Julius Caesar’s War Commentaries: The Gallic and Civil Wars

Few figures in antiquity combined the roles of general, politician, and author as seamlessly as Gaius Julius Caesar. His Commentarii, or “Commentaries,” are not only firsthand military reports but also masterful works of political propaganda, crafted to justify his actions before the Roman Senate and people. Written in a clear, concise Latin style, they remain one of the most important historical sources of the late Roman Republic.

The Gallic Wars (Commentarii de Bello Gallico)

The Gallic Wars span eight books, recounting Caesar’s conquest of Gaul between 58 and 50 B.C. The first seven books were written by Caesar himself, while the eighth was completed after his death by his lieutenant Aulus Hirtius.

Book 1 — 58 B.C.

Caesar begins with the Helvetii, a migrating Gallic tribe seeking to settle in western Gaul. He halts their movement, defeating them at the Battle of Bibracte. He also intervenes against the Germanic king Ariovistus, defeating him and pushing the German threat back across the Rhine.

Book 2 — 57 B.C.

Caesar campaigns against the Belgae, considered the bravest of the Gauls. He crushes them in several battles, notably at the Sabis River, consolidating Roman control over northern Gaul.

Book 3 — 56 B.C.

This book details naval campaigns in Armorica (modern Brittany) against the Veneti, a seafaring tribe. Caesar innovates in naval warfare, adapting Roman ships to defeat the Veneti fleet. He also campaigns against tribes in Aquitania.

Book 4 — 55 B.C.

Caesar launches expeditions across the Rhine into Germania, both as a show of strength and to check German incursions. In the same year, he undertakes the first Roman expedition to Britain, crossing the Channel but establishing no permanent foothold.

Book 5 — 54 B.C.

Caesar conducts a second expedition into Britain, advancing further inland and encountering fierce resistance. Back in Gaul, a revolt erupts among the Eburones under Ambiorix, who ambush and annihilate a Roman legion at Atuatuca.

Book 6 — 53 B.C.

Caesar crosses the Rhine again, subdues German tribes, and describes Gallic society, customs, and religion in ethnographic detail. He singles out the Druids as the intellectual elite of Gaul.

Book 7 — 52 B.C.

The great Gallic revolt led by Vercingetorix dominates this book. After a series of campaigns, Caesar besieges the stronghold of Alesia. The decisive Roman victory there marks the effective end of Gallic resistance.

Book 8 — 51–50 B.C.

Written by Aulus Hirtius, this book covers the mopping-up operations after Alesia and the consolidation of Roman rule in Gaul. It bridges the transition from Caesar’s Gallic campaigns to the growing tensions that lead to civil war.

The Civil Wars (Commentarii de Bello Civili)

In three books, Caesar recounts the civil war between himself and Pompey, presenting his actions as defensive measures against a hostile Senate faction.

Book 1 — 50 B.C.

Caesar describes the political crisis leading to his fateful crossing of the Rubicon. He portrays himself as forced into civil war by Pompey and the Senate’s hostility.

Book 2 — 49 B.C.

This volume details Caesar’s lightning campaigns in Spain, where he defeats Pompey’s lieutenants. The narrative emphasizes his speed, discipline, and clemency.

Book 3 — 48–47 B.C.

Caesar recounts the eastern campaign culminating in the decisive Battle of Pharsalus (48 B.C.), where Pompey is defeated and flees to Egypt. Pompey’s murder in Egypt marks the tragic end of his rival, but Caesar’s own struggles in the East continue.

Later Campaigns — Not Written by Caesar

After Pharsalus, Caesar’s surviving officers and allies composed additional commentaries to complete the narrative. While not written by Caesar himself, they preserve continuity with his style.

• Alexandrian War: Covers Caesar’s involvement in the Egyptian civil war, his alliance with Cleopatra VII, and the famous siege of Alexandria.
• African War: Details Caesar’s campaign in North Africa against the remnants of Pompeian forces, culminating in victory at Thapsus (46 B.C.).
• Spanish War: Narrates the final campaign in Spain, where Caesar defeats Pompey’s sons at Munda (45 B.C.), securing his supremacy.

Legacy of the Commentaries

Caesar’s Commentaries are more than military reports; they are political documents, written in the third person to project impartiality and objectivity. Yet they are also propaganda, crafted to shape Roman opinion and legitimize Caesar’s extraordinary power. For modern readers, they remain a unique blend of history, autobiography, and literature, offering both a chronicle of conquest and a glimpse into Caesar’s political genius.