Gallic War |
Translator: W. A. McDevitte
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| 197 |
Tunc duces principesque Nerviorum qui aliquem sermonis aditum causamque amicitiae cum Cicerone habebant colloqui sese velle dicunt . Facta potestate eadem quae Ambiorix cum Titurio egerat commemorant : omnem esse in armis Galliam ; Germanos Rhenum transisse ; Caesaris reliquorumque hiberna oppugnari . Addunt etiam de Sabini morte : Ambiorigem ostentant fidei faciendae causa . Errare eos dicunt , si quidquam ab his praesidi sperent , qui suis rebus diffidant ; sese tamen hoc esse in Ciceronem populumque Romanum animo , ut nihil nisi hiberna recusent atque hanc inveterascere consuetudinem nolint : licere illis incolumibus per se ex hibernis discedere et quascumque in partes velint sine metu proficisci . Cicero ad haec unum modo respondit : non esse consuetudinem populi Romani accipere ab hoste armato condicionem : si ab armis discedere velint , se adiutore utantur legatosque ad Caesarem mittant ; sperare pro eius iustitia , quae petierint , impetraturos .
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Then these leaders and chiefs of the Nervii, who had any intimacy and grounds of friendship with Cicero, say they desire to confer with him. When permission was granted, they recount the same things which Ambiorix had related to Titurius, namely, "that all Gaul was in arms, that the Germans had passed the Rhine , that the winter-quarters of Caesar and of the others were attacked." They report in addition also, about the death of Sabinus. They point to Ambiorix for the purpose of obtaining credence; "they are mistaken," say they, "if they hoped for any relief from those who distrust their own affairs; that they bear such feelings toward Cicero and the Roman people that they deny them nothing but winter-quarters, and are unwilling that the practice should become constant; that through their [the Nervii's] means it is possible for them [the Romans] to depart from their winter-quarters safely and to proceed without fear into whatever parts they desire." To these Cicero made only one reply: "that it is not the custom of the Roman people to accept any condition from an armed enemy: if they are willing to lay down their arms, they may employ him as their advocate and send embassadors to Caesar: that he believed, from his [Caesar's] justice, they would obtain the things which they might request." |
| 198 |
Ab hac spe repulsi Nervii vallo pedum IX et fossa pedum XV hiberna cingunt . Haec et superiorum annorum consuetudine ab nobis cognoverant et , quosdam de exercitu habebant captivos , ab eis docebantur ; sed nulla ferramentorum copia quae esset ad hunc usum idonea , gladiis caespites circumcidere , manibus sagulisque terram exhaurire nitebantur . Qua quidem ex re hominum multitudo cognosci potuit : nam minus horis tribus milium pedum XV in circuitu munitionem perfecerunt reliquisque diebus turres ad altitudinem valli , falces testudinesque , quas idem captivi docuerant , parare ac facere coeperunt .
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Disappointed in this hope, the Nervii surround the winter-quarters with a rampart eleven feet high, and a ditch thirteen feet in depth. These military works they had learned from our men in the intercourse of former years, and, having taken some of our army prisoners, were instructed by them: but, as they had no supply of iron tools which are requisite for this service, they were forced to cut the turf with their swords, and to empty out the earth with their hands and cloaks, from which circumstance, the vast number of the men could be inferred; for in less than three hours they completed a fortification of ten miles in circumference; and during the rest of the days they began to prepare and construct towers of the height of the ramparts, and grappling irons, and mantelets, which the same prisoners had taught them. |
| 199 |
Septimo oppugnationis die maximo coorto vento ferventes fusili ex argilla glandes fundis et fervefacta iacula in casas , quae more Gallico stramentis erant tectae , iacere coeperunt . Hae celeriter ignem comprehenderunt et venti magnitudine in omnem locum castrorum distulerunt . Hostes maximo clamore sicuti parta iam atque explorata victoria turres testudinesque agere et scalis vallum ascendere coeperunt . At tanta militum virtus atque ea praesentia animi fuit , ut , cum undique flamma torrerentur maximaque telorum multitudine premerentur suaque omnia impedimenta atque omnes fortunas conflagrare intellegerent , non modo demigrandi causa de vallo decederet nemo , sed paene ne respiceret quidem quisquam , ac tum omnes acerrime fortissimeque pugnarent . Hic dies nostris longe gravissimus fuit ; sed tamen hunc habuit eventum , ut eo die maximus numerus hostium vulneraretur atque interficeretur , ut se sub ipso vallo constipaverant recessumque primis ultimi non dabant . Paulum quidem intermissa flamma et quodam loco turri adacta et contingente vallum tertiae cohortis centuriones ex eo , quo stabant , loco recesserunt suosque omnes removerunt , nutu vocibusque hostes , si introire vellent , vocare coeperunt ; quorum progredi ausus est nemo . Tum ex omni parte lapidibus coniectis deturbati , turrisque succensa est .
