Gallic War |
Translator: W. A. McDevitte
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| 15 |
Postero die castra ex eo loco movent . Idem facit Caesar equitatumque omnem , ad numerum quattuor milium , quem ex omni provincia et Haeduis atque eorum sociis coactum habebat , praemittit , qui videant quas in partes hostes iter faciant . Qui cupidius novissimum agmen insecuti alieno loco cum equitatu Helvetiorum proelium committunt ; et pauci de nostris cadunt . Quo proelio sublati Helvetii , quod quingentis equitibus tantam multitudinem equitum propulerant , audacius subsistere non numquam et novissimo agmine proelio nostros lacessere coeperunt . Caesar suos a proelio continebat , ac satis habebat in praesentia hostem rapinis , pabulationibus populationibusque prohibere . Ita dies circiter XV iter fecerunt uti inter novissimum hostium agmen et nostrum primum non amplius quinis aut senis milibus passuum interesset .
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On the following day they move their camp from that place; Caesar does the same, and sends forward all his cavalry, to the number of four thousand (which he had drawn together from all parts of the Province and from the Aedui and their allies), to observe toward what parts the enemy are directing their march. These, having too eagerly pursued the enemy's rear, come to a battle with the cavalry of the Helvetii in a disadvantageous place, and a few of our men fall. The Helvetii, elated with this battle, because they had with five hundred horse repulsed so large a body of horse, began to face us more boldly, sometimes too from their rear to provoke our men by an attack. Caesar [however] restrained his men from battle, deeming it sufficient for the present to prevent the enemy from rapine, forage, and depredation. They marched for about fifteen days in such a manner that there was not more than five or six miles between the enemy's rear and our van. |
| 16 |
Interim cotidie Caesar Haeduos frumentum , quod essent publice polliciti , flagitare . Nam propter frigora [ quod Gallia sub septentrionibus , ut ante dictum est , posita est , ] non modo frumenta in agris matura non erant , sed ne pabuli quidem satis magna copia suppetebat ; eo autem frumento quod flumine Arari navibus subvexerat propterea uti minus poterat quod iter ab Arari Helvetii averterant , a quibus discedere nolebat . Diem ex die ducere Haedui : conferri , comportari , adesse dicere . Ubi se diutius duci intellexit et diem instare quo die frumentum militibus metiri oporteret , convocatis eorum principibus , quorum magnam copiam in castris habebat , in his Diviciaco et Lisco , qui summo magistratui praeerat , quem vergobretum appellant Haedui , qui creatur annuus et vitae necisque in suos habet potestatem , graviter eos accusat , quod , cum neque emi neque ex agris sumi possit , tam necessario tempore , tam propinquis hostibus ab iis non sublevetur , praesertim cum magna ex parte eorum precibus adductus bellum susceperit [ ; multo etiam gravius quod sit destitutus queritur ] .
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Meanwhile, Caesar kept daily importuning the Aedui for the corn which they had promised in the name of their state; for, in consequence of the coldness ( Gaul, being as before said, situated toward the north), not only was the corn in the fields not ripe, but there was not in store a sufficiently large quantity even of fodder: besides he was unable to use the corn which he had conveyed in ships up the river Saone, because the Helvetii, from whom he was unwilling to retire had diverted their march from the Saone. The Aedui kept deferring from day to day, and saying that it was being collected-brought in-on the road." When he saw that he was put off too long, and that the day was close at hand on which he ought to serve out the corn to his soldiers;-having called together their chiefs, of whom he had a great number in his camp, among them Divitiacus and Liscus who was invested with the chief magistracy (whom the Aedui style the Vergobretus, and who is elected annually and has power of life or death over his countrymen), he severely reprimands them, because he is not assisted by them on so urgent an occasion, when the enemy were so close at hand, and when [corn] could neither be bought nor taken from the fields, particularly as, in a great measure urged by their prayers, he had undertaken the war; much more bitterly, therefore does he complain of his being forsaken. |
| 17 |
Tum demum Liscus oratione Caesaris adductus quod antea tacuerat proponit : esse non nullos , quorum auctoritas apud plebem plurimum valeat , qui privatim plus possint quam ipsi magistratus . Hos seditiosa atque improba oratione multitudinem deterrere , ne frumentum conferant quod debeant : praestare , si iam principatum Galliae obtinere non possint , Gallorum quam Romanorum imperia perferre , neque dubitare [ debeant ] quin , si Helvetios superaverint Romani , una cum reliqua Gallia Haeduis libertatem sint erepturi . Ab isdem nostra consilia quaeque in castris gerantur hostibus enuntiari ; hos a se coerceri non posse . Quin etiam , quod necessariam rem coactus Caesari enuntiarit , intellegere sese quanto id cum periculo fecerit , et ob eam causam quam diu potuerit tacuisse .
