---
title: "Gallic War — Book III"
author: "Julius Caesar"
translator: "W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 8 of 29
url: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-iii/8/
cite: "Julius Caesar, tr. W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn, Gallic War — Book III, section 8. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-iii/8/"
---

# Gallic War — Book III

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

## 8. Book III — Chapter 8

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-iii/8/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-iii/8/#p-N

[¶0] The influence of this state is by far the most considerable of any of the countries on the whole sea coast, because the Veneti both have a very great number of ships, with which they have been accustomed to sail to Britain, and [thus] excel the rest in their knowledge and experience of nautical affairs; and as only a few ports lie scattered along that stormy and open sea, of which they are in possession, they hold as tributaries almost all those who are accustomed to traffic in that sea.

> Latin: Huius est civitatis longe amplissima auctoritas omnis orae maritimae regionum earum, quod et naves habent Veneti plurimas, quibus in Britanniam navigare consuerunt, et scientia atque usu rerum nauticarum ceteros antecedunt et in magno impetu maris atque aperto paucis portibus interiectis, quos tenent ipsi, omnes fere qui eo mari uti consuerunt habent vectigales.

[¶1] With them arose the beginning [of the revolt] by their detaining Silius and Velanius; for they thought that they should recover by their means the hostages which they had given to Crassus.

> Latin: Ab his fit initium retinendi Silii atque Velanii, quod per eos suos se obsides, quos Crasso dedissent, recuperaturos existimabant.

[¶2] The neighboring people led on by their influence (as the measures of the Gauls are sudden and hasty), detain Trebius and Terrasidius for the same motive; and quickly sending embassadors, by means of their leading men, they enter into a mutual compact to do nothing except by general consent, and abide the same issue of fortune;

> Latin: Horum auctoritate finitimi adducti, ut sunt Gallorum subita et repentina consilia, eadem de causa Trebium Terrasidiumque retinent et celeriter missis legatis per suos principes inter se coniurant nihil nisi communi consilio acturos eundemque omnes fortunae exitum esse laturos,

[¶3] and they solicit the other states to choose rather to continue in that liberty which they had received from their ancestors, than endure slavery under the Romans.

> Latin: reliquasque civitates sollicitant, ut in ea libertate quam a maioribus acceperint permanere quam Romanorum servitutem perferre malint.

[¶4] All the sea coast being quickly brought over to their sentiments, they send a common embassy to P. Crassus [to say], "If he wished to receive back his officers, let him send back to them their hostages."

> Latin: Omni ora maritima celeriter ad suam sententiam perducta communem legationem ad P. Crassum mittunt, si velit suos recuperare, obsides sibi remittat.