Divide and conquer was one of the most basic tenets of Caesar’s campaigns in Gaul. Combined, the sheer numbers of the tribes he faced would have overwhelmed his Legions in battle and cut off his supply lines. Instead he was able to work with allied tribes, such as the Aedui, and cow or subjugate others to his cause, such as the Suessiones and Bellovaci. Clemency was key to this strategy and Caesar often spared his enemies, ordering them instead to disarm and provide hostages as assurance of peace. Subjugated tribes also became clients of pro-Roman factions, such as the Aedui, making them, to an extent, self-policing.
