#rhaetia

[historyfiles]

Brigantii: the tribe occupied a large swathe of the northern Alpine region, in an area which was known by Strabo as Cispadane Gaul, and which was confirmed as Rhaetia by Pliny the Elder.

Kingdoms of the Continental Celts - Brigantii

Coverage of the various historical cultures, rulers, and states of Europe

[ancient-rome-au]

Over on r/AskHistorians, I came across this top-notch answer to a question about an incredibly obscure event in the history of the Ostrogothic Kingdom. I am sharing it here because it really brings this period to life, and I strongly recommend you the whole thing.

[ask--bayern-blog]

Introducing Rhaetia!

Rhaetia was an ancient roman province and the biological mother to Bavaria, and as born around 800 BCE. 

Rheatia was regarded as one of the most warlike and aggressive of the Alpine tribes. And the origins of the Rhaetians is unknown, but it is speculated that the people were driven out from the Gauls in the south and named after their leader, Raetus. A more realistic name for the area however, is derived from rait, “mountain land.” in celtic, and since the Rheatians were mostly celtic in nature and culture it’s one of the more believed theories. 

Rhaetia actually remained independent until 15 Bc, when she was taken over that same year by the Romans. Rhae was more of a buffer state than an actual rich and fertile one. The mountains in the region protected the empire from the most convenient  invasion routes. During her time as a province, Rhaetia became heavily romanized. The old Celtic gods were forgotten and Roman deities were worshiped, and the economy flourished.  Because she was a frontier state, her borders changed constantly in response to Germanic pressure in the north. The border was moved north of the Danube to the Neckar River in the 1st century (AD), but in the 3rd century invasions by German tribes forced the western and northern boundaries to be pulled back. By 450 Rome controlled only the Alpine regions of Rhaetia. 

The economy of Rhaetia was good for its mountainous terrain. In the few foothills their were, agriculture flourished and vine yards were of high demand, these vine yards in Rhaetia produced such great wine, it was considered equal to anything Italy would produce, and emperor Augustus actually stated her preferred Rhaetian wine to any other.

Vindelecia to the west was her lover, and Marie’s biological father. They actually married and merged together in around the 1st century.

Rhaetia herself was a somewhat loud and obnoxious women. She had an air of Aplomb around her at all times, and was eager to fight anyone when provoked. She had many kids, just like lovers, but always gave it her all. Hell, anything she did Rhae gave her all in. Despite her warlike tendencies she had a knack for hiking and tending to the grape fields in the few scattered foothills. 

Sadly she died around the 5th century, and left her Daughter Marie all by herself :(

[ask--bayern-blog]

Do you remember your mother at all? what was she like?

She was a strong woman…both physically and mentally. I don’t remember much about her though…When I came along she was…How do you say… “Romes’ Bitch”. 

She’d do anything for him. Her downfall was depending too much on him, and she fell when he did.

[argakyan]

The province of Rhaetia or Raetia in the Roman Empire, according to Gustav Droysen, superimposed onto modern day Google Maps

(source for map data: "Germanien" in "Gustav Droysens Allgemeiner historischer Handatlas - in 96 Karten mit erläuterndem Text", Gustav Droysen, Velhagen & Klasing, 1886)