Batavians: a Germanic tribe in the Roman Empire DOCUMENTARY

Their origins trace back to 'barbaric' germania, but as immigrants the Batavians found their real birthplace within the borders of the Roman empire. In service of the Roman army they became renowned as excellent warriors and horsemen. But fighting prowess is not all that unique for barbarians; the birth and evolution of their society all in close ties with ancient Rome is though. In this video we will take a close look at the history of the Batavians, their culture, religion, society, place and meaning within the Roman empire.
Make sure to check out Erve Eme archeological park in Zupthen The Netherlands!
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Music: Rome Total War 1 Jeff van Dyck
Rome Total War 2 Richard Beddow
Adrian von Ziegler
Graphic design: German Reber
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[@fabricio-agrippa-zarate1000]

I just love the fact that you portray the Batavians greeting the Roman soldieres as normal people and not the "barbarians" all fidgy or angry, and the Romans all disgusted, like Hollywood loves to portray the situation.

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

That is exactly what we always hate about populair films and series. Glad you noticed!

[@miquelr2353]

Lol

[@kenrudd6362]

those were batvian born soldiers no? they were friends and family

[@fabricio-agrippa-zarate1000]

@@kenrudd6362 they could just happen to be Roman born, too.

[@kenrudd6362]

@Mohammed Selimec you think so? despite the fact that we will fully underestimate people of the past the past is still a much more violent time than now

[@thaneofwhiterun3562]

I fail to understand how this channel isn't more popular, I'm glad I discovered it, keep it up guys!

[@hadcrio6845]

Es cierto, porque tiene pocos videos; lo acabo de descubrir.

[@thaneofwhiterun3562]

@@hadcrio6845 Espero que se hagan conocidos, quiero que tenga éxito este canal.

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

Gracias mi amigo! Great to see some non-native English speakers here as well, it's for the worldwide audience after all that we added in accurate subtitles :)

[@mattBLACKpunk]

Rome wasn't built in one day

[@linadepasquale5595]

UNDER È UNA PAROLA LATINO ROMANA CHE VUOL DIRE SOTTO...

[@123Dunebuggy]

As a native of the batavian town of Forum Hadriana im grateful for the work u guys are putting in this series. Forum Hadriana was founded by the Emperor Hadrian which was located next to the Corbulo Channel, dug by the men of General Corbulo to connect the Rivers Rhine and Maas. Archeological work has unearthed a town a few footballfields wide, home to many villas and a river harbor, with roads connecting the limes nearby. It is now known as Voorburg.

[@kreg857]

Never have I seen a historically reenacted video clip so fascinating before such as this one. I really loved how you portrayed returning Batavian men from Roman army to their homeland.

[@williamfluit6198]

Some tombstones of former Batavian Legionaries have been found in the NL.

[@derekdakis7675]

It's hard to find others who produce the sort of live-action documentary-like videos that you guys make, besides the Smithsonian channel. Excellent stuff!

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

Thanks mate! Great to hear the live-action is appreciated, it's quite the work but we hope worth it :)

[@johnrock123]

Extremely well researched and presented. Attention to detail in video such as casting and audio with background music transported me instantly Back in time but not before I hit the subscribe button. Well done gentlemen. Gloria Eterna Al Romano Emperium!🌿🏛️

[@metric85]

Great video. Hello from Jakarta, a city who was once named Batavia!

[@giuliomattioli2886]

Thank you! I am Italian and living in the Netherlands now. So cool to know more about the link between Romans and Batavians ;)

[@hrfnwarian6473]

Always great to see a video on the inhabitants of the Roman Empire beyond the Mediterranean. I find it fascinating that Neder Betuwe in the Netherlands is taken from the ancient Batavia, a tribe that had both rebelled against the Romans under the leadership of Julius Civilis, and had survived as auxiliaries to fight against the Celtic tribes in Britain some 1900 years ago: inscriptions in Scotland at Hadrian's wall, and the Vindolanda tables mention the names of the tribes that fought as auxiliaries in the Roman army. Fascinating history northern peoples have. You just earned yourself a subscriber friend.

[@patcollins7657]

Extremely well done and very informative. And what a truly excellent living history site you were able to use!

