BOOK SEVENTH.—B.C. 52.
WAR OF VERCINGETORIX.—The last three campaigns had been conducted wholly in the north, with a view either to crush the bolder and more restless northern populations, or to overawe the more barbarous Britons and Germans beyond the frontier. It is not quite clear why the discontented spirits of the south did not seize the occasion to join forces with the formidable Belgian revolt. At all events, they seemed quiet and submissive after their defeats in the earlier campaigns, and might have continued so but for the execution of Acco （Bk. vi. ch. 44）, which had aroused the spirit of all the Gallic nobility, and the news from Rome, where the hostile aristocracy had long been waiting for some opportunity to check Caesar in his career of conquest and call him home. This opportunity seemed to offer in the disorders which followed the death of Clodius. Clodius was a bully and professional politician belonging to the popular party, a bitter enemy of Cicero, whom he had succeeded, a few years before, in driving into exile. He was killed in a street brawl on the 20th of January of this year by Milo, a ruffian of the senatorial or aristocratic party. For the time, all regular and orderly government was at an end, till at length Pompey was invested with dictatorial powers, and quiet was restored. The news of these events coming to Gaul gave the native leaders reasonable ground to hope that a new uprising might be successful. Their plan, it will appear, was, by a sudden movement, to cut off Caesar's communications with his military posts in the north, which would thus be speedily starved into surrender. This plan Caesar foiled by striking, with his usual rapidity, through their line, and through the neutral or hostile populations of Central Gaul, and so advancing upon his assailants with the support of his legions from the north. His campaign of this year was the most fiercely contested, as well as the most important and decisive, of the entire war. N. B.—In this book the editors have purposely abstained from grammatical comment except such as seemed necessary for the interpretation of the text; in order that the student might have one book of Caesar's Commentaries, and that one of the finest pieces of simple narrative in literature, to enjoy without trying to see how the words were parsed. Grammar is absolutely necessary for Latin, but there is much in Latin besides grammar. Intelligent reading presupposes that, but does not always have it uppermost. READING REFERENCES ON THE UPRISING OF GAUL UNDER VERCINGETORIX. Dodge's Caesar, chaps. 15-20. Fowler's Julius Caesar, chap. 13. Froude's Caesar, chap. 19. Guizot's Hist. of France, Vol. I. pp. 56-65. Holmes's Caesar's Conquest of Gaul, chap. 7. Merivale's Hist. of Rome, Vol. II. chap. 12. Mommsen's Hist. of Rome, Vol. IV. pp. 323-340. Napoleon's Caesar, chap. 10. Plutarch's Lives, Caesar. Trollope's Caesar, chap. 8.[*] 186.1. quieta Gallia: cf. 73 3, 93 2.—in Italiam: i. e. Cisalpine Gaul. [*] 186.3. Clodi: see note above.—ut … coniurarent （clause depending on senatus consulto）: this was not an ordinary conscription, but a levy in mass, in which the entire population of Italy liable to military duty （the iuniores, between 17 and 46） took the oath of service. In addition, Caesar orders a levy throughout his own province （tota provincia）, in which were included Gallia Cisalpina, Gallia Transalpina, and Illyricum. [*] 186.7. quod … videbatur: it naturally seemed to them impossibe for Caesar to quit Italy at this crisis （urbano motu）. [*] 186.9. qui dolerent: trans. by pres. part., being indignant, etc.; the characteristic subjv. constantly has this meaning; cf. the use of cum. It approaches a causal relation, but has properly no notion of cause.—ante: adv. modifying dolerent. [*] 186.11. principes Galliae: subj. of queruntur.—locis: loc. abl., without a prep., as usual. [*] 186.13. Acconis: see Bk. vi. ch. 44. [*] 186.15. qui: sc. eos, i.e. some state to begin hostilities. [*] 187.1. capitis, of their lives; the sing. is idiomatic in Latin. [*] 187.3. ut … intercludatur （see introductory note）: depends on rationem, a plan （of campaign）.
[*] 187.9. Carnutes: this name is represented by Chartres. [*] 187.12. cavere inter se, take security from each other.—ne res efferatur: as the exchange of hostages would be a conspicuous and public act. [*] 187.13. conlatis, etc.: an armed or symbolically armed council seems to have been the most binding form of public ratification of concerted measures. Here the standards were gathered in a sheaf and the oath taken by this symbol of unity. [*] 187.15. deserantur: it seems to have needed the most solemn forms of agreement to bind the discordant and jealous Gauls.
[*] 187.19. Cenabum: now Orléans, on the Loire. [*] 187.20. negotiandi: their business was money-lending, the farming of taxes, purchase of slaves or corn, and the like. Cicero had said, some years before, that business affairs in Gaul were wholly controlled by Roman citizens. [*] 187.21. constiterant, had settled. [*] 187.24. major atque inlustrior: i.e. than usual. [*] 187.25. clamore: a sort of vocal telegraph, by which, as also by signal-fires, messages were conveyed, it is said, from towers 500 yards apart. [*] 187.27. Cenabi: locative. [*] 187.28. ante … vigiliam: between nine and ten at night; the sending of the message thus occupying about sixteen hours.—Arvernonum: i.e. the country now called Auvergne, a region always noted for the vigor and hardihood of its people, who now became leaders in the great revolt, and furnished its dauntless chief Vercingetorix.
[*] 188.1. Vercingetorix: a name or title explained as meaning "very brave lord," and well calculated （says the historian Florus） to inspire terror. [*] 188.2. principatum, etc.: see 27 14 and last note on 2 1. [*] 188.3. totius Galliae: i.e. all Celtic Gaul. [*] 188.5. incendit: sc. eos. [*] 188.6. prohibetur: conative present; i.e. they try to prevent him. This discouragement of the elders was of evil omen to his enterprise from the start. [*] 188.8. Gergovia: the chief town cf the Arverni, on an eminence near Clermont. [*] 188.9. perditorum: men of ruined fortunes, desperate. This is the usual course of things and the usual accusation. The well-to-do are rarely ardent patriots. When trouble comes, they either make terms or flee to the provinces. [*] 188.15. Senones, etc.: several of these names are preserved in the modern Sens, Paris, Poitiers, Tours, Limoges. The league included all Celtic Gaul south of the Seine and west of the loyal （or doubtful） Haedui and Bituriges, who were drawn into it later on. [*] 188.19. imperat, he levies, with acc. and dat. [*] 188.20. quantum armorum, how many arms. [*] 188.21. quod （interrog.）: agrees witll tempus, and before what time. [*] 188.25. necat: i.e. the offenders.
[*] 189.3. Rutenos: these, as well as the Cadurci, lay between the Arverni and the Roman province. It was important, therefore, to secure them as a frontier defence. [*] 189.6. de consilio, by the advice. [*] 189.8. qui: agrees with the persons implied in equitatus peditatusque, § 280. a (182. a); B. 235. B. 2. c; G. 211. R. 1; H. 397 (445. 5); H-B. 325. [*] 189.11. veritos: translate by a causal clause. [*] 189.12. quibus id, etc., who they knew had this plan. [*] 189.13. ipsi: i.e. the Bituriges.—id eane, etc., whether they did this for the reason which, etc. [*] 189.15. quod （adv. acc.）, because （the reason for non videtur, etc.）. This is a bit which goes to show that the commentaries, notwithstanding their aim at political effect, are substantially true. Caesar was too great a man to deceive others except when he deceived himself.
[*] 189.19. virtute = vigor. This word is in Latin often used in a vague sense equivalent to our 'thanks to' or the like. [*] 189.21. qua … posset: indir. quest. following difficultate, which implies doubt. [*] 189.23. se absente: Caesar knew well his own influence over his army. See also introductory notes.—dimicaturas [esse]: sc. eas, i.e. the legions. [*] 189.24. ipse, etc.: the most submissive Gauls at such a time were not to be depended upon, if they had the slightest chance to capture him.— eis: indir. obj. of committi, the subj. of which is suam salutem.
[*] 190.1. Lucterius, etc.: an officer of Vercingetorix; see 189 1. He endeavored to rouse the border tribes against the Romans, but was checked by the promptness and farsightedness of Caesar. [*] 190.2. Nitiobriges et Gabalos: these completed the Arvernian frontier, the Volcae and Helvii being within the limits of the Province. [*] 190.4. Narbonem, Narbonne, the chief town of Gallia Narbonensis, founded by C. Gracchus. [*] 190.5. antevertendum [esse] has for its subj. ut … proficisceretur, and is followed by the dat. consiliis. [*] 190.7. provincialibus: a portion of the Ruteni had been incorporated in the Province.
