Text (translated from the 1584L 3rd Add., 1584 Latin, the 1584 German 3rd Add., 1585 French 3rd Add., 1587 French and the 1592 Latin edition)
197.0. {1587F only{Parergon to the Theatre.
Although it seems that the maps now following do not in any way serve our purpose, which was to include in our Theatre the locations of places and areas as they are at present, yet, in response to request from various friends of mine, and to please the lovers of ancient history, both sacred and profane, I have wanted to add them here in this part, at the end of this work, as an accessory work}1587F only}.
197.1. {1584L3Add{BELGIUM {1584G3Add has instead{Netherlands}1584G3Add instead}{1587F instead{Belgian Gallia}1587F instead}.
197.2. The word Belgium which Cæsar uses more than once or twice in his De bello Gallico [About the French War] has for a long time and often troubled Readers {1584G3Add has instead{the Learned}1584G3Add instead}. For some of them think that Cæsar referred to a city, which some (including Guicciardinus and Marlianus) interpret to be BEAUVAIS in France, others BAVAYS in Henault. To the latter group belong Blaise Vigenereus {1587F only{of Bourgogne}1587F only} and the Chronicles of our own low countries. The learned Goropius thinks that the Bellovaci, a people of this area {1587F has instead{those of Beauvoisin}1587F instead} were meant by it. There are some who think that Cæsar used Belgium for Belgica, just as Livius uses Samnium for the country of the Samnites. {not in 1584G3Add{This was the opinion of Glareanus. Ioannes Rhellicanus says that it contained part of Gallica Belgica, but which part that should be, he does not say.
197.3. Hubertus Leodius claims it to be that part which is now near Henault, where the [city of] BAVAYS just mentioned is now situated}not in 1584G3Add}. But leaving these opinions for what they are, let us hear what Cæsar himself has to say about this Belgium of his. In his fifth book, where he speaks of the distribution of the Legions in Belgica, he uses these words: Of whom he committed one to Quintus Fabius, the Legate, to be led against the Morini {1587F has instead{the land of Terouënne}1587F instead}. another to Quintus Cicero against the Nervij {1587F has instead{Tournay}1587F instead}, the third to Titus {1584G3Add instead{L.}1584G3Add instead} Roscius against the Essui. The fourth he commanded to hibernate, with Titus Labienus {not in 1584G3Add{in Reims}not in 1584G3Add}, in the confines of Triers. Three he placed in Belgium. Above these he set as commanders Marcus Crassus the Treasurer, and Lucius Munatius Plancus and Caius Trebonius the Legates.
197.4. One legion which he had taken up just beyond the Po with five cohorts, he sent against the Eburones {1587F instead{the land of Liège}1587F instead}. And a little earlier in the same book, where he speaks of Britannia, you shall find these words: The sea coast {not in 1584G3Add(of Britain he means)not in 1584G3Add} is inhabited by those who for plundering and war went from Belgium to it, {1587F only{Vigenerus interpretes this as the Higher Belgium}1587F only} all of them mostly called by the names of those cities where they were bred and born. Here it appears very clearly for the first time that Cæsar under the name Belgium takes not just one city, but many. Also, that he does not refer to all of Belgica {not in 1584G3Add & 1584L{Gallica}not in 1584G3Add & 1584L}, seeing that he mentions the Morini, Nervij, Essui, Rhemi and Eburones {1587F has instead{those of Terouënne, Tournay, the Essui, those from Liège and of Reims}1587F instead}, all of which nations he himself, as well as other good writers, attributes to Gallia Belgica. Therefore it is as clear as daylight that Belgium is a part of Belgica, but which part it should be is not so clear.
197.5. That it is not in the area of Bavacum (BAVAIS) in Henault, as Thomas Leodius claims, is manifest because that [city] is situated among the Nervij {1587F has instead{Tourneses}1587F instead} which Cæsar himself excludes from Belgium. Neither can I be persuaded that it was near the Bellovaci {1587F has instead{Bauvoisins}1587F instead}, but rather that it was part of Belgica, which is closer to the sea and which lies further up to the North, namely, where the three great rivers Rhine, Maas and Schelde meet and fall into the main ocean. These afford an easy passage and where they fall into the sea, it is only a short journey to Britain. Moreover, it is most likely that they should take the sea route with which they were familiar and acquainted, and they lived on the shores and banks of these rivers, in contrast to those who dwelt higher up into the country, to whom the sea was more threatening. They therefore who went from Belgium to Britain only exchanged one coast for the other.
197.6. About the origin and reason for the words Belgium and Belgica the opinions of various writers also differ. There are some who derive it from BELGEN or WELGEN, a word of our own [language] which means stranger. Another man of great learning and judgement fetches it from BELGEN or BALGEN, signifying to be angry, to fight. Our Chronicles claim it to be named as it is after Belgis, the chief city of this province. Neither do they agree about the