Helvetii

Territory: Helvetia, on the South-West side of the Rhine (modern Switzerland) Tribal (Roman) Capital: Aventicum

The Helvetii occupied the territory between the Alps and the Jura Mountains, corresponding roughly to the western part of modern Switzerland

In the first century BCE, the Helvetii, under their chieftain Orgetorix and under pressure from various Teutonic tribes, planned to migrate from the Alps to the western part of Gaul. In order to make such a move, the Helvetii would have to march not only through Roman controlled territory, but also through that of the Roman-allied Aedui tribe.

Before they marched, however, Orgetorix died. This didn’t stop the plans to migrate. Several other local tribes joined the Helvetii, making the entire force among the largest and most powerful in all of Gaul. Caesar mentions in his De Bello Gallico that nearly 370,000 tribesmen were gathered, of which about 260,000 were women and children. Before leaving, the Helvetii burned everything they couldn’t take with them so that they could not turn back.

Tribes in Gaul feared that the Helvetii would plunder everything in their path as they went, instead of just traveling through as they proposed. Without question, Caesar opposed the idea of the immigration.

In 58 BCE, lured into a poorly matched battle with the Romans taking the high ground near the Aedui capital of Bibracte, the Helvetii were attacked by six Roman legions. Nearly 60% of the tribe was killed and another 20% captured as slaves. In all, nearly 260,000 people including a great many women and children, were reportedly killed.The remainder of the Helvetii were driven back into Helvetia.

10,000 Helvetii joined Vercingetorix's forces in his attempt to liberate Gaul in 52 BCE.

The Romans founded the province of Helvetia in current Switzerland in 15 BCE and Helvetia was a peaceful and prosperous region for many years.

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