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Julius Caesar · Gallic War §7.8.1-7.8.5

Caesar's Crossing of the Cevennes and Invasion of the Arverni

Passage 266 of 404 · Latin

Summary

Caesar crosses Mount Cevenna despite heavy snow to invade the territory of the Arverni, prompting the terrified Arverni to entreat Vercingetorix for aid.

§7.8.1His rebus comparatis, represso iam Lucterio et remoto, quod intrare intra praesidia periculosum putabat, in Helvios proficiscitur.
These preparations having been made, Lucterius having been already repressed and removed, because he thought it dangerous to enter within the garrison, he sets out into the territory of the Helvii.
§7.8.2Etsi mons Cevenna, qui Arvernos ab Helviis discludit, durissimo tempore anni altissima nive iter impediebat, tamen discussa nive sex in altitudinem pedum atque ita viis patefactis summo militum sudore ad fines Arvernorum pervenit.
Although Mount Cevenna, which separates the Arverni from the Helvii, was obstructing the march with very deep snow at the severest season of the year, yet, having cleared away the snow to the depth of six feet and thus having opened the roads with the greatest exertion of the soldiers, he reached the territories of the Arverni.
§7.8.3Quibus oppressis inopinantibus, quod se Cevenna ut muro munitos existimabant, ac ne singulari quidem umquam homini eo tempore anni semitae patuerant, equitibus imperat, ut quam latissime possint vagentur et quam maximum hostibus terrorem inferant.
When these were oppressed and taken off their guard, because they thought themselves protected by Mount Cevenna as by a wall, and not even to a single traveler had the pathways ever been open at that season of the year, he orders the cavalry to range as widely as possible and to strike the greatest possible terror into the enemy.
§7.8.4Celeriter haec fama ac nuntiis ad Vercingetorigem perferuntur; quem perterriti omnes Arverni circumsistunt atque obsecrant, ut suis fortunis consulat, neve ab hostibus diripiantur, praesertim cum videat omne ad se bellum translatum.
These things are quickly reported to Vercingetorix by rumor and messengers; all the terrified Arverni surround him and entreat him to look after their fortunes, and not to let them be plundered by the enemy, especially since he sees that the whole war has been transferred to them.
§7.8.5Quorum ille precibus permotus castra ex Biturigibus movet in Arvernos versus.
Moved by their entreaties, he moves his camp from the territory of the Bituriges in the direction of the Arverni.

Notes

  1. §7.8.1quod intrare intra praesidia periculosum putabat — The subject of the causal clause introduced by 'quod' is Lucterius. The subject of the infinitive 'intrare' is also Lucterius, indicating that he deemed it dangerous to penetrate within the Roman garrison lines.
  2. §7.8.3Quibus oppressis inopinantibus — An ablative absolute construction featuring the connecting relative 'quibus' (referring to the Arverni from the previous sentence). Both 'oppressis' and 'inopinantibus' function participially/adjectivally, modifying 'quibus', meaning 'when they were surprised and overwhelmed.'
  3. §7.8.4ut suis fortunis consulat — The verb 'consulo' takes the dative ('suis fortunis') to mean 'to look after, consult for the interests of.' This is to be distinguished from its meaning when governing the accusative, which is 'to consult, ask the advice of.'

Cite this passage

Julius Caesar, Gallic War §7.8.1-7.8.5. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0448.phi001.humanitext-lat2:7.8.1-7.8.5

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