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Marius Mules I: The Invasion of Gaul Selected Excerpts

Instructions: Read each passage from the novel carefully. In the empty box, tell me what you
think the author is telling you, the reader. Is there a particular message that he is trying to get
across? Explain your answers. Underline or highlight the clues in the passage that stand out to
you and incorporate them into your answers.
APA citation: Turney, S.J.A. (2013). Marius' Mules I: The Invasion of Gaul (2nd ed.) United
Kingdom: Victrix Books.
Excerpt
pp. 249-250
Caesar smiled at the two of them. This was why he
tried to keep officers with units for as long as possible. They
built up a rapport with their men and became hardened
veterans. Political weasels were far too common in military
command, and few politicians who took such a position had
any tactical ability. Caesar liked to think that he followed an
illustrious line of those with tried and tested ability, but he
would sooner trust a career veteran to lead his men than
another politician. Too many agendas and not enough talent.
Things would change in time, when Caesar reached his
long-sought after goals. He pulled himself from ambitious
reverie and looked across at the two officers again, then
back at Longinus.
Very well. Longinus, you are hereby promoted to
the staff as Master of Horse. Youve got two days to put
together your plan and apprise me of it. Rufus, report to the
Ninth and find their primus pilus, Grattius. He should be
able to fill you in on anything specific you need to know
and sort out your accommodation for you. Balbus, you may
want to accompany Rufus and give him a hand.
Balbus nodded.
Very well, the general went on, well be staying
here for about a week, while the army is marshalled and the
initial process of pre-war negotiation is carried out. Now
that these damn Gauls are out of earshot, I presume you all
realise that this campaign cannot be avoided and, even if
diplomacy with this German were possible, I have no
intention of carrying it through. We must have military
supremacy here if we are to achieve anything.

Analyzing the Passage

He turned to his other staff officers.

Brutus. Go into Bibracte and speak to Liscus. Find
out exactly where this Ariovistus is currently based,
somewhere in the lands of the Sequani.
He then turned to Longinus again.
I want a small party of heavily armed cavalry
dressed in full regalia. Im going to send an ambassador to
speak with this German. Thats your job, Brutus.
Brutus nodded and squared his shoulders.
I take it youre going to give me the details,
general?
Caesar smiled viciously.
Oh yes. When youve found out where he is, come
back here and well go through the conditions. I fully intend
to make them unacceptable, even unbearable, for him. I
wont let him deal with this quietly.
He squared his shoulders and stood.
Alright gentlemen, youve got your orders. Lets
start a war.
pp. 246-247
The general sat back in his chair, looking far too
smug for Frontos liking. His thoughts were echoed a
moment later by a familiar voice speaking in relatively good
Latin. He looked up in surprise to see the immense and
impressive Druid addressing Caesar directly.
Caesar. I must say one thing and then stop. I am, as
Greeks say, barbaroi, that you Roman call barbarian. How
can you say you distinguish between enemy of Rome and
non-Roman, when to Rome we are all barbaroi?
The interpreter seemed as surprised as Fronto had
been. Glancing at his superior he realised, though only
because he knew the man so well, that Caesar was equally
surprised. He doubted the man had flinched as far as any
other observer was concerned. Caesar cleared his throat.
I am unused to dealing with so wily a political
adversary. If I had known you spoke not only my language,
but that of the Greeks, I would have rather addressed you
directly as a spokesman. Still, I would answer you this way.
The word we use, barbarian, is used to describe those who
do not follow our ways. If you have heard the word from
someone, then I am not surprised that youd interpret it this
way. If you truly have a knowledge of the Greek language
and their history, you may realise that this is not a
derogatory term. It is merely a catch-all term for non-

Romans. I would welcome the chance to speak to you alone,

if you would favour me, after this meeting.
The Druid glared at Caesar.
You are clever, and very quick. No. I will not meet
with you. I do not believe we need you and I do not like
you. I speak here only as spokesman for the tribes. I do not
speak Greek or Latin not because I speak it badly, but
because I dislike speaking the language of deception and
wickedness. I speak my mother tongue, because that is true.
We have made our deal, so we do not need to speak more.
This is over. Goodbye.
pp. 184-185
Once we have defeated the Helvetii, I intend to
send them back to their lands near Geneva. That does not,
however, herald the end of the campaign. The following
information goes no further at this time, of course.
Nods and affirmative noises filled the tent. A
redundant phrase, Fronto thought. Caesar had enough
presence and power over these legions that the officers
would betray the confidence of their own family before they
would betray the general, whether that be through respect or
fear. He looked back across at his commander as the man
continued.
There has been a great deal of movement on the
German border over the past few months, while we have
been campaigning against the Helvetii. In much the same
way as the Helvetii have invaded lower Gaul and moved
west, a number of German tribes under a man named
Ariovistus have crossed the Rhine and settled in the lands of
the Sequani to the west.
Caesar leaned forwards and unfurled the larger
campaign map on the table once more.
These German tribes have been used as
mercenaries by the Gauls for many years now, fighting for
the Sequani and the Arverni against our allies the Aedui.
That they have turned on their former employers and settled
on their land is no concern of ours, but we cannot ignore the
threat that they constitute to the stability of our alliances in
Gaul. I anticipate a request for aid from certain quarters
very soon.
The general paused a moment to allow all this fresh
information to settle in.
Just as we will not allow the Helvetii to threaten
our allies, nor will we give the Germans free rein. They

must be kept on their own side of the Rhine. So, gentlemen,

barring a miraculous turnaround by Ariovistus, we will be
continuing our campaign in the field for the foreseeable
future.
pp. 81-82
If you hold this recent alliance with the Helvetii so
dear to your hearts, you must accept what honour demands
and die on this field. If you are willing to accept Roman
command, you will be divided and dispersed between our
existing auxiliary units. You will fight for us, among units of
Gauls who follow the path of Roman civilisation, and you
will have the honour of fighting under trusted Gaulish
commanders. You have a count of fifty to make the choice
before I order the slaughter to begin. Choose wisely, Gaul,
for not only your life, but the lives of your people rest on
your shoulders.
To emphasise Caesars words, Fronto and Balbus
gave signals. The front ranks of the legions locked shields
once more and levelled their swords. The artillery crews
reloaded the ballistae and aimed them into the centre of the
army. The rear ranks of the legions hefted their pila and
stood poised ready for the throw. And on the crest of the
hill, Longinus cavalry formed up in a line four deep. The
Gauls knew; had to know that they were staring death in the
face, with no uncertainty.
The Gaulish army shuffled their feet and muttered
among themselves. Tense heartbeats passed. Caesar held his
hand up, his ornately decorated sword in hand, ready to drop
and give the signal.
With moments to go, the Gaulish chief held his spear
and his broad bladed sword high in the air.
Death to Rome!