De Bello Gallico Book 5 (16–30)

[16] 

1. Toto hoc in genere pugnae, cum sub oculis omnium ac pro castris dimicaretur, intellectum est nostros propter gravitatem armorum, quod neque insequi cedentes possent neque ab signis discedere auderent, minus aptos esse ad huius generis hostem, 

1. In this whole type of fighting, when the battle was taking place under the eyes of everyone and in front of the camp, it was understood that our men, because of the weight of their arms, since they could neither pursue those retreating nor dared to leave their standards, were less suited for this kind of enemy, 

2. equites autem magno cum periculo proelio dimicare, propterea quod illi etiam consulto plerumque cederent et, cum paulum ab legionibus nostros removissent, ex essedis desilirent et pedibus dispari proelio contenderent. 

2. while the cavalry fought with great danger, because the enemy usually even intentionally retreated, and when they had drawn our men a little distance from the legions, they would leap from their chariots and fight on foot in an unequal battle. 

3. Equestris autem proeli ratio et cedentibus et insequentibus par atque idem periculum inferebat. 

3. Moreover, the nature of cavalry battle brought equal and the same danger both to those retreating and to those pursuing. 

4. Accedebat huc ut numquam conferti sed rari magnisque intervallis proeliarentur stationesque dispositas haberent, atque alios alii deinceps exciperent, integrique et recentes defetigatis succederent. 

4. Added to this was that they never fought in close formation but scattered and at great intervals, and had pre-arranged stations, and one after another they would relieve each other, and fresh and unwearied men would succeed the exhausted. 

 [17] 

1. Postero die procul a castris hostes in collibus constiterunt rarique se ostendere et lenius quam pridie nostros equites proelio lacessere coeperunt. 

1. On the next day, the enemy took up positions on the hills far from the camp, and began to show themselves in scattered groups and provoke our cavalry to battle more gently than on the previous day. 

2. Sed meridie, cum Caesar pabulandi causa tres legiones atque omnem equitatum cum Gaio Trebonio legato misisset, repente ex omnibus partibus ad pabulatores advolaverunt, sic uti ab signis legionibusque non absisterent. 

2. But at midday, when Caesar had sent three legions and all the cavalry with Gaius Trebonius, the legate, for the purpose of foraging, they suddenly swooped down from all sides upon the foragers, so that they did not desist from the standards and legions. 

3. Nostri acriter in eos impetu facto reppulerunt neque finem sequendi fecerunt, quoad subsidio confisi equites, cum post se legiones viderent, 

3. Our men, having made a fierce attack upon them, repelled them and did not cease pursuing, until the cavalry, relying on reinforcements, when they saw the legions behind them, 

4. praecipites hostes egerunt magnoque eorum numero interfecto neque sui colligendi neque consistendi aut ex essedis desiliendi facultatem dederunt. 

4. drove the enemy headlong and, having killed a great number of them, gave them no opportunity to gather themselves, or to halt, or to leap from their chariots. 

5. Ex hac fuga protinus, quae undique convenerant, auxilia discesserunt, neque post id tempus umquam summis nobiscum copiis hostes contenderunt. 

5. Immediately from this flight, the auxiliaries, which had gathered from everywhere, dispersed, nor after that time did the enemy ever contend with us with their main forces. 

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[18] 

1. Caesar cognito consilio eorum ad flumen Tamesim in fines Cassivellauni exercitum duxit; quod flumen uno omnino loco pedibus, atque hoc aegre, transiri potest. 

1. Caesar, having learned of their plan, led his army to the river Thames into the territory of Cassivellaunus; this river can be crossed on foot in only one place, and that with difficulty. 

2. Eo cum venisset, animum advertit ad alteram fluminis ripam magnas esse copias hostium instructas. 

2. When he had arrived there, he noticed that large forces of the enemy were drawn up on the opposite bank of the river. 

3. Ripa autem erat acutis sudibus praefixis munita, eiusdemque generis sub aqua defixae sudes flumine tegebantur. 

3. The bank, moreover, was fortified with sharpened stakes fixed in front, and stakes of the same kind fixed under the water were covered by the river. 

