#batavian rebellion

[city-of-ladies]

As a seeress, Veleda wielded tremendous power over her people and played a role in a rebellion against the Romans.

A mighty woman

Veleda belonged to the Germanic Bructeri people. According to Tacitus, she held a position of great prestige and veneration:

Veleda was an unmarried woman who enjoyed wide influence over the tribe of the Bructeri. The Germans traditionally regard many of the female sex as prophetic, and indeed, by an excess of superstition, as divine. This was a case in point.

The word “Veleda” may have been a title rather than a name, possibly derived from the Celtic "Veleta" (“prophetess”), though Celtic languages were not spoken in her region. More likely, it comes from the West-Germanic "Waldon," meaning “to have power.”

Veleda lived in a large tower near the Lippe River. Her authority was widely recognized, as even the inhabitants of the Roman city of Cologne accepted her arbitration in a conflict with the Tencteri tribe.

She was not the only Germanic prophetess known to the Romans. Tacitus further wrote:

They even believe that the female sex has a certain sanctity and prescience, and they do not despise their counsels, or make light of their answers. In [the emperor] Vespasian's days we saw Veleda, long regarded by many as a divinity. In former times, too, they venerated Aurinia, and many other women, but not with servile flatteries, or with sham deification

The Batavian Rebellion

In 69 CE, Veleda predicted that the Batavian people would successfully rebel against the Romans. Her exact role beyond this prophecy remains uncertain. The Batavian leader captured the legionary base at Xanten, and the captive commander of the Roman garrison was sent to Veleda to become her slave. However, he was killed en route.

Later, the Batavians captured the flagship of the Roman navy and rowed it up the Lippe as a gift to Veleda.

However, the Batavian uprising was ultimately crushed. By 77 CE, the Romans had either captured Veleda, possibly as a hostage, or offered her asylum. It is known that she later aided Roman interests by negotiating with hostile Germanic tribes. She may have played a role in helping the Bructeri accept a pro-Roman king in 83 CE.

An epigram satirizing her prophetic powers was found at Ardea, a few kilometers south of Rome. This suggests that Veleda may have later resided there, though this remains uncertain.

Veleda's story has inspired many works of art, and an asteroid has been named in her honor.

If you enjoy this blog, consider supporting me on Ko-fi!

Further reading: 

Chrystal Paul, Women at war in the Classical world

Lendering Jona, “Veleda”

Tacitus, Germania and Histories

[hildegardavon]

Étienne-Barthélémy Garnier, 1759-ca.1842/49

Eponine et Sabinus, before 1814, oil, 244x192.5 cm

Musée des Beaux-Arts d’Angers Inv. 2013.22.27

Julius Sabinus was an aristocratic Gaul of the Lingones at the time of the Batavian rebellion of AD 69. He attempted to take advantage of the turmoil in Rome after the death of Nero to set up an independent Gaulish state. After his defeat he was hidden for many years by his wife Epponina. The story of the couple, with emphasis on the loyalty of Epponina (known as "Éponine"), became popular in France during the 18th and 19th centuries. (Wikipedia)

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 3.1 (before 1940)

