§2.29.1Atuatuci, de quibus supra diximus, cum omnibus copiis auxilio Nerviis venirent, hac pugna nuntiata ex itinere domum reverterunt; §2.29.2cunctis oppidis castellisque desertis sua omnia in unum oppidum egregie natura munitum contulerunt.
The Atuatuci, of whom we have spoken above, though they were coming with all their forces to the assistance of the Nervii, when this battle was reported, returned home from their march; having abandoned all their towns and forts, they conveyed all their possessions into one town remarkably fortified by nature.
§2.29.3Quod cum ex omnibus in circuitu partibus altissimas rupes deiectusque haberet, una ex parte leniter acclivis aditus in latitudinem non amplius pedum CC relinquebatur; quem locum duplici altissimo muro munierant; tum magni ponderis saxa et praeacutas trabes in muro conlocabant.
While this town had very high cliffs and precipices on all sides around it, on one side only a gently sloping approach was left, not more than two hundred feet in width; which place they had fortified with a double, very high wall; furthermore, they were placing stones of great weight and sharp-pointed logs upon the wall.
§2.29.4Ipsi erant ex Cimbris Teutonisque prognati, qui, cum iter in provinciam nostram atque Italiam; facerent, iis impedimentis quae secum agere ac portare non poterant citra flumen Rhenum depositis custodiae [ex suis] ac praesidio VI milia hominum una reliquerant.
They themselves were descended from the Cimbri and Teutones, who, when they were making their march into our province and Italy, having deposited on this side of the river Rhine such baggage as they could not drive or carry with them, had left six thousand of their men together with it as a guard and garrison.
§2.29.5Hi post eorum obitum multos annos a finitimis exagitati, cum alias bellum inferrent, alias inlatum defenderent, consensu eorum omnium pace facta hunc sibi domicilio locum delegerant.
These, after the destruction of the others, having been harassed for many years by their neighbors, while at one time they waged war and at another defended themselves when war was waged upon them, when peace was established by the consensus of them all, chose this place for themselves as a habitation.