This paper will argue that the Battle of Alesia, in and of itself, cements Julius Ceasar's reputation as one of the greatest, if not the greatest generals of antiquity. Alesia, without the recognition of his triumphs in Spain, Greece, and Syria, can alone demonstrate the dynamic almost inhuman military capabilities of Caesar. The problems of being ounumbered six to one, cut from his source of supply, and fighting an exterior and interior enemy simultaneously all failed to undermine the success of the master of ordered entropy. The historic victory at Alesia would be the last great effort of the northern people to move south and forged a place for Caesar that would open the door to the rule of Rome.

Alesia, as the greatest achievement of Caesar's decade of wars in Gaul, cannot be first examined without first exploring the days that led to the uprising of the Gallic chieftan Vercingetorix. Likewise the opposing forces of Rome and Gaul must be compared in order to understand what allowed Caesar to overcome a force native to the field of battle and of much larger size than his own. The immediate campaign leading up to Alesia is then to be traced to give some insight into the attitudes of the two generals on the eve of Alesia's siege. Finally the Battle of Alesia will be thoroughly evaluated, looking at the equipment, manpower, siegeworks, moral [sic], assault periods, and ultimately the Gallic surrender. In closing the reader will identify with the epic struggle that Alesia was the culumination point of, and recognize, due solely to his performance there, that Caesar is one of the most astute and capable generals of the ancient world.