The Libicii (or Libui, Libii) were a Gallic tribe dwelling in the Camargue region during the Iron Age.

Name

They are mentioned as Lebékioi (Λεβέκιοι) by Polybius (2nd c. BC),[1] Libui by Livy (late 1st c. BC),[2] Libii and Libiciorum by Pliny (1st c. AD),[3] and as Libikō̃n (Λιβικῶν) by Ptolemy (2nd c. AD).[4][5]

According to Patrizia de Bernardo Stempel, the ethnonym Libikoi could derive from an earlier *lubhikoi ('the loving ones'; from Gaulish lubi 'love') with pretonic vowel assimilation (u...i > i...i).[6]

A homonym tribe is documented in northern Italy (see Libicii (Cisalpine Gaul)). This may be the result of migrations from southern France.[7]

Geography

Their territory was situated west of the Anatilii and Avatici, south of the Volcae Arecomici and Cavari.[8] The ora Libica mentioned by Pliny refer to the western Rhône delta (Petit-Rhône [fr]), that is to say the Camargue region.[9] According to historian Guy Barruol, they were part of the Saluvian confederation.[10]

An oppidum with Latin Rights given by Pliny as Libii was probably the name of their chief town.[9]

References

  1. ^ Polybius. Historíai, 2:17:4.
  2. ^ Livy. Ab Urbe Condita Libri, 5:35:1-2.
  3. ^ Pliny. Naturalis Historia, 3:124; 3:37.
  4. ^ Ptolemy. Geōgraphikḕ Hyphḗgēsis, 3:1:32.
  5. ^ Falileyev 2010, s.v. Libicii.
  6. ^ de Bernardo Stempel 2000, p. 107.
  7. ^ Barruol 1969, p. 159.
  8. ^ Talbert 2000, Map 15: Arelate-Massalia.
  9. ^ a b Barruol 1969, pp. 192–193.
  10. ^ Barruol 1969, pp. 187–188.

Bibliography

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