History Recap / AsterixAndCaesarsGift

* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Julius Caesar; he gave the Gaulish village to Tremensdelirius as a prank to get back at the disrepectfull drunk. It leads to the entire conflict of the story.

Asterix returns to the village and attempts to sound the alarm, but Vitalstatistix and Orthopaedix are about to have a candidates' debate with the decidedly partisan Cacofonix officiating, and the village pays no attention to Asterix until the debate is interrupted by rocks thrown into the village by the Roman catapults outside. Vitalstatistix begs Getafix for magic potion, but the druid continues to refuse; Orthopaedix, blaming himself for the destruction raining down on the village, tries to turn himself over to the Romans, even though Vitalstatistix points out they'll massacre him. When the chief insists to Getafix that it's Orthopaedix for whom he wants magic potion, the impressed druid agrees to help. Obelix is able to single-handedly hold the Romans at bay until the magic potion is prepared, at which point the rival factions of villagers combine their efforts against the Romans and counterattack, demolishing the war machines. Orthopaedix himself confronts Tremensdelirius and returns the stone tablet that claims ownership of the village and smashes it on Tremensdelirius' head. Egganlettus, meanwhile, gets demoted to legionary second class again.

Asterix returns to the village and attempts to sound the alarm, but Vitalstatistix and Orthopaedix are about to have a candidates' debate with the decidedly partisan Cacofonix officiating, and the village pays no attention to Asterix until the debate is interrupted by rocks thrown into the village by the Roman catapults outside. Vitalstatistix begs Getafix for magic potion, but the druid continues to refuse; Orthopaedix, blaming himself for the destruction raining down on the village, tries to turn himself over to the Romans, even though Vitalstatistix points out they'll massacre him. When the chief insists to Getafix that it's Orthopaedix for whom he wants magic potion, the impressed druid agrees to help. Obelix is able to single-handedly hold the Romans at bay until the magic potion is prepared, at which point the rival factions of villagers combine their efforts against the Romans and counterattack, demolishing the war machines. Orthopaedix himself confronts Tremensdelirius and returns the stone tablet that claims ownership of the village and smashes it on Tremensdelirius' head. (Egganlettus, meanwhile, gets demoted to legionary second class again.)

* NotSoDifferent: Impedimenta and Angina, Vitalstatistix and Orthopaedix's wives, are so similar in temperament they end up as major rivals (and then friends by the story's end).
** Their spouses Vitalstatistix and Orthopaedix have somewhat similar traits of being plump, easygoing but also firm on a stance. They're better friends, due to their shared situation.

* RacistGrandma: Gender-inverted; Geriatrix repeatedly states his hate for foreigners (in his opinion, everybody from outside the village) during the story.

* CatapultToGlory: As he's out of potion, Asterix escapes the Romans this way. Unfortunately, this clues them in that if Asterix is running from them, he must be out of potion and thus the entire village must be out, prompting the attack.

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: When Asterix flees Laudanum instead of bashing it up, the Legionaries take this to mean that the Gauls have lost their magic potion and prepare to attack.

* ShoutOut: During Asterix's swordfight against Tremensdelirius, he quotes from Rostand's ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac'' in the original French edition, and from ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'' in the English translation. He finishes by cutting a Z in the front of the Roman's tunic, anticipating Franchise/{{Zorro}} by thousands of years.

* TitleDrop: Orthopaedix gives TremensDelirius his deed back by calling it Caesar's gift, complete with font change.

Angina starts berating her husband for his decision to leave Lutetia for Arausio and envies her sister for marrying successful businessman Dithyrambix. Vitalstatistix is reminded of his own rivalry with his affluent brother-in-law Homeopathix, and decides to offer Orthopaedix a chance to get out of his situation by inviting him to open an inn (the village not having one already) in the vacant building next to Unhygienix' fish stall. Obelix helps the new family and soon has a crush on Influenza. All of the villagers are invited to attend the opening night of the new inn, which Orthopaedix calls the Bracing Breeze (a reference to the sea air; Angina, meanwhile, can only smell Unhygienix' rotting fish), but the merriment seems to end when Vitalstatistix and his wife Impedimenta arrive. Impedimenta and Angina greet each other coldly and soon the two women enter an argument about who owns the village. Meanwhile a comment by Impedimenta about the smell of fish has set off Unhygienix and Fulliautomatix's rivalry, and the inevitable fight breaks out.

