Gallic War |
Translator: W. A. McDevitte
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| 239 |
Huius Hercyniae silvae , quae supra demonstrata est , latitudo novem dierum iter expedito patet : non enim aliter finiri potest , neque mensuras itinerum noverunt . Oritur ab Helvetiorum et Nemetum et Rauracorum finibus rectaque fluminis Danubi regione pertinet ad fines Dacorum et Anartium ; hinc se flectit sinistrorsus diversis ab flumine regionibus multarumque gentium fines propter magnitudinem adtingit ; neque quisquam est huius Germaniae , qui se aut adisse ad initium eius silvae dicat , cum dierum iter LX processerit , aut , quo ex loco oriatur , acceperit . Multaque in ea genera ferarum nasci constat , quae reliquis in locis visa non sint ; ex quibus quae maxime differant ab ceteris et memoriae prodenda videantur haec sunt .
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The breadth of this Hercynian forest, which has been referred to above, is to a quick traveler, a journey of nine days. For it can not be otherwise computed, nor are they acquainted with the measures of roads. It begins at the frontiers of the Helvetii, Nemetes, and Rauraci, and extends in a right line along the river Danube to the territories of the Daci and the Anartes; it bends thence to the left in a different direction from the river, and owing to its extent touches the confines of many nations; nor is there any person belonging to this part of Germany who says that he either has gone to the extremity of that forest, though he had advanced a journey of sixty days, or has heard in what place it begins. It is certain that many kinds of wild beast are produced in it which have not been seen in other parts; of which the following are such as differ principally from other animals, and appear worthy of being committed to record. |
| 240 |
Est bos cervi figura , cuius a media fronte inter aures unum cornu exsistit excelsius magisque directum his , quae nobis nota sunt , cornibus : ab eius summo sicut palmae ramique late diffunduntur . Eadem est feminae marisque natura , eadem forma magnitudoque cornuum .
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There is an ox of the shape of a stag, between whose ears a horn rises from the middle of the forehead, higher and straighter than those horns which are known to us. From the top of this, branches, like palms, stretch out a considerable distance. The shape of the female and of the male is the, same; the appearance and the size of the horns is the same. |
| 241 |
Sunt item , quae appellantur alces . Harum est consimilis capris figura et varietas pellium , sed magnitudine paulo antecedunt mutilaeque sunt cornibus et crura sine nodis articulisque habent neque quietis causa procumbunt neque , si quo adflictae casu conciderunt , erigere sese aut sublevare possunt . His sunt arbores pro cubilibus : ad eas se applicant atque ita paulum modo reclinatae quietem capiunt . Quarum ex vestigiis cum est animadversum a venatoribus , quo se recipere consuerint , omnes eo loco aut ab radicibus subruunt aut accidunt arbores , tantum ut summa species earum stantium relinquatur . Huc cum se consuetudine reclinaverunt , infirmas arbores pondere adfligunt atque una ipsae concidunt .
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There are also [animals] which are called elks. The shape of these, and the varied color of their skins, is much like roes, but in size they surpass them a little and are destitute of horns, and have legs without joints and ligatures; nor do they lie down for the purpose of rest, nor, if they have been thrown down by any accident, can they raise or lift themselves up. Trees serve as beds to them; they lean themselves against them, and thus reclining only slightly, they take their rest; when the huntsmen have discovered from the footsteps of these animals whither they are accustomed to betake themselves, they either undermine all the trees at the roots, or cut into them so far that the upper part of the trees may appear to be left standing. When they have leant upon them, according to their habit, they knock down by their weight the unsupported trees, and fall down themselves along with them. |
| 242 |
Tertium est genus eorum , qui uri appellantur . Hi sunt magnitudine paulo infra elephantos , specie et colore et figura tauri . Magna vis eorum est et magna velocitas , neque homini neque ferae quam conspexerunt parcunt . Hos studiose foveis captos interficiunt . Hoc se labore durant adulescentes atque hoc genere venationis exercent , et qui plurimos ex his interfecerunt , relatis in publicum cornibus , quae sint testimonio , magnam ferunt laudem . Sed adsuescere ad homines et mansuefieri ne parvuli quidem excepti possunt . Amplitudo cornuum et figura et species multum a nostrorum boum cornibus differt . Haec studiose conquisita ab labris argento circumcludunt atque in amplissimis epulis pro poculis utuntur .
