posed in the senate, after the battle of Cannæ, to redeem soldiers who had surrendered to Hannibal to the number of about eight thousand, notwithstanding the pressing instances of their relations, and the want the [a] republic then was in of troops, they still firmly adhered to the old maxim of not redeeming the captives, as absolutely necessary in that conjuncture to confirm and preserve the military discipline; and they rather chose to arm a like number of slaves, than make the least encroachment on a principle, upon which the security of the state depended. They easily comprehended, says [b] Polybius, that Hannibal's view in the offer he made of restoring the prisoners for a certain ransom, was not so much to obtain a considerable sum of money, which notwithstanding he wanted extremely, as to remove from the Roman troops, that sense of honour and incentive to glory they carried with them to the battle, by letting them see there was a remedy left, and some hope of safety remaining for those who yielded to the enemy. [c] But the senate, by absolutely rejecting this proposal, resolved, by refusing, to confirm authentically the ancient laws of the Romans, either to conquer or die in the field. Such constancy and magnanimity, adds Polybius, disappointed Hannibal, and gave him more terror, than his victory had occasioned him joy and hope. Add to these different motives, the marks of honour and rewards, which were publicly given after a battle, or any important action; the praises which the generals thought it their duty to bestow upon the of ficers, and even upon the common soldiers, as Livy observes of Scipio, and the glorious testimonies they gave in a full Senate, at their return from their campaign, in favour of such as had distinguished themselves most. All this inspired the troops with inexpressible ardour, emulation, and courage. By this means pri [a] Liv. lib. xxii, n. 60. vixäv paxoméves, vńca. Ibid. p. 300. [b] Pag. 500. vate vate officers acquired the merit of a general, as was seen upon an important occasion, which preserved Spain to the Romans. After the death of the two Scipios, their affairs there seemed absolutely despe [d] A private Roman knight, at that time very young, but of courage and magnanimity above his age and condition, who had served several years under Cueius Scipio, and had learned the art of war under him, was chosen general by common consent, and by his valour and prudence saved the army. This was Marius, upon whom our Scipio set a great value, when he came into Spain, and ever after distinguished in a peculiar manner. Able officers were formed in this manner under able generals. 4. Clemency and Moderation in Victory. It was the maxim of the Romans, to treat the people and princes, who submitted to them, with mildness and clemency; as also to make those who persevered in their resistance, feel the whole weight of their greatness and power. This the poet has beautifully expressed in the following verse, which may be looked upon as the motto of the Roman people : [e] Parcere subjectis, & debellare superbos, "To spare the vanquish'd, and subdue the proud." 1. Though extremely incensed against the Carthaginians, when their deputies appeared in the senate in the quality of suppliants, and in an humble and pa'thetic tone implored the mercy of the Roman people, their vengeance and indignation gave way to sentiments of gentleness and clemency, and peace was granted them; though it was certain that it would not have been difficult for the Romans to have destroyed Carthage, and completed the conquest of Africa. It was on this occasion that Asdrubal, surnamed Hœdus, who spoke as the principal deputy, [d] Liv. lib, xxv. n. 37. [e] Virg. En. lib. viii. v. 853. com complimented the Roman people in the following manner: [f]" It is very rare," said he, "that prospe 66 ❝tune. rity and moderation meet together, and that men "should at the same time be successful and wise. The "Roman people are invincible, because they do not "suffer themselves to be blinded with their good forAnd indeed it would be surprising, added "he, if they had acted otherwise; for such only are "dazzled and transported with prosperity, as are un"acquainted with it; whereas the Romans are so "accustomed to conquer, that they are scarce any "longer sensible of the pleasure arising from victory: " and it may be said to their glory, that they have in a manner augmented their empire more by pardoning "the conquered, than by conquering." 