European Kingdoms

Suessiones / Suaeuconi (Belgae)

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In general terms, the Romans coined the name 'Gaul' to describe the Celtic tribes of what is now central, northern, and eastern France. To the north of these were the tribes of the Belgae, divided from the Gauls by the rivers Marne and the Seine, but bordered to their east by a slowly growing Germanic populace which only increased its pressure on them over time (see feature link for a discussion of the origins of the Celtic name).

By the middle of the first century BC, the Suessiones were located in north-eastern Gaul around modern Soissons and between the rivers Marnes and Oise. They were neighboured to the north-west by the Bellovaci, to the north-east by the Viromandui, to the east by the Remi, to the south by the Catalauni and Parisii, and to the west by the Veliocasses.

The Belgae appear to have been formed of tribes which were seaborne and which lived along the North Atlantic and/or Baltic coastlines. They would seem to have been a branch of Celts who had established themselves in Northern Europe, although precisely where is entirely open to speculation (not to mention some heated debate).

Their dialect probably used a 'b' or a 'v' sound where their western cousins in Gaul used a 'w' sound, opening up different interpretations for their names. Also known as the Suaeuconi, the Suessiones name breaks down into 'suess' plus '-ion' plus '-es'. The suffixes can be disposed of, but just what on earth a 'suess' was is anyone's guess at the present time.

Perhaps it had a Germanic origin, but even there when examining the proto-Germanic language base its meaning is utterly obscure. Later Norse has 'sust' which means 'club, mace, flail', but this can only very tenuously be linked to the original word.

The Suessiones tribal capital was at Noviodunum (or 'new hill fort', suggesting a recent move from an older capital). Their name survived them in the city which bore their name and which became the major regional Roman centre of Soissons.

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(Information by Peter Kessler, Edward Dawson, and Trish Wilson, with additional information from The Oxford History of England: Roman Britain, Peter Salway, from The La Tene Celtic Belgae Tribes in England: Y-Chromosome Haplogroup R-U152 - Hypothesis C, David K Faux, from The Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography, William Smith, from Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, Harry Thurston Peck, from the Encyclopaedia of European Peoples, Carl Waldman & Catherine Mason, from the Complete Works of Tacitus, Alfred John Church, William Jackson Brodribb, & Lisa Cerrato, from Roman Soldier versus Germanic Warrior: 1st Century AD, Lindsay Powell, from Reallexicon der Germanischen Altertumkunde, J Hoops & H Beck (1968-2008, in German), from De voorgeschiedenis der Lage Landen, S J Laet (J B Wolters, 1959, in Dutch), from Keltisch en Germaans in de Nederlanden, Lauran Toorians (Belgisch Genootschap voor Keltische Studies, 2005, in Dutch), from Histoire de la Gaule, Danièle Roman & Yves Roman (Fayard, 1997, in French), from La civilization de la Tene/en Champagne, le faciès marnie, Denise Bretz-Mahler (CNRS, 1997, in French), from Gallia Belgica, Edith Wightman (Batsford, 1985), and from External Links: The Works of Julius Caesar: Gallic Wars, and The Natural History, Pliny the Elder (John Bostock, Ed), and The Illustrated History of Belgium, and L'Arbre Celtique (The Celtic Tree, in French), and Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz or Dictionnaire Historique de la Suisse or Dizionario Storico dell Svizzera (in German, French, and Italian respectively).)

mid-200s BC

A large number of Gallo-Belgic A coins are to be found in southern Britain at this time or soon afterwards. This suggests heavy trade with the Ambiani tribe in northern Gaul, but also the probability that Ambiani have settled in Hampshire, possibly as the earliest representatives of the tribe of the Belgae. The Suessiones may be another Belgic tribe which is settling heavily in Britain from this time onwards.

Many Belgic groups showed marked Germanic influences, so were they Celts with German words and warriors, or Germans with Celtic words and warriors? The truth probably lies somewhere in between

fl early 1st c BC

'The greatest man in Gaul'. High king of the Belgae?

Diviciacus (not to be confused with Diviciacus of the Aeduii) holds sway not only amongst a large proportion of the continental Belgic tribes which number includes the Suessiones but also over parts of south-eastern Britain, according to Julius Caesar.

This would suggest a form of high kingship over those Belgic tribes which have recently migrated there, such as the Belgae (a grouping), the Cantii, and perhaps the Catuvellauni and Trinovantes. Diviciacus may also provide Geoffrey of Monmouth with his King Digueillus (calculated to be a late second century BC incumbent).

c.90 - 60 BC

Gallo-Belgic C coins can be found in Britain which are tentatively identified with Diviciacus. Finds are concentrated amongst the Cantii, but can be found as far west as the Sussex coast in the territory of the Regninses, and up to the Wash.

Shown here is a gold Gallo-Belgic quarter stater of the C-type, which can be dated between 80-60 BC, at least a couple of decades before the first of Julius Caesar's expeditions to Britain

c.60 - 50 BC

Gallo-Belgic F coins are also found in many coastal areas of Britain, introducing the triple-tailed horse design on the reverse that becomes widespread over the next few decades.

The existence of so many coins which are linked to the Suessiones or which ape their design suggests to scholars that the Suessiones form a considerable portion of the Belgic peoples who migrate to Britain from the second century BC. These coins are also concentrated in the territory of the mainland Parisii.

