Gallic War |
Translator: W. A. McDevitte
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| 365 |
Caesar , etsi discessum hostium animadvertere non poterat incendiis oppositis , tamen id consilium cum fugae causa initum suspicaretur , legiones promovet , turmas mittit ad insequendum ; ipse veritus insidias , ne forte in eodem loco subsistere hostis atque elicere nostros in locum conaretur iniquum , tardius procedit . Equites cum intrare fumum et flammam densissimam timerent ac , si qui cupidius intraverant , vix suorum ipsi priores partes animadverterent equorum , insidias veriti liberam facultatem sui recipiendi Bellovacis dederunt . Ita fuga timoris simul calliditatisque plena sine ullo detrimento milia non amplius decem progressi hostes loco munitissimo castra posuerunt . Inde cum saepe in insidiis equites peditesque disponerent , magna detrimenta Romanis in pabulationibus inferebant .
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Though Caesar could not perceive the retreat of the enemy for the intervention of the fire, yet, suspecting that they had adopted that method to favor their escape, he made his legions advance, and sent a party of horse to pursue them; but, apprehensive of an ambuscade, and that the enemy might remain in the same place and endeavor to draw our men into a disadvantageous situation, he advances himself but slowly. The horse, being afraid to venture into the smoke and dense line of flame, and those who were bold enough to attempt it being scarcely able to see their horse's heads, gave the enemy free liberty to retreat, through fear of an ambuscade. Thus by a flight, full at once of cowardice and address, they advanced without any loss about ten miles, and encamped in a very strong position. From which, laying numerous ambuscades, both of horse and foot, they did considerable damage to the Roman foragers. |
| 366 |
Quod cum crebrius accideret , ex captivo quodam comperit Caesar Correum , Bellovacorum ducem , fortissimorum milia sex peditum delegisse equitesque ex omni numero mille , quos in insidiis eo loco collocaret , quem in locum propter copiam frumenti ac pabuli Romanos missuros suspicaretur . Quo cognito consilio legiones plures quam solebat educit equitatumque , qua consuetudine pabulatoribus mittere praesidio consuerat , praemittit : huic interponit auxilia levis armaturae ; ipse cum legionibus quam potest maxime appropinquat .
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After this had happened several times, Caesar discovered from a certain prisoner, that Correus, the general of the Bellovaci, had selected six thousand of his bravest foot and a thousand horse, with which he designed to lie in ambush in a place to which he suspected the Romans would send to look for forage, on account of the abundance of corn and grass. Upon receiving information of their design Caesar drew out more legions than he usually did, and sent forward his cavalry as usual, to protect the foragers. With these he intermixed a guard of light infantry, and himself advanced with the legions as fast as he could. |
| 367 |
Hostes in insidiis dispositi , cum sibi delegissent campum ad rem gerendam non amplius patentem in omnes partes passibus mille , silvis undique aut impeditissimo flumine munitum , velut indagine hunc insidiis circumdederunt . Explorato hostium consilio nostri ad proeliandum animo atque armis parati , cum subsequentibus legionibus nullam dimicationem recusarent , turmatim in eum locum devenerunt . Quorum adventu cum sibi Correus oblatam occasionem rei gerendae existimaret , primum cum paucis se ostendit atque in proximas turmas impetum fecit . Nostri constanter incursum sustinent insidiatorum neque plures in unum locum conveniunt ; quod plerumque equestribus proeliis cum propter aliquem timorem accidit , tum multitudine ipsorum detrimentum accipitur .
