Arthur D. Khan-"The Education of Julius Caesar"-"Some years earlier the Aeduians, the most powerful of the Gallic tribes, had engaged in a war over river tolls with their neighbors the Sequanians. The Sequanians had called in German mercenaries under the Suebian chief Ariovistus and inflicted a major defeat on the Aeduans. Subsequently, the Sequanians, themselves threatened by the Germans, sought a reconciliation with the Aeduans against the common foe. Two parties arose within both tribes, one proposing to solicit aid against the Germans from the Helvetians, and the other seeking Roman intervention. While the Romans were preoccupied with the revolt of the Allobrogians, neighbors to the Helvetians and the Aeduans, a Helvetian chieftain plotted with an Aeduan chief and a Seqanian chief for mutual assistance in seizing power in their respective countries. Such an alliance among the three Gallic tribes could not be tolerated by Rome, and possibly at Roman instigation, the Helvetian, Orgetorix, was tried by his people and convicted of attempting to usurp supreme power. The Helvetians, however, continued their plans to migrate to the sea. With the general movement of semi-nomadic tribes in Central Europe, Rome feared the warlike Germans might occupy the Helvetian homeland.
Re: Celtic overpowered!
Originally Posted by Frostwulf
) because they could not take on the Romans themselves. But still, the Po Valley Celts had a good deal of control or say on the movements, and battle position of the Gaesatae. HOWEVER, in the case of Caesar, he was not working in close conjunction, or under the direction of any Gallic tribe. There was no telling him where to move his troops inside Gaul, let alone telling him where to put his troops in battle. Same issue with the Suebi king.
, smart dude he was 
)
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