Julius Caesar - Wikipedia

Thank you my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that July 12 is the anniversary of the birth of Roman politician and military general Gaius Julius Caesar who was known by his cognomen Julius Caesar.

1. Background from ancient.eu/Julius_Caesar/
"Julius Caesar by Joshua J. Mark published on 28 April 2011
Gaius Julius Caesar was born 12 July 100 BCE (though some cite 102 as his birth year). His father, also Gaius Julius Caesar, was a Praetor who governed the province of Asia and his mother, Aurelia Cotta, was of noble birth. Both held to the Populare ideology of Rome which favored democratization of government and more rights for the lower class as opposed to the Optimate factions’ claim of the superiority of the nobility and traditional Roman values which favored the upper classes. It should be understood that the Optimate and the Populare were not political parties in conflict with each other but, rather, political ideologies which many people shifted toward and from, regardless of class in society. The concept of appealing to the people for support, rather than seeking approval from the Roman Senate or the other Patricians, would work well for Caesar later in life.

YOUTH & MILITARY SERVICE
When he was sixteen, his father died and Caesar became the head of the family. Deciding that belonging to the priesthood would bring the most benefit to the family, he managed to have himself nominated as the new High Priest of Jupiter. As a priest not only had to be of patrician stock, but married to a patrician, Caesar broke off his engagement to a plebian girl and married the patrician, Cornelia, daughter of a high profile and influential member of the Populares, Lucius Cinna. When the Roman ruler Sulla declared himself dictator, he began a systematic purge of his enemies and particularly of those who held to the Populare ideology. Caesar was targeted and fled Rome but his sentence was lifted through the intercession of his mother’s family. Still, he was stripped of his position as priest and his wife’s dowry was confiscated. Left without means of supporting himself or his family, Caesar joined the army.
He proved himself an effective soldier, even being awarded the civic crown for saving a life in battle, and was promoted to the staff of the military legate to Bithynia to secure a fleet of ships. In this, as in his time as a soldier, Caesar was successful and, when Sulla died, he decided to return to Rome and try his luck as an orator (a modern-day lawyer). In this, too, he proved a success and became well known as an eloquent speaker.

IT IS SAID THAT WHEN PIRATES TOLD HIM HE WOULD BE RANSOMED FOR TWENTY TALENTS, CAESAR CLAIMED HE WAS WORTH AT LEAST FIFTY.
In 75 BCE, while sailing to Greece, Caesar was kidnapped by pirates and held for ransom. In keeping with the high opinion he had of himself, it is said that when the pirates told him he would be ransomed for twenty talents, Caesar claimed he was worth at least fifty. While he was held captive by them, Caesar was treated well and consistently maintained a friendly relationship with the pirates. He is said to have repeatedly told them that, upon his release, he would hunt them down and have them crucified for the affront to his family and personal dignity and this threat the pirates understood as a joke. Upon his release, however, Caesar made good on that threat. He had the pirates’ throats slit before crucifixion, however, in a show of leniency owing to their easy treatment of him in captivity. This determination of Caesar’s, to do exactly what he said he would do, became one of his defining characteristics throughout his life.

