Page 49
CHAP. X. Gaule called Celtica, Aquitanica, and Belgica, the principall parts thereof, to∣gether with the shapes and manners of the people, are described.
IN auncient times, when these parts lay hidden as barbarous, thought they were to have beene three sorts of people, divided into the Celtae, (who are the same that the Galli) into the Acquitani, and the Belgi, all different in language, orders, and lawes. And verily the Gaules, who also are the Celts, the river * 1.1 Garumna severeth from the * 1.2 Acquitances: which ri∣ver springing from the Pyrenaean hils, after it hath passed by many a towne, hideth himselfe within the Ocean. The same nation also is seperated from the Belgae, by * 1.3 Matrona and * 1.4 Sequana, rivers of a * 1.5 duple bignesse; which running through the province * 1.6 Lugdunensis, after they have enclosed and compassed round about in manner of an Island, a castle of the Parisij, named * 1.7 Lutetia, meet in one channell, and keeping on their joynt course together forward, neere unto * 1.8 Castra Constan∣tia, fall into the sea. Of all these nations, the Belgae had the name in auncient wri∣ters to be most valiant, for that being farre remooved from a civile kind of life and behaviour, and not made effeminate with daintie delights brought in unto them, they warred a long time with the Germanes beyond Rhene. For the Acquitanes, (unto whose coasts, as being next at hand, and peaceable, marchandise used to be brought from other parts) after they fell once in their demeanor and carriage to be delicate, were soone brought under the Romanes dominion. Now, the whole countrey of Gaule, ever since that they were driven by so many urgent warres to yeeld unto Iulius Dictator, hath beene ruled by a * 1.9 government divided into foure parts. Whereof Narbonensis the first, contained within it Viennensis and Lugdu∣nensis: the second, had the rule wholly of the Acquitanes: as for the upper and lower Germanie, together with the Belgae, two jurisdictions governed at the same time. But now are reckoned within the whole circuit of Gaule, these provinces, to wit, the second Germanie, beginning first at the West coast, fortified with * 1.10 A∣grippina and * 1.11 Tungri, great cities and wealthie: then, the first Germanie; where besides other free townes or boroughes; is * 1.12 Magontiacus, * 1.13 Vangiones also, the * 1.14 Nemetes and * 1.15 Argentoratus, renowmed for the overthrowes and defeatures of the Barbarians. After this, the first Belgica hath in the frontiers thereof * 1.16 Medio∣matrici and * 1.17 Treviri, famous for the Emperours resiance there. To this adjoineth the second Belgica, wherein stand * 1.18 Ambiano, an eminent citie among others, * 1.19 Ca∣thelauni also, and * 1.20 Rhemi. Among the * 1.21 Sequani, I have seene * 1.22 Bisontij and * 1.23 Rauraci, of greater note and estate than many other townes. As for Lugdunen∣sis the first, adorned it is with * 1.24 Lugdunus, * 1.25 Cabillones, * 1.26 Senones, * 1.27 Biturigae, and * 1.28 Augustudunum, of note for mightie and auncient wals. For * 1.29 Rothomagi make shew of the second Lugdunensis, & * 1.30 Turini, of * 1.31 Mediolanum: also the Tricastini, the Alpes both Graię and Poeninę besides more obscure towns, have * 1.32 Aventicum also, a citie verily now desolate and forsaken, but of no base account in times past, as appeareth even at this day by the buildings decayed and halfe downe. These I say are the goodly provinces and cities of Gaule. In Aquitania, that lieth toward the mountaines Pyrenaei, and that part of the Ocean which reacheth unto Spaine, is the first province Acquitanica, very well inhabited and beautified with faire and great cities; but letting many others goe by, * 1.33 Burdegala and * 1.34 Averni doe passe;