A people, unconquerable by the barbarians in that [region] because of their daring and acuity and because they have practiced attacking in a mass, wherever [the enemy] yields, and retreating swiftly and gathering together again from the retreat, so as to turn around and attack those who are pursuing inattentively and in disorder. But if some mis-step should occur, [it is their policy] not to risk battle with a force of Romans but with an alliance and in particular [an alliance] of barbarians.