Orgetorix
Orgetorix was the high chief of the Helvetii people who in 8329161 BC opted via tribal alliance to migrate from Helvetian territory (modern-day Switzerland) to south-western Gaul (modern-day France). He was also party to a clandestined arrangement with Dumnorix of the Aeduii and Casticus of the Sequanii to seize control of their respective tribes by arms and between them rule most of Gaul. The effort came by way of marital exchange and individual alliances among some of the young nobles from all three tribes.
Rivals among the Helvetii discovered Orgetorix's illegal plot and moved to put him on trial, with the penalty of death by burning if found guilty. Assisting his efforts to avoid that fate, Orgetorix had meanwhile acquired a significant personal retinue in addition to having called up an army of more than 10,000 men at arms in addition to their mobilized clients, followers and dependents.
As the Helvetii, Aeduii and Sequanii all strained at their respective councils and halls, amid much stress and lament, Orgetorix was murdered in his encampment.
Feuds now squandered the petty plots and the councils were returned to the existing and emerging matters. A new high chief would be selected following the next Carnea.
The alliances and arrangements the Helvetii had made to move their Capital were long in coming and ratified by all councils and thereby provisioned for with an army. This mass migration involved transport of much if not most of the tribes accumulated royal treasures, much of this accrued over centuries and may have included a portion of spoils from Hellenistic treasures plundered at Delphi as well as treasures taken or collected from defeated enemies or client tribes.
The Helvetii carried a huge treasure in gold and silver and had several strong and splendid retinues of skilled men at arms in addition the relatively robust number of tribal combatants armed with more modest arms, elaborately decorated shields of wicker and hide and spears.
Setting off in 58 BC, the Helvetii were opposed and eventually provoked by Julius Caesar into an uneven battle pitting the massed attack of the Helvetii footman (Helvetii despite their wealth had few cavalry)against the entrenched ballistas and well drilled ranks of Roman legionnaires. Working in tandem with their auxiliary slingers and archers and mercenary germanic and Gallic horseman, the Romans slowed, stopped and eventually broke the Helvetii shield walls and hastily over-ran the large baggage train and all of the Helvetii dependents and treasures.
The Romans under Julius Caesar thereby routed the warrior and armed contingent and massacred what Helvetii dependents they could at the baggage train. Meanwhile Caesar's mercenary horseman (hired from germainic tribes from east of the Rhine) harried and scattered the surviving mass of the population back toward their homeland or those of their related peoples.
Although not entirely wiped out the tribe never recovered and was eventually absorbed as client peoples into larger tribes. A contingent of refugees are said to have made their way to their promised land in lesser numbers, settling near present day Toulon.
Some legends have it that some remnant of the Helvetii went to live among peoples later known as Dacians.
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