Romes war against the gallic tribes lasted from 58 bc to 50 bc and culminated in the decisive battle of alesia in 52 bc, in which a complete roman victory resulted in the expansion of the roman republic over the whole of gaul mainly presentday france and belgium. At that time i could read the latin and get the meaning and almost a running translation in my head. The news was brought back to caesar that the helvetii were minded to march through the land of the sequani and the aedui into the borders of the santones. He had joined caesars army that very year and had taken part in the expedition to britain. The gallic war by caesar was written just over two thousand years ago by one of the greatest military minds the world has ever known. Their gaulish language forms the main branch of the continental celtic languages the gauls emerged around the 5th century bc as. All these differ from each other in language, customs and laws. The internet classics archive the gallic wars by julius. Crassus were consuls, those germans called the usipetes, and likewise the tenchtheri, with a great number of men, crossed the rhine, not far from the place at which that river discharges itself into the sea. I must say hes an interesting ancient historical figure. Stevens discussion of the episode epitomizes the dualistic mien of much. Chapter 1 lucius domitius and appius claudius being consuls, caesar, when departing from his winter quarters into italy, as he had been accustomed to do yearly, commands the lieutenants whom he appointed over the legions to take care that during the winter as many ships as possible should be built, and the old repaired. Chapter 1 caesar, expecting for many reasons a greater commotion in gaul, resolves to hold a levy by the means of m. The gallic wars were a series of military campaigns waged by the roman proconsul julius.
All gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the belgae inhabit. Caesar was one of the first romans whom we know to have written in a. Caesar s gallic war consists of seven parts books, each devoted to one year of campaigning. From ancient to medieval latin, then on to modern english ive a slightly different take on chapter 1, book 4.
In 58 bce, caesar headed for gaul, a region roughly encompassing presentday france and belgium and parts of the netherlands. Ea quae secuta est hieme, qui fuit annus gnaeo pompeio, marco crasso consulibus, usipetes germani et item tencteri magna cum multitudine hominum flumen rhenum. Commentaries on the gallic war, also bellum gallicum english. It is again told caesar, that the helvetii intended to march through the country of the sequani and the aedui into the territories of the santones, which are not. Some sixty times in the gallic wars caesar estimated the size of the forces he. Quintus, like his brother marcus, sided with pompey in the civil war, and met a similar fate in the same year b. Tihe date of composition of caesar s gallic war by max radin the commentaries of caesar on the gallic war were known in rome before the year 46 b. Well might fuller 1965, 120 label it as one of the most complete victories in. The commentaries of caesar on the gallic war were known in. As for the battle narrative itself, it concerns an early revolt of several tribes, quelled by caesar and labienus. Commentaries on the gallic war is julius caesars firsthand account of the gallic wars, written as a thirdperson narrative.
Labienus, as he had been ordered by caesar not to come to an engagement unless caesars own forces were seen near the enemys camp, that the attack upon the enemy might be made on every side at the same time, was, after having taken. Seven books, which are in fact parts of a single book, make up commentaries on the gallic war. Chapter 1 gaul being tranquil, caesar, as he had determined, sets out for italy to hold the provincial assizes. Choose from 500 different sets of gallic wars book 1 julius flashcards on quizlet. Besides, the arrival to the story of vercingetorix in chapter seven is worth its weight in gold. In the mean time he is informed by the ubii, a few days after, that the suevi are drawing all their forces into one place, and are giving orders to those nations. Rome didnt control the entirety of the territory, so.
Caesar, as he neither wished that the conference should, by an excuse thrown in the way, be set aside, nor durst trust his life to the cavalry of the gauls, decided that it would be most expedient to take away from the gallic cavalry all their horses, and thereon to mount. Julius caesar, gallic war, book 1, chapter 1 here you can find full texts of cesars gallic war. Caesar, as he neither wished that the conference should, by an excuse thrown in the way, be set aside, nor durst trust his life to the cavalry of the gauls, decided that it would be most expedient to take away from the gallic cavalry all their horses, and thereon to mount the legionary soldiers of the tenth legion, in which he placed the. This chapter covers the initial helvetii migration up until the battle on the river siene. When it was reported to caesar that they were attempting to make their route through our province he hastens to set out from the city, and. Book vi, the shortest of the hooks in the gallic wars, relates caesars adventures during 53 b. A student of the gallic wars should watch for this quality throughout the books. Grant daniell, commentary on caesars gallic war, ag. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the gallic war.
Labienus, as he had been ordered by caesar not to come to an engagement unless caesar s own forces were seen near the enemys camp, that the attack upon the enemy might be made on every side at the same time, was, after having taken. Beginning with 58 bce, each book narrates one year of campaigning. The sections here particularly demonstrate caesars speed in a variety of actions, ranging from the assembling of an army to the staging of. Still, this book is one of the best options for an indepth student of the gauls. The 2005 television series rome gives a fictionalized account of caesar s rise and fall, featuring kevin mckidd as the character of lucius vorenus and ray stevenson as the character of titus pullo of. Caesars commentaries on the gallic and civil wars part 1. Ubi per exporatores caesar certior factus est tres iam partes copiarum helvetios id flumen traduxisse, quartam fere partem. Julius caesars commentaries on the gallic war book 1 duration. It is again told caesar, that the helvetii intended to march through the country of the sequani and the aedui into the territories of the santones, which are not far distant from those boundaries of the tolosates, which viz.
