TheLevaci were a smallBelgic tribe living inGallia Belgica during theIron Age. They were clients of the most powerfulNervii.
They are attested asLevaci byCaesar (mid-1st c. BC).[1][2]
The ethnic nameLevaci is a Latinized form ofGaulishLeuacoi (sing.Leuacos). It derives from the stemleuo- (perhaps 'slippery, slow') attached to the suffix -āco- ('belonging to').[3] It probably originally refers to a river, which would yieldLevaci as 'those of the river Leva'.[4][3]
The village ofLèves (south of Namur) is named after the tribe.[4][3]
Based on Caesar's account, their territory was located somewhere in the vicinity ofNervian territory.[2]
During theGallic Wars (58–50 BC), they are cited byCaesar as clients of theNervii.[2]
They therefore immediately sent messengers to the Ceutrones, Grudii, Levaci, Pleumoxii, Geidumni, all of whom were held under their control, then collected the largest contingents they could and swooped unexpectedly on Cicero’s winter quarters
— Caesar,Gallic Wars, V 39
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