Battle of Alesia

History -- Military history -- List of battles

The Battle of Alesia (52 BC) was the turning event of the Gallic Wars, which marked the last major engagement between Gaulish and Roman armies. Julius Caesar defeated Vercingetorix after a siege of several months, which is often cited as an example of the Romans' skill in siege warfare.

The siege is famous for the two huge fortified walls the Romans built around the city. The inner circumvallation, 10 miles, held in Vercingetorix's forces, while the outer circumvallation kept reliefs from reaching him. The Romans held the ground in between the two walls. The besieged Gauls, facing starvation, eventually surrendered with their relief force standing by helpless.