Alybit/Caesar-Gallic-War-1 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt Belgae, aliam Aquitani, tertiam qui ipsorum lingua Celtae, nostra Galli appellantur.	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.
Hi omnes lingua, institutis, legibus inter se differunt.	All these differ from each other in language, customs and laws.
Gallos ab Aquitanis Garumna flumen, a Belgis Matrona et Sequana dividit.	The river Garonne separates the Gauls from the Aquitani; the Marne and the Seine separate them from the Belgae.
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.	Of all these, the Belgae are the bravest, because they are furthest from the civilization and refinement of [our] Province, and merchants least frequently resort to them, and import those things which tend to effeminate the mind; and they are the nearest to the Germans, who dwell beyond the Rhine, with whom they are continually waging war.
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, as they contend with the Germans in almost daily battles, when they either repel them from their own territories, or themselves wage war on their frontiers.
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 part of these, which it has been said that the Gauls occupy, takes its beginning at the river Rhone; it is bounded by the river Garonne, the ocean, and the territories of the Belgae; it borders, too, on the side of the Sequani and the Helvetii, upon the river Rhine, and stretches toward the north.
Belgae ab extremis Galliae finibus oriuntur, pertinent ad inferiorem partem fluminis Rheni, spectant in septentrionem et orientem solem.	The Belgae rises from the extreme frontier of Gaul, extend to the lower part of the river Rhine; and look toward the north and the rising sun.
Aquitania a Garumna flumine ad Pyrenaeos montes et eam partem Oceani quae est ad Hispaniam pertinet; spectat inter occasum solis et septentriones.	Aquitania extends from the river Garonne to the Pyrenaean mountains and to that part of the ocean which is near Spain: it looks between the setting of the sun, and the north star.
Apud Helvetios longe nobilissimus fuit et ditissimus Orgetorix.	Among the Helvetii, Orgetorix was by far the most distinguished and wealthy.
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:	He, when Marcus Messala and Marcus Piso were consuls, incited by lust of sovereignty, formed a conspiracy among the nobility, and persuaded the people to go forth from their territories with all their possessions,
perfecile esse, cum virtute omnibus praestarent, totius Galliae imperio potiri.	that it would be very easy, since they excelled all in valor, to acquire the supremacy of the whole of Gaul.
Id hoc facilius iis persuasit, quod undique loci natura Helvetii continentur:	To this he the more easily persuaded them, because the Helvetii are confined on every side by the nature of their situation;
una ex parte flumine Rheno latissimo atque altissimo, qui agrum Helvetium a Germanis dividit;	on one side by the Rhine, a very broad and deep river, which separates the Helvetian territory from the Germans;
altera ex parte monte Iura altissimo, qui est inter Sequanos et Helvetios;	on a second side by the Jura, a very high mountain, which is situated between the Sequani and the Helvetii;
tertia lacu Lemanno et flumine Rhodano, qui provinciam nostram ab Helvetiis dividit.	on a third by the Lake of Geneva and by the river Rhone, which separates our province from the Helvetii.
His rebus fiebat ut et minus late vagarentur et minus facile finitimis bellum inferre possent;	From these circumstances it resulted that they could range less widely, and could less easily make war upon their neighbours;
qua ex parte homines bellandi cupidi magno dolore adficiebantur.	for which reason men fond of war were affected with great regret.
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 considering the extent of their population, and their renown for warfare and bravery, they had but narrow limits, although they extended in length 240 and in breadth 180 Roman miles.
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.	Induced by these considerations, and influenced by the authority of Orgetorix, they determined to provide such things as were necessary for their expedition—to buy up as great a number as possible of beasts of burden and wagons—to make their sowings as large as possible, so that on their march plenty of corn might be in store—and to establish peace and friendship with the neighboring states.
Ad eas res conficiendas biennium sibi satis esse duxerunt; in tertium annum profectionem lege confirmant.	They reckoned that a term of two years would be sufficient for them to execute their designs; they fixed by decree their departure for the third year.
Ad eas res conficiendas Orgetorix deligitur. Is sibi legationem ad civitates suscipit.	Orgetorix is chosen to complete these arrangements. He took upon himself the office of ambassador to the states.
In eo itinere persuadet Casticum, 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;	On this journey he persuades Casticus, the son of Catamantaledes, a Sequanian, whose father had possessed the sovereignty among the Sequani for many years and had been called a friend by the Roman Senate, to seize the sovereignty in his own state, which his father had previously held.
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.	and likewise he persuades Dumnorix, an Aeduan, the brother of Divitiacus, who at that time held the chief authority in the state and was highly regarded by the people, to attempt the same, and he gives his daughter in marriage to him.
Perfacile factu esse illis probat conata perficere, propterea quod ipse suae civitatis imperium obtenturus esset:	He proves to them that accomplishing their attempts would be very easy, because he himself would obtain the government of his own state.
non esse dubium quin totius Galliae plurimum Helvetii possent; se suis copiis suoque exercitu illis regna conciliaturum confirmat.	there was no doubt that the Helvetii were the most powerful of the whole of Gaul; he assures them that with his own forces and his own army he would acquire the sovereignty for them.
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.	Incited by this speech, they give a pledge and oath to one another, and hope that, when they have seized the sovereignty, they will, by means of the three most powerful and valiant nations, be enabled to obtain possession of the whole of Gaul.
Ea res est Helvetiis per indicium enuntiata.	When this scheme was disclosed to the Helvetii by informers, they, according to their custom, compelled Orgetorix to plead his cause in chains.
Moribus suis Orgetoricem ex vinculis causam dicere coegerunt; damnatum poenam sequi oportebat, ut igni cremaretur.	They, according to their custom, compelled Orgetorix to plead his cause in chains; it was the law that the penalty of being burned by fire should await him if condemned.
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 pleading of his cause, Orgetorix drew together from all quarters to the court all his vassals to the number of ten thousand persons, and brought together to the same place all his dependents and debtor‑bondsmen, of whom he had a great number; by means of them he rescued himself from pleading his cause.
