Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/239

 STRATAGEMS, II. xi. 6-xii. 2

The story goes that Alexander of Macedon like wise, having taken captive a maiden of exceeding beauty betrothed to the chief of a neighbouring tribe, treated her with such extreme considex-ation that he refrained even from gazing at her. When the maiden was later returned to her lover, Alex- ander, as a result of this kindness, secured the attachment of the entire tribe.^

When the Emperor Caesar Augustus Germanicus,^ in the war in which he earned his title by conquering the Germans, was building forts in the territory of the Cubii, he ordered comj)ensation to be^pmade for the crops which he had included within his fortifica- tions. Thus the renown of his justice won the allegiance of all.^

XII. What to do for the Defence of the Camp, IN CASE A Commander lacks Confidence in His Present Forces

The consul, Titus Quinctius, as the Volscians were about to attack his camp, kept only one cohort on duty, and dismissed the remainder of the army to take their rest, directing the trumpeters to mount their horses and make the round of the camp sound- ing their trumpets. By exhibiting this semblance of strength, he kept the enemy off and held them throughout the night. Then at daybreak, attacking them by a sudden sortie when they were exhausted with watching, he easily defeated them.*

Quintus Sertorius, when in Spain, was completely outmatched by the cavalry of the enemy, who in their excessive confidence advanced up to his very fortifications. Accoi'dingly during the night he con-

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