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.

COncerning the fashion of the Cavalry, in which either Party reposed so much confi∣dence, we are to note, that the Romans had two sorts of horsemen; the one compleatly armed (according to their manner) and incorporated in the body of their Legions, whose entertain∣ment was thrice as much as the footmen. Aeque impotens postulatum fuit (saith Livie) ut de stipendio equitum (merebant autem triplex ea tempestate) aera demerentur;* 1.1 It seemed as un∣reasonable a motion, that the horsemens pay, which at that time was triple, should be les∣sened. And the other were as light-horsemen, which they called Alarii.

The first sort were thus armed,* 1.2 as Josephus witnesseth;* 1.3 They wore a sword on their right side, somewhat longer then that of the foot∣men, and carried a long staffe or spear in their hand, a Target at their horse side, and three or more Darts in a quiver, with broad heads, and not much less then their staves; having such head pieces and corselets as the foot-men had.

The light-armed men, had either light Darts, or Bow and Arrows. And doubtlesse, their chiefest service was with their casting weapons. And accordingly Tully putteth his son in mind, of the praise he had got in Pompey's Army (where he commanded a wing of horse) Equi∣tando,* 1.4 jaculando, omni militari labore tole∣rando, in riding, casting darts, and undergoing all military duty.

And as their service consisted in breaking their Staves upon an Enemy, and in casting their Darts: so we exercise the practice of the former, in our triumphs at Tilt; and the Spa∣niards the later, in their Iocuo di cane.

Our modern horsemen are either Lanciers, Petronelliers, or Pistoliers. The Petronelliers do

[illustration]

discharge at distance, making their left hand, that holds the bridle, their rest: which is uncer∣tain, and to no great effect.

The Pistolier, that will do somewhat to pur∣pose, doth come up close to the other, & dis∣charge his Pistoll in his enemies neck, or under the corselet, about the flank or seat of a man; and commonly misseth not.

I have seen a device to use a Musket on horse-back, which if it prove as serviceable as is by some conceived, will be of great ad∣vantage.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lib. 7.
• * 1.2

  Lib. 3.
• * 1.3

  Excid.
• * 1.4

  2. Offic.