Atrebates
The Atrebates or Atrébates are one of the Gallic Peuples, their name means " literally; habitants". They lived in Atrébatie corresponding roughly to the Artois. Their capital Nemetocenna became Arras, " country, the ground pertaining to the sanctuaire".
Atrébates according to Jules César
In the War of Gaules, Jules César connects Atrébates with the Belgian tribes originating in Germanic which invaded the territories of the North of the Gaulle between IVe and IIe century before the Christian era. It is probable that it is during one of these shifts in population that Atrébates settled in the area of Arras, where they founded a city: Nemetocenna. They correspond to the Danubian Celts archaeologically. They go down from these Celtic people moving at the 3rd front century JC, while being incorporated with the preexistent Celtic substrate.
Jules César makes state for the first time of Atrébates while informing us about a quota of 15.000 warriors placed at the disposal of a Belgian coalition. At the time of the battle of Sabis, in 57, Atrébates, associated with the Nerviens and the Viromanduens face the Roman legions. They are demolished by the left wing of the Roman army held by IXe and Xe legions.
After this reverse, the period which follows is marked by the co-operation of Atrébates to the projects of Jules César who finds an ally effective in the person of Comnius. Indicated as king of Atrébates into 55, it is sent by Jules César in Brittany in order to convince the tribes of the South to submit itself to the Roman people. Jules César exempts Atrébates, to be itself discharged this mission as well as possible, tribute raised on the conquered populations and restores their laws and their institutions to them.
But during the general rising of 52, Comnius takes makes and causes for the Gallic party, which is worth to him to be victim of an attempted murder financed by the powerful orator Titus Labienus, lieutenant de Jules César. To the head of 4.000 of its warriors, Comnius goes to Alésia in order to support Vercingétorix in its fight for independence. This attempt, as well as the coalition with the Bellovaque Correus will fail and Comnius will have to take refuge into Germanic. This rallying will have as a consequence the installation of Roman troops in Atrébatie to secure possible local rebellions and to control this lately acquired territory.
Atrebates of Brittany
Following the conquest of the Gaulle by C. Julius Caesar, a new king, Commius, is installed with the head of the Gallic tribe atrébate (cfr. above). Emissary of César, it is sent for the first time in Brittany into 52, and there will rejoin various tribes.
After the revolt carried out by Vercingétorix, to which it took share, Commius flees in Brittany. Thanks to the currencies which it emits since its Calleva capital, current Silchester, one deduces that it founded a new kingdom there, towards 40.
After him, its three sons will share successively the capacity: Tincomarus jointly with his/her father initially, then on the northern half of the kingdom, while Eppillus takes the southern half, and finally Verica, towards 10 of the Christian era.
The kingdom atrébate will be conquered by the Catuvellauni, neighbor in the North-East (their capital was Verulamium , current St Albans), and their king Caratacus. It is possible that the exile in Rome of Verica figure among the reasons for the Roman conquest.
After the conquest, the territory atrébate will be included in the kingdom of Cogidubnus, between 43 and approximately 80. It is estimated that it is towards this date that the city will reach the stage of Municipium.
Sources
August 1st
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