Gallic War (1st century BC)
The Gallic War was not just one intense battle but a set of several, including the war against the Helvetii , against the Suevi and against the Vosges, in which it completely subdued a nation that covered the entire territory that goes from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel, with the military force of an experienced proconsul of Rome and well known when it comes to the history of this nation. Gallic wars summary
Who are we talking about? What nation are we referring to? How did the disagreement end? Can it be said that there was a winner? What was the beginning and development of this struggle due to? Find the answer to these and more questions in the details of this article.
When and where did the Gallic War take place?
The military conflict that we are making mention of in this document took place in the time elapsed from 58 BC to 51 BC, seven years of tension between the nations due to the existing war. It happened, possibly in the territory of Galatia , since it was about its territorial conquest by Rome. However, there is no certainty, since no source of information mentions the place, because there may be confusion due to the fact that several small battles that were part of this war were involved.
Enhance your reading: Treaties of Ciudad Juarez/background/consequences
Who participated in the Gallic War?
The protagonists of this war are quite clear, the discord was between Rome and the Gallic tribes but, in addition to mentioning only the nations faced in battle, we will name other characters that individually were part of what was the Gallic War , these are:
- The proconsul of Rome, Lucius Julius Caesar : also known as Marco Antonio. This one got to be the best and most competent of the captains in the political field and also in the military one of the Roman country. In addition, an influential man especially in those around him as long as they were part of his same social status. While he enjoyed his government position, he was quite a tyrant and an aggressive being, since his ambition made him reflect these attitudes, in fact, it was for these characteristics that several of his senators agreed on a future plot with which they planned to promptly lead him to his death. . Gallic wars summary
- The ” King of the Germans”, Ariovistus : this, as the title he received indicates, was the leader, captain or leader of the Germanic people since he conquered part of the Gallic territory. However, despite having demonstrated his military prowess by successfully defending the country, he suffered a heavy defeat against the Vosges and thus became completely exposed and weak in the Gallic War.
- The centurions of Legion IX of the Roman troops , Quinto Tulio Cicero and Lucio Voreno . Men who during the war only remained focused on becoming bearers of the title “The Bravest Centurion”.
Causes of the Gallic War
The history of the Gallic War has allowed us to conclude the main causes for this civil-military struggle to break out, which are: Gallic wars summary
- The thoughts of becoming a power politically speaking and the desire to escape its huge debts with this important yearned event proposed by General Julius Caesar .
- César’s ambition to be a renowned man in the world of the moment leads him to organize an expedition that results in disaster and with the desire to qualify in a higher socio-economic position forces him to fill the country with debts.
- The arrival of Germania in Gaul represented a great threat of invasion and rebellion for the inhabitants of Rome. Gallic wars summary
- The prosperity, wealth and organization of Galatia make it worthy of a Roman conquest for the benefit of the country, since this way they would obtain greater control over trade and the establishment of a renovating legislative system .
- The early Gaulish attacks on the Roman camps become the ideal excuse to meddle Rome with the affairs of Gaul.
Enhance your reading: Treaties of Teoloyucan/Background/signing/Consequences
Consequences of the Gallic War
Behind the causes for our actions, whether for better or for worse, there are always consequences, which is why this conflict is no exception. Although for the Roman Empire they became positive because they achieved their stated objectives, the expansion of the Roman national territory had totally devastating consequences for the. Next, we mention the regrettable final results of this armed struggle. Gallic wars summary
- The conquest of 800 cities in Gaul .
- The subjugation of 300 defenseless Gallic tribes .
- 3,000,000 people converted into prey for sale as slaves .
- 1,000,000 lives lost in battle .
- The tribute or booty of 40,000,000 sesterces with which it is possible to settle any debt that the Roman country had until then.
- The start of the Battle of Alesia . Gallic wars summary
Winner of the Gallic War
Don’t you know yet? There is no room for doubt, since the battle was won by the Roman army over the resistance of the Gallic inhabitants. This is due to the audacity of its Emperor Julius Caesar who undertook the task of knowing the enemy movements and actions in order to know them better and find the weak point to attack right at the juncture and obtain a sure victory.
In addition, the numerical volume of combatants of the troop legions was much higher compared to their enemy thanks again to the incentive of Caesar, since during the war period he kept the army alive by rewarding them for their work with promotions to positions of commanding higher and forcing them to do their best in warfare to obtain that reward. Gallic wars summary
Otherwise, if there are weaknesses within his army, Julius Caesar himself would discipline the fighting group through his subordinates since it was unacceptable that with such perfect training and with sufficient specialized weapons, towers, pikes, traps, and other artifacts defensive players fainted in a fight. They were, and had to prove to be, at all times and in each of their warlike encounters, the toughest and strongest army that could exist on the face of the earth. Gallic wars summary