Battle of Lutetia

The Battle of Lutetia was a battle on the plain of Grenelle in what is now Paris between Roman forces under Titus Labienus and an anti-Roman Gallic coalition in 52 BC during the Gallic Wars. It was a Roman victory.^[2]

Course

Labienus had been sent to fight the peoples of the Seine by Caesar, whilst Caesar himself attacked Gergovia.^[3] Having already captured the oppidum of Metlosedum (possibly present-day Melun), Labienus crossed the River Seine to attack the coalition near Lutetia. Threatened by the Bellovaci, he decided to re-cross the Seine aiming to rejoin Caesar's force at Agedincum (Sens). Feinting a general retreat, Labienus in fact crossed the river and the Gauls blocked his path to Caesar and battle was joined.

At the first shock the Seventh Legion placed on the right wing pushed back the enemy. On the Roman left, made up of the Twelfth Legion, the pilum volleys broke up the first charge, but the Gauls still put up a resistance, encouraged by their old chieftain Camulogene. The moment of decision came when the military tribunes of the Seventh Legion fell on the enemy rear. The Celtic troops left in reserve intervened, taking a nearby hill, but were unable to reverse the course of the battle and took flight. The reserves' losses were increased when the Roman cavalry was sent to pursue them. Labienus's force thus advanced to Agedincum, recaptured their baggage train and found themselves able to rejoin Caesar, returning to Gergovia

Notes

Coordinates: 48°51′N 2°21′E / 48.850°N 2.350°E / 48.850; 2.350