§5.16.1Toto hoc in genere pugnae, cum sub oculis omnium ac pro castris dimicaretur, intellectum est nostros propter gravitatem armorum, quod neque insequi cedentes possent neque ab signis discedere auderent, minus aptos esse ad huius generis hostem, §5.16.2equites autem magno cum periculo proelio dimicare, propterea quod illi etiam consulto plerumque cederent et, cum paulum ab legionibus nostros removissent, ex essedis desilirent et pedibus dispari proelio contenderent.
Toto hoc in genere pugnae, cum sub oculis omnium ac pro castris dimicaretur, intellectum est nostros propter gravitatem armorum, quod neque insequi cedentes possent neque ab signis discedere auderent, minus aptos esse ad huius generis hostem, In this entire class of fighting, since the battle was waged before the eyes of all and in front of the camp, it was understood that our men, on account of the weight of their armor, because they could neither pursue those who retreated nor dared to abandon their standards, were poorly suited to an enemy of this kind; equites autem magno cum periculo proelio dimicare, propterea quod illi etiam consulto plerumque cederent et, cum paulum ab legionibus nostros removissent, ex essedis desilirent et pedibus dispari proelio contenderent. and that the cavalry, moreover, fought with great danger, because the enemy would generally retreat even on purpose, and, when they had drawn our men a little away from the legions, would leap down from their chariots and contend on foot in an unequal conflict.
§5.16.3Equestris autem proeli ratio et cedentibus et insequentibus par atque idem periculum inferebat.
Moreover, the nature of the cavalry conflict brought an equal and indeed the same danger to both those who retreated and those who pursued. Furthermore, the system of cavalry conflict brought an equal and indeed the same danger to both those who retreated and those who pursued.
§5.16.4Accedebat huc ut numquam conferti sed rari magnisque intervallis proeliarentur stationesque dispositas haberent, atque alios alii deinceps exciperent, integrique et recentes defetigatis succederent.
To this was added the fact that they never fought in close array, but scattered and at wide intervals, and had reserve stations posted, so that they relieved one another in turn, and fresh, unwearied men succeeded those who were fatigued. To this was added the fact that they never fought in close array, but scattered and at wide intervals, and had reserve stations posted, so that they relieved one another in turn, and fresh, unwearied men succeeded those who were fatigued.