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.

THE FIRST OBSERVATION.

THis phalanx here mentioned, can hardly be proued to be the right Macedonian Phalanx; but we are rather to vnderstand it to be so tearmed, by reason of the close and compact imbattailing, rather then in any other respect: and it resembled much a testudo, as I said of the Heluetian phalanx. Secondly, I obserue, that Caesar kept the olde rule concerning their discipline in fight: for although the name of Triaries be not mentioned in his historie; yet he omitted not the substance, which was, to haue primam, secundam, & tertiam Aciem; and that prima Acies should begin the battell, and the second should come fresh and assist them; or peraduenture if the enemie were many and strong, the first and second battell were ioyned to∣gether, and so charged vpon the enemie with greater furie and violence: but at all aduentures, the third battell was euer in subsidio, as they tearmed it, to suc∣cour any part that should be ouercharged; which was a thing of much conse∣quence, and of great wisedome. For if we either respect the incouragement of the souldiers, or the casualtie of fortune; what could be more added to their dis∣cipline in this behalfe, then to haue a second & a third succour, to giue strength to the fainting weaknes of their men, and to repaire the disaduantage which any

accident should cast vpon them? or if their valour were equally balanced, and victorie stood doubtfull which of the two parties shee should honour, these al∣waies stept in, being fresh, against wearie and ouer laboured spirits, and so drew victorie in despite of casualtie vnto themselues.