Empathy of a Soldier of Caesar’s Army during the Battle of Alesia

I am not afraid. I am a soldier. My life is defined by the conquests I make. I am a Roman! Greater grounds would mean greater employment for my people, an enriched living my family deserves. But no, I am not at war for capital. I hold my sword for conceit. Yet, what is this fear that encapsulates me this day? Am I afraid of being outnumbered? Would there actually be an army of 300,000 Gallic soldiers as speculated? No, I fear them not. I would return as a noble to my people. I fight for prestige, I fight for pride, I fight for Rome … I fight for Caesar! We are few but we are strong. We are a trained 60,000 with an astute commander. Why can I not erase the thought of the debt my leader got buried under? Would it really be true that the office of Consul for my chief brought us today to fight the undefeated? Have mercy on me O Mars! I am not feeble like the Arvernia. Tomorrow’s sun shall see me fight. I would not bring shame to the land of Romulus. We shall feast and rejoice once the la...