Late Roman Republic, Gaius Julius Caesar (=Caesar; fl.85-44 BC), Third Gallic Revolt (52-51 BC), Vercingetorix (Arverni)

Third Gallic Revolt (52-51 BC): Vercingetorix (Arverni)

For the winter of 53/2 BC Caesar, careful not to disperse his units too broadly, encamped six legions to watch the Senones (2) (central-north) and two legions each to keep an eye on the Treveri (northeast) and the Lingones (2) (central-northeast). Caesar himself returned to Cisalpina to raise more troops.

Alarmed at the fate of Acco, the tribal chiefs gathered and resolved to expel the Romans. Vercingetorix, a noble of the Arverni (central-southeast), was elected war-leader of a confederation that during 52 BC came to include almost every tribe in Gaul. The Carnutes (central-north) moved first and overwhelmed Caesar’s base at Cenabum (Orleans).

Vercingetorix marched northwards with the remainder of the force towards the Bituriges (central), to detach them from the Aedui, whose supremacy they recognized, and link them with the Carnutes and his other allies in the north; and sent Lucterius, the leader of the Cadurci (south), sent to persuade his neighbours, the Nitiobroges and the Ruteni on the northern border of Narbonensis, to attack its capital Narbo.

Learning of Lucterius’ activities, Caesar hastened to Narbo, gathered some local troops and installed them in defensive positions in the province. With Lucterius thus checked and forced to retreat, Caesar went northeast to the country of the Helvetii, on the eastern side of the Cevennes, to collect his new recruits who had arrived from Cisalpina.

Caesar now decided to attack the Arverni, who lived on the other side of the Cevennes. He achieved complete surprise because at that time it was believed that its snow-covered passes could not be crossed during the winter. Vercingetorix, who was busy fermenting rebellion further north, was forced to return to protect his homeland.

With Vercingetorix moving back from the north it was now possible for Caesar to rejoin his legions. Leaving ¹²Junius Brutus to occupy the enemy’s attention, Caesar recrossed the Cevennes and hastened to Vienna (=Vienne; northeast Narbonensis), where he picked up more troops. Worried about the loyalty of the Aedui, he dashed north through their territory into the land of the Lingones, where two of his legions were in their winter quarters. A short time later the entire army was reunited at Agendicum (=Sens; central-north).

After the defeat of the Helvetii in 58 BC at Bibracte (central-east), the Helvetians’ Boii (2) allies had settled at nearby Gorgobina to the west, in the territory of the Aedui. As these were allies of Rome, Vercingetorix now besieged Gorgobina.