bga_720312 - GALLIA - LEMOVICES (Area of Limoges) Drachme de billon au carnyx, tête à gauche

GALLIA - LEMOVICES (Area of Limoges)

(2nd - 1st century BC)

Celtic people who left their name in Limoges and Limousin. The origin of its name comes once again from lemo or limo which can be translated as elm. Skilled traders, specialized in export, they were perhaps the secret allies of the Romans which could explain Caesar's silence on this people who nevertheless extended their power to the Atlantic coasts. Nevertheless, Caesar estimates at ten thousand men the Lemovice contingent sent against him to clear Alesia in 52 BC. After the conquest, from 50 BC, Caesar would have installed several Roman camps on the Lemovice territory in order to be able to monitor the Arvernian territory. Caesar (BG. VII, 4, 75, 88). Strabo (G. IV, 2, 2).