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Then at length Liscus, moved by Caesar's speech, discloses what he had hitherto kept secret:-that there are some whose influences with the people is very great, who, though private men, have more power than the magistrates themselves: that these by seditions and violent language are deterring the populace from contributing the corn which they ought to supply; [by telling them] that, if they can not any longer retain the supremacy of Gaul, it were better to submit to the government of Gauls than of Romans, nor ought they to doubt that, if the Romans should overpower the Helvetii, they would wrest their freedom from the Aedui together with the remainder of Gaul. By these very men, [said he], are our plans and whatever is done in the camp, disclosed to the enemy; that they could not be restrained by him: nay more, he was well aware, that though compelled by necessity, he had disclosed the matter to Caesar, at how great a risk he had done it; and for that reason, he had been silent as long as he could." |
| 18 |
Caesar hac oratione Lisci Dumnorigem , Diviciaci fratrem , designari sentiebat , sed , quod pluribus praesentibus eas res iactari nolebat , celeriter concilium dimittit , Liscum retinet . Quaerit ex solo ea quae in conventu dixerat . Dicit liberius atque audacius . Eadem secreto ab aliis quaerit ; reperit esse vera : ipsum esse Dumnorigem , summa audacia , magna apud plebem propter liberalitatem gratia , cupidum rerum novarum . Complures annos portoria reliquaque omnia Haeduorum vectigalia parvo pretio redempta habere , propterea quod illo licente contra liceri audeat nemo . His rebus et suam rem familiarem auxisse et facultates ad largiendum magnas comparasse ; magnum numerum equitatus suo sumptu semper alere et circum se habere , neque solum domi , sed etiam apud finitimas civitates largiter posse , atque huius potentiae causa matrem in Biturigibus homini illic nobilissimo ac potentissimo conlocasse ; ipsum ex Helvetiis uxorem habere , sororum ex matre et propinquas suas nuptum in alias civitates conlocasse . Favere et cupere Helvetiis propter eam adfinitatem , odisse etiam suo nomine Caesarem et Romanos , quod eorum adventu potentia eius deminuta et Diviciacus frater in antiquum locum gratiae atque honoris sit restitutus . Si quid accidat Romanis , summam in spem per Helvetios regni obtinendi venire ; imperio populi Romani non modo de regno , sed etiam de ea quam habeat gratia desperare . Reperiebat etiam in quaerendo Caesar , quod proelium equestre adversum paucis ante diebus esset factum , initium eius fugae factum a Dumnorige atque eius equitibus ( nam equitatui , quem auxilio Caesari Haedui miserant , Dumnorix praeerat ) : eorum fuga reliquum esse equitatum perterritum .
