Editing Julius Caesar (section)

=== Campaigns in Gaul ===
{{main|Gallic Wars}}
[[File:RomanRepublic40BC.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|The extent of the Roman Republic in 40 BC after Caesar's conquests]]
During the Gallic Wars, Caesar wrote his ''Commentaries'' thereon, which were acknowledged even in his time as a Latin literary masterwork. Meant to document Caesar's campaigns in his own words and maintain support in Rome for his military operations and career, he produced some ten volumes covering operations in Gaul from 58 to 52&nbsp;BC.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|pp=186–87}} Each was likely produced in the year following the events described and was likely aimed at the general, or at least literate, population in Rome;{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|p=188–89}} the account is naturally partial to Caesar – his defeats are excused and victories highlighted – but it is almost the sole source for events in Gaul in this period.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|pp=189–90}}

Gaul in 58&nbsp;BC was in the midst of some instability. Tribes had raided into Transalpine Gaul and there was an on-going struggle between two tribes in central Gaul which collaterally involved Roman alliances and politics. The divisions within the Gauls – they were no unified bloc – would be exploited in the coming years.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|p=204}} The first engagement was in April 58&nbsp;BC when Caesar prevented the migrating [[Helvetii]] from moving through Roman territory, allegedly because he feared they would unseat a Roman ally.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|pp=205, 208–10}} Building a wall, he stopped their movement near Geneva and – after raising two legions – defeated them at the [[Battle of Bibracte]] before forcing them to return to their original homes.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2016|pp=212–15}} He was drawn further north responding to requests from Gallic tribes, including the [[Aedui]], for aid against [[Ariovistus]] – king of the [[Suebi]] and a declared friend of Rome by the Senate during Caesar's own consulship – and he defeated them at the [[Battle of Vosges (58 BC)|Battle of Vosges]].{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2016|p=217}} Wintering in northeastern Gaul near the [[Belgae]] in the winter of 58–57, Caesar's forward military position triggered an uprising to remove his troops; able to eke out a victory at the [[Battle of the Sabis]], Caesar spent much of 56&nbsp;BC suppressing the Belgae and dispersing his troops to campaign across much of Gaul, including against the [[Veneti (Gaul)|Veneti]] in what is now [[Brittany]].{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2016|p=220}} At this point, almost all of Gaul – except its central regions – fell under Roman subjugation.{{sfn|Boatwright|2004|p=242}}

[[File:Siege-alesia-vercingetorix-jules-cesar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|[[Vercingetorix]] throws down his arms at the feet of Julius Caesar, painting by [[Lionel Royer]] in 1899. [[Musée Crozatier]], [[Le Puy-en-Velay]], France.]]

Seeking to buttress his military reputation, he engaged Germans attempting to cross the Rhine, which marked it as a Roman frontier;{{sfn|Boatwright|2004|p=242}} he here built a [[Caesar's Rhine bridges|bridge across the Rhine]] in a feat of engineering meant to show Rome's ability to project power.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2016|p=203}} Ostensibly seeking to interdict British aid to his Gallic enemies, he led expeditions into southern Britain in 55 and 54&nbsp;BC, perhaps seeking further conquests or otherwise wanting to impress readers in Rome; Britain at the time was to the Romans an "island of mystery" and "a land of wonder".{{sfnm|Goldsworthy|2016|1pp=221–22|Boatwright|2004|2p=242}} He, however, withdrew from the island in the face of winter uprisings in Gaul led by the [[Eburones]] and [[Belgae]] starting in late 54&nbsp;BC which ambushed and virtually annihilated a legion and five cohorts.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2016|p=222}} Caesar was, however, able to lure the rebels into unfavourable terrain and routed them in battle.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2016|p=223}} The next year, a greater challenge emerged with the uprising of most of central Gaul, led by [[Vercingetorix]] of the [[Averni]]. Caesar was initially defeated at [[Battle of Gergovia|Gergovia]] before [[Battle of Alesia|besieging Vercingetorix at Alesia]]. After becoming himself besieged, Caesar won a major victory which forced Vercingetorix's surrender; Caesar then spent much of his time into 51&nbsp;BC suppressing any remaining resistance.{{sfnm|Goldsworthy|2016|1pp=229–32, 233–38|Boatwright|2004|2p=242}}