union. The people were not all of one stock. A short dark
race, probably akin to the Iberians or Ligurians, were still spread
over a wide area, but were dominant only in the South-West,
under the general name of Aquitani, between the Garonne and
the Pyrenees. The ruling race of central Gaul, the Galli proper,
were known as Celtae, and belonged to the stock now called
Celtic. In the far North were a number of tribes, known by the
general name of Belgae, probably in the main Celtic, but said to
be partly German. The name Kελτοὶ or Celtae was sometimes
used of Germans as well as of Gauls. Caesar distinguished the
two, but both races are described as fair and tall.

523. Some tribes were much more civilized than others.
Roman traders were now doing business beyond their own
frontier, and the influence of Massalia had been felt for centuries.
Barges plied on the rivers. The Belgic tribes were in general
ruder and more warlike than those more to the South. Most of
the Gaulish tribes were now ruled by an aristocratic caste of
nobles or 'knights,' and presided over by a yearly magistrate;
but a few seem to have been still under chiefs or 'kings.' Wealth
was generally in few hands, and the rich kept bands of retainers,
and competed for power. As in Asia Minor, and as formerly in
Italy, the typical Gaul was lively impatient fickle boastful and
fond of display. The golden collar of the Gaulish noble was
one of the forms in which the precious metal was hoarded.
A mysterious religion pervaded the country, strengthening the
resistance to foreign invaders, but apparently unable to create a
national spirit and promote union. The priestly class, the Druids,
had considerable power. The rites included human sacrifices,
the dogmas the belief in the immortality and transmigration of
souls. As the Gaulish tribes lacked political cohesion, and were
loth to make sacrifices in a common cause, so their military
efficiency was greatly impaired by the lack of discipline and
willingness to obey. The bravery of Gauls was undoubted, and
Gaulish mercenaries had served for centuries in many lands.
Hundreds of thousands had perished in the service of Carthage
alone. But in their own country, under their own institutions,
though able to place great forces in the field, they could not
produce an army. Previous victories over the Roman legions
in the South had been due to the mismanagement of Roman
generals.

-405-