THE PREFACE. HE text of the Commentaries here presented is chiefly that of Kraner, in the Tauchnitz editions of Latin classics. In a few instances, however, the reading of Oehler or Nipperdey seemed preferable, and was accordingly adopted. This portion of the work received, as it merited, not the least amount of care and attention, and it is hoped that whatever improvements have been introduced into the text by the learning and research of the ablest scholars of Germany, will be found in the present edition. The Notes have been prepared with a very simple view to give the willing and industrious student that kind of assistance which is really necessary to render his study profitable, and that amount which the nature of the study fully entitles him to expect; to remove difficulties greater than his strength; and to give him directly, or refer him to the sources of such information as is requisite to a thorough understanding of the author. In particular the subjunctive mood, and the infinitive with a subject accusative — constructions which practical teachers find most fertile in difficulties to the young student-have received a due share of attention. the explanations of those subjects and the grammatical references given in the Notes, it is believed that as much has been done in the way of elucidation as can be ven With ansfer from Circ. Dept tured with safety to the student's habits of self-reliance or substantial progress in study. The references are to the grammars of Allen and Greenough, Andrews and Stoddard, Bullions and Morris, Harkness, and Gildersleeve; with occasional references to Madvig and Zumpt. The great favor with which the earlier editions of the work were received, induced the editor to endeavor to make it still more acceptable. The Notes were accordingly entirely rewritten, and such alterations and improvements introduced as were suggested either by able teachers, or the editor's enlarged experience. The edition now offered contains a thoroughly revised and improved Lexicon, presented in a large and more attractive type. Parts of the verb of less obvious derivation have been added, and a few words omitted in former editions have been inserted in their proper places. The definitions have been made as few and concise as was consistent with clearness. A multitude of definitions, which an experienced translator might find serviceable, is apt to bewilder and perplex young students. The quantity of all syllables, not obvious by position, and not that of the penult merely, has been indicated. in the usual way. The Personal and Geographical indexes will be found to contain sufficient information on the subjects of which they treat. GEORGE STUART. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, LIFE OF CESAR. CAIUS JULIUS CESAR, the author of these Commentaries, has been pronounced "the greatest man of antiquity." He possessed talents and ambition which would have secured him distinction in any age or country, and in any field that might have engaged the powers of his extraordinary mind. He was born on the 12th of July, A. C. 100, and was killed in the Senate-house on the 15th of March, A. C. 44. 66 Cæsar was in his fifty-sixth year at the time of his death. His personal appearance was noble and commanding; he was tall in stature, of a fair complexion, and with black eyes full of expression. He never wore a beard, and in the latter part of his life his head was bald. His constitution was originally delicate, and he was twice attacked by epilepsy while transacting public business; but by constant exercise and abstemious living he had acquired strong and vigorous health, and could endure almost any amount of exertion." (Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.) Cæsar espoused the popular side in Roman politics, and soon became a general favorite. He passed rapidly through the different grades of office, having successively become quæstor, ædile, high-priest, prætor, and consul. After his COLsulship, he had assigned to him, by a vote of the people, the administration of Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum for five years, to which the Senate added Transalpine Gaul, and the period was afterwards increased to ten years. His career of conquest among the nations of Gaul forms the principal subject of these Commentaries, which, by universal consent, are written in the purest Latin, in a style characterized by great simplicity, ease, and elegance. It is said that in the course of his military career he conquered three hundred nations, took eight hundred cities, and defeated three millions of men. He twice crossed the Rhine, and twice invaded Britain. The name of the Roman month Quintilis, in which he was born, was, in honor of him, changed to July (Julius), and the reform known as the Julian Calendar was entirely due to him. Ile excelled in everything that he undertook: he was an eminent lawgiver, jurist, and statesman; he displayed great ability as an orator, mathematician, poet, and architect; and as an historian and general he is confessedly unsurpassed. He was the author of numerous literary works, on a great variety of subjects; of these, all that have come down to us are his Commentarii De Bello Gallico, and De Bello Civili. As Cæsar sided with the people, the aristocracy at length became alarmed at his immense power and popularity, and they resolved to destroy him. A body of conspirators, at the head of whom was Brutus and many Roman Senators, attacked him in the Senate-house. Cæsar valiantly defended himself until he saw his intimate friend Brutus draw his sword, when, exclaiming, Tu quoque Brute! he covered his face with his toga and fell, pierced with twenty-three wounds. C. JULII CÆSARIS COMMENTARII DE BELLO GALLICO. LIBER I. 1. GALLIA est omnis divisa in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt Belgæ, aliam Aquitani, tertiam, qui ipsorum lingua Celta, nostra Galli appellantur. Hi omnes lingua, institutis, legibus inter se differunt. Gallos ab Aquitanis Garumna flumen, a 5 Belgis Matrona et Sequana dividit. Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgæ, propterea quod a cultu atque humanitate provinciæ longissime absunt, minimeque ad eos mercatores sæpe commeant, atque ea, quæ ad effeminandos animos pertinent, important; 10 proximique sunt Germanis, qui trans Rhenum incolunt, quibuscum continenter bellum gerunt: qua de causa Helvetii quoque reliquos Gallos virtute præcedunt, quod fere quotidianis præliis cum Germanis contendunt, cum aut suis finibus eos prohibent, aut ipsi in 15 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, Belgæ 20 ab extremis Galliæ finibus oriuntur; pertinent ad inferiorem partem fluminis Rheni; spectant in septentriones et orientem solem. Aquitania a Garumna |
