De Bello Gallico Book 7 (45–66)

[45] 

1 Hac re cognita Caesar mittit complures equitum turmas; eis de media nocte imperat, ut paulo tumultuosius omnibus locis vagarentur. 

1 When this was known, Caesar sent several squadrons of cavalry; he ordered them, about midnight, to range about in all directions with a little more commotion than usual. 

2 Prima luce magnum numerum impedimentorum ex castris mulorumque produci deque his stramenta detrahi mulionesque cum cassidibus equitum specie ac simulatione collibus circumvehi iubet. 

2 At dawn, he ordered a large number of baggage and mules to be brought out from the camp, their pack coverings removed, and the muleteers, with cavalry helmets, to ride around the hills in the appearance and pretense of cavalry. 

3 His paucos addit equites qui latius ostentationis causa vagarentur. Longo circuitu easdem omnes iubet petere regiones. 

3 To these he added a few cavalrymen to roam more widely for the sake of display. He ordered them all to head for the same regions by a long circuit. 

4 Haec procul ex oppido videbantur, ut erat a Gergovia despectus in castra, neque tanto spatio certi quid esset explorari poterat. 

4 These things were seen from afar from the town, since there was a view from Gergovia into the camp, and at such a distance it could not be determined exactly what was going on. 

5 Legionem unam eodem iugo mittit et paulum progressam inferiore constituit loco silvisque occultat. 

5 He sent one legion along the same ridge and, after it had advanced a little, stationed it in a lower place and concealed it in the woods. 

6 Augetur Gallis suspicio, atque omnes illo ad munitionem copiae traducuntur. 

6 The Gauls' suspicion was increased, and all their forces were transferred to that fortification. 

7 Vacua castra hostium Caesar conspicatus tectis insignibus suorum occultatisque signis militaribus raros milites, ne ex oppido animadverterentur, ex maioribus castris in minora traducit legatisque, quos singulis legionibus praefecerat, quid fieri velit ostendit: 

7 Caesar, seeing the enemy camp empty, with the standards of his men concealed and the military insignia hidden, moved a few soldiers from the larger camp to the smaller, so they would not be noticed from the town, and showed the legates, whom he had placed in command of each legion, what he wished to be done: 

8 in primis monet ut contineant milites, ne studio pugnandi aut spe praedae longius progrediantur; 

8 above all, he warned them to restrain the soldiers, lest they advance too far out of eagerness for fighting or hope of plunder; 

9 quid iniquitas loci habeat incommodi proponit: hoc una celeritate posse mutari; occasionis esse rem, non proeli. 

9 he pointed out what disadvantage the unevenness of the ground presented: that this could be overcome only by speed; that it was a matter of opportunity, not a battle. 

10 His rebus expositis signum dat et ab dextra parte alio ascensu eodem tempore Aeduos mittit. 

10 Having set forth these instructions, he gave the signal and at the same time sent the Aedui up by another ascent on the right flank. 

 [46] 

1 Oppidi murus ab planitie atque initio ascensus recta regione, si nullus anfractus intercederet, MCC passus aberat: 

1 The wall of the town, from the plain and from the start of the ascent in a straight line, was 1,200 paces distant, if no winding intervened: 

2 quidquid huc circuitus ad molliendum clivum accesserat, id spatium itineris augebat. 

2 whatever circuit had been added here to soften the slope increased the length of the route. 

3 A medio fere colle in longitudinem, ut natura montis ferebat, ex grandibus saxis sex pedum murum qui nostrorum impetum tardaret praeduxerant Galli, atque inferiore omni spatio vacuo relicto superiorem partem collis usque ad murum oppidi densissimis castris compleverant. 

3 From about the middle of the hill along its length, as the nature of the mountain allowed, the Gauls had constructed a six-foot wall of large stones to slow the advance of our men, and, leaving the entire lower part empty, they had filled the upper part of the hill up to the town wall with extremely dense camps. 

4 Milites dato signo celeriter ad munitionem perveniunt eamque transgressi trinis castris potiuntur; 

4 At the signal, the soldiers quickly reached the fortification, and having crossed it, took possession of three camps; 

5 ac tanta fuit in castris capiendis celeritas, ut Teutomatus, rex Nitiobrigum, subito in tabernaculo oppressus, ut meridie conquieverat, superiore corporis parte nudata vulnerato equo vix se ex manibus praedantium militum eriperet. 

5 and so great was the speed in capturing the camps that Teutomatus, king of the Nitiobriges, suddenly surprised in his tent—since he had rested at midday—his upper body uncovered and his horse wounded, scarcely escaped from the hands of the plundering soldiers. 

[47] 

1 Consecutus id quod animo proposuerat, Caesar receptui cani iussit legionique decimae, quacum erat, continuo signa constituit. 

1 Having achieved what he had purposed in his mind, Caesar ordered the retreat to be sounded and immediately halted the standards of the tenth legion, with which he was. 

2 Ac reliquarum legionum milites non exaudito sono tubae, quod satis magna valles intercedebat, tamen ab tribunis militum legatisque, ut erat a Caesare praeceptum, retinebantur. 

2 But the soldiers of the other legions, although they did not hear the trumpet’s sound, because a rather large valley intervened, were nevertheless held back by the military tribunes and legates, as had been ordered by Caesar. 

