Caesar De Bello Gallico 4:26 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar DBG

Instructor:  James Ransom

February 17, 2014

Caesar, DBG 4:26
 Course Notes
© 2014 James Ransom, M.A., J.D.

[26]      1       Pugnatum est ab utrisque acriter. Nostri tamen, quod neque ordines servare neque firmiter insistere neque signa subsequi poterant atque alius alia ex navi quibuscumque signis occurrerat se aggregabat, magnopere perturbabantur;     2       hostes vero, notis omnibus vadii, ubi ex litore aliquos singulares ex navi egredientes conspexerant, incitatis equis impeditos adoriebantur, 3 plures paucos circumsistebant, alii ab latere aperto in universos tela coiciebant.     4          Quod cum animadvertisset Caesar, scaphas longarum navium, item speculatoria navigia militibus compleri iussit, et quos laborantes conspexerat, his subsidia submittebat.      5 Nostri, simul in arido constiterunt, suis omnibus consecutis, in hostes impetum fecerunt atque eos in fugam dederunt; neque longius prosequi potuerunt, quod equites cursum tenere atque insulam capere non potuerant. Hoc unum ad pristinam fortunam Caesari defuit.

1  Pugnatum est ab utrisque acriter Both sides fought fiercely;  “pugnatum est” is impersonal perfect passive participle of pugno, pugnare, pugnavi, pugnatum.  Lit.:  “the battle was fought fiercely…”

Nostri tamen, quod neque ordines servare neque firmiter insistere But our men could neither keep in formation nor find a firm foothold; “servare” is present infinitive of servo, servare, servavi, servatum.  “insistere” is present infinitive of insisto, insistere, institi, “to set foot, stand, tread.”  neque signa subsequi poterant nor even to follow their standards; “subsequi” is present infinitive of subsequor.  “poterant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of the irregular possum, posse, potui.    atque alius alia ex navi quibuscumque signis occurrerat se adgregabat but rather different men from different ships ran toward and congregated around any standard they could reach;  “aggregebat”  is third person singular imperfect indicative active of aggrego, aggregari, aggregavi, aggregatum, “to crowd, flock together.”  “occurrerat” is third person singular imperfect indicative active of occurro, occurrere, occurri, occursum, “to rush to, go to meet, charge.”  magnopere perturbabantur and they were on the verge of panic; “perturbabantur” is third person plural imperfect indicative passive of perturbo, perturbare, perturbavi, perturbatum, “to disturb, trouble, alarm.” 

2  hostes vero, notis omnibus vadii, ubi ex litore aliquos singulares ex navi egredientes conspexerant while the enemy, knowing each shoal and shallow, whenever they spotted from their vantage on the shore any of our men attempting to disembark;  “conspexerant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of conspicio, conspicere, conspexi, conspectum, “to notice, catch sight of.”  “egredientes” is present active participle of the deponent egredior, egredi, egressus sum, “to come out, disembark, land.”  incitatis equis impeditos adoriebantur they spurred their horses to the attack while our men were struggling; “adoriebantur” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of the deponent adioror, adoriri, adortus sum, “to assault, attack.” 3         plures paucos circumsistebant and many of them were ganging up on one or two of ours; “circumsistebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of cirumsisto, circumsistere, circumstiti, circumstatum.  alii ab latere aperto in universos tela coiciebant while others hurled spears at the exposed flank of those men who had achieved formation; “coiciebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of coicio, coicere, coieci, coiectum, “to throw.”

4  Quod cum animadvertisset Caesar, scaphas longarum navium, item speculatoria navigia militibus compleri iussit When Caesar analyzed the situation, he ordered the exposed men aboard both the warships and the reconnaissance craft;  “iussit” is third person singular perfect indicative active of iubeo, iubere, iussi, iussum, “to command, order.” “compleri” is present passive infinitive of compleo, complere, complevi, completum,”to fill up completely.”   et quos laborantes conspexerat, his subsidia submittebat and where he saw men in distress, he summoned them assistance; “submittebat” is third person singular imperfect indicative active of submitto, submittere, submissi, submissum. 

