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Caesar's Gallic Wars and the Archaeological Record

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Caesar's Gallic Wars and the Archaeological Record Caesar’s Gallic Wars and the Archaeological Record Jamie L. Hoehn in Collaboration with Dr. Matthew Waters Department of History University of Wisconsin‐Eau Claire Historical BackgroundPossible Explanations for Caesar’s Lessons for the Present De Bello Gallico (The Gallic War) Inaccurate Reports Every ancient text must be read critically, because many classical authors were not entirely objective is Julius Caesar’s account of Personal political motives. the massive militaryypg campaigns in their observations. They had a variety of he led in Europe from 58 BCE to Caesar strove to gain experience and improve motivations for producing their works and 51 BCE. Caesar sent his his reputation in Rome. developing their focuses within them. commentaries to Rome every Caesar intentionally fostered dissent amongst We must readjust our approach to archaeology, winter, detailing his numerous the tribes. both in the focus of excavations and the Julius Caesar victories and occasional defeats. Preconceived notions. interpretation of artifacts. There needs to be a less Romano-centric emphasis, as well as a greater De Bello Gallico provides important information The concept of a “tribe” was more familiar to acknowledgment of the indigenous Europeans’ about the political, social and cultural traditions the Romans than the complex social system sophistication and social complexity. of indigenous Europeans. which actually existed. The results of these efforts will be a deeper Archaeology has revealed a more nuanced Mass mitiigrations, previous invasi ons, GGkreek understanding of, and appreciation for, Europe’s picture, enhancing our understanding of Europe sources, “periphery theory”. history and ancestral heritage. during the Iron Age and early Roman Period. Incomplete understanding. The social and political conditions were Disparities between Caesar’s Accounts distorted due to stress caused by Roman and the Material Evidence presence. Translation errors and intentionally misleading Gauls and Germans: Caesar describes two intelligence. distinct groups separated by the Rhine. La Tene is a specific style of ornamentation found on both sides of the Rhine. This style emerged during the mid-5th century BCE. Rhineland groups were also characterized by similar pottery, elaborate inhumation burials, ornate fibulae (special pins used to keep clothing in place), and oppida (naturally A Battle Scene between Roman Soldiers and Indigenous Europeans fortified villagg)es). Select Bibliography The distinctions between “Gauls” and Geographic Focus of Caesar’s Gallic Wars: “Germans” were first made by Caesar. In the Gaul, Germania, Belgica and Britannia Freeman, Philip ed. War, Women and Druids: Eyewitness Reports and Early Accounts of the Ancient Celts. Austin: University textual tradition, these labels functioned both of Texas Press, 2002. to glorify his martial victories and justify his Explanations for a Distorted King, Anthony. Roman Gaul and Germany. Berkeley: University of defeats. Implicit in De Bello Gallico is Archaeological Record California Press, 1990. Caesar’s assertion that Gauls were more Moreland, John. Archaeology and Text. London: Gerald civilized and could therefore be conquered Scholarly bias. Duckworth & Co. Ltd., 2001. Schadee, Hester. “Caesar’s Construction of Northern Europe: and assimilated; Germans, however, were th 19 century nationalist movements played a Inquiry, Contact and Corruption in ‘De Bello Gallico.’” wild and could not be successfully integrated. signiflficant role in esta blhdblishing precedents. Classical Quarterly 58, no. 1 (2008): 158-180. “Then too I saw that it was dangerous for Texts have been used to guide archaeological Wells, Peter S. The Barbarians Speak: How the Conquered Peoples Rome to have the Germans gradually getting Shaped Roman Europe. Princeton: Princeton University investigations. Press, 1999. into the habit of crossing the Rhine and Roman sites are easier to detect than native Wolfram, Herwig. The Roman Empire and Its Germanic Peoples. coming into Gaul in vast numbers. Once settlements. trans. Thomas Dunlap. Berkeley: University of California they had occupied the whole of Gaul I did not Press, 1997. imagine that such a fierce and uncivilized Consequently, less effort has been employed in people would refrain from moving out, […] locating and excavating Acknowledgements ppgressing on into Italy y(” (Bel. Gal. 1.33). indigenous sites and Fundinggp provided by : Expansive forests filled with fantastical creatures. interpreting indigenous Differential Tuition Fund Special thanks to: Caesar frequently references immense artifacts. Dr. Matthew Waters forests, but pollen testing has revealed that Romano-centric Department of History widespread clearing had begun prior to emphasis. Office for Research and Sponsored Programs Roman occupation. Archaeological Dig in Gaul (France) Faculty/Student Research Collaboration La Tene Fibula.
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