All language subtitles for Clash of Ancient Warriors s02e04 Gergovia.eng

- (all soldiers chant)

- (dramatic music)

MAN: I remember the ground trembling
under the weight of the horses.

MAN: I remember the ground trembling
under the weight of the horses.

I remember the battle cries
of the Gauls.

- (yelling)
MAN: I remember my brothers in arms

- (yelling)
MAN: I remember my brothers in arms

cut down by the blows of the
barbarians, while the legions fled.

I remember defeat...and shame.

I remember defeat...and shame.

My name is Quintus,
and I was at Gergovia.

- (dramatic music)

NARRATOR: Built from 70
hectares of volcanic rock,

the Gergovie Plateau rises
sharply above the plain below.

the Gergovie Plateau rises
sharply above the plain below.

Around this vast
400 metre high promontory

was fought one of
the most important battles

of the legendary Gallic Wars.

of the legendary Gallic Wars.

We know about this battle

through the first-hand account
of a direct witness.

Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar.

The commander-in-chief
of the Roman legions at Gergovia.

And the future leader
of the Roman Empire.

And the future leader
of the Roman Empire.

According to Caesar,
the Battle of Gergovia

was fought in the spring,

was fought in the spring,

during the sixth year of his
campaign to conquer Gaul,

part of modern-day France,
in 52 BCE.

part of modern-day France,
in 52 BCE.

Gergovia is home to the Arverni,

the most powerful
of the Gallic tribes.

It serves as their capital.

It serves as their capital.

And their stronghold.

And according to Caesar,
many other Gallic tribes

had gathered here
to challenge Rome's authority.

had gathered here
to challenge Rome's authority.

- (horse neighs)

NARRATOR: By the time Caesar
had arrived at Gergovia,

the Gauls had built military camps
on all of the surrounding hilltops.

the Gauls had built military camps
on all of the surrounding hilltops.

- (soldiers yelling)

QUINTUS: The barbarians
hold all of the high ground.

QUINTUS: The barbarians
hold all of the high ground.

Wherever I look, I see them
massed above us.

These unruly, chattering Gauls
are so numerous,

they obscure the tops of the hills.

they obscure the tops of the hills.

And in the middle, on the
highest hill, a fortified town.

By the gods!

By the gods!

It's not going to be easy
to get them out of there.

NARRATOR: Caesar himself
never offers an estimate

NARRATOR: Caesar himself
never offers an estimate

of the number of Gallic troops
he'd face at Gergovia.

He simply states that the fighters
occupying high ground

around the fortified town,
the oppidum, look frightening.

around the fortified town,
the oppidum, look frightening.

On one of the hills,
among the warriors,

stands a young Arverni nobleman.

stands a young Arverni nobleman.

The leader of the Gauls.

He appears out of nowhere
in Caesar's account,

but he would soon
share the centre stage.

His name is Vercingetorix.

His name is Vercingetorix.

Today we have this image
of Vercingetorix

as a valiant barbarian.

Puffing his chest out
in the face of his adversary,

arrogantly flaunting his moustache
and long flowing hair.

It's a romantic image,

but one that modern archaeology
has difficulty supporting.

but one that modern archaeology
has difficulty supporting.

- (speaks French)

NARRATOR: Caesar provides
barely any biographical detail

about his opponent, apart
from a reference to his age.

He describes him as adulescens,

He describes him as adulescens,

a Latin term for a man under 30.

NARRATOR: When Vercingetorix
first appears in Caesar's text,

NARRATOR: When Vercingetorix
first appears in Caesar's text,

he is taking up the torch
of a struggle

begun by his father against Rome.
And Caesar.

Caesar fields six legions,
or just over 30,000 men,

Caesar fields six legions,
or just over 30,000 men,

some of the most battle-hardened
soldiers in the Roman Republic.

Among them,
Caesar's favourite legion.

Among them,
Caesar's favourite legion.

The one that would loyally
go on to follow him

across his many European
campaigns, the Tenth legion.

across his many European
campaigns, the Tenth legion.

QUINTUS: I've been serving
under Caius Julius Caesar

with the Tenth legion
for ten years now.

with the Tenth legion
for ten years now.

I've taken part
in all of his battles,

against the Helvetii, the
Belgians, and the Bretons.

He's a great Roman. A great Roman,
and a great general.

