Quote Originally Posted by Gaius Sempronius Gracchus View Post
Ariovistus was clearly a very competent commander, and also showed shrewd political skills. He had subjugated large parts of Gaul, knew of the political situation in Rome (with regards to Caesar's unpopularity with powerful factions there) and had the loyalty of many Germanic/eltic tribes.
Your post is excellent, but I must address something here. Ariouistos did not control large areas of Gaul. He settled his forces on a third of Sequani territory and levied hostages from the Aedui and Sequani. This would put his total dominion over a certain section of the upper Arar River in France.