Against the Romans
Overview: The last major conflict of the Gallic War, Alйsia was the last stand of Vercingetorix. Vercingetorix defeated the Romans at Gergovia September 52 B.C.E., Vercingetorix attacked the Romans with his cavalry near Divio (modern Dijon), but afterwards had to flee towards Alйsia. Caesar laid siege on Alйsia and Vercingetorix with about a force of 70,000. In addition to the 50,000 men inside the fortress, Vercingetorix gathered a large relieving force to assist in a breakout (estimates of this relieving force vary from 100,000 to 250,000 men.) After a number of failed attempts to relieve the fortress from both outside and from within, Vercingetorix surrendered. He was taken to Rome and executed six years later.
The Gaulish city Alйsia has been the place where the final battle between the Romans and the Gauls ended.
After a long hunt in which he 'advised' the helping towns to burn their crops, Vercingetorix sought refuge in this city in August 52 B.C.E., accompanied by about 80,000 - 95,000 warriors.
The about 60,000 Romans (10 or 11 legions) led by Caesar, builded a long, high, fortification around the city ("contravallation") so no one could escape.
Because of a possible relief of the town by a so-called "armeй de secours" the Romans later also build a second, outer, fortification ("circonvallation") to be protected against the Gaulish liberation fighters.
Those fighters indeed attempted to liberate Alйsia. The Atrebati (led by Commios), Arverni (Vercassivellaunos) en (H)Edui (Eporedorix and Viridomar) brought together an incredible 300,000 men, which couldn't defeit the Romans.
After a siege of 2 months Vercingetorix handed himself to the chiefs of the tribes to let them do whatever was wise: to kill him or hand him over to Caesar.
They decided Vercingetorix had to surrender to Caesar and so he did, September 52 B.C.E. Vercingetorix was then taken to Rome as a slave where he spent the rest of his life in prison. Six years later he was strangled in the arena during a feast in honour of Caesar.
The Gaulish city Alйsia has been the place where the final battle between the Romans and the Gauls ended.
After a long hunt in which he 'advised' the helping towns to burn their crops, Vercingetorix sought refuge in this city in August 52 B.C.E., accompanied by about 80,000 - 95,000 warriors.
The about 60,000 Romans (10 or 11 legions) led by Caesar, builded a long, high, fortification around the city ("contravallation") so no one could escape.
Because of a possible relief of the town by a so-called "armeй de secours" the Romans later also build a second, outer, fortification ("circonvallation") to be protected against the Gaulish liberation fighters.
Those fighters indeed attempted to liberate Alйsia. The Atrebati (led by Commios), Arverni (Vercassivellaunos) en (H)Edui (Eporedorix and Viridomar) brought together an incredible 300,000 men, which couldn't defeit the Romans.
After a siege of 2 months Vercingetorix handed himself to the chiefs of the tribes to let them do whatever was wise: to kill him or hand him over to Caesar.
They decided Vercingetorix had to surrender to Caesar and so he did, September 52 B.C.E. Vercingetorix was then taken to Rome as a slave where he spent the rest of his life in prison. Six years later he was strangled in the arena during a feast in honour of Caesar.
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