He's a great Roman. A great Roman,
and a great general.

The gods always
grant him victory,

and he's always fair with his men.

and he's always fair with his men.

We, the veterans of the Tenth,

will follow him
to the ends of the earth.

Beyond the Columns of Hercules,
if need be.

Beyond the Columns of Hercules,
if need be.

With Caesar
comes glory and treasure!

NARRATOR: Caius Julius Caesar
was probably born in 100 BCE,

NARRATOR: Caius Julius Caesar
was probably born in 100 BCE,

making him around 48 years old
at the time of Gergovia.

He had already had a long
political career behind him.

He had already had a long
political career behind him.

NARRATOR: Caesar was
an adventurer and a schemer

who would stop at nothing
to get the things he wanted.

Money and power.

Through his schemes, he rose to
the highest positions of authority.

Through his schemes, he rose to
the highest positions of authority.

But he made so many political
enemies along the way,

he was forced to leave Rome.

In 58 BCE, despite the relentless
efforts of his opponents,

In 58 BCE, despite the relentless
efforts of his opponents,

he was appointed governor
of Transalpine Gaul.

A position that shielded him
from prosecution.

A position that shielded him
from prosecution.

Transalpine Gaul
was a group of territories

conquered by Rome
several decades earlier.

conquered by Rome
several decades earlier.

It covered roughly the area
of modern-day Provence

and the Mediterranean coast
of Languedoc.

Beyond it lies the region

Beyond it lies the region

that Caesar refers to in his
Commentaries as Hairy Gaul.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: While the origin of this
expression remains uncertain,

its meaning is fairly clear.

its meaning is fairly clear.

According to Caesar, the Gauls
were shaggy barbarians

living in a wild, forested world,
far removed from civilisation.

living in a wild, forested world,
far removed from civilisation.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (man shouts orders)

NARRATOR: Vercingetorix's Gaul

was built first and foremost
on agriculture.

Its forests had largely been cleared
over the previous centuries

to make way for vast expanses
of cultivated land.

More than just skilled farmers,

the Gauls were also skilful
craftsmen and shrewd traders.

A far cry from the crude, primitive
savages described by Caesar

A far cry from the crude, primitive
savages described by Caesar

in his Commentaries
on the Gallic War.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: What is accurate in
Caesar's description however

NARRATOR: What is accurate in
Caesar's description however

is that the Gallic world
was indeed a divided one.

It was a collection of
interlocking tribal lands

It was a collection of
interlocking tribal lands

in which the tribes regularly
clashed with one another.

NARRATOR: As soon as he
was appointed to Transalpine Gaul,

Caesar took advantage
of these divisions,

intending to use them to help
to conquer the rest of Gaul.

intending to use them to help
to conquer the rest of Gaul.

In one instance, he lent his muscle
to the Aedui tribe ,

long allies of Rome,

to help deal with threats from
another tribe, the Helvetii.

to help deal with threats from
another tribe, the Helvetii.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: And to wage the wars
he continued to ignite,

Caesar had a formidable weapon
at his disposal.

Caesar had a formidable weapon
at his disposal.

The great legions entrusted
to him...by Rome.

QUINTUS: Our legions
consist of 6,000 men,

organised into ten cohorts,

each containing
six centuries of 100 men.

each containing
six centuries of 100 men.

One hundred brothers in arms,
fighting as one man.

We, the legionaries, are the sword

that Rome brings down
upon its enemies.

- (speaks French)

NARRATOR: Vincent Torres
is a historian

and experimental archaeologist

who specialises in
ancient military history.

who specialises in
ancient military history.

NARRATOR: The legion
was an infantry unit

NARRATOR: The legion
was an infantry unit

built on the model
of the Greek phalanx.

- (soldier calls an order)

NARRATOR: Heavily armed
fighters capable of executing

complex, coordinated manoeuvres
on the battlefield.

- (soldier calls an order)

- (soldier calls an order)

NARRATOR: One of the most effective
manoeuvres employed by the legion

was the famous tortoise formation.

- (Vincent Torres-Hugon speaks)

NARRATOR: Because of their
agility and teamwork,

the legions could outmanoeuvre

their less coordinated opponents
in lowland areas.

- (soldier calls an order)

NARRATOR: Over the years,
the Gallic chiefs

came to appreciate
their vulnerability

in the face of Roman power.

