De Bello Gallico 7.88

7.88.1Eius adventū ex colōre vestītūs cognitō, quō īnsignī in proeliīs utī cōnsuērat, turmīsque equitum et cohortibus vīsīs quās sē sequī iusserat, ut dē locīs superiōribus haec dēclīvia et dēvexa cernēbantur, hostēs proelium committunt.

His arrival was recognized from the color of his cloak, which he was accustomed to wear in battle as a mark of distinction, and the squadrons of cavalry and the cohorts he had ordered to follow him were seen, since these slopes and hollows could be seen from the higher ground; then the enemy join battle.

Note. ex colōre vestītūs: Caesar wore a scarlet commander's cloak (palūdāmentum).

7.88.2Utrimque clāmōre sublātō excipit rūrsus ex vallō atque omnibus mūnītiōnibus clāmor.

A shout is raised on both sides, and a shout answers again from the rampart and from all the fortifications.

7.88.2Nostrī omissīs pīlīs gladiīs rem gerunt.

Our men, throwing aside their spears, fight with swords.

7.88.3Repente post tergum equitātus cernitur;

Suddenly the cavalry is seen behind the enemy;

7.88.3cohortēs aliae appropinquant.

other cohorts draw near.

7.88.3Hostēs terga vertunt;

The enemy turn their backs;

7.88.3fugientibus equitēs occurrunt.

the cavalry meet them as they flee.

Note. fugientibus equitēs occurrunt: fugientibus is dative after occurrunt, 'the cavalry meet those fleeing'.

7.88.3Fit magna caedēs.

There is a great slaughter.

7.88.3Sēdulius, dux et prīnceps Lemovīcum, occīditur;

Sedulius, the leader and chief of the Lemovices, is killed;

7.88.4Vercassivellaunus Arvernus vīvus in fugā comprehenditur;

Vercassivellaunus the Arvernian is taken alive in the flight;

7.88.4signa mīlitāria septuāgintā quattuor ad Caesarem referuntur: paucī ex tantō numerō sē incolumēs in castra recipiunt.

seventy-four military standards are brought to Caesar; few out of so great a number get back safe to their camp.

7.88.5Cōnspicātī ex oppidō caedem et fugam suōrum dēspērātā salūte cōpiās ā mūnītiōnibus redūcunt.

Seeing from the town the slaughter and flight of their people, they give up hope of safety and lead their forces back from the fortifications.

7.88.6Fit prōtinus hāc rē audītā ex castrīs Gallōrum fuga.

As soon as this is heard, flight from the camp of the Gauls follows at once.

7.88.6Quod nisi crēbrīs subsidiīs ac tōtīus diēī labōre mīlitēs essent dēfessī, omnēs hostium cōpiae dēlērī potuissent.

And if the soldiers had not been worn out by their many relief efforts and by the toil of the whole day, all the enemy's forces could have been destroyed.

Note. Quod nisi … essent dēfessī … potuissent: a past contrary-to-fact condition, 'if they had not been exhausted, they could have been destroyed'.

7.88.7Dē mediā nocte missus equitātus novissimum agmen cōnsequitur: magnus numerus capitur atque interficitur;

About midnight the cavalry are sent out and overtake the rear of the column: a great number are captured and killed;

7.88.7reliquī ex fugā in cīvitātēs discēdunt.

the rest scatter from the flight into their states.