They were furnished with splendid armour and plumed helmets, to distinguish them above the rest.

They had another body of forces, amounting to somewhat more than twenty thousand, not inferior to the linen legion, either in personal appearance, or renown in war, or their equipment.

This number, composing the main strength of the nation, sat down at Aquilonia.
39.

On the other side, the consuls set out from the city.

First, Spurius Carvilius, to whom had been decreed the veteran legions, which Marcus Atilius, the consul of the preceding year, had left in the territory of Interamna, marched at their head into Samnium; and, while the enemy were busied in their superstitious rites, and holding their secret meeting, he took by storm the town of Amiternum.