proper noun · masculinefirst declension
Volcae
Volcae m pl (genitive Volcārum)
Classical[ˈwɔɫ.kae̯]Ecclesiastical[ˈvɔl̠ʲ.t͡ʃe]
Meaning
- masculinepluralA Gallic tribal confederation of Gallia Narbonensis whose chief towns were Nemausus and Tolosa.
Declension
| form | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | — | Volcae |
| genitive | — | Volcārum |
| dative | — | Volcīs |
| accusative | — | Volcās |
| ablative | — | Volcīs |
| vocative | — | Volcae |
Volcae, ārum, m.,
I. a numerous and powerful people in Gallia Narbonensis, divided into the Volcae Arecomici and the Volcae Tectosages, Caes. B. G. 7, 7; 7, 64; id. B. C. 1, 35; id. B. G. 6, 24; the former had for their chief town Nemausus, the modern Nismes; the latter, Tolosa, the modern Toulouse, Liv. 21, 26; Mel. 2, 5, 6.
Origins
Possibly from Proto-Celtic *wolkos (“hawk”) (cf. the personal names Gaulish Catuvolcus and Welsh Cadwalch (“Battle-hawk”)), or alternatively (but less likely) Proto-Celtic *ulkʷos (“wolf”), in turn from Proto-Indo-European *wĺ̥kʷos, as Caesar described the Celts having fought with huge dogs.