Historica Wiki
Advertisement

Ambiorix's revolt occurred from 54 to 53 BC when the Celtic Eburones rose in revolt against the Roman Republic during Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. The Eburones wiped out a garrison of 9,000 Roman troops wintering in Nervii territory, causing Caesar and his legions to react quickly and virtually wipe out the Eburones.

Background[]

During Julius Caesar's two-year absence in Britannia, Gaul began to stir. In 54 BC, the Gallic Eburones, under their leader Ambiorix, successfully rebelled in Gallia Belgica, destroying the 9,000-strong Roman detachment under Quintus Tullius Cicero that had been sent to winter in their territory at Aduatuca (Tongeren). Following this success, Ambiorix began to besiege the Roman garrison in Nervii territory, and a general revolt in the area broke out; Indutiomarus and the Treverii also rose in rebellion, supported by the Germanic tribes across the Rhine. Caesar had spread his legions across Gaul in order to not put too much strain on the resources of one area, leaving his legions as vulnerable targets. 

Caesar reacted quickly, marching directly to the besieged legion in Nervii territory while Titus Labienus fought off Indutiomarus. Ambiorix gave up the siege to face the new threat, but he was quickly defeated, while, almost simultaneously, Labienus repelled his opponents. Roman retribution was swift and devastating, and the Eburones were effectively wiped out, while Ambiorix left Gaul for Germania. To help stabilize the situation, Pompey mobilized two more legions, while Caesar raised another; he now had almost 50,000 men in Gaul under his command.

Advertisement