The legions were stationed in winter quarters where they could watch over the recently pacified tribes of central and eastern Gaul. Two were with the Treveri, two with the Lingones, and the remaining six at Agedincum, the chief town of the Senones (BG 6.44.3). Caesar does not say who commanded the main camp at Agedincum. It is usually assumed to have been Labienus.[42] An incident, suppressed by Caesar, may give some support.[43] The Treveri were too far frm the center of the revolt, [45] and the Lingones remained faithful (7.63.7). But Commius may have been operating among the Carnutes and Senones, tribes in the vicinity of Agedincum. The former were the first to arms (7.2.1–1), and the death of Acco, chieftain of the Senones, was a primary cause of unrest (7.1.4). Assuming that Labienus was in charge of Agedincum as Caesar’s representative, we may ask why was the attempt upon Commius his sole effort to suppress the rebellion. It has been suggested that he was hampered by the loss of the supplies which the Senonian Drappes intercepted, when Gaul defected (Hirt. BG 8.30.1).[46] Yet this does not explain why Labienus did not react aggressively to the gradually increasing unrest as Caesar had done in 53 (6.4). Labienus was not one to hesitate in a crisis. The Gauls, on the other hand, realized from the outset that their main objective was to keep Caesar from rejoining the legions (7.1.6–7). The army would not dare to withdraw from winter quarters in his absence. Caesar himself was unwilling to order them southward under their officers, knowing that they would encounter resistance on the march and be compelled to fight (7.6.2–3). Did Caesar distrust Labienus’ discretion? What latitude did he have when Caesar was in Italy?
Caesar stated his conception of the legatus’ role in defending P. Sulla from failing to prusue the Pompeiani at Dryrrachium:
Aliae enim sunt legati partes atque imperatoris: alter omnia agere ad praescriptum, alter libere ad summam rerum consulere debet: