lieutenant of Caesar. This tribe refused to give hostages, and,
inducing others to join them, seized some Roman officers sent among
them by Crassus. The campaign of the third year (56) was directed
against these people. They were mostly sailors and fishermen, with
villages built on the end of promontories and easily defended by land.
In a naval engagement, which lasted nearly all day, their whole fleet
was destroyed. The leaders of the Veneti were put to death for their
treachery in seizing Roman officers, and the rest were sold into
slavery.

The legions spent the winter of 56-55 in the northern part of Gaul,
among the Aulerci and neighboring tribes.

During this winter another wave of Germans passed over the Rhine into
Gaul. They had been driven from their homes by a powerful tribe called
the SUEVI. In the spring of 55 Caesar collected his troops and
advanced to within twelve miles of the German camp, and gave the
invaders twenty-four hours to leave the country. Before the expiration
of the time, they attacked Caesar's outposts, killing several Knights,
and two men of aristocratic families. In the general engagement that
followed, the Germans were totally routed and most of them were slain.

Caesar next determined to cross the Rhine into Germany, thinking thus
to inspire the Germans with greater fear of the Romans. He built his
famous bridge, crossed it, remained eighteen days in Germany, and,
thinking his object accomplished, returned to Gaul, destroying the
bridge behind him.


INVASION OF BRITAIN.