43.
In the mean time, when intelligence was brought that all their soldiers were in
Caesar's power, they run in a body to
Aristius; they assure him that nothing had been done by public
authority; they order an inquiry to be made about the plundered property; they
confiscate the property of Litavicus and his brothers; they send
embassadors to Caesar for the purpose of clearing
themselves. They do all this with a view to recover their soldiers; but being
contaminated by guilt, and charmed by the gains arising from the plundered
property, as that act was shared in by many, and being tempted by the fear of
punishment, they began to form plans of war and stir up the other states by
embassies. Although Caesar was aware of this
proceeding, yet he addresses the embassadors with as much mildness as he can:
"That he did not think worse of the state on account of the ignorance and
fickleness of the mob, nor would diminish his regard for the
Aedui." He himself, fearing a greater commotion in Gaul, in order to prevent his being surrounded by all the states,
began to form plans as to the manner in which he should return from Gergovia and again concentrate his forces, lest a departure arising
from the fear of a revolt should seem like a flight.
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