De Bello Gallico Book 3 (1–16)

[1] 

1 Cum in Italiam proficisceretur Caesar, Ser. Galbam cum legione XII et parte equitatus in Nantuates, Veragros Sedunosque misit, qui a finibus Allobrogum et lacu Lemanno et flumine Rhodano ad summas Alpes pertinent. 

1 When Caesar was setting out for Italy, he dispatched Servius Galba with the Twelfth Legion and part of the cavalry into the territories of the Nantuates, Veragri, and Seduni, who extend from the borders of the Allobroges, Lake Geneva, and the Rhone River up to the highest Alps. 

2 Causa mittendi fuit quod iter per Alpes, quo magno cum periculo magnisque cum portoriis mercatores ire consuerant, patefieri volebat. 

2 The reason for this mission was that he wished to open up the Alpine route, which merchants had been accustomed to travel at great risk and with heavy tolls. 

3 Huic permisit, si opus esse arbitraretur, uti in his locis legionem hiemandi causa conlocaret. 

3 He granted him permission, if he judged it necessary, to station the legion in those regions for winter quarters. 

4 Galba secundis aliquot proeliis factis castellisque compluribus eorum expugnatis, missis ad eum undique legatis obsidibusque datis et pace facta, constituit cohortes duas in Nantuatibus conlocare et ipse cum reliquis eius legionis cohortibus in vico Veragrorum, qui appellatur Octodurus, hiemare; 

4 After several successful engagements and the capture of many of their forts, and when envoys had been sent to him from all sides, hostages given, and peace concluded, Galba decided to station two cohorts among the Nantuates and to winter himself with the remaining cohorts of the legion in a village of the Veragri called Octodurus; 

5 qui vicus positus in valle non magna adiecta planitie altissimis montibus undique continetur. 

5 a village situated in a narrow valley with an adjoining plain, enclosed on all sides by towering mountains. 

6 Cum hic in duas partes flumine divideretur, alteram partem eius vici Gallis ad hiemandum concessit, alteram vacuam ab his relictam cohortibus attribuit. Eum locum vallo fossaque munivit. 

6 As this village was divided by a river into two parts, he granted one part to the Gauls for wintering, and assigned the other—left vacant by them—to the cohorts. He fortified that position with a rampart and ditch. 

[2] 

1 Cum dies hibernorum complures transissent frumentumque eo comportari iussisset, subito per exploratores certior factus est ex ea parte vici, quam Gallis concesserat, omnes noctu discessisse montesque qui impenderent a maxima multitudine Sedunorum et Veragrorum teneri. 

1 After several days of winter had passed and he had ordered grain to be brought in, he was suddenly informed by scouts that all the inhabitants of that part of the village which he had allotted to the Gauls had departed by night, and that the mountains overlooking the site were occupied by a vast multitude of Seduni and Veragri. 

2 Id aliquot de causis acciderat, ut subito Galli belli renovandi legionisque opprimendae consilium caperent: 

2 This had occurred for several reasons, which led the Gauls suddenly to form the plan of renewing the war and overwhelming the legion: 

3 primum, quod legionem neque eam plenissimam detractis cohortibus duabus et compluribus singillatim, qui commeatus petendi causa missi erant, absentibus propter paucitatem despiciebant; 

3 first, because they scorned the legion, which was not at full strength—two cohorts having been detached, and many soldiers absent individually, having been sent out to procure supplies—so that they judged it few in number; 

4 tum etiam, quod propter iniquitatem loci, cum ipsi ex montibus in vallem decurrerent et tela coicerent, ne primum quidem impetum suum posse sustineri existimabant. 

4 then also, because of the disadvantage of the terrain, since they would charge down from the mountains into the valley and hurl their missiles, they believed that not even their initial onslaught could be resisted. 

5 Accedebat quod suos ab se liberos abstractos obsidum nomine dolebant, et Romanos non solum itinerum causa sed etiam perpetuae possessionis culmina Alpium occupare conari et ea loca finitimae provinciae adiungere sibi persuasum habebant. 

