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caius marius-第3部分
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earth is under that part of heaven where the pole is so elevated that;
by the declination of the parallels; the zenith of the inhabitants
seems to be but little distant from it; and that their days and nights
being almost of an equal length; they divide their year into one of
each。 This was Homer's occasion for the story of Ulysses calling up
the dead; and from this region the people; anciently called
Cimmerii; and afterwards; by an easy change; Cimbri; came into
Italy。 All this; however; is rather conjecture than an authentic
history。
Their numbers; most writers agree; were not less; but rather greater
than was reported。 They were of invincible strength and fierceness
in their wars; and hurried into battle with the violence of a
devouring flame; none could withstand them: all they assaulted
became their prey。 Several of the greatest Roman commanders with their
whole armies; that advanced for the defence of Transalpine Gaul;
were ingloriously overthrown; and; indeed; by their faint
resistance; chiefly gave them the impulse of marching towards Rome。
Having vanquished all they had met; and found abundance of plunder;
they resolved to settle themselves nowhere till they should have razed
the city and wasted all Italy。 The Romans; being from all parts
alarmed with this news; sent for Marius to undertake the war; and
nominated him the second time consul; though the law did not permit
any one that was absent; or that had not waited a certain time after
his first consulship; to be again created。 But the people rejected all
opposers; for they considered this was not the first time that the law
gave place to the common interest; nor the present occasion less
urgent than that when; contrary to law; they made Scipio consul; not
in fear for the destruction of their own city; but desiring the ruin
of that of the Carthaginians。
Thus it was decided; and Marius; bringing over his legions out of
Africa on the very first day of January; which the Romans count the
beginning of the year; received the consulship; and then; also;
entered in triumph; showing Jugurtha a prisoner to the people; a sight
they had despaired of ever beholding; nor could any; so long as he
lived; hope to reduce the enemy in Africa; so fertile in expedients
was he to adapt himself to every turn of fortune; and so bold as
well as subtle。 When; however; he was led in triumph; it is said
that he fell distracted; and when he was afterwards thrown into
prison; where some tore off his clothes by force; and others; whilst
they struggled for his golden earring; with it pulled off the tip of
his ear; and when he was; after this; cast naked into the dungeon;
in his amazement and confusion; with a ghastly laugh; he cried out; 〃O
Hercules! how cold your bath is!〃 Here for six days struggling with
hunger; and to the very last minute desirous of life; he was overtaken
by the just reward of his villainies。 In this triumph was brought;
as is stated; of gold three thousand and seven pounds weight; of
silver bullion five thousand seven hundred and seventy…five; of
money in gold and silver coin two hundred and eighty…seven thousand
drachmas。 After the solemnity; Marius called together the senate in
the capitol; and entered; whether through inadvertency or unbecoming
exultation with his good fortune; in his triumphal habit; but
presently observing the senate offended at it; went out; and
returned in his ordinary purple…bordered robe。
On the expedition he carefully disciplined and trained his army
whilst they were on their way; giving them practice in long marches;
and running of every sort; and compelling every man to carry his own
baggage and prepare his own victuals; insomuch that thenceforward
laborious soldiers; who did their work silently without grumbling; had
the name of 〃Marius's mules。〃 Some; however; think the proverb had a
different occasion; that when Scipio besieged Numantia; and was
careful to inspect not only their horses and arms; but their mules and
carriages too; and see how well equipped and in what readiness each
one's was; Marius brought forth his horse which he had fed extremely
well; and a mule in better case; stronger and gentler than those of
others; that the general was very well pleased; and often afterwards
mentioned Marius's beasts; and that hence the soldiers; when
speaking jestingly in the praise of a drudging laborious fellow;
called him Marius's mule。
But to proceed; very great fortune seemed to attend Marius; for by
the enemy in a manner changing their course; and falling first upon
Spain; he had time to exercise his soldiers; and confirm their
courage; and; which was most important; to show them what he himself
was。 For that fierce manner of his in command; and inexorableness in
punishing; when his men became used not to do amiss or disobey; was
felt to be wholesome and advantageous; as well as just; and his
violent spirit; stern voice; and harsh aspect; which in a little while
grew familiar to them; they esteemed terrible not to themselves; but
only to their enemies。 But his uprightness in judging more