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Caesar perceived that by this speech of Liscus, Dumnorix, the brother of Divitiacus, was indicated; but, as he was unwilling that these matters should be discussed while so many were present, he speedily dismisses: the council, but detains Liscus: he inquires from him when alone, about those things which he had said in the meeting. He [Liscus] speaks more unreservedly and boldly. He [Caesar] makes inquiries on the same points privately of others, and discovered that it is all true; that " Dumnorix is the person, a man of the highest daring, in great favor with the people on account of his liberality, a man eager for a revolution: that for a great many years he has been in the habit of contracting for the customs and all the other taxes of the Aedui at a small cost, because when he bids, no one dares to bid against him. By these means he has both increased his own private property, and amassed great means for giving largesses; that he maintains constantly at his own expense and keeps about his own person a great number of cavalry, and that not only at home, but even among the neighboring states, he has great influence, and for the sake of strengthening this influence has given his mother in marriage among the Bituriges to a man the most noble and most influential there; that he has himself taken a wife from among the Helvetii, and has given his sister by the mother's side and his female relations in marriage into other states; that he favors and wishes well to the Helvetii on account of this connection; and that he hates Caesar and the Romans, on his own account, because by their arrival his power was weakened, and his brother, Divitiacus, restored to his former position of influence and dignity: that, if any thing should happen to the Romans, he entertains the highest hope of gaining the sovereignty by means of the Helvetii, but that under the government of the Roman people he despairs not only of royalty, but even of that influence which he already has." Caesar discovered too, on inquiring into the unsuccessful cavalry engagement which had taken place a few days before, that the commencement of that flight had been made by Dumnorix and his cavalry (for Dumnorix was in command of the cavalry which the Aedui had sent for aid to Caesar); that by their flight the rest of the cavalry were dismayed. |
| 19 |
Quibus rebus cognitis , cum ad has suspiciones certissimae res accederent , quod per fines Sequanorum Helvetios traduxisset , quod obsides inter eos dandos curasset , quod ea omnia non modo iniussu suo et civitatis sed etiam inscientibus ipsis fecisset , quod a magistratu Haeduorum accusaretur , satis esse causae arbitrabatur quare in eum aut ipse animadverteret aut civitatem animadvertere iuberet . His omnibus rebus unum repugnabat , quod Diviciaci fratris summum in populum Romanum studium , summum in se voluntatem , egregiam fidem , iustitiam , temperantiam cognoverat ; nam ne eius supplicio Diviciaci animum offenderet verebatur . Itaque prius quam quicquam conaretur , Diviciacum ad se vocari iubet et , cotidianis interpretibus remotis , per C . Valerium Troucillum , principem Galliae provinciae , familiarem suum , cui summam omnium rerum fidem habebat , cum eo conloquitur ; simul commonefacit quae ipso praesente in concilio [ Gallorum ] de Dumnorige sint dicta , et ostendit quae separatim quisque de eo apud se dixerit . Petit atque hortatur ut sine eius offensione animi vel ipse de eo causa cognita statuat vel civitatem statuere iubeat .
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After learning these circumstances, since to these suspicions the most unequivocal facts were added, viz., that he had led the Helvetii through the territories of the Sequani; that he had provided that hostages should be mutually given; that he had done all these things, not only without any orders of his [Caesar's] and of his own state's, but even without their [the Aedui] knowing any thing of it themselves; that he [ Dumnorix] was reprimanded: by the [chief] magistrate of the Aedui; he [ Caesar] considered that there was sufficient reason, why he should either punish him himself, or order the state to do so. One thing [however] stood in the way of all this-that he had learned by experience his brother Divitiacus's very high regard for the Roman people, his great affection toward him, his distinguished faithfulness, justice, and moderation; for he was afraid lest by the punishment of this man, he should hurt the feelings of Divitiacus. Therefore, before he attempted any thing, he orders Divitiacus to be summoned to him, and, when the ordinary interpreters had been withdrawn, converses with him through Caius Valerius Procillus, chief of the province of Gaul, an intimate friend of his, in whom he reposed the highest confidence in every thing; at the same time he reminds him of what was said about Dumnorix in the council of the Gauls, when he himself was present, and shows what each had said of him privately in his [Caesar's] own presence; he begs and exhorts him, that, without offense to his feelings, he may either himself pass judgment on him [ Dumnorix] after trying the case, or else order the [ Aeduan] state to do so. |
| 20 |
Diviciacus multis cum lacrimis Caesarem complexus obsecrare coepit ne quid gravius in fratrem statueret : scire se illa esse vera , nec quemquam ex eo plus quam se doloris capere , propterea quod , cum ipse gratia plurimum domi atque in reliqua Gallia , ille minimum propter adulescentiam posset , per se crevisset ; quibus opibus ac nervis non solum ad minuendam gratiam , sed paene ad perniciem suam uteretur . Sese tamen et amore fraterno et existimatione vulgi commoveri . Quod si quid ei a Caesare gravius accidisset , cum ipse eum locum amicitiae apud eum teneret , neminem existimaturum non sua voluntate factum ; qua ex re futurum uti totius Galliae animi a se averterentur . Haec cum pluribus verbis flens a Caesare peteret , Caesar eius dextram prendit ; consolatus rogat finem orandi faciat ; tanti eius apud se gratiam esse ostendit uti et rei publicae iniuriam et suum dolorem eius voluntati ac precibus condonet . Dumnorigem ad se vocat , fratrem adhibet ; quae in eo reprehendat ostendit ; quae ipse intellegat , quae civitas queratur proponit ; monet ut in reliquum tempus omnes suspiciones vitet ; praeterita se Diviciaco fratri condonare dicit . Dumnorigi custodes ponit , ut quae agat , quibuscum loquatur scire possit .
