Book 4 of De Bello Gallico (20–38)

[20] 

1 Exigua parte aestatis reliqua Caesar, etsi in his locis, quod omnis Gallia ad septentriones vergit, maturae sunt hiemes, tamen in Britanniam proficisci contendit, quod omnibus fere Gallicis bellis hostibus nostris inde subministrata auxilia intellegebat. 

1 With only a small part of the summer remaining, Caesar, although in these regions, because all Gaul lies toward the north, winters come early, nevertheless hastened to set out for Britain, because he understood that in nearly all the Gallic wars, aid had been supplied to our enemies from there. 

2 et si tempus anni ad bellum gerendum deficeret, tamen magno sibi usui fore arbitrabatur, si modo insulam adiisset, genus hominum perspexisset, loca, portus, aditus cognovisset; quae omnia fere Gallis erant incognita. 

2 And even if the season was inadequate for waging war, he nevertheless thought it would be very useful to him if only he had visited the island, observed the character of the people, and discovered the geography, harbors, and points of access; all of which were nearly unknown to the Gauls. 

3 Neque enim temere praeter mercatores illo adit quisquam, neque his ipsis quicquam praeter oram maritimam atque eas regiones quae sunt contra Galliam notum est. 

3 For indeed, hardly anyone except merchants ventures there without cause, and even they know nothing except the coastal region and those areas that face Gaul. 

4 Itaque vocatis ad se undique mercatoribus, neque quanta esset insulae magnitudo neque quae aut quantae nationes incolerent, neque quem usum belli haberent aut quibus institutis uterentur, neque qui essent ad maiorem navium multitudinem idonei portus reperire poterat. 

4 Therefore, although he summoned merchants from all sides, he could not find out the size of the island, what or how many nations inhabited it, what mode of warfare they used, or what customs they practiced, nor which harbors were suitable for a large number of ships. 

[21] 

1 Ad haec cognoscenda, prius quam periculum faceret, idoneum esse arbitratus C. Volusenum cum navi longa praemittit. 

1 To ascertain these matters before taking any risks, he deemed it suitable to send ahead Gaius Volusenus with a warship. 

2 Huic mandat ut exploratis omnibus rebus ad se quam primum revertatur. 

2 He instructed him to return to him as soon as possible after having reconnoitered all matters. 

3 Ipse cum omnibus copiis in Morinos proficiscitur, quod inde erat brevissimus in Britanniam traiectus. 

3 He himself set out with all his forces to the Morini, because from there the crossing to Britain was shortest. 

4 Huc naves undique ex finitimis regionibus et quam superiore aestate ad Veneticum bellum fecerat classem iubet convenire. 

4 To this place he ordered ships from all neighboring regions and the fleet which he had built the previous summer for the war against the Veneti to assemble. 

5 Interim, consilio eius cognito et per mercatores perlato ad Britannos, a compluribus insulae civitatibus ad eum legati veniunt, qui polliceantur obsides dare atque imperio populi Romani obtemperare. 

5 Meanwhile, his plan having been discovered and reported to the Britons by merchants, envoys from several tribes of the island came to him, promising to give hostages and to submit to the authority of the Roman people. 

6 Quibus auditis, liberaliter pollicitus hortatusque ut in ea sententia permanerent, 

6 Having heard these things, he promised generously and encouraged them to persist in that resolution, 

7 eos domum remittit et cum iis una Commium, quem ipse Atrebatibus superatis regem ibi constituerat, cuius et virtutem et consilium probabat et quem sibi fidelem esse arbitrabatur cuiusque auctoritas in his regionibus magni habebatur, mittit. 

7 he sent them back home along with Commius, whom he himself had appointed king among the Atrebates after their conquest, whose courage and judgment he esteemed, whom he considered loyal to himself, and whose influence was highly valued in those regions. 

8 Huic imperat quas possit adeat civitates horteturque ut populi Romani fidem sequantur seque celeriter eo venturum nuntiet. 

8 He instructed him to approach as many tribes as possible, to encourage them to adopt the allegiance of the Roman people, and to announce that he himself would soon arrive. 

