Gallic War facts for kids

The Gallic Wars were a big series of military campaigns. They happened when Rome, led by the famous general Julius Caesar, fought against many different Gallic tribes. The main leader for the Gauls was Vercingetorix. These wars lasted for about eight years, from 58 BC to 50 BC.

What Was Gaul?

Gaul was a large area in ancient times. It covered much of what is now France, Belgium, and parts of Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Many different Celtic tribes lived there. They were known as the Gauls.

Why Did the Wars Start?

Julius Caesar was a powerful Roman general. He was the governor of a Roman province next to Gaul. In 58 BC, some Gallic tribes were moving near Roman lands. Caesar used this as a reason to start military action. He wanted to protect Rome's borders and its allies. He also wanted to gain fame and power for himself.

Early Campaigns (58–56 BC)

Caesar quickly began to conquer Gallic tribes.

• In 58 BC, he defeated the Helvetii and the Suebi. The Helvetii were trying to move through Roman territory. The Suebi were a Germanic tribe led by Ariovistus.
• In 57 BC, Caesar moved north. He fought against the Belgae, a group of strong tribes. He won many battles, like the Battle of the Sabis. This victory brought more of Gaul under Roman control.
• By 56 BC, Caesar had conquered most of western Gaul. He defeated the Veneti, a tribe known for their strong navy. He used special ships to win a big sea battle.

Crossing the Rhine and English Channel (55–54 BC)

Caesar wanted to show Rome's power.

• In 55 BC, he built a temporary bridge over the Rhine River. He led his army into Germania for a short time. This was to scare Germanic tribes from helping the Gauls.
• Later that year, he made his first trip to Britain. He wanted to punish British tribes for helping the Gauls.
• In 54 BC, Caesar returned to Britain with a larger army. He defeated some British tribes. But he did not conquer Britain fully. He made them agree to pay tribute to Rome.

Gallic Revolts and Vercingetorix (53–52 BC)

The Gauls did not want to be ruled by Rome.

• In 53 BC, several tribes revolted. Caesar put down these uprisings. But the biggest challenge was still to come.
• In 52 BC, a young Gallic leader named Vercingetorix united many tribes. He was a brilliant general. He used tactics like burning crops and villages. This made it hard for the Romans to find food.
• Vercingetorix won a major victory against Caesar at the Battle of Gergovia. This was a big shock for the Romans.

The Siege of Alesia (52 BC)

After Gergovia, Caesar chased Vercingetorix to the town of Alesia.

• Caesar began a huge siege. His army built two walls around Alesia. One wall kept the Gauls inside. The other wall protected the Romans from Gallic relief armies coming from outside.
• Vercingetorix and his people were trapped. They ran out of food.
• A massive Gallic army arrived to help Vercingetorix. But Caesar's army fought them off.
• Finally, Vercingetorix surrendered to Caesar. This was the turning point of the wars.

End of the Wars (51–50 BC)

After Alesia, the main fighting was over.

• In 51 BC, Caesar spent the year putting down the last small revolts. He made sure all of Gaul was under Roman control.
• By 50 BC, Gaul was fully conquered. It became a Roman province.

Results of the Gallic Wars

The Gallic Wars had a huge impact.

• Caesar became incredibly famous and rich. His victories helped him gain power in Rome.
• Gaul became part of the Roman Empire. This brought Roman culture, laws, and language to the region.
• The wars showed the strength of the Roman army. They also showed Caesar's amazing skills as a military leader.

Images for kids

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  A modern re-enactor in 2012 wearing the gear that a VII legion standard bearer would have during the Gallic Wars era.

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  The Tusculum portrait of Julius Caesar

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  The campaigns of 58 BC (In Italian). Note the Roman territory in yellow does not yet include modern day France, the Low Countries, or Germany. Caesar's expeditions are a red line, with battles noted. Celtic cities are in green, Germanic cities in orange.

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  Campaign map of 57 BC. Territory conquered the previous year is shaded red.

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  Denarius minted by Decimus Brutus in 48 BC, recalling his service in Gaul. The obverse features the head of Mars, and the reverse shows Gallic carnyces and shields.

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  Campaign map of 56 BC. Note Caesar's foray into the north of Gaul, Crassus' campaigns in the south, and the Battle of Morbihan off the west Atlantic coast.

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  Caesar's Rhine Bridge, by John Soane (1814)

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  Campaign map of 55 BC. Note Caesar's crossing of the Rhine, with Germanic counter movements in orange. Aside from the crossing of the Channel, few other actions were carried out that year.

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  Illustration of the Romans landing in Britain, featuring the standard bearer of the X legion

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  Campaign map of 54 BC. Tribes that revolted have flame icons near their name. Note the Gallic victory over Sabinus in northern Gaul, and Caesar's rush to relieve Cicero.

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  Denarius minted by L. Hostilius Saserna, 48 BC, showing the head of a captive Gaul, and a Britonic chariot on the reverse. Coin Expert Michael Crawford rejects the theory of several historians that the head on the obverse is that of Vercingetorix.

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  Campaign map of 53 BC. Again, revolting tribes are shown with flame icons. Despite having been conquered the prior year, Britain is not shaded in red, as it was not a territorial acquisition: the Britons had only been made tributaries.

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  Vercingétorix's Memorial in Alesia, where he made his last stand

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  Campaign map 52 BC. Most of south and central Gaul is in revolt. Note the Gallic victory at the battle of Gergovia, and Caesar's rush north from Rome.

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  Modern recreation of the Alesia fortifications, featuring rows of stakes in front of a moat, a high banked approach, and regular towers for Roman sentries

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  Campaign map of 51 BC. The last major revolts are put down, and mop-up operations occur in the southwest.

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  Gaul in 50 BC: fully conquered.

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  Gold stater of Vercingetorix, 53–52 BC.

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  A page from an 1864 printing of the Commentarii, made by Parrish & Willingham, a Confederate publisher during the American Civil War

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  Denarius from 48 BC, thought to depict an allegory of Gaul with a carnyx on the obverse and Diana of Ephesus with a stag on the reverse

See also

In Spanish: Guerra de las Galias para niños