Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Page
1
BOOK V:DE BELLO GALLICO CAESAR-UPRISING IN GAUL
INDEXChapter 24: CAESAR DISTRIBUTES HIS LEGIONS FOR WINTER CAMPChapter 25: FIRST HINT OF TROUBLE: TASGETIUS, a ROMAN ALLY, WAS KILLED BY GAULSChapter 26-AMBIOREX MAKES A HALF-HEARTED ATTACK ON THE CAMP OF SABINUS & COSSA; Chapter 27-AMBIOREX GIVES THE MESSENGERS A LONG, CRAZY LIST OF REASONS FOR WHY HE IS REALLY ON CAESAR”S SIDE & THAT THE ROMANS SHOULD LEAVE THEIR OWN CAMP & GO TO A NEARBY CAMPChapter 28 ARPENEIUS & IUNIUS (THE MESSENGERS) REPORT WHAT AMBIOREX SAIDChapter 29: SABINUS (Titurius) SHOUTS THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE THE ADVICE OF AMBIOREX&LEAVE THE CAMPChapter30: COTTA OBJECTS; SABINUS PRESSES HIS ARGUMENT Chapter 31: COTTA YIELDS, THE ROMANS DECIDE TO GO WITH SABINUS”S PLAN TO MARCH OUTChapter 32-AFTER THEY DEPART, THE ROMANS ARE AMBUSHED BY AMBIOREX & THE GAULS (OF COURSE!) Chapter 33-SABINUS IS AN IDIOT; THE GAULS SURROUND THE ROMANSChapter 34-THE FIGHT BEGINSChapter 35: THE FIGHT CONTINUES; MANY ROMANS DIE OR ARE WOUNDEDChapter 36-SABINUS THE IDIOT PREPARES TO MEET WITH AMBIOREXChapter 37--AMBIOREX KILLS SABINUS; COTTA DIES FIGHTINGChapter 38-AMBIOREX IS ON A ROLL
Page
2
CHAPTER 24: CAESAR DISTRIBUTES HIS LEGIONS FOR WINTER CAMP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqUnpCUi9KQ&index=41&list=PLODnBH8kenOp7y_w1CWTtSLxGgAU6BR8M
HISTORIA CIVILIS: CAESAR IN GAUL: REVOLT (54-53BCE)
Vocabulary:A.
1. Subductō, -ere, subduxī, subductus: draw up (on shore)2. Peragō, -ere, perēgī, peractus: carry out, finish3. Samarobriva, -ae (f): town of Samarobriva4. Proveniō, -īre, provēnī, proventus: come forth, grow5. Angustius (from angustus ):
more narrowly, more scarcely6. Siccitās, -ātis (f): drought7. Cogō, -ere, coēgī, coactus: force8. Collocō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: set in place9. Exercitus, -ūs (m): army10. Hiberna, -ōrum: winter quarters11. Aliter: differently, otherwise12. Ac: moreover, than13. Superior, ius: upper, previous14. Plurēs, puris: many15. Civitās, civitātis (f): city, community, tribe
B.16. Morinī, -ōrum: the Morīnī (a Gallic tribe)17. Legatus, - (m): legate (commander of a legion)18. Nerviī rum: Nerviī (another Gallic tribe)19. Esubiī –ōrum: Esubiī (another Gallic tribe)20. Remī, -ōrum: Remī (another Gallic tribe)21. Confinium, -ī (n): border, frontier22. Treverī , -ōrum: a Germanic tribe
23. Praeficiō, -ere, praefēcī, praefectus: put in charge; appoint (acc) to command (dat)
24. Quaestor, -oris (m): quaestor-a financial officer. C.
25. Conscribō, -ere, conscripsī, conscriptus: conscript, enlist26. Proximē : nearest, very recently27. Eburonēs, -um: Eburones ( A gallic tribe)28. Padus, -ī: Po River29. Mosa, -ae: Meuse30. Rhenus, - (m): Rhine31. Ambiorex –igis (m): co-ruler of the Eburones32. Catuvolcus, - (m): Catuvolcus (co-ruler of the Eburones)33. Praesum, praeesse, praefuī: be in charge of
D. 34. Existimō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: think35. Medeor, medērī: alleviate, 36. Inopia, -ae (f): scarcity37. Frumentarius, -a, -um: pertaining to grain38. Pacatus, -a, -um: peaceful39. Praeter: except40. Quoad: until41. Muniō, munīre, munīvī, munītus: fortify42. Moror, morārī, morātus sum: linger, delay
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED:
A.
1. Navibus subductīs (et ) conciliō Gallōrum peractō Samarobrivae,
quod (in) eō annō, frumentum provēnerat angustius in Galliā propter siccitātēs,
(Caesar) coactus est collocāre exercitum in hibernīs aliter ac (in) superioribus annīs
et distribuere legiōnēs in plurēs civitātēs.
B.
Page
3
2. Ex quibus (legionibus) (Caesar) dedit unam ducendam in Morinōs (by) C. Fabiō legatō;
(Caesar dedit) alteram (ducendam) in Nerviōs (by) legatō Q. Cicerōnī;
(Caesar dedit) tertiam (ducendam) in Esubiōs (by) legatō L. Rosciō;
(Caesar) iussit quartam (ducendam) cum (legatō) T. Labienō hiemāre in Remīs in confiniō Treverōrum.
3. Collocābit trēs in Belgiīs:
praefēcit quaestorem, M. Crassum, et legatōs L. Munatium Plancum et C. Trebonium, eīs (legionibus).
C.
4. (He) mīsit unam legionem, quam (he) conscripserat promximē trans Padum, et V. cohortēs in Eburonēs,
quōrum maxima pars est inter Mōsam ac Rhenam,
quī erant sub imperiō Ambiorigis et Catuvolcī.
5. Iussit legatōs Q. Titurium Sabinum et L. Aurunculēum Cottam praeesse eīs militibus.
D.
6. Legionibus distributīs ad hunc modum,
Existimāvit sese posse mederī inopiae frumentariae facillimē.
Atque tamen hiberna omnium hārum legiōnum,
praeter eam quam (he) dederat L. Rosciō ducendam in pacatissimam et quietissimam partem,
continēbantur (within) centum milibus passuum.
7. Interea ipse, quoad cognovisset legionēs collocātās (et) hiberna munita,
constituit morārī in Galliā.
* C.=Gaius; Q.=Quintus; L.=Lucius; T.=Titus, M.=Marcus; * Quintus Cicero was the brother of the famous orator Marcus Cicero. Marcus Crassus was the son of the rich Triumvir Marcus Crassus
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR< THEN ANSWER:
1. Why did Caesar distribute his legions as he did?
2. Highlight ablative absolutes, indirect statements, and gerunds and gerundives in your original.
3. Watch and Listen: http://dcc.dickinson.edu/caesar/book-5/chapter-5-24#
4. WATCH AND LISTEN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqUnpCUi9KQ&index=41&list=PLODnBH8kenOp7y_w1CWTtSLxGgAU6BR8M
Page
4
HISTORIA CIVILIS: CAESAR IN GAUL: REVOLT (54-53BCE)
Page
5
BOOK V, CHAPTER 25-FIRST HINT OF TROUBLE: TASGETIUS IS KILLEDVocabulary A
1. Tasgetius, -: a king of the Carnutes who was an ally of Rome
2. Maiorēs, -um: answers3. Nascor, nascī, natus: be born4. Obtineō, -ēre, obtinuī, obtentus: obtain5. Carnutes, -ium (m): The Carnutes, a Gallic tribe6. Restituō, -ere, restituī, restitutus: restore7. Benevolentia, -ae (f): goodwill8. Usus, -ūs(m): use, benefit
(with sum + abl: there is a benefit for9. Singularis, singulare: singular, individual10. Opera, -ae (f): effort, service11. Inimicus, -ī: enemy12. Palam: open;y13. Auctor, -oris (m): instigator
14. Deferō, deferre, detulī, delatus: reportB
15. Pertineō, -ēre, pertinuī, pertentus: extend,pertain to16. Plus, pluris, : more17. Vereor, vererī, veritus sum: be afraid, fear18. Deficiō, deficere, defēcī, defectus: desert, revolt19. Impulsus, -ūs (m): pressure20. Plancus, - (m): Lucius Munatius Plancus21. Proficiscor, -proficiscī, profectus :depart22. Hiemō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: pass the winter23. Comprehendō, -ere, comprehend, comprehensus:
arrest24. Cognoscō, -ere, cognovī, cognitus: know, find out25. Muniō, -īre, īvī, ītus: fortify
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED SENTENCES:A.
1. Erat in Carnutibus, (a man) Tasgetius, natus (in) summō locō,
cuius maiōrēs in sua civitate regnum obtinuerant.
2.Caesar restituerat locum maiorum huic pro virtute eius atque pro benevolentiā in (“towards”) sē
quod fuerat usus singular operā eius in omnibus bellīs.
3.Inimicī, multīs ex civitate eius palam auctoribus, interfēcērunt eum
(eum) regnantem iam hunc tertium annum. (*acc of extent of time)
4.Ea rēs defertur ad Caesarem.
B.
5. Quod (it) pertinēbat ad plurēs,
ille (Caesar), veritus nē civitās deficeret (because of) impulsū eōrum , * “Fear Clause”
(he) iubet L. Plancum
profīciscī celeriter cum legion ex Belgiō in Carnutēs et hiemāre ibi,
et mittere hōs comprehensōs, quōrum operā (by whose effort) cognoverat Tasgetium interfectum, ad sē
Page
6
6. Interim (he) factus est certior ab omnibus legatīs et quaestoribus,
quibus tradiderat legionēs,
o (that) perventum (*they had arrived) in hiberna
o (and that) locum munitum esse (for the) hibernīs.
READ THE ORIGINAL, THEN ANSWER: 1. Review “Fear Clauses”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPfrctN6vpsRemember: “Fear Clauses” are the opposite of what you expect:
Nē introduces fear that something may happenUt introduces fear that something may not happen.
Timeō nē Porcus Marcum necet. I fear that the pig may kill Marcus.Timeō ut Porcus Marcum necet. I fear that the pig may NOT kill Marcus. veritus nē civitās deficeret (because of) impulsū eōrum , Fearing that the tribe might revolt because of their pressure.
Page
7
Chapter 26-AMBIOREX MAKES A HALF-HEARTED ATTACK ON THE CAMP OF SABINUS & COSSA
Vocabulary:
A
1. Circiter: about
2. Quindecim: fifteen
3. Initium, - (n): a beginning
4. Repentinus, -a, -um: sudden
5. Tumultus, -ūs (m): uproar
6. Defectiō, -onis (f): revolt
7. Orior, orīrī, ortus sum: arise
8. Ambiorex, -igis (m): Ambiorix-co-ruler of Eburones
9. Catuvolcus, -ī (m): Catuvolcus-co-ruler of Euborones
B.
10. Praesto(adv): be present, with sum+dat
11. Comportō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus:bring together,
12. Impellō, -ere, impulī, impulses: drive on, urge
13. Treverus, -a, -um: Treverian
14. Indutiomarus, -ī (m):Indutiomarus, chieftain of the
Treveri
15. Concitō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: rouse, stir up
16. Lignator, -oris (m): woodcutter, soldier cutting wood
17. Opprimō, -ere, oppress, oppressus:overwhelm
18. Oppugnō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: attack
C.
19. Capiō, -ere, cēpī, captus: take
20. Adscendō, -ere, adscendī, adscensus: ascend
21. Vallum, - (n): wall
22. Emittō, emitter, emīsi, emissus: let loose
23. Superior, superius: better, greater
24. Equester: equestrian, pertaining to cavalry
25. Desperō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: despair
26. Reducō, -ere, reduxī, reductus: draw back
27. Oppugnatio, -onis (f): attack
D
28. Mos, moris (m): custom
29. Aliquī, alqua aliquod: someone, something
30. Prodeō, -īre, prodiī proditus: advance, come forth
31. Colloquium, - (n) :talke, conference
32. Communis, commune: common
33. Controversia, -ae (f): dispute
34. Minuō, -ere, minuī: diminish, reduce
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED:
A. 1.(within) Circiter XV diēbus, quibus ventum est (in which it was arrived=after they arrived) in hiberna,
initium repentinī tumultūs ac defectionis ortum est ab Ambiorige et Catuvolcō;
B.2. quī (Ambiorex & Catuvolcus) cum (cum=after) fuissent praesto (to) Sabinō et Cottae ad finēs suī regnī
(et) comportavissent frumentum in hiberna,
impulsī nuntiīs Treverī indutiomarī concitavērunt suōs (militēs)
lignatoribus subitō oppressīs,
Page
8
venērunt ad castra (with) magnā manū (for the purpose of) oppugnatum.* supine
C.3. Cum nostrī (our guys) celeriter cēpissent arma (et) adscendissent vallum,
atque Hispanīs equitibus ēmissīs ex unā parte,
fuissent superiorēs (in) equestrī proeliō,
Rē desperatā,
hostēs reduxērunt suōs (militēs) ab oppugnatione.
D.4. Tum conclamāvērunt (in accordance with) suō more,
uti aliquī ex nostrīs (our guys) prodiret ad colloquium ;*indirect command
sese habēre (things) quae vellent dicere dē communī rē, *indirect statement
(by) quibus rēbus sperārent controversiās posse minuī. *relative clause of characteristic
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR:
1. Highlight the ablative absolutes in the original.
2. Look at the supine: oppugnatum. Review supines:
A supine is a verbal noun which is identical to the ppp, except it is a neuter noun in the 4th declension. It is always singular
and only appears in the accusative form and ablative form: accusative: for the purpose of; ablative: in respect to which
something is true.