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Divitiacus, embracing Caesar, begins to implore him, with many tears, that "he would not pass any very severe sentence upon his brother; saying, that he knows that those charges are true, and that nobody suffered more pain on that account than he himself did; for when he himself could effect a very great deal by his influence at home and in the rest of Gaul, and he [ Dumnorix] very little on account of his youth, the latter had become powerful through his means, which power and strength he used not only to the lessening of his [ Divitiacus] popularity, but almost to his ruin; that he, however, was influenced both by fraternal affection and by public opinion. But if any thing very severe from Caesar should befall him [ Dumnorix], no one would think that it had been done without his consent, since he himself held such a place in Caesar's friendship: from which circumstance it would arise, that the affections of the whole of Gaul would be estranged from him." As he was with tears begging these things of Caesar in many words, Caesar takes his right hand, and, comforting him, begs him to make an end of entreating, and assures him that his regard for him is so great, that he forgives both the injuries of the republic and his private wrongs, at his desire and prayers. He summons Dumnorix to him; he brings in his brother; he points out what he censures in him; he lays before him what he of himself perceives, and what the state complains of; he warns him for the future to avoid all grounds of suspicion; he says that he pardons the past, for the sake of his brother, Divitiacus. He sets spies over Dumnorix that he may be able to know what he does, and with whom he communicates. |
| 21 |
Eodem die ab exploratoribus certior factus hostes sub monte consedisse milia passuum ab ipsius castris octo , qualis esset natura montis et qualis in circuitu ascensus qui cognoscerent misit . Renuntiatum est facilem esse . De tertia vigilia T . Labienum , legatum pro praetore , cum duabus legionibus et iis ducibus qui iter cognoverant summum iugum montis ascendere iubet ; quid sui consilii sit ostendit . Ipse de quarta vigilia eodem itinere quo hostes ierant ad eos contendit equitatumque omnem ante se mittit . P . Considius , qui rei militaris peritissimus habebatur et in exercitu L . Sullae et postea in M . Crassi fuerat , cum exploratoribus praemittitur .
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Being on the same day informed by his scouts, that the enemy had encamped at the foot of a mountain eight miles from his own camp; he sent persons to ascertain what the nature of the mountain was, and of what kind the ascent on every side. Word was brought back, that it was easy. During the third watch he orders Titus Labienus, his lieutenant with praetorian powers, to ascend to the highest ridge of the mountain with two legions, and with those as guides who had examined the road; he explains what his plan is. He himself during the fourth watch, hastens to them by the same route by which the enemy had gone, and sends on all the cavalry before him. Publius Considius, who was reputed to be very experienced in military affairs, and had been in the army of Lucius Sulla, and afterward in that of Marcus Crassus, is sent forward with the scouts. |
| 22 |
Prima luce , cum summus mons a [ Lucio ] Labieno teneretur , ipse ab hostium castris non longius mille et quingentis passibus abesset neque , ut postea ex captivis comperit , aut ipsius adventus aut Labieni cognitus esset , Considius equo admisso ad eum accurrit , dicit montem , quem a Labieno occupari voluerit , ab hostibus teneri : id se a Gallicis armis atque insignibus cognovisse . Caesar suas copias in proximum collem subducit , aciem instruit . Labienus , ut erat ei praeceptum a Caesare ne proelium committeret , nisi ipsius copiae prope hostium castra visae essent , ut undique uno tempore in hostes impetus fieret , monte occupato nostros expectabat proelioque abstinebat . Multo denique die per exploratores Caesar cognovit et montem a suis teneri et Helvetios castra , movisse et Considium timore perterritum quod non vidisset pro viso sibi renuntiavisse . Eo die quo consuerat intervallo hostes sequitur et milia passuum tria ab eorum castris castra ponit .
