A Complete Good Works Translation from De Bello Gallico 7.63-90

Caesar's Alesia narrative gives the most famous Roman account of the Gallic confederacy under Vercingetorix: the Aeduan break, the council of Gaul, the relief army, siege works, starvation inside Alesia, the final two-sided assault, Vercingetorix's surrender, and Caesar's settlement afterward. It is a hostile commander's report, but it is also a central source-body for Continental Celtic political and military history.

Translation

Section 63

When the Aedui had accepted Viridomarus and Eporedorix, and Litaviccus had come among them with all the cavalry, there was no time left for them to make a decision. They were forced to disclose the plan they had formed. The matter was brought before the magistrates, and the whole state was stirred up. They seized Roman citizens and killed them; they plundered their property and gave it to their own people. They sent envoys through every direction and begged the states to follow their judgment. They said that the Romans had been conquered and cut down, that Caesar had been driven from the Province, and that the remaining Roman forces were surrounded and could no longer hold out. They used these lies to stir the states, and they used the name of the Aedui, whose authority was very great, to make the movement stronger. The envoys of the Aedui were received gladly by many states, because the Aedui were thought to be the first people of Gaul, and because hatred of Roman rule had already come into the minds of many.

Section 64

The Aedui then summoned a council of all Gaul at Bibracte. Ambassadors came there from every side. The matter was left to the judgment of the whole gathering. By common consent the command was given to Vercingetorix. The Remi, Lingones, and Treveri were absent from this council: the Remi and Lingones because they kept friendship with the Romans, the Treveri because they were far away and were being pressed by the Germans. The whole weight of the war was therefore placed on the authority of Vercingetorix. He demanded hostages from all the states and ordered a fixed number of soldiers to be brought quickly. He decided how much cavalry each state should send, and how many infantry. He gave special attention to this: that before Caesar could gather grain or forage, he should be cut off by cavalry. He ordered the Aedui and Segusiavi, who bordered the Province, to bring ten thousand foot soldiers and eight hundred cavalry, and he put the command of them in the hands of the brother of Eporedorix.

Section 65

Vercingetorix divided this force and sent one part against the Allobroges. Another part he sent into the country of the Helvii. He himself set out to attack the lands of the Segusiavi and then to threaten the Roman Province. The Allobroges, who had many villages and farms across the Rhone, fled into their own towns and defended themselves by the strength of their walls and by Roman protection. The Helvii, however, fought a battle of their own accord with their neighbors and were defeated, losing their chief man, Gaius Valerius Donnotaurus, son of Caburus, who had been presented with Roman citizenship by Gaius Valerius Flaccus. The Gabali and the nearest districts of the Arverni ravaged the Helvian lands with many losses on both sides.

Section 66

While these things were being done, Caesar had gathered a force from the Province and from the nearest peoples and was hurrying to rejoin his legions. He came through the territory of the Lingones, where two legions were wintering, and called the rest together from their winter quarters. When Vercingetorix learned that Caesar was coming, he set out with cavalry and light-armed troops to block his march. Caesar, however, had brought from Germany cavalry and light-armed troops who were accustomed to fight among the horsemen. A cavalry battle happened, and the Gauls were driven back and routed. The Germans pursued them fiercely, killing many noble men. This battle terrified the Gallic cavalry, and Vercingetorix withdrew his forces and led the army toward Alesia, a town of the Mandubii, ordering the baggage to be brought together there.

Section 67

Alesia itself stood on the top of a hill, in such a high place that it seemed it could not be taken except by siege. At the foot of the hill on two sides flowed rivers. Before the town a plain stretched for about three miles in length. On all other sides hills of nearly equal height surrounded the town at a moderate distance. Under the wall, the Gallic forces filled the whole slope toward the east, and they had made a ditch and a six-foot wall in front of themselves. Caesar began the siege works and measured out a line of fortification ten miles around. He placed camps in suitable places and built twenty-three redoubts. In these, guards were posted by day so that no sudden attack could be made; by night they were held by stronger guards.

Section 68

When the work was begun, a cavalry battle happened in the plain that lay between the hills. The Gallic cavalry had come out from the town, and Caesar sent his cavalry against them, placing the German horsemen in reserve. The fight was long and uncertain. At last the Germans, gathered together, charged the enemy fiercely and drove them back. They killed many and pursued the rest all the way to the camp. The Gauls who had been stationed before the town came running to help their own people; but when they saw the cavalry in flight, they were all terrified and withdrew into the town. After this defeat, Vercingetorix ordered his cavalry to leave by night, before Caesar's lines were completed, and each man was to go to his own state and call all who were of age to arms.

Section 69

Vercingetorix then showed his people that all grain had to be gathered into the town, and that anyone who went out from the works should be punished with death. He ordered the cattle, of which a great supply had been brought by the Mandubii, to be divided among the men by number. He also measured out grain sparingly and by small amounts. The cavalry he had sent away before the Roman lines were finished was to stir all Gaul and return with relief. Caesar, knowing from deserters and captives what was being done, arranged his fortifications in such a way that he could hold the town in siege and defend himself against an outside army.

Section 70

Caesar made a ditch twenty feet wide with straight sides, so that the bottom was as broad as the upper opening. The rest of the works he set back four hundred feet from this ditch, so that sudden attacks from the town would not endanger the soldiers while they were working. In that space he made two ditches fifteen feet wide and the same depth. The inner one, in the low and level places, he filled with water drawn from the river. Behind these he built a rampart and palisade twelve feet high. He added battlements and towers, with large forked stakes projecting from the joints of the parapet and rampart, to keep the enemy from climbing. Around the whole work he placed towers eighty feet apart.

Section 71

At the same time the soldiers had to seek timber and grain and build such great works, while many had gone far from camp. Sometimes the Gauls tried to attack the works and made sorties from the town by several gates with great force. For this reason Caesar thought still more had to be added to the works, so that the fortification might be defended by a smaller number of soldiers. Therefore tree trunks or very strong branches were cut, and their tops were stripped and sharpened. Continuous trenches five feet deep were dug. These stakes were sunk into them and fastened at the bottom so they could not be pulled out; only the branches stood out. There were five rows, joined and interwoven. Those who entered them pierced themselves on the sharp stakes. The soldiers called them cippi.

