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.

CAP. XVI.

Caesar his speech to the Armie, concerning this feare.

CAESAR calling a Councell of war,* 1.1 wherein the Legates, Tri∣bunes and Centurions of all the orders and degrees were assem∣bled, he greatly blamed them: First, that any man should bee so inquisitiue as to imagine to himselfe, whither and vpon what ser∣uice they were carried. Concerning Ariouistus, he had in the time of Caesars Consulshippe, most earnestly sued for the friendship of the people of Rome; and why then should any man misdeeme, that he should so vnaduisedly goe backe from his duety? For his owne part he was verelie perswaded, that if Ariouistus once knew his demandes, and vnderstood the reaso∣nable offers that he would make him, that he would not easily reiect his friendship, nor the fauour of the people of Rome. But if he were so madde, as to make warre vpon them, why should they be affraid of him? or why should they despaire either of their owne prowesse, or of Caesars circumspectnesse? For if it came to that point, the enemie that they were to incounter, had beene tried what he could doe twise before. First, in their fathers daies, when the* 1.2 Cimbri and the Teutoni were vanquished by Marius; and now of late againe in Italie, at the insurrection of the bondmen, who were not a little furthered through the practise & discipline which they receiued of the Romans, whereby it might be discerned how good a thing it is to be constant and resolute: in as much as whom for a time they feared without cause being naked and vnarmed, the same men afterwardes (although well armed and Conquerors withall) they nobly o∣uercame. And to be short, these were no other Germans, then those whom the Helue∣tians had vanquished in diuers conflicts, not onely in their owne country where the Heluetians dwelt themselues, but also euen at home at their owne dores; and yet the same Heluetians were not able to make their partie good against our Armies. Concer∣ning the Galles, they were ouercome more by cunning & pollicie, then by force; which although it tooke place against sauage and vnskilfull people, yet was not Ariouistus so simple as to thinke that he could ensnare our Armies with the like subtilties. As for those that fained the cause of their feare to be the difficultie of prouision of corne, and the dangerousnesse of the way, they tooke more vpon them then became their place, in presuming to teach their Generall what he had to doe, as if he had not knowne what pertained to his duty. The Sequani and Lingones had vndertooke that charge, and what the waies were, should shortly be seene: Whereas it was reported that the soul∣diers would not obey his mandates, nor aduance their standarts, he little esteemed it; for he was well assured, that if an Armie refused to be obedient to their Generall, it was either because he was thought vnfortunate in his enterprises; or els for that hee was notoriously conuicted of Auarice: but the whole course of his life should witnesse his innocencie, and the ouerthrow of the Heluetians his happines. And therefore that which he was minded to haue put off for a longer time, he would now put in execution out of hand: for the night following at the fourth watch he would dislodge from thence,

that without further delay he might vnderstand, whether shame and respect of dutie would preuaile more with them, then feare and cowardice. And though he wist that no man els would follow him: yet notwithstanding he would go with the tenth legion alone, of which he doubted nothing, and would accept it as the chiefe band and guard of his person. Vpon the making of his speech, the mindes of all men were wonderfully changed: for it bred in euery one a great alacritie and desire to fight: neither did the tenth legion forget to giue him thankes by their Tribunes, for the good opinion he had of them, assuring him of their readinesse to set forward to the warre.

THE FIRST OBSERVATION.

IN the speech it selfe are presented many specialities, both concer∣ning their discipline and militarie instructions, which deserue exa∣mination; amongst which I note first, the extraordinarie number admitted to the Councell, Omnium ordinum ad id concilium adhibitis Centurionibus: Whereas there were vsually no more admitted to their councell of warre but the Legates, Questor, Tribunes, and the Centurions of the first or∣ders, which I vnderstand to be the first Hastate, the first Princeps, and the first Pi∣lum of euery legion. And this is manifestly proued out of the fift Commentarie where Cicero was besieged by Ambiorix, in which amongst other there were two valiant Centurions, Pulfio, and Varenus: betweene whom there was euerie yeare great emulation for place of preferment, & iam primis ordinibus appropin∣quabant, saith Caesar, that is, they had passed by degrees through the lower or∣ders of the legion, and were very neare the dignitie of the first cohort, wherein as in all the rest there were 3 maniples, and in euerie maniple two orders.

THE SECOND OBSERVATION.

