Gallic War |
Translator: W. A. McDevitte
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| 379 |
Qua ex fuga cum constaret Drappetem Senonem , qui , ut primum defecerat Gallia , collectis undique perditis hominibus , servis ad libertatem vocatis , exulibus omnium civitatum adscitis , receptis latronibus impedimenta et commeatus Romanorum interceperat , non amplius hominum duobus milibus ex fuga collectis provinciam petere unaque consilium cum eo Lucterium Cadurcum cepisse , quem superiore commentario prima defectione Galliae facere in provinciam voluisse impetum cognitum est , Caninius legatus cum legionibus duabus ad eos persequendos contendit , ne detrimento aut timore provinciae magna infamia perditorum hominum latrociniis caperetur .
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After this defeat, when it was ascertained that Drapes, a Senonian (who in the beginning of the revolt of Gaul had collected from all quarters men of desperate fortunes, invited the slaves to liberty, called in the exiles of the whole kingdom, given an asylum to robbers, and intercepted the Roman baggage and provisions), was marching to the province with five thousand men, being all he could collect after the defeat, and that Luterius a Cadurcian who, as it has been observed in a former commentary, had designed to make an attack on the Province in the first revolt of Gaul, had formed a junction with him, Caius Caninius went in pursuit of them with two legions, lest great disgrace might be incurred from the fears or injuries done to the Province by the depredations of a band of desperate men. |
| 380 |
Gaius Fabius cum reliquo exercitu in Carnutes ceterasque proficiscitur civitates , quarum eo proelio , quod cum Dumnaco fecerat , copias esse accisas sciebat . Non enim dubitabat quin recenti calamitate summissiores essent futurae , dato vero spatio ac tempore eodem instigante Dumnaco possent concitari . Qua in re summa felicitas celeritasque in recipiendis civitatibus Fabium consequitur . Nam Carnutes , qui saepe vexati numquam pacis fecerant mentionem , datis obsidibus veniunt in deditionem , ceteraeque civitates positae in ultimis Galliae finibus Oceano coniunctae , quae Armoricae appellantur , auctoritate adductae Carnutum adventu Fabi legionumque imperata sine mora faciunt . Dumnacus suis finibus expulsus errans latitansque solus extremas Galliae regiones petere est coactus .
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Caius Fabius set off with the rest of the army to the Carnutes and those other states, whose force he was informed, had served as auxiliaries in that battle, which he fought against Dumnacus. For he had no doubt that they would be more submissive after their recent sufferings, but if respite and time were given them, they might be easily excited by the earnest solicitations of the same Dumnacus. On this occasion Fabius was extremely fortunate and expeditious in recovering the states. For the Carnutes, who, though often harassed had never mentioned peace, submitted and gave hostages: and the other states, which lie in the remotest parts of Gaul, adjoining the ocean, and which are called Armoricae, influenced by the example of the Carnutes, as soon as Fabius arrived with his legions, without delay comply with his command. Dumnacus, expelled from his own territories, wandering and skulking about, was forced to seek refuge by himself in the most remote parts of Gaul. |
| 381 |
At Drappes unaque Lucterius , cum legiones Caniniumque adesse cognoscerent nec se sine certa pernicie persequente exercitu putarent provinciae fines intrare posse nec iam libere vagandi latrociniorumque faciendorum facultatem haberent , in finibus consistunt Cadurcorum . Ibi cum Lucterius apud suos cives quondam integris rebus multum potuisset , semperque auctor novorum consiliorum magnam apud barbaros auctoritatem haberet , oppidum Vxellodunum , quod in clientela fuerat eius , egregie natura loci munitum , occupat suis et Drappetis copiis oppidanosque sibi coniungit .
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But Drapes in conjunction with Luterius, knowing that Caninius was at hand with the legions, and that they themselves could not without certain destruction enter the boundaries of the province, while an army was in pursuit of them, and being no longer at liberty to roam up and down and pillage, halt in the country of the Cadurci, as Luterius had once in his prosperity possessed a powerful influence over the inhabitants, who were his countrymen, and being always the author of new projects, had considerable authority among the barbarians; with his own and Drapes' troops he seized Uxellodunum, a town formerly in vassalage to him, and strongly fortified by its natural situation; and prevailed on the inhabitants to join him. |
| 382 |
Quo cum confestim Gaius Caninius venisset animadverteretque omnes oppidi partes praeruptissimis saxis esse munitas , quo defendente nullo tamen armatis ascendere esset difficile , magna autem impedimenta oppidanorum videret , quae si clandestina fuga subtrahere conarentur , effugere non modo equitatum , sed ne legiones quidem possent , tripertito cohortibus divisis trina excelsissimo loco castra fecit ; a quibus paulatim , quantum copiae patiebantur , vallum in oppidi circuitum ducere instituit .
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After Caninius had rapidly marched to this place, and perceived that all parts of the town were secured by very craggy rocks, which it would be difficult for men in arms to climb even if they met with no resistance; and moreover, observing that the town's people were possessed of effects, to a considerable amount, and that if they attempted to convey them away in a clandestine manner, they could not escape our horse, or even our legions; he divided his forces into three parts, and pitched three camps on very high ground, with the intention of drawing lines round the town by degrees, as his forces could bear the fatigue. |
| 383 |
Quod cum animadverterent oppidani miserrimaque Alesiae memoria solliciti similem casum obsessionis vererentur , maximeque ex omnibus Lucterius , qui fortunae illius periculum fecerat , moneret frumenti rationem esse habendam , constituunt omnium consensu parte ibi relicta copiarum ipsi cum expeditis ad importandum frumentum proficisci . Eo consilio probato proxima nocte duobus milibus armatorum relictis reliquos ex oppido Drappes et Lucterius educunt . Hi paucos dies morati ex finibus Cadurcorum , qui partim re frumentaria sublevare eos cupiebant , partim prohibere quo minus sumerent non poterant , magnum numerum frumenti comparant , nonnumquam autem expeditionibus nocturnis castella nostrorum adoriuntur . Quam ob causam Gaius Caninius toto oppido munitiones circumdare moratur , ne aut opus effectum tueri non possit aut plurimis in locis infirma disponat praesidia .
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When the townsmen perceived his design, being terrified by the recollection of the distress at Alesia , they began to dread similar consequences from a siege; and above all Luterius, who had experienced that fatal event, cautioned them to make provisions of corn; they therefore resolve by general consent to leave part of their troops behind, and set out with their light troops to bring in corn. The scheme having met with approbation, the following night Drapes and Luterius leaving two thousand men in the garrison, marched out of the town with the rest. After a few days' stay in the country of the Cadurci (some of whom were disposed to assist them with corn, and others were unable to prevent their taking it) they collected a great store. Sometimes also attacks were made on our little forts by sallies at night. For this reason Caninius deferred drawing his works round the whole town, lest he should be unable to protect them when completed, or by disposing his garrisons in several places, should make them too weak. |
| 384 |
Magna copia frumenti comparata considunt Drappes et Lucterius non longius ab oppido X milibus , unde paulatim frumentum in oppidum supportarent . Ipsi inter se provincias partiuntur : Drappes castris praesidio cum parte copiarum restitit ; Lucterius agmen iumentorum ad oppidum ducit . Dispositis ibi praesidiis hora noctis circiter decima silvestribus angustisque itineribus frumentum importare in oppidum instituit . Quorum strepitum vigiles castrorum cum sensissent , exploratoresque missi quae gererentur renuntiassent , Caninius celeriter cum cohortibus armatis ex proximis castellis in frumentarios sub ipsam lucem impetum fecit . Ei repentino malo perterriti diffugiunt ad sua praesidia ; quae nostri ut viderunt , acrius contra armatos incitati neminem ex eo numero vivum capi patiuntur . Profugit inde cum paucis Lucterius nec se recipit in castra .
