§ 3:1. Julius Caesar, holding the election as
dictator, was himself appointed consul with Publius Servilius; for
this was the year in which it was permitted by the laws that he should
be chosen consul. This business being ended, as credit was beginning
to fail in Italy, and the debts could not be paid, he determined that
arbitrators should be appointed: and that they should make an estimate
of the possessions and properties [of the debtors], how much they were
worth before the war, and that they should be handed over in payment
to the creditors. This he thought the most likely method to remove and
abate the apprehension of an abolition of debt, the usual consequence
of civil wars and dissensions, and to support the credit of the
debtors. He likewise restored to their former condition (the praetors
and tribunes, first submitting the question to the people) some
persons condemned for bribery at the elections, by virtue of Pompey's
law, at the time when Pompey kept his legions quartered in the city
(these trials were finished in a single day, one judge hearing the
merits, and another pronouncing the sentences), because they had
offered their service to him in the beginning of the civil war, if he
chose to accept them; setting the same value on them as if he had
accepted them, because they had put themselves in his power. For he
had determined that they ought to be restored rather by the judgment
of the people than appear admitted to it by his bounty: that he might
neither appear ungrateful in repaying an obligation, nor arrogant in
depriving the people of their prerogative of exercising this
bounty. |
Dictatore habente comitia Caesare consules creantur Iulius Caesar et
P. Servilius: is enim erat annus, quo per leges ei consulem fieri
liceret. His rebus confectis, cum fides tota Italia esset angustior neque
creditae pecuniae solverentur, constituit, ut arbitri darentur; per eos
fierent aestimationes possessionum et rerum, quanti quaeque earum ante
bellum fuisset, atque hac creditoribus traderentur. Hoc et ad timorem
novarum tabularum tollendum minuendumve, qui fere bella et civiles
dissensiones sequi consuevit, et ad debitorum tuendam existimationem esse
aptissimum existimavit. Itemque praetoribus tribunisque plebis rogationes
ad populum ferentibus nonnullos ambitus Pompeia lege damnatos illis
temporibus, quibus in urbe praesidia legionum Pompeius habuerat, quae
iudicia aliis audientibus iudicibus, aliis sententiam ferentibus singulis
diebus erant perfecta, in integrum restituit, qui se illi initio civilis
belli obtulerant, si sua opera in bello uti vellet, proinde aestimans, ac
si usus esset, quoniam aui fecissent potestatem. Statuerat enim prius hos
iudicio populi debere restitui, quam suo beneficio videri receptos, ne
aut ingratus in referenda gratia aut arrogans in praeripiendo populi
beneficio videretur. |
§ 3:2. In accomplishing these things, and
celebrating the Latin festival, and holding all the elections, he
spent eleven days; and having resigned the dictatorship, set out from
the city, and went to Brundusium, where he had ordered twelve legions
and all his cavalry to meet him. But he scarcely found as many ships
as would be sufficient to transport fifteen thousand legionary
soldiers and five hundred horse. This [the scarcity of shipping] was
the only thing that prevented Caesar from putting a speedy conclusion
to the war. And even these troops embarked very short of their number,
because several had fallen in so many wars in Gaul, and the long march
from Spain had lessened their number very much, and a severe autumn in
Apulia and the district about Brundusium, after the very wholesome
countries of Spain and Gaul, had impaired the health of the whole
army. |
His rebus et feriis Latinis comitiisque omnibus perficiendis XI dies
tribuit dictaturaque se abdicat et ab urbe proficiscitur Brundisiumque
pervenit. Eo legiones XII, equitatum omnem venire iusserat. Sed tantum
navium repperit, ut anguste XV milia legionariorum militum, DC equites
transportari possent. Hoc unum Caesari ad celeritatem conficiendi belli
defuit. Atque hae ipsae copiae hoc infrequentiores imponuntur, quod multi
Gallicis tot bellis defecerant, longumque iter ex Hispania magnum numerum
deminuerat, et gravis autumnus in Apulia circumque Brundisium ex
saluberrimis Galliae et Hispaniae regionibus omnem exercitum valetudine
temptaverat. |
§ 3:3. Pompey having got a year's respite to
provide forces, during which he was not engaged in war, nor employed
by an enemy, had collected a numerous fleet from Asia, and the
Cyclades, from Corcyra, Athens, Pontus, Bithynia, Syria, Cilicia,
Phoenicia, and Egypt, and had given directions that a great number
should be built in every other place. He had exacted a large sum of
money from Asia, Syria, and all the kings, dynasts, tetrarchs, and
free states of Achaia; and had obliged the corporations of those
provinces, of which he himself had the government, to count down to
him a large sum. |
Pompeius annuum spatium ad comparandas copias nactus, quod vacuum a
bello atque ab hoste otiosum fuerat, magnam ex Asia Cycladibusque
insulis, Corcyra, Athenis, Ponto, Bithynia, Syria, Cilicia, Phoenice,
Aegypto classem coegerat, magnam omnibus locis aedificandam curaverat;
magnam imperatam Asiae, Syriae regibusque omnibus et dynastis et
tetrarchis et liberis Achaiae populis pecuniam exegerat, magnam
societates Carum provinciarum, quas ipse obtinebat, sibi numerare
coegerat. |
§ 3:4. He had made up nine legions of Roman
citizens; five from Italy, which he had brought with him; one veteran
legion from Sicily, which being composed of two he called the Gemella;
one from Crete and Macedonia, of veterans who had been discharged by
their former generals and had settled in those provinces; two from
Asia, which had been levied by the activity of Lentulus. Besides, he
had distributed among his legions a considerable number, by way of
recruits, from Thessaly, Boeotia, Achaia, and Epirus: with his legions
he also intermixed the soldiers taken from Caius Antonius. Besides
these, he expected two legions from Syria, with Scipio; from Crete,
Lacedaemon, Pontus, Syria, and other states, he got about three
thousand archers, six cohorts of slingers, two thousand mercenary
soldiers, and seven thousand horse; six hundred of which, Deiotarus
had brought from Gaul; Ariobarzanes, five hundred from Cappadocia.
Cotus had given him about the same number from Thrace, and had sent
his son Sadalis with them. From Macedonia there were two hundred, of
extraordinary valor, commanded by Rascipolis; five hundred Gauls and
Germans; Gabinius's troops from Alexandria, whom Aulus Gabinius had
left with king Ptolemy, to guard his person. Pompey, the son, had
brought in his fleet eight hundred, whom he had raised among his own
and his shepherds' slaves. Tarcundarius, Castor and Donilaus, had
given three hundred from Gallograecia: one of these came himself, the
other sent his son. Two hundred were sent from Syria by Comagenus
Antiochus, whom Pompey rewarded amply. The most of them were archers.
To these were added Dardanians and Bessians, some of them mercenaries;
others procured by power and influence: also, Macedonians,
Thessalians, and troops from other nations and states, which completed
the number which we mentioned before. |
Legiones effecerat civium Romanorum VIIII: V ex Italia, quas
traduxerat; unam ex Cilicia veteranam, quam factam ex duabus gemellam
appellabat; unam ex Creta et Macedonia ex veteranis militibus, qui
dimissi a superioribus imperatoribus in his provinciis consederant; duas
ex Asia, quas Lentulus consul conscribendas curaverat. Praeterea magnum
numerum ex Thessalia, Boeotia, Achaia Epiroque supplementi nomine in
legiones distribuerat: his Antonianos milites admiscuerat. Praeter has
exspectabat cum Scipione ex Syria legiones II. Sagittarios Creta,
Lacedaemone, ex Ponto atque Syria reliquisque civitatibus III milia
numero habebat, funditorum cohortes sescenarias II, equitum VII milia. Ex
quibus DC Gallos Deiotarus adduxerat, D Ariobarzanes ex Cappadocia; ad
eundem numerum Cotys ex Thracia dederat et Sadalam filium miserat; ex
Macedonia CC erant, quibus Rhascypolis praeerat, excellenti virtute; D ex
Gabinianis Alexandria, Gallos Germanosque, quos ibi A. Gabinius praesidii
causa apud regem Ptolomaeum reliquerat, Pompeius filius eum classe
adduxerat; DCCC ex servis suis pastorumque suorum numero coegerat; CCC
Tarcondarius Castor et Domnilaus ex Gallograecia dederant (horum alter
una venerat, alter filium miserat); CC ex Syria a Commageno Antiocho, cui
magna Pompeius praemia tribuit, missi erant, in his plerique
hippotoxotae. Huc Dardanos, Bessos partim mercenarios, partim imperio aut
gratia comparatos, item Macedones, Thessalos ac reliquarum gentium et
civitatum adiecerat atque eum, quem supra demonstravimus, numerum
expleverat. |
§ 3:5. He had laid in vast quantities of corn
from Thessaly, Asia, Egypt, Crete, Cyrene, and other countries. He had
resolved to fix his winter quarters at Dyrrachium, Apollonia, and the
other seaports, to hinder Caesar from passing the sea: and for this
purpose had stationed his fleet along the sea-coast. The Egyptian
fleet was commanded by Pompey, the son: the Asiatic, by Decimus
Laelius, and Caius Triarius: the Syrian, by Caius Cassius: the
Rhodian, by Caius Marcellus, in conjunction with Caius Coponius: and
the Liburnian and Achaian, by Scribonius Libo, and Marcus Octavius.
But Marcus Bibulus was appointed commander-in-chief of the whole
maritime department, and regulated every matter. The chief direction
rested upon him. |
Frumenti vim maximam ex Thessalia, Asia, Aegypto, Creta, Cyrenis
reliquisque regionibus comparaverat. Hiemare Dyrrachii, Apolloniae
omnibusque oppidis maritimis constituerat, ut mare transire Caesarem
prohiberet, eiusque rei causa omni ora maritima classem disposuerat.
Praeerat Aegyptiis navibus Pompeius filius, Asiaticis D. Laelius et C.
Triarius, Syriacis C. Cassius, Rhodiis C. Marcellus cum C. Coponio,
Liburnicae atque Achaicae classi Scribonius Libo et M. Octavius. Toti
tamen officio maritimo M. Bibulus praepositus cuncta administrabat; ad
hunc summa imperii respiciebat. |
§ 3:6. When Caesar came to Brundusium, he made a
speech to the soldiers: "That since they were now almost arrived at
the termination of their toils and dangers, they should patiently
submit to leave their slaves and baggage in Italy, and to embark
without luggage, that a greater number of men might be put on board:
that they might expect every thing from victory and his liberality."
They cried out with one voice, "he might give what orders he pleased,
that they would cheerfully fulfill them." He accordingly set sail the
fourth day of January, with seven legions on board, as already
remarked. The next day he reached land, between the Ceraunian rocks
and other dangerous places; meeting with a safe road for his shipping
to ride in, and dreading all other ports which he imagined were in
possession of the enemy, he landed his men at a place called
Pharsalus, without the loss of a single vessel. |
Caesar, ut Brundisium venit, contionatus apud milites, quoniam prope
ad finem laborum ac periculorum esset perventum, aequo animo mancipia
atque impedimenta in Italia relinquerent, ipsi expediti naves
conscenderent, quo maior numerus militum posset imponi, omniaque ex
victoria et ex sua liberalitate sperarent, conclamantibus omnibus,
imperaret, quod vellet, quodcumque imperavisset, se aequo animo esse
facturos, II. Non. Ian. naves solvit. Impositae, ut supra demonstratum
est, legiones VII. Postridie terram attigit. Inter Cerauniorum saxa et
alia loca periculosa quietam nactus stationem et portus omnes timens,
quos teneri ab adversariis arbitrabatur, ad eum locum, qui appellabatur
Palaeste, omnibus navibus ad unam incolumibum milites euit. |
§ 3:7. Lucretius Vespillo and Minutius Rufus were
at Oricum, with eighteen Asiatic ships, which were given into their
charge by the orders of Decimus Laelius: Marcus Bibulus at Corcyra,
with a hundred and ten ships. But they had not the confidence to dare
to move out of the harbor; though Caesar had brought only twelve ships
as a convoy, only four of which had decks; nor did Bibulus, his fleet
being disordered and his seamen dispersed, come up in time: for Caesar
was seen at the continent, before any account whatsoever of his
approach had reached those regions. |
Erat Orici Lucretius Vespillo et Minucius Rufus cum Asiaticis navibus
XVIII, quibus iussu D. Laelii praeerant, M. Bibulus cum navibus ex
Corcyrae. Sed neque illi sibi confisi ex portu prodire sunt ausi, cum
Caesar omnino XII naves longas praesidio duxisset, in quibus erant
constratae IIII, neque Bibulus impeditis navibus dispersisque remigibus
satis mature occurrit, quod prius ad continentem visus est Caesar, quam
de eius adventu fama omnino in eas regiones perferretur. |
§ 3:8. Caesar, having landed his soldiers, sent
back his ships the same night to Brundusium, to transport the rest of
his legions and cavalry. The charge of this business was committed to
lieutenant Fufius Kalenus, with orders to be expeditious in
transporting the legions. But the ships having put to sea too late,
and not having taken advantage of the night breeze, fell a sacrifice
on their return. For Bibulus at Corcyra, being informed of Caesar's
approach, hoped to fall in with some part of our ships, with their
cargoes, but found them empty; and having taken about thirty, vented
on them his rage at his own remissness, and set them all on fire: and,
with the same flames, he destroyed the mariners and masters of the
vessels, hoping by the severity of the punishment to deter the rest.
Having accomplished this affair, he filled all the harbors and shores
from Salona to Oricum with his fleets. Having disposed his guard with
great care, he lay on board himself in the depth of winter, declining
no fatigue or duty, and not waiting for reinforcements, in hopes that
he might come within Caesar's reach. |
Eitis militibus naves eadem nocte Brundisium a Caesare remittuntur,
ut reliquae legiones equitatusque transportari possent. Huic officio
praepositus erat Fufius Calenus legatus, qui celeritatem in
transportandis legionibus adhiberet. Sed serius a terra provectae naves
neque usae nocturna aura in redeundo offenderunt. Bibulus enim Corcyrae
certior factus de adventu Caesaris, sperans alicui se parti onustarum
navium occurrere posse, inanibus occurrit et nactus circiter XXX in eas
indiligentiae suae ac doloris iracundiam erupit omnesque incendit
eodemque igne nautas dominosque navium interfecit, magnitudine poenae
reliquos terreri sperans. Hoc confecto negotio a Sasonis ad Curici portum
stationes litoraque omnia longe lateque classibus occupavit custodiisque
diligentius dispositis ipse gravissima hieme in navibus excubans neque
ullum laborem aut munus despiciens, neque subsidium exspectans si in
Caesaris complexum venire posset... |
§ 3:9. But after the departure Of the Liburnian
fleet, Marcus Octavius sailed from Illyricum with what ships he had to
Salona, and having spirited up the Dalmatians, and other barbarous
nations, he drew Issa off from its connection with Caesar; but not
being able to prevail with the council of Salona, either by promises
or menaces, he resolved to storm the town. But it was well fortified
by its natural situation and a hill. The Roman citizens built wooden
towers, the better to secure it; but when they were unable to resist,
on account of the smallness of their numbers, being weakened by
several wounds, they stooped to the last resource, and set at liberty
all the slaves old enough to bear arms; and cutting the hair off the
women's heads, made ropes for their engines. Octavius, being informed
of their determination, surrounded the town with five encampments, and
began to press them at once with a siege and storm. They were
determined to endure every hardship, and their greatest distress was
the want of corn. They, therefore, sent deputies to Caesar, and begged
a supply from him; all other inconveniences they bore by their own
resources, as well as they could: and after a long interval, when the
length of the siege had made Octavius's troops more remiss than usual,
having got an opportunity at noon, when the enemy were dispersed, they
disposed their wives and children on the walls, to keep up the
appearance of their usual attention; and forming themselves into one
body, with the slaves whom they had lately enfranchised, they made an
attack on Octavius's nearest camp, and having forced that, attacked
the second with the same fury; and then the third and the fourth, and
then the other, and beat them from them all: and having killed a great
number, obliged the rest and Octavius himself to fly for refuge to
their ships. This put an end to the blockade. Winter was now
approaching, and Octavius, despairing of capturing the town, after
sustaining such considerable losses, withdrew to Pompey, to
Dyrrachium. |
Discessu Liburnarum ex Illyrico M. Octavius cum eis, quas habebat,
navibus Salonas pervenit. Ibi concitatis Dalmatis reliquisque barbaris
Issam a Caesaris amicitia avertit; conventurn Salonis cum neque
pollicitationibus neque denuntiatione periculi permovere posset, oppidum
oppugnare instituit. Est autem oppidum et loci natura et colle munitum.
Sed celeriter cives Romani ligneis effectis turribus his sese munierunt
et, cum essent infirmi ad resistendum propter paucitatem hominum crebris
confecti vulneribus, ad extremum auxilium descenderunt servosque omnes
puberes liberaverunt et praesectis omnium mulierum crinibus tormenta
effecerunt. Quorum cognita sententia Octavius quinis castris oppidum
circumdedit atque uno tempore obsidione et oppugnationibus eos premere
coepit. Illi omnia perpeti parati maxime a re frumentaria laborabant. Cui
rei missis ad Caesarem legatis auxilium ab eo petebant; reliqua, ut
poterant, incommoda per se sustinebant. Et longo interposito spatio cum
diuturnitas oppugnationis neglegentiores Octavianos effecisset, nacti
occasionem meridiani temporis discessu eorum pueris mulieribusque in muro
dispositis, ne quid cotidianae consuetudinis desideraretur, ipsi manu
facta cum eis, quos nuper liberaverant, in proxima Octavii castra
irruperunt. His expugnatis eodem impetu altera sunt adorti, inde tertia
et quarta et deinceps reliqua omnibusque eos castris expulerunt et magno
numero interfecto reliquos atque ipsum Octavium in naves confugere
coegerunt. Hic fuit oppugnationis exitus. Iamque hiems appropinquabat, et
tantis detrimentis acceptis Octavius desperata oppugnatione oppidi
Dyrrachium sese ad Pompeium recepit. |
§ 3:10. We have mentioned, that Vibullius Rufus,
an officer of Pompey's had fallen twice into Caesar's power; first at
Corfinium, and afterward in Spain. Caesar thought him a proper person,
on account of his favors conferred on him, to send with proposals to
Pompey: and he knew that he had an influence over Pompey. This was the
substance of his proposals: "That it was the duty of both, to put an
end to their obstinacy, and forbear hostilities, and not tempt fortune
any further; that sufficient loss had been suffered on both sides, to
serve as a lesson and instruction to them, to render them apprehensive
of future calamities, by Pompey, in having been driven out of Italy,
and having lost Sicily, Cardinia, and the two Spains, and one hundred
and thirty cohorts of Roman citizens, in Italy and Spain: by himself,
in the death of Curio, and the loss of so great an army in Africa, and
the surrender of his soldiers in Corcyra. Wherefore, they should have
pity on themselves, and the republic: for, from their own misfortunes,
they had sufficient experience of what fortune can effect in war. That
this was the only time to treat for peace; when each had confidence in
his own strength, and both seemed on an equal footing. Since, if
fortune showed ever so little favor to either, he who thought himself
superior, would not submit to terms of accommodation; nor would be
content with an equal division, when he might expect to obtain the
whole. That as they could not agree before, the terms of peace ought
to be submitted to the senate and people in Rome. That in the mean
time, it ought to content the republic and themselves, if they both
immediately took oath in a public assembly that they would disband
their forces within the three following days. That having divested
themselves of the arms and auxiliaries, on which they placed their
present confidence, they must both of necessity acquiesce in the
decision of the people and senate. To give Pompey the fuller assurance
of his intentions, he would dismiss all his forces on the land, even
his garrisons. |
Demonstravimus L. Vibullium Rufum, Pompei praefectum, bis in
potestatem pervenisse Caesaris atque ab eo esse dimissum, semel ad
Corfinium, iterum in Hispania. Hunc pro suis beneficiis Caesar idoneum
iudicaverat, quem cum mandatis ad Cn. Pompeium mitteret, eundemque apud
Cn. Pompeium auctoritatem habere intellegebat Erat autem haec summa
mandatorum: debere utrumque pertinaciae finem facere et ab armis
discedere neque amplius fortunam periclitari. Satis esse magna utrimque
incommoda accepta, quae pro disciplina et praeceptis habere possent, ut
reliquos casus timerent: ilium Italia expulsum amissa Sicilia et Sardinia
duabusque Hispaniis et cohortibus in Italia atque Hispania civium
Romanorum centum atque XXX; se morte Curionis et detrimento Africani
exercitus tanto militumque deditione ad Curictam. Proinde sibi ac rei
publicae parcerent, cum, quantum in bello fortuna posset, iam ipsi
incommodis suis satis essent documento. Hoc unum esse tempus de pace
agendi, dum sibi uterque confideret et pares ambo viderentur; si vero
alteri paulum modo tribuisset fortuna, non esse usurum condicionibus
pacis eum, qui superior videretur, neque fore aequa parte contentum, qui
se omnia habiturum confideret. Condiciones pacis, quoniam antea convenire
non potuissent, Romae ab senatu et a populo peti debere. Interea et rei
publicae et ipsis placere oportere, si uterque in contione statim
iuravisset se triduo proximo exercitum dimissurum. Depositis armis
auxiliisque, quibus nunc confiderent, necessario populi senatusque
iudicio fore utrumque contentum. Haec quo facilius Pompeio probari
possent, omnes suas terrestres ubique copias dimissurum... |
§ 3:11. Vibullius, having received this
commission from Caesar, thought it no less necessary to give Pompey
notice of Caesar's sudden approach, that he might adopt such plans as
the circumstance required, than to inform him of Caesar's message; and
therefore continuing his journey by night as well as by day, and
taking fresh horses for dispatch, he posted away to Pompey, to inform
him that Caesar was marching toward him with all his forces. Pompey
was at this time in Candavia, and was on his march from Macedonia to
his winter quarters in Apollonia and Dyrrachium; but surprised at the
unexpected news, he determined to go to Apollonia by speedy marches,
to prevent Caesar from becoming master of all the maritime states. But
as soon as Caesar had landed his troops, he set off the same day for
Oricum: when he arrived there, Lucius Torquatus, who was governor of
the town by Pompey's appointment, and had a garrison of Parthinians in
it, endeavored to shut the gates and defend the town, and ordered the
Greeks to man the walls, and to take arms. But as they refused to
fight against the power of the Roman people, and as the citizens made
a spontaneous attempt to admit Caesar, despairing of any assistance,
he threw open the gates, and surrendered himself and the town to
Caesar, and was preserved safe from injury by him. |
Vibullius eitus Corcyrae non minus necessarium esse existimavit de
repentino adventu Caesaris Pompeium fieri certiorem, uti ad id consilium
capere posset, antequam de mandatis agi inciperetur, atque ideo
continuato nocte ac die itinere atque omnibus oppidis mutatis ad
celeritatem iumentis ad Pompeium contendit, ut adesse Caesarem nuntiaret.
Pompeius erat eo tempore in Candavia iterque ex Macedonia in hiberna
Apolloniam Dyrrachiumque habebat. Sed re nova perturbatus maioribus
itineribus Apolloniam petere coepit, ne Caesar orae maritimae civitates
occuparet. At ille eitis militibus eodem die Oricum proficiscitur. Quo
cum venisset, L. Torquatus, qui iussu Pompei oppido praeerat
praesidiumque ibi Parthinorum habebat, conatus portis clausis oppidum
defendere, cum Graecos murum ascendere atque arma capere iuberet, illi
autem se contra imperium populi Romani pugnaturos esse negarent, oppidani
autem etiam sua sponte Caesarem recipere conarentur, desperatis omnibus
auxiliis portas aperuit et se atque oppidum Caesari dedidit incolumisque
ab eo conservatus est. |
§ 3:12. Having taken Oricum, Caesar marched
without making any delay to Apollonia. Staberius the governor, hearing
of his approach, began to bring water into the citadel, and to fortify
it, and to demand hostages of the town's people. But they refuse to
give any, or to shut their gates against the consul, or to take upon
them to judge contrary to what all Italy and the Roman people had
judged. As soon as he knew their inclinations, he made his escape
privately. The inhabitants of Apollonia sent embassadors to Caesar,
and gave him admission into their town. Their example was followed by
the inhabitants of Bullis, Amantia, and the other neighboring states,
and all Epirus: and they sent embassadors to Caesar, and promised to
obey his commands. |
Recepto Caesar Orico nulla interposita mora Apolloniam proficiscitur.
Cuius adventu audito L. Staberius, qui ibi praeerat, aquam comportare in
arcem atque eam munire obsidesque ab Apolloniatibus exigere coepit. Illi
vero daturos se negare, neque portas consuli praeclusuros, neque sibi
iudicium sumpturos contra atque omnis Italia populusque Romanus
indicavisset. Quorum cognita voluntate clam profugit Apollonia Staberius.
Illi ad Caesarem legatos mittunt oppidoque recipiunt. Hos sequnntur
Bullidenses, Amantini et reliquae finitimae civitates totaque Epiros et
legatis ad Caesarem missis, quae imperaret, facturos pollicentur. |
§ 3:13. But Pompey having received information
of the transactions at Oricum and Apollonia, began to be alarmed for
Dyrrachium, and endeavored to reach it, marching day and night. As
soon as it was said that Caesar was approaching, such a panic fell
upon Pompey's army, because in his haste he had made no distinction
between night and day, and had marched without intermission, that they
almost every man deserted their colors in Epirus and the neighboring
countries; several threw down their arms, and their march had the
appearance of a flight. But when Pompey had halted near Dyrrachium,
and had given orders for measuring out the ground for his camp, his
army even yet continuing in their fright, Labienus first stepped
forward and swore that he would never desert him, and would share
whatever fate fortune should assign to him. The other lieutenants took
the same oath, and the tribunes and centurions followed their example:
and the whole army swore in like manner. Caesar, finding the road to
Dyrrachium already in the possession of Pompey, was in no great haste,
but encamped by the river Apsus, in the territory of Apollonia, that
the states which had deserved his support might be certain of
protection from his out-guards and forts; and there he resolved to
wait the arrival of his other legions from Italy, and to winter in
tents. Pompey did the same; and pitching his camp on the other side of
the river Apsus, collected there all his troops and auxiliaries. |
At Pompeins cognitis his rebus, quae erant Orici atque Apolloniae
gestae, Dyrrachio timens diurnis eo nocturnisque itineribus contendit.
Simul Caesar appropinquare dicebatur, tantusque terror incidit eius
exercitui, quod properans noctem diei coniunxerat neque iter
intermiserat, ut paene omnes ex Epiro finitimisque regionibus signa
relinquerent, complures arma proicerent ac fugae simile iter videretur.
Sed cum prope Dyrrachium Pompeius constitisset castraque metari
iussisset, perterrito etiam tum exercitu princeps Labienus procedit
iuratque se eum non deserturum eundemque casum subiturum, quemcumque ei
fortuna tribuisset. Hoc idem reliqui iurant legati; tribuni militum
centurionesque sequuntur, atque idem omnis exercitus iurat. Caesar
praeoccupato itinere ad Dyrrachium finem properandi facit castraque ad
flumen Apsum ponit in finibus Apolloniatium, ut bene meritae civitates
tutae essent praesidio, ibique reliquarum ex Italia legionum adventum
exspectare et sub pellibus hiemare constituit. Hoc idem Pompeius fecit et
trans flumen Apsum positis castris eo copias omnes auxiliaque
conduxit. |
§ 3:14. Kalenus, having put the legions and
cavalry on board at Brundusium, as Caesar had directed him, as far as
the number of his ships allowed, weighed anchor: and having sailed a
little distance from port, received a letter from Caesar, in which he
was informed, that all the ports and the whole shore was occupied by
the enemy's fleet: on receiving this information he returned into the
harbor, and recalled all the vessels. One of them, which continued the
voyage and did not obey Kalenus's command, because it carried no
troops, but was private property, bore away for Oricum, and was taken
by Bibulus, who spared neither slaves nor free men, nor even children;
but put all to the sword. Thus the safety of the whole army depended
on a very short space of time and a great casualty. |
Calenus legionibus equitibusque Brundisii in naves impositis, ut erat
praeceptum a Caesare, quantum navium facultatem habebat, naves solvit
paulumque a portu progressus litteras a Caesare accipit, quibus est
certior factus portus litoraque omnia classibus adversariorum teneri. Quo
cognito se in portum recipit navesque omnes revocat Una ex his, quae
perseveravit neque imperio Caleni obtemperavit, quod erat sine militibus
privatoque consilio administrabatur, delata Oricum atque a Bibulo
expugnata est; qui de servis liberisque omnibus ad impuberes supplicium
sumit et ad unum interficit. Ita exiguo tempore magnoque casu totius
exercitus salus constitit. |
§ 3:15. Bibulus, as has been observed before,
lay with his fleet near Oricum, and as he debarred Caesar of the
liberty of the sea and harbors, so he was deprived of all intercourse
with the country by land; for the whole shore was occupied by parties
disposed in different places by Caesar. And he was not allowed to get
either wood or water, or even anchor near the land. He was reduced to
great difficulties, and distressed with extreme scarcity of every
necessary; insomuch that he was obliged to bring, in transports from
Corcyra, not only provisions, but even wood and water; and it once
happened that, meeting with violent storms, they were forced to catch
the dew by night which fell on the hides that covered their decks; yet
all these difficulties they bore patiently and without repining, and
thought they ought not to leave the shores and harbors free from
blockade. But when they were suffering under the distress which I have
mentioned, and Libo had joined Bibulus, they both called from on
ship-board, to Marcus Acilius and Statius Marcus, the lieutenants, one
of whom commanded the town, the other the guards on the coast, that
they wished to speak to Caesar on affairs of importance, if permission
should be granted them. They add something further to strengthen the
impression that they intended to treat about an accommodation. In the
mean time they requested a truce, and obtained it from them; for what
they proposed seemed to be of importance, and it was well known that
Caesar desired it above all things, and it was imagined that some
advantage would be derived from Bibulus's proposals. |
Bibulus, ut supra demonstratum est, erat cum classe ad Oricum et,
sicuti mari portibusque Caesarem prohibebat, ita ipse omni terra earurn
regionum prohibebatur; praesidiis enim dispositis omnia litora a Caesare
tenebantur, neque lignandi atque aquandi neque naves ad terram religandi
potestas fiebat. Erat res in magna difficultate, summisque angustiis
rerum necessariarun premebantur, adeo ut cogerentur sicuti reliquum
commeatum ita ligna atque aquam Corcyra navibus onerariis supportare;
atque etiam uno tempore accidit, ut difficilioribus usi tempestatibus ex
pellibus, quibus erant tectae naves, nocturnum excipere rorem cogerentur;
quas tamen difficultates patienter atque aequo animo ferebant neque sibi
nudanda litora et relinquendos portus existimabant. Sed cum essent in
quibus demonstravi angustiis, ac se Libo cum Bibulo coniunxisset,
loquuntur ambo ex navibus cum M. Acilio et Statio Murco legatis; quorum
alter oppidi muris, alter praesidiis terrestribus praeerat: velle se de
maximis rebus cum Caesare loqui, si sibi eius rei facultas detur. Huc
addunt pauca rei confirmandae causa, ut de compositione acturi
viderentur. Interim postulant ut sint indutiae, atque ab eis impetrant.
