tribal confederation · France and the Low Countries

Arverni

300 BCE – 51 BCE (approx.) · capital Gergovia

Leading people of central Gaul, rulers of the Auvergne, whose noble Vercingetorix united Gaul against Caesar in 52 BCE.

Origins

The Arverni held the volcanic uplands and the fertile Limagne plain of the Auvergne. By the 2nd century BCE they dominated much of southern and central Gaul. Their king Luernios was remembered by Greek writers for scattering gold and silver to his followers, and his son Bituitus led a vast army against Rome.

Rule and society

Their power rested on a network of client peoples, such as the Gabali, Vellavi and Cadurci, and on great oppida like Corent and Gergovia, which imported Italian wine on a huge scale. After the defeat of Bituitus kingship was abolished, and Celtillus, father of Vercingetorix, was put to death for seeking to restore it.

Decline and legacy

Bituitus was defeated by the Roman Republic in 121 BCE. In 52 BCE Vercingetorix raised Gaul in revolt and repulsed Caesar at Gergovia, but surrendered at Alesia and was later executed in Rome. The Arverni were treated leniently, and their Roman capital Augustonemetum grew into Clermont-Ferrand.

Connections (4)

  • Cadurci was a vassal of Arverni300 BCE – 52 BCE
  • Gabali was a vassal of Arverni300 BCE – 52 BCE
  • Vellavi was a vassal of Arverni300 BCE – 52 BCE
  • Arverni was conquered by Roman Republic52 BCE – 51 BCE

More states of France and the Low Countries →

Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Arverni. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/arverni
MLA
“Arverni.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/arverni. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Arverni.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/arverni.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Arverni’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/arverni (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