De Bello Gallico Book 3 (17–29)

[17] 

1 Dum haec in Venetis geruntur, Q. Titurius Sabinus cum iis copiis quas a Caesare acceperat in fines Venellorum pervenit. 

1 While these things were taking place among the Veneti, Quintus Titurius Sabinus, with the forces he had received from Caesar, arrived in the territory of the Venelli. 

2 His praeerat Viridovix ac summam imperii tenebat earum omnium civitatum quae defecerant, ex quibus exercitum coegerat; 

2 Viridovix was in command and held the supreme authority over all the states that had revolted, from which he had assembled an army; 

3 atque his paucis diebus Aulerci Eburovices Lexoviique, senatu suo interfecto quod auctores belli esse nolebant, portas clauserunt seque cum Viridovice coniunxerunt; 

3 and in these few days, the Aulerci Eburovices and the Lexovii, having killed their senate because it had opposed war, shut their gates and joined Viridovix; 

4 magnaque praeterea multitudo undique ex Gallia perditorum hominum latronumque convenerat, quos spes praedandi studiumque bellandi ab agri cultura et cotidiano labore revocabat. 

4 and, moreover, a great multitude of desperate men and brigands had gathered from all parts of Gaul, drawn from farming and daily labor by the hope of plunder and the lure of warfare. 

5 Sabinus idoneo omnibus rebus loco castris sese tenebat, cum Viridovix contra eum duorum milium spatio consedisset cotidieque productis copiis pugnandi potestatem faceret, ut iam non solum hostibus in contemptionem Sabinus veniret, sed etiam nostrorum militum vocibus non nihil carperetur; 

5 Sabinus remained in camp in a position suitable for all purposes, while Viridovix had encamped opposite him at a distance of two miles and, bringing out his forces daily, offered battle, so that Sabinus now fell not only into contempt among the enemy but was even somewhat criticized by the remarks of our own soldiers; 

6 tantamque opinionem timoris praebuit ut iam ad vallum castrorum hostes accedere auderent. 

6 and he gave such an impression of fear that the enemy now dared to approach the rampart of the camp. 

7 Id ea de causa faciebat quod cum tanta multitudine hostium, praesertim eo absente qui summam imperii teneret, nisi aequo loco aut oportunitate aliqua data legato dimicandum non existimabat. 

7 He acted in this way because, with so large a number of enemies—especially in the absence of the general who held supreme command—he thought it improper for a legate to fight unless on equal ground or with some advantage given. 

[18] 

1 Hac confirmata opinione timoris idoneum quendam hominem et callidum deligit, Gallum, ex iis quos auxilii causa secum habebat. 

1 With this impression of fear confirmed, he selected a suitable and clever man—a Gaul—from among those he had with him as auxiliaries. 

2 Huic magnis praemiis pollicitationibusque persuadet uti ad hostes transeat, et quid fieri velit edocet. 

2 He persuaded him with generous promises and rewards to go over to the enemy, and instructed him in what he wanted to be done. 

3 Qui ubi pro perfuga ad eos venit, timorem Romanorum proponit, quibus angustiis ipse Caesar a Venetis prematur docet, 

3 When he approached them as a deserter, he depicted the fear of the Romans and explained the hardships by which Caesar himself was being pressed by the Veneti, 

4 neque longius abesse quin proxima nocte Sabinus clam ex castris exercitum educat et ad Caesarem auxilii ferendi causa proficiscatur. 

4 and that it would not be long before Sabinus, under cover of night, would lead the army out of the camp and set out to bring aid to Caesar. 

5 Quod ubi auditum est, conclamant omnes occasionem negotii bene gerendi amittendam non esse: 

5 When this was heard, all cried out that the opportunity for managing the matter successfully must not be missed: 

6 ad castra iri oportere. Multae res ad hoc consilium Gallos hortabantur: superiorum dierum Sabini cunctatio, perfugae confirmatio, inopia cibariorum, cui rei parum diligenter ab iis erat provisum, spes Venetici belli, et quod fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt. 

6 they ought to advance on the camp. Many factors encouraged the Gauls in this plan: Sabinus’s hesitation in the preceding days, the deserter’s confirmation, the shortage of grain—which they had failed to provide for carefully—the hope inspired by the war with the Veneti, and the fact that men generally believe willingly what they wish to be true. 

