Julius Caesar and his Roman army campaigned in Gaul between 58 and 53 BC under the pretext of protecting the territory from Germanic invaders, but in reality to conquer it and annex it to the Roman Republic.[15] In the summer of 53 BC, he visited the city and addressed the delegates of the Gallic tribes assembled before the temple on the Île de la Cité to ask them to contribute soldiers and money to his campaign.[16] Wary of the Romans, the Parisii listened politely to Caesar, offered to provide some cavalry, but formed a secret alliance with the other Gallic tribes, under the leadership of Vercingetorix, and launched an uprising against the Romans in January 52 BC.[17]