Editing Atrebates

{{Short description|Belgic tribe}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
The '''Atrebates''' ([[Gaulish language|Gaulish]]: *''Atrebatis'', 'dwellers, land-owners, possessors of the soil') were a [[Belgae|Belgic]] tribe of the [[Iron Age Europe|Iron Age]] and the [[Roman Empire|Roman period]], originally dwelling in the [[Artois]] region.{{sfn|Schön|Todd|2006}}

After the tribes of [[Gallia Belgica]] were defeated by [[Julius Caesar|Caesar]] in 57 BC, 4,000 Atrebates participated in the [[Battle of Alesia]] in 53, led by their chief [[Commius]]. They revolted again in 51 BC, after which they maintained a friendly relationship with Rome, as Commius received sovereignty over the neighbouring [[Morini]].{{sfn|Schön|Todd|2006}}{{sfn|Drinkwater|2015}} The quality of their woollens is still mentioned in 301 AD by [[Diocletian]]'s [[Edict on Maximum Prices|Price Edict]].{{sfn|Drinkwater|2015}}

An offshoot of the Belgic tribe probably entered Britain before 54 BC, where it was successively ruled by kings Commius, [[Tincomarus|Tincommius]], [[Eppillus]] and [[Verica]]. After 43 AD, only parts of the area were still controlled by king [[Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus|Claudius Cogidubnus]], after which they fell under Roman power.{{sfn|Frere|Millett|2015}}

== Name ==
They are mentioned as ''Atrebates'' by [[Julius Caesar|Caesar]] (mid-1st c. BC) and [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] (1st c. AD),<ref>[[Julius Caesar|Caesar]]. ''Commentarii de Bello Gallico'', 2:4; [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]]. ''Naturalis Historia,'' 4:106.</ref> ''Atrebátioi'' (Ἀτρεβάτιοι) by [[Strabo]] (early 1st c. AD),<ref>[[Strabo]]. ''Geōgraphiká'', 4:3:5.</ref> ''Atribátioi'' (Ἀτριβάτιοι) by [[Ptolemy]] (2nd c. AD),<ref>[[Ptolemy]]. ''Geōgraphikḕ Hyphḗgēsis,'' 2:9:4.</ref> ''Atrébas'' (Ἀτρέβας) by [[Cassius Dio]] (3rd c. AD),<ref>[[Cassius Dio]]. ''Rhōmaïkḕ Historía'', 40:43.</ref> and as ''Atrabatis'' in the ''[[Notitia Dignitatum]]'' (5th c. AD).<ref>''[[Notitia Dignitatum]]'', oc 42:40.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Falileyev|2010}}, s.v. ''Atrebates''.</ref>

The [[ethnonym]] ''Atrebates'' is a latinized form of the [[Gaulish language|Gaulish]] *''Atrebatis'' (<small>sing.</small> ''Atrebas''), which literally means 'dwellers, land-owners, possessors of the soil'. It derives from the [[Proto-Celtic language|Proto-Celtic]] stem ''*attreb-'' ('settlement') attached to the suffix ''-atis'' ('belonging to'), the former descending, as a result of an [[Assimilation (phonology)|assimilation]] from an earlier *''ad-treb''-, from the [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] root for 'settlement', ''*treb-'' (cf. [[Oscan language|Osc.]] ''trííbúm'', [[Proto-Germanic language|Germ.]] ''*Þurpa'', [[Lithuanian language|Lith.]] ''trobà'' 'house'). The ethnic name is [[cognate]] with the [[Old Irish]] ''ad-treba'' ('he dwells, cultivates') and ''attrab'' ('possession, the act of occupying, a dwelling'), the [[Modern Irish]] ''áitreabhach'' ('inhabitant'), and the [[Middle Welsh]] ''athref'' ('dwelling-place, abode').<ref>{{harvnb|Lambert|1994|p=35}}; {{harvnb|Delamarre|2003|pp=59, 301–302}}; {{harvnb|Busse|2006|p=198}}; {{harvnb|Matasović|2009|pp=46, 388}}; see {{harvnb|Lambert|1997|p=398}} for ''Atrebas''/''Atrebatis''.</ref>