THE FIRST TRIUMVIRATE
Back in Rome, Caesar was elected military tribune and, his wife Cornelia having died, married Pompeia, a wealthy Optimate granddaughter of the Emperor Sulla. Rising now in prominence in Rome, Caesar had enough prestige to effectively support Gnaeus Pompeius (later known as Pompey the Great) for a generalship. During this time he also became friends with the wealthiest man in Rome, Marcus Licinius Crassus. Crassus, it is thought, helped fund Caesar’s bid for election to the position of Chief Priest (Pontifex Maximus) which he won in 63 BCE. In 62 he was elected praetor, divorced Pompeia after a scandal she was implicated in with another man, and sailed for Spain in 61 as Propraetor (governor) of Hispania.
In Spain, Caesar defeated the warring rival tribes, brought stability to the region, and won the personal allegiance of his troops through his skill on the battlefield. He was awarded a consulship by the senate. Returning to Rome with high honors, Caesar entered into a business/political agreement with Pompey and Crassus, in 60 BCE, dubbed The First Triumvirate by modern scholars and historians (though no one in ancient Rome used that term). Caesar married Calpurnia, the daughter of a wealthy and powerful Populare senator, and married his daughter Julia to Pompey to further cement their arrangements. The three men together then effectively ruled Rome, Caesar as consul, by pushing through measures favored by Pompey or Crassus in the senate. Caesar proposed legislation for reform of government, opposing Optimate sentiment, and a redistribution of land to the poor, both long-held Populare goals. His initiatives were supported by Crassus’ wealth and Pompey’s soldiers, thus solidly aligning The First Triumvirate with the Populare faction. As long as Caesar was a public servant he was safe from prosecution by his Optimate enemies for his legal indiscretions but, once his consulship ended, he was sure to be indicted. Further, Caesar was deeply in debt, both financially and politically, to Crassus, and needed to raise both money and his prestige.

CAESAR'S CONQUEST OF GAUL
Recognizing the wealth to be gained through conquest, Caesar left Rome with his legions and went to Gaul in 58 BCE. He defeated the tribes there just as he had done in Spain and secured the borders of the provinces. When the Germanic tribes seemed threatening to invade, Caesar built a bridge over the Rhine River, marched his legions across in a show of force, then marched them back and had the bridge dismantled. The Germans understood the message and never invaded. He defeated the tribes of the north and twice invaded Britain (Rome’s first incursion into the British isles). At the Battle of Alesia, in 52 BCE, Caesar defeated the Gallic leader Vercingetorix and completed the conquest of Gaul. He was now effectively the sovereign of the province of Gaul with all the attendant wealth at his disposal.
Back in Rome, however, The First Triumvirate had disintegrated. Crassus was killed in battle against the Parthians in 54 BCE and, that same year, Julia died in childbirth. Without Caesar’s daughter and his financial and political backer tying him to Pompey, the latter aligned himself with the Optimate faction in Rome which he had long favored. Pompey was now the sole military and political power in Rome and had the senate declare Caesar’s governorship of Gaul terminated and, further, ordered him to return to Rome as a private citizen. This would mean Caesar could be prosecuted for his actions when he was consul.
Rather than returning to Rome as ordered, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his legions and marched on the city in 49 BCE. This was considered an act of war as the Rubicon was the border between the province of Gaul and Rome. Pompey, rather than meet Caesar’s legions in battle, fled to Spain and then to Greece where he was defeated by Caesar’s much smaller force at the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BCE. Pompey himself escaped from the battle and went to Egypt where he expected to find friends from his time spent there. News of Caesar’s great victory reached Egypt before him, however, and the Egyptians, believing that the gods favored Caesar over Pompey, had Pompey killed as he stepped on shore.
Caesar, arriving in Egypt in pursuit of Pompey, claimed outrage over Pompey’s death, proclaimed martial law, and took over the royal palace. According to the historian Durant, he then secretly sent for Cleopatra VII, co-regent with Ptolomey XIII who had been deposed and was in exile, who had herself smuggled through enemy lines rolled up inside a carpet (according to other sources, Cleopatra took the initiative herself, recognizing in Caesar her only hope to regain the throne). Caesar deposed the co-regent, Ptolemy XIII, and aligned himself with Cleopatra, igniting war between Caesar’s legions and the Egyptian army. Besieged in the palace by the Egyptians under Achillas, Caesar and Cleopatra held out for six months until reinforcements arrived in March of 47 BCE and the Egyptian army was defeated.
Caesar and Cleopatra seemed to have become lovers shortly after meeting, perhaps even that very night, and he remained in Egypt with her nine months. The historian Suetonius writes, he “often feasted with Cleopatra till daybreak and would have gone through Egypt with her in her royal barge almost to Ethiopia had not his soldiers threatened mutiny.” In 47 BCE, Cleopatra gave birth to a son, Ptolemy Caesar (known as Caesarion) and proclaimed him her heir and successor to the throne.
At this time, Pharnaces, son of Mithridates, fomented rebellion in the east and Caesar rose to crush it. Leaving Cleopatra as ruler in Egypt, Caesar led his legions through Asia Minor, defeating the tribes and subjugating the people there, and then turned his attention to his enemies in Rome. At the battle of Thapsus (near modern Tunisia) Caesar’s legions defeated the forces of the Optimate faction in 46 BCE and, in July of that year, he returned to Rome triumphant.

