Alesia September 52 BC Strategic Context Julius Caesar
Alesia September, 52 BC Strategic Context Julius Caesar considers Gaul secure until it revolts under the leadership of Vercingetorix, an Arverni chieftain. Vercingetorix does not rely on an impulsive, barbarian offensive strategy as Caesar expects. Instead, the Gauls do not allow a decisive battle to take place for fear it will be a decisive defeat, and fight a partisan war by retreating and destroying everything behind them. Caesar grows impatient, especially after the failed assault against the fortress of Gergovia and the inconclusive skirmish at the Vingeanne. Vercingetorix retires to Alesia and Caesar follows; it appears Vercingetorix, pressured by his allies, is finally giving battle. To view animation on PC: hit F 5 To view animation on Mac: hit ⌘ + enter Stakes + A Roman victory would crush the Gallic revolt and remove Vercingetorix as a nuisance for good. + A Gallic victory would heighten the insurrection and threaten Roman control over the entire region. By Jonathan Webb, 2009
Alesia, 52 BC Strength §Romans §Gauls §Julius Caesar §Vercingetorix § 40, 000 infantry § 15, 000 cavalry § 150, 000 infantry § 23, 000 cavalry §Well By Jonathan Webb, 2009
Roman Empire c. 52 BC
The fort of Alesia sits atop the steep western hill of Mount Penneville, surrounded by rivers, valleys, and then hills a little further out, making approach difficult from three sides. The steepest and most elevated terrain is to the north in the form of Mount Rea and Mount de Bussy. The flattest terrain is to the southwest where the Heights of Mussy-le-Fosse give way to the Plain of Laumes. Romans (Caesar) Mount Rea Mount de Bussy Rabutin River Oze River Alesia Brenne River Ozerain River Plain of Laumes Mount Penneville Heights of Mussyle-Fosse Gauls (Vercingetorix) Mount de Flavigny 0 1 2 3 km
Vercingetorix’s force within Alesia runs out of supplies and hope as his a massive Gallic relief army arrives, led byon four chieftains. Some Gallic infantry Themidnight, At Romans the begin Gallic construction relief army launches on lines of an contravallation, attack on the just western extensive side barriers of away the Roman to prevent fortifications. Gauls Caesar in Alesia isother able from to escaping transfer reinforcements and protect the to The same night the Romans complete construction, Vercingetorix sends cavalry for two reasons: there are insufficient supplies to feed the riders along Caesar surrounds Alesia with his entire force, and builds some earthen walls and a the wide ditch the western plain. He decides to rush out to begin filling the wide ditch in anticipation of an immediate assault by the relief army. However, the relief army is unprepared to make such a hasty Romans the threatened from any sectors attack and by them. repel These the attack fortifications decisively, face inward but only and after consist heavy of a fighting double ditch from backed behind by his a 12 -foot extensive high lines rampart, of circumvallation. missile towers, with their animals. and reinforcements must be summoned immediately. The exhausted Romans are unable to intercept the Gallic cavalry but their punishing blockade rather than assault the city because of its naturally fortified position and the large Gallic force within it. At first, forces Vercingetorix assault after long journey so Caesar sends out his cavalry to challenge the Gallic relief army’s small cavalry contingent. two cavalry exchange defences still ainflict heavy casualties. Caesar orders athe second line of fortifications, lines of circumvallation, to bethe built to defend against anhalt attack from a Gallic and macabre Vercingetorix traps, tries tomany coordinate invented his by attack Caesar with and his relief men, army littered but everywhere onlyto learns possible. offrom the attack Vercingetorix when sends Romans his. The do. cavalry Hiscan to infantry construction are therefore of encamps his force on Alesia’s slopes because he expects Caesar attack east before reinforcements be summoned. blows all afternoon until the Roman cavalry finally defeat the Gauls and chase them from the field, discouraging the besieged Gauls as Caesar intended. relief army. This second line is just as savage and fortified as the first except this one faces outward. such a ruthless delayed by the first line wide of defence ditch and but reach Caesar’s battle cavalry too late drive to aid them theback relieftoarmy’s Alesia; efforts. construction Gauls continues on both sides untilof completion. Roman lines retire to their camps. Gauls Romans (Vercingetorix) (Julius Caesar) 150, 000 infantry 40, 000 infantry 23, 000 cavalry 15, 000 Romans (Caesar) Symbol guide Mount Rea Mount de Bussy Rabutin River Oze River Vercingetorix Romans Gauls Alesia Infantry Cavalry Brenne River Ozerain River Plain of Laumes Mount Penneville Heights of Mussyle-Fosse Gauls (Vercingetorix) Commius/ Vercassivellaunus/ Viridomarus/ Epoderix Landmarks Mount de Flavigny 0 1 2 3 km
The Gaulsisscout the. Gallic impressive Roman lines for weaknesses before considering assault. The Gallic leaders the. Caesar’s most vulnerable sectorreinforcements to behis the presence northwest At midnight, the relief army launches anthe attack on the western side the fortifications. is able to transfer to Fighting desperate in all sectors, especially in northwest theanother Romans are. Roman under attack fromdetermine two. Caesar sides. fortifications and Vercingetorix his subordinates to aofwhere council andofproposes surrender. Gauls have grave corner where a steepsummons hill prevents proper fortification. Under cover night, Vercassivellaunus leads a a strong infantry force. The behind the nearest hill; suffered he strikes against this the threatened sectors and. Hisrepel attack decisively, but sector only inspires after heavy fighting from the behind lines. Heofis circumvallation. prove their worth everywhere. timelythe appearance in the southern his infantry to defeat Gaulshis andextensive end this threat. then able to shift vulnerable place in daylight while the breached rest of the reliefthe army. Roman parades in fortifications front of their camp. while This massive attackhas is somehow coordinated. None with Vercingetorix who simultaneously casualties, have not yet no. Roman supplies. of infantry histhe subordinates reinforcements over totohelp the northwest sector hold while he sends hisone cavalry outside the fortifications. The cavalry sweep across flank and rear of Vercingetorix coordinate the relief army but learns of. Alesia the attackalmost when Romans do. His are therefore sends his infantrytries against three sides ofhis the attack Roman with lines of contravallation, ofonly which dismisses the attack atthe once. Caesar sends reinforcements to wherever is the heavily committed Gallic infantry, scattering the entire force. Vercingetorix sees the attack has failed and once again retires to Alesia. object. Vercingetorix personally surrenders to Caesar while nearly every Gallic tribe involved also capitulate. delayed by the first wide ditch and reach battle too late to aid the relief army’s efforts. Gauls on both sides of Roman lines retire to their camps. needed at that very moment. Gauls Romans (Vercingetorix) (Julius Caesar) 150, 000 infantry 40, 000 23, 000 cavalry 15, 000 Romans (Caesar) Vercassivellaunus Symbol guide Mount Rea Mount de Bussy Rabutin River Oze River Vercingetorix Romans Infantry Brenne River Cavalry Gauls Alesia Infantry Cavalry Ozerain River Plain of Laumes Mount Penneville Heights of Mussyle-Fosse Gauls (Vercingetorix) Commius/ Vercassivellaunus/ Viridomarus/ Epoderix Landmarks Mount de Flavigny 0 1 2 3 km
Alesia, 52 BC Casualties & Aftermath Romans: Gauls: 12, 000 >40, 000 or or 22% 23% The majority of the Gallic tribes immediately bowed down to Roman authority while Vercingetorix was taken to Rome and executed. The few resisting tribes still active were individually hunted down and defeated by Caesar the following year, ending the insurrection. Gaul remained pacified and part of Rome for a thousand years after its final conquest. By Jonathan Webb, 2009
The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps http: //www. theartofbattle. com By Jonathan Webb, 2009
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