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On the seventh day of the attack, a very high wind having sprung up, they began to discharge by their slings hot balls made of burned or hardened clay, and heated javelins, upon the huts, which, after the Gallic custom, were thatched with straw. These quickly took fire, and by the violence of the wind, scattered their flames in every part of the camp. The enemy following up their success with a very loud shout, as if victory were already obtained and secured, began to advance their towers and mantelets, and climb the rampart with ladders. But so great was the courage of our soldiers, and such their presence of mind, that though they were scorched on all sides, and harassed by a vast number of weapons, and were aware that their baggage and their possessions were burning, not only did no one quit the rampart for the purpose of withdrawing from the scene, but scarcely did any one even then look behind; and they all fought most vigorously and most valiantly. This day was by far the most calamitous to our men; it had this result, however, that on that day the largest number of the enemy was wounded and slain, since they had crowded beneath the very rampart, and the hindmost did not afford the foremost a retreat. The flame having abated a little, and a tower having been brought up in a particular place and touching the rampart, the centurions of the third cohort retired from the place in which they were standing, and drew off all their men: they began to call on the enemy by gestures and by words, to enter if they wished; but none of them dared to advance. Then stones having been cast from every quarter, the enemy were dislodged, and their tower set on fire. |
| 200 |
Erant in ea legione fortissimi viri , centuriones , qui primis ordinibus appropinquarent , Titus Pullo et Lucius Vorenus . Hi perpetuas inter se controversias habebant , quinam anteferretur , omnibusque annis de locis summis simultatibus contendebant . Ex his Pullo , cum acerrime ad munitiones pugnaretur , " Quid dubitas , " inquit , " Vorene ? aut quem locum tuae probandae virtutis exspectas ? Hic dies de nostris controversiis iudicabit . " Haec cum dixisset , procedit extra munitiones quaque pars hostium confertissima est visa irrumpit . Ne Vorenus quidem tum sese vallo continet , sed omnium veritus existimationem subsequitur . Mediocri spatio relicto Pullo pilum in hostes immittit atque unum ex multitudine procurrentem traicit ; quo percusso et exanimato hunc scutis protegunt , in hostem tela universi coniciunt neque dant regrediendi facultatem . Transfigitur scutum Pulloni et verutum in balteo defigitur . Avertit hic casus vaginam et gladium educere conanti dextram moratur manum , impeditumque hostes circumsistunt . Succurrit inimicus illi Vorenus et laboranti subvenit . Ad hunc se confestim a Pullone omnis multitudo convertit : illum veruto arbitrantur occisum . Gladio comminus rem gerit Vorenus atque uno interfecto reliquos paulum propellit ; dum cupidius instat , in locum deiectus inferiorem concidit . Huic rursus circumvento fert subsidium Pullo , atque ambo incolumes compluribus interfectis summa cum laude sese intra munitiones recipiunt . Sic fortuna in contentione et certamine utrumque versavit , ut alter alteri inimicus auxilio salutique esset , neque diiudicari posset , uter utri virtute anteferendus videretur .
