Batāvi
An old German nation, which inhabited a part of the present Holland, especially the island
called Batavorum Insula (modern
Betuwe), formed by that branch of the Rhine
which empties into the sea near Lugdunum Batavorum (Leyden), together with the Vahalis (Waal)
and Mosa (Maas). Their territories, however, extended much beyond the Waal. Tacitus commends
their bravery. According to him they were originally the same as the
Catti (q.v.), a German tribe, which had emigrated from their country on
account of domestic troubles. This must have happened before the time of Caesar. When
Germanicus was about to invade Germany from the sea he made their island the rendezvous
of his fleet. Being subjugated by the Romans, they served them with such courage and fidelity
as to obtain the title of friends and brethren. They were exempted from tributes and taxes,
and permitted to choose their leaders among themselves. Their cavalry was particularly
excellent. During the reign of Vespasian they revolted, under the command of Civilis, from the
Romans, and extorted from them favourable terms of peace. Trajan and Hadrian subjugated them
again. At the end of the third century the Salian Franks obtained possession of the Insula
Batavorum. The capital of the nation was Lugdunum Batavorum, now Leyden (
Hist. iv. 12; xix. 32).
