[32]
The war with Gaul, O conscript
fathers, has been carried on actively since Caius Caesar has been our
commander-in-chief; previously, we were content to act on the defensive, and
to repel attacks. For our generals at all times thought it better to limit
themselves to repulsing those nations, than to provoke their hostility by
any attack of our own. Even that great man, Caius Marius, whose godlike and
amazing valour came to the assistance of the Roman people in many of its
distresses and disasters, was content to check the enormous multitudes of
Gauls who were forcing their way into Italy, without endeavouring to penetrate himself into their
cities and dwelling-places. And lately, that partner of my labours, and
dangers, and counsels, Caius Pomptinus, that most gallant man, crushed in
battle a war of the Allobroges which rose up suddenly against us, and which
was excited by that impious conspiracy, and defeated those tribes who had
provoked us, and then he remained quiet, contented with the
victory by which be had delivered the republic from alarm.
But I see that the counsels of Caius Caesar are widely different. For he
thought it his duty, not only to war against those men whom he saw already
in arms against the Roman people, but to reduce the whole of Gaul under our dominion.
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