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There is a third kind, consisting of those animals which are called uri. These are a little below the elephant in size, and of the appearance, color, and shape of a bull. Their strength and speed are extraordinary; they spare neither man nor wild beast which they have espied. These the Germans take with much pains in pits and kill them. The young men harden themselves with this exercise, and practice themselves in this kind of hunting, and those who have slain the greatest number of them, having produced the horns in public, to serve as evidence, receive great praise. But not even when taken very young can they be rendered familiar to men and tamed. The size, shape, and appearance of their horns differ much from the horns of our oxen. These they anxiously seek after, and bind at the tips with silver, and use as cups at their most sumptuous entertainments. |
| 243 |
Caesar , postquam per Vbios exploratores comperit Suebos sese in silvas recepisse , inopiam frumenti veritus , quod , ut supra demonstravimus , minime omnes Germani agriculturae student , constituit non progredi longius ; sed , ne omnino metum reditus sui barbaris tolleret atque ut eorum auxilia tardaret , reducto exercitu partem ultimam pontis , quae ripas Vbiorum contingebat , in longitudinem pedum ducentorum rescindit atque in extremo ponte turrim tabulatorum quattuor constituit praesidiumque cohortium duodecim pontis tuendi causa ponit magnisque eum locum munitionibus firmat . Ei loco praesidioque Gaium Volcatium Tullum adulescentem praefecit . Ipse , cum maturescere frumenta inciperent , ad bellum Ambiorigis profectus per Arduennam silvam , quae est totius Galliae maxima atque ab ripis Rheni finibusque Treverorum ad Nervios pertinet milibusque amplius quingentis in longitudinem patet , Lucium Minucium Basilum cum omni equitatu praemittit , si quid celeritate itineris atque opportunitate temporis proficere possit ; monet , ut ignes in castris fieri prohibeat , ne qua eius adventus procul significatio fiat : sese confestim subsequi dicit .
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Caesar, after he discovered through the Ubian scouts that the Suevi had retired into their woods, apprehending a scarcity of corn, because, as we have observed above, all the Germans pay very little attention to agriculture, resolved not to proceed any further; but, that he might not altogether relieve the barbarians from the fear of his return, and that he might delay their succors, having led back his army, he breaks down, to the length of 200 feet, the further end of the bridge, which joined the banks of the Ubii, and at the extremity of the bridge raises towers of four stories, and stations a guard of twelve cohorts for the purpose of defending the bridge, and strengthens the place with considerable fortifications. Over that fort and guard he appointed C. Volcatius Tullus, a young man; he himself, when the corn began to ripen, having set forth for the war with Ambiorix (through the forest Arduenna, which is the largest of all Gaul, and reaches from the banks of the Rhine and the frontiers of the Treviri to those of the Nervii, and extends over more than 500 miles), he sends forward L. Minucius Basilus with all the cavalry, to try if he might gain any advantage by rapid marches and the advantage of time, he warns him to forbid fires being made in the camp, lest any indication of his approach be given at a distance: he tells him that he will follow immediately. |
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Basilus , ut imperatum est , facit . Celeriter contraque omnium opinionem confecto itinere multos in agris inopinantes deprehendit : eorum indicio ad ipsum Ambiorigem contendit , quo in loco cum paucis equitibus esse dicebatur . Multum cum in omnibus rebus tum in re militari potest fortuna . Nam sicut magno accidit casu ut in ipsum incautum etiam atque imparatum incideret , priusque eius adventus ab omnibus videretur , quam fama ac nuntius adferretur : sic magnae fuit fortunae omni militari instrumento , quod circum se habebat , erepto , raedis equisque comprehensis ipsum effugere mortem . Sed hoc quoque factum est , quod aedificio circumdato silva , ut sunt fere domicilia Gallorum , qui vitandi aestus causa plerumque silvarum atque fluminum petunt propinquitates , comites familiaresque eius angusto in loco paulisper equitum nostrorum vim sustinuerunt . His pugnantibus illum in equum quidam ex suis intulit : fugientem silvae texerunt . Sic et ad subeundum periculum et ad vitandum multum fortuna valuit .
