TheAllobroges (Gaulish: *Allobrogis, 'foreigner, exiled';Ancient Greek:Ἀλλοβρίγων, Ἀλλόβριγες) were aGallic people dwelling in a large territory between theRhône river and theAlps during theIron Age and theRoman period.
The Allobroges came relatively late to Gaul compared to most other tribes ofGallia Narbonensis; they first appear in historical records in connection withHannibal's crossing of the Alps in 218 BC.[1][2] Their territory was subsequently annexed to Rome in 121 BC byGnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus andQuintus Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus. An attempted revolt was crushed byGaius Pomptinus in 61 BC. However, they had rejected thesecond Catilinarian conspiracy in 63 BC. During theGallic Wars, the Allobroges did not side withVercingetorix at theBattle of Alesia in 52 BC.
They are mentioned asAllobrígōn (Ἀλλοβρίγων) byPolybius (2nd c. BC) andStrabo (early 1st c. AD),[3]Allobroges byCaesar (mid-1st c. BC) andLivy (late 1st c. BC),[4][5]Allóbriges ( Ἀλλόβριγες),Allóbrigas (Ἀλλόβριγας) andAllobrígōn (Ἀλλοβρίγων) byAppian (2nd c. AD),[6]Allóbriges (Ἀλλόβριγες;var. Ἀλλόβρυγες, Ἀλλόβρογες) byPtolemy (2nd c. AD),[7] and asAllobrogas byOrosius (early 5th c. AD).[8][9]
TheethnonymAllobroges is a Latinized form of theGaulish *Allobrogis (sing.Allobrox), which literally means 'those from another country' or 'those from the other frontier', that is to say the 'foreigners' or the 'exiled'. The personal namesAllo-brogicus andAllo-broxus are related; they all stem from theCeltic rootallo- ('other, second') attached tobrogi- ('territory, region,march').[10] This may give further evidence of the relatively recent coming of the Allobroges in the region.[11] Their name can indeed be contrasted with that of theNitio-broges ('indigenous'), who lived further southwest on the middleGaronne river.[11][12]
The Gaulish *Allobrogis iscognate with the Welshallfro ('foreigner, exiled') – both stemming from the Celticcompound *allo-mrogis –, and with the Germanicalja-markiz ('the foreigner'), found in an inscription from Karstad, which may indicate a Celtic-Germanic correspondence of the term.[10]
A mountain in theMont Blanc massif is still calledPointe Allobrogia, which could be the remnant of an ancient territorial claim made by the Gallic people.[13]
The territory of the Allobroges, which is known asAllobrogia,[14] stretched between theIsère and theRhône rivers, theLacus Lemannus (Lake Geneva) and theAlps.[15][2] By the mid-1st century BC, they also possessed a piece of land north of the Rhône river, between modernLyon andGeneva, whose later status remains uncertain.[16] During the Roman period, thecivitasViennensium covered an area of around 13,000 km2, one of the largest in Gaul.[17]
The Allobroges lived east of theSegusiavi and theVellavi, south of theAmbarri andSequani, north of theSegovellauni,Vertamocorii,Vocontii,Tricorii,Ucennii,Graioceli andCeutrones, and southwest of theHelvetii andVeragri.[18]
Until its destruction by the Romans in 61 BC, the main settlement of the Allobroges was known as Solonion, possibly corresponding to the modern village ofSalagnon, nearBourgoin-Jallieu, or else toMontmiral, nearSaint-Marcellin.[19]
The site of Vienna (modernVienne, France), situated at the confluence of theGère andRhône rivers, was occupied by the Celts since the early 4th century BC.[20][21][22] It served as a small river port protected by twooppida, one on the Pipet hill, and one on the Sainte-Blandine hill, and perhaps surrounded by a wall.[20] Although it remained a village until the 1st century BC, Vienna held a central position at a trading crossroad between northern Gaul, theItalian Peninsula and theMediterranean Sea, before it was eventually outshined by the nearbyLugdunum during the reign ofAugustus (27 BC–14 AD). Until that time, Vienna was indeed the only place in the region where the Rhône could be crossed by foot.[23] Since its creation, the port had maintained trade relations with the Greek colony ofMassalia, on the Mediterranean coast.[20]
After the destruction of Solonion by the Romans in 61 BC, the Allobrogian chieftains decided to move their place of residence to Vienna.[24] Around 50 BC, the settlement possibly became a colonia Latina, leading to the immigration of settlers from the Italian Peninsula. According to most scholars,[25] after their expulsion by the local Allobroges in March 44 BC during the political troubles that followed theassassination of Caesar, those Roman settlers moved further north, whereMunatius Plancus founded for them the colony of Lugdunum the following year.[26][27] Alternatively, some scholars date the expulsion of the settlers to the Allobrogian revolt of 62–62, and contend that Vienna was made into a colony only later at the time of Octavian.[28]
And to prevent [Lepidus and Lucius Plancus'] suspecting anything and consequently causing trouble, [the senators] ordered them to establish in a colony in Gallia Narbonensis the men who had once been driven by the Allobroges out of Vienna and afterwards established between the Rhone and the Arar, at their confluence.
