„ 46. Thapsus. Defeats Scipio, Sulla, and Afranius. Declared Dictator for ten years.
„ 45. Munda. Defeats Gn. Pompeius and Labienus. Dictator and Imperator for life.
„ 44. Assassinated in the Senate House on the Ides of March.
2. Works.
(1) THE DE BELLO GALLICO.—This work describes Caesar’s operations in Gaul, Germany, and Britain during the years 58-52 B.C., the events of each year occupying a separate Book.
| Book | I. | B.C. 58. | The Helvetii and Ariovistus the German defeated. |
| „ | II. | „ 57. | The Nervii, the bravest Belgian tribe, almost
exterminated. |
| „ | III. | „ 56. | Conquest of the coast tribes of Brittany (Veneti, &c.) and of
the South-West (Aquitani). |
| „ | IV. | „ 55. | Inroad of Germans into Northern Gaul repulsed. Caesar crosses the
Rhine a first time. First invasion of Britain. |
|
„ | V. | „ 54. | Second invasion of Britain. Fresh risings of the Gauls put down
by Labienus and Q. Cicero. |
| „ | VI. | „ 53. | Caesar crosses the Rhine a second time. Northern Gaul reduced to
peace. |
| „ | VII. | „ 52. | Uprising of the Gauls under Vercingetorix. Siege and capture of
Alesia. Surrender of Vercingetorix. He is taken in chains to Rome, to
adorn Caesar’s triumph. |
| „ | VIII. | „ 51 | (added by Hirtius). Final
subjugation of Gaul. |
Caesar’s object was threefold:—
(i) To provide materials for professed historians.
(ii) To justify the conquest he describes.
(iii) To vindicate in the eyes of the world his opposition to the Senate and the Government.