[42] Cognito Caesaris adventu Ariovistus legatos ad eum mittit: quod antea de conloquio postulasset, id per se fieri licere, quoniam propius accessisset seque id sine periculo facere posse existimaret. Non respuit condicionem Caesar iamque eum ad sanitatem reverti arbitrabatur, cum id quod antea petenti denegasset ultro polliceretur, magnamque in spem veniebat pro suis tantis populique Romani in eum beneficiis cognitis suis postulatis fore uti pertinacia desisteret.
Eng: Upon learning of Caesar's arrival, Ariovistus sends envoys to him, stating that the request he had previously made for a meeting could now be granted, as he had approached closer and believed that he could do so without danger. Caesar does not reject the proposal, and he even thinks that Ariovistus is returning to reason, as he voluntarily promises what he had previously denied when it was requested of him. Caesar entertains high hopes that, with the recognition of the great favors bestowed upon him and his people by the Roman Republic, Ariovistus will relent in his stubbornness and accede to their demands.
华文: 凯撒的到来被阿里奥维斯察觉，他派遣使者去见凯撒：他之前提出的会面请求，他认为现在可以自行实现，因为他已经靠近，并且相信他可以安全地这样做。凯撒接受了这个条件，并认为阿里奥维斯将回归健康，因为他主动允诺了之前拒绝的请求，凯撒对自己和罗马人民对他的诸多恩惠，对阿里奥维斯对自己要求的认知，对他放弃顽固的希望充满了希望。
Commentary:"id per se fieri licere" means "it is allowed to be done by itself," thus Ariovistus' acceptance of the condition that the meeting can take place without any danger. The phrase "seque id sine periculo facere posse existimaret" translates to "he considered that he could do it without danger himself," reflecting Ariovistus' belief in the safe proceeding of the meeting.
Dies conloquio dictus est ex eo die quintus. Interim saepe cum legati ultro citroque inter eos mitterentur, Ariovistus postulavit ne quem peditem ad conloquium Caesar adduceret: vereri se ne per insidias ab eo circumveniretur; uterque cum equitatu veniret: alia ratione sese non esse venturum.
Eng: The day for the meeting was set for the fifth day. In the meantime, frequent exchanges of envoys took place between them. Ariovistus insisted that Caesar should not bring any infantrymen to the meeting, expressing his fear of being ambushed. He demanded that both parties should come accompanied by cavalry, stating that he would not come under any other circumstances.
华文: 自会面的那一天起，已经过去了五天。与此同时，使者们经常在双方之间往返传递消息，阿里奥维斯要求凯撒不要带任何步兵前来会面：他担心自己会在会面中遭到埋伏；双方都应带骑兵前来：他否则不会以其他方式前来。
Commentary: Germanic tribes, like the Suebi led by Ariovistus, often placed great importance on cavalry in their warfare. Cavalry represented a symbol of prestige and power among the Germanic peoples. In addition, cavalry are much more agile and are able to escape in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Caesar, quod neque conloquium interposita causa tolli volebat neque salutem suam Gallorum equitatui committere audebat, commodissimum esse statuit omnibus equis Gallis equitibus detractis eo legionarios milites legionis X., cui quam maxime confidebat, imponere, ut praesidium quam amicissimum, si quid opus facto esset, haberet. Quod cum fieret, non inridicule quidam ex militibus X. legionis dixit: plus quam pollicitus esset Caesarem facere; pollicitum se in cohortis praetoriae loco X. legionem habiturum ad equum rescribere.
Eng: Caesar, unwilling to cancel the meeting without a valid reason and reluctant to risk the safety of the Gallic cavalry, made the decision that seemed most suitable. He ordered that all the horses be taken away from the Gallic horsemen, and instead assigned legionary soldiers from the Tenth Legion, in which he had the utmost confidence, to mount them. This way, he ensured that he had a loyal and trustworthy garrison at hand, should the need arise. When this was done, a certain soldier from the Tenth Legion remarked not without humor: "Caesar is doing more than he promised; he pledged to give us the position of the Praetorian Cohort, but he is granting us horses instead."