The city of [[Arras]], attested ca. 400 AD as ''civitas Atrabatum'' ('[[civitas]] of the Atrebates'; ''Atrebatis'' in 881, ''Arras'' in 1137), the region of [[Artois]], attested in 799 as ''pago Atratinse'' ('[[pagus]] of the Abrates'; ''Atrebatense castrum'' in 899, later ''Arteis''), and the {{Ill|Forêt d'Arrouaise|lt=Arrouaise Forest|fr}}, attested ca. 1050 as ''Atravasia silva'' ('forest of the Atrebates'; ''Arwasia'' in 1202), are all named after the Belgic tribe.{{sfn|Nègre|1990|pp=152, 424}}

== Geography ==
[[Image:Map Gallia Tribes Towns.png|thumb|right|260px|Map showing the Atrebates' territory in Gallia Belgica]]

=== Territory ===
The Belgic Atrebates dwelled in the present-day region of [[Artois]], in the catchment area of the [[Scarpe (river)|Scarpe]] river.{{sfn|Wightman|1985|p=29}}{{sfn|Schön|Todd|2006}} They commanded two hill forts: a large and central one near Arras, and a frontier one on the [[Scheldt|Escaut river]].{{sfn|Wightman|1985|p=29}} The Atrebates were separated from the [[Ambiani]] by the [[Canche]] river.{{sfn|Wightman|1985|p=29}}

In the mid-first century BC, an offshoot of the tribe lived in Britain, where they occupied a region stretching between the [[River Thames|Thames]], the [[River Test|Test]], and [[West Sussex]].{{sfn|Frere|Millett|2015}}

=== Settlements ===
During the [[Roman Empire|Roman period]], their centre was transferred from the hill-fort of [[Étrun]] to Nemetocennae (present-day [[Arras]]), on an important road junction.{{sfn|Drinkwater|2015}} The name ''Nemetocennae'' means in [[Gaulish language|Gaulish]] either 'far' or 'born' 'from the sacred wood, the sanctuary', stemming from the root ''[[Nemeton|nemet(o)-]]'' ('sacred wood' >  'sanctuary') attached to the suffix -''cenna'' ('far') or, more likely, to a deformed suffix -''genna'' ('born from').{{sfn|Delamarre|2003|pp=114, 233}} It is later attested as ''Metacon'' by [[Ptolemy]] (ca. 170 AD), and as ''Nemetacum'' (ca. 300 AD) or ''Nemetaco'' (365), with the same root attached to the Gaulish suffix ''-acos''.{{sfn|Delamarre|2003|pp=114, 233}}

Before 54 BC, an offshoot of the Gallic tribe probably settled in Britain.{{sfn|Frere|Millett|2015}} After the [[Julius Caesar's invasions of Britain|Roman invasion of Britain]], three ''[[Civitas|civitates]]'' were created in the late 1st c. BC: one of the Atrebates, with a capital in [[Calleva Atrebatum]] ([[Silchester]]); one of the [[Belgae]] with its capital at [[Venta Belgarum]] ([[Winchester]]); and one of the Reg(i)ni, with a capital at [[Noviomagus Reginorum]] ([[Chichester]]).{{sfn|Frere|Millett|2015}}

== History ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2020}}

===Gaul===
In 57 BC, they were part of a [[Belgae|Belgic]] military alliance in response to [[Julius Caesar]]'s conquests elsewhere in Gaul, contributing 15,000 men.<ref>Caesar, ''De Bello Gallico,'' 2.4</ref> Caesar took this build-up as a threat and marched against it, but the Belgae had the advantage of position and the result was a stand-off.{{citation needed|date=November 2008}} When no battle was forthcoming, the Belgic alliance broke up, determining to gather to defend whichever tribe Caesar attacked. Caesar subsequently marched against several tribes and achieved their submission.

