Arverni

A map of Gaul in the 1st century BC, showing the relative position of the Arverni tribe.

The Arverni were a Gallic tribe that inhabited the present-day region of Lyon, France. They gave their name to the French region of Auvergne.

The Arveni were a very powerful tribe living in Auvergne, with their most important stronghold being Gergovia (near present-day Clermont-Ferrand). They had been the most powerful Gallic tribe in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC under their king, Luernios, but when his son Bituitus was defeated by the Romans in 123 BC and the Roman ‘Provincia’ (whose name game rise to the French region of Provence) established, their ascendancy passed to the Aedui and Sequani.

One of the most famous princes in the history of Gaul belonged to the Arverni tribe: Vercingetorix. He was responsible for leading the last major rebellion against the Roman occupation of the Gaul homeland, but was defeated decisively at the Siege of Alesia by Julius Caesar, and executed five years later.

See Also

• Quintus Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus - Conquered King Bituitus
• Alba Fucens Town where Bituitus was held after capture

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