5 Moreover, they were grieved that their children had been taken from them under the pretext of hostages, and they were convinced that the Romans were aiming not merely to secure the Alpine passes, but to occupy the Alpine heights permanently and annex those regions to the neighboring Roman province. 

[3] 

1 His nuntiis acceptis Galba, cum neque opus hibernorum munitionesque plene essent perfectae neque de frumento reliquoque commeatu satis esset provisum, quod deditione facta obsidibusque acceptis nihil de bello timendum existimaverat, consilio celeriter convocato sententias exquirere coepit. 

1 Upon receiving these reports, Galba, since neither the construction of the winter quarters nor the fortifications had been fully completed, nor had sufficient provision been made for grain and other supplies—because he had thought, with the surrender made and hostages received, that there was nothing to fear from war—quickly called a council and began to seek the opinions of his officers. 

2 Quo in consilio, cum tantum repentini periculi praeter opinionem accidisset ac iam omnia fere superiora loca multitudine armatorum completa conspicerentur neque subsidio veniri neque commeatus supportari interclusis itineribus possent, 

2 In this council, since such an unexpected danger had arisen and now almost all the high ground was seen to be filled with a multitude of armed men, and neither reinforcements could come nor supplies be brought in because the roads were cut off, 

3 prope iam desperata salute non nullae eius modi sententiae dicebantur, ut impedimentis relictis eruptione facta isdem itineribus quibus eo pervenissent ad salutem contenderent. 

3 with their safety now nearly despaired of, some gave the opinion that, abandoning the baggage, they should attempt a breakout and make for safety by the same routes by which they had come. 

4 Maiori tamen parti placuit, hoc reservato ad extremum casum consilio, interim rei eventum experiri et castra defendere. 

4 However, it pleased the greater part to reserve that course of action for the last extremity, and in the meantime to await the outcome and defend the camp. 

[4] 

1 Brevi spatio interiecto, vix ut iis rebus quas constituissent conlocandis atque administrandis tempus daretur, hostes ex omnibus partibus signo dato decurrere, lapides gaesaque in vallum coicere. 

1 After a short interval—scarcely enough time to implement and execute the plans they had agreed upon—the enemy, at a given signal, rushed down from all sides and began hurling stones and javelins at the rampart. 

2 Nostri primo integris viribus fortiter propugnare neque ullum frustra telum ex loco superiore mittere, et quaecumque pars castrorum nudata defensoribus premi videbatur, eo occurrere et auxilium ferre, 

2 At first, our men, with their strength unimpaired, fought back bravely and launched no missile in vain from their elevated position; and whenever any part of the camp seemed to be under pressure or lacking defenders, they rushed there to bring assistance, 

3 sed hoc superari quod diuturnitate pugnae hostes defessi proelio excedebant, alii integris viribus succedebant; 

3 but they were worn down by this: that in the prolonged fight, the enemy, though exhausted, could withdraw from battle and be replaced by fresh troops, 

4 quarum rerum a nostris propter paucitatem fieri nihil poterat, ac non modo defesso ex pugna excedendi, sed ne saucio quidem eius loci ubi constiterat relinquendi ac sui recipiendi facultas dabatur. 

4 which was something our men, owing to their small numbers, could not do; and not only was a weary man unable to withdraw from the fight, but even a wounded one was not given the chance to leave his post or recover himself. 

[5] 

1 Cum iam amplius horis sex continenter pugnaretur, ac non solum vires sed etiam tela nostros deficerent, atque hostes acrius instarent languidioribusque nostris vallum scindere et fossas complere coepissent, resque esset iam ad extremum perducta casum, 

1 When the fighting had now continued for more than six hours without pause, and not only their strength but even their weapons were failing, and the enemy were pressing more fiercely and had begun, as our men weakened, to tear down the rampart and fill in the ditches, and the situation had reached its final crisis, 

2 P. Sextius Baculus, primi pili centurio, quem Nervico proelio compluribus confectum vulneribus diximus, et item C. Volusenus, tribunus militum, vir et consilii magni et virtutis, ad Galbam accurrunt atque unam esse spem salutis docent, si eruptione facta extremum auxilium experirentur. 

