Book fragments
11
One ought always to keep this line in mind. From failing to do so Lucius the RomanPerhaps L. Postumius, Livy, 23, 24 (Hultsch). met with a grave disaster. So narrow is the risk of destruction to the most powerful forces when the leaders are unwise. A sufficient illustration to thoughtful men is furnished by the headstrong invasion of Argos by Pyrrhus king of the Epirotes,B.C. 272. Plutarch, Pyrrh. 31-34. and the expedition through Thrace of king Lysimachus against Dorimichaites, king of Odrysae;See Pausan. i. 9, 6. His disaster compelled him to give up his dominions beyond the Danube. Another and more successful war in Thrace seems referred to in Diod. Sic. 18, 14. and indeed many other similar cases.
12
Marcellus never once conquered Hannibal, who in fact remained unbeaten until Scipio’s victory.Livy, however, records more than one success of Marcellus against Hannibal, see 23, 16, 46; 27, 14. Scipio’s victory of course is at Zama.
13
No darkness, no storm however violent, turned him from his purpose. He forced his way through all such obstacles; he overcame even disease by resolute labour, and never once failed in an object or experienced a variation in his uniform good fortune.
14
In old times single combats among the Romans were conducted with good faith [but in our days many contrivances have been hit upon].
15
The horse, from the agony of the wound, first fell forward, and then galloped furiously through the middle of the camp.