— Cassius Dio 1914,Rhōmaïkḕ Historía,46:50.
UnderOctavian, sometime between 40 and 27 BC, Vienna became known asColonia IuliaViennensium, then was made into a colonia Romana known asColonia Iulia Augusta FlorentiaVienna (or Viennensium), either underAugustus (ca. 15 BC) orCaligula (ca. 40 AD).[29][27][30] In 35 AD, the Allobrogian citizenValerius Asiaticus became the first Gallic man to be elected asRoman consul.[31] Vienna was also made into the capital of the Allobrogiancivitas, and became one of the most powerful cities of Gaul during the first century AD. In the second half of the 3rd century, the city declined and shrank to its original urban core, although it remained an important settlement during the 4th century, serving as the occasional residence of emperorsJulian andValentinian II.[22]
Genaua ('[river] mouth';[32] modernGenève) was anoppidum erected on the hill of Saint-Pierre next to the Rhône, theArve and the Lake Geneva, which allowed them to control the inland navigation on the Rhône. Located near the border of theHelvetii territory, Genaua was occupied from 130 BC at the latest.[33][34]
Another important Allobrogian settlement was atCularo ('field of squash',[35] modernGrenoble), first mentioned by Munatius Plancus in 43 BC and later renamed to Gratianopolis.[36]
Other oppida have been excavated atMusièges, Larina (Hières-sur-Amby), Saint-Saturnin (Chambéry), Les Étroits (Saint-Lattier), Quatre-Têtes (Saint-Just-de-Claix), and Rochefort (Varces).[37]
The Allobroges probably settled relatively late in Southern Gaul, for they are not attested before the late 3rd century BC, in connection withHannibal's crossing of the Alps in 218 BC.[1][2] According to some scholars, they may be identified with theGaesatae, a group of mercenary warriors first mentioned a few years earlier in the region and who fought against theRoman Republic in theBattle of Telamon (225 BC).[1][38] The Allobroges may thus be the descendants of mobile groups of Gallic mercenaries who were active across central Europe in the first part of the 3rd century BC, and who eventually settled between the Rhône and the Alps in search for new opportunities during the later decades of the century.[1]
In the mid-2nd century BC, the Greek historianPolybius first mentioned the Allobroges in his account ofHannibal's crossing of the Alps in 218 BC. The Allobroges of the plain helped the Carthaginian conqueror, whereas those of the mountains tried in vain to block his passage.[39]
... [Hannibal] reached a place called the 'Island', a populous district producing abundance of corn and deriving its name from its situation; for the Rhone and Isère running along each side of it meet at its point ... On arriving there he found two brothers disputing the crown and posted over against each other with their armies, and on the elder one making overtures to him and begging him to assist in establishing him on the throne, he consented, it being almost a matter of certainty that under present circumstances this would be of great service to him.
— Polybius 2010.Historíai,3:49–50.
Hannibal then expelled the other chieftain and was given new weapons, corn, warm clothing and footwear by his local ally. The latter protected him in the rear with his own forces through the territory of the Allobroges, until he reached the foot of the Alpine pass.[39]
... For as long as they had been in flat country, the various chiefs of the Allobroges had left them alone, being afraid both of the cavalry and of the barbarians who were escorting them. But when the latter had set off on their return home, and Hannibal's troops began to advance into the difficult region, the Allobrogian chieftains got together a considerable force and occupied advantageous positions on the road by which the Carthaginians would be obliged to ascend. Had they only kept their project secret, they would have utterly annihilated the Carthaginian army, but, as it was, it was discovered, and though they inflicted a good deal of damage on Hannibal, they did as much injury to themselves ...
— Polybius 2010.Historíai,3:49–50.