4. His rebus cognitis a captivis perfugisque Caesar praemisso equitatu confestim legiones subsequi iussit. 

4. Having learned these things from captives and deserters, Caesar, sending the cavalry ahead, immediately ordered the legions to follow. 

5. Sed ea celeritate atque eo impetu milites ierunt, cum capite solo ex aqua exstarent, ut hostes impetum legionum atque equitum sustinere non possent ripasque dimitterent ac se fugae mandarent. 

5. But the soldiers advanced with such speed and impetus, though only their heads projected from the water, that the enemy could not sustain the attack of the legions and cavalry, and abandoned the banks and committed themselves to flight.

[19] 

1. Cassivellaunus, ut supra demonstravimus, omni deposita spe contentionis dimissis amplioribus copiis milibus circiter quattuor essedariorum relictis itinera nostra servabat paulumque ex via excedebat locisque impeditis ac silvestribus sese occultabat, atque eis regionibus quibus nos iter facturos cognoverat pecora atque homines ex agris in silvas compellebat et, 

1. Cassivellaunus, as we demonstrated above, having abandoned all hope of open conflict, and having dismissed the larger forces, keeping about four thousand charioteers, watched our movements and slightly deviated from the road, hiding himself in difficult and wooded places, and in those regions where he had learned we would march, he drove cattle and people from the fields into the woods and, 

2. cum equitatus noster liberius praedandi vastandique causa se in agros eiecerat, omnibus viis semitisque essedarios ex silvis emittebat et magno cum periculo nostrorum equitum cum eis confligebat atque hoc metu latius vagari prohibebat. 

2. when our cavalry had ventured more freely into the fields for the purpose of plundering and devastating, he sent out charioteers from the woods on all roads and paths, and engaged with them at great risk to our cavalry, and by this fear prevented them from ranging more widely. 

3. Relinquebatur ut neque longius ab agmine legionum discedi Caesar pateretur, et tantum in agris vastandis incendiisque faciendis hostibus noceretur, quantum labore atque itinere legionarii milites efficere poterant. 

3. The result was that Caesar neither allowed his men to depart too far from the column of legions, and only so much damage was inflicted on the enemy by devastating fields and setting fires as the legionary soldiers could accomplish by their labor and march. 

 [20] 

1. Interim Trinobantes, prope firmissima earum regionum civitas, ex qua Mandubracius adulescens Caesaris fidem secutus ad eum in continentem Galliam venerat, cuius pater in ea civitate regnum obtinuerat interfectusque erat a Cassivellauno, ipse fuga mortem vitaverat, legatos ad Caesarem mittunt pollicenturque sese ei dedituros atque imperata facturos; 

1. Meanwhile, the Trinobantes, almost the strongest state of those regions, from which the young Mandubracius had followed Caesar's protection and come to him in continental Gaul, whose father had held the kingship in that state and had been killed by Cassivellaunus, and who himself had escaped death by flight, sent envoys to Caesar and promised that they would surrender themselves to him and do what he commanded; 

2. petunt, ut Mandubracium ab iniuria Cassivellauni defendat atque in civitatem mittat, qui praesit imperiumque obtineat. 

2. they asked that he defend Mandubracius from the injustice of Cassivellaunus and send him into the state to rule and hold supreme power. 

3. His Caesar imperat obsides quadraginta frumentumque exercitui Mandubraciumque ad eos mittit. 

3. To these Caesar commanded forty hostages and grain for the army, and sent Mandubracius to them. 

4. Illi imperata celeriter fecerunt, obsides ad numerum frumentumque miserunt. 

4. They quickly did what was commanded, and sent the hostages according to the number and the grain. 

 [21] 

1. Trinobantibus defensis atque ab omni militum inuria prohibitis Cenimagni, Segontiaci, Ancalites, Bibroci, Cassi legationibus missis sese Caesari dedunt. 

1. With the Trinobantes defended and protected from all injury by the soldiers, the Cenimagni, Segontiaci, Ancalites, Bibroci, and Cassi, sending envoys, surrendered themselves to Caesar. 

2. Ab his cognoscit non longe ex eo loco oppidum Cassivellauni abesse silvis paludibusque munitum, quo satis magnus hominum pecorisque numerus invenerit. 