Section 72

In front of these, pits three feet deep were dug, narrowing little by little toward the bottom, in diagonal rows like the five spots on dice. Into them were put smooth stakes of a man's thigh thickness, sharpened at the top and hardened by fire. They did not stand out more than four fingers above the ground. To make them firm and fixed, earth was packed down at the bottom to a depth of one foot. The rest of the pit was covered with twigs and brush to hide the trap. Eight rows of this kind were made, three feet apart. Because of their likeness to the flower, the soldiers called them lilies. In front of these, short stakes with iron hooks fixed in them were entirely buried in the ground and scattered everywhere. These were called goads.

Section 73

When these things had been completed, Caesar drew a second line of fortification turned outward against the enemy who would come from outside, fourteen miles in circuit, following the nature of the ground as much as possible. He made the same kinds of works there as he had made against the town. He did this so that even a very large multitude of enemies, if it arrived while he was away from the camp, could not surround the guards of the fortifications. To avoid danger if the Roman soldiers had to leave camp, he ordered every man to bring in thirty days' grain and forage.

Section 74

While these things were being done at Alesia, the Gauls held a council of chiefs and decided that not all who could bear arms should be called, as Vercingetorix had wanted, but that a fixed number should be demanded from each state. They feared that, if so great a multitude came together, it could not be controlled, nor distinguished by state, nor supplied with grain. Therefore they assigned how many each people should send.

Section 75

They ordered the Aedui and their clients, the Segusiavi, Ambivareti, Aulerci Brannovices, and Blannovii, to send thirty-five thousand; an equal number from the Arverni, together with the Eleuteti, Cadurci, Gabali, and Vellavii, who were accustomed to be under Arvernian command; twenty-four thousand from the Sequani; twelve thousand each from the Senones, Bituriges, Santones, Ruteni, and Carnutes; ten thousand each from the Bellovaci; eight thousand each from the Lemovices; the same number from the Pictones, Turoni, Parisii, and Helvii; five thousand each from the Suessiones, Ambiani, Mediomatrici, Petrocorii, Nervii, Morini, and Nitiobroges; four thousand from the Aulerci Cenomani; three thousand each from the Atrebates; four thousand from the Veliocasses, Lexovii, and Aulerci Eburovices together; thirty thousand from all the peoples who touch the Ocean and are called Armorican, including the Coriosolites, Redones, Ambibarii, Caleti, Osismi, Veneti, Lemovices, and Venelli. The Bellovaci refused their number, saying they would wage war on the Romans in their own name and by their own judgment and would obey no one's command. Yet at the request of Commius, because of their guest-friendship with him, they sent two thousand.

Section 76

The total of these forces, counted by the numbers each state had promised, was about two hundred forty thousand infantry and eight thousand cavalry. Command was given to the Atrebate Commius, the Aedui Viridomarus and Eporedorix, and the Arvernian Vercassivellaunus, a cousin of Vercingetorix. Selected men were assigned to them from the states, by whose counsel the war was to be managed. All set out for Alesia with eager spirits and confidence. No one thought the sight of so great a multitude could even be endured, especially in a two-sided fight, when those in the town would make a sortie and so great cavalry and infantry forces would appear outside.

Section 77

But those who were besieged at Alesia, after the day had passed on which they had expected help from their own people, and with all their grain consumed, not knowing what was being done among the Aedui, called a council and deliberated about the outcome of their fortunes. Some advised surrender; others, while strength remained, a sortie. Critognatus, an Arvernian of the highest birth and authority, spoke with grim severity. He said that the counsel of those who called the most shameful slavery by the name of surrender should not even be mentioned, and that those who urged a sortie seemed to him to remember ancient courage, but not the present situation. To endure shortage for a little while, he said, was greater courage than to seek death at once. The Romans had not built such works for nothing; they were waiting for hunger. If no help came, the Gauls should do what their ancestors had done in the war against the Cimbri and Teutones: when driven into towns and pressed by the same scarcity, they kept themselves alive on the bodies of those who seemed useless for war and did not surrender to the enemy. He said this would be a terrible thing, but far more terrible was slavery. For what had Rome ever desired except to settle on the lands and states of those whom it had defeated in war and impose everlasting slavery?

Section 78

After the opinions had been heard, they decided that those who were useless for war because of age or strength should leave the town, and that every possibility should be tried before they came to the counsel of Critognatus. Yet, if the matter demanded it and help delayed, they preferred to use that counsel rather than accept conditions of surrender or peace. The Mandubii, who had received the others into their town, were forced to go out with their wives and children. When these came to the Roman fortifications, they begged with every prayer that they be received as slaves and fed. But Caesar posted guards on the rampart and forbade them to be received.

Section 79

Meanwhile Commius and the other leaders to whom the chief command had been given came to Alesia with all their forces. They occupied the outer hill and settled not more than a mile from our fortifications. On the next day they brought the cavalry out of camp and filled the whole plain, which, as was said before, extended three miles in length. They stationed their infantry a little behind on higher ground. From Alesia there was a view down into the field. When the relief forces were seen, people ran together; mutual congratulations arose; all spirits were stirred to joy. They brought out their forces and stationed them before the town, covered the nearest ditch with hurdles, and prepared themselves for a sortie and every chance of battle.

Section 80

Caesar arranged the whole army on both lines of fortification, so that, if there were need, each man would know and hold his own place. He ordered the cavalry to be brought out of camp and battle to be joined. From every camp, which occupied the ridge everywhere, there was a view downward, and all the soldiers watched intently for the outcome of the fight. The Gauls had placed archers and light-armed troops here and there among the cavalry to help their own men if they fell back and to hold back the attack of our cavalry. By these men many of our soldiers were wounded unexpectedly and withdrew from the fight. When the Gauls believed that their own men were winning and saw ours being pressed by the multitude, both those inside the fortifications and those who had come to help lifted their spirits with shouts and cries. Because the matter was being done before the eyes of all, and no deed either brave or shameful could be hidden, the desire for praise and the fear of disgrace urged both sides to courage. After the battle had gone on from noon almost to sunset with uncertain outcome, the Germans, gathered in one place, charged the enemy in close formation and drove them back. When the enemy were put to flight, the archers were surrounded and killed. Likewise from the other parts our men pursued the retreating enemy all the way to camp and gave them no chance to gather again. Those who had come out from Alesia, almost despairing of victory, withdrew sadly into the town.

