The funny language in the title is Latin, the language of the ancient Roman Empire of Terra. It means "Carthage should be destroyed." Seems this public official called Cato the Censor was of the opinion that a major trade rival was gunning up to destroy Roma, and he felt that his nation-state should strike first. His fellow senators or whatever were tired of hearing him on the subject, so they'd passed a resolution that Cato couldn't introduce any more resolutions on the subject. He was an effective orator, especially important back in those days before statistical analyses, and his party often used him as a spokesman. So there he'd be, making a speech about the budget, or old veteran's farms, or relocating the temple of somebody minor, and he'd bring it all to a thundering finish. Then, just before debate began, Cato would say quietly, "This is my opinion, and it is also my opinion that Carthage should be destroyed." Eventually they did attack Carthage, which is why students of ancient military history are aware that there are only two Punic Wars to study. Captain Benjamin Gaunt of the mercenary unit Lancaster's Rose lectured at the Nagelring last spring. He gave a talk on the role and composition of special forces which is reprinted here for our readers. He ended it with his version of 'Cartago Delenda Est', ie, 'The Clans must be opposed!'. He encouraged resistance movements on conquered planets. We have a sobering analysis of Clan psychology to counter this proposal. We're not saying not to fight the Clans. Please do, early and often, up to the point where you break the truce compact. Not beyond that point, 'cause we just ain't ready yet! Read the analysis to understand why such underground fighting will be met with savage reprisals. To the Clans, resistance fighters are bondsmen going back on their implied bond, traitors. People deciding to join resistance movements should do so only if they know the cost of capture, and are willing to weigh each action against the possible reprisals. Don't do this lightly, and don't do it ineffectually. What use to oppose Carthage if you destroy Roma in the process? Back to BattleTechnology 21 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1994 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com