Battle of Taenum

The Battle of Taenum was fought during the Social War between a Roman force under Lucius Iulius Caesar, a relative of the future triumvir, and a rebel force under Marius Egnatius. When Caesar moved his 30,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry through a defile he was ambushed and defeated by the rebels. Much of Caesar s force was killed while the rest lost their weapons in the frantic retreat. This victory offset the previous defeat at Acerrae for the rebels. During the battle Caesar himself was sick, during the retreat he had to be evacuated on a litter.