From Commentarii de Bello Gallico During operations against the Carnutes, it was reported to Caesar that the priests of the tribe, under the leadership of **Caturix**, had assembled beyond the walls of their chief settlement to conduct rites intended to secure divine favor in war. The ceremonies, performed on the nights preceding the full moon, consisted of the burning of great effigies of interwoven branches, the casting of offerings into fire, and the recitation of incantations. The Carnutes believed that by such means they would invoke the protection of their [[Gods]] and gain strength against Rome. Caesar, **High Priest of Jupiter**, under whose patronage Rome conquers all, ordered a detachment of cavalry to disperse the gathering before the rites could reach completion. The equites, advancing rapidly, fell upon the druids with ease. The enemy, caught unaware, attempted to flee but was pursued and cut down. Their fires were extinguished, their effigies burned in turn, their invocations left unfinished. No Roman was wounded, and the engagement ended without loss. Among the slain were warriors distinguished by **horned helmets**, forged in bronze, which, when viewed from certain angles, appeared to tremble as if vibrating unnaturally. Whether this effect was the result of firelight upon their curved surfaces or a mere irregularity in their construction is unknown, but they were noted among the ranks and later discarded. Following the engagement, it was observed that upon the hands of those equites who had participated in the charge, certain marks had appeared—**twisted forms, resembling the inscriptions of the druids**, as if impressed upon the skin by some unknown force. The marks bore no pain, nor did they hinder movement, but their presence was noted among the men. Some, unsettled by the strange occurrence, murmured of the sorcery of the Carnutes, suspecting that the rites of the druids, though interrupted, had left their mark upon those who had profaned them. Caesar, unwavering in the favor of **Jupiter Optimus Maximus**, dismissed such fears. As **High Priest of Jupiter**, through whose divine protection Rome is guided, he held that no Gaulish sorcery could stand against the will of the [[Gods]]. The marks, whatever their origin, were without consequence, and no further concern was given to them. The campaign pressed forward without delay. Several days later, as the moon reached its highest ascent, those equites upon whom the marks had appeared succumbed to sudden illness, without evident cause or prior sign of affliction. Within a brief span, they perished. Their deaths were silent, their bodies without wound or visible infirmity. No cause could be determined. Among the Carnutes, it was rumored that their [[Gods]] had taken vengeance, that the spirits had punished those who had profaned their rites. But no further investigation into such claims was deemed necessary. **Rome does not yield to sorcery, nor shall she ever.** The campaign continued, and no more was spoken of the incident.