Complete Works of Frontinus

by Frontinus

  [20] When Ptolemy with a weak force was contending against Perdiccas’s powerful army, he arranged for a few horsemen to drive along animals of all sorts, with brush fastened to their backs for them to trail behind them. He himself went ahead with the forces which he had. As a consequence, the dust raised by the animals produced the appearance of a mighty army following, and the enemy, terrified by this impression, were defeated.

  [21] Myronides Atheniensis adversus Thebanos equitatu praevalentes pugnaturus in campis suos edocuit manentibus esse spem aliquam salutis, cedentibus autem perniciem certissimam; qua ratione confirmatis militibus victoriam consecutus est.

  [21] Myronides, the Athenian, when about to fight on an open plain against the Thebans, who were very strong in cavalry, warned his troops that, if they stood their ground, there was some hope of safety, but that, if they gave way, destruction was absolutely certain. In this way he encouraged his men and won the victory.

  [22] C. Pinarius in Sicilia praesidio Hennae praepositus, claves portarum, quas penes se habebat, reposcentibus magistratibus Hennensium, quod suspectos eos, tamquam transitionem ad Poenum pararent, habebat, petit unius noctis ad deliberationem spatium indicataque militibus fraude Graecorum, cum praecepisset, ut parati postera die signum exspectarent, prima luce assistentibus militibus redditurum se claves dixit, si idem omnes Hennenses censuissent; ob eam causam universa multitudine convocata in theatrum et idem flagitante, manifesta deficiendi voluntate, signo militibus dato universos Hennenses cecidit.

  [22] When Gaius Pinarius was in charge of the garrison of Henna in Sicily, the magistrates of the city demanded the keys of the gates, which he had in his keeping. Suspecting that they were preparing to go over to the Carthaginians, he asked for the space of a single night to consider the matter; and, revealing to his soldiers the treachery of the Greeks, he instructed them to get ready and wait for his signal on the morrow. At daybreak, in the presence of his troops, he announced to the people of Henna that he would surrender the keys, if all the inhabitants of the town should be agreed in their view. When the entire populace assembled in the theatre to settle this matter, and, with the obvious purpose of revolting, made the same demand, Pinarius gave the signal to his soldiers and murdered all the people of Henna.

  [23] Iphicrates, dux Atheniensium, classem suam hostili habitu instruxit et ad eos quos suspectos habebat invectus, cum effuso studio exciperetur, deprehensa eorum perfidia oppidum diripuit.

  [23] Iphicrates, the Athenian general, once rigged up his own fleet after the style of the enemy, and sailed away to a certain city whose people he viewed with suspicion. Being welcomed with unrestrained enthusiasm, he thus discovered their treachery and sacked their town.

  [24] Ti. Gracchus, cum edixisset futurum, ut ex volonum numero fortibus libertatem daret, ignavos crucibus affigeret, et quattuor milia ex his, quia segnius pugnaverant, metu poenae in quendam munitum collem coissent, misit qui eis dicerent totum sibi exercitum volonum vicisse videri, quod hostes fudissent; et sic eos et sua fide et ipsorum metu exsolutos recepit.

  [24] When Tiberius Gracchus had proclaimed that he would confer freedom on such of the volunteer slaves as showed courage, but would crucify the cowards, some four thousand men who had fought rather listlessly, gathered on a fortified hill in fear of punishment. Thereupon Gracchus sent men to tell them that in his opinion the whole force of volunteer slaves had shared in the victory, since they had routed the enemy. By this expression of confidence he freed them from their apprehensions and took them back again.

  [25] Hannibal post proelium, quo ingentem cladem ad Trasumennum Romani acceperunt, cum sex milia hostium interposita pactione in potestatem suam redegisset, socios Latini nominis benigne in civitates suas dimisit, dictitans se Italiae liberandae causa bellum gerere; eorumque opera aliquot populos in deditionem accepit.

  [25] After the battle of Lake Trasimenus, where the Romans suffered great disaster, Hannibal, having brought six thousand of the enemy under his power by virtue of a covenant he had made, generously allowed the allies of the “Latin Name” to return to their cities, declaring that he was waging war for the purpose of freeing Italy. As a result, by means of their assistance he received in surrender a number of tribes.

