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FLAVIUS
VEGETIUS RENATUS BOOK ONE TRADES PROPER FOR NEW LEVIES In choosing recruits regard should be given to their trade. Fishermen, fowlers, confectioners, weavers, and in general all whose professions more properly belong to women should, in my opinion, by no means be admitted into the service. On the contrary, smiths, carpenters, butchers, and huntsmen are the most proper to be taken into it. On the careful choice of soldiers depends the welfare of the Republic, and the very essence of the Roman Empire and its power is so inseparably connected with this charge, that it is of the highest importance not to be entrusted indiscriminately, but only to persons whose fidelity can be relied on. The ancients considered Sertorius' care in this point as one of the most eminent of his military qualifications. The soldiery to whom the defense of the Empire is consigned and in whose hands is the fortune of war, should, if possible, be of reputable families and unexceptionable in their manners. Such sentiments as may be expected in these men will make good soldiers. A sense of honor, by preventing them from behaving ill, will make them victorious. But what good can be expected
from a man by nature a coward, though ever so well disciplined or though he has
served ever so many campaigns? An army raised without proper regard to the choice
of its recruits was never yet made good by length of time; and we are now convinced
by fatal experience that this is the source of all our misfortunes. So many defeats
can only be imputed to the effects of a long peace which has made us negligent
and careless in the choice of our levies and to the inclination so prevalent among
the better sort in preferring the civil posts of the government to the profession
of arms and to the shameful conduct of the superintendents, who, through interest
or connivance, accept many men which those who are obliged to furnish substitutes
for the army choose to send, and admit such men into the service as the masters
themselves would not even keep for servants. Thus it appears that a trust of such
importance should be committed to none but men of merit and integrity.
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