Gallic War (Julius Caesar)

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	Gallic War Author: Julius Caesar	Translator: W. A. McDevitte
113	Prima luce productis omnibus copiis duplici acie instituta , auxiliis in mediam aciem coniectis , quid hostes consilii caperent expectabat . Illi , etsi propter multitudinem et veterem belli gloriam paucitatemque nostrorum se tuto dimicaturos existimabant , tamen tutius esse arbitrabantur obsessis viis commeatu intercluso sine vulnere victoria potiri , et si propter inopiam rei frumentariae Romani se recipere coepissent , impeditos in agmine et sub sarcinis infirmiores animo adoriri cogitabant . Hoc consilio probato ab ducibus , productis Romanorum copiis , sese castris tenebant . Hac re perspecta Crassus , cum sua cunctatione atque opinione timoris hostes nostros milites alacriores ad pugnandum effecissent atque omnium voces audirentur expectari diutius non oportere quin ad castra iretur , cohortatus suos omnibus cupientibus ad hostium castra contendit .	Having drawn out all his forces at the break of day, and marshaled them in a double line, he posted the auxiliaries in the center, and waited to see what measures the enemy would take. They, although on account of their great number and their ancient renown in war, and the small number of our men, they supposed they might safely fight, nevertheless considered it safer to gain the victory without any wound, by besetting the passes [and] cutting off the provisions: and if the Romans, on account of the want of corn, should begin to retreat, they intended to attack them while encumbered in their march and depressed in spirit [as being assailed while] under baggage. This measure being approved of by the leaders and the forces of the Romans drawn out, the enemy [still] kept themselves in their camp. Crassus having remarked this circumstance, since the enemy, intimidated by their own delay, and by the reputation [i.e. for cowardice arising thence] had rendered our soldiers more eager for fighting, and the remarks of all were heard [declaring] that no longer ought delay to be made in going to the camp, after encouraging his men, he marches to the camp of the enemy, to the great gratification of his own troops.)
114	Ibi cum alii fossas complerent , alii multis telis coniectis defensores vallo munitionibusque depellerent , auxiliaresque , quibus ad pugnam non multum Crassus confidebat , lapidibus telisque subministrandis et ad aggerem caespitibus comportandis speciem atque opinionem pugnantium praeberent , cum item ab hostibus constanter ac non timide pugnaretur telaque ex loco superiore missa non frustra acciderent , equites circumitis hostium castris Crasso renuntiaverunt non eadem esse diligentia ab decumana porta castra munita facilemque aditum habere .	There, while some were filling up the ditch, and others, by throwing a large number of darts, were driving the defenders from the rampart and fortifications, and the auxiliaries, on whom Crassus did not much rely in the battle, by supplying stones and weapons [to the soldiers], and by conveying turf to the mound, presented the appearance and character of men engaged in fighting; while also the enemy were fighting resolutely and boldly, and their weapons, discharged from their higher position, fell with great effect; the horse, having gone round the camp of the enemy, reported to Crassus that the camp was not fortified with equal care on the side of the Decuman gate, and had an easy approach.
115	Crassus equitum praefectos cohortatus , ut magnis praemiis pollicitationibusque suos excitarent , quid fieri vellet ostendit . Illi , ut erat imperatum , eductis iis cohortibus quae praesidio castris relictae intritae ab labore erant , et longiore itinere circumductis , ne ex hostium castris conspici possent , omnium oculis mentibusque ad pugnam intentis celeriter ad eas quas diximus munitiones pervenerunt atque his prorutis prius in hostium castris constiterunt quam plane ab his videri aut quid rei gereretur cognosci posset . Tum vero clamore ab ea parte audito nostri redintegratis viribus , quod plerumque in spe victoriae accidere consuevit , acrius impugnare coeperunt . Hostes undique circumventi desperatis omnibus rebus se per munitiones deicere et fuga salutem petere contenderunt . Quos equitatus apertissimis campis consectatus ex milium L numero , quae ex Aquitania Cantabrisque convenisse constabat , vix quarta parte relicta , multa nocte se in castra recepit .	Crassus, having exhorted the commanders of the horse to animate their men by great rewards and promises, points out to them what he wished to have done. They, as they had been commanded, having brought out the four cohorts, which, as they had been left as a guard for the camp, were not fatigued by exertion, and having led them round by a some what longer way, lest they could be seen from the camp of the enemy, when the eyes and minds of all were intent upon the battle, quickly arrived at those fortifications which we have spoken of, and, having demolished these, stood in the camp of the enemy before they were seen by them, or it was known what was going on. And then, a shout being heard in that quarter, our men, their strength having been recruited, (which usually occurs on the hope of victory), began to fight more vigorously. The enemy surrounded on all sides, [and] all their affairs being despaired of, made great attempts to cast themselves down over the ramparts and to seek safety in flight. These the cavalry pursued over the very open plains, and after leaving scarcely a fourth part out of the number of 50,000, which it was certain had assembled out of Aquitania and from the Cantabri, returned late at night to the camp.
