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Julius Caesar · Gallic War §8.51.1-8.51.3

Enthusiastic Reception of Caesar in Italian Towns

Passage 400 of 404 · Latin

Summary

Caesar visits the municipia and colonies of Italy for the first time after the Gallic War, receiving an incredibly enthusiastic welcome with magnificent decorations and celebrations that anticipate a grand triumph.

§8.51.1Exceptus est Caesaris adventus ab omnibus municipiis et coloniis incredibili honore atque amore.
Caesar's arrival was welcomed by all the municipia and colonies with incredible honor and affection.
§8.51.2Tum primum enim veniebat ab illo universae Galliae bello.
For then for the first time he was coming from that war of all Gaul.
Nihil relinquebatur quod ad ornatum portarum, itinerum, locorum omnium qua Caesar iturus erat excogitari poterat.
Nothing was left that could be devised for the decoration of the gates, the roads, and all the places through which Caesar was going to pass.
§8.51.3Cum liberis omnis multitudo obviam procedebat, hostiae omnibus locis immolabantur, tricliniis stratis fora templaque occupabantur, ut vel exspectatissimi triumphi laetitia praecipi posset.
The entire multitude, with their children, went out to meet him, victims were sacrificed in every place, the forums and temples were occupied with couches laid out, so that the joy of even the most eagerly awaited triumph might be anticipated.
Tanta erat magnificentia apud opulentiores, cupiditas apud humiliores.
Such was the magnificence among the wealthier, and the eagerness among the humbler.

Notes

  1. §8.51.2iturus erat — Active periphrastic conjugation consisting of the future active participle (iturus) and the imperfect of esse (erat), expressing intention or imminent action ('was about to go' or 'was going to pass').
  2. §8.51.3tricliniis stratis — Ablative absolute (or ablative of means) consisting of the noun triclinium (dining couch) and the perfect participle of sternere (to spread, prepare), meaning 'couches having been spread' or 'with couches laid out.'
  3. §8.51.3praecipi posset — Combination of the present passive infinitive praecipi (from praecipere, to anticipate or experience beforehand) and the imperfect subjunctive posset. The conjunction ut introduces a clause of result ('so that... could be anticipated') showing the high degree of excitement.

Cite this passage

Julius Caesar, Gallic War §8.51.1-8.51.3. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0448.phi001.humanitext-lat2:8.51.1-8.51.3

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