TheCatalauni (Gaulish: *Catu-uellaunoi 'war-chiefs') were aBelgic tribe dwelling in the modernChampagne region during theRoman period.[1] The Catalauni probably belonged to a larger tribe, either theRemi in the north or theLingones in the south.[2] TheCatuvellauni, who migrated to southern Britain in the 1st century BC, are likely part of the same tribal group.[1]
They are mentioned asCatalaunos byEutropius (4th c. AD),[3] and as(Cat)alaunorum in theNotitia Dignitatum (5th c. AD).[4][5]
TheethnonymCatalauni is probably a latinized contracted form ofGaulish *Catu-*walo ('war-chiefs, chiefs-of-war'), deriving from the stem*catu- ('combat') attached to*walo ('chiefs, prince').[2][6][7] The nameCatuvellauni, borne by a Celtic tribe of southern Britain, is thus likely related.[1][8]
The city ofChâlons-sur-Marne, attested in the 4th century asDurocatelaunos (Cathalaunum in 1185), is named after the Belgic tribe.[9]
They probably originally settled in the area of theRemi, within the modernChampagne region.[1]
Their chief town, known ascivitas Catalaunorum (modern-dayChâlons-sur-Marne), is not mentioned before the 4th century AD.[9][1]
