Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [19]: A Roman Victory near Bibracte

Language focus: ablative absolute

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/ablative%20absolute

Equitātū contrā hostēs missō Caesar suās cōpiās in proximum collem subdūxit. Intereā ipse in colle mediō aciem instrūxit legiōnum quattuor veterānārum; sed in summō iugō duās legiōnēs collocārī atque tōtum montem hominibus complērī iussit. Inde diū et ācriter est pugnātum. Tandem spē amissā hostēs, qui impetum nostrōrum sustinēre nōn poterant, sē fugae mandābant. Orgetorigis fīlia atque ūnus ē fīliīs est captus. Quartō diē Helvētiī in fīnēs Lingonum pervēnērunt atque legātōs ad Caesarem dē pāce mīsērunt.

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After the cavalry had been sent against the enemy, Caesar led his forces up onto the nearest hill. Meanwhile he himself drew up the battle line halfway up the hill with four veteran legions; but on the summit ridge he ordered two legions to be posted and the entire mountain to be filled with men. Then the fighting went on for a long time and fiercely. At last, with hope (having been) lost, the enemy, who were unable to withstand the attack of our men, committed themselves to flight. Orgetorix’s daughter and one of his sons were captured. On the fourth day the Helvetii reached the territory of the Lingones and sent envoys to Caesar to negotiate peace.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [18]: Battle avoided by the Romans

Language focus: ablative absolute

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/ablative%20absolute

Primā lūce Considius montem ab hostibus tenērī nuntiāvit. Quibus rēbus nuntiātīs Caesar proelium eō tempore committere nōlēbat: suās cōpiās in proximum collem subdūxit, aciem instrūxit. Inde hostēs secūtus tria milia passuum ab eōrum castrīs castra pōnit. Posterō diē consiliō mūtātō, quod frūmentum colligere voluit, iter ab Helvētiīs avertit atque Bibracte īre contendit. Ea rēs per fugitīvōs hostibus nuntiāta est. Helvētiī Rōmānōs terrērī arbitrātī impetūs in nostrōs ā tergō facere coepērunt.

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At first light Considius reported that the mountain was being held by the enemy. When these things had been reported, Caesar was unwilling to join battle at that time; he led his forces onto the nearest hill and drew up his line of battle. From there, having followed the enemy, he pitches camp three miles from their camp. On the following day, after his plan had been changed, because he wished to collect grain, he turned his march away from the Helvetii and pushed on to Bibracte. This fact was reported to the enemy through deserters. The Helvetii, thinking [literally: having judged] that the Romans were frightened, began to make attacks on our men from the rear.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [17]: Preparations for Battle

Language focus: ablative absolute

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/ablative%20absolute

His rēbus factīs eōdem diē Caesar ab explōrātōribus cognōvit hostēs sub monte consēdisse octō milia passuum ab ipsīus castrīs. Hāc rē nuntiātā Caesar impetum contrā hostēs facere cōnstituit. Dē tertiā vigilīā T. Labiēnum lēgātum cum duābus legiōnibus montem ascendere iubet. Ipse dē quārtā vigilīā ad eōs profectus equitātum ante sē mittit. Quibus rēbus factīs P. Considius, qui et in exercitū L. Sullae et posteā in M. Crassī fuerat, cum explōrātōribus praemittitur.

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When / after these things had been done [literally: with these things having been done], on the same day Caesar learned from scouts that the enemy had taken up a position under the mountain, eight miles from his own camp. When this had been reported, Caesar decided to make an attack against the enemy. At the third watch he orders the lieutenant Titus Labienus to ascend the mountain with two legions. He himself, having set out at the fourth watch towards them, sends the cavalry ahead of him. When these things had been done, Publius Considius, who had served both in the army of Lucius Sulla and later in that of Marcus Crassus, is sent ahead with the scouts. 

