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.

CHAP. XVI.

Caesar's attempt to possesse himself of a small hill: what disadvantage he ran into, by missing of his purpose; what means he used to recover himself.

BEtween the town of Ilerda,* 1.1 and the next hill where Petreius and Afranius were incamped, there was a Plain of about three hundred paces; in the midst whereof stood a little Mole, rising higher then the rest: which if Caesar could get and fortifie, he hoped to cut off the enemy from the town and the bridge, and from such victuals and provisions as were brought to the town. Hereupon he took three legions out of the Camp; and having put them into order of bat∣tell, he commanded the Antesignani of one legion to run before, & possesse the place. Which being perceived, the cohorts that kept watch before A∣franius Camp, were presently sent a nearer way to take that Mount. The matter came to blows: but forasmuch as Afranius partie came first to the place, our men were beaten back; and by rea∣son of new supplies sent against them, were con∣strained to turn their backs, and retire to the legions.

The manner of fight which those souldiers used, was first to run furiously upon an enemy, to seize any place boldly and with great courage; not much respecting their orders or ranks, but fighting in a scattered and dispersed fashion. If they chaunc't to be throughly charged, they thought it no shame to give way and retire; ac∣customed thereunto by frequenting the Lusita∣nians, and other barbarous people, using that kind of fight: as it commonly falleth out, that where the souldiers have long lived, they get much of the usage and condition of those places. Notwith∣standing, our men were much troubled thereat, as unaccustomed to that kind of ••ight: for seeing every man leave his rank, and run up and down, they feared least they should be circumvented, and set upon inflank, and on their bare and open side; whereas themselves were to keep their order, and not to leave their places, but upon extraor∣dinarie occasion.

Upon the routing of the Antesignani, the le∣gion that stood in the corne•• left the place, and retreated to the next Hill; almost all the Armie being affrighted, upon that which had happened beyond every mans opinion, contrary to former use.

Caesar encouraging his men, brought out the ninth legion to second them; by that means com∣pelling the enemy (insolent of good successe, and shrewdly pursuing our men) to turn their backs, and to retire to the town of Ilerda, and there to make a stand under the walls. But the souldiers of the ninth legion, carried on with endeavour, and going about to repair their losse, rashly fol∣lowed the enemy into a place of disadvantage, and came under the Hill whereon the town stood: and as they would have made their retreat, they were charged afresh from the upper ground. The front of the place had an uneasie broken ascent, and was on each side steep; extended onely so much in breadth, as would serve three cohorts to imbattell in: neither could the Cavalrie come to help them. The Hill declined easily from the town about four hundred paces in length: and that way our men had some conveniency of re∣treat, from the disadvantage to which their de∣sire had unadvisedly led them. The fight conti∣nued in this place: which was very unequall, both in regard of the straightness thereof, as also for that they stood under the foot of the Hill, where∣by no weapon fell in vain amongst them. Not∣withstanding, by prowesse and valour they pa∣tiently endured all the wounds they received. The enemies forces were supplied and renewed, by such cohorts as were often sent out of the Camp through the town, that fresh men might take the place of such as were wearied out. And the like was Caesar fain to do, sending fresh Co∣horts to that place to relieve the wearied.

After they had thus continually fought for the space of five hours together, and that our men were much over-charged with an unequall mul∣titude: having spent all their weapons, they drew their swords, and ascended up the hill, to charge and assault the enemy: and having slain a few of them, the rest were driven to make retreat. The cohorts being thus put back to the walls, and some of them for fear having taken the town, our men found an easie retreat. Our Ca∣valrie did from a low ground get up unto the top of the hill; and riding up and down be∣tween the two Armies, made our souldiers to re∣treat with better case: and so the fight succeeded diversly.

About seventie of our men were slain in the first on set. And amongst these was slain Q. Ful∣ginius, Captain of the first Hasta••e Centurie of the fourteenth legion; who, for his ex∣ceeding

valour, was preferred to that place from the lower orders. Six hundred at least were wounded. And of Afranius party were slain T. Caecilius, Centurion of a Primipile order, and four Centurions more,* 1.2 besides two hundred souldiers. But such was the opinion of that dayes businesses that either side believed they left with the better.

