In 58 BC, Caesar intercepted the westward-migrating Helvetii and defeated them at Bibracte. He then defeated and expelled Germanic mercenaries who had established themselves in western Gaul. His troops wintered at Vesontio.
Caesar marched against hostile northern tribes in 57 BC, capturing many strongholds, defeating the Belgae outside Bibrax and decimating the Nervii on the river Sambre. Meanwhile another Roman force began attacking the Veneti.
At first the Veneti held their own, due to their command of the sea. But in 56 BC Caesar finally defeated them at Quiberon Bay. Meanwhile other Roman forces successively dealt with local opposition in Aquitania and Normandy.
A German force raided into Gaul in 55 BC but were defeated by Caesar who then led a brief punitive expedition across the Rhine. Later he crossed to Britain on a reconnaissance expedition.
Returning to Britain in 54 BC with a larger force, Caesar defeated a British confederacy in the south-east, gaining their nominal submission. Back in Gaul he encountered the first stirrings of revolt.
Caesar dealt vigorously with risings among the northern tribes in 53 BC. He again crossed the Rhine, to punish Germans aiding the Gauls. Having virtually wiped out the Eburones, the Romans wintered at Agedincum.
Vercingetorix of the Arverni united the revolting tribes. They attacked Narbo in 52 BC but Caesar repulsed them. Returning to Agedincum, Caesar captured Avaricum, but suffered a reverse at Gergovia. After a defeat, Vercingetorix retreated to Alesia, which Caesar successfully besieged.
Some tribes continued the revolt into 51 BC. Caesar took the Carnutes' stronghold of Cenabum and subdued the Bellovaci. Roman allies besieged at Lemonum were relieved by a Roman force who then invested Uxellodunum. Caesar's arrival and its capture effectively ended Gallic resistance.