509 BC – Publius Valerius Publicola celebrates the first triumph of the Roman Republic after his victory over the deposed king Lucius Tarquinius Superbus at the Battle of Silva Arsia. 293 – Emperor Diocletian and Maximian appoint Constantius Chlorus and Galerius as Caesars. This is considered the beginning of the Tetrarchy, known as the Quattuor Principes Mundi ("Four Rulers of the World"). 350 – Vetranio proclaims himself Caesar after being encouraged to do so by Constantina, sister of Constantius II. 834 – Emperor Louis the Pious is restored as sole ruler of the Frankish Empire. 1476 – Forces of the Catholic Monarchs engage the combined Portuguese-Castilian armies of Afonso V and Prince John at the Battle of Toro. 1562 – Sixty-three Huguenots are massacred in Wassy, France, marking the start of the French Wars of Religion. 1628 – Writs issued in February by Charles I of England mandate that every county in England (not just seaport towns) pay ship tax by this date. 1633 – Samuel de Champlain reclaims his role as commander of New France on behalf of Cardinal Richelieu. 1692 – Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba are brought before local magistrates in Salem Village, Massachusetts, beginning what would become known as the Salem witch trials. 1781 – The Articles of Confederation goes into effect in the United States. 1796 – The Dutch East India Company is nationalized by the Batavian Republic. 1805 – Justice Samuel Chase is acquitted at the end of his impeachment trial by the U.S. Senate. 1811 – Leaders of the Mamluk dynasty are killed by Egyptian ruler Muhammad Ali. 1815 – Napoleon returns to France from his banishment on Elba. 1836 – A convention of delegates from 57 Texas communities convenes in Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas, to deliberate independence from Mexico. 1845 – United States President John Tyler signs a bill authorizing the United States to annex the Republic of Texas. 1867 – Nebraska is admitted as the 37th U.S. state. 1870 – Marshal F. S. López dies during the Battle of Cerro Corá thus marking the end of the Paraguayan War. 1871 – The victorious Prussian Army parades through Paris, France, after the end of the Siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War. 1872 – Yellowstone National Park is established as the world's first national park. 1893 – Electrical engineer Nikola Tesla gives the first public demonstration of radio in St. Louis, Missouri. 1896 – Battle of Adwa: An Ethiopian army defeats an outnumbered Italian force, ending the First Italo-Ethiopian War. 1896 – Henri Becquerel discovers radioactive decay. 1901 – The Australian Army is formed. 1910 – The deadliest avalanche in United States history buries a Great Northern Railway train in northeastern King County, Washington, killing 96 people. 1914 – China joins the Universal Postal Union. 1917 – The Zimmermann Telegram is reprinted in newspapers across the United States after the U.S. government releases its unencrypted text. 1919 – March 1st Movement begins in Korea under Japanese rule. 1921 – The Australian cricket team captained by Warwick Armstrong becomes the first team to complete a whitewash of The Ashes, something that would not be repeated for 86 years. 1921 – Following mass protests in Petrograd demanding greater freedom in the RSFSR, the Kronstadt rebellion begins, with sailors and citizens taking up arms against the Bolsheviks. 1932 – Aviator Charles Lindbergh's 20-month-old son Charles Jr is kidnapped from his home in East Amwell, New Jersey. His body would not be found until May 12. 1939 – An Imperial Japanese Army ammunition dump explodes at Hirakata, Osaka, Japan, killing 94.

[valkyries-things]

VELEDA // SEERESS

“She was a seeress of the Bructeri, a Germanic people who achieved some prominence during the Batavian rebellion of AD 69-70, when she correctly predicted the initial successes of the rebels against Roman legions. She was eventually captured by the Romans and thought to have been dead by the time of AD 98.”

(left is “Veleda” by Alexandre Cabanel, right is “Veleda, prophetess of the Germans” by Juan Scherr)

[a-queer-seminarian]

“We do not mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth”

[ID: logo of the EFF, Economic Freedom Fighters, which shows the continent of Africa overlaid with a fist holding a spear pointing downward, a rig on the wrist and a yellow star above the fist. / end ID]

The EFF’s Statement, posted on their Twitter on September 8, 2022, reads:

“The Economic Freedom Fighters notes the death of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, the Queen of the United Kingdom, and the ceremonial head of state of several countries that were colonized by the United Kingdom. Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952, reigning for 70 years as a head of an institution built up, sustained, and living off a brutal legacy of dehumanization of millions of people across the world.

We do not mourn the death of Elizabeth, because to us her death is a reminder of a very tragic period in this country and Africa's history. Britain, under the leadership of the royal family, took over control of this territory that would become South Africa in 1795 from Batavian control, and took permanent control of the territory in 1806. From that moment onwards, native people of this land have never known peace, nor have they ever enjoyed the fruits of the riches of this land, riches which were and still are utilized for the enrichment of the British royal family and those who look like them.

From 1811 when Sir John Cradock declared war against amaXhosa in the Zuurveld in what is now known as the Eastern Cape up until 1906 when the British crushed the Bambatha rebellion, our interaction with Britain under the leadership of the British royal family has been one of pain and suffering, of death and dispossession, and of dehumanization of African people. We remember how Nxele died in the aftermath of the fifth frontier war, how King Hintsa was killed like a dog on the 11th of May 1835 during the sixth frontier war, and had his body mutilated, and his head taken to Britain as a trophy.

