Battle of Lutetia

Arar - Bibracte - Alsace - Sambre - Axona - Octodurus - Avaricum - Gergovia - Lutetia - Armançon - Alesia - Uxellodunum

As a battle of Lutetia a battle is referred to during the conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar Gaius.

Prehistory

In the spring of 52 BC, the Gallic chiefs reached a desperate cry for help their fellow tribesmen from Lutetia, later to Paris. The Roman general Titus Labienus moved with his legions against the city. The Gauls decided that the experienced, albeit old, warriors Camulogenus with 24,000 men to Parisiern, the Gallic tribe of Lutetia inhabited, should come to the rescue. The oppidum Lutetia was on an island in the Seine. Even then, it was an important city, which was to defend very well.

The Battle

To complicate the Roman legionaries advancing the Gauls destroyed all bridges leading after Lutetia. When Labienus approached, moved into the Gallic army position. The Romans had to first pass through the marshes on the banks of the River Essonne and right there attacked the Gauls. Since the Romans were stuck in the mud and could defend themselves difficult, Labienus ordered a retreat. But under cover of night returned the Romans back in 50 boats, which they had previously captured Melum in place. By day he attacked the Gauls on the hill of Sainte- Genevieve. Labienus divided his army into three groups and sent them to different places and forced Camolugenus so also divide his men. At Vaugirard Labienus attacked then. The Gauls fought bravely, but the Romans were stronger and decided the battle for themselves.

Follow

In this battle Camolugenus and all his men were killed. Lutetia fell to the Romans and Caesar was one step closer to an overall victory in this war.