9 Volusenus perspectis regionibus omnibus quantum ei facultatis dari potuit, qui navi egredi ac se barbaris committere non auderet, V. die ad Caesarem revertitur quaeque ibi perspexisset renuntiat. 

9 Volusenus, having observed all the regions to the extent that was possible for one who dared not leave his ship or entrust himself to the barbarians, returned to Caesar on the fifth day and reported what he had observed. 

 [22] 

1 Dum in his locis Caesar navium parandarum causa moratur, ex magna parte Morinorum ad eum legati venerunt, qui se de superioris temporis consilio excusarent, quod homines barbari et nostrae consuetudinis imperiti bellum populo Romano fecissent, seque ea quae imperasset facturos pollicerentur. 

1 While Caesar was staying in these regions for the purpose of preparing ships, envoys came to him from a large part of the Morini to excuse themselves for their former conduct, saying that being barbarians and unfamiliar with Roman customs, they had made war against the Roman people, and they now promised to do what he commanded. 

2 Hoc sibi Caesar satis oportune accidisse arbitratus, quod neque post tergum hostem relinquere volebat neque belli gerendi propter anni tempus facultatem habebat neque has tantularum rerum occupationes Britanniae anteponendas iudicabat, magnum iis numerum obsidum imperat. 

2 Caesar considered this to have happened quite opportunely, because he did not wish to leave an enemy behind him, nor did the time of year offer an opportunity for waging war, nor did he judge that these trifling matters ought to take precedence over Britain; he demanded a large number of hostages from them. 

3 Quibus adductis eos in fidem recipit. Navibus circiter LXXX onerariis coactis contractisque, quot satis esse ad duas transportandas legiones existimabat, quod praeterea navium longarum habebat quaestori, legatis praefectisque distribuit. 

3 These having been brought, he received them under his protection. About eighty transport ships having been assembled, as many as he thought sufficient for transporting two legions, and whatever warships he had besides, he distributed among the quaestor, legates, and prefects. 

4 Huc accedebant XVIII onerariae naves, quae ex eo loco a milibus passuum VIII vento tenebantur quo minus in eundem portum venire possent: has equitibus tribuit. 

4 To these were added eighteen transport ships which, held back by the wind eight miles from that place, could not reach the same harbor: these he assigned to the cavalry.  

5 Reliquum exercitum Q. Titurio Sabino et L. Aurunculeio Cottae legatis in Menapios atque in eos pagos Morinorum a quibus ad eum legati non venerant ducendum dedit. 

5 The rest of the army he gave to the legates Quintus Titurius Sabinus and Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta to lead against the Menapii and those districts of the Morini from which envoys had not come to him. 

6 P. Sulpicium Rufum legatum cum eo praesidio quod satis esse arbitrabatur portum tenere iussit. 

6 He ordered the legate Publius Sulpicius Rufus to hold the port with the garrison which he deemed sufficient. 

[23] 

1 His constitutis rebus, nactus idoneam ad navigandum tempestatem III. fere vigilia solvit equitesque in ulteriorem portum progredi et naves conscendere et se sequi iussit. 

1 These matters having been arranged, having found suitable weather for sailing, he set sail around the third watch and ordered the cavalry to proceed to the farther port, board the ships, and follow him. 

2 A quibus cum paulo tardius esset administratum, ipse hora diei circiter IIII. cum primis navibus Britanniam attigit atque ibi in omnibus collibus expositas hostium copias armatas conspexit. 

2 Since this was carried out a little too slowly by them, he himself, around the fourth hour of the day, reached Britain with the first ships and saw the enemy's armed forces drawn up on all the hills. 

3 Cuius loci haec erat natura atque ita montibus angustis mare continebatur, uti ex locis superioribus in litus telum adigi posset. 

3 The nature of the place was such, and the sea so confined by steep hills, that a weapon could be hurled from the higher ground onto the shore. 

4 Hunc ad egrediendum nequaquam idoneum locum arbitratus, dum reliquae naves eo convenirent ad horam nonam in ancoris expectavit. 

4 Thinking this place by no means suitable for disembarking, he waited at anchor until the ninth hour for the rest of the ships to gather there. 

