Cocosates

The Cocosates or Cocosates Sexsignani were an Aquitani tribe dwelling in present-day Landes during the Iron Age.

Name
They are mentioned as Cocosates by Caesar (mid-1st c. BC), and as Cocosates Sexsignani by Pliny (1st c. AD).

The etymology of the name remains obscure. It can be derived from the Gaulish stem cocos- ('scarlet red') attached to the suffix -ates ('belonging to'). Red is a colour commonly used in personal names (Cocus, Cocca, Cocidius, etc.) and associated with warfare.

Geography
The Cocosates lived in present-day Landes. Their territory was located east of the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Oscidates and Sotiates, north of the Tarbelli and Tarusates, and south of the Boii.

Their chief town was known as Caequosa (modern Sescouze, near Castets).

Political organization
The Cocosates were a confederation of six tribes. They were probably clients of the neighbouring Tarbelli.