[*] 190.14. quod … putabat: referring to Lucterius. [*] 190.15. Cevenna: the pass crossing this range is about 4000 feet high. [*] 190.16. durissimo, etc.: Pompey was put in authority February 25 （by the old calendar, which was now about six weeks ahead of the actual time）; Caesar, who left Italy directly after, probably crossed the Cevennes about the middle of January. [*] 190.18. summo labore: "these admirable soldiers were worthy of the genius of their chief," but such men as Caesar and Napoleon make that kind of soldiers. [*] 190.21. singulari homini, a solitary wayfarer, to say nothing of an army.
[*] 191.1. at: marks a transition as usual; translate meanwhile. [*] 191.2. usu … praeceperat, had suspected would come to pass.—per causam, on the pretext （so elsewhere in Caesar）: his real motive was to join his force. [*] 191.4. Brutum: Decimus Junius Brutus, afterward one of Caesar's assassins. This same officer had command of the fleet in the famous battle with the Veneti; see 82 7-10. [*] 191.6. triduo: this was a pretence, and was given out to conceal his real design. [*] 191.8. Viennam, Vienne, a little below Lyons on the Rhone.—recentem: i.e. they were well rested and in good condition for a forced march. [*] 191.11. hiemabant: see Bk. vi. ch. 44. His route would lie due north up the Saône along the eastern line of the Haedui. The distance of this rapid winter journey was above 300 miles.—quid: with consili. [*] 191.12. de sua salute, affecting his own safety; opposed to any design on his forces. [*] 191.13. reliquas, etc.: two of them were somewhere near Luxembourg, and six at Sens, about 140 miles apart. [*] 191.14. prius: with quam.—unum locum: evidently Sens. [*] 190.17. Gorgobinam: this was situated probably on the Allier, a southern confluent of the Loire. [*] 191.18. Haeduis attribuerat: see 25 19 ff. [*] 191.20. difficultatem: the dilemma in which Caesar finds himself is expressed by the two parallel conditions, si … contineret, ne … deficeret, and si … educeret, ne … laboraret.
[*] 192.1. stipendiariis: i.e. the Boii, who were tributaries of the Haedui. [*] 192.2. amicis, etc., since his friends would find there was no help for them in him. [*] 192.4. ab, in respect to his supply of corn. [*] 192.10. Agedinci: now Sens, the chief town of the Senones.
[*] 192.12. altero die, on the second day of the march.—Vellaunodunum: the position of this town is somewhat uncertain, but Caesar apparently did not march directly towards Gorgobina, but made a detour towards the north in order to cross the Loire at Orléans. [*] 192.13. quo, in order that. [*] 192.15. circumvallavit: the circumvallation consisted of a line of wall and trench surrounding the town. [*] 192.18. iter: i.e. to the relief of the Boii at Gorgobina. [*] 192.19. qui tum primum, etc.: i. e. they had just heard of the invest-ment of Vellaunodunum and, thinking the siege would last longer, were raising a force to defend their chief town about 120 miles off. [*] 192.20. eam rem: i.e. the siege. [*] 192.21. quod mitterent, to send, giving the purpose of comparabant. [*] 192.24. in posterum: sc. diem. [*] 192.25. militibus imperat, he orders the soldiers to prepare. The dir. obj. of imperat being a demonstrative antecedent of quae, not expressed in Latin, and in Eng. absorbed in 'what.' [*] 192.26. contingebat, touched: i. e. led directly to. The town being on the north bank, the bridge would allow its defenders to cross to the friendly Bituriges. [*] 193.3. desideratis quin, etc.: a loose use of the quin-construction; all, with very few exceptions, were captured. [*] 193.5. diripit: cf. the fate of Avaricum, ch. 28.
[*] 193.8. ille: i.e. Caesar. [*] 193.9. Noviodunum: the position is uncertain. Caesar's march, however, was certainly to the south up the Loire. This town is to be distinguished from Noviodunum of ch. 55, a city of the Haedui. [*] 193.11. celeritate: we may supply in Eng. a demon. as antecedent to qua. [*] 193.20. novi aliquid consili, some new design. [*] 193.22. omnīs incolumīs: see l. 15 above; construe with receperunt, got their men all back safe to Caesar's camp.
[*] 193.24. Germanos: this force was much superior to the Gallic cavalry, and was destined to turn the battle in Caesar's favor at many critical times; see chs. 67, 70, 80. The tactics of the German cavalry are described 43 4 ff. [*] 193.25. ab initio: the meaning of this is not clear. He had no German cavalry at the beginning of his campaigns. He may have obtained them after his struggle with Ariovistus. [*] 194.2. quibus, and these （the Gallic horse）. [*] 194.3. eos （obj. of perduxerunt）: i.e. the leaders in the sudden movement described above, ch. 12. [*] 194.5. Avaricum: the modern Bourges, an important town of 40,000 inhabitants, the geographical centre of France.
[*] 195.3. longe alla ratione atque, in a way quite diffeffent from, etc.; by purely defensive or guerilla war. [*] 195.6. anni tempore: i.e. scarcely yet spring, long before harvest; all supplies must be got from granaries or storehouses （aedificia）, which might easily be destroyed. [*] 195.8. hos omnīs: i.e. hostis. [*] 195.10. incendi: cf. the course of the Helvetians, Bk. i. ch. 5. [*] 195.11. hoc spatio: explained by quo, etc., i.e. the range of the Roman foraging parties.—[a Boia]: omit. [*] 195.13. quorum: the antecedent is eorum. [*] 195.15. neque interesse, and it makes no difference [he says].—ne … an, whether … or. [*] 195.19. sint receptacula, serve as retreats. [*] 195.20. neu, and lest, sc. sint from preceding clause.—proposita, offered to be captured by the Romans. The method of warfare here advised by Vercingetorix and afterwards consistently followed by him stamps him as a general of first-rate ability. We may fitly compare Fabius Maximus harassing and weakening the army of Hannibal, and the burning of Moscow by the Russians to drive out Napoleon.
[*] 195.26. urbīs: Caesar more commonly calls them oppida. Rome alone is always urbs. [*] 196.2. solaci: part. gen. with hoc. [*] 196.3. amissa, all they had lost （obj. of recuperaturos）. [*] 196.4. incendi, etc.: a double indir. quest., whether … or. [*] 196.9. flumine: the city was just above the junction of the Auron with the Yèvre. [*] 196.12. volgi: obj. gen., i.e. his compassion for the poor people, who would be turned out of house and home in the winter, if the town should be burned.
[*] 196.16. longe, distant.—certos （cerno）, regular. [*] 196.17. in … tempora, from hour to hour. [*] 196.21. etsi, etc., although so far as skillful planning （ratione） could provide （against this danger）, our men took the precaution of going at uncertain times and in different directions. [*] 196.22. ut … iretur: a clause of purpose, taking its construction from provideri though not immediately connected with it. The verbs are used impersonally.
[*] 196.24. quae … habebat: i. e. the neck of the peninsula on which the town was situated （196 8 ff.）. [*] 196.25. intermissa, left free.—[a]: omit. [*] 196.26. aggerem, etc.: see chapter on military affairs, VIII. Between the Yèvre and the Auron was a plateau, some 1200 to 1600 feet high, with rather steep banks.As this plateau approached the town, it narrowed to a ridge only about 400 feet wide, with the Auron on one side and a swampy brook, the Yévrette, on the other. From the Yévrette to the Yèvre extended a morass. At a distance of about 300 feet from the city wall the ridge was intersected by a sudden depression like a trench, perhaps 50 feet deep （see plan, Fig. 90）. Caesar pitched his camp on the plateau just back of the ridge, a little over half a mile from Avaricum. Along the ridge, right across the intersecting ravine, he built the agger. [*] 196.29. alteri: the Haedui, already wavering in their allegiance; alteri: the Boii, a fragment of the defeated Helvetians （Bk. i. ch. 28）. [*] 197.8. ab eis: the source of vox, not the agent of audita. Notice again in this passage the invincible endurance of these soldiers. [*] 197.14. ignominiae loco, in the place of （i.e. as） a disgrace. [*] 197.16. Cenabi: locative. [*] 197.17. parentarent = ut parentarent, the natural construction. As one might say irregularly in English 'It is better to suffer anything than not avenge our comrades,' omitting 'to.'
