ripis fluminis muniebat, et post eum quæ erant, tuta ab hostibus reddebat, et commeatus ab Rhemis reliquisque civitatibus, ut sine periculo ad eum portari posset, efficiebat. In eo flumine pons erat: ibi præsidium ponit; et in alterâ parte fluminis Q. Titurium Sabinum legatum cum vi cohortibus relinquit: castra in altitudinem pedum XII vallo, fossàque duodeviginti pedum, munire jubet. 4 VI. Ab ipsis castris oppidum Rhemorum, nomine 2 Bibrax, aberat millia passuum VIII: id ex itinere, magno impetu, Belge oppugnare cœperunt: 3 ægrè eo die sustentatum est: Gallorum eadem atque Belgarum oppugnatio est. Hi, ubi circumjectâ multitudine hominum totis manibus, undique in murum lapides jaci cœpti sunt, murusque defensoribus nudatus est; 5 testudine factà, portis succedunt, murumque subruunt. Quod tum facilè fiebat: nam tanta multitudo lapides ac tela conjiciebant, ut in muro consistendi potestas esset nulli. Quum finem oppugnandi nox fecisset. Iccius Rhemus; summá nobilitate et gratiâ inter suos, qui tum oppido præerat, unus ex iis qui legati de pace ad Cæsarem venerant, nuncios ad eum mittit, "nisi subsidium sibi mittatur, se diutiùs sustinere non posse." VII. Eò de mediâ nocte Cæsar, iisdem ducibus usus, qui nuncii ab Iccio venerant, Numidas et Cretas sagittarios, et ' funditores Baleares 6 NOTES. Legati or lieutenant generals, of the tribunes, of the prefects of the allies &c. were placed; the lower wherein the troops were encamped. The tents were covered with leather or skins extended by ropes, ten soldiers with their decanus, or officer commanding them, were generally assigned to each. Under the emperors there was an officer for each legion particularly charged with the camp, called Præfectus castrorum. 1 Cum VI cohortibus.] A cohort, answering to our battalion, was the tenth part of a legion, it consisted in Cæsar's time of from 400 to 500 men, divided into three maniples, or six centuries. 2 Bibrax.] The place where this town was situated is not known. 3 Egrè eo die sustentatum est.] With much difficulty was the attack of the assailants on that day withstood by the inhabitants. 4 Gallorum eadem atque Belgarum oppugnatio est.] The Gauis and Belge, who were destitute of, and unskilled in the use of warlike machines for the attack and defence of places, stormed the town or post they were desirous to possess themselves of; this was done by surrounding the place with their troops, and with their missive weapons endeavouring to clear the walls of defendants; then joining their shields in the form of what was called a testudo, or tortoise, they approached the 6 Numidas et Cretas sagittarios.] The Numidians dwelt in the part of Africa now possessed by the states of Barbary: their king Jugurtha waged an obstinate war against the Romans by whom he was overcome, and his kingdom reduced to a Roman province. The Numidians were a warlike people; in their expeditions they always prefered engaging the enemy in the night; their horsemen used neither saddles nor bridles. Creta was the name of a large island in the Mediterranean sea, at present called Candia. The Romans reduced this island to a province after a distressing war of three years. The sagittarii and funditores did not form a part of any of the legions, but were reckoned among the independent or light troops (velites.) 7 Funditores Baleares.] Baleares the subsidio oppidanis mittit. Quorum adventu, et Rhemis cum spe defensionis studium propugnandi accessit, et hostibus eâdem de caussâ spes potiundi oppidi discessit. Itaque paullisper apud oppidum morati, agrosque Rhemorum depopulati, omnibus vicis ædificiisque, quò adire poterant, incensis, ad castra Cæsaris cum omnibus copiis contenderunt, 1 et à millibus passuum minùs II, castra posuerunt: quæ castra, ut fumo atque ignibus significabatur, ampliùs millibus passuum vIII in latitudinem patebant. VIII. Cæsar primò, et propter multitudinem hostium, et propter eximiam opinionem virtutis, prælio supersedere statuit: quotidie tamen equestribus præliis, quid hostis virtute posset, et