The following morning, the inn's furnishings are smashed in, Orthopaedix is sporting a black eye, and Angina is reduced to sobbing as Influenza tries to comfort her. The innkeeper has already had enough and vows to return to Lutetia (to Influenza's delight), but Angina now wants revenge against Impedimenta, and she makes a claim to the leadership of the village on her husband's behalf. Vitalstatistix is shocked; never in all the time he has been chief has his position been thus challenged. He asks the bard Cacofonix to conduct an opinion poll, with disappointing results: no-one cares who runs the village except Geriatrix, who is only backing Vitalstatistix out of xenophobia. Cacofonix offers to sing in Vitalstatistix' support, but the chief can only pretend to like the bard's music for so long before he orders him to shut up, and the furious bard throws his support behind Orthopaedix. An attempt to rally support backfires when Vitalstatistix discovers the hard way that it is impossible to please Fulliautomatix and Unhygienix simultaneously, with the latter defecting to Orthopeadix, and even one of his shield bearers takes him at his word when he says anyone unhappy with his position is welcome to leave.

Soon, both candidates and their families search for supporters by offering their markedly insincere voice of support to the individual concerns of each villager; Angina solicits Unhygienix and Bacteria's votes by buying fish from them (which she immediately orders Orthopaedix to bury in the back garden) and gets Influenza to canvass Obelix on her father's behalf. Though the menhir deliveryman doesn't quite take her reasons for wanting to talk to him on board, he understands enough to get angry when Asterix suggests it might be best for the village if Orthopaedix and his family left, and goes to the inn to drown his sorrows with... goat's milk. The revelation that Cacofonix, Unhygienix, and Obelix have all been seen frequenting Orthopaedix' inn worries Vitalstatistix, and his indecision enrages Geriatrix to the point of throwing his hat in the ring as a third party candidate. Getafix, meanwhile, refuses any and all entreaties to give magic potion to Vitalstatistix, Geriatrix, or their prospective supporters.

* EveryEpisodeEnding: Subverted; as part of the newly-restored harmony among the villagers, Cacofonix is allowed to attend the final banquet (while Geriatrix' discarded "VOTE FOR ME!" sign occupies the bard's usual position under a tree), and is seen in silhouette talking to Influenza.

* ShoutOut: During Asterix' swordfight against Tremensdelirius, he quotes from Rostand's ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac'' in the original French edition, and from ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'' in the English translation. He finishes by cutting a Z in the front of the Roman's tunic, anticipating Franchise/{{Zorro}} by thousands of years.

* OptOut: Rather than get mixed up in the election, Getafix locks himself in his hut and refuses to give anyone magic potion.

* OptOut: Rather than get mixed up in the election, Getafix locks himself in his hut and refuses to give anyone magic potion.

Soon, both candidates and their families search for supporters by offering their markedly insincere voice of support to the individual concerns of each villager; Angina solicits Unhygienx and Bacteria's votes by buying fish from them (which she immediately orders Orthopaedix to bury in the back garden) and gets Influenza to canvass Obelix on her father's behalf. Though the menhir deliveryman doesn't quite take her reasons for wanting to talk to him on board, he understands enough to get angry when Asterix suggests it might be best for the village if Orthopaedix and his family left, and goes to the inn to drown his sorrows with... goat's milk. The revelation that Cacofonix, Unhygienix, and Obelix have all been seen frequenting Orthopaedix' inn worries Vitalstatistix, and his indecision enrages Geriatrix to the point of throwing his hat in the ring as a third party candidate. Getafix, meanwhile, refuses any and all entreaties to give magic potion to Vitalstatistix, Geriatrix, or their prospective supporters.

