The Aedui: Rome's Allies between Loyalty and Revolt

The Aedui were a leading Celtic people in today's Burgundy, between the Loire and the Saône. Their capital was the mighty oppidum of Bibracte on Mont Beuvray.

Brothers of the Roman people

Even before Caesar the Aedui were allied with Rome and bore the honorary title "brothers and kinsmen of the Roman people". When the Helvetii moved through Gaul in 58 BC, the Aedui called Caesar to help – the start of the Gallic War.

Caught between the sides

But the close bond with Rome split the people. In 52 BC the Aedui too joined the revolt of Vercingetorix – too late and divided. At Bibracte Vercingetorix was elected commander-in-chief. After Alesia the Aedui were bound again into Rome's order.

"The Aedui called themselves brothers and blood-kin of the Romans."after Caesar, The Gallic War I (public domain, own translation)

The brothers of Rome

The Aedui were one of the most powerful tribes of Gaul, in the heart of today's Burgundy. Already before Caesar they were allied with Rome and officially bore the honorary title "brothers and kinsmen of the Roman people" – a unique privilege.

The call for help of 58 BC

When the Helvetii moved through Gaul in 58 BC and pressed the Aedui, the latter called Rome for help. Caesar used the appeal as a pretext to intervene in Gaul – the Aedui thus stood at the beginning of the Gallic War.

Bibracte, the great city

Their chief town was the mighty oppidum of Bibracte on Mont Beuvray – one of the largest cities of pre-Roman Gaul with craft, trade and fortifications. Here Caesar later even held court.

Between loyalty and revolt

Despite their loyalty to Rome many Aedui joined the revolt of Vercingetorix in 52 BC – a sign of how deep the desire for freedom sat even among Rome's allies. After the defeat they returned to the Roman order.

From Bibracte to Autun

Under Rome Bibracte was abandoned and the new city of Augustodunum founded – today's Autun. The Aedui became model citizens of Roman Gaul.

The Aedui show the two faces of an alliance with Rome. Continue with their rivals, the Arverni, and the Senones.

Read more with us

The Arverni · The Helvetii · The Senones · Celtic Princely Graves · Celtic Religion.

Sources & literature

• Image credit (header image): “Monumental Basin in Bibracte”, unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Caesar, The Gallic War I, VII; excavations Bibracte/Mont Beuvray; quote public domain (own translation).

Visit the Shop More posts