CHAP. III.] 



ROMAN CAVALRY. 



66 



tion they had so long maintained. At this crisis, they 

 had the Carthaginian phalanx in good order in front of 

 them (for Hannibal had evidently not pressed the action 

 in the centre), both their wings had been defeated and 

 driven off the field, their reserves had been routed, a 

 fresh force issuing from an ambush was attacking them 

 in the rear, the whole plain was swarming with victorious 

 hostile cavalry, and a swollen river lay between them 

 and their camp, and yet they never thought of surren- 

 der. The decision of the Roman consul was prompt, 

 the discipline and obedience of the men perfect, and 

 closing up their ranks and steadying their formation, 

 they burst through the enemy's line of battle, defeated 

 the whole centre of Hannibal's army, cut it asunder and 

 forced their way clear through to Placentia. Seipio in 

 the night with the ddbris of the army passed by the 

 Carthaginian camp and joined Sempronius in that 

 place. 



This battle is a remarkable evidence of the admirable 

 qualities of the Roman heavy armed legionary, and of 

 the high character of the Carthaginian horse ; nor can 

 any doubt arise as to Hannibal owing his success entirely 

 to his splendid cavalry. 



Had the Roman Consul shown more skill in refusing to 

 fight except under favourable auspices, had he occupied a 

 position where the wings of his army would have been 

 protected from being turned by the hostile horsemen, and 

 where the wonderful skill, bravery, and steadiness of the 

 Roman foot could have been employed to advantage, the 

 result might have been different ; for the Trebbia proved 

 that the Carthaginian infantry could not withstand the 

 attack of the heavy Roman legionaries. 



An account of the battle of Cannse, where Hannibal 

 gained his most decisive victory over the largest and 

 most powerful army that Rome had ever been able to 

 bring into the field against him, will give another illus- 

 tration of the immense advantages which that great 

 general was able to secure from the use of his cavalry in 

 action. 



A few days before the battle a skirmish took place 



F 



