Adipus

Citizenship : Roman

French name : Yenapus
German name : Mitgenus
Dutch name : Meniscus
Spanish name : Telefonus
Italian name : Noncenepius
Portugese name : Acabadus 

We can't imagine a Tour de Gaule worthy of its name without a day's rest in a staging post which allows the exhausted competitors to regain their strength and make a fresh start.

Aware of the need to revive their strength, Asterix and Obelix plan a stopover during their famous culinary expedition… and manage to let themselves be captured by the Romans! Captives at will, leisurely lounging in a cart pulled by horses from the Empire, our two heroes arrive in Tolosa (Toulouse) without incident while their Roman escort exhausts themselves travelling on foot!

Once in Tolosa, the Centurion responsible for their «capture» runs to inform Adipus, Prefect of the city, promising him a little «surprise»: the most sought after dissidents of all of Gaul. What's more, here is a perfect opportunity for Adipus to get a bit of exercise (which, in his case, means to be carried around on a litter by two slaves!!...) on his way to meet the prisoners.

But for the Prefect, the final surprise is finally a totally different one, as he will only find a set of semi-conscious legionaries, knocked out by Asterix and Obelix

Appianglorious

Citizenship : Roman

French name : Rictus
German name : Rictus
Dutch name : Lacchus
Spanish name : Rictus
Italian name : Rictus
Portugese name : Ricto 

It's a well-known fact: there is no escaping from the jails of the Circus Maximus in Rome. However, if you are an indomitable Gaul, you can drive the guards of this model prison crazy.

Take a look at Appianglorious, the zealous Legionary. Obelix's habit of breaking down doors instead of opening them sets his nerves on edge! It's true that I wouldn't want to be a building super with Obelix in the neighborhood. And then there's Sendervictorius, his buddy in charge of watching over Cacofonix, who goes out of his mind with each new refrain the bard sings.

So that's how it took only three Gauls to bring pandemonium to this ancient Alcatraz - what a circus!

Arteriosclerosus

Citizenship : Roman

French name : Pamplemus
German name : Pampelmus
Dutch name : Piccetanus
Spanish name : Naranjus
Italian name : Pamplemus
Portugese name : Pamplemus 

Arteriosclerosus and Gastroenteritus are two Roman legionaries assigned to guard the frontier between Gaul and Germania. They therefore have an administrative role which on the face of it is nice and quiet since the Roman Empire is unanimously respected, and feared, by its neighbours. «The barbarians would never dare to sully Roman territory with their dirty feet, by Jupiter,» asserts the beaming Gastroenteritus.

So much for theory and fine words. In practice we soon discover that the force of these optimistic words does not stand up for long to the shock of a less-than-idyllic reality, when Arteriosclerosus and Gastroenteritus find themselves bashed and tied up by Choleric's fearsome band of Goths on their way to the Forest of the Carnutes. And all through Asterix and the Goths we are constantly shown how crossing the border is hardly just a formality in this adventure (especially for the border guards!).

On the contrary, it is just as good a way of starting a fight as a 'fresh' fish from Lutecia on Unhygienix' stall! As a result, the Roman and Goth border guards end up getting biffed quite a lot!

Asterus

Roman Legionary with an unruly moustache

Citizenship : Roman

French name : Astérus
German name : Asterus
Dutch name : Asterus
Spanish name : Asterus
Italian name : Asterus
Portugese name : Astérius

What do you do when the Roman garrisons are after you, carrying a sketch to make sure they'll recognize you? This was a tough one for Asterix and Obelix, who were faced with the situation just when they were already worried about the fate of Getafix, imprisoned by the Goths. The best solution they could find was to pinch the Roman Legionaries uniforms of Marcus Ubiquitus and Julius Monotonus to pass incognito in their wild adventure among the Carnutes. This, apart from making Obelix laughing out loud, was the start of a chain of confusion that makes the Asterix and the Goths album a catalogue of chaos that only our favourite Gauls could pull off. This episode inspired the directors of the live Asterix movies, since Asterus and Obelus turn up in Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar, and the police sketch of our heroes shows up in the Asterix and Obelix meet Cleopatra movie.

Citizenship : Roman

French name : Bégonia
German name : Begonia
Dutch name : Begonia
Spanish name : Begonia
 

Begonia, the wife of a Roman citizen visiting the sunny Southern provinces of Hispania, is the «half-sister of Julius Caesar’s cousin by marriage» – suffice it to say, she is, of course, to have everything she asks for!

She thus sits alongside the General of the City at the anticipated execution of a traitor (Spurius Brontosaurus) and an outlaw (Asterix) at the Circus of Hispalis.

Here, Begonia plays a part in the invention of what is known today as the noble sport of bullfighting. When she accidentally drops her gorgeous red cape, Asterix uses it to calm the wild bull about to attack him. Begonia is thrilled and cannot wait to tell all her friends back in Rome about her exciting adventure....

Brutus

Citizenship : Roman

French name : Brutus
German name : Brutus
Dutch name : Brutus
Spanish name : Brutus
Portugese name : Brutus 

The famous French dictionary the Petit Larousse has a section on the most well-know Latin sayings, and is known to be the main source of the imperishable quotes used by the authors throughout the Asterix albums.

One of these in particular is a running gag. I am of course referring to the famous «Et tu, Brute!» an exclamation attributed to Jules Caesar expressing his anger when he spots Marcus Junius Brutus, his adoptive son, amongst his assassins. There are ample premonitory allusions in Asterix to this oh so dramatic event, for example, in Asterix and the Soothsayer Brutus can be seen playing with a dagger while a fortune-teller explains to Caesar that he has nothing to fear while he has his adoptive son nearby!

Albert Uderzo gives the character a very different twist in Asterix and Son - previously he was an unimportant figure in the shadow of his father the Emperor but in this album he becomes a threatening character, prepared to do anything to stave off the threat presented by his young rival Caesarion, the son of Caesar and Cleopatra.

To do so he goes as far as burning the Gaulish village, which results in Caesar himself discovering his treachery, provoking the imperial rage. And that's how the adventures of Asterix teach us what the Petit Larousse doesn't: how Brutus ended up wanting to kill Caesar. Asterix as the great historian!

Cadaverus A donkey legionary Citizenship : Roman French name : Faitexcus German name : Fidibus Dutch name : Excuustruüs Spanish name : Pideperdonus Italian name : Chiediscus Portugese name : Papalvus

 

Imagine a perfectly aligned battalion of Roman legionaries, standing straight as trees and holding their carefully sharpened pilum. Now, add a complete fool, with a half-witted smile, drawn by Albert Uderzo slightly out of line with this neat regiment, as if to show how long it took his superior's command to reach his brain and for him to understand the order to stop.

This idiot is Cadaverus! An here he is, in the finest Roman tradition, designated as a «volunteer» by his decurion to serve as a guinea pig for Valueaddedtax and Getafix, who must prove that they are real druids in order to obtain permission to travel to the forest of the Carnutes, where the Order of Druids is holding its prestigious annual meeting.

Cadaverus follows orders, and chews some of the herbs prepared by Valueaddedtax, the Belgian druid. The result is astonishing, because poor Cadaverus suddenly starts braying! This comes as a bit of a surprise, although not to his decurion, who declares «it hasn't made that much difference»!

Caius Fatuous Producer of burlesque shows, in spite of himself. Citizenship : Roman French name : Caius Obtus German name : Gaius Obtus Dutch name : Gaius Vullus Spanish name : Cayo Obtusus Italian name : Caius Obtus Portugese name : Caio Obtuso

 

Caius Fatuous, the most important lanista (gladiator trainer) in all of Rome, is more than a little pig-headed. When he decides to make Asterix and Obelix the stars of the Games he is preparing for Caesar's circus, he sets the entire city after them and motivates the would-be kidnappers by promising an absolutely exorbitant reward.

But our heroes hardly even notice all the commotion surrounding them and the Roman helmets start piling up in Obelix's arms without his even batting an eyelid. Fortunately for Caius Fatuous, Asterix and Obelix decide for themselves to become gladiators in order to save Cacofonix. Envisioning a magnificent show, Caius Fatuous finally hands our two heroes over to the rough-riding gladiator trainer Insalubrius.

This is, however, only the beginning of Caius Fatuous' problems as these unusual new gladiators transform the cruel Roman Circus into a burlesque vaudeville resembling our more modern circuses, and leave Caius Fatuous, that lover of fine, exotic foods, to finish his career as the sole rower of Ekonomikrisis' galley, with his only encouragement being the inspired singing of Cacofonix! Sic transit gloria mundi…

Caius Flebitus Legionary in the Compendium camp. Sentry. Citizenship : Roman French name : Caius Marchéopus German name : Gaius Barfus Dutch name : Gaius Nogalwidus Spanish name : Caius Capitopus Italian name : Caius Marcheopus Portugese name : Caius Feiradaladracapus

 

Caius Flebitus, Julius Pompus, Gracchus Sextilius and Claudius Quintilius are four legionaries in the Compendium camp and are thus confronted with the harsh reality of having the Gauls as neighbours.

When creating these characters, the authors made a point of illustrating the horrors of life as a Roman conscript. Even if their roles are minor, they bear witness to the terror inspired by our indomitable heroes on a daily basis. For example, instead of celebrating his victory the one time Asterix is just begging to surrender, Caius Flebitus calls the whole camp to his rescue.

It must be said that our little Gaul, who takes on Romans four at a time (and even then he has an unfair advantage!), is seriously starting to get on their nerves.

Caligula Minus Roman legionary disguised as a Gaul to infiltrate the village Citizenship : Roman French name : Caligula Minus German name : Caligula Minus Dutch name : Caligula Mincucelus Spanish name : Caligula Minus Italian name : Caligola Minus Portugese name : Calígula Minus

 

In contemporary Britain, now known as England, espionage activities are run by the Intelligence Service. Back in 50 BC, according to the authors of Asterix, even if the Romans did indeed understand the importance of espionage, they didn't bother using intelligence to ferret out the secret behind the extraordinary strength of the Gauls living in Asterix's village. Indeed, Caligula Minus, who was assigned to the daunting task of infiltrating the Gaul village (using the name Caliguliminix!) is anything but clever. He doesn't even understand the orders he receives from the centurion, Crismus Bonus! But, by becoming the first Roman to learn of the magic potion concocted by Getafix, Minus plays a crucial role. This simpleton nonchalantly gives the authors a chance to introduce the essential elements of the Asterix universe, thereby setting the stage for the future adventures. For example, this first album teaches us to watch out for music in the Asterix stories, and not just the music of Cacofonix. The reason Caligula Minus was chosen from the legionaries at the Compendium camp, who were terrified of approaching the Gauls, was because he lost at a game of musical chairs. And Asterix proceeds to unmask him in the middle of a dance, too! Honestly, isn't this information new proof of our intelligence? Service!

Caliguliminix Roman legionary disguised as a Gaul to infiltrate the village Citizenship : Roman French name : Caliguliminix German name : Caliguliminix Dutch name : Calimincucelix Spanish name : Caliguliminix

 

In contemporary Britain, now known as England, espionage activities are run by the Intelligence Service. Back in 50 BC, according to the authors of Asterix, even if the Romans did indeed understand the importance of espionage, they didn't bother using intelligence to ferret out the secret behind the extraordinary strength of the Gauls living in Asterix's village. Indeed, Caligula Minus, who was assigned to the daunting task of infiltrating the Gaul village (using the name Caliguliminix!) is anything but clever. He doesn't even understand the orders he receives from the centurion, Crismus Bonus! But, by becoming the first Roman to learn of the magic potion concocted by Getafix, Minus plays a crucial role. This simpleton nonchalantly gives the authors a chance to introduce the essential elements of the Asterix universe, thereby setting the stage for the future adventures. For example, this first album teaches us to watch out for music in the Asterix stories, and not just the music of Cacofonix. The reason Caligula Minus was chosen from the legionaries at the Compendium camp, who were terrified of approaching the Gauls, was because he lost at a game of musical chairs. And Asterix proceeds to unmask him in the middle of a dance, too! Honestly, isn't this information new proof of our intelligence? Service!

Cantankerus Ill tempered Roman general Citizenship : Roman French name : Nenpeuplus German name : Strategus Dutch name : Noppus Spanish name : Merluzius Italian name : Nientepopodipius Portugese name : Nenpeuplus

 

When we see him in tears, sobbing, «They're all quite thick and I'm their leader,» when talking about his men, it is quite clear that the unhappy General Cantankerus befits his name. But this is one leader who is a credit to his masters in Rome.

