Gallic Wars
The Gallic Wars were military campaigns waged by the Roman proconsul Julius Caesar against tribes in Gaul between 58 BC and 50 BC.[1] The wars gave Rome rich farmlands in Gaul (roughly France and Belgium up to the Rhine).
Caesar's sub-commanders included Mark Antony, Titus Labienus, Quintus Tullius Cicero (brother of Marcus Tullius Cicero), Publius Licinius Crassus (brother of Marcus Licinus Crassus, the richest man in Rome), Decimus Brutus Albinus and Servius Sulpicius Galba (praetor 54 BC).[2]
Julius Caesar described the Gallic Wars in his book Commentarii de Bello Gallico. This is the main source, but it makes impossible claims about the number of Gauls killed (over a million), while claiming few Roman casualties. Modern historians believe that Gallic forces were far smaller than Caesar claimed, and that they (the Romans) suffered tens of thousands of casualties. One of the leaders of the Gauls, Vercingetorix, was taken to Rome, and later executed.
The main contemporary source for the conflict is Julius Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico. This was thought to be truthful and accurate until the 20th century. Even in 1908, Camille Jullian wrote a comprehensive history of Gaul and took Caesar's account as absolutely true. But after World War II, historians began to question if Caesar's claims stood up.[3][4]
Modern estimates are that at the battle of Alesia, in 52 BC, there were about 70,000 Gauls, and the same number of Roman troops. That is still a very large number, in a world with far fewer people than is the case today.
Gallic Wars Media
A modern re-enactor in 2012 wearing the gear that a VII legion standard bearer would have during the Gallic Wars era.
A modern re-enactor in 2018 with the typical panoply of a wealthier Gallic warrior.
Retrato de Julio César (26724093101) (cropped)
Multi-year overview of the Gallic Wars. The general routes taken by Caesar's army are indicated by the arrows.
The campaigns of 58 BC (In Italian). Note the Roman territory in yellow does not yet include modern day France, the Low Countries, or Germany. Caesar's expeditions are a red line, with battles noted. Celtic cities are in green, Germanic cities in orange.
Campaign map of 57 BC. Territory conquered the previous year is shaded red.
Denarius minted by Decimus Brutus in 48 BC, recalling his service in Gaul. The obverse features the head of Mars, and the reverse shows Gallic carnyces and shields.[5]
Battle of Morbihan (in French, Rome is in red, Veneti in green)
Campaign map of 56 BC. Note Caesar's foray into the north of Gaul, Crassus' campaigns in the south, and the Battle of Morbihan off the west Atlantic coast.
Caesar's Rhine Bridge, by John Soane (1814)
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References
- ↑ Gilliver, Catherine 2003. Caesar's Gallic wars, 58–50 BC. New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-203-49484-4.
- ↑ This Galba was a praetor in 54 BC and one of the assassins who murdered Julius Caesar.
- ↑ Grant, Michael 1969. Julius Caesar. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
- ↑ Wyke, Maria 2008. Caesar: a life in Western culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- ↑ Crawford 1974, pp. 466.