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Alesia (52 BCE)

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Aerial view of Alesia, seen from the east. In 58 BCE, Julius Caesar started to conquer Gaul, to put an end to the (perceived) Gallic threat of to Italy. After two campaigns, he had reached the Middle Meuse and the Ocean, which was sufficient to boast that the mission had been accomplished. However, the Gauls reorganized themselves, and in 54-51, Caesar had to fight against two formidable enemies: Ambiorix in Belgium and Vercingetorix in Central Gaul. Genocide was the answer to the first challenge; the other rebel was isolated at Alesia (modern Alise St Reine). This aerial view was taken from the east.
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Map of Caesar's fortifications at Alesia. Design Jona Lendering. Because the Romans were in the minority, they surrounded Alesia with large fortifications, which were excavated in the nineteenth century. Here you can read Caesar's own account. Here you can see a satellite photo.
Modern reconstruction of Caesar's siege works. Archéodrome, Beaune (France).
 Gallic warriors who wanted to reach the Roman walls, first had to cross a field of stimuli, wood blocks with iron hooks fixed in them. The next obstacle was a field of lilies, sharpened stakes in pits. Then came the trenches of grave-stones, impenetrable artificial underwood. Two trenches and a palisade with towers were the inner core of the defense works. This picture shows a modern  reconstruction at the Archéodrome near Beaune in France.
Nineteenth-century statue of Vercingetorix, erected by the French emperor Napoleon III at Alesia. A Gallic relieve force tried to raise the siege, but was defeated. Next day, Vercingetorix surrendered. Although this was not the end of the war in Gaul, the Romans had gained control of the situation again. About one million Gauls had been sold as slaves and an equal number had been massacred; the remaining five million had to accept Roman rule.

Alesia was excavated in the nineteenth century by the French emperor Napoleon III, who believed that the French nation combined the best elements of the Gallic and Roman cultures. This statue was erected on the hill of Alesia. According to ancient coins, Vercingetorix had no mustache; the impressive one on this statue was added because Napoleon had a famous tache.

  
Coin with a portrait of Vercingetorix. Coin with a portrait of Vercingetorix.
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