Great Conqueror: Rome | The Gallic Wars: Siege of Avaricum #6
0Civilization: Roman Republic
Event: Gallic Wars
Date: 58 BC - 50 BC
History: Julius Caesar, after a series of victories at Vellaunodunum, Genabum, and Noviodunum Biturigum, had arrived at Avaricum in the winter of 52 BC, intent on denying its grain and steel to the rebellious Gauls. Vercingetorix, aware that he had already been bested three times, decided to change strategy. Calling together a council of the tribes in rebellion against Rome, he convinced them to adopt the Fabian strategy of not to offer combat with Caesar's forces but to deny them supplies by the scorched earth tactic. All the towns within range of Caesar's foraging parties were destroyed, the land stripped bare and all grain removed or burned. However, Avaricum was spared that fate since the Bituriges argued the town was impossible to take and begged for their largest city not to be destroyed. Vercingetorix agreed to make the town an exception.
However, upon Caesar's appearance at the gates of Avaricum, Vercingetorix moved his army to a distance 15 miles outside town, perfectly situated so that Caesar could not leave without a battle nor could he forage at will. To add to his woes, Caesar's allies, the Aedui and the Boii, were unable to supply him, the former because they had quietly joined Vercingetorix in his rebellion, the latter because they simply did not have any food to spare. The shortage of grain was so acute that the men ate only meat, which was rare for a Roman field army. Caesar personally made the rounds among his men and told them that if the scarcity of food was too much, he would lift the siege and withdraw. His soldiers protested and refused to end a siege in disgrace when they still had to avenge the innocent Romans murdered a year earlier by the Gauls in Genabum.
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