3 Sed elati spe celeris victoriae et hostium fuga et superiorum temporum secundis proeliis nihil adeo arduum sibi esse existimaverunt quod non virtute consequi possent, neque finem prius sequendi fecerunt quam muro oppidi portisque appropinquarunt. Tum vero ex omnibus urbis partibus orto clamore, 

3 But, elated by hope of a swift victory, the flight of the enemy, and the successes of previous battles, they thought that nothing was so difficult that they could not achieve it by valor; nor did they stop pursuing until they reached the town wall and gates. Then indeed, when a shout arose from all parts of the city, 

4 qui longius aberant repentino tumultu perterriti, cum hostem intra portas esse existimarent, sese ex oppido eiecerunt. 

4 those who were farther off, terrified by the sudden commotion and thinking the enemy was inside the gates, rushed out of the town. 

5 Matres familiae de muro vestem argentumque iactabant et pectore nudo prominentes passis manibus obtestabantur Romanos, ut sibi parcerent neu, sicut Avarici fecissent, ne a mulieribus quidem atque infantibus abstinerent: 

5 The matrons were throwing clothes and silver from the wall, and, leaning forward with bare breasts and outstretched hands, were begging the Romans to spare them and not, as they had done at Avaricum, refrain from even women and infants. 

6 nonnullae de muris per manus demissae sese militibus tradebant. 

6 Some, let down by hand from the walls, surrendered themselves to the soldiers. 

7 Lucius Fabius, centurio legionis VIII, quem inter suos eo die dixisse constabat excitari se Avaricensibus praemiis neque commissurum, ut prius quisquam murum ascenderet, tres suos nactus manipulares atque ab eis sublevatus murum ascendit: hos ipse rursus singulos exceptans in murum extulit. 

7 Lucius Fabius, a centurion of the eighth legion—who was known to have said that day among his men that he was stirred by the rewards at Avaricum and would not allow anyone to climb the wall before him—found three of his own soldiers and, being lifted by them, climbed the wall: he himself then helped them up one by one. 

 [48] 

1 Interim ei qui ad alteram partem oppidi, ut supra demonstravimus, munitionis causa convenerant, primo exaudito clamore, inde etiam crebris nuntiis incitati, oppidum a Romanis teneri, praemissis equitibus magno concursu eo contenderunt. 

1 Meanwhile, those who had gathered on the other side of the town, as we explained above, for the purpose of fortification, when they first heard the shouting and were then spurred on by frequent reports that the town was held by the Romans, sent cavalry ahead and rushed there in great numbers. 

2 Eorum ut quisque primus venerat, sub muro consistebat suorumque pugnantium numerum augebat. 

2 As each of them arrived, he stationed himself beneath the wall and increased the number of his fighting comrades. 

3 Quorum cum magna multitudo convenisset, matres familiae, quae paulo ante Romanis de muro manus tendebant, suos obtestari et more Gallico passum capillum ostentare liberosque in conspectum proferre coeperunt. 

3 When a great multitude of them had assembled, the matrons—who shortly before had been stretching their hands out to the Romans from the wall—began to beg their own men, to show their disheveled hair in the Gallic manner, and to bring their children into view. 

4 Erat Romanis nec loco nec numero aequa contentio; simul et cursu et spatio pugnae defatigati non facile recentes atque integros sustinebant. 

4 The struggle was not equal for the Romans either in position or in number; at the same time, worn out by the running and the length of the battle, they could not easily withstand fresh and uninjured troops. 

[49] 

1 Caesar, cum iniquo loco pugnari hostiumque augeri copias videret, praemetuens suis ad Titum Sextium legatum, quem minoribus castris praesidio reliquerat, misit, ut cohortes ex castris celeriter educeret et sub infimo colle ab dextro latere hostium constitueret, 

1 Caesar, seeing that the fight was taking place in an unfavorable position and that the enemy’s forces were increasing, fearing for his men, sent to Titus Sextius, the legate whom he had left in command of the smaller camp, to quickly lead cohorts out of the camp and station them at the foot of the hill on the enemy’s right flank, 

2 ut, si nostros loco depulsos vidisset, quo minus libere hostes insequerentur terreret. Ipse paulum ex eo loco cum legione progressus, ubi constiterat, eventum pugnae exspectabat. 

2 so that, if he saw our men driven from their position, he might deter the enemy from pursuing too boldly. Caesar himself advanced a short distance from the place where he had halted with the legion, and awaited the outcome of the battle. 

 [50] 

1 Cum acerrime comminus pugnaretur, hostes loco et numero, nostri virtute confiderent, subito sunt Aedui visi ab latere nostris aperto, quos Caesar ab dextra parte alio ascensu manus distinendae causa miserat. 

1 When the fiercest fighting was taking place at close quarters—the enemy relying on position and numbers, our men on their courage—suddenly the Aedui appeared on our open flank, whom Caesar had sent up by another ascent on the right side to divide the enemy’s forces. 

2 Hi similitudine armorum vehementer nostros perterruerunt, ac tametsi dextris humeris exsertis animadvertebantur, quod insigne pactum esse consuerat, tamen id ipsum sui fallendi causa milites ab hostibus factum existimabant. 

2 These terrified our men greatly because of the similarity of their arms; and although they were noticed with their right shoulders exposed—which had been agreed upon as a distinguishing mark—our soldiers believed that this very thing had been done by the enemy in order to deceive them. 

3 Eodem tempore Lucius Fabius centurio quique una murum ascenderant circumventi atque interfecti muro praecipitabantur. 

3 At the same time, Lucius Fabius, a centurion, and those who had ascended the wall with him, surrounded and killed, were thrown headlong from the wall. 

