de bello gallico, 5.48

Caesar, his plan having been approved, although having been disappointed in his idea of three legions he had returned to two, yet placed his one aid for the common safety in speed. He comes into the territory of the Nervii by long marches. There he learns from captives what things are being born in the camp of Cicero, and in how much danger the situation is. Then with great rewards he induces a certain man from the Gallic cavalry to carry a letter to Cicero. This he sends written in Greek letters, lest, with the letter having been intercepted, our plans should be learned by the enemy. He warns him, if he should be unable to enter, to throw his spear with the letter fastened to the thong, within the fortifications of the camp. He writes in the letter that, having set out with his legions, he will quickly be there: he urges (him) to uphold his former valor. The Gaul, having feared danger, threw his spear as he had been ordered. This, by chance, stuck to a tower and, not having been noticed by our men for two days, was seen by a certain soldier on the third day, having been taken down, it was carried to Cicero. That man, it having been read (by him), read it aloud in an assembly of the soldiers, and the greatest joy moves all. Then the smoke of the fires was seen in the distance, a circumstance which banished all doubt of the arrival of the legions.

de bello gallico, 5.47

Having been made sure of the arrival of Crassus by the scouts at about the third hour, on this day he advances twenty miles. He put Crassus in charge of Samarobriva and assigns a legion, because he was leaving there the baggage of the army, the hostages of the states, the public documents, and all the corn which he had conveyed thither for the sake of enduring the winter. Fabius, as he had been commanded, having delayed not so much, meets him on the march with his legion. Labienus—with the death of Sabinus and the slaughter of the cohorts having been recognized, when all the forces of the Treveri had come against him, having feared lest, if he had made a departure from his winter-quarters, similar to a flight, he would not be able to sustain the attack of the enemy, especially whom he knew to be elated by their recent victory—sends back a letter to Caesar: with how much danger he would have lead out his legion from winter quarters; he reports situation having occurred among the Eburones; he informs (him) that all the cavalry and infantry troops of the Treveri had encamped three miles distant from his own camp.

de bello gallico, 5.46

Caesar, the letters having been received about the eleventh hour of the day, immediately sends a messenger among the Bellovaci, to Marcus Crassus, quaestor there, whose winter-quarters were twenty-five miles distant from him; he orders the legion to set out in the middle of the night and come to him quickly. Crassus set out with the messenger. He sends another to Gaius Fabius, the lieutenant, to lead his legion into the territories of the Atrebates, to which he knew his march must be made. He writes to Labienus to come with his legion to the territory of the Nervii, if he could act for the advantage of the republic. He does not think that the remaining portion of the army, because it was somewhat farther distant, should be waited for; he gathers about 400 horsemen from the nearest winter-quarters.

de bello gallico, 5.45

By as much as the attack was daily more serious and bitter, and especially because, with a great number of the soldiers having been exhausted by their wounds, the matter had come to a scarcity of defenders, by so much were more frequent letters and messengers sent to Caesar; a part of which, having been captured, were killed with torture in the sight of our soldiers. There was within our camp one Nervian, by name Vertico, born in a distinguished position, who from the beginning of the blockade had deserted to Cicero, and had exhibited his fidelity to him. This man persuades his slave, by the hope of freedom and great rewards, to carry a letter to Caesar. That man carries these out tied onto his javelin, and, a Gaul having moved about among the Gauls without any suspicion, he reached Caesar. From him it is learned about the dangers of Cicero and the legion.

de bello gallico, 5.44

In that legion there were very brave men, centurions, who were approaching the first ranks, T. Pullo, and L. Vorenus. These used to have everlasting disputes between them (over) who should be preferred, and in every year they used to contend for promotion with the greatest rivalries. From these, when it was being fought most bitterly at the fortifications, Pullo says, "Why do you hesitate, Vorenus? or for what spot for praise of your virtue do you look? This day will decide our disputes." When he had uttered these words, he proceeded beyond the fortifications, and rushed on what part of the enemy appeared the most crowded. Vorenus did not even contain himself to the rampart, but, having respected the opinion of all, followed close after. Then, with an inconsiderable space left, Pullo throws his javelin among the enemy, and pierces one of the multitude running up; with which man having been wounded and slain, the enemy cover him with their shields, and everybody throws their weapons at the enemy and give no opportunity of retreating. The shield of Pullo is pierced and a javelin is fastened in his belt. This circumstance turns aside his scabbard and obstructs the right hand of the one attempting to draw his sword, and the enemy surround him (now) hindered. His rival, Vorenus, runs up to that man and succors him struggling. Immediately the whole crowd turns itself from Pullo to this man; they judge that man killed by the javelin. Vorenus with his sword manages the combat hand to hand, and, with one man having been slain, drove back the rest a little: while he urges on eagerly, having slipped into a lower spot, he fell. To this man surrounded in turn, Pullo brings aid, and, with very many having been slain, both safely take themselves back within the fortifications with the highest praise. Fortune thus turned each in contention and strife so that the one rival was an aid and a salvation to the other, nor could it be determined which of the two seemed to be carried by his virtue before the other.