The Atrebates then joined with the [[Nervii]] and [[Viromandui]] and attacked Caesar at the [[battle of the Sabis]], but were there defeated. After thus conquering the Atrebates, Caesar appointed one of their countrymen, [[Commius]], as their king. Commius was involved in Caesar's two expeditions to Britain in 55 and 54 BC and negotiated the surrender of [[Cassivellaunus]]. In return for his loyalty, he was also given authority over the [[Morini]]. However, he later turned against the Romans and joined in the revolt led by [[Vercingetorix]] in 52 BC. After Vercingetorix's defeat at the [[Siege of Alesia]], Commius had further confrontations with the Romans, negotiated a truce with [[Mark Antony]], and ended up fleeing to Britain with a group of followers. However, he appears to have retained some influence in Gaul: coins of post-conquest date have been found stamped with his name, paired with either [[Garmanos]] or [[Carsicios]], who may have been his sons or regents.{{citation needed|date=November 2008}}

===Britain===
{{Infobox Celts of England
|Name         = Atrebates
|fullname          = Atrebates
|map               = [[Image:Britain.south.peoples.Ptolemy.jpg|220px|Celtic tribes of South England]]
|name          = Atrebates
|capital           = ''[[Calleva Atrebatum]]'' <small>([[Silchester]])</small>
|location      = [[Hampshire]]<br />[[West Sussex]]<br />[[Berkshire]]
|rulers             = [[Commius]]<br />[[Tincomarus]], [[Eppillus]], [[Verica]]
}}

Commius soon established himself as king of the British Atrebates, a kingdom he may have founded. Their territory comprised modern [[Hampshire]], [[West Sussex]] and [[Berkshire]], centred on the capital [[Calleva Atrebatum]] (modern [[Silchester]]). They were bordered to the north by the [[Dobunni]] and [[Catuvellauni]]; to the east by the [[Regni]]; and to the south by the [[Belgae#Belgae outside Gaul|Belgae]].

The settlement of the Atrebates in Britain was not a mass population movement. Archaeologist [[Barry Cunliffe]] argues that they "seem to have comprised a series of indigenous tribes, possibly with some intrusive Belgic element, given initial coherence by Commius".{{citation needed|date=November 2008}} It is possible that the name "Atrebates", as with many "tribal" names in this period, referred only to the ruling house or dynasty and not to an ethnic group; Commius and his followers, after arriving in Britain, may have established a power-base and gradually expanded their sphere of influence, creating what was in effect a proto-[[Sovereign state|state]]. However, during Caesar's first expedition to Britain in 55 BC, after the Roman cavalry had been unable to cross the Channel, Commius was able to provide a small group of horsemen from his people, suggesting that he may have already had kin in Britain at that time.{{citation needed|date=November 2008}} After this time, the Atrebates were recognized as a [[Roman client kingdoms in Britain|client kingdom]] of Rome.{{citation needed|date=November 2008}}

Coins stamped with Commius's name were issued from Calleva from ca. 30 BC to 20 BC. Some coins are stamped "COM COMMIOS": interpreting this as "Commius son of Commius", and considering the length of his apparent ''[[floruit]]'', some have concluded that there were two kings, father and son, of the same name.{{citation needed|date=November 2008}}

Three later kings of the British Atrebates name themselves on their coins as sons of Commius: [[Tincomarus]], [[Eppillus]] and [[Verica]]. Tincomarus seems to have ruled jointly with his father from about 25 BC until Commius's death in about 20 BC. After that, Tincomarus ruled the northern part of the kingdom from Calleva, while Eppillus ruled the southern half from Noviomagus ([[Chichester]]). Numismatic and other archeological evidence suggests that Tincomarus took a more pro-Roman stance than his father, and John Creighton argues from the imagery on his coins that he was brought up as an ''obses'' (diplomatic hostage) in [[Ancient Rome|Rome]] under [[Augustus]].

[[File:Tincomarus stater.jpg|thumb|left|100px|[[Stater]] of [[Tincomarus]], king of the Atrebates.]]

Augustus's ''[[Res Gestae Divi Augusti|Res Gestae]]'' mentions two British kings presenting themselves to him as supplicants, probably ca. 7 AD. The passage is damaged, but one is probably Tincomarus (the other is [[Dubnovellaunus]], of either the [[Trinovantes]] or the [[Cantiaci]]). It appears Tincomarus was ousted by his brother, and from this point Eppillus's coins are marked "''Rex''", indicating that he was recognised as king by Rome.

