Ariovistus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ariovistus
Born	1st century BC
Died	Unknown
Nationality	Germanic
Known for	Leader of the Suebi during the 1st century BC
Military career
Commands held	Suebi
Battles/wars	Gallic Wars Battle of Vosges

Ariovistus was a strong leader of the Suebi and other Germanic peoples around 75-50 BC. He led his people into a big war in Gaul, which is now France. There, he helped the Arverni and Sequani tribes beat their enemies, the Aedui.

After winning, Ariovistus and his people settled in a part of Gaul called Alsace. But their stay didn't last long. In 58 BC, the famous Roman general Julius Caesar defeated them in the Battle of Vosges. Ariovistus and his people were forced to go back across the Rhine river.

Who Was Ariovistus?

We know about Ariovistus mostly from Julius Caesar's own writings, called Commentarii de Bello Gallico. Caesar was part of these events, so his writings are a primary source. However, some historians think Caesar might have made himself look better in his stories.

His Role and Status

Ariovistus was from the Suebi tribe. He could speak Gaulish, the language of the Gauls, very well. He had two wives. One was from his homeland, and the other was the sister of King Voccio of Noricum, whom he married for political reasons.

Caesar called Ariovistus rex Germanorum, which means "king of Germans." This title likely meant he was a leader of the Germans who had settled in Gaul. It didn't mean he ruled all German tribes. The Roman Senate also recognized him as a king.

Ariovistus in Gaul

Before Caesar became governor of Gaul in 58 BC, two Gaulish tribes, the Arverni and Sequani, asked Ariovistus for help. They were fighting against the Aedui, a large Celtic tribe living near the Loire river.

Caesar didn't say why the war started. But the Sequani controlled an important route along the Doubs river valley. This route led to the Rhine river. Traders using the Rhone and Saône rivers had to pass through Sequani land. The Sequani also often supported German tribes crossing the Rhine.

The Battle of Magetobriga

Ariovistus brought 15,000 of his men to help the Arverni and Sequani. They fought the Aedui in a battle called the Battle of Magetobriga. Ariovistus's forces helped turn the tide, and the Aedui were defeated. After this, the Aedui had to pay tribute to the Sequani.

Ariovistus then took a large part of the Aedui's land, about one-third. He settled 120,000 Germans there. Later, he also demanded another third of the land for his allies, the Harudes. Caesar noted that German tribes were living in the Sequani's land and causing trouble.

Facing Julius Caesar

In 59 BC, while Julius Caesar was a powerful Roman leader, the Roman Senate recognized Ariovistus as a "king and friend." Ariovistus had probably already crossed the Rhine by this time.

However, the Aedui were also allies of Rome. In 58 BC, Diviciacus, an Aeduan leader, complained to Caesar about Ariovistus's harsh rule. He asked Caesar to step in.

Caesar's Demands

Caesar sent messengers to Ariovistus, asking him to meet. Ariovistus refused, saying Caesar should come to him instead. He also said he couldn't bring his army, which would be too difficult.

So, Caesar sent his demands:

• Ariovistus should not bring any more of his people across the Rhine.
• He and his allies should return the hostages they took from the Aedui.
• They should not make war against the Aedui.

Caesar reminded Ariovistus that Rome was his friend. He warned that if Ariovistus didn't agree, Rome would have to act.

Ariovistus refused again. He said he had the right to take land from those he conquered. He also made fun of Rome's power and boasted that the Germans were unbeatable. He even dared Caesar to attack him.

Caesar presented himself as trying to find a peaceful solution. But Ariovistus later accused Caesar of wanting to start a war from the beginning. Some historians agree that Caesar might have wanted a war to gain fame and power.

Ariovistus seemed to think he was equal to Rome. But Romans saw their allies as clients, not equals. He also seemed to believe the Romans wouldn't attack him.

At the same time, Caesar heard that the Harudes were attacking the Aedui. He also learned that 100 groups of Suebi were about to cross the Rhine. These actions made Caesar mobilize his troops.

The Battle of Vosges

Caesar was near Bibracte, where he had just won a big victory. He quickly marched his army towards Vesontio, a key fortified town. Ariovistus also marched towards Vesontio, but Caesar got there first and set up his main base.

Caesar's soldiers were scared because they had heard the Germans were amazing warriors. Caesar gave a powerful speech to his troops. He reminded them of their duty and threatened to march with only his bravest legion, the Tenth Legion, if others were too afraid. This speech made his soldiers very loyal and eager to fight.

