The rutheni, the gallic tribe of Rodez

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> A Short History of Aveyron

The Rutheni, the Gallic tribe of Rodez the Ancestors of the Aveyronnaise.

The inhabitants of Rodez derived their name from the Rutheni tribe and are called the Ruthenois. They were responsible for stability which lasted for 2500 years. Between the VIII and VI centuries B.C. these wild warriors with their hair the colour of fire, colonised the area which is now Aveyron. Undoubtedly, the country was hospitable then as now.

These inhabitants settled and established themselves and grew with their environment in strength in hilltop fortresses on high ground called oppida.
Examples of this inhabitation are the fortified town of Rodez called the Segodunum and that of Larzac. The most surprising thing is that the populated areas did not change over the ages in spite of many wars.

Within the same borders the ³Pagus Rutenicus² became the diocese then the county of Rodez.

Only the revolutionaries in 1790 changed the name from Rouergue to Aveyron. The static population which stayed within the original borders is largely responsible for the Aveyronnaise character which is so attached to it¹s area. The Rutenes were one of the largest and most powerful of the Gallic tribes.

They were allied to the Avernes, the tribe of Vercingetorix.

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