Translation of: THE ENEMY BESIEGING THE CAMP ARE REPULSED

[Propertius]

On pgs. 216-217 of D’Ooge’s book.

THE ENEMY BESIEGING THE CAMP ARE REPULSED
When there had been fighting for six hours now, and not only did their strength fail the Romans, but also their weapons, and the enemy pressed on more fiercely, and they had begun to tear the wall and fill up the ditch, Caesar, a man very skillful in the art of war, ordered his men to stop the battle for a brief moment, and, when the signal is given, to burst out of the camp. They do as ordered, and suddenly, they burst out of all the gates. And the soldiers ran so quickly, and the enemy was so near, that no time was given for throwing their javelins. Therefore, the javelins being put aside, a hand-to-hand conflict was waged with swords. For a long time, the enemy boldly resisted, and in their last hope for safety, they stood before such great courage to impetuously press the Roman battle line on the right wing with their numbers. When the general had noticed this, he sent the young Publius with the cavalry to give help to those that were being oppressed. The enemy could not withstand their attack and they all retreated. Publius followed close after them as they were put to flight all the way to the Rhine river, which was fifteen miles away from that spot. A few (of the enemy) saved themselves there. When all the rest were killed, Publius and the cavalry withdrew to the camp. When the neighboring tribes had been informed of this defeat, they sent ambassadors to Caesar and they handed themselves and all their possessions over.

[bedwere]

On pgs. 216-217 of D’Ooge’s book.

THE ENEMY BESIEGING THE CAMP ARE REPULSED
When there had been fighting already for six hours, and not only did their strength fail the Romans, but also their weapons, and the enemy pressed on more fiercely, and they had begun to tear the wall and fill up the ditch, Caesar, a man very skillful in the art of war, ordered his men to stop the battle for a brief moment, and, when the signal is given, to burst out of the camp. They do as ordered, and suddenly, they burst out of all the gates. And the soldiers ran so quickly, and the enemy was so near, that no space was given for throwing their javelins. Therefore, the javelins being put aside, a hand-to-hand conflict was waged with swords. For a long time, the enemy boldly resisted, and in their last hope for safety, they showed such great courage to impetuously press the Roman battle line on the right wing with their numbers. When the general had noticed this, he sent the young Publius with the cavalry to give help to those that were being oppressed. The enemy could not withstand their attack and they all retreated. Publius followed close after them as they were put to flight all the way to the Rhine river, which was fifteen miles away from that spot. Few saved themselves there. When all the rest were killed, Publius and the cavalry withdrew to the camp. When the neighboring tribes had been informed of this defeat, they sent ambassadors to Caesar and they handed themselves and all their possessions over.

[Propertius]

On pgs. 216-217 of D’Ooge’s book.

THE ENEMY BESIEGING THE CAMP ARE REPULSED
When there had been fighting already for six hours, and not only did their strength fail the Romans, but also their weapons, and the enemy pressed on more fiercely, and they had begun to tear the wall and fill up the ditch, Caesar, a man very skillful in the art of war, ordered his men to stop the battle for a brief moment, and, when the signal is given, to burst out of the camp. They do as ordered, and suddenly, they burst out of all the gates. And the soldiers ran so quickly, and the enemy was so near, that no space was given for throwing their javelins. Therefore, the javelins being put aside, a hand-to-hand conflict was waged with swords. For a long time, the enemy boldly resisted, and in their last hope for safety, they showed such great courage to impetuously press the Roman battle line on the right wing with their numbers. When the general had noticed this, he sent the young Publius with the cavalry to give help to those that were being oppressed. The enemy could not withstand their attack and they all retreated. Publius followed close after them as they were put to flight all the way to the Rhine river, which was fifteen miles away from that spot. Few saved themselves there. When all the rest were killed, Publius and the cavalry withdrew to the camp. When the neighboring tribes had been informed of this defeat, they sent ambassadors to Caesar and they handed themselves and all their possessions over.

For the following clause:

that no space was given for throwing their javelins.

I had originally translated it as space, but one Aetos referred the following to me:

Also, if you check Lewis & Short, you’ll see that spatium dare or dari is commonly used to mean “a portion of time in which to do anything”

So I’m confused now. Which is it? Space or time?

Gratias tibi ago.

[bedwere]

Well, space and time is all one thing according to Einstein!
Seriously, I think you could argue either way. After all, even L&S translates: Of a portion of time in which to do any thing, space, time, leisure, opportunity.
The Roman legions used to throw javelins before coming in close contact. Here the Gauls and the Romans are so close that it is impossible: both the distance and the short temporal interval to cover it do not allow it. So I’m leaving space not to frustrate the student, although time would not be wrong.

[Propertius]

Well, space and time is all one thing according to Einstein! > >

You are a physicist, right? And it makes sense: less space, less time; more space, more time. I’m learning Physics with Latin. Not bad.

So I’m leaving space not to frustrate the student, although time would not be wrong.

I second this. To say time did seem kind of confusing.