Eporedorix

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Eporedorix († after 52 BC) was a distinguished Haeduer who, during Caesar's Gallic War, was a young leader of a strong party among his compatriots in 52 BC. Fell away from Caesar. However, this should have forgiven Eporedorix after the subjugation of the Haeduer.

Life

52 BC The Arverni Prince Vercingetorix organized a great revolt of numerous Gallic peoples against Caesar. The Haeduer were initially allied with Caesar, and at his request Eporedorix and one of his political rivals, the noble Haeduer Viridomarus , took their cavalry in 52 BC. In the Roman campaign against Gergovia defended by Vercingetorix . Some distance behind, Litaviccus led the Haedu infantry troops, but tried to persuade his soldiers to switch to Vercingetorix's side by claiming that Caesar had both Eporedorix and Viridomarus executed for alleged treason. Eporedorix became aware of this and in turn informed the Roman general of Litaviccus' intentions, which were thwarted in this way.

After Caesar had tried in vain to conquer Gergovia, Eporedorix and Viridomarus pointed the Roman general to new activities of the Litaviccus and asked for their release, allegedly to prevent their countrymen from apostating from the Romans. Caesar mistrusted them, but nevertheless let them return to their homeland. In Noviodunum (today Nevers ) they received the news that Litaviccus had traveled to the Haeduer area and in Bibracte had persuaded the Vergobreten Convictolitavis and the local council to enter into alliance negotiations with Vercingetorix. Thereupon Eporedorix and Viridomarus instigated the Haeduer in Noviodunum to kill the Roman guards and merchants there, to burn the place down and to distribute the captured money and horses among themselves. The Haedu were only able to carry away some of the great grain spoil on the Loire , while they buried or set fire to the rest in the river. Furthermore, the Gallic hostages held by Caesar were freed and sent to Bibracte. As a result, Eporedorix and Viridomarus were indignant that they had to place themselves under the command of Vercingetorix.

Vercingetorix now appointed a brother of Eporedorix to lead his cavalry; and when he was besieged by Caesar in Alesia , Eporedorix and Viridomarus acted together with the Arverni Vercassivellaunus , a cousin of Vercingetorix, and the Atrebate Commius as commander in chief of the great Celtic relief army, whose task it was to blow up the Roman siege ring around Alesia. But nothing is reported about the serious involvement of the two distinguished Haeduers in the struggles for the liberation of Alesia. After the submission of their people they should have obtained the pardon from the victorious Roman general. Eporedorix was probably even granted Roman citizenship by Caesar and took his name, as can be deduced from inscriptions that mention his descendants.

literature

Remarks

  1. ^ Caesar, De bello Gallico 7, 39, 1 f.
  2. ^ Caesar, De bello Gallico 7, 38, 2.
  3. ^ Caesar, De bello Gallico 7, 39, 3 ff.
  4. ↑ Caesar, De bello Gallico 7, 54, 1-4.
  5. ^ Caesar, De bello Gallico 7, 55, 4 ff.
  6. ^ Caesar, De bello Gallico 7, 63, 9.
  7. ^ Caesar, De bello Gallico 7, 64, 5.
  8. ^ Caesar, De bello Gallico 7, 76, 4.
  9. ↑ CIL 13, 2728
personal data
SURNAME Eporedorix
BRIEF DESCRIPTION distinguished Haeduer
DATE OF BIRTH 1st century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH after 52 BC Chr.