Gallic War |
Translator: W. A. McDevitte
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| 323 |
Ad hos omnes casus provisa erant praesidia cohortium duarum et viginti , quae ex ipsa provincia ab Lucio Caesare legato ad omnes partes opponebantur . Helvii sua sponte cum finitimis proelio congressi pelluntur et Gaio Valerio Donnotauro , Caburi filio , principe civitatis , compluribusque aliis interfectis intra oppida ac muros compelluntur . Allobroges crebris ad Rhodanum dispositis praesidiis magna cum cura et diligentia suos fines tuentur . Caesar , quod hostes equitatu superiores esse intellegebat et interclusis omnibus itineribus nulla re ex provincia atque Italia sublevari poterat , trans Rhenum in Germaniam mittit ad eas civitates quas superioribus annis pacaverat , equitesque ab his arcessit et levis armaturae pedites , qui inter eos proeliari consuerant . Eorum adventu , quod minus idoneis equis utebantur , a tribunis militum reliquisque equitibus Romanis atque evocatis equos sumit Germanisque distribuit .
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The only guards provided against all these contingencies were twenty-two cohorts, which were collected from the entire province by Lucius Caesar, the lieutenant, and opposed to the enemy in every quarter. The Helvii, voluntarily engaging in battle with their neighbors, are defeated, and Caius Valerius Donotaurus, the son of Caburus, the principal man of the state, and several others, being slain, they are forced to retire within their towns and fortifications. The Allobroges, placing guards along the course of the Rhine , defend their frontiers with great vigilance and energy. Caesar, as he perceived that the enemy were superior in cavalry, and he himself could receive no aid from the Province or Italy, while all communication was cut off, sends across the Rhine into Germany to those states which he had subdued in the preceding campaigns, and summons from them cavalry and the light-armed infantry, who were accustomed to engage among them. On their arrival, as they were mounted on unserviceable horses, he takes horses from the military tribunes and the rest, nay, even from the Roman knights and veterans, and distributes them among the Germans. |
| 324 |
Interea , dum haec geruntur , hostium copiae ex Arvernis equitesque qui toti Galliae erant imperati conveniunt . Magno horum coacto numero , cum Caesar in Sequanos per extremos Lingonum fines iter faceret , quo facilius subsidium provinciae ferri posset , circiter milia passuum decem ab Romanis trinis castris Vercingetorix consedit convocatisque ad concilium praefectis equitum venisse tempus victoriae demonstrat . Fugere in provinciam Romanos Galliaque excedere . Id sibi ad praesentem obtinendam libertatem satis esse ; ad reliqui temporis pacem atque otium parum profici : maioribus enim coactis copiis reversuros neque finem bellandi facturos . Proinde agmine impeditos adorirentur . Si pedites suis auxilium ferant atque in eo morentur , iter facere non posse ; si , id quod magis futurum confidat , relictis impedimentis suae saluti consulant , et usu rerum necessariarum et dignitate spoliatum iri . Nam de equitibus hostium , quin nemo eorum progredi modo extra agmen audeat , et ipsos quidem non debere dubitare , et quo maiore faciant animo , copias se omnes pro castris habiturum et terrori hostibus futurum . Conclamant equites sanctissimo iureiurando confirmari oportere , ne tecto recipiatur , ne ad liberos , ne ad parentes , ad uxorem aditum habeat , qui non bis per agmen hostium perequitasset .
