Titus Livius (Livy), Ab urbe condita, Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor), 39.54

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[1] While this was going on in Macedonia, the consuls departed for their provinces.

[2] Marcellus sent a messenger ahead to the proconsul Lucius Porcius, ordering him to move the legions to the new town of the Gauls.¹

[3] On the arrival of the consul the Gauls surrendered. There were twelve thousand armed men: most of them had weapons picked up in the country;

[4] these were taken from them, to their great displeasure, and whatever else they had either carried off while ravaging the fields or had brought with them. They sent ambassadors to Rome to complain of this treatment.

[5] Introduced to the senate by Gaius Valerius the praetor, they explained that since the population of Gaul was too great, compelled by poverty and the unproductiveness of the soil, they had crossed the Alps in search of a home, and when they found a region which was untilled for lack of settlers, there they established themselves without injuring anyone.

[6] They had even, they said, begun to build a town, which was an indication that they had come with no design to harm either farm or city. Recently Marcus Claudius had sent a message to them that he would make war upon them if they did-not surrender.

[7] Preferring an assured though unattractive peace to the uncertainties of war, they had entrusted themselves to the good faith rather than to the power of² the Roman people.³ When, a few days later, they were ordered to leave the town and the country as well, they had planned to go away in silence, wherever in the world they could. Then, they went on to say, their arms were taken from them, and finally everything else which they were carrying or

[8] driving. They begged the senate and the Roman people not to treat innocent persons who had surrendered more harshly than

[9] enemies. The senate ordered the reply to be given to this appeal, that neither had they acted properly when they came into Italy and attempted to build a town on others' land, without the permission of any Roman magistrate who was in charge of that province;⁴ nor did it please the senate to despoil men who had

[10] surrendered. Accordingly, the senate would send with them ambassadors to the consul who would direct him, on condition that they would return whence they had come, to give back all their property, and who would then cross the Alps and warn the Gallic tribes to keep their population at home: the Alps were an almost insuperable boundary between

[11] them: in any case they would fare no better than those who had first made them passable.⁵ The ambassadors who were sent were Lucius Furius Purpurio,⁶ Quintus Minucius, Lucius Manlius

[12] Acidinus. The Gauls, having recovered all the property which they acquired without injuring anyone, left Italy.

Ab urbe condita. Titus Livius (Livy). Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor). Medford, MA. .

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

History of Rome (English) (Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Sage, Evan T.; Schlesinger, Alfred C., translators. Cambridge, Mass.; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959. (Loeb Classical Library))

Editions (3)

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Pars I-IV, Libri I-XL. Editio Stereotypica. Weissenborn, Wilhelm; Mueller, Moritz, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1884-1911.) — 39.54 focus

[1] dum haec in Macedonia geruntur, consules in provincias profecti.

[2] Marcellus nuntium praemisit ad L. Porcium proconsulem, ut ad novum Gallorum oppidum legiones admoveret.

[3] advenienti consuli Galli sese dediderunt. duodecim milia armatorum erant: plerique arma ex agris rapta habebant:

[4] ea aegre patientibus iis adempta, quaeque alia aut populantes agros rapuerant aut secum attulerant. de his rebus qui quererentur, legatos Romam miserunt.

[5] introducti in senatum a C. Valerio praetore exposuerunt se superante in Gallia multitudine inopia coactos agri et egestate ad quaerendam sedem Alpes transgressos, quae inculta per solitudines viderent, ibi sine ullius iniuria consedisse.

[6] oppidum quoque aedificare coepisse, quod indicium esset nee nec agro nec urbi ulli vim adlaturos venisse. nuper M. Claudium ad se nuntium misisse bellum se cum iis, ni dederentur, gesturum. se certam,

[7] etsi non speciosam pacem quam incerta belli praeoptantes dedidisse se prius in fidem quam in potestatem populi Romani.

[8] post paucos dies iussos et urbe et agro decedere sese tacitos abire, quo terrarum possent, in animo habuisse. arma deinde sibi, et postremo omnia alia, quae ferrent agerentque, adempta.

[9] orare se senatum populumque Romanum, ne in se innoxios deditos acerbius quam in hostes saevirent.

[10] huic orationi senatus ita responderi iussit, neque illos recte fecisse, cum in Italiam venerint oppidumque in alieno agro, nullius Romani magistratus, qui ei provinciae praeesset, permissu aedificare conati sint;

[11] neque senatui placere deditos spoliari. itaque se cum iis legatos ad consulem missuros, qui, si redeant, unde venerint, omnia iis sua reddi iubeant, quique protinus eant trans Alpes, et denuntient Gallicis populis, multitudinem suam domi continent:

[12] Alpes prope inexsuperabilem finem in medio esse: non utique iis melius fore quamn qui eas primi pervias fecissent.

[13] legati missi L. Furius Purpurio Q. Minucius L. Manlius Acidinus. Galli, redditis omnibus, quae sine cuiusquam iniuria habebant, Italia excesserunt.

