AP Latin Study Guide: Caesar, De Bello Gallico Book 5, Chapters 41-43

Welcome to your ultimate review for the AP Latin exam! This guide is designed to be your best friend the night before the test. We'll break down Caesar's De Bello Gallico, Book 5, Chapters 41-43, focusing on key grammar, context, and translation strategies. Let's get started!

Context and Overview
Chapter 41: Negotiations and Roman Resolve
Chapter 42: Nervii Fortifications
Chapter 43: The Fiery Assault
Final Exam Focus
Practice Questions

Context and Overview

Setting the Stage

We're in the thick of it! Book 5 of De Bello Gallico details some of the most intense fighting of the Gallic Wars. These chapters focus on the Nervii, a powerful Belgic tribe, and their siege of Cicero's winter camp. 🏕️
Key Players:
- Cicero: Not the famous orator, but one of Caesar's legates in charge of a winter camp.
- Nervii: A formidable Gallic tribe known for their fierce resistance.
- Ambiorix: A cunning Gallic leader who sparked the wider revolt.

Why These Chapters Matter

High-Value Topic: These chapters are packed with action, strategic maneuvers, and insights into Roman military tactics and Gallic warfare. They frequently appear on the AP exam, so pay close attention.
Themes: Look for themes of Roman discipline, Gallic ingenuity, and the brutality of war.
Grammar Focus: Expect to see a lot of indirect statements, ablative absolutes, and purpose clauses.

Chapter 41: Negotiations and Roman Resolve

Nervii's Overture

The Nervii, led by their duces principesque (leaders and chiefs), attempt to negotiate with Cicero. They claim to have some sermonis aditum causamque amicitiae (intimacy and grounds of friendship) with him.
Key Point: This is a deceptive tactic. The Nervii are trying to lull Cicero into a false sense of security.

Key Concept

The Nervii's Claims

They repeat Ambiorix's lies: omnem esse in armis Galliam (all Gaul is in arms), Germanos Rhenum transisse (the Germans have crossed the Rhine), and Caesaris reliquorumque hiberna oppugnari (the winter camps of Caesar and the others are being attacked).
They add the death of Sabinus as proof of their claims and show Ambiorix as a symbol of fidei faciendae causa (for the purpose of obtaining credence).

Nervii's Offer

They offer safe passage for the Romans to leave their winter camp: licere illis incolumibus per se ex hibernis discedere (it is possible for them to depart from their winter-quarters safely through their means).
They claim they only object to the Romans staying in winter quarters: nihil nisi hiberna recusent (they deny them nothing but winter-quarters).

Cicero's Response

Cicero gives a firm, classic Roman response: non esse consuetudinem populi Romani accipere ab hoste armato condicionem (it is not the custom of the Roman people to accept any condition from an armed enemy).
He demands that the Nervii lay down their arms and offers to act as an adiutor (advocate) to Caesar. He also suggests that they send legatos (ambassadors) to Caesar.
Quick Fact: Cicero's response highlights Roman pride and refusal to negotiate under duress.

Quick Fact

Chapter 42: Nervii Fortifications

Nervii's Response

Ab hac spe repulsi (disappointed in this hope), the Nervii begin to fortify their position around the Roman winter camp.

Fortification Details

They build a vallum pedum IX (rampart of nine feet) and fossa pedum XV (ditch of fifteen feet).
They learned these techniques from previous interactions with the Romans and from captivos (captives) from the Roman army.
Common Mistake: Don't mix up the measurements! The rampart is IX feet, and the ditch is XV feet.

Common Mistake

Resourcefulness

Lacking proper tools, they use swords to cut caespites (turf) and their hands and cloaks to remove earth.
Qua quidem ex re hominum multitudo cognosci potuit (from which circumstance, the vast number of the men could be inferred). This shows how many Nervii were involved in the siege.
They build towers, falces (grappling irons), and testudines (mantelets) with the help of Roman prisoners.

