Book 10
14.3
On the strength of this information the whole weight of war was turned against the Samnites. In order to facilitate the transport of supplies, and also to make the enemy more uncertain as to the line of the Roman advance, Fabius led his legions by way of Sora, while Decius proceeded through the Sidicine district.
14.4
When they had crossed the frontiers of Samnium they marched on a widely extended front, laying the country waste as they went on.
14.5
They threw out their scouting parties still more widely, and so did not fail to discover the enemy near Tifernum.
14.6
They had concealed themselves in a secluded valley, prepared to attack the Romans, should they enter the valley, from the rising ground on each side. Fabius removed the baggage into a safe place and left a small guard over it.
14.7
He then informed his men that a battle was impending, and massing them into a solid square came up to the above-mentioned hiding-place of the enemy.
14.8
The Samnites, finding all chance of a surprise hopeless, since matters would have to be decided by an action in the open, thought it better to meet their foes in a pitched battle. Accordingly they came down to the lower ground, and placed themselves in the hands of Fortune with more of courage than of hope.
