[12] Postridie eius diei Caesar, prius quam se hostes ex terrore ac fuga reciperent, in fines Suessionum, qui proximi Remis erant, exercitum duxit et magno itinere [confecto] ad oppidum Noviodunum contendit. Id ex itinere oppugnare conatus, quod vacuum ab defensoribus esse audiebat, propter latitudinem fossae murique altitudinem paucis defendentibus expugnare non potuit.
Eng: The next day, before the enemy could recover from their terror and flight, Caesar led his army into the territory of the Suessiones, who were neighboring the Remi. After a long march, he hastened to the town of Noviodunum. He attempted to besiege it on the spot, as he had heard that it was lacking in defenders, but due to the width of the moat and the height of the wall, he could not capture it with only a few defenders.
华文: 次日，就在敌人从恐惧和逃亡中恢复过来之前，凯撒将军率领军队进入了与雷米人相邻的苏埃索人的领土，并经过长途行军迅速赶到了诺维奥杜努姆城。他试图在行军的过程中攻打这座据说没有防守的城市，但由于护城沟的宽度和城墙的高度以及只有少数人进行防守，他未能攻克该城。
Commentary: In the pursuit of the retreating enemy and the advancement into the territory of the Suessiones, Caesar's actions were marked by swiftness and decisiveness. The Latin phrase "magno itinere [confecto]" signifies that his army covered a significant distance in a remarkably short span of time, showcasing their remarkable mobility and agility. The vacant state of Noviodunum, devoid of defenders, presented a favorable opportunity for Caesar to seize the town and exploit its strategic advantages.
However, the Latin phrase "propter latitudinem fossae murique altitudinem paucis defendentibus expugnare non potuit" reveals the challenges that confronted Caesar in his endeavor to capture the town. The width of the ditch and the height of the wall posed formidable obstacles, rendering it difficult to conquer the town with only a limited number of defenders. This serves as a testament to the defensive prowess of well-constructed fortifications, hindering enemy assaults and safeguarding the town's inhabitants.
Castris munitis vineas agere quaeque ad oppugnandum usui erant comparare coepit. Interim omnis ex fuga Suessionum multitudo in oppidum proxima nocte convenit. Celeriter vineis ad oppidum actis, aggere iacto turribusque constitutis, magnitudine operum, quae neque viderant ante Galli neque audierant, et celeritate Romanorum permoti legatos ad Caesarem de deditione mittunt et petentibus Remis ut conservarentur impetrant.
Eng: After fortifying his camp, Caesar began to construct siege engines and gather necessary equipment for the assault. Meanwhile, the entire multitude of Suessiones, who had fled, gathered in the town during the night. Swiftly, with the vineae brought up to the town, ramps constructed, and siege towers erected, the Gauls were amazed by the scale of the Roman works, which they had neither seen nor heard of before. Overwhelmed by the speed and magnitude of Caesar's operations, they sent envoys to him to discuss surrender and obtained the Remi's request for their protection.
华文: 凯撒开始修建营寨，摆放攻城器械和一切用于进攻的必备设备。与此同时，所有逃亡的苏埃索人群众在接近夜晚时都聚集到了城内。快速地建立了攻城器械和土堆，并搭起了攻城塔。这座城墙的规模和工程量，这些盖尔人以前从未见过或听说过，加上罗马军队的迅猛行动，使他们惊讶不已。他们派遣使者向凯撒请求投降，并请求雷米人保护他们的安全。
Commentary: This passage unveils Caesar's meticulous preparations for the impending assault on the town of Noviodunum. With his camp fortified, he promptly issued orders for the construction of vineae, ingenious mobile protective coverings employed in the art of siege warfare, along with other essential equipment. Under the shroud of night, the Suessiones, who had previously scattered, regathered in a neighboring town.
Caesar wasted no precious moment, orchestrating the swift deployment of the vineae against the formidable town. Moreover, formidable ramparts and towering siege towers were erected, leaving the Gauls awe-struck by the grandeur and ingenuity of the Roman siege works. Such advanced techniques were unfamiliar to the Gauls, as evident by their astonishment and astonishment.