de bello gallico, 5.43

On the seventh day of the attack, with a very great wind having sprung up, they began to throw balls of hot molded clay with slings and heated javelins upon the huts, which, by the Gallic custom, had been covered with thatch. These quickly took fire, and, by the greatness of the wind, spread into every part of the camp. The enemy with a very loud shout, as if victory were already obtained and assured, began to drive their towers and movable sheds and to climb the rampart with ladders. But so great was the courage of our soldiers and such was their presence of mind that, although they were scorched by flame on all sides, and were pressed by the greatest multitude of weapons, and were aware that all their baggage and all their wealth were burning, not only did no one leave the rampart for the sake of withdrawing, but nearly did not any one even look behind, and then they all fought most fiercely and most bravely. This day was by far most serious for our men, but yet it had this outcome that on that day the largest number of the enemy was wounded and slain, as they had crowded under the rampart itself, and the last men were not giving the first a retreat. The flame indeed having abated a little and in a certain place with a tower having been driven up and touching the rampart, the centurions of the third cohort retired from this place in which they were standing and drew back all their men; they began to call the enemy by gesture and by words to enter if they should wish; of whom none dared to advance. Then, with stones having been cast from every direction, they were dislodged and their tower was set on fire.

de bello gallico, 5.42

Rebuffed from this hope, the Nervii surround the winter quarters with a rampart of eleven feet and a ditch of thirteen feet. These also they had learned from our men in the experience of former years, and they were instructed by these whom they had as captive secretly from the army: but, as there was no supply of iron tools which were suitable for this use, they were seen to cut the turf with swords and to empty out the earth with their hands and cloaks. From which circumstance indeed, the multitude could be inferred; for in less than three hours they completed a fortification of fifteen miles in circumference: and, during the rest of the days, they began to prepare and make towers to the height of the rampart, grappling irons, and movable sheds, which the same prisoners had taught them.

de bello gallico, 5.41

Then the leaders and chiefs of the Nervii, who had any access for conversation and reason for friendship with Cicero, say that they want to confer with him. With a chance having been created, they mention the same things which Ambiorix had delivered to Titurius: that all Gaul was in arms, that the Germans had crossed the Rhine, that the winter-quarters of Caesar and of the rest were being attacked. They add also about the death of Sabinus. They point out Ambiorix for the purpose of making trust. They say that they are mistaken if they hope for any defence (part. gen.) from those who lack confidence in their own affairs; but they are of this mind toward Cicero and the Roman people that they deny them nothing except winter-quarters and do not wish that this custom become habitual; through them it is permitted for those, safe, to depart from their winter-quarters and to set out without fear into whatever parts they wish. To these Cicero replies just one: that it is not the custom of the Roman people to accept a condition from an armed enemy: if they wish to lay down their arms, they may use him as their supporter and send ambassadors to Caesar: he hoped, from his [Caesar's] justice, that they would obtain the things which they would request.

de bello gallico, 5.40

Letters are immediately sent to Caesar by Cicero, with a great rewards offered if they would have carried them through. With all the roads having been beset, those sent are intercepted. During the night out of the material which they had collected for the sake of fortification a full 120 towers are raised with incredible speed: the things which seemed necessary for the work are completed. The following day the enemy, with greater forces by far having been collected, attack the camp; they fill up the ditch. It is resisted by our men in the same manner by which the day before; this same thing happens thereafter/successively during the remaining days. No part of the night time is omitted for the work: not even to the sick or wounded is chance given for rest: whatever things are necessary for the assault of the next day are provided during the night: many stakes burned at the end and a large number of mural pikes are prepared: towers are covered with boards, battlements and parapets are formed with wickerwork. Cicero himself, although he was of very weak health, did not leave himself the night time for repose, so that he was forced to spare himself by the spontaneous running and voices of the soldiers.

de bello gallico, 5.39

And so with messengers immediately having been sent out to the Centrones, the Grudii, the Levaci, the Pleumoxii, and the Geidumni, who all are under their command, they gather as large bodies as they can, and dash unexpectedly to the winter-quarters of Cicero, the report of the death of Titurius not yet having been announced to him. It also occurred to him, which was necessary, that some (lit. not no) soldiers who had gone off into the woods for the sake of procuring timber and defensive material, were intercepted by the sudden arrival of the cavalry. With these having been surrounded by a great band, the Eburones, the Nervii, and the Aduatici and allies of all these and their dependents began to attack the legion. Our men quickly rally to arms; they mount the rampart. This day is scarcely endured, because the enemy placed all hope in speed, and, having gained this victory, they felt assured that they would be conquerors in perpetuity.

de bello gallico, 5.38

Elated by this victory, Ambiorix immediately advances with his cavalry among the Aduatuci, who were neighbors to his kingdom; he stops neither through the day nor through the night, and orders the infantry to follow him closely. With the matter having been explained and the Aduatuci roused, the next day he arrived among the Nervii and he urged that they not throw away the opportunity of liberating themselves in perpetuity and of punishing the Romans for those wrongs which they have received; he points out that two lieutenants have been killed and that a large part of the army has perished; it is nothing of a trouble that the legion which was wintering with Cicero, having been suddenly attacked, be destroyed; he declares that he is a supporter for this matter. He easily persuades the Nervii by this speech.

