Chapter 4 Volume 1 41-60

41．Two days later, Caesar arrived at the camp with nine hundred cavalry who remained with him as a guard.The bridge, damaged by the storm, was nearly repaired, and he ordered it to be completed that night.Having learned the terrain of the country, he left six battalions to guard the camp, the bridge, and all the baggage, and on the next day he set out with his whole army in three ranks to Ilerda, facing Afranius halted in his camp, and lingered there a while armed, to give his opponent a chance to fight on level ground.Having this opportunity, Afranius also brought out his army, and arrayed them on the hillside below his camp.When Caesar saw that Afranius had no intention of fighting, he resolved to pitch his camp about four hundred paces from the foot of the mountain.In order to prevent his soldiers from being surprised by the enemy's sudden attack when they were buried in the fortification, and the project was hindered, he ordered them not to build a wall, lest because it was high above the ground, it could be seen from a long distance, but it was facing the enemy. While digging a trench fifteen feet wide, the first and second ranks continued to be armed and alert as they had been at the beginning, and the third ranks worked secretly behind them.Thus the fortification of the camp was completed before Afranius knew it.In the evening Caesar withdrew his legions into the ashram, and made them rest there the next night under armed guard.

42．The next day, he left the whole army in the trenches, because the materials for the fortifications had to be traveled far away, so for the present he decided to still use the same form of fortifications, and assigned each legion to share the fortifications on one side of the camp, that is, to dig the same size. and the rest of the regiments were lightly armed and lined up facing the enemy, armed and on guard.Afranius and Petreius, in order to frighten our army and hinder the work, brought his army all the way to the foot of the mountain, and challenged our army.But that's it, Caesar relied on having three legions on guard on the one hand, and trenches on the other for cover.Still doesn't stop working.They did not stay there for long, nor did they go far from the foot of the mountain, but they led the troops back to the camp.On the third day Caesar surrounded the nutrition with a rampart, and ordered that the remaining battalions and trains which had remained in the former camp be transferred there also.

43．Between Ilerda and the nearest hill, on which Petreius and Afranius camped, there was a slightly raised plateau.Caesar was convinced that if he could occupy and fortify this high ground, he would kill the enemy and the town.The bridge, and all the supplies they were carrying to the town, were cut off.Driven by this idea, he took the three legions out of the camp and chose a favorable terrain to deploy the array.Order the elite soldiers of one of the legions to quickly rush to occupy this high ground.As soon as this was known, the battalion which had stood guard before the camp of Afranius was immediately sent out, and took a short cut, and took the heights also.The two sides fought.As Afranius' men had first reached the heights, our army was driven down.When the enemy sent reinforcements again, they were forced to turn around and return to the place where the legion was stationed.

44．The fighting method of these soldiers on the other side is: first rush up quickly and bravely occupy a position, but they do not strictly abide by the order of ranks, but disperse in twos and threes to fight on their own.If the pressure is severe, they back away and abandon the place, not thinking it a shameful thing to do.They had been used to this barbaric method of warfare long before they fought the Lusitanians and other barbarians, and as a rule a soldier would be hurt when he lingered long in one place. Many customs of this place influence.However, it was this unfamiliar combat method that alarmed our soldiers.Even if there is only one enemy rushing up, they still think that their exposed flanks are already surrounded by the opponent.Yet they feel it is their duty to remain in the middle of the ranks, not to leave the company flag, without a very necessary reason, nor should they give up their positions.Therefore, when the elite soldiers under the banner fell into chaos, the legion deployed on this wing could not stand up, and retreated to the nearby mountain.