quid nostri auderent, periclitabatur. Ubi nostros non esse inferiores intellexit, loco pro castris ad aciem instruendam naturâ opportuno atque idoneo, 3 quòd is collis, ubi castra posita erant, pauliulùm ex planitie editus, tantum adversùs in latitudinem patebat, quantum loci acies instructą occupare poterat, atque ex utrâque parte lateris dejectus habebat, et in fronte leniter fastigiatus, paullatim ad planitiem redibat; ab utroque latere ejus collis transversam fossam obduxit circiter passuum CD; et ad extremas fossas castella constituit, ibique tormenta collocavit: ne, quum aciem instruxisset, hostes (quòd tantum multitudine poterant) à lateribus suos pugnantes circumvenire possent. Hoc facto, duabus legionibus, quas proximè conscripserat, in castris relictis, ut, si quid opus esset, subsidio duci possent, reliquas sex legiones pro castris in acie constituit. Hostes item suas copias ex castris eductas instruxerant. IX. Palus erat non magna inter nostrum atque hostium exercitum : hanc si nostri transirent, hostes expectabant ; nostri autem, si ab illis initium transeundi fieret, ut impeditos aggrederentur, parati in armis erant. Interim prælio equestri inter duas acies contendebatur. Ubi neutri transeundi initium faciunt, secundiore equitum nostrorum prælio, Cæsar suos in castra reduxit. Hostes protinus ex eo loco ad flumen Axonam contenderunt, quod esse post nostra castra demonstratum est: ibi vadis repertis, partem suarum copiarum transducere conati sunt, eo consilio, ut, si possent, castellum, cui præerat Q. Titurius legatus, ex NOTES. two islands in the Mediterranean sea now called Majorca and Minorca, their inhabitants excelled in the use of the sling, to which they were trained from their infancy. 1 ̊Et à millibus passuum minùs II, castra posuerunt.] And they pitched their camp less than two miles distant from Cesar's. 2 Cesar primò, et &c.] This generally was the conduct observed by Cæsar, in presence of an enemy famed for warlike exploits, when their numbers exceeded his, or when their method of warfare was not well understood by him: from the fickleness also of the Gauls, who on the least reverse would have revolted from him, it would have been extremely imprudent in him to engage, but when certain of victory. 3 Quòd is collis, ubi castra &c.] For the hill, on which the camp was pitched, being but little elevated above the plain, extended so far in breadth, on the side opposed to the enemy, as the army drawn up in order of battle would occupy; its declivity on each side was abrupt, and in front by an easy descent it was lost in the plain. 4 Castellum.] This is the post or camp that Cæsar ordered Tigurius to fortify, pugnarent, pontemque interscinderent: sin minùs, agros Rhemorum popularentur, qui magno nobis usui ad bellum gerendum erant, commeatusque nostros sustinebant. 1 X. Cæsar certior factus à Titurio, omnem equitatum, et levis armaturæ Numidas, funditores, sagittariosque pontem transducit, atque ad eos contendit. Acriter in eo loco pugnatum est: hostes impeditos nostri in flumine aggressi, magnum eorum numerum occiderunt: per eorum corpora reliquos audacissimè transire conantes, multitudine telorum repulerunt: primos, qui transierant, equitatu circumventos interfecerunt. Hostes, ubi et de expugnando oppido, et de flumine transeundo spem se fefellisse intellexerunt, neque nostros in locum iniquiorem progredi pugnandi caussâ viderunt, atque eos res frumentaria deficere cœpit; concilio convocato, constituerent optimum esse domum suam quemque reverti: et quorum in fines primùm Romani exercitum introduxissent, ad eos defendendos undique convenire; ut potius in suis, quàm alienis finibus decertarent ; et domesticis copiis rei frumen ́tariæ uterentur. Ad eam sententiam, cum reliquis caussis, hæc quoque ratio eos deduxit, quòd Divitiacum atque Æduos finibus Bellovacorum appropinquare cognoverant: his persuaderi, ut diutiùs morarentur, ne suis auxilium ferrent, non poterat. 