Quotes from Caesar's Civil Wars, Book I

The Latin quotes are selected for interest (int), language (lan), and beauty (bea), and are translated into English. The line numbers are from the Loeb edition, and start counting from line 1 of the section. All translations are by Gus Wiseman (Nafindix), with the exception of any contributions from other users. The sources of the Latin quotes are:


 * 1) Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, vol. 39, 1914; Latin text with facing English translation by A. G. Peskett.
 * 2) C. Julius Caesar, De Bello Civili. Renatus du Pontet, Ed. http://data.perseus.org/texts/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0448.phi002.perseus-lat1



Image credit: historicair 16:12, 9 August 2007 (UTC).

1.1 lan
Litteris Caesaris consulibus redditis aegre ab his impetratum est summa tribunorum plebis contentione, ut in senatu recitarentur; ut vero ex litteris ad senatum referretur, impetrari non potuit.

Thanks to the earnest contention of the tribunes, Caesar's letter for the consuls is, with difficulty, allowed to be read before the senate; but they refuse to call a vote on the matter.

2.3 int/lan
quo praesidio tuto et libere senatus, quae vellet, decernere auderet;

... an army under whose protection the senate could conduct its affairs safely and freely and without fear.

4.1 lan
Omnibus his resistitur, omnibusque oratio consulis, Scipionis, Catonis opponitur.

All of these causes meet resistance and are opposed in speeches of the consul, of Scipio, and of Cato.

5.-1 bea
rem ad arma deduci studebat.

He [Pompeius] yearned for the violence of war.

5.2 lan
Nec docendi Caesaris propinquis eius spatium datur, nec tribunis plebis sui periculi deprecandi neque etiam extremi iuris intercessione retinendi, quod L. Sulla reliquerat, facultas tribuitur, ...

Space is denied to Caesar's friends to warn him; space is also denied to the tribunes to complain of their peril; space is even denied for the final right to veto, which Sulla had left them.

6.15 bea
Provinciae privatis decernuntur duae consulares, reliquae praetoriae.

Two consular provinces, the others praetorial, are assigned to private individuals.

8.-9 int/lan
Hortatur, cuius imperatoris ductu viiii annis rem publicam felicissime gesserint plurimaque proelia secunda fecerint, omnem Galliam Germaniamque pacaverint, ut eius existimationem dignitatemque ab inimicis defendant.

His reputation, under whose command for nine years the republic was exceptionally run, so many battles were won, and all of Gaul and Germany were pacified, you must now defend from the enemy.

8.10 bea
Semper se rei publicae commoda privatis necessitudinibus habuisse potiora.

He had always held the public good before his private relations.

9.19 int
Quonam haec omnia nisi ad suam perniciem pertinere?

What is this all about other than Caesar's own destruction?

14.-4 int
At Caesar milites Attianos collaudat, Pupium dimittit, Auximatibus agit gratias seque eorum facti memorem fore pollicetur.

Caesar praises Attius's men, sends Pupius away, and thanks the the people of Auximum, promising to remember their action.

15.11 bea
... qui Caesaris adventu cognito profugit ex oppido cohortesque secum abducere conatus magna parte militum deseritur.

Upon learning of Caesar's approach he flees the town with some cohorts, but, failing to retain their confidence, is deserted by a large part of them.

17.1 int
Re cognita Domitius ad Pompeium in Apuliam peritos regionum magno proposito praemio cum litteris mittit, qui petant atque orent, ut sibi subveniat: Caesarem duobus exercitibus et locorum angustiis facile intercludi posse frumentoque prohiberi.

On learning this Domitius promises a great reward to some natives of the region if they go to Pompeius in Apulia and tell him that, with their two armies, Caesar could easily be blocked in the narrow passes and cut off from his food supply.

19.-11 lan
Caesar primis diebus castra magnis operibus munire et ex finitimis municipiis frumentum comportare reliquasque copias exspectare instituit.

In the early days Caesar decides to entrench his camp with great works, to carry in corn from the neighboring towns, and to wait for the rest of his forces.

20.-2 lan
Id ne fieri posset, obsidione atque oppidi circummunitione fiebat.

That this could not happen was accomplished by a blockade and an investment of the town.

20.8 bea
... debere se suae salutis rationem habere.

Each should mind his own safety.

