Chief of the Belgian tribe of Eburones, established in the region of Tongres (at the time Atuatuca Tungrorum) in the Ardennes and Campine. Ambiorix means double king (king of the Eburones and the Atuatuques, fact attested by Caesar). The name is of Gallic origin. The Eburones being of Germanic expression but practicing Celtic culture, had probably also taken up some Gallic titles. He inflicted a crushing defeat on the Roman legions in 54 BC, perhaps in the valley of the Geer.
Since 57 BC, the region seemed pacified by Roman troops, but in -54, the assassination, ordered by Julius Caesar of the Gallic chief Dumnorix and the difficulties linked to a disastrous wheat harvest lead to Belgian discontent which turns against the occupant (then in winter quarters). This is the starting point of an uprising of the Eburones, commanded by Ambiorix, as well as several Belgian tribes (Trévires, Nerviens...).
Through a stratagem, Ambiorix led the XIV Roman legion of Cotta and Sabinus into an ambush and annihilated it. Then he marched on the side of Quintus Cicero, the nephew of the famous statesman of the same name. The Roman troops were besieged. Caesar manages to intervene just in time to deliver his troops. Half the legion was already exterminated. Ambiorix managed to escape and took refuge with the Germans, but Caesar's legions engaged in such extensive reprisals (the inhabitants were deported, sold as war booty) that the people of the Eburones disappeared from official history. It may be that the Eburones called themselves Tungri (those who speak our language).
Ambiorix is still running, to the great displeasure of Caesar, who addresses him a few lines in which one senses the dawning of deep resentment... (cf. De Bello Gallico v. 26-51, VI. 29-43, VII. 24; Dion Cassius XL .7-11; Florus III.10)
Ambiorix became one of Belgium's national heroes in the second half of the 19th century, driven by the same nationalist and romantico-historical movement that touched Vercingetorix for the French.