2. From these he learned that Cassivellaunus's stronghold was not far from that place, fortified by woods and marshes, where a sufficiently large number of men and cattle had gathered. 

3. Oppidum autem Britanni vocant, cum silvas impeditas vallo atque fossa munierunt, quo incursionis hostium vitandae causa convenire consuerunt. 

3. The Britons, however, call it a town when they have fortified dense woods with a rampart and ditch, to which they are accustomed to assemble for the purpose of avoiding enemy incursions. 

4. Eo proficiscitur cum legionibus: locum reperit egregie natura atque opere munitum; tamen hunc duabus ex partibus oppugnare contendit. 

4. He set out for it with his legions: he found a place excellently fortified by nature and by art; nevertheless, he strove to attack it from two sides. 

5. Hostes paulisper morati militum nostrorum impetum non tulerunt seseque alia ex parte oppidi eiecerunt. 

5. The enemy, having delayed for a short time, could not withstand the attack of our soldiers and drove themselves out from another part of the town. 

6. Magnus ibi numerus pecoris repertus, multique in fuga sunt comprehensi atque interfecti. 

6. A large number of cattle were found there, and many were captured and killed in their flight.

[22] 

1. Dum haec in his locis geruntur, Cassivellaunus ad Cantium, quod esse ad mare supra demonstravimus, quibus regionibus quattuor reges praeerant, Cingetorix, Carvilius, Taximagulus, Segovax, nuntios mittit atque eis imperat uti coactis omnibus copiis castra navalia de improviso adoriantur atque oppugnent. 

1. While these things were being done in these places, Cassivellaunus sent messengers to Kent, which we demonstrated above to be by the sea, and over which region four kings presided—Cingetorix, Carvilius, Taximagulus, and Segovax—and ordered them to suddenly attack and assault the naval camp with all their forces gathered. 

2. Ei cum ad castra venissent, nostri eruptione facta multis eorum interfectis, capto etiam nobili duce Lugotorige suos incolumes reduxerunt. 

2. When they had come to the camp, our men, making a sortie, killed many of them, and even captured the noble leader Lugotorix, and brought their own men back unharmed. 

3. Cassivellaunus hoc proelio nuntiato tot detrimentis acceptis, vastatis finibus, maxime etiam permotus defectione civitatum legatos per Atrebatem Commium de deditione ad Caesarem mittit. 

3. Cassivellaunus, this battle having been reported and so many losses sustained, his territory ravaged, and especially moved by the defection of the states, sent envoys to Caesar through Commius the Atrebatian concerning surrender. 

4. Caesar, cum constituisset hiemare in continenti propter repentinos Galliae motus, neque multum aestatis superesset, atque id facile extrahi posse intellegeret, obsides imperat et quid in annos singulos vectigalis populo Romano Britannia penderet constituit; 

4. Caesar, since he had decided to winter on the continent because of the sudden uprisings in Gaul, and not much of summer remained, and he understood that the campaign could easily be prolonged, demanded hostages and determined what tribute Britain should pay annually to the Roman people; 

5. interdicit atque imperat Cassivellauno, ne Mandubracio neu Trinobantibus noceat. 

5. he forbade and commanded Cassivellaunus not to harm Mandubracius or the Trinobantes. 

 [23] 

1. Obsidibus acceptis exercitum reducit ad mare, naves invenit refectas. 

1. Having received the hostages, he led the army back to the sea and found the ships repaired. 

2. His deductis, quod et captivorum magnum numerum habebat, et nonnullae tempestate deperierant naves, duobus commeatibus exercitum reportare instituit. 

2. Having launched these, since he had a large number of captives and some ships had been lost in the storm, he decided to transport the army in two crossings. 

3. Ac sic accidit, uti ex tanto navium numero tot navigationibus neque hoc neque superiore anno ulla omnino navis, quae milites portaret, desideraretur; at ex eis, 

3. And it thus happened that out of such a great number of ships and so many voyages, neither in this year nor the previous one was any ship at all, which carried soldiers, lost; but of those, 

4. quae inanes ex continenti ad eum remitterentur et prioris commeatus expositis militibus et quas postea Labienus faciendas curaverat numero LX, perpaucae locum caperent, reliquae fere omnes reicerentur. 

