e across the Rhone, but, being
resisted by the soldier, desisted.

After the war with the Helvetii was concluded, ambassadors from almost
all parts of Gaul assembled to congratulate Caesar, and to declare that
his victory had happened no less to the benefit of the land of Gaul than
of the Roman people, because the Helvetii had quitted their country with
the design of subduing the whole of Gaul.

When the assembly was dismissed, the chiefs' of the AEdui and of the
Sequani waited upon Caesar to complain that Ariovistus, the king of the
Germans, had seized a third of their land, which was the best in Gaul,
and was now ordering them to depart from another third part.

To ambassadors sent by Caesar, demanding an appointment of some spot for
a conference, Ariovistus gave an insolent reply, which was repeated on a
second overture. Hearing that the king of the Germans was threatening to
seize Vesontio, the capital of the Sequani, Caesar, by a forced march,
arrived there and took possession of the city. Apprised of this event,
Ariovistus changed his attitude, and sent messengers intimating that he
agreed to meet Caesar, as they were now nearer to each other, and could
meet without danger.

The conference took place, but it led to no successful result, for
Ariovistus demanded that the Romans should withdraw from Gaul and his
conduct became afterwards so hostile that it led to war. A battle took
place about fifty miles from the Rhine. The Germans were routed and fled
to the river, across which many escaped, the rest being slain in
pursuit. Caesar, having concluded two very important wars in one
campaign, conducted his army into winter quarters.

_II.--Taming the Rebellious Belgae_

While Caesar was in winter quarters in Hither Gaul frequent reports were
brought to him that all the Belgae were entering into a confederacy
against the Roman people, because they feared that, after all Celtic
Gaul was subdued, our army would be led against them. Caesar, alarmed,
levied two new legions in Hither Gaul, and proceeded to the territory of
the Belgae. As he arrived there unexpectedly, and sooner than anyone
anticipated, the Remi, who are the nearest of the Belgae to Celtic Gaul,
sent messages of submission and gave Caesar full information about the
other Belgae.

Caesar next learned that the Nervii, a savage and very brave people,
whose territories bordered those just conquered, had upbraided the rest
of the Belgae who had surren