InLivy's version, the Gallic chieftain who provided assistance to Hannibal is named Brancus ('the claw',var.Braneus).[40][5] According to some scholars, since the 'Island' mentioned by ancient authors corresponds to the territory of theSegovellauni, Brancus may actually be Segovellaunian.[41] In his account, however, Livy specifically states that the two chieftains were Allobroges.[39]
From the 2nd century BC onward, a climate change known as theRoman Warm Period led to a reduction in migrations from Central and Northern Europe. As a result, the adoption rate of a sedentary lifestyle among the former roving tribes of the region, including the Allobroges, probably increased during the late 2nd and 1st century BC. Greek geographerStrabo later wrote in the early 1st century AD, "formerly the Allobroges kept up warfare with many myriads of men, whereas now they till the plains and the glens that are in the Alps."[42]
Between 125 and 122 BC, the Romans crossed the Alps and fought theSalluvii andVocontii. During the conflict, the Allobroges gave shelter to the Salluvian leaders, including their kingToutomotoulos, and refused to hand them over, which, added to the fact that the Allobroges had raided theAedui, a recent ally of Rome, led the latter to declare war against them.[43][44][45]
They were defeated by the Romans forces ofGnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus at theBattle of Vindalium in 121 BC, in modern Mourre-de-Sève (Sorgues), at the confluence of the Rhône andSorgue rivers inCavarian territory. The Allobrogian cavalry reportedly feared the Romanwar elephants, andOrosius writes that they lost 20,000 men while 3,000 of them were captured. In August of the same year, the Roman army, strengthened by the troops ofQuintus Fabius Maximus, inflicted a decisive defeat on a massive combined force of Allobroges,Arveni and the remaining Salluvii at theBattle of the Isère River. The Allobrogian territory was subsequently annexed to Rome by Domitius Ahenobarbus and Fabius Maximus, the latter earning thecognomenAllobrogicus for this feat.[43][44][45]
Between 120 and 117, those new Roman lands were progressively pacified and incorporated into aRoman province known asGallia Transalpina by Domitius Ahenobarbus.[43] The Allobroges had to pay heavy taxes to Rome, although they were allowed to keep their administrative autonomy and territory.[46] They likely suffered from the invasions of theCimbri andTeutoni during theCimbrian War in 107–102 BC. The Allobrogian territory – Vienna in particular as it was located in the middle of the Rhône Valley – represented the northern frontier that separated Rome from the 'barbarian' world, and was thus exposed to the attacks of potentially hostile Gallic and Germanic tribes.[47]
In 69 BC, the Allobroges sent a delegation to Rome led by their chiefIndutiomarus to protest heavy taxes imposed byMarcus Fonteius, the Roman governor ofGallia Transalpina.[48] Already in 104 BC, the tribuneDomitius Ahenobarbus, son of the Roman conqueror of the Allobroges, had accused Silanus of injustice (iniurias) against the Allobrogian chief Aegritomarus.[49] Fonteius choseCicero as his lawyer, and although the verdict of the trial remains unknown, the Roman governor was probably acquitted.[48] The Allobroges appear to have been the dominant tribe of Gallia Transalpina at that time, for Indutiomarus is presented as the "leader of the Allobroges and all the Gauls" by Cicero.[48] According to scholarA. L. F. Rivet, they were probably feared as "the one tribe in Gaul that really could mount war against the Roman people".[50]
Later on, an Allobrogian insurrection was suppressed byCalpurnius Piso, who administeredGallia Narbonensis as proconsul until 65 BC. For this, he was unsuccessfully prosecuted byCaesar, who had interest in the region.[51] In 63 BC, while Cicero was serving as consul, they sent another delegation to Rome, hoping to seek relief from the oppression and rapacity of governorLucius Murena and Roman businessmen active in the region. Their demands rejected by the Roman Senate, they were approached by supporters ofCatiline, a senator who attempted to overthrow theRoman Republic and, in particular, the power of thearistocraticSenate.[52][53] Seeing an opportunity to enlist their help to theCatiline conspiracy,Lentulus sent the businessmanUmbrenus persuade the Gallic envoys to invade Italy in support of Catiline. Although initially favourable to this overture, the Allobroges thought their fate would be better if they take the Senate's side. They contacted their patronQ. Fabius Sanga, and Cicero convinced them to provide him with more evidence by feigning to join the conspirators. The supporters of Catiline then revealed their plan to the Gauls, who demanded sealed letters from some leading conspirators, which the Allobroges eventually leaked to Cicero.[52][54]
Faced with a series of legal defeats, the Allobroges decided to take up arms against Rome in 62 BC. Led by their chiefCatugnatus, they managed to resist Roman armies for nearly two years. The new provincial governor,Gaius Pomptinus, sent hislegate Manlius Lentinus to crush the revolt.[24][55]
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In 61 BC, a battle was fought between the Gallic and Roman troops near theSegovellaunian settlement of Ventia, which was eventually taken by Lentinus. At the same time, the two other legates seized and partly destroyed the chief Allobrogian town, Solonion. The coming of Catugnatus' forces momentary saved the stronghold, but further Roman troops led by Pomptinus surrounded and defeated the Gallic armies, putting an end to the rebellion. Their capital destroyed, the Allobrogian chieftains decided to move their place of residence toVienna.[24][55]
Lucius Marius and Servius Galba crossed the Rhone and after ravaging the possessions of the Allobroges finally reached the city of Solonium and occupied a strong position commanding it. They conquered their opponents in battle and also set fire to portions of the town, which was partly constructed of wood; they did not capture it, however, being prevented by the arrival of Catugnatus. Pomptinus, on learning of this, proceeded against the place with his entire army, besieged it, and got possession of the defenders, with the exception of Catugnatus. After that he more easily subjugated the remaining districts.
