The Arverni – Vercingetorix against Caesar

History & Finds The Arverni: The People of Vercingetorix

The Arverni were one of the mightiest Celtic peoples of Gaul, settled in today's Auvergne. Before the Roman conquest they contended with the Aedui for supremacy in Gaul.

Gold stater bearing the legend Vercingetorix — Arvernian gold stater bearing the legend VERCINGETORIXS, from the Pionsat coin hoard. Musée d'archéologie nationale. Siren-Com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Vercingetorix unites Gaul

In 52 BC the young Arvernian prince Vercingetorix rose against Rome – and achieved what none had before: he united the quarrelling tribes into a common revolt. With scorched-earth tactics he put Caesar in serious difficulty.

The decision at Alesia

At Gergovia Vercingetorix even beat Caesar. But in the fortress of Alesia he was besieged; Caesar's double ring of siege works held even against the huge Gallic relief army. Vercingetorix surrendered to save his people – and was executed years later in Rome.

"Of all these the Belgae are the bravest … yet Gaul rose as a whole."freely after Caesar, The Gallic War (public domain, own translation)

The power of the Auvergne

The Arverni were one of the most powerful Celtic tribes of Gaul, in the highlands of today's Auvergne. Before the Roman conquest they claimed for a time supremacy over wide parts of Gaul – a real great power of the Celtic world.

Vercingetorix

Their most famous son was Vercingetorix, who in 52 BC united the quarrelling Gaulish tribes for the great revolt against Caesar. He is the symbolic figure of the Gaulish fight for freedom par excellence.

Gergovia and Alesia

At Gergovia, the chief town of the Arverni, Vercingetorix dealt Caesar one of his few defeats. But at Alesia he was finally besieged and had to surrender – the end of free Gaul.

A hero of modern times

Vercingetorix nearly fell into oblivion – until the 19th century raised him to a French national hero. Emperor Napoleon III had a monument built to him. Thus an Arvernian prince became a symbol of the French nation.

Evidence: Vercingetorix, Gergovia and Alesia are attested in detail in Caesar's "De bello Gallico" (Book VII).

Myth check: The image of Vercingetorix as the "first Frenchman" and united national hero is a creation of the 19th century. In his time there was no "Gaulish national feeling" – the tribes fought against each other as often as against Rome.

What is documented: The Gallic revolt of 52 BC, Vercingetorix's victory at Gergovia, the siege of Alesia with its double rampart and the surrender – described in detail in Caesar's The Gallic War.

What is interpretation: Vercingetorix as the "first national hero of France" is an image of the 19th century (Napoleon III). Caesar is the main source and deliberately styles his opponent as a noble enemy. Whether the Arverni really saw him as "king of Gaul" is uncertain.

The Arverni stand for the last great fight for freedom of the Celts. Continue with their rivals, the Aedui, and the Senones.

Glanz & Gravur — From our workshop: Celtic-Germanic motifs on natural slate, laser-engraved. To the shop →

Sources & literature

Caesar, The Gallic War VII; quote public domain (own translation).

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The Arverni: The People of Vercingetorix

Vercingetorix unites Gaul

The decision at Alesia

The power of the Auvergne

Vercingetorix

Gergovia and Alesia

A hero of modern times

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