Si Vis Pacem, Para Vinum © Andrei Martyanov's Blog
... wrote a superb summary.
This scene comes near the beginning of the movie Gladiator (here but please read this article first). Hordes of German tribesmen pour out of the forest to fight against phalanxes of Roman legionaries, backed up by immense, flame-tossing battle engines. Observing the setup, senior commander Quintus is perplexed. He can’t believe that the barbaric opponents foolishly wish to fight against mighty Rome. And he voices his opinion to the boss.
Byron references a masterpiece of Gladiator--one of my most beloved films of all time. It applies. Read the whole piece...