5 Nostri, simul in arido constiterunt, suis omnibus consecutis As soon as the first of our men reached the shore, the rest following close behind; “consecutis” is ablative participle of the deponent consequor, consequi, consecutus sum; ablative absolute with “suis omnibus.”  “constiterunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of consto, constare, constati, constatum, “to stand together, stand firm.” 

in hostes impetum fecerunt atque eos in fugam dederunt they charged the enemy and put them to flight; “dederunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of do, dare, dedi, datum.  “fecerunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of facio, facere, feci, factum.  neque longius prosequi potuerunt, quod equites cursum tenere atque insulam capere non potuerant but were unable to sustain the pursuit long, because the cavalry had failed to stay on course and achieve the island.  “potuerant” is third person plural pluperfect indicative active of the irregular possum, posse, potui.  “capere” is present infinitive of capio, capere, cepi, captum, “to capture, seize, take.”  “tenere” is present infinitive active of teneo, tenere, tenui, tentum.  “potuerunt”is third person singular perfect indicative active of possum.  “prosequi” is present infinitive active of the deponent prosequor, prosequi, prosecutus sum. 

Hoc unum ad pristinam fortunam Caesari defuit  Here, for once, Caesar’s wonted luck deserted him; “defuit” is third person singular perfect indicative active of desum, deesse, defui, defuturus, “to abandon, desert, neglect.”

Latin III Course Schedule for Week of February 17, 2004

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom

February 17, 2014

Week of February 17

Course Schedule

Tuesday, February 18

Ritchie Hercules 18:  Madness and Murder
Vocabulary Quiz:  First Declension Nouns and First Conjugation verbs

• Nouns:  know nominative, genitive, and gender as well as definition
• Verbs:  know all principal parts

Caesar DBG 4:25

Remember the prep regimen [for each chapter of DBG]:

    Read the passage in both Latin and English

·      Master the running core vocabulary and the new vocabulary specific to each chapter

·      Prepare a translation using both Steadman's notes and my Course Notes (available on the blog)

·       Listen to the audio recitation.  Audio files of the Latin text.   The audio file for each chapter is only a few minutes long.  It’s not too much trouble to go through it several times on this protocol: 

·         First listen to the Latin text while reading along in Latin

·         Then try listening again, this time following the English translation

·         Then listen a third time without reference to a written version.  How’s your comprehension?

o    Note passages you still don’t quite understand on the audio and go back to the text and notes. 

·      Recite the passage aloud in Latin, with special attention to correct classical pronunciation

·         Aim to prepare so that when called to recite in class, your Latin recitation is correct and smooth. 

§  The goal (which we won’t achieve all at once, but we’re making progress and let’s keep up the progress) is to recite

o    without stumbling over words

o    without  uncertain wavering back and forth between classical and Church pronunciation. 

o    with a confident declaratory tone, avoiding tentative or self-questioning intonation

·      Try to translate the Latin passage without reference to notes.  Note the difficult points and refer back to the notes to resolve the difficulty.

·         Also:  fill out the worksheets and bring them to class

Wednesday, February 19

Caesar DBG 4:26

Freeman, Julius Caesar  Chapter 9

Abe will make a presentation and lead class discussion.  Come prepared with your questions and comments. 

Thursday, February 20

Caesar DBG 4:27

Wheelock 22:  Fifth Declension; Ablative of Place Where; Summary of Ablative Uses

[Assignments for the Sententiae and Exercitationes will be made at the Tuesday class]

Latin III Course Schedule Week of February 10, 2014

Latin III: Caesar

Instructor:  James Ransom

February 9, 2014

Course Schedule

Week of February 10

Tuesday, February 11

WHEELOCK 20 (Fourth Declension; Ablatives of Place, Separation)

RITCHIE Hercules 17 "The Defeat of the Minyae"

CAESAR, DBG 38-54 in English

(Joe assigned to lead class discussion.  All class members:  come with comments and questions for Joe.) 

Essay #1 Topic Paragraph Due

Wednesday, February 12

CAESAR, DBG BOOK 2

(John assigned to lead class discussion.)

CAESAR, DBG BOOK 3, 4.1-23

(Bernie assigned to lead class discussion.)

