(BOOK 10, BOISSEVAIN).

[Sidenote:  B.C. 279 (a.u. 475)] VIII, 5.—­During the winter both sides busied themselves with preparations.  When spring had now begun, Pyrrhus invaded Apulia and reduced many places by force, many also by capitulation.  Finally the Romans came upon him near a city called Asculum and pitched camp opposite.  For several days they lingered, rather avoiding each other.  The Romans were not feeling confident against men who had once beaten them, and the others dreaded the Romans as persons animated by desperation.  Meanwhile some were talking to the effect that Decius was getting ready to “devote himself” after the fashion of his father and grandfather, and by so doing they terribly alarmed the followers of Pyrrhus, who believed that through his death they would certainly be ruined.  Pyrrhus then convened his soldiers and discussed this matter, advising them not to be disheartened nor scared out of their wits by such talk.  One human being, he said, could not by dying prevail over many nor could any incantation or magic prove superior to arms and men.  By making these remarks and confirming his words by arguments Pyrrhus encouraged the army under his lead.  Also he enquired into the details of the costume which the Decii had used in devoting themselves, and sent injunctions to his men, if they should see anybody so arrayed, not to kill him, but seize him alive. [Sidenote:  FRAG. 40^28] AND HE SENT TO DECIUS AND TOLD HIM THAT HE WOULD NOT SUCCEED IN ACCOMPLISHING THIS, EVEN IF HE WISHED IT, AND THREATENED THAT IF HE WERE TAKEN ALIVE, HE SHOULD PERISH MISERABLY.  TO THIS THE CONSULS ANSWERED THAT THEY WERE IN NO NEED OF HAVING RECOURSE TO SUCH A PROCEEDING AS THE ONE MENTIONED, SINCE THEY WERE SURE TO CONQUER HIM ANYWAY.  There was a river not easy to ford running between the two camps, and they enquired whether he chose to cross unmolested himself, while they retired, or whether he would allow them to do it, the object being that the forces should encounter each other intact and so from a battle with conditions equal the test of valor might be made an accurate one.  The Romans delivered this speech to overawe him, but Pyrrhus granted them permission to cross the river, since he placed great reliance upon his elephants.  The Romans among their other preparations made ready, as a measure against the elephants, projecting beams on wagons, overlaid with iron and bristling in all directions.  From these they intended to shoot and to withstand the animals with fire as well as by other means.  When the conflict began, the Romans forced the Greeks back, slowly to be sure, but none the less effectually, until Pyrrhus, bringing his elephants to bear not opposite their chariots but at the other end of the line, routed their cavalry through fear of the beasts even before they had come close.  Upon their infantry, however, he inflicted no great damage.  Meantime some of the Apulians had started for the camp of the Epirots and by so