Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/157

 STRATAGEMS, II. in. 6-10

Artaxerxes, having superior numbers in Iiis cam- paign against the Greeks, who had invaded Persia, drew up his line of battle with a wider front than the enemy, placing infantry, cavalry, and light-armed troops on the wings. Then by purposely causing the centre to advance more slowly he enveloped the enemy troops and cut them to pieces.^

On the other hand, at Cannae Hannibal, having drawn back his flanks and advanced his centre, drove back our troops at the first assault. Then, when the fighting began, and the flanks gradually worked towards each other moving forward according to instructions, Hannibal enveloped within his own lines the imjietuously attacking enemy, forced them towards the centre from both sides, and cut them to pieces, using veteran troops of long training ; for hardly anything but a trained army, responsive to every direction, can carry out this sort of tactics.^

In the Second Punic War, when Hasdrubal was seeking to avoid the necessity of an engagement, and had drawn up his line on a rough hillside behind protective works, Livius Salinator and Claudius Nero diverted their own forces to the flanks, leaving their centre vacant. Having in this way enveloped Has- drubal, they attacked and defeated him.^

After Hannibal had been defeated in frequent battles by Claudius Marcellus, he finally laid out his camp on this plan : Protected by mountains, marshes, or similar advantages of terrain, he so posted his troops as to be able to withdraw his army, practically without loss, within his fortifications, in case the Romans won, but so as to have free option of pursuit^ in case they gave way.

Xanthipj)us, the S})artan, in the campaign con-

III