Datii

DATII (Δάτιοι), a people of Aquitania in Gallia, mentioned by Ptolemy (Ptol. 2.7), who names their capital Tasta (Τάστα). These names occur no--where else. Ptolemy places the Datii south of the Gabali, and more north than the Auscii. Thus their position is indicated in a general way. Walckenaer has made an ingenious conjecture as to the position of the Datii. The Ruteni were south of the Gabali, and in the northern part of their territory, which bordered on the Gabali, is a river named Daze, in the department of Aveyron; and not far from this river Daze, to the south, is a place named Testet. Walckenaer concludes from this resemblance of names that the Datii occupied a tract between the river Lot and Aveyron, which was once called St. Albin. Resemblance of name alone is not sufficient evidence of ancient sites, but here we have no other evidence; and the position of the modern names corresponds well enough with the possible position of the Datii as indicated by Ptolemy. The conjecture of Walckenaer is confirmed by the fact, if it is true, which he mentions, that the names Daze and Testet occur in no other part of France. (Walckenaer, Géog., &c., vol. 2. p. 247.)