Gallic War (Julius Caesar)

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	Gallic War Author: Julius Caesar	Translator: W. A. McDevitte
393	Caesar , cum suam lenitatem cognitam omnibus sciret neque vereretur ne quid crudelitate naturae videretur asperius fecisse , neque exitum consiliorum suorum animadverteret , si tali ratione diversis in locis plures consilia inissent , exemplo supplici deterrendos reliquos existimavit . Itaque omnibus qui arma tulerant manus praecidit vitamque concessit , quo testatior esset poena improborum . Drappes , quem captum esse a Caninio docui , sive indignitate et dolore vinculorum sive timore gravioris supplici paucis diebus cibo se abstinuit atque ita interiit . Eodem tempore Lacterius , quem profugisse ex proelio scripsi , cum in potestatem venisset Epasnacti Arverni ( crebro enim mutandis locis multorum fidei se committebat , quod nusquam diutius sine periculo commoraturus videbatur , cum sibi conscius esset , quam inimicum deberet Caesarem habere ) , hunc Epasnactus Arvernus , amicissimus populi Romani , sine dubitatione ulla vinctum ad Caesarem deduxit .	Caesar, being convinced that his lenity was known to all men, and being under no fears of being thought to act severely from a natural cruelty, and perceiving that there would be no end to his troubles if several states should attempt to rebel in like manner and in different places, resolved to deter others by inflicting an exemplary punishment on these. Accordingly he cut off the hands of those who had borne arms against him. Their lives he spared, that the punishment of their rebellion might be the more conspicuous. Drapes, who I have said was taken by Caninius, either through indignation and grief arising from his captivity, or through fear of severer punishments, abstained from food for several days, and thus perished. At the same time, Luterius, who, I have related, had escaped from the battle, having fallen into the hands of Epasnactus, an Arvernian (for he frequently changed his quarters, and threw himself on the honor of several persons, as he saw that he dare not remain long in one place, and was conscious how great an enemy he deserved to have in Caesar), was by this Epasnactus, the Arvernian, a sincere friend of the Roman people, delivered without any hesitation, a prisoner to Caesar.
394	Labienus interim in Treveris equestre proelium facit secundum compluribusque Treveris interfectis et Germanis , qui nullis adversus Romanos auxilia denegabant , principes eorum vivos redigit in suam potestatem atque in his Surum Aeduum , qui et virtutis et generis summam nobilitatem habebat solusque ex Aeduis ad id tempus permanserat in armis .	In the mean time, Labienus engages in a successful cavalry action among the Treviri ; and, having killed several of them and of the Germans, who never refused their aid to any person against the Romans, he got their chiefs alive into his power, and, among them, Surus, an Aeduan, who was highly renowned both for his valor and birth, and was the only Aeduan that had continued in arms till that time.
395	Ea re cognita Caesar , cum in omnibus partibus Galliae bene res geri videret iudicaretque superioribus aestivis Galliam devictam subactamque esse , Aquitaniam numquam adisset , per Publium Crassum quadam ex parte devicisset , cum duabus legionibus in eam partem Galliae est profectus , ut ibi extremum tempus consumeret aestivorum . Quam rem sicuti cetera celeriter feliciterque confecit . Namque omnes Aquitaniae civitates legatos ad Caesarem miserunt obsidesque ei dederunt . Quibus rebus gestis ipse equitum praesidio Narbonem profectus est , exercitum per legatos in hiberna deduxit : quattuor legiones in Belgio collocavit cum M . Antonio et C . Trebonio et P . Vatinio legatis , duas legiones in Aeduos deduxit , quorum in omni Gallia summam esse auctoritatem sciebat , duas in Turonis ad fines Carnutum posuit , quae omnem illam regionem coniunctam Oceano continerent , duas reliquas in Lemovicum finibus non longe ab Arvernis , ne qua pars Galliae vacua ab exercitu esset . Paucos dies ipse in provincia moratus , cum celeriter omnes conventus percucurrisset , publicas controversias cognosset , bene meritis praemia tribuisset ( cognoscendi enim maximam facultatem habebat , quali quisque fuisset animo in totius Galliae defectione , quam sustinuerat fidelitate atque auxiliis provinciae illius ) , his confectis rebus ad legiones in Belgium se recipit hibernatque Nemetocennae .	Caesar, being informed of this, and perceiving that he had met with good success in all parts of Gaul, and reflecting that, in former campaigns [Celtic] Gaul had been conquered and subdued; but that he had never gone in person to Aquitania , but had made a conquest of it, in some degree, by Marcus Crassus, set out for it with two legions, designing to spend the latter part of the summer there. This affair he executed with his usual dispatch and good fortune. For all the states of Aquitania sent embassadors to him and delivered hostages. These affairs being concluded, he marched with a guard of cavalry toward Narbo , and drew off his army into winter quarters by his lieutenants. He posted four legions in the country of the Belgae, under Marcus Antonius, Caius Trebonius, Publius Vatinius, and Quintus Tullius, his lieutenants. Two he detached to the Aedui, knowing them to have a very powerful influence throughout all Gaul. Two he placed among the Turoni , near the confines of the Carnutes, to keep in awe the entire tract of country bordering on the ocean; the other two he placed in the territories of the Lemovices , at a small distance from the Arverni, that no part of Gaul might be without an army. Having spent a few days in the province, he quickly ran through all the business of the assizes, settled all public disputes, and distributed rewards to the most deserving; for he had a good opportunity of learning how every person was disposed toward the republic during the general revolt of Gaul, which he had withstood by the fidelity and assistance of the Province.
