The Santones – Celts on the Atlantic Coast

History & Finds The Santones: Where the Helvetii Wanted to Go

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The Santones were a Celtic people on the Gaulish Atlantic coast, around today's Saintes (Mediolanum Santonum).

The goal of the Helvetii

When the Helvetii set out in 58 BC, they intended to settle in the territory of the Santones – so Caesar reports at the start of the Gallic War. The migration, however, ended in defeat at Bibracte.

Flourishing Roman land

Under Rome the land of the Santones grew wealthy: Saintes received a triumphal arch and a large amphitheatre. The region supplied wine and was a hub of Atlantic trade.

"They resolved to move into the territory of the Santones, which is not far from the land of the Tolosates."after Caesar, The Gallic War I (public domain, own translation)

What is documented: Santones as the goal of the Helvetian migration (Caesar, The Gallic War I), Mediolanum Santonum/Saintes with arch and amphitheatre as an important Roman city (archaeological remains).

What is interpretation: About the pre-Roman culture of the Santones we know little; their reputation as a "rich wine region" comes from Roman times. Caesar's note on the Helvetian goal also serves to justify his intervention.

The Santones lead to the Celtic Atlantic coast. Continue with the Helvetii and Veneti.

Glanz & Gravur — From our workshop: Celtic-Germanic motifs on natural slate, laser-engraved. To the shop →

Sources & literature

Caesar, The Gallic War I; archaeological remains of Saintes; quote public domain (own translation).

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The Santones: Where the Helvetii Wanted to Go

The goal of the Helvetii

Flourishing Roman land

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Sources & literature

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