Gallic Wars ?

[Scylax]

For the third time I have just read Julius
Caesar's 'Gallic Wars'.

What a guy, what a story. Can I recommend it
as, in my opinion, the best war story ever told ?

[jake-the-peg]

It's been some time since I did this at school in Latin but as I recall it is rather an early piece of propaganda.

Remember that for all his military prowess he did rather start this war in order to gain wealth and presitge for his own personal ambition.

I think this should be subtitled "Why Caeser's brilliant" By Julius Caeser.

[Octavius]

Yes, history is written by the pen of the victor and whilst uncle Julius was a fine old chap indeed he painted a pretty picture of a vicious and violent campaign and told the Roman Senate exaclt what they wanted to hear. The valiant Roman General, the glory and expansion of Rome, civilising the barabarian hoard etc etc.

There is no doubt that he must have been a charismatic, clever and astute general in order to get his men to accomplish what they did, but no doubt conversely to how the gallic tribes viewed the affront.

[Count_Emmup]

Barbarian horde.

[Octavius]

Quid pro quo

[Scylax]

Yes folks, but as I said: 'What a guy, what a story'.

Please note that somewhere in Europe there
exists, or did exist, a creature which is constrained
to sleep whilst standing upright. It's congenital
lack of knees preclude it from lying down, as
it would never rise again.

This is true. Caesar tells the story, and I believe
everything Caesar says.

[Octavius]

What about Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus then?

[Scylax]

Was he the aforesaid creature then ? Or merely
cast in its likeness ?