Avenches

Commune of Switzerland situated in a detached part of the canton of Vaud, 30 km/19 mi east of Bern; population (1995) 2,600. It was the ancient capital of Helvetia.

In around 100 BC, Avenches, then known as Aventicum, was the capital of the Celtic Helvetii people, with a population of some 80,000. After 58 BC, the Helvetii were subjugated by Rome, and Avenches became a Roman walled town. It was sacked by the Huns in AD 260.