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

Thanks! Indeed it's a beautiful site, and manned by the friendliest people (and chickens) too!

[@kamielheeres8687]

You often learn about ancient history in broad strokes. That's why I really apreciate a video like this that goes really in depth on one specific subject.

[@c.norbertneumann4986]

The Chatti were the name-givers of Hessen, a region and federal state of Germany.

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

Hah cool, didn't know that!

[@pierren___]

What does it mean ?

[@safe8213]

@@pierren___ Probably the the most realistic translation for the roman Chatti is "Hattoz"(Ones who battle) as the would not have called themselves Chatti.

[@pierren___]

@@safe8213 Thanks, and idea for the Franks ?

[@roystreet1395]

The spelling 'Ch,' pronounced in today's English like the 'ch' in 'Achilles,' is a sign that the Romans heard a puff of air after the /k/ sound and wanted to distinguish it from their own /k/ without the puff, as in 'catti' (cats)

[@Diogolindir]

I cannot believe this is the first time I encounter this channel. I've been swiming in ancient Rome's content since forever. This material is such a masterpiece

[@jarlbregadan914]

The reenactment brings a whole new level of realism and engagement, thus, ancient people are not just names and faceless ideas, they are people, it hits in a different way. Thank you for this.

[@geertham7180]

I'm currently writing an essay on the corporis custodes, the Germanic bodyguard corps of the Julio-Claudian emperors, which consisted mostly of Batavians. These people were highly praised for their martial and equestrian skills, and were said to have possessed the ability to swim across a river, on horseback, in full battle attire.

[@swissmilitischristilxxii3691]

They swore an oath to protect the emperor against the first mafia of the world : the praetorian guard

[@miquelr2353]

@@swissmilitischristilxxii3691 maffia is a family business, like Royalty is. I dont see how the preotorian guard is the same

[@williamfluit6198]

@@swissmilitischristilxxii3691 No, the Praetorian Guard was mostly Batavian to the end of Nero. Galba dismissed them because he feared they were too loyal to Nero. Bad move to diss the Batavian Praetorians....they killed Galba. The Roman Emperors wanted loyal guards from far away who did not have ANY connections or loyalties near Rome. That prevented plotting of coups and political assassinations. IF anyone was going to do political killing it would be the Praetorians. The Batavian Praetorian connection gets a little muddy as Rome continued to sink into countless civil wars and constant emperor changes. I saw an article about a Batavian tombstone found in the NL. The inscription indicated the soldier took part in the destruction of Jerusalem. They were all over the Empire doing various things like prisoner escorts, spying, and whole bunch more. All which indicates to me the Batavian tribe was quite large as they were estimated to have 5,000 to 7,000 Batavians in active service at any given time. In fact that was a spark for at least one revolt against Rome, probably a second revolt. The Batavians were never punished like other rebel tribes in the Empire. Normally the Romans would totally destroy a revolting people. That says a lot how the Romans respected (and needed) the Batavian warrior skills.

[@williamfluit6198]

Geert this may be too late for your essay but I've got a lot of bookmarked webpages relating to Batavians in service of Rome. They were all over the Empire.

[@swissmilitischristilxxii3691]

@@williamfluit6198 If I remember well, Batavians were Nero and Augustus private bodyguards. I don't think they were in the pretorian guards. You had to be of italic origin to be a pretorian in the 1st century.

[@RealAugustusAutumn]

I'm stunned at the quality of videos here. You should do one on Roman religious cults and such

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

Good to hear, thanks! A video about religious cults is actually on our wishlist for future videos already, so hang around :P

[@LindaInpijn]

The amount of effort you guys put in this video is amazing. Keep up the good work!

[@bobbylee9727]

My home town, called Batavia and located in Illinois, USA was named after Batavia, New York. This was apparently a Dutch name since the Dutch were pushed out of New York City previously called New Amsterdam and moved up the Hudson River to upstate New York. I hadn't realized that these same Dutch settlers from the seventeenth century could very well have descended from the Batavians from two thousand years ago. Was this possible? I am half German and half English so, who knows? But I grew up saying I was a Batavian...from Illinois...from the USA.

