The Roman Army, 31 BC–AD 337: A Sourcebook

94 The Roman Army
period of imperial peace. Even if I achieve nothing else, I shall make
clear why some generals have blundered and suffered mishap, while
others have been successful and become glorious… (Section 7) Therefore
I think that I must say in advance that the examples of military technique
collected in this book are all based on experience of real exploits, and
indeed exploits of the kind of men to whom Rome owes her inherited
superiority in race and courage right down to the present.
Onasander was a Greek who addressed his military handbook to Quintus
Veranius, consul in AD 49 and governor of Britain c. AD 58. He is typical of
writers on the art of generalship in that he claims that his work is relevant to
contemporary military life (cf. Frontinus, Strategemata 1, prooem.—‘Therefore
commanders will be equipped with examples of good planning and foresight,
which will foster their own ability to devise and execute similar operations’).
Collections of stratagems and textbooks on generalship were perhaps of value in
an age of non-specialist and often inexperienced commanders (Campbell 1987).
155 Josephus, Jewish War 2. 578–80
(Josephus, placed in charge of Galilee by the Jewish leaders during the
revolt from Rome in AD 66, describes how he trained his army in Roman
methods). He (Josephus) introduced various distinguishing ranks for the
soldiers and made them subordinate to decurions and centurions, who
in turn were subordinate to tribunes, and above these were commanders
who were in charge of larger bodies of soldiers. (Section 579) He taught
them the transmission of signals, trumpet calls for advance and retreat,
attack using the wings and encircling manoeuvres, the necessity of
bringing assistance from the victorious part of the army to those troops
in trouble, and of helping any part which is hard pressed… (Section
580) In particular he trained them for war by explaining on every occasion
the discipline of the Romans, telling them that they would be fighting
against men who through fortitude of body and courageous spirit ruled
over virtually the entire world.
156 Tacitus, Annals 3. 74
Since his army was no match in fighting strength but much superior in
making raids, he (Tacfarinas) attacked using many small groups of
soldiers, avoided direct contact, and set up ambuscades. Therefore the
Romans divided their attacking force into three independent formations.
One of these, under the command of the legate Cornelius Scipio,