Magnum enim, quod afferebant, videbatur, et Caesarem id summe sciebant
cupere, et profectum aliquid Vibullil mandatis existimabatur. |
§ 3:16. Caesar having set out with one legion to
gain possession of the more remote states, and to provide corn, of
which he had but a small quantity, was at this time at Buthrotum,
opposite to Corcyra. There receiving Acilius and Marcus's letters,
informing him of Libo's and Bibulus's demands, he left his legion
behind him, and returned himself to Oricum. When he arrived, they were
invited to a conference. Libo came and made an apology for Bibulus,
"that he was a man of strong passion, and had a private quarrel
against Caesar, contracted when he was aedile and praetor; that for
this reason he had avoided the conference, lest affairs of the utmost
importance and advantage might be impeded by the warmth of his temper.
That it now was and ever had been Pompey's most earnest wish, that
they should be reconciled and lay down their arms, but they were not
authorized to treat on that subject, because they resigned the whole
management of the war, and all other matters to Pompey, by order of
the council. But when they were acquainted with Caesar's demands, they
would transmit them to Pompey, who would conclude all of himself by
their persuasions. In the mean time, let the truce be continued till
the messengers could return from him; and let no injury be done on
either side." To this he added a few words of the cause for which they
fought, and of his own forces and resources. |
Caesar eo tempore cum legione una profectus ad recipiendas ulteriores
civitates et rem frumentariam expediendam, qua angusta utebatur,erat ad
Buthrotum, oppidum oppositum Corcyrae. Ibi certior ab Acilio et Murco per
litteras factus de postulatis Libonis et Bibuli legionem relinquit; ipse
Oricum revertitur. Eo cum venisset, evocantur illi ad colloquium. Prodit
Libo atque excusat Bibulum, quod is iracundia summa erat inimicitiasque
habebat etiam privatas cum Caesare ex aedilitate et praetura conceptas:
ob eam causam colloquium vitasse, ne res maximae spei maximaeque
utilitatis eius iracundia impedirentur. Suam summam esse ac fuisse semper
voluntatem, ut componeretur atque ab armis discederetur, sed potestatem
eius rei nullam habere, propterea quod de consilii sententia summam belli
rerumque omnium Pompeio permiserint. Sed postulatis Caesaris cognitis
missuros ad Pompeium, atque illum reliqua per se acturum hortantibus
ipsis. Interea manerent indutiae, dum ab illo rediri posset, neve alter
alteri noceret. Huc addit pauca de causa et de copiis auxiliisque
suis. |
§ 3:17. To this, Caesar did not then think
proper to make any reply, nor do we now think it worth recording. But
Caesar required "that he should be allowed to send commissioners to
Pompey, who should suffer no personal injury; and that either they
should grant it, or should take his commissioners in charge, and
convey them to Pompey. That as to the truce, the war in its present
state was so divided, that they by their fleet deprived him of his
shipping and auxiliaries; while he prevented them from the use of the
land and fresh water; and if they wished that this restraint should be
removed from them, they should relinquish their blockade of the seas,
but if they retained the one, he in like manner would retain the
other; that nevertheless, the treaty of accommodation might still be
carried on, though these points were not conceded, and that they need
not be an impediment to it." They would neither receive Caesar's
commissioners, nor guarantee their safety, but referred the whole to
Pompey. They urged and struggled eagerly to gain the one point
respecting a truce. But when Caesar perceived that they had proposed
the conference merely to avoid present danger and distress, but that
they offered no hopes or terms of peace, he applied his thoughts to
the prosecution of the war. |
Quibus rebus neque tum respondendum Caesar existimavit, neque nunc,
ut memoriae prodantur, satis causae putamus. Postulabat Caesar, ut
legatos sibi ad Pompeium sine periculo mittere liceret, idque ipsi fore
reciperent aut acceptos per se ad eum perducerent. Quod ad indutias
pertineret, sic belli rationem esse divisam, ut illi classe naves
auxiliaque sua impedirent, ipse ut aqua terraque eos prohiberet. Si hoc
sibi remitti vellent, remitterent ipsi de maritimis custodiis; si illud
tenerent, se quoque id retenturum. Nihilo minus tamen agi posse de
compositione, ut haec non remitterentur, neque hanc rem illi esse
impedimento. Libo neque legatos Caesaris recipere neque periculum
praestare eorum, sed totam rem ad Pompelum reicere: unum instare de
indutiis vehementissimeque contendere. Quem ubi Caesar intellexit
praesentis periculi atque inopiae vitandae causa omnem orationem
instituisse neque ullam spem aut condicionem pacis afferre, ad reliquam
cogitationem belli sese recepit. |
§ 3:18. Bibulus, being prevented from landing
for several days, and being seized with a violent distemper from the
cold and fatigue, as he could neither be cured on board, nor was
willing to desert the charge which he had taken upon him, was unable
to bear up against the violence of the disease. On his death, the sole
command devolved on no single individual, but each admiral managed his
own division separately, and at his own discretion. Vibullius, as soon
as the alarm, which Caesar's unexpected arrival had raised, was over,
began again to deliver Caesar's message in the presence of Libo,
Lucius Lucceius, and Theophanes, to whom Pompey used to communicate
his most confidential secrets. He had scarcely entered on the subject
when Pompey interrupted him, and forbade him to proceed. "What need,"
says he, "have I of life or Rome, if the world shall think I enjoy
them by the bounty of Caesar: an opinion which can never be removed
while it shall be thought that I have been brought back by him to
Italy, from which I set out." After the conclusion of the war, Caesar
was informed of these expressions by some persons who were present at
the conversation. He attempted, however, by other means to bring about
a negotiation of peace. |
Bibulus multos dies terra prohibitus et graviore morbo ex frigore et
labore implicitus, cum neque curari posset neque susceptum officium
deserere vellet, vim morbi sustinere non potuit Eo mortuo ad neminem unum
summa imperii redit, sed separatim suam quisque classem ad arbitrium suum
administrabat. Vibullius sedato tumultu, quem repentinus adventus
Caesaris concitaverat, ubi primum e re visum est, adhibito Libone et L.
Lucceio et Theophane, quibuscum communicare de maximis rebus Pompeius
consueverat, de mandatis Caesaris agere instituit. Quem ingressum in
sermonem Pompeius interpellavit et loqui plura prohibuit. "Quid mihi,"
inquit, "aut vita aut civitate opus est, quam beneficio Caesaris habere
videbor? cuius rei opinio tolli non poterit, cum in Italiam, ex qua
profectus sum, reductus existimabor bello periecto." Ab eis Caesar haec
facta cognovit, qui sermoni interfuerunt; conatus tamen nihilo minus est
allis rationibus per colloquia de pace agere. |
§ 3:19. Between Pompey's and Caesar's camp there
was only the river Apsus, and the soldiers frequently conversed with
each other; and by a private arrangement among themselves, no weapons
were thrown during their conferences. Caesar sent Publius Vatinius,
one of his lieutenants, to the bank of the river, to make such
proposals as should appear most conducive to peace; and to cry out
frequently with a loud voice [asking], "Are citizens permitted to send
deputies to citizens to treat of peace? a concession which had been
made even to fugitives on the Pyrenean mountains, and to robbers,
especially when by so doing they would prevent citizens from fighting
against citizens." Having spoken much in humble language, as became a
man pleading for his own and the general safety and being listened to
with silence by the soldiers of both armies, he received an answer
from the enemy's party that Aulus Varro proposed coming the next day
to a conference, and that deputies from both sides might come without
danger, and explain their wishes, and accordingly a fixed time was
appointed for the interview. When the deputies met the next day, a
great multitude from both sides assembled, and the expectations of
every person concerning this subject were raised very high, and their
minds seemed to be eagerly disposed for peace. Titus Labienus walked
forward from the crowd, and in submissive terms began to speak of
peace, and to argue with Vatinius. But their conversation was suddenly
interrupted by darts thrown from all sides, from which Vatinius
escaped by being protected by the arms of the soldiers. However,
several were wounded; and among them Cornelius Balbus, Marcus Plotius,
and Lucius Tiburtius, centurions, and some privates; hereupon Labienus
exclaimed, "Forbear, then, to speak any more about an accommodation,
for we can have no peace unless we carry Caesar's head back with
us." |
Inter bina castra Pompei atque Caesaris unum flumen tantum intererat
Apsus, crebraque inter se colloquia milites habebant, neque ullum interim
telum per pactiones loquentium traiciebatur. Mittit P. Vatinium legatum
ad ripam ipsam fluminis, qui ea, quae maxime ad pacem pertinere
viderentur, ageret et crebro magna voce pronuntiaret, liceretne civibus
ad cives de pace legatos mittere, quod etiam fugitivis ab saltu Pyrenaeo
praedonibusque licuisset, praesertim eum id agerent, ne cives cum civibus
armis decertarent? Multa suppliciter locutus est, ut de sua atque omnium
salute debebat, silentioque ab utrisque militibus auditus. Responsum est
ab altera parte Aulum Varronem profiteri se altera die ad colloquium
venturum atque una visurum, quemadmodum tuto legati venire et quae
vellent exponere possent; certumque ei rei tempus constituitur. Quo cum
esset postero die ventum, magna utrimque multitudo convenit, magnaque
erat exspectatio eius rei, atque omnium animi intenti esse ad pacem
videbantur. Qua ex frequentia, Titus Labienus prodit, sed missa oratione
de pace, loqui atque altercari cum Vatinio incipit. Quorum mediam
orationem interrumpunt subito undique tela immissa; quae ille obtectus
armis militum vitavit; vulnerantur tamen complures, in his Cornelius
Balbus, M. Plotius, L. Tiburtius, centuriones militesque nonnulli. Tum
Labienus: "desinite ergo de compositione loqui; nam nobis nisi Caesaris
capite relato pax esse nulla potest." |
§ 3:20. At the same time in Rome, Marcus Caelius
Rufus, one of the praetors, having undertaken the cause of the
debtors, on entering into his office, fixed his tribunal near the
bench of Caius Trebonius, the city praetor, and promised if any person
appealed to him in regard to the valuation and payment of debts made
by arbitration, as appointed by Caesar when in Rome, that he would
relieve them. But it happened, from the justice of Trebonius's decrees
and his humanity (for he thought that in such dangerous times justice
should be administered with moderation and compassion), that not one
could be found who would offer himself the first to lodge an appeal.
For to plead poverty, to complain of his own private calamities, or
the general distresses of the times, or to assert the difficulty of
setting the goods to sale, is the behavior of a man even of a moderate
temper; but to retain their possessions entire, and at the same time
acknowledge themselves in debt, what sort of spirit, and what
impudence would it not have argued! Therefore nobody was found so
unreasonable as to make such demands. But Caelius proved more severe
to those very persons for whose advantage it had been designed; and
starting from this beginning, in order that he might not appear to
have engaged in so dishonorable an affair without effecting something,
he promulgated a law that all debts should be discharged in six equal
payments, of six months each, without interest. |
Eisdem temporibus M. Caelius Rufus praetor causa debitorum suscepta
initio magistratus tribunal suum iuxta C. Treboni, praetoris urbani,
sellam collocavit et, si quis appellavisset de aestimatione et de
solutionibus, quae per arbitrum fierent, ut Caesar praesens constituerat,
fore auxilio pollicebatur. Sed fiebat aequitate decreti et humanitate
Treboni, qui his temporibus clementer et moderate ius dicendum
existimabat, ut reperiri non possent, a quibus initium appellandi
nasceretur. Nam fortasse inopiam excusare et calamitatem aut propriam
suam aut temporum queri et difficultates auctionandi proponere etiam
mediocris est animi; integras vero tenere possessiones, qui se debere
fateantur, cuius animi aut cuius impudentiae est? Itaque, hoc qui
postularet reperiebatur nemo. Atque ipsis, ad quorum commodum pertinebat,
durior inventus est Caelius. Et ab hoc profectus initio, ne frustra
ingressus turpem causam videretur, legem promulgavit, ut sexenni die sine
usuris creditae pecuniae solvantur. |
§ 3:21. When Servilius, the consul, and the
other magistrates opposed him, and he himself effected less than he
expected, in order to raise the passions of the people, he dropped it,
and promulgated two others; one, by which he remitted the annual rents
of the houses to the tenants, the other, an act of insolvency: upon
which the mob made an assault on Caius Trebonius, and having wounded
several persons, drove him from his tribunal. The consul Servilius
informed the senate of his proceedings, who passed a decree that
Caelius should be removed from the management of the republic. Upon
this decree, the consul forbade him the senate; and when he was
attempting to harangue the people, turned him out of the rostrum.
Stung with the ignominy and with resentment, he pretended in public
that he would go to Caesar, but privately sent messengers to Milo, who
had murdered Clodius, and had been condemned for it; and having
invited him into Italy, because he had engaged the remains of the
gladiators to his interest, by making them ample presents, he joined
him, and sent him to Thurinum to tamper with the shepherds. When he
himself was on his road to Casilinum, at the same time that his
military standards and arms were seized at Capua, his slaves seen at
Naples, and the design of betraying the town discovered: his plots
being revealed, and Capua shut against him, being apprehensive of
danger, because the Roman citizens residing there had armed
themselves, and thought he ought to be treated as an enemy to the
state, he abandoned his first design, and changed his route. |
Cum resisteret Servilius consul reliquique magistratus, et minus
opinione sua efficeret, ad hominum excitanda studia sublata priore lege
duas promulgavit: unam, qua mercedes habitationum annuas conductoribus
donavit, aliam tabularum novarum, impetuque multitudinis in C. Trebonium
facto et nonnullis vulneratis eum de tribunali deturbavit. De quibus
rebus Servilius consul ad senatum rettulit, senatusque Caelium ab re
publica removendum censuit. Hoc decreto eum consul senatu prohibuit et
contionari conantem de rostris deduxit. Ille ignominia et dolore permotus
palam se proficisci ad Caesarem simulavit; clam nuntiis ad Milonem
missis, qui Clodio interfecto eo nomine erat damnatus, atque eo in
Italiam evocato, quod magnis muneribus datis gladiatoriac familiae
reliquias habebat, sibi coniiunxit atque eum in Thurinum ad sollicitandos
pastores praemisit. Ipse cum Casilinum venisset, uno que tempore signa
eius militaria atque arma Capuae essent comprensa et familia Neapoli
visa, quae proditionem oppidi appararet, patefactis consiliis exclusus
Capua et periculum veritus, quod conventus arma ceperat atque eum hostis
loco habendum existimabat, consilio destitit atque eo itinere sese
avertit. |
§ 3:22. Milo in the mean time dispatched letters
to the free towns, purporting that he acted as he did by the orders
and commands of Pompey, conveyed to him by Bibulus: and he endeavored
to engage in his interest all persons whom he imagined were under
difficulties by reason of their debts. But not being able to prevail
with them, he set at liberty some slaves from the work-houses, and
began to assault Cosa in the district of Thurinum. There having
received a blow of a stone thrown from the wall of the town which was
commanded by Quintus Pedius with one legion, he died of it; and
Caelius having set out, as he pretended for Caesar, went to Thurii,
where he was put to death as he was tampering with some of the freemen
of the town, and was offering money to Caesar's Gallic and Spanish
horse, which he had sent there to strengthen the garrison. And thus
these mighty beginnings, which had embroiled Italy, and kept the
magistrates employed, found a speedy and happy issue. |
Interim Milo dimissis circum municipia litteris, se ea, quae faceret,
iussu atque imperio facere Pompei, quae mandata ad se per Vibullium
delata essent, quos ex acre alieno laborare arbitrabatur, sollicitabat.
Apud quos cum proficere nihil posset, quibusdam solutis ergastulis Cosam
in agro Thurino oppugnare coepit. Eo cum a Q. Pedio praetore cum
legione... lapide ictus ex muro periit. Et Caelius profectus, ut
dictitabat, ad Caesarem pervenit Thurios. Ubi cum quosdam eius municipii
sollicitaret equitibusque Caesaris Gallis atque Hispanis, qui eo
praesidii causa missi erant, pecuniam polliceretur, ab his est
interfectus. Ita magnarum initia rerum, quae occupatione magistratuum et
temporum sollicitam Italiam habebant, celerem et facilem exitum
habuerunt. |
§ 3:23. Libo having sailed from Oricum, with a
fleet of fifty ships, which he commanded, came to Brundusium, and
seized an island, which lies opposite to the harbor; judging it better
to guard that place, which was our only pass to sea, than to keep all
the shores and ports blocked up by a fleet. By his sudden arrival, he
fell in with some of our transports, and set them on fire, and carried
off one laden with corn; he struck great terror into our men, and
having in the night landed a party of soldiers and archers, he beat
our guard of horse from their station, and gained so much by the
advantage of situation, that he dispatched letters to Pompey, and if
he pleased he might order the rest of the ships to be hauled upon
shore and repaired; for that with his own fleet he could prevent
Caesar from receiving his auxiliaries. |
Libo profectus ab Orico cum classe, cui praeerat, navium L,
Brundisium venit insulamque, quae contra portum Brundisinum est,
occupavit, quod praestare arbitrabatur unum locum, qua necessarius
nostris erat egressus, quam omnia litora ac portus custodia clausos
teneri. Hic repentino adventu naves onerarias quasdam nactus incendit et
unam frumento onustam abduxit magnumque nostris terrorem iniecit et noctu
militibus ac sagittariis in terram eitis praesidium equitum deiecit et
adeo loci opportunitate profecit, uti ad Pompeium litteras mitteret,
naves reliquas, si vellet, subduci et refici iubcret: sua classe auxilia
sese Caesaris prohibiturum. |
§ 3:24. Antonius was at this time at Brundusium,
and relying on the valor of his troops, covered about sixty of the
long-boats belonging to the men-of-war with penthouses and bulwarks of
hurdles, and put on board them select soldiers; and disposed them
separately along the shore: and under the pretext of keeping the
seamen in exercise, he ordered two three- banked galleys, which he had
built at Brundusium, to row to the mouth of the port. When Libo saw
them advancing boldly toward him, he sent five four- banked galleys
against them, in hopes of intercepting them. When these came near our
ships, our veteran soldiers retreated within the harbor. The enemy,
urged by their eagerness to capture them, pursued them unguardedly:
for instantly the boats of Antonius, on a certain signal, rowed with
great violence from all parts against the enemy; and at the first
charge took one of the four- banked galleys, with the seamen and
marines, and forced the rest to flee disgracefully. In addition to
this loss, they were prevented from getting water by the horse which
Antonius had disposed along the sea-coast. Libo, vexed at the distress
and disgrace, departed from Brundusium, and abandoned the
blockade. |
Erat eo tempore Antonius Brundisii; is virtute militum confisus
scaphas navium magnarum circiter LX cratibus pluteisque contexit eoque
milites delectos imposuit atque eas in litore pluribus locis separatim
disposuit navesque triremes duas, quas Brundisii faciendas curaverat, per
causam exercendorum remigum ad fauces portus prodire iussit. Has cum
audacius progressas Libo vidisset, sperans intercipi posse, quadriremes V
ad eas misit. Quae cum navibus nostris appropinquassent, nostri veterani
in portum refugiebant: illi studio incitati incautius sequebantur. Iam ex
omnibus partibus subito Antonianae scaphae signo dato se in hostes
incitaverunt primoque impeto unam ex his quadriremibus cum remigibus
defensoribusque suis ceperunt, reliquas turpiter refugere coegerunt. Ad
hoc detrimentum accessit, ut equitibus per oram maritimam ab Antonio
dispositis aquari prohiberentur. Qua necessitate et ignominia permotus
Libo discessit a Brundisio obsessionemque nostrorum omisit. |
§ 3:25. Several months had now elapsed, and
winter was almost gone, and Caesar's legions and shipping were not
coming to him from Brundusium, and he imagined that some opportunities
had been neglected, for the winds had at least been often favorable,
and he thought that he must trust to them at last. And the longer it
was deferred, the more eager were those who commanded Pompey's fleet
to guard the coast, and were more confident of preventing our getting
assistance: they received frequent reproofs from Pompey by letter,
that as they had not prevented Caesar's arrival at the first, they
should at least stop the remainder of his army: and they were
expecting that the season for transporting troops, would become more
unfavorable every day, as the winds grew calmer. Caesar, feeling some
trouble on this account, wrote in severe terms to his officers at
Brundusium, [and gave them orders] that as soon as they found the wind
to answer, they should not let the opportunity of setting sail pass
by, if they were even to steer their course to the shore of Apollonia:
because there they might run their ships on ground. That these parts
principally were left unguarded by the enemy's fleet, because they
dare not venture too far from the harbor. |
Multi iam menses erant et hiems praecipitaverat, neque Brundisio
naves legionesque ad Caesarem veniebant Ac nonnullae eius rei
praetermissae occasiones Caesari videbantur, quod certi saepe flaverant
venti, quibus necessario committendum existimabat. Quantoque eius amplius
processerat temporis, tanto erant alacriores ad custodias, qui classibus
praeerant, maioremque fiduciam prohibendi habebant, et crebris Pompei
litteris castigabantur, quoniam primo venientem Caesarem non
prohibuissent, ut reliquos eius exercitus impedirent, duriusque cotidie
tempus ad transportandum lenioribus ventis exspectabant. Quibus rebus
permotus Caesar Brundisium ad suos severius scripsit, nacti idoneum
ventum ne occasionem navigandi dimitterent, sive ad litora Apolloniatium
[sive ad Labeatium] cursum dirigere atque eo naves eicere possent. Haec a
custodiis classium loca maxime vacabant, quod se longius a portibus
committere non audebant. |
§ 3:26. They [his officers], exerting boldness
and courage, aided by the instructions of Marcus Antonius, and Fusius
Kalenus, and animated by the soldiers strongly encouraging them, and
declining no danger for Caesar's safety, having got a southerly wind,
weighed anchor, and the next day were carried past Apollonia and
Dyrrachium, and being seen from the continent, Quintus Coponius, who
commanded the Rhodian fleet at Dyrrachium, put out of the port with
his ships; and when they had almost come up with us, in consequence of
the breeze dying away, the south wind sprang up afresh, and rescued
us. However, he did not desist from his attempt, but hoped by the
labor and perseverance of his seamen to be able to bear up against the
violence of the storm; and although we were carried beyond Dyrrachium,
by the violence of the wind, he nevertheless continued to chase us.
Our men, taking advantage of fortune's kindness, for they were still
afraid of being attacked by the enemy's fleet, if the wind abated,
having come near a port, called Nymphaeum, about three miles beyond
Lissus, put into it (this port is protected from a south- west wind,
but is not secure against a south wind); and thought less danger was
to be apprehended from the storm than from the enemy. But as soon as
they were within the port, the south wind, which had blown for two
days, by extraordinary good luck veered round to the south-west. |
Illi adhibita audacia et virtute administrantibus M. Antonio et Fufio
Caleno, multum ipsis militibus hortantibus neque ullum periculum pro
salute Caesaris recusantibus nacti austrum naves solvunt atque altero die
Apolloniam praetervehuntur. Qui cum essent ex continenti visi, Coponius,
qui Dyrrachii classi Rhodiae praeerat, naves ex portu educit, et cum iam
nostris remissiore vento appropinquasset, idem auster increbuit
nostrisque praesidio fuit. Neque vero ille ob eam causam conatu
desistebat, sed labore et perseverantia nautarum etiam vim tempestatis
superari posse sperabat praetervectosque Dyrrachium magna vi venti nihilo
secius sequebatur. Nostri usi fortunae beneficio tamen impetum classis
timebant, si forte ventus remisisset. Nacti portum, qui appellatur
Nymphaeum, ultra Lissum milia passuum III, eo naves introduxerunt (qui
portus ab Africo tegebatur, ab austro non erat tutus) leviusque
tempestatis quam classis periculum aestimaverunt. Quo simulatque
introitum est, incredibili felicitate auster, qui per biduum flaverat, in
Africum se vertit. |
§ 3:27. Here one might observe the sudden turns
of fortune. We who, a moment before, were alarmed for ourselves, were
safely lodged in a very secure harbor: and they who had threatened
ruin to our fleet, were forced to be uneasy on their own account: and
thus, by a change of circumstances, the storm protected our ships, and
damaged the Rhodian fleet to such a degree that all their decked
ships, sixteen in number, foundered, without exception, and were
wrecked: and of the prodigious number of seamen and soldiers, some
lost their lives by being dashed against the rocks, others were taken
by our men: but Caesar sent them all safe home. |
Hic subitam commutationem fortunae videre licuit. Qui modo sibi
timuerant, hos tutissimus portus recipiebat; qui nostris navibus
periculum intulerant, de suo timere cogebantur. Itaque tempore commutato
tempestas et nostros texit et naves Rhodias afflixit, ita ut ad unam
omnes, constratae numero XVI, eliderentur et naufragio interirent, et ex
magno remigum propugnatorumque numero pars ad scopulos allisa
interficeretur, pars ab nostris detraheretur; quos omnes conservatos
Caesar domum dimisit. |
§ 3:28. Two of our ships, that had not kept up
with the rest, being overtaken by the night, and not knowing what port
the rest had made to, came to an anchor opposite Lissus. Otacilius
Crassus, who commanded Pompey's fleet, detached after them several
barges and small craft, and attempted to take them. At the same time,
he treated with them about capitulating, and promised them their lives
if they would surrender. One of them carried two hundred and twenty
recruits, the other was manned with somewhat less than two hundred
veterans. Here it might be seen what security men derive from a
resolute spirit. For the recruits, frightened at the number of
vessels, and fatigued with the rolling of the sea, and with
sea-sickness, surrendered to Otacilius, after having first received
his oath, that the enemy would not injure them; but as soon as they
were brought before him, contrary to the obligation of his oath, they
were inhumanly put to death in his presence. But the soldiers of the
veteran legion, who had also struggled, not only with the inclemency
of the weather, but by laboring at the pump, thought it their duty to
remit nothing of their former valor: and having protracted the
beginning of the night in settling the terms, under pretense of
surrendering, they obliged the pilot to run the ship aground: and
having got a convenient place on the shore, they spent the rest of the
night there, and at day-break, when Otacilius had sent against them a
party of the horse, who guarded that part of the coast, to the number
of four hundred, beside some armed men, who had followed them from the
garrison, they made a brave defense, and having killed some of them,
retreated in safety to our army. |
Nostrae naves duae tardius cursu confecto in noctem coniectae, cum
ignorarent, quem locum reliquae cepissent, contra Lissum in ancoris
constiterunt. Has scaphis minoribusque navigiis compluribus immissis
Otacilius Crassus, qui Lissi praeerat, expugnare parabat; simul de
deditione eorum agebat et incolumitatem deditis pollicebatur. Harum
altera navis CCXX e legione tironum sustulerat, altera ex veterana paulo
minus CC. Hic cognosci licuit, quantum esset hominibus praesidii in animi
firmitudine. Tirones enim multitudine navium perterriti et salo nauseaque
confecti iureiurando accepto, nihil eis nocituros hostes, se Otacilio
dediderunt; qui omnes ad eum producti contra religionem iurisiurandi in
eius conspectu crudelissime interficiuntur. At veteranae legionis
milites, item conflictati et tempestatis et sentinae vitiis, neque ex
pristina virtute remittendum aliquid putaverunt, et tractandis
condicionibus et simulatione deditionis extracto primo noctis tempore
gubernatorem in terram navem eicere cogunt, ipsi idoneum locum nacti
reliquam noctis partem ibi confecerunt et luce prima missis ad eos ab
Otacilio equitibus, qui eam partem orae maritimae asservabant, circiter
CCCC, quique eos armati ex praesidio secuti sunt, se defenderunt et
nonnullis eorum interfectis incolumes se ad nostros receperunt. |
§ 3:29. After this action, the Roman citizens,
who resided at Lissus, a town which Caesar had before assigned them,
and had carefully fortified, received Antony into their town, and gave
him every assistance. Otacilius, apprehensive for his own safety,
escaped out of the town, and went to Pompey. All his forces, whose
number amounted to three veteran legions, and one of recruits, and
about eight hundred horse being landed, Antony sent most of his ships
back to Italy, to transport the remainder of the soldiers and horse.
