Book IV
1
The following winter
(this was the year in which Cn. Pompey and M. Crassus were consuls [55 B.C.]),
those Germans [called] the Usipetes, and likewise the Tenchtheri, with a great
number of men, crossed the Rhine, not far from the place at which that river
discharges itself into the sea. The motive for crossing [that river] was, that
having been for several years harassed by the Suevi, they were constantly
engaged in war, and hindered from the pursuits of agriculture. The nation of
the Suevi is by far the largest and the most warlike nation of all the Germans.
They are said to possess a hundred cantons, from each of which they yearly send
from their territories for the purpose of war a thousand armed men: the others
who remain at home, maintain [both] themselves and those engaged in the
expedition. The latter again, in their turn, are in arms the year after: the
former remain at home. Thus neither husbandry, nor the art and practice of war
are neglected. But among them there exists no private and separate land; nor
are they permitted to remain more than one year in one place for the purpose of
residence. They do not live much on corn, but subsist for the most part on milk
and flesh, and are much [engaged] in hunting; which circumstance must, by the
nature of their food, and by their daily exercise and the freedom of their life
(for having from boyhood been accustomed to no employment, or discipline, they
do nothing at all contrary to their inclination), both promote their strength
and render them men of vast stature of body. And to such a habit have they
brought themselves, that even in the coldest parts they wear no clothing
whatever except skins, by reason of the scantiness of which, a great portion of
their body is bare, and besides they bathe in open rivers.
2
Merchants have access to them rather that they may have persons to whom they
may sell those things which they have taken in war, than because they need any
commodity to be imported to them. Moreover, even as to laboring cattle, in
which the Gauls take the greatest pleasure, and which they procure at a great
price, the Germans do not employ such as are imported, but those poor and
ill-shaped animals, which belong to their country; these, however, they render
capable of the greatest labor by daily exercise. In cavalry actions they
frequently leap from their horses and fight on foot; and train their horses to
stand still in the very spot on which they leave them, to which they retreat
with great activity when there is occasion; nor, according to their practice,
is any thing regarded as more unseemly, or more unmanly, than to use housings.
Accordingly, they have the courage, though they be themselves but few, to
advance against any number whatever of horse mounted with housings. They on no
account permit wine to be imported to them, because they consider that men
degenerate in their powers of enduring fatigue, and are rendered effeminate by
that commodity.
3
They esteem it their greatest praise as a nation, that the lands about their
territories lie unoccupied to a very great extent, inasmuch as [they think]
that by this circumstance is indicated, that a great number of nations can not
withstand their power; and thus on one side of the Suevi the lands are said to
lie desolate for about six hundred miles. On the other side they border on the
Ubii, whose state was large and flourishing, considering the condition of the
Germans, and who are somewhat more refined than those of the same race and the
rest [of the Germans], and that because they border on the Rhine, and are much
resorted to by merchants, and are accustomed to the manners of the Gauls, by
reason of their proximity to them. Though the Suevi, after making the attempt
frequently and in several wars, could not expel this nation from their
territories, on account of the extent and population of their state, yet they made
them tributaries, and rendered them less distinguished and powerful [than they
had ever been].
4
In the same condition were the Usipetes and the Tenchtheri (whom we have
mentioned above), who, for many years, resisted the power of the Suevi, but
being at last driven from their possessions, and having wandered through many
parts of Germany, came to the Rhine, to districts which the Menapii inhabited,
and where they had lands, houses, and villages on either side of the river. The
latter people, alarmed by the arrival of so great a multitude, removed from
those houses which they had on the other side of the river, and having placed
guards on this side the Rhine, proceeded to hinder the Germans from crossing.
They, finding themselves, after they had tried all means, unable either to
force a passage on account of their deficiency in shipping, or cross by stealth
on account of the guards of the Menapii, pretended to return to their own
settlements and districts; and, after having proceeded three days’ march,
returned; and their cavalry having performed the whole of this journey in one
night, cut off the Menapii, who were ignorant of, and did not expect [their
approach, and] who, having moreover been informed of the departure of the
Germans by their scouts, had, without apprehension, returned to their villages
beyond the Rhine. Having slain these, and seized their ships, they crossed the
river before that part of the Menapii, who were at peace in their settlements
over the Rhine, were apprized of [their intention]; and seizing all their
houses, maintained themselves upon their provisions during the rest of the
winter.
