Original subtitles

- (all soldiers chant)

- (dramatic music)

MAN: I remember the ground trembling under the weight of the horses.

MAN: I remember the ground trembling under the weight of the horses.

I remember the battle cries of the Gauls.

- (yelling) MAN: I remember my brothers in arms

- (yelling) MAN: I remember my brothers in arms

cut down by the blows of the barbarians, while the legions fled.

I remember defeat...and shame.

I remember defeat...and shame.

My name is Quintus, and I was at Gergovia.

- (dramatic music)

NARRATOR: Built from 70 hectares of volcanic rock,

the Gergovie Plateau rises sharply above the plain below.

the Gergovie Plateau rises sharply above the plain below.

Around this vast 400 metre high promontory

was fought one of the most important battles

of the legendary Gallic Wars.

of the legendary Gallic Wars.

We know about this battle

through the first-hand account of a direct witness.

Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar.

The commander-in-chief of the Roman legions at Gergovia.

And the future leader of the Roman Empire.

And the future leader of the Roman Empire.

According to Caesar, the Battle of Gergovia

was fought in the spring,

was fought in the spring,

during the sixth year of his campaign to conquer Gaul,

part of modern-day France, in 52 BCE.

part of modern-day France, in 52 BCE.

Gergovia is home to the Arverni,

the most powerful of the Gallic tribes.

It serves as their capital.

It serves as their capital.

And their stronghold.

And according to Caesar, many other Gallic tribes

had gathered here to challenge Rome's authority.

had gathered here to challenge Rome's authority.

- (horse neighs)

NARRATOR: By the time Caesar had arrived at Gergovia,

the Gauls had built military camps on all of the surrounding hilltops.

the Gauls had built military camps on all of the surrounding hilltops.

- (soldiers yelling)

QUINTUS: The barbarians hold all of the high ground.

QUINTUS: The barbarians hold all of the high ground.

Wherever I look, I see them massed above us.

These unruly, chattering Gauls are so numerous,

they obscure the tops of the hills.

they obscure the tops of the hills.

And in the middle, on the highest hill, a fortified town.

By the gods!

By the gods!

It's not going to be easy to get them out of there.

NARRATOR: Caesar himself never offers an estimate

NARRATOR: Caesar himself never offers an estimate

of the number of Gallic troops he'd face at Gergovia.

He simply states that the fighters occupying high ground

around the fortified town, the oppidum, look frightening.

around the fortified town, the oppidum, look frightening.

On one of the hills, among the warriors,

stands a young Arverni nobleman.

stands a young Arverni nobleman.

The leader of the Gauls.

He appears out of nowhere in Caesar's account,

but he would soon share the centre stage.

His name is Vercingetorix.

His name is Vercingetorix.

Today we have this image of Vercingetorix

as a valiant barbarian.

Puffing his chest out in the face of his adversary,

arrogantly flaunting his moustache and long flowing hair.

It's a romantic image,

but one that modern archaeology has difficulty supporting.

but one that modern archaeology has difficulty supporting.

- (speaks French)

NARRATOR: Caesar provides barely any biographical detail

about his opponent, apart from a reference to his age.

He describes him as adulescens,

He describes him as adulescens,

a Latin term for a man under 30.

NARRATOR: When Vercingetorix first appears in Caesar's text,

NARRATOR: When Vercingetorix first appears in Caesar's text,

he is taking up the torch of a struggle

begun by his father against Rome. And Caesar.

Caesar fields six legions, or just over 30,000 men,

Caesar fields six legions, or just over 30,000 men,

some of the most battle-hardened soldiers in the Roman Republic.

Among them, Caesar's favourite legion.

Among them, Caesar's favourite legion.

The one that would loyally go on to follow him

across his many European campaigns, the Tenth legion.

across his many European campaigns, the Tenth legion.

QUINTUS: I've been serving under Caius Julius Caesar

with the Tenth legion for ten years now.

with the Tenth legion for ten years now.

I've taken part in all of his battles,

against the Helvetii, the Belgians, and the Bretons.

He's a great Roman. A great Roman, and a great general.

He's a great Roman. A great Roman, and a great general.