4 Marcus Petronius, eiusdem legionis centurio, cum portam excidere conatus esset, a multitudine oppressus ac sibi desperans multis iam vulneribus acceptis manipularibus suis, qui illum secuti erant, "Quoniam," inquit, "me una vobiscum servare non possum, vestrae quidem certe vitae prospiciam, quos cupiditate gloriae adductus in periculum deduxi. 

4 Marcus Petronius, a centurion of the same legion, when he had attempted to break down a gate, was overwhelmed by the crowd. Despairing of his own survival after receiving many wounds, he said to his fellow soldiers who had followed him, “Since I cannot save myself together with you, I will at least look out for your lives—whom I have led into danger through my desire for glory. 

5 Vos data facultate vobis consulite." Simul in medios hostes irrupit duobusque interfectis reliquos a porta paulum summovit. 

5 Take care of yourselves now that you have the chance.” At once, he burst into the midst of the enemy, and having slain two, drove the rest back a little from the gate. 

6 Conantibus auxiliari suis "Frustra," inquit, "meae vitae subvenire conamini, quem iam sanguis viresque deficiunt. Proinde abite, dum est facultas, vosque ad legionem recipite." Ita pugnans post paulum concidit ac suis saluti fuit. 

6 To his comrades attempting to help him, he said, “In vain do you try to save my life, for my blood and strength are now failing. Therefore go, while there is still a chance, and retreat to the legion.” Thus fighting, he fell a little later—and was a salvation to his men. 

[51] 

1 Nostri, cum undique premerentur, XLVI centurionibus amissis deiecti sunt loco. Sed intolerantius Gallos insequentes legio decima tardavit, quae pro subsidio paulo aequiore loco constiterat. 

1 Our men, being pressed on all sides, were driven from their position, having lost forty-six centurions. But the tenth legion, which had taken a stand as a reserve in a somewhat more favorable position, checked the overzealous pursuit of the Gauls. 

2 Hanc rursus XIII legionis cohortes exceperunt, quae ex castris minoribus eductae cum Tito Sextio legato ceperant locum superiorem. 

2 These were in turn supported by the cohorts of the thirteenth legion, which, led out from the smaller camp with the legate Titus Sextius, had taken a higher position. 

3 Legiones, ubi primum planitiem attigerunt, infestis contra hostes signis constiterunt. 

3 The legions, as soon as they reached the plain, halted with their standards set against the enemy. 

4 Vercingetorix ab radicibus collis suos intra munitiones reduxit. Eo die milites sunt paulo minus septingenti desiderati. 

4 Vercingetorix led his men back from the foot of the hill within their fortifications. On that day, a little fewer than seven hundred soldiers were missing. 

 [52] 

1 Postero die Caesar contione advocata temeritatem cupiditatemque militum reprehendit, quod sibi ipsi iudicavissent quo procedendum aut quid agendum videretur, neque signo recipiendi dato constitissent neque ab tribunis militum legatisque retineri potuissent. 

1 On the following day, Caesar, having summoned an assembly, reproved the rashness and eagerness of the soldiers, because they had taken it upon themselves to decide where to advance or what seemed to be done, and had neither halted when the signal for retreat was given nor could be restrained by the military tribunes and legates. 

2 Exposuit quid iniquitas loci posset, quid ipse ad Avaricum sensisset, cum sine duce et sine equitatu deprehensis hostibus exploratam victoriam dimisisset, ne parvum modo detrimentum in contentione propter iniquitatem loci accideret. 

2 He explained what disadvantage an unfavorable position could cause, and what he himself had experienced at Avaricum, when, having caught the enemy without a commander and without cavalry, he had let slip a certain victory, so that not even a small loss might occur in a struggle because of the nature of the ground. 

3 Quanto opere eorum animi magnitudinem admiraretur, quos non castrorum munitiones, non altitudo montis, non murus oppidi tardare potuisset, tanto opere licentiam arrogantiamque reprehendere, quod plus se quam imperatorem de victoria atque exitu rerum sentire existimarent; 

3 As much as he admired the greatness of their spirit—whom neither the fortifications of the camp, nor the height of the mountain, nor the wall of the town had been able to hinder—so much did he blame their license and arrogance, because they thought they understood more about victory and the outcome of affairs than their general; 

4 nec minus se ab milite modestiam et continentiam quam virtutem atque animi magnitudinem desiderare. 

4 and that he expected modesty and self-restraint from a soldier no less than courage and greatness of spirit. 

[53] 

1 Hac habita contione et ad extremam orationem confirmatis militibus, ne ob hanc causam animo permoverentur neu quod iniquitas loci attulisset id virtuti hostium tribuerent, eadem de profectione cogitans quae ante senserat legiones ex castris eduxit aciemque idoneo loco constituit. 

1 After holding this assembly and, at the end of his speech, encouraging his soldiers not to be disheartened on this account, nor to attribute to the valor of the enemy what the unfavorable terrain had caused, thinking the same thoughts about departure as before, he led the legions out of camp and drew up his battle line in a suitable place. 

2 Cum Vercingetorix nihil magis in aequum locum descenderet, levi facto equestri proelio atque secundo in castra exercitum reduxit. 

2 Since Vercingetorix would by no means descend to level ground, Caesar, after a light and successful cavalry skirmish, led his army back into camp. 

3 Cum hoc idem postero die fecisset, satis ad Gallicam ostentationem minuendam militumque animos confirmandos factum existimans in Aeduos movit castra. 

3 When he had done the same on the next day, thinking enough had been done to diminish Gallic boastfulness and strengthen the morale of the soldiers, he moved camp into Aeduan territory. 

4 Ne tum quidem insecutis hostibus tertio die ad flumen Elaver venit; pontem refecit exercitumque traduxit. 

4 Not even then did the enemy pursue him, and on the third day he came to the river Elaver; he rebuilt the bridge and led his army across. 

