Geography

​After the Helvetii, the Sequani and the Mediomatrici inhabit the Rhine, among whom the Tribochi, a Germanic tribe which crossed over from their own territory, are settled. In the territory of the Sequani is Mount Iurassus, which divides the Helvetii and the Sequani. Now, above the Helvetii and the Sequani, the Aedui and the Lingones live toward the west, and above the Mediomatrici live the Leuci and a certain part of the Lingones. As for the tribes between the Liger and the Sequanas rivers, which are beyond the Rhodanus and the Arar, they lie adjacent on the north to both the Allobroges and the people around Lugdunum. Of these, the most famous is that of the Arverni and that of the Carnutes, through both of whose territories the Liger is carried and issues into the ocean. The passage across to Britain from the rivers of Celtic land is three hundred and twenty stadia; for setting sail in the evening at the ebb of the tide, they land on the island on the following day about the eighth hour. After the Mediomatrici and the Tribochi, the Treveri dwell along the Rhine, in whose territory the bridge has been built by the Romans who are currently conducting the Germanic war. Across the river, opposite this place, used to dwell the Ubii, whom Agrippa transferred, with their consent, to the land on this side of the Rhine. Adjacent to the Treveri are the Nervii, and this too is a Germanic tribe; and last of all are the Menapii, who dwell near the mouths on both sides of the river, in marshes and forests of timber not tall, but dense and thorny. Opposite them are settled the Sugambri, who are Germans. And above this entire river region lie the Germans called Suebi, who surpass the others in power and numbers, and those driven out by them have now taken refuge in the country on this side of the Rhine. And others hold sway in other places, and inherit the embers of war when the former are successively destroyed.

​To the west of the Treveri and the Nervii dwell the Senones and the Remi, and also the Atrebates and the Eburones. Adjacent to the Menapii, along the sea, are the Morini, the Bellovaci, the Ambiani, the Suessiones, and the Caleti, as far as the mouth of the Sequanas river. The country of the Morini, as well as that of the Atrebates and the Eburones, is similar to that of the Menapii. For there is a forest of trees not tall, extensive indeed, but not so large as the historians have stated, namely four thousand stadia; and they call it Arduenna. And in time of war, by weaving together the supple branches of the bramble-like bushes, they used to block the passages. In some places they also drove in stakes, while they themselves, with their whole households, sank into the depths, having small islands in the marshes. Thus in rainy seasons they had secure retreats, but in droughts they were easily captured. But now all the tribes on this side of the Rhine, being at peace, obey the Romans. And around the Sequanas river are also the Parisii, who have an island in the river and a city, Lucotocia, and the Meldi and the Lexovii, the latter bordering on the ocean. But the most noteworthy of the tribes in this region is that of the Remi, and their metropolis, Duricortora, is most populous and receives the Roman governors.