The Belgae were a group of nations or tribes living in north-eastern Gaul, on the west bank of the Rhine, in the 1st century BC, and later also attested in Britain. They lived approximatively in the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. Their name survives in modern Belgium, where they are colloquially known as the old Belgians. The name Belgae may come from the Proto-Celtic *belo which means "bright"and is allied to English word "bale" (as in "bale-fire"), the Anglo-Saxon "bael", the Lithuanian "baltas", meaning "white" or "shining" (from which the Baltic takes its name) and Slavic "belo/bilo/bjelo/..." meaning "white" (like town names Beograd, Biograd, Bjelovar, etc all meaning "white city") (See Beltane). Thus the Gaulish god-names "Belenos" (*Bright one) and "Belisama" (probably the same divinity, originally from *belo-nos = our shining one) may also come from the same source.
Another proposed etymology of the name Belga(e) is: *bel = proto-Indo-European word for round, inflated object, in the figurative sense : circle, army, alliance, and -*ga = Gaul word for man, warrior. Bel-gae would then mean: men of the alliance. The origin of the word would then be Gaulish. Map of Gaul circa 58 BC Gaul (Latin: ) was the name given, in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... The River Rhine (Dutch: ; French: ; German: ; Italian: ; Romansh: ) is one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe at 1,320 kilometres (820 miles), with an average discharge of more than 2,000 cubic meters per second. ... (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium) The 1st century BC started on January 1, 100 BC and ended on December 31, 1 BC. An alternative name for this century is the last century BC. The AD/BC notation does not use a year zero. ... The Roman Province of Gallia Belgica in 58 BCE The Roman Province of Gallia Belgica around 120 CE Gallia Belgica was a Roman province located in what is now the southern part of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, northeastern France, and western Germany. ... Proto-Celtic, also called Common Celtic, is the putative ancestor of all the known Celtic languages. ... Old English (also called Anglo-Saxon) is an early form of the English language that was spoken in parts of what is now England and southern Scotland between the mid-fifth century and the mid-twelfth century. ... This article is about the Gaelic holiday. ... Gaulish is name given to the now-extinct Celtic language that was spoken in Gaul before the Romans, the Franks and the British Celts invaded. ... In Celtic mythology, Belenus (also Belinus, Belenos, Belinos, Belinu, Bellinus, Belus, Bel) was a deity worshipped in Gaul, Britain and Celtic areas of Austria. ... In Celtic mythology, Belisama (also Belesama, Belisma) was a goddess worshipped in Britain. ... Proto-Indo-European (PIE) may refer to: Proto-Indo-European language the hypothetical common ancestor of the Indo-European languages Proto-Indo-Europeans, the hypothetical speakers of the reconstructed Proto-Indo-European language Proto-Indo-European roots, A list of reconstructed Proto-Indo-European roots Categories: | ...

Julius Caesar in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico probably created a 'greater Gaul' (for political and judicial reasons as this territory corresponded with his conquests) and divided it at the time of his conquests (58 - 51 BC) into three broad parts: the Aquitani, Galli (who in their own language were called Celtae) and Belgae, all of whom had their own customs and language. He noted that the Belgae, being furthest from the developed civilisation of Rome and closest to the Germanic people, were the bravest Horum omnium , of those all [3 parts] , because "merchants least frequently resort to them, and import those things which tend to effeminate the mind" (Commentarii de Bello Gallico, 1.1). This phrase would later be interpreted as "The Belgians were the bravest amongst the Gauls". Horium omnium does not necessarily refer to Gauls, or, not all Belgae were Gauls. Gaius Julius Caesar [1] (Latin pronunciation ; English pronunciation ; July 12 or July 13, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC), often simply referred to as Julius Caesar, was a Roman military and political leader and one of the most influential men in world history. ... An 18th century edition of Commentarii de Bello Gallico Commentarii de Bello Gallico (literally Commentaries on the Gallic War in Latin) is an account written by Julius Caesar about his nine years of war in Gaul. ... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC Years: 63 BC 62 BC 61 BC 60 BC 59 BC 58 BC 57 BC 56 BC 55... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC Years: 56 BC 55 BC 54 BC 53 BC 52 BC 51 BC 50 BC 49 BC 48...

