Vercingetorix's Revolt (Pompey Wins)

Vercingetorix's Revolt was the last of the Gallic Wars and the end of Gaius Julius Caesar's attempt to conquer Gaul. This war also established the Arverni as the nominal controllers of Gaul, and established their leader, Vercingetorix, as the first High King of Gaul.

Prelude
Julius Caesar, under the banner of the Roman Republic, had since 58 BC invaded Gaul in force, allowing Roman citizens to settle and pacifying the many tribes. Gallic life has been quite disrupted by Caesar's invasion. The Romans allowed no migrations to take place, meaning that the Gauls were forced for the first time in their history to absolutely remain in their territories and deal with whatever problems that arose, namely raids by the Germanic tribes and internal power struggles. This thoroughly alienated the Gauls from the Romans, and in their mutual foe they began to develop national bonds between the tribes, based on their Celtic heritage.

Caesar was forced to return to Gaul and deal with rebellion in 54 BC. This action gave the Gauls a personal, common enemy. In this charged political climate, the king of the Arverni, Vercintegorix, began to gather the tribes and unite them to destroy the Roman threat. Vercingetorix's natural charisma led him to become the nominal overlord of the various Gallic tribes, and the only man who could contest his reign over Gaul was Julius Caesar.

First Revolt
The begining of the revolt against Julius Caesar was begun by the Carnutes tribe in early 52 BC. Led by their leaders Cotuatus and Conetodunus, the Carnutes rose en masse and slaughtered Roman settlers within their territory. The revolt launched at this time because it was believed that Caesar would be distracted by the political turmoil in Rome caused by the death of Publius Clodius Pulcher. Caesar's lack of definite response encouraged other tribes to revolt.

Vercingetorix, a young nobleman of the Arvernian city of Gergovia, roused his dependents to join the revolt, but he and his followers were expelled by the nobles of the city, including Vercingetorix's uncle Gobanitio, because they thought opposing Caesar was too great a risk. Undeterred, Vercingetorix raised an army of the poor, took Gergovia and was hailed as king. He made alliances with other tribes, and having been unanimously given supreme command of their armies, imposed his authority through harsh discipline and the taking of hostages. He adopted the policy of retreating to natural fortifications, and undertook an early example of a scorched earth strategy by burning towns to prevent Caesar's forces from living off the land.

Battle of Avaricum
Vercingetorix won some initial skirmishes with the Roman Legions led by Caesar and his lieutenant Titus Labienus.