uld have to engage them from the higher ground, as
they ascended against the steep; then surprise took possession of him,
that they neither commenced the fight, nor if they were deterred from
that by the unevenness of the ground, that they did not surround him
with works and a circumvallation. Then summoning the centurions to him,
he said, "What ignorance of war and indolence is that? or how did such
men obtain a victory over the Sidicinians and Campanians? You see that
their battalions move to and fro, that sometimes they are collected to
one spot, at other times they are drawn out. As for work, no one
attempts it, when we might by this time have been surrounded with a
rampart. Then indeed should we be like to them, if we delay longer here
than is expedient. Come on, accompany me; that whilst some day light
remains, we may ascertain in what places they put their guards, in what
direction an escape may lie open from hence." All these points he
carefully observed, clad in a soldier's vest, the centurions whom he
took with him being also in the attire of common soldiers, lest the
enemy might notice the general going the round.

35. Then having placed watch-guards, he commands the ticket to be issued
to all the rest, that when the signal had been given by the trumpet of
the second watch, they should assemble to him in silence fully armed.
Whither when they had assembled in silence according to the orders
issued, "Soldiers," says he, "this silence is to be observed in
listening to me, waving the military mode of expressing assent. When I
shall have thoroughly explained my sentiments to you, then such of you
as shall approve the same, will pass over; we will follow that line of
conduct which shall meet the judgment of the majority. Now hear what I
meditate in mind. The enemy have surrounded you, not brought hither in
flight, nor left behind through cowardice. By valour you seized this
ground; by valour you must make your way from it. By coming hither you
have saved a valuable army of the Roman people; by forcing your way
hence, save yourselves. You have proved yourselves worthy, though few in
number, of affording aid to multitudes, whilst you yourselves stand in
need of aid from no one. You have to do with that enemy, who on
yesterday, through their supineness, availed themselves not of the
fortunate opportunity of destroying our whole army, who did not see this
hill so advantageously situate hanging over their heads, until i