Revolt of The Batavi

The Revolt of the Batavi took place in the Roman province of Germania Inferior (S. Netherlands/North Rhineland) between AD 69 and 70. It was an uprising against the Roman Empire started by the Batavi, a small but militarily powerful West Germanic tribe that inhabited the delta of the river Rhine; and soon joined by some neighbouring Germanic tribes, from both inside and outside the empire's borders, and also by some Celtic tribes from Gallia Belgica.

Under the leadership of their hereditary prince Gaius Julius Civilis, an auxiliary officer in the Imperial Roman army, the Batavi and their allies managed to inflict a series of humiliating defeats on the Roman army, including the destruction of two legions. After these initial successes, a massive Roman army led by the Roman general Quintus Petillius Cerialis eventually defeated the rebels. Following peace talks, the Batavi submitted again to Roman rule, but were forced to accept humiliating terms and a legion stationed permanently on their territory, at Noviomagus (Nijmegen, Neth.).