Afranius party was so perswaded, for that they long stood to handy-blows, and resisted the violence of our souldiers, although in all mens judgement they were the weaker: as also, for that they at first took and held the place which gave occasion of that fight; and in the first encounter, compelled our men to turn their backs. Our men in like manner thought they had the better, in regard they had maintained fight for five houres together, in a place of disadvantage, and with an unequall multitude; that they ascended up the hill with their swords drawn, and compelled their adversaries to turn their backs, and to re∣treat into the town, maugre the disadvantage of the place.

THE FIRST OBSERVATION.

IN this direction which Caesar gave, to take the little Hill between Ilerda and Afranius Camp, we may observe the danger depending upon the mischieving of an action. For the failing of a purpose, in seeking to obtain that which would prove of great advantage, doth oftentimes draw men into as great inconveniences. And as the end in every design pretendeth gain, so the means thereof do give way to hazard: from whence it consequently followeth, that such as are imployed in execution, had need to use all endeavour, not to falsifie the grounds of good directions, by neg∣ligent or inconsiderate carriage; but rather to make good any want or defect, by serious and wary prosecution of the same.

And the rather, for that it specially concerneth their good that have the charge and handling of commands: for they first are like to feel the smart of any errour committed therein; or otherwise, to have the honour of any fortunate successe,* 1.3 for∣asmuch as Vertue hath all her praise from Action.

Concerning the use of running, we are to un∣derstand that the Romans (amongst other their exercises of Armes) had speciall practise of this,* 1.4 as available in four respects,* 1.5 according as Vege∣tius hath noted.* 1.6 First, to the end they might charge the enemy with greater force and violence. Se∣condly, that they might possesse themselves with speed, of places of advantage. Thirdly, that they might readily discover, as should be found expedient upon all occasions. And lastly, to prosecute a flying enemy to better purpose and ef∣fect.* 1.7 And this, as Seneca saith, they practised in peace; that being accustomed to needlesse la∣bour, they might be able to discharge necessary duties. And* 1.8 Livie, amongst the military ex∣ercises used by Scipio, to fit his men for those glo∣rious exploits which he afterwards atchieved, saith; That the first day, the legions ran four miles in Arms. And Suetonius affirmeth, that Nero, having appointed a race for the Praetorian co∣horts, carried a Target lifted up before them with his own hand. And that Galba did more admi∣rably; for being suted of purpose to make him∣self eminent, he directed a field-race with a Tar∣get, himself running as fast as the Emperours Chariot, for twenty miles together.

THE SECOND OBSERVATION.

THe second thing to be noted in these special∣ties, is, the bold enterprise of Caesar's men, in charging the enemy with their swords drawn, against the Hill; whereby making them to give back, they had an easie and safe retreat from the danger wherein they were ingaged. Whereby we may observe, that difficulties of extremity are never better cleared, then by adventurous and desperate undertakings: According to the condi∣tion of diseases and distemperatures of the body,* 1.9 which being light and easy, are cured with mild and easy potions; but being grievous and doubt∣full, do require sharp and strong remedies. Which doth also in like manner appear throughout the whole course of Nature, and particularly in weights: for as ponderous and heavy bodies are not moved, but with a counterpoise of greater force; no more can extremities of hazard be avoid∣ed, but by like perilous enforcements.

And hence groweth the difference between true valour and fool-hardy rashnesse; being but one and the same thing, if they were not distin∣guished by the subject wherein they are shewed. For to run headlong into strange adventures, upon no just occasion, were to shew more levity then discretion: And again, to use the like bold∣nesse in cases of extremity, deserveth the opinion of vertuous endeavour. As is well observed by Homer,* 1.10 in the person of Hector, perswading the Trojans that fled away, to stand and make a head against the Grecians; This is the time, saith he, considering the danger wherein we are, to use that prowesse and courage which we boast of.

