The Gallic Wars were a series of military campaigns waged by the Roman proconsul Julius Caesar against several Gallic tribes. They lasted from 58 BC to 50 BC and culminated in the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, in which a complete Roman victory resulted in the expansion of the Roman Republic over the whole of Gaul. The wars paved the way for Julius Caesar to become the sole ruler of the Roman Republic. The Gallic Wars are described by Julius Caesar himself in this book, which was originally titled Commentarii de Bello Gallico. It is a pertinent and only slightly tendentious, and altogether the most important historical source regarding the conflict. This updated edition contains the translated text along with introductions by Bob Carruthers and Thomas de Quincey.