Vercingetorix

Vercingetorix (died 46 bc), Gallic (Celtic) chieftain, born in Auvergny (now in south-central France). In 52 bc he was chosen king by the Arverni, a powerful Gallic tribe that occupied the Auvergny. That same year he led the Arverni and other Gallic tribes in a revolt against Roman rule. Although Vercingetorix's initial campaigns against the Romans met with notable success, he was subsequently defeated and captured by Julius Caesar at Alesia (near modern Dijon, France) in 52 bc. Caesar's victory over Vercingetorix ended resistance to the Roman conquest of Gaul, and the final suppression of additional small revolts brought the Gallic Wars (58-51 bc) to a close. The Gallic chieftain was taken to Rome, where he was exhibited in 46 bc as a symbol of one of his conqueror's triumphs and then put to death.