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C. IVLI CAESARIS COMMENTARIORVM DE BELLO GALLICO LIBER I, LIBER PRIMVS XVI- XXIX

LIBER PRIMVS XVI- XXIX

[16] Interim cotidie Caesar Haeduos frumentum, quod essent publice polliciti, flagitare. Nam propter frigora [quod Gallia sub septentrionibus, ut ante dictum est, posita est,] non modo frumenta in agris matura non erant, sed ne pabuli quidem satis magna copia suppetebat; eo autem frumento quod flumine Arari navibus subvexerat propterea uti minus poterat quod iter ab Arari Helvetii averterant, a quibus discedere nolebat. Diem ex die ducere Haedui: conferri, comportari, adesse dicere. Ubi se diutius duci intellexit et diem instare quo die frumentum militibus metiri oporteret, convocatis eorum principibus, quorum magnam copiam in castris habebat, in his Diviciaco et Lisco, qui summo magistratui praeerat, quem vergobretum appellant Haedui, qui creatur annuus et vitae necisque in suos habet potestatem, graviter eos accusat, quod, cum neque emi neque ex agris sumi possit, tam necessario tempore, tam propinquis hostibus ab iis non sublevetur, praesertim cum magna ex parte eorum precibus adductus bellum susceperit; multo etiam gravius quod sit destitutus queritur.

[17] Tum demum Liscus oratione Caesaris adductus quod antea tacuerat proponit: esse non nullos, quorum auctoritas apud plebem plurimum valeat, qui privatim plus possint quam ipsi magistratus. Hos seditiosa atque improba oratione multitudinem deterrere, ne frumentum conferant quod debeant: praestare, si iam principatum Galliae obtinere non possint, Gallorum quam Romanorum imperia perferre, neque dubitare [debeant] quin, si Helvetios superaverint Romani, una cum reliqua Gallia Haeduis libertatem sint erepturi. Ab isdem nostra consilia quaeque in castris gerantur hostibus enuntiari; hos a se coerceri non posse. Quin etiam, quod necessariam rem coactus Caesari enuntiarit, intellegere sese quanto id cum periculo fecerit, et ob eam causam quam diu potuerit tacuisse.

[18] Caesar hac oratione Lisci Dumnorigem, Diviciaci fratrem, designari sentiebat, sed, quod pluribus praesentibus eas res iactari nolebat, celeriter concilium dimittit, Liscum retinet. Quaerit ex solo ea quae in conventu dixerat. Dicit liberius atque audacius. Eadem secreto ab aliis quaerit; reperit esse vera: ipsum esse Dumnorigem, summa audacia, magna apud plebem propter liberalitatem gratia, cupidum rerum novarum. Complures annos portoria reliquaque omnia Haeduorum vectigalia parvo pretio redempta habere, propterea quod illo licente contra liceri audeat nemo. His rebus et suam rem familiarem auxisse et facultates ad largiendum magnas comparasse; magnum numerum equitatus suo sumptu semper alere et circum se habere, neque solum domi, sed etiam apud finitimas civitates largiter posse, atque huius potentiae causa matrem in Biturigibus homini illic nobilissimo ac potentissimo conlocasse; ipsum ex Helvetiis uxorem habere, sororum ex matre et propinquas suas nuptum in alias civitates conlocasse. Favere et cupere Helvetiis propter eam adfinitatem, odisse etiam suo nomine Caesarem et Romanos, quod eorum adventu potentia eius deminuta et Diviciacus frater in antiquum locum gratiae atque honoris sit restitutus. Si quid accidat Romanis, summam in spem per Helvetios regni obtinendi venire; imperio populi Romani non modo de regno, sed etiam de ea quam habeat gratia desperare. Reperiebat etiam in quaerendo Caesar, quod proelium equestre adversum paucis ante diebus esset factum, initium eius fugae factum a Dumnorige atque eius equitibus (nam equitatui, quem auxilio Caesari Haedui miserant, Dumnorix praeerat): eorum fuga reliquum esse equitatum perterritum.

[19] Quibus rebus cognitis, cum ad has suspiciones certissimae res accederent, quod per fines Sequanorum Helvetios traduxisset, quod obsides inter eos dandos curasset, quod ea omnia non modo iniussu suo et civitatis sed etiam inscientibus ipsis fecisset, quod a magistratu Haeduorum accusaretur, satis esse causae arbitrabatur quare in eum aut ipse animadverteret aut civitatem animadvertere iuberet. His omnibus rebus unum repugnabat, quod Diviciaci fratris summum in populum Romanum studium, summum in se voluntatem, egregiam fidem, iustitiam, temperantiam cognoverat; nam ne eius supplicio Diviciaci animum offenderet verebatur. Itaque prius quam quicquam conaretur, Diviciacum ad se vocari iubet et, cotidianis interpretibus remotis, per C. Valerium Troucillum, principem Galliae provinciae, familiarem suum, cui summam omnium rerum fidem habebat, cum eo conloquitur; simul commonefacit quae ipso praesente in concilio [Gallorum] de Dumnorige sint dicta, et ostendit quae separatim quisque de eo apud se dixerit. Petit atque hortatur ut sine eius offensione animi vel ipse de eo causa cognita statuat vel civitatem statuere iubeat.

