People felt that now another spirit and another arm began to guide the destinies of Rome.
Subjugation of Gaul Belgic Expedition The foundations of the future edifice were laid; but in order to finish the building and completely to secure the recognition of the Roman rule by the Gauls, and that of the Rhine-frontier by the Germans, very much still remained to be done.

All central Gaul indeed from the Roman frontier as far up as Chartres and Treves submitted without objection to the new ruler; and on the upper and middle Rhine also no attack was for the present to be apprehended from the Germans.

But the northern provinces--as well the Aremorican cantons in Brittany and Normandy as the more powerful confederation of the Belgae--were not affected by the blows directed against central Gaul, and found no occasion to submit to the conqueror of Ariovistus.

Moreover, as was already remarked, very close relations subsisted between the Belgae and the Germans over the Rhine, and at the mouth of the Rhine also Germanic tribes made themselves ready to cross the stream.

In consequence of this Caesar set out with his army, now increased to eight legions, in the spring of 697 against the Belgic cantons.