A Celtic people whose migration in 58 BC became the opening crisis of Caesar’s Gallic command.
Overview
The Helvetii lived in the region of the Swiss plateau. Caesar described their planned migration across Gaul as a threat requiring Roman intervention.
Why It Matters
The campaign became the first major episode of the Gallic War and helped Caesar establish military initiative and political justification.
In Roman Practice
Our principal narrative comes from Caesar himself, whose account must be read as both military history and political argument.