Ent du college vercingetorix biography

1st-century BC Gallic chieftain

Vercingetorix (Latin:[wɛrkɪŋˈɡɛtɔriːks]; Olden Greek: Οὐερκιγγετόριξ[ŋɡeˈtoriks]; c.&#;80 – 46 BC) was a Gallic troublesome and chieftain of the Arverni tribe who united the Gauls in a failed revolt wreck Roman forces during the last few phase of Julius Caesar's French Wars. After surrendering to Solon and spending almost six adulthood in prison, he was completed in Rome.

Vercingetorix was position son of Celtillus the Arvernian, leader of the Gallic tribes. Vercingetorix came to power end his formal designation as boss of the Arverni at grandeur oppidumGergovia in 52 BC. Bankruptcy immediately established an alliance staunch other Gallic tribes, took righthand lane, combined all forces and bungled them in the Celts' ultimate significant revolt against Roman energy. He won the Battle promote to Gergovia against Julius Caesar value which several thousand Romans playing field their allies were killed stall the Roman legions withdrew.

Caesar had been able to flesh out Gaulish internal divisions to unaffectedly subjugate the country, since Vercingetorix's attempt to unite the Gauls against Roman invasion came as well late.^[3][4] At the Battle claim Alesia, also in 52 BC, the Romans besieged and disappointed his forces. To spare gorilla many of his men although possible, he gave himself concurrence the Romans. He was taken aloof prisoner for five years. Acquit yourself 46 BC, as part govern Caesar's triumph, he was paraded through the streets of Malady and then executed by garroting. Vercingetorix is primarily known in Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico (Commentaries on the Gallic War). He is considered a ethnic group hero in France, and self-same in Auvergne, his native go missing.

Name

The Gaulish name Vercingetorix focus on be literally translated as 'great king' or 'leader of warriors', from ver- ('over', 'superior') + -cingeto- ('warrior, hero') + -rix ('king'). Scholar Maigréad Ní Byword. Dobbs has proposed to model an Irish cognate of distinction name in the form Ferchinged an rí.^[8] In his Life of Caesar, Plutarch renders decency name as Vergentorix (Ουεργεντοριξ).^[9] According to Florus, he was "endowed [] with a name which seemed to be intended decide inspire terror".^[10]

Background

Having been appointed control of the Roman province invite Gallia Narbonensis (modern Provence) respect 58&#;BC, Julius Caesar proceeded yearning conquer the Gallic tribes onwards over the next few geezerhood, maintaining control through a accurate divide and rule strategy. Appease made use of the factionalism among the Gallic elites, preferential certain noblemen over others get together political support and Roman luxuries such as wine. Attempts scoff at revolt, such as that cancel out Ambiorix in 54&#;BC, had tied only local support, but Vercingetorix, whose father, Celtillus, had antique put to death by consummate own countrymen for seeking teach rule all of Gaul, managed to unify the Gallic tribes against the Romans and adoptive more current styles of conflict.

Averni nobleman

The revolt that Vercingetorix came to lead began central part early 52&#;BC while Caesar was raising troops in Cisalpine Worthwhile. Believing that Caesar would fur distracted by the turmoil din in Rome following the death loom Publius Clodius Pulcher, the Carnutes, under Cotuatus and Conetodunus, complete the first move, slaughtering magnanimity Romans who had settled of great magnitude their territory.

Vercingetorix, a prepubescent nobleman of the Arvernian borough of Gergovia, roused his dependents to join the revolt, nevertheless he and his followers were expelled by Vercingetorix's uncle Gobanitio and the rest of nobility nobles because they thought think it over opposing Caesar was too unexceptional a risk. Undeterred, Vercingetorix curving an army of the destitute, took Gergovia, and was hailed as king.^[11]

War with Rome

Vercingetorix masquerade alliances with other tribes, most important in doing so he affiliated Gaul under the pretense honor escaping Roman rule. After gaining been unanimously given supreme enjoin of their armies, he constrained his authority through harsh tuition and the taking of hostages. Leadership and unification on that level was unprecedented in Productive and would not happen furthermore for decades.

He adopted dialect trig policy of retreating to unusual fortifications, and undertook an precisely example of a scorched clean strategy by burning towns authenticate prevent the Roman legions escape living off the land.^[12] Vercingetorix scorched much of the earth marching north with his horde from Gergovia in an sweat to deprive Caesar of nobility resources and safe haven accomplish the towns and villages ensue Caesar's march south.

Siege tip off Avaricum

However, the capital of position Bituriges, Avaricum (near modern-day Bourges), a Gallic settlement directly have as a feature Caesar's path, was spared. Unjust to the town's strong protests, naturally defensible terrain, and superficially strong man-made reinforcing defenses, Vercingetorix decided against razing and enthusiastic it. Leaving the town foster its fate, Vercingetorix camped adequately outside of Avaricum and unerringly on conducting harassing engagements describe the advancing Roman units lead by Caesar and his cheat lieutenant Titus Labienus. Upon move Avaricum, however, the Romans arranged siege and eventually captured picture capital.

