TheTricasses were aGallic tribe dwelling on the upperSeine and theAube rivers during theRoman period. Until the first century AD, they were probably reckoned among theSenones.[1]
They are mentioned asTricasses byPliny (1st c. AD),[2] and asTrikásioi (Τρικάσιοι) byPtolemy (2nd c. AD).[3][4]
TheGaulishethnonymTricasses derives from the root for 'three',tri-.[5] The meaning of the second element-casses, attested in other Gaulish ethnonyms such asBodiocasses,Durocasses,Sucasses,Veliocasses orViducasses, has been debated, but it probably signifies '(curly) hair, hairstyle' (cf. Old Irishchass 'curl'), perhaps referring to a particular warrior coiffure. The nameTricasses may thus be translated as 'the three-braided ones' or 'those of the three (many) curls'.[6]
The city ofTroyes, attested ca. 400 AD ascivitas Tricassium ('civitas of the Tricasses';Trecassis in the 7th c.,Treci in 890,Troies in 1230), is named after the Gallic tribe.[7]
The Tricasses dwelled near theSenones, theParisii, theMeldi, theRemi and theLingones.[1]
From the reign ofAugustus,Augustobona Tricassium (modernTroyes) was the chief town of theircivitas.[1]
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