CHAP. V.
Vercingetorix besigeth Gergovia, Caesar taketh in Vellaunodunum and Genabum.
THis being known,*Vercingetorix brought back his army again into the countrey of the Bituriges, and thence marched to besiege Ger∣govia, a town held by the Boii, whom Caesar had left there after the Helveti∣an warre, and given the jurisdiction of the town to the Hedui. which brought Caesar into great perplexitie, whether he should keep the Legions in one place for that time of winter which remained, and so suffer the stipendaries of the Hedui to be taken and spoiled, whereby all Gallia might take occasion to revolt, foras∣much as the Romans should seem to afford no protection or countenance to their friends; or otherwise draw his army out of their wintering-camps sooner then was usuall, and thereby be∣come subject to the difficulties of provision and carriage of corn. Notwithstanding it seemed better, and so he resolved, rather to undergo all difficulties, then by taking such a scorn to loose the good wils of all his followers. And therefore perswading the Hedui diligently to make supply of necessary provisions, he sent to the Boii, to advertise them of his coming, to encourage them to continue loyall, and nobly to resist the assaults of the enemy: and leaving two Legions with the carriages of the whole army at Agendicum, he marched towards the Boii. The next day coming to a Town of the Senones called Vellaunodunum, he determined to take it in, to the end he might leave no ene∣my behind him, which might hinder a speedy supply of victuals: and in two dayes he inclo∣sed it about with a ditch and a rampier. The third day some being sent out touching the gi∣ving up of the town, he commanded all their arms and their cattell to be brought out, and six hundred pledges to be delivered. Leaving C. Trebonius a Legate to see it performed; he himself made all speed towards Genabum in the territories of the men of Chartres; who as soon as they heard of the taking in of Vellau∣nodunum, perswading themselves the matter would not rest so, they resolved to put a strong garrison into Genabum. Thither came Cae∣sar within two dayes, and incamping himself before the Town, the evening drawing on, he put off the assault unto the next day, comman∣ding the souldiers to prepare in a readinesse such things as should be necessary for that ser∣vice. And forasmuch as the town of Gena∣bum had a bridge leading over the river Loire, he feared least they of the town would steal a∣way in the night: for prevention whereof he commanded two Legions to watch all night in arms. The townsmen a little before mid∣night went out quietly, and began to pass over the river. Which being discovered by the Scouts, Caesar with the Legions which he had ready in armes, burnt the gates, and entring the Town took it; the greatest number of the enemy being taken, and a very few escaping, by reason of the narrowness of the bridge and the way which shut in the multitude. The town being sacked and burned, and given for a booty to the souldiers, he caried his army over the ri∣ver Loire, into the territories of the Bituriges.
THE FIRST OBSERVATION.
IT is a known and an approved saying, E malis minimum est eligendum, of evils the least is to be chosen: but in a presentment of evils to be able to discern the difference, and to chuse the least, Hic labor, hoc opus, here's all the skill and work. Vercingetorix besieging Ger∣govia (a stipendary town belonging to the He∣dui,* that of long time had served the Roman Empire,) at such a time of the year as would not afford provision of victuall for the maintenance of an army, but with great difficulty and incon∣venience of carriage and convoy; Caesar was much perplexed, whether he should forbear to succour the town and raise the siege, or undergo the hazard of long and tedious convoyes. A matter often falling into dispute, although it be in other terms, whether honesty or honourable respect ought to be preferred before private ease and particular commodity. Caesar hath decla∣red himself touching this point, preferring the honour of the people of Rome, as the majesty of their Empire, and the reputation which they desired to hold, touching assistance and prote∣ction of their friends, before any inconveni∣ence which might happen to their army. And not without good reasons, which may be drawn as well from the worthiness of the cause, as from the danger of the effect: for duties of vertue and respects of honesty, as the noblest parts of the mind, do not onely challenge the service of the inferiour faculties of the soul; but do also com∣mand the body and the casaulties thereof, in such sort as is fitting the excellency of their pre∣rogative: for otherwise vertue would find but bare attendance, and might leave her scepter for want of lawfull authority. And therefore Cae∣sar chose rather to adventure the army upon the casualties of hard provision, then to blemish the Roman name with the infamy of disloyalty. Which was less dangerous also in regard of the effect: for where the bond is of value, there the forfeiture is great: and if that tie had been broken, and their opinion deceived touching the expe∣ctation of assistance and help, all Gallia might have had just cause of revolt, and disclaimed the Roman government for non-protection. To conclude then, let no man deceive himself in the present benefit, which private respect may bring upon the refusall of honest regard, for the end will be a witness of the errour, and prove ho∣nesty to be best policie.
THE SECOND OBSERVATION.
IT is observed by some writers,* that Caesar never undertook any action, or at the least brought it not to triall, but he first assured him∣self of these four things.
The first was provision of victuals, as the very foundation of warlike expeditions, where∣of I have already treated in the first Commen∣tary: the difficulty whereof made him so doubt∣full to undertake the relief of Gergovia. And doubtless whosoever goeth about any enterprize of warre, without certain means of victuall and provision, must either carry an army of Cameli∣ons that may live by the aire, or intend nothing but to build castles in the aire, or otherwise shall be sure to find his enemy either in his bosome, or as the Proverb is in Plutarch,* to leap on his belly with both his feet.
The second thing was provision of all neces∣saries, which might be of use in that service: wherewith he alwayes so abounded, that there might rather want occasion to use them, then he be wanting to answer occasion. And these were the instruments whereby he made such admirable works, such bridges, such mounts, such trenches, such huge armadoes, as appeareth by the sea-•ight with the maritime cities of Gallia:* according to which his former custome, forasmuch as the day was far spent before he came to Genabum, he commanded such things to be sitted and had in a readiness, as might serve for the siege the next day.
The third thing was an army for the most part of old souldiers, whom the Romans called Veteram, whereof he was likewise at this time provided; for the two legions which were fresh and lately inroled, he left at Agend•cum with the carriages, taking onely the old souldiers for this service, as knowing that in pugna usum amplius prodesse quam vires, usefulness is more serviceable in warre then numbers.
The fourth thing was the triall and experience of the enemies forces, which the former victo∣ries assured him to be inferiour to the Romans; it being alwayes a rule in the Roman discipline, (as I have already noted,)* by light and easie skirmishes, to acquaint the souldiers with the manner of the enemies fight, Ne eos novum bel∣lum, novus hostis terreret, least a new kinde of fight, or enemy might affright them; as L•vy saith.
