English

Latin

he learned from them these particulars : that the Suevi , after they had by means of their scouts found that the bridge was being built , had called a council , according to their custom , and sent orders to all parts of their state to remove from the towns and convey their children , wives , and all their possessions into the woods , and that all who could bear arms should assemble in one place ; that the place thus chosen was nearly the centre of those regions which the Suevi possessed ; that in this spot they had resolved to await the arrival of the Romans , and give them battle there . When Caesar discovered this , having already accomplished all these things on account of which he had resolved to lead his army over , namely , to strike fear into the Germans , take vengeance on the Sigambri , and free the Ubii from the invasion of the Suevi , having spent altogether eighteen days beyond the Rhine , and thinking he had advanced far enough to serve both honor and interest , he returned into Gaul , and cut down the bridge .