Battle of Alesia
Alise-Sainte-Reine, France
What happened
Julius Caesar led the Roman army against Vercingetorix, chief of the Arverni, who led a united force of Gallic tribes. A Gallic relief army was commanded by several leaders, including Vercassivellaunus and Commius. Vercingetorix and his army took shelter in the fortified town of Alesia. Caesar's soldiers built a double line of fortifications around it: one facing inward to hold the Gauls in, and one facing outward to guard against the relief army. The relief attacks were repelled and Vercingetorix surrendered.
Why it matters
Result: Roman victory. Leaders: Julius Caesar / Titus Labienus against Vercingetorix / Vercassivellaunos. Why it matters: It was the last major engagement between Gauls and Romans, and it is considered one of Caesar's greatest military achievements and a classic example of siege warfare. Roman dominance in Gaul followed, and under Augustus in 27 BCE the Gallic lands were formally made into Roman provinces.
What came next
Vercingetorix was held prisoner in Rome for six years. In 49 BCE Caesar crossed the Rubicon and began a civil war, which delayed his triumph, and Vercingetorix was paraded in Caesar's triumph in 46 BCE.
Did you know?
In the 1860s, Emperor Napoleon III paid for digs at Alesia and commissioned a 7-metre bronze statue of Vercingetorix, by the sculptor Aimé Millet, designed to have Napoleon III's own facial features.
Timeline
- 52 BCEVercingetorix is proclaimed king and unites many Gallic tribes against Rome.
- 52 BCEThe Romans suffer one of only three recorded defeats of the Gallic Wars, at Gergovia.
- September 52 BCECaesar besieges Alesia, and Vercingetorix surrenders.
- 46 BCEVercingetorix is paraded in Caesar's triumph in Rome.
- 27 BCEUnder Augustus, Gaul is formally made into Roman provinces.