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The Gauls, placed in ambush, had chosen for the seat of action a level piece of ground, not more than a mile in extent, inclosed on every side by a thick wood or a very deep river, as by a toil, and this they surrounded. Our men, apprised of the enemy's design, marched in good order to the ground, ready both in heart and hand to give battle, and willing to hazard any engagement when the legions were at their back. On their approach, as Correus supposed that he had got an opportunity of effecting his purpose, he at first shows himself with a small party and attacks the foremost troops. Our men resolutely stood the charge, and did not crowd together in one place, as commonly happens from surprise in engagements between the horse, whose numbers prove injurious to themselves. |
| 368 |
Cum dispositis turmis in vicem rari proeliarentur neque ab lateribus circumveniri suos paterentur , erumpunt ceteri Correo proeliante ex silvis . Fit magna contentione diversum proelium . Quod cum diutius pari Marte iniretur , paulatim ex silvis instructa multitudo procedit peditum , quae nostros coegit cedere equites . Quibus celeriter subveniunt levis armaturae pedites , quos ante legiones missos docui , turmisque nostrorum interpositi constanter proeliantur . Pugnatur aliquamdiu pari contentione ; deinde , ut ratio postulabat proeli , qui sustinuerant primos impetus insidiarum hoc ipso fiunt superiores , quod nullum ab insidiantibus imprudentes acceperant detrimentum . Accedunt propius interim legiones , crebrique eodem tempore et nostris et hostibus nuntii adferuntur , imperatorem instructis copiis adesse . Qua re cognita praesidio cohortium confisi nostri acerrime proeliantur , ne , si tardius rem gessissent , victoriae gloriam communicasse cum legionibus viderentur ; hostes concidunt animis atque itineribus diversis fugam quaerunt . Nequiquam : nam quibus difficultatibus locorum Romanos claudere voluerant , eis ipsi tenebantur . Victi tamen perculsique maiore parte amissa consternati profugiunt partim silvis petitis , partim flumine ( qui tamen in fuga a nostris acriter insequentibus conficiuntur ) , cum interim nulla calamitate victus Correus excedere proelio silvasque petere aut invitantibus nostris ad deditionem potuit adduci , quin fortissime proeliando compluresque vulnerando cogeret elatos iracundia victores in se tela conicere .
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When by the judicious arrangement of our forces only a few of our men fought by turns, and did not suffer themselves to be surrounded, the rest of the enemy broke out from the woods while Correus was engaged. The battle was maintained in different parts with great vigor, and continued for a long time undecided, till at length a body of foot gradually advanced from the woods in order of battle and forced our horse to give ground: the light infantry, which were sent before the legions to the assistance of the cavalry, soon came up, and, mixing with the horse, fought with great courage. The battle was for some time doubtful, but, as usually happens, our men, who stood the enemy's first charge, became superior from this very circumstance that, though suddenly attacked from an ambuscade, they had sustained no loss. In the mean time the legions were approaching, and several messengers arrived with notice to our men and the enemy that the [ Roman] general was near at hand, with his forces in battle array. Upon this intelligence, our men, confiding in the support of the cohorts, fought most resolutely, fearing, lest if they should be slow in their operations they should let the legions participate in the glory of the conquest. The enemy lose courage and attempt to escape by different ways. In vain; for they were themselves entangled in that labyrinth in which they thought to entrap the Romans. Being defeated and put to the rout, and having lost the greater part of their men, they fled in consternation whithersoever chance carried them; some sought the woods, others the river, but were vigorously pursued by our men and put to the sword. Yet, in the mean time, Correus, unconquered by calamity, could not be prevailed on to quit the field and take refuge in the woods, or accept our offers of quarter, but, fighting courageously and wounding several, provoked our men, elated with victory, to discharge their weapons against him. |
| 369 |
Tali modo re gesta recentibus proeli vestigiis ingressus Caesar , cum victos tanta calamitate existimaret hostes nuntio accepto locum castrorum relicturos , quae non longius ab ea caede abesse plus minus octo milibus dicebantur , tametsi flumine impeditum transitum videbat , tamen exercitu traducto progreditur . At Bellovaci reliquaeque civitates repente ex fuga paucis atque his vulneratis receptis , qui silvarum beneficio casum evitaverant , omnibus adversis , cognita calamitate , interfecto Correo , amisso equitatu et fortissimis peditibus , cum adventare Romanos existimarent , concilio repente cantu tubarum convocato conclamant , legati obsidesque ad Caesarem mittantur .