116	Hac audita pugna maxima pars Aquitaniae sese Crasso dedidit obsidesque ultro misit ; quo in numero fuerunt Tarbelli , Bigerriones , Ptianii , Vocates , Tarusates , Elusates , Gates , Ausci , Garumni , Sibusates , Cocosates : paucae ultimae nationes anni tempore confisae , quod hiems suberat , id facere neglexerunt .	Having heard of this battle, the greatest part of Aquitania surrendered itself to Crassus, and of its own accord sent hostages, in which number were the Tarbelli, the Bigerriones, the Preciani, the Vocasates, the Tarusates, the Elurates, the Garites, the Ausci, the Garumni, the Sibuzates, the Cocosates. A few [and those] most remote nations, relying on the time of the year, because winter was at hand, neglected to do this.
117	Eodem fere tempore Caesar , etsi prope exacta iam aestas erat , tamen , quod omni Gallia pacata Morini Menapiique supererant , qui in armis essent neque ad eum umquam legatos de pace misissent , arbitratus id bellum celeriter confici posse eo exercitum duxit ; qui longe alia ratione ac reliqui Galli bellum gerere coeperunt . Nam quod intellegebant maximas nationes , quae proelio contendissent , pulsas superatasque esse , continentesque silvas ac paludes habebant , eo se suaque omnia contulerunt . Ad quarum initium silvarum cum Caesar pervenisset castraque munire instituisset neque hostis interim visus esset , dispersis in opere nostris subito ex omnibus partibus silvae evolaverunt et in nostros impetum fecerunt . Nostri celeriter arma ceperunt eosque in silvas repulerunt et compluribus interfectis longius impeditioribus locis secuti paucos ex suis deperdiderunt .	About the same time Caesar, although the summer was nearly past, yet, since, all Gaul being reduced, the Morini and the Menapii alone remained in arms, and had never sent embassadors to him [to make a treaty] of peace, speedily led his army thither, thinking that that war might soon be terminated. They resolved to conduct the war on a very different method from the rest of the Gauls; for as they perceived that the greatest nations [of Gaul] who had engaged in war, had been routed and overcome, and as they possessed continuous ranges of forests and morasses, they removed themselves and all their property thither. When Caesar had arrived at the opening of these forests, and had began to fortify his camp, and no enemy was in the mean time seen, while our men were dispersed on their respective duties, they suddenly rushed out from all parts of the forest, and made an attack on our men. The latter quickly took up arms and drove them back again to their forests; and having killed a great many, lost a few of their own men while pursuing them too far through those intricate places.
118	Reliquis deinceps diebus Caesar silvas caedere instituit , et ne quis inermibus imprudentibusque militibus ab latere impetus fieri posset , omnem eam materiam quae erat caesa conversam ad hostem conlocabat et pro vallo ad utrumque latus extruebat . Incredibili celeritate magno spatio paucis diebus confecto , cum iam pecus atque extrema impedimenta a nostris tenerentur , ipsi densiores silvas peterent , eius modi sunt tempestates consecutae uti opus necessario intermitteretur et continuatione imbrium diutius sub pellibus milites contineri non possent . Itaque vastatis omnibus eorum agris , vicis aedificiisque incensis , Caesar exercitum reduxit et in Aulercis Lexoviisque , reliquis item civitatibus quae proxime bellum fecerant , in hibernis conlocavit .	During the remaining days after this, Caesar began to cut down the forests; and that no attack might be made on the flank of the soldiers, while unarmed and not foreseeing it, he placed together (opposite to the enemy) all that timber which was cut down, and piled it up as a rampart on either flank. When a great space had been, with incredible speed, cleared in a few days, when the cattle [of the enemy] and the rear of their baggage train were already seized by our men, and they themselves were seeking for the thickest parts of the forests, storms of such a kind came on that the work was necessarily suspended, and, through the continuance of the rains, the soldiers could not any longer remain in their tents. Therefore, having laid waste all their country, [and] having burned their villages and houses, Caesar led back his army and stationed them in winter quarters among the Aulerci and Lexovii, and the other states which had made war upon him last.