Cantankerus commands his troops with a firm hand but also knows how to motivate them in other ways, promising the most deserving of them seats at the Circus. He magnanimously keeps his word when the supposedly most deserving legionaries blunder yet again, even guaranteeing them seats in the best possible position to see the show: in the arena with the lions! Cantankerus is also a creative fellow, using methods ahead of his time to aid in the capture of Asterix and Obelix by having a drawing of our heroes sent to all the camps in the region.

But with Goths who are really Gauls but disguised as Romans and other Romans left tied up in their underwear and mistaken for barbarians, his patience runs out and he sinks into deep despair on seeing his men bashing each other because they are all equally convinced that they have finally caught the notorious barbarians disguised as Romans who are none other than Asterix and Obelix!

Claudius Omnibus Tour Guide for Lutetian Nights Citizenship : Roman French name : Claudius Métrobus German name : Claudius Metrobus Dutch name : Claudius Metrobus Spanish name : Claudius Metrobus Italian name : Claudius Metrobus Portugese name : Claudius Metrobus

 

Claudius Omnibus is a guide who receives his clients in a hut resembling a Gaulish Tourist Office. He offers package tours at the unbeatable rate of three sestertii, including all the beer you can drink, where you will discover the lights and delights of nights in Lutetia!

But it will take more than that to distract our heroes from their mission. Scorning these festive propositions, Asterix and Obelix settle for extracting the information that they want from Claudius Omnibus: a dolmen that may be the one used by Navishtrix for his illicit trafficking.

Historians get lost in conjecture about whether it was the woods that later became the Bois de Boulogne. Moreover, it is apparently the only dolmen in all of Lutetia, which doesn't fail to surprise Obelix, who isn't too impressed by the nightlife that Omnibus has to offer.

A few panels later, Asterix and Obelix meet up with a small dog, who takes an interest in our favourite menhir delivery-man. Who knows what could have happened if this Lutetian canine had decided to follow our heroes, in the manner of Dogmatix later on in Asterix and the Banquet?

Claudius Quintilius Legionary in the Compendium camp. Sentry. Citizenship : Roman French name : Claudius Quintilius German name : Carolus Stachus Dutch name : Claudius Quintilius Spanish name : Claudius Quintilius Italian name : Claudius Quintilius Portugese name : Claudius Qunitilius

 

Caius Flebitus, Julius Pompus, Gracchus Sextilius and Claudius Quintilius are four legionaries in the Compendium camp and are thus confronted with the harsh reality of having the Gauls as neighbours.

When creating these characters, the authors made a point of illustrating the horrors of life as a Roman conscript. Even if their roles are minor, they bear witness to the terror inspired by our indomitable heroes on a daily basis. For example, instead of celebrating his victory the one time Asterix is just begging to surrender, Caius Flebitus calls the whole camp to his rescue.

It must be said that our little Gaul, who takes on Romans four at a time (and even then he has an unfair advantage!), is seriously starting to get on their nerves.

Courtingdisastus A legionary looking for trouble. Citizenship : Roman French name : Sciencinfus German name : Studicus Dutch name : Janjurcus Spanish name : Cienciainfus

 

New to the region, Courtingdisastus is full of hope. Eaten up with ambition, he is only one from his garrison to volunteer to serve in Corsica and seems willing to take on each of the local clans all by himself.

He soon attracts the attention of the Praetor Perfidius, who promotes him to the rank of patrol leader and sends him and his troops to search for the Corsican rebel leader Boneywasawarriorwayayix.

It is in Boneywasawarriorwayayix’s home town that Courtingdisastus has the fright of his life. Carferrix, who does not “like people speaking to [his] sister” Chipolata, stares suspiciously at him before finally pulling out his knife, screaming....

Terrified, Courtingdisastus heads to the hills, never to be heard from again....

Crismus Bonus Centurion who was just a hair's breath from discovering the secret of the magic potion. Citizenship : Roman French name : Caius Bonus German name : Gaius Bonus Dutch name : Gaius Bonus Spanish name : Caius Bonus Italian name : Caius Bonus Portugese name : Caius Bonus

 

Crismus Bonus is the first Centurion to appear in Asterix's world. He allows the authors to lay the foundations for their humorous take on Roman hierarchical organisation. Authoritarian (using one «volunteer» after another from among his legionaries to carry out his basest plots) and cruel (Asterix and Getafix barely survive a merciless - but hilarious - torture episode), Crismus Bonus is also extremely ambitious, as he works his way through a long list of officers hoping to take the place of Caesar.

Our Gauls, however, put short shift to his plans with their «fruitful» ideas, and made him become completely hair-brained (thanks to a hair potion from the druid which proves to be particularly spectacular). Caesar himself tidies up matters by exiling the vagabond to lower Mongolia: «Join in, they said…».

Felix Platypus Cunning strategist puzzled by the complicated plans of Tortuous Convolvulus Citizenship : Roman French name : Caius Aérobus German name : Caius Aerobus Dutch name : Caius Aerobus Spanish name : Caius Aerobus Italian name : Caius Aerobus Portugese name : Caius Aeróbus

 

Despite his dislike for the infamous Tortuous Convolvulus, Felix Platypus, the centurion in charge of the Roman camp of Aquarium in Asterix and the Roman Agent, has to bow to Convolvulus’ methods in order to bring the Gaulish village into step. In fact, Platypus wonders about the effectiveness of his acolyte’s crafty stratagems, which he considers as the “devious ways of civilians”, whereas he much prefers the “honourable battles, the clash of arms, the call of the clarion”.

But as his legionaries look favourably on this “psychological warfare” (could this be a forerunner to “surgical strikes”?), which is a particular forte of the brilliant Magnumopus, the shenanigans planned for the Gaulish village also run rampant in the Roman camp, where Felix Platypus has trouble making himself heard.

As Albert Uderzo has given the features of French actor Lino Ventura to Felix Platypus, René Goscinny takes advantage of his repeated angry outbursts to write hilarious, lyrical flights of fancy, as though the perspective of putting words in the mouth of an actor accustomed to the dialogues of Michel Audiard had increased his inspiration tenfold. René Goscinny would later confirm his interest in cinema by writing the screenplay and dialogues for the film “Le Viager”, directed by his friend Pierre Tchernia.

Fibrositus A legionary lost in the streets of Lugdunum (Lyons) Citizenship : Roman French name : Quelquilfus German name : Possiamus Dutch name : Clerus Spanish name : Federicus Italian name : Qualefus Portugese name : Fulanus

 

Who am I? Where am I going? That's roughly the state of mind of the legionaries led into the maze streets in Lyons by Asterix, Obelix and Jellibabix. In fact, following the example of ambitious Prefect Poisonus Fungus (obsessed by capturing the famous Gauls), a whole Roman garrison wanders around the maze to the point where they can no longer tell their head from their feet.

A perfect opportunity for the Asterix authors to give another lesson in the art of comics: In one drawing, the words and picture demonstrate the Roman's confusion and show how lost they are. We see Romans who do not know where they are, we hear others who claim to know where they are, but who are in fact so lost that we can't see them anymore. It's not surprising, given the situation, that Fibrositus (the Roman legionary whose French name Quelquifus or «'Whats-his-name» leads you to believe he must look like an ordinary Joe) did not even have the right to have a face drawn by Albert Uderzo.

He remains the symbol of lost Romans, subjected to a disorder entirely foreign to the sovereign order that they try to impose on these «crazy» Gauls. Having entered Lugdunum as proud legionaries, they get so caught up there that they lose that glorious identity and become mere Whats-his-names. Sic transit gloria mundi! [How fleeting is the glory of this world].

Fishfingus Head of Roman patrol searching for Asterix and Obelix Citizenship : Roman French name : Petilarus German name : Petilarus Dutch name : Vandalus Spanish name : Pelatus Italian name : Petilarus Portugese name : Petilarus

 

The Asterix and the Banquet album offers Asterix and Obelix a number of interesting adventures. There are of course a number of Gauls whose dedicated support for their cause goes straight to their hearts but the country roads are also teeming with Romans determined to stop our heroes from winning their bet.

Often, they stick around just long enough to receive a good punch in the nose. Such is the case of Nervus Illnus, whose breakdowns chariot is stolen by Asterix and Obelix as they dash towards Camaracum (Cambrai) and its famous humbugs. Other Romans, however, are more tenacious and put up a good fight before succumbing.

Like Spongefingus who, after having been «helped» by our Gauls as they use him to help get them past the roadblock set up by Fishfingus, is left along the side of the road. Unrelenting, Spongefingus tracks our heroes to Durocortorum (Rheims) where he puts on a show as fearsome as a creature from «The Shining» and threatens to put his pilum in their sternum. (You'll note René Goscinny's talent at bringing a «dead» language back to life!). Asterix quickly calms this hothead by uncorking a bottle of Durocortorum wine (otherwise known as Champagne) in his face.

Gastroenteritus Legionary getting ill with worry when barbarians are walking along the border Citizenship : Roman French name : Pardessus German name : Appelmus Dutch name : Overjassus Spanish name : Delachinus Italian name : Soprabitus Portugese name : Pardessus

 

Arteriosclerosus and Gastroenteritus are two Roman legionaries assigned to guard the frontier between Gaul and Germania. They therefore have an administrative role which on the face of it is nice and quiet since the Roman Empire is unanimously respected, and feared, by its neighbours. «The barbarians would never dare to sully Roman territory with their dirty feet, by Jupiter,» asserts the beaming Gastroenteritus.

So much for theory and fine words. In practice we soon discover that the force of these optimistic words does not stand up for long to the shock of a less-than-idyllic reality, when Arteriosclerosus and Gastroenteritus find themselves bashed and tied up by Choleric's fearsome band of Goths on their way to the Forest of the Carnutes. And all through Asterix and the Goths we are constantly shown how crossing the border is hardly just a formality in this adventure (especially for the border guards!).

On the contrary, it is just as good a way of starting a fight as a 'fresh' fish from Lutecia on Unhygienix' stall! As a result, the Roman and Goth border guards end up getting biffed quite a lot!

Gluteus Maximus Rising Star Citizenship : Roman French name : Claudius Cornedurus German name : Gladius Musculus Dutch name : Tullius Torsus Spanish name : Claudius Mulus Portugese name : Claudius Cornusdurus

 

The Roman Army maintains the cult of excellence. Legionaries are duty-bound to be the best trained, the strongest, the most disciplined. So you can imagine how proud Gluteus Maximus is when he is selected to represent Rome at the Olympic Games.

“I am the best!” he exclaims. Yes, but… An encounter in the forest with Gauls brimming with magic potion soon makes him forget his dreams of grandeur! Gluteus feels like a “loser” and starts vigorously sweeping the Aquarium camp instead of practicing his sport.

A good sport, Asterix finally decides to hand over his winner’s laurels and Gluteus Maximus ends up being named centurion by Caesar. And so, for once: Gloria victis, or glory to the vanquished.

Goldenslumbus Slumbering Roman Centurion. Citizenship : Roman French name : Quintilius German name : Quintilius Dutch name : Messenvorcus Spanish name : Quintilius Italian name : Quintilius Portugese name : Quintilius

 

For Asterix and Obelix, facing up to a whole Roman legion is child's play, a game they never tire of. Yet when our two heroes find themselves in Camaracum (Cambrai), intent on finding this town's famous speciality, mint sweets better known as «Humbugs», it's the Roman centurion Goldenslumbus who falls into a second childhood.

Determined to lock up our two indomitable friends, Goldenslumbus calls for a gobstopper (dixit Obelix) and finishes by falling sound asleep, knocked out, as he should be, whilst a soft voice gently sings a local lullaby «Sleep Little Roman, do not cry!» And in an instant our imposing and vehement Roman centurion is as harmless as a baby!

Gracchus Armisurplus Mummy's little soldier Citizenship : Roman French name : Gracchus Nenjetépus German name : Gracchus Nenjetepus Dutch name : Gracchus Grutjus Spanish name : Graco Linus Italian name : Gracchus Nontelopus Portugese name : Graco Nenjeteplus

 

Gracchus Armisurplus, Centurion in charge of the Compendium camp, is regularly the victim of his superiors, who give him orders for which he and his men invariably suffer the cruel consequences…

When Odius Asparagus, the Prefect of Gaul in Asterix the Gladiator, forces him to kidnap an Indomitable Gaul (Cacofonix as it turns out), the furious Gauls vent their anger on the unfortunate legionnaires of his camp. Meanwhile, the real mastermind behind the kidnapping, safe from harm, struts about with the noisy trophy that he intends to offer to Caesar, who is less than delighted with his gift! And once again, in Asterix and the Banquet, the Gauls take their anger out on Armisurplus when Inspector General Overanxious forces him to bring the Gaulish village into line and subject them to Roman law once and for all (which in practice translates into a great time for the Gauls, with typical Gaulish clouts and thumps!).

Poor old Armisurplus, once valiant, courageous and willing, as he says, to fight to the death, calls out to his mummy for help as our heroes approach…

Gracchus Sextilius Legionary in the Compendium camp. Sentry. Citizenship : Roman French name : Gracchus Sextilius German name : Gracchus Torschus Dutch name : Gracchus Sextilius Spanish name : Gracus Sextilius Italian name : Gracchius Sectiulius Portugese name : Gracchus Sextilius

 

Caius Flebitus, Julius Pompus, Gracchus Sextilius and Claudius Quintilius are four legionaries in the Compendium camp and are thus confronted with the harsh reality of having the Gauls as neighbours.

When creating these characters, the authors made a point of illustrating the horrors of life as a Roman conscript. Even if their roles are minor, they bear witness to the terror inspired by our indomitable heroes on a daily basis. For example, instead of celebrating his victory the one time Asterix is just begging to surrender, Caius Flebitus calls the whole camp to his rescue.

It must be said that our little Gaul, who takes on Romans four at a time (and even then he has an unfair advantage!), is seriously starting to get on their nerves.

Ignoramus A birthday gift for Obelix Citizenship : Roman French name : Absolumentexclus German name : Absolutus Dutch name : Absolutus Spanish name : Nihablarum Italian name : Absolumentexclus Portugese name : Absolumentexclus

 

As his name implies, Ignoramus has all the finesse and flexibility of Rome at the height of its triumph. Triumph? Really? Well, let’s say that at the beginning of Obelix and Co., his intentions are good. Ignoramus takes over the Totorum camp that his predecessor, the centurion Scrofulus, had allowed to run down. Things have gotten so out-of-hand that we even see caricatures of Pierre Tchernia, René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo apparently soused on wine and barely able to stay on their feet!

Ignoramus seems capable of setting this pathetic situation straight (Albert Uderzo managed to render him perfectly terrifying, with plenty of low-angle views) but when presented along with his brand new legion of Roman soldiers as a birthday gift to a deliriously happy Obelix, our hero quickly gives up any dreams of glory.

In fact, Ignoramus stands for the Roman power of the olden days, a brash and domineering legionnaire, filled with a warrior’s wisdom, which makes him the perfect counterpart for Caius Preposterus, who makes a last-ditch effort, in the same album, to conquer our indomitable heroes by using economics and everyday marketing ruses. Really, there’s no one quite like Asterix to illustrate the conflict between the old-fashioned and the modern!

Insalubrius Gladiator trainer converted back to lacemaking. Citizenship : Roman French name : Briseradius German name : Briseradius Dutch name : Ignoramus Spanish name : Bestiarius Italian name : Perdigiornus Portugese name : Briseradio

 

Caius Fatuous, the lanista (gladiator trainer), puts Insalubrius in charge of turning Asterix and Obelix into stars of the Roman Circus games.

A big, toothless bear of a man who never goes anywhere without his whip, Insalubrius is a mountain of muscles who strikes terror in the hearts of all aspiring gladiators by employing methods which make Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket look like an affectionate babysitter…

Our indomitable Gauls are unphased however and Insalubrius, surprised by our Gauls' talents during training, finds himself flying inadvertently through the air.

Disheartened, he decides to return to work in the family lace factory! His pupils are delighted as the trident-fighting sessions are replaced with harmless party games and charades! Asterix and Obelix turn the Gladiator Academy into a Gaulish-style game show!

Julius Caesar Commentator on the Gallic War and grand purveyor of timeless sayings Citizenship : Roman French name : Jules César German name : Julius Cäsar Dutch name : Julius Caesar Spanish name : Julio César Italian name : Giulio Cesare Portugese name : Júlio César

 

The creators of Asterix have made Julius Caesar an exceptional character, taking care not to caricaturise this historical notable whose “Comments on the Gallic War” has been a major source of inspiration for them.

Just observing the statuesque figure that Albert Uderzo often gives him is enough to show you how much the authors of Asterix respect him. And even though he is irate and authoritarian, Julius Caesar is not depicted as a merciless dictator, but as someone who is capable of acknowledging the Gauls when they occasionally help him out of a bind. Even though most great sagas require a major villain in order to reveal the true hero, we have none of that here.

Instead, Caesar symbolises our irreverence of imperialism. The more Caesar shows his strength and intelligence, the more our heroes grow up by resisting him. That is surely the explanation for the fact that René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo have always ridiculed his troops and henchmen, but never the person of the Emperor himself, who continues to be an enemy you can be proud of.

Indeed, Caesar is the worthy adversary who enables our indomitable heroes to stay noble, no matter how low they sink in their battle tactics. That never stops him from hatching the wildest schemes to finally subjugate our favourite. In fact he believes that he already has, offering the “crazy Gauls’ village” as a gift to the drunken legionnaire Tremensdelirius in Asterix and Caesar's Gift!

But no matter how ingenious they are, his plans crumble one by one: economic weapons in Obelix and Co., the pernicious tactics of Tortuous Convolvulus in Asterix and the Roman Agent, the “civilized” housing designed by Squareonthehypothenus in The Mansions of the Gods, and so on.

Even worse, Asterix and Obelix continue to ridicule him by snatching his crown of laurels, or effortlessly completing the Twelve Tasks he has devised for them. It’s no wonder that he sometimes loses his temper and yells at anyone who has the misfortune of arousing his anger, as he violently did with Redbeard in Asterix in Belgium.

Julius Monotonus Barbarian Legionary Citizenship : Roman French name : Julius Humérus German name : Julius Bazillus Dutch name : Julius Bolus Spanish name : Julius Humerus

 

Marcus Ubiquitus and Julius Monotonus, legionaries of the third cohort, are not the type to stand around twiddling their thumbs. On the contrary, they tackle problems head on, and this time they decide to search for two frightening Goths who are wandering with impunity around the Roman territory.

But when it turns out that the two «barbarians» in question are none other than Asterix and Obelix, it is obvious that Monotonus and Ubiquitus have got the wrong end of the stick. And indeed, not content with giving them a deserved trouncing, Asterix and Obelix take possession of their uniforms to become Asterus and Obelus, so as to pass behind Roman lines unhindered.

Worst of all, Ubiquitus and Monotonus are then captured by two other legionaries (who are convinced that they have captured the Goths) and are forced, wrists and ankles bound and wearing only their rather tasteless underpants, to prove to their superiors that barbarians they are not! Join in, they said…

Julius Pompus Legionary in the Compendium camp. Sentry. Citizenship : Roman French name : Julius Pompilius German name : Julius Pompilius Dutch name : Julius Malus Spanish name : Julius Pompilius Italian name : Julius Pompilius Portugese name : Julius Pompilius

 

Caius Flebitus, Julius Pompus, Gracchus Sextilius and Claudius Quintilius are four legionaries in the Compendium camp and are thus confronted with the harsh reality of having the Gauls as neighbours.

When creating these characters, the authors made a point of illustrating the horrors of life as a Roman conscript. Even if their roles are minor, they bear witness to the terror inspired by our indomitable heroes on a daily basis. For example, instead of celebrating his victory the one time Asterix is just begging to surrender, Caius Flebitus calls the whole camp to his rescue.

It must be said that our little Gaul, who takes on Romans four at a time (and even then he has an unfair advantage!), is seriously starting to get on their nerves.

Magnumopus Prize Psychologist Citizenship : Roman French name : Savancosinus German name : Taubenus Dutch name : Savancosinus Spanish name : Monosabius

 

“You have all the necessary qualities to participate in the first offensive of psychological warfare”, claims mischief maker Tortuous Convolvulus. To judge by his “gorilla-like face and tiny pig’s eyes”, as René Goscinny put it, this prediction was far from certain….

But “psychological warfare” as referred to by Tortuous Convolvulus requires first and foremost a powerful man, talented in wielding a club. And that is the one thing in which Magnumopus actually excels!

Oblivious to any military strategy, Magnumopus plows forward, swinging his club and eliminating all adversaries. It’s enough to frighten our Gauls who begin to wonder if the Romans have gotten their hands on the secret magic potion!

Marcus Ginantonicus A hunk of a legionary. Citizenship : Roman French name : Marcus Sacapus German name : Marcus Ecus Dutch name : Marcus Gribus Spanish name : Marcus Sacapus Italian name : Marcus Sacapus Portugese name : Marcus Sacapus

 

Marcus Ginandtonicus has a real dog’s life! As the right hand man to the Centurion Crismus Bonus in Asterix the Gaul, he suffers all kinds of insults and is on the receiving end of all the thrashings. Responsible for having Caligulaminix penetrate our favourite village disguised as a Gaul, he receives a very warm welcome from Asterix and Obelix! Later on, it is Caligula Minus, upon his return to the camp of Compendium, who tests (successfully!) the effects of the magic potion on him.

Add to this a stone thrown by Crismus Bonus which hits him on the foot, and Asterix who pulls on his endless beard (Getafix’s potions never cease to amaze us…) and sends him spinning in the air, only to come back to earth with a bump, and Ginandtonicus finishes by being completely at bay.

Marcus Ubiquitus Barbarian Legionary Citizenship : Roman French name : Marcus Cubitus German name : Marcus Konfus Dutch name : Marcus Decubitus Spanish name : Marcus Cubitus

 

Marcus Ubiquitus and Julius Monotonus, legionaries of the third cohort, are not the type to stand around twiddling their thumbs. On the contrary, they tackle problems head on, and this time they decide to search for two frightening Goths who are wandering with impunity around the Roman territory.

But when it turns out that the two «barbarians» in question are none other than Asterix and Obelix, it is obvious that Monotonus and Ubiquitus have got the wrong end of the stick. And indeed, not content with giving them a deserved trouncing, Asterix and Obelix take possession of their uniforms to become Asterus and Obelus, so as to pass behind Roman lines unhindered.

Worst of all, Ubiquitus and Monotonus are then captured by two other legionaries (who are convinced that they have captured the Goths) and are forced, wrists and ankles bound and wearing only their rather tasteless underpants, to prove to their superiors that barbarians they are not! Join in, they said…

Motus Roman general famous for voicing his opinions. Citizenship : Roman French name : Motus German name : Motus Dutch name : Luiwammus Spanish name : Motus Italian name : Nutus Portugese name : Motus

 

A great orator who uses his talents to harangue the crowds, General Motus, commander of the Burdigala (Bordeaux) garrison, finally has a splendid opportunity to demonstrate the power of Rome: he manages to capture Asterix and Obelix, indomitable Gaulish outlaws who amuse themselves by making fun of Roman garrisons in the four corners of Gaul.

But his prisoners are, in fact, none other than Villanus and Unscrupulus, Roman brigands who nicked our heroes' bag of victuals, and then more or less matched their description («a little man and a big fat man carrying a bag»). What makes things worse is that our real Gaulish friends turn up in the middle of the celebration of their «capture», and settle their scores with the whole garrison, while remembering to retrieve the culinary specialities they had collected during their trip.

One battle later, and poor Motus, who had voiced his opinion amid a blaze of publicity, wants to hear nothing more about anything, especially not about the Gauls!

Nefarius Purpus Centurion at his wits end. Citizenship : Roman French name : Hotelterminus German name : Hotelterminus Dutch name : Hotelterminus Spanish name : Hotelterminus Portugese name : Caius Desembarcus

 

On secondment as head to the 1^st legion, 3^rd cohort, 2^nd manipule, 1^st century, Nefarius Purpus has been put through the mill with his new recruits, including an Egyptian who thinks the army is a holiday village, a Greek obsessed with renegotiating his pay and two Indomitable Gauls determined to do exactly as they please!