The pontons, which are a sort of Gallic ships, he left at Lissus with
this object, that if Pompey, imagining Italy defenseless, should
transport his army thither (and this notion was spread among the
common people), Caesar might have some means of pursuing him; and he
sent messengers to him with great dispatch, to inform him in what part
of the country he had landed his army, and what number of troops he
had brought over with him. |
Quo facto conventus civium Romanorum, qui Lissum obtinebant, quod
oppidum eis antea Caesar attribuerat muniendumque curaverat, Antonium
recepit omnibusque rebus iuvit. Otacilius sibi timens ex oppido fugit et
ad Pompeium pervenit. Eitis omnibus copiis Antonius, quarum erat summa
veteranarum trium legionum uniusque tironum et equitum DCCC, plerasque
naves in Italiam remittit ad reliquos milites equitesque transportandos,
pontones, quod est genus navium Gallicarum, Lissi relinquit, hoc
consilio, ut si forte Pompeius vacuam existimans Italiam eo traiecisset
exercitum, quae opinio erat edita in vulgus, aliquam Caesar ad
insequendum facultatem haberet, nuntiosque ad eum celeriter mittit,
quibus regionibus exercitum euisset et quid militum transvexisset. |
§ 3:30. Caesar and Pompey received this
intelligence almost at the same time; for they had seen the ships sail
past Apollonia and Dyrrachium. They directed their march after them by
land; but at first they were ignorant to what part they had been
carried; but when they were informed of it, they each adopted a
different plan; Caesar, to form a junction with Antonius as soon as
possible; Pompey, to oppose Antonius's forces on their march to
Caesar, and, if possible, to fall upon them unexpectedly from ambush.
And the same day they both led out their armies from their winter
encampment along the river Apsus; Pompey, privately by night; Caesar,
openly by day. But Caesar had to march a longer circuit up the river
to find a ford. Pompey's route being easy, because he was not obliged
to cross the river, he advanced rapidly and by forced marches against
Antonius, and being informed of his approach, chose a convenient
situation, where he posted his forces; and kept his men close within
camp, and forbade fires to be kindled, that his arrival might be the
more secret. An account of this was immediately carried to Antonius by
the Greeks. He dispatched messengers to Caesar, and confined himself
in his camp for one day. The next day Caesar, came up with him. On
learning his arrival, Pompey, to prevent his being hemmed in between
two armies, quitted his position, and went with all his forces to
Asparagium, in the territory of Dyrrachium, and there encamped in a
convenient situation. |
Haec eodem fere tempore Caesar atque Pompeius cognoscunt. Nam
praetervectas Apolloniam Dyrrachiumque naves viderant ipsi, ut iter
secundum eas terra direxerant, sed quo essent eae delatae, primus diebus
ignorabant. Cognitaque re diversa sibi ambo consilia capiunt: Caesar, ut
quam primum se cum Antonio coniungeret; Pompeius, ut venientibus in
itinere se opponeret, si imprudentes ex insidiis, adoriri posset,eodemque
die uterque eorum ex castris stativis a flumine Apso exercitum educunt:
Pompeius clam et noctu, Caesar palam atque interdiu. Sed Caesari circuitu
maiore iter erat longius, adverso flumine, ut vado transire posset;
Pompeius, quia expedito itinere flumen ei transeundum non erat, magnis
itineribus ad Antonium contendit atque eum ubi appropinquare cognovit,
idoneum locum nactus ibi copias collocavit suosque omnes in castris
continuit ignesque fieri prohibuit, quo occultior esset eius adventus.
Haec ad Antonium statim per Graecos deferuntur. Ille missis ad Caesarem
nuntiis unum diem sese castris tenuit; altero die ad eum pervenit Caesar.
Cuius adventu cognito Pompeius, ne duobus circumcluderetur exercitibus,
ex eo loco discedit omnibusque copiis ad Asparagium Dyrrachinorum
pervenit atque ibi idoneo loco castra ponit. |
§ 3:31. During these times, Scipio, though he
had sustained some losses near mount Amanus, had assumed to himself
the title of imperator, after which he demanded large sums of money
from the states and princes. He had also exacted from the
tax-gatherers, two years' rents that they owed; and enjoined them to
lend him the amount of the next year, and demanded a supply of horse
from the whole province. When they were collected, leaving behind him
his neighboring enemies, the Parthians (who shortly before had killed
Marcus Crassus, the imperator, and had kept Marcus Bibulus besieged),
he drew his legions and cavalry out of Syria; and when he came into
the province, which was under great anxiety and fear of the Parthian
war, and heard some declarations of the soldiers, "That they would
march against an enemy, if he would lead them on; but would never bear
arms against a countryman and consul;" he drew off his legions to
winter quarters to Pergamus, and the most wealthy cities, and made
them rich presents: and in order to attach them more firmly to his
interest, permitted them to plunder the cities. |
His temporibus Scipio detrimentis quibusdam circa montem Amanum
acceptis imperatorem se appellaverat. Quo facto civitatibus tyrannisque
magnas imperaverat pecunias, item a publicanis suae provinciae debitam
biennii pecuniam exegerat et ab eisdem insequentis anni mutuam
praeceperat equitesque toti provinciae imperaverat. Quibus coactis,
finitimis hostibus Parthis post se relictis, qui paulo ante M. Crassum
imperatorem interfecerant et M. Bibulum in obsidione habuerant, legiones
equitesque ex Syria deduxerat. Summamque in sollicitudinem ac timorem
Parthici belli provincia cum venisset, ac nonnullae militum voces cum
audirentur, sese, contra hostem si ducerentur, ituros, contra civem et
consulem arma non laturos, deductis Pergamum atque in locupletissimas
urbes in hiberna legionibus maximas largitiones fecit et confirmandorum
militum causa diripiendas his civitates dedit. |
§ 3:32. In the mean time, the money which had
been demanded from the province at large, was most vigorously exacted.
Besides, many new imposts of different kinds were devised to gratify
his avarice. A tax of so much a head was laid on every slave and
child. Columns, doors, corn, soldiers, sailors, arms, engines, and
carriages, were made subject to a duty. Wherever a name could be found
for any thing, it was deemed a sufficient reason for levying money on
it. Officers were appointed to collect it, not only in the cities, but
in almost every village and fort: and whosoever of them acted with the
greatest rigor and inhumanity, was esteemed the best man, and best
citizen. The province was overrun with bailiffs and officers, and
crowded with overseers and tax-gatherers; who, besides the duties
imposed, exacted a gratuity for themselves; for they asserted, that
being expelled from their own homes and countries, they stood in need
of every necessary; endeavoring by a plausible pretense, to color the
most infamous conduct. To this was added the most exorbitant interest,
as usually happens in times of war; the whole sums being called in, on
which occasion, they alleged that the delay of a single day was a
donation. Therefore, in those two years, the debt of the province was
doubled: but notwithstanding, taxes were exacted, not only from the
Roman citizens, but from every corporation and every state. And they
said that these were loans, exacted by the senate's decree. The taxes
of the ensuing year were demanded beforehand as a loan from the
collectors, as on their first appointment. |
Interim acerbissime imperatae pecuniae tota provincia exigebantur.
Multa praeterea generatim ad avaritiam excogitabantur. In capita singula
servorum ac liberorum tributum imponebatur; columnaria, ostiaria,
frumentum, milites, arma, remiges, tormenta, vecturae imperabantur; cuius
modo rei nomen reperiri poterat, hoc satis esse ad cogendas pecunias
videbatur. Non solum urbibus, sed paene vicis castellisque singulis cum
imperio praeficiebantur. Qui horum quid acerbissime crudelissimeque
fecerat, is et vir et civis optimus habebatur. Erat plena lictorum et
imperiorum provincia, differta praefectis atque exactoribus: qui praeter
imperatas pecunias suo etiam privato compendio serviebant; dictitabant
enim se domo patriaque expulsos omnibus necessariis egere rebus, ut
honesta praescriptione rem turpissimam tegerent. Accedebant ad haec
gravissimae usurae, quod in bello plerumque accidere consuevit universis
imperatis pecuniis; quibus in rebus prolationem diei donationem esse
dicebant. Itaque aes alienum provinciae eo biennio multiplicatum est.
Neque minus ob eam causam civibus Romanis eius provinciae, sed in
singulos conventus singulasque civitates certae pecuniae imperabantur,
mutuasque illas ex senatusconsulto exigi dictitabant; publicanis, ut in
Syria fecerant, insequentis anni vectigal promutuum. |
§ 3:33. Moreover, Scipio ordered the money
formerly lodged in the temple of Diana at Ephesus, to be taken out
with the statues of that goddess, which remained there. When Scipio
came to the temple, letters were delivered to him from Pompey, in the
presence of several senators, whom he had called upon to attend him;
[informing him] that Caesar had crossed the sea with his legions; that
Scipio should hasten to him with his army, and postpone all other
business. As soon as he received the letter, he dismissed his
attendants, and began to prepare for his journey to Macedonia; and a
few days after set out. This circumstance saved the money at
Ephesus. |
Praeterea Ephesi a fano Dianae depositas antiquitus pecunias Scipio
tolli iubebat. Certaque eius rei die constituta cum in fanum ventum esset
adhibitis compluribus ordinis senatorii, quos advocaverat Scipio,
litterae ei redduntur a Pompeio, mare transisse cum legionibus Caesarem:
properaret ad se cum exercitu venire omniaque posthaberet. His litteris
acceptis quos advocaverat dimittit; ipse iter in Macedoniam parare
incipit paucisque post diebus est profectus. Haec res Ephesiae pecuniae
salutem attulit. |
§ 3:34. Caesar, having effected a junction with
Antonius's army, and having drawn his legion out of Oricum, which he
had left there to guard the coast, thought he ought to sound the
inclination of the provinces, and march further into the country; and
when embassadors came to him from Thessaly and Aetolia, to engage that
the states in those countries would obey his orders, if he sent a
garrison to protect them, he dispatched Lucius Cassius Longinus, with
the twenty-seventh, a legion composed of young soldiers, and two
hundred horse, to Thessaly: and Caius Calvisius Sabinus, with five
cohorts, and a small party of horse, into Aetolia. He recommended them
to be especially careful to provide corn, because those regions were
nearest to him. He ordered Cneius Domitius Calvinus to march into
Macedonia with two legions, the eleventh and twelfth, and five hundred
horse; from which province, Menedemus, the principal man of those
regions, on that side which is called the Free, having come as
embassador, assured him of the most devoted affection of all his
subjects. |
Caesar Antonii exercitu coniuncto deducta Orico legione, quam tuendae
orae maritimae causa posuerat, temptandas sibi provincias longiusque
procedendum existimabat et, cum ad eum ex Thessalia Aetoliaque legati
venissent, qui praesidio misso pollicerentur earum gentium civitates
imperata facturas, L. Cassium Longinum cum legione tironum, quae
appellabatur XXVII, atque equitibus CC in Thessaliam, C. Calvisium
Sabinum cum cohortibus V paucisque equitibus in Aetoliam misit; maxime
eos, quod erant propinquae regiones, de re frumentaria ut providerent,
hortatus est. Cn. Domitium Calvinum cum legionibus duabus, XI et XII, et
equitibus D in Macedoniam proficisci iussit; cuius provinciae ab ea
parte, quae libera appellabatur, Menedemus, princeps earum regionum,
missus legatus omnium suorum excellens studium profitebatur. |
§ 3:35. Of these Calvisius, on his first arrival
in Aetolia, being very kindly received, dislodged the enemy's
garrisons in Calydon and Naupactus, and made himself master of the
whole country. Cassius went to Thessaly with his legion. As there were
two factions there, he, found the citizens divided in their
inclinations. Hegasaretus, a man of established power, favored
Pompey's interest. Petreius, a young man of a most noble family,
warmly supported Caesar with his own and his friends' influence. |
Ex his Calvisius primo adventu summa omnium Aetolorum receptus
voluntate, praesidiis adversariorum Calydone et Naupacto eiectis, omni
Aetolia potitus est. Cassius in Thessaliam cum legione pervenit. Hic cum
essent factiones duae, varia voluntate civitatum utebatur: Hegesaretos,
veteris homo potentiae, Pompeianis rebus studebat; Petraeus, summae
nobilitatis adulescens, suis ac suorum opibus Caesarem enixe
invabat. |
§ 3:36. At the same time, Domitius arrived in
Macedonia: and when numerous embassies had begun to wait on him from
many of the states, news was brought that Scipio was approaching with
his legions, which occasioned various opinions and reports; for in
strange events, rumor generally goes before. Without making any delay
in any part of Macedonia, he marched with great haste against
Domitius; and when he was come within about twenty miles of him,
wheeled on a sudden toward Cassius Longinus in Thessaly. He effected
this with such celerity, that news of his march and arrival came
together; for to render his march expeditious, he left the baggage of
his legions behind him at the river Haliacmon, which divides Macedonia
from Thessaly, under the care of Marcus Favonius, with a guard of
eight cohorts, and ordered him to build a strong fort there. At the
same time, Cotus's cavalry, which used to infest the neighborhood of
Macedonia, flew to attack Cassius's camp, at which Cassius being
alarmed, and having received information of Scipio's approach, and
seen the horse, which he imagined to be Scipio's, he betook himself to
the mountains that environ Thessaly, and thence began to make his
route toward Ambracia. But when Scipio was hastening to pursue him,
dispatches overtook him from Favonius, that Domitius was marching
against him with his legions, and that he could not maintain the
garrison over which he was appointed, without Scipio's assistance. On
receipt of these dispatches, Scipio changed his designs and his route,
desisted from his pursuit of Cassius, and hastened to relieve
Favonius. Accordingly, continuing his march day and night, he came to
him so opportunely, that the dust raised by Domitius's army, and
Scipio's advanced guard, were observed at the same instant. Thus, the
vigilance of Domitius saved Cassius, and the expedition of Scipio,
Favonius. |
Eodemque tempore Domitius in Macedoniam venit; et cum ad eum
frequentes civitatum legationes convenire coepissent, nuntiatum est
adesse Scipionem cum legionibus, magna opinione et fama omnium; nam
plerumque in novitate rem fama antecedit. Hic nullo in loco Macedoniae
moratus magno impetu tetendit ad Domitium et, cum ab eo milia passuum XX
afuisset, subito se ad Cassium Longinum in Thessalasm convertit. Hoc adeo
celeriter fecit, ut simul adesse et venire nuntiaretur, et quo iter
expeditius faceret, M. Favonium ad flumen Aliacmonem, quod Macedoniam a
Thessalia dividit, cum cohortibus VIII praesidio impedimentis legionum
reliquit castellumque ibi muniri iussit. Eodem tempore equitatus regis
Cotyis ad castra Cassii advolavit, qui circum Thessaliam esse consuerat.
Tum timore perterritus Cassius cognito Scipionis adventu visisque
equitibus, quos Scipionis esse arbitrabatur, ad montes se convertit, qui
Thessaliam cingunt, atque ex his locis Ambraciam versus iter facere
coepit. At Scipionem properantem sequi litterae sunt consecutae a M.
Favonio, Domitium cum legionibus adesse neque se praesidium, ubi
constitutus esset, sine auxilio Scipionis tenere posse. Quibus litteris
acceptis consilium Scipio iterque commutat; Cassium sequi desistit,
Favonio auxilium ferre contendit. Itaque die ac nocte continuato itinere
ad eum pervenit, tam opportuno tempore, ut simul Domitiani exercitus
pulvis cerneretur, et primi antecursores Scipionis viderentur. Ita Cassio
industria Domitii, Favonio Scipionis celeritas salutem attulit. |
§ 3:37. Scipio, having staid for two days in his
camp, along the river Haliacmon, which ran between him and Domitius's
camp, on the third day, at dawn, led his army across a ford, and
having made a regular encampment the day following, drew up his forces
in front of his camp. Domitius thought he ought not to show any
reluctance, but should draw out his forces and hazard a battle. But as
there was a plain six miles in breadth between the two camps, he
posted his army before Scipio's camp; while the latter persevered in
not quitting his intrenchment. However, Domitius with difficulty
restrained his men, and prevented their beginning a battle; the more
so as a rivulet with steep banks, joining Scipio's camp, retarded the
progress of our men. When Scipio perceived the eagerness and alacrity
of our troops to engage, suspecting that he should be obliged the next
day, either to fight, against his inclination, or to incur great
disgrace by keeping within his camp, though he had come with high
expectation, yet by advancing rashly, made a shameful end; and at
night crossed the river, without even giving the signal for breaking
up the camp, and returned to the ground from which he came, and there
encamped near the river, on an elevated situation. After a few days,
he placed a party of horse in ambush in the night, where our men had
usually gone to forage for several days before. And when Quintus
Varus, commander of Domitius's horse, came there as usual, they
suddenly rushed from their ambush. But our men bravely supported their
charge, and returned quickly every man to his own rank, and in their
turn, made a general charge on the enemy; and having killed about
eighty of them, and put the rest to flight, retreated to their camp
with the loss of only two men. |
Scipio biduum castris stativis moratus ad flumen, quod inter eum et
Domitii castra fluebat, Aliacmonem, tertio die prima luce exercitum vado
traducit et castris positis postero die mane copias ante frontem
castrorum instruit. Domitius tum quoque sibi dubitandum non putavit, quin
productis legionibus proelio decertaret. Sed cum esset inter bina castra
campus circiter milium passuum II, Domitius castris Scipionis aciem suam
subiecit; ille a vallo non discedere perseveravit. Ac tamen aegre
retentis Domitianis militibus est factum, ne proelio contenderetur, et
maxime, quod rivus difficilibus ripis subiectus castris Scipionis
progressus nostrorum impediebat. Quorum studium alacritatemque pugnandi
cum cognovisset Scipio, suspicatus fore, ut postero die aut invitus
dimicare cogeretur aut magna cum infamia castris se contineret, qui magna
exspectatione venisset, temere progressus turpem habuit exitum et noctu
ne conclamatis quidem vasis flumen transit atque in eandem partem, ex qua
venerat, redit ibique prope flumen edito natura loco castra posuit.
Paucis diebus interpositis noctu insidias equitum collocavit, quo in loco
superioribus fere diebus nostri pabulari consueverant; et cum cotidiana
consuetudine Qu. Varus, praefectus equitum Domitii, venisset, subito illi
ex insidiis consurrexerunt. Sed nostri fortiter impetum eorum tulerunt,
celeriterque ad suos quisque ordines rediit, atque ultro universi in
hostes impetum fecerunt; ex his circiter LXXX interfectis, reliquis in
fugam coniectis, duobus amissis in castra se receperunt. |
§ 3:38. After these transactions, Domitius,
hoping to allure Scipio to a battle, pretended to be obliged to change
his position through want of corn, and having given the signal for
decamping, advanced about three miles, and posted his army and cavalry
in a convenient place, concealed from the enemy's view. Scipio being
in readiness to pursue him, detached his cavalry and a considerable
number of light infantry to explore Domitius's route. When they had
marched a short way, and their foremost troops were within reach of
our ambush, their suspicions being raised by the neighing of the
horses, they began to retreat: and the rest who followed them,
observing with what speed they retreated, made a halt. Our men,
perceiving that the enemy had discovered their plot, and thinking it
in vain to wait for any more, having got two troops in their power,
intercepted them. Among them was Marcus Opimius, general of the horse,
but he made his escape: they either killed or took prisoners all the
rest of these two troops, and brought them to Domitius. |
His rebus gestis Domitius, sperans Scipionem ad pugnam elici posse,
simulavit sese angustiis rei frumentarise adductum castra movere,
vasisque militari more conclamatis progressus milia passuum III loco
idoneo et occulto omnem exercitum equitatumque collocavit. Scipio ad
sequendum paratus equitum magnam partem ad explorandum iter Domitii et
cognoscendum praemisit. Qui cum essent progressi, primaeque turmae
insidias intravissent, ex fremitu equorum illata suspicione ad suos se
recipere coeperunt, quique hos sequebantur celerem eorum receptum
conspicati restiterunt. Nostri, cognitis insidiis, ne frustra reliquos
exspectarent, duas nacti turmas exceperunt (in his fuit M. Opimius,
praefectus equitum), reliquos omnes aut interfecerunt aut captos ad
Domitium deduxerunt. |
§ 3:39. Caesar, having drawn his garrisons out
of the sea-ports, as before mentioned, left three cohorts at Oricum to
protect the town, and committed to them the charge of his ships of
war, which he had transported from Italy. Acilius, as
lieutenant-general, had the charge of this duty and the command of the
town; he drew the ships into the inner part of the harbor, behind the
town, and fastened them to the shore, and sank a merchant- ship in the
mouth of the harbor to block it up; and near it he fixed another at
anchor, on which he raised a turret, and faced it to the entrance of
the port, and filled it with soldiers, and ordered them to keep guard
against any sudden attack. |
Deductis orae maritimae praesidiis Caesar, ut supra demonstratum est,
III cohortes Orici oppidi tuendi causa reliquit isdemque custodiam navium
longarum tradidit, quas ex Italia traduxerat. Huic officio oppidoque
Acilius Caninus legatus praeerat. Is naves nostras interiorem in portum
post oppidum reduxit et ad terram deligavit faucibusque portus navem
onerariam submersam obiecit et huic alteram coniunxit; super quam turrim
effectam ad ipsum introitum portus opposuit et militibus complevit
tuendamque ad omnes repentinos casus tradidit. |
§ 3:40. Cneius, Pompey's son, who commanded the
Egyptian fleet, having got intelligence of these things, came to
Oricum, and weighed up the ship, that had been sunk, with a windlass,
and by straining at it with several ropes, and attacked the other
which had been placed by Acilius to watch the port with several ships,
on which he had raised very high turrets, so that fighting as it were
from an eminence, and sending fresh men constantly to relieve the
fatigued, and at the same time attempting the town on all sides by
land, with ladders and his fleet, in order to divide the force of his
enemies, he overpowered our men by fatigue, and the immense number of
darts, and took the ship, having beat off the men that were put on
board to defend it, who, however, made their escape in small boats;
and at the, same time he seized a natural mole on the opposite side,
which almost formed an island over against the town. He carried over
land, into the inner part of the harbor, four galleys, by putting
rollers under them, and driving them on with levers. Then attacking on
both sides the ships of war which were moored to the shore, and were
not manned, he carried off four of them, and set the rest on fire.
After dispatching this business, he left Decimus Laelius, whom he had
taken away from the command of the Asiatic fleet, to hinder provisions
from being brought into the town from Biblis and Amantia, and went
himself to Lissus, where he attacked thirty merchantmen, left within
the port by Antonius, and set them on fire. He attempted to storm
Lissus, but being delayed three days by the vigorous defense of the
Roman citizens who belonged to that district, and of the soldiers
which Caesar had sent to keep garrison there, and having lost a few
men in the assault, he returned without effecting his object. |
Quibus cognitis rebus Cn. Pompeius filius, qui classi Aegyptiae
praeerat, ad Oricum venit submersamque navim remulco multisque contendens
funibus adduxit atque alteram navem, quae erat ad custodiam ab Acilio
posita, pluribus aggressus navibus, in quibus ad libram fecerat turres,
ut ex superiore pugnans loco integrosque semper defatigatis submittens et
reliquis partibus simul ex terra scalis et classe moenia oppidi temptans,
uti adversariorum manus diduceret, labore et multitudine telorum nostros
vicit, deiectisque defensoribus, qui omnes scaphis excepti refugerant,
eam navem expugnavit, eodemque tempore ex altera parte molem tenuit
naturalem obiectam, quae paene insulam oppidum effecerat, et IIII biremes
subiectis scutulis impulsas vectibus in interiorem portum traduxit. Ita
ex utraque parte naves longas aggressus, quae erant deligatae ad terram
atque inanes, IIII ex his abduxit, reliquas incendit. Hoc confecto
negotio D. Laelium ab Asiatica classe abductum reliquit, qui commeatus
Bullide atque Amantia importari in oppidum prohibebat. Ipse Lissum
profectus naves onerarias XXX a M. Antonio relictas intra portum
aggressus omnes incendit; Lissum expugnare conatus defendentibus civibus
Romanis, qui eius conventus erant, militibusque, quos praesidii causa
miserat Caesar, triduum moratus paucis in oppugnatione amissis re infecta
inde discessit. |
§ 3:41. As soon as Caesar heard that Pompey was
at Asparagium, he set out for that place with his army, and having
taken the capital of the Parthinians on his march, where there was a
garrison of Pompey's, he reached Pompey in Macedonia, on the third
day, and encamped beside him; and the day following having drawn out
all his forces before his camp, he offered Pompey battle. But
perceiving that he kept within his trenches, he led his army back to
his camp, and thought of pursuing some other plan. Accordingly, the
day following, he set out with all his forces by a long circuit,
through a difficult and narrow road to Dyrrachium; hoping, either that
Pompey would be compelled to follow him to Dyrrachium, or that his
communication with it might be cut off, because he had deposited there
all his provisions and material of war. And so it happened; for
Pompey, at first not knowing his design, because he imagined he had
taken a route in a different direction from that country, thought that
the scarcity of provisions had obliged him to shift his quarters; but
having afterward got true intelligence from his scouts, he decamped
the day following, hoping to prevent him by taking a shorter road;
which Caesar suspecting might happen, encouraged his troops to submit
cheerfully to the fatigue, and having halted a very small part of the
night, he arrived early in the morning at Dyrrachium, when the van of
Pompey's army was visible at a distance, and there he encamped. |
Caesar, postquam Pompeium ad Asparagium esse cognovit, eodem cum
exercitu profectus expugnato in itinere oppido Parthinorum, in quo
Pompeius praesidium habebat, tertio die ad Pompeium pervenit iuxtaque eum
castra posuit et postridie eductis omnibus copiis acie instructa
decernendi potestatem Pompeio fecit. Ubi illum suis locis se tenere
animadvertit, reducto in castra exercitu aliud sibi consilium capiendum
existimavit. Itaque postero die omnibus copiis magno circuitu difficili
angustoque itinere Dyrrachium profectus est sperans Pompeium aut
Dyrrachium compelli aut ab eo intercludi posse, quod omnem commeatum
totiusque belli apparatum eo contulisset; ut accidit Pompeim enim primo
ignorans eius consilium, quod diverso ab ea regione itinere profectum
videbat, angustiis rei frumentariae compulsum discessisse existimabat;
postea per exploratores certior factus postero die castra movit, breviore
itinere se occurrere ei posse sperans. Quod fore suspicatus Caesar
militesque adhortatus, ut aequo animo laborem ferrent, parvam partem
noctis itinere intermisso mane Dyrrachium venit, cum primum agmen Pompei
procul cerneretur, atque ibi castra posuit. |
§ 3:42. Pompey, being cut off from Dyrrachium,
as he was unable to effect his purpose, took a new resolution, and
intrenched himself strongly on a rising ground, which is called Petra,
where ships of a small size can come in, and be sheltered from some
winds. Here he ordered a part of his men of war to attend him, and
corn and provisions to be brought from Asia, and from all the
countries of which he kept possession. Caesar, imagining that the war
would be protracted to too great a length, and despairing of his
convoys from Italy, because all the coasts were guarded with great
diligence by Pompey's adherents; and because his own fleets, which he
had built during the winter, in Sicily, Gaul, and Italy, were
detained; sent Lucius Canuleius into Epirus to procure corn; and
because these countries were too remote, he fixed granaries in certain
places, and regulated the carriage of the corn for the neighboring
states. He likewise gave directions that search should be made for
whatever corn was in Lissus, the country of the Parthini, and all the
places of strength. The quantity was very small, both from the nature
of the land (for the country is rough and mountainous, and the people
commonly import what grain they use); and because Pompey had foreseen
what would happen, and some days before had plundered the Parthini,
and having ravaged and dug up their houses, carried off all the corn,
which he collected by means of his horse. |
Pompeim interclusus Dyrrachio, ubi propositum tenere non potuit,
secundo usus consilio edito loco, qui appellatur Petra aditumque habet
navibus mediocrem atque eas a quibusdam protegit ventis, castra communit.
