Humanitext Reader

Julius Caesar · Gallic War §7.15.1-7.15.6

Burning of Biturigian Cities and the Decision on Avaricum

Passage 273 of 404 · Latin

Summary

The Gauls burn many cities of the Bituriges as part of their scorched-earth strategy, but due to their urgent entreaties, it is decided to make an exception and defend Avaricum.

§7.15.1Omnium consensu hac sententia probata uno die amplius XX urbes Biturigum incenduntur.
This proposal being approved by the consensus of all, in one day more than twenty cities of the Bituriges are set on fire.
§7.15.2Hoc idem fit in reliquis civitatibus: in omnibus partibus incendia conspiciuntur; quae etsi magno cum dolore omnes ferebant, tamen hoc sibi solati proponebant, quod se prope explorata victoria celeriter amissa reciperaturos confidebant.
The same thing is done in the remaining states: in all parts fires are seen; and although all bore this with great grief, yet they proposed this as a consolation to themselves, because they trusted that, victory being almost assured, they would quickly recover what had been lost.
§7.15.3Deliberatur de Avarico in communi concilio, incendi placeret an defendi.
It is deliberated concerning Avaricum in the general council, whether it should please them to be burnt or to be defended.
§7.15.4Procumbunt omnibus Gallis ad pedes Bituriges, ne pulcherrimam prope totius Galliae urbem, quae praesidio et ornamento sit civitati, suis manibus succendere cogerentur: §7.15.5facile se loci natura defensuros dicunt, quod prope ex omnibus partibus flumine et palude circumdata unum habeat et perangustum aditum.
The Bituriges fling themselves at the feet of all the Gauls, begging that they might not be compelled to set fire with their own hands to almost the most beautiful city of all Gaul, which was a protection and an ornament to their state: they say that they would easily defend it by the natural strength of the place, because, being surrounded on almost all sides by a river and a marsh, it had only one and that a very narrow approach.
§7.15.6Datur petentibus venia dissuadente primo Vercingetorige, post concedente et precibus ipsorum et misericordia vulgi.
An allowance is granted to them on their petition, Vercingetorix at first opposing it, but afterwards yielding both to their entreaties and to the compassion of the multitude.
Defensores oppido idonei deliguntur.
Suitable defenders are chosen for the town.

Notes

  1. §7.15.2solati — Partitive genitive depending on the neuter accusative pronoun `hoc`. The phrase `hoc solati` literally means 'this of consolation', i.e., 'this consolation'.
  2. §7.15.2explorata victoria — Ablative absolute construction consisting of the noun `victoria` and the perfect participle `explorata`. It expresses cause or condition: 'victory being almost assured.'
  3. §7.15.4praesidio et ornamento sit civitati — Double dative construction, where `praesidio et ornamento` is the dative of purpose/service, and `civitati` is the dative of interest. The subjunctive `sit` is used in a relative clause of characteristic.

Cite this passage

Julius Caesar, Gallic War §7.15.1-7.15.6. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0448.phi001.humanitext-lat2:7.15.1-7.15.6

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.