Ambiorix was prince of Eburones, a Belgic tribe of north-eastern Gaul (Gallia Belgica).
Although Julius Caesar had freed him from paying tribute to the Atuatuci , he joined Catuvolcus (winter, 54 BC) in rising against the Roman forces under Q. Titurius Sabinus and I. Aurunculeius Cotta , and almost annihilated them. An attack on Quintus Cicero (brother of the orator), then stationed with a legion in the Nervii's territory, failed due to the timely appearance of Caesar. Ambiorix is said to have found safety across the Rhine, but his fate remains unknown. Certain is that Caesar fruitlessly tried to capture him, eliminating the Eburones and destroying their land in the process.
Nowadays, his statue (actually a 19th century romantic interpretation of what Ambiorix might have looked like) can be found in the Belgian town of Tongeren.
Caesar, De Bello Gallico v. 26-51, vi. 29-43, viii. 24; Dio Cassius xl. 7-11; Florus iii. 10.
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Last updated: 08-30-2005 16:48:36