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Drapes and Luterius, having laid in a large supply of corn, occupying a position at about ten miles distance from the town, intending from it to convey the corn into the town by degrees. They chose each his respective department. Drapes stayed behind in the camp with part of the army to protect it; Luterius conveys the train with provisions into the town. Accordingly, having disposed guards here and there along the road, about the tenth hour of the night, he set out by narrow paths through the woods, to fetch the corn into the town. But their noise being heard by the sentinels of our camp, and the scouts which we had sent out, having brought an account of what was going on, Caninius instantly with the ready-armed cohorts from the nearest turrets made an attack on the convoy at the break of day. They, alarmed at so unexpected an evil, fled by different ways to their guard: which as soon as our men perceived, they fell with great fury on the escort, and did not allow a single man to be taken alive. Luterius escaped thence with a few followers, but did not return to the camp. |
| 385 |
Re bene gesta Caninius ex captivis comperit partem copiarum cum Drappete esse in castris a milibus longe non amplius XII . Qua re ex compluribus cognita , cum intellegeret fugato duce altero perterritos reliquos facile opprimi posse , magnae felicitatis esse arbitrabatur neminem ex caede refugisse in castra qui de accepta calamitate nuntium Drappeti perferret . Sed in experiendo cum periculum nullum videret , equitatum omnem Germanosque pedites , summae velocitatis homines , ad castra hostium praemittit ; ipse legionem unam in trina castra distribuit , alteram secum expeditam ducit . Cum propius hostes accessisset , ab exploratoribus quos praemiserat cognoscit castra eorum , ut barbarorum fere consuetudo est , relictis locis superioribus ad ripas fluminis esse demissa ; at Germanos equitesque imprudentibus omnibus de improviso advolasse proeliumque commisisse . Qua re cognita legionem armatam instructamque adducit . Ita repente omnibus ex partibus signo dato loca superiora capiuntur . Quod ubi accidit , Germani equitesque signis legionis visis vehementissime proeliantur . Confestim cohortes undique impetum faciunt omnibusque aut interfectis aut captis magna praeda potiuntur . Capitur ipse eo proelio Drappes .
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After this success, Caninius learned from some prisoners, that a part of the forces was encamped with Drapes, not more than ten miles off: which being confirmed by several, supposing that after the defeat of one general, the rest would be terrified, and might be easily conquered, he thought it a most fortunate event that none of the enemy had fled back from the slaughter to the camp, to give Drapes notice of the calamity which had befallen him. And as he could see no danger in making the attempt, he sent forward all his cavalry and the German foot, men of great activity, to the enemy's camp. He divides one legion among the three camps, and takes the other without baggage along with him. When he had advanced near the enemy, he was informed by scouts, which he had sent before him, that the enemy's camp, as is the custom of barbarians, was pitched low, near the banks of a river, and that the higher grounds were unoccupied: but that the German horse had made a sudden attack on them, and had begun the battle. Upon this intelligence, he marched up with his legion, armed and in order of battle. Then, on a signal being suddenly given on every side, our men took possession of the higher grounds. Upon this the German horse observing the Roman colors, fought with great vigor. Immediately all the cohorts attack them on every side; and having either killed or made prisoners of them all, gained great booty. In that battle, Drapes himself was taken prisoner. |
| 386 |
Caninius felicissime re gesta sine ullo paene militis vulnere ad obsidendos oppidanos revertitur externoque hoste deleto , cuius timore antea dividere praesidia et munitione oppidanos circumdare prohibitus erat , opera undique imperat administrari . Venit eodem cum suis copiis postero die Gaius Fabius partemque oppidi sumit ad obsidendum .
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Caninius, having accomplished the business so successfully, without having scarcely a man wounded, returned to besiege the town; and, having destroyed the enemy without, for fear of whom he had been prevented from strengthening his redoubts, and surrounding the enemy with his lines, he orders the work to be completed on every side. The next day, Caius Fabius came to join him with his forces, and took upon him the siege of one side. |
| 387 |
Caesar interim M . Antonium quaestorem cum cohortibus XV in Bellovacis relinquit , ne qua rursus novorum consiliorum capiendorum Belgis facultas daretur . Ipse reliquas civitates adit , obsides plures imperat , timentes omnium animos consolatione sanat . Cum in Carnutes venisset , quorum in civitate superiore commentario Caesar exposuit initium belli esse ortum , quod praecipue eos propter conscientiam facti timere animadvertebat , quo celerius civitatem timore liberaret , principem sceleris illius et concitatorem belli , Gutruatum , ad supplicium depoposcit . Qui etsi ne civibus quidem suis se committebat , tamen celeriter omnium cura quaesitus in castra perducitur . Cogitur in eius supplicium Caesar contra suam naturam concursu maximo militum , qui ei omnia pericula et detrimenta belli accepta referebant , adeo ut verberibus exanimatum corpus securi feriretur .
