Gallia Belgica facts for kids
Gallia Belgica, which means "Belgian Gaul" in Latin, was an important Roman province. A Roman province was like a large area of land controlled by the Roman Empire. Today, parts of Gallia Belgica are found in several modern countries. These include Belgium, Luxembourg, a large part of northern France, and a section of Germany called the Rhineland, which is west of the Rhine River.
The people who lived in Gallia Belgica were known as the Belgae. They were a group of tribes who were part of a larger region called Gaul. Gaul covered most of what is now France. A famous Roman general, Julius Caesar, wrote that the Belgae were different from other Gauls. He said their land was bordered by the Marne and Seine rivers, and by the Rhine River on the side closest to Germania. We are not entirely sure what languages the Belgae spoke, but historians believe they used both Celtic and Germanic languages.
Contents
How Gallia Belgica Became Roman
The area of Gallia Belgica was conquered by Julius Caesar in 57 BC. This was a big part of his famous wars in Gaul. After the Romans took control, the area became an official Roman province.
Changes Over Time
Around 300 AD, a Roman emperor named Diocletian made some changes to the Roman provinces in Gaul. He decided to split Gallia Belgica into two smaller provinces:
- Belgica Prima
- Belgica Secunda
Belgica Prima was the eastern part of the original province. Its main city was Treveri, which is known today as Trier in Germany. The border between Belgica Prima and Belgica Secunda was along the River Meuse.
The End of Roman Rule
In 406 AD, several groups of tribes, including the Vandals and Burgundians, crossed the Rhine River. They defeated the Roman forces in Gaul. In the 5th century, Belgica Secunda became a very important area. It was the center of Clovis's Merovingian kingdom. Later, during the 8th century, it became the heart of the powerful Carolingian Empire.
Images for kids
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Map of Roman Gaul with Belgica in orange (Droysens Allgemeiner historischer Handatlas, 1886)
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The Roman empire in the time of Hadrian (ruled 117-138 AD), showing, in northeastern Gaul, the imperial province of Gallia Belgica (Belgium/Picardie/Champagne)
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Roman roads in Belgium
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The Provinces of Gaul, circa 400 AD
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The Porta Nigra of Trier, capital of Gallia Belgica, constructed between 186 and 200 AD
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Representation of the Low Countries as Leo Belgicus by Claes Janszoon Visscher, 1611
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'Belgica Foederata' was the Latin name of the Dutch Republic.
See also
In Spanish: Galia Bélgica para niños
