+Context.+ Fabius’ policy of ‘masterly inactivity’ had become so unpopular at Rome that the command of the army was divided between Fabius and Minucius, who risked a battle, and was only saved from a destruction as complete as that of the Trebia by the timely aid of Fabius. +Minucius publicly and fully atones for his rashness.+ [Linenotes: 4. +consulat+ = _can give counsel_--so _consulere_ l. 6. 6-7. +extremi ingenii+ = _has the meanest capacity_. gen. of quality. 7-8. +prima ... sors est+ = _the highest rank in the scale of spirit and intellect_. --Dimsdale. 14. +patronos+ = _as the authors of your freedom_. +Patronus+ = legal title used by a freed slave (_libertus_) of his former master. The soldiers of Minucius are to think of themselves as _liberti_, owing their freedom to those of Fabius, who are thus their +patroni+. 17. +ut colligantur vasa+, i.e. _impedimenta_. Cf. _signa movere_.] +Fabius Cunctator.+ ‘Fabius had to create a new army, to accustom it to war, and to inspire it with courage. He did this skilfully and persistently, and thus he rendered the most essential service that any general could at that time render to the State. It was probably at this time that the Senate voted him a crown of grass (_corona graminea_), the highest distinction which was awarded to a general who had saved a besieged town.’ --Ihne. C22 SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-202 B.C. CANNAE, 218 B.C. (1) _The Destruction of the Roman Infantry._ Sub equestris finem certaminis coorta est peditum pugna, primo et viribus et animis par, dum constabant ordines Gallis Hispanisque; tandem Romani, diu ac saepe conisi, obliqua fronte acieque densa impulere hostium cuneum nimis tenuem eoque parum {5} validum a cetera prominentem acie. Impulsis deinde ac trepide referentibus pedem institere ac tenore uno per praeceps pavore fugientium agmen in mediam primum aciem illati, postremo nullo resistente ad subsidia Afrorum pervenerunt, qui utrimque reductis {10} alis constiterant media, qua Galli Hispanique steterant, aliquantum prominente acie. Qui cuneus ut pulsus aequavit frontem primum, dein cedendo etiam sinum in medio dedit, Afri circa iam cornua fecerant irruentibusque incaute in medium Romanis circumdedere {15} alas; mox cornua extendendo clausere et ab tergo hostis. Hinc Romani, defuncti nequiquam proelio uno, omissis Gallis Hispanisque, quorum terga ceciderant, adversus Afros integram pugnam ineunt non tantum eo iniquam, quod inclusi adversus {20} circumfusos, sed etiam quod fessi cum recentibus ac vegetis pugnabant. LIVY, xxii. 47.