[*] 197.23. qui … consuessent: see Bk. i. ch. 48. [*] 198.2. sarcinas, etc.: the regular preparation for battle.
[*] 198.5. difficilis, hard to cross; impedita, embarrassing; the two words express only different phases of the same idea. [*] 198.7. fiducia loci, trusting to the strength of the position. [*] 198.8. [in civitatis]: omit.—vada [ac saltus], fords and open spaces, where the way seemed practicable. [*] 198.10. haesitantīs, struggling in the mud or bushes.—premerent: a purpose clause, taking its construction from sic animo parati, determined; cf. 199 3, where the same words take a result clause. The two constructions approach each other, but the first refers to future time, the last to present. [*] 198.11. propinquitatem: i.e. the armies were separated only by the swamp.—videret: the contrast is between the casual observer and the careful inspector （qui … perspiceret）.—prope, etc., on nearly equal terms; iniquitatem, unfair advantage, showing that their offering battle was inanis simulatio. [*] 198.14. quod … possent: follows indignantīs, chafing that, etc.—conspectum suum, the sight of them. [*] 199.2. necesse sit, etc., a victory must needs cost, with the abl. of price. [*] 199.4. iniquitatis: § 352 (220); B. 208. 2. a; G. 378; H. 456 (409. ii); H-B. 342.
[*] 199.8. proditionis: see last note. [*] 199.10. discessisset and venissent refer to the action in ch. 13.—imperio = imperatore. [*] 199.12. non haec, etc., all these things could not, they said. [*] 200.1. illum: connect with malle habere. [*] 200.2. ipsorum: sc. concessu. [*] 200.5. persuasum [esse]: impers., that it had been recommended.—qui se … defenderet, which was its own defence （ch. 19）. [*] 200.12. fortunae （dat.）: as well as huic （referring to alicuius）, to be construed with habendam gratiam, thanks were due. [*] 200.16. imperium: the same as regnum Galliae above. [*] 200.18. quin etiam, nay even. Distinguish carefully from quin introducing a neg. result.—remittere, is ready to resign; in dir. disc., remitto, I resign.—si = [to see] whether （ind. quest.）. [*] 200.27. nec iam viris, etc., that no one any longer has sufficient strength; viris is from vis. [*] 200.28. posse: sc. quemquam, supplied from cuiusquam. [*] 200.30. [Vercingetorix]: may be omitted. [*] 201.2. quem: construe with ne … recipiat, subj. of provisum est, and as it basely flees from this spot, I have provided that no state shall receive it within its boundaries.
[*] 201.4. suo more: cf. Tacitus （Ger. II）, si placuit sententia, frameas concutiunt. [*] 201.5. in eo, in the case of him. [*] 201.6. summum: this word is often used where we should say "a great." [*] 201.7. maiore ratione, with better generalship. [*] 201.11. si … retinuissent: in app. with eo （that condition）.
[*] 201.14. genus: i. e. the Gauls. [*] 201.15. atque … aptissimum: cf. Bk. iv. ch. 5; atque connects the descriptive gen. summae sollertiae and the descriptive adj. aptissimum. [*] 201.16. laqueis, etc.: see Fig. 127. [*] 201.17. cum destinaverant, … reducebant: a general condition expressing repeated action in past time; cf. 130 7. [*] 201.19. ferrariae: so of the copper mines of the Aquitani; see 89 11-18. [*] 201.25. cotidianus agger: i.e, the daily increase in the height of the agger.—commissis malis, by splicing the upright timbers; these were the high corner beams of the towers, by which they were raised in successive stages, so that each increase in the height of the Roman works was met by a corresponding increase in the height of the defences. The towers on the walls were probably connected by covered galleries, one for each story. [*] 201.26. apertos cuniculos … morabantur, etc.: this refers to the obstructions put by the Gauls in the way of the open passage ways which ran through the agger, and which the soldiers used in carrying material for its advance and completion; morabantur has the force of blocked or obstructed. See Figs. 92, 93, 120, and chapter on military affairs, VIII.
[*] 202.2. directae, at right angles with the course of the wall.—perpetuae in longitudinem, along the whole length. [*] 202.4. revinciuntur, are fastened by beams some forty feet in length, running lengthwise of the wall. [*] 202.5. intervalla: i.e. the two feet between each two of the beams in the lower tier （ordo）. [*] 202.7. ut idem, etc., in such a way that the same space （between the beams） is preserved, and that the beams do not touch each other; but, placed at equal intervals, the individual beams are firmly bound together by the corresponding stones placed between them; i.e. so alternating in the successive layers that beams rested on stone, and stone on beams. [*] 202.11. cum: correlative with tum below. [*] 202.15. quadragenum: note the distributive, forty each. [*] 203.1. introrsus revincta: i.e. the beams were mortised together at some distance from the exposed ends, making it next to impossible to force them apart; see Fig. 94.
[*] 203.4. frigore: it was still very early in the year, scarcely spring; see 208 10. [*] 203.6. latum: as a width of over 300 feet is incredible, some have supposed that this is an error for longum; others, that the numeral should be xxxx.—altum pedes lxxx: it must be remembered that the height of the agger had to equal the depth of the ravine it crossed, and also the height of the Gallic wall. The latter may have been thirty feet. [*] 203.11. cuniculo: i.e. a mine running under the agger. It should be remembered that the agger was built largely of wood. [*] 203.13. turrium: the Roman towers, mounted on wheels or rollers, and here referring to those flanking the agger; see Figs .43, 92, 127. [*] 203.19. partitis temporibus: i.e. in their turn. [*] 203.20. reducerent: i.e. out of reach of the fire. [*] 203.21. interscinderent: i.e. they cut away the unfinished end of the agger, which was in flames. Thus the rest was saved.
[*] 203.25. pluteos: here the high wooden bulwarks （loricae） protecting each story of the tower:
 |
| Figure 129. Pluteus. Modern restoration. |
 |
| Figure 130. Pluteus. Modern restoration. |
[*] 205.5. quos: refers to se as well as to liberos. [*] 205.8. quo timore: the regular Latin idiom where we should expect cuius rei timore.
[*] 205.16. [intra vineas]: it would be impossible for legions to find room inside the vineae. Either legiones here refers to the storming columns, or intra vineas means within the line of the sheds, and so out of sight. Many editors omit the words altogether.—expeditis, put in fighting order. [*] 205.18. adscendissent: informal indir. disc. for the fut. perf. of the direct.
[*] 205.22. cuneatim, in a compact body; （lit. wedge-fashion） implying tactics like those of the Romans. [*] 205.23. si qua … veniretur, if an attack should be made from any side; [contra] may be omitted; veniretur is impersonal. [*] 205.25. circumfundi （impers. pass.） = that men were pouring in. [*] 205.27. continenti impetu, without stopping. [*] 206.1. exitu: abl. of cause. [*] 206.3. quisquam: i.e. Romanorum.—Cenabensi caede: see ch. 3. [*] 206.10. [ut]: omit.—procul in via, etc., placing his friends and the chiefs of the states at intervals for some distance along the road, he took care that they [the fugitives] should be separated and conducted to their own people. [*] 206.12. quae … pars = ad eam partem … quae and refers to the persons implied by suos, and is explained by 198 7, where it is said that the Gallic forces were arranged generatim.
[*] 206.14. consolatus cohortatusque: the fall of Avaricum must have been a crushing blow to Vercingetorix, but he meets the disaster with a magnificent courage. [*] 206.18. errare si qui = that those were mistaken who, etc. [*] 206.19. sibi numquam placuisse: see 196 3-13. [*] 206.23. quae … dissentirent: i.e. the states that had not yet joined the rebellion. [*] 206.27. effectum habere: see notes on 13 4, 40 20, 51 8. [*] 206.28. impetrari, etc.: i.e. he had a right to ask them to proceed to fortify, etc.; notice the modesty of these words, appropriate to the great disaster just suffered.
[*] 207.5. re integra, before anything had happened （see ch. 15）. [*] 207.6. ut … sic: correlatives. [*] 207.9. de reliquis, etc.: follows in spem, hope of, etc. [*] 207.11. homines insueti: an appositive expressing concession; translate by although.