Review supines: Write in Latin, using an accusative supine:
1. He came to attack (for the purpose of attacking)
2. He came to stir up (for the purpose of stirring up)
3. He came to take (for the purpose of taking)
4. He came to draw back (for the purpose of drawing back)
3. What is happening here? What is strange about the behavior of Ambiorex & Catuvolcus?
Page
9
Book 27-AMBIOREX GIVES MESSENGERS A LONG, DRAWN-OUT CRAZY LIST OF REASONS WHY HE IS REALLY ON CAESAR”S SIDE and WHY THEY SHOULD LEAVE THEIR CAMP
Vocabulary: A
1. Eques, equitis (m): knight, horseman2. Familiaris, -is (m): relative, close friend3. Quidam, quaedam, quiddam: a certain4. Consuescō, -ere, consuēvī, consuētus: be accustomed5. Venitō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: come/go often6. Missus, -ūs (m): mission7. Causa following a genitive: for the sake of8. Colloquor, colloquī, collocutus: converse, hold a parley
B9. Loquor, loquī, locutus sum: speak10. Confiteor, confiterī, confessus sum: admit, confess11. Plurimus, -a, -um: very much12. Opera, -ae (f) effort, service13. Stipendium, -ī (n): tribute14. Finitimus, -ī (m): neighbor15. Catena, -ae (f): chain16. Remittō, -ere, remīsī, remissus: send back
C.17. Iudicium, -ī(n): judgement18. Voluntās, -ātis (f): will19. Coatus, -ūs (m): compulsion20. Eiusmodus: such a kind21. ius, iuris (m): right, legal right
D.22. Porro: moreover23. Repentinus, -a, -um: sudden24. Coniuratiō, -ōnis (m): conspiracy
E. 25. Probō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: prove26. Adeo: so27. Imperitus, -a, -um: inexperienced (+gen)28. Confidō, -ere, cnfīsus sum: be confident, believe29. Copiae, -ārum (f): forces
F. 30. communis commune: general31. oppugnō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus32. subsidium, - (n): support, aid
G.33. negō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: deny, refuse34. praesertim: especially
35. ineō, inīre, iniī, inītus: go in, enter upon36. dē: down from, about, for 37. recuperō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus
H.38. Quoniam: since39. Satisfaciō, -ere, satisfēcī, satisfactus: satify+dat, do one’s
duty sufficiently for +dat40. Ratiō, -ōnis (f): consideration41. Officium, - (n): duty42. Pro: for, on behalf of, in return for +abl43. Beneficium, -ī (n): kindness44. Hospitium, , -ī (n): hospitality45. Consulō, -ere, consuluī, consultus: consider + dat46. Salus, salutis (f): safety
I.47. Condūcō, -ere, condūxī, conductus: gather, hire48. Transeō, -īre, transiī, transītus: go across49. Adfore=adfuturus esse: going to be50. Biduum, - (n): two days
J.51. Volō, velle, voluī: wish; velint it present subjunctive of volō52. Dedūcō, -ere, dedūxī, deductus: lead down, lead away53. ēdūcō, -ere, ēdūxī, ēductus: lead out54. sentiō, -īre, -īvī, -ītus: perceive55. absum, abesse: be absent; absit is the present subjunctive56. amplius: more, farther57. paulus, -a, -um: a little58. quinquagenta: 50
K.59. Polliceor, pollicerī, pollictus sum: promise60. Confirm, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: assert solemnly61. Ius iurandum, - (n): binding oath62. Tutus, -a, -um: safe
L63. Consulō, -ere, consuluī, consultus: consult; take measures
for +dat64. levō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: free from, relieve + abl.65. referō, referre, retulī, relatus: bring back, report, convey66. gratia, -ae: gratitude67. meritum, -ī (n): what is deserved68. oratiō, -onis (f): speech
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED: A.1.Caius Arpineius, Romanus eques (et) familiaris Quintī Titurī,
et quidam Quintus Iunius ex Hispaniā quī iam ante consueverat ventitāre ad Ambiorigem (on) missū Caesaris,
mittitur ad eōs (to Ambiorex & Catuvolco) colloquendī causā.
*Quintus Titurius Sabinus is sometimes called Titurius, sometimes Sabinus.
B.2.Ambiorix locutus et apud eōs ad (here ad means in) hunc modum: A series of complicated indirect statements tell us what Ambiorex said. The verbs are infinitives
Page
10
(that he) confiterī (that) sese debere plurimum eī (to him=Caesar) pro beneficiīs Caesaris in (toward) sē,
quod liberatus esset (by his-Caesar’s) operā eius (from) stipendiō quod consuevisset pendere suīs fīnitimīs,Aduatucīs,
et quod et fīlius et fīlius fratris,
quōs, missōs (cum) numerō obsidum, Aduatucī tenuissent apud sē in servitude et catenīs,
(they-son&nephew) remīssī essent (to) eī ā Caesare;
C.3.neque (he-Ambiorex) fēcisse id quod fēcerit dē oppugnātione castrōrum
Aut (by his own) iudiciō aud suā voluntate, sed (by the) coactū civitatis
et sua imperia esse eiusmodī
ut multitudō haberet nōn nōn minus iuris in (over)sē quam ipse (haberet) in (over) multitudinem;
D.4. Porro hanc fuisse causam bellī (for the) civitatī,
quod (he) nōn poterit resistere repentinae coniurationī Gallōrum.
E.5. Sē posse probāre id facile ex suā humilitāte,
quod nōn sit adeo imperitus rērum ut confidant Romanum populum posse superārī suīs copiīs. *result clause
F.6.Sed (hoc) esse commune consilium Galliae;
Hunc diem dictum esse (for) omnibus hibernīs Caesaris oppugnandīs,
Nē qua (any) legiō posset venīre (with) subside (for) alterae legion. *negative purpose clause
G.7. Nōn potuisse (for) Gallīs negāre Gallōs facile,
praesertim cum consilium vidēretur initum dē (suā-their own) communī libertate recuperandā.
H.8. Quoniam satisfēcit quibus (for them-the Gauls) pro pietate,
nunc sē habere rationem (of his) officiī pro beneficiīs Caesaris:
monēre et orāre Titurium pro hospitiō,
ut consulat suae salutī ac (salutī) militum.
I.9.Magnam manum Germanōrum conductam transisse Rhenum;
Hanc (manum) adfore biduō.
J.10.(Hoc-this) esse consilium (Romanōrum) ipsōrum:
Velintne deducere militēs, eductōs ex hibernīs priusquam finitimī sentiant, * -ne indicates question, here an indirect ?
I think he means that this “should be” the plan of the Romans, or “must be” the plan of the Romans.
I think he suggests two possibilities to make the suggestion less suspicious. It is really a trap!
Page
11
Aut ad Ciceronem aut ad Labienum,
Quōrum alter absit circiter quinquaginta milia passuum ab eīs,
Alter (absit) amplius paulō.
K.11. Sē pollicerī et confirmāre illud iure iurandō daturum (esse) tutum iter per fīnes.
L.12.Quod cum faciat, sese et consulere civitatī,
quod (it would be) levētur (from the) hibernīs, et referre gratiam Caesarī pro meritīs eius.
Hac oration habitā, Ambiorix discēdit.
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR< THEN ANSWER1. List the convoluted points that Ambiorex makes.
2.Almost the whole thing is indirect statement, with lots of subordinate subjunctive clauses thrown in.
Highlight all the infinitives in indirect statement.
\
Page
12
Chapter 28 Arpineius & Iunius report what Ambiorex said:
Vocabulary:
1. A
2. Deferō, deferre, detulī, delatus: report
3. Legatus, -ī: commander of a legion
4. B.
5. Repentinus, -a, -um: sudden, unexpected
6. Etsi: even though
7. Existimō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: think, believe
8. Permoveō, -ēre, permovī, permotus: deeply affect
9. Vix: hardly, with difficulty
10. Ignobilis, ignobile: undistinguished
11. Eburonēs: Eburones-a Gallic tribe, tribe of Ambiorex
12. Audeō, audēre, ausus sum (defective)-dare, presume
13. Spons, spontis (f): free will
14. C.
15. Deferō, deferre, detulī, delatus: bring down, submit
16. Exsistō, exsistere exstitī exstitus: arise, break out
17. D.
18. Complurēs, ium: several
19. Temere: rashly
20. Iniussus, -ū (m): absence of comman, without orders
21. E.
22. Doceō, -ēre, docuī, doctus: teach, argue
23. Quantusvis quantavis quantumvis: however great
24. Sustineō, -ēre, sustinuī, sustentus: hold out, withstand
25. Testimonium, -ī (n): evidence
26. Inferō, inferred, intulī, inlatus: inflict upon
27. F.
28. frumentarius, -a, -um: pertaining to grain
29. subsidium, -ī :help
30. conveniō, -īre, convēnī, conventus: come together, arrive
31. proximus, -a, -um: nearest
32. levis, leve: light, silly; levior, levius: lighter, sillier
33. turpis, turpe: shameful; turpior, turpius: more shameful
34. auctor, auctoris (m): agent, source
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED:
A. Arpineius et Iunius deferent quae audivērunt ad legatōs.
B. Illī perturbatī (by the) repentinā rē,
etsī ea dēbantur ab hoste,
tamen existimābant (ea) nōn neglengenda (esse),
et maximē permovēbantur (by) hāc rē:
vix credendum erat
quod ignobilem atque humilem civitatem Eburonum ausam (esse) facere bellum Romanō populō (by) suā sponte.
C. Itaque deferunt rem ad consilium et magna controversia exsistit inter eōs.
D. L. Aurunculeius et complurēs tribunī militum et centurionēs primōrum ordinum existimābant
We have a string of indirect statements--what this group thought, taught, argued, etc.
Page
13
nihil agendum (esse) temere neque discendendum (esse) ex hibernīs iniussū Caesaris.
E. Etiam docēbant quantāsvis copiās Germanōrum posse sustinērī (by) munitīs hibernīs,
et rem esse testimoniō,
quod sustinuerint primum impetum hostium fortissimē,
ultrō (with) multīs vulneribus inlatīs (hostibus-on the enemies)
F.(that they-indirect statement continues) nōn premī (in regard to) frumentariā rē;
Interea subsidia conventura (esse) et ex proximīs hibernīs et ā Caesare;
Postremō quid esse levius aut turpius quam capere consilium dē summīs rēbus, (with) hoste auctore?
READ THE ORIGINAL:
1. What course of action (or inaction) does this argue for?
2. List the arguments they give in your own words:
We have a string of indirect statements--what this group thought, taught, argued, etc.
Page
14
Chapter 29: SABINUS (Titurius) SHOUTS THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE THE
ADVICE OF AMBIOREX AND HEAD FOR THE NEAREST CAMP
Vocabulary:
A.
Quintus Titurius Sabinus: sometimes he is called Titurius, sometimes
Sabinus;
Sero: too late
Maior, maius: greater, rather great
Manus, -ūs (m): hand or (here) a band
Adiungō, -ere, adiunxī, adiunctus: attach, unit
Aliquis, aliquid: somebody, something
Calamitās, -atis (f): disaster
Accipiō, -ere, accēpī, acceptus: receive
Proximus, -a, -um:nearest
Occasiō, -onis (f): opportunity
Consulō, -ere, consuluī, consultus: take council
B.
Arbitror, arbitrārī, arbitrātus sum: think, believe
Proficiscor, proficiscī, profectus sum: set forth
Aliter: otherwise
Carnutes, ium: the Gallic tribe that killed Tasgetius, a Roman puppet
king
Eburones, ium: the Gallic tribe of Ambiorex
C.
Auctor, auctoris: originator, cause
Subsum, subesse, subfuī: be near
Ardeō, -ēre, arsī, arsus: burn, simmer
Redigō, -ere, redēgī, redactus: bring into submission
Tot: so many
Contumelia, -ae, (f): insult
Extinguō, -ere, extinxī, extinctus: extinguish, blot out
D
Postremo: at last
Eiusmodus: of such a kind
Descendō, -ere, descend, descensus: descend, lower oneself
E
Sententia, -ae(f): opinion, position (in the argument)
Tutus, -a, -um: safe
Uterquae, utraque, utrumque: both
Durus, -a, -um: hard, severe; durior, durius: harder
Salus, salutis (f): (means of) safety
consentiō, -īre, consēnsī, consensus: agree, conspire
ponō, -ere, posuī, positus: put, place, lay
Celeritās, celeritātis (f): speed
F
Quidem: indeed
Exitus, -ūs (m): end, result
Praesēns, -entis: preent, current
Fames, famis(f): famine
Longinquus, -a, -um: prolonged
Obsidiō, -onis (f): siege
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED:
A.Contra ea Titurius (Sabinus)clamitābat
(that they) facturōs (esse) serō,
cum maiorēs manus hostium, Germanīs adiunctīs, convēnissent,
aut cum aliquid calamitātis acceptum esset in proximīs hibernīs; *here cum probably means “after”
(that) occasionem consulendī esse bravem. *another part of the indirect statement after clamitābat
String of indirect statements after clamitābat; I tried to underline the infinitives in the indirect statements
Page
15
B. (He shouted that he) arbitrarī (that) Caesarem profectum (esse) in Italiam, *indirect statement within indirect statement
(that) neque aliter Carnutēs captūrōs fuisse consilium Tasgetī interficiendī
(that) neque Eburonēs venturōs esse ad castra tantā contemptione nostrī,
sī ille (Caesar) adesset.
C. (He shouted that he)nōn spectāre hostem (esse) auctorem sed rem (ipsam-itself): *indirect statement within indirect statement
(that) Rhenum subesse;
(that) mortem Ariovistī et nostrās superiorēs esse (of) magnō dolorī Germanīs. *Ariovistus was a Germanic leader that the Romans had killed
(that)Galliam ardere redactam sub imperium Romanī
(with) tot contumeliīs acceptīs et (with) superior gloriā militaris reī exstinctā
D. (that) Postremo quis persuaderet sibi hoc, *deliberative subjunctive: “who would persuade”
(that) Ambiorigem descendisse ad consilium eiusmodī sine certā rē?
