[69.3] The Cimbri and Teutones had left their homes in Denmark as early as 113 B.C. Having overrun Gaul, they made their way to the northern slopes of the Alps, defeating three Roman armies on the way (cf. [l. 34] below). They did not, however, at once enter Italy, but turned off to Spain, whence they were speedily expelled by the natives.
[69.4] For the position of cum, see [p. 19, n. 8].
[69.5] Sc. petere, or better adipīscī, ‘to secure.’
[69.6] Cn. Papirius Carbo, 113; M. Iunius Silanus, 109; Q. Servilius Caepio, 105.
[70.1] Sc. sunt.
[70.2] Āctum . . . fuisset: ‘it was all up with the Romans had there not been a Marius.’ For erat we should have expected esset, since we have an unreal condition; but the indic., the mood of fact, is used to show that the ruin of the Romans actually was inevitable but for one thing. H 581, 1 (511, 1): M 940: A 308, b: G 597, 2: B 304, 3.
[70.3] nisi . . . fuisset: we would say, ‘but for Marius,’ or ‘if it hadn’t been for Marius.’
[70.4] in 102, at Aquae Sextiae (now Aix), near Marseilles.
[70.5] ‘that ran through (the valley).’
[70.6] dat. of possession with erat (to be supplied). On the whole sentence Vallem . . . cōpia, see [p. 5, n. 13].