TheBituriges Vivisci (Gaulish:Biturīges Uiuisci) were aGallic tribe dwelling near modern-dayBordeaux during theRoman period. They had a homonym tribe, theBituriges Cubi in theBerry region, which could indicate a common origin, although there is no direct of evidence of this.[1]
They are mentioned asBitourígōn te tō͂n Ou̓iouískōn (Βιτουρίγων τε τῶν Οὐιουίσκων) byStrabo (early 1st c. AD),[2]Bituriges liberi cognomine Vivisci byPliny (1st c. AD),[3] and asBitoúrges oi̔ Ou̓ibískoi (Βιτούργες οἱ Οὐιβίσκοι) byPtolemy (2nd c. AD).[4][5]
TheGaulishethnonymBiturīges means 'kings of the world', or possibly 'perpetual kings'. It derives from the stembitu- ('world', perhaps also 'perpetual'; cf.OIr.bith 'world, life, age',bith- 'eternally',Old Welshbid,OBret.bit 'world') attached toriges ('kings';sing.rix). Whether the meaning 'perpetual' was already associated withbitu- in ancient Celtic languages or appeared later in Old Irish remains uncertain. In any case, the meaning 'world' probably emerged from the notion of 'living world, place of the livings', since theProto-Celtic stem *bitu- derives fromProto-Indo-European *gʷiH-tu-, meaning 'life' (cf. Lat.vīta 'life',OCSžiti 'to live').[6][7][8]
The Bituriges Vivisci dwelled in the modernBordelais [fr] region, between theGaronne (Garumna) river and theAtlantic ocean.[1] Their territory was located west of thePetrocorii, south of theSantones, northwest of theNitiobroges andCadurci, and east of the smallerMedulli.[9]
Their port (emporium) and chief town wasBurdigala (Bordeaux).[1]
Writing in the early 1st century AD,Strabo describes them as the only Gallic tribe dwelling among theAquitani, which suggests a relatively late coming to the region. According to historianVenceslas Kruta, they may have settled in their attested homeland as a result of theGallic Wars (58–50 BC), for their presence is not mentioned byCaesar.[1]
The Garumna, after being increased by the waters of three rivers, discharges its waters into the region that is between those Bituriges that are surnamed "Vivisci" and the Santoni—both of them Galatic tribes; for the tribe of these Bituriges is the only tribe of different race that is situated among the Aquitani; and it does not pay tribute to them, though it has an emporium, Burdigala, which is situated on a lagoon that is formed by the outlets of the river.
— Strabo 1923,Geōgraphiká4:2:1.
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