The odds at alesia were pretty even, vercingetorix commander of the gallic forces outnumbered the romans 4. They culminated in the decisive battle of alesia in 52 bc, in which a complete. And, as an aid to his readers, he provides expository information for those who are unfamiliar with the faroff lands and people encountered during his forays. A reconstructed section of the alesia investment fortifications. During the first six years of caesars gallic war, 58 53 b. In the next year 50 bc there were moppingup operations. With its clear writing and excellent artwork, theres a good chance it will become the goto book for them. In part 4 chapters 5390, the gauls retreat to alesia, a city of the mandubii in central gaul. All gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the belgae.
Caesar forced the city to surrender, securing roman authority over gaul. Julius caesar, commentaries on the gallic wars, book vii. In the first 10 minutes i provide 5 campaignbattle maps which are directly related to the events in book 1 58 b. As for the battle narrative itself, it concerns an. Caesar suddenly invades the country of the arverni. Gallic defenders of alesia run low on provisions and send their wives and children out of the fortress 52 bce.
It was the last major engagement between gauls and romans, and is considered one of caesars greatest military achievements and a classic example of siege war. Trapped, the gallic leader surrendered effectively ceding control of gaul to rome. Gallic wars the reader wiki, reader view of wikipedia. Vercingetorix allies attack but are repelled by caesar, due in part to cavalry counterattack lead by marc antony. During the roman civil wars gallia was essentially left on its own. The battle of alesia or siege of alesia was a military engagement in the gallic wars that took place in september, 52 bc, around the gallic oppidum of alesia, a major centre of the mandubii tribe. Caesars victory at alesia did much to make him famous in rome, and eventually led to the civil war against pompey. Many, of course, do not freely join the rebellion, but are drawn in by political intrigues of various kinds.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading caesars gallic triumph. Some readers will already have read caesars books about the wars. Caesar described the siege in his commentaries on the war in gaul, book 7, chapters 6390. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Gallic wars cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. Feb 01, 2017 when gallic support force arrived, the romans had to face 80,000 men in alesia and about 250,000 foot soldiers along with 8,000 cavalry attacking from outside the city. Battle of alesia, 52 bce, roman siege of alesia, a city in eastern gaul modern france, during the gallic wars. Marcus vipsanius agrippa became its first governor in 3938 bc. Roman forces under the command of julius caesar besieged alesia, within which sheltered the gallic general vercingetorix and his massive host. I would recommend this book, it is a fine volume, like most osprey books are. They culminated in the decisive battle of alesia in 52 bc, in which a complete roman victory resulted in the expansion of the roman republic over the whole of gaul mainly presentday france and. When it was reported to caesar that they were attempting to make their. The battle of alesia or siege of alesia was a military engagement in the gallic wars that took place in september, 52 bc, around the gallic oppidum fortified settlement of alesia, a major centre of the mandubii tribe. Julius caesar the roman generals army was much bettered trained and disciplined and they had built ingenious.
They culminated in the decisive battle of alesia in 52 bc, in which a complete roman victory resulted in the expansion of the roman. The internet classics archive the gallic wars by julius. Battle of alesia in new ways and whose guidance has essentially taught me. In 52 bc, during the gallic wars, the arvenian chief vercingetorix led the gallic revolt against the armies of caesar. Bohn, 1869 the gallic wars were a series of military campaigns waged by the roman proconsul julius caesar against several gallic tribes, lasting from 58 bc to 51 bc.
In the course of the siege, caesar defeated a gallic relief army led by commius and vercassivellaunus while also preventing vercingetorix from breaking out of alesia. Labienus defeats a large gallic force led against him by indutiomarus, leader of the treveri. Gallic wars cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. After two days of heavy fighting, caesars army was in trouble and on the third day, the gauls captured the roman camp, playing an important role in the roman defense. But those who had come forth from alesia returned into the town dejected and almost despairing of success. For these readers, alesia 52 bc will be a great, highly illustrated refresher. The romans would also raid britannia and germania, but these expeditions never developed into fullscale invasions. The internet classics archive the gallic wars by julius caesar. They lasted from 58 bc to 50 bc and culminated in the decisive battle of alesia in 52 bc, in which a complete roman victory resulted in the expansion of the roman republic over the whole of gaul. Caesar rose to become one of the most powerful politicians in the roman republic through a number of his accomplishments, notably his victories in the gallic wars, completed by.
