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{{Short description|Ancient Germanic tribe}}
[[File:Continental.coast.150AD.Germanic.peoples.jpg|frameless|240px|right]]
The '''Chauci''' were an ancient [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribe]] living in the low-lying region between the Rivers [[Ems (river)|Ems]] and [[Elbe]], on both sides of the [[Weser]] and ranging as far inland as the upper Weser. Along the coast they lived on artificial mounds called ''[[Artificial dwelling hill|terpen]]'', built high enough to remain dry during the highest tide. A dense population of Chauci lived further inland, and they are presumed to have lived in a manner similar to the lives of the other Germanic peoples of the region.

Their ultimate origins are not well understood. In the [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] pre-[[Migration Period]] (i.e., before {{circa|300&nbsp;AD}}) the Chauci and the related [[Frisii|Frisians]], [[Saxons]], and [[Angles (tribe)|Angles]] inhabited the [[Continental Europe|Continental]] European coast from the [[Zuiderzee|Zuyder Zee]] to south [[Jutland]].<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=14}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''. Haywood uses the term 'North German' to distinguish them from the 'Rhine Germans' (the Caninnefates, Batavians, and "Frankish" tribes).</ref> All of these peoples shared a common material culture, and so cannot be defined archaeologically.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=17–19}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''. Haywood cites Todd's ''The Northern Barbarians 100 BC&ndash;AD 300'' (1987) for this conclusion.</ref> The Chauci originally centered on the Weser and Elbe, but in {{circa|AD&nbsp;58}} they expanded to the River Ems by expelling the neighboring [[Ampsivarii]],<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=253–254}}, ''The Annals'', Bk XIII, Ch 55. Events of AD 54&ndash;58. The Germans under [[Arminius]] had wiped out 3 Roman legions under [[Publius Quinctilius Varus|Varus]] at the [[Battle of the Teutoburg Forest]]. The Ampsivarii had not supported the German cause and had been ostracised as a result. Many years later, c. AD 58, the Chauci then took the opportunity to expel them and occupy their land at the mouth of the [[Ems (river)|River Ems]].</ref><ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=17–19}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''. Haywood cites Tacitus as well as a number of other sources.</ref> whereby they gained a border with the Frisians to the west. The Romans referred to the Chauci living between the Weser and Elbe as the 'Greater Chauci' and those living between the Ems and Weser as the 'Lesser Chauci'.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=355}}, ''The Annals'', Translator's note on Bk XI, Ch 19.</ref>

The Chauci entered the historical record in descriptions of them by classical Roman sources late in the first century BC in the context of Roman military campaigns and sea raiding. For the next 200 years the Chauci provided Roman auxiliaries through treaty obligations, but they also appear in their own right in concert with other Germanic tribes, opposing the Romans. Accounts of wars therefore mention the Chauci on both sides of the conflict, though the actions of troops under treaty obligation were separate from the policies of the tribe.

The Chauci lost their separate identity in the third century when they merged with the Saxons,<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=28}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''.</ref> after which time they were considered to be [[Saxons]]. The circumstances of the merger are an unsettled issue of scholarly research.

==Society and life==
[[File:Hallig Hooge 2005.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Terpen on [[Hooge, Germany|hallig Hooge]]]]
The Germans of the region were not strongly hierarchical. This had been noted by [[Tacitus]], for example when he mentioned the names of two kings of the first century [[Frisii|Frisians]] and added that they were kings "as far as the Germans are under kings".<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=253}}, ''The Annals'', Bk XIII, Ch 54. Events of AD 54&ndash;58.</ref> Haywood (''Dark Age Naval Power'', 1999) says the Chauci were originally neither highly centralised nor highly stratified, though they became more so after 100&nbsp;AD.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=19–20}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''. The referenced footnote notes that the Chauci heartland between the Elbe and Weser contained huge cremation cemeteries with a uniform range of poor quality grave goods. In the second century aristocratic cemeteries with rich grave goods appear.</ref>  [[Barbara Yorke]], speaking of the fifth century, describes the 'Continental Saxons' (which then included the Chauci) as having powerful local families and a dominant military leader.<ref>{{Citation
|last=Yorke
|first=Barbara
|author-link=Barbara Yorke
|year=2006
|editor-last=Robbins
|editor-first=Keith
|contribution=
|title=The Conversion of Britain: Religion, Politics and Society in Britain c.600&ndash;800
|publisher=Pearson Education Limited
|publication-date=2006
|publication-place=Harlow
|page=59
|isbn=978-0-582-77292-2
}}</ref>