Section 81

After one day had passed, the Gauls, having made many hurdles, ladders, and hooks in that time, went out from camp in silence at midnight and approached the fortifications on the plain. Suddenly they raised a shout, so that those besieged in the town might understand their arrival by that signal. They began throwing hurdles, dislodging our men from the rampart with slings, arrows, and stones, and arranging the other things that belonged to assault. At the same time Vercingetorix, hearing the shout, gave the signal with a trumpet and led his people out of the town. Our men took the places in the fortifications assigned to them in earlier days, and terrified the enemy with slings, very heavy stones, stakes set in the works, and lead bullets. Since nothing could be seen because of darkness, many wounds were received on both sides. The artillery threw many missiles. The lieutenants Marcus Antonius and Gaius Trebonius, to whom the defense of these parts had fallen, sent support from the farther redoubts wherever they understood that our men were being pressed.

Section 82

As long as the Gauls were farther from the fortifications, they had the advantage because of the great number of missiles. After they came nearer, they either pierced themselves unexpectedly on the goads, or fell into the pits and were impaled, or were killed by wall-spears thrown from the rampart and towers. After receiving many wounds on every side and breaking through no part of the works, when dawn was approaching they withdrew to their own people, fearing that a sortie might be made against them from the higher camp on the exposed flank. Those inside the town had brought out what Vercingetorix had prepared for a sortie and had filled the first ditches. Delayed by this, they learned that their own people had withdrawn before they came near the fortifications, and they returned into the town.

Section 83

Twice beaten back with great loss, the Gauls deliberated what they should do. They called in people who knew the places and learned from them the position and fortification of the upper camp. On the north there was a hill that our men had not been able to include in the line because of the extent of the circuit. They had necessarily made camp in a place almost unfavorable and gently sloping. Gaius Antistius Reginus and Gaius Caninius Rebilus, lieutenants, held this place with two legions. After the enemy leaders learned the ground through scouts, they selected sixty thousand men from the whole number of those states which had the highest reputation for courage. Secretly they decided what they wished to be done and in what way. They set the time for attack at noon. They put in command of these men the Arvernian Vercassivellaunus, one of the four leaders and a relative of Vercingetorix.

Section 84

Vercassivellaunus left camp at the first watch and completed almost the whole march by dawn. He hid behind the mountain and ordered his soldiers to rest from the labor of the night. When noon now seemed to be approaching, he hurried toward that camp which has been mentioned above. At the same time the cavalry began to approach the fortifications on the plain, and the rest of the forces began to show themselves before the camp. Vercingetorix, seeing his people from the citadel of Alesia, went out from the town. He brought out hurdles, poles, vineae, wall-hooks, and the other things he had prepared for the sortie. They fought everywhere at once, and every place was tested. Where the place seemed weakest, they rushed there. The forces of the Romans were spread out through such great works and could not easily meet many attacks at the same time. The shouting behind the backs of the fighters added much to the terror of our men, because they saw that their danger depended on the courage of others. For the things that are not seen usually disturb human minds more sharply.

Section 85

Caesar had taken a suitable place and knew what was being done in each part. He sent help to those who were being pressed. It was clear to both sides that this was the moment in which the whole matter rested. The Gauls, unless they broke through the fortifications, despaired of all safety. The Romans expected the end of all labor if they held out. The greatest pressure was at the upper works, where Vercassivellaunus had been sent. The unequal slope of the place had great force. Some were throwing missiles; others, forming a testudo, were coming up; fresh men were replacing the weary. Earth thrown by all the enemy into the fortification gave the Gauls a way up and covered the things the Romans had hidden in the ground. Weapons and strength were now failing our men.

Section 86

When Caesar learned this, he sent Labienus with six cohorts to help those in distress. He ordered that, if he could not hold out, he should lead out the cohorts and make a sortie, but not do this except by necessity. Caesar himself went to the others and urged them not to yield to the labor. He showed that the fruit of all previous battles depended on that day and that hour. Those inside, despairing of the fortifications on the plain because of the greatness of the works, tried to climb the steep places. They brought there the things they had prepared. By a great number of missiles they drove the defenders from the towers, filled the ditches with earth and hurdles, and cut down the rampart and breastwork with hooks.

Section 87

Caesar first sent young Brutus with cohorts, then the lieutenant Gaius Fabius with others. Finally, when the fighting grew more severe, he himself brought fresh troops to help. After the battle was restored and the enemy were driven back, he hurried to the place where he had sent Labienus. He drew four cohorts from the nearest redoubt and ordered part of the cavalry to follow him and part to go around the outer fortifications and attack the enemy from behind. Labienus, when neither ramparts nor ditches could hold back the enemy's force, gathered thirty-nine cohorts that chance had brought together from the nearest posts and reported to Caesar by messengers what he thought should be done.

Section 88

Caesar hurried so that he might be present at the battle. When his arrival was known from the color of his clothing, which he was accustomed to wear as a mark in battle, and when the squadrons of cavalry and the cohorts he had ordered to follow him were seen, because the slopes and lower places were visible from above, the enemy joined battle. A shout was raised on both sides, and a shout answered it from the rampart and from all the fortifications. Our men threw aside their javelins and did the matter with swords. Suddenly the cavalry was seen behind the enemy. Other cohorts were approaching. The enemy turned their backs. The cavalry met them in flight, and a great slaughter followed. Sedulius, leader and chief of the Lemovices, was killed. The Arvernian Vercassivellaunus was captured alive in flight. Seventy-four military standards were brought to Caesar. Few from so great a number returned unharmed to camp. Those in the town, seeing from the wall the slaughter and flight of their own people, despaired of safety and withdrew their forces from the fortifications. When this was heard, there was immediately flight from the camp of the Gauls. If the soldiers had not been worn out by sending frequent help and by the labor of the whole day, all the enemy forces could have been destroyed. Cavalry sent out around midnight reached the rear column. A great number were captured and killed; the rest fled from the slaughter and went to their states.

Section 89

On the next day Vercingetorix called a council and showed that he had undertaken that war not for his own necessities, but for the cause of common liberty. Since one must yield to fortune, he offered himself to them for either outcome: whether they wished to satisfy the Romans by his death or to hand him over alive. Envoys were sent to Caesar about these matters. Caesar ordered the arms to be handed over and the chiefs to be brought out. He himself sat in the fortification before the camp. The leaders were brought there; Vercingetorix was surrendered; the arms were thrown down. Caesar kept back the Aedui and Arverni, in case he could recover the states through them; from the rest of the captives he distributed one head to each soldier throughout the whole army in the name of plunder.