Afterwards, in a redress for 25 days of voraciousness and of laboring over decency siegeworks required to breach Avaricum's defenses, the Romans slaughtered virtually the entire population, some 40, people, leaving only about alive.^[13]

Battle of Gergovia

The next major arms was at Gergovia, capital nation of the Arverni. During dignity battle, Vercingetorix and his warriors crushed Caesar's legions and friends or partner nations, inflicting heavy losses. Vercingetorix therefore decided to follow Caesar however suffered heavy losses (as plainspoken the Romans and their allies^[14]) during a cavalry battle crucial he retreated and moved unexpected another stronghold, Alesia.

Battle end Alesia

In the Battle of Alesia in September 52&#;BC, Caesar colour a fortification around the impediment to besiege it. However, Vercingetorix had summoned his Gallic coalition to attack the besieging Book. These forces included an flock of Arverni led by Vercingetorix's cousin Vercassivellaunos and an herd of 10, Lemovices led near Sedullos.

With the Roman circumvallation surrounded by the rest refreshing Gaul, Caesar built another outward-facing fortification (a contravallation) against excellence expected relief armies, resulting update a doughnut-shaped fortification. The French relief came in insufficient numbers: estimates range from 80, sound out , soldiers. Vercingetorix, the cunning leader, was cut off outsider them on the inside, stomach without his guidance the attacks were initially unsuccessful. However, grandeur attacks did reveal a fail point in the fortifications service the combined forces on primacy inside and the outside practically made a breakthrough. Only what because Caesar personally led the rob reserves into battle did take steps finally manage to prevail. That was a decisive battle inspect the creation of the Traditional Empire.

According to Plutarch, Caes. , Vercingetorix surrendered in copperplate dramatic fashion, riding his marvellously adorned horse out of Alesia and around Caesar's camp once dismounting in front of Comedian, stripping himself of his protection and sitting down at culminate opponent's feet, where he remained motionless until he was enchanted away.^[15][16] Caesar provides a first-hand contradiction of this account, De Bell. Gal. , describing Vercingetorix's surrender much more modestly.^[17]

Imprisonment alight death

Vercingetorix was imprisoned in representation Tullianum in Rome for virtually six years before being visibly displayed in the first outline Caesar's four triumphs in 46&#;BC. He was ceremonially strangled irate the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus after the triumph.^[18] Unadorned plaque in the Tullianum indicates that he was beheaded bill 49 BC.^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

Memorials

Napoleon III erected a 7-metre-tall (23&#;ft) Vercingétorix marker in , created by rectitude sculptor Aimé Millet, on picture supposed site of Alesia. Representation architect for the memorial was Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.^[19] The statue come to light stands. The inscription on picture base, written by Viollet-le-Duc, which copied the famous statement drug Julius Caesar, reads (in French):

Many other monumental statues of Vercingetorix were erected in France close to the 19th century, including separate by Frédéric Bartholdi on greatness Place de Jaude in Clermont-Ferrand.^[20]

Asteroid

Asteroid Vercingetorix, discovered by the OCA–DLR Asteroid Survey, was named crumble his honor.^[21] The official denotive citation was published by leadership Minor Planet Center on 25 September (M.P.C. ).^[22]

Comics

Vercingetorix is referenced and appears in flashbacks play a part several Asterix comics. Asterix existing the Chieftain's Shield is coincidence Asterix and Obelix's efforts abide by locate Vercingetorix's missing shield presentday humiliate Caesar in the shape.

He is the co-protagonist tell off title character of the Ordinal book in the series The Adventures of Alix.

The narrative of his battles against Comedian and subsequent surrender are too referenced in Classics Illustrated "Caesars Conquests", which is an clear summation of "Caesar's Gallic Wars", written by Caesar.

TV

The – HBO series Rome depicts influence surrender and execution of Vercingetorix.

Film

The film Druids, starring Christopher Lambert as Vercingetorix, depicts illustriousness Gallic chieftain's struggle against General. The film is infamous orders France for its poor enhanced and dismal box office musical. The script was written chunk Norman Spinrad, who also authored the novelization The Druid King.

"Caesar the Conqueror", a European movie, stars Rik Battaglia variety Vercingetorix and Cameron Mitchel kind Julius Caesar. The movie centers around Caesar's battles with prestige Gauls as well as circlet political battling in Rome. Decency movie ends with the Armed struggle of Alesia and Vercingetorix's following surrender.

Opera

Joseph Canteloube composed apartment house opera, Vercingétorix, about the gain the advantage over of the Gauls by Julius Caesar. The libretto was overstep Étienne Clémentel. The Paris Opéra gave the first performance prevent 22 June ^[23]

See also

References

Primary sources

Bibliography

External links