Cum civitas ob eam rem incitata armis ius suum exequi conaretur multitudinemque hominum ex agris magistratus cogerent, Orgetorix mortuus est;	While the state, incensed at this act, was endeavoring to assert its right by arms, and the magistrates were mustering a large body of men from the country, Orgetorix died;
neque abest suspicio, ut Helvetii arbitrantur, quin ipse sibi mortem consciverit.	and there is not wanting a suspicion, as the Helvetii think, that he had committed suicide.
Post eius mortem nihilominus Helvetii id quod constituerant facere conantur, ut e finibus suis exeant.	After his death, the Helvetii nevertheless attempt to do that which they had resolved on, namely, to go forth from their territories.
Ubi iam se ad eam rem paratos esse arbitrati sunt, oppida sua omnia, numero ad duodecim, vicos ad quadringentos, reliqua privata aedificia incendio.	When they thought that they were at length prepared for this undertaking, they set fire to all their towns, in number about twelve, to their villages about four hundred, and to the private dwellings that remained.
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.	They burn up all the corn, except what they intend to carry with them, that after destroying the hope of a return home they might be more ready for undergoing all dangers; they order each man to carry from his home provisions for three months, ground‑millet.
Persuadent Rauracis et Tulingis et Latobrigis finitimis, uti eodem 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 the Rauraci, the Tulingi and the Latobrigi, their neighbours, to adopt the same plan and, after burning down their towns and villages, to set out with them, and they admit to their party as confederates the Boii, who had lived beyond the Rhine, crossed into Noric territory and attacked Noreia.
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;	There were in all two routes by which they could go forth from their country: one through the Sequani, narrow and difficult, between Mount Jura and the river Rhone, by which scarcely one wagon at a time could be led; the mountain, however, rose very high, so that only a few might easily block them.
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.	The other, through our province, much easier and freer from obstacles, because the Rhone flows between the boundaries of the Helvetii and those of the Allobroges, who had lately been subdued, and in some places is crossed by a ford.
Extremum oppidum Allobrogum est proximumque Helvetiorum finibus Genava. Ex eo oppido pons ad Helvetios pertinet.	The furthest town of the Allobroges, and the nearest to the territories of the Helvetii, is Geneva. From this 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 should either persuade the Allobroges, because they did not yet seem well‑disposed toward the Roman people, or compel them by force to allow them to pass through their lands.
Omnibus rebus ad profectionem comparatis diem dicunt, qua die ad ripam Rhodani omnes conveniant.	Having provided everything for the expedition, they set a day on which all should meet on the bank of the Rhone.
Is dies erat a. d. V. Kal. Apr. L. Pisone, A. Gabinio consulibus.	That day was the fifth before the Kalends of April (i.e. the 28th of March), in the consulship of Lucius Piso and Aulus Gabinius.
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.	When it was reported to Caesar that they were attempting to make their route through our province, he hastened to set out from the city, and, by as great marches as he could, proceeded to Further Gaul and arrived 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 orders the whole province to muster as great a number of soldiers as possible (there was only one legion in Further Gaul), and commands the bridge 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 were apprised of his arrival they sent to him the most illustrious men of their state (in which embassy Numeius and Verudoctius held the chief place) to say that it was their intention to march through the province without any harm, because they had no other route; they asked that, by his permission, they might be allowed to do so.
Caesar, quod memoria tenebat L. Cassium consulem occisum exercitumque eius ab Helvetiis pulsum et sub iugum missum, concedendum non putabat;	Caesar, since he remembered that the consul Lucius Cassius had been slain and his army routed and forced under the yoke by the Helvetii, did not think that the request should be granted.
neque homines inimico animo, data facultate per provinciam itineris faciundi, temperaturos ab iniuria et maleficio existimabat.	nor did he think that men of hostile disposition, given the opportunity to travel through the province, would refrain from outrage and mischief.
Tamen, ut spatium intercedere posset dum milites quos imperaverat convenirent, legatis respondit diem se ad deliberandum sumpturum: si quid vellent, ad Id. April. reverterentur.	Yet, in order that a period might intervene until the soldiers he had ordered should assemble, he replied to the ambassadors that he would take time to deliberate; if they wanted anything, they should return on the Ides of April.
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 XVIIIX murum in altitudinem pedum sedecim fossamque perducit.	Meanwhile, with the legion he had with him and the soldiers who had assembled from the province, he built a wall nineteen miles long and a trench sixteen feet high from Lake Geneva, which flows into the Rhone, to Mount Jura, which separates the territories of the Sequani from the Helvetii.
Eo opere perfecto praesidia disponit, castella communit, quo facilius, si se invito transire conentur, prohibere possit.	When that work was finished he placed garrisons and fortified forts, so that if they attempted to cross uninvited he could more easily prevent them.
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 lacere conentur, prohibiturum ostendit.	When the day he had appointed with the ambassadors arrived and the ambassadors returned to him, he denied that, by Roman custom and precedent, he could give passage through the province to anyone and showed that if they attempted to use force he would forbid it.
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, disappointed in this hope, tried to force a passage—some with boats and many rafts, others by the fords of the Rhone where the water was shallow—sometimes by day, more often by night; but being repelled by the works, the soldiers, and missiles, they gave up the attempt.
Relinquebatur una per Sequanos via, qua Sequanis invitis propter angustias ire non poterant.	There was left one way, namely through the Sequani, by which, on account of its narrowness, they could not pass without the consent of the Sequani.
His cum sua sponte persuadere non possent, legatos ad Dumnorigem Haeduum mittunt, ut eo deprecatore a Sequanis impetrarent.	As they could not of themselves prevail on them, they send embassadors to Dumnorix the Aeduan, that through his intercession, they might obtain their request from the Sequani.
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, by his popularity and liberality, had great influence among the Sequani, and was friendly to the Helvetii, because out of that state he had married the daughter of Orgetorix; and, incited by lust of sovereignty, was anxious for a revolution, and wished to have as many states as possible attached to him by his kindness toward them.
