[618] Turbatae acies, probably by the death of Aconteus, who was evidently on the Latin side. Serv. says that these alternate advances and retreats are only the ordinary manœuvres of a cavalry engagement. Comp. 5. 580 foll. Sall. Iug. 59, “illi—non uti equestri proelio solet, sequi dein cedere, sed adversis equis concurrere, inplicare ac perturbare aciem.” Livy 22. 47 (of the battle of Cannae), “minime equestris more pugnae: frontibus enim adversis concurrendum erat.” Thus it would appear that Virg. has combined two modes of cavalry engagement, that which Sallust describes as the less regular with the more regular.
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John Conington. P. Vergili Maronis opera. P. Vergili Maronis Opera. The works of. Virgil. , with a Commentary by John Conington, M.A. and Henry Nettleship, M.A. London. Whittaker and Co., Ave Maria Lane;. George Bell and Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1876.
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