Note 4 — XVI. War
H. W. (Henry William) Auden translation
The triarii were the veterans who made up the third line behind the principes and hastati. If these first two lines were beaten or in difficulties (laborare), the triarii, who were in a kneeling posture (dextro genu innixi, Liv. 8. 9), stood up (consurgebant, Liv. 8. 10) and continued the fight. Hence this proverb (inde rem ad triarios redisse cum laboratur proverbio increbuit). For the organisation of the legion in general vid. Liv. book 8.