Seven Commentaries on the Gallic WarGaius Julius Caesar (?100-44 BC) was born into the senatorial aristocracy which controlled the operations of the Roman empire. Always a supporter of popular measures in the politics of the city, he became consul in 59 with the support of Pompey ('the Great'), but the alliance did not last, and the two men became first political and then military rivals. A ten-year proconsular command in the Roman province of Gaul brought him immense wealth as well as control of a huge and devoted army, both of which factors in 49 BC enabled him to challenge Pompey for supremacy at Rome. The civil war which resulted left him, after Pompey's defeat at Pharsalus and death in Egypt, in sole control of Rome's affairs; the perpetual dictatorship and extraordinary honours which followed marked a shift in the structures of Roman politics which, despite his assassination on the Ides of March 44, was to prove permanent, and which played its part in the change from Republic to Principate. The accounts which he wrote of his campaigns against the peoples of Gaul, Britain, and Germany (The Gallic War) and against Pompey (The Civil War) have been valued for centuries as classics of military practice and literary excellence. |
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Page 108
... defences were cut off by the sudden arrival of enemy cavalry . They were surrounded , and a vast host of Eburones ... defences . Any defects apparent in the defences were corrected . Next day the enemy attacked the camp in much greater ...
... defences were cut off by the sudden arrival of enemy cavalry . They were surrounded , and a vast host of Eburones ... defences . Any defects apparent in the defences were corrected . Next day the enemy attacked the camp in much greater ...
Page 190
... defences , and by the use of slings firing large stones , stakes earlier set out along the defences , and missiles , they frightened off the Gauls . Darkness decreased visibility , with the result that both sides incurred many ...
... defences , and by the use of slings firing large stones , stakes earlier set out along the defences , and missiles , they frightened off the Gauls . Darkness decreased visibility , with the result that both sides incurred many ...
Page 192
... defences , and the Romans , if they held firm , were looking forward to the end of all their labours . The struggle was hardest on the upper defences where , as we explained , Vercassivellaunus had been sent . The unfavour- able ...
... defences , and the Romans , if they held firm , were looking forward to the end of all their labours . The struggle was hardest on the upper defences where , as we explained , Vercassivellaunus had been sent . The unfavour- able ...
Contents
List of Illustrations | x |
Select Bibliography | xliv |
Explanatory Notes | 223 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
Aduatuci Aeduan Aedui Alesia Allobroges Ambiorix Ariovistus arms army arrival Arverni Arvernian assemble Atrebates attack Aulerci Avaricum baggage barbarians battle began Belgae Bellovaci Bituriges Britain Caesar Caesar sent camp campaign Caninius Carnutes cavalry Cenabum centurions cohorts command Commius consul Cotta courage Crassus crossed death decided defeat defences Diviciacus Dumnorix earthwork Eburones Edited enemy enemy's envoys to Caesar Fabius fear fighting fled force fortified Gaius Gallic Gallic War gave orders Gergovia Germans Helvetii hill hope hostages Indutiomarus infantry killed Labienus land large number leaders legates legions Litaviccus Lucius Menapii miles missiles mustered Nervii night once panic Pompey Province Publius Quintus Cicero rampart reached Remi rest Rhine river Roman Rome route Sabinus seized Senate Senones sent envoys Sequani ships side siege siege-works soldiers Suebi surrender territory Titus Labienus took town Translated Treveri Veneti Vercingetorix victory wall weapons whole of Gaul winter quarters