De Bello Gallico Book 7 (23–44)

[23] 

1 Muri autem omnes Gallici hac fere forma sunt. Trabes derectae perpetuae in longitudinem paribus intervallis, distantes inter se binos pedes, in solo collocantur. 

1 All Gallic walls are generally of this construction. Straight, continuous beams are laid on the ground at equal intervals, two feet apart from one another in length. 

2 Hae revinciuntur introrsus et multo aggere vestiuntur: ea autem, quae diximus, inter valla grandibus in fronte saxis effarciuntur. 

2 These are fastened on the inside and covered with a large quantity of earth; and the spaces between them, as mentioned above, are filled in front with large stones. 

3 His collocatis et coagmentatis alius insuper ordo additur, ut idem illud intervallum servetur neque inter se contingant trabes, sed paribus intermissae spatiis singulae singulis saxis interiectis arte contineantur. 

3 When these are laid and joined together, another course is added on top, so that the same interval is maintained and the beams do not touch each other, but being separated by equal spaces, each is held in place by individual stones skillfully inserted between them. 

4 Sic deinceps omne opus contexitur, dum iusta muri altitudo expleatur. 

4 Thus in succession the whole structure is woven together until the proper height of the wall is completed. 

5 Hoc cum in speciem varietatemque opus deforme non est alternis trabibus ac saxis, quae rectis lineis suos ordines servant, tum ad utilitatem et defensionem urbium summam habet opportunitatem, quod et ab incendio lapis et ab ariete materia defendit, quae perpetuis trabibus pedes quadragenos plerumque introrsus revincta neque perrumpi neque distrahi potest. 

5 This kind of work, though varied in appearance with alternating beams and stones that keep their lines straight, is not unsightly, and is highly suitable for practical use and the defense of cities, because stone resists fire and timber resists the battering ram; the timber, being fastened inward with continuous beams generally forty feet long, can neither be broken through nor torn apart. 

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[24] 

1 His tot rebus impedita oppugnatione milites, cum toto tempore frigore et assiduis imbribus tardarentur, tamen continenti labore omnia haec superaverunt et diebus XXV aggerem latum pedes CCCXXX, altum pedes LXXX exstruxerunt. 

1 Although the assault was hindered by all these obstacles, and the soldiers were slowed by cold and continuous rain throughout the whole time, they nevertheless overcame all these with continuous labor and, in twenty-five days, constructed a mound three hundred and thirty feet wide and eighty feet high. 

2 Cum is murum hostium paene contingeret, et Caesar ad opus consuetudine excubaret militesve hortaretur, ne quod omnino tempus ab opere intermitteretur, paulo ante tertiam vigiliam est animadversum fumare aggerem, quem cuniculo hostes succenderant, 

2 When it nearly touched the enemy’s wall, and Caesar, as was his custom, was watching at the work and encouraging the soldiers not to interrupt the labor at all, a little before the third watch it was noticed that the mound was smoking—set on fire by the enemy by means of a tunnel— 

3 eodemque tempore toto muro clamore sublato duabus portis ab utroque latere turrium eruptio fiebat, 

3 and at the same time, with a shout raised along the whole wall, a sally was made from two gates on either side of the towers, 

4 alii faces atque aridam materiem de muro in aggerem eminus iaciebant, picem reliquasque res, quibus ignis excitari potest, fundebant, ut quo primum curreretur aut cui rei ferretur auxilium vix ratio iniri posset. 

4 some hurled torches and dry material from the wall onto the mound from a distance; they poured pitch and other substances by which fire could be kindled, so that it was scarcely possible to determine where to run first or to what point help should be brought. 

5 Tamen, quod instituto Caesaris semper duae legiones pro castris excubabant pluresque partitis temporibus erant in opere, celeriter factum est, ut alii eruptionibus resisterent, alii turres reducerent aggeremque inter scinderent, omnis vero ex castris multitudo ad restinguendum concurreret. 

5 However, because it was Caesar’s practice that two legions always kept watch in front of the camp and many others were working in shifts, it quickly came about that some resisted the sallies, others drew back the towers and cut the mound apart, while the entire multitude from the camp rushed in to extinguish the fire. 

[25] 

1 Cum in omnibus locis consumpta iam reliqua parte noctis pugnaretur, semperque hostibus spes victoriae redintegraretur, eo magis, quod deustos pluteos turrium videbant nec facile adire apertos ad auxiliandum animadvertebant, semperque ipsi recentes defessis succederent omnemque Galliae salutem in illo vestigio temporis positam arbitrarentur, accidit inspectantibus nobis quod dignum memoria visum praetereundum non existimavimus. 

1 While the fight continued in all places during the remaining part of the night, and the enemy’s hope of victory was constantly renewed—especially because they saw the mantelets of the towers burned and realized that it was not easy to approach the exposed areas to give aid—and as fresh troops continuously replaced the weary, and they believed all the safety of Gaul was staked on that single moment, something occurred before our eyes which, being deemed worthy of remembrance, we thought should not be omitted. 

2 Quidam ante portam oppidi Gallus per manus sebi ac picis traditas glebas in ignem e regione turris proiciebat: scorpione ab latere dextro traiectus exanimatusque concidit. 

2 A certain Gaul before the town gate was throwing lumps of suet and pitch, passed along by hand, into the fire directly opposite the tower: struck by a scorpion on his right side, he fell lifeless. 

