Humanitext Reader

Julius Caesar · Gallic War §7.53.1-7.53.4

Encouragement of Troops and Retreat to the Aedui

Passage 311 of 404 · Latin

Summary

Caesar encourages his soldiers not to be disheartened by the unfavorable ground, and since Vercingetorix refuses to battle on level ground, he begins his retreat toward the territory of the Aedui and crosses the River Elaver.

§7.53.1Hac habita contione et ad extremam orationem confirmatis militibus, ne ob hanc causam animo permoverentur neu quod iniquitas loci attulisset id virtuti hostium tribuerent, eadem de profectione cogitans quae ante senserat legiones ex castris eduxit aciemque idoneo loco constituit.
Having held this assembly and encouraged the soldiers at the end of his speech, so that they should not be disturbed in mind by this cause, nor attribute to the courage of the enemy what the disadvantage of the ground had brought about, thinking the same things about his departure as he had previously resolved, he led the legions out of the camp and drew up his battle line in a suitable place.
§7.53.2Cum Vercingetorix nihil magis in aequum locum descenderet, levi facto equestri proelio atque secundo in castra exercitum reduxit.
When Vercingetorix would by no means descend into a level place, after a slight and successful cavalry skirmish had been fought, Caesar led his army back into the camp.
§7.53.3Cum hoc idem postero die fecisset, satis ad Gallicam ostentationem minuendam militumque animos confirmandos factum existimans in Aeduos movit castra.
When he had done this same thing on the following day, thinking that enough had been done to diminish the ostentation of the Gauls and to encourage the minds of his soldiers, he moved his camp into the territory of the Aedui.
§7.53.4Ne tum quidem insecutis hostibus tertio die ad flumen Elaver venit; pontem refecit exercitumque traduxit.
Not even then did the enemy pursue, and on the third day he came to the river Elaver; he repaired the bridge and led his army across.

Notes

  1. 7.53.1ad extremam orationem — The adjective extremus (last, outermost) modifies the noun oratio (speech) to mean 'at the end of his speech' or 'in the concluding part of his speech.' This is an instance of an adjective indicating a specific part of the noun it modifies (similar to summus mons meaning 'the top of the mountain').
  2. 7.53.2nihil magis — Literally 'nothing more (than),' but here, with no explicit comparison, it functions as a strong negative adverb meaning 'by no means,' 'not at all,' or 'showing no inclination whatsoever to.'
  3. 7.53.3ad Gallicam ostentationem minuendam — The preposition ad (for the purpose of) is followed by the noun ostentatio and its agreeing gerundive minuenda. This is a gerundive construction expressing purpose, where the noun is put in the accusative and the gerundive agrees with it, instead of a gerund taking an accusative object.

Cite this passage

Julius Caesar, Gallic War §7.53.1-7.53.4. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0448.phi001.humanitext-lat2:7.53.1-7.53.4

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.