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

LIBER PRIMVS- I-IX

[1] Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt Belgae, aliam Aquitani, tertiam qui ipsorum lingua Celtae, nostra Galli appellantur. Hi omnes lingua, institutis, legibus inter se differunt. Gallos ab Aquitanis Garumna flumen, a Belgis Matrona et Sequana dividit. Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae, propterea quod a cultu atque humanitate provinciae longissime absunt, minimeque ad eos mercatores saepe commeant atque ea quae ad effeminandos animos pertinent important, proximique sunt Germanis, qui trans Rhenum incolunt, quibuscum continenter bellum gerunt. Qua de causa Helvetii quoque reliquos Gallos virtute praecedunt, quod fere cotidianis proeliis cum Germanis contendunt, cum aut suis finibus eos prohibent aut ipsi in eorum finibus bellum gerunt. Eorum una, pars, quam Gallos obtinere dictum est, initium capit a flumine Rhodano, continetur Garumna flumine, Oceano, finibus Belgarum, attingit etiam ab Sequanis et Helvetiis flumen Rhenum, vergit ad septentriones. Belgae ab extremis Galliae finibus oriuntur, pertinent ad inferiorem partem fluminis Rheni, spectant in septentrionem et orientem solem. Aquitania a Garumna flumine ad Pyrenaeos montes et eam partem Oceani quae est ad Hispaniam pertinet; spectat inter occasum solis et septentriones.

[2] Apud Helvetios longe nobilissimus fuit et ditissimus Orgetorix. Is M. Messala, [et P.] M. Pisone consulibus regni cupiditate inductus coniurationem nobilitatis fecit et civitati persuasit ut de finibus suis cum omnibus copiis exirent: perfacile esse, cum virtute omnibus praestarent, totius Galliae imperio potiri. Id hoc facilius iis persuasit, quod undique loci natura Helvetii continentur: una ex parte flumine Rheno latissimo atque altissimo, qui agrum Helvetium a Germanis dividit; altera ex parte monte Iura altissimo, qui est inter Sequanos et Helvetios; tertia lacu Lemanno et flumine Rhodano, qui provinciam nostram ab Helvetiis dividit. His rebus fiebat ut et minus late vagarentur et minus facile finitimis bellum inferre possent; qua ex parte homines bellandi cupidi magno dolore adficiebantur. Pro multitudine autem hominum et pro gloria belli atque fortitudinis angustos se fines habere arbitrabantur, qui in longitudinem milia passuum CCXL, in latitudinem CLXXX patebant.

[3] His rebus adducti et auctoritate Orgetorigis permoti constituerunt ea quae ad proficiscendum pertinerent comparare, iumentorum et carrorum quam maximum numerum coemere, sementes quam maximas facere, ut in itinere copia frumenti suppeteret, cum proximis civitatibus pacem et amicitiam confirmare. Ad eas res conficiendas biennium sibi satis esse duxerunt; in tertium annum profectionem lege confirmant. Ad eas res conficiendas Orgetorix deligitur. Is sibi legationem ad civitates suscipit. In eo itinere persuadet Castico, Catamantaloedis filio, Sequano, cuius pater regnum in Sequanis multos annos obtinuerat et a senatu populi Romani amicus appellatus erat, ut regnum in civitate sua occuparet, quod pater ante habuerit; itemque Dumnorigi Haeduo, fratri Diviciaci, qui eo tempore principatum in civitate obtinebat ac maxime plebi acceptus erat, ut idem conaretur persuadet eique filiam suam in matrimonium dat. Perfacile factu esse illis probat conata perficere, propterea quod ipse suae civitatis imperium obtenturus esset: non esse dubium quin totius Galliae plurimum Helvetii possent; se suis copiis suoque exercitu illis regna conciliaturum confirmat. Hac oratione adducti inter se fidem et ius iurandum dant et regno occupato per tres potentissimos ac firmissimos populos totius Galliae sese potiri posse sperant.

