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1.6.1 There were only two routes by which they were able to leave their homeland; one through the Sequani, a narrow and difficult route, between Mount Iura and the river Rhodan, which was scarcely able to be traveled by a single wagon; and then after that, a very high mountain was in the way, so that a tiny number of men could easily block the route;
1.6.2 the other went through our province*, easier and faster by far, because between the borders of the Helvetii and the Allobroges (who were recently pacified) the Rhodane flowed, and it was crossed by fords in no few places.
1.6.3 The furthest town of the Allobrages, and nearest to the borders of the Helvetii, is Genava. A bridge extends from this town to the Helvetii. They thought either to persuaded the Allobrages, because they did not have a good reputation with the Roman people**, or to compel them by force to allow them to go through their territory.*** When everything was gathered together for the departure they named the day, on which everyone convened on the banks of the Rhodane. This day was the fifth day before the Kalends of April, when L. Piso and A. Gabinius were consuls.
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* That is, through Roman-occupied territory.
** The Allobrages had dealt with Cataline's agents during his plotting, and recently attempted to rebel.
*** That is, the Helvetii are threatening the Allobrages so that the Allobrages will let the Helvetii go through the territory of the Allobgrages. This is easier with Latin pronouns.
1.6.2 the other went through our province*, easier and faster by far, because between the borders of the Helvetii and the Allobroges (who were recently pacified) the Rhodane flowed, and it was crossed by fords in no few places.
1.6.3 The furthest town of the Allobrages, and nearest to the borders of the Helvetii, is Genava. A bridge extends from this town to the Helvetii. They thought either to persuaded the Allobrages, because they did not have a good reputation with the Roman people**, or to compel them by force to allow them to go through their territory.*** When everything was gathered together for the departure they named the day, on which everyone convened on the banks of the Rhodane. This day was the fifth day before the Kalends of April, when L. Piso and A. Gabinius were consuls.
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* That is, through Roman-occupied territory.
** The Allobrages had dealt with Cataline's agents during his plotting, and recently attempted to rebel.
*** That is, the Helvetii are threatening the Allobrages so that the Allobrages will let the Helvetii go through the territory of the Allobgrages. This is easier with Latin pronouns.