The Battle of Alesia, contested in 52 BC towards the end of the Gallic wars, in which Roman forces under the command of Julius Caesar besieged Alesia, within which sheltered a confederation of Gallic tribes united under the leadership of Vercingetorix of the Arverni. After six years of fighting, almost 200 000 warriors came together on the plain. One of the greatest battles in Antiquity was about to commence