It was also the British royal family that sanctioned the actions of Cecil John Rhodes, who plundered this country, Zimbabwe and Zambia. It was the British royal family that benefited from the brutal mutilation of people of Kenya whose valiant resistance to British colonialism invited vile responses from Britain. In Kenya, Britain built concentration camps and suppressed with such inhumane brutality the Mau Mau rebellion, killing Dedan Kimathi on the 18th of February 1957, while Elizabeth was already Queen.

This family plundered India via the East India Company, it took over control and oppressed the people of the Caribbean Islands. Their thirst for riches led to the famine that caused millions of people to die in Bengal, and their racism led to the genocide of aboriginal people in Australia.

Elizabeth Windsor, during her lifetime, never acknowledged these crimes that Britain and her family in particular perpetrated across the world. In fact, she was a proud flag bearer of these atrocities during her reign. When the people of Yemen rose to protest against British colonialism in 1963, Elizabeth ordered a brutal suppression of that uprising.

During her 70-year reign as Queen, she never once acknowledge the atrocities that her family inflicted on native people that Britain invaded across the world. She willingly benefited from the wealth that was attained from the exploitation and murder of millions of people across the world. The British Royal family stands on the shoulders of millions of slaves who were shipped away from the continent to serve the interests of racist white capital accumulation, at the center of which lies the British royal family.

If there is really life and justice after death, may Elizabeth and her ancestors get what they deserve.”

[littledigest]

Asteroids indicating Activism and the Rebellious Spirit in your Birth Chart - PART 1

This will be separated into two parts since there are so many asteroids that have to do with the following:

Contributing to rebellion

Using your power to go against something bigger/tradition

Resilience as a stance

Drive and willpower

Intelligence and human advancement seen as a threat to others

Coming together as one group, power in numbers

Freedom, liberation

Justice

Sign of the times

Peace and Disharmony

PART 1 will focus on themes 1 - 5

21419, 1809, 126, 661, 897, 1181, h58, h13, h21, 175, 4921, 1589, 238, 5450

These asteroids could also point to a more negative manifestation: zealotry, extremism, etc.

GOING AGAINST:

Devience 21419

Deviance is where we stray away from accepted rules and standards

Prometheus 1809

Named after Prometheus, the Greek Titan god of fire

Defied the gods by stealing fire and giving it to humans = giving technology, knowledge, and civilization to humans

Champion of humankind, punished by the gods

Velleda 126

Named after Veleda, a Germanic priestess and prophet, who predicted success of the Batavian rebellion against the Romans

Cloelia 661

Named after Cloelia, a woman who was taken hostage as a peace treaty, but escaped from her camp and helped a group of Roman virgins escape too

Praised for her heroism and bravery

Lysistrata 897

An ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes about a woman who, with the help of other women, denied all men sex to end the Peloponnesian War. 

Ends up being a battle of the sexes

Known for its themes of sexual relations in a male-dominated society

Lilith 1181, Waldemath Lilith h58, True Lilith h13, Natural Apogee Lilith h21

Lilith 1181 is named after Lili Boulanger, a French composer and the first female winner of the Prix de Rome [often used as an asteroid version of Lilith, a demon and the first wife of Adam, although Lili Boulanger sounds pretty cool too]

Was equal to Adam and refused to be subservient to him

Left Eden and the narrative of Lilith as succubus and baby stealer persists

Lilith was later reclaimed as a feminist icon

RESILIENCE & DRIVE:

Andromache 175

Named after Andromache in Greek mythology

Her name means man battler, fighter of men, man’s battle, or courage

Represents the suffering of women during the Trojan War

Her husband and son die during the war, leaving her alone; she is made into a concubine and then a slave

But she survives, remains faithful to her husband, and lives to old age

Volonté 4921

Named after Gian Maria Volonté, an Italian actor

Can be read as the french word volonté meaning will, willpower, wish, goodwill

Fanatica 1589

Named after Eva Perón or Evita, the First Lady of Argentina and an Argentine actress, politician, activist, and philanthropist

