Elusates

Elusates were an ancient Gallic tribe who inhabited the region of Gascony in southwestern France. Their territory was situated between the Garonne River and the Pyrenees Mountains. Historical records, primarily from Roman sources, indicate their presence during the late Iron Age and Roman period. The name "Elusates" itself is believed to be derived from the Celtic word for "thistle," possibly referring to the flora of their homeland.

The main settlement of the Elusates was the city of Elusa, which is now the modern town of Eauze in the Gers department of France. Elusa served as their principal oppidum and later became a significant Roman center. Evidence suggests that the Elusates were primarily an agricultural people, with their economy likely based on farming and animal husbandry. They were also known to be involved in trade within the wider Gallic network.

Like many Gallic tribes, the Elusates were eventually incorporated into the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. They are mentioned in Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War, where they are listed among the tribes that submitted to Roman authority. Under Roman rule, Elusa flourished as a regional administrative and economic hub, part of the larger province of Aquitania. The Elusates maintained their distinct identity for a time, but over centuries, their culture and language were gradually assimilated into the Gallo-Roman civilization. Their legacy is primarily understood through archaeological findings and scattered historical references.