confidence the Romans were wont to inspire in the minds of their
soldiers by the aid of religion; and accordingly their consuls were
appointed, their armies were enrolled, their soldiers marched forth,
and their battles were begun, only when the auguries and auspices were
favourable; and without attending to all these observances no prudent
captain would ever engage in combat; knowing that unless his soldiers
were first assured that the gods were on their side, he might readily
suffer defeat. But if any consul or other leader ever joined battle
contrary to the auspices, the Romans would punish him, as they did
Claudius Pulcher.

The truth of what I affirm is plainly seen from the whole course of the
Roman history, but is more particularly established by the words which
Livius puts into the mouth of Appius Claudius, who, when complaining to
the people of the insolence of the tribunes, and taxing them with having
caused the corruption of the auspices and other rites of religion, is
made to say, "_And now they would strip even religion of its authority.
For what matters it, they will tell you, that the fowls refuse to peck,
or come slowly from the coop, or that a cock has crowed? These are small
matters doubtless; but it was by not contemning such small matters as
these, that our forefathers built up this great republic._" And, indeed,
in these small matters lies a power which keeps men united and of good
courage, which is of itself the chief condition of success.

But the observances of religion must be accompanied by valour, for
otherwise they can nothing avail. The men of Praneste, leading forth
their army against the Romans, took up their position near the river
Allia, on the very spot where the Romans had been routed by the Gauls,
selecting this ground that it might inspire their own side with
confidence, and dishearten their enemies with the unhappy memories which
it recalled But although, for the reasons already noted, this was a
course which promised success, the result nevertheless showed that true
valour is not to be daunted by trifling disadvantages. And this the
historian well expresses by the words he puts in the mouth of the
dictator as spoken to his master of the knights "_See how these fellows,
in encamping on the banks of the Allia, have chosen their ground in
reliance upon fortune. Do you, therefore, relying on discipline and
valour, fall upon then centre._" For true valour, tight discipline, and
the fee