Ab urbe condita Perseus (Livy in Fourteen Volumes. Foster, Benjamin Oliver; Moore, Frank Gardener; Schlesinger, Alfred C., editors. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1919-1959 (printing).) — 43.23 focus

[1]

Rex cum non ¹ minore vexatione iumentorum hominumque quam venerat in Macedoniam rediit; Appium tamen ab obsidione Phanotes fama ducentis ad Stratum Persei summovit.

[2] Cleuas cum praesidio impigrorum iuvenum insecutus sub radicibus prope inviis montium ² ad mille hominum ex agmine impedito occidit, ad ducentos cepit.

[3] Appius superatis angustiis in campo quem Meleona vocant stativa dierum paucorum habuit. interim Cleuas assumpto Philostrato, qui quingentos ex ³ Epirotarum gente habebat, in agrum Antigonensem transcendit. ⁴ Macedones ad depopulationem profecti;

[4] Philostratus⁵ cum cohorte sua in insidiis loco ⁶ obscuro consedit. in palatos populatores cum erupissent ab Antigonea armati, ⁷ fugientes eos persequentes effusius in vallem insessam ab hostibus praecipitant.

[5] ibi ad mille ⁸ occisis, centum ferme captis, et ubique prospere gesta re prope stativa Appi castra movent, ne qua vis sociis suis ab Romano exercitu inferri possit.

[6] Appius nequiquam in his locis terens tempus, dimissis Chaonum Thesprotorumque ⁹ et si qui alii Epirotae erant praesidiis, cum Italicis militibus in Illyricum regressus, per Parthinorum ¹⁰ socias urbes in hiberna militibus divisis, ¹¹ ipse Romam sacrificii causa redit.

[7] Perseus ex Penestarum gente mille pedites, ducentos equites revocatos Cassandream, praesidio ut essent, misit.

[8] Ab Gentio eadem adferentes redierunt. nec deinde alios atque alios mittendo temptare eum destitit, cum appareret, quantum in eo praesidii esset, nec tamen impetrare ab animo posset, ut impensam in rem maximi ad omnia momenti faceret.

Ab urbe condita libri, erklärt von M. Weissenborn Perseus (Weissenborn, W.; Müller, H. J., editors. Berlin: Weidmannsche Buchhandlung, 1873-1883.) — 39.54 focus

[1]

dum haec in Macedonia geruntur, consules in provincias profecti.

[2] Marcellus nuntium praemisit ad L. Porcium proconsulem, ut ad novum Gallorum oppidum legiones admoveret.

[3] advenienti consuli Galli sese dediderunt. duodecim milia armatorum erant, plerique arma ex agris rapta habebant;

[4] ea aegre patientibus iis adempta quaeque alia aut populantes agros rapuerant aut secum adtulerant. de his rebus qui quererentur legatos Romam miserunt.

[6] oppidum quoque aedificare coepisse, quod indicium esset nec agro nec urbi ulli vim adlaturos venisse. nuper M. Claudium ad se nuntium misisse ¹ bellum se cum iis, ni dederentur, gesturum.

[7] se certam etsi non speciosam pacem quam incerta belli praeoptantes dedidisse se prius in fidem quam in potestatem populi Romani.

[8] post paucos dies iussos et urbe et agro decedere sese tacitos abire, quo terrarum possent, in animo habuisse. arma deinde sibi et postremo omnia alia, quae ferrent agerentque, adempta.

[9] orare se senatum populumque Romanum, ne in se innoxios deditos acerbius quam in hostes saevirent.

[10] huic orationi senatus ita responderi iussit: neque illos recte fecisse, cum in Italiam venerint oppidumque in alieno agro nullius Romani magistratus, qui ei provinciae praeesset, permissu aedificare conati sint, neque senatui placere deditos spoliari.

[11] itaque se cum iis legatos ad consulem missuros, qui, si redeant, unde venerint, omnia iis sua reddi iubeant, quique protinus eant trans Alpes et denuntient Gallicis populis, multitudinem suam domi contineant:

[12] Alpes prope inexsuperabilem finem in medio esse; non utique iis melius fore, qui eas primi pervias ² fecissent.

[13] legati missi L. Furius Purpurio Q. Minucius L. Manlius Acidinus . Galli redditis omnibus, quae sine cuiusquam iniuria habebant, Italia excesserunt.

Translations (2)

History of Rome Perseus (Spillan, D.; Edmonds, Cyrus; McDevitte, William A., translators. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1849-1868. (Bohn's Classical Library)) — 39.54 focus

[1]

While these things passed in Macedonia, the consuls went to their provinces.

[2] Marcellus sent forward an express to Lucius Porcius, the proconsul, to lead up the legions to the new town of the Gauls; they surrendered themselves to the consul on his arrival.

[3] There were of these twelve thousand fighting men, most of whom had arms, which they had forced from the inhabitants:

[4] all which, to their great mortification, were taken from them, as was every thing else which they had either acquired by plundering in the country, or had brought along with them.

[5] They sent ambassadors to Rome to complain of those proceedings, who being introduced to an audience of the senate, by the praetor Caius Valerius, represented, that

in consequence of a redundancy of people in Gaul, they had been compelled by the want of land, and indeed of every thing, to cross the Alps in quest of a settlement: that they had settled in those lands which they found waste and uncultivated without doing injury to any.

