Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/315

 STRATAGEMS, IV. i. 1-4

I. On Discii'LiNE

When the Roman army before Numaiitia had become demoraHzed by the slackness of previous commanders^ PubHiis Scipio reformed it by dismissing an enormous number of camp-followers and by bring- ing the soldiers to a sense of responsibility through regular daily routine. On the occasion of the frequent marches which he enjoined upon them, he commanded them to carry several days' rations, under such conditions that they became accustomed to enduring cold and rain, and to the fording of streams. Often the general reproached them with timidity and indolence ; often he broke utensils which served only the purpose of self-indulgence and were quite unnecessary for campaigning. A notable instance of this severity occurred in the case of the tribune Gains Memmius, to whom Scipio is said to have exclaimed : " To me you will be worth- less merely for a certain period ; to yourself and the state for ever ! " ^

Quintus MetclluSj in the Jugurthine War,^ when discipline had similarly lapsed, restored it by a like severity, while in addition he had forbidden the soldiers to use meat, except when baked or boiled.^

Iyrrhus is said to have remarked to his recruiting officer : " You pick out the big men ! I'll make them brave."

In the consulship of Lucius Paulus and Gains 'arro, soldiers were for the first time compelled to take the ius iurandum. Up to that time the sacra- mcnlnm was the oath of allegiance administered to them by the tribunes, but they used to pledge each other not to quit the force by flight, or in conse-

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