De Bello Civili 1.83

BC 1.83.1Aciēs erat Afrāniāna duplex legiōnum v, tertium in subsidiīs locum ālāriae cohortēs obtinēbant;

Afranius' line was double, of five legions; the auxiliary cohorts held the third place, in reserve;

Note. Aciēs … duplex legiōnum v: a double line of five legions. ālāriae cohortēs: the auxiliaries.

BC 1.83.2Caesaris triplex;

Caesar's was triple;

BC 1.83.2sed prīmam aciem quaternae cohortēs ex v legiōnibus tenēbant, hās subsidiāriae ternae et rūrsus aliae totidem suae cuiusque legiōnis subsequēbantur;

but the first line was held by four cohorts from each of the five legions, these were followed by three reserve cohorts each, and then again by as many others, each of its own legion.

Note. quaternae … ternae: distributive numerals, 'four from each legion', 'three each'. suae cuiusque legiōnis: 'each of its own legion'.

BC 1.83.2sagittāriī funditōrēsque mediā continēbantur aciē, equitātus latera cingēbat.

The archers and slingers were held in the centre of the line, and the cavalry surrounded the flanks.

Note. sagittāriī funditōrēsque: archers and slingers.

BC 1.83.3tālī īnstrūctā aciē tenēre uterque prōpositum vidēbātur: Caesar, nisi coāctus proelium nōn committeret, ille, ut opera Caesaris impedīret.

With the lines drawn up like this, each seemed to be holding to his purpose: Caesar not to join battle unless forced to, the other to hinder Caesar's works.

Note. uterque: Caesar and Afranius. ille: Afranius.

BC 1.83.3prōdūcitur tamen rēs aciēsque ad sōlis occāsum continentur;

However, the matter is drawn out, and the lines are kept in position until sunset;

Note. ad sōlis occāsum: 'until sunset'.

BC 1.83.3inde utrīque in castra discēdunt.

then both sides return to their camps.

BC 1.83.4posterō diē mūnītiōnēs īnstitūtās Caesar parat perficere;

The next day Caesar prepares to finish the fortifications he has begun;

BC 1.83.4illī vadum flūminis Sicoris temptāre, sī trānsīre possent.

the Pompeians to try a ford of the river Sicoris, to see if they could cross.

Note. Sicoris: the Segre, the river beside Ilerda. temptāre: historic infinitive, 'they tried'.

BC 1.83.5quā rē animadversā Caesar Germānōs levis armātūrae equitumque partem flūmen trāicit crēbrāsque in rīpīs custōdiās dispōnit.

When he notices this, Caesar sends the Germans of the light-armed force and part of the cavalry across the river, and posts frequent guards along the banks.

Note. Germānōs levis armātūrae: German light infantry who fought among the cavalry.