E. (that) suam sententiam utramque partem esse tutam:
(that)sī nihil durius esset, (se-they) perventurōs (esse) ad proximam legionem cum nullō periculō;
(but that)sī omnis Gallia consentīret cum Germanīs, unam salutem positam esse in celeritate.
F. (that)Quidem, quem exitum (would the) consilium Cottae atque eōrum quī dissentīrent habere?
In quō, (even if) sī nōn (esset) praesēns periculum,
At certe famēs timenda esset (with a) longinquā obsidione?
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR< THEN ANSWER:
1. List in your own words the arguments Sabinus gives for why they should take the advice of Ambiorex, leave their own camp and head for a nearby camp:
Page
16
CHAPTER 30-COTTA & OTHERS OBJECT; SABINUS PRESSES HIS ARGUMENT FOR WHY THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE CAMP
Vocabulary
A
1. Disputatio, -onis (f): debate
2. Uterque, utraque, utrumque-both, each of two
3. Pars, partis (f): part, faction, side
4. Resistō, -ere, restitī, restitus: resist, oppose
5. Acriter: fiercely
6. Ordo-inis (m): rank
7. Vincō, -ere, vīcī, victus: win, conquer, prevail
8. Clarus, -a, 0um: clear, loud
9. Exaudiō, -īere, īvī, -ītus: hear clearly
B
10. Sapiō, -ere, sapīvī: bbe aware
11. Quis, quid: who, what; also can mean anyone,
anything
12. Accidō, -ere, accidī, happen
13. Reposcō, -ere: demand
14. Ratio, -onis (f): account, explatnation
15. Abs: from
C
16. Licet, -ēre (it is permitted
17. Coniungō, -ere, coniuxī, coniuntus: join, unite
18. Perendinus, -a, -um: after tomorrow
19. sustineō, -ēre, sustinuī, sustentus: endure
20. Communis, -e : common
21. Casus, -ūs (m): chance, risk
22. Intereō, -īre, interīvī, interītus: die
23. Ferrum, - (n): iron, sword
24. Fames, famis (f): famine
25. Reiciō, reicere, reiecī, reiectus: reject, remove
26. Relegō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: isolate, seclude
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED:
A. Hac disputatione habitā in utramque partem
cum (it was) resisteretur acriter ā Cottā (et ā) primīs ordinibus
Sabinus inquit,
“Vincite, sī vultis ita,”
et inquit id (in a) clariore voce ut magna pars militum exaudiret. *purpose clause
B. “Neque sum is, quī ex vobīs terrear (by) gravissimē periculō mortis; *terrear-sub,pass, rel. clause of characteristic
Hī (militēs) sapient (←future tense) (et) sī quid gravius acciderit(←future perfect tense),
Reposcent (←future tense) rationem abs tē. *if fut indicative/then fut indicative=future more vivid
C. Quī, sī liceat per tē,
Page
17
coniunctī (on the)perendinō diē cum proximīs hibernīs sustineant commune casum bellī cum reliquīs
et nōn intereant aut (by) ferrō aut (by) fame,
reiectī et relegatī longe ab ceterīs (militibus)
* sī acciderit . . . . reposcent is a FUTURE MORE VIVID=if it will have happened . . .(then) they will demand
Sī future/future perfect indicative . . . (then) future/future perfect indicative
* sī liceat . . . . . sustineant et nōn intereant is a FUTURE LESS VIVID=if it should be permitted. ., they would endure and not die
Sī present subjunctive . . . . (then) present subjunctive=if this should happen,then that would happen”
READ THE ORIGINAL, THEN ANSWER:
1. Who is opposing the arguments of Sabinus?
2. How does Sabinus use his voice in this passage?
3. Put in your own words, each point that Sabinus makes.
4. Compare the effect of FUTURE MORE VIVID and FUTURE LESS VIVID:
FUTURE MORE VIVID: Sī future indicative, . . . (then) future indicative(generally)If this will/will have happened, then that will/will have happened(in this passage) if this will have happened, then they will demand . . . .
FUTURE LESS VIVIDSī present subjunctive . . (then) present subjunctive(generally)If this should happen, then that would happen(In this passage) if it should be permitted . . .then they they would endure and not die . . .
Page
18
CHAPTER 31: COTTA YEILDS, THEY DECIDE ON SABINUS”S PLAN TO MARCH OUTVocabulary: A.
1. Consurgō, -ere, consurrēxī, consurrectus: rise up
toether
2. Comprehendō, -ere, comprehend, comprehensus:
arrest; here it means lay hold of, grab
3. Uterque, utraque, utrumque-both:
4. Deducō, -ere, deduxī, deductus: bring, lead
5. Dissensiō, -onis (f) disagreement
6. Pertinacia, -ae (f): pertinacity, subborness
B.
7. Seu : or if; seu, seu: whether . . . or
8. Modo: only, si modo: provided that
9. Sentiō, -īre, -īvī, -ītus: feel, decide upon
10. Probō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: approve, approve,
recommend
11. Perspiciō, -ere, perspexī, perspectus: perceive, see
12. alus, -utis (f): safety, means of safety
C.
13. Perdūcō, -ere, perdūxī, perductus: lead through,
draw out
14. Permoveō, -ēre, permōvī, permotus: move
(emotionall), prevail upon
15. Pronuntiō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: announce
16. Eō, īre, iī/īvī, ītus: go
D.
17. Vigilia, -ae (f) watch, not sleeping
18. Quisque, quaeque, quodque: each, every
19. Cogō, -ere, coēgī, acoactus: force
20. Instrumentum, - (n): equipment
E.
21. Excogitō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: consider,
22. Quare: why?, how?
23. Augeō, -ēre, auxī, auctus: increase
24. Languor, -oris (m): fatigue
F.
25. Agmen, agminis (n): military column
26. Persuadeō, -ēre, persuasī, persuasus: persuade (dat)
of something (acc)
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED:A. 1.Consurgitur ex consiliō; *weird impersonal passive: consurgitur=it was risen up=they rose up
comprehendunt utrumque (Cottam et Sabinam) et orant
ne deducant rem in summum periculum (by means of) suā dissension et pertinaciā;
B. 2.Rem esse facile, seu maneant, seu proficiscantur, * implied indirect statement after orant
sī modo omnēs sentiant ac probent unum;
contra, sē perspicere nullam salute in dissentione.
C. 3.Res perducitur disputatione ad mediam noctem.
Page
19
4. Tandem Cotta, permotus, dat manus; *to give your hand=to yield
sententia Sabinī superat.
5. Pronuntiatur (that they) ītūrōs (esse ) primā luce.
D. 6. Reliqua pars noctis consumitur (by/with) vigiliīs,
cum quisque miles circumspiceret sua,
quid posset portāre cum sē, et quid cogeretur relinquere ex instrumentō hibernōrum.
E. 7. Omnia excogitantur:
quare maneantur nec sine periculō,
et periculum augeantur (by the) languore et vigiliīs militum.
F. 8.Sic proficiscuntur ex castrīs (at) primā luce,
agmine longissimō (et) impedimentīs maximīs;
ut (virī-men) quibus persuasum (esset) *weird impersonal passive: in such a manner as men to whom it had been persuaded that . . .
(that) consilium datum (esse) *ind statement
Nōn ab hoste se dab amicissimō homine, Ambiorige.
READ THE ORIGINAL.
1. What did the soldiers spend the night doing?
2. What does the last line tell us about the wisdom (or lack thereof) of following the advice of your
enemy?
Page
20
CHAPTER 32-THE ROMANS ARE AMBUSHED BY AMBIOREX & THE GAULS (OF COURSE!)
Vocabulary
A.
1. Posteaquam=postquam=after
2. Sentiō, -īre, sēnsī, sensus: notice, perceive, find out about
3. Profectio, -onis (f): departure, setting forth
4. Fremitus, =ūs (m): noise
5. Vgilia, -ae (f): night watch
6. Insideae –ārum (f): ambush
7. Collocō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: place, put in place
8. Bipertito: in two divisions
9. Opportunus, -a, -um: suitable
10. Occultus, -a, -um: hidden
11. Circiter: about
12. Duo, -ae, -o: two
13. Milia passūs: 1000 paces; mile
B.
14. Maior, maius: greater
15. Agmen, -inis (n): military colum
16. Demittō, -ere, demīsī, demissus: lower, descend
17. Convallis, -is (f): valley
18. Ostendō, -ere, ostendī, ostentus: show
19. Uterque, utraque, utrumque: both, each side
20. Pars, partis (f): part, side
21. Valles, vallis (f): valley, ravine
22. Coepiō, -ere, coepī, coeptus: begin
23. Premō, -ere, pressī, pressus: press, attack
24. Novissimus, -a, um: “newest”, here it means last
25. Committō, -ere, commīsī, commissus: with proelium means
undertake battle
26. Proelium, - (n): battle
27. Iniquus, -a, -um: adverse, unfavorable
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED:
A. At hostēs, posteaquam sēnsērunt dē profectione eōrum ex nocturnō fremitū (et) vigiliīs
collocātīs insidiīs,
expectābant adventum Romanōrum
bipertito in silvīs (at) opportunō atque occult locō,
ā circiter duobus milibus passuum; *from about two miles=about two miles away
B.et cum maior pars agminis demīsisset sē in magnam convallem,
subito (they-hostēs) ostendērunt sē ex ultrāque parte eius vallis
(et) coepērunt premere novissimōs (militēs) et prohibere primōs (militēs) ascensū
atque committere proelium (in) iniquissimō locō nostrīs (militibus)
READ THE ORIGINAL, THEN ANSWER
1. What happens in this section, in your own words?
Page
21
Chapter 33-SABINUS IS AN IDIOT; THE GAULS SURROUND THE ROMANS
Vocabulary
A.
1. Demum=denique: at last
2. Provideō, -ēre, provīdī, provisus: foresee and provide for
3. Ante: beforehand
4. Trepidō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: be agitated
5. Concurō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: rush about
6. Disponō, -ere, disposuī, dispositus: arrange, position
7. Timide: fearfully
8. Deficiō, -ere, defēcī, defectus: abandon, fail
9. Plerumque: generally
10. Consuescō, -ere, conscuevī, consuetus: be accustomed
11. Cogō, cogere, coēgē, coactus: force
12. Negotium, -ī (n): business, crisis situation
B.
13. Ob: on account of +acc
14. Auctor, -oris (m): originator, supporter
15. Desum, deesse, defuī: lack, be found wanting
16. Communis, -e: common
17. Salus, salutis (f): safety, welfare
18. Praestō, -āre, praestitī, praestitus: “stand first”, excel
19. Officium, ī (n): duty
20. Imperator, -oris (m): commander, leader (not emperor, in
this passage)
21. Appellō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: call
22. Cohortor, -cohortārī, cohorātus: encourage, exhort
C.
23. Obeō, obīre, obīvī, obītus: meet attend to, perform
24. Quisque, quaeque, quodque: each, every
25. Longitude, -ins (f): length
26. Agmen, agminis (n): military line or column
27. Pronuntiō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: proclaim, give orders
28. Relinquere, reliquī, relictus: abandon, leave
29. Impedimenta, -ōrum (n): baggage, equipment
30. Consistere, constitī constitus: place, station oneself
31. Orbis, orbis (m): circle
D.
32. Etsī: even if
33. Reprehendō, -ere, reprehendī, reprehensus: censure,
criticize,
34. Casus, -ūs (m): crisis, event
35. Incommode: inconveniently, disastrously
36. Minuō, -ere, minuī, minutes: diminish
37. Efficiō, -ere, effēcī, effectus: make, bring about
38. Alacer, alacris, alacre: eager
39. Desperation, -onis(f): despair
E.
40. Praeterea: moreover
41. Accidō, -ere, accīdī: happen
42. Fiō, dierī, factus sum: come about, happen
43. Discēdō, -ere, discessī, discessus: depart, withdraw
44. Signum, - ī (n): military standard (for each unit of soldiers)
45. Vulgo: everywhere
46. Quisque, quaeque, quidque: each
47. Properō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: hurry
48. Arripiō, -ere, arripuī, arreptus: grasp, snatch up
49. Carus, -a, -um: dear
50. Compleō, -ēre, -compllevī, completes: fill
51. Fletus, -ūs (m): weeping
Slightly Simplified
A. Tum demum Titurius (Sabinus), quī providisset nihil ante,
trepidāre et consursāre cohortēsque disponere, *These are “historic infinitives”. Translate like indicative verbs
tamen (he did) haec ipsa timide ut omnia viderentur diffcere eum, (so that everything seemed to fail him)
quod plurumque consuevit accidere eīs quī coguntur capere consilium in negotiō ipsō.
Page
22
B. At Cotta, quī cogitasset (i.e. cogitāvisset) haec posse accidere in itinere
atque ob eam causam (he-Cotta) nōn fuisset auctor profectionis,
(he-Cotta) deerat communī salutī in nullā rē
et praestābat officia imperatoris in militibus appellandīs et cohortandīs,
et (he-Cotta praestābat officia) militis in pugnā.
C. Cum (they-the imperatorēs) possent obīre omnia minus facile per sē
et (possent) providēre quid faciendum esset (in) quōque locō propter longitudinem agminis,
(they-the imperatorēs) iussērunt (centuriōnēs) pronuntiāre
ut relinquerent impedimenta atque consisterent (themselves-sē) in orbem. *indirect command
D. Quod concilius, etsī nōn reprehendendum est in casū eiusmodī,
tamen accidit incommode:
nam et minuit spem (to/for) nostrīs militibus et effēcit hostēs alacriōrēs ad pugnam,
quod nōn vidēbātur id factum (esse) sine summō timore et desperatione.
