TheAulerci were a group ofGallic peoples inhabiting regions ofGaul during theIron Age and theRoman period.
They were divided into theCenomani, the most powerful of them, theEburovices, theDiablintes, and theBrannovices.[1][2]
TheGaulishethnonymAulerci is generally interpreted as meaning 'those who are far away from their traces' (tracks, paths), composed of theablative prefixau- ('out of, away from') attached to the rootlerg- ('trace', cf.MIr.lorg,OBret.lerg).[3][4][5]Pierre-Yves Lambert has also proposed a comparison with theOld Irishlerg ('slope, brink'), or with theWelsh/Bretonalarch ('swan').[6]
According toLivy, they joinedBellovesus' legendary migrations towards Italy ca. 600 BC, along with theAeduii,Ambarri,Arverni,Carnutes andSenones.[7][2]
The relationship that linked the different tribes together remains uncertain. According to historianVenceslas Kruta, they could have beenpagi that got separated from a larger ethnic group during the pre-Roman period.[1]