Section 90

After these things were completed, he set out into the territory of the Aedui and received the state. Envoys were sent there by the Arverni, promising that they would do what he commanded. He demanded a great number of hostages. He sent the legions into winter quarters. He returned about twenty thousand captives to the Aedui and Arverni. He ordered Titus Labienus to set out into the land of the Sequani with two legions and the cavalry, and assigned Marcus Sempronius Rutilus to him. He placed the lieutenant Gaius Fabius and Lucius Minucius Basilus with two legions among the Remi, so that they might suffer no harm from the neighboring Bellovaci. He sent Gaius Antistius Reginus among the Ambivareti, Titus Sextius among the Bituriges, and Gaius Caninius Rebilus among the Ruteni, each with one legion. He placed Quintus Tullius Cicero and Publius Sulpicius at Cabillonum and Matisco among the Aedui by the Saone, for the sake of grain supply. He himself decided to winter at Bibracte. When these things were learned at Rome from Caesar's letters, a thanksgiving of twenty days was decreed.

Colophon

This page translates Caesar, De Bello Gallico 7.63-90 from Latin for the Celtic continental expansion of the Good Work Library. Caesar's account is self-justifying Roman war prose; the translation keeps that frame visible while making the whole Alesia source-unit available for readers.

Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

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Source Text: Caesar, De Bello Gallico 7.63-90

Latin source text from The Latin Library's text of Caesar, De Bello Gallico, Book 7. This page gives the continuous Alesia source-unit, from the Aeduan revolt and Gallic council through Vercingetorix's surrender and Caesar's settlement.

Section 63

Defectione Aeduorum cognita bellum augetur. Legationes in omnes partes circummittuntur: quantum gratia, auctoritate, pecunia valent, ad sollicitandas civitates nituntur; nacti obsides, quos Caesar apud eos deposuerat, horum supplicio dubitantes territant. Petunt a Vercingetorige Aedui ut ad se veniat rationesque belli gerendi communicet. Re impetrata contendunt ut ipsis summa imperi tradatur, et re in controversiam deducta totius Galliae concilium Bibracte indicitur. Eodem conveniunt undique frequentes. Multitudinis suffragiis res permittitur: ad unum omnes Vercingetorigem probant imperatorem. Ab hoc concilio Remi, Lingones, Treveri afuerunt: illi, quod amicitiam Romanorum sequebantur; Treveri, quod aberant longius et ab Germanis premebantur, quae fuit causa quare toto abessent bello et neutris auxilia mitterent. Magno dolore Aedui ferunt se deiectos principatu, queruntur fortunae commutationem et Caesaris indulgentiam in se requirunt, neque tamen suscepto bello suum consilium ab reliquis separare audent. Inviti summae spei adulescentes Eporedorix et Viridomarus Vercingetorigi parent.

Section 64

Ipse imperat reliquis civitatibus obsides diemque ei rei constituit. Omnes equites, quindecim milia numero, celeriter convenire iubet; peditatu quem antea habuerit se fore contentum dicit, neque fortunam temptaturum aut in acie dimicaturum, sed, quoniam abundet equitatu, perfacile esse factu frumentationibus pabulationibusque Romanos prohibere, aequo modo animo sua ipsi frumenta corrumpant aedificiaque incendant, qua rei familiaris iactura perpetuum imperium libertatemque se consequi videant. His constitutis rebus Aeduis Segusiavisque, qui sunt finitimi provinciae, decem milia peditum imperat; huc addit equites octingentos. His praeficit fratrem Eporedorigis bellumque inferri Allobrogibus iubet. Altera ex parte Gabalos proximosque pagos Arvernorum in Helvios, item Rutenos Cadurcosque ad fines Volcarum Arecomicorum depopulandos mittit. Nihilo minus clandestinis nuntiis legationibusque Allobrogas sollicitat, quorum mentes nondum ab superiore bello resedisse sperabat. Horum principibus pecunias, civitati autem imperium totius provinciae pollicetur.

Section 65

Ad hos omnes casus provisa erant praesidia cohortium duarum et viginti, quae ex ipsa provincia ab Lucio Caesare legato ad omnes partes opponebantur. Helvii sua sponte cum finitimis proelio congressi pelluntur et Gaio Valerio Donnotauro, Caburi filio, principe civitatis, compluribusque aliis interfectis intra oppida ac muros compelluntur. Allobroges crebris ad Rhodanum dispositis praesidiis magna cum cura et diligentia suos fines tuentur. Caesar, quod hostes equitatu superiores esse intellegebat et interclusis omnibus itineribus nulla re ex provincia atque Italia sublevari poterat, trans Rhenum in Germaniam mittit ad eas civitates quas superioribus annis pacaverat, equitesque ab his arcessit et levis armaturae pedites, qui inter eos proeliari consuerant. Eorum adventu, quod minus idoneis equis utebantur, a tribunis militum reliquisque equitibus Romanis atque evocatis equos sumit Germanisque distribuit.

Section 66

Interea, dum haec geruntur, hostium copiae ex Arvernis equitesque qui toti Galliae erant imperati conveniunt. Magno horum coacto numero, cum Caesar in Sequanos per extremos Lingonum fines iter faceret, quo facilius subsidium provinciae ferri posset, circiter milia passuum decem ab Romanis trinis castris Vercingetorix consedit convocatisque ad concilium praefectis equitum venisse tempus victoriae demonstrat. Fugere in provinciam Romanos Galliaque excedere. Id sibi ad praesentem obtinendam libertatem satis esse; ad reliqui temporis pacem atque otium parum profici: maioribus enim coactis copiis reversuros neque finem bellandi facturos. Proinde agmine impeditos adorirantur. Si pedites suis auxilium ferant atque in eo morentur, iter facere non posse; si, id quod magis futurum confidat, relictis impedimentis suae saluti consulant, et usu rerum necessariarum et dignitate spoliatum iri. Nam de equitibus hostium, quin nemo eorum progredi modo extra agmen audeat, et ipsos quidem non debere dubitare, et quo maiore faciant animo, copias se omnes pro castris habiturum et terrori hostibus futurum. Conclamant equites sanctissimo iureiurando confirmari oportere, ne tecto recipiatur, ne ad liberos, ne ad parentes, ad uxorem aditum habeat, qui non bis per agmen hostium perequitasset.