The gods always grant him victory,

and he's always fair with his men.

and he's always fair with his men.

We, the veterans of the Tenth,

will follow him to the ends of the earth.

Beyond the Columns of Hercules, if need be.

Beyond the Columns of Hercules, if need be.

With Caesar comes glory and treasure!

NARRATOR: Caius Julius Caesar was probably born in 100 BCE,

NARRATOR: Caius Julius Caesar was probably born in 100 BCE,

making him around 48 years old at the time of Gergovia.

He had already had a long political career behind him.

He had already had a long political career behind him.

NARRATOR: Caesar was an adventurer and a schemer

who would stop at nothing to get the things he wanted.

Money and power.

Through his schemes, he rose to the highest positions of authority.

Through his schemes, he rose to the highest positions of authority.

But he made so many political enemies along the way,

he was forced to leave Rome.

In 58 BCE, despite the relentless efforts of his opponents,

In 58 BCE, despite the relentless efforts of his opponents,

he was appointed governor of Transalpine Gaul.

A position that shielded him from prosecution.

A position that shielded him from prosecution.

Transalpine Gaul was a group of territories

conquered by Rome several decades earlier.

conquered by Rome several decades earlier.

It covered roughly the area of modern-day Provence

and the Mediterranean coast of Languedoc.

Beyond it lies the region

Beyond it lies the region

that Caesar refers to in his Commentaries as Hairy Gaul.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: While the origin of this expression remains uncertain,

its meaning is fairly clear.

its meaning is fairly clear.

According to Caesar, the Gauls were shaggy barbarians

living in a wild, forested world, far removed from civilisation.

living in a wild, forested world, far removed from civilisation.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (man shouts orders)

NARRATOR: Vercingetorix's Gaul

was built first and foremost on agriculture.

Its forests had largely been cleared over the previous centuries

to make way for vast expanses of cultivated land.

More than just skilled farmers,

the Gauls were also skilful craftsmen and shrewd traders.

A far cry from the crude, primitive savages described by Caesar

A far cry from the crude, primitive savages described by Caesar

in his Commentaries on the Gallic War.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: What is accurate in Caesar's description however

NARRATOR: What is accurate in Caesar's description however

is that the Gallic world was indeed a divided one.

It was a collection of interlocking tribal lands

It was a collection of interlocking tribal lands

in which the tribes regularly clashed with one another.

NARRATOR: As soon as he was appointed to Transalpine Gaul,

Caesar took advantage of these divisions,

intending to use them to help to conquer the rest of Gaul.

intending to use them to help to conquer the rest of Gaul.

In one instance, he lent his muscle to the Aedui tribe ,

long allies of Rome,

to help deal with threats from another tribe, the Helvetii.

to help deal with threats from another tribe, the Helvetii.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: And to wage the wars he continued to ignite,

Caesar had a formidable weapon at his disposal.

Caesar had a formidable weapon at his disposal.

The great legions entrusted to him...by Rome.

QUINTUS: Our legions consist of 6,000 men,

organised into ten cohorts,

each containing six centuries of 100 men.

each containing six centuries of 100 men.

One hundred brothers in arms, fighting as one man.

We, the legionaries, are the sword

that Rome brings down upon its enemies.

- (speaks French)

NARRATOR: Vincent Torres is a historian

and experimental archaeologist

who specialises in ancient military history.

who specialises in ancient military history.

NARRATOR: The legion was an infantry unit

NARRATOR: The legion was an infantry unit

built on the model of the Greek phalanx.

- (soldier calls an order)

NARRATOR: Heavily armed fighters capable of executing

complex, coordinated manoeuvres on the battlefield.

- (soldier calls an order)

- (soldier calls an order)

NARRATOR: One of the most effective manoeuvres employed by the legion

was the famous tortoise formation.

- (Vincent Torres-Hugon speaks)

NARRATOR: Because of their agility and teamwork,

the legions could outmanoeuvre

their less coordinated opponents in lowland areas.

- (soldier calls an order)

NARRATOR: Over the years, the Gallic chiefs

came to appreciate their vulnerability

in the face of Roman power.