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Basilus does as he was commanded; having performed his march rapidly, and even surpassed the expectations of all, he surprises in the fields many not expecting him; through their information he advances toward Ambiorix himself, to the place in which he was said to be with a few horse. Fortune accomplishes much, not only in other matters, but also in the art of war. For as it happened by a remarkable chance, that he fell upon [ Ambiorix] himself unguarded and unprepared, and that his arrival was seen by the people before the report or information of his arrival was carried thither; so it was an incident of extraordinary fortune that, although every implement of war which he was accustomed to have about him was seized, and his chariots and horses surprised, yet he himself escaped death. But it was effected owing to this circumstance, that his house being surrounded by a wood (as are generally the dwellings of the Gauls, who, for the purpose of avoiding heat, mostly seek the neighborhood of woods and rivers), his attendants and friends in a narrow spot sustained for a short time the attack of our horse. While they were fighting, one of his followers mounted him on a horse; the woods sheltered him as he fled. Thus fortune tended much both toward his encountering and his escaping danger. |
| 245 |
Ambiorix copias suas iudicione non conduxerit , quod proelio dimicandum non existimarit , an tempore exclusus et repentino equitum adventu prohibitus , cum reliquum exercitum subsequi crederet , dubium est . Sed certe dimissis per agros nuntiis sibi quemque consulere iussit . Quorum pars in Arduennam silvam , pars in continentes paludes profugit ; qui proximi Oceano fuerunt , his insulis sese occultaverunt , quas aestus efficere consuerunt ; multi ex suis finibus egressi se suaque omnia alienissimis crediderunt . Catuvolcus , rex dimidiae partis Eburonum , qui una cum Ambiorige consilium inierat , aetate iam confectus , cum laborem aut belli aut fugae ferre non posset , omnibus precibus detestatus Ambiorigem , qui eius consilii auctor fuisset , taxo , cuius magna in Gallia Germaniaque copia est , se exanimavit .
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Whether Ambiorix did not collect his forces from cool deliberation, because he considered he ought not to engage in a battle, or [whether] he was debarred by time and prevented by the sudden arrival of our horse, when he supposed the rest of the army was closely following, is doubtful: but certainly, dispatching messengers through the country, he ordered every one to provide for himself; and a part of them fled into the forest Arduenna, a part into the extensive morasses; those who were nearest the ocean concealed themselves in the islands which the tides usually form; many, departing from their territories, committed themselves and all their possessions to perfect strangers. Cativolcus, king of one half of the Eburones, who had entered into the design together with Ambiorix, since, being now worn out by age, he was unable to endure the fatigue either of war or flight, having cursed Ambiorix with every imprecation, as the person who had been the contriver of that measure, destroyed himself with the juice of the yew-tree, of which there is a great abundance in Gaul and Germany . |
| 246 |
Segni Condrusique , ex gente et numero Germanorum , qui sunt inter Eburones Treverosque , legatos ad Caesarem miserunt oratum , ne se in hostium numero duceret neve omnium Germanorum , qui essent citra Rhenum , unam esse causam iudicaret : nihil se de bello cogitavisse , nulla Ambiorigi auxilia misisse . Caesar explorata re quaestione captivorum , si qui ad eos Eburones ex fuga convenissent , ad se ut reducerentur , imperavit ; si ita fecissent , fines eorum se violaturum negavit . Tum copiis in tres partes distributis impedimenta omnium legionum Aduatucam contulit . Id castelli nomen est . Hoc fere est in mediis Eburonum finibus , ubi Titurius atque Aurunculeius hiemandi causa consederant . Hunc cum reliquis rebus locum probabat , tum quod superioris anni munitiones integrae manebant , ut militum laborem sublevaret . Praesidio impedimentis legionem quartamdecimam reliquit , unam ex eis tribus , quas proxime conscriptas ex Italia traduxerat . Ei legioni castrisque Quintum Tullium Ciceronem praeficit ducentosque equites attribuit .
