They attended him as his ornament in peace, as his defence in war, as his council in the administration of justice.

Their constant emulation in military renown dissolved not that inviolable friendship which they professed to their chieftain and to each other.

To die for the honor of their band was their chief ambition; to survive its disgrace, or the death of their leader, was infamous.
They even carried into the field their women and children, who adopted all the martial sentiments of the men: and being thus impelled by every human motive, they were invincible; where they were no[**possibly the word is not] opposed, either by the similar manners and institutions of the neighboring Germans, or by the superior discipline, arms, and numbers of the Romans.[*] [* Caesar, lib.

vi.] The leaders and their military companions were maintained by the labor of their slaves, or by that of the weaker and less warlike part of the community whom they defended.

The contributions which they levied went not beyond a bare subsistence; and the honors, acquired by a superior rank, were the only reward of their superior dangers and fatigues.