Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/321

 STRATAGEMS, IV. i. 14-19

except in the case of cities. PyrrhuSj king of tiie Epirotes, was the first to inaugurate the custom of concentrating an entire army within the precincts of the same entrenchments. Later the Romans, after defeating Pyrrhus on the Arusian Plains near the city of Maleventum/ captured his camp, and, noting its plan, gradually came to the arrangement which is in vogue to-day.^

At one time, when Publius Nasica was in winter- quarters, although he had no need of ships, yet he determined to construct them, in order that his troops might not become demoralized by idleness, or inflict harm on their allies in consequence of the licence resulting from leisure.^

Marcus Cato has handed down the story that, when soldiers were caught in theft, their right hands used to be cut off in the presence of their comrades ; or if the authorities wished to impose a lighter sentence, the offender was bled at headquarters.^

The Spartan general Clearchus used to tell his troops that their commander ought to be feared more than the enemy, meaning that the death they feared in battle was doubtful, but that execution for desertion was certain.^

On motion of Appius Claudius the Senate degraded to the status of foot-soldiers those knights who had been captured and afterwards sent back by Pyrrhus, king of the Epirotes, while the foot-soldiers were de- gi'aded to the status of light-armed troops, all being commanded to tent outside the fortifications of the camp until each man should bring in the spoils of two foemen.^

The consul Otacilius Crassus ordered those who had been sent under the yoke by Hannibal and had

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