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In the mean time, whilst these things are going on, the forces of the enemy from the Arverni, and the cavalry which had been demanded from all Gaul, meet together. A great number of these having been collected, when Caesar was marching into the country of the Sequani, through the confines of the Lingones , in order that he might the more easily render aid to the province, Vercingetorix encamped in three camps, about ten miles from the Romans: and having summoned the commanders of the cavalry to a council, he shows that the time of victory was come; that the Romans were fleeing into the Province and leaving Gaul; that this was sufficient for obtaining immediate freedom; but was of little moment in acquiring peace and tranquillity for the future; for the Romans would return after assembling greater forces and would not put an end to the war. Therefore they should attack them on their march, when encumbered. If the infantry should [be obliged to] relieve their cavalry, and be retarded by doing so, the march could not be accomplished: if, abandoning their baggage they should provide for their safety (a result which, he trusted, was more like to ensue), they would lose both property and character. For as to the enemy's horse, they ought not to entertain a doubt that none of them would dare to advance beyond the main body. In order that they [the Gauls] may do so with greater spirit, he would marshal all their forces before the camp, and intimidate the enemy. The cavalry unanimously shout out, "That they ought to bind themselves by a most sacred oath, that he should not be received under a roof, nor have access to his children, parents, or wife, who shall not twice have ridden through the enemy's army." |
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Probata re atque omnibus iureiurando adactis postero die in tres partes distributo equitatu duae se acies ab duobus lateribus ostendunt , una primo agmine iter impedire coepit . Qua re nuntiata Caesar suum quoque equitatum tripertito divisum contra hostem ire iubet . Pugnatur una omnibus in partibus . Consistit agmen ; impedimenta intra legiones recipiuntur . Si qua in parte nostri laborare aut gravius premi videbantur , eo signa inferri Caesar aciemque constitui iubebat ; quae res et hostes ad insequendum tardabat et nostros spe auxili confirmabat . Tandem Germani ab dextro latere summum iugum nacti hostes loco depellunt ; fugientes usque ad flumen , ubi Vercingetorix cum pedestribus copiis consederat , persequuntur compluresque interficiunt . Qua re animadversa reliqui ne circumirentur veriti se fugae mandant . Omnibus locis fit caedes . Tres nobilissimi Aedui capti ad Caesarem perducuntur : Cotus , praefectus equitum , qui controversiam cum Convictolitavi proximis comitiis habuerat , et Cavarillus , qui post defectionem Litavicci pedestribus copiis praefuerat , et Eporedorix , quo duce ante adventum Caesaris Aedui cum Sequanis bello contenderant .
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This proposal receiving general approbation, and all being forced to take the oath, on the next day the cavalry were divided into three parts, and two of these divisions made a demonstration on our two flanks; while one in front began to obstruct our march. On this circumstance being announced, Caesar orders his cavalry also to form three divisions and charge the enemy. Then the action commences simultaneously in every part: the main body halts; the baggage is received within the ranks of the legions. If our men seemed to be distressed, or hard pressed in any quarter, Caesar usually ordered the troops to advance, and the army to wheel round in that quarter; which conduct retarded the enemy in the pursuit, and encouraged our men by the hope of support. At length the Germans, on the right wing, having gained the top of the hill, dislodge the enemy from their position and pursue them even as far as the river at which Vercingetorix with the infantry was stationed, and slay several of them. The rest, on observing this action, fearing lest they should be surrounded, betake themselves to flight. A slaughter ensues in every direction, and three of the noblest of the Aedui are taken and brought to Caesar: Cotus, the commander of the cavalry, who had been engaged in the contest with Convictolitanis the last election, Cavarillus, who had held the command of the infantry after the revolt of Litavicus, and Eporedirix, under whose command the Aedui had engaged in war against the Sequani, before the arrival of Caesar. |
| 326 |
Fugato omni equitatu Vercingetorix copias , ut pro castris collocaverat , reduxit protinusque Alesiam , quod est oppidum Mandubiorum , iter facere coepit celeriterque impedimenta ex castris educi et se subsequi iussit . Caesar impedimentis in proximum collem deductis , duabus legionibus praesidio relictis , secutus quantum diei tempus est passum , circiter tribus milibus hostium ex novissimo agmine interfectis altero die ad Alesiam castra fecit . Perspecto urbis situ perterritisque hostibus , quod equitatu , qua maxime parte exercitus confidebant , erant pulsi , adhortatus ad laborem milites circumvallare instituit .