[@demanager0412]

I live a few miles from the originial 'Batavia', it's actually 'Betuwe' now. As far I know the term 'Batavia' was pretty all-around in the early Dutch Republic and it was used in many town, company and ship-names a like.

[@ebsk2022]

Batavia (current name Jakarta) on Java island, capital of the Dutch East Indies...........

[@bobbylee9727]

@@ebsk2022 i just Googled "Batavia towns in the USA" and there are seven states with this name...also a town in Germany...also a ship in the seventeenth century...and a brand of cloth...interesting.

[@thomaslacornette1282]

Batavia is old name of Holland, almost mean the same, it is still quite popular. If dutch settlers who flee New york created this town; yes it is possible you have some Batavian ancestors cause at a degree we have all same ancestors.

[@g.3581]

There’s also the inhabitants of Jakarta, Indonesia, formerly Batavia under Dutch rule, who now identify as “Batavian” or “Betawi” in their native tongue.

[@Wreckstorm]

My family is part of the Keith clan from Scotland who are descendants of the Chatti tribe. Thank you for making this video, it's interesting to hear about them.

[@daneaxe6465]

The Chatti tribe was from central to west-central Germany (modern borders). Perhaps you're thinking of a different tribe with a similar name?

[@saarbrooklynrider2277]

lol Scottish fairy tales

[@erolegario]

I devoured this video. I love the focus on the Batavians. I would like to see more similar material on other local tribes in and around the Netherlands.

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

Thanks, your wish has been noted!

[@williamfluit6198]

Because of Rome the Batavians and the Frisians had a lot of contact with Britain. There's a British DNA study that showed, statically there was no difference between current day Fries men and 30% of men in central Britain. I knew the Saxons invited hundreds of Fries ship builders to Britain after the Romans left. The Fries were excellent ship makers even that far back. Just an interesting historical tidbit.

[@kimashitawa8113]

@@williamfluit6198 The Frisii of the Roman times aren't the same as the later Frisians that would later inhabit their lands though. The largest portion of Frisii left their homeland towards Brittain and Flanders after a period large and many floods. The later Frisians were mostly Angles and Saxons that later started inhabiting the lands of the Frisii. They would use these lands to sail towards what is now Great Brittain and become the Insular Anglo-Saxons. Those that stayed behind are what the Frisians of today are descendants of.

[@williamfluit6198]

@@kimashitawa8113 Other than the shipbuilders I haven't come across any info on the Frisii migrating to Britain. Not saying there isn't any just that I haven't found it yet. Your mention of many floods causing people to leave, sounds exactly like the story of the Cimbri from Denmark. There's a good story of the Cimbri migration on KZbin (multiple parts).

[@kimashitawa8113]

​@@williamfluit6198 I might have the Brittain part confused with the later Frisians and the Migration Period, but there are inscriptions of them on Hadrians Wall so at least the Frisii were there at some point (although probably only in service as soldiers and shipbuilders like you said)

[@drinci]

You've grown for 500 subs to almost a thousand. You deserve it!

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

Thanks! We sure did not expect such a rapid grow but we are very thankfull for it!

[@velvetcroc9827]

Even as late as the batte of Adrianople 378 there were still units of Batavian cavalry around.

[@michaelhleck5314]

This channel deserves far more viewership than it has.

[@piercoucy]

Very good. Surprising that only few days ago I was thinking about this part of the Netherlands which effectively was part of the Roman empire!

[@LilyoftheValeyrising]

I really enjoy seeing the live reenactment of the characters in your videos. I’m looking at the details in the clothing construction, the house how it’s laid out, how it’s built and more. Also the Roman soldiers walking around with all their armour and weapons must have bee spectacular! It’s great to see how it was instead of imagine.

[@charliefraundorfer8715]

The eastern Bavarian city of Passau is named after them. Castra Batava (Batavian Fort). The Romans had deployed Batavian cavalry there. After centuries the pronunciation of Batava slowly changed into Passau.

[@RabbaniRosli]

It was heartening to see the Romans save the Batavians at Idistaviso.

[@williamfluit6198]

They were the most loyal allies the Romans ever had. The Romans themselves could not trust other Romans as history proved over and over and over and....

