bravery and strategy in battle (1) Flashcards
erant in ea legione fortissimi viri,
In that legion, there were the bravest men
centuriones, qui primis ordinibus appropinquarent,
Centurions, who would approach the first ranks,
Titus Pullo et Lucius Vorenus.
Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus.
hi perpetuas inter se controversias habebant, quinam anteferretur,
These men had continuous disputes with each other, about who should be preferred,
omnibusque annis de locis summis simultatibus contendebant.
Over the years they used to engage in quarrels about the top positions.
ex his Pullo, cum acerrime ad munitiones pugnaretur,
Of these men, Pullo, when he was fighting very fiercely at the fortifications,
‘quid dubitas,’ inquit, ‘Vorene?
‘Why do you hesitate, Vorenus?’ he said
aut quem locum tuae pro laude virtutis spectas?
Or which position are you looking at as praise for your courage?’
hic dies de nostris controversiis iudicabit.’
‘This day will judge about our disputes.’
haec cum dixisset, procedit extra munitiones,
When he had said these things, he advanced beyond the fortifications,
quaeque pars hostium confertissima est visa irrumpit.
and he rushed towards (the place) where part of the enemy seemed to be most crowded.
ne Vorenus quidem sese vallo continet
Not even Vorenus held himself back in the rampart,
sed omnium veritus existimationem subsequitur.
but fearing everyone’s opinion, he followed on.
tum mediocri spatio relicto Pullo pilum in hostes immittit
Then, when there was a moderate space left, Pullo launched his javelin at the enemy
atque unum ex multitudine procurrentem traicit;
and pierced one of the crowd (who was) rushing towards him.
quo percusso et exanimato, hunc scutis protegunt,
Since he had been hit and knocked out, they protected him with their shields.
in hostem tela universi coiciunt neque dant regrediendi facultatem.
All together they threw their weapons at the enemy (Pullo) and gave him no chance of retreat.
transfigitur scutum Pulloni et verutum in balteo defigitur.
The shield of Pullo was pierced and a spear became stuck on his belt.
avertit hic casus vaginam et gladium educere conanti
This setback pushed his scabbard to one side and delayed his right hand
dextram moratur manum, impeditumque hostes circumsistunt.
in trying to draw his sword, the enemy (Gauls) surround him as he is impeded.
succurrit inimicus illi Vorenus et laboranti subvenit
His rival (Vorenus) comes running to help him in his efforts.
ad hunc se confestim a Pullone omnis multitudo convertit;
The whole crowd (of Gauls) immediately turned itself to this man (Vorenus) from Pullo;
illum veruto arbitrantur occisum.
They thought he (Pullo) had been killed by the spear.
gladio comminus rem gerit Vorenus
At close quarters Vorenus manages the fight with his sword
atque uno interfecto reliquos paulum propellit:
and drove the rest back once he’d killed one
dum cupidius instat, in locum deiectus inferiorem concidit.
Then he pressed on eagerly, and was the down into a lower place as he fell.
huic rursus circumvento fert subsidium Pullo,
Pullo brought this surrounded man help once more,
atque ambo incolumes compluribus interfectis
and both retreated unharmed having killed several men
summa cum laude sese intra munitiones recipiunt.
(recovering) the highest praise within the fortifications.
sic fortuna in contentione et certamine utrumque versavit,
So fortune dealth with each man in rivalry and in conflict,
ut alter alteri inimicus auxilio alutique esset
so that one rival was a help and safety to the other,
neque diiudicari posset, uter atri virtute anteferendus videretur.
nor could it be decided which man out to be held in higher regard
