The commentaries of C. Julius Cæsar of his warres in Gallia, and the civil warres betwixt him and Pompey / translated into English with many excellent and judicious observations thereupon ; as also The art of our modern training, or, Tactick practise, by Clement Edmonds Esquire, ... ; where unto is adjoyned the eighth commentary of the warres in Gallia, with some short observations upon it ; together with the life of Cæsar, and an account of his medalls ; revised, corrected, and enlarged.

THE SECOND OBSERVATION.

THe fury of the Enemy and their sudden as∣sault so disturbed the ceremonies which the Roman discipline observed,* 1.1 to make the Souldiers truely apprehend the weight and importance of that action, which might cast upon their state ei∣ther soveraignty or bondage, that they were all for the most partomitted: notwithstanding they are here noted under these title; the first was vexillum proponendum, quod erat insigne cum ad Arma concurri oporteret, the hanging out the flag, which was the sign for betaking themselves to their arms: for when the Generall had deter∣mined to fight, he caused a skarlet coat or red flag to be hung out upon the top of his tent, that by it the Souldiers might be warned to prepare themselves for the battel; and this was the first warning they had; which by a silent aspect pre∣sented bloud and execution to their eyes, as the only means to work out their own safety, and purchase eternall honour. The second was Sig∣num tuba dandum, the proclaiming the battel by sound of trumpet: this warning was a noise of many trumpets, which they termed by the name of classicuma calando, which signifieth calling; for after the eye was filled with species sutable to the matter intended, they then hasted to possesse the eare, and by the sense of hearing to stir vp warlike motions, and fill them with resolute thoughts, that no diffident or base conceits might take hold of their mindes. The third was milites cohortandi, the encouraging of the soul∣diers:

for it was thought convenient to confirm this valour with motives of reason, which is the strength and perfection of all such motions. The use and benefit whereof I somewhat inlarged in the Helvetian war, and could afford much more labour to demonstrate the commodity of this part, if my speech might carry credit in the opinion of our souldiers, or be thought worthy regard to men so much addicted to their own fashions. The last was signum dan∣dum, the sign giving; which, as some think, was nothing but a word, by which they might distin∣guish and know themselves from their enemies. Hirtius in the war of Africk saith, that Caesar gave the word Felicity; Brutus and Cassius gave Liberty; others have given Virtus, Deus nobis∣cum, Triumphus Imperatoris, and such like words, as might be ominous to a good successe.

Besides these particularities, the manner of their delivery gave a great grace to the matter. And that was distinguished by times and cues; whereof Caesar now complaineth, that all these were to be done at one instant of time: for with∣out all controversy, there is no matter of such consequence in it self, but may be much graced with ceremonies and complements, which like officers or attendants add much respect and ma∣jesty to the action; which otherwise being but barely presented, appeareth far meaner and of lesse regard.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The cere∣monies which they used in their prepa∣ration to battel.