2 XI. Eâ re constitutâ, secundà vigiliâ, magno cum strepitu ac tumultu castris egressi, nullo certo ordine, neque imperio, quum sibi quisque primum itineris locum peteret, et domum pervenire properaret, fecerunt, ut consimilis fugæ profectio videretur. Hac re statim Cæsar per 3 speculatores cognitâ, insidias veritus, quòd quâ de caussà discederent nondum perspexerat, exercitum equitatumque castris continuit. Primâ luce, confirmatâ re ab exploratoribus, omnem equitatum, qui novissimum agmen moraretur, præmisit, eique Q. Pedium, et L. Aurunculeium Cottam legatos præfecit: T. Labienum legatum cum legionibus tribus subsequi jussit. Hi novissimos adorti, et multa millia passuum prosecuti, magnam multitudinem eorum fugientium conciderunt. Quum ab extremo agmine hi, ad quos ventum erat, consisterent, fortiterque impetum nostrorum militum sustinerent; priores, quòd abesse à periculo viderentur, neque ullâ necessitate, neque imperio continerentur, exaudito clamore, perturbatis ordinibus, omnes in fugâ sibi subsidium posuerunt. Ita sine ullo periculo tantam eorum multitudinem nostri interfecerunt, quantum fuit diei spatium; sub occasumque solis sequi destiterunt, seque in castra, utì erat imperatum, receperunt. NOTES. and which was defended by six cohorts or paid very partieular attention to recon3000 men. 1 Oppido] Namely Bibrax. noitring the country round their camp, and to gaining intelligence of the enemy's movements by parties of observation. Under the emperors there was a particular corps called Speculatores something similar to the guides and topographical engi 3 Speculatores.] Scouts, The Romans neers of the present French armies, 2 Et domesticis copiis rei frumentariæ uterentur.] And might subsist on the corn they ad in store at home. 1 2 XII. Postridie ejus diei Cæsar, priùs quàm se hostes ex terrore ac fugâ reciperent, in fines Suessionum, qui proximi Rhemis erat, exercitum duxit: et magno itinere confecto, 1 ad oppidum Nociodunum contendit. Id ex itinere oppugnare conatus, quòd vacuum ab defensoribus esse audiebat; propter latitudinem fossæ, murique altitudinem, paucis defendentibus, expugnare non potuit. Castris munitis vineas agere, quæque ad oppugnandum usui erant, comparare cœpit. Interim omnis ex fugâ Suessionum multitudo in oppidum proximâ nocte convenit. Celeriter vineis ad oppidum actis, 3 aggere jacto, 4 turribusque constitutis, magnitudine operum, quæ neque viderant antè Galli, neque audierant, et celeritate Romanorum permoti, legatos ad Cæsarem de deditione mittunt; et, petentibus Rhemis, ut conservarentur, impetrant. XIII. Cæsar, obsidibus acceptis primis civitatis, atque ipsius Galbæ regis duobus filiis, armisque omnibus ex oppido traditis, in deditionem Suessiones accepit, exercitumque in Bellovacos duxit: qui quum se suaque omnia in oppidum Bratuspantium contulissent, atque ab eo oppido Cæsar cum exercitu circiter millia passuum v abesset, omnes majores natu ex oppido egressi, manus ad Cæsarem tendere et voce significare cœperunt, sese in ejus fidem ac potestatem venire, neque contra populum R. armis contendere: item quum ad oppidum accessisset, castraque ibi poneret, pueri, mulieresque ex muro, passis manibus, suo more, pacem à Romanis petierunt. XIV. Pro His Divitiacus (nam post discessum Belgarum, dimissis Eduorum copiis, ad eum reverterat) facit verba ; "Bellovacos omni tempore in fide atque amicitiâ civitatis Eduæ fuisse : impulsos à suis principibus, qui dicerent Æduos à Cæsare in servitutem redactos, omnes indignitates contumeliasque perferre, et ab Æduis defecisse, et populo R. bellum intulisse. Qui hujus consilii principes fuissent, quòd intelligerent quantam calamitatem civitati intulissent, in Britanniam profugis NOTES. 