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All his cavalry being routed, Vercingetorix led back his troops in the same order as he had arranged them before the camp, and immediately began to march to Alesia , which is a town of the Mandubii, and ordered the baggage to be speedily brought forth from the camp, and follow him closely. Caesar, having conveyed his baggage to the nearest hill, and having left two legions to guard it, pursued as far as the time of day would permit, and after slaying about three thousand of the rear of the enemy, encamped at Alesia on the next day. On reconnoitering the situation of the city, finding that the enemy were panic-stricken, because the cavalry in which they placed their chief reliance, were beaten, he encouraged his men to endure the toil, and began to draw a line of circumvallation round Alesia . |
| 327 |
Ipsum erat oppidum Alesia in colle summo admodum edito loco , ut nisi obsidione expugnari non posse videretur . Cuius collis radices duo duabus ex partibus flumina subluebant . Ante id oppidum planities circiter milia passuum tria in longitudinem patebat : reliquis ex omnibus partibus colles mediocri interiecto spatio pari altitudinis fastigio oppidum cingebant . Sub muro , quae pars collis ad orientem solem spectabat , hunc omnem locum copiae Gallorum compleverant fossamque et maceriam sex in altitudinem pedum praeduxerant . Eius munitionis quae ab Romanis instituebatur circuitus XI milia passuum tenebat . Castra opportunis locis erant posita ibique castella viginti tria facta , quibus in castellis interdiu stationes ponebantur , ne qua subito eruptio fieret : haec eadem noctu excubitoribus ac firmis praesidiis tenebantur .
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The town itself was situated on the top of a hill, in a very lofty position, so that it did not appear likely to be taken, except by a regular siege. Two rivers, on two different sides, washed the foot of the hill. Before the town lay a plain of about three miles in length; on every other side hills at a moderate distance, and of an equal degree of height, surrounded the town. The army of the Gauls had filled all the space under the wall, comprising a part of the hill which looked to the rising sun, and had drawn in front a trench and a stone wall six feet high. The circuit of that fortification, which was commenced by the Romans, comprised eleven miles. The camp was pitched in a strong position, and twenty-three redoubts were raised in it, in which sentinels were placed by day, lest any sally should be made suddenly; and by night the same were occupied by watches and strong guards. |
| 328 |
Opere instituto fit equestre proelium in ea planitie , quam intermissam collibus tria milia passuum in longitudinem patere supra demonstravimus . Summa vi ab utrisque contenditur . Laborantibus nostris Caesar Germanos summittit legionesque pro castris constituit , ne qua subito irruptio ab hostium peditatu fiat . Praesidio legionum addito nostris animus augetur : hostes in fugam coniecti se ipsi multitudine impediunt atque angustioribus portis relictis coacervantur . Germani acrius usque ad munitiones secuntur . Fit magna caedes : nonnulli relictis equis fossam transire et maceriam transcendere conantur . Paulum legiones Caesar quas pro vallo constituerat promoveri iubet . Non minus qui intra munitiones erant perturbantur Galli : veniri ad se confestim existimantes ad arma conclamant ; nonnulli perterriti in oppidum irrumpunt . Vercingetorix iubet portas claudi , ne castra nudentur . Multis interfectis , compluribus equis captis Germani sese recipiunt .
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The work having been begun, a cavalry action ensues in that plain, which we have already described as broken by hills, and extending three miles in length. The contest is maintained on both sides with the utmost vigor; Caesar sends the Germans to aid our troops when distressed, and draws up the legions in front of the camp, lest any sally should be suddenly made by the enemy's infantry. The courage of our men is increased by the additional support of the legions; the enemy being put to flight, hinder one another by their numbers, and as only the narrower gates were left open, are crowded together in them; then the Germans pursue them with vigor even to the fortifications. A great slaughter ensues; some leave their horses, and endeavor to cross the ditch and climb the wall. Caesar orders the legions which he had drawn up in front of the rampart to advance a little. The Gauls, who were within the fortifications, were no less panic-stricken, thinking that the enemy were coming that moment against them, and unanimously shout "to arms;" some in their alarm rush into the town; Vercingetorix orders the gates to be shut, lest the camp should be left undefended. The Germans retreat, after slaying many and taking several horses. |
| 329 |
Vercingetorix , priusquam munitiones ab Romanis perficiantur , consilium capit omnem ab se equitatum noctu dimittere . Discedentibus mandat ut suam quisque eorum civitatem adeat omnesque qui per aetatem arma ferre possint ad bellum cogant . Sua in illos merita proponit obtestaturque ut suae salutis rationem habeant neu se optime de communi libertate meritum in cruciatum hostibus dedant . Quod si indiligentiores fuerint , milia hominum delecta octoginta una secum interitura demonstrat . Ratione inita se exigue dierum triginta habere frumentum , sed paulo etiam longius tolerari posse parcendo . His datis mandatis , qua opus erat intermissum , secunda vigilia silentio equitatum mittit . Frumentum omne ad se referri iubet ; capitis poenam eis qui non paruerint constituit : pecus , cuius magna erat copia ab Mandubiis compulsa , viritim distribuit ; frumentum parce et paulatim metiri instituit ; copias omnes quas pro oppido collocaverat in oppidum recepit . His rationibus auxilia Galliae exspectare et bellum parat administrare .
