The Gallic Wars are a series of military campaigns waged by the Roman proconsul Julius Caesar against several Gallic tribes, lasting from 58 BCE to 51 BCE.
The Romans also raid Britannia and Germania, but these expeditions never develop into full-scale invasions.
The Gallic Wars culminate in the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BCE, in which a complete Roman victory results in the expansion of the Roman Republic over the whole of Gaul.
The wars pave the way for Caesar's subsequent becoming the sole ruler of the Roman Republic.Although Caesar portrays this invasion as being a defensive preemptive action, most historians agree that the wars had been fought primarily to boost Caesar's political career and to pay off his massive debts.
Still, one can not lightly discard the military importance of Gaul for the Romans themselves, who had been attacked several times by barbarian tribes both indigenous to Gaul and further to the north.
Conquering Gaul allows Rome to secure the natural border of the river Rhine.This military campaign is painstakingly described by Julius Caesar himself in his book Commentarii de Bello Gallico, which still is the most important historical source.
This book is also a masterwork of political propaganda, as Caesar is keenly interested in manipulating his readers in Rome.
