CONDIVICNUM
CONDIVICNUM or (
Κονδιουίγκον) CONDIVINCUM, according to Ptolemy (
2.8), was the name of the capital of the Nannetes or Namnetes, a Celtic people on the lower
Loire, and on the north side.
The name appears to be compounded of the Celtic word
Cond and another name.
The town of
Nantes represents Condivicnum.
The old town of
Nantes was nearly comprised in the angle formed by the junction of the
Erdre with the
Loire. Condivicnum was known to the Romans at an early period.
[p. 1.655]Among several Roman inscriptions found there, one, if it is rightly copied, contains the name of the emperor Tib. Claudius Caesar; and another contains the name of Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Caesar (
Caes. Gal. 3.9) built ships on the Loire for his war with the Veneti; and if there was a town on the site of
Nantes in his time, his ships passed it in their way down the Loire.
There was a Roman road from Limonum (
Poitiers) to
Nantes, which in the Table is named Portu Namnetu.
There was also a road along the north bank of the Loire from Juliomagus (
Angers) to
Nantes. A Roman road ran from
Nantes NW. through Dariorigum (
Vannes) to Gesocribate (
Brest). All these routes determine the position of the Portus Namnetum, and show that it was of importance. Parts of the Roman road between
Nantes and
Vannes are said to be well preserved.
[
G.L]