3 Hunc ex proximis unus iacentem transgressus eodem illo munere fungebatur; 

3 One of those nearby stepped over him as he lay and took up the same task; 

4 eadem ratione ictu scorpionis exanimato alteri successit tertius et tertio quartus, nec prius ille est a propugnatoribus vacuus relictus locus quam restincto aggere atque omni ex parte summotis hostibus finis est pugnandi factus. 

4 in the same way, when another was struck dead by a scorpion’s shot, a third succeeded him, and a fourth the third, nor was that spot left without defenders until the mound was extinguished and the enemy had been driven off on all sides, and the fighting was ended. 

 [26] 

1 Omnia experti Galli, quod res nulla successerat, postero die consilium ceperunt ex oppido profugere hortante et iubente Vercingetorige. 

1 The Gauls, having tried everything and since nothing had succeeded, decided the next day to flee the town, urged and ordered by Vercingetorix. 

2 Id silentio noctis conati non magna iactura suorum sese effecturos sperabant, propterea quod neque longe ab oppido castra Vercingetorigis aberant, et palus, quae perpetua intercedebat, Romanos ad insequendum tardabat. 

2 They hoped to accomplish this in the silence of night with little loss to themselves, because Vercingetorix’s camp was not far from the town, and the marsh, which extended continuously between, would hinder the Romans in pursuit. 

3 Iamque hoc facere noctu apparabant, cum matres familiae repente in publicum procurrerunt flentesque proiectae ad pedes suorum omnibus precibus petierunt, ne se et communes liberos hostibus ad supplicium dederent, quos ad capiendam fugam naturae et virium infirmitas impediret. 

3 And now they were preparing to do this by night, when the mothers of families suddenly rushed out into the open and, weeping, threw themselves at the feet of their men, pleading with every entreaty not to hand themselves and their shared children over to the enemy for punishment, since weakness of nature and strength prevented them from fleeing. 

4 Ubi eos in sententia perstare viderunt, quod plerumque in summo periculo timor misericordiam non recipit, conclamare et significare de fuga Romanis coeperunt. 

4 When they saw that the men persisted in their purpose—because in extreme peril fear usually admits no compassion—they began to shout and signal to the Romans about the escape. 

5 Quo timore perterriti Galli, ne ab equitatu Romanorum viae praeoccuparentur, consilio destiterunt. 

5 Terrified by this fear—that the roads might be seized by Roman cavalry—the Gauls abandoned their plan. 

[27] 

1 Postero die Caesar promota turri perfectisque operibus quae facere instituerat, magno coorto imbre non inutilem hanc ad capiendum consilium tempestatem arbitratus est, quod paulo incautius custodias in muro dispositas videbat, suosque languidius in opere versari iussit et quid fieri vellet ostendit. 

1 The next day, Caesar, having advanced the tower and completed the works he had begun, considered the storm which had arisen to be not unhelpful for executing a plan, because he saw the guards stationed on the wall a bit too carelessly, and he ordered his men to move more sluggishly about the work and indicated what he wished to be done. 

2 Legionibusque intra vineas in occulto expeditis, cohortatus ut aliquando pro tantis laboribus fructum victoriae perciperent, eis qui primi murum ascendissent praemia proposuit militibusque signum dedit. 

2 And with the legions, unencumbered and hidden within the mantelets, he exhorted them to at last gain the reward of victory for such great labors, and he offered rewards to those who should first mount the wall, and gave the signal to the soldiers. 

3 Illi subito ex omnibus partibus evolaverunt murumque celeriter compleverunt. 

3 They suddenly rushed forth from all parts and quickly filled the wall. 

 [28] 

1 Hostes re nova perterriti muro turribusque deiecti in foro ac locis patentioribus cuneatim constiterunt, hoc animo ut si qua ex parte obviam contra veniretur acie instructa depugnarent. 

1 The enemy, terrified by the unexpected event, thrown from the wall and towers, formed up in wedge-shaped groups in the forum and more open places, intending that if they were met from any side, they would fight in line of battle. 

2 Ubi neminem in aequum locum sese demittere, sed toto undique muro circumfundi viderunt, veriti ne omnino spes fugae tolleretur, abiectis armis ultimas oppidi partes continenti impetu petiverunt 

2 When they saw that no one was descending to level ground, but that the entire wall was being encircled on every side, fearing that all hope of escape would be cut off, they threw down their arms and made for the furthest parts of the town with an unbroken charge, 

3 parsque ibi, cum angusto exitu portarum se ipsi premerent, a militibus, pars iam egressa portis ab equitibus est interfecta; 

3 and part of them, pressing themselves in the narrow exit of the gates, were killed by the infantry, and part, having already exited the gates, were cut down by the cavalry; 

4 nec fuit quisquam, qui praedae studeret. Sic et Cenabi caede et labore operis incitati non aetate confectis, non mulieribus, non infantibus pepercerunt. 

4 nor was there anyone who sought plunder. Thus, roused by the massacre at Cenabum and the toil of the siege, they spared neither the aged, nor women, nor infants. 

5 Denique ex omni numero, qui fuit circiter milium XL, vix DCCC, qui primo clamore audito se ex oppido eiecerunt, incolumes ad Vercingetorigem pervenerunt. 

5 Finally, out of the whole number, which was about 40,000, scarcely 800, who at the first shout had cast themselves out of the town, reached Vercingetorix in safety. 

6 Quos ille multa iam nocte silentio ex fuga excepit, veritus ne qua in castris ex eorum concursu et misericordia vulgi seditio oreretur, ut procul in via dispositis familiaribus suis principibusque civitatum disparandos deducendosque ad suos curaret, quae cuique civitati pars castrorum ab initio obvenerat. 

