Bibracte - Etymology

Etymology

The origin of the word Bibracte is still poorly understood. The term may have come from the Celtic *bibro- / *bebro- (beaver) followed by the collective suffix -akti (cf. Irish, Gallic aktā) or from the Latin biffractrus (twice fortified). The latter version, however, is less certain, more from a strategic view than from a historical one. In fact, it is very difficult to protect a battlement over a long distance, and using a double battlement is therefore not justified. Furthermore, the surrounding wall of the city has shrunk since dating methods made it possible to show the precedence of the outer battlements compared to the inner battlements (see the map). The stone facing of the outer surrounding wall, moreover, was certainly reused for the construction of the second wall. Therefore, it is not certain that Bibracte had two surrounding walls at the same time.

Another explanation could come from three inscriptions dedicated to the goddess Bibracte which were found at Autun in the 17th century. Unfortunately, two of the inscriptions carved into the stone have disappeared; the third, engraved on a brass medallion, has been the object of debate as to its authenticity. In fact, the old disagreements over the location of Bibracte may have led some scholars of the era to fabricate evidence to justify placing the Aeduian oppidum on the site of Autun (the former Augustodunum), which was effectively the capital of the Aedui in the 1st century. At all events, the mystery of the origins of Bibracte remains.