Why did Ariovistus’s status amongst the Ancient Romans change from that of a friend to an enemy?

           The first German leader of whom we have any record is Ariovistus, who was reigning in 58 BC, the year Julius Caesar entered Gaul. Ariovistus was the leader of a Germanic tribe, the Suebi, and he was constantly fighting with the Gauls, whom he defeated. The Romans considered him a ‘king and friend of the Senate’, but things changed when Gaul’s leaders asked Caesar for protection against King Ariovistus. The Gauls claimed he had brought in 120,000 Germans to settle on their lands, and had also taken hostages.

                 Caesar agreed to speak with Ariovistus but Ariovistus, refused this request. Caesar’s response was to tell him not to bring Germans into Gaul, and to restore hostages taken. However, Ariovistus, who had enjoyed military successes as impressive as Caesar’s, saw no reason to obey. Finally, Caesar attacked him at the Battle of Vosges in 58 BC. The Germans responded with vigour, but Roman tactics soon led to panic among them. As they fled, Caesar led the pursuit. Ariovistus managed to escape, but died not long afterwards.