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Vercingetorix adopts the design of sending away all his cavalry by night, before the fortifications should be completed by the Romans. He charges them when departing "that each of them should go to his respective state, and press for the war all who were old enough to bear arms; he states his own merits, and conjures them to consider his safety, and not surrender him who had deserved so well of the general freedom, to the enemy for torture; he points out to them that, if they should be remiss, eighty thousand chosen men would perish with him; that upon making a calculation, he had barely corn for thirty days, but could hold out a little longer by economy." After giving these instructions he silently dismisses the cavalry in the second watch, [on that side] where our works were not completed; he orders all the corn to be brought to himself; he ordains capital punishment to such as should not obey; he distributes among them, man by man, the cattle, great quantities of which had been driven there by the Mandubii; he began to measure out the corn sparingly, and by little and little; he receives into the town all the forces which he had posted in front of it. In this manner he prepares to await the succors from Gaul, and carry on the war. |
| 330 |
Quibus rebus cognitis ex perfugis et captivis , Caesar haec genera munitionis instituit . Fossam pedum viginti directis lateribus duxit , ut eius fossae solum tantundem pateret quantum summae fossae labra distarent . Reliquas omnes munitiones ab ea fossa pedes quadringentos reduxit , [ id ] hoc consilio , quoniam tantum esset necessario spatium complexus , nec facile totum corpus corona militum cingeretur , ne de improviso aut noctu ad munitiones hostium multitudo advolaret aut interdiu tela in nostros operi destinatos conicere possent . Hoc intermisso spatio duas fossas quindecim pedes latas , eadem altitudine perduxit , quarum interiorem campestribus ac demissis locis aqua ex flumine derivata complevit . Post eas aggerem ac vallum duodecim pedum exstruxit . Huic loricam pinnasque adiecit grandibus cervis eminentibus ad commissuras pluteorum atque aggeris , qui ascensum hostium tardarent , et turres toto opere circumdedit , quae pedes LXXX inter se distarent .
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Caesar, on learning these proceedings from the deserters and captives, adopted the following system of fortification; he dug a trench twenty feet deep, with perpendicular sides, in such a manner that the base of this trench should extend so far as the edges were apart at the top. He raised all his other works at a distance of four hundred feet from that ditch; [he did] that with this intention, lest (since he necessarily embraced so extensive an area, and the whole works could not be easily surrounded by a line of soldiers) a large number of the enemy should suddenly, or by night, sally against the fortifications; or lest they should by day cast weapons against our men while occupied with the works. Having left this interval, he drew two trenches fifteen feet broad, and of the same depth; the innermost of them, being in low and level ground, he filled with water conveyed from the river. Behind these he raised a rampart and wall twelve feet high; to this he added a parapet and battlements, with large stakes cut like stags' horns, projecting from the junction of the parapet and battlements, to prevent the enemy from scaling it, and surrounded the entire work with turrets, which were eighty feet distant from one another. |
| 331 |
