Credits:
(Map By Amlaidh Niafer,
text by Siwan-Silures Catelavauni,
and graphics by MacMorna Niafer.)
Guide to Celtia
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Belgica
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The Gallic region of Belgica.
Belgica is an area of Gaul situated in north-eastern Gaul, consisting of what is known today as modern day Belgium, the southern Netherlands, northern France and western Germany. It was inhabited by a people who spoke a mixture of Celtic and Germanic languages and were known as the Belgae. Other tribes found in this region were the Nervii, Atrebates, Treverii, Remi, Bellovaci, Aduatuci and the Morini. Caesar described the Belgae as being the bravest of all the people of Gaul (Caesar, book I), considering the close proximity to the feared and loathed Germanic people.
Celtic presence in this area goes back as far as the late Iron age (La Tene) period. Burial sites found in the Moselle region show evidence of the continued practice of Celtic burial rites well into the Augustan age. A woman found at Wincheringen was buried in a plank lined tomb along with pottery, wine-amphorae, a mirror, knives, scissors, a pig's head, and a cauldron complete with a tri-pod and chains (Green, 116). This burial site shows that although there was Roman influence in the area, the native people still held onto older Celtic traditions. It was in Caesar's second year of campaign in Gaul in 57 B.C. when he turned his attention on Belgica. It is thought that Caesar wanted to control the eastern seaboard in order to turn his attention to a campaign in Britain (Cunliffe, 241). He successfully waged campaign first against the Bellovaci, and subsequently the Nervii and Aduatuci, where he amassed 53,000 prisoners who were sold as slaves. He then set his sights on two more Belgic tribes, the Mornii and the Menapii, but did not contain them until late in the summer, but by then it was too late in the season for the British campaign and Caesar wintered with the friendly Remi tribe. Once Caesar finally did make it across the channel, Belgica did not remain obedient. While he was in Britain, he left Belgica in the care of two Lt. Generals, Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta and Quintus Titurius Sabinus. One day while some of their men were out collecting firewood, an elite member of the Eburones tribe, Ambiorix, attacked them. Some Romans escaped, and Ambiorix followed them back to their camp. At the camp he saw too many men to attack, and instead went in and spoke with them, saying that two other tribes were going to attack them the next day. After discussing the situation between themselves about whether to retreat to another camp shrouded by hills, or to march forward through a valley for a better position, the two finally decided on the latter. The next day, Ambiorix attacked them from the hillsides, destroying an entire legion plus two cohorts. It was a battle that showed the rest of Gaul that Rome was not invincible, and would set off a series of rebellions even after Caesar was gone. The most notable rebellions in Gaul under Imperial Rome was that of A.D. 20, when Caius Julius Floras of the Treverii and Caius Julius Sacrovir of the Aedui waged a revolt against the ruling Roman officials. The Romans were using their power and status to take advantage of Gauls, causing many individuals to be bound by debt to the ruling Roman aristocracy. The rebellion, while serious, was uneventful, and Floras was defeated and committed suicide during retreat, while Sacrovir, after taking and burning Lugdunum, killed himself as well. Although the history is rich in Begica, the scenery is unbelieveable. Ranging from rolling hills to dense wooded areas, to the seaside, it is a very diversified area. Beside the geographical diversities, the cultural differences are still evident in the country with the three major languages being French, Dutch, and German. Although the Celtic presence has been gone for thousands of years, one can still feel the spirit in Belgica.
Sources
Credits:
(Map By Amlaidh Niafer, text by Siwan-Silures Catelavauni, and graphics by MacMorna Niafer.) Guide to Celtia |
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