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9.
When the Gauls, whose bold resolutions had been
reported to Caesar, saw the legions advance with a
regular motion, drawn up in battle array; either from the danger of an
engagement, or our sudden approach, or with the design of watching our
movements, they drew up their forces before the camp, and did not quit the
rising ground. Though Caesar wished to bring them to
battle, yet being surprised to see so vast a host of the enemy, he encamped
opposite to them, with a valley between them, deep rather than extensive. He
ordered his camp to be fortified with a rampart twelve feet high, with
breastworks built on it proportioned to its height and two trenches, each
fifteen feet broad, with perpendicular sides to be sunk: likewise several
turrets, three stories high, to be raised, with a communication to each other by
galleries laid across and covered over; which should be guarded in front by
small parapets of osiers; that the enemy might be repulsed by two rows of
soldiers. The one of whom, being more secure from danger by their height might
throw their darts with more daring and to a greater distance; the other which
was nearer the enemy, being stationed on the rampart, would be protected by
their galleries from darts falling on their heads. At the entrance he erected
gates and turrets of a considerable height.
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