The Batavi were a [Germanic]¹ tribe from the [Roman] province of [Belgica], who inhabited an area in the the [Rhine delta], in particular the low-lying ground between the rivers [Waal] and the [Rhine], which was therefore known as the insula Batavorum² or Batavian Island, which of course is now all in the modern [Netherlands].

The Batavi were brought under [Roman] rule during the time of [Augustus Caesar] in the year 13 AD, and were classed as allies or [socii]. Although after the death of [Nero] in 70 AD they rose in revolt under the leadership of one [Claudius Civilis]³, the Batavi otherwise remained faithful to [Rome]. They became an important source of recruits for the Roman Army, many of them serving in the [Praetorian guard], but also providing auxilliary forces who were particularly valued due to their specialised skills in the area of amphibious assaults.

In the sixteenth century under the influence of the ideas of [Cornelis Aurelius] it became fashionable to view the Batavi as the ancestors of the modern [Dutch] and in particular to see the revolt of 69 as a historical model for the contemporary revolt against [Philip II] of [Spain]. Hence from the tribal name comes [Batavia], which was used as a synonym for [Holland] or the [Netherlands] particularly in respect of the short-lived [Batavian Republic] of 1795 to 1806.

NOTES

¹ Some sources such as Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable state the tribe was [Celtic], following the misattribution by [Dio Cassius], but the consensus seems to [Germanic], probably a sub-tribe of the [Chatti].

² The insula Batavorum itself was also to provide the Roman Empire with a valuable defensive position and a base for expeditions across the [Rhine].

³ The rebellion against Roman rule was subdued within a year but [Claudius Civilis] was able to negotiate a favourable truce.

⁴ Sourced from German Historical Museum website see http://www.dhm.de/ausstellungen/mythen/english/index.html and the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

Batavi (person)