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.

OBSERVATIONS.

HEnce we may observe, that as it falleth out in other things for the most part, so specially in matter of war there is such a medley and in∣terlacing of materiall circumstances with the bo∣dy of the action, that commonly one businesse begets another. Caesars chief design at this time was the war against Ambiorix and the Trevi∣ri: but considering the contract and league be∣tween them and the Menapii, he would not pro∣secute the war of the Treviri, untill he had taken away that assistance, and left them in the naked∣nesse of their own strength. Wherein we may first observe what opinion Caesar held of allies and associates,* 1.1 or any other that gave help or as∣sistance to an enemy: for besides this particular, we may read in the fourth Commentary, that the chiefest cause that moved him to take the voyage into Britain was, for that the Britans had un∣derhand given succour and assistance to the Galles; a matter not to be neglected in his judgement, whether it were in regard of any friendship or good respect which they bare unto the Galles, or otherwise to keep the Romans occupied there, that they in the mean time might live quietly at home, which I need not here dis∣pute: but the matter proveth it self plainly by Caesars own confession, that the continuall supplies sent from Britain were a sufficient cause to move him to that war. And as it fol∣loweth in this Commentary concerning the self same matter, the only cause that drew him to passe the Rhene the second time into Germany, was the succours which the Germans had for∣merly sent to the Treviri; according to reason in cases of other natures, that he that will ex∣tinguish a lamp, must not suffer an addition of oyle, nor admit the influence of lesser streams when he goeth about to dry up the greater ri∣ver. But that which was the occasion of this bu∣sinesse,

and might have challenged the first place in this discourse, was, for that Caesar was almost assured that Ambior••x would not be brought to a tryall of battel; and therefore he laboured to understand his other projects. From whence a Commander may receive direction what course to hold in a refusall of open en∣counter: for as the art and sleight of war is to subdue an enemy so are there more wayes and means to effect that purpose, then by waging battel; as I have discoursed at large in the third Commentary:* 1.2 whereunto I may add thus much, which is generally observed in the carri∣age of great and eminent Commanders, that such as failed in matter of negotiation, and wanted dexterity in managing the course of their businesse, (notwithstanding any fortune or singularity in striking a battel,) did never at∣tain to firm and permanent honour. If any man be desirous to descend into particulars, let him look into the lives of king Pyrrhus, Demetrius, Hannibal, and Ca••us Mar••us, whose later ends, or shutting up of their lives, were not an∣swerable to their excellency in deeds of armes, for want of that judiciall disposition of their bu∣sinesse which Caesar might boast of, of whom it may be truly said that (notwithstanding the many battels which he fought, yet) he did plura consilio, quam vigerere, do more by his head then his hand.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesars opinion of allies and associates.
• * 1.2

  Chap. 10.