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [16]: the conspiracy of Dumnorix

Language focus: accusative and infinitive

Intereā Caesar cognōvit [1] Aeduōs frūmentum nōn mīsisse. Itaque multī prīncipēs Aeduōrum, quī erant in castrīs, ad concilium sunt convocātī. Quīdam ex Aeduīs Caesarem certiōrem fēcit [2] nōnnullōs plūs valēre apud multitūdinem quam magistrātūs; propter illōs [3] nullum frūmentum ad Rōmānōs esse comportātum. Posteā Caesar cognōvit [4] initium fugae in proeliō equestrī ā Dumnorige atque ēius equitibus factum esse. Sed Caesar Divitiacum frātrem Dumnorigis offendere nōlēbat.

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Meanwhile Caesar learned [1] that the Aedui had not sent the grain. Therefore many leading men of the Aedui, who were in the camp, were summoned to a council. One of the Aedui informed Caesar [2] that certain men had more influence with the populace than the magistrates; because of them [3] no grain had been brought to the Romans. Afterwards Caesar learned [4] that the beginning of the flight in the cavalry battle had been made by Dumnorix and his horsemen. But Caesar did not wish to offend Divitiacus, the brother of Dumnorix.

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[1]

Caesar cognōvit (1) Aeduōs … (2) nōn mīsisse. │ Caesar learned (1) that the Aedui (2) had not sent …

[2] / [3] two indirect statements dependent upon one verb that introduces them:

Quīdam ex Aeduīs Caesarem certiōrem fēcit … │ One of the Aedui informed Caesar ….

[2] (1) nōnnullōs (2) plūs valēre … │ (1) that certain men (2) had more influence

[3] (1) nullum frūmentum … (2) esse comportātum. │ [and that] (1) no grain (2) had been brought

[4]

Caesar cognōvit (1) initium fugae … (2) factum esse. │ Caesar learned (1) that the beginning of the flight  … (2) had been made

LINKS

All posts: https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

[i]: present active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/10/311225-level-3-indirect-statement.html

[ii]: perfect active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/11/120126-level-3-indirect-statement.html

[iii]: perfect passive infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/11/240126-level-3-indirect-statement.html

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [15]: a cavalry skirmish

Language focus: passive

Posterō diē hostēs castra ex eō locō movent. Caesar dē consiliīs hostium cognoscere voluit. Itaque equitātus, quī coactus erat ex omnī prōvinciā et Aeduīs atque eōrum sociīs, praemittitur. Equitēs Rōmānī cum equitātū Helvētiōrum proelium committunt; et paucī dē nostrīs interficiuntur. Caesar, quī impetum contrā hostēs omnibus cum cōpiīs eō tempore facere nōlēbat, suōs ā proeliō continēbat.

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On the following day the enemy move their camp from that place. Caesar wished to learn about the plans of the enemy. Therefore the cavalry, which had been gathered from the whole province and from the Aedui and their allies, is sent ahead. The Roman horsemen engage in battle with the cavalry of the Helvetii; and a few of our men are killed. Caesar, who did not wish at that time to make an attack against the enemy with all his forces, kept his men back from the battle.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [14]: a Roman victory

Language focus: accusative and infinitive

Caesar per explorātōrēs certior factus est [1] Helvētiōs ratibus et nāvibus flūmen Ararim trānsīre. Ubi Caesar pervēnit, trēs partēs hostium trānsierant, quārta pars citrā flūmen reliqua erat. Magnus numerus eōrum est interfectus: reliquī sē fugae mandāvērunt atque in proximās silvās fūgērunt. Inde exercitus Rōmānus est trāductus. Helvētiī subitō adventū Rōmānōrum territi lēgātōs ad Caesarem mīsērunt. Caesar obsidēs darī iussit. Divicō, princeps lēgātōrum, respondit [2] Helvētiōs obsidēs accipere, nōn dare, cōnsuēvisse.

