In this series of articles, we take a closer look at the places Asterix and Obelix visit during their journey across Gaul in Le Tour de Gaule d’Astérix, known in English as Asterix and the Banquet. The focus is on the original French version of the story and the regional context behind each stop. The album is widely regarded as one of the most difficult in the series to translate, as much of its humour depends on regional cuisine, cultural references, and wordplay. By exploring the historical background of each location, this series helps clarify the jokes and narrative details that make the journey so memorable.
With a hefty Roman bounty on their heads, the Gauls arrive in Aginum and are welcomed—perhaps a little too warmly—by an innkeeper known in French as Odalix and in English as Uptotrix.
The difference between the two versions is telling. The French name “Odalix” plays on odalisque, suggesting an exotic refinement that contrasts with his treacherous nature. The English translation drops the subtlety in favor of clarity: “Uptotrix” is quite literally someone who is up to tricks. The joke is immediate and unmistakable, perfectly fitting a character whose entire role revolves around deception.
Rather than confronting the Gauls directly, Uptotrix conspires with the Romans to capture them through trickery. He invites them into his inn with promises of the local specialty: prunes—secretly preparing a trap.
The Famous Prunes of Agen
The choice of dish is no coincidence. Agen is famous for its pruneaux d’Agen, and the innkeeper serves a wild boar stuffed with them, laced with a powerful sleeping potion.
Once again, expectation is turned on its head.
Obelix devours the entire meal and remains completely unaffected. Instead of collapsing, he merely comments on a “little aftertaste” strong enough to “wake the dead.” The humor lies in the total failure of the plan.
In French, the joke goes even further. The word prune can also mean a punch or a bullet. When Asterix forces the innkeeper to eat his own poisoned dish, he threatens to give him some “gros monstrueux”—a line that simultaneously references the Roman description of the Gauls and hints at a flurry of incoming blows.
A Heavy Bag and a Long Sulk
After leaving Aginum, the danger shifts from Roman traps to personal tension. Obelix insists on carrying their increasingly heavy bag of regional specialties while riding his horse.
The inevitable happens: the horse collapses with a loud “PLOF!”
What follows is described as a “longue bouderie”—a long sulk. This distinctly French concept of silent, stubborn annoyance is perfectly visualized as Asterix and Obelix ride on without exchanging a word.
From Plexus and Radius to Villanus and Unscrupulus
Later, while resting outside the city, the Gauls’ precious bag is stolen by two thieves. In the original French, they are named Plexus and Radius—names drawn from anatomical terminology, in keeping with Asterix’s tradition of pseudo-Latin humor.
The English translation again opts for a more direct approach. Plexus and Radius become Villanus and Unscrupulus.
Here, the joke is immediately accessible: “Villanus” clearly signals a villain, while “Unscrupulus” (from “unscrupulous”) leaves no doubt about their moral character. Like Uptotrix, these names sacrifice subtlety for instant recognition, ensuring the humor lands without requiring knowledge of Latin or anatomy.
The “Signalement” Mix-Up
The thieves’ plan quickly unravels when a Roman patrol intercepts them. The soldiers are searching for Asterix and Obelix using a signalement: a description of a small man and a large “monstrous” one carrying a bag. Because Villanus and Unscrupulus now have the bag, they fit the description perfectly.
Their protests are ignored, and they are arrested on the spot. In the next article we will see how that works out.
In this series of articles, we take a closer look at the places Asterix and Obelix visit during their journey across Gaul in Le Tour de Gaule d’Astérix, known in English as Asterix and the Banquet. The focus is on the original French version of the story and the regional context behind each stop. The album is widely regarded as one of the most difficult in the series to translate, as much of its humour depends on regional cuisine, cultural references, and wordplay. By exploring the historical background of each location, this series helps clarify the jokes and narrative details that make the journey so memorable.
With a hefty Roman bounty on their heads, the Gauls arrive in Aginum and are welcomed—perhaps a little too warmly—by an innkeeper known in French as Odalix and in English as Uptotrix.
The difference between the two versions is telling. The French name “Odalix” plays on odalisque, suggesting an exotic refinement that contrasts with his treacherous nature. The English translation drops the subtlety in favor of clarity: “Uptotrix” is quite literally someone who is up to tricks. The joke is immediate and unmistakable, perfectly fitting a character whose entire role revolves around deception.
Rather than confronting the Gauls directly, Uptotrix conspires with the Romans to capture them through trickery. He invites them into his inn with promises of the local specialty: prunes—secretly preparing a trap.
The Famous Prunes of Agen
The choice of dish is no coincidence. Agen is famous for its pruneaux d’Agen, and the innkeeper serves a wild boar stuffed with them, laced with a powerful sleeping potion.
Once again, expectation is turned on its head.
Obelix devours the entire meal and remains completely unaffected. Instead of collapsing, he merely comments on a “little aftertaste” strong enough to “wake the dead.” The humor lies in the total failure of the plan.
In French, the joke goes even further. The word prune can also mean a punch or a bullet. When Asterix forces the innkeeper to eat his own poisoned dish, he threatens to give him some “gros monstrueux”—a line that simultaneously references the Roman description of the Gauls and hints at a flurry of incoming blows.
A Heavy Bag and a Long Sulk
After leaving Aginum, the danger shifts from Roman traps to personal tension. Obelix insists on carrying their increasingly heavy bag of regional specialties while riding his horse.
The inevitable happens: the horse collapses with a loud “PLOF!”
What follows is described as a “longue bouderie”—a long sulk. This distinctly French concept of silent, stubborn annoyance is perfectly visualized as Asterix and Obelix ride on without exchanging a word.
From Plexus and Radius to Villanus and Unscrupulus
Later, while resting outside the city, the Gauls’ precious bag is stolen by two thieves. In the original French, they are named Plexus and Radius—names drawn from anatomical terminology, in keeping with Asterix’s tradition of pseudo-Latin humor.
The English translation again opts for a more direct approach. Plexus and Radius become Villanus and Unscrupulus.
Here, the joke is immediately accessible: “Villanus” clearly signals a villain, while “Unscrupulus” (from “unscrupulous”) leaves no doubt about their moral character. Like Uptotrix, these names sacrifice subtlety for instant recognition, ensuring the humor lands without requiring knowledge of Latin or anatomy.
The “Signalement” Mix-Up
The thieves’ plan quickly unravels when a Roman patrol intercepts them. The soldiers are searching for Asterix and Obelix using a signalement: a description of a small man and a large “monstrous” one carrying a bag. Because Villanus and Unscrupulus now have the bag, they fit the description perfectly.
Their protests are ignored, and they are arrested on the spot. In the next article we will see how that works out.