21.-6 int/bea
Itaque omnes uno consilio Domitium productum in publicum circumsistunt et custodiunt, legatosque ex suo numero ad Caesarem mittunt: sese paratos esse portas aperire, quaeque imperaverit facere et L. Domitium vivum eius potestati tradere.

All of one mind, they drag Domitius out, surround him, and keep him guarded; they send their own legates to Caesar to report that they are ready to open the gates, to follow his orders, and hand over Domitius alive.

21.1 bea
Quibus rebus cognitis Caesar, etsi magni interesse arbitrabatur quam primum oppido potiri cohortesque ad se in castra traducere, ne qua aut largitionibus aut animi confirmatione aut falsis nuntiis commutatio fieret voluntatis, quod saepe in bello parvis [2] momentis magni casus intercederent, tamen veritus, ne militum introitu et nocturni temporis licentia oppidum diriperetur, eos, qui venerant, collaudat atque in oppidum dimittit, portas murosque asservari iubet.

Having learned these things, Caesar, though very interested in taking the town at once, lest bribes or courage or false news have the power to change minds (as often happens in war), but fearing that the town would be plundered if his soldiers were set free at night, praises the legates and sends them back into the town, ordering the gates and walls to be carefully guarded.

23.-6 bea
Cuius oratione confirmatus Lentulus, ut in oppidum reverti liceat, petit: quod de sua salute impetraverit, fore etiam reliquis ad suam spem solacio; adeo esse perterritos nonnullos, ut suae vitae durius consulere cogantur.

Lentulus, reassured by this message, asks to be allowed to return to the town, suggesting that what he had attained for himself could also be a consolation for certain others who were so terrified as to be considering suicide.

23.12 int
HS lx, quod advexerat Domitius atque in publico deposuerat, allatum ad se ab quattuorviris Corfiniensibus Domitio reddit, ne continentior in vita hominum quam in pecunia fuisse videatur, etsi eam pecuniam publicam esse constabat datamque a Pompeio in stipendium.

Six million Sesterces, which Domitius had carried off and deposited in the public treasury, and had been subsequently delivered to Caesar by the four magistrates of Corfinium, he returns to Domitius, lest he seem responsible for lives but not for property, even though it was clearly federal money spent by Pompeius for the war.

24.8 int/lan
quae procul equitatum Caesaris conspicatae, cui praeerat Vibius Curius, relicto praetore signa ad Curium transferunt atque ad eum transeunt.

Catching sight from a distance of Caesar's cavalry under command of Vibius Curius, they desert their praetor, transfer their colors, and hand themselves over to him.

24.14 int/lan/bea
Quem Caesar ad eum remittit cum mandatis: quoniam ad id tempus facultas colloquendi non fuerit atque ipse Brundisium sit venturus, interesse rei publicae et communis salutis se cum Pompeio colloqui...

Caesar sends the prisoner back to tell Pompeius that, since there had still been no opportunity of meeting, and he was coming to Brunisium himself, it was in the interest of the state and the common welfare that they should meet there...

26.13 int/lan
Itaque Caninium Rebilum legatum, familiarem necessariumque Scribonii Libonis, mittit ad eum colloquii causa; mandat, ut Libonem de concilianda pace hortetur; imprimis, ut ipse cum Pompeio colloqueretur, postulat; magnopere sese confidere demonstrat, si eius rei sit potestas facta, fore, ut aequis condicionibus ab armis discedatur; cuius rei magnam partem laudis atque existimationis ad Libonem perventuram, si illo auctore atque agente ab armis sit discessum.

Therefore he sends his legate Caninius Rebilus, a family friend of Scribonius Libo, to press Libo for reconciliation; most of all he wanted a meeting with Pompeius, for he was absolutely certain that, if this were granted, all would drop their weapons on equal ground; a great part of the praise and esteem for this accomplishment would come to Libo, author and advocate of peace.

27.-2 int/bea
Ita saepius rem frustra temptatam Caesar aliquando dimittendam sibi iudicat et de bello agendum.

Having attempted in vain so many times to meet Pompeius, Caesar at length decides to dedicate himself to the execution of war.

29.1 int/lan/bea
Caesar etsi ad spem conficiendi negotii maxime probabat coactis navibus mare transire et Pompeium sequi, priusquam ille sese transmarinis auxiliis confirmaret, tamen eius rei moram temporisque longinquitatem timebat, quod omnibus coactis navibus Pompeius praesentem facultatem insequendi sui ademerat.