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After this transaction, Caesar, having come up immediately after the battle, and imagining that the enemy, upon receiving the news of so great a defeat, would be so depressed that they would abandon their camp, which was not above eight miles distant from the scene of action, though he saw his passage obstructed by the river, yet he marched his army over and advanced. But the Bellovaci and the other states, being informed of the loss they had sustained by a few wounded men who having escaped by the shelter of the woods, had returned to them after the defeat, and learning that every thing had turned out unfavorable, that Correus was slain, and the horse and most valiant of their foot cut off, imagined that the Romans were marching against them, and calling a council in haste by sound of trumpet, unanimously cry out to send embassadors and hostages to Caesar. |
| 370 |
Hoc omnibus probato consilio Commius Atrebas ad eos confugit Germanos , a quibus ad id bellum auxilia mutuatus erat . Ceteri e vestigio mittunt ad Caesarem legatos petuntque , ut ea poena sit contentus hostium , quam si sine dimicatione inferre integris posset , pro sua clementia atque humanitate numquam profecto esset illaturus . Adflictas opes equestri proelio Bellovacorum esse ; delectorum peditum multa milia interisse , vix refugisse nuntios caedis . Tamen magnum ut in tanta calamitate Bellovacos eo proelio commodum esse consecutos , quod Correus , auctor belli , concitator multitudinis , esset interfectus . Numquam enim senatum tantum in civitate illo vivo quantum imperitam plebem potuisse .
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This proposal having met with general approbation, Comius the Atrebatian fled to those Germans from whom he had borrowed auxiliaries for that war. The rest instantly send embassadors to Caesar; and requested that he would be contented with that punishment of his enemy, which if he had possessed the power to inflict on them before the engagement, when they were yet uninjured, they were persuaded from his usual clemency and mercy, he never would have inflicted; that the power of the Bellovaci was crushed by the cavalry action; that many thousand of their choicest foot had fallen, that scarce a man had escaped to bring the fatal news. That, however, the Bellovaci had derived from the battle one advantage, of some importance, considering their loss; that Correus, the author of the rebellion, and agitator of the people, was slain: for that while he lived the senate had never equal influence in the state with the giddy populace. |
| 371 |
Haec orantibus legatis commemorat Caesar : Eodem tempore superiore anno Bellovacos ceterasque Galliae civitates suscepisse bellum : pertinacissime hos ex omnibus in sententia permansisse neque ad sanitatem reliquorum deditione esse perductos . Scire atque intellegere se causam peccati facillime mortuis delegari . Neminem vero tantum pollere , ut invitis principibus , resistente senatu , omnibus bonis repugnantibus infirma manu plebis bellum concitare et gerere posset . Sed tamen se contentum fore ea poena quam sibi ipsi contraxissent .
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Caesar reminded the embassadors who made these supplications, that the Bellovaci had at the same season the year before, in conjunction with other states of Gaul, undertaken a war, and that they had persevered the most obstinately of all in their purpose, and were not brought to a proper way of thinking by the submission of the rest: that he knew and was aware that the guilt of a crime was easily transferred to the dead; but that no one person could have such influence, as to be able by the feeble support of the multitude to raise a war and carry it on without the consent of the nobles, in opposition to the senate, and in despite of every virtuous man; however he was satisfied with the punishment, which they had drawn upon themselves. |
| 372 |
Nocte insequenti legati responsa ad suos referunt , obsides conficiunt . Concurrunt reliquarum civitatium legati , quae Bellovacorum speculabantur eventum ; obsides dant , imperata faciunt excepto Commio , quem timor prohibebat cuiusquam fidei suam committere salutem . Nam superiore anno Titus Labienus , Caesare in Gallia citeriore ius dicente , cum Commium comperisset sollicitare civitates et coniurationem contra Caesarem facere , infidelitatem eius sine ulla perfidia iudicavit comprimi posse . Quem quia non arbitrabatur vocatum in castra venturum , ne temptando cautiorem faceret , Gaium Volusenum Quadratum misit , qui eum per simulationem colloqui curaret interficiendum . Ad eam rem delectos idoneos ei tradit centuriones . Cum in colloquium ventum esset , et , ut convenerat , manum Commi Volusenus arripuisset , centurio vel insueta re permotus vel celeriter a familiaribus prohibitus Commi conficere hominem non potuit ; graviter tamen primo ictu gladio caput percussit . Cum utrimque gladii destricti essent , non tam pugnandi quam diffugiendi fuit utrorumque consilium : nostrorum , quod mortifero vulnere Commium credebant adfectum ; Gallorum , quod insidiis cognitis plura quam videbant extimescebant . Quo facto statuisse Commius dicebatur numquam in conspectum cuiusquam Romani venire .