[20] Diviciacus multis cum lacrimis Caesarem complexus obsecrare coepit ne quid gravius in fratrem statueret: scire se illa esse vera, nec quemquam ex eo plus quam se doloris capere, propterea quod, cum ipse gratia plurimum domi atque in reliqua Gallia, ille minimum propter adulescentiam posset, per se crevisset; quibus opibus ac nervis non solum ad minuendam gratiam, sed paene ad perniciem suam uteretur. Sese tamen et amore fraterno et existimatione vulgi commoveri. Quod si quid ei a Caesare gravius accidisset, cum ipse eum locum amicitiae apud eum teneret, neminem existimaturum non sua voluntate factum; qua ex re futurum uti totius Galliae animi a se averterentur. Haec cum pluribus verbis flens a Caesare peteret, Caesar eius dextram prendit; consolatus rogat finem orandi faciat; tanti eius apud se gratiam esse ostendit uti et rei publicae iniuriam et suum dolorem eius voluntati ac precibus condonet. Dumnorigem ad se vocat, fratrem adhibet; quae in eo reprehendat ostendit; quae ipse intellegat, quae civitas queratur proponit; monet ut in reliquum tempus omnes suspiciones vitet; praeterita se Diviciaco fratri condonare dicit. Dumnorigi custodes ponit, ut quae agat, quibuscum loquatur scire possit.

[21] Eodem die ab exploratoribus certior factus hostes sub monte consedisse milia passuum ab ipsius castris octo, qualis esset natura montis et qualis in circuitu ascensus qui cognoscerent misit. Renuntiatum est facilem esse. De tertia vigilia T. Labienum, legatum pro praetore, cum duabus legionibus et iis ducibus qui iter cognoverant summum iugum montis ascendere iubet; quid sui consilii sit ostendit. Ipse de quarta vigilia eodem itinere quo hostes ierant ad eos contendit equitatumque omnem ante se mittit. P. Considius, qui rei militaris peritissimus habebatur et in exercitu L. Sullae et postea in M. Crassi fuerat, cum exploratoribus praemittitur.

[22] Prima luce, cum summus mons a [Lucio] Labieno teneretur, ipse ab hostium castris non longius mille et quingentis passibus abesset neque, ut postea ex captivis comperit, aut ipsius adventus aut Labieni cognitus esset, Considius equo admisso ad eum accurrit, dicit montem, quem a Labieno occupari voluerit, ab hostibus teneri: id se a Gallicis armis atque insignibus cognovisse. Caesar suas copias in proximum collem subducit, aciem instruit. Labienus, ut erat ei praeceptum a Caesare ne proelium committeret, nisi ipsius copiae prope hostium castra visae essent, ut undique uno tempore in hostes impetus fieret, monte occupato nostros expectabat proelioque abstinebat. Multo denique die per exploratores Caesar cognovit et montem a suis teneri et Helvetios castra, movisse et Considium timore perterritum quod non vidisset pro viso sibi renuntiavisse. Eo die quo consuerat intervallo hostes sequitur et milia passuum tria ab eorum castris castra ponit.

[23] Postridie eius diei, quod omnino biduum supererat, cum exercitui frumentum metiri oporteret, et quod a Bibracte, oppido Haeduorum longe maximo et copiosissimo, non amplius milibus passuum XVIII aberat, rei frumentariae prospiciendum existimavit; itaque iter ab Helvetiis avertit ac Bibracte ire contendit. Ea res per fugitivos L. Aemilii, decurionis equitum Gallorum, hostibus nuntiatur. Helvetii, seu quod timore perterritos Romanos discedere a se existimarent, eo magis quod pridie superioribus locis occupatis proelium non commisissent, sive eo quod re frumentaria intercludi posse confiderent, commutato consilio atque itinere converso nostros a novissimo agmine insequi ac lacessere coeperunt.

[24] Postquam id animum advertit, copias suas Caesar in proximum collem subduxit equitatumque, qui sustineret hostium impetum, misit. Ipse interim in colle medio triplicem aciem instruxit legionum quattuor veteranarum; in summo iugo duas legiones quas in Gallia citeriore proxime conscripserat et omnia auxilia conlocavit, ita ut supra se totum montem hominibus compleret; impedimenta sarcinasque in unum locum conferri et eum ab iis qui in superiore acie constiterant muniri iussit. Helvetii cum omnibus suis carris secuti impedimenta in unum locum contulerunt; ipsi confertissima acie, reiecto nostro equitatu, phalange facta sub primam nostram aciem successerunt.

[25] Caesar primum suo, deinde omnium ex conspectu remotis equis, ut aequato omnium periculo spem fugae tolleret, cohortatus suos proelium commisit. Milites loco superiore pilis missis facile hostium phalangem perfregerunt. Ea disiecta gladiis destrictis in eos impetum fecerunt. Gallis magno ad pugnam erat impedimento quod pluribus eorum scutis uno ictu pilorum transfixis et conligatis, cum ferrum se inflexisset, neque evellere neque sinistra impedita satis commode pugnare poterant, multi ut diu iactato bracchio praeoptarent scutum manu emittere et nudo corpore pugnare. Tandem vulneribus defessi et pedem referre et, quod mons suberit circiter mille passuum spatio, eo se recipere coeperunt. Capto monte et succedentibus nostris, Boi et Tulingi, qui hominum milibus circiter XV agmen hostium claudebant et novissimis praesidio erant, ex itinere nostros ab latere aperto adgressi circumvenire, et id conspicati Helvetii, qui in montem sese receperant, rursus instare et proelium redintegrare coeperunt. Romani conversa signa bipertito intulerunt: prima et secunda acies, ut victis ac submotis resisteret, tertia, ut venientes sustineret.

