Lucterius is thus stopped and Caesar moves into the land of the Helvii, but is confronted by a mountain range, the Cevennes, separating the Arverni from the Helvii. Meanwhile, Vercingetorix' ambassador, Lucterius, continued to gain allies. He fears their coming into the main camp and starting a mutiny. 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 Gauls are overjoyed for it seems that their cavalry is sure to win. Caesar's decision is this: he orders all weapons surrendered and tells the Gauls to bring their chiefs out. Tribes which Caesar has fought earlier, and many with whom he has been at peace, combine and try their luck against the mighty Roman general. Discover surprising insights and little-known facts about politics, literature, science, and the marvels of the natural world. There he receives intelligence of the death of Clodius; and, being informed of the decree of the senate, [to the effect] that all the youth of Italy should take the military oath, he determined to hold a levy throughout the entire province. Because of this, there were skirmishes, although Vercingetorix was waiting for Gallic allies to join him before a full-fledged fight against Caesar's army. He sends the small boats upstream and instructs them to make much noise also. During the burning, there is debate concerning the burning of Avaricum — the finest city in all Gaul — and although Vercingetorix strongly believes that it too should be destroyed, he finally yields to the arguments defending the city's survival. Twenty-two cohorts drafted from the province are set to oppose the enemy. The revolt begins when the Gauls hear of the political turmoil in Rome. On the other hand, he does not want to attempt a blockade until he secures his own grain supply. They report that Litaviccus has gone with his cavalry to incite the Aedui and say that they must go and try to get ahead of him so that they can maintain the loyalty of the Aeduan people. The plan is harsh, but the alternative in defeat is harsher: Families will be made slaves and soldiers will be slaughtered. This quality is also observe4 when he gives the German horsemen the mounts his men have been using; he wants the Germans to have the best horses available. 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. The enemy intends to keep the Romans from building bridges to span the river, but Caesar sees the danger in their strategy. He also tells them to send him all their horsemen plus 10,000 infantry troops, which he needs to guard his grain supply. Caesar, meanwhile, sets up defensive units on both sides of his entrenchment and sends the cavalry out to fight. By long marches he gets to the Loire and finds a place shallow enough for the troops to wade across, then with the cavalry helping break the force of the river, the entire army gets safely across. The town lost a number of men before the town surrendered again. All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who … Vercingetorix and Caesar are the main figures in Book VII of De Bello Gallico, Caesar's narrative about his wars in Gaul, although the Roman allies, the Aedui, also play a large role. He pushes his troops until they see the column of Aedui, then sends the cavalry ahead to stop them and orders that there be no killing. The Aeduan revolt spreads. Caesar secures his baggage on a hill, then leaves two legions to guard it while he takes the rest of the army in pursuit. The next day, the Gauls attacked from both sides. Halfway there, messengers from Fabius report that the camp has been attacked by a full force of invaders and that many of the defenders have been wounded. Summary. By peaceful means or by attacking, he added troops from the Gallic tribes of the Senones (the tribe connected with the band of Gauls responsible for the sack of Rome in 390 B.C. There are a few more skirmishes during the next few days, but no major battles because Vercingetorix cannot be lured to level ground. The wily leader and his dependents escape, however, before they can be dealt with. It should be noted, however, that not all the tribes revolt freely. This books publish date is Dec 05, 2017 and it has a suggested retail price of $50.00. This text is an excerpt from the book VII of The Gallic War, a book which narrates the military events of the year 52 BCE and which ends with the Roman victory at Alesia against Vercingetorix.Concerning the redaction of The Gallic War and of the book VII in particular, it remains a debated issue. Then Caesar offers prizes to those who mount the wall first and, that done, gives the signal, and the troops charge the wall. The leading men of Gaul, having convened councils among themselves in the ... no summary available yet. They are so