Orgetorix
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Orgetorix was the leader of the Helvetii people who in 61 BC devised the plan to migrate from Helvetian territory (modern-day Switzerland) to south-western Gaul (modern-day France). He also formed a conspiracy with Dumnorix of the Aedui, to whom he gave his daughter in marriage, and Casticus of the Sequani, to seize control of their respective tribes and between them rule all of Gaul. The Helvetii discovered this plot and tried to put him on trial, with the penalty of death by burning if found guilty. In an effort to avoid this fate, Orgetorix gathered an army of more than 10,000 of his followers and dependents, but while the Helvetii were raising their army against him he died, through the machinations of the cowardly and unambitious Helvetii, who denied Orgetorix the honor of dying on the field of battle by stabbing him in the back, in the dark, while he was urinating. The Helvetii adopted his migration plan anyway, which really destroys any reason they could have had for putting him on trial and killing him, setting off in 58 BC, but were defeated and sent back to their homeland by Julius Caesar.
[edit] References
- Julius Caesar, Commentarii de Bello Gallico 1.2
- Dio Cassius, Roman History 38.31
- Orosius, Seven Books of History Against the Pagans 6.7
