The Battle of Pydna started on 22 June, after an unexpected skirmish between foraging soldiers. The phalanx advanced against the legions, but the uneven field broke its ranks, so Roman soldiers could pass through the gaps thus created and defeat smaller bits of phalanx individually, resulting in a crushing victory for the Romans, who only lost 80 men (according to Corculum). Corculum said he led the Roman right wing, which had to fight Perseus' Thracian contingent, but it might be another rewriting of the events from him. Paullus then sent him to Amphipolis in order to ravage the area and prevent Perseus from counter-attacking, since he had been seen heading to this city after his defeat. Once there, Corculum likely informed Paullus that Perseus had fled to Samothrace, where he was finally captured by Gnaeus Octavius, who commanded the fleet. According to Plutarch, Perseus initially wanted to surrender to Corculum because he trusted him more. It illustrates the very high status enjoyed by the Scipiones among Mediterranean courts, almost that of a royal family.