Helvetii facts for kids

The Helvetii were an ancient Celtic people who lived in the area that is now Switzerland. They were the main group living on the plateau (a large, flat area of high land) in Switzerland around 100 BC.

You might hear about the Helvetii in the books written by Julius Caesar about the Gallic War. Caesar was a famous Roman general and leader.

Who Were the Helvetii?

The Helvetii were a large and powerful group of Celtic people. They were made up of several smaller groups called pagi. Two of these groups were the Tigurini and the Verbigeni. Like other Celtic tribes, they were skilled farmers, warriors, and craftspeople.

Where Did They Live?

The Helvetii lived in what is now the western part of Switzerland. Their lands stretched from the Jura Mountains in the west to the Rhine River in the east. This area was important because it was close to other Celtic and Germanic tribes.

The Helvetii and Julius Caesar

The Helvetii are most famous for their conflict with Julius Caesar in 58 BC. This event was the start of the Gallic War, which was a series of battles where Caesar conquered Gaul (a large region that included modern-day France, Belgium, and parts of Switzerland).

The Great Migration

In 58 BC, the Helvetii decided to leave their homes. They planned a huge migration, meaning they wanted to move their entire people to a new land in western Gaul. There were several reasons for this big move:

• They felt their land was too small for their growing population.
• They were being pressured by Germanic tribes, like the Suebi, who were moving into their territory.
• They believed they could find better land and more power in Gaul.

To move, the Helvetii had to pass through Roman territory or lands controlled by Roman allies. They asked Julius Caesar for permission to cross the Rhône River near Geneva. Caesar, who was the Roman governor of Gaul, refused. He saw their migration as a threat to Roman safety and power.

The Battle of Bibracte

When Caesar refused their passage, the Helvetii tried to find another way. They marched north, trying to go around Roman lands. Caesar quickly gathered his armies and followed them.

After several smaller clashes, the main battle happened near a place called Bibracte. This was a major town of the Aedui, a Celtic tribe allied with Rome. The battle was long and fierce, but Caesar's well-trained Roman legions eventually defeated the Helvetii.

What Happened Next?

After their defeat, Caesar forced the Helvetii to return to their original homes in Switzerland. His goal was to keep the region stable and prevent other tribes from migrating. The Helvetii became a "client state" of Rome, meaning they were allowed to govern themselves but had to follow Rome's rules and provide soldiers.

Over time, the Helvetii became more and more Romanized. They adopted Roman customs, language (Latin), and ways of life. Their territory eventually became part of the Roman Empire. The name "Helvetia" was later used by the Romans to refer to the region, and it is still used today as a poetic name for Switzerland.

Images for kids

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  Map of the Roman province Maxima Sequanorum (around 300 AD), which included parts of the Helvetii, Sequani and other smaller tribes. The locations of the Helvetian pagi Tigurini and Verbigeni are shown, but their exact spots are still unknown.

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  Julius Caesar and Divico talking after the battle at the Saône. This is a historic painting from the 19th century by Karl Jauslin.

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  Roman provinces in 14 AD.

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  Celtic (orange) and Raetic (green) settlements in Switzerland.

See also

In Spanish: Helvecios para niños