Gaul

Gaul (from Latin Gallia, c.f. Greek Galatia) is the region of Western Europe occupied by present-day France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river.

Related Topics:
Gallia - Greek - Galatia - Western Europe - France - Belgium - Switzerland - Netherlands - Germany - Rhine

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In English the word Gaul also refers to a Celtic inhabitant of that region in ancient times, but the Gauls were widespread in Europe by Roman times, speaking the Gaulish language. Besides the Gauls living on the territory of modern-day France, there were the Lepontii who had settled in the plains of northern Italy (Gallia Cisalpina), and the Helvetii who settled to the north of the alps, in Raetia.

Related Topics:
Celt - Europe - Gaulish language - Lepontii - Italy - Gallia Cisalpina - Helvetii - Raetia

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Gauls under Brennus sacked Rome circa 390 BC. In the Aegean world, a huge migration of Eastern Gauls appeared in Thrace, north of Greece, in 281 BC. Another Gaulish chieftain named Brennus, at the head of a large army, was only turned back from desecrating the Temple of Apollo at Delphi at the last minute, alarmed, it was said, by portents of thunder and lightning. At the same time a migrating band of Celts, some 10,000 fighting men, with their women and children and slaves, were moving through Thrace. Three tribes of Gauls crossed over from Thrace to Asia Minor at express invitation of Nicomedes I, king of Bithynia, who required help in a dynastic struggle against his brother. Eventually they settled down in eastern Phrygia and Cappadocia in central Anatolia, a region henceforth known as Galatia.

Related Topics:
Brennus - Sacked Rome - 390 BC - Aegean - Thrace - Greece - 281 BC - Temple of Apollo - Delphi - Slaves - Asia Minor - Nicomedes I - Bithynia - Phrygia - Cappadocia - Anatolia - Galatia

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The Gauls were called *walha by Germanic tribes, a generic term for "foreigners" (see Etymology of Vlach).

Related Topics:
Walha - Germanic tribes - Etymology of Vlach

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