In about 15, Eppillus was succeeded by Verica (at about the same time, a king by the name of Eppillus appears as ruler of the Cantiaci in [[Kent]]). But Verica's kingdom was being pressed by the expansion of the [[Catuvellauni]] under [[Cunobelinus]]. Calleva fell to Cunobelinus's brother [[Epaticcus]] by about 25. Verica regained some territory following Epaticcus's death in about 35, but Cunobelinus's son [[Caratacus]] took over the campaign and by the early 40s the Atrebates were conquered. Verica fled to Rome, giving the new emperor [[Claudius]] a pretext for the [[Roman conquest of Britain]].{{citation needed|date=November 2008}}

After the Roman conquest, part of the Atrebates' lands were organized into the pro-Roman kingdom of the [[Regni]] under [[Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus]], who may have been Verica's son. The tribal territory was later organised as the ''[[civitas|civitates]]'' (administrative districts within a Roman province) of the Atrebates, Regni and possibly the Belgae.

==List of kings of the Atrebates{{anchor|Rulers}}==

#[[Commius]], 57 – c. 20 BC
#[[Tincomarus]], c. 20 BC – AD 7, son of Commius
#[[Eppillus]], AD 8–15, brother of Tincomarus
#[[Verica]], 15–40, brother of Eppillus
#Claudius Cogidubnus
#Full Roman annexation.

==See also==
* [[List of Celtic tribes]]
* [[List of peoples of Gaul]]
* [[Celtic tribes in the British Isles]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
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*{{Cite book|last=Busse|first=Peter E.|title=Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia|date=2006|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-85109-440-0|editor-last=Koch|editor-first=John T.|pages=195–200|chapter=Belgae|editor-link=John T. Koch}}
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*{{Cite journal|last=Drinkwater|first=John F.|title=Atrebates (1), a tribe of Gallia Belgica|date=2015|journal=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.013.939|isbn=978-0-19-938113-5|author-link=John F. Drinkwater}}
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*{{Cite journal|last1=Frere|first1=Sheppard S.|title=Atrebates (2), a Gallic tribe of southern Britannia|date=2015|journal=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.013.940|isbn=978-0-19-938113-5|last2=Millett|first2=Martin|author-link=Sheppard Frere|author-link2=Martin Millett}}
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{{Refend}}

===Primary sources===
* [[Augustus]], ''[[Res Gestae Divi Augusti]]''
* [[Dio Cassius]], ''Roman History''
* [[Sextus Julius Frontinus]], ''Strategemata''
* [[Julius Caesar]], ''[[De Bello Gallico]]''
* [[Ptolemy]], ''Geography''

== Further reading ==

* {{Cite thesis|title=The coinage of Atrebates and Regni|url=http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/11944/|publisher=University of Nottingham|date=1994|degree=Ph.D.|first=Simon C.|last=Bean}}
*John Creighton, ''Coins and Power in Late Iron Age Britain'', Cambridge University Press, 2000
*[[Barry Cunliffe]], ''Iron Age Britain''. London: B. T. Batsford/English Heritage, 1995 {{ISBN|0713471840}}
*[[Sheppard Frere]], ''Britannia''. 1967, revised 1978, 3rd ed. 1987

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050209231200/http://www.roman-britain.org/people/commius.htm Commius] and the [http://www.roman-britain.org/tribes/atrebates.htm Atrebates] at [http://www.roman-britain.org Roman-Britain.org]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051125041908/http://romans-in-britain.org.uk/clb_tribe_atrebates.htm Atrebates] at [http://www.romans-in-britain.org.uk/ Romans in Britain]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050908114500/http://livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/atrebates/ Atrebates Living History Group]

{{Gallic peoples}}
{{Iron Age tribes in Britain}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tribes of ancient Britain]]
[[Category:Belgae]]
[[Category:Tribes involved in the Gallic Wars]]
[[Category:Roman client kingdoms in Britain]]
[[Category:Tribes conquered by Rome]]
[[Category:Tribes in pre-Roman Gaul]]
[[Category:Gauls]]