4. which were sent back empty to him from the continent—both after the soldiers of the first crossing had been disembarked and the sixty which Labienus had later arranged to be built—very few reached their destination, and almost all the rest were driven back. 

5. Quas cum aliquamdiu Caesar frustra exspectasset, ne anni tempore a navigatione excluderetur, 

5. Since Caesar had waited for these in vain for some time, lest he be prevented from sailing by the season of the year, 

6. quod aequinoctium suberat, necessario angustius milites collocavit ac summa tranquillitate consecuta, secunda inita cum solvisset vigilia, prima luce terram attigit omnesque incolumes naves perduxit. 

6. because the equinox was approaching, he necessarily packed the soldiers more tightly, and with utmost calm ensuing, having set sail at the beginning of the second watch, he reached land at first light and brought all the ships in safely.

[24] 

1. Subductis navibus concilioque Gallorum Samarobrivae peracto, quod eo anno frumentum in Gallia propter siccitates angustius provenerat, coactus est aliter ac superioribus annis exercitum in hibernis collocare legionesque in plures civitates distribuere. 

1. With the ships hauled ashore and the council of the Gauls concluded at Samarobriva, because in that year grain had grown more scantily in Gaul due to droughts, he was forced to quarter the army in winter camps differently than in previous years and to distribute the legions among more states. 

2. Ex quibus unam in Morinos ducendam Gaio Fabio legato dedit, alteram in Nervios Quinto Ciceroni, tertiam in Esubios Lucio Roscio; quartam in Remis cum Tito Labieno in confinio Treverorum hiemare iussit. Tres in Belgis collocavit: 

2. Of these, he gave one to Gaius Fabius, the legate, to lead into the Morini territory, another to Quintus Cicero into the Nervii, a third to Lucius Roscius into the Esubii; he ordered the fourth to winter among the Remi with Titus Labienus on the borders of the Treveri. He stationed three in Belgic Gaul: 

3. eis Marcum Crassum quaestorem et Lucium Munatium Plancum et Gaium Trebonium legatos praefecit. 

3. over these he placed Marcus Crassus the quaestor, Lucius Munatius Plancus, and Gaius Trebonius as legates. 

4. Unam legionem, quam proxime trans Padum conscripserat, et cohortes V in Eburones, quorum pars maxima est inter Mosam ac Rhenum, qui sub imperio Ambiorigis et Catuvolci erant, misit. 

4. He sent one legion, which he had most recently enlisted across the Po, and five cohorts into the Eburones, the greater part of whom are between the Meuse and the Rhine, who were under the command of Ambiorix and Catuvolcus. 

5. Eis militibus Quintum Titurium Sabinum et Lucium Aurunculeium Cottam legatos praeesse iussit. 

5. Over these soldiers he ordered Quintus Titurius Sabinus and Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta, legates, to be in command. 

6. Ad hunc modum distributis legionibus facillime inopiae frumentariae sese mederi posse existimavit. 

6. With the legions distributed in this manner, he believed he could most easily remedy the scarcity of grain. 

7. Atque harum tamen omnium legionum hiberna praeter eam, quam Lucio Roscio in pacatissimam et quietissimam partem ducendam dederat, milibus passuum centum continebantur. 

7. And yet the winter quarters of all these legions, except for the one he had given to Lucius Roscius to lead into the most peaceful and quiet region, were contained within one hundred miles. 

8. Ipse interea, quoad legiones collocatas munitaque hiberna cognovisset, in Gallia morari constituit. 

8. He himself, meanwhile, decided to remain in Gaul until he had learned that the legions were stationed and the winter quarters fortified. 

[25] 

1. Erat in Carnutibus summo loco natus Tasgetius, cuius maiores in sua civitate regnum obtinuerant. 

1. There was among the Carnutes a man of highest rank, Tasgetius, whose ancestors had held kingship in their state. 

2. Huic Caesar pro eius virtute atque in se benevolentia, quod in omnibus bellis singulari eius opera fuerat usus, maiorum locum restituerat. 

2. To him, Caesar, in consideration of his bravery and good will toward himself, because he had used his exceptional service in all wars, had restored the position of his ancestors. 

