Between 58 and 53 BC, Julius Caesar dominated the Celtic tribes beyond the Provincia Narbonensis (modern day Provence) through a careful divide and rule strategy. His methods also included bribery of various Gallic tribal chiefs using Roman luxuries such as wine. Previous attempts at revolt, for example that of Ambiorix in 54 BC, had secured only local support, but I, whose father, Celtillus, had been put to death by his own countrymen for seeking kingship over all of Gaul, managed to unify the Gallic tribes against the Romans and adopted more modern styles of warfare.I began raising my forces in the winter of 52 BC, while Caesar was in Cisalpine Gaul. I faced some initial resistance from the nobles of the Arverni, including my uncle Gobanito, but raised an army of the poor, overthrew my opponents and was hailed as king. I made alliances with other tribes, and having been unanimously given supreme command, imposed my authority through harsh discipline and the taking of hostages. I adopted the policy of retreating to natural fortifications, and undertook an early example of a scorched earth strategy by burning towns to prevent the Roman legions from living off the land.Caesar and his chief lieutenant Titus Labienus lost the initial minor engagements, but captured the tribal capital at Avaricum (Bourges), killing the entire population of 40,000. The next major battle at Gergovia resulted in a victory for me because Caesar was too anxious and had attacked instead of besieging and starving the city in standard Roman fashion. When I thought Caesar was in retreat (which he did not intend because it might have ruined his career) I abandoned the cautious tactics he had adopted before and attacked head on. Due to losses I had to retreat and moved to another stronghold, Alesia. Gold stater of me, Cabinet des Médailles In the Battle of Alesia, however, Caesar was more patient and built a fortification around the city. However, because he himself was surrounded by the rest of Gaul, and I had summoned my Gallic allies to attack the besieging Romans, Caesar built another outer fortification against the expected relief armies (resulting in a doughnut-shaped fortification). The relief came in vast numbers: an estimated 100,000 soldiers (although Caesar claimed there were 250,000). I, the tactical leader, was cut off from them on the inside, and without my guidance the attacks were initially unsuccessful. However, the attacks did reveal a weak point in the fortifications and the combined forces on the inside and the outside almost made a breakthrough. Only when Caesar led the last reserves into battle in person did he finally manage to prevail. This was a very decisive battle in the creation of the Roman empire
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