396	Ibi cognoscit Commium Atrebatem proelio cum equitatu suo contendisse . Nam cum Antonius in hiberna venisset , civitasque Atrebatum in officio esset , Commius , qui post illam vulnerationem , quam supra commemoravi , semper ad omnes motus paratus suis civibus esse consuesset , ne consilia belli quaerentibus auctor armorum duxque deesset , parente Romanis civitate cum suis equitibus latrociniis se suosque alebat infestisque itineribus commeatus complures , qui comportabantur in hiberna Romanorum , intercipiebat .	Having finished these affairs, he returned to his legions among the Belgae and wintered at Nemetocenna : there he got intelligence that Comius, the Atrebatian had had an engagement with his cavalry. For when Antonius had gone into winter quarters, and the state of the Atrebates continued in their allegiance, Comius, who, after that wound which I before mentioned, was always ready to join his countrymen upon every commotion, that they might not want a person to advise and head them in the management of the war, when his state submitted to the Romans, supported himself and his adherents on plunder by means of his cavalry, infested the roads, and intercepted several convoys which were bringing provisions to the Roman quarters.
397	Erat attributus Antonio praefectus equitum C . Volusenus Quadratus qui cum eo hibernaret . Hunc Antonius ad persequendum equitatum hostium mittit . Volusenus ad eam virtutem , quae singularis erat in eo , magnum odium Commi adiungebat , quo libentius id faceret quod imperabatur . Itaque dispositis insidiis saepius equites eius adgressus secunda proelia faciebat . Novissime , cum vehementius contenderetur , ac Volusenus ipsius intercipiendi Commi cupiditate pertinacius eum cum paucis insecutus esset , ille autem fuga vehementi Volusenum produxisset longius , inimicus homini suorum invocat fidem atque auxilium , ne sua vulnera per fidem imposita paterentur impunita , conversoque equo se a ceteris incautius permittit in praefectum . Faciunt hoc idem omnes eius equites paucosque nostros convertunt atque insequuntur . Commius incensum calcaribus equum coniungit equo Quadrati lanceaque infesta magnis viribus medium femur traicit Voluseni . Praefecto vulnerato non dubitant nostri resistere et conversis equis hostem pellere . Quod ubi accidit , complures hostium magno nostrorum impetu perculsi vulnerantur ac partim in fuga proteruntur , partim intercipiuntur ; quod malum dux equi velocitate evitavit : graviter adeo vulneratus praefectus , ut vitae periculum aditurus videretur , refertur in castra . Commius autem sive expiato suo dolore sive magna parte amissa suorum legatos ad Antonium mittit seque et ibi futurum , ubi praescripserit , et ea facturum , quae imperarit , obsidibus firmat ; unum illud orat , ut timori suo concedatur , ne in conspectum veniat cuiusquam Romani . Cuius postulationem Antonius cum iudicaret ab iusto nasci timore , veniam petenti dedit , obsides accepit . Scio Caesarem singulorum annorum singulos commentarios confecisse ; quod ego non existimavi mihi esse faciendum , propterea quod insequens annus , L . Paulo C . Marcello consulibus , nullas habet magnopere Galliae res gestas . Ne quis tamen ignoraret , quibus in locis Caesar exercitusque eo tempore fuissent , pauca esse scribenda coniungendaque huic commentario statui .	Caius Volusenus Quadratus was appointed commander of the horse under Antonius, to winter with him: Antonius sent him in pursuit of the enemy's cavalry; now Volusenus added to that valor which was pre-eminent in him, a great aversion to Comius, on which account he executed the more willingly the orders which he received. Having, therefore, laid ambuscades, he had several encounters with his cavalry and came off successful. At last, when a violent contest ensued, and Volusenus, through eagerness to intercept Comius, had obstinately pursued him with a small party; and Comius had, by the rapidity of his flight, drawn Volusenus to a considerable distance from his troops, he, on a sudden, appealed to the honor of all about him for assistance not to suffer the wound, which he had perfidiously received, to go without vengeance; and, wheeling his horse about, rode unguardedly before the rest up to the commander. All his horse following his example, made a few of our men turn their backs and pursued them. Comius, clapping spurs to his horse, rode up to Volusenus, and, pointing his lance, pierced him in the thigh with great force. When their commander was wounded, our men no longer hesitated to make resistance, and, facing about, beat back the enemy. When this occurred, several of the enemy, repulsed by the great impetuosity of our men, were wounded, and some were trampled to death in striving to escape, and some were made prisoners. Their general escaped this misfortune by the swiftness of his