CELTIC TRIBES

Aedui: One of the main tribes in central Gaul (France), they occupied the territory around Autun. Because they were close to the Rhône trade route, they adopted elements of classical culture. By Caesar's time, inter-tribal fighting resulted in a decline in their position of supremacy, but by aligning themselves with Rome, they soon restored their former importance.

Helveti: This tribe occupied much of modern Switzerland. In first century A.D., as a result of population growth and pressure from tribes to the north, they decided to migrate west into Gaul (France). In 58 B.C. Caesar halted their migration and defeated them, forcing the survivors to return home to Switzerland.

Boii: One of the more mobile of the Celtic tribes. In the fifth century a substantial number migrated from north of the Alps and settled in the Po valley  of Italy. The remainder stayed in the traditional territories of Bohemia. The north Italian group suffered under the Roman advance, while those in Bohemia later migrated west into France and were later forced out by the Cimbri and Teutons.

Eravisci: This tribe occupied much of Transdanubia (Hungary) with one of their principal settlements on the Danube around modern day Budapest. It is speculated that they moved into the region from the north in the first century A.D. Eraviscan culture remained strong throughout the early part of the Roman occupation: Celtic dress and jewelry continued to be worn even by the rich families as is witnessed by tombstone reliefs.

Volcae: Originally neighbors of the Boii in central Europe. An offshoot of the tribe probably contributed to the Volcae Tectosages, one branch of ehom settled in southern Gaul (France) while the other moved into Anatolia. The Gaulish group possessed a vast treasure of gold and silver which was pillaged by the Romans in 106 B.C.

Brigantes: Large confederacy stretching across northern England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. In the first century A.D. it seems to have been allied to Rome, but jealousies broke out between Queen Cartimandua and her husband Venutius and eventually Roman troops had to intercede on the queen's behalf. Venutius was later beaten in a pitched battle.

Parisii: A tribe living in the region of modern Paris. Their chief city, Lutetia, was the predecessor of modern Paris.

Nervii: One of the Belgic tribes of northern Gaul (France) living in central Belgium, east of the Scheldt. They put up powerful resistance to Caesar and were virtually annihilated by him.

Venetii: Maritime tribe living in the southwest of the Armorican peninsula. They were traders and acted as middlemen in shipping goods from Britain to the south. In 56 B.C., they rebelled against Caesar but were soundly beaten in a sea battle at Quiberon, and as a result all the leading men executed and the rest sold as slaves.

Averni: A powerful tribe occupying the Massif Central in Caesar's time. They were violently opposed to Roman rule.

Scordisci: After the migration into Greece had failed, many thousands of Celts poured back into central Europe to find land to settle. One group, the Scordisci, led by Bathanatos, settled between the rivers Drava and Sava with an oppidum on the site of modern Beograd. They were a powerful force in the subsequent settlement in the rest of Transdanubia.

Durotriges: Powerful but politically backward tribe occupying the Dorset region in southern Britain. Vespasian, then a legionary commander, had to destroy more than twenty native hillforts, including Maiden Castle, before the tribe itself would submit.

Iceni: British tribe occupying the Norfolk and Suffolk areas. They allied themselves to Rome after the invasion of Claudius and were ruled by a client king, Prasutagus. When he died, there was trouble resulting in a widespread uprising led by Queen Boudicca. The rebellion was ill-prepared and soon failed.

Trinovantes: Occupied part of modern eastern England just north of the Thames. In Caesar's time they were in conflict with their neighbors, the Catuvellauni. They became allies of Rome and their chieftains grew rich on trade with the Roman world, acquiring luxury objects and various commodities.