de bello gallico, 5.37

Sabinus orders which tribunes of the soldiers he had at hand around him and the centurions of the first ranks to follow him, and, when he had more closely approached Ambiorix, having been ordered to throw down his arms, he follows the order and commands his men to do the same. Meanwhile, while they work among themselves about the terms, and a longer debate is deliberately set up by Ambiorix, having been surrounded little by little, he is slain. Then indeed, by their custom, they shout out "Victory," and raise a howling and, an attack having been made on our men, break their ranks. There Lucius Cotta, fighting, is slain, together with the greatest part of the soldiers. The rest take themselves back into the camp from which they had marched forth. Of these, Lucius Petrosidius, the standard bearer, when he was overpowered by the great multitude of the enemy, threw the eagle within the entrenchments; he himself is slain while fighting most bravely before the camp. Those men scarcely sustain the attack until night: during the night, with safety having been given up as hopeless, they all to a man kill themselves. A few, having slipped from the battle, by uncertain routes through the woods make their way to Titus Labienus at his winter-quarters and make him more certain (=tell him) of these happenings.

de bello gallico, 5.36

Having been disturbed by these things, QuintusTiturius, when he had seen from a distance Ambiorix encouraging his own men, sent his interpreter Gnaeius Pompeius to him to ask that he spare him and his soldiers. That man having been called upon responded: if he should wish to speak with him, it would be permitted; he can hope to be granted by the multitude that which pertains to the safety of his soldiers; indeed nothing would be harmful for himself, and upon this matter Ambiorix pledges (lit. alleges) his faith. That man communicates with the wounded Cotta, if it should seem, that they should leave the fight and speak together with Ambiorix: he can hope to granted by him concerning his safety and that of his soldiers. Cotta said that he would not go to an armed enemy and in this he persevered.

de bello gallico, 5.35

With which command having been observed most diligently by them, when any cohort had left from the circle and had made an attack, the enemies were retreating most swiftly. Meanwhile it was necessary that this part be uncovered and javelins be received on their open side. When they began to return again into this spot whence they had left, they were being surrounded both by these men who had yielded and by these men who had stood nearby. If however they wanted to hold this spot, neither was a place left for virtue, nor were the packed men able to avoid weapons thrown by such a multitude. However, afflicted by so many setbacks, with many wounds having been received, they kept resisting and, with the greater part of the day having been consumed, when it was fought from first light until the eighth hour, they were committing nothing which was unworthy to themselves. Then, each femur of Titus Balventius, who in the year before had led the first maniple, a brave man of great authority, was pierced by a spear; Quintus Lucanius of the same order, fighting most bravely, while he was defending his surrounded son, was killed; Lucius Cotta the lieutenant, encouraging all the cohorts and orders, was wounded directly in the face by a slingshot.

de bello gallico, 5.34

But a plan was not lacking for the barbarians. For their leaders ordered (them) to announce in the whole battle line that noone was to leave from their position, theirs was the booty and for them was reserved whatever the Romans had left behind: so then they thought that everything was placed in victory. They were equal for the fighting both in virtue and in number even. Our men, although they were deserted by their leader and by fortune, nevertheless they placed all hope of safety in virtue, and as many times as each cohort charged, on that side a great number of the enemy died. With which matter having been noticed, Ambiorix ordered that it be announced that they should throw their weapons from afar and not approach more closely and yield in which part the Romans made an attack: by the lightness of their weapons and by daily training nothing could be harmful to them: they should again follow them retreating to the standards.

de bello gallico, 5.33

Then at last Titurius, who had seen to nothing before, was fearful and running back and forth and arranging his cohorts, yet these things themselves seemed (to be done) timidly and so that everything failed him; which very often was accustomed to happen to those who were forced to make a plan in distress itself. But Cotta, who had thought that these things could happen on the journey and on account of this reason, had not been a supporter of the journey, in no circumstance was he lacking for the common safety and in calling and urging his soldiers he was fulfilling the duties of a general and in battle (those) of a soldier. When on account of the length of the line they were less easily able to attend to everything through themselves and to see to what had to be done also on the spot, they ordered (them) to announce that they were to leave their baggage and gather in a circle. Which plan, although in a calamity of this sort is not to be chastised, nevertheless it turned out disastrously: for it both lessened hope for our soldiers and made the enemy more eager for battle, because it seemed that it had been done not without the greatest fear and desperation. Besides it happened, which was necessary to happen, that the soldiers universally left from their standards, which things each one of them held dearest he hastened to seek and snatch from the baggage train, all things were filled up with a shout and weeping.

de bello gallico, 5.32

But the enemy, after [postea quam = posteaquam by tmeses] they sensed from the nighttime commotion and wakefulness (lit. pl.) about their departure, with an ambush (pl. noun) set in two parts about two miles away in a suitable and hidden spot in the woods, were awaiting the advance of the Romans and, when the greater part of the line had lowered itself into a great valley, they showed themselves suddenly from each side of this valley and began to press the last men and to keep the first from ascending and to join battle with our men on a most disadvantageous spot.

de bello gallico, 5.31

It is gotten up from the meeting; they seize each of them and they beg (them) not to lead the mater into the greatest danger by their argument and stubbornness: the matter is easy, whether they remain or depart, if only they all think and approve one thing; on the other hand they foresee no safety in dissension. This matter is lead to the middle of the night by the argument. Finally Cotta, very upset, gives hands: the opinion of Sabinus wins. It is announced that at first light they will go. The remaining part of the night is consumed in wakefulness, because each soldier is looking around his stuff, what he would be able to carry with him, and what from the gear of his winter quarters he was forced to leave. Everything is thought through, why it is not to remain without danger and how danger is increased by the weariness of the soldiers and the period of wakefulness. At first light thus they depart from camp as to whom it had been persuaded that the plan had been given not by the enemy but by the most amicable man, Ambiorix, with the longest train and the greatest baggage.

de bello gallico, 5.30

With this discussion having been had into each part, when by Cotta and the first orders it was fiercely resisted, Sabinus said, “Win if you want it so” and he said this with a clearer voice, so that a great part of the soldiers would clearly hear, “I am not this man, who out of you is most greatly terrified by the danger of death: these men will know; if anything more serious happens, they will demand an account from you who, if it should be permitted through you, would endure the common chance of war with the rest, having been joined with the nearest winter quarters the day after tomorrow, not, repulsed and relegated far form the rest, would die either by the sword or by famine.

de bello gallico, 5.29

Against these things Titurius kept on shouting over and over again that they would act too late, when larger bands of the enemy had gathered, with the Germans having been added, or when something of a calamity in the neighboring camps had been received. Brief is the opportunity of planning. Caesar was thought to have gone into Italy; and not otherwise would the Carnutes have formed the plan of killing Tasgetus nor would the Eburones, if that man had been present, have come to the camp with such great contempt for us. He did not see the enemy as his authority but the circumstance: the Rhine was near; the death of Ariovistus and our previous victories were a great grief for the Germans; Gaul was aflame with so many insults having been accepted, having been brought under the power of the Roman populous, with their previous glory of military affairs having been obliterated. Finally, who would persuade himself of this, that without certain cause Ambiorix had stooped to a plan of this sort. His opinion was safe in each direction: if nothing was more difficult they would arrive with no danger at the nearest legion. If all Gaul agreed with the Germans, their one safety was set in speed. What end indeed would the plan of Cotta and those who disagree have, in which if there was not a present danger, but certainly famine was to be feared in a long siege.

de bello gallico, 5.28

Arpineius and Iunius bring back to the legates that which they heard. Those men, disturbed by the sudden matter, although these things were said by an enemy, nevertheless were thinking that they were not to be neglected; they were most thoroughly moved by this matter because it was scarcely to be believed that the lowly and humble state of the Eburones had dared to make war on the Roman people on their own accord. And so they deliver the matter to council and a big controversy arises among them. Lucius Aurunculeius and very many tribunes of the soldiers and centurions of the first orders were thinking that nothing was to be done rashly and it was not to be left from the winter quarters without the order of Caesar; they were pointing out also how great a number of troops of the Germans could be withstood with the winter quarters having been fortified: and this fact was for proof, that most bravely they sustained the first attack of the enemy, with many wounds having been inflicted besides; they were not hard pressed concerning the grain supply; meanwhile aid would come both from the nearest winter camps and from Caesar; finally what was more capricious or shameful than to form a plan about the highest matters with an enemy as an authority?

de bello gallico, 5.27

Gaius Arpineius, a Roman knight, an intimate of Quintus Titurus, is sent to them for the sake of conversing, and Quintus Iunius, a certain man from Spain, who before now had been accustomed to come and go to Ambiorix, at Caesar’s dispatch; in the presence of whom Ambiorix spoke according to this way: he confessed that he owed very much to him on behalf of the benefits of Caesar towards himself, because by his agency he had been freed from a tribute which he had accustomed to pay to the Aduatuci, his neighbors, and because to him both his son and his brother’s son had been turned by Caesar, whom, sent in the number of hostages, the Aduactuci had held among them in servitude and chains; And he had not done this which he had done concerning the attack of the camp either by his own judgment or by his own will, but by the force of the state, and his rule was of this type that the multitude did not have less of a jurisdiction on him, than he himself had on the multitude. This then had been the cause of the war for the state, the fact that he was not able to resist the sudden conspiracy of the Gauls. He was able to prove this easily from his own humility, because he is not so ignorant of things that he is confidant that the Roman populous is able to be conquered by his troops. But it was the common plan of Gaul: that this day had been set for the attacking of all the winter camps of Caesar, lest any legion be able to come as an aid for another legion. Not easily can Gauls deny Gauls, especially when the plan seems begun concerning restoring common liberty. Because he had satisfied them (lit. whom) on behalf of piety, now he had the account of his duty on behalf of the kindnesses of Caesar: he warned, he begged Titurius on behalf of hospitality to make plans for his own safety and the safety of his soldiers. A great, assembled band of Germans had crossed the Rhine: this (band) would be present in two days. It is the plan of themselves, do they want before the neighbors sense it to lead the soldiers, having been led out from winter quarters, either to Cicero or to Labienus of whom one is about fifty miles away from them the other, a little farther. He promised that and confirmed by sworn oath, he would give a safe journey through his territory. Which when he does, and he himself both advises for his state, because it would be relieved from the winter quarters, and he would return thanks to Caesar for his services. With this speech having been made, Ambiorix left.

