WINTER REVOLT
In the world where Julia lived, and her son grew strong and healthy, events were to unfold differently. There was still a Winter Revolt, but it did not succeed as the instigators had hoped it would. The Eburones, a Belgic tribe, were the first to rise up, under their prince, Ambiorix. They proceeded attack the camp under the command of Quintus Titurius Sabinus and Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta. Caught off guard, the Romans were devastated by the initial assault. Cotta was killed in an ambush, on his way to negotiate with Ambiorix, who was still trusted by the Romans. However, Sabinus realized that Ambiorix was not to be trusted, and immediately made for the Roman camp.
It was only good fortune that allowed the Romans to and escape their attackers. The Roman soldiers capitalized on a weakness in the enemy lines and broke out. Pursued by furious Eburone warriors, the ragged force made for the camp of Quintus Tullius Cicero (brother of the orator). Sabinus' men reach the relative safety of the camp, which had been forewarned by advance cavalry.
Fortune again favored then Romans, when the remnants of the Nervii tribe, who lived in the region occupied by Cicero, sided with the Romans against their Belgic brethren. The Nervii, one of the most warlike of all the Gallic tribes, had a culture not dissimilar to that of Sparta. They did not participate in trade, and refrained from alcohol, so as to keep their mind clear in battle. When the rest of the Belgic tribes surrendered to the Romans, the Nervii fought on. Only when their army of 60,000 had been virtually annihilated did they talk peace, which Caesar granted.
When Ambiorix and his soldiers caught up with the Romans, they were assaulted by the fresh Roman and Nervian troops. The Eburone forces were quickly turned back, and the day was won for the Romans.
However, at this time, the Treveri tribe, under the leadership of Indutiomarus, also took up arms against Rome. It was Indutiomarus himself that had incited the uprising among the Eburones. The Treveri attacked the Fourth Legion, led by Titus Labienus. Labienus, having already learned of the attack of the Eburones, was prepared for this possibility, and the Treveri were repulsed.
Caesar, meanwhile, having received word of these happenings, had proceeded to return to the region, to crush the uprising. The Eburones were dealt with first, as he did not know at that time that the ordeal had been the plot of the Treveri Indutiomarus. The land of the Eburones was confiscated and their people were slaughtered and sold into slavery. Their territory was granted to the Nervii, who proved their loyalty to Rome, and to the Tungri, who had also distinguished themselves in the service of Rome. In this way, the Eburones ceased to exist as a people.
Caesar had intended to be more lenient to the Treveri, as he relied on them for a good portion of his cavalry. However, when he learned the the Treveri had inspired the Eburones to revolt, and not the other way around, he quickly resolved to attack them. When Caesar arrived, however, he found that many of the Treveri, including Indutiomares, had fled across the Rhine, to avoid the wrath of the Romans. Those that remained were quickly defeated by the Romans and sold into slavery. Their land was given to the Remi, the tribe which was surpassed by none in all of Gaul in its loyalty to Rome.
At this time, Caesar learned that other tribes had thought to rebel against Rome, most notably the Senones. It was the Senones who had marched on Rome centuries ago and humiliated the city. In addition to the Senones, the Carnutes and the Menapii wished to bring war against Rome. The Carnutes, however, as they were subordinate to the loyal Remi, laid down their arms and submitted to Caesar. For this, he was merciful and did not inflict any punishment upon them. The Senones would not listen to reason, and Caesar was compelled to march upon them. He met them in battle outside of Lutetia Parisorum, the chief city of the Parisii. Upon seeing the Roman force, the Menapii, who were to attack from the north, defected from the Senones and submitted to Caesar. The Senones, despite this reversal in fortune, fought on, and were defeated quickly.
Caesar then brought war to the lands of the Senones, and the remainder of the tribe was quickly defeated. The survivors were sold into slavery and their land divided amongst loyal tribes. In this way, the revolt was put down. The Romans suffered few deaths, less than 2,000, while the Gallic tribes suffered many times more.
Caesar then called together the leaders of the prominent tribes, to discuss the fate of Gaul (for Caesar spoke the Gallic language). At this meeting, he impressed upon them that the Romans were their friends, and were fair and equitable to their allies, and respectful of their culture. Why then, should the people of Gaul continually take up arms against Rome, leaving Caesar no option but to fight? Did the people of Gaul wish to be invaded by the Germans, who would not be as just?
The young chieftain of the Averni, Vercingetorix, was the first to speak up. In a speech almost as eloquent as Caesar's, he stated that there was more to Gaul than its language, its gods, and its manner of dress. The people of Gaul were free, as well. Many of those assembled seemed to agree, while many displayed their solidarity with Rome, stating that freedom meant little when there was no peace. Tensions rose and bloodshed seemed certain.
Caesar, however, would have none of this. He rose and spoke to the assembled leaders. In a rousing speech, he skillfully laid the blame of all the wars upon the feet of the Germans beyond the Rhine. Their invasions had force Rome into the region, for its own protection, as well as that of its allies. It was their machinations that had duped several tribes into revolt, while they watched from beyond the safety of the Rhine. As he spoke, more and more of the chieftains were won over to his cause and agreed to help bring war against the Germans. Vercingetorix himself was convinced of this plan. In return for their assistance against the Germans, those tribes that proved themselves loyal to Rome would be granted much of the conquered land. In this way, the plans were made to invade Germania.
Comments
The key difference in the revolt is the low Roman casualties. That, and Indutiomarus lives, to plot against Rome.
Get ready for Gaul Across the Rhine (Gallia Tranrhenia?) 
