Battle of Lutetia

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Battle of Lutetia
Part of: Gallic War
date 52 BC Chr.
place Lutetia, today's Paris
output Victory of the Romans
Parties to the conflict

Gauls

Roman Empire

Commander

Camulogenus

Titus Labienus

Troop strength
24,000 men plus the Paris garrison 4 legions
Gallic War (58–51 / 50 BC)

The battle of Lutetia is a battle during the conquest of Gaul by Gaius Julius Caesar .

prehistory

In the spring of 52 BC Chr. The Gallic chiefs reached a desperate cry for help of their fellow tribesmen from Lutetia , later Paris . The Roman general Titus Labienus marched with his legions against the city. The Gauls decided that the experienced, if old, warrior Camulogenus with 24,000 men should come to the aid of the Parisians , the Gallic tribe that inhabited Lutetia. The oppidum Lutetia was on an island in the Seine. Even then it was an important city that was very easy to defend.

The battle

To make it more difficult for the Roman legionaries to advance, the Gauls destroyed all bridges that led to Lutetia. When Labienus approached, the Gallic army took up position. The Romans first had to cross the marshes on the banks of the Essonne River and it was there that the Gauls attacked. Since the Romans were stuck in the mud and found it difficult to defend themselves, Labienus ordered the retreat. But under cover of night the Romans returned in 50 boats that they had previously captured in Melum. During the day he attacked the Gauls on the Sainte-Genevieve hill. Labienus divided his army into three groups and sent them to different places, forcing Camolugenus to split his men up as well. At Vaugirard, Labienus then attacked. The Gauls fought valiantly, but the Romans were stronger and won the battle for themselves.

consequences

In this battle Camolugenus and all his men were killed. Lutetia fell to the Romans and Caesar was one step closer to an overall victory in this war.

literature

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