6 He received these men late at night in silence from their flight, fearing that some mutiny might arise in the camp from their gathering and the pity of the crowd; so he arranged for his relatives and the chiefs of the tribes to be stationed far off along the road and to ensure that the survivors were dispersed and led to their own parts of the camp, which had been assigned to each state from the beginning. 

[29] 

1 Postero die concilio convocato consolatus cohortatusque est ne se admodum animo demitterent, ne perturbarentur incommodo. 

1 The next day, having called a council, he comforted and exhorted them not to be too disheartened, nor to be disturbed by the setback. 

2 Non virtute neque in acie vicisse Romanos, sed artificio quodam et scientia oppugnationis, cuius rei fuerint ipsi imperiti. 

2 He said that the Romans had conquered not by valor nor in battle, but by a certain art and skill in siegecraft, in which they themselves were unskilled. 

3 Errare, si qui in bello omnes secundos rerum proventus exspectent. 

3 It was an error, he said, if anyone expected all outcomes in war to be favorable. 

4 Sibi numquam placuisse Avaricum defendi, cuius rei testes ipsos haberet; sed factum imprudentia Biturigum et nimia obsequentia reliquorum uti hoc incommodum acciperetur. 

4 That it had never pleased him that Avaricum be defended—of which they themselves were witnesses; but that this misfortune had occurred through the imprudence of the Bituriges and the excessive compliance of the others. 

5 Id tamen se celeriter maioribus commodis sanaturum. 

5 Yet he would quickly remedy this with greater advantages. 

6 Nam quae ab reliquis Gallis civitates dissentirent, has sua diligentia adiuncturum atque unum consilium totius Galliae effecturum, cuius consensui ne orbis quidem terrarum posset obsistere; idque se prope iam effectum habere. 

6 For the states that dissented from the rest of the Gauls, he would by his diligence unite to a single plan for all Gaul, a consensus to which not even the whole world could offer resistance; and that he had nearly achieved this already. 

7 Interea aequum esse ab eis communis salutis causa impetrari ut castra munire instituerent, quo facilius repentinos hostium impetus sustinerent. 

7 Meanwhile, it was reasonable to obtain from them, for the sake of the common safety, that they begin to fortify the camp, that they might more easily withstand sudden attacks of the enemy. 

 [30] 

1 Fuit haec oratio non ingrata Gallis, et maxime, quod ipse animo non defecerat tanto accepto incommodo neque se in occultum abdiderat et conspectum multitudinis fugerat; 

1 This speech was not unwelcome to the Gauls, especially because he himself had not lost heart after suffering so great a setback, nor had he hidden himself away or shunned the sight of the multitude; 

2 plusque animo providere et praesentire existimabatur, quod re integra primo incendendum Avaricum, post deserendum censuerat. 

2 and he was thought to show more foresight and prescience, since while the matter was still intact he had first advised that Avaricum be burned, and later that it be abandoned. 

3 Itaque ut reliquorum imperatorum res adversae auctoritatem minuunt, sic huius ex contrario dignitas incommodo accepto in dies augebatur. 

3 And thus, just as reverses diminish the authority of other commanders, so on the contrary, his prestige increased daily after this misfortune. 

4 Simul in spem veniebant eius adfirmatione de reliquis adiungendis civitatibus; primumque eo tempore Galli castra munire instituerunt et sic sunt animo confirmati, homines insueti laboris, ut omnia quae imperarentur sibi patienda existimarent. 

4 At the same time, they were brought to hope by his assertion about uniting the other states; and then for the first time the Gauls began to fortify a camp, and their spirit was so strengthened—though they were men unaccustomed to labor—that they considered everything commanded to be bearable. 

 [31] 

1 Nec minus quam est pollicitus Vercingetorix animo laborabat ut reliquas civitates adiungeret, atque eas donis pollicitationibusque alliciebat. Huic rei idoneos homines deligebat, 

1 No less than he had promised, Vercingetorix labored with all his spirit to unite the remaining states, and enticed them with gifts and promises. For this task, he chose suitable men, 

2 quorum quisque aut oratione subdola aut amicitia facillime capere posset. Qui Avarico expugnato refugerant, 

2 each of whom could most easily win over others either by deceitful speech or by friendship. Those who had fled after Avaricum was taken, 

3 armandos vestiendosque curat; 

3 he took care to arm and clothe; 

4 simul, ut deminutae copiae redintegrarentur, imperat certum numerum militum civitatibus, quem et quam ante diem in castra adduci velit, sagittariosque omnes, quorum erat permagnus numerus in Gallia, conquiri et ad se mitti iubet. His rebus celeriter id quod Avarici deperierat expletur. 

4 and at the same time, so that the diminished forces might be restored, he ordered a fixed number of soldiers from each state, stating the number and the day by which they were to be brought into camp, and he commanded that all the archers—of whom Gaul had a very large number—be collected and sent to him. By these means, what had been lost at Avaricum was quickly made up. 

5 Interim Teutomatus, Olloviconis filius, rex Nitiobrigum, cuius pater ab senatu nostro amicus erat appellatus, cum magno equitum suorum numero et quos ex Aquitania conduxerat ad eum pervenit. 

5 Meanwhile, Teutomatus, son of Ollovico, king of the Nitiobriges, whose father had been called a friend by our Senate, arrived with a large number of his cavalry and those he had hired from Aquitania. 

[32] 

1 Caesar Avarici complures dies commoratus summamque ibi copiam frumenti et reliqui commeatus nactus exercitum ex labore atque inopia refecit. 

