[4] Cum ab iis quaereret quae civitates quantaeque in armis essent et quid in bello possent, sic reperiebat: plerosque Belgos esse ortos a Germanis Rhenumque antiquitus traductos propter loci fertilitatem ibi consedisse Gallosque qui ea loca incolerent expulisse, solosque esse qui, patrum nostrorum memoria omni Gallia vexata, Teutonos Cimbrosque intra suos fines ingredi prohibuerint; qua ex re fieri uti earum rerum memoria magnam sibi auctoritatem magnosque spiritus in re militari sumerent.
Eng: When he asked them about the size and strength of their respective tribes and their capabilities in war, he learned the following: Most of the Belgae were originally of Germanic origin and had long ago crossed the Rhine due to the fertility of the land, settling there. They had driven out the Gauls who inhabited those territories, and they alone, in the memory of our ancestors, had prevented the Teutones and Cimbri from entering their own territories when the rest of Gaul was being ravaged. This historical account gave them great authority and a strong military spirit.
华文: 当他询问他们的城邦有多少人民、他们的武装程度以及在战争中的实力时，他得到的回答是：大部分的比利时人起源于日耳曼人，并早在古代就渡过莱茵河，因为那里土地肥沃，他们定居在那里，并驱逐了当地的高卢人。他们是唯一的一支在我们祖先的记忆中，当整个高卢被困扰时，成功阻止了提特人和辛布里人进入他们的领土的部族。这一事实使他们在军事上拥有巨大的声望和勇气。
Commentary: "qua ex re fieri uti earum rerum memoria magnam sibi auctoritatem magnosque spiritus in re militari sumerent" uses the ablative of cause with "qua ex re" (by which thing) and the subjunctive verb "fieri" (to happen) to express the result or consequence. The phrase emphasises that the memory of these events gave the Belgae great authority and courage in military affairs.
De numero eorum omnia se habere explorata Remi dicebant, propterea quod propinquitatibus adfinitatibusque coniuncti quantam quisque multitudinem in communi Belgarum concilio ad id bellum pollicitus sit cognoverint. Plurimum inter eos Bellovacos et virtute et auctoritate et hominum numero valere: hos posse conficere armata milia centum, pollicitos ex eo numero electa milia LX totiusque belli imperium sibi postulare.
Eng: The Remi claimed to have gathered information about the numbers of each tribe, as they were closely connected through kinship and alliances, and they knew how many troops each tribe had pledged for this war in the general assembly of the Belgae. Among them, the Bellovaci were considered the most powerful in terms of valor, influence, and sheer number of people. They claimed to be able to raise an army of 100,000 armed men, and they demanded overall leadership in the war from that number, selecting 60,000 men as their contribution.
华文: 雷莫斯称自己已经探知了他们的数量情况，因为他们与邻近的部族有亲戚关系和联盟，他们知道在比利时联盟的会议上，每个部族承诺参与这场战争的人数。在所有比利时部族中，贝洛瓦科人在勇气、权威和人数上占据最重要的地位。他们能够组建一支由100,000名士兵组成的军队，并从中选出60,000名精锐战士，他们要求担任整个战争的指挥权。
Commentary: The phrase "virtute et auctoritate et hominum numero valere" uses the ablative case to indicate the means or instruments by which the Bellovaci excel. It translates to "to be strong in valor, authority, and the number of people."
Suessiones suos esse finitimos; fines latissimos feracissimosque agros possidere. Apud eos fuisse regem nostra etiam memoria Diviciacum, totius Galliae potentissimum, qui cum magnae partis harum regionum, tum etiam Britanniae imperium obtinuerit; nunc esse regem Galbam: ad hunc propter iustitiam prudentiamque summam totius belli omnium voluntate deferri; oppida habere numero XII, polliceri milia armata L; totidem Nervios, qui maxime feri inter ipsos habeantur longissimeque absint; XV milia Atrebates, Ambianos X milia, Morinos XXV milia, Menapios VII milia, Caletos X milia, Veliocasses et Viromanduos totidem, Atuatucos XVIIII milia; Condrusos, Eburones, Caerosos, Paemanos, qui uno nomine Germani appellantur, arbitrari ad XL milia.
