De Bello Gallico 2.11

2.11.1Eā rē cōnstitūtā, secundā vigiliā magnō cum, strepitū ac tumultū castrīs ēgressī nūllō certō ōrdine neque imperiō, cum sibi quisque prīmum itineris locum peteret et domum pervenīre properāret, fēcērunt ut cōnsimilis fugae profectiō vidērētur.

Having decided this, they left camp in the second watch with great noise and confusion, in no fixed order and under no command, since each man sought the first place on the road for himself and hurried to get home, so that their departure looked just like a rout.

Note. fēcērunt ut … vidērētur: a result clause after faciō, 'they made their departure seem like flight'.

2.11.2Hāc rē statim Caesar per speculātōrēs cognitā īnsidiās veritus, quod quā dē causā discēderent nōndum perspexerat, exercitum equitātumque castrīs continuit.

Caesar learned of this at once through his scouts, but fearing an ambush, because he had not yet seen why they were leaving, he kept the army and the cavalry in camp.

2.11.3Prīmā lūce, cōnfirmātā rē ab explōrātōribus, omnem equitātum, quī novissimum agmen morārētur, praemīsit.

At first light, when the news had been confirmed by the scouts, he sent ahead all the cavalry to hold up the rearguard.

2.11.3Hīs Q. Pedium et L. Aurunculeium Cottam lēgātōs praefēcit;

He put Quintus Pedius and Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta, his officers, in command of it;

2.11.3T. Labiēnum lēgātum cum legiōnibus tribus subsequī iussit.

he ordered his officer Titus Labienus to follow with three legions.

2.11.4Hī novissimōs adortī et multa mīlia passuum prōsecūtī magnam multitūdinem eōrum fugientium concīdērunt, cum ab extrēmō agmine, ad quōs ventum erat, cōnsisterent fortiterque impetum nostrōrum mīlitum sustinērent, priōrēs, quod abesse ā perīculō vidērentur neque ūllā necessitāte neque imperiō continērentur, exaudītō clāmōre perturbātīs ōrdinibus omnēs in fugā sibi praesidium pōnerent.

They attacked the rear and, pursuing for many miles, cut down a great number of them as they fled: those at the end of the column, whom they had reached, stood their ground and bravely withstood the attack of our soldiers, but those in front, because they seemed to be far from danger and were held together by no necessity and no command, broke ranks when they heard the shouting and all looked for safety in flight.

Note. ad quōs ventum erat: impersonal passive, 'whom (our men) had reached'.

2.11.6Ita sine ūllō perīculō tantam eōrum multitūdinem nostrī interfēcērunt quantum fuit diēī spatium;

So without any danger our men killed as many of them as the length of the day allowed;

Note. tantam … quantum fuit diēī spatium: 'as many as the length of the day allowed'.

2.11.6sub occāsum sōlis sequī dēstitērunt sēque in castra, ut erat imperātum, recēpērunt.

at sunset they stopped the pursuit and returned to camp, as they had been ordered.