sign in sign up
<<
Home , Aedui, Alesia (city), Arverni, Avaricum, Bibracte, Cenabum

: the Climax of Julius

Caesar’s Campaigns in Alesia: the Climax of ’s Campaigns in Gaul

PETER MOUNTFORD In 2012 an impressive museum was opened on the plain below the village of Alise-Ste- Reine (Alesia). A combined ticket for the museum and the Gallo-Roman site on the t the beginning of June 2016 I made a hilltop costs €11,50. The museum is obviously pilgrimage to Alesia, something that I a popular place for school groups to visit, as had wanted to do for many years. There there were several there at the time of our A visit. The circular museum is on two levels is nothing like a visit to the site of an ancient event for clarifying one’s understanding of that and has impressive views of the site of the event. The topography is so important. events of Alesia from its rooftop (pl.1).

My wife and I were very lucky, as we had In the open space in the centre of the ground arrived in at a time when record floor displays are put on of both Gallic and rainfall had led to severe flooding of the Roman fighting equipment and methods of and other rivers. Thankfully the rain fighting (pl.2). stopped just before we reached Alesia and did not start again until after we left, although These are designed especially for students. it was overcast. Alesia can be easily accessed There is also a good bookshop, although from the motorway from to Lyon. It is almost all books are in French. On the upper about an hour’s drive north-east of and level there is an excellent display of is situated in the area made famous by the equipment, some of which belongs to the wines of . time of the and was excavated (pl.3).

Plate1: The museum at Alesia with the village of Alise-Ste-Reine and the hill of Alesia (Mt Auxois) in the background on the left.

40 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

Plate 2: A demonstration of Gallic equipment and methods of fighting. The rest is in the form of modern versions of ancient equipment. There are also examples of artillery (pl.4). There is a model to show some of the defensive system (pl.5).

The progress of the siege and the various battles is illustrated with some very helpful diagrams. A short walk from the museum leads to an area where examples of the siege- works and Roman encampments have been constructed (pl.6).

We left the museum with a much clearer idea of this crucial battle in the and the way in which it was fought. A short drive took us up through the modern village of Alise-Ste-Reine to the car park by the small museum at the entrance to the site of the Gallo-Roman settlement. There is an excellent three-dimensional model there to illustrate the siege (pl.7).

The flattened top of the hill is much larger that one would expect (pl.8). Plate 3: Examples of Roman pila and a gladius together with excavated remains. 41 Iris | Journal of the Classical Association of Victoria | New Series | Volume 30 | 2017 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

Plate 4: Models of Roman artillery.

Plate 5: A model to show one the gates into a camp and the nature of the defensive works.

42 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

Plate 6: The reconstruction of Roman siege-works and encampments. Caesar’s camp was on the hill to the left. The Gallic relief force camped on the hill in the right background.

Plate 7: The model of the site of Alesia in the small museum at the site.

43 Iris | Journal of the Classical Association of Victoria | New Series | Volume 30 | 2017 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

Plate 8: Part of Gallo-Roman site. The hill in the background is Mt Rea where Vercassivellaunus tried to break through the Roman defences at the start of the final battle. There are substantial archaeological third person. This means that when people remains, but they almost all belong to the read his commentary or heard it read, period of Roman occupation. During that his name was constantly coming to their period the wealth of the settlement seems attention. He invariably refers to his soldiers to have come from bronze-work. There are as ‘our men’ (nostri) so that the audience clearly signposted remains of foundries would feel the connection with his soldiers. It and workshops. We drove through the village is also worth noting that he concentrates on and up a steep road to the western end of the centurions and ordinary soldiers rather than plateau where there is a large bronze statue of their commanders. praised Caesar for , which faces the hillside on which the clarity and brevity of his writing.1 the last phase of the battle was fought (pl.9). While Caesar was away from Transalpine This is a very appropriate way to finish a visit Gaul during the winter of 53/52 BC, the to this memorable site. killed all the Roman citizens in (Orleans) (Gal. 7.3) and a Gallic revolt led by the Arvernian Vercingetorix 52 BC: the Events which led to the Siege began to spread (7.4-7). Caesar’s response of Alesia.