5 Interim legatis tribunisque militum convocatis et quae ex Voluseno cognovisset et quae fieri vellet ostendit monuitque, ut rei militaris ratio, maximeque ut maritimae res postularent, ut, cum celerem atque instabilem motum haberent, ad nutum et ad tempus omnes res ab iis administrarentur. 

5 Meanwhile, having summoned the legates and military tribunes, he explained what he had learned from Volusenus and what he wanted to be done, and he advised them, as the nature of military matters and especially of naval operations demanded—since they involved quick and unstable movements—that everything should be carried out at his signal and at the right moment. 

6 His dimissis et ventum et aestum uno tempore nactus secundum dato signo et sublatis ancoris circiter milia passuum septem ab eo loco progressus, aperto ac plano litore naves constituit. 

6 These men having been dismissed, and having obtained both a favorable wind and tide at the same time, he gave the signal, weighed anchor, advanced about seven miles from that place, and moored his ships on an open and flat shore. 

[24] 

1 At barbari, consilio Romanorum cognito praemisso equitatu et essedariis, quo plerumque genere in proeliis uti consuerunt, reliquis copiis subsecuti nostros navibus egredi prohibebant. 

1 But the barbarians, having discovered the Romans' plan, sent forward their cavalry and charioteers (a type of force they generally used in battle), and, following with the rest of their troops, prevented our men from disembarking from the ships. 

2 Erat ob has causas summa difficultas, quod naves propter magnitudinem nisi in alto constitui non poterant, militibus autem, ignotis locis, impeditis manibus, magno et gravi onere armorum oppressis simul et de navibus desiliendum et in fluctibus consistendum et cum hostibus erat pugnandum, 

2 For these reasons the greatest difficulty arose: the ships, because of their size, could not be stationed except in deep water, and the soldiers, in unfamiliar places, with their hands encumbered and weighed down by the great and heavy burden of their arms, at the same time had to leap down from the ships, stand in the waves, and fight the enemy, 

3 cum illi aut ex arido aut paulum in aquam progressi omnibus membris expeditis, notissimis locis, audacter tela coicerent et equos insuefactos incitarent. 

3 while the enemy, either from dry land or having advanced a little into the water, with all their limbs unencumbered, in places well known to them, boldly hurled their weapons and spurred on their trained horses. 

4 Quibus rebus nostri perterriti atque huius omnino generis pugnae imperiti, non eadem alacritate ac studio quo in pedestribus uti proeliis consuerant utebantur. 

4 Terrified by these circumstances and wholly inexperienced in this kind of fighting, our men did not show the same eagerness and enthusiasm as they were accustomed to in battles on land. 

[25] 

1 Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, naves longas, quarum et species erat barbaris inusitatior et motus ad usum expeditior, paulum removeri ab onerariis navibus et remis incitari et ad latus apertum hostium constitui atque inde fundis, sagittis, tormentis hostes propelli ac submoveri iussit; quae res magno usui nostris fuit. 

1 When Caesar noticed this, he ordered the warships—whose appearance was more unfamiliar to the barbarians and whose maneuverability was more suitable for use—to be moved a little away from the transport ships, to be driven forward by oars, and stationed on the open flank of the enemy; and from there he commanded the enemy to be driven back and scattered with slings, arrows, and artillery, which was of great use to our men. 

2 Nam et navium figura et remorum motu et inusitato genere tormentorum permoti barbari constiterunt ac paulum modo pedem rettulerunt. 

2 For the barbarians, startled by the shape of the ships, the motion of the oars, and the unfamiliar type of artillery, halted and retreated just a little. 

3 Atque nostris militibus cunctantibus, maxime propter altitudinem maris, qui X legionis aquilam gerebat, obtestatus deos, ut ea res legioni feliciter eveniret, "desilite," inquit, "milites, nisi vultis aquilam hostibus prodere; ego certe meum rei publicae atque imperatori officium praestitero." 

3 And while our soldiers were hesitating, chiefly because of the depth of the sea, the man who bore the eagle of the Tenth Legion, calling upon the gods that the matter might turn out well for the legion, cried out, “Leap down, soldiers, unless you want to betray the eagle to the enemy; I for my part shall have fulfilled my duty to the Republic and to our general.” 

