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.

The Britaines make head, with their forces; and are beaten by Caesar: his returne in∣to Gallia.

AFTER this; for manie daies together, there followed such tempests and foule weather, that both the Romans were con∣strained to keepe their campe, and the Britaines were kept from attempting any thing against them: But in the meane time, they sent messengers into all quarters, publishing the small number of the Roman forces, and amplifying the great∣nesse of the bootie, and the easie means offered vnto them of perpetuall libertie, if they could take the Roman campe. Shortly vpon this, hauing gathered a great companie, both of horse and foote; they came to the place where the Romans were incamped. Caesar (although he foresaw the euent by that which before had happened, that if the enemie were beaten backe, he would auoide the danger by flight) yet hauing some 30 horse, which Comius of Arras had carried with him, at his

comming into Britanie; he imbattailed his legions before his campe; and so gaue them battell. The enemie not being able to beare the assault of the Roman souldiers, turned their backes and fled: the Romans followed them, as farre as they could by running on foote; and after a great slaughter, with the burning of their townes farre and neare, they returned to their campe. The same daie the Britaines sent messengers to Caesar, to intreat for peace; whom he commanded to double their number of hostages, which he commanded to be carried into Gallia. And forasmuch as the Aequinoctium was at hand; he thought it not safe to put himselfe to the winter sea, with such weake ship∣ping: and therefore hauing got a conuenient time, he hoised saile a little after mid∣night, and brought all his ships safe vnto the continent. Two of these ships of burthen, not being able to reach the same hauen, put in somewhat lower into the land: the sol∣diers that were in them being about 300, being set on shore, and marching towardes their campe: the Morini, with whom Caesar at his going into Britany had made peace, in hope of a bootie, first with a few of their men stood about them, commanding them vpon paine of death to laie downe their weapons; and as the Romans, by casting them∣selues into an Orbe, began to make defence, at the noise and clamour amongst them, there were suddenly gathered together about 6000 of the enemy. Which thing being knowen, Caesar sent out all the horsemen to relieue them: in the meane time the Ro∣mans sustained the force of the enemie, and fought valiantly the space of foure houres; and receiuing themselues some few woundes, they slew many of the enemie. After the Roman horsemen came in sight, the enemie cast awaie their weapons and fled, and a great number of them fell by the horsemen.

OBSERVATIONS.

OF al the figures which the Tactici haue chosen to make vse of in mili∣tarie affaires; the circle hath euer beene taken for the fittest, to be ap∣plied in the defensiue part, as inclosing with an equall circuit on all partes whatsoeuer is contained within the circumference of that Area: and therefore Geometrie tearmeth a circumference a simple line, for as much as if you alter the site of the parts, and transport one arch into the place of another; the figure notwithstanding will remaine the same, because of the e∣quall bending of the line, throughout the whole circumference. Which proper∣tie, as it proueth an vniformitie of strength in the whole circuit, so that it can∣not be said that this is the beginning, or this is the end; this is front, or this is flanke. So doth that, which Euclide doth demonstrate in the 3 of his Elements, concerning the small affinitie betweene a right line, and a circle (which being drawen to touch the circumference, doth touch it but in a point only) shew the greatnes of this strength in regard of any other line, by which it may be broken. Which, howsoeuer they seeme, as speculatiue qualities, conceiued rather by in∣tellectuall discourse, then manifested to sensible apprehension; yet forasmuch as experience hath proued the strength of this figure, in a defensiue part, aboue any other maner of imbattailing; let vs not neglect the knowledge of these na∣turall properties, which discouer the causes of this effect: neither let vs neglect

this part of militarie knowledge, being so strong a meanes to maintaine valour, and the sinew of all our abilitie: for order correspondent to circumstances, is the whole strength and power of an Armie. Neither ought there any action in a well ordered discipline, to be irregular, or voide of order: and therefore the Romans did neither eate nor sleepe, without the direction of the Consull, or chiefe commander; otherwise their valour might rather haue beene tearmed furie then vertue: but when their courage was ranged with order, and disposed according to the occurrences of the time; it neuer failed as long as the said or∣der continued perfect.

It appeareth therfore, how important it is for a commander to looke into the diuersitie of orders for imbattailing, and to waigh the nature thereof; that hee may with knowledge apply them to the quality of any occasion. The Romans tearmed this figure Orbis, which signifieth a round body both with a concaue, and a conuex surface: in resemblance whereof, I vnderstand this Orbe of men imbattailed to be so named; which might peraduenture consist of fiue or more or fewer rankes, inclosing one another after the nature of so manie circles, de∣scribed about one Center: so that either the middest thereof remained voide, or otherwise contained such cariages, and impediments, as they had with them in their march. This forme of imbattailing was neuer vsed, but in great extremitie: for as it was the safest of all other; so it gaue suspition to the souldiers of excee∣ding danger, which abated much of their heat in battell, as wil herafter appeare by the testimonie of Caesar himselfe, in the fift Commentarie, vpon the occasi∣on which happened vnto Sabinus and Cotta.

Notes

• Caesar.