[54] 

1 Ibi a Viridomaro atque Eporedorige Aeduis appellatus discit cum omni equitatu Litaviccum ad sollicitandos Aeduos profectum: opus esse ipsos antecedere ad confirmandam civitatem. 

1 There, summoned by Viridomarus and Eporedorix, Aeduans, he learned that Litaviccus had set out with all his cavalry to stir up the Aedui: and that it was necessary for them themselves to go ahead to reassure the state. 

2 Etsi multis iam rebus perfidiam Aeduorum perspectam habebat atque horum discessu admaturari defectionem civitatis existimabat, tamen eos retinendos non constituit, ne aut inferre iniuriam videretur aut dare timoris aliquam suspicionem. Discedentibus his breviter sua in Aeduos merita exposuit, 

2 Although he already clearly understood the treachery of the Aedui from many circumstances, and thought that the departure of these men would hasten the state's revolt, still he decided not to detain them, lest he should seem to inflict injury or betray any suspicion of fear. As they departed, he briefly laid out his services to the Aedui, 

3 quos et quam humiles accepisset, compulsos in oppida, multatos agris omnibus ereptis copiis, imposito stipendio, obsidibus summa cum contumelia extortis, 

3 how humble he had found them—forced into towns, deprived of their lands and all resources, tribute imposed, and hostages extorted with extreme indignity, 

4 et quam in fortunam quamque in amplitudinem deduxisset, ut non solum in pristinum statum redissent, sed omnium temporum dignitatem et gratiam antecessisse viderentur. His datis mandatis eos ab se dimisit. 

4 and into what prosperity and eminence he had raised them, so that they had not only returned to their former condition but seemed to have surpassed the dignity and favor of all earlier times. Having given these instructions, he dismissed them. 

[55] 

1 Noviodunum erat oppidum Aeduorum ad ripas Ligeris opportuno loco positum. 

1 Noviodunum was a town of the Aedui situated in a convenient location on the banks of the Loire. 

2 Huc Caesar omnes obsides Galliae, frumentum, pecuniam publicam, suorum atque exercitus impedimentorum magnam partem contulerat; 

2 To this place, Caesar had brought all the hostages of Gaul, grain, public funds, and a large part of his own and the army’s baggage; 

3 huc magnum numerum equorum huius belli causa in Italia atque Hispania coemptum miserat. 

3 to this place he had sent a large number of horses, purchased in Italy and Spain for the purposes of this war. 

4 Eo cum Eporedorix Viridomarusque venissent et de statu civitatis cognovissent, Litaviccum Bibracti ab Aeduis receptum, quod est oppidum apud eos maximae auctoritatis, Convictolitavim magistratum magnamque partem senatus ad eum convenisse, legatos ad Vercingetorigem de pace et amicitia concilianda publice missos, non praetermittendum tantum commodum existimaverunt. 

4 When Eporedorix and Viridomarus had arrived there and learned about the state of the community—that Litaviccus had been received by the Aedui at Bibracte, which is a town of the greatest authority among them, that Convictolitavis the magistrate and a large part of the senate had gathered around him, and that envoys had been publicly sent to Vercingetorix to establish peace and friendship—they judged that such an opportunity should not be missed. 

5 Itaque interfectis Novioduni custodibus quique eo negotiandi causa convenerant pecuniam atque equos inter se partiti sunt; 

5 Therefore, having killed the guards of Noviodunum and those who had gathered there for trade, they divided the money and horses among themselves; 

6 obsides civitatum Bibracte ad magistratum deducendos curaverunt; oppidum, 

6 they arranged for the hostages of the tribes to be taken to the magistrate at Bibracte; the town, 

7 quod a se teneri non posse iudicabant, ne cui esset usui Romanis, incenderunt; 

7 which they judged could not be held by them, they burned, so that it might not be of use to the Romans; 

8 frumenti quod subito potuerunt navibus avexerunt, reliquum flumine atque incendio corruperunt. 

8 the grain they were able to remove quickly, they transported by ship; the rest they destroyed by water and fire. 

9 Ipsi ex finitimis regionibus copias cogere, praesidia custodiasque ad ripas Ligeris disponere equitatumque omnibus locis iniciendi timoris causa ostentare coeperunt, si ab re frumentaria Romanos excludere aut adductos inopia in provinciam expellere possent. 

9 They themselves began to gather forces from neighboring regions, to station garrisons and guards along the banks of the Loire, and to display cavalry in all places to instill fear—if they could cut the Romans off from grain supplies or drive them, compelled by want, into the province. 

10 Quam ad spem multum eos adiuvabat, quod Liger ex nivibus creverat, ut omnino vado non posse transiri videretur. 

10 Towards this hope they were greatly helped by the fact that the Loire had risen from the melting of snow, so that it seemed altogether impassable by ford. 

[56] 

1 Quibus rebus cognitis Caesar maturandum sibi censuit, si esset in perficiendis pontibus periclitandum, ut prius quam essent maiores eo coactae copiae dimicaret. 

1 When these things were learned, Caesar judged that he must hasten, and, if he had to risk building bridges, he should fight before larger forces could be assembled there. 

2 Nam ut commutato consilio iter in provinciam converteret, id ne metu quidem necessario faciendum existimabat; cum infamia atque indignitas rei et oppositus mons Cevenna viarumque difficultas impediebat, tum maxime quod abiuncto Labieno atque eis legionibus quas una miserat vehementer timebat. 