1 Caesar, having remained at Avaricum for several days and having obtained there a very great supply of grain and other provisions, refreshed his army from its toil and scarcity. 

2 Iam prope hieme confecta cum ipso anni tempore ad gerendum bellum vocaretur et ad hostem proficisci constituisset, sive eum ex paludibus silvisque elicere sive obsidione premere posset, legati ad eum principes Aeduorum veniunt oratum ut maxime necessario tempore civitati subveniat: 

2 Now, with winter almost over, when he was called by the very season of the year to wage war and had decided to set out against the enemy—whether he might lure him out of the marshes and woods or press him by siege—the leading men of the Aedui came as envoys to beg that he would aid their state at the most critical time: 

3 summo esse in periculo rem, quod, cum singuli magistratus antiquitus creari atque regiam potestatem annum obtinere consuessent, duo magistratum gerant et se uterque eorum legibus creatum esse dicat. 

3 their state was in the greatest danger, because, whereas formerly one magistrate had been accustomed to be elected and to hold royal power for a year, now two held the magistracy and each claimed to have been lawfully elected. 

4 Horum esse alterum Convictolitavem, florentem et illustrem adulescentem, alterum Cotum, antiquissima familia natum atque ipsum hominem summae potentiae et magnae cognationis, cuius frater Valetiacus proximo anno eundem magistratum gesserit. 

4 One of these was Convictolitavis, a flourishing and illustrious young man; the other was Cotus, born of a very ancient family, and himself a man of the greatest power and wide kinship, whose brother Valetiacus had held the same magistracy the previous year. 

5 Civitatem esse omnem in armis; divisum senatum, divisum populum, suas cuiusque eorum clientelas. Quod si diutius alatur controversia, fore uti pars cum parte civitatis confligat. Id ne accidat, positum in eius diligentia atque auctoritate. 

5 The whole state was under arms; the senate was divided, the people divided, each side with its own factions. If the dispute continued any longer, it would result in one part of the state clashing with the other. That this might not happen, they said, depended on his diligence and authority. 

[33] 

1 Caesar, etsi a bello atque hoste discedere detrimentosum esse existimabat, tamen non ignorans quanta ex dissensionibus incommoda oriri consuessent, ne tanta et tam coniuncta populo Romano civitas, quam ipse semper aluisset omnibusque rebus ornasset, ad vim atque arma descenderet, atque ea pars quae minus sibi confideret auxilia a Vercingetorige arcesseret, 

1 Although Caesar judged it a loss to depart from the war and the enemy, yet, not unaware of how great the troubles that usually arise from dissension, he feared that a state so great and so closely allied with the Roman people—which he had always fostered and adorned with every benefit—might resort to violence and arms, and that the party with less confidence in itself might summon aid from Vercingetorix. 

2 huic rei praevertendum existimavit et, quod legibus Aeduorum eis, qui summum magistratum obtinerent, excedere ex finibus non liceret, ne quid de iure aut de legibus eorum deminuisse videretur, ipse in Aeduos proficisci statuit senatumque omnem et quos inter controversia esset ad se Decetiam evocavit. 

2 He thought it necessary to forestall this; and since, by the laws of the Aedui, those who held the highest office were not allowed to leave the territory, and lest he seem to diminish any part of their rights or laws, he decided to go himself into the territory of the Aedui and summoned the entire senate and those involved in the dispute to Decetia. 

3 Cum prope omnis civitas eo convenisset, docereturque paucis clam convocatis alio loco, alio tempore atque oportuerit fratrem a fratre renuntiatum, cum leges duo ex una familia vivo utroque non solum magistratus creari vetarent, sed etiam in senatu esse prohiberent, Cotum imperium deponere coegit, Convictolitavem, 

3 When nearly the whole state had assembled there, and it was shown that a few had been secretly summoned, and that one brother had been declared elected by another at the wrong place and time, since the laws not only forbade two men from the same family to be elected while both were living, but even prohibited them from sitting in the senate, he forced Cotus to resign his authority and ordered Convictolitavis, 

4 qui per sacerdotes more civitatis intermissis magistratibus esset creatus, potestatem obtinere iussit. 

4 who had been created by the priests, according to the custom of the state, during the suspension of magistracies, to retain the power. 

[34] 

1 Hoc decreto interposito cohortatus Aeduos, ut controversiarum ac dissensionis obliviscerentur atque omnibus omissis his rebus huic bello servirent eaque quae meruissent praemia ab se devicta Gallia exspectarent equitatumque omnem et peditum milia decem sibi celeriter mitterent, quae in praesidiis rei frumentariae causa disponeret, exercitum in duas partes divisit: 

1 After issuing this decree, he exhorted the Aedui to forget their controversies and dissensions, and to lay aside all these matters and devote themselves to this war, and to expect from him the rewards they had earned once Gaul was conquered, and to send quickly all their cavalry and ten thousand infantry, which he would station in garrisons for the sake of the grain supply, and he divided his army into two parts: 

2 quattuor legiones in Senones Parisiosque Labieno ducendas dedit, sex ipse in Arvernos ad oppidum Gergoviam secundum flumen Elaver duxit; equitatus partem illi attribuit, partem sibi reliquit. 

2 he gave four legions to Labienus to lead into the territory of the Senones and Parisians, and he himself led six into the land of the Arverni towards the town of Gergovia along the river Elaver; he assigned part of the cavalry to Labienus and kept part for himself. 

3 Qua re cognita Vercingetorix omnibus interruptis eius fluminis pontibus ab altera fluminis parte iter facere coepit. 

3 When this was known, Vercingetorix, having broken all the bridges over that river, began to march along the opposite bank. 

