Vercingetorix had high
ability and real organizing powers. He laid out a plan for the general
campaign. He fixed a contingent of men and arms which each tribe was to
supply, and failure brought instantaneous punishment. Mild offences were
visited with the loss of eyes or ears; neglect of a more serious sort with
death by fire in the wicker tower. Between enthusiasm and terror he had
soon an army at his command, which he could increase indefinitely at his
need. Part he left to watch the Roman province and prevent Caesar, if he
should arrive, from passing through. With part he went himself to watch
the Aedui, the great central race, where Roman authority had hitherto
prevailed unshaken, but among whom, as he well knew, he had the mass of
the people on his side. The Aedui were hesitating. They called their
levies under arms, as if to oppose him, but they withdrew them again; and
to waver at such a moment was to yield to the stream.
The Gauls had not calculated without reason on Caesar's embarrassments.
The death of Clodius had been followed by the burning of the senate-house
and by many weeks of anarchy. To leave Italy at such a moment might be to
leave it a prey to faction or civil war. His anxiety was relieved at last
by hearing that Pompey had acted, and that order was restored; and seeing
no occasion for his own interference, and postponing the agitation for his
second consulship, he hurried back to encounter the final and convulsive
effort of the Celtic race to preserve their liberties.
Pages:
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436