2 For to change his plan and turn his march into the province, he thought ought not to be done even by necessity of fear; since the disgrace and indignity of the measure, the interposing mountain Cevenna, and the difficulty of the roads stood in the way, and most of all because he was seriously alarmed for Labienus and the legions which he had sent with him and were now separated. 

3 Itaque admodum magnis diurnis nocturnisque itineribus confectis contra omnium opinionem ad Ligerem venit 

3 Therefore, having completed very long marches by day and night, contrary to everyone’s expectation, he came to the Loire, 

4 vadoque per equites invento pro rei necessitate opportuno, ut brachia modo atque humeri ad sustinenda arma liberi ab aqua esse possent, disposito equitatu qui vim fluminis refringeret, atque hostibus primo aspectu perturbatis, 

4 and having found, through his cavalry, a ford suitable for the situation—so that only their arms and shoulders could remain free from the water to hold their weapons—and having stationed cavalry to break the force of the river, and with the enemy thrown into confusion at the first sight, 

5 incolumem exercitum traduxit frumentumque in agris et pecoris copiam nactus repleto his rebus exercitu iter in Senones facere instituit. 

5 he led his army safely across, and, having found grain in the fields and an abundance of cattle, with the army replenished by these supplies, he began his march into the territory of the Senones. 

 [57] 

1 Dum haec apud Caesarem geruntur, Labienus eo supplemento, quod nuper ex Italia venerat, relicto Agedinci, ut esset impedimentis praesidio, cum quattuor legionibus Lutetiam proficiscitur. Id est oppidum Parisiorum, quod positum est in insula fluminis Sequanae. 

1 While these things were taking place with Caesar, Labienus, having left at Agedincum the reinforcements that had recently arrived from Italy, to act as a guard for the baggage, set out with four legions for Lutetia. This is a town of the Parisii, situated on an island in the river Seine. 

2 Cuius adventu ab hostibus cognito magnae ex finitimis civitatibus copiae convenerunt. 

2 Upon learning of his arrival, large forces gathered from the neighboring states. 

3 Summa imperi traditur Camulogeno Aulerco, qui prope confectus aetate tamen propter singularem scientiam rei militaris ad eum est honorem evocatus. 

3 The supreme command was entrusted to Camulogenus, an Aulerci, who, though nearly worn out by age, had been summoned to this position of honor because of his exceptional knowledge of military affairs. 

4 Is cum animadvertisset perpetuam esse paludem, quae influeret in Sequanam atque illum omnem locum magnopere impediret, hic consedit nostrosque transitu prohibere instituit. 

4 When he noticed that there was a continuous marsh flowing into the Seine and that this whole area was greatly obstructed, he took position there and began to prevent our men from crossing. 

[58] 

1 Labienus primo vineas agere, cratibus atque aggere paludem explere atque iter munire conabatur. 

1 Labienus at first attempted to bring up mantelets, to fill the marsh with fascines and an embankment, and to build a road. 

2 Postquam id difficilius confieri animadvertit, silentio e castris tertia vigilia egressus eodem quo venerat itinere Metiosedum pervenit. 

2 After he perceived that this was too difficult to accomplish, he left the camp in silence at the third watch and reached Metiosedum by the same route he had come. 

3 Id est oppidum Senonum in insula Sequanae positum, ut paulo ante de Lutetia diximus. 

3 This is a town of the Senones, situated on an island in the Seine, as we said a little earlier about Lutetia. 

4 Deprensis navibus circiter quinquaginta celeriterque coniunctis atque eo militibus iniectis et rei novitate perterritis oppidanis, quorum magna pars erat ad bellum evocata, sine contentione oppido potitur. 

4 Having seized about fifty boats and quickly joined them together, and having put soldiers on board—and the townspeople, a large part of whom had been summoned to war, terrified by the unexpected turn of events—he gained possession of the town without resistance. 

5 Refecto ponte, quem superioribus diebus hostes resciderant, exercitum traducit et secundo flumine ad Lutetiam iter facere coepit. 

5 Having repaired the bridge, which the enemy had destroyed in previous days, he led his army across and began to march downriver toward Lutetia. 

6 Hostes re cognita ab eis, qui Metiosedo fugerant, Lutetiam incendi pontesque eius oppidi rescindi iubent; ipsi profecti a palude ad ripas Sequanae e regione Lutetiae contra Labieni castra considunt. 

6 The enemy, having learned of the event from those who had fled from Metiosedum, ordered Lutetia to be burned and its bridges to be destroyed; they themselves, having left the marsh, took position on the banks of the Seine directly opposite Labienus's camp. 

 [59] 

1 Iam Caesar a Gergovia discessisse audiebatur, iam de Aeduorum defectione et secundo Galliae motu rumores adferebantur, Gallique in colloquiis interclusum itinere et Ligeri Caesarem inopia frumenti coactum in provinciam contendisse confirmabant. 

1 Now it was heard that Caesar had departed from Gergovia, and reports were arriving about the defection of the Aedui and a second uprising in Gaul, and the Gauls in their conversations affirmed that Caesar, cut off from his route and from the Loire, had been forced by want of grain to hurry into the province. 

2 Bellovaci autem defectione Aeduorum cognita, qui ante erant per se infideles, manus cogere atque aperte bellum parare coeperunt. 

2 The Bellovaci, moreover, upon learning of the defection of the Aedui—who even before were of themselves disloyal—began to gather forces and openly prepare for war. 