Eng: The Suessiones claim to be neighbors with the Bellovaci, and they possess vast and fertile territories. They mention that in their recent memory, there was a powerful king named Diviciacus, who held dominion not only over a large part of these regions but also over Britain. They state that the current king is Galba, who is highly respected for his justice and wisdom, and that he is unanimously chosen by all as the leader of the entire war. They claim to have twelve fortified towns and to be able to raise an armed force of 50,000 men. They also mention that the neighboring Nervii, who are considered the fiercest among them and are located farthest away, can raise 15,000 men. The Atrebates have 15,000 men, the Ambiani have 10,000, the Morini have 25,000, the Menapii have 7,000, the Caletes have 10,000, the Veliocasses and Viromandui each have the same number, and the Atuatuci have 19,000. They estimate that the Condrusi, Eburones, Caerosi, Paemani, who are collectively known as Germans, can muster up to 40,000 men.
华文: 苏埃西奥人居住在他们的邻近地区，拥有广阔而丰饶的领土。在他们之中，有一位曾在我们的记忆中留下深刻印象的国王迪维基亚库，他是整个高卢地区最强大的人物，不仅统治了这些地区的大部分，还拥有对不列颠的统治权。现在，盖尔巴是他们的国王，由于他的正义和智慧，他得到了所有人的一致推崇。他们拥有十二座城邦，兵力约为五万人。其中有同样强大的奈尔维奥人，他们被视为最野蛮的部落，并且远离这些地区最远；阿特列巴特人有一万五千人，安比亚人有一万人，莫利诺人有二万五千人，梅纳皮人有七千人，卡勒特人有一万人，维利奥卡西和维罗曼杜人各有相同人数，即二万人；阿图阿图库人有一万九千人；孔德鲁斯人、埃布罗人、卡罗斯人、派曼人，他们都统称为日尔曼人，大约有四万人左右。
Commentary: Brief history of some of the tribes mentioned:
Suessiones: The Suessiones were a Belgic tribe residing in the area that is now modern-day northern France. They were known for their vast and fertile agricultural lands. Diviciacus, mentioned in the passage, was a prominent king of the Suessiones who held significant power and even extended his influence to Britannia.
Nervii: The Nervii were a powerful Belgic tribe known for their fierce resistance against Roman conquest. They inhabited the region around present-day Belgium. The Nervii were renowned for their martial skills and were considered one of the most formidable adversaries faced by Julius Caesar during his campaigns in Gaul.
Veliocasses and Viromandui: The Veliocasses and Viromandui were Belgic tribes residing in the region of present-day Normandy in northern France. They are often mentioned together in ancient texts, however, little is known about their specific history. It is however likely part of the larger network of Belgic tribes in the area.
Condrusi, Eburones, Caerosi, and Paemani (Germani): These tribes mentioned in the passage were collectively referred to as Germani. They were likely of Germanic origin and inhabited the northeastern part of Gaul. The Eburones, led by Ambiorix, famously revolted against Julius Caesar's forces during the Gallic Wars.
[5] Caesar Remos cohortatus liberaliterque oratione prosecutus omnem senatum ad se convenire principumque liberos obsides ad se adduci iussit. Quae omnia ab his diligenter ad diem facta sunt. Ipse Diviciacum Haeduum magnopere cohortatus docet quanto opere rei publicae communisque salutis intersit manus hostium distineri, ne cum tanta multitudine uno tempore confligendum sit.
Eng: Caesar, having encouraged and addressed the Remi in a friendly manner, ordered the entire senate to gather before him and requested that the children of the chiefs be brought as hostages. All these instructions were diligently carried out by them. Caesar himself earnestly urged Diviciacus, the leader of the Haedui, emphasizing how crucial it is for the commonwealth and the common welfare that the enemy forces be dispersed, so as to avoid having to engage in battle with such a large multitude all at once.