[6]

They had likewise begun to build a town, which was a proof that they did not come to ravage either city or lands.

[7]

That some time ago, Marcus Claudius sent them a message, that unless they surrendered to him he would march against them, and that preferring a certain, though not very honourable peace, to the uncertainties of war, they had thrown themselves on the protection of Rome before they submitted to its power.

[8]

That in a short time after, being ordered to quit the country, they had intended to remove without murmuring to whatever part of the world they were able; and that, notwithstanding, their arms, and finally all the property which they had brought with them, or driven before them, were taken from them.

[9]

They therefore besought the senate and people of Rome not to treat harmless people, who had surrendered themselves, with greater severity than they would enemies.

[10] To this discourse the senate ordered the following answer to be given: That

neither had they acted properly in coming into Italy, and attempting to build a town in the territory of others, without permission from any Roman magistrate commanding in that province; nor did the senate approve of people who had surrendered being stripped of their property.

[11]

They would therefore send to the consuls ambassadors, who would order all their effects to be restored, provided they returned to the place whence they came; and who would also proceed to the other side of the Alps, and give warning to the Gallic states to keep their people at home.

[12]

That the Alps, an almost impassable barrier, lay between the two countries, and whoever should pass in future, should meet no better fate than those who first proved them to be passable.

The ambassadors sent were Lucius Furius Purpureo, Quintus Minucius, Publius Manlius Acidinus.

[13] The Gauls, on the restoration of such property as they were in possession of, without wronging any man, withdrew out of Italy.

History of Rome Perseus (Volumes 1-2. Roberts, Canon, Rev, translator. London, New York: J. M. Dent and Sons; E. P. Dutton and Co., 1912.) — 39.54 focus

[1]

During these events in Macedonia the consuls left for their provinces.

[2] Marcellus sent a message to L. Porcius, the proconsul, asking him to take his legions to the town which the Gauls had lately built.

[3] On the consul's arrival the Gauls surrendered. There were 12,000 under arms, most of them had arms which they had taken by force from the peasants.

[4] These were taken from them as well as what they had carried off from the fields or brought with them. They resented this strongly and sent envoys to Rome to complain. C. Valerius the praetor introduced them to the senate.

[5] They explained how, owing to over-population, want of land and general destitution, they had been compelled to seek a home across the Alps. Where they saw the country uninhabited and uncultivated there they had settled, without doing injury to any one. They had even begun to build a town, a clear proof that they were not going to attack either town or village.

[6] M. Claudius had recently sent a message to them that if they did not surrender he would make war upon them. As they preferred a secure if not a very honourable peace to the uncertainties of war, they had placed themselves under the protection, before they had to submit to the power, of Rome.

[7] A few days afterwards they were ordered to evacuate their city and territory, and they intended to depart quietly and settle in what part of the world they could.

[8] Next, their arms were taken from them, and at last all that they possessed, their goods and their cattle. They implored the senate and the People of Rome not to treat those who had surrendered without striking a blow with greater severity than they treated active enemies.

[9] To these pleas the senate ordered the following reply to be given:

[10] They had acted wrongfully in coming into Italy and attempting to build a town on ground that was not their own without the permission of any Roman magistrate who was over that province. On the other hand, it was not the pleasure of the senate that after they had surrendered they should be despoiled of their goods and possessions.

[11] The senate would send back with them commissioners to the consul, who on their returning whence they had come would order all that belonged to them to be restored. The commissioners would also cross the Alps and warn the Gaulish communities to keep their population at home.

[12] The Alps lay between as an almost impassable frontier line; those who were the first to make them easy of transit would certainly not be the better for it. The commissioners who were sent were L. Furius Purpurio, Q. Minucius and L. Manlius Acidinus.

[13] After everything which they had any right to was restored to them, the Gauls departed from Italy.

Notes on the current edition

Ab Urbe Condita With An English Translation, books 1-10, 21-45, with periochae 11-20

1. Cf. xxii. 6-7 and xlv. 6-7 above.

2. B.C. 183

3. Their situation is not unlike that of the Aetolians (XXXVI. xxvii. 8 8 —xxviii. 6 and the notes).

4. The eastern boundary of Cisalpine Gaul had never been defined, and the Gauls may have innocently supposed that the Romans did not intend to occupy this region. Roman ambitions, however, were now directed to Histria, and a colony at Aquileia was contemplated (lv. 4-6 below).

5. That is, earlier Gallic invaders who had met defeat on Italian soil.

6. Furius may have been one of the senators who received the nota (xlii. 5-6 above): the fragments of Cato's speeches against a Furius (the identification is not quite certain) seem to date from his censorship. If this is true, the embassy must have preceded the lectio senatus.

Titus Livius (Livy) Ab urbe condita 39.54

Benjamin Oliver Foster, Ph.D. (Editor), Frank Gardener Moore (Editor), Evan T. Sage, Ph.D. (Editor), Alfred C. Schlesinger, Ph.D. (Editor)

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