3 Tum Labienus tanta rerum commutatione longe aliud sibi capiendum consilium atque antea senserat intellegebat, 

3 Then Labienus, because of this great change in circumstances, understood that he must adopt a plan far different from what he had previously conceived, 

4 neque iam, ut aliquid adquireret proelioque hostes lacesseret, sed ut incolumem exercitum Agedincum reduceret, cogitabat. 

4 and he was no longer thinking of gaining something or provoking the enemy to battle, but rather of leading his army safely back to Agedincum. 

5 Namque altera ex parte Bellovaci, quae civitas in Gallia maximam habet opinionem virtutis, instabant, alteram Camulogenus parato atque instructo exercitu tenebat; tum legiones a praesidio atque impedimentis interclusas maximum flumen distinebat. 

5 For on one side the Bellovaci—who have in Gaul the highest reputation for bravery—were pressing, and Camulogenus held the other with a prepared and drawn-up army; meanwhile, the legions, cut off from their baggage and garrison, were separated by a very large river. 

6 Tantis subito difficultatibus obiectis ab animi virtute auxilium petendum videbat. 

6 Faced with such great and sudden difficulties, he saw that help must be sought from strength of spirit. 

[60] 

1 Sub vesperum consilio convocato cohortatus ut ea quae imperasset diligenter industrieque administrarent, naves, quas Metiosedo deduxerat, singulas equitibus Romanis attribuit, et prima confecta vigilia quattuor milia passuum secundo flumine silentio progredi ibique se exspectari iubet. 

1 Towards evening, having called a council and encouraged them to carry out his commands diligently and energetically, he assigned the ships he had brought from Metiosedum to individual Roman knights, and after the first watch had ended, he ordered them to proceed four miles downriver in silence and wait for him there. 

2 Quinque cohortes, quas minime firmas ad dimicandum esse existimabat, castris praesidio relinquit; 

2 He left five cohorts, which he considered least reliable for battle, to guard the camp; 

3 quinque eiusdem legionis reliquas de media nocte cum omnibus impedimentis adverso flumine magno tumultu proficisci imperat. 

3 he ordered the remaining five cohorts of the same legion to set out around midnight with all the baggage upriver, with great noise. 

4 Conquirit etiam lintres: has magno sonitu remorum incitatus in eandem partem mittit. Ipse post paulo silentio egressus cum tribus legionibus eum locum petit quo naves appelli iusserat. 

4 He also procured boats: these he sent off in the same direction, propelled with loud splashing of oars. He himself, having departed shortly after in silence with three legions, headed for the place where he had ordered the ships to land. 

 [61] 

1 Eo cum esset ventum, exploratores hostium, ut omni fluminis parte erant dispositi, inopinantes, quod magna subito erat coorta tempestas, ab nostris opprimuntur; 

1 When they had reached the place, the enemy's scouts, who had been posted along every part of the river, were caught unawares—because a great storm had suddenly arisen—and were overwhelmed by our men; 

2 exercitus equitatusque equitibus Romanis administrantibus, quos ei negotio praefecerat, celeriter transmittitur. 

2 the army and cavalry were swiftly ferried across, with the Roman knights, whom he had placed in charge of the task, managing the operation. 

3 Uno fere tempore sub lucem hostibus nuntiatur in castris Romanorum praeter consuetudinem tumultuari et magnum ire agmen adverso flumine sonitumque remorum in eadem parte exaudiri et paulo infra milites navibus transportari. 

3 At nearly the same time, just before dawn, the enemy was informed that there was unusual commotion in the Roman camp, that a large column was moving upriver, and that the sound of oars was being heard in the same area, and that soldiers were being transported by ship a little farther downstream. 

4 Quibus rebus auditis, quod existimabant tribus locis transire legiones atque omnes perturbatos defectione Aeduorum fugam parare, suas quoque copias in tres partes distribuerunt. 

4 On hearing these reports, because they believed that the legions were crossing in three places and that, shaken by the defection of the Aedui, all were preparing for flight, they likewise divided their forces into three parts. 

5 Nam praesidio e regione castrorum relicto et parva manu Metiosedum versus missa, quae tantum progrediatur, quantum naves processissent, reliquas copias contra Labienum duxerunt. 

5 For, leaving a guard opposite the Roman camp and dispatching a small force toward Metiosedum—intended to advance only as far as the ships had gone—they led the rest of their troops against

[62] 

1 Prima luce et nostri omnes erant transportati, et hostium acies cernebatur. 

1 At dawn, all our men had been transported, and the enemy’s line could be seen. 

2 Labienus milites cohortatus ut suae pristinae virtutis et secundissimorum proeliorum retinerent memoriam atque ipsum Caesarem, cuius ductu saepe numero hostes superassent, praesentem adesse existimarent, dat signum proeli. 

2 Labienus, having exhorted his soldiers to remember their former valor and the many most successful battles, and to imagine that Caesar himself, under whose command they had so often defeated the enemy, was present, gave the signal for battle. 

3 Primo concursu ab dextro cornu, ubi septima legio constiterat, hostes pelluntur atque in fugam coniciuntur; 

3 At the first clash, on the right wing, where the seventh legion had taken position, the enemy were driven back and put to flight; 

4 ab sinistro, quem locum duodecima legio tenebat, cum primi ordines hostium transfixi telis concidissent, tamen acerrime reliqui resistebant, nec dabat suspicionem fugae quisquam. 

4 on the left, which the twelfth legion occupied, although the front ranks of the enemy had fallen pierced by javelins, the rest still resisted most fiercely, and no one gave any sign of flight. 

