A reconstruction of Roman fortifications at Alise-Sainte-Reine, site of Vercingetorix’s surrender in 52 BC, giving us an idea of the scene on that historic and tragic day. Vercingetorix’s campaign of resistance to Roman imperialism was a path followed a little later by British chieftain Caratacus across the Channel, who was also overpowered by superior military might. He too was transported to Rome and displayed as a trophy of Roman civilisation; but according to Tacitus, his no less defiant submission was more sympathetically received. See The Speech of King Caratacus.
Vercingetorix on his splendid horse, his jewels and armour gleaming in the sunshine, rode quickly round the tribunal. Then vaulting from his horse he threw his sword and spear at Caesar’s feet, and, without a sword, seated himself upon the steps of the throne. Even the Roman soldiers were touched at the sight of this splendid hero who thus gave himself up for his country.
Caesar alone remained cold and cruel. To him Vercingetorix was merely the man who had for one day robbed him of the name unconquerable. A few minutes he gazed at him in silent hatred, then he burst forth into a torrent of wrath. In silence Vercingetorix listened. Then at a sign from Caesar he was bound and led away.
Vercingetorix was sent to Rome a prisoner. There for six long years he lay in a dark and noisome dungeon. Then he was brought forth to add glory to Caesar’s triumph.* And after having been led through the streets to be jeered at by the Roman multitude, his head was cut off at the foot of the Capitol, while upon its height Caesar knelt to the gods, giving thanks to them for his victories.*
From ‘A History of France’ (1912) by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall (1867-1941).
* A Triumph was a magnificent street procession awarded to a Roman general who had brought glory to the City in battle. That year, 46 BC, Julius Caesar celebrated no fewer than four Triumphs, including this one for the Gallic War.
* Vercingetorix was discarded contemptuously by his arrogant captors, but to John Buchan he possessed something the Romans could not even dream of. “No Roman, not even Caesar, knew the meaning of chivalry. Of Vercingetorix we may say that he was the first, and not the least, of that succession of Celtic paladins to whom the freedom of their people has been a burning faith. He was the greatest soldier — greater than Pompey — that Caesar ever faced in the field, and no lost cause could boast a nobler or more tragical hero.” See also The Speech of King Caratacus.
Questions for Critics
1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate her ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Précis
Even Rome’s battle-hardened officers were moved as Vercingetorix rode in with dignity before Caesar’s seat of judgment, dismounted, and threw down his weapons. Caesar, however, poured forth an angry tirade before seeing to it that Vercingetorix was carried off to Rome in chains. There the noble Gaul was paraded as a dumb trophy, and eventually executed. (56 / 60 words)
Even Rome’s battle-hardened officers were moved as Vercingetorix rode in with dignity before Caesar’s seat of judgment, dismounted, and threw down his weapons. Caesar, however, poured forth an angry tirade before seeing to it that Vercingetorix was carried off to Rome in chains. There the noble Gaul was paraded as a dumb trophy, and eventually executed.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, besides, may, not, otherwise, ought, since, unless.
Archive
Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Break. Burst. Year.
2 Mere. Mighty. Spear.
3 Gate. Help. Thirty.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Subject and Object Find in Think and Speak
Use each word below in two sentences, first as the subject of a verb, and then as the object of a verb. It doesn’t have to be the same verb: some verbs can’t be paired with an object (e.g. arrive, happen), so watch out for these.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1. Street. 2. Part. 3. Gather. 4. Let. 5. End. 6. Touch. 7. Minute. 8. God. 9. Struggle.
Variations: 1.use your noun in the plural (e.g. cat → cats), if possible. 2.give one of your sentences a future aspect (e.g. will, going to). 3.write sentences using negatives such as not, neither, nobody and never.
Statements, Questions and Commands Find in Think and Speak
Use each word below in a sentence. Try to include at least one statement, one question and one command among your sentences. Note that some verbs make awkward or meaningless words of command, e.g. need, happen.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Cause. 2 Thank. 3 Seat. 4 Fall. 5 Add. 6 Name. 7 Let. 8 Man. 9 End.
Variations: 1. use a minimum of seven words for each sentence 2. include negatives, e.g. isn’t, don’t, never 3. use the words ‘must’ to make commands 4. compose a short dialogue containing all three kinds of sentence: one statement, one question and one command
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
x
0
Add
Your Words ()
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