The Gallic War: Seven Commentaries on The Gallic War with an Eighth Commentary by Aulus Hirtius (Oxford World's Classics) by Julius Caesar & Carolyn Hammond

Author:Julius Caesar & Carolyn Hammond [Caesar, Julius]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Published: 1998-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

The Sixth Book: 53 BC

(AUC 701: Consuls, Gnaeus Domitius Calvinus, Marcus Valerius Messalla)

Second Crossing of the Rhine: Ethnology of Gaul and Germany: The Search for Ambiorix: Invasion of the Sugambri

(1) For a number of reasons Caesar foresaw disturbances in Gaul on a larger scale, so he decided to hold a levy through his legates Marcus Silanus, Gaius Antistius Reginus, and Titus Sextius. As proconsul Pompey* was staying behind at Rome—despite the fact that he had command of an army—for the sake of the Republic; so at the same time Caesar requested Pompey to order the troops he had levied as consul from Cisalpine Gaul to muster and march to join him in Gaul. Caesar believed that it was vital for the future, in order to match Gaul’s opinion of her capabilities, that Italy should appear to possess extensive resources; sufficient, in fact, not only to repair quickly any set-back suffered in the course of a campaign but also to reinforce her army still further. When Pompey had satisfied his obligation both to the Republic and to his friendship with Caesar, the latter’s legates swiftly concluded the levy; and before the winter was over three legions had been formed and brought to him in Gaul,* and he had replaced the number of cohorts lost by Sabinus twice over. His speed and strength of numbers proved clearly what the resources and military organization of the Roman people could achieve.

(2) After the death of Indutiomarus which we described, the Treveri transferred supreme rule to his kinsmen, who did not give up seeking support from their German neighbours and promising them money.* After failing to persuade those nearby, they tested the will of those further off, and found a number of states. The swearing of an oath fixed their confederacy, and they exchanged hostages as a guarantee for the money. They joined forces with Ambiorix in a league of alliance.

After Caesar learned of this he saw war being prepared on every side—the Nervii, Aduatuci, and Menapii, together with all the Germans on this side of the Rhine, were in arms. The Senones did not come when he commanded them, and were taking counsel with the Carnutes and neighbouring states, while frequent embassies from the Treveri were urging the Germans to support them; then he decided he must consider war, and quickly.

(3) Thus winter was not yet over when Caesar assembled his four nearest legions and suddenly headed for the land of the Nervii. Before they could either muster or flee he had seized large numbers of men and cattle and turned them over to his soldiers as booty, and then ravaged the fields: he forced them to surrender and give him hostages. This business was quickly concluded, and afterwards he led his legions back to winter quarters. In early spring he called an assembly of Gaul as was his practice; all the Gauls except for the Senones, Carnutes, and Treveri arrived. He therefore judged that this moment marked the beginning of war and of their defection.

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