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In the mean time, Caesar left Caius Antonius in the country of the Bellovaci, with fifteen cohorts, that the Belgae might have no opportunity of forming new plans in future. He himself visits the other states, demands a great number of hostages, and by his encouraging language allays the apprehensions of all. When he came to the Carnutes, in whose state he has in a former commentary mentioned that the war first broke out; observing, that from a consciousness of their guilt, they seemed to be in the greatest terror: to relieve the state the sooner from its fear, he demanded that Guturvatus, the promoter of that treason, and the instigator of that rebellion, should be delivered up to punishment. And though the latter did not dare to trust his life even to his own countrymen, yet such diligent search was made by them all, that he was soon brought to our camp. Caesar was forced to punish him, by the clamors of the soldiers, contrary to his natural humanity, for they alleged that all the dangers and losses incurred in that war, ought to be imputed to Guturvatus. Accordingly, he was whipped to death, and his head cut off. |
| 388 |
Ibi crebris litteris Canini fit certior quae de Drappete et Lucterio gesta essent , quoque in consilio permanerent oppidani . Quorum etsi paucitatem contemnebat , tamen pertinaciam magna poena esse adficiendam iudicabat , ne universa Gallia non sibi vires defuisse ad resistendum Romanis , sed constantiam putaret , neve hoc exemplo ceterae civitates locorum opportunitate fretae se vindicarent in libertatem , cum omnibus Gallis notum esse sciret reliquam esse unam aestatem suae provinciae , quam si sustinere potuissent , nullum ultra periculum vererentur . Itaque Q . Calenum legatum cum legionibus reliquit qui iustis itineribus subsequeretur ; ipse cum omni equitatu quam potest celerrime ad Caninium contendit .
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Here Caesar was informed by numerous letters from Caninius of what had happened to Drapes and Luterius, and in what conduct the town's people persisted: and though he despised the smallness of their numbers, yet he thought their obstinacy deserving a severe punishment, lest Gaul in general should adopt an idea that she did not want strength but perseverance to oppose the Romans; and lest the other states, relying on the advantage of situation, should follow their example and assert their liberty; especially as he knew that all the Gauls understood that his command was to continue but one summer longer, and if they could hold out for that time, that they would have no further danger to apprehend. He therefore left Quintus Calenus, one of his lieutenants, behind him, with two legions, and instructions to follow him by regular marches. He hastened as much as he could with all the cavalry to Caninius. |
| 389 |
Cum contra exspectationem omnium Caesar Vxellodunum venisset oppidumque operibus clausum animadverteret neque ab oppugnatione recedi videret ulla condicione posse , magna autem copia frumenti abundare oppidanos ex perfugis cognosset , aqua prohibere hostem temptare coepit . Flumen infimam vallem dividebat , quae totum paene montem cingebat , in quo positum erat praeruptum undique oppidum Vxellodunum . Hoc avertere loci natura prohibebat : in infimis enim sic radicibus montis ferebatur , ut nullam in partem depressis fossis derivari posset . Erat autem oppidanis difficilis et praeruptus eo descensus , ut prohibentibus nostris sine vulneribus ac periculo vitae neque adire flumen neque arduo se recipere possent ascensu . Qua difficultate eorum cognita Caesar sagittariis funditoribusque dispositis , tormentis etiam quibusdam locis contra facillimos descensus collocatis aqua fluminis prohibebat oppidanos .
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Having arrived at Uxellodunum, contrary to the general expectation, and perceiving that the town was surrounded by the works, and that the enemy had no possible means of retiring from the assault, and being likewise informed by the deserters that the townsmen had abundance of corn, he endeavoured to prevent their getting water. A river divided the valley below, which almost surrounded the steep craggy mountain on which Uxellodunum was built. The nature of the ground prevented his turning the current: for it ran so low down at the foot of the mountain, that no drains could be sunk deep enough to draw it off in any direction. But the descent to it was so difficult, that if we made opposition, the besieged could neither come to the river nor retire up the precipice without hazard of their lives. Caesar perceiving the difficulty, disposed archers and slingers, and in some places, opposite to the easiest descents, placed engines, and attempted to hinder the townsmen from getting water at the river, which obliged them afterward to go all to one place to procure water. |
| 390 |
Quorum omnis postea multitudo aquatorum unum in locum conveniebat sub ipsius oppidi murum , ubi magnus fons aquae prorumpebat ab ea parte , quae fere pedum CCC intervallo fluminis circuitu vacabat . Hoc fonte prohiberi posse oppidanos cum optarent reliqui , Caesar unus videret , e regione eius vineas agere adversus montem et aggerem instruere coepit magno cum labore et continua dimicatione . Oppidani enim loco superiore decurrunt et eminus sine periculo proeliantur multosque pertinaciter succedentes vulnerant ; non deterrentur tamen milites nostri vineas proferre et labore atque operibus locorum vincere difficultates . Eodem tempore cuniculos tectos ab vineis agunt ad caput fontis ; quod genus operis sine ullo periculo , sine suspicione hostium facere licebat . Exstruitur agger in altitudinem pedum sexaginta , collocatur in eo turris decem tabulatorum , non quidem quae moenibus aequaret ( id enim nullis operibus effici poterat ) , sed quae superare fontis fastigium posset . Ex ea cum tela tormentis iacerentur ad fontis aditum , nec sine periculo possent aquari oppidani , non tantum pecora atque iumenta , sed etiam magna hostium multitudo siti consumebatur .
