The Conquest of Gaul

Between 58 and 50 BC Caesar conquered most of the area now covered by France, Belgium and Switzerland, and twice invaded Britain. This is the record of his campaigns. Caesar's narrative offers insights into his military strategy & paints a fascinating picture of his encounters with the inhabitant of Gaul and Britain, as well as offering lively portraits of a number of key characters such as the rebel leaders and Gallic chieftains. This can also be read as a piece of political propaganda, as Caesar sets down his version of events for the Roman public, knowing that he faces civil war on his return to Rome.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.The Conquest of GaulIntroduction
1. Roman politics in the late Republic
2. Gaul and its inhabitants
3. The course of the war
4. Caesar the man
5. Caesar as author
6. Preface to second edition
Suggestions for Further Reading

Caesar the Conquest of Gaul

Book I: The Expulsion of Intruders

1. Repulse of the Helvetii (58 B.C.)
2. Expulsion of Ariovistus from Gaul (58 B.C)

Book II: The Conquest of the Belgic Tribes
1. Collapse of the Belgic coalition (57 B.C.)
2. Piecemeal conquest of the Belgic tirbes (57 B.C.)

Book III: The First Rebellion
1. Unsuccessful campaign in the Alps (57 B.C.)
2. The fight on the Atlantic coast (56 B.C.)
3. Victorious campaign in Aquitania (56 B.C.)
4. Indecisive campaign against the Morini (56 B.C.)

Book IV: Invasions of Germany and Britain
1. Massacre of the Usipetes and Tenctheri (55 B.C.)
2. The first crossing of the Rhine (55 B.C.)
3. The first invasion of Britain (55 B.C.)

Book V: The Second Rebellion
1. The second invasion of Britain (54 B.C.)
2. Destruction of Sabinus' army by the Eburones (54 B.C.)
3. Attack by the Nervii on Cicero's winter camp (54 B.C.)
4. Widespread revolts in northern and central Gaul (54-53 B.C.)

Book VI: Operations Near the Rhine
1. The Treveri routed (53 B.C.)
2. The second crossing of the Rhine (53 B.C.)
3. Customs and institutions of the Gauls
4. Customs and institutions of the Germans
5. Devastation of the country of the Eburones (53 B.C.)

Book VII: The Rebellion of Vercingetorix
1. The opening stage (52 B.C.)
2. Siege and capture of Avaricum (52 B.C.)
3. Roman reverse at Gergovia (52 B.C.)
4. Vercingetorix's defeat in open warfare (52 B.C.)
5. Siege and capture of Alesia (52 B.C.)

Book VIII: The Final Rebellion
1. Hirtius' preface
2. Revolts of the Bituriges, Carnutes and Bellovaci (52-51 B.C.)
3. The last encounters; capture of Uxellodunum (51 B.C.)
4. Civil war impends

Notes
Appendices
I. The Text
II. The Roman Army
III. Chronological Outline of the Career of Caesar

Glossary of Persons and Places
Index to Maps
Maps:
1. Northern Gaul
2. Southern Gaul
3. Principal tribes of South-east Britain
4. The siege of Alesia

Gaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC into an ancient patrician family. Much of his life was spent on military campaigns, & he returned to govern Rome as dictator. His dictatorship was declared perpetual in 44 BC, but his many bitter enemies hatched a conspiracy & assasinated him later that year.

S. Handford translated a number of authors for Penguin, including Sallust and Aesop.