This first success procured for the robbers arms and increased accessions to their ranks.
Although even now a great portion of them carried nothing but pointed clubs, the new and stronger division of the militia-- two legions under the praetor Publius Varinius--which advanced from Rome into Campania, found them encamped almost like a regular army in the plain.

Varinius had a difficult position.

His militia, compelled to bivouac opposite the enemy, were severely weakened by the damp autumn weather and the diseases which it engendered; and, worse than the epidemics, cowardice and insubordination thinned the ranks.

At the very outset one of his divisions broke up entirely, so that the fugitives did not fall back on the main corps, but went straight home.

Thereupon, when the order was given to advance against the enemy's entrenchments and attack them, the greater portion of the troops refused to comply with it.