CHAP. XIX.
The Massilians encounter with Brutus at Sea, and are beaten.
WHile these things were done at Ilerda,* the Massilians (by the direction of L. Domitius) rigged and set out 17 Gallies, whereof eleven were covered; besides many lesser vessels which went along with them, to make the Navy seem the greater for the astonishment of the Enemy. In these they put a great number of Archers, and many Albicks, of whom we have formerly made mention; encou∣raging them both by rewards and promises. Do∣mitius required certain ships for himself, and them he filled with Shepheards and Countrymen, which he had brought thither with him. The Na∣vy being thus furnished, set forward with great confidence towards our shipping, whereof D. Bru∣tus was Admirall, and lay at Anchour at an Island right over against Marseilles. Brutus was far inferiour to the enemy in shipping; but Caesar having pick't the chiefest & val•antest men out of all the legions, as well of the Antesignani as Centurions, put them aboard the Fleet, they themselves requiring to be imploied in that ser∣vice. These men had prepared hooks and grap∣ples of Iron, and had likewise furnished them∣selves with many Piles and Darts, and other sorts of weapons; and understanding of the Ene∣mies coming▪ put to sea, and encountred with the Massilians. They fought on either side very vali∣antly & fiercely: neither were the Albicks much inferiour to our men in prowesse, being rough mountainous people, exercised in Arms, and ha∣ving a little before fallen off from the Massilians, did now remember the late contract and league they had made with them. The Shepheards, in like manner (a rude and untamed kind of peo∣ple, stirred up with hope of liberty,) did strive to shew their valour in the presence of their Master.
The Massilians (trusting to the nimblenesse of their shipping, and in the skill and dex∣terity of their Pilots, did frustrate (in a delu∣ding Page 36 manner) the shock of our ships, when they came violently to stemme them. And forasmuch as they had sea-room enough, they drew out their Navy at length, to compasse and inclose our men about: and sometimes they would single out one of our ships, and set upon them with divers of the•rs together, or wipe off a side of their oars in their passage along by them.
When they came to deal at hand (leaving aside the art & skill of the P•lots) they took themselves to the stoutnesse and valour of the Highlanders. Our men were fain to use worse oar-men, and more unskilfull Pilots; who being lately taken out of ships of burden, did not well know the true names of the tackling, and were much troubled with the heavinesse and sluggishnesse of the ship∣ping; which being made in haste of unseasoned timber, was not so nimbie or ready for use. But as the matter came to handy-blows, every single ship did willingly undertake two at once; and ha∣ving grapled with either of them, fought on each side, entring valiantly the enemies ships, killing a great number of the Highlanders and Shep∣heards. Part of the ships they sunk, some they took with the men, and the rest they beat back in∣to the Haven. That day the Massilians lost nine ships, with those that were taken. This news was brought to Caesar at Ilerda.
THE FIRST OBSERVATION.
I Have formerly observed the manner of their sea-fight,* consisting of three parts. The first was, their nimble and skilfull managing of their ships, either forcibly to assault, or to lavire and bear off, as might fall for their best advantage: wherein the Massilians, by reason of the skilfulnesse of their Pilots, had great confidence. The second was, their fight before they came to grappling, as well with great engines, such as were their Balistae and Catapultae, casting stones and logs of wood one against another, as also with slings, arrows and da•ts; resembling our great artillery, and small shot: for which purpose, their ships were built with fore-ca••les and turrets, and other advantages of height, for their casting weapons. The third was, their grappling and forcible entry; wherein, forasmuch as the matter was referred to the ar∣bitrement of valour, the legionary souldier car∣ried the cause. Whence we may observe, that their legio•s were the 〈◊〉 of their valiant and worthy men, as well for the sea as the land; being •itted by the discipline of their Military exercises, to undertake any service subject to humane indu∣stry; whereof they g•ve an account worthy the School wherein they were instructed.
Neither is 〈◊〉 at any time, but that such kingdomes as 〈…〉 to train up their men in Academies of vertuous Actual•y, do alwaies keep then honour at a high 〈◊〉; affording at all times men of absolute and compleat carriage, both for designment and performance.
THE SECOND OBSERVATION.
I Have a little before shewed out of Livie, that the Antesignani were ordinarily taken for the Hastati; which being the easiest sort of souldiers, according to the generall division of a legion, doth seem to contradict the passage in this Chap∣ter, Sed delectos ex omnibus legionibus fortissi∣mos viros Antesignanos, Centuriones Caesar ei classi attribuerat; But Caesar having pickt the valiantest of the Antesignani out of all the Legi∣ons, put them into this Fleet as Centurions. For the better clearing whereof, we are to note, that as the Hastati, or first battel of a legion, were generally taken for the Antesignani (as standing before the Eagle and other the chiefest Ensignes, which were alwaies amongst the Principes or se∣cond battell;) so every Maniple having an Ensign in the midst of the troup, the souldiers that stood in front before the Ensign were likewise called Antesignani, and were the best souldiers in the Company: for the Centurion, standing alwai•s in the head of the troup, was accompanied with the valiantest and worthiest men; the rest filling up the rere, consorted with the Lieutenant, who there∣upon was called Tergi-ductor.
Whence we may admire the temperature and disposition of a Roman Army; being first general∣ly divided into three battels; whereof the meanest were in the vantguard, to make triall of their strength, and to spend the heat of their young bloud in the first affront of an enemy: The Vete∣rani, or old souldiers, being left in the rereward, to repair any losse, which either force or casualty should cast upon their Leaders. And again, to counterpoise themselves, in such a manner as the weakest might not alwa••s go to the wall, their pri∣vate Companies were so ordered, that the best men were alwayes in front. Whereby they made such an exquisite temper, as kept every part of the Ar∣my in their full strength.