7 His rebus adducti non prius Viridovicem reliquosque duces ex concilio dimittunt quam ab iis sit concessum arma uti capiant et ad castra contendant. 

7 Influenced by these considerations, they did not dismiss Viridovix and the other leaders from the council until it had been agreed that they should take up arms and march against the camp. 

8 Qua re concessa laeti, ut explorata victoria, sarmentis virgultisque collectis, quibus fossas Romanorum compleant, ad castra pergunt. 

8 This having been granted, they proceeded joyfully to the camp as though victory were assured, gathering brush and branches with which to fill in the Romans’ ditches. 

[19] 

1 Locus erat castrorum editus et paulatim ab imo acclivis circiter passus mille. Huc magno cursu contenderunt, ut quam minimum spatii ad se colligendos armandosque Romanis daretur, exanimatique pervenerunt. 

1 The site of the camp was elevated and sloped gradually from the bottom for about a thousand paces. To this point they rushed at full speed, so that the Romans might have as little time as possible to assemble and arm themselves, and they arrived breathless. 

2 Sabinus suos hortatus cupientibus signum dat. Impeditis hostibus propter ea quae ferebant onera subito duabus portis eruptionem fieri iubet. 

2 Sabinus, after encouraging his men, gave the signal to those eager for battle. As the enemy were encumbered by the burdens they carried, he suddenly ordered a sortie through two gates. 

3 Factum est oportunitate loci, hostium inscientia ac defatigatione, virtute militum et superiorum pugnarum exercitatione, ut ne unum quidem nostrorum impetum ferrent ac statim terga verterent. 

3 Owing to the favorable ground, the enemy’s ignorance and exhaustion, the soldiers’ valor, and their training from previous battles, they could not withstand even a single charge from our men and immediately turned to flee. 

4 Quos impeditos integris viribus milites nostri consecuti magnum numerum eorum occiderunt; reliquos equites consectati paucos, qui ex fuga evaserant, reliquerunt. 

4 Our soldiers, with full strength, pursued the encumbered enemy and slaughtered a great number of them; the cavalry followed the rest and left alive only a few who had escaped in flight. 

5 Sic uno tempore et de navali pugna Sabinus et de Sabini victoria Caesar est certior factus, civitatesque omnes se statim Titurio dediderunt. 

5 Thus, at one time Sabinus was informed of the naval battle, and Caesar of Sabinus’s victory, and all the states at once surrendered to Titurius. 

6 Nam ut ad bella suscipienda Gallorum alacer ac promptus est animus, sic mollis ac minime resistens ad calamitates ferendas mens eorum est. 

6 For just as the spirit of the Gauls is eager and ready for undertaking wars, so is their mind soft and most unresisting when it comes to enduring defeat. 

[20] 

1 Eodem fere tempore P. Crassus, cum in Aquitaniam pervenisset, quae, ut ante dictum est, et regionum latitudine et multitudine hominum tertia pars Galliae est aestimanda, cum intellegeret in iis locis sibi bellum gerendum ubi paucis ante annis L. Valerius Praeconinus legatus exercitu pulso interfectus esset atque unde L. Manlius proconsul impedimentis amissis profugisset, non mediocrem sibi diligentiam adhibendam intellegebat. 

1 At nearly the same time, Publius Crassus, having reached Aquitania—which, as previously stated, is reckoned a third part of Gaul in both territory and population—realized that he would have to wage war in regions where a few years earlier Lucius Valerius Praeconinus, a legate, had been defeated and killed with his army, and from which Lucius Manlius, a proconsul, had fled after losing his baggage; and so he understood that he must exercise no ordinary diligence. 

2 Itaque re frumentaria provisa, auxiliis equitatuque comparato, multis praeterea viris fortibus Tolosa et Carcasone et Narbone, quae sunt civitates Galliae provinciae finitimae, ex his regionibus nominatim evocatis, in Sotiatium fines exercitum introduxit. 

2 Therefore, having secured the grain supply and gathered auxiliaries and cavalry, and having also summoned by name many brave men from Toulouse, Carcassonne, and Narbonne—cities bordering the Roman Province of Gaul—he led his army into the territory of the Sotiates. 