Can also be read as fanatic, fanaticism, extreme passion

INTELLIGENCE AND ADVANCEMENT AS A THREAT TO OTHERS:

Hypatia 238

Named after Hypatia, a philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician in ancient Alexandria

Known for her intelligence, wisdom, and tolerance

Was murdered by a Christian mob and was made into a martyr for philosophy

Was later a symbol of Christian virtue in the Middle Ages

Sokrates 5450

Named after Socrates, a Greek philosopher and a founder of Western philosophy

Known for ethics and moral philosophy and was controversial in his time

Accused of impiety and corrupting the youth and was sentenced to death after a one-day trial

Refused help from followers and friends to escape prison

Read PART 2 here

[paganimagevault]

Veleda, Germanic seeress from the people of the Brukterer by Alexandre Cabanel 1852. 128 × 89 cm.. Musée Fabre, Montpellier.

"The word Veleda seems to be a title: it has been assumed that it is a Latin rendering of the Celtic word Veleta, "prophetess", but there is a problem - she was not living in a region where Celtic languages were spoken. Perhaps West-Germanic waldon, "to have power", is a better parallel. The Veleda we know about predicted the successes of the Batavians when they revolted against the Roman empire (69). It is not known whether she merely prophesied, or actively incited the rebellion." -taken from Livius

https://paganimagevault.blogspot.com/2020/05/veleda-germanic-seeress-from-people-of.html

[germanicseidr]

Veleda

Veleda is a name of a seeress who lived in the first century AD. Her name also seems to be a title for those who can see into the future. These women might have practiced something similar to seidr or witchcraft.

The woman Veleda belonged to the Bructeri tribe. She was viewed as an important person amongst the Germanic people. She lived in a tower and was also asked upon to settle disputes. An example of this is the dispute between the Roman citizens of the Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium and the Germanic tribe Tencteri. She managed to solve the dispute without violent conflicts.

Her most famous act was a prophecy that she made. in this prophecy she foretold how the Batavians would be succesful in a rebellion. In 69AD, this rebellion did indeed break out. It is however completely unclear if this prophecy was made before, during or after the revolt and if she was specifically talking about the Batavi.

In 77AD she was either captured or granted asylum by the Romans. Statius, a Roman poet, has described this and also mentioned that Rutilius Gallicus was her captor. A Greek epigram has also been found near Rome. An epigram is a short poem often used for inscriptions on monuments, altars or grave stones. This epigram criticized the powers of Veleda.

Nothing further is known about her. We do not know when she died. We do know because of her that wise women who were gifted with powers to see into the future were almost worshiped as Goddessess amongst the Germanic people. She held great authority in her tribe. There might have been more of such women. Tacitus described how many women were viewed as prophetic but we do not know how many were as important as Veleda was.  

This is the description written by tacitus: "Veleda was an unmarried woman who enjoyed wide influence over the tribe of the Bructeri. The Germans traditionally regard many of the female sex as prophetic, and indeed, by an excess of superstition, as divine. This was a case in point. Veleda's prestige stood high, for she had foretold the German successes and the extermination of the legions."

A question that (at least I have) about her is, were her powers somehow connected to other forms of witchcraft known in the Germanic culture?

The Völuspá is written from the perspective of a seeress who was able to see the past and the future just like a Veleda could. The seeress in the poem was a Völva, a seidr practitioner. Are Völvas and Veledas the same? Maybe the Veledas are older than the Völvas. Did both their practices originate from the same source?

These questions can probably never be answered with trustworthy sources like written evidence and archeological finds.

Artist illustration: Hermann Hirsch Pinhas, 1823

[tiffbaxter]

 Witch Wednesday 5. VELEDA

Dates active: Latter half of the 1st century AD, most prominent in AD 69-70

Location: A tower by the Lippe River, Germany

Powers: Clairvoyance, potentially able to kill remotely via magic (unconfirmed)

Notable acts: Viewed as a living goddess by most tribes in central Germany. Arbitrated the conflict between the Romans at Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium & the Germanic Tencteri tribe. Prophesied & potentially incited the rebellion of the Batavi tribe against the Romans who with her knowledge were able to be well prepared & secure several victories against the superior Roman forces.