2 Publius Sextius Baculus, centurion of the first rank, whom we mentioned as having been severely wounded in the battle against the Nervii, and likewise Gaius Volusenus, a military tribune, a man of great judgment and courage, rushed to Galba and explained that there was only one hope of safety: to attempt a final effort by making a breakout. 

3 Itaque convocatis centurionibus celeriter milites certiores facit, paulisper intermitterent proelium ac tantum modo tela missa exciperent seque ex labore reficerent, post dato signo ex castris erumperent, atque omnem spem salutis in virtute ponerent. 

3 Therefore, having summoned the centurions, he quickly informed the soldiers that they should cease fighting for a short while and merely withstand the missiles hurled at them, in order to recover from their fatigue; afterward, at the signal, they were to break out from the camp and place all hope of salvation in their courage. 

[6] 

1 Quod iussi sunt faciunt, ac subito omnibus portis eruptione facta neque cognoscendi quid fieret neque sui colligendi hostibus facultatem relinquunt. 

1 They carried out their orders, and suddenly, with a sally made from all the gates, they left the enemy no opportunity either to realize what was happening or to recover themselves. 

2 Ita commutata fortuna eos qui in spem potiundorum castrorum venerant undique circumventos intercipiunt, et ex hominum milibus amplius XXX, quem numerum barbarorum ad castra venisse constabat, plus tertia parte interfecta reliquos perterritos in fugam coiciunt ac ne in locis quidem superioribus consistere patiuntur. 

2 Thus, with the fortune of war reversed, they intercepted those who had come in the hope of seizing the camp, surrounded them on all sides, and, of more than thirty thousand barbarians—known to have gathered at the camp—having slain over a third, they drove the rest into panic and flight, not even allowing them to make a stand on higher ground. 

3 Sic omnibus hostium copiis fusis armisque exutis se intra munitiones suas recipiunt. 

3 Thus, with all the enemy forces routed and stripped of their arms, they withdrew within their own fortifications. 

4 Quo proelio facto, quod saepius fortunam temptare Galba nolebat atque alio se in hiberna consilio venisse meminerat, aliis occurrisse rebus videbat, maxime frumenti commeatusque inopia permotus postero die omnibus eius vici aedificiis incensis in provinciam reverti contendit, 

4 After this battle, since Galba did not wish to test fortune any further, and remembered that he had entered winter quarters with another purpose, and saw that other circumstances had arisen—especially moved by the scarcity of grain and provisions—on the next day, he set out in haste to return to the province, having burned all the buildings of that village, 

5 ac nullo hoste prohibente aut iter demorante incolumem legionem in Nantuates, inde in Allobroges perduxit ibique hiemavit. 

5 and with no enemy opposing or delaying the march, he led the legion safely to the territory of the Nantuates, then into the Allobroges, where he spent the winter. 

[7] 

1 His rebus gestis cum omnibus de causis Caesar pacatam Galliam existimaret, superatis Belgis, expulsis Germanis, victis in Alpibus Sedunis, atque ita inita hieme in Illyricum profectus esset, quod eas quoque nationes adire et regiones cognoscere volebat, subitum bellum in Gallia coortum est. 

1 After these events, when Caesar, for every reason, believed Gaul to be pacified—the Belgae having been conquered, the Germans expelled, the Seduni defeated in the Alps—and with winter thus begun had departed for Illyricum, because he wished to approach those nations also and become acquainted with their regions, a sudden war broke out in Gaul. 

2 Eius belli haec fuit causa. P. Crassus adulescens cum legione VII proximus mare Oceanum in Andibus hiemabat. 

2 The cause of this war was as follows. The young Publius Crassus was wintering with the Seventh Legion near the Ocean, in the territory of the Andes. 

