Chapter 1.3

The Helvetii make preparations. Orgetorix conspires with other chiefs.

his rebus adducti: ‘Prompted by these considerations’ (Kelsey); ‘induced by these considerations’ (Harper & Tolman)

pertinerent: the subjunctive is used because Caesar is not giving his own opinion as to what preparations were required, but that of the Helvetii: 'to make the necessary preparations' means 'to make the preparations which, as they considered, were necessary' (Rice Holmes) ( AG 592). Subjunctive in a relative clause of characteristic (AG 534) (Patty Lister).

quam maximum numerum: 'as great a number as possible' or 'as many...as possible'. (Walker) (AG 291.c)

ut copia suppeteret: 'in order that a supply might be at hand' (Walker)

ad eas res conficiendas biennium sibi satis esse duxerunt: Ad…conficiendas: gerundive construction ‘to complete these preparations’ (Kelsey); Biennium satis esse: ‘that two years would be sufficient’ (Kelsey); Duxerunt: here a verb of thought; ‘they reckoned’ (Kelsey); Biennium…duxerunt: ‘they judged that two years were sufficient’ (Walker)

ad…conficiendas: ‘to carry out these arrangements’ (Kelsey) (AG 506)

in tertium annum: in tertium annum means directly after the end of the two years' preparation; we might say, 'at the beginning of the third year'.

civitates: ‘clans,’ such as the Aedui, Sequani, &c., - about 60 in all, - whose territory had no local name, but was known only by that of the clan, which was sovereign and wholly independent, except for voluntary alliances. (Allen & Judson)

cuius pater...appellatus erat: this clause is parenthetical; in working out the sentence, omit it until the rest has been thoroughly grasped. Then go back and read this clause; then read the entire sentence. (Towle and Jenks)

amicus: the Romans sometimes gave this distinction to barbarian chiefs whose aid they wished to gain. (Towle and Jenks)

itemque: Item: ‘also’ (Kelsey, 10)

qui: i.e. Dumnorix

principatum…obtinebat: Principatum: ‘the foremost place’ (Kelsey); Distinct from regnum, and implying the influential position in his tribe of a man of high birth, wealth, and military distinction. ‘Who at that time held a leading position in his state.’ (Merryweather & Tancock); ‘highest rank,’ as distinct from political power. (Allen & Greenough)

factu: ‘of accomplishment,’ lit. ‘in respect to the doing’ (Kelsey) (AG 510).

probat: ‘He showed them’ (Kelsey).

obtenturus esset: ‘he was going to seize’ (Kelsey)

Non esse dubium: ‘that there was no doubt’ (Kelsey)

quin…possent: ‘that the Helvetians were the most powerful (people) in all Gaul, ‘ lit. ‘were able the most of the whole (of) Gaul’ (Kelsey); Quin…plurimum…possent: ‘that the Helvetii were the most powerful nation of Gaul.’ ‘Possum’ means here absolutely ‘to be powerful:’ not prolatively, ‘to be able to do a thing.’ (Moberly) (AG 558.a)

regno occupato: ‘having seized the supreme power’ (Kelsey); ‘in case they should get in their hands the royal power’ (Allen & Greenough)