  [26] Mago, cum Locri obsiderentur a Crispino classis nostrae praefecto, diffudit ad Romana castra rumorem Hannibalem caeso Marcello ad liberandos obsidione Locros venire; clam deinde equites emissos iussit a montibus, qui in conspectu erant, se ostendere; quo facto effecit, ut Crispinus Hannibalem adesse ratus conscenderet naves ac fugeret.

  [26] When Locri was blockaded by Crispinus, admiral of our fleet, Mago spread the rumour in the Roman camp that Hannibal had slain Marcellus and was coming to relieve Locri from blockade. Then, secretly sending out cavalry, he commanded them to show themselves on the mountains, which were in view. By doing this, he caused Crispinus, in the belief that Hannibal was at hand, to board his vessels and make off.

  [27] Scipio Aemilianus ad Numantiam omnibus non cohortibus tantum, sed centuriis sagittarios et funditores interposuit.

  [27] Scipio Aemilianus, in the operations before Numantia, distributed archers and slingers not only among all his cohorts, but even among all the centuries.

  [28] Pelopidas Thebanus, cum a Thessalis in fugam versus flumen, in quo tumultuarium fecerat pontem, liberasset, ne sequentibus hostibus idem transitus maneret, novissimo agmini praecepit, incenderent pontem.

  [28] When Pelopidas, the Theban, had been put to flight by the Thessalians and had crossed the river over which he had constructed an emergency bridge, he ordered his rearguard to burn the bridge, in order that it might not serve also as a means of passage to the enemy who were following him.

  [29] Romani, cum Campanis equitibus nullo modo pares essent, Q. Naevius centurio in exercitu Fulvi Flacci proconsulis excogitavit, ut delectos ex toto exercitu, qui velocissimi videbantur et mediocris erant staturae, parmulis non amplis et galeiculis gladiisque ac septenis singulos hastis quaternorum circiter pedum armaret eosque adiunctos equitibus iuberet usque ad moenia provehi, deinde ibi positos, nostris equitibus recipientibus, inter hostium equitatum proeliari; quo facto vehementer et ipsi Campani afflicti sunt et maxime equi eorum, quibus turbatis prona nostris victoria fuit.

  [29] When the Romans in certain operations were no match for the Campanian cavalry, Quintus Naevius, a centurion in the army of Fulvius Flaccus, the proconsul, conceived the plan of picking from the whole army the men who seemed swiftest of foot and of medium stature, arming them with small shields, helmets, and swords, and giving to each man seven spears, •about four feet in length. These men he attached to the cavalry, and commanded them to advance to the very walls, and then, taking their position at that point, to fight amid the cavalry of the enemy, when our cavalry retreated. By this means the Campanians suffered severely, and especially their horses. When these were thrown into confusion, victory became easy for our troops.

  [30] P. Scipio in Lydia, cum die ac nocte imbre continuo vexatum exercitum Antiochi videret nec homines tantum aut equos deficere, verum arcus quoque madentibus nervis inhabiles factos, exhortatus est fratrem, ut postero quamvis religioso die committeret proelium; quam sententiam secuta victoria est.

  [30] When Publius Scipio was in Lydia, and observed that the army of Antiochus was demoralized by the rain, which fell day and night without cessation, and when he further noted that not only were men and horses exhausted, but that even the bows were rendered useless from the effect of the dampness on their strings, he urged his brother to engage in battle on the following day, although it was consecrated to religious observance. The adoption of this plan was followed by victory.

  [31] Catonem vastantem Hispaniam legati Ilergetum, qui sociorum populus erat, adierunt oraveruntque auxilia. Ille, ne aut negato adiutorio socios alienaret aut diducto exercitu vires minueret, tertiam partem militum cibaria parare et naves ascendere iussit, dato praecepto, ut causati ventos retro redirent; praecedens interim adventantis auxilii rumor ut Ilergetum excitavit animos, ita hosti
um consilia discussit.

