ARVERNI

ancient Celtic tribe inhabiting what is now the region of Auvergne, in central France; their chieftain Vercingetorix (q.v.) led a rebellion against Julius Caesar in 52 BC. Although rivalry between Arverni and Aedui for Gallic primacy weakened their coalition, the rebels were able to defeat Caesar at the Arverni capital, Gergovia (modern Gergovie), before Vercingetorix surrendered to the Romans. Under the empire the tribe was peaceful and prosperous. Their capital was moved to the new Roman city of Augustonemetum (modern Clermont-Ferrand).