[26] Ita ancipiti proelio diu atque acriter pugnatum est. Diutius cum sustinere nostrorum impetus non possent, alteri se, ut coeperant, in montem receperunt, alteri ad impedimenta et carros suos se contulerunt. Nam hoc toto proelio, cum ab hora septima ad vesperum pugnatum sit, aversum hostem videre nemo potuit. Ad multam noctem etiam ad impedimenta pugnatum est, propterea quod pro vallo carros obiecerunt et e loco superiore in nostros venientes tela coiciebant et non nulli inter carros rotasque mataras ac tragulas subiciebant nostrosque vulnerabant. Diu cum esset pugnatum, impedimentis castrisque nostri potiti sunt. Ibi Orgetorigis filia atque unus e filiis captus est. Ex eo proelio circiter hominum milia CXXX superfuerunt eaque tota nocte continenter ierunt [nullam partem noctis itinere intermisso]; in fines Lingonum die quarto pervenerunt, cum et propter vulnera militum et propter sepulturam occisorum nostri [triduum morati] eos sequi non potuissent. Caesar ad Lingonas litteras nuntiosque misit, ne eos frumento neve alia re iuvarent: qui si iuvissent, se eodem loco quo Helvetios habiturum. Ipse triduo intermisso cum omnibus copiis eos sequi coepit.

[27] Helvetii omnium rerum inopia adducti legatos de deditione ad eum miserunt. Qui cum eum in itinere convenissent seque ad pedes proiecissent suppliciterque locuti flentes pacem petissent, atque eos in eo loco quo tum essent suum adventum expectare iussisset, paruerunt. Eo postquam Caesar pervenit, obsides, arma, servos qui ad eos perfugissent, poposcit. Dum ea conquiruntur et conferuntur, [nocte intermissa] circiter hominum milia VI eius pagi qui Verbigenus appellatur, sive timore perterriti, ne armis traditis supplicio adficerentur, sive spe salutis inducti, quod in tanta multitudine dediticiorum suam fugam aut occultari aut omnino ignorari posse existimarent, prima nocte e castris Helvetiorum egressi ad Rhenum finesque Germanorum contenderunt.

[28] Quod ubi Caesar resciit, quorum per fines ierant his uti conquirerent et reducerent, si sibi purgati esse vellent, imperavit; reductos in hostium numero habuit; reliquos omnes obsidibus, armis, perfugis traditis in deditionem accepit. Helvetios, Tulingos, Latobrigos in fines suos, unde erant profecti, reverti iussit, et, quod omnibus frugibus amissis domi nihil erat quo famem tolerarent, Allobrogibus imperavit ut iis frumenti copiam facerent; ipsos oppida vicosque, quos incenderant, restituere iussit. Id ea maxime ratione fecit, quod noluit eum locum unde Helvetii discesserant vacare, ne propter bonitatem agrorum Germani, qui trans Rhenum incolunt, ex suis finibus in Helvetiorum fines transirent et finitimi Galliae provinciae Allobrogibusque essent. Boios petentibus Haeduis, quod egregia virtute erant cogniti, ut in finibus suis conlocarent, concessit; quibus illi agros dederunt quosque postea in parem iuris libertatisque condicionem atque ipsi erant receperunt.

[29] In castris Helvetiorum tabulae repertae sunt litteris Graecis confectae et ad Caesarem relatae, quibus in tabulis nominatim ratio confecta erat, qui numerus domo exisset eorum qui arma ferre possent, et item separatim, quot pueri, senes mulieresque. [Quarum omnium rerum] summa erat capitum Helvetiorum milium CCLXIII, Tulingorum milium XXXVI, Latobrigorum XIIII, Rauracorum XXIII, Boiorum XXXII; ex his qui arma ferre possent ad milia nonaginta duo. Summa omnium fuerunt ad milia CCCLXVIII. Eorum qui domum redierunt censu habito, ut Caesar imperaverat, repertus est numerus milium C et X.