The impeccable efficacy and swiftness of Caesar's maneuvers overwhelmed the Gauls, compelling them to dispatch envoys to initiate discussions of surrender. This surrender entreaty likely stemmed from their recognition of the disadvantage they faced against the formidable Roman siege machinery. Moreover, the intercession of the Remi, steadfast allies of the Romans, likely played a pivotal role in securing the Gauls' plea for preservation.
[13] Caesar, obsidibus acceptis primis civitatis atque ipsius Galbae regis duobus filiis armisque omnibus ex oppido traditis, in deditionem Suessiones accipit exercitumque in Bellovacos ducit. Qui cum se suaque omnia in oppidum Bratuspantium contulissent atque ab eo oppido Caesar cum exercitu circiter milia passuum V abesset, omnes maiores natu ex oppido egressi manus ad Caesarem tendere et voce significare coeperunt sese in eius fidem ac potestatem venire neque contra populum Romanum armis contendere. Item, cum ad oppidum accessisset castraque ibi poneret, pueri mulieresque ex muro passis manibus suo more pacem ab Romanis petierunt.
Eng: After accepting hostages, including the first noble citizens and the two sons of King Galba himself, and receiving all the weapons from the town, Caesar accepted the surrender of the Suessiones. He then led his army into the territory of the Bellovaci. When the people of the town of Bratuspantium had gathered there with all their possessions and Caesar was about five miles away from the town with his army, all the elders came out of the town, stretching out their hands toward Caesar and indicating their willingness to submit to his authority and not to fight against the Roman people. Likewise, when he approached the town and established his camp there, boys and women, following their custom, extended their hands from the wall and sought peace from the Romans.
华文: 凯撒接受了首都的人质，并接收了加尔巴国王的两个儿子和所有的武器，然后接受了苏埃索人的投降，并将军队带到了贝洛瓦科斯。当他们把自己的一切都转移到布拉图斯潘提乌姆这座城市，并且凯撒与军队离开该城约五千步时，所有年长者都走出城市向凯撒伸出手，表示愿意归附于他，不再与罗马人战斗。同样地，当他接近该城并在那里建立了营地时，男孩和妇女们从城墙上伸出双手，按照他们的方式向罗马人寻求和平。
Commentary: With a profound display of respect and deference, the esteemed elders of Bratuspantium emerged from the town, extending their hands in a gesture of goodwill towards Caesar, proclaiming their utmost willingness to yield to his sovereign reign. The Latin phrase "in eius fidem ac potestatem venire" encapsulates their profound intention to place themselves under the unwavering trust and authoritative dominion of Caesar, unequivocally acknowledging their submission to the formidable Roman authority.
Amidst the towering walls of the town, the voices of young boys and women, encompassed by a collective longing for tranquility, echoed forth. Their hopeful pleas for peace from the Romans, expressed by the Latin phrase "pueri mulieresque," unveiled their yearning to steer clear of the grim specter of armed conflict and embrace the path of harmony and concord.
In a customary manner befitting ancient Roman negotiations, their hands raised in a poignant gesture, aptly described as "passis manibus suo more," reverberated through the air. This ritualistic act, an eloquent plea for amicable resolution, embodied the long-established conventions observed in such diplomatic exchanges, serving as an emblematic emblem of their earnest desire to pursue a peaceful accord.
[14] Pro his Diviciacus (nam post discessum Belgarum dimissis Haeduorum copiis ad eum reverterat) facit verba: Bellovacos omni tempore in fide atque amicitia civitatis Haeduae fuisse; impulsos ab suis principibus, qui dicerent Haeduos a Caesare in servitutem redacto.
Eng: Diviciacus, who had returned to Caesar after the departure of the Belgae and the dismissal of Haeduan forces, spoke in favor of the Bellovaci. He stated that the Bellovaci had always been loyal and friendly to the Haeduan state. They were misled by their own leaders, who falsely claimed that the Haedui had been reduced to servitude under Caesar's rule.