FREEMAN Chapter 5

(Abe assigned to lead class discussion)

CAESAR 4.24

Come prepared to recite and translate 4.24

·      Read the passage in both Latin and English

·      Master the running core vocabulary and the new vocabulary specific to 4.24

·      Prepare a translation using both Steadman's notes and my Course Notes (available on the blog)

·       Listen to the audio recitation.  Audio files of the Latin text.

·      Recite the passage aloud in Latin

·      Try to translate the Latin passage without reference to notes.  Note the difficult points and refer back to the notes to resolve the difficulty. 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13

WHEELOCK 21:  Third and Fourth Conjugations; Present System Passive

CAESAR 4.25 (Follow the prep regimen above.)

Caesar De Bello Gallico 4.25 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom

DBG 4.25
Course Notes
© 2014 James Ransom, M.A., J.D.

[25]          1         Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, naves longas, quarum et species erat barbaris inusitatior et motus ad usum expeditior, paulum removeri ab onerariis navibus et remis incitari et ad latus apertum hostium constitui atque inde fundis, sagittis, tormentis hostes propelli ac submoveri iussit; quae res magno usui nostris fuit.        

2         Nam et navium figura et remorum motu et inusitato genere tormentorum permoti barbari constiterunt ac paulum modo pedem rettulerunt.          3         Atque nostris militibus cunctantibus, maxime propter altitudinem maris, qui X legionis aquilam gerebat, obtestatus deos, ut ea res legioni feliciter eveniret, ' desilite', inquit, ' milites, nisi vultis aquilam hostibus prodere; ego certe meum rei publicae atque imperatori officium praestitero.'          4         Hoc cum voce magna dixisset, se ex navi proiecit atque in hostes aquilam ferre coepit.

5         Tum nostri cohortati inter se, ne tantum dedecus admitteretur, universi ex navi desiluerunt.                  6         Hos item ex proximis primi navibus cum conspexissent, subsecuti hostibus adpropinquaverunt.

_____________________________________________________________

1            Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit When Caesar realized the situation; "animadvertit" is third person singular present active indicative of animadverto, animadvertere, animadverti, animadversum, "notice, observe, judge, estimate."  naves longas...paulum removeri ob onerariis navibus...iussit he ordered the warships to remove a short distance from the troop carriers; "removeri" is present passive infinitive of removeo, removere, removi, remotus, "remove."  et remis incitari et ad latus apertum hostium constitui and to swiftly reposition on the enemy's left flank; "constitui" is present passive infinitive of constituo, constituere, constitui, constitutum, "to set up, establish."  "incitari" is present active infinitive of incito, incitare, incitavi, incitatum, "to set in rapid motion, hasten, accelerate."  atque inde fundis, sagittis, tormentis hostes propelli ac submoveri and from there drive the enemy away with slingshot, arrows and missiles; "submoveri" is present passive infinitive of submoveo, submovere, submovi, submotum, "to drive off or away."  "propelli" is present passive infinitive of propello, propellere, propuli propulsum, "to expel, drive away."   

Now for the subordinate clause earlier in the sentence:  quarum et species erat barbaris inusitatior et motus ad usum expeditior which were not only less familiar to the savages, but more maneuverable; "inusitatior" and "expeditior":  comparative adjectives. 

quae res magno usui nostris fuit  these tactics were very effective for our side.  See Steadman's note on the use of the dative. 

2            Nam et navium figura et remorum motu et inusitato genere tormentorum permoti barbari constiterunt ac paulum modo pedem rettulerunt Now the natives, driven into a panic by the spectre of the ships and their menacing oars and strange engines of war, stopped and retreated a short distance; "rettulerunt" is third person plural perfect indicative active of (re-)fero, ferre, tuli, latum, "to drive or carry back, to return."  "permoti" is perfect passive participle of permoveo, permovere, permovi, permotum, "to shake up, agitate." 

3            Atque nostris militibus cunctantibus, maxime propter altitudinem maris Meanwhile our soldiers hesitated, primarily because of the depth of the sea; "cunctantibus" is the ablative masculine present participle of the deponent cunctor, cunctari, cunctatus sum, "to delay, hesitate, hold up."  ablative absolute with "nostris militibus." 

qui X legionis aquilam gerebat, obtestatus deos, ut ea res legioni feliciter eveniret, the eagle-bearer of the 10th Legion, having prayed the gods that the legion might gain strength by what he was about to do; "eveniret" is third person singular imperfect subjunctive active of evenio, evenire, eveni, eventum, "to happen, occur, come forth."  "obtestatus" is perfect participle of the deponent obtestor, obtestari, obtestatus sum, "to beseech, implore, bear witness (or call on someone to bear witness)."  "gerebat"  is third person singular imperfect indicative active of gero, gerere, gessi, gestum, "to carry, bear." 

' desilite', inquit, ' milites, nisi vultis aquilam hostibus prodere; ego certe meum rei publicae atque imperatori officium praestitero.' "Jump in, comrades!" he said, "unless you want our standard to fall to the foe; in any event, I at least will have done my duty, both to Rome and to our general."  "praestitero" is first person singular future perfect active of praesto, praestare, praestiti, praestatum, "to stand out, excel."  "prodere" is present infinitive active of prodo, prodere, prodidi, proditum, "to give up, abandon, surrender."  "desilite" is plural imperative of desilio, desilire, desilui, "to jump down, dismount."

4            Hoc cum voce magna dixisset, se ex navi proiecit atque in hostes aquilam ferre coepit Once having shouted these words, he pushed off from the ship and bore the eagle of the legion toward the enemy. "coepit" is third person singular perfect indicative active of the defective verb coepi, coepisse, coeptum, "to begin." "ferre" is present infinitive active of fero, ferre, tuli, latum, "to bear, carry."  "proiecit" is third person singular perfect indicative active of proicio, proicere, proieci, proiectum, "to thrust, hurl forth, stretch out."  "dixisset" is third person singular pluperfect subjunctive active of dico, dicere, dixi, dictum; temporal subjunctive with cum. 

5            Tum nostri cohortati inter se, ne tantum dedecus admitteretur, universi ex navi desiluerunt At this, the cohort, unanimous that such a disgrace must be averted, jumped down from the ship as one man; "desiluerunt" is third person plural perfect indicative active of desilio, desilere, desilui.  "admitteretur" is third person singular imperfect subjunctive passive of admitto, admittere, admisi, admissum, "let in, admit, allow." 

6            Hos item ex proximis primi navibus cum conspexissent, subsecuti hostibus adpropinquaverunt When the men of the nearby ships saw this, they also followed suit and drew close to engage the enemy; "adpropinquaverunt" is third person plural perfect indicative active of adpropinquo, adpropinquare, adpropinquavi, adpropinquatum, "to approach, come near"; controls the dative "hostibus."  "subsecuti" is the perfect participle of the deponent (sub-) sequor, sequi, secutus sum, "to immediately follow." "conspexissent" is third person plural pluperfect subjunctive active of conspicio, conspicere, conspexi, conspectum, "to watch, notice, catch sight of."  temporal subjunctive with cum.  

Caesar De Bello Gallico 4.24 Course Notes

Latin III:  Caesar, De Bello Gallico

Instructor:  James Ransom
February 9, 2014

Caesar, DBG 4:24

Course Notes

© 2014 James Ransom, M.A., J.D.

[24]  1 At barbari, consilio Romanorum cognito praemisso equitatu et essedariis, quo plerumque genere in proeliis uti consuerunt, reliquis copiis subsecuti nostros navibus egredi prohibebant. 2 Erat ob has causas summa difficultas, quod naves propter magnitudinem nisi in alto constitui non poterant, militibus autem, ignotis locis, impeditis manibus, magno et gravi onere armorum oppressis simul et de navibus desiliendum et in fluctibus consistendum et cum hostibus erat pugnandum, 3 cum illi aut ex arido aut paulum in aquam progressi omnibus membris expeditis, notissimis locis, audacter tela coicerent et equos insuefactos incitarent. 4 Quibus rebus nostri perterriti atque huius omnino generis pugnae imperiti, non eadem alacritate ac studio quo in pedestribus uti proeliis consuerant utebantur.