E. Praeterea accidit, quod erat necesse fierī,
ut militēs discederent ab signīs vulgo
(et) quisque eōrum properaret petere atque arripere quae haberet carissima ab impedimentīs,
(et) omnia complerentur (with) clamore et fletū.
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR, THEN ANSWER 1. Explain the contrast between the behavior and character of Sabinus and Cotta.
2. What is the difference between the duty of a commander and the duty of a soldier? Caesar says that Cotta excelled at both. What does that mean?
3. What do the commanders order the soldiers to do?
4. What does Caesar tell us are the two disadvantages of abandoning equipment and forming a circle for defense? What does Caesar say the men inevitably do in this situation?
Page
23
Chapter 34: THE FIGHT BEGINS
VOCABULARY
A.
Desum, deesse, defuī: be without
Pronuntiō: proclaim
Aciēs, aciēī: line of battle
Quis, quid (after sī, nisī, num & nē=) quisque, quidquidque: each one, each thing
Quicumque, quaecumque, quodcumque: whosover, whatsoever
Praeda, -ae (f): booty, plunder
Servō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: save, keep for (dat)
Proinde: therefore
Existimō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: consider, think
Ponō, -ere, posuī, positus: put, place, (passive) depend on
B.
Par, paris: equal; equally matched
Virtus, -utis: courage
Stadium, ī(n): enthusiasm, eagerness
Tametsī (tam+etsī): although
Deserō, -ere, deseruī, desertus: desert, forsake
Quotiēns : as often as
Quisque, quaequae, quodque: each,
Procurrō, -ere, procurrī, procursus: run forth, advance
Cadō, -ere, cecidī, casus: fall, die
Pars, partis (f): part, side, direction, area
C.
Animadvertō, -ere, animadvertī, animadversus: notice
Coniciō, -ere, coniēcī, coniectus: hurtl
Telum, -ī (n): missile, spear
Procul: at a distance
Neu: and not
Accedō, -ere, access accessus: approach
Cedō, -ere, cessī, cessus: yield, withdraw
Impetus, -ūs (m): attack
Noceō, -ēre, nocuī, nocitus: harm
Levitās –atis (f): lightness
Exercitation, -onis (f): practice
Insequor, insequī, insecutus sum: follow
Recipiō, -ere, recēpī, receptus: take back, recover, retreat
Rursus: again
Signum, ī (n): military standard
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED:
A. At consilium nōn defuit (to the) barbarīs.
nam iussērunt ducēs eōrum pronuntiāre (along the) totā aciē
ne quis discederet ab locō,
(that) praedam esse illōrum (theirs-the Gallic warriors’)
atque (that) quaecumque Romanī relinquissent reserārī illīs (for the Gallic warriors)
2 Indirect statements: after “pronuntiāre”
Ne clause: negative purpose? Indirect command?
Page
24
proinde (they) existimarent omnia posita (erant) in victoriā.
B. (They-hostēs) erant parēs et virtute et studiō pugnandī;
nostrī (our men) tametsī deserebantur ab duce et ā fortunā
tamen ponēbant omnem spem salutis in virtute,
et quotiēns quaeque cohors procurrerat,
magnus numerous hostium cadēbat ab eā parte.
C. quā rē animadversā,
Ambiorex iubet (it-an order) pronuntiārī
ut coniciant tela procul
Neu accēdant propius et cedant in quam partem Romanī fēcerint impetum,
(posse eīs nocerī nihil (because of) levitate armōrum et cotidianā exercitatione)
(Ambiorex iubet pronuntiārī ut)(they) insequantur (Romanōs) recipientēs sē rursus ad signa.
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR. ANSER
1. Clearly Caesar thinks that Sabinus is an idiot. However, what does he say about the other Roman soldiers who are fighting this unfortunate battle?What does he say about the Gauls who are fighting this battle?
Indirect commands
An aside comment
Continuation of the Indirect command
Page
25
Chapter 35: THE FIGHT CONTINUES; MANY ROMANS DIE OR ARE WOUNDED
Vocabulary:
A.
1. Praeceptum, -ī (n): command, order
2. Observō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: observe, comply with
3. Quispiam, quaepiam, quidpiam=aliquis, aliquid: any
4. Excedō, excedere, excess, excessus: go out
5. Impetus, -ūs (m): attack
6. Refugiō, -ere, refūgī, : run back, flee
7. Velociter: quickly; velocissime: very quickly
B.
8. Nudō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: expose
9. Telum, -ī (n): missile, spear, thrown weapon
10. Recipiō, -ere, recēpī, receptus: receive
11. Apertus, -a, -um: open
12. Latus, lateris (n): side
C.
13. Coepiō, -ere, coepī, coeptus: begin
14. Revertor, revert reverses: turn back, return
15. Unde: from where, whence
16. Egredior, egredī, egressus: go out, set forth
17. Circumveniō, -īre, -vēnī, -ventus: surround
18. Cedō, ere, cessī, cessus: yield, withdraw
19. Proximus, -a, -um: closest
D.
20. Sin: but if
21. Volō, velle, voluī: wish; velle is the base for making
imperfect subjunctive
22. Vitō, -āre, āvī, -ātus: avoid
23. Confertus, -a, -um: crowded closely together
24. Tantus, -a, -um: so great
E.
25. Conflictō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: be beaten down, be detressed
26. Tot: so many
27. incommodum, - (n): disadvantage
28. Accipiō, -ere, accēpī, acceptus: receive
29. Consumō, -ere, consumpsī, consumptus: eat, use up
30. Octavus, -a, -um: committō, -ere, commīsī, commissus:
commit: undertake
31. Indignus, -a, -um: unworthy of (+abl)
F.
32. Uterque, utraque, utrumque: both, each of two
33. Femur, -oris: thigh
34. Primus pilus-refers to the first century of the first cohort
35. Superior, -ius: former, previous
36. Traiciō, -ere, traiecī, traiectus: pierce
37. Tragula, -ae (f): javelin
38. Idem, eadem idem: the sam
39. Ordo-inis (m): rank
40. Subveniō, -īre, subvēnī, subventus: help
41. Adhortor, adhortārī, adhortātus: encourage
42. Adversus, -a, -um: facing, in front of
43. Os, oris (n): mouth, face
44. Funda, -ae (f): sling
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED
A. Quō praeceptō observatō deligentissime ab eīs,
cum quaepiam cohors excesserat ex orbe atque fecerat impetum,
hostēs refugiēbant velocissime.
B. Interim erat necesse (for) eam partem (cohortis) nudārī,
Page
26
et tela recipī ab apertō latere.
C. Cum (nostrī militēs-our guys) coeperant revertī rursus in eum unde egressī erant,
(they) circumveniēbantur et ab ēīs (hostibus) quī cesserant et ab eīs (hostibus) quī steterant proximī;
D. Sin, autem (hostrī militēs-our guys) vellent tenere locum,
nec locus relinquebātur (for) virtute, *ī.e.: they did not decide to show their valor by leaving their spot
neque, (they, being) confertī poterant vitāre tella coniecta ab tantā multitudine.
E. Tamen, conflictatī (because of-means) tot incommodīs (with) multīs vulneribus acceptīs,
Resistēbant et, magnā parte diēī consumptā
(cum pugnaretur a primā luce ad octavam horam)
Committēbant nihil quod indignum ipsīs.
F. Tum utrumque femur (to/of-dat case→) Titō Balentiō, fortī virō et (of) magnae auctoritātis
Quī duxerat primum pilum (during the-time when) superiore annō
Traicitur tragulā;
Q. Lucanius, eiusdem ordinis, interficitur pugnāns fortissimē
Dum subvēnit (suō-his own) filiō circumventō (ab hostibus);
(et) L. Cotta, legatus, adhortāns omnēs cohortēs (et )ordinēs, vulneratur in adversum os (by a) fundā.
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR< ANSWER
1. How does Caesar express his esteem and respect for the Romans (except for Sabinus, of course)? fighting in this ill-fated battle )? What details evoke emotion, with simplicity?
Page
27
Chapter 36-SABINUS, STUPID AGAIN, PREPARES TO MEET AMBIOREX
Vocabulary
A.
1. Permotus, -a, -um: upset
2. Procul: at a distance
3. Cohortor, cohortārī, cohortātus sum: exhort,
encourage
4. Interpres, interpretis, (m): interpreter
5. Parcō, -ere, pepercī, parsus: spare
B.
6. Appellō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus:
7. Colloquor, colloquī, collocutus: talk, converse
8. Volō, velle, voluī: wish
9. Imp. Subj: Velim, veils, velit, velimus, velitis velint
10. Licet, licēre, licuit, licitum est: it is permitted
11. Sperō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: hope
12. Pertineō, -ēre, pertinuī, :pertain, concern, relate to
13. Salus, salutis (f): safety
14. Impetrō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: bring about, obtain by
request
15. Noceō, -ēre, nocuī, nocitus: harm
16. Interponō, interponere, interposuī: put forward,
with fides: give one’s word
C.
17. Saucius, -a, -um: wounded
18. Excedō, -ere, excess, excessus: depart
D.
19. Negō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: deny, refuse, say no
20. Armatus, -a, -um: armed
21. Perseverō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: persevere
22. Iudicium, -ī (n): decision, opinion
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIEDA. Permotus (by) hīs rēbus, Q. Titurius (Sabinus)
cum conspexisset Ambiorigem procul cohortantem suōs (virōs)
mittit suum interpretum Cn Pompeium ad eum,
rogatum ut parcat sibi (et) militibus. * rogatum is an accusative supine expressing purpose: “to ask, for the purpose of asking
B. Ille (i.e. Ambiorex) appellatus, repondit:
Sī (he-Q.Titurius Sabinus) velit colloquī eum sē, (id-it) licere. *indirect statement w.infinitive licere
(sē-he-Ambiorex) sperāre (id-it) quod pertineat ad salute militum impetrāre ā multitudine; *indirect statements
vero, nihil nocitum īrī (Tituriō Sabinus) ipsī, *ind.state. with rare future passive infinitive!-literally-it would be about to be no harm to
(et) sē interponere suam fidem in eam rem.
A. Ille (i.e. Tuturius Sabinus) communicat cum sauciō Cottā:
Sī videatur ut excedant pugnā et colloquantur unā Ambiorige;
(that he) sperāre posse impetrārī, ab eō dē suā salute ac (salute) militum. *indirect statement
Page
28
D. Cotta negat sē iturum (esse) ad armatum hostem atque perseverat in eō (this decision) *indirect statement
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR;
Answer
1. Review supines: verbal noun identical to the PPP, except only neuter, singular, accusative & ablativea. Accusative supine expresses purpose b. Ablative supine expresses the sense in which something is true.
2. What is your view of Titurius Sabinus’s decision? What happened the last time he trusted Ambiorex?
What do you think will happen?
3. Why did Cotta refuse to meet with Ambiorex?
Page
29
Chapter 37-AMBIOREX KILLS SABINUS; COTTA DIES FIGHTING
Vocabulary
A.1. Ordo, inis (m): rank
2. Praesentia, -ae (f): present (with in, “for the present”
3. Sequor, sequī, secutus sum: follow
4. Accedō, accedere access, accessus: approach
5. Propius-neara+acc
6. Abiciō, -ere, abiēcī, abiectus: throw down
7. Imperatum, -ī (m): order
8. Imperō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: give orders
9. Idem, eadem, idem: same
B.
10. Condiciō, -onis(f): condition
11. Sermo, -onis (m): speech
12. Instituō, -ere, instituī, institutes: arrange, prepare
13. Consultum, -ī (n): decision, plan;
14. used in abl: consultō; by plan, i.e. deliberately
15. paulatim: little by little
16. circumveniō, -īre, circumvēnī, circumventus: surround
17. interficiō, -ere, interfēcī, interfectus: kill
C.
18. conclamō, āre, -āvī, -ātus: shout
19. mos, moris (m): custom
20. tollō, -ere, sustulī, subatus: raise
21. ululatus, -ūs (m): howl (like a wolf); war-cry
22. perturbō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: disturb, throw into confusion
23. reliquus, -a, um: the remaining, the rest
24. recipiō, -ere, recepī, receptus: take back, with sē, take
oneself back, withdraw
25. unde: from which
26. egredior, egredī, egressus: set out
D.
27. Aquilifer, -erī (m): eagle bearer
28. Premō, -ere, pressī, pressus: press closely
29. Proiciō, proicere, proiecī, proiectus: hurl forth
30. Aquila, -ae (f): eagle (standard)
31. Intra: inside + acc
32. Vallum, - (n): palisaded earthen rampart, wall
33. Occidō, -ere, occīdī, occisus: cut down, kill
34. Prō: in front of
E.
35. Sustineō, -ēre, sustinuī, sustentus: hold out (against)
36. Oppugnatiō, -onis (f): attack
37. Aegre: with difficulty
38. Desperō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: despair
F.
39. Paucus, -a, um: few
40. labor, labī, lapsus: slip away
41. incertus, -a, um: uncertain,
42. certus, -a, -um: certain; certior, certius: more certain
43. gerō, -ere, gessī, gestus: accomplish, carry out
SLIGHTLY SIMPLIFIED
A. Sabinus iubet tribunōs militum et centurionēs primōrum ordinēs
quōs habēbat circum sē in praesentiā, sequī sē
et, cum accessisset proprius Ambiorigem,
(he-Sabinus) iussus abicere arma, facit imperatum (et) imperat suīs (militibus) *redundant, but its OK
ut faciant idem.
Page
30
B. Interim, dum agunt inter sē dē condicionibus
et longior sermo instituitur (by) consultō ab Ambiorige
(he-Sabinus) circumventus paulatim interficitur.
