BOOK

...but I always exclude those who seek glory for their own people and are satisfied with victory alone. He subdued all the tribes and nations from the borders of Syria to the furthest parts of Libya. At that time, men began to plot against one another and to acquire glory for themselves from human blood. Some were like the Abantes, who possessed a unique skill for fighting at close quarters and clashing hand-to-hand with their enemies beyond all others. The Abantes were an ancient Greek people from the island of Euboea. They were famous for shaving the fronts of their heads so enemies could not grab their hair in close combat. For as Antiloquus relates:

They do not stretch frequent bows, nor do the lashes of the sling speed forth, and fierce Mars does not bring cruel slaughter on the plain; but the matter is conducted at close range with the stiff sword. In this kind of fight they are exceedingly skilled to contend: the fierce race of men from Euboea, proud in war. original: "Nam ut Antiloquus refert: nec crebros tendunt arcus nec uerbera fundæ expediunt sæuasque ferox Mars æquore cædes infert: Sed rigido geritur res cominus ense: Hac illi apprime pugna certare periti: Euboiæ genus acre uirum belloque superbum." This verse emphasizes the preference for swords over long-range weapons like bows or slings.

Others were like the Cretans, whose homeland first became famous for its oars and arrows. Others were like the Chalybes, the fiercest of all warriors, through whom iron was first dug out of the earth and mastered. Or, as Hesiod prefers, this credit goes to those in Crete called the Idaean Dactyls. The Chalybes were a legendary tribe of metalworkers in northern Asia Minor. The Idaean Dactyls were mythical beings credited with inventing metallurgy and the smelting of iron. Some will give part of this glory to the Africans and the Thessalians, claiming that the Centaurs, who lived near Mount Pelion, were the first to teach men how to enter battle on horseback and how to perform agile maneuvers. original: "lasciuasque uertigines implicare." This refers to complex equestrian maneuvers or turning circles used in ancient cavalry tactics.

There are also those who are remembered to have first fought against the Egyptians with clubs, which they call phalanges. The term phalanges usually refers to a specific infantry formation, but here the author cites a tradition where it referred to wooden clubs or staves. There will also be those who champion the Dacians, Medes, or Thracians. It is certain that these peoples were always so warlike that legends claim Mars himself was born among them. Mars was the Roman god of war. Thrace was often cited in antiquity as his mythical birthplace because of the perceived ferocity of its people.

The Gauls, indeed, by a certain right of their own, will reclaim this prize from those we have just mentioned. They will contend it is entirely theirs, since according to the teachings of the Druids, they all proclaim themselves to be born from Father Dis, to whom all earthly power and nature is dedicated. Father Dis was a Roman name for the god of the underworld. Julius Caesar noted in his commentaries that the Gauls claimed descent from him. They do not allow their children to approach them openly until they have grown up and are able to sustain the duty of military service.

Others will attribute this honor to the Athenians, because their city—than which Greece had nothing more famous—was founded by Minerva, the leader and inventor of war and arms. She is the goddess called Athena in Greek. As one who was both warlike and wise, she judged that a region should be chosen which would produce men similar to herself.

Finally, very many will concede the honor to the Spartans. To set others aside, the examples of Maharbal, that most excellent leader, and Xanthippus show how much their discipline contributed to military success. Xanthippus was a Spartan mercenary general who helped Carthage defeat the Romans during the First Punic War. By the work and skill of this mercenary leader, thirty thousand Romans were slain. Their leader, Regulus, was thrown into chains along with five hundred cavalry. Hannibal also, in the Second Punic War, after he opened the path through the Alps and crossed into Italy, made use of a Lacedaemonian as a leader: a soldier always equipped, sharp, and ready for war... The text ends mid-sentence. "Lacedaemonian" is another name for a Spartan. The author is likely referring to the Spartan advisors or tactical systems Hannibal utilized.