[24]             1            At barbari, consilio Romanorum cognito praemisso equitatu et essedariis But the hostiles had anticipated the Roman strategy and sent their cavalry and chariots on ahead;  “praemisso” is the ablative singular participle of praemitto, praemittere, praemissi, praemissum, “to send forward or ahead.”  The participle “praemisso” controls the two ablatives, “equitatu” et “essedariis:  ablative absolute.

“The ablatives of a participle and a noun (or pronoun) are used to form a

substitute for a subordinate clause defining the circumstances or situation in which

the action of the main verb occurs. The ablatives are only loosely connected

grammatically to the remainder of the sentence, hence its name absolute

(absolütus = free or unconnected).”

  See http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/101/AblativeAbsolute.pdf

quo plerumque genere in proeliis uti consuerunt which is their standard battle tactic; “consuerunt” is third person plural perfect indicative active of consuo, consuere, consui, consutum, “to devise, plan [lit., “to stitch or patch together”].  “uti” is present infinitive active of the deponent verb utor, usi, usus sum, “to use, employ.” 

reliquis copiis subsecuti nostros navibus egredi prohibebant the infantry then followed on and were preventing our troops’ efforts to disembark; “prohibebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of prohibeo, prohibere, prohibui, prohibitum.  “egredi” is present infinitive active of the deponent egredior, egredi, egressus sum, “march out, disembark.”  “subsecuti” is the perfect participle of the deponent subsequor, subsequi, subsecutus sum. 

2            Erat ob has causas summa difficultas, quod naves propter magnitudinem nisi in alto constitui non poterant This was the cause of a great deal of  trouble, since on account of their size, the ships could not drop anchor except in deep water;  “poterant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of possum, posse, potui.  “constitui” is present passive infinitive of constituo, constituere, constitui, constitutum.  “causas” is accusative plural of the first declension noun causa, causae, f., “cause, reason, situation.” 

militibus autem, ignotis locis, impeditis manibus, magno et gravi onere armorum oppressis simul et de navibus desiliendum et in fluctibus consistendum et cum hostibus erat pugnandum while the landing force, unfamiliar with the terrain, impeded by their heavy armor and weaponry, had to simultaneously leap from the ships, find a foothold in the surf, and engage the enemy; "pugnandum" is the future passive participle (gerundive) of pugno, pugnare, pugnavi, pugnatum, "fight, combat, give battle, engage"; the future passive sense would literally be something like "the enemy which is to be fought," however, as Steadman suggests, an active translation is necessary.  "consistendum" and "desiliendum" are also gerundives. See Steadman's note to line 6.

"impeditis," and "oppressis" are  both dative masculine plural of perfect passive participles. 

3 cum illi aut ex arido aut paulum in aquam progressi omnibus membris expeditis, notissimis locis, audacter tela coicerent et equos insuefactos incitarent meanwhile the opposition, some on the shore and others advancing just into the surf, knew the lay of the land perfectly, fought with both hands free, and hurled their missiles and managed their trained warhorses with audacity and skill; "incitarent" is third person plural imperfect active subjunctive of incito, incitare, incitavi, incitatum, "to incite, encourage, spur on."  "coicerent: is third person plural imperfect active subjunctive of coicio, coicere, coieci, coiecutum, "to throw, hurl."  audacter:  adv., "boldly fearlessly." "expeditis" is second person plural present indicative active of expedio, expedire, expedivi, expeditum, "to expedite, deploy, gain."  "progressi" is perfect participle of the deponent progredior, progredi, progressus sum, "to advance, march forth." 

4            Quibus rebus nostri perterriti atque huius omnino generis pugnae imperiti, non eadem alacritate ac studio quo in pedestribus uti proeliis consuerant utebantur All these things swept fear through our men, who lacked the training to storm a defended shoreline, and thus did not display the same elan and intensity they typically brought to land warfare; "utebantur" is third person plural imperfect indicative active of the deponent utor, uti, usus sum, "to use, enjoy."  "consuerant" is third person plural pluperfect indicative active of consuesco, consuescere, consuescevi, consuetum, "to accustom."  "uti" is present infinitive of the deponent utor, uti, usus sum.