4 Hoc cum voce magna dixisset, se ex navi proiecit atque in hostes aquilam ferre coepit. 

4 When he had shouted this loudly, he leapt from the ship and began to carry the eagle against the enemy. 

5 Tum nostri cohortati inter se, ne tantum dedecus admitteretur, universi ex navi desiluerunt. 

5 Then our men, encouraging one another not to allow so great a disgrace, all leapt together from the ship. 

6 Hos item ex proximis primi navibus cum conspexissent, subsecuti hostibus adpropinquaverunt. 

6 Likewise, when the first men from the nearby ships saw them, they followed and approached the enemy. 

[26] 

1 Pugnatum est ab utrisque acriter. Nostri tamen, quod neque ordines servare neque firmiter insistere neque signa subsequi poterant atque alius alia ex navi quibuscumque signis occurrerat se adgregabat, magnopere perturbabantur; 

1 The fighting was fierce on both sides. But our men, because they could neither keep formation, nor stand firmly, nor follow their standards—and one from one ship joined with whatever standard he happened upon—were greatly confused. 

2 hostes vero, notis omnibus vadii, ubi ex litore aliquos singulares ex navi egredientes conspexerant, incitatis equis impeditos adoriebantur, 

2 The enemy, however, knowing all the shallows, when they saw any individuals disembarking from ships along the shore, attacked them as they were hampered, spurring on their horses. 

3 plures paucos circumsistebant, alii ab latere aperto in universos tela coiciebant. 

3 Several surrounded a few, while others hurled weapons at the whole force from the exposed flank. 

4 Quod cum animadvertisset Caesar, scaphas longarum navium, item speculatoria navigia militibus compleri iussit, et quos laborantes conspexerat, his subsidia submittebat. 

4 When Caesar saw this, he ordered the skiffs of the warships and also the scouting vessels to be filled with soldiers, and to those whom he saw struggling, he sent reinforcements. 

5 Nostri, simul in arido constiterunt, suis omnibus consecutis, in hostes impetum fecerunt atque eos in fugam dederunt; neque longius prosequi potuerunt, quod equites cursum tenere atque insulam capere non potuerant. Hoc unum ad pristinam fortunam Caesari defuit. 

5 Once our men had stood on dry land and all their comrades had caught up, they charged the enemy and put them to flight; but they could not pursue further because the cavalry had not been able to keep their course and reach the island. This one thing was lacking from Caesar’s usual good fortune. 

[27] 

1 Hostes proelio superati, simul atque se ex fuga receperunt, statim ad Caesarem legatos de pace miserunt; obsides sese daturos quaeque imperasset facturos polliciti sunt. 

1 The enemy, defeated in battle, as soon as they recovered from their flight, immediately sent envoys to Caesar concerning peace; they promised that they would give hostages and do whatever he commanded. 

2 Una cum his legatis Commius Atrebas venit, quem supra demonstraveram a Caesare in Britanniam praemissum.  

2 Along with these envoys came Commius the Atrebatian, whom, as I mentioned above, Caesar had sent in advance to Britain. 

3 Hunc illi e navi egressum, cum ad eos oratoris modo Caesaris mandata deferret, comprehenderant atque in vincula coniecerant; 

3 Him they had seized and put in chains upon his disembarkation, when he was conveying Caesar’s commands to them as an envoy. 

4 tum proelio facto remiserunt et in petenda pace eius rei culpam in multitudinem contulerunt et propter imprudentiam ut ignosceretur petiverunt. 

4 Then, after the battle had been fought, they released him and, in seeking peace, laid the blame for the matter on the common people and asked for pardon on the grounds of ignorance. 

5 Caesar questus quod, cum ultro in continentem legatis missis pacem ab se petissent, bellum sine causa intulissent, ignoscere se imprudentiae dixit obsidesque imperavit; 

5 Caesar complained that, though they had voluntarily sought peace by sending envoys to the continent, they had nonetheless waged war without cause; he said he pardoned their ignorance and demanded hostages. 

6 quorum illi partem statim dederunt, partem ex longinquioribus locis arcessitam paucis diebus sese daturos dixerunt. 

6 Of these, they gave part immediately, and said that the rest—sent for from more distant regions—they would deliver in a few days. 

7 Interea suos in agros remigrare iusserunt, principesque undique convenire et se civitatesque suas Caesari commendare coeperunt. 

7 Meanwhile, they ordered their people to return to their lands, and the chiefs from all parts began to assemble and to commend both themselves and their states to Caesar. 

[28] 

1 His rebus pace confirmata, post diem quartum quam est in Britanniam ventum naves XVIII, de quibus supra demonstratum est, quae equites sustulerant, ex superiore portu leni vento solverunt. 

1 Peace having been secured by these events, on the fourth day after their arrival in Britain, eighteen ships—those mentioned above, which had carried the cavalry—set sail from the upper port with a gentle wind. 

2 Quae cum adpropinquarent Britanniae et ex castris viderentur, tanta tempestas subito coorta est ut nulla earum cursum tenere posset, sed aliae eodem unde erant profectae referrentur, aliae ad inferiorem partem insulae, quae est propius solis occasum, magno suo cum periculo deicerentur; 

2 As they approached Britain and were visible from the camp, so great a storm suddenly arose that none of them could maintain their course; some were driven back to the place from which they had departed, others were cast down, at great risk, to the lower part of the island, which lies nearer to the setting sun. 

3 quae tamen ancoris iactis cum fluctibus complerentur, necessario adversa nocte in altum provectae continentem petierunt. 

3 These, although they had cast anchor, being filled with waves, were of necessity, as night approached, carried out to sea and made for the continent. 

[29] 

1 Eadem nocte accidit ut esset luna plena, qui dies maritimos aestus maximos in Oceano efficere consuevit, nostrisque id erat incognitum. 

1 On the same night it happened to be full moon, a time which usually produces the greatest sea tides in the Ocean, and this was unknown to our men. 

2 Ita uno tempore et longas naves, [quibus Caesar exercitum transportandum curaverat,] quas Caesar in aridum subduxerat, aestus complebat, et onerarias, quae ad ancoras erant deligatae, tempestas adflictabat, neque ulla nostris facultas aut administrandi aut auxiliandi dabatur. 

2 Thus at the same time, the tide was flooding the long ships [which Caesar had arranged for transporting the army], which he had drawn up onto dry land, and a storm was battering the transports, which had been moored at anchor, nor was any opportunity given to our men to either manage the situation or offer assistance. 

3 Compluribus navibus fractis, reliquae cum essent funibus, ancoris reliquisque armamentis amissis ad navigandum inutiles, magna, id quod necesse erat accidere, totius exercitus perturbatio facta est. 

3 With several ships broken, and the rest rendered unfit for sailing by the loss of ropes, anchors, and other tackle, a great disturbance of the whole army arose—something which was bound to happen. 

4 Neque enim naves erant aliae quibus reportari possent, et omnia deerant quae ad reficiendas naves erant usui, et, quod omnibus constabat hiemari in Gallia oportere, frumentum in his locis in hiemem provisum non erat. 

4 For there were no other ships by which they could be carried back, and everything needed for repairing the ships was lacking, and since it was clear to all that they would have to winter in Gaul, no grain had been provided in these regions for the winter. 

[30] 

1 Quibus rebus cognitis, principes Britanniae, qui post proelium ad Caesarem convenerant, inter se conlocuti, cum et equites et naves et frumentum Romanis deesse intellegerent et paucitatem militum ex castrorum exiguitate cognoscerent, quae hoc erant etiam angustior quod sine impedimentis Caesar legiones transportaverat, 

1 When these facts were learned, the British chiefs, who after the battle had come to Caesar, conferred among themselves; since they realized that the Romans lacked cavalry, ships, and grain, and inferred the small number of soldiers from the small size of the camp—which was even more restricted because Caesar had transported the legions without baggage— 

2 optimum factu esse duxerunt rebellione facta frumento commeatuque nostros prohibere et rem in hiemem producere, quod his superatis aut reditu interclusis neminem postea belli inferendi causa in Britanniam transiturum confidebant. 