In 70 AD Roman commander Munius Lupercus was sent to Veleda to secure her abilities for the Romans but he mysteriously died en route.

She continue her work as seer past the Romans’ eventual victory against the Batavians, her date of death remains unknown but a 77AD Greek epigram suggests by that point she had travelled to Adrea near Rome.

[ao3feed-crowley]

The Batavian Rebellion

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3yydIPx

by Eigon

Aziraphale is sent to Batavia with a Roman legion. Crowley has been in the region stirring up rebellion.

Words: 4002, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Good Omens (TV)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: Gen

Characters: Aziraphale (Good Omens), Crowley (Good Omens), Gabriel (Good Omens)

Relationships: Aziraphale & Crowley (Good Omens)

Additional Tags: Roman Empire

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3yydIPx

[hildegardavon]

Nicolas-André Monsiau, 1754-1837

Eponine and Sabinus, 1802

* Julius Sabinus was an aristocratic Gaul of the Lingones at the time of the Batavian rebellion of AD 69. He attempted to take advantage of the turmoil in Rome after the death of Nero to set up an independent Gaulish state. After his defeat he was hidden for many years by his wife Epponina.  The story of the couple, with emphasis on the loyalty of Epponina (known as "Éponine"), became popular in France during the 18th and 19th centuries. (Wikipedia)

[km-places]

Vindolanda   Bardon Mill   Northumberland   UK

I spend at wet but fantastic day visiting this truly outstanding fort and museum on my tour of the Hadrians Wall and the north in July 2017.

****************************************************************************************

Vindolanda was a Roman auxiliary fort (castrum) just south of Hadrian’s Wall, which it predates. It guarded the Stanegate, the Roman road from the River Tyne to the Solway Firth. It is noted for the Vindolanda tablets, among the most important finds of military and private correspondence (written on wooden tablets) found anywhere in the Roman Empire.

The garrison were infantry or cavalry auxilia, not components of Roman legions. From the early third century onwards, this was the Fourth Cohort of Gauls. It had been presumed that this title was by this time purely nominal, with auxiliary troops being recruited locally, but an inscription found in a recent season of excavations suggests that native Gauls were still to be found in the regiment and that they liked to distinguish themselves from British soldiers. The inscription reads: “The troops from Gaul dedicate this statue to the goddess Gallia with the full support of the British-born troops”.

The earliest Roman forts at Vindolanda were built of wood and turf. The remains are now buried as much as 13 ft deep in the anoxic waterlogged soil. There are five timber forts, built (and demolished) one after the other. The first, a small fort, was probably built by the 1st Cohort of Tungrians about AD 85. By about 95 this was replaced by a larger wooden fort built by the 9th Cohort of Batavians, a mixed infantry-cavalry unit of about 1000 men. That fort was repaired in about 100 under the command of the Roman prefect Flavius Cerialis. When the 9th Cohort of Batavians left in 105, their fort was demolished. The 1st Cohort of Tungrians came back to Vindolanda, built a larger wooden fort, and remained here until Hadrian’s Wall was built around 122, when they moved, most likely to Housesteads Roman Fort.

Soon after Hadrian’s Wall was built, most of its men were moved north to the Antonine Wall. A stone fort was built at Vindolanda, possibly for the 2nd Cohort of Nervians.[5]

From AD 208 to 211, there was a major rebellion against Rome in Britain, and the Emperor Septimius Severus led an army to Britain to cope with it personally. The old stone fort was demolished, and replaced by an unconventional set of army buildings on the west, and an unusual array of many round stone huts where the old fort had been: some of these circular huts are visible by the north and the southwest walls of the final stone fort. The Roman army may have built these to accommodate families of British farmers in this unsettled period.

Septimius Severus died at York in AD 211; his sons paid off the rebels and left for Rome. The stone buildings were demolished, and a large new stone fort was built where the huts had been, for the 4th Cohort of Gauls.

A vicus, a self-governing village, developed to the west of the fort. The vicus contains several rows of buildings, each containing several one-room chambers. Most are not connected to the existing drainage system. The one that does was perhaps a butchery where, for health reasons, an efficient drain would have been important. A stone altar proves that the settlement was officially a vicus, and that it was named Vindolanda.