 [35] 

1 Cum uterque utrimque exisset exercitus, in conspectu fereque e regione castris castra ponebant dispositis exploratoribus, necubi effecto ponte Romani copias transducerent. Erat in magnis Caesaris difficultatibus res, ne maiorem aestatis partem flumine impediretur, quod non fere ante autumnum Elaver vado transiri solet. 

1 When each army had marched out from their respective sides, they pitched camp nearly in sight and directly opposite each other, with scouts posted to prevent the Romans from transporting their forces across by constructing a bridge. This situation was among Caesar’s greatest difficulties, lest he be delayed by the river for the greater part of the summer, since the Elaver is generally not fordable before autumn. 

2 Itaque, ne id accideret, silvestri loco castris positis e regione unius eorum pontium, quos Vercingetorix rescindendos curaverat, postero die cum duabus legionibus in occulto restitit; 

2 Therefore, to prevent this, having pitched his camp in a wooded location opposite one of the bridges that Vercingetorix had caused to be destroyed, he stayed hidden the next day with two legions; 

3 reliquas copias cum omnibus impedimentis, ut consueverat, misit, apertis quibusdam cohortibus, uti numerus legionum constare videretur. 

3 he sent the rest of the forces with all the baggage, as he was accustomed, with some cohorts exposed, so that the number of legions might appear consistent. 

4 His quam longissime possent egredi iussis, cum iam ex diei tempore coniecturam ceperat in castra perventum, isdem sublicis, quarum pars inferior integra remanebat, pontem reficere coepit. 

4 After ordering these troops to advance as far as they could, when he had inferred from the time of day that they had reached the camp, he began to rebuild the bridge using the same piles, of which the lower part had remained intact. 

5 Celeriter effecto opere legionibusque traductis et loco castris idoneo delecto reliquas copias revocavit. 

5 With the work quickly completed and the legions led across, and a suitable place chosen for a camp, he recalled the rest of the forces. 

6 Vercingetorix re cognita, ne contra suam voluntatem dimicare cogeretur, magnis itineribus antecessit. 

6 Vercingetorix, having learned of the event, so that he might not be forced to fight against his will, advanced by forced marches. 

[36] 

1 Caesar ex eo loco quintis castris Gergoviam pervenit equestrique eo die proelio levi facto perspecto urbis situ, quae posita in altissimo monte omnes aditus difficiles habebat, de expugnatione desperavit, de obsessione non prius agendum constituit, quam rem frumentariam expedisset. 

1 Caesar arrived at Gergovia from that place on the fifth day’s march, and after a light cavalry skirmish that day and a reconnaissance of the city’s position—situated on a very high mountain with all approaches difficult—he gave up hope of storming it, and decided that a siege should not be undertaken until he had secured his grain supply. 

2 At Vercingetorix castris, prope oppidum positis, mediocribus circum se intervallis separatim singularum civitatium copias collocaverat atque omnibus eius iugi collibus occupatis, qua despici poterat, 

2 But Vercingetorix, having pitched his camp near the town, had stationed the forces of each state separately around him at moderate intervals, and having occupied all the hills of that ridge wherever one could look down, 

3 horribilem speciem praebebat; principesque earum civitatium, quos sibi ad consilium capiendum delegerat, prima luce cotidie ad se convenire iubebat, seu quid communicandum, seu quid administrandum videretur; 

3 presented a terrifying sight; and he ordered the chiefs of those states, whom he had selected to advise him, to assemble daily at dawn, whether anything seemed to require consultation or execution; 

4 neque ullum fere diem intermittebat quin equestri proelio interiectis sagittariis, quid in quoque esset animi ac virtutis suorum perspiceret. 

4 and he scarcely let a day pass without cavalry skirmishes, interspersed with archers, by which he might assess the spirit and courage of each of his men. 

5 Erat e regione oppidi collis sub ipsis radicibus montis, egregie munitus atque ex omni parte circumcisus; quem si tenerent nostri, et aquae magna parte et pabulatione libera prohibituri hostes videbantur. 

5 Opposite the town, at the very foot of the mountain, there was a hill, excellently fortified and steep on all sides; if our men held it, they seemed likely to cut off a large part of the enemy’s water supply and free foraging. 

6 Sed is locus praesidio ab his non nimis firmo tenebatur. 

6 But this place was held by them with a garrison not particularly strong. 

7 Tamen silentio noctis Caesar ex castris egressus, priusquam subsidio ex oppido veniri posset, deiecto praesidio potitus loco duas ibi legiones collocavit fossamque duplicem duodenum pedum a maioribus castris ad minora perduxit, ut tuto ab repentino hostium incursu etiam singuli commeare possent. 

7 Nevertheless, Caesar, having left camp in the silence of the night, before reinforcements could arrive from the town, dislodged the garrison and took possession of the place; there he stationed two legions and extended a double trench, twelve feet wide, from the main camp to the smaller one, so that even individuals might pass safely from sudden attacks by the enemy. 

[37] 

1 Dum haec ad Gergoviam geruntur, Convictolitavis Aeduus, cui magistratum adiudicatum a Caesare demonstravimus, sollicitatus ab Arvernis pecunia cum quibusdam adulescentibus colloquitur; quorum erat princeps Litaviccus atque eius fratres, amplissima familia nati adulescentes. 

1 While these things were happening at Gergovia, Convictolitavis, an Aeduan, to whom, as we have shown, the magistracy had been awarded by Caesar, being enticed by the Arverni with money, spoke with certain young men; among whom the chief was Litaviccus and his brothers, young men born of a very distinguished family. 