— Cassius Dio 1914,Rhōmaïkḕ Historía,37:48.
The period saw the invasion of the remainder of Gaul byJulius Caesar, followed by acivil war andCaesar's assassination in March 44. Although the Helvetii thought they could persuade the Allobroges to let them go through their territory in 58 BC because of their antipathy to Rome, the Gallic tribe, presumably led at that time by Adbucillus, remained loyal to Caesar during all theGallic Wars (58–50 BC). The Roman general used Vienna in particular as a strategic outpost during the conflict against the Gauls.[56][57]
After the failed migration of theHelvetii, who were repelled by the Romans towards their homeland, the Allobroges were asked by Caesar to provide them with wheat. In the autumn of 57, the legateGalba spent winter in the Allobrogian territory after an unsuccessful campaign in Vallis Poenina (modernValais). Following the Roman defeat at theBattle of Gergovia (52 BC), the Allobroges began to strengthen the border along the Rhône river, possibly fearing attacks coming from the other bank.[56]Vercingetorix tried to bribe their leaders to fight on the side of the Gallic coalition against Caesar, but the Allobroges rejected the offer.[50]
Two sons of Adbucillus,Aegus and Roscillus, provided assistance to Caesar in all of his Gallic campaigns. He assigned to them the highest magistracies among their own people, and granted them both money and conquered territory in Gaul. Regrettably, Caesar records that these privileges caused the two brothers to become "carried away by a foolish native pride" and to "treat their men with contempt, cheating the cavalry of its pay and diverting all of the booty to themselves". Their own armies came to Caesar to complain, and the two brothers eventually defected toPompey atDyrrachium just before theBattle of Pharsalia (48 BC).[58]
Strabo reported in the early 1st century AD that all the Allobroges lived in villages, "except that the most notable of them, inhabitants of Vienna (formerly a village, but called, nevertheless, the 'metropolis' of the tribe), have built it up into a city."[59]
At the time of the late Roman Empire, the Allobrogian territory was divided and administered from the three main cities: Vienna, Geneva and Cularo (later renamed Gratianopolis).[60]
From the "Palace of Mirrors" baths atSaint-Romain-en-Gal comes a statue of Vienna's tutelary goddess.Aix-les-Bains was a major centre of the cult of the healing godBorvo.[citation needed]
The cult ofCybele was introduced to Vienna by traders from theAncient Orient. A prominent temple likely dedicated to the goddess was built in the early 1st century AD, and a sacred theatre ofMysteries is dated to the 1st century AD.[61] Outside of Vienna, however, evidence of the cult of Cybele, although not totally absent, are scattered and become rare when approaching the Alps.[62]
Allobrogia was geographically divided between the plains of theDauphiné and the mountains ofSavoy, which influenced the political organization of the region, as documented byPolybius for the time ofHannibal's Crossing of the Alps in 218 BC.[63] Although this is not mentioned by the written sources, the Allobroges probably federated smaller peoples or ethnic unities of the area, as did the neighbouringCavares andVocontii.[64][65][66] Polybius indeed writes that the plains of Allobrogia were ruled by "various chiefs", suggesting the existence of a decentralized system of governance.[67]Aimé Bocquet has proposed to identify those hypothetical tribal territories with five natural sub-regions:Chablais andFaucigny [fr], theGenevois,Savoie,Grésivaudan, andIsle-Crémieu [fr].[66]
During the Roman period, the Allobroges cultivated wheat and exported wine. Copper and silver deposits were numerous in the Western Alps.[68]
TheFirst French Republic, in line with its common practice of reviving names and concepts from Roman times, gave the name "Légion des Allobroges" to a unit of theFrench Revolutionary Army that consisted mainly of volunteers from Switzerland, Piedmont and Savoy - very roughly corresponding to what had been the lands of the Allobroges.
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