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De Bello Gallico I
Reprint of the 1957 edition.
Book I of Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War starts with an account of Gaul and goes on to cover Caesar's defeat of first the Helvetians and then the Germans under Ariovistus. The Introduction to this edition of the Latin text, first published in 1957, gives background information on the Rome of Caesar's time, on Caesar himself and on the composition and reliability of his commentaries, on Gaul, and on the Roman Army. Useful maps are provided, along with Notes on the text, Index of names, and a Vocabulary.
Book I of Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War starts with an account of Gaul and goes on to cover Caesar's defeat of first the Helvetians and then the Germans under Ariovistus. The Introduction to this edition of the Latin text, first published in 1957, gives background information on the Rome of Caesar's time, on Caesar himself and on the composition and reliability of his commentaries, on Gaul, and on the Roman Army. Useful maps are provided, along with Notes on the text, Index of names, and a Vocabulary.
148 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 1957
About the author
Gaius Julius Caesar
1,608 books472 followersborn 12 July 100 BC
died 15 March 44 BC
Statesman and historian Julius Caesar, fully named Gaius Julius Caesar, general, invaded Britain in 55 BC, crushed the army of the politician Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in 48 BC, pursued other enemies to Egypt, installed Cleopatra as queen in 47 BC, and returned to Rome, and the people in 45 BC gave him a mandate to rule as dictator for life; Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus feared that he intended to establish a monarchy and led a group of republicans, who on 15 March 44 BC murdered him.
Marcus Licinius Crassus joined Caesar and Pompey in the first triumvirate to challenge the power of the senate in 60 BC.
Pompey with Caesar and Crassus formed a ruling triumvirate from 60 BC to 53 BC, but Caesar later defeated Pompey.
Caesar conquered Iberian peoples of Aquitania in 56 BC.
Cassius led members of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar.
Brutus conspired to assassinate Caesar.
After his assassination, Gaius Octavius, his grandnephew, in 44 BC took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, to whom English texts often refer simply as Octavian.
He notably authored Latin prose. He played a critical role in the events to the demise and the rise of the empire.
In 60 BC, Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus formed an alliance that dominated for several years. Marcus Porcius Cato the Younger with the frequent support of Marcus Tullius Cicero among the Optimates within the senate opposed their attempts to amass power as Populares.
Victories of Caesar in the Gallic wars, completed before 51 BC, extended territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar first then built a bridge across the Rhine and crossed the channel.
After the death of Crassus in 53 BC, his rival realigned with the senate, but these achievements granted him unmatched military power and threatened to eclipse the standing. With the Gallic wars concluded, the senate ordered Caesar to step from his military.
Caesar refused the order and instead crossed the Rubicon with the thirteenth legion, left his province, and illegally entered Italy under arms to mark his defiance in 49 BC. Civil war resulted, and victory put Caesar him in an unrivalled position of power and influence.
Julius Caesar assumed control of government and afterward began a program of social reforms, including the creation of the calendar. He centralized the bureaucracy, and proclamation "in perpetuity" eventually gave him additional authority. Nevertheless, people resolved not the underlying conflicts, and on the ides, 15 March 44 BC, rebellious senators assassinated Caesar.
We know much from own accounts of military campaigns of Caesar and from other contemporary sources, mainly the letters and speeches of Cicero and the writings of Gaius Sallustius Crispus. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus and Mestrius Plutarchus wrote the later biographies, also major sources. Many people consider supreme military greatness of Caesar.
People regarded Caesar during his time of the best orators and prose authors in Latin; even Cicero spoke highly of his rhetoric and style. Only war commentaries of Caesar survived. From other works, other authors quote a few sentences. He wrote his funeral oration for Julia, his paternal aunt, among his lost works. Cicero published praise; in response, he wrote Anticato , a document, to defame Cato. Ancient sources also mention poems of Julius Caesar.
A new series of civil wars broke, and people never restored the constitutional government. Octavian, adopted heir of Gaius Julius Caesar, defeated his opponents in the civil war and afterward rose to sole power as Augustus. Octavian set about solidifying his power, and the era of the empire began.
died 15 March 44 BC
Statesman and historian Julius Caesar, fully named Gaius Julius Caesar, general, invaded Britain in 55 BC, crushed the army of the politician Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in 48 BC, pursued other enemies to Egypt, installed Cleopatra as queen in 47 BC, and returned to Rome, and the people in 45 BC gave him a mandate to rule as dictator for life; Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus feared that he intended to establish a monarchy and led a group of republicans, who on 15 March 44 BC murdered him.
