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Vercingetorix & Alise-Sainte-Reine

Alésia - the last stand of the Gauls

Vercingetorox at Alesia

Celtic tribes from Central Europe came during the 8th Century BCE and spread through the country, soon becoming known as the Gauls. They dominated much of France until the arrival of the Romans during the 2nd Century BCE.

The Gauls were fierce fighters and defended their territory from oppidums or fortified towns on hilltops one of which can be seen at Alise-Ste-Reine in modern Burgundy. Known then as Alésia, it was here in 52 BCE that the Gallic leader Vercingetorix and his army were defeated by the legions of Roman General Julius Caesar.

Vercingetorix surrendered, was taken prisoner and transported to Rome where he was confined in the Tullianum for five years before being garroted as part of Caesar’s Triumph in 46BCE.

Alise-Sainte-Reine

Alise-Sainte-Reine

The site can be be visited and a statue of the great Gallic warrior can be seen standing proud over the battlefield. Nearby are the Gallo-Roman ruins of Alésia and a further 3km/2m to the West is the MuséoParc - see Practical Information.

700BCE–451AD: Gallo-Romans

Bourgogne-Franche-Compté

Text © Paul Shawcross

Images by Myrabella, Paul Shawcross