Gallic Wars
- Period
- 58–50 BC
- Sides
- Roman Republic vs Gallic tribes
- Battles
- 15
The Gallic Wars were waged between 58 and 50 BC by the Roman general Gaius Julius Caesar against the peoples of Gaul, Britain and Germania. Gallic, Germanic, and Brittonic tribes fought to defend their homelands against an aggressive Roman campaign. The wars culminated in the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, in which a complete Roman victory resulted in the expansion of the Roman Republic over the whole of Gaul. Though the collective Gallic armies were as strong as the Roman forces, internal divisions among the Gallic tribes eased victory for Caesar. Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix's attempt to unite the Gauls under a single banner came too late. Caesar portrayed the invasion as being a preemptive and defensive action, but historians agree that he fought the wars primarily to boost his political career and to pay off his debts. Still, Gaul was of significant military importance to the Romans. Native tribes in the region, both Gallic and Germanic, had repeatedly attacked Roman territory. Conquering Gaul allowed Rome to secure the natural border of the Rhine river.
Sources: Wikipedia — Gallic Wars · CC BY-SA 4.0
Battles 15
58 BC
Battle of Bibracte
The Battle of Bibracte was fought between a Gallic confederation centred around the Helvetii and a Roman army under the command of Gaius Julius Caesar. It was the first major battle of the Gallic Wars.
58 BC
Battle of the Arar
The Battle of the Arar was fought between the migrating tribes of the Helvetii and six Roman legions under the command of Gaius Julius Caesar in 58 BC. It was the first major battle of the Gallic Wars and ended in a tactical victory for the outnumbered Roman army.
58 BC
Battle of Vosges (58 BC)
The Battle of Vosges, also referred to as the Battle of Vesontio, was fought on September 14, 58 BC between a coalition of Germanic tribes, under the leadership of Ariovistus, and a Roman army supported by Gallic allies under the overall command of Gaius Julius Caesar. This encounter is the second major battle of the Gallic Wars.
57 BC
Battle of the Sabis
The Battle of the Sabis also known as the Battle of the Sambre or the Battle against the Nervians was fought in 57 BC near modern Saulzoir in Northern France. At the River Sabis a Roman army under the command of Gaius Julius Caesar fought an association of Belgae tribes, principally the Nervii. Caesar was surprised and nearly defeated by a Belgae surprise attack. According to Caesar's commentaries, a combination of determined defence, skilled generalship, and the timely arrival of reinforcements allowed the Romans to turn the Belgae ambush into a Roman victory. Few primary sources describe the battle in detail, with most information coming from Caesar's own report on the battle from his book, Commentarii de Bello Gallico. Little is therefore known about the Nervii perspective on the battle.
57 BC
Battle of the Axona
The Battle of the Axona was fought in 57 BC, between the Roman army of Gaius Julius Caesar and the Belgae. The Belgae, led by King Galba of the Suessiones, attacked, only to be repelled by Caesar. Fearing an ambush, the Romans delayed their pursuit. Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico describes this battle at 2.7 - 2.11.
57 BC
Battle of Octodurus
The battle of Octodurus took place in the winter of 57–56 BC in the Gallic town of Octodurus in what is now Martigny, Valais, Switzerland. The battle resulted from a Roman attempt to open the Great St. Bernard Pass over the Alps. It was a Roman victory, but the ferocity of the fighting ended with the Roman legion moving back out of the Alps.
57 BC
Siege of the Atuatuci
The siege of the Atuatuci in September 57 BC was the final battle in the second year of Julius Caesar's campaign that ultimately resulted in the conquest of Gaul. In this siege, Julius Caesar circumvallated the main fortress of the Belgic tribe of the Atuatuci, causing the tribe to surrender their weapons. The night after the surrender, the Atuatuci attempted to break through the Roman lines but failed, resulting in the slaughter of many Celts. The next day the gates were let open and the Roman army sacked the town.
56 BC
Julius Caesar's invasions of Britain
In the course of his Gallic Wars, Julius Caesar invaded Britain twice: in 55 and 54 BC. On the first occasion, Caesar took with him only two legions, and achieved little beyond a landing on the coast of Kent. The second invasion was more substantial, consisting of 800 ships, five legions and 2,000 cavalry. The force was so imposing that the Celtic Britons did not initially contest Caesar's landing, waiting instead until he began to move inland. Caesar eventually penetrated into Middlesex and crossed the Thames, forcing the British warlord Cassivellaunus to pay tribute to Rome and setting up Mandubracius of the Trinovantes as a client king. The Romans then returned to Gaul without conquering any territory.
