Great Defeats: Alesia

In 1899 exposed the French artist Lionel-Noël Royer (1852-1926) his most famous painting: "Vercingétorix throws his weapons to the feet of Julius César". It shows the blackest day in the (newly discovered) Gallic history. The crushing defeat of the Gallic rebellion in Alesia 52 BC.

t looks strange that a painting depicting a defeat was such a success. But it was the time of French revanchism. Vercingétorix may be defeated - as the French was 1871 - but he appears like a proud victor. The time of revenge will come.