3 Cuius adventu cognito Sotiates, magnis copiis coactis equitatuque, quo plurimum valebant, in itinere agmen nostrum adorti primum equestre proelium commiserunt, 

3 When they learned of his arrival, the Sotiates, having assembled a large force and their cavalry—in which they were especially strong—attacked our marching column and first engaged in a cavalry battle, 

4 deinde equitatu suo pulso atque insequentibus nostris subito pedestres copias, quas in convalle in insidiis conlocaverant, ostenderunt. Hi nostros disiectos adorti proelium renovarunt. 

4 then, after their cavalry had been routed and our men were in pursuit, they suddenly revealed their infantry forces, which they had placed in ambush in a valley. These attacked our scattered soldiers and renewed the battle. 

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[21] 

1 Pugnatum est diu atque acriter, cum Sotiates superioribus victoriis freti in sua virtute totius Aquitaniae salutem positam putarent, nostri autem quid sine imperatore et sine reliquis legionibus adulescentulo duce efficere possent perspici cuperent; tandem confecti vulneribus hostes terga verterunt. 

1 The battle was long and fierce, since the Sotiates, relying on previous victories, believed the safety of all Aquitania rested on their own valor, while our men wished to show what they could accomplish without a general and without the rest of the legions, with only a young commander; at last, the enemy, worn down by wounds, turned and fled. 

2 Quorum magno numero interfecto Crassus ex itinere oppidum Sotiatium oppugnare coepit. Quibus fortiter resistentibus vineas turresque egit. 

2 After a great number of them had been killed, Crassus began, directly from the march, to attack the town of the Sotiates. As they resisted bravely, he brought up mantlets and towers. 

3 Illi, alias eruptione temptata, alias cuniculis ad aggerem vineasque actis (cuius rei sunt longe peritissimi Aquitani, propterea quod multis locis apud eos aerariae secturaeque sunt), ubi diligentia nostrorum nihil his rebus profici posse intellexerunt, legatos ad Crassum mittunt seque in deditionem ut recipiat petunt. Qua re impetrata arma tradere iussi faciunt. 

3 They, having at times attempted a sortie, and at others driven tunnels toward the rampart and mantlets (in which skill the Aquitani are extremely experienced, since there are copper mines and quarries in many of their regions), when they realized that nothing could be accomplished due to the diligence of our men, sent envoys to Crassus and begged him to receive their surrender. This request having been granted, and being ordered to hand over their arms, they complied. 

[22] 

1 Atque in eam rem omnium nostrorum intentis animis, alia ex parte oppidi Adiatunnus, qui summam imperii tenebat, cum DC devotis, quos illi soldurios appellant, quorum haec est condicio, ut omnibus in vita commodis una cum iis fruantur quorum se amicitiae dediderint, si quid his per vim accidat, aut eundem casum una ferant aut sibi mortem consciscant, 

1 And while the attention of all our men was fixed on this matter, from another part of the town Adiatunnus, who held supreme command, with six hundred devoted followers, whom they call *soldurii*—whose condition is this: that they enjoy all the comforts of life together with those to whose friendship they have given themselves, and if any violence befalls them, they either share the same fate or take their own lives— 

2 neque adhuc hominum memoria repertus est quisquam qui, eo interfecto cuius se amicitiae devovisset, mortem recusaret— 

2 and up to this point in human memory, no one has been found who, when the man to whose friendship he had devoted himself was killed, refused to die— 

3 cum his Adiatunnus eruptionem facere conatus, clamore ab ea parte munitionis sublato, cum ad arma milites concurrissent vehementerque ibi pugnatum esset, repulsus in oppidum, tamen uti eadem deditionis condicione uteretur a Crasso impetravit. 

3 with these men, Adiatunnus attempted a sally; a shout having been raised from that part of the fortification, and when the soldiers had run to arms and there had been fierce fighting, though driven back into the town, he nevertheless obtained from Crassus the right to enjoy the same terms of surrender. 