C. Tum vero conclamant “victoriam!” (by) suō more atque tollunt ululatum,
et impetū factō in nostrōs (militēs), perturbant ordinēs.
D. Ibi L. Cotta interficitur pugnāns cum maximā parte militum.
Reliquī (militēs) recipiunt sē in castra unde ēgressī erant.
E. Ex quibus, aqulifer, L. Petrosidius, cum premeretur (by) multitudine hostium,
proiecit aquilam intrā vallum
et (he) ipse occiditur pugnāns fortissimē prō castrīs.
F. Illī sustinent oppugnationem aegre ad noctem;
Salute desperatā, ipsī omnēs interficiunt sē ad unum noctū. *ad unum: every one, to the last man
G. Paucī, lapsī, ex proeliō,
perveniunt per silvās incertīs itineribus in hiberna ad legatum T. Labienum;
atque faciunt eum certiorem dē rēbus gestīs.
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR:
1. Outline the sequence of events.
Page
31
Chapter 38-AMBIOREX IS ON A ROLL
Vocabulary
Ā.
Tollō, -ere, sustulī, sublatus: lift, raise up
Proficiscor, proficiscī, profectus set out
Equitatus, -ūs (m): cavalry
Aduatucī, -ōrum: the Audatuci, a Gallic tribe
Finitimī, -ōrum: neighbors
Intermittō, -ere, intermīsī, intermissus: delay
Peditatus, -s (m): infantry
Sese=sē
Subsequor, subsequī, subsecutus fum: follow closely
Aduatucī: a Gallic tribe
B.
Demonstrō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: show, repor
Concitō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: stir up
Nerviī: another Gallic tribe
Posterus, -a, -um: following
Hortor, -ārī, -hortātus sum: encourage
Dimittō, -ere, dimīsī, dimissus: give up, lose
Ulciscor, ulciscī, ultus sum: avenge
C.
Interficiō, -ere, interfēcī, interfectus: kill
Intereō, -īre, interiī interitus: die
Negotium, -ī (n): business, here it means “difficulty”
Hiemō, -āre, -āvī, -ātus: to winter, to spend the winter
Opprimō, -ere, oppressī, oppressus: overwhelm
Profiteer, -profiterī, professus: declare publically, promise
Adiutor, -oris (m): ally
D.
Persuadeō, -ēre, persuasī, persuasus: persuade
Oratio, -onis (f): speech
SLIGHTLY SIMPIIFIED:
A. Sublatus hāc victoriā Ambiorix statim proficisitur cum equitatū in Aduatucōs,
Quī erant finitimī regnō eius;
Intermittit neque noctem necque diem
(et) iubet peditātum subsequī sese.
B. Rē demonstratā (et) Aduatucīs concitātīs,
(he) pervēnit in Nerviōs (on the) posterō diē
(et) hortātur (eōs)
nē dimittant occasionem (of) suī liberandī in perpetuum
atque (of) ulciscendī Romanōs prō eīs iniuriī quās acceperint;
C. (he) Demostrat (that) duōs legatōs interfectōs esse (et)magnam partem exercitūs interisse; *ind. state.
(that) magnam partem (of) exercitūs interisse; *ind. state.
(that) esse nihil negotī (for) legionem quae hiemet cum Cicerone, subito oppressam, interficī; *ind. state.*”it was nothing of business”=it was not a difficult matter for . . . “
Page
32
(et) profitētur sē (esse) adiutorem ad eam rem *ind. state.
D. Facile persuadet Nerviīs (by means of) hāc oratione.
READ THE ORIGINAL CAESAR, ANSWER1. What does Ambiorex do now? Write in your own words.
Page
33
Chapter 39-
Vocabulary
A.
Dimittō-ere, dimīsī, dimissus: send forth
Confestim: immediately
Tribal pagī (sub-tribes)
Ceutronēs, (m): the Centronēs (a tribal pagus; pagus=sub tribe)
Grudiī: the Grudiī ( a tribal pagus)
Levacī: a tribal pagus
Pleumoxiī: a tribal pagus
Geidumnī: a tribal pagus
Cogō, -ere, coēgī, aoactus: force, gather together
Advolō: -āre, -āvī, -ātus: fly to; rush toward
Dē improvisō: unforeseen; unexpectedly
Fama, -ae (f): news, report
Nondum: not yet
Perferō, -ere, perfulī, perlatus: carry through, deliver
B.
Nonnullus, -a, um: some
Discedō, -ere, discessi discessus: depart
Causā: for the sake of
Lignatio, -onis (f): wood-gatherine
Munitio, -ionis: fortifying (gathering materials for fortification)
Intercipiō, -ere, intercēpī, interceptus: intercept
Page
34
Repintinus, -a, um: sudden
Adventus, -ūs (m): arrival
Eques, equities (m): cavalryman
C.
Slightly Simplified:
A. Itaque nuntiīs dimissīs confestim ad Ceutronēs Grudiōs Levacōs, Pleumoxiōs (et) Geidumnōs
(quī sunt omnēs sub imperiō oōrum);
cogunt maximās manūs quam possunt et advolant ad hiberna Ciceronis dē improvisō,
famā dē morte Titurī nondum perlatā ad eum.
B. Accidit huic (i.e. Q. Cicero) quoque,
quod fuit necesse,
ut nonullī militēs quī discessissent in silvās causā lignationis (et) munitionis,
interciperentur (by) repentinō adventū equituum.
C.
CHAPTER 24: CAESAR DISTRIBUTES HIS LEGIONS FOR WINTER CAMP
[24] 1 Subductis navibus concilioque Gallorum Samarobrivae peracto, quod eo anno frumentum in Gallia
propter siccitates angustius provenerat, coactus est aliter ac superioribus annis exercitum in hibernis
collocare legionesque in plures civitates distribuere. 2 Ex quibus unam in Morinos ducendam Gaio Fabio
legato dedit, alteram in Nervios Quinto Ciceroni, tertiam in Esubios Lucio Roscio; quartam in Remis
cum Tito Labieno in confinio Treverorum hiemare iussit. Tres in Belgis collocavit: 3 eis Marcum
Crassum quaestorem et Lucium Munatium Plancum et Gaium Trebonium legatos praefecit. 4 Unam
legionem, quam proxime trans Padum conscripserat, et cohortes V in Eburones, quorum pars maxima
Page
35
est inter Mosam ac Rhenum, qui sub imperio Ambiorigis et Catuvolci erant, misit. 5 Eis militibus
Quintum Titurium Sabinum et Lucium Aurunculeium Cottam legatos praeesse iussit. 6 Ad hunc modum
distributis legionibus facillime inopiae frumentariae sese mederi posse existimavit. 7 Atque harum tamen
omnium legionum hiberna praeter eam, quam Lucio Roscio in pacatissimam et quietissimam partem
ducendam dederat, milibus passuum centum continebantur. 8 Ipse interea, quoad legiones collocatas
munitaque hiberna cognovisset, in Gallia morari constituit.
CHAPTER 25-FIRST HINT OF TROUBLE: TASGETIUS IS KILLED
[25] 1 Erat in Carnutibus summo loco natus Tasgetius, cuius maiores in sua civitate regnum obtinuerant.
2 Huic Caesar pro eius virtute atque in se benevolentia, quod in omnibus bellis singulari eius opera fuerat
usus, maiorum locum restituerat. 3 Tertium iam hunc annum regnantem inimici, multis palam ex civitate
eius auctoribus, eum interfecerunt. 4 Defertur ea res ad Caesarem. Ille veritus, quod ad plures
pertinebat, ne civitas eorum impulsu deficeret, Lucium Plancum cum legione ex Belgio celeriter in
Carnutes proficisci iubet ibique hiemare quorumque opera cognoverat Tasgetium interfectum, hos
comprehensos ad se mittere. 5 Interim ab omnibus legatis quaestoreque, quibus legiones tradiderat,
certior factus est in hiberna perventum locumque hibernis esse munitum.
[26] 1 Diebus circiter XV, quibus in hiberna ventum est, initium repentini tumultus ac defectionis ortum
est ab Ambiorige et Catuvolco; 2 qui, cum ad fines regni sui Sabino Cottaeque praesto fuissent
frumentumque in hiberna comportavissent, Indutiomari Treveri nuntiis impulsi suos concitaverunt
subitoque oppressis lignatoribus magna manu ad castra oppugnatum venerunt. 3 Cum celeriter nostri
arma cepissent vallumque adscendissent atque una ex parte Hispanis equitibus emissis equestri proelio
superiores fuissent, desperata re hostes suos ab oppugnatione reduxerunt. 4 Tum suo more
conclamaverunt, uti aliqui ex nostris ad colloquium prodiret: habere sese, quae de re communi dicere
vellent, quibus rebus controversias minui posse sperarent.
Page
36
[27] 1 Mittitur ad eos colloquendi causa Gaius Arpineius, eques Romanus, familiaris Quinti Tituri, et
Quintus Iunius ex Hispania quidam, qui iam ante missu Caesaris ad Ambiorigem ventitare consuerat;
apud quos Ambiorix ad hunc modum locutus est: 2 Sese pro Caesaris in se beneficiis plurimum ei
confiteri debere, quod eius opera stipendio liberatus esset, quod Aduatucis, finitimis suis, pendere
consuesset, quodque ei et filius et fratris filius ab Caesare remissi essent, quos Aduatuci obsidum numero
missos apud se in servitute et catenis tenuissent; 3 neque id, quod fecerit de oppugnatione castrorum, aut
iudicio aut voluntate sua fecisse, sed coactu civitatis, suaque esse eiusmodi imperia, ut non minus haberet
iuris in se multitudo quam ipse in multitudinem. 4 Civitati porro hanc fuisse belli causam, quod
repentinae Gallorum coniurationi resistere non potuerit. Id se facile ex humilitate sua probare posse,
quod non adeo sit imperitus rerum ut suis copiis populum Romanum superari posse confidat. 5 Sed esse
Galliae commune consilium: omnibus hibernis Caesaris oppugnandis hunc esse dictum diem, ne qua
legio alterae legioni subsidio venire posset. 6 Non facile Gallos Gallis negare potuisse, praesertim cum de
recuperanda communi libertate consilium initum videretur. 7 Quibus quoniam pro pietate satisfecerit,
habere nunc se rationem offici pro beneficiis Caesaris: monere, orare Titurium pro hospitio, ut suae ac
militum saluti consulat. 8 Magnam manum Germanorum conductam Rhenum transisse; hanc adfore
biduo. 9 Ipsorum esse consilium, velintne priusquam finitimi sentiant eductos ex hibernis milites aut ad
Ciceronem aut ad Labienum deducere, quorum alter milia passuum circiter quinquaginta, alter paulo
amplius ab eis absit. 10 Illud se polliceri et iureiurando confirmare tutum iter per fines daturum. 11 Quod
cum faciat, et civitati sese consulere, quod hibernis levetur, et Caesari pro eius meritis gratiam referre.
Hac oratione habita discedit Ambiorix.
[28] 1 Arpineius et Iunius, quae audierunt, ad legatos deferunt. Illi repentina re perturbati, etsi ab hoste
ea dicebantur, tamen non neglegenda existimabant maximeque hac re permovebantur, quod civitatem
ignobilem atque humilem Eburonum sua sponte populo Romano bellum facere ausam vix erat
credendum. 2 Itaque ad consilium rem deferunt magnaque inter eos exsistit controversia. 3 Lucius
Aurunculeius compluresque tribuni militum et primorum ordinum centuriones nihil temere agendum
Page
37
neque ex hibernis iniussu Caesaris discedendum existimabant: quantasvis [magnas] copias etiam
Germanorum sustineri posse munitis hibernis docebant: rem esse testimonio, quod primum hostium
impetum multis ultro vulneribus illatis fortissime sustinuerint: re frumentaria non premi; interea et ex
proximis hibernis et a Caesare conventura subsidia: postremo quid esse levius aut turpius, quam auctore
hoste de summis rebus capere consilium?
[29] 1 Contra ea Titurius sero facturos clamitabat, cum maiores manus hostium adiunctis Germanis
convenissent aut cum aliquid calamitatis in proximis hibernis esset acceptum. Brevem consulendi esse
occasionem. Caesarem arbitrari profectum in Italiam; 2 neque aliter Carnutes interficiendi Tasgeti
consilium fuisse capturos, neque Eburones, si ille adesset, tanta contemptione nostri ad castra venturos
esse. 3 Non hostem auctorem, sed rem spectare: subesse Rhenum; magno esse Germanis dolori Ariovisti
mortem et superiores nostras victorias; 4 ardere Galliam tot contumeliis acceptis sub populi Romani
imperium redactam superiore gloria rei militaris exstincta. 5 Postremo quis hoc sibi persuaderet, sine
certa re Ambiorigem ad eiusmodi consilium descendisse? 6 Suam sententiam in utramque partem esse
tutam: si nihil esset durius, nullo cum periculo ad proximam legionem perventuros; si Gallia omnis cum
Germanis consentiret, unam esse in celeritate positam salutem. 7 Cottae quidem atque eorum, qui
dissentirent, consilium quem habere exitum? In quo si non praesens periculum, at certe longinqua
obsidione fames esset timenda.
[30] 1 Hac in utramque partem disputatione habita, cum a Cotta primisque ordinibus acriter resisteretur,
"Vincite," inquit, "si ita vultis," Sabinus, et id clariore voce, ut magna pars militum exaudiret; 2 "neque
is sum," inquit, "qui gravissime ex vobis mortis periculo terrear: hi sapient; si gravius quid acciderit, abs
te rationem reposcent, 3 qui, si per te liceat, perendino die cum proximis hibernis coniuncti communem
cum reliquis belli casum sustineant, non reiecti et relegati longe ab ceteris aut ferro aut fame intereant."