Eo partem navium longarum convenire, frumentum commeatumque ab Asia atque
omnibus regionibus, quas tenebat, comportari imperat. Caesar longius
bellum ductum iri existimans et de Italicis commeatibus desperans, quod
tanta diligentia omni litora a Pompeianis tenebantur, classesque ipsius,
quas hieme in Sicilia, Gallia, Italia fecerat, morabantur, in Epirum rei
frumentariae causa Q. Tillium et L. Canuleium legatum misit, quodque hae
regiones aberant longius, locis certis horrea constituit vecturasque
frumenti finitimis civitatibus descripsit. Item Lisso Parthinisque et
omnibus castellis quod esset frumenti conquiri iussit. Id erat perexiguum
cum ipsius agri natura, quod sunt loca aspera ac montuosa ac plerumque
frumento utuntur importato, tum quod Pompeius haec providerat et
superioribus diebus praedae loco Parthinos habuerat frumentumque omne
conquisitum spoliatis effossisque eorum domibus per equites
comportarat. |
§ 3:43. Caesar, on being informed of these
transactions, pursued measures suggested by the nature of the country.
For round Pompey's camps there were several high and rough hills.
These he first of all occupied with guards, and raised strong forts on
them. Then drawing a fortification from one fort to another, as the
nature of each position allowed, he began to draw a line of
circumvallation round Pompey, with these views; as he had but a small
quantity of corn, and Pompey was strong in cavalry, that he might
furnish his army with corn and other necessaries from all sides with
less danger; secondly, to prevent Pompey from foraging, and thereby
render his horse ineffectual in the operations of the war; and
thirdly, to lessen his reputation, on which he saw he depended
greatly, among foreign nations, when a report should have spread
throughout the world that he was blockaded by Caesar, and dare not
hazard a battle. |
Quibus rebus cognitis Caesar consilium capit ex loci natura. Erant
enim circum castra Pompei permulti editi atque asperi colles. Hos primum
praesidiis tenuit castellaque ibi communit. Inde, ut loci cuiusque natura
ferebat, ex castello in castellum perducta munitione circumvallare
Pompeium instituit, haec spectans, quod angusta re frumentaria utebatur
quodque Pompeius multitudine equitum valebat, quo minore periculo undique
frumentum commeatumque exercitui supportare posset, simul, uti
pabulatione Pompeium prohiberet equitatumque eius ad rem gerendam
inutilem efficeret, tertio, ut auctoritatem qua ille maxime apud exteras
nationes niti videbatur, minueret, cum fama per orbem terrarum
percrebuisset, illum a Caesare obsideri neque audere proelio
dimicare. |
§ 3:44. Neither was Pompey willing to leave the
sea and Dyrrachium, because he had lodged his material there, his
weapons, arms, and engines; and supplied his army with corn from it by
his ships; nor was he able to put a stop to Caesar's works without
hazarding a battle, which at that time he had determined not to do.
Nothing was left but to adopt the last resource, namely, to possess
himself of as many hills as he could, and cover as great an extent of
country as possible with his troops, and divide Caesar's forces as
much as possible; and so it happened: for having raised twenty-four
forts, and taken in a compass of fifteen miles, he got forage in this
space, and within this circuit there were several fields lately sown,
in which the cattle might feed in the mean time. And as our men, who
had completed their works by drawing lines of communication from one
fort to another, were afraid that Pompey's men would sally out from
some part, and attack us in the rear; so the enemy were making a
continued fortification in a circuit within ours to prevent us from
breaking in on any side, or surrounding them on the rear. But they
completed their works first; both because they had a greater number of
men, and because they had a smaller compass to inclose. When Caesar
attempted to gain any place, though Pompey had resolved not to oppose
him with his whole force, or to come to a general engagement, yet he
detached to particular places slingers and archers, with which his
army abounded, and several of our men were wounded, and filled with
great dread of the arrows; and almost all the soldiers made coats or
coverings for themselves of hair cloths, tarpaulins, or raw hides to
defend them against the weapons. |
Pompeins neque a mari Dyrrachioque discedere volebat, quod omnem
apparatum belli, tela, arma, tormenta ibi collocaverat frumentumque
exercitui navibus supportabat, neque munitiones Caesaris prohibere
poterat, nisi proelio decertare vellet; quod eo tempore statuerat non
esse faciendum. Relinquebatur, ut extremam rationem belli sequens quam
plurimos colles occuparet et quam latissimas regiones praesidiis teneret
Caesarisque copias, quam maxime posset, distineret; idque accidit.
Castellis enim XXIIII effectis XV milia passuum circuitu amplexus hoc
spatio pabulabatur; multaque erant intra eum locum manu sata, quibus
interim iumenta pasceret. Atque ut nostri perpetua munitione providebant,
ne quo loco erumperent Pompeiani ac nostros post tergum adorirentur, ita
illi interiore spatio perpetuas munitiones efficiebant, ne quem locum
nostri intrare atque ipsos a tergo circumvenire possent. Sed illi
operibus vincebant, quod et numero militum praestabant et interiore
spatio minorem circuitum habebant. Quaecumque erant loca Caesari
capienda, etsi prohibere Pompeius totis copiis et dimicare non
constituerat, tamen suis locis sagittarios funditoresque mittebat, quorum
magnum habebat numerum, multique ex nostris vulnerabantur, magnusque
incesserat timor sagittarum, atque omnes fere milites aut ex coactis aut
ex centonibus aut ex coriis tunicas aut tegimenta fecerant, quibus tela
vitarent. |
§ 3:45. In seizing the posts, each exerted his
utmost power. Caesar, to confine Pompey within as narrow a compass as
possible; Pompey, to occupy as many hills as he could in as large a
circuit as possible, and several skirmishes were fought in consequence
of it. In one of these, when Caesar's ninth legion had gained a
certain post, and had begun to fortify it, Pompey possessed himself of
a hill near to and opposite the same place, and endeavored to annoy
the men while at work; and as the approach on one side was almost
level, he first surrounded it with archers and slingers, and afterward
by detaching a strong party of light infantry, and using his engines,
he stopped our works; and it was no easy matter for our men at once to
defend themselves, and to proceed with their fortifications. When
Caesar perceived that his troops were wounded from all sides, he
determined to retreat and give up the post; his retreat was down a
precipice, on which account they pushed on with more spirit, and would
not allow us to retire, because they imagined that we resigned the
place through fear. It is reported that Pompey said that day in
triumph to his friends about him, "That he would consent to be
accounted a general of no experience, if Caesar's legions effected a
retreat without considerable loss from that ground into which they had
rashly advanced." |
In occupandis praesidiis magna vi uterque nitebatur: Caesar, ut quam
angustissime Pompeium contineret; Pompeius, ut quam plurimos colles quam
maximo circuitu occuparet, crebraque ob eam causam proelia fiebant. In
his cum legio Caesaris nona praesidium quoddam occupavisset et munire
coepisset, huic loco propinquum et contrarium collem Pompeius occupavit
nostrosque opere prohibere coepit et, cum una ex parte prope aequum
aditum haberet, primum sagittariis funditoribusque circumiectis, postea
levis armaturae magna multitudine missa tormentisque prolatis munitiones
impediebat; neque erat facile nostris uno tempore propugnare et munire.
Caesar, cum suos ex omnibus partibus vulnerari videret, recipere se
iussit et loco excedere. Erat per declive receptus. Illi autem hoc acrius
instabant neque regredi nostros patiebantur, quod timore adducti locum
relinquere videbantur. Dicitur eo tempore glorians apud suos Pompeius
dixisse: non recusare se, quin nullius usus imperator existimaretur, si
sine maximo detrimento legiones Caesaris sese recepissent inde, quo
temere essent progressae. |
§ 3:46. Caesar, being uneasy about the retreat
of his soldiers, ordered hurdles to be carried to the further side of
the hill, and to be placed opposite to the enemy, and behind them a
trench of a moderate breadth to be sunk by his soldiers under shelter
of the hurdles; and the ground to be made as difficult as possible. He
himself disposed slingers in convenient places to cover our men in
their retreat. These things being completed, he ordered his legions to
file off: Pompey's men insultingly and boldly pursued and chased us,
leveling the hurdles that were thrown up in the front of our works, in
order to pass over the trench. Which as soon as Caesar perceived,
being afraid that his men would appear not to retreat, but to be
repulsed, and that greater loss might be sustained, when his men were
almost half way down the hill, he encouraged them by Antonius, who
commanded that legion, ordered the signal of battle to be sounded, and
a charge to be made on the enemy. The soldiers of the ninth legion
suddenly closing their files, threw their javelins, and advancing
impetuously from the low ground up the steep, drove Pompey's men
precipitately before them, and obliged them to turn their backs; but
their retreat was greatly impeded by the hurdles that lay in a long
line before them, and the palisadoes which were in their way, and the
trenches that were sunk. But our men being contented to retreat
without injury, having killed several of the enemy, and lost but five
of their own, very quietly retired, and having seized some other hills
somewhat on this side of that place, completed their
fortifications. |
Caesar receptui suorum timens crates ad extremum tumulum contra
hostem proferri et adversas locari, intra has mediocri latitudine fossam
tectis militibus obduci iussit locumque in omnes partes quam maxime
impediri. Ipse idoneis locis funditores instruxit, ut praesidio nostris
se recipientibus essent. His rebus comparatis legionem reduci iussit.
Pompeiani hoc insolentius atque audacius nostros premere et instare
coeperunt cratesque pro munitione obiectas propulerunt, ut fossas
transcenderent. Quod cum animadvertisset Caesar, veritus, ne non reducti,
sed reiecti viderentur, maiusque detrimentum caperetur, a medio fere
spatio suos per Antonium, qui ei legioni praeerat, cohortatus tuba signum
dari atque in hostes impetum fieri iussit. Milites legionis VIIII subito
conspirtati pila coniecerunt et ex inferiore loco adversus clivum
incitati cursu praecipites Pompeianos egerunt et terga vertere coegerunt;
quibus ad recipiendum crates deiectae longuriique obiecti et institutae
fossae magno impedimento fuerunt. Nostri vero, qui satis habebant sine
detrimento discedere, compluribus interfectis V omnino suorum amissis
quietissime se receperunt pauloque citra eum locum allis comprehensis
collibus munitiones perfecerunt. |
§ 3:47. This method of conducting a war was new
and unusual, as well on account of the number of forts, the extent and
greatness of the works, and the manner of attack and defense, as on
account of other circumstances. For all who have attempted to besiege
any person, have attacked the enemy when they were frightened or weak,
or after a defeat; or have been kept in fear of some attack, when they
themselves have had a superior force both of foot and horse. Besides,
the usual design of a siege is to cut off the enemy's supplies. On the
contrary, Caesar, with an inferior force, was inclosing troops sound
and unhurt, and who had abundance of all things. For there arrived
every day a prodigious number of ships, which brought them provisions:
nor could the wind blow from any point, that would not be favorable to
some of them. Whereas, Caesar, having consumed all the corn far and
near, was in very great distress, but his soldiers bore all with
uncommon patience. For they remembered that they lay under the same
difficulties last year in Spain, and yet by labor and patience had
concluded a dangerous war. They recollected too that they had suffered
an alarming scarcity at Alesia, and a much greater at Avaricum, and
yet had returned victorious over mighty nations. They refused neither
barley nor pulse when offered them, and they held in great esteem
cattle, of which they got great quantities from Epirus. |
Erat nova et inusitata belli ratio cum tot castellorum numero
tantoque spatio et tantis munitionibus et toto obsidionis genere, tum
etiam reliquis rebus. Nam quicumque alterum obsidere conati sunt,
perculsos atque infirmos hostes adorti aut proelio superatos aut aliqua
offensione permotos continuerunt, cum ipsi numero equitum militumque
praestarent; causa autem obsidionis haec fere esse consuevit, ut frumento
hostes prohiberent. At tum integras atque incolumes copias Caesar
inferiore militum numero continebat, cum illi omnium rerum copia
abundarent; cotidie enim magnus undique navium numerus conveniebat, quae
commeatum supportarent, neque ullus flare ventus poterat, quin aliqua ex
parte secundum cursum haberent. Ipse autem consumptis omnibus longe
lateque frumentis summis erat in angustiis. Sed tamen haec singulari
patientia milites ferebant. Recordabantur enim eadem se superiore anno in
Hispania perpessos labore et patientia maximum bellum confecisse,
meminerant ad Alesiam magnam se inopiam perpessos, multo etiam maiorem ad
Avaricum, maximarum gentium victores discessisse. Non illi hordeum cum
daretur, non legumina recusabant; pecus vero cuius rei summa erat ex
Epiro copia, magno in honore habebant. |
§ 3:48. There was a sort of root called chara,
discovered by the troops which served under Valerius. This they mixed
up with milk, and it greatly contributed to relieve their want. They
made it into a sort of bread. They had great plenty of it; loaves made
of this, when Pompey's men upbraided ours with want, they frequently
threw among them to damp their hopes. |
Est autem genus radicis inventum ab eis, qui fuerant vacui ab
operibus, quod appellatur chara, quod admixtum lacte multum inopiam
levabat. Id ad similitudinem panis efficiebant. Eius erat magna copia. Ex
hoc effectos panes, cum in colloquiis Pompeiani famem nostris
obiectarent, vulgo in eos iaciebant, ut spem eorum minuerent. |
§ 3:49. The corn was now beginning to ripen, and
their hope supported their want, as they were confident of having
abundance in a short time. And there were frequently heard
declarations of the soldiers on guard, in discourse with each other,
that they would rather live on the bark of the trees, than let Pompey
escape from their hands. For they were often told by deserters, that
they could scarcely maintain their horses, and that their other cattle
was dead: that they themselves were not in good health from their
confinement within so narrow a compass, from the noisome smell, the
number of carcasses, and the constant fatigue to them, being men
unaccustomed to work, and laboring under a great want of water. For
Caesar had either turned the course of all the rivers and streams
which ran to the sea, or had dammed them up with strong works. And as
the country was mountainous, and the valleys narrow at the bottom, he
inclosed them with piles sunk in the ground, and heaped up mold
against them to keep in the water. They were therefore obliged to
search for low and marshy grounds, and to sink wells, and they had
this labor in addition to their daily works. And even these springs
were at a considerable distance from some of their posts, and soon
dried up with the heat. But Caesar's army enjoyed perfect health and
abundance of water, and had plenty of all sorts of provisions except
corn; and they had a prospect of better times approaching, and saw
greater hopes laid before them by the ripening of the grain. |
Iamque frumenta maturescere incipiebant, atque ipsa spes inopiam
sustentabat, quod celeriter se habituros copiam confidebant; crebraeque
voces militum in vigiliis colloquiisque audiebantur, prius se cortice ex
arboribus victuros, quam Pompeium e manibus dimissuros. Libenter etiam ex
perfugis cognoscebant equos eorum tolerari, reliqua vero iumenta
interisse; uti autem ipsos valetudine non bona, cum angustiis loci et
odore taetro ex multitudine cadaverum et cotidianis laboribus insuetos
operum, tum aquae summa inopia affectos. Omnia enim flumina atque omnes
rivos, qui ad mare pertinebant, Caesar aut averterat aut magnis operibus
obstruxerat, atque ut erant loca montuosa et aspera, angustias vallium
sublicis in terram demissis praesaepserat terramque aggesserat, ut aquam
contineret. Itaque illi necessario loca sequi demissa ac palustria et
puteos fodere cogebantur atque hunc laborem ad cotidiana opera addebant;
qui tamen fontes a quibusdam praesidiis aberant longius et celeriter
aestibus exarescebant. At Caesaris exercitus optima valetudine summaque
aquae copia utebatur, tum commeatus omni genere praeter frumentum
abundabat; quibus cotidie melius succedere tempus maioremque spem
maturitate frumentorum proponi videbant. |
§ 3:50. In this new kind of war, new methods of
managing it were invented by both generals. Pompey's men, perceiving
by our fires at night, at what part of the works our cohorts were on
guard, coming silently upon them discharged their arrows at random
among the whole multitude, and instantly retired to their camp; as a
remedy against which our men were taught by experience to light their
fires in one place, and keep guard in another.Note: The translator
felt that some of the original text was missing at this point. |
In novo genere belli novae ab utrisque bellandi rationes
reperiebantur. Illi, cum animadvertissent ex ignibus noctu cohortes
nostras ad munitiones excubare, silentio aggressi universi intra
multitudinem sagittas coniciebant et se confestim ad suos recipiebant.
Quibus rebus nostri usu docti haec reperiebant remedia, ut alio loco
ignes facerent... |
§ 3:51. In the mean time, Publius Sylla, whom
Caesar at his departure had left governor of his camp, came up with
two legions to assist the cohort; upon whose arrival Pompey's forces
were easily repulsed. Nor did they stand the sight and charge of our
men, and the foremost falling, the rest turned their backs and quitted
the field. But Sylla called our men in from the pursuit, lest their
ardor should carry them too far, but most people imagine that if he
had consented to a vigorous pursuit, the war might have been ended
that day. His conduct however does not appear to deserve censure; for
the duties of a lieutenant-general, and of a commander-in-chief, are
very different; the one is bound to act entirely according to his
instructions, the other to regulate his conduct without control, as
occasion requires. Sylla, being deputed by Caesar to take care of the
camp, and having rescued his men, was satisfied with that, and did not
desire to hazard a battle (although this circumstance might probably
have had a successful issue), that he might not be thought to have
assumed the part of the general. One circumstance laid the Pompeians
under great difficulty in making good a retreat: for they had advanced
from disadvantageous ground, and were posted on the top of a hill. If
they attempted to retire down the steep, they dreaded the pursuit of
our men from the rising ground, and there was but a short time till
sunset: for in hopes of completing the business, they had protracted
the battle almost till night. Taking therefore measures suited to
their exigency, and to the shortness of the time, Pompey possessed
himself of an eminence, at such a distance from our fort that no
weapon discharged from an engine could reach him. Here he took up a
position, and fortified it, and kept all his forces there. |
Interim certior factus P. Sulla, quem discedens catris praefecerat
Caesar, auxillo cohorti venit cum legionibus duabus; cuius adventu facile
sunt repulsi Pompeiani. Neque vero conspectum aut impetum nostrorum
tulerunt, primisque deiectis reliqui se verterunt et loco cesserunt. Sed
insequentes nostros, ne longius prosequerentur, Sulla revocavit. At
plerique existimant, si acrius insequi voluisset, bellum eo die potuisse
finire. Cuius consilium reprehendendum non videtur. Aliae enim sunt
legati partes atque imperatoris: alter omnia agere ad praescriptum, alter
libere ad summam rerum consulere debet. Sulla a Caesare in castris
relictus liberatis suis hoc fuit contentus neque proelio decertare
voluit, quae res tamen fortasse aliquem reciperet casum, ne imperatorias
sibi partes sumpsisse videretur. Pompeianis magnam res ad receptum
difficultatem afferebat. Nam ex iniquo progressi loco in summo
constiterant; si per declive sese reciperent, nostros ex superiore
insequentes loco verebantur; neque multum ad solis occasum temporis
supererat; spe enim conficiendi negotii prope in noctem rem duxerant. Ita
necessario atque ex tempore capto consilio Pompeius tumulum quendam
occupavit, qui tantum aberat a nostro castello, ut telum tormento missum
adigi non posset. Hoc consedit loco atque eum communivit omnesque ibi
copias continuit. |
§ 3:52. At the same time, there were engagements
in two other places; for Pompey had attacked several forts at once, in
order to divide our forces; that no relief might be sent from the
neighboring posts. In one place, Volcatius Tullus sustained the charge
of a legion with three cohorts, and beat them off the field. In
another, the Germans, having sallied over our fortifications, slew
several of the enemy, and retreated safe to our camp. |
Eodem tempore duobus praeterea locis pugnatum est: nam plura castella
Pompeius pariter distinendae manus causa temptaverat, ne ex proximis
praesidiis succurri posset. Uno loco Volcatius Tullus impetum legionis
sustinuit cohortibus tribus atque eam loco depulit; altero Germani
munitiones nostras egressi compluribus interfectis sese ad suos incolumes
receperunt. |
§ 3:53. Thus six engagements having happened in
one day, three at Dyrrachium, and three at the fortifications, when a
computation was made of the number of slain, we found that about two
thousand fell on Pompey's side, several of them volunteer veterans and
centurions. Among them was Valerius, the son of Lucius Flaccus, who as
praetor had formerly had the government of Asia, and six military
standards were taken. Of our men, not more than twenty were missing in
all the action. But in the fort, not a single soldier escaped without
a wound; and in one cohort, four centurions lost their eyes. And being
desirous to produce testimony of the fatigue they under went, and the
danger they sustained, they counted to Caesar about thirty thousand
arrows which had been thrown into the fort; and in the shield of the
centurion Scaeva, which was brought to him, were found two hundred and
thirty holes. In reward for this man's services, both to himself and
the public, Caesar presented to him two hundred thousand pieces of
copper money, and declared him promoted from the eighth to the first
centurion. For it appeared that the fort had been in a great measure
saved by his exertions; and he afterward very amply rewarded the
cohorts with double pay, corn, clothing, and other military
honors. |
Ita uno die VI proeliis factis, tribus ad Dyrrachium, tribus ad
munitiones, cum horum omnium ratio haberetur, ad duorurn milium numero ex
Pompeianis cecidisse reperiebamus, evocatos centurionesque complures (in
eo fuit numero Valerius Flaccus, L. filius, eius, qui praetor Asiam
obtinuerat); signaque sunt militaria sex relata. Nostri non amplius XX
omnibus sunt proeliis desiderati. Sed in castello nemo fuit omnino
militum, quin vulneraretur, quattuorque ex una cohorte centuriones oculos
amiserunt. Et cum laboris sui periculique testimonium afferre vellent,
milia sagittarum circiter XXX in castellum coniecta Caesari
renumeraverunt, scutoque ad eum relato Scaevae centurionis inventa sunt
in eo foramina CXX. Quem Caesar, ut erat de se meritus et de re publica,
donatum milibus CC collaudatumque ab octavis ordinibus ad primipilum se
traducere pronuntiavit (eius enim opera castellum magna ex parte
conservatum esse constabat) cohortemque postea duplici stipendio,
frumento, veste, cibariis militaribusque donis amplissime donavit |
§ 3:54. Pompey, having made great additions to
his works in the night, the following days built turrets, and having
carried his works fifteen feet high, faced that part of his camp with
mantelets; and after an interval of five days, taking advantage of a
second cloudy night, he barricaded all the gates of his camp to hinder
a pursuit, and about midnight, quietly marched off his army, and
retreated to his old fortifications. |
Pompeius noctu magnis additis munitionibus reliquis diebus turres
exstruxit, et in altitudinem pedum XV effectis operibus vineis eam partem
castrorum obtexit, et quinque intermissis diebus alteram noctem
subnubilam nactus obstructis omnibus castrorum portis et ad impediendum
obicibus obiectis tertia inita vigilia silentio exercitum eduxit et se in
antiquas munitiones recepit. |
§ 3:55. Aetolia, Acarnania, and Amphilochis,
being reduced, as we have related, by Cassius Longinus, and Calvisius
Sabinus, Caesar thought he ought to attempt the conquest of Achaia,
and to advance further into the country. Accordingly, he detached
Fufius thither, and ordered Quintus Sabinus and Cassius to join him
with their cohorts. Upon notice of their approach, Rutilius Lupus, who
commanded in Achaia, under Pompey, began to fortify the Isthmus, to
prevent Fufius from coming into Achaia. Kalenus recovered Delphi,
Thebes, and Orchomenus, by a voluntary submission of those states.
