11.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXIII [1] comprehension (1)

THE STORMING OF A CITY [1]

Pūblius plūrīs diēs in Germāniā morātus in Galliam rediit, et ad Caesaris castra sē contulit. Ille quia molestē ferēbat Gallōs eius regiōnis obsidēs dare recūsāvisse et exercituī frūmentum praebēre nōluisse, cōnstituit eīs bellum īnferre. Agrīs vāstātīs, vīcīs incēnsīs, pervēnit ad oppidum validissimum quod et nātūrā et arte mūnītum erat. Cingēbātur mūrō vīgintī quīnque pedēs altō. Ā lateribus duōbus situm, praeruptō fastīgiō ad plānitiem vergēbat; ā quārtō tantum latere aditus erat facilis. Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar. Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.

• fastīgium, -ī [2/n]: slope
• vergō, -ere [3]: turn; lie

[1] “Pūblius plūrīs diēs …. erat facilis.”

[i] When did Publius return to Caesar’s camp? (1)

[ii] Why did Caesar decide to make war on the Gauls? (2)

[iii] What damage was done before reaching the town?

[iv] Describe the town’s defences. (8)

[2] “Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar.”

What does this statement reveal about Caesar’s character? (2)

[3] “Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.”

What task was Publius given? (1)

____________________

[1]

[i] after staying several days in Germania

[ii] the Gauls refused to give hostages (1) and were unwilling to supply grain to his army (1)

[iii] fields devastated (laid waste) (1); villages burned (1)

[iv]

very strongly fortified (1)

by both nature (1) and construction (1) [ = by its natural / geographical location; by the way in which it was built]

25-foot-high wall (1)

steep slopes (1) on two sides (1)

only one easy approach (1) on the fourth side (1)

[v] very determined (1); despite the difficulty, he decides to attack (1)

[vi] prepare everything necessary for the attack