56 BC
Battle of Morbihan
The Battle of Morbihan, also known as the Battle of Quiberon Bay, was a naval battle fought in the summer of 56 BC between the Gallic tribe of the Veneti and a Roman fleet sent by Julius Caesar. The battle was fought off the coast of Brittany in modern-day France, likely near Quiberon Bay. The battle was a part of the Gallic Wars. The battle ended in a decisive Roman victory.
54 BC
Ambiorix's revolt
Ambiorix's revolt was a rebellion of the Eburones tribe, triggered by the occupation of their territory by a part of Caesar's army. The uprising took place in the winter of 54–53 BCE and is part of Caesar's Gallic Wars. The tribe had appointed two war-leaders to command their warriors during their insurrection: Ambiorix and Catuvolcus. The revolt was afterwards named after Ambiorix, who played a more prominent role in the rebellion.
52 BC
Battle of Alesia
The Battle of Alesia or Siege of Alesia was the climactic military engagement of the Gallic Wars, fought around the Gallic oppidum of Alesia in modern France, a major centre of the Mandubii tribe. It was fought by the Roman army of Julius Caesar against a confederation of Gallic tribes united under the leadership of Vercingetorix of the Arverni. It was the last major engagement between Gauls and Romans, and is considered one of Caesar's greatest military achievements and a classic example of siege warfare and investment; the Roman army built dual lines of fortifications—an inner wall to keep the besieged Gauls in, and an outer wall to keep the Gallic relief force out. The Battle of Alesia marked the end of Gallic independence in the modern day territory of France and Belgium.
52 BC
Battle of Gergovia
The Battle of Gergovia took place in 52 BC in Gaul at Gergovia, the chief oppidum of the Arverni. The battle was fought between a Roman Republican army, led by proconsul Julius Caesar, and Gallic forces led by Vercingetorix, who was also the Arverni chieftain. The Romans attempted to besiege Gergovia, but miscommunication ruined the Roman plan. The Gallic cavalry counterattacked the confused Romans and sent them to flight, winning the battle.
52 BC
Battle of Lutetia
The Battle of Lutetia was fought in 52 BC on the plain of Grenelle in what is now Paris, between Roman forces under Titus Labienus and an anti-Roman Gallic coalition during the Gallic Wars. The Romans were victorious. Julius Caesar offers an account of the battle in his Gallic Wars, for which he draws both on Labienus' report and an episode in Polybius's history.
52 BC
Battle of the Vingeanne
The Battle of the Vingeanne was a mainly cavalry engagement between Roman legions under the command of Gaius Julius Caesar and the coalition of Gaulic tribes led by Vercingetorix. It occurred near the river of Vingeanne. It was one of the major battles of the Gallic Wars and was won by the Romans.
51 BC
Siege of Uxellodunum
The siege of Uxellodunum was one of the last battles of the Gallic Wars. It took place in 51 BC at Uxellodunum. It was the last major military confrontation of the Gallic Wars and marked the pacification of Gaul under Roman rule. The battle resulted in a decisive Roman victory.
Earlier and later events nearby
- 58–50 BCGallic WarsThis page
- AD 313Edict of Milan
- AD 451Battle of the Catalaunian Plains
- AD 732Battle of Tours
Who ruled this land
States that held this place in the historical borders data (Cliopatria). Years are approximate, as fine as the data's snapshots (every few years to a century). Tap to open the map for that year.
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- 50 BCRoman Republic
- AD 1–250Roman Empire
- AD 275Gallic Empire
- AD 300–375Roman Empire
- AD 400–425Western Roman Empire
- AD 450–525Kingdom of the Burgundians
- AD 550–625Francia
- AD 650Kingdom of the Burgundians
- AD 675–825Francia
- AD 850–925West Francia
- AD 950Upper Burgundy
- AD 975West Francia
- 1000–1020Kingdom of France
- 1040–1380Kingdom of Arles
- 1400–1480Duchy of Burgundy
- 1500–1790Kingdom of France
- 1800French Consulate
- 1805–1810First French Empire
- 1815–1845Bourbon Restoration in France
- 1850French Second Republic