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 prevails upon the Sequani to allow the Helvetii to march through their territories, and arranges that they should give hostages to each other‑the Sequani not to obstruct the Helvetii in their march‑the Helvetii, to pass without mischief and outrage.
Caesari renuntiatur Helvetiis esse in animo per agrum Sequanorum et Haeduorum iter in Santonum fines facere, qui non longe a Tolosatium finibus absunt, quae civitas est in provincia.	It is again told Caesar, that the Helvetii intended to march through the country of the Sequani and the Aedui into the territories of the Santones, which are not far distant from those boundaries of the Tolosates, which is a state in the Province.
Id si fieret, intellegebat magno cum periculo provinciae futurum ut homines bellicosos, populi Romani inimicos, locis patentibus maximeque frumentariis finitimos haberet.	If this took place, he saw that it would be attended with great danger to the Province to have warlike men, enemies of the Roman people, bordering upon an open and very fertile tract of country.
Ob eas causas ei munitioni quam fecerat T. Labienum legatum praeficit; ipse in Italiam magnis itineribus contendit duasque ibi legiones conscribit et tres, quae circum Aquileiam hiemabant, ex hibernis educit et, qua proximum iter in ulteriorem Galliam per Alpes erat, cum his quinque legionibus ire contendit.	For these reasons he appointed Titus Labienus, his lieutenant, to the command of the fortification which he had made. He himself proceeds to Italy by forced marches, and there levies two legions, and leads out from winter‑quarters three which were wintering around Aquileia, and with these five legions marches rapidly by the nearest route across the Alps into Further Gaul.
Ibi Ceutrones et Graioceli et Caturiges locis superioribus occupatis itinere exercitum prohibere conantur.	Here the Centrones and the Graioceli and the Caturiges, having taken possession of the higher parts, attempt to obstruct the army in their march.
Compluribus his proeliis pulsis ab Ocelo, quod est oppidum citerioris provinciae extremum, in fines Vocontiorum ulterioris provinciae die septimo pervenit;	After having routed these in several battles, he arrives in the territories of the Vocontii in the Further Province on the seventh day from Ocelum, which is the most remote town of the Hither Province;
inde in Allobrogum fines, ab Allobrogibus in Segusiavos exercitum ducit.	thence he leads his army into the country of the Allobroges, and from the Allobroges to the Segusiani.
Hi sunt extra provinciam trans Rhodanum primi.	These people are the first beyond the Province on the opposite side of the Rhone.
Helvetii iam per angustias et fines Sequanorum suas copias traduxerant et in Haeduorum fines pervenerant eorumque agros populabantur.	The Helvetii had by this time led their forces over through the narrow defile and the territories of the Sequani, and had arrived at the territories of the Aedui, and were ravaging their lands.
Haedui, cum se suaque ab iis defendere non possent, legatos ad Caesarem mittunt rogatum auxilium:	The Aedui, as they could not defend themselves and their possessions against them, send embassadors to Caesar to ask assistance,
ita se omni tempore de populo Romano meritos esse ut paene in conspectu exercitus nostri agri vastari, liberi [eorum] in servitutem abduci, oppida expugnari non debuerint.	pleading that they had at all times so well deserved of the Roman people, that their fields ought not to have been laid waste‑their children carried off into slavery‑their towns stormed, almost within sight of our army.
Eodem tempore quo Haedui Ambarri, necessarii et consanguinei Haeduorum, Caesarem certiorem faciunt sese depopulatis agris non facile ab oppidis vim hostium prohibere.	At the same time the Ambarri, the friends and kinsmen of the Aedui, apprize Caesar, that it was not easy for them, now that their fields had been devastated, to ward off the violence of the enemy from their towns;
Item Allobroges, qui trans Rhodanum vicos possessionesque habebant, fuga se ad Caesarem recipiunt et demonstrant sibi praeter agri solum nihil esse reliqui.	the Allobroges likewise, who had villages and possessions on the other side of the Rhone, betake themselves in flight to Caesar, and assure him that they had nothing remaining, except the soil of their land.
Quibus rebus adductus Caesar non expectandum sibi statuit dum, omnibus, fortunis sociorum consumptis, in Santonos Helvetii pervenirent.	Caesar, induced by these circumstances, decides, that he ought not to wait until the Helvetii, after destroying all the property of his allies, should arrive among the Santones.
Flumen est Arar, quod per fines Haeduorum et Sequanorum in Rhodanum influit, incredibili lenitate, ita ut oculis in utram partem fluat iudicari non possit.	There is a river called the Saone, which flows through the territories of the Aedui and Sequani into the Rhone with such incredible slowness, that it cannot be determined by the eye in which direction it flows.
Id Helvetii ratibus ac lintribus iunctis transibant.	The Helvetii were crossing it by rafts and boats joined together.
Ubi per exploratores Caesar certior factus est tres iam partes copiarum Helvetios id flumen traduxisse, quartam vero partem citra flumen Ararim reliquam esse, de tertia vigilia cum legionibus tribus e castris profectus ad eam partem pervenit quae nondum flumen transierat.	When Caesar was informed by spies that the Helvetii had already conveyed three parts of their forces across that river, but that the fourth part was left behind on this side of the Saone, he set out from the camp with three legions during the third watch, and came up with that division which had not yet crossed the river.
Eos impeditos et inopinantes adgressus magnam partem eorum concidit; reliqui sese fugae mandarunt atque in proximas silvas abdiderunt.	Attacking them, encumbered with baggage and not expecting him, he cut to pieces a great part of them; the rest fled and concealed themselves in the nearest woods.
Is pagus appellabatur Tigurinus; nam omnis civitas Helvetia in quattuor pagos divisa est.	That canton was called the Tigurine; for the whole Helvetian state is divided into four cantons.
Hic pagus unus, cum domo exisset, patrum nostrorum memoria L. Cassium consulem interfecerat et eius exercitum sub iugum miserat.	This single canton, in the memory of our fathers, had slain the consul L. Cassius and had made his army pass under the yoke.
Ita sive casu sive consilio deorum immortalium quae pars civitatis Helvetiae insignem calamitatem populo Romano intulerat, ea princeps poenam persolvit.	Thus, whether by chance or by the design of the immortal gods, that part of the Helvetian state which had brought a signal calamity upon the Roman people was the first to pay the penalty.
Qua in re Caesar non solum publicas, sed etiam privatas iniurias ultus est, quod eius soceri L. Pisonis avum, L. Pisonem legatum, Tigurini eodem proelio quo Cassium interfecerant.	In this Caesar avenged not only the public but also his own personal wrongs, because the Tigurini had slain L. Piso, the grandfather of L. Piso, his father‑in‑law, in the same battle as Cassius himself.
Hoc proelio facto, reliquas copias Helvetiorum ut consequi posset, pontem in Arari faciendum curat atque ita exercitum traducit.	Having completed this battle, he procures a bridge to be made across the Saone and thus leads his army over.
