A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

a chief of the Eburones, a Gallic people between the Meuso and the Rhine, who were formerly tributary to the Aduatici, but were

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delivered by Caesar from the payment of this tribute. In B. C. 54, Caesar placed a legion and five cohorts, under the command of Q. Titurius Sabinus and L. Aurunculeius Cotta, in the territories of the Eburones for the purpose of passing the winter there. But fifteen days after they had been stationed in their territories, the Eburones revolted at the instigation of Ambiorix and Cativolcus, another chief, besieged the Roman camp, and destroyed almost all the Roman troops, after they had been induced by Ambiorix to leave their camp under promise of a safe-conduct. After their destruction Ambiorix hastened to the Aduatici and Nervii, and induced them, in conjunction with the Eburones, to attack the camp of Q. Cicero, who was stationed for the winter among the Nervii. The firmness of Cicero, and the defeat of the Gauls on the arrival of Caesar, compelled Ambiorix to raise the siege. In the following years Ambiorix continued to prosecute the war against Caesar, but though all his plans were thwarted, and the different troops he raised were defeated by Caesar, he always escaped falling into the hands of the conqueror. (Caes. Gal. 5.24, 26-51, 6.5, 29_43, 8.24, &c.; D. C. 40.5_10, 31, &c.; Liv. Epit. 106.) According to Florus (3.10.8) he escaped the vengeance of the Romans by fleeing beyond the Rhine.