De Bello Civili 3.59

BC 3.59.1Erant apud Caesarem in equitum numerō Allobrogēs iī frātrēs, Roucillus et Aecus, Adbucillī fīliī, quī prīncipātum in cīvitāte multīs annīs obtinuerat, singulārī virtūte hominēs, quōrum operā Caesar omnibus Gallicīs bellīs optimā fortissimāque erat ūsus.

There were with Caesar, among the cavalry, two brothers of the Allobroges, Roucillus and Aecus, sons of Adbucillus, who had held the chief power in his state for many years; they were men of outstanding courage, whose very fine and brave service Caesar had used in all the Gallic wars.

Note. The story of the two deserters explains how Pompey learned of the weak point in Caesar's lines. quī … obtinuerat: the relative refers to the father, Adbucillus. quōrum operā … erat ūsus: ūtor takes the ablative: 'whose service he had used'.

BC 3.59.2hīs domī ob hās causās amplissimōs magistrātūs mandāverat atque eōs extrā ōrdinem in senātum legendōs cūrāverat, agrōsque in Galliā ex hostibus captōs praemiaque reī pecūniāriae magna tribuerat locuplētēsque ex egentibus fēcerat.

For these reasons he had entrusted the highest magistracies at home to them and had arranged for them to be enrolled in their senate out of turn; and he had given them lands in Gaul captured from the enemy and large money rewards, and had made them rich instead of needy.

Note. domī: locative, 'at home', i.e. among the Allobroges. extrā ordinem: 'out of turn', without the usual qualifications. locuplētēs ex egentibus: 'rich instead of needy', literally 'rich out of needy'.

BC 3.59.3hī propter virtūtem nōn sōlum apud Caesarem in honōre erant, sed etiam apud exercitum cārī habēbantur;

Because of their courage these men were not only held in honour by Caesar but were also thought dear by the army;

Note. nōn sōlum … sed etiam: 'not only … but also'. cārī habēbantur: 'were held dear'.

BC 3.59.3sed frētī amīcitiā Caesaris et stultā ac barbarā adrogantiā ēlātī dēspiciēbant suōs stīpendiumque equitum fraudābant et praedam omnem domum āvertēbant.

but relying on Caesar's friendship and carried away by a foolish and barbarian arrogance, they looked down on their own people, cheated the cavalrymen of their pay, and diverted all the booty to their homes.

Note. frētī: 'relying on', with the ablative amīcitiā. suōs: 'their own men'. stīpendium … fraudābant: 'cheated (the cavalry) of their pay'; equitum depends on stīpendium.

BC 3.59.4quibus illī rēbus permōtī ūniversī Caesarem adiērunt palamque dē eōrum iniūriīs sunt questī et ad cētera addidērunt falsum ab iīs equitum numerum dēferrī, quōrum stīpendium āverterent.

Angered by these things, the others all went to Caesar together and openly complained of their wrongs, and added to the rest that a false number of cavalrymen was being reported by them, whose pay they were embezzling.

Note. quibus … rēbus: connecting relative, 'by these things'. falsum … numerum dēferrī: indirect statement after addidērunt: they were reporting more men than they had and pocketing the extra pay.