5
Caesar, when informed of these matters, fearing the fickle disposition of the
Gauls, who are easily prompted to take up resolutions, and much addicted to
change, considered that nothing was to be intrusted to them; for it is the
custom of that people to compel travelers to stop, even against their
inclination, and inquire what they may have heard, or may know, respecting any
matter; and in towns the common people throng around merchants and force them
to state from what countries they come, and what affairs they know of there.
They often engage in resolutions concerning the most important matters, induced
by these reports and stories alone; of which they must necessarily instantly
repent, since they yield to mere unauthorized reports; and since most people
give to their questions answers framed agreeably to their wishes.
6
Caesar, being aware of their custom, in order that he might not encounter a
more formidable war, sets forward to the army earlier in the year than he was
accustomed to do. When he had arrived there, he discovered that those things,
which he had suspected would occur, had taken place; that embassies had been
sent to the Germans by some of the states, and that they had been entreated to
leave the Rhine, and had been promised that all things which they desired
should be provided by the Gauls. Allured by this hope, the Germans were then
making excursions to greater distances, and had advanced to the territories of
the Eburones and the Condrusi, who are under the protection of the Treviri.
After summoning the chiefs of Gaul, Caesar thought proper to pretend ignorance
of the things which he had discovered; and having conciliated and confirmed
their minds, and ordered some cavalry to be raised, resolved to make war
against the Germans.
7
Having provided corn and selected his cavalry, he began to direct his march
toward those parts in which he heard the Germans were. When he was distant from
them only a few days’ march, embassadors came to him from their state, whose
speech was as follows: “That the Germans neither make war upon the Roman people
first, nor do they decline, if they are provoked, to engage with them in arms;
for that this was the custom of the Germans handed down to them from their
forefathers,—to resist whatsoever people make war upon them and not to avert it
by entreaty; this, however, they confessed,—that they had come hither
reluctantly, having been expelled from their country. If the Romans were
disposed to accept their friendship, they might be serviceable allies to them;
and let them either assign them lands, or permit them to retain those which
they had acquired by their arms; that they are inferior to the Suevi alone, to
whom not even the immortal gods can show themselves equal; that there was none
at all besides on earth whom they could not conquer.”
8
To these remarks Caesar replied in such terms as he thought proper; but the
conclusion of his speech was, “That he could make no alliance with them, if
they continued in Gaul; that it was not probable that they who were not able to
defend their own territories, should get possession of those of others, nor
were there any lands lying waste in Gaul, which could be given away, especially
to so great a number of men, without doing wrong [to others]; but they might,
if they were desirous, settle in the territories of the Ubii; whose embassadors
were then with him, and were complaining of the aggressions of the Suevi, and
requesting assistance from him; and that he would obtain this request from
them.”
9
The embassadors said that they would report these things to their country men;
and, after having deliberated on the matter, would return to Caesar after the
third day, they begged that he would not in the mean time advance his camp
nearer to them. Caesar said that he could not grant them even that; for he had
learned that they had sent a great part of their cavalry over the Meuse to the
Ambivariti, some days before, for the purpose of plundering and procuring
forage. He supposed that they were then waiting for these horse, and that the
delay was caused on this account.
10
The Meuse rises from mount Le Vosge, which is in the territories of the
Lingones; and, having received a branch of the Rhine, which is called the Waal,
forms the island of the Batavi, and not more than eighty miles from it it falls
into the ocean. But the Rhine takes its source among the Lepontii, who inhabit
the Alps, and is carried with a rapid current for a long distance through the
territories of the Sarunates, Helvetii, Sequani, Mediomatrici, Tribuci, and
Treviri, and when it approaches the ocean, divides into several branches; and,
having formed many and extensive islands, a great part of which are inhabited
by savage and barbarous nations (of whom there are some who are supposed to
live on fish and the eggs of sea-fowl), flows into the ocean by several mouths.
