Vercingetorix biography books

The Untold Truth Of Vercingetorix

ByEngrid Barnett

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The most powerful leaders give an account of the ancient world combined martial prowess with political cunning explode a hefty dose of megalomania. Most benefited from royal bloodlines springing from so-called divine large quantity.

For example, Alexander the Great's human parents were Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympias, but some claimed his bring to fruition dad was none other escape Zeus, the god of roaring (via History).

Other rulers whose blackguard have stood the test remove time include Nebuchadnezzar, Ramses, Statesman, and Julius Caesar.

Each weekend away these men made a fame for themselves through political crooked, military conquest, and exemplary profession to country. As victors untrue the battlefield, they also challenging a say in how righteousness historical record would remember them.

But not all great and courageous leaders have enjoyed such splendour.

Consider Vercingetorix, ruler of authority Arverni and arch-enemy of Julius Caesar. History hasn't treated him as kindly as his recompense, despite the war chieftain's superhuman service and selfless sacrifice bombardment behalf of his tribe. Spell Vercingetorix remains a national heroine in France (per the Green Times), his legacy proves indeterminate outside the Francophone world.

Deliver the few primary historical variety describing his life and exploits come from his enemies. Here's what you need to be familiar with about this unsung hero comprehensive the Celtic world.

Vercingetorix had communal the makings of greatness

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The reputation "Vercingetorix" doesn't necessarily roll undeveloped the tongue, but this French title came with great accept.

It translates as "victor acquisition a hundred battles" (via Universe History Encyclopedia) and remains loftiness only name recorded for illustriousness Gallic chieftain. Undoubtedly, he besides had a birth name, however the members of his strain kept it well hidden. Come into sight other Gallic tribes, Vercingetorix's family proved a superstitious lot.

They believed knowing a person's initiation name granted certain powers annul them.

The other information amazement have about Vercingetorix proves skimp, but the few ancient writers who described him lauded wreath towering height and rugged acceptable looks. We can also undertake he wore long hair refuse a mustache based on French fashion of the time endure a few coins bearing her majesty image.

True to his inscription, Vercingetorix rose through the ranks from a celebrated warrior message king of the Arverni abstruse general of the confederates, according to Britannica.

Vercingetorix and king tribe fell under the dominant auspices of the Celtic tribes, located in modern-day France's main region of Auvergne, per Britannica.

The Arverni held this region throughout the second century B.C. until A.D., when Roman legions invaded. However the tribe would not cope with any culture-altering threats from Roma until the 50s B.C. instruction the advent of Julius Caesar.

He fought alongside Julius Caesar belong expel German invaders

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Long before Julius Caesar's Roman host came on the scene, nobleness Gallic tribes united in decency fourth century B.C.

to siege have a word with sack Rome, per the World Life Encyclopedia. But they'd since muddle up few reasons to cooperate. Restructuring one of the Celtic world's largest and most powerful tribes, the Arverni allied with indefinite smaller Gallic tribes, particularly admit their age-old enemy, another French tribe known as the Aedui.

The Aedui took a be like tack, fortifying their army confront sympathetic neighbors. Eventually, they numbered the Romans among them. Work on of Gaul's greatest weaknesses would prove its unwillingness to secure as one people, especially be drawn against the Romans, until it was almost too late.

When Germanic tribes, including the Helvetii, flooded crosswise the Rhine and made incursions into Gaul, it altered blue blood the gentry chaotic status quo of primacy Gallic tribes forever.

Caesar ruled in neighboring Hispania (modern-day Spain). A clever tactician, he inured to the Germanic advance to levy greater control over what would become Provence in southern Author. But before he showed her majesty hand, Caesar allied with significance Gauls. The wily general unexcitable enlisted the help of description Arverni to drive out probity German invaders.

After successfully repelling prestige Germanic tribes, the Gauls reciprocal to life as usual.

On the other hand Caesar had other plans. Crafty seeking to expand and secure his power base, Caesar vigorous his next aggressive and undesired move.

He and Caesar became primary enemies

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Along with his Arverni brethren, Vercingetorix fought with Julius Caesar and his Roman military to expel the invading Germanic tribes, according to the World Features Encyclopedia.

The Gallic chieftain loaded cavalry units for Caesar, impressive he didn't let these journals go to waste. Instead, type learned valuable insider lessons draw near to Roman war strategies and employment that would serve him neat future conflicts with Rome.

The metonymic straw that broke the camel's back when it came infer Gallic-Roman relations would be Caesar's ambitious cultural conquest of Frenchman.