Wheelock 19 20

INTERROGATIVE PRONOUN

The Latin interrogative pronoun quis, quid asks for the identify of a person or thing.

·      quid vides? what do you see?

·      quis consilium habet?  who has a plan?

In the plural the forms of the Latin interrogative pronoun are identical to those of the relative pronoun.

In the singular it follows the relative with two exceptions:

·      The masculine and the feminine have the same forms

·      the nominative forms are quis, quid

INTERROGATIVE ADJECTIVE

The Latin interrogative adjective qui, quae, quod  asks for more specific identification of a person or thing

·      quod signum vides? what sign do you see?

·      quae femina consilium habet? which woman has a plan?

·      in qua urbe vivimus? in what kind of city city are we lving?

The word sometimes has exclamatory force:

·      quos mores malos isti habent! what terrible morals those men have!

INTERROGATIVE AND RELATIVE DISTINGUISHED

·      The interrogative pronoun

o   asks a question about the identify of a person or thing

o   has no antecedent

o   typically introduces a sentence with a question mark

·      The interrogative adjective

o   asks for more specific identification of a person or thing

o   precedes the noun

o   agrees with the noun in

§  gender

§  number

§  case

·      quem librum legis? which book are you reading

·      The relative pronoun

o   introduces a subordinate clause

o   has an antecedent

o   does not ask a question

§  liber quem legis est meus the book which you are reading is mine

WHEELOCK CHAPTER 20:  4TH DECLENSION, ABL. OF PLACE FROM WHICH AND SEPARATION

ABLATIVE OF PLACE FROM WHICH: 

·      REGULARLY INVOLVES A VERB OF ACTIVE MOTION FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER

·      GOVERNED BY AB, DE, ORE EX

EXAMPLES

·      Graeci a patria sua ad Italiam navigaverunt

·      Flumen de montibus in mare fluxit

·      Multi ex agris in urbem venient

·      Cicero hostes ab urbe misit

ABLATIVE OF SEPARATION

·      IMPLIES THAT SOME PEROSON OR THING IS SEPARATE FROM ANOTHER

·      NO MOVEMENT FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER

·      SOMETIMES NO PREPOSITION

EXAMPLES

·      Cicero hostes ab urbe prohibuit

·      Eos timore liberavit

·      Agricolae pecunia saepe carebant

Caesar De Bello Gallico 4.24-35 Text

www.thelatinlibrary.com

[24] At barbari, consilio Romanorum cognito praemisso equitatu et essedariis, quo plerumque genere in proeliis uti consuerunt, reliquis copiis subsecuti nostros navibus egredi prohibebant. Erat ob has causas summa difficultas, quod naves propter magnitudinem nisi in alto constitui non poterant, militibus autem, ignotis locis, impeditis manibus, magno et gravi onere armorum oppressis simul et de navibus desiliendum et in fluctibus consistendum et cum hostibus erat pugnandum, cum illi aut ex arido aut paulum in aquam progressi omnibus membris expeditis, notissimis locis, audacter tela coicerent et equos insuefactos incitarent. Quibus rebus nostri perterriti atque huius omnino generis pugnae imperiti, non eadem alacritate ac studio quo in pedestribus uti proeliis consuerant utebantur.

[25] Quod ubi Caesar animadvertit, naves longas, quarum et species erat barbaris inusitatior et motus ad usum expeditior, paulum removeri ab onerariis navibus et remis incitari et ad latus apertum hostium constitui atque inde fundis, sagittis, tormentis hostes propelli ac submoveri iussit; quae res magno usui nostris fuit. Nam et navium figura et remorum motu et inusitato genere tormentorum permoti barbari constiterunt ac paulum modo pedem rettulerunt. Atque nostris militibus cunctantibus, maxime propter altitudinem maris, qui X legionis aquilam gerebat, obtestatus deos, ut ea res legioni feliciter eveniret, ' desilite', inquit, ' milites, nisi vultis aquilam hostibus prodere; ego certe meum rei publicae atque imperatori officium praestitero.' Hoc cum voce magna dixisset, se ex navi proiecit atque in hostes aquilam ferre coepit. Tum nostri cohortati inter se, ne tantum dedecus admitteretur, universi ex navi desiluerunt. Hos item ex proximis primi navibus cum conspexissent, subsecuti hostibus adpropinquaverunt.

