"It is not the luck of the gods that has given the countries of the world into the palms of Rome. It is not the weakness of foreign tribes that leads them to throw themselves onto our swords in battle. It is our strength, greater and deeper than anything they can bring to the field. That is our first tactic. Before out men even reach ther battle, they will be unbreakable in strength and their morale. More, they will have a discipline that armies of the world can blood themselves against without effect."

"Each man will know that his brothers at his side will have to be killed to leave him. That makes him stronger than the most heroic charge, or the vain screams of savage tribes. We walk to battle. We stand and they die."

Excerpt from Emperor, by Conn Iggulden.