The History of Rome, Vol. 2

Year of Rome 433

2. After uttering these predictions, which were not more cheering than they were true, he led out his troops and placed his camp near Caudium, as much out of view as possible. From there, he sent ten soldiers dressed as shepherds to Calatia, where he heard the Roman consuls were encamped. He ordered them to keep cattle grazing in several different places at a short distance from the Roman posts, and if they encountered any Roman foragers, they were to tell the same story: that the legions of the Samnites were then in Apulia, besieging Luceria with their whole force and on the verge of taking it by storm. Such a rumor had already been spread and reached the Romans, but these prisoners confirmed it, as they all gave the same report. There was no doubt that the Romans would carry help to the Lucerians as faithful allies, and also to prevent all of Apulia from defecting to the enemy.

The only point of debate was which road they should take. There were two roads leading to Luceria: one along the coast of the upper sea, which was wide and open but, because it was safer, it was also longer. The other road, which was shorter, went through the Caudine Forks. The nature of this place is as follows: there are two deep glens, narrow and covered with wood, connected by mountains on both sides. Between these lies a plain of considerable extent, full of grass and water, through which the passage runs. However, before you can reach it, you must pass the first defile, and the only way back is the road by which you entered. If you choose to proceed forward, you must go through the other glen, which is even narrower and more difficult. The Romans marched their troops into this plain through one of these clefts in the rock. When they advanced toward the other defile, they found it blocked by trees and a mound of huge stones. When the enemy's stratagem became apparent, troops were seen on the heights above the glen. The Romans hastened back to retrace their path, only to find that entrance also shut off by a similar fence and armed men. They halted without orders, struck by a strange numbness and amazement, standing motionless and silent, looking to one another for advice.