Marcus Licinius Crassus joined Caesar and Pompey in the first triumvirate to challenge the power of the senate in 60 BC.
Pompey with Caesar and Crassus formed a ruling triumvirate from 60 BC to 53 BC, but Caesar later defeated Pompey.
Caesar conquered Iberian peoples of Aquitania in 56 BC.
Cassius led members of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar.
Brutus conspired to assassinate Caesar.
After his assassination, Gaius Octavius, his grandnephew, in 44 BC took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, to whom English texts often refer simply as Octavian.
He notably authored Latin prose. He played a critical role in the events to the demise and the rise of the empire.
In 60 BC, Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus formed an alliance that dominated for several years. Marcus Porcius Cato the Younger with the frequent support of Marcus Tullius Cicero among the Optimates within the senate opposed their attempts to amass power as Populares.
Victories of Caesar in the Gallic wars, completed before 51 BC, extended territory to the English Channel and the Rhine. Caesar first then built a bridge across the Rhine and crossed the channel.
After the death of Crassus in 53 BC, his rival realigned with the senate, but these achievements granted him unmatched military power and threatened to eclipse the standing. With the Gallic wars concluded, the senate ordered Caesar to step from his military.
Caesar refused the order and instead crossed the Rubicon with the thirteenth legion, left his province, and illegally entered Italy under arms to mark his defiance in 49 BC. Civil war resulted, and victory put Caesar him in an unrivalled position of power and influence.
Julius Caesar assumed control of government and afterward began a program of social reforms, including the creation of the calendar. He centralized the bureaucracy, and proclamation "in perpetuity" eventually gave him additional authority. Nevertheless, people resolved not the underlying conflicts, and on the ides, 15 March 44 BC, rebellious senators assassinated Caesar.
We know much from own accounts of military campaigns of Caesar and from other contemporary sources, mainly the letters and speeches of Cicero and the writings of Gaius Sallustius Crispus. Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus and Mestrius Plutarchus wrote the later biographies, also major sources. Many people consider supreme military greatness of Caesar.
People regarded Caesar during his time of the best orators and prose authors in Latin; even Cicero spoke highly of his rhetoric and style. Only war commentaries of Caesar survived. From other works, other authors quote a few sentences. He wrote his funeral oration for Julia, his paternal aunt, among his lost works. Cicero published praise; in response, he wrote Anticato , a document, to defame Cato. Ancient sources also mention poems of Julius Caesar.
A new series of civil wars broke, and people never restored the constitutional government. Octavian, adopted heir of Gaius Julius Caesar, defeated his opponents in the civil war and afterward rose to sole power as Augustus. Octavian set about solidifying his power, and the era of the empire began.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 14, 2016
damn this caesar guy writes weird sentences
December 21, 2021
Caesar this, Caesar that. We get it, you dig yourself. Very hard and political Latin.
March 6, 2014
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10657
INTRODUCTION BY THOMAS DE QUINCEY
Opening: All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who in their own language are called Celts, in ours Gauls, the third.
So much slaughter in so few paragraphs. I'll read Book II Ides of March next year
January 19, 2019
ESPAÑOL: En este primer libro de la Guerra de las Galias, que he leído en versión latina, ayudándome con un diccionario y una traducción al español (a veces demasiado libre), César relata dos de sus campañas, contra los helvecios y contra los germanos de Ariovisto.
A veces el relato me recordó a uno de los tebeos de Asterix, como en la escena en que los soldados romanos, acobardados porque los galos les hablan de los germanos como de gigantes fortísimos e invencibles, dicen que tienen asuntos familiares en Roma y que quieren volverse a su casa.
Otra escena curiosa tiene lugar cuando César, sorprendido porque Ariovisto no quiere enfrentarse a él, indaga entre los prisioneros germanos y descubre que las mujeres germanas, actuando de arúspices, le han dicho a Ariovisto que vencerá si espera hasta la luna nueva. Naturalmente, César ataca al día siguiente, antes de que llegue la luna nueva.
