Book VIII

Hirtius explains that he undertook this continuation of Caesar's Commentaries reluctantly, at Balbus's insistence, fearing the comparison with Caesar's own superior work.

Hirtius praises Caesar's unmatched elegance, correctness, efficiency, and knowledge of conveying ideas, noting that Caesar composed these works with both ease and remarkable speed.

Hirtius acknowledges his inferiority because he was not present at the Alexandrian and African wars, hearing of them only through conversation rather than personal observation.

After Caesar's relentless summer campaign, Gaul is entirely reduced, but news arrives that several states are secretly renewing hostile intentions and forming coalitions.

The Gauls believe that simultaneous wars in multiple locations will prevent the Romans from mustering sufficient forces to suppress all of them simultaneously, enabling them to recover their freedom.

Caesar immediately departs for the thirteenth legion's winter quarters to prevent the Gauls from confirming their hostile intentions through coordinated action.

Caesar's sudden arrival catches the unprepared and dispersed Bituriges in the fields, capturing many before they can flee to their towns.

Caesar forbids burning towns to preserve forage, rushes ahead of fleeing populations, and demonstrates clemency toward those who submit and give hostages, encouraging others to accept his peace.

Caesar promises his troops compensation in sestertii for enduring severe winter conditions, difficult roads, and cold rather than allowing them battle plunder.

Caesar marches against the Carnutes, who are terrorized and abandon their settlements; he establishes quarters and sends cavalry to harass the dispersed enemy rather than expose his soldiers to violent storms.

The Remi report that the Bellovaci and neighboring states, led by Correus and Comius, are assembling a large army to invade Caesar's allies the Suessiones.

Caesar decides he must defend his allies not only for honor but also for strategic interest, as protecting those who have served Rome well strengthens his position.

Caesar captures prisoners and learns that the Bellovaci have assembled a large force with specific plans to either fight if Caesar comes with only three legions, or use ambuscade and supply-cutting if he brings more.

Hirtius notes that the Bellovaci's tactical plans reflect prudent military judgment, unlike the rash decisions typical of barbarians, indicating they have learned from previous defeats.

Caesar places his best veteran legions first, reserves the newer eleventh legion at the rear behind baggage, and forms a compact square to conceal his full strength and entice the Bellovaci to battle.

Seeing the Roman legions advance in battle array, the Bellovaci draw up before their camp but remain on the rising ground, unwilling to immediately commit to battle.

Caesar constructs an impressive camp with high ramparts, trenches, and towers partly to intimidate the enemy into overconfidence and partly to secure the camp with minimal troops during foraging.

Caesar's works are designed to raise confidence in the barbarians through apparent fear while also protecting vital supply-gathering expeditions with a small garrison.

Regular small-scale fights occur across the marsh, with Gallic and German auxiliaries sometimes crossing to pursue the enemy, though casualties and morale remain relatively balanced.

Observing that the Bellovaci's fortified position cannot be assaulted without great danger and cannot be enclosed without more troops, Caesar calls for reinforcements and cavalry from allied states.

The Bellovaci, noting Roman foraging routes through familiarity and relaxed vigilance, position select troops to ambush the cavalry and supplies at an expected location.

The Remi cavalry, overconfident in their numbers, are lured into a hidden foot ambush, suffer casualties including their governor Vertiscus, and are forced to retreat in disorder.

Caesar uses the Remi's loss as a lesson in cautious warfare, teaching his men to examine terrain carefully, post guards judiciously, and avoid reckless pursuit of retreating enemies.

German cavalry under Caesar's command cross the marsh, slay resisting Bellovaci, and pursue so vigorously that they terrify not only the engaged troops but also distant reserves.

After learning that Trebonius approaches with reinforcements, and fearing a siege like Alesia, the Bellovaci decide to evacuate non-combatants and prepare to move their army.

Caesar observes the terrain, builds a bridge over the morass, leads his army across to the higher ground, and positions himself to hinder the Bellovaci's retreat with superior firepower.

The Bellovaci, lacking supply security and fearing dispersal, remain in order of battle rather than divide their forces, though they cannot halt Caesar's encirclement.

Caesar measures out ground, constructs fortifications with rampant and stationed cavalry, creating a blocking position that prevents Bellovaci escape or resupply.

The Bellovaci bundle straw and sticks, ignite them to obscure their movements, and flee under cover of smoke before Caesar's forces can respond to the deception.

Despite suspecting the Bellovaci have fled under smoke cover, Caesar advances slowly and cautiously, fearing the enemy might be lying in wait rather than actually retreating.

The Bellovaci retreat about ten miles and camp in a strong position, having used the fire successfully to screen their withdrawal from Roman pursuit.

Caesar learns from a prisoner that Correus intends to ambush Roman foragers at a location near abundant forage, using a force of elite infantry and cavalry.