EGYPT & THE ROMAN REFORMS
In Egypt, Cleopatra hoped Caesar would recognize and legitimize Caesarion as his son and heir. Caesar, however, named his grandnephew, Gaius Octavius Thurinus (Octavian) heir. He did, however, bring Cleopatra, their son, and her entourage, to Rome and set them up comfortably in a home which he visited frequently, despite the fact that he was already married to Calpurnia. Although the senate seemed incensed by this indiscretion (as the bigamy laws in Rome were strictly enforced) Caesar was granted the title Dictator Perpetuus (dictator for life) in 44 BCE. Contrary to popular belief, he never held the title `emperor’.
He initiated many reforms including further land redistribution among the poor, land reform for veterans which eliminated the need to displace other citizens, as well as political reforms which proved unpopular with the senate. He ruled without regard to the senate, usually simply telling them which laws he wanted passed and how quickly, in an effort to consolidate and increase his own personal power. He reformed the calendar, created a police force, ordered the re-building of Carthage, and abolished the tax system, among many other pieces of legislation (of which quite a few were long-time Populare goals). His time as dictator is generally regarded as a prosperous one for Rome but the senators, and especially those among the Optimate faction, feared he was becoming too powerful and could soon abolish the senate entirely to rule absolutely as a king.

CAESAR'S DEATH & AFTERMATH
On March 15, 44 BCE, Caesar was assassinated by the senators in the portico of the basilica of Pompey the Great. Among the assassins were Marcus Junius Brutus, Caesar’s second choice as heir, and Gaius Cassius Longinus, along with many others (some ancient sources cite as many as sixty assassins). Caesar was stabbed twenty three times and died at the base of Pompey’s statue. The assassins, however, made the mistake of neglecting to plan what they would do following Caesar’s death and, in so doing, mistakenly allowed Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony), Caesar’s cousin and right-hand man, to live. Mark Antony turned the tide of Roman popular opinion against the conspirators and, allied with Octavian, defeated the forces of Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BCE.
Mark Antony later allied himself with Cleopatra VIII of Egypt following the victory and, Octavian thought, presented a substantial threat to Rome. In time, the former allies went to war and met in final battle. Cleopatra’s and Antony’s forces were defeated by Octavian at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE and they killed themselves a year later. Following their deaths, Octavian ordered Cleopatra’s son, Caesarion, murdered. After Octavian consolidated his power as the first emperor of Rome, he had Caesar deified and, as his adopted heir, proclaimed himself a son of god and took the name Augustus Caesar, Emperor. In doing so, he initiated the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire"


2. Images:
A. 40 BC legions Caesarian.
In thistable, one can see the development of the army of Julius Caesar: when he became governor of Gallia Cisalpina and Gallia Narbonensis, he took charge of four already existing legions (numbered VII, VIII, IX and X), but during the campaigns in Gaul and in the Civil war against Pompey, the army grew. When Caesar was murdered, there were many more legions, which were taken over by Caesar's successors.
Light red indicates a normal serving unit; dark red a veteran legion; grey means that it sides with Caesar's murderers; green and yellow indicate serving with Marc Antony or Octavian respectively.

I Legio Germanica
A consular legion, recruited in 55, that was sent to Caesar during the crisis after the revolt of Ambiorix. He sent it back to the Senate in 50.

I
One of the four consular legions, recruited by Caesar when he was consul in 48. Marc Antony brought it to Dyrrhachium in the spring of 49. It became famous as the First Germanic legion.

II
One of the four consular legions, recruited by Caesar when he was consul in 48. It was earmarked for Caesar's campaign against the Parthian empire, which was cancelled after the dictatator's death. In the summer of 44, it served under Marc Antony and was defeated at Modena, where it lost its standard (14 April 43).

III Legio Augusta /Legio Gallica
One of the four consular legions, recruited by Caesar when he was consul in 48. It was present at Munda (17 March 45). In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi; later, it participated in Marc Antony's war against the Parthian empire. As Third Gallic legion, it became famous.

IV Legio Macedonia
One of the four consular legions, recruited by Caesar when he was consul in 48. It was earmarked for Caesar's campaign against the Parthian empire, which was cancelled after the dictatator's death. In the summer of 44, it served under Marc Antony but it sided with Octavian and fought in the battle of Modena (April 43). In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi and returned to Italy with Octavian. Its later adventures are described here.

V Legio Alaudae
One of the two new legions created during the war against Vercingetorix (52). It took part in Caesar's invasion of Italy (49) and stayed in Apulia for some time. In the winter of 49/48, it served at Dyrrhachium. It was not present at Pharsalus, but took part in the African campaign (46), where it gained its legionary emblem: an elephant. The Fifth was present at Munda (17 March 45) and sided with Marc Antony in 44. After the battle of Philippi (42), veterans were settled at Berytus. Later, it participated in Marc Antony's war against the Parthian empire. Its later adventures are described here.

VI Legio Ferrata /
One of the two new legions created during the war against Vercingetorix (52). In the summer of 49, it fought in Hispania in the battle of Ilerda. In the winter of 49/48, it served at Dyrrhachium. It was present at Pharsalus (9 August 48), Alexandria (48/47) and Zela (47). The Sixth was present at Munda (17 March 45). In 45, the veterans received land at Arles. The legion was reformed by Lepidus in the spring of 43. In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi; later, it participated in Marc Antony's war against the Parthian empire. Its later adventures are described here.

VII Legio Gemina
One of Caesar's four legions when he became governor of Gallia Cisalpina. He mentions it in his accounts of the battle against the Nervians, the two expeditions to Britain, and a campaign near Paris. The men were reenlisted in 53. During the civil war against Pompey, it fought in Hispania in the battle of Ilerda (summer 49). In the spring of 48, it served at Dyrrhachium. The Seventh was present at Pharsalus (9 August 48). After this battle, the soldiers were sent back to Italy to be pensioned off, but in 46, they participated in Caesar's African campaign. In 45, the veterans received land at Capua and Luca, but next year, when the dictator had been killed, many of them joined Octavian. In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi and returned to Italy with Octavian. Veterans were settled in Mauretania. Its later adventures are described here.

VIII
One of Caesar's four legions when he became governor of Gallia Cisalpina. He mentions it in his accounts of the battle against the Nervians and the siege of Gergovia. The men were reenlisted in 53. It took part in Caesar's invasion of Italy (49) and stayed in Apulia for some time. In the winter of 49/48, it served at Dyrrhachium. It was present at Pharsalus (9 August 48). After this battle, the soldiers were sent back to Italy to be pensioned off, but in 46, they participated in Caesar's African campaign. In 45, the veterans received land at Casilinum, but next year, when the dictator had been killed, many of them joined Octavian. In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi and returned to Italy with Octavian. Next year, the veterans received land near Teanum. Its later adventures are described here.

IX Legio Hispana
One of Caesar's four legions when he became governor of Gallia Cisalpina. He mentions it in his accounts of the battle against the Nervians. The men were reenlisted in 53. During the civil war against Pompey, it fought in Hispania in the battle of Ilerda (Summer 49); later, the soldiers were transferred to Placentia, where they briefly revolted. In the spring of 48, it served at Dyrrhachium. It was present at Pharsalus (9 August 48). After this battle, the soldiers were sent back to Italy to be pensioned off, but in 46, they participated in Caesar's African campaign. Some veterans were settled in Picenum, others at Histria. Its later adventures are described here.

X Legio Equestris / [Octavian] Legio Gemina
One of Caesar's four legions when he became governor of Gallia Cisalpina. He mentions it in his accounts of an encounter with the German leader Ariovistus (where he states that he has always trusted it completely), the battle against the Nervians (where the tenth legion saved the day), the invasion of Britain (where its standard bearer played a heroic role), and the siege of Gergovia. It is possible that the legion was called Equestris ("the knights") already, because Caesar describes how he used the soldiers as cavalry.

The men were reenlisted in 53. In the civil war against Pompey, they fought in Hispania in the battle of Ilerda (summer 49). In the spring of 48, the Tenth served at Dyrrhachium. It was present at Pharsalus (9 August 48). After this battle, the soldiers were sent back to Italy to be pensioned off, but in 46, they participated in Caesar's African campaign. The Tenth was also present at Munda (17 March 45). In 45, the veterans received land at Narbonne. The legion was reconstituted by Lepidus in the spring of 43. In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi and veterans were settled at Patras; later, it participated in Marc Antony's war against the Parthian empire and the Actium campaign. When it had become part of the army of Octavian, the Tenth revolted and was punished: it lost its prestigious name. Veterans from other legions were added, and it became known as X Gemina ("the twin legion").

XI
One of the two legions that Caesar recruited to fight against the Helvetians. He mentions it in his account of the battle against the Nervians (57). The men were reenlisted in 52. In the summer of 49, it fought in Hispania in the battle of Ilerda and in the spring of 48 at Dyrrhachium. It was present at Pharsalus (9 August 48), after which veterans were settled at Patras. The legion was disbanded in 45. In 42, however, it was reconstituted by Julius Caesar's heir Octavian. After it had fought for the triumvirs at Philippi, the legion may have participated in Marc Antony's war against the Parthian empire.Its later adventures are described here.

XII Legio Fulminata
One of the two legions that Caesar recruited to fight against the Helvetians. He mentions it in his account of the battle against the Nervians (57). The men were reenlisted in 52. During the civil war against Pompey, it took part in Caesar's invasion of Italy (49) and stayed in Apulia for some time. In the spring of 48, it served at Dyrrhachium. It was present at Pharsalus (9 August 48) and was called Paterna after the victory. In 45, the men were pensioned off and received land in the neighborhood of Parma (45). In 42, however, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi, and later, it participated in Marc Antony's war against the Parthian empire. Its later adventures are described here.

XIII Legio Germina
One of the two legions that Caesar recruited to fight against the Belgians. He implies the existence of a thirteenth legion in his account of the battle against the Nervians, describes how it encountered the Aremoricans and states that it was present during the siege of Gergovia. The men were reenlisted in 51 and were with Caesar when he crossed the Rubico in January 49. After the conquest of Italy, they stayed in Apulia for some time. In the winter of 49/48, it served at Dyrrhachium. In late 48, the soldiers were sent back to Italy to be pensioned off, but in 46, they participated in Caesar's African campaign. They were probably also present during the battle of Munda (45); on their way back home, they were honorably dicharged and received land. The later adventures of the reconstituted unit are described here.

XIV Legio Germina
One of the two legions that Caesar recruited to fight against the Belgians. He implies the existence of a fourteenth legion in his account of the battle against the Nervians. The legion was destroyed by Ambiorix in the first weeks of 53 (text) and immediately reconstituted. During the civil war against Pompey, it fought in Hispania in the battle of Ilerda (49). In the spring of 48, it served at Dyrrhachium. It was not present at Pharsalus. In late 48, the soldiers were sent back to Italy to be pensioned off, but in 46, they participated in Caesar's African campaign. Its later adventures are described here.

XV Legio Allponiaris
Constituted together with the reconstitution of the Fourteenth in 53. When Gaul was subdued, Caesar sent it to Italy to become part of an expeditionary force that was to be sent against the Parthian empire. However, the Senate used it to defend Italy against an attack by Caesar. When this took place in 49, the fifteenth sided with the invader. Caesar ordered this legion to occupy Africa, but it was destroyed in the autumn of 49/48.

XVI
Constituted in January 49. Caesar ordered it to occupy Africa, but it was destroyed in the autumn of 49/48. After the battle of Philippi (42), survivors were settled at Troy.

XVII
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49. It may have seen action during the siege of Marseilles.

XVIII
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49. It may have seen action during the siege of Marseilles.

XIX
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49. It may have seen action during the siege of Marseilles. Veterans were settled Nuceria in 41.

XX Legio Valera Victrix / XXIV
Legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49.

XXV
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49. It participated in Caesar's African war (46).

XXVI
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49. It participated in Caesar's war in Africa (46), where it remained until 43. In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi. Next year, veterans received land near Luca.

XXVII
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49. In the winter of 49/48, it served at Dyrrhachium. It was present at Pharsalus (9 August 48) and Alexandria (48/47), where it stayed. It was earmarked for Caesar's campaign against the Parthian empire, which was cancelled after the dictatator's death. It remained therefore in Egypt and seems to have sided with the republicans at the battle of Philippi (42).

XXVIII
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49; it fought in Hispania. It participated in Caesar's African war (46) and may have been present at Munda (45). In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi.

XXIX
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49. It may have been present in Hispania and participated in Caesar's African war (46). In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi. Next year, its veterans were settled near Hadria.

XXX
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the summer of 49; it fought in Hispania. It participated in Caesar's African war (46). In 42, it fought for the triumvirs at Philippi. It was surnamed Classica; settlers are attested in Beneventum.

XXXI
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the first weeks of 48. Until 41, it served on Crete. It may have fought for Brutus and Cassius at Philippi.

XXXII
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the first weeks of 48. It may have fought for Brutus and Cassius at Philippi.

XXXIII
One of the legions that Caesar constituted in the first weeks of 48. Veterans were settled in central Italy in 41. It may have fought for Brutus and Cassius at Philippi.

XXXIV
One of the legions that Caesar constituted after the defeat of Pompey out of his troops.

XXXV
One of the legions that Caesar constituted after the defeat of Pompey out of his troops. It was earmarked for Caesar's campaign against the Parthian empire, which was cancelled after the dictatator's death. In the summer of 44, it served under Marc Antony and was defeated at Modena, where it lost its standard (14 April 43).

XXXVI
One of the legions that Caesar constituted after the defeat of Pompey out of his troops. It fought at Zela (2 August 47) and was earmarked for Caesar's campaign against the Parthian empire, which was cancelled after the dictatator's death. It seems to have sided with the republicans at the battle of Philippi (42).

XXXVII
One of the legions that Caesar constituted after the defeat of Pompey out of his troops. It may have fought at Zela (47) and may have been surnamed Pontica. It was earmarked for Caesar's campaign against the Parthian empire, which was cancelled after the dictatator's death.

XXXVIII
Legions that Caesar constituted in 45 to substitute the veteran legions that were pensioned off. It fought on the side of the triumvirs during the battle of Philippi (42) and its veterans were settled in Macedonia.

XXXIX / XXXXVII
Legions that Caesar constituted in 45 to substitute the veteran legions that were pensioned off. Legion XXXXVI was surnamed Classica.