58 BC

When Julius Caesar enters that part of Gaul which is still independent of Roman administration, a number of Belgic polities form a defensive alliance and together they acclaim Galba of the Suessiones as their commander-in-chief.

Perhaps this is merely a pragmatic choice, but Galba could already be a favourite for the role due to the apparent position of high king which had been borne by his predecessor and a tradition of dominance which could be enjoyed by the tribe.

This vast map covers just about all possible tribes which were documented in the first centuries BC and AD, mostly by the Romans and Greeks, and with an especial focus on 52 BC (click or tap on map to view at an intermediate size)

? - 57 BC

Led the tribe in the war against Caesar. Another high king?

57 BC

The Belgae enter into a confederacy against the Romans in fear of Rome's eventual domination over them. They are also spurred on by Gauls who are unwilling to see Germanic tribes remaining on Gaulish territory and are unhappy about Roman troops wintering in Gaul.

The Senones are asked by Julius Caesar to gain intelligence on the intentions of the Belgae, and they report that an army is being collected. Caesar marches ahead of expectations and the Remi, on the Belgic border, instantly surrender, although their brethren, the Suessiones remain enthusiastic about the venture.

The Bellovaci are the most powerful amongst the Belgae, but the confederation also includes the Ambiani, Atrebates, Atuatuci, Caerosi, Caleti, Condrusi, Eburones, Menapii, Morini, Nervii, Paemani, Veliocasses, and Viromandui, along with some unnamed Germanic units on the western side of the Rhine.

The Battle of the (River) Axona (the modern Aisne in north-eastern France) witnessed the beginning of the end of the Belgic confederation in its fight against Rome

Caesar encourages his ally, Diviciacus of the Aeduii, to attack the Bellovaci and divert part of the Belgic forces. The remaining Belgae march en masse against the Romans, attacking the Remi town of Bibrax along the way.

Rather than face such a large force with a reputation for uncommon bravery, Caesar elects to isolate them in groups using his cavalry. As part of the Battle of the Axona, the Bellovaci are cut down in large numbers before breaking off. The next day, Caesar leads his army into the territories of the Suessiones, to capture the town of Noviodunum.

With this victory, the Suessiones surrender and Caesar deals with the other Belgic tribes one by one, accepting their surrender or defeating them in battle during the course of a single campaigning season. With this action, northern Gaul has been brought under Roman domination.

This Celtic defeat probably results in a certain level of migration. Britain is still a land of free Celtic tribes, many of which are still closely linked to their cousins in the Belgic and Gaulish territories, so it is likely that many fleeing Suessiones go there. This would be the best explanation for the many Gallo-Belgic F coins which are in circulation in Britain during this period, mostly in coastal sites which are easy for Suessiones emigrants to reach.

By the end of the first century BC and the start of the first century AD, British politics often came to the attention of Rome, and the borders of the tribal states of the south-east were pretty well known (click or tap on map to view full sized)

52 BC

While Caesar is tied down in Rome, the Gauls begin their revolt, resolving to die in freedom rather than be suppressed by the invaders. The Carnutes take the lead under Cotuatus and Conetodunus when they kill the Roman traders who have settled in Genabum.

News of the event reaches the Arverni that morning, and Vercingetorix summons his people to arms. His cavalry subsequently routed in battle, he withdraws in good order to Alesia, a major fort which belongs to the Mandubii. The remaining cavalry are dispatched back to their tribes to bring reinforcements. Caesar begins a siege of Alesia, aiming on starving out the inhabitants.

Four relief forces amounting to a considerable number of men and horses are assembled in the territory of the Aeduii by the council of the Gaulish nobility. Amongst those who are demanded from the tribes of Gaul are five thousand each from the Ambiani, Mediomatrici, Morini, Nervii, Nitiobroges, Petrocorii, and Suessiones and their various clients (including the Meldi and the Silvanecti).

The site of Alesia, a major fort belonging to the Mandubii tribe of Celts, was the scene of the final desperate stand-off between Rome and the Gauls in 52 BC

Together they attempt to relieve Vercingetorix at the siege of Alesia, but the combined relief force is soundly repulsed by Julius Caesar. Seeing that all is lost, Vercingetorix surrenders to Caesar. The garrison is taken prisoner, as are the survivors from the relief army.

They are either sold into slavery or given as booty to Caesar's legionaries, apart from the Aeduii and Arverni warriors who are released and pardoned in order to secure the allegiance of these important and powerful tribes.

With this action, all of Gaul has been brought under Roman domination, and the history of its population of Celts and Aquitani is tied to that of the emerging Roman empire.

Organising the various tribes of Gaul into a unified resistance took some doing, but Vercingetorix of the Arverni appears to have held a level of authority which made him a leader not to be refused, and thousands of warriors flocked to join him

5th century AD

The Gauls are far too immersed in Roman culture for their tribal system to re-emerge during the gradual fading of imperial authority. Roman government in the area which is centred on Soissons is maintained from AD 418.

Even so, the region is becoming increasingly isolated from Italy and surrounded by Frankish states to the north and east and the Visigoth kingdom to the south. It briefly survives the fall of the Roman empire as the domain of Soissons.