But these four legions were starting on a march which would
last several days, and therefore could not do without their
packs or even a certain amount of baggage. Expeditis there-
fore means that they took no more baggage than was «tbso-
lutely necessary : it may be translated by ' in light marching
order '.
equitibus. In the Gallic war Caesar's cavalry consisted en-
tirely , of foreigners, —Gauls, Spaniards, and in the last two cam-
paigns (52 and 51 B. c.) if not before, Germans. They were
often commanded by their national chiefs (viii, 12, § 4). See
C.e., pp.' 579-81.
quod hi . . . parebant. Three years before, the Treveri had
sent a body of cavah-y to assist Caesar in his campaign against
the Belgae ; but they had deserted in the battle with the Nervii,
and, as Caesar says (ii, 24, § 5), ' told their countrymen that the
Romans were disastrously defeated.' Unless he recalled them
to obedience, it was probable that while he was in Britain Gauls
and Germans would raise a rebellion in his rear.
concilia. In the spring of every year Caesar convened a diet
of the Gallic chieftains, partly perhaps to test their temper,
partly to fix the strength of the cavalry contingents which their
respective tribes were to provide. Cf. iv, 6, § 5 ; v, 24, § 1 ; vi,
3, §4.
Transrhenanos is added in order to show that the Belgic
tribes — the Condrusi, Bburones, Caerosi, Paemani, and Segni —
whom Caesar called Germans (ii, 4, § 10 ; vi, 32, § 1), are hot
meant.
3, § 1. totius Galliae is equivalent to totius Galliae civitatum.