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In that legion there were two very brave men, centurions, who were now approaching the first ranks, T. Pulfio, and L. Varenus. These used to have continual disputes between them which of them should be preferred, and every year used to contend for promotion with the utmost animosity. When the fight was going on most vigorously before the fortifications, Pulfio, one of them, says, "Why do you hesitate, Varenus? or what [better] opportunity of signalizing your valor do you seek? This very day shall decide our disputes." When he had uttered these words, he proceeds beyond the fortifications, and rushes on that part of the enemy which appeared the thickest. Nor does Varenus remain within the rampart, but respecting the high opinion of all, follows close after. Then, when an inconsiderable space intervened, Pulfio throws his javelin at the enemy, and pierces one of the multitude who was running up, and while the latter was wounded and slain, the enemy cover him with their shields, and all throw their weapons at the other and afford him no opportunity of retreating. The shield of Pulfio is pierced and a javelin is fastened in his belt. This circumstance turns aside his scabbard and obstructs his right hand when attempting to draw his sword: the enemy crowd around him when [thus] embarrassed. His rival runs up to him and succors him in this emergency. Immediately the whole host turn from Pulfio to him, supposing the other to be pierced through by the javelin. Varenus rushes on briskly with his sword and carries on the combat hand to hand, and having slain one man, for a short time drove back the rest: while he urges on too eagerly, slipping into a hollow, he fell. To him, in his turn, when surrounded, Pulfio brings relief; and both having slain a great number, retreat into the fortifications amid the highest applause. Fortune so dealt with both in this rivalry and conflict, that the one competitor was a succor and a safeguard to the other, nor could it be determined which of the two appeared worthy of being preferred to the other. |
| 201 |
Quanto erat in dies gravior atque asperior oppugnatio , et maxime quod magna parte militum confecta vulneribus res ad paucitatem defensorum pervenerat , tanto crebriores litterae nuntiique ad Caesarem mittebantur ; quorum pars deprehensa in conspectu nostrorum militum cum cruciatu necabatur . Erat unus intus Nervius nomine Vertico , loco natus honesto , qui a prima obsidione ad Ciceronem perfugerat suamque ei fidem praestiterat . Hic servo spe libertatis magnisque persuadet praemiis , ut litteras ad Caesarem deferat . Has ille in iaculo illigatas effert et Gallus inter Gallos sine ulla suspicione versatus ad Caesarem pervenit . Ab eo de periculis Ciceronis legionisque cognoscitur .
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In proportion as the attack became daily more formidable and violent, and particularly, because, as a great number of the soldiers were exhausted with wounds, the matter had come to a small number of defenders, more frequent letters and messages were sent to Caesar; a part of which messengers were taken and tortured to death in the sight of our soldiers. There was within our camp a certain Nervian, by name Vertico, born in a distinguished position, who in the beginning of the blockade had deserted to Cicero, and had exhibited his fidelity to him. He persuades his slave, by the hope of freedom, and by great rewards, to convey a letter to Caesar. This he carries out bound about his javelin; and mixing among the Gauls without any suspicion by being a Gaul, he reaches Caesar. From him they received information of the imminent danger of Cicero and the legion. |
| 202 |
Caesar acceptis litteris hora circiter XI diei statim nuntium in Bellovacos ad M . Crassum quaestorem mittit , cuius hiberna aberant ab eo milia passuum XXV ; iubet media nocte legionem proficisci celeriterque ad se venire . Exit cum nuntio Crassus . Alterum ad Gaium Fabium legatum mittit , ut in Atrebatium fines legionem adducat , qua sibi iter faciendum sciebat . Scribit Labieno , si rei publicae commodo facere posset , cum legione ad fines Nerviorum veniat . Reliquam partem exercitus , quod paulo aberat longius , non putat exspectandam ; equites circiter quadringentos ex proximis hibernis colligit .
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Caesar having received the letter about the eleventh hour of the day, immediately sends a messenger to the Bellovaci, to M. Crassus, questor there, whose winter-quarters were twenty-five miles distant from him. He orders the legion to set forward in the middle of the night, and come to him with dispatch. Crassus sets out with the messenger. He sends another to C. Fabius, the lieutenant, ordering him to lead forth 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 frontiers of the Nervii, if he could do so to the advantage of the commonwealth: he does not consider that the remaining portion of the army, because it was somewhat further distant, should be waited for; but assembles about 400 horse from the nearest winter-quarters. |
| 203 |
Hora circiter tertia ab antecursoribus de Crassi adventu certior factus eo die milia passuum XX procedit . Crassum Samarobrivae praeficit legionemque attribuit , quod ibi impedimenta exercitus , obsides civitatum , litteras publicas frumentumque omne quod eo tolerandae hiemis causa devexerat relinquebat . Fabius , ut imperatum erat , non ita multum moratus in itinere cum legione occurrit . Labienus interitu Sabini et caede cohortium cognita , cum omnes ad eum Treverorum copiae venissent , veritus , si ex hibernis fugae similem profectionem fecisset , ut hostium impetum sustinere posset , praesertim quos recenti victoria efferri sciret , litteras Caesari remittit , quanto cum periculo legionem ex hibernis educturus esset ; rem gestam in Eburonibus perscribit ; docet omnes equitatus peditatusque copias Treverorum tria milia passuum longe ab suis castris consedisse .
