The Atrebates or Atrébates are one of the Gallic peoples, their name literally means "the inhabitants". They lived in Atrébatie corresponding approximately to Artois. Their capital Nemetocenna became Arras, "the country, the land belonging to the sanctuary".
The Atrebates according to Julius Caesar
In the Gallic Wars, Julius Caesar related the Atrebates to the Belgian tribes originating from Germania who invaded the northern territories of Gaul between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC. It is likely that it was during one of these population movements that the Atrebates settled in the region of Arras, where they founded a city:Nemetocenna. They correspond archaeologically to the Danubian Celts. They descend from these Celtic peoples on the move in the 3rd century BC, while having aggregated with the pre-existing Celtic substrate.
Julius Caesar mentions the Atrebates for the first time by telling us about a contingent of 15,000 warriors made available to a Belgian coalition. During the Battle of the Sabis in 57, the Atrebates, associated with the Nervians and the Viromanduians faced the Roman legions. They are defeated by the left wing of the Roman army held by the 9th and 10th legions.
After this setback, the period that follows is marked by the cooperation of the Atrebates in the projects of Julius Caesar, who finds an effective ally in the person of Communus. Appointed as king of the Atrebates in 55, he was sent by Julius Caesar to Brittany to convince the southern tribes to submit to the Roman people. Julius Caesar exempts the Atrebates, for having acquitted themselves to the best of this mission, from the tribute levied on the conquered populations and restores to them their laws and their institutions.
But during the general uprising of 52, Comnius took up the cause of the Gallic party, which earned him the victim of an assassination attempt sponsored by the tribune Titus Labienus, lieutenant of Julius Caesar. At the head of 4,000 of his warriors, Comnius goes to Alesia to support Vercingetorix in his fight for independence. This attempt, as well as the coalition with Bellovaque Correus will fail and Comnius will have to take refuge in Germania. This rally will result in the installation of Roman troops in Atrebatia to guard against possible local rebellions and control this newly acquired territory.
The Atrebates of Brittany
Following the conquest of Gaul by C. Julius Caesar, a new king, Commius, was installed at the head of the Gallic Atrebate tribe (see above). Caesar's emissary, he was sent to Brittany for the first time in 52, and joined different tribes there.
After the revolt led by Vercingetorix, in which he took part, Commius fled to Brittany. Thanks to the coins he issued from his capital Calleva, present-day Silchester, we deduce that he founded a new kingdom there, around 40.
After him, his three sons will successively share power:Tincomarus jointly with his father first, then over the northern half of the kingdom, while Eppillus takes the southern half, and finally Verica, around 10 AD.
The Atrebate kingdom will be conquered by the Catuvellauni, neighbor to the northeast (their capital was Verulamium, current St Albans), and their king Caratacus. It is possible that Verica's exile to Rome was among the motives for the Roman conquest.
After the conquest, the Atrebate territory will be included in the kingdom of Cogidubnus, between 43 and around 80. It is estimated that it is around this date that the city will pass to the stage of municipium.