[31] 1 Consurgitur ex consilio; comprehendunt utrumque et orant, ne sua dissensione et pertinacia rem in
summum periculum deducant: 2 facilem esse rem, seu maneant, seu proficiscantur, si modo unum omnes
Page
38
sentiant ac probent; contra in dissensione nullam se salutem perspicere. Res disputatione ad mediam
noctem perducitur. 3 Tandem dat Cotta permotus manus: superat sententia Sabini. Pronuntiatur prima
luce ituros. 4 Consumitur vigiliis reliqua pars noctis, cum sua quisque miles circumspiceret, quid secum
portare posset, quid ex instrumento hibernorum relinquere cogeretur. 5 Omnia excogitantur, quare nec
sine periculo maneatur, et languore militum et vigiliis periculum augeatur. 6 Prima luce sic ex castris
proficiscuntur, ut quibus esset persuasum non ab hoste, sed ab homine amicissimo Ambiorige consilium
datum, longissimo agmine maximisque impedimentis.
[32] 1 At hostes, posteaquam ex nocturno fremitu vigiliisque de profectione eorum senserunt, collocatis
insidiis bipertito in silvis opportuno atque occulto loco a milibus passuum circiter duobus Romanorum
adventum exspectabant, 2 et cum se maior pars agminis in magnam convallem demisisset, ex utraque
parte eius vallis subito se ostenderunt novissimosque premere et primos prohibere ascensu atque
iniquissimo nostris loco proelium committere coeperunt.
[33] 1 Tum demum Titurius, qui nihil ante providisset, trepidare et concursare cohortesque disponere,
haec tamen ipsa timide atque ut eum omnia deficere viderentur; quod plerumque eis accidere consuevit,
qui in ipso negotio consilium capere coguntur. 2 At Cotta, qui cogitasset haec posse in itinere accidere
atque ob eam causam profectionis auctor non fuisset, nulla in re communi saluti deerat et in appellandis
cohortandisque militibus imperatoris et in pugna militis officia praestabat. 3 Cum propter longitudinem
agminis minus facile omnia per se obire et, quid quoque loco faciendum esset, providere possent,
iusserunt pronuntiare, ut impedimenta relinquerent atque in orbem consisterent. 4 Quod consilium etsi
in eiusmodi casu reprehendendum non est, tamen incommode accidit: 5 nam et nostris militibus spem
minuit et hostes ad pugnam alacriores effecit, quod non sine summo timore et desperatione id factum
videbatur. Praeterea accidit, quod fieri necesse erat, ut vulgo milites ab signis discederent, quae quisque
eorum carissima haberet, ab impedimentis petere atque arripere properaret, clamore et fletu omnia
complerentur.
Page
39
[34] 1 At barbaris consilium non defuit. Nam duces eorum tota acie pronuntiare iusserunt, ne quis ab
loco discederet: illorum esse praedam atque illis reservari quaecumque Romani reliquissent: proinde
omnia in victoria posita existimarent. 2 Erant et virtute et studio pugnandi pares; nostri, tametsi ab duce
et a fortuna deserebantur, tamen omnem spem salutis in virtute ponebant, et quotiens quaeque cohors
procurrerat, ab ea parte magnus numerus hostium cadebat. 3 Qua re animadversa Ambiorix pronuntiari
iubet, ut procul tela coniciant neu propius accedant et, quam in partem Romani impetum fecerint, cedant
(levitate armorum et cotidiana exercitatione nihil eis noceri posse), 4 rursus se ad signa recipientes
insequantur.
[35] 1 Quo praecepto ab eis diligentissime observato, cum quaepiam cohors ex orbe excesserat atque
impetum fecerat, hostes velocissime refugiebant. 2 Interim eam partem nudari necesse erat et ab latere
aperto tela recipi. 3 Rursus cum in eum locum unde erant egressi reverti coeperant, et ab eis qui
cesserant et ab eis qui proximi steterant circumveniebantur; 4 sin autem locum tenere vellent, nec virtuti
locus relinquebatur, neque ab tanta multitudine coniecta tela conferti vitare poterant. 5 Tamen tot
incommodis conflictati, multis vulneribus acceptis resistebant et magna parte diei consumpta, cum a
prima luce ad horam octavam pugnaretur, nihil quod ipsis esset indignum committebant. 6 Tum Tito
Balventio, qui superiore anno primum pilum duxerat, viro forti et magnae auctoritatis, utrumque femur
tragula traicitur; 7 Quintus Lucanius, eiusdem ordinis, fortissime pugnans, dum circumvento filio
subvenit, interficitur; Lucius Cotta legatus omnes cohortes ordinesque adhortans in adversum os funda
vulneratur.
[36] 1 His rebus permotus Quintus Titurius, cum procul Ambiorigem suos cohortantem conspexisset,
interpretem suum Gnaeum Pompeium ad eum mittit rogatum ut sibi militibusque parcat. 2 Ille
appellatus respondit: si velit secum colloqui, licere; sperare a multitudine impetrari posse, quod ad
militum salutem pertineat; ipsi vero nihil nocitum iri, inque eam rem se suam fidem interponere. Ille cum
Cotta saucio communicat, 3 si videatur, pugna ut excedant et cum Ambiorige una colloquantur: sperare
Page
40
ab eo de sua ac militum salute impetrari posse. Cotta se ad armatum hostem iturum negat atque in eo
perseverat.
[37] 1 Sabinus quos in praesentia tribunos militum circum se habebat et primorum ordinum centuriones
se sequi iubet et, cum propius Ambiorigem accessisset, iussus arma abicere imperatum facit suisque ut
idem faciant imperat. 2 Interim, dum de condicionibus inter se agunt longiorque consulto ab Ambiorige
instituitur sermo, paulatim circumventus interficitur. 3 Tum vero suo more victoriam conclamant atque
ululatum tollunt impetuque in nostros facto ordines perturbant. 4 Ibi Lucius Cotta pugnans interficitur
cum maxima parte militum. Reliqui se in castra recipiunt unde erant egressi. 5 Ex quibus Lucius
Petrosidius aquilifer, cum magna multitudine hostium premeretur, aquilam intra vallum proiecit; ipse
pro castris fortissime pugnans occiditur. Illi aegre ad noctem oppugnationem sustinent; 6 noctu ad unum
omnes desperata salute se ipsi interficiunt. 7 Pauci ex proelio lapsi incertis itineribus per silvas ad Titum
Labienum legatum in hiberna perveniunt atque eum de rebus gestis certiorem faciunt.
[38] 1 Hac victoria sublatus Ambiorix statim cum equitatu in Aduatucos, qui erant eius regno finitimi,
proficiscitur; neque noctem neque diem intermittit peditatumque subsequi iubet. 2 Re demonstrata
Aduatucisque concitatis postero die in Nervios pervenit hortaturque, ne sui in perpetuum liberandi atque
ulciscendi Romanos pro eis quas acceperint iniuriis occasionem dimittant: 3 interfectos esse legatos duos
magnamque partem exercitus interisse demonstrat; 4 nihil esse negoti subito oppressam legionem quae
cum Cicerone hiemet interfici; se ad eam rem profitetur adiutorem. Facile hac oratione Nerviis
persuadet.
[39] 1 Itaque confestim dimissis nuntiis ad Ceutrones, Grudios, Levacos, Pleumoxios, Geidumnos, qui
omnes sub eorum imperio sunt, quam maximas manus possunt cogunt et de improviso ad Ciceronis
hiberna advolant nondum ad eum fama de Tituri morte perlata. 2 Huic quoque accidit, quod fuit necesse,
ut nonnulli milites, qui lignationis munitionisque causa in silvas discessissent, repentino equitum adventu
interciperentur. 3 His circumventis magna manu Eburones, Nervii, Aduatuci atque horum omnium socii
Page
41
et clientes legionem oppugnare incipiunt. Nostri celeriter ad arma concurrunt, vallum conscendunt. 4
Aegre is dies sustentatur, quod omnem spem hostes in celeritate ponebant atque hanc adepti victoriam in
perpetuum se fore victores confidebant.
[40] 1 Mittuntur ad Caesarem confestim ab Cicerone litterae magnis propositis praemiis, si pertulissent:
obsessis omnibus viis missi intercipiuntur. 2 Noctu ex materia, quam munitionis causa comportaverant,
turres admodum CXX excitantur incredibili celeritate; quae deesse operi videbantur, perficiuntur. 3
Hostes postero die multo maioribus coactis copiis castra oppugnant, fossam complent. Eadem ratione,
qua pridie, ab nostris resistitur. 4 Hoc idem reliquis deinceps fit diebus. 5 Nulla pars nocturni temporis
ad laborem intermittitur; non aegris, non vulneratis facultas quietis datur. 6 Quaecumque ad proximi
diei oppugnationem opus sunt noctu comparantur; multae praeustae sudes, magnus muralium pilorum
numerus instituitur; turres contabulantur, pinnae loricaeque ex cratibus attexuntur. 7 Ipse Cicero, cum
tenuissima valetudine esset, ne nocturnum quidem sibi tempus ad quietem relinquebat, ut ultro militum
concursu ac vocibus sibi parcere cogeretur.
[41] 1 Tunc duces principesque Nerviorum qui aliquem sermonis aditum causamque amicitiae cum
Cicerone habebant colloqui sese velle dicunt. 2 Facta potestate eadem quae Ambiorix cum Titurio egerat
commemorant: omnem esse in armis Galliam; 3 Germanos Rhenum transisse; Caesaris reliquorumque
hiberna oppugnari. 4 Addunt etiam de Sabini morte: Ambiorigem ostentant fidei faciendae causa. 5
Errare eos dicunt, si quidquam ab his praesidi sperent, qui suis rebus diffidant; sese tamen hoc esse in
Ciceronem populumque Romanum animo, ut nihil nisi hiberna recusent atque hanc inveterascere
consuetudinem nolint: 6 licere illis incolumibus per se ex hibernis discedere et quascumque in partes
velint sine metu proficisci. 7 Cicero ad haec unum modo respondit: non esse consuetudinem populi
Romani accipere ab hoste armato condicionem: 8 si ab armis discedere velint, se adiutore utantur
legatosque ad Caesarem mittant; sperare pro eius iustitia, quae petierint, impetraturos.
Page
42
[42] 1 Ab hac spe repulsi Nervii vallo pedum IX et fossa pedum XV hiberna cingunt. 2 Haec et
superiorum annorum consuetudine ab nobis cognoverant et, quos clam de exercitu habebant captivos, ab
eis docebantur; 3 sed nulla ferramentorum copia quae esset ad hunc usum idonea, gladiis caespites
circumcidere, manibus sagulisque terram exhaurire nitebantur. 4 Qua quidem ex re hominum multitudo
cognosci potuit: nam minus horis tribus milium pedum XV in circuitu munitionem perfecerunt 5
reliquisque diebus turres ad altitudinem valli, falces testudinesque, quas idem captivi docuerant, parare
ac facere coeperunt.
[43] 1 Septimo oppugnationis die maximo coorto vento ferventes fusili ex argilla glandes fundis et
fervefacta iacula in casas, quae more Gallico stramentis erant tectae, iacere coeperunt. 2 Hae celeriter
ignem comprehenderunt et venti magnitudine in omnem locum castrorum distulerunt. 3 Hostes maximo
clamore sicuti parta iam atque explorata victoria turres testudinesque agere et scalis vallum ascendere
coeperunt. 4 At tanta militum virtus atque ea praesentia animi fuit, ut, cum undique flamma torrerentur
maximaque telorum multitudine premerentur suaque omnia impedimenta atque omnes fortunas
conflagrare intellegerent, non modo demigrandi causa de vallo decederet nemo, sed paene ne respiceret
quidem quisquam, ac tum omnes acerrime fortissimeque pugnarent. 5 Hic dies nostris longe gravissimus
fuit; sed tamen hunc habuit eventum, ut eo die maximus numerus hostium vulneraretur atque
interficeretur, ut se sub ipso vallo constipaverant recessumque primis ultimi non dabant. 6 Paulum
quidem intermissa flamma et quodam loco turri adacta et contingente vallum tertiae cohortis centuriones
ex eo, quo stabant, loco recesserunt suosque omnes removerunt, nutu vocibusque hostes, si introire
vellent, vocare coeperunt; quorum progredi ausus est nemo. 7 Tum ex omni parte lapidibus coniectis
deturbati, turrisque succensa est.
[44] 1 Erant in ea legione fortissimi viri, centuriones, qui primis ordinibus appropinquarent, Titus Pullo
et Lucius Vorenus. 2 Hi perpetuas inter se controversias habebant, quinam anteferretur, omnibusque
annis de locis summis simultatibus contendebant. 3 Ex his Pullo, cum acerrime ad munitiones
pugnaretur, "Quid dubitas," inquit, " Vorene? aut quem locum tuae probandae virtutis exspectas? 4 hic
Page
43
dies de nostris controversiis iudicabit." Haec cum dixisset, procedit extra munitiones quaque pars
hostium confertissima est visa irrumpit. 5 Ne Vorenus quidem tum sese vallo continet, sed omnium
veritus existimationem subsequitur. 6 Mediocri spatio relicto Pullo pilum in hostes immittit atque unum
ex multitudine procurrentem traicit; quo percusso et exanimato hunc scutis protegunt, in hostem tela
universi coniciunt neque dant regrediendi facultatem. 7 Transfigitur scutum Pulloni et verutum in balteo
defigitur. 8 Avertit hic casus vaginam et gladium educere conanti dextram moratur manum,
impeditumque hostes circumsistunt. 9 Succurrit inimicus illi Vorenus et laboranti subvenit. 10 Ad hunc se
confestim a Pullone omnis multitudo convertit: 11 illum veruto arbitrantur occisum. Gladio comminus
rem gerit Vorenus atque uno interfecto reliquos paulum propellit; 12 dum cupidius instat, in locum
deiectus inferiorem concidit. Huic rursus circumvento fert subsidium Pullo, 13 atque ambo incolumes
compluribus interfectis summa cum laude sese intra munitiones recipiunt. 14 Sic fortuna in contentione et
certamine utrumque versavit, ut alter alteri inimicus auxilio salutique esset, neque diiudicari posset, uter
utri virtute anteferendus videretur.
[45] 1 Quanto erat in dies gravior atque asperior oppugnatio, et maxime quod magna parte militum
confecta vulneribus res ad paucitatem defensorum pervenerat, tanto crebriores litterae nuntiique ad
Caesarem mittebantur; quorum pars deprehensa in conspectu nostrorum militum cum cruciatu
necabatur. 2 Erat unus intus Nervius nomine Vertico, loco natus honesto, qui a prima obsidione ad
Ciceronem perfugerat suamque ei fidem praestiterat. 3 Hic servo spe libertatis magnisque persuadet
praemiis, ut litteras ad Caesarem deferat. 4 Has ille in iaculo illigatas effert et Gallus inter Gallos sine
ulla suspicione versatus ad Caesarem pervenit. 5 Ab eo de periculis Ciceronis legionisque cognoscitur.
[46] 1 Caesar acceptis litteris hora circiter XI diei statim nuntium in Bellovacos ad M. Crassum
quaestorem mittit, cuius hiberna aberant ab eo milia passuum XXV; 2 iubet media nocte legionem
proficisci celeriterque ad se venire. 3 Exit cum nuntio Crassus. Alterum ad Gaium Fabium legatum
mittit, ut in Atrebatium fines legionem adducat, qua sibi iter faciendum sciebat. 4 Scribit Labieno, si rei
publicae commodo facere posset, cum legione ad fines Nerviorum veniat. Reliquam partem exercitus,
Page
44
quod paulo aberat longius, non putat exspectandam; equites circiter quadringentos ex proximis hibernis
colligit.
[47] 1 Hora circiter tertia ab antecursoribus de Crassi adventu certior factus eo die milia passuum XX
procedit. 2 Crassum Samarobrivae praeficit legionemque attribuit, quod ibi impedimenta exercitus,
obsides civitatum, litteras publicas frumentumque omne quod eo tolerandae hiemis causa devexerat
relinquebat. 3 Fabius, ut imperatum erat, non ita multum moratus in itinere cum legione occurrit. 4
Labienus interitu Sabini et caede cohortium cognita, cum omnes ad eum Treverorum copiae venissent,
veritus, si ex hibernis fugae similem profectionem fecisset, ut hostium impetum sustinere posset,
praesertim quos recenti victoria efferri sciret, litteras Caesari remittit, quanto cum periculo legionem ex
hibernis educturus esset; rem gestam in Eburonibus perscribit; docet omnes equitatus peditatusque
copias Treverorum tria milia passuum longe ab suis castris consedisse.
[48] 1 Caesar consilio eius probato, etsi opinione trium legionum deiectus ad duas redierat, tamen unum
communis salutis auxilium in celeritate ponebat. Venit magnis itineribus in Nerviorum fines. 2 Ibi ex
captivis cognoscit, quae apud Ciceronem gerantur, quantoque in periculo res sit. 3 Tum cuidam ex
equitibus Gallis magnis praemiis persuadet uti ad Ciceronem epistolam deferat. 4 Hanc Graecis
conscriptam litteris mittit, ne intercepta epistola nostra ab hostibus consilia cognoscantur. 5 Si adire non
possit, monet ut tragulam cum epistola ad amentum deligata intra munitionem castrorum abiciat. 6 In
litteris scribit se cum legionibus profectum celeriter adfore; hortatur ut pristinam virtutem retineat. 7
Gallus periculum veritus, ut erat praeceptum, tragulam mittit. 8 Haec casu ad turrim adhaesit neque ab
nostris biduo animadversa tertio die a quodam milite conspicitur, dempta ad Ciceronem defertur. 9 Ille
perlectam in conventu militum recitat maximaque omnes laetitia adficit. 10 Tum fumi incendiorum
procul videbantur; quae res omnem dubitationem adventus legionum expulit.
[5.24]The ships having been drawn up and a general assembly of the Gauls held at Samarobriva, because the corn that year had not prospered in Gaul by reason of the droughts, he was compelled to station his army in its winter-quarters differently from the former years, and to distribute the legions among several states: one of them he gave to C. Fabius, his lieutenant, to be marched into the territories of the Morini; a second to Q. Cicero, into those of the Nervii; a third to L. Roscius, into those of the Essui; a fourth he
Page
45
ordered to winter with T. Labienus among the Remi in the confines of the Treviri; he stationed three in Belgium; over these he appointed M. Crassus, his questor, and L. Munatius Plancus and C. Trebonius, his lieutenants. One legion which he had raised last on the other side of the Po, and five cohorts, he sent among the Eburones, the greatest portion of whom lie between the Meuse and the Rhine, [and] who were under the government of Ambiorix and Cativolcus. He ordered Q. Titurius Sabinus and L. Aurunculeius Cotta, his lieutenants, to take command of these soldiers. The legions being distributed in this manner, he thought he could most easily remedy the scarcity of corn and yet the winter-quarters of all these legions (except that which he had given to L. Roscius, to be led into the most peaceful and tranquil neighborhood) were comprehended within [about] 100 miles. He himself in the mean while, until he had stationed the legions and knew that the several winter-quarters were fortified, determined to stay in Gaul.
[5.25]There was among the Carnutes a man named Tasgetius, born of very high rank, whose ancestors had held the sovereignty in his state. To him Caesar had restored the position of his ancestors, in consideration of his prowess and attachment toward him, because in all his wars he had availed himself of his valuable services. His personal enemies had killed him when in the third year of his reign, many even of his own state being openly promoters [of that act] This event is related to Caesar. He fearing, because several were involved in the act, that the state might revolt at their instigation, orders Lucius Plancus, with a legion, to proceed quickly from Belgium to the Carnutes, and winter there, and arrest and send to him the persons by whose instrumentality he should discover that Tasgetius was slain. In the mean time, he was apprised by all the lieutenants and questors to whom he had assigned the legions, that they had arrived in winter-quarters, and that the place for the quarters was fortified.
[5.26]About fifteen days after they had come into winter-quarters, the beginning of a sudden insurrection and revolt arose from Ambiorix and Cativolcus, who, though they had met with Sabinus and Cotta at the borders of their kingdom, and had conveyed corn into our winter-quarters, induced by the messages of Indutiomarus, one of the Treviri, excited their people, and after having suddenly assailed the soldiers engaged in procuring wood, came with a large body to attack the camp. When our men had speedily taken up arms and had ascended the rampart, and sending out some Spanish horse on one side, had proved conquerors in a cavalry action, the enemy, despairing of success, drew off their troops from the assault. Then they shouted, according to their custom, that some of our men should go forward to a conference, [alleging] that they had some things which they desired to say respecting the common interest, by which they trusted their disputes could be removed.
[5.27]C. Arpineius, a Roman knight, the intimate friend of Q. Titurius, and with him, Q. Junius, a certain person from Spain, who already on previous occasions, had been accustomed to go to Ambiorix, at Caesar's mission, is sent to them for the purpose of a conference: before them Ambiorix spoke to this effect: "That he confessed, that for Caesar's kindness toward him, he was very much indebted to him, inasmuch as by his aid he had been freed from a tribute which he had been accustomed to pay to the Aduatuci, his neighbors; and because his own son and the son of his brother had been sent back to him, whom, when sent in the number of hostages, the Aduatuci had detained among them in slavery and in chains; and that he had not done that which he had done in regard to the attacking of the camp, either by his own judgment or desire, but by the compulsion of his state; and that his government was of that nature, that the people had as much authority over him as he over the people. To the state moreover the occasion of the war was this - that it could not withstand the sudden combination of the Gauls; that he could easily prove this from his own weakness, since he was not so little versed in affairs as to presume that with his forces he could conquer the Roman people; but that it was the common resolution of Gaul; that that day was appointed for the storming of all Caesar's winter-quarters, in order that no legion should be able to come to the relief of another legion, that Gauls could not easily deny Gauls, especially when a measure seemed entered into for recovering their common freedom. Since he had performed his duty to them on the score of patriotism [he said], he has now regard to gratitude for the kindness of Caesar; that he warned, that he prayed Titurius by the claims of hospitality, to consult for his and his soldiers' safely; that a large force of the Germans had been hired and had passed the Rhine; that it would arrive in two days: that it was for them to consider whether they thought fit, before the nearest people perceived it, to lead off their soldiers when drawn out of winter-quarters, either to Cicero or to Labienus; one of whom was about fifty miles distant from them, the other rather more; that this he promised and confirmed by oath, that he would give them a safe passage through his territories; and when he did that, he was both consulting for his own state, because it would be relieved from the winter-quarters, and also making a requital to Caesar for his obligations."
[5.28]Arpineius and Junius relate to the lieutenants what they had heard. They, greatly alarmed by the unexpected affair, though those things were spoken by an enemy, still thought they were not to be disregarded; and they were especially influenced by this consideration, that it was scarcely credible that the obscure and humble state of the Eburones had dared to make war upon the Roman people of their own accord. Accordingly, they refer the matter to a council, and a great controversy arises among them. L. Aurunculeius, and several tribunes of the soldiers and the centurions of the first rank, were of opinion "that nothing should be done hastily, and that they should not depart from the camp without Caesar's orders;" they declared, "that any forces of the Germans, however great, might be encountered by fortified winter-quarters; that this fact was a proof [of it]; that they had sustained the first assault of the Germans most valiantly, inflicting many wounds upon them; that they were not distressed for corn; that in the mean time relief would come both from the nearest winter-quarters and from Caesar; lastly, they put the query, "what could be more undetermined, more undignified, than to adopt measures respecting the most important affairs on the authority of an enemy?"
Page
46
[5.29]In opposition to those things, Titurius exclaimed, "That they would do this too late, when greater forces of the enemy, after a junction with the Germans, should have assembled; or when some disaster had been received in the neighboring winter-quarters; that the opportunity for deliberating was short; that he believed that Caesar had set forth into Italy, as the Carnutes would not otherwise have taken the measure of slaying Tasgetius, nor would the Eburones, if he had been present, have come to the camp with so great defiance of us; that he did not regard the enemy, but the fact, as the authority; that the Rhine was near; that the death of Ariovistus and our previous victories were subjects of great indignation to the Germans; that Gaul was inflamed, that after having received so many defeats she was reduced under the sway of the Roman people, her pristine glory in military matters being extinguished." Lastly, "who would persuade himself of this, that Ambiorix had resorted to a design of that nature without sure grounds? That his own opinion was safe on either side; if there be nothing very formidable, they would go without danger to the nearest legion; if all Gaul conspired with the Germans, their only safety lay in dispatch. What issue would the advice of Cotta and of those who differed from him, have? from which, if immediate danger was not to be dreaded, yet certainly famine, by a protracted siege, was."
[5.30]This discussion having been held on the two sides, when opposition was offered strenuously by Cotta and the principal officers, "Prevail," said Sabinus, "if so you wish it;" and he said it with a louder voice, that a great portion of the soldiers might hear him; "nor am I the person among you," he said, "who is most powerfully alarmed by the danger of death; these will be aware of it, and then, if any thing disastrous shall have occurred, they will demand a reckoning at your hands; these, who, if it were permitted by you, united three days hence with the nearest winter-quarters, may encounter the common condition of war with the rest, and not, as if forced away and separated far from the rest, perish either by the sword or by famine."
[5.31]They rise from the council, detain both, and entreat, that "they do not bring the matter into the greatest jeopardy by their dissension and obstinacy; the affair was an easy one, if only they all thought and approved of the same thing, whether they remain or depart; on the other hand, they saw no security in dissension." The matter is prolonged by debate till midnight. At last Cotta, being overruled, yields his assent; the opinion of Sabinus prevails. It is proclaimed that they will march at day-break; the remainder of the night is spent without sleep, since every soldier was inspecting his property, [to see] what he could carry with him, and what, out of the appurtenances of the winter-quarters, he would be compelled to leave; every reason is suggested to show why they could not stay without danger, and how that danger would be increased by the fatigue of the soldiers and their want of sleep. At break of day they quit the camp, in a very extended line and with a very large amount of baggage, in such a manner as men who were convinced that the advice was given by Ambiorix, not as an enemy, but as most friendly [toward them].
[5.32]But the enemy, after they had made the discovery of their intended departure by the noise during the night and their not retiring to rest, having placed an ambuscade in two divisions in the woods, in a suitable and concealed place, two miles from the camp, waited for the arrival of the Romans: and when the greater part of the line of march had descended into a considerable valley, they suddenly presented themselves on either side of that valley, and began both to harass the rear and hinder the van from ascending, and to give battle in a place exceedingly disadvantageous to our men.
[5.33]Then at length Titurius, as one who had provided nothing beforehand, was confused, ran to and fro, and set about arranging his troops; these very things, however, he did timidly and in such a manner that all resources seemed to fail him: which generally happens to those who are compelled to take council in the action itself. But Cotta, who had reflected that these things might occur on the march, and on that account had not been an adviser of the departure, was wanting to the common safety in no respect; both in addressing and encouraging the soldiers, he performed the duties of a general, and in the battle those of a soldier. And since they [Titurius and Cotta] could less easily perform every thing by themselves, and provide what was to be done in each place, by reason of the length of the line of march, they ordered [the officers] to give the command that they should leave the baggage and form themselves into an orb, which measure, though in a contingency of that nature it was not to be condemned, still turned out unfortunately; for it both diminished the hope of our soldiers and rendered the enemy more eager for the fight, because it appeared that this was not done without the greatest fear and despair. Besides that happened, which would necessarily be the case, that the soldiers for the most part quitted their ensigns and hurried to seek and carry off from the baggage whatever each thought valuable, and all parts were filled with uproar and lamentation.
