Atrebaten

Map of Gaul, 1st century, with details of the settlement area of ​​the Atrebates in the province of Gallia Belgica

Approximate settlement area of ​​the Atrebates in Britain

The Atrebates ( Latin Atrebates , also Atrebatii ) were an ancient tribe belonging to the Belgae , a probably Gallic - Germanic mixed people.

The Atrebates on the Gallic mainland

At the time of the Gallic War (58–51 BC) the Atrebats lived in the area around their main town, Nemetocenna / Nemetacum , later Atrebatae , today's Arras in what is now the French department of Pas-de-Calais .

The Atrebates opposed 57 BC. BC together with the Nerviern and the Viromandu Caesar's armed force, but were defeated by them in the Battle of Sabis (the Sabis River is often identified with the Sambre , but sometimes also with the Selle ). Caesar then made Commius king of the Atrebates.

The Atrebates in Britain

Due to his influence, Commius was also found on the other side of the English Channel , in Britain , 55 BC. Sent there as an emissary by Caesar. After Caesar's subjugation of Gaul, a part of the Atrebates led by Commius migrated around 50 BC. BC to southern Britain and formed an independent empire there. Later, Commius' sons ruled there as kings.

After the conquest of Britain by the Romans in the middle of the 1st century AD, the Atrebats formed around their main town, Calleva Atrebatum, there, as did the Iceni , the Regni and the brigands, Roman clientele kingdoms (allies) .

List of atrebatic kings in Britain

• Commius (57-20 BC)
• Tincomarus (20 BC-7 AD)
• Eppillus (8-15)
• Verica (15-43)

literature

• Pierre Wuilleumier : Atrebates. In: The Little Pauly (KlP). Volume 1, Stuttgart 1964, Col. 714.
• Max Him : Atrebates 1f . In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume II, 2, Stuttgart 1896, Col. 2138.

Remarks

1. ^ Caesar, Gallic War 2, 16-27.
2. ^ Caesar, Gallic War 4, 21, 7.
3. ↑ Caesar, Gallic War 4, 21, 5-8; 4, 27, 2ff.