Origins of the Belgae

Questions of origins concern both mythographers and historians; between the two, the medieval Gesta Treverorum compiled by monks of Trier asserted that the Belgae were descendants of a legendary founder of Trier, "Trebata", otherwise unattested. Whether the Belgae were Celts or Germanic tribes occupied nineteenth- and early twentieth-century historians. Caesar's sources informed him "that the greater part of the Belgae were sprung from the Germans, and that, having crossed the Rhine at an early period, they had settled there, on account of the fertility of the country," (Commentarii de Bello Gallico 2.4) However, most of the tribal and personal names recorded are identifiably Celtic. This was probably the result of a strong Gallic influence. The Belgae were well within the Celtic cultural world, and this includes the German-speaking north. In any case, the Romans were not precise in their ethnography of northern barbarians: by "German" Caesar may simply have meant "originating east of the Rhine", with no distinction of language intended. There is however consensus that the Menapii and the Eburoni used a German language. Tacitus reported that the Nervii were of German origin too (and proud of it). Zosimus mentioned that Bononia (Boulogne-sur-mer, southwest of Calais), a city within the territory of the Morini, was 'Germanorum'. It is possible that the German-Gaul language border crossed though Belgium as it does today, and on a similar place. Despite the probable Germanic character of the north, Caesar wrote that the Belgians had a reputation in fighting the real Germans. The introduction of this article does not provide enough context for readers unfamiliar with the subject to understand later content. ... Trier (French: ; Luxembourgish Tréier) is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle River. ... Trebeta was the legendary founder of Trier according to the Gesta Treverorum (and possibly other sources). ... A Celtic cross. ... The term Germanic tribes (or Teutonic tribes) applies to the ancient Germanic peoples of Europe. ... The Celtic languages are the languages descended from Proto-Celtic, or Common Celtic, spoken by ancient and modern Celts alike. ... Ethnography (from the Greek ethnos = people and graphein = writing) refers to the genre of writing that presents varying degrees of qualitative and quantitative descriptions of human social phenomena, based on fieldwork. ... barbarians is a mini-series on the history channel which tells the story of four of the most barbariac tribes of the early and late middle ages. ... Gaius Cornelius Tacitus Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (c. ... For the pope of this name see Pope Zosimus Zosimus, Greek historical writer, nourished at Constantinople during the second half of the 5th century A.D. According to Photius, he was a count, and held the office of advocate of the imperial treasury. ... Boulogne-sur-Mer is a city and commune in northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département of which it is a sous-préfecture. ...

Tribes who belonged to the Belgae included in the Gaul south: the warlike and influential Bellovaci who took a leading role in the councils of the Belgae, the Suessiones with territories as well in Britannia, the Atrebates, Ambiani, Caleti, Veliocasses, Viromandui.
Tribes in the Germanic north were (west to east): the Morini, the Menapii, the warlike Nervii, the Eburones. Caesar says one tribe, the Atuatuci, were descended from the Germanic Cimbri and Teutones, and describes four other allied tribes, the Eburoni, the Condrusi, Caerosi and Paemani, as Germanic tribes (although Ambiorix, a later leader of the Eburones, has a Celtic name). The later mentioned Tungri could simply be another name for Eburoni, as Caesar had officially wiped out this tribe. Bellovaci was listed as a germanic tribe by Caesar as Belgae. ... The Suessiones (or perhaps Suessones) were a Belgic people of north-eastern Gaul in the 1st century BC, inhabiting the region between the Oise and the Marne, based around the present-day city of Soissons. ... Britannia on a 2005 £2 coin. ... The Atrebates (meaning settlers) were a Belgic tribe of Gaul and Britain before the Roman conquests. ... The Viromandui were a tribe of the Belgae, according to Caesars De Bello Gallico. ... Morini was a tribe of gauls-page not finished Categories: Articles to be expanded | Gauls ... The Menapii were a Belgic tribe of north-eastern Gaul in the 1st century BC, dwelling around the Rhine estuary, and extending inland towards the Ardennes. ... The Nervii were one of the most powerful Belgic tribes, living east of the Scheldt in northern Gaul in the 1st century BC. They were of Germanic origin and must have settled in their country in c. ... The Eburones were a Belgic tribe based of north-eastern Gaul in the 1st century BC. Julius Caesar describes them as being of Germanic origin. ... The Aduatuci or Atuatuci were a tribe formed in Southern Gaul by remnants of the Ambrones, originally from Northern Germany/Southern Jutland, and local fragments of Germanic and Celtic peoples and tribes. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Cimbrian War. ... This entry is about the Teutonic people, not to be confused with the Teutonic Knights. ... The Condrusi were a tribe of ancient Belgium, which takes its name from the political and ethnic group known to the Romans as the Belgae. ... Statue of Ambiorix in Tongeren. ... The Tungri were a tribe of ancient Gaul who occupied the lands of the northern Arduenna Silva (Ardennes), along the lower valley of the Mosa (Meuse). ...

