The Demetae were one of the Celtic tribes living in the British Islands, prior to the Roman invasion of Britain. The tribe lived in the modern counties of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire (Wales). Their capital was Moridunum, modern Carmarthen. A Celtic cross. ... Roman invasion of Britain: Britain was the target of invasion by forces of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire several times during its history. ... Pembrokeshire (Welsh: Sir Benfro) is a county in the southwest of Wales in the United Kingdom. ... Carmarthenshire (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin) is a county in Wales. ... For an explanation of often confusing terms such as Great Britain, Britain, United Kingdom, England and Wales and England, see British Isles (terminology). ... Carmarthen (Welsh Caerfyrddin - caer fort + Myrddin Moridunum, Merlin (origin disputed)) is the county town of Carmarthenshire, Wales. ...
Not much is known about the Demetae. The Demetae were not a warlike tribe and did not resist the Roman occupation like the Silures and the Ordovices. Due probably to this, their lands were not strongly garrisoned. The Romans did however explore for gold in the mines of Luentinum in the Demetae lands. The Silures were a powerful and warlike tribe of ancient Britain, occupying approximately the counties of Monmouth, Brecon and Glamorgan. ... The Ordovices were one of the Celtic tribes living in the British Islands, before the Roman invasion of Britain. ... General Name, Symbol, Number gold, Au, 79 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 6, d Appearance metallic yellow Atomic mass 196. ...
See also:List of Celtic tribes This is a list of Celtic tribes and associated celtic peoples with their geographical localization. ...
The Geography of Ptolemy (extract above) in the early-2nd century AD assigns the Iron-Age Demetae tribe within the region of Dyfed and ascribes to them the two poleis of Luentinum and Maridunum.
In addition to the passage from Ptolemy, the town also receives mention in the Antonine Itinerary, produced in the late-2nd century, as the south-western terminus of route number twelve of the British section.
Iter XII is entitled "the route from Muridunum to Viroconium", and details the 186 mile journey from Carmarthen, the civitas capital of the Demetae to Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter, Shropshire) the capital of the Cornovii tribe.