Asterix and Obelix, newly inducted as legionaries in an effort to free Falbala’s fiancé Tragicomix, take charge of operations with this dissipated legion and unexpectedly win a victory for Caesar against Scipio’s armies, thereby putting an end to Nefarius Purpus’s problems!

Nervus Illnus Breakdown man Citizenship : Roman French name : Tikedbus German name : Omnibus Dutch name : Terminus Spanish name : Tikedbus Portugese name : Safadus

 

The Asterix and the Banquet album offers Asterix and Obelix a number of interesting adventures. There are of course a number of Gauls whose dedicated support for their cause goes straight to their hearts but the country roads are also teeming with Romans determined to stop our heroes from winning their bet.

Often, they stick around just long enough to receive a good punch in the nose. Such is the case of Nervus Illnus, whose breakdowns chariot is stolen by Asterix and Obelix as they dash towards Camaracum (Cambrai) and its famous humbugs. Other Romans, however, are more tenacious and put up a good fight before succumbing.

Like Spongefingus who, after having been «helped» by our Gauls as they use him to help get them past the roadblock set up by Fishfingus, is left along the side of the road. Unrelenting, Spongefingus tracks our heroes to Durocortorum (Rheims) where he puts on a show as fearsome as a creature from «The Shining» and threatens to put his pilum in their sternum. (You'll note René Goscinny's talent at bringing a «dead» language back to life!). Asterix quickly calms this hothead by uncorking a bottle of Durocortorum wine (otherwise known as Champagne) in his face.

Obelus A Roman Legionary with an unruly moustache Citizenship : Roman French name : Obélus German name : Obelus Dutch name : Obelus Spanish name : Obelus Italian name : Obelus Portugese name : Obélius

 

What do you do when the Roman garrisons are after you, carrying a sketch to make sure they'll recognize you? This was a tough one for Asterix and Obelix, who were faced with the situation just when they were already worried about the fate of Getafix, imprisoned by the Goths.

The best solution they could find was to pinch the Roman Legionaries uniforms of Marcus Ubiquitus and Julius Monotonus to pass incognito in their wild adventure among the Carnutes. This, apart from making Obelix laughing out loud, was the start of a chain of confusion that makes the Asterix and the Goths album a catalogue of chaos that only our favourite Gauls could pull off.

This episode inspired the directors of the live Asterix movies, since Asterus and Obelus turn up in Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar, and the police sketch of our heroes shows up in the Asterix and Obelix meet Cleopatra movie.

Odius Asparagus Prefect of the Gauls. Citizenship : Roman French name : Caligula Alavacomgetepus German name : Caligula Alavacomgetepus Dutch name : Caligula Biboppus Spanish name : Calígula Pocospelus Italian name : Caligula Vacomevien Portugese name : Caligula Alavacongetepus

 

Caricature of Georges Fronval, leading specialist on Westerns, who one day managed to get John Wayne, Albert Uderzo's idol, to visit the offices of the magazine Pilote. Unfortunately, the Asterix artist was absent that day….

When you travel around on a litter carried by four slaves, you have all the time in the world to come up with the craziest ideas. Odius Asparagus is an ace at this and he finally decides that the perfect gift for him to offer Caesar in his role as Prefect of the Gauls is… one of the indomitable Gauls! Now, there's a gift whose rarity and fighting spirit make it a much more valuable present than a commonplace memo tablet to carve down one’s appointments that Caesar would not even deign to use. Such a gift would surely make the emperor consider the giver in a positive light!

Apparently, however, not all the best laid plans lead to Rome: our dear Jules, more than slightly upset when confronted with the talents of Cacofonix (our bard is finally the Gaul captured by the Prefect - it is, after all is said and done, much easier to kidnap him than … let's say… Obelix!) sees only one way to really enjoy this highly original gift: he intends to feed the bard to the Circus lions! It is, at the very least, the one opportunity the bard will ever have to practice his art in front of a large, enthusiastic audience! Until he starts warming up his voice, that is….

Operachorus Roman General appointed by Caesar to stop the construction of the Palace designed by Edifis. Citizenship : Roman French name : Chorus German name : Chorus Dutch name : Hebbus Spanish name : Corus

 

A merciless Roman General, forever furious, his face red with insatiable fury, Operachorus only feels in his element at the heart of battle, when given a chance to display Rome's power and bring a few indomitable to his boot. It's no surprise under these conditions that Caesar entrusts him with the mission to compromise the construction of Edifis' palace for Cleopatra.

Operachorus goes to great length to lower the sights of the Queen of Queen's architect: threats of all kinds, «the tortoise» military manoeuvre, an attack on two fronts defended by our two Gauls under siege, bombarding with a catapult…

Not satisfied with simply slowing down the palace construction, he orchestrates its destruction! Until Asterix tells Cleopatra about Caesar and his poor loser trickery, and backed up by Egyptian fanfare, she rushes «hurrying out of the palace at once, not even stopping to change» and puts an end to this destructive game. And now it's Operachorus' turn, as a mere legionary, to face the fury of an Emperor even more authoritarian than himself…

Overanxius Caesar's special correspondent, forced out by Asterix Citizenship : Roman French name : Lucius Fleurdelotus German name : Lucius Nichtsalsverdrus Dutch name : Lucius Finessus Spanish name : Lucilius Flordelotus Italian name : Lucius Fiordilotus Portugese name : Lucius Flordelotus

 

Inspector General Overanxious, on a special mission from Julius Caesar, is not someone easily impressed by the Gauls, no matter how indomitable they are! Rallying the terrified legionaries from the Compendium camp who, up until now, preferred the sick lists rather than to go fighting (even if it's a «bitter pilum»!), Overanxius leads a courageous assault against the Gaulish Village.

Not too surprisingly, this act of bravado finishes in a real free-for-all. Not to be discouraged, Overanxius changes tactics and has a stockade built around the Village, declaring a siege. Beside himself with rage, Asterix explains that Gaul is his country and he bets that he can tour the entire land without getting caught by the Roman legions.

He returns triumphant from the tour with proof of his exploits in the form of culinary specialities from each of the major Gaul cities he visited. At the final banquet, Asterix insists on being the one to offer Overanxius the real speciality of the Village: an uppercut!

Poisonus Fungus Prefect of Lugdunum and precursor of Tom Thumb Citizenship : Roman French name : Encorutilfaluquejelesus German name : Unnutzus Dutch name : Judascus Spanish name : Encorutilfaluquejelesus Italian name : Selavessisaputus Portugese name : Façanhudus

 

The Roman troops installed in Gaul are in turmoil, the instructions are clear: two dissident Gauls must be stopped at any price! It has to be said that once again Asterix and Obelix do an excellent job…

Strolling with impunity between the four corners of Gaul, they ridicule the power of Rome by buckling down to win the legendary bet that they made with inspector general Overanxius. Passionately supported by the Gaulish population, they are also showered with attention by the most prestigious Roman dignitaries, motivated by the reward promised by Caesar for capturing the two Indomitables.

Such is the case of Poisonus Fungus, the powerful prefect of the town of Lugdunum, who already pictures himself rising to dizzying heights of power. And when the Gaul Jellibabix offers to take him to our heroes, it certainly seems like luck has come knocking at his door. Unfortunately for him, Jellibabix is actually the head of the town's resistance movement and, rather than picking up the trail of the Gauls, he contrives to lose an entire legion of Romans in the labyrinth of Lugdunum's alleys, thereby allowing Asterix and Obelix to cross the town without any obstacles.

Wily Poisonus Fungus thinks he's found the answer: armed with pebbles to scatter along his path, he plays an early Tom Thumb to keep track of his route. But he should have known… not all his legionaries are as canny as him! In fact, one of them pays his boss the kindness of gathering up everything he has «lost»… Fortunately for them, the «ogre» of the Adventures of Asterix prefers to eat boar, and is already speeding towards Nicae with his inseparable friend Asterix!

Porpus Young lion from the gladiator school turned gentle as a lamb Citizenship : Roman French name : Lupus German name : Lupus Dutch name : Lupus Spanish name : Lupus Italian name : Lupus Portugese name : Lupus

 

When Porpus («Lupus» in the original French album, which is the Latin for «wolf») is first mentioned, it's unclear which is this gladiator with an unflattering reputation (he's «a beast», laugh his comrades). But knowing the strokes of inspiration of Asterix's masters, it's easy to see that our very «beast» Porpus is no other than the Roman we see playing leapfrog with another gladiator! (In French, playing leapfrog is «jouer à saute-mouton», which literally means «jumping over sheeps game». So the wolf has turned into a lamb!)

A real lesson in the art of comic books (a media today recognised as an art in and of itself, know to aficionados the «9th art»), where the relation between text and image (so particular to this media) is skilfully used to make it understood that thanks to Asterix and Obelix, terrible gladiators, once as frightening as bloodthirsty wolves, are now as inoffensive as children at play!

Radius Romantic Roman Citizenship : Roman French name : Faimoiducuscus German name : Gaudeamus Dutch name : Parvenus Spanish name : Federicus Italian name : Fammilcuscus Portugese name : Saisdefrutus

 

Radius is a caring Roman: as a wedding anniversary present, he gives his wife Ulna a romantic cruise to take them gently to Lutetia, the city of light. It's an idyllic setting... except that there's nothing gentle about it: Asterix and Obelix, in a hurry to reach Lutetia in order to complete the legendary culinary bet made with Overanxius, transform the two lovers' ship into a speedboat propelled at top speed by Obelix, a truly avant-garde outboard fuelled by magic potion!

Ulna, who had warmly welcomed our Indomitable Gauls, is quite distressed by the whole affair! As for Asterix and Obelix, it's just as well they got a move on: it's in Lutetia that they'll meet a little white dog, as yet anonymous, who soon proves to be dogmatic in his desire to follow our two heroes!

Raucus Hallelujachorus A centurion taken at his word. Citizenship : Roman French name : Fercorus German name : Hohlenus Dutch name : Fercorus Spanish name : Amorfus

 

For Raucus Hallelujachorus, centurion at the Totorum camp in Asterix in Spain, negotiating with the Gauls is a real ordeal.

But when Asterix and Obelix steal his young Iberian hostage Pepe away from him, he has no other choice than to go to the village of those crazy Gauls to recover his precious prisoner.

Knowing tact to be of the essence when dealing with the Gauls, he decides to make a discreet visit, tiptoeing quietly into the village at naptime.

But he’s out of luck: when Spurius Brontosaurus tactlessly hollers “Attack!”, triggering a counter-attack that gives the Gauls the last word in this negotiation.

Sendervictorius Prison guard who doesn't get along with Cacofonix too well Citizenship : Roman French name : Ziguépus German name : Zigepus Dutch name : Belbus Spanish name : Autobus Italian name : Zighepus Portugese name : Zigepo

 

It's a well-known fact: there is no escaping from the jails of the Circus Maximus in Rome. However, if you are an indomitable Gaul, you can drive the guards of this model prison crazy.

Take a look at Appianglorious, the zealous Legionary. Obelix's habit of breaking down doors instead of opening them sets his nerves on edge! It's true that I wouldn't want to be a building super with Obelix in the neighborhood. And then there's Sendervictorius, his buddy in charge of watching over Cacofonix, who goes out of his mind with each new refrain the bard sings.

So that's how it took only three Gauls to bring pandemonium to this ancient Alcatraz - what a circus!

Spongefingus Roman Legionary Citizenship : Roman French name : Milexcus German name : Excus Dutch name : Plusminus Spanish name : Milexcus Italian name : Millescus Portugese name : Distraidus

 

The Asterix and the Banquet album offers Asterix and Obelix a number of interesting adventures. There are of course a number of Gauls whose dedicated support for their cause goes straight to their hearts but the country roads are also teeming with Romans determined to stop our heroes from winning their bet.

Often, they stick around just long enough to receive a good punch in the nose. Such is the case of Nervus Illnus, whose breakdowns chariot is stolen by Asterix and Obelix as they dash towards Camaracum (Cambrai) and its famous humbugs. Other Romans, however, are more tenacious and put up a good fight before succumbing.

Like Spongefingus who, after having been «helped» by our Gauls as they use him to help get them past the roadblock set up by Fishfingus, is left along the side of the road. Unrelenting, Spongefingus tracks our heroes to Durocortorum (Rheims) where he puts on a show as fearsome as a creature from «The Shining» and threatens to put his pilum in their sternum. (You'll note René Goscinny's talent at bringing a «dead» language back to life!). Asterix quickly calms this hothead by uncorking a bottle of Durocortorum wine (otherwise known as Champagne) in his face.