[4] Ea res est Helvetiis per indicium enuntiata. Moribus suis Orgetoricem ex vinculis causam dicere coegerunt; damnatum poenam sequi oportebat, ut igni cremaretur. Die constituta causae dictionis Orgetorix ad iudicium omnem suam familiam, ad hominum milia decem, undique coegit, et omnes clientes obaeratosque suos, quorum magnum numerum habebat, eodem conduxit; per eos ne causam diceret se eripuit. Cum civitas ob eam rem incitata armis ius suum exequi conaretur multitudinemque hominum ex agris magistratus cogerent, Orgetorix mortuus est; neque abest suspicio, ut Helvetii arbitrantur, quin ipse sibi mortem consciverit.

[5] Post eius mortem nihilo minus Helvetii id quod constituerant facere conantur, ut e finibus suis exeant. Ubi iam se ad eam rem paratos esse arbitrati sunt, oppida sua omnia, numero ad duodecim, vicos ad quadringentos, reliqua privata aedificia incendunt; frumentum omne, praeter quod secum portaturi erant, comburunt, ut domum reditionis spe sublata paratiores ad omnia pericula subeunda essent; trium mensum molita cibaria sibi quemque domo efferre iubent. Persuadent Rauracis et Tulingis et Latobrigis finitimis, uti eodem usi consilio oppidis suis vicisque exustis una cum iis proficiscantur, Boiosque, qui trans Rhenum incoluerant et in agrum Noricum transierant Noreiamque oppugnabant, receptos ad se socios sibi adsciscunt.

[6] Erant omnino itinera duo, quibus itineribus domo exire possent: unum per Sequanos, angustum et difficile, inter montem Iuram et flumen Rhodanum, vix qua singuli carri ducerentur, mons autem altissimus impendebat, ut facile perpauci prohibere possent; alterum per provinciam nostram, multo facilius atque expeditius, propterea quod inter fines Helvetiorum et Allobrogum, qui nuper pacati erant, Rhodanus fluit isque non nullis locis vado transitur. Extremum oppidum Allobrogum est proximumque Helvetiorum finibus Genava. Ex eo oppido pons ad Helvetios pertinet. Allobrogibus sese vel persuasuros, quod nondum bono animo in populum Romanum viderentur, existimabant vel vi coacturos ut per suos fines eos ire paterentur. Omnibus rebus ad profectionem comparatis diem dicunt, qua die ad ripam Rhodani omnes conveniant. Is dies erat a. d. V. Kal. Apr. L. Pisone, A. Gabinio consulibus.

[7] Caesari cum id nuntiatum esset, eos per provinciam nostram iter facere conari, maturat ab urbe proficisci et quam maximis potest itineribus in Galliam ulteriorem contendit et ad Genavam pervenit. Provinciae toti quam maximum potest militum numerum imperat (erat omnino in Gallia ulteriore legio una), pontem, qui erat ad Genavam, iubet rescindi. Ubi de eius adventu Helvetii certiores facti sunt, legatos ad eum mittunt nobilissimos civitatis, cuius legationis Nammeius et Verucloetius principem locum obtinebant, qui dicerent sibi esse in animo sine ullo maleficio iter per provinciam facere, propterea quod aliud iter haberent nullum: rogare ut eius voluntate id sibi facere liceat. Caesar, quod memoria tenebat L. Cassium consulem occisum exercitumque eius ab Helvetiis pulsum et sub iugum missum, concedendum non putabat; neque homines inimico animo, data facultate per provinciam itineris faciundi, temperaturos ab iniuria et maleficio existimabat. Tamen, ut spatium intercedere posset dum milites quos imperaverat convenirent, legatis respondit diem se ad deliberandum sumpturum: si quid vellent, ad Id. April. reverterentur.

