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had a soft and white skin； was distempered in the head and subject
to an epilepsy； which； it is said； first seized him at Corduba。 But he
did not make the weakness of his constitution a pretext for his
ease； but rather used war as the best physic against his
indispositions； whilst； by indefatigable journeys； coarse diet；
frequent lodging in the field； and continual laborious exercise； he
struggled with his diseases and fortified his body against all
attacks。 He slept generally in his chariots or litters； employing even
his rest in pursuit of action。 In the day he was thus carried to the
forts； garrisons； and camps； one servant sitting with him； who used to
write down what he dictated as he went； and a soldier attending behind
him with his sword drawn。 He drove so rapidly that when he first
left Rome he arrived at the river Rhone within eight days。 He had been
an expert rider from his childhood； for it was usual with him to sit
with his hands joined together behind his back； and so to put his
horse to its full speed。 And in this war he disciplined himself so far
as to be able to dictate letters from on horseback； and to give
directions to two who took notes at the same time or； as Oppius
says； to more。 And it is thought that he was the first who contrived
means for communicating with friends by cipher； when either press of
business； or the large extent of the city； left him no time for a
personal conference about matters that required despatch。 How little
nice he was in his diet may be seen in the following instance。 When at
the table of Valerius Leo； who entertained him at supper at Milan； a
dish of asparagus was put before him on which his host instead of
oil had poured sweet ointment； Caesar partook of it without any
disgust； and reprimanded his friends for finding fault with it。 〃For
it was enough；〃 said he； 〃not to eat what you did not like； but he who
reflects on another man's want of breeding； shows he wants it as
much himself。〃 Another time upon the road he was driven by a storm
into a poor man's cottage； where he found but one room； and that
such as would afford but a mean reception to a single person； and
therefore told his companions places of honour should be given up to
the greater men； and necessary accommodations to the weaker； and
accordingly ordered that Oppius； who was in bad health； should lodge
within； whilst he and the rest slept under a shed at the door。
His first war in Gaul was against the Helvetians and Tigurini； who
having burnt their own towns； twelve in number； and four hundred
villages； would have marched forward through that part of Gaul which
was included in the Roman province； as the Cimbrians and Teutons
formerly had done。 Nor were they inferior to these in courage； and
in numbers they were equal； being in all three hundred thousand； of
which one hundred and ninety thousand were fighting men。 Caesar did
not engage the Tigurini in person； but Labienus； under his directions；
routed them near the rivet Arar。 The Helvetians surprised Caesar；
and unexpectedly set upon him as he was conducting his army to a
confederate town。 He succeeded； however； in making his retreat into
a strong position； where； when he had mustered and marshalled his men；
his horse was brought to him； upon which he said； 〃When I have won the
battle； I will use my horse for the chase； but at present let us go
against the enemy；〃 and accordingly charged them on foot。 After a long
and severe combat； he drove the main army out of the field； but
found the hardest work at their carriages and ramparts； where not only
the men stood and fought； but the women also and children defended
themselves till they were cut to pieces； insomuch that the fight was
scarcely ended till midnight。 This action； glorious in itself；
Caesar crowned with another yet more noble； by gathering in a body all
the barbarians that had escaped out of the battle； above one hundred
thousand in number； and obliging them to re…occupy the country which
they had deserted and the cities which they had burnt。 This he did for
fear the Germans should pass it and possess themselves of the land
whilst it lay uninhabited。
His second war was in defence of the Gauls against the Germans；
though some time before he had made Ariovistus； their king； recognized
at Rome as an ally。 But they were very insufferable neighbours to
those under his government； and it was probable； when occasion
offered； they would renounce the present arrangements； and march on to
occupy Gaul。 But finding his officers timorous； and especially those
of the young nobility who came along with him in hopes of turning
their campaigns with him into a means for their own pleasure or
profit； he called them together； and advised them to march off； and
not run the hazard of a battle against their inclinations； since
they had such weak unmanly feelings； telling them that he would take
only the tenth legion and march against the barbarians； whom he did
not expect to find an enemy more formidable than the Cimbri； nor； he
added； should they find him a general inferior to Marius。 Upon this；
the tenth legion deputed some of their body to pay him their
acknowledgments and thanks； and the other legions blamed their
officers； and all； with great vigour and zeal； followed him many days'
journey； till they encamped within two hundred furlongs of the
enemy。 Ariovistus's courage to some extent was cooled upon their
very approach； for never expecting the Romans would attack the
Germans； whom he had thought it more likely they would not venture
to withstand even in defence of their own subjects； he was the more
surprised at conduct； and saw his army to be in consternation。 They
were still more discouraged by the prophecies of their holy women； who
foretell the future by observing the eddies of rivers； and taking
signs from the windings and noise of streams； and who now warned
them not to engage before the next new moon appeared。 Caesar having
had intimation of this； and seeing the Germans lie still； thought it
expedient to attack them whilst they were under these apprehensions；
rather than sit still and wait their time。 Accordingly he made his
approaches to the strongholds and hills on which they lay encamped；
and so galled and fretted them that at last they came down with
great fury to engage。 But he gained a signal victory； and pursued them
for four hundred furlongs； as far as the Rhine； all which space was
covered with spoils and bodies of the slain。 Ariovistus made shift
to pass the Rhine with the small remains of an army； for it is said
the number of the slain amounted to eighty thousand。
After this action； Caesar left his army at their winter quarters
in the country of the Sequani； and； in order to attend to affairs at
Rome； wen