Battle of Bibracte
Near Bibracte (Mont Beuvray), Saône-et-Loire, France
What happened
Julius Caesar's Roman legions fought the Helvetii, with their allies the Boii and Tulingi. In 58 BCE the Helvetii, a people from what is now Switzerland, set out to migrate west across Gaul. Caesar saw this as a threat and followed them. Near Bibracte, he placed his legions on a hill in three lines; the Romans drove the Helvetii back, then turned to meet their allies who attacked from the side, and the fighting went on into the night.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first major battle of Caesar's Gallic Wars. The Helvetii and their allies surrendered and were sent back to their homeland.
What came next
Caesar went on to fight in Gaul for several more years. In 52 BCE, at Bibracte, the Gallic peoples chose Vercingetorix as their leader against Rome.
Did you know?
Bibracte was a large Gaulish town on Mont Beuvray, and today its excavated walls and a museum of Celtic civilisation can be visited.
Timeline
- March 58 BCEThe Helvetii begin their migration.
- 58 BCECaesar defeats the Helvetii near Bibracte.
- 52 BCEVercingetorix is given command of the Gallic armies at Bibracte.
- 52-51 BCECaesar spends the winter at Bibracte, writing his Commentaries.