[27] Horum adventu tanta rerum commutatio est facta ut nostri, etiam qui vulneribus confecti procubuissent, scutis innixi proelium redintegrarent, calones perterritos hostes conspicati etiam inermes armatis occurrerent, equites vero, ut turpitudinem fugae virtute delerent, omnibus in locis pugnae se legionariis militibus praeferrent.
Eng: With their arrival, such a transformation of events took place that our soldiers, even those who had fallen exhausted from their wounds, rose up leaning on their shields to renew the battle. The terrified camp followers, upon seeing the unarmed enemy, even rushed to confront them armed. The cavalry, in order to erase the shame of their flight with bravery, placed themselves in every part of the battle before the legionary soldiers.
华文: 他们的到来带来了如此巨大的变化，以至于我们的士兵，即便是那些负伤倒地的，也依靠盾牌重新投入战斗；惊恐的随从们看到敌人无备，竟然与武装士兵一同迎击；而骑兵则为了用勇气抹去逃跑的耻辱，无论在战场的任何地方都比步兵士兵更勇敢。
Commentary: Expressions like "cursu incitato" (with swift pace) and "audacius resistere ac fortius pugnare" (resolutely resist and fight more bravely) highlight the agility and determination of the Roman soldiers.
At hostes, etiam in extrema spe salutis, tantam virtutem praestiterunt ut, cum primi eorum cecidissent, proximi iacentibus insisterent atque ex eorum corporibus pugnarent, his deiectis et coacervatis cadaveribus qui superessent ut ex tumulo tela in nostros conicerent et pila intercepta remitterent: ut non nequiquam tantae virtutis homines iudicari deberet ausos esse transire latissimum flumen, ascendere altissimas ripas, subire iniquissimum locum; quae facilia ex difficillimis animi magnitudo redegerat.
Eng: Yet, even in the utmost hopelessness for salvation, the enemy displayed such great valor that when their foremost warriors fell, the next in line stepped upon the fallen and fought from their bodies. And when these were also struck down and their bodies heaped up, those who remained would cast their weapons at our troops from the mound thus formed and would hurl back the javelins that had been intercepted. Indeed, it should not be deemed in vain that such men of great courage dared to cross the widest river, ascend the highest banks, and face the most unfavourable terrain; their indomitable spirit had transformed the easiest into the most formidable challenges.
华文: 敌人在最绝望的时刻展现出如此高超的勇气，当他们的前锋倒下后，后续的战士们仍勇往直前，踏着同伴的尸体继续战斗，用他们的尸体作为堡垒，向我们投掷武器，将战戈从尸体堆中抽出后再次发射。这样的壮举表明他们不是毫无道理地被认为敢于跨越宽阔的河流，攀登高耸的河岸，踏入险阻之地。这一切都是由他们伟大的精神使然，将困难化为易事。
Commentary: Phrases such as "tantam virtutem praestiterunt" (displayed such great bravery) and "ex tumulo tela in nostros conicerent" (hurled weapons at our soldiers from a mound) underscore the exceptional valor and ingenious tactics employed by these formidable fighters.
The Nervii's fearless demeanor is further accentuated by the challenging topography they traversed, including the crossing of a wide river and scaling steep banks. Yet, their unwavering determination and audacity allowed them to face these daunting obstacles with unyielding resolve, setting a compelling example of mental fortitude amid the chaos of warfare.
The Nervii's brave and resourceful conduct garnered admiration not only from Caesar but also from his Roman troops, as they bore witness to the indomitable spirit of these valiant warriors.
[28] Hoc proelio facto et prope ad internecionem gente ac nomine Nerviorum redacto, maiores natu, quos una cum pueris mulieribusque in aestuaria ac paludes coniectos dixeramus, hac pugna nuntiata, cum victoribus nihil impeditum, victis nihil tutum arbitrarentur, omnium qui supererant consensu legatos ad Caesarem miserunt seque ei dediderunt; et in commemoranda civitatis calamitate ex DC ad tres senatores, ex hominum milibus LX vix ad D, qui arma ferre possent, sese redactos esse dixerunt.
Eng: With this battle concluded and the Nervii nation brought nearly to the brink of annihilation, the elder leaders, who had been cast along with their children, women, into marshes and estuaries, upon hearing news of this defeat, realized that there was no obstacle for the victorious and no safety for the vanquished. In unanimous agreement, those who survived sent envoys to Caesar and surrendered themselves to him. In the sad recounting of their city's calamity, they expressed that their population had dwindled from six hundred senators to merely three, and from sixty thousand able-bodied individuals to barely five hundred who could bear arms.
华文: 在这场战斗中，几乎将尼尔维人这个部族赶至灭亡的边缘，年长的男子被驱逐至沼泽和湿地，与儿童和妇女一起，听到战斗的消息后，胜利者无所畏惧，而失败者无处避难，他们中剩下的人一致决定派遣使者到凯撒那里，并向他投降。在这次惨痛的事件中，他们从六百名参议员减少到三名，从六万名能举起武器的成年男子减少到不到五百人。
Commentary: The Nervii's surrender to Caesar stands as a pivotal moment, signifying the ultimate quelling of their resistance against Roman expansion. This crucial event serves as a poignant illustration of the Roman military's prowess and their exceptional capacity to vanquish opposition through strategic acumen and effective leadership.
