Namnetes
Encyclopedia
The Namnetes were a tribe of ancient Gaul
, living in the area of the modern city of Nantes
near the river Liger (modern Loire
).
They were neighbours to the Veneti
people (north-west), the Redones
(North), the Andecavi (east) and the Pictones
(south).
In the spring 56 BC during the Gallic wars
and according to Caesar
, the Namnetes allied to the Veneti to fight against the fleet made by Caesar. Decimus Brutus, leader of the Roman fleet, finally won the battle.
During Roman domination, the Namnete capital city was located at the confluence of the Loire and the Erdre; its name was probably Condevicnum. During the 3rd century AD, the city became known as Portus Namnetum, then Nantes in the Middle Ages.
, quoting Poseidonios, there is an island in the Ocean near the outlet of the Loire river which was inhabited by the "women of the Samnitae," which is generally taken to be a mistake and actually refers to the "Namnitae" or Namnetes. No man was ever allowed on the island and the women themselves sailed from it to have intercourse with men on the continent before returning there again. They also had the strange custom of unroofing their temple every year and roofing it again on the same day before sunset, each woman bringing her load to add to the roof. The woman whose load would fall out of her arms was rent to pieces by the rest, and they allegedly carried the pieces round the temple with the cry of "Ev-ah" in a frenetic manner.
According to French archaeologist Jean-Louis Brunaux, there are three reasons to believe the story to be factual. First of all, the wet, windy climate of Western Gaul made it likely for the Gallic dwellings (made of branches or reed) to be roofed again every year. Secondly, not to drop new material was, according to Pliny the Elder
, a common religious practice amongst the Celts. Thirdly, circumambulation
is known to have existed as a rite amongst the Celts if we are to believe Poseidonios.
Gaul
Gaul was a region of Western Europe during the Iron Age and Roman era, encompassing present day France, Luxembourg and Belgium, most of Switzerland, the western part of Northern Italy, as well as the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the left bank of the Rhine. The Gauls were the speakers of...
, living in the area of the modern city of Nantes
Nantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
near the river Liger (modern Loire
Loire
Loire is an administrative department in the east-central part of France occupying the River Loire's upper reaches.-History:Loire was created in 1793 when after just 3½ years the young Rhône-et-Loire department was split into two. This was a response to counter-Revolutionary activities in Lyon...
).
They were neighbours to the Veneti
Veneti (Gaul)
The Veneti were a seafaring Celtic people who lived in the Brittany peninsula , which in Roman times formed part of an area called Armorica...
people (north-west), the Redones
Redones
The Redones or Rhedones are an ancient tribe of Gaul, in the Celtogalatia Lugdunensis of Ptolemy , placed by him west of the Senones and along the Liger . Their capital was Condate . But other authors contend that the Redones were not on the Loire. Pliny The Redones or Rhedones are an ancient...
(North), the Andecavi (east) and the Pictones
Pictones
The Pictones were a tribe inhabiting a region along the Bay of Biscay in what is now western France, along the south bank of the Loire. During the reign of Augustus , the Pictones were included in the larger province of Gallia Aquitania, along with most of western Gaul...
(south).
In the spring 56 BC during the Gallic wars
Gallic Wars
The Gallic Wars were a series of military campaigns waged by the Roman proconsul Julius Caesar against several Gallic tribes. They lasted from 58 BC to 51 BC. The Gallic Wars culminated in the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, in which a complete Roman victory resulted in the expansion of the...
and according to Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
, the Namnetes allied to the Veneti to fight against the fleet made by Caesar. Decimus Brutus, leader of the Roman fleet, finally won the battle.
During Roman domination, the Namnete capital city was located at the confluence of the Loire and the Erdre; its name was probably Condevicnum. During the 3rd century AD, the city became known as Portus Namnetum, then Nantes in the Middle Ages.
Samnitae/Namnete Women's Island
According to StraboStrabo
Strabo, also written Strabon was a Greek historian, geographer and philosopher.-Life:Strabo was born to an affluent family from Amaseia in Pontus , a city which he said was situated the approximate equivalent of 75 km from the Black Sea...
, quoting Poseidonios, there is an island in the Ocean near the outlet of the Loire river which was inhabited by the "women of the Samnitae," which is generally taken to be a mistake and actually refers to the "Namnitae" or Namnetes. No man was ever allowed on the island and the women themselves sailed from it to have intercourse with men on the continent before returning there again. They also had the strange custom of unroofing their temple every year and roofing it again on the same day before sunset, each woman bringing her load to add to the roof. The woman whose load would fall out of her arms was rent to pieces by the rest, and they allegedly carried the pieces round the temple with the cry of "Ev-ah" in a frenetic manner.
According to French archaeologist Jean-Louis Brunaux, there are three reasons to believe the story to be factual. First of all, the wet, windy climate of Western Gaul made it likely for the Gallic dwellings (made of branches or reed) to be roofed again every year. Secondly, not to drop new material was, according to Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
, a common religious practice amongst the Celts. Thirdly, circumambulation
Circumambulation
Circumambulation is the act of moving around a sacred object.Circumambulation of temples or deity images is an integral part of Hindu ritual. It is also practised in Buddhism. In Islam, circumambulation is performed around the Kaaba in Mecca, in a counter-clockwise direction...
is known to have existed as a rite amongst the Celts if we are to believe Poseidonios.