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The night following the embassadors bring back his answer to their countrymen and prepare the hostages. Embassadors flock in from the other states, which were waiting for the issue of the [war with the] Bellovaci: they give hostages, and receive his orders; all except Comius, whose fears restrained him from intrusting his safety to any person's honor. For the year before, while Caesar was holding the assizes in Hither Gaul, Titus Labienus, having discovered that Comius was tampering with the state, and raising a conspiracy against Caesar, thought he might punish his infidelity without perfidy; but judging that he would not come to his camp at his invitation, and unwilling to put him on his guard by the attempt, he sent Caius Volusenus Quadratus, with orders to have him put to death under pretense of conference. To effect his purpose, he sent with him some chosen centurions. When they came to the conference, and Volusenus, as had been agreed on, had taken hold of Comius by the hand, and one of the centurions, as if surprised at so uncommon an incident, attempted to kill him, he was prevented by the friends of Comius, but wounded him severely in the head by the first blow. Swords were drawn on both sides, not so much with a design to fight as to effect an escape, our men believing that Comius had received a mortal stroke; and the Gauls, from the treachery which they had seen, dreading that a deeper design lay concealed. Upon this transaction, it was said that Comius made a resolution never to come within sight of any Roman. |
| 373 |
Bellicosissimis gentibus devictis Caesar , cum videret nullam iam esse civitatem quae bellum pararet quo sibi resisteret , sed nonnullos ex oppidis demigrare , ex agris diffugere ad praesens imperium evitandum , plures in partes exercitum dimittere constituit . M . Antonium quaestorem cum legione duodecima sibi coniungit . C . Fabium legatum cum cohortibus XXV mittit in diversissimam partem Galliae , quod ibi quasdam civitates in armis esse audiebat neque C . Caninium Rebilum legatum , qui in illis regionibus erat , satis firmas duas legiones habere existimabat . Titum Labienum ad se evocat ; legionem autem XV , quae cum eo fuerat in hibernis , in togatam Galliam mittit ad colonias civium Romanorum tuendas , ne quod simile incommodum accideret decursione barbarorum ac superiore aestate Tergestinis acciderat , qui repentino latrocinio atque impetu illorum erant oppressi . Ipse ad vastandos depopulandosque fines Ambiorigis proficiscitur ; quem perterritum ac fugientem cum redigi posse in suam potestatem desperasset , proximum suae dignitatis esse ducebat , adeo fines eius vastare civibus , aedificiis , pecore , ut odio suorum Ambiorix , si quos fortuna reliquos fecisset , nullum reditum propter tantas calamitates haberet in civitatem .
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When Caesar, having completely conquered the most warlike nations, perceived that there was now no state which could make preparations for war to oppose him, but that some were removing and fleeing from their country to avoid present subjection, he resolved to detach his army into different parts of the country. He kept with himself Marcus Antonius the quaestor, with the eleventh legion; Caius Fabius was detached with twenty-five cohorts into the remotest part of Gaul, because it was rumored that some states had risen in arms, and he did not think that Caius Caninius Rebilus, who had the charge of that country, was strong enough to protect it with two legions. He ordered Titus Labienus to attend himself, and sent the twelfth legion which had been under him in winter quarters, to Hither Gaul, to protect the Roman colonies, and prevent any loss by the inroads of barbarians similar to that which had happened the year before to the Tergestines, who were cut off by a sudden depredation and attack. He himself marched to depopulate the country of Ambiorix, whom he had terrified and forced to fly, but despaired of being able to reduce under his power; but he thought it most consistent with his honor to waste his country both of inhabitants, cattle, and buildings, so that from the abhorrence of his countrymen, if fortune suffered any to survive, he might be excluded from a return to his state for the calamities which he had brought on it. |
| 374 |
Cum in omnes partes finium Ambiorigis aut legiones aut auxilia dimisisset atque omnia caedibus , incendiis , rapinis vastasset , magno numero hominum interfecto aut capto Labienum cum duabus legionibus in Treveros mittit , quorum civitas propter Germaniae vicinitatem cotidianis exercitata bellis cultu et feritate non multum a Germanis differebat neque imperata umquam nisi exercitu coacta faciebat .