ENGLISH: In this first book of De Bello Gallico, that I have read in its Latin version, with the help of a dictionary and a Spanish translation (sometimes too free), César relates two of his campaigns, against the Helvetii and against the Germans under Ariovistus.
Sometimes the story reminded me strongly the Asterix comics, as in the scene where the Roman soldiers, cowed at the Gauls description of the Germans as strong and invincible giants, come out with the excuse that they have family matters in Rome and so want to get back home.
Another curious scene takes place when Cesar, surprised at Ariovistus reluctance to confront him, investigates among the Germanic prisoners and discovers that the German women, acting as haruspices, have told Ariovistus that he will win if he waits until the new moon. Naturally, Caesar attacks the next day, before the new moon takes place.
LATÍN: In hoc libro primo De bello gallico, versio latine, lecto cum auxilium thesauri et translationem hispanam (liberrimam nonnumquam), narrat Caesar duo bello eius: adversus Helvetios atque Germanorum, qui Ariovistus rex.
Aliquam interdum Asterix admonuisti: scaena ubi Romanis militibus "ex percontatione... Gallorum... qui ingenti magnitudine corporum Germanos, incredibili virtute atque exercitatione in armis esse praedicabant... quam sibi ad proficiscendum necessaria esse diceret".
Curiosum scaena, "cum ex captivis quaereret Caesar quam ob rem Ariovistus proelio non decertaret, hanc reperiebat causam, quod apud Germanos ea consuetudo esset ut matres familiae eorum sortibus et vaticinationibus declararent utrum proelium committi ex usu esset necne; eas ita dicere: non esse fas Germanos superare, si ante novam lunam proelio contendissent". Naturaliter Caesar ante lunam novam impugnat.
A veces el relato me recordó a uno de los tebeos de Asterix, como en la escena en que los soldados romanos, acobardados porque los galos les hablan de los germanos como de gigantes fortísimos e invencibles, dicen que tienen asuntos familiares en Roma y que quieren volverse a su casa.
Otra escena curiosa tiene lugar cuando César, sorprendido porque Ariovisto no quiere enfrentarse a él, indaga entre los prisioneros germanos y descubre que las mujeres germanas, actuando de arúspices, le han dicho a Ariovisto que vencerá si espera hasta la luna nueva. Naturalmente, César ataca al día siguiente, antes de que llegue la luna nueva.
ENGLISH: In this first book of De Bello Gallico, that I have read in its Latin version, with the help of a dictionary and a Spanish translation (sometimes too free), César relates two of his campaigns, against the Helvetii and against the Germans under Ariovistus.
Sometimes the story reminded me strongly the Asterix comics, as in the scene where the Roman soldiers, cowed at the Gauls description of the Germans as strong and invincible giants, come out with the excuse that they have family matters in Rome and so want to get back home.
Another curious scene takes place when Cesar, surprised at Ariovistus reluctance to confront him, investigates among the Germanic prisoners and discovers that the German women, acting as haruspices, have told Ariovistus that he will win if he waits until the new moon. Naturally, Caesar attacks the next day, before the new moon takes place.
LATÍN: In hoc libro primo De bello gallico, versio latine, lecto cum auxilium thesauri et translationem hispanam (liberrimam nonnumquam), narrat Caesar duo bello eius: adversus Helvetios atque Germanorum, qui Ariovistus rex.
Aliquam interdum Asterix admonuisti: scaena ubi Romanis militibus "ex percontatione... Gallorum... qui ingenti magnitudine corporum Germanos, incredibili virtute atque exercitatione in armis esse praedicabant... quam sibi ad proficiscendum necessaria esse diceret".
Curiosum scaena, "cum ex captivis quaereret Caesar quam ob rem Ariovistus proelio non decertaret, hanc reperiebat causam, quod apud Germanos ea consuetudo esset ut matres familiae eorum sortibus et vaticinationibus declararent utrum proelium committi ex usu esset necne; eas ita dicere: non esse fas Germanos superare, si ante novam lunam proelio contendissent". Naturaliter Caesar ante lunam novam impugnat.