45．Seeing that almost the whole army was confused by this unexpected and never-before-seen situation, Caesar encouraged his subordinates and led the Ninth Legion to go up to support and intercept the enemies who were chasing our army wantonly. Forcing them to also turn around and retreat towards the city of Ilerda, they didn't stop until they were under the city wall.But the soldiers of the Ninth Legion, eager to avenge their humiliation, became enthusiastic, and pursued the retreating enemy very recklessly. A very unfavorable place at the foot of the mountain.When they thought of retreating over there, the enemies turned around again and rushed down from a high place to attack them.The place was so rough, and the sides were so steep, that it was only wide enough for three battalions to be spread out, and it was impossible to send reinforcements up from the sides, and it was impossible for cavalry to go up to help when the situation was overwhelmed.However, just outside the town, there is a slope with a relatively gentle slope, extending about 400 steps forward.Because of our enthusiasm and impulsiveness, our army rushed too rashly, so we had to retreat to that side.Fighting took place there, and because the place is very narrow, and it is at the foot of the mountain, the weapons thrown at them seldom miss, so it was not good for our army.But they all rely on their bravery and perseverance to endure all trauma.The enemy's strength was increasing, and troops were constantly being sent from the camps and marched through the towns to support them, to replace the weary men with fresh troops.This is what Caesar was forced to do, by sending troops to the same place, and replacing the tired ones.

46．The battle continued like this for five cubits. Our army was under the pressure of a large number of enemies. When all the light spears were exhausted, they drew their swords and rushed up the mountain. some, forcing the rest to turn and back away.When the enemy army was defeated towards the city, and some of them fled into the town out of fear, it was possible for our army to withdraw calmly.The cavalry of our army stationed on both sides, although stationed on a sloping and low place, at this time bravely struggled to climb to the top of the mountain, and galloped back and forth between the formations of the two armies, which made our army's retreat easier and more convenient. Safety.The battle went on like this with victories and losses.In the first confrontation about seventy of our troops were killed (among them Quintus Herginius, a first-ranked centurion of the Fourteenth Legion, The centurion promoted to this position), about six hundred were wounded.Among those killed on Afranius' side were the chief centurion Titus Caecilius, and besides him four other centurions and more than two hundred soldiers.

47．However, the two sides have different opinions on the outcome of the battle that day, and everyone thinks that they have the upper hand in the battle.Because although the soldiers of Afranius are considered weak in the minds of ordinary people, they were able to fight our army hand to hand. The high ground that caused the struggle forced our army to retreat in the first round.But our army believed that despite the unfavorable terrain and the huge disparity in numbers, they were able to hold on to the battle for more than five quarters, and charged up the hill with their swords, forcing the enemy to retreat from their commanding positions and flee into the city. .The high ground on which the battle has arisen is defended by a strong fortification, and a garrison is left on it.

48．Less than two days after these events, another sudden disaster occurred.A storm came with such violence that it was thought that a greater flood had never occurred in that part of the world.The flood washed down the snow from all the mountains, and rushed up the high banks of the river, and in one day broke the two bridges that Fabius had built.These things brought great difficulty to Caesar's legions.His camp, as has been said, was sandwiched between two rivers, the Sikoris and the Ginga, with a width of only thirty leagues between them.Both rivers could no longer be crossed, and all activities were helplessly confined within this small circle.A country that has friendly relations with Caesar.No longer able to support him with food, even the grazing troops who went out for a long distance were cut off by the river and could not return.All the large convoys from Italy and Gaul could not make it to the camp.In terms of seasons, this also happens to be the most difficult time. The grains in the field are no longer green, but there is still some time before they mature.Locally it was almost exhausted, for Afranius had brought almost all the grain into Ilerda before Caesar's arrival, and if there was any left, it had been taken by Caesar some days before. ate up.Originally, livestock could barely be used as a substitute during a famine, but because of the war, they have been transferred to far away places by neighboring countries.Those who went out to graze and gather grain were pursued by Lusitanian light soldiers and near-Spanish leather shields who were familiar with the local situation. These people crossed the river easily, because they all had a habit of not carrying Don't join the army with swimming skins.

