Introduction
In 55 BC, the Roman general Julius Caesar paid a brief and not altogether satisfying visit to Britain, and on his return to Gaul found everything in uproar there too. Slowly he restored order, but in 52 he was confronted with an especially stubborn rebel whom he named simply Vercingetorix, ‘the Commander’. That September, however, Caesar had the Gauls pinned down in Alesia, now Alise-Sainte-Reine.
FOR thirty days and more the siege lasted. Then a mighty army, gathered from all parts of Gaul, appeared to help their starving comrades. There was a great battle in which the besieged Gauls took part, but it ended in a victory for Caesar.
It was not a mere victory. It was the end of the struggle. The spirit of Gaul was crushed and broken. Early on the morning after the battle Vercingetorix called together his counsellors. “I fought not for myself,” said he: “but for Gaul. Yet I am the cause of this war, therefore I give myself up freely to the conqueror. Let his wrath fall on me, but let him spare my country.”
Vercingetorix then put on his most splendid armour and jewels. He mounted his war-horse, the harness of which was gay with crimson and gold. Then the gates of Alesia were opened and he rode forth.
Before the gates Caesar sat in counsel.
* The Gauls took up a defensive position on Mont Auxois, above the present-day village of Alise-Sainte-Reine in the département of Côte d’Or, France.
Précis
On his return from across the Channel, Roman commander Julius Caesar found Gaul in uproar thanks to a doughty rebel he called Vercingetorix. At last, in September 52 BC, Caesar had Vercingetorix and his rebels pinned down in Alesia, and when a relief force failed to break the siege, Vercingetorix gave himself up in the hope of preventing bloody reprisals. (60 / 60 words)
On his return from across the Channel, Roman commander Julius Caesar found Gaul in uproar thanks to a doughty rebel he called Vercingetorix. At last, in September 52 BC, Caesar had Vercingetorix and his rebels pinned down in Alesia, and when a relief force failed to break the siege, Vercingetorix gave himself up in the hope of preventing bloody reprisals.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: besides, despite, must, otherwise, ought, unless, whereas, whether.
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