Cauci
Encyclopedia
The Cauci were a people of early Ireland, uniquely documented in Ptolemy
's 2nd-century Geography, which locates them roughly in the region of modern County Dublin
and County Wicklow
. From the early 19th century, comparative linguists, notably Lorenz Diefenbach
, identified the Cauci with the Germanic Chauci
of the Low Countries and north-western Germany, a parallel already drawn by earlier antiquarian scholarship. Proponents of this view also pointed to the fact that the Manapii (Μανάπιοι), who in Ptolemy's map border the Cauci to the south, likewise bear a name that is almost identical to that of another continental tribe, the Belgic Menapii
in north-eastern Gaul. This correspondence appeared to testify to population movements between the two regions. The linguistic aspect of this hypothesis was most recently (1917) developed by Julius Pokorny
, although the Cauci-Chauci association is not universally accepted. This early scholarship also drew attention to apparent parallels among Celtic or Celticized peoples of the Iberian peninsula
, specifically a leader of the Lusitani named Kaukainos (Καυκαῖνος), and a city called Kauka (Καύκα) (modern Coca
), inhabited by Kaukaioi (Καυκαῖοι), among the Vaccaei, a prominent Celtiberian
people. With regard to possible descendants of the Irish Cauci, Pokorny and Ó Briain respectively favoured the obscure medieval septs of Uí Cuaich and Cuachraige, though in neither case has a connection been demonstrated.
Ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy , was a Roman citizen of Egypt who wrote in Greek. He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule, and is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the...
's 2nd-century Geography, which locates them roughly in the region of modern County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
and County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
. From the early 19th century, comparative linguists, notably Lorenz Diefenbach
Lorenz Diefenbach
Georg Anton Lorenz Diefenbach was a German philologist and lexicographer, as well as a novelist associated with the German Nationalist movement. By career he was a pastor, like his father, and a librarian.-Biography:He was 12 years pastor and librarian at Solms-Laubach...
, identified the Cauci with the Germanic Chauci
Chauci
The Chauci were an ancient Germanic tribe living in the low-lying region between the Rivers Ems and Elbe, on both sides of the Weser and ranging as far inland as the upper Weser. Along the coast they lived on artificial hills called terpen, built high enough to remain dry during the highest tide...
of the Low Countries and north-western Germany, a parallel already drawn by earlier antiquarian scholarship. Proponents of this view also pointed to the fact that the Manapii (Μανάπιοι), who in Ptolemy's map border the Cauci to the south, likewise bear a name that is almost identical to that of another continental tribe, the Belgic Menapii
Menapii
The Menapii were a Belgic tribe of northern Gaul in pre-Roman and Roman times. Their territory according to Strabo, Caesar and Ptolemy stretched from the mouth of the Rhine in the north, and southwards along the west of the Schelde. Their civitas under the Roman empire was Cassel , near Thérouanne...
in north-eastern Gaul. This correspondence appeared to testify to population movements between the two regions. The linguistic aspect of this hypothesis was most recently (1917) developed by Julius Pokorny
Julius Pokorny
Julius Pokorny was an Austrian linguist and scholar of the Celtic languages, particularly Irish, and a supporter of Irish nationalism. He held academic posts in Austrian and German universities.-Life:...
, although the Cauci-Chauci association is not universally accepted. This early scholarship also drew attention to apparent parallels among Celtic or Celticized peoples of the Iberian peninsula
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
, specifically a leader of the Lusitani named Kaukainos (Καυκαῖνος), and a city called Kauka (Καύκα) (modern Coca
Coca, Segovia
Coca is a municipality in the province of Segovia, central Spain, part of the autonomous community of Castile-Leon. It is located 50 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital city of Segovia, and 60 kilometres from Valladolid. Coca is known for its 15th Century Mudéjar castle...
), inhabited by Kaukaioi (Καυκαῖοι), among the Vaccaei, a prominent Celtiberian
Celtiberians
The Celtiberians were Celtic-speaking people of the Iberian Peninsula in the final centuries BC. The group used the Celtic Celtiberian language.Archaeologically, the Celtiberians participated in the Hallstatt culture in what is now north-central Spain...
people. With regard to possible descendants of the Irish Cauci, Pokorny and Ó Briain respectively favoured the obscure medieval septs of Uí Cuaich and Cuachraige, though in neither case has a connection been demonstrated.