5 Ipse dux hostium Camulogenus suis aderant atque eos cohortabatur. 

5 The enemy leader, Camulogenus himself, was present with his men and was encouraging them. 

6 Incerto nunc etiam exitu victoriae, cum septimae legionis tribunis esset nuntiatum quae in sinistro cornu gererentur, post tergum hostium legionem ostenderunt signaque intulerunt. 

6 With the outcome of victory still uncertain, when it was reported to the tribunes of the seventh legion what was happening on the left wing, they showed the legion behind the enemy’s rear and advanced their standards. 

7 Ne eo quidem tempore quisquam loco cessit, sed circumventi omnes interfectique sunt. 

7 Not even then did anyone give ground, but all were surrounded and slain. 

8 Eandem fortunam tulit Camulogenus. At ei qui praesidio contra castra Labieni erant relicti, cum proelium commissum audissent, subsidio suis ierunt collemque ceperunt, neque nostrorum militum victorum impetum sustinere potuerunt. 

8 Camulogenus met the same fate. But those who had been left as a guard opposite Labienus’s camp, when they heard that battle had been engaged, went to support their comrades and seized a hill, but they could not withstand the attack of our victorious soldiers. 

9 Sic cum suis fugientibus permixti, quos non silvae montesque texerunt, ab equitatu sunt interfecti. 

9 Thus, mingled with their fleeing companions, those whom neither woods nor hills sheltered were slain by the cavalry. 

10 Hoc negotio confecto Labienus revertitur Agedincum, ubi impedimenta totius exercitus relicta erant: inde cum omnibus copiis ad Caesarem pervenit. 

10 With this operation finished, Labienus returned to Agedincum, where the baggage of the whole army had been left: from there he came with all his forces to Caesar. 

 Discover Latin dot com

[63] 

1 Defectione Aeduorum cognita bellum augetur. Legationes in omnes partes circummittuntur: 

1 With the defection of the Aedui known, the war increased. Envoys were sent in all directions: 

2 quantum gratia, auctoritate, pecunia valent, ad sollicitandas civitates nituntur; 

2 as far as they had influence, authority, and wealth, they strove to stir up the states; 

3 nacti obsides, quos Caesar apud eos deposuerat, horum supplicio dubitantes territant. 

3 having seized the hostages whom Caesar had placed among them, they terrified the wavering by punishing them. 

4 Petunt a Vercingetorige Aedui ut ad se veniat rationesque belli gerendi communicet. 

4 The Aedui requested Vercingetorix to come to them and to share his plans for conducting the war. 

5 Re impetrata contendunt ut ipsis summa imperi tradatur, et re in controversiam deducta totius Galliae concilium Bibracte indicitur. Eodem conveniunt undique frequentes. 

5 When this was granted, they strove for the supreme command to be handed over to them, and, the matter having come into dispute, a council of all Gaul was summoned at Bibracte. There they assembled in large numbers from every side. 

6 Multitudinis suffragiis res permittitur: ad unum omnes Vercingetorigem probant imperatorem. 

6 The matter was put to the vote of the multitude: all to a man approved Vercingetorix as commander. 

7 Ab hoc concilio Remi, Lingones, Treveri afuerunt: illi, quod amicitiam Romanorum sequebantur; Treveri, quod aberant longius et ab Germanis premebantur, quae fuit causa quare toto abessent bello et neutris auxilia mitterent. 

7 From this council, the Remi, Lingones, and Treveri were absent: the former because they followed the friendship of the Romans; the Treveri, because they were farther away and were pressed by the Germans—this was the reason why they were absent from the entire war and sent help to neither side. 

8 Magno dolore Aedui ferunt se deiectos principatu, queruntur fortunae commutationem et Caesaris indulgentiam in se requirunt, neque tamen suscepto bello suum consilium ab reliquis separare audent. 

8 The Aedui suffered with great grief that they had been removed from supremacy, complained about the change in fortune, and lamented Caesar’s indulgence toward them, yet, with the war once undertaken, they did not dare to separate their own policy from that of the others. 

9 Inviti summae spei adulescentes Eporedorix et Viridomarus Vercingetorigi parent. 

9 Unwillingly, the young men of greatest promise, Eporedorix and Viridomarus, obeyed Vercingetorix. 

 [64] 

1 Ipse imperat reliquis civitatibus obsides diemque ei rei constituit. Omnes equites, quindecim milia numero, celeriter convenire iubet; 

1 He himself ordered hostages from the remaining states and appointed a day for that purpose. He ordered all the cavalry, fifteen thousand in number, to assemble quickly; 

2 peditatu quem antea habuerit se fore contentum dicit, neque fortunam temptaturum aut in acie dimicaturum, sed, quoniam abundet equitatu, perfacile esse factu frumentationibus pabulationibusque Romanos prohibere, 

2 he said that he would be content with the infantry he had had before, and would not try his fortune or engage in pitched battle, but, since he had an abundance of cavalry, it would be very easy to prevent the Romans from gathering grain and forage, 

3 aequo modo animo sua ipsi frumenta corrumpant aedificiaque incendant, qua rei familiaris iactura perpetuum imperium libertatemque se consequi videant. 

3 provided they with calm spirit themselves destroyed their own grain and set fire to their buildings, by which loss of private property they might see themselves attain lasting dominion and liberty. 

4 His constitutis rebus Aeduis Segusiavisque, qui sunt finitimi provinciae, decem milia peditum imperat; huc addit equites octingentos. 

4 With these matters settled, he ordered ten thousand infantry from the Aedui and the Segusiavi, who border the province; to these he added eight hundred cavalry. 

