Gallic War (Julius Caesar)

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	Gallic War Author: Julius Caesar	Translator: W. A. McDevitte
309	Nostri , cum undique premerentur , XLVI centurionibus amissis deiecti sunt loco . Sed intolerantius Gallos insequentes legio decima tardavit , quae pro subsidio paulo aequiore loco constiterat . Hanc rursus XIII legionis cohortes exceperunt , quae ex castris minoribus eductae cum Tito Sextio legato ceperant locum superiorem . Legiones , ubi primum planitiem attigerunt , infestis contra hostes signis constiterunt . Vercingetorix ab radicibus collis suos intra munitiones reduxit . Eo die milites sunt paulo minus septingenti desiderati .	Our soldiers, being hard pressed on every side, were dislodged from their position, with the loss of forty-six centurions; but the tenth legion, which had been posted in reserve on ground a little more level, checked the Gauls in their eager pursuit. It was supported by the cohorts of the thirteenth legion, which, being led from the smaller camp, had, under the command of Titus Sextius, occupied the higher ground. The legions, as soon as they reached the plain, halted and faced the enemy. Vercingetorix led back his men from the part of the hill within the fortifications. On that day little less than seven hundred of the soldiers were missing.
310	Postero die Caesar contione advocata temeritatem cupiditatemque militum reprehendit , quod sibi ipsi iudicavissent quo procedendum aut quid agendum videretur , neque signo recipiendi dato constitissent neque ab tribunis militum legatisque retineri potuissent . Exposuit quid iniquitas loci posset , quid ipse ad Avaricum sensisset , cum sine duce et sine equitatu deprehensis hostibus exploratam victoriam dimisisset , ne parvum modo detrimentum in contentione propter iniquitatem loci accideret . Quanto opere eorum animi magnitudinem admiraretur , quos non castrorum munitiones , non altitudo montis , non murus oppidi tardare potuisset , tanto opere licentiam arrogantiamque reprehendere , quod plus se quam imperatorem de victoria atque exitu rerum sentire existimarent ; nec minus se ab milite modestiam et continentiam quam virtutem atque animi magnitudinem desiderare .	On the next day, Caesar, having called a meeting, censured the rashness and avarice of his soldiers, "In that they had judged for themselves how far they ought to proceed, or what they ought to do, and could not be kept back by the tribunes of the soldiers and the lieutenants;" and stated, "what the disadvantage of the ground could effect, what opinion he himself had entertained at Avaricum , when having surprised the enemy without either general or cavalry, he had given up a certain victory, lest even a trifling loss should occur in the contest owing to the disadvantage of position. That as much as he admired the greatness of their courage, since neither the fortifications of the camp, nor the height of the mountain, nor the wall of the town could retard them; in the same degree he censured their licentiousness and arrogance, because they thought that they knew more than their general concerning victory, and the issue of actions: and that he required in his soldiers forbearance and self-command, not less than valor and magnanimity."
311	Hac habita contione et ad extremam orationem confirmatis militibus , ne ob hanc causam animo permoverentur neu quod iniquitas loci attulisset id virtuti hostium tribuerent , eadem de profectione cogitans quae ante senserat legiones ex castris eduxit aciemque idoneo loco constituit . Cum Vercingetorix nihil magis in aequum locum descenderet , levi facto equestri proelio atque secundo in castra exercitum reduxit . Cum hoc idem postero die fecisset , satis ad Gallicam ostentationem minuendam militumque animos confirmandos factum existimans in Aeduos movit castra . Ne tum quidem insecutis hostibus tertio die ad flumen Elaver venit ; pontem refecit exercitumque traduxit .	Having held this assembly, and having encouraged the soldiers at the conclusion of his speech, "That they should not be dispirited on this account, nor attribute to the valor of the enemy, what the disadvantage of position had caused;" entertaining the same views of his departure that he had previously had, he led forth the legions from the camp, and drew up his army in order of battle in a suitable place. When Vercingetorix, nevertheless, would not descend to the level ground, a slight cavalry action, and that a successful one, having taken place, he led back his army into the camp. When he had done this, the next day, thinking that he had done enough to lower the pride of the Gauls, and to encourage the minds of his soldiers, he moved his camp in the direction of the Aedui. The enemy not even then pursuing us, on the third day he repaired the bridge over the river Allier, and led over his whole army.
