Orgetorix

An example of the Orgetorix coins minted among the Helvetii during the time of Orgetorix's magistracy, when he was preparing the state for migration but his conspiracy was yet undiscovered. Orgetorix is spelled ORCHTIRIX, with the C for G and the H for E.

Orgetorix was a wealthy aristocrat among the Helvetii, a Celtic-speaking people residing in what is now Switzerland during the consulship of Julius Caesar of the Roman Republic. In 61 BC he convinced the Helvetians to attempt to migrate from Helvetian territory to south-western Gaul (modern-day France). He was also party to a clandestine arrangement with Dumnorix of the Aedui and Casticus of the Sequani to seize control of their respective tribes by arms and between them rule most of Gaul. The conspiracy was denounced, Orgetorix was called to a hearing in chains before the government of the Helvetii, he arrived with a small army, and was released but died mysteriously, a rumored suicide. The Helvetians went on with their plans for migration but were defeated in 58 BC and returned by Julius Caesar. This incident was the beginning of the Gallic War in which Caesar subjugated the Celts of Europe.

Etymology

Julius Pokorny segments the name [P]orgeto-rix, where the first element contains Gallic orge, "kill,", related to Old Irish orcaid, "kill," from the Indo-European root *per-g-, "to hit."^[1] The second element is manifestly Celtic rīx, "king:" "warrior-king," which does not imply that the owner of the name is necessarily a legal ruler. Although Orgetorix had aspirations in that direction, he was not one.

Social position

Plan for migration

The effort came by way of marital exchange and individual alliances among some of the young nobles from all three tribes.

Conspiracy

Trial

Rivals among the Helvetii discovered Orgetorix's illegal plot and moved to put him on trial, with the penalty of death by burning if found guilty. Assisting his efforts to avoid that fate, Orgetorix had meanwhile acquired a significant personal retinue in addition to having called up an army of more than 10,000 men at arms in addition to their mobilized clients, followers and dependents.

Death

As the Helvetii, Aeduii and Sequanii all strained at their respective councils and halls, amid much stress and lament, Orgetorix was murdered in his encampment.

Notes

1. ^ Pokorny, Julius (2005) [1959]. "per-3, per-g-". indogermanisches etymologisches woerterbuch. Leiden: Leiden University, the IEED-project. pp. 818–819. http://www.indoeuropean.nl/cgi-bin/startq.cgi?flags=endnnnl&root=leiden&basename=%5Cdata%5Cie%5Cpokorny. 

Bibliography

• Julius Caesar, Commentarii de Bello Gallico 1.2
• Dio Cassius, Roman History 38.31
• Orosius, Seven Books of History Against the Pagans 6.7

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This European biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Helvetii Gallic rulers 1st-century BC European rulers Ancient Gauls European people stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную? Lyudmila Putina Derendingen, Switzerland Look at other dictionaries: Orgetorix — (keltisch König der Totschläger; † 60 v. Chr.) war ein bedeutender und reicher Adliger des Stammes der gallischen Helvetier. Angeblich wollte er sich zum König aufschwingen und ganz Gallien erobern. Einer Verantwortung vor dem Stammesgericht… …   Deutsch Wikipedia Orgetorix — Orgétorix Orgétorix était le chef des Helvètes lorsqu ils décidèrent de migrer d Helvétie (auj. Suisse) vers la Saintonge (en Gaule). Il souhaitait, comme d autres nobles gaulois, rétablir un pouvoir monarchique dans son pays. Pour réaliser ses… …   Wikipédia en Français Orgétorix — était le chef des Helvètes lorsque ceux ci décidèrent, en 61 avant J. C., de migrer d Helvétie (Plateau suisse) vers la Saintonge (au sud ouest de la Gaule). Il souhaitait, comme d autres nobles gaulois, rétablir un pouvoir monarchique dans son… …   Wikipédia en Français Orgétorix — fue un rico helvecio del siglo I a.C que convenció a sus compatriotas para invadir la Galia el año 61 a. C. Para conseguirlo más fácilmente, formó una liga con el sécuano Cástico y con el heduo Dúmnorix, incitándoles a que se hiciesen… …   Wikipedia Español Orgetŏrix — Orgetŏrix, vornehmer Helvetier zu Cäsars Zeit, veranlaßte 61 v. Chr. die Auswanderung seines Volkes nach Gallien, wahrscheinlich aus ehrgeizigen Absichten, u. ermordete sich selbst, als sein Plan verrathen wurde u. scheiterte; s.u. Gallischer… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon Orgetŏrix — Orgetŏrix, s. Helvetier …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon Orgetorix — Orgetorix,   vornehmer Helvetier, ✝ 60 v. Chr.; betrieb 61 v. Chr. die Auswanderung seines Volkes nach Gallien und beabsichtigte wohl die Gründung eines gemeinkeltischen Königtums. Sein plötzlicher Tod und die Niederlage der Helvetier bei… …   Universal-Lexikon ORGETORIX — apud Helvetios, longe nobilissimus et ditissimus fuit, regni cupiditate inductus, coniurationem nobilitatis fecit, de Gallia occupanda, cuius rei accusatus mortem sibi conscivit. Ceterum omnia nomina Gallica, quae Caesar in X. terminat, apud… …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale Orgetorix — /awr jet euh riks/, n. fl. c60 B.C., Helvetian chieftain. * * * …   Universalium Orgetorix — /ɔˈdʒɛtərɪks/ (say aw jetuhriks) noun fl. c. 60 BC Helvetian chieftain …   18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”