[*] 207.18. capere, gain over （the neutral states）. [*] 207.19. armandos vestiendosque: gerundives expressing purpose, agreeing with the understood obj. [eos] of curat; cf. 11 5, 82 7. [*] 207.21. quem: sc. numerum. [*] 208.1. sagittarios: apparently the Gauls had trusted too much, especially during the siege, to hand-to-hand fighting. [*] 208.6. quos conduxerat, whom he had hired; i.e. mercenaries.
[*] 208.11. confecta: it was now about the end of March, or a little later.—tempore: i.e. the time was suitable for campaigning. [*] 208.12. sive … sive: understand to try, or some such phrase to introduce these clauses which are treated as indir. questions. [*] 208.15. maxime necessario tempore, in an extreme emergency. [*] 208.23. proximo anno, the year before. [*] 208.24. suas … clientelas, that each of them had his own [armed] followers （see Bk. vi. ch. 15）. [*] 208.25. quod si, but if; see second note on 40 20. [*] 208.27. positum [esse], depended on.
[*] 209.6. minus [sibi] confideret, felt itself weakest. [*] 209.8. eis: dat. with liceret. [*] 209.11. quos inter = eos inter quos. [*] 209.14. atque, than, as often after alius.—oportuerit: for oportuit of the direct, implying the nonfulfilment of the duty; see § 522. a (311. c); B. 304. 3. a; G. 597. R. 3; H. 583 (511. 1. N. 3); H-B. 582. 3. a. [*] 209.15. renuntiatum: renuntiare is the technical term for the act of a magistrate who, after an election, formally declares the result, and thus "creates" the new official. In this case one brother had declared the other elected after a sham election by an illegal convention.—vivo utroque, when both are living. [*] 209.18. intermissis magistratibus, there being a vacancy in the magistracy; this phrase signifies that an interval occurred between the term of one magistrate and the due election of his successor. Valetiacus （208 22） had illegally appointed his brother Cotus to be his successor. The priests promptly declared the office vacant and appointed Convictolitavis to fill the position until a regular election could again be held. In such a case at Rome （as had recently occurred twice, B.C. 55 and 52）,the patrician senators appointed an interrex by virtue of the sacred authority residing in them. Caesar here, accordingly, recognizes the likeness to a Roman precedent. [*] 209.19. obtinere, to hold against （ob） the rival claimant. See note on 2 1.
[*] 209.22. [his]: makes sense and may be translated. [*] 209.25. quae = ut ea: purpose. [*] 209.27. ducendas: cf. 206 12. [*] 210.1. secundum flumen, along the stream （construe with duxit）. [*] 210.4. ab altera parte: Caesar being on the right or eastern bank, Vercingetorix on the western, on which the town of Gergovia lay.
[*] 210.6. e regione: see vocab.; cf. 204 5.—castris: dat. of reference. [*] 210.9. partem: acc. of extent of time. [*] 210.12. rescindendos: cf. 209 27. [*] 210.14. distractis, etc.: this means that Caesar made up two sham legions by taking cohorts from the others, so that there might appear to be six full legions as before. [*] 210.18. perventum [esse] （impers.）: i.e. that the four legions that had gone on ahead had reached their camping ground.—pars inferior: the lower end of the piles, which （being under water） was not burned or cut away, served as a support to the new bridge hastily constructed for the crossing. [*] 210.22. magnis itineribus: see note on 8 22.
[*] 210.24. quintis castris, at the fifth encampment, or end of the fifth day's march. [*] 210.26. situ: see plan, Fig. 97. [*] 210.27. oppugnatione, taking （it） by storm, without a formal siege.— de obsessione, etc.: i.e. he concluded not to invest it regularly until supplies had been provided. [*] 211.5. qua despici poterat, where a view could be had from above. [*] 211.8. seu quid, etc., in case any communication or orders should seem necessary. [*] 211.10. quid: with animi ac virtutis （part. gen.）. [*] 211.12. collis: the so-called Roche Blanche （White Rock）, at whose foot flows the only sufficient stream of water （see plan, Fig. 97）. Caesar's larger camp, it will be observed, lay toward the southeast of the town, and the smaller towards the south; while the forces of the Gauls lay on the gentler southern slopes of the hill （measuring nearly a mile from east to west, and a third as much from north to south） on which the town was built （see ch. 46）. [*] 211.13. quem si, etc.: fut. condition, indir. disc. [*] 211.14. et … et: correlatives. [*] 211.16. tamen: opposed to the whole description, not to the last part merely. [*] 211.17. posset: see note on 158 24. The verb is here impersonal.
[*] 211.23. demonstravimus: see 209 17-19. [*] 211.27. praemium communicat: i.e. the money received from the Arverni. [*] 211.28. imperio natos, born for command （dat.）.—unam, etc., was the only thing, etc., though unam as usual agrees with the pred. [*] 212.1. traducta, carried over to the patriotic party. [*] 212.3. beneficio, a friendly act; i.e. deciding the magistracy in his favor.—sic … obtinuerit: i.e. this （he claimed） was only his due and not a special favor. [*] 212.8. vel principes, even leaders, not mere followers or adherents. [*] 212.11. placuit, it was decided.—milibus: this refers to the troops that Caesar had asked for against Vercingetorix; see 209 23-25. [*] 212.12. ea ducenda curaret, that he should have charge of their march. [*] 212.13. reliqua: subj. of agi, the whole clause being the obj. of constituunt.
[*] 212.18. principes civitatis: see ch. 39. [*] 213.1. consili res, a matter for deliberation.—sit: for mood and tense, see § 524 (312); B. 307; G. 602; H. 584 (513. ii); H-B. 504. 3. [*] 213.4. concurrant: see § 558. a (319. d); B. 284. 3; G. 555; H. 595. 1 (504. 3. 2); H-B. 521. 3. b. [*] 213.8. una （adv.）, with him.—frumenti: i.e. which these Romans were taking to Caesar under the protection of the Haeduan guard.
[*] 213.15. genere dispari, of lower birth. [*] 213.16. traditum: here equivalent to commendatum,—presented as suited for public service. [*] 213.17. nominatim, etc.: i. e. he had sent them a personal summons. [*] 213.23. quod … provideat, which he foresees will be the consequence. [*] 213.25. levi momento, of light account; momentum （from moveo） is strictly the weight which "moves" the balance scale.
[*] 214.3. contrahenda: as only two legions were left behind, the camp should have been "contracted," so that these few might be equal to the task of keeping and relieving guard. The danger to which the situation exposed them is related in the next chapter,—propter magnitudinem castrorum, l. 26. [*] 214.5. fratres: these had gone to Caesar in advance of the Haeduan force; see 212 13. They seem to have suspected, or to have been warned, that the plot had been betrayed. [*] 214.7. necessario … labore, by the hardship of a forced march. It is worth while to notice the frank terms on which Caesar stands with his citizen-soldiers. This was an essential element of his success. [*] 214.12. quos … existimabant: owing to the falsehoods of Litavicus, 212 17-20. [*] 214.16. quibus nefas est, for whom it is wrong; see Bk. iii. ch. 22.
[*] 214.21. [noctis]: if this word is authentic, it must refer to the early part of the night, for Caesar marches back to his camp, a distance of twenty-five miles, before sunrise. [*] 214.26. quibus isdem: dat. of apparent agent after permanendum esset. The thought is that the soldiers were so few that the same men had to do all the fighting and could not be relieved. [*] 214.29. tormenta: see chapter on military affairs, I. 5.—discessu eorum: at the suspension of their attack when night came on; his messengers had apparently set out about midnight. [*] 215.1. obstruere, etc.: these pres. infinitives show that his preparations were still going on.—pluteos vallo addere: to make a defence behind which the soldiers could stand while manning the wall. [*] 215.4. ante ortum solis, etc.: Caesar left his camp a little after midnight, marched twenty-five miles, gave his soldiers a rest of three hours, and marched back twenty-five miles, reaching camp before sunrise, having been away but little more than twenty-four hours; truly a remarkable display of energy.
[*] 215.9. levem auditionem: see 97 6-9.—pro re comperta, as an ascertained fact. [*] 215.11. proclinatam: "leaning forward" like a wall just ready to fall = perilous as it was （in itself）. [*] 215.14. fide data, giving pledges of security. [*] 215.15. idem facere: i.e. to come out and put themselves in their power.
