Autonomy, martial culture and empire in eastern Gaul during the first century c.e .: The case of the Helvetians

Abstract Thanks to the rich findings of Swiss archaeological practice, Tacitus’ narrative for the violent encounter between the Vitellian army and the Helvetians in 69 c.e. ( Hist. 1.67–9) can fruitfully be embedded in different material contexts from the late first century b.c.e. and the early first century c.e. (funerary practice, numismatic finds, military architecture, consumption, social relations). The resulting picture is that of the Helvetian civitas as a political community endowed with autonomy and state-like capacities within the Roman empire: militaria are the index of local militarism rather than auxiliary service. This model might be applied more widely within the western provinces and the Roman empire in general.