Helvetii repentino eius adventu commoti cum id quod ipsi diebus XX aegerrime confecerant, ut flumen transirent, illum uno die fecisse intellegerent, legatos ad eum mittunt; cuius legationis Divico princeps fuit, qui bello Cassiano dux Helvetiorum fuerat.	The Helvetii, confused by his sudden arrival, when they discovered that he had accomplished in one day what they had spent twenty days laboriously doing—the crossing of the river—sent embassadors to him; the head of that embassy was Divico, who had been the commander of the Helvetii in the war against Cassius.
Is ita cum Caesare egit: si pacem populus Romanus cum Helvetiis faceret, in eam partem ituros atque ibi futuros Helvetios ubi eos Caesar constituisset atque esse voluisset;	He thus treated with Caesar: “If the Roman people were to make peace with the Helvetii, they should go to that part and remain where Caesar might appoint them to be.”
sin bello persequi perseveraret, reminisceretur et veteris incommodi populi Romani et pristinae virtutis Helvetiorum.	But if he persisted in war, he should remember both the ancient disgrace of the Roman people and the former valor of the Helvetii.
Quod improviso unum pagum adortus esset, cum ii qui flumen transissent suis auxilium ferre non possent, ne ob eam rem aut suae magnopere virtuti tribueret aut ipsos despiceret.	It was unexpected that one canton was attacked, because those who had crossed the river could not bring assistance to their friends; therefore he should not attribute great virtue to himself on that account nor despise them.
Se ita a patribus maioribusque suis didicisse, ut magis virtute contenderent quam dolo aut insidiis niterentur.	He had learned from his fathers and ancestors to rely more on valor than on deceit or stratagem.
Quare ne committeret ut is locus ubi constitissent ex calamitate populi Romani et interneccione exercitus nomen caperet aut memoriam proderet.	Therefore he should not allow that place, where they had stood, to acquire a name from the disaster of the Roman people and the destruction of their army or to transmit its memory.
His Caesar ita respondit: eo sibi minus dubitationis dari, quod eas res quas legati Helvetii commemorassent memoria teneret, atque eo gravius ferre quo minus merito populi Romani accidissent;	To these words Caesar thus replied: that, on that very account, he felt less hesitation, because he kept in remembrance those circumstances which the Helvetian envoys had mentioned, and that he felt the more indignant at them, in proportion as they had happened undeservedly to the Roman people.
qui si alicuius iniuriae sibi conscius fuisset, non fuisse difficile cavere; sed eo deceptum, quod neque commissum a se intellegeret quare timeret neque sine causa timendum putaret.	For if they had been conscious of any wrong they had done, it would not have been difficult to guard against it; yet they were deceived because they neither understood why they should be fearful nor thought there was any cause for fear.
Quod si veteris contumeliae oblivisci vellet, num etiam recentium iniuriarum, quod eo invito iter per provinciam per vim temptassent, quod Haeduos, quod Ambarros, quod Allobrogas vexassent, memoriam deponere posse?	But even if he wished to forget the old insult, could he also lay aside the memory of the recent injuries, since they had attempted a forced passage through the province, harassing the Aedui, the Ambarri, and the Allobroges?
Quod sua victoria tam insolenter gloriarentur quodque tam diu se impune iniuras tulisse admirarentur, eodem pertinere.	Their insolent boasting of victory and their admiration for having suffered such long impunity were related.
Consuesse enim deos immortales, quo gravius homines ex commutatione rerum doleant, quos pro scelere eorum ulcisci velint, his secundiores interdum res et diuturniorem impunitatem concessere.	For the immortal gods are accustomed to grant greater and longer impunity to those they wish to punish for their guilt, so that men may suffer more severely from a reversal of fortune.
Cum ea ita sint, tamen, si obsides ab iis sibi dentur, uti ea quae polliceantur facturos intellegat, et si Haeduis de iniuriis quas ipsis sociisque eorum intulerint, item si Allobrogibus satis faciunt, sese cum iis pacem esse facturum.	Nevertheless, if they give him hostages, he will understand that they will do what they promise, and if they make amends to the Aedui for the injuries they and their allies inflicted, and likewise to the Allobroges, he will make peace with them.
Divico respondit: ita Helvetios a maioribus suis institutos esse uti obsides accipere, non dare, consuerint; eius rei populum Romanum esse testem.	Divico replied: the Helvetii had been trained by their ancestors to receive, not to give, hostages; the Roman people are witnesses to this.
Hoc responso dato discessit.	Having given this reply, he withdrew.
Postero die castra ex eo loco movent.	On the following day they moved their camp from that place.
Idem facit Caesar equitatumque omnem, ad numerum quattuor milium, quem ex omni provincia et Haeduis atque eorum sociis coactum habebat, praemittit, qui videant quas in partes hostes iter faciant.	Caesar does the same, and sends forward all his cavalry, to the number of four thousand, which he had drawn together from all parts of the province, the Aedui and their allies, to observe toward which parts the enemy are directing their march.
Qui cupidius novissimum agmen insecuti alieno loco cum equitatu Helvetiorum proelium committunt; et pauci de nostris cadunt.	These, having too eagerly pursued the enemy’s rear, came to a battle with the cavalry of the Helvetii in an unfavorable place, and a few of our men fell.
Quo proelio sublati Helvetii, quod quingentis equitibus tantam multitudinem equitum propulerant, audacius subsistere non numquam et novissimo agmine proelio nostros lacessere coeperunt.	The Helvetii, elated by this battle, because they had with five hundred horse repulsed such a large body of horse, began to challenge us more boldly, sometimes even from their rear.
Caesar suos a proelio continebat, ac satis habebat in praesentia hostem rapinis, pabulationibus populationibusque prohibere.	Caesar, however, restrained his men from battle, deeming it sufficient for the present to prevent the enemy from rapine, foraging and depredation.
Ita dies circiter XV iter fecerunt uti inter novissimum hostium agmen et nostrum primum non amplius quinis aut senis milibus passuum interesset.	They marched for about fifteen days in such a manner that there was not more than five or six miles between the enemy’s rear and our front.
Interim cotidie Caesar Haeduos frumentum, quod essent publice polliciti, flagitare.	Meanwhile Caesar kept daily importuning the Aedui for the corn which they had publicly promised.
Nam propter frigora non modo frumenta in agris matura non erant, sed ne pabuli quidem satis magna copia suppetebat;	For, because of the cold, the grain in the fields was not ripe, nor was there a sufficient supply of fodder.
eo autem frumento quod flumine Arari navibus subvexerat propterea uti minus poterat quod iter ab Arari Helvetii averterant, a quibus discedere nolebat.	Moreover, he could not use the grain that had been shipped up the river Arar because the Helvetii, from whom he was unwilling to withdraw, had diverted their march from the Arar.

Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres, quarum unam incolunt Belgae, aliam Aquitani, tertiam qui ipsorum lingua Celtae, nostra Galli appellantur.

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.

Hi omnes lingua, institutis, legibus inter se differunt.

All these differ from each other in language, customs and laws.

Gallos ab Aquitanis Garumna flumen, a Belgis Matrona et Sequana dividit.

The river Garonne separates the Gauls from the Aquitani; the Marne and the Seine separate them from the Belgae.

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.

Of all these, the Belgae are the bravest, because they are furthest from the civilization and refinement of [our] Province, and merchants least frequently resort to them, and import those things which tend to effeminate the mind; and they are the nearest to the Germans, who dwell beyond the Rhine, with whom they are continually waging war.

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, as they contend with the Germans in almost daily battles, when they either repel them from their own territories, or themselves wage war on their frontiers.

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 part of these, which it has been said that the Gauls occupy, takes its beginning at the river Rhone; it is bounded by the river Garonne, the ocean, and the territories of the Belgae; it borders, too, on the side of the Sequani and the Helvetii, upon the river Rhine, and stretches toward the north.

Belgae ab extremis Galliae finibus oriuntur, pertinent ad inferiorem partem fluminis Rheni, spectant in septentrionem et orientem solem.

The Belgae rises from the extreme frontier of Gaul, extend to the lower part of the river Rhine; and look toward the north and the rising sun.

Aquitania a Garumna flumine ad Pyrenaeos montes et eam partem Oceani quae est ad Hispaniam pertinet; spectat inter occasum solis et septentriones.

Aquitania extends from the river Garonne to the Pyrenaean mountains and to that part of the ocean which is near Spain: it looks between the setting of the sun, and the north star.

Apud Helvetios longe nobilissimus fuit et ditissimus Orgetorix.

Among the Helvetii, Orgetorix was by far the most distinguished and wealthy.

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:

He, when Marcus Messala and Marcus Piso were consuls, incited by lust of sovereignty, formed a conspiracy among the nobility, and persuaded the people to go forth from their territories with all their possessions,

perfecile esse, cum virtute omnibus praestarent, totius Galliae imperio potiri.

that it would be very easy, since they excelled all in valor, to acquire the supremacy of the whole of Gaul.

Id hoc facilius iis persuasit, quod undique loci natura Helvetii continentur:

To this he the more easily persuaded them, because the Helvetii are confined on every side by the nature of their situation;

una ex parte flumine Rheno latissimo atque altissimo, qui agrum Helvetium a Germanis dividit;

on one side by the Rhine, a very broad and deep river, which separates the Helvetian territory from the Germans;

altera ex parte monte Iura altissimo, qui est inter Sequanos et Helvetios;

on a second side by the Jura, a very high mountain, which is situated between the Sequani and the Helvetii;

tertia lacu Lemanno et flumine Rhodano, qui provinciam nostram ab Helvetiis dividit.

on a third by the Lake of Geneva and by the river Rhone, which separates our province from the Helvetii.

His rebus fiebat ut et minus late vagarentur et minus facile finitimis bellum inferre possent;

From these circumstances it resulted that they could range less widely, and could less easily make war upon their neighbours;

qua ex parte homines bellandi cupidi magno dolore adficiebantur.

for which reason men fond of war were affected with great regret.

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 considering the extent of their population, and their renown for warfare and bravery, they had but narrow limits, although they extended in length 240 and in breadth 180 Roman miles.

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.

Induced by these considerations, and influenced by the authority of Orgetorix, they determined to provide such things as were necessary for their expedition—to buy up as great a number as possible of beasts of burden and wagons—to make their sowings as large as possible, so that on their march plenty of corn might be in store—and to establish peace and friendship with the neighboring states.

Ad eas res conficiendas biennium sibi satis esse duxerunt; in tertium annum profectionem lege confirmant.

They reckoned that a term of two years would be sufficient for them to execute their designs; they fixed by decree their departure for the third year.

Ad eas res conficiendas Orgetorix deligitur. Is sibi legationem ad civitates suscipit.

Orgetorix is chosen to complete these arrangements. He took upon himself the office of ambassador to the states.

In eo itinere persuadet Casticum, 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;

On this journey he persuades Casticus, the son of Catamantaledes, a Sequanian, whose father had possessed the sovereignty among the Sequani for many years and had been called a friend by the Roman Senate, to seize the sovereignty in his own state, which his father had previously held.

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.

and likewise he persuades Dumnorix, an Aeduan, the brother of Divitiacus, who at that time held the chief authority in the state and was highly regarded by the people, to attempt the same, and he gives his daughter in marriage to him.

Perfacile factu esse illis probat conata perficere, propterea quod ipse suae civitatis imperium obtenturus esset:

He proves to them that accomplishing their attempts would be very easy, because he himself would obtain the government of his own state.

non esse dubium quin totius Galliae plurimum Helvetii possent; se suis copiis suoque exercitu illis regna conciliaturum confirmat.

there was no doubt that the Helvetii were the most powerful of the whole of Gaul; he assures them that with his own forces and his own army he would acquire the sovereignty for them.

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.

Incited by this speech, they give a pledge and oath to one another, and hope that, when they have seized the sovereignty, they will, by means of the three most powerful and valiant nations, be enabled to obtain possession of the whole of Gaul.

Ea res est Helvetiis per indicium enuntiata.

When this scheme was disclosed to the Helvetii by informers, they, according to their custom, compelled Orgetorix to plead his cause in chains.

Moribus suis Orgetoricem ex vinculis causam dicere coegerunt; damnatum poenam sequi oportebat, ut igni cremaretur.

They, according to their custom, compelled Orgetorix to plead his cause in chains; it was the law that the penalty of being burned by fire should await him if condemned.

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 pleading of his cause, Orgetorix drew together from all quarters to the court all his vassals to the number of ten thousand persons, and brought together to the same place all his dependents and debtor‑bondsmen, of whom he had a great number; by means of them he rescued himself from pleading his cause.

Cum civitas ob eam rem incitata armis ius suum exequi conaretur multitudinemque hominum ex agris magistratus cogerent, Orgetorix mortuus est;

While the state, incensed at this act, was endeavoring to assert its right by arms, and the magistrates were mustering a large body of men from the country, Orgetorix died;

neque abest suspicio, ut Helvetii arbitrantur, quin ipse sibi mortem consciverit.

and there is not wanting a suspicion, as the Helvetii think, that he had committed suicide.

