1The Roman army was then in the territory of Larinum. 1Minucius, the master of the horse, was in command, the dictator having set out, as was said before, for the city. 2But the camp, which had been placed on a high mountain in a safe position, is now brought down onto the plain, and hotter plans, in keeping with the commander's temper, were being discussed, for an attack either on the scattered foragers or on the camp left with a light garrison. 3Nor did it escape Hannibal that the conduct of the war had changed with the commander and that the enemy would act more boldly than wisely. 4He himself, however, though one would hardly believe it, with the enemy nearer, sent a third of his soldiers off to forage, keeping two thirds in camp; then he moved the camp itself nearer the enemy, about two miles from Gereonium, onto a hillock in the enemy's view, so that they might know he was ready to protect the foragers if any attack were made.
6From there a hill came into view nearer to him and overlooking the Roman camp itself; 6since, if they went to seize it openly by daylight, the enemy would undoubtedly forestall them by a shorter route, Numidians were sent secretly by night and seized it. 7When the Romans, despising their small numbers, had dislodged them from the position the next day, they themselves move their camp there. 8Then indeed only a small space separated rampart from rampart, and that very space the Roman line had almost entirely filled. 8At the same time the cavalry with the light-armed troops, sent out through the rear of the camp against the foragers, caused slaughter and flight far and wide among the scattered enemy.
9Nor did Hannibal dare to fight a pitched battle, because with so few men he could scarcely protect his camp if it were attacked. 9And now he was waging war by the arts of Fabius, by sitting still and delaying, and had withdrawn his men to his former camp, which was before the walls of Gereonium. 10Some authorities state that there was also a fight in regular line with standards joined: at the first clash the Carthaginian was routed right up to his camp, then a sortie was made and panic suddenly turned upon the Romans, and the battle was then restored by the arrival of Numerius Decimius the Samnite.
12This man, foremost in birth and wealth not only at Bovianum, where he came from, but in all Samnium, was leading eight thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry to the camp by order of the dictator, and when he appeared at Hannibal's rear he gave both sides the impression of a fresh force coming from Rome with Quintus Fabius. 13Hannibal, fearing some ambush as well, withdrew his men, and the Roman, following up with the help of the Samnite, stormed two forts that day. 14Six thousand of the enemy were slain, and fully five thousand of the Romans; 14yet, though the losses were so nearly equal, an empty report of a splendid victory was carried to Rome, together with an even emptier letter from the master of the horse.