  [31] When Cato was ravaging Spain, the envoys of the Ilergetes, a tribe allied with the Romans, came to him and begged for assistance. Cato, unwilling either to alienate his allies by refusing aid, or to diminish his own strength by dividing his forces, ordered a third part of his soldiers to prepare rations and embark on their ships, directing them to return and to allege head winds as the reason for this action. Meanwhile the report of approaching aid went on before them, raising the hopes of the Ilergetes, and shattering the plans of the enemy.

  [32] C. Caesar, cum in partibus Pompeianis magna equitum Romanorum esset manus eaque armorum scientia milites conficeret, ora oculosque eorum gladiis peti iussit et sic aversa[m] facie[m] cedere coegit.

  [32] Since in the army of Pompey there was a large force of Roman cavalry, which by its skill in arms wrought havoc among the soldiers of Gaius Caesar, the latter ordered his troops to aim with their swords at the faces and eyes of the enemy. He thus forced the enemy to avert their faces and retire.

  [33] Voccaei, cum a Sempronio Graccho collatis signis urgerentur, universas copias cinxere plaustris, quae impleverant fortissimis viris muliebri veste tectis. Sempronium, tamquam adversus feminas audentius ad obsidendos hostis consurgentem, hi qui in plaustris erant adgressi fugaverunt.

  [33] When the Voccaei were hard pressed by Sempronius Gracchus in a pitched battle, they surrounded their entire force with a ring of carts, which they had filled with their bravest warriors dressed in women’s clothes. Sempronius rose up with greater daring to assault the enemy, because he imagined himself proceeding against women, whereupon those in the carts attacked him and put him to flight.

  [34] Eumenes Cardianus, ex successoribus Alexandri, in castello quodam clausus, quoniam exercere equos non poterat, certis cotidie horis ita suspendebat, ut posterioribus pedibus innixi, prioribus allevatis, dum naturalem assistendi appetunt consuetudinem, ad sudorem usque crura iactarent.

  [34] When Eumenes of Cardia, one of the successors of Alexander, was besieged in a certain stronghold, and was unable to exercise his horses, he had them suspended during certain hours each day in such a position that, resting on their hind legs and with their fore feet in the air, they moved their legs till the sweat ran, in their efforts to regain their natural posture.

  [35] M. Cato pollicentibus barbaris duces itinerum et insuper praesidium, si magna summa eis promitteretur, non dubitavit polliceri, quia aut victoribus ex spoliis hostilibus poterat dare aut interfectis exsolvebatur promisso.

  [35] When certain barbarians promised Marcus Cato guides for the march and also reinforcements, provided that a large sum of money should be assured them, he did not hesitate to make the promise, since, if they won, he could reward them from the spoils of the enemy, while, if they were slain, he would be released from his pledge.

  [36] Q. Maximus transfugere ad hostes volentem Statilium, nobilem clarae operae equitem, vocari ad se iussit eique excusavit, quod invidia commilitonum virtutes illius ad id tempus ignorasset; tum donato ei equo pecuniam insuper largitus obtinuit, ut, quem ex conscientia trepidum arcessierat, laetum dimitteret et ex dubio in reliquum non minus fidelem quam fortem haberet equitem.

  [36] When a certain Statilius, a knight of distinguished record, evinced an inclination to desert to the enemy, Quintus Maximus ordered him to be summoned to his presence, and apologized for not having known until then the real merits of Statilius, owing to the jealousy of his fellow-soldiers. Then, giving Statilius a horse and bestowing a large gift of money besides, he succeeded in sending away rejoicing a man who, when summoned, was conscience-stricken; he succeeded also in securing for the future a loyal and brave knight in place of one whose fealty was in doubt.

  [37] Philippus, cum audisset Pythian quendam bonum pugnatorem alienatum sibi, quod tres filias inops vix aleret nec a rege adiuvaretur, monentibus quibusdam, uti eum caveret, “quid? Si”, inquit, “partem aegram corporis haberem, absciderem potius quam curarem?” Deinde familiariter secreto elicitum Pythian, accepta difficultate necessitatium domesticarum, pecunia instruxit ac meliorem fidelioremque habuit, quam habuerat, antequam offenderet.

