The Bergalei were a Gallic tribe dwelling in the Val Bregaglia during the Iron Age and the Roman period.

Name

The ethnic name Bergalei appears to derive from the Gaulish stem for 'mountain, mount', *berga-. It has been translated as the 'highland people'.[1]

Geography

The Bergalei lived in the Val Bregaglia, near the settlements of Clavenna (Chiavenna) and Murus (Bondo).[2][3] Their territory was located north of the Aneuniates, south of the Suanetes, west of the Rugusci.[3]

After their subjugation by Rome in 15 BC, they were integrated into the province of Raetia.[2]

History

They are mentioned during the reign of Claudius (41–54) in the context of an old dispute with the people of Comum.[4][2]

Culture

The Bergalei were not part of the Raeti. Two votive inscriptions dedicated to the god Mercurius Cissonius attest of a Celtic influence.[2]

References

  1. ^ de Bernardo Stempel 2008, p. 106.
  2. ^ a b c d Frei-Stolba 2002.
  3. ^ a b Talbert 2000, Map 19: Raetia.
  4. ^ Frezouls 1981, p. 241.

Bibliography