The (Gaul) Remi were united with the Belgians as neighbours and allies, they reported to Caesar. Other tribes that may have been included among the Belgae were the Leuci, the (German) Treveri and Mediomatrici. Posidonius includes the Armoricani in Brittany as well. The Remi were a Belgic tribe of north-eastern Gaul in the 1st century BC. They occupied the northern Champagne plain, on the southern fringes of the Forest of Ardennes, between the rivers Mosa (Meuse) and Matrona (Marne), and along the river valleys of the Aisne and its tributaries the... The Treveri tribe of Gaul inhabited the lower valley of the Moselle, within the southern fringes of the vast Arduenna Silva (Ardennes Forest). ... The Mediomatrici (Greek: , Ptol. ... The bust of Posidonius as an older man depects his character as a Stoic philosopher. ... Armorica or Aremorica is the name given in ancient times to the part of Gaul that includes the Brittany peninsula and the territory between the Seine and Loire rivers, extending inland to an indeterminate point and down the Atlantic coast. ... Brittany has an expansive coastline Flag of Brittany (Gwenn-ha-du) Historical province of Brittany région of Bretagne, see Bretagne. ...

Conquest of the Belgae

Caesar conquered the Belgae, beginning in 57 BC. He writes that the Belgae were conspiring and arming themselves in response to his earlier conquests, and in response to this threat he raised two new legions and ordered his Gallic allies the Aedui to invade the territory of the Bellovaci. Wary of the numbers and bravery of the Belgae, he initially avoided a pitched battle, resorting mainly to cavalry skirmishes to probe their strengths and weaknesses. Once he was satisfied his troops were a match for them, he made camp on a low hill protected by a marsh at the front and the river Aisne behind, near Bibrax (between modern Laon and Reims) in the territory of the Remi. Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC Years: 62 BC 61 BC 60 BC 59 BC 58 BC 57 BC 56 BC 55 BC 54... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A map of Gaul in the 1st century BC, showing the relative position of the Aedui tribe. ... Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat are commonly known as cavalry (from French cavalerie). ... Aisne is a river in France, tributary of the river Oise. ... Laon is a city and commune of France, préfecture (capital) of the Aisne département. ... Reims (English traditionally Rheims) (pronounced in French) is a city of northern France, 144 km (89 miles) east-northeast of Paris. ...

The Belgae attacked over the river, but were repulsed after a fierce battle. Realising they could not dislodge the Romans and aware of the approach of the Aedui to the lands of the Bellovaci, the Belgae decided to disband their combined force and return to their own lands. Whichever tribe Caesar attacked first, the others would come to its defence. They broke camp shortly before midnight. At daybreak, satisfied the retreat was not a trap, Caesar sent cavalry to harass the rearguard, followed by three legions, and many of the Belgae were killed.

Caesar next marched into the territory of the Suessiones and besieged the town of Noviodunum (Soissons). Seeing the Romans' siege engines, the Suessiones surrendered, and Caesar turned his attention to the Bellovaci, who had retreated into the fortress of Bratuspantium (between modern Amiens and Beauvais). They quickly surrendered, as did the Ambiani. Soissons is a town and commune in the Aisne département, Picardie, France, located on the Aisne River, about 60 miles northeast of Paris. ... A siege engine is a device that is designed to break or circumvent city walls and other fortifications in siege warfare. ... The cathedral in Amiens Location within France Amiens is a city and commune in the north of France, 120 km north of Paris. ... Beauvais is a town and commune of northern France, préfecture (capital) of the Oise département. ...

