Arverni, Celtic tribe thatinhabited what is now the region of Auvergne, in central France. The Arverni dominated an extensive territory in the 2nd centurybc, until they were defeated by the Romans in 121. In about 60 they invited Ariovistus, king of a German tribe, to aid them against their old rivals, theAedui, givingCaesar a pretext for hisGallic Wars. In 52bc their chieftain,Vercingetorix, organized an extensive uprising against Caesar and defeated him at Gergovia (present-day Gergovie), but he was in turn defeated and captured by Caesar at Alesia (present-day Alise-Sainte-Reine) in 51. Under the Roman Empire the tribe was peaceful and prosperous. Their capital was moved to the new Roman city ofAugustonemetum (present-day Clermont-Ferrand).