In France, archaeological excavations allowed to find a part of the Roman military structures built in the summer of 52 BC. Them to siege a fortified Gallic town of Gergovia used Julius Caesar.
the results of the excavations told on the website of the National Institute for preventive archaeological research, France (Inrap). They were held in the commune of Clermont-Ferrand in the center of the country, near the village.
it is believed that in 52 BC, Julius Caesar pitched his camp. He conducted another military campaign to suppress the uprising of the Gauls and besieged Gergovia – a major stronghold of the enemy. This siege was described by Caesar in his book on the Gallic war. The commander himself had described that the walls of Gergovia the Romans broke two camps – large and small.
excavations have allowed to find part of these structures. So, it was discovered two of the moat, made in the traditional Roman style. One of them had a sharp V-shaped profile. Traces of their content from sewage, scientists have found. This confirms the hypothesis that the siege of the city was very short, it only lasted two or three weeks. All facilities very soon was filled.
archaeologists have Also received new information about the inner workings of the Roman camps of the time of the Gallic wars. In particular, they have unearthed several furnaces, which were dug directly in the ground. Outwardly, they resembled the pit. They were preparing food for the legions.
Artifacts found there was very little that archaeologists also associated with very short period the siege of the city. The legionaries did not have time to lose a lot of things. Thus, it was found a few dozen nails and three iron Shoe nail. The first turned out to be quite large – up to 15 centimeters in length.
Excavations will continue and the researchers hope to obtain new data. It is noteworthy that this camp was first discovered during studies conducted in the XIX century. The event was organized by Napoleon III. Then was found and two of the moat, which a century later archeologists discovered again.
the fact that the archives of the Napoleonic excavation, organized specifically to search for evidence of the campaigns of Caesar, almost completely disappeared. But modern scientists have discovered the 1866 edition of “History of Julius Caesar”, which describes the events of the Gallic war. In fact, it is the only surviving evidence of research carried out on the orders of Napoleon III. On its pages there is a description of the two ditches, which corresponds exactly to that found by modern archaeologists.
Caesar went into Gaul in 58 BC. His goal was the expansion of the area of influence of Rome. However, Caesar pursued and its goals: he sought to increase his personal fortune, which should help in the implementation of its far��isih political aspirations.
the War, which affected all the peoples of Gaul, lasted eight years. With each campaign, the number of Caesar’s legions grew. They were joined by soldiers from conquered peoples. The Gallic rebellion gradually subsided. Caesar spent very strict policy, no hesitation in destroying the town and exterminating the local population.
But in the 52nd year BC broke the major Gallic uprising, bringing together several peoples of Gaul. The Roman “war machine” victorious came to Gergovia, where he was forced to stop and then to retreat.
In the book, Caesar does not specify the exact location of the camps, but said that there were six legions, who had several hundred siege engines.