3 Is, quod in his locis inopia frumenti erat, praefectos tribunosque militum complures in finitimas civitates frumenti causa dimisit; 

3 Because there was a shortage of grain in those regions, he sent several prefects and military tribunes into neighboring states to procure grain; 

4 quo in numero est T. Terrasidius missus in Esuvios, M. Trebius Gallus in Coriosolites, Q. Velanius cum T. Silio in Venetos. 

4 among whom Titus Terrasidius was sent to the Esuvii, Marcus Trebius Gallus to the Coriosolites, and Quintus Velanius with Titus Silius to the Veneti. 

[8] 

1 Huius est civitatis longe amplissima auctoritas omnis orae maritimae regionum earum, quod et naves habent Veneti plurimas, quibus in Britanniam navigare consuerunt, et scientia atque usu rerum nauticarum ceteros antecedunt et in magno impetu maris atque aperto paucis portibus interiectis, quos tenent ipsi, omnes fere qui eo mari uti consuerunt habent vectigales. 

1 This tribe held by far the greatest authority over the whole coastal region of those parts, because the Veneti possessed very many ships, with which they were accustomed to sail to Britain, and surpassed the rest in nautical knowledge and experience; and, owing to the great force and openness of the sea, with only a few harbors interspersed—which they themselves controlled—they had made nearly all who used that sea tributary to them. 

2 Ab his fit initium retinendi Silii atque Velanii, quod per eos suos se obsides, quos Crasso dedissent, recuperaturos existimabant. 

2 From these arose the first act of detaining Silius and Velanius, because they believed that through them they could recover their hostages, whom they had given to Crassus. 

3 Horum auctoritate finitimi adducti, ut sunt Gallorum subita et repentina consilia, eadem de causa Trebium Terrasidiumque retinent et celeriter missis legatis per suos principes inter se coniurant nihil nisi communi consilio acturos eundemque omnes fortunae exitum esse laturos, 

3 Influenced by their example—such are the sudden and impulsive decisions of the Gauls—the neighboring tribes likewise detained Trebius and Terrasidius for the same reason, and quickly, sending envoys through their chiefs, they swore among themselves to act only by common decision and to share one and the same fate. 

4 reliquasque civitates sollicitant, ut in ea libertate quam a maioribus acceperint permanere quam Romanorum servitutem perferre malint. 

4 They stirred up the remaining states, urging them to preserve the liberty they had received from their ancestors rather than submit to Roman slavery. 

5 Omni ora maritima celeriter ad suam sententiam perducta communem legationem ad P. Crassum mittunt, si velit suos recuperare, obsides sibi remittat. 

5 With the whole maritime coast quickly brought over to their position, they sent a joint embassy to Publius Crassus, declaring that if he wished to recover his men, he must return their hostages. 

[9] 

1 Quibus de rebus Caesar a Crasso certior factus, quod ipse aberat longius, naves interim longas aedificari in flumine Ligeri, quod influit in Oceanum, remiges ex provincia institui, nautas gubernatoresque comparari iubet. 

1 Caesar, having been informed of these matters by Crassus—since he himself was farther away—ordered long ships to be built in the meantime on the Loire River, which flows into the Ocean, rowers to be trained from the province, and sailors and helmsmen to be assembled. 

2 His rebus celeriter administratis ipse, cum primum per anni tempus potuit, ad exercitum contendit. 

2 These measures having been swiftly carried out, he himself, as soon as the season allowed, hastened to the army. 

3 Veneti reliquaeque item civitates cognito Caesaris adventu, simul quod quantum in se facinus admisissent intellegebant, legatos, quod nomen ad omnes nationes sanctum inviolatumque semper fuisset, retentos ab se et in vincula coniectos, pro magnitudine periculi bellum parare et maxime ea quae ad usum navium pertinent providere instituunt, hoc maiore spe quod multum natura loci confidebant. 