The dramatic quality of this book, in turn, allows us to better pull apart. Kevin li latin 12ap caesar book one english chapters 1 7 translation and notes chapter 1 all of gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the belgae inhabit, the aquitani another, the third, those who in their own language are called celts, in ours, gauls. Summary arriving in italy, caesar learns that the senate has decreed that all. Book 7 1 quiet a gallia caesar, ut constituerat, in italiam ad conventus agendos proficiscitur.
Roman forces under julius caesars command surrounded alesia, within which sheltered the gallic general vercingetorix and his army. Book 7 1 quieta gallia caesar, ut constituerat, in italiam ad conventus agendos proficiscitur. Caesar directed his troops to erect a series of extensive fortifications, including two walls encircling the city, to keep the defenders in and. Commentaries book 7 of the gallic wars is distinguished by the strong sense of. Chapter 7 when it was reported to caesar that they were attempting to make their route through our province he hastens to set out from the city, and, by as great marches as he can, proceeds to further gaul, and arrives at. Vercingetorix, caesar, and alesia book of days tales.
From the wikipedia on the battle of alesia the battle of alesia or siege of alesia was a military engagement in the gallic wars that took place in september, 52 bc, around the gallic oppidum fortified settlement of alesia, a major centre of the mandubii tribe. Book vi, the shortest of the hooks in the gallic wars, relates caesars adventures during 53 b. Gallic wars, 5850 bce, campaigns in which the roman proconsul julius caesar conquered gaul. Having advanced into the country of the nitiobriges, and gabali, he receives hostages from both nations, and, assembling a numerous force, marches to make a descent on the province in the direction of narbo.
The battle at alesia is perhaps the most involved of all battles described in the gallic wars. Julius caesars gallic wars had been raging for over five years when his legions faced their greatest test at the double siege of alesia, a ferocious and monumental battle that was so great in numbers, logistics, and daring that it still has few rivals in european warfare to this day. Eae res in galliam transalpinam celeriter perferuntur. The painting depicts the surrender of the gallic chieftain after the battle of alesia 52 bc. Clad in the bloodred cloak he usually wore as his distinguishing mark of battle, caesar led his troops to victories throughout the province, his major triumph being the defeat of the gallic army led by. It was fought by the army of julius caesar against a confederation of gallic tribes united under the leadership of vercingetorix of the arverni. The gallic wars pt3 roman victory at alesia by mary harrsch. Historically the battle of alesia was the turning point in the gallic wars between rome and the gaulic tribes, but what if gaul had won.
The siege of alesia may well rank among the decisive military operations of the worlds history. In 52 bc roman military and engineering skills enabled julius caesar to defeat a vast gallic army, which had come to relieve their famous chieftain vercingetorix, who was besieged inside alesia itself. The natives of transalpine gaul, meanwhile, hear of his decision and spread rumors that the general is detained in rome and cannot join his army. The battle of alesia or siege of alesia took place in september, 52 bc, around the gallic oppidum fortified settlement of alesia, a major centre of the mandubii tribe. What happens after the gallic council of war outside alesia following 2 repulses. Following the decisive battle of alesia in 52 bc, the romans annexed gaul as a province, and caesar became a hero in rome for his many. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Apr 01, 2021 the preeminent historian will durant on caesars closest victory, the siege of alesia.
All his cavalry being routed, vercingetorix led back his troops in the same order as he had arranged them before the camp, and immediately began to march to alesia, which is a town of the mandubii, and ordered the baggage to be speedily brought forth from the camp, and follow him closely. But those who were blockaded at alesia, the day being past, on which they had expected auxiliaries from their countrymen, and all their corn being consumed. While militarily just as strong as the romans, the gallic tribes internal divisions helped ease victory for caesar, and vercingetorixs attempt t. Romes war against the gallic tribes lasted from 58 bc to 50 bc and culminated in the decisive battle of alesia in 52 bc, in which a complete roman victory resulted in the expansion of the roman republic over the whole. The romans are not cavalrymen and the gauls still with caesar are no good at cavalry fighting, thus this thoughtfulness is rewarded later when the cavalry is responsible for the breakdown of the enemy forces at alesia. Gaul being tranquil, caesar, as he had determined, sets out for italy to hold the provincial assizes.