In 54 BCE, they established
the first Gallic league

In 54 BCE, they established
the first Gallic league

under Ambiorix,
a Belgian chieftain.

Their revolt against Caesar
was short-lived.

Their revolt against Caesar
was short-lived.

Crushed before the end
of the following year.

Thinking that his problems
in Gaul had been resolved,

Caesar returned to Rome.

Vercingetorix
saw things differently.

Vercingetorix
saw things differently.

He then took up
the torch of revolt at Gergovia.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (shouting)

NARRATOR: Rejected by
his own people,

Vercingetorix rounded up
a band of loyal followers

Vercingetorix rounded up
a band of loyal followers

and took control of Gergovia.

He then drove his uncle
from the city

and was elected leader
of the Arverni,

and was elected leader
of the Arverni,

by those he had rallied
to his cause.

Caesar had a specific Celtic name

he used to refer to the men in
Vercingetorix's inner circle.

he used to refer to the men in
Vercingetorix's inner circle.

The ambactes.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: Armed with
his new authority,

Vercingetorix sends emissaries
to all the Gallic tribes.

His diplomatic efforts
are tinged with threats.

His diplomatic efforts
are tinged with threats.

Around twenty tribes join his side.

To join his alliance,
each tribe is required

to send hostages to
guarantee their loyalty.

to send hostages to
guarantee their loyalty.

Vercingetorix also demands that
his allies send as many soldiers

and weapons as he asks for.

and weapons as he asks for.

NARRATOR: Regis Harter
is a living historian

and an expert
on ancient martial arts.

and an expert
on ancient martial arts.

Especially those used in Gaul.

NARRATOR: To protect themselves
from their enemy's blades,

the Gauls developed a revolutionary
piece of protective gear,

chain mail.

chain mail.

- (Regis Harter speaks)

NARRATOR: This chain mail
was a Gallic invention,

NARRATOR: This chain mail
was a Gallic invention,

but it was also used by
Caesar's legions.

And that wasn't the only thing they
borrowed from these adversaries.

After the Gallic War,

the Gallic helmet was adopted
by the Roman legionaries.

As important as helmets
and coats of chain mail

were to the Gauls, however,

were to the Gauls, however,

they were reserved for
the wealthiest soldiers.

NARRATOR: While Caesar
is in Rome,

caught up in the political
intrigues of the republic,

caught up in the political
intrigues of the republic,

the revolt in Gaul, led by
Vercingetorix, gains momentum.

In Cenabum, now Orleans,
the Carnutes tribe rises up

In Cenabum, now Orleans,
the Carnutes tribe rises up

and massacres the entire Roman
population in the town.

Meanwhile, Vercingetorix
regroups his forces

Meanwhile, Vercingetorix
regroups his forces

and prepares to take action.

Alerted to the rumblings in Gaul,

Caesar returns at the
beginning of 52 BCE.

Caesar returns at the
beginning of 52 BCE.

Quickly crossing the Cevennes
in the middle of winter,

he forces his way up the Rhone
and then the Saone.

He reaches Cenabum in record time,

He reaches Cenabum in record time,

and recaptures the town
from the Carnutes.

QUINTUS: What we did there,
no animal could have done.

QUINTUS: What we did there,
no animal could have done.

Crossing those bleak Cevennes
mountains in the snow and the cold,

forced marching, with no sleep
and almost no food,

forced marching, with no sleep
and almost no food,

with those horrible barbarians

coming at us from all sides,
at any moment.

I'm telling you, no beast could
have done what we did there.

I'm telling you, no beast could
have done what we did there.

NARRATOR: The legions reach
Avaricum, today's Bourges,

by the end of the winter.

by the end of the winter.

They take the city and massacre
its 40,000 inhabitants.

At the same time, Vercingetorix and
his army are also heading north.

At the same time, Vercingetorix and
his army are also heading north.

The Arverni and the Roman armies
are on a collision course.

But Vercingetorix avoids a direct
confrontation with Caesar's legions.

He's adopted an entirely
different strategy.

He's adopted an entirely
different strategy.

NARRATOR: One of the hypotheses
favoured by historians today

is that Vercingetorix, as a child,
may have been sent to the Romans

by his uncle, as a part of
a treaty arrangement.

by his uncle, as a part of
a treaty arrangement.

