Gallic Wars
The Gallic Wars refer to a series of military campaigns waged by Julius Caesar between 58 and 50 BCE against various Gallic tribes in what is now France and parts of Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany. These conflicts arose from longstanding tensions between Rome and the Celtic tribes of Gaul, with Caesar initially seeking to expand Roman influence in the region. The wars began when the Helvetii tribe attempted to migrate westward, prompting Caesar to engage in battle to protect Roman territories. Over the following years, Caesar faced multiple tribal uprisings and invasions, notably by the Germanic chieftain Ariovistus and the leader Vercingetorix, who united many tribes against Roman domination.
Despite setbacks, including the defeat at the stronghold of Gergovia, Caesar ultimately triumphed at Alesia, decisively defeating Vercingetorix and securing Roman control over Gaul. The campaigns resulted in the integration of Gaul into the Roman Empire, which marked the end of centuries of conflict in the region. Caesar's military success brought him considerable wealth and political power, contributing to his rise as a dictator in Rome. His accounts of the wars remain a principal source of historical information, although his reliability as a narrator has been debated among scholars.
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Subject Terms
Gallic Wars
Related civilizations: Republican Rome, Gaul.
Date: 58-50 b.c.e.
Locale: Gaul (modern France and the Low Countries)
Background
Romans had fought Celtic tribes from Gaul and northern Italy since the fourth century b.c.e. They established provinces in Italy and in southern Gaul (modern Provence). Tensions continued, however, and Julius Caesar arranged a five-year governorship of the Roman provinces for himself and soon found an opportunity for war.
Action
In 58 b.c.e., a large group of Helvetii (from modern Switzerland) attempted a migration westward near Roman territory and fought tribes allied with the Romans. Caesar engaged and defeated them. Then, at the request of certain Gallic tribes, he engaged and defeated Ariovistus, a German chieftain who had also invaded Gaul.
Caesar spent most of 57 b.c.e. fighting Belgian tribes in northeast Gaul, while a sub-commander brought the tribes of the northeast coast to formal submission. In the following year, several of the maritime tribes revolted and were subdued only after considerable difficulty. The tribes of Aquitania (southwestern Gaul) were also beaten by Roman forces.
In 55 b.c.e., Caesar repulsed another incursion by Germans. Then he crossed the Rhine in force to terrorize the tribes on the other side. This adventure was followed by a small invasion of Britain, from which Caesar retired after declaring victory. Back in Rome, Caesar’s command was extended for five years.
The next year’s campaigns began with a much larger invasion of Britain. After initial difficulties, the Romans were able to obtain the surrender of several tribes. However, Caesar was forced to return to Gaul when a major uprising broke out behind him in northwest Gaul. Roman forces, in scattered encampments, were attacked and in one case annihilated. Caesar, along with his lieutenant Titus Labienus, was able to restore the situation and engage in reprisals.
In 53 b.c.e., the reprisals continued. In response to German-supported resistance, Caesar again crossed the Rhine on a terror campaign. The Germanic Sugambri nonetheless invaded and were repulsed only after threatening another Roman encampment.
The following year was marked by an uprising of most of Gaul led by Vercingetorix. After a serious repulse at the stronghold of Gergovia, Caesar cornered Vercingetorix at Alesia. There he defeated the besieged troops and a large relieving force. Some resistance continued for the next two years, most notably in central Gaul in 51 b.c.e., but Caesar and his lieutenants put them down decisively.
Virtually the only source of information is Caesar’s own account. Although there is no reason to question the general outline, his veracity in detail has been a matter of considerable dispute.
Consequences
Gaul was quickly integrated into the Roman Empire, ending centuries of conflict. The wealth, glory, and military loyalty Caesar gained in Gaul enabled him to seize his dictatorship.
Bibliography
Caesar, Julius. The Gallic War. Translated by Carolyn Hammond. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Gelzer, Matthias. Caesar: Politician and Statesman. Translated by Peter Needham. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1968.
Jiménez, Ramon L. Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2000.