TheBrannovices orAulerci Brannovices (Gaulish: *Brannouīcēs) were aGallic tribe living in theSaône valley or south of the modernYonnedepartment before theRoman period. They were part of theAulerci.
They are mentioned asAulercis Brannovicibus byCaesar (mid-1st c. BC).[1] They may be the same people as theBlannovii mentioned in the same passage by Caesar.[2] According to Andreas Hofeneder, the nameBlannovii is probably a corrupted form ofBrannovices, inadvertently introduced twice into Caesar's text by later scribes as alectio duplex (dittography).[3]
TheGaulish tribal name *Brannouīcēs means 'those who vanquish by (or like) the crow'. It stems from the rootbrano- ('crow', cf.OIr.,Welshbran) attached to the suffix-uices ('victors').[4][5]
Other peoples namedAulerci are also mentioned by ancient sources: theAulerci Cenomani,Aulerci Diablintes, andAulerci Eburovices. The relationship that linked them together remains uncertain. According to historianVenceslas Kruta, they could have beenpagi that got separated from a larger ethnic group during the pre-Roman period.[6]
Both the Aulerci Brannovices and Blannovii are traditionally located in areas bordering the territory of the Aedui, often in theSaône valley, in theBeaunois or theMâconnais region.[7] Kruta also mentions a possible location south of the modernYonnedepartment.[6]
During theGallic Wars (58–50 BC), they are mentioned byCaesar among the clients of theAedui.[6]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)