Res Gestae

And also even in the case of Pompey, some malevolent critics, who after much search found nothing for which he could be blamed, noted these two laughable and silly facts: that in a certain characteristic way he used to scratch his head with one finger, and that for some time, to cover up an ugly ulcer, he wore a white bandage tied around his leg; the one of these things he did, they affirmed, because he was dissipated, the other because he planned a revolution, snarling at him with the somewhat pointless reason, that it mattered not what part of his body he bound with the emblem of kingly majesty[*](The white fillet, to which the bandage was likened, was emblematic of royalty; see Suet., Jul. 79, 1.) —and this to a man than whom, as the clearest of proofs show; none was more valiant or circumspect with regard to his country.

While these things were thus happening, at Rome Artemius, who held the office of vice-prefect,

As Augustus meanwhile was taking his winter rest at Sirmium, frequent serious reports showed that the Sarmatians and the Quadi, who were in agreement because they were neighbours and had like customs and armour, had united and were raiding the Pannonias[*](That is, First and Second (Lower) Pannonia; the province was divided by Galerius.) and Second Moesia in detached bands.

These people, better fitted for brigandage than for open warfare, have very long spears and cuirasses made from smooth and polished pieces of horn, fastened like scales to linen shirts;[*](Pausanias, i. 21, 6, says that the Sarmatians made such armour from horses’ hoofs, having no iron, and that in the temple of Aesculapius at Athens, he saw a specimen, in which pieces of horn looked like clefts on a pine-cone.) most of their horses are made serviceable by gelding, in order that they may not at sight of mares become excited and run away, or when in ambush become unruly and betray their riders by loud neighing.

And they run over very great distances, pursuing others or themselves turning their backs,