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The Segui and Condrusi, of the nation and number of the Germans, and who are between the Eburones and the Treviri , sent embassadors to Caesar to entreat that he would not regard them in the number of his enemies, nor consider that the cause of all the Germans on this side the Rhine was one and the same; that they had formed no plans of war, and had sent no auxiliaries to Ambiorix. Caesar, having ascertained this fact by an examination of his prisoners, commanded that if any of the Eburones in their flight had repaired to them, they should be sent back to him; he assures them that if they did that, he will not injure their territories. Then, having divided his forces into three parts, he sent the baggage of all the legions to Aduatuca. That is the name of a fort. This is nearly in the middle of the Eburones, where Titurius and Aurunculeius had been quartered for the purpose of wintering. This place he selected as well on other accounts as because the fortifications of the previous year remained, in order that he might relieve the labor of the soldiers. He left the fourteenth legion as a guard for the baggage, one of those three which he had lately raised in Italy and brought over. Over that legion and camp he places Q. Tullius Cicero and gives him 200 horse. |
| 247 |
Partito exercitu Titum Labienum cum legionibus tribus ad Oceanum versus in eas partes quae Menapios attingunt proficisci iubet ; Gaium Trebonium cum pari legionum numero ad eam regionem quae ad Aduatucos adiacet depopulandam mittit ; ipse cum reliquis tribus ad flumen Scaldem , quod influit in Mosam , extremasque Arduennae partis ire constituit , quo cum paucis equitibus profectum Ambiorigem audiebat . Discedens post diem septimum sese reversurum confirmat ; quam ad diem ei legioni quae in praesidio relinquebatur deberi frumentum sciebat . Labienum Treboniumque hortatur , si rei publicae commodo facere possint , ad eum diem revertantur , ut rursus communicato consilio exploratisque hostium rationibus aliud initium belli capere possint .
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Having divided the army, he orders T. Labienus to proceed with three legions toward the ocean into those parts which border on the Menapii; he sends C. Trebonius with a like number of legions to lay waste that district which lies contiguous to the Aduatuci; he himself determines to go with the remaining three to the river Sambre , which flows into the Meuse , and to the most remote parts of Arduenna, whither he heard that Ambiorix had gone with a few horse. When departing, he promises that he will return before the end of the seventh day, on which day he was aware corn was due to that legion which was being left in garrison. He directs Labienus and Trebonius to return by the same day, if they can do so agreeably to the interests of the republic; so that their measures having been mutually imparted, and the plans of the enemy having been discovered, they might be able to commence a different line of operations. |
| 248 |
Erat , ut supra demonstravimus , manus certa nulla , non oppidum , non praesidium , quod se armis defenderet , sed in omnes partes dispersa multitudo . Vbi cuique aut valles abdita aut locus silvestris aut palus impedita spem praesidi aut salutis aliquam offerebat , consederat . Haec loca vicinitatibus erant nota , magnamque res diligentiam requirebat non in summa exercitus tuenda ( nullum enim poterat universis a perterritis ac dispersis periculum accidere ) , sed in singulis militibus conservandis ; quae tamen ex parte res ad salutem exercitus pertinebat . Nam et praedae cupiditas multos longius evocabat , et silvae incertis occultisque itineribus confertos adire prohibebant . Si negotium confici stirpemque hominum sceleratorum interfici vellet , dimittendae plures manus diducendique erant milites ; si continere ad signa manipulos vellet , ut instituta ratio et consuetudo exercitus Romani postulabat , locus ipse erat praesidio barbaris , neque ex occulto insidiandi et dispersos circumveniendi singulis deerat audacia . Vt in eiusmodi difficultatibus , quantum diligentia provideri poterat providebatur , ut potius in nocendo aliquid praetermitteretur , etsi omnium animi ad ulciscendum ardebant , quam cum aliquo militum detrimento noceretur . Dimittit ad finitimas civitates nuntios Caesar : omnes ad se vocat spe praedae ad diripiendos Eburones , ut potius in silvis Gallorum vita quam legionarius miles periclitetur , simul ut magna multitudine circumfusa pro tali facinore stirps ac nomen civitatis tollatur . Magnus undique numerus celeriter convenit .
