§1.38.1Cum tridui viam processisset, nuntiatum est ei Ariovistum cum suis omnibus copiis ad occupandum Vesontionem, quod est oppidum maximum Sequanorum, contendere [triduique viam a suis finibus processisse].
When he had proceeded a three days' journey, it was reported to him that Ariovistus was hastening with all his forces to seize Vesontio, which is the largest town of the Sequani, [and had proceeded a three days' journey from his own territories].
Id ne accideret, magnopere sibi praecavendum Caesar existimabat. Namque omnium rerum quae ad bellum usui erant summa erat in eo oppido facultas, §1.38.2idque natura loci sic muniebatur ut magnam ad ducendum bellum daret facultatem, propterea quod flumen [alduas] Dubis ut circino circumductum paene totum oppidum cingit,
Caesar thought that he must take great precautions lest this should happen; for in that town there was the greatest supply of all things which were of use for war, and it was so fortified by the nature of the ground that it gave great facility for protracting the war, because the river Dubis [[Alduas]], as if traced round with a pair of compasses, almost surrounds the entire town.
§1.38.3reliquum spatium, quod est non amplius pedum MDC, qua flumen intermittit, mons continet magna altitudine, ita ut radices eius montis ex utraque parte ripae fluminis contingant,
A mountain of great height fills up the remaining space, which is not more than sixteen hundred feet, where the river leaves a gap, in such a way that the roots of that mountain touch the bank of the river on each side.
§1.38.4hunc murus circumdatus arcem efficit et cum oppido coniungit.
A wall thrown around this mountain makes it a citadel and joins it with the town.
§1.38.5Huc Caesar magnis nocturnis diurnisque itineribus contendit occupatoque oppido ibi praesidium conlocat.
Hither Caesar hastened by great marches by day and night, and having seized the town, stationed a garrison there.