The Conquest of Gaul

by Caesar, Julius (Author); Handford, S. A. (Translator); Gardner, Jane F. (Revised by)

• ISBN13: 9780140444339
• ISBN10: 0140444335
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1983-02-01
• Publisher: RH

Summary

'The enemy were overpowered and took to flight. The Romans pursued as far as their strength enabled them to run.' Between 58 and 50 BC Julius Caesar conquered most of the area now covered by Belgium, France and Switzerland, and invaded Britain twice, and The Conquest of Gaul is his record of these campaigns. Caesar's narrative offers insights into his military strategy and paints a fascinating picture of his encounters with the inhabitants of Gaul and Britain, as well as lively portraits of the rebel leader Vercingetorix and other Gallic chieftains. The Conquest of Gaul can also be read as a piece of political propaganda, as Caesar sets down his version of events for the Roman public, knowing he faces civil war on his return to Rome.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
Roman politics in the late Republic	7	(5)
Gaul and its inhabitants	12	(4)
The course of the war	16	(3)
Caesar the man	19	(5)
Caesar as author	24	(2)
Preface to the second edition	26	(2)
Suggestions for Further Reading	27	(1)
CAESAR THE CONQUEST OF GAUL
BOOK I THE EXPULSION OF INTRUDERS
Repulse of the Helvetii (58 B.C.)	28	(14)
Expulsion of Ariovistus from Gaul (58 B.C.)	42	(16)
BOOK II THE CONQUEST OF THE BELGIC TRIBES
Collapse of the Belgic coalition (57 B.C.)	58	(5)
Piecemeal conquest of the Belgic tribes (57 B.C.)	63	(11)
BOOK III THE FIRST REBELLION
Unsuccessful campaign in the Alps (57 B.C.)	74	(2)
The fight on the Atlantic coast (56 B.C.)	76	(7)
Victorious campaign in Aquitania (56 B.C.)	83	(3)
Indecisive campaign against the Morini (56 B.C.)	86	(2)
BOOK IV INVASIONS OF GERMANY AND BRITAIN
Massacre of the Usipetes and Tenctheri (55 B.C.)	88	(6)
The first crossing of the Rhine (55 B.C.)	94	(3)
The first invasion of Britain (55 B.C.)	97	(8)
BOOK V THE SECOND REBELLION
The second invasion of Britain (54 B.C.)	105	(10)
Destruction of Sabinus' army by the Eburones (54 B.C.)	115	(7)
Attack by the Nervii on Cicero's winter camp (54 B.C.)	122	(7)
Widespread revolts in northern and central Gaul (54-53 B.C.)	129	(4)
BOOK VI OPERATIONS NEAR THE RHINE
The Treveri routed (53 B.C.)	133	(4)
The second crossing of the Rhine (53 B.C.)	137	(1)
Customs and institutions of the Gauls	138	(5)
Customs and institutions of the Germans	143	(3)
Devastation of the county of the Eburones (53 B.C.)	146	(9)
BOOK VII THE REBELLION OF VERCINGETORIX
The opening stage (52 B.C.)	155	(6)
Siege and capture of Avaricum (52 B.C.)	161	(9)
Roman reverse at Gergovia (52 B.C.)	170	(12)
Vercingetorix's defeat in open warfare (52 B.C.)	182	(7)
Siege and capture of Alesia (52 B.C.)	189	(12)
BOOK VIII THE FINAL REBELLION
Hirtius' preface	201	(1)
Revolts of the Bituriges, Carnutes and Bellovaci (52-51 B.C.)	202	(11)
The last encounters; capture of Uxellodunum (51 B.C.)	213	(11)
Civil war impends	224	(22)
Notes	228	(9)
APPENDICES
I The Text	237	(5)
II The Roman Army	242	(3)
III Chronological Outline of the Career of Caesar	245	(1)
Glossary of Persons and Places	246	(19)
Index to Maps	265