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routed those nearest him； and they； breaking the ranks of those that
were before them； filled the whole army with confusion。 They made no
long resistance after they were thus broke in upon； but having lost
all order； fled。
The Romans； pursuing them； slew and took prisoners above one hundred
thousand； and possessing themselves of their spoil； tents； and
carriages； voted all that was not purloined to Marius's share；
which； though so magnificent a present； yet was generally thought less
than his conduct deserved in so great a danger。 Other authors give a
different account； both about the division of the plunder and the
number of the slain。 They say； however； that the inhabitants of
Massilia made fences round their vineyards with the bones； and that
the ground； enriched by the moisture of the putrefied bodies （soaked
with the rain of the following winter）； yielded at the season a
prodigious crop； and fully justified Archilochus； who said； that the
fallows thus are fattened。 It is an observation； also； that
extraordinary rains pretty generally fall after great battles； whether
it be that some divine power thus washes and cleanses the polluted
earth with showers from above； or that moist and heavy evaporations；
steaming forth from the blood and corruption； thicken the air； which
naturally is subject to alteration from the smallest causes。
After the battle； Marius chose out from amongst the barbarians'
spoils and arms those that were whole and handsome； and that would
make the greatest show in his triumph； the rest he heaped upon a large
pile； and offered a very splendid sacrifice。 Whilst the army stood
round about with their arms and garlands； himself attired （as the
fashion is on such occasions） in the purple…bordered robe； and
taking a lighted torch； and with both hands lifting it up towards
heaven； he was then going to put it to the pile； when some friends
were espied with all haste coming towards him on horseback。 Upon which
every one remained in silence and expectation。 They； upon their coming
up； leapt off and saluted Marius； bringing him the news of his fifth
consulship； and delivered him letters to that effect。 This gave the
addition of no small joy to the solemnity； and while the soldiers
clashed their arms and shouted； the officers again crowned Marius with
a laurel wreath； and he thus set fire to the pile； and finished his
sacrifice。
But whatever it be which interferes to prevent the enjoyment of
prosperity ever being pure and sincere； and still diversifies human
affairs with the mixture of good and bad； whether fortune or divine
displeasure； or the necessity of the nature of things； within a few
days Marius received an account of his colleague； Catulus； which； as a
cloud in serenity and calm； terrified Rome with the apprehension of
another imminent storm。 Catulus； who marched against the Cimbri；
despairing of being able to defend the passes of the Alps； lest； being
compelled to divide his forces into several parties； he should
weaken himself； descended again into Italy； and posted his army behind
the river Adige； where he occupied the passages with strong
fortifications on both sides the river； and made a bridge； that so
he might cross to the assistance of his men on the other side； if so
be the enemy； having forced their way through the mountain passes；
should storm the fortresses。 The barbarians； however； came on with
such insolence and contempt of their enemies； that to show their
strength and courage； rather than out of any necessity； they went
naked in the showers of snow； and through the ice and deep snow
climbed up to the tops of the hills； and from thence； placing their
broad shields under their bodies； let themselves slide from the
precipices along their vast slippery descents。
When they had pitched their camp at a little distance from the
river； and surveyed the passage； they began to pile it up； giant…like；
tearing down the neighbouring hills； and brought trees pulled up by
the roots； and heaps of earth to the river； damming up its course； and
with great heavy materials which they rolled down the stream and
dashed against the bridge； they forced away the beams which
supported it； in consequence of which the greatest part of the Roman
soldiers； much affrighted； left the camp and fled。 Here Catulus showed
himself a generous and noble general； in preferring the glory of his
people before his own； for when he could not prevail with his soldiers
to stand to their colours； but saw how they all deserted them； he
commanded his own standard to be taken up； and running to the foremost
of those that fled； he led them forward； choosing rather that the
disgrace should fall upon himself than upon his country； and that they
should not seem to fly； but； following their captain； to make a
retreat。 The barbarians assaulted and took the fortress on the other
side the Adige； where much admiring the few Romans there left； who had
shown extreme courage； and had fought worthily of their country；
they dismissed them upon terms； swearing them upon their brazen
bull； which was afterwards taken in the battle； and carried； they say；
to Catulus's house； as the chief trophy of victory。
Thus falling in upon the country destitute of defence； they wasted
it on all sides。 Marius was presently sent for to the city； where；
when he arrived； every one supposing he would triumph； the senate；
too； unanimously voting it； he himself did not think it convenient：
whether that he were not willing to deprive his soldiers and
officers of their share of the glory； or that； to encourage the people
in this juncture； he would leave the honour due to his past victory on
trust； as it were； in the hands of the city and its future fortune；
deferring it now to receive it afterwards with the greater
splendour。 Having left such orders as the occasion required； he
hastened to Catulus； whose drooping spirits he much raised； and sent
for his own army from Gaul； and as soon as it came； passing the
river Po； he endeavoured to keep the barbarians out of that part of
Italy which lies south of it。
They professed they were in expectation of the Teutones； and
saying they wondered they were so long in coming deferred the
battle； either that they were really ignorant of their defeat or
were willing to seem so。 For they certainly much maltreated those that
brought them such news； and； sending to Marius； required some part
of the country for themselves and their brethren； and cities fit for
them to inhabit。 When Marius inquired of the ambassadors who their
brethren were； upon their saying the Teutones； all that were present
began to laugh； and Marius scoffingly answered them； 〃Do not trouble
yourself for your brethren； for we have already provided lands for
them； which they shall possess for ever。〃 The ambassadors；
understanding the mockery； broke into insults； and threatened that the
Cimbri would make him pay for this and the Teutones； too； when they
came。 〃They are not far off；〃 replied Marius； 〃and it will be unkindly
done of you to go away before greeting your brethren。〃 Saying so； he
commanded the kings of the Teutones to be brought out； as they were；
in chains