LIBER PRIMVS XVI- XXIX BUCH 16-29 BOOK IV LIBRO 16-29 BOEK 16-29 书 16-29

[16] Interim cotidie Caesar Haeduos frumentum, quod essent publice polliciti, flagitare. [16] In the mean time Caesar daily demanded the Aedui for the corn which they had promised in public. Nam propter frigora [quod Gallia sub septentrionibus, ut ante dictum est, posita est,] non modo frumenta in agris matura non erant, sed ne pabuli quidem satis magna copia suppetebat; eo autem frumento quod flumine Arari navibus subvexerat propterea uti minus poterat quod iter ab Arari Helvetii averterant, a quibus discedere nolebat. For on account of the coldness (which Gaul, as has been said before, situated in the north), not only the corn was not ripe in the fields, but there was not even a sufficiently large quantity of fodder; but because of the corn which he had conveyed in ships to the river Saone, he could use as little as possible because the Helvetii had diverted their march from the Saone, from whom he was unwilling to depart. Diem ex die ducere Haedui: conferri, comportari, adesse dicere. The Aedui continued to march from day to day, saying that they were being brought together, being brought together. Ubi se diutius duci intellexit et diem instare quo die frumentum militibus metiri oporteret, convocatis eorum principibus, quorum magnam copiam in castris habebat, in his Diviciaco et Lisco, qui summo magistratui praeerat, quem __vergobretum__ appellant Haedui, qui creatur annuus et vitae necisque in suos habet potestatem, graviter eos accusat, quod, cum neque emi neque ex agris sumi possit, tam necessario tempore, tam propinquis hostibus ab iis non sublevetur, praesertim cum magna ex parte eorum precibus adductus bellum susceperit; multo etiam gravius quod sit destitutus queritur. When he realized that he was being led a long time, and that the day was fast approaching, on which day the corn ought to be measured out to his soldiers, he called together their chief men, of whom he had a great abundance in the camp, among them Divitiacus and Lisco, who was the chief magistrate, whom the Aedui call Vergobretum, who is elected annually, and whose life or death he has power, he severely accuses them, because, since it can neither be purchased nor taken from the country, they may not be relieved by them of such necessity in time, or by those near the enemy, especially when induced by their entreaties, he undertakes war; much more grievously does he complain that he is destitute.

[17] Tum demum Liscus oratione Caesaris adductus quod antea tacuerat proponit: esse non nullos, quorum auctoritas apud plebem plurimum valeat, qui privatim plus possint quam ipsi magistratus. [17] Then at length Liscus was induced by Caesar's speech, and states what he had before kept silent: that there were none, whose influence he had the greatest influence among the people, who could do more in private than the magistrates themselves. Hos seditiosa atque improba oratione multitudinem deterrere, ne frumentum conferant quod debeant: praestare, si iam principatum Galliae obtinere non possint, Gallorum quam Romanorum imperia perferre, neque dubitare [debeant] quin, si Helvetios superaverint Romani, una cum reliqua Gallia Haeduis libertatem sint erepturi. that they should discourage the people by seditious and dishonest speech, lest they should contribute corn which they ought: to guarantee that, if they could not now obtain the principality of Gaul, the Gauls should pass over the empires of the Romans; . Ab isdem nostra consilia quaeque in castris gerantur hostibus enuntiari; hos a se coerceri non posse. to inform the enemy of our plans and what is to be done in the camp; that these could not be restrained by themselves. Quin etiam, quod necessariam rem coactus Caesari enuntiarit, intellegere sese quanto id cum periculo fecerit, et ob eam causam quam diu potuerit tacuisse. Moreover, because he had disclosed to Caesar a necessary constraint, he understood how much danger he had done it, and for what reason, for as long as he could have been silent.

[18] Caesar hac oratione Lisci Dumnorigem, Diviciaci fratrem, designari sentiebat, sed, quod pluribus praesentibus eas res iactari nolebat, celeriter concilium dimittit, Liscum retinet. Caesar, by this speech, felt that Dumnorix, the brother of Divitiacus, was designated by this speech of Liscus; but, because he did not wish that these things should be uttered by many in the present, he speedily dismissed the council, and detained Liscus. Quaerit ex solo ea quae in conventu dixerat. He inquires only of what he had said in the meeting. Dicit liberius atque audacius. He says more freely and boldly. Eadem secreto ab aliis quaerit; reperit esse vera: ipsum esse Dumnorigem, summa audacia, magna apud plebem propter liberalitatem gratia, cupidum rerum novarum. He asks the same secretly from others; he found it to be true: that he was Dumnorix himself, of the greatest daring, great among the people, on account of his liberality, and fond of revolution. Complures annos portoria reliquaque omnia Haeduorum vectigalia parvo pretio redempta habere, propterea quod illo licente contra liceri audeat nemo. For several years he held that the customs and all other taxes of the Aedui had been redeemed at a low price; His rebus et suam rem familiarem auxisse et facultates ad largiendum magnas comparasse; magnum numerum equitatus suo sumptu semper alere et circum se habere, neque solum domi, sed etiam apud finitimas civitates largiter posse, atque huius potentiae causa matrem in Biturigibus homini illic nobilissimo ac potentissimo conlocasse; ipsum ex Helvetiis uxorem habere, sororum ex matre et propinquas suas nuptum in alias civitates conlocasse. By these means he had enlarged his property and his property, and had acquired great resources to bestow upon him; that at his expense he could always maintain and maintain a great number of cavalry around him, and that he could generously not only at home, but also among the neighboring states; that he himself had a wife from the Helvetii, and had arranged marriages in other states by his mother's and his sisters' own relations. Favere et cupere Helvetiis propter eam adfinitatem, odisse etiam suo nomine Caesarem et Romanos, quod eorum adventu potentia eius deminuta et Diviciacus frater in antiquum locum gratiae atque honoris sit restitutus. The Helvetii, on account of that alliance, favored and desired to hate Caesar and the Romans even in his own name, because by their arrival his influence had been diminished, and his brother Divitiacus had been restored to an ancient place of grace and honor. Si quid accidat Romanis, summam in spem per Helvetios regni obtinendi venire; imperio populi Romani non modo de regno, sed etiam de ea quam habeat gratia desperare. Wenn den Römern etwas zustoßen sollte, dann in der Hoffnung, durch die Helvetier das Königreich zu erlangen; Unter der Herrschaft des römischen Volkes verzweifelte er nicht nur am Königreich, sondern auch an der Gnade, die er besaß. that if anything should happen to the Romans, that the greatest hope of obtaining a kingdom through the Helvetii is to come by means of the Helvetii; to despair not only of the kingdom of the Roman people, but also of that grace which he had. Reperiebat etiam in quaerendo Caesar, quod proelium equestre adversum paucis ante diebus esset factum, initium eius fugae factum a Dumnorige atque eius equitibus (nam equitatui, quem auxilio Caesari Haedui miserant, Dumnorix praeerat): eorum fuga reliquum esse equitatum perterritum. Als er Caesar durchsuchte, entdeckte er auch, dass einige Tage zuvor eine Kavallerieschlacht gegen ihn stattgefunden hatte und dass Dumnorix und seine Reiter den Anfang seiner Flucht gemacht hatten (denn Dumnorix hatte das Kommando über die Kavallerie, die sie geschickt hatten). zur Hilfe von Caesar Haedus): Der Rest der Kavallerie sei durch ihre Flucht in Angst und Schrecken versetzt worden. Caesar also discovered in his quest, that a cavalry battle had taken place against him a few days before, that the beginning of his escape had been made by Dumnorix and his horse (for the cavalry which Dumnorix was under command of the Aedui had sent to Caesar to succor), that the rest of the cavalry were intimidated by their flight.