312	Ibi a Viridomaro atque Eporedorige Aeduis appellatus discit cum omni equitatu Litaviccum ad sollicitandos Aeduos profectum : opus esse ipsos antecedere ad confirmandam civitatem . Etsi multis iam rebus perfidiam Aeduorum perspectam habebat atque horum discessu admaturari defectionem civitatis existimabat , tamen eos retinendos non constituit , ne aut inferre iniuriam videretur aut dare timoris aliquam suspicionem . Discedentibus his breviter sua in Aeduos merita exposuit , quos et quam humiles accepisset , compulsos in oppida , multatos agris omnibus ereptis copiis , imposito stipendio , obsidibus summa cum contumelia extortis , et quam in fortunam quamque in amplitudinem deduxisset , ut non solum in pristinum statum redissent , sed omnium temporum dignitatem et gratiam antecessisse viderentur . His datis mandatis eos ab se dimisit .	Having then held an interview with Viridomarus and Eporedirix the Aeduans, he learns that Litavicus had set out with all the cavalry to raise the Aedui; that it was necessary that they too should go before him to confirm the state in their allegiance. Although he now saw distinctly the treachery of the Aedui in many things, and was of opinion that the revolt of the entire state would be hastened by their departure; yet he thought that they should not be detained, lest he should appear either to offer an insult, or betray some suspicion of fear. He briefly states to them when departing his services toward the Aedui: in what a state and how humbled he had found them, driven into their towns, deprived of their lands, stripped of all their forces, a tribute imposed on them, and hostages wrested from them with the utmost insult; and to what condition and to what greatness he had raised them, [so much so] that they had not only recovered their former position, but seemed to surpass the dignity and influence of all the previous eras of their history. After giving these admonitions he dismissed them.
313	Noviodunum erat oppidum Aeduorum ad ripas Ligeris opportuno loco positum . Huc Caesar omnes obsides Galliae , frumentum , pecuniam publicam , suorum atque exercitus impedimentorum magnam partem contulerat ; huc magnum numerum equorum huius belli causa in Italia atque Hispania coemptum miserat . Eo cum Eporedorix Viridomarusque venissent et de statu civitatis cognovissent , Litaviccum Bibracti ab Aeduis receptum , quod est oppidum apud eos maximae auctoritatis , Convictolitavim magistratum magnamque partem senatus ad eum convenisse , legatos ad Vercingetorigem de pace et amicitia concilianda publice missos , non praetermittendum tantum commodum existimaverunt . Itaque interfectis Novioduni custodibus quique eo negotiandi causa convenerant pecuniam atque equos inter se partiti sunt ; obsides civitatum Bibracte ad magistratum deducendos curaverunt ; oppidum , quod a se teneri non posse iudicabant , ne cui esset usui Romanis , incenderunt ; frumenti quod subito potuerunt navibus avexerunt , reliquum flumine atque incendio corruperunt . Ipsi ex finitimis regionibus copias cogere , praesidia custodiasque ad ripas Ligeris disponere equitatumque omnibus locis iniciendi timoris causa ostentare coeperunt , si ab re frumentaria Romanos excludere aut adductos inopia in provinciam expellere possent . quam ad spem multum eos adiuvabat , quod Liger ex nivibus creverat , ut omnino vado non posse transiri videretur .	Noviodunum was a town of the Aedui, advantageously situated on the banks of the Loire . Caesar had conveyed hither all the hostages of Gaul, the corn, public money, a great part of his own baggage and that of his army; he had sent hither a great number of horses, which he had purchased in Italy and Spain on account of this war. When Eporedirix and Viridomarus came to this place, and received information of the disposition of the state, that Litavicus had been admitted by the Aedui into Bibracte , which is a town of the greatest importance among them, that Convictolitanis the chief magistrate and a great part of the senate had gone to meet him, that embassadors had been publicly sent to Vercingetorix to negotiate a peace and alliance; they thought that so great an opportunity ought not to be neglected. Therefore, having put to the sword the garrison of Noviodunum , and those who had assembled there for the purpose of trading or were on their march, they divided the money and horses among themselves; they took care that the hostages of the [different] states should be brought to Bibracte , to the chief magistrate; they burned the town to prevent its being of any service to the Romans, as they were of opinion that they could not hold it; they carried away in their vessels whatever corn they could in the hurry, they destroyed the remainder, by [throwing it] into the river or setting it on fire, they themselves began to collect forces from the neighboring country, to place guards and garrisons in different positions along the banks of the Loire , and to display the cavalry on all sides to strike terror into the Romans, [to try] if they could cut them off from a supply of provisions. In which expectation they were much aided, from the circumstance that the Loire had swollen to such a degree from the melting of the snows, that it did not seem capable of being forded at all.