3 The Veneti and likewise the other states, having learned of Caesar’s approach, and realizing how grave a crime they had committed—namely that envoys, whose title had always been sacred and inviolable among all nations, had been detained and put in chains by them—began to prepare for war in proportion to the danger, and especially to make provision for everything pertaining to naval warfare, with even greater hope because they placed much confidence in the natural advantages of their location. 

4 Pedestria esse itinera concisa aestuariis, navigationem impeditam propter inscientiam locorum paucitatemque portuum sciebant, 

4 They knew that the land routes were cut off by tidal inlets, and that navigation was hindered by lack of knowledge of the region and the scarcity of harbors, 

5 neque nostros exercitus propter inopiam frumenti diutius apud se morari posse confidebant; 

5 and they were confident that our armies could not remain among them for long because of the scarcity of grain; 

6 ac, etiam si omnia contra opinionem acciderent, tamen se plurimum navibus posse, Romanos neque ullam facultatem habere navium neque eorum locorum ubi bellum gesturi essent vada, portus, insulas novisse; 

6 and even if everything turned out contrary to expectation, still they believed that they had overwhelming superiority in ships, while the Romans had no naval resources and no knowledge of the shallows, harbors, or islands where the war would be fought; 

7 ac longe aliam esse navigationem in concluso mari atque in vastissimo atque apertissimo Oceano perspiciebant. 

7 and they clearly perceived that navigation in an enclosed sea was very different from that in the vast and open Ocean. 

8 His initis consiliis oppida muniunt, 

8 Having adopted these plans, they fortified their towns, 

9 frumenta ex agris in oppida comportant, naves in Venetiam, ubi Caesarem primum bellum gesturum constabat, quam plurimas possunt cogunt. 

9 brought grain in from the fields to the towns, and gathered into Venetia as many ships as they could, where it was known that Caesar would first conduct his campaign. 

10 Socios sibi ad id bellum Osismos, Lexovios, Namnetes, Ambiliatos, Morinos, Diablintes, Menapios adsciscunt; auxilia ex Britannia, quae contra eas regiones posita est, arcessunt. 

10 They brought in as allies for this war the Osismi, Lexovii, Namnetes, Ambiliati, Morini, Diablintes, and Menapii; and they summoned auxiliaries from Britain, which lies opposite those regions. 

[10] 

1 Erant hae difficultates belli gerendi quas supra ostendimus, sed tamen multa Caesarem ad id bellum incitabant: 

1 These were the difficulties involved in waging the war, as shown above; but many factors nonetheless urged Caesar on to undertake it: 

2 iniuria retentorum equitum Romanorum, rebellio facta post deditionem, defectio datis obsidibus, tot civitatum coniuratio, in primis ne hac parte neglecta reliquae nationes sibi idem licere arbitrarentur. 

2 the wrong done in detaining Roman cavalry officers, the rebellion after a formal surrender, the defection despite the giving of hostages, the conspiracy of so many states—above all, the concern that if this region were neglected, the other nations might think the same course was open to them. 

3 Itaque cum intellegeret omnes fere Gallos novis rebus studere et ad bellum mobiliter celeriterque excitari, omnes autem homines natura libertati studere et condicionem servitutis odisse, prius quam plures civitates conspirarent, partiendum sibi ac latius distribuendum exercitum putavit. 

3 Therefore, since he understood that nearly all the Gauls were eager for revolution and could be quickly and easily roused to war, and that all men by nature desire freedom and abhor the condition of slavery, he decided that, before more states could unite in conspiracy, his army must be divided and deployed more widely. 

[11] 

1 Itaque T. Labienum legatum in Treveros, qui proximi flumini Rheno sunt, cum equitatu mittit. 

1 Therefore, he sent Titus Labienus, his legate, with cavalry to the Treveri, who dwell nearest to the Rhine River. 

2 Huic mandat, Remos reliquosque Belgas adeat atque in officio contineat Germanosque, qui auxilio a Belgis arcessiti dicebantur, si per vim navibus flumen transire conentur, prohibeat. 

2 He instructed him to approach the Remi and the remaining Belgae and keep them loyal, and to prevent the Germans—who were said to have been summoned by the Belgae as allies—from crossing the river by force in boats. 

3 P. Crassum cum cohortibus legionariis XII et magno numero equitatus in Aquitaniam proficisci iubet, ne ex his nationibus auxilia in Galliam mittantur ac tantae nationes coniungantur. 

3 He ordered Publius Crassus, with twelve cohorts of legionary troops and a large cavalry force, to march into Aquitania, to prevent auxiliaries from being sent from those tribes into Gaul and such powerful nations from uniting. 

4 Q. Titurium Sabinum legatum cum legionibus tribus in Venellos, Coriosolites, Lexoviosque mittit, qui eam manum distinendam curet. 

4 He sent Quintus Titurius Sabinus, his legate, with three legions into the territory of the Venelli, Coriosolites, and Lexovii, to keep that force occupied and divided. 

5 D. Brutum adulescentem classi Gallicisque navibus, quas ex Pictonibus et Santonis reliquisque pacatis regionibus convenire iusserat, praeficit et, cum primum possit, in Venetos proficisci iubet. Ipse eo pedestribus copiis contendit. 

5 He placed the young Decimus Brutus in charge of the fleet and the Gallic ships, which he had ordered to be gathered from the Pictones, Santones, and the other pacified regions, and ordered him to set out against the Veneti as soon as possible. He himself advanced toward them with the infantry forces. 

[12] 

1 Erant eius modi fere situs oppidorum ut posita in extremis lingulis promunturiisque neque pedibus aditum haberent, cum ex alto se aestus incitavisset, quod bis accidit semper horarum XII spatio, neque navibus, quod rursus minuente aestu naves in vadis adflictarentur. 

1 The sites of their towns were generally such that, being located at the tips of narrow promontories and headlands, they had no access by land when the tide had risen from the sea—which happened twice every twelve hours—nor by ships, since, as the tide ebbed again, the vessels would be stranded in the shallows. 

2 Ita utraque re oppidorum oppugnatio impediebatur. 

2 Thus, the assault of the towns was obstructed by both conditions. 

3 Ac si quando magnitudine operis forte superati, extruso mari aggere ac molibus atque his oppidi moenibus adaequatis, suis fortunis desperare coeperant, magno numero navium adpulso, cuius rei summam facultatem habebant, omnia sua deportabant seque in proxima oppida recipiebant: 

3 And whenever, overwhelmed by the scale of the siege works—when the sea had been driven back by embankments and moles raised level with the town walls—they began to despair of their fortunes, then, a great number of ships having arrived (in which they had immense resources), they would transport all their belongings and withdraw to the nearest towns: 

4 ibi se rursus isdem oportunitatibus loci defendebant. 

4 there they again defended themselves by the same advantages of the location. 

5 Haec eo facilius magnam partem aestatis faciebant quod nostrae naves tempestatibus detinebantur summaque erat vasto atque aperto mari, magnis aestibus, raris ac prope nullis portibus difficultas navigandi. 

5 They accomplished this all the more easily throughout much of the summer because our ships were delayed by storms, and navigation in the vast and open sea was extremely difficult due to the great tides and the scarcity—almost total lack—of harbors. 

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[13] 

1 Namque ipsorum naves ad hunc modum factae armataeque erant: carinae aliquanto planiores quam nostrarum navium, quo facilius vada ac decessum aestus excipere possent; 

1 For their ships were built and equipped in the following way: their keels were somewhat flatter than those of our ships, so that they might more easily withstand the shallows and the ebb of the tide; 

2 prorae admodum erectae atque item puppes, ad magnitudinem fluctuum tempestatumque accommodatae; 

2 the prows and likewise the sterns were very high, suited to the height of the waves and the violence of storms; 

3 naves totae factae ex robore ad quamvis vim et contumeliam perferendam; 

