"Vercingetorix ...a better general (and Alesia) ?" Topic
7 Posts
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MichaelCollinsHimself | 24 Oct 2016 3:44 a.m. PST |
Was Vercingetorix a better general than Caesar admitted to? Recently, I posted about the Battle of Vingeanne – the cavalry battle that took place the day before Caesar camped near Alesia. If this cavalry battle took place on the way to the alternative battle site in the Jura region instead, this would mean that Vercingetorix was taking up a position more likey to threaten Caesar`s route to "The Province" – and a much better one than at Alise-Sainte-Reine. It is a position that forces Caesar to besiege it. If it was Caesar`s plan to evacuate his forces to The Province, then his way was clear if Vercingetorix had fallen back on Alise-Sainte-Reine from where the battle of Vingeanne is thought to have taken place. |
Patrick R | 24 Oct 2016 4:28 a.m. PST |
I read years ago that Vercingetorix could have been a rival to Hannibal in his skillset, but he was seriously handicapped by the fact that his army was mostly Gauls. They were eager to fight, but lacked cohesion and the type of troops that would have taken advantage of Roman weaknesses. From what I recall is that they lacked proper heavy infantry and were at best on par with Roman/Allied Cavalry. |
Oh Bugger | 24 Oct 2016 4:45 a.m. PST |
Its years since I read Caesar but from memory nearest the Roman threat seem to have been moving to more full time soldiers while those further away were still turning out with mainly part timers. I'd say the Gallic cavalry had the edge on the Romans. |
Jakar Nilson | 24 Oct 2016 11:43 a.m. PST |
Lacking cohesion? Like when it comes to the freshness of fish? |
Deuce03 | 25 Oct 2016 1:34 a.m. PST |
Gallic cavalry was almost certainly superior to Italian cavalry by the time of Vercingetorix's wars, but Caesar was using Gallic cavalry himself from allied/loyal tribes, so any natural advantage the Gauls might have had in that area would have been cancelled out. |
Temporary like Achilles | 25 Oct 2016 9:48 a.m. PST |
Interesting topic. Caesar doesn't seem to be disparaging of Vercingetorix at all, and, reading between the lines, is complimentary about his general strategy. He notes that the scorched earth policy was not carried out with the conviction that V desired, but that he said the right things and made things difficult for Caesar nevertheless (as you have mentioned). Have you been reading a particular book or article on alternative sites for Alesia or on V's generalship? Would be keen to read more on either topic. Cheers, Aaron |
MichaelCollinsHimself | 26 Oct 2016 7:24 a.m. PST |
Hi Aaron, No books read, I`ve been limited to internet sources for the alternative site to the battle of Alesia at Chaux-des-Crotenay. There`s quite a few sites out there – mostly French, but try this as your introduction to the alternative site at Chaux-des-Crotenay: link After finding some of the rival site supporter`s views intriguing, I`m coming back around to think that the Alise-Sainte-Reine best matches Caesar`s discriptions of Alesia. At the battle of Vingeanne Caesar`s cavalry wins the day… actually Caesar had enlisted German cavalry auxiliaries who were supported by their own light infantry and these were the troops that made the big difference ! Vercingtetorix then, falls back on Alise-Sainte-Reine after the defeat of his cavalry… and on the plain west of Alesia, his cavalry is defeated again just prior to the siege starting, and the completion of the Roman siege lines. It being of little use in a siege, Vercingetorix then sends his cavalry away… and he sends with them with messages to the rebellious tribes to raise forces for the relief of the siege. For a while, I just thought that using the Chaux-des-Crotenay "Alesia" as a base would have been a smarter move. |
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