3. Tertium iam hunc annum regnantem inimici, multis palam ex civitate eius auctoribus, eum interfecerunt. 

3. Now, in his third year of reigning, enemies, with many open instigators from his own state, killed him. 

4. Defertur ea res ad Caesarem. Ille veritus, quod ad plures pertinebat, ne civitas eorum impulsu deficeret, Lucium Plancum cum legione ex Belgio celeriter in Carnutes proficisci iubet ibique hiemare quorumque opera cognoverat Tasgetium interfectum, hos comprehensos ad se mittere. 

4. This matter was reported to Caesar. He, fearing, because it pertained to many, that the state might revolt at their instigation, ordered Lucius Plancus with a legion to set out quickly from Belgic Gaul into the territory of the Carnutes and winter there, and to send to him those by whose agency he had learned Tasgetius was killed, once they were arrested. 

5. Interim ab omnibus legatis quaestoreque, quibus legiones tradiderat, certior factus est in hiberna perventum locumque hibernis esse munitum. 

5. Meanwhile, he was informed by all the legates and the quaestor, to whom he had handed over the legions, that they had arrived at their winter quarters and that the place for winter quarters was fortified.

[26] 

1. Diebus circiter XV, quibus in hiberna ventum est, initium repentini tumultus ac defectionis ortum est ab Ambiorige et Catuvolco; 

1. About fifteen days after they had arrived in winter quarters, the beginning of a sudden uprising and revolt originated with Ambiorix and Catuvolcus; 

2. qui, cum ad fines regni sui Sabino Cottaeque praesto fuissent frumentumque in hiberna comportavissent, Indutiomari Treveri nuntiis impulsi suos concitaverunt subitoque oppressis lignatoribus magna manu ad castra oppugnatum venerunt. 

2. who, although they had been present for Sabinus and Cotta at the borders of their kingdom and had brought grain into the winter quarters, impelled by messages from Indutiomarus the Treveran, incited their people, and suddenly, having overwhelmed the wood-gatherers, came with a large force to assault the camp. 

3. Cum celeriter nostri arma cepissent vallumque adscendissent atque una ex parte Hispanis equitibus emissis equestri proelio superiores fuissent, desperata re hostes suos ab oppugnatione reduxerunt. 

3. When our men had quickly taken up arms and ascended the rampart, and on one side, having sent out the Spanish cavalry, had been superior in a cavalry engagement, the enemy, despairing of their plan, withdrew their men from the assault. 

4. Tum suo more conclamaverunt, uti aliqui ex nostris ad colloquium prodiret: habere sese, quae de re communi dicere vellent, quibus rebus controversias minui posse sperarent. 

4. Then, according to their custom, they shouted loudly for some of our men to come forth for a parley: that they had things they wished to say concerning the common good, by which matters they hoped disputes could be lessened. 

 [27] 

1. Mittitur ad eos colloquendi causa Gaius Arpineius, eques Romanus, familiaris Quinti Tituri, et Quintus Iunius ex Hispania quidam, qui iam ante missu Caesaris ad Ambiorigem ventitare consuerat; apud quos Ambiorix ad hunc modum locutus est: 

1. For the purpose of a parley, Gaius Arpineius, a Roman knight, a friend of Quintus Titurius, and a certain Quintus Junius from Spain, who had already before been accustomed to go to Ambiorix by Caesar's sending, were sent to them; before whom Ambiorix spoke in this manner: 

2. Sese pro Caesaris in se beneficiis plurimum ei confiteri debere, quod eius opera stipendio liberatus esset, quod Aduatucis, finitimis suis, pendere consuesset, quodque ei et filius et fratris filius ab Caesare remissi essent, quos Aduatuci obsidum numero missos apud se in servitute et catenis tenuissent; 

2. He confessed that he owed Caesar very much for his kindnesses towards him, because by his agency he had been freed from paying tribute, which he had been accustomed to pay to the Aduatuci, his neighbors, and because both his son and his brother's son had been sent back to him by Caesar, whom the Aduatuci, sent as hostages, had kept among themselves in slavery and chains; 

3. neque id, quod fecerit de oppugnatione castrorum, aut iudicio aut voluntate sua fecisse, sed coactu civitatis, suaque esse eiusmodi imperia, ut non minus haberet iuris in se multitudo quam ipse in multitudinem. 

