antagonists in the sides,
which their too vehement impetuosity left unprotected.

50. And thus the barbarians threw away their lives in their struggles
for victory, while toiling to break the compact array of our battalions.
But still, in spite of the ceaseless slaughter made among them by the
Romans, whose courage rose with their success, fresh barbarians
succeeded those who fell; and as the frequent groans of the dying were
heard, many became panic-stricken, and lost all strength.

51. At last, exhausted by their losses, and having no strength for
anything but flight, they sought to escape with all speed by different
roads, like as sailors and traders, when the sea rages in a storm, are
glad to flee wherever the wind carries them. But any one then present
will confess that escape was a matter rather to be wished than hoped
for.

52. And the merciful protection of a favourable deity was present on our
side, so that our soldiers, now slashing at the backs of the fugitives,
and finding their swords so battered that they were insufficient to
wound, used the enemy's own javelins, and so slew them. Nor could any
one of the pursuers satiate himself enough with their blood, nor allow
his hand to weary with slaughter, nor did any one spare a suppliant out
of pity.

53. Numbers, therefore, lay on the ground, mortally wounded, imploring
instant death as a relief; others, half dead with failing breath turned
their dying eyes to the last enjoyment of the light. Of some the heads
were almost cut off by the huge weapons, and merely hung by small strips
to their necks; others, again, who had fallen because the ground had
been rendered slippery by the blood of their comrades, without
themselves receiving any wound, were killed by being smothered in the
mass of those who fell over them.

54. While these events were proceeding thus prosperously for us, the
conquerors pressed on vigorously, though the edges of their weapons were
blunted by frequent use, and shining helmets and shields were trampled
under foot. At last, in the extremity of their distress, the barbarians,
finding the heaps of corpses block up all the paths, sought the aid of
the river, which was the only hope left to them, and which they had now
reached.

55. And because our soldiers unweariedly and with great speed pressed,
with arms in their hands, upon the fleeing bands, many, hoping to be
able to deliver themselves from danger by their skill in swimming,
truste