The Roman triumph over the Nervii is but one among the many episodes that highlight the indomitable might of their armed forces. Their disciplined tactics, superior training, and cohesive coordination enabled them to prevail over adversaries time and again, asserting their dominance over vast territories.
Through this conquest, Caesar showcases his strategic brilliance and the ability to adapt to diverse challenges, solidifying his reputation as a formidable military commander. The Nervii's surrender, once proud warriors standing against Roman encroachment, now underscores the unmatched force of Roman conquest.
Quos Caesar, ut in miseros ac supplices usus misericordia videretur, diligentissime conservavit suisque finibus atque oppidis uti iussit et finitimis imperavit ut ab iniuria et maleficio se suosque prohiberent.
Eng: Caesar, to appear compassionate towards the wretched and supplicating, took great care to spare them, and commanded that they be preserved within their own territories and towns. He further instructed their neighbors to refrain from harming or oppressing them or their people.
华文: 为了显示对这些不幸和屈服者的怜悯，凯撒对他们进行了最仔细的保护，并命令他们回到自己的领土和城市，并命令邻近的人不要伤害他们或对他们不利。
Commentary: This display of mercy and benevolence was a strategic move by Caesar, aiming to gain the submission and loyalty of the Nervii and surrounding tribes. By sparing them and allowing them to keep their land, he hoped to prevent further resistance and foster a sense of gratitude and allegiance among the subdued people. It was a common practice in Roman military campaigns to show clemency to defeated enemies, provided they accepted Roman authority and ceased any hostilities.
[29] Atuatuci, de quibus supra diximus, cum omnibus copiis auxilio Nerviis venirent, hac pugna nuntiata ex itinere domum reverterunt; cunctis oppidis castellisque desertis sua omnia in unum oppidum egregie natura munitum contulerunt. Quod cum ex omnibus in circuitu partibus altissimas rupes deiectusque haberet, una ex parte leniter acclivis aditus in latitudinem non amplius pedum CC relinquebatur; quem locum duplici altissimo muro munierant; tum magni ponderis saxa et praeacutas trabes in muro conlocabant.
Eng: Upon hearing of this battle, the Atuatuci, about whom we spoke earlier, came to the aid of the Nervii with all their forces. However, upon receiving news of their defeat, they retraced their steps and returned home. Abandoning all their towns and strongholds, they consolidated their possessions into one excellently fortified town. This town was naturally protected by towering cliffs and steep precipices on all sides, leaving only a gentle incline about 200 feet wide as the entrance. They had fortified this passage with a double, high wall and had placed large, heavy rocks and sharp-tipped beams along the wall for added protection.
华文: 阿图阿图奇人，就是之前所提到的，当得知这场战斗失败后，带着全部援军返回家园。他们放弃了所有的城镇和要塞，将所有资源转移到一个天然防御极好的城市。这个城市四周有非常高的悬崖和峭壁，只有一个方向的入口，宽度不超过200英尺，这个入口被双重高墙所保护，而且在墙上摆放着巨大重石和尖锐的木梁。
Commentary: "cunctis oppidis castellisque desertis sua omnia in unum oppidum contulerunt" indicates how the Atuatuci abandoned all their towns and forts and brought everything together into one well-fortified town. Additionally, "tum magni ponderis saxa et praeacutas trabes in muro conlocabant" describes the construction of the double wall with large heavy stones and sharpened beams placed on it.
Ipsi erant ex Cimbris Teutonisque prognati, qui, cum iter in provinciam nostram atque Italiam facerent, iis impedimentis quae secum agere ac portare non poterant citra flumen Rhenum depositis custodiam [ex suis] ac praesidium VI milia hominum una reliquerant. Hi post eorum obitum multos annos a finitimis exagitati, cum alias bellum inferrent, alias inlatum defenderent, consensu eorum omnium pace facta hunc sibi domicilio locum delegerant.
Eng: They themselves were descendants of the Cimbri and Teutones, who, during their journey towards our province and Italy, had left behind around the River Rhine, under guard and protection, six thousand men with the baggage and supplies they could not carry. After their demise, these people were troubled for many years by their neighbors, engaging in warfare at times and defending themselves at others. In mutual agreement, after making peace with all their adversaries, they chose this place as their settlement.
华文: 阿图阿图奇人是由古代的金布里人和图托尼人后裔组成的，当金布里人和图托尼人在他们征服我们的省份和意大利的旅程中，将那些不能跟随他们一起前进的随身物品放在莱茵河这边，并留下6000名士兵作为守卫。在他们的离世后，他们被附近部族不断困扰，有时他们自己发动战争，有时则是防御侵略。经过多年的交战，所有部族达成共识，和平协议后，他们选择了这个位置作为他们的家园。
Commentary: After their defeat, the Atuatuci faced Roman subjugation, and some sources indicate that they became clients or allies of Rome. Over time, their identity as a distinct tribal entity began to fade, and they likely assimilated into the broader Gallo-Roman population of the region.
Historical sources provide limited information about the fate of the Atuatuci beyond the Gallic Wars. The tribe is not frequently mentioned in subsequent historical records, suggesting that they might have lost their prominence or were absorbed into other Gallic communities.