Editing Gallic Wars (section)

===Beginning of the Wars – campaign against the Helvetii===
[[File:Caesar campaigns gaul-en.svg|thumb|300px|alt= Map of the Gallic Wars |Multi-year overview of the Gallic Wars. The general routes taken by Caesar's army are indicated by the arrows.]]
The [[Helvetii]] were a confederation of about five related Gallic tribes that lived on the Swiss plateau, hemmed in by the mountains and the rivers Rhine and [[Rhône]]. They had come under increased pressure from Germanic tribes to the north and the east and began planning for a migration around 61&nbsp;BC. They intended to travel across Gaul to the [[Saintonge (region)|Saintonge]] region of modern France, a route that would have taken them around the Alps and through lands of the Aedui (a Roman ally) into the Roman province of Transalpine Gaul. As word of the migration spread, neighboring tribes grew concerned, and Rome sent ambassadors to several tribes to convince them not to join the Helvetii. Concern grew in Rome that the [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribes]] would fill in the lands vacated by the Helvetii. The Romans much preferred the Gauls to the Germanic tribes as neighbors. One of the consuls of 60 ([[Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer|Metellus]]) and one of 59&nbsp;BC (Caesar) both wanted to lead a campaign against the Gauls, though neither had a ''[[casus belli]]'' at the time.{{Sfn|Gilliver|2003|pp=30–32}}

On 28 March in 58&nbsp;BC, the Helvetii began their migration, bringing along all their peoples and livestock. They burned their villages and stores to ensure the migration could not be reversed. Upon reaching Transalpine Gaul, where Caesar was governor, they asked permission to cross the Roman lands. Caesar entertained the request but ultimately denied it. The Gauls turned north instead, entirely avoiding Roman lands. The threat to Rome was seemingly over, but Caesar led his army over the border and attacked the Helvetii unprovoked. So began what historian Kate Gilliver describes as "an aggressive war of expansion led by a general who was seeking to advance his career".{{Sfn|Gilliver|2003|pp=30–32}}

Caesar's consideration of the Gallic request to enter Rome was not indecision, but a play for time. He was in Rome when news of the migration arrived, and he rushed to Transalpine Gaul, raising two legions and some auxiliaries along the way. He delivered his refusal to the Gauls, and then promptly returned to Italy to gather the legions he had raised on his previous trip and three veteran legions. Caesar now had between 24,000 and 30,000 legionary troops, and some quantity of auxiliaries, many of whom were themselves Gauls. He marched north to the river [[Saône]], where he caught the Helvetii in the middle of crossing. Some three-quarters had crossed; he slaughtered those who had not. Caesar then crossed the river in one day using a [[pontoon bridge]]. He followed the Helvetii, but chose not to engage in combat, waiting for ideal conditions. The Gauls attempted to negotiate, but Caesar's terms were draconian (likely on purpose, as he may have used it as another delaying tactic). Caesar's supplies ran thin on 20&nbsp;June, forcing him to travel towards allied territory in [[Bibracte]]. While his army had easily crossed the Saône, his supply train still had not. The Helvetii could now outmaneuver the Romans and had time to pick up [[Boii]] and [[Tulingi]] allies. They used this moment to attack Caesar's rearguard.{{Sfn|Gilliver|2003|pp=33–35}}

==== Battle of Bibracte ====
In the ensuing [[Battle of Bibracte]], the Gauls and Romans fought for the better part of the day. After a hotly contested battle, the Romans eventually gained victory. Caesar had set up his legions on the slope of a hill, which put the Gauls at a disadvantage as they had to fight uphill. The Helvetii started the battle with a probable [[feint]], which the Romans easily repulsed. However, the Boii and Tulingi then outmaneuvered the Romans and attacked their right flank. At this point, the Romans were surrounded. A heated battle ensued. The men in the legion's last line were ordered to turn their backs around. They now fought on two fronts instead of just being attacked in the rear, which Gilliver describes as a brilliant tactical decision. Eventually, the Helvetii were routed and fled. The Romans chased the now outnumbered Boii and Tulingi back to their encampments, killing the fighters as well as slaying the women and children.{{Sfn|Gilliver|2003|pp=33–35}}

Caesar's army rested for three days to tend to the wounded. They then gave chase to the Helvetii, who surrendered. Caesar ordered them back on their lands to provide a buffer between Rome and the even more feared Germanic tribes.{{Sfn|Gilliver|2003|pp=33–35}} In the captured Helvetian camp Caesar claims that a census written in Greek was found and studied: of a total of 368,000 Helvetii, of whom 92,000 were able-bodied men, only 110,000 survivors remained to return home. Historians believe the total was likely between 20,000{{En dash}}50,000, with the excess exaggerated by Caesar for propaganda purposes.{{sfn|Delbrück|1990|p=475}}{{Sfn|Gilliver|2003|pp=33–35}} (See [[#Historiography|historiography]] section below for a detailed accounting).

