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bbadi t1_j7dcsad wrote

To answer your question, yes it was.

Vercingetorix tried to replicate the conditions that led to the Roman defeat at Gergovia: a well fortified city, natural defenses that multiply said entrenchments, calling his allies and flipping Caesar's...

He was largely successfull, but the plan had a massive hole, which was Alesia not being prepared to support the army and population at the same time, plus, Caesar managed to stockpile enough shit to survive a siege.

From that point on the plan fails because V can't get the rescue army fast enough to avoid Caesar from building a double wall, and thus, by the time it arrives it was too late, Caesar had turned what was supposed to be a siege that would stretch and break his supply lines to one that did exactly that to his enemies.

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Yezdigerd t1_j7os5rf wrote

Right it also was an attempt to take advantage of the Gallic numbers. The Roman's had repeatedly shown they were the master of the pitched battle due to organization. While the Gallic warriors by themselves were outstanding warriors. By pinning the Roman against a fortified position that had to be fully encircled the Roman forces would have to be spread thin and struggle to maneuver. so it would hopefully turn into into an extended meat grinder. It wasn't too late either. The Roman forces were very close to be overwhelmed during the battle. I think Vercingetorix underestimated the Roman's ability to fortify and stay in his position. In all it was a very ballsy move since Caesar's army was very large too and he was deep into Gallic territory once behind his wall no more supplies would get to him either.

I always wondered why Vercingetorix didn't kick all civilians out of the city early though.

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