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After he had sent either his legions or auxiliaries through every part of Ambiorix's dominions, and wasted the whole country by sword, fire, and rapine, and had killed or taken prodigious numbers, he sent Labienus with two legions against the Treviri , whose state, from its vicinity to Germany , being engaged in constant war, differed but little from the Germans, in civilization and savage barbarity; and never continued in its allegiance, except when awed by the presence of his army. |
| 375 |
Interim Gaius Caninius legatus , cum magnam multitudinem convenisse hostium in fines Pictonum litteris nuntiisque Durati cognosceret , qui perpetuo in amicitia manserat Romanorum , cum pars quaedam civitatis eius defecisset , ad oppidum Lemonum contendit . Quo cum adventaret atque ex captivis certius cognosceret multis hominum milibus a Dumnaco , duce Andium , Duratium clausum Lemoni oppugnari neque infirmas legiones hostibus committere auderet , castra posuit loco munito . Dumnacus , cum appropinquare Caninium cognosset , copiis omnibus ad legiones conversis castra Romanorum oppugnare instituit . Cum complures dies in oppugnatione consumpsisset et magno suorum detrimento nullam partem munitionum convellere potuisset , rursus ad obsidendum Lemonum redit .
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In the mean time Caius Caninius, a lieutenant, having received information by letters and messages from Duracius, who had always continued in friendship to the Roman people, though a part of his state had revolted, that a great multitude of the enemy were in arms in the country of the Pictones, marched to the town Limonum . When he was approaching it, he was informed by some prisoners, that Duracius was shut up by several thousand men, under the command of Dumnacus, general of the Andes, and that Limonum was besieged, but not daring to face the enemy with his weak legions, he encamped in a strong position: Dumnacus, having notice of Caninius's approach, turned his whole force against the legions, and prepared to assault the Roman camp. But after spending several days in the attempt, and losing a considerable number of men, without being able to make a breach in any part of the works, he returned again to the siege of Limonum . |
| 376 |
Eodem tempore C . Fabius legatus complures civitates in fidem recipit , obsidibus firmat litterisque Gai Canini Rebili fit certior quae in Pictonibus gerantur . Quibus rebus cognitis proficiscitur ad auxilium Duratio ferendum . At Dumnacus adventu Fabi cognito desperata salute , si tempore eodem coactus esset et Romanum externum sustinere hostem et respicere ac timere oppidanos , repente ex eo loco cum copiis recedit nec se satis tutum fore arbitratur , nisi flumine Ligeri , quod erat ponte propter magnitudinem transeundum , copias traduxisset . Fabius , etsi nondum in conspectum venerat hostibus neque se Caninio coniunxerat , tamen doctus ab eis qui locorum noverant naturam potissimum credidit hostes perterritos eum locum , quem petebant , petituros . Itaque cum copiis ad eundem pontem contendit equitatumque tantum procedere ante agmen imperat legionum , quantum cum processisset , sine defatigatione equorum in eadem se reciperet castra . Consequuntur equites nostri , ut erat praeceptum , invaduntque Dumnaci agmen et fugientes perterritosque sub sarcinis in itinere adgressi magna praeda multis interfectis potiuntur . Ita re bene gesta se recipiunt in castra .
