Eburovices


The Eburovices, Aulerci Eburovices or Eburovici were a Gallic tribe, a branch of the Aulerci. They are mentioned by Julius Caesar with the Lexovii. Pliny speaks of the Aulerci, qui cognominantur Eburovices, et qui Cenomani. Ptolemy makes the Αὐλέρκοι Ἐβουραϊκοί extend from the Ligeris to the Sequana, which is not true. Their chief place was Mediolanum Aulercorum. Their limits correspond to those of the later diocese of Évreux, and they are north of the Carnutes.

Name

They are mentioned as Aulerci Eburovices by Caesar, as Aulerci qui cognominantur Eburovices by Pliny, and as Au̓lírkioioi̔ E̓bourouikoì by Ptolemy.
The name Eburovices stems from Gaulish eburos attached to the suffix -uices, ultimately from Proto-Celtic *eburos. It means 'those who vanquish by the yew', in reference to the wood used to make bows or lances.
The city of Évreux, attested as civitas Ebroicorum around 400 CE, is named after the tribe.

Religion

In a sanctuary at Le Vieil-Évreux was found a votive altar with a dedication to a deus Gisacos.