§7.33.1Caesar, etsi a bello atque hoste discedere detrimentosum esse existimabat, tamen non ignorans quanta ex dissensionibus incommoda oriri consuessent, ne tanta et tam coniuncta populo Romano civitas, quam ipse semper aluisset omnibusque rebus ornasset, ad vim atque arma descenderet, atque ea pars quae minus sibi confideret auxilia a Vercingetorige arcesseret, §7.33.2huic rei praevertendum existimavit et, quod legibus Aeduorum eis, qui summum magistratum obtinerent, excedere ex finibus non liceret, ne quid de iure aut de legibus eorum deminuisse videretur, ipse in Aeduos proficisci statuit senatumque omnem et quos inter controversia esset ad se Decetiam evocavit.
Caesar, although he thought it detrimental to depart from the war and the enemy, yet, not being ignorant of how great disadvantages were accustomed to arise from dissensions, in order that a state so great and so closely connected with the Roman people, which he himself had always cherished and distinguished in every way, should not descend to violence and arms, and that the party which had less confidence in itself should not summon aid from Vercingetorix, thought that he must give this matter his immediate attention; and, because by the laws of the Aedui it was not permitted for those who held the highest magistracy to depart from their borders, that he might not appear to have infringed upon any of their rights or laws, he resolved to set out in person to the Aedui, and summoned to himself at Decetia all the senate and those between whom the dispute was.
§7.33.3Cum prope omnis civitas eo convenisset, docereturque paucis clam convocatis alio loco, alio tempore atque oportuerit fratrem a fratre renuntiatum, cum leges duo ex una familia vivo utroque non solum magistratus creari vetarent, sed etiam in senatu esse prohiberent, Cotum imperium deponere coegit, Convictolitavem, §7.33.4qui per sacerdotes more civitatis intermissis magistratibus esset creatus, potestatem obtinere iussit.
When almost the entire state had assembled there, and it was shown to him that, a few having been secretly convoked, a brother had been declared elected by a brother at a different place and a different time than was proper, whereas the laws forbade not only that two from one family should be elected magistrates while both were alive, but even that they should be in the senate, he compelled Cotus to resign his power, and, ordered Convictolitavis, who had been elected by the priests according to the custom of the state when the magistrates were interrupted, to hold the office.