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November 10, 2011Hail, Caesar? De Bello Gallico is a great paradox, and here's why. The Latin is elegantly beautiful, perhaps the most graceful prose ever written in the language. It is clear and direct, never obscure or difficult. To read it in the original is to witness a great mind at work and see in all its grandeur the full architectural potential of the language. And yet there is simply no getting around the fact that Caesar's subject matter is as hopelessly dull as the day is long. If you want to bore your students to death, by all means put Caesar in front of them. He was a mainstay of h.s. Latin for generations, and many, including the people at the College Board, still believe he ought to remain so today. He will undoubtedly be with us for many more years to come, but in the end he is of dubious value as a h.s. author and clearly bears no small amount of responsibility for killing Latin as a h.s. subject.
Don't get me wrong -- I am perfectly willing to render unto Caesar that which is rightfully his. I even read him now and then for the pure enjoyment of his lucid prose. But I also have to teach Latin, and I know an interest-killer when I see one. Last year, after reading Ovid's Ars Amatoria and Fasti for several months in my upper level Latin class (works which were well received and sparked a lot of interest), we switched to Caesar with a few weeks of school left. The Helvetian campaign was coma-inducing; my insistent reminders that Caesar is a great writer were insufficiently persuasive and students were, in the end, not interested.
Don't get me wrong -- I am perfectly willing to render unto Caesar that which is rightfully his. I even read him now and then for the pure enjoyment of his lucid prose. But I also have to teach Latin, and I know an interest-killer when I see one. Last year, after reading Ovid's Ars Amatoria and Fasti for several months in my upper level Latin class (works which were well received and sparked a lot of interest), we switched to Caesar with a few weeks of school left. The Helvetian campaign was coma-inducing; my insistent reminders that Caesar is a great writer were insufficiently persuasive and students were, in the end, not interested.
November 10, 2013
This is a great book to help with the study of Latin. Caesar is a very clear and straightforward writer. If one can read Caesar in Latin Cicero should be next in my opinion.
It is also very entertaining to hear about Caesar's exploits. He really was a genius. These are some of the only surviving accounts of European cultures from the era.
It is also very entertaining to hear about Caesar's exploits. He really was a genius. These are some of the only surviving accounts of European cultures from the era.
February 23, 2017
latijn is kut
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December 6, 2012The first book I read entirely in Latin.
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May 8, 2008Read extensive extracts in the original Latin during my AS level studies.
May 31, 2014
Not worth reading if you're not a history geek. I find the writing style to be very clear, yet the content exceptionally boring.
September 4, 2023
Ähnlich eines Tagebuches schreibt der Protagonist Julius über seine Feldzüge durch Germanien und andere Länder. Er schildert Gewinne und Niederlagen. Schade, dass kein Love Interest eine Rolle spielt. Ein bisschen Romantik hätte nicht geschadet.
Ich möchte den historischen Wert nicht unterminieren, aber literarisch muss man wirklich eine starke Vorliebe für Niederschriften eines Egomanen haben oder extrem viel Humor aufbringen, um sich da halbwegs durchquälen zu können.
Ich möchte den historischen Wert nicht unterminieren, aber literarisch muss man wirklich eine starke Vorliebe für Niederschriften eines Egomanen haben oder extrem viel Humor aufbringen, um sich da halbwegs durchquälen zu können.
December 19, 2022
I liked Vergil better.
Caesar is kinda biased sometimes ngl... I wonder why??? hmmmmm
Well, I guess he's trying to win a war and stuff and do politics stuff and power and all that. So maybe that's why...
Caesar is kinda biased sometimes ngl... I wonder why??? hmmmmm
Well, I guess he's trying to win a war and stuff and do politics stuff and power and all that. So maybe that's why...
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February 22, 2024översatte i kursen senrepublikansk prosa 1. roliga beskrivningar av djur, typ
November 17, 2015
ხუმრობა ხომ არაა, მესამედი ლათინურად წავიკითხე ^_^ ვაგრძელებ ორიგინალს, თუმცა რუსული თარგმანი მოვრჩი უკვე.
თუ ოდესმე რამის თარგმნა მომინდება, ამას ვთარგმნი. თითქოს ჩვეულებრივი ტექსტია, არაფერი განსაკუთრებული, მაგრამ მერე და მერე ისე იკვეთება კეისრის სიეშმაკე, მოხერხებულობა და ცბიერება, სულ უფრო მტკიცდება ჩემი პატივისცემა მის მიმართ. ლექსიკა, სტილი, სინონიმების სიმრავლე, რაოდენობრიობის, თვისობრიობის და ხარისხობრიობის გამოხატვის მანერა... მოკლედ, ხომ ერთერთი უდიდესი პოლიტიკოსია, თუკი საერთოდ რამე გამეგება ამ საქმეში, მწერალიც ნამდვილად არაა უარესთა შორის.
