Rivers defended it on three sides, and on the fourth there were
swamps and marshes which could be passed only by a narrow ridge. Within
the walls the people had placed the best of their property, and
Vercingetorix, against his judgment, consented, in pity for their
entreaties, that Avaricum should be defended. A strong garrison was left
inside. Vercingetorix entrenched himself in the forests sixteen miles
distant, keeping watch over Caesar's communications. The place could only
be taken by regular approaches, during which the army had to be fed. The
Aedui were growing negligent. The feeble Boii, grateful, it seemed, for
Caesar's treatment of them, exerted themselves to the utmost, but their
small resources were soon exhausted. For many days the legions were
without bread. The cattle had been driven into the woods. It came at last
to actual famine.[3] "But not one word was heard from them," says
Caesar, "unworthy of the majesty of the Roman people or their own earlier
victories." He told them that if the distress became unbearable he would
raise the siege. With one voice they entreated him to persevere. They had
served many years with him, they said, and had never abandoned any
enterprise which they had undertaken. They were ready to endure any degree
of hardship before they would leave unavenged their countrymen who had
been murdered at Gien.
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