Gergovia

Gergovia was a Gaulish town in modern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes^[1] in the upper part of the basin of the Allier,^[2] near present-day Clermont-Ferrand. It was the capital of the Averni.^[3] The city of Gergovia had strong walls and was located on a giant raised plateau surrounded by hills.

Gergovia
Plan of the mountain of Gergovia and its environs
Etymology: Gaulish

It was the chief town (oppidum) of the Arverni and the site of the Battle of Gergovia in 52 BC.^[1][4] The battle was fought between a Roman Republic army, led by proconsul Julius Caesar, and Gallic forces led by Vercingetorix.^[5] Caesar marched south with six legions to take the hill town of Gergovia.^[2] The Gauls won the battle, which led to increased cavalry support for Vercingetorix's campaign for future battles.^[6] This was a significant failure in Gallia for Caesar and the Roman army.^[2]

References

1. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Gergovia" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 11 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 767.
2. Smith 1854, p. 959.
3. Smith 1854, p. 228.
4. "Battle of Gergovia". unrv.com. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
5. Rickard, J. (24 March 2009). "Siege of Gergovia, May 52 BC". History of War. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
6. "(4) Vercingetorix (52 to 50 B.C.E.)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved December 7, 2018.

Bibliography

• Long, George (1872). The Decline of the Roman Republic. Vol. 4. Bell & Daldy. p. 449.
• Smith, William (1854). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. Vol. 1. Little, Brown & Company.

45°42′30″N 3°7′30″E