§7.83.1Bis magno cum detrimento repulsi Galli quid agant consulunt; locorum peritos adhibent: ex his superiorum castrorum situs munitionesque cognoscunt.
The Gauls, having been repulsed twice with great loss, consulted what they should do; they called in those who were well acquainted with the country, and from them learned the position and fortifications of the upper camp.
§7.83.2Erat a septentrionibus collis, quem propter magnitudinem circuitus opere circumplecti non potuerant nostri: necessario paene iniquo loco et leniter declivi castra fecerunt.
There was on the north a hill, which, on account of its great circumference, our men had not been able to surround with a fortification; they were obliged to construct their camp on ground almost disadvantageous and gently sloping.
§7.83.3Haec Gaius Antistius Reginus et Gaius Caninius Rebilus legati cum duabus legionibus obtinebant.
This camp the lieutenants Gaius Antistius Reginus and Gaius Caninius Rebilus occupied with two legions.
§7.83.4Cognitis per exploratores regionibus duces hostium LX milia ex omni numero deligunt earum civitatum quae maximam virtutis opinionem habebant; §7.83.5quid quoque pacto agi placeat occulte inter se constituunt; adeundi tempus definiunt, cum meridies esse videatur.
Having reconnoitered the region through scouts, the leaders of the enemy selected sixty thousand from the entire number of those states which had the highest reputation for valor; they secretly determined among themselves what should be done and in what manner; they fixed the time of attack for when it should appear to be noon.
§7.83.6His copiis Vercassivellaunum Arvernum, unum ex quattuor ducibus, propinquum Vercingetorigis, praeficiunt.
Over these troops they placed Vercassivellaunus the Arvernian, one of their four generals, a kinsman of Vercingetorix.
§7.83.7Ille ex castris prima vigilia egressus prope confecto sub lucem itinere post montem se occultavit militesque ex nocturno labore sese reficere iussit.
He, having set out from the camp at the first watch, and having almost completed his march just before dawn, concealed himself behind the mountain, and ordered his soldiers to refresh themselves after their night's labor.
§7.83.8Cum iam meridies appropinquare videretur, ad ea castra quae supra demonstravimus contendit; eodemque tempore equitatus ad campestres munitiones accedere et reliquae copiae pro castris sese ostendere coeperunt.
When it now seemed that noon was approaching, he hastened toward that camp which we have mentioned above; and at the same time, the cavalry began to approach the fortifications on the plain, and the rest of the forces to show themselves in front of their camp.