1 Cicero Brutus 262. See Meier (1982) 255. It seems such Caesar describes the events of 52 BC in Book a pity that it has become unfashionable for students to 7 of the Gallic Wars. It is worth commenting read Caesar, as his is so straightforward. If students at the outset that he refers to himself in the find the ablative absolute difficult, a few chapters of Caesar would soon show them how to translate the construction.

44 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

success on their knowledge of siege works, which were unknown to the . He pointed out that he had advised against the defence of . The remaining Gauls appreciated this and stayed loyal to their commander, who, in turn, promised to try to unify all of Gaul in opposition to Caesar (7.29-31). Caesar was forced to intervene in an internal leadership problem among the , one of the Romans’ Gallic allies. He then sent Labienus with four legions north to deal with the and , while he himself marched south with six legions towards (Clermont-Ferrand), the main town of the (7.32-4).

Vercingetorix had destroyed all the bridges over the river , but Caesar was able to deceive Vercingetorix into following his main force while he hurriedly rebuilt one of the bridges. When Vercingetorix realised that he had been outsmarted, rather than risk battle in an unfavourable position, he withdrew to Gergovia, which Caesar reached in five days. During the one of the following nights Caesar was able to seize a vital hill from the enemy, which gave him the Plate 9: Vercingetorix. possibility of limiting the enemy’s water and was swift and typical of the way in which food supplies (7.35-6). he responded to emergencies. He forced a Caesar’s plans were interrupted by events way through the snow-covered Cevennes among the Aedui, where some of the young (Massif Central) with his troops (7.8) leaders, encouraged by bribes from the much to the amazement of the enemy who Arverni, deceived their fellow tribesmen into thought that such access was impossible. sending troops to Caesar under Litaviccus, He gathered his forces at Vienne from who intended to deceive them into joining where he launched successful attacks on Vercingetorix. Caesar gained wind of this Vellaunodunum (?) and Cenabum, through another Aeduan, Eporedorix, the latter of which he burnt to the ground and was able to prevent it from happening. (7.9-11). These successes forced Vercingetorix In spite of the outrages committed by the to abandon the siege of (Charlieu Aeduans against some Romans, Caesar dealt sur ) and to march to meet Caesar near with them gently in the hope of keeping Noviodunum (). Caesar’s put them loyal to . He decided, however, the Gallic cavalry to flight and Vercingetorix that the best plan was to withdraw from could not prevent Caesar from capturing Gergovia and join up with rest of his army Noviodunum (7.12-13). Caesar then turned (7.37-43). At that very moment a chance to his attention to Avaricum () gain victory at Gergovia presented itself which he besieged and captured in spite of and Caesar decided that it was too good an difficulties caused by food shortages and opportunity to miss. Initially his attack went the presence of Vercingetorix and his forces well and Gallic camps outside the walls were (7.14-28). Vercingetorix blamed the Roman

45 Iris | Journal of the Classical Association of Victoria | New Series | Volume 30 | 2017 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