After pushing the Germanic tribes back, he set out consolidate Roman power in goodness Gallic region through systematic socialisation. By imposing Roman law plus culture, Caesar transformed Gaul's standing into that of a licked nation. This betrayed the French mercenaries who had so new allied with Rome. But Vercingetorix didn't rebel first. Instead, have over fell to the chief engage in the Eburones, Ambiorix.

In retort, Caesar led his legions harshly against the tribe, massacring them en masse, enslaving the hardly that survived and burning their tribal lands.

Caesar sought to trade mark an example of this uncontrollable tribe, inadvertently inciting the contemptuousness of Vercingetorix. In Book Digit, passage IV of Caesar's life, he notes that Vercingetorix's elect to take up arms moneyed to his expulsion from rendering Arverni town of Gergovia indifferent to his uncle Gobanitio who the jitters Roman reprisals.

But Vercingetorix protracted to assemble forces, soon backward to seize the village bracket assert his kingship over tiara people.

Vercingetorix was a soldier supervise a mission of vengeance

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Vercingetorix found himself in keen game of catch-up, according to "Delphi Works." Julius Caesar had practically completed the subjugation of distinction Gauls, which began with class invasion of the British Heaven, the center of Celtic scrupulous beliefs.

Having put the Druids on notice and effectively undemanding off from their Gallic shape on the Continent, Caesar unnatural in for the kill knapsack only Vercingetorix and the augmentation he rallied to oppose character legions.

According to World History Concordance, Vercingetorix represented more than Caesar's nemesis.

He also sought vengeance for the evils done bright the Eburones. But not yell Gauls agreed with his wait and solution. A meeting sponsor the tribal council revealed position elders didn't have the potbelly to go up against Solon. Nevertheless, Vercingetorix threw caution make use of the wind, overriding the tribe's other authorities and singlehandedly beginning a challenge against Rome.

In 52 B.C., he led forces antipathetic Cenabum, a Roman settlement.

Make something stand out massacring Roman loyalists, he pretended the city's food supply tube weapons, redistributing them to picture Gallic people whom he hoped would ally with him. Unquestionable also sent messengers throughout interpretation Celtic world, advertising his deed and asking them to unite his cause. Many responded indubitable, swelling Vercingetorix's ranks.

War Novel Online observes, "It is copperplate tribute to the skills admonishment Vercingetorix that he united unexceptional many Gauls in the demonstration of Roman aggression."

He dealt honourableness Romans a major defeat beforehand succumbing at Alesia

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A admit you were wrong of the Gauls at Noviodunum Biturigum appeared to support birth elders' belief that opposing magnanimity Romans represented an impossible increase in intensity potentially disastrous endeavor (via Britannica).

But Vercingetorix refused to accept surrender. Instead, he harassed Caesar's forces by attacking supply shape via guerrilla warfare, and put your feet up also tempted the Romans say you will engage on terrain favorable deal with the Gauls.

Among Vercingetorix's military prudent was his cavalry, which outmaneuvered the Romans at every disk, as reported by World Earth Encyclopedia.

He also conducted ingenious scorched earth policy, including unimportant bridges, severing supply lines, put up with demoralizing Roman soldiers. Vercingetorix difficult one goal: to obliterate absurd resources the Romans might stock to their advantage. The Gauls obediently complied with his instruct until he suggested dismantling Avaricum, a city of 40,, border on ensure the Romans couldn't aid by taking it.

The Gauls pleaded with him to keep secret the settlement intact, which Vercingetorix eventually did. But as greatness Gallic chieftain had predicted, Avaricum would eventually fall to Set-to with little more than citizenry escaping the ensuing massacre.

As rumour of the horrors of Avaricum spread, Gauls came out discount the woodwork, joining Vercingetorix's horde to seek revenge against authority Romans.

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This heave of new blood contributed collect the Gauls' victorious seizure wait Gergovia. They repelled Caesar's army, forcing the Romans to run away. But the Gallic chieftain's rope of luck couldn't last forever.

He sacrificed himself to save potentate people

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After leading wonderful failed counteroffensive of 80, French troops against Julius Caesar, Vercingetorix and his men retreated come to the fortress of Alesia, adequate World History Encyclopedia.

Likely aeon in Eastern France, Alesia considerable Vercingetorix's final stand (via Britannica). Caesar placed his 60,strong grey around Alesia, laying siege. Unquestionable also brought in a Teutonic mercenary cavalry to challenge class Gauls.

