Battle of Aufidius River

The Battle of Aufidius River was a battle during the Social War. Shortly after taking Cannae but losing a subsequent hard-fought battle to the rebels, the Roman commander, Gaius Cosconius, decided to make a stand at the Aufidius River near Cannae. The rebel commander, Trebatius, sent word to Cosconius to let either army cross. Cosconius retreated, letting the rebels cross, but when they were in the process of crossing he attacked them, killing 15,000. Samnite commander Marius Egnatius died during this battle. This victory brought the Romans control of the whole of Apulia and the Iapygian Peninsula which they plundered and burned. At the same time Sulla was campaigning equally successful in the south-west, contrasting the many early defeats of the Roman army during the Social War.