AP Latin Study Guide: Caesar, De Bello Gallico, Book 5, Chapters 44-46

Welcome to your ultimate review for the AP Latin exam! This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. We'll break down complex passages, highlight key concepts, and give you the confidence you need to succeed. Let's dive in!

🚀 Overview: What to Expect

This section focuses on a pivotal moment in Caesar's De Bello Gallico, specifically Book 5, Chapters 44-46. These chapters are packed with action, drama, and crucial insights into Roman military tactics and the challenges faced by Caesar's legions. We'll cover:

• Intense Combat: The rivalry between Pullo and Vorenus and their daring exploits.
• Communication Breakdown: The desperate situation of Cicero's legion and their attempts to reach Caesar.
• Caesar's Response: Caesar's swift and strategic reaction to the crisis.

Let's get started!

⚔️ Chapter 44: The Bravery of Pullo and Vorenus

Summary

This chapter introduces two centurions, Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus, whose rivalry leads to a daring display of courage. Their actions demonstrate Roman valor but also highlight the chaos of battle. It also shows how fortune can turn enemies into allies.

Key Points

• Rivalry: Pullo and Vorenus are constantly competing for recognition.

* **Challenge:** Pullo challenges Vorenus to prove his courage, initiating their charge. * **Individual Heroism:** Both men display exceptional bravery, but their actions are also reckless. * **Fortuna:** The role of fortune is emphasized, showing how quickly the tides of battle can turn. * **Interdependence:** Despite their rivalry, they save each other's lives, highlighting the importance of mutual support in the Roman army.

Detailed Breakdown

1. Introduction of Pullo and Vorenus:

   • Erant in ea legione fortissimi viri, centuriones, qui primis ordinibus appropinquarent, Titus Pullo et Lucius Vorenus.
     • "There were in that legion very brave men, centurions, who were approaching the first ranks, Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus."

2. Their Rivalry:

   • Hi perpetuas inter se controversias habebant, quinam anteferretur, omnibusque annis de locis summis simultatibus contendebant.
     • "These men used to have continual disputes between themselves as to which should be preferred, and every year they would contend with the utmost animosity about the highest positions."

3. Pullo's Challenge:

   • Ex his Pullo, cum acerrime ad munitiones pugnaretur, "Quid dubitas," inquit, "Vorene? aut quem locum tuae probandae virtutis exspectas? hic dies de nostris controversiis iudicabit."
     • "Out of these, Pullo, when the fighting was fiercest at the fortifications, said, 'Why do you hesitate, Vorenus? Or what opportunity are you waiting for to prove your valor? This day will decide our dispute.'"

4. The Charge:

   • Haec cum dixisset, procedit extra munitiones quaque pars hostium confertissima est visa irrumpit.
     • "When he had said these things, he advanced outside the fortifications and rushed into the part of the enemy that seemed the most crowded."
   • Ne Vorenus quidem tum sese vallo continet, sed omnium veritus existimationem subsequitur.
     • "Nor did Vorenus then hold himself back within the rampart, but, fearing the opinion of all, followed him."

5. Pullo's Initial Success and Setback:

   • Mediocri spatio relicto Pullo pilum in hostes immittit atque unum ex multitudine procurrentem traicit; quo percusso et exanimato hunc scutis protegunt, in hostem tela universi coniciunt neque dant regrediendi facultatem.
     • "After a short space had been left, Pullo hurled his javelin at the enemies and pierced one of the crowd running forward; when he had been struck and killed, they protected him with their shields, and all together threw their spears at the enemy, and did not give him a chance to retreat."
   • Transfigitur scutum Pulloni et verutum in balteo defigitur.
     • "Pullo's shield was pierced and a javelin was stuck in his belt."
   • Avertit hic casus vaginam et gladium educere conanti dextram moratur manum, impeditumque hostes circumsistunt.
     • "This event turned aside his scabbard and delayed his right hand as he tried to draw his sword, and the enemies surrounded him, now hindered."

6. Vorenus's Rescue:

   • Succurrit inimicus illi Vorenus et laboranti subvenit.
     • "His enemy Vorenus ran to his aid and helped him in his struggle."
   • Ad hunc se confestim a Pullone omnis multitudo convertit: illum veruto arbitrantur occisum.
     • "Immediately the whole crowd turned from Pullo to him: they thought that the former had been killed by the javelin."

7. Vorenus's Counterattack and Fall:

   • Gladio comminus rem gerit Vorenus atque uno interfecto reliquos paulum propellit; dum cupidius instat, in locum deiectus inferiorem concidit.
     • "Vorenus fought hand-to-hand with his sword and, having killed one man, drove back the rest a little; while he pressed on too eagerly, having been thrown down into a lower place, he fell."

8. Pullo's Second Rescue:

   • Huic rursus circumvento fert subsidium Pullo, atque ambo incolumes compluribus interfectis summa cum laude sese intra munitiones recipiunt.
     • "To him, in turn, when he was surrounded, Pullo brought aid, and both, safe, having killed many, retreated within the fortifications with the highest praise."

9. The Outcome:

   • Sic fortuna in contentione et certamine utrumque versavit, ut alter alteri inimicus auxilio salutique esset, neque diiudicari posset, uter utri virtute anteferendus videretur.
     • "Thus fortune dealt with each in the rivalry and struggle, that the one, an enemy to the other, was for aid and safety, nor could it be decided which of the two seemed more worthy to be preferred to the other in valor."

Practice Question

Practice Question Text