Sequani

The Sequani were a Gallic tribe dwelling in the region of modern-day Franche-Comté, France, during the Roman period. Their territory was bordered by the Jura Mountains to the east, separating them from the Helvetii, and by the Saône River to the west and north.

Their chief town was Vesontio (modern Besançon), which was strategically important due to its location on a bend of the Doubs River. The Sequani were often in conflict with their neighbors, particularly the Aedui, another powerful Gallic tribe.

In the early 1st century BC, the Sequani, under the leadership of their chieftain Catamandus, sought assistance from the Germanic chieftain Ariovistus to defeat the Aedui. Ariovistus and his Suebi crossed the Rhine and decisively defeated the Aedui. However, Ariovistus then settled in Gaul and began demanding land from the Sequani, effectively becoming a threat to them as well.

This ultimately led the Sequani to seek help from Julius Caesar. Caesar intervened in Gaul, defeating Ariovistus in 58 BC. While the Sequani were initially liberated from Ariovistus's control, they ultimately fell under Roman domination as Caesar expanded his influence in Gaul.

During the Gallic Wars, the Sequani were initially compliant with Roman rule. However, they later joined the Gallic rebellion led by Vercingetorix in 52 BC. Following the defeat of the rebellion, the Sequani were fully integrated into the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. Their territory was later incorporated into the province of Maxima Sequanorum. The name "Sequani" is preserved in the modern French region of Franche-Comté, historically known as the County of Burgundy.