Book CIV.
This book commences with a description of the situation of Germany, and the manners and
customs of the natives. Caius Caesar, at the request of the Eduans 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 com- mitted to Cneius
Pompeius for five years. Caesar 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 Caesar 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.
