---
title: "Gallic War — Book V"
author: "Julius Caesar"
translator: "W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 48 of 58
url: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-v/48/
cite: "Julius Caesar, tr. W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn, Gallic War — Book V, section 48. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-v/48/"
---

# Gallic War — Book V

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

## 48. Book V — Chapter 48

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-v/48/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-v/48/#p-N

[¶0] Caesar, approving of his motives, although he was disappointed in his expectation of three legions, and reduced to two, yet placed his only hopes of the common safety in dispatch. He goes into the territories of the Nervii by long marches.

> Latin: Caesar consilio eius probato, etsi opinione trium legionum deiectus ad duas redierat, tamen unum communis salutis auxilium in celeritate ponebat. Venit magnis itineribus in Nerviorum fines.

[¶1] There he learns from some prisoners what things are going on in the camp of Cicero, and in how great jeopardy the affair is.

> Latin: Ibi ex captivis cognoscit, quae apud Ciceronem gerantur, quantoque in periculo res sit.

[¶2] Then with great rewards he induces a certain man of the Gallic horse to convey a letter to Cicero.

> Latin: Tum cuidam ex equitibus Gallis magnis praemiis persuadet uti ad Ciceronem epistolam deferat.

[¶3] This he sends written in Greek characters, lest the letter being intercepted, our measures should be discovered by the enemy.

> Latin: Hanc Graecis conscriptam litteris mittit, ne intercepta epistola nostra ab hostibus consilia cognoscantur.

[¶4] He directs him, if he should be unable to enter, to throw his spear with the letter fastened to the thong, inside the fortifications of the camp.

> Latin: Si adire non possit, monet ut tragulam cum epistola ad amentum deligata intra munitionem castrorum abiciat.

[¶5] He writes in the letter, that he having set out with his legions, will quickly be there: he entreats him to maintain his ancient valor.

> Latin: In litteris scribit se cum legionibus profectum celeriter adfore; hortatur ut pristinam virtutem retineat.

[¶6] The Gaul apprehending danger, throws his spear as he has been directed.

> Latin: Gallus periculum veritus, ut erat praeceptum, tragulam mittit.

[¶7] It by chance stuck in a tower, and, not being observed by our men for two days, was seen by a certain soldier on the third day: when taken down, it was carried to Cicero.

> Latin: Haec casu ad turrim adhaesit neque ab nostris biduo animadversa tertio die a quodam milite conspicitur, dempta ad Ciceronem defertur.

[¶8] He, after perusing it, reads it out in an assembly of the soldiers, and fills all with the greatest joy.

> Latin: Ille perlectam in conventu militum recitat maximaque omnes laetitia adficit.

[¶9] Then the smoke of the fires was seen in the distance, a circumstance which banished all doubt of the arrival of the legions.

> Latin: Tum fumi incendiorum procul videbantur; quae res omnem dubitationem adventus legionum expulit.