The chieftain of the Batavi in the 60s CE, Gaius Julius Civilis, was a little different – he was a Celt who had become a Roman citizen and joined the army. In fact, he served in one of the auxiliary units of the invasion of Britain under Claudius. But his time in the Romans’ good graces was coming to an end.
In 68 CE, Civilis and his brother Claudius Paulus were arrested for treason. We don’t know what caused the accusation, but Paulus was executed. Civilis managed to escape with his life when he was pardoned by Emperor Galba and he made his way to the Rhineland. But there he was arrested again.
The new governor there, Vitellius, pardoned him yet again to gain the support of the local troops. Civilis made his way back to his tribe where he discovered that they were all a little ticked off with being conscripted into the Roman army. A rebellion was born.
Being in the army, Civilis knew how he could defeat the might of Rome. He brought a neighbouring tribe into the fold and together they attacked Roman forts. The Romans had been caught off guard and the Celts used this to their advantage, decimating the auxiliary troops that had been sent to end their insurrection.
A Gallic empire was proclaimed and some Romans were forced to swear allegiance, but the civil war in Rome was almost over and attention was finally being turned to the provinces once more. Roman troops marched north and they met at what is now known as the Waal River. Civilis finally surrendered before vanishing into obscurity.
"The Romans had been caught off guard and the celts used this to their advantage."