Book VII Reflection

The Roman army in this Book, unlike others, never loses their enthusiasm. Maybe because they sense an end to the war, and are eager to have it go in their favor. Even without grain, and while their rebuilding the bridge, they never lost hope or drive. This is, however, the first time they get in trouble for being disobedient (even if it was a small occurrence). They still fight with bravery and even when outnumbered this time, they fight to win and do not flee. They struggle without Caesar at the times when he leaves them, but they are strong and certainly something to be admired by all of the other armies.
Although he has to leave on political business many times in this Book, Caesar still leads with the same courage, skill and wisdom that he had in the past. It only just occurred to me that he leaves other people in charge a lot for him, but that makes sense, because if he tried to control everything, he'd fail. Still, his trust in others is what causes his death in the end. In my opinion, one of the most admirable things about the leader is that he doesn't like to be rash, and he thinks about every decision (or at least that the way he makes himself out to be. In this Book, Caesar uses a few new tactics in the war. First, he offers prizes to those in the army that perform well, and he also sets up some of his men to be captured and lie, which is unlike him, but reminds me of the Trojan horse scene in the Aeneid. He always seems to have a plan and be two steps ahead, and that's what makes him so successful.
I think there are a couple speeches that could be noted in this Book. The Vercingetorix says a few words to rally the troops, and lie to allies to make them side with him. Litaviccus also gives a small speech to his people, instructing them on what to do. Critognatus gives a speech on 187, and I though Caesar gave one, but I can't find them, and forgot to write them down while I was reading. Generally, the leaders make speeches, and they are usually to gain some type of power, or to persuade people of something (at least that seems to be the common theme in this text). The also generally work in what they were meant to be for, and persuade people/gain the power that was intended through the speech itself.