Obseruations vpon the fiue first bookes of Cæsars commentaries setting fourth the practise of the art military in the time of the Roman Empire : wherein are handled all the chiefest point of their discipline, with the true reason of euery part, together with such instructions as may be drawn from their proceedings, for the better direction of our moderne warres / by Clement Edmunds.

CHAP. XIII.

Ambiorix directeth the Galles how they might best fight with aduantage, and frustrate the weapons of Romaine souldiers.

THE which thing when Ambiorix perceiued;* 1.1 he commanded his men to throwe their casting weapons a farre off, and keepe themselues from comming neare at hand, and where the Ro∣mans charged vpon them to giue waie; and againe, as they sawe them retire to their ensignes, then to pursue them. Which commandement was so diligently obserued by the Galles, that as oft as any cohort sallied out of the Orbe to giue an assault, the enemie gaue backe as fast as they could; and in the meane time there was no help, but that part must be left naked and open to the inconuenience of casting weapons; and againe, as they retired to their place, they were circumuented as well by them that had giuen place vnto them, as by such as stood next about them: And if they went about to keepe their ground, they could neither helpe themselues by their man∣hood; nor standing thicke together, auoide the dartes that such a multitude cast vp∣on them: and yet notwithstanding these inconueniences besides the woundes which they had receiued, they stood still at their defence, and hauing so spent the greatest part of the daie (for they had fought eight houres together) they counted nothing dis∣honourable or vnworthie of themselues.

THE OBSERVATION.

I Haue spoken alreadie of the manner of the Roman fight, consisting altogether in good disposition of imbattailing, and in firme stan∣ding, and buckling at handy-blowes: as may appeare by this circum∣stance, where Ambiorix forbiddeth his men to buckle with them, but to giue backe and follow on againe, as the lightnesse of their Armes gaue them oportunitie. In like manner in the first booke of the Ciuill warres, in the battell betweene Caesar and Affranius, it appeareth, that Caesar his souldi∣ers were bound to keepe their araie, not to leaue their ensignes, nor without a waightie occasion to forsake their stations appointed them: whereas the Af∣franians fought thinne, and scattered here and there; and if they were hard laied vnto, they thought it no dishonour to retire and giue backe, as they had learned of the Portugals, and other Barbarous nations.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesar.