The years which Cæsar spent in Gaul were so full of hard-fought battles and well-earned victories, that even his love of adventure and glory must surely have been satisfied.
Gaul at this time was divided into two parts, Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul.
Cisalpine Gaul was the name given to the Gallic settlements in northern Italy, and here Cæsar spent only a short time.
It was in Transalpine Gaul, or Gaul beyond the Alps, that Cæsar’s great work lay, and the countries that we now call France and Switzerland were included in this part of Gaul.
When the Roman army reached Transalpine Gaul it found that two tribes, the Helvetians and the Ligurini, had burnt their villages and towns because the land around their dwellings was covered with marsh and forest.
They were now going to journey in search of a better country, even thinking that they might invade Italy and settle there.
The tribes were fierce and brave, but Cæsar determined to meet them and keep them from setting foot in Italy. So he sent his chief officer against the Ligurini and they were defeated. But the Helvetians succeeded in surprising Cæsar as he was marching, and fell upon him before he had time to arrange his men in a good position.
As the Romans prepared to repulse the Gauls, Cæsar’s horse was brought to him, but he refused to mount, saying, ‘When I have won the battle I will use my horse for the chase.’ He then led the charge on foot.
The struggle was fierce, for the Helvetians were fighting for all that they counted most dear. But at length the Romans drove them from the field and pursued them to their wagons.
Here, not men alone, but women and children joined in the fight, and fiercely the battle raged once more. It was only after a desperate onslaught that the Gauls resolved to submit.