especially pleased the soldiers; one remarkable instance of which is
as follows。 One Caius Lusius; his own nephew; had a command under
him in the army; a man not in other respects of bad character; but
shamefully licentious with young men。 He had one young man under his
command called Trebonius; with whom notwithstanding many solicitations
he could never prevail。 At length one night he sent a messenger for
him and Trebonius came; as it was not lawful for him to refuse when he
was sent for; and being brought into his tent; when Lusius began to
use violence with him; he drew his sword and ran him through。 This was
done whilst Marius was absent。 When he returned; he appointed
Trebonius a time for his trial; where; whilst many accused him; and
not any one appeared in his defence; he himself boldly related the
whole matter; and brought witness of his previous conduct to Lusius;
who had frequently offered him considerable presents。 Marius; admiring
his conduct and much pleased; commanded the garland; the usual Roman
reward of valour; to be brought; and himself crowned Trebonius with
it; as having performed an excellent action; at a time that very
much wanted such good examples。
This being told at Rome; proved no small help to Marius towards
his third consulship; to which also conduced the expectation of the
barbarians at the summer season; the people being unwilling to trust
their fortunes with any other general but him。 However; their
arrival was not so early as was imagined; and the time of Marius's
consulship was again expired。 The election coming on; and his
colleague being dead; he left the command of the army to Manius
Aquilius; and hastened to Rome; where; several eminent persons being
candidates for the consulship; Lucius Saturninus; who more than any of
the other tribunes swayed the populace; and of whom Marius himself was
very observant; exerted his eloquence with the people; advising them
to choose Marius consul。 He playing the modest part; and professing to
decline the office; Saturninus called him traitor to his country if;
in such apparent danger; he would avoid command。 And though it was not
difficult to discover that he was merely helping Marius in putting
this pretence upon the people; yet; considering that the present
juncture much required his skill; and his good fortunes too; they
voted him the fourth time consul; and made Catulus Lutatius his
colleague; a man very much esteemed by the nobility and not
unagreeable to the commons。
Marius; having notice of the enemy's approach; with all expedition
passed the Alps; and pitching his camp by the river Rhone; took care
first for plentiful supplies of victuals: lest at any time he should
be forced to fight at a disadvantage for want of necessaries。 The
carriage of provision for the army from the sea; which was formerly
long and expensive; he made speedy and easy。 For the mouth; of the
Rhone; by the influx of the sea; being barred and almost filled up
with sand and mud mixed with clay; the passage there became narrow;
difficult; and dangerous for the ships that brought their
provisions。 Hither; therefore; bringing his army; then at leisure;
he drew a great trench: and by turning the course of a great part of
the river; brought it to a convenient point on the shore where the
water was deep enough to receive ships of considerable burden; and
where there was a calm and easy opening to the sea。 And this still
retains the name it took from him。
The enemy dividing themselves into two parts; the Cimbri arranged to
go against Catulus higher up through the country of the Norici; and to
force that passage; the Teutones and Ambrones to march against
Marius by the seaside through Liguria。 The Cimbri were a
considerable time in doing their part。 But the Teutones and Ambrones
with all expedition passing over the interjacent country; soon came in
sight; in numbers beyond belief; of a terrible aspect; and uttering
strange cries and shouts。 Taking up a great part of the plain with
their camp; they challenged Marius to battle; he seemed to take no
notice of them; but kept his soldiers within their fortification;
and sharply reprehended those that were too forward and eager to
show their courage; and who; out of passion; would needs be
fighting; calling them traitors to their country; and telling them
they were not now to think of the glory of triumphs and trophies;
but rather how they might repel such an impetuous tempest of war and
save Italy。
Thus he discoursed privately with his officers and equals; but
placed the soldiers by turns upon the bulwarks to survey the enemy;
and so made them familiar with their shape and voice; which were
indeed altogether extravagant and barbarous; and he caused them to
observe their arms; and the way of using them; so that in a little
time what at first appeared terrible to their apprehensions; by
often viewing became familiar。 For he very rationally supposed that
the strangeness of things often makes them seem formidable when they
are not so; and that by our better acquaintance; even things which are
really terrible lose much of their
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