Humanitext Reader

Julius Caesar · Gallic War §6.6.1-6.6.3

Subjugation of the Menapii and March to the Treveri

Passage 220 of 404 · Latin

Summary

Caesar divides his forces and quickly attacks the Menapii, forcing them to surrender. He grants them peace on the condition that they do not harbor Ambiorix, and leaves Commius as a guard before heading toward the Treveri.

§6.6.1Caesar partitis copiis cum Gaio Fabio legato et Marco Crasso quaestore celeriterque effectis pontibus adit tripertito, aedificia vicosque incendit, magno pecoris atque hominum numero potitur.
Caesar, having divided his forces with Gaius Fabius the lieutenant and Marcus Crassus the quaestor, and having quickly constructed bridges, advances in three divisions, burns their buildings and villages, and gets possession of a large number of cattle and men.
§6.6.2Quibus rebus coacti Menapii legatos ad eum pacis petendae causa mittunt.
Compelled by these measures, the Menapii send ambassadors to him for the purpose of seeking peace.
§6.6.3Ille obsidibus acceptis hostium se habiturum numero confirmat, si aut Ambiorigem aut eius legatos finibus suis recepissent.
He, having received hostages, declares that he will regard them in the number of enemies, if they should receive either Ambiorix or his ambassadors within their territories.
His confirmatis rebus Commium Atrebatem cum equitatu custodis loco in Menapiis relinquit; ipse in Treveros proficiscitur.
These terms having been settled, he leaves Commius the Atrebatian with cavalry in the territory of the Menapii as a guard; he himself sets out against the Treveri.

Notes

  1. §6.6.1partitis copiis ... effectis pontibus — These are ablative absolute constructions (noun and participle in the ablative case) expressing the attendant circumstances or preliminary conditions preceding the main action. partitis copiis means "forces having been divided" and effectis pontibus means "bridges having been constructed".
  2. §6.6.1magno pecoris atque hominum numero potitur — The verb potitur (gets possession of) regularly governs the ablative (or genitive) case. Here, magno ... numero (a large number) is in the ablative, and pecoris atque hominum (of cattle and men) is a genitive modifying it.
  3. §6.6.3hostium se habiturum numero confirmat — This is an indirect statement (accusative and infinitive construction) depending on the verb of declaring confirmat. The subject accusative of the infinitive habiturum [esse] is se (referring to Caesar), while the object (them) is understood from the context. numero hostium literally means "in the number of enemies" (i.e., as enemies).
  4. §6.6.3custodis loco — The ablative loco (in the place of, as) is used here with the genitive custodis (of a guard) to function adverbially, meaning "in the position of a guard" or "as a guard".

Cite this passage

Julius Caesar, Gallic War §6.6.1-6.6.3. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0448.phi001.humanitext-lat2:6.6.1-6.6.3

Please note the AI-draft status of the translation and the date accessed.

Translation, notes and summary are AI-generated drafts, revised through reader feedback.