taken. At this point, his soldiers, carried legions (7.57-62). News of the Aeduan revolt away by their success, tried to enter the town encouraged others to do the same under over the walls, but were beaten back with the the overall command of Vercingetorix. At loss of 700 men (7.44-51). It was one of very this stage Vercingetorix put most of his few reverses that Caesar suffered during the faith in his cavalry and used them to attack Gallic campaigns. When he had berated his some Gallic and German tribes. The attack troops for not following his orders, he twice on the Germans may have been unwise, as offered open battle to Vercingetorix. When Caesar was able to recruit German cavalry he declined, Caesar decided to withdraw to and light-armed troops. As Caesar moved Aeduan territory (7.52-3). his forces south towards , an over- confident Vercingetorix sent his cavalry to All was not well among the Aedui, as Litaviccus attack Caesar’s column. They were routed by was stirring up trouble and had killed all the Germans with heavy losses. This defeat those in a Roman garrison at Noviodunum persuaded Vercingetorix to withdraw his (Nevers) before basing himself at forces to Alesia (7.63-8). (Mont Beauvray, ) so that he could prevent Caesar crossing the Loire. Again, Caesar, by his speed of movement, reached The Siege of Alesia and Caesar’s Victory. a place where he could ford the river and attack the enemy, who were forced to retreat (7.54-56). While all this had been going on in Caesar pursued the retreating army, killing central Gaul, in the north Labienus carried many of the Gallic rearguard. He camped out successful operations around outside Alesia and began the task of (Paris) before rejoining Caesar with his four surrounding the town with siegeworks. He

Plate 10: The diagram to illustrate the Gallic cavalry attack.

46 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

Plate 11: A diagram to illustrate the fullest extent of Caesar’s siege-works. gives us a description of the situation of Alesia Critognatus even suggested cannibalism as and his preliminary work (7.69). In response, a way of surviving. Instead, it was decided Vercingetorix mounted a cavalry attack, but to drive the townspeople out of the town, this was repulsed by Caesar’s German cavalry but the Romans would not let them pass with heavy Gallic losses (pl.10). their lines (7.77-8). Dio relates that these starved to death in no man’s land, As a result, Vercingetorix sent all his cavalry because neither side would receive them.2 At away and withdrew his 80,000 troops inside this critical moment the Gallic relief force the town to await Gallic reinforcements appeared and took up position on the high (7.70-1). Caesar then provides a thorough ground to the south-west of the town. Next description of his two lines of siege works, day they drew up their forces on the plain one designed to keep Vercingetorix inside and those in the town prepared for a sally. Alesia, the other to protect his forces against Caesar placed his forces to defend his position any Gallic relief force (7.72-4) (pl.11). against this double threat. The relief force advanced and engaged the Romans in a battle He also describes the huge gathering of which lasted from noon to sunset (pl.12). Gallic forces (250,000 infantry and 8,000 cavalry) in Aeduan territory, which set out to At this point Caesar used his German cavalry relieve the siege of Alesia (7.75-6). which routed the enemy and pursued them to their camp (7.79-80). By this time the Gauls in Alesia were in desperate straits as they had exhausted food supplies. They held a council at which 2 Dio Roman History 40.40.2-4. 47 Iris | Journal of the Classical Association of Victoria | New Series | Volume 30 | 2017 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

Plate 12: The first battle against the Gallic relief force.

Plate 13: The night attack.

48 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

Plate 14: The final battle. After a day’s rest the Gauls attacked in the and rested his men till noon when he began middle of the night and Vercingetorix led to attack the camp (pl.11). When he saw this his men out of the town. Most of the fighting Vercingetorix led out his forces from the was blind with artillery firing at random. town. They brought with them equipment to Marcus Antonius and counter the Roman ditches and defences. The called up reserves where the Romans were Gauls concentrated their attack on the place hard pressed. The Gallic numbers were where they perceived the Roman defences to an advantage at long range, but the Gauls be weakest. The situation was difficult for the suffered when they came close to the defences Roman soldiers, as they could hear fighting and fell into Caesar’s well-placed traps. As in their rear and knew that they had to rely dawn approached, the Gauls withdrew to for their safety on their fellow soldiers who their camp and Vercingetorix took his troops were defending the defensive line in their back to the town (7.81-2) (pl.13). rear (7.83-4) (pl.14).

