The Gauls were a collection of tribal peoples living in the area that is now France. They developed in the same time as the ancient Roman and Greek civilizations as one of the ethnic groups on the borders of the Classical World. Gaul was a unique, developed world whose impact has been felt centuries after its disappearance.

 

  The name of Gaul alone had extensive influence on the Classical World and modern Europe alike.  Present-day locations, such as the country Portugal, the Romanian town Galati, and the Spanish region Galicia, likely stem their names from this ancient people.  Migration of the Gauls lends its name to other Classical areas, like Galatia in Asia Minor, and Galicia in modern-day Poland/Ukraine.

 

  There were three main regions of Gaul: Aquitania, Celtic Gaul, and Belgica. Celtic Gaul was split in two sections, the Transalpine Gauls and the Cisalpine Gauls. The Gauls who lived in Italy were called the Cisalpine Gauls, which literally translates to “Gaul this side of the alps”; the Transalpine Gauls lived on the opposite side of the Alps.  Aquitania was located in the western part of Gaul and was separated from Cetlic Gaul by the Garonne River.  Celtic Gaul covered the majority of present day France and was the central Gallic region. The major tribes located in Celtic Gaul were the Arverni and the Aedui located near the center of the territory, the Venetii found in the northwest, and the Sequani and the Helvetii near the Belgica.  The Belgica were located in northeast France; their border was along the Germanic tribes to the east and the English Channel to the north, while the Marne and the Seine Rivers separated them from the Celtic Gauls.  The southern part of present day France became provinces of Rome called Gallia Norbonensis which included the city of Massalia. 

 

  Considering the Gauls were scattered over such a wide territory, it is often difficult to draw solid conclusions about the group as a whole.  Though most were farmers and artisans, the military had a huge role in their society, breeding Celtic warriors ready for any war.  The confidence the Gallic men had in themselves, their comrades, and their squadron's battle techniques created the image of a people who would do anything for the betterment of their tribe.  Additionally, the Gauls' willingness to soak in artistic techniques and religious rituals used by both Greeks and Romans--especially during the La Têne period--allowed each Gallic tribe to flourish in its own way.

 

  In this website, we will take you through a brief history of the Gauls. We will learn about the battles they fought, the culture they developed, the ideas and goods they traded, and the impact they had on the Classical World. We hope through this website, you will gain an understanding and appreciation of Gaul.

 

-Katie Wynn, Ben Weisel, and Randy Westergaard