AP Latin Study Guide: Caesar, De Bello Gallico Book 5, Chapters 24-26

Welcome to your ultimate guide for acing the AP Latin exam! Let's break down these crucial passages from Caesar with a focus on clarity, efficiency, and exam readiness. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. Let's get started!

🏛️ Overview: Context and Significance

These chapters from Caesar's De Bello Gallico are pivotal, detailing the Roman army's winter preparations and the initial sparks of rebellion that will soon escalate. Understanding these events is crucial for both literal translation and interpretation on the exam. Remember, Caesar's strategic decisions and the Gauls' reactions are key themes. Let's dive into the details!

🗺️ Chapter 24: Winter Quarters and Logistics

Setting the Scene

• The Problem: A poor harvest forces Caesar to rethink his usual winter strategy. 🌾
• Key Action: Caesar distributes his legions across various Gallic territories.

Breakdown of Key Points

• Subductis navibus...concilioque...peracto: "With the ships having been drawn up and the council having been completed..." - This ablative absolute sets the stage for Caesar's actions.
• propter siccitates: "because of the droughts" - This explains the reason for the change in strategy.
• aliter ac superioribus annis: "differently from previous years" - Highlights the deviation from the norm.
• legionesque in plures civitates distribuere: "and to distribute the legions into several states" - This is the main action Caesar takes.
• Specific Assignments: Note the distribution of legions and their commanders:
  • C. Fabius to the Morini
  • Q. Cicero to the Nervii
  • L. Roscius to the Esubii
  • T. Labienus to the Remi (near the Treveri)
  • M. Crassus, L. Munatius Plancus, and C. Trebonius to Belgium
  • Q. Titurius Sabinus and L. Aurunculeius Cotta to the Eburones
• facillime inopiae frumentariae sese mederi: "that he could most easily remedy the lack of grain" - This is Caesar's rationale for the distribution.
• milibus passuum centum continebantur: "were contained within 100 miles" - This shows how close the legions were to each other (except for Roscius).
• quoad legiones collocatas munitaque hiberna cognovisset: "until he had learned that the legions were stationed and the winter quarters fortified" - This shows Caesar's caution.

Visual Aid

Caption: Map of Gaul showing the locations of various tribes mentioned in the text. Notice the proximity of the Eburones, Nervii, and Treveri, where much of the conflict will take place.