Suanetes
Ancient tribe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Name
They are mentioned as Suanetes (var. suanene-, suannene-) by Pliny (1st c. AD),[1] and as Souánetes (Σουάνετες) by Ptolemy (2nd c. AD).[2][3]
According to Xavier Delamarre, the name could be interpreted as the Celtic Su-anates, from anatia ('soul').[4] The ethnic name Cosuanetes appears to be linguistically related.[4]
Geography
The tribe was located in the valley of the Hinterrhein and in the Oberhalbstein region, near modern Chur (eastern Switzerland).[5][3][6] Pliny mentions them conjointly with the Cosuanetes and the Rugusci.[6]
History
They are mentioned by Pliny the Elder as one of the Alpine tribes conquered by Rome in 16–15 BC, and whose name was engraved on the Tropaeum Alpium.[7] Weapons discovered at Tiefencastel and on the Septimer Pass provide further evidence to this account.[6]