Hoping to finish his work, Caesar very much approved the plan of crossing the sea in acquired ships, following Pompeius, and preventing him from growing his army overseas. However, he feared the delay and duration of this, for Pompeius, by taking all the ships, had for the present removed the possibility of being pursued.

31.1 lan
Nacti vacuas ab imperiis Sardiniam Valerius, Cotta Siciliam cum exercitibus eo perveniunt.

Finding Sardinia and Sicily bereft of military control, Valerius and Cotta go there with their armies.

32.4 lan
Docet se nullum extraordinarium honorem appetisse, sed exspectato legitimo tempore consulatus eo fuisse contentum, quod omnibus civibus pateret.

He argues that he sought no extraordinary honor, and would have been content to wait his proper turn for the consulship, which is the right of all citizens.

33.-7 int/lan
Legatos ad Pompeium de compositione mitti oportere, neque se reformidare, quod in senatu Pompeius paulo ante dixisset, ad quos legati mitterentur, his auctoritatem attribui timoremque eorum, qui mitterent, significari.

He says that legates for peace should be sent to Pompeius, and that he did not fear what Pompeius had recently said in the senate, that influence is attributed to one who receives legates, fear to one who sends them.

33.-3 int
''Tenuis atque infirmi haec animi videri. Se vero, ut operibus anteire studuerit, sic iustitia et aequitate velle superare.''

These seem the marks of a weak and infirm mind. For myself, just as I have striven to overtake others in action, now I wish to do the same in justice and equity.

33.1
Probat rem senatus de mittendis legatis: sed, qui mitterentur, non reperiebantur, maximeque timoris causa pro se quisque id munus legationis recusabat.

The senate agrees to send envoys, but no one could be found to be sent; each excused himself from the job, mainly out of fear.

33.4 int
Pompeius enim discedens ab urbe in senatu dixerat eodem se habiturum loco, qui Romae remansissent et qui in castris Caesaris fuissent.

When abandoning the city Pompeius had told the senate that he would hold those who remained at Rome alike to those found in Caesar's camp.

35.1 int/lan/bea
Evocat ad se Caesar Massilia xv primos; cum his agit, ne initium inferendi belli a Massiliensibus oriatur: debere eos Italiae totius auctoritatem sequi potius, quam unius hominis voluntati obtemperare.

Caesar calls for fifteen of the leading men of Massilia; he appeals to them not to let the Massilians trigger the first battle; he explains that they should follow the popular authority of all Italy, instead of serving the fancy of one man.

35.5
Reliqua, quae ad eorum sanandas mentes pertinere arbitrabatur, commemorat.

He covers everything else he could think of that might bring them to sanity.

35.8 int
...intellegere se divisum esse populum Romanum in duas partes; neque sui iudicii neque suarum esse virium discernere, utra pars iustiorem habeat causam.

They understood that the Roman people was divided into two parts, but it was not in their power to discern which side had the juster cause.

40.-5 int
''Simul a tribunis militum centurionibusque mutuas pecunias sumpsit; has exercitui distribuit. Quo facto duas res consecutus est, quod pignore animos centurionum devinxit et largitione militum voluntates redemit.''

He borrowed money from the tribunes and centurions and at the same time distributed it to the soldiers. By this, he bound up the minds of the centurions, and bought the soldiers' goodwill.

41.8 bea
...ibi paulisper sub armis moratus facit aequo loco pugnandi potestatem.

He waited there for a while, under arms, to give the enemy an opportunity of fighting on level ground.

46.5 lan/bea
Submotis sub murum cohortibus ac [nonnulla parte] or [nonnullam partem] propter terrorem in oppidum compulsis facilis est nostris receptus datus.

The cohorts were pushed up to the wall and partially driven back into the town by terror, thus giving us an easy retreat.

47.1 int/lan/bea
Sed haec eius diei praefertur opinio, ut se utrique superiores discessisse existimarent: Afraniani, quod, cum esse omnium iudicio inferiores viderentur, comminus tam diu stetissent et nostrorum impetum sustinuissent et initio locum tumulumque tenuissent, quae causa pugnandi fuerat, et nostros primo congressu terga vertere coegissent; nostri autem, quod iniquo loco atque impari congressi numero quinque horis proelium sustinuissent, quod montem gladiis destrictis ascendissent, quod ex loco superiore terga vertere adversarios coegissent atque in oppidum compulissent.

