With the act of burning half a dozen cities, the Gauls managed to cut off the Roman supply line, severely restricting their resources and provisions. This dire situation meant that the 20,000 Roman soldiers had limited time to achieve victory against the formidable force of 30,000 Gauls.
The setting for the decisive battle was the hill of Alesia, a strategically advantageous position that the Gauls had fortified themselves on. It loomed over the surrounding countryside, offering an elevated vantage point and natural defensive barriers.
As the Romans surveyed the battlefield chosen by the warrior king, they realized they had been outmaneuvered and deceived by the Gauls. The terrain favored the defenders, giving them the advantage of higher ground and defensive positions. The hill itself was dotted with ancient oak trees, their branches casting long shadows over the field.
The Gauls had erected makeshift fortifications using wooden palisades and earthworks, creating a formidable defensive perimeter. It was a sight that evoked both awe and trepidation among the Roman soldiers.
From the top of the hill, the Gauls looked down upon the Roman army, taunting them with a message that challenged their courage:
"If you are afraid, you are free to return home."
Any other smart nation would not accept such a challenge, but not Rome, especially not when their supreme leader Julius Caesar himself led the battle.
The Romans had faith in their superior weapons, armor, and, most importantly, their discipline. Clad in their gleaming armor and armed with swords and javelins, they formed a disciplined and formidable force.
From below the hill, the Romans saw how one man confidently rode down the hill. Recognizing him as Thrax, Julian decided to meet him halfway.
There they were, two friends and rivals, meeting once again after more than four years, despite their current roles as leaders of opposing armies. Upon meeting halfway, the two rivals shared a smile that revealed a complex mix of friendship, respect, and rivalry.
"Welcome back home, Thrax," Julian greeted him, his astonishment evident in his voice. "You really know how to make a surprise, don't you?"
Thrax nonchalantly answered, "I heard you have been very busy the last few years. I am here to see how much has changed."
Hearing these words, Julian frowned and said, "Is that why you are here? To test me? To settle old scores?"
Thrax chuckled as he said, "No, my friend, it's not personal. I am here on behalf of the people who yearn to be free from Roman tyranny."
"Then believe me when I say that all I have done was for the good of the people," Julian earnestly explained.
Realizing Julian was trying to explain his reasons, Thrax interrupted him. "Julian, you have your beliefs, and I have mine. What about we see whose resolve is stronger through battle? Whoever wins will not take it personally and treat the loser to some drinks."
This time Julian was the one who laughed and said, "I see these four years have changed you, Thrax. Alright, I agree... however, hear me out first."
Julian argued that if the two of them fought with their real power, it would only become a duel between the two of them. He proposed that they would not use any spells or their full power in battle. If Thrax was willing to agree, not only would Julian do the same, but he would also pull out his special Praetorian army, from joining the battle.
"Agreed! Let's see which of us is the better commander."
Although it seemed as if they were playing with the lives of many, both knew that even without them, such battles would still happen sooner or later. Moreover, this would be an important battle that would become part of their history and shape their future.
Thus, the Battle of Alesia started.
Thrax, not one to remain idle behind his hilltop fort, quickly dispatched his fastest riders with a persuasive message to all the other Gaul tribes. The message carried the urgency and opportunity to defeat Rome, urging them to send reinforcements to Alesia.
From the top of the hill, Thrax waited for Julian to make a move.
Given the circumstances, any ordinary general would have opted for a full-frontal assault, concentrating their forces on one side with overwhelming numbers. But Julian was no ordinary general. He divided his four legions into 16 parts, strategically positioning them around the hill.
To the chieftains among the Gauls, Julian's strategy initially appeared laughable, as it seemed to thin out his forces and make them susceptible to attacks from skirmishing Gauls outside the walls. However, their skepticism quickly turned to shock as they witnessed the Roman soldiers constructing an awe-inspiring defensive structure.
In just three days, the Romans erected massive two-story wooden walls, spanning a length of 16 kilometers. The walls were divided into two sets, one facing the hill and the other facing the outer forest. There was ample space between them to accommodate Julian's 20,000 soldiers, turning the entire area into a fortified Roman stronghold.
The construction of these remarkable walls showcased the skill, discipline, and ingenuity of the Roman soldiers. With unwavering determination, they worked in unison, utilizing advanced engineering techniques to create an impenetrable barrier. It was a testament to the might of Rome and the efficiency of its legions. If Thrax had not seen it for himself, he would have thought Julian was using magic.
Now Julian used Thrax's strategy against him.
When the Gaul reinforcements arrived, consisting of multiple tribes and without the mighty Vercingetorix to lead them, they were all hauled by the Romans whenever they tried to attack the walls.
"Well done, Julian!" Thrax exclaimed, excited by the increasing challenge.
As the battle commenced, the clash of weapons and the cries of warriors echoed throughout the battlefield. The Roman soldiers, guided by Julian's tactical brilliance, engaged the Gauls with precision and coordination. Their longbow archers from Britannia unleashed a barrage of arrows, piercing the Gauls' ranks with deadly accuracy. The pike infantry from Hispania formed impenetrable phalanx formations, their long spears repelling the Gauls' attempts to breach the walls. The powerful cavalry from Germania, mounted on sturdy steeds, charged at the Gauls' flanks, causing havoc among their ranks.
Julian's forces exhibited a seamless synergy as they repelled wave after wave of Gaul attacks. Their well-drilled formations and disciplined maneuvers allowed them to hold their ground, despite the overwhelming odds.
With each passing day, the intensity of the battle grew. Thrax decided to launch a coordinated counter-attack on the second day. Using simple torch signals, he rallied all 50,000 Gaul warriors to focus their assault on one side of the Roman walls, both from inside and outside the fortifications. It was a meticulously coordinated offensive, aiming to break through the Roman lines and overpower them.
However, Julian's strategic acumen proved instrumental once again. He swiftly maneuvered his divided legions, employing swift and precise rotations.
The Gauls suffered heavy casualties, with over 10,000 warriors falling on that fateful day. Despite their valiant efforts, the walls held strong, and Thrax's counter-attack failed to achieve its intended breakthrough.
On the third day, undeterred by his previous setbacks, Thrax saw another batch of Gaul reinforcements arrive. Their numbers swelled to over 20,000 warriors, answering the call to join the decisive assault. Determined to turn the tide in his favor, Thrax decided it was time for a final, desperate push.
Standing tall and exuding an aura of primal strength, Thrax unleashed his famous war cry, sending a shiver down the spines of friend and foe alike. The Gaul warriors, fueled by his rallying cry, charged ferociously from all sides, determined to break through the Roman defenses.
Despite the tenacity and ferocity of the Gauls' onslaught, Julian's Roman soldiers fought back with unyielding resolve. They formed tight defensive formations, their shields interlocking to create an impenetrable barrier. The clash of swords, the thrust of spears, and the thundering hooves of cavalry reverberated through the battleground. The air filled with the screams of the wounded and the dying.
"Western wall is broken!"
Finally, one section of the Roman wall crumbled under the relentless assault, and the Gauls flooded into the breach. They fought their way through the gaps, determined to reach Julian's tent and claim victory.
As Thrax confidently confronted him, proclaiming his imminent triumph, Julian remained calm and collected. With a knowing smile, he uttered words that would turn the tide of the battle.
"You may have won this battle, but unfortunately you have lost the war."
To Thrax's astonishment, the last 20,000 reinforcements that had arrived with the Gauls didn't fight alongside him. Instead, they had chosen to join the Romans.
Thrax's moment of triumph turned into bitter realization. The tables had turned, and the Gauls warrior king found himself facing not just the Roman legions but a portion of his own forces as well.
"Now tell me, Thrax," Julian calmly spoke, "who truly emerged victorious in this battle?"
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