For be it remembered, that in the
primitive ages of Rome, concerning which it is that we are now speaking,
entire legions--privates and officers--were transferred in one body to the
new colony. "Antiquitus," says the learned Goesius, "deducebantur integral
legiones, quibus parta victoria." Neither was there much waiting for this
honorary gift. In later ages, it is true, when such resources were less
plentiful, and when regular pay was given to the soldiery, it was the
veteran only who obtained this splendid provision; but in the earlier
times, a single fortunate campaign not seldom dismissed the young recruit
to a life of ease and honor. "Multis legionibus," says Hyginus, "contigit
bellum feliciter transigere, et ad laboriosam agriculturae requiem _primo
tyrocinii gradu_ pervenire. Nam cum signis et aquila et primis ordinibus
et tribunis deducebantur." Tacitus also notices this organization of the
early colonies, and adds the reason of it, and its happy effect, when
contrasting it with the vicious arrangements of the colonizing system in
his own days. "Olim," says he, "universae legiones deducebantur cum
tribunis et centurionibus, et sui cujusque ordinis militibus, _ut consensu
et charitate rempublicam efficerent_.
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