[*] 215.19. omnis eorum milites: i.e. the contingent sent under Litavicus, ch. 38. [*] 215.24. suorum: i.e. their soldiers. [*] 215.25. capti, etc., tempted （as they had been） by the profit of the plunder.—ea res: i.e. responsibility for it. [*] 216.2. nihil se gravius de civitate iudicare, that he thought none the worse of the state. [*] 216.6. a, away from （the neighborhood of）. [*] 216.7. contraheret: i.e. join his forces with the four legions of Labienus, 209 26.
[*] 217.8. dorsum, etc.: the hill （collis） was southwest of the town and northwest of Caesar's smaller camp （see plan）; while from it a narrow wooded ridge （dorsum）, nearly level, gave easy access to the town at its western side. Most of the Gallic force had been transferred to that side from the eastern and southern defences. This left the Gallic camps and the part of the city opposite the Romans bare of defenders. [*] 217.11. uno … occupato: see 211 11-21. [*] 217.12. quin … viderentur: after aliter sentire （= dubitare）; cf. 213 3. [*] 217.13. hunc: i.e. alterum collem.
[*] 217.18. impedimentorum （= iumentorum） beasts of burden. [*] 217.19. stramenta, the pack-saddles, which would prevent the animal from being ridden conveniently. [*] 217.20. collibus （loc. abl.） circumvehi: i.e. towards the westerly side. All these movements were designed to make the Gauls fear an attack from the west or northwest. Caesar's real design was to make a sudden dash from the south and east and surprise their camps. [*] 217.22. easdem regiones: i.e. in the vicinity of the hill which the Gauls were fortifying. [*] 218.5. ut contineant, etc.: i.e. the design was not to hold the camp, but simply to sweep through it by a sudden and daring raid. [*] 218.9. ab dextra parte: i.e. from the larger camp to the east.
[*] 218.11. recta regione, in a straight line. [*] 218.12. si … intercederet … aberat: construction analogous to § 517. c. and N. 2 (308. c. cf. N. 2); B. 304. 3. a; G. 597. 3; H. 583 (511. 1. N. 3); H-B. 581, 582. 3. a. N. 1. [*] 218.13. huc, to this amount. [*] 218.14. in longitudinem ut … ferebat, lengthwise of the hill. [*] 218.16. murum: traces of this wall are still found, at some distance down the slope, parallel with the town wall. [*] 218.17. inferiore omni, etc.: i.e. the space below the six-foot wall to the bottom of the ascent, a distance of about half a mile, was vacant; the space above to the city wall, also about half a mile, was filled with the Gallic encampments. [*] 218.18. castris: the separate camps of the several Gallic states, set close together, of which three （trinis） were taken. [*] 218.19. ad munitionem: i.e. ad murum a medio colle. [*] 218.20. trinis: （§ 137. b (95. b); B. 81. 4. b; G. 97. R. 3; H. 164. 3 (174. 2. 3); H-B. 247. 1. a）.
[*] 218.26. legionis: with signa. Observe that Caesar is found, as usual, with his favorite legion; cf. 36 21-25. This legion, it will be remembered （217 25）, was first stationed some distance away from the others. It seems to have returned and taken a prominent part in the assault. [*] 218.27. reliquarum: i.e. those engaged in the assault just described. [*] 219.3. retinebantur: conative; the officers tried to hold them back. [*] 219.13. Avarici: see 206 3-5. [*] 219.16. quem … constabat, who, it was certain, said that day in the presence of his soldiers. The subj. of constabat is quem … dixisse. [*] 219.17. prius quisquam, any body before him.
[*] 219.21. supra: see 217 26 ff. [*] 219.23. oppidum … teneri: depends on nuntiis as a word of telling. [*] 219.25. sub muro: i.e. below and outside of the city wall. [*] 220.2. cursu: they had run about a mile up a steep ascent.
[*] 220.8. sub infimo colle: at the foot of the hill on which was the smaller Roman camp （211 11-21）, see Fig. 97 （Sextius, 1st position）.—ab … hostium: i.e. on the Roman left; Caesar, meanwhile, was posted considerably to the right （eastward）. [*] 220.10. hostes: translate as if the obj. of terreret.—quo … insequerentur: expresses the purpose of terreret. [*] 220.11. progressus: it was rather a retreat than an advance; see plan, Fig. 97 （Leg. x, 2d position）.
[*] 220.15. latere aperto, the exposed flank of the Romans; i.e. the right flank. [*] 220.16. manus distinendae causa: i.e. to make a diversion. [*] 220.18. insigne pactum, the signal agreed upon. The Haedui had their Gallic arms and standards, so that the mistake was a natural one, especially at such a time of excitement. [*] 220.23. excīdere, to cut away; i.e. from within, to gain his escape.
[*] 221.9. aequiore loco, on more level ground, farther back from the town; see plan, Fig. 97 （Leg. x, 3d position）. [*] 221.12. locum superiorem, higher ground, in the direction of the larger camp; see plan, Fig. 97 （2d position of Sextius）. The retreat was made in good order, as is shown by what immediately follows.
[*] 221.18. cupiditatem, eagerness for battle. [*] 221.22. ad Avaricum: referring to the operations in that neighborhood described in ch. 19. [*] 221.25. quanto opere … tanto opere: correlatives.
[*] 222.9. eadem, etc.: i.e. that the wisest course would be to join his forces with those of Labienus, in view of all the troubles that were threatening; cf. 216 4-8. [*] 222.11. nihilo magis: Vercingetorix was far too wary and skilful to put himself at such disadvantage. He knew that he was no match for Caesar on level ground. An interesting parallel might be drawn between the tactics of Vercingetorix and those of Fabius the Delayer against Hannibal. [*] 222.12. secundo, favorable to the Romans. By this slight success and the refusal of Vercingetorix to meet him in the plain on even terms, Caesar avoids the appearance of a compulsory retreat. Still, it is evident that Caesar's operations against Gergovia were far from being as successful as he himself had hoped or wished. It was the only city that defied his assault successfully, and its victorious resistance must have been a great encouragement to the Gallic patriots.
[*] 222.18. Viridomaro, etc.: see 213 13-17. These young Haeduan nobles had decided to desert Caesar, and so, as soon as they reached the frontier of their country, on the east side of the Allier, they invented an excuse for leaving him. [*] 222.21. perfidiam … habebat: see note on coactum habebat, 13 4. [*] 222.25. discedentibus （dat.）, as they were setting out. [*] 222.26. quos et quam humilis, in what a state （lit. whom） and how humbled; shortly before Caesar's arrival in Gaul the Sequani with the Germans as their allies had conquered the Haedui and imposed heavy conditions on them. See Bk. i. ch. 31. [*] 223.6. mandatis: this word implies that what he has just said to them is to be repeated to their countrymen at home.
[*] 223.8. Noviodunum: the modern Nevers, on the right bank of the Loire （Liger）, just above its junction with the Allier （Elaver）. The Noviodunum of ch. 12 is probably Sancerre. [*] 223.14. civitatis: the Haeduan commonwealth. The status is described in the clause which follows, down to missos. [*] 223.15. Bibracte: loc. abl. [*] 223.19. tantum commodum: i.e. of taking the town, seizing the Roman stores, and especially of capturing the hostages, whose possession was all important to Caesar for keeping the tribes in subjection. [*] 223.23. deducendos: § 500. 4 (294. d); B. 337. 7. b. 2; G. 430; H. 622 (544. 2. N. 2); H-B. 612. iii. [*] 223.24. cui: indef. pron. with usui. [*] 224.2. in provinciam: Caesar was now on the western or further bank of the Loire, which he would thus be obliged to follow up towards its source, thence crossing over to the province. The bracketed words may be translated. [*] 224.4. nivibus: it was still spring, perhaps about May.
[*] 224.7. si esset, etc., in case （i.e. lest） he might have to risk a battle while the bridge-building was under way. [*] 224.8. eo: i.e. on the Loire. Caesar felt that to effect a union with Labienus as soon as possible was vitally important. [*] 224.9. ne … converteret: depending on impediebat. [*] 224.10. ut non nemo, as many a one. [*] 224.11. cum: correl. with tum. [*] 224.13. Labieno, legionibus: datives following timebat. For the facts, see 209 26 ff. The situation was extremely critical, and it is not strange that many thought Caesar would have to desert Labienus and seek safety for himself in the province. Most men would have done so, but Caesar was a man apart, an extraordinary military genius. [*] 224.14. admodum, etc.: these marches must have been extraordinary, to judge from the expression. [*] 224.16. pro rei necessitate, considering the emergency, difficult and hazardous as it was. [*] 224.18. disposito equitatu: i.e. just above the ford a line of cavalry was formed in the water, reaching across the river. By this barrier the violence of the current was checked. Another line also was stationed below the ford to catch any that were swept away.
