(erroneously written Taurafini by Cluverius), plains in Lucania, famous for the last battle fought between the Romans and Pyrrhus. That prince being at Tarentum, and hearing that the two new consuls Curius Dentatus and Cornelius Lentulus had divided their forces, the one including Lucania and the other Samnium; he likewise divided a chosen detachment of his army into two bodies, marching with his Epirots against Dentatus, in hopes of surprising him in his camp near Beneventum. But the consul having notice of his approach, marched out of his intrenchments with a strong detachment of legionaries to meet him, repulsed his vanguard, put many of the Epirots to the sword, and took some of their elephants. Curius, encouraged by this success, marched into the Arufian fields, and drew up his army in a plain, which was wide enough for his troops, but too narrow for the Epirot phalanx to act with its full effect. But the king's eagerness to try his strength and skill with so renowned a commander, stimulated him to engage at that great disadvantage. Upon the first signal the action began; and one of the king's wings giving way, victory seemed to incline to the Romans. But that wing where the king fought in person repulsed the enemy and drove them to their intrenchments. This advantage was in great part owing to the elephants; a circumstance which Curius perceiving, commanded a body of reserve, which he had posted near the camp, to advance and attack those animals with burning torches; which frightened and annoyed them to such a degree, that they wheeled about, broke into the phalanx, and put that body into the utmost disorder. The Romans taking advantage of this confusion, charged with such fury that the enemy were entirely broken and defeated. Pyrrhus retired to Tarentum, attended only by a small body of horse, leaving the Romans in full possession of his camp; which they so much admired, that they made it a model which they followed ever after.