Some he subdued by force, the rest he endeavored to win over to
Caesar's interest, by sending deputies round to them. In these things,
principally, Fusius was employed. |
Omnibus deinceps diebus Caesar exercitum in aciem aequum in locum
produxit, si Pompeius proelio decertare vellet, ut paene castris Pompei
legiones subiceret; tantumque a vallo eius prima acies aberat, uti ne
telum tormento adigi posset. Pompeius autem, ut famam opinionemque
hominum teneret, sic pro castris exercitum constituebat, ut tertia acies
vallum contingeret, omnis quidem instructus exercitus telis ex vallo
coniectis protegi posset. |
§ 3:56. Every day afterward, Caesar drew up his
army on a level ground, and offered Pompey battle, and led his legions
almost close to Pompey's camp; and his front line was at no greater
distance from the rampart than that no weapon from their engines could
reach it. But Pompey, to save his credit and reputation with the
world, drew out his legions, but so close to his camp, that his rear
line might touch the rampart, and that his whole army, when drawn up,
might be protected by the darts discharged from it. |
Aetolia, Acarnania, Amphilochis per Cassium Longinum et Calvisium
Sabinum, ut demonstravimus, receptis temptandam sibi Achaiam ac paulo
longius progrediendum existimabat Caesar. Itaque eo Calenum misit eique
Sabinum et Cassium cum cohortibus adiungit. Quorum cognito adventu
Rutilius Lupus, qui Achaiam missus a Pompeio obtinebat, Isthmum
praemunire instituit, ut Achaia Fufium prohiberet. Calenus Delphos,
Thebas, Orchomenum voluntate ipsarum civitatium recepit, nonnullas urbes
per vim expugnavit, reliquas civitates circummissis legationibus amicitia
Caesari conciliare studebat. In his rebus fere erat Fufius
occupatus. |
§ 3:57. While these things were going forward in
Achaia and at Dyrrachium, and when it was certainly known that Scipio
was arrived in Macedonia, Caesar, never losing sight of his first
intention, sends Clodius to him, an intimate friend to both, whom
Caesar, on the introduction and recommendation of Pompey, had admitted
into the number of his acquaintance. To this man he gave letters and
instructions to Pompey, the substance of which was as follows: "That
he had made every effort toward peace, and imputed the ill success of
those efforts to the fault of those whom he had employed to conduct
those negotiations; because they were afraid to carry his proposals to
Pompey at an improper time. That Scipio had such authority, that he
could not only freely explain what conduct met his approbation, but
even in some degree enforce his advice, and govern him [Pompey] if he
persisted in error; that he commanded an army independent of Pompey,
so that besides his authority, he had strength to compel; and if he
did so, all men would be indebted to him for the quiet of Italy, the
peace of the provinces, and the preservation of the empire." These
proposals Clodius made to him, and for some days at the first appeared
to have met with a favorable reception, but afterward was not admitted
to an audience; for Scipio being reprimanded by Favonius, as we found
afterward when the war was ended, and the negotiation having
miscarried, Clodius returned to Caesar. |
Haec cum in Achaia atque apud Dyrrachium gererentur, Scipionemque in
Macedoniam venisse constaret, non oblitus pristini instituti Caesar
mittit ad eum A. Clodium, suum atque illius familiarem, quem ab illo
traditum initio et commendatum in suorum necessariorum numero habere
instituerat. Huic dat litteras mandataque ad eum; quorum haec erat summa:
sese omnia de pace expertum nihil adhuc effecisse: hoc arbitrari vitio
factum eorum, quos esse auctores eius rei voluisset, quod sua mandata
perferre non opportuno tempore ad Pompeium vererentur. Scipionem ea esse
auctoritate, ut non solum libere quae probasset exponere, sed etiam ex
magna parte compellere atque errantem regere posset; praeesse autem suo
nomine exercitui, ut praeter auctoritatem vires quoque ad coercendum
haberet. Quod si fecisset, quietem Italiae, pacem provinciarum, salutem
imperii uni omnes acceptam relaturos. Haec ad eum mandata Clodius refert
ac primis diebus, ut videbatur, libenter auditus reliquis ad colloquium
non admittitur, castigato Scipione a Favonio, ut postea confecto bello
reperiebamus, infectaque re sese ad Caeaarem recepit. |
§ 3:58. Caesar, that he might the more easily
keep Pompey's horse inclosed within Dyrrachium, and prevent them from
foraging, fortified the two narrow passes already mentioned with
strong works, and erected forts at them. Pompey perceiving that he
derived no advantage from his cavalry, after a few days had them
conveyed back to his camp by sea. Fodder was so exceedingly scarce
that he was obliged to feed his horses upon leaves stripped off the
trees, or the tender roots of reeds pounded. For the corn which had
been sown within the lines was already consumed, and they would be
obliged to supply themselves with fodder from Corcyra and Acarnania,
over a long tract of sea; and as the quantity of that fell short, to
increase it by mixing barley with it, and by these methods support
their cavalry. But when not only the barley and fodder in these parts
were consumed, and the herbs cut away, when the leaves too were not to
be found on the trees, the horses being almost starved, Pompey thought
he ought to make some attempt by a sally. |
Caesar, quo facilius equitatum Pompeianum ad Dyrrachium contineret et
pabulatione prohiberet, aditus duos, quos esse angustos demonstravimus,
magnis operibus praemunivit castellaque his locis posuit. Pompeius, ubi
nihil profici equitatu cognovit, paucis intermissis diebus rursus eum
navibus ad se intra munitiones recipit. Erat summa inopia pabuli, adeo ut
foliis ex arboribus strictis et teneris harundinum radicibus contusis
equos alerent (frumenta enim, quae fuerant intra munitiones sata,
consumpserant); cogebantur Corcyra atque Acarnania longo interiecto
navigationis spatio pabulum supportare, quodque erat eius rei minor
copia, hordeo adaugere atque his rationibus equitatum tolerare. Sed
postquam non modo hordeum pabulumque omnibus locis herbaeque desectae,
sed etiam frons ex arboribus deficiebat, corruptis equis macie conandum
sibi aliquid Pompeius de eruptione existimavit. |
§ 3:59. In the number of Caesar's cavalry were
two Allobrogians, brothers, named Roscillus and Aegus, the sons of
Abducillus, who for several years possessed the chief power in his own
state; men of singular valor, whose gallant services Caesar had found
very useful in all his wars in Gaul. To them, for these reasons, he
had committed the offices of greatest honor in their own country, and
took care to have them chosen into the senate at an unusual age, and
had bestowed on them lands taken from the enemy, and large pecuniary
rewards, and from being needy had made them affluent. Their valor had
not only procured them Caesar's esteem, but they were beloved by the
whole army. But presuming on Caesar's friendship, and elated with the
arrogance natural to a foolish and barbarous people, they despised
their countrymen, defrauded their cavalry of their pay, and applied
all the plunder to their own use. Displeased at this conduct, their
soldiers went in a body to Caesar, and openly complained of their ill
usage; and to their other charges added, that false musters were given
in to Caesar, and the surcharged pay applied to their own use. |
Erant apud Caesarem in equitum numero Allobroges duo fratres,
Raucillus et Egus, Adbucilli filii, qui principatum in civitate multis
annis obtinuerat, singulari virtute homines, quorum opera Caesar omnibus
Gallicis bellis optima fortissimaque erat usus. His domi ob has causas
amplissimos magistratus mandaverat atque eos extra ordinem in senatum
legendos curaverat agrosque in Gallia ex hostibus captos praemiaque rei
pecuniariae magna tribuerat locupletesque ex egentibus fecerat. Hi
propter virtutem non solum apud Caesarem in honore erant, sed etiam apud
exercitum cari habebantur; sed freti amicitia Caesaris et stulta ac
barbara arrogantia elati despiciebant suos stipendiumque equitum
fraudabant et praedam omnem domum avertebant. Quibus illi rebus permoti
universi Caesarem adierunt palamque de eorum iniuriis sunt questi et ad
cetera addiderunt falsum ab his equitum numerum deferri, quorum
stipendium averterent. |
§ 3:60. Caesar, not thinking it a proper time to
call them to account, and willing to pardon many faults, on account of
their valor, deferred the whole matter, and gave them a private
rebuke, for having made a traffic of their troops, and advised them to
expect every thing from his friendship, and by his past favors to
measure their future hopes. This however, gave them great offense, and
made them contemptible in the eyes of the whole army. Of this they
became sensible, as well from the reproaches of others, as from the
judgment of their own minds, and a consciousness of guilt. Prompted
then by shame, and perhaps imagining that they were not liberated from
trial, but reserved to a future day, they resolved to break off from
us, to put their fortune to a new hazard, and to make trial of new
connections. And having conferred with a few of their clients, to whom
they could venture to intrust so base an action, they first attempted
to assassinate Caius Volusenus, general of the horse (as was
discovered at the end of the war), that they might appear to have fled
to Pompey after conferring an important service on him. But when that
appeared too difficult to put in execution, and no opportunity offered
to accomplish it, they borrowed all the money they could, as if they
designed to make satisfaction and restitution for what they had
defrauded: and having purchased a great number of horses, they
deserted to Pompey along with those whom they had engaged in their
plot. |
Caesar neque tempus illud animadversionis esse existimans et multa
virtuti corum concedens rem totam distulit; illos secreto castigavit,
quod quaestui equites haberent, monuitque, ut ex sua amicitia omnia
exspectarent et ex praeteritis suis officiis reliqua sperarent. Magnam
tamen haec res illis offensionem et contemptionem ad omnes attulit, idque
ita esse cum ex aliorum obiectationibus tum etiam ex domestico iudicio
atque animi conscientia intellegebant. Quo pudore adducti et fortasse non
se liberari, sed in aliud tempus reservari arbitrati discedere a nobis et
novam temptare fortunam novasque amicitias experiri constituerunt. Et cum
paucis collocuti clientibus suis, quibus tantum facinus committere
audebant, primum conati sunt praefectum equitum C. Volusenum interficere,
ut postea bello confecto cognitum est, ut cum munere aliquo perfugisse ad
Pompelum viderentur; postquam id difficilius visum est neque facultas
perficiendi dabatur, quam maximas potuerunt pecunias mutuati, proinde ac
si suis satisfacere et fraudata restituere vellent, multis coemptis equis
ad Pompeium transierunt cum eis, quos sui consilii participes
habebant. |
§ 3:61. As they were persons nobly descended and
of liberal education, and had come with a great retinue, and several
cattle, and were reckoned men of courage, and had been in great esteem
with Caesar, and as it was a new and uncommon event, Pompey carried
them round all his works, and made an ostentatious show of them, for
till that day, not a soldier, either horse or foot had deserted from
Caesar to Pompey, though there were desertions almost every day from
Pompey to Caesar: but more commonly among the soldiers levied in
Epirus and Aetolia, and in those countries, which were in Caesar's
possession. But the brothers, having been acquainted with all things,
either what was incomplete in our works, or what appeared to the best
judges of military matters to be deficient, the particular times, the
distance of places, and the various attention of the guards, according
to the different temper and character of the officer who commanded the
different posts, gave an exact account of all to Pompey. |
Quos Pompeius, quod erant honesto loco nati et instructi liberaliter
magnoque comitatu et multis iumentis venerant virique fortes habebantur
et in honore apud Caesarem fuerant, quodque novum et praeter
consuetudinem acciderat, omnia sua praesidia circumduxit atque
ostentavit. Nam ante id tempus nemo aut miles aut eques a Caesare ad
Pompeium transierat, cum paene cotidie a Pompeio ad Caesarem perfugerent,
vulgo vero universi in Epiro atque Aetolia conscripti milites earumque
regionum omnium, quae a Caesare tenebantur. Sed hi cognitis omnibus
rebus, seu quid in munitionibus perfectum non erat, seu quid a
peritioribus rei militaris desiderari videbatur, temporibusque rerum et
spatiis locorum, custodiarum varia diligentia animadversa, prout cuiusque
eorum, qui negotiis praeerant, aut natura aut studium ferebat, haec ad
Pompeium omnia detulerunt. |
§ 3:62. Upon receiving this intelligence,
Pompey, who had already formed the design of attempting a sally, as
before mentioned, ordered the soldiers to make ozier coverings for
their helmets, and to provide fascines. These things being prepared,
he embarked on board small boats and row galleys by night, a
considerable number of light infantry and archers, with all their
fascines, and immediately after midnight, he marched sixty cohorts
drafted from the greater camp and the outposts, to that part of our
works which extended toward the sea, and were at the furthest distance
from Caesar's greater camp. To the same place he sent the ships, which
he had freighted with the fascines and light-armed troops; and all the
ships of war that lay at Dyrrachium; and to each he gave particular
instructions: at this part of the lines Caesar had posted Lentulus
Marcellinus, the quaestor, with the ninth legion, and as he was not in
a good state of health, Fulvius Costhumus was sent to assist him in
the command. |
Quibus ille cognitis rebus eruptionisque iam ante capto consilio, ut
demonstratum est, tegimenta galeis milites ex viminibus facere atque
aggerem iubet comportare. His paratis rebus magnum numerum levis
armaturae et sagittariorum aggeremque omnem noctu in scaphas et naves
actuarias imponit et de media nocte cohortes LX ex maximis castris
praesidiisque deductas ad eam partem munitionum ducit, quae pertinebant
ad mare longissimeque a maximis castris Caesaris aberant. Eodem naves,
quas demonstravimus, aggere et levis armaturae militibus completas,
quasque ad Dyrrachium naves longas habebat, mittit et, quid a quoque
fieri velit, praecipit. Ad eas munitiones Caesar Lentulum Marcellinum
quaestorem cum legione VIIII positum habebat. Huic, quod valetudine minus
commoda utebatur, Fulvium Postumum adiutorem submiserat. |
§ 3:63. At this place, fronting the enemy, there
was a ditch fifteen feet wide, and a rampart ten feet high, and the
top of the rampart was ten feet in breadth. At an interval of six
hundred feet from that there was another rampart turned the contrary
way, with the works lower. For some days before, Caesar, apprehending
that our men might be surrounded by sea, had made a double rampart
there, that if he should be attacked on both sides, he might have the
means of defending himself. But the extent of the lines, and the
incessant labor for so many days, because he had inclosed a circuit of
seventeen miles with his works, did not allow time to finish them.
Therefore the transverse rampart which should make a communication
between the other two, was not yet completed. This circumstance was
known to Pompey, being told to him by the Allobrogian deserters, and
proved of great disadvantage to us. For when our cohorts of the ninth
legion were on guard by the sea-side, Pompey's army arrived suddenly
by break of day, and their approach was a surprise to our men, and at
the same time, the soldiers that came by sea, cast their darts on the
front rampart; and the ditches were filled with fascines: and the
legionary soldiers terrified those that defended the inner rampart, by
applying the scaling ladders, and by engines and weapons of all sorts,
and a vast multitude of archers poured round upon them from every
side. Besides, the coverings of oziers, which they had laid over their
helmets, were a great security to them against the blows of stones
which were the only weapons that our soldiers had. And therefore, when
our men were oppressed in every manner, and were scarcely able to make
resistance, the defect in our works was observed, and Pompey's
soldiers, landing between the two ramparts, where the work was
unfinished, attacked our men in the rear, and having beat them from
both sides of the fortification, obliged them to flee. |
Erat eo loco fossa pedum XV et vallum contra hostem in altitudinem
pedum X, tantundemque eius valli agger in latitudinem patebat: ab eo
intermisso spatio pedum DC alter conversus in contrariam partem erat
vallus humiliore paulo munitione. Hoc enim superioribus diebus timens
Caesar, ne navibus nostri circumvenirentur, duplicem eo loco fecerat
vallum, ut, si ancipiti proelio dimicaretur, posset resisti. Sed operum
magnitudo et continens omnium dierum labor, quod milium passuum in
circuitu XVII munitiones erat complexus, perficiendi spatium non dabat.
Itaque contra mare transversum vallum, qui has duas munitiones
coniungeret, nondum perfecerat. Quae res nota erat Pompeio delata per
Allobrogas perfugas, magnumque nostris attulerat incommodum. Nam ut ad
mare duo cohortes nonae legionis excubuerant, accessere subito prima luce
Pompeiani; simul navibus circumvecti milites in exteriorem vallum tela
iaciebant, fossaeque aggere complebantur, et legionarii interioris
munitionis defensores scalis admotis tormentis cuiusque generis telisque
terrebant, magnaque multitudo sagittariorum ab utraque parte
circumfundebatur. Multum autem ab ictu lapidum, quod unum nostris erat
telum, viminea tegimenta galeis imposita defendebant. Itaque cum omnibus
rebus nostri premerentur atque aegre resisterent animadversum est vitium
munitionis, quod supra demonstratum est, atque inter duos vallos, qua
perfectum opus non erat, Pompeiani navibus eiti in aversos nostros
impetum fecerunt atque ex utraque munitione deiectos terga vertere
coegerunt |
§ 3:64. Marcellinus, being informed of this
disorder, detached some cohorts to the relief of our men, who seeing
them flee from the camp, were neither able to persuade them to rally
at their approach, nor themselves to sustain the enemy's charge. And
in like manner, whatever additional assistance was sent, was infected
by the fears of the defeated, and increased the terror and danger. For
retreat was prevented by the multitude of the fugitives. In that
battle, when the eagle-bearer was dangerously wounded, and began to
grow weak, having got sight of our horse, he said to them, "This eagle
have I defended with the greatest care for many years, at the hazard
of my life, and now in my last moments restore it to Caesar with the
same fidelity. Do not, I conjure you, suffer a dishonor to be
sustained in the field, which never before happened to Caesar's army,
but deliver it safe into his hands." By this accident the eagle was
preserved, but all the centurions of the first cohorts were killed,
except the principal. |
Hoc tumultu nuntiato Marcellinus cohortes subsidio nostris
laborantibus submittit ex castris; quae fugientes conspicatae neque illos
suo adventu confirmare potuerunt neque ipsae hostium impetum tulerunt.
Itaque quodcumque addebatur subsidii, id corruptum timore fugientium
terrorem et periculum augebat; hominum enim multitudine receptus
impediebatur. In eo proelio cum gravi vulnere esset affectus aquilifer et
a viribus deficeretur, conspicatus equites nostros, "hanc ego," inquit,
"et vivus multos per annos magna diligentia defendi et nunc moriens eadem
fide Caesari restituo. Nolite, obsecro, committere, quod ante in exercitu
Caesaris non accidit, ut rei militaris dedecus admittatur, incolumemque
ad eum deferte." Hoc casu aquila conservatur omnibus primae cohortis
centurionibus interfectis praeter principem priorem. |
§ 3:65. And now the Pompeians, after great havoc
of our troops, were approaching Marcellinus's camp, and had struck no
small terror into the rest of the cohorts, when Marcus Antonius, who
commanded the nearest fort, being informed of what had happened, was
observed descending from the rising ground with twelve cohorts. His
arrival checked the Pompeians, and encouraged our men to recover from
their extreme affright. And shortly after, Caesar having got notice by
the smoke of all the forts, which was the usual signal on such
occasions, drafted off some cohorts from the outposts, and went to the
scene of action. And having there learned the loss he had sustained,
and perceiving that Pompey had forced our works, and had encamped
along the coast, so that he was at liberty to forage, and had a
communication with his shipping, he altered his plan for conducting
the war, as his design had not succeeded, and ordered a strong
encampment to be made near Pompey. |
Iamque Pompeiani magna caede nostrorum castris Marcellini
appropinquabant non mediocri terrore illato reliquis cohortibus, et M.
Antonius, qui proximum locum praesidiorum tenebat, ea re nuntiata cum
cohortibus XII descendens ex loco superiore cernebatur. Cuius adventus
Pompeianos compressit nostrosque firmavit, ut se ex maximo timore
colligerent. Neque multo post Caesar significatione per castella fumo
facta, ut erat superioris temporis consuetudo, deductis quibusdam
cohortibus ex praesidiis eodem venit. Qui cognito detrimento eum
animadvertisset Pompeium extra munitiones egressum, castra secundum mare
munire, ut libere pabulari posset nec minus aditum navibus haberet,
commutata ratione belli, quoniam propositum non tenuerat, castra iuxta
Pompeium munire iussit. |
§ 3:66. When this work was finished, Caesar's
scouts observed that some cohorts, which to them appeared like a
legion, were retired behind the wood, and were on their march to the
old camp. The situation of the two camps was as follows: a few days
before, when Caesar's ninth legion had opposed a party of Pompey's
troops, and were endeavoring to inclose them, Caesar's troops formed a
camp in that place. This camp joined a certain wood, and was not above
four hundred paces distant from the sea. Afterward, changing his
design for certain reasons, Caesar removed his camp to a small
distance beyond that place; and after a few days, Pompey took
possession of it, and added more extensive works, leaving the inner
rampart standing, as he intended to keep several legions there. By
this means, the lesser camp, included within the greater, answered the
purpose of a fort and citadel. He had also carried an intrenchment
from the left angle of the camp to the river, about four hundred
paces, that his soldiers might have more liberty and less danger in
fetching water. But he too, changing his design for reasons not
necessary to be mentioned, abandoned the place. In this condition the
camp remained for several days, the works being all entire. |
Qua perfecta munitione animadversum est a speculatoribus Caesaris,
cohortes quasdam, quod instar legionis videretur, esse post silvam et in
vetera castra duci. Castrorum sic situs erat. Superioribus diebus nona
Caesaris legio, cum se obiecisset Pompeianis copiis atque opere, ut
demonstravimus, circummuniret, castra eo loco posuit. Haec silvam quandam
contingebant neque longius a mari passibus CCC aberant. Post mutato
consilio quibusdam de causis Caesar paulo ultra eum locum castra
transtulit, paucisque intermissis diebus eadem Pompeius occupaverat et,
quod eo loco plures erat legiones habiturus, relicto interiore vallo
maiorem adiecerat munitionem. Ita minora castra inclusa maioribus
castelli atque arcis locum obtinebant. Item ab angulo catrorum sinistro
munitionem ad flumen perduxerat circiter passus CCCC, quo liberius a
periculo milites aquarentur. Sed is quoque mutato consilio quibusdam de
causis, quas commemorari necesse non est, eo loco excesserat. Ita
complures dies inania manserant castra; munitiones quidem omnes integrae
erant. |
§ 3:67. Caesar's scouts brought him word that
the standard of a legion was carried to this place. That the same
thing was seen he was assured by those in the higher forts. This place
was a half a mile distant from Pompey's new camp. Caesar, hoping to
surprise this legion, and anxious to repair the loss sustained that
day, left two cohorts employed in the works to make an appearance of
intrenching himself, and by a different route, as privately as he
could, with his other cohorts amounting to thirty- three, among which
was the ninth legion, which had lost so many centurions, and whose
privates were greatly reduced in number, he marched in two lines
against Pompey's legion and his lesser camp. Nor did this first
opinion deceive him. For he reached the place before Pompey could have
notice of it; and though the works were strong, yet having made the
attack with the left wing which he commanded in person, he obliged the
Pompeians to quit the rampart in disorder. A barricade had been raised
before the gates, at which a short contest was maintained, our men
endeavoring to force their way in, and the enemy to defend the camp;
Titus Pulcio, by whose means we have related that Caius Antonius's
army was betrayed, defending them with singular courage. But the valor
of our men prevailed, and having cut down the barricade, they first
forced the greater camp, and after that the fort which was inclosed
within it; and as the legion on its repulse had retired to this, they
slew several defending themselves there. |
Eo signa legionis illata speculatores Caesari renuntiarunt. Hoc idem
visum ex superioribus quibusdam castellis confirmaverunt. Is locus aberat
a novis Pompei castris circiter passus quingentos. Hanc legionem sperans
Caesar se opprimere posse et cupiens eius diei detrimentum sarcire,
reliquit in opere cohortes duas, quae speciem munitionis praeberent; ipse
diverso itinere quam potuit occultissime reliquas cohortes, numero
XXXIII, in quibus erat legio nona multis amissis centurionibus
deminutoque militum numero, ad legionem Pompei castraque minora duplici
acie eduxit. Neque eum prima opinio fefellit. Nam et pervenit prius, quam
Pompeius sentire posset, et tametsi erant munitiones castrorum magnae,
tamen sinistro cornu, ubi erat ipse, celeriter aggressus Pompeianos ex
vallo deturbavit. Erat obiectus portis ericius. Hic paulisper est
pugnatum, cum irrumpere nostri conarentur, illi castra defenderent,
fortissime Tito Pulione, cuius opera proditum exercitum C. Antoni
demonstravimus, eo loco propugnante. Sed tamen nostri virtute vicerunt
excisoque ericio primo in maiora castra, post etiam in castellum, quod
erat inclusum maioribus castris, irruperunt, quo pulsa legio sese
receperat, et nonnullos ibi repugnantes interfecerunt. |
§ 3:68. But Fortune who exerts a powerful
influence as well in other matters, as especially in war, effects
great changes from trifling causes, as happened at this time. For the
cohorts on Caesar's right wing, through ignorance of the place,
followed the direction of that rampart which ran along from the camp
to the river, while they were in search of a gate, and imagined that
it belonged to the camp. But when they found that it led to the river,
and that nobody opposed them, they immediately climbed over the
rampart, and were followed by all our cavalry. |
Sed fortuna, quae plurimum potest cum in reliquis rebus tum praecipue
in bello, parvis momentis magnas rerum commutationes efficit; ut tum
accidit. Munitionem, quam pertinere a castris ad flumen supra
demonstravimus, dextri Caesaris cornu cohortes ignorantia loci sunt
secutae, cum portam quaererent castrorumque eam munitionem esse
arbitrarentur. Quod cum esset animadversum coniunctam esse flumini,
prorutis munitionibus defendente nullo transcenderunt, omnisque noster
equitatus eas cohortes est secutus. |
§ 3:69. In the mean time Pompey, by the great
delay which this occasioned, being informed of what had happened,
marched with the fifth legion, which he called away from their work to
support his party; and at the same time his cavalry were advancing up
to ours, and an army in order of battle, was seen at a distance by our
men who had taken possession of the camp, and the face of affairs was
suddenly changed. For Pompey's legion, encouraged by the hope of
speedy support, attempted to make a stand at the Decuman gate, and
made a bold charge on our men. Caesar's cavalry, who had mounted the
rampart by a narrow breach, being apprehensive of their retreat, were
the first to flee. The right wing which had been separated from the
left, observing the terror of the cavalry, to prevent their being
overpowered within the lines, were endeavoring to retreat by the same
way as they burst in; and most of them, lest they should be engaged in
the narrow passes, threw themselves down a rampart ten feet high into
the trenches; and the first being trodden to death, the rest procured
their safety, and escaped over their bodies. The soldiers of the left
wing, perceiving from the rampart that Pompey was advancing, and their
own friends fleeing, being afraid that they should be inclosed between
the two ramparts, as they had an enemy both within and without, strove
to secure their retreat the same way they came. All was disorder,
consternation, and flight; insomuch that, when Caesar laid hold of the
colors of those who were running away, and desired them to stand, some
left their horses behind, and continued to run in the same manner;
others through fear even threw away their colors. Nor did a single man
face about. |
Interim Pompeius hac satis longa interiecta mora et re nuntiata V
legiones ab opere deductas subsidio suis duxit, eodemque tempore
equitatus eius nostris equitibus appropinquabat, et acies instructa a
nostris, qui castra occupaverant, cernebatur, omniaque sunt subito
mutata. Legio Pompeiana celeris spe subsidii confirmata ab decumana porta
resistere conabatur atque ultro in nostros impetum faciebat. Equitatus
Caesaris, quod angusto itinere per aggeres ascendebat, receptui suo
timens initium fugae faciebat. Dextrum cornu, quod erat a sinistro
seclusum, terrore equitum animadverso, ne intra munitionem opprimeretur,
ea parte, quam proruerat, sese recipiebat, ac plerique ex his, ne in
angustias inciderent, ex X pedum munitione se in fossas praecipitabant,
primisque oppressis reliqui per horum corpora salutem sibi atque exitum
pariebant. Sinistro cornu milites, cum ex vallo Pompeium adesse et suos
fugere cernerent, veriti, ne angustiis intercluderentur, cum extra et
intus hostem haberent, eodem, quo venerant, receptu sibi consulebant,
omniaque erant tumultus, timoris, fugae plena, adeo ut, cum Caesar signa
fugientium manu prenderet et consistere iuberet, alii admissis equis
eodem cursu confugerent, alii metu etiam signa dimitterent, neque
quisquam omnino consisteret. |
§ 3:70. In this calamity, the following
favorable circumstance occurred to prevent the ruin of our whole army,
viz., that Pompey suspecting an ambuscade (because, as I suppose, the
success had far exceeded his hopes, as he had seen his men a moment
before fleeing from the camp), durst not for some time approach the
fortification; and that his horse were retarded from pursuing, because
the passes and gates were in possession of Caesar's soldiers. Thus a
trifling circumstance proved of great importance to each party; for
the rampart drawn from the camp to the river, interrupted the progress
and certainty of Caesar's victory, after he had forged Pompey's camp.
The same thing, by retarding the rapidity of the enemy's pursuit,
preserved our army. |
His tantis malis haec subsidia succurrebant, quo minus omnis
deleretur exercitus, quod Pompeius insidias timens, credo, quod haec
praeter spem acciderant eius, qui paulo ante ex castris fugientes suos
conspexerat, munitionibus appropinquare aliquamdiu non audebat,
equitesque eius angustis spatiis atque his ab Caesaris militibus
occupatis ad insequendum tardabantur. Ita parvae res magnum in utramque
partem momentum habuerunt. Munitiones enim a castris ad flumen perductae
expugnatis iam castris Pompei prope iam expeditam Caesaris victoriam
interpellaverunt, eadem res celeritate insequentium tardata nostris
salutem attulit. |
§ 3:71. In the two actions of this day, Caesar
lost nine hundred and sixty rank and file, several Roman knights of
distinction, Felginas Tuticanus Gallus, a senator's son; Caius
Felginas from Placentia; Aulus Gravius from Puteoli; Marcus Sacrativir
from Capua; and thirty- two military tribunes and centurions. But the
greatest part of all these perished without a wound, being trodden to
death in the trenches, on the ramparts and banks of the river by
reason of the terror and flight of their own men. Pompey, after this
battle, was saluted Imperator; this title he retained, and allowed
himself to be addressed by it afterward. But neither in his letters to
the senate, nor in the fasces, did he use the laurel as a mark of
honor. But Labienus, having obtained his consent that the prisoners
should be delivered up to him, had them all brought out, as it
appeared, to make a show of them, and that Pompey might place a
greater confidence in him who was a deserter; and calling them fellow
soldiers, and asking them in the most insulting manner whether it was
usual with veterans to flee, ordered them to be put to death in the
sight of the whole army. |
Duobus his unius diei proeliis Caesar desideravit milites DCCCCLX et
notos equites Romanos Tuticanum Gallum, senatoris filium, C. Fleginatem
Placentia, A. Granium Puteolis, M. Sacrativirum Capua, tribunos militum
et centuriones XXXII; sed horum omnium pars magna in fossis
munitionibusque et fluminis ripis oppressa suorum in terrore ac fuga sine
ullo vulnere interiit; signaque sunt militaria amissa XXXII. Pompeius eo
proelio imperator est appellatus. Hoc nomen obtinuit atque ita se postea
salutari passus est, sed neque in litteris scribere est solitus, neque in
fascibus insignia laureae praetulit. At Labienus, cum ab eo
impetravisset, ut sibi captivos tradi iuberet, omnes productos
ostentationis, ut videbatur, causa, quo maior perfugae fides haberetur,
commilitones appellans et magna verborum contumelia interrogans,
solerentne veterani milites fugere, in omnium conspectu interfecit. |
§ 3:72. Pompey's party were so elated with
confidence and spirit at this success, that they thought no more of
the method of conducting the war, but thought that they were already
conquerors. They did not consider that the smallness of our numbers,
and the disadvantage of the place and the confined nature of the
ground occasioned by their having first possessed themselves of the
camp, and the double danger both from within and without the
fortifications, and the separation of the army into two parts, so that
the one could not give relief to the other, were the causes of our
defeat. They did not consider, in addition, that the contest was not
decided by a vigorous attack, nor a regular battle; and that our men
had suffered greater loss from their numbers and want of room, than
they had sustained from the enemy. In fine, they did not reflect on
the common casualties of war; how trifling causes, either from
groundless suspicions, sudden affright, or religious scruples, have
oftentimes been productive of considerable losses; how often an army
has been unsuccessful either by the misconduct of the general, or the
oversight of a tribune; but as if they had proved victorious by their
valor, and as if no change could ever take place, they published the
success of the day throughout the world by reports and letters. |
His rebus tantum fiduciae ac spiritus Pompeianis accessit, ut non de
ratione belli cogitarent, sed vicisse iam viderentur. Non illi paucitatem
nostrorum militum, non iniquitatem loci atque angustias praeoccupatis
castris et ancipitem terrorem intra extraque munitiones, non abscisum in
duas partes exercitum, cum altera alteri auxilium ferre non posset,
causae fuisse cogitabant. Non ad haec addebant non concursu acri facto,
non proelio dimicatum, sibique ipsos multitudine atque angustiis maius
attulisse detrimentum, quam ab hoste accepissent. Non denique communes
belli casus recordabantur, quam parvulae saepe causae vel falsae
suspicionis vel terroris repentini vel obiectae religionis magna
detrimenta intulissent, quotiens vel ducis vitio vel culpa tribuni in
exercitu esset offensum; sed, proinde ac si virtute vicissent, neque ulla
commutatio rerum posset accidere, per orbem terrarum fama ac litteris
victoriam eius diei concelebrabant. |
§ 3:73. Caesar, disappointed in his first
intentions, resolved to change the whole plan of his operations.