THe first motiue which he vseth to recall their exiled iudgment, dis∣couered their breach of discipline: for contrarie to the course of militarie gouernment, they had presumed not only to make inqui∣rie, but to giue out whither, and vpon what seruice they were cari∣ed; which in the rigour of campe pollicie, could not passe without due punish∣ment: for what can more contradict the fortunate successe of an expedition, then to suffer to be measured with the vulgar conceit? or waied in the ballance of such false iudgmentes? especially when those weake Censors are to be Ac∣tors, and executioners of the dessigne: for then euerie man will sute the na∣ture of the action according to his own humor, although his humor be led with blindnesse, and haue no other direction, then an vncertaine apprehension of profit or disaduantage. And in this case there cannot be a better president then nature hath prescribed: for as natural Agents, whilest they concurre to produce a worke of absolute perfection, neither know what they doe, nor can discerne the thinges they looke vpon; but yeeld themselues to be guided by a moderator

of infinite knowledge: so ought a multitude to submit their abilitie to the di∣rection of some wise and prudent captaine, that beholdeth the action in true honour; and balanceth the losse of many particulars, with the health and safetie of the publike good. For if euery man should prescribe, who should obay? Tam nescire quaedam milites, quam scire oportet, saith Otho in Tacitus vpon the like disorder: and againe, parendo potius quam imperia ducum sciscitando res militares continentur; which proueth that the greatest vertue which is required in a soul∣dier is obedience, as a thing wherein the force of all discipline consisteth.

THE THIRD OBSERVATION.

IN the reason which he vseth to proue their disparitie of valour,* 1.3 in regard of the Romans, being superiour to the Heluetians that had oftentimes ouerthrowen the Germans; he strengtheneth the argu∣ment with the aduantage of the place, and saith that the Heluetians had put them to the worst, not onely where the Heluetians dwelt themselues; but euen in their owne country, and at home at their owne dores: as though an enemie were charged with greater furie in the presence of a mans own country and dearest friendes, then in a strange and vnknowne land. This question was handled in the Roman Senate, by Fabius Maximus, and Scipio surnamed A∣fricanus, when they sate in counsell how to ridde their country of that subtile Carthaginian, that for sixteene yeares space had fretted like a canker the beau∣tie of Italie, wasted the land and brought it to desolation: sacked their confede∣rates, or alienated them from their duety, ouerthrowen their Armies, slaine their Consuls, and threatned their imperiall cittie with ruine and destruction. Fabius vpon the motion to make warre in Africke, thought it agreeable to na∣ture, first to defend that which was their owne, before they attempted other mens possessions: when peace was established in Italy, then let warre be set on foot in Africke; and first let them be without feare themselues, before they went about to terrifie others: for those forces afforded little hope of victorie in ano∣ther kingdome, that were not able to free their owne country from so dange∣rous an enemie. Alcibiades ouerthrew the Athenian common weale with the like couusel: and concerning Hannibal, let them be sure of this, that they should finde him a sorer enemy in his owne country, then in an other kingdome. Sci∣pio on the other side, caried on with the honour of so glorious an enterprise, wanted neither reasons nor examples to impugne Fabius his authoritie: for he shewed that Agathocles the Syracusian king, being a long time afflicted with the Punicke warre, auerted the Carthaginean from Cicily, by transporting his forces into Africke: but how powerfull it was to take awaie feare, by retorting danger vpon the oppressor, could there be a presenter example then Hanniball? There was great difference in the nature of the action, betweene the spoile and wast of a strangers country, and to see their owne natiue country wasted with sword and destruction: plus animi est inferenti periculum, quam propulsanti, for he that inuadeth an others kingdome, easily discouereth both the aduantage which

may be taken against the enemy, and the strength whereupon he resteth: And a∣mongst the variable euents of warre, many vnexpected occasions arise which present victory to him that is ready to take it; and many strange chances so alter the course of thinges, that no foresight can discerne what may happen. With these and the like remonstrances, this question of no lesse doubt then impor∣tance, was handled by two famous and worthy Captaines, whose mindes as it seemed, were intangled with such particular affections for the present, as might rather draw them to wrest reason to their owne humor, then to determine in sin∣cerity of iudgment, vpon what specialities the truth was grounded, in the con∣trariety of their positions. But to leaue other commodities or disaduantages, which are annexed vnto either part, I will only set downe some reasons to proue how valour and courage may either grow or be abated, by the accidents which rise in a warre of that nature. And first this cannot be denied, the testimonie of an vnfallible truth being grounded vpon the property of mans nature; that as aduantage bringeth hope of victorie, and hope conceiueth such spirites as vsu∣ally follow, when the thing which is hoped for, is effected; and thereby the cou∣rage becommeth hardie and resolute in victorie: so on the other side disaduan∣tage and danger breede feare, and feare so checketh valour, and controlleth the spirits, that vertue and honor giue place to distrust, and yeelde vp their interest to such directors, as can afford nothing but diffidencie & irresolution: Neither can it be denied, but he that setteth vpon an enemie in a strange country, and so preuenteth such attemptes as might be made vpon his owne territories, hath that aduantage which giueth life vnto action, and steeleth his enterprise with resolution; for besides the commoditie of leauing when he list, and proceeding as far foorth as he shall finde his meanes able to fortunate his attemptes; hee knoweth that the strife and controuersie is not for his natiue country, which he quietly enioyeth, and is reserued at all times to entertaine him, howsoeuer for∣tune shal fauour his dessignes: but for a strangers kingdome which his ambition thirsteth after; wherein for as much as the ritches and wealth of that state are laide before them as the recompence of their labour, besides the honour which is atchieued thereby, euerie mans valour soareth at a high pitch, and their cou∣rage is increased without any trouble or disturbance of the other faculties of the minde. But when a Prince shall be assaulted in his owne kingdome, and in the sight of his subiectes haue his land consumed with ruine and destruction: the danger will so disturbe the powers of the soule, that through the turbulent dis∣order of the weaker partes, the better faculties will lose their prerogatiue of ad∣uising how the enemy may be best resisted; when as euery man shal apprehend the terrour of the danger, and few or none conceiue the true meanes to auoide it. And albeit the presence of such thinges as are dearest to his soule, as the pi∣etie and respect of aged parents, the tender affection towards wife and children, are sufficient to raise valour to the highest point of resolution: yet the motiues are of such waight as will rather make them diffident of their owne worth as vn∣sufficient to maintaine so great a cause, then hold them in that key which true honour affecteth: for as much as the terrour and feare of so great a danger will present a greater measure of woes to their minde, then the hope of victory

