Ruteni

The Ruteni (Gaulish: "The blond ones")[1] were a Gallic tribe of the La Tène and Roman period, dwelling in the modern region of Aveyron.[2] They were known as producers of lead.[3]

Ruteni coin, 5th-1st century BCE
A map of Gaul in the 1st century BCE, showing the relative positions of the Celtic tribes

Name

They are mentioned as Rutenos by Caesar (mid-1st c. BC),[4] as R̔outēnoì (Ῥουτηνοὶ) by Strabo (early 1st c. AD),[5] as Ruteni by Pliny (1st c. AD),[6] and as R̔outanoì (Ῥουτανοὶ) by Ptolemy (2nd c. AD).[7][8]

Geography

The territory of the Ruteni was situated south of the Massif Central, between the Arverni in the north, the Cadurci in the west, the Gabali in the east and the Volcae in the south.[9] They were tributary to the Arveni, and part of their territory was taken by the Romans after the defeat of the Arvenian king Bituitus in 121 BC.[9]

During the reign of Augustus, Segodunum (modern Rodez) became the main town of their civitas.[9]

History

During the Gallic Wars (58–50 BC), they sent 12,000 men to the Battle of Alesia in 52 BC.[9]

References
  1. An historical geography of France by Xavier de Planhol, Paul Claval p.10
  2. Sivan, H., R. Mathisen, R. Talbert, S. Gillies, T. Elliott, J. Becker. "Places: 138546 (Ruteni)". Pleiades. Retrieved June 12, 2015.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Ancient Rome at Work: An Economic History of Rome from the Origins to the Empire by Paul Louis p.180
  4. Caesar. Commentarii de Bello Gallico, 1:45:2
  5. Strabo. Geōgraphiká, 4:2:2
  6. Pliny. Naturalis Historia, 4:109
  7. Ptolemy. Geōgraphikḕ Hyphḗgēsis, 2:7:12
  8. Falileyev 2010, p. entry 3337.
  9. Demarolle 2006.

Bibliography
  • Demarolle, Jeanne-Marie (2006). "Ruteni". Brill’s New Pauly.
  • Falileyev, Alexander (2010). Dictionary of Continental Celtic Place-names: A Celtic Companion to the Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. CMCS. ISBN 978-0955718236.
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