  [37] Philip, having heard that a certain Pythias, an excellent warrior, had become estranged from him because he was too poor to support his three daughters, and was not assisted by the king, and having been warned by certain persons to be on his guard against the man, replied: “What! If part of my body were diseased, should I cut it off, rather than give it treatment?” Then, quietly drawing Pythias aside for a confidential talk, and learning the seriousness of his domestic embarrassments, he supplied him with funds, and found in him a better and more devoted adherent than before the estrangement.

  [38] T. Quintius Crispinus post infaustam adversus Poenos dimicationem, qua collegam Marcellum amiserat, cum comperisset potitum anulo interfecti Hannibalem, litteras circa municipia totius Italiae dimisit, ne crederent epistulis, si quae Marcelli anulo signatae perferrentur. Monitione consecutus est, ut Salapia et aliae urbes frustra Hannibalis dolis temptarentur.

  [38] After an unsuccessful battle with the Carthaginians, in which he had lost his colleague Marcellus, Titius Quinctius Crispinus, learning that Hannibal had obtained possession of the ring of the slain hero, sent letters among all the municipal towns of Italy, warning the inhabitants to give credit to no letters which should be brought sealed with the ring of Marcellus. As a result of this advice, Salapia and other cities were assailed in vain by Hannibal’s insidious efforts.

  [39] Post Cannensem cladem perculsis ita Romanorum animis, ut pars magna reliquiarum nobilissimis auctoribus deserendae Italiae iniret consilium, P. Scipio adulescens admodum impetu facto in eo ipso, in quo talia agitabantur, coetu pronuntiavit manu se sua interfecturum, nisi qui iurasset non esse sibi mentem destituendae rei publicae; cumque ipse se primus religione tali obligasset, stricto gladio mortem uni ex proximis minatus, nisi acciperet sacramentum, illum metu, ceteros etiam exemplo coegit ad iurandum.

  [39] After the disaster at Cannae, when the Romans were so terror-stricken that a large part of 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.

  [40] Volscorum castra cum prope a virgultis silvaque posita essent, Camillus ea omnia, quae conceptum ignem usque in vallum perferre poterant, incendit et sic adversarios exuit castris.

  [40] When the camp of the Volscians had been pitched near bushes and woods, Camillus set fire to everything which could carry the flames, once started, up to the very fortifications. In this way he deprived the enemy of their camp.

  [41] P. Crassus bello sociali eodem modo prope cum copiis omnibus interceptus est.

  [41] In the Social War Publius Crassus was cut off in almost the same way with all his troops.

  [42] Q. Metellus in Hispania castra moturus, cum in agmine milites continere velle[n]t, pronuntiavit comperisse se insidias ab hostibus dispositas; idcirco ne discederent a signis neve agmen laxarent. Quod cum [solveret] ex disciplina fecisset, exceptus forte veris insidiis, quia praedixerat, interritos.

  [42] 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 given them warning.

  DE AQUAEDUCTU URBIS ROMAE — The Aqueducts of Rome

  LIBER PRIMUS

  BOOK I
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br />   [1] Cum omnis res ab imperatore delegata intentiorem exigat curam, et me seu naturalis sollicitudo seu fides sedula non ad diligentiam modo verum ad amorem quoque commissae rei instigent sitque nunc mihi ab Nerva Augusto, nescio diligentiore an amantiore rei publicae imperatore, aquarum iniunctum officium ad usum, tum ad salubritatem atque etiam securitatem urbis pertinens, administratum per principes semper civitatis nostrae viros, primum ac potissimum existimo, sicut in ceteris negotiis institueram, nosse quod suscepi.

  [1] Inasmuch as every task assigned by the Emperor demands especial attention; and inasmuch as I am incited, not merely to diligence, but also to devotion, when any matter is entrusted to me, be it as a consequence of my natural sense of responsibility or of my fidelity; and inasmuch as Nerva Augustus (an emperor of whom I am at a loss to say whether he devotes more industry or love to the State) has laid upon me the duties of water commissioner, an office which concerns not merely the convenience but also the health and even the safety of the City, and which has always been administered by the most eminent men of our State; now therefore I deem it of the first and greatest importance to familiarize myself with the business I have undertaken, a policy which I have always made a principle in other affairs.