Erat eodem tempore et materiari et frumentari et tantas munitiones fieri necesse deminutis nostris copiis quae longius ab castris progrediebantur : ac non numquam opera nostra Galli temptare atque eruptionem ex oppido pluribus portis summa vi facere conabantur . Qua re ad haec rursus opera addendum Caesar putavit , quo minore numero militum munitiones defendi possent . Itaque truncis arborum aut admodum firmis ramis abscisis atque horum delibratis ac praeacutis cacuminibus perpetuae fossae quinos pedes altae ducebantur . Huc illi stipites demissi et ab infimo revincti , ne revelli possent , ab ramis eminebant . Quini erant ordines coniuncti inter se atque implicati ; quo qui intraverant , se ipsi acutissimis vallis induebant . Hos cippos appellabant . Ante quos obliquis ordinibus in quincuncem dispositis scrobes tres in altitudinem pedes fodiebantur paulatim angustiore ad infimum fastigio . Huc teretes stipites feminis crassitudine ab summo praeacuti et praeusti demittebantur , ita ut non amplius digitis quattuor ex terra eminerent ; simul confirmandi et stabiliendi causa singuli ab infimo solo pedes terra exculcabantur , reliqua pars scrobis ad occultandas insidias viminibus ac virgultis integebatur . Huius generis octoni ordines ducti ternos inter se pedes distabant . Id ex similitudine floris lilium appellabant . Ante haec taleae pedem longae ferreis hamis infixis totae in terram infodiebantur mediocribusque intermissis spatiis omnibus locis disserebantur ; quos stimulos nominabant .
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It was necessary, at one and the same time, to procure timber [for the rampart], lay in supplies of corn, and raise also extensive fortifications, and the available troops were in consequence of this reduced in number, since they used to advance to some distance from the camp, and sometimes the Gauls endeavored to attack our works, and to make a sally from the town by several gates and in great force. Caesar thought that further additions should be made to these works, in order that the fortifications might be defensible by a small number of soldiers. Having, therefore, cut down the trunks of trees or very thick branches, and having stripped their tops of the bark, and sharpened them into a point, he drew a continued trench every where five feet deep. These stakes being sunk into this trench, and fastened firmly at the bottom, to prevent the possibility of their being torn up, had their branches only projecting from the ground. There were five rows in connection with, and intersecting each other; and whoever entered within them were likely to impale themselves on very sharp stakes. The soldiers called these "cippi." Before these, which were arranged in oblique rows in the form of a quincunx, pits three feet deep were dug, which gradually diminished in depth to the bottom. In these pits tapering stakes, of the thickness of a man's thigh; sharpened at the top and hardened in the fire, were sunk in such a manner as to project from the ground not more than four inches; at the same time for the purpose of giving them strength and stability, they were each filled with trampled clay to the height of one foot from the bottom: the rest of the pit was covered over with osiers and twigs, to conceal the deceit. Eight rows of this kind were dug, and were three feet distant from each other. They called this a lily from its resemblance to that flower. Stakes a foot long, with iron hooks attached to them, were entirely sunk in the ground before these, and were planted in every place at small intervals; these they called spurs. |
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His rebus perfectis regiones secutus quam potuit aequissimas pro loci natura quattuordecim milia passuum complexus pares eiusdem generis munitiones , diversas ab his , contra exteriorem hostem perfecit , ut ne magna quidem multitudine , si ita accidat , munitionum praesidia circumfundi possent ; ac ne cum periculo ex castris egredi cogatur , dierum triginta pabulum frumentumque habere omnes convectum iubet .