Bibracte, then the commercial hub of the Gallic Aedui tribe, would again play a crucial role during the Gallic uprising of 52 BC. Vercingetorix himself met with other Gallic leaders there to plot the rebellion against Caesar and the Romans. After Vercingetorix's revolt failed, Bibracte was slowly abandoned for other more prosperous settlements nearby.{{sfn|Caesar|1982|pp=25–29}}

====Campaign against the Suebi====
{{main|Battle of Vosges (58 BC)}}
[[File:Gallia Cesare 58 aC.png|alt=A map of modern-day Europe centered on France|thumb|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.]]
Caesar then turned his attention to the Germanic Suebi, whom he also wished to conquer. The Senate had declared Ariovistus, king of the Suebi, a "friend and ally of the Roman people" in 59&nbsp;BC, so Caesar needed a convincing ''casus belli'' to betray the Suebi.{{Sfn|Gilliver|2003|pp=33–36}}{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|p=247}} He found his excuse following victory over the Helvetii. A group of Gallic tribes congratulated him and sought to meet in a general assembly, hoping to leverage the Romans against other Gauls.{{sfn|Walter|1952|p=158}} [[Diviciacus (Aedui)|Diviciacus]], the head of the Aeduan government and spokesmen for the Gallic delegation, expressed concern over Ariovistus' conquests and for the hostages he had taken.{{sfn|Walter|1952|pp=158, 161}}{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|p=271}} Not only did Caesar have a responsibility to protect the longstanding allegiance of the Aedui, but this proposition presented an opportunity to expand Rome's borders, strengthen loyalty within Caesar's army and establish him as the commander of Rome's troops abroad.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|p=271}} With the attack of the [[Harudes]] (an apparent Suebi ally) on the Aedui and the report that a hundred clans of Suebi were trying to cross the Rhine into Gaul, Caesar had the justification he needed to wage war against Ariovistus in 58&nbsp;BC.{{sfn|Walter|1952|pp=163–165}}{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|p=272}}

Learning that Ariovistus intended to seize [[Vesontio]], the largest Sequani town, Caesar marched towards it and arrived before Ariovistus.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|pp=274–275}} Ariovistus sent emissaries to Caesar requesting a meeting. They met under a truce at a knoll outside of town. The truce was violated when Germanic horsemen edged towards the knoll and threw stones at Caesar's mounted escort.{{sfn|Walter|1952|pp=173–176}} Two days later, Ariovistus requested another meeting. Hesitant to send senior officials, Caesar dispatched [[Valerius Procillus]], his trusted friend, and Caius Mettius, a merchant who had traded successfully with Ariovistus. Insulted, Ariovistus threw the envoys in chains.{{sfn|Walter|1952|p=177}}{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|p=277}} Ariovistus marched for two days and made camp {{convert|2|mi|spell=in}} behind Caesar, thus cutting off his communication and supply lines with the allied tribes. Unable to entice Ariovistus into battle, Caesar ordered a second smaller camp built near Ariovistus' position.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|pp=277–278}}

The next morning Caesar assembled his allied troops in front of the second camp and advanced his legions in towards Ariovistus. Each of Caesar's five legates and his [[quaestor]] were given command of a legion. Caesar lined up on the right flank.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|pp=279–280}} Ariovistus countered by lining up his seven tribal formations. Caesar was victorious in the ensuing battle due in large part to the charge made by [[Publius Licinius Crassus (son of triumvir)|Publius Crassus]], son of Marcus Crassus. As the Germanic tribesmen began to drive back the Roman left flank, Crassus led his cavalry in a charge to restore balance and ordered up the cohorts of the third line. As a result, the whole Germanic line broke and began to flee.{{sfn|Fuller|1965|p=109}}{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|pp=280–281}} Caesar claims that most of Ariovistus' one-hundred and twenty thousand men were killed. He and what remained of his troops escaped and crossed the Rhine, never to engage Rome in battle again. The Suebi camping near the Rhine returned home. Caesar was victorious.{{sfn|Grant|1974|p=89}}{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2007|p=281}} In one year he had defeated two of Rome's most feared enemies. After this busy campaigning season, he returned to Transalpine Gaul to deal with the non-military aspects of his governorship. At this point it is possible he had already decided he would conquer all of Gaul.{{Sfn|Gilliver|2003|p=36}}