In 54 BCE, they established the first Gallic league

In 54 BCE, they established the first Gallic league

under Ambiorix, a Belgian chieftain.

Their revolt against Caesar was short-lived.

Their revolt against Caesar was short-lived.

Crushed before the end of the following year.

Thinking that his problems in Gaul had been resolved,

Caesar returned to Rome.

Vercingetorix saw things differently.

Vercingetorix saw things differently.

He then took up the torch of revolt at Gergovia.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (shouting)

NARRATOR: Rejected by his own people,

Vercingetorix rounded up a band of loyal followers

Vercingetorix rounded up a band of loyal followers

and took control of Gergovia.

He then drove his uncle from the city

and was elected leader of the Arverni,

and was elected leader of the Arverni,

by those he had rallied to his cause.

Caesar had a specific Celtic name

he used to refer to the men in Vercingetorix's inner circle.

he used to refer to the men in Vercingetorix's inner circle.

The ambactes.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: Armed with his new authority,

Vercingetorix sends emissaries to all the Gallic tribes.

His diplomatic efforts are tinged with threats.

His diplomatic efforts are tinged with threats.

Around twenty tribes join his side.

To join his alliance, each tribe is required

to send hostages to guarantee their loyalty.

to send hostages to guarantee their loyalty.

Vercingetorix also demands that his allies send as many soldiers

and weapons as he asks for.

and weapons as he asks for.

NARRATOR: Regis Harter is a living historian

and an expert on ancient martial arts.

and an expert on ancient martial arts.

Especially those used in Gaul.

NARRATOR: To protect themselves from their enemy's blades,

the Gauls developed a revolutionary piece of protective gear,

chain mail.

chain mail.

- (Regis Harter speaks)

NARRATOR: This chain mail was a Gallic invention,

NARRATOR: This chain mail was a Gallic invention,

but it was also used by Caesar's legions.

And that wasn't the only thing they borrowed from these adversaries.

After the Gallic War,

the Gallic helmet was adopted by the Roman legionaries.

As important as helmets and coats of chain mail

were to the Gauls, however,

were to the Gauls, however,

they were reserved for the wealthiest soldiers.

NARRATOR: While Caesar is in Rome,

caught up in the political intrigues of the republic,

caught up in the political intrigues of the republic,

the revolt in Gaul, led by Vercingetorix, gains momentum.

In Cenabum, now Orleans, the Carnutes tribe rises up

In Cenabum, now Orleans, the Carnutes tribe rises up

and massacres the entire Roman population in the town.

Meanwhile, Vercingetorix regroups his forces

Meanwhile, Vercingetorix regroups his forces

and prepares to take action.

Alerted to the rumblings in Gaul,

Caesar returns at the beginning of 52 BCE.

Caesar returns at the beginning of 52 BCE.

Quickly crossing the Cevennes in the middle of winter,

he forces his way up the Rhone and then the Saone.

He reaches Cenabum in record time,

He reaches Cenabum in record time,

and recaptures the town from the Carnutes.

QUINTUS: What we did there, no animal could have done.

QUINTUS: What we did there, no animal could have done.

Crossing those bleak Cevennes mountains in the snow and the cold,

forced marching, with no sleep and almost no food,

forced marching, with no sleep and almost no food,

with those horrible barbarians

coming at us from all sides, at any moment.

I'm telling you, no beast could have done what we did there.

I'm telling you, no beast could have done what we did there.

NARRATOR: The legions reach Avaricum, today's Bourges,

by the end of the winter.

by the end of the winter.

They take the city and massacre its 40,000 inhabitants.

At the same time, Vercingetorix and his army are also heading north.

At the same time, Vercingetorix and his army are also heading north.

The Arverni and the Roman armies are on a collision course.

But Vercingetorix avoids a direct confrontation with Caesar's legions.

He's adopted an entirely different strategy.

He's adopted an entirely different strategy.

NARRATOR: One of the hypotheses favoured by historians today

is that Vercingetorix, as a child, may have been sent to the Romans

by his uncle, as a part of a treaty arrangement.

by his uncle, as a part of a treaty arrangement.

