21.13. 13. Of the Genius of the Romans as to Maritime Affairs.
The Romans laid no stress on anything but their land forces, who were disciplined
to stand firm, to fight on one spot, and there bravely to die. They
could not like the practice of seamen, who first offer to fight, then
fly, then return, constantly avoid danger, often make use of stratagem,
and seldom of force. This was not suitable to the genius of the
Greeks
[109]
much less to that of the Romans.
They destined therefore to the sea only those citizens who were not
considerable enough to have a place in their legions.
[110]
Their marines
were commonly freedmen.
At this time we have neither the same esteem for land forces nor the
same contempt for those of the sea. In the former, art has
decreased;
[111]
in the latter, it has augmented:
[112]
now things are
generally esteemed in proportion to the degree of ability requisite to
discharge them.
Footnotes
[109]
As Plato has observed. "Laws," lib. iv.
[111]
See the "Considerations on the Causes of the Rise and Declension
of the Roman Grandeur."