confused, in fact, that after they find themselves in trouble, they are unable to recognize the friendly Aeduan forces that come to help them. While he is gone, he leaves young Brutus in charge with orders to let the cavalry operate as far and wide as possible and says that he will return in three days. The break in the narrative seems necessary and not simply a whim of the writer: Caesar must stop the war to settle the childish dispute among the Aedui. Inside the gates of Noviodunum, the people panic. All the Gallic leaders then convene at Bibracte to discuss the dispute and the body votes that Vercingetorix continue as leader. Caesar's men headed to Gergovia. Meanwhile, other Gallic tribes heard of the revolt of the Aedui. He falsely claimed the Romans had killed some of their favorite leaders. One side faces the town, the other protects the Roman rear. And, since the Gauls have many horsemen, they can easily outnumber and surround Roman foraging parties. Vercingetorix calls a council and says he will do whatever they think best: they may kill him to please the Romans or they may surrender and present him to the enemy alive. Caesar is most deserving of the twenty-day thanksgiving proclaimed by the senate. When Caesar heard about the alliance, he realized it was a threat, so he left Italy and set out for Transalpine Gaul, a Roman province since 121 B.C., but he didn't have his regular army, although he did have some German cavalry and troops he had in Cisalpine Gaul. He tried to ally the Biturgies, but they resisted and sent ambassadors to the Aedui for help against Vercingetorix. As it turns out, the weakness is to his advantage, for the enemy commits itself to attack, and Labienus is able to send the cavalry around behind the enemy force and is successful in disrupting it. The Aedui which Caesar had sent out earlier appears on the Romans' right flank and the Romans mistake them for enemy troops. ), Parisii, Pictones, Cadurci, Turones, Aulerci, Lemovice, the Ruteni, and others to his own armed forces. This series of annual war commentaries is referred to by various names but is commonly called De bello Gallico in Latin, or The Gallic Wars in English. Only Caesar can settle the dispute. His forces grow rapidly. He then orders his troops to call in a thirty-day supply of grain and forage. He finds the German horses, unfortunately, not good enough for his purposes, so takes the horses away from the Romans and gives them to the German horsemen. Agreements are made accordingly: the Carnutes offer to begin the warfare, and since the tribes all want to keep their plans secret, they realize that they cannot take the risk of exchanging hostages, so all take an oath of honor not to betray one another. Each morning, he meets with the various chiefs in council, then exercises the troops. Between such arguments and bribes made to the Aedui by the allies of Vercingetorix, the Aedui were convinced. Caesar spared them and marched back towards Gergovia. Caesars Gallic War also had a very intense study on Caesars military campaigns, and the art of war. Analysis Of Julius Caesar 's ' The Gallic War ' 1070 Words 5 Pages Critique Essay In this critique of Julius Caesar’s book, The Gallic War, I will be discussing the purpose and accuracy (or in this case, inaccuracy) over his adventures and military campaign against the Gallic tribes. The Gallic Wars In 58 BCE, Caesar headed for Gaul, a region roughly encompassing present-day France and Belgium and parts of the Netherlands. They encounter some difficulty, however, and Caesar is forced to send 400 German horsemen as support. For a year, two men — Convictolitavis and Cotus — have both claimed legal right as chief magistrate, and the state is divided, each man having his following. The area seems vital so the Gauls send 60,000 of their bravest soldiers there in secret. 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 the chieftain Vercingetorix, in 52 bce. This period of revolt follows the earlier Gallic battles at Bibracte, Vosges, and Sabis. Many of Caesar's enemies were slaughtered, Vercingetorix' cavalry was routed, and some of the tribal leaders were captured. The men on both sides fight even more bravely than usual because they know they are being watched by both sides, and the fight lasts from noon to sunset before the Germans mass and charge so violently that the enemy must retreat. Finally, Book VII, the longest in Caesar's narrative, describes how, in 52 B.C., Caesar manages to withstand the revolt of fourteen of the Gallic tribes. Late one night the Romans see smoke coming from the ramp and realize that the enemy has set it afire from a tunnel. They spread their horsemen and footmen over the plain before the town. The