De Bello Civili 2.38

BC 2.38.1Hīs cōnstitūtīs rēbus probātīsque cōnsiliīs ex perfugīs quibusdam oppidānīs audit Iubam revocātum fīnitimō bellō et contrōversiīs Leptitānōrum restitisse in regnō et Saburram, eius praefectum, cum mediocribus cōpiīs missum Uticae adpropinquāre.

When these arrangements had been made and the plans approved, he heard from certain deserters from the town that Juba had been called back by a war with his neighbours and by disputes with the people of Leptis and had stayed in his kingdom, and that Saburra, his general, had been sent with modest forces and was approaching Utica.

Note. Hīs cōnstitūtīs rēbus: ablative absolute. Iubam revocātum … restitisse: indirect statement after audit: Juba 'had been called back … and had stayed'. Leptitānōrum: the people of Leptis. Saburram … appropinquāre: second indirect statement.

BC 2.38.2hīs auctōribus temerē crēdēns cōnsilium commūtat et proeliō rem committere cōnstituit.

Rashly believing these informants, he changed his plan and decided to fight a battle.

Note. temerē crēdēns: Caesar plainly blames Curio's rashness. cōnsilium commūtat: he abandons his plan of waiting.

BC 2.38.2multum ad hanc rem probandam adiuvat adulēscentia, magnitūdō animī, superiōris temporis prōventus, fīdūcia reī bene gerendae.

His youth, his high spirit, the success of the previous campaign and his confidence that things would go well did much to win him over to this course.

Note. A list of subjects for adiuvat, the singular verb agreeing with the nearest. ad hanc rem probandam: 'towards approving this course'. Curio was about thirty-five.

BC 2.38.3hīs rēbus impulsus equitātum omnem prīmā nocte ad castra hostium mittit ad flūmen Bagradam.

Driven by these things, at nightfall he sent all his cavalry to the enemy camp by the river Bagradas.

Note. prīmā nocte: 'at nightfall'. The river Bagradas flows into the sea near Utica.

BC 2.38.3quibus praeerat Saburra, dē quō ante erat audītum, sed rēx cum omnibus cōpiīs īnsequēbātur et vi mīlium passuum intervallō ab Saburrā cōnsēderat.

Saburra, of whom they had heard earlier, was in command there, but the king was following with all his forces and had halted six miles from Saburra.

Note. dē quō ante erat audītum: impersonal passive, 'about whom it had been heard before'. VI mīlium passuum intervallō: ablative of measure, 'at a distance of six miles'.

BC 2.38.4equitēs missī nocte iter cōnficiunt imprūdentīsque atque inopīnantīs hostīs adgrediuntur.

The cavalry who had been sent completed the march by night and attacked the enemy off their guard and taken by surprise.

Note. imprūdentīs atque inopīnantīs hostīs: all accusative plural in -īs, 'the enemy, off their guard and not expecting it'. adgrediuntur: deponent, Caesar's spelling of aggrediuntur.

BC 2.38.4Numidae enim quādam barbarā cōnsuētūdine nūllīs ōrdinibus passim cōnsēderant.

For the Numidians, by a barbarian custom of theirs, had encamped here and there in no order.

Note. quādam barbarā cōnsuētūdine: ablative of manner. nūllīs ōrdinibus: 'in no order'; Roman soldiers always built a fortified camp.

BC 2.38.5hōs oppressōs somnō dispersōs adortī magnum eōrum numerum interficiunt;

Attacking them while they were overcome by sleep and scattered, the cavalry killed a great number of them;

Note. oppressōs somnō dispersōs: two participles describing hōs: overcome by sleep and scattered. adortī: perfect participle of the deponent adorior, 'attacking'.

BC 2.38.5multī perterritī profugiunt.

many fled in terror.

Note. multī: substantive, 'many (men)'.

BC 2.38.5quō factō ad Cūriōnem equitēs revertuntur captīvōsque ad eum redūcunt.

After this the cavalry returned to Curio and brought prisoners back to him.

Note. Quō factō: 'after this'. revertuntur: deponent in the present, 'return'.