[@reorien]

I really like how you all even make a short cinematic history so the information can be caught easily Thank you for this video! Great job! I hope your channel will grow up more

[@cmredfield]

Excellent documentary with clearly a lot of effort put in. I'm subscribing and starting following you as documentaries enforced with reenactment helps immerse and comprehend the themes discussed. Thank you so much.

[@caymuscairns6845]

This channel popped out of nowhere. I am subbing and recommending to my history friends. Excellent presentation.

[@svartirbjorn197]

Loved this video, the quality is so high that I thought it was from some large, old channel, and was absolutely shocked to see the number of likes and subscribers! Definitely earned a new subscription, keep up the good work!

[@wingsum5351]

The role-play of this video is just amazing, keep it up with the good work. Really looking forward for more content.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you for covering this tribe ,the Batavi, read of their specialist skills. Great work.

[@sintenal4078]

So very glad that Invicta let me know of your channel. As an unashamed Romanophile, I will be enthusiastically tuning in with high hopes for your great success! I thoroughly enjoyed "Live History - Journey Beyond Rome's Rhine Frontier" and wanted to thank you. Alles Gute für die Zukunft!

[@benb7883]

This channel is fantastic, really hope you guys grow, you definitely deserve it with content of this quality

[@diollinebranderson6553]

the ambient sound in the background really helps immerse me in this story. well edited video lad

[@martintaylor1547]

I'm really happy this video blew up! Hope you keep rising!

[@nisibonum7634]

A really cool documentary. So much focus in roman history is on the grand. It is refreshing to see something narrow down and take a look at a specific part of that grand empire

[@teerex51]

Excellent stuff! I'm a tad embarrassed to admit that as a "civis romanus" (I was born and raised in Rome) I did not know the Batavians were part of the empire.

[@kamielheeres8687]

To be fair, It would be an impressive feat if you knew every single folk that was ruled by the roman empire.

[@iangodfrey4518]

Well, you know. Italians are known for being a tad self centred.

[@teerex51]

@@iangodfrey4518 Your reliance on sketchy ethnic stereotypes speaks volumes about you.

[@iangodfrey4518]

@@teerex51 Hey man, Italian Bamboccionis are a thing! You tell me that's not self centred...

[@teerex51]

@@iangodfrey4518 Yawn. You're doubling down on dumb. Give it up.

[@DEricTodd]

Hope y'all are ready for an influx of subscribers. Doing that amazing video with Invicta was what got me to sign up at least. Looking forward to watching more from you guys!

[@justmoritz]

This one was amazingly good! Thank you!!

[@valx7586]

Jesus I can't believe I've missed out on this channel for so long, utterly fantastic

[@rey_nemaattori]

Fantastische kwaliteit, erg informatief en bijzonder beeldend. As if history came alive!

[@raymondlee3318]

FIVE STARS! Outstanding video content. Period costumes, buildings, and mannerisms. Informative in a fresh, new way. Looking forward to more videos!

[@jurrekaptijn2654]

Oprecht hele sterke en mooie videos van een topkwaliteit. Blij dat ik dit kanaal ontdekt heb.

[@piercedliquidnipples]

Just came across your channel, the content is so high quality and polished. Congrats! Cheers from Italy

[@WarDogMadness]

Your kit and set up is epic dude, love it.

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I came over from Invicta y'all have some great content so far I look forward to more history.

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Here from Invicta. Great video! Love from Wisconsin.

[@CleoHarperReturns]

This is great! Not many people cover this part of history and yet it's so fascinating.

[@justinnamuco9096]

KZbin just showed your video to me man, in my recommendations. Cool content

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This is really well made! Keep doing this

[@shh_ur_guna_die2060]

Came over from Invicta, had to check out your channel! Glad I found it, very informative as well as entertaining.

[@glen9593]

Fantastic guys well done! Look forward to the next one.

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Excellent informative video, well done, thank you.

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Another great video, proud to call you my frateres! You deserve much more attention and a bigger stage!

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I wish to see your channel grow and be popular someday. Keep up the good work

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Amazing video! Hopefully this will get more popular

[@AlystrZelland]

Wildly, criminally underrated channel. Killer production 🔥

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

Haha thanks Alystr! We definitely have room for improvement though, but we're getting better and better for sure :D

[@james-eb1dx]

not only fun to watch but also educational, keep it up👍🏻

[@sandervdbrink84]

Was looking for info about this. Thanks!

