Aulerci, Ancient Celtic confederation in northwestern France
The Aulerci were a Celtic people who lived in northwestern France between the Seine and Loire rivers in ancient times. They were divided into several independent communities, each occupying a distinct territory across what is now Sarthe, Eure, and parts of Mayenne.
The Aulerci formed as Celtic tribes in northwestern France with their own political structures in ancient times. One of their groups, the Cenomani, eventually migrated eastward and settled in distant territories, far from the original homeland.
The Aulerci minted their own coins featuring helmeted warrior heads and galloping horses, which can be seen today in regional museums across northwestern France. These objects show that they had their own economic life and traded actively across the region.
The territory of the Aulerci covers several modern French departments and cannot be visited as a single place. Regional museums in Sarthe, Eure, and Mayenne hold objects from this period and are a good starting point for learning more about them.
The name Aulerci appears in Julius Caesar's accounts of the Gallic Wars, making these texts one of the few written sources that directly mention them. This reference gives researchers a concrete anchor for piecing together what is known about their history.
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