Bibracte

An Iron Age Gallic town and oppidum in central France. It was the capital of the Aedui tribe at the time of Caesar and the site where he defeated the Helvetii tribe, the climax of his first campaign in Gaul (58 BC). Augustus moved the inhabitants to his new town Augustodunum (Autun), about 30 km away, in 12 BC. Excavations in the 19th century revealed remains of both the Iron age settlement and the Roman period, including a large temple, houses, and metalworking workshops. Imported objects such as coins, amphorae, black and red glaze pottery dating to before the Roman conquest have been found, indicating that Bibracte was a major trading and production center in the late Iron Age.

[modem Mont Beuvray]. An Iron Age oppidum near Bourges in central France. The site of Mont Beuvray has been clearly identified as Bibracte, capital of the Aedui tribe before the foundation of Augustodunum (Autun) some 30 km away c5 bc. Bibracte is known from Caesar’s account as a major Aeduan stronghold and scene of one of the fiercest battles against him. Led by Vercingétorix, the defenders held on for 27 days before the town was captured and the inhabitants slaughtered by the Romans. The ramparts were of murus gallicus type and run for nearly five km around the hilltop. Excavations in the 19th century revealed remains of both the Iron Age settlement and of the Roman period, including a large temple, houses and metal-working workshops. As well as local products, many imported objects were found, dating to before the Roman conquest — coins, amphorae, ‘Campanian’ black glaze and Arretine red glaze pottery — and it is clear that Bibracte was a major trading and production centre in the late Iron Age.