The Gallic Wars

Name: The Gallic Wars
Rating: 4 (51 reviews)

by Captivating History Book 2 in the Ancient Military History series.

Amazon

3.8(51)

The Gallic Wars follows Julius Caesar’s campaigns in Gaul from 58 to 50 BC and the expansion of Roman power across much of western Europe. It covers major battles, sieges and expeditions, including the uprising led by Vercingetorix and the siege of Alesia. The book also examines Caesar’s political motives and use of his own written account, showing how military conquest in Gaul strengthened the position that would help destabilise the Roman Republic.

Caesar’s own Commentaries provide much of the surviving narrative, making source criticism essential. His descriptions of peoples, negotiations and battles also defend the necessity of campaigns that greatly increased his army, wealth and reputation. The book therefore treats conquest and political self-presentation together, showing how victory in Gaul strengthened the resources with which Caesar later confronted his Roman rivals.