[*] 224.23. eo supplemento: see 186 3-5, 190 9-12. [*] 224.26. Lutetiam: see 159 3 and note. [*] 225.2. Aulerco: this tribe was the next westerly, south of the Seine （see map, Fig. 88）. [*] 225.4. is: i.e. Camulogenus. [*] 225.5. perpetuam paludem: the marsh ground along the little river Essonne, which flows into the Seine on tile south a little above Paris. Labienus was proceeding on the left or southerly bank of the Seine. See plan, Fig. 99.
[*] 226.1. aggere, a mass of earth for a causeway. [*] 226.4. Metiosedum （or Melodunum） Melun: here Labienus crosses to the north or right bank. [*] 226.7. eo, aboard （= in eas）. [*] 226.11. secundo flumine, following the river-course down the right bank. Having boats or pontoons, he would easily cross the Marne just above Paris. [*] 226.14. palude: a marshy ground south of the river.
[*] 226.20. confirmabant, kept asserting. [*] 226.21. qui refers to Bellovaci.—per se: i.e. without this example of the Haedui. [*] 226.24. neque: connects intellegebat and cogitabat. The latter verb is here followed by two clauses of purpose, The infin. would be more usual. [*] 227.1. altera, alteram: the Bellovaci were on the north of the Seine; Camulogenus （ch. 57） was on the south.—quae civitas: the defection of this tribe might well cause Labienus uneasiness. They were a nation of warriors and could put 100,000 men in the field. When the tribes of Belgic Gaul conspired against Caesar, the Bellovaci, because of their importance, were placed at the head of the league; see 51 11-15. [*] 227.4. praesidio: at Agedincum （Sens） on the other side of the Seine; see 224 23-26. [*] 227.6. ab animi virtute: a truly Roman quality, of which, fortunately, Labienus had a good supply.
[*] 227.9. equitibus: not cavalrymen, but unattached officers of equestrian rank （tribuni militum, comites imperatoris, etc.） put in charge each of a single vessel. [*] 227.15. adverso flumine: a feint, the real attack being made below.—imperat, gives orders （followed by the acc. and infin. instead of the usual ut-clause）.
[*] 227.21. exercitus equitatusque: thought of as one body, hence with a sing. verb. [*] 227.25. tumultuari: the magno tumultu of l. 15. [*] 227.27. paulo infra: about four miles below. [*] 228.2. Omit the bracketed words. [*] 228.4. castrorum: the Roman camp. [*] 228.6. naves: i.e. the linitris of 227 16, not the ships, for they had gone the other way.
[*] 228.22. ostenderunt: sc. tribuni. [*] 228.27. neque potuerunt, but could not. Much of Caesar's success was due to the excellence of his officers. In this case, for example, Labienus does not supinely wait for Caesar to come and extricate him from his difficulties, but by a military exploit of the first rank rescues himself and goes to the help of his chief.
[*] 229.5. circummittuntur, etc.: these are the acts of the Haedui. [*] 229.7. quos Caesar, etc.: see 223 9, 22.—supplicio: i.e. by threats; cf. 188 22-28. [*] 229.9. rationes communicet: not simply consult, but share the direction of affairs. [*] 229.15. illi: i.e. the Remi （see Bk. ii. ch. 5; 154 3-5） and the Lingones. [*] 229.20. requirunt = recall with regret. [*] 229.21. summae spei, of high ambition （213 13-20）.
[*] 229.24. ipse: i.e. Vercingetorix. [*] 229.25. huc: at Bibracte, the capital of the Haedui. [*] 230.2. factu: supine after perfacile, § 510 (303); B. 340. 2; G. 436; H. 635. 1 (547); H-B. 619. 1. [*] 230.3. aequo animo, without complaint.—modo … corrumpant, only let them, etc.: a hortatory subjv. expressing a kind of proviso. [*] 230.6. finitimi: see map, Fig. 2. [*] 230.7. [ei] may be omitted. [*] 230.9. altera ex parte: as the Roman frontier was bent into an irregular curve by the line of the Cevennes, the Gauls would strike the Province in two directions, the Haedui from the north, the Ruteni, etc., from the west; see map, Fig. 2.—Allobrogibus: these and the peoples mentioned in the next sentence were allies or subjects of Rome, and would look to Caesar for protection if attacked; see 231 5 ff. [*] 230.13. superiore bello: the war of eight years before, in which the Allobroges had been subdued by Pomptinus （Bk. i. ch. 6）.
[*] 230.16. cohortium: not legionary troops, but auxiliaries levied in the Province. [*] 230.17. L. Caesare: a cousin of Julius, consul B.C. 64. [*] 230.18. ad omnīs, etc., were arrayed against the enemy in every quarter. [*] 230.20. Donnotauro: a brother of Procillus （42 10）; the Roman name （C. Valerius） is regularly taken in compliment to his Roman patronus （see also 17 9, 48 10-20）. [*] 230.21. muros, strongholds—not simply the walls of the oppida. [*] 230.24. interclusis, etc.: from this we see how much Caesar was hampered and weakened by the skilful plan of campaign that Vercingetorix employed against him. [*] 230.27. equites: the German cavalry were far superior to the Gallic; see 193 23 ff. and note. [*] 230.28. inter eos proeliari: see 43 4 ff., 95 15-20. [*] 230.29. equis: for a description of these, see 95 10-14. [*] 231.1. [sed et]: these words should probably be omitted.
[*] 231.4. equites: see 229 25. [*] 231.6. per … finīs: bearing from near Agedincum （where he had been joined by Labienus, ch. 62） toward the east, and so leaving the hostile Haedui to the south. This movement, checked by the attack of Vercingetorix, explains how the crisis of the campaign came to be the siege and capture of Alesia （see map, Fig. 88）. [*] 231.13. parum profici, that little advantage was gained.—reversuros [esse]: i.e. Romanos. [*] 231.15. adoriantur: for adoriamur in dir. disc., let us charge upon them.—si pedites, etc., the attack was to be made on the baggage train, which was guarded by cavalry. Vercingetorix knew Caesar's weakness in this arm, and did not suspect the German reinforcement. If the infantry stopped to assist the cavalry （suis） the march would be delayed. [*] 231.16. magis futurum, is more likely. [*] 231.18. dignitate, etc.: i.e. the dishonor of retreat with loss of baggage.—nam de equitibus, etc.: i.e. even the Gauls whom he was addressing could not suppose that the Roman cavalry would wish an engagement. [*] 231.19. quin … audeat follows ne … dubitare: i.e. even they themselves would admit that, etc. [*] 231.20. id quo … animo, that they （i.e. the Gauls） may do so （i.e. attack the Romans） with greater courage. [*] 231.21. pro castris, in front of the camp, by way of defiance, to support by a demonstration the attack of the cavalry. [*] 231.23. confirmari oportere, that they ought to bind themselves.
[*] 232.1. a primo agmine, at the front of the （Roman） line of march. [*] 232.7. aciem converti: by a change of front, turning the line of march to a line of battle. [*] 232.9. Germani: it is evident that the victory was due to them ; cf. ch. 13. [*] 232.10. flumen: the Vingeanne, and its tributary the Badin, about which many ornaments, weapons, etc., have been found. [*] 232.15. Cotus, etc.: see 208 14-23, 209 12-19. [*] 232.16. proximis comitiis: i.e. of the Haedui for chief magistrate. [*] 232.18. quo duce, etc. （see Bk. i. ch. 31）: this was seemingly another Eporedorix, not the rival of Viridomarus.