Asterix, however, becomes worried that internal conflict could benefit the Romans, and his fears are justiied when Tremensdelirius arrives to visit Orthopaedix and explains that since their last meeting, he has been unable to find a trade at which he is any good (he even joined Redbeard's band of pirates, with the usual end result), and since he is technically not allowed to sell his land to Gauls, he wants the village back. The family attempts to throw him out, only for him to draw his sword on them. They are saved by the timely arrival of Asterix, who defeats the Roman in a display of swordsmanship that dazzles Influenza and sends the irate Tremensdelirius away, vowing revenge.

Asterix returns to the village and attempts to sound the alarm, but Vitalstatistix and Orthopaedix are about to have a candidates' debate with the decidedly partisan Cacofonix officiating, and the village pays no attention to Asterix until the debate is interrupted by rocks thrown into the village by the Roman catapults outside. Vitalstatistix begs Getafix for magic potion, but the druid continues to refuse; Orthopaedix, blaming himself for the destruction raining down on the village, tries to turn himself over to the Romans, even though Vitalstatistix points out they'll massacre him. When the chief insists to Getafix that it's Orthopaedix for whom he wants magic potion, the impressed druid agrees to help. Obelix is able to single-handedly hold the Romans at bay until the magic potion is prepared, at which point the rival factions of villagers combine their efforts against the Romans and counterattack, demolishing the war machines. Orthopaedix himself confronts Tremensdelirius and returns the stone tablet that claims ownership of the village and smashes it on Tremensdelirius' head.

The following morning Caesar is informed of Tremensdelirius's rant and his career alcoholism, and Caesar suggests playing a practical joke: he will receive his honorary discharge after all, but Caesar has a "special" gift for him. In the ceremony, Egganlettus receives a share in Nicaea (called Nice today) and the still drunk Tremensdelirius receives his special gift: a village in Armorica, surrounded by fortified Roman camps. A few days later in Arausio (today known as Orange), Tremensdelirius is drunk again and is unable to pay the innkeeper, so he offers his land share to the innkeeper, Orthopaedix. After consulting his wife Angina (who was never on board with leaving their home in Lutetia to open the inn in Arausio), Orthopaedix agrees to the bargain, unaware that he has just "bought" the village Asterix and his friends call home.

Soon Orthopaedix, Angina, and their teenage daughter Influenza (who was even less enthusiastic about leaving Lutetia than her mother, and doesn't see this new move as an improvement) arrive at "their" new village; they are disappointed to find it already inhabited but hope the seal of Julius Caesar will convince Vitalstatistix and the rest of the villagers to leave. Their first encounter with the locals is inauspicious; Obelix is teaching Dogmatix to retrieve... with menhirs, which is already enough to convince Angina that the villagers are crazy. This impression is reinforced when they ask to see the village chief, and Vitalstatistix bursts out laughing upon reading the tablet, as do the other villagers. Vitalstatistix points out that nobody can offer a gift not already possessed by himself; the rule includes Caesar and this particular village is the only one not held by him.

* OrnamentalWeapon: averted; this album features one of the rare moments where Asterix actually uses his sword to fight off an opponent (a very drunk Tremensdelirius) since he doesn't have any magic potion with him at the time. Granted, the fight is limited to {{Flynning}}, but still.

Soon Orthopaedix, Angina, and their teenage daughter Influenza (who was even less enthusiastic about leaving Lutetia than her mother, and doesn't see this new move as an improvement) arrive at "their" new village; they are disappointed to find it already inhabited but hope the seal of Julius Caesar will convince Vitalstatistix and the rest of the villagers to leave. Instead, the village laughs at them, and Vitalstatistix points out that nobody can offer a gift not already possessed by himself. The rule includes Caesar and this particular village is the only one not held by him. Angina starts berating her husband for his decision to leave Lutetia for Arausio and envies her sister for marrying a successful businessman. Vitalstatistix is reminded of his own rivalry with his affluent brother-in-law Homeopathix, and decides to offer Orthopaedix a chance to get out of his situation by inviting him to open an inn (the village not having one already) in the vacant building next to Unhygienix' fish stall. Obelix helps the new family and soon has a crush on Influenza.

All of the villagers are invited to attend the opening night of the new inn, which Orthopaedix calls the Bracing Breeze (a reference to the sea air; Angina, meanwhile, can only smell Unhygienix' rotting fish), but the merriment seems to end when Vitalstatistix and his wife Impedimenta arrive. Impedimenta and Angina greet each other coldly and soon the two women enter an argument about who owns the village. Meanwhile a comment by Impedimenta about the smell of fish has set off Unhygienix and Fulliautomatix's rivalry, and the inevitable fight breaks out.

The following morning, the inn's furnishings are smashed in, Orthopaedix is sporting a black eye, and Angina is reduced to sobbing as Influenza tries to comfort her. The innkeeper has already had enough and vows to return to Lutetia (to Influenza's delight), but Angina now wants revenge against Impedimenta, and she makes a claim to the leadership of the village on her husband's behalf.

Vitalstatistix is shocked; never in all the time he has been chief has his position been thus challenged. He asks the bard Cacofonix to conduct an opinion poll, with disappointing results: no-one cares who runs the village except Geriatrix, who is only backing Vitalstatistix out of xenophobia. Cacofonix offers to sing in Vitalstatistix' support, but the chief can only pretend to like the bard's music for so long before he orders him to shut up, and the furious bard throws his support behind Orthopaedix. Soon, both candidates and their families search for supporters by offering their markedly insincere voice of support to the individual concerns of each villager. The villagers become very involved in the political race, with Geriatrix entering as a third party candidate.

Asterix, however, becomes worried that internal conflict could benefit the Romans, and his fears are justiied when Tremensdelirius arrives to visit Orthopaedix and explains that since their last meeting, he has been unable to find a trade at which he is any good (he even joined Redbeard's band of pirates, with the usual end result), and since he is technically not allowed to sell his land to Gauls, he wants the village back. The family attempts to throw him out, only for him to draw his sword on them. They are saved by the timely arrival of Asterix, who defeats the Roman in a display of swordsmanship that dazzles Influenza and sends the irate Tremensdelirius away, vowing revenge. When Obelix learns of Asterix' dashing display in front of his crush, the two fall out.

Tremensdelirius visits Laudanum, one of the four Roman camps surrounding the village, and finds his old friend Egganlettus serving as an aide-de-camp under the local centurion, as he found retirement boring and signed up for another 20 years. With his support Tremensdelirius makes an official request on the centurion to restore a stolen land share to a veteran soldier. The centurion is rather reluctant to face the Gauls but the veterans threaten to report him to Caesar who would not like the Gauls taking advantage of his veterans. He agrees to prepare a military attack.

The following day, Asterix attempts to express his concerns about the mysterious Roman from the previous day but it falls on deaf ears. Hence, Asterix decides to investigate the forest area himself and soon finds that in one of the Roman camps they are preparing siege weapons for an extended campaign. He listens to their plans but lacks the magic potion needed to end their preparations. The Romans see him, but are afraid to attack, enabling him to escape. However his escape means the Romans become convinced that the Gauls can no longer resist the Romans, thus Roman morale rises.

Asterix returns to the village and attempts to sound the alarm, but the village pays no attention to him, until the debate is interrupted by rocks thrown into the village by the Roman catapults outside. Vitalstatistix begs for Getafix to give them magic potion but the druid refuses even though he must know the village is under attack. He is just too disgusted by the Gaulish in-fighting. There is a change of attitude in Orthopaedix and Vitalstatistix and they stop fighting each other. Getafix approves of this and agrees to help them. The rival factions of villagers combine their efforts against the Romans and counterattack, demolishing the war machines. Orthopaedix himself confronts Tremensdelirius and returns the stone tablet that claims ownership of the village and smashes it on Tremensdelirius' head.

The Gauls are reconciled following their victory. A much more confident Orthopaedix befriends his former rival, and decides to withdraw his claim for leadership and return to Lutetia. Now he has something to brag about to his brother-in-law. Impedimenta and Angina have nothing left to fight about, and they exchange recipes and addresses of their relatives in Lutetia. With Influenza due to leave the village, Asterix and Obelix are friends again. There is a victory celebration at night and everyone (men and women alike) takes part.[[note]] Yes, even Cacofonix.[[/note]]

* DrowningHisSorrows[=/=]DrunkOnMilk: When Obelix gets upset with Asterix, he goes to Orthopaedix's inn and starts ordering goat's milk. According to Cacofonix, he does this every time he gets into an argument with Asterix.

