The consul obeyed the order, and by forced marches proceeded to Mevania, where the forces of the Umbrians then lay.

The unexpected arrival of the consul, whom they had believed to be sufficiently employed in Samnium, far distant from their country, so thoroughly affrighted the Umbrians, that several advised retiring to their fortified towns; others, the discontinuing the war.

However, one district, called by themselves Materina, prevailed on the rest not only to retain their arms, but to come to an immediate engagement.

They fell upon Fabius while he was fortifying his camp.

When the consul saw them rushing impetuously towards his rampart, he called off his men from the work, and drew them up in the best manner which the nature of the place and the time allowed; encouraging them by displaying, in honourable and just terms, the glory which they had acquired, as well in Etruria as in Samnium, he bade them finish this insignificant appendage to the Etrurian war, and take vengeance for the impious expressions in which these people had threatened to attack the city of Rome.