Eburovices
Gallic tribe
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The Eburovices or Aulerci Eburovices (Gaulish: *Eburouīcēs, 'those who vanquish by the yew') were a Gallic tribe dwelling in the modern Eure department during the Iron Age and the Roman period. They were part of the Aulerci.
Name
They are mentioned as Aulerci Eburovices by Caesar (mid-1st c. BC),[1] Aulerci qui cognominantur Eburovices by Pliny (1st c. AD),[2] and as Au̓lírkioioi̔ E̓bourouikoì (Αὐλίρκιοιοἱ Ἐβουρουικοὶ) by Ptolemy (2nd c. AD).[3][4]
The Gaulish ethnonym *Eburouīcēs means 'those who vanquish by the yew', probably in reference to the wood used to make their bows or spears. It stems from the root eburo- ('yew'; cf. OIr. ibar 'yew', or Middle Welsh efwr 'cow parsnip, hog-weed') attached to the suffix -uices ('combatants, victors').[5][6]
Other peoples named Aulerci are also mentioned by ancient sources: the Aulerci Cenomani, Aulerci Diablintes, and Aulerci Brannovices. The relationship that linked them together remains uncertain. According to historian Venceslas Kruta, they could have been pagi that got separated from a larger ethnic group during the pre-Roman period.[7]
The city of Évreux, attested ca. 400 AD as civitas Ebroicorum ('civitas of the Eburovices'; Ebroicas in 511, Ebroas ca. 1034), is named after the tribe.[8]
Geography
During the Roman period, their chief town was Mediolanum Aulercorum (modern Évreux, in Normandy).[9] The limits of their civitas corresponded to those of the later diocese of Évreux.[10]
Religion
A votive altar with a dedication to a deus Gisacos was found in a sanctuary at Gisacum (Le Vieil-Évreux).[10]
[A]ug(usto) deo Gisaco/ [Ta]uricius Agri/[co]la de suo po/suit
— Le Vieil-Évreux inscription.[10]