2 they thought it best to revolt, to cut off our men from grain and supplies, and to prolong the matter into winter; for they were confident that if these were overcome or prevented from returning, no one thereafter would cross into Britain to make war. 

3 Itaque rursus coniuratione facta paulatim ex castris discedere et suos clam ex agris deducere coeperunt. 

3 And so, having made a conspiracy again, they began gradually to leave the camp and secretly to withdraw their people from the fields. 

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[31] 

1 At Caesar, etsi nondum eorum consilia cognoverat, tamen et ex eventu navium suarum et ex eo quod obsides dare intermiserant fore id quod accidit suspicabatur. 

1 But Caesar, although he had not yet learned of their plans, nevertheless suspected what was about to happen, both from the condition of his ships and from the fact that they had ceased to give hostages. 

2 Itaque ad omnes casus subsidia comparabat. Nam et frumentum ex agris cotidie in castra conferebat et, quae gravissime adflictae erant naves, earum materia atque aere ad reliquas reficiendas utebatur et quae ad eas res erant usui ex continenti comportari iubebat. 

2 Therefore, he was preparing remedies against every emergency. For he brought grain into the camp daily from the fields, and used the timber and bronze from the most badly damaged ships to repair the rest, and he ordered all things needed for these repairs to be brought from the continent. 

3 Itaque, cum summo studio a militibus administraretur, XII navibus amissis, reliquis ut navigari satis commode posset effecit. 

3 Thus, with the soldiers carrying out the work with the greatest zeal, though twelve ships were lost, he made it possible for the rest to be made seaworthy enough. 

[32] 

1 Dum ea geruntur, legione ex consuetudine una frumentatum missa, quae appellabatur VII, neque ulla ad id tempus belli suspicione interposita, cum pars hominum in agris remaneret, pars etiam in castra ventitaret, ii qui pro portis castrorum in statione erant Caesari nuntiaverunt pulverem maiorem quam consuetudo ferret in ea parte videri quam in partem legio iter fecisset. 

1 While these things were going on, one legion, the Seventh, was sent out as usual to gather grain, and since up to that time there had been no suspicion of war, part of the men remained in the fields, and part frequently returned to the camp. Those who were on guard in front of the camp gates reported to Caesar that a greater than usual dust cloud was seen in the direction where the legion had marched. 

2 Caesar id quod erat suspicatus aliquid novi a barbaris initum consilii, cohortes quae in statione erant secum in eam partem proficisci, ex reliquis duas in stationem succedere, reliquas armari et confestim sese subsequi iussit. 

2 Caesar, suspecting—rightly—that some new plan had been set in motion by the barbarians, ordered the cohorts on guard to march with him in that direction, directed two others from the rest to replace them on guard, and commanded the rest to arm themselves and follow him at once. 

3 Cum paulo longius a castris processisset, suos ab hostibus premi atque aegre sustinere et conferta legione ex omnibus partibus tela coici animadvertit. 

3 When he had gone a little further from the camp, he saw that his men were being pressed by the enemy, barely holding their position, and that, with the legion packed together, missiles were being thrown at them from all sides. 

4 Nam quod omni ex reliquis partibus demesso frumento pars una erat reliqua, suspicati hostes huc nostros esse venturos noctu in silvis delituerant;  

4 For since all the grain had been harvested in the other areas, only one section remained. The enemy, suspecting our men would come there, had hidden during the night in the woods. 

5 tum dispersos depositis armis in metendo occupatos subito adorti paucis interfectis reliquos incertis ordinibus perturbaverant, simul equitatu atque essedis circumdederant. 

5 Then, suddenly attacking our men who were scattered, unarmed, and busy harvesting, they killed a few, threw the others into confusion in broken ranks, and surrounded them at the same time with cavalry and chariots. 

[33] 

1 Genus hoc est ex essedis pugnae. Primo per omnes partes perequitant et tela coiciunt atque ipso terrore equorum et strepitu rotarum ordines plerumque perturbant, et cum se inter equitum turmas insinuaverunt, ex essedis desiliunt et pedibus proeliantur. 