Gauls have archers mixed with their cavalry and these, for a time, check the Romans. If he keeps his legions in one place, defections mount and soon all Gaul will revolt as it becomes apparent that Rome is powerless to stop the rebellions. Lucterius, meanwhile, unites the Ruteni with the Arverni, then brings the Nitiobriges and the Gabali into the alliance. His uncle, Gobannitio, and the other chiefs try to stop him, but unable to dissuade him, they finally drive him from town. With arrangements made and Trebonius left in charge, Caesar set out for Genabum, a Carnute town that had been preparing to send troops to help Vellaunodum fight, Caesar. Nor do the Treveri attend, for they are too far distant, and are at war with the Germans. Then, suddenly, the enemy is aware that the Roman cavalry has come up behind them, so they try to run, but the cavalry kills great numbers. Fighting continues throughout the night. Winners and Losers of Julius Caesar's Gallic War Battles, Roman Empire: Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, Meaning Behind the Phrase to Cross the Rubicon, Valens and the Battle of Adrianople (Hadrianopolis), 60-50 B.C. Thus they want to ready their forces in secret and so do not exchange hostages, which would reveal that coalition was being accomplished. After losing three cities, Vercingetorix calls a convention of his followers and tells them their tactics must be changed; they must prevent the Romans from getting forage, a fairly easy task at this time of year when there is virtually no forage in the fields; everything has been cut and placed within the homesteads. Caesar's bait is effective. One of Gaul's most colorful historical figures is Vercingetorix, who acted as war chief for all the Gallic tribes who were trying to throw off the Roman yoke during the Gallic Wars. This inspired the people of Noviodunum to take up arms and shut the gates, backing down from their surrender. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Just before dawn, however, the enemy gets reports of the Roman movements and decides that the legions are probably crossing in three places. Vercingetorix replies that it was they who had insisted on moving the camp, and that they had no need of horses on marshy ground. Vercingetorix assembles many of his troops about ten miles from the Romans, then tells his commanders that the Romans are fleeing, but that they will return and says that they must attack them en route and shame them by taking their equipment. Adrian Goldsworthy says an estimated 700 Roman soldiers and 46 centurions were killed. He seems, at times, to be almost unduly humane. Commentaries on the Gallic War Gaius Julius CAESAR (100 - 44 BCE) , translated by Thomas Rice HOLMES (1855 - 1933) Commentarii de Bello Gallico (English: Commentaries on the Gallic War) is Julius Caesar's firsthand account of the Gallic Wars, written as a third-person narrative. The remaining Helvii then take refuge in their towns. Caesar knows that the enemy has superior cavalry and that he cannot get help from the province or Italy, so he sends for cavalry and infantry from the German tribes with whom he has made peace. Instead, they continued to fight and try to plunder the city. Caesar and his contemporaries makes impossible claims about the number of Gauls killed (over a million), while claiming almost zero Roman casualties. Caesar reaches Gergovia in five days. Then he allows his army a night rest of three hours before moving back to Gergovia. The Gauls under Camulogenus were tricked by his maneuvers and then defeated in a battle where Camulogenus was slain. The Germans pursued the Gallic enemy to the river where Vercingetorix was stationed with his infantry. There, reaction is immediate. So, just after midnight, Caesar sends his cavalry there with instructions to be extra noisy in their movements. Book VI of Caesar's description of his campaigns in Gaul deals with events of 53 BC, teh year after his major expedition to Britain. Camulogenus, the leader of the enemy force, commands the group. This move prompted Vercingetorix to stop his siege of Gergovia. The Arverni send representatives and agree to do the same. Vercingetorix' followers are less trusting and accuse their leader of treachery; he moved their camps near the Romans, then went off with the cavalry and left the camp without a commander. To deal with Vercingetorix' attack against the Allobroges, Caesar sent for cavalry and light-armed infantry help from the Germanic tribes beyond the Rhine. Caesar, surveying the remains of the battle, finds that almost 700 Romans are missing. He reminds them that there will be reward once it is over. When Caesar's troops, for instance, capture a strategic hill of the