![]() ![]() The Gauls and the Romans had significantly different military strategies. A modern re-enactor in 2018 with the typical panoply of a wealthier Gallic warrior. Military A modern re-enactor in 2012 wearing the gear that a VII legion standard bearer would have during the Gallic Wars era. However, the Romans realized the Gauls were a powerful fighting force, and considered some of the most "barbaric" tribes to be the fiercest warriors, as they were supposedly uncorrupted by Roman luxuries. The contemporary writer Diodoros explains that part of the conception of Gallic barbarity was because they drank their wine straight, unlike the supposedly civilized Romans who watered down their wine first. In exchange, the Gauls accumulated much wealth and developed a taste for Roman wine. They struck coins and traded extensively with Rome, providing iron, grain, and many slaves. ![]() Though the Romans considered the Gauls to be barbarians, their cities mirrored those of the Mediterranean. During the first century, parts of Gaul were becoming urbanized, which concentrated wealth and population centers, inadvertently making Roman conquest easier. ![]() Most had contact with Roman merchants and some, such as the Aedui, who were governed by republics, had enjoyed stable political alliances with Rome in the past. The tribes of Gaul were civilized and wealthy. Untold numbers of Gauls were killed, enslaved, or mutilated, including large numbers of civilians.īackground Sociopolitical Modern historians believe that Gallic forces were smaller than the Romans claimed, and that the Romans suffered more casualties than Caesar claims. Caesar makes impossible claims about the number of Gauls killed (over a million), while claiming almost zero Roman casualties. It is the primary source for the conflict, but modern historians consider it prone to exaggeration. Julius Caesar described the Gallic Wars in his book Commentarii de Bello Gallico. The Gallic Wars were a key factor in Caesar's ability to win the Civil War and make himself dictator, which culminated in the end of the Roman Republic and the establishment of the Roman Empire. Caesar's wild successes in the war had made him wealthy and provided a legendary reputation. There is no clear end-date for the war, but the imminent Roman Civil War led to the withdrawal of Caesar's troops in 50 BC. Gaul was conquered, although it would not become a Roman province until 27 BC, and resistance would continue until as late as 70 AD. In 51 BC and 50 BC, there was little resistance, and Caesar's troops were mostly mopping up. Gallic forces won a notable victory at the Battle of Gergovia, but the Romans' indomitable siege works at the Battle of Alesia crushed the Gallic coalition. This failed, and Vercingetorix led a revolt in 52 BC. 53 BC saw a brutal pacification campaign. Tribes rose up on the continent, and the Romans suffered a humiliating defeat. The next year, he returned with a proper army and conquered much of Britain. Rome hailed Caesar as a hero upon his return from Britain, though he had achieved little beyond landing because his army had been too small. He undertook first-of-their-kind expeditions across the Rhine and the English Channel. In 55 BC, Caesar sought to boost his public image. In 56 BC, Caesar defeated the Veneti in a naval battle and took most of northwest Gaul. He led campaigns in the east, where the Nervii almost defeated him. By 57 BC, Caesar had resolved to conquer all of Gaul. The Wars began with conflict over the migration of the Helvetii in 58 BC, which drew in neighboring tribes and the Germanic Suebi. Conquering Gaul allowed Rome to secure the natural border of the river Rhine. Native tribes in the region, both Gallic and Germanic, had attacked Rome several times. Still, Gaul was of significant military importance to the Romans. 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. Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix's attempt to unite the Gauls under a single banner came too late. Though the Gallic military was as strong as the Romans, the Gallic tribes' internal divisions eased victory for Caesar. 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. Gallic, Germanic, and British tribes fought to defend their homelands against an aggressive Roman campaign. The Gallic Wars were waged between 58 and 50 BC by the Roman general Julius Caesar against the peoples of Gaul (present-day France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland). ![]()
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