A tribe is a group of people that are one one way or another connected to each other, with one leader, connected to a vision. This concept of “tribe building” is intriguing as it concerns the Remi Tribe. The Remi Tribe is known to be one of the founding peoples of Rome. The Remi resided in northern Gaul (aka Galatians)
The Belgian Celt tribes were known throughout history as prideful, had internal leadership struggles and rejected all pro-Roman leadership ideals and had hot/cold relationships with the neighboring non-Gaul “berserker barbarians”
The Remi were the only tribe that eagerly wanted to ally with Caesar. The Remi had formed commerce relationships with Caesar before the war (wine). The Remi were also a dominant tribe enmeshed with a similar tribe, yet the relationship was virtual. It has unclear why this virtual state existed. It was considered odd that a virtual relationship would exist during this time. It has been perceived that a political imbalance existed between the Remi and Suessiones, but the details of their relationship remains unclear.
The Confederacy against Caesar began allowing berserker barbarians within the confederacy’s ranks. To the Remi, this was perceived as unacceptable. The Remi leaned very far forward with joining Caesar since Caesar was the only entity that the Remi had any kind of hopeful future relationship with.
The Remi saw what was coming, but what were they to do? What a catch-22. Either join those who treat them like dirt and have allowed potential enemies as new allies; or, join someone who clearly already values them already (Caesar).
The Remi had a thriving business relationship with Caesar, the Remi weren’t about to abandon this relationship for confederate tribes who held little value for them or the region. As a result, the Remi took a stand for themselves since their current arrangements left little incentives for the Remi to stay loyal to any sense of the confederacy. They were seemingly done with whatever quality of life remained in Gaul.
The virtual state of the union the Suessiones had with the Remi turned out to be a fatal move for the remaining tribes. Berserker barbarians were constantly engaging in warfare against the remaining Celt Belgian forces while some other Belgian tribes were simultaneously recruiting barbarians. This was considered odd and unlike previous Gaul/Celtic tactics and likely distasteful for the Remi.
Confederate strategy seemed to be sloppy. Both the berserker barbarians and Caesar had forces superior to the remaining Belgian tribes… Belgian Tribe overwhelm seemed to be a very likely reality in the future. An obvious and clear no win scenario for the Remi. The confederacies lack of coherence, regional deterioration and virtual political structures ultimately left their efforts in vain. The Remi clearly wanted away from the chaos which helps explain their prompt surrender to Caesar.
The berserker barbarian forces were superior in combat compared to the remaining Belgian tribes. Between the lack of strong Belgian leadership and sense of unity coupled with the imminent barbarian forces and also Caesar on the warpath; the Remi made a strategic decision to reject the strategy of the remaining Belgian Celts (the confederacy) by allying with Caesar. The Remi simply had no future in Gaul.
Why did the Remi reject the other tribes? Well not only would their be an endless internal melee between the Belgians/Barbarians, Caesar would be able to march in an conquer as everyone would remain terribly divided and extremely off balance (aka no more tribes for anyone, including the Remi). This could not have been an ideal atmosphere to be challenging an army like Caesar’s. The Remi must have seen this coming. If they stood with Gaul, they would have been wiped out. This is why the Remi made the choices they made. They made their own independent leadership decisions that made long term strategic sense for the value they had chosen for themselves. The Remi weren’t about to succumb to the deterioration of the region and odd virtual political arrangements.
The Remi literally went out of their way to march to Caesar for a surrender. That says something. This strategic leadership decision turned out to change history forever, helped provide a foundation for Rome.
Source: Lambot & Casagrande 1996, pp. 13, 16.
The Remi were present in Rome when Jesus walked this earth.
If you would like to learn more about a recent analysis conducted into the Remi, then please read The Masterpiece of the Remi
How can you build your own tribe?
Easy… In order to understand the concept of “tribe building” you can start by ordering Russell Brunsons free book called Expert Secrets. Click below to order Expert Secrets for free (just pay S&H).
Remi Tribe 