Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/36

CHAP. I.
----potic prince; and it became necessary to supply that defect by other motives of a different, but not less forcible nature, honour and religion. The peasant or mechanic imbibed the useful prejudice, that he was advanced to the more dignified profession of arms, in which his rank and reputation would depend on his own valour; and that, although the prowess of a private soldier must often escape the notice of fame, his own behaviour might sometimes confer glory or disgrace on the company, the legion, or even the army to whose honours he was associated. On his first en trance into the service, an oath was administered to him, with every circumstance of solemnity. He promised never to desert his standard, to submit his own will to the commands of his leaders, and to sacrifice his life for the safety of the emperor and the empire^[1]. The attachment of the Roman troops to their standards was inspired by the united influence of religion and of honour. The golden eagle, which glittered in the front of the legion, was the object of their fondest devotion ; nor was it esteemed less impious than it was ignominious, to abandon that sacred ensign in the hour of danger^[2]. These motives, which derived their strength from the imagination, were enforced by fears and hopes of a more substantial kind. Regular pay, occasional donatives, and a stated recompense after the appointed term of service, alleviated the hardships of the military life^[3]; whilst, on the other hand, it was impossible for cowardice or disobedience to escape the

1. The oath of service and fidelity to the emperor was annually renewed by the troops on the first of January.
2. Tacitus calls the Roman eagles, " bellorum deos." They were placed in a chapel in the camp, and with the other deities received the religious worship of the troops.
3. See Gronovius de Pecunia vetere, 1. iii. p. 120, etc. The emperor Domitian raised the annual stipend of the legionaries to twelve pieces of gold, which in his time was equivalent to about ten of our guineas. This pay, somewhat higher than our own, had been, and was afterwards gradually increased, according to the progress of wealth and military government. After twenty years' service, the veteran received three thousand denarii, (about one hundred pounds sterling,) or a proportionable allowance of land. The pay and advantages of the guards were, in general, about double those of the legions.