Celtillus, sometimes referred to as Celtillus the Arvernian or simply Celtillos, was a leader of the Arverni people in the 1st century BC and the father of Vercingetorix. He is believed to have been executed during his reign, presumably by Gallic chieftains as well as his own nobility, after attempting to establish sovereignty over the entirety of Gaul. After his death, his son rose to prominence during the Gallic Wars, rivaling Julius Caesar.[1][2]
The name Celtillus translates to "Little Celt", being broken down into "il", a diminutive, and "celt" plus an "os" or "us" suffix, depending on the translation of his name.[3]
Execution
It is believed that Celtillus attempted to claim authority over all of Gaul, which angered the Arverni and led to his execution. The precise location and circumstances remain unknown. Julius Caesar refers to this in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico Writing:
"Vercingetorix, the son of Celtillus the Arvernian, a young man of the highest power (whose father had held the supremacy of the whole of Gaul, and had been put to death by his fellow citizens because he sought sovereign power)."[4]
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