11
When Caesar was not more than twelve miles distant from the enemy, the
embassadors return to him, as had been arranged; who meeting him on the march,
earnestly entreated him not to advance any further. When they could not obtain
this, they begged him to send on a dispatch to those who had marched in advance
of the main army, and forbid them to engage; and grant them permission to send
embassadors to the Ubii, and if the princes and senate of the latter would give
them security by oath, they assured Caesar that they would accept such
conditions as might be proposed by him; and requested that he would give them
the space of three days for negociating these affairs. Caesar thought that
these things tended to the self-same point [as their other proposal]; [namely]
that, in consequence of a delay of three days intervening, their horse, which
were at a distance, might return; however, he said, that he would not that day
advance further than four miles for the purpose of procuring water; he ordered
that they should assemble at that place in as large a number as possible, the
following day, that he might inquire into their demands. In the mean time he
sends messengers to the officers who had marched in advance with all the
cavalry, to order them not to provoke the enemy to an engagement, and if they
themselves were assailed, to sustain the attack until he came up with the army.
12
But the enemy, as soon as they saw our horse, the number of which was 5000,
whereas they themselves had not more than 800 horse, because those which had
gone over the Meuse for the purpose of foraging had not returned, while our men
had no apprehensions, because their embassadors had gone away from Caesar a
little before, and that day had been requested by them as a period of truce,
made an onset on our men, and soon threw them into disorder. When our men, in
their turn, made a stand, they, according to their practice, leaped from their
horses to their feet, and stabbing our horses in the belly and overthrowing a
great many of our men, put the rest to flight, and drove them forward so much
alarmed that they did not desist from their retreat till they had come in sight
of our army. In that encounter seventy-four of our horse were slain; among
them, Piso, an Aquitanian, a most valiant man, and descended from a very
illustrious family; whose grandfather had held the sovereignty of his state,
and had been styled friend by our senate. He, while he was endeavoring to
render assistance to his brother who was surrounded by the enemy, and whom he
rescued from danger, was himself thrown from his horse, which was wounded under
him, but still opposed [his antagonists] with the greatest intrepidity, as long
as he was able to maintain the conflict. When at length he fell, surrounded on
all sides and after receiving many wounds, and his brother, who had then
retired from the fight, observed it from a distance, he spurred on his horse,
threw himself upon the enemy, and was killed.
13
After this engagement, Caesar considered that neither ought embassadors to be
received to audience, nor conditions be accepted by him from those who, after
having sued for peace by way of stratagem and treachery, had made war without
provocation. And to wait until the enemy’s forces were augmented and their
cavalry had returned, he concluded, would be the greatest madness; and knowing
the fickleness of the Gauls, he felt how much influence the enemy had already
acquired among them by this one skirmish. He [therefore] deemed that no time
for concerting measures ought to be afforded them. After having resolved on
those things and communicated his plans to his lieutenants and quaestor in
order that he might not suffer any opportunity for engaging to escape him, a
very seasonable event occurred, namely, that on the morning of the next day, a
large body of Germans, consisting of their princes and old men, came to the
camp to him to practice the same treachery and dissimulation; but, as they
asserted, for the purpose of acquitting themselves for having engaged in a
skirmish the day before, contrary to what had been agreed and to what indeed,
they themselves had requested; and also if they could by any means obtain a
truce by deceiving him. Caesar, rejoicing that they had fallen into his power,
ordered them to be detained. He then drew all his forces out of the camp, and
commanded the cavalry, because he thought they were intimidated by the late
skirmish, to follow in the rear.
14
Having marshalled his army in three lines, and in a short time performed a
march of eight miles, he arrived at the camp of the enemy before the Germans
could perceive what was going on; who being suddenly alarmed by all the
circumstances, both by the speediness of our arrival and the absence of their
own officers, as time was afforded neither for concerting measures nor for
seizing their arms, are perplexed as to whether it would be better to lead out
their forces against the enemy, or to defend their camp, or seek their safety
by flight. Their consternation being made apparent by their noise and tumult,
our soldiers, excited by the treachery of the preceding day, rushed into the
camp: such of them as could readily get their arms, for a short time withstood
our men, and gave battle among their carts and baggage wagons; but the rest of
the people, [consisting] of boys and women (for they had left their country and
crossed the Rhine with all their families) began to fly in all directions; in
pursuit of whom Caesar sent the cavalry.
