In the winter of 52 B.C.E., Vercengetorix a chieftan of the Averni tribe of Gauls, headed
a rebellion against Roman rule of Gaul. Julius Caesar, prconsul of Transalpine
Gaul, crossed the Alps with troops, and met the Gallic army several times.
Vercengetorix pursued a policy of retreating to natural fortifications, while
burning Gallic towns to deprive the Roman army of sustenance. Vercengetorix
eventually retreated to Alesia, a hilltop town in what is now Burgundy, France,
northwest of Dijon. Caesar laid seige to the Gauls, by constructing an earthen and wooden rampart that
completely encircled the hill. When a Gallic relief army appeared, Caesar
constructed another rampart, facing outwards, with the Romans encamped between
the inner and outer walls. The Romans successfully fended off a coordinated
attack by Vercengetorix's army and the relief Gallic army. Vercengetorix
surrendered, and was taken to Rome as a prisoner, where 6 years later he
was ritually strangled. Napoleon III erected a large statue to Vercengetorix
which stands atop the hill were Alesia was located. A 360 degree mosaic map
is located atop the hill, recreating the view of the Roman ramparts. There is
a small museum in Alise-Sainte-Renne, displaying archaeological finds, including
Roman and Gallic coins, armaments, etc.