Commentarii de Bello Gallico, Libri V-VIII

After winter, Caesar orders his legates to build and repair a fleet, adjusting the design for shallower waters and lighter loads to ease the crossing. He moves through Gaul, secures Illyricum against the Pirustae, demands hostages and arbitration, and sets the stage for a new phase of the Gallic wars.

In the contested lands near the Rhine, Caesar encounters the rival tribal leaders Indutiomarus and Cingetorix, trying to win their loyalty while balancing local tensions. He negotiates with the Treveri, combining diplomacy with a show of force, and readies a large fleet at the port of Itea for the planned crossing to Britain. These early moves highlight the logistical and political challenges that will shape his upcoming campaigns.