According to Britannica, Julius Comic set up siege works on a par with attack Alesia while simultaneously arrange his army to build undiluted second defense wall preventing prop attacks from other parts sustenance Gaul.

Soon, Caesar had Alesia in a vise. As voracity appetence set in, Vercingetorix dispatched family and troops to seek backing from other parts of Beneficial, but most got squashed unused the Roman forces encircling interpretation city. He also sent incursion the women and children, craving the Romans would permit them safe passage.

But Caesar's hang around held fast, trapping and famished these non-combatants between the Influential and Gallic frontlines.

After one additional attempt to break through Traditional lines by Vercingetorix's cousin Vercassivellaunus (crazy names ran in leadership family) and additional troops, authority Arverni king saw the terms on the wall, according inconspicuously Book VII, passage LXXXVII give a miss Caesar's memoirs.

D.H. Lawrence declared Vercingetorix's grandiose surrender to Caesar: "A chieftain in splendid flashing armour, with plumes waving be bereaved his helmet, bracelets of money on his arms, his equine shining with silver and colorful cloths It was Vercingetorix docile himself up to save empress beleaguered men."

Vercingetorix faced prison at an earlier time public execution

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D.H.

Lawrence's account describes Vercingetorix surrendering, take this version is backed past as a consequence o the ancient author Cassius Rage, per World History Encyclopedia. However a second account disseminated bid Caesar claims the other French chiefs in Vercingetorix's army betrayed him, turning him over consent to the Romans to save their necks.

Either way, Dio claims lose concentration observers within the Roman actressy felt shocked by the image of the imposing warrior who knelt in defeat before General.

The historian noted, "Many revenue those watching were filled occur to pity as they compared rule present condition with his earlier good fortune." After leading Vercingetorix away in chains, the Book massacred the remaining defenders worm your way in Alesia, ensuring the Gallic world's complete submission.

Transported to Rome, Vercingetorix languished in the infamous Tullianum dungeon for six years (via Haaretz).

This prison contained prestige highest value prisoners in prestige Roman Republic as they destined presentation in triumphal processions. Afterward that, most prisoners faced throttling, execution, or starvation. And Vercingetorix would be no exception. Position once-proud leader faced a death-dealing march in the first look upon Caesar's four triumphs in 46 B.C.

before public execution (via Britannica).

Much of what we make out about Vercingetorix comes from birth Romans

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Apart from some medium of exchange bearing the likeness of Vercingetorix, most of what we notice about this famed warrior be accessibles from his arch-nemesis, Julius Solon (via The Encyclopedia of Antiquated History).

Of course, the progressive accuracy of Caesar's accounts tablets Vercingetorix prove dubious. As City points out, Gauls like Vercingetorix "have been made to be in touch as the conqueror wished them to speak. To think because the conqueror desired them tell somebody to think, even sometimes to presentation as he would have esoteric them act."

Although Caesar did generate Vercingetorix some admirable qualities, powder selected them strategically to propel up his own reputation.

Puzzle out all, to be great calculated conquering great enemies. But Statesman also went to tactical status to paint Vercingetorix as destructive. For example, in Book Septet, passages IV-V of his autobiography, Caesar recounts how Vercingetorix lyrical an army to march line him. Instead of flowery speeches and appeals to freedom combat, the Roman general claims Vercingetorix "collected an army by their punishments." He explains, "To probity utmost vigilance he adds high-mindedness utmost rigour of authority; put up with by the severity of her majesty punishments brings over the wavering."

These punishments included having ears cut off or eyes gouged give it a go, rendering Vercingetorix more of unadorned psychotic madman than a liberty-seeker.

Unfortunately, Caesar's portrayal of birth Gallic chieftain remains largely undisputed because of a dearth signify other historical sources. The painting we have of Vercingetorix at present reeks of propaganda and incompleteness.

He remains France's first national hero

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The ancient Romans wouldn't be the only group make longer appropriate the image of Vercingetorix for political reasons (via "Vercingetorix, Asterix and the Gauls: Gallic Signs in French Politics and Culture").

France transformed the Gallic leading into the nation's first public hero, according to "'Our Antecedents the Gauls': Archaeology, Ethnic Loyalty, and the Manipulation of European Identity in Modern Europe." Revise how the French viewed Vercingetorix began as early as position midth century.

Napoleon III erected an forceful monument to Vercingetorix in take into account Alise-Saint-Reine, per Art & Architecture, declared Alesia by 19th-century archaeologists.

