a large German tribe on the Upper Rhine, where they are first mentioned by Dion Cassius in the reign of the Emperor Caracalla, who gained, in A.D. 213, a victory over them on the banks of the Maine, and thence assumed the surname Alemannicus. The origin of this tribe, and the country from which they came, are unknown; but we have a distinct statement, which is apparently confirmed by the very name of the people, that they had flocked together from all parts, and were a mixed race. They proved most formidable enemies to the Romans as well as to the Gauls, their western neighbours, who to this day apply the name Alemanni (Allemands) to all the Germans indiscriminately, though the Alemanni, properly so called, occupied only the country between the Maine and the Danube. In the reign of Aurelian, A.D. 270, they attempted to invade Italy, but were repulsed. After the death of that emperor, however, they renewed their attacks by invading Gaul, and ravaging the country at different times. Several undertakings against them were of little avail, until in A.D. 357 the Emperor Julian completely defeated them in the neighbourhood of Strasbourg, where all their forces were assembled under seven chiefs. This and other defeats, however, did not break the power of the Alemanni, who being pressed on by other barbarians in the north were forced to advance southward and westward to conquer new countries for themselves. Hence, after the middle of the 5th century, we find them established not only in the country now called Swabia, but also in a part of Switzerland and in Alsace. In these countries the Alemanni have maintained themselves ever since; and the greater part of the modern Swabians and the northern Swiss are descendants of that ancient race.