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At day-break, when the summit of the mountain was in the possession of Titus Labienus, and he himself was not further off than a mile and half from the enemy's camp, nor, as he afterward ascertained from the captives, had either his arrival or that of Labienus been discovered; Considius, with his horse at full gallop, comes up to him says that the mountain which he [ Caesar] wished should be seized by Labienus, is in possession of the enemy; that he has discovered this by the Gallic arms and ensigns. Caesar leads off his forces to the next hill: [and] draws them up in battle-order. Labienus, as he had been ordered by Caesar not to come to an engagement unless [Caesar's] own forces were seen near the enemy's camp, that the attack upon the enemy might be made on every side at the same time, was, after having taken possession of the mountain, waiting for our men, and refraining from battle. When, at length, the day was far advanced, Caesar learned through spies, that the mountain was in possession of his own men, and that the Helvetii had moved their camp, and that Considius, struck with fear, had reported to him, as seen, that which he had not seen. On that day he follows the enemy at his usual distance, and pitches his camp three miles from theirs. |
| 23 |
Postridie eius diei , quod omnino biduum supererat , cum exercitui frumentum metiri oporteret , et quod a Bibracte , oppido Haeduorum longe maximo et copiosissimo , non amplius milibus passuum XVIII aberat , rei frumentariae prospiciendum existimavit ; itaque iter ab Helvetiis avertit ac Bibracte ire contendit . Ea res per fugitivos L . Aemilii , decurionis equitum Gallorum , hostibus nuntiatur . Helvetii , seu quod timore perterritos Romanos discedere a se existimarent , eo magis quod pridie superioribus locis occupatis proelium non commisissent , sive eo quod re frumentaria intercludi posse confiderent , commutato consilio atque itinere converso nostros a novissimo agmine insequi ac lacessere coeperunt .
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The next day (as there remained in all only two day's space [to the time] when he must serve out the corn to his army, and as he was not more than eighteen miles from Bibracte, by far the largest and best-stored town of the Aedui), he thought that he ought to provide for a supply of corn; and diverted his march from the Helvetii, and advanced rapidly to Bibracte. This circumstance is reported to the enemy by some deserters from Lucius Aemilius, a captain, of the Gallic horse. The Helvetii, either because they thought that the Romans, struck with terror, were retreating from them, the more so, as the day before, though they had seized on the higher grounds, they had not joined battle or because they flattered themselves that they might be cut of from the provisions, altering their plan and changing their route, began to pursue, and to annoy our men in the rear. |
| 24 |
Postquam id animum advertit , copias suas Caesar in proximum collem subduxit equitatumque , qui sustineret hostium impetum , misit . Ipse interim in colle medio triplicem aciem instruxit legionum quattuor veteranarum ; in summo iugo duas legiones quas in Gallia citeriore proxime conscripserat et omnia auxilia conlocavit , ita ut supra se totum montem hominibus compleret ; impedimenta sarcinasque in unum locum conferri et eum ab iis qui in superiore acie constiterant muniri iussit . Helvetii cum omnibus suis carris secuti impedimenta in unum locum contulerunt ; ipsi confertissima acie , reiecto nostro equitatu , phalange facta sub primam nostram aciem successerunt .
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Caesar, when he observes this, draws off his forces to the next hill, and sent the cavalry to sustain the attack of the enemy. He himself, meanwhile, drew up on the middle of the hill a triple line of his four veteran legions in such a manner, that he placed above him on the very summit the two legions, which he had lately levied in Hither Gaul, and all the auxiliaries; and he ordered that the whole mountain should be covered with men, and that meanwhile the baggage should be brought together into one place, and the position be protected by those who were posted in the upper line. The Helvetii having followed with all their wagons, collected their baggage into one place: they themselves, after having repulsed our cavalry and formed a phalanx, advanced up to our front line in very close order. |
| 25 |
Caesar primum suo , deinde omnium ex conspectu remotis equis , ut aequato omnium periculo spem fugae tolleret , cohortatus suos proelium commisit . Milites loco superiore pilis missis facile hostium phalangem perfregerunt . Ea disiecta gladiis destrictis in eos impetum fecerunt . Gallis magno ad pugnam erat impedimento quod pluribus eorum scutis uno ictu pilorum transfixis et conligatis , cum ferrum se inflexisset , neque evellere neque sinistra impedita satis commode pugnare poterant , multi ut diu iactato bracchio praeoptarent scutum manu emittere et nudo corpore pugnare . Tandem vulneribus defessi et pedem referre et , quod mons suberit circiter mille passuum spatio , eo se recipere coeperunt . Capto monte et succedentibus nostris , Boi et Tulingi , qui hominum milibus circiter XV agmen hostium claudebant et novissimis praesidio erant , ex itinere nostros ab latere aperto adgressi circumvenire , et id conspicati Helvetii , qui in montem sese receperant , rursus instare et proelium redintegrare coeperunt . Romani [ conversa ] signa bipertito intulerunt : prima et secunda acies , ut victis ac submotis resisteret , tertia , ut venientes sustineret .