[8] Interea ea legione quam secum habebat militibusque, qui ex provincia convenerant, a lacu Lemanno, qui in flumen Rhodanum influit, ad montem Iuram, qui fines Sequanorum ab Helvetiis dividit, milia passuum XVIIII murum in altitudinem pedum sedecim fossamque perducit. Eo opere perfecto praesidia disponit, castella communit, quo facilius, si se invito transire conentur, prohibere possit. Ubi ea dies quam constituerat cum legatis venit et legati ad eum reverterunt, negat se more et exemplo populi Romani posse iter ulli per provinciam dare et, si vim facere conentur, prohibiturum ostendit. Helvetii ea spe deiecti navibus iunctis ratibusque compluribus factis, alii vadis Rhodani, qua minima altitudo fluminis erat, non numquam interdiu, saepius noctu si perrumpere possent conati, operis munitione et militum concursu et telis repulsi, hoc conatu destiterunt.

[9] Relinquebatur una per Sequanos via, qua Sequanis invitis propter angustias ire non poterant. His cum sua sponte persuadere non possent, legatos ad Dumnorigem Haeduum mittunt, ut eo deprecatore a Sequanis impetrarent. Dumnorix gratia et largitione apud Sequanos plurimum poterat et Helvetiis erat amicus, quod ex ea civitate Orgetorigis filiam in matrimonium duxerat, et cupiditate regni adductus novis rebus studebat et quam plurimas civitates suo beneficio habere obstrictas volebat. Itaque rem suscipit et a Sequanis impetrat ut per fines suos Helvetios ire patiantur, obsidesque uti inter sese dent perficit: Sequani, ne itinere Helvetios prohibeant, Helvetii, ut sine maleficio et iniuria transeant.


