52 BC

year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar

decisive Roman victory in which Rome secures the conquest of Gaul

Varennes-sur-Allier (, literally Varennes on Allier; ) is a commune in the Allier department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in central France.

victory of Gallic forces led by Vercingetorix over a Roman army led by Julius Caesar

Roman legion

Roman legion

Avaricum was an oppidum in ancient Gaul, near what is now the city of Bourges. Avaricum, situated in the lands of the Bituriges Cubi, was the largest and best-fortified town within their territory, situated on very fertile lands. The terrain favored the oppidum, as it was flanked by a river and marshland, with only a single, narrow entrance. By the time of the Roman conquest in 52 BC, the city, according to Julius Caesar, had a population of 40,000 people who were then almost all killed.

speech by Cicero

51 BCE battle

battle of the Gallic War