Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/355

 STRATAGEMS, IV. vi. 3-vii. 5

3011 had been born among the Persians, it would be a capital crime for you to sit on the king's seat ; but since you were born in Macedonia, that privilege is vours." ^

When the Deified Vespasianus Augustus learned that a certain youth, of good birth, but ill adapted to military service, had received a high appointment because of his straitened circumstances, 'espasian settled a sum of money on him, and gave him an honourable discharge.

VII. On Sundry Maxims and Devices.

Gaius Caesar used to say that he followed the same policy towards the enemy as did many doctors when dealing with physical ailments, namely, that of concjuering the foe by hunger rather than by steel. -

Domitius Corbulo used to say that the pick was the weapon with which to beat the enemy.

Lucius Paulus used to say that a general ought to be an old man in character, meaning thereby that moderate counsels should be followed.^

When people said of Scipio Africanus that he lacked aggressiveness, he is reported to have answered : " My mother bore me a general, not a warrior."

When a Teuton challenged Gaius Marius and called upon him to come forth, Marius answered that, if the man was desirous of death, he could end his life with a halter. Then, when the fellow per- sisted, Marius confronted him with a gladiator of despicable size, whose life was almost spent, and told the Teuton that, if he would first defeat this gladiator, he himself would then fight with him.

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