Alexandrian, african and spanish wars, you can also find those at the same page. Julius caesar s commentaries on the gallic war book 1 duration. Caesar pays careful and constant attention to all details and is swift to calculate, judge, and move to keep the initiative. Raaflaub xxiii summary by book and chapter lxv key to maps and diagrams xcii gallic war 18 one 1 two 49 three 79 four 107 five 1 six 171 seven 201 eight by aulus hirtius 269 civil war nine 307 ten 369 eleven 401 alexandrian war by unknown author 1 twelve 491. Book vi, the shortest of the hooks in the gallic wars, relates caesar s adventures during 53 b. The gallic wars by julius caesar the internet classics. May 08, 2011 caesar the gallic wars book 1 chapter 4 duration. Caesars life and works by cynthia damon and kurt a. There he receives intelligence of the death of clodius. The area they originally inhabited was known as gaul. Iulius, 10244 bce, statesman and soldier, defied the dictator sulla. Part history and part political propaganda, the book follows caesar and his legions as they fight their merry way through belgium, france, switzerland, and even england.
The last years before caesars arrival in gaul chapter 2. The gallic wars were a series of military campaigns waged by the roman proconsul julius caesar against several gallic tribes. Commentaries on the gallic war is julius caesar s firsthand account of the gallic wars, written as a thirdperson narrative. Grant daniell, commentary on caesar s gallic war, ag bg 3.
Apr 18, 2011 this chapter covers the initial helvetii migration up until the battle on the river siene. In it caesar describes the battles and intrigues that took place in the nine years he spent fighting local armies in gaul that opposed roman domination. The books are further subdivided into chapters, or subsections. Oct 06, 2007 a different take on caesars gallic war, chapter 1, book 4 from ancient to medieval latin, then on to modern english ive a slightly different take on chapter 1, book 4. Master latin grammatical structures and strengthen your reading comprehension as you read books one through six. The gallic wars by julius caesar book one chapter 1 all gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the belgae inhabit, the aquitani another, those who in their own language are called celts, in our gauls, the third. The internet classics archive the gallic wars by julius caesar. This is the first video in a series which will document the gallic wars as per the description recorded.
Caesars gallic wars, which portrays a series of military campaigns waged against gallic tribes, is one of the best examples of classic latin prose. Learn gallic wars book 1 julius with free interactive flashcards. Gallic wars cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. An additional book by caesars general, aulus hirtius consul 43 bce, relates events of 51 and 50 bce. The book offers expository facts for readers who are not acquainted with the gallic lands and societies encountered during his expeditions. The sections here particularly demonstrate caesar s speed in a variety of actions, ranging from the assembling of an army to the staging of. Allen and greenoughs new latin grammar for schools and colleges, syntax of the verb. Why record the names of ail the members of the tribe, if indeed that was the case10. Chapter 1 all gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the belgae inhabit, the aquitani another, those who in their own language are called celts, in our gauls, the third. The date of composition of caesars gallic war jstor. A different take on caesars gallic war, chapter 1, book 4. Ea quae secuta est hieme, qui fuit annus gnaeo pompeio, marco crasso consulibus.
He had joined caesar s army that very year and had taken part in the expedition to britain. David brown caesar destroys the quarter of the helvetian force by surprising them while they are crossing a river ceasars legions finally meet the helvetians in an open battle on a mountain in the aedui territory. J download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Incidentally, this book used to be much more famous back in the day. It has inspired many books, movies, and even a swiss folk metal song. I cant do that now but will certainly enjoy trying and already some of book 1 sounds familiar even if i now have to look at the excellent translation. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In it caesar describes the battles and intrigues that took place in the nine years he spent fighting the germanic peoples and celtic peoples in gaul that opposed roman conquest. The river garonne separates the gauls from the aquitani.
Klar, celtic romanticism 170 summary caesars gallic wars like alus hirtius, caesars officer who wrote a prefatory letter and posthumous final book after caesars death, i too preface this report with an apologia as i found myself reading for historical and anthropological facts rather than focusing on caesars use of story elements. I did caesar s gallic war book 5 for o level latin 50 years ago. Gallic wars cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. In it caesar describes the battles and intrigues that took place in the nine years he spent fighting. Unfortunately many people think it is a scholarly work, which it is not, it is a war diary, carefully edited for political consumption. The news was brought back to caesar that the helvetii were minded to march through the land of the sequani. The conquest of gaul is julius caesars firsthand account of the gallic wars, fought between 58 and 50 b.