Asterix and the Banquet (also known as "Asterix's Tour of Gaul" - translated from French: Le Tour de Gaule d'Astérix) is a French comic book story, written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo.[1] It is the fifth story in the Asterixcomic book series, and was originally published by Dargaud as a serial for Pilote magazine in 1963,[2] before later being released as a comic album in 1965.
The story focuses on Asterix and Obelix travelling around Gaul to find and secure various delicacies in order to win a bet against a Roman Prefect that seeks to keep their village isolated from the rest of the world. Much of the plot features notable parodies and cultural references surrounding France, including its history and society, and was the first to introduce the character of Dogmatix, after Goscinny and Uderzo found him to be popular with readers.
Asterix and the Banquet received positive reviews following its publication, with the original cover of the comic later being sold for a record sum in an auction in Paris in 2017.
Plot Summary
Prefect Overanxius, sent by Rome as an Inspector General, arrives at the fortied camp of Compendium in Armorica. He informs the camp's commander, Centurion Lotuseatus, that he intends to lead an assault against the village of Gauls that resist Roman rule. Despite protests from Lotuseatus, the camp is forced to do as ordered and is promptly repelled by the villagers thanks to the power of the magic potion that grants them superhuman strength. Undeterred, Overanxius decides to erect a stockage around the village so as to isolate it from the rest of the world.
The Gauls promptly resent this, leading to Asterix issuing a challenge to Overanxius - he declares that if he can escape the stockade and successfully secure for his village many of the delicacies of Gaul for a banquet, the Romans must tear down the stockade in defeat. Overanxius agrees, but after the villagers distract the Romans so that Asterix and Obelix can breach the stockade and begin their journey, he promptly sends word to every Roman garrison in Gaul to find and arrest the pair. After securing their first item in Lutetia (Paris), Asterix and Obelix are cheated into buying a useless horse and chariot by a dishonest salesman, leading them to steal a Roman breakdown chariot as a result.
Upon reaching Camaracum (Cambrai) to buy boiled sweets, they find that many Gauls have heard of Asterix's challenge and are willing to help them win their challenge by causing problems for the Romans; though some Gauls they later meet attempt to betray the pair in hopes of securing a reward. After gaining additional purchases in Durocortorum (Reims), Lugdunum (Lyon), Nicae (Nice), Massilia (Marseille) and Tolosa (Toulouse), a pair of Roman highwaymen rob them when they are forced to make an improntu camp. However, they luckily recover the stolen items in Burdigala (Bordeaux), after the thieves are mistaken by the Romans for Asterix and Obelix, taking advantage of the chaos that ensues from this to acquire further delicacies in the town.
The pair then secure passage on a ship run by Captain Seniorservix, who is honored to let them aboard, where they help to prevent an attack by the pirates, who recognize Asterix and Obelix from their previous encounter. With Seniorservix's assistance, the pair are smuggled into Gesocribatum (Le Conquet), fighting past more Romans when they get discovered, before eventually returning home to their village. Asterix promptly invites Overanxius to witness his victory by showing him the food and wine that was acquired, before promptly giving him an "uppercut" punch as punishment for acting dishonourable during the bet. The villager thus celebrate Asterix's truimph, while Obelix discovers the pair had been followed by a white dog on their adventure that he gives a bone.
Characters
Asterix– Gaulish warrior, and the main protagonist of the story.
Obelix– Gaulish menhir delivery man and warrior, and a close friend of Asterix. This story introduced a running gag for the character that would occur in later stories, in which he would often protest against any mention of himself being "fat".
Dogmatix– A small white dog, who follows Asterix and Obelix on their journey. The character (unnamed in this comic) was meant by Goscinny to be a running gag for the story. However, they proved a popular creation that the Asterix creators decided to keep him as a mascot for the series, going against Goscinny's original notion that it should not feature any pets for the main characters.
Getafix– Gaulish druid of the village, responsible for the superhuman magic potion they use.
Prefect Overanxius– A Roman official, designated as Inspector General, sent by Rome to deal with the Gaulish village in Armorica.
Centurion Lotuseatus– The current commander of the Camp of Compendium. While the French publication reused the same character and their name - Gracchus Nenjetépus (in the English version, known as Gracchus Armisurplus) - from Asterix the Gladiator, all other international publication renamed the character.
Seniorservix– Gaulish captain of a menhir trading ship.
The Pirates– A group of pirates led by Captain Redbeard, who often suffer bad luck with the Gauls.
Cultural References
Asterix and the Banquet featured many cultural references to France and the various regions, along with its culture. The plot of the comic was deeply inspired by the Tour de France bicycle race. Alongside this, other major references to France included:
In the original publication, the sack carried by Obelix was coloured yellow, in reference to race leader's jersey colour in the Tour de France.
A scene involving the backalleys of Lugdunum, references the traboules of Lyon that were used by the French Resistance during World War II. The creators paid homage to the Resistance with a parody outfit called "The Gaulish Resistance".
Several scenes in Massilia on the 36th page reference the works of filmmaker Marcel Pagnol - Marius (1931), Fanny (1932) and César (1936). Pagnol greatly approved of the parodies the Asterix creators made, remarking that "work will be immortal...because it's appeared in Astérix!"
A number of parodies reflecting the regional stereotypes of inhabitants of Normandy and Marseille, as well as Parisian traffic and the holiday season in Nice.
A phrase in the comic - "Je vous promets qu'on n'a pas fini d'en parler de l'affaire du courrier de Lugdunum!" - is a reference to a late 18th century trial involving an innocent man who was wrongfully convicted and executed for a robbery that led to murder.
In addition, the comic featured other cultural references:
A quote made by Roman poet Horace - "Exegi monumentum aere perennius" (translated: "I have erected a monument more lasting than bronze.") - is uttered by a legionnaire during the scene involving the stockade's construction.
A phrase written by Roman poet Lucan in The Pharsalia - "Victrix causa diis placuit, sed victa catoni" (translated: "The victorious cause was pleasing to the gods, but the lost cause was pleasing to Cato") - is referenced by a crew member of the pirates after their defeat at the hands of Asterix and Obelix.
In a scene at the candy shop that the Gauls visit, the creators made reference to the play Patient Grissel with the lyrics from the lullaby Golden Slumbers.[3]
Reception and Legacy
On Goodreads, the book has a score of 4.14 out of 5.[4]
In October 2017, the book's original cover illustration, signed by the authors, was sold at a Paris auction for a record €1.4 million.[5]
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