119	COMMENTARIUS QUARTUS Ea quae secuta est hieme , qui fuit annus Cn . Pompeio , M . Crasso consulibus , Usipetes Germani et item Tencteri magna [ cum ] multitudine hominum flumen Rhenum transierunt , non longe a mari , quo Rhenus influit . Causa transeundi fuit quod ab Suebis complures annos exagitati bello premebantur et agri cultura prohibebantur . Sueborum gens est longe maxima et bellicosissima Germanorum omnium . Hi centum pagos habere dicuntur , ex quibus quotannis singula milia armatorum bellandi causa ex finibus educunt . Reliqui , qui domi manserunt , se atque illos alunt ; hi rursus in vicem anno post in armis sunt , illi domi remanent . Sic neque agri cultura nec ratio atque usus belli intermittitur . Sed privati ac separati agri apud eos nihil est , neque longius anno remanere uno in loco colendi causa licet . Neque multum frumento , sed maximam partem lacte atque pecore vivunt multum sunt in venationibus ; quae res et cibi genere et cotidiana exercitatione et libertate vitae , quod a pueris nullo officio aut disciplina adsuefacti nihil omnino contra voluntatem faciunt , et vires alit et immani corporum magnitudine homines efficit . Atque in eam se consuetudinem adduxerunt ut locis frigidissimis neque vestitus praeter pelles habeant quicquam , quarum propter exiguitatem magna est corporis pars aperta , et laventur in fluminibus .	The following winter (this was the year in which Cn. Pompey and M. Crassus were consuls [ 55 B.C.]), those Germans [called] the Usipetes, and likewise the Tenchtheri, with a great number of men, crossed the Rhine , not far from the place at which that river discharges itself into the sea. The motive for crossing [that river] was, that having been for several years harassed by the Suevi, they were constantly engaged in war, and hindered from the pursuits of agriculture. The nation of the Suevi is by far the largest and the most warlike nation of all the Germans. They are said to possess a hundred cantons, from each of which they yearly send from their territories for the purpose of war a thousand armed men: the others who remain at home, maintain [both] themselves and those-engaged in the expedition. The latter again, in their turn, are in arms the year after: the former remain at home. Thus neither husbandry, nor the art and practice of war are neglected. But among them there exists no private and separate land; nor are they permitted to remain more than one year in one place for the purpose of residence. They do not live much on corn, but subsist for the most part on milk and flesh, and are much [engaged] in hunting; which circumstance must, by the nature of their food, and by their daily exercise and the freedom of their life (for having from boyhood been accustomed to no employment, or discipline, they do nothing at all contrary to their inclination), both promote their strength and render them men of vast stature of body. And to such a habit have they brought themselves, that even in the coldest parts they wear no clothing whatever except skins, by reason of the scantiness of which, a great portion of their body is bare, and besides they bathe in open rivers.
120	Mercatoribus est aditus magis eo ut quae bello ceperint quibus vendant habeant , quam quo ullam rem ad se importari desiderent . Quin etiam iumentis , quibus maxime Galli delectantur quaeque impenso parant pretio , Germani importatis non utuntur , sed quae sunt apud eos nata , parva atque deformia , haec cotidiana exercitatione summi ut sint laboris efficiunt . Equestribus proeliis saepe ex equis desiliunt ac pedibus proeliantur , equos eodem remanere vestigio adsuefecerunt , ad quos se celeriter , cum usus est , recipiunt : neque eorum moribus turpius quicquam aut inertius habetur quam ephippiis uti . Itaque ad quemvis numerum ephippiatorum equitum quamvis pauci adire audent . Vinum omnino ad se importari non patiuntur , quod ea re ad laborem ferendum remollescere homines atque effeminari arbitrantur .	Merchants have access to them rather that they may have persons to whom they may sell those things which they have taken in war, than because they need any commodity to be imported to them. Moreover, even as to laboring cattle, in which the Gauls take the greatest pleasure, and which they procure at a great price, the Germans do not employ such as are imported, but those poor and ill-shaped animals, which belong to their country; these, however, they render capable of the greatest labor by daily exercise. In cavalry actions they frequently leap from their horses and fight on foot; and train their horses to stand still in the very spot on which they leave them, to which they retreat with great activity when there is occasion; nor, according to their practice, is any thing regarded as more unseemly, or more unmanly, than to use housings. Accordingly, they have the courage, though they be themselves but few, to advance against any number whatever of horse mounted with housings. They on no account permit wine to be imported to them, because they consider that men degenerate in their powers of enduring fatigue, and are rendered effeminate by that commodity.
