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Osprey Essential Histories #43
Caesar's Gallic Wars
Julius Caesar was one of the most ambitious and successful politicians of the late Roman Republic and his short but bloody conquest of the Celtic tribes led to the establishment of the Roman province of Gaul (modern France).
Caesar's commentaries on his Gallic Wars provide us with the most detailed surviving eye-witness account of a campaign from antiquity. Kate Gilliver makes use of this account and other surviving evidence to consider the importance of the Gallic Wars in the context of the collapse of the Roman Republic and its slide toward civil war.
Caesar's commentaries on his Gallic Wars provide us with the most detailed surviving eye-witness account of a campaign from antiquity. Kate Gilliver makes use of this account and other surviving evidence to consider the importance of the Gallic Wars in the context of the collapse of the Roman Republic and its slide toward civil war.
96 pages, Paperback
First published November 20, 2002
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159 people want to read
About the author
Kate Gilliver
3 books4 followersDr. Kate Gilliver is a Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at the Cardiff School of History, Archaeology and Religion.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 4, 2023
Read this as a bit of research and to refresh myself on the events of Caesar's Gallic Wars, both the causes and consequences and the conflicts throughout. Very interesting, especially looking at how Caesar created s springboard for himself to become dictator of Rome, despite bing almost bankrupt at the beginning of this campaign and potentially facing his downfall.
March 2, 2018
To have such detail of an 8 year campaign from over 2,000 years ago is nothing short of extraordinary. The author of these notes is Julius Caeser himself, so facts and figures need to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Another great addition to the Essential Histories series by Osprey, clearly describing the build up to the events, the war (or conquest) itself and the after-affects. Very interesting read at a necessarily high level to fit the space allowed. Recommended for those looking for an overview of historic events.
Another great addition to the Essential Histories series by Osprey, clearly describing the build up to the events, the war (or conquest) itself and the after-affects. Very interesting read at a necessarily high level to fit the space allowed. Recommended for those looking for an overview of historic events.
October 11, 2022
I’ve read Caesar’s personal version. But biography is different than autobiography. It doesn’t smooth out or hide the things an autobiography often does. Even for his time Caesar the warrior was ruthless.
Most of this is taking place in modern day France. Some of the famous locations in France have their beginning in this era. Like Bayeux.
Well-written, clear and imminently readable. Recommended.
Most of this is taking place in modern day France. Some of the famous locations in France have their beginning in this era. Like Bayeux.
Well-written, clear and imminently readable. Recommended.
January 16, 2023
I haven't been reading as much non-fiction as I should. This was an Osprey Essential History about Julius Caesar's war in Gaul. Roman military history has always fascinated me, in particular, Caesar's part in it. This account means a lot to me because, if things work out right, I will be able to see some of the sites and walk some of those grounds later this year.
November 1, 2019
The main problem with the Gallic wars, in overall, is that only exist one source, so the special parts of this book is what the author writes as context, consequences and some other topics such as slaves and supplies, this is what makes this book a good one, but still, nothing really mindblowing.
August 23, 2019
Brief and basic. This book offers a nice introduction to the subject. Especially the chapter 'The world around War' is quite interesting.
January 1, 2022
Interesting view, it does a good job puting in context a very short version of the Gallic Wars.
October 1, 2011
Back in the time of Caesar, it was Gaul, a name given and used by none who lived there. Kate Gilliver in her ninety-two-page work details the conquest of the area known as Gaul to the Romans, by the most famous Roman of them all, Gaius Julius Caesar. The tribes of Gaul were the oldest and most hated enemies of the Romans. It was a Gallic tribe that sacked Rome in the year 390 B.C. causing hatred that would last for generations. Not even Hannibal of Carthage had been able to sack Rome; he only got close to it. Rome would always fear the image of Gallic invasions coming from the North. In the centuries that followed Rome and Gallic tribes would clash repeatedly, but this time was different. This time a Roman general, Julius Caesar was going to take the fight directly to the heart of Gaul itself.
"The Roman siege works at Alesia were extraordinary in the size and complexity. After digging a deep ditch on the plain to prevent cavalry attacks on the working parties, the Romans built a rampart with palisade and towers at regular intervals, and a double ditch, one filled with water diverted from the rivers where possible; seven camps and 23 redoubts were added at strategic points. This line covered circuit of 11 miles. Caesar was not happy even with this formidable system of defenses, and lines of bobby traps were extended for several yards in front of the trenches. These comprised rows of sharpened stakes, then covered pits with sharpened stakes planted in them, and finally rows of wooden stakes with barbed iron spikes stuck into them. Once this circuit was complete Caesar had another identical line built outside, 14 miles in circumference, to protect the besiegers from the relieving army. The whole system took about a month to construct. Archaeological investigations have indicated that the fortifications were not as complete as Caesar suggests. There may have been gaps in the lines, particularly where the terrain provided natural protection, but the systems held up to concerted attacks by both Gallic armies even when they were prepared with bridging materials to cross the outer defenses and ditches." p.58-59
There is a lot of information packet into these ninety pages. Gilliver takes a strong look into these historical events that occurred over 2000 years ago. There are maps, detail analysis of battles, chapters devoted to both the military and civilians in this time period.
