After his victory over Belgae, Caesar in 56 BC turned against the western Gallic tribes. While he personally dealt with Armorica and Veneti, Caesar sent the young Publius Crassus (son of the triumvir) to subjugate Aquitania. Crassus, legate of the Legio VII, received two extra cohorts and completed his 12-cohort army with auxiliaries and a strong cavalry.

When Crassus arrived in August 56 constructing a Roman-like camp. Tarusates army collapsed. The BC in the territory of the Sotiates Gallic soldiers fled into the (one of the strongest tribes of Crassus was unable to besiege the countryside where they were totally Aquitania), he was attacked while destroyed by pursuing Roman Vocates and Tarusates troops, cavalry. This was the end of free on the march. The Gauls first because he was too far from his Aquitania. conducted a cavalry battle which supply source and not numerous turned in Roman favor. Then, they enough to control the country. He launched their infantry, hidden by Leader Counters dare not split his small army. All the counters for these scenarios are small hills, on the Roman cohorts Instead, he planned a direct assault found in CONQUEST OF GAUL except scattered in pursuit of Sotiate on the Aquitani camp (the only for the leader counters marked with an cavalrymen. After a long and time in the Gallic Wars that a asterisk (*), which will be provided on bloody fight, the Sotiates fled in Roman legion would assault an an upcoming C3i insert. Only P. Crassus disorder to their oppidum (probably enemy camp). Crassus deployed his and Adiatuanos are historical names Sos, in "Lot et Garonne," army in two lines, with the veteran (Caesar, Gallic Wars, Book III, chapters 11 and 20-27). southwestern France). Despite their cohorts on both wings and in the desire to save their independence, second row; auxiliaries and these Gauls quickly surrendered to Provincial cohorts held the center. Crassus, who had proven with this He left some cohorts to guard his victory his ability. own camp. The Aquitani, confidant in their fortified position, decided A few weeks later, Crassus marched to stay inside and await the attack. against the Vocates and Tarusates. The first Roman assault was not These two other tribes from sufficient to break the fortified Aquitania were quietly afraid of position. The Vocates and Roman power after the Sotiate Tarusates threw plenty of defeat. They called all around for projectiles at the Roman soldiers, reinforcements. Their Iberian allies who suffered heavily. Seeing that sent them some experienced the Aquitani and their Iberian allies contingents. As a matter of fact, had not garrisoned the opposite Spain was rich in soldiers who side of the camp, Crassus used his knew something about Roman reserve cohorts from his own camp tactics, having fought several years to attack the enemy camp in the before under Sertorius (see C3i rear. Using a hidden approach #10). Crassus tried to move quickly. march, these cohorts stormed the The Aquitani protected themselves, few troops they met and entered using the Iberian-taught skill of the Aquitani camp. The Vocates and