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