49．The army of Afranius was well supplied with everything.in days gone by.They had accumulated and brought in great quantities of corn, and brought much more from the provinces; fodder was also in good supply.The bridge of Ilerda, which facilitated the transport of all these supplies without danger, and the country on the opposite side, which Caesar could not reach at all, remained intact. 50．The flood lasted for several days, and Caesar tried to repair the bridge, but the turbulent water would not allow him to do so, nor would the enemy troops stationed along the coast allow him to repair it.Because it is very convenient for the other party to prevent him from repairing the bridge.Because the terrain of the place where the river is located is very dangerous, the water is very fast and turbulent, and the opponent can concentrate and throw their weapons at a narrow place in all places along the coast, and our army has to fight on the swift river at the same time. It is very difficult to work and dodge weapons.

51．It was reported to Afranius that a great caravan, on its way to Caesar, had stopped by the river.It turned out that the Luteni archers and the Gallic cavalry came thither, with many chariots and a lot of luggage, according to the custom of the Gallic people.In addition, there were many different kinds of people, with slaves and children, as many as 6,000 people, but they had neither formations nor certain organizational discipline, and each of them walked as he pleased. Unsuspecting at all, I hurried on my way as freely as in the past few days.Among them are some young men from noble families, the sons of senators or knights, and some envoys from other countries and Caesar's lieutenants.These people were all blocked by the river.In order to make a surprise attack on them, Afranius set out at night with all his cavalry and three legions, sending the cavalry ahead in order to attack when they were not on guard.Nevertheless, the Gallic cavalry quickly got ready for battle.Though few in number, they were able to keep a much greater number of enemies there while the fighting could be fought with considerable force.It was only when the Legion's banners began to approach that they retreated, after losing some men, to the nearby hills.The delay of the battle played an extremely important role in the safety of our personnel, so they took advantage of this opportunity to retreat to a high ground.We lost about two hundred archers, a few cavalry, and a few camp slaves and baggage that day.

