15 Facts About Vercingetorix

Vercingetorix was the son of Celtillus the Arvernian, leader of the Gallic tribes.

Vercingetorix came to power after his formal designation as chieftain of the Arverni at the oppidum Gergovia in 52 BC.

Vercingetorix immediately established an alliance with other Gallic tribes, took command, combined all forces and led them in the Celts' most significant revolt against Roman power.

Vercingetorix won the Battle of Gergovia against Julius Caesar in which several thousand Romans and their allies were killed and the Roman legions withdrew.

Vercingetorix is primarily known through Caesar's.

Vercingetorix made use of the factionalism among the Gallic elites, favouring certain noblemen over others with political support and Roman luxuries such as wine.

The revolt that Vercingetorix came to lead began in early 52 BC while Caesar was raising troops in Cisalpine Gaul.

Undeterred, Vercingetorix raised an army of the poor, took Gergovia, and was hailed as king.

Vercingetorix made alliances with other tribes, and in doing so he united Gaul under the pretense of escaping Roman rule.

Vercingetorix adopted a policy of retreating to natural fortifications, and undertook an early example of a scorched earth strategy by burning towns to prevent the Roman legions from living off the land.

Vercingetorix then decided to follow Caesar but suffered heavy losses during a cavalry battle and he retreated and moved to another stronghold, Alesia.

However, Vercingetorix had summoned his Gallic allies to attack the besieging Romans.

Vercingetorix was imprisoned in the Tullianum in Rome for almost six years before being publicly displayed in the first of Caesar's four triumphs in 46 BC.

Vercingetorix was ceremonially strangled at the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus after the triumph.

Many other monumental statues of Vercingetorix were erected in France during the 19th century, including one by Frederic Bartholdi on the Place de Jaude in Clermont-Ferrand.