Roman Republic
Climax of the Gallic Wars: Julius Caesar vs. Vercingetorix
October 2, 2025
Vercingetorix was Caesar’s most formidable opponent to date by far, and Caesar knew it. He writes in his Commentaries (de Bello Gallico) of how the Gallic chieftain inflicted the worst defeat on his army of the eight-year war at Gergovia, in the Arverni heartland. Caesar claimed he lost 750 men, but his casualties likely numbered in the thousands. However, Caesar’s brilliance as a strategist and bravery as a leader of men shined through at the next great battle, Alesia, which proved to be the decisive engagement of the war. Vercingetorix personally surrendered to Caesar in a famous historical vignette that was painted by French artist Lionel Royer in 1899.
Together these two coins constitute a fitting set of the two most important generals of the Gallic Wars. They are both Roman Republican silver denarii minted in the 40s BC, The first, of Julius Caesar (on the left), bears his portrait and the title Dictator for Life and was struck February-March 44 BC, right before his famous demise. The second coin, on the right, depicts the Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix, and was struck by Caesar’s political ally L. Hostilius Saserna in 48 BC, while the Roman general was still vying for control of the Republic with Pompey Magnus. The great eight-year struggle between the Romans and native Gauls for dominion over France was decided by one final clash between the two men pictured here. Julius Caesar, on the left, had been appointed proconsul (which essentially meant military governor) of Roman Gaul in 58 BC. Caesar had a clear mandate to conquer as much as he could from the Gallic tribes, some of whom were allies of Rome, and others who were bitterly hostile.
*Powerful Vercingetorix* Roman Republic – L. Hostilius Saserna (48 BC) Silver Denarius, NGC XF 4/5 – 5/5
Roman Imperatorial (Late Republic). L. Hostilius Saserna, as moneyer AR (Silver) denarius. Mint of Rome; struck 48 BC. Graded XF 4/5 – 5/5 by NGC; a somber yet fierce portrait of the famous Gallic chieftain who led the resistance to Julius Caesar’s conquest. Lightly toned with hints of cerulean and gold.
One such enemy tribe was the Arverni, controlling central Gaul and one of the most powerful groups in the region. Their hostility to the Romans was truly ancient – they had even fought with the Carthaginians against Rome in the Second Punic War (218-201 BC). Now, as Caesar mounted his invasion in the 50s BC, the Arverni were keen to lead the resistance to Caesar’s conquests. In 52 BC, a new chieftain, Vercingetorix, stirred up several Gallic tribes to join him in a grand confederation to finally defeat Caesar.
Vercingetorix was Caesar’s most formidable opponent to date by far, and Caesar knew it. He writes in his Commentaries (de Bello Gallico) of how the Gallic chieftain inflicted the worst defeat on his army of the eight-year war at Gergovia, in the Arverni heartland. Caesar claimed he lost 750 men, but his casualties likely numbered in the thousands. However, Caesar’s brilliance as a strategist and bravery as a leader of men shined through at the next great battle, Alesia, which proved to be the decisive engagement of the war.
Vercingetorix personally surrendered to Caesar in a famous historical vignette that was painted by French artist Lionel Royer in 1899. The scene was one of great personal honor, one of those scenes from the ancient world of romance and dignity that has captivated audiences for thousands of years. Plutarch, a second source (after Caesar’s own account) writes of how Vercingetorix emerged from Alesia on his white horse and dramatically threw down his arms. The scene appears in the 2001 movie Druids, which chronicles (taking many liberties with the real history) Vercingetorix’s life. The chieftain was taken as a hostage to Rome, where he appeared in Caesar’s triumph and remained a symbol of Roman domination over barbarian peoples. Though Caesar was often exceedingly merciful to those whom he had defeated, especially if they had willingly surrendered to him, he ordered Vercingetorix killed shortly after the triumph, late in 46 BC. His visage on the coin above (right), with a fierce gaze and shaggy hair, would have reminded Romans that Caesar had defeated such a warrior.
Above: The famous painting of 1899, showing Vercingetorix throwing down his arms before Caesar. This is a romantic depiction of a scene that did in fact take place after Caesar’s miraculous victory at the Siege of Alesia in 52 BC, the final major engagement of the Gallic Wars. Vercingetorix enjoyed a revival in the 19th century as a symbol of French national unity and martial power. Napoleon III, Emperor of the French (r. 1852-1870) was particularly taken with the famous chieftain, erecting two colossal statues to him. The more famous one, which stands at the site of Alesia, was erected on the orders of Napoleon III in 1865. Its pedestal bears a quote that Caesar attributed to Vercingetorix in his De Bello Gallico, revealing the sense of purpose that the Gallic leader felt in his cause:
“Gaul united,
Forming a single nation
Animated by a common spirit,
Can defy the Universe.”