[19] Quibus rebus cognitis, cum ad has suspiciones certissimae res accederent, quod per fines Sequanorum Helvetios traduxisset, quod obsides inter eos dandos curasset, quod ea omnia non modo iniussu suo et civitatis sed etiam inscientibus ipsis fecisset, quod a magistratu Haeduorum accusaretur, satis esse causae arbitrabatur quare in eum aut ipse animadverteret aut civitatem animadvertere iuberet. [19] These things being known, when they came to these suspicions, the most certain thing was that he had brought over the Helvetii through the territories of the Sequani, and had taken care to give hostages among them; he thought that there was sufficient reason why he should either take notice of him himself, or order him to take notice of the state. His omnibus rebus unum repugnabat, quod Diviciaci fratris summum in populum Romanum studium, summum in se voluntatem, egregiam fidem, iustitiam, temperantiam cognoverat; nam ne eius supplicio Diviciaci animum offenderet verebatur. In all these things there was one thing he opposed, because he had discovered in him the greatest will, his excellent faith, justice, and temperance toward the Roman people, his brother Divitiacus; for he feared lest he should offend the mind of Divitiacus by his punishment. Itaque prius quam quicquam conaretur, Diviciacum ad se vocari iubet et, cotidianis interpretibus remotis, per C. Valerium Troucillum, principem Galliae provinciae, familiarem suum, cui summam omnium rerum fidem habebat, cum eo conloquitur; simul commonefacit quae ipso praesente in concilio [Gallorum] de Dumnorige sint dicta, et ostendit quae separatim quisque de eo apud se dixerit. Therefore, before he attempted anything, he ordered Diviciacus to be called to him, and, removing the daily interpreters, he conversed with him through C. Valerius Troucillus, the prince of the province of Gaul, his relative, in whom he had the utmost confidence in all things; at the same time he reminds us of what was said about Dumnorige when he was present in the council [of the Gauls], and shows what each separately said about him among himself. Petit atque hortatur ut sine eius offensione animi vel ipse de eo causa cognita statuat vel civitatem statuere iubeat. He asks and urges that, without offending his mind, either he himself, having learned about the matter, may decide or order the city to be established.

[20] Diviciacus multis cum lacrimis Caesarem complexus obsecrare coepit ne quid gravius in fratrem statueret: scire se illa esse vera, nec quemquam ex eo plus quam se doloris capere, propterea quod, cum ipse gratia plurimum domi atque in reliqua Gallia, ille minimum propter adulescentiam posset, per se crevisset; quibus opibus ac nervis non solum ad minuendam gratiam, sed paene ad perniciem suam uteretur. [20] Diviciacus, with many tears, began to entreat Caesar not to impose anything more grievous on his brother: to know that it was true, and not to take any one of him more than himself, for the reason that, while he himself had much favor at home and in the rest of Gaul, he least for the sake of He could have grown up in his youth; which resources and nerves he used not only to diminish his grace, but almost to his destruction. Sese tamen et amore fraterno et existimatione vulgi commoveri. He was, however, moved both by brotherly love and by the esteem of the people. Quod si quid ei a Caesare gravius accidisset, cum ipse eum locum amicitiae apud eum teneret, neminem existimaturum non sua voluntate factum; qua ex re futurum uti totius Galliae animi a se averterentur. But if anything more grievous had happened to him from Caesar, when he himself held that position of friendship with him, no one would think that it had not been done by his own will. on account of which fact the minds of the whole of Gaul were turned away from him. Haec cum pluribus verbis flens a Caesare peteret, Caesar eius dextram prendit; consolatus rogat finem orandi faciat; tanti eius apud se gratiam esse ostendit uti et rei publicae iniuriam et suum dolorem eius voluntati ac precibus condonet. When he was begging Caesar for this, crying with many words, Caesar took hold of his right hand; consoled, he asks him to stop praying; He shows that he has such great favor with him, and forgives the wrong of the state and his pain at his will and prayers. Dumnorigem ad se vocat, fratrem adhibet; quae in eo reprehendat ostendit; quae ipse intellegat, quae civitas queratur proponit; monet ut in reliquum tempus omnes suspiciones vitet; praeterita se Diviciaco fratri condonare dicit. He calls Dumnorig to himself, and employs his brother; He shows what he finds fault with; which he himself understands, which the city complains of proposes; advises him to avoid all suspicions for the rest of the time; He says that he forgives his brother Diviciacus for the past. Dumnorigi custodes ponit, ut quae agat, quibuscum loquatur scire possit. Dumnorigi places guards so that he can know what he is doing and with whom he is talking.

