# Ariovistus — Commentaries on the Gallic War character guide

> Ariovistus in Commentaries on the Gallic War by Julius Caesar.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Thither Ariovistus

**First appearance:** 0000-book-i

## Snapshot

A Germanic king whose ambition across the Rhine forces Caesar to draw a line in Gaul and treat an ally as an enemy.

## Who they are

Ariovistus is the Germanic power Caesar must reckon with when Gallic states begin tampering with tribes beyond the Rhine. His presence turns the question of Gaul's freedom into a question of who guards its borders, and Caesar's decision to cross the Rhine partly aims at denying him a retreat. He embodies the pressure from the east that makes Roman intervention seem, to Caesar at least, a defensive necessity.

## Relationships

### [Julius Caesar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/commentaries_on_the_gallic_war_se/characters/julius_caesar)

_rivalry_

Ariovistus, a Germanic king, is a primary military adversary of Caesar, leading to direct conflict and negotiations.

### [Julius Caesar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/commentaries_on_the_gallic_war_se/characters/julius_caesar)

_rivalry_

Ariovistus, a Germanic king, is a primary military adversary of Caesar, leading to direct conflict and negotiations.

### [Julius Caesar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/commentaries_on_the_gallic_war_se/characters/julius_caesar)

_rivalry_

Ariovistus, a Germanic king, is a primary military adversary of Caesar, leading to direct conflict and negotiations.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/commentaries_on_the_gallic_war_se/chapters/book-i)

German king who refuses Roman demands, attacks Caesar's cavalry under truce, and imprisons Roman envoys.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/commentaries_on_the_gallic_war_se/characters/ariovistus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/commentaries_on_the_gallic_war_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/commentaries_on_the_gallic_war_se/characters