Having completed twenty years of service in the Roman Army, Veteran legionaries Tremensdelirius and Egganlettus await their honesta missio (Latin:honorary discharge) for the morning but that night Tremensdelirius (who has hardly ever been sober in his twenty years in the Legions) expresses his opinion on Julius Caesar in his drunken state and gets arrested.

The following morning Caesar is informed of Tremensdelirius's mishap the night before. Caesar suggests playing a practical joke. He will receive his honorary discharge after all but Caesar has a "special" gift for him. In the ceremony, Egganlettus receives a share in Nicaea and the still drunk Tremensdelirius receives his special gift: the village inhabited by Asterix and his friends.

A few days later in Arausio (today known as Orange), Tremensdelirius is drunk again and is unable to pay the innkeeper. So, he offers his land share. The innkeeper, Orthopaedix, agrees to the bargain. Soon Orthopaedix, his wife Angina and Influenza, their daughter, arrive at "their" new village only to be disappointed to find it already inhabited but hope the seal of Julius Caesar will convince the villagers to leave. Instead, the village laughs at them, and Vitalstatistix points out that nobody can offer a gift not already possessed by himself. The rule includes Caesar and this particular village is the only one not held by him.

Angina starts berating her husband for his decision to leave Lutetia for Arausio and envies her sister for marrying a successful businessman. Vitalstatistix is reminded of his own rivalry with his affluent brother-in-law Homeopathix, and decides to offer Orthopaedix a chance to get out of his situation and informs him that their village has no inn and offers him a building for him to use next to the fish-stall. Obelix helps the new family and soon has a crush on Influenza. The opening night of the new inn, the villagers are invited to attend but the merriment seems to end when Vitalstatistix and his wife Impedimenta arrive. Impedimenta and Angina greet each other coldly and soon the two women enter an argument about who owns the village. Meanwhile a comment by Impedimenta about the smell of fish has set off Unhygienix and Fulliautomatix's rivalry. A fight starts with all the villagers present.

The morning finds the inn abandoned except for the bruised Orthopaedix, a sobbing Angina and Influenza. Orthopaedix is ready to quit and return to Lutetia, but Angina wants to have revenge on Impedimenta and makes a claim to the leadership of the village on behalf of her husband. Vitalstatistix is shocked to have his long-held position challenged but soon has Cacofonix obtain an opinion poll of the villagers and the results are disappointing for Vitalstatistix (Geriatrix is only supporting Vitalstatistix out of xenophobia; the rest of the villagers don't care who reigns as chief). Soon both candidates and their families search for supporters by offering their markedly insincere voice of support to the individual concerns of each villager.

The villagers become very involved in the political race, with Geriatrix entering as a third party candidate. Asterix, however, becomes worried that internal conflict could benefit the Romans. Meanwhile, Tremensdelirius arrives at the village to visit Orthopaedix and explains that since their last meeting he unsuccessfully tried all kinds of trade. Thus he wants to claim his land share saying that veterans are not allowed to sell their shares to Gauls. The family attempts to throw him out but he draws the sword on the family. Asterix interrupts the confrontation, and the two proceed in a demonstration of their swordsmanship. Asterix wins. Influenza is impressed by the diminutive Gaulish warrior and Tremensdelirius leaves; when Obelix learns of Asterix' dashing display in front of his crush, the two fall out.

Having completed twenty years of service in the Roman Army, Veteran legionaries Tremensdelirious and Egganlettus await their honesta missio (Latin:honorary discharge) for the morning but that night Tremensdelirious (who has hardly ever been sober in his twenty years in the Legions) expresses his opinion on Julius Caesar in his drunken state and gets arrested.

The following morning Caesar is informed of Tremensdelirious's mishap the night before. Caesar suggests playing a practical joke. He will receive his honorary discharge after all but Caesar has a "special" gift for him. In the ceremony, Egganlettus receives a share in Nicaea and the still drunk Tremensdelirious receives his special gift: the village inhabited by Asterix and his friends.

