Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/373

 STRATAGEMS, IX. vii. 38-42

Marcellus. As a result of this advice, Salapia and other cities were assailed in vain by Hannibal's insidious efforts.^

After the disaster at Cannae, when the Romans were so terror-stricken that a large part of the survivors thought of abandoning Italy, and that too with the endorsement of nobles of the highest standing, Publius Scipio, then extremely young, in the very assembly where such a course was being discussed, proclaimed with great vehemence that he would slay with his own hand whoever refused to declare on oath that he cherished no purpose of abandoning the State. Having first bound himself with such an oath, he drew his sword and threatened death to one of those standing near unless he too should take the oath. This man was constrained by fear to swear allegiance ; the rest were compelled by the example of the first. ^

When the camp of the 'olscians had been pitched near bushes and woods, Camillus set fire to every- thing which could carry the flames, once started, up to the very fortifications. In this way he deprived the enemy of their camp.^

In the Social War Publius Crassus was cut off in ahnost the same way with all his troops.*

When Quintus Metellus was about to break camp in Spain and wished to keep his soldiers in line, he proclaimed that he had discovered that an ambush had been laid by the enemy; therefore the soldiers should not quit the standards nor break ranks. Though he had done this merely for purposes of discipline, yet happening to meet with an actual ambuscade, he found his soldiers unafraid, since he had triven them warninar.^

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