LATOBRIGI
Eth.
LATOBRIGI When the Helvetii determined to leave their country (B.C. 58), they persuaded “the Rauraci, and Tulingi and Latobrigi, who were their neighbours, to adopt the same resolution, and after burning their towns and villages to join their expedition.” (
Caes. Gal. 1.5.)
The number of the Tulingi was 36,000; and of the Latobrigi 14,000. (
B. G. 1.29.)
As there is no place for the Tulingi and Latobrigi within the limits of Gallia, we must look east of the Rhine for their country. Walckenaer (
Géog. &c., vol. i. p. 559) supposes, or rather considers it certain, that the Tulingi were in the district of
Thiengen and
Stühlingen in
Baden, and the Latobrigi about
Donaueschingen, where the
Briggach and the
Bregge join the Danube.
This opinion is founded on resemblance of names, and on the fact that these two tribes must have been east of the Rhine. If the Latobrigi were Celtae, the name of the people may denote a position on a river, for the Celtic word “brig” is a ford or the passage of a river. If the Latobrigi were a Germanic people, then the word “brig” ought to, have some modern name corresponding to it, and Walckenaer finds this correspondence in the name
Bruyge, a small place on the
Bregge. [
G.L]