horse. Our commander, being severely wounded, so much so that he appeared to run the risk of losing his life, was carried back to the camp. But Comius, having either gratified his resentment, or, because he had lost the greatest part of his followers, sent embassadors to Antonius, and assured him that he would give hostages as a security that he would go wherever Antonius should prescribe, and would comply with his orders, and only entreated that this concession should be made to his fears, that he should not be obliged to go into the presence of any Roman. As Antonius judged that his request originated in a just apprehension, he indulged him in it and accepted his hostages. Caesar, I know, has made a separate commentary of each year's transactions, which I have not thought it necessary for me to do, because the following year, in which Lucius Paulus and Caius Marcellus were consuls [ 50 B. C.], produced no remarkable occurrences in Gaul. But that no person may be left in ignorance of the place where Caesar and his army were at that time, have thought proper to write a few words in addition to this commentary.
398	Caesar in Belgio cum hiemaret , unum illud propositum habebat , continere in amicitia civitates , nulli spem aut causam dare armorum . Nihil enim minus volebat quam sub decessu suo necessitatem sibi aliquam imponi belli gerendi , ne , cum exercitum deducturus esset , bellum aliquod relinqueretur quod omnis Gallia libenter sine praesenti periculo susciperet . Itaque honorifice civitates appellando , principes maximis praemiis adficiendo , nulla onera iniungendo defessam tot adversis proeliis Galliam condicione parendi meliore facile in pace continuit .	Caesar, while in winter quarters in the country of the Belgae, made it his only business to keep the states in amity with him, and to give none either hopes of, or pretext for a revolt. For nothing was further from his wishes than to be under the necessity of engaging in another war at his departure; lest, when he was drawing his army out of the country, any war should be left unfinished, which the Gauls would cheerfully undertake, when there was no immediate danger. Therefore, by treating the states with respect, making rich presents to the leading men, imposing no new burdens, and making the terms of their subjection lighter, he easily kept Gaul (already exhausted by so many unsuccessful battles) in obedience.
399	Ipse hibernis peractis contra consuetudinem in Italiam quam maximis itineribus est profectus , ut municipia et colonias appellaret , quibus M . Antoni quaestoris sui , commendaverat sacerdoti petitionem . Contendebat enim gratia cum libenter pro homine sibi coniunctissimo , quem paulo ante praemiserat ad petitionem , tum acriter contra factionem et potentiam paucorum , qui M . Antoni repulsa Caesaris decedentis gratiam convellere cupiebant . Hunc etsi augurem prius factum quam Italiam attingeret in itinere audierat , tamen non minus iustam sibi causam municipia et colonias adeundi existimavit , ut eis gratias ageret , quod frequentiam atque officium suum Antonio praestitissent , simulque se et honorem suum sequentis anni commendaret , propterea quod insolenter adversarii sui gloriarentur L . Lentulum et C . Marcellum consules creatos qui omnem honorem et dignitatem Caesaris spoliarent , ereptum Ser . Galbae consulatum , cum is multo plus gratia suffragiisque valuisset , quod sibi coniunctus et familiaritate et consuetudine legationis esset .	When the winter quarters were broken up he himself, contrary to his usual practice, proceeded to Italy, by the longest possible stages, in order to visit the free towns and colonies, that he might recommend to them the petition of Marcus Antonius, his treasurer, for the priesthood. For he exerted his interest both cheerfully in favor of a man strongly attached to him, whom he had sent home before him to attend the election, and zealously to oppose the faction and power of a few men, who, by rejecting Marcus Antonius, wished to undermine Caesar's influence when going out of office. Though Caesar heard on the road, before he reached Italy that he was created augur, yet he thought himself in honor bound to visit the free towns and colonies, to return them thanks for rendering such service to Antonius by their presence in such great numbers [at the election], and at the same time to recommend to them himself, and his honor in his suit for the consulate the ensuing year [ 48 B.C.]. For his adversaries arrogantly boasted that Lucius Lentulus and Caius Marcellus had been appointed consuls, who would strip Caesar of all honor and dignity: and that the consulate had been injuriously taken from Sergius Galba, though he had been much superior in votes and interest, because he was united to Caesar, both by friendship, and by serving as lieutenant under him.