The common opinion was that each side felt it had won the day; the Afranians because, to the surprise of all, they stood so long fighting hand-to-hand, had withstood our assault, and had held the crucial hill; Caesar's men because they had fought for five hours on unequal ground, had stormed the hill with swords drawn, and had forced the enemy to abandon a superior position.

48.2 int
''Tanta enim tempestas cooritur, ut numquam illis locis maiores aquas fuisse constaret. Tum autem ex omnibus montibus nives proluit ac summas ripas fluminis superavit pontisque ambos, quos C. Fabius fecerat, uno die interrupit.''

A storm arose so great that nobody had ever seen more water in those places, and both bridges were destroyed in one day.

50.4 int/lan/bea
Quod illis prohibere erat facile cum ipsius fluminis natura atque aquae magnitudine, tum quod ex totis ripis in unum atque angustum locum tela iaciebantur; atque erat difficile eodem tempore rapidissimo flumine opera perficere et tela vitare.

It was easy for the enemy to prevent the work, due both to the size and nature of the river, for they focussed their missiles on the narrowest place, making it very difficult for us to work in the rushing waters.

52.-9 bea/lan
''Ei, dum pari certamine res geri potuit, magnum hostium numerum pauci sustinuere; sed ubi signa legionum appropinquare coeperunt, paucis amissis sese in proximos montes conferunt. Hoc pugnae tempus magnum attulit nostris ad salutem momentum; nacti enim spatium se in loca superiora receperunt.''

As long as it was possible, a few of them would fight against a great number of us; but when the standards approached, they betook themselves with a few losses to the nearest hill, at which point our men would use the opportunity to advance to superior ground.

53.-2 bea
...ipse praesentem inopiam quibus poterat subsidiis tutabatur.

He addressed the present need with whatever supplies he could.

53.3 int
...multa rumor affingebat, ut paene bellum confectum videretur.

Rumor made people think the war was almost over.

60.6
Petit ab his omnibus, ut se frumento iuvent.

He asks all of these to help with food.

60.10 int
''Magna celeriter commutatio rerum. Perfecto ponte, magnis quinque civitatibus ad amicitiam adiunctis, expedita re frumentaria...''

Quickly there comes a massive change of fortune. The bridge is finished, five great states join Caesar, the food supply is secured...

61.11 int/lan/bea
Huic consilio subfragabatur etiam illa res, quod ex duobus contrariis generibus, quae superiore bello cum Sertorio steterant civitates, victae nomen atque imperium absentis Pompei timebant, quae in amicitia manserant, magnis affectae beneficiis eum diligebant; Caesaris autem erat in barbaris nomen obscurius.

This plan was also supported by the fact that, of the two opposite types of states in the past war, supporters of Sertorius were defeated, and feared the name and command of Pompeius in his absence, while those that had remained friendly loved him for his many gifts; on the other hand, the name of Caesar was little-known to the barbarians.

64.16
Itaque infirmiores milites ex omnibus centuriis deligi iubet, quorum aut animus aut vires videbantur sustinere non posse.

He orders the weaker soldiers, whose mind or might seemed insufficient to support them, picked from all the centuries.

65.-7 int
... interit tamen nemo.

Nobody, however, was lost.

66.1 int/bea
Media circiter nocte iis, qui aquandi causa longius a castris processerant, ab equitibus correptis fit ab his certior Caesar duces adversariorum silentio copias castris educere.

Around midnight, some who had wandered too far looking for water were seized by the horsemen, and they inform Caesar that the enemy generals are quietly leading forces out of their camp.

67.4 lan
Alii, quod pridie noctu conclamatum esset in Caesaris castris, argumenti sumebant loco non posse clam exiri.

Others used the signal raised in Caesar's camp the prior night as basis for why they could not depart in secret.

67.6 int
Circumfundi noctu equitatum Caesaris atque omnia loca atque itinera obsidere; nocturnaque proelia esse vitanda, quod perterritus miles in civili dissensione timori magis quam religioni consulere consuerit.

At night, Caesar's cavalry pours around and blocks all places and paths, and night battles are to be avoided because, in a civil strife, the terrified soldier models fear more than duty.