[23] 

1 Armis obsidibusque acceptis, Crassus in fines Vocatium et Tarusatium profectus est. 

1 Arms and hostages having been received, Crassus marched into the territory of the Vocates and Tarusates. 

2 Tum vero barbari commoti, quod oppidum et natura loci et manu munitum paucis diebus, quibus eo ventum erat, expugnatum cognoverant, legatos quoque versum dimittere, coniurare, obsides inter se dare, copias parare coeperunt. 

2 Then indeed the barbarians, alarmed because they had learned that a town fortified both by natural position and by hand had been stormed within just a few days of the Roman arrival, began to send envoys in all directions, to conspire, to exchange hostages among themselves, and to prepare forces. 

3 Mittuntur etiam ad eas civitates legati quae sunt citerioris Hispaniae finitimae Aquitaniae: inde auxilia ducesque arcessuntur. 

3 Envoys were also sent to those states of Nearer Spain which border on Aquitania; from there auxiliaries and commanders were summoned. 

4 Quorum adventu, magna cum auctoritate et magna cum hominum multitudine bellum gerere conantur. 

4 Upon their arrival, they attempted to wage war with great authority and a great number of men. 

5 Duces vero ii deliguntur qui una cum Q. Sertorio omnes annos fuerant summamque scientiam rei militaris habere existimabantur. 

5 Those were chosen as commanders who had served with Quintus Sertorius throughout all his campaigns and were considered to possess the greatest skill in military affairs. 

6 Hi, consuetudine populi Romani, loca capere, castra munire, commeatibus nostros intercludere instituunt. 

6 These men, following Roman practice, began to seize strategic positions, fortify camps, and cut off our forces from supplies. 

7 Quod ubi Crassus animadvertit, suas copias propter exiguitatem non facile diduci, hostem et vagari et vias obsidere et castris satis praesidii relinquere, ob eam causam minus commode frumentum commeatumque sibi supportari, in dies hostium numerum augeri, non cunctandum existimavit quin pugna decertaret. 

7 When Crassus perceived that, due to the small size of his force, he could not easily extend his line, that the enemy were both roaming and blocking the roads, and that it was therefore more difficult to bring in grain and supplies, and that the number of the enemy was increasing daily, he concluded that he ought not to delay a pitched battle. 

8 Hac re ad consilium delata, ubi omnes idem sentire intellexit, posterum diem pugnae constituit. 

8 This matter having been brought before the council, and seeing that all were of the same opinion, he fixed the next day for the battle. 

[24] 

1 Prima luce, productis omnibus copiis, duplici acie instituta, auxiliis in mediam aciem coniectis, quid hostes consilii caperent expectabat. 

1 At dawn, with all his forces drawn out, a double line having been formed, and the auxiliaries placed in the center of the line, he waited to see what the enemy would decide. 

2 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, 

2 They, although they thought that, thanks to their numbers, their old military reputation, and our small force, they could fight safely, nevertheless judged it safer to block the roads and cut off supplies, and win the victory without bloodshed. 

3 et, si propter inopiam rei frumentariae Romani se recipere coepissent, impeditos in agmine et sub sarcinis infirmiore animo adoriri cogitabant. 

3 And if, due to lack of grain, the Romans began to withdraw, they planned to attack them on the march, burdened by baggage and in lower spirits. 

4 Hoc consilio probato ab ducibus, productis Romanorum copiis, sese castris tenebant. 

4 This plan having been approved by their leaders, they remained in camp, even though the Roman forces were drawn up. 

5 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. 

5 Seeing this, Crassus, since the enemy's hesitation and the impression of their fear had made our soldiers keener to fight, and since all voices declared that they should wait no longer but march on the enemy's camp, encouraged his men and, with everyone eager, advanced on the enemy’s camp. 

[25] 

1 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, 

1 There, while some were filling the ditches, others, by hurling many missiles, were driving the defenders from the rampart and fortifications; and the auxiliaries—whom Crassus did not much trust for fighting—by supplying stones and weapons and carrying turf to the rampart, gave the appearance and impression of fighting men; and likewise, since the enemy fought steadily and without fear, the missiles thrown from the higher position did not strike in vain, 

2 equites, circumitis hostium castris, Crasso renuntiaverunt non eadem esse diligentia ab decumana porta castra munita facilemque aditum habere. 

