Note 77 — Chapter II · THE MARK.
Reading edition
Caesar appears to have understood this. He says: “Civitatibus maxima laus est, quam latissimas circum se vastatis finibus solitudines habere. Hoc proprium virtutis existimant, expulsos agris finitumos cedere, neque quemquam prope audere consistere: simul hoc se fore tutiores arbitrantur, repentinae incursionis timore sublato.” This is true, but in the case of most settlements the necessity of maintaining extensive pasture-grounds must have made itself felt at a very early period.