Book 25
1.17
And in order that the onset of the bowmen might not throw our ranks into confusion, he advanced at a swift pace, and so ruined the effectiveness of the arrows.By reaching the enemy before they could use their bows at all (ante iactum sagittarum (Justin, l. c.)), or with good effect. Cf. Frontinus, Strat. ii. 2, 5, Ventidius . . . ita procursione subita . . . se admovit, ut sagittas, quibus ex longinquo usus est, comminus adplicitus eluderet. Similar tactics were used by Miltiades at Marathon; Hdt. vi. 112; Just. ii. 9, 11. Then the usual signal for battle was given, and the Roman infantry in close order with mighty effort drove the serried ranks of the enemy before them.
