[Linenotes: 1. +alba+ = a _dull_ white as opp. to +ater+ = _dull_ black. Cf. +candidus+ = _shining_ white as opp. to +niger+ = _shining_ black. 3. +instinctam+ = _fired_, _animated_. 15. +interminatus+ = _he forbade with threats_. +inter + minor+, freq. in Plautus and Terence. 23-25. ‘Sertorius did not disdain to turn to account the superstition of the ruder Spanish tribes, and to have his plans of war brought to him as commands of Diana by the white fawn of the goddess.’ --M.]
+Character of Sertorius.+ ‘He was the only democratic (Marian) officer who knew how to prepare and to conduct war, and the only democratic statesman who opposed the furious doings of his party with statesmanlike energy. His Spanish soldiers called him the new Hannibal, and not merely because he had, like that hero, lost an eye in war. He in reality reminds us of the great Phoenician by his equally cunning and courageous strategy, and by the quickness of his ingenuity in turning to good account his victories and averting the consequences of his defeats.’ --M.
Sertorius, exsul et profugus feralis illius tabulae, vir summae quidem sed calamitosae virtutis, malis suis maria terrasque permiscuit; et iam Africae, iam Balearibus insulis fortunam expertus usque in Oceanum Fortunatasque insulas penetravit consiliis, { 5} tandem Hispaniam armavit. Viro cum viris facile convenit. Nec alias magis apparuit Hispani militis vigor quam Romano duce. Quamquam ille non contentus Hispania ad Mithridatem quoque Ponticosque respexit regemque classe iuvit. Et quid futurum { 10} fuit satis tanto hosti, cui uno imperatore resistere res Romana non potuit? Additus Metello Gnaeus Pompeius. Hi copias attrivere viri prope tota Hispania persecuti. Diu et ancipiti semper acie pugnatum est; nec tamen prius bello quam suorum scelere { 15} et insidiis extinctus est.
[Linenotes: 1. +feralis illius tabulae+ = _from that fatal list_, i.e. Sulla’s list of proscribed Marians 82 B.C. 9-10. +ad Mithridatem ... iuvit.+ In 75 B.C. he concluded a formal treaty of alliance with Mithridates, and sent him the propraetor M. Marius to lead his troops. Cf. alliance between Hannibal and Philip. 14-15. +Diu et ancipiti semper acie pugnatum est+, e.g. the defeat of Pompey near Lauro. (For a graphic account of the strategy by which the battle was won see Frontinus, _Strat._ ii. 5.)]