Bellovaci

The Bellovaci were a Belgic people who inhabited the region roughly corresponding to the modern French department of Oise. They were a prominent tribe among the Gallic confederations and were known for their military strength and independence. Their territory was located to the north of the Parisii and to the west of the Nervii.

During the Gallic Wars, the Bellovaci played a significant role in resisting Julius Caesar's expansion into Gaul. Initially, they remained neutral in the early stages of the conflict, but they eventually joined the larger Gallic revolt led by Vercingetorix. In 52 BCE, the Bellovaci, under the command of their chieftain Correus, contributed a substantial force to the Gallic army. They participated in the siege of Alesia, a pivotal battle where the Gallic forces were ultimately defeated by the Romans.

After the Roman conquest, the Bellovaci were incorporated into the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. While their military power was broken, their territory continued to be an important region within the Roman Empire. Archaeological evidence suggests that they maintained a distinct identity for some time, with their settlements and burial practices showing continuity with pre-Roman traditions. The exact fate of the Bellovaci as a distinct tribal entity after Romanization is not precisely known, but they gradually assimilated into the broader Gallo-Roman culture. Their name is preserved in the city of Beauvais (Bellovacum), which was their principal settlement.