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Caesar, having removed out of sight first his own horse, then those of all, that he might make the danger of a11 equal, and do away with the hope of flight, after encouraging his men, joined battle. His soldiers hurling their javelins from the higher ground, easily broke the enemy's phalanx. That being dispersed, they made a charge on them with drawn swords. It was a great hinderance to the Gauls in fighting, that, when several of their bucklers had been by one stroke of the ( Roman) javelins pierced through and pinned fast together, as the point of the iron had bent itself, they could neither pluck it out, nor, with their left hand entangled, fight with sufficient ease; so that many, after having long tossed their arm about, chose rather to cast away the buckler from their hand, and to fight with their person unprotected. At length, worn out with wounds, they began to give way, and, as there was in the neighborhood a mountain about a mile off, to betake themselves thither. When the mountain had been gained, and our men were advancing up, the Boii and Tulingi, who with about 15,000 men closed the enemy's line of march and served as a guard to their rear, having assailed our men on the exposed flank as they advanced [prepared] to surround them; upon seeing which, the Helvetii who had betaken themselves to the mountain, began to press on again and renew the battle. The Romans having faced about, advanced to the attack in two divisions; the first and second line, to withstand those who had been defeated and driven off the field; the third to receive those who were just arriving. |
| 26 |
Ita ancipiti proelio diu atque acriter pugnatum est . Diutius cum sustinere nostrorum impetus non possent , alteri se , ut coeperant , in montem receperunt , alteri ad impedimenta et carros suos se contulerunt . Nam hoc toto proelio , cum ab hora septima ad vesperum pugnatum sit , aversum hostem videre nemo potuit . Ad multam noctem etiam ad impedimenta pugnatum est , propterea quod pro vallo carros obiecerunt et e loco superiore in nostros venientes tela coiciebant et non nulli inter carros rotasque mataras ac tragulas subiciebant nostrosque vulnerabant . Diu cum esset pugnatum , impedimentis castrisque nostri potiti sunt . Ibi Orgetorigis filia atque unus e filiis captus est . Ex eo proelio circiter hominum milia CXXX superfuerunt eaque tota nocte continenter ierunt [ nullam partem noctis itinere intermisso ] ; in fines Lingonum die quarto pervenerunt , cum et propter vulnera militum et propter sepulturam occisorum nostri [ triduum morati ] eos sequi non potuissent . Caesar ad Lingonas litteras nuntiosque misit , ne eos frumento neve alia re iuvarent : qui si iuvissent , se eodem loco quo Helvetios habiturum . Ipse triduo intermisso cum omnibus copiis eos sequi coepit .
