TheAulerci were a group ofGallic peoples dwelling in the modern region ofNormandy, between theLoire (Liger) and theSeine (Sequana) rivers, during theIron Age and theRoman period. They were divided into theCenomani, the most powerful of them, theEburovices, theDiablintes, and theBrannovices.[1][2] The relationship that linked them together remains uncertain. According to historianVenceslas Kruta, they could have beenpagi that got separated from a larger ethnic group of the pre-Roman period.[1]
TheGaulishethnonymAulerci is generally interpreted as meaning 'those who are far away from their traces' (tracks, paths), composed of theablative prefixau- ('out of, away from') attached to the rootlerg- ('trace', cf.MIr.lorg,OBret.lerg).[3][4][5]Pierre-Yves Lambert has also proposed a comparison with theOld Irishlerg ('slope, brink'), or with theWelsh/Bretonalarch ('swan').[6]
According toLivy, they joinedBellovesus' legendary migrations towards Italy ca. 600 BC, along with theAeduii,Ambarri,Arverni,Carnutes andSenones.[7]
Julius Caesar (B. G. ii. 34) names the Aulerci with theVeneti and the other maritime states. InB. G. vii. 75, he enumerates, among the clients of theAedui, theAulerci Brannovices and Brannovii, as the common text stands; but the names in this chapter of Caesar are corrupt, and Brannovii does not appear to be genuine. If the name Aulerci Brannovices is genuine in vii. 75, this branch of the Aulerci, which was dependent on the Aedui, must be distinguished from those Aulerci who were situated between the LowerSeine and theLoire, and separated from the Aedui by theSenones,Carnutes, andBituriges Cubi.
Again, in vii. 75, Caesar mentions the Aulerci Cenomani and the AulerciEburovices. InB. G.vii. 75 Caesar mentions the maritime states (ii. 34) under the name of theArmoric states; but his list does not agree with the list in ii. 34, and it does not contain the Aulerci as the Aulerci were not regarded a maritime tribe. Caesar (iii. 17) mentions a tribe ofDiablintes or Diablintres, to whomPtolemy gives the generic name of Aulerci. It seems, then, that Aulerci was a general name under which several tribes were included.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857)."Aulerci".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.