Having been raised in Caesar's entourage, he would have grown up

to become one of his...contubernalis.

to become one of his...contubernalis.

Literally, tent-mates.

- (Vincent Torres speaks)

NARRATOR: Armed with his knowledge of the Roman army,

NARRATOR: Armed with his knowledge of the Roman army,

Vercingetorix knows that he has no chance against the legions

in a conventional battle.

So he decides to attack their weakest point instead.

Their supplies.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: And to carry out his guerrilla warfare strategy,

the leader of the Gauls has a particularly effective weapon

the leader of the Gauls has a particularly effective weapon

at his disposal, his cavalry.

Gaul's horsemen were some of the most feared in the ancient world.

Gaul's horsemen were some of the most feared in the ancient world.

Rome, which lacked a permanent cavalry,

often called on Gallic riders to support its legions.

NARRATOR: Vercingetorix's horsemen stealthily ride out of camp

and spot a Roman detachment separated from the army,

looking for food.

looking for food.

The Gauls sweep in and destroy them.

The Romans are forced to drive even deeper into hostile territory

The Romans are forced to drive even deeper into hostile territory

to find the supplies they need.

- (Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: What Caesar doesn't realise

NARRATOR: What Caesar doesn't realise

is that he is walking into a deadly trap.

A trap set by Vercingetorix himself.

A trap set by Vercingetorix himself.

NARRATOR: Hardly any visible evidence

of the ancient Arverni city remains.

of the ancient Arverni city remains.

Its exact location had been the subject of

speculation and debate for centuries.

Then, archaeological discoveries made in the 19th century

Then, archaeological discoveries made in the 19th century

confirmed that this site, formerly known as the Merdogne plateau,

was in fact the Gergovie plateau.

was in fact the Gergovie plateau.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: To its south and east,

the oppidum is protected by a sheer cliff,

the oppidum is protected by a sheer cliff,

too tall to scale safely from the plain below.

To the west, an expanse of wetlands and woods

To the west, an expanse of wetlands and woods

surround what would be a more convenient route to the top.

Yann Deberge is the archaeologist in charge of

excavations at the Gergovia site.

- (soldiers yelling)

- (yelling)

NARRATOR: By the spring of 52 BCE,

NARRATOR: By the spring of 52 BCE,

Vercingetorix's trap is closing on Caesar.

His six legions, harassed and exhausted,

find themselves isolated, deep inside Arverni country,

find themselves isolated, deep inside Arverni country,

at the foot of Gergovia,

on terrain that boxed in the famously agile Roman army.

on terrain that boxed in the famously agile Roman army.

These recent excavations finally give us a precise idea

of what Gergovia was like in 52 BCE.

of what Gergovia was like in 52 BCE.

It was a vast, fortified, and virtually impregnable city.

NARRATOR: Archaeologists estimate that the wall was 3-4 metres high

and 80 centimetres wide at the top.

Within the enclosure, at regular intervals, sections of stone

connect to the facing wall at perpendicular angles.

connect to the facing wall at perpendicular angles.

- (Yann Deberge speaks)

- (soldiers' battle cries)

NARRATOR: To reach the oppidum, the attackers would need to climb

NARRATOR: To reach the oppidum, the attackers would need to climb

nearly a kilometre of difficult terrain,

and only then would they reach the first defensive wall.

Beyond this wall, they would need to cross a 15 metre wide terrace,

Beyond this wall, they would need to cross a 15 metre wide terrace,

exposed to the projectiles launched by their adversaries

manning the ramparts above. Then they would come up against

manning the ramparts above. Then they would come up against

a vertical wall, built into a stone face four to six metres high.

And then, finally, they would reach the oppidum's walls.

And then, finally, they would reach the oppidum's walls.

QUINTUS: The barbarians have lured us into this valley of despair

and we are now left to their mercy.

and we are now left to their mercy.

There are whispers in the ranks.

What if Caesar no longer has the gods on his side?

But he reveals nothing.

But he reveals nothing.

He orders us to set up camp like it's any other day.

- (horse neighs)

- (horse neighs)

NARRATOR: Caesar orders the construction of a large camp

far enough away from the stronghold

to escape the Gauls' projectiles.