Squareonthehypothenus Young and brilliant architect unfortunately bitten on the backside by Dogmatix. Citizenship : Roman French name : Anglaigus German name : Quadratus Dutch name : Campus Spanish name : Anguloagudus Italian name : Angolacutus Portugese name : Anglobtusus

 

With the first appearance of Squareonthehypothenus in the album The Mansion of the Gods, we discover a shy young man with the brightest of futures ahead of him. Caesar himself has just entrusted this architect with an important project: to build a group of dwellings to house the Romans near Asterix’s village, thus forcing our indomitable Gauls to accept Roman civilisation.

But some things you cannot learn at school, and the learned calculations of our young architect are of little help when confronted with Getafix’s magic and slaves suddenly vehemently interested in workers’ rights (to such a point that the Roman legionaries themselves begin negotiating their pay and midnight permits).

What is worse, as Squareonthehypothenus strives to smooth things over, he becomes more and more authoritarian and less and less civilised! The last straw is when Cacofonix’s mellow melodies convince the recently arrived Romans that the Gauls, whom they seek to conquer at all costs, are fiendishly invasive themselves.

Superfluous Roman soldier beaten to a pulp by Mintjulep Citizenship : Roman French name : Pacotéalargus German name : Grobianus Dutch name : Cassius Spanish name : Paquetelargus

 

Laughter is the special gift of man… and Superfluous! The only words that ever pass the lips of this muscle-bound hulk assigned to the personal protection of Julius Caesar, are «hi hi hi» (which gives quite a clue to his character).

In the event, everything takes place in three steps when Mintjulep, the Egyptian spy in the pay of Caesar, makes him do a two-step to prove that he has taken some magic potion on the construction site managed by Edifis.

At first, Superfluous, feeling sure of himself, approaches the slight figure of Ginfis, and laughs in anticipation of the clout he's going to give him.

Then, after receiving a devastating punch from the Egyptian, he flies up into the air along with a series of dialogue balloons and his «hi hi hi» following behind. That's what you can call bursting out laughing!

Finally, when they take him to hospital, his constant «hi hi hi» seem to appear like the stars whirling round him, his mind more than a little knocked sideways by the overpowering punch landed by Caesar's spy. Isn't it crazy, the genius that the Goscinny / Uderzo duo manages to portray with just three drawings and some onomatopoeia?

Surplus Dairiprodus The Prefect of Lutece keeps boredom at bay by munching on chicken and trading in golden sickles Citizenship : Roman French name : Gracchus Pleindastus German name : Gracchus Überdrus Dutch name : Gracchus Hommelus Spanish name : Gracus Astutus Italian name : Gracchus Piendastus Portugese name : Gracchus Pleindastus

 

Getting in trouble as a way to stave off boredom could well have been the motto of Surplus Dairiprodus, Prefect of Lutece in the album Asterix and the Golden Sickle.

This unusual character, who Albert Uderzo imbued with the features of American actor Charles Laughton (famous for playing Roman statesmen in films such as Cecil B. DeMille's Sign of the Cross or Spartacus by Stanley Kubrick), only begins to show the merest hint of a smile when it becomes clear that the trade in golden sickles (that he has masterminded) may in fact earn him a place as a galley slave or have him served up as dinner to the lions in the circus! The rest of the time, he tries in vain to keep tedium at bay while stuffing his face with food, all the while maintaining a countenance of the most abject world-weariness imaginable as he languishes on a sofa strewn with cushions.

There can be no doubt that the portrait painted of this high-placed Roman official is deliberately calculated to show an irreverent view of the grandeur of Rome! The authors thereby drive home one of the pillars of the Asterix philosophy: the conflict between the Gauls and the Romans is to symbolize the triumph of indomitable joie de vivre over imperial gloominess!

Tullius Octopus Legionary Circus fan Citizenship : Roman French name : Tullius Octopus German name : Tullius Octopus Dutch name : Tullius Octopus Spanish name : Tullius Octopus Italian name : Tullius Octopus Portugese name : Tullius Octopus

 

In the camp of Compendium, the Romans try to outdo one another in incompetence! Crismus Bonus, made to look ridiculous by Asterix and Getafix, was on tenterhooks before being cast into exile in outer Mongolia by Caesar himself, Caligula Minus meanwhile was discredited after having once again proved his legendary stupidity, Marcus Ginantonicus saw his enthusiasm rewarded with a bevy of slaps from all quarters…

To regain a little prestige for this thoroughly humiliated troop of soldiers, it was necessary to find a legionary who was pure of heart, successful and formidable. The writers at Asterix clunked heads and finally chose Tullius Octopus! A mountain of muscle at the orders of his superior, Tullius Octopus is a deserving soldier: give him a mission and you'll soon see him return confident of a job well done. He was thus able to capture Getafix in the Gaul forest and followed this up by being the only soldier capable of laying his hands on strawberries out of season, just what a mocking Getafix was demanding in order to concoct some magic potion.

With every success, his Centurion Crismus Bonus rewards him by granting him permission to go to Rome to see all the fun of the circus. This in turn presents us with the opportunity of seeing him deliriously happy, joyfully attending a show that, in those days, was not in fact graced by many clowns… It's his very naivety that saves him.

When the druids Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny direct their scathing, irreverent gags at the glaring stupidity of the self-proclaimed Empires, they always spare those individuals who, in that brutish world, manage to keep an innocent world view. Quod erat demonstrandum!

Ulna A Roman all at sea Citizenship : Roman French name : Flavia German name : Flavia Dutch name : Flavia Spanish name : Flavia Italian name : Flavia Portugese name : Flavia

 

Radius is a caring Roman: as a wedding anniversary present, he gives his wife Ulna a romantic cruise to take them gently to Lutetia, the city of light. It's an idyllic setting... except that there's nothing gentle about it: Asterix and Obelix, in a hurry to reach Lutetia in order to complete the legendary culinary bet made with Overanxius, transform the two lovers' ship into a speedboat propelled at top speed by Obelix, a truly avant-garde outboard fuelled by magic potion!

Ulna, who had warmly welcomed our Indomitable Gauls, is quite distressed by the whole affair! As for Asterix and Obelix, it's just as well they got a move on: it's in Lutetia that they'll meet a little white dog, as yet anonymous, who soon proves to be dogmatic in his desire to follow our two heroes!

Unscrupulus Roman brigand mistaken for Obelix by General Motus. Citizenship : Roman French name : Radius German name : Cosinus Dutch name : Solarus Spanish name : Radius Italian name : Radius Portugese name : Radius

 

Villanus and Unscrupulus, a pair of Roman brigands wandering the paths of Gaul have come across some easy prey: two Gauls who have nodded off at the side of the road, leaving an imposing bag of provisions unguarded. Talk about taking candy from a baby…

Except that the bag in question belongs to Asterix and Obelix and is for this reason being sought by every Roman garrison in the land! And as if that weren't bad enough, this pair of hoodlums match the admittedly fairly rough description issued to all of the legionaries stationed in Gaul: «a little man and a big fat man carrying a bag.» It goes without saying that Obelix is sure to appreciate this comment when he hears of it…

Meanwhile, Villanus and Unscrupulus are duly captured and exhibited in the main square of Burdigala (Bordeaux) by a General Motus, hungry for revenge and determined to make an example of the pair he is convinced is Asterix and Obelix.

However, our real Gauls turn up slap-bang in the middle of their 'capture' celebrations and settle their account with the entire garrison, not forgetting in the process to recover the culinary specialities they had brought back from their journey. In the wake of the battle, Villanus and Unscrupulus are released by Motus, desperate that the whole sorry episode be forgotten…

Villanus Roman brigand mistaken for Asterix by General Motus. Citizenship : Roman French name : Plexus German name : Sinus Dutch name : Plexus Spanish name : Plexus Italian name : Plessus Portugese name : Plexus

 

Villanus and Unscrupulus, a pair of Roman brigands wandering the paths of Gaul have come across some easy prey: two Gauls who have nodded off at the side of the road, leaving an imposing bag of provisions unguarded. Talk about taking candy from a baby…

Except that the bag in question belongs to Asterix and Obelix and is for this reason being sought by every Roman garrison in the land! And as if that weren't bad enough, this pair of hoodlums match the admittedly fairly rough description issued to all of the legionaries stationed in Gaul: «a little man and a big fat man carrying a bag.» It goes without saying that Obelix is sure to appreciate this comment when he hears of it…

Meanwhile, Villanus and Unscrupulus are duly captured and exhibited in the main square of Burdigala (Bordeaux) by a General Motus, hungry for revenge and determined to make an example of the pair he is convinced is Asterix and Obelix.

However, our real Gauls turn up slap-bang in the middle of their 'capture' celebrations and settle their account with the entire garrison, not forgetting in the process to recover the culinary specialities they had brought back from their journey. In the wake of the battle, Villanus and Unscrupulus are released by Motus, desperate that the whole sorry episode be forgotten…

THE OTHERS

Anticlimax Asterix´s first cousin from Brittany, shaken up by Obelix. Citizenship : Breton French name : Jolitorax German name : Teefax Dutch name : Flegmatix Spanish name : Buentorax Italian name : Beltorax Portugese name : Jolitorax

 

We already know Metallurgix, Obelix’s cousin from Asterix and the Golden Sickle and now Asterix in Britain gives us a chance to meet Anticlimax, Asterix’s first cousin once removed.

A classy dresser (his tailor is rich), who exhibits remarkable phlegm and keeps a stiff upper lip at all times, Anticlimax is hooked on cups of hot water (with a splash of milk) and is the perfect guide to the ways and customs of the (Great)-Britons as described by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. They don’t miss a trick: the Tower of Londinium, bards who look like the Liverpuldian Fab Four, gardens worthy of the Centre Court at Wimbledon, rugby (very popular with Obelix who is considerably less keen however on the boiled wild boar and lukewarm beer consumed by the native Brits).

All these elements make Asterix in Britain one of Albert Uderzo’s favourites among the albums written by his friend René Goscinny. He particularly appreciates the flash of genius of transforming the Briton’s speech using English turns of expression. I say, enough to make one rub one’s hands with glee, what?

Artifis Egyptian architect who wants to thwart the work of Edifis Citizenship : Egyptian French name : Amonbofis German name : Pyradonis Dutch name : Plurkis Spanish name : Paletabis Italian name : Stocafis Portugese name : Lindomeninis

 

Inspired by Joseph Mankiewicz’s film “Cleopatra”, it is only logical that, when writing Asterix and Cleopatra, René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo should include a real “bad guy”, someone worthy of the dastardly foes of James Bond.

Complete with terrifying grimaces and the sly pleasure he takes in dreaming up devious stratagems (with each underhanded scheme he exclaims “I’ve got it! It’s a piece of cake”, with a gruesome smile on his lips), Artifis fills the bill perfectly! He brims with ideas to make life difficult for his rival, the architect Edifis, to whom Cleopatra has entrusted the most prestigious building project ever - a sumptuous palace to be constructed in honour of Julius Caesar in just three months.

Enter Artifis, and the stage is set to thwart this ambitious project: he urges the workers to revolt, plots to delay the arrival of stone, locks our heroes in a pyramid, offers a poisoned cake to Cleopatra on behalf of the Gauls, to name just a few. It’s tough on Edifis, but what a treat for us readers! In fact, you have to wonder whether there isn’t material here for another great film…

Atmospheric A sensitive Barbarian Citizenship : Goth French name : Pasdfric German name : Symmetrik Dutch name : Elastik Spanish name : Sindinéric Italian name : Pasdipassero Portugese name : Pasdfric

 

Together, Prehistoric, Atmospheric, Tartaric and Esoteric form the vicious barbarian escort of the Goth chief, Choleric. They won't hesitate to beat, tie up, kidnap or fight anyone who stands in their way!

Its not surprising, therefore, that the Supreme Chief of the Goths, Metric, has entrusted them with this villainous mission: to capture Getafix, elected best druid by his peers at the annual meeting held in the forest of the Carnutes. Their aim: to snatch the magic potion for the greater glory of the «Visigoths, the Ostrogoths and any other sort of Goths»! They'll do anything to succeed and are afraid of nothing: having smacked about and tied up a couple of Roman legionaries posted on the border, they bundle Getafix unceremoniously into a sack that is most unbecoming of his position as a druid, in order to take him back to Germania. However, when the Romans cross the path of these thugs, all they do is ask whether these «good men» might have seen Asterix and Obelix, who they think are genuine barbarians!