de bello gallico, 5.26

Around the fifteenth day in which it was come into winter quarters, the start of a sudden tumult and defection was begun by Ambiorix and Catuvolcus; who, although they had met Sabinus and Cotta at the borders of their own kingdom and they had carried grain into the winter quarter, influenced by messages of the Treverus Indutiomarus they roused their own men and, with those who collect firewood having been attacked suddenly by a large band, they came to attack to the camp. When our men quickly had seized arms and had ascended the rampart and with the Spanish cavalry having been sent out from one side they had been superior in a cavalry battle, with the matter having been given up, the enemy lead their own men back from the attack. Then by their custom they shouted that some of our men go should forth to a meeting: they had things which they wanted to say about a joint matter, by which things they hoped to be able to abate the dispute.

de bello gallico, 5.25

There was among Carnutes, born in the highest position, Tasgetius, whose ancestors had obtained the kingship in their state. To this man on account of his virtue and benevolence toward him, because in all wars he had used the agency of this one man, Caesar restored the position of his ancestors. They killed him ruling in this now his third year, with now many from the state and those authorities openly hostile. This matter is related to Caesar. That man, having feared because it was pertaining to many, lest the state defect by the influence of those men, orders Lucius Plancus to set out among the Carnutes with his legion from Belgium and there to winter, by the agency of whom he had learned that Tasgetius had been killed, to send those apprehended men to him. Meanwhile by all the legates and quaestors to whom he had handed over the legions he was made certain that it had been come into winter quarters and the spot had been fortified for winter quarters.

de bello gallico, 5.24

With the ships having been beached and with the assembly of the Gauls of Samarobriva having been completed, because in this year the grain had arrived in Gaul more scantily on account of droughts, (Caesar) was forced to post the army in winter quarters otherwise than in previous years, and to distribute the legions into many states. From which he gave one to Gaius Fabius, the lieutenant, to be lead among the Morini, another to Quintus Cicero (to be lead) among the Nervi, a third to Lucius Roscius to be lead among the Esubii; he ordered the forth to winter among the Remi with Titus Labienius in the territory of the Trevi. Three he placed among the Belgi: and he put Marcus Crassus, the quaestor, and Lucius Munatius Placus and Gaius Trebonius, the lieutenants, in charge of them. He sent one legion, which he had conscripted most closely across the (Po) Padum, and he sent one legion and five cohorts among the Eburones, of whom the greatest part is between the Mosa and the Rhine, who were under the authority of Ambiorix and Catuvolcus. He ordered Quintus Tituruis Sabinus and Lucius Aurunculeius, the lieutenants, to be in charge of these soldiers. Having distributed the legions according to this method, he thought that he would be able to deal with the lack of grain most easily. And yet the winter quarters of all these legions were enclosed within a hundred miles, except this which he had given to Lucius Roscius to be lead into the most peaceful and most quiet region. He himself meanwhile, until he had learned that the legions had been placed and the winter quarters had been fortified, decided to stay behind in Gaul.

de bello gallico, 4.35 and 4.36, sentence 1

Caesar, although he was seeing that the same would be which had happened in previous days, that, if the enemies had been repelled, they would flee danger with speed, nevertheless having obtained around thirty horsemen, whom Commius Atrebas, about whom it was spoken before, had transported with him, he set his legions in battle line in front of the camp. With the battle having been joined, the enemy was not able to bear for a longer time the attack of our soldiers and turned their backs. Which, having followed in such a space as they were able to accomplish by the course and by their strength, they killed very many of them, then with all the buildings having been burned far and wide, they took themselves back into camp.

The same day envoys, having been sent by the enemy, came to Caesar about peace.

de bello gallico, 4.34

With our men having been upset by which things because of the newness of the battle at the most opportune moment Caesar brought help: and indeed at his arrival the enemy stopped, our men recover themselves from fear. With which thing having happened, having thought that the time was unfavorable for provoking and joining battle, he kept himself in his own location and, with a brief time having elapsed, he lead his legions back into camp. While these things were being done, with all our men having been occupied, the rest who were in the fields left. For several continuous days storms followed which both kept our men in camp and kept the enemy from the fight. Meanwhile the barbarians sent out messengers in all directions and they boasted the paucity of our soldiers to their own men and they showed how much of making booty and the means of their liberation into perpetuity would be given if they had expelled the Romans from there camp. By these things quickly, with a great multitude of infantry and of cavalry having been gathered, they came to camp.

