With the aid of his Celtic ally, Divitiacus, Caesar pleaded to the apathetic Roman Senate for aid. Citing Divitiacus as the rightful leader of the Aedui, instead of his brother Dumnorix, Caesar was able to persuade the Senate to accept him as "Protector of the Gauls" whilst he literally waged total war against Celtic France with assistance from pro-Roman Celts in Gaul.

When combined Germans and Celtic tribesmen attacked the Celtic Helvetti, Caesar got his reinforcements from Northern Italy and from the Roman Senate by portraying the invaders as murders, rapists and land-grabbers. At Bibracte (Autun) he defeated them inflicting many losses.