Having been raised in Caesar's
entourage, he would have grown up

to become one of
his...contubernalis.

to become one of
his...contubernalis.

Literally, tent-mates.

- (Vincent Torres speaks)

NARRATOR: Armed with his
knowledge of the Roman army,

NARRATOR: Armed with his
knowledge of the Roman army,

Vercingetorix knows that he has no
chance against the legions

in a conventional battle.

So he decides to attack
their weakest point instead.

Their supplies.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: And to carry out
his guerrilla warfare strategy,

the leader of the Gauls has a
particularly effective weapon

the leader of the Gauls has a
particularly effective weapon

at his disposal, his cavalry.

Gaul's horsemen were some of the
most feared in the ancient world.

Gaul's horsemen were some of the
most feared in the ancient world.

Rome, which lacked
a permanent cavalry,

often called on Gallic
riders to support its legions.

NARRATOR: Vercingetorix's horsemen
stealthily ride out of camp

and spot a Roman detachment
separated from the army,

looking for food.

looking for food.

The Gauls sweep in and destroy them.

The Romans are forced to drive
even deeper into hostile territory

The Romans are forced to drive
even deeper into hostile territory

to find the supplies they need.

- (Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: What Caesar
doesn't realise

NARRATOR: What Caesar
doesn't realise

is that he is walking into
a deadly trap.

A trap set by Vercingetorix himself.

A trap set by Vercingetorix himself.

NARRATOR: Hardly any
visible evidence

of the ancient Arverni city remains.

of the ancient Arverni city remains.

Its exact location
had been the subject of

speculation and debate
for centuries.

Then, archaeological discoveries
made in the 19th century

Then, archaeological discoveries
made in the 19th century

confirmed that this site, formerly
known as the Merdogne plateau,

was in fact the Gergovie plateau.

was in fact the Gergovie plateau.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: To its south and east,

the oppidum is protected
by a sheer cliff,

the oppidum is protected
by a sheer cliff,

too tall to scale safely
from the plain below.

To the west, an expanse
of wetlands and woods

To the west, an expanse
of wetlands and woods

surround what would be a
more convenient route to the top.

Yann Deberge is the archaeologist
in charge of

excavations at the Gergovia site.

- (soldiers yelling)

- (yelling)

NARRATOR: By the spring
of 52 BCE,

NARRATOR: By the spring
of 52 BCE,

Vercingetorix's trap
is closing on Caesar.

His six legions, harassed
and exhausted,

find themselves isolated,
deep inside Arverni country,

find themselves isolated,
deep inside Arverni country,

at the foot of Gergovia,

on terrain that boxed in the
famously agile Roman army.

on terrain that boxed in the
famously agile Roman army.

These recent excavations
finally give us a precise idea

of what Gergovia
was like in 52 BCE.

of what Gergovia
was like in 52 BCE.

It was a vast, fortified, and
virtually impregnable city.

NARRATOR: Archaeologists estimate
that the wall was 3-4 metres high

and 80 centimetres wide at the top.

Within the enclosure, at regular
intervals, sections of stone

connect to the facing wall
at perpendicular angles.

connect to the facing wall
at perpendicular angles.

- (Yann Deberge speaks)

- (soldiers' battle cries)

NARRATOR: To reach the oppidum,
the attackers would need to climb

NARRATOR: To reach the oppidum,
the attackers would need to climb

nearly a kilometre
of difficult terrain,

and only then would they
reach the first defensive wall.

Beyond this wall, they would need
to cross a 15 metre wide terrace,

Beyond this wall, they would need
to cross a 15 metre wide terrace,

exposed to the projectiles launched
by their adversaries

manning the ramparts above.
Then they would come up against

manning the ramparts above.
Then they would come up against

a vertical wall, built into a
stone face four to six metres high.

And then, finally, they would
reach the oppidum's walls.

And then, finally, they would
reach the oppidum's walls.

QUINTUS: The barbarians have lured
us into this valley of despair

and we are now left to their mercy.

and we are now left to their mercy.

There are whispers in the ranks.

What if Caesar no longer
has the gods on his side?

But he reveals nothing.

But he reveals nothing.

He orders us to set up camp
like it's any other day.

- (horse neighs)

- (horse neighs)

NARRATOR: Caesar orders the
construction of a large camp

far enough away from
the stronghold

to escape the Gauls' projectiles.

A camp, with defensive works,

A camp, with defensive works,

will be built by his own soldiers

using materials scavenged
in the surrounding area.

It will serve as the rear base

It will serve as the rear base

from which he can watch
the Gauls' manoeuvres,

prepare his strategy
against the citadel,

and block access to it
from the plain.

and block access to it
from the plain.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR:
The large camp is typical

of Roman military structures
from the period.

of Roman military structures
from the period.

Its perimeter is a quadrilateral
with rounded corners,

surrounded by a V-shaped trench
and a mound of earth,

known to the Romans
as an agar,

known to the Romans
as an agar,

which serves as
a defensive obstacle.

Above the agar, a barrier
made of wooden logs

is erected to shield those
stationed inside the camp.

The whole structure rises nearly
three metres above the ground.

The whole structure rises nearly
three metres above the ground.

Wooden towers stretch above the
grand palisade at regular intervals

connected by a sentry walk.

A series of fortified gates provide

A series of fortified gates provide

entry and exit points
for the legionaries.

What is less typical about the
Roman camp at Gergovia is its size.

What is less typical about the
Roman camp at Gergovia is its size.

The archaeologists' excavations

uncover a nearly
30 hectare footprint.

uncover a nearly
30 hectare footprint.

Building it would have
been a titanic task,

which the legions had to
complete in just a few hours.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: Excavations at
Caesar's camp at Gergovia

NARRATOR: Excavations at
Caesar's camp at Gergovia

have uncovered numerous artefacts

used by the Romans
to build the camp.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

- (Vincent Torres-Hugon speaks)

- (dramatic music)

NARRATOR: As he settles into
his large camp,

Caesar keeps an eye on the oppidum

and the movements of the Gauls
on the surrounding hills.

and the movements of the Gauls
on the surrounding hills.

He notices that Vercingetorix
leads a daily morning meeting

with all of the other chiefs.

with all of the other chiefs.

This is where he gives his orders.

Later in the day, the Gauls
filter out of their stronghold

and skirmish with the Romans,

and skirmish with the Romans,

testing their reaction
and their resolve.

Caesar also observes a rise
slightly below the oppidum,

to the south of the reinforced wall.

to the south of the reinforced wall.

A Gallic detachment
is entrenched there.

But if the Romans
could take this hill,

they could squeeze the
supply line to the oppidum

they could squeeze the
supply line to the oppidum

and build an outpost within firing
distance of the fortifications.

QUINTUS: He assembled two legions

and ordered us out by nightfall,
with all our gear.

and ordered us out by nightfall,
with all our gear.

The centurion told us we were
going to surprise the barbarians

while they slept, and that the
slightest noise during our advance

while they slept, and that the
slightest noise during our advance

would be severely punished.

We marched silently toward
the barbarian position.

5,000 steps, at least.

5,000 steps, at least.

As soon as we got there, we
kicked the wretched Gauls out.

And we barely lifted our swords.

As soon as they saw the legions'
emblem, they hurried off.

As soon as they saw the legions'
emblem, they hurried off.

- (yelling, swords clashing)

NARRATOR: Caesar then has his
soldiers dig a double ditch 3m wide,

NARRATOR: Caesar then has his
soldiers dig a double ditch 3m wide,

linking the outpost
to the main camp,

allowing the legionaries
to move from one to the other

without exposing themselves
to enemy fire.

without exposing themselves
to enemy fire.

At this point in the conflict,

the Romans seem
to have the upper hand.

They've strengthened their positions

They've strengthened their positions

despite constant harassment
from the Gauls.

Their new forward position
is a menace,

limiting the Gauls' access
to the oppidum.

limiting the Gauls' access
to the oppidum.

But on the battlefield,
fortunes can shift quickly.

So too can alliances.

The Aedui, longstanding
allies of Rome,

are due to send Caesar a contingent
of 10,000 Gallic auxiliaries.

But then suddenly, they flirt with
joining their fellow Gauls.

But then suddenly, they flirt with
joining their fellow Gauls.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: According to Caesar,
these Aeduan auxiliaries,

NARRATOR: According to Caesar,
these Aeduan auxiliaries,

who are supposed to
join him at Gergovia,

have stopped along the way.

Some of them refuse to support Rome.

Some of them refuse to support Rome.

