Commentaries on the Gallic War

Commentaries on the Gallic War is a historical work written by Julius Caesar and recounting his military campaigns in Gaul between 58 and 50 BC.

Written largely in the third person, the book describes Caesar's conquests, battles, alliances, and political negotiations as Roman forces expanded their control over much of present-day France, Belgium, and neighboring regions.

Throughout the work, Caesar records encounters with numerous Gallic and Germanic peoples, including the major uprising led by Vercingetorix. The account culminates in events such as the siege of Alesia and the defeat of organized Gallic resistance.

Combining military narrative, geography, and observations about local customs, Commentaries on the Gallic War is both an important source on the Roman conquest of Gaul and a carefully constructed account that presents Caesar's actions and leadership to a Roman audience.

"All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who in their own language are called Celts, in ours Gauls, the third. All these differ from each other in language, customs and laws. The river Garonne separates the Gauls from the Aquitani; the Marne and the Seine separate them from the Belgae."

This edition is based on the English translation by W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn.