Caesar and His Legions: the Gallic Wars
Caesar and his Legions
The Gallic Wars
Matthew Brown
Com/150
Professor Charles Nelson
3/3/2012
Throughout history, few names have been able to stand the test of time. Through political achievements and bloody military conquests Julius Caesar rose to power in one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. Caesar’s Gallic campaign is to this day one of the most successful military campaigns in history, adding enormous wealth and power not only to Rome but to himself. His legions loved him, his enemies feared him, and Rome was never to be the same because of him. Julius Caesar is one of the greatest military commanders in history. Julius Caesar ended his consulship of Rome in 58 BC, which by Roman law lasts only one year and is also shared with another consul. Shortly after, Caesar became the governor of Roman provinces in the northern territory of the Republic (Northern Italy.) His run for consulship left him in severe debt and the vast and wealthy territories of Gaul could easily help repay the debt along with massing extreme wealth. Gaul was inhabited by several tribes of people and the Romans had become weary that these tribes may begin to settle on Roman lands. These fears became realized when the Helvetian people began the move and thus gave Caesar a golden opportunity for glory and wealth as well as performing his duty as a provincial Governor.
\ After several peace negotiations failed, Caesar went on the offensive with six Roman legions, a highly skilled and disciplined unit consisting of roughly 5,000 men. He led his legions, which totaled nearly 30,000 men and several more thousand auxiliary troops through the Alps. While en route they crossed territories of hostile tribes and fought skirmishes along the way until he reached the river Arar. There he surprised and massacred the Helvetii while attempting to cross the river. Most of the Helvetii escaped across the river and after the battle Caesar had a bridge built in a day and led in pursuit
The Gallic Wars
Matthew Brown
Com/150
Professor Charles Nelson
3/3/2012
Throughout history, few names have been able to stand the test of time. Through political achievements and bloody military conquests Julius Caesar rose to power in one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. Caesar’s Gallic campaign is to this day one of the most successful military campaigns in history, adding enormous wealth and power not only to Rome but to himself. His legions loved him, his enemies feared him, and Rome was never to be the same because of him. Julius Caesar is one of the greatest military commanders in history. Julius Caesar ended his consulship of Rome in 58 BC, which by Roman law lasts only one year and is also shared with another consul. Shortly after, Caesar became the governor of Roman provinces in the northern territory of the Republic (Northern Italy.) His run for consulship left him in severe debt and the vast and wealthy territories of Gaul could easily help repay the debt along with massing extreme wealth. Gaul was inhabited by several tribes of people and the Romans had become weary that these tribes may begin to settle on Roman lands. These fears became realized when the Helvetian people began the move and thus gave Caesar a golden opportunity for glory and wealth as well as performing his duty as a provincial Governor.
\ After several peace negotiations failed, Caesar went on the offensive with six Roman legions, a highly skilled and disciplined unit consisting of roughly 5,000 men. He led his legions, which totaled nearly 30,000 men and several more thousand auxiliary troops through the Alps. While en route they crossed territories of hostile tribes and fought skirmishes along the way until he reached the river Arar. There he surprised and massacred the Helvetii while attempting to cross the river. Most of the Helvetii escaped across the river and after the battle Caesar had a bridge built in a day and led in pursuit
References: Caesar, G. J. (n.d.). Commentaries on the Gallic War Caesar 's literary aims in the Gallic War. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.livius.org/caa-can/caesar/caesar_gallic_war00.html Lendering, J. (2009). The Conquest of Gaul. Retrieved from Rickard, J. (2009). Gallic War. Retrieved from http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_gallic.html#8