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The Siege of Alesia (named just Alesia in the original) is the third scenario of the Ave Caesar campaign in Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome. It depicts the siege of Alesia.

Scenario instructions[]

Description[]

Alesia, 52 BCE

Just when you think you have suppressed the Gauls in one place, they rise up in another. Despite our many campaigns, the Gauls seem determined to defy Roman rule. Even now, at Alesia, while we have surrounded their main army and leader, Vercingetorix, and are besieging their oppidum, they do not give up. Our messengers report that a gigantic Gallic army is approaching to relieve the siege of Alesia as we speak. With all of Gaul's warriors concentrated in one place, this battle will decide the fate of both Gaul and you, Caesar. Defeat the Gallic leader inside the settlement and we might just crush the spirit of the Gauls. Fail, and we will be overrun by the masses of Gallic warriors gathering outside of our encampment...
—In-game section

Starting conditions[]

Objectives[]

  • Kill the Gallic leader, Vercingetorix.
  • If Caesar dies, the mission will be lost.

Hints[]

  1. Our workers have been constructing a two-layered wall around the oppidum of Alesia, however Gaul reinforcements have already arrived. Complete the fortifications as quickly as possible.
  2. Avoid a multi-front siege from the enemy at all costs.

Description[]

52 BC

Gaul has risen in revolt. You have isolated the great Gallic leader Vercingetorix with only a portion of his forces and driven him into the hilltop fortress at Alesia. He is surrounded, but another great Gallic army is gathering outside your fortifications to free him. Kill the great Gallic leader while avoiding the destruction of your army by the forces inside and outside your fortifications.
—In-game section

Starting conditions[]

Objectives[]

  • Kill the Gallic leader Vercingetorix. If Caesar dies, the mission will be lost.

Hints[]

  • Complete your fortress as quickly as possible.
  • Avoid a multi-front siege from the enemy at all costs.

Players[]

Player[]

  • Player (Roman AOE DE ROR icon Romans): The player starts with a double-ring fortress (including numerous Sentry Towers) in the center of the map. It entraps the red Gaul base and Vercingetorix. The outer walls on the western and southeastern sections are unfinished, however. Furthermore, the resources are low and located far away from the player's Town Center (which is located in the south-east of the base), there are no buildings besides the mentioned and some Houses, and the player's starting force is small.

Enemies[]

  • Gallic Army (Gaul before the Definitive Edition) (Assyrian AOE DE ROR icon Assyrians): Alesia's Gauls are entrapped inside the player's base and attempt to break out with Cavalry and swordsmen. They may also train Priests.
  • Gallic Army (Gaul before the Definitive Edition) (Assyrian AOE DE ROR icon Assyrians): The first Gallic relief force start in the western corner of the map, defended initially with only towers on the perimeter, and attack with Cavalry and swordsmen.
  • Vercingetorix (Greek AOE DE ROR icon Greeks): The Gallic chief Vercingetorix is holed up in a walled enclosure inside Alesia and is guarded by Heavy Horse Archers within the enclosure and Catapults outside.
  • Gallic Army (Gaul before the Definitive Edition) (Assyrian AOE DE ROR icon Assyrians): The second relief force of the Gauls start in the eastern corner of the map in a camp defended similarly to the western camp, and attack with Bowmen, Ballistae, Horse Archers, and Stone Throwers. They may also train Priests.

Strategy[]

Two of the Gaul players are outside of your town, and the game suggests that you finish your walls. On the other hand, the starting enemy bases outside are so small, the player may simply attack them first instead with the starting army, rather than wasting the stone - so do that. Send your hero, your Legions, and your archers to a base, kill the Villagers and destroy the Town Center, then do the same to the other town. This can be done simultaneously as well, sending Caesar and the infantry and nearby archers to the eastern base and the remaining Improved Bowmen to the western base. Ignore the towers on the way.

Now, most of the map belongs to you, and the remaining Gauls are heavily walled in, so you can take your time, if you want to.

Vercingetorix is in a walled-off area at the center of the Gaul camp, so destroy the Towers around him with a Catapult. If you set the Catapult to attacking ground, you can finish off the Horse Archers protecting him, too - they won't think of moving out of the way of the shot if you attack ground.

Since Vercingetorix can't attack at range, and can't get through his own walls, any ranged unit can finish him off with absolutely no risk - you can use your initial archers, if they are still alive, or use Ballistae.