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At the same time, Caius Fabius, a lieutenant, brings back many states to their allegiance, and confirms their submission by taking hostages; he was then informed by letters from Caninius, of the proceedings among the Pictones. Upon which he set off to bring assistance to Duracius. But Dumnacus, hearing of the approach of Fabius, and despairing of safety, if at the same time he should be forced to withstand the Roman army without, and observe, and be under apprehension from the town's people, made a precipitate retreat from that place with all his forces. Nor did he think that he should be sufficiently secure from danger, unless he led his army across the Loire , which was too deep a river to pass except by a bridge. Though Fabius had not yet come within sight of the enemy, nor joined Caninius; yet being informed of the nature of the country, by persons acquainted with it, he judged it most likely that the enemy would take that way, which he found they did take. He therefore marched to that bridge with his army, and ordered his cavalry to advance no farther before the legions than that they could return to the same camp at night, without fatiguing their horses. Our horse pursued according to orders, and fell upon Dumnacus's rear and attacking them on their march, while fleeing, dismayed, and laden with baggage, they slew a great number, and took a rich booty. Having executed the affair so successfully, they retired to the camp. |
| 377 |
Insequenti nocte Fabius equites praemittit sic paratos ut confligerent atque omne agmen morarentur , dum consequeretur ipse . Cuius praeceptis ut res gereretur , Quintus Atius Varus , praefectus equitum , singularis et animi et prudentiae vir , suos hortatur agmenque hostium consecutus turmas partim idoneis locis disponit , parte equitum proelium committit . Confligit audacius equitatus hostium succedentibus sibi peditibus , qui toto agmine subsistentes equitibus suis contra nostros ferunt auxilium . Fit proelium acri certamine . Namque nostri contemptis pridie superatis hostibus , cum subsequi legiones meminissent , et pudore cedendi et cupiditate per se conficiendi proeli fortissime contra pedites proeliantur , hostesque nihil amplius copiarum accessurum credentes , ut pridie cognoverant , delendi equitatus nostri nacti occasionem videbantur .
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The night following, Fabius sent his horse before him, with orders to engage the enemy, and delay their march till he himself should come up. That his orders might be faithfully performed, Quintus Atius Varus, general of the horse, a man of uncommon spirit and skill, encouraged his men, and pursuing the enemy, disposed some of his troops in convenient places, and with the rest gave battle to the enemy. The enemy's cavalry made a bold stand, the foot relieving each other, and making a general halt, to assist their horse against ours. The battle was warmly contested. For our men, despising the enemy whom they had conquered the day before, and knowing that the legions were following them, animated both by the disgrace of retreating, and a desire of concluding the battle expeditiously by their own courage, fought most valiantly against the foot: and the enemy, imagining that no more forces would come against them, as they had experienced the day before, thought they had got a favorable opportunity of destroying our whole cavalry. |
| 378 |
Cum aliquamdiu summa contentione dimicaretur , Dumnacus instruit aciem quae suis esset equitibus in vicem praesidio , cum repente confertae legiones in conspectum hostium veniunt . Quibus visis perculsae barbarorum turmae ac perterritae acies hostium , perturbato impedimentorum agmine , magno clamore discursuque passim fugae se mandant . At nostri equites , qui paulo ante cum resistentibus fortissime conflixerant , laetitia victoriae elati magno undique clamore sublato cedentibus circumfusi , quantum equorum vires ad persequendum dextraeque ad caedendum valent , tantum eo proelio interficiunt . Itaque amplius milibus XII aut armatorum aut eorum qui eo timore arma proiecerant interfectis omnis multitudo capitur impedimentorum .
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After the conflict had continued for some time with great violence, Dumnacus drew out his army in such a manner, that the foot should by turns assist the horse. Then the legions, marching in close order, came suddenly in sight of the enemy. At this sight, the barbarian horse were so astonished, and the foot so terrified, that breaking through the line of baggage, they betook themselves to flight with a loud shout, and in great disorder. But our horse, who a little before had vigorously engaged them, while they made resistance, being elated with joy at their victory, raising a shout on every side, poured round them as they ran, and as long as their horses had strength to pursue, or their arms to give a blow, so long did they continue the slaughter of the enemy in that battle, and having killed above twelve thousand men in arms, or such as threw away their arms through fear, they took their whole train of baggage. |