314	Quibus rebus cognitis Caesar maturandum sibi censuit , si esset in perficiendis pontibus periclitandum , ut prius quam essent maiores eo coactae copiae dimicaret . Nam ut commutato consilio iter in provinciam converteret , id ne metu quidem necessario faciendum existimabat ; cum infamia atque indignitas rei et oppositus mons Cevenna viarumque difficultas impediebat , tum maxime quod abiuncto Labieno atque eis legionibus quas una miserat vehementer timebat . Itaque admodum magnis diurnis nocturnisque itineribus confectis contra omnium opinionem ad Ligerem venit vadoque per equites invento pro rei necessitate opportuno , ut brachia modo atque humeri ad sustinenda arma liberi ab aqua esse possent , disposito equitatu qui vim fluminis refringeret , atque hostibus primo aspectu perturbatis , incolumem exercitum traduxit frumentumque in agris et pecoris copiam nactus repleto his rebus exercitu iter in Senones facere instituit .	Caesar on being informed of these movements was of opinion that he ought to make haste, even if he should run some risk in completing the bridges, in order that he might engage before greater forces of the enemy should be collected in that place. For no one even then considered it an absolutely necessary act, that changing his design he should direct his march into the Province, both because the infamy and disgrace of the thing, and the intervening mount Cevennes , and the difficulty of the roads prevented him; and especially because he had serious apprehensions for the safety of Labienus whom he had detached, and those legions whom he had sent with him. Therefore, having made very long marches by day and night, he came to the river Loire , contrary to the expectation of all; and having by means of the cavalry, found out a ford, suitable enough considering the emergency, of such depth that their arms and shoulders could be above water for supporting their accoutrements, he dispersed his cavalry in such a manner as to break the force of the current, and having confounded the enemy at the first sight, led his army across the river in safety; and finding corn and cattle in the fields, after refreshing his army with them, he determined to march into the country of the Senones .
315	Dum haec apud Caesarem geruntur , Labienus eo supplemento , quod nuper ex Italia venerat , relicto Agedinci , ut esset impedimentis praesidio , cum quattuor legionibus Lutetiam proficiscitur . Id est oppidum Parisiorum , quod positum est in insula fluminis Sequanae . Cuius adventu ab hostibus cognito magnae ex finitimis civitatibus copiae convenerunt . Summa imperi traditur Camulogeno Aulerco , qui prope confectus aetate tamen propter singularem scientiam rei militaris ad eum est honorem evocatus . Is cum animadvertisset perpetuam esse paludem , quae influeret in Sequanam atque illum omnem locum magnopere impediret , hic consedit nostrosque transitu prohibere instituit .	While these things are being done by Caesar, Labienus, leaving at Agendicum the recruits who had lately arrived from Italy, to guard the baggage, marches with four legions to Lutetia (which is a town of the Parisii , situated on an island on the river Seine ), whose arrival being discovered by the enemy, numerous forces arrived from the neighboring states. The supreme command is intrusted to Camalugenus one of the Aulerci, who, although almost worn out with age, was called to that honor on account of his extraordinary knowledge of military tactics. He, when he observed that there was a large marsh which communicated with the Seine , and rendered all that country impassable, encamped there, and determined to prevent our troops from passing it.
316	Labienus primo vineas agere , cratibus atque aggere paludem explere atque iter munire conabatur . Postquam id difficilius confieri animadvertit , silentio e castris tertia vigilia egressus eodem quo venerat itinere Metiosedum pervenit . Id est oppidum Senonum in insula Sequanae positum , ut paulo ante de Lutetia diximus . Deprensis navibus circiter quinquaginta celeriterque coniunctis atque eo militibus iniectis et rei novitate perterritis oppidanis , quorum magna pars erat ad bellum evocata , sine contentione oppido potitur . Refecto ponte , quem superioribus diebus hostes resciderant , exercitum traducit et secundo flumine ad Lutetiam iter facere coepit . Hostes re cognita ab eis , qui Metiosedo fugerant , Lutetiam incendi pontesque eius oppidi rescindi iubent ; ipsi profecti a palude ad ripas Sequanae e regione Lutetiae contra Labieni castra considunt .	Labienus at first attempted to raise Vineae, fill up the marsh with hurdles and clay, and secure a road. After he perceived that this was too difficult to accomplish, he issued in silence from his camp at the third watch, and reached Melodunum by the same route by which he came. This is a town of the Senones , situated on an island in the Seine , as we have just before observed of Lutetia . Having seized upon about fifty ships and quickly joined them together, and having placed soldiers in them, he intimidated by his unexpected arrival the inhabitants, of whom a great number had been called out to the war, and obtains possession of the town without a contest. Having repaired the bridge, which the enemy had broken down during the preceding days, he led over his army, and began to march along the banks of the river to Lutetia . The enemy, on learning the circumstance from those who had escaped from Melodunum , set fire to Lutetia , and order the bridges of that town to be broken down: they themselves set out from the marsh, and take their position on the banks of the Seine , over against Lutetia and opposite the camp of Labienus.
317	Iam Caesar a Gergovia discessisse audiebatur , iam de Aeduorum defectione et secundo Galliae motu rumores adferebantur , Gallique in colloquiis interclusum itinere et Ligeri Caesarem inopia frumenti coactum in provinciam contendisse confirmabant . Bellovaci autem defectione Aeduorum cognita , qui ante erant per se infideles , manus cogere atque aperte bellum parare coeperunt . Tum Labienus tanta rerum commutatione longe aliud sibi capiendum consilium atque antea senserat intellegebat , neque iam , ut aliquid adquireret proelioque hostes lacesseret , sed ut incolumem exercitum Agedincum reduceret , cogitabat . Namque altera ex parte Bellovaci , quae civitas in Gallia maximam habet opinionem virtutis , instabant , alteram Camulogenus parato atque instructo exercitu tenebat ; tum legiones a praesidio atque impedimentis interclusas maximum flumen distinebat . Tantis subito difficultatibus obiectis ab animi virtute auxilium petendum videbat .	Caesar was now reported to have departed from Gergovia ; intelligence was likewise brought to them concerning the revolt of the Aedui, and a successful rising in Gaul; and that Caesar, having been prevented from prosecuting his journey and crossing the Loire , and having been compelled by the want of corn, had marched hastily to the province. But the Bellovaci, who had been previously disaffected of themselves, on learning the revolt of the Aedui, began to assemble forces and openly to prepare for war. Then Labienus, as the change in affairs was so great, thought that he must adopt a very different system from what he had previously intended, and he did not now think of making any new acquisitions, or of provoking the enemy to an action; but that he might bring back his army safe to Agendicum. For, on one side, the Bellovaci, a state which held the highest reputation for prowess in Gaul, were pressing on him; and Camulogenus, with a disciplined and well-equipped army, held the other side; moreover, a very great river separated and cut off the legions from the garrison and baggage. He saw that, in consequence of such great difficulties being thrown in his way, he must seek aid from his own energy of disposition.
318	Sub vesperum consilio convocato cohortatus ut ea quae imperasset diligenter industrieque administrarent , naves , quas Metiosedo deduxerat , singulas equitibus Romanis attribuit , et prima confecta vigilia quattuor milia passuum secundo flumine silentio progredi ibique se exspectari iubet . Quinque cohortes , quas minime firmas ad dimicandum esse existimabat , castris praesidio relinquit ; quinque eiusdem legionis reliquas de media nocte cum omnibus impedimentis adverso flumine magno tumultu proficisci imperat . Conquirit etiam lintres : has magno sonitu remorum incitatas in eandem partem mittit . Ipse post paulo silentio egressus cum tribus legionibus eum locum petit quo naves appelli iusserat .	Having, therefore, called a council of war a little before evening, he exhorted his soldiers to execute with diligence and energy such commands as he should give; he assigns the ships which he had brought from Melodunum to Roman knights, one to each, and orders them to fall down the river silently for four miles, at the end of the fourth watch, and there wait for him. He leaves the five cohorts, which he considered to be the most steady in action, to guard the camp; he orders the five remaining cohorts of the same legion to proceed a little after midnight up the river with all their baggage, in a great tumult. He collects also some small boats; and sends them in the same direction, with orders to make a loud noise in rowing. He himself, a little after, marched out in silence, and, at the head of three legions, seeks that place to which he had ordered the ships to be brought.