History[]

Historical notes[]

Unhappy with their subjugation by the Romans, the Arverni tribe, led by their chieftain Vercingetorix, revolted in 52 BCE and rallied many of the other tribes in central Gaul. Caesar, who at that time was raising troops in Cisalpine Gaul, was taken by surprise and had to march north to face yet another Gallic revolt. Vercingetorix's father had died trying to unite the Gauls under his sole rule, but Vercingetorix was more successful, imposing his authority over the tribes under him and uniting them against a common enemy. Knowing that the Gauls were unable to defeat the Romans in pitched battle, he adopted the policy of scorched earth in an attempt to deprive the Romans of supplies and support. At the battle of Gergovia, the Arvernian capital, Caesar suffered a major defeat which forced him to retreat. Luckily for him, however, in a following cavalry battle the Romans still managed to inflict heavy losses on Vercingetorix's army, causing him to withdraw to Alesia, a Gallic oppidum (fortified settlement).

Vercingetorix considered Alesia a safe haven, but Caesar followed him and started to besiege Alesia, trapping Vercingetorix and his army in 52 BCE. Caesar built fortifications to try to starve the Gauls, but Vercingetorix, seeing the danger he was in, sent scouts to all his Gallic allies, urging them to come and relieve the siege. The Gauls answered his call and a massive army of Gallic warriors marched towards Alesia. Hearing of what was unfolding, Caesar ordered his troops to build yet another line of fortifications, but this time on the outside of the Roman encampments. These fortifications were formidable, with high wooden walls, turrets, and stakes which could hold back the continuous attacks of the Gauls. After several failed attempts by the Gallic troops to relieve the siege, and with food running out in the fortress, Vercingetorix had no choice but to surrender, hoping that it would save the lives of the people in Alesia. Caesar accepted his surrender and took Vercingetorix captive. Five years later Caesar brought the conquered Gaul back to Rome to show him off during his triumphal march into the city. Immediately after the victory parade, Vercingetorix was strangled in his prison.

With the defeat of the Gallic army, the organized resistance of the Gauls came to an end, and Gaul came under strong Roman rule. It was a key addition to the Roman Empire for the next 500 years.
—In-game section

Victory[]

With the defeat of Vercingetorix and the Gauls, you have brought almost nine years of constant fighting to a close. All of Gaul has been added to the Roman Empire, and according to some sources millions of enemies have died in the process. The very name "Caesar" wil become synonymous with leadership. Such success is not without its price, however. Jealous of your success and celebrity, and concerned about the size of our army, enemies in Rome have started to plot against you. On top of that, the Triumvirate with Crassus and Pompey has come to a sudden end when Crassus died in battle against the Parthians, which means it is once again each man for himself. With Western Europe at your feet, it is time to return home and deal with your old friend and former ally, Pompey.
—In-game section

Loss[]

Your failure to put down the revolt in Gaul means that all previous efforts to subdue Gaul were in vain and the Gauls are now united under the strong leadership of Vercingetorix. Having fled Gaul to the safety of the Roman provinces, you learned that a large combined army of Celts and Germans is now on the move to Rome, and so you must hurry back. Do not expect a pleasant reception, however, having exposed Rome to the barbarians like this. Report to the Tiber River for duty as a sandbag.
—In-game section

Historical notes[]

Nearly all of Gaul rose in revolt, beginning in 54 BC. The Gauls realized that they had been conquered by a force they outnumbered 20 to 1. In central Gaul, Vercingetorix, the ablest of the Gallic leaders, gathered a huge army. He conducted a skilled campaign and had Caesar retreating with his legions. During the retreat Caesar seized the initiative, as was his wont, and drove Vercingetorix into the hill fortress of Alesia. Building a double fortified enclosure to keep Vercingetorix in and the Gallic relief force out, Caesar fought a masterful battle. The Gallic leader surrendered to save his people from further disaster and was strangled eventually in Rome. The Gallic rebellion was quickly extinguished and Gaul went on to remain a key part of the Roman Empire for the next 500 years.
—In-game section

Victory[]

With the defeat of Vercingetorix and the Gauls, you have brought to a close almost nine years of constant fighting. Nearly 800 towns have been taken (in what later will become France and Switzerland). The very name "Caesar" will become synonymous with leadership. Such success is not without price, however. Jealous of your power and celebrity, and concerned about the size of your army, enemies are gathering in Rome. With all of Western Europe at your feet, it is time to return home.
—In-game section

Loss[]

Your failure to put down the revolt in Gaul means that these Celtic hordes will continue to raid southward. In addition, enemies are appearing within the walls of Rome. It is time to return home. Don't expect a pleasant reception, however, having left such a powerful force of barbarians leering down at Rome over the Alps. Report to the Tiber River for duty as a sandbag.
—In-game section

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