[*] 232.21. Alesiam: this famous fortress （now called Alise Ste. Reine） was on the territory lying just north of the Haeduan frontier. Its natural advantages—summed up in the succeeding chapters—are thus described: "Alesia, like Gergovia, is on a hill sloping off all round, with steep and, in places, precipitous sides. It lies between two small rivers, both of which fall into the Brenne, and thence into the Seine. Into this peninsula, witih the rivers on each side of him, Vercingetorix had thrown himself with 80,000 men. Alesia as a position was impregnable except to famine. The water supply was secure. The position was of extraordinary strength. The rivers formed natural trenches. Below the town, to the west, they ran parallel for three miles through an open alluvial plain before they reached the Brenne. In every other direction rose rocky hills of equal height with the central plateau, originally perhaps one wide tableland, through which the water had ploughed out the valley. To attack Ver-cingetorix where he had placed himself was out of the question; but to blockade him there, to capture the leader of the insurrection and his whole and so in one blow mal;e an end with it, on a survey of the situation seemed not impossible."—Froude's "Caesar." See plan, Fig. 103.
[*] 233.2. loco: in app. with colle; cf. § 282. d (184. c); B. 169. 4; G. 411. 3; H. 393. 7 (363. 4. 2); H-B. 319. i. [*] 233.7. sub muro, etc.: this sentence is an excellent example, at the same time, both of the natural precedence of the relative in Latin and of the freedom of all real language from grammatical trammels. The student should first translate it literally thus: Under the wall, which side of the hill （i.e. the side which） faced the east all this space the forces of the Gauls had filled, and had carried along a ditch, etc. The meaning of this is obvious, but it is not at all in accordance with our English idiom. Indeed, it is not strictly grammatical in any language. After the student has seen what it means, he should try to put it into some form that is allowable in English idiom, say: Under the wall, the side … , all this space the forces … , and had made there, etc. [*] 233.10. munitionis: Caesar constructed a line of contravallation; i.e. a series of works entirely surrounding the town, so as to resist a sortie. [*] 233.11. milia : acc. of extent; tenebat having here the force of pertinebat.—castra, etc.: in the remains of these works traces have been found of four infantry and four cavalry camps （see plan, Fig. 102）. [*] 233.13. stationes, etc.: in the daytime a mere picket-guard occupied each redoubt; at night it was necessary to station in them strong garrisons with numerous sentries （excubitoribus） on their walls.
[*] 233.18. supra: i.e. l. 4. [*] 233.19. Germanos: cf. 232 9 and note. [*] 233.20. pro castris: these were on the high ground south of the city （see plan, Fig. 102）; castris is plural, = camps. [*] 233.23. angustioribus, too narrow, either from unskilful construction or more easily to prevent the enemy's entrance. The gates referred to were in the stone wall （maceria）; see plan. [*] 233.24. acrius, with all the more vigor. [*] 234.1. veniri … existimantes, thinking that an immediate attack is to be made upon them. [*] 234.4. portas, town gates; these were closed, lest those who manned the exterior defences （the fossa and maceria） should rush into the town in a panic.
[*] 234.7. perficiantur: for mood, cf. 232 9 and note. [*] 234.11. suae, se: i.e. Vercingetorix.—neu, and not, the regular way of continuing a negative purpose. We say 'and not'; the Romans said 'nor,' which is the real meaning of neu. [*] 234.14. ratione inita, having made a calculation. [*] 234.17. opus: i.e. the Roman works of contravallation, still unfinished. [*] 234.21. copias omnīs: not those that held the fortification east of the town （233 7-10）, but the outlying pickets on all the other sides.
[*] 234.26. pedum viginti: i.e. in breadth. [*] 234.27. directis, vertical, the bottom （solum） being as broad as the top. The ditch was usually dug with sloping sides; the object here was （as it was probably shallow） to make it harder to cross. This was the interior line of defence against the town.—sŏlum: notice the quantity of the first syllable. [*] 235.2. [id] may be omitted.—hoc consilio, with this design, followed by the app. clauses of purpose, ne … possent. [*] 235.3. quoniam … ne, that, since, etc., not, etc.—esset complexus and cingeretur are subjv. because integral parts of his purpose, ne … possent. [*] 235.4. nec = et non, as usual.—totum opus, the entire work, eleven miles in extent, according to 233 11. [*] 235.6. operi: take with destinatos. [*] 235.8. eadem altitudine, of equal depth.—quarum interiorem: i.e. the one nearer the town.—campestribus … locis: loc. abl. describing the situation. [*] 235.10. aggerem: here not the technical approach used in a siege, but a bank of earth serving as a rampart, on top of which was placed the vallum of stakes, twelve feet in height. [*] 235.11. loricam, pinnas: see Bk. v. ch. 40. These were to raise higher the defence of the vallum.—cervis: stumps with roots, or trunks with branches, projecting like stags' horns.—ad commissuras, at the joining, i.e. the place where these plutei were fixed in the agger, which would be at their lowest part. [*] 235.12. pluteorum: the lorica was really a series of plutei, arranged side by side on a wall and bound together. [*] 235.13. turris: if these were ten feet wide at the base, there must have been at least 400.—quae … distarent: not which were distant （this would be indic.）, but so placed as to be, etc., hence subjv.
[*] 235.15. erat: with necesse; its subj. is the infinitives.—materiari: i.e. to get timber; lignari would mean to get firewood. [*] 235.16. copiis: Caesar had about 50,000 men. [*] 235.20. quo, in order that. [*] 235.21. truncis arborum, etc.: trunks of trees or very stiff boughs were cut down; then the boughs were trimmed and sharpened at the ends, and then planted in five rows in trenches each five feet deep （quinos pedes）, and perhaps one and a half feet wide. [*] 235.24. huc … eminebant, those boughs being sunk in these （huc, i.e. the trenches） and being securely fastened at the bottom so that they could not be torn up, projected from the ground only with their branches. [*] 235.25. quini … ordines: these five-rows of chevaux-de-frise, intertwined so as to be continuous, covered a space perhaps twenty-five feet wide, so that, even with the help of a pole, an enemy could not easily leap over them. [*] 235.26. quo qui intraverant, whoever entered within them; protasis of a past general condition. [*] 235.27. cippos: i.e. boundary-stones, so called jestingly by the troops; see Fig. 103. [*] 235.29. scrobes, little pits, with sloping sides, three feet deep, dug in eight rows, arranged, as we should say, in diamond-pattern, or as trees were planted in an orchard （in quincuncem）, so that each should be equally distant from the six adjacent. A stout, sharp stake was set in each, packed with a foot depth of earth, its point projecting four inches, the pit being then loosely filled with twigs and brush. This funnel-shaped trap for man or beast the soldiers called a "lily-cup" （lilium）; see Fig. 131.
 |
| Figure 131. Lilium. |
 |
| Figure 132. Stimulus. |
[*] 236.10. regiones … aequissimas: the line of circumvallation （see plan, Fig. 102） was parallel with the works just described, and distant from it about 700 feet. It was protected by a single ditch. [*] 236.11. xiv milia: of course the works of circumvallation included all the Roman camps, and must have had a greater circuit than the inner line of contravallation （see 233 11）. [*] 236.12. diversas, facing the other way. [*] 236.14. Omit the bracketed words. [*] 236.16. habere … convectum: see note on compertum habere, Bk. i. ch. 44.
[*] 236.19. omnis: subj. of convocandos [esse]. [*] 236.24. [Blannoviis]: this name is doubtful. [*] 236.25. milia: dir. obj. of imperant, the datives being the indir. obj. The same construction is continued in the next sentences, where imperant is to be supplied. [*] 237.4. The bracketed words may be omitted. [*] 237.6. quo in numero: cf. Bk. iii. ch. 7. [*] 237.12. pro, in consideration of.
[*] 237.13. Commi: cf. 106 13-19, 110 13-14, 115 9, 131 26. [*] 237.15. civitatem: i.e. the Atrebates.—immunem, free from tribute. [*] 237.16. attribuerat, had assigned to him as a prince. [*] 237.19. moveretur: i.e. Gallia. [*] 237.23. Viridomaro et Eporedorigi: these Haeduan nobles had been among Caesar's most faithful friends, and had received many favors from him; see chs. 38, 39, 40, 54. [*] 237.24. Vercassivellauno: in this word, as in Vercingetorix, the prefix Ver is probably a title, like the modern "Sir" or "Lord." [*] 237.25. his: indir. obj. of attribuuntur. [*] 237.29. ancipiti, with double front, having to be fought behind and before. [*] 237.20. cum … foris, etc., [in a case] where they would fight in sally from the town, and on the outside, etc.
