- The Batavi were a Germanic Tribe located in the Delta of the Rhine, with their capital city at Nijmegen,
- They formed the personal bodyguard of the Roman Emperor and they served as Auxiliary soldiers in the Roman Army
Auxiliaries in the Roman Army
- The Batavi did not pay Tribute, but instead supplied soldiers to the Roman Army.
- They supplied eight Cohorts of the Batavian Auxilia, and were attached to the Legio XIV Gemina and were with them in 43 CE for the Roman Conquest of Britannia remaining there until 69 CE, when the Legion moved to Mainz, in Germania Superior.
Imperial German Bodyguard
- The Batavi formed a large part of the Imperial German Bodyguard or ‘Germani Corpore Custodes’, but after Nero‘s death they were dismissed by Galba.
Batavian Revolt
- In 69 CE, after the suicide of Nero, the Batavi conducted a Rebellion known as the Batavian Revolt, which met with initial success under their commander, Civilis.
- Eventually, Vespasian sent eight Legions to area and the revolt was crushed.
Nijmegen