Agri Decumates
Agri Decumates refers to a historical region located in southwestern Germany, positioned between the upper Rhine and upper Danube rivers. The area's name is believed to derive from a Celtic word meaning "ten," possibly reflecting its early occupation by a tribal confederation of ten cantons. Initially inhabited by the Celtic Helvetii tribe around 200 BC, the region later came under the control of the Germanic Suebi tribe. The Romans annexed Agri Decumates during the Flavian period, particularly under the emperors Vespasian and Domitian, to improve military communication between their forces stationed along the Rhine and Danube rivers.
The region featured strategic frontier fortifications and played a significant role in the Roman Empire's military operations. However, it faced challenges, including invasions from the Alamanni tribe and internal strife, leading to its evacuation by Emperor Gallienus around 259-260 AD. Although there were attempts at reoccupation during the reign of Aurelian, any regained control was likely short-lived. This complex historical narrative highlights the region's significance in the context of Roman military strategy and tribal movements in ancient Europe.
Subject Terms
Agri Decumates
The name given to the region of southwestern Germany forming a reentrant or `duck's beak’ (Württemberg, Baden and Hohenzollern) between the upper Rhine and upper Danube
The name, Decumates (to which the only classical reference is in Tacitus' Germania) probably derives from a pre-Roman term. Its meaning, however, was forgotten, and has subsequently been much disputed; the most probable suggestion is that it translates a Celtic word meaning `ten’ and indicating early occupation by a tribe consisting of ten cantons. The area was at one time occupied by the Celtic tribe of the Helvetii, which immigrated gradually about 200 BC. Subsequently it passed into the hands of the German tribe of the Suebi, and after their departure for Bohemia (Boiohaemum) soon after 9 BC was populated by homeless Gauls. The Romans gradually annexed the region in the Flavian period, particularly under Vespasian and Domitian between 74 and 98, in order to shorten communications between the Rhine and Danube armies; it was linked with the provinces of Upper Germany and Raetia, possessing frontier fortifications that extended along the line Rheinbrohl-Arnsburg-Inheiden- Schierenhof-Gunzenhausen-Pförring. However, the Agri Decumates were evacuated by Gallienus (c 259–60), in the face of invasions by the German tribal group of the Alamanni and of secession by the western usurper Postumus on the Rhine. It is possible that part of the territory was recovered by Aurelian (270–75), but if so this reoccupation was only temporary.