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。

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