Caesar's greatest victory : the Battle of Alesia 52 BC / John Sadler and Rosie Serdiville.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sadler, John, author.

Serdiville, Rosie, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Rome--History.

Rome.

Caesar, Julius--Military leadership.

Caesar, Julius.

Vercingetorix, Chief of the Arverni, -46 B.C--Military leadership.

Vercingetorix.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (142 pages, 20 unnumbered pages of plates) : color illustrations, maps, photographs

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Oxford, [England] ; Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania] : Casemate, 2016.

Summary:

"A good account of one of the most decisive battles of the ancient world. Who knows how world history would have proceeded had Caesar been defeated?" ( New York Journal of Books ). Julius Caesar's campaign of 52 BC frequently hung in the balance. Celtic chieftain Vercingetorix was a far more formidable opponent than any he'd encountered in Gaul. The Romans were caught totally off-guard, and it seemed all too likely that their grip on Gaul, which Caesar had imagined secure, would be pried free. Failure would have been a total defeat for Caesar, not just in Gaul but in the Senate. Rome would not have become an empire beyond the Mediterranean. It was a decisive moment in world history... The Siege of Alesia itself was one of the most astonishing military undertakings of all time. Caesar's interior siege lines stretched for eighteen kilometers and were surrounded by an outward-facing line three kilometers longer, complete with palisades, towers, ditches, minefields, and outposts. This work was completed in less than three weeks. Vercingetorix's refuge proved a trap, and, despite an energetic defense and the arrival of a huge relief army, there was to be no escape. Using new archaeological evidence, the authors reveal both sides of the conflict and construct a fresh account of not just the siege, but also the Alesia campaign, placing it into the wider context of the history of warfare. This is Roman history at its most exciting, featuring events still talked about today. "Those seeking a primer on Alesia need look no further than this excellent book." - HistoryNet

Contents:

Intro

Front Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Contents

Acknowledgements

A note on sources

Chronology

Introduction: Moment of decision, the man in the red cloak

1: An ancient city in Gau

2: De Rei Militarii

3: Way of the Gaul

4: Way of the warrior

5: De Bello Gallico - the Gallic Wars 58-52 BC

6: Total War 52 BC

7: Tightening the vice

8: The relief and final battle

9: Legacy

Glossary

Appendices

Notes

Bibliography

Plates Section.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (ebrary, viewed December 29, 2016).