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Caesar was informed by scouts [1] that the Helvetii were crossing the river Arar by rafts and boats. When Caesar arrived, three parts of the enemy had crossed; a fourth part remained on this side of the river. A great number of them were killed; the rest took to flight and fled into the nearest woods. From there the Roman army was led across. The Helvetii, terrified by the sudden arrival of the Romans, sent envoys to Caesar. Caesar ordered hostages to be given. Divico, the leader of the envoys, replied [2] that the Helvetii were accustomed to accepting hostages, not to giving them.

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[1]

Caesar per explorātōrēs certior factus est (1) Helvētiōs … (2) trānsīre.

Caesar was informed by scouts (1) that the Helvetii (2) were crossing …

[2]

Divicō … respondit (1) Helvētiōs obsidēs accipere, nōn dare, (2) cōnsuēvisse.

Divico, the leader of the envoys, replied (1) that the Helvetii (2) were accustomed …

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LINKS

All posts: https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

[1]: present active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/10/311225-level-3-indirect-statement.html

[2]: perfect active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/11/120126-level-3-indirect-statement.html

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [13]: Appeals for help

Language focus: accusative and infinitive

Inde lēgātī et ab Aeduīs et a cēterīs gentibus ad Caesarem sunt missī. Lēgātī Aeduōrum dixērunt [1] sē diū fuisse amīcōs populī Rōmānī; [2] iam suōs agrōs ab hostibus vastārī, [3] līberōs abdūcī, [4] oppida expugnārī. Eōdem tempore Ambarri Caesarem certiōrem fēcērunt [5] agrōs vastārī [6] nec impetuī hostium sē resistere posse. Allobrogēs etiam sē a fīnibus expellī nuntiāvērunt. Caesar igitur Aeduīs et eōrum sociīs sine morā subvenīre cōnstituit.

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Then envoys both from the Aedui and from the other tribes were sent to Caesar. The envoys of the Aedui said [1] that they had long been friends of the Roman people; [2] now their fields were being devastated by the enemy, [3] the children were being carried off, and [4] the towns were being stormed. At the same time, the Ambarri informed Caesar [5] that the fields were being ravaged and [6] they could not withstand the assault of the enemy. The Allobroges also reported [7] that they were being driven from their territory. Caesar therefore resolved to bring aid to the Aedui and their allies without delay.

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Lēgātī Aeduōrum dixērunt …

The envoys of the Aedui said …

[1]

(1) sē diū (2) fuisse amīcōs ¦ populī Rōmānī;

[that] (1) they (2) had long been friends ¦ of the Roman people;

[2]

iam (1) suōs agrōs ab hostibus (2) vastārī,

[that] now (1) their fields (2) were being devastated by the enemy,

[3]

(1) līberōs (2) abdūcī,

[that] (1) the children (2) [were being] carried off,

[4]

(1) oppida (2) expugnārī.

and [that] (1) the towns (2) [were being] stormed.

Eōdem tempore Ambarri Caesarem certiōrem fēcērunt …

At the same time, the Ambarri informed Caesar …

[5]

(1) agrōs (2) vastārī

that (1) the fields (2) were being ravaged

[6]

nec impetuī hostium (1) sē resistere (2) posse.

nor (2) could (1) they withstand the assault of the enemy [ = and they were not able to …]

[7]

Allobrogēs etiam (1) sē a fīnibus (2) expellī ¦ nuntiāvērunt.

The Allobroges also reported ¦ [that] (1) they (2) were being driven from their territory.

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LINKS

All posts: https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

[1]: perfect active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/11/120126-level-3-indirect-statement.html

predicative nominative

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/10/231225-level-3-indirect-statement.html

[2] – [5] and [7]: present passive infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/10/060126-level-3-indirect-statement.html

[6]: present active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/10/311225-level-3-indirect-statement.html

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [12]: the preparations made by Caesar

Language focus: accusative and infinitive

Propter eās causās ea mūnītiō quae facta erat ā T. Labiēnō tenēbātur; Caesar in Italiam magnīs itineribus profectus duās legiōnēs ibi conscrībit et trēs ex hibernīs dūcit et in ulteriōrem Galliam* cum hīs quīnque legiōnibus īre contendit. Helvētiī iam per fīnēs Sēquanōrum suās cōpiās trādūxerant atque in fīnēs Aeduōrum pervēnerant. Aeduī sē cīvitātem dēfendere nōn posse arbitrātī lēgātōs ad Caesarem mittunt.

