Post eius mortem nihilo minus Helvetii id, quod constituerant, facere conantur, ut e finibus suis exeant.  Ubi iam se ad eam rem paratos esse arbitrati sunt, oppida sua omnia, numero ad duodecim, vicos ad quadrigentos, reliqua privata aedificia incendunt; frumentum omne, praeterquam quod secum portaturi erant, comburunt, ut domum reditionis spe sublata paratiores ad omina pericula subeunda essent; trium mensum molita cibaria sibi quemque domo efferre iubent.  Persuadent Rauracis et Tulingis et Latobrigis finitimis suis, uti eodem usi consilio oppidis suis vicisque exustis una cum eis proficiscantur, Bolosque, qui trans Rhenum incoluerant et in agrum Noricum transierant Noreiamque oppugnarant, receptos ad se socios sibi adsciscunt.


After his death the Helvetii essayed none the less to accomplish their determination to march forth from their borders.  When at length they deemed that they were prepared for that purpose, the set fire to all their strongholds,1 in number about twelve; their villages, in number about four hundred, and the rest of their private buildings; they burnt up all their corn save that which they were to carry with them, to the intent that by removing all hope of return homeward they might prove the readier to undergo any perils; and they commanded every man to take for himself from home a three months' provision of victuals.  They persuaded their neighbours, the Rauraci, the Tulingi, and the Latobrigi, to adopt the same plan, burn up their strongholds and villages, and march out with them; and they received as partners of their alliance the Boii, who had been dwellers beyond the Rhine, but had crossed over into Noricum and attacked Noreia.

1The word oppidum, which denotes "town," connotes a "stronghold" in the case of the Gauls.

Translation and notes by H.J. Edwards


<< Previous | De Bello Gallico | Next >>

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.