Alesia, siege of (52 bc), the final defeat of the great Gallic rebellion led by Vercingetorix. The rebels (as always, in Julius Caesar's memoirs, outnumbering him) had fortified themselves in the hilltop stronghold of Alesia (modern Alise-Sainte-Reine). Caesar, with perhaps 45, 000 troops, judged assault impractical, so decided to blockade his enemy, constructing a massive series of fortifications to fence the Gauls in. The line of circumvallation was strengthened by 23 redoubts and 8 larger camps. The remains of this elaborate system have been traced by archaeologists. Before it was complete, Vercingetorix despatched his cavalry to return to their home tribes and muster a relief force, which Caesar absurdly claimed numbered 258, 000. To guard against this threat the Romans constructed another line of fortifications facing outwards. A series of desperate combats developed as the defenders and the relief force attacked the Roman lines from both sides. The fighting became focused on a Roman camp positioned in a vulnerable spot and occupied by two legions. Caesar managed to hold the rest of his line while still concentrating enough reserves to hold this vital position. After the failure of this last assault the relieving army dispersed and Vercingetorix surrendered. He was led through the streets in chains when Caesar staged his formal triumph in Rome in 46 bc and then strangled, the customary fate of a captured enemy leader at the end of a Roman triumph.
— Adrian K. Goldsworthy
