Quote Originally Posted by Madoushi View Post
Ah, but it takes time and money to raise a new army, and as a good Roman, I am also notoriously miserly when not spending wealth to secure elections!
Losing half a Legion may be one thing safe in Italy, with home just a season's march away, but to lose half a Legion in Gaul, where the only thing hairier than the land are its people!

Is it not better to be a coward in victory than a hero in defeat? :)
Cautious strategy is all very well, but Roman consuls are only appointed for a one-year term. So that means the consul needs to win a battle or conquer a territory before the end of the year. Otherwise he gets no glory, and someone else gets appointed consul next year. The political annual cycle and desire for glory created an overwhelming desire for 'immediate victory' in Roman leaders.