Caesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic and Civil Wars

With the Supplementary Books attributed to Hirtius

Including the Alexandrian, African and Spanish Wars

De bello gallico (Gallic Wars)

Book 4

55 B.C.

“caes.gal.4.1”:[4.1] The following winter (this was the year in which Cn. Pompey
and M. Crassus were consuls), 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.

“caes.gal.4.2”:[4.2] 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.

“caes.gal.4.3”:[4.3] 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 approximity 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].

“caes.gal.4.4”:[4.4] 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.

“caes.gal.4.5”:[4.5] 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.

“caes.gal.4.6”:[4.6] 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.

“caes.gal.4.7”:[4.7] 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.”

“caes.gal.4.8”:[4.8] 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.”

“caes.gal.4.9”:[4.9] 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.

“caes.gal.4.10”:[4.10] 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.

“caes.gal.4.11”:[4.11] 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.

“caes.gal.4.12”:[4.12] 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.

“caes.gal.4.13”:[4.13] 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.

“caes.gal.4.14”:[4.14] 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.

“caes.gal.4.15”:[4.15] 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.

“caes.gal.4.16”:[4.16] 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.

“caes.gal.4.17”:[4.17] 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.

“caes.gal.4.18”:[4.18] 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.

“caes.gal.4.19”:[4.19] 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.

“caes.gal.4.20”:[4.20] 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.

“caes.gal.4.21”:[4.21] 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.

“caes.gal.4.22”:[4.22] 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.

“caes.gal.4.23”:[4.23] 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.

“caes.gal.4.24”:[4.24] 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.

“caes.gal.4.25”:[4.25] 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.

“caes.gal.4.26”:[4.26] 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.

“caes.gal.4.27”:[4.27] 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.

“caes.gal.4.28”:[4.28] 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.

“caes.gal.4.29”:[4.29] 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.

“caes.gal.4.30”:[4.30] 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.

“caes.gal.4.31”:[4.31] 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.

“caes.gal.4.32”:[4.32] 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.

“caes.gal.4.33”:[4.33] 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.

“caes.gal.4.34”:[4.34] 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.

“caes.gal.4.35”:[4.35] 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.

“caes.gal.4.36”:[4.36] 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.

“caes.gal.4.37”:[4.37] 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.

“caes.gal.4.38”:[4.38] 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.

End of Book 4