121	Publice maximam putant esse laudem quam latissime a suis finibus vacare agros : hac re significari magnum numerum civitatum suam vim sustinere non posse . Itaque una ex parte a Suebis circiter milia passuum C agri vacare dicuntur . Ad alteram partem succedunt Ubii , quorum fuit civitas ampla atque florens , ut est captus Germanorum ; ii paulo , quamquam sunt eiusdem generis , sunt ceteris humaniores , propterea quod Rhenum attingunt multum ad eos mercatores ventitant et ipsi propter propinquitatem [ quod ] Gallicis sunt moribus adsuefacti . Hos cum Suebi multis saepe bellis experti propter amplitudinem gravitatem civitatis finibus expellere non potuissent , tamen vectigales sibi fecerunt ac multo humiliores infirmiores redegerunt .	They esteem it their greatest praise as a nation, that the lands about their territories lie unoccupied to a very great extent, inasmuch as [they think] that by this circumstance is indicated, that a great number of nations can not withstand their power; and thus on one side of the Suevi the lands are said to lie desolate for about six hundred miles. On the other side they border on the Ubii, whose state was large and flourishing, considering the condition of the Germans, and who are somewhat more refined than those of the same race and the rest [of the Germans], and that because they border on the Rhine , and are much resorted to by merchants, and are accustomed to the manners of the Gauls, by reason of their approximity to them. Though the Suevi, after making the attempt frequently and in several wars, could not expel this nation from their territories, on account of the extent and population of their state, yet they made them tributaries, and rendered them less distinguished and powerful [than they had ever been].
122	In eadem causa fuerunt Usipetes et Tencteri , quos supra diximus ; qui complures annos Sueborum vim sustinuerunt , ad extremum tamen agris expulsi et multis locis Germaniae triennium vagati ad Rhenum pervenerunt , quas regiones Menapii incolebant . Hi ad utramque ripam fluminis agros , aedificia vicosque habebant ; sed tantae multitudinis adventu perterriti ex iis aedificiis quae trans flumen habuerant demigraverant , et cis Rhenum dispositis praesidiis Germanos transire prohibebant . Illi omnia experti , cum neque vi contendere propter inopiam navium neque clam transire propter custodias Menapiorum possent , reverti se in suas sedes regionesque simulaverunt et tridui viam progressi rursus reverterunt atque omni hoc itinere una nocte equitatu confecto inscios inopinantes Menapios oppresserunt , qui de Germanorum discessu per exploratores certiores facti sine metu trans Rhenum in suos vicos remigraverant . His interfectis navibus eorum occupatis , prius quam ea pars Menapiorum quae citra Rhenum erat certior fieret , flumen transierunt atque omnibus eorum aedificiis occupatis reliquam partem hiemis se eorum copiis aluerunt .	In the same condition were the Usipetes and the Tenchtheri (whom we have mentioned above), who, for many years, resisted the power of the Suevi, but being at last driven from their possessions, and having wandered through many parts of Germany , came to the Rhine , to districts which the Menapii inhabited, and where they had lands, houses, and villages on either side of the river. The latter people, alarmed by the arrival of so great a multitude, removed from those houses which they had on the other side of the river, and having placed guards on this side the Rhine , proceeded to hinder the Germans from crossing. They, finding themselves, after they had tried all means, unable either to force a passage on account of their deficiency in shipping, or cross by stealth on account of the guards of the Menapii, pretended to return to their own settlements and districts; and, after having proceeded three days' march, returned; and their cavalry having performed the whole of this journey in one night, cut off the Menapii, who were ignorant of, and did not expect [their approach, and] who, having moreover been informed of the departure of the Germans by their scouts, had, without apprehension, returned to their villages beyond the Rhine . Having slain these, and seized their ships, they crossed the river before that part of the Menapii, who were at peace in their settlements over the Rhine , were apprized of [their intention]; and seizing all their houses, maintained themselves upon their provisions during the rest of the winter.
123	His de rebus Caesar certior factus et infirmitatem Gallorum veritus , quod sunt in consiliis capiendis mobiles et novis plerumque rebus student , nihil his committendum existimavit . Est enim hoc Gallicae consuetudinis , uti et viatores etiam invitos consistere cogant et quid quisque eorum de quaque re audierit aut cognoverit quaerant et mercatores in oppidis vulgus circumsistat quibus ex regionibus veniant quas ibi res cognoverint pronuntiare cogat . His rebus atque auditionibus permoti de summis saepe rebus consilia ineunt , quorum eos in vestigio paenitere necesse est , cum incertis rumoribus serviant et pleri ad voluntatem eorum ficta respondeant .	Caesar, when informed of these matters, fearing the fickle disposition of the Gauls, who are easily prompted to take up resolutions, and much addicted to change, considered that nothing was to be intrusted to them; for it is the custom of that people to compel travelers to stop, even against their inclination, and inquire what they may have heard, or may know, respecting any matter; and in towns the common people throng around merchants and force them to state from what countries they come, and what affairs they know of there. They often engage in resolutions concerning the most important matters, induced by these reports and stories alone; of which they must necessarily instantly repent, since they yield to mere unauthorized reports; and since most people give to their questions answers framed agreeably to their wishes.
