Leuci


The Leuci were a Belgic tribe, dwelling in the southern part of the modern Lorraine region during the Roman era.

Name

They are mentioned as Leucos by Caesar, as Leūkoi by Strabo, as Leuci by Pliny, and as Leukoì by Ptolemy.
The name Leuci stems from Gaulish leucos, itself from Proto-Celtic *lowkos, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leukós.

Geography

Territory

The territory of the Leuci extended in the east and the south-east up to the Vosges moutains, between the Marne and Moselle rivers. They were located north-west of the Sequani, and south-west of the Mediomatrici.

Settlements

During the Roman era, their capital was Tullum. Ptolemy, who normally gives one capital for each civitas, also lists Nasium as a capital of the Leuci.
Hillforts held by the Leuci included a large oppidum at Boviolles west of their territory, and some small ones in the Vosges. The Roman-era successor of Boviolles was more opposing that the capital Tullum, since the Ornain river was important trade route between Champagne and the plateau of Langres, on the territory of the Lingones. Another possible oppidum was located at Geneviève.

Religion

During the Roman era, the Leuci worshipped Apollo, or Apollo Grannus, centred around a spring and healing cult.

History

They are mentioned by Julius Caesar as a people supplying wheat to the Roman army in 58 BC, along with the Lingones and Sequani.