52．For all these reasons the price of grain has risen, often not simply because of present shortages.And also because people are worrying about the future.The price of food had risen to fifty denarius a buck of wheat, and the strength of the soldiers was weakened by the lack of food.Difficulties increased with every month, and in a few days the situation changed so much and luck became so great that our army had to contend with a severe shortage of all necessaries, while the enemy had plenty of everything, occupy a great advantage.Caesar took cattle from the countries with which he had friendly relations--for they were not very rich in food--and sent the slaves to more distant countries, and he himself did what he could to do something to relieve the present famine. All ways to help. 53．Afranius, Petreius, and their friends, wrote more detailed and exaggerated letters, informing their own people in Rome of these facts.There are many languages ​​added to this, and it looks like the war is coming to an end.When these letters and news were brought to Rome, a large crowd gathered at Afranius' house to congratulate him with great jubilation.Many people left Italy to go to Pompey.Some want to be the first to report the good news, others want to avoid being seen as the last of all to sit back and wait for the deal to be done. 54．The situation had grown so dangerous, and all the roads were blocked by the troops and cavalry of Afranius, and the bridges could not be repaired, Caesar ordered the soldiers to start building ships, learning from the experience of the previous years in Britain. Built the way it arrived.The keel and front ribs of the boat were made of balsa wood, and the rest of the hull was woven of branches and then covered with leather.After these boats were built, they were transported to the river 20 miles away from the camp, and some soldiers used these boats to cross the river. When the opponent was not prepared, they suddenly occupied a river bank. The connected hills quickly built fortifications before the other party noticed it.Later, he transported another legion, and both sides worked together to build a bridge, which was completed in two days.In this way, the transport team and those who went out to collect grain socks were safely picked up, and the difficulties in food began to be relieved. 55．That very day he sent most of his cavalry across the river.They suddenly attacked the scattered and unsuspecting enemy herdsmen and intercepted a large number of livestock and personnel. When several battalions of leather shield soldiers from the other side were sent to support them, our army split into two parts smartly. Part guarding the spoils, part defending against approaching enemies, driving them away.A battalion on the other side boldly jumped out of its own ranks and ran in front of the others. Our army cut them off from the rest, surrounded them and wiped them out, and returned to the camp by the bridge without loss and with a lot of spoils. 56．While these things were going on at Ilerda, the Massilians adopted the plan of Domitius, and prepared seventeen ships of war, eleven of which were decked.To these were added many small boats, in an attempt to frighten our fleet away by their numbers alone.The ship was staffed with a large number of archers and the Albigians already mentioned, and encouraged them with rewards and promises.Domitius also asked for some ships for himself, equipped with tenants and shepherds he took with him.Having thus equipped everything aboard, they sailed out with great confidence against our fleet under Dequimus Brutus, which was at anchor on an island facing Massilia. . 57．Brutus had far fewer ships, but Caesar assigned to this fleet the bravest men chosen from all the various legions, the best soldiers and centurions he had asked for the work. Ladies and gentlemen, they have already prepared their iron hooks and harpoons.It also carries a large number of weapons such as light spears, thoraxes and other fletchers.As soon as they learned of the enemy's approach, they sailed their ships out of the harbor to meet the Massilians.Both sides fought with great valor and fury.Those rough Albigians, who grew up in the mountains and are very skilled in martial arts, are not inferior to us in courage, and they have just come from the Massilians, who were promised to them not long ago. The promise is still fresh in my memory.Domitius's herdsmen were impelled by the hope of freedom, eager to prove their drive before the eyes of their master. 58．The Massilians, relying on the speed of their ships and the skill of their steersmen, circumvented our ships and escaped their onslaught, and as long as the road was clear, they scattered their ships and pulled them together. The long column surrounded us, or attacked one of us with several boats, and if possible, brushed our sides, trying to dislodge our oars.But if necessary, when they have to get close, they will also use the bravery of the mountain people to replace the experience and skill of the helmsman.As for our army, the men were hastily drawn from the merchant ships, the oarsman was not so skilled, the helmsman was not so experienced, and the names of the rigging were not even known, and our ships were slow and heavy. , and it was tiring indeed, for they were hastily built from raw lumber and could not be manipulated with the same dexterity.Therefore, as soon as there is an opportunity to take over close combat, our army will calmly use one of our own boats to run towards the other's two boats, stretch out the iron hooks to fasten both of them tightly, and stand on both sides of the boat. fight.They also boarded enemy ships, and after killing a large number of Albigians and herdsmen, sank some of them, captured a few with men and ships, and drove the rest back to the port.The Massilians lost nine ships that day, including captured ones. 59．When news of the battle was first reported to Caesar at Ilerda, the bridge was completed at the same time, and fortunes turned around.Frightened by the bravery of our cavalry, the enemy no longer dared to move out so freely and boldly. Even if they came out sometimes, they did not dare to leave the camp too far, and only grazed in a very small area so that they could be quickly dispatched. return to.Sometimes, they turned far away to avoid our army's guards and cavalry posts. When they suffered some losses or saw our cavalry from a long distance, they immediately stopped, threw away their bags, and fled.In the end, they decided to stop harvesting for a few days, or go out of their way to harvest at night. 60．At the same time, the Oskars and the Calagurisians who paid tribute to the Oskars sent messengers to Caesar to express their willingness to obey his orders.After them came the Tarraco, the Acetani, and the Ossetani.A few days later, the Ilugavonesses approached the Hiberus again.Caesar asked all these nations to support him with food.They promised to do so, and went about collecting all the animals and bringing them to the camp.A battalion of the Ilugavonesses, when they became aware of the intentions of their own country, defected from their garrison and surrendered.The situation changed immediately.Bridges were made, five mighty nations were made friends with us, the food problem was solved, and the rumors that Pompey was coming to the rescue with his legions through Mauritania were dashed.More distant nations deserted Afranius for the friendship of Caesar.