---
title: "Gallic War — Book VII"
author: "Julius Caesar"
translator: "W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 85 of 90
url: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-vii/85/
cite: "Julius Caesar, tr. W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn, Gallic War — Book VII, section 85. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-vii/85/"
---

# Gallic War — Book VII

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

## 85. Book VII — Chapter 85

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-vii/85/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-vii/85/#p-N

[¶0] Caesar, having selected a commanding situation, sees distinctly whatever is going on in every quarter, and sends assistance to his troops when hard pressed.

> Latin: Caesar idoneum locum nactus quid quaque ex parte geratur cognoscit; laborantibus summittit.

[¶1] The idea uppermost in the minds of both parties is, that the present is the time in which they would have the fairest opportunity of making a struggle;

> Latin: Vtrisque ad animum occurrit unum esse illud tempus, quo maxime contendi conveniat:

[¶2] the Gauls despairing of all safety, unless they should succeed in forcing the lines: the Romans expecting an end to all their labors if they should gain the day.

> Latin: Galli, nisi perfregerint munitiones, de omni salute desperant; Romani, si rem obtinuerint, finem laborum omnium exspectant.

[¶3] The principal struggle is at the upper lines, to which as we have said Vergasillaunus was sent. The least elevation of ground, added to a declivity, exercises a momentous influence.

> Latin: Maxime ad superiores munitiones laboratur, quo Vercassivellaunum missum demonstravimus. Iniquum loci ad declivitatem fastigium magnum habet momentum.

[¶4] Some are casting missiles, others, forming a testudo, advance to the attack; fresh men by turns relieve the wearied.

> Latin: Alii tela coniciunt, alii testudine facta subeunt; defatigatis in vicem integri succedunt.

[¶5] The earth, heaped up by all against the fortifications, gives the means of ascent to the Gauls, and covers those works which the Romans had concealed in the ground. Our men have no longer arms or strength.

> Latin: Agger ab universis in munitionem coniectus et ascensum dat Gallis et ea quae in terra occultaverant Romani contegit; nec iam arma nostris nec vires suppetunt.