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There was, as we have above observed, no regular army, nor a town, nor a garrison which could defend itself by arms; but the people were scattered in all directions. Where either a hidden valley, or a woody spot, or a difficult morass furnished any hope of protection or of security to any one, there he had fixed himself. These places were known to those who dwelt in the neighborhood, and the matter demanded great attention, not so much in protecting the main body of the army (for no peril could occur to them altogether from those alarmed and scattered troops), as in preserving individual soldiers; which in some measure tended to the safety of the army. For both the desire of booty was leading many too far, and the woods with their unknown and hidden routes would not allow them to go in large bodies. If he desired the business to be completed and the race of those infamous people to be cut off, more bodies of men must be sent in several directions and the soldiers must be detached on all sides; if he were disposed to keep the companies at their standards, as the established discipline and practice of the Roman army required, the situation itself was a safeguard to the barbarians, nor was there wanting to individuals the daring to lay secret ambuscades and beset scattered soldiers. But amid difficulties of this nature as far as precautions could be taken by vigilance, such precautions were taken; so that some opportunities of injuring the enemy were neglected, though the minds of all were burning to take revenge, rather than that injury should be effected with any loss to our soldiers. Caesar dispatches messengers to the neighboring states; by the hope of booty he invites all to him, for the purpose of plundering the Eburones, in order that the life of the Gauls might be hazarded in the woods rather than the legionary soldiers; at the same time, in order that a large force being drawn around them, the race and name of that state may be annihilated for such a crime. A large number from all quarters speedily assembles. |
| 249 |
Haec in omnibus Eburonum partibus gerebantur , diesque appetebat septimus , quem ad diem Caesar ad impedimenta legionemque reverti constituerat . Hic quantum in bello fortuna possit et quantos adferat casus cognosci potuit . Dissipatis ac perterritis hostibus , ut demonstravimus , manus erat nulla quae parvam modo causam timoris adferret . Trans Rhenum ad Germanos pervenit fama , diripi Eburones atque ultro omnes ad praedam evocari . Cogunt equitum duo milia Sugambri , qui sunt proximi Rheno , a quibus receptos ex fuga Tencteros atque Vsipetes supra docuimus . Transeunt Rhenum navibus ratibusque triginta milibus passuum infra eum locum , ubi pons erat perfectus praesidiumque ab Caesare relictum : primos Eburonum fines adeunt ; multos ex fuga dispersos excipiunt , magno pecoris numero , cuius sunt cupidissimi barbari , potiuntur . Invitati praeda longius procedunt . Non hos palus in bello latrociniisque natos , non silvae morantur . Quibus in locis sit Caesar ex captivis quaerunt ; profectum longius reperiunt omnemque exercitum discessisse cognoscunt . Atque unus ex captivis " Quid vos , " inquit , " hanc miseram ac tenuem sectamini praedam , quibus licet iam esse fortunatissimos ? Tribus horis Aduatucam venire potestis : huc omnes suas fortunas exercitus Romanorum contulit : praesidi tantum est , ut ne murus quidem cingi possit , neque quisquam egredi extra munitiones audeat . " Oblata spe Germani quam nacti erant praedam in occulto relinquunt ; ipsi Aduatucam contendunt usi eodem duce , cuius haec indicio cognoverant .