2 Cum his praemium communicat hortaturque, ut se liberos et imperio natos meminerint. 

2 With these, he shared the reward and exhorted them to remember that they were free and born to rule. 

3 Unam esse Aeduorum civitatem, quae certissimam Galliae victoriam detineat; eius auctoritate reliquas contineri; qua traducta locum consistendi Romanis in Gallia non fore. 

3 He said that the Aeduan state was the only one delaying the sure victory of Gaul; that by its authority the others were restrained; and if it were won over, there would be no foothold for the Romans in Gaul. 

4 Esse nonnullo se Caesaris beneficio adfectum, sic tamen, ut iustissimam apud eum causam obtinuerit; sed plus communi libertati tribuere. 

4 He acknowledged that he had received some benefit from Caesar, but only in such a way that he had upheld the most just case before him; yet he valued the common liberty more. 

5 Cur enim potius Aedui de suo iure et de legibus ad Caesarem disceptatorem, quam Romani ad Aeduos veniant? 

5 For why, he asked, should the Aedui come to Caesar to arbitrate about their rights and laws, rather than the Romans come to the Aedui? 

6 Celeriter adulescentibus et oratione magistratus et praemio deductis, cum se vel principes eius consili fore profiterentur, ratio perficiendi quaerebatur, quod civitatem temere ad suscipiendum bellum adduci posse non confidebant. 

6 The young men, quickly won over by the magistrate’s speech and reward, when they declared that they would even be leaders in the plan, began to seek a means of carrying it out, since they did not believe the state could be rashly induced to undertake war. 

7 Placuit ut Litaviccus decem illis milibus, quae Caesari ad bellum mitterentur, praeficeretur atque ea ducenda curaret, fratresque eius ad Caesarem praecurrerent. Reliqua qua ratione agi placeat constituunt. 

7 It was decided that Litaviccus should be placed in command of those ten thousand who were being sent to Caesar for the war, and should take charge of leading them, and that his brothers should run ahead to Caesar. They decided on the rest of the plan. 

[38] 

1 Litaviccus accepto exercitu, cum milia passuum circiter XXX ab Gergovia abesset, convocatis subito militibus lacrimans, "Quo proficiscimur," inquit, "milites? 

1 Litaviccus, having received the army, when he was about thirty miles distant from Gergovia, suddenly called his soldiers together and, weeping, said, "Whither are we marching, soldiers? 

2 Omnis noster equitatus, omnis nobilitas interiit; principes civitatis, Eporedorix et Viridomarus, insimulati proditionis ab Romanis indicta causa interfecti sunt. 

2 All our cavalry, all our nobility have perished; the chiefs of the state, Eporedorix and Viridomarus, accused of treachery by the Romans, have been put to death without trial. 

3 Haec ab ipsis cognoscite, qui ex ipsa caede fugerunt: nam ego fratribus atque omnibus meis propinquis interfectis dolore prohibeor, 

3 Learn these things from those very men who fled from the massacre itself: for I, with my brothers and all my relatives killed, am hindered by grief from 

4 quae gesta sunt, pronuntiare." Producuntur hi quos ille edocuerat quae dici vellet, atque eadem, quae Litaviccus pronuntiaverat, multitudini exponunt: multos equites Aeduorum interfectos, 

4 declaring what has happened." Those whom he had instructed what he wished to be said were brought forth, and they explained the same things to the multitude that Litaviccus had declared: that many Aeduan cavalry had been killed, 

5 quod collocuti cum Arvernis dicerentur; ipsos se inter multitudinem militum occultasse atque ex media caede fugisse. 

5 because they were said to have conferred with the Arverni; and that they themselves had hidden among the multitude of soldiers and had escaped from the midst of the slaughter. 

6 Conclamant Aedui et Litaviccum obsecrant ut sibi consulat. "Quasi vero," inquit ille, "consili sit res, ac non necesse sit nobis Gergoviam contendere et cum Arvernis nosmet coniungere. 

6 The Aedui shouted out and implored Litaviccus to consider their interests. "As if, indeed," said he, "it were a matter for deliberation, and not necessary for us to hasten to Gergovia and unite ourselves with the Arverni. 

7 An dubitamus quin nefario facinore admisso Romani iam ad nos interficiendos concurrant? Proinde, si quid in nobis animi est, 

7 Or do we doubt that, with this nefarious deed committed, the Romans will now rush to slaughter us? Therefore, if there is any spirit in us, 

8 persequamur eorum mortem qui indignissime interierunt, atque hos latrones interficiamus." Ostendit cives Romanos, qui eius praesidi fiducia una erant: 

8 let us avenge the death of those who perished most unworthily, and let us kill these robbers." He pointed to the Roman citizens who were with him, trusting in his protection: 

9 magnum numerum frumenti commeatusque diripit, ipsos crudeliter excruciatos interficit. 

9 he plundered a large quantity of grain and provisions, and cruelly tortured and killed the Romans themselves. 

10 Nuntios tota civitate Aeduorum dimittit, eodem mendacio de caede equitum et principum permovet; hortatur ut simili ratione atque ipse fecerit suas iniurias persequantur. 

10 He sent messengers throughout the entire Aeduan state, stirring them up with the same lie about the massacre of the cavalry and chiefs; he exhorted them to avenge their wrongs in a similar manner to what he himself had done. 

