Background

As described on the Osprey Publishing website, “In 52 BC Caesar’s continued strategy of annihilation had engendered a spirit of desperation, which detonated into a revolt of Gallic tribes under the leadership of the charismatic young Arvernian noble Vercingetorix. Major engagements were fought at Noviodunum, Avaricum, and Gergovia, with the last action being the most serious reverse that Caesar faced in the whole of the Gallic War. However, Vercingetorix soon realized that he was unable to match the Romans in pitched battle. Taking advantage of the tribesmen’s superior knowledge of their home territory, Vercingetorix began a canny policy of small war and defensive maneuvers, which gravely hampered Caesar’s movements by cutting off his supplies. For Caesar it was to be a grim summertime – his whole Gallic enterprise faced disaster. In the event, by brilliant leadership, force of arms, and occasionally sheer luck, Caesar succeeded in stamping out the revolt in a long and brutal action culminating in the siege of Alesia. Vercingetorix finally surrendered and Alesia was to be the last significant resistance to the Roman will. Never again would a Gallic warlord independent of Rome hold sway over the Celts of Gaul.”

Contents

• Origins of the campaign
• Chronology
• Opposing commanders
• Opposing armies
• Orders of battle
• Opposing plans
• The campaign
• Aftermath
• The battlefields today
• Further reading
• Index

Bottom Line Up Front

I really enjoy Osprey’s Campaign Series of books. They provide a concise, well-researched account of the referenced campaign with numerous photos, drawings, and especially important, maps!

What You Will Find

Dr. Nic Fields presents an excellent review of the relations between Rome and the many tribes living in Gaul, in what is now France. Next are presented a series of short chapters covering the opposing commanders, Julius Caesar and Vercingetorix, and a discussion of their respective army’s organization, tactics and plans. Numerous photos and drawings depicting uniforms and equipment support the narrative.

The crux of the book is the description of the siege conducted by the Roman Army and the counter-actions by both Vercingetorix inside Alesia and the many tribes attempting to lift the siege. I believe maps are essential for books on military history. Osprey does not disappoint. Peter Dennis, the illustrator for this volume has produced nine easy to decipher, full-color, maps, covering the strategic level down to the tactical engagements. He supplements the maps with outstanding illustrations of the construction of the Roman fortifications and the close combat resulting from the Gallic attacks.

There is a brief description of the battlefield as you would find it today and you will also find an extensive bibliography to guide further study.

Conclusion

Why would a model builder want to purchase a book covering an ancient campaign? This subject is probably of direct model-related interest to figure modelers; however, many modelers are also students of history. This particular volume is an indication of the excellent narratives Osprey Publishing publishes in their ‘Campaigns’ series.

I highly recommend this book for figure modelers and history buffs of ancient military history or the Roman Empire. Additionally, I recommend the Campaign Series of books for modelers in general.

I would like to thank Osprey Publishing LTD for this review copy of “Alesia 52 BC.”