vero Scaurus, lumen ac decus patriae, cum apud Athesim flumen impetu Cimbrorum Romani equites pulsi deserto <consule> Catulo urbem pavidi repeterent, consternationis eorum participi filio suo misit qui diceret libentius se in acie eius interfecti ossibus occursurum quam ipsum tam deformis fugae reum visurum: itaque, si quid modo reliquum in pectore verecundiae superesset, conspectum degenerati patris vitaturum: recordatione enim iuventae suae qualis M. Scauro aut habendus aut spernendus filius esset admonebatur.
A body of Roman horsemen who were routed by a Cimbrian attack at the river Athesis fled in terror to Rome, deserting Consul Catulus. One of them, participating in their panic, was the son of M. Scaurus, the light and ornament of his country, who sent him the following message: he would rather come upon the bones of his son killed in action than see him in person guilty of so disgraceful a flight; therefore, if he had any remnant of shame left in his heart, he would avoid the sight of the father from whom he had degenerated. For he was admonished by the recollection of his own youth what sort of a son M. Scaurus should have or should spurn.
final_alignments\Valerius_Memorable_Book5.json