_Fabius and his Master of the Horse, 217 B.C._
Ita per variam fortunam diei maiore parte exacta cum in castra reditum esset, Minucius convocatis militibus ‘Saepe ego’ inquit ‘audivi, milites, eum primum esse virum, qui ipse consulat, quid in rem sit, secundum eum, qui bene monenti oboediat; qui { 5} nec ipse consulere nec alteri parere sciat, eum extremi ingenii esse. Nobis quoniam prima animi ingeniique negata sors est, secundam ac mediam teneamus et, dum imperare discimus, parere prudenti in animum inducamus. Castra cum Fabio iungamus; ad praetorium { 10} eius signa cum tulerimus, ubi ego eum parentem appellavero, quod beneficio erga nos ac maiestate eius dignum est, vos, milites, eos, quorum vos modo arma ac dexterae texerunt, patronos salutabitis, et, si nihil aliud, gratorum certe nobis { 15} animorum gloriam dies hic dederit.’ Signo dato conclamatur inde, ut colligantur vasa. Profecti et agmine incedentes ad dictatoris castra in admirationem et ipsum et omnes, qui circa erant, converterunt. { 20}
+Context.+ Fabius’ policy of ‘masterly inactivity’ had become so unpopular at Rome that the command of the army was divided between Fabius and Minucius, who risked a battle, and was only saved from a destruction as complete as that of the Trebia by the timely aid of Fabius. +Minucius publicly and fully atones for his rashness.+
[Linenotes: 4. +consulat+ = _can give counsel_--so _consulere_ l. 6. 6-7. +extremi ingenii+ = _has the meanest capacity_. gen. of quality. 7-8. +prima ... sors est+ = _the highest rank in the scale of spirit and intellect_. --Dimsdale. 14. +patronos+ = _as the authors of your freedom_. +Patronus+ = legal title used by a freed slave (_libertus_) of his former master. The soldiers of Minucius are to think of themselves as _liberti_, owing their freedom to those of Fabius, who are thus their +patroni+. 17. +ut colligantur vasa+, i.e. _impedimenta_. Cf. _signa movere_.]
+Fabius Cunctator.+ ‘Fabius had to create a new army, to accustom it to war, and to inspire it with courage. He did this skilfully and persistently, and thus he rendered the most essential service that any general could at that time render to the State. It was probably at this time that the Senate voted him a crown of grass (_corona graminea_), the highest distinction which was awarded to a general who had saved a besieged town.’ --Ihne.