B. 58 BC The Battle of Alesia, Caesar's Greatest Victory "Alesia was an oppidum (fortified settlement) on a lofty hill, with two rivers on two different sides. Due to such strong defensive features, Caesar decided on a siege to force surrender by starvation. Considering that about 80,000 men were garrisoned in Alesia, together with the local civilian population, this would not have taken long. To guarantee a perfect blockade, Caesar ordered the construction of an encircling set of fortifications, a circumvallation, around Alesia. It was eleven Roman miles long (16 km, each mile equivalent to around 1,000 left-foot steps, meaning one stepped with their right, then left) long and had 24 redoubts (towers). While work was in progress, the Gauls carried out cavalry sallies to disrupt the construction. Caesar placed the legions in front of the camp in case of a sally by the infantry and got his Germanic allies to pursue the Gallic cavalry.
Vercingetorix sent the cavalry around Gaul to call the Gallic tribes to war and come to Alesia. When Caesar heard of this from deserters and captives, he dug a trench twenty feet deep (6 metres, 19 ft.) with perpendicular sides, raised all other works four hundred feet (118 m, 388 ft.) from that trench, and in between he dug two trenches fifteen feet (4.4 m,14.5 ft.) in length and depth; the inner-most trench being filled with water from the rivers. Behind them he built a twelve feet high (3.5 m, 11.6 ft.) rampart and wall with a parapet and large stakes projecting from the joint between the parapet and the battlement to prevent the enemy from scaling it. This was surrounded with turrets eighty feet apart (23.7 m, 77.7 ft.). The stakes for the palisade were sharpened to a point, sunk into a five-feet deep trench (1.5m, 4.85 ft.), fastened at the bottom so that they could not be pulled up, and placed in five intersected rows. Eight rows, three feet apart (0.89 m, 2.9 ft.), of conic pits which were three feet deep were dug in oblique rows in the form of a quincunx (an arrangement of five objects with four at the corners the fifth at the centre) in front of the palisade. They were called 'cippi'; or stakes sharpened at the top and hardened with fire and the thickness of a man’s thigh. These stakes were sunk in the pits and protruded four inches (0.1 m, 3.9 inches) from the ground. The pits were then filled with clay and covered over with twigs. Lastly, one-foot-long stakes (0.3 m) with iron hooks were sunk at small intervals in front of the pits. To prepare for the arrival of the Gallic relief forces he constructed an outer fortification, a contravallation, with the same specifications as protection against external attack by the Gallic relief force. The besiegers were preparing to be besieged.
The food supply of the population of Alesia and the 80,000 soldiers it hosted could not last long. Vercingetorix ordered all the grain to be brought to him and rationed it. The Gauls held a council and it was decided that the old and the sick should leave the town. The inhabitants of the town sent out their wives and children to save food for the fighters, hoping that Caesar would take them as captives and feed them. However, Caesar forbade their being admitted to his fortification, as this would mean many more mouths to feed. To avoid the moral dilemma of taking food from his troops to feed to his captives, he simply did not take captives. Meanwhile, the Gallic relief force arrived and encamped on a hill one mile from the Roman fortification. The next day and in preparation for an attack on the Romans from the Southeast, the relief encamped near the town. On the morning of the third day, the fresh Gallic force attacked the outer fortification while the besieged Gauls under Vercingetorix attacked the inner. However, this combined attack was ultimately unsuccessful, not because of a lack of men, but because of a lack of resources. The Gauls simply did not have appropriate means of circumventing Caesar's fortifications. The next day, changing tactics, the Gauls attacked at night using the same double-edged method. Marc Antony and legate Caius Trebonius, marched in troops from the remote forts around the region in support of their comrades. This military move, and the cavalry charge that proceeded it, is regarded as one of the endearing moments of Marc Antony's career. At the first light of the next day, the relief forces, fearing being surrounded by a Roman sally, withdrew. The advance of the morning by the besieged, led by Vercingetorix himself this time, was delayed by having to fill trenches dug by the Romans. On hearing of the retreat of their comrades, they returned to the town."

C. A map of Caesar's campaign against the Helvetii in Gaul, 58 BC.

Roman History 08 - Caesar And the Gallic Wars 65 - 50 BC
This is from the podcast series The History Of Rome by Mike Duncan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdW_oZU4LIs

FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher Crayne SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) SSG David Andrews

Maj Marty Hogan awesome read/share.

You left out important details such as Caesar was indebted prior to the Gallic wars, and became rich because of graft, and skimming of taxes. He also grew rich by selling slaves. When he would conquer a city, he would demand tribute ($$$) and cede power to him. When cities would rebel, he would sell the inhabitants into slavery. Entire cities were eliminated this way. Also left out, was the Romans considered the Germans to be invincible, and Caesar narrowly won out. That was the importance of his conquest over the Rhein.