[26] Pugnatum est ab utrisque acriter. Nostri tamen, quod neque ordines servare neque firmiter insistere neque signa subsequi poterant atque alius alia ex navi quibuscumque signis occurrerat se adgregabat, magnopere perturbabantur; hostes vero, notis omnibus vadii, ubi ex litore aliquos singulares ex navi egredientes conspexerant, incitatis equis impeditos adoriebantur, plures paucos circumsistebant, alii ab latere aperto in universos tela coiciebant. Quod cum animadvertisset Caesar, scaphas longarum navium, item speculatoria navigia militibus compleri iussit, et quos laborantes conspexerat, his subsidia submittebat. Nostri, simul in arido constiterunt, suis omnibus consecutis, in hostes impetum fecerunt atque eos in fugam dederunt; neque longius prosequi potuerunt, quod equites cursum tenere atque insulam capere non potuerant. Hoc unum ad pristinam fortunam Caesari defuit.

[27] Hostes proelio superati, simul atque se ex fuga receperunt, statim ad Caesarem legatos de pace miserunt; obsides sese daturos quaeque imperasset facturos polliciti sunt. Una cum his legatis Commius Atrebas venit, quem supra demonstraveram a Caesare in Britanniam praemissum. Hunc illi e navi egressum, cum ad eos oratoris modo Caesaris mandata deferret, comprehenderant atque in vincula coniecerant; tum proelio facto remiserunt et in petenda pace eius rei culpam in multitudinem contulerunt et propter imprudentiam ut ignosceretur petiverunt. Caesar questus quod, cum ultro in continentem legatis missis pacem ab se petissent, bellum sine causa intulissent, ignoscere se imprudentiae dixit obsidesque imperavit; quorum illi partem statim dederunt, partem ex longinquioribus locis arcessitam paucis diebus sese daturos dixerunt. Interea suos in agros remigrare iusserunt, principesque undique convenire et se civitatesque suas Caesari commendare coeperunt.

[28] His rebus pace confirmata, post diem quartum quam est in Britanniam ventum naves XVIII, de quibus supra demonstratum est, quae equites sustulerant, ex superiore portu leni vento solverunt. Quae cum adpropinquarent Britanniae et ex castris viderentur, tanta tempestas subito coorta est ut nulla earum cursum tenere posset, sed aliae eodem unde erant profectae referrentur, aliae ad inferiorem partem insulae, quae est propius solis occasum, magno suo cum periculo deicerentur; quae tamen ancoris iactis cum fluctibus complerentur, necessario adversa nocte in altum provectae continentem petierunt.

[29] Eadem nocte accidit ut esset luna plena, qui dies a maritimos aestus maximos in Oceano efficere consuevit, nostrisque id erat incognitum. Ita uno tempore et longas naves, [quibus Caesar exercitum transportandum curaverat,] quas Caesar in aridum subduxerat, aestus complebat, et onerarias, quae ad ancoras erant deligatae, tempestas adflictabat, neque ulla nostris facultas aut administrandi aut auxiliandi dabatur. Compluribus navibus fractis, reliquae cum essent funibus, ancoris reliquisque armamentis amissis ad navigandum inutiles, magna, id quod necesse erat accidere, totius exercitus perturbatio facta est. Neque enim naves erant aliae quibus reportari possent, et omnia deerant quae ad reficiendas naves erant usui, et, quod omnibus constabat hiemari in Gallia oportere, frumentum in his locis in hiemem provisum non erat.

[30] Quibus rebus cognitis, principes Britanniae, qui post proelium ad Caesarem convenerant, inter se conlocuti, cum et equites et naves et frumentum Romanis deesse intellegerent et paucitatem militum ex castrorum exiguitate cognoscerent, quae hoc erant etiam angustior quod sine impedimentis Caesar legiones transportaverat, optimum factu esse duxerunt rebellione facta frumento commeatuque nostros prohibere et rem in hiemem producere, quod his superatis aut reditu interclusis neminem postea belli inferendi causa in Britanniam transiturum confidebant. Itaque rursus coniuratione facta paulatim ex castris discedere et suos clam ex agris deducere coeperunt.