[*] 238.1. at: to mark the change of scene. [*] 238.7. crudelitatem: perhaps so in a Gaul, but in a Roman it would be constantiam. [*] 238.10. deditionis: a mere "laying down of arms." [*] 238.12. cum … est, I have to do with those. [*] 238.14. animi est, etc.: the infin. clause following is in app. with ista. From the English idiom we should expect istud, but in Latin such pronouns agree with the predicate. [*] 238.16. offerant, ferant: subjv. of characteristic. [*] 238.17. atque, and yet.—probarem … viderem: apodosis and protasis in a contrary-to-fact supposition ; see § 517 (308); B. 304; G. 597; H. 579 (510); H-B. 581. [*] 238.18. tantum potest: see vocab.—dignitas: i.e. of those who advocate making a sally. [*] 238.19. vitae nostrae: depending on iacturam, to be supplied according to the Latin idiom. [*] 238.21. quid animi, what heart. [*] 238.22. propinquis, consanguineis: dat. of poss. after fore. [*] 238.27. prosternere, subicere: connected by nec with exspoliare. [*] 239.2. animi causa, for the pleasure of it.—illorum: the Gauls; his: the Romans.—exerceri, are toiling. [*] 239.4. testibus, as witnesses, pred. app. [*] 239.6. consili: pred. gen.—facere: sc. meum consilium est, from the preceding. [*] 239.7. Cimbrorum see note on 7 1. They did great damage in laying waste Gaul and Spain before they turned to Italy. [*] 239.12. pulcherrimum in pred. agreement with the two preceding infinitives.—quid, etc., what was there in that war like this? [*] 239.17. quos: the antecedent is horum. [*] 239.21. finitimam: "over the border,"—the Province. [*] 239.22. securibus: the lictor's axes, the sign not simply of military rule, but of bloody execution （as a servile insurrection would be revenged）.
[*] 239.27. illo: observe the emphasis.—potius, with quam.—utendum [esse]: impers., governing the abl.; § 500. 3 (294. c. N.); B. 337. 7. b. 1; G. 427. N. 4; H. 623. 1 (544. N. 5); H-B. 600. 3. a. [*] 240.4. prohibebat: one of the cruel necessities of war. The wretched creatures must have perished miserably between the city walls and the Roman lines.
[*] 240.7. colle: this hill is southwest from Alesia, beyond the Brenne; see plan, Fig. 102. [*] 240.10. demonstravimus: see 233 4. [*] 240.13. concurrunt: i.e. the Gauls in Alesia. [*] 240.16. fossam: see 234 26 ff., and plan, Fig. 102. [*] 240.23. Galli, etc.: the Gauls here adopt the German cavalry tactics; see Bk. i. ch. 26.
[*] 240.26. complures: i.e. of the Roman cavalry. [*] 241.5. neque … ac, etc. （perhaps a misreading for neque … nec）, and because neither a brave nor a cowardly action, etc. [*] 241.8. Germani: for the fourth time in this campaign the Germans decide the day for Caesar; cf. 232 9 and note. [*] 241.12. at: what is its force here ? Cf. 240 4, 238 1, and note.
[*] 242.3. atque, and even. [*] 242.4. harpagonum: iron hooks fastened to poles, for tearing down the defences; see Fig. 127. [*] 242.5. campestrīs munitiones: the works in the plain; i e. the line of circumvallation in the Plain of the Laumes, southwest from Alesia; see plan, Fig 102. [*] 242.6. quā = ut eā: introducing a clause of purpose. [*] 242.8. cratīs, hurdles of woven twigs, to cover the trenches. [*] 242.13. fundis librilibus: heavy stones fastened to a thong, by which they were hurled with great force. [*] 242.14. glandibus: leaden bullets. [*] 242.18. his auxilio: two datives. [*] 242.19. deductos: sc. milites. The thought is that men were withdrawn from the more distant redoubts to defend those that were in greatest danger.
[*] 242.22. stimulis: cf. 236 7-9.—scrobis: cf. 235 28 ff. [*] 242.23. pilis muralibus: large darts perhaps hurled by the engines. [*] 242.26. superioribus: on the higher ground to the north and south （see next chapter）. [*] 242.29. fossas: this word should probably be fossam. It seems to refer to the ditch twenty feet wide; see 234 26 ff. and plan.—explent: coordinate with proferunt.
[*] 243.6. collis: see plan; the camp of these two legions was on the southern slope of Mont Rea. [*] 243.13. quoque pacto, and in what manner. [*] 243.15. Vercassivellaunum: see 237 23-25.
[*] 243.29. multum valet, tends greatly. [*] 244.1. quod … constare: as the attack is both from without and within, the Romans in their fortifications have enemies both in front and in the tear, and the shouting of those in their rear tends to disconcert them. As they face the enemy they feel that their safety depends on the valor of those who are defending their rear.
[*] 244.4. idoneum locum: i.e. where he can see everything. [*] 244.5. utrisque, etc., the thought is present to the minds of both parties that this is the time of all others best suited for the greatest exertion. [*] 244.8. si rem obtinuerint, if they （shall） gain the day. [*] 244.11. iniquum … fastigium, the unfavorable downward slope of the ground （see 243 8）. The Romans always aimed to have their camp where no higher ground could command it. [*] 244.13. agger: i.e. earth, stones, or anything else handy. [*] 244.15. occultaverant: i.e. the stimuli, scrobes, etc., described in ch. 73.
[*] 244.17. Labienum: he was encamped on the heights of Bussy. See plan. [*] 244.19. deductis … pugnet, to draw off his cohorts and make a sally. [*] 244.22. interiores: i.e. the Gauls within the town. [*] 244.23. loca praerupta: probably the Heights of Flavigny. [*] 244.24. [ex]: may be omitted. [*] 244.26. vallum ac loricam: see 235 10 ff.
[*] 245.1. integros: i.e. troops that had not yet been engaged. The cohorts of Brutus and Fabius were probably of those that had been defending the works in the plain. [*] 245.2. eo, etc.: i.e. to the works on Mont Rea.
[*] 245.10. ex colore: the purple or scarlet paludamentum. The bracketed words may be omitted. [*] 245.12. de locis superioribus, from the high ground occupied by the Gauls. [*] 245.13. declivia, the downward slopes.—cernebantur, were in plain sight. [*] 245.14. excipit clamor: i.e. the shout of the combatants is taken up and re-echoed all along the lines. Notice the vividness and power of the following description, the short quick sentences, the absence of connectives, and the rapidity of the whole. [*] 245.16. equitatus: who had been despatched for that purpose as told in ll. 4 and 5 above. [*] 245.22. conspicati: agrees with the subj. of reducunt; sc. Galli. [*] 245.24. quod: lit. as to which, referring to the preceding sentence; § 397. a (240. b); B. 185. 2; G. 610. R. 2; H. 510. 9 (453. 6); H-B. 388. a. N; translate and. [*] 245.25. crebris subsidiis, constant service in relief parties.
[*] 246.8. Vercingetorix deditur: the fate reserved for this gallant and ill-fated chieftain was to be kept for six years in chains, and then, after being led in Caesar's triumphal procession, to be put to death. Plutarch in his "Life of Caesar" describes the surrender as follows: "Vercingetorix, who was the chief author of all the war, putting on his best armor, and adorning his horse,.came out of the gate, and rode round Caesar as he sat, then dismounted from his 'horse, threw off his armor, and remained sitting quietly at Caesar's feet until he was led away to be reserved for the triumph." [*] 246.9. si [to try], whether, indir. quest. [*] 246.10. capita singula, one apiece.
[*] 246.17. huic: i.e. Labienus. [*] 246.25. Bibracte: loc. abl. [*] 246.26. Cf. the close of Bks. ii and iv. From 1862 to 1865 careful excavations were made under direction of the emperor Napoleon III on the site of the works at Alesia. The discoveries that resulted were most interesting. There were found the remains of Caesar's four infantry camps and of his four cavalry camps. Of the twenty-three redoubts, remains of only five could be traced. It is likely that the rest were mostly of wood, so that they had crumbled entirely away. The trench twenty feet wide remains in its entirety. Of the pits （scrobes） in which the sharp stakes were buried, more than fifty were discovered. They are all three feet deep, two feet wide at the top, and one foot wide at the bottom. Of course they do not retain the original dimensions. In the trenches were found a great number of coins, lkoman and Gallic, swords, daggers, spear-heads, and the like. The result of these researches was a very striking corroboration of Caesar's narrative.