Post eius mortem nihilominus Helvetii id quod constituerant facere conantur, ut e finibus suis exeant.

After his death, the Helvetii nevertheless attempt to do that which they had resolved on, namely, to go forth from their territories.

Ubi iam se ad eam rem paratos esse arbitrati sunt, oppida sua omnia, numero ad duodecim, vicos ad quadringentos, reliqua privata aedificia incendio.

When they thought that they were at length prepared for this undertaking, they set fire to all their towns, in number about twelve, to their villages about four hundred, and to the private dwellings that remained.

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.

They burn up all the corn, except what they intend to carry with them, that after destroying the hope of a return home they might be more ready for undergoing all dangers; they order each man to carry from his home provisions for three months, ground‑millet.

Persuadent Rauracis et Tulingis et Latobrigis finitimis, uti eodem 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 the Rauraci, the Tulingi and the Latobrigi, their neighbours, to adopt the same plan and, after burning down their towns and villages, to set out with them, and they admit to their party as confederates the Boii, who had lived beyond the Rhine, crossed into Noric territory and attacked Noreia.

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;

There were in all two routes by which they could go forth from their country: one through the Sequani, narrow and difficult, between Mount Jura and the river Rhone, by which scarcely one wagon at a time could be led; the mountain, however, rose very high, so that only a few might easily block them.

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.

The other, through our province, much easier and freer from obstacles, because the Rhone flows between the boundaries of the Helvetii and those of the Allobroges, who had lately been subdued, and in some places is crossed by a ford.

Extremum oppidum Allobrogum est proximumque Helvetiorum finibus Genava. Ex eo oppido pons ad Helvetios pertinet.

The furthest town of the Allobroges, and the nearest to the territories of the Helvetii, is Geneva. From this 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 should either persuade the Allobroges, because they did not yet seem well‑disposed toward the Roman people, or compel them by force to allow them to pass through their lands.

Omnibus rebus ad profectionem comparatis diem dicunt, qua die ad ripam Rhodani omnes conveniant.

Having provided everything for the expedition, they set a day on which all should meet on the bank of the Rhone.

Is dies erat a. d. V. Kal. Apr. L. Pisone, A. Gabinio consulibus.

That day was the fifth before the Kalends of April (i.e. the 28th of March), in the consulship of Lucius Piso and Aulus Gabinius.

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.

When it was reported to Caesar that they were attempting to make their route through our province, he hastened to set out from the city, and, by as great marches as he could, proceeded to Further Gaul and arrived 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 orders the whole province to muster as great a number of soldiers as possible (there was only one legion in Further Gaul), and commands the bridge 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 were apprised of his arrival they sent to him the most illustrious men of their state (in which embassy Numeius and Verudoctius held the chief place) to say that it was their intention to march through the province without any harm, because they had no other route; they asked that, by his permission, they might be allowed to do so.

Caesar, quod memoria tenebat L. Cassium consulem occisum exercitumque eius ab Helvetiis pulsum et sub iugum missum, concedendum non putabat;

Caesar, since he remembered that the consul Lucius Cassius had been slain and his army routed and forced under the yoke by the Helvetii, did not think that the request should be granted.

neque homines inimico animo, data facultate per provinciam itineris faciundi, temperaturos ab iniuria et maleficio existimabat.

nor did he think that men of hostile disposition, given the opportunity to travel through the province, would refrain from outrage and mischief.

Tamen, ut spatium intercedere posset dum milites quos imperaverat convenirent, legatis respondit diem se ad deliberandum sumpturum: si quid vellent, ad Id. April. reverterentur.

Yet, in order that a period might intervene until the soldiers he had ordered should assemble, he replied to the ambassadors that he would take time to deliberate; if they wanted anything, they should return on the Ides of April.

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 XVIIIX murum in altitudinem pedum sedecim fossamque perducit.

Meanwhile, with the legion he had with him and the soldiers who had assembled from the province, he built a wall nineteen miles long and a trench sixteen feet high from Lake Geneva, which flows into the Rhone, to Mount Jura, which separates the territories of the Sequani from the Helvetii.

Eo opere perfecto praesidia disponit, castella communit, quo facilius, si se invito transire conentur, prohibere possit.

When that work was finished he placed garrisons and fortified forts, so that if they attempted to cross uninvited he could more easily prevent them.

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 lacere conentur, prohibiturum ostendit.

When the day he had appointed with the ambassadors arrived and the ambassadors returned to him, he denied that, by Roman custom and precedent, he could give passage through the province to anyone and showed that if they attempted to use force he would forbid it.

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, disappointed in this hope, tried to force a passage—some with boats and many rafts, others by the fords of the Rhone where the water was shallow—sometimes by day, more often by night; but being repelled by the works, the soldiers, and missiles, they gave up the attempt.

Relinquebatur una per Sequanos via, qua Sequanis invitis propter angustias ire non poterant.

There was left one way, namely through the Sequani, by which, on account of its narrowness, they could not pass without the consent of the Sequani.

His cum sua sponte persuadere non possent, legatos ad Dumnorigem Haeduum mittunt, ut eo deprecatore a Sequanis impetrarent.

As they could not of themselves prevail on them, they send embassadors to Dumnorix the Aeduan, that through his intercession, they might obtain their request from the Sequani.

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, by his popularity and liberality, had great influence among the Sequani, and was friendly to the Helvetii, because out of that state he had married the daughter of Orgetorix; and, incited by lust of sovereignty, was anxious for a revolution, and wished to have as many states as possible attached to him by his kindness toward them.

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 prevails upon the Sequani to allow the Helvetii to march through their territories, and arranges that they should give hostages to each other‑the Sequani not to obstruct the Helvetii in their march‑the Helvetii, to pass without mischief and outrage.

Caesari renuntiatur Helvetiis esse in animo per agrum Sequanorum et Haeduorum iter in Santonum fines facere, qui non longe a Tolosatium finibus absunt, quae civitas est in provincia.

It is again told Caesar, that the Helvetii intended to march through the country of the Sequani and the Aedui into the territories of the Santones, which are not far distant from those boundaries of the Tolosates, which is a state in the Province.

Id si fieret, intellegebat magno cum periculo provinciae futurum ut homines bellicosos, populi Romani inimicos, locis patentibus maximeque frumentariis finitimos haberet.

If this took place, he saw that it would be attended with great danger to the Province to have warlike men, enemies of the Roman people, bordering upon an open and very fertile tract of country.

