his own arms, and