TheParisi were aBritish Celtic tribe located somewhere within the present-dayEast Riding of Yorkshire, inEngland, known from a single brief reference byPtolemy in hisGeographica of about AD 150. Many writers have connected them with the archaeologicalArras culture and some with the more widely knownParisii of Gaul.[1]
The Parisi are known from a description inPtolemy'sGeographica (Geographica II, 3, 10) which locates them to nearOpportunum Sinus ("Good harbour").[n 1] Ptolemy is presumed never to have visitedRoman Britain, compiling his work from existing sources, probably inAlexandria.
The tribe is inferred to have been surrounded by theBrigantes, and with theCoritani south of them across theHumber. Ptolemy mentions the Parisi in association withPetvaria, a town thought to be located close toBrough, East Riding of Yorkshire.[5][n 2] Ptolemy also mentions a promontoryPromontarium Ocellum, which may be eitherSpurn Head orFlamborough Head.[7]
The translation and interpretation of Ptolemy's work has not been consistent over time, with differing interpretations creating potential contradictions in the spatial relationship betweenOpportunum Sinus andPetuaria. A more recent interpretation (2005) places both theParisi andPetuaria on theOpportunum Sinus which leads to the common interpretation ofOpportunum Sinus to be impossible geographically – an alternative feature – the inlet near Brough toWalling Fen has been suggested.[4] Brough/Petuaria also had a harbour in Roman times (further inland than the current Brough Haven) which has long since silted up, further supporting this interpretation.
The Parisi are also mentioned in the forgeryDe Situ Britanniae originally credited toRichard of Cirencester (14th century AD): the Parisi's towns supposedly includedPetuaria and a placePortus Felix, the locations of which were uncertain, and subject to speculation in the 19th century.[3][8][9]
Burials in East Yorkshire dating from the pre-Roman Iron Age are distinguished as those of theArras Culture,[10] and show differences from surrounding areas, generally lackinggrave goods, butchariot burials and burials with swords are known,[5] but are similar (chariot burials) to those ascribed to theLa Tène culture of areas of western and central Europe, giving a potential link to the similarly namedParisii of Gaul.[1]
The origin of the name is uncertain; CelticistsJohn T. Koch and Raimund Karl propose a Celtic linguistic origin, meaning "the commanders", similar to theWelsh verbperi (to cause, command or have done, from Proto-Celtic*kwer-).[11] LinguistEric Hamp also links the name to this verb and suggests a meaning of "fighters".[12]Xavier Delamarre prefers to link the ethnic name to the P-Celtic root*pario- "cauldron" and translatesParisi as "they of the cauldrons" (taking their name after a distinctive type of vessel used by the Iron Age Celts).[13]
The location of the bay round which the Parisi lived has always been doubtful..
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