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Having been apprised of the arrival of Crassus by the scouts at about the third hour, he advances twenty miles that day. He appoints Crassus over Samarobriva and assigns him 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 passing the winter. Fabius, without delaying a moment, meets him on the march with his legion, as he had been commanded. Labienus, having learned the death of Sabinus and the destruction of the cohorts, as all the forces of the Treviri had come against him, beginning to fear lest, if he made a departure from his winter-quarters, resembling a flight, he should not be able to support the attack of the enemy, particularly since he knew them to be elated by their recent victory, sends back a letter to Caesar, informing him with what great hazard he would lead out his legion from winter-quarters; he relates at large the affairs which had taken place among the Eburones; he informs him that all the infantry and cavalry of the Treviri had encamped at a distance of only three miles from his own camp. |
| 204 |
Caesar consilio eius probato , etsi opinione trium legionum deiectus ad duas redierat , tamen unum communis salutis auxilium in celeritate ponebat . Venit magnis itineribus in Nerviorum fines . Ibi ex captivis cognoscit , quae apud Ciceronem gerantur , quantoque in periculo res sit . Tum cuidam ex equitibus Gallis magnis praemiis persuadet uti ad Ciceronem epistolam deferat . Hanc Graecis conscriptam litteris mittit , ne intercepta epistola nostra ab hostibus consilia cognoscantur . Si adire non possit , monet ut tragulam cum epistola ad amentum deligata intra munitionem castrorum abiciat . In litteris scribit se cum legionibus profectum celeriter adfore ; hortatur ut pristinam virtutem retineat . Gallus periculum veritus , ut erat praeceptum , tragulam mittit . Haec casu ad turrim adhaesit neque ab nostris biduo animadversa tertio die a quodam milite conspicitur , dempta ad Ciceronem defertur . Ille perlectam in conventu militum recitat maximaque omnes laetitia adficit . Tum fumi incendiorum procul videbantur ; quae res omnem dubitationem adventus legionum expulit .
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Caesar, approving of his motives, although he was disappointed in his expectation of three legions, and reduced to two, yet placed his only hopes of the common safety in dispatch. He goes into the territories of the Nervii by long marches. There he learns from some prisoners what things are going on in the camp of Cicero, and in how great jeopardy the affair is. Then with great rewards he induces a certain man of the Gallic horse to convey a letter to Cicero. This he sends written in Greek characters, lest the letter being intercepted, our measures should be discovered by the enemy. He directs him, if he should be unable to enter, to throw his spear with the letter fastened to the thong, inside the fortifications of the camp. He writes in the letter, that he having set out with his legions, will quickly be there: he entreats him to maintain his ancient valor. The Gaul apprehending danger, throws his spear as he has been directed. It by chance stuck in a tower, and, not being observed by our men for two days, was seen by a certain soldier on the third day: when taken down, it was carried to Cicero. He, after perusing it, reads it out in an assembly of the soldiers, and fills all with the greatest joy. Then the smoke of the fires was seen in the distance, a circumstance which banished all doubt of the arrival of the legions. |
| 205 |
Galli re cognita per exploratores obsidionem relinquunt , ad Caesarem omnibus copiis contendunt . Hae erant armata circiter milia LX . Cicero data facultate Gallum ab eodem Verticone , quem supra demonstravimus , repetit , qui litteras ad Caesarem deferat ; hunc admonet , iter caute diligenterque faciat : perscribit in litteris hostes ab se discessisse omnemque ad eum multitudinem convertisse . Quibus litteris circiter media nocte Caesar adlatis suos facit certiores eosque ad dimicandum animo confirmat . Postero die luce prima movet castra et circiter milia passuum quattuor progressus trans vallem et rivum multitudinem hostium conspicatur . Erat magni periculi res tantulis copiis iniquo loco dimicare ; tum , quoniam obsidione liberatum Ciceronem sciebat , aequo animo remittendum de celeritate existimabat : consedit et quam aequissimo loco potest castra communit atque haec , etsi erant exigua per se vix hominum milium septem praesertim nullis cum impedimentis , tamen angustiis viarum quam maxime potest contrahit , eo consilio , ut in summam contemptionem hostibus veniat . Interim speculatoribus in omnes partes dimissis explorat quo commodissime itinere vallem transire possit .