3 the entire ships were constructed of oak, to endure any kind of force or damage; 

4 transtra ex pedalibus in altitudinem trabibus, confixa clavis ferreis digiti pollicis crassitudine; 

4 the benches were made from beams a foot thick, fastened with iron nails as thick as a man’s thumb; 

5 ancorae pro funibus ferreis catenis revinctae; 

5 their anchors were bound with iron chains instead of ropes; 

6 pelles pro velis alutaeque tenuiter confectae, sive propter inopiam lini atque eius usus inscientiam, sive eo, quod est magis veri simile, quod tantas tempestates Oceani tantosque impetus ventorum sustineri ac tanta onera navium regi velis non satis commode posse arbitrabantur. 

6 hides and thinly prepared leathers were used instead of sails, either because of a lack of linen and ignorance of how to use it, or—which is more likely—because they believed that such great Oceanic storms and violent gusts of wind could not be well borne, nor such heavy ships conveniently managed, with sails. 

7 Cum his navibus nostrae classi eius modi congressus erat ut una celeritate et pulsu remorum praestaret, reliqua pro loci natura, pro vi tempestatum illis essent aptiora et accommodatiora. 

7 In encounters with these ships, our fleet had the advantage only in speed and the force of oar-strokes; in all other respects—given the nature of the sea and the power of the storms—their ships were more suitable and better adapted. 

8 Neque enim iis nostrae rostro nocere poterant (tanta in iis erat firmitudo), neque propter altitudinem facile telum adigebatur, et eadem de causa minus commode copulis continebantur. 

8 For our ships could not harm them with the ram (so great was their strength), nor could weapons be easily hurled because of their height, and for the same reason they could not be easily held with grappling hooks. 

9 Accedebat ut, cum se vento dedissent, et tempestatem ferrent facilius et in vadis consisterent tutius et ab aestu relictae nihil saxa et cautes timerent; quarum rerum omnium nostris navibus casus erat extimescendus. 

9 Moreover, when they committed themselves to the wind, they could bear the storm more easily, rest more safely in the shallows, and when left by the tide, feared neither rocks nor reefs—dangers which our ships had every reason to dread. 

[14] 

1 Compluribus expugnatis oppidis Caesar, ubi intellexit frustra tantum laborem sumi neque hostium fugam captis oppidis reprimi neque iis noceri posse, statuit expectandam classem. 

1 After several towns had been stormed, Caesar, realizing that such great effort was being spent in vain, and that the enemy’s flight was not stopped by the capture of towns, nor could they be harmed, decided that the fleet must be awaited. 

2 Quae ubi convenit ac primum ab hostibus visa est, circiter CCXX naves eorum paratissimae atque omni genere armorum ornatissimae profectae ex portu nostris adversae constiterunt; 

2 When it had assembled and was first seen by the enemy, about 220 of their ships—very well prepared and equipped with every kind of armament—sailed out from the harbor and took a position opposite our own. 

3 neque satis Bruto, qui classi praeerat, vel tribunis militum centurionibusque, quibus singulae naves erant attributae, constabat quid agerent aut quam rationem pugnae insisterent. 

3 Neither Brutus, who was in command of the fleet, nor the military tribunes and centurions to whom individual ships had been assigned, had a clear idea what they should do or what plan of attack to follow. 

4 Rostro enim noceri non posse cognoverant; turribus autem excitatis tamen has altitudo puppium ex barbaris navibus superabat, ut neque ex inferiore loco satis commode tela adigi possent et missa a Gallis gravius acciderent. 

4 For they had discovered that their rams could not do damage; and even though towers had been raised on our ships, these were still overtopped by the height of the barbarian ships’ sterns, so that missiles could not be effectively hurled from the lower position, while those launched by the Gauls struck with greater impact. 

5 Una erat magno usui res praeparata a nostris, falces praeacutae insertae adfixaeque longuriis, non absimili forma muralium falcium. 