LIBER PRIMVS- I-IX BUCH I-IX BOOK I-IX LIBRO I-IX LIBRO I-IX BOEK I-IX LIVRO I-IX BOK I-IX 第一至九册

[1] Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt Belgae, aliam Aquitani, tertiam qui ipsorum lingua Celtae, nostra Galli appellantur. [1] Ganz Gallien ist in drei Teile geteilt, von denen der eine von den Belgern bewohnt wird, der andere von den Aquitani und der dritte von denen, die in ihrer Sprache der Kelten unsere Gallier genannt werden. All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who in their own language are called Celts, in our Gauls, the third. [1] Toda a Gália é dividida em três partes, uma das quais é habitada pelos belgas, outra pelos aquitanos e a terceira por aqueles que, na língua dos celtas, são chamados de nossos gauleses. Hi omnes lingua, institutis, legibus inter se differunt. All dies unterscheidet sich voneinander in Sprache, Institutionen und Gesetzen. All these differ from each other in language, customs, and laws. Todos estes diferem uns dos outros em linguagem, instituições e leis. Gallos ab Aquitanis Garumna flumen, a Belgis Matrona et Sequana dividit. Der Fluss Garumna trennt die Gallier von den Aquitainen, die Matrona und die Seine von den Belgiern. The river Garonne separates the Gauls from the Aquitani; the Marne and the Seine separate them from the Belgae. O rio Garumna separa os gauleses dos aquitaineses, o Matrona e o Sena dos belgas. Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae, propterea quod a cultu atque humanitate provinciae longissime absunt, minimeque ad eos mercatores saepe commeant atque ea quae ad effeminandos animos pertinent important, proximique sunt Germanis, qui trans Rhenum incolunt, quibuscum continenter bellum gerunt. Von allen diesen sind die Belgier am stärksten, weil die Provinzen am weitesten von Kultur und Zivilisation entfernt sind und Kaufleute nicht oft zu ihnen kommen und Dinge bringen, die den weiblichen Geistern gehören, und sie den Deutschen am nächsten sind, die gegenüber leben den Rhein, mit dem sie ständig Krieg führen. The Belgae are the most valiant of all these, because they are very far distant from the civilization and culture of the province; and merchants often migrate not at all to them, and convey those things which pertain to the effeminacy of their minds; De todos estes, os belgas são os mais fortes, porque as províncias estão mais distantes da cultura e da civilização, e os mercadores não costumam vir até eles e trazer coisas que pertencem aos espíritos efeminados, e eles são os mais próximos dos alemães, que vivem do outro lado. o Reno, com quem estão constantemente em guerra. Qua de causa Helvetii quoque reliquos Gallos virtute praecedunt, quod fere cotidianis proeliis cum Germanis contendunt, cum aut suis finibus eos prohibent aut ipsi in eorum finibus bellum gerunt. For which reason the Helvetii also surpass the rest of the Gauls in valor, because they contend with the Germans in almost daily battles, when they either hinder them in their own territories, or themselves wage war in their territories. Por esta razão, os helvécios também estão à frente do resto dos gauleses em força, porque travam batalhas quase diárias com os alemães, seja detendo-os em suas próprias fronteiras ou fazendo guerra em suas próprias fronteiras. Eorum una, pars, quam Gallos obtinere dictum est, initium capit a flumine Rhodano, continetur Garumna flumine, Oceano, finibus Belgarum, attingit etiam ab Sequanis et Helvetiis flumen Rhenum, vergit ad septentriones. One of them, which it was said to possess the Gauls, takes its beginning from the river Rhone, is bounded by the river Garonne, by the ocean, by the territories of the Belgae; Um deles, a parte que os gauleses supostamente possuíam, começa no rio Ródano, é contido pelo rio Garumna, o Oceano, as fronteiras dos Belgae, também atinge o rio Reno do Sena e dos Helvécios, e vira para o norte. Belgae ab extremis Galliae finibus oriuntur, pertinent ad inferiorem partem fluminis Rheni, spectant in septentrionem et orientem solem. Die Belgier erheben sich von den äußersten Grenzen Galliens, gehören zum unteren Teil des Rheins und blicken nach Norden und Osten zur Sonne. The Belgae rise from the furthest frontiers of Gaul, belong to the lower part of the river Rhine, and look to the north and the east. I Belgi sorgono dagli estremi confini della Gallia, appartengono alla parte bassa del fiume Reno, e guardano al sole a settentrione ea oriente. Os belgas surgem das fronteiras extremas da Gália, pertencem à parte inferior do rio Reno e olham para o norte e leste para o sol. Aquitania a Garumna flumine ad Pyrenaeos montes et eam partem Oceani quae est ad Hispaniam pertinet; spectat inter occasum solis et septentriones. Aquitanien erstreckt sich vom Fluss Garumna bis zu den Pyrenäen und dem zu Spanien gehörenden Teil des Ozeans; es sieht zwischen dem Sonnenuntergang und dem Norden aus. Aquitania extends from the river Garonne to the Pyrenaean mountains and that part of the ocean which is near Spain; it looks between the setting of the sun and the northeast. A Aquitânia estende-se desde o rio Garumna até às montanhas dos Pirenéus e à parte do oceano que pertence à Espanha; olha entre o pôr do sol e o norte.

