De Bello Gallico 1.21

1.21.1Eōdem diē ab explōrātōribus certior factus hostēs sub monte cōnsēdisse mīlia passuum ab ipsīus castrīs octō, quālis esset nātūra montis et quālis in circuitū ascēnsus quī cognōscerent mīsit.

On the same day, informed by scouts that the enemy had camped at the foot of a hill eight miles from his own camp, he sent men to find out what the hill was like and what the climb was like all round it.

1.21.2Renūntiātum est facilem esse.

It was reported that it was easy.

Note. Renūntiātum est: impersonal passive, 'it was reported'. The subject of facilem esse is the climb (ascēnsum) from the sentence before.

1.21.2Dē tertiā vigiliā T. Labiēnum, lēgātum prō praetōre, cum duābus legiōnibus et iīs ducibus quī iter cognōverant summum iugum montis ascendere iubet;

In the third watch of the night he orders Titus Labienus, his officer with the powers of a praetor, to climb to the top of the ridge with two legions, taking as guides those who had learned the route;

1.21.2quid suī cōnsiliī sit ostendit.

he shows him what his plan is.

Note. quid suī cōnsiliī sit: 'what his plan is', literally 'what of his plan there is'.

1.21.3Ipse dē quārta vigiliā eōdem itinere quō hostēs ierant ad eōs contendit equitātumque omnem ante sē mittit.

He himself in the fourth watch hurries toward the enemy by the same route they had taken, and sends all his cavalry ahead of him.

1.21.4P. Cōnsidius, quī reī mīlitāris perītissimus habēbātur et in exercitū L. Sullae et posteā in M. Crassī fuerat, cum explōrātōribus praemittitur.

Publius Considius, who was thought to be very skilled in military matters and had served in the army of Lucius Sulla and later in that of Marcus Crassus, is sent ahead with the scouts.