TheDurocasses were aGallic tribe dwelling around present-dayDreux during theRoman period.
They are mentionedDurocasis (var.durocacasis) on theItinerarium Antonini (early 3rd c. AD),[1] asDurocassio on theTabula Peutingeriana (4–5th c. AD), and asDorocas onMerovingian coins.[2][3]
The etymology of theethnonymDurocasses remains unclear. The meaning of the second element-casses, attested in other Gaulish ethnonyms such asBodiocasses,Sucasses,Tricasses,Veliocasses, orViducasses, has been debated, but it probably signifies '(curly) hair, hairstyle' (cf. Old Irishchass 'curl'), perhaps referring to a particular warrior coiffure.[4]
The city ofDreux, attested ca. 930 AD asDrocas (Drewes in the 12th c.), is named after the Gallic tribe.[5]
The production of coins by the Durocasses suggests that they benefited from some economic autonomy. Their wealth probably came from tolls collected on the inland water shipping on theEure river.[6]
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