58 BCE
Caesar defeats the migrating Helvetii in the Battle of the Arar (Saône). Caesar decisively defeats the Helvetii in the Battle of Bibracte. Caesar decisively defeats the Suebi led by King Ariovistus in the Battle of Vosges.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
- Cyprus becomes a Roman province.source
Conflict & Security
- June – Caesar defeats the migrating Helvetii in the Battle of the Arar (Saône).source
- July – Caesar decisively defeats the Helvetii in the Battle of Bibracte.source
- September – Caesar decisively defeats the Suebi led by King Ariovistus in the Battle of Vosges.source
- First year of Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars:source
- Julius Caesar becomes a provincial governor (proconsul) and leads a Roman army (6 Roman legions; Legio VII, Legio VIII, Legio IX, Legio X, and newly levied Legio XI and Legio XII) into Gaul. He deploys auxiliaries as part of this army, including Balearic slingers, Numidian and Cretan archers, and Celtic/Gallic cavalry (such as the allied Aedui).source
- Berenice IV becomes queen of Egypt after temporarily dethroning her father, King Ptolemy XII Auletes.source
Exploration & Expansion
- Caesar builds a 19-mile earthwork, complete with fortifications and watchtowers, between Lake Geneva and the Jura Mountains.source
- Winter – Caesar leaves his legions in winter quarters among the Sequani (located in modern-day Burgundy) far to the north of the formal boundary of Gallia Transalpina. He returns to Gallia Cisalpina, carrying out judicial and administrative activities.source
- Consuls: Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus and Aulus Gabinius.source
Economy & Finance
- Publius Clodius Pulcher, Roman tribune, institutes a monthly corn dole for poor Romans, and exiles Cicero from the city.source
Culture & Society
- Base year of the Vikrama Era, founded by Vikrama, king of Ujjain in India.source