Res Gestae

In early times, when these regions lay in darkness as savage, they are thought to have been threefold,[*](With this part of the account, cf. Caesar, B.G., i. 1.) divided into Celts (the same as the Gauls), the Aquitanians, and the Belgians, differing in language, habits and laws.

Now the Gauls (who are the Celts) are separated from the Aquitanians by the Garonne river, which rises in the hills of the Pyrenees, and after running past many towns disappears in the Ocean.

But from the Belgians this same nation is separated by the Marne and the Seine, rivers of identical size; they flow through the district of Lyons, and after encircling in the manner of an island a stronghold of the Parisii called Lutetia,[*](Paris.) they unite in one channel, and flowing on together pour into the sea not far from Castra Constantia.[*](The site of Harfleur.)

Of all these nations the Belgae had the reputation in the ancient writers of being the most valiant, for the reason that being far removed from civilised life and not made effeminate by imported luxuries, they warred for a long time with the Germans across the Rhine.

The Aquitanians, on the contrary, to whose coasts, as being near at hand and peaceable, imported wares are conveyed, had their characters weakened to effeminacy and easily came under the sway of Rome.

All the Gauls, ever since under the perpetual pressure of wars[*](Referring to Cæsar’s campaigns, 58–49 B.C.) they yielded to the dictator Julius, have been governed by an administration divided into four parts. Of these Gallia Narbonensis by itself comprised the districts of Vienne and Lyons; the

But now the provinces over the whole extent of Gaul are reckoned as follows: The first province (beginning on the western front) is Lower, or Second, Germany, fortified by the wealthy and populous cities of Cologne and Tongres.

Next comes First, or Upper, Germany where besides other free towns are Mayence and Worms and Spires and Strasburg, famous for the disasters of the savages.[*](At the battle of Argentoratus (Strasburg); see xvi. 12.)

After these the First province of Belgium displays Metz and Treves, splendid abode of the emperors.[*](Augusta Trevirorum was the headquarters of the Roman commanders on the Rhine, and a frequent residence of the Roman emperors; Ausonius, in his Ordo Urbium Nobilium gives it sixth place.)

Adjoining this is the Second province of Belgium, in which are Amiens, a city eminent above the rest, and Chalôns[*](Châlons-sur-Marne.) and Rheims.

In the Seine province we see Besançon and Augst, more important than its many other towns. The first Lyonnese province is made famous by Lyons, Châlon-sur-Saône, Sens, Bourges, and Autun with its huge ancient walls.