CHAPTER VII

CAESAR’S SECOND INVASION OF BRITAIN

Caesar builds a fleet for a second expedition 326

Mandubracius flees from Britain and takes refuge with Caesar 327

Caesar winters in Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum 327

His correspondence with Cicero 327

Cicero’s hopes and fears about the second British expedition 329

Caesar returns to Gaul 329

He is obliged to march to the country of the Treveri 330

Returning to the Portus Itius, he finds fleet and army assembled 331

He resolves to take Gallic chiefs of doubtful fidelity as hostages to Britain 331

Dumnorix resolves not to go 332

The fleet weatherbound 332

The fate of Dumnorix 333

Caesar sets sail, leaving Labienus in charge of Gaul 333

The fleet drifts north-eastward out of its course 334

The landing-place, between Sandown Castle and Sandwich, reached by rowing 335

Leaving the fleet at anchor in charge of a brigade, Caesar marches against the Britons 335

forces the passage of the Stour near Canterbury 337

and storms a fort to which they had retreated 337

Next morning he sends three columns in pursuit 337

but is forced to recall them by news that many of his ships had been wrecked 338

He beaches the ships, constructs a naval camp, and repairs damage 338

Results of the disaster 338

Caesar again marches towards Canterbury. Cassivellaunus elected commander-in-chief of the Britons 339

The Romans harassed by British charioteers 340

Trebonius routs the Britons 341

The British infantry disperse 341

War-chariots _versus_ Roman troops 341

Caesar marches for the country of Cassivellaunus 343

whose chariots harass his cavalry 344

Caesar crosses the Thames 345

Cassivellaunus orders the kings of Kent to attack the naval camp 346

Caesar enters the country of the Trinovantes, who furnish hostages and grain 346

Five of the confederate tribes submit 346

Attack on the naval camp repulsed 347

Caesar’s hurried journey to the coast and its significance 348

Cassivellaunus sues for peace 349

Caesar and his army return to Gaul 350

Caesar’s description of Britain 351

Review of Caesar’s invasions of Britain 352