He began to speak somewhat as follows. He said he wondered what grievance or what expectations had induced them to make this revolt.
For there were three reasons which make men venture to revolt against their country and their officers. Either they find fault and are displeased with those in command, or they are dissatisfied with their actual situation, or indeed they entertain hopes of some improvement in their fortunes.
"Which of these, I ask you," he said, "existed in your case? Evidently you were displeased with me because I did not pay what was due to you.
But that was no fault of mine, for since I myself have been in command, you have been always paid in full.
But if you have a grievance against <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rome&groupId=935&placeId=1669">Rome</a> because your old arrears were not made good, was it the proper method of complaint to revolt against your country and take up arms against her who nourished you? Should you not rather have come and spoken to me about the matter, and begged your friends to take up your cause and help you? Yes, that, I think, would have been far better.
Mercenary troops may indeed sometimes be pardoned for revolting against their employers, but no pardon can be extended to those who are fighting for themselves and their wives and children.
For that is just as if a man who said he had been wronged by his own father in money matters
were to take up arms to kill him who was the author of his life. Great Heavens! can you say that I imposed more hardship and danger on you than on others but bestowed on others a larger share of profit and booty?
Neither will you dare to say so, nor could you prove it if you did.
What is it then with which you are so dissatisfied at present as to revolt against me? I should very much like to know; for my opinion is that there is not one of you who will be able to tell me any grievance or think of any.
Walbank Commentary