Everything about Helvetia totally explained
» 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
Roman Empire founded its province of Helvetia in current Switzerland in
15 BC.
Helvetia was a peaceful and prosperous region for many years. Then, in
AD 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.
Switzerland continues to use the name in its Latin form when it's inappropriate or inconvenient to use any or all of its four official languages. Thus, the name appears on postage stamps, coins and other uses; the full name,
Confœderatio Helvetica, is abbreviated for uses such as the
ccTLD,
.ch.
Notably, translations of the term Helvetia still serve as the name for Switzerland in languages such as
Irish, in which the country is known as
An Elvéis, and
Greek, in which it's known as
Ελβετία (Elvetia).
National symbols
Helvetia is the female
personification of Switzerland. Sometimes called the mother of the Swiss nation, she's typically pictured in a flowing gown, with a spear and a shield emblazoned with the
Swiss flag, and commonly with
braided hair, commonly with a
wreath as a symbol of
Confederation.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Helvetia'.
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