Translation of: PUBLIUS GOES TO GERMANY-ITS FORESTS AND STRANGE ANIMALS

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Propertius
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Translation of: PUBLIUS GOES TO GERMANY-ITS FORESTS AND STRANGE ANIMALS

Post by Propertius »

On pg. 217-218 of D'Ooge's book.

PUBLIUS GOES TO GERMANY-ITS FORESTS AND STRANGE ANIMALS
At the beginning of summer, Caesar was informed by a letter and learned through the scouts that many cities of Gaul were eager for a revolution, and that they conspired against the Roman people and that they gave hostages to each other, and that certain Germans would also unite themselves with these. Alarmed by this letter and by the messengers, Caesar decided to march against the Gauls as quickly as possible to take them, being unaware, by surprise, and to send Labienus, the ambassador, with two legions of foot soldiers and two thousand horsemen against the Germans. Therefore, after the grain supply was prepared, the camp moved. The affair was waged well by each man, for Caesar arrived in the territory of the enemy so quickly that they had no time to assemble their forces, and Labienus inflicted such a grave punishment on the Germans that no one from that tribe dared to give help to the Gauls in future times.
Publius also made this trip to Germany and, when he stayed there, he saw many extraordinary things. But he especially was amazed at the huge forest, which was said to be of such great size that no one could cross it, nor did anyone know the beginning or the end (of it). He had learned many things about it from a certain soldier who, having been captured by the Germans once, lived there for many years. He, speaking of the forest, said, “This forest is of infinite size, nor is there anyone of this part of Germany that knows its beginning or has gone to its end. Many such kinds of animals are found there as are not found in other places. There are oxen that have only one horn; there are also animals that are called elk. These have no joints in their legs. Therefore, if by chance they fell, they cannot raise themselves up in any way. They have trees for beds. They lean themselves on to them and, being reclined in this way, they rest. There is a third kind of them that are called uruses. These are a little smaller than elephants. They have great strength and great speed, nor do they spare man nor beast.

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Re: Translation of: PUBLIUS GOES TO GERMANY-ITS FORESTS AND STRANGE ANIMALS

Post by bedwere »

Propertius wrote: Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:14 am On pg. 217-218 of D'Ooge's book.

PUBLIUS GOES TO GERMANY-ITS FORESTS AND STRANGE ANIMALS
At the beginning of summer, Caesar was informed by a letter and learned through the scouts that many cities of Gaul were eager for a revolution, and that they conspired against the Roman people and that they gave hostages to each other, and that certain Germans would also unite themselves with these. Alarmed by this letter and by the messengers, Caesar decided to march against the Gauls as quickly as possible to take them unaware by surprise, and to send Labienus, the ambassador, with two legions of foot soldiers and two thousand horsemen against the Germans. Therefore, after the grain supply was prepared, the camp moved. The affair was waged well by each man, for Caesar arrived in the territory of the enemy so quickly that they had no time to assemble their forces, and Labienus inflicted such a grave punishment on the Germans that no one from that tribe dared to give help to the Gauls in future times.
Publius also made this trip to Germany and, when he stayed there, he saw many extraordinary things. But he especially was amazed at the huge forest, which was said to be of such great size that no one could cross it, nor did anyone know the beginning or the end. He had learned many things about it from a certain soldier who, having been captured by the Germans once, lived there for many years. He, speaking of the forest, said, “This forest is of infinite size, nor is there anyone of this part of Germany that knows its beginning or has gone to its end. Many such kinds of animals are found there as are not found in other places. There are oxen that have only one horn; there are also animals that are called elk. These have no joints in their legs. Therefore, if by chance they fell, they cannot raise themselves up in any way. They have trees for beds. They lean themselves on to them and, being reclined in this way, they rest. There is a third kind of them that are called uruses. These are a little smaller than elephants. They have great strength and great speed, nor do they spare man nor beast.

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