[39] 

1 Eporedorix Aeduus, summo loco natus adulescens et summae domi potentiae, et una Viridomarus, pari aetate et gratia, sed genere dispari, quem Caesar ab Diviciaco sibi traditum ex humili loco ad summam dignitatem perduxerat, in equitum numero convenerant nominatim ab eo evocati. 

1 Eporedorix, an Aeduan, a young man of the highest birth and greatest power at home, and along with him Viridomarus, of equal age and influence, but of different origin—whom Caesar, handed over to him by Diviciacus, had raised from a humble position to the highest dignity—had assembled among the cavalry, having been specifically summoned by him. 

2 His erat inter se de principatu contentio, et in illa magistratuum controversia alter pro Convictolitavi, alter pro Coto summis opibus pugnaverant. 

2 There was a rivalry for supremacy between them, and in that dispute over the magistracy, one had fought with all his might for Convictolitavis, the other for Cotus. 

3 Ex eis Eporedorix cognito Litavicci consilio media fere nocte rem ad Caesarem defert; orat ne patiatur civitatem pravis adulescentium consiliis ab amicitia populi Romani deficere; quod futurum provideat, si se tot hominum milia cum hostibus coniunxerint, quorum salutem neque propinqui neglegere, neque civitas levi momento aestimare posset. 

3 Of these, Eporedorix, having learned of Litaviccus’s plan, reported the matter to Caesar about midnight; he begged him not to allow the state to defect from the friendship of the Roman people through the wicked schemes of the young men. He foresaw that this would come to pass if so many thousands of men joined the enemy, whose safety neither their relatives could disregard nor the state consider a matter of slight importance. 

 [40] 

1 Magna adfectus sollicitudine hoc nuntio Caesar, quod semper Aeduorum civitati praecipue indulserat, nulla interposita dubitatione legiones expeditas quattuor equitatumque omnem ex castris educit; 

1 Caesar, greatly troubled by this news—because he had always shown special indulgence toward the Aeduan state—without the slightest hesitation led out four unencumbered legions and all the cavalry from the camp; 

2 nec fuit spatium tali tempore ad contrahenda castra, quod res posita in celeritate videbatur; Gaium Fabium legatum cum legionibus duabus castris praesidio relinquit. 

2 nor was there time at such a moment to strike camp, because the matter seemed to depend on speed; he left Gaius Fabius, the legate, with two legions as a garrison for the camp. 

3 Fratres Litavicci cum comprehendi iussisset, paulo ante reperit ad hostes fugisse. 

3 When he had ordered the arrest of Litaviccus’s brothers, he found out a little earlier that they had fled to the enemy. 

4 Adhortatus milites, ne necessario tempore itineris labore permoveantur, cupidissimis omnibus progressus milia passuum XXV agmen Aeduorum conspicatus immisso equitatu iter eorum moratur atque impedit interdicitque omnibus ne quemquam interficiant. Eporedorigem et Viridomarum, 

4 Having encouraged the soldiers not to be disheartened by the exertion of the march at this critical time, and with all eagerly advancing, he marched twenty-five miles. Catching sight of the Aeduan column, he sent in cavalry to delay and hinder their march, and he strictly forbade anyone from being killed. He ordered Eporedorix and Viridomarus, 

5 quos illi interfectos existimabant, inter equites versari suosque appellare iubet. 

5 whom the Aedui believed to have been killed, to ride among the cavalry and call out to their countrymen. 

6 His cognitis et Litavicci fraude perspecta Aedui manus tendere, deditionem significare et proiectis armis mortem deprecari incipiunt. 

6 When these things were discovered and Litaviccus’s treachery was understood, the Aedui began to stretch out their hands, signify surrender, and, throwing down their arms, beg for their lives. 

7 Litaviccus cum suis clientibus, quibus more Gallorum nefas est etiam in extrema fortuna deserere patronos, Gergoviam profugit. 

7 Litaviccus, with his clients—whom it is forbidden by Gallic custom to desert their patrons even in the direst circumstances—fled to Gergovia. 

[41] 

1 Caesar nuntiis ad civitatem Aeduorum missis, qui suo beneficio conservatos docerent quos iure belli interficere potuisset, tribusque horis noctis exercitui ad quietem datis castra ad Gergoviam movit. 

1 Caesar, having sent messengers to the state of the Aedui to inform them that those whom he could have put to death by the law of war had been spared by his favor, and having given the army three hours of the night for rest, moved the camp to Gergovia. 

2 Medio fere itinere equites a Fabio missi, quanto res in periculo fuerit, exponunt. Summis copiis castra oppugnata demonstrant, cum crebro integri defessis succederent nostrosque assiduo labore defatigarent, quibus propter magnitudinem castrorum perpetuo esset isdem in vallo permanendum. 

2 Almost halfway through the march, cavalry sent by Fabius explained how great the danger had been. They reported that the camp had been attacked with full force, with fresh troops constantly relieving the exhausted, and wearing down our men with unremitting labor—who, because of the size of the camp, had to remain continuously on the same section of the rampart. 

3 Multitudine sagittarum atque omnis generis telorum multos vulneratos; ad haec sustinenda magno usui fuisse tormenta. 

3 Many had been wounded by the multitude of arrows and missiles of every kind; artillery had been of great use in resisting these. 

4 Fabium discessu eorum duabus relictis portis obstruere ceteras pluteosque vallo addere et se in posterum diem similemque casum apparare. 

4 At their departure, Fabius had blocked all the gates except two, added mantelets to the rampart, and was preparing for the following day and a similar emergency. 

