Work File

Section 2

1. Why does Orgetorix say getting control of the entire country will be easy?

Orgetorix said it would be easy because the Helvetians excelled above all others in valor.

2. He says they need to move because of 3 geographical features:

The Helvetians were confined by 3 geographical features: on one side the Rhine River, on a second side a very high mountain called the Jura, and on the third by the Lake of Geneva and Rhone River.

3.  Name the 3 peoples who are on the opposite sides of the 3 geographical features listed above.

Opposite the Rhine River is the Germans, opposite the Jura Mountain is the Sequani, and opposite the Lake Geneva and Rhone River is a Roman province.

Section 3

4.  How long is the time allotted for preparations to move?

2 years

Section 5

5.  What extreme measures did the Helvetians take upon their departure?

They set fire to all their towns, villages, and private dwellings. Each person was to carry forth 3 months of provisions and burn all the corn that was left, and the Helvetians asked their neighbors to do the same.

6.  What was Orgetorix's psychology behind this action?

If the people destroy their return home, they will be more ready to undergo all dangers.

Section 6

7. What were the two routes that provided access out of their region?

One route was through the Sequani but was very narrow and difficult. The other route that was much easier was through the province.

8. Since the Romans didn't have years or BC/AD, how did they designate years?

The Romans used AUC, or ab urbe condita, which measured how many years since the founding of the original city of Rome. For example, 58 BC in the passage would be AUC 696.

Section 7

9. What pronoun does Caesar use all through this section and what purpose does it serve him?

Caesar uses “they”

10.  Did Caesar allow the Helvetians passage through the Province?

He did not wish to grant them passage nor did Caesar think they deserved it but he said to the Helvetian ambassadors that he would take time to think.

Section 8

11.  Give one example of his skill as a leader.  What does this say about the legionnaires under his command?

One example of Caesar’s strength as a leader was that he was able to assemble a wall nineteen miles long and sixteen feet tall in just a short time. This dictates that the legionnaires under his command were extremely loyal to Caesar and hardworking.

Section 10 

12.  He requisitions 5 legions, in the dead of winter, and marches them across the ALPS!  Think what this says of Caesar as well as Roman troops.

This says that Caesar has an extremely strong will and perseverance, and that the Roman troops have deep faith in their leader and strong perseverance as well.

Section 12

13. What was the public wrong was avenged by Julius Caesar

The killing of Lucius Cassius the consul.

Section 13

14.  What is another characteristic of Caesar and his troops highlighted in this passage?

They were extremely fast and efficient- they crossed the river in one day, something that would have taken the Helvetians twenty.

Section 16

15.  Feeding his troops was a grave concern of Caesar's.  Where did he get his grain?

Caesar gets his grain from the Aedui.

In sections 21 and 22

16.  What were 3 customary procedures of Caesar's army?

Scouting ahead, especially of the terrain, drawing up a battle-order, and following the enemy distance.

Section 25

17.  What characteristic of Caesar's endeared him to his men?

He would put himself in the same position and danger as his men.

Section 26

18.  After the battle, the Romans stopped all pursuit and carried out what action?

The Romans healed their wounds and buried the slain.

Section 28

19.  What 4 actions constituted surrender by the enemies? In establishing a settlement to the fight, Caesar was always thinking further ahead.  He ordered the Helvetians to return to the homeland they left behind.  How was this a protection and safeguard for Rome?

The 4 actions were for the surrendering to seek out and bring back those deserters through whose territory they had gone through, and to deliver up hostages, arms, and deserters. By ordering the Helvetians to return to their homeland, they would not have any food or shelter and have to rely on their neighbors for such things, meaning they themselves were less a threat to Rome.

Section 29

20. How many Gauls were lost ultimately in this plan to find a new homeland?

About 250,000 Gauls were lost in this plan.

21. Now that you have read all about Caesar's views of the Gauls, write a paragraph explaining how you think the Romans viewed non-Latin speaking people.

The Romans, although they had a degree of respect for non-Latin speaking people still did not view them as equals.

Extra Credit:

In section 12  Caesar talks about people being put "under the yoke".  That was physically what they did.  They held up a yoke and the vanquished enemy walked under it as a sign of submission.  The Latin term is "sub iugum".  What English term that means the same thing is derived from these two words?

Subjugate