History of the Romans Under the Empire

Reflections upon Cæsar's assassination.-His person, character and abilities.-Cæsar
represents the virtues and defects of his age.-Influence of the old Etruscan dis-
cipline upon the Romans: it is gradually supplanted by the civilization of the
Greeks.-Character of Greek civilization in its decay.-Philosophy and free-
thinking introduced into Rome.-Decay of the old Italian faith, and rise of Ori-
ental superstitions.-Influence of Greek ideas upon the principles of Roman law.
-Liberal tendencies of Cicero and the contemporary Jurisconsults.-Influence of
Greek literature upon the Romans.- Conflict between the Greek and Italian
spirit: Ennius, Nævius, Lucilius.-Spirit of imitation diffused over Roman litera-
ture.-Study of the Greek rhetoricians: its effect upon Roman eloquence.-Decay
of military discipline.-Familiarity with the courts and standing armies of the
East demoralizes the Proconsuls and the legions.-Fatal effects of the observation
of royalty abroad.-Concluding remarks,

385

HISTORY OF THE ROMANS

UNDER THE EMPIRE.

CHAPTER XII.

CESAR'S SEVENTH CAMPAIGN IN GAUL, A. U. 702, B. c. 52.—VERCINGETORIX

EFFECTS A COALITION BETWEEN THE BELGIANS AND ARVERNIANS.-CÆSAR TAKES GENABUM AND AVARICUM.-WISE AND SPIRITED POLICY OF VERCINGETORIX.-SIEGE OF GERGOVIA.-REVOLT OF THE ADUI.-CÆSAR COMPELLED TO RAISE THE SIEGE: HE EFFECTS A JUNCTION WITH LABIENUS IN BELGIUM, AND RETREATS TOWARDS THE PROVINCE. HE OBTAINS A VICTORY, AND BLOCKADES THE GAULISH ARMY.-GREAT OPERATIONS BEFORE ALESIA. TRIUMPH OF THE ROMANS, AND SUBMISSION OF VERCINGETORIX.— CÆSAR'S EIGHTH CAMPAIGN, A. u. 703, b. c. 51.-PARTIAL INSURRECTIONS IN THE NORTH, WEST AND CENTRE OF GAUL.-CAPTURE OF UXELLODunum. -THE CONQUEST OF GAUL COMPLETED.

WE have seen the death of Crassus begin to bear fruit

of the surviving members of

the triple league, and in the renewed approxi- Caesar's lenient mation of Pompeius to the party from which he policy towards the conquered had been so long estranged. During the win- states of Gaul. ter, Cæsar, from his retreat at Lucca, had been a close observer of this change in the political game, precipitated as it had been by the proceedings consequent upon the murder of Clodius. The sole consul had undertaken to maintain the position of the Roman oligarchy by an extensive conscription throughout Italy. At the decree of the great council of the nobles, the youth of the peninsula were marshalled in arms;

the Etrurians, the Marsians, the Samnites and the Umbrians were sworn to defend the senate and people' of Rome under the auspices of the new Sulla. It remained to be seen whether the old allies of Marius would prove a source of strength or of weakness to the enemy who had ventured to invoke their aid. At a crisis of such intense interest it was, we may imagine, from no patriotic motives, nor from a stern sense of duty to his country, that Cæsar again withdrew from the focus of action and intrigue to the obscure banishment of a distant province. While he remained unarmed within reach of the city, even his personal safety was at the mercy of his enemies. With less patience and self-control he might have been excited by the adverse turn of circumstances to make a premature appeal to the chances of war. He might have called at once upon his own devoted legions; he might have thrown himself upon the generous impulses of his friends in the city; even the new Pompeian levies he might have summoned in the names of Marius and Drusus, of Pompædius and Telesinus. But his resources were yet only half developed; the Gauls were hostile and still unbroken. The conquest must be thoroughly completed before they could be bent to his ulterior purposes, and made to serve as willing instruments in his meditated career. The proconsul, in fact, now regarded the magnificent country subjected to his rule not merely as a great province which he had attached to the empire, but rather as a private estate to be organized for the furtherance of his own designs. As such, he made it, in the first place, the nursery of his army, levying fresh Roman legions within its limits, without regard to the authority of the senate, and without recourse to the national treasury. With the same view he quartered his friends and partizans upon the conquered land, establishing them in permanent employments throughout the province, and effecting, through their agency, a systematic development of its resources. The subjugated and allied states he treated with studious forbearance, such

1 Cæs. B. G. vii. 1.: "De senatus consulto certior factus ut omnes juniores Italiæ conjurarent," where conjurare is a military term for simul jurare.

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History of the Romans Under the Empire, Volume 2