319	Eo cum esset ventum , exploratores hostium , ut omni fluminis parte erant dispositi , inopinantes , quod magna subito erat coorta tempestas , ab nostris opprimuntur ; exercitus equitatusque equitibus Romanis administrantibus , quos ei negotio praefecerat , celeriter transmittitur . Vno fere tempore sub lucem hostibus nuntiatur in castris Romanorum praeter consuetudinem tumultuari et magnum ire agmen adverso flumine sonitumque remorum in eadem parte exaudiri et paulo infra milites navibus transportari . Quibus rebus auditis , quod existimabant tribus locis transire legiones atque omnes perturbatos defectione Aeduorum fugam parare , suas quoque copias in tres partes distribuerunt . Nam praesidio e regione castrorum relicto et parva manu Metiosedum versus missa , quae tantum progrediatur , quantum naves processissent , reliquas copias contra Labienum duxerunt .	When he had arrived there, the enemy's scouts, as they were stationed along every part of the river, not expecting an attack, because a great storm had suddenly arisen, were surprised by our soldiers: the infantry and cavalry are quickly transported, under the superintendence of the Roman knights, whom he had appointed to that office. Almost at the same time, a little before daylight, intelligence was given to the enemy that there was an unusual tumult in the camp of the Romans, and that a strong force was marching up the river, and that the sound of oars was distinctly heard in the same quarter, and that soldiers were being conveyed across in ships a little below. On hearing these things, because they were of opinion that the legions were passing in three different places, and that the entire army, being terrified by the revolt of the Aedui, were preparing for flight, they divided their forces also into three divisions. For leaving a guard opposite to the camp and sending a small body in the direction of Metiosedum, with orders to advance as far as the ships would proceed, they led the rest of their troops against Labienus.
320	Prima luce et nostri omnes erant transportati , et hostium acies cernebatur . Labienus milites cohortatus ut suae pristinae virtutis et secundissimorum proeliorum retinerent memoriam atque ipsum Caesarem , cuius ductu saepe numero hostes superassent , praesentem adesse existimarent , dat signum proeli . Primo concursu ab dextro cornu , ubi septima legio constiterat , hostes pelluntur atque in fugam coniciuntur ; ab sinistro , quem locum duodecima legio tenebat , cum primi ordines hostium transfixi telis concidissent , tamen acerrime reliqui resistebant , nec dabat suspicionem fugae quisquam . Ipse dux hostium Camulogenus suis aderat atque eos cohortabatur . Incerto nunc etiam exitu victoriae , cum septimae legionis tribunis esset nuntiatum quae in sinistro cornu gererentur , post tergum hostium legionem ostenderunt signaque intulerunt . Ne eo quidem tempore quisquam loco cessit , sed circumventi omnes interfectique sunt . Eandem fortunam tulit Camulogenus . At ei qui praesidio contra castra Labieni erant relicti , cum proelium commissum audissent , subsidio suis ierunt collemque ceperunt , neque nostrorum militum victorum impetum sustinere potuerunt . Sic cum suis fugientibus permixti , quos non silvae montesque texerunt , ab equitatu sunt interfecti . hoc negotio confecto Labienus revertitur Agedincum , ubi impedimenta totius exercitus relicta erant : inde cum omnibus copiis ad Caesarem pervenit .	By day-break all our soldiers were brought across, and the army of the enemy was in sight. Labienus, having encouraged his soldiers "to retain the memory of their ancient valor, and so many most successful actions, and imagine Caesar himself, under whose command they had so often routed the enemy, to be present," gives the signal for action. At the first onset the enemy are beaten and put to flight in the right wing, where the seventh legion stood: on the left wing, which position the twelfth legion held, although the first ranks fell transfixed by the javelins of the Romans, yet the rest resisted most bravely; nor did any one of them show the slightest intention of flying. Camulogenus, the general of the enemy, was present and encouraged his troops. But when the issue of the victory was still uncertain, and the circumstances which were taking place on the left wing were announced to the tribunes of the seventh legion, they faced about their legion to the enemy's rear and attacked it: not even then did any one retreat, but all were surrounded and slain. Camulogenus met the same fate. But those who were left as a guard opposite the camp of Labienus, when they heard that the battle was commenced, marched to aid their countrymen and take possession of a hill, but were unable to withstand the attack of the victorious soldiers. In this manner, mixed with their own fugitives, such as the woods and mountains did not shelter were cut to pieces by our cavalry. When this battle was finished, Labienus returns to Agendicum, where the baggage of the whole army had been left: from it he marched with all his forces to Caesar.