can afforde them ioy. Hence therefore groweth the difference betweene him, that seeketh to maintaine that estate which he hath in possession by force of Armes; and an other, that seeketh to increase his meanes by valour. For the for∣mer is presented with the danger of loosing all his estate, which affrighteth and troubleth, hauing no other reward propounded vnto him; and the other loo∣keth vpon the aduantage, which he gaineth by ouercomming; which much in∣creaseth his valour, without any losse or disaduantage, if he chance to be put to the worst. And therefore there is alwaies great ods betweene him that hath alrea∣die lost his goods, and is by that meanes become desperate, hauing nothing fur∣ther to loose; and another, that yet keepeth his substāce, but is in danger to loose it: for feare will so dismay his mind, that he will rather distrust his owne ability, then entertaine a resolution of valour. To proue this, we neede not seeke other examples, then those imperiall cities, in whose cause this controuersie was first moued. For when Hanniball was come into Italy and had defeated Semproni∣us the Consull at Trebeas, the Romans were driuen into such an extasie of ter∣rour, that they beleeued verely that the enemie was then comming to assault the citie; neither had they any hope or aid in themselues to keepe or defend the same. On the other side, Scipio was no sooner landed in Africke, but there was such a tumult in Carthage, as though the citie had been alreadie taken: neither could the opinion of victory, which Hanniball by a conquering Armie in Italy had confirmed for sixteene yeares together, preuaile in the apprehension of so imminent a danger: And then that which Fabius borowed of nature to teach the Romans (that first men ought to defend their own, before they seeke other mens possessions) was carefully followed by the Carthaginians: for with all speed they sent for Hanniball out of Italy, to be their Champion against young Scipio. If therfore other things be correspondent, as there are many other particularities concerning the power and strength of either nation to be considered, I take it much better for a Prince to inuade an enemie in his owne country, then to at∣tend him at home in his owne kingdome.

THE FOVRTH OBSERVATION.

THe last circumstance which I note in this speech, was the trust which he reposed in the tenth legion, being in it selfe peraduenture as faul∣tie as any other: wherein he shewed great arte and singular wisdome. For he that hath once offended and is both burthened with the guilt of conscience, and vpbraided with the reproch of men, can hardly be perswa∣ded that his fault can bee purged with any satisfaction. And although the pu∣nishment be remitted, yet the memorie of the fact will neuer be blotted out with any vertuous action; but still remaineth to cast dishonour vpon the offen∣der, and to accuse him of disloialtie: And therefore it oftentimes happeneth, that an errour being once rashly committed, through despaire of remission ad∣mitteth no true penitencie, but either draweth on more grieuous crimes, confir∣ming that of the Poet, Scelere scelus luendum est; or maintaineth his errour by

wilfull obstinacie: as it is saide of the Lyon that being found by hunters in a caue, will rather die in the place then quit it, for shame that he was found in so base a place of refuge; and therfore his propertie is thus expressed, ingrediendo caecus, exeundo proteruus. This did Caesar wisely preuent, by cleering the tenth legion of that, which he accused the rest of the Armie, which made them so much the more earnest to answere his expectation, in as much as they were wit∣nes to themselues of a common errour: and the other legions, enuying at their fortune, resolued to shew as great alacrity in the sequell of the warre, and to de∣serue more then the iudgment of the Emperour had imputed to their fellowes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesar.
• * 1.2

  Cimbri, a nation came out of Ger∣manie and droue out the Aduatici and are now the Zelanders. Teutoni, Ger¦mans.
• * 1.3

  Whether men haue greater courage in their owne or in a strangers country.