Glossary
Ab hac spe repulsi
Latin for 'disappointed in this hope,' an ablative absolute describing the Nervii's reaction to Cicero's refusal.
Example:
Ab hac spe repulsi, the Nervii immediately began fortifying their position.
Ablative Absolute
A grammatical construction consisting of a noun or pronoun and a participle (or adjective/noun) in the ablative case, providing background or contextual information.
Example:
Ablative Absolute phrases, like 'with the wind having risen,' often set the scene for key events in Caesar's narrative.
Ambiorix
A cunning Gallic leader who instigated a wider revolt against the Romans, including the attack on Cicero's camp.
Example:
The Nervii repeated Ambiorix's lies to convince Cicero that all Gaul was in arms.
Caesaris reliquorumque hiberna oppugnari
Latin for 'the winter camps of Caesar and the others are being attacked,' a lie intended to make the Romans feel isolated.
Example:
The Nervii spread rumors that Caesaris reliquorumque hiberna oppugnari to undermine Roman morale.
Cicero
One of Caesar's legates, in charge of a Roman winter camp besieged by the Nervii.
Example:
The Nervii attempted to negotiate with Cicero, hoping to trick him into abandoning his camp.
Germanos Rhenum transisse
Latin for 'the Germans have crossed the Rhine,' another false claim used by the Nervii to exaggerate the Roman predicament.
Example:
As part of their deception, the Nervii asserted that Germanos Rhenum transisse to suggest overwhelming enemy forces.
Indirect Statement
A grammatical construction in Latin, typically using an accusative subject and an infinitive verb, to report what someone said, thought, or perceived.
Example:
You'll often see Indirect Statement when Caesar reports what the Gauls claimed, such as 'they said that the Germans had crossed the Rhine.'
Nervii
A powerful Belgic tribe known for their fierce resistance, who besieged Cicero's winter camp.
Example:
The Nervii launched a fiery assault, demonstrating their ingenuity and ferocity in battle.
Purpose Clauses
Subordinate clauses introduced by *ut* (or *ne* for negative) and a subjunctive verb, indicating the purpose or aim of the main verb's action.
Example:
The Romans fought bravely Purpose Clauses to defend their camp and secure victory.
Qua quidem ex re hominum multitudo cognosci potuit
Latin for 'from which circumstance, the vast number of the men could be inferred,' highlighting the sheer number of Nervii involved.
Example:
The speed of their construction showed Qua quidem ex re hominum multitudo cognosci potuit, revealing the immense size of the Nervii force.
acerrime fortissimeque
Latin for 'most vigorously and most valiantly,' describing the intense fighting of the Roman soldiers.
Example:
The Roman legionaries fought acerrime fortissimeque to repel the Nervii attack.
adiutor
Latin for 'advocate' or 'helper,' referring to Cicero's offer to intercede with Caesar.
Example:
Cicero offered to act as an adiutor to Caesar if the Nervii would lay down their arms.
caespites
Latin for 'turf' or 'sods,' used by the Nervii as building material for their fortifications.
Example:
Lacking proper tools, the Nervii used swords to cut caespites for their rampart.
captivos
Latin for 'captives' or 'prisoners,' from whom the Nervii learned Roman fortification techniques.
Example:
The Nervii gained valuable knowledge about Roman engineering from their captivos.
casas
Latin for 'huts' or 'cabins,' referring to the straw-thatched dwellings in the Roman winter camp.
Example:
The Roman soldiers' casas were highly flammable, making them easy targets for incendiary attacks.
duces principesque
Latin for 'leaders and chiefs,' referring to the prominent figures of the Gallic tribes.
Example:
The duces principesque of the Nervii approached Cicero under the guise of negotiation.
falces
Latin for 'grappling irons' or 'hooks,' used by the Nervii in their siege operations.
Example:
The Nervii prepared falces to pull down sections of the Roman defenses.
fervefacta iacula
Latin for 'heated javelins,' another type of incendiary weapon used by the Nervii.
Example:
Along with clay balls, fervefacta iacula were hurled to spread the fire rapidly.
ferventes fusili ex argilla glandes
Latin for 'hot balls made of burned clay,' incendiary projectiles used by the Nervii.
