Octavian and Antony rode through their own ranks shaking hands with those nearest them,urging them even more solemnly to do their duty and not concealing the danger of famine,because they believed that that would be an opportune incitement to bravery.Octavian and Antony roused the spirit of those with whom they came in contact.The emulation of the troops was excited to show themselves worthy of their commanders and also to escape the danger of famine, which had been greatly augmented by the naval disaster in the Adriatic.They preferred, if necessary, to suffer in battle, with the hope of success, rather than be wasted by an irresistible foe.Inspired by these thoughts, which each man exchanged with his neighbor,
the spirit of the two armies was wonderfully raised and both were filled with undaunted courage.They did not now remember that they were fellow-citizens of their enemies,but hurled threats at each other as though they had been enemies by birth and descent,so much did the anger of the moment extinguish reason and nature in them.Both sides divined equally that this day and this battle would decide the fate of Rome completely; and so indeed it did.The day was consumed in preparations till the ninth hour, when two eagles fell upon each other and fought in the space between the armies, amid the profoundest silence. When the one on the side of Brutus took flight his enemies raised a great shout and battle was joined.
The onset was superb and terrible.They had little need of arrows, stones, or javelins, which are customary in war, for they did not resort to the usual manoeuvres and tactics of battles, but, coming to close combat with naked swords, they slew and were slain, seeking to break each other's ranks. On the one side it was a fight for self-preservation rather than victory: on the other for victory and for the satisfaction of the general who had been forced to fight against his will. The slaughter and the groans were terrible. The bodies of the fallen were carried back and others stepped into their places from the reserves. The generals flew hither and thither overlooking everything, exciting the men by their ardour.
敵陣の鮮烈⇒敵陣の戦列