§7.4.1Simili ratione ibi Vercingetorix, Celtilli filius, Arvernus, summae potentiae adulescens, cuius pater principatum Galliae totius obtinuerat et ob eam causam, quod regnum appetebat, ab civitate erat interfectus, convocatis suis clientibus facile incendit.
In a similar manner, Vercingetorix, the son of Celtillus, an Arvernian, a young man of the greatest influence—whose father had held the supremacy of all Gaul and had been put to death by the state for this reason, because he aimed at the kingship—having called together his dependents, easily inflamed them.
§7.4.2Cognito eius consilio ad arma concurritur.
When his design was known, they rushed to arms.
Prohibetur ab Gobannitione, patruo suo, reliquisque principibus, qui hanc temptandam fortunam non existimabant; expellitur ex oppido Gergovia;
He was opposed by Gobannitio, his uncle, and the rest of the chiefs, who did not think this fortune should be tempted; he was expelled from the town of Gergovia.
§7.4.3non destitit tamen atque in agris habet dilectum egentium ac perditorum.
However, he did not desist, but held a levy of the needy and desperate in the fields.
Hac coacta manu, quoscumque adit ex civitate ad suam sententiam perducit; §7.4.4hortatur ut communis libertatis causa arma capiant, magnisque coactis copiis adversarios suos a quibus paulo ante erat eiectus expellit ex civitate.
Having collected this band, he brought over to his own opinion whomsoever he met from the state; he exhorted them to take up arms for the sake of the common liberty, and having gathered large forces, he expelled from the state his opponents by whom he had been cast out a little before.
§7.4.5Rex ab suis appellatur.
He is called king by his followers.
Dimittit quoque versus legationes; obtestatur ut in fide maneant.
He sends embassies in every direction; he entreats them to remain in their allegiance.
§7.4.6Celeriter sibi Senones, Parisios, Pictones, Cadurcos, Turonos, Aulercos, Lemovices, Andos reliquosque omnes qui Oceanum attingunt adiungit: omnium consensu ad eum defertur imperium.
He quickly wins over to himself the Senones, Parisii, Pictones, Cadurci, Turoni, Aulerci, Lemovices, Andes, and all the rest who border on the Ocean; by the consent of all, the supreme command is conferred upon him.
§7.4.7Qua oblata potestate omnibus his civitatibus obsides imperat, certum numerum militum ad se celeriter adduci iubet,
Having been invested with this power, he demands hostages from all these states, and orders a certain number of soldiers to be brought to him quickly.
§7.4.8armorum quantum quaeque civitas domi quodque ante tempus efficiat constituit; in primis equitatui studet.
He determines what quantity of arms each state should produce at home, and before what time; he especially devotes himself to the cavalry.
§7.4.9Summae diligentiae summam imperi severitatem addit; magnitudine supplici dubitantes cogit.
To the greatest diligence he adds the greatest severity of command; he forces the wavering by the magnitude of his punishment.
§7.4.10nam maiore commisso delicto igni atque omnibus tormentis necat, leviore de causa auribus desectis aut singulis effossis oculis domum remittit, ut sint reliquis documento et magnitudine poenae perterreant alios.
For when a greater crime has been committed, he puts them to death with fire and all kinds of tortures; for a lighter cause, having cut off their ears or gouged out one of their eyes, he sends them home, so that they may be a warning to the rest and terrify others by the severity of the punishment.