1 Ad oppidum Noviodunum.] Now Spis sons. 2 Vineas agere.] The Vinee were mantlets or sheds constructed of wood; their dimensions generally were eight feet in height, seven in breadth, and sixteen in length; the roof and sides were covered with hurdles over which raw hides, or any thing else that could prevent their being set on fire, were placed; they were moved forward by means of wheels fixed under them. Under these the besiegers either worked the battering ram, or approached the walls to undermine them. 3 Aggere jacto.] The agger was a mound or rampart composed of earth, wood, hurdles and stones, which gradually increased in height towards the town, until it either equalled or overtopped the walls. The agger was provided with tow 6 ers of different stories, from which the soldiers threw darts and stones on the besieged, by means of engines. 4 Turribusque constitutis.] Besides the towers of the agger there were moveable ones, often of immense bulk and higher than the walls or even the towers of the city, which were moved forward by means of wheels, to prevent being set fire to, they were covered with raw hides, or pieces of cloth steeped in acids (centones :) these towers were filled with soldiers to annoy the besieged, and when brought close to the walls the piace could seldom stand out long. town to have stood in the vicinity of the 5 Bratuspantium.] Some suppose this present Beauvais, 6 In Britanniam.] England. se. Petere non solùm Bellovacos, sed etiam pro his Eduos, ut suâ clementiâ ac mansuetudine in eos utatur: quod si fecerit, Æduorum auctoritatem apud omnes Belgas amplificaturum, quorum auxiliis atque opibus, si qua bella inciderint, sustentare consueverint." XV. Cæsar, honoris Divitiaci atque Æduorum caussâ, "sese eos in fidem recepturum et conservaturum," dixit: et quòd erat civitas magna, et inter Belgas auctoritate ac hominum multitudine præstabat, DC obsides poposcit: his traditis, omnibusque armis ex oppido collatis, ab eo loco in fines Ambianorum pervenit, qui se suaque omnia sine morâ dediderunt. Eorum fines Nervii attingebant ; quorum de naturâ moribusque Cæsar quum quæreret, sic reperiebat: "Nullum aditum esse ad eos mercatoribus: nihil pati vini, reliquarumque rerum ad luxuriam pertinentium, inferri: quòd his rebus relanguescere animos, eorumque remitti virtutem existimarent: esse homines feros, magnæque virtutis: increpitare atque incusare reliquos Belgas, qui se populo R. dedidissent, et patriam virtutem projecissent: confirmare sese neque legatos missuros, neque ullam conditionem pacis accepturos." XVI. Quum per eorum fines triduo iter fecisset, inveniebat ex captivis, 2S bin flumen ab castris suis non ampliùs millia passuum x abesse trans id flumen omnes Nervios consedisse, adventumque ibi Romanorum exspectare, unà cum Atrebatibus et Veromanduis, finitimis suis; nam his utrisque persuaserant, ut eandem belli fortunam experirentur; exspectari etiam ab his Atuaticorum copias, atque esse in itinere mulieres, quique per ætatem ad pugnam inutiles viderentur, in eum locum conjecisse, quò propter paludes exercitui aditus non esset. XVII. Cæsar, his rebus cognitis, exploratores centurionesque præmittit, qui locum castris idoneum deligant: quumque ex dedititiis Belgis, reliquisque Gallis, complures Cæsarem secuti unà iter facerent; quidam ex his, ut posteà ex captivis cognitum est, eorum dierum consuetudine itineris nostri exercitûs perspectâ, nocte ad Nervios pervenerunt; atque his demonstrârunt, inter singulas legiones impedimentorum magnum numerum intercedere: neque esse quidquam negotii, cùm prima legio in castra venisset, reliquæque legiones magnum spatium NOTES. 1 Nihil pati vini.] They permit no wine nor any other things pertaining to luxury to be imported. From this passage it appears that the Gauls were unacquainted with the cultivation of the vine, unless those of the Roman province who dwelt in the vicinity of Massilia. The sobriety of the Nervi is a thing very remarkable for a savage people, who in general are very much addicted to intoxicating drink. 2 Sabin fiumen.] The river Sambre falls into the Meuse at Namur. 3 Locum castris idoneum.] The Romans when in presence of an enemy always pitched their camp in a strong position, and which admitted of being properly fortified; where also wood, water, forage &c. could readily be procured, and where there was no place more elevated than the camp from whence they might be annoyed by the enemy. |