2. [g] The Romans kept nothing to themselves of the conquests they gained over Philip of Macedon. For the whole fruit of their victories they reserved only the pleasure of enriching their allies, and the glory of restoring liberty to Greece. And that this present, so magnificent, extraordinary, and till then unheard of, might not be subject to suspicion, or future change of sentiments, they withdrew their garrisons out of all their cities, without so much as excepting one. 3. They used the like moderation after they had conquered Antiochus. They exempted all the people of Asia, as far as mount Taurus, from their subjection to him. They gratified their allies with fleets, sea-ports, cities, and whole provinces, without keeping to themselves either galley or city, or requiring any tribute, jurisdiction or homage for so many countries as were conquered and freed by their arms. [] Rarò simul hominibus bonam fortunam bonamque mentem dari. Populum Romanum eò invictum esse, quòd in secundis rebus sapere & consulere meminerit. Et hercule mirandum fuisse, si aliter facerent. Ex insolentiâ, quibus nova bona fortuna sit, impotentes, lætitiæ insanire: populo Romano usitata ác propè jamobsoleta ex victorià gaudia esse; ac plus penè par cendo victis, quàm vincendo, imperium auxisse. Liv. lib. xxx. n. 42. [g] Lib. xxxiii, n. 30. 4. [h] As soon as they had subdued Macedón, they reduced all the taxes and customs they paid their kings, to half the amount. They renounced the immense profits which arose from the gold and silver mines, for this only reason, because they were a burden to the inhabitants. They granted every city the right of governing themselves by their own laws; of creating their own magistrates and officers; of holding provincial assemblies for the absolute regulation of public business; and they granted these people who had long been enemies, all the privileges of entire liberty. 5. [] The Romans treated the Illyrians with like humanity and moderation, after the victory over Gentius. They suffered them to enjoy the same exemptions and liberty, though they had held out so long against them; and after they had withdrawn all the Roman troops, they established the same form of government there as in Macedon. 5. Valour and Magnanimity in Adversity. This is the most peculiar character of the Roman people, and shews besides a force and constancy which nothing could shake or destroy. This disposition was never shewn in a more wonderful manner than after the battle of Cannæ. That battle gave the last blow to the preceding defeats, which had already extremely weakened the state. Two consuls with their armies, were entirely overthrown. The republic had neither soldiers nor generals. Several of the allies were gone over to the victorious side. Hannibal was master of Samnium, and almost all Italy. Such a blow, so terrible a misfortune, would have crushed any other people but them. [k] Yet neither the defeat of so many armies, nor the defection of their allies, could incline the Roman people to hearken to peace. They shewed not the least sign of weakness or discouragement; but all in gene [A] Liv. lxv. n. 18. [i] Ibid. n. 26. [4] Lib. xxii. n. 61. ral ral conspired to promote the general good. The resolution was as quick as unanimous, to defend themselves, and not lend an ear to any proposal of accommodation. [7] What Polybius says, upon the occasion of another battle, was then verified; that the Romans, both in general and particular, are never more terrible than when they are exposed to the greatest dangers, and seem most upon the brink of destruction. 6. Justice and Adherence to their Engagements the Principles of the Roman Government; the Springs of the Love amd Confidence of the Citizens, Allies, and conquered Notions. It is an opinion very anciently established amongst abundance of persons, and not entirely eradicated by Christianity itself, that justice, and policy are scarce capable of being allied together; that a man designed for administration should not make himself a slave to the laws that exact probity, and a scrupulous adherence to their word and solemn engagements, would often lay a prince and minister under great difficulties; that the interest of the state should always be the rule and motive of government; in a word, that it is impossible to manage public business without committing some injustice. Rempublicam regi sine injuria non posse. Tully, in his books de republicâ, which is an extract from Plato's admirable work upon the same subject, has fully refuted this opinion. It is not only, according to him, a false and contradictory notion, to believe that no one can succeed in the administration of public affairs without sometimes acting unjustly, but he looks upon the opposite principle as an incontestible truth, and as the basis and foundation of all the rules that can be laid down in matters of politics, namely, that A STATE CANNOT BE GOVERNED WELL, WITHOUT A STRICT OBSERVANCE OF JUSTICE IN [] Pag. 227. ALL |