A camp, with defensive works,

A camp, with defensive works,

will be built by his own soldiers

using materials scavenged in the surrounding area.

It will serve as the rear base

It will serve as the rear base

from which he can watch the Gauls' manoeuvres,

prepare his strategy against the citadel,

and block access to it from the plain.

and block access to it from the plain.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: The large camp is typical

of Roman military structures from the period.

of Roman military structures from the period.

Its perimeter is a quadrilateral with rounded corners,

surrounded by a V-shaped trench and a mound of earth,

known to the Romans as an agar,

known to the Romans as an agar,

which serves as a defensive obstacle.

Above the agar, a barrier made of wooden logs

is erected to shield those stationed inside the camp.

The whole structure rises nearly three metres above the ground.

The whole structure rises nearly three metres above the ground.

Wooden towers stretch above the grand palisade at regular intervals

connected by a sentry walk.

A series of fortified gates provide

A series of fortified gates provide

entry and exit points for the legionaries.

What is less typical about the Roman camp at Gergovia is its size.

What is less typical about the Roman camp at Gergovia is its size.

The archaeologists' excavations

uncover a nearly 30 hectare footprint.

uncover a nearly 30 hectare footprint.

Building it would have been a titanic task,

which the legions had to complete in just a few hours.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: Excavations at Caesar's camp at Gergovia

NARRATOR: Excavations at Caesar's camp at Gergovia

have uncovered numerous artefacts

used by the Romans to build the camp.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

- (Vincent Torres-Hugon speaks)

- (dramatic music)

NARRATOR: As he settles into his large camp,

Caesar keeps an eye on the oppidum

and the movements of the Gauls on the surrounding hills.

and the movements of the Gauls on the surrounding hills.

He notices that Vercingetorix leads a daily morning meeting

with all of the other chiefs.

with all of the other chiefs.

This is where he gives his orders.

Later in the day, the Gauls filter out of their stronghold

and skirmish with the Romans,

and skirmish with the Romans,

testing their reaction and their resolve.

Caesar also observes a rise slightly below the oppidum,

to the south of the reinforced wall.

to the south of the reinforced wall.

A Gallic detachment is entrenched there.

But if the Romans could take this hill,

they could squeeze the supply line to the oppidum

they could squeeze the supply line to the oppidum

and build an outpost within firing distance of the fortifications.

QUINTUS: He assembled two legions

and ordered us out by nightfall, with all our gear.

and ordered us out by nightfall, with all our gear.

The centurion told us we were going to surprise the barbarians

while they slept, and that the slightest noise during our advance

while they slept, and that the slightest noise during our advance

would be severely punished.

We marched silently toward the barbarian position.

5,000 steps, at least.

5,000 steps, at least.

As soon as we got there, we kicked the wretched Gauls out.

And we barely lifted our swords.

As soon as they saw the legions' emblem, they hurried off.

As soon as they saw the legions' emblem, they hurried off.

- (yelling, swords clashing)

NARRATOR: Caesar then has his soldiers dig a double ditch 3m wide,

NARRATOR: Caesar then has his soldiers dig a double ditch 3m wide,

linking the outpost to the main camp,

allowing the legionaries to move from one to the other

without exposing themselves to enemy fire.

without exposing themselves to enemy fire.

At this point in the conflict,

the Romans seem to have the upper hand.

They've strengthened their positions

They've strengthened their positions

despite constant harassment from the Gauls.

Their new forward position is a menace,

limiting the Gauls' access to the oppidum.

limiting the Gauls' access to the oppidum.

But on the battlefield, fortunes can shift quickly.

So too can alliances.

The Aedui, longstanding allies of Rome,

are due to send Caesar a contingent of 10,000 Gallic auxiliaries.

But then suddenly, they flirt with joining their fellow Gauls.

But then suddenly, they flirt with joining their fellow Gauls.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: According to Caesar, these Aeduan auxiliaries,

NARRATOR: According to Caesar, these Aeduan auxiliaries,

who are supposed to join him at Gergovia,

have stopped along the way.

Some of them refuse to support Rome.

Some of them refuse to support Rome.

