Ep 4. Caesar: Super Siege

Caesar: Super Siege

In the fourth episode of Battles BC season 1, viewers are taken on a journey through one of history's most fascinating sieges: the Siege of Alesia in Gaul in 52 BC. The episode focuses on Julius Caesar, the infamous Roman commander, and his strategy for defeating the Gauls - led by the formidable Vercingetorix - who had been waging a rebellion against Roman occupation.

The episode starts with a brief overview of the political and military climate in Gaul at the time, explaining how Vercingetorix managed to unite various tribes in the region to push back against Roman expansion. Caesar's initial attempts at defeating the Gauls had failed, and Vercingetorix had managed to hold out for months against the Roman army. Despite being outnumbered and lacking resources, the Gauls remained defiant, and Caesar knew that he had to come up with a new strategy to defeat them.

The bulk of the episode revolves around the Siege of Alesia, a fortified hilltop town that was considered one of the Gauls' most impregnable strongholds. Caesar's plan was to encircle the town with a double wall, effectively trapping Vercingetorix's army inside while preventing reinforcements from coming to their aid. Historians still debate the exact size of Caesar's army at the time, but the episode suggests that he had around 50,000 soldiers at his disposal.

The episode uses a combination of computer-generated graphics and re-enactments to illustrate Caesar's siege tactics. Viewers get to see exactly how the Romans constructed their double wall, which was designed to be scalable from the inside while being too high for the Gauls to climb. Meanwhile, Vercingetorix's men are shown attempting to break through the Roman lines, launching fierce attacks that result in brutal hand-to-hand combat.

One of the most interesting aspects of the episode is how it delves into the psychological warfare that was taking place between the two sides. Caesar used several tactics to try to demoralize the Gauls, such as cutting off their food and water supplies and launching surprise attacks on their cavalry. Meanwhile, Vercingetorix encouraged his troops by giving rousing speeches and promising them that reinforcements were on their way.

The episode also explores the technology and weaponry used by both sides, highlighting the differences between Roman and Gallic military tactics. For example, Caesar's men are shown using siege engines such as battering rams and catapults to destroy portions of the Gallic wall, while the Gauls are depicted using flaming projectiles and sharp spears.

Ultimately, the Siege of Alesia ended in Roman victory, with Vercingetorix surrendering to Caesar and paving the way for Roman domination of Gaul. The episode explains how Caesar's victory at Alesia helped to establish his reputation as one of Rome's greatest military commanders and set the stage for his eventual rise to dictatorship.

Overall, Caesar: Super Siege is a fascinating look at one of the most important sieges in history, offering insights into the military strategies, technologies, and psychological tactics used by both sides. With its impressive computer graphics and re-enactments, the episode brings this ancient battle to life and leaves viewers with a greater appreciation for the complexity and brutality of ancient warfare.