The Surrender of Vercingetorix
Vercingetorix on his splendid horse, his jewels and armour gleaming in the sunshine, rode quickly round the tribunal. Then vaulting from his horse he threw his sword and spear at Caesar’s feet, and, without a sword, seated himself upon the steps of the throne. Even the Roman soldiers were touched at the sight of this splendid hero who thus gave himself up for his country.
Caesar alone remained cold and cruel. To him Vercingetorix was merely the man who had for one day robbed him of the name unconquerable. A few minutes he gazed at him in silent hatred, then he burst forth into a torrent of wrath. In silence Vercingetorix listened. Then at a sign from Caesar he was bound and led away.
Vercingetorix was sent to Rome a prisoner. There for six long years he lay in a dark and noisome dungeon. Then he was brought forth to add glory to Caesar’s triumph.* And after having been led through the streets to be jeered at by the Roman multitude, his head was cut off at the foot of the Capitol, while upon its height Caesar knelt to the gods, giving thanks to them for his victories.*
* A Triumph was a magnificent street procession awarded to a Roman general who had brought glory to the City in battle. That year, 46 BC, Julius Caesar celebrated no fewer than four Triumphs, including this one for the Gallic War.
* Vercingetorix was discarded contemptuously by his arrogant captors, but to John Buchan he possessed something the Romans could not even dream of. “No Roman, not even Caesar, knew the meaning of chivalry. Of Vercingetorix we may say that he was the first, and not the least, of that succession of Celtic paladins to whom the freedom of their people has been a burning faith. He was the greatest soldier — greater than Pompey — that Caesar ever faced in the field, and no lost cause could boast a nobler or more tragical hero.” See also The Speech of King Caratacus.