[21] Eodem die ab exploratoribus certior factus hostes sub monte consedisse milia passuum ab ipsius castris octo, qualis esset natura montis et qualis in circuitu ascensus qui cognoscerent misit. [21] On the same day he was informed by scouts that the enemy had encamped under a mountain eight miles from his own camp. Renuntiatum est facilem esse. It was reported that it was easy. De tertia vigilia T. Labienum, legatum pro praetore, cum duabus legionibus et iis ducibus qui iter cognoverant summum iugum montis ascendere iubet; quid sui consilii sit ostendit. On the third watch he ordered T. Labienus, the legate for the praetor, with two legions and those leaders who had known the route, to ascend the highest ridge of the mountain; He shows what his plan is. Ipse de quarta vigilia eodem itinere quo hostes ierant ad eos contendit equitatumque omnem ante se mittit. On the fourth watch he marches towards them by the same route by which the enemy had gone, and sends all the cavalry before him. P. Considius, qui rei militaris peritissimus habebatur et in exercitu L. Sullae et postea in M. Crassi fuerat, cum exploratoribus praemittitur. P. Considius, who was considered the most skilled in military affairs and had been in the army of L. Sulla and later in M. Crassus, went ahead with the spies.

[22] Prima luce, cum summus mons a [Lucio] Labieno teneretur, ipse ab hostium castris non longius mille et quingentis passibus abesset neque, ut postea ex captivis comperit, aut ipsius adventus aut Labieni cognitus esset, Considius equo admisso ad eum accurrit, dicit montem, quem a Labieno occupari voluerit, ab hostibus teneri: id se a Gallicis armis atque insignibus cognovisse. [22] At daybreak, when the highest mountain was held by [Lucius] Labienus, he himself was not distant from the enemy's camp more than a thousand and five hundred paces, nor, as he afterwards learned from the prisoners, had either his approach or that of Labienus been known, Considius, on his horse, ran towards him. He says that the mountain, which he wished to seize from Labienus, was held by the enemy: he knew this from the French arms and insignia. Caesar suas copias in proximum collem subducit, aciem instruit. Caesar withdraws his troops to the nearest hill, and prepares the battle. Labienus, ut erat ei praeceptum a Caesare ne proelium committeret, nisi ipsius copiae prope hostium castra visae essent, ut undique uno tempore in hostes impetus fieret, monte occupato nostros expectabat proelioque abstinebat. Labienus, as he had been instructed by Caesar not to commit battle unless his troops were seen near the enemy's camp, so that an attack might be made on all sides at once against the enemy, occupied the mountain and waited for ours, and abstained from battle. Multo denique die per exploratores Caesar cognovit et montem a suis teneri et Helvetios castra, movisse et Considium timore perterritum quod non vidisset pro viso sibi renuntiavisse. After a long day, Caesar learned through spies that the mountain was held by his men and that the camp of the Helvetii had moved, and the Considium, terrified by the fear that he had not seen, reported to him instead of what he had seen. Eo die quo consuerat intervallo hostes sequitur et milia passuum tria ab eorum castris castra ponit. On that day he follows the enemy at his usual distance, and encamps three miles from their camp.

[23] Postridie eius diei, quod omnino biduum supererat, cum exercitui frumentum metiri oporteret, et quod a Bibracte, oppido Haeduorum longe maximo et copiosissimo, non amplius milibus passuum XVIII aberat, rei frumentariae prospiciendum existimavit; itaque iter ab Helvetiis avertit ac Bibracte ire contendit. [23] The day after that, when two days were altogether left, when the corn should be measured for the army, and as it was not more than 18 thousand leagues distant from Bibracte, the largest and most populous town of the Aedui, he thought it necessary to look after the matter of corn; therefore he turned his way from the Helvetii, and intended to go to Bibracte. Ea res per fugitivos L. Aemilii, decurionis equitum Gallorum, hostibus nuntiatur. This event was reported to the enemies by the fugitives of L. Aemilius, the councilor of the cavalry of the Gauls. Helvetii, seu quod timore perterritos Romanos discedere a se existimarent, eo magis quod pridie superioribus locis occupatis proelium non commisissent, sive eo quod re frumentaria intercludi posse confiderent, commutato consilio atque itinere converso nostros a novissimo agmine insequi ac lacessere coeperunt. The Helvetii, either because they were terrified and thought the Romans would withdraw from them, the more because they had not engaged in battle the previous day, having occupied the higher places, or because they were confident that the grain supply could be intercepted, changed their plan and reversed their course, and began to pursue and chase our rear column.

