The Vindelici – Celts on the Alpine Edge and the Founding of Augsburg

History & Finds The Vindelici: Between Alps and Danube

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The Vindelici were Celtic (partly Celtic-Raetian) peoples on the northern edge of the Alps, between Lake Constance, the Danube and the Inn – in the area of today's Bavaria and Vorarlberg.

The Alpine campaign of 15 BC

In 15 BC the stepsons of Emperor Augustus, Drusus and Tiberius, subdued the Alpine peoples in a great campaign. The poet Horace celebrated the victory over the Vindelici in a famous ode.

From Vindelicia to Augsburg

The conquered land became part of the province of Raetia. Its capital Augusta Vindelicorum – today's Augsburg – grew into an important Roman city (and was the scene of the victory over the Juthungi).

"You saw, Drusus, how the Vindelici … filled the Alps with war."freely after Horace, Odes IV (public domain, own translation)

What is documented: Vindelici as Alpine-edge peoples, their subjugation in the Alpine campaign of 15 BC by Drusus and Tiberius (Horace, Strabo) and Augusta Vindelicorum/Augsburg as a Roman provincial city.

What is interpretation: Whether the Vindelici were "Celtic", "Raetian" or mixed is a blurred category. Horace's ode is praise of the rulers, not a battle report – numbers and details are poetically reshaped.

The Vindelici lead to the Celtic edge of the Alps. Continue with the Taurisci and Boii.

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

Sources & literature

Horace, Odes IV; Strabo; Cassius Dio; quote public domain (own translation).

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The Vindelici: Between Alps and Danube

The Alpine campaign of 15 BC

From Vindelicia to Augsburg

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Sources & literature

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