3. and that what he had done concerning the attack on the camp, he had done neither by his own judgment nor his own will, but by compulsion of the state, and that his power was such that the multitude had no less right over him than he himself had over the multitude. 

4. Civitati porro hanc fuisse belli causam, quod repentinae Gallorum coniurationi resistere non potuerit. Id se facile ex humilitate sua probare posse, quod non adeo sit imperitus rerum ut suis copiis populum Romanum superari posse confidat.  

4. Furthermore, that this had been the cause of the war for the state, because it had not been able to resist the sudden conspiracy of the Gauls. He could easily prove this from his own humble position, because he was not so inexperienced in affairs as to trust that the Roman people could be overcome by his forces. 

5. Sed esse Galliae commune consilium: omnibus hibernis Caesaris oppugnandis hunc esse dictum diem, ne qua legio alterae legioni subsidio venire posset. 

5. But that it was the common plan of Gaul: this day had been designated for attacking all of Caesar's winter quarters, so that no legion could come to the aid of another legion. 

6. Non facile Gallos Gallis negare potuisse, praesertim cum de recuperanda communi libertate consilium initum videretur. 

6. That the Gauls could not easily refuse the Gauls, especially since the plan seemed to be initiated for recovering their common liberty. 

7. Quibus quoniam pro pietate satisfecerit, habere nunc se rationem offici pro beneficiis Caesaris: monere, orare Titurium pro hospitio, ut suae ac militum saluti consulat. 

7. Since he had satisfied them out of a sense of duty, he now had consideration for his duty in return for Caesar's kindnesses: he warned and implored Titurius, by their hospitality, to consult for his own safety and that of his soldiers. 

8. Magnam manum Germanorum conductam Rhenum transisse; hanc adfore biduo. 

8. A large band of Germans, hired, had crossed the Rhine; these would be present in two days. 

9. Ipsorum esse consilium, velintne priusquam finitimi sentiant eductos ex hibernis milites aut ad Ciceronem aut ad Labienum deducere, quorum alter milia passuum circiter quinquaginta, alter paulo amplius ab eis absit. 

9. It was their decision whether they wished, before their neighbors became aware, to lead the soldiers out of winter quarters either to Cicero or to Labienus, of whom one was about fifty miles, the other a little more, distant from them. 

10. Illud se polliceri et iureiurando confirmare tutum iter per fines daturum. 

10. He promised and confirmed with an oath that he would grant a safe passage through their territory. 

11. Quod cum faciat, et civitati sese consulere, quod hibernis levetur, et Caesari pro eius meritis gratiam referre. Hac oratione habita discedit Ambiorix. 

11. By doing this, he was both consulting for the state, by relieving it of winter quarters, and returning thanks to Caesar for his merits. Having delivered this speech, Ambiorix departed.

[28] 

1. Arpineius et Iunius, quae audierunt, ad legatos deferunt. Illi repentina re perturbati, etsi ab hoste ea dicebantur, tamen non neglegenda existimabant maximeque hac re permovebantur, quod civitatem ignobilem atque humilem Eburonum sua sponte populo Romano bellum facere ausam vix erat credendum. 

1. Arpineius and Junius reported what they had heard to the legates. They, disturbed by the sudden matter, although these things were being said by an enemy, nevertheless considered them not to be disregarded, and were especially moved by this fact, that it was hardly to be believed that the ignoble and humble state of the Eburones had dared to wage war on the Roman people of their own accord. 

2. Itaque ad consilium rem deferunt magnaque inter eos exsistit controversia. 

2. Therefore, they referred the matter to a council, and a great dispute arose among them. 

3. Lucius Aurunculeius compluresque tribuni militum et primorum ordinum centuriones nihil temere agendum neque ex hibernis iniussu Caesaris discedendum existimabant: quantasvis [magnas] copias etiam Germanorum sustineri posse munitis hibernis docebant: rem esse testimonio, quod primum hostium impetum multis ultro vulneribus illatis fortissime sustinuerint: re frumentaria non premi; interea et ex proximis hibernis et a Caesare conventura subsidia: postremo quid esse levius aut turpius, quam auctore hoste de summis rebus capere consilium? 

