When it was known in the city that the army so hastily enrolled had been defeated, the despair was profound. Women ran about the streets crying aloud to their gods and shrieking in terror. At any moment, they believed, the Samnites might enter their city.
Then, just when hope of relief was faintest, a large company of cavalry was seen approaching the gates. It was the vanguard of Sulla’s army, and he himself was close behind with the main body of his troops.
For the time a feeling of immense relief was felt in the city. At least the Samnites would not enter Rome now unopposed.
Sulla’s officers begged him to allow his troops to rest before attacking the enemy. But he refused, ordering the trumpets at once to sound for battle.
Crassus commanded Sulla’s right wing, and, unknown to the general, beat the enemy. The left wing of the Romans was all but repulsed, when Sulla rode to its help, mounted on a swift white steed.
He was recognised by the Samnites, and two of them prepared to fling their darts at the great Roman general. They thought that if he were slain the battle would soon be at an end.
But Sulla’s servant saw his master’s danger, and gave his steed a touch that made him start suddenly forward. The darts fell harmless to the ground close to the horse’s tail, so that the servant had just succeeded in saving his master’s life.
Darkness fell, and the battle was still undecided. But during the night messengers from Crassus stole into Sulla’s camp for provisions, and the general heard that the enemy had been driven to Antemnæ, three miles away, and that Pontius, the Samnite leader, had been slain. He at once resolved to join Crassus. In the morning the Samnites were surprised to find a large army ready to attack them. But their leader was dead, so they were afraid to fight, and three thousand offered to submit to Sulla.
The general promised these their lives on one condition—that they should attack their own comrades. This the Samnites actually agreed to do, and a large number were killed in the unnatural struggle.
Six thousand who survived were taken to Rome, and by Sulla’s orders cut to pieces. The cruelty of the Roman commander seemed to increase the nearer he drew to Rome.