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He was wont to say that he more valued a victory obtained by counsel than
by force； and in the war against Petreius and Afranius； fortune
presenting him with an occasion of manifest advantage； he declined it；
saying； that he hoped； with a little more time； but less hazard； to
overthrow his enemies。 He there also played a notable part in commanding
his whole army to pass the river by swimming； without any manner of
necessity：
〃Rapuitque ruens in praelia miles；
Quod fugiens timuisset； iter； mox uda receptis
Membra fovent armis； gelidosque a gurgite； cursu
Restituunt artus。〃
＇〃The soldier rushing through a way to fight which he would have
been afraid to have taken in flight： then with their armour they
cover wet limbs； and by running restore warmth to their numbed
joints。〃Lucan； iv。 151。＇
I find him a little more temperate and considerate in his enterprises
than Alexander； for this man seems to seek and run headlong upon dangers
like an impetuous torrent which attacks and rushes against everything it
meets； without choice or discretion；
〃Sic tauriformis volvitur Aufidus；
Qui regna Dauni perfluit Appuli；
Dum saevit； horrendamque cultis
Diluviem meditatur agris；〃
＇〃So the biforked Aufidus； which flows through the realm of the
Apulian Daunus； when raging； threatens a fearful deluge to the
tilled ground。〃Horat。； Od。； iv。 14； 25。＇
and； indeed； he was a general in the flower and first heat of his youth；
whereas Caesar took up the trade at a ripe and well advanced age； to
which may be added that Alexander was of a more sanguine； hot； and
choleric constitution； which he also inflamed with wine； from which
Caesar was very abstinent。
But where necessary occasion required； never did any man venture his
person more than he： so much so； that for my part； methinks I read in
many of his exploits a determinate resolution to throw himself away to
avoid the shame of being overcome。 In his great battle with those of
Tournay； he charged up to the head of the enemies without his shield；
just as he was seeing the van of his own army beginning to give ground'；
which also several other times befell him。 Hearing that his people were
besieged； he passed through the enemy's army in disguise to go and
encourage them with his presence。 Having crossed over to Dyrrachium with
very slender forces； and seeing the remainder of his army which he had
left to Antony's conduct slow in following him； he undertook alone to
repass the sea in a very great storms and privately stole away to fetch
the rest of his forces； the ports on the other side being seized by
Pompey； and the whole sea being in his possession。 And as to what he
performed by force of hand； there are many exploits that in hazard exceed
all the rules of war； for with how small means did he undertake to subdue
the kingdom of Egypt； and afterwards to attack the forces of Scipio and
Juba； ten times greater than his own？ These people had； I know not what；
more than human confidence in their fortune； and he was wont to say that
men must embark； and not deliberate； upon high enterprises。 After the
battle of Pharsalia； when he had sent his army away before him into Asia；
and was passing in one single vessel the strait of the Hellespont； he met
Lucius Cassius at sea with ten tall men…of…war； when he had the courage
not only to stay his coming； but to sail up to him and summon him to
yield； which he did。
Having undertaken that furious siege of Alexia； where there were
fourscore thousand men in garrison； all Gaul being in arms to raise the
siege and having set an army on foot of a hundred and nine thousand
horse； and of two hundred and forty thousand foot； what a boldness and
vehement confidence was it in him that he would not give over his
attempt； but resolved upon two so great difficultieswhich nevertheless
he overcame； and； after having won that great battle against those
without； soon reduced those within to his mercy。 The same happened to
Lucullus at the siege of Tigranocerta against King Tigranes； but the
condition of the enemy was not the same； considering the effeminacy of
those with whom Lucullus had to deal。 I will here set down two rare and
extraordinary events concerning this siege of Alexia； one； that the Gauls
having drawn their powers together to encounter Caesar； after they had
made a general muster of all their forces； resolved in their council of
war to dismiss a good part of this great multitude； that they might not
fall into confusion。 This example of fearing to be too many is new； but；
to take it right； it stands to reason that the body of an army should be
of a moderate greatness； and regulated to certain bounds； both out of
respect to the difficulty of providing for them； and the difficulty of
governing and keeping them in order。 At least it is very easy to make it
appear by example that armies monstrous in number have seldom done
anything to purpose。 According to the saying of Cyrus in Xenophon；
〃'Tis not the number of men； but the number of good men； that gives the
advantage〃： the remainder serving rather to trouble than assist。 And
Bajazet principally grounded his resolution of giving Tamerlane battle；
contrary to the opinion of all his captains； upon this； that his enemies
numberless number of men gave him assured hopes of confusion。
Scanderbeg； a very good and expert judge in such matters； was wont to say
that ten or twelve thousand reliable fighting men were sufficient to a
good leader to secure his regulation in all sorts of military occasions。
The other thing I will here record； which seems to be contrary both to
the custom and rules of war； is； that Vercingetorix； who was made general
of all the parts of the revolted Gaul； should go shut up himself in
Alexia： for he who has the command of a whole country ought never to shut
himself up but in case of such last extremity that the only place he has
left is in concern； and that the only hope he has left is in the defence
of that city； otherwise he ought to keep himself always at liberty； that
he may have the means to provide； in general； for all parts of his
government。
To return to Caesar。 He grew； in time； more slow and more considerate；
as his friend Oppius witnesses： conceiving that he ought not lightly to
hazard the glory of so many victories； which one blow of fortune might
deprive him of。 'Tis what the Italians say； when they would reproach the
rashness and foolhardiness of young people； calling them Bisognosi
d'onore； 〃necessitous of honour；〃 and that being in so great a want and
dearth of reputation； they have reason to seek it at what price soever；
which they ought not to do who have acquired enough already。 There may
reasonably be some moderation； some satiety； in this thirst and appetite
of glory； as well as in other things： and there are enough people who
practise it。
He was far remote from the religious scruples of the ancient Romans； who
would never prevail in their wars but by dint of pure and simple valour；
and yet he