124	Qua consuetudine cognita Caesar , ne graviori bello , occurreret , maturius quam consuerat ad exercitum proficiscitur . Eo cum venisset , ea quae fore suspicatus erat facta cognovit : missas legationes ab non nullis civitatibus ad Germanos invitatos eos uti ab Rheno discederent : omnia quae [ que ] postulassent ab se fore parata . Qua spe adducti Germani latius iam vagabantur et in fines Eburonum et Condrusorum , qui sunt Treverorum clientes , pervenerant . Principibus Gallice evocatis Caesar ea quae cognoverat dissimulanda sibi existimavit , eorumque animis permulsis et confirmatis equitatu imperato bellum cum Germanis gerere constituit .	Caesar, being aware of their custom, in order that he might not encounter a more formidable war, sets forward to the army earlier in the year than he was accustomed to do. When he had arrived there, he discovered that those things, which he had suspected would occur, had taken place; that embassies had been sent to the Germans by some of the states, and that they had been entreated to leave the Rhine , and had been promised that all things which they desired should be provided by the Gauls. Allured by this hope, the Germans were then making excursions to greater distances, and had advanced to the territories of the Eburones and the Condrusi, who are under the protection of the Treviri . After summoning the chiefs of Gaul, Caesar thought proper to pretend ignorance of the things which he had discovered; and having conciliated and confirmed their minds, and ordered some cavalry to be raised, resolved to make war against the Germans.
125	Re frumentaria comparata equitibusque delectis iter in ea loca facere coepit , quibus in locis esse Germanos audiebat . A quibus cum paucorum dierum iter abesset , legati ab iis venerunt , quorum haec fuit oratio : Germanos neque priores populo Romano bellum inferre neque tamen recusare , si lacessantur , quin armis contendant , quod Germanorum consuetudo [ haec ] sit a maioribus tradita , Quicumque bellum inferant , resistere neque deprecari . Haec tamen dicere venisse invitos , eiectos domo ; si suam gratiam Romani velint , posse iis utiles esse amicos ; vel sibi agros attribuant vel patiantur eos tenere quos armis possederint : sese unis Suebis concedere , quibus ne di quidem immortales pares esse possint ; reliquum quidem in terris esse neminem quem non superare possint .	Having provided corn and selected his cavalry, he began to direct his march toward those parts in which he heard the Germans were. When he was distant from them only a few days' march, embassadors came to him from their state, whose speech was as follows: "That the Germans neither make war upon the Roman people first, nor do they decline, if they are provoked, to engage with them in arms; for that this was the custom of the Germans handed down to them from their forefathers, -to resist whatsoever people make war upon them and not to avert it by entreaty; this, however, they confessed,-that they had come hither reluctantly, having been expelled from their country. If the Romans were disposed to accept their friendship, they might be serviceable allies to them; and let them either assign them lands, or permit them to retain those which they had acquired by their arms; that they are inferior to the Suevi alone, to whom not even the immortal gods can show themselves equal; that there was none at all besides on earth whom they could not conquer."
126	Ad haec Caesar quae visum est respondit ; sed exitus fuit orationis : sibi nullam cum iis amicitiam esse posse , si in Gallia remanerent ; neque verum esse , qui suos fines tueri non potuerint alienos occupare ; neque ullos in Gallia vacare agros qui dari tantae praesertim multitudini sine iniuria possint ; sed licere , si velint , in Ubiorum finibus considere , quorum sint legati apud se et de Sueborum iniuriis querantur et a se auxilium petant : hoc se Ubiis imperaturum .	To these remarks Caesar replied in such terms as he thought proper; but the conclusion of his speech was, "That he could make no alliance with them, if they continued in Gaul; that it was not probable that they who were not able to defend their own territories, should get possession of those of others, nor were there any lands lying waste in Gaul, which could be given away, especially to so great a number of men, without doing wrong [to others]; but they might, if they were desirous, settle in the territories of the Ubii; whose embassadors were then with him, and were complaining of the aggressions of the Suevi, and requesting assistance from him; and that he would obtain this request from them."