The Chauci People
The Chauci were a populous Germanic tribe that inhabited the extreme northwestern shore of Germany between Frisia in the west and the Elbe estuary in the east. The name of the tribe derives from a Proto-Germanic word *xabukaz meaning "hawk".

Since at least 500 BCE, the Chauci inhabited artificial mounds raised above the large floodplains of the region, this served to protect their farms from the floods of the North Sea. Besides agriculture, the Chauci also raised cattle and horses.

According to the Roman Tacitus (1st century CE), the Chauci were highly respected among Germanic tribes. He described them as peaceful and levelheaded. He also described them as being more than capable of defending themselves when needed. Their main attribute was cavalry.

Early in the 1st century CE, the political position of the Chauci was pro-Roman. They freely traded with the Romans and also provided military auxiliaries (cavalry-troops) to the Roman legions.

note:
The first known map of Ireland, made by the Greek geographer Ptolemy shows that the Chauci had colonized the eastern part of Ireland during the first or second century CE.

Towards the end of the 3rd century CE, the Saxons fought the Chauci. The Chauci sustained huge losses. The Saxons absorbed what remained of the defeated Chauci people and their land.

In the 9th century CE, Charlemagne and his christian forces destroyed almost all of the remnants of the Chauci culture.



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