Description: Contrary to to popular belief the Romans didn't call Guernsey Sarnia. It is likely that the name they gave it was Lisia.
Published on Nov 15, 2011 in Channel Islands , Guernsey , History
In the first century BC the Iron Age tribes in Gaul came under attack from the Roman legions under Julius Caeser. By 52BC and after eight years of violent warfare, all of Gaul was conquered when he finally defeated that last of the Gaulish tribes resisting the legions at Alesia. With the surrender of the Gaulish Chieftan Vercingetorix all of Gaul had passed into the Roman sphere and it is likely that Guernsey also became part of the Roman Empire around the same time.
Contrary to to popular belief the Romans didn’t call Guernsey Sarnia. It is likely that the name they gave it was Lisia. Recent research would seem to indicate that the term Sarnia might have been the Latin name for Sark; although Sarnia remains the island’s traditional designation.