1 This is their method of fighting from chariots: first, they ride around in all directions and hurl missiles, and by the very terror caused by the horses and the noise of the wheels they generally throw the ranks into disorder; and once they have worked their way among the squadrons of cavalry, they leap down from their chariots and fight on foot. 

2 Aurigae interim paulatim ex proelio excedunt atque ita currus conlocant ut, si illi a multitudine hostium premantur, expeditum ad quos receptum habeant. 

2 Meanwhile, the charioteers gradually retreat from the battle and position their chariots in such a way that, if their comrades are hard pressed by a large number of the enemy, they may have an easy retreat. 

3 Ita mobilitatem equitum, stabilitatem peditum in proeliis praestant, ac tantum usu cotidiano et exercitatione efficiunt uti in declivi ac praecipiti loco incitatos equos sustinere et brevi moderari ac flectere et per temonem percurrere et in iugo insistere et se inde in currus citissime recipere consuerint. 

3 In this way, they combine the mobility of cavalry with the stability of infantry in battle, and through daily practice and training they acquire such skill that they are accustomed to check their galloping horses on a slope or steep incline, to control and turn them quickly, to run along the pole, to stand on the yoke, and to leap back into their chariots with great speed. 

[34] 

1 Quibus rebus perturbatis nostris [novitate pugnae] tempore opportunissimo Caesar auxilium tulit: namque eius adventu hostes constiterunt, nostri se ex timore receperunt. 

1 While our men were thrown into confusion by these events [by the novelty of the fighting], Caesar brought aid at the most opportune moment: for at his arrival the enemy halted, and our men recovered from their fear. 

2 Quo facto, ad lacessendum hostem et committendum proelium alienum esse tempus arbitratus suo se loco continuit et brevi tempore intermisso in castra legiones reduxit. 

2 This done, thinking the time unsuitable for provoking the enemy and engaging in battle, he held his position and, after a short interval, led the legions back into the camp. 

3 Dum haec geruntur, nostris omnibus occupatis qui erant in agris reliqui discesserunt. 

3 While these things were going on, with all our men in the fields being occupied, the rest of the enemy withdrew. 

4 Secutae sunt continuos complures dies tempestates, quae et nostros in castris continerent et hostem a pugna prohiberent. 

4 Several days of continuous storms followed, which both confined our men to camp and prevented the enemy from engaging in battle. 

5 Interim barbari nuntios in omnes partes dimiserunt paucitatemque nostrorum militum suis praedicaverunt et quanta praedae faciendae atque in perpetuum sui liberandi facultas daretur, si Romanos castris expulissent, demonstraverunt. His rebus celeriter magna multitudine peditatus equitatusque coacta ad castra venerunt. 

5 Meanwhile, the barbarians sent messengers in all directions and announced to their people the small number of our soldiers and explained how great an opportunity for making plunder and permanently securing their freedom would be given if they drove the Romans from their camp. As a result of these messages, a large force of infantry and cavalry quickly assembled and came to the camp. 

[35] 

1 Caesar, etsi idem quod superioribus diebus acciderat fore videbat, ut, si essent hostes pulsi, celeritate periculum effugerent, tamen nactus equites circiter XXX, quos Commius Atrebas, de quo ante dictum est, secum transportaverat, legiones in acie pro castris constituit. 

1 Caesar, although he saw that the same outcome as on previous days would follow—namely, that if the enemy were routed, they would escape danger by their speed—nevertheless, having about thirty cavalry, whom Commius the Atrebatian (as mentioned earlier) had brought with him, he drew up the legions in battle formation in front of the camp. 

2 Commisso proelio diutius nostrorum militum impetum hostes ferre non potuerunt ac terga verterunt. 

2 Once battle had begun, the enemy could not withstand the attack of our soldiers for long and turned to flight. 

3 Quos tanto spatio secuti quantum cursu et viribus efficere potuerunt, complures ex iis occiderunt, deinde omnibus longe lateque aedificiis incensis se in castra receperunt. 

3 Pursuing them as far as their speed and strength allowed, they killed many of them, and then, after burning all buildings far and wide, returned to the camp. 

