According to Caesar, the Parisii originally formed a single political community with the neighbouring
Senones. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Parisii emerged as a distinct group during the 3rd century BC, when new cemeteries appear in the previously sparsely populated Paris basin, likely reflecting a demographic expansion. Their separation from the Senones may have resulted from this population growth. Archaeological evidence indicates that a distinct political entity had already formed by the early 2nd century BC, sustained by cultural and commercial exchanges. In 53 BC, Lutetia is mentioned for the first time as the place where Caesar convened an assembly of the Gallic tribes. The following year, the Parisii were among the first tribes to join the general uprising of
Vercingetorix against
Julius Caesar. Their territory became a theatre of operations during
Labienus's campaign against the Gauls, including a battle against the Aulercian commander
Camulogenus, who decided to burn down Lutetia. Despite the burning of their chief town, they later contributed 8,000 men to the Gallic relief army sent to the
Battle of Alesia. Once part of the
Roman Empire the Parisii
oppidum later became the site of
Lutetia, an important city in the Roman province of
Gallia Lugdunensis, and ultimately the modern city of
Paris. An ancient trade route between
Germania and
Hispania existed at the area, by way of the meeting of the
Oise and
Marne rivers with the
Seine. ==See also==