400	Exceptus est Caesaris adventus ab omnibus municipiis et coloniis incredibili honore atque amore . Tum primum enim veniebat ab illo universae Galliae bello . Nihil relinquebatur quod ad ornatum portarum , itinerum , locorum omnium qua Caesar iturus erat excogitari poterat . Cum liberis omnis multitudo obviam procedebat , hostiae omnibus locis immolabantur , tricliniis stratis fora templaque occupabantur , ut vel exspectatissimi triumphi laetitia praecipi posset . Tanta erat magnificentia apud opulentiores , cupiditas apud humiliores .	Caesar, on his arrival, was received by the principal towns and colonies with incredible respect and affection; for this was the first time he came since the war against united Gaul. Nothing was omitted which could be thought of for the ornament of the gates, roads, and every place through which Caesar was to pass. All the people with their children went out to meet him. Sacrifices were offered up in every quarter. The market places and temples were laid out with entertainments, as if anticipating the joy of a most splendid triumph. So great was the magnificence of the richer and zeal of the poorer ranks of the people.
401	Cum omnes regiones Galliae togatae Caesar percucurrisset , summa celeritate ad exercitum Nemetocennam rediit legionibusque ex omnibus hibernis ad fines Treverorum evocatis eo profectus est ibique exercitum lustravit . T . Labienum Galliae togatae praefecit , quo maiore commendatione conciliaretur ad consulatus petitionem . Ipse tantum itinerum faciebat , quantum satis esse ad mutationem locorum propter salubritatem existimabat . Ibi quamquam crebro audiebat Labienum ab inimicis suis sollicitari certiorque fiebat id agi paucorum consiliis , ut interposita senatus auctoritate aliqua parte exercitus spoliaretur , tamen neque de Labieno credidit quidquam neque contra senatus auctoritatem ut aliquid faceret potuit adduci . Iudicabat enim liberis sententiis patrum conscriptorum causam suam facile obtineri . Nam C . Curio , tribunus plebis , cum Caesaris causam dignitatemque defendendam suscepisset , saepe erat senatui pollicitus , si quem timor armorum Caesaris laederet , et quoniam Pompei dominatio atque arma non minimum terrorem foro inferrent , discederet uterque ab armis exercitusque dimitteret : fore eo facto liberam et sui iuris civitatem . Neque hoc tantum pollicitus est , sed etiam per se discessionem facere coepit ; quod ne fieret consules amicique Pompei iusserunt atque ita rem morando discusserunt .	When Caesar had gone through all the states of Cisalpine Gaul, he returned with the greatest haste to the army at Nemetocenna ; and having ordered all his legions to march from winter quarters to the territories of the Treviri , he went thither and reviewed them. He made Titus Labienus governor of Cisalpine Gaul, that he might be the more inclined to support him in his suit for the consulate. He himself made such journeys as he thought would conduce to the health of his men by change of air; and though he was frequently told that Labienus was solicited by his enemies, and was assured that a scheme was in agitation by the contrivance of a few, that the senate should interpose their authority to deprive him of a part of his army; yet he neither gave credit to any story concerning Labienus, nor could be prevailed upon to do any thing in opposition to the authority of the senate; for he thought that his cause would be easily gained by the free voice of the senators. For Caius Curio, one of the tribunes of the people, having undertaken to defend Caesar's cause and dignity, had often proposed to the senate, "that if the dread of Caesar's arms rendered any apprehensive, as Pompey's authority and arms were no less formidable to the forum, both should resign their command, and disband their armies. That then the city would be free, and enjoy its due rights." And he not only proposed this, but of himself called upon the senate to divide on the question. But the consuls and Pompey's friends interposed to prevent it; and regulating matters as they desired, they broke up the meeting.
