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Vercingetorix surrenders to Caesar at Alesia

52 BCE, Alesia. An event.

Where and when

52 BCEAlesia

2,077 years ago

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, Alesia

Caesar surrounds the Gallic leader Vercingetorix in the hill town of Alesia and beats off a relief army. The Gauls hand Vercingetorix over.

They surrender Vercingetorix, and lay down their arms.

Caesar, The Gallic War 7.89Translated by W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn (1869)Read the full passage (Caesar, The Gallic War 7.89, opens scaife.perseus.org)

Background: Battle of Alesia, Wikipedia (opens en.wikipedia.org)

Why it matters

Alesia marked the end of Gallic independence in what is now France and Belgium. It is considered one of Caesar's greatest military achievements and a classic example of siege warfare.

Based on Wikipedia: Battle of Alesia

The Battle of Alesia marked the end of Gallic independence in the modern day territory of France and Belgium.

It was the last major engagement between Gauls and Romans, and is considered one of Caesar's greatest military achievements and a classic example of siege warfare and investment

Wikipedia, Battle of Alesia (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-29. Text CC BY-SA 4.0. Our line is checked against these sentences only.

Related moments

In time order, with this one in its place. Each says why it is here.

  1. 55–54 BCEabout 3 years earlier Caesar crosses the sea to Britain Also about war and empire
  2. 52 BCEThis momentVercingetorix surrenders to Caesar at Alesia
  3. 52 BCESame year Caesar turns away the Mandubii at Alesia Rests on this eventAlso in AlesiaAlso about war and empire
  4. 52 BCESame year Caesar on the surrender of Vercingetorix Rests on this eventAlso in Alesia
  5. 49 BCE3 years later Caesar crosses the Rubicon with his army Same years
  6. 48 BCE4 years later Caesar defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Same years
  7. 48–47 BCEabout 4 years later Caesar takes Cleopatra's side in Egypt Same years

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