Ambiani Celts, Somme, Gaul. Gallo-Belgic type E BC 58-50

Obverse: concave blank
Reverse: Highly stylized horse

Seaby 11, FR 1, VA 524


The Belgae would seem to be an eastern branch of Celts who migrated to the Atlantic coast some time after their Gaulish cousins had already established themselves to the south. Their dialect probably used a 'b' or a 'v' sound where their western cousins in Gaul used a 'w' sound, opening up different interpretations for their names. The Ambiani name is formed from the proto-Celtic *ambi- which is a preposition for 'around'. In Latin this is 'ambitus', meaning border, edge, extent or going around, circuit. So the Ambiani would probably be the 'people of the border'. The name has connotations similar to that of the Marcomanni.

The tribe lived along the lower reaches of the Somme, with a capital at Samarobriva (modern Amiens, which still bears the tribe's name). The name breaks down into 'briwa' ('briva' in Latin), meaning a bridge. 'Samaros' is probably the old name of the River Somme, so the name of the capital means 'Somme bridge'. The tribe was well known for their ability to mint coins. A large amount of middle second century BC coinage (Gallo-Belgic A) that has been attributed to the Ambiani tribe has been discovered in parts of southern Britain, mostly areas occupied by a tribe or group that was itself specifically called Belgae. While this may be due only to trading connections, it may also be due to Ambiani settlers in the territory.