[5.34]But judgment was not wanting to the barbarians; for their leaders ordered [the officers] to proclaim through the ranks "that no man should quit his place; that the booty was theirs, and for them was reserved whatever the Romans should leave; therefore let them consider that all things depended on their victory. Our men were equal to them in fighting, both in courage and in number, and though they were deserted by their leader and by fortune, yet they still placed all hope of safety in their valor, and as often as any cohort sallied forth on that side, a great number of the enemy usually fell. Ambiorix, when he observed this, orders the command to be issued that they throw their weapons from a distance and do not approach too near, and in whatever direction the Romans should make an attack, there give way (from the lightness of their appointments and from their daily practice no damage could be done them); [but] pursue them when betaking themselves to their standards again.
[5.35]Which command having been most carefully obeyed, when any cohort had quitted the circle and made a charge, the enemy fled very precipitately. In the mean time, that part of the Roman army, of necessity, was left unprotected, and the weapons received on
Page
47
their open flank. Again, when they had begun to return to that place from which they had advanced, they were surrounded both by those who had retreated and by those who stood next them; but if, on the other hand, they wish to keep their place, neither was an opportunity left for valor, nor could they, being crowded together, escape the weapons cast by so large a body of men. Yet, though assailed by so many disadvantages, [and] having received many wounds, they withstood the enemy, and, a great portion of the day being spent, though they fought from day-break till the eighth hour, they did nothing which was unworthy of them. At length, each thigh of T. Balventius, who the year before had been chief centurion, a brave man and one of great authority, is pierced with a javelin; Q. Lucanius, of the same rank, fighting most valiantly, is slain while he assists his son when surrounded by the enemy; L. Cotta, the lieutenant, when encouraging all the cohorts and companies, is wounded full in the mouth by a sling.
[5.36]Much troubled by these events, Q. Titurius, when he had perceived Ambiorix in the distance encouraging his men, sends to him his interpreter, Cn. Pompey, to beg that he would spare him and his soldiers. He, when addressed, replied, "If he wishes to confer with him, it was permitted; that he hoped what pertained to the safety of the soldiers could be obtained from the people; that to him however certainly no injury would be done, and that he pledged his faith to that effect." He consults with Cotta, who had been wounded, whether it would appear right to retire from battle, and confer with Ambiorix; [saying] that he hoped to be able to succeed respecting his own and the soldiers' safety. Cotta says he will not go to an armed enemy, and in that perseveres.
[5.37]Sabinus orders those tribunes of the soldiers whom he had at the time around him, and the centurions of the first ranks, to follow him, and when he had approached near to Ambiorix, being ordered to throw down his arms, he obeys the order and commands his men to do the same. In the mean time, while they treat upon the terms, and a longer debate than necessary is designedly entered into by Ambiorix, being surrounded by degrees, he is slain. Then they, according to their custom, shout out "Victory," and raise their war-cry, and, making an attack on our men, break their ranks. There L. Cotta, while fighting, is slain, together with the greater part of the soldiers; the rest betake themselves to the camp, from which they had marched forth, and one of them, L. Petrosidius, the standard bearer, when he was overpowered by the great number of the enemy, threw the eagle within the intrenchments and is himself slain while fighting with the greatest courage before the camp. They with difficulty sustain the attack till night; despairing of safety, they all to a man destroy themselves in the night. A few escaping from the battle, made their way to Labienus at winter-quarters, after wandering at random through the woods, and inform him of these events
[5.38]Elated by this victory, Ambiorix marches immediately with his cavalry to the Aduatuci, who bordered on his kingdom; he halts neither day nor night, and orders the infantry to follow him closely. Having related the exploit and roused the Aduatuci, the next day he arrived among the Nervii, and entreats "that they should not throw away the opportunity of liberating themselves forever and of punishing the Romans for those wrongs which they had received from them;" [he tells them] "that two lieutenants have been slain, and that a large portion of the army has perished; that it was not a matter of difficulty for the legion which was wintering with Cicero to be cut off, when suddenly assaulted; he declares himself ready to cooperate in that design. He easily gains over the Nervii by this speech.
[5.39]Accordingly, messengers having been forthwith dispatched to the Centrones, the Grudii, the Levaci, the Pleumoxii, and the Geiduni, all of whom are under their government, they assemble as large bodies as they can, and rush unexpectedly to the winter-quarters of Cicero, the report of the death of Titurius not having as yet been conveyed to him. That also occurred to him, which was the consequence of a necessary work - that some soldiers who had gone off into the woods for the purpose of procuring timber and therewith constructing fortifications, were intercepted by the sudden arrival of [the enemy's] horse. These having been entrapped, the Eburones, the Nervii, and the Aduatici and all their allies and dependents, begin to attack the legion: our men quickly run together to arms and mount the rampart; they sustained the attack that day with great difficulty, since the enemy placed all their hope in dispatch, and felt assured that, if they obtained this victory, they would be conquerors forever.
[5.40]Letters are immediately sent to Caesar by Cicero, great rewards being offered [to the messengers] if they carried them through. All these passes having been beset, those who were sent are intercepted. During the night as many as 120 towers are raised with incredible dispatch out of the timber which they had collected for the purpose of fortification: the things which seemed necessary to the work are completed. The following day the enemy, having collected far greater forces, attack the camp [and] fill up the ditch. Resistance is made by our men in the same manner as the day before; this same thing is done afterward during the remaining days. The work is carried on incessantly in the night: not even to the sick, or wounded, is opportunity given for rest: whatever things are required for resisting the assault of the next day are provided during the night: many stakes burned at the end, and a large number of mural pikes are procured: towers are built up, battlements and parapets are formed of interwoven hurdles. Cicero himself, though he was in very weak health, did not leave himself the night-time for repose, so that he was forced to spare himself by the spontaneous movement and entreaties of the soldiers.
[5.41]Then these leaders and chiefs of the Nervii, who had any intimacy and grounds of friendship with Cicero, say they desire to confer with him. When permission was granted, they recount the same things which Ambiorix had related to Titurius, namely, "that all Gaul was in arms, that the Germans had passed the Rhine, that the winter-quarters of Caesar and of the others were attacked." They report in addition also, about the death of Sabinus. They point to Ambiorix for the purpose of obtaining credence; "they are mistaken,"
Page
48
say they, "if they hoped for any relief from those who distrust their own affairs; that they bear such feelings toward Cicero and the Roman people that they deny them nothing but winter-quarters, and are unwilling that the practice should become constant; that through their [the Nervii's] means it is possible for them [the Romans] to depart from their winter-quarters safely and to proceed without fear into whatever parts they desire." To these Cicero made only one reply: "that it is not the custom of the Roman people to accept any condition from an armed enemy: if they are willing to lay down their arms, they may employ him as their advocate and send embassadors to Caesar: that he believed, from his [Caesar's] justice, they would obtain the things which they might request."
[5.42]Disappointed in this hope, the Nervii surround the winter-quarters with a rampart eleven feet high, and a ditch thirteen feet in depth. These military works they had learned from our men in the intercourse of former years, and, having taken some of our army prisoners, were instructed by them: but, as they had no supply of iron tools which are requisite for this service, they were forced to cut the turf with their swords, and to empty out the earth with their hands and cloaks, from which circumstance, the vast number of the men could be inferred; for in less than three hours they completed a fortification of ten miles in circumference; and during the rest of the days they began to prepare and construct towers of the height of the ramparts, and grappling irons, and mantelets, which the same prisoners had taught them.
[5.43]On the seventh day of the attack, a very high wind having sprung up, they began to discharge by their slings hot balls made of burned or hardened clay, and heated javelins, upon the huts, which, after the Gallic custom, were thatched with straw. These quickly took fire, and by the violence of the wind, scattered their flames in every part of the camp. The enemy following up their success with a very loud shout, as if victory were already obtained and secured, began to advance their towers and mantelets, and climb the rampart with ladders. But so great was the courage of our soldiers, and such their presence of mind, that though they were scorched on all sides, and harassed by a vast number of weapons, and were aware that their baggage and their possessions were burning, not only did no one quit the rampart for the purpose of withdrawing from the scene, but scarcely did any one even then look behind; and they all fought most vigorously and most valiantly. This day was by far the most calamitous to our men; it had this result, however, that on that day the largest number of the enemy was wounded and slain, since they had crowded beneath the very rampart, and the hindmost did not afford the foremost a retreat. The flame having abated a little, and a tower having been brought up in a particular place and touching the rampart, the centurions of the third cohort retired from the place in which they were standing, and drew off all their men: they began to call on the enemy by gestures and by words, to enter if they wished; but none of them dared to advance. Then stones having been cast from every quarter, the enemy were dislodged, and their tower set on fire.
[5.44]In that legion there were two very brave men, centurions, who were now approaching the first ranks, T. Pulfio, and L. Varenus. These used to have continual disputes between them which of them should be preferred, and every year used to contend for promotion with the utmost animosity. When the fight was going on most vigorously before the fortifications, Pulfio, one of them, says, "Why do you hesitate, Varenus? or what [better] opportunity of signalizing your valor do you seek? This very day shall decide our disputes." When he had uttered these words, he proceeds beyond the fortifications, and rushes on that part of the enemy which appeared the thickest. Nor does Varenus remain within the rampart, but respecting the high opinion of all, follows close after. Then, when an inconsiderable space intervened, Pulfio throws his javelin at the enemy, and pierces one of the multitude who was running up, and while the latter was wounded and slain, the enemy cover him with their shields, and all throw their weapons at the other and afford him no opportunity of retreating. The shield of Pulfio is pierced and a javelin is fastened in his belt. This circumstance turns aside his scabbard and obstructs his right hand when attempting to draw his sword: the enemy crowd around him when [thus] embarrassed. His rival runs up to him and succors him in this emergency. Immediately the whole host turn from Pulfio to him, supposing the other to be pierced through by the javelin. Varenus rushes on briskly with his sword and carries on the combat hand to hand, and having slain one man, for a short time drove back the rest: while he urges on too eagerly, slipping into a hollow, he fell. To him, in his turn, when surrounded, Pulfio brings relief; and both having slain a great number, retreat into the fortifications amid the highest applause. Fortune so dealt with both in this rivalry and conflict, that the one competitor was a succor and a safeguard to the other, nor could it be determined which of the two appeared worthy of being preferred to the other.
[5.45]In proportion as the attack became daily more formidable and violent, and particularly, because, as a great number of the soldiers were exhausted with wounds, the matter had come to a small number of defenders, more frequent letters and messages were sent to Caesar; a part of which messengers were taken and tortured to death in the sight of our soldiers. There was within our camp a certain Nervian, by name Vertico, born in a distinguished position, who in the beginning of the blockade had deserted to Cicero, and had exhibited his fidelity to him. He persuades his slave, by the hope of freedom, and by great rewards, to convey a letter to Caesar. This he carries out bound about his javelin; and mixing among the Gauls without any suspicion by being a Gaul, he reaches Caesar. From him they received information of the imminent danger of Cicero and the legion.
[5.46]Caesar having received the letter about the eleventh hour of the day, immediately sends a messenger to the Bellovaci, to M. Crassus, questor there, whose winter-quarters were twenty-five miles distant from him. He orders the legion to set forward in the middle of the night, and come to him with dispatch. Crassus sets out with the messenger. He sends another to C. Fabius, the lieutenant, ordering him to lead forth his legion into the territories of the Atrebates, to which he knew his march must be made. He writes to Labienus to come with his legion to the frontiers of the Nervii, if he could do so to the advantage of the commonwealth: he
Page
49
does not consider that the remaining portion of the army, because it was somewhat further distant, should be waited for; but assembles about 400 horse from the nearest winter-quarters.
[5.47]Having been apprised of the arrival of Crassus by the scouts at about the third hour, he advances twenty miles that day. He appoints Crassus over Samarobriva and assigns him a legion, because he was leaving there the baggage of the army, the hostages of the states, the public documents, and all the corn, which he had conveyed thither for passing the winter. Fabius, without delaying a moment, meets him on the march with his legion, as he had been commanded. Labienus, having learned the death of Sabinus and the destruction of the cohorts, as all the forces of the Treviri had come against him, beginning to fear lest, if he made a departure from his winter-quarters, resembling a flight, he should not be able to support the attack of the enemy, particularly since he knew them to be elated by their recent victory, sends back a letter to Caesar, informing him with what great hazard he would lead out his legion from winter-quarters; he relates at large the affairs which had taken place among the Eburones; he informs him that all the infantry and cavalry of the Treviri had encamped at a distance of only three miles from his own camp.
[5.48]Caesar, approving of his motives, although he was disappointed in his expectation of three legions, and reduced to two, yet placed his only hopes of the common safety in dispatch. He goes into the territories of the Nervii by long marches. There he learns from some prisoners what things are going on in the camp of Cicero, and in how great jeopardy the affair is. Then with great rewards he induces a certain man of the Gallic horse to convey a letter to Cicero. This he sends written in Greek characters, lest the letter being intercepted, our measures should be discovered by the enemy. He directs him, if he should be unable to enter, to throw his spear with the letter fastened to the thong, inside the fortifications of the camp. He writes in the letter, that he having set out with his legions, will quickly be there: he entreats him to maintain his ancient valor. The Gaul apprehending danger, throws his spear as he has been directed. Is by chance stuck in a tower, and, not being observed by our men for two days, was seen by a certain soldier on the third day: when taken down, it was carried to Cicero. He, after perusing it, reads it out in an assembly of the soldiers, and fills all with the greatest joy. Then the smoke of the fires was seen in the distance, a circumstance which banished all doubt of the arrival of the legions.
MicrosftJuly 27 109.99