Transcript Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar
The Gallic Campaign
Mrs Graham’s Ancient History
The Pen is Mightier than the Sword
The most prolific source of evidence is Caesar’s own “ De Bello Gallico” written as a
series of field reports and sent back to Rome.
Caesar’s style of writing , describing himself in the 3RD person, fails to achieve the
historical objectivity but provides a clear military narrative of events. Although biased it
is an extremely useful source.
Caesar’s aim in his Commentaries was to keep fresh in the minds of Romans , his
outstanding achievements, thereby overshadowing any memory of his previous illegal
acts.
Other sources include Plutarch’s Life of Caesar and Suetonius’ Lives of the Caesars.
Both sources are very sketchy in their cover of the Gallic Wars
Numismatical Evidence- Roman
Coins minted in the 50’s BC
A History of Rome-M Cary
“ For Caesar, his term in Gaul was the turning point in his career.
The war booty which he appropriated not only sufficed to pay off
his enormous private debts, but enabled him to buy political
services in Rome on a scale comparable to that of Crassus. He held
at his beck and call an invincible army that was ready to follow
him anywhere. Above all, it was as pro-consul of Gaul that he
found himself and brought into full play his latent powers as a
soldier and administrator. From this point Caesar’s actions betoken
a leader who is serenely conscious of his superior genius and regards
himself as a Man of Destiny.”
Why Cisalpine and
Transalpine Gaul?
Close enough to Rome to keep
an eye on political
developments and communicate
with aides
As proconsul, he could avoid
prosecution for his illegal
Acts as Consul the year
before
Gaul was a source of
recruitment for troops and
skilled craftsmen
for swords and armor
Gaul was a country rich
In natural resources and would
Link Rome with the Atlantic
The factional nature of the many
tribes of Gaul made them easy
to defeat.
The Roman Legion
Roman Marches
One days march; 15-20 miles. Overrall length of column 22.5 miles
Average speed; 3 miles per hour
Total army makeup- based on a six legion army;
Legionary troops;30,000
Ancillary troops;3,500
Gallic Cavalry Wing;4,000
Roman cavalry;720
Setvants;6,500
Horses;4,720
Total mules;10,000
Legion Staff- ancillary troops,clerks,technicians,specialists,reserve
tentage,cavalry equipment,field hospital,medical staff, veterinary staff,
engineering stores, workshops.
Caesar maintained that at any one time there were between 300-500 sick
Food ; Daily requirement 3lbs per day per man. Each man carried 10 days
ration
Artillary included, siege engines, Ballistae, Caterpults and Onagers
Celtic Battle Tactics- Chariots and
Chaos
Father
figure
Generosity
Clemencia
Ability to
inspire
Success
Speed or
celeritas
Caesar’s
Relationship
with his
army
Perseverance
Personal
Knowledge
And
acknowledgement
Of
bravery
Personal
leadership
A larger plan?
Justify your Actions.
Helvetii on the march
“ Caesar in as much as he kept in remembrance that
a Roman consul had been slaughtered, did not
think that their request ought to be granted; nor
was he of the opinion that men of hostile
disposition, if an opportunity of marching through
the province were given to them, would abstain
from outrage and mischief”
De Bello Gallico- Book 1
Caesar against the Helvetii
Celeritas and Clemencia
“ The battle ended, that he might be able to come up with the remaining
forces, he procures a bridge to be made across the Saone. The Helvetii,
confused by his sudden arrival, when they had found that he had effected in
one day what they themselves had difficulty in accomplishing in
twenty….send ambassadors to him.”
“ He ordered the Helvetii to return to their territories from which they had
come and as there was nothing at home whereby they might support their
hunger, he commanded the Allobroges to let them have a plentiful supply of
corn.”
Keeping a Tally
“The sum of all amounted to …368,000.When the census of those who
returned home was taken, as Caesar commanded the number was
found to be 110,000.” Book 1
“ On the basis of Caesar’s report, the Senate granted him a Supplicatio of
fifteen days.. The Senate was paying him respect for the Conquest of
the whole of Gaul. At the same time, it was indirectly confirming his
command and the legitimacy of his wars. It was honouring him in such
a way that the transgression of 59 were bound to pale. Its decision,
thus represented a quite extraordinary success for Caesar, however
little it meant in material terms”. C Meier
Date
Place
Enemy
Result
58BC
Nth Gaul
Helvetii
Defeated them at Bibracte
and forced
Them back to their
homeland
58BC
Rhine River
Suebi under
Ariovistus
Drove the Germans
beyond the Rhine
57BC
Nth of the Seine
Belgae
Nervii
The tribes
yielded to Caesar
56BC
West- Quiberon Bay
Venetii
Under the command of
Decimus Brutus, Venetii’s
defeated
55BC
RHINE River
Germans- Usipetes,
Tencteri
Annihilated the two tribeswomen and children
54BC
Britain
54BC
Nth East
Belgic tribes under
Ambiorix
Gauls managed to
defeat1and a half legions.
Caesar finally crushes
them “ root and branch”
52BC
Gergovia and Alesia
Averni and other tribes
Led by Vercingetorix
Starved into submission by
use of siegeworks
Defeated King
Cassivellanus
Caesar against the Venetii
The Roman naval tactics consisted
mainly in either propelling a
vessel with great force against a
rival and crushing the side, or in
catching hold of the hostile
craft with hooks, pulling
alongside, springing over on it,
and settling the conflict with a
hand-to-hand fight. In the seafight with the Veneti, who had
only sailing vessels, the Roman
sailors crippled the enemy's
ships by cutting down the sailyards
Delegation, Innovation and
Recognition
“ One thing provided by our men was of great service..sharp hooks
inserted into and fastened upon poles….When the ropes were caught
by them and pulled…the yards necessarily fell down, so that all hope
of the Gallic vessels of the Gallic vessels depending on their sails was
taken from them”
“The rest of the contest depended on courage; in which our men
decidedly had the advantage; and the more so, because the whole
action was carried on in the sight of Caesar and the entire army; so that
no act, a little more valiant than ordinary, could pass unobserved”.
Siege Works at Bourges
Caesar against Ariovistus
Brutal and Decisive
“The Germans, when upon hearing a noise behind them, they looked
and saw their families were slain…fled out of the camp…..threw
themselves into the river and there perished”.
“ Caesar for those reasons, had resolved to cross the Rhine, but to cross by
ships he neither deemed to be sufficiently safe, nor consisted with his
own dignity or that of the Roman people. Therefore although the
greatest difficulty in forming a bridge was presented to him, on
account of the breadth, rapidity and depth of the river, he nevertheless
considered that it ought to be attempted by him..Within ten days after
the timber began to be collected, the whole work was completed.”
Caesar’s Bridge over the Rhine
Caesar invades Britain
Caesar’s Landing in Britain
Thus for Britain a new era had opened. The
Roman empire now reached the Channel,
and its menace or its friendship were everpresent political choices; for what had been
done once could be done again” S. Frere,
Brittania.
Gauls unite under Vercingetorix
The Battle at Gergovia
A Rare Defeat?
In 52 BC Gergovia was the stronghold of Vercingetorix. It is famous for being the
only place where Julius Caesar was defeated in the Gaulish wars.
After conquering Avaricum, Caesar took six legions onward to Gergovia where he
attempted a siege. He was outnumbered when the Aedui, formerly the Romans'
allies, surprised Caesar by joining with Vercingetorix. As Caesar's army marched
towards the great Arverni hillfort of Gergovie, Vercingetorix was setting out with
his own army on the other side of the river Allier, breaking every bridge along the
way to be sure the Romans could not cross over. Caesar, however, hid two legions
in the woods. After Vercingetorix moved on, they rebuilt one of the bridges and
went on to attempt the siege of Gergovia.
The assault failed. Over 700 soldiers and 40 centurions were lost in the battle
before Caesar drew back.
Encouraged by this victory, the Gauls persisted in their revolt until their final
defeat at Alesia.
The Battle of Alesia
Intelligence and leadership.
“ As the action was carried on in sight of all, neither a brave nor
cowardly act could be concealed; both the desire of praise and the fear
of ignominy, urged on each party to valor….Caesar sends at first
young Brutus and afterwards Caius Fabius, his liutenant…….His
arrival being known from the colour of his robe….the enemy joined
battle.”
“Caesar on learning these proceedings from the deserters and captives,
adopted the following system of fortification”.
Caesar’s Siege Works
Archaeological evidence at Alesia
Vercingetorix surrenders to Caesar
Inclusion of
Gaul in the
Roman
Empire
Caesar had
extended his
Clientale- seen as
Protector
Of Gaul
Large amount
Of booty sent
to Rome
The Legacy of
The Gallic Wars
Caesar’s
reputation
was
enhanced
Caesar’s
military
reputation now
equalled
Pompey
Caesar now
Had a massive
loyal, experienced
army
Gaul had
provided him
With massive
Wealth needed
To buy
Political support
Historians Views- Michael Akinde
“There can be no doubt that Caesar was an extremely competent
General, probably one of the best ever. He understood strategy and
tactics, and he could handle the brutish and greedy legionaries of his
time. He was almost always aware of the movements of his enemies
and usually secured both communications and supply lines in a
masterly fashion. His natural energy was turned into the feared
celeritas of Caesar, a swiftness of action that stunned his
contemporaries. Almost paradoxically, he could combine this swiftness
with extraordinary patience, and as a result was almost always able to
choose the time and place for his battles, or regain the initiative even in
the most difficult situations. His campaigns in Gaul had earned him a
large and devoted army; like in 61, Rome now waited with bated
breath for the return of a victorius general, Caesar.”
Historians Views-Suzanne Cross
“As the Gallic Wars had made Caesar's military prowess
the stuff of household fame, so Vercingetorix and the
Gallic alliance, in their first and last great attempt at
confederacy, showed barbarians throughout the Roman
world that, even united, Rome could not be defeated when
led by generals of genius. It is impossible to imagine
Caesar's future career without the political capital, wealth
and fighting skills he earned while contesting with the
warriors of Gaul for its future. It is impossible to imagine
the future history of France, Belgium, and so many
countries of Western Europe without Caesar's drive to be
first in Rome”