Gauls, they ruin success by being too enthusiastic and charging against orders. The Bellovaci, who intend to fight the Romans themselves, do not make up their quota of 10,000 but because of their regard for Commius they do send 2,000. They do not get through the trench and, at daybreak, decide to pull back. They attack Cenabum, kill the Romans there and plunder the Roman property stored in the town. The rumors do just that. Any plots the Aedui might have had are aborted by the rapidity with which he joins his legions. His soldiers kill 3,000 of the enemy's rear guard; the next day Caesar sets up camp near Alesia, knowing that the enemy has been terrified by the loss of such great numbers of men. Once more, when the dispatches of Caesar's mighty victories reach Rome, the senate proclaims a public thanksgiving of twenty days. Vercingetorix, son of the former Gallic chieftain, arouses his men to assemble and is soon joined by many other adventurers and soldiers. The hillside, at the end the enemy attacks, is open because Caesar would have had to enclose the entire hill to complete his entrenchments. Caesar's assault position is inside a double ring of fortifications. Caesar ordered their weapons, horses, and hostages. 04:11. Camulogenus therefore splits his army into three parts; a guard is left opposite the Roman camp, a small group goes upstream as far as the smaller boats; the rest go against Labienus. The Romans needed some to gather timber and food. The townspeople then fear they will have absolutely no way of escape if they wait any longer, so they throw away their weapons and run to the far side of the town. That done, he sends Labienus with four legions against the Senones and the Parisii; the other six he takes to Gergovia in the country of the Arverni. Vercingetorix boasts that he and he alone is responsible for this; how, then, dare his men accuse him of treachery? He sent other troops against the Helvii whom he defeated while he led his mena and allies against the Allobroges. The Latin title, Commentaries on the Gallic War, is often retained in English translations of the book, and the title is also translated to About the Gallic War, Of the Gallic War, On the Gallic War, The Conquest of Gaul, and The Gallic War. The enemy hears of his approach, burns the town and all bridges approaching it, and moves to a position across the Seine from Labienus. But, because they have committed great crimes, they are afraid that they will be severely dealt with. Many hostages are then taken and the legions are sent into winter quarters. Too, they are especially anxious to avenge those Romans who were killed at Cenahum. Vercingetorix then set up camp 15 miles from Avaricum and whenever Caesar's men went foraging at a distance, some of Vercingetorix' men attacked them. Vercingetorix sent out mounted troops to go to their tribes to round up all those old enough to bear arms. The Romans kill great numbers If victory is to be theirs, Avaricum must be held. Meanwhile, Vercingetorix had thousands of cavalry from the Aedui and Segusiani. LibriVox recording of Commentaries on the Gallic War, by Gaius Julius Caesar. The Romans pitched camp and when the townspeople tried to escape at night via a bridge across the Loire River, Caesar's troops took possession of the town, pillaged and burned it, and then headed across the Loire bridge into the Biturgies' territory. In this way, they destroyed 20 of their own Biturgies towns. He cannot change his original plan for it would be difficult to get through the mountains, but he is anxious about Labienus and his legions. The enemy is surprised at Caesar's determined efforts and are totally confused. This chapter or section of the book had a very insightful look into how Caesar handled himself as an emperor, and the many important reforms that he made. Naturally they had thought the snow was impenetrable. There is, of course, no way of knowing whether they said this because it was true or because of treachery. Caesar has anticipated just such a move. Caesar followed, killing those he could. They immediately flee to Aristius, claiming that the state had nothing to do with all that has happened, and they order an inquiry. 