Writing in AD&nbsp;79, [[Pliny the Elder]] said that the Germanic tribes were members of separate groups of people, suggesting a distinction among them. He said that the Chauci, [[Cimbri]] and [[Teutons|Teutoni]]&mdash;the people from the River Ems through [[Jutland]] and for some distance inland&mdash;were members of a group called [[Ingaevones]] (a "Cimbri" people were also given as members of a different group, and this is likely a different people).<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Pliny the Elder 79a|pp=346–347}}, ''Natural History'', Bk IV, Ch 28: Germany. A footnote suggests that the two references to the Cimbri in two different groups were not references to the same people.</ref>

[[Tacitus]], writing in AD&nbsp;98, described the inland, non-coastal Chauci homeland as immense, densely populated, and well-stocked with horses. He was effusive in his praise of their [[ethos|character as a people]], saying that they were the noblest of the Germans, preferring justice to violence, being neither aggressive nor predatory, but militarily capable and always prepared for war if the need arose.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|98|pp=61–62}}, ''The Germany'', XXXV.</ref>

Pliny (AD&nbsp;23&ndash;79) had visited the coastal region and described the Chauci who lived there. He said that they were "wretched natives" living on a barren coast in small cottages (or huts) on hilltops, or on mounds of turf built high enough to stay dry during the highest tide (i.e., ''[[Artificial dwelling hill|terpen]]''). They fished for food, and unlike their neighbors (i.e., those living inland, away from the coast) they had no cattle, and had nothing to drink except rainwater caught in ditches. They used a type of dried mud (i.e., "surface [[peat]]") as fuel for cooking and heating. He also mentioned their spirit of independence, saying that even though they had nothing of value, they would deeply resent any attempt to conquer them.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Pliny the Elder 79b|pp=339}}, ''Natural History'', Bk XVI, Ch I: Countries that have no trees. Pliny also notes that the Chauci lived between the Rivers Ems and Elbe.</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Classical Roman history==
The record is incomplete. The bulk of historical information about the Chauci is from the ''[[Annals (Tacitus)|Annals]]'' of [[Tacitus]], written in 117. Many parts of his works have not survived, including an entire section covering the years AD&nbsp;38&ndash;46, as well as the years after AD&nbsp;69.

The earliest mention of the Chauci is from 12&nbsp;BC and suggests that they were assisting other Germanic tribes in a war against the [[Roman Empire|Romans]]. [[Nero Claudius Drusus|Drusus]] campaigned against those Germans along the lower Rhine, and after devastating the lands west and north of the Rhine he won over (or defeated or intimidated) the [[Frisii|Frisians]]. He was in the process of attacking the Chauci when his vessels were trapped by an [[Tide|ebb tide]]. Drusus gave up the attack and withdrew.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Cassius Dio|229|pp=365}}, ''Roman History'', Bk LIV, Ch 32.</ref>

===Aftermath of Teutoburg Forest, c. 15===
The Germans under [[Arminius]] had destroyed 3 [[Roman legion]]s under [[Publius Quinctilius Varus|Varus]] at the [[Battle of the Teutoburg Forest]] in AD&nbsp;9. The Romans recoiled at first but then [[Germanicus]] initiated destructive campaigns against those Germans whom the Romans blamed for their defeat. The Chauci were not among them, and were said to have promised aid, and were associated with the Romans in "military fellowship".<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=30}}, ''The Annals'', Bk I, Ch 60. Events of AD 15&ndash;16.</ref> However, in defeating Arminius' own tribe (the [[Cherusci]]) the Romans were unable to capture or kill Arminius, who escaped. There were Chauci among the Roman auxiliaries, and they were rumored to have allowed the escape.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=48}}, ''The Annals'', Bk II, Ch 17. Events of AD 16&ndash;19</ref> In one of the campaigns a Roman fleet (probably riverine, not ocean-going) was broken up by a storm, causing many casualties. Germanicus himself managed to survive by reaching the lands of the Chauci, who provided him with a safe haven.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=50}}, ''The Annals'', Bk II, Ch 24. Events of AD 16&ndash;19.</ref> Germanicus' campaigns  had resulted in recovery of two of three Aquila lost in the [[Battle of the Teutoburg Forest]] defeat; the third legionary standard was recovered in AD&nbsp;41 by Publius Gabinius from the Chauci during the reign of [[Claudius]], brother of Germanicus.<ref>[[Cassius Dio]], [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/60*.html#8 ''Roman History'' Book LX, Chapter 8]</ref>

A parenthetical note concerns the [[Ampsivarii]]. They had not supported the German cause led by Arminius in 9&nbsp;AD and had been ostracized as a result. The Chauci had suffered no such disaffection from the other Germanic tribes in the aftermath of Teutoburg Forest, nor had they alienated the Romans. Many years later, {{circa|AD&nbsp;58}}, the Chauci seized upon an opportunity to expel the Ampsivarii and occupy their lands at the mouth of the [[Ems (river)|River Ems]], whereby they gained a border with the Frisians to the west.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=253–254}}, ''The Annals'', Bk XIII, Ch 55. Events of AD 54&ndash;58.</ref>

===Roman war against Gannascus, c. 47===
[[File:Roemerschiff1.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Reconstruction of a fluvial boat of the [[Classis Germanica]] (Rhine flotilla) in the first century AD.]]
In AD&nbsp;47 (and perhaps for some time earlier), the Chauci along with the Frisians were led by a certain [[Gannascus]] of the [[Cananefates|Canninefates]]. They raided along the then-wealthy coast of [[Gallia Belgica]] (i.e., the land south of the [[Rhine]] and north of the Rivers [[Marne (river)|Marne]] and [[Seine]]), and the Chauci made inroads into the region that would later become the neighbouring Roman province of [[Germania Inferior]], in the area of the Rhine delta in what is now the southern Netherlands.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=189}}, ''The Annals'', Bk XI, Ch 18&ndash;19. Events of AD 47&ndash;48.</ref>

[[Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo|Corbulo]] was made the local Roman military commander. He successfully engaged the Germans on both land<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=400}}, ''The Annals'', Bk XVI, Ch 17. Events of 65&ndash;66 (Rome and Parthia&mdash;Campaigns of Corbulo in the East). Tacitus makes the parenthetical comment that Corbulo had driven the Chauci out of the provinces of Lower Germany which they had invaded in AD 47.</ref> and water, occupied the Rhine with his [[trireme]]s and sent his smaller vessels up the estuaries and canals. The Germanic flotilla was destroyed in a naval engagement, Gannascus was driven out, and Frisian territory was forcibly occupied.

A negotiation between the Romans and Gannascus was arranged under the auspices of the 'Greater Chauci', which the Romans used as an opportunity to assassinate their opponent. The Chauci were outraged by the act of [[bad faith]], so the emperor [[Claudius]] forbade further attacks on the Germans in an effort to ease tensions, and the Romans withdrew to the Rhine.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|117|pp=190}}, ''The Annals'', Bk XI, Ch 18&ndash;19. Events of AD 47&ndash;48.</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Batavian Revolt, c. 69===
In AD&nbsp;69 the [[Batavi (Germanic tribe)|Batavi]] and other tribes rose against Roman rule in the [[Revolt of the Batavi]], becoming a general uprising by all the Germans in the region. Led by [[Gaius Julius Civilis|Civilis]], they inflicted huge casualties on the Romans, including the destruction of a Roman fleet by a Germanic one off the [[North Sea]] coast.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=22–23}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''.</ref>  Led by [[Quintus Petillius Cerialis|Cerialis]], the Romans gave as good as they had gotten, ultimately forcing a humiliating peace on the Batavi and stationing a legion on their territory.

Both the Chauci and the Frisians had auxiliaries serving under the Romans, and in a siege and assault by Civilis at ''Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensis'' (at modern [[Cologne]]), a [[cohort (military unit)|cohort]] of Chauci and Frisians had been trapped and burned.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|105|pp=7}}, ''The Histories'', Translator's Summary of Chief Events.</ref><ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|105|pp=193}}, ''The Histories'', Bk IV, Ch 79.</ref> The Chauci had supported  Civilis in their own name, providing him with reinforcements.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|105|pp=222}}, ''The Histories'', Bk V, Ch 19. A footnote makes reference to "Cp IV.79".</ref>

==Sea raiding==
The Chauci were one of the most prominent early Germanic sea raiders.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=15}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''.</ref> They are probable participants in the Germanic flotilla that was destroyed by [[Nero Claudius Drusus|Drusus]] in 12&nbsp;BC. They were raiding the coasts of Roman [[Gallia Belgica|Belgica]] in AD&nbsp;41,<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=21}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''.</ref> long before they participated in further raids of the same coasts under Gannascus in AD&nbsp;47. It is likely that their raiding was endemic over the years, as the few surviving accounts probably do not reflect all occurrences. [[Tacitus]] describes the Chauci as 'peaceful' in his ''[[Germania (book)|Germania]]'' (AD&nbsp;98), but this is in a passage describing the non-coastal, inland Chauci,<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus|98|pp=61–62}}, ''The Germany'', XXXV.</ref> whereas sea raiders are necessarily a coastal people.

By the late second century Chauci raiding was ongoing and more serious than before, continuing in the [[English Channel]] until their last recorded raids {{circa|170}}&ndash;175.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=28}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''.</ref> While there are no historical sources to inform us one way or the other, it is likely that the Chauci continued their raiding and then played a role in the formation of the new Germanic powers, the [[Franks]] and [[Saxons]] who were raiders in the third century.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=24}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''.</ref>

There is archaeological evidence of destruction by raiders between 170&ndash;200, ranging along the Continental coast down to the [[Bay of Biscay]], to northwest [[Belgica]] (e.g., fire destruction at [[Amiens]], [[Thérouanne]], [[Vendeuil-Caply]], [[Beauvais]], [[Bavai]], [[Tournai]], and [[Arras]]), to coastal Britain (e.g., fire destruction at the [[Essex]] sites of [[Chelmsford]], [[Billericay]], [[Gestingthorpe]], [[Braintree, Essex|Braintree]], [[Wickford]], [[Kelvedon]], [[Great Chesterford]], and [[Harlow]]). The perpetrators are unknown, but Chauci raiders are among the prime suspects.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=24–25}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''.</ref>

The Romans responded with defensive measures. [[Caistor-by-Norwich]], Chelmsford and [[Forum Hadriani]] (present day [[Voorburg]]) (the ''[[civitas]]'' of the [[Cananefates|Canninefates]] near [[The Hague]]) were all fortified {{circa|200}}, and the Romans began a defensive system of protection especially along the coasts of Britain and the Continent. This system would be continually maintained and improved upon, which the Romans would not have done unless there was a continuing threat to be addressed. The system would continue to evolve through the disappearance of Chauci raiders and their replacement by the Frankish and Saxon ones, up to the end of the fourth century. By then it would be known as the [[Saxon Shore]], a name given it by the ''[[Notitia Dignitatum]]''.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Haywood|1999|pp=24–28}}, ''Dark Age Naval Power''.</ref>

A passage written by [[Zosimus (historian)|Zosimus]] has been interpreted as one of the last mentions of the Chauci, and one where they are specifically mentioned as a Saxon group; but it depends upon whether we can equate them with the "Kouadoi" in Zosimus's Greek, a name he had apparently used wrongly.<ref>{{Citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=77MOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA42|title=Dark Age Naval Power: A Re-Assessment of Frankish and Anglo-Saxon Seafaring ...|first=John |last=Haywood|date=January 1991|page=42|publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780415063746}}</ref> [[Julian (emperor)|Julian]] fought against Saxons and Franks, including the Salians, but then allowed the Salians "descended from the Franks" to settle in [[Toxandria]] in 358. According to Zosimus, this happened in response to an attack from the sea by the "Kouadoi" Saxons which affected both Romans and Salians, who had been living in the river delta.<ref>Zosimus ''Nova Historia'' [http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/zosimus03_book3.htm Book III]</ref> The "Kouadoi" in this passage are however most commonly believed to be [[Chamavi]] (which is what they are called in accounts of the same incidents by [[Eunapius]]).