华文: 凯撒因为不愿意取消会面并暴露自己的安全，也不敢将自己的命运交给高卢骑兵，他决定最方便的做法是让所有的高卢骑兵交出他们的马匹，然后将他最为信任的第十军团的士兵骑上这些马匹，以便在需要时拥有最友好的援助。当这一决定被执行时，第十军团的一些士兵不无嘲笑地说道：凯撒做得比他承诺的还多；他曾承诺将第十军团置于一个优越的位置，现在却将他们骑在马上。
Commentary: In Roman military culture, cavalry had a higher prestige and status compared to infantry units like the praetorian cohort. Cavalry units were typically composed of wealthier and more privileged individuals who could afford horses and the associated equipment. The cavalry played a crucial role in battles, providing speed, mobility, and the ability to launch devastating charges against the enemy. Their training and skills made them elite warriors on the battlefield.
On the other hand, the praetorian cohort, while still an esteemed unit, was primarily an infantry force tasked with protecting the general or commander, maintaining order, and serving as a prestigious imperial bodyguard. They were known for their discipline, loyalty, and specialized training.
[43] Planities erat magna et in ea tumulus terrenus satis grandis. Hic locus aequum fere spatium a castris Ariovisti et Caesaris aberat. Eo, ut erat dictum, ad conloquium venerunt. Legionem Caesar, quam equis devexerat, passibus CC ab eo tumulo constituit. Item equites Ariovisti pari intervallo constiterunt.
Eng: There was a large plain, and in it, a fairly sizable earthen mound. This location was at a roughly equal distance from the camps of Ariovistus and Caesar. As planned, they came to this place for the meeting. Caesar stationed his legion, which he had brought on horseback, about 200 paces from that mound. Likewise, Ariovistus' cavalry positioned themselves at an equal distance.
华文: 广阔的平原上有一个相当大的土丘。这个地方距离阿里乌斯特和凯撒的营地几乎有相等的距离。按照事先约定的方式，他们来到了这个地方进行会面。凯撒将他带来的军团安置在距离那个土丘200步的地方。同样，阿里乌斯特的骑兵也以相同的间隔站立着。
Commentary: "Planities erat magna et in ea tumulus terrenus satis grandis", the phrase highlights the geographical features of the area where the meeting took place. The term "planities" refers to a large plain or open space, while "tumulus terrenus" refers to a large earthen mound. The presence of this mound suggests that it served as a notable landmark in the area.
Ariovistus ex equis ut conloquerentur et praeter se denos ad conloquium adducerent postulavit. Ubi eo ventum est, Caesar initio orationis sua senatusque in eum beneficia commemoravit, quod rex appellatus esset a senatu, quod amicus, quod munera amplissime missa; quam rem et paucis contigisse et pro magnis hominum officiis consuesse tribui docebat; illum, cum neque aditum neque causam postulandi iustam haberet, beneficio ac liberalitate sua ac senatus ea praemia consecutum.
Eng: Ariovistus demanded that they speak on horseback and that ten of his own men be brought forward for the meeting. When they arrived at that point, Caesar began his speech by recalling his own and the Senate's favors towards Ariovistus: being addressed as "king" by the Senate, receiving friendship and lavish gifts. He explained that such privileges were granted to only a few and were customarily bestowed in recognition of great services rendered by individuals. He emphasized that Ariovistus had obtained those rewards through Caesar's own kindness, generosity, and the goodwill of the Senate, despite having neither access nor a just cause for requesting them.
华文: 阿里乌斯特要求从他的骑兵中选出十个人与他们进行会谈。当他们到达时，凯撒首先提到了他和参议院对阿里乌斯特的好处，他被参议院尊称为国王、被视为朋友，还收到了丰厚的礼物。他解释说，这样的待遇是少数人享受的，并且是基于他们为人类所作出的伟大贡献而赋予的。他告诉Ariovistus，虽然他没有正当的理由去见他或提出请求，但却是凭借他的恩惠和慷慨以及参议院的荣誉获得了这些奖赏。
Commentary: Ariovistus received "munera amplissime missa," which translates to "lavish gifts" or "very generous presents." These gifts could include valuable items such as precious metals, fine textiles, ornate jewelry, exotic animals, works of art, or other luxury goods. They were intended to demonstrate the wealth, power, and generosity of the Roman state, as well as to foster goodwill and secure the loyalty or cooperation of foreign leaders.
