is, of necessity, looked upon by its subjects with contempt.  Nor is it honoured through any sentiment of loyalty, for a tyranny is, in the nature of the case, hated; nor does it lead its subjects by fear, for timidity deprives it of the power to speak out openly.  And when the enemy is handicapped in point of valour and of discipline, their defeat is ready at hand.  With great contempt, therefore, as I said, we should go against this enemy of ours.  For it is not by the numbers of the combatants, but by their orderly array and their bravery, that prowess in war is wont to be measured.”

So spoke Belisarius.  And Stotzas exhorted his troops as follows:  “Men who with me have escaped our servitude to the Romans, let no one of you count it unworthy to die on behalf of the freedom which you have won by your courage and your other qualities.  For it is not so terrible a thing to grow old and die in the midst of ills, as to return again to it after having gained freedom from oppressive conditions.  For the interval which has given one a taste of deliverance makes the misfortune, naturally enough, harder to bear.  And this being so, it is necessary for you to call to mind that after conquering the Vandals and the Moors you yourselves have enjoyed the labours of war, while others have become masters of all the spoils.  And consider that, as soldiers, you will be compelled all your lives to be acquainted with the dangers of war, either in behalf of the emperor’s cause, if, indeed, you are again his slaves, or in behalf of your own selves, if you preserve this present liberty.  And whichever of the two is preferable, this it is in your power to choose, either by becoming faint-hearted at this time, or by preferring to play the part of brave men.  Furthermore, this thought also should come to your minds,—­that if, having taken up arms against the Romans, you come under their power, you will have experience of no moderate or indulgent masters, but you will suffer the extreme of punishment, and, what is more, your death will not have been unmerited.  To whomsoever of you, therefore, death comes in this battle, it is plain that it will be a glorious death; and life, if you conquer the enemy, will be independent and in all other respects happy; but if you are defeated,—­I need mention no other bitterness than this, that all your hope will depend upon the mercy of those men yonder.  And the conflict will not be evenly matched in regard to strength.  For not only are the enemy greatly surpassed by us in numbers, but they will come against us without the least enthusiasm, for I think that they are praying for a share of this our freedom.”  Such was the speech of Stotzas.