"Centurions were the highest echelon of professional soldiers in the legion and their senior officers and commanders were politicians whose military expertise and skill could very considerably. The 60 or so centurions in each legion were appointed by the army commander--the provincial governor. While some may have been appointed because of their social status, the majority gained promotion through experience, leadership, and conspicuous courage. This must have encouraged ambitious private soldiers to prove their worth on the battlefield and gain promotion to centurion." p.66
I really enjoyed and highly recommend this book; it is useful guide into the world of the first century B.C. I would also recommend to anyone interested in reading Julius Caesar's own Commentaries, to pick up this book first since it is a lot more clear, impartial and precise. Having this book to use as a reference while going though Caesar's work will help any reader, especially a novice of the time period, increase their understanding of this very important historic event to Western Civilization; Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul.
"The Roman siege works at Alesia were extraordinary in the size and complexity. After digging a deep ditch on the plain to prevent cavalry attacks on the working parties, the Romans built a rampart with palisade and towers at regular intervals, and a double ditch, one filled with water diverted from the rivers where possible; seven camps and 23 redoubts were added at strategic points. This line covered circuit of 11 miles. Caesar was not happy even with this formidable system of defenses, and lines of bobby traps were extended for several yards in front of the trenches. These comprised rows of sharpened stakes, then covered pits with sharpened stakes planted in them, and finally rows of wooden stakes with barbed iron spikes stuck into them. Once this circuit was complete Caesar had another identical line built outside, 14 miles in circumference, to protect the besiegers from the relieving army. The whole system took about a month to construct. Archaeological investigations have indicated that the fortifications were not as complete as Caesar suggests. There may have been gaps in the lines, particularly where the terrain provided natural protection, but the systems held up to concerted attacks by both Gallic armies even when they were prepared with bridging materials to cross the outer defenses and ditches." p.58-59
There is a lot of information packet into these ninety pages. Gilliver takes a strong look into these historical events that occurred over 2000 years ago. There are maps, detail analysis of battles, chapters devoted to both the military and civilians in this time period.
"Centurions were the highest echelon of professional soldiers in the legion and their senior officers and commanders were politicians whose military expertise and skill could very considerably. The 60 or so centurions in each legion were appointed by the army commander--the provincial governor. While some may have been appointed because of their social status, the majority gained promotion through experience, leadership, and conspicuous courage. This must have encouraged ambitious private soldiers to prove their worth on the battlefield and gain promotion to centurion." p.66
I really enjoyed and highly recommend this book; it is useful guide into the world of the first century B.C. I would also recommend to anyone interested in reading Julius Caesar's own Commentaries, to pick up this book first since it is a lot more clear, impartial and precise. Having this book to use as a reference while going though Caesar's work will help any reader, especially a novice of the time period, increase their understanding of this very important historic event to Western Civilization; Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul.
November 17, 2013
Back in Latin 2 this was the longest, most boring slog I could imagine. Reread it in English as an adult--couldn't believe how lively and fascinating it is. Caesar may have been a thug, but he was a brilliant general and an excellent prose stylist. Anyone who could get thousands of tough guys to live on polenta they had to cook themselves while tramping through the rain-soaked German forests with sixty pounds of entrenching equipment on their backs wearing short skirts and no socks and managing to conquer the world was definitely a genius.
Read
January 31, 2010Julius Caesar's autobiography, or his memoirs of his seven years at war with the Celts, Germans, and Britons. It's hard to get into this work but as a student of Roman history, going back and reading the personal writings of Caesar is a must. There are parallels to be found within its pages, like with the U.S.'s wars for dominance in the Middle East and Central Asia.
August 30, 2016
Caesar is said to have the best written Latin of anyone except Cicero. This is one of two books written by Caesar about his own actions. Also, this text was often used to teach Latin to young children. The book is written in third person which was a little weird at first. However, it is a great way to understand the Gallic Wars and the spread of Roman Power into France and Belgium.
July 14, 2014
I read this in conjunction with reading the Latin text of DBG. Gillver clarified so much of the Gallic War and background on Caesar/Roman fighting. Highly recommend this text - need to see if it's available digitally so I can use it in my classes!
February 7, 2016
A very easy to read summary of the Gallic Wars. If you can't get a copy of Caesar's own writings in English, this is a great way to learn about the campaign and some other general information of the time.
March 13, 2010
a great book if you are a historian and love this type of stuff. highly recommend it.
October 31, 2015
Very good quick overview of Caesar's Gallic wars. Covers the campaign and its socio-economic contexts. Contains helpful maps.
June 23, 2008
The price of control.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews