The migrations of the Cimbri tribe through Gaul and adjacent territories had disturbed the balance of power and incited or provoked other tribes, such as the Helvetii, into conflict with the Romans. Even surpassing the devastating Battle of Cannae in losses, which took place more than 100 years earlier. In terms of losses, the battle is regarded as one of the worst defeats in the history of ancient Rome. Roman losses are described as being up to 80,000 troops as well as another 40,000 auxiliary troops ( allies) and servants and camp followers – 120,000 in total, virtually all of their participants in the battle. The terrible defeat gave Gaius Marius the opportunity to come to the fore and make radical reforms to the organisation and the recruitment of Roman legions. However, bitter differences between the commanders prevented the Roman armies from co-operating, with devastating results.

Ranged against the migratory tribes of the Cimbri under Boiorix and the Teutoni under Teutobod were two Roman armies, commanded by the proconsul Quintus Servilius Caepio and consul Gnaeus Mallius Maximus. The Battle of Arausio took place on 6 October 105 BC, at a site between the town of Arausio (now Orange, Vaucluse), and the Rhône River.

Arausio orange