Helvetia

For other uses of the word, see Helvetia (disambiguation).

Helvetia is the Roman name for an ancient region of central Europe occupying a plateau between the Alps and the Jura Mountains. Helvetia corresponded roughly to the western part of modern Switzerland, and the name is still used poetically.

In the first century BC, a Celtic group known as the Helvetii migrated from Southern Germany to Switzerland. Eventually, they came up against the Romans. They were pushed back into Switzerland by Caesar's army in 58 BC. The Romans founded their province of Helvetia in current Switzerland in 15 BC.

Helvetia was a peaceful and prosperous region for many years. Then, in 260, the Germans invaded and the Romans retreated. Helvetia passed hands between the Franks and the Germans for many years until the Swiss Confederation was founded on August 1, 1291.

National symbols

Much as Uncle Sam is a symbol of the United States, Helvetia is the female personification of Switzerland. Sometimes called the mother of the Swiss nation, she is typically pictured in a flowing gown, with a spear and a shield emblazoned with the Swiss flag, and commonly with braided hair possibly wearing a wreath of the Swiss Republic.

See also

• Jacobin
• John Bull
• Johnny Canuck
• Johnny Reb
• Marianne
• Deutscher Michel
• Aura the Finnish Maiden
• Uncle Sam

External links

• http://www.myswissalps.com/index.asp?Page=switzerland-history
• http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=helvetia&r=67