This book commences with a description of the situation of Germany, and
the manners and customs of the natives. Caius Cæsar, at the request of
the Æduans and Sequanians, whose country had been seized upon, leads his
army against the Germans, who had invaded Gaul, under the command of
Ariovistus, roused by an address the courage of his soldiers, who were
alarmed at the unusual appearance of these new enemies, and expelled
from Gaul the Germans, defeated in a battle, [Y. R. 695. B. C. 57.]
Marcus Tullius Cicero, to the great joy of the senate, and of all Italy,
was recalled from banishment chiefly by the persuasion of Pompeius,
aided by Titus Annius Milo, the plebeian tribune, who also argued in his
favour. The charge of providing corn for the city was committed to
Cneius Pompeius for five years. Cæsar brought to subjection the Ambians,
Suessians, Veromanduans, and Atrebatians, a people of the Belgians,
whose numbers were immense, after having subdued them in battle. He
afterwards, at great risk, engaged the Nervians, a people belonging to
one of the above states, and destroyed that race; this war they
continued with such obstinacy, that their army was reduced from sixty
thousand men to three hundred, and, of four hundred senators, only three
remained alive. A law being made to reduce Cyprus to the form of a
province, and to confiscate the royal treasure; the management of that
business was committed to Marcus Cato. [Y. R. 696. B. C. 56.] Ptolemy,
being ill-treated by his subjects, and dethroned, came to Rome. Caius
Cæsar defeated the Venetians, a people living on the borders of the sea,
in a sea-fight. This book contains also the history of his lieutenants’
equally good fortune.