TheGraioceli were a smallGallic tribe dwelling in the valley ofMaurienne, in the modern region ofSavoie, during theIron Age.
They are mentioned asGraioceli (var.graiocaeli, gaioceli) byCaesar (mid-1st c. BC).[1][2]
The etymology of theethnonymGraioceli remains unclear. It possibly contains a divine name *Graios (found inHerculi/Herculeio Graio) attached to theGaulish rootocel-, meaning 'peak, summit, promontory'. The same stem is also present in the name of theAlpes Graiae.[2][3]
The Graioceli dwelled in theMaurienne Valley, around the modern towns ofSaint-Jean-de-Maurienne andSaint-Jean-d'Arves. Their territory was located the southeast of theAllobroges, south of theCeutrones, north of theUcennii, and west of theMedulli.[4]
In the mid-first century BC, the Graioceli are mentioned byJulius Caesar as a tribe hostile to Rome. In what appears to be a concerted attack, they attempted to prevent his passage through the upperDurance alongside theCeutrones andCaturiges in 58 BC.[5][6]
There [Titus Labienus] enrolled two legions, and brought out of winter quarters three that were wintering about Aquileia; and with these five legions made speed to march by the shortest route to Further Gaul, over the Alps. In that region the Ceutrones, the Graioceli, and the Caturiges, seizing points on the higher ground, essayed to stop the march of his army. They were repulsed in several actions; and on the seventh day he moved from Ocelum, the last station of Hither Gaul, into the borders of the Vocontii in Further Gaul.
— Caesar 1917,Commentarii de Bello Gallico,1:10:4.
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