5 One device prepared by our men was of great use: sharp hooks fixed to long poles, not unlike the wall-hooks used in sieges. 

6 His cum funes qui antemnas ad malos destinabant comprehensi adductique erant, navigio remis incitato praerumpebantur. 

6 With these, when the ropes that fastened the yardarms to the masts were seized and pulled taut, the ships were rowed forward and the ropes snapped. 

7 Quibus abscisis antemnae necessario concidebant, ut, cum omnis Gallicis navibus spes in velis armamentisque consisteret, his ereptis omnis usus navium uno tempore eriperetur. 

7 When these were cut, the yardarms necessarily fell; and since all hope in the Gallic ships rested on their sails and rigging, once these were removed, the ships became utterly useless at once. 

8 Reliquum erat certamen positum in virtute, qua nostri milites facile superabant, atque eo magis quod in conspectu Caesaris atque omnis exercitus res gerebatur, ut nullum paulo fortius factum latere posset; 

8 The remainder of the battle depended on valor, in which our soldiers easily excelled—and all the more so because the action took place in view of Caesar and the entire army, so that no brave deed, however small, could go unnoticed; 

9 omnes enim colles ac loca superiora, unde erat propinquus despectus in mare, ab exercitu tenebantur. 

9 for all the hills and elevated places from which there was a close view of the sea were held by the army. 

[15] 

1 Deiectis, ut diximus, antemnis, cum singulas binae ac ternae naves circumsteterant, milites summa vi transcendere in hostium naves contendebant. 

1 The yardarms having been brought down, as we said, and two or three of our ships surrounding each of theirs, the soldiers strove with the utmost effort to board the enemy ships. 

2 Quod postquam barbari fieri animadverterunt, expugnatis compluribus navibus, cum ei rei nullum reperiretur auxilium, fuga salutem petere contenderunt. 

2 When the barbarians saw this happening and several of their ships had been taken, since no help could be found for the situation, they hastened to seek safety in flight. 

3 Ac iam conversis in eam partem navibus quo ventus ferebat, tanta subito malacia ac tranquillitas exstitit ut se ex loco movere non possent. 

3 And now, when they had turned their ships in the direction the wind carried them, such a sudden calm and stillness arose that they could not move from their position. 

4 Quae quidem res ad negotium conficiendum maximae fuit opportunitati: 

4 This circumstance was of the greatest advantage for bringing the action to completion: 

5 nam singulas nostri consectati expugnaverunt, ut perpaucae ex omni numero noctis interventu ad terram pervenirent, cum ab hora fere IIII usque ad solis occasum pugnaretur. 

5 for our men pursued and captured them one by one, so that very few from the entire number reached land with nightfall intervening, as the fighting had lasted from about the fourth hour until sunset. 

[16] 

1 Quo proelio bellum Venetorum totiusque orae maritimae confectum est. 

1 By this battle, the war with the Veneti and the whole maritime coast was brought to an end. 

2 Nam cum omnis iuventus, omnes etiam gravioris aetatis in quibus aliquid consilii aut dignitatis fuit eo convenerant, tum navium quod ubique fuerat in unum locum coegerant; 

2 For all the youth, and even all older men in whom there was any wisdom or authority, had gathered there, and likewise all the ships from wherever they had been were assembled in one place; 

3 quibus amissis reliqui neque quo se reciperent neque quem ad modum oppida defenderent habebant. 

3 and with these lost, the rest had neither a place to which they could retreat nor any means of defending their towns. 

4 Itaque se suaque omnia Caesari dediderunt. In quos eo gravius Caesar vindicandum statuit quo diligentius in reliquum tempus a barbaris ius legatorum conservaretur. Itaque omni senatu necato reliquos sub corona vendidit. 

4 Therefore, they surrendered themselves and all their possessions to Caesar. Against them, Caesar decided to exact punishment all the more severely, in order that the rights of envoys might henceforth be more carefully observed by the barbarians. And so, after executing the entire senate, he sold the rest into slavery.