1-10 intueri; contemplari . . . = There they are looking one on another. . . . By a string of infinitives the picture of a series of actions is put before the reader without the actions being thought of singly.—Lee Warner.
2 obnoxia = at the mercy of . . .—Rawlins.
6 per sociorum urbes, e.g. Capua.
11 fatalis ignominiae = destined for their disgrace.
12 experiundo = by experience; praeceperant = they had anticipated.
16 seminudi = with only their tunics on.
17 gradu = in rank.
18 traducti, ‘always used in this sense of disgraceful exhibition or parade.’—Stephenson.
22-23 ipsa lux . . . fuit = the very light was to them as they gazed on so hideous a line of march more gloomy than any form of death.
The Caudine Forks. Other writers state that the Romans were entrapped only after a severe defeat.