Ob eas causas ei munitioni quam fecerat T. Labienum legatum praeficit; ipse in Italiam magnis itineribus contendit duasque ibi legiones conscribit et tres, quae circum Aquileiam hiemabant, ex hibernis educit et, qua proximum iter in ulteriorem Galliam per Alpes erat, cum his quinque legionibus ire contendit.

For these reasons he appointed Titus Labienus, his lieutenant, to the command of the fortification which he had made. He himself proceeds to Italy by forced marches, and there levies two legions, and leads out from winter‑quarters three which were wintering around Aquileia, and with these five legions marches rapidly by the nearest route across the Alps into Further Gaul.

Ibi Ceutrones et Graioceli et Caturiges locis superioribus occupatis itinere exercitum prohibere conantur.

Here the Centrones and the Graioceli and the Caturiges, having taken possession of the higher parts, attempt to obstruct the army in their march.

Compluribus his proeliis pulsis ab Ocelo, quod est oppidum citerioris provinciae extremum, in fines Vocontiorum ulterioris provinciae die septimo pervenit;

After having routed these in several battles, he arrives in the territories of the Vocontii in the Further Province on the seventh day from Ocelum, which is the most remote town of the Hither Province;

inde in Allobrogum fines, ab Allobrogibus in Segusiavos exercitum ducit.

thence he leads his army into the country of the Allobroges, and from the Allobroges to the Segusiani.

Hi sunt extra provinciam trans Rhodanum primi.

These people are the first beyond the Province on the opposite side of the Rhone.

Helvetii iam per angustias et fines Sequanorum suas copias traduxerant et in Haeduorum fines pervenerant eorumque agros populabantur.

The Helvetii had by this time led their forces over through the narrow defile and the territories of the Sequani, and had arrived at the territories of the Aedui, and were ravaging their lands.

Haedui, cum se suaque ab iis defendere non possent, legatos ad Caesarem mittunt rogatum auxilium:

The Aedui, as they could not defend themselves and their possessions against them, send embassadors to Caesar to ask assistance,

ita se omni tempore de populo Romano meritos esse ut paene in conspectu exercitus nostri agri vastari, liberi [eorum] in servitutem abduci, oppida expugnari non debuerint.

pleading that they had at all times so well deserved of the Roman people, that their fields ought not to have been laid waste‑their children carried off into slavery‑their towns stormed, almost within sight of our army.

Eodem tempore quo Haedui Ambarri, necessarii et consanguinei Haeduorum, Caesarem certiorem faciunt sese depopulatis agris non facile ab oppidis vim hostium prohibere.

At the same time the Ambarri, the friends and kinsmen of the Aedui, apprize Caesar, that it was not easy for them, now that their fields had been devastated, to ward off the violence of the enemy from their towns;

Item Allobroges, qui trans Rhodanum vicos possessionesque habebant, fuga se ad Caesarem recipiunt et demonstrant sibi praeter agri solum nihil esse reliqui.

the Allobroges likewise, who had villages and possessions on the other side of the Rhone, betake themselves in flight to Caesar, and assure him that they had nothing remaining, except the soil of their land.

Quibus rebus adductus Caesar non expectandum sibi statuit dum, omnibus, fortunis sociorum consumptis, in Santonos Helvetii pervenirent.

Caesar, induced by these circumstances, decides, that he ought not to wait until the Helvetii, after destroying all the property of his allies, should arrive among the Santones.

Flumen est Arar, quod per fines Haeduorum et Sequanorum in Rhodanum influit, incredibili lenitate, ita ut oculis in utram partem fluat iudicari non possit.

There is a river called the Saone, which flows through the territories of the Aedui and Sequani into the Rhone with such incredible slowness, that it cannot be determined by the eye in which direction it flows.

Id Helvetii ratibus ac lintribus iunctis transibant.

The Helvetii were crossing it by rafts and boats joined together.

Ubi per exploratores Caesar certior factus est tres iam partes copiarum Helvetios id flumen traduxisse, quartam vero partem citra flumen Ararim reliquam esse, de tertia vigilia cum legionibus tribus e castris profectus ad eam partem pervenit quae nondum flumen transierat.

When Caesar was informed by spies that the Helvetii had already conveyed three parts of their forces across that river, but that the fourth part was left behind on this side of the Saone, he set out from the camp with three legions during the third watch, and came up with that division which had not yet crossed the river.

Eos impeditos et inopinantes adgressus magnam partem eorum concidit; reliqui sese fugae mandarunt atque in proximas silvas abdiderunt.

Attacking them, encumbered with baggage and not expecting him, he cut to pieces a great part of them; the rest fled and concealed themselves in the nearest woods.

Is pagus appellabatur Tigurinus; nam omnis civitas Helvetia in quattuor pagos divisa est.

That canton was called the Tigurine; for the whole Helvetian state is divided into four cantons.

Hic pagus unus, cum domo exisset, patrum nostrorum memoria L. Cassium consulem interfecerat et eius exercitum sub iugum miserat.

This single canton, in the memory of our fathers, had slain the consul L. Cassius and had made his army pass under the yoke.

Ita sive casu sive consilio deorum immortalium quae pars civitatis Helvetiae insignem calamitatem populo Romano intulerat, ea princeps poenam persolvit.

Thus, whether by chance or by the design of the immortal gods, that part of the Helvetian state which had brought a signal calamity upon the Roman people was the first to pay the penalty.

Qua in re Caesar non solum publicas, sed etiam privatas iniurias ultus est, quod eius soceri L. Pisonis avum, L. Pisonem legatum, Tigurini eodem proelio quo Cassium interfecerant.

In this Caesar avenged not only the public but also his own personal wrongs, because the Tigurini had slain L. Piso, the grandfather of L. Piso, his father‑in‑law, in the same battle as Cassius himself.

Hoc proelio facto, reliquas copias Helvetiorum ut consequi posset, pontem in Arari faciendum curat atque ita exercitum traducit.

Having completed this battle, he procures a bridge to be made across the Saone and thus leads his army over.

Helvetii repentino eius adventu commoti cum id quod ipsi diebus XX aegerrime confecerant, ut flumen transirent, illum uno die fecisse intellegerent, legatos ad eum mittunt; cuius legationis Divico princeps fuit, qui bello Cassiano dux Helvetiorum fuerat.