2 the cavalry, having ridden around the enemy's camp, reported to Crassus that the camp was not fortified with equal care at the rear gate and had an easy approach. 

[26] 

1 Crassus equitum praefectos cohortatus, ut magnis praemiis pollicitationibusque suos excitarent, quid fieri vellet ostendit. 

1 Crassus, having encouraged the prefects of cavalry to rouse their men with great rewards and promises, showed them what he wished to be done. 

2 Illi, ut erat imperatum, eductis iis cohortibus quae praesidio castris relictae integris 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 

2 They, as had been ordered, having led out those cohorts which had been left to guard the camp and were fresh from labor, and having taken a longer route so that they might not be seen from the enemy camp, quickly reached the fortifications we mentioned while the eyes and minds of all were focused on the battle 

3 atque his prorutis prius in hostium castris constiterunt quam plane ab his videri aut quid rei gereretur cognosci posset. 

3 and, having broken these down, they were already in the enemy’s camp before they could be clearly seen or any sense of what was happening could be understood. 

4 Tum vero, clamore ab ea parte audito, nostri redintegratis viribus, quod plerumque in spe victoriae accidere consuevit, acrius impugnare coeperunt. 

4 Then indeed, a shout having been heard from that direction, our men, with renewed strength—which often arises from the hope of victory—began to assault more vigorously. 

5 Hostes undique circumventi, desperatis omnibus rebus, se per munitiones deicere et fuga salutem petere contenderunt. 

5 The enemy, surrounded on all sides and with all hope lost, tried to leap down over the fortifications and seek safety in flight. 

6 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. 

6 The cavalry, pursuing them across the most open plains, returned to camp late at night, with scarcely a fourth part left out of the 50,000 known to have assembled from Aquitania and the Cantabri. 

[27] 

1 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: 

1 This battle having been heard of, the greater part of Aquitania surrendered to Crassus and voluntarily sent hostages; among these were the Tarbelli, Bigerriones, Ptianii, Vocates, Tarusates, Elusates, Gates, Ausci, Garumni, Sibusates, and Cocosates: 

2 paucae ultimae nationes anni tempore confisae, quod hiems suberat, id facere neglexerunt. 

2 A few of the most remote tribes, relying on the time of year, since winter was approaching, neglected to do this. 

[28] 

1 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. 

1 At almost the same time, Caesar, although summer was now nearly over, nevertheless, because, with all Gaul pacified, the Morini and Menapii remained who were under arms and had never sent envoys to him concerning peace, thinking that this war could be quickly concluded, led his army there; these began to wage war in a far different manner than the rest of the Gauls. 

2 Nam quod intellegebant maximas nationes, quae proelio contendissent, pulsas superatasque esse, continentesque silvas ac paludes habebant, eo se suaque omnia contulerunt. 

2 For since they realized that the greatest nations that had contended in battle had been routed and defeated, and they possessed continuous forests and swamps, they moved themselves and all their belongings there. 

3 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. 

3 When Caesar had reached the edge of these woods and had begun to fortify a camp, and no enemy had yet been seen, they suddenly burst forth from all parts of the forest and made an attack on our men, who were scattered in their work. 

4 Nostri celeriter arma ceperunt eosque in silvas repulerunt et, compluribus interfectis, longius impeditioribus locis secuti paucos ex suis deperdiderunt. 

4 Our men quickly seized their arms and drove them back into the woods, and having killed many, when they pursued farther into more difficult places, they lost a few of their own. 

[29] 

1 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. 

1 In the following days, Caesar began to cut down the forest, and, so that no attack could be made on unarmed and unsuspecting soldiers from the side, he placed all the felled timber facing the enemy and piled it up as a rampart on both flanks. 

2 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. 

2 With incredible speed, a great area having been cleared in just a few days, when already the cattle and the rearmost baggage were in our hands and the enemy had withdrawn into denser woods, storms followed of such a kind that the work had to be halted, and, because of the continuous rain, the soldiers could no longer be kept under tents. 

3 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. 

3 Therefore, having devastated all their fields and burned their villages and buildings, Caesar led the army back and stationed it in winter quarters among the Aulerci and Lexovii, and likewise among the other states that had most recently waged war.