[2] Apud Helvetios longe nobilissimus fuit et ditissimus Orgetorix. [2] Among the Helvetii, Orgetorix was by far the most distinguished and wealthy. [2] Entre os helvécios, Orgetorix era de longe o mais nobre e o mais rico. Is M. Messala, [et P.] M. Messala, and P. Este M. Messala, [e P.] M. Pisone consulibus regni cupiditate inductus coniurationem nobilitatis fecit et civitati persuasit ut de finibus suis cum omnibus copiis exirent: perfacile esse, cum virtute omnibus praestarent, totius Galliae imperio potiri. In the consulship of M. Piso, being induced by the desire of the kingdom, he formed a conspiracy with the nobility, and persuaded the state to depart from their territories with all their forces; M. Piso, levado pelo desejo do reino aos cônsules, fez uma conspiração da nobreza e persuadiu o estado a se retirar de suas fronteiras com todas as suas forças: que seria muito fácil, se eles mostrassem seu valor para todos, para tomar posse de toda a Gália. Id hoc facilius iis persuasit, quod undique loci natura Helvetii continentur: una ex parte flumine Rheno latissimo atque altissimo, qui agrum Helvetium a Germanis dividit; altera ex parte monte Iura altissimo, qui est inter Sequanos et Helvetios; tertia lacu Lemanno et flumine Rhodano, qui provinciam nostram ab Helvetiis dividit. To this he more easily persuaded them, because the Helvetii are confined on every side by the nature of their situation: on one side the Rhine, a very broad and deep river, which separates the Helvetian territory from the Germans; on the other side a very high mountain Jura, which is between the Sequani and the Helvetii; the third by the lake of Geneva and the river Rhone, which separates our province from the Helvetii. Isso os convenceu mais facilmente de que os helvécios estavam contidos por todos os lados pela natureza do lugar: de um lado pelo rio Reno, que é largo e profundo, e que divide o território dos helvécios dos alemães; do outro lado, a montanha mais alta Jura, que fica entre os Sequani e os Helvetii; a terceira pelo lago Leman e pelo rio Ródano, que divide nossa província dos helvécios. His rebus fiebat ut et minus late vagarentur et minus facile finitimis bellum inferre possent; qua ex parte homines bellandi cupidi magno dolore adficiebantur. By these means it was effected that they could range both less widely and less easily, and make war on their neighbors; in which part the men, eager for war, were greatly distressed. Con queste cose fu fatto che potessero vagare meno ampiamente e poter fare guerra meno facilmente ai loro vicini; da che parte gli uomini amanti della guerra furono afflitti da grande dolore. Por essas coisas, foi feito para que eles pudessem vagar menos amplamente e para que pudessem trazer guerra com menos facilidade a seus vizinhos; de que lado os homens apaixonados pela guerra foram afligidos com grande dor. Pro multitudine autem hominum et pro gloria belli atque fortitudinis angustos se fines habere arbitrabantur, qui in longitudinem milia passuum CCXL, in latitudinem CLXXX patebant. They thought that, on account of their great number of men, and of the glory of war, and of their bravery, they had narrow limits, which extended in length 240, and in breadth 180 miles. Mas para a multidão de homens, e para a glória da guerra e bravura, eles pensavam ter fronteiras estreitas, que tinham 240 milhas de comprimento e 180 de largura.

[3] His rebus adducti et auctoritate Orgetorigis permoti constituerunt ea quae ad proficiscendum pertinerent comparare, iumentorum et carrorum quam maximum numerum coemere, sementes quam maximas facere, ut in itinere copia frumenti suppeteret, cum proximis civitatibus pacem et amicitiam confirmare. [3] Influenced by these things, and influenced by the influence of Orgetorix, they determined to procure those things which pertained to the forward advance, to buy as large a number of cattle and wagons, and to make as great as possible sowings, so as to supply them with plenty of corn on the march, and to strengthen peace and friendship with the nearest states. [3] Incitados por essas coisas e movidos pela autoridade de Orgetorigis, eles decidiram providenciar as coisas necessárias para a viagem, levar o maior número possível de gado e carroças, plantar o máximo de sementes possível, para que tivessem fartura de milho a caminho, e firmar a paz e a amizade com os estados vizinhos. Ad eas res conficiendas biennium sibi satis esse duxerunt; in tertium annum profectionem lege confirmant. They thought that two years was sufficient for them to accomplish these things; they confirm their departure by law in the third year. Eles decidiram que dois anos seriam suficientes para realizar essas coisas; no terceiro ano eles confirmam a saída por lei. Ad eas res conficiendas Orgetorix deligitur. Orgetorix is chosen to execute these actions. Orgetorix foi escolhido para realizar essas coisas. Is sibi legationem ad civitates suscipit. He receives for himself an embassy to the states. Ele empreende uma embaixada para os estados. In eo itinere persuadet Castico, Catamantaloedis filio, Sequano, cuius pater regnum in Sequanis multos annos obtinuerat et a senatu populi Romani amicus appellatus erat, ut regnum in civitate sua occuparet, quod pater ante habuerit; itemque Dumnorigi Haeduo, fratri Diviciaci, qui eo tempore principatum in civitate obtinebat ac maxime plebi acceptus erat, ut idem conaretur persuadet eique filiam suam in matrimonium dat. On that journey he persuades Casticus, the son of Catamantaloedis, a Sequanus, whose father had held the kingdom for many years among the Sequani, and was called a friend of the senate of the Roman people, to possess the kingdom in his state, which his father had before; and also Dumnorix the Aeduan, the brother of Divitiacus, who at that time held the pre-eminence in the state, and was especially popular with the people, to induce him to attempt the same, and to give him his daughter in marriage. Perfacile factu esse illis probat conata perficere, propterea quod ipse suae civitatis imperium obtenturus esset: non esse dubium quin totius Galliae plurimum Helvetii possent; se suis copiis suoque exercitu illis regna conciliaturum confirmat. Er beweist, dass es für sie sehr einfach war, ihre Bemühungen zu Ende zu bringen, da er selbst im Begriff war, die Regierung seiner eigenen Stadt zu erlangen: Es besteht kein Zweifel, dass die Helvetier den größten Teil ganz Galliens kontrollieren konnten; Er bekräftigt, dass er ihre Königreiche mit seinen Streitkräften und seiner Armee erobern wird. He proves to them that the endeavors to accomplish it were very easy to do, because he himself should obtain the dominion of his own state; he assures them that he would win those kingdoms with his own forces and with his army. Dimostra che per loro era molto facile portare a termine i loro sforzi, perché lui stesso stava per ottenere il governo della propria città: non c'è dubbio che gli Elvezi potessero controllare gran parte dell'intera Gallia; Afferma che vincerà i loro regni con le sue forze e il suo esercito. Hac oratione adducti inter se fidem et ius iurandum dant et regno occupato per tres potentissimos ac firmissimos populos totius Galliae sese potiri posse sperant. Von diesem Gebet bewegt, schwören sie einander Treue und Recht und hoffen, dass die drei mächtigsten und standhaftesten Völker ganz Galliens das besetzte Königreich in Besitz nehmen können. Influenced by this speech, they give each other the faith and the right to take oaths; and having seized the kingdom, they hope that they can gain possession of the whole of Gaul through the three most powerful and strong people.