*Divisions of Gaul

Gallia Ulterior: Farther Gaul i.e. Gaul beyond the Alps; roughly modern France, Belgium, western Switzerland

Gallia Citerior: Nearer Gaul; Cisalpine Gaul i.e. northern Italy, south of the Alps; already Roman territory by Caesar’s time

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For these reasons, the fortification which had been constructed was being held by Titus Labienus; Caesar, having set out for Italy by rapid marches [ = with great speed], levies two legions there and leads three from winter quarters, and presses on into farther Gaul with these five legions. The Helvetii had already led their forces through the territories of the Sequani and had reached the lands of the Aedui. The Aedui, having judged that they were not able to defend the state, send envoys to Caesar.

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Aeduī (1) sē cīvitātem dēfendere (2) nōn posse ¦ arbitrātī

The Aedui, having judged ¦ [that] (1) they (2) were not able to defend the state

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LINKS

All posts: https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

Present active infinitive:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/10/311225-level-3-indirect-statement.html

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [11]: Dumnorix

Language focus: accusative and infinitive

NOTE: none of these review posts explore the accusative-infinitive construction in depth, but merely identify and highlight the usage; for every post there is [1] a link to all the previous posts on this topic, and [2] links to specific aspects of the topic that are shown in each passage.

Lēgātī igitur ab Helvētiīs ad Dumnorigem Aeduūm sunt missī. Dumnorix erat amīcus et Sēquanīs et Helvētiīs, quod ex eā cīvitāte Orgetorigis fīliam in mātrimōnium dūxerat: cupiditāte rēgnī adductus novīs rēbus* studēbat. Itaque rem suscēpit.

[1] Sēquanī sē Helvētiōs per suōs fīnēs īre sitūrōs esse dīxērunt. [2] Caesarī nūntiātur Helvētiōs in animō habēre per agrōs Sēquanōrum et Aeduōrum iter in Santonum fīnēs facere; hī nōn longē ā Tolōsātium fīnibus absunt, quae cīvitās est in prōvinciā. [3] Id Caesar putāvit futūrum esse magnō cum perīculō prōvinciae.

* novae rēs: rēs is not always straightforward to translate, and its basic meaning can appear vague (e.g. here, “new things / matters”). Since the passage refers to a desire for power, the phrase can be rendered as “political change” or “a new state of affairs.”

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Therefore envoys were sent by the Helvetii to Dumnorix the Aeduan. Dumnorix was friendly both to the Sequani and to the Helvetii, because he had taken in marriage the daughter of Orgetorix from that state; driven by desire for royal power, he was striving for political change. And so he undertook the matter.

[1] The Sequani said that they would allow the Helvetii to go through their territory. [2] It is reported to Caesar that the Helvetii have it in mind to make a route through the lands of the Sequani and the Aedui into the territory of the Santones. These are not far from the borders of the Tolosates, which is a state in the province. [3] Caesar thought that this would be with great danger to the province.

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[1]

Sēquanī ¦ (1) sē ¦ Helvētiōs per suōs fīnēs īre (2) sitūrōs esse ¦ dīxērunt.

The Sequani said ¦ [that] (1) they (2) would allow ¦ the Helvetii to go through their territory.

[2]

Caesarī nūntiātur ¦ (1) Helvētiōs in animō (2) habēre ¦ per agrōs Sēquanōrum et Aeduōrum iter in Santonum fīnēs facere.

It is reported to Caesar ¦ [that] (1) the Helvetii (2) have it in mind ¦ to make a route through the lands of the Sequani and the Aedui into the territory of the Santones.

[3]

(1) Id ¦ Caesar putāvit ¦ (2) futūrum esse ¦ magnō cum perīculō prōvinciae.

