The Brigianii (Gaulish: *Brigianioi) were a Gallic tribe dwelling around present-day Briançon during the Iron Age and the Roman period.

Name

They are mentioned as Brigianii by Pliny (1st c. AD), and as Brigiani, Brigantionis and Bricianiorum on inscriptions.

Brigianii

Their name may be based on the Gaulish root brig- ('high, elevated'), or on brīgo- ('might, strength').

Brigianii

Geography

The Gallitae lived in the region of , in the center of the Cottian Kingdom. Their territory was located north of the Caturiges, west of the Quariates, east of the Tricorii, south of the Segovii.

Brigianii

Their chief town was known as Brigantio (modern Briançon), meaning 'eminence, high/elevated place' in Gaulish.

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.

References

Primary sources

Bibliography

Historical Celtic peoples

Gauls

Tribes in pre-Roman Gaul