3. Lucius Aurunculeius and several military tribunes and centurions of the first ranks believed that nothing should be done rashly, and that they should not depart from winter quarters without Caesar's order: they pointed out that however large the forces, even of Germans, could be withstood in fortified winter quarters: that the fact itself was proof, because they had most bravely withstood the first attack of the enemy, inflicting many wounds in return; that they were not pressed by the grain supply; that meanwhile reinforcements would arrive both from the nearest winter quarters and from Caesar: finally, what could be more foolish or more disgraceful than to take counsel on matters of the highest importance on the advice of an enemy? 

 [29] 

1. Contra ea Titurius sero facturos clamitabat, cum maiores manus hostium adiunctis Germanis convenissent aut cum aliquid calamitatis in proximis hibernis esset acceptum. Brevem consulendi esse occasionem. Caesarem arbitrari profectum in Italiam; 

1. Against these arguments, Titurius cried out that they would act too late, when larger forces of the enemy had assembled with the Germans added, or when some disaster had been sustained in the nearest winter quarters. He said the opportunity for deliberation was brief. He believed Caesar had departed for Italy; 

2. neque aliter Carnutes interficiendi Tasgeti consilium fuisse capturos, neque Eburones, si ille adesset, tanta contemptione nostri ad castra venturos esse. 

2. and that otherwise the Carnutes would not have formed the plan to kill Tasgetius, nor would the Eburones, if he were present, have come to the camp with such contempt for us. 

3. Non hostem auctorem, sed rem spectare: subesse Rhenum; magno esse Germanis dolori Ariovisti mortem et superiores nostras victorias; 

3. He argued that they should look not at the enemy as the advisor, but at the situation: the Rhine was close by; the death of Ariovistus and our previous victories were a great grief to the Germans; 

4. ardere Galliam tot contumeliis acceptam sub populi Romani imperium redactam superiore gloria rei militaris exstincta. 

4. Gaul was burning, having received so many insults, reduced under the dominion of the Roman people, its former glory in military matters extinguished. 

5. Postremo quis hoc sibi persuaderet, sine certa re Ambiorigem ad eiusmodi consilium descendisse? 

5. Finally, who would persuade himself of this, that Ambiorix had resorted to such a plan without a sure basis? 

6. Suam sententiam in utramque partem esse tutam: si nihil esset durius, nullo cum periculo ad proximam legionem perventuros; si Gallia omnis cum Germanis consentiret, unam esse in celeritate positam salutem. 

6. His opinion was safe in either direction: if nothing more difficult occurred, they would reach the nearest legion without any danger; if all Gaul conspired with the Germans, their only safety lay in speed. 

7. Cottae quidem atque eorum, qui dissentirent, consilium quem habere exitum? In quo si non praesens periculum, at certe longinqua obsidione fames esset timenda. 

7. What outcome, indeed, did the plan of Cotta and those who disagreed have? In which, if not immediate danger, at least famine from a prolonged siege was to be feared.

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1. Hac in utramque partem disputatione habita, cum a Cotta primisque ordinibus acriter resisteretur, "Vincite," inquit, "si ita vultis," Sabinus, et id clariore voce, ut magna pars militum exaudiret; 

1. With this debate held on both sides, when Cotta and the centurions of the first ranks strongly resisted, "Conquer," said Sabinus, "if you wish," and that in a louder voice, so that a large part of the soldiers could hear; 

2. "neque is sum," inquit, "qui gravissime ex vobis mortis periculo terrear: hi sapient; si gravius quid acciderit, abs te rationem reposcent, 

2. "nor am I," he said, "the one among you who is most gravely terrified by the danger of death: these will be wise; if anything more serious happens, they will demand an account from you, 

3. qui, si per te liceat, perendino die cum proximis hibernis coniuncti communem cum reliquis belli casum sustineant, non reiecti et relegati longe ab ceteris aut ferro aut fame intereant." 

3. who, if it were allowed by you, might on the day after tomorrow, joined with the nearest winter quarters, endure the common fortune of war with the rest, not perish, rejected and isolated far from the others, either by sword or by famine."