The Conquest of Gaul

'The enemy were overpowered and took to flight. The Romans pursued as far as their strength enabled them to run.' Between 58 and 50 BC Julius Caesar conquered most of the area now covered by Belgium, France and Switzerland, and invaded Britain twice, and The Conquest of Gaul is his record of these campaigns. Caesar's narrative offers insights into his military strategy and paints a fascinating picture of his encounters with the inhabitants of Gaul and Britain, as well as lively portraits of the rebel leader Vercingetorix and other Gallic chieftains. The Conquest of Gaul can also be read as a piece of political propaganda, as Caesar sets down his version of events for the Roman public, knowing he faces civil war on his return to Rome.

Gaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC into an ancient patrician family. Much of his life was spent on military campaigns, & he returned to govern Rome as dictator. His dictatorship was declared perpetual in 44 BC, but his many bitter enemies hatched a conspiracy & assasinated him later that year.

S. Handford translated a number of authors for Penguin, including Sallust and Aesop.