Ambicatus

Ambicatus or Ambicatus is mentioned in the founding legend of Mediolanum (Milan) by Livy, [Livius, "Ab Urbe condita" 5.34-35.3.] whose source is Timagenes, as a "king" of the Bituriges, "kings of the world" as their name suggests, who ruled over the Celts in Gaul, between Hispania and Germany, in the days of Tarquinius Priscus. Ambicatus sent his sister's sons, Bellovesus and Segovesus, ["The names Ambigatus, the very wise, Segovesus, having knowledge of victory, and Bellovesus are poetical names," Richard Wellington Husband observed, in "Kelts and Ligurians" "Classical Philology" 6.4 (October 1911), pp. 385-401.] with many followers drawn from numerous tribes [Bituriges, and the surrounding Arverni, Senones, Aedui, Ambarri, Carnutes and Aulerci, are noted by Livy.] , to found new colonies in the Hercynian forest and in northern Italy, in the early sixth century BC. Bellovesus founded Mediolanum. If Ambicatus was an authentic historical figure, rather than a construct to express the linked origins of Celtic tribes in northern Italy and beyond the Alps ["The diffusion of the Ambicatus legend would help to preserve unity by recalling the mythic greatness of the past," J.A. McCulloch remarked, in "The Religion of the Ancient Celts" (1911), ch.II, pp 19ff.] most likely he was the leader of the most powerful tribe in a military alliance, from which the Celtic colonizers of Italy were apparently drawn.

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References

# cite book
last = Smith
first = William
authorlink = William Smith (lexicographer)
title = Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology
publisher = Little, Brown, and Company
date = 1870
location = Boston
pages = 138
** [http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0147.html On-line text]