Deciates


The Deciates were a Ligurian tribe, dwelling nears Antipolis during the Iron Age and the Roman era.

Name

They are mentioned as Dekiḗtais by Polybius, and as Δεκιατίων by Ptolemy. A regio Deciatium is also attested by Pliny, and an oppidum Deciatum by Pomponius Mela.

Geography

They lived in the Antibes area of what is now France, west of the river Var. The border with the Ligurian Oxybii being to the west of Antipolis and east of Forum Julii.
The exact location of the oppidum Deciatum is unknown.

History

In 154 BC, the Deciates besieged Nicaea and Antipolis, along with the neighbouring Oxybii. Upon a request from the city of Massalia, Rome sent the consul Quintus Opimius, which ended with a Roman legate had been injured. Quintus Opimius then defeated the Deciates and the Oxybii, disarmed them and granted the conquered territory to Massalia.