Docebat etiam quam veteres quamque iustae causae necessitudinis ipsis cum Haeduis intercederent, quae senatus consulta quotiens quamque honorifica in eos facta essent, ut omni tempore totius Galliae principatum Haedui tenuissent, prius etiam quam nostram amicitiam adpetissent.
Eng: He also explained how ancient and justified bonds of alliance existed between the Romans and the Haedui, recounting the numerous and highly honorable decrees passed by the Senate in their favor. These decrees had ensured that the Haedui held the foremost position in all of Gaul, even before they sought the friendship of Rome.
华文: 他还解释了与赫杜埃人之间存在着多么悠久和正当的联系，以及参议院为他们制定了多少荣誉性决议，以确保赫杜埃人在整个高卢地区一直保持着主导地位，甚至在他们寻求我们的友谊之前。
Commentary: Senatus consulta refers to the decrees or resolutions passed by the Roman Senate. These decrees had legal force and were used to address various matters, including foreign policy and alliances and are not just symbolic gestures but carried real benefits and advantages for the recipient tribes.
Populi Romani hanc esse consuetudinem, ut socios atque amicos non modo sui nihil deperdere, sed gratia, dignitate, honore auctiores velit esse; quod vero ad amicitiam populi Romani attulissent, id iis eripi quis pati posset? Postulavit deinde eadem quae legatis in mandatis dederat: ne aut Haeduis aut eorum sociis bellum inferret, obsides redderet, si nullam partem Germanorum domum remittere posset, at ne quos amplius Rhenum transire pateretur.
Eng: He emphasized that it was the custom of the Roman people not only to preserve but also to enhance the interests of their allies and friends, in terms of gratitude, dignity, and honor. And who could endure having what they had brought as a contribution to the friendship of the Roman people snatched away from them? He then reiterated the same demands he had entrusted to the envoys: that Ariovistus should not wage war against either the Aedui or their allies, that he should return the hostages, and if he could not recall any portion of the Germans back to their homeland, he should at least prevent any further crossing of the Rhine.
华文: 罗马人民有这样的传统，他们希望他们的盟友和朋友不仅不会失去任何东西，而且会因为他们的恩惠、尊严和荣誉而得到提升；而他们为罗马人民的友谊所做出的贡献，谁能夺走呢？然后他提出了与使节们所交代的相同要求：不要对赫杜埃人或他们的盟友发动战争，交还人质，如果他不能让任何一支日耳曼部队回到他们的家园，至少不要允许更多的人越过莱茵河。
Commentary:
Caesar's argument rests on the idea that the Haedui, a Gallic tribe, have a long history of shared interests and mutually beneficial relationships with Rome. He points out the numerous honors and privileges granted to the Haedui by the Roman Senate, which have allowed them to maintain their position as the foremost power in Gaul. Even before seeking an alliance with Rome, the Haedui already held a prominent position in Gaul due to their favorable relations with the Roman Republic.
The Latin phrase "Gratia, dignitate, honore auctiores velit esse" encapsulates the Roman mindset of elevating the status and prestige of their allies. By offering favor, dignity, and honor, Rome seeks to make its allies feel valued and respected, thereby solidifying their loyalty and cooperation.
Caesar argues that the benefits the Haedui have gained through their alliance with Rome cannot be easily taken away. He asserts that any attempt to strip them of these advantages would be met with resistance. This serves as a reminder of the protective and advantageous nature of Roman friendship, as well as a warning against violating the established diplomatic relationship.
Furthermore, Caesar reiterates his demands to Ariovistus, the Germanic leader. These demands include refraining from waging war against the Haedui or their allies, returning any hostages that may have been taken, and preventing further Germanic incursions into Roman territory. Caesar also seeks to limit the passage of Germans across the Rhine River, which served as a natural boundary between Roman and Germanic territories.