5 His rebus cognitis Caesar summo studio militum ante ortum solis in castra pervenit. 

5 When he learned of these events, Caesar, with the utmost eagerness of the soldiers, arrived at the camp before sunrise. 

 [42] 

1 Dum haec ad Gergoviam geruntur, Aedui primis nuntiis ab Litavicco acceptis nullum sibi ad cognoscendum spatium relinquunt. 

1 While these events were taking place at Gergovia, the Aedui, having received the first reports from Litaviccus, gave themselves no time for investigation. 

2 Impellit alios avaritia, alios iracundia et temeritas, quae maxime illi hominum generi est innata, ut levem auditionem habeant pro re comperta. 

2 Avarice drove some, anger and recklessness others—qualities especially innate to that race of men—so that they took a mere rumor as an established fact. 

3 Bona civium Romanorum diripiunt, caedes faciunt, in servitutem abstrahunt. 

3 They plundered the goods of Roman citizens, committed killings, and dragged them off into slavery. 

4 Adiuvat rem proclinatam Convictolitavis plebemque ad furorem impellit, ut facinore admisso ad sanitatem reverti pudeat. 

4 Convictolitavis supported the already declining cause and drove the common people to such madness that, having committed the crime, they would be ashamed to return to sanity. 

5 Marcum Aristium, tribunum militum, iter ad legionem facientem fide data ex oppido Cabillono educunt: idem facere cogunt eos, qui negotiandi causa ibi constiterant. 

5 They led Marcus Aristius, a military tribune, who was traveling to a legion, out of the town of Cabillonum under a pledge of safety; they forced those who had settled there for trade to do the same. 

6 Hos continuo itinere adorti omnibus impedimentis exuunt; repugnantes diem noctemque obsident; multis utrimque interfectis maiorem multitudinem armatorum concitant. 

6 Attacking them without pause on their journey, they stripped them of all their baggage; they besieged them as they resisted, day and night; and after many had been killed on both sides, they stirred up an even larger force of armed men. 

[43] 

1 Interim nuntio allato omnes eorum milites in potestate Caesaris teneri, concurrunt ad Aristium, nihil publico factum consilio demonstrant; quaestionem de bonis direptis decernunt, 

1 Meanwhile, when news arrived that all their soldiers were in Caesar’s power, they rushed to Aristius and declared that nothing had been done by public decision; they decreed an inquiry into the looted goods, 

2 Litavicci fratrumque bona publicant, legatos ad Caesarem sui purgandi gratia mittunt. 

2 They confiscated the property of Litaviccus and his brothers, and sent envoys to Caesar for the purpose of clearing themselves. 

3 Haec faciunt reciperandorum suorum causa; sed contaminati facinore et capti compendio ex direptis bonis, quod ea res ad multos pertinebat, timore poenae exterriti consilia clam de bello inire incipiunt civitatesque reliquas legationibus sollicitant. 

3 They did these things in order to recover their people; but tainted by the crime and captivated by the profit from the looted goods—since that matter concerned many—they, terrified by fear of punishment, secretly began to form plans for war and to incite the remaining states through embassies. 

4 Quae tametsi Caesar intellegebat, tamen quam mitissime potest legatos appellat: nihil se propter inscientiam levitatemque vulgi gravius de civitate iudicare neque de sua in Aeduos benevolentia deminuere. 

4 Although Caesar understood these things, he nevertheless addressed the envoys as mildly as he could: he said that he would not pass a harsher judgment on the state because of the ignorance and fickleness of the common people, nor would he lessen his goodwill toward the Aedui. 

5 Ipse maiorem Galliae motum exspectans, ne ab omnibus civitatibus circumsisteretur, consilia inibat quemadmodum ab Gergovia discederet ac rursus omnem exercitum contraheret, 

5 He himself, expecting a greater uprising in Gaul and fearing that he might be surrounded by all the states, was devising plans for how to withdraw from Gergovia and gather his whole army again, 

6 ne profectio nata ab timore defectionis similis fugae videretur. 

6 lest a departure born of fear of revolt should appear like a flight. 

 [44] 

1 Haec cogitanti accidere visa est facultas bene rei gerendae. Nam cum in minora castra operis perspiciendi causa venisset, animadvertit collem, qui ab hostibus tenebatur, nudatum hominibus, qui superioribus diebus vix prae multitudine cerni poterat. 

1 While he was considering these things, an opportunity for a successful operation seemed to present itself. For when he had gone to the smaller camp to inspect the fortifications, he noticed that the hill, which had been held by the enemy, was stripped of men—men who in previous days could scarcely be seen because of their multitude. 

2 Admiratus quaerit ex perfugis causam, quorum magnus ad eum cotidie numerus confluebat. 

2 Amazed, he inquired the reason from the deserters, of whom a great number was flocking to him daily. 

3 Constabat inter omnes, quod iam ipse Caesar per exploratores cognoverat, dorsum esse eius iugi prope aequum, sed hunc silvestrem et angustum, qua esset aditus ad alteram partem oppidi; huic loco vehementer illos timere nec iam aliter sentire, uno colle ab Romanis occupato, si alterum amisissent, quin paene circumvallati atque omni exitu et pabulatione interclusi viderentur: ad hunc muniendum omnes a Vercingetorige evocatos. 

3 It was agreed among all—something Caesar himself had already learned through scouts—that the ridge was nearly level, but this part was wooded and narrow, where there was access to the other side of the town; that the Gauls greatly feared this spot and now believed that if, with one hill occupied by the Romans, they lost the other, they would seem almost surrounded and cut off from all exits and sources of forage: and that all had been summoned by Vercingetorix to fortify this place.