- Ambicatus
Ambicatus or Ambicatus is mentioned in the founding legend of
Mediolanum (Milan ) byLivy , [Livius, "Ab Urbe condita " 5.34-35.3.] whose source isTimagenes , as a "king" of theBituriges , "kings of the world" as their name suggests, who ruled over theCelts inGaul , betweenHispania and Germany, in the days ofTarquinius 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 surroundingArverni ,Senones ,Aedui ,Ambarri ,Carnutes andAulerci , are noted by Livy.] , to found new colonies in theHercynian 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 ofCelt ic 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.Notes
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]
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