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. The Romans put torturous devices on the outside that could injure an army pressing against it. Some rode off to the other Aeduan towns to convince them to resist and avenge themselves on the Romans, as well. Caesar's very competent legate, Labienus, found himself surrounded by two newly rebelling groups and so needed to move out his troops by stealth. Next day he keeps two legions hidden and has the rest of his men march out, spacing the intervals so they will appear to the enemy to be the same number of troops as the day before. Convictolitavis is bribed, but there is the implication that he is largely influenced by a desire for greater power, for even though he is in office because of Roman authority, he says he would prefer that Rome had to come to the Aedui for assistance rather than vice versa. One of the appealing elements in the Gallic Wars is inclusion of the many Roman tactical errors. When they reached Alesia, the Romans surrounded the hilltop city. Vercingetorix is notified of Caesar's plans and destroys all bridges along the river Allier, which forms the line of Caesar's march. He fights until all his men, including himself, are annihilated. In the next book, which deals with the year 57, we visit the Belgians, who liv… They pledge safe passage to Marcus Aristius, saying that he may leave the town of Cabillonum, and that the traders who had settled there must also go, but as soon as they start out, the Aedui attack and take all equipment and baggage, then blockade them for a day and a night. When Caesar finally reached Gergovia, he surprised the inhabitants. 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 Gauls on the city side of the Roman lines empty the Roman turrets by firing missiles, then fill in the trenches and tear down the breastworks by pulling them over with large hooks, but all is not theirs yet Caesar sends young Brutus with troops, and Gaius Fabius with even more, then goes himself with still more until the enemy is beaten back. N.S. Rumors of Caesar's difficulties spread and Labienus decides his problem is more than merely winning this battle. His men are waiting; when the men of the town sneak out, the Romans are able to flood inside. Clearing a roadway through six feet of snow in the Cevennes mountains is a massive feat when one considers that it had to be done by manual labor. Book VII. But he is faced with a dilemma: if he sends for his legions, they might be attacked without their general and, if he goes to them, he might be betrayed by the tribes to whom he entrusts his personal safety. Caesar's Gallic Wars Book One By: David Brown Caesar destroys the quarter of the Helvetian force by surprising them while they are crossing a river Ceasar's legions finally meet the Helvetians in an open battle on a mountain in the Aedui territory. Next day he reaches Vellaunodunum, which he decides to capture so there will be no enemy at his rear and so the food supplies can move safely after him. At daybreak he has the muleteers disguise themselves as cavalry and ride around the hills. Then, when their cavalry has fled, the archers are surrounded and killed. He relates in a conference that the Romans have conquered by strategy, and by skill in laying siege, not by courage and, furthermore, no defense of the town was ever agreed to by him; thus the disaster is only due to the ignorance of the Bituriges. After Caesar's troops surrounded Vellaunodunum, the town sent out their ambassadors. The time is right for his plan: he orders the men at work to slacken their speed. He assaults the city of Noviodunum and has little trouble claiming another victory. These he sets under the command of Eporedorix' brother, and sends them to fight the Allobroges. Vercingetorix then led his army to Alesia. They hope desperately that the Romans will not be able to stay in the area if there is a great scarcity of food or perhaps even better, that the Romans will go far afield and be easy to pick off. 7.01-05 Sight Reading With the Professor. If the Romans moved by chance, he says, then the Gauls may thank fortune, and if they moved because of an informer, the Gauls should thank the informer- now they know how few in number the Romans are and that they are reluctant to fight Vercingetorix. While the battle rages, a messenger arrives and reports to the Aedui that their army is in Caesar's power. Instead a solemn oath is taken. The Aedui started to help but then turned back perhaps because, as they said, they suspected the Biturgies of complicity with the Arverni. En route, at the Senones' town of Vellaunodunum, Caesar decided to attack so there wouldn't be an enemy on his heels. At first, all was going well for the Romans in the conflict, but then fresh Gallic troops arrived. Vercingetorix suggested a scorched-earth policy. They cannot manage entry through their small gate openings and many are killed by the German swordsmen. He takes Cenabum by being ready for anything. Caesar places troops among the Ruteni in the province and among others who border on enemy territory and orders many of the new troops he brings with him from Rome to gather in the territory of the Helvii, bordering on the Arverni. bookmarked pages associated