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The Gauls, having discovered the matter through their scouts, abandon the blockade, and march toward Caesar with all their forces; these were about 60,000 armed men. Cicero, an opportunity being now afforded, again begs of that Vertico, the Gaul, whom we mentioned above, to convey back a letter to Caesar; he advises him to perform his journey warily; he writes in the letter that the enemy had departed and had turned their entire force against him. When this letter was brought to him about the middle of the night, Caesar apprises his soldiers of its contents, and inspires them with courage for fighting: the following day, at the dawn, he moves his camp, and, having proceeded four miles, he espies the forces of the enemy on the other side of a considerable valley and rivulet. It was an affair of great danger to fight with such large forces in a disadvantageous situation. For the present, therefore, inasmuch as he knew that Cicero was released from the blockade, and thought that he might, on that account, relax his speed, he halted there and fortifies a camp in the most favorable position he can. And this, though it was small in itself, [there being] scarcely 7,000 men, and these too without baggage, still by the narrowness of the passages, he contracts as much as he can, with this object, that he may come into the greatest contempt with the enemy. In the mean while scouts having been sent in all directions, he examines by what most convenient path he might cross the valley. |
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Eo die parvulis equestribus proeliis ad aquam factis utrique sese suo loco continent : Galli , quod ampliores copias , quae nondum convenerant , exspectabant ; Caesar , si forte timoris simulatione hostes in suum locum elicere posset , ut citra vallem pro castris proelio contenderet , si id efficere non posset , ut exploratis itineribus minore cum periculo vallem rivumque transiret . Prima luce hostium equitatus ad castra accedit proeliumque cum nostris equitibus committit . Caesar consulto equites cedere seque in castra recipere iubet , simul ex omnibus partibus castra altiore vallo muniri portasque obstrui atque in his administrandis rebus quam maxime concursari et cum simulatione agi timoris iubet .
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That day, slight skirmishes of cavalry having taken place near the river, both armies kept in their own positions: the Gauls, because they were awaiting larger forces which had not then arrived; Caesar, [to see] if perchance by pretense of fear he could allure the enemy toward his position, so that he might engage in battle, in front of his camp, on this side of the valley; if he could not accomplish this, that, having inquired about the passes, he might cross the valley and the river with the less hazard. At daybreak the cavalry of the enemy approaches to the camp and joins battle with our horse. Caesar orders the horse to give way purposely, and retreat to the camp: at the same time he orders the camp to be fortified with a higher rampart in all directions, the gates to be barricaded, and in executing these things as much confusion to be shown as possible, and to perform them under the pretense of fear. |
| 207 |
Quibus omnibus rebus hostes invitati copias traducunt aciemque iniquo loco constituunt , nostris vero etiam de vallo deductis propius accedunt et tela intra munitionem ex omnibus partibus coniciunt praeconibusque circummissis pronuntiari iubent , seu quis Gallus seu Romanus velit ante horam tertiam ad se transire , sine periculo licere ; post id tempus non fore potestatem : ac sic nostros contempserunt , ut obstructis in speciem portis singulis ordinibus caespitum , quod ea non posse introrumpere videbantur , alii vallum manu scindere , alii fossas complere inciperent . Tum Caesar omnibus portis eruptione facta equitatuque emisso celeriter hostes in fugam dat , sic uti omnino pugnandi causa resisteret nemo , magnumque ex eis numerum occidit atque omnes armis exuit .
