The Chattuarii – from Chatti Neighbours to Franks

History & Finds The Chattuarii: A Name between Chatti and Franks

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The Chattuarii (Attuarii) were a Germanic tribe on the Lower Rhine, whose name points to a kinship with the mighty Chatti.

On the Rhine and beyond

Over time the Chattuarii shifted towards the Rhine. They appear in Roman sources as opponents and neighbours and belonged to the smaller peoples who shaped the restless Rhine region.

In the Frankish league

Like the Chamavi, the Chattuarii merged into the Frankish league. Their name lived on in the Frankish district of Hattuaria (Hetter, on the Lower Rhine) – near our region.

"Between Rhine and Weser dwelt Chatti, Chattuarii and many more."freely after ancient tradition (public domain, own translation)

What is documented: Chattuarii as a Germanic tribe linked to the Chatti (Velleius, Strabo, later sources), their Rhine location and their merging into the Franks; the district of Hattuaria/Hetter.

What is interpretation: The exact kinship "Chatti ↔ Chattuarii" is inferred from the name, not securely attested. Migration and merging into the Franks are only glimpsed in the sources.

The Chattuarii belong to the Rhine peoples of the Franks' emergence. Continue with the Chatti and Franks.

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Sources & literature

Velleius Paterculus; Strabo; Frankish sources; quote public domain (own translation).

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The Chattuarii: A Name between Chatti and Franks

On the Rhine and beyond

In the Frankish league

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Sources & literature

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