Battle of Vosges (58 BC) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Vosges
Part of the Gallic Wars
Battle between Caesar and Ariovistus (on the lower left) and location of the camps.
Date September 14, 58 BC Location Alsace, France Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Roman Republic	Suebi
Commanders and leaders
Gaius Julius Caesar	Ariovistus
Strength
25,000–30,000 (6 legions with cavalry and auxiliaries)	120,000 (Julius Caesar’s claim) 15,000 (modern est.)
Casualties and losses
Unknown	80,000 (Julius Caesar’s claim)

The Battle of Vosges (also called the Battle of Vesontio) was a big fight on September 14, 58 BC. It was between a Germanic tribe called the Suebi, led by Ariovistus, and six Roman legions (groups of soldiers) led by Julius Caesar. This battle was an important part of the Gallic Wars. Germanic tribes were crossing the Rhine River, looking for new homes in Gaul (modern-day France).

Before the battle, Caesar and Ariovistus tried to talk things out. But Ariovistus's horsemen threw stones and weapons at Caesar's horsemen. Caesar stopped the talks. He told his soldiers not to fight back. He didn't want the Suebi to say they were tricked into a trap. The battle ended with a Roman victory. This win made the eastern border of Gaul safe. It also allowed Caesar to build temporary bridges over the Rhine. He used these bridges to attack western Germania.

Why the Battle of Vosges Happened

In 61 BC, Ariovistus, a leader of the Suebi tribe, moved his people. They left eastern Germania and settled near the Marne and Rhine rivers. This land belonged to the Sequani tribe. But the Sequani wanted Ariovistus's help against another tribe, the Aedui.

Ariovistus Gains Land

In 61 BC, Ariovistus won a battle called the Battle of Magetobriga. As a reward, the Sequani gave him land. Ariovistus settled 120,000 of his people there. Later, 24,000 Harudes joined him. Ariovistus then demanded even more land from the Sequani.

Rome became worried about this demand. If the Sequani gave in, Ariovistus could take all their land. He might then attack the rest of Gaul.

Caesar's Role in Gaul

After Caesar won a victory over the Helvetii, many Gallic tribes congratulated him. They wanted to meet with him. Diviciacus, a leader of the Aedui, spoke for the Gauls. He was worried about Ariovistus's victories. He was also concerned about the hostages Ariovistus had taken.

Diviciacus asked Caesar to defeat Ariovistus. He wanted Caesar to remove the threat of a Germanic invasion. Otherwise, the Gallic tribes would have to find new homes. Caesar felt he had to protect the Aedui, who were old allies of Rome. This situation also gave Caesar a chance to expand Rome's power. It would also strengthen his army's loyalty to him.

Rome's Ultimatum to Ariovistus

In 59 BC, the Roman senate had called Ariovistus a "king and friend of the Roman people." This made it hard for Caesar to declare war on him. But Caesar said he could not ignore the Aedui's suffering. He sent a message to Ariovistus.

Caesar demanded that no more Germanic tribes cross the Rhine. He also wanted Ariovistus to return the Aedui hostages. Finally, he asked Ariovistus to protect the Aedui and other Roman allies. Ariovistus said the Aedui hostages would be safe if they kept paying tribute. He also said he and the Romans were both conquerors. He believed Rome had no right to tell him what to do.

When the Harudes attacked the Aedui, Caesar had his reason to fight. He also heard that a hundred Suebi clans were trying to cross the Rhine. This gave Caesar the justification he needed to go to war in 58 BC.

Getting Ready for Battle

Caesar was near Bibracte, where he had just won a big battle. He quickly started marching his army up the Saône valley.

Race to Vesontio

Ariovistus was a skilled general. He knew that Vesontio was an important city. He marched his army towards it. But Caesar, using information from the Gauls, got there first. He set up his main base in Vesontio.