Caesar thought ¦ [that] (1) this (2) would be ¦ with great danger to the province.

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LINKS

All posts: https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

[1] and [3]: future active infinitive

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/11/020226-level-3-indirect-statement.html

[2] present active infinitive:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/10/311225-level-3-indirect-statement.html 

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [10]: Attempt to Cross the Rhône

 Language focus: passive and deponent forms

Anteā L. Cassius cōnsul necātus est atque exercitus Rōmānus ab Helvētiīs repulsus sub iugum est missus. Caesar eīs rēbus mōtus Helvētiōs iter per prōvinciam nostram facere prohibuit. Inde hostēs, eā spē dēiectī, trānsgredī cōnābantur; profectī igitur omnibus cum cōpiīs ad flūmen Rhodanum convēnērunt; ibi nāvēs ab Helvētiīs iunctae sunt ratēsque multae sunt factae. Sed hostēs, suās cōpiās trādūcere cōnātī, mūnītiōne et tēlīs mīlitum sunt repulsī. Itaque ūna per Sēquanōs via relinquēbātur.

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Earlier, the consul Lucius Cassius was killed, and the Roman army, having been driven back by the Helvetii, was sent under the yoke. Caesar, moved by these events, forbade the Helvetii to make a route through our province. Then the enemy, having been cast down from that hope, were attempting to cross; having set out, therefore, they came with all their forces to the river Rhone; there ships were joined together by the Helvetii, and many rafts were made. But the enemy, having attempted to lead their forces across, were driven back by the fortification and the weapons of the soldiers. And so one route through the Sequani was left.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [9]: a Great Wall

Language focus: passive and deponent forms

Inde Caesar, postquam pauca lēgātīs respondīt, suōs mīlitēs hortātus, mūnītiōnem magnam aedificāre cōnstituit. Eā legiōne, quam sēcum habēbat, atque mīlitibus, quī ex prōvinciā convēnerant, ā lacū Lemannō ad montem Iūram, quō fīnēs Sēquanōrum ab Helvētiīs dīviduntur, mūrum et fossam perdūcit. Ā Caesare, ubi id opus perfectum est, praesidia distribuuntur atque turrēs mūniuntur. Itaque hostēs, hāc mūnītiōne impedītī, suās cōpiās facile transportāre nōn poterant.

The text shifts from past tense to present tense forms; this is a common feature of classical narrative, in which the present tense — known as the historical present — is used to describe past events in order to give the narrative greater vividness and immediacy.

The translation below reflects the tenses actually used, though it would also be possible to translate the entire passage using past tenses.

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Then Caesar, after he said a few words to the envoys, and having encouraged his soldiers, decided to construct a great fortification. With that legion which he had with him, and with the soldiers who had assembled from the province, from Lake Geneva to Mount Jura, by which the borders of the Sequani are divided from the Helvetii, he extends a wall and a ditch. When that work was completed, garrisons are distributed by Caesar, and towers are fortified. And so the enemy, hindered by this fortification, were not able easily to transport their forces.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [8]: Opposition by Caesar

 Language focus: passive and deponent forms

Itaque Caesar hīs rēbus mōtus ab urbe in Galliam ulteriōrem profectus est atque ad Genāvam pervēnit; numerus magnus mīlitum convocātur atque pons, quī erat ad Genāvam, dēlētur. Helvētiī enim iter per prōvinciam nostram facere cupiēbant, quod nullum aliud iter habēbant. Sed dē Caesaris adventū certiōrēs factī lēgātōs ad eum mittunt: cuius lēgātiōnis Nammeius et Verucloetius erant prīncipēs. Nec tamen respōnsum lēgātīs ā Caesare statim est datum. Mīlitēs enim, quī ē prōvinciā arcessītī erant, nōndum convēnerant.