The Nervii, along with the Atrebates and Viromandui, decided to fight (the Atuatuci had also agreed to join them but had not yet arrived). They concealed themselves in the forests and attacked the approaching Roman column at the river Sabis, previously thought to be the Sambre, recently the Selle is thought to be more probable . Their attack was so quick and unexpected that some of the Romans didn't have time to take the covers off their shields or even put on their helmets. The element of surprise briefly left the Romans exposed. However Caesar grabbed a shield, made his way to the front line, and quickly organised his forces. The two legions who had been guarding the baggage train at the rear arrived and helped to turn the tide of the battle. Caesar says the Nervii were almost annihilated in the battle, and is effusive in his tribute to their bravery, calling them "heroes". (for more details see Battle of the Sabis) The Nervii were one of the most powerful Belgic tribes, living east of the Scheldt in northern Gaul in the 1st century BC. They were of Germanic origin and must have settled in their country in c. ... It is proposed that this article be deleted, because of the following concern: The subject is not notable, the article lacks sources, and the text is copied from http://www. ... The Sambre is a river rising in northern France and flowing into southern Belgium. ... It is proposed that this article be deleted, because of the following concern: The subject is not notable, the article lacks sources, and the text is copied from http://www. ...

The Atuatuci, who were marching to their aid, turned back on hearing of the defeat and retreated to one stronghold, were put under siege, and soon surrendered and handed over their arms. However the surrender was a ploy, and the Atuatuci, armed with weapons they had hidden, tried to break out during the night. The Romans had the advantage of position and killed four thousand. The rest, about fifty-three thousand, were sold into slavery.

In 53 BC the Eburones, led by Ambiorix, along with the Nervii, Menapii and Morini, revolted again and wiped out 15 cohorts, only to be put down by Caesar. The Belgae fought in the uprising of Vercingetorix in 52 BC. Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC Years: 58 BC 57 BC 56 BC 55 BC 54 BC 53 BC 52 BC 51 BC 50... Statue of Ambiorix in Tongeren. ... Statue of Vercingetorix by Bartholdi, on Place de Jaude, in Clermont-Ferrand Vercingetorix (pronounced in Gaulish) died 46 BC), chieftain of the Arverni, led the great Gallic war against Roman imperialism in 52 BC. His name in Gaulish means over-king of the marching men; the marching men would now... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC Years: 57 BC 56 BC 55 BC 54 BC 53 BC 52 BC 51 BC 50 BC 49...

After their final subjugation, Caesar combined the three parts of Gaul, the territory of the Belgae, Celtae and Aquitani, into a single unwieldy province (Gallia Comata, "long-haired Gaul") that was reorganized by Augustus Caesar into its traditional cultural divisions. The province of Gallia Belgica was bounded on its east by the Rhine and extended all the way from the North Sea to Lake Constance (Lacus Brigantinus), including parts of what is now western Switzerland, with its capital at the city of the Remi (Reims). Under Diocletian, Belgica Prima (capital, Augusta Trevirorum, Trier) and Belgica Secunda (capital Reims) formed part of the diocese of Gaul. Augustus Caesar Caesar Augustus (Latin: IMP·CAESAR·DIVI·F·AVGVSTVS)¹ (23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), known earlier in his life as Gaius Octavius or Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, was the first Roman Emperor and is traditionally considered the greatest. ... Map of the Roman Empire, with the provinces, after 120. ... The Roman Province of Gallia Belgica in 58 BCE The Roman Province of Gallia Belgica around 120 CE Gallia Belgica was a Roman province located in what is now the southern part of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, northeastern France, and western Germany. ... Map of the Bodensee; Schweiz is Switzerland, Deutschland is Germany, and Osterreich is Austria. ... Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus ( 245– 312), born Diocles (Greek Διοκλής) and known in English as Diocletian,[1] was Roman Emperor from November 20, 284 to May 1, 305. ... Trier (French: ; Luxembourgish Tréier) is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle River. ... Reims (English traditionally Rheims) (pronounced in French) is a city of northern France, 144 km (89 miles) east-northeast of Paris. ... Pope Pius XI blesses Bishop Stephen Alencastre as fifth Apostolic Vicar of the Hawaiian Islands in a Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace window. ...