A few days later Tremensdelirious is drunk again and is unable to pay the innkeeper. So, he offers his land share. The innkeeper, Orthopaedix, agrees to the bargain. Soon Orthopaedix, his wife Angina and Influenza, their daughter, arrive at "their" new village only to be disappointed to find it already inhabited but hope the seal of Julius Caesar will convince the villagers to leave. Instead, the village laughs at them, and Vitalstatistix points out that nobody can offer a gift not already possessed by himself. The rule includes Caesar and this particular village is the only one not held by him.

The villagers become very involved in the political race, with Geriatrix entering as a third party candidate. Asterix, however, becomes worried that internal conflict could benefit the Romans. Meanwhile, Tremensdelirious arrives at the village to visit Orthopaedix and explains that since their last meeting he unsuccessfully tried all kinds of trade. Thus he wants to claim his land share saying that veterans are not allowed to sell their shares to Gauls. The family attempts to throw him out but he draws the sword on the family. Meanwhile Asterix arrives and the two proceed in a demonstration of their swordsmanship. Asterix wins. Influenza is impressed by the diminutive Gaulish warrior and Tremensdelirious leaves. Tremensdelirious visits one of the four Roman camps surrounding the village and finds his old friend Egganlettus serving as an aide-de-camp under the local centurion, as he found retirement boring and signed up for another 20 years. With his support Tremensdelirious makes an official request on the centurion to restore a stolen land share to a veteran soldier. The centurion is rather reluctant to face the Gauls but the veterans threaten to report him to Caesar who would not like the Gauls taking advantage of his veterans. He agrees to prepare a military attack.

Asterix returns to the village and attempts to sound the alarm, but the village pays no attention to him, until the debate is interrupted by rocks thrown into the village by the Roman catapults outside. Vitalstatistix begs for Getafix to give them magic potion but the druid refuses even though he must know the village is under attack. He is just too disgusted by the Gaulish in-fighting. There is a change of attitude in Orthopaedix and Vitalstatistix and they stop fighting each other. Getafix approves of this and agrees to help them. The rival factions of villagers combine their efforts against the Romans and counterattack, demolishing the war machines. Orthopaedix himself confronts Tremensdelirious and returns the stone tablet that claims ownership of the village and smashes it on Tremensdelirious' head.

The Gauls are reconciled following their victory. A much more confident Orthopaedix befriends his former rival, and decides to withdraw his claim for leadership and return to Lutetia. Now he has something to brag about to his brother-in-law. Impedimenta and Angina have nothing left to fight about. They exchange recipes and addresses of their relatives in Lutetia. There is a victory celebration at night and everyone (men and women alike) takes part.[[note]] Yes, even Cacofonix.[[/note]]

!!This album has examples of

* RescueRomance: After Asterix saves Orthopaedix's family from Tremensdelirius, their daughter Influenza becomes infatuated with him.

Having completed twenty years of service in the Roman Army, Veteran legionaries Tremensdelirious and Egganlettus await their honesta missio (Latin:honorary discharge) for the morning but that night Tremensdelirious expresses his opinion on Julius Caesar in his drunken state and gets arrested.

The following morning Caesar is informed of Tremensdelirious's mishap the night before. Caesar suggests playing a practical joke. He will receive his honorary discharge after all but Caesar has a "special" gift for him. In the ceremony, Egganlettus receives a share in Nicaea and the still drunk Tremensdelirious receives his special gift: the village is inhabited by Asterix and his friends.

A few days later Tremensdelirious is drunk again and is unable to pay the innkeeper. So, he offers his land share. The innkeeper, Orthapedix agrees to the bargain. Soon Orthapedix, his wife Angina and Influenza, their daughter, arrive at "their" new village only to be disappointed to find it already inhabited but hope the seal of Julius Caesar will convince the villagers to leave. Instead, the village laughs at them, and Vitalstatistix points out that nobody can offer a gift not already possessed by himself. The rule includes Caesar and this particular village is the only one not held by him.