5 His praeficit fratrem Eporedorigis bellumque inferri Allobrogibus iubet. 

5 He placed the brother of Eporedorix in command of them and ordered war to be made upon the Allobroges. 

6 Altera ex parte Gabalos proximosque pagos Arvernorum in Helvios, item Rutenos Cadurcosque ad fines Volcarum Arecomicorum depopulandos mittit. 

6 On another front, he sent the Gabali and the nearest districts of the Arverni into the territory of the Helvii, and likewise the Ruteni and the Cadurci to devastate the borders of the Volcae Arecomici. 

7 Nihilo minus clandestinis nuntiis legationibusque Allobrogas sollicitat, quorum mentes nondum ab superiore bello resedisse sperabat. 

7 Nevertheless, he secretly tried to stir up the Allobroges with messages and embassies, whose minds he hoped had not yet calmed since the previous war. 

8 Horum principibus pecunias, civitati autem imperium totius provinciae pollicetur. 

8 He promised money to the chiefs of that people, and to the state, rule over the whole province. 

[65] 

1 Ad hos omnes casus provisa erant praesidia cohortium duarum et viginti, quae ex ipsa provincia ab Lucio Caesare legato ad omnes partes opponebantur. 

1 For all these emergencies, garrisons of twenty-two cohorts had been provided, which were stationed by Lucius Caesar, the legate, from the province itself in all directions. 

2 Helvii sua sponte cum finitimis proelio congressi pelluntur et Gaio Valerio Donnotauro, Caburi filio, principe civitatis, compluribusque aliis interfectis intra oppida ac muros compelluntur. 

2 The Helvii, having engaged in battle with their neighbors on their own initiative, were routed and, with Gaius Valerius Donnotaurus, son of Caburus, the chief of their state, and many others slain, were driven within their towns and walls. 

3 Allobroges crebris ad Rhodanum dispositis praesidiis magna cum cura et diligentia suos fines tuentur. 

3 The Allobroges, with frequent garrisons stationed along the Rhone, defended their borders with great care and diligence. 

4 Caesar, quod hostes equitatu superiores esse intellegebat et interclusis omnibus itineribus nulla re ex provincia atque Italia sublevari poterat, trans Rhenum in Germaniam mittit ad eas civitates quas superioribus annis pacaverat, equitesque ab his arcessit et levis armaturae pedites, qui inter eos proeliari consuerant. 

4 Caesar, because he understood that the enemy was superior in cavalry and that, with all routes cut off, he could not be supplied from the province or Italy, sent into Germany across the Rhine to those states which he had pacified in previous years, and summoned cavalry from them and light-armed infantry who were accustomed to fighting among them. 

5 Eorum adventu, quod minus idoneis equis utebantur, a tribunis militum reliquisque equitibus Romanis atque evocatis equos sumit Germanisque distribuit. 

5 Upon their arrival, because they were using less suitable horses, he took horses from the military tribunes and the remaining Roman cavalry and volunteers, and distributed them among the Germans. 

[66] 

1 Interea, dum haec geruntur, hostium copiae ex Arvernis equitesque qui toti Galliae erant imperati conveniunt. 

1 Meanwhile, while these things were happening, the enemy forces from the Arverni and the cavalry that had been ordered from all Gaul assembled. 

2 Magno horum coacto numero, cum Caesar in Sequanos per extremos Lingonum fines iter faceret, quo facilius subsidium provinciae ferri posset, circiter milia passuum decem ab Romanis trinis castris Vercingetorix consedit 

2 When a large number of these had gathered, as Caesar was marching into the territory of the Sequani through the farthest borders of the Lingones, in order that support might more easily be brought to the province, Vercingetorix encamped about ten miles from the Romans with three separate camps. 

3 Convocatisque ad concilium praefectis equitum venisse tempus victoriae demonstrat. Fugere in provinciam Romanos Galliaque excedere. 

3 And having called the prefects of cavalry to a council, he showed that the time for victory had come. The Romans were fleeing into the province and departing from Gaul. 

4 Id sibi ad praesentem obtinendam libertatem satis esse; ad reliqui temporis pacem atque otium parum profici: maioribus enim coactis copiis reversuros neque finem bellandi facturos. Proinde agmine impeditos adorirantur. 

4 That, he said, was enough to secure present liberty; but little would be gained for future peace and repose: for they would return with larger forces gathered and would not end the war. Therefore, they should attack them while encumbered on the march. 

5 Si pedites suis auxilium ferant atque in eo morentur, iter facere non posse; si, id quod magis futurum confidat, relictis impedimentis suae saluti consulant, et usu rerum necessariarum et dignitate spoliatum iri. 

5 If the infantry came to their aid and delayed there, they would not be able to continue their march; if, as he more confidently believed, they consulted their safety by abandoning their baggage, they would be stripped both of necessary resources and of dignity. 

6 Nam de equitibus hostium, quin nemo eorum progredi modo extra agmen audeat, et ipsos quidem non debere dubitare, et quo maiore faciant animo, copias se omnes pro castris habiturum et terrori hostibus futurum. 

6 As for the enemy’s cavalry, he said that none of them dared even to ride outside the column—of that they themselves ought to have no doubt—and to inspire them with greater courage, he would keep all his forces drawn up in front of the camp and be a terror to the enemy. 

7 Conclamant equites sanctissimo iureiurando confirmari oportere, ne tecto recipiatur, ne ad liberos, ne ad parentes, ad uxorem aditum habeat, qui non bis per agmen hostium perequitasset. 

7 The cavalry shouted that it should be confirmed by a most solemn oath that no one should be received under a roof, nor have access to his children, parents, or wife, who had not twice ridden through the enemy's column.