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de:Batavernl:Bataven
The '''Batavii''' (or '''Batavi''', '''Batavians''') were a
Germanic, or possibly
Celtic tribe reported by
Julius Caesar and
Tacitus to have lived around the
Rhine delta, in the area which is currently the
Netherlands. This led to the
Latin name of '''Batavia'''.
They were mentioned by Julius Caesar in his commentary ''
Gallic Wars'', as living
on an island formed by the
Meuse River after it is joined by the
Waal, 80 Roman
miles from the mouth of the river. He said there were many other islands formed by branches of the
Rhine, inhabited by savage and barbarous nations, some of whom were supposed to live on fish and the eggs of sea-fowl.
Later, Tacitus described the Batavians as the most brave of the tribes of the area, inhabiting not much territory on the Rhine but an island in it. They were formerly part of the
Chattians but moved after a feud to become part of the
Roman Empire. He said they retained the honour of the ancient association with the Romans, not required to pay tribute or taxes and used by the Romans only for war. He named the
Mattiaci as a similar tribe under homage, but on the other (Germanic) side of the Rhine.
Also the areas inhabited by the Batavians were never occupied by the
Romans, as the Batavians were allies. In
69 AD, a Batavian rebellion led by
Claudius Civilis arose, which was defeated by the Romans the following year.
After the
3rd century CE, the Batavians are no longer mentioned, and they are assumed to have merged with the neighbouring
Frisian and
Frankish people.
The Batavians became regarded as the eponymous ancestors of the
Dutch people. The Netherlands were briefly known as the
Batavian Republic. Moreover, in the time
Indonesia was a Dutch colony, the capital (now
Jakarta) was named
Batavia.
A map of the Roman province
Germania Inferior and neighbouring tribes.
