TheVenellī orUnellī (Gaulish: *Uenellī/Wenellī) were aGallic tribe dwelling on theCotentin peninsula, in the northwest of modernNormandy, during theIron Age and theRoman period.
In 57 BC, they capitulated to Caesar's legatePublius Licinius Crassus, but rebelled the following year and sent troops to help the Gallic coalition against Rome during theBattle of Alesia (52 BC).[1]
They are mentioned asV[e]nellos byCaesar (mid-1st c. BC),[2]Venelli byPliny (1st c. AD),[3]Oủenéllōn (Οủενέλλων,var. Οủενeλῶν) andOủénelloi (Οủένελλοι,var. Οủένελοι) byPtolemy (2nd c. AD),[4] and asOủenellous (Οủενελλους) byCassius Dio (3rd c. AD).[5][6]
The etymology of theethnonym is obscure. It may stem from the Celtic root*ueni-/weni- ('clan, family, lineage').[7]
The pre-Roman chief town of the Venelli was probably the oppidum ofMont Castre [fr], nearMontsenelle.[1]
During the Roman period, their chief town becameCrociatonum (modernCarentan).[1] It was given the name ofConstantia in 298 AD during the reign ofRoman emperorConstantius Chlorus. The surrounding region, called in Latin thepagus Constantinus subsequently became known as theCotentin Peninsula.
Caesar mentions them with theVeneti,Osismi,Curiosolitae, and other maritime states. The Unelli and the rest submitted toPublius Licinius Crassus in 57 BC; but in 56 BC it was necessary to send a force again into the country of the Unelli, Curiosolitae, andLexovii.Quintus Titurius Sabinus had the command of the three legions who were to keep the Unelli and their neighbours quiet. The commander of the Unelli wasViridovix, and he was also at the head of all the forces of the states which had joined the Unelli, among whom were theAulerci Eburovices and the Lexovii. The force of Viridovix was very large, and he was joined by desperate men from all parts of Gallia, robbers and those who were 'too idle to till the ground'. TheRoman general entrenched himself in his camp, and made the Galli believe that he was afraid and was intending to slip away by night. The trick deceived the Galli, and they attacked the Roman camp, which was well placed on an eminence with a sloping ascent to it about a mile (1.6 km) in length. On the Galli reaching the Roman camp exhausted by a rapid march up the hill and encumbered with the fascines which they carried for filling up the ditch, the Romans sallied out by two gates and punished the enemy well for their temerity. They slaughtered an immense number of the Galli, and the cavalry pursuing the remainder let few escape. This feat of arms is told clearly in the Commentaries.
The Unelli sent a contingent of 6000 men to attack Caesar at thesiege of Alesia in 52 BC. (B. G. vii. 75.)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857).Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.{{cite encyclopedia}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)