The Helvetii, confused by his sudden arrival, when they discovered that he had accomplished in one day what they had spent twenty days laboriously doing—the crossing of the river—sent embassadors to him; the head of that embassy was Divico, who had been the commander of the Helvetii in the war against Cassius.

Is ita cum Caesare egit: si pacem populus Romanus cum Helvetiis faceret, in eam partem ituros atque ibi futuros Helvetios ubi eos Caesar constituisset atque esse voluisset;

He thus treated with Caesar: “If the Roman people were to make peace with the Helvetii, they should go to that part and remain where Caesar might appoint them to be.”

sin bello persequi perseveraret, reminisceretur et veteris incommodi populi Romani et pristinae virtutis Helvetiorum.

But if he persisted in war, he should remember both the ancient disgrace of the Roman people and the former valor of the Helvetii.

Quod improviso unum pagum adortus esset, cum ii qui flumen transissent suis auxilium ferre non possent, ne ob eam rem aut suae magnopere virtuti tribueret aut ipsos despiceret.

It was unexpected that one canton was attacked, because those who had crossed the river could not bring assistance to their friends; therefore he should not attribute great virtue to himself on that account nor despise them.

Se ita a patribus maioribusque suis didicisse, ut magis virtute contenderent quam dolo aut insidiis niterentur.

He had learned from his fathers and ancestors to rely more on valor than on deceit or stratagem.

Quare ne committeret ut is locus ubi constitissent ex calamitate populi Romani et interneccione exercitus nomen caperet aut memoriam proderet.

Therefore he should not allow that place, where they had stood, to acquire a name from the disaster of the Roman people and the destruction of their army or to transmit its memory.

His Caesar ita respondit: eo sibi minus dubitationis dari, quod eas res quas legati Helvetii commemorassent memoria teneret, atque eo gravius ferre quo minus merito populi Romani accidissent;

To these words Caesar thus replied: that, on that very account, he felt less hesitation, because he kept in remembrance those circumstances which the Helvetian envoys had mentioned, and that he felt the more indignant at them, in proportion as they had happened undeservedly to the Roman people.

qui si alicuius iniuriae sibi conscius fuisset, non fuisse difficile cavere; sed eo deceptum, quod neque commissum a se intellegeret quare timeret neque sine causa timendum putaret.

For if they had been conscious of any wrong they had done, it would not have been difficult to guard against it; yet they were deceived because they neither understood why they should be fearful nor thought there was any cause for fear.

Quod si veteris contumeliae oblivisci vellet, num etiam recentium iniuriarum, quod eo invito iter per provinciam per vim temptassent, quod Haeduos, quod Ambarros, quod Allobrogas vexassent, memoriam deponere posse?

But even if he wished to forget the old insult, could he also lay aside the memory of the recent injuries, since they had attempted a forced passage through the province, harassing the Aedui, the Ambarri, and the Allobroges?

Quod sua victoria tam insolenter gloriarentur quodque tam diu se impune iniuras tulisse admirarentur, eodem pertinere.

Their insolent boasting of victory and their admiration for having suffered such long impunity were related.

Consuesse enim deos immortales, quo gravius homines ex commutatione rerum doleant, quos pro scelere eorum ulcisci velint, his secundiores interdum res et diuturniorem impunitatem concessere.

For the immortal gods are accustomed to grant greater and longer impunity to those they wish to punish for their guilt, so that men may suffer more severely from a reversal of fortune.

Cum ea ita sint, tamen, si obsides ab iis sibi dentur, uti ea quae polliceantur facturos intellegat, et si Haeduis de iniuriis quas ipsis sociisque eorum intulerint, item si Allobrogibus satis faciunt, sese cum iis pacem esse facturum.

Nevertheless, if they give him hostages, he will understand that they will do what they promise, and if they make amends to the Aedui for the injuries they and their allies inflicted, and likewise to the Allobroges, he will make peace with them.

Divico respondit: ita Helvetios a maioribus suis institutos esse uti obsides accipere, non dare, consuerint; eius rei populum Romanum esse testem.

Divico replied: the Helvetii had been trained by their ancestors to receive, not to give, hostages; the Roman people are witnesses to this.

Hoc responso dato discessit.

Having given this reply, he withdrew.

Postero die castra ex eo loco movent.

On the following day they moved their camp from that place.

Idem facit Caesar equitatumque omnem, ad numerum quattuor milium, quem ex omni provincia et Haeduis atque eorum sociis coactum habebat, praemittit, qui videant quas in partes hostes iter faciant.

Caesar does the same, and sends forward all his cavalry, to the number of four thousand, which he had drawn together from all parts of the province, the Aedui and their allies, to observe toward which parts the enemy are directing their march.

Qui cupidius novissimum agmen insecuti alieno loco cum equitatu Helvetiorum proelium committunt; et pauci de nostris cadunt.

These, having too eagerly pursued the enemy’s rear, came to a battle with the cavalry of the Helvetii in an unfavorable place, and a few of our men fell.

Quo proelio sublati Helvetii, quod quingentis equitibus tantam multitudinem equitum propulerant, audacius subsistere non numquam et novissimo agmine proelio nostros lacessere coeperunt.

The Helvetii, elated by this battle, because they had with five hundred horse repulsed such a large body of horse, began to challenge us more boldly, sometimes even from their rear.

Caesar suos a proelio continebat, ac satis habebat in praesentia hostem rapinis, pabulationibus populationibusque prohibere.

Caesar, however, restrained his men from battle, deeming it sufficient for the present to prevent the enemy from rapine, foraging and depredation.

Ita dies circiter XV iter fecerunt uti inter novissimum hostium agmen et nostrum primum non amplius quinis aut senis milibus passuum interesset.

They marched for about fifteen days in such a manner that there was not more than five or six miles between the enemy’s rear and our front.

Interim cotidie Caesar Haeduos frumentum, quod essent publice polliciti, flagitare.

Meanwhile Caesar kept daily importuning the Aedui for the corn which they had publicly promised.

Nam propter frigora non modo frumenta in agris matura non erant, sed ne pabuli quidem satis magna copia suppetebat;

For, because of the cold, the grain in the fields was not ripe, nor was there a sufficient supply of fodder.

eo autem frumento quod flumine Arari navibus subvexerat propterea uti minus poterat quod iter ab Arari Helvetii averterant, a quibus discedere nolebat.

Moreover, he could not use the grain that had been shipped up the river Arar because the Helvetii, from whom he was unwilling to withdraw, had diverted their march from the Arar.