Accordingly, he at once called in all outposts, gave over the siege,
and collecting his army into one place, addressed his soldiers and
encouraged them "not to be troubled at what had happened, nor to be
dismayed at it, but to weigh their many successful engagements against
one disappointment, and that, too, a trifling one. That they ought to
be grateful to Fortune, through whose favor they had recovered Italy
without the effusion of blood; through whose favor they had subdued
the two Spains, though protected by a most warlike people under the
command of the most skillful and experienced generals; through whose
favor they had reduced to submission the neighboring states that
abounded with corn; in fine, that they ought to remember with what
success they had been all transported safe through blockading fleets
of the enemy, which possessed not only the ports, but even the coasts;
that if all their attempts were not crowned with success, the defects
of Fortune must be supplied by industry; and whatever loss had been
sustained, ought to be attributed rather to her caprices than to any
faults in him: that he had chosen a safe ground for the engagement,
that he had possessed himself of the enemy's camp; that he had beaten
them out, and overcome them when they offered resistance; but whether
their own terror or some mistake, or whether Fortune herself had
interrupted a victory almost secured and certain, they ought all now
to use their utmost efforts to repair by their valor the loss which
had been incurred; if they did so, their misfortunes would turn to
their advantage, as it happened at Gergovia, and those who feared to
face the enemy would be the first to offer themselves to battle. |
Caesar a superioribus consiliis depulsus omnem sibi commutandam belli
rationem existimavit. Itaque uno tempore praesidiis omnibus deductis et
oppugnatione dimissa coactoque in unum locum exercitu contionem apud
milites habuit hortatusque est, ne ea, quae accidissent, graviter ferrent
neve his rebus terrerentur multisque secundis proeliis unum adversum et
id mediocre opponerent. Habendam fortunae gratiam, quod Italiam sine
aliquo vulnere cepissent, quod duas Hispanias bellicosissimorum hominum
peritissimis atque exercitatissimis ducibus pacavissent, quod finitimas
frumentariasque provincias in potestatem redegissent; denique recordari
debere, qua felicitate inter medias hostium classes oppletis non solum
portibus, sed etiam litoribus omnes incolumes essent transportati. Si non
omnia caderent secunda, fortunam esse industria sublevandam. Quod esset
acceptum detrimenti, cuiusvis potius quam suae culpae debere tribui.
Locum se aequum ad dimicandum dedisse, potitum esse hostium castris,
expulisse ac superasse pugnantes. Sed sive ipsorum perturbatio sive error
aliquis sive etiam fortuna partam iam praesentemque victoriam
interpellavisset, dandam omnibus operam, ut acceptum incommodum virtute
sarciretur. Quod si esset factum, futurum, uti ad Gergoviam contigisset,
ut detrimentum in bonum verteret, atque qui ante dimicare timuissent,
ultro se proelio offerrent. |
§ 3:74. Having concluded his speech, he
disgraced some standard-bearers, and reduced them to the ranks; for
the whole army was seized with such grief at their loss and with such
an ardent desire of repairing their disgrace, that not a man required
the command of his tribune or centurion, but they imposed each on
himself severer labors than usual as a punishment, and at the same
time were so inflamed with eagerness to meet the enemy, that the
officers of the first rank, sensibly affected at their entreaties,
were of opinion that they ought to continue in their present posts,
and commit their fate to the hazard of a battle. But, on the other
hand, Caesar could not place sufficient confidence in men so lately
thrown into consternation, and thought he ought to allow them time to
recover their dejected spirits; and having abandoned his works, he was
apprehensive of being distressed for want of corn. |
Hac habita contione nonnullos signiferos ignominia notavit ac loco
movit. Exercitui quidem omni tantus incessit ex incommodo dolor tantumque
studium infamiae sarciendae, ut nemo aut tribuni aut centurionis imperium
desideraret, et sibi quisque etiam poenae loco graviores imponeret
labores, simulque omnes arderent cupiditate pugnandi, cum superioris
etiam ordinis nonnulli ratione permoti manendum eo loco et rem proelio
committendam existimarent. Contra ea Caesar neque satis militibus
perterritis confidebat spatiumque interponendum ad recreandos animos
putabat, et relictis munitionibus magnopere rei frumentariae
timebat. |
§ 3:75. Accordingly, suffering no time to
intervene but what was necessary for a proper attention to be paid to
the sick and wounded, he sent on all his baggage privately in the
beginning of the night from his camp to Apollonia, and ordered them
not to halt till they had performed their journey; and he detached one
legion with them as a convoy. This affair being concluded, having
retained only two legions in his camp, he marched the rest of his army
out at three o'clock in the morning by several gates, and sent them
forward by the same route; and in a short space after, that the
military practice might be preserved, and his march known as late as
possible, he ordered the signal for decamping to be given; and setting
out immediately and following the rear of his own army, he was soon
out of sight of the camp. Nor did Pompey, as soon as he had notice of
his design, make any delay to pursue him; but with a view to surprise
them while encumbered with baggage on their march, and not yet
recovered from their fright, he led his army out of his camp, and sent
his cavalry on to retard our rear; but was not able to come up with
them, because Caesar had got far before him, and marched without
baggage. But when we reached the river Genusus, the banks being steep,
their horse overtook our rear, and detained them by bringing them to
action. To oppose whom, Caesar sent his horse, and intermixed with
them about four hundred of his advanced light troops, who attacked
their horse with such success, that having routed them all, and killed
several, they returned without any loss to the main body. |
Itaque nulla interposita mora sauciorum modo et aegrorum habita
ratione impedimenta omnia silentio prima nocte ex castris Apolloniam
praemisit. Haec conquiescere ante iter confectum vetuit. His una legio
missa praesidio est. His explicitis rebus duas in castris legiones
retinuit, reliquas de quarta vigilia compluribus portis eductas eodem
itinere praemisit parvoque spatio intermisso, ut et militare institutum
servaretur, et quam serissime eius profectio cognosceretur conclamari
iussit statimque egressus et novissimum agmen consecutus celeriter ex
conspectu castrorum discessit. Neque vero Pompeius cognito consilio eius
moram ullam ad insequendum intulit; sed eodem spectans, si itinere
impeditos perterritos deprehendere posset, exercitum e castris eduxit
equitatumque praemisit ad novissimum agmen demorandum, neque consequi
potuit, quod multum expedito itinere antecesserat Caesar. Sed cum ventum
esset ad flumen Genusum, quod ripis erat impeditis, consecutus equitatus
novissimos proelio detinebat. Huic suos Caesar equites opposuit
expeditosque antesignanos admiscuit CCCC; qui tantum profecerunt, ut
equestri proelio commisso pellerent omnes compluresque interficerent
ipsique incolumes se ad agmen reciperent. |
§ 3:76. Having performed the exact march which
he had proposed that day, and having led his army over the river
Genusus, Caesar posted himself in his old camp opposite Asparagium;
and kept his soldiers close within the intrenchments and ordered the
horse, who had been sent out under pretense of foraging, to retire
immediately into the camp, through the Decuman gate. Pompey, in like
manner, having completed the same day's march, took post in his old
camp at Asparagium; and his soldiers, as they had no work (the
fortifications being entire), made long excursions, some to collect
wood and forage; others, invited by the nearness of the former camp,
laid up their arms in their tents, and quitted the intrenchments in
order to bring what they had left behind them, because the design of
marching being adopted in a hurry, they had left a considerable part
of their wagons and luggage behind. Being thus incapable of pursuing,
as Caesar had foreseen, about noon he gave the signal for marching,
led out his army, and doubling that day's march, he advanced eight
miles beyond Pompey's camp; who could not pursue him, because his
troops were dispersed. |
Confecto iusto itinere eius diei Caesar traductoque exercitu flumen
Genusum veteribus suis in castris contra Asparagium consedit militesque
omnes intra vallum continuit equitatumque per causam pabulandi emissum
confestim decumana porta in castra se recipere iussit. Simili ratione
Pompeius confecto eius diei itinere in suis veteribus castris ad
Asparagium consedit. Eius milites, quod ab opere integris munitionibus
vacabant, alii lignandi pabulandique causa longius progrediebantur, alii,
quod subito consilium profectionis ceperant magna parte impedimentorum et
sarcinarum relicta, ad haec repetenda invitati propinquitate superiorum
castrorum, depositis in contubernio armis, vallum relinquebant. Quibus ad
sequendum impeditis Caesar, quod fore providerat, meridiano fere tempore
signo profectionis dato exercitum educit duplicatoque eius diei itinere
VIII milia passuum ex eo loco procedit; quod facere Pompeius discessu
militum non potuit. |
§ 3:77. The next day Caesar sent his baggage
forward early in the night, and marched off himself immediately after
the fourth watch: that if he should be under the necessity of risking
an engagement, he might meet a sudden attack with an army free from
incumbrance. He did so for several days successively, by which means
he was enabled to effect his march over the deepest rivers, and
through the most intricate roads without any loss. For Pompey, after
the first day's delay, and the fatigue which he endured for some days
in vain, though he exerted himself by forced marches, and was anxious
to overtake us, who had got the start of him, on the fourth day
desisted from the pursuit, and determined to follow other
measures. |
Postero die Caesar similiter praemissis prima nocte impedimentis de
quarta vigilia ipse egreditur, ut, si qua esset imposita dimicandi
necessitas, subitum casum expedito exercitu subiret. Hoc idem reliquis
fecit diebus. Quibus rebus perfectum est, ut altissimis fluminibus atque
impeditissimis itineribus nullum acciperet incommodum. Pompeius primi
diei mora illata et reliquorum dierum frustra labore suscepto, cum se
magnis itineribus extenderet et praegressos consequi cuperet, quarto die
finem sequendi fecit atque aliud sibi consilium capiendum
existimavit. |
§ 3:78. Caesar was obliged to go to Apollonia,
to lodge his wounded, pay his army, confirm his friends, and leave
garrisons in the towns. But for these matters, he allowed no more time
than was necessary for a person in haste. And being apprehensive for
Domitius, lest he should be surprised by Pompey's arrival, he hastened
with all speed and earnestness to join him; for he planned the
operations of the whole campaign on these principles: that if Pompey
should march after him, he would be drawn off from the sea, and from
those forces which he had provided in Dyrrachium, and separated from
his corn and magazines, and be obliged to carry on the war on equal
terms; but if he crossed over into Italy, Caesar, having effected a
junction with Domitius, would march through Illyricum to the relief of
Italy; but if he endeavored to storm Apollonia and Oricum, and exclude
him from the whole coast, he hoped, by besieging Scipio, to oblige
him, of necessity, to come to his assistance. Accordingly, Caesar
dispatching couriers, writes to Domitius, and acquaints him with his
wishes on the subject: and having stationed a garrison of four cohorts
at Apollonia, one at Lissus, and three at Oricum, besides those who
were sick of their wounds, he set forward on his march through Epirus
and Acarnania. Pompey, also, guessing at Caesar's design, determined
to hasten to Scipio, that if Caesar should march in that direction, he
might be ready to relieve him; but that if Caesar should be unwilling
to quit the sea-coast and Corcyra, because he expected legions and
cavalry from Italy, he himself might fall on Domitius with all his
forces. |
Caesari ad saucios deponendos, stipendium exercitui dandum, socios
confirmandos, praesidium urbibus relinquendum necesse erat adire
Apolloniam. Sed his rebus tantum temporis tribuit, quantum erat
properanti necesse; timens Domitio, ne adventu Pompei praeoccuparetur, ad
eum omni celeritate et studio incitatus ferebatur. Totius autem rei
consilium his rationibus explicabat, ut, si Pompeius eodem contenderet,
abductum ilium a mari atque ab eis copiis, quas Dyrrachii comparaverat,
abstractum pari condicione belli secum decertare cogeret; si in Italiam
transiret, coniuncto exercitu cum Domitio per Illyricum Italiae subsidio
proficisceretur; si Apolloniam Oricumque oppugnare et se omni maritima
ora excludere conaretur, obsesso Scipione necessario illum suis auxilium
ferre cogeret. Itaque praemissis nuntiis ad Cn. Domitium Caesar ei
scripsit et, quid fieri vellet, ostendit, praesidioque Apolloniae
cohortibus IIII, Lissi I, III Orici relictis, quique erant ex vulneribus
aegri depositis, per Epirum atque Athamaniam iter facere coepit. Pompeius
quoque de Caesaris consilio coniectura iudicans ad Scipionem properandum
sibi existimabat: si Caesar iter illo haberet, ut subsidium Scipioni
ferret; si ab ora maritima Oricoque discedere nollet, quod legiones
equitatumque ex Italia exspectaret, ipse ut omnibus copiis Domitium
aggrederetur. |
§ 3:79. For these reasons, each of them studied
dispatch, that he might succor his friends, and not miss an
opportunity of surprising his enemies. But Caesar's engagements at
Apollonia had carried him aside from the direct road. Pompey had taken
the short road to Macedonia, through Candavia. To this was added
another unexpected disadvantage, that Domitius, who for several days
had been encamped opposite Scipio, had quitted that post for the sake
of provisions, and had marched to Heraclea Sentica, a city subject to
Candavia; so that fortune herself seemed to throw him in Pompey's way.
Of this, Caesar was ignorant up to this time. Letters likewise being
sent by Pompey through all the provinces and states, with an account
of the action at Dyrrachium, very much enlarged and exaggerated beyond
the real facts, a rumor had been circulated, that Caesar had been
defeated and forced to flee, and had lost almost all his forces. These
reports had made the roads dangerous, and drawn off some states from
his alliance: whence it happened, that the messengers dispatched by
Caesar, by several different roads to Domitius, and by Domitius to
Caesar, were not able by any means to accomplish their journey. But
the Allobroges, who were in the retinue of Aegus and Roscillus, and
who had deserted to Pompey, having met on the road a scouting party of
Domitius; either from old acquaintance, because they had served
together in Gaul, or elated with vain glory, gave them an account of
all that had happened, and informed them of Caesar's departure, and
Pompey's arrival. Domitius, who was scarce four hours' march distant,
having got intelligence from these, by the courtesy of the enemy,
avoided the danger, and met Caesar coming to join him at Aeginium, a
town on the confines of and opposite to Thessaly. |
His de causis uterque eorum celeritati studebat, et suis ut esset
auxilio, et ad opprimendos adversarios ne occasioni temporis deesset. Sed
Caesarem Apollonia a directo itinere averterat; Pompeius per Candaviam
iter in Macedoniam expeditum habebat. Accessit etiam ex improviso aliud
incommodum, quod Domitius, qui dies complures castris Scipionis castra
collata habuisset, rei frumentariae causa ab eo discesserat et Heracliam,
quae est subiecta Candaviae, iter fecerat, ut ipsa fortuna illum obicere
Pompeio videretur. Haec ad id tempus Caesar ignorabat. Simul a Pompeio
litteris per omnes provincias civitatesque dimissis proelio ad Dyrrachium
facto latius inflatiusque multo, quam res erat gesta, fama percrebuerat,
pulsum fugere Caesarem paene omnibus copiis amissis; haec itinera infesta
reddiderat, haec civitates nonnullas ab eius amicitia avertebat. Quibus
accidit rebus, ut pluribus dimissi itineribus a Caesare ad Domitium et a
Domitio ad Caesarem nulla ratione iter conficere possent. Sed Allobroges,
Raucilli atque Egi familiares, quos perfugisse ad Pompeium
demonstravimus, conspicati in itinere exploratores Domitii, seu pristina
sua consuetudine, quod una in Gallia bella gesserant, seu gloria elati
cuncta, ut erant acta, euerunt et Caesaris profectionem et adventum
Pompei docuerunt. A quibus Domitius certior factus vix IIII horarum
spatio antecedens hostium beneficio periculum vitavit et ad Aeginium,
quod est oppidum obiectum Thessaliae, Caesari venienti occurrit. |
§ 3:80. The two armies being united, Caesar
marched to Gomphi, which is the first town of Thessaly on the road
from Epirus. Now, the Thessalians, a few months before, had of
themselves sent embassadors to Caesar, offering him the free use of
every thing in their power, and requesting a garrison for their
protection. But the report, already spoken of, of the battle at
Dyrrachium, which it had exaggerated in many particulars, had arrived
before him. In consequence of which, Androsthenes, the praetor of
Thessaly, as he preferred to be the companion of Pompey's victory,
rather than Caesar's associate in his misfortunes, collected all the
people, both slaves and freemen from the country into the town and
shut the gates, and dispatched messengers to Scipio and Pompey "to
come to his relief, that he could depend on the strength of the town,
if succor was speedily sent; but that it could not withstand a long
siege." Scipio, as soon as he received advice of the departure of the
armies from Dyrrachium, had marched with his legions to Larissa:
Pompey was not yet arrived near Thessaly. Caesar having fortified his
camp, ordered scaling-ladders and pent-houses to be made for a sudden
assault, and hurdles to be provided. As soon as they were ready, he
exhorted his soldiers, and told them of what advantage it would be to
assist them with all sorts of necessaries, if they made themselves
masters of a rich and plentiful town: and, at the same time to strike
terror into other states by the example of this, and to effect this
with speed, before auxiliaries could arrive. Accordingly, taking
advantage of the unusual ardor of the soldiers, he began his assault
on the town at a little after three o'clock on the very day on which
he arrived, and took it, though defended with very high walls, before
sunset, and gave it up to his army to plunder, and immediately
decamped from before it, and marched to Metropolis, with such rapidity
as to outstrip any messenger or rumor of the taking of Gomphi. |
Coniuncto exercitu Caesar Gomphos pervenit, quod est oppidum primum
Thessaliae venientibus ab Epiro; quae gens paucis ante mensibus ultro ad
Caesarem legatos miserat, ut suis omnibus facultatibus uteretur,
praesidiumque ab eo militum petierat. Sed eo fama iam praecurrerat, quam
supra docuimus, de proelio Dyrrachino, quod multis auxerat partibus.
Itaque Androsthenes, praetor Thessaliae, cum se victoriae Pompei comitem
esse mallet quam socium Caesaris in rebus adversis, omnem ex agris
multitudinem servorum ac liberorum in oppidum cogit portasque praecludit
et ad Scipionem Pompeiumque nuntios mittit, ut sibi subsidio veniant: se
confidere munitionibus oppidi, si celeriter succurratur; longinquam
oppugnationem sustinere non posse. Scipio discessu exercituum ab
Dyrrachio cognito Larisam legiones adduxerat; Pompeius nondum Thessaliae
appropinquabat. Caesar castris munitis scalas musculosque ad repentinam
oppugnationem fieri et crates parari iussit. Quibus rebus effectis
cohortatus milites docuit, quantum usum haberet ad sublevandam omnium
rerum inopiam potiri oppido pleno atque opulento, simul reliquis
civitatibus huius urbis exemplo inferre terrorem et id fieri celeriter,
priusquam auxilia concurrerent. Itaque usus singulari militum studio
eodem, quo venerat, die post horam nonam oppidum altissimis moenibus
oppugnare aggressus ante solis oocasum expugnavit et ad diripiendum
militibus concessit statimque ab oppido castra movit et Metropolim venit,
sic ut nuntios expugnati oppidi famamque antecederet. |
§ 3:81. The inhabitants of Metropolis, at first
influenced by the same rumors, followed the same measures, shut the
gates and manned their walls. But when they were made acquainted with
the fate of the city of Gomphi by some prisoners, whom Caesar had
ordered to be brought up to the walls, they threw open their gates. As
he preserved them with the greatest care, there was not a state in
Thessaly (except Larissa, which was awed by a strong army of
Scipio's), but on comparing the fate of the inhabitants of Metropolis
with the severe treatment of Gomphi, gave admission to Caesar, and
obeyed his orders. Having chosen a position convenient for procuring
corn, which was now almost ripe on the ground, he determined there to
wait Pompey's arrival, and to make it the center of all his warlike
operations. |
Metropolitae primum eodem usi consilio isdem permoti rumoribus portas
clauserunt murosque armatis compleverunt; sed postea casu civitatis
Gomphensis cognito ex captivis, quos Caesar ad murum producendos
curaverat, portas aperuerunt. Quibus diligentissime conservatis collata
fortuna Metropolitum cum casu Gomphensium nulla Thessaliae fuit civitas
praeter Larisaeos, qui magnis exercitibus Scipionis tenebantur, quin
Caesari parerent atque imperata facerent. Ille idoneum locum in agris
nactus, qua prope iam matura frumenta erant, ibi adventum exspectare
Pompei eoque omnem belli rationem conferre constituit. |
§ 3:82. Pompey arrived in Thessaly a few days
after, and having harangued the combined army, returned thanks to his
own men, and exhorted Scipio's soldiers, that as the victory was now
secured, they should endeavor to merit a part of the rewards and
booty. And receiving all the legions into one camp, he shared his
honors with Scipio, ordered the trumpet to be sounded at his tent, and
a pavilion to be erected for him. The forces of Pompey being thus
augmented, and two such powerful armies united, their former
expectations were confirmed, and their hopes of victory so much
increased, that whatever time intervened was considered as so much
delay to their return into Italy; and whenever Pompey acted with
slowness and caution, they used to exclaim, that it was the business
only of a single day, but that he had a passion for power, and was
delighted in having persons of consular and praetorian rank in the
number of his slaves. And they now began to dispute openly about
rewards and priesthoods, and disposed of the consulate for several
years to come. Others put in their claims for the houses and
properties of all who were in Caesar's camp, and in that council there
was a warm debate, whether Lucius Hirtius, who had been sent by Pompey
against the Parthians, should be admitted a candidate for the
praetorship in his absence at the next election; his friends imploring
Pompey's honor to fulfill the engagements which he had made to him at
his departure, that he might not seem deceived through his authority:
while others, embarked in equal labor and danger, pleaded that no
individual ought to have a preference before all the rest. |
Pompeius paucis post diebus in Thessaliam pervenit contionatusque
apud cunctum exercitum suis agit gratias, Scipionis milites cohortatur,
ut parta iam victoria praedae ac praemiorum velint esse participes,
receptisque omnibus in una castra legionibus suum cum Scipione honorem
partitur classicumque apud eum cani et alterum illi iubet praetorium
tendi. Auctis copiis Pompei duobusque magnis exercitibus coniunctis
pristina omnium confirmatur opinio, et spes victoriae augetur, adeo ut,
quicquid intercederet temporis, id morari reditum in Italiam videretur,
et si quando quid Pompeius tardius aut consideratius faceret, unius esse
negotium diei, sed illum delectari imperio et consulares praetoriosque
servorum habere numero dicerent. Iamque inter se palam de praemiis ac de
sacerdotiis contendebant in annosque consulatum definiebant, alii domos
bonaque eorum, qui in castris erant Caesaris, petebant; magnaque inter
eos in consilio fuit controversia, oporteretne Lucili Hirri, quod is a
Pompeio ad Parthos missus esset, proximis comitiis praetoriis absentis
rationem haberi, cum eius necessarii fidem implorarent Pompei,
praestaret, quod proficiscenti recepisset, ne per eius auctoritatem
deceptus videretur, reliqui, in labore pari ac periculo ne unus omnes
antecederet, recusarent. |
§ 3:83. Already Domitius, Scipio, and Lentulus
Spinther, in their daily quarrels about Caesar's priesthood, openly
abused each other in the most scurrilous language. Lentulus urging the
respect due to his age, Domitius boasting his interest in the city and
his dignity, and Scipio presuming on his alliance with Pompey. Attius
Rufus charged Lucius Afranius before Pompey with betraying the army in
the action that happened in Spain, and Lucius Domitius declared in the
council that it was his wish that, when the war should be ended, three
billets should be given to all the senators, who had taken part with
them in the war, and that they should pass sentence on every single
person who had staid behind at Rome, or who had been within Pompey's
garrisons and had not contributed their assistance in the military
operations; that by the first billet they should have power to acquit,
by the second to pass sentence of death, and by the third to impose a
pecuniary fine. In short, Pompey's whole army talked of nothing but
the honors or sums of money which were to be their rewards, or of
vengeance on their enemies; and never considered how they were to
defeat their enemies, but in what manner they should use their
victory. |
Iam de sacerdotio Caesaris Domitius, Scipio Spintherque Lentulus
cotidianis contentionibus ad gravissimas verborum contumelias palam
descenderunt, cum Lentulus aetatis honorem ostentaret, Domitius urbanam
gratiam dignitatemque iactaret, Scipio affinitate Pompei confideret.
Postulavit etiam L. Afranium proditionis exercitus Acutius Rufus apud
Pompeium, quod gestum in Hispania diceret. Et L. Domitius in consilio
dixit placere sibi bello confecto ternas tabellas dari ad iudicandum eis,
qui ordinis essent senatorii belloque una cum ipsis interfuissent,
sententiasque de singulis ferrent, qui Romae remansissent quique intra
praesidia Pompei fuissent neque operam in re militari praestitissent:
unam fore tabellam, qui liberandos omni periculo censerent; alteram, qui
capitis damnarent; tertiam, qui pecunia multarent. Postremo omnes aut de
honoribus suis aut de praemiis pecuniae aut de persequendis inimicitiis
agebant nec, quibus rationibus superare possent, sed, quemadmodum uti
victoria deberent, cogitabant. |
§ 3:84. Corn being provided, and his soldiers
refreshed, and a sufficient time having elapsed since the engagement
at Dyrrachium, when Caesar thought he had sufficiently sounded the
disposition of his troops, he thought that he ought to try whether
Pompey had any intention or inclination to come to a battle.
Accordingly he led his troops out of the camp, and ranged them in
order of battle, at first on their own ground, and at a small distance
from Pompey's camp: but afterward for several days in succession, he
advanced from his own camp, and led them up to the hills on which
Pompey's troops were posted, which conduct inspired his army every day
with fresh courage. However he adhered to his former purpose
respecting his cavalry, for as he was by many degrees inferior in
number, he selected the youngest and most active of the advanced
guard, and desired them to fight intermixed with the horse, and they
by constant practice acquired experience in this kind of battle. By
these means it was brought to pass that a thousand of his horse would
dare even on open ground, to stand against seven thousand of Pompey's,
if occasion required, and would not be much terrified by their number.
For even on one of those days he was successful in a cavalry action,
and killed one of the two Allobrogians, who had deserted to Pompey, as
we before observed, and several others. |
Re frumentaria praeparata confirmatisque militibus et satis longo
spatio temporis a Dyrrachinis proeliis intermisso, quo satis perspectum
habere militum animum videretur, temptandum Caesar existimavit, quidnam
Pompeius propositi aut voluntatis ad dimicandum haberet. Itaque exercitum
ex castris eduxit aciemque instruxit, primum suis locis pauloque a
castris Pompei longius, continentibus vero diebus, ut progrederetur a
castris suis collibusque Pompeianis aciem subiceret. Quae res in dies
confirmatiorem eius exercitum efficiebat. Superius tamen institutum in
equitibus, quod demonstravimus, servabat, ut, quoniam numero multis
partibus esset inferior, adulescentes atque expeditos ex antesignanis
electis ad pernicitatem armis inter equites proeliari iuberet, qui
cotidiana consuetudine usum quoque eius generis proeliorum perciperent.
His erat rebus effectum, ut equitum mille etiam apertioribus locis VII
milium Pompeianorum impetum, cum adesset usus, sustinere auderent neque
magnopere eorum multitudine terrerentur. Namque etiam per eos dies
proelium secundum equestre fecit atque unum Allobrogem ex duobus, quos
perfugisse ad Pornpeium supra docuimus, cum quibusdam interfecit. |
§ 3:85. Pompey, because he was encamped on a
hill, drew up his army at the very foot of it, ever in expectation, as
may be conjectured, that Caesar would expose himself to this
disadvantageous situation. Caesar, seeing no likelihood of being able
to bring Pompey to an action, judged it the most expedient method of
conducting the war, to decamp from that post and to be always in
motion: with this hope, that by shifting his camp and removing from
place to place, he might be more conveniently supplied with corn, and
also, that by being in motion he might get some opportunity of forcing
them to battle, and might by constant marches harass Pompey's army,
which was not accustomed to fatigue. These matters being settled, when
the signal for marching was given, and the tents struck, it was
observed that shortly before, contrary to his daily practice, Pompey's
army had advanced further than usual from his intrenchments, so that
it appeared possible to come to an action on equal ground. Then Caesar
addressed himself to his soldiers, when they were at the gates of the
camp, ready to march out. " We must defer," says he, "our march at
present, and set our thoughts on battle, which has been our constant
wish; let us then meet the foe with resolute souls. We shall not
hereafter easily find such an opportunity." He immediately marched out
at the head of his troops. |
Pompeius, qui castra in colle habebat, ad infimas radices montis
aciem instruebat semper, ut videbatur, exspectans, si iniquis locis
Caesar se subiceret. Caesar nulla ratione ad pugnam elici posse Pompeium
existimans hanc sibi commodissimam belli rationem iudicavit, uti castra
ex eo loco moveret semperque esset in itineribus, haec spectans, ut
movendis castris pluribusque adeundis locis commodiore re frumentaria
uteretur, simulque in itinere ut aliquam occasionem dimicandi
nancisceretur et insolitum ad laborem Pompei exercitum cotidianis
itineribus defatigaret. His constitutis rebus, signo iam profectionis
dato tabernaculisque detensis animadversum est paulo ante extra
cotidianam consuetudinem longius a vallo esse aciem Pompei progressam, ut
non iniquo loco posse dimicari videretur. Tum Caesar apud suos, cum iam
esset agmen in portis, "differendum est" inquit, "iter in praesentia
nobis et de proelio cogitandum, sicut semper depoposcimus; animo simus ad
dimicandum parati: non facile occasionem postea reperiemus"; confestimque
expeditas copias educit. |
§ 3:86. Pompey also, as was afterward known, at
the unanimous solicitation of his friends, had determined to try the
fate of a battle. For he had even declared in council a few days
before that, before the battalions came to battle, Caesar's army would
be put to the rout. When most people expressed their surprise at it,
"I know," says he, "that I promise a thing almost incredible; but hear
the plan on which I proceed, that you may march to battle with more
confidence and resolution. I have persuaded our cavalry, and they have
engaged to execute it, as soon as the two armies have met, to attack
Caesar's right wing on the flank, and inclosing their army on the
rear, throw them into disorder, and put them to the rout, before we
shall throw a weapon against the enemy. By this means we shall put an
end to the war, without endangering the legions, and almost without a
blow. Nor is this a difficult matter, as we far outnumber them in
cavalry." At the same time he gave them notice to be ready for battle
on the day following, and since the opportunity which they had so
often wished for was now arrived, not to disappoint the opinion
generally entertained of their experience and valor. |
Pompeius quoque, ut postea cognitum est, suorum omnium hortatu
statuerat proelio decertare. Namque etiam in consilio superioribus diebus
dixerat, priusquam concurrerent acies, fore uti exercitus Caesaris
pelleretur. Id cum essent plerique admirati, "scio me," inquit, "paene
incredibilem rem polliceri; sed rationem consilii mei accipite, quo
firmiore animo in proelium prodeatis. Persuasi equitibus nostris (idque
mihi facturos confirmaverunt), ut, cum propius sit accessum, dextrum
Caesaris cornu ab latere aperto aggrederentur et circumventa ab tergo
acie prius perturbatum exercitum pellerent, quam a nobis telum in hostem
iaceretur. Ita sine periculo legionum et paene sine vulnere bellum
conficiemus. Id autem difficile non est, cum tantum equitatu valeamus."
