The Bracari or Callaeci Bracari were an ancient Celtic tribe of Gallaecia , living in the northwest of modern Portugal , in the province of Minho , between the rivers Tâmega and Cávado . After the conquest of the region beginning in 136BC, the Romans established the Augustan citadel of Bracara , modern Braga , in 20 BC.
10-820: Neighbouring this people or tribe, to the south were the Gallaeci Proper or Callaeci (that gave the name to the larger tribal confederation of the same name - the Gallaeci ) and the Narbasi , to the north were the Luanci , Nebisoci and Seurbi , to the east were the Nemetati and the Lubaini , to the west were the Atlantic coast. It is possible that the Celtic Nemetati were an allied tribe of
20-750: A surprise attack on the Roman camp. The goddess Nabia was very popular in the territory of the Callaici Bracari with several inscriptions, like the one at Braga's Fonte do Ídolo (Portuguese for Fountain of the Idol). This article about an ethnic group in Europe is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about Portuguese history is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Gallaeci (Proper) The Gallaeci or Callaeci were an ancient Celtic tribe of Gallaecia , living in
30-560: The Bracari . Appian wrote they were a very warlike people. According to him, The Bracari women warriors fought defending their town "never turning, never showing their backs or uttering a cry." It has long been known that they spoke a Celtic language , as can be seen in the inscription dedicated to the goddess Nabia at Braga's Fonte do Ídolo ( Portuguese for the Fountain of the Idol ), or in
40-683: The Turduli Veteres , a tribe part of the Turduli , and to their southeast (south of the Douro river ) were the Paesuri , a tribe part of the Lusitanians and to their west was the Atlantic coast. Their territory was in a strategic position at the low course of the Douro river , because land and maritime routes, including trade routes , crossed their territory between the north and the south or vice versa, and from
50-561: The 1st century, the Citânia de Briteiros was one of their main citadels and seat of the "consilium gentis". Cividade de Terroso , near the Ave river mouth, shows archaeological signs of the Roman siege and conquest. It was suggested that Citânia de Briteiros could be ancient Cinania . However, this is not certain, as there were other citadels nearby, including Citânia de Sanfins . It is known that Cinania had luxuries and an iron ore mine, used for
60-629: The Gallaeci. Culturally, the Gallaeci were part of the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age Castro Culture . Neighbouring this tribe to the north were the Bracari and the Narbasi , to the northeast the Narbasi and some of the Nemetati , and to the east (low valley of the Tâmega river ) were the Tongobrigenses , all of which were also Gallaecian tribes. To the south (south of the Douro river ) were
70-480: The east to the west or vice versa. Roman general Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus conquered their land and founded the Roman city Portus Cale (today's Porto or Oporto city) in approximately 136 BC based on or close to an older Celtic village and fortress (a Castro ) that was on the top of a hill on the north bank of the Douro river , close to its mouth or estuary but more to the inland. The Place Name ( Toponym ) Portus Cale would later give rise to
80-483: The name Portugal (the country). This article about an ethnic group in Europe is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about Portuguese history is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Narbasi The Narbasi were an ancient Celtic tribe of Gallaecia , living in the province of Minho (north of modern Portugal ) and nearby areas of modern Galicia (Spain) . This article about an ethnic group in Europe
90-543: The name of their town Tongobriga (in Marco de Canaveses ). The region was home to some native and notable citadels that fiercely resisted Roman rule and were besieged by the Romans. These were Lambriaca , Avobriga , and Cinania . Lambriaca and Avobriga were located near the coast, probably near the river mouth of the Ave river where some citadels ruins are known. At the beginning of
100-604: The northwest of modern Portugal , roughly in today's western half of the Porto District , from the west of the Tâmega river valley to the Atlantic coast in the west and north of the Douro river . The Greek name of the tribe was Kallaikoi . A large tribal confederation (the Gallaeci ) in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula and the region of Gallaecia (roughly today's Galicia and Northern Portugal , and also included Asturias and part of León ) are named after
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