[4] Ea res est Helvetiis per indicium enuntiata. [4] This circumstance was disclosed to the Helvetii by means of a sign. Moribus suis Orgetoricem ex vinculis causam dicere coegerunt; damnatum poenam sequi oportebat, ut igni cremaretur. Durch ihr Verhalten zwangen sie Orgetorius, seinen Fall aus seinen Fesseln zu vertreten; Die Verurteilten mussten die Strafe der Verbrennung durch Feuer ertragen. By their customs they compelled Orgetorix to plead his cause out of prison; it was necessary that the punishment should be condemned, that he might be burned by fire. Die constituta causae dictionis Orgetorix ad iudicium omnem suam familiam, ad hominum milia decem, undique coegit, et omnes clientes obaeratosque suos, quorum magnum numerum habebat, eodem conduxit; per eos ne causam diceret se eripuit. On the day appointed for the cause of his speech, Orgetorix collected from every quarter to the court, all his family, to tens of thousands of men, and brought together all his dependents and debtor-bondsmen, of whom he had a great number; by means of them he rescued himself, that he might not plead his cause. Cum civitas ob eam rem incitata armis ius suum exequi conaretur multitudinemque hominum ex agris magistratus cogerent, Orgetorix mortuus est; neque abest suspicio, ut Helvetii arbitrantur, quin ipse sibi mortem consciverit. While the state, incensed at this circumstance, was endeavoring to exercise its right by arms, and the magistrates were collecting a large number of men from the country, Orgetorix died; nor is the suspicion absent, as the Helvetii think, that he himself committed suicide.

