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and thus； himself the fairest and most glorious triumphant image；
was conveyed into the city。 The army adorned with shining armour
followed in order； and with verses composed for the occasion； and with
songs of victory celebrated the praises of Jupiter and of their
general。 Then entering the temple of Jupiter Feretrius； he dedicated
his gift； the third； and to our memory the last； that ever did so。 The
first was Romulus； after having slain Acron； king of the
Caeninenses： the second； Cornelius Cossus； who slew Tolumnius the
Etruscan： after them Marcellus； having killed Britomartus； king of the
Gauls； after Marcellus； no man。 The god to whom these spoils were
consecrated is called Jupiter Feretrius； from the trophy carried on
the feretrum； one of the Greek words which at that time still
existed in great numbers in Latin： or； as others say； it is the
surname of the Thundering Jupiter derived from ferire； to strike。
Others there are who would have the name to be deduced from the
strokes that are given in fight； since even now in battles； when
they press upon their enemies； they constantly call out to each other；
strike； in Latin feri。 Spoils in general they call Spolia； and these
in particular Opima； though； indeed； they say that Numa Pompilius；
in his commentaries； makes mention of first； second； and third
Spolia Opima； and that he prescribes that the first taken be
consecrated to Jupiter Feretrius； the second to Mars； the third to
Quirinus； as also that the reward of the first be three hundred asses；
of the second； two hundred； of the third； one hundred。 The general
account； however； prevails； that those spoils only are Opima which the
general first takes in set battle； and takes from the enemy's chief
captain whom he has slain with his own hand。 But of this enough。 The
victory and the ending of the war was so welcome to the people of
Rome； that they sent to Apollo of Delphi； in testimony of their
gratitude； a present of a golden cup of an hundred pound weight； and
gave a great part of the spoil to their associate cities； and took
care that many presents should be sent also to Hiero； King of the
Syracusans； their friend and ally。
When Hannibal invaded Italy； Marcellus was despatched with a fleet
to Sicily。 And when the army had been defeated at Cannae； and many
thousands of them perished； and a few had saved themselves by flying
to Canusium； and all feared lest Hannibal； who had destroyed the
strength of the Roman army； should advance at once with his victorious
troops to Rome； Marcellus first sent for the protection of the city
fifteen hundred soldiers from the fleet。 Then； by decree of the
senate； going to Canusium； having heard that many of the soldiers
had come together in that place； he led them out of the fortifications
to prevent the enemy from ravaging the country。 The chief Roman
commanders had most of them fallen in battles； and the citizens
complained that the extreme caution of Fabius Maximus； whose integrity
and wisdom gave him the highest authority； verged upon timidity and
inaction。 They confided in him to keep them out of danger； but could
not expect that he would enable them to retaliate。 Fixing；
therefore； their thoughts upon Marcellus； and hoping to combine his
boldness； confidence； and promptitude with Fabius's caution and
prudence； and to temper the one by the other； they sent； sometimes
both with consular command； sometimes one as consul； the other as
proconsul； against the enemy。 Posidonius writes； that Fabius was
called the buckler； Marcellus the sword of Rome。 Certainly； Hannibal
himself confessed that he feared Fabius as a schoolmaster； Marcellus
as an adversary： the former； lest he should be hindered from doing
mischief； the latter； lest he should receive harm himself。
And first； when among Hannibal's soldiers； proud of their victory；
carelessness and boldness had grown to a great height； Marcellus；
attacking all their stragglers and plundering parties； cut them off；
and by little and little diminished their forces。 Then carrying aid to
the Neopolitans and Nolans； he confirmed the minds of the former； who；
indeed； were of their own accord faithful enough to the Romans； but in
Nola he found a state of discord； the senate not being able to rule
and keep in the common people； who were generally favourers of
Hannibal。 There was in the town one Bantius； a man renowned for his
high birth and courage。 This man； after he had fought most fiercely at
Cannae； and had killed many of the enemies； at last was found lying in
a heap of dead bodies； covered with darts； and was brought to
Hannibal； who so honoured him； that he not only dismissed him
without ransom； but also contracted friendship with him； and made
him his guest。 In gratitude for this great favour； he became one of
the strongest partisans of Hannibal； and urged the people to revolt。
Marcellus could not be induced to put to death a man of such eminence；
and who had endured such dangers in fighting on the Roman side； but；
knowing himself able； by the general kindliness of his disposition；
and in particular by the attractiveness of his address； to gain over a
character whose passion was for honour； one day when Bantius saluted
him； he asked him who he was； not that he knew him not before； but
seeking an occasion of further conference。 When Bantius had told who
he was； Marcellus； seeming surprised with joy and wonder； replied：
〃Are you that Bantius whom the Romans commend above the rest that
fought at Cannae； and praise as the one man that not only did not
forsake the consul Paulus Aemilius； but received in his own body
many darts thrown at him？〃 Bantius owning himself to be that very man；
and showing his scars： 〃Why； then；〃 said Marcellus； 〃did not you；
having such proofs to show of your affection to us； come to me at my
first arrival here？ Do you think that we are unwilling to requite with
favour those who have well deserved； and who are honoured even by
our enemies？〃 He followed up his courtesies by a present of a
war…horse and five hundred drachmas in money。 From that time Bantius
became the most faithful assistant and ally of Marcellus； and a most
keen discoverer of those that attempted innovation and sedition。
These were many； and had entered into a conspiracy to plunder the
baggage of the Romans； when they should make an irruption against
the enemy。 Marcellus； therefore； having marshalled his army within the
city； placed the baggage near to the gates； and； by an edict；
forbade the Nolans to go to the walls。 Thus； outside the city； no arms
could be seen； by which prudent device he allured Hannibal to move
with his army in some disorder to the city； thinking that things
were in a tumult there。 Then Marcellus； the nearest gate being； as
he had commanded； thrown open； issuing forth with the flower of his
horse in front； charged the enemy。 By and by the foot； sallying out of
another gate； with a loud shout joined in the battle。 And while
Hannibal opposes part of his forces to these； the third gate also is
opened； out of which the rest break forth； and on all quarters fall
upon the enemies； who were dismayed at this unexpected encounter；
and did but