The Revolt of the Batavians (69/70 AD) is one of the most famous stories in our national history. We still find elements in our culture that refer to these Batavians. For example the Batavus bicycle, the Bataviawerf, and the Batavierenrace. But why is this story so famous?
It is the story of Julius Civilis. In one of the books by the Roman writer Tacitus, his Historiae , we read about him. According to Tacitus, Julius Civilis is a Batavian of royal blood. He calls him "more intelligent than you would expect from a barbarian." So a smart guy. Julius served as an officer in the Roman army for many years. Later he becomes the leader of the Batavian revolt. And not entirely without merit.
Tacitus and the Rebellion
Many stories and legends are known about the Rebellion. That in itself is strange, because Tacitus is the only source we have of the Rebellion. And he is not so positive about the Batavians. Is history really as exciting as what we've made of it? Let's briefly look at the story of the Rebellion.
Accused of rebellion
During the reign of Emperor Nero (54-68 AD), Julius' glorious career in the army suddenly comes to an end. Together with his brother Julius Paulus, he is accused of rebellion by the commander of the Roman army in Lower Germany (Fonteius Capito). Why not tell the story of Tacitas. Tacitas does believe, however, that the men have been wrongly accused.
Julius' brother Paulus is put to death on the spot. Although he himself springs from the dance, he has to travel to Rome to receive justice. Fortunately for Julius, Roman emperors today are also uncertain about their lives. Rome is ravaged by civil war and throne struggle. The Roman emperors succeed each other in rapid succession. By the time he arrives in Rome, another emperor is already on the throne. Nero's successor Galba releases Julius from prosecution; Julius is allowed to return to the north. He is obviously very angry because of his brother's death. Julius hatches a cunning plan to exact revenge on the Romans.
Conscription and Scammers
Back in the Rhine delta, the good relationship between the Romans and the Batavi has cooled. Emperor Vitellius comes to power in the so-called Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD). As is often the case with newly appointed politicians, he sweeps clean and revises the rules and agreements that have been made. With the Batavians he abolishes the obligation of serving in the Roman army. From that moment on there is conscription, also for elderly Batavian men. Little boys are also summoned. Not to serve in the army, but to serve as scandals. With the arrival of Vitellius, the Batavians are suddenly treated as 'subjects'. The proud Batavian people have had enough.
Conspiracy in the forest
Julius Civilis hears of the unrest among the Batavians. With his sights still set on revenge, he organizes a party in a forest. He invites many Batavian nobles for this. While enjoying drinks and good food, he explains to them a cunning plan. Under his inspiring leadership and with the help of various diversionary manoeuvres, they will drive the Romans from the Batavian territory. The nobles are immediately enthusiastic! That same evening, everyone present swears allegiance to the good cause. The Rebellion is born.
Rebellion
At the end of 69 there is a clash near Nijmegen between the Batavians and two Roman legions. The Romans lose out, because the Batavian mercenaries in the Roman army defect to the Batavian side en masse. The Romans did not expect that!
The Rebellion is very successful. The Batavians gain more and more territory from the Romans, until Emperor Vespasian comes to power in Rome. He sends a superior force of Roman soldiers to a battle at Xanten, with which he manages to stop the Revolt. Julius has no choice but to accept the Romans' negotiating proposal. Both delegations meet on either side of an old bridge, and then…Unfortunately, that's where Tacitus' story ends. We don't know exactly how it will end, but scientists suspect that the old situation of tolerance and cooperation between the two sides will be restored.
Tacitus' sketched image
Both the Batavians and Julius don't do very well in Tacitus' story. He may be a historian, but he is also a Roman who writes from a Roman perspective. He calls the Batavians 'barbarians', in contrast to the civilized Romans. And Julius—despite Tacitus' relative appreciation of him—is an enemy of Rome. Despite Tacitus' rather negative view of the Rebellion, this story will lead its own glorious life. How come?
Batavas become famous
The glorification of the Revolt of the Batavians already started in the Renaissance, when the works of Tacitus became more widely known. In the work The Division Chronicle (1517) by the writer Cornelius Aurelius, the Revolt of the Batavians appears for the first time. Aurelius has his own reason for making this story stand out:"This is only gheseyt to know about that vromichheit, strength and knights cap that the Hollanders used among the Romans and have proven themselves above other nacien van der world". He therefore wants his readers to be aware of the exploits of the Batavians. Poet Joost van den Vondel also cites the Revolt of the Batavians. In 1659, following a painting by Govert Flinck, he compares Julius Civilis with national hero no. 1, Willem van Oranje.
But not only writers praise the Rebellion. The Revolt of the Batavians is also a popular subject for painters. Rembrandt van Rijn, for example, paints the nocturnal conspiracy of Julius with the nobles. Ferdinand Bol in turn dedicates a canvas to the negotiation between the Batavians and the Romans.
Certification of identity
In the Renaissance and the Golden Age there was an increasing astonishment for the Batavians, and specifically for the story of the Revolt. What does that have to do with?
In the formation of the Netherlands as a separate state, people attach increasing importance to the formation of its own identity. An 'identity' is partly determined by a shared history, preferably one to be proud of. In the Golden Age we legitimize and derive our own identity from these Batavians. Many people see the Batavians as distant ancestors of the Dutch. The Rebellion showed the heroic resistance of these proud ancestors against cruel tyranny.
It is taken for granted that in this history a few things are exaggerated or perhaps even omitted. Perhaps Julius was not at all such a hero as what is made of him. Perhaps things were a little more nuanced. That does not matter. In our experience, the story of Julius Civilis and the Revolt of the Batavians is – still – part of our beautiful history, and ripe for a film as a new Hollywood blockbuster.