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receives it, must have the like instrument; other wise, the man who receives the signal could not distinguish whether the signals made are to the right or left of him who makes them, which is an essential circumstance according to the method proposed by Polybius.

The two boards or screens PQ, which are to denote the right and left hand of the man who gives the signals, or to display or hide the fires, according to the circumstance of the observation, ought to be greater or less, and nearer or farther distant from one another, according as the distance between the places where the signals must be given and received is greater or less.

In my description of the preceding machine, all I endeavoured was, to explain the manner how Polybius's idea might be put in execution, in making signals by fire; but I do not pretend to say, that it is of use, for giving signals at a considerable distance; for it is certain, that, how large soever this machine be, signals made by 2, 3, 4, and 5 torches, will not be seen at 5, 6, or more leagues distance, as he supposes. To make them visible at a greater distance, such torches must not be made use of, as can be lifted up and down with the hand, but large wide spreading fires of whole loads of straw or wood; and, consequently, boards or screens of a prodigious size must be employed, to bide or eclipse them,

Telescopes were not known in Polybius's time; they were not discovered or improved till the last century. Those instruments might have made the signals in question visible at a much greater distance than bare tubes could have done: but I still doubt, whether they could be employed to the use mentioned by Polybius, at a greater distance than two or three leagues, However, I am of opinion, that a city besieged might communicate advice to an army sent to succour it, or give notice how long time it could hold out a siege, in order to taking proper measures: and that, on the other side, the

army sent to its aid might communicate its designs to the city besieged, especially by the assistance of telescopes.

SECT. VII. Philopamen gains a famous victory near Mantinea, over Machanidas, tyrant of Sparta. The high regard paid to that general: Nabis succeeds Machanidas. Some instances of his avarice and cruelty. A general peace concluded between Philip and the Romans, in which the allies on both sides are included.

THE Romans, wholly employed in the war with 'Hannibal, which they resolved to terminate, intermeddled very little with that of the Greeks, and did not molest them during the two following years.

In the first, Philopomen was appointed captain general of the Achæans. As soon as he was invested with this employment, which was the highest in the state, he assembled his allies before he took the field, and exhorted them to second his zeal with courage and warmth, and support with honour both their fame and his. He insisted strongly on the care they ought to take, not of the beauty and magnificence of the dress, which became women only, and those too of little merit; but of the neatness and splendour of their arms, an object worthy of men, intent upon their own glory and the good of their country.

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His speech was received with universal applause, insomuch that, at the breaking up of the assembly, all those who were magnificently dressed pointed at; so great an influence have the words of an illustrious person, not only in dissuading men from vice, but in inclining them to virtue; especially when his actions correspond with his words, for then it is scarce possible to resist his exhorta

Polyb. 1. xi. p. 629-631.

A. M. 3798. Ant. J.C.

206.

tions. This was the character of Philopomen. Plain in his dress, and frugal in his diet, he took very little care of his body. In conversation he suffered patiently the ill temper of others, even when they used contemptuous expressions: And, for himself, he was sure rever to give the least offence to any one. It was his study, during his life, to speak nothing but the truth: and, indeed, the slightest expressions of his were heard with respect, and immediately believed. And he was not obliged to employ a great many words to persuade, his conduct being a rule of what every body else ought to do.

The assembly being dismissed, every body returned to their respective cities, in the highest admiration of Philopoemen, whose words as well as actions had charmed them; and fully persuaded, that as long as he should preside in the government, it could not but flourish. He immediately visited the several cities, and gave the necessary orders.in them. He assembled the people in every place, acquainted them with every thing that was necessary to be done, and raised troops. After spending hear eight months in making the various preparations, he took the field.

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Machanidas, tyrant of Lacedæmonia, was watching, at the head of a powerful army, for an opportunity to subject all Peloponnesus. The moment advice was brought of his arrival in the territories of Mantinea, Philopamen prepared to give him battle.

The tyrant of Sparta set out upon his march at daybreak, at the head of the heavy-armed infantry, and posted to the right and left on the same line, but a little more advanced, the light infantry composed of foreigners; and behind them chariots laden with catapultæ*, and darts to sustain them. It appears by the sequel, that before him lay a ditch, that run

Polyb. 1. xi. p. 631-637. Plut. in Philop. p. 391.
* Engines to discharge darts or stones, &c.

along part of the plain, beyond which his troops extended at each end.

At the same time Philopomen marched his army in three bodies out of the city. The first, consisting of Achæan horse, was posted to the right. The second, composed of heavy-armed foot, was in the centre, and advanced to the ditch. The third, composed of Illyrians, cuirassiers, foreigners, lightarmed troops, and some * Tarentine horse, were at the left, with Philopomen at their head.

The time for beginning the battle approaching, and the enemy in view, that general, flying up and down the ranks of the infantry, encouraged his men in few, but very strong expressions. Most of them were even not heard; but he was so dear to his soldiers, and they reposed such confidence in him, that they wanted no exhortations to fight with incredible ardour. In a kind of transport they animated their general, and pressed. him to lead them on to battle. All he endeavoured to make them understand was, that the time was come in which their enemies would be reduced to an ignominious captivity, and themselves restored to a glorious and immortal liberty.

Machanidas marched his infantry in a kind of column, as if he intended to begin the battle by charging the right wing: but when he was advanced to a proper distance, he on a sudden made his infantry wheel about, in order that it might extend to his right, and make a front equal to the left of the Achæans; and, to cover it, he caused all the chariots laden with catapultæ to advance forward. Philopamen plainly saw that his design was to break his infantry, by overwhelming it with darts and stones: however, he did not give him time for it, but caused the Tarentine horse to begin the battle with great vigour, on a spot where they had room enough to engage in. Machanidas was forced to do the

* The Tarentine horsemen had each two horses. Liv. 1. xxxv. n. 28.

same, and to lead on his Tarentines. The first charge was very furious. The light-armed soldiers advancing a little after to sustain them, in a moment the foreign troops were universally engaged on both sides; and, as in this attack they fought man to man, the battle was a long time doubtful. At last, the foreigners in the tyrant's army had the advantage; their numbers and dexterity, acquired by experience, giving them the superiority. The Illyrians and cuirassiers, who sustained the foreign soldiers in Philopomen's army, could not withstand so furious a charge. They were entirely broke, and fled with the utmost precipitation towards the city of Mantinea, about a mile from the field of battle.

Philopomen seemed now lost to all hopes. On this occasion, says Polybius, appeared the truth of a maxim, which cannot reasonably be contested, That the events of war are generally successful or unfortunate, only in proportion to the skill or ignorance of the generals who command in them. Philopomen, so far from desponding at the ill-success of the first charge, or being in confusion, was solely intent upon taking advantage of the errors which the enemy might commit. Accordingly they were guilty of a great one, which indeed is but too frequent on these occasions, and for that reason cannot be too strongly guarded against. Machanidas, after the left wing was routed, instead of improving that advantage, by charging in front that instant with his infantry the centre of that of the enemies, and taking it at the same time in flank with his victorious wing, and thereby terminating the whole affair, suffers himself like a young man, to be hurried away by the fire and impetuosity of his soldiers, and pursues, without order or discipline, those who were flying; as if, after having given way, fear would not have carried them to the gates of the city.

Philopomen, who upon this defeat had retired to his infantry in the centre, takes the first cohorts, commands them to wheel to the left, and at their

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