They demand thirtyfive thousand men from the aedui and their. Finally, book vii, the longest in caesars narrative, describes how, in 52 b. Many comments have been posted about the gallic wars. Alesia is little known besides its famous identity as the site of one of julius caesars greatest sieges. Alesia 52bc campaign chronicles kindle edition by inker, peter. How caesar defeated 250,000 gallics coming at them from two. Alesia 52 bc does a great job of summarizing the climatic year of caesars gallic wars. Caesars hard fought victory, secured roman rule in all of gaul. Normally i do not like to celebrate wars in this blog and do so only if they are of major historical significance. On reconnoitering the situation of the city, finding that the enemy were panicstricken, because the cavalry in which they placed their chief reliance, were beaten, he encouraged his men to endure the toil, and began to draw a line of circumvallation round alesia. Caesar, having conveyed his baggage to the nearest hill, and having left two legions to guard it, pursued as far as the time of day would. Caesars gallic wars essays chronicle the history of his military engagements during the years 5851 b.
The armies were battling over territory,trade routes, in the forms of rivers,past conflicts and glory. The campaigns that made julius caesar a roman legend. Alesia proved to be the end of generalized and organized resistance against caesars invasion of gaul and effectively marked the end of the gallic wars. Romes war against the gallic tribes lasted from 58 bc to 50 bc and culminated in the decisive battle of alesia in 52 bc, in which a complete roman victory resulted in the expansion of the roman republic over the whole of gaul. All march to alesia, sanguine and full of confidence. The national endowment for the humanities provided support for entering this text. Jan, 2019 the capital of the mandubii, alesia was situated upon heights which were surrounded by the romans. Caesars gallic wars chronicle the history of his military engagements during the years 5851 b. When vercingetorix learned what caesar was doing, he headed back to the. Kelsey,1 433 book 7 of caesars gallic wars is a narrative like few others in the history of the world.
Gallic defenders of alesia run low on provisions and send their wives and children out of the fortress 52 bce vercingetorix allies attack but are repelled by caesar, due in part to cavalry counterattack lead by marc antony. Kelsey,1433 book 7 of caesars gallic wars is a narrative like few others in the history of the world. Alesia was the last of many battles fought between the romans and gauls from 5852 bc. Romes war against the gallic tribes lasted from 58 bc to 50 bc and culminated in the decisive battle of alesia in 52 bc, in which a complete roman victory resulted in the expansion of the roman republic over the whole of gaul mainly presentday france and belgium. The gallic wars were a series of military campaigns waged by the roman proconsul julius caesar against several gallic tribes. Vercingetorix throws down his arms at the feet of julius caesar. On this date in 52 bce the head of the combined gallic forces, vercingetorix, surrendered to julius caesar following the siege and battle of alesia, thus ending the gallic wars and vastly extending the roman empire. Thegallic warswere a series of military campaigns waged by the roman proconsul julius caesar against several gallic tribes in what is now france, luxembourg, belgium, switzerland, and northern italy, in addition to a brief excursion into the british isles. Many of the gallic nations conspire to assert their freedom. Caesars literary aims in the gallic war media and war. Arriving in italy, caesar learns that the senate has decreed that all young men of military age should be drafted, so he decides to enroll soldiers in cisalpine gaul.
It was the last major engagement between gauls and romans, and is considered one. The gallic wars were a series of military campaigns waged by the roman proconsul julius caesar against numerous gallic tribes between 58 bc and 50 bc. This final chapter detailed the infamous battle of alesia and the climax of the gallic struggle for independence. What do the gauls believe about caesar in the beginning of book 7. As kahn says, among the commentaries book 7 of the gallic wars is distinguished by the strong sense of dramatic unity that strikes the reader, kahn, 249. The major battles were fought between the members of the roman army, and multiple gallic, germanic, and celtic tribes, all across western europe. Battle of alesia, 52 bce, roman military blockade of alesia, a city in eastern gaul, during the gallic wars. And select vercingetorix the arvernian as commanderinchief. After a brutal sixyear war of conquest, caesars chief opponent vercingetorix leads a revolt.
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