French 3 History Notes

Les Druides

Priests, philosophers, doctors, and judges in ancient Gaul; included women.

La Gaule

Ancient region corresponding to modern France, larger but less populated.

Vercingétorix

A young Gallic chief from the tribe of Auvergne who tried to unite the Gauls against Caesar.

Menhirs

Standing stones that may have functioned as a solar calendar.

Dolmens

Tombs made of horizontal stones placed atop standing stones.

Pax Romana

Period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire lasting about 500 years.

Gallo-Romains

Gauls who adopted Roman ways, language, and culture after Roman conquest.

Druidism

Religion of the Gauls that worshipped nature and involved three categories: ritual officiators, poets, and doctors.

Les batailles gauloises

Conflicts between the Gauls and Romans, notably the Gallic Wars from 58-51 A.J.C.

Lutèce

Ancient name for the modern city of Paris.

Le coq

Symbol associated with Vercingétorix, considered the first recorded French name.

Rites de la Gathering de Mistletoe

Ceremony where priests dressed in white cut mistletoe from oak trees.

Les villages lacustres

Villages built on stilts by lakes, often engaged in fishing, weaving, and mining.

Les Vestiges de l'homme préhistorique

Historical remains including cave paintings influenced by hunting activities.

Calédonia

A name used by the Romans to refer to the territory of modern Scotland.

Aqueducs

Structures built by the Romans to transport water from mountain sources to cities.

La conquête de la Gaule

Roman conquest of Gaul led by Caesar, significantly expanding the Roman Empire.

César

Jules César, chief of the Romans who invaded Gaul around 58 A.J.C.

Les Gaulois

The Celtic tribes living in Gaul, known for their brave and conversational nature.

Géographie de la Gaule

Covered with vast forests, lacking roads, characterized by numerous tribes.

Dialecte gaulois

Spoken language of the Gauls before the Latin influence from the Romans.

La religion romaine

Religion adopted by Gallo-Romains which eventually transitioned to Christianity.

La conquête romaine de Gaule

A complex military campaign that resulted in the deaths of a million Gauls and the enslavement of another million.