თუ ოდესმე რამის თარგმნა მომინდება, ამას ვთარგმნი. თითქოს ჩვეულებრივი ტექსტია, არაფერი განსაკუთრებული, მაგრამ მერე და მერე ისე იკვეთება კეისრის სიეშმაკე, მოხერხებულობა და ცბიერება, სულ უფრო მტკიცდება ჩემი პატივისცემა მის მიმართ. ლექსიკა, სტილი, სინონიმების სიმრავლე, რაოდენობრიობის, თვისობრიობის და ხარისხობრიობის გამოხატვის მანერა... მოკლედ, ხომ ერთერთი უდიდესი პოლიტიკოსია, თუკი საერთოდ რამე გამეგება ამ საქმეში, მწერალიც ნამდვილად არაა უარესთა შორის.
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May 2, 2016We did our last chunk of Caesar today. Like every good Latin student, I've now read some of the Gallic wars. It's weird, because it's normally hated, but I attended such a charming guest lecture on it that I can't help but genuinely enjoy reading it after hearing the talk, honestly.
July 24, 2014
With Caesar having been read.
February 25, 2022
literally who cares
July 27, 2018
How often do you get to read a book written by one of the most famous persons in history? This is straight from JC's stylus. Caesar's style is uncomplicated and irresistible. You can sense through the millennia the character of the man, and he's charismatic, charming, intelligent, and fun to read. It is truly a test to not celebrate his victories, which entailed the wholesale slaughter and enslavement of an entire people. Military historians will love the detailed descriptions he gives of battles, fortifications, etc. And, not least of all, his bridge over the Rhine. And the Battle of Alesia. The greatest hits, I suppose. Also, the man's love for and interest in his troops is affecting, and his vaunted "clemency" on display. Propaganda and self-aggrandizing, sure. But I get the feeling that he didn't need to aggrandize much. No wonder so many would follow this man. Makes it so difficult to dislike this man who would be king.
January 29, 2019
While not a particularly compelling read, as Caesar likes to take his time, embellish aspects, and consistently refer to himself in the third-person, this book is a great compilation of his writings. These writings serve as good primary sources in addition to their usefulness as beginner classical Latin. Caesar, among his many talents, was a fairly good writer. This book obviously has a specific audience, so if you are looking at it for reading or translation purposes, you probably already know what to expect.
July 29, 2022
This was one of the most difficult books I've read because it took forever to finish and the entire time I was confused. I had to stop and restart chapters over and over and map out all the battles to wrap my head around what was going on. I'm not a fan of Caesar's pedantic writing and honestly feel like I gained very little from this book, besides a better understanding of how long and drawn out the Gallic Wars were.
April 22, 2024
The first book we read (partly) in our Latin class. I found it boring even though I like history and the campaign against the Helvetii is included, which should have been interesting for me as a Swiss.
A bonus rating point to Mr Caesar for inspring the brilliant Asterix & Obelix comics two thousand years later.
A bonus rating point to Mr Caesar for inspring the brilliant Asterix & Obelix comics two thousand years later.
September 16, 2021
Rileggere Giulio Cesare dopo il liceo, come un libro qualsiasi. L'ho fatto un'estate e ne sono rimasto entusiasta. Senza l'assillo della traduzione (e del voto) si scopre il genio militare, il politico, l'approccio con i popoli conquistati, l'utopia di un continente unito duemila anni prima.
January 17, 2019
All time favorite
February 1, 2019
I loved the concise style; the contents are sometimes cruel.
February 23, 2021
I'm not gonna lie, this was really interesting!
May 24, 2021
★★★★☆
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Of minimal historical accuracy but otherwise an informative read. I enjoyed seeing the Gallic Wars from Caesar's perspective.
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Of minimal historical accuracy but otherwise an informative read. I enjoyed seeing the Gallic Wars from Caesar's perspective.
October 23, 2021
kinda ok
January 22, 2022
Shouldn't be in print anymore. The commentary is good for a beginning student, but very uncritical.
September 1, 2023
CESARE TORNA DA NICOMEDE
September 28, 2023
I think about the roman empire everyday.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews