THE GENERAL WHO ATE DRY BREAD
“THE war in Africa is ended. The Roman eagles have again won great victories.”
“Ah,” said another Roman to him who had first spoken, “but though the southern foe is beaten, there is a worse foe on the north—beyond the white Alps.”
“Who are they?”
“Men like giants, with blue eyes. There are two nations of them: the Cimbri and the Teutons.”
“Have we a general who is strong enough to meet them?”
“Yes, we can trust the rough-handed and rough-voiced Marius. He is not a gentleman-soldier who loves to dwell in a tent with soft cushions. He shares with his men. When they have dry bread, he eats the same.”
Marius was a man of the people. He lived 155-86 B.C. As a lad he worked in the fields. In the army he acted as a brave fighter, and he rose to be a clever captain, then general. Instead of choosing his warriors from among the landholders, he chose poor men—men who owned nothing—men who were unemployed. He drilled them; he taught them to bear hardships; they would go anywhere and do anything for Marius.
Near the Alps the Romans had fixed their
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