Confusion reigns: the Gauls are invading Gaul, the Romans are arresting other Romans, while our Gothic quintet knock out a border official who is as Gothic as they are, but who is perhaps a little too fussy about administrative procedures (he wouldn't let them bring «foreign goods», in other words, Getafix, onto German territory!). But Asterix's authors demonstrate that our German cousins from Gaulish times could also be sensitive and appreciate the best things in life, when they weren't busy fighting, that is.

Atmospheric proves the point by loudly applauding Cicatrix, the druid, when he presents his own potion, which causes beautiful flowers to grow whatever the season. It's enough to make you want to get married and have lots of little barbarians.

Boneywasawarriorwayayix Clan chief, expert in explosive cheeses. Citizenship : Corsican French name : Ocatarinetabellatchitchix German name : Osolemirnix Dutch name : Ozewiezewozewiezewallakristallix (Corsica) Spanish name : Ocatarinetabelachítchix Italian name : Ocatarinetabelasciscix Portugese name : Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

 

“Corsica is the Roman’s bugbear!” insists the proud Boneywasawarriorwayayix to Obelix, who for his part considers that the nightlife among the Romans who live next to the “village of madmen” is already fairly agitated. In an effort to get the real scoop, Asterix and Obelix set off for the Isle of Beauty on a “research trip”. And they have to admit that the Corsicans’ methods are more than a little surprising: between two naps, our heroes discover clan warfare, scrubland where entire Roman legions are lost, Corsican cheeses with an explosive flavour and wild pigs with a strong resemblance to domestic boar (when you have Obelix’s appetite at least…).

The magnificent scenery, the observation of local customs: everything is perfectly depicted in Asterix in Corsica, thanks to the reconnaissance trip made by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. It is worth noting that research trips were made only for this album and Asterix and the Black Gold. If we also consider the preface to this album, we might wonder whether our authors experienced some explosive fantasies? Whatever the case, the poignant realism recreated by our authors convinced the Corsicans themselves, who did not hesitate to turn this title into a best-seller at the shops on the Isle of Beauty.

What’s more, a number of people on the island claim to have inspired the character of Boneywasawarriorwayayix, whereas the truth of the matter is that he is a caricature of Paul Giannoli, a journalist who worked at Pilote, and has always been oblivious to his newfound fame!

Choleric Goth kidnapper of Druids Citizenship : Goth French name : Coudetric German name : Rhetorik Dutch name : Statistik Spanish name : Mamporric Italian name : Mangarandello Portugese name : Coudetric

 

Choleric is the head Goth entrusted with the challenging mission of capturing the best Gaulish Druid in order to use (and abuse) his magic skills in order to invade Gaul and Rome. Nothing more, nothing less! Accompanied by his trusty companions, Tartaric, Atmospheric, Prehistoric and Esoteric, Choleric goes to the forest of Carnutes to attend the annual Druid gathering and capture the winner of the Golden Menhir, certified to be the best Druid of the year by his most esteemed colleagues.

And the winner is… Getafix, of course, who gets caught in an ambush and wrapped up like one of Christo's works by our five barbarians (or simply trapped in a postal bag from 50 BC, depending on the circumstances), and transported to Germany to be delivered to Metric, supreme leader of the Goths.

It sounds simple when we tell it like this, but meanwhile, we have seen Romans following in the steps of Asterix and Obelix, whom they consider to be dangerous barbarians (while they borrowed the clothes of the Roman legionaries - are you following?), violent Goth kidnappers respectfully questioned by the Romans who are searching for «barbarians» (our Gaulish heros, in fact), Roman customs officers, or Goths who only let you cross the borders over their bodies (unfortunately for them, that is usually how it ends). In short, a real treat is in store for our readers!

Cleopatra Queen of queens. Citizenship : Egyptian French name : Cléopâtre German name : Kleopatra Dutch name : Cleopatra Spanish name : Cleopatra Portugese name : Cleópatra

 

When René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo discovered the film «Cleopatra» by Joseph Mankiewicz at a cinema in Brussels in 1963, you might say they really had flair! Inspired by Liz Taylor's performance in this film fit for a Pharaoh, our two friends immediately set to work drafting what was to become one of the most accomplished characters in the Asterix universe, Queen Cleopatra herself !

And what a Cleopatra! Irascible (her vases often pay the price of her bad humour!), magnanimous (she gracefully acknowledges her mistakes and forgives our favourite Gauls after having thrown them into a dungeon following a slight misunderstanding), loyal and authoritarian, but also superbly beautiful or playfully mocking with Caesar… No doubt about it, this colourful royal character bears the stamp of great authors, whose terrific talent makes it possible to dabble in caricature without sacrificing the consistency and depth of a truly complex character.

Getafix bears witness to this when, far from seeing this Queen of Queens as a mere caricature, he can't hide his admiration for this woman with whom he would like to rub noses. She and her «Julius» form convincing mother and father figures for our resolutely turbulent Gaulish big children. In the album Asterix and Son, Albert Uderzo takes this metaphor to the limit, when Cleopatra entrusts her imperial offspring Caesarion to the care of the village of Indomitables, definitely deemed the ideal setting for a happy childhood!

Cleopatra-s taster A disgusted taster put off by Artifis' pastry recipes. Citizenship : Egyptian French name : Le goûteur de Cléopâtre German name : Der Vorkoster von Kleopatra Dutch name : Het voorproever van Cleopatra Spanish name : El catador de Cleopatra

 

For his first appearance in Asterix and Cleopatra in 1963, the Queen's official taster proudly wore a pale green colour, which allowed him to speculate at length on the relativity of tastes and colours…

Rather the distastes, to be precise, as our man suffered from excruciating stomach pains caused by a cake poisoned by Artifis and offered to Cleopatra on behalf of the Gauls (it should be pointed out that the cake's recipe is detailed in song by Artifis and his scribe and henchman Krukhut in the animation film Asterix and Cleopatra).

Immediately accused of attempting to kill the Queen, then imprisoned for a wrongdoing they did not commit, our Indomitables are saved from mishap thanks to an antidote concocted by Getafix, who heals our sick taster and convinces Cleopatra of the innocuousness of the cake.

Follows a series of puns on this taster so happy to quit a job so distasteful that it was poisoning his life!

Eccentric Goth smacking Euphoric while being beaten by Lyric Citizenship : Goth French name : Casseurdebric German name : Bartrik Dutch name : Fanatik Spanish name : Rompedientic Italian name : Fracassamattoni Portugese name : Casseurdebric

Total chaos! There is no better way to sum up Asterix and the Goths. You'd think our indomitable Gauls were seeking to export the notion of the «crazy Gauls' Village» as a way to vanquish monotony and boredom wherever they go. After all, these enemies are more formidable than all the Roman legions put together.

The height of disorder is reached during the «Asterixian Wars», in which the Goths, bursting with magic potion, all want to become a chief using methods that would later be known in Asterix and the Roman Agent as «psychological warfare» (basically consisting in knocking people out with a club). This crowd of raging Goths allows René Goscinny full rein with puns and it is here that Eccentric, Electric (promoted to General), Lyric, Satiric, Euphoric and Eccentric got mixed up in the battle.

For his part, Albert Uderzo demonstrates his exuberant talent for illustration using Gothic writing, creating a surprising map of the operations that shows the pervading disorder and by designing helmets based on a mix of ancient and modern headgear… Let's Goth!

Edifis Architect allergic to crocodiles, even sacred ones. Citizenship : Egyptian French name : Numérobis German name : Numerobis Dutch name : Tekenis Spanish name : Numerobis Portugese name : Númerobis

 

Edifis is «the best architect in Alexandria», which according to Cleopatra is hardly saying much… And we have to admit she's right when we look at the ramshackle structures built by Edifis and wonderfully illustrated by Albert Uderzo. These constructions - whose architecture could best be described as cubist - always seem to be on the point of caving in, making Asterix readers (happy not to call these buildings home) collapse themselves… with laughter! And yet, no one doubts that this architect, utterly devoid of any talents (the currency in use in Egypt at that time) revolutionised working practices in his profession.

Making the most of his friend Getafix's famous magic potion, he leads some notable social advances (for example, reducing the prescribed number of whip cracks needed to improve worker's productivity), and brings Egyptian art towards Modernity by abandoning the pointed forms of the Pyramid era. Better still, Edifis meets the deadline laid down by Cleopatra for building a palace for Caesar, a very rare occurrence indeed in the building trade in those days … To reward him for this success, Cleopatra covers him with gold (both figuratively and literally!). At this point, we should mention an anecdote from Alain Chabat, director of the film Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, featuring Djamel Debbouze as Edifis and which drew a record audience of 15 million in France alone.

Alain Chabat explains that this legendary scene did not make the final cut on the big screen since, after several unsuccessful attempts, they were simply unable to recreate the hilarious expression of the slave in the album, as he walks away saying «I'm coming back» when Obelix points out that Edifis is not completely covered in gold («There's still a bit sticking out here»). The film simply could not better the richness of expression of the Asterix creator's cartoons!

Ekonomikrisis Model entrepreneur Citizenship : Phoenician French name : Epidemaïs German name : Epidemais Dutch name : Verramsj Spanish name : Espigademaíz Italian name : Grandimais Portugese name : Epidemaïs

 

A Phoenician travelling merchant, Ekonomikrisis is a pioneering trader who employs the slyest rules of liberalism in the Roman Empire and remodels them to his advantage. Demonstrating great expertise in cutting-edge communication techniques, he rechristens the rowers on his commercial galley «partners», united under the aegis of a «partnership contract» drawn up in good form, in which he doesn't neglect to reserve the posts of Chairman and Managing Director for himself.

The terms may have changed, but this new breed of MD with unquestioned managerial authority ill disguises the fact that he's exploiting his men in the form of good, old-fashioned slavery: it has to be said, Ekonomikrisis created a formidable system in which everyone ends up working for his profit alone!

Even worse, if you aren't one of his «partners» and you don't row for him, watch out: Ekonomikrisis is no doubt already dreaming of selling you as a slave, just to get something out of your journey on his boat! We note that before the strike of the «volunteer» slaves in Asterix and Cleopatra and the union struggles of The Mansion of the Gods, the authors of Asterix developed a decidedly singular vision of the world of work! Later, in Asterix and the Black Gold, Albert Uderzo completes the portrait of this eccentric merchant with an innovative decision: Ekonomikrisis calls his rowers «holiday-makers» on a package tour, of which he is of course the tour operator! He's not called Ekonomikrisis for nothing!

Electric Goth General ready to sweep away everything in his path Citizenship : Goth French name : Electric German name : Elektrik Dutch name : Elektrik Spanish name : Eléctric Italian name : Elettrico Portugese name : Electric

 

Total chaos! There is no better way to sum up Asterix and the Goths. You'd think our indomitable Gauls were seeking to export the notion of the «crazy Gauls' Village» as a way to vanquish monotony and boredom wherever they go. After all, these enemies are more formidable than all the Roman legions put together.

The height of disorder is reached during the «Asterixian Wars», in which the Goths, bursting with magic potion, all want to become a chief using methods that would later be known in Asterix and the Roman Agent as «psychological warfare» (basically consisting in knocking people out with a club). This crowd of raging Goths allows René Goscinny full rein with puns and it is here that Eccentric, Electric (promoted to General), Lyric, Satiric, Euphoric and Eccentric got mixed up in the battle.

For his part, Albert Uderzo demonstrates his exuberant talent for illustration using Gothic writing, creating a surprising map of the operations that shows the pervading disorder and by designing helmets based on a mix of ancient and modern headgear… Let's Goth!

Erix Apprentice Pirate Citizenship : Pirate French name : Erix German name : Erix Dutch name : Erix Spanish name : Eric Italian name : Erix Portugese name : Erix

 

Erix is living proof that it takes more than a spot of nepotism to become a successful pirate. As son of pirate chief Redbeard, everything was set up for him to be on the receiving end of regular abuse from Asterix and Obelix, just like his father and his acolytes!