These two reversals forced the Gauls to look Caesar had chosen a position from which he for another way of attacking Caesar. They could see the whole battlefield. Both sides learnt from locals that the hill to the north realised that this was the crucial battle. of the town (Mt Rea) was not included in The Romans were very hard pressed by the the encircling because of its Gauls under Vercassivellaunus who had size. The Romans had placed a camp for two the advantage of the slope. His Gauls had legions on the downwards slope of this hill. managed to fill in some Roman obstacles Vercassivellaunus was sent round the back of and build ramps to the breastworks of the this hill by night with 60,000 of the bravest Roman defences. Caesar sent Labienus with men. He reached his position before dawn 6 cohorts (about 3,000 men) to help at this

49 Iris | Journal of the Classical Association of Victoria | New Series | Volume 30 | 2017 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

spot while he went round rallying his troops. (Mount Beuvray, near Autun) for the winter. Vercingetorix could not break through the When news reached Rome, a twenty day Roman defences on the plain because of their thanksgiving was voted for (7.90). impregnability, but turned his attention to steeper parts where he had some success in penetrating the defences (7.85-6). The Aftermath.

Caesar sent Brutus with some reserves and Gaius Fabius with others to help. Last of all Although the defeat of Vercingetorix and he brought up fresh reinforcements himself. the capture of Alesia were significant in Vercingetorix was beaten back. Caesar bringing the campaigns in Gaul to an end, then hurried to support Labienus with four campaigning continued through 51 and 50 cohorts (about 2,000 men) from the next B.C. Eventually (perhaps Puy fort and some cavalry. He sent the rest of d’Issolu in Lot) was taken. Perhaps because the cavalry to attack the Gauls in the rear. they were fed up with having to deal with Labienus gathered 40 cohorts (this would outbreaks of Gallic resistance, the Romans be about a third of Caesar’s army) to resist exacted a terrible punishment, as they cut the Gauls who were breaking through the off the right hands of all surviving men. defences. Caesar’s timely arrival in support It has been estimated that Caesar’s Gallic could be recognised from the purple cloak campaigns accounted for over a million Gallic deaths and probably the same number which he wore. The Gauls renewed their 3 attack on the Romans who countered with captured and enslaved. Such losses were hand-to-hand combat with their swords. bound to weaken the Gauls and make further Suddenly the cavalry appeared in the rear resistance very difficult, if not impossible. and other Roman reinforcements were seen. Vercingetorix was kept a prisoner in Rome The enemy turned to flee and large numbers until Caesar’s in 46 B.C. when were slaughtered and few reached the safety he was ritually strangled after the victory parade, a sad end for an outstanding Gaul, of their camp. Vercassivellaunus was captured 4 alive. When Vercingetorix saw the rout of one still revered in modern France. the relief force, he withdrew to the town. The How do we account for Caesar’s victory? First remaining Gauls of the relief force began to and foremost it was because of the armour, flee and many were killed or captured by the discipline and hard work of the legionary cavalry. Caesar notes that the whole enemy soldiers. The museum illustrates very well force could have been destroyed had his the superiority of Roman armour in foot infantry not been exhausted by their efforts battles fought at close quarters. The Roman during the decisive battle (7.87-8). army was very well trained and disciplined. The town surrendered and Vercingetorix and How hard they worked is evidenced by the his men laid down their arms. Vercingetorix way in which Caesar was able to surprise the became Caesar’s prisoner. The Roman enemy by making forced to outflank soldiers were given one prisoner each as them. Consider, too, the work involved in a plunder (7.89). Caesar then moved towards short period at Alesia to build the double the Aedui to bring them back into their line of fortifications, which were about former relationship with the Romans. The 25 miles (42kms) long (the distance from Arverni sent envoys promising submission. Melbourne to Frankston). Secondly, there Caesar demanded hostages, but sent 20,000 was the Romans expertise in constructing Aeduan and Arvernian prisoners home. He bridges, camps, fortifications and siege sent seven of his legions in various directions to secure neighbouring areas. He took 3 The Life of Julius Caesar 15.5. See Meier (1982) p.330. the remaining three legions to Bibracte 4 Dio Roman History 40.41.3 50 Alesia: the Climax of Julius Caesar’s Campaigns in Gaul