[24] Postquam id animum advertit, copias suas Caesar in proximum collem subduxit equitatumque, qui sustineret hostium impetum, misit. [24] After he had noticed this, Caesar brought his troops down to the nearest hill, and sent the cavalry to withstand the attack of the enemy. Ipse interim in colle medio triplicem aciem instruxit legionum quattuor veteranarum; in summo iugo duas legiones quas in Gallia citeriore proxime conscripserat et omnia auxilia conlocavit, ita ut supra se totum montem hominibus compleret; impedimenta sarcinasque in unum locum conferri et eum ab iis qui in superiore acie constiterant muniri iussit. Meanwhile, in the middle of the hill, he drew up a triple line of four veteran legions; on the top of the ridge he placed the two legions which he had recruited in Gaul, and all the auxiliaries, in such a way as to fill the whole mountain above him with men; He ordered the baggage and baggage to be brought into one place, and he was defended by those who stood in the upper line. Helvetii cum omnibus suis carris secuti impedimenta in unum locum contulerunt; ipsi confertissima acie, reiecto nostro equitatu, phalange facta sub primam nostram aciem successerunt. The Helvetii, followed by all their chariots, brought the baggage into one place; they themselves, in the most compact line, having repulsed our cavalry, formed a phalanx under our first line.

[25] Caesar primum suo, deinde omnium ex conspectu remotis equis, ut aequato omnium periculo spem fugae tolleret, cohortatus suos proelium commisit. [25] Caesar, first with his horses, and then with his horses removed from the sight of all, in order to eliminate the hope of flight at an equal risk to all, encouraged his men and committed the battle. Milites loco superiore pilis missis facile hostium phalangem perfregerunt. The soldiers, sent from a superior position, easily broke through the enemy's phalanx. Ea disiecta gladiis destrictis in eos impetum fecerunt. They broke up and attacked them with drawn swords. Gallis magno ad pugnam erat impedimento quod pluribus eorum scutis uno ictu pilorum transfixis et conligatis, cum ferrum se inflexisset, neque evellere neque sinistra impedita satis commode pugnare poterant, multi ut diu iactato bracchio praeoptarent scutum manu emittere et nudo corpore pugnare. The Gauls were greatly hindered in fighting, because many of their shields having been pierced and bound by one blow of the hairs, when the iron was bent, they could neither pull it out, nor fight comfortably enough with their left hand hindered. Tandem vulneribus defessi et pedem referre et, quod mons suberit circiter mille passuum spatio, eo se recipere coeperunt. At last they were tired of their wounds and began to retreat to the mountain, which was about a thousand miles away. Capto monte et succedentibus nostris, Boi et Tulingi, qui hominum milibus circiter XV agmen hostium claudebant et novissimis praesidio erant, ex itinere nostros ab latere aperto adgressi circumvenire, et id conspicati Helvetii, qui in montem sese receperant, rursus instare et proelium redintegrare coeperunt. Having captured the mountain, and succeeding us, the Boi and Tulingi, who with about 15 thousand men closed the enemy's column and were the last guard, came from the road to surround ours from the open side, and seeing this the Helvetii, who had retreated to the mountain, began to press on again and renew the battle. Romani conversa signa bipertito intulerunt: prima et secunda acies, ut victis ac submotis resisteret, tertia, ut venientes sustineret. The Romans turned and brought up their standards in two parts: the first and second lines, to resist the defeated and overwhelmed, the third, to support those who were coming.

[26] Ita ancipiti proelio diu atque acriter pugnatum est. [26] Thus the bitter battle was fought long and bitterly. Diutius cum sustinere nostrorum impetus non possent, alteri se, ut coeperant, in montem receperunt, alteri ad impedimenta et carros suos se contulerunt. When they could no longer withstand our attacks, they retreated to the mountain as they had begun, and to the other they contributed to their wagons and carts. Nam hoc toto proelio, cum ab hora septima ad vesperum pugnatum sit, aversum hostem videre nemo potuit. For in this whole battle, since it was fought from seven o'clock until evening, no one could see the enemy facing away. Ad multam noctem etiam ad impedimenta pugnatum est, propterea quod pro vallo carros obiecerunt et e loco superiore in nostros venientes tela coiciebant et non nulli inter carros rotasque mataras ac tragulas subiciebant nostrosque vulnerabant. Until late at night there was also a fight against the trains, because instead of a rampart they opposed the cars and, coming from a higher place, they threw weapons at us and did not put mats and blankets between the cars and wheels and wounded ours. Diu cum esset pugnatum, impedimentis castrisque nostri potiti sunt. After a long battle, our baggage and camp were taken. Ibi Orgetorigis filia atque unus e filiis captus est. There the daughter of Orgetorigis and one of his sons were taken prisoner. Ex eo proelio circiter hominum milia CXXX superfuerunt eaque tota nocte continenter ierunt [nullam partem noctis itinere intermisso]; in fines Lingonum die quarto pervenerunt, cum et propter vulnera militum et propter sepulturam occisorum nostri [triduum morati] eos sequi non potuissent. From that battle about 130,000 men survived, and they marched continuously throughout the night [not ceasing any part of the night's journey]; On the fourth day they arrived at the borders of the Lingonians, when, both because of the wounds of the soldiers and because of the burial of our slain [they had delayed three days], they had not been able to follow them. Caesar ad Lingonas litteras nuntiosque misit, ne eos frumento neve alia re iuvarent: qui si iuvissent, se eodem loco quo Helvetios habiturum. Caesar sent letters and messages to the Lingonas, that they should not help them with corn or any other thing: who, if they had helped, would have found themselves in the same place as the Helvetii. Ipse triduo intermisso cum omnibus copiis eos sequi coepit. After a pause of three days he began to follow them with all his forces.