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Thus, was the contest long and vigorously carried on with doubtful success. When they could no longer withstand the attacks of our men, the one division, as they had begun to do, betook themselves to the mountain; the other repaired to their baggage and wagons. For during the whole of this battle, although the fight lasted from the seventh hour [i.e. 12 (noon) 1 P. M.] to eventide, no one could see an enemy with his back turned. The fight was carried on also at the baggage till late in the night, for they had set wagons in the way as a rampart, and from the higher ground kept throwing weapons upon our men, as they came on, and some from between the wagons and the wheels kept darting their lances and javelins from beneath, and wounding our men. After the fight had lasted some time, our men gained possession of their baggage and camp. There the daughter and one of the sons of Orgetorix was taken. After the battle about 130,000 men [of the enemy] remained alive, who marched incessantly during the whole of that night; and after a march discontinued for no part of the night, arrived in the territories of the Lingones on the fourth day, while our men, having stopped for three days, both on account of the wounds of the soldiers and the burial of the slain, had not been able to follow them. Caesar sent letters and messengers to the Lingones [with orders] that they should not assist them with corn or with any thing else; for that if they should assist them, he would regard them in the same light as the Helvetii. After the three days' interval he began to follow them himself with all his forces. |
| 27 |
Helvetii omnium rerum inopia adducti legatos de deditione ad eum miserunt . Qui cum eum in itinere convenissent seque ad pedes proiecissent suppliciterque locuti flentes pacem petissent , atque eos in eo loco quo tum essent suum adventum expectare iussisset , paruerunt . Eo postquam Caesar pervenit , obsides , arma , servos qui ad eos perfugissent , poposcit . Dum ea conquiruntur et conferuntur , [ nocte intermissa ] circiter hominum milia VI eius pagi qui Verbigenus appellatur , sive timore perterriti , ne armis traditis supplicio adficerentur , sive spe salutis inducti , quod in tanta multitudine dediticiorum suam fugam aut occultari aut omnino ignorari posse existimarent , prima nocte e castris Helvetiorum egressi ad Rhenum finesque Germanorum contenderunt .
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The Helvetii, compelled by the want of every thing, sent embassadors to him about a surrender. When these had met him on the way and had thrown themselves at his feet, and speaking in suppliant tone had with tears sued for peace, and [when] he had ordered them to await his arrival, in the place, where they then were, they obeyed his commands. When Caesar arrived at that place, he demanded hostages, their arms, and the slaves who had deserted to them. While those things are being sought for and got together, after a night's interval, about 6000 men of that canton which is called the Verbigene, whether terrified by fear, lest after delivering up their arms, they should suffer punishment, or else induced by the hope of safety, because they supposed that, amid so vast a multitude of those who had surrendered themselves, their flight might either be concealed or entirely overlooked, having at night-fall departed out of the camp of the Helvetii, hastened to the Rhine and the territories of the Germans. |
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Quod ubi Caesar resciit , quorum per fines ierant his uti conquirerent et reducerent , si sibi purgati esse vellent , imperavit ; reductos in hostium numero habuit ; reliquos omnes obsidibus , armis , perfugis traditis in deditionem accepit . Helvetios , Tulingos , Latobrigos in fines suos , unde erant profecti , reverti iussit , et , quod omnibus frugibus amissis domi nihil erat quo famem tolerarent , Allobrogibus imperavit ut iis frumenti copiam facerent ; ipsos oppida vicosque , quos incenderant , restituere iussit . Id ea maxime ratione fecit , quod noluit eum locum unde Helvetii discesserant vacare , ne propter bonitatem agrorum Germani , qui trans Rhenum incolunt , ex suis finibus in Helvetiorum fines transirent et finitimi Galliae provinciae Allobrogibusque essent . Boios petentibus Haeduis , quod egregia virtute erant cogniti , ut in finibus suis conlocarent , concessit ; quibus illi agros dederunt quosque postea in parem iuris libertatisque condicionem atque ipsi erant receperunt .
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But when Caesar discovered this, he commanded those through whose territory they had gone, to seek them out and to bring them back again, if they meant to be acquitted before him; and considered them, when brought back, in the light of enemies; he admitted all the rest to a surrender, upon their delivering up the hostages, arms, and deserters. He ordered the Helvetii, the Tulingi, and the Latobrigi, to return to their territories from which they had come, and as there was at home nothing whereby they might support their hunger, all the productions of the earth having been destroyed, he commanded the Allobroges to let them have a plentiful supply of corn; and ordered them to rebuild the towns and villages which they had burned. This he did, chiefly, on this account, because he was unwilling that the country, from which the Helvetii had departed, should be untenanted, lest the Germans, who dwell on the other side of the Rhine, should, on account of the excellence of the lands, cross over from their own territories into those of the Helvetii, and become borderers upon the province of Gaul and the Allobroges. He granted the petition of the Aedui, that they might settle the Boii, in their own (i. e. in the Aeduan) territories, as these were known to be of distinguished valor, to whom they gave lands, and whom they afterward admitted to the same state of rights and freedom as themselves. |