The commentaries of C. Julius Cæsar of his warres in Gallia, and the civil warres betwixt him and Pompey / translated into English with many excellent and judicious observations thereupon ; as also The art of our modern training, or, Tactick practise, by Clement Edmonds Esquire, ... ; where unto is adjoyned the eighth commentary of the warres in Gallia, with some short observations upon it ; together with the life of Cæsar, and an account of his medalls ; revised, corrected, and enlarged.

Chap. IIII.

The Helvetians failing to passe the Rhone, take the way through the Country of the Sequani, Caesar ha∣steth into Italy, and there inrolleth more legions: and returning, overthroweth part of them at the river Arar.

THe Helvetians frustrated of their former hope,* 1.1 went about, some with boats coupled together, others with Flats (whereof they made great store) the rest by foords and places where the River was shallow, sometimes in the day, and often∣times in the night to break out: but being bea∣ten back by the help of the fortification, and the concourse of souldiers, and multitude of wea∣pons, they desisted from that attempt.

There was only another way left through the Sequans, which they could not take by reason of the narrownesse thereof, but by the favour of the Country. And forasmuch as of themselves they were able to prevaile little therein, they sent Messengers to Dumnorix the Heduan, that by his mediation they might obtain so much of the Sequans. Dumnorix, what through favour and bounteous carriage, was of great power in his Country, much affecting the Helvetians, by reason of his marriage with Orgetorix daugh∣ter; and drawn on with a desire of a kingdome, gave his mind to new projects; labouring to gratify many States, to tie them the rather to fa∣vour his courses. And thereupon undertaking the businesse, got the Sequans to give the Helve∣tians leave to passe through their Confines; gi∣ving each other Pledges, that the Sequans should not interrupt the Helvetians in their journey, nor they offer any injury to the Country.

It was told Caesar that the Helvetians were determined to passe through the Territories of the Sequans and Heduans, on the confines of the Santons, who are not far from the borders of the Tholosans, a people of the Province: which if they did, he foresaw how dangerous it would be to have a warlike Nation, and such as were ene∣mies to the people of Rome to come so near them, and to have the advantage of an open and plente∣ous Country.

For which causes he left T. Labienus a Le∣gate to command those works, and he himself made great journeys to get into Italy; where he inrolled two legions, and took three more out of their wintering Camps near about Aquileia: and with these five legions went the next way o∣ver the Alps into the further Gallia. Where by the way the Centrons, Garoceli, and Caturiges taking advantage of the open ground, did seek to keep the Army from passage: but being beaten and put off by many skirmishes, they came in se∣ven days from Ocellum, a town in the furthest parts of the nearer Province, into the confines of the Vocontii, a people of the further Pr••∣vince: from whence he led them into the terri∣tories of the Allobroges, and so unto the Sabu∣sians, that are the first beyond the Rhone, bor∣dering upon the Province.

By that time the Helvetians had carried their forces through the straights and frontiers of the Sequans, into the Dominions of the He∣duans, and began to forrage and pillage their Country. Who finding themselves unable to make resistance, sent Messengers to Caesar to require aid; shewing their deserts to be such from time to time of the people of Rome, that might challenge a greater respect then to have their Country spoiled, their children led into captivity, their townes assaulted and taken, as it were in the sight of the Roman Army. At the same instant likewise the Ambarri, that had dependency and alliance with the Heduans, ad∣vised Caesar that their Countrey was utterly

wasted, and they s••arce able to keep the Enemy from entring their townes. In like manner also the Allobroges that had farmes and possessions beyond the Rhone, fled directly to Caesar, com∣plaining that there was nothing left them but the soil of their Country.

With which advertisements Caesar was so mo∣ved, that he thought it not convenient to linger further, or expect untill the fortunes of their Allies were all wasted, and that the Helvetians were come unto the Santon••s. The river* 1.2 A∣rar, that runneth through the confines of the He∣duans and Sequans into the Rhone, passeth a∣way with such a stillnesse, that by view of the eye it can hardly be discerned which way the water taketh. This river did the Helvetians passe over by Flotes and bridges of boats. When Caesar was advertised by his Discoverers that three parts of their forces were already past the water, and that the fourth was left behind on this side the river; about the third watch of the night he went out of the Camp with three legions, and sur∣prising that part which was not as yet got over the river, slew a great part of them: the rest fled into the next woods.

This part was the Tigurine Canton:* 1.3 and the Helvetians being all parted into four divisi∣ons, this Canton alone in the memory of our fa∣thers slew L. Cassius the Consul, and put his Army under the Yoke. So whether it were by chaunce, or the providence of the Gods, that part of the Helvetian State which gave so great a blow to the Roman people, was the first that did penance for the same. Wherein Caesar took re∣venge not only of the publick, but of his parti∣cular losse too; forasmuch as the Tigurines had in that battel with Cassius slain L. Piso, the Grandfather of L. Piso, his father in law.

THE FIRST OBSERVATION.

THis defeat being chiefly a service of execu∣tion upon such as were taken at a dangerous disadvantage, which men call unaware, contain∣eth these two advisoes. First, not to neglect that advantage which Sertorius by the hairs of his horse taile hath proved to be very important; that beginning with a part, it is a matter of no diffi∣cultie to overcome the whole. Secondly, it may serve for a caveat, so to transport an Armie over a water, where the enemie is within a reasonable march, that no part may be so severed from the bodie of the Armie, that advantage may thereby be taken to cut them off altogether, and separate them from themselves. The safest and most ho∣nourable way to transport an Armie over a river, is by a bridge, placing at each end sufficient troups of horse and foot, to defend the Armie from suddain assaults as they passe over the wa∣ter. And thus went Caesar over the Rhene into Germanie two severall times.

THE SECOND OBSERVATION.

COncerning the circumstance of time,* 1.4 when Caesar went out of his Camp, which is noted to be in the third watch, we must understand that the Romans divided the whole night into four watches, every watch containing three houres: and these watches were distinguished by severall notes and sounds of Cornets or Trumpets; that by the distinction and diversitie thereof it might easily be known what watch was founded. The charge and office of sounding the watches be∣longed to the chiefest Centurion of a legion, whom they called Primipilus, or Primus Centu∣rio; at whose pavilion the Trumpeters attended, to be directed by his houre-glasse.

The first watch began alwaies at sunne-setting, and continued three houres (I understand such houres as the night contained, being divided into twelve: for the Romans divided their night as well as their day into twelve equall spaces, which they called houres:) the second watch continued untill midnight; and then the third watch began, and contained likewise three houres: the fourth was equall to the rest, and continued untill sunne-rising. So that by this phrase de tertia vigilia, we understand that Caesar went out of his Camp in the third watch, which was after midnight: and so we must conceive of the rest of the watches, as often as we shall find them mentioned in historie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesar.
• * 1.2

  So ne.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  The manner of their watch.