The Surrender of Vercingetorix, by Henri-Paul Motte (1846–1922).
The Surrender of Vercingetorix, by Henri-Paul Motte (1846–1922), painted in 1886. John Buchan believed that Vercingetorix was the most able general Julius Caesar ever faced. According to Plutarch, the Gaul scored a memorable point against this famous Roman. “The Averni [Vercingetorix’s tribe] show a dagger suspended in a temple, which they say was taken from Caesar. Caesar himself afterwards saw it, and smiled; and when his friends urged him to take it down, he would not, because he considered it consecrated.”
Part 1 of 2
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. (59 / 60 words)
Part Two
Roman fortifications at Alise-Sainte-Reine.
A reconstruction of Roman fortifications at Alise-Sainte-Reine, site of Vercingetorix’s surrender in 52 BC, giving us an idea of the scene on that historic and tragic day. Vercingetorix’s campaign of resistance to Roman imperialism was a path followed a little later by British chieftain Caratacus across the Channel, who was also overpowered by superior military might. He too was transported to Rome and displayed as a trophy of Roman civilisation; but according to Tacitus, his no less defiant submission was more sympathetically received. See The Speech of King Caratacus.
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.
Précis
Even Rome’s battle-hardened officers were moved as Vercingetorix rode in with dignity before Caesar’s seat of judgment, dismounted, and threw down his weapons. Caesar, however, poured forth an angry tirade before seeing to it that Vercingetorix was carried off to Rome in chains. There the noble Gaul was paraded as a dumb trophy, and eventually executed. (56 / 60 words)
