Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/343

 STRATAGEMS, IV. v. i-6

laurel, that they might start their plundering by seizing these. Through the odium thus aroused he reduced his men to obedience.^

When a sedition broke out in the tumult of the Civil War, and feeling ran especially high, Gaius Caesar dismissed from service an entire legion, and beheaded the leaders of the mutiny. Later, when the very men he had dismissed entreated him to remove their disgrace, he restored them and had in them the very best soldiers. ^

I'ostumius, when ex-consul, having appealed to the courage of his troops, and having been asked by them what commands he gave, told them to imitate him. Thereupon he seized a standard and led the attack on the enemy. His soldiers followed and won the victory.

Claudius Marcellus, having unexpectedly come upon some Gallic troops, turned his horse about in a circle, looking around for a way of escape. Seeing danger on every hand, with a prayer to the gods, he broke into the midst of the enemy. By his amazing audacity he threw them into consternation, slew their leader,"^ and actually carried away the spolia opivia^ in a situation where there had scarcely remained a hope of saving his life.^

Lucius Paulus, after the loss of his army at Cannae, being offered a horse by Lentulus with which to effect his escape, refused to survive the disaster, although it had not been occasioned by him, and remained seated on the rock against which he had leaned when wounded, until he was overpowered and stabbed by the enemy.^

Paulus's colleague, Varro, showed even greater resolution in continuing alive after the same disaster,

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