The Belgae outside Gaul

The Belgae had made their way across the English Channel into southern Britain in Caesar's time (De Bello Gallico ii:4 and v:12). Caesar tells us they had first crossed the channel as raiders, only later settling on the island. Satellite view of the English Channel The English Channel (French: La Manche (IPA: ), the sleeve) is the part of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the island of Great Britain from northern France and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. ...

A large number of coins of the Ambiani dating to the mid-2nd century BC have been found in southern Britain, and within memory of Caesar's time a king of the Suessiones called Diviciacus was not only the most powerful king of Belgic Gaul but also ruled territory in Britain. Commius of the Atrebates, Caesar's former ally, fled to Britain after participating in Vercingetorix's rebellion and either joined or established a British branch of his tribe. Based on the development of imagery on coins, it seems likely that, by the time of the Roman conquest, most of the tribes of south-eastern Britain were Belgic or at least ruled by a Belgic aristocracy. (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium) The 2nd century BC started on January 1, 200 BC and ended on December 31, 101 BC. // Coin of Antiochus IV. Reverse shows Apollo seated on an omphalos. ... The Suessiones (or perhaps Suessones) were a Belgic people of north-eastern Gaul in the 1st century BC, inhabiting the region between the Oise and the Marne, based around the present-day city of Soissons. ... Diviciacus or Divitiacus was a king of the Belgic nation of the Suessiones in the early 1st century BC. Julius Caesar, writing in the mid-1st century BC, says that he had within living memory been the most powerful king in Gaul, ruling a large portion not only of of... Commius was a historical king of the Gaulish and British Atrebates tribes in the 1st century BC. When Julius Caesar conquered the Atrebates in Gaul in 57 BC he appointed Commius as king of the tribe. ... The Atrebates (meaning settlers) were a Belgic tribe of Gaul and Britain before the Roman conquests. ... Britain was the target of invasion by forces of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire several times during its history. ...

The later civitates (administrative divisions) of Roman Britain included one bearing the name of the Belgae, whose towns included Magnus Portus (Portsmouth) and Venta Belgarum (Winchester). In the history of the Roman empire, civitas (pl. ... Principal sites in Roman Britain Roman Britain refers to those parts of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between 43 and 410. ... For other places with the same name, see Portsmouth (disambiguation). ... Winchester Cathedral as seen from the Cathedral Close Arms of Winchester City Council Winchester is a city in southern England, and the administrative capital of the county of Hampshire, with a population of around 35,000. ...

It is possible that a branch of the Belgae also settled in Ireland, represented by the historical Builg and the mythological Fir Bolg. Builg is the name given to a hypothetical ancient people believed by some to have lived in south-eastern Ireland, around the modern city of Cork. ... In Irish mythology the Fir Bolg (Fir Bholg, Firbolg, men of Builg or men of bags, or possibly men with spears, bolg meaning spear - and let us not forget the modern Irish word bolg belly (originally bag)) were one of the races that inhabited the island of Ireland prior to...

References

• Julius Caesar, Commentarii de Bello Gallico
• Sextus Julius Frontinus, Strategemata
• Ptolemy, Geography
• John Creighton (2000), Coins and power in Late Iron Age Britain, Cambridge University Press
• T. F. O'Rahilly (1946), Early Irish History and Mythology, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

Gaius Julius Caesar [1] (Latin pronunciation ; English pronunciation ; July 12 or July 13, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC), often simply referred to as Julius Caesar, was a Roman military and political leader and one of the most influential men in world history. ... An 18th century edition of Commentarii de Bello Gallico Commentarii de Bello Gallico (literally Commentaries on the Gallic War in Latin) is an account written by Julius Caesar about his nine years of war in Gaul. ... Sextus Julius Frontinus (c. ... A medieval artists rendition of Claudius Ptolemaeus Claudius Ptolemaeus (Greek: ; c. ... Thomas Francis ORahilly, also Tomás Ó Rahille, born 1883 in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland; died 1953 in Dublin, was an influential scholar of the Celtic languages, particularly in the fields of Historical linguistics and Irish dialects. ...

External links

• Belgae at Roman-Britain.org