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After completing these works, saving selected as level ground as he could, considering the nature of the country, and having inclosed an area of fourteen miles, he constructed, against an external enemy, fortifications of the same kind in every respect, and separate from these, so that the guards of the fortifications could not be surrounded even by immense numbers, if such a circumstance should take place owing to the departure of the enemy's cavalry; and in order that the Roman soldiers might not be compelled to go out of the camp with great risk, ho orders all to provide forage and corn for thirty days. |
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Dum haec apud Alesiam geruntur , Galli concilio principum indicto non omnes eos qui arma ferre possent , ut censuit Vercingetorix , convocandos statuunt , sed certum numerum cuique ex civitate imperandum , ne tanta multitudine confusa nec moderari nec discernere suos nec frumentandi rationem habere possent . Imperant Aeduis atque eorum clientibus , Segusiavis , Ambivaretis , Aulercis Brannovicibus , Blannoviis , milia XXXV ; parem numerum Arvernis adiunctis Eleutetis , Cadurcis , Gabalis , Vellaviis , qui sub imperio Arvernorum esse consuerunt ; Sequanis , Senonibus , Biturigibus , Santonis , Rutenis , Carnutibus duodena milia ; Bellovacis X ; totidem Lemovicibus ; octona Pictonibus et Turonis et Parisiis et Helvetiis ; [ Suessionibus , ] Ambianis , Mediomatricis , Petrocoriis , Nerviis , Morinis , Nitiobrigibus quina milia ; Aulercis Cenomanis totidem ; Atrebatibus [ IIII milibus ] ; Veliocassis , Lexoviis et Aulercis Eburovicibus terna ; Rauracis et Boiis bina ; [ XXX milia ] universis civitatibus , quae Oceanum attingunt quaeque eorum consuetudine Armoricae appellantur , quo sunt in numero Curiosolites , Redones , Ambibarii , Caletes , Osismi , Veneti , Lemovices , Venelli . Ex his Bellovaci suum numerum non compleverunt , quod se suo nomine atque arbitrio cum Romanis bellum gesturos dicebant neque cuiusquam imperio obtemperaturos ; rogati tamen ab Commio pro eius hospitio duo milia una miserunt .
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While those things are carried on at Alesia , the Gauls, having convened a council of their chief nobility, determine that all who could bear arms should not be called out, which was the opinion of Vercingetorix, but that a fixed number should be levied from each state; lest, when so great a multitude assembled together, they could neither govern nor distinguish their men, nor have the means of supplying them with corn. They demand thirty-five thousand men from the Aedui and their dependents, the Segusiani, Ambivareti, and Aulerci Brannovices; an equal number from the Arverni in conjunction with the Eleuteti Cadurci, Gabali, and Velauni, who were accustomed to be under the command of the Arverni; twelve thousand each from the Senones , Sequani, Bituriges, Sentones, Ruteni, and Carnutes; ten thousand from the Bellovaci; the same number from the Lemovici; eight thousand each from the Pictones, and Turoni , and Parisii , and Helvii; five thousand each from the Suessiones, Ambiani, Mediomatrici, Petrocorii, Nervii, Morini, and Nitiobriges; the same number from the Aulerci Cenomani; four thousand from the Atrebates; three thousand each from the Bellocassi, Lexovii, and Aulerci Eburovices; thirty thousand from the Rauraci, and Boii; six thousand from all the states together, which border on the Atlantic, and which in their dialect are called Armoricae (in which number are comprehended the Curisolites, Rhedones, Ambibari, Caltes, Osismii, Lemovices , Veneti, and Unelli). Of these the Bellovaci did not contribute their number, as they said that they would wage war against the Romans on their own account, and at their own discretion, and would not obey the order of any one: however, at the request of Commius, they sent two thousand, in consideration of a tie of hospitality which subsisted between him and them. |
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Huius opera Commi , ut antea demonstravimus , fideli atque utili superioribus annis erat usus in Britannia Caesar ; quibus ille pro meritis civitatem eius immunem esse iusserat , iura legesque reddiderat atque ipsi Morinos attribuerat . Tamen tanta universae Galliae consensio fuit libertatis vindicandae et pristinae belli laudis recuperandae , ut neque beneficiis neque amicitiae memoria moverentur , omnesque et animo et opibus in id bellum incumberent . Coactis equitum VIII milibus et peditum circiter CCL haec in Aeduorum finibus recensebantur , numerusque inibatur , praefecti constituebantur . Commio Atrebati , Viridomaro et Eporedorigi Aeduis , Vercassivellauno Arverno , consobrino Vercingetorigis , summa imperi traditur . His delecti ex civitatibus attribuuntur , quorum consilio bellum administraretur . Omnes alacres et fiduciae pleni ad Alesiam proficiscuntur , neque erat omnium quisquam qui aspectum modo tantae multitudinis sustineri posse arbitraretur , praesertim ancipiti proelio , cum ex oppido eruptione pugnaretur , foris tantae copiae equitatus peditatusque cernerentur .