Angina starts berating her husband for his decision to leave Lutetia for Arausio and envies her sister for marrying a successful businessman. Vitalstatistix is reminded of his own rivalry with his affluent brother-in-law Homeopathix , and decides to offer Orthapedix a chance to get out of his situation and informs him that their village has no inn and offers him a building for him to use next to the fish-stall. Obelix helps the new family and soon has a crush on Influenza. The opening night of the new inn, the villagers are invited to attend but the merriment seems to end when Vitalstatistix and his wife Impedimenta arrive. Impedimenta and Angina greet each other coldly and soon the two women enter an argument about who owns the village. Meanwhile a comment by Impedimenta about the smell of fish has set off Unhygienix and Fulliautomatix's rivalry. A fight starts with all the villagers present.

The morning finds the inn abandoned except for the bruised Orthapedix, a sobbing Angina and Influenza. Orthapedix is ready to quit and return to Lutetia, but Angina wants to have revenge on Impedimenta and makes a claim to the leadership of the village on behalf of her husband. Vitalstatistix is shocked to have his long-held position challenged but soon has Cacofonix obtain an opinion poll of the villagers and the results are disappointing for Vitalstatistix. Soon both candidates and their families search for supporters by offering their markedly insincere voice of support to the individual concerns of each villager.

The villagers become very involved in the political race. Asterix, however, becomes worried that internal conflict could benefit the Romans. Meanwhile, Tremensdelirious arrives at the village to visit Orthapedix and explains that since their last meeting he unsuccessfully tried all kinds of trade. Thus he wants to claim his land share saying that veterans are not allowed to sell their shares to Gauls. The family attempts to throw him out but he draws the sword on the family. Meanwhile Asterix arrives and the two proceed in a demonstration of their swordsmanship. Asterix wins. Influenza is impressed by the diminutive Gaulish warrior and Tremensdelirious leaves. Tremensdelirious visits one of the four Roman camps surrounding the village and finds his old friend Egganlettus serving as an aide-de-camp under the local centurion, as he found retirement boring and signed up for another 20 years. With his support Tremensdelirious makes an official request on the centurion to restore a stolen land share to a veteran soldier. The centurion is rather reluctant to face the Gauls but the veterans threaten to report him to Caesar who would not like the Gauls taking advantage of his veterans. He agrees to prepare a military attack.

Asterix returns to the village and attempts to sound the alarm, but the village pays no attention to him, until the debate is interrupted by rocks thrown into the village by the Roman catapults outside. Vitalstatistix begs for Getafix to give them magic potion but the druid refuses even though he must know the village is under attack. He is just too disgusted by the Gaulish in-fighting. There is a change of attitude in Orthapedix and Vitalstatistix and they stop fighting each other. Getafix approves of this and agrees to help them. The rival factions of villagers combine their efforts against the Romans and counterattack, demolishing the war machines. Orthapedix himself confronts Tremensdelirious and returns the stone tablet that claims ownership of the village and smashes it on Tremensdelirious' head.

The Gauls are reconciled following their victory. A much more confident Orthapedix befriends his former rival, and decides to withdraw his claim for leadership and return to Lutetia. Now he has something to brag about to his brother-in-law. Impedimenta and Angina have nothing left to fight about. They exchange recipes and addresses of their relatives in Lutetia. There is a victory celebration at night and everyone takes part.

* DrowningHisSorrows[=/=]DrunkOnMilk: When Obelix gets upset with Asterix, he goes to Orthopaedix's inn and starts ordering goat's milk. According to Cacophonix, he does this every time he gets into an argument with Asterix.
* HenpeckedHusband: Orthopaedix and Vitalstatistix. It's actually an important part to the story, as Angina and Impedimenta drive their husbands into their feud. Orthopaedix eventually grows a backbone, and when Angina tries to object to his decision to return to Luteita, he angrily puts her in her place, making it clear that the decision has been made and there is no room for argument.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: when Asterix flees Laudanum instead of bashing it up, the Legionaries take this to mean that the Gauls have lost their magic potion and prepare to attack.

!!Tropes

* HenpeckedHusband: Orthopaedix and Vitalstatistix. It's actually an important part to the story, as Angina and Impedimenta drive their husbands into their feud.

* DrowningHisSorrows / DrunkOnMilk: When Obelix gets upset with Asterix, he goes to Orthopaedix's inn and starts ordering goat's milk. According to Cacophonix, he does this every time he gets into an argument with Asterix.