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Julius Cesar is one of the most famous men in history. He was one of the greatest military commanders of all time and transformed the Roman Republic into an Empire. One of Cesar’s greatest achievements was Gaul's conquest in a series of bloody wars (57-51 BCE). This conquest was not only a remarkable achievement, but it had a profound impact on the future of Europe. It changed the balance of power within the Roman Republic.

==How did the Conquest of Gaul strengthen Caesar's Political standing?==

The first and most immediate consequence of the war was that it upset Rome's balance of power. The First Triumvirate was a political arrangement between Pompey, Crassus, and Cesar. This arrangement allowed the three most powerful men in Rome to achieve their respective goals. However, Crassus was killed in an ill-advised invasion of Parthia.<ref> Plutarch. <i>The Life of Crassus</i>. 5</ref> This left Pompey and Cesar as the two most powerful men in Rome.

==How did the Conquest change Gaul?==

Caesar destroyed the Celtic civilization in Gaul. The Celtic priesthood, the druids, were key to the culture and religion of Gaul. The Gauls, despite their sophistication, were a pre-literate people, although some used Greek for official purposes. The Druids were renowned for their remarkable memories, and they retained the oral history of the Gauls. The druids were also the judicial class, and they alone could remember the legal codes of the various tribes.<ref> Holland, p. 213</ref> The priestly class also played a significant role in the Celts' oral literature.