Warned of this, Caesar
sets off to meet them

and bring them back into line.
And according to him,

he manages to do
so in short order.

he manages to do
so in short order.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: This hypothesis, that
there was more to this defection

than meets the eye, is supported
by what happens next.

Noting that Caesar had taken
four legions with him

to confront the Aeduans,

Vercingetorix launches
a surprise attack.

QUINTUS: Cursed barbarians!

QUINTUS: Cursed barbarians!

As soon as Caesar and
his legions were out of sight,

they came upon us.
They stormed down the hills

towards our camp, hollering.
No time to get our gear,

towards our camp, hollering.
No time to get our gear,

we ran to the gates,
weapons in hand.

The centurions shouted orders.

We could barely hear them
over the howling of the Gauls.

We could barely hear them
over the howling of the Gauls.

Without the ordnance we
had previously positioned

on the ramparts to defend
against the barbarians,

we'd have been finished for sure.

we'd have been finished for sure.

NARRATOR: Caesar does not
specify which machines of war

enable the Romans
to repel this assault.

But archaeologists have
unearthed some clues

But archaeologists have
unearthed some clues

around the site of Gergovia.

Over the course
of various excavations,

they have discovered
a number of projectiles.

they have discovered
a number of projectiles.

Among them, iron spikes
with triangular heads,

which would have been
fitted onto wooden rods.

Ammunition for the scorpio.

Ammunition for the scorpio.

The scorpio was a much feared
Roman siege engine.

Easy to use and
brutally effective.

Easy to use and
brutally effective.

- (Vincent Torres-Hugon speaks)

- (Vincent Torres-Hugon speaks)

NARRATOR: Experiments carried out
with modern replicas of the scorpio,

such as this one, confirm what
Caesar boasted about these machines.

such as this one, confirm what
Caesar boasted about these machines.

With a straight shot, the
scorpio could hit a target

150 metres away, with enough
power to pierce two combatants.

150 metres away, with enough
power to pierce two combatants.

But when fired at an angle,

the scorpio's arrows
could reach 400 metres.

the scorpio's arrows
could reach 400 metres.

NARRATOR: Thanks to the scorpios
defending the large camp,

the Romans repel the Gallic assault.

the Romans repel the Gallic assault.

Caesar returns by dawn, and,
according to his account,

Caesar returns by dawn, and,
according to his account,

proceeds to draw up a daring plan

to bring down the oppidum
once and for all.

- (soldier calls marching time)

- (soldier calls marching time)

NARRATOR: While the plateau
is difficult to access

from the east and south,
its western flank is more exposed.

from the east and south,
its western flank is more exposed.

Caesar writes that Vercingetorix
understood this weakness

and had ordered his troops

and had ordered his troops

to reinforce the defences
on this side of the oppidum.

The southern flank was stripped
of its defenders

and left with just natural barriers.

and left with just natural barriers.

Caesar's idea is to feint
an attack to the west,

effectively pinning
the Gauls in place.

Then launch an assault on the
abandoned southern flank

Then launch an assault on the
abandoned southern flank

using the bulk of his legions
from the small camp.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: Caesar waits until
nightfall to send his legionaries

NARRATOR: Caesar waits until
nightfall to send his legionaries

towards a ridge west of the oppidum.

He instructs them to move noisily

so that the Gauls will think they
are preparing for an assault.

so that the Gauls will think they
are preparing for an assault.

At dawn, he sends
his legions' mule teams,

their riders wearing helmets,
along the same route

their riders wearing helmets,
along the same route

so that in the dim
early morning light,

his opponents will think they
are seeing armed horsemen.

his opponents will think they
are seeing armed horsemen.

And while some of his
troops are diverted to the west,

Caesar discreetly moves the legions
who will lead the real assault

Caesar discreetly moves the legions
who will lead the real assault

from the large Roman camp
to the small one.

QUINTUS: This time, we're on
the move without our packs.

Even the legion eagle
remains in the camp.

We go in small groups,
crouched over in the trench,

so that the barbarians
won't see us.

so that the barbarians
won't see us.

NARRATOR: Observing the
action from the large camp,

Caesar watches the Gallic defenders
move toward the west of the oppidum,

Caesar watches the Gallic defenders
move toward the west of the oppidum,

as if they are responding to the
Romans' manoeuvres.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: According to Caesar,

the assault from the small camp
is swift and brutal.

The Gallic forces stationed
between the two walls

The Gallic forces stationed
between the two walls

are taken by surprise and flee.

