LATIN III: Caesar, De
Bello Gallico Book 5 1-23 One Page Outline
1 In 54 BC Caesar ordered many more ships to be
built and the older ships retrofitted to enhance beach-storming and cargo
carrying capacity. Then, upon hearing
reports of an uprising by the Pirustae
[Illyrian tribe], he hastened to Illyricum
[Roman province in NE Adriatic, modern-day Croatia]. The Pirustae sent legates to Caesar seeking
peace, and Caesar demanded hostages in return. 2 Caesar’s ship-building campaign yielded 600 ships total, including 28
warships. Caesar ordered his force to
assemble at Portus Itius [now
Boulogne] in order to cross to Britain. Meanwhile, he took four legions and 800
cavalry and set out to pacify the rebellious Treveri [powerful Gallic
tribe]. 3 The Treveri have strong
infantry forces. Two of their chieftains, Indutiomarus and Cingetorix, were contending for power. Cingetorix sought terms with Caesar, while
Indutiomarus made ready for war. For
tactical reasons, however, Indutiomarus sent envoys to Caesar requesting a
meeting in Caesar’s camp. 4 Caesar accepted Indutiomarus’
initiative but demanded 200 hostages, including Indutiomarus’ son. This further incensed Indutiomarus. 5
Reaching Portus Itius, Caesar found that with the exception of one
contingent the ships were ready to sail. Along with 4000 cavalry, Caesar determined to take most Gaulish
leaders with him on his expedition, in order to deter Gaulish revolt during his
absence. 6 Among them
was Dumnorix the Aeduan, who was a
revolutionary with influence among the Gauls.
Dumnorix resisted having to accompany Caesar, pleading fear of sailing
and every other sort of excuse. He also
sought to sow dissension among other Gaulish leaders. Informers duly reported Dumnorix’s activities
to Caesar. 7 At the point of sailing
Dumnorix tried to lead the Aeduan cavalry away from the camp. Caesar ordered pursuit, and Dumnorix was
killed trying to resist. The renegade
Aeduan cavalry returned to Caesar. 8 Leaving
Labienus [Caesar’s chief lieutenant]
to oversee matters in Gaul, Caesar set out across the channel with 5 legions
and cavalry. The fleet reached Britain
at midday. The enemy were not visible,
having retrenched to higher ground when they learned the size of the Roman fleet. 9 Leaving Quintus Atrius in charge of the newly-established garrison, Caesar
led a detachment to engage the enemy.
Forming a “tortoise,” the Seventh
Legion seized the enemy stronghold. 10 While pursuing enemy
stragglers, Caesar learned that a storm the night before had severely damaged
the fleet. 11 Inspecting the damage, Caesar determined that 40 ships were lost
but the rest could be repaired. He also
wrote to Labienus on the mainland to order the construction of more ships. Meanwhile, the British had regrouped,
recruited reinforcements, and entrusted the command to Cassivellaunus.
Cassivellaunus and other British tribes had previously been hostile, but
the Roman invasion had cemented Britons in alliance. 12 While
inland Britain is inhabited by indigenous peoples, the coast belongs to
descendants of Belgian raiders. In
Britain, population density is high. Dwellings
are similar to those in Gaul. They use
bronze or gold coins, or iron bars, for currency. Tin and iron are found in Britain but bronze
is imported. Most timber is plentiful,
as in Gaul. Rabbits, chicken and geese
may not be eaten, but are raised as pets.
The climate is temperate and the winters milder than in Gaul. 13 The
island is a triangle, 2000 miles in circumference. One side faces Gaul, the
second Spain, the third looks north
angled toward Germany. The nights are shorter than in Gaul. It is recorded that during the winter solstice
darkness reigns for 30 days. 14 The most civilized tribes live in the SE coastal
region of Kent. The inland peoples do not farm; they wear
animal skins. All Britons paint
themselves blue, have long hair, and shave their bodies except for head and
upper lip. Wives are held in common by
groups of men, and offspring are assigned to the man who first deflowered the
maiden. 15 In numerous skirmishes
Roman superiority in arms generally prevailed, but the Britons scored some
success using surprise tactics. In one
such assault the tribune Quintus Laberius
Durus was killed. 16 Three factors were unfavorable for
the Romans: First, because of their heavy weaponry it was difficult to pursue
the enemy and tactics were inflexible. Second,
the enemy charioteers also used innovative tactics against the Roman cavalry. Third, the enemy did not fight in close
ranks, but in small guerrilla detachments which frequently relieved one
another. 17 In a decisive battle, the enemy initially achieved some success
with such tactics, but ultimately were driven off with large losses. 18 Caesar pursued the enemy to
Cassivellaunus’s territory across the Thames. Though the enemy had reinforced the site with
sharpened stakes, Caesar deployed cavalry and infantry in a combined assault
that drove the enemy into a disorderly retreat. 19 Cassivellaunus
dismissed most of his forces but kept 4,000 charioteers and was careful to
avoid a direct confrontation, but employed guerrilla tactics against the Roman
force. Caesar ordered the legions to lay
waste the countryside and burn the fields and villages. 20 The Trinobantes [tribe
in SE coastal Britain, modern Essex], a tribe hostile to Cassivellaunus, promised to obey Caesar in return for support
and defense of young Mandubracius,
son of the king who had been killed by Cassivellaunus. 21 Other tribes followed suit.
Meanwhile, Caesar’s legions located and stormed the stronghold of Cassivellaunus.
22
Cassivellaunus sent envoys to the four kings of Kent with orders to strike
at the Roman fleet. However, the
attempted sortie led to another large defeat.
When news of this reached Cassivellaunus he sought terms of surrender
with Caesar. 23 Having received hostages from Cassivellaunus, Caesar successfully
overcame logistical and weather difficulties and safely brought the fleet back
to Gaul before the autumnal equinox.
No comments:
Post a Comment