==In literature==
''[[Beowulf]]'' is an [[Old English language|Old English]] [[heroic poetry|heroic poem]] where the hero (Beowulf) engages in battles with antagonists. Set in [[Scandza|long-ago Scandinavia]], it makes frequent references to the peoples who are a part of the story, and efforts have been made to connect those peoples with peoples mentioned in ancient historical records. The "Hugas" of the poem are said to be a reference to the Chauci.<ref>{{Citation
|last=Lumsden
|first=H. W.
|year=1881
|contribution=The Fire Drake (Part III)
|contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6F8CAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA77
|title=Beowulf, An Old English Poem, translated into modern rhymes
|publisher=C. Kegan Paul & Co.
|publication-date=1881
|publication-place=London
|page=77
}}
</ref>

==See also==
*[[Cauci]]
*[[List of Germanic peoples]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Citation
|last=Cassius Dio
|author-link=Cassius Dio
|year=229
|translator-last=Cary
|translator-first=Earnest
|title=Dio's Roman History
|volume=VI
|publisher=William Heinemann
|publication-date=1917
|publication-place=London
|pages=
|isbn=9780674990920
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wa5fAAAAMAAJ
}}
*{{Citation
|last=Haywood
|first=John
|year=1999
|title=Dark Age Naval Power: Frankish & Anglo-Saxon Seafaring Activity
|edition=revised
|publisher=Anglo-Saxon Books
|publication-date=1999
|publication-place=Frithgarth
|isbn=1-898281-43-2
}}
*{{Citation
|last=Pliny the Elder
|author-link=Pliny the Elder
|ref={{harvid|Pliny the Elder 79a}}
|orig-date=79
|editor1-last=Bostock
|editor1-link=John Bostock (physician)
|editor1-first=John
|editor2-last=Riley
|editor2-first=H. T.
|editor2-link=Henry Thomas Riley
|title=The Natural History of Pliny
|volume=I
|publisher=Henry G. Bohn
|isbn=9780598910738
|publication-date=1855
|publication-place=London
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VzwZAAAAYAAJ
}}
*{{Citation
|last=Pliny the Elder
|author-link=Pliny the Elder
|ref={{harvid|Pliny the Elder 79b}}
|orig-date=79
|editor1-last=Bostock
|editor1-first=John
|editor2-last=Riley
|editor2-first=H. T.
|title=The Natural History of Pliny
|volume=III
|publisher=George Bell and Sons
|publication-date=1892
|publication-place=London
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-XNiAAAAMAAJ
}}
*{{Citation
|last=Schmitz
|first=Leonhard
|year=1853
|editor-last=Smith
|editor-first=William
|contribution=CHAUCI
|contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kIsUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA605
|title=A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography
|volume=I
|publisher=John Murray
|publication-date=1872
|publication-place=London
|pages=605&ndash;606
|url=
}}
*{{Citation
|last=Tacitus
|first=Publius Cornelius
|author-link=Tacitus
|orig-year=98
|title=The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus (revised translation, with notes)
|publisher=C. M. Barnes Company
|publication-date=1897
|publication-place=Chicago
|pages=
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oEsWAAAAYAAJ
|ref={{harvid|Tacitus|98}}
}}
*{{Citation
|last=Tacitus
|first=Publius Cornelius
|author-link=Tacitus
|year=105
|translator-last=Fyfe
|translator-first=W. Hamilton
|title=The Histories
|volume=II
|publisher=Clarendon Press
|publication-date=1912
|publication-place=Oxford
|pages=
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dYJfAAAAMAAJ
}}
*{{Citation
|last=Tacitus
|first=Publius Cornelius
|author-link=Tacitus
|year=117
|editor1-last=Church
|editor1-first=Alfred John
|editor2-last=Brodribb
|editor2-first=William Jackson
|title=Annals of Tacitus (translated into English)
|publisher=MacMillan and Co.
|publication-date=1895
|publication-place=London
|pages=
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GXhfAAAAMAAJ
}}
{{Refend}}
{{Germanic peoples|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:History of East Frisia]]
[[Category:Early Germanic peoples]]
[[Category:Ingaevones]]
[[Category:North Sea Germanic]]