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These things were going on in all parts of the territories of the Eburones, and the seventh day was drawing near, by which day Caesar had purposed to return to the baggage and the legion. Here it might be learned how much fortune achieves in war, and how great casualties she produces. The enemy having been scattered and alarmed, as we related above, there was no force which might produce even a slight occasion of fear. The report extends beyond the Rhine to the Germans that the Eburones are being pillaged, and that all were without distinction invited to the plunder. The Sigambri, who are nearest to the Rhine , by whom, we have mentioned above, the Tenchtheri and Usipetes were received after their retreat, collect 2,000 horse; they cross the Rhine in ships and barks thirty miles below that place where the bridge was entire and the garrison left by Caesar; they arrive at the frontiers of the Eburones, surprise many who were scattered in flight, and get possession of a large amount of cattle, of which barbarians are extremely covetous. Allured by booty, they advance further; neither morass nor forest obstructs these men, born amid war and depredations; they inquire of their prisoners in what part Caesar is; they find that he has advanced further, and learn that all the army has removed. Thereon one of the prisoners says, "Why do you pursue such wretched and trifling spoil; you, to whom it is granted to become even now most richly endowed by fortune? In three hours you can reach Aduatuca; there the Roman army has deposited all its fortunes; there is so little of a garrison that not even the wall can be manned, nor dare any one go beyond the fortifications." A hope having been presented them, the Germans leave in concealment the plunder they had acquired; they themselves hasten to Aduatuca, employing as their guide the same man by whose information they had become informed of these things. |
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Cicero , qui omnes superiores dies praeceptis Caesaris cum summa diligentia milites in castris continuisset ac ne calonem quidem quemquam extra munitionem egredi passus esset , septimo die diffidens de numero dierum Caesarem fidem servaturum , quod longius progressum audiebat , neque ulla de reditu eius fama adferebatur , simul eorum permotus vocibus , qui illius patientiam paene obsessionem appellabant , siquidem ex castris egredi non liceret , nullum eiusmodi casum exspectans , quo novem oppositis legionibus maximoque equitatu dispersis ac paene deletis hostibus in milibus passuum tribus offendi posset , quinque cohortes frumentatum in proximas segetes mittit , quas inter et castra unus omnino collis intererat . Complures erant ex legionibus aegri relicti ; ex quibus qui hoc spatio dierum convaluerant , circiter CCC , sub vexillo una mittuntur ; magna praeterea multitudo calonum , magna vis iumentorum , quae in castris subsederant , facta potestate sequitur .