with this title. His decision seems traitorous, for after Roman defeat, an even brighter future is promised for the Aeduan king. Caesar believes that the most difficult fighting is probably centered on a hill, which permits the enemy to charge down a slope with a great number of troops, so he sends Labienus there with six cohorts. The Biturgies were dependents of the Aedui and the Aedui were allies of Rome ("Brothers and Kinsmen of the Roman People" 1.33). They also build up the scaffolding on their walls to keep it on a level with the Roman turrets. He has food for only a little over thirty days. But one link in their defense fails: one of the grease and pitch throwers loses his position on the wall and the Romans are quick to overpower the opening. The army lay down its arms and submitted themselves. He further asks the Aedui and the Segusiavi to supply 10,000 infantry and 800 cavalry. News of the slaughter travels quickly — as quickly as the rebels. The law is clear and there is no justification for Cotus' attempt to have the office. Teutomatus, king of the Nitiobriges, whose father Ollovico had been a friend of Rome, joins Vercingetorix and brings with him a large cavalry force, some his own people and others hired from Aquitania. As promised, Vercingetorix attempts to get the other Gauls to join the war. Vercingetorix is forced then to send all his horsemen away before the Romans have blocked escape routes and he asks the men to go and recruit all new troops possible; he reminds them of the services he has rendered them and says that if they fail 80,000 troops will die. In the meantime, he instructs the men behind the mantlets to prepare themselves. Before responding to this new threat, Vercingetorix called a war council, telling the other leaders that the Romans must be kept from getting provisions. This particular edition is in a Hardcover format. His men then tortured and killed the Romans under their protection. - Caesar, Crassus and Pompey and The First Triumvirate, M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota. When 8,000 cavalry and 250,000 infantry are collected, the army is organized and officers appointed. Others worked on building the fortifications, which meant Caesar's troop strength was diminished. Many, of course, do not freely join the rebellion, but are drawn in by political intrigues of various kinds; even the usually faithful Aedui turn against Rome. In the dispute over the magistracy they were on opposing sides. © 2020 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Suddenly the Romans find themselves fighting on all fronts; they must spread out more than is militarily desirable. Vercassivellaunus, commander of the forces, hides the men behind the hill just before dawn and at noon he moves against the Roman camp. He also figured he would take the opportunity to gain provisions for his troops. By the end of Book VII Caesar has put down the Gallic revolt. While construction of siege works is underway, a cavalry battle disrupts the peace and the Romans begin to falter. Vercingetorix decides that it is time to lead his men back inside the fortifications and the day ends. There is risk in the plan, but all chiefs present agree that it is better to die in battle than fail to try to regain their previous power and liberty. He then goes to the Aedui and accepts their submission to Rome. Marcus Petronius, a centurion in the same legion, tries to cut down a gate but is overwhelmed. He pauses for two days, then leaves his army and pretends to be out seeing to further inductions. Caesar split his army and gave Labienus 4 legions to lead north, towards the Senones and Parisii while he led 6 legions into Arverni country towards Gergovia, which was on the banks of the Allier. Caesar, mean-while, prepares to attack the town with a ramp and towers. It is possible the Aedui already planned to revolt against Rome. The Bituriges fearfully ask the Aedui for help and the Aedui, on the advice of the Romans, send infantry and cavalry. At the beginning of the book, there is a section called The Life of Caesar. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. After many have been kille4 on both sides, the Aedui bring up reinforcements. Lucius Fabius and his three men are killed and thrown from the wall. The Romans, however, are prepared and take their assigned posts, fire their missiles, and hold off the Gauls. There, they overcome the enemy scouts and cross the river safely. His book Commentarii de Bello Gallico (Commentaries on the Gallic War, often called The Conquest of Gaul), was a propaganda piece (written in 53 BCE) justifying his military and political actions during a nine year campaign in Gaul (and a short jaunt into Britain).