Gellicum

Gellicum was a Roman settlement in Germania Inferior, located on the Lower Rhine. Its precise location is debated, but it is generally believed to be near the modern-day village of Gelikum, part of Jüchen, Germany, between Cologne and Nijmegen.

Gellicum is mentioned in the Antonine Itinerary, a Roman register of roads and cities, as a station on the road connecting Colonia Agrippina (Cologne) with Noviomagus Batavorum (Nijmegen). The Itinerary places Gellicum 16 Leugae (approximately 35.5 km or 22 miles) from Colonia Agrippina.

Archaeological finds in the area support the existence of a Roman presence, suggesting that Gellicum was a significant point along this important Roman road. While Gellicum was likely a relatively small settlement, its strategic location meant it served as a rest stop, trading post, and potentially a military outpost. Evidence suggests the presence of a mansio, a type of Roman road station offering lodging and services to travelers.

The name "Gellicum" is believed to be of Celtic origin, indicating pre-Roman inhabitation of the area. The Roman settlement likely built upon an existing Celtic village.

The history of Gellicum largely fades after the Roman period. Its importance diminished as trade routes shifted and the Roman Empire declined. The modern-day Gelikum retains the Roman name in its etymology, serving as a reminder of the area's Roman past.