Warned of this, Caesar sets off to meet them

and bring them back into line. And according to him,

he manages to do so in short order.

he manages to do so in short order.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: This hypothesis, that there was more to this defection

than meets the eye, is supported by what happens next.

Noting that Caesar had taken four legions with him

to confront the Aeduans,

Vercingetorix launches a surprise attack.

QUINTUS: Cursed barbarians!

QUINTUS: Cursed barbarians!

As soon as Caesar and his legions were out of sight,

they came upon us. They stormed down the hills

towards our camp, hollering. No time to get our gear,

towards our camp, hollering. No time to get our gear,

we ran to the gates, weapons in hand.

The centurions shouted orders.

We could barely hear them over the howling of the Gauls.

We could barely hear them over the howling of the Gauls.

Without the ordnance we had previously positioned

on the ramparts to defend against the barbarians,

we'd have been finished for sure.

we'd have been finished for sure.

NARRATOR: Caesar does not specify which machines of war

enable the Romans to repel this assault.

But archaeologists have unearthed some clues

But archaeologists have unearthed some clues

around the site of Gergovia.

Over the course of various excavations,

they have discovered a number of projectiles.

they have discovered a number of projectiles.

Among them, iron spikes with triangular heads,

which would have been fitted onto wooden rods.

Ammunition for the scorpio.

Ammunition for the scorpio.

The scorpio was a much feared Roman siege engine.

Easy to use and brutally effective.

Easy to use and brutally effective.

- (Vincent Torres-Hugon speaks)

- (Vincent Torres-Hugon speaks)

NARRATOR: Experiments carried out with modern replicas of the scorpio,

such as this one, confirm what Caesar boasted about these machines.

such as this one, confirm what Caesar boasted about these machines.

With a straight shot, the scorpio could hit a target

150 metres away, with enough power to pierce two combatants.

150 metres away, with enough power to pierce two combatants.

But when fired at an angle,

the scorpio's arrows could reach 400 metres.

the scorpio's arrows could reach 400 metres.

NARRATOR: Thanks to the scorpios defending the large camp,

the Romans repel the Gallic assault.

the Romans repel the Gallic assault.

Caesar returns by dawn, and, according to his account,

Caesar returns by dawn, and, according to his account,

proceeds to draw up a daring plan

to bring down the oppidum once and for all.

- (soldier calls marching time)

- (soldier calls marching time)

NARRATOR: While the plateau is difficult to access

from the east and south, its western flank is more exposed.

from the east and south, its western flank is more exposed.

Caesar writes that Vercingetorix understood this weakness

and had ordered his troops

and had ordered his troops

to reinforce the defences on this side of the oppidum.

The southern flank was stripped of its defenders

and left with just natural barriers.

and left with just natural barriers.

Caesar's idea is to feint an attack to the west,

effectively pinning the Gauls in place.

Then launch an assault on the abandoned southern flank

Then launch an assault on the abandoned southern flank

using the bulk of his legions from the small camp.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: Caesar waits until nightfall to send his legionaries

NARRATOR: Caesar waits until nightfall to send his legionaries

towards a ridge west of the oppidum.

He instructs them to move noisily

so that the Gauls will think they are preparing for an assault.

so that the Gauls will think they are preparing for an assault.

At dawn, he sends his legions' mule teams,

their riders wearing helmets, along the same route

their riders wearing helmets, along the same route

so that in the dim early morning light,

his opponents will think they are seeing armed horsemen.

his opponents will think they are seeing armed horsemen.

And while some of his troops are diverted to the west,

Caesar discreetly moves the legions who will lead the real assault

Caesar discreetly moves the legions who will lead the real assault

from the large Roman camp to the small one.

QUINTUS: This time, we're on the move without our packs.

Even the legion eagle remains in the camp.

We go in small groups, crouched over in the trench,

so that the barbarians won't see us.

so that the barbarians won't see us.

NARRATOR: Observing the action from the large camp,

Caesar watches the Gallic defenders move toward the west of the oppidum,

Caesar watches the Gallic defenders move toward the west of the oppidum,

as if they are responding to the Romans' manoeuvres.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: According to Caesar,

the assault from the small camp is swift and brutal.

