ven by a passage in his own story. It begins with a speech he made
to his men.

[Illustration: SUBMISSION OF TRIBES
from a relief of the Empire]

_How Caesar dealt with threats of insubordination provoked by fear
of meeting the Germans_

'If any of you are alarmed by the defeat and flight of the Gauls,
you will find on inquiry that they were tired out by the length of
the war, and that Ariovistus, who for many months had been
encamped behind the shelter of the swamps and made it impossible
to engage him, suddenly fell on them when they were scattered
without any thought of fighting, and conquered them rather by
stratagem than by valour. Such a policy might well succeed against
untrained barbarians, but even Ariovistus does not expect that
Roman armies can be ensnared by it. Again, if any disguise their
fears by a pretended anxiety about supplies or by imaginary
difficulties in the route, they are acting presumptuously; for, as
it seems, either they are hopeless about the commander's
performance of his duty or they are dictating to him what that
duty is. These matters are for my decision; corn is being supplied
by the Sequani, Leuci and Lingones, and the crops are already
ripe. As for the difficulties of the route, you will soon have an
opportunity of judging them. When I am told that the soldiers will
disobey me and refuse to march, I am not at all troubled, for I
know that, if an army has been disobedient, either its commander
has been defeated through incompetence or some overt act has
convicted him of extortion; but the whole course of my life bears
witness to my integrity, and my success is proved by my campaign
against the Helvetii. Accordingly I shall do at once what I had
intended to do later and shall march to-night at the fourth watch,
so that I may know without delay whether your fears are stronger
than the claims of honour and duty. If no one else follows me,
I shall start with the tenth legion, whose devotion is beyond
question, and I intend to make it my bodyguard.' Caesar had shown
special favour to this legion and had an absolute trust in its
valour.

This speech made an extraordinary impression upon all and inspired
very great enthusiasm and eagerness to advance. The tenth legion
set the example, thanking Caesar through its tribunes for his
generous confidence, and declaring that it was ready in every way
to fight. The