15
The Germans when, upon hearing a noise behind them, [they looked and] saw that
their families were being slain, throwing away their arms and abandoning their
standards, fled out of the camp, and when they had arrived at the confluence of
the Meuse and the Rhine, the survivors despairing of further escape, as a great
number of their countrymen had been killed, threw themselves into the river and
there perished, overcome by fear, fatigue, and the violence of the stream. Our
soldiers, after the alarm of so great a war, for the number of the enemy
amounted to 430,000, returned to their camp, all safe to a man, very few being
even wounded. Caesar granted those whom he had detained in the camp liberty of
departing. They however, dreading revenge and torture from the Gauls, whose
lands they had harassed, said that they desired to remain with him. Caesar
granted them permission.
16
The German war being finished, Caesar thought it expedient for him to cross the
Rhine, for many reasons; of which this was the most weighty, that, since he saw
the Germans were so easily urged to go into Gaul, he desired they should have
their fears for their own territories, when they discovered that the army of
the Roman people both could and dared pass the Rhine. There was added also,
that portion of the cavalry of the Usipetes and the Tenchtheri, which I have
above related to have crossed the Meuse for the purpose of plundering and
procuring forage, and was not present at the engagement, had betaken
themselves, after the retreat of their countrymen, across the Rhine into the
territories of the Sigambri, and united themselves to them. When Caesar sent
embassadors to them, to demand that they should give up to him those who had
made war against him and against Gaul, they replied, “That the Rhine bounded
the empire of the Roman people; if he did not think it just for the Germans to
pass over into Gaul against his consent, why did he claim that any thing beyond
the Rhine should be subject to his dominion or power?” The Ubii, also, who
alone, out of all the nations lying beyond the Rhine, had sent embassadors to
Caesar, and formed an alliance and given hostages, earnestly entreated “that he
would bring them assistance, because they were grievously oppressed by the
Suevi; or, if he was prevented from doing so by the business of the
commonwealth, he would at least transport his army over the Rhine; that that
would be sufficient for their present assistance and their hope for the future;
that so great was the name and the reputation of his army, even among the most
remote nations of the Germans, arising from the defeat of Ariovistus and this
last battle which was fought, that they might be safe under the fame and
friendship of the Roman people.” They promised a large number of ships for
transporting the army.
17
Caesar, for those reasons which I have mentioned, had resolved to cross the
Rhine; but to cross by ships he neither deemed to be sufficiently safe, nor
considered consistent with his own dignity or that of the Roman people.
Therefore, although the greatest difficulty in forming a bridge was presented
to him, on account of the breadth, rapidity, and depth of the river, he
nevertheless considered that it ought to be attempted by him, or that his army
ought not otherwise to be led over. He devised this plan of a bridge. He joined
together at the distance of two feet, two piles, each a foot and a half thick,
sharpened a little at the lower end, and proportioned in length, to the depth
of the river. After he had, by means of engines, sunk these into the river, and
fixed them at the bottom, and then driven them in with rammers, not quite
perpendicularly, dike a stake, but bending forward and sloping, so as to
incline in the direction of the current of the river; he also placed two [other
piles] opposite to these, at the distance of forty feet lower down, fastened
together in the same manner, but directed against the force and current of the
river. Both these, moreover, were kept firmly apart by beams two feet thick
(the space which the binding of the piles occupied), laid in at their
extremities between two braces on each side, and in consequence of these being
in different directions and fastened on sides the one opposite to the other, so
great was the strength of the work, and such the arrangement of the materials,
that in proportion as the greater body of water dashed against the bridge, so
much the closer were its parts held fastened together. These beams were bound
together by timber laid over them, in the direction of the length of the
bridge, and were [then] covered over with laths and hurdles; and in addition to
this, piles were driven into the water obliquely, at the lower side of the
bridge, and these, serving as buttresses, and being connected with every
portion of the work, sustained the force of the stream: and there were others
also above the bridge, at a moderate distance; that if trunks of trees or
vessels were floated down the river by the barbarians for the purpose of
destroying the work, the violence of such things might be diminished by these
defenses, and might not injure the bridge.
18
Within ten days after the timber began to be collected, the whole work was
completed, and the whole army led over. Caesar, leaving a strong guard at each
end of the bridge, hastens into the territories of the Sigambri. In the mean
time, embassadors from several nations come to him, whom, on their suing for
peace and alliance, he answers in a courteous manner, and orders hostages to be
brought to him. But the Sigambri, at the very time the bridge was begun to be
built, made preparations for a flight (by the advice of such of the Tenchtheri
and Usipetes as they had among them), and quitted their territories, and
conveyed away all their possessions, and concealed themselves in deserts and
woods.
