Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, John C. Rolfe (Translator), 24.1.3

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[3] Then in order to fill the enemy (if they should burst out anywhere), even when they saw him from afar, with fear of a greater force than he had, by a loose order he so extended the ranks of horses and men, that the hindermost were nearly ten miles distant from the standard-bearers in the van. This is the wonderful device that Pyrrhus, the famous king of Epirus, is said often to have used; for he was most skilful in choosing suitable places for his camp,¹ and able to disguise the look of his forces so that the enemy might think them greater or fewer as it suited him.

Res Gestae. Ammianus Marcellinus. John C. Rolfe (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1935-1940.

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Current edition Perseus

History (English) (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).)

Editions (1)

Res Gestae Perseus (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., editor. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).) — 24.1.3 focus

[3] Deinde ut hostibus (si erupissent usquam) vel conspicantibus procul timorem multitudinis maioris incuteret, laxatis cuneis iumenta dilatavit et homines, ut decimo paene lapide postremi dispararentur a signiferis primis, quod arte mira saepe fecisse, Pyrrhus ille rex dicitur Epirotes, opportunis in locis castra metandi, armorumque speciem diffundendi ex industria vel attenuandi perquam scientissimus, ut ubi convenisset¹ plures aestimarentur aut pauci.

Notes on the current edition

History

1. Cf. Livy, xxxv. 14, 9; Frontinus, Strat. iv. 1, 14. Plutarch, Pyrrhus, viii. 2, says that he wrote a book on the art of war.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 24.1.3

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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