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This channel is pure gold well done

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Keep up the good work, boys. A very interesting video, as usual! Wanne see more!

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Amazing video, kept me engrossed throughout!

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Glad that I found this channel. Keep up the amazing work! You've earned another subscriber, thank you very much for the excellent video and channel.

[@aalexander928]

Wonderful & educational - very well done. Thanks so much !

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loved this, you deserve more views!

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just found you guys, will binge watch when I get time!

[@robdoubleyou4918]

Great content! Posting for the algorithm. Gratias tibi!

[@alexanderwaite9403]

Excellent information! How did I miss this channel!!

[@thealgerianbochevik3149]

man this content is so good keep it up

[@adityaalvinachmaddhani3196]

Wat een top video. Heel informatief maar heel leuk. Tot de volgende video.

[@RobertLidstroem]

Amazing content, i follow alot of historical channels about the roman era. Kings and generals , Metatron etc. This is really well made and well explained. My interrest started 35 years ago, reading my fathers Asterix-albums 😀 keep up the great work!

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

I think we all share the same background here haha, thanks for your support, we'll keep at it!

[@morgan97475]

Love your videos. Very informative.

[@liamboyle7749]

Awesome video, I always enjoy seeing content about the Batavians.

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This is my contribution to the algorithm I hope this channel grows

[@sacrilege8943]

woahh this channel is underrated

[@seanpatterson5574]

Really interesting video. Well done. Thank you.

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Leaving some algorithm stuff. This channel should grow. Great production.

[@td370]

Your channel will be huge one day. I’m here before the algorithm chooses you.

[@Trojan_]

Great video, love the attention to detail.

[@henryonly8351]

This is very awesome very detailed events it seems a part of History forgotten. Thank you for this upload! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@derkoenigvonbayern]

Very very well made video, informative, interesting and well told! Hope the channel will be bigger in the future.

[@Julie-yu3kf]

Another great video, keep it up!

[@mrgpf2008]

Fantastic production 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@44Minutes100]

Just stumbled upon this video and channel. Excellently presented, keep up the good work. Greetings from the province of Moesia !

[@ronniesen2522]

This was awesome. Please do more.

[@carlaolivo6144]

The quality of your content is amazing. Please keep uploading more videos :)

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

You keep supporting us, we keep producing :P

[@nffctrickett]

What a great little channel. Glad I found it

[@bloxus2530]

Keep up the great work

[@perceivedvelocity9914]

I really enjoyed this video. I just subscribed. I'm looking forward to seeing more from your channel.

[@ufc990]

Your videos are excellent! Good work!

[@dialecticalveganegoist1721]

love the amount of effort you put in these videos

[@leoscheibelhut940]

Absolutely brilliant! What a great in-depth introduction of the Batavians, touching on so many aspects of their life and relationship with Rome. I hope you make many more of these about various groups.

[@ImperiumRomanumYT]

Thanks Leo! Be sure to check out our other vids as well, I'm sure there is and is gonna be more to your liking :)

[@leoscheibelhut940]

@@ImperiumRomanumYT That's why I subscribed right after I discovered your channel!

[@theveteransergeant]

Been painting up some 28mm Roman Auxiliaries, and decided to do them up as Batavians. I'd done some research on them, but this had some stuff I didn't know. Excellent video.

[@highroller6244]

Really cool Video. Maybe you can do another Video going into a bit more detail of this Batavian house, what it is made of and its Layout etc. Instant sub. 👍

[@daddypoil]

Great work lads ! Cheers from Argentoratum (Strasbourg) !

[@ToyzAroundMe]

I'm impressed! Thanks for your effort!

[@El_Jefe_Maestro]

Awesome video on a very underrepresented topic

[@mindfield9]

It would be SO great if you guys would be willing to make a documentary about the Batavian Revolt. There is a Dutch Professor called Nico Roymans. He works as a professor in the Dutch University of Amsterdam and he knows a hell lot about the Batavians. You guys could find his contact information easily on the internet. I talked to him once and to me he was very willing to give or share information :).