§40.47.1eodem anno in Hispania L. Postumius et Ti. Sempronius propraetores comparaverunt ita inter se, ut in Vaccaeos per Lusitaniam iret Albinus, Celtiberiam inde reverteretur; Gracchus, si maius ibi bellum esset, in ultima Celtiberiae penetraret.
In the same year in Spain, the propraetors Lucius Postumius and Tiberius Sempronius arranged between themselves that Albinus should march into the Vaccaei through Lusitania and return from there to Celtiberia, while Gracchus, if there should be a larger war there, should penetrate into the furthest parts of Celtiberia.
§40.47.2Mundam urbem primum vi cepit, nocte ex improvise adgressus.
He first took the city of Munda by force, having attacked it unexpectedly by night.
acceptis deinde obsidibus praesidioque imposito castella oppugnare, agros urere, done ad praevalidam aliam urbem — Certimam appellant Celtiberi — pervenit.
Then, having received hostages and placed a garrison, he began to attack forts and burn fields, until he came to another very strong city—the Celtiberians call it Certima.
§40.47.3ubi cum iam opera admoveret, veniunt legati ex oppido, quorum sermo antiquae simplicitatis fuit, non dissimulantium bellaturos, si vires essent.
When he was already bringing up his siege works there, envoys came from the town, whose speech was of ancient simplicity, not concealing that they would wage war if they had the strength.
§40.47.4petierunt enim, ut sibi in castra Celtiberorum ire liceret ad auxilia accienda: si non impetrassent, tum separatim eos ab illis se consulturos.
For they requested that they might be allowed to go to the camp of the Celtiberians to summon help; if they did not obtain it, then they would consult about themselves separately from them.
permittente Graccho ierunt et post paucis diebus alios decem legatos secum adduxerunt.
With Gracchus permitting, they went, and after a few days they brought back with them ten other envoys.
§40.47.5meridianum tempus erat.
It was noon.
nihil prius petierunt a praetore, quam ut bibere sibi iuberet dari.
They requested nothing from the praetor sooner than that he should order drink to be given to them.
epotis primis poculis iterum poposcerunt, magno risu circumstantium in tam rudibus et moris omnis ignaris ingeniis.
Having drained the first cups, they demanded more, to the great laughter of the bystanders at minds so rude and ignorant of all manners.
§40.47.6tum maximus natu ex iis “missi sumus” inquit “a gente nostra, qui sciscitaremur, qua tandem re fretus arma nobis inferres. ” §40.47.7ad hanc percunctationem Gracchus exercitu se egregio fidentem venisse respondit; quem si ipsi visere velint, quo certiora ad suos referant, potestatem se eis facturum esse.
Then the oldest of them said: "We have been sent by our nation to ask relying on what, pray, you are bringing war against us." To this inquiry Gracchus replied that he had come trusting in an excellent army; and if they wished to view it themselves, so that they might report more certain things to their people, he would give them the opportunity.
§40.47.8tribunisque militum imperat, ut ornari omnes copias peditum equitumque et decurrere iubeant armatas.
And he commanded the military tribunes to order all the forces of infantry and cavalry to be equipped and to perform maneuvers in arms.
§40.47.9ab hoc spectaculo legati dimissi deterruerunt suos ab auxilio circumsessae urbi ferendo.
Dismissed from this spectacle, the envoys deterred their people from bringing aid to the besieged city.
oppidani cum ignes nocte e turribus nequiquam, quod signum convenerat, sustulissent, destituti ab unica spe auxilii in deditionem venerunt.
The townspeople, although they had in vain raised fires by night from the towers, which was the agreed signal, being abandoned by their sole hope of aid, surrendered.
§40.47.10nummum quater et viciens ab iis est exactum, quadraginta nobilissimi equites, nec obsidum nomine — nam militare iussi sunt —, et tamen re ipsa ut pignus fidei essent.
Two million four hundred thousand nummi were exacted from them, and forty of their most noble cavalry, not under the name of hostages—for they were ordered to serve in the army—but yet that in reality they might be a pledge of loyalty.