321	Defectione Aeduorum cognita bellum augetur . Legationes in omnes partes circummittuntur : quantum gratia , auctoritate , pecunia valent , ad sollicitandas civitates nituntur ; nacti obsides , quos Caesar apud eos deposuerat , horum supplicio dubitantes territant . Petunt a Vercingetorige Aedui ut ad se veniat rationesque belli gerendi communicet . Re impetrata contendunt ut ipsis summa imperi tradatur , et re in controversiam deducta totius Galliae concilium Bibracte indicitur . Eodem conveniunt undique frequentes . Multitudinis suffragiis res permittitur : ad unum omnes Vercingetorigem probant imperatorem . Ab hoc concilio Remi , Lingones , Treveri afuerunt : illi , quod amicitiam Romanorum sequebantur ; Treveri , quod aberant longius et ab Germanis premebantur , quae fuit causa quare toto abessent bello et neutris auxilia mitterent . Magno dolore Aedui ferunt se deiectos principatu , queruntur fortunae commutationem et Caesaris indulgentiam in se requirunt , neque tamen suscepto bello suum consilium ab reliquis separare audent . Inviti summae spei adulescentes Eporedorix et Viridomarus Vercingetorigi parent .	The revolt of the Aedui being known, the war grows more dangerous. Embassies are sent by them in all directions: as far as they can prevail by influence, authority, or money, they strive to excite the state [to revolt]. Having got possession of the hostages whom Caesar had deposited with them, they terrify the hesitating by putting them to death. The Aedui request Vercingetorix to come to them and communicate his plans of conducting the war. On obtaining this request they insist that the chief command should be assigned to them; and when the affair became a disputed question, a council of all Gaul is summoned to Bibracte . They came together in great numbers and from every quarter to the same place. The decision is left to the votes of the mass; all to a man approve of Vercingetorix as their general. The Remi , Lingones , and Treviri were absent from this meeting; the two former because they attached themselves to the alliance of Rome ; the Treviri because they were very remote and were hard pressed by the Germans; which was also the reason of their being absent during the whole war, and their sending auxiliaries to neither party. The Aedui are highly indignant at being deprived of the chief command; they lament the change of fortune, and miss Caesar's indulgence toward them; however, after engaging in the war, they do not dare to pursue their own measures apart from the rest. Eporedirix and Viridomarus, youths of the greatest promise, submit reluctantly to Vercingetorix.
322	Ipse imperat reliquis civitatibus obsides diemque ei rei constituit . Omnes equites , quindecim milia numero , celeriter convenire iubet ; peditatu quem antea habuerit se fore contentum dicit , neque fortunam temptaturum aut in acie dimicaturum , sed , quoniam abundet equitatu , perfacile esse factu frumentationibus pabulationibusque Romanos prohibere , aequo modo animo sua ipsi frumenta corrumpant aedificiaque incendant , qua rei familiaris iactura perpetuum imperium libertatemque se consequi videant . His constitutis rebus Aeduis Segusiavisque , qui sunt finitimi provinciae , decem milia peditum imperat ; huc addit equites octingentos . His praeficit fratrem Eporedorigis bellumque inferri Allobrogibus iubet . Altera ex parte Gabalos proximosque pagos Arvernorum in Helvios , item Rutenos Cadurcosque ad fines Volcarum Arecomicorum depopulandos mittit . Nihilo minus clandestinis nuntiis legationibusque Allobrogas sollicitat , quorum mentes nondum ab superiore bello resedisse sperabat . Horum principibus pecunias , civitati autem imperium totius provinciae pollicetur .	The latter demands hostages from the remaining states; nay, more, appointed a day for this proceeding; he orders all the cavalry, fifteen thousand in number, to quickly assemble here; he says that he will be content with the infantry which he had before, and would not tempt fortune nor come to a regular engagement; but since he had abundance of cavalry, it would be very easy for him to prevent the Romans from obtaining forage or corn, provided that they themselves should resolutely destroy their corn and set fire to their houses; by which sacrifice of private property they would evidently obtain perpetual dominion and freedom. After arranging these matters, he levies ten thousand infantry on the Aedui and Segusiani, who border on our province: to these he adds eight hundred horse. He sets over them the brother of Eporedirix, and orders him to wage war against the Allobroges. On the other side he sends the Gabali and the nearest cantons of the Arverni against the Helvii; he likewise sends the Ruteni and Cadurci to lay waste the territories of the Volcae Arecomici. Besides, by secret messages and embassies, he tampers with the Allobroges, whose minds, he hopes, had not yet settled down after the excitement of the late war. To their nobles he promises money, and to their state the dominion of the whole province.