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commanded the kings of the Teutones to be brought out； as they were；
in chains； for they were taken by the Sequani among the Alps； before
they could make their escape。 This was no sooner made known to the
Cimbri； but they with all expedition came against Marius； who then lay
still and guarded his camp。
It is said that； against this battle Marius first altered the
construction of the Roman javelins。 For before at the place where
the wood was joined to the iron it was made fast with two iron pins；
but now Marius let one of them alone as it was； and pulling out the
other； put a weak wooden peg in its place； thus contriving that when
it was driven into the enemy's shield； it should not stand right
out； but the wooden peg breaking； the iron should bend； and so the
javelin should hold fast by its crooked point and drag。 Boeorix；
King of the Cimbri； came with a small party of horse to the Roman
camp； and challenged Marius to appoint the time and place where they
might meet and fight for the country。 Marius answered that the
Romans never consulted their enemies when to fight； however； he
would gratify the Cimbri so far； and so they fixed upon the third
day after and for the place； the plain near Vercellae； which was
convenient enough for the Roman horse； and afforded room for the enemy
to display their numbers。
They observed the time appointed； and drew out their forces
against each other。 Catulus commanded twenty thousand three hundred；
and Marius thirty…two thousand； who were placed in the two wings；
leaving Catulus the centre。 Sylla； who was present at the fight； gives
this account； saying； also； that Marius drew up his army in this
order； because he expected that the armies would meet on the wings
since it generally happens that in such extensive fronts the centre
falls back； and thus he would have the whole victory to himself and
his soldiers； and Catulus would not be even engaged。 They tell us；
also； that Catulus himself alleged this in vindication of his
honour； accusing； in various ways； the enviousness of Marius。 The
infantry of the Cimbri marched quietly out of their fortifications；
having their flanks equal to their front； every side of the army
taking up thirty furlongs。 Their horse； that were in number fifteen
thousand； made a very splendid appearance。 They wore helmets； made
to resemble the head and jaws of wild beasts； and other strange
shapes； and heightening these with plumes of feathers； they made
themselves appear taller than they were。 They had breastplates of iron
and white glittering shields； and for their offensive arms every one
had two darts； and when they came hand to hand； they used large and
heavy swords。
The cavalry did not fall directly upon the front of the Romans； but；
turning to the right； they endeavoured to draw them on in that
direction by little and little； so as to get them between themselves
and their infantry； who were placed in the left wing。 The Roman
commanders soon perceived the design； but could not contain the
soldiers； for one happening to shout out that the enemy fled； they all
rushed to pursue them； while the whole barbarian foot came on；
moving like a great ocean。 Here Marius； having washed his hands； and
lifting them up towards heaven； vowed an hecatomb to the gods； and
Catulus； too； in the same posture； solemnly promised to consecrate a
temple to the 〃Fortune of that day。〃 They say； too； that Marius；
having the victim shown to him as he was sacrificing； cried out with a
loud voice； 〃The victory is mine。〃
However； in the engagement； according to the accounts of Sylla and
his friends； Marius met with what might be called a mark of divine
displeasure。 For a great dust being raised； which （as it might very
probably happen） almost covered both the armies； he； leading on his
forces to the pursuit； missed the enemy； and having passed by their
array； moved for a good space； up and down the field； meanwhile the
enemy； by chance； engaged with Catulus； and the heat of the battle was
chiefly with him and his men； among whom Sylla says he was； adding；
that the Romans had great advantage of the heat and sun that shone
in the faces of the Cimbri。 For they； well able to endure cold； and
having been bred up （as we observed before） in cold and shady
countries； were overcome with the excessive heat； they sweated
extremely； and were much out of breath； being forced to hold their
shields before their faces； for the battle was fought not long after
the summer solstice； or； as the Romans reckon； upon the third day
before the new moon of the month now called August and then
Sextilis。 The dust； too； gave the Romans no small addition to their
courage； inasmuch as it hid the enemy。 For afar off they could not
discover their number； but every one advancing to encounter those that
were nearest to them； came to fight hand to hand before the sight of
so vast a multitude had struck terror into them。 They were so much
used to labour； and so well exercised； that in all the heat and toil
of the encounter； not one of them was observed either to sweat or to
be out of breath； so much so； that Catulus himself； they say； recorded
it in commendation of his soldiers。
Here the greatest part and most valiant of the enemies were cut in
pieces； for those that fought in the front； that they might not
break their ranks； were fast tied to one another； with long chains put
through their belts。 But as they pursued those that fled to their camp
they witnessed a most fearful tragedy； the women； standing in black
clothes on their wagons； slew all that fled； some their husbands； some
their brethren； others their fathers； and strangling their little
children with their own hands； threw them under the wheels and the
feet of the cattle； and then killed themselves。 They tell of one who
hung herself from the end of the pole of a wagon； with her children
tied dangling at her heels。 The men； for want of trees； tied
themselves； some to the horns of the oxen； others by the neck to their
legs； that so pricking them on； by the starting and springing of the
beasts； they might be torn and trodden to pieces。 Yet for all they
thus massacred themselves； above sixty thousand were taken
prisoners； and those that were slain were said to be twice as many。
The ordinary plunder was taken by Marius's soldiers； but the other
spoils； as ensigns； trumpets； and the like； they say； were brought
to Catulus's camp； which he used for the best argument that the
victory was obtained by himself and his army。 Some dissensions
arising； as was natural； among the soldiers； the deputies from
Parma； being then present； were made judges of the controversy； whom
Catulus's men carried about among their slain enemies and manifestly
showed them that they were slain by their javelins； which were known
by the inscriptions； having Catulus's name cut in the wood。
Nevertheless the whole glory of the action was ascribed to Marius；
on account of his former victory； and under colour of his present
authority； the populace more especially styling him the third
founder of their city； as having diverted a danger no less threatening
than was that when the Gauls sacked Rome； and e