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Overview of the Overview of the Gallic WarGallic War

AP LATINAP LATIN

Crucial to Caesar’s careerCrucial to Caesar’s career Aided in the breakdown of government Aided in the breakdown of government

that would consume the Roman Republicthat would consume the Roman Republic

Role of Gallic WarRole of Gallic War

58 BC : Arrival of Caesar in Gaul58 BC : Arrival of Caesar in Gaul Military glory provided him with a great Military glory provided him with a great

deal of political capital in Roman politicsdeal of political capital in Roman politics Needed moneyNeeded money

Plunders from conquered cities, local Plunders from conquered cities, local population sold into slaverypopulation sold into slavery

Source of publicity and glorySource of publicity and glory CAESAR NEEDED A WARCAESAR NEEDED A WAR

Gallic WarGallic War

Moral code of RomansMoral code of Romans Based on the customs of ancestors Based on the customs of ancestors

(Aeneas)(Aeneas) Legal, religious, moralLegal, religious, moral

Mos maiorumMos maiorum

Helvetii wanted to migrate from their homes Helvetii wanted to migrate from their homes to another non-Roman territoryto another non-Roman territory Wanted to pass through Roman territory to Wanted to pass through Roman territory to

get there: Caesar said NOget there: Caesar said NO Migration of the Helvetii provided a danger Migration of the Helvetii provided a danger

to the Roman territories – so Caesar justified to the Roman territories – so Caesar justified his involvement to prevent the Helvetii from his involvement to prevent the Helvetii from movingmoving If the Helvetii move, then the vacant lands If the Helvetii move, then the vacant lands

would open to invasion to the Germans – an would open to invasion to the Germans – an even more warlike and barbaric peopleeven more warlike and barbaric people

MINOR THREAT – PROTECT ROME’S MINOR THREAT – PROTECT ROME’S INTERESTS (Defensive War?)INTERESTS (Defensive War?)

Engages Germans: chief AriovistusEngages Germans: chief Ariovistus

Conquest of Gaul: Conquest of Gaul: BOOK 1BOOK 1

Did he combine Rome’s “interests” with Did he combine Rome’s “interests” with his own when going to war in Gaul?his own when going to war in Gaul?

Leadership characteristics – success Leadership characteristics – success when personal goals and public goals when personal goals and public goals alignalign

Caesar’s CharacterCaesar’s Character

Various campaigns in Gaul Various campaigns in Gaul Against the Belgae in N. GaulAgainst the Belgae in N. Gaul

Almost exterminates the Nervii tribeAlmost exterminates the Nervii tribe Senate decrees prayers and sacrifices to Senate decrees prayers and sacrifices to

gods for Caesar’s successgods for Caesar’s success At the end of the third book, Caesar has At the end of the third book, Caesar has

effective military control over the entire effective military control over the entire territoryterritory

BOOK 2 AND 3BOOK 2 AND 3

Caesar moves military operations into Caesar moves military operations into German territoryGerman territory Build a bridge across the Rhine to Build a bridge across the Rhine to

demonstrate strengthdemonstrate strength Sends military to BritainSends military to Britain

Necessary conquests? Or just to build Necessary conquests? Or just to build popularity?popularity?

BOOK 4BOOK 4

Begin to experience setbacksBegin to experience setbacks Storms on way to BritainStorms on way to Britain Revolt of the BelgaeRevolt of the Belgae

Continued revoltsContinued revolts Caesar describes customs, politics, and Caesar describes customs, politics, and

religion of Gauls (view of foreignersreligion of Gauls (view of foreigners

BOOK 5 AND 6BOOK 5 AND 6

Conspiracy of VercingetorixConspiracy of Vercingetorix Gauls try to drive Romans from territoryGauls try to drive Romans from territory Conquered at AlesiaConquered at Alesia

BOOK 7BOOK 7

Written by Aulus HirtiusWritten by Aulus Hirtius Final details of surpressing the revoltFinal details of surpressing the revolt

Last native stronghold taken at Last native stronghold taken at UxellodunumUxellodunum

BOOK 8BOOK 8

9 YEARS TOTAL9 YEARS TOTAL Caesar emerged from this war with:Caesar emerged from this war with:

a large, loyal, well-trained armya large, loyal, well-trained army many richesmany riches Political capital from well-publicized Political capital from well-publicized

victoriesvictories Enough strength to challenge Pompey and Enough strength to challenge Pompey and

the Senatethe Senate

Conquest of GaulConquest of Gaul