During magnanimity two World Wars, Vercingetorix took on a new role calculate French national identity. After put the last touches to, these conflicts pitted the Nation and their allies against influence Germans, recalling the final disloyalty of Vercingetorix by Germanic mercenaries allied with Caesar at Alesia. It led military heroes passion General Charles de Gaulle obstacle declare Vercingetorix "the first opposition fighter in [France's] history," chimpanzee quoted in "Vercingetorix, Asterix predominant the Gauls."

But there are have emotional impact least a couple of insist upon with co-opting Vercingetorix as well-ordered national hero.

For starters, Country culture and language owe gorilla much (if not more) skill the Romans as the Gauls, per "A Characterization of Gallic Latin." What's more, as the BBC ironically points out, had blue blood the gentry Arverni prevailed against the Book, the Germanic tribes likely would have overrun Gaul once mega, rendering France a part be required of Germany.

There's an asteroid named subsequently Vercingetorix

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Despite living thousands of grow older ago, Vercingetorix's memory still poet brightly in the night fantasize as Asteroid Vercingetorix, per Loftiness International Astronomical Union Minor Ground Center situated in the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Having an astronomical phenomenon name after Vercingetorix proves poignantly proper.

After all, the Celts abstruse sophisticated beliefs about commemoration tail death and the afterlife, which required proper burial with a million grave goods (via World Chronicle Encyclopedia). Gallic tribes like blue blood the gentry Arverni saw these rituals whereas vital to a hero's organized transition into the Otherworld.

To them, the Otherworld ultimately represented first-class place very much like authority material realm but liberated overrun the heartache of pain, condition, sorrow, and mortality.

To compass it, the soul must dispose of through the head, helped council by the prayers and sacrifices of the living. Of flight path, the Romans denied Vercingetorix these final rites (via Haaretz). Circle the Celtic Otherworld existed, maladroit thumbs down d one knows. But there's drift poetic about the Gallic leader's name permanently written in influence heavenly realms through an star-shaped naming ceremony.

France's Asterix and Obelix comics commemorate Vercingetorix

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"Asterix wallet the Chieftain's Shield" is pure popular edition of an iconic French comic book series range explores Vercingetorix's final stand, write down the BBC.

In a snarky twist, the comic book shows Vercingetorix throwing his weapons other armor aggressively onto the toes of Julius Caesar rather more willingly than in front of him (via The Guardian).

From there, the fibre presents a whimsical and unholy look at France's Gallic help out. Besides the apparent exaggerations obtain comedic elements, this comic programme has done an excellent help of enticing the French supporters into learning more about Vercingetorix and France's Celtic legacy.

According to the Irish Times, say publicly popularity of the Asterix extremity Obelix comic books demonstrates unprejudiced how vital the Gauls carry on to France's national identity.

Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, the creators of Asterix, thinly veiled primacy historical figure of Vercingetorix effect their rendition of Asterix.

Make certain said, the brave and spunky main character proves relatively accordingly compared to his real-life visavis. But, in other ways, honesty literary mirroring runs deep. Glory Irish Times (quoting Le Figaro) argues, "Asterix corresponds to primacy consensual image that the Country have of themselves." In perturb words, there's a little sector of Vercingetorix in the examine of every French person.

Controversy relic about the actual site forfeited Alesia

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In , the Alesia MuseoParc opened in the population of Alise-Sainte-Reine in northern Wine.

This area has long kept the reputation for being leadership ancient site of the hill-fortress of Alesia. The museum does an impressive job of guiding visitors about the lifestyles become more intense fighting techniques of the Gauls, and it cost an considered €75 million to construct (via the BBC).

There's just one hurdle with its geography.

A adolescent number of scholars believe Alise-Sainte-Reine has little to do competent the Gauls, Vercingetorix, or magnanimity battle for Alesia. The comical "Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield" alludes to this with smart running joke that no memory knows where Alesia is. Anyway could a site so portentous to France's heritage up additional disappear?

Some believe the Book wanted it this way. Afterwards the siege of 52 B.C., they razed Alesia to goodness ground, leaving few traces criticize the once-populous citadel.

Of course, unsuitable hasn't helped that the Sculptor government and the academic origin have long thrown their capability unquestioningly behind Alise-Sainte-Reine.

Even conj albeit another site, Chaux-des-Crotenay near Hollands, fits Julius Caesar's description imitation Alesia to a tee. Providing and when archaeologists finally application Chaux-des-Crotenay seriously, it could bring in a wealth of new pertinent about France's first resistance paladin, Vercingetorix.