TheEburovices orAulerci Eburovices (Gaulish: *Eburouīcēs, 'those who vanquish by the yew') were aGallic tribe dwelling in the modernEuredepartment during theIron Age and theRoman period. They were part of theAulerci.
They are mentioned asAulerci Eburovices byCaesar (mid-1st c. BC),[1]Aulerci qui cognominantur Eburovices byPliny (1st c. AD),[2] and asAu̓lírkioioi̔ E̓bourouikoì (Αὐλίρκιοιοἱ Ἐβουρουικοὶ) byPtolemy (2nd c. AD).[3][4]
The Gaulish ethnonym *Eburouīcēs means 'those who vanquish by the yew', probably in reference to the wood used to make their bows or spears. It stems from the rooteburo- ('yew'; cf.OIr.ibar 'yew', orMiddle Welshefwr 'cow parsnip, hog-weed') attached to the suffix-uices ('combatants, victors').[5][6]
Other peoples namedAulerci are also mentioned by ancient sources: theAulerci Cenomani,Aulerci Diablintes, andAulerci Brannovices. The relationship that linked them together remains uncertain. According to historianVenceslas Kruta, they could have beenpagi that got separated from a larger ethnic group during the pre-Roman period.[7]
The city ofÉvreux, attested ca. 400 AD ascivitas Ebroicorum ('civitas of the Eburovices';Ebroicas in 511,Ebroas ca. 1034), is named after the tribe.[8]
During the Roman period, their chief town wasMediolanum Aulercorum (modernÉvreux, inNormandy).[9] The limits of theircivitas corresponded to those of the laterdiocese of Évreux.[10]
A votive altar with a dedication to adeus Gisacos was found in a sanctuary atGisacum (Le Vieil-Évreux).[10]
[A]ug(usto) deo Gisaco/ [Ta]uricius Agri/[co]la de suo po/suit
— Le Vieil-Évreux inscription.[10]
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