TheVeliocasses orVelocasses (Gaulish: *Weliocassēs) were aBelgic orGallic tribe of theLa Tène andRoman periods, dwelling in the south of modernSeine-Maritime and in the north ofEure.[1]
They are mentioned asVeliocasses byCaesar (mid-1st c. BC) andPliny (1st c. AD),[2] asOu̓éliokásioi (Οὐέλιοκάσιοι; var.οὐενελιοάσιοι) byPtolemy (2nd c. AD),[3] and asVelocasses byOrosius (early 5th c. AD).[4][5]
The meaning of theGaulishethnonym is uncertain. The first part is certainly theGaulish stemuelio-, which could either derive fromProto-Celtic*wēliyā- ('modesty'; cf.OIr.féle,OBret.guiled 'honestas'), or else from Proto-Celtic*wēlyo- ('better'; cf. Welshgwell 'better').[6][7] The second etymology issemantically more probable for a tribal name, but the unknown length of the vowele inuelio- makes it difficult to conclude with certainty.[6][8] The meaning of the second element-casses, attested in other Gaulish ethnonyms such asBodiocasses,Durocasses,Sucasses,Tricasses, orViducasses, has been debated, but it probably signifies '(curly) hair, hairstyle' (cf. Old Irishchass 'curl'), perhaps referring to a particular warrior coiffure.[9][7]Patrizia de Bernardo Stempel has proposed to interpret the name as 'those with better helmets'.[10]
The county ofVexin, attested in 617 aspagus Veliocassinus ('pagus of the Veliocasses';Vilcassinum in 1092,Vulesin in 1118), is named after the ancient tribe.[11]
The Veliocasses occupied territory primarily north of the lower Sequana (Seine) river, with a smaller portion extending south of it.[1] Their territory was situated between that of theCaletes andBellovaci. Wooded highlands formed a natural boundary with the Bellovaci, who held sway in that region.[12]
During the pre-Roman period, their capital was probably theoppidum ofCamp de Calidou (nearCaudebec), then Rotomagus (present-dayRouen) after the reign ofAugustus (27 BC–14 AD).[1] In the 2nd century AD, the settlement served as a significant harbor for exports bound for Britain.[13]
During theGallic Wars (58–50 BC), the Veliocasses participated in the tribal coalition of theBelgae that resisted the Romans in 57 BC. In 52 they raised 3,000 men to supportVercingetorix, and fought alongside theBellovaci in the final rebellion against Roman hegemony.
As for the neighbouring Calates, whether the Veliocasses should be classified asGallic orBelgic is debatable.[12]
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