Simul denuntiavit, ut essent animo parati in posterum et, quoniam fieret
dimicandi potestas, ut saepe rogitavissent, ne suam neu reliquorum
opinionem fallerent. |
§ 3:87. After him Labienus spoke, as well to
express his contempt of Caesar's forces, as to extol Pompey's scheme
with the highest encomiums. "Think not, Pompey," says he, "that this
is the army which conquered Gaul and Germany; I was present at all
those battles, and do not speak at random on a subject to which I am a
stranger: a very small part of that army now remains, great numbers
lost their lives, as must necessarily happen in so many battles, many
fell victims to the autumnal pestilence in Italy, many returned home,
and many were left behind on the continent. Have you not heard that
the cohorts at Brundusium are composed of invalids? The forces which
you now behold, have been recruited by levies lately made in Hither
Spain, and the greater part from the colonies beyond the Po; moreover,
the flower of the forces perished in the two engagements at
Dyrrachium." Having so said, he took an oath, never to return to his
camp unless victorious; and he encouraged the rest to do the like.
Pompey applauded his proposal, and took the same oath; nor did any
person present hesitate to take it. After this had passed in the
council they broke up full of hopes and joy, and in imagination
anticipated victory; because they thought that in a matter of such
importance, no groundless assertion could be made by a general of such
experience. |
Hunc Labienus excepit et, cum Caesaris copias despiceret, Pompei
consilium summis laudibus efferret, " noli," inquit, "existimare, Pompei,
hunc esse exercitum, qui Galliam Germaniamque devicerit. Omnibus interfui
proeliis neque temere incognitam rem pronuntio. Perexigua pars illius
exercitus superest; magna pars deperiit, quod accidere tot proeliss fuit
necesse, multos autumni pestilentia in Italia consumpsit, multi domum
discesserunt, multi sunt relicti in continenti. An non audistis ex eis,
qui per causam valetudinis remanserunt, cohortes esse Brundisi factas?
Hae copiae, quas videtis, ex dilectibus horum annorum in citeriore Gallia
sunt refectae, et plerique sunt ex coloniis Transpadanis. Ac tamen quod
fuit roboris duobus proeliis Dyrrachinis interiit." Hace cum dixisset,
iuravit se nisi victorem in castra non reversurum reliquosque, ut idem
facerent, hortatus est. Hoc laudans Pompeius idem iuravit; nec vero ex
reliquis fuit quisquam, qui iurare dubitaret. Haec cum facta sunt in
consilio, magna spe et laetitia omnium discessum est; ac iam animo
victoriam praecipiebant, quod de re tanta et a tam perito imperatore
nihil frustra confirmari videbatur. |
§ 3:88. When Caesar had approached near Pompey's
camp, he observed that his army was drawn up in the following manner:
On the left wing were the two legions, delivered over by Caesar at the
beginning of the disputes in compliance with the senate's decree, one
of which was called the first, the other the third. Here Pompey
commanded in person. Scipio with the Syrian legions commanded the
center. The Cilician legion in conjunction with the Spanish cohorts,
which we said were brought over by Afranius, were disposed on the
right wing. These Pompey considered his steadiest troops. The rest he
had interspersed between the center and the wing, and he had a hundred
and ten complete cohorts; these amounted to forty-five thousand men.
He had besides two cohorts of volunteers, who having received favors
from him in former wars, flocked to his standard: these were dispersed
through his whole army. The seven remaining cohorts he had disposed to
protect his camp, and the neighboring forts. His right wing was
secured by a river with steep banks; for which reason he placed all
his cavalry, archers, and slingers, on his left wing. |
Caesar, cum Pompei castris appropinquasset, ad hunc modum aciem eius
instructam animadvertit. Erant in sinistro cornu legiones duae traditae a
Caesare initio dissensionis ex senatusconusulto; quarum una prima, altera
tertia appellabatur. In eo loco ipse erat Pompeius. Mediam aciem Scipio
cum legionibus Syriacis tenebat. Ciliciensis legio coniuncta cum
cohortibus Hispanis, quas traductas ab Afranio docuimus, in dextro cornu
erant collocatae. Has firmissimas se habere Pompeius existimabat.
Reliquas inter aciem mediam cornuaque interiecerat numeroque cohortes CX
expleverat. Haec erant milia XLV, evocatorum circiter duo, quae ex
beneficiariis superiorum exercituum ad eum convenerant; quae tot acie
disperserat. Reliquas cohortes VII castris propinquisque castellis
praesidio disposuerat. Dextrum cornu eius rivus quidam impeditis ripis
muniebat; quam ob causam cunctum equitatum, sagittarios funditoresque
omnes sinistro cornu obiecerat. |
§ 3:89. Caesar, observing his former custom, had
placed the tenth legion on the right, the ninth on the left, although
it was very much weakened by the battles at Dyrrachium. He placed the
eighth legion so close to the ninth, as to almost make one of the two,
and ordered them to support one another. He drew up on the field
eighty cohorts, making a total of twenty-two thousand men. He left two
cohorts to guard the camp. He gave the command of the left wing to
Antonius, of the right to P. Sulla, and of the center to Cn. Domitius:
he himself took his post opposite Pompey. At the same time, fearing,
from the disposition of the enemy which we have previously mentioned,
lest his right wing might be surrounded by their numerous cavalry, he
rapidly drafted a single cohort from each of the legions composing the
third line, formed of them a fourth line, and opposed them to Pompey's
cavalry, and, acquainting them with his wishes, admonished them that
the success of that day depended on their courage. At the same time he
ordered the third line, and the entire army not to charge without his
command: that he would give the signal whenever he wished them to do
so. |
Caesar superius institutum servans decimam legionem in dextro cornu,
nonam in sinistro collocaverat, tametsi erat Dyrrachinis proeliis
vehementer attenuata, et huic sic adiunxit octavam, ut paene unam ex
duabus efficeret, atque alteram alteri praesidio esse iusserat. Cohortes
in acie LXXX constitutas habebat, quae summa erat milium XXII; cohortes
VII castris praesidlo reliquerat. Sinistro cornu Antonium, dextro P.
Sullam, media acie Cn. Domitium praeposuerat. Ipse contra Pompeium
constitit. Simul his rebus animadversis, quas demonstravimus, timens, ne
a multitudine equitum dextrum cornu circumveniretur, celeriter ex tertia
acie singulas cohortes detraxit atque ex his quartam instituit
equitatuique opposuit et, quid fieri vellet, ostendit monuitque eius diei
victoriam in earum cohortium virtute constare. Simul tertiae aciei
totique exercitui imperavit, ne iniussu suo concurreret: se, cum id fieri
vellet, vexillo signum daturum. |
§ 3:90. When he was exhorting his army to
battle, according to the military custom, and spoke to them of the
favors that they had constantly received from him, he took especial
care to remind them "that he could call his soldiers to witness the
earnestness with which he had sought peace, the efforts that he had
made by Vatinius to gain a conference [with Labienus], and likewise by
Claudius to treat with Scipio, in what manner he had exerted himself
at Oricum, to gain permission from Libo to send embassadors; that he
had been always reluctant to shed the blood of his soldiers, and did
not wish to deprive the republic of one or other of her armies." After
delivering this speech, he gave by a trumpet the signal to his
soldiers, who were eagerly demanding it, and were very impatient for
the onset. |
Exercitum cum militari more ad pugnam cohortaretur suaque in eum
perpetui temporis officia praedicaret, imprimis commemoravit: testibus se
militibus uti posse, quanto studio pacem petisset; quae per Vatinium in
colloquiis, quae per Aulum Clodium eum Scipione egisset, quibus modis ad
Oricum cum Libone de mittendis legatis contendisset. Neque se umquam
abuti militum sanguine neque rem publicam alterutro exercitu privare
voluisse. Hac habita oratione ecentibus militibus et studio pugnae
ardentibus tuba signum dedit. |
§ 3:91. There was in Caesar's army, a volunteer
of the name of Crastinus, who the year before had been first centurion
of the tenth legion, a man of pre-eminent bravery. He, when the signal
was given, says, "Follow me, my old comrades, and display such
exertions in behalf of your general as you have determined to do: this
is our last battle, and when it shall be won, he will recover his
dignity, and we our liberty." At the same time he looked back to
Caesar, and said, "General, I will act in such a manner to-day, that
you will feel grateful to me living or dead." After uttering these
words he charged first on the right wing, and about one hundred and
twenty chosen volunteers of the same century followed. |
Erat C. Crastinus evocatus in exercitu Caesaris, qui superiore anno
apud eum primum pilum in legione X duxerat, vir singulari virtute. Hic
signo dato, "sequimini me," inquit, "manipulares mei qui fuistis, et
vestro imperatori quam constituistis operam date. Unum hoc proelium
superest; quo confecto et ille suam dignitatem et nos nostram libertatem
recuperabimus." Simul respiciens Caesarem, "faciam," inquit, "hodie,
imperator, ut aut vivo mihi aut mortuo gratias agas." Haec cum dixisset,
primus ex dextro cornu procucurrit, atque eum electi milites circiter CXX
voluntarii eiusdem cohortis sunt prosecuti. |
§ 3:92. There was so much space left between the
two lines, as sufficed for the onset of the hostile armies: but Pompey
had ordered his soldiers to await Caesar's attack, and not to advance
from their position, or suffer their line to be put into disorder. And
he is said to have done this by the advice of Caius Triarius, that the
impetuosity of the charge of Caesar's soldiers might be checked, and
their line broken, and that Pompey's troops remaining in their ranks,
might attack them while in disorder; and he thought that the javelins
would fall with less force if the soldiers were kept in their ground,
than if they met them in their course; at the same time he trusted
that Caesar's soldiers, after running over double the usual ground,
would become weary and exhausted by the fatigue. But to me Pompey
seems to have acted without sufficient reason: for there is a certain
impetuosity of spirit and an alacrity implanted by nature in the
hearts of all men, which is inflamed by a desire to meet the foe. This
a general should endeavor not to repress, but to increase; nor was it
a vain institution of our ancestors, that the trumpets should sound on
all sides, and a general shout be raised; by which they imagined that
the enemy were struck with terror, and their own army inspired with
courage. |
Inter duas acies tantum erat relictum spatii, ut satis esset ad
concursum utriusque exercitus. Sed Pompeius suis praedixerat, ut Caesaris
impetum exciperent neve se loco moverent aciemque eius distrahi
paterentur; idque admonitu C. Triarii fecisse dicebatur, ut primus
incursus visque militum infringeretur aciesque distenderetur, atque in
suis ordinibus dispositi dispersos adorirentur; leviusque casura pila
sperabat in loco retentis militibus, quam si ipsi immissis telis
occurrissent, simul fore, ut duplicato cursu Caesaris milites
exanimarentur et lassitudine conficerentur. Quod nobis quidem nulla
ratione factum a Pompeio videtur, propterea quod est quaedam animi
incitatio atque alacritas naturaliter innata omnibus, quae studio pugnae
incenditur; hanc non reprimere, sed augere imperatores debent; neque
frustra antiquitus institutum est, ut signa undique concinerent
clamoremque universi tollerent; quibus rebus et hostes terreri et suos
incitari existimaverunt. |
§ 3:93. But our men, when the signal was given,
rushed forward with their javelins ready to be launched, but
perceiving that Pompey's men did not run to meet their charge, having
acquired experience by custom, and being practiced in former battles,
they of their own accord repressed their speed, and halted almost
midway; that they might not come up with the enemy when their strength
was exhausted, and after a short respite they again renewed their
course, and threw their javelins, and instantly drew their swords, as
Caesar had ordered them. Nor did Pompey's men fail in this crisis, for
they received our javelins, stood our charge, and maintained their
ranks; and having launched their javelins, had recourse to their
swords. At the same time Pompey's horse, according to their orders,
rushed out at once from his left wing, and his whole host of archers
poured after them. Our cavalry did not withstand their charge: but
gave ground a little, upon which Pompey's horse pressed them more
vigorously, and began to file off in troops, and flank our army. When
Caesar perceived this, he gave the signal to his fourth line, which he
had formed of the six cohorts. They instantly rushed forward and
charged Pompey's horse with such fury, that not a man of them stood;
but all wheeling about, not only quitted their post, but galloped
forward to seek a refuge in the highest mountains. By their retreat
the archers and slingers, being left destitute and defenseless, were
all cut to pieces. The cohorts, pursuing their success, wheeled about
upon Pompey's left wing, while his infantry still continued to make
battle, and attacked them in the rear. |
Sed nostri milites dato signo cum infestis pilis procucurrissent
atque animum advertissent non concurri a Pompeianis, usu periti ac
superioribus pugnis exercitati sua sponte cursum represserunt et ad
medium fere spatium constiterunt, ne consumptis viribus appropinquarent,
parvoque intermisso temporis spatio ac rursus renovato cursu pila
miserunt celeriterque, ut erat praeceptum a Caesare, gladios strinxerunt.
Neque vero Pompeiani huic rei defuerunt. Nam et tela missa exceperunt et
impetum legionum tulerunt et ordines suos servarunt pilisque missis ad
gladios redierunt. Eodem tempore equites ab sinistro Pompei cornu, ut
erat imperatum, universi procucurrerunt, omnisque multitudo sagittariorum
se profudit. Quorum impetum noster equitatus non tulit, sed paulatim loco
motus cessit, equitesque Pompei hoc acrius instare et se turmatim
explicare aciemque nostram a latere aperto circumire coeperunt. Quod ubi
Caesar animadvertit, quartae aciei, quam instituerat sex cohortium, dedit
signum. Illi celeriter procucurrerunt infestisque signis tanta vi in
Pompei equites impetum fecerunt, ut eorum nemo consisteret, omnesque
conversi non solum loco excederent, sed protinus incitati fuga montes
altissimos peterent. Quibus submotis omnes sagittarii funditoresque
destituti inermes sine praesidio interfecti sunt. Eodem impetu cohortes
sinistrum cornu pugnantibus etiam tum ac resistentibus in acie Pompeianis
circumierunt eosque a tergo sunt adorti. |
§ 3:94. At the same time Caesar ordered his
third line to advance, which till then had not been engaged, but had
kept their post. Thus, new and fresh troops having come to the
assistance of the fatigued, and others having made an attack on their
rear, Pompey's men were not able to maintain their ground, but all
fled, nor was Caesar deceived in his opinion, that the victory, as he
had declared in his speech to his soldiers, must have its beginning
from those six cohorts, which he had placed as a fourth line to oppose
the horse. For by them the cavalry were routed; by them the archers
and slingers were cut to pieces; by them the left wing of Pompey's
army was surrounded, and obliged to be the first to flee. But when
Pompey saw his cavalry routed, and that part of his army on which he
reposed his greatest hopes thrown into confusion, despairing of the
rest, he quitted the field, and retreated straightway on horseback to
his camp, and calling to the centurions, whom he had placed to guard
the praetorian gate, with a loud voice, that the soldiers might hear:
"Secure the camp," says he, "defend it with diligence, if any danger
should threaten it; I will visit the other gates, and encourage the
guards of the camp." Having thus said, he retired into his tent in
utter despair, yet anxiously waiting the issue. |
Eodem tempore tertiam aciem Caesar, quae quieta fuerat et se ad id
tempus loco tenuerat, procurrere iussit. Ita cum recentes atque integri
defessis successissent, alii autem a tergo adorirentur, sustinere
Pompeiani non potuerunt, atque universi terga verterunt. Neque vero
Caesarem fefellit, quin ab eis cohortibus, quae contra equitatum in
quarta acie collocatae essent, initium victoriae oriretur, ut ipse in
cohortandis militibus pronuntiaverat. Ab his enim primum equitatus est
pulsus, ab isdem factae caedes sagittariorum ac funditorum, ab isdem
acies Pornpeiana a sinistra parte circumita atque initium fugae factum.
Sed Pompeius, ut equitatum suum pulsum vidit atque eam partem, cui maxime
confidebat, perterritam animadvertit, aliis quoque diffisus acie excessit
protinusque se in castra equo contulit et eis centurionibus, quos in
statione ad praetoriam portam posuerat, clare, ut milites exaudirent,
"tuemini," inquit, "castra et defendite diligenter, si quid durius
acciderit. Ego reliquas portas circumeo et castrorum praesidia confirmo."
Haec cum dixisset, se in praetorium contulit summae rei diffidens et
tamen eventum exspectans. |
§ 3:95. Caesar having forced the Pompeians to
flee into their intrenchment, and thinking that he ought not to allow
them any respite to recover from their fright, exhorted his soldiers
to take advantage of fortune's kindness, and to attack the camp.
Though they were fatigued by the intense heat, for the battle had
continued till mid-day, yet, being prepared to undergo any labor, they
cheerfully obeyed his command. The camp was bravely defended by the
cohorts which had been left to guard it, but with much more spirit by
the Thracians and foreign auxiliaries. For the soldiers who had fled
for refuge to it from the field of battle, affrighted and exhausted by
fatigue, having thrown away their arms and military standards, had
their thoughts more engaged on their further escape than on the
defense of the camp. Nor could the troops who were posted on the
battlements, long withstand the immense number of our darts, but
fainting under their wounds, quitted the place, and under the conduct
of their centurions and tribunes, fled, without stopping, to the high
mountains which joined the camp. |
Caesar Pompeianis ex fuga intra vallum compulsis nullum spatium
perterritis dari oportere existimans milites cohortatus est, ut beneficio
fortunae uterentur castraque oppugnarent. Qui, etsi magno aestu fatigati
(nam ad meridiem res erat perducta), tamen ad omnem laborem animo parati
imperio paruerunt. Castra a cohortibus, quae ibi praesidio erant
relictae, industrie defendebantur, multo etiam acrius a Thracibus
barbarisque auxiliis. Nam qui acie refugerant milites, et animo
perterriti et lassitudine confecti, missis plerique armis signisque
militaribus, magis de reliqua fuga quam de castrorum defensione
cogitabant. Neque vero diutius, qui in vallo constiterant, multitudinem
telorum sustinere potuerunt, sed confecti vulneribus locum reliquerunt,
protinusque omnes ducibus usi centurionibus tribunisque militum in
altissimos montes, qui ad castra pertinebant, confugerunt. |
§ 3:96. In Pompey's camp you might see arbors in
which tables were laid, a large quantity of plate set out, the floors
of the tents covered with fresh sods, the tents of Lucius Lentulus and
others shaded with ivy, and many other things which were proofs of
excessive luxury, and a confidence of victory, so that it might
readily be inferred that they had no apprehensions of the issue of the
day, as they indulged themselves in unnecessary pleasures, and yet
upbraided with luxury Caesar's army, distressed and suffering troops,
who had always been in want of common necessaries. Pompey, as soon as
our men had forced the trenches, mounting his horse, and stripping off
his general's habit, went hastily out of the back gate of the camp,
and galloped with all speed to Larissa. Nor did he stop there, but
with the same dispatch, collecting a few of his flying troops, and
halting neither day nor night, he arrived at the seaside, attended by
only thirty horse, and went on board a victualing barque, often
complaining, as we have been told, that he had been so deceived in his
expectation, that he was almost persuaded that he had been betrayed by
those from whom he had expected victory, as they began the fight. |
In castris Pompei videre licuit trichilas structas, magnum argenti
pondus eitum, recentibus caespitibus tabernacula constrata, Lucii etiam
Lentuli et nonnullorum tabernacula protecta edera, multaque praeterea,
quae nimiam luxuriam et victoriae fiduciam designarent, ut facile
existimari posset nihil eos de eventu eius diei timuisse, qui non
necessarias conquirerent voluptates. At hi miserrimo ac patientissimo
exercitui Caesaris luxuriam obiciebant, cui semper omnia ad necessarium
usum defuissent. Pompeius, iam cum intra vallum nostri versarentur, equum
nactus, detractis insignibus imperatoris, decumana porta se ex castris
eiecit protinusque equo citato Larisam contendit. Neque ibi constitit,
sed eadem celeritate, paucos suos ex fuga nactus, nocturno itinere non
intermisso, comitatu equitum XXX ad mare pervenit navemque frumentariam
conscendit, saepe, ut dicebatur, querens tantum se opinionem fefellisse,
ut, a quo genere hominum victoriam sperasset, ab eo initio fugae facto
paene proditus videretur. |
§ 3:97. Caesar having possessed himself of
Pompey's camp, urged his soldiers not to be too intent on plunder, and
lose the opportunity of completing their conquest. Having obtained
their consent, he began to draw lines round the mountain. The
Pompeians distrusting the position, as there was no water on the
mountain, abandoned it, and all began to retreat toward Larissa; which
Caesar perceiving, divided his troops, and ordering part of his
legions to remain in Pompey's camp, sent back a part to his own camp,
and taking four legions with him, went by a shorter road to intercept
the enemy: and having marched six miles, drew up his army. But the
Pompeians observing this, took post on a mountain, whose foot was
washed by a river. Caesar having encouraged his troops, though they
were greatly exhausted by incessant labor the whole day, and night was
now approaching, by throwing up works cut off the communication
between the river and the mountain, that the enemy might not get water
in the night. As soon as the work was finished, they sent embassadors
to treat about a capitulation. A few senators who had espoused that
party, made their escape by night. |
Caesar castris potitus a militibus contendit, ne in praeda occupati
reliqui negotii gerendi facultatem dimitterent. Qua re impetrata montem
opere circummunire instituit. Pompeiani, quod is mons erat sine aqua,
diffisi ei loco relicto monte universi iugis eius Larisam versus se
recipere coeperunt. Qua re animadversa Caesar copias suas divisit
partemque legionum in castris Pompei remanere iussit, partem in sua
castra remisit, IIII secum legiones duxit commodioreque itinere
Pompeianis occurrere coepit et progressus milia passuum VI aciem
instruxit. Qua re animadversa Pompeiani in quodam monte constiterunt.
Hunc montem flumen subluebat. Caesar milites cohortatus, etsi totius diei
continenti labore erant confecti noxque iam suberat, tamen munitione
flumen a monte seclusit, ne noctu aquari Pompeiani possent. Quo perfecto
opere illi de deditione missis legatis agere coeperunt. Pauci ordinis
senatorii, qui se cum eis coniunxerant, nocte fuga salutem
petiverunt. |
§ 3:98. At break of day, Caesar ordered all
those who had taken post on the mountain, to come down from the higher
grounds into the plain, and pile their arms. When they did this
without refusal, and with outstretched arms, prostrating themselves on
the ground, with tears, implored his mercy: he comforted them and bade
them rise, and having spoken a few words of his own clemency to
alleviate their fears, he pardoned them all, and gave orders to his
soldiers, that no injury should be done to them, and nothing taken
from them. Having used this diligence, he ordered the legions in his
camp to come and meet him, and those which were with him to take their
turn of rest, and go back to the camp: and the same day went to
Larissa |
Caesar prima luce omnes eos, qui in monte consederant, ex
superioribus locis in planiciem descendere atque arma proicere iussit.
Quod ubi sine recusatione fecerunt passisque palmis proiecti ad terram
flentes ab eo salutem petiverunt, consolatus consurgere iussit et pauca
apud eos de lenitate sua locutus, quo minore essent timore, omnes
conservavit militibusque suis commendavit, ne qui eorum violaretur, neu
quid sui desiderarent. Hac adhibita diligentia ex castris sibi legiones
alias occurrere et eas, quas secum duxerat, in vicem requiescere atque in
castra reverti iussit eodemque die Larisam pervenit. |
§ 3:99. In that battle, no more than two hundred
privates were missing, but Caesar lost about thirty centurions,
valiant officers. Crastinus, also, of whom mention was made before,
fighting most courageously, lost his life by the wound of a sword in
the mouth; nor was that false which he declared when marching to
battle: for Caesar entertained the highest opinion of his behavior in
that battle, and thought him highly deserving of his approbation. Of
Pompey's army, there fell about fifteen thousand; but upwards of
twenty-four thousand were made prisoners: for even the cohorts which
were stationed in the forts, surrendered to Sylla. Several others took
shelter in the neighboring states. One hundred and eighty stands of
colors, and nine eagles, were brought to Caesar. Lucius Domitius,
fleeing from the camp to the mountains, his strength being exhausted
by fatigue, was killed by the horse. |
In eo proelio non amplius CC milites desideravit, sed centuriones,
fortes viros, circiter XXX amisit. Interfectus est etiam fortissime
pugnans Crastinus, cuius mentionem supra fecimus, gladio in os adversum
coniecto. Neque id fuit falsum, quod ille in pugnam proficiscens dixerat.