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Induced by all these things, the enemy lead over their forces and draw up their line in a disadvantageous position; and as our men also had been led down from the ramparts, they approach nearer, and throw their weapons into the fortification from all sides, and sending heralds round, order it to be proclaimed that, if "any, either Gaul or Roman, was willing to go over to them before the third hour, it was permitted; after that time there would not be permission;" and so much did they disregard our men, that the gates having been blocked up with single rows of turf as a mere appearance, because they did not seem able to burst in that way, some began to pull down the rampart with their hands, others to fill up the trenches. Then Caesar, making a sally from all the gates, and sending out the cavalry, soon puts the enemy to flight, so that no one at all stood his ground with the intention of fighting; and he slew a great number of them, and deprived all of their arms. |
| 208 |
Longius prosequi veritus , quod silvae paludesque intercedebant neque etiam parvulo detrimento illorum locum relinqui videbat , omnibus suis incolumibus copiis eodem die ad Ciceronem pervenit . Institutas turres , testudines munitionesque hostium admiratur ; legione producta cognoscit non decimum quemque esse reliquum militem sine vulnere : ex his omnibus iudicat rebus , quanto cum periculo et quanta cum virtute res sint administratae . Ciceronem pro eius merito legionemque collaudat ; centuriones singillatim tribunosque militum appellat , quorum egregiam fuisse virtutem testimonio Ciceronis cognoverat . De casu Sabini et Cottae certius ex captivis cognoscit . Postero die contione habita rem gestam proponit , milites consolatur et confirmat : quod detrimentum culpa et temeritate legati sit acceptum , hoc aequiore animo ferendum docet , quod beneficio deorum immortalium et virtute eorum expiato incommodo neque hostibus diutina laetatio neque ipsis longior dolor relinquatur .
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Caesar, fearing to pursue them very far, because woods and morasses intervened, and also [because] he saw that they suffered no small loss in abandoning their position, reaches Cicero the same day with all his forces safe. He witnesses with surprise the towers, mantelets, and [other] fortifications belonging to the enemy: the legion having been drawn out, he finds that even every tenth soldier had not escaped without wounds. From all these things he judges with what danger and with what great courage matters had been conducted; he commends Cicero according to his desert, and likewise the legion; he addresses individually the centurions and the tribunes of the soldiers, whose valor he had discovered to have been signal. He receives information of the death of Sabinus and Cotta from the prisoners. An assembly being held the following day, he states the occurrence; he consoles and encourages the soldiers; he suggests, that the disaster, which had been occasioned by the misconduct and rashness of his lieutenant, should be borne with a patient mind, because by the favor of the immortal gods and their own valor, neither was lasting joy left to the enemy, nor very lasting grief to them. |
| 209 |
Interim ad Labienum per Remos incredibili celeritate de victoria Caesaris fama perfertur , ut , cum ab hibernis Ciceronis milia passuum abesset circiter LX , eoque post horam nonam diei Caesar pervenisset , ante mediam noctem ad portas castrorum clamor oreretur , quo clamore significatio victoriae gratulatioque ab Remis Labieno fieret . Hac fama ad Treveros perlata Indutiomarus , qui postero die castra Labieni oppugnare decreverat , noctu profugit copiasque omnes in Treveros reducit . Caesar Fabium cum sua legione remittit in hiberna , ipse cum tribus legionibus circum Samarobrivam trinis hibernis hiemare constituit et , quod tanti motus Galliae exstiterant , totam hiemem ipse ad exercitum manere decrevit . Nam illo incommodo de Sabini morte perlato omnes fere Galliae civitates de bello consultabant , nuntios legationesque in omnes partes dimittebant et quid reliqui consili caperent atque unde initium belli fieret explorabant nocturnaque in locis desertis concilia habebant . Neque ullum fere totius hiemis tempus sine sollicitudine Caesaris intercessit , quin aliquem de consiliis ac motu Gallorum nuntium acciperet . In his ab Lucio Roscio , quem legioni tertiae decimae praefecerat , certior factus est magnas Gallorum copias earum civitatum , quae Armoricae appellantur , oppugnandi sui causa convenisse neque longius milia passuum octo ab hibernis suis afuisse , sed nuntio allato de victoria Caesaris discessisse , adeo ut fugae similis discessus videretur .
