After defeating the Gallic alliance at the battle of Bibracte and the Germanic alliance at the battle of Vosges in 58 BC, Roman general Gaius Julius Caesar started to consolidate new conquests in Gaul. However, to the north, another Gallic alliance of the Belgae, who Ceaser called the bravest of the Gauls, was getting ready to challenge the dominance of Rome. Caesar was forced to face them at the battles of Axona and Sabis and these engagements proved to be among the most difficult during the Gallic Wars.