Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/300

 276 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, scattered*' with incredible force, were an additional re- IX. ___1__ source of the infantry. Their military dress, when they wore any, was nothing more than a loose mantle. A variety of colours was the only ornament of their wooden or osier shields. Few of the chiefs were distinguished by cuirasses, scarce any by helmets. Though the horses of Germany were neither beautiful, swift, nor practised in the skilful evolutions of the Roman manege, several of the nations obtained renown by their cavalry ; but in general the principal strength of the Germans consisted in their infantry *^, which was drawn up in several deep columns, according to the and of (lis- distinction of tribes and families. Impatient of fatigue cipline. ^j. jjg]^y^ these half-armed warriors rushed to battle with dissonant shouts and disordered ranks ; and some- times, by the effort of native valour, prevailed over the constrained and more artificial bravery of the Roman mercenaries. But as the barbarians poured forth their whole souls on the first onset, they knew not how to rally or to retire. A repulse was a sure defeat ; and a defeat was most commonly total destruction. When we recollect the complete armour of the Roman sol- diers, their discipline, exercises, evolutions, fortified camps, and military engines; it appears a just matter of surprise, how the naked and unassisted valour of the barbarians could dare to encounter in the field, the strength of the legions, and the various troops of the auxiliaries which seconded their operations. The con- test was too unequal, till the introduction of luxury had enervated the vigour, and a spirit of disobedience and ^edition had relaxed the discipline, of the Roman ar- mies. The introduction of barbarian auxiliaries into those armies, was a measure attended with very obvious dangers, as it might gradually instruct the Germans in the arts of war and of policy. Although they were ad- mitted in small numbers and with the strictest precau- c Missilia spargunt. Tacit. Germ. c. 6. Either that historian used a vague expression, or he meant that they were thrown at random. «* It was their principal distinction from the Sarmatians, who generally fought on horseback.