Plain of Alsace (58 BC)

Ariovistus was the chief of the Germanic Suebi tribe. He led his tribesmen across the Rhine into Gaul at the invitation of some warring Gallic tribes. Once in Gaul, Ariovistus called on his German allies, the Harudes, Marcomanni, Triboci, Vangiones, …

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Ariovistus was the chief of the Germanic Suebi tribe. He led his tribesmen across the Rhine into Gaul at the invitation of some warring Gallic tribes. Once in Gaul, Ariovistus called on his German allies, the Harudes, Marcomanni, Triboci, Vangiones, Nemetes, and Sedusii to join his army. More Germans poured across the Rhine every day. Caesar, aware of the mounting threat to the Roman province, advanced at top speed to the plain of Alsace within a few miles of Ariovistus’ army. At first, Ariovistus refused to fight, for diviners had foreseen that he was not destined to win before the new moon. Caesar, forced the issue by deploying his legions near the enemy camp, a challenge that the Germans could not ignore. Ariovistus was compelled to come out and line up for battle. The German left wing looked weaker and it was here that Caesar launched his main attack with his favorite X Legion leading his right wing. The Germans also favored their right and began to press back the Roman left. Then Publius Crassus (son of the Crassus of the First Triumvirate) charged forward with the cavalry to relieve the harassed Roman wing. This caused the pendulum to swing in favor of the Roman forces and soon the Germanic horde was in flight back across the Rhine.

Alsace, France

The Battle of Vosges, also referred to as the Battle of Vesontio, was fought in 58 BC between the Germanic tribe of the Suebi, under the leadership of Ariovistus, and six Roman legions under the command of Gaius Julius Caesar. This encounter is the third major battle of the Gallic Wars. Germanic tribes crossed the Rhine, seeking a home in Gaul.

Wikipedia: Battle of Vosges (58 BC)

German

Roman

Gallic Wars