Caesar, who had remained behind
with the Tenth legion,

then gives a strange order.
He sounds the retreat.

then gives a strange order.
He sounds the retreat.

But the soldiers, he says, did not
hear the sound of the horns,

and, swept up in the moment,

continue their push
toward the oppidum.

continue their push
toward the oppidum.

QUINTUS: In all the time
we'd been serving him,

QUINTUS: In all the time
we'd been serving him,

the boys from the Tenth and I
had never seen Caesar so worried.

He was agitated and not happy.

He was shouting at his aides,
ordering them left and right.

He was shouting at his aides,
ordering them left and right.

All we could see
were the legionaries

advancing towards the oppidum.

advancing towards the oppidum.

Then, all of a sudden,

the barbarian women appeared
at the top of the ramparts.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

QUINTUS: It was at this moment
that the barbarian horsemen rode in.

QUINTUS: It was at this moment
that the barbarian horsemen rode in.

The sounds of battle and the cries
of the women must have alerted them.

They advanced on the
right wing of the legions.

They advanced on the
right wing of the legions.

Trapped against the wall,
our legionaries

couldn't manoeuvre themselves
into a fighting position.

By the gods, it was a massacre!

By the gods, it was a massacre!

NARRATOR: Caesar, still travelling
with the Tenth legion,

brings his last reserves out
from the small camp

and positions them to cover a
retreat which now seemed inevitable.

and positions them to cover a
retreat which now seemed inevitable.

- (soldiers yelling)

NARRATOR: It is at this point
that the 10,000 Aedui fighters

NARRATOR: It is at this point
that the 10,000 Aedui fighters

join the battle from the east.

QUINTUS: I don't understand
what's happening.

When the Aedui arrived, I saw the
legionaries turn to fight them.

When the Aedui arrived, I saw the
legionaries turn to fight them.

There was total confusion
in our camp.

I saw my comrades fall
one by one

I saw my comrades fall
one by one

as they tried to repel the
attack, then they retreated.

NARRATOR: Once again, Caesar
provides some astonishing details.

NARRATOR: Once again, Caesar
provides some astonishing details.

The legionaries, caught up
in the fury of the battle,

did not recognise their allies and
instead fought against them.

did not recognise their allies and
instead fought against them.

- (Laurent Olivier speaks)

NARRATOR: Caught between
Vercingetorix's troops

and the Aedui, and pinned
against the wall,

the Roman legions hastily withdraw.

the Roman legions hastily withdraw.

The siege of Gergovia is a debacle.

Julius Caesar has just
suffered his first defeat.

Julius Caesar has just
suffered his first defeat.

- (yelling and crying)

In his Commentaries, Caesar
acknowledges his failure.

But he claims
a surprisingly low death toll.

By his count, the Romans
lose 46 centurions

and just under 700 legionaries.

- (Arnaud Pocris speaks)

NARRATOR: In the days
following the Roman defeat,

the Gallic revolt
takes on a new dimension.

the Gallic revolt
takes on a new dimension.

All of the tribes now recognise
Vercingetorix as their leader

and pledge to support him.

and pledge to support him.

Even the Aedui officially renounce
their alliance with Rome.

For the time being, Julius Caesar

For the time being, Julius Caesar

entrenches himself
in the large camp,

but before long, he and his
legions will withdraw to the north.

but before long, he and his
legions will withdraw to the north.

Harassed by the unified Gauls
along the way.

This won't be the last time Caesar
and Vercingetorix square off.

This won't be the last time Caesar
and Vercingetorix square off.

A few months later, the two will
face each other again at Alesia.

This time,
Caesar takes his revenge.

This time,
Caesar takes his revenge.

The Gallic revolt is crushed.

In his account, Caesar states
nonchalantly that

"The chiefs are brought in,
Vercingetorix is handed over,

"The chiefs are brought in,
Vercingetorix is handed over,

and their weapons
are thrown at my feet".

In 46 BCE, as Caesar celebrates
his triumph over the Gauls,

In 46 BCE, as Caesar celebrates
his triumph over the Gauls,

Vercingetorix is paraded
before a crowd,

chained to the
Roman leader's chariot.

chained to the
Roman leader's chariot.

He will never be seen again.

Subtitles by Sky Access Services

Repair and Synchronization by
Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0