19
Caesar, having remained in their territories a few days, and burned all their
villages and houses, and cut down their corn, proceeded into the territories of
the Ubii; and having promised them his assistance, if they were ever harassed
by the Suevi, he learned from them these particulars: that the Suevi, after
they had by means of their scouts found that the bridge was being built, had
called a council, according to their custom, and sent orders to all parts of
their state to remove from the towns and convey their children, wives, and all
their possessions into the woods, and that all who could bear arms should
assemble in one place; that the place thus chosen was nearly the centre of
those regions which the Suevi possessed; that in this spot they had resolved to
await the arrival of the Romans, and give them battle there. When Caesar discovered
this, having already accomplished all these things on account of which he had
resolved to lead his army over, namely, to strike fear into the Germans, take
vengeance on the Sigambri, and free the Ubii from the invasion of the Suevi,
having spent altogether eighteen days beyond the Rhine, and thinking he had
advanced far enough to serve both honor and interest, he returned into Gaul,
and cut down the bridge.
20
During the short part of summer which remained, Caesar, although in these
countries, as all Gaul lies toward the north, the winters are early,
nevertheless resolved to proceed into Britain, because he discovered that in
almost all the wars with the Gauls succors had been furnished to our enemy from
that country; and even if the time of year should be insufficient for carrying
on the war, yet he thought it would be of great service to him if he only
entered the island, and saw into the character of the people, and got knowledge
of their localities, harbors, and landing-places, all which were for the most
part unknown to the Gauls. For neither does any one except merchants generally
go thither, nor even to them was any portion of it known, except the sea-coast
and those parts which are opposite to Gaul. Therefore, after having called up
to him the merchants from all parts, he could learn neither what was the size
of the island, nor what or how numerous were the nations which inhabited it,
nor what system of war they followed, nor what customs they used, nor what
harbors were convenient for a great number of large ships.
21
He sends before him Caius Volusenus with a ship of war, to acquire a knowledge
of these particulars before he in person should make a descent into the island,
as he was convinced that this was a judicious measure. He commissioned him to
thoroughly examine into all matters, and then return to him as soon as
possible. He himself proceeds to the Morini with all his forces. He orders
ships from all parts of the neighboring countries, and the fleet which the
preceding summer he had built for the war with the Veneti, to assemble in this
place. In the mean time, his purpose having been discovered, and reported to
the Britons by merchants, embassadors come to him from several states of the
island, to promise that they will give hostages, and submit to the government
of the Roman people. Having given them an audience, he after promising
liberally, and exhorting them to continue in that purpose, sends them back to
their own country, and [dispatches] with them Commius, whom, upon subduing the
Atrebates, he had created king there, a man whose courage and conduct he
esteemed, and who he thought would be faithful to him, and whose influence
ranked highly in those countries. He orders him to visit as many states as he
could, and persuade them to embrace the protection of the Roman people, and
apprize them that he would shortly come thither. Volusenus, having viewed the localities
as far as means could be afforded one who dared not leave his ship and trust
himself to barbarians, returns to Caesar on the fifth day, and reports what he
had there observed.
22
While Caesar remains in these parts for the purpose of procuring ships,
embassadors come to him from a great portion of the Morini, to plead their
excuse respecting their conduct on the late occasion; alleging that it was as
men uncivilized, and as those who were unacquainted with our custom, that they
had made war upon the Roman people, and promising to perform what he should
command. Caesar, thinking that this had happened fortunately enough for him,
because he neither wished to leave an enemy behind him, nor had an opportunity
for carrying on a war, by reason of the time of year, nor considered that
employment in such trifling matters was to be preferred to his enterprise on
Britain, imposes a large number of hostages; and when these were brought, he
received them to his protection. Having collected together, and provided about
eighty transport ships, as many as he thought necessary for conveying over two
legions, he assigned such [ships] of war as he had besides to the quaestor, his
lieutenants, and officers of cavalry. There were in addition to these eighteen
ships of burden which were prevented, eight miles from that place, by winds,
from being able to reach the same port. These he distributed among the horse;
the rest of the army, he delivered to Q. Titurius Sabinus and L. Aurunculeius
Cotta, his lieutenants, to lead into the territories of the Menapii and those
cantons of the Morini from which embassadors had not come to him. He ordered P.