To the south of the fort is a thermae (a large imperial bath complex).The baths were used by many. The later stone fort, and the adjoining village, remained in use until about 285, when it was largely abandoned for some reason.

About 300, the fort was again rebuilt, but the vicus was not reoccupied, so most likely the area remained too unsafe for life outside the defended walls of the fort.

In about 370, the fort was roughly repaired, perhaps by irregular soldiers. There is no evidence for the traditional view that Roman occupation ended suddenly in 410; it may have declined slowly.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 10.11 (before 1950)

1138 – A massive earthquake strikes Aleppo; it is one of the most destructive earthquakes ever. 1142 – A peace treaty ends the Jin–Song wars. 1311 – The peerage and clergy restrict the authority of English kings with the Ordinances of 1311. 1614 – The New Netherland Company applies to the States General of the Netherlands for exclusive trading rights in what is now the northeastern United States. 1634 – The Burchardi flood kills around 15,000 in North Friesland, Denmark and Germany. 1649 – Cromwell's New Model Army sacks Wexford, killing over 2,000 Irish Confederate troops and 1,500 civilians. 1776 – American Revolution: A fleet of American boats on Lake Champlain is defeated by the Royal Navy, but delays the British advance until 1777. 1797 – The Royal Navy decisively defeats the Batavian Navy at Camperdown during the French Revolutionary Wars. 1811 – The Juliana begins operation as the first steam-powered ferry in New York harbor. 1840 – The Maronite leader Bashir Shihab II surrenders to the Ottoman Empire and later is sent to Malta in exile. 1852 – The University of Sydney, Australia's oldest university, is inaugurated in Sydney. 1862 – American Civil War: Confederate troops conduct a raid on Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. 1865 – Hundreds of black men and women march in Jamaica, starting the Morant Bay rebellion. 1890 – In Washington, D.C., the Daughters of the American Revolution is founded. 1899 – The Second Boer War erupts in South Africa between the British-ruled Cape Colony, and the Boer-ruled Transvaal and Orange Free State. 1906 – San Francisco sparks a diplomatic crisis between the United States and Japan by ordering segregated schools for Japanese students. 1910 – Piloted by Arch Hoxsey, Theodore Roosevelt becomes the first U.S. president to fly in an airplane. 1912 – First Balkan War: The day after the Battle of Sarantaporo, Greek troops liberate the city of Kozani. 1918 – The 7.1 Mw San Fermín earthquake shakes Puerto Rico. The quake and resulting tsunami kill up to 116 people. 1937 – The Duke and Duchess of Windsor tour Nazi Germany for 12 days and meet Adolf Hitler on 22 October. 1941 – Beginning of the National Liberation War of Macedonia. 1942 – World War II: Off Guadalcanal, United States Navy ships intercept and defeat a Japanese force. 1944 – The Tuvan People's Republic is annexed by the Soviet Union.

[dutch-and-flemish-painters]

Barend Wijnveld  (1820–1902) - Anno 70. Brinio was  as leader of the Canaefates  raised on the shield - 1897

The Cananefates, or Canninefates, Caninefates, or Canenefatae, meaning "leek masters", were a Germanic tribe, which lived in the Rhine delta, in western Batavia (later Betuwe), in the Roman province of Germania Inferior (now in the Dutch province of Zuid-Holland), before and during the Roman conquest. Apparently the name had its origins in the fact that the Cananefates lived on sandy soils that were considered excellent for growing Alliums such as leeks and onions. At the beginning of the Batavian rebellion under Gaius Julius Civilis in the year 69, the Batavians sent envoys to the Canninefates to urge a common policy. "This is a tribe," says Tacitus (Histories Book iv ) "which inhabits part of the island, and closely resembles the Batavians in their origin, their language, and their courageous character, but is inferior in numbers." This would imply a similar descent as the Batavians from the Chatti. In the failed uprising that followed, the Canninefates were led by their chieftain Brinno, the son of a chief who had faced down Caligula. The capital of the civitas of the Cananefates was Forum Hadriani, modern Voorburg. In modern times, the region Kennemerland is said to derive from the name of the Cananefates.