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Caesar had, as we have previously narrated, availed himself of the faithful and valuable services of this Commius, in Britain, in former years: in consideration of which merits he had exempted from taxes his [Commius's] state, and had conferred on Commius himself the country of the Morini. Yet such was the unanimity of the Gauls in asserting their freedom, and recovering their ancient renown in war, that they were influenced neither by favors, nor by the recollection of private friendship; and all earnestly directed their energies and resources to that war, and collected eight thousand cavalry, and about two hundred and forty thousand infantry. These were reviewed in the country of the Aedui, and a calculation was made of their numbers: commanders were appointed: the supreme command is intrusted to Commius the Atrebatian, Viridomarus and Eporedirix the Aeduans, and Vergasillaunus the Arvernan, the cousin-german of Vercingetorix. To them are assigned men selected from each state, by whose advice the war should be conducted. All march to Alesia , sanguine and full of confidence: nor was there a single individual who imagined that the Romans could withstand the sight of such an immense host: especially in an action carried on both in front and rear, when [on the inside] the besieged would sally from the town and attack the enemy, and on the outside so great forces of cavalry and infantry would be seen. |
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At ei , qui Alesiae obsidebantur praeterita die , qua auxilia suorum exspectaverant , consumpto omni frumento , inscii quid in Aeduis gereretur , concilio coacto de exitu suarum fortunarum consultabant . Ac variis dictis sententiis , quarum pars deditionem , pars , dum vires suppeterent , eruptionem censebat , non praetereunda oratio Critognati videtur propter eius singularem et nefariam crudelitatem . Hic summo in Arvernis ortus loco et magnae habitus auctoritatis , " Nihil , " inquit , " de eorum sententia dicturus sum , qui turpissimam servitutem deditionis nomine appellant , neque hos habendos civium loco neque ad concilium adhibendos censeo . Cum his mihi res sit , qui eruptionem probant ; quorum in consilio omnium vestrum consensu pristinae residere virtutis memoria videtur . Animi est ista mollitia , non virtus , paulisper inopiam ferre non posse . Qui se ultro morti offerant facilius reperiuntur quam qui dolorem patienter ferant . Atque ego hanc sententiam probarem ( tantum apud me dignitas potest ) , si nullam praeterquam vitae nostrae iacturam fieri viderem : sed in consilio capiendo omnem Galliam respiciamus , quam ad nostrum auxilium concitavimus . Quid hominum milibus LXXX uno loco interfectis propinquis consanguineisque nostris animi fore existimatis , si paene in ipsis cadaveribus proelio decertare cogentur ? Nolite hos vestro auxilio exspoliare , qui vestrae salutis causa suum periculum neglexerunt , nec stultitia ac temeritate vestra aut animi imbecillitate omnem Galliam prosternere et perpetuae servituti subicere . An , quod ad diem non venerunt , de eorum fide constantiaque dubitatis ? Quid ergo ? Romanos in illis ulterioribus munitionibus animine causa cotidie exerceri putatis ? Si illorum nuntiis confirmari non potestis omni aditu praesaepto , his utimini testibus appropinquare eorum adventum ; cuius rei timore exterriti diem noctemque in opere versantur . quid ergo mei consili est ? Facere , quod nostri maiores nequaquam pari bello Cimbrorum Teutonumque fecerunt ; qui in oppida compulsi ac simili inopia subacti eorum corporibus qui aetate ad bellum inutiles videbantur vitam toleraverunt neque se hostibus tradiderunt . cuius rei si exemplum non haberemus , tamen libertatis causa institui et posteris prodi pulcherrimum iudicarem . nam quid illi simile bello fuit ? Depopulata Gallia Cimbri magnaque illata calamitate finibus quidem nostris aliquando excesserunt atque alias terras petierunt ; iura , leges , agros , libertatem nobis reliquerunt . Romani vero quid petunt aliud aut quid volunt , nisi invidia adducti , quos fama nobiles potentesque bello cognoverunt , horum in agris civitatibusque considere atque his aeternam iniungere servitutem ? Neque enim ulla alia condicione bella gesserunt . Quod si ea quae in longinquis nationibus geruntur ignoratis , respicite finitimam Galliam , quae in provinciam redacta iure et legibus commutatis securibus subiecta perpetua premitur servitute . "
