Aemilius Paulus tells the young whippersnappers how to general, then slowly peels off his force from the rear to sneakily set up fortifications right in front of the enemy army.

>As soon as [Aemilius](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/The_Triumph_of_Aemilius_Paulus_%28detail%29.jpg) had rejoined Nasica, he advanced in battle array against the enemy; but when he found how they were drawn up, and the number of their forces, he regarded them with admiration and surprise, and halted, considering within himself. The young commanders, eager to fight, riding along by his side, pressed him not to delay, and most of all Nasica, flushed with his late success on Olumpus. To whom Aemilius answered with a smile: “So would I do were I of your age; but many victories have taught me the ways in which men are defeated, and forbid me to engage soldiers weary with a long march against an army drawn up and prepared for battle.” >Then he gave command that the front of his army, and such as were in sight of the enemy, should form as if ready to engage, and those in the rear should cast up the trenches and fortify the camp; so that the hindmost in succession wheeling off by degrees and withdrawing, their whole order was insensibly broken up, and the army encamped without noise or trouble. _______________________ **Source:** Plutarch, John Dryden, and Arthur Hugh Clough. "Aemilius Paulus." *Plutarch's Lives*. New York: Modern Library, 2001. 366-67. Print. _______________________ **Further Reading:** [Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Aemilius_Paullus_Macedonicus)