Meeting Between Leaders

Ariovistus sent messengers to Caesar, agreeing to a meeting. They met on horseback, with only a few bodyguards. They both explained their sides. Ariovistus claimed the Aedui had attacked him first.

Ariovistus also said that Rome's friendship was fake. He even suggested he could gain favor with Roman leaders by killing Caesar. He believed the Roman Senate wanted Gaul to be free. Soon, the German cavalry started throwing spears, and Caesar had to escape to his bodyguards.

The next day, Ariovistus invited Caesar to another meeting. Caesar, not trusting the Germans, sent two of his officers, Gaius Valerius Procillus and Marcus Mettius. Ariovistus captured them and put them in chains.

Over the next few days, Ariovistus moved his camp closer to Caesar's. He used cavalry fights to cover his movements. He then cut off Caesar's supply line, trapping the Roman army.

Caesar claimed the Germans didn't attack fully because their wise women said they shouldn't fight before the new moon. But a more practical reason was that Ariovistus had Caesar surrounded and hoped to starve him out.

Roman Tactics

The Roman army, led by Caesar, showed off their famous tactics. Caesar knew his army was outnumbered. His best defense was to attack. He had to force the Germans into battle or surrender from hunger.

Caesar left a small defense in his main camp. He then advanced his army in a special formation called acies triplex (three lines). While the first two lines guarded, the third line built another camp closer to the Germans. Caesar put two legions and his auxiliary troops there.

The next day, Caesar used his auxiliaries as cover. He brought all six of his legions forward in the acies triplex formation. Each Roman leader, including Caesar, took personal charge of a legion. They then charged towards the German camp.

The German camp was defended by a circle of wagons, with their women and children on them. This was meant to make the soldiers fight harder, knowing they had to win or be destroyed with their families.

The German tribes formed up by their groups: Harudes, Marcomanni, Triboci, Vangiones, Nemetes, Sedusii and Suebi. They didn't have a reserve force like the Romans. Caesar attacked the weakest part of the German line. The Germans charged quickly, so the Romans couldn't throw their spears. The fight became a close-quarters sword battle.

The Romans fought in an open line, giving each soldier room to fight. The Germans formed a tight phalanx and pushed the Romans back. But a Roman cavalry officer, Publius Licinius Crassus, saw what was happening. He ordered the Roman reserve (the third line of infantry) to help the Roman left side. This quick decision helped the Romans win on that side.

The German line broke, and they ran towards the Rhine river, about 15 miles away. The Roman cavalry chased them, cutting down many.

After the Battle

Some Germans, including Ariovistus, managed to cross the Rhine in boats or by swimming. But both of Ariovistus's wives and one of his daughters were killed. Another daughter was captured.

Caesar's two messengers, Procillus and Mettius, were rescued unharmed. They told how the Germans had debated whether to burn them alive. Caesar said finding Procillus alive brought him as much joy as the victory itself.

The Suebi, who had planned to cross the Rhine, turned back. Other German tribes who had joined Ariovistus now attacked the retreating Suebi to make peace with Rome. The Suebi were unable to launch any more attacks across the Rhine for a long time. They took refuge in the Black Forest.

Ariovistus likely escaped, but he probably lost his power among the Suebi. He was not mentioned when other tribes were driven from their lands by the Suebi in 55 BC. He died by late 54 BC.

Caesar now had control of the land west of the Rhine. He then went on to fight against the Belgae. The question of who controlled the Alsace region after the battle is interesting. It seems the Romans allowed some Germanic tribes to settle there. These tribes likely served as a buffer against the Suebi and eventually blended with the local Roman-Celtic people.

What Does His Name Mean?

Many experts believe the name Ariovistus comes from the Gaulish words ario (meaning "noble" or "free") and vistus (meaning "perception" or "knowledge"). So, Ariovistus could mean "Noble Sage" or "He Who Knows in Advance."

Another idea is that it comes from ancient Germanic words: *harjaz ("army" or "host") and *fristaz ("lord" or "ruler"). This would mean his name was something like *Harjafristaz, meaning "army-ruler" or "general."

Some think "Ariovistus" might have been a title given to him by the Suebi, rather than his birth name. This is because the Suebi had a citizen army, and leaders were often chosen for their ability.

See also

In Spanish: Ariovisto para niños