Brinno was leader of the Canninefates when they joined in the Batavian rebellion at the mouth of the Rhine in AD69. According to Tacitus he was: ...a man of a certain stolid bravery and of distinguished birth. His father, after venturing on many acts of hostility, had scorned with impunity the ridiculous expedition of Caligula. His very name, the name of a family of rebels, made him popular. Raised aloft on a shield after the national fashion, and balanced on the shoulders of the bearers, he was chosen general".

Barend Wijnveld (13 August 1820 – 18 February 1902), was a Dutch painter.

[alamio]

Neuss in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Northwestern Germany, is located on the west bank of the Rhein river...

Neuss in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Northwestern Germany, is located on the west bank of the Rhein river opposing Düsseldorf. It is known for its historic Roman sites, as well as the annual Neusser Bürger-Schützenfest, a fun fair. Neuss and Trier share the title of “Germany’s oldest city” - in 1984, Neuss celebrated its 2000 year anniversary since its founding in 16 BCE.

It was founded by the Romans in 16 BC as a military fortification. Legio XVI Gallica (“Gallic 16th Legion”) of the Roman army was stationed here in 43-70 AD. It was disbanded after surrendering during the Batavian rebellion. Later a civil settlement was founded in the area of today’s town center during the 1st century AD.

[thesquireofcheddar]

Now Van to Van the foremost Squadrons meet, The midmost Battels hastning 56 up behind: Who view, far off, the storm of falling Sleet; And hear their Thunder ratling in the wind.

187 At length the adverse Admirals appear;        745 (The two bold Champions of each Countries right) Their Eyes describe the lists as they come near, And draw the lines of Death before they fight.

188 The distance judg’d for Shot of every size, The Linstocks touch, the pond’rous Ball expires:        750 The vigorous Sea-man every Port-hole plies, And adds his heart to every Gun he fires.

189 Fierce was the Fight on the proud Belgians side, For Honour, which they seldom sought before: But now they by their own vain Boasts were ti’d        755 And forc’d, at least in show, to prize it more.

190 But sharp remembrance on the English part And shame of being match’d by such a Foe, Rouze conscious Virtue up in every heart, And seeming to be stronger makes them so. 57        760

191 Nor long the Belgians could that Fleet sustain, Which did two Gen’rals fates, and Cæsar’s bear: Each several Ship a Victory did gain, As Ruperl or as Albemarl were there.

192 Their batter’d Admiral too soon withdrew,        765 Unthank’d by ours for his unfinish’d Fight; But he the Minds of his Dutch Masters knew, Who call’d that providence which we call’d flight.

193 Never did Men more joyfully obey, Or sooner understood the sign to flie:        770 With such alacrity they bore away, As if to praise them All the States stood by.

194 O famous leader of the Belgian fleet, Thy Monument inscrib’d such praise shall wear, As Varro timely flying once did meet,        775 Because he did not of his Rome despair.

195 Behold that Navy, which a while before Provok’d the tardy English close to Fight; 58 Now draw their beaten Vessels close to shore, As Larks lie dar’d to shun the Hobbies flight.        780

196 Who e’re would English Monuments survey, In other Records may our Courage know: But let them hide the Story of this day, Whose Fame was blemish’d by too base a Foe.

197 Or if too busily they will enquire        785 Into a Victory which we disdain: Then let them know, the Belgians did retire Before the Patron Saint 59 of injur’d Spain.

198 Repenting England this revengeful day To Philip’s Manes 60 did an offering bring        790 England, which first, by leading them astray, Hatch’d up Rebellion to destroy her King.

199 Our Fathers bent their baneful industry, To check a Monarchy that slowly grew; But did not France or Holland’s Fate fore-see,        795 Whose rising Pow’r to swift Dominion flew.

200 In fortunes Empire blindly thus we go, And wander after pathless Destiny; Whose dark resorts since Prudence cannot know, In vain it would provide for what shall be.        800

201 But what e’re English to the bless’d shall go, And the fourth Harry or first Orange meet; Find him disowning of a Burbon foe, And him detesting a Batavian Fleet.

202 Now on their Coasts our conquering Navy rides,        805 Way-lays their Merchants, and their Land besets; Each day new Wealth without their Care provides; They lie asleep with Prizes in their Nets.