Indutiomarus

Family: Treviri · Role: leader · First appears: The Gallic War, Book V, 1–6

In Book V of the Gallic War, Indutiomarus and Cingetorix contended for power among the Treviri. When Caesar arrived in Treviri territory with four legions, he required Indutiomarus to provide 200 hostages, including his son and close relatives, then enjoined him to remain loyal. Indutiomarus resented the blow to his influence and already held a hostile attitude toward Caesar; his messages also helped stir Ambiorix and Cativolcus to action.

Later, Indutiomarus abandoned a planned attack on Titus Labienus’s camp and returned to Treviri territory by night. Throughout the winter, he sent envoys across the Rhine to seek German support, but none agreed to cross; he then raised and disciplined troops, gathered horses, and recruited outlaws and convicts with rewards. He declared Cingetorix, his son-in-law and leader of the opposing faction, an enemy and confiscated his property, then announced plans to devastate Remi lands and attack Labienus’s camp. As Labienus’s cavalry pursued him, Indutiomarus was overtaken at a river ford and killed; his head was carried to the camp.