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

The soldiers 19
manoeuvred, and is erected without trouble, for it is naturally pliable
and level. But you used large, heavy, and uneven stones which no one
can carry, lift, or fit in position without the stones catching on each
other because of their uneven surface. You dug a ditch straight through
hard and rough gravel and made it smooth by levelling it. When your
work had been approved you entered the camp quickly and got your
rations and weapons, and when you had followed the cavalry which
had been sent out, with a great shout as it returned [ _ _ _
I commend [my legate] since he introduced you to this manoeuvre
which has the appearance of real warfare and trains you in such a way
that I can congratulate you. Cornelianus your prefect has performed
his duties satisfactorily. However, the riding manoeuvres do not win
my approval [ _ _ _ ] The cavalryman should ride out from cover and
engage in pursuit [cautiously, for if he cannot] see where he is going or
if he cannot rein in his horse when he wishes, he will surely be exposed
to hidden traps [ _ _ _ ]
[ _ _ _ ] July, to the first ala of Pannonians
You did everything in order. You filled the plain with your exercises, you
threw your javelins with a certain degree of style, although you were
using rather short and stiff javelins; several of you hurled your lances
with equal skill. Just now you mounted your horses agilely and yesterday
you did it swiftly. If anything had been lacking in your performance I
should have noted it, if anything had been obviously bad I should have
mentioned it, but throughout the entire manoeuvre you satisfied me
uniformly. Catullinus my legate, distinguished man, shows equal concern
for all the units of which he is in command. [ _ _ _ ] your prefect apparently
looks after you conscientiously. I grant you a donative [as travelling
expenses (?) _ _ _
To the cavalry of the sixth cohort of Commagenians
It is difficult for cavalry attached to a cohort to win approval even on
their own, and more difficult still for them not to incur criticism after a
manoeuvre by auxiliary cavalry; they cover a greater area of the plain,
there are more men throwing javelins, they wheel right in close
formation, they perform the Cantabrian manoeuvre in close array, the
beauty of their horses and the splendour of their weapons are in keeping
with their pay. But, despite the heat, you avoided any boredom by
doing energetically what had to be done; in addition you fired stones
from slings and fought with javelins; on every occasion you mounted