Sic enim Caesar existimabat, eo proelio excellentissimam virtutem
Crastini fuisse, optimeque eum de se meritum iudicabat. Ex Pompeiano
exercitu circiter milia XV cecidisse videbantur, sed in deditionem
venerunt amplius milia XXIIII (namque etiam cohortes, quae praesidio in
castellis fuerant, sese Sullae dediderunt), multi praeterea in finitimas
civitates refugerunt; signaque militaria ex proelio ad Caesarem sunt
relata CLXXX et aquilae VIIII. L. Domitius ex castris in montem
refugiens, cum vires eum lassitudine defecissent, ab equitibus est
interfectus. |
§ 3:100. About this time, Decimus Laelius
arrived with his fleet at Brundusium and in the same manner, as Libo
had done before, possessed himself of an island opposite the harbor of
Brundusium. In like manner, Valinius, who was then governor of
Brundusium, with a few decked barks, endeavored to entice Laelius's
fleet, and took one five- banked galley and two smaller vessels that
had ventured further than the rest into a narrow part of the harbor:
and likewise disposing the horse along the shore, strove to prevent
the enemy from procuring fresh water. But Laelius having chosen a more
convenient season of the year for his expedition, supplied himself
with water brought in transports from Corcyra and Dyrrachium, and was
not deterred from his purpose; and till he had received advice of the
battle in Thessaly, he could not be forced either by the disgrace of
losing his ships, or by the want of necessaries, to quit the port and
islands. |
Eodem tempore D. Laelius cum classe ad Brundisium venit eademque
ratione, qua factum a Libone antea demonstravimus, insulam obiectam
portui Brundisino tenuit. Similiter Vatinius, qui Brundisio praeerat,
tectis instructisque scaphis elicuit naves Laelianas atque ex his longius
productam unam qninqueremem et minores duas in angustiis portus cepit
itemque per equites dispositos aqua prohibere classiarios instituit. Sed
Laelius tempore anni commodiore usus ad navigandum onerariis navibus
Corcyra Dyrrachioque aquam suis supportabat, neque a proposito
deterrebatur neque ante proelium in Thessalia factum cognitum aut
ignominia amissarum navium aut necessariarum rerum inopia ex portu
insulaque expelli potuit. |
§ 3:101. Much about the same time, Cassius
arrived in Sicily with a fleet of Syrians, Phoenicians, and Cicilians:
and as Caesar's fleet was divided into two parts, Publius Sulpicius
the praetor commanding one division at Vibo near the straits,
Pomponius the other at Messana, Cassius got into Messana with his
fleet, before Pomponius had notice of his arrival, and having found
him in disorder, without guards or discipline, and the wind being high
and favorable, he filled several transports with fir, pitch, and tow,
and other combustibles, and sent them against Pomponius's fleet, and
set fire to all his ships, thirty-five in number, twenty of which were
armed with beaks: and this action struck such terror that though there
was a legion in garrison at Messana, the town with difficulty held
out, and had not the news of Caesar's victory been brought at that
instant by the horse stationed-along the coast, it was generally
imagined that it would have been lost, but the town was maintained
till the news arrived very opportunely: and Cassius set sail from
thence to attack Sulpicius's fleet at Vibo, and our ships being moored
to the land, to strike the same terror, he acted in the same manner as
before. The wind being favorable, he sent into the port about forty
ships provided with combustibles, and the flame catching on both
sides, five ships were burned to ashes. And when the fire began to
spread wider by the violence of the wind, the soldiers of the veteran
legions, who had been left to guard the fleet, being considered as
invalids, could not endure the disgrace, but of themselves went on
board the ships and weighed anchor, and having attacked Cassius's
fleet, captured two five-banked galleys, in one of which was Cassius
himself; but he made his escape by taking to a boat. Two three-banked
galleys were taken besides. Intelligence was shortly after received of
the action in Thessaly, so well authenticated, that the Pompeians
themselves gave credit to it; for they had hitherto believed it a
fiction of Caesar's lieutenants and friends. Upon which intelligence
Cassius departed with his fleet from that coast. |
Isdem fere temporibus C. Cassius cum classe Syrorum et Phoenicum et
Cilicum in Siciliam venit, et cum esset Caesaris classis divisa in duas
partes, dimidiae parti praeesset P. Sulpicius praetor ad Vibonem,
dimidiae M. Pomponius ad Messanam, prius Cassius ad Messanam navibus
advolavit, quam Pomponius de eius adventu cognosceret, perturbatumque eum
nactus nullis custodiis neque ordinibus certis, magno vento et secundo
completas onerarias naves taeda et pice et stupa reliquisque rebus, quae
sunt ad incendia, in Pomponianam classem immisit atque omnes naves
incendit XXXV, e quibus erant XX constratae. Tantusque eo facto timor
incessit, ut, cum esset legio praesidio Messanae, vix oppidum
defenderetur, et nisi eo ipso tempore quidam nuntii de Caesaris victoria
per dispositos equites essent allati, existimabant plerique futurum
fuisse, uti amitteretur. Sed opportunissime nuntiis allatis oppidum est
defensum; Cassiusque ad Sulpicianam inde classem profectus est Vibonem,
applicatisque nostris ad terram navibus pari atque antea ratione Cassius
secundum nactus ventum onerarias naves praeparatas ad incendium immisit,
et flamma ab utroque cornu comprensa naves sunt combustae quinque. Cumque
ignis magnitudine venti latius serperet, milites, qui ex veteribus
legionibus erant relicti praesidio navibus ex numero aegrorum, ignominiam
non tulerunt, sed sua sponte naves conscenderunt et a terra solverunt
impetuque facto in Cassianam classem quinqueremes duas, in quarum altera
erat Cassius, ceperunt; sed Cassius exceptus scapha refugit; praeterea
duae sunt depressae triremes. Neque multo post de proelio facto in
Thessalia cognitum est, ut ipsis Pompeianis fides fieret; nam ante id
tempus fingi a legatis amicisque Caesaris arbitrabantur. Quibus rebus
cognitis ex his locis Cassius cum classe discessit. |
§ 3:102. Caesar thought he ought to postpone
all business and pursue Pompey, whithersoever he should retreat; that
he might not be able to provide fresh forces, and renew the war; he
therefore marched on every day, as far as his cavalry were able to
advance, and ordered one legion to follow him by shorter journeys. A
proclamation was issued by Pompey at Amphipolis, that all the young
men of that province, Grecians and Roman citizens, should take the
military oath; but whether he issued it with an intention of
preventing suspicion, and to conceal as long as possible his design of
fleeing further, or to endeavor to keep possession of Macedonia by new
levies, if nobody pursued him, it is impossible to judge. He lay at
anchor one night, and calling together his friends in Amphipolis, and
collecting a sum of money for his necessary expenses, upon advice of
Caesar's approach, set sail from that place, and arrived in a few days
at Mitylene. Here he was detained two days, and having added a few
galleys to his fleet he went to Cilicia, and thence to Cyprus. There
he is informed that, by the consent of all the inhabitants of Antioch
and Roman citizens who traded there, the castle had been seized to
shut him out of the town; and that messengers had been dispatched to
all those who were reported to have taken refuge in the neighboring
states, that they should not come to Antioch; that if they did, that
it would be attended with imminent danger to their lives. The same
thing had happened to Lucius Lentulus, who had been consul the year
before, and to Publius Lentulus a consular senator, and to several
others at Rhodes, who having followed Pompey in his flight, and
arrived at the island, were not admitted into the town or port; and
having received a message to leave that neighborhood, set sail much
against their will; for the rumor of Caesar's approach had now reached
those states. |
Caesar omnibus rebus relictis persequendum sibi Pompeium existimavit,
quascumque in partes se ex fuga recepisset, ne rursus copias comparare
alias et bellum renovare posset, et quantumcumque itineris equitatu
efficere poterat, cotidie progrediebatur legionemque unam minoribus
itineribus subsequi iussit. Erat edictum Pompei nomine Amphipoli
propositum, uti omnes eius provinciae iuniores, Graeci civesque Romani,
iurandi causa convenirent. Sed utrum avertendae suspicionis causa
Pompeius proposuisset, ut quam diutissime longioris fugae consilium
occultaret, an ut novis dilectibus, si nemo premeret, Macedoniam tenere
conaretur, existimari non poterat. Ipse ad ancoram unam noctem constitit
et vocatis ad se Amphipoli hospitibus et pecunia ad necessarios sumptus
corrogata, cognito Caesaris adventu, ex eo loco discessit et Mytilenas
paucis diebus venit. Biduum tempestate retentus navibusque aliis additis
actuariis in Ciliciam atque inde Cyprum pervenit. Ibi cognoscit consensu
omnium Antiochensium civiumque Romanorum, qui illic negotiarentur, arma
capta esse excludendi sui causa nuntiosque dimissos ad eos, qui se ex
fuga in finitimas civitates recepisse dicerentur, ne Antiochiam adirent:
id si fecissent, magno eorum capitis periculo futurum. Idem hoc L.
Lentulo, qui superiore anno consul fuerat, et P. Lentulo consulari ac
nonnullis aliis acciderat Rhodi; qui cum ex fuga Pompeium sequerentur
atque in insulam venissent, oppido ac portu recepti non erant missisque
ad eos nuntiis, ut ex his locis discederent contra voluntatem suam naves
solverant. Iamque de Caesaris adventu fama ad civitates
perferebatur. |
§ 3:103. Pompey, being informed of these
proceedings, laid aside his design of going to Syria, and having taken
the public money from the farmers of the revenue, and borrowed more
from some private friends, and having put on board his ships a large
quantity of brass for military purposes, and two thousand armed men,
whom he partly selected from the slaves of the tax farmers, and partly
collected from the merchants, and such persons as each of his friends
thought fit on this occasion, he sailed for Pelusium. It happened that
king Ptolemy, a minor, was there with a considerable army, engaged in
war with his sister Cleopatra, whom a few months before, by the
assistance of his relations and friends, he had expelled from the
kingdom; and her camp lay at a small distance from his. To him Pompey
applied to be permitted to take refuge in Alexandria, and to be
protected in his calamity by his powerful assistance, in consideration
of the friendship and amity which had subsisted between his father and
him. But Pompey's deputies having executed their commission, began to
converse with less restraint with the king's troops, and to advise
them to act with friendship to Pompey, and not to think meanly of his
bad fortune. In Ptolemy's army were several of Pompey's soldiers, of
whom Gabinius had received the command in Syria, and had brought them
over to Alexandria, and at the conclusion of the war had left with
Ptolemy the father of the young king. |
Quibus cognitis rebus Pompeius deposito adeundae Syriae consilio
pecunia societatis sublata et a quibusdam privatis sumpta et aeris magno
pondere ad militarem usum in naves imposito duobusque milibus hominum
armatis, partim quos ex familiis societatum delegerat, partim a
negotiatoribus coegerat, quosque ex suis quisque ad hanc rem idoneos
existimabat, Pelusium pervenit. Ibi casu rex erat Ptolomaeus, puer
aetate, magnis copiis cum sorore Cleopatra bellum gerens, quam paucis
ante mensibus per suos propinquos atque amicos regno expulerat; castraque
Cleopatrae non longo spatio ab eius castris distabant. Ad eum Pompeius
misit, ut pro hospitio atque amicitia patris Alexandria reciperetur atque
illius opibus in calamitate tegeretur. Sed qui ab eo missi erant,
confecto legationis officio liberius cum militibus regis colloqui
coeperunt eosque hortari, ut suum officium Pompeio praestarent, neve eius
fortunam despicerent. In hoc erant numero complures Pompei milites, quos
ex eius exercitu acceptos in Syria Gabinius Alexandriam traduxerat
belloque confecto apud Ptolomaeum, patrem pueri, reliquerat. |
§ 3:104. The king's friends, who were regents
of the kingdom during the minority, being informed of these things,
either induced by fear, as they afterward declared, lest Pompey should
corrupt the king's army, and seize on Alexandria and Egypt; or
despising his bad fortune, as in adversity friends commonly change to
enemies, in public gave a favorable answer to his deputies, and
desired him to come to the king; but secretly laid a plot against him,
and dispatched Achillas, captain of the king's guards, a man of
singular boldness, and Lucius Septimius a military tribune to
assassinate him. Being kindly addressed by them, and deluded by an
acquaintance with Septimius, because in the war with the pirates the
latter had commanded a company under him, he embarked in a small boat
with a few attendants, and was there murdered by Achillas and
Septimius. In like manner, Lucius Lentulus was seized by the king's
order, and put to death in prison. |
His tum cognitis rebus amici regis, qui propter aetatem eius in
procuratione erant regni, sive timore adducti, ut postea praedicabant,
sollicitato exercitu regio ne Pompeius Alexandriam Aegyptumque occuparet,
sive despecta eius fortuna, ut plerumque in calamitate ex amicis inimici
exsistunt, his, qui erant ab eo missi, palam liberaliter responderunt
eumque ad regem venire iusserunt; ipsi clam consilio inito Achillam,
praefectum regium, singulari hominem audacia, et L. Septimium, tribunum
militum, ad interficiendum Pompeium miserunt. Ab his liberaliter ipse
appellatus et quadam notitia Septimii productus, quod bello praedonum
apud eum ordinem duxerat, naviculam parvulam conscendit cum paucis suis:
ibi ab Achilla et Septimio interficitur. Item L. Lentulus comprehenditur
ab rege et in custodia necatur. |
§ 3:105. When Caesar arrived in Asia, he found
that Titus Ampius had attempted to remove the money from the temple of
Diana at Ephesus; and for this purpose had convened all the senators
in the province that he might have them to attest the sum, but was
interrupted by Caesar's arrival, and had made his escape. Thus, on two
occasions, Caesar saved the money of Ephesus. It was also remarked at
Elis, in the temple of Minerva, upon calculating and enumerating the
days, that on the very day on which Caesar had gained his battle, the
image of Victory which was placed before Minerva, and faced her
statue, turned about toward the portal and entrance of the temple; and
the same day, at Antioch in Syria, such a shout of an army and sound
of trumpets was twice heard that the citizens ran in arms to the
walls. The same thing happened at Ptolemais; a sound of drums too was
heard at Pergamus, in the private and retired parts of the temple,
into which none but the priests are allowed admission, and which the
Greeks call Adyta (the inaccessible), and likewise at Tralles, in the
temple of Victory, in which there stood a statue consecrated to
Caesar; a palm-tree at that time was shown that had sprouted up from
the pavement, through the joints of the stones, and shot up above the
roof. |
Caesar, cum in Asiam venisset, reperiebat T. Ampium conatum esse
pecunias tollere Epheso ex fano Dianae eiusque rei causa senatores omnes
ex provincia evocasse, ut his testibus in summa pecuniae uteretur, sed
interpellatum adventu Caesaris profugisse. Ita duobus temporibus Ephesiae
pecuniae Caesar auxilium tulit. Item constabat Elide in templo Minervae
repetitis atque enumeratis diebus, quo die proelium secundum Caesar
fecisset, simulacrum Victoriae, quod ante ipsam Minervam collocatum esset
et ante ad simulacrum Minervae spectavisset, ad valvas se templi limenque
convertisse. Eodemque die Antiochiae in Syria bis tantus exercitus clamor
et signorum sonus exauditus est, ut in muris armata civitas discurreret.
Hoc idem Ptolomaide accidit. Pergami in occultis ac reconditis templi,
quo praeter sacerdotes adire fas non est, quae Graeci 'adyta' appellant,
tympana sonuerunt. Item Trallibus in templo Victoriae, ubi Caesaris
statuam consecraverant, palma per eos dies inter coagmenta lapidum ex
pavimento exstitisse ostendebatur. |
§ 3:106. After a few days' delay in Asia,
Caesar, having heard that Pompey had been seen in Cyprus, and
conjecturing that he had directed his course into Egypt, on account of
his connection with that kingdom, set out for Alexandria with two
legions (one of which he ordered to follow him from Thessaly, the
other he called in from Achaia, from Fufius, the lieutenant general),
and with eight hundred horse, ten ships of war from Rhodes, and a few
from Asia. These legions amounted but to three thousand two hundred
men; the rest, disabled by wounds received in various battles, by
fatigue and the length of their march, could not follow him. But
Caesar, relying on the fame of his exploits, did not hesitate to set
forward with a feeble force, and thought that he would be secure in
any place. At Alexandria he was informed of the death of Pompey: and
at his landing there, heard a cry among the soldiers whom the king had
left to garrison the town, and saw a crowd gathering toward him,
because the fasces were carried before him; for this the whole
multitude thought an infringement of the king's dignity. Though this
tumult was appeased, frequent disturbances were raised for several
days successively, by crowds of the populace, and a great many of his
soldiers were killed in all parts of the city. |
Caesar paucos dies in Asia moratus, cum audisset Pompeium Cypri
visum, coniectans eum in Aegyptum iter habere propter necessitudines
regni reliquasque eius loci opportunitates cum legione una, quam se ex
Thessalia sequi iusserat, et altera, quam ex Achaia a Q. Fufio legato
evocaverat, equitibusque DCCC et navibus longis Rhodiis X et Asiaticis
paucis Alexandriam pervenit. In his erant legionibus hominum milia tria
CC; reliqui vulneribus ex proeliis et labore ac magnitudine itineris
confecti consequi non potuerant. Sed Caesar confisus fama rerum gestarum
infirmis auxiliis proficisci non dubitaverat, aeque omnem sibi locum
tutum fore existimans. Alexandriae de Pompei morte cognoscit atque ibi
primum e nave egrediens clamorem militum audit, quos rex in oppido
praesidii causa reliquerat, et concursum ad se fieri videt, quod fasces
anteferrentur. In hoc omnis multitudo maiestatem regiam minui
praedicabat. Hoc sedato tumultu crebrae continuis diebus ex concursu
multitudinis concitationes fiebant, compluresque milites huius urbis
omnibus partibus interficiebantur. |
§ 3:107. Having observed this, he ordered other
legions to be brought to him from Asia, which he had made up out of
Pompey's soldiers; for he was himself detained against his will, by
the etesian winds, which are totally unfavorable to persons on a
voyage from Alexandria. In the mean time, considering that the
disputes of the princes belonged to the jurisdiction of the Roman
people, and of him as consul, and that it was a duty more incumbent on
him, as in his former consulate a league had been made with Ptolemy
the late king, under sanction both of a law and a decree of the
senate, he signified that it was his pleasure that king Ptolemy, and
his sister Cleopatra, should disband their armies, and decide their
disputes in his presence by justice, rather than by the sword. |
Quibus rebus animadversis legiones sibi alias ex Asia adduci iussit,
quas ex Pompeianis militibus confecerat. Ipse enim necessario etesiis
tenebatur, qui navigantibus Alexandria flant adversissimi venti. Interim
controversias regum ad populum Romanum et ad se, quod esset consul,
pertinere existimans atque eo magis officio suo convenire, quod superiore
consulatu cum patre Ptolomaeo et lege et senatusconsulto societas erat
facta, ostendit sibi placere regem Ptolomaeum atque eius sororem
Cleopatram exercitus, quos haberent, dimittere et de controversiis iure
apud se potius quam inter se armis disceptare. |
§ 3:108. A eunuch named Pothinus, the boy's
tutor, was regent of the kingdom on account of his youthfulness. He at
first began to complain among his friends, and to express his
indignation, that the king should be summoned to plead his cause: but
afterward, having prevailed on some of those whom he had made
acquainted with his views to join him he secretly called the army away
from Pelusium to Alexandria, and appointed Achillas, already spoken
of, commander-in-chief of the forces. Him he encouraged and animated
by promises both in his own and the king's name, and instructed him
both by letters and messages how he should act. By the will of Ptolemy
the father, the elder of his two sons and the more advanced in years
of his two daughters were declared his heirs, and for the more
effectual performance of his intention, in the same will he conjured
the Roman people by all the gods, and by the league which he had
entered into at Rome, to see his will executed. One of the copies of
his will was conveyed to Rome by his embassadors to be deposited in
the treasury, but the public troubles preventing it, it was lodged
with Pompey: another was left sealed up, and kept at Alexandria. |
Erat in procuratione regni propter aetatem pueri nutricius eius,
eunuchus nomine Pothinus. Is primum inter suos queri atque indignari
coepit regem ad causam dicendam evocari; deinde adiutores quosdam
consilii sui nactus ex regis amicis exercitum a Pelusio clam Alexandriam
evocavit atque eundem Achillam, cuius supra meminimus, omnibus copiis
praefecit. Hunc incitatum suis et regis inflatum pollicitationibus, quae
fieri vellet, litteris nuntiisque edocuit. In testamento Ptolomaei patris
heredes erant scripti ex duobus filiis maior et ex duabus filiabus ea,
quae aetate antecedebat. Haec uti fierent, per omnes deos perque foedera,
quae Romae fecisset, eodem testamento Ptolomaeus populum Romanum
obtestabatur. Tabulae testamenti unae per legatos eius Romam erant
allatae, ut in aerario ponerentur (hic cum propter publicas occupationes
poni non potuissent, apud Pompeium sunt depositae), alterae eodem exemplo
relictae atque obsignatae Alexandriae proferebantur. |
§ 3:109. While these things were debated before
Caesar, and he was very anxious to settle the royal disputes as a
common friend and arbitrator; news was brought on a sudden that the
king's army and all his cavalry, were on their march to Alexandria.
Caesar's forces were by no means so strong that he could trust to
them, if he had occasion to hazard a battle without the town. His only
resource was to keep within the town in the most convenient places,
and get information of Achillas's designs. However he ordered his
soldiers to repair to their arms; and advised the king to send some of
his friends, who had the greatest influence, as deputies to Achillas,
and to signify his royal pleasure. Dioscorides and Serapion, the
persons sent by him, who had both been embassadors at Rome, and had
been in great esteem with Ptolemy the father, went to Achillas. But as
soon as they appeared in his presence, without hearing them, or
learning the occasion of their coming, he ordered them to be seized
and put to death. One of them, after receiving a wound, was taken up
and carried off by his attendants as dead: the other was killed on the
spot. Upon this, Caesar took care to secure the king's person, both
supposing that the king's name would have a great influence with his
subjects, and to give the war the appearance of the scheme of a few
desperate men, rather than of having been begun by the king's
consent. |
De his rebus cum ageretur apud Caesarem, isque maxime vellet pro
communi amico atque arbitro controversias regum componere, subito
exercitus regius equitatusque omnis venire Alexandriam nuntiatur.
Caesaris copiae nequaquam erant tantae, ut eis, extra oppidum si esset
dimicandum, confideret. Relinquebatur, ut se suis locis oppido teneret
consiliumque Achillae cognosceret. Milites tamen omnes in armis esse
iussit regemque hortatus est, ut ex suis necessariis, quos haberet
maximae auctoritatis, legatos ad Achillam mitteret et, quid esset suae
voluntatis, ostenderet. A quo missi Dioscorides et Serapion, qui ambo
legati Romae fuerant magnamque apud patrem Ptolomaeum auctoritatem
habuerant, ad Achillam pervenerunt. Quos ille, cum in conspectum eius
venissent, priusquam audiret aut, cuius rei causa missi essent,
cognosceret, corripi atque interfici iussit; quorum alter accepto vulnere
occupatus per suos pro occiso sublatus, alter interfectus est. Quo facto
regem ut in sua potestate haberet, Caesar efficit, magnam regium nomen
apud suos auctoritatem habere existimans et ut potius privato paucorum et
latronum quam regio consilio susceptum bellum videretur. |
§ 3:110. The forces under Achillas did not seem
despicable, either for number, spirit, or military experience; for he
had twenty thousand men under arms. They consisted partly of
Gabinius's soldiers, who were now become habituated to the licentious
mode of living at Alexandria, and had forgotten the name and
discipline of the Roman people, and had married wives there, by whom
the greatest part of them had children. To these was added a
collection of highwaymen, and freebooters, from Syria, and the
province of Cilicia, and the adjacent countries. Besides several
convicts and transports had been collected: for at Alexandria all our
runaway slaves were sure of finding protection for their persons on
the condition that they should give in their names, and enlist as
soldiers: and if any of them was apprehended by his master, he was
rescued by a crowd of his fellow soldiers, who being involved in the
same guilt, repelled, at the hazard of their lives, every violence
offered to any of their body. These by a prescriptive privilege of the
Alexandrian army, used to demand the king's favorites to be put to
death, pillage the properties of the rich to increase their pay,
invest the king's palace, banish some from the kingdom, and recall
others from exile. Besides these, there were two thousand horse, who
had acquired the skill of veterans by being in several wars in
Alexandria. These had restored Ptolemy the father to his kingdom, had
killed Bibulus's two sons; and had been engaged in war with the
Egyptians; such was their experience in military affairs. |
Erant cum Achilla eae copiae, ut neque numero neque genere hominum
neque usu rei militaris contemnendae viderentur. Milia enim XX in armis
habebat. Haec constabant ex Gabinianis militibus qui iam in consuetudinem
Alexandrinae vitae ac licentiae venerant et nomen disciplinamque populi
Romani dedidicerant uxoresque duxerant, ex quibus plerique liberos
habebant. Huc accedebant collecti ex praedonibus latronibusque Syriae
Ciliciaeque provinciae finitimarumque regionum. Multi praeterea capitis
damnati exulesque convenerant; figitivis omnibus nostris certus erat
Alexandriae receptus certaque vitae condicio, ut dato nomine militum
essent numero; quorum si quis a domino prehenderetur, consensu militum
eripiebatur, qui vim suorum, quod in simili culpa versabantur, ipsi pro
suo periculo defendebant. Hi regum amicos ad mortem deposcere, hi bona
locupletum diripere, stipendii augendi causa regis domum obsidere, regno
expellere alios, alios arcessere vetere quodam Alexandrini exercitus
instituto consuerant. Erant praeterea equitum milia duo. Inveteraverant
hi omnes compluribus Alexandriae bellis; Ptolomaeum patrem in regnum
reduxerant, Bibuli filios duos interfecerant, bella cum Aegyptiis
gesserant. Hunc usum rei militaris habebant. |
§ 3:111. Full of confidence in his troops, and
despising the small number of Caesar's soldiers, Achillas seized
Alexandria, except that part of the town which Caesar occupied with
his troops. At first he attempted to force the palace; but Caesar had
disposed his cohorts through the streets, and repelled his attack. At
the same time there was an action at the port: where the contest was
maintained with the greatest obstinacy. For the forces were divided,
and the fight maintained in several streets at once, and the enemy
endeavored to seize with a strong party the ships of war; of which
fifty had been sent to Pompey's assistance, but after the battle in
Thessaly, had returned home. They were all of either three or five
banks of oars, well equipped and appointed with every necessary for a
voyage. Besides these, there were twenty-two vessels with decks, which
were usually kept at Alexandria, to guard the port. If they made
themselves masters of these, Caesar being deprived of his fleet, they
would have the command of the port and whole sea, and could prevent
him from procuring provisions and auxiliaries. Accordingly that spirit
was displayed, which ought to be displayed when the one party saw that
a speedy victory depended on the issue, and the other their safety.
But Caesar gained the day, and set fire to all those ships, and to
others which were in the docks, because he could not guard so many
places with so small a force; and immediately he conveyed some troops
to the Pharos by his ships. |
His copiis fidens Achillas paucitatemque militum Caesaris despiciens
occupabat Alexandriam praeter eam oppidi partem, quam Caesar cum
militibus tenebat, primo impetu domum eius irrumpere conatus; sed Caesar
dispositis per vias cohortibus impetum eius sustinuit. Eodemque tempore
pugnatum est ad portum, ac longe maximam ea res attulit dimicationem.
Simul enim diductis copiis pluribus viis pugnabatur, et magna multitudine
naves longas occupare hostes conabantur; quarum erant L auxilio missae ad
Pompeium proelioque in Thessalia facto domum redierant, quadriremes omnes
et quinqueremes aptae instructaeque omnibus rebus ad navigandum, praeter
has XXII, quae praesidii causa Alexandriae esse consuerant, constratae
omnes; quas si occupavissent, classe Caesari erepta portum ac mare totum
in sua potestate haberent, commeatu auxiliisque Caesarem prohiberent.
Itaque tanta esta contentione actum, quanta agi debuit, cum illi celerem
in ea re victoriam, hi salutem suam consistere viderent. Sed rem obtinuit
Caesar omnesque eas naves et reliquas, quae erant in navalibus, incendit,
quod tam late tueri parva manu non poterat, confestimque ad Pharum
navibus milites euit. |
§ 3:112. The Pharos is a tower on an island, of
prodigious height, built with amazing works, and takes its name from
the island. This island lying over against Alexandria, forms a harbor;
but on the upper side it is connected with the town by a narrow way
eight hundred paces in length, made by piles sunk in the sea, and by a
bridge. In this island some of the Egyptians have houses, and a
village as large as a town; and whatever ships from any quarter,
either through mistaking the channel, or by the storm, have been
driven from their course upon the coast, they constantly plunder like
pirates. And without the consent of those who are masters of the
Pharos, no vessels can enter the harbor, on account of its narrowness.
Caesar being greatly alarmed on this account, while the enemy were
engaged in battle, landed his soldiers, seized the Pharos, and placed
a garrison in it. By this means he gained this point, that he could be
supplied without danger with corn, and auxiliaries; for he sent to all
the neighboring countries, to demand supplies. In other parts of the
town, they fought so obstinately, that they quitted the field with
equal advantage, and neither were beaten (in consequence of the
narrowness of the passes); and a few being killed on both sides,
Caesar secured the most necessary posts, and fortified them in the
night. In this quarter of the town was a wing of the king's palace, in
which Caesar was lodged on his first arrival, and a theater adjoining
the house which served as for citadel, and commanded an avenue to the
ports and other docks. These fortifications he increased during the
succeeding days, that he might have them before him as a rampart, and
not be obliged to fight against his will. In the mean time Ptolemy's
younger daughter, hoping the throne would become vacant, made her
escape from the palace to Achillas, and assisted him in prosecuting
the war. But they soon quarreled about the command, which circumstance
enlarged the presents to the soldiers, for each endeavored by great
sacrifices to secure their affection. While the enemy was thus
employed, Pothinus, tutor to the young king, and regent of the
kingdom, who was in Caesar's part of the town, sent messengers to
Achillas, and encouraged him not to desist from his enterprise, nor to
despair of success; but his messengers being discovered and
apprehended, he was put to death by Caesar. Such was the commencement
of the Alexandrian war. |
Pharus est in insula turris magna altitudine, mirificis operibus
exstructae; quae nomen ab insula accepit. Haec insula obiecta Alexandriae
portum efficit; sed a superioribus regibus in longitudinem passuum a DCCC
in mare iactis molibus angusto itinere ut ponte cum oppido coniungitur.
In hac sunt insula domicilia Aegyptiorum et vicus oppidi magnitudine;
quaeque ibi naves imprudentia aut tempestate paulum suo cursu
decesserunt, has more praedonum diripere consuerunt. Eis autem invitis, a
quibus Pharus tenetur, non potest esse propter angustias navibus
introitus in portum. Hoc tum veritus Caesar, hostibus in pugna occupatis,
militibus eitis Pharum prehendit atque ibi praesidium posuit. Quibus est
rebus effectum, uti tuto frumentum auxiliaque navibus ad eum supportari
possent. Dimisit enim circum omnes propinquas provincias atque inde
auxilia evocavit. Reliquis oppidi partibus sic est pugnatum, ut aequo
proelio discederetur et neutri pellerentur (id efficiebant angustiae
loci), paucisque utrimque interfectis Caesar loca maxime necessaria
complexus noctu praemuniit. In eo tractu oppidi pars erat regiae exigua,
in quam ipse habitandi causa initio erat inductus, et theatrum coniunctum
domui quod arcis tenebat locum aditusque habebat ad portum et ad reliqua
navalia. Has munitiones insequentibus auxit diebus, ut pro muro obiectas
haberet neu dimicare invitus cogeretur. Interim filia minor Ptolomaei
regis vacuam possessionem regni sperans ad Achillam sese ex regia
traiecit unaque bellum administrare coepit. Sed celeriter est inter eos
de principatu controversia orta; quae res apud milites largitiones auxit;
magnis enim iacturis sibi quisque eorum animos conciliabat. Haec dum apud
hostes geruntur, Pothinus, nutricius pueri et procurator regni in parte
Caesaris, cum ad Achillam nuntios mitteret hortareturque, ne negotio
desisteret neve animo deficeret, indicatis deprehensisque internuntiis a
Caesare est interfectus. Haec initia belli Alexandrini fuerunt. |