---
title: "Gallic War — Book VIII"
author: "Aulus Hirtius"
translator: "W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 19 of 56
url: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-viii/19/
cite: "Aulus Hirtius, tr. W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn, Gallic War — Book VIII, section 19. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-viii/19/"
---

# Gallic War — Book VIII

*Aulus Hirtius, tr. W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn*

## 19. Book VIII — Chapter 18 · Aulus Hirtius

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-viii/19/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/caesar-gallic-war-book-viii/19/#p-N

[¶0] The Gauls, placed in ambush, had chosen for the seat of action a level piece of ground, not more than a mile in extent, inclosed on every side by a thick wood or a very deep river, as by a toil, and this they surrounded.

> Latin: Hostes in insidiis dispositi, cum sibi delegissent campum ad rem gerendam non amplius patentem in omnes partes passibus mille, silvis undique aut impeditissimo flumine munitum, velut indagine hunc insidiis circumdederunt.

[¶1] Our men, apprised of the enemy's design, marched in good order to the ground, ready both in heart and hand to give battle, and willing to hazard any engagement when the legions were at their back.

> Latin: Explorato hostium consilio nostri ad proeliandum animo atque armis parati, cum subsequentibus legionibus nullam dimicationem recusarent, turmatim in eum locum devenerunt.

[¶2] On their approach, as Correus supposed that he had got an opportunity of effecting his purpose, he at first shows himself with a small party and attacks the foremost troops.

> Latin: Quorum adventu cum sibi Correus oblatam occasionem rei gerendae existimaret, primum cum paucis se ostendit atque in proximas turmas impetum fecit.

[¶3] Our men resolutely stood the charge, and did not crowd together in one place, as commonly happens from surprise in engagements between the horse, whose numbers prove injurious to themselves.

> Latin: Nostri constanter incursum sustinent insidiatorum neque plures in unum locum conveniunt; quod plerumque equestribus proeliis cum propter aliquem timorem accidit, tum multitudine ipsorum detrimentum accipitur.