Rome. [Sidenote:  Sulla comes to the rescue.] The sequel is uncertain; but it is probable that when the three commanders marched into Latium, Sulla was obliged to detach cavalry to harass them, and soon afterwards to march with all his forces to prevent Rome being taken.  Why Carrinas did not assault Rome at once as he came south, we cannot say.  Probably the relief of Praeneste was the most urgent necessity, and he hoped, after setting Marius free, to overwhelm Sulla first, then Pompeius, and then to take Rome.  But, if these were his plans, the furious impetuosity of the Samnites disarranged them. [Sidenote:  Desperate attempt of Pontius Telesinus.] Pontius, as soon as he saw Sulla’s troops weakened, in order to oppose Carrinas, forced his way by night along the Latin Road, gathered up the troops of Carrinas on the march, and at daybreak was within a few miles of Rome.  Sulla instantly followed, but by the Praenestine Road, which was somewhat longer; and when he got to Rome about midday, fighting had already taken place, and the Roman cavalry had been beaten under the walls of the city.

[Sidenote:  Battle of the Colline Gate.] It was November, B.C. 82.  Sunset was near and Sulla’s men were weary, but he was determined or was compelled to fight.  Giving his men some hasty refreshment, he at once formed the line of battle before the Colline Gate, and the last and most desperate conflict of the civil war began.  Sulla’s left wing was driven back to the city walls, and fugitives brought word to Ofella at Praeneste that the battle was lost. [Sidenote:  Danger of Sulla.] Sulla himself was nearly slain.  He was on a spirited white horse, cheering on his men.  Two javelins were hurled at him at once.  He did not see them, but his groom did, and he lashed Sulla’s horse so as to make it leap forward, and the javelins grazed its tail.  Sulla wore in his bosom a small golden image of Apollo, which he brought from Delphi.  He now kissed it with devotion, and prayed aloud to the god not to allow him to fall ingloriously by the hands of his fellow-citizens, after leading him safe through so many perils to the threshold of the city.  But neither courage nor superstition availed him against the fury of the Samnite onset.  For the first time in his life Sulla was beaten, and either retreated into Rome or maintained a desperate struggle close to the walls during the night.  On the right wing, however, Crassus had gained the day, had chased the foe to Antemnae, and halting there sent to Sulla for a supply of food.  Thus apprised of his good fortune, he hastened to join Crassus.  That division of the enemy which had beaten him had doubtless heard the same news, and must have dispersed or joined the rest of their forces at Antemnae.  But in any case they were full of despair.  Three thousand offered to surrender.  But Sulla never gave mercy, though he often sold it for an explicit or tacit consideration.  He swore to spare them if they turned on their own