HELVETII, a Celtic people, whose original home was situated in the country between the Hercynian forest, the Rhine, and the Main. In Caesar's time their boundaries were the Jura on the W., the Rhone and the lake of Geneva on the S., the Rhine as far as Lake Constance on the N. and E. They thus in habited the western part of modern Switzerland. They were divided into four cantons (pagi), common affairs being managed by the cantonal assemblies. They possessed the elements of a higher civilization (gold coinage and the Greek alphabet), and, according to Caesar, were the bravest people of Gaul. The re ports of gold and plunder spread by the Cimbri and Teutones (qq.v.) on their way to southern Gaul induced the Helvetii to follow their example. In 107 B.C., two of their tribes, the Tougeni and Tigurini, crossed the Jura and defeated the Romans under L. Cassius Longinus. In 102 B.C., the Helvetii joined the Cimbri in the invasion of Italy, but after the defeat of the latter by Mar ius they returned home. In 58 B.C., hard pressed by the Germans and incited by one of their princes, Orgetorix, they resolved to found a new home west of the Jura. Joined by the Rauraci, Tulingi, Latobrigi, and some of the Boii they agreed to meet at Geneva and to advance through the territory of the Allobroges. They were overtaken by Caesar at Bibracte, defeated and forced to submit.
Under Augustus, Helvetia (ager Helvetiorum) proper was included under Gallia Belgica. Two Roman colonies were founded at Noviodunum (Nyon) and at Augusta Rauracorum (Angst near Basel) to keep watch over the inhabitants, who were treated with generosity by their conquerors. Under the name of foederati they retained their original constitution and division into four cantons. They were under an obligation to furnish a contingent to the Roman army for foreign service, but were allowed to maintain garrisons of their own, and their magistrates had the right to call out a militia; they managed their own local affairs and kept their own language, although Latin was used officially. Their chief towns were Aventicum (Avenches) and Vindonissa (Windisch). Under Tiberius, the Helvetii were separated from Gallia Belgica and made part of Germania Superior. After the death of Galba (A.D. 69), as they refused submission to Vitellius their land was devastated by Alienus Caecina. Under Vespasian, they attained the height of their prosperity. He greatly increased the importance of Aventicum, where his father had carried on business. Its inhabitants obtained the ins Latinum, had a council of decuriones, flamens of Augustus, etc. (see MUNICIPIUM). After the extension of the eastern frontier, the troops were withdrawn, and Helvetia became completely romanized. Aventicum had an amphitheatre, a public gymnasium, and an academy with Roman professors. Roads were made wherever possible, and commerce rapidly developed. The west of the country was more susceptible to Roman influence, and hence preserved its independence against barbarian invaders longer than its eastern portion. During the reign of Gallienus (A.D. 260-268) the Alamanni overran the country and it never regained its former prosperity. Under Hon orius (A.D. it was occupied by the Alamanni, except in the west, where the small portion remaining to the Romans was ceded in A.D. 436 by Aetius to the Burgundians.