§6.12.1Cum Caesar in Galliam venit, alterius factionis principes erant Aedui, alterius Sequani.
When Caesar arrived in Gaul, the Aedui were the leaders of one faction, the Sequani of the other.
§6.12.2Hi cum per se minus valerent, quod summa auctoritas antiquitus erat in Aeduis magnaeque eorum erant clientelae, Germanos atque Ariovistum sibi adiunxerant eosque ad se magnis iacturis pollicitationibusque perduxerant.
Since these latter, by themselves, were less powerful—because from ancient times the chief authority was vested in the Aedui, and their clienteles were large—they had allied the Germans and Ariovistus to themselves, and had brought them over to their side by great sacrifices and promises.
§6.12.3Proeliis vero compluribus factis secundis atque omni nobilitate Aeduorum interfecta tantum potentia antecesserant, §6.12.4ut magnam partem clientium ab Aeduis ad se traducerent obsidesque ab eis principum filios acciperent et publice iurare cogerent nihil se contra Sequanos consili inituros et partem finitimi agri per vim occupatam possiderent Galliaeque totius principatum obtinerent.
Having, however, fought several successful battles, and all the nobility of the Aedui having been slain, they had surpassed them so far in power that they transferred a large part of the clients from the Aedui to themselves, received from them the sons of their leading men as hostages, and compelled them to swear publicly that they would take no counsel against the Sequani, and they possessed a part of the neighboring territory which they had seized by force, and held the sovereignty of all Gaul.
§6.12.5Qua necessitate adductus Diviciacus auxili petendi causa Romam ad senatum profectus infecta re redierat.
Compelled by this necessity, Diviciacus had set out to Rome to the senate to request assistance, but had returned without accomplishing his purpose.
§6.12.6Adventu Caesaris facta commutatione rerum, obsidibus Aeduis redditis, veteribus clientelis restitutis, novis per Caesarem comparatis, quod hi, qui se ad eorum amicitiam adgregaverant, §6.12.7meliore condicione atque aequiore imperio se uti videbant, reliquis rebus eorum gratia dignitateque amplificata Sequani principatum dimiserant.
On the arrival of Caesar, a change of affairs took place, the hostages were restored to the Aedui, their ancient clienteles were returned, and new ones were acquired through Caesar, because those who had attached themselves to their alliance saw that they enjoyed a better condition and a more equitable rule, and their influence and dignity having been increased in all other respects, the Sequani lost the sovereignty.
In eorum locum Remi successerant: quos quod adaequare apud Caesarem gratia intellegebatur, ei, qui propter veteres inimicitias nullo modo cum Aeduis coniungi poterant, se Remis in clientelam dicabant.
In their place the Remi succeeded; because it was understood that they equaled the Aedui in favor with Caesar, those who, on account of ancient animosities, could by no means be allied with the Aedui, devoted themselves to the clientele of the Remi.
§6.12.8Hos illi diligenter tuebantur: ita et novam et repente collectam auctoritatem tenebant.
The Remi carefully protected them; thus they maintained both a new and suddenly acquired authority.
§6.12.9Eo tum statu res erat, ut longe principes haberentur Aedui, secundum locum dignitatis Remi obtinerent.
The state of affairs at that time was such that the Aedui were regarded as by far the leading people, and the Remi held the second place of honor.