Sulpicius Rufus, his lieutenant, to hold possession of the harbor, with such a
garrison as he thought sufficient.
23
These matters being arranged, finding the weather favorable for his voyage, he
set sail about the third watch, and ordered the horse to march forward to the
further port, and there embark and follow him. As this was performed rather
tardily by them, he himself reached Britain with the first squadron of ships,
about the fourth hour of the day, and there saw the forces of the enemy drawn
up in arms on all the hills. The nature of the place was this: the sea was
confined by mountains so close to it that a dart could be thrown from their
summit upon the shore. Considering this by no means a fit place for
disembarking, he remained at anchor till the ninth hour, for the other ships to
arrive there. Having in the mean time assembled the lieutenants and military
tribunes, he told them both what he had learned from Volusenus, and what he
wished to be done; and enjoined them (as the principle of military matters, and
especially as maritime affairs, which have a precipitate and uncertain action,
required) that all things should be performed by them at a nod and at the
instant. Having dismissed them, meeting both with wind and tide favorable at
the same time, the signal being given and the anchor weighed, he advanced about
seven miles from that place, and stationed his fleet over against an open and
level shore.
24
But the barbarians, upon perceiving the design of the Romans, sent forward
their cavalry and charioteers, a class of warriors of whom it is their practice
to make great use in their battles, and following with the rest of their
forces, endeavored to prevent our men landing. In this was the greatest
difficulty, for the following reasons, namely, because our ships, on account of
their great size, could be stationed only in deep water; and our soldiers, in
places unknown to them, with their hands embarrassed, oppressed with a large
and heavy weight of armor, had at the same time to leap from the ships, stand
amid the waves, and encounter the enemy; whereas they, either on dry ground, or
advancing a little way into the water, free in all their limbs in places
thoroughly known to them, could confidently throw their weapons and spur on
their horses, which were accustomed to this kind of service. Dismayed by these
circumstances and altogether untrained in this mode of battle, our men did not
all exert the same vigor and eagerness which they had been wont to exert in
engagements on dry ground.
25
When Caesar observed this, he ordered the ships of war, the appearance of which
was somewhat strange to the barbarians and the motion more ready for service,
to be withdrawn a little from the transport vessels, and to be propelled by
their oars, and be stationed toward the open flank of the enemy, and the enemy
to be beaten off and driven away, with slings, arrows, and engines: which plan
was of great service to our men; for the barbarians being startled by the form
of our ships and the motions of our oars and the nature of our engines, which
was strange to them, stopped, and shortly after retreated a little. And while
our men were hesitating [whether they should advance to the shore], chiefly on
account of the depth of the sea, he who carried the eagle of the tenth legion,
after supplicating the gods that the matter might turn out favorably to the
legion, exclaimed, “Leap, fellow soldiers, unless you wish to betray your eagle
to the enemy. I, for my part, will perform my duty to the commonwealth and my
general.” When he had said this with a loud voice, he leaped from the ship and
proceeded to bear the eagle toward the enemy. Then our men, exhorting one
another that so great a disgrace should not be incurred, all leaped from the
ship. When those in the nearest vessels saw them, they speedily followed and
approached the enemy.
26
The battle was maintained vigorously on both sides. Our men, however, as they
could neither keep their ranks, nor get firm footing, nor follow their
standards, and as one from one ship and another from another assembled around
whatever standards they met, were thrown into great confusion. But the enemy,
who were acquainted with all the shallows, when from the shore they saw any coming
from a ship one by one, spurred on their horses, and attacked them while
embarrassed; many surrounded a few, others threw their weapons upon our
collected forces on their exposed flank. When Caesar observed this, he ordered
the boats of the ships of war and the spy sloops to be filled with soldiers,
and sent them up to the succor of those whom he had observed in distress. Our
men, as soon as they made good their footing on dry ground, and all their
comrades had joined them, made an attack upon the enemy, and put them to
flight, but could not pursue them very far, because the horse had not been able
to maintain their course at sea and reach the island. This alone was wanting to
Caesar’s accustomed success.
27
The enemy being thus vanquished in battle, as soon as they recovered after
their flight, instantly sent embassadors to Caesar to negotiate about peace.
