Alesia 52 BC

The final struggle for Gaul

Alesia 52 BC cover

Alesia 52 BC

The final struggle for Gaul

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Description

52 BC is the key year of the Gallic Revolt, with the near-disastrous Roman defeat at Gergovia followed by the climactic victory over the Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix at Alesia.

In 52, BC Caesar's continued strategy of annihilation had engendered a spirit of desperation, which detonated into a revolt of Gallic tribes under the leadership of the charismatic young Arvernian noble Vercingetorix. Major engagements were fought at Noviodunum, Avaricum, and Gergovia, with the last action being the most serious reverse that Caesar faced in the whole of the Gallic War.

However, Vercingetorix soon realized that he was unable to match the Romans in pitched battle. Taking advantage of the tribesmen's superior knowledge of their home territory, Vercingetorix began a canny policy of small war and defensive manoeuvres, which gravely hampered Caesar's movements by cutting off his supplies. For Caesar it was to be a grim summertime – his whole Gallic enterprise faced disaster.

In the event, by brilliant leadership, force of arms, and occasionally sheer luck, Caesar succeeded in stamping out the revolt in a long and brutal action culminating in the siege of Alesia. Vercingetorix finally surrendered and Alesia was to be the last significant resistance to the Roman will.

Never again would a Gallic warlord independent of Rome hold sway over the Celts of Gaul.

Table of Contents

Introduction
A Clash of Cultures
Chronology

Opposing Commanders
Vercingetorix
Caesar

Opposing Armies
Vercingetorix's Army
Caesar's Army

Opposing Plans
Vercingetorix's Plan
Caesar's Plan

The Campaign
The Siege of Avaricum
A Close-Run Thing: Gergovia
Noviodunum
The Final Act: Alesia

Aftermath
Counting the Cost
Vercingetorix's Legacy

The Battlefield Today
Alesia Alternatives
A Parallel in History

Glossary and Abbreviations
Bibliography
Index

Product details

Published 20 Jun 2014
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781782009221
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 30 b/w; 42 col
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 269
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Nic Fields

Dr Nic Fields started his career as a biochemist b…

Illustrator

Peter Dennis

Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazine…

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