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Close under the walls of the town, a copious spring gushed out on that part, which for the space of nearly three hundred feet, was not surrounded by the river. While every other person wished that the besieged could be debarred from this spring, Caesar alone saw that it could be effected, though not without great danger. Opposite to it he began to advance the vineae toward the mountain, and to throw up a mound, with great labor and continual skirmishing. For the townsmen ran down from the high ground, and fought without any risk, and wounded several of our men, yet they obstinately pushed on and were not deterred from moving forward the vineae, and from surmounting by their assiduity the difficulties of situation. At the same time they work mines, and move the crates and vineae to the source of the fountain. This was the only work which they could do without danger or suspicion. A mound sixty feet high was raised; on it was erected a turret of ten stories, not with the intention that it should be on a level with the wall (for that could not be effected by any works), but to rise above the top of the spring. When our engines began to play from it upon the paths that led to the fountain, and the townsmen could not go for water without danger, not only the cattle designed for food and the working cattle, but a great number of men also died of thirst. |
| 391 |
Quo malo perterriti oppidani cupas sebo , pice , scandulis complent ; eas ardentes in opera provolvunt eodemque tempore acerrime proeliantur , ut ab incendio restinguendo dimicationis periculo deterreant Romanos . Magna repente in ipsis operibus flamma exstitit . Quaecumque enim per locum praecipitem missa erant , ea vineis et aggere suppressa comprehendebant id ipsum quod morabatur . Milites contra nostri , quamquam periculoso genere proeli locoque iniquo premebantur , tamen omnia fortissimo sustinebant animo . Res enim gerebatur et excelso loco et in conspectu exercitus nostri , magnusque utrimque clamor oriebatur . Ita quam quisque poterat maxime insignis , quo notior testatiorque virtus esset eius , telis hostium flammaeque se offerebat .
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Alarmed at this calamity, the townsmen fill barrels with tallow, pitch, and dried wood: these they set on fire, and roll down on our works. At the same time, they fight most furiously, to deter the Romans, by the engagement and danger, from extinguishing the flames. Instantly a great blaze arose in the works. For whatever they threw down the precipice, striking against the vineae and agger, communicated the fire to whatever was in the way. Our soldiers on the other hand, though they were engaged in a perilous sort of encounter, and laboring under the disadvantages of position, yet supported all with very great presence of mind. For the action happened in an elevated situation, and in sight of our army; and a great shout was raised on both sides; therefore every man faced the weapons of the enemy and the flames in as conspicuous a manner as he could, that his valor might be the better known and attested. |
| 392 |
Caesar cum complures suos vulnerari videret , ex omnibus oppidi partibus cohortes montem ascendere et simulatione moenium occupandorum clamorem undique iubet tollere . Quo facto perterriti oppidani , cum quid ageretur in locis reliquis essent suspensi , revocant ab impugnandis operibus armatos murisque disponunt . Ita nostri fine proeli facto celeriter opera flamma comprehensa partim restinguunt , partim interscindunt . Cum pertinaciter resisterent oppidani , magna etiam parte amissa siti suorum in sententia permanerent , ad postremum cuniculis venae fontis intercisae sunt atque aversae . Quo facto repente perennis exaruit fons tantamque attulit oppidanis salutis desperationem , ut id non hominum consilio , sed deorum voluntate factum putarent . Itaque se necessitate coacti tradiderunt .
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Caesar, observing that several of his men were wounded, ordered the cohorts to ascend the mountain on all sides, and, under pretense of assailing the walls, to raise a shout: at which the besieged being frightened, and not knowing what was going on in other places, call off their armed troops from attacking our works, and dispose them on the walls. Thus our men without hazarding a battle, gained time partly to extinguish the works which had caught fire, and partly to cut off the communication. As the townsmen still continued to make an obstinate resistance, and even, after losing the greatest part of their forces by drought, persevered in their resolution: at last the veins of the spring were cut across by our mines, and turned from their course. By this their constant spring was suddenly dried up, which reduced them to such despair that they imagined that it was not done by the art of man, but the will of the gods; forced, therefore, by necessity, they at length submitted. |