Chapter 43: The Fiery Assault

The Attack

On the seventh day, with a strong wind, the Nervii launch a fiery attack using ferventes fusili ex argilla glandes (hot balls made of burned clay) and fervefacta iacula (heated javelins).
They target the casas (huts), which are thatched with straw, causing a rapid spread of fire.

Initial Success and Roman Response

The Nervii, with a maximo clamore (very loud shout), advance their towers and testudines (mantelets) and try to climb the rampart with scalis (ladders).
Memory Aid: Testudo (tortoise) = testudines (mantelets) look like tortoise shells.

Memory Aid

Despite being surrounded by flames and under heavy attack, the Roman soldiers show incredible virtus (courage) and praesentia animi (presence of mind).
They don't retreat from the vallum (rampart) and fight acerrime fortissimeque (most vigorously and most valiantly).

Turning the Tide

This day is the gravissimus (most calamitous) for the Romans, but it results in the greatest number of Nervii being killed and wounded.
The Romans use a clever tactic: the centurions of the third cohort withdraw from a section of the rampart and invite the Nervii to enter. When the Nervii approach, they are bombarded with stones.
The Nervii's tower is set on fire, and they are dislodged.

Final Exam Focus

High-Priority Topics

Indirect Statement: Pay close attention to the accusative + infinitive constructions, especially in Chapter 41. * Ablative Absolute: Look for these constructions to understand the context of events. For example, maximo coorto vento (with a very high wind having sprung up).
Purpose Clauses: Understand how these clauses explain the purpose of actions. For example, fidei faciendae causa (for the purpose of obtaining credence).
Vocabulary: Be familiar with military terms like vallum, fossa, turris, testudo, gladius, sagulum, and scalis.

Exam Tip

Common Question Types

Multiple Choice: Expect questions on vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension of the text.
Short Answer: Questions may ask you to identify grammatical constructions or explain the significance of certain events.
Free Response: You might be asked to analyze the strategies of either the Romans or the Nervii, or to compare and contrast their approaches.

Last-Minute Tips

Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the details of the text. Small differences in wording can change the meaning.
Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and trust your preparation. You've got this!

Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

In chapter 41, what is the grammatical function of condicionem in the phrase accipere ab hoste armato condicionem? a) Subject b) Direct Object c) Indirect Object d) Predicate Nominative
In chapter 42, what is the case and number of pedum in the phrase vallo pedum IX? a) Accusative, singular b) Genitive, plural c) Ablative, singular d) Dative, plural
In chapter 43, what does praesentia animi refer to? a) The physical strength of the soldiers b) The mental composure of the soldiers c) The quantity of weapons d) The speed of the attack

Free Response Question

Analyze the strategies employed by both the Nervii and the Romans in chapters 41-43. How do these strategies reflect their respective cultures and military approaches? Support your answer with specific examples from the text.

Scoring Breakdown:

Thesis (1 point): A clear statement that identifies the main strategies of both the Nervii and Romans.
Nervii Strategies (3 points):
- Deceptive negotiations (Chapter 41) - 1 point
- Rapid fortification efforts (Chapter 42) - 1 point
- Fiery assault using specialized weapons (Chapter 43) - 1 point
Roman Strategies (3 points):
- Refusal to negotiate under duress (Chapter 41) - 1 point
- Disciplined defense despite being under attack (Chapter 43) - 1 point
- Tactical withdrawal and counterattack (Chapter 43) - 1 point
Cultural Reflection (2 points):
- Discussion of how Nervii actions show their resourcefulness and ferocity (e.g., using swords as tools) - 1 point
- Discussion of how Roman actions show their discipline and refusal to surrender (e.g., Cicero's response, soldiers' bravery) - 1 point
Use of Textual Evidence (2 points):
- Specific examples from the text to support the analysis - 2 points

Caesar, Gallic War, Book 5, Chapters 41-43

Peter Clark