Vercingetorix

Family: Arverni · Role: leader · First appears: The Gallic War, Book VII, 1–8

In Book VII of the Gallic War, Vercingetorix, son of Celtillus, was expelled from Gergovia by his uncle Gobanitio and the nobles. After gathering great forces, he drove his opponents from the state and was saluted king by his partisans. He sent Lucterius with part of his forces into the territory of the Ruteni, then moved toward the Arverni at their entreaties. When he learned that Caesar was approaching, he abandoned the siege of Gergovia and marched to meet him, urging the Gauls to burn settlements and houses across the country the Romans might search for supplies. More than twenty Bituriges towns were burned; at Avaricum, Vercingetorix first opposed defending the town, then agreed after the soldiers pleaded.

During the campaign, he attacked dispersed Roman foraging parties and, after Avaricum fell, received the few fugitives who reached him. The next day he encouraged his soldiers and urged them to fortify their camp. He maneuvered against Caesar’s advance, summoned forces to fortify a hill, and led his men back within its defenses. At Bibracte, all approved him as general of Gaul, and his cousin Vergasillaunus was appointed one of the four generals. After his cavalry was routed, Vercingetorix led his troops to Alesia and ordered its gates shut. There he dismissed his cavalry by night to carry the war into their states, gathered and rationed the corn, and gave orders about the cattle. When the Gauls chose to levy fixed numbers from each state rather than call out everyone able to bear arms, they went against his opinion.

The following day, Vercingetorix offered himself to the Gauls to be killed or surrendered alive, saying he had taken up the war for general freedom. They surrendered him to Caesar and laid down their arms. In Book VII, Teutomarus also came to Vercingetorix with horsemen.