And accordingly, Diomedes censured Glau∣cus in the same place, for offering himself to the fury of the Grecians; Either thou art some God, saith he, or else but a lost and forlorn man. Which may serve to learn us the true use of courage; that ordinarily is never more shewed then in misem∣ployment.

THE THIRD OBSERVATION.

I Have already, in the observations of the se∣cond Commentary of the warres of Gallia,* 1.11 dis∣coursed particularly of the parts of a Legion: Where it appeareth, that in Caesar's time a le∣gion consisted of five thousand men, or there∣abouts; and according to the sufficiency and ex∣perience of the souldiers, was divided into three parts. The first and meanest of such as follow∣ed an Ensigne, were called Hastati; the se∣cond, Principes; and the third and chief sort, Triarii: and according to this division, had their place and precedency in the Army.

Again, each of these three kinds was divided into ten companies, which they called Maniples; and every Maniple was subdivided into two Cen∣turies or Orders; and in every Order there was a Centurion or Captain. These Orders were di∣stinguished by the numbers of the first, second, third, and so consequently unto the tenth orders, which were the last and lowest of each of these three kinds. So that this Q. Fulginius, here mentioned, was Centurion of the first and prime order of the Hastati: and T. Caecilius, Centu∣rion of the first order of the Triarii, which by ex∣cellencie was called Primipilus, or the Leader of the first company of a legion.

Now concerning their imbattelling, we are to note, that according to this former division of Hastati, Principes, and Triarii, upon occasion of fight, they made a triple battell, one standing in front to another; which we call the vant-gard, battell, and rere-ward. Whereof the Hastati were called Antesignani:* 1.12 not for that they had no Ensignes of their own, for every Maniple had an Ensign; but because they stood imbattel∣led before the Eagle, and other the chief Ensigns of the legion.* 1.13 To which purpose is that of Li∣vie, Pugnaorta est, non illa ordinata per Ha∣statos, Principesque & Triarios, nec ut pro signis Antesignanus, post signa alia pugnaret Acies: The fight began not a regular fight by Hastati, Principes and Triarii, nor in that or∣derlinesse that the Antesignani fought before the Ensigns, and another battell behind the Ensigns. And again;* 1.14 Cadunt Antesignani: & ne nu∣dentur propugnatoribus signa, sit ex secunda prima Acies: The Antesignani were cut down: so that lest the Ensigns should be le••t naked of defendants, the second battell was made the first. Whereby it appeareth that most of the chiefest Ensigns were with the Principes, which were called Subsignani, as the Triarii Post signani.

Amongst other benefits of these so particu∣lar divisions of an Army, that is not the least which is noted by Thucydides,* 1.15 Ut jussa im∣peratoris brevi spacio ad singulos milites de∣ferri possent; the commands of the generall are thereby suddenly transmitted to every parti∣cular souldier.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesar.
• * 1.2

  Et victor subducto Marte pe∣pendit. Lucan. lib. 4
• * 1.3

  Omnis laus virtutis in actione con∣sistit.
• * 1.4

  Arist. Eth.
• * 1.5

  Lib. 1. cap. 9.
• * 1.6

  The use of running.
• * 1.7

  Miles in media pace decurrit, sine ullo hoste, & supervacuo labore ••af∣f••tur, ut sufficere ne∣cessario possit. Seneca Epist. 18.
• * 1.8

  Lib. 26.
• * 1.9

  Medici le∣viter aegro∣tantes, le∣viter curant: gravioribus autem mor∣bis, pericu∣losis cura∣tiones & ancipires adhibere coguntur. Cic. lib. 1. de officiis.
• * 1.10

  Iliad. 6.
• * 1.11

  The parts of a legion.
• * 1.12

  Antesig∣nani.
• * 1.13

  Lib. 22.
• * 1.14

  Lib. 9.
• * 1.15

  Lib. 5.