- 320 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
"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
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
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Yes, you can access Caesar's Greatest Victory by John Sadler,Rosie Serdiville in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in History & French History. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Table of contents
- 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