However, after a unique sinking, commented upon, of course, by the experienced Latinist Pegleg, Erix no longer appeared in the Asterix albums. Even worse: his father saw fit to leave him as a guarantee to buy another ship, which, of course, was soon to sink under Gaulish attacks in Asterix and Cleopatra. Why did Erix no longer participate in the numerous familial disappointments? Did he suffer from incurable sea sickness? Was he allergic to Gaulish slaps?

Finally Albert Uderzo himself gave us the reason for his brutal disappearance: quite simply, Erix «wasn't very funny»! Hence the idea, perhaps, to leave him as a guarantee for a new boat. Because, it has to be said, the trials and tribulations of our favourite pirates have always made us laugh!

You just have to think back to the hilarious collection of pirate-ship bows drawn by Albert Uderzo, in the book Le Livre d'Astérix le Gaulois, to be convinced of it!

Esoteric A strange Goth Citizenship : Goth French name : Périféric German name : Periferik Dutch name : Periferik Spanish name : Periféric Italian name : Periferico Portugese name : Periféric

 

Together, Prehistoric, Atmospheric, Tartaric and Esoteric form the vicious barbarian escort of the Goth chief, Choleric. They won't hesitate to beat, tie up, kidnap or fight anyone who stands in their way!

Its not surprising, therefore, that the Supreme Chief of the Goths, Metric, has entrusted them with this villainous mission: to capture Getafix, elected best druid by his peers at the annual meeting held in the forest of the Carnutes. Their aim: to snatch the magic potion for the greater glory of the «Visigoths, the Ostrogoths and any other sort of Goths»! They'll do anything to succeed and are afraid of nothing: having smacked about and tied up a couple of Roman legionaries posted on the border, they bundle Getafix unceremoniously into a sack that is most unbecoming of his position as a druid, in order to take him back to Germania. However, when the Romans cross the path of these thugs, all they do is ask whether these «good men» might have seen Asterix and Obelix, who they think are genuine barbarians!

Confusion reigns: the Gauls are invading Gaul, the Romans are arresting other Romans, while our Gothic quintet knock out a border official who is as Gothic as they are, but who is perhaps a little too fussy about administrative procedures (he wouldn't let them bring «foreign goods», in other words, Getafix, onto German territory!). But Asterix's authors demonstrate that our German cousins from Gaulish times could also be sensitive and appreciate the best things in life, when they weren't busy fighting, that is.

Atmospheric proves the point by loudly applauding Cicatrix, the druid, when he presents his own potion, which causes beautiful flowers to grow whatever the season. It's enough to make you want to get married and have lots of little barbarians.

Euphoric Chief of a Goth faction Citizenship : Goth French name : Passmoilcric German name : Mickerik Dutch name : Republik Spanish name : Abolladic Italian name : Passemelerico Portugese name : Passmoileric

 

Total chaos! There is no better way to sum up Asterix and the Goths. You'd think our indomitable Gauls were seeking to export the notion of the «crazy Gauls' Village» as a way to vanquish monotony and boredom wherever they go. After all, these enemies are more formidable than all the Roman legions put together.

The height of disorder is reached during the «Asterixian Wars», in which the Goths, bursting with magic potion, all want to become a chief using methods that would later be known in Asterix and the Roman Agent as «psychological warfare» (basically consisting in knocking people out with a club). This crowd of raging Goths allows René Goscinny full rein with puns and it is here that Eccentric, Electric (promoted to General), Lyric, Satiric, Euphoric and Eccentric got mixed up in the battle.

For his part, Albert Uderzo demonstrates his exuberant talent for illustration using Gothic writing, creating a surprising map of the operations that shows the pervading disorder and by designing helmets based on a mix of ancient and modern headgear… Let's Goth!

Exlibris Scribe, sitting pretty, even when squatting Citizenship : Egyptian French name : Misenplis German name : Sekretaris Dutch name : Aapnootmis Spanish name : Milapis

 

Whereas Krukhut, the vile scribe of the infamous Artifis, watches his mop of hair grow without stopping (to the point where he resembles Sheila, the 1960s French singer), we never see hide nor hair on another scribe known as Exlibris, who helps Edifis in his task.

This cautious scribe, so attentive to spelling mistakes and with a great respect for «modern» languages like Latin, Greek and Celtic, writes hieroglyphs as others draw (in fact, the position of scribe appears to be the ideal profession combining the talents of Uderzo and Goscinny!), carefully composes the message that Asterix and Dogmatix carry to Cleopatra, thereby saving the palace from destruction. Phew ! Thank you Exlibris ! Saved by a hair…

Firsthaf Norman making a whole with Secondhaf Citizenship : Norman French name : Dactilograf German name : Telegraf Dutch name : Rechtsaf Spanish name : Dactilograf

 

Mountains of muscle with a sinister look, Firsthaf and Secondhaf are inseparable. On order of their chief Timandahaf, they lead the « champion of fear » Justforkix to the runway.

Timandahaf plays the control tower and authorises takeoff with « All systems go! I repat, all systems go! » Asterix shows up just in time, using one to whomp the other. We told you that the two of them were inseparable….

Huevos y Bacon Pepe’s Papa Citizenship : Iberian French name : Soupalognon y Crouton German name : Costa y Bravo Dutch name : Paella y Peseta Spanish name : Sopalajo de Arriérez y Torrezno Italian name : Salsadipeperon y Monton Portugese name : Soupalognon y Crouton

 

“My papa is the strongest papa in the world and that idiot Jules Caesar is afraid of my papa”: this is how Pepe describes his father to the Indomitable Gauls!

His father is the proud Huevos y Bacon, the head of a small town not far from Munda (Montilla), the only village in all of Hispania to have continued to resist the Roman invaders. Does this sound familiar?

When speaking to Caesar, Huevos y Bacon does not mince his words: “If I get my hands on you, Roman, I’ll cook you in olive oil!”

No doubt about it, the Spanish know how to go about grilling their enemies!

Huntingseassen The Danish at Bay Citizenship : Viking Dog French name : Zøødvinsen German name : Møpsen Dutch name : Døgsen Spanish name : Kampfdølvarsa

 

When the Vikings fall for a dog, it is of course a Great Dane!

Like its masters, Huntingseassen talks in a language full of Nordic typographical characters.

But whereas the Gauls don’t understand a word of the Scandinavian language, Dogmatix and Huntingseassen quickly begin exchanging friendly “woofs” and “wøøfs”.

Followed by one of the greatest fits of canine giggles of all time!

Krukhut Artifis' scribe and henchman who redefines the history of hairstyling Citizenship : Egyptian French name : Tournevis German name : Schraubzieris Dutch name : Kissebis Spanish name : Tornavis

 

Working for the notorious Artifis can only make a person evil. Such is the case for the scribe Krukhut, who spends a lot more time carrying out the vile schemes of his master than he does carrying out admin by «drawing» letters on his papyrus.

Tasked with slowing the construction of the palace that Edifis is building for Cleopatra, Krukhut takes no half-measures as he organises the disappearance of the rocks that the Queen's architect is so impatiently waiting for, and then goes as far as to lock up our Gauls in the pyramid. So satisfied is he with his work, he then swears that he will not shave his head should the Gauls, by any chance, escape from this trap. He doesn't though count on Dogmatix, whose sense of smell guides our heroes out of the labyrinth of corridors inside the pyramid.

Consequently, our henchman has to grow his hair, and becomes a model in the kingdom of the Pharaohs for hairstyles going beyond even those of the Beatles or the Stones at the height of the 60s! The Queen's subjects soon start sporting this avant-garde revolutionary look and leave Roman fashion looking rather ancient! Cleopatra, in her anxiousness to prove to Caesar that her people remain a great nation, capable of making history whilst remaining at the vanguard of modernity, couldn't have asked for anything more…

Lyric Goth who betrayed Rhetoric before being betrayed by his brother-in-law Satiric Citizenship : Goth French name : Liric German name : Lyrik Dutch name : Heilgymnastik Spanish name : Liric Italian name : Lirico Portugese name : Liric

 

Total chaos! There is no better way to sum up Asterix and the Goths. You'd think our indomitable Gauls were seeking to export the notion of the «crazy Gauls' Village» as a way to vanquish monotony and boredom wherever they go. After all, these enemies are more formidable than all the Roman legions put together.

The height of disorder is reached during the «Asterixian Wars», in which the Goths, bursting with magic potion, all want to become a chief using methods that would later be known in Asterix and the Roman Agent as «psychological warfare» (basically consisting in knocking people out with a club). This crowd of raging Goths allows René Goscinny full rein with puns and it is here that Eccentric, Electric (promoted to General), Lyric, Satiric, Euphoric and Eccentric got mixed up in the battle.

For his part, Albert Uderzo demonstrates his exuberant talent for illustration using Gothic writing, creating a surprising map of the operations that shows the pervading disorder and by designing helmets based on a mix of ancient and modern headgear… Let's Goth!

Metric A Supreme Chief of the Goths you can count on Citizenship : Goth French name : Téléféric German name : Cholerik Dutch name : Poliklinik Spanish name : Teleféric Italian name : Teleferico Portugese name : Teleferic

 

Despite the heavy responsibilities he shoulders (he is in charge of the Visigoths, the Western Goths who live to the east of Gaul, not to be confused with the Eastern Goths: the Ostrogoths - Do you follow me? Ask Obelix, he'll explain!), Metric remains a modest chap, who enjoys those simple things that add a little extra spice to a successful life: tearing apart recalcitrant citizens by wild horses and chopping them up into little pieces.

Yes indeed, under his peculiar helmet (one horn pointing down, the other pointing up), Metric never lacks imagination when it comes to entertaining the population! Best of all, he's a connoisseur: he tells his «entertainment's manager» to make sure that the pieces are not cut too small so that everyone can see them! The rest of the time, he dreams of nothing more than invading Gaul and the Roman Empire, leading him to order his men to capture the best druid around so as to exploit his magic, with the ultimate aim of replacing Julius as Emperor.

Unfortunately for him, the druid in question is none other than Getafix, who uses all his cunning and his magic potion to stir up chaos and confusion in Germania. Soon, every Goth has drunk the magic concoction and wants to take over the position of chief Goth! Metric finds himself dethroned by Rhetoric, his vile interpreter, before gathering together an army and plunging his people into a series of interminable intestinal wars. Well, we did warn you: with Metric, everything is simple - as long as he keeps a measure of the situation!

Mintjulep Egyptian spy expert in drinking magic potions. Citizenship : Egyptian French name : Ginfis German name : Ginfiz Dutch name : Ginfis Spanish name : Ginfis

 

In Asterix albums, the most brilliant spies regularly play the role of a chameleon, displaying absolutely remarkable camouflage skills. Along the same lines, everyone of course remembers Dubbelosix, made up as a statue taunting Julius Caesar from his pedestal, or Caligula Minus, unwillingly disguised as «Caliguliminix», responsible for discovering the existence of the magic potion from the Gaulish village.

Mintjulep, an Egyptian spy paid by Caesar, actually takes disguise to its purest form. He only has to exchange his own haute couture loincloth for that of a worker in order to escape Asterix's vigilance at Edifis' building site! Efficient and quick, he returns to fill Caesar in on the reason behind the impressive progress in Cleopatra's palace: Edifis feeds his workmen a potion which gives them superhuman strength! The sceptical emperor asks Superfluous (one muscle-bound fellow!) to reason with the presumptuous architect, who sends the legionary flying with just one blow!

From then on, Caesar sees just one possible explanation: Asterix, Obelix and Getafix can't be far away, and he has to act quickly! Espionage must now give sway to a demonstration of Rome's true power, by Jupiter!

Nescaf Norman expert in clubbing Citizenship : Norman French name : Batdaf German name : Dompfaf Dutch name : Komvandatdakaf Spanish name : Soldaf

 

Nescaf’s methods are no sleight of hand. Sent on reconnaissance to Gaul country by his chief Timandahaf, he finds that rare pearl – Justforkix, self-proclaimed champion of fear!

To be on the safe side, Nescaf wallops this young Gaul with a club to make sure he cannot fly away. “Not too hard” a club stroke, he says, or else they would not even be able to use Justforkix’s skull to hold water….

Olaf Timandahaf Overtime Norman Citizenship : Norman French name : Olaf Grossebaf German name : Olaf Maulaf Dutch name : Olaf Liflaf Spanish name : Olaf Grosenbaf Portugese name : Àchapadaf

 

Olaf Timandahaf is the chief of the Norman warriors. He is an ambitious leader who wants to know everything! Searching for the secret fear that lends people wings, he sails to Gaul with his best troupes in tow. Here he meets Justforkix, winner hands-down for the title of world “champion of fear”!

