Uxellodunum

Uxellodunum is an Iron Age hill fort, or oppidum, located above the river Dordogne near the modern-day French village of Vayrac in the Lot department.

According to Aulus Hirtius in his addendum to Julius Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War, the last revolt against Rome's authority in Gaul occurred here, and was brutally punished.

[1] The Commentaries on the Gallic War describe Uxellodunum as being strongly fortified by its natural position, with a river dividing the valley below that almost surrounded the steep craggy mountain on which the citadel was built.

Having arrived at Uxellodunum, contrary to the general expectation, and perceiving that the town was surrounded by the works, and that the enemy had no possible means of retiring from the assault, and being likewise informed by the deserters that the townsmen had abundance of corn, he endeavoured to prevent their getting water.

Napoleon III's history of Julius Caesar drew attention to features at Puy d'Issolud which appear to relate to the water engineering undertaken during the siege.

[7] Various finds from Puy d'Issolud are displayed in the town of Martel at the Musée d'Uxellodunum, housed in a historic building, the Palais de la Raymondie.