[5] Post eius mortem nihilo minus Helvetii id quod constituerant facere conantur, ut e finibus suis exeant. [5] After his death, the Helvetii nevertheless endeavor to do what they had determined to do, to go out of their territories. Ubi iam se ad eam rem paratos esse arbitrati sunt, oppida sua omnia, numero ad duodecim, vicos ad quadringentos, reliqua privata aedificia incendunt; frumentum omne, praeter quod secum portaturi erant, comburunt, ut domum reditionis spe sublata paratiores ad omnia pericula subeunda essent; trium mensum molita cibaria sibi quemque domo efferre iubent. When they thought that they were already prepared for this undertaking, they set fire to all their towns, in number about twelve, their villages about four hundred, and the private buildings that remained; they burn all the corn, except that which they were about to bring with them, so that, taking away the hope of a return home, they might be more prepared to face all dangers; having plotted for three months' rations, they order each man to bring him home. Persuadent Rauracis et Tulingis et Latobrigis finitimis, uti eodem usi consilio oppidis suis vicisque exustis una cum iis proficiscantur, Boiosque, qui trans Rhenum incoluerant et in agrum Noricum transierant Noreiamque oppugnabant, receptos ad se socios sibi adsciscunt. They persuade their neighbors the Rauraci, Tulingis, and Latobrigis, to use the same strategy, to march along with them, after burning their towns and villages;

[6] Erant omnino itinera duo, quibus itineribus domo exire possent: unum per Sequanos, angustum et difficile, inter montem Iuram et flumen Rhodanum, vix qua singuli carri ducerentur, mons autem altissimus impendebat, ut facile perpauci prohibere possent; alterum per provinciam nostram, multo facilius atque expeditius, propterea quod inter fines Helvetiorum et Allobrogum, qui nuper pacati erant, Rhodanus fluit isque non nullis locis vado transitur. [6] There were in all ways two routes by which they could get out of their houses by routes: one through the Sequani, a narrow and difficult one, between Mount Jura and the river Rhone, scarcely by which each wagon might be led; the other through our province, much easier and more expeditiously, because the Rhone flows between the territories of the Helvetii and the Allobroges, who had lately been subdued, and is in some places crossed by a ford. Extremum oppidum Allobrogum est proximumque Helvetiorum finibus Genava. The furthest town of the Allobroges, and the nearest to the territories of the Helvetii, is Geneva. Ex eo oppido pons ad Helvetios pertinet. From that town a bridge extends to the Helvetii. Allobrogibus sese vel persuasuros, quod nondum bono animo in populum Romanum viderentur, existimabant vel vi coacturos ut per suos fines eos ire paterentur. They thought that they would either persuade the Allobroges, because they did not seem as yet in good spirit toward the Roman people, or compel them by force to allow them to go through their territories. Omnibus rebus ad profectionem comparatis diem dicunt, qua die ad ripam Rhodani omnes conveniant. All things being arranged for their departure, they call the day on which they all assemble at the bank of the Rhone. Is dies erat a. d. V. Kal. This day was on the 5th of Kal. Apr. Apr L. Pisone, A. Gabinio consulibus. Lucius Piso and A. Gabinius were consuls.

[7] Caesari cum id nuntiatum esset, eos per provinciam nostram iter facere conari, maturat ab urbe proficisci et quam maximis potest itineribus in Galliam ulteriorem contendit et ad Genavam pervenit. [7] When it was reported to Caesar that they were attempting to march through our province, he hastens to depart from the city, and hastens into further Gaul as far as he can by as great marches as possible, and arrives at Geneva. Provinciae toti quam maximum potest militum numerum imperat (erat omnino in Gallia ulteriore legio una), pontem, qui erat ad Genavam, iubet rescindi. He demands the greatest number of soldiers from the whole province (there was at all one legion in Further Gaul), and orders the bridge which was at Geneva to be broken down. Ubi de eius adventu Helvetii certiores facti sunt, legatos ad eum mittunt nobilissimos civitatis, cuius legationis Nammeius et Verucloetius principem locum obtinebant, qui dicerent sibi esse in animo sine ullo maleficio iter per provinciam facere, propterea quod aliud iter haberent nullum: rogare ut eius voluntate id sibi facere liceat. When the Helvetii are informed of his arrival, they send embassadors to him, the noblest of the state, whose embassy Nammeius and Verucloetius occupied the chief place, to say that they intended to make a march through the province without any wrongdoing, because they had no other route; it is lawful for him to do it. Caesar, quod memoria tenebat L. Cassium consulem occisum exercitumque eius ab Helvetiis pulsum et sub iugum missum, concedendum non putabat; neque homines inimico animo, data facultate per provinciam itineris faciundi, temperaturos ab iniuria et maleficio existimabat. Caesar, as he remembered that L. Cassius the consul had been slain, and that his army had been driven out by the Helvetii and sent under the yoke, ought not to be granted; nor did he think that the men of an enemy's mind, being given the opportunity of making a journey through the province, would refrain from injury and crime. Tamen, ut spatium intercedere posset dum milites quos imperaverat convenirent, legatis respondit diem se ad deliberandum sumpturum: si quid vellent, ad Id. However, in order that time might intervene, while the soldiers whom he had ordered to assemble, he answered the embassadors that he would take a day to deliberate; April. April reverterentur. should return.