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Cicero, who during all the foregoing days had kept his soldiers in camp with the greatest exactness, and agreeable to the injunctions of Caesar, had not permitted even any of the camp-followers to go beyond the fortification, distrusting on the seventh day that Caesar would keep his promise as to the number of days, because he heard that he had proceeded further, and no report as to his return was brought to him, and being urged at the same time by the expressions of those who called his tolerance almost a siege, if, forsooth, it was not permitted them to go out of the camp, since he might expect no disaster, whereby he could be injured, within three miles of the camp, while nine legions and all the cavalry were under arms, and the enemy scattered and almost annihilated, sent five cohorts into the neighboring corn-lands, between which and the camp only one hill intervened, for the purpose of foraging. Many soldiers of the legions had been left invalided in the camp, of whom those who had recovered in this space of time, being about 300, are sent together under one standard; a large number of soldiers' attendants besides, with a great number of beasts of burden, which had remained in the camp, permission being granted, follow them. |
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Hoc ipso tempore et casu Germani equites interveniunt protinusque eodem illo , quo venerant , cursu ab decumana porta in castra irrumpere conantur , nec prius sunt visi obiectis ab ea parte silvis , quam castris appropinquarent , usque eo ut qui sub vallo tenderent mercatores recipiendi sui facultatem non haberent . Inopinantes nostri re nova perturbantur , ac vix primum impetum cohors in statione sustinet . Circumfunduntur ex reliquis hostes partibus , si quem aditum reperire possent . Aegre portas nostri tuentur , reliquos aditus locus ipse per se munitioque defendit . Totis trepidatur castris , atque alius ex alio causam tumultus quaerit ; neque quo signa ferantur neque quam in partem quisque conveniat provident . Alius iam castra capta pronuntiat , alius deleto exercitu atque imperatore victores barbaros venisse contendit ; plerique novas sibi ex loco religiones fingunt Cottaeque et Tituri calamitatem , qui in eodem occiderint castello , ante oculos ponunt . Tali timore omnibus perterritis confirmatur opinio barbaris , ut ex captivo audierant , nullum esse intus praesidium . perrumpere nituntur seque ipsi adhortantur , ne tantam fortunam ex manibus dimittant .
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At this very time, the German horse by chance came up, and immediately, with the same speed with which they had advanced, attempt to force the camp at the Decuman gate, nor were they seen, in consequence of woods lying in the way on that side, before they were just reaching the camp: so much so, that the sutlers who had their booths under the rampart had not an opportunity of retreating within the camp. Our men, not anticipating it, are perplexed by the sudden affair, and the cohort on the outpost scarcely sustains the first attack. The enemy spread themselves on the other sides to ascertain if they could find any access. Our men with difficulty defend the gates; the very position of itself and the fortification secures the other accesses. There is a panic in the entire camp, and one inquires of another the cause of the confusion, nor do they readily determine whither the standards should be borne, nor into what quarter each should betake himself. One avows that the camp is already taken, another maintains that, the enemy having destroyed the army and commander-in-chief, are come hither as conquerors; most form strange superstitious fancies from the spot, and place before their eyes the catastrophe of Cotta and Titurius, who had fallen in the same fort. All being greatly disconcerted by this alarm, the belief of the barbarians is strengthened that there is no garrison within, as they had heard from their prisoner. They endeavor to force an entrance and encourage one another not to cast from their hands so valuable a prize. |
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Erat aeger cum praesidio relictus Publius Sextius Baculus , qui primum pilum ad Caesarem duxerat , cuius mentionem superioribus proeliis fecimus , ac diem iam quintum cibo caruerat . Hic diffisus suae atque omnium saluti inermis ex tabernaculo prodit : videt imminere hostes atque in summo esse rem discrimine : capit arma a proximis atque in porta consistit : consequuntur hunc centuriones eius cohortis quae in statione erat : paulisper una proelium sustinent . Relinquit animus Sextium gravibus acceptis vulneribus : aegre per manus tractus servatur . Hoc spatio interposito reliqui sese confirmant tantum , ut in munitionibus consistere audeant speciemque defensorum praebeant .
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P. Sextius Baculus, who had led a principal century under Caesar (of whom we have made mention in previous engagements), had been left an invalid in the garrison, and had now been five days without food. He, distrusting his own safety and that of all, goes forth from his tent unarmed; he sees that the enemy are close at hand and that the matter is in the utmost danger; he snatches arms from those nearest, and stations himself at the gate. The centurions of that cohort which was on guard follow him; for a short time they sustain the fight together. Sextius faints, after receiving many wounds; he is with difficulty saved, drawn away by the hands of the soldiers. This space having intervened, the others resume courage so far as to venture to take their place on the fortifications and present the aspect of defenders. |