works. All of these skills are fully illustrated Bibliography in Book 7. Thirdly, Caesar’s recruitment of cavalry, especially German cavalry, was vital to his success, especially in the events of 52 B.C. Fourthly, there was Caesar’s Balsdon, J.P.V.D. (1967). Julius Caesar and Rome military genius. His strategic planning was (London: The English Universities superb and was backed up by his speed of Press). movement which so often allowed him to take the Gauls by surprise. Of course, we Gelzer, M. (1968). Caesar: Politician and have to take his word for what happened Statesman (Cambridge, Mass.: and he does tend to gloss over reversals, as at Harvard University Press). Gergovia, where he prepares the reader for what will happen in 7.45 when he states that Grant, M. (1969). Julius Caesar (London: M. he told his commanders to keep the troops Evans & Company). under control so that their enthusiasm would not persuade them to advance too Meier, C. (1982). Caesar (London: Basic Books). far. In the event, this is what happened and where Caesar laid blame for the reversal. Goldsworthy, A (2006). Caesar (New Haven: Strategically he rarely found himself fighting Yale University Press). in a disadvantageous position. So often in the Gallic Wars he stresses how he has chosen a suitable (idoneus) place for a battle or a camp. He was in a foreign country with difficult terrain and substantial rivers. He was heavily outnumbered, but therein lies the reason why Vercingetorix in particular and the Gauls as a whole lost in the end. They lacked unity, even at the end. They also lacked good logistical support compared to the Romans, who were generally well supplied with food and resources. We only have Caesar’s word for it, but, if Vercingetorix had 80,000 men (7.71) and the Gauls 250,000 (7.76) (their council had hoped for 320,000 (7.75)), they outnumbered Caesar’s ten legions by about six to one. At Alesia he had prepared as well as he possibly could to counter such odds and to give his men a fighting chance. And fight they did, with their own commander-in-chief joining them in the thick of it at the point when the battle was in the balance. Caesar was a military genius supported by one of the most efficient fighting machines in ancient history.

The University of Melbourne [email protected]

51 ERRATUM: This is a correction to the text at the end of p. 44 and the start of p. 45, from Peter Mountford’s article:

While Caesar was away from Transalpine Gaul during the winter of 53/52 BC, the Carnutes killed all the Roman citizens in Cenabum (Orleans) (7.3) and a Gallic revolt led by the Arvernian Vercingetorix began to spread (7.4-7). Caesar’s response was swift and typical of the way in which he responded to emergencies. He forced a way through the snow-covered Cevennes (Massif Central) with his troops (7.8) much to the amazement of the enemy who thought that such access was impossible. He gathered his forces at Vienne from where he launched successful attacks on Vellaunodunum (Beaune?) and Cenabum, the latter of which he burnt to the ground (7.9-11). These successes forced Vercingetorix to abandon the siege of Gorgobina (Charlieu sur Loire) and to march to meet Caesar near Noviodunum (Nevers). Caesar’s cavalry put the Gallic cavalry to flight and Vercingetorix could not prevent Caesar from capturing Noviodunum (7.12-13). Caesar then turned his attention to Avaricum (Bourges) which he besieged and captured in spite of difficulties caused by food shortages and the presence of Vercingetorix and his forces (7.14-28). Vercingetorix blamed the Roman success on their knowledge of siege works, which were unknown to the Gauls. He pointed out that he had advised against the defence of Avaricum. The remaining Gauls appreciated this and stayed loyal to their commander, who, in turn, promised to try to unify all of Gaul in opposition to Caesar (7.29-31). Caesar was forced to intervene in an internal leadership problem among the Aedui, one of the Romans’ Gallic allies. He then sent Labienus with four legions north to deal with the Senones and Parisii, while he himself marched south with six legions towards Gergovia (Clermont-Ferrand), the main town of the Arverni (7.32-4).