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And so Caesar, having been moved by these matters, set out from the city into Further Gaul and arrived at Geneva; a great number of soldiers is summoned, and the bridge, which was at Geneva, is destroyed. For the Helvetii were wishing to make a route through our province, because they had no other route. But, having been informed about Caesar’s arrival, they send envoys to him, and Nammeius and Verucloetius were the leaders of . And yet a reply was not given at once by Caesar to the envoys. For the soldiers, who had been summoned from the province, had not yet assembled.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [7]: the Route taken by the Helvetii

 Language focus: passive and deponent forms

Inde eae gentēs, eōdem consiliō ūsāe, omnia oppida et aedificia incendērunt atque cum Helvētiīs proficīscī cōnstituērunt. Erant duo itinera: ūnum per Sēquanōs, angustum et difficile, inter montem Iūram et flūmen Rhodanum; propter altitūdinem montis paucī multōs facile prohibēre poterant; alterum per prōvinciam nostram, multō facilius, quod inter fīnēs Helvētiōrum et Allobrogum, quī superātī erant, Rhodanus fluit, atque cōpiae nōnullīs locīs trādūcī possunt. Genāva est extrēmum oppidum Allobrogum et proximum fīnibus Helvētiōrum.

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Then those peoples, having used the same plan, burned all their towns and buildings and decided to set out with the Helvetii. There were two routes: one through the Sequani, narrow and difficult, between Mount Jura and the river Rhône; because of the height of the mountain, a few men could easily prevent many; the other through our province, much easier, because between the territory of the Helvetii and that of the Allobroges, who had been defeated, the Rhône flows, and forces can be led across at several places. Geneva is the furthest town of the Allobroges and nearest to the borders of the Helvetii.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [6]: the Death of Orgetorix

Language focus: passive

Propter eās rēs Orgetorīx ab Helvētiīs est accūsātus atque ipse, ut Helvētiī putant, sibi mortem cōnscīvit. Sed Helvētiī post eius mortem cōpiās omnēs ē fīnibus suīs dūcere cōnstituērunt. Inde oppida omnia, aedificia incensa sunt atque omne frūmentum, praeterquam quod sēcum portābant. Postea Rauricī et Tulingī et Latovicī et Boiī, quī trāns Rhēnum incoluerant, impetum contrā Gallōs facere cōnstituērunt.

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For these reasons Orgetorix was accused by the Helvetii and he himself, as the Helvetii think, took his own life. But after his death the Helvetii decided to lead all their forces out of their territory. Then all the towns and buildings were set on fire, and all the grain, except what they were carrying with them. Afterwards the Raurici and the Tulingi and the Latovici and the Boii, who had lived across the Rhine, decided to make an attack against the Gauls.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [5]: the Emigration of the Helvetii (ii)

 Language focus: passive

Hīs rēbus Helvētiī adductī sunt et auctōritāte Orgetorīgīs movēbantur; cōnstituērunt igitur omnēs equitēs et peditēs colligere, magnam cōpiam frūmentī comparāre, pācem et amīcitiam cum proximīs cīvitātibus cōnfirmāre. Inde ad eās cīvitātēs Orgetorīx lēgātus est missus. In eō itinere persuādet Casticō, cuius pater ā senātū populī Rōmānī amīcus appellātus erat; atque Dumnorigī, frātrī Divitiacī, quī eō tempore tenēbat principātum in cīvitāte, persuādet.

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The Helvetii were prompted by these events and were influenced by the authority of Orgetorix; they therefore decided to gather all the cavalry and infantry, to collect a large supply of grain, and to secure peace and friendship with the neighbouring states. From there Orgetorix was sent as an envoy to those states. On that journey he persuades Casticus, whose father had been called a friend by the senate of the Roman people, and also Dumnorix, the brother of Divitiacus, who at that time held power in the state.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [4]: the Emigration of the Helvetii (i)

Language focus: passive

Ūnā ex parte Helvētiī continentur flūmine Rhēnō, lātō atque altō, quī agrum Helvētiōrum ā Germānīs dīvidit; alterā ex parte monte Iūrā, quī est inter Sēquanōs et Helvētiōs; tertiā ex parte lacū Lemannō et flūmine Rhodanō, quī prōvinciam nostram ab Helvētiīs dīvidit. Itaque Helvētiī bellum contrā fīnitimōs gerere nōn poterant; hominēs igitur magnō dolōre erant plēnī atque impetūs in Gallōs facere cupiēbant.