[8] Interea ea legione quam secum habebat militibusque, qui ex provincia convenerant, a lacu Lemanno, qui in flumen Rhodanum influit, ad montem Iuram, qui fines Sequanorum ab Helvetiis dividit, milia passuum XVIIII murum in altitudinem pedum sedecim fossamque perducit. In the mean time that legion which he had with him, and the soldiers who had assembled from the province, from the lake of Geneva, which flows into the river Rhone, to mount Jura, which separates the territories of the Sequani from the Helvetii, leads to a trench eighteen miles in height, and sixteen feet in height. Eo opere perfecto praesidia disponit, castella communit, quo facilius, si se invito transire conentur, prohibere possit. When this work is completed, he arranges garrisons, and fortifies the forts, so that he may be able to prevent them more easily, if they attempt to cross over against his will. Ubi ea dies quam constituerat cum legatis venit et legati ad eum reverterunt, negat se more et exemplo populi Romani posse iter ulli per provinciam dare et, si vim facere conentur, prohibiturum ostendit. When he arrived with the embassadors on the day that he had determined, and the embassadors returned to him, he denies that, according to the custom and example of the Roman people, he could march through the province to any man; Helvetii ea spe deiecti navibus iunctis ratibusque compluribus factis, alii vadis Rhodani, qua minima altitudo fluminis erat, non numquam interdiu, saepius noctu si perrumpere possent conati, operis munitione et militum concursu et telis repulsi, hoc conatu destiterunt. The Helvetii, dislodged by this hope, having made several ships having joined together, and made several shoals, others of the Rhone, by which the depth of the river was very small, endeavored to break through by day, and often by night, if they could, by the fortification of their work, and by the collision of the soldiers and their missiles, ceased this endeavor.

[9] Relinquebatur una per Sequanos via, qua Sequanis invitis propter angustias ire non poterant. There was only one road left by the Sequani, by which they were not able to advance, on account of the distress of the Sequani, without the consent of the enemy. His cum sua sponte persuadere non possent, legatos ad Dumnorigem Haeduum mittunt, ut eo deprecatore a Sequanis impetrarent. Since they could not persuade them of their own free will, they send embassadors to Dumnorix the Aedui, to obtain from the Sequani his entreaties. Dumnorix gratia et largitione apud Sequanos plurimum poterat et Helvetiis erat amicus, quod ex ea civitate Orgetorigis filiam in matrimonium duxerat, et cupiditate regni adductus novis rebus studebat et quam plurimas civitates suo beneficio habere obstrictas volebat. Dumnorix was able to gain the greatest influence and bounty among the Sequani, and was a friend of the Helvetii, because he had married the daughter of Orgetorix from that state, and, induced by the desire of the kingdom, was studying new affairs, and wished to have as many states as were bound by his kindness. Itaque rem suscipit et a Sequanis impetrat ut per fines suos Helvetios ire patiantur, obsidesque uti inter sese dent perficit: Sequani, ne itinere Helvetios prohibeant, Helvetii, ut sine maleficio et iniuria transeant. He therefore undertakes the affair, and obtains it from the Sequani to allow the Helvetii to pass through their territories, and secures them as hostages among themselves;