They promised to give hostages and perform what he should command. Together
with these embassadors came Commius the Altrebatian, who, as I have above said,
had been sent by Caesar into Britain. Him they had seized upon when leaving his
ship, although in the character of embassador he bore the general’s commission
to them, and thrown into chains: then after the battle was fought, they sent
him back, and in suing for peace cast the blame of that act upon the common
people, and entreated that it might be pardoned on account of their
indiscretion. Caesar, complaining, that after they had sued for peace, and had
voluntarily sent embassadors into the continent for that purpose, they had made
war without a reason, said that he would pardon their indiscretion, and imposed
hostages, a part of whom they gave immediately; the rest they said they would
give in a few days, since they were sent for from remote places. In the mean
time they ordered their people to return to the country parts, and the chiefs
assembled from all quarter, and proceeded to surrender themselves and their
states to Caesar.
28
A peace being established by these proceedings four days after we had come into
Britain, the eighteen ships, to which reference has been made above, and which
conveyed the cavalry, set sail from the upper port with a gentle gale, when,
however, they were approaching Britain and were seen from the camp, so great a
storm suddenly arose that none of them could maintain their course at sea; and
some were taken back to the same port from which they had started;-others, to
their great danger, were driven to the lower part of the island, nearer to the
west; which, however, after having cast anchor, as they were getting filled
with water, put out to sea through necessity in a stormy night, and made for
the continent.
29
It happened that night to be full moon, which usually occasions very high tides
in that ocean; and that circumstance was unknown to our men. Thus, at the same
time, the tide began to fill the ships of war which Caesar had provided to
convey over his army, and which he had drawn up on the strand; and the storm
began to dash the ships of burden which were riding at anchor against each
other; nor was any means afforded our men of either managing them or of
rendering any service. A great many ships having been wrecked, inasmuch as the
rest, having lost their cables, anchors, and other tackling, were unfit for
sailing, a great confusion, as would necessarily happen, arose throughout the
army; for there were no other ships in which they could be conveyed back, and
all things which are of service in repairing vessels were wanting, and, corn
for the winter had not been provided in those places, because it was understood
by all that they would certainly winter in Gaul.
30
On discovering these things the chiefs of Britain, who had come up after the
battle was fought to perform those conditions which Caesar had imposed, held a
conference, when they perceived that cavalry, and ships, and corn were wanting
to the Romans, and discovered the small number of our soldiers from the small
extent of the camp (which, too, was on this account more limited than ordinary,
because Caesar had conveyed over his legions without baggage), and thought that
the best plan was to renew the war, and cut off our men from corn and
provisions and protract the affair till winter; because they felt confident,
that, if they were vanquished or cut off from a return, no one would afterward
pass over into Britain for the purpose of making war. Therefore, again entering
into a conspiracy, they began to depart from the camp by degrees and secretly
bring up their people from the country parts.
31
But Caesar, although he had not as yet discovered their measures, yet, both
from what had occurred to his ships, and from the circumstance that they had
neglected to give the promised hostages, suspected that the thing would come to
pass which really did happen. He therefore provided remedies against all
contingencies; for he daily conveyed corn from the country parts into the camp,
used the timber and brass of such ships as were most seriously damaged for
repairing the rest, and ordered whatever things besides were necessary for this
object to be brought to him from the continent. And thus, since that business
was executed by the soldiers with the greatest energy, he effected that, after
the loss of twelve ships, a voyage could be made well enough in the rest.
32
While these things are being transacted, one legion had been sent to forage,
according to custom, and no suspicion of war had arisen as yet, and some of the
people remained in the country parts, others went backward and forward to the
camp, they who were on duty at the gates of the camp reported to Caesar that a
greater dust than was usual was seen in that direction in which the legion had
marched. Caesar, suspecting that which was [really the case],—that some new
enterprise was undertaken by the barbarians,—ordered the two cohorts which were
on duty, to march into that quarter with him, and two other cohorts to relieve
them on duty; the rest to be armed and follow him immediately. When he had
advanced some little way from the camp, he saw that his men were overpowered by
the enemy and scarcely able to stand their ground, and that, the legion being
crowded together, weapons were being cast on them from all sides. For as all
the corn was reaped in every part with the exception of one, the enemy,
suspecting that our men would repair to that, had concealed themselves in the
woods during the night. Then attacking them suddenly, scattered as they were,
and when they had laid aside their arms, and were engaged in reaping, they
killed a small number, threw the rest into confusion, and surrounded them with
their cavalry and chariots.
