Unelli Discussion

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The Unelli were a Gallic tribe dwelling on the Cotentin peninsula in modern Normandy during the Iron Age and Roman period. Caesar first mentions them alongside other maritime states in the region such as the Veneti, Osismi and Curiosolitae. The Romans dispatched Quintus Titurius Sabinus with three legions to subjugate the Unelli who were led by Viridovix who headed a coalition of nearby Gallic tribes. Despite the huge size of this army, the Roman general entrenched himself in his camp and pretended to be afraid which led the Galli to attack the Roman camp which had been keenly established on a sloping ascent almost 2 km long. Exhausted by the uphill climb they were surprise attacked and slaughtered by Roman cavalry. Despite capitulation to Caesar in 57 BC the Unalli rebelled and sent troops to help the Gallic coalition against Rome during the famous Battle of Alesia where Vercingetorix faced off against his nemesis Gaius Julius Caesar.