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On one side the Helvetii are hemmed in by the river Rhine, wide and deep, which separates the land of the Helvetii from the Germans; on another side by Mount Jura, which lies between the Sequani and the Helvetii; on the third side by Lake Geneva and the river Rhône, which separates our province from the Helvetii. And so the Helvetii were not able to wage war against their neighbours; therefore the people were full of great resentment and were eager to make attacks upon the Gauls.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [3]: Orgetorix

Language focus: passive

Anteā exercitus Rōmānus ab Helvētiīs erat superātus atque propter hanc causam Rōmānī ab Helvētiīs nōn timēbantur. Apud Helvētiōs longē nōbilissimus erat Orgetorīx. Is rēgnī studiō adductus est atque coniūrātiōnem fēcit. Orgetorīx Helvētiōs cum omnibus cōpiīs dē fīnibus suīs in Galliam dūcere cupiēbat atque omnēs gentēs superāre. Suīs facile persuāsit, quod Helvētiī nātūrā locī undique continentur.

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Previously the Roman army had been defeated by the Helvetii, and for this reason the Romans were not feared by the Helvetii. Among the Helvetii, Orgetorix was by far the noblest. He, having been driven on by desire for kingship, formed a conspiracy. Orgetorix wished to lead the Helvetii with all their forces out of their own territory into Gaul and to overpower all the tribes. He easily persuaded his people that the Helvetii are hemmed in on all sides by the nature of their location.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [2]: Description of Gaul (ii)

Language focus: passive

Quā dē causā Helvētiī quoque sunt fortiōrēs reliquīs Gallīs, quod proeliīs cum Germānīs saepe contendunt; aut eōs suīs fīnibus prohibent aut ipsī in eōrum fīnibus bellum gerunt. Ūna pars, quae ā Gallīs tenētur, initium capit ā flūmine Rhodanō; continētur Garumnā flūmine, Ōceanō, fīnibus Belgārum. Inferior pars flūminis Rhēnī ā Belgīs incolitur. Aquītānia continētur Garumnā flūmine et Pyrēnaeīs montibus atque Ōceanō.

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For this reason the Helvetii also are braver than the rest of the Gauls, because they often fight in battles with the Germans; either they keep them out of their own territory or they themselves wage war in the Germans’ territory. One part, which is held by the Gauls, takes its beginning from the river Rhône; it is bounded by the river Garonne, the Ocean, and the territory of the Belgae. The lower part of the river Rhine is inhabited by the Belgae. Aquitania is bounded by the river Garonne and the Pyrenaean mountains and the Ocean.

Level 3 (review); a Second Latin Reader (Vincent) [1]: Description of Gaul (i)

Language focus: passive

Gallia omnis est dīvīsa in partēs trēs, quārum ūna incolitur ā Belgīs, alia ab Aquītānīs, tertia ab eīs quī ā nōbīs Gallī appellantur. Gallī ab Aquītānīs Garumnā flūmine, ā Belgīs Matronā et Sēquanā dīviduntur. Hōrum omnium fortissimī sunt Belgae, quod proximī sunt Germānīs, quī trāns Rhēnum incolunt, quibuscum bellum semper geritur.

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All Gaul has been divided (or: is divided*) into three parts, one of which is inhabited by the Belgae, another by the Aquitani, and the third by those who are called Gauls by us. The Gauls are separated from the Aquitani by the river Garonne, and from the Belgae by the Marne and the Seine. Of all these, the Belgae are the bravest, because they are nearest to the Germans, who live across the Rhine, and with whom war is continually waged.

*more appropriate in this context