Julius Caesar · 50 BCE · overland

Julius Caesar's own account of his conquest of Gaul, the Commentarii de Bello Gallico, written in the 50s BC. Across eight campaigning seasons Caesar leads the Roman legions from the Province against the migrating Helvetii, the tribes of Belgica, the Germans beyond the Rhine, and twice across the sea into Britain, before crushing the great Gallic revolt under Vercingetorix at Alesia. The route follows the legions through Gaul, Germania and Britain.

1. 1
   Geneva

   Caesar hurries to the Rhone near Geneva to block the migration of the Helvetii, the spark that begins eight years of war in Gaul.

2. 2
   Bibracte

   He pursues and defeats the Helvetii near Bibracte, then turns on the German king Ariovistus, making himself master of central Gaul.

3. 3
   The Rhine

   Subduing the Belgic tribes of the north, Caesar throws a bridge across the Rhine into the lands of the Germans, a demonstration of Roman reach.

4. 4
   Portus Itius

   On the Gallic shore Caesar musters his fleet for the crossing.

5. 5
   Britain

   Twice he crosses the channel into the mists of Britain, fighting the Britons and their chariots before returning to the continent.

6. 6
   Portus Itius

   Twice he returns across the channel to the coast of Gaul.

7. 7
   Alesia

   When all Gaul rises under Vercingetorix, Caesar besieges the rebel host at Alesia and, himself ringed by a relieving army, wins the victory that ends the war.