De Bello Civili 1.67

BC 1.67.1Disputātur in cōnsiliō ā Petrēiō atque Afrāniō et tempus profectiōnis quaeritur.

There was a debate in council between Petreius and Afranius, and the time of departure was discussed.

Note. Disputātur … quaeritur: impersonal passives, 'there is a debate … it is asked'.

BC 1.67.1plērīque cēnsēbant, ut noctū iter facerent;

Most were of the opinion that they should march by night;

Note. plērīque: 'most'. cēnsēbant, ut …: 'were of the opinion that they should …'.

BC 1.67.1posse prius ad angustiās venīrī, quam sentīrētur.

they could reach the passes before they were noticed.

Note. posse … venīrī: impersonal passive infinitive, 'that it was possible to arrive'. prius … quam: split priusquam, 'before'.

BC 1.67.2aliī, quod prīdiē noctū conclāmātum esset Caesaris castrīs, argūmentī sūmēbant locō nōn posse clam exīrī.

Others took it as proof that they could not leave secretly that the call to arms had been raised in Caesar's camp the night before;

Note. argūmentī … locō: 'by way of proof'. exīrī: impersonal passive infinitive, 'that one could not get out'.

BC 1.67.3circumfundī noctū equitātum Caesaris atque omnia loca atque itinera obsidēre;

Caesar's cavalry poured round at night and blocked all places and roads;

Note. Still reported speech: Caesar's cavalry is the subject of circumfundī (passive with middle sense, 'pours round') and obsidēre.

BC 1.67.3nocturnaque proelia esse vītanda, quod perterritus mīles in cīvīlī dissēnsiōne timōrī magis quam religiōnī cōnsulere cōnsuērit.

and night battles were to be avoided, because in a civil conflict a frightened soldier usually thinks more of his fear than of his oath.

Note. vītanda: gerundive, 'must be avoided'. in cīvīlī dissēnsiōne: a telling phrase; frightened soldiers in a civil war might desert to the other side. cōnsuērit = cōnsuēverit.

BC 1.67.4at lūce multum per sē pudōrem omnium oculīs, multum etiam tribūnōrum mīlitum et centuriōnum praesentiam adferre, quibus rēbus coercērī mīlitēs et in officiō continērī soleant.

But in daylight the eyes of all brought much shame in themselves, and the presence of the military tribunes and centurions brought much too; by these things soldiers are usually restrained and kept to their duty.

Note. per sē: 'in itself'. omnium oculīs: dative, 'to everyone's eyes', i.e. being seen by all brings shame. quibus rēbus: 'by these things'.

BC 1.67.5quārē omnī ratiōne esse interdiū perrumpendum;

So they must break through by day by every means;

Note. esse … perrumpendum: impersonal gerundive, 'one must break through'.

BC 1.67.5etsī aliquō acceptō dētrīmentō, tamen summā exercitūs salvā locum quem petant capī posse.

even if some loss were suffered, still, with the main body of the army safe, the place they were making for could be taken.

Note. summā exercitūs salvā: ablative absolute, 'the main body of the army being safe'. capī posse: 'could be taken'.

BC 1.67.6haec vincit in cōnsiliō sententia, et prīmā lūce postrīdiē cōnstituunt proficīscī.

This view won in the council, and they decided to set out at first light the next day.

Note. haec … sententia: 'this view'. postrīdiē: 'the next day'.