33
Their mode of fighting with their chariots is this: firstly, they drive about
in all directions and throw their weapons and generally break the ranks of the
enemy with the very dread of their horses and the noise of their wheels; and
when they have worked themselves in between the troops of horse, leap from
their chariots and engage on foot. The charioteers in the mean time withdraw
some little distance from the battle, and so place themselves with the chariots
that, if their masters are overpowered by the number of the enemy, they may
have a ready retreat to their own troops. Thus they display in battle the speed
of horse, [together with] the firmness of infantry; and by daily practice and
exercise attain to such expertness that they are accustomed, even on a
declining and steep place, to check their horses at full speed, and manage and
turn them in an instant and run along the pole, and stand on the yoke, and
thence betake themselves with the greatest celerity to their chariots again.
34
Under these circumstances, our men being dismayed by the novelty of this mode
of battle, Caesar most seasonably brought assistance; for upon his arrival the
enemy paused, and our men recovered from their fear; upon which thinking the
time unfavorable for provoking the enemy and coming to an action, he kept
himself in his own quarter, and, a short time having intervened, drew back the
legions into the camp. While these things are going on, and all our men
engaged, the rest of the Britons, who were in the fields, departed. Storms then
set in for several successive days, which both confined our men to the camp and
hindered the enemy from attacking us. In the mean time the barbarians
dispatched messengers to all parts, and reported to their people the small
number of our soldiers, and how good an opportunity was given for obtaining
spoil and for liberating themselves forever, if they should only drive the
Romans from their camp. Having by these means speedily got together a large
force of infantry and of cavalry they came up to the camp.
35
Although Caesar anticipated that the same thing which had happened on former
occasions would then occur-that, if the enemy were routed, they would escape
from danger by their speed; still, having got about thirty horse, which Commius
the Atrebatian, of whom mention has been made, had brought over with him [from
Gaul], he drew up the legions in order of battle before the camp. When the
action commenced, the enemy were unable to sustain the attack of our men long,
and turned their backs; our men pursued them as far as their speed and strength
permitted, and slew a great number of them; then, having destroyed and burned
every thing far and wide, they retreated to their camp.
36
The same day, embassadors sent by the enemy came to Caesar to negotiate a
peace. Caesar doubled the number of hostages which he had before demanded; and
ordered that they should be brought over to the continent, because, since the
time of the equinox was near, he did not consider that, with his ships out of
repair, the voyage ought to be deferred till winter. Having met with favorable
weather, he set sail a little after midnight, and all his fleet arrived safe at
the continent, except two of the ships of burden which could not make the same
port which the other ships did, and were carried a little lower down.
37
When our soldiers, about 300 in number, had been drawn out of these two ships,
and were marching to the camp, the Morini, whom Caesar, when setting forth for
Britain, had left in a state of peace, excited by the hope of spoil, at first
surrounded them with a small number of men, and ordered them to lay down their
arms, if they did not wish to be slain; afterward however, when they, forming a
circle, stood on their defense, a shout was raised and about 6000 of the enemy
soon assembled; which being reported, Caesar sent all the cavalry in the camp
as a relief to his men. In the mean time our soldiers sustained the attack of
the enemy, and fought most valiantly for more than four hours, and, receiving
but few wounds themselves, slew several of them. But after our cavalry came in
sight, the enemy, throwing away their arms, turned their backs, and a great
number of them were killed.
38
The day following Caesar sent Labienus, his lieutenant, with those legions which
he had brought back from Britain, against the Morini, who had revolted; who, as
they had no place to which they might retreat, on account of the drying up of
their marshes (which they had availed themselves of as a place of refuge the
preceding year), almost all fell into the power of Labienus. In the mean time
Caesar’s lieutenants, Q. Titurius and L. Cotta, who had led the legions into
the territories of the Menapii, having laid waste all their lands, cut down
their corn and burned their houses, returned to Caesar because the Menapii had
all concealed themselves in their thickest woods. Caesar fixed the winter
quarters of all the legions among the Belgae. Thither only two British states
sent hostages; the rest omitted to do so. For these successes, a thanksgiving
of twenty days was decreed by the senate upon receiving Caesar’s letter.
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