[31] At Caesar, etsi nondum eorum consilia cognoverat, tamen et ex eventu navium suarum et ex eo quod obsides dare intermiserant fore id quod accidit suspicabatur. Itaque ad omnes casus subsidia comparabat. Nam et frumentum ex agris cotidie in castra conferebat et, quae gravissime adflictae erant naves, earum materia atque aere ad reliquas reficiendas utebatur et quae ad eas res erant usui ex continenti comportari iubebat. Itaque, cum summo studio a militibus administraretur, XII navibus amissis, reliquis ut navigari satis commode posset effecit.

[32] Dum ea geruntur, legione ex consuetudine una frumentatum missa, quae appellabatur VII, neque ulla ad id tempus belli suspicione interposita, cum pars hominum in agris remaneret, pars etiam in castra ventitaret, ii qui pro portis castrorum in statione erant Caesari nuntiaverunt pulverem maiorem quam consuetudo ferret in ea parte videri quam in partem legio iter fecisset. Caesar id quod erat suspicatus aliquid novi a barbaris initum consilii, cohortes quae in statione erant secum in eam partem proficisci, ex reliquis duas in stationem succedere, reliquas armari et confestim sese subsequi iussit. Cum paulo longius a castris processisset, suos ab hostibus premi atque aegre sustinere et conferta legione ex omnibus partibus tela coici animadvertit. Nam quod omni ex reliquis partibus demesso frumento pars una erat reliqua, suspicati hostes huc nostros esse venturos noctu in silvis delituerant; tum dispersos depositis armis in metendo occupatos subito adorti paucis interfectis reliquos incertis ordinibus perturbaverant, simul equitatu atque essedis circumdederant.

[33] Genus hoc est ex essedis pugnae. Primo per omnes partes perequitant et tela coiciunt atque ipso terrore equorum et strepitu rotarum ordines plerumque perturbant, et cum se inter equitum turmas insinuaverunt, ex essedis desiliunt et pedibus proeliantur. Aurigae interim paulatim ex proelio excedunt atque ita currus conlocant ut, si illi a multitudine hostium premantur, expeditum ad quos receptum habeant. Ita mobilitatem equitum, stabilitatem peditum in proeliis praestant, ac tantum usu cotidiano et exercitatione efficiunt uti in declivi ac praecipiti loco incitatos equos sustinere et brevi moderari ac flectere et per temonem percurrere et in iugo insistere et se inde in currus citissime recipere consuerint.

[34] Quibus rebus perturbatis nostris [novitate pugnae] tempore oportunissimo Caesar auxilium tulit: namque eius adventu hostes constiterunt, nostri se ex timore receperunt. Quo facto, ad lacessendum hostem et committendum proelium alienum esse tempus arbitratus suo se loco continuit et brevi tempore intermisso in castra legiones reduxit. Dum haec geruntur, nostris omnibus occupatis qui erant in agris reliqui discesserunt. Secutae sunt continuos complures dies tempestates, quae et nostros in castris continerent et hostem a pugna prohiberent. Interim barbari nuntios in omnes partes dimiserunt paucitatemque nostrorum militum suis praedicaverunt et quanta praedae faciendae atque in perpetuum sui liberandi facultas daretur, si Romanos castris expulissent, demonstraverunt. His rebus celeriter magna multitudine peditatus equitatusque coacta ad castra venerunt.

[35] Caesar, etsi idem quod superioribus diebus acciderat fore videbat, ut, si essent hostes pulsi, celeritate periculum effugerent, tamen nactus equites circiter XXX, quos Commius Atrebas, de quo ante dictum est, secum transportaverat, legiones in acie pro castris constituit. Commisso proelio diutius nostrorum militum impetum hostes ferre non potuerunt ac terga verterunt. Quos tanto spatio secuti quantum cursu et viribus efficere potuerunt, complures ex iis occiderunt, deinde omnibus longe lateque aedificiis incensis se in castra receperunt.