Nervii

A map of Gaul in the first century BC, showing the relative position of the Nervii tribe.

The Nervii or Nervians were one of the most powerful Belgic tribes of northern Gaul at the time of its conquest by Rome. Their territory corresponds to the central part of modern Belgium, including Brussels, and stretched southwards to Cambrai in French Hainaut. During their first century BC Roman military campaign, Julius Caesar's contacts among the Remi stated that the Nervii were the most warlike of the Belgae. In times of war, they were known to trek long distances to take part in battles. Being one of the northerly Belgic tribes, with the Menapii to the west, and the Eburones to their east, they were considered by Caesar to be relatively uncorrupted by civilization.[1] According to Tacitus they claimed Germanic descent.[2] According to Strabo they were of Germanic origin.[3]

  1. ^ Fichtl, Stephan (1994), Les Gaulois du Nord de la Gaule, Paris
  2. ^ Tacitus, Germania 28
  3. ^ Strabo, Geographica 4.3