Caesar's soldiers became scared. They had heard that the Germans were amazing warriors. Caesar called a meeting and scolded his officers. He told them they should just follow orders. He gave a famous speech. He threatened to march the next morning with only the 10th legion. He said he had no doubts about their bravery. This speech made the 10th legion very loyal. It also made the other legions feel ashamed and want to prove themselves.

March to Belfort

Vesontio is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the Rhine. Ariovistus learned the Romans were there. He stopped marching and waited. Caesar's troops marched 80 kilometers (50 miles) in seven days. They arrived near Belfort. They moved slowly, about 11 kilometers (7 miles) a day. They relied on Diviciacus to guide them through open land. This suggests there were no Roman roads in that area yet. Caesar said he took a detour to stay in open country. He likely went west of the Doubs River, through lands of his Celtic allies.

A Failed Meeting

Ariovistus sent messengers to Caesar. He agreed to a meeting since Caesar had come to him. Caesar, who often gave enemies a last chance, thought Ariovistus might be changing his mind. They agreed to meet on horseback, with only their cavalry. Caesar brought mounted soldiers from the 10th legion. They joked that they had been promoted to knights. This is how the 10th legion got its nickname, Equestris (meaning "mounted").

The two leaders met on a high hill between their camps. Their bodyguards stayed a few hundred yards away. They both presented their views directly. Caesar focused on Roman policy. Ariovistus claimed the Aedui had attacked him first.

Caesar reported that Ariovistus said he was not "uncivilized." Ariovistus knew that the Aedui had not helped Rome in past wars. He also knew Rome had not helped the Aedui against him. The word "uncivilized" was barbarus in Latin. Romans and Greeks often called people from the north and east "barbarians." This showed their feelings of superiority, contempt, and fear.

Ariovistus said Roman friendship was fake. He also made a scary prediction. He claimed he could gain the friendship of many important Romans by killing Caesar. He also said the Roman senate had decided Gaul should be free and ruled by its own laws. At this point, Caesar had to escape to his bodyguards. Germanic horsemen started throwing weapons.

The next day, Ariovistus invited Caesar to another meeting. Caesar, showing he didn't trust the Germans, sent two junior officers instead. Their names were Gaius Valerius Procillus and Marcus Mettius. Ariovistus was moving his army when they arrived. He immediately put them in chains.

The Battle Begins

Over the next few days, Ariovistus moved his camp closer to Caesar's. It was only two miles away. He covered his moves with small fights between his cavalry and Caesar's. The Germanic tribes had a special fighting group. It was cavalry mixed with equal numbers of light infantry. Their job was to support the horsemen in battle.

Caesar's men stood in battle lines outside their camp every day. But only small fights happened. Finally, Ariovistus cut Caesar's supply line from two miles away. This trapped Caesar's army.

Why Ariovistus Waited

Caesar claimed the Germans didn't attack fully because their wise women told them not to fight before the new moon. However, there was a more practical reason. Ariovistus had Caesar surrounded. Dio Cassius noted Germans on the hill behind Caesar's camp. This was where supplies were brought in. Ariovistus had Caesar under siege. He hoped to starve the Romans into surrender.

Roman Tactics

The Roman army, led by its best general, showed its classic tactics. These tactics had made Rome powerful across the Mediterranean Sea. Ariovistus likely didn't expect what was coming. Caesar knew the Germans outnumbered him. His best defense was to attack. He had to force the Germans to fight or his army would starve.

Caesar left a small defense in his main camp. He then advanced his army in a special formation called acies triplex. This meant three lines of soldiers. They marched to within 550 meters (600 yards) of the German camp. The first two lines protected the third line. The third line built another small camp. Caesar placed two legions and his auxiliaries (extra troops) in this new camp. The other four legions returned to the main camp.

It's easy to say now that Ariovistus should have attacked the two Roman lines. Or he could have attacked the four legions when they were separated. But battles are always unpredictable.