Section 67

Probata re atque omnibus iureiurando adactis postero die in tres partes distributo equitatu duae se acies ab duobus lateribus ostendunt, una primo agmine iter impedire coepit. Qua re nuntiata Caesar suum quoque equitatum tripertito divisum contra hostem ire iubet. Pugnatur una omnibus in partibus. Consistit agmen; impedimenta intra legiones recipiuntur. Si qua in parte nostri laborare aut gravius premi videbantur, eo signa inferri Caesar aciemque constitui iubebat; quae res et hostes ad insequendum tardabat et nostros spe auxili confirmabat. Tandem Germani ab dextro latere summum iugum nacti hostes loco depellunt; fugientes usque ad flumen, ubi Vercingetorix cum pedestribus copiis consederat, persequuntur compluresque interficiunt. Qua re animadversa reliqui ne circumirentur veriti se fugae mandant. Omnibus locis fit caedes. Tres nobilissimi Aedui capti ad Caesarem perducuntur: Cotus, praefectus equitum, qui controversiam cum Convictolitavi proximis comitiis habuerat, et Cavarillus, qui post defectionem Litavicci pedestribus copiis praefuerat, et Eporedorix, quo duce ante adventum Caesaris Aedui cum Sequanis bello contenderant.

Section 68

Fugato omni equitatu Vercingetorix copias, ut pro castris collocaverat, reduxit protinusque Alesiam, quod est oppidum Mandubiorum, iter facere coepit celeriterque impedimenta ex castris educi et se subsequi iussit. Caesar impedimentis in proximum collem deductis, duabus legionibus praesidio relictis, secutus quantum diei tempus est passum, circiter tribus milibus hostium ex novissimo agmine interfectis altero die ad Alesiam castra fecit. Perspecto urbis situ perterritisque hostibus, quod equitatu, qua maxime parte exercitus confidebant, erant pulsi, adhortatus ad laborem milites circumvallare instituit.

Section 69

Ipsum erat oppidum Alesia in colle summo admodum edito loco, ut nisi obsidione expugnari non posse videretur; cuius collis radices duo duabus ex partibus flumina subluebant. Ante id oppidum planities circiter milia passuum tria in longitudinem patebat: reliquis ex omnibus partibus colles mediocri interiecto spatio pari altitudinis fastigio oppidum cingebant. Sub muro, quae pars collis ad orientem solem spectabat, hunc omnem locum copiae Gallorum compleverant fossamque et maceriam sex in altitudinem pedum praeduxerant. Eius munitionis quae ab Romanis instituebatur circuitus XI milia passuum tenebat. Castra opportunis locis erant posita ibique castella viginti tria facta, quibus in castellis interdiu stationes ponebantur, ne qua subito eruptio fieret: haec eadem noctu excubitoribus ac firmis praesidiis tenebantur.

Section 70

Opere instituto fit equestre proelium in ea planitie, quam intermissam collibus tria milia passuum in longitudinem patere supra demonstravimus. Summa vi ab utrisque contenditur. Laborantibus nostris Caesar Germanos summittit legionesque pro castris constituit, ne qua subito irruptio ab hostium peditatu fiat. Praesidio legionum addito nostris animus augetur: hostes in fugam coniecti se ipsi multitudine impediunt atque angustioribus portis relictis coacervantur. Germani acrius usque ad munitiones sequuntur. Fit magna caedes: nonnulli relictis equis fossam transire et maceriam transcendere conantur. Paulum legiones Caesar quas pro vallo constituerat promoveri iubet. Non minus qui intra munitiones erant perturbantur Galli: veniri ad se confestim existimantes ad arma conclamant; nonnulli perterriti in oppidum irrumpunt. Vercingetorix iubet portas claudi, ne castra nudentur. Multis interfectis, compluribus equis captis Germani sese recipiunt.

Section 71

Vercingetorix, priusquam munitiones ab Romanis perficiantur, consilium capit omnem ab se equitatum noctu dimittere. Discedentibus mandat ut suam quisque eorum civitatem adeat omnesque qui per aetatem arma ferre possint ad bellum cogant. Sua in illos merita proponit obtestaturque ut suae salutis rationem habeant neu se optime de communi libertate meritum in cruciatum hostibus dedant. Quod si indiligentiores fuerint, milia hominum delecta octoginta una secum interitura demonstrat. Ratione inita se exigue dierum triginta habere frumentum, sed paulo etiam longius tolerari posse parcendo. His datis mandatis, qua opus erat intermissum, secunda vigilia silentio equitatum mittit. Frumentum omne ad se referri iubet; capitis poenam eis qui non paruerint constituit: pecus, cuius magna erat copia ab Mandubiis compulsa, viritim distribuit; frumentum parce et paulatim metiri instituit; copias omnes quas pro oppido collocaverat in oppidum recepit. His rationibus auxilia Galliae exspectare et bellum parat administrare.

Section 72

Quibus rebus cognitis ex perfugis et captivis, Caesar haec genera munitionis instituit. Fossam pedum viginti directis lateribus duxit, ut eius fossae solum tantundem pateret quantum summae fossae labra distarent. Reliquas omnes munitiones ab ea fossa pedes quadringentos reduxit, [id] hoc consilio, quoniam tantum esset necessario spatium complexus, nec facile totum corpus corona militum cingeretur, ne de improviso aut noctu ad munitiones hostium multitudo advolaret aut interdiu tela in nostros operi destinatos conicere possent. Hoc intermisso spatio duas fossas quindecim pedes latas, eadem altitudine perduxit, quarum interiorem campestribus ac demissis locis aqua ex flumine derivata complevit. Post eas aggerem ac vallum duodecim pedum exstruxit. Huic loricam pinnasque adiecit grandibus cervis eminentibus ad commissuras pluteorum atque aggeris, qui ascensum hostium tardarent, et turres toto opere circumdedit, quae pedes LXXX inter se distarent.