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But those who were blockaded at Alesia , the day being past, on which they had expected auxiliaries from their countrymen, and all their corn being consumed ignorant of what was going on among the Aedui, convened an assembly and deliberated on the exigency of their situation. After various opinions had been expressed among them, some of which proposed a surrender, others a sally, while their strength would support it, the speech of Critognatus ought not to be omitted for its singular and detestable cruelty. He sprung from the noblest family among the Arverni, and possessing great influence, says, "I shall pay no attention to the opinion of those who call a most disgraceful surrender by the name of a capitulation; nor do I think that they ought to be considered as citizens, or summoned to the council. My business is with those who approve of a sally: in whose advice the memory of our ancient prowess seems to dwell in the opinion of you all. To be unable to bear privation for a short time is disgraceful cowardice, not true valor. Those who voluntarily offer themselves to death are more easily found than those who would calmly endure distress. And I would approve of this opinion (for honor is a powerful motive with me), could I foresee no other loss, save that of life; but let us, in adopting our design, look back on all Gaul, which we have stirred up to our aid. What courage do you think would our relatives and friends have, if eighty thousand men were butchered in one spot, supposing that they should be forced to come to an action almost over our corpses? Do not utterly deprive them of your aid, for they have spurned all thoughts of personal danger on account of your safety; nor by your folly, rashness, and cowardice, crush all Gaul and doom it to an eternal slavery. Do you doubt their fidelity and firmness because they have not come at the appointed day? What then? Do you suppose that the Romans are employed every day in the outer fortifications for mere amusement? If you can not be assured by their dispatches, since every avenue is blocked up, take the Romans as evidence that there approach is drawing near; since they, intimidated by alarm at this, labor night and day at their works. What, therefore, is my design? To do as our ancestors did in the war against the Cimbri and Teutones, which was by no means equally momentous who, when driven into their towns, and oppressed by similar privations, supported life by the corpses of those who appeared useless for war on account of their age, and did not surrender to the enemy: and even if we had not a precedent for such cruel conduct, still I should consider it most glorious that one should be established, and delivered to posterity. For in what was that war like this? The Cimbri, after laying Gaul waste, and inflicting great calamities, at length departed from our country, and sought other lands; they left us our rights, laws, lands, and liberty. But what other motive or wish have the Romans, than, induced by envy, to settle in the lands and states of those whom they have learned by fame to be noble and powerful in war, and impose on them perpetual slavery? For they never have carried on wars on any other terms. But if you know not these things which are going on in distant countries, look to the neighboring Gaul, which being reduced to the form of a province, stripped of its rights and laws, and subjected to Roman despotism, is oppressed by perpetual slavery." |
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Sententiis dictis constituunt ut ei qui valetudine aut aetate inutiles sunt bello oppido excedant , atque omnia prius experiantur , quam ad Critognati sententiam descendant : illo tamen potius utendum consilio , si res cogat atque auxilia morentur , quam aut deditionis aut pacis subeundam condicionem . Mandubii , qui eos oppido receperant , cum liberis atque uxoribus exire coguntur . Hi , cum ad munitiones Romanorum accessissent , flentes omnibus precibus orabant , ut se in servitutem receptos cibo iuvarent . At Caesar dispositis in vallo custodibus recipi prohibebat .
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When different opinions were expressed, they determined that those who, owing to age or ill health, were unserviceable for war, should depart from the town, and that themselves should try every expedient before they had recourse to the advice of Critognatus: however, that they would rather adopt that design, if circumstances should compel them and their allies should delay, than accept any terms of a surrender or peace. The Mandubii, who had admitted them into the town, are compelled to go forth with their wives and children. When these came to the Roman fortifications, weeping, they begged of the soldiers by every entreaty to receive them as slaves and relieve them with food. But Caesar, placing guards on the rampart, forbade them to be admitted. |