-
The Belgae March On
After the Belgae defeat Sabinus and Cotta, they march to other neighboring tribes and tries to convince them to rise against the Romans. Caesar discovers the defeat, and attempts to send neighboring commanders to defeat the Belgae. The Belgae try to siege some of the winter-quarters, but are eventually defeated, and the rebellion is supressed. -
The Belgae Revolt
15 days after Caesar divides his forces into their winter quarters, the Belgae revolt against Sabinus and Cotta. Caesar, being away in Italy, is unable to command his troops, thus his commanders attempt to devise a plan to supress the Revolt. Sabinus and Cotta try to join up with other legions close by, but are met by the Belgae and defeated.
"That his own opinion was safe on either side; if there be nothing very formidable, they would go without danger to the nearest legion." [5.29 15-16] -
Caesar Invades Britain Again
Caesar invades Britain again, a year after his first invasion, and experiences some military successes. He returns to Gaul, however, for the winter and decides to spread out his legions.
"he was compelled to station his army in its winter-quarters differently from the former years, and to distribute the legions among several states" [5.24 3-5] -
Caesar Confronts the Britains
After his initial success, Caesar starts to build forts in Britain. The Britains, after their loss, tries to negotiate a peace with Caesar, through swapping hostages. While these negotiations take place, Casear sends a legion to forage for supplies, yet this legion is ambushed. Caesar discovers this treachery and sends reinforcements. The Romans fight a hard battle, but eventually defeat the Britains, forcing them to seek peace again. -
Caesar fights the Britains
"When the action commenced, the enemy were unable to sustain the attack of our men long, and turned their backs; our men pursued them as far as their speed and strength permitted, and slew a great number of them" [4.35 5-7] -
Caesar Invades Britain
Caesar takes a fleet and a few legions to invade Britain. He faces some difficulties with landing and establishing a foothold on the island, but eventually suceeds.
"Our men, as soon as they made good their footing on dry ground, and all their comrades had joined them, made an attack upon the enemy...This alone was wanting to Caesar's accustomed success." [4.26 11-16] -
Caesar Extends his Campaign in Gaul and Germany
Caesar focuses now on the remaining parts of Gaul that exist outside of Roman influence. He fights many wars and succeeds in expanding Romes influence into Norhtern Europe (France and Germany). He also makes repeated advances into Germany by crossing the Rhine. Most of his actions in 55 BCE are to supress barbarian unrest. -
Caesar Invades the Aquitani and Northern Spain
Caesar suceeds in conquering all of Gaul now, by capturing and defeating the closest Gallic tribes to Rome. (The Aquitani). -
Caesar Fights the Belgae
Caesar begins a campaign against the Belgae who are the furthest tribe from Gaul. He defeats the Belgae, and brings more of Gaul under Roman influence. -
Caesar Fights Ariovistus
Ariovistus, a Germanic king, invades Gaul. They wreck havoc on the countryside, and force the Aeduans to ask Caesar for help. Caesar accepts the Aeduans request and marches to fight Ariovistus. Caesar defeats Ariovistus and pushes the Germans further past the Rhine. -
Caesar Defeats the Helvetii
Caesar meets the Helveti at the Rhone crossing. He crosses the Rhone and ambushes one of these groups. He then goes back and fights the remaining three. Caesar destroys all of the Helveti.
"Yet, in order that a period might intervene, until the soldiers whom he had ordered [to be furnished] should assemble, he replied to the ambassadors, that he would take time to deliberate; if they wanted any thing, they might return on the day before the ides of April [on April 12th]." [1.7 17-20] -
The Helvetii Migrate
The Helveti begin to migrate south, destroying their old towns and farms so that they can not return. They march to the Rhone, and try to cross in the river into Cisapline Gaul.
"Having provided every thing for the expedition, they appoint a day, on which they should all meet on the bank of the Rhone. This day was the fifth before the kalends of April [i.e. the 28th of March], in the consulship of Lucius Piso and Aulus Gabinius [B.C. 58.]" [1.6 14-15] -
Orgetorix's Plot is Discovered
Orgetorix convinces the Helveti of his plan, and the Helveti decide to take three years to prepare for the migration. They allow Orgetorix to lead them, and Orgetorix convinces Casticus and Dumnorix to follow him. Unfortunately, his plan for power is found out by the Helveti, and they arrest him. "They reckoned that a term of two years would be sufficient for them to execute their designs; they fix by decree their departure for the third year. Orgetorix." [1.3 7-9] -
The Conspiracy of Orgetorix
Orgetorix, a nobleman from the Helvetii, tries to convince his tribe and other neighboring ones, to leave their current territory, Switzerland, and to migrate in Cisalpine Gaul.
" He, when Marcus Messala and Marcus Piso were consuls, incited by lust of sovereignty, formed a conspiracy among the nobility, and persuaded the people to go forth from their territories with all their possessions" [1.2 2-4]