Example:
The Nervii launched ferventes fusili ex argilla glandes to set the Roman huts ablaze.
fidei faciendae causa
Latin for 'for the purpose of obtaining credence,' explaining why Ambiorix was presented to Cicero.
Example:
Ambiorix was brought forward fidei faciendae causa to lend false credibility to the Nervii's claims.
fossa
Latin for 'ditch,' often dug in front of a rampart as part of camp fortifications.
Example:
The fossa provided an additional obstacle for the attacking Nervii.
fossa pedum XV
Latin for 'ditch of fifteen feet,' describing the depth of the ditch dug by the Nervii.
Example:
In front of their rampart, the Nervii dug a deep fossa pedum XV to impede Roman sorties.
gladius
Latin for 'sword,' the primary short sword used by Roman legionaries.
Example:
Roman soldiers drew their gladius for close-quarters combat on the rampart.
gravissimus
Latin for 'most calamitous' or 'most severe,' describing the intensity of the attack on the seventh day.
Example:
This day proved to be the gravissimus for the Romans, yet they inflicted heavy losses on the Nervii.
legatos
Latin for 'ambassadors' or 'envoys,' whom Cicero suggested the Nervii send to Caesar.
Example:
Cicero advised the Nervii to send legatos directly to Caesar to discuss terms.
licere illis incolumibus per se ex hibernis discedere
Latin for 'it is possible for them to depart from their winter-quarters safely through their means,' the Nervii's deceptive offer of safe passage.
Example:
The Nervii offered licere illis incolumibus per se ex hibernis discedere, but Cicero saw through their trick.
maximo clamore
Latin for 'with a very loud shout,' describing the noise made by the Nervii during their assault.
Example:
The Nervii advanced with maximo clamore, hoping to intimidate the Roman defenders.
nihil nisi hiberna recusent
Latin for 'they deny them nothing but winter-quarters,' a claim by the Nervii to make their demands seem reasonable.
Example:
The Nervii insisted that nihil nisi hiberna recusent, implying their only objection was the Roman presence.
non esse consuetudinem populi Romani accipere ab hoste armato condicionem
Latin for 'it is not the custom of the Roman people to accept any condition from an armed enemy,' Cicero's firm and principled response.
Example:
Cicero's unwavering resolve was clear when he stated non esse consuetudinem populi Romani accipere ab hoste armato condicionem.
omnem esse in armis Galliam
Latin for 'all Gaul is in arms,' a false claim spread by the Nervii to intimidate the Romans.
Example:
The Nervii tried to convince Cicero that omnem esse in armis Galliam to pressure him into leaving.
praesentia animi
Latin for 'presence of mind' or 'composure,' referring to the Roman soldiers' ability to think clearly under pressure.
Example:
The Roman centurions maintained their praesentia animi, even amidst the chaos of the fiery assault.
sagulum
Latin for 'military cloak,' used by the Nervii to carry earth during their rapid fortification efforts.
Example:
The resourceful Nervii used their sagulum to transport soil for their rampart, lacking proper tools.
scalis
Latin for 'ladders,' used by the Nervii to attempt to scale the Roman rampart.
Example:
The Nervii tried to climb the vallum using scalis during their assault.
sermonis aditum causamque amicitiae
Latin for 'intimacy and grounds of friendship,' a deceptive claim made by the Nervii to Cicero.
Example:
The Nervii falsely claimed sermonis aditum causamque amicitiae with Cicero to lull him into a false sense of security.
testudines
Latin for 'mantelets' or 'tortoises,' protective shelters used by attackers to approach fortifications.
Example:
The testudines advanced, shielding the Nervii as they moved towards the Roman rampart.
turris
Latin for 'tower,' referring to siege towers used by the Nervii.
Example:
The Nervii advanced their siege turris towards the Roman defenses, hoping to gain access.
vallum
Latin for 'rampart' or 'wall,' a key defensive structure of a Roman camp.
Example:
The Roman soldiers bravely defended the vallum against the relentless Nervii assault.
vallum pedum IX
Latin for 'rampart of nine feet,' describing the height of the fortification built by the Nervii.
Example:
The Nervii quickly constructed a formidable vallum pedum IX around the Roman camp.
virtus
Latin for 'courage,' 'valor,' or 'excellence,' a core Roman military and moral virtue.
Example:
Despite being surrounded by flames, the Roman soldiers displayed incredible virtus.