The other consul for that year, Decimus Junius Brutus Scaeva, was preoccupied with a campaign against the Vestini.
After reports from his scouts claiming that the Samnites were unprepared for battle, Rullianus decided to go against his orders and engage the enemy.
After many unsuccessful attempts by the cavalry to break the enemy lines, Lucius Cominius, a military tribune, suggested that the cavalrymen remove the bridles from their horses and charge quickly towards the enemy lines.
The Roman infantry advanced on the enemy and routed the entire force, slaying nearly 20,000 men that day alone.
[4] Rullianus's army took many spoils from the battle, but the magister equitum ordered that all of the enemy's arms be burned, likely out of spite for Cursor, who he feared would attempt to take credit for the victory.