de bello gallico, 4.33

This is the kind of fight from war chariots. First through all parts they ride around and throw darts and by the terror itself of the horses and the noise of the wheels they disturb the lines for the most part and, when they have insinuated themselves among the troups of cavalry, they jump down from their chariots and fight on foot. The drivers, meanwhile, little by little leave from battle and thus gather the chariots so that if those men are pressed by a multitude of the enemy they have an easy retreat to their men. They thus demonstrate the mobility of their cavalry and the stability of their foot soldiers in battle, and by daily use and exercise they bring about so greatly that they have become accustomed to hold the spurred-on horses in a sloping and headlong place and quickly rein in and turn and run quickly along the pole of the chariot and stop on the yoke and thence take themselves back most quickly into their chariots.

de bello gallico, 4.32

While these things were being done, with one legion which was called the seventh out of custom having been sent to get grain, and not with any suspicion of war having been admitted at this time, when part of the men remained in the fields, part also were coming back and forth into camp, these men who were in post in front of the gates of the camp announced to Caesar that greater dust than custom bore was seen in this part into which part the legion had made a journey. Caesar, having suspected this which was, something of a new plan was begun by the barbarians, ordered the cohorts which were in posts to set out with him into this direction, from those left two cohorts to follow into post, the rest to be armed and immediately follow close after him. When he had proceeded farther by a little, he noticed that his men were attacked by the enemy and were scarcely holding up and, with the legion having been tightly packed, weapons were being thrown from all sides. For because, with all the grain having been harvested from the rest of the regions, one part was remaining, the enemy, having suspected that to this place our men would come, hid in the woods at night; then, having suddenly attacked our dispersed men, with weapons having been put aside occupied in harvesting, with a few having been killed they had thrown the rest into confusion with uncertain lines, at the same time they had surrounded with cavalry and war chariots.

de bello gallico, 4.31

But Caesar, although he had not yet learned of their plans, however, both from the fate of his ships and from this fact that they had ceased to give hostages, was suspecting this would be which happened. And so, he was gathering supplies for all emergencies. For both he was bringing together grain from the fields daily into camp and, which ships were most seriously damaged, of these he was using the materials and bronze for the fixing of the rest, and, what things were for use for these things, he ordered be carried from the continent. And so, because it was taken care of by the soldiers with the greatest zeal, with twelve ships having been lost, he made it so that with the rest it could be sailed fairly well.

de bello gallico, 4.30

With these things having been known, the chiefs of Britain, who after the battle had convened to Caesar, having spoken amongst themselves, because they understood that cavalry and ships and grain were lacking for the Romans and they learned the paucity of the soldiers from the smallness of the camp, which were more narrow by this (fact) that Caesar had transported his legions without baggage, they concluded it was the best thing to do, with the rebellion having been made, to prohibit our men from grain and provision and stretch the affair into winter, because, with these men having been conquered or kept from return, they were believing that no one would cross over into Britain afterward for the sake of waging war. And so, with a conspiracy again having been made, they began little by little to depart from camp and led their own men secretly from the fields.

de bello gallico, 4.29

In the same night it happened that the moon was clear, which day accustomed to make the greatest maritime tides in the ocean, and this was unknown to us. Thus at one time both had the tide had filled the war ships by which Caesar had taken care that his army must be transported, and which he had lead up on dry land, and a storm was afflicting the transport ships, which were bound to anchors, and there was not any means given to us either of managing or of aiding (the ships). With very many ships having been broken, and because the rest were unusable for sailing—the ropes, anchors, and remaining equipment having been lost—this which was necessary to happen, a great uproar of the whole army occurred. For neither were there other ships by which they could be carried back and all things were lacking which was for use for repairing ships and, because it was evident to everyone that they ought to winter in Gaul, grain had not been provided for in these locations for the winter.

de bello gallico, 4.28

With peace having been affirmed by these things, after the fourth day which it was come into Britain eighteen ships, about which it was mentioned above, which had carried the cavalry, from a higher port were released by a gentle wind. Which when they approached Britain and were seen from the camps, such a storm suddenly arose that none of them were able to hold their course, but some were carried back to the same place whence they had set out, others were thrown to a lower part of the island, which is nearer to the setting of the sun, with great danger to them; which nevertheless with the anchors having been thrown, when they were filling with waves, by necessity, in the face of the night having been born into the deep, sought the continent.

de bello gallico, 4.27

The enemy having been conquered in battle, as soon as they recovered themselves from flight, immediately sent envoys about peace to Caesar; they promised that they would give hostages and they would do whatever Caesar had ordered. Together with these envoys, came Commius Atrebas, whom I had mentioned above, having been sent ahead into Britain by Caesar. This man, having gotten off the ship, when in the manner of an ambassador carried to them the orders of Caesar, those men had seized and thrown into chains: then they sent (him) back, with the battle having been finished. In seeking peace they threw the blame of this affair onto the multitude, and they asked that it be pardoned on account of ignorance. Caesar, having been asked, because they had waged war without cause, although on their own accord, with legates having been sent to the continent, they had sought peace from him, said he would forgive their ignorance and demanded hostages. Of which those men they gave part immediately, and part, summoned from more remote places, they said they would give in a few days. Meanwhile they ordered their men to move back into the fields and their chiefs began to come together from everywhere and entrust themselves and their states to Caesar.