The Gallic forces stationed between the two walls

The Gallic forces stationed between the two walls

are taken by surprise and flee.

Caesar, who had remained behind with the Tenth legion,

then gives a strange order. He sounds the retreat.

then gives a strange order. He sounds the retreat.

But the soldiers, he says, did not hear the sound of the horns,

and, swept up in the moment,

continue their push toward the oppidum.

continue their push toward the oppidum.

QUINTUS: In all the time we'd been serving him,

QUINTUS: In all the time we'd been serving him,

the boys from the Tenth and I had never seen Caesar so worried.

He was agitated and not happy.

He was shouting at his aides, ordering them left and right.

He was shouting at his aides, ordering them left and right.

All we could see were the legionaries

advancing towards the oppidum.

advancing towards the oppidum.

Then, all of a sudden,

the barbarian women appeared at the top of the ramparts.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

QUINTUS: It was at this moment that the barbarian horsemen rode in.

QUINTUS: It was at this moment that the barbarian horsemen rode in.

The sounds of battle and the cries of the women must have alerted them.

They advanced on the right wing of the legions.

They advanced on the right wing of the legions.

Trapped against the wall, our legionaries

couldn't manoeuvre themselves into a fighting position.

By the gods, it was a massacre!

By the gods, it was a massacre!

NARRATOR: Caesar, still travelling with the Tenth legion,

brings his last reserves out from the small camp

and positions them to cover a retreat which now seemed inevitable.

and positions them to cover a retreat which now seemed inevitable.

- (soldiers yelling)

NARRATOR: It is at this point that the 10,000 Aedui fighters

NARRATOR: It is at this point that the 10,000 Aedui fighters

join the battle from the east.

QUINTUS: I don't understand what's happening.

When the Aedui arrived, I saw the legionaries turn to fight them.

When the Aedui arrived, I saw the legionaries turn to fight them.

There was total confusion in our camp.

I saw my comrades fall one by one

I saw my comrades fall one by one

as they tried to repel the attack, then they retreated.

NARRATOR: Once again, Caesar provides some astonishing details.

NARRATOR: Once again, Caesar provides some astonishing details.

The legionaries, caught up in the fury of the battle,

did not recognise their allies and instead fought against them.

did not recognise their allies and instead fought against them.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: Caught between Vercingetorix's troops

and the Aedui, and pinned against the wall,

the Roman legions hastily withdraw.

the Roman legions hastily withdraw.

The siege of Gergovia is a debacle.

Julius Caesar has just suffered his first defeat.

Julius Caesar has just suffered his first defeat.

- (yelling and crying)

In his Commentaries, Caesar acknowledges his failure.

But he claims a surprisingly low death toll.

By his count, the Romans lose 46 centurions

and just under 700 legionaries.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: In the days following the Roman defeat,

the Gallic revolt takes on a new dimension.

the Gallic revolt takes on a new dimension.

All of the tribes now recognise Vercingetorix as their leader

and pledge to support him.

and pledge to support him.

Even the Aedui officially renounce their alliance with Rome.

For the time being, Julius Caesar

For the time being, Julius Caesar

entrenches himself in the large camp,

but before long, he and his legions will withdraw to the north.

but before long, he and his legions will withdraw to the north.

Harassed by the unified Gauls along the way.

This won't be the last time Caesar and Vercingetorix square off.

This won't be the last time Caesar and Vercingetorix square off.

A few months later, the two will face each other again at Alesia.

This time, Caesar takes his revenge.

This time, Caesar takes his revenge.

The Gallic revolt is crushed.

In his account, Caesar states nonchalantly that

"The chiefs are brought in, Vercingetorix is handed over,

"The chiefs are brought in, Vercingetorix is handed over,

and their weapons are thrown at my feet".

In 46 BCE, as Caesar celebrates his triumph over the Gauls,

In 46 BCE, as Caesar celebrates his triumph over the Gauls,

Vercingetorix is paraded before a crowd,

chained to the Roman leader's chariot.

chained to the Roman leader's chariot.

He will never be seen again.

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