Caesar sends more legions than usual, positions cavalry and light infantry, and personally advances with legions to support his foragers and spring any trap.

The Romans advance in good order, ready both in heart and hand to give battle, with legions close enough to provide immediate support if the enemy attacks.

Correus emerges with a small party to make the initial assault, but the Romans stand firm and do not bunch together as cavalry often do when surprised.

While Correus engages, the rest of the Bellovaci force emerges from the woods in battle order, attempting to surround the Roman cavalry and break their lines.

Light infantry sent to assist cavalry arrive and mix with horse, fighting courageously and preventing the Romans from being surrounded or losing cohesion.

The Romans sustain the initial surprise without casualties, gaining confidence as the approaching legions are announced; the enemy loses heart seeing reinforcements arrive.

The Bellovaci, attempting to escape the very trap they prepared, are routed, scattered into woods and rivers, and pursued with heavy losses by the Romans.

Correus, unbroken by disaster, refuses to flee or accept quarter, continuing to fight courageously and wounding several Romans before being killed.

Having heard of Correus's death and the destruction of their elite forces, the Bellovaci and allied states send ambassadors to negotiate surrender terms with Caesar.

The Bellovaci ambassadors describe the crushing loss of their cavalry and infantry, noting that Correus's death, though significant, is less important than their shattered military capacity.

Caesar reminds the ambassadors that the Bellovaci had rebelled the year before and persisted longest in their rebellion, arguing that guilt cannot be transferred solely to the dead.

Despite holding the Bellovaci collectively responsible, Caesar is satisfied with the self-inflicted losses they have suffered and accepts their submission.

After the Bellovaci surrender, other states rush to offer submission to Caesar, give hostages, and receive his orders, except for Comius who fears Caesar's justice.

Labienus, discovering Comius was conspiring against Caesar, sent assassins to kill him under the guise of a conference, severely wounding him but failing to kill him.

After completing the conquest, Caesar divides his forces, posting them in strategic locations to maintain security and prevent rebellions in different regions.

Labienus achieves success against the Treviri and Germanic tribes, capturing several chiefs including the Aeduan Surus, one of the few remaining Aeduan supporters of Pompey.

Caesar, having never personally reduced Aquitania and now seeing success across Gaul, marches there with two legions and quickly receives submission from all states.

Caesar places legions at strategic locations throughout Gaul—among the Belgae, Aedui, Turoni, and Lemovices—ensuring no region is without military presence to maintain order.

Caesar quickly settles disputes, distributes rewards to the faithful, and conducts other provincial business at Narbo before returning to his army.

Though the Atrebates submit to Rome, Comius continues to plunder and intercept Roman convoys using cavalry, taking advantage of the transition to winter quarters.

Volusenus, commanding Roman cavalry and harboring personal animosity toward Comius, pursues him vigorously and pierces him with a lance, though Comius escapes due to his horse's speed.

After satisfying his revenge and losing most of his followers, Comius seeks peace with condition that he not be required to appear before any Roman.

During winter quarters, Caesar focuses on keeping states loyal through respectful treatment, generous gifts to leaders, and light subjection terms rather than heavy burdens.

Caesar makes extended journey through Italian towns and colonies to recommend Marcus Antonius for priesthood and to advance his own consulship candidacy.

Throughout Cisalpine Gaul, Caesar is received with incredible respect and affection, with elaborate ceremonies, sacrifices, and celebrations anticipated as for a triumph.

Caesar hastens back to his forces, orders legions to muster from winter quarters, and conducts reviews while making strategic appointments and health-related troop movements.

Despite hearing that Labienus is being solicited by his enemies and that schemes exist to strip him of legions, Caesar refuses to act against the Senate, trusting in his cause.

Tribune Curio defends Caesar by proposing that if Pompey's arms threaten the Senate, then both Pompey and Caesar should disarm, leaving the state free.

In the prior year when Marcellus tried to revoke Caesar's province before his term ended, the entire Senate voted against Marcellus, showing support for Caesar.

The Senate passes a decree that both Pompey and Caesar send a legion each to the Parthian war, but this draws exclusively from Caesar's forces.

Though recognizing the transparent injustice—Pompey sends an already Caesar-levied legion while Caesar sends his own—Caesar submits and reorganizes his forces accordingly.

Caesar disperses his eight legions strategically among the Belgae and Aedui, the most warlike and influential populations, to maintain Gallic security during his absence.

Upon arriving in Italy, Caesar discovers that the two legions sent per Senate decree have been retained by Pompey in Italy rather than sent to Parthia.

While Caesar sees that war is now designed against him through this confiscation, he resolves to submit to any terms rather than resort to arms if any hope of equitable resolution remains.