Battle of Gergovia

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Battle of Gergovia
Part of the Gallic Wars
Ancient Gergovia was located on the plateau in the background. The main battlefield was the area in the image's center right
Date 52 BC Location Gergovia, Gaul Result Gallic victory
Belligerents
Roman Republic	Gallic tribes
Commanders and leaders
Gaius Julius Caesar	Vercingetorix
Units involved
6 Roman legions (Legio V, VI, VIII, X, XI, XIII)[1] Auxiliary cavalry Auxiliary light infantry (skirmishers, archers, slingers, javelineers)	Army of Vercingetorix Militia of Gergovia
Strength
Total: 20,000–45,000 Romans, auxiliaries and allies 15,000–30,000 Roman legionaries[a] 5,000-15,000 auxiliary (largely Aedui)	30,000 Gauls, mostly Arverni
Casualties and losses
According to Julius Caesar: 46 centurions and 700 legionaries Modern estimates: Several thousand Roman and Aedui killed	Unknown

The Battle of Gergovia took place in 52 BC in Gaul at Gergovia, the chief oppidum (fortified town) of the Arverni. The battle was fought between a Roman Republican army, led by proconsul Julius Caesar, and Gallic forces led by Vercingetorix, who was also the Arverni chieftain. The Romans attempted to besiege Gergovia, but miscommunication ruined the Roman plan. The Gallic cavalry counterattacked the confused Romans and sent them to flight, winning the battle.

The site is identified with Merdogne, since renamed Gergovie, a village located on a hill within the town of La Roche-Blanche, near Clermont-Ferrand, in south central France. Some walls and earthworks still survive from the pre-Roman Iron Age. The battle is well known in France as an example of a Gallic victory.

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