402	Magnum hoc testimonium senatus erat universi conveniensque superiori facto . Nam Marcellus proximo anno , cum impugnaret Caesaris dignitatem , contra legem Pompei et Crassi rettulerat ante tempus ad senatum de Caesaris provinciis , sententiisque dictis discessionem faciente Marcello , qui sibi omnem dignitatem ex Caesaris invidia quaerebat , senatus frequens in alia omnia transiit . Quibus non frangebantur animi inimicorum Caesaris , sed admonebantur quo maiores pararent necessitates , quibus cogi posset senatus id probare , quod ipsi constituissent .	This testimony of the unanimous voice of the senate was very great, and consistent with their former conduct; for the preceding year, when Marcellus attacked Caesar's dignity, he proposed to the senate, contrary to the law of Pompey and Crassus, to dispose of Caesar's province, before the expiration of his command, and when the votes were called for, and Marcellus, who endeavored to advance his own dignity, by raising envy against Caesar, wanted a division, the full senate went over to the opposite side. The spirit of Caesar's foes was not broken by this, but it taught them, that they ought to strengthen their interest by enlarging their connections, so as to force the senate to comply with whatever they had resolved on.
403	Fit deinde senatus consultum , ut ad bellum Parthicum legio una a Cn . Pompeio , altera a C . Caesare mitteretur ; neque obscure duae legiones uni detrahuntur . Nam Cn . Pompeius legionem primam , quam ad Caesarem miserat , confectam ex delectu provinciae Caesaris , eam tamquam ex suo numero dedit . Caesar tamen , cum de voluntate minime dubium esset adversariorum suorum , Pompeio legionem remisit et suo nomine quintam decimam , quam in Gallia citeriore habuerat , ex senatus consulto iubet tradi . In eius locum tertiam decimam legionem in Italiam mittit quae praesidia tueretur , ex quibus praesidiis quinta decima deducebatur . Ipse exercitui distribuit hiberna : C . Trebonium cum legionibus quattuor in Belgio collocat , C . Fabium cum totidem in Aeduos deducit . Sic enim existimabat tutissimam fore Galliam , si Belgae , quorum maxima virtus , Aedui , quorum auctoritas summa esset , exercitibus continerentur . Ipse in Italiam profectus est .	After this a decree was passed by the senate, that one legion should be sent by Pompey, and another by Caesar, to the Parthian war. But these two legions were evidently drawn from Caesar alone. For the first legion which Pompey sent to Caesar, he gave Caesar, as if it belonged to himself, though it was levied in Caesar's province. Caesar, however, though no one could doubt the design of his enemies, sent the legion back to Cneius Pompey, and in compliance with the decree of the senate, ordered the fifteenth, belonging to himself, and which was quartered in Cisalpine Gaul, to be delivered up. In its room he sent the thirteenth into Italy, to protect the garrisons from which he had drafted the fifteenth. He disposed his army in winter quarters, placed Caius Trebonius, with four legions among the Belgae, and detached Caius Fabius, with four more, to the Aedui; for he thought that Gaul would be most secure, if the Belgae, a people of the greatest valor, and the Aedui, who possessed the most powerful influence, were kept in awe by his armies.
404	Quo cum venisset , cognoscit per C . Marcellum consulem legiones duas ab se remissas , quae ex senatus consulto deberent ad Parthicum bellum duci , Cn . Pompeio traditas atque in Italia retentas esse . Hoc facto quamquam nulli erat dubium , quidnam contra Caesarem pararetur , tamen Caesar omnia patienda esse statuit , quoad sibi spes aliqua relinqueretur iure potius disceptandi quam belli gerendi . Contendit ( ... lost text ... )	He himself set out for Italy; where he was informed on his arrival, that the two legions sent home by him, and which by the senate's decree, should have been sent to the Parthian war, had been delivered over to Pompey, by Caius Marcellus the consul, and were retained in Italy. Although from this transaction it was evident to every one that war was designed against Caesar, yet he resolved to submit to any thing, as long as there were hopes left of deciding the dispute in an equitable manner, rather than to have recourse to arms.