What is bacaudae?

The Bacaudae (singular Bacauda) were a group of rural rebels that emerged in Late Antiquity in the regions of Gaul and Hispania (modern-day France and Spain) during the Roman Empire. They were mainly peasant farmers who opposed the political and economic integration policies of the Roman Empire and the local landowners who collaborated with it.

The Bacaudae were considered a significant threat to the Roman Empire, as they were able to mobilize large numbers of followers and carry out attacks against Roman armies and settlements. They also had a strong sense of regional identity and were often associated with the traditions and beliefs of the local Celtic and Germanic tribes.

The Bacaudae rebellion continued to persist in the early Middle Ages, even after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. They are seen by some historians as a precursor to the medieval peasant uprisings that emerged in Europe during the later Middle Ages.