华文: 迪维库斯在这件事上发表了言论（因为在比尔加人离开后，他解散了哈埃杜人的军队并返回了他那里）：贝洛瓦科人在任何时候都与哈埃杜人保持着信任和友谊；他们受到自己的领袖们的激励，他们声称哈埃杜人已经被凯撒奴役。
Commentary: The verb "facit" serves as the gateway to indirect speech, as Diviciacus recounts the words uttered by the Bellovaci and their esteemed leaders. Within this narrative, the Latin phrase "omni tempore" illuminates the enduring commitment of the Bellovaci to their alliance with the Haedui, resonating with the connotation of unwavering allegiance that persists across the annals of time. It signifies that this bond of loyalty has endured steadfastly, permeating their interactions and decisions in a perpetual manner, solidifying their enduring dedication to the Haedui.
Omnes indignitates contumeliasque perferre, et ab Haeduis defecisse et populo Romano bellum intulisse. Qui eius consilii principes fuissent, quod intellegerent quantam calamitatem civitati intulissent, in Britanniam profugisse.
Eng: The Bellovaci, feeling disgraced and enduring all kinds of insults, had defected from the Haedui and waged war against the Roman people. The leaders responsible for this plan, realizing the great harm they had caused their own state, had fled to Britannia.
华文: 他们忍受了所有的侮辱和屈辱，背叛了哈埃杜人，对罗马人发动了战争。那些参与这个计划的首领们意识到他们给城邦带来了多大的灾难，逃往了不列颠。
Commentary: The accusatory phrase "populo Romano bellum intulisse" conveys the grave accusation that they, the leaders referred to as "eius consilii principes," deliberately instigated war against the Roman people. In this statement, the weight of their actions is laid bare, emphasizing the dire consequences of their decisions. The inclusion of the verb "intellegerent" underscores the leaders' comprehension and realization of the catastrophic ramifications that their course of action would bring about.
Furthermore, the verb "profugisse" alludes to their hasty flight or escape to Britain, signifying their desperate attempt to evade the repercussions of their actions. This verb paints a vivid picture of their desperate escape, seeking refuge across the waters in a bid to elude the impending retribution.
Petere non solum Bellovacos, sed etiam pro his Haeduos, ut sua clementia ac mansuetudine in eos utatur. Quod si fecerit, Haeduorum auctoritatem apud omnes Belgas amplificaturum, quorum auxiliis atque opibus, si qua bella inciderint, sustentare consuerint.
Eng: Caesar, hearing these words, assured Diviciacus of his clemency and benevolence towards both the Bellovaci and the Haedui. He expressed his intention to use his influence to restore the authority of the Haedui among all the Belgae, acknowledging their customary support and assistance in times of war. Caesar promised to consider their request and take appropriate action.
华文: 请求您不仅对贝洛瓦科人，而且对于哈埃杜人也以您的宽容和温和对待。如果您这样做，将会增加哈埃杜人在所有比利时人中的声望，他们习惯于依靠比利时人的援助和资源来支持他们在可能发生的战争中的斗争。
Commentary: The historical significance of this passage lies in the pivotal role played by Diviciacus as a mediator between Caesar and the Gaulish tribes, unraveling a tapestry of intricate political dynamics. Diviciacus, once a staunch supporter of Caesar and a vocal proponent of amicable relations with Rome, now finds himself caught amidst the turbulent currents of shifting alliances.
Internal pressures and the sway of other influential tribal leaders have led the Haedui, once staunch allies of Rome, to veer off the path of friendship and cooperation. Sensing the gravity of their actions and the dire consequences that may follow, Diviciacus embarks on a quest for reconciliation, recognizing the indispensable role that Roman support plays in maintaining influence and stability within Gaul.
Within the passage, a captivating tableau of Gallic politics unfurls, shedding light on the intricate web of allegiances that wax and wane throughout the tumultuous Gallic War. It unveils Diviciacus' acumen as a diplomatic tactician, deftly navigating the treacherous terrain of shifting loyalties and recognizing the pivotal significance of Roman support in preserving his tribe's interests.
Moreover, it offers a glimpse into Caesar's astute political calculations, revealing his readiness to seize opportunities for reconciliation and extend clemency when it aligns with his strategic advantage. This nuanced interplay between Diviciacus and Caesar exemplifies the delicate balance of power and diplomacy that underpins the complex tapestry of the Gallic War, showcasing the multifaceted nature of the era's political landscape.