acclamations as he passed through the Forum and ascended the Capitol to render thanks to Jupiter (B.C. 57). [Illustration: Temple of Hercules at Rome.] [Illustration: Temple of Nemausus (_Nimes_), now called the _Maison Carree_.] CHAPTER XXXIII. CAESAR'S CAMPAIGNS IN GAUL. B.C. 58-50. Caesar set out for his province immediately after Cicero had gone into exile (B.C. 58). During the next nine years he was occupied with the subjugation of Gaul. In this time he conquered the whole of Transalpine Gaul, which had hitherto been independent of the Romans, with the exception of the part called Provincia. Twice he crossed the Rhine, and carried the terror of the Roman arms beyond that river. Twice he landed in Britain, which had been hitherto unknown to the Romans. We can only offer a very brief sketch of the principal events of each year. _First Campaign_, B.C. 58.--Caesar left Rome toward the latter end of April, and arrived in Geneva in eight days. His first campaign was against the Helvetii, a Gallic people situated to the north of the Lake of Geneva, and between the Rhine and Mount Jura. This people, quitting their homes, had passed through the country of the Sequani, and were plundering the territories of the AEdui. Three out of their four clans had already crossed the Arar (_Saone_); but the fourth, which was still on the other side of the river, was surprised by Caesar and cut to pieces. He then threw a bridge across the Arar, followed them cautiously for some days, and at length fought a pitched battle with them near the town of Bibracte (_Autun_). The Helvetii were defeated with great slaughter, and the remnant compelled to return to their former homes. This great victory raised Caesar's fame among the various tribes of Gauls, and the AEdui solicited his assistance against Ariovistus, a German king who had invaded Gaul, and was constantly bringing over the Rhine fresh swarms of Germans. Caesar commanded Ariovistus to abstain from introducing any more Germans into Gaul, to restore the hostages to the AEdui, and not to attack the latter or their allies. A haughty answer was returned to these commands, and both parties prepared for war. Caesar advanced northward through the country of the Sequani, took possession of Vesontio (_Besancon_), an important town on the Dubis (_Doubs_), and some days afterward fought a decisive battle with Ariovistus, who suffered a total defeat, and fled with the remains of his army to the Rhine, a distance of fifty miles. Only a very few, and, among the rest, Ariovistus himself, crossed the river; the rest were cut to pieces by the Roman cavalry.