TO HIS MUTINOUS TROOPS[1]
(203 B.C.)
Born about 234 B.C., died in 183; served at Cannæ and while Proconsul conquered Spain; twice defeated Hasdrubal, and in 202 gained the battle of Zama, after which he negotiated the treaty which ended the Second Punic War.
I imagined that language would never fail me in which to address my army; not that I have ever accustomed myself to speaking rather than action, but because having been kept in a camp almost from my boyhood, I had become familiar with the dispositions of soldiers. But I am at a loss both for sentiments and expressions with which to address you, whom I know not even by what name I ought to call. Can I call you countrymen, who have revolted from your country? or soldiers, who have rejected the command and authority of your general, and violated the solemn obligation of your oath? Can I call you enemies? I recognize the persons, faces, dress, and mien of fellow countrymen but I perceive the actions, expressions, intentions, and feelings of enemies; for what have you wished and hoped for but what the Ilergetians and Lacetanians did. Yet they followed Mandonius and Indibilis, men of royal rank, who
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