71.-6 lan/bea
Hunc cum obliquo itinere cetrati peterent, conspicatus equitatus Caesaris in cohortis impetum facit; nec minimam partem temporis equitum vim caetrati sustinere potuerunt omnesque ab eis circumventi in conspectu utriusque exercitus interficiuntur.

When the light soldiers were cutting corners and pursuing by a slanted path, Caesar's cavalry notices and charges; unable to sustain the force of the horsemen for any amount of time, all are surrounded and killed in the sight of both armies.

71.1
Erat occasio bene gerendae rei.

Here was an opportunity for an ideal outcome.

71.1 int/bea
Neque vero id Caesarem fugiebat, tanto sub oculis accepto detrimento perterritum exercitum sustinere non posse, praesertim circumdatum undique equitatu, cum in loco aequo atque aperto confligeretur...

Nor was it hidden from Caesar that an army terrified after witnessing such a great loss could not hold up, especially with cavalry threatening from all directions (the fight was on flat and open ground).

72.-4 lan/bea
Quod si iniquitatem loci timeret, datum iri tamen aliquo loco pugnandi facultatem...

They reassure Caesar that if he holds back because of having an inferior position, another opportunity of fighting will be given somewhere else.

72.6 int
... non minus esset imperatoris consilio superare quam gladio.

No less should a commander win by deliberation than by fighting.

75.10
Reliqui coeunt inter se et repentino periculo exterriti sinistras sagis involvunt gladiosque destringunt atque ita se a cetratis equitibusque defendunt...

The rest get together and, terrified by the sudden danger, wrap their cloak about their left hands, draw their swords, and defend themselves against the light-armed troops and horsemen...

76.5 lan/bea
Postulat, ut iurent omnes se exercitum ducesque non deserturos neque prodituros neque sibi separatim a reliquis consilium capturos.

He asks all to promise not to desert or betray the army and its leaders, nor to make plans separately from the rest.

78.11
Ibi se reliquum consilium explicaturos confidebant.

They are confident that the next step will reveal itself there.

78.12 lan/bea
... quo spatio plures rem posse casus recipere intellegebant.

They know that many troubles can be taken on along the way.

81.11 int
Sed quantum opere processerant et castra protulerant, tanto aberant ab aqua longius, et (praesenti malo | aliis malis | remedia dabantur).

However far they moved their camp, they were equally farther from the water, so that their present problems were only replaced by new ones.

85.1 lan
Ad ea Caesar respondit: nulli omnium has partes vel querimoniae vel miserationis minus convenisse.

In the presence of both armies Caesar responds that nobody in the whole world could be less suitable than Afranius to make such a complaint and apology.

85.3
Reliquos enim omnes officium suum praestitisse: se, qui etiam bona condicione, et loco et tempore aequo, confligere noluerit, ut quam integerrima essent ad pacem omnia; exercitum suum, qui iniuria etiam accepta suisque interfectis, quos in sua potestate habuerit, conservarit et texerit; illius denique exercitus milites, qui per se de concilianda pace egerint, qua in re omnium suorum vitae consulendum putarint.

All the others did their duty: I, for example, in order to ensure that no bridge to peace was burnt, passed up favorable opportunities; my army, even after sustaining insults and the loss of many men, sheltered and protected those in its power; and even your own soldiers acted out in the name of reconciliation and peace, to save the lives of their friends.

85.15 bea/int
Accidisse igitur his, quod plerumque hominum nimia pertinacia atque arrogantia accidere soleat, uti eo recurrant et id cupidissime petant, quod paulo ante contempserint.

These men have turned around and now crave what just before they had despised, which usually only happens to stubborn and arrogant men.

86.-8 int
Quae tamen omnia et se tulisse patienter et esse laturum; neque nunc id agere, ut ab illis abductum exercitum teneat ipse, quod tamen sibi difficile non sit, sed ne illi habeant, quo contra se uti possint.

All of these he has tolerated and will continue to tolerate; his present purpose is not to take a defeated army for himself, which he could easily do, but to prevent others from using it against him.

86.-4 lan/bea
''Proinde, ut esset dictum, provinciis excederent exercitumque dimitterent; si id sit factum, se nociturum nemini. Hanc unam atque extremam esse pacis condicionem.''

Therefore, as was said, let them leave their provinces and disband their armies. If this is done, I will harm no one. This is my final condition of peace.