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In the mean while the report respecting the victory of Caesar is conveyed to Labienus through the country of the Remi with incredible speed, so that, though he was about sixty miles distant from the winter-quarter of Cicero, and Caesar had arrived there after the ninth hour, before midnight a shout arose at the gates of the camp, by which shout an indication of the victory and a congratulation on the part of the Remi were given to Labienus. This report having been carried to the Treviri , Indutiomarus, who had resolved to attack the camp of Labienus the following day, flies by night and leads back all his forces into the country of the Treviri . Caesar sends back Fabius with his legion to his winter-quarters; he himself determines to winter with three legions near Samarobriva in three different quarters, and, because such great commotions had arisen in Gaul, he resolved to remain during the whole winter with the army himself. For the disaster respecting the death of Sabinus having been circulated among them, almost all the states of Gaul were deliberating about war, sending messengers and embassies into all quarters, inquiring what further measure they should take, and holding councils by night in secluded places. Nor did any period of the whole winter pass over without fresh anxiety to Caesar, or, without his receiving some intelligence respecting the meetings and commotions of the Gauls. Among these, he is informed by L. Roscius, the lieutenant whom he had placed over the thirteenth legion, that large forces of those states of the Gauls, which are called the Armoricae, had assembled for the purpose of attacking him and were not more than eight miles distant; but intelligence respecting the victory of Caesar being carried [to them], had retreated in such a manner that their departure appeared like a flight. |
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At Caesar principibus cuiusque civitatis ad se evocatis alias territando , cum se scire quae fierent denuntiaret , alias cohortando magnam partem Galliae in officio tenuit . Tamen Senones , quae est civitas in primis firma et magnae inter Gallos auctoritatis , Cavarinum , quem Caesar apud eos regem constituerat , cuius frater Moritasgus adventu in Galliam Caesaris cuiusque maiores regnum obtinuerant , interficere publico consilio conati , cum ille praesensisset ac profugisset , usque ad fines insecuti regno domoque expulerunt et , missis ad Caesarem satisfaciendi causa legatis , cum is omnem ad se senatum venire iussisset , dicto audientes non fuerunt . Ac tantum apud homines barbaros valuit esse aliquos repertos principes inferendi belli tantamque omnibus voluntatum commutationem attulit , ut praeter Aeduos et Remos , quos praecipuo semper honore Caesar habuit , alteros pro vetere ac perpetua erga populum Romanum fide , alteros pro recentibus Gallici belli officiis , nulla fere civitas fuerit non suspecta nobis . Idque adeo haud scio mirandumne sit , cum compluribus aliis de causis , tum maxime quod ei , qui virtute belli omnibus gentibus praeferebantur , tantum se eius opinionis deperdidisse ut a populo Romano imperia perferrent gravissime dolebant .
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But Caesar, having summoned to him the principal persons of each state, in one case by alarming them, since he declared that he knew what was going on, and in another case by encouraging them, retained a great part of Gaul in its allegiance. The Senones , however, which is a state eminently powerful and one of great influence among the Gauls, attempting by general design to slay Cavarinus, whom Caesar had created king among them (whose brother, Moritasgus, had held the sovereignty at the period of the arrival of Caesar in Gaul, and whose ancestors had also previously held it), when he discovered their plot and fled, pursued him even to the frontiers [of the state], and drove him from his kingdom and his home; and, after having sent embassadors to Caesar for the purpose of concluding a peace, when he ordered all their senate to come to him, did not obey that command. So far did it operate among those barbarian people, that there were found some to be the first to wage war; and so great a change of inclinations did it produce in all, that, except the Aedui and the Remi, whom Caesar had always held in especial honor, the one people for their long standing and uniform fidelity toward the Roman people, the other for their late service in the Gallic war, there was scarcely a state which was not suspected by us. And I do not know whether that ought much to be wondered at, as well for several other reasons, as particularly because they who ranked above all nations for prowess in war, most keenly regretted that they had lost so much of that reputation as to submit to commands from the Roman people. |