华文: 凯撒亲自劝说雷莫斯，并以慷慨的演讲感动全体参议院前来见他，并命令各部族的贵族们将子女作为人质带到他这里。所有这些事情都被他们仔细地按时完成。凯撒本人特别鼓励迪维基亚库，希望他尽全力让敌人的势力分散，以免不得不同时与如此庞大的敌人作战，因为这关系到共和国的大事和公共的安危。
Commentary: Requesting hostages symbolized Caesar's authority and control over the Remi tribe. It served as a reminder of their subordination to Roman rule and their obligation to support Caesar's military efforts. This practice was common in ancient warfare and diplomacy as a means of establishing dominance and enforcing compliance.
Id fieri posse, si suas copias Haedui in fines Bellovacorum introduxerint et eorum agros populari coeperint. His datis mandatis eum a se dimittit. Postquam omnes Belgarum copias in unum locum coactas ad se venire vidit neque iam longe abesse ab iis quos miserat exploratoribus et ab Remis cognovit, flumen Axonam, quod est in extremis Remorum finibus, exercitum traducere maturavit atque ibi castra posuit.
Eng: Caesar informed Diviciacus that it could be accomplished if the Haedui were to introduce their forces into the territory of the Bellovaci and initiate a plundering of their lands. After giving these instructions, Caesar dismissed him. Once he saw that all the forces of the Belgae had gathered in one place and learned from his scouts and the Remi that they were not far from his own location, he hastened to cross the river Aisne, which is located at the farthest boundary of the Remi's territory, and there he established his camp.
华文: 如果赫杜人将他们的部队引入贝洛瓦库人的领土并开始掠夺他们的土地，这是可能发生的。给予这些指示后，他让他们离开了自己。当凯撒看到所有比利时人的军队聚集在一处，前来与他会合，并且从侦察兵和雷米人那里得知他们离他不远时，他迅速决定引军穿过阿克索河，这条河位于雷米人的最边缘地带，并在那里扎营。
Commentary: "Id fieri posse" - This phrase means "that it could be done." The use of the neuter pronoun "id" refers back to the previous statement or situation, indicating the possibility or feasibility of a certain action.
Quae res et latus unum castrorum ripis fluminis muniebat et post eum quae erant tuta ab hostibus reddebat et commeatus ab Remis reliquisque civitatibus ut sine periculo ad eum portari possent efficiebat. In eo flumine pons erat. Ibi praesidium ponit et in altera parte fluminis Q. Titurium Sabinum legatum cum sex cohortibus relinquit; castra in altitudinem pedum XII vallo fossaque duodeviginti pedum muniri iubet.
Eng: Caesar fortified one side of the camp with the river's banks and ensured that the areas behind him were secure from enemy attacks. He also made arrangements with the Remi and other allied tribes to facilitate the safe transport of supplies to his camp. A bridge was constructed over the river, and he stationed a garrison there. On the other side of the river, Caesar entrusted Quintus Titurius Sabinus, his lieutenant, with six cohorts and ordered the camp to be fortified with a rampart twelve feet high and a ditch eighteen feet deep.
华文: 这座营地的一侧靠着河岸筑起防御工事，保护不受敌人侵袭，并确保雷米人和其他城邦能够安全地将补给物资送到他那里。在河流上有一座桥梁。他在那里设立了防守，并在河对岸留下了凯撒的副官奎特乌斯·提图留斯·萨比努斯将军，指挥着六个队。他命令修筑高达12英尺的围墙和18英尺的壕沟来加固营地。
Commentary: The strategic use of rivers to fortify camps and secure supply routes is shown here. By positioning his camp near the river, Caesar achieved multiple advantages. First, the river acted as a natural barrier on one side of the camp, making it difficult for the enemy to attack from that direction. Second, it provided a safe passage for supplies to be transported from the Remi and other allied tribes without risk of interception by the enemy. Additionally, the presence of a bridge allowed for convenient movement of troops and resources across the river.