Swiss Passport

Helvetii and Romans

Topic

More than 2000 years ago, Celtic peoples lived in the area of present-day Switzerland. The most important people were the Helvetii. They lived mainly in the Plateau between the Jura, the Alps and the Rhine. Switzerland is still named after them today: in Latin it is called «Helvetia». The CH on car number plates also comes from this. It stands for «Confoederatio Helvetica», in other words the Helvetic Confederation.

In 58 BC, the Helvetii wanted to emigrate westwards into present-day France. The Roman general Julius Caesar defeated them at Bibracte and sent them back. After that, the area of Switzerland came under Roman rule. The Romans stayed for around 400 years. They built roads, towns, temples and theatres.

The capital of the Helvetii in Roman times was Aventicum, present-day Avenches in the canton of Vaud. A large amphitheatre still stands there today. This is a round arena with rows of seats. There people watched animal hunts and gladiator fights. Other Roman sites are Augusta Raurica (Augst near Basel) and the legionary camp of Vindonissa (Windisch).

Memory aid: CH on the car = «Confoederatio Helvetica»: the Helvetii are in the name of Switzerland.

Timeline of Swiss history

  1. 58 BCHelvetii and Romans
  2. 1291The Rütli and William Tell
  3. 1515Marignano
  4. 1523The Reformation
  5. 1798The French and Napoleon
  6. 1815Neutrality
  7. 1848Sonderbund War and the federal state
  8. 19th c.From agrarian state to industrial state
  9. 1918National general strike
  10. 1939–1945Second World War
  11. 1948Prosperity and AHV
  12. 1970Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative
  13. 1971Women's suffrage and equal rights
  14. 1979The youngest canton: Jura

Key terms

Helvetier
Helvetii: a Celtic people who lived in the Plateau of present-day Switzerland in Roman times.
Aventicum
Aventicum: Roman capital of the Helvetii, today Avenches (VD), with a well-preserved amphitheatre.
Amphitheater
Amphitheatre: a round or oval Roman arena with rows of seats for games and fights.

Exam questions on this topic

  1. Which people lived in the area of present-day Switzerland at the time of ancient Rome?Correct answer: A, Helvetii
  2. From which ancient power and culture does the amphitheatre shown here (in Avenches) come?Correct answer: B, from the Romans

Sources

Last checked: September 2026