Under the command of Spartacus, the rebel army exerted all its strength, with one team after another launching relentless attacks. The battle raged from dawn until dusk, but countless soldiers perished beneath the city walls without ever breaching the parapet...
"Leader Maximus!" A messenger came galloping, loudly announcing, "Spartacus orders the attack to cease, retreat back to camp!"
Maximus had been waiting for this order and immediately told the bugler, "Sound the retreat horn quickly!"
"Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!..." The urgent sound of the copper horn rang out.
Maximus breathed a sigh of relief as Quintus's voice reached his ears: "The order to retreat should have been given long ago. The morale of the Metapontum people is high, and they can keep receiving reinforcements from other towns. Even if we attack several more times, we won't be able to conquer it."
