---
title: "Gallic War — Book I"
author: "Julius Caesar"
translator: "W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 4 of 54
url: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-i/4/
cite: "Julius Caesar, tr. W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn, Gallic War — Book I, section 4. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-i/4/"
---

# Gallic War — Book I

*Julius Caesar, tr. W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn*

## 4. Book I — Chapter 4

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-i/4/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-i/4/#p-N

[¶0] When this scheme was disclosed to the Helvetii by informers, they, according to their custom, compelled Orgetorix to plead his cause in chains; it was the law that the penalty of being burned by fire should await him if condemned.

> Latin: Ea res est Helvetiis per indicium enuntiata. Moribus suis Orgetoricem ex vinculis causam dicere coegerunt; damnatum poenam sequi oportebat, ut igni cremaretur.

[¶1] On the day appointed for the pleading of his cause, Orgetorix drew together from all quarters to the court, all his vassals to the number of ten thousand persons; and led together to the same place all his dependents and debtor-bondsmen, of whom he had a great number; by means of those he rescued himself from [the necessity of] pleading his cause.

> Latin: Die constituta causae dictionis Orgetorix ad iudicium omnem suam familiam, ad hominum milia decem, undique coegit, et omnes clientes obaeratosque suos, quorum magnum numerum habebat, eodem conduxit; per eos ne causam diceret se eripuit.

[¶2] While the state, incensed at this act, was endeavoring to assert its right by arms, and the magistrates were mustering a large body of men from the country, Orgetorix died;

> Latin: Cum civitas ob eam rem incitata armis ius suum exequi conaretur multitudinemque hominum ex agris magistratus cogerent, Orgetorix mortuus est;

[¶3] and there is not wanting a suspicion, as the Helvetii think, of his having committed suicide.

> Latin: neque abest suspicio, ut Helvetii arbitrantur, quin ipse sibi mortem consciverit.