[27] Helvetii omnium rerum inopia adducti legatos de deditione ad eum miserunt. [27] The Helvetii, driven by want of all things, sent ambassadors of surrender to him. Qui cum eum in itinere convenissent seque ad pedes proiecissent suppliciterque locuti flentes pacem petissent, atque eos in eo loco quo tum essent suum adventum expectare iussisset, paruerunt. When they had met him on the way, they threw themselves at his feet, and, speaking suppliantly, wept and begged for peace, and he ordered them to await his coming in the place where they were. Eo postquam Caesar pervenit, obsides, arma, servos qui ad eos perfugissent, poposcit. After Caesar arrived, he demanded hostages, weapons, and slaves who had fled to them. Dum ea conquiruntur et conferuntur, [nocte intermissa] circiter hominum milia VI eius pagi qui Verbigenus appellatur, sive timore perterriti, ne armis traditis supplicio adficerentur, sive spe salutis inducti, quod in tanta multitudine dediticiorum suam fugam aut occultari aut omnino ignorari posse existimarent, prima nocte e castris Helvetiorum egressi ad Rhenum finesque Germanorum contenderunt. While these were being sought and brought together, [the night having passed] about 6,000 men of that village which is called Verbigen, either terrified by the fear lest they should be put to death by the surrendered arms, or induced by the hope of safety, because they thought that their flight could either be concealed or completely ignored in such a great number of deserters. On the first night they left the camp of the Swiss and marched towards the Rhine and the borders of the Germans.

[28] Quod ubi Caesar resciit, quorum per fines ierant his uti conquirerent et reducerent, si sibi purgati esse vellent, imperavit; reductos in hostium numero habuit; reliquos omnes obsidibus, armis, perfugis traditis in deditionem accepit. [28] When Caesar heard that those who had gone through their borders should seek to use them and bring them back, if they wished to be cleansed, he ordered; He had the retreatants in the number of the enemy; He took all the rest into surrender, surrendering them as hostages, arms, and fugitives. Helvetios, Tulingos, Latobrigos in fines suos, unde erant profecti, reverti iussit, et, quod omnibus frugibus amissis domi nihil erat quo famem tolerarent, Allobrogibus imperavit ut iis frumenti copiam facerent; ipsos oppida vicosque, quos incenderant, restituere iussit. He ordered the Helvetii, the Tulingi, and the Latobrigi to return to their territories, whence they had set out; He ordered the very towns and villages which they had burned to be restored. Id ea maxime ratione fecit, quod noluit eum locum unde Helvetii discesserant vacare, ne propter bonitatem agrorum Germani, qui trans Rhenum incolunt, ex suis finibus in Helvetiorum fines transirent et finitimi Galliae provinciae Allobrogibusque essent. He did this chiefly for the reason that he did not want to vacate the place from which the Helvetii had departed, lest, on account of the goodness of the lands, the Germans, who inhabit the other side of the Rhine, should pass from their borders into the borders of the Helvetii, and be neighbors of the provinces of Gaul and Allobrogi. Boios petentibus Haeduis, quod egregia virtute erant cogniti, ut in finibus suis conlocarent, concessit; quibus illi agros dederunt quosque postea in parem iuris libertatisque condicionem atque ipsi erant receperunt. He granted the oxen to the Aedui, who were known for their excellent valor, to settle in their borders; to whom they gave lands, which they afterwards received in a condition of equal rights and liberties, and they were themselves.

[29] In castris Helvetiorum tabulae repertae sunt litteris Graecis confectae et ad Caesarem relatae, quibus in tabulis nominatim ratio confecta erat, qui numerus domo exisset eorum qui arma ferre possent, et item separatim, quot pueri, senes mulieresque. [29] In the camp of the Helvetii, tablets were found written in Greek letters and reported to Caesar, in which the account was drawn up by name of the number of those who had left the house who could bear arms, and also separately, the number of children, old men, and women. [Quarum omnium rerum] summa erat capitum Helvetiorum milium CCLXIII, Tulingorum milium XXXVI, Latobrigorum XIIII, Rauracorum XXIII, Boiorum XXXII; ex his qui arma ferre possent ad milia nonaginta duo. [Of all these things] the sum total of the heads of the Helvetii was 263 thousand, the Tulingi 36 thousand, the Latobrigi 141, the Rauraci 23, and the Boii 32; of those who could bear arms there were ninety-two thousand. Summa omnium fuerunt ad milia CCCLXVIII. The sum total was 368 thousand. Eorum qui domum redierunt censu habito, ut Caesar imperaverat, repertus est numerus milium C et X. A census was taken of those who returned home, as Caesar had ordered, and the number was found to be 100,000 and 10,000.