Section 73

Erat eodem tempore et materiari et frumentari et tantas munitiones fieri necesse deminutis nostris copiis quae longius ab castris progrediebantur: ac non numquam opera nostra Galli temptare atque eruptionem ex oppido pluribus portis summa vi facere conabantur. Quare ad haec rursus opera addendum Caesar putavit, quo minore numero militum munitiones defendi possent. Itaque truncis arborum aut admodum firmis ramis abscisis atque horum delibratis ac praeacutis cacuminibus perpetuae fossae quinos pedes altae ducebantur. Huc illi stipites demissi et ab infimo revincti, ne revelli possent, ab ramis eminebant. Quini erant ordines coniuncti inter se atque implicati; quo qui intraverant, se ipsi acutissimis vallis induebant. Hos cippos appellabant. Ante quos obliquis ordinibus in quincuncem dispositis scrobes tres in altitudinem pedes fodiebantur paulatim angustiore ad infimum fastigio. Huc teretes stipites feminis crassitudine ab summo praeacuti et praeusti demittebantur, ita ut non amplius digitis quattuor ex terra eminerent; simul confirmandi et stabiliendi causa singuli ab infimo solo pedes terra exculcabantur, reliqua pars scrobis ad occultandas insidias viminibus ac virgultis integebatur. Huius generis octoni ordines ducti ternos inter se pedes distabant. Id ex similitudine floris lilium appellabant. Ante haec taleae pedem longae ferreis hamis infixis totae in terram infodiebantur mediocribusque intermissis spatiis omnibus locis disserebantur; quos stimulos nominabant.

Section 74

His rebus perfectis regiones secutus quam potuit aequissimas pro loci natura quattuordecim milia passuum complexus pares eiusdem generis munitiones, diversas ab his, contra exteriorem hostem perfecit, ut ne magna quidem multitudine, si ita accidat, munitionum praesidia circumfundi possent; ac ne cum periculo ex castris egredi cogatur, dierum triginta pabulum frumentumque habere omnes convectum iubet.

Section 75

Dum haec apud Alesiam geruntur, Galli concilio principum indicto non omnes eos qui arma ferre possent, ut censuit Vercingetorix, convocandos statuunt, sed certum numerum cuique ex civitate imperandum, ne tanta multitudine confusa nec moderari nec discernere suos nec frumentandi rationem habere possent. Imperant Aeduis atque eorum clientibus, Segusiavis, Ambivaretis, Aulercis Brannovicibus, Blannoviis, milia XXXV; parem numerum Arvernis adiunctis Eleutetis, Cadurcis, Gabalis, Vellaviis, qui sub imperio Arvernorum esse consuerunt; Sequanis, Senonibus, Biturigibus, Santonis, Rutenis, Carnutibus duodena milia; Bellovacis X; totidem Lemovicibus; octona Pictonibus et Turonis et Parisiis et Helvetiis; [Suessionibus,] Ambianis, Mediomatricis, Petrocoriis, Nerviis, Morinis, Nitiobrigibus quina milia; Aulercis Cenomanis totidem; Atrebatibus [IIII milibus]; Veliocassis, Lexoviis et Aulercis Eburovicibus terna; Rauracis et Boiis bina; [XXX milia] universis civitatibus, quae Oceanum attingunt quaeque eorum consuetudine Armoricae appellantur, quo sunt in numero Curiosolites, Redones, Ambibarii, Caletes, Osismi, Veneti, Lemovices, Venelli. Ex his Bellovaci suum numerum non compleverunt, quod se suo nomine atque arbitrio cum Romanis bellum gesturos dicebant neque cuiusquam imperio obtemperaturos; rogati tamen ab Commio pro eius hospitio duo milia una miserunt.

Section 76

Huius opera Commi, ut antea demonstravimus, fideli atque utili superioribus annis erat usus in Britannia Caesar; quibus ille pro meritis civitatem eius immunem esse iusserat, iura legesque reddiderat atque ipsi Morinos attribuerat. Tamen tanta universae Galliae consensio fuit libertatis vindicandae et pristinae belli laudis recuperandae, ut neque beneficiis neque amicitiae memoria moverentur, omnesque et animo et opibus in id bellum incumberent. Coactis equitum VIII milibus et peditum circiter CCL haec in Aeduorum finibus recensebantur, numerusque inibatur, praefecti constituebantur. Commio Atrebati, Viridomaro et Eporedorigi Aeduis, Vercassivellauno Arverno, consobrino Vercingetorigis, summa imperi traditur. His delecti ex civitatibus attribuuntur, quorum consilio bellum administraretur. Omnes alacres et fiduciae pleni ad Alesiam proficiscuntur, neque erat omnium quisquam qui aspectum modo tantae multitudinis sustineri posse arbitraretur, praesertim ancipiti proelio, cum ex oppido eruptione pugnaretur, foris tantae copiae equitatus peditatusque cernerentur.

Section 77

At ei, qui Alesiae obsidebantur praeterita die, qua auxilia suorum exspectaverant, consumpto omni frumento, inscii quid in Aeduis gereretur, concilio coacto de exitu suarum fortunarum consultabant. Ac variis dictis sententiis, quarum pars deditionem, pars, dum vires suppeterent, eruptionem censebat, non praetereunda oratio Critognati videtur propter eius singularem et nefariam crudelitatem. Hic summo in Arvernis ortus loco et magnae habitus auctoritatis, "Nihil," inquit, "de eorum sententia dicturus sum, qui turpissimam servitutem deditionis nomine appellant, neque hos habendos civium loco neque ad concilium adhibendos censeo. Cum his mihi res sit, qui eruptionem probant; quorum in consilio omnium vestrum consensu pristinae residere virtutis memoria videtur. Animi est ista mollitia, non virtus, paulisper inopiam ferre non posse. Qui se ultro morti offerant facilius reperiuntur quam qui dolorem patienter ferant. Atque ego hanc sententiam probarem (tantum apud me dignitas potest), si nullam praeterquam vitae nostrae iacturam fieri viderem: sed in consilio capiendo omnem Galliam respiciamus, quam ad nostrum auxilium concitavimus. Quid hominum milibus LXXX uno loco interfectis propinquis consanguineisque nostris animi fore existimatis, si paene in ipsis cadaveribus proelio decertare cogentur? Nolite hos vestro auxilio exspoliare, qui vestrae salutis causa suum periculum neglexerunt, nec stultitia ac temeritate vestra aut animi imbecillitate omnem Galliam prosternere et perpetuae servituti subicere. An, quod ad diem non venerunt, de eorum fide constantiaque dubitatis? Quid ergo? Romanos in illis ulterioribus munitionibus animine causa cotidie exerceri putatis? Si illorum nuntiis confirmari non potestis omni aditu praesaepto, his utimini testibus appropinquare eorum adventum; cuius rei timore exterriti diem noctemque in opere versantur. Quid ergo mei consili est? Facere, quod nostri maiores nequaquam pari bello Cimbrorum Teutonumque fecerunt; qui in oppida compulsi ac simili inopia subacti eorum corporibus qui aetate ad bellum inutiles videbantur vitam toleraverunt neque se hostibus tradiderunt. Cuius rei si exemplum non haberemus, tamen libertatis causa institui et posteris prodi pulcherrimum iudicarem. Nam quid illi simile bello fuit? Depopulata Gallia Cimbri magnaque illata calamitate finibus quidem nostris aliquando excesserunt atque alias terras petierunt; iura, leges, agros, libertatem nobis reliquerunt. Romani vero quid petunt aliud aut quid volunt, nisi invidia adducti, quos fama nobiles potentesque bello cognoverunt, horum in agris civitatibusque considere atque his aeternam iniungere servitutem? Neque enim ulla alia condicione bella gesserunt. Quod si ea quae in longinquis nationibus geruntur ignoratis, respicite finitimam Galliam, quae in provinciam redacta iure et legibus commutatis securibus subiecta perpetua premitur servitute."

