The Battle of Vercellae in 101 BC was the Roman victory of Gaius Marius over the invading Celto-Germanic Cimbri tribe near the settlement of Vercellae in Cisalpine Gaul. Having invaded northern Italy, the Cimbri repeatedly defeated the 20,000 men strong army of Quintus Lutatius Catulus; however, after Marius arrived with 32,000 soldiers to reinforce Catulus, the Romans won a total victory. The Cimbri were virtually wiped out: the Romans claimed to have killed 65,000–160,000 and captured 60,000, including large numbers of women and children.
This painting, completed by the Italian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo between 1725 and 1729, is one of the Ca' Dolfin Tiepolos, a series of works depicting Roman battles and triumphs.Painting: Giovanni Battista Tiepolo