De Bello Gallico 8.27

8.27.1Eōdem tempore C. Fabius lēgātus complūrēs cīvitātēs in fidem recipit, obsidibus firmat litterīsque Gāī Canīnī Rebilī fit certior quae in Pictonibus gerantur.

At the same time the legate Gaius Fabius receives several states into his protection, secures them with hostages, and is informed by a letter of Gaius Caninius Rebilus what is happening among the Pictones.

Note. in fidem recipit: 'takes under his protection'. fit certior: 'is informed', literally 'is made more certain'. quae … gerantur: indirect question.

8.27.2Quibus rēbus cognitīs proficīscitur ad auxilium Dūrātiō ferendum.

When he learns this, he sets out to bring help to Duratius.

Note. ad auxilium Dūrātiō ferendum: gerundive of purpose, 'to bring help to Duratius'.

8.27.2At Dumnacus adventū Fabī cognitō dēspērātā salūte, sī tempore eōdem coāctus esset et Rōmānum externum sustinēre hostem et respicere ac timēre oppidānōs, repente ex eō locō cum cōpiīs recēdit nec sē satis tūtum fore arbitrātur, nisi flūmine Ligerī, quod erat ponte propter magnitūdinem trānseundum, cōpiās trādūxisset.

But Dumnacus, learning of Fabius' arrival and giving up hope of safety if he should be forced at the same time both to hold off the Roman enemy outside and to watch and fear the townspeople, suddenly withdraws from that place with his forces, and does not think he will be safe enough unless he has taken his forces across the river Loire, which because of its size had to be crossed by a bridge.

Note. sī … coāctus esset: Dumnacus' own reasoning, hence the subjunctive. externum … hostem: 'the enemy outside', as opposed to the townspeople inside. quod erat ponte … trānseundum: 'which had to be crossed by a bridge', the gerundive of obligation. Ligerī: the river Liger, the Loire.

8.27.3Fabius, etsī nōndum in cōnspectum vēnerat hostibus neque sē Canīniō coniūnxerat, tamen doctus ab eīs quī locōrum nōverant nātūram potissimum crēdidit hostēs perterritōs eum locum, quem petēbant, petītūrōs.

Fabius, although he had not yet come within sight of the enemy nor joined Caninius, nevertheless, informed by men who knew the lie of the land, believed that the enemy in their panic would make above all for the place they were in fact making for.

Note. in cōnspectum vēnerat hostibus: 'had come into the enemy's sight'. nōverant: pluperfect of nōscō with present-perfect meaning, 'they knew'. potissimum: 'above all'.

8.27.4Itaque cum cōpiīs ad eundem pontem contendit equitātumque tantum prōcēdere ante agmen imperat legiōnum, quantum cum prōcessisset, sine dēfatīgātiōne equōrum in eadem sē reciperet castra.

So he marches with his forces to that same bridge and orders the cavalry to go ahead of the column of legions only so far that, after advancing, they could return to the same camp without tiring the horses.

Note. tantum … quantum: 'only so far … as'. cum prōcessisset: 'after advancing'. sine dēfatīgātiōne equōrum: so that the horses would not be worn out.

8.27.5Cōnsequuntur equitēs nostrī, ut erat praeceptum, invāduntque Dumnacī agmen et fugientēs perterritōsque sub sarcinīs in itinere adgressī magnā praedā multīs interfectīs potiuntur.

Our cavalry overtake them, as they had been ordered, and attack Dumnacus' column; falling on men who were fleeing and panic-stricken under their packs on the march, they kill many and take great booty.

Note. ut erat praeceptum: 'as had been ordered'. sub sarcinīs: 'under their packs', i.e. burdened. multīs interfectīs: ablative absolute.

8.27.5Ita rē bene gestā sē recipiunt in castra.

So, having done the job well, they return to camp.

Note. Ita rē bene gestā: 'the job well done'. sē recipiunt: 'they withdraw, return'.