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. VII.

A new wa•• raised in the territories of the Pictones. C. Fabius putteth to flight the forces of Dumnacus: subdueth the Carnutes and Are••orici.

IN the mean season C. Caninius the Legate, understanding by the mes∣sengers and letters of Duracius, (who had continued alwayes firm to the friendship of the people of Rome,) that a great number of enemies were as∣sembled in the borders of the Pictones; foras∣much as a part of that City had renounced their obedience, went to the town of Lemovicum. When he came near the town, and understood by his prisoners, ••ow that Dumnacus Captain of the Andes; with many thousands of men had enclosed Duracius▪ and that Lemovicum was besieged; he durst not with his weak legions ad∣venture upon his enemies, but pitched his Camp in an advantageous ground. Dumnacus hearing of the approach of Caninius, turned all his power against the Roman legions, determi∣ning to set upon them in their Camp. After he had spent many dayes in the assault, and had lost many of his men, and yet could not break down any part of their fortifications, he returned a∣gain to besiege Le••ovicum.

At the same time, C. Fabius receiveth many Cities by composition, and assureth them with hostages; and is advertised by Caninius letters, of those things that were done among the Pi∣ctones. Upon the knowledge whereof, he setteth forth to rescue Duracius.

But Dumnacus understanding of Fabius co∣ming▪ forasmuch as he thought he should hazard the losing all▪ if at once he should be compelled both to abide the Romans his enemies without, and also to have an eye to and stand in fear of the town▪ retired suddenly with all his forces from the place, and could not think himself to be sufficiently in safety, before he had passed his army over the river Loire, which by reason of the greatnesse thereof, was to be passed by a bridge, and not otherwise.

Although Fabius was not yet come within fight of his enemies, not had joyned with Cani∣nius, yet forasmuch as he was throughly infor∣med by such as knew the coast of the countrey, he suspected that his enemies would take that way which they did. Therefore he marcheth with his army to the said bridge where his ene∣mies had passed, and commanded his horsemen to go no farther before the footmen, then that they might upon occasion re••i••e into the same Camp without tiring their horses. Our horse, a•• was commanded them, overtook the host of

Dumnacus and set upon them; and assaulting them flying and amazed, as they marched with their luggage at their backs, slew a great number and took a great prey: and so with good successe retired into their camp.

The night following Fabius sent his horse∣men before, so provided, that they might en∣counter the enemy, and stay all the whole army untill he should overtake them. Q. Atius Va∣rus the commander of the horse, a man of sin∣lar courage and wisdome, having encouraged his men and overtaken the body of his enemies, disposed certain of his troups in places conve∣nient, and with the rest of his horsemen gave charge upon his enemies. The cavalry of the enemy fought so much the more boldly, because their foot were ready to assist them, who being mingled through the whole army, as often as occasion was, did succour them against our men. The encounter was very sharp. For our men despising them whom they had vanquished the day before, and remembring that the legions followed at their heels, ashamed to give ground, and desirous to get the day before their coming, fought very valiantly against the footmen. On the other side, our enemies believing that no greater forces of ours were behind, according as they had seen the day before, thought a fair opportunity offered them to destroy our caval∣ry utterly.

When they had fought a good while very ea∣gerly, Dumnacus made a battel to relieve his Cavalry, when occasion should be. But on the suddain our enemies espied our legions coming up close together: at the sight of whom their horse were stricken into such a fear, and the foot so amazed, that breaking through their carria∣ges, with great clamour and confusion they be∣took themselves every where to flight. Then our Cavalry, who a little before had their hands full, being heartened with joy of the victory, raised a great shout on all sides, and casting themselves amongst them as they fled, made slaughter of them as farre as their horses breaths would serve to pursue them, and their arms were able to strike them. Insomuch that having slain above twelve thousand men, armed, and such as for fear had cast away their arms, they took all their carriages, none escaping.

Out of the which chase forasmuch as it was certainly known, that Drapes the Senon was escaped (who when Gallia first began to rebel, gathering to him men of desperate fortunes out of all places, setting bondmen at liberty, enter∣taining outlawes of all countries, and receiving high-way thieves, had cut off the carriages and victuals of the Romans) was going toward the Province with five thousand men at the most, which he had rallied after the chase; and that Luterius of Cahors joyned himself with him, who in the former Commentary is said to have attempted an invasion of the Province at the first insurrection of Gallia; Caninius the Le∣gate with two legions pursued after them, lest some great dishonour might be received by those loose fellows terrifying and harrasing the Province.

C. Fabius with the rest of the army went a∣gainst the Carnutes and the other States, whose power he knew to be crushed in the battel that was fought against Dumnacus. For he doubted not, but he should find them more tra∣ctable to deal with, by reason of the late over∣throw: whereas if he should give them time of respite, by the instigation of the said Dumnacus, they might be raised again. Fabius with mar∣vellous good luck and speed brought those States to submission. For the Carnutes, who had been oftentimes before ill-handled by us, yet would never listen to peace, now gave hostages, and came into subjection. And the rest of the States situate in the farthest parts of Gallia, bordering upon the sea, which are called Ar∣moricae, following the example of the Carnu∣tes, at the coming of Fabius with his legions a∣mongst them, performed his commandments without delay.

Dumnacus thus driven out of his own coun∣trey, wandring and lurking in corners alone, was compelled to betake himself to the uttermost countreys of all Gallia.