Section 78

Sententiis dictis constituunt ut ei qui valetudine aut aetate inutiles sunt bello oppido excedant, atque omnia prius experiantur, quam ad Critognati sententiam descendant: illo tamen potius utendum consilio, si res cogat atque auxilia morentur, quam aut deditionis aut pacis subeundam condicionem. Mandubii, qui eos oppido receperant, cum liberis atque uxoribus exire coguntur. Hi, cum ad munitiones Romanorum accessissent, flentes omnibus precibus orabant, ut se in servitutem receptos cibo iuvarent. At Caesar dispositis in vallo custodibus recipi prohibebat.

Section 79

Interea Commius reliquique duces quibus summa imperi permissa erat cum omnibus copiis ad Alesiam perveniunt et colle exteriore occupato non longius mille passibus ab nostris munitionibus considunt. Postero die equitatu ex castris educto omnem eam planitiem, quam in longitudinem tria milia passuum patere demonstravimus, complent pedestresque copias paulum ab eo loco abditas in locis superioribus constituunt. Erat ex oppido Alesia despectus in campum. Concurrunt his auxiliis visis; fit gratulatio inter eos, atque omnium animi ad laetitiam excitantur. Itaque productis copiis ante oppidum considunt et proximam fossam cratibus integunt atque aggere explent seque ad eruptionem atque omnes casus comparant.

Section 80

Caesar omni exercitu ad utramque partem munitionum disposito, ut, si usus veniat, suum quisque locum teneat et noverit, equitatum ex castris educi et proelium committi iubet. Erat ex omnibus castris, quae summum undique iugum tenebant, despectus, atque omnes milites intenti pugnae proventum exspectabant. Galli inter equites raros sagittarios expeditosque levis armaturae interiecerant, qui suis cedentibus auxilio succurrerent et nostrorum equitum impetus sustinerent. Ab his complures de improviso vulnerati proelio excedebant. Cum suos pugna superiores esse Galli confiderent et nostros multitudine premi viderent, ex omnibus partibus et ei qui munitionibus continebantur et hi qui ad auxilium convenerant clamore et ululatu suorum animos confirmabant. Quod in conspectu omnium res gerebatur neque recte ac turpiter factum celari poterat, utrosque et laudis cupiditas et timor ignominiae ad virtutem excitabant. Cum a meridie prope ad solis occasum dubia victoria pugnaretur, Germani una in parte confertis turmis in hostes impetum fecerunt eosque propulerunt; quibus in fugam coniectis sagittarii circumventi interfectique sunt. Item ex reliquis partibus nostri cedentes usque ad castra insecuti sui colligendi facultatem non dederunt. At ei qui ab Alesia processerant maesti prope victoria desperata se in oppidum receperunt.

Section 81

Uno die intermisso Galli atque hoc spatio magno cratium, scalarum, harpagonum numero effecto media nocte silentio ex castris egressi ad campestres munitiones accedunt. Subito clamore sublato, qua significatione qui in oppido obsidebantur de suo adventu cognoscere possent, crates proicere, fundis, sagittis, lapidibus nostros de vallo proturbare reliquaque quae ad oppugnationem pertinent parant administrare. Eodem tempore clamore exaudito dat tuba signum suis Vercingetorix atque ex oppido educit. Nostri, ut superioribus diebus, ut cuique erat locus attributus, ad munitiones accedunt; fundis librilibus sudibusque quas in opere disposuerant ac glandibus Gallos proterrent. Prospectu tenebris adempto multa utrimque vulnera accipiuntur. Complura tormentis tela coniciuntur. At Marcus Antonius et Gaius Trebonius legati, quibus hae partes ad defendendum obvenerant, qua ex parte nostros premi intellexerant, his auxilio ex ulterioribus castellis deductos summittebant.

Section 82

Dum longius ab munitione aberant Galli, plus multitudine telorum proficiebant; posteaquam propius successerunt, aut se stimulis inopinantes induebant aut in scrobes delati transfodiebantur aut ex vallo ac turribus traiecti pilis muralibus interibant. Multis undique vulneribus acceptis nulla munitione perrupta, cum lux appeteret, veriti ne ab latere aperto ex superioribus castris eruptione circumvenirentur, se ad suos receperunt. At interiores, dum ea quae a Vercingetorige ad eruptionem praeparata erant proferunt, priores fossas explent, diutius in his rebus administrandis morati prius suos discessisse cognoverunt, quam munitionibus appropinquarent. Ita re infecta in oppidum reverterunt.

Section 83

Bis magno cum detrimento repulsi Galli quid agant consulunt; locorum peritos adhibent: ex his superiorum castrorum situs munitionesque cognoscunt. Erat a septentrionibus collis, quem propter magnitudinem circuitus opere circumplecti non potuerant nostri: necessario paene iniquo loco et leniter declivi castra fecerunt. Haec Gaius Antistius Reginus et Gaius Caninius Rebilus legati cum duabus legionibus obtinebant. Cognitis per exploratores regionibus duces hostium LX milia ex omni numero deligunt earum civitatum quae maximam virtutis opinionem habebant; quid quoque pacto agi placeat occulte inter se constituunt; adeundi tempus definiunt, cum meridies esse videatur. His copiis Vercassivellaunum Arvernum, unum ex quattuor ducibus, propinquum Vercingetorigis, praeficiunt. Ille ex castris prima vigilia egressus prope confecto sub lucem itinere post montem se occultavit militesque ex nocturno labore sese reficere iussit. Cum 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.

Section 84

Vercingetorix ex arce Alesiae suos conspicatus ex oppido egreditur; crates, longurios, musculos, falces reliquaque quae eruptionis causa paraverat profert. Pugnatur uno tempore omnibus locis, atque omnia temptantur: quae minime visa pars firma est, huc concurritur. Romanorum manus tantis munitionibus distinetur nec facile pluribus locis occurrit. Multum ad terrendos nostros valet clamor, qui post tergum pugnantibus exstitit, quod suum periculum in aliena vident salute constare: omnia enim plerumque quae absunt vehementius hominum mentes perturbant.

Section 85

Caesar idoneum locum nactus quid quaque ex parte geratur cognoscit; laborantibus summittit. Utrisque ad animum occurrit unum esse illud tempus, quo maxime contendi conveniat: Galli, nisi perfregerint munitiones, de omni salute desperant; Romani, si rem obtinuerint, finem laborum omnium exspectant. Maxime ad superiores munitiones laboratur, quo Vercassivellaunum missum demonstravimus. Iniquum loci ad declivitatem fastigium magnum habet momentum. Alii tela coniciunt, alii testudine facta subeunt; defatigatis in vicem integri succedunt. Agger ab universis in munitionem coniectus et ascensum dat Gallis et ea quae in terra occultaverant Romani contegit; nec iam arma nostris nec vires suppetunt.

Section 86

His rebus cognitis Caesar Labienum cum cohortibus sex subsidio laborantibus mittit: imperat, si sustinere non posset, deductis cohortibus eruptione pugnaret; id nisi necessario ne faciat. Ipse adit reliquos, cohortatur ne labori succumbant; omnium superiorum dimicationum fructum in eo die atque hora docet consistere. Interiores desperatis campestribus locis propter magnitudinem munitionum loca praerupta ex ascensu temptant: huc ea quae paraverant conferunt. Multitudine telorum ex turribus propugnantes deturbant, aggere et cratibus fossas explent, falcibus vallum ac loricam rescindunt.

Section 87

Mittit primo Brutum adulescentem cum cohortibus Caesar, post cum aliis Gaium Fabium legatum; postremo ipse, cum vehementius pugnaretur, integros subsidio adducit. Restituto proelio ac repulsis hostibus eo quo Labienum miserat contendit; cohortes quattuor ex proximo castello deducit, equitum partem sequi, partem circumire exteriores munitiones et ab tergo hostes adoriri iubet. Labienus, postquam neque aggeres neque fossae vim hostium sustinere poterant, coactis una XL cohortibus, quas ex proximis praesidus deductas fors obtulit, Caesarem per nuntios facit certiorem quid faciendum existimet. Accelerat Caesar, ut proelio intersit.

Section 88

Eius adventu ex colore vestitus cognito, quo insigni in proeliis uti consuerat, turmisque equitum et cohortibus visis quas se sequi iusserat, ut de locis superioribus haec declivia et devexa cernebantur, hostes proelium committunt. Utrimque clamore sublato excipit rursus ex vallo atque omnibus munitionibus clamor. Nostri omissis pilis gladiis rem gerunt. Repente post tergum equitatus cernitur; cohortes aliae appropinquant. Hostes terga vertunt; fugientibus equites occurrunt. Fit magna caedes. Sedulius, dux et princeps Lemovicum, occiditur; Vercassivellaunus Arvernus vivus in fuga comprehenditur; signa militaria septuaginta quattuor ad Caesarem referuntur: pauci ex tanto numero se incolumes in castra recipiunt. Conspicati ex oppido caedem et fugam suorum desperata salute copias a munitionibus reducunt. Fit protinus hac re audita ex castris Gallorum fuga. Quod nisi crebris subsidiis ac totius diei labore milites essent defessi, omnes hostium copiae deleri potuissent. De media nocte missus equitatus novissimum agmen consequitur: magnus numerus capitur atque interficitur; reliqui ex fuga in civitates discedunt.

Section 89

Postero die Vercingetorix concilio convocato id bellum se suscepisse non suarum necessitatium, sed communis libertatis causa demonstrat, et quoniam sit fortunae cedendum, ad utramque rem se illis offerre, seu morte sua Romanis satisfacere seu vivum tradere velint. Mittuntur de his rebus ad Caesarem legati. Iubet arma tradi, principes produci. Ipse in munitione pro castris consedit: eo duces producuntur; Vercingetorix deditur, arma proiciuntur. Reservatis Aeduis atque Arvernis, si per eos civitates reciperare posset, ex reliquis captivis toto exercitui capita singula praedae nomine distribuit.

Section 90

His rebus confectis in Aeduos proficiscitur; civitatem recipit. Eo legati ab Arvernis missi quae imperaret se facturos pollicentur. Imperat magnum numerum obsidum. Legiones in hiberna mittit. Captivorum circiter viginti milia Aeduis Arvernisque reddit. Titum Labienum duabus cum legionibus et equitatu in Sequanos proficisci iubet: huic Marcum Sempronium Rutilum attribuit. Gaium Fabium legatum et Lucium Minucium Basilum cum legionibus duabus in Remis collocat, ne quam ab finitimis Bellovacis calamitatem accipiant. Gaium Antistium Reginum in Ambivaretos, Titum Sextium in Bituriges, Gaium Caninium Rebilum in Rutenos cum singulis legionibus mittit. Quintum Tullium Ciceronem et Publium Sulpicium Cabilloni et Matiscone in Aeduis ad Ararim rei frumentariae causa collocat. Ipse Bibracte hiemare constituit. His litteris cognitis Romae dierum viginti supplicatio redditur.

Source Colophon

The Latin source was captured from The Latin Library on 2026-05-13 and inspected on disk at Tulku/Tools/celtic/sources/continental_batch_2026-05-13/caesar_gallic_war_7_latin_library.html. The English translation is a New Tianmu Anglican Church Good Works Translation made from the Latin source.

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