[36] 

1 Eodem die legati ab hostibus missi ad Caesarem de pace venerunt. 

1 On the same day, envoys sent by the enemy came to Caesar to sue for peace. 

2 His Caesar numerum obsidum quem ante imperaverat duplicavit eosque in continentem adduci iussit, quod propinqua die aequinoctii infirmis navibus hiemi navigationem subiciendam non existimabat. 

2 To these, Caesar doubled the number of hostages he had previously demanded and ordered them to be brought to the continent, because, with the day of the equinox near, he did not consider it safe to expose navigation in weak ships to the winter. 

3 Ipse idoneam tempestatem nactus paulo post mediam noctem naves solvit, 

3 He himself, having found favorable weather, set sail a little after midnight, 

4 quae omnes incolumes ad continentem pervenerunt; sed ex iis onerariae duae eosdem portus quos reliquae capere non potuerunt et paulo infra delatae sunt. 

4 and all ships reached the continent safely; but of these, two transport ships were unable to reach the same harbors as the others and were carried slightly further down. 

[37] 

1 Quibus ex navibus cum essent expositi milites circiter CCC atque in castra contenderent, Morini, quos Caesar in Britanniam proficiscens pacatos reliquerat, spe praedae adducti primo non ita magno suorum numero circumsteterunt ac, si sese interfici nollent, arma ponere iusserunt. 

1 When about 300 soldiers had disembarked from these ships and were hastening to the camp, the Morini, whom Caesar had left pacified when departing for Britain, driven by hope of plunder, at first surrounded them with not a very large number of their own men and ordered them to lay down their arms if they did not wish to be killed. 

2 Cum illi orbe facto sese defenderent, celeriter ad clamorem hominum circiter milia VI convenerunt; qua re nuntiata, Caesar omnem ex castris equitatum suis auxilio misit. 

2 When they formed a circle and defended themselves, about six thousand men quickly assembled at the outcry; this event having been reported, Caesar sent all the cavalry from the camp to their aid. 

3 Interim nostri milites impetum hostium sustinuerunt atque amplius horis IIII fortissime pugnaverunt et paucis vulneribus acceptis complures ex iis occiderunt. 

3 Meanwhile, our soldiers sustained the enemy’s attack and fought most bravely for more than four hours, and, having received few wounds, killed many of them. 

4 Postea vero quam equitatus noster in conspectum venit, hostes abiectis armis terga verterunt magnusque eorum numerus est occisus. 

4 But after our cavalry came into sight, the enemy, throwing away their arms, turned and fled, and a great number of them were killed. 

[38] 

1 Caesar postero die T. Labienum legatum cum iis legionibus quas ex Britannia reduxerat in Morinos qui rebellionem fecerant misit. 

1 On the following day, Caesar sent the legate Titus Labienus, with those legions which he had brought back from Britain, into the territory of the Morini, who had revolted. 

2 Qui cum propter siccitates paludum quo se reciperent non haberent, quo perfugio superiore anno erant usi, omnes fere in potestatem Labieni venerunt. 

2 Since they had no place to retreat to on account of the dryness of the marshes, the refuge they had used the previous year, nearly all of them came into Labienus’s power. 

3 At Q. Titurius et L. Cotta legati, qui in Menapiorum fines legiones duxerant, omnibus eorum agris vastatis, frumentis succisis, aedificiis incensis, quod Menapii se omnes in densissimas silvas abdiderant, se ad Caesarem receperunt. 

3 But the legates Quintus Titurius and Lucius Cotta, who had led legions into the territory of the Menapii, after all their fields had been laid waste, their grain destroyed, and their buildings burned, because the Menapii had all hidden themselves in the densest woods, returned to Caesar. 

4 Caesar in Belgis omnium legionum hiberna constituit. Eo duae omnino civitates ex Britannia obsides miserunt, reliquae neglexerunt. 

4 Caesar stationed the winter quarters of all the legions among the Belgae. To that place, only two states from Britain sent hostages; the rest ignored the command. 

5 His rebus gestis ex litteris Caesaris dierum XX supplicatio a senatu decreta est. 

5 For these achievements, from Caesar’s dispatches, a thanksgiving of twenty days was decreed by the Senate.