It’s off to the cliffs where the Normans suppose that Justforkix, when pushed off the ledge, will have no other choice than to sprout wings and fly. Terrified, the young Lutetian is finally rescued by the bard Cacofonix, whose vocal exploits make the Normans’ blood run cold. Whew! Everyone gets off with a bad fright…

Pegleg Pirate philosopher Citizenship : Pirate French name : Triple Patte German name : Dreifuss Dutch name : Driepoot Spanish name : Patapalo Italian name : Treppiedi Portugese name : Três-Pernas

 

Loyal right-hand man of chief Redbeard, Pegleg can be recognised by his legendary wooden leg and his flowing white locks which inspire, among the pirate crew of the Asterix adventures, the respect due to experience.

This experience enables him, despite an occasional lack of interest from his comrades, to share his shrewd and learned Latin comments each time (and there have been many times!) their ship is sunk following an attack. These attacks are carried out by that eternal scourge of this galley filled to the brim with brigands and bandits - a scourge named the Gau… the Gau…!!!

Some two thousand years before the markedly less literary comments of Thierry Roland or the highly lyrical Philippe Candeloro, Pegleg entered into history by becoming the first consultant in naval disasters - a sport at which Asterix and Obelix's favourite pirates, it has to be said, are champions in every category! And although the sport is far less common nowadays, it's a shame that the stars of commentating on round and oval balls don't follow the example set by their precursor Pegleg more often, by courageously placing themselves at the very heart of the action and stringing together the most evocative of Latin sentences. But what do you expect, «O tempora, o mores»…

Pirate Lookout Pirate lookout and percussionist Citizenship : Pirate French name : Baba German name : Baba Dutch name : Baba Spanish name : Baba Italian name : Babà Portugese name : Babá

 

The Pirate lookout keeps watch for the fearsome (though little feared by our Indomitable crew) pirates lead by Redbeard.

Never leaving his post (although his post often leaves him during the recurring battles with Asterix and Obelix, known in pirate language by the code name «the Gau… the Gau…»), the pirate lookout never misses an opportunity to comment on the torments endured by our favourite pirates and punctuates their regular misadventures with his remarks.

It must be said that this ancient pirate crew ends up «mergitur» more often than «fluctuat», as Pegleg would say (one of the Pirate lookout's brothers-in-arms, famous for his wooden leg and his Latin quotations), and enjoys as much misfortune as it does fortune! In spite of everything, in between shipwrecks, the pirate lookout is entitled to his 15 minutes of fame: in the album Asterix and Obelix All at Sea, he reveals his percussion talents to a dumbfounded audience when, in order to quicken the pace of the rowers, judged idle by chief Redbeard, he takes his place before the drums and becomes the drummer he always dreamed of being.

It's a breathtaking performance, so much so that the rowers forget to row in order to better enjoy the show, which doesn't exactly please Redbeard! However, it's in that very album that the pirate lookout is named for the first time in an Asterix adventure (at least in original French albums, where he's called «Baba»), thereby obtaining a consecration of sorts!

Prehistoric An Ancient Goth Citizenship : Goth French name : Histéric German name : Historik Dutch name : Nietgoedsnik Spanish name : Histéric Italian name : Isterico Portugese name : Histeric

 

Together, Prehistoric, Atmospheric, Tartaric and Esoteric form the vicious barbarian escort of the Goth chief, Choleric. They won't hesitate to beat, tie up, kidnap or fight anyone who stands in their way!

Its not surprising, therefore, that the Supreme Chief of the Goths, Metric, has entrusted them with this villainous mission: to capture Getafix, elected best druid by his peers at the annual meeting held in the forest of the Carnutes. Their aim: to snatch the magic potion for the greater glory of the «Visigoths, the Ostrogoths and any other sort of Goths»! They'll do anything to succeed and are afraid of nothing: having smacked about and tied up a couple of Roman legionaries posted on the border, they bundle Getafix unceremoniously into a sack that is most unbecoming of his position as a druid, in order to take him back to Germania. However, when the Romans cross the path of these thugs, all they do is ask whether these «good men» might have seen Asterix and Obelix, who they think are genuine barbarians!

Confusion reigns: the Gauls are invading Gaul, the Romans are arresting other Romans, while our Gothic quintet knock out a border official who is as Gothic as they are, but who is perhaps a little too fussy about administrative procedures (he wouldn't let them bring «foreign goods», in other words, Getafix, onto German territory!). But Asterix's authors demonstrate that our German cousins from Gaulish times could also be sensitive and appreciate the best things in life, when they weren't busy fighting, that is.

Atmospheric proves the point by loudly applauding Cicatrix, the druid, when he presents his own potion, which causes beautiful flowers to grow whatever the season. It's enough to make you want to get married and have lots of little barbarians.

Ptenisnet Egyptian on the fly Citizenship : Egyptian French name : Courdeténis German name : Tennisplatzis Dutch name : Tennis Spanish name : Campodetenis Portugese name : Cortedeténis

 

Enrolled in the Roman legion due to a misunderstanding in Asterix the Legionary, Ptenisnet confuses a Roman camp with a holiday camp....

Luckily for him, Asterix and Obelix take their role as camp counsellors to heart so that Ptenisnet ends up revisiting the charm of his years as a youth in the army!

Redbeard Genial organiser of pleasure cruises. Citizenship : Pirate French name : Barbe Rouge German name : Der Rote Korsar Dutch name : Roodbaard Spanish name : Barbarroja Portugese name : Barba Vermelha

 

A cruise always implies long periods of free time, especially those that took place in 50 B.C. If you wonder what was done with that time, you can be sure that René and Albert had no trouble coming up with ideas. In keeping with the usual crew of merrymakers from the Asterix world that we know and love, they entrusted our Jolly Rogers and their captain, Redbeard, with the role of masters of revelry.

Their mission is to provide entertainment to the enjoyment of all travellers (Romans, Normans, and, of course, Gauls)! Pirates to massacre, what a treat! Well, caricatures of pirates, because Redbeard’s crew is none other than that created by Jean-Michel Charlier and Victor Hubinon for their cartoon strip “Le Démon des Caraïbes”, which was published in Pilote, just like Asterix.

Transformed by the feverish imagination of Goscinny and Uderzo, these fearsome Pirates are little more than punching balls, reduced to working as innkeepers or galley slaves to compensate for the lack of any loot that would pay for a new boat! And even if they finally get the chance to get their hands on Chief Whosemoralsarelastix’s sesterces in Asterix and the Cauldron, they spend the rest of their lives undergoing all kinds of trials and tribulations: the (regular!) destruction of their ship, running aground, scuttling, etc. In other words, a series of thrashings that finally dumbfound even Pegleg, leaving him incapable of pronouncing any Latin saying.

Rhetoric Cowardly Goth interpreter who dreams of marrying and having lots of little barbarians Citizenship : Goth French name : Cloridric German name : Holperik Dutch name : Drumstik Spanish name : Clorhidric Italian name : Cloridrico Portugese name : Cloridric

 

Translating an Asterix album is always a huge challenge, given the number of quotes, allusions, puns and dual meanings liberally disseminated by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. But there are also risks involved in interpreting Asterix, Obelix and Getafix themselves: just ask Rhetoric, who has the heavy task in Asterix and the Goths of interpreting into the Gothic language the sayings of our Gauls, while avoiding offense to his master, the terrible Metric.

Rather than faithfully translating the Gauls' answers, which would be sure to arouse his chief's anger, Rhetoric transforms the Gauls' «no» into «yes» in the Gothic language, which comes across as a lot more cooperative.

Unfortunately, Getafix speaks Goth fluently (with a slight accent), and uncovers Rhetoric's lies, quickly landing him in the dungeon, waiting to be drawn and quartered («drawing and quartering is so banal, but it's always good for a laugh,» as Metric would say). But Getafix, who wants to spread chaos and confusion among the Goths, gives Rhetoric the wicked interpreter a taste of magic potion, which really sets things off and has all of the Goths seeking to replace their chief!

Satiric Lyric's brother-in-law whom he ambushes Citizenship : Goth French name : Satiric German name : Satirik Dutch name : Mensendick Spanish name : Satirik Italian name : Satirico Portugese name : Satiric

 

Total chaos! There is no better way to sum up Asterix and the Goths. You'd think our indomitable Gauls were seeking to export the notion of the «crazy Gauls' Village» as a way to vanquish monotony and boredom wherever they go. After all, these enemies are more formidable than all the Roman legions put together.

The height of disorder is reached during the «Asterixian Wars», in which the Goths, bursting with magic potion, all want to become a chief using methods that would later be known in Asterix and the Roman Agent as «psychological warfare» (basically consisting in knocking people out with a club). This crowd of raging Goths allows René Goscinny full rein with puns and it is here that Eccentric, Electric (promoted to General), Lyric, Satiric, Euphoric and Eccentric got mixed up in the battle.

For his part, Albert Uderzo demonstrates his exuberant talent for illustration using Gothic writing, creating a surprising map of the operations that shows the pervading disorder and by designing helmets based on a mix of ancient and modern headgear… Let's Goth!

Secondhaf Norman making a whole with Firsthaf Citizenship : Norman French name : Sténograf German name : Stenograf Dutch name : Linksaf Spanish name : Estenograf

 

Mountains of muscle with a sinister look, Firsthaf and Secondhaf are inseparable. On order of their chief Timandahaf, they lead the « champion of fear » Justforkix to the runway.

Timandahaf plays the control tower and authorises takeoff with « All systems go! I repat, all systems go! » Asterix shows up just in time, using one to whomp the other. We told you that the two of them were inseparable….

Sethisbackup Ship Captain whose orders are given in hieroglyphics Citizenship : Egyptian French name : Tumehéris German name : Abstosis Dutch name : Businis Spanish name : Piramídix

 

As Captain of the Nastiupset vessel, Sethisbackup has his work cut out taking the architect Edifis over to Gaul, who is seeking the help of his friend Getafix with the construction of a huge palace for Cleopatra in less than 3 months.

Firstly, his crew, dressed only in loincloths better suited to the Egyptian desert sun, tend to lose their energy once they are exposed to the harsh Gaulish winter whose bitingly cold temperatures make their knobbly knees knock together. Worse still, these peaceful sailors meet a pirate ship on their way home which closes on them with threatening speed.

But the sight of their Gaulish «friends» only serves to make our favourite pirates lose their cool… in a blind panic they sink their own ship, depriving a furious Obelix of his favourite pastime. And whilst all around him lose their heads, an unruffled Sethisbackup continues to give orders in hieroglyphics to his crew…

Tartaric A chemical Goth Citizenship : Goth French name : Théoric German name : Theorik Dutch name : Beatnik Spanish name : Teoric Italian name : Teorico Portugese name : Teodoric

 

Together, Prehistoric, Atmospheric, Tartaric and Esoteric form the vicious barbarian escort of the Goth chief, Choleric. They won't hesitate to beat, tie up, kidnap or fight anyone who stands in their way!

Its not surprising, therefore, that the Supreme Chief of the Goths, Metric, has entrusted them with this villainous mission: to capture Getafix, elected best druid by his peers at the annual meeting held in the forest of the Carnutes. Their aim: to snatch the magic potion for the greater glory of the «Visigoths, the Ostrogoths and any other sort of Goths»! They'll do anything to succeed and are afraid of nothing: having smacked about and tied up a couple of Roman legionaries posted on the border, they bundle Getafix unceremoniously into a sack that is most unbecoming of his position as a druid, in order to take him back to Germania. However, when the Romans cross the path of these thugs, all they do is ask whether these «good men» might have seen Asterix and Obelix, who they think are genuine barbarians!

Confusion reigns: the Gauls are invading Gaul, the Romans are arresting other Romans, while our Gothic quintet knock out a border official who is as Gothic as they are, but who is perhaps a little too fussy about administrative procedures (he wouldn't let them bring «foreign goods», in other words, Getafix, onto German territory!). But Asterix's authors demonstrate that our German cousins from Gaulish times could also be sensitive and appreciate the best things in life, when they weren't busy fighting, that is.

Atmospheric proves the point by loudly applauding Cicatrix, the druid, when he presents his own potion, which causes beautiful flowers to grow whatever the season. It's enough to make you want to get married and have lots of little barbarians.