[*] 63.1. Caesari: dat. of agent (cf.
sibi, 61 7). Notice the emphatic position of
omnia. Caesar had to do
everything at one time. —
vexillum: the large banner hoisted at headquarters to announce an engagement impending.
|
Figure 121. Vexillum. |
See Fig. 121 and
chapter on military affairs, II.
[*] 63.2.
proponendum [erat]: 2d periphrastic like
agenda erant above; so also
dandum, etc.
[*] 63.3.
tuba: the signal to take their places in the ranks See Fig.
37. —
ab opere, etc : those who were already detailed must have needed further orders before going into battle.
[*] 63.4.
qui relates to the understood subject (
ei) of
arcessendi erant. —
aggeris,
materials for a mound, an unusual meaning. —
arcessendi: soldiers who were out of hearing of the customary signals would need a messenger.
[*] 63.5.
cohortandi: pass., as always, though from a deponent verb; see
§ 190. d (135. d);
B. 112. b;
G. 251;
H. p. 114, foot-note at end;
H-B. 291. —
signum dandum: the last signal for immediate action; cf.
64 5. This list includes all the functions of the commander, ordinarily extended over a considerable time. In this emergency Caesar says these needed to be done at once, and this was impossible (cf.
impediebat). But the difficulty was partially remedied by the good sense and discipline of the soldiers who did what was proper without orders.
[*] 63.7.
difficultatibus … subsidio: cf.
54 3,
6211.
[*] 63.9.
quid … oporteret: indir. quest., object of
praescribere; cf.
50 2.
[*] 63.10.
quam connects similar constructions (
§ 323. a (208. a);
H-B. 305. 1).
[*] 63.11.
quod: i.e. the second of the
two things mentioned. —
singulos, etc.,
had forbidden the several lieutenants to Ieave the work and their several legions.
[*] 63.12.
nisi munitis castris: abl. abs.; see
note on 49 6. The meaning here is,
not until after, etc.
[*] 63.13.
nihil (adv. acc.,
§ 390. d. N. 2 (240. a);
B. 176. 3. a;
G. 333. I ;
H. 416. 2 (378. 2); cf.
H-B. 387. iii.) is stronger than
nōn;
nihil iam,
no longer.
[*] 63.14.
quae videbantur,
what seemed best.