Description
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
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.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Dr Nic Fields started his career as a biochemist before joining the Royal
Marines. Having left the military, he went back to University and completed
a BA and PhD in Ancient History at the University of Newcastle. He was
Assistant Director at the British School at Athens, Greece, and then a
lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Edinburgh. Nic is now a
freelance author and researcher based in south-west France.
CONTENTS
Origins of the campaign
Chronology
Opposing commanders
Opposing armies
Orders of battle
Opposing plans
The campaign
Aftermath
The battlefields today
Further reading
Index