de bello gallico, 4.26

It was fought by each fiercely. Our men, however, because they were able neither to preserve their ranks, nor to stand firmly, nor follow the standards, and someone from another ship was adding himself with which standards he had run up to, were greatly disturbed; the enemy indeed, with all the fords well-known, when from the shore they had caught sight of some individuals coming out from their ship, with the horses having been spurred on were attacking the impeded men, many were surrounding few, others were hurling weapons from the open side into the mass of men. Which when Caesar had learned (it), he ordered the skiffs of the war ships and likewise the scouting ships to be filled with soldiers, and whom he had seen laboring, to these he was sending aid. Our men, as soon as they stood on the dry land, with all of their own men having caught up, made an attack on the enemy and gave them into flight; and they were not able to follow farther because the cavalry was not able to hold course and to take the island. This one thing was lacking for Caesar to his previous good fortune.

de bello gallico, 4.25

Which, when Caesar learned (it), he ordered the war ships, of which both the type was more unusual to the barbarians and their motion was more fit for the use, to be moved back a little from the transport ships and to be propelled by oars and to be anchored at the open side of the enemy and thence the enemy be driven off and moved back with darts, arrows, artillery; which circumstance was (for) a great use for us. For the barbarians, terrified both by the shape of the ships and by the motion of the oars and by the unaccustomed kind of weaponry, stopped and retreated just a little (lit. drew back foot). And, with our soldiers clumping together, mostly because of the depth of the sea, (this one) who was carrying the eagle of the tenth legion, having beseeched the gods that this matter turn out happily for the legion, said “Jump out soldiers, unless you want to betray the eagle to our enemy: I certainly will have done my duty for the republic and my general.” When he had said this, with great voice he threw himself from the ship and began to carry the eagle among the enemy. Then our companies all together jumped from the ship among themselves lest such a disgrace be admitted. When they had seen these men from the nearby ships likewise having followed they approach the enemy.

de bello gallico, 4.24

But the barbarians, with the plan of the Romans having been found out, with their cavalry and chariots having been sent ahead, the kind which they were frequently accustomed to use in battles, having followed with their remaining troops, prohibited our men from disembarking from the ships. There was a very great difficulty because of these reasons: because the ships on account of their size could not be anchored except in deep (water), moreover by the soldiers, with the places unknown, with their hands burdened, oppressed by their great and heavy burden of armor, at the same time both it had to be jumped from the ships and position had to be gained in the waves and it had to be fought with the enemy, when those either from dry (land) or having progressed a little into the water, with all their limbs unencumbered, with the places very well-known, threw projectiles boldly and spurred on well-trained horses. Our men, terrified by which things and altogether inexperienced in this type of battle, were not using the same quickness and zeal which they had been accustomed to use in infantry battles.

de bello gallico, 1.7

When it had been announced to Caesar that they were trying to make a journey through our province, he hurried to set out from the city and strove in the longest forced marches possible to farther Gaul, and he arrived at Genava. He levies the whole province as great a number of soldiers as possible (there was altogether one legion in farther Gaul), he ordered the bridge which was at Genava to be cut down. When the Helvetii were made aware (lit. more certain) about his arrival they sent ambassadors to him, the most noble of the state, of which legation Nammeius and Verucloetius were occupying the principal spot, who said that they had in mind to make a journey through the province without any misdeed, on account of the fact that they had no other route; they asked that it be allowed for them to do this by/with his willingness. Caesar, because he was holding in memory that Lucius Cassius the Consul had been killed and that his army had been beaten by the Helvetii and had been sent under the yoke, was not thinking that it should be yielded; and he was not thinking that the men of (lit. in) a hostile mind, with the means/opportunity of making a journey through the province having been given, would refrain from injury and misdeed. Nevertheless, that a space could intervene while soldiers gathered whom he had levied, he responded to the ambassadors that he would take a day for deliberating: if they wished anything they should return (let them return) on the Ides of April.

de bello gallico, 1.6

There were in all two journeys, by which routes they were able to leave their home. One (was) through the Sequani, narrow and difficult, between Mt. Iura and the river Rhodanus, by which scarcely a single line of wagons might be led; moreover, the tallest mountain was hanging over, so that very easily could few prevent (many): the other journey (was) through our province, easier by much and less encumbered, on account of the fact that the Rhodanus river flows between the territories of the Helvetii and the Allobrogi, who recently had been pacified, and this is crossed in not no places by a ford. Genava is last town of the Allobrogi and is closest to the border of the Helvetii. From this town a bridge reaches to the Helvetii. They were thinking that they themselves would persuade the Allobrogi, because they seemed not yet in good spirit towards the Roman populace, or they would compel them by force to allow them to go through their territory. With all these things having been prepared for departure they announced the date they would all convene, five days before the Kalends of April, in the consulship of Lucius Piso and Aullus Gabinus.

de bello gallico, 1.5

After his death, the less by none, the Helvetii tried to do this which they had decided, to leave from their territory. When now they thought that were prepared for this thing, they burned all their cities, numbering to twelve, their villages, numbering to four hundred, and the remaining private buildings; they torch all the grain, except that which they would carry with them, so that, with the hope of returning home having been removed, they were more prepared for every danger about to be undertaken; they order each one to carry from home ground grain for three months. They persuaded the Raurici and the Tulingi and the Latovici, their neighbors, having used the same plan, their cities and their villages having been burned, to set out together with them, and they took the Boii (who had lived across the Rhenus and had gone across into the Noric territory and had attacked the Noreia) to themselves, having been received to themselves as allies.

de bello gallico, 1.4

This affair was announced to the Helvetii through informers. According to their customs, they compelled Orgetorix to plead his case in chains. It was necessary for the punishment to follow the condemned that they be burned by fire. On the appointed day of the pleading of his case, Orgetorix gathered to the court all of his family from all sides, up to ten thousand (of) men, and he brought all of his clients and debtors, of which he had a great number, together to this spot: through these he snatched himself away lest he plead his case. When the state, stirred up on account of this matter, tried to follow its right by arms, and when the magistrates gathered a multitude of men from the fields, Orgetorix died; and suspicion was not absent, as the Helvetians thought, but that he himself had decreed death for himself.

de bello gallico, 1.3

Influenced by these things and very moved by the authority of Orgetorix, they decided to prepare those things which related to departure, to buy as great a number as possible of mules and cart, to sow as much seed as possible to provide a supply of grain on the journey, to confirm peace and friendship with the neighboring states. For the accomplishment of these things they considered two years enough for themselves: they set by law their departure in the third year. Orgetorix was chosen for the accomplishment of these things. This man took up for himself the legation to the states. In this journey he persuaded the Sequanus Casticus, son of Catamantaloedis, whose father had held kingship among the Sequani for many years and had been called a friend by the senate of the people of Rome, to take the kingship in his state which his father had held before; and likewise he persuaded the Aeduus Dumnorix, brother of Diviciacus, who at this time was holding the principate in his state and was most well-liked by the plebs, to try (to do) the same, and he gave him his daughter in marriage. He showed them that it was a very easy thing to do to accomplish these attempts, on account of the fact that he himself would obtain the power of his own state; there was no doubt but that the Helvetii were the most powerful of all Gaul; he confirmed that he would buy for them (i.e. unite with them) their kingdoms with his troops and army. Influenced by this speech, they gave faith among themselves and sworn oaths, and, with power having been gained, they hoped that they would be able to gain possession of all Gaul through (these) three most powerful and strong peoples.

de bello gallico, 1.2

Among the Helvetii by far the most noble and rich was Orgetorix. This man, in the consulship of Marcus Messalla and Marcus Pupius Piso, influenced by a desire for kingship, made a conspiracy of the nobility and persuaded the state to leave from their borders with all their troops: it was very easy to gain possession of all Gaul when/because they excelled everyone in virtue. He persuaded them (of) this more easily by this, because the Helvetii everywhere are contained by the nature of the place: from one part by the Rhenus river, most wide and deep, which divides Helvetian territory from the Germans; from another part by Mt. Iura, most high, which is between the Sequani and the Helvetii; (from the) third (part) by lake Lemannus and the river Rhodanus, which divides our province from the Helvetii. By these things it was happening both that they wandered less widely and that they could make war on their neighbors less easily; from which part the men, desirous of war, were afflicted with great grief. Moreover, for the multitude of men and for the glory of war and of their bravery, they thought that they had petty (i.e. narrow, scanty) territory, which extend in longitude 240 miles, in latitude 180 miles.

de bello gallico, 1.1

All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgians inhabit, another the Aquitani, the third (those inhabit) who in the language of themselves (are called) the Celts, in our (language) are called the Gauls. These all differ among themselves in language, institutions, laws. The Garumna river (separates) the Gauls from the Aquitani, the Matrona and Sequana divide (the Gauls) from the Belgians. Of all these the bravest are the Belgians, on account of the fact that they are farthest from the culture and humanity of our province, and least often do merchants go back and forth to them and import these things which pertain to the weakening of spirits, and they are nearest to the Germans, who live across the Rhenus, with whom they continually wage war. From which cause the Helvetii also surpass the remaining Gauls in virtue because they strive in nearly daily wars with the Germans, when either they keep them from their territory or they themselves wage war in their territory. One part of these, which it is said that the Gauls hold, takes its beginning from the river Rhodanus; it is contained by the river Garumna, by the Ocean, by the territory of the Belgians; it touches also the Rhenus river from the Sequani and Helvetii; it lies to the north. The Belgians arise from the last borders of Gaul; they look into the north and rising sun. Aquitania stretches from the Garumna river to the Pyrenese mountains and this part of the Ocean which is near Spain; it looks between the setting of the sun and the north.