Thepeasant，ormechanic，imbibedtheusefulprejudicethathewasadvancedtothemoredignifiedprofessionofarms，inwhichhisrankandreputationwoulddependonhisownvalor；andthat，althoughtheprowessofaprivatesoldiermustoftenescapethenoticeoffame，hisownbehaviormightsometimesconfergloryordisgraceonthecompany，thelegion，oreventhearmy，towhosehonorshewasassociated。Onhisfirstentranceintotheservice，anoathwasadministeredtohimwitheverycircumstanceofsolemnity。Hepromisednevertodeserthisstandard，tosubmithisownwilltothecommandsofhisleaders，andtosacrificehislifeforthesafetyoftheemperorandtheempire。
^33TheattachmentoftheRomantroopstotheirstandardswasinspiredbytheunitedinfluenceofreligionandofhonor。Thegoldeneagle，whichglitteredinthefrontofthelegion，wastheobjectoftheirfondestdevotion；norwasitesteemedlessimpiousthanitwasignominious，toabandonthatsacredensigninthehourofdanger。^34Thesemotives，whichderivedtheirstrengthfromtheimagination，wereenforcedbyfearsandhopesofamoresubstantialkind。Regularpay，occasionaldonatives，andastatedrecompense，aftertheappointedtimeofservice，alleviatedthehardshipsofthemilitarylife，^35whilst，ontheotherhand，itwasimpossibleforcowardiceordisobediencetoescapetheseverestpunishment。Thecenturionswereauthorizedtochastisewithblows，thegeneralshadarighttopunishwithdeath；anditwasaninflexiblemaximofRomandiscipline，thatagoodsoldiershoulddreadhisofficersfarmorethantheenemy。
FromsuchlaudableartsdidthevaloroftheImperialtroopsreceiveadegreeoffirmnessanddocilityunattainablebytheimpetuousandirregularpassionsofbarbarians。
[Footnote33:TheoathofserviceandfidelitytotheemperorwasannuallyrenewedbythetroopsonthefirstofJanuary。]
[Footnote34:TacituscallstheRomaneagles，BellorumDeos。