For it will soon appear to any that shall examine the noble acts of our Nation in war, that they were performed by no advantage of weapon; against no savage or unmanly people; the enemy being far superior unto us in number and all needful provisions; yea, as well trained as we, or commonly better, in the exercise of war.
In what sort, PHILIP won his dominion in Greece; what manner of men the Persians and Indians were, whom ALEXANDER vanquished; as likewise, of what force the Macedonian phalanx was, and how well appointed against such arms as it commonly encountered: any man that hath taken pains to read the foregoing story of them, doth sufficiently understand.
Yet was this phalanx never, or very seldom, able to stand against the Roman armies; which were embattled in so excellent a form, as I know not whether any nation besides them, have used; either before or since. The Roman weapons likewise, both offensive and defensive, were of greater use than those with which any other nation hath served; before the fiery instruments of gunpowder were known.
As for the enemies with which Rome had to do: we find that they which did overmatch her in numbers were as far overmatched by her in weapons; and that they of whom she had little advantage in arms, had as little advantage of her in multitude. This also—as PLUTARCH well observeth—was a part of her happiness; that she was never overlaid with two great wars at once.
Hereby it came to pass, that having at first increased her strength, by the accession of the Sabines; having won the state of Alba—against which she adventured her own self, as it were in a wager, upon the heads of three champions; and having thereby made herself Princess of Latium; she did afterwards, by long war, in many ages, extend her dominion over all Italy. The Carthaginians had well near oppressed her: but her soldiers were mercenary; so that for want of proper strength, they were easily beaten at their own doors. The Ætolians—and with them, all or the most of Greece—assisted her against PHILIP the Macedonian. He, being beaten, did lend her his help to beat the same AEtolians. The wars against ANTIOCHUS and other Asiatics
