De Bello Gallico 5.22

5.22.1Dum haec in hīs locīs geruntur, Cassivellaunus ad Cantium, quod esse ad mare suprā dēmōnstrāvimus, quibus regiōnibus quattuor rēgēs praeerant, Cingetorīx, Carvīlius, Taximagulus, Segovax, nūntiōs mittit atque eīs imperat utī coāctīs omnibus cōpiīs castra nāvālia dē imprōvīsō adoriantur atque oppugnent.

While this was going on in these parts, Cassivellaunus sends messengers to Kent, which we said above is by the sea, a region ruled by four kings, Cingetorix, Carvilius, Taximagulus and Segovax, and orders them to gather all their forces and make a surprise attack on the naval camp.

Note. castra nāvālia: the camp by the beached ships on the coast.

5.22.2Eī cum ad castra vēnissent, nostrī ēruptiōne factā multīs eōrum interfectīs, captō etiam nōbilī duce Lugotorīge suōs incolumēs redūxērunt.

When they reached the camp, our men made a sortie, killed many of them, captured their noble leader Lugotorix as well, and brought their own men back safely.

5.22.3Cassivellaunus hōc proeliō nūntiātō tot dētrīmentīs acceptīs, vāstātīs fīnibus, maximē etiam permōtus dēfectiōne cīvitātum lēgātōs per Atrebatem Commium dē dēditiōne ad Caesarem mittit.

When this battle was reported to Cassivellaunus, having suffered so many losses, with his lands laid waste, and above all alarmed by the defection of the states, he sends envoys to Caesar through Commius the Atrebatian to discuss surrender.

Note. Atrebātem: 'the Atrebatian', describing Commius.

5.22.4Caesar, cum cōnstituisset hiemāre in continentī propter repentīnōs Galliae mōtūs, neque multum aestātis superesset, atque id facile extrahī posse intellegeret, obsidēs imperat et quid in annōs singulōs vectīgālis populō Rōmānō Britannia penderet cōnstituit;

Caesar, since he had decided to winter on the mainland because of sudden uprisings in Gaul, and not much of the summer was left, and he knew that it could easily be dragged out, demands hostages and fixes what tribute Britain should pay each year to the Roman people;

Note. quid … vectīgālis: 'how much tribute', a partitive genitive with quid.

5.22.5interdīcit atque imperat Cassivellaunō, nē Mandubraciō neu Trinobantibus noceat.

he forbids and orders Cassivellaunus to do no harm to Mandubracius or the Trinobantes.