The Roman Attack

The next day, Caesar used the auxiliaries from the forward camp as cover. He brought all six of his rested legions to a starting line in front of the new camp. They were in the acies triplex formation again. Each Roman officer (called a tribune) openly took charge of one legion. The quaestor (another officer) took charge of the 6th legion. Caesar wanted his men to see that their leaders were with them. They would share the same fate.

The Romans then began to attack the weakest part of the Germanic force: their open camp. Caesar said the enemy camp was defended by a wagon train. The wagons were behind the German soldiers. This meant the Germans had to fight or run away. The usual sounds of wailing women came from the wagons. This was meant to make the tribe fight harder. They had to win or be destroyed with their families.

The Germans formed their lines by ethnic group. These included the Harudes, Marcomanni, Triboci, Vangiones, Nemetes, Sedusii, and Suebi. They seemed to have no reserve troops. The Romans used their usual tactic: two units forward, one back. Caesar started the battle with a charge against the Germanic left side. This seemed to be the weakest part of their line.

The Germanic forces charged back very quickly. The Romans didn't even have time to throw their pila (spears). The fight immediately turned into sword fighting. The Roman open battle line, where each man had room to fight, was better. The Germans crowded into a phalanx (a tight block of soldiers). They started to push the Romans back. The Romans even jumped onto the enemy's shields to push them down.

Crassus's Quick Thinking

A cavalry officer named Publius Licinius Crassus saw what was happening. He was on his horse and had a good view. On his own, he ordered the third line of Roman soldiers (the reserve) to help the Roman left side. The Romans quickly won on their left. This kind of decision was usually made by senior officers. But Crassus received great praise for it after the battle. He was likely set for quick promotion.

The enemy line broke and ran towards the Rhine River, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) away. Women and all ran, with the Roman cavalry chasing them.

The Aftermath of the Battle

Some Germans, including Ariovistus, managed to cross the river. They used boats or swam. The rest were killed by Roman cavalry. This included both of Ariovistus's wives and one of his daughters. Another daughter was captured.

Both of Caesar's messengers, Procillus and Mettius, were rescued unharmed. They told scary stories of how the Germans debated whether to burn them alive. Caesar said finding Procillus and freeing him made him as happy as the victory itself. This shows how close Caesar felt to his officers.

What Happened Next

If Caesar listed the Germanic units from left to right, the Suebi were on Caesar's right. They suffered the most losses. The Roman cavalry chased them the hardest. The Suebi, who had planned to cross the Rhine, turned back. The Germanic tribes that had joined the Suebi now made peace with Rome. They did this by attacking the Suebi as they retreated.

In just a few days, the Suebi could no longer launch attacks across the Rhine. They avoided the river for a long time. They took refuge in the Black Forest.

Ariovistus may have escaped, but he likely lost his power among the Suebi. When the Usipetes and Tencteri tribes were driven from their lands by the Suebi in 55 BC, Ariovistus was not mentioned. He died by late 54 BC. His death was said to have angered the Germans.

Caesar now had control of the land west of the Rhine. He immediately started a campaign against the Belgae. Caesar's writings don't say much about what happened to the lands along the Rhine. The question of who controlled Alsace is important. The place names there are Celtic. But where were the Celts? They don't appear in Caesar's campaign against Ariovistus. They were likely part of the Boii tribe. The Boii were strong on the Danube River until they met the Marcomanni and Quadi. Fear of the Germans forced them out of the region. Then, they were mostly destroyed by fighting Caesar. Caesar had just settled the last of them among the Aedui when the fight against Ariovistus began.

Later, during the early Roman Empire, the same Germanic tribes that fought for Ariovistus appeared on both sides of the Rhine in Alsace. By then, they were a mix of different groups. They might not have even spoken Germanic anymore. It seems the Romans allowed them to take the lands of the missing Boii. In return, these tribes acted as a shield against the Suebi. They served Rome faithfully for a long time. The Roman province of Germania Superior was formed from these lands.

As for the Germans who had already settled among the Celts, it's not clear what happened to them. There are no records of them being removed. It's more likely they became part of the new Roman-Celtic population.