Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
The Gallic Wars - Coggle Diagram
The Gallic Wars
Caesar Vs Ariovistus
Allegedly (according to Gallic tribes) Ariovistus was invited across the Rhine to intervene in a dispute and had started gobbling up territory
-
-
Gauls wanted Caesar to intervene on their behalf, and he agreed to set up a meeting with Ariovistus
-
-
Caesar demanded the cease of all millitary activity, the return ofd hostages and to stop bringing Germans across the Rhine. Ariovistus said no to these demands
Caesar received two pieces of intelligence 1. That Ariovistus had mobilised an army to march on Roman allies 2. Hundreds of thousands of Germans were waiting to cross the Rhine
Caesar and the germans raced to Vesontion, a heavily fortified town
A face to face meeting was established, with 10 men on horseback accompanied each general
The meeting failed as threats were made. ariovistus attempted another meeting, but Caesar sent his Gallic interpreter instead and he was captured.
-
arivoistus had 3000 men, whilst Caesar had 25000
Caesar manuvered his men in three columns around the hill, instructed one of the columns to construct a fortified encampment, whilst the rest held off Ariovistus
Ariovistus' religious advisors had said that victory was impossible until the next full moon. Caesar took this opportunity to march uo the hill and deploy right in front of the Germans
Ariovistus attacked, with his right seeming weaker than his centre and left. Caesar and placed his most inexperienced legions at the front. He ordered his first two lines forward with the third being kept in reserve
Ariovistus' men were organised into groups of 100 with the infantry acting as a solid wall and the cavalry launching hit and run attacks form behind the lines
With effort Caesar was able to break through on the right. However at the same time the left was collapsing. Crassus' son ordered the third line to rienforce. The germans retreated soon after.
Caesar vs the Helvetti
During his proconsulship, Caesar raised four legions from his three provinces, as well as two more form his own expense. This was not in response to any conflicts or orders from the Senate, making it illegal.
Shortly after in 58 BC, Caesar received reports of a large germanic tribe known as the Helvetti, migrating west. The trajectory of their movements would see them come close to Transalpine Gaul.
Caesar mobilised his legions to cut off the Helvetti on the outskirts of Roman territory, stopping them from crossing a river and ordering them to return east.
Shortly after, Caesar received word from nearby allied Gallic tribes that the Helvetti could pose a threat to their territories. Caesar then proceeded to tail the Helvetti, intending to battle them. He justified this, saying that it was necessary to stabilising the uneasy truce between the Gauls and the Romans. It is likely he had ulterior motives, such as debts to pay off.
The first battle saw Caesar's cavalry ambushed by the victory, greatly humbling him.
He opted to follow the Helvetti from a distance, likely waiting for the opportunity to strike.
He attempted to execute a surprise attack against them, by sending his close friend and general Labienus, with two legions so that they could fight the Helvetti on two fronts. However, this failed due to the incompetence of his scouts
Caesar then decided to withdraw to a nearby fortress to replenish the supplies of his army. However, this time the Helvetti followed Caesar, and attacked the rear of his army.
Caesar ordered his legions to fall back to a nearby hill, so that they might secure higher ground to battle the Helvetti. He then deployed his three most experienced legions to hold the line, while his other three troops stayed in reserve.
This tactic was concisdered bizarre by many other civilisations, but the Roman reserve tactic saved Caesar's army from a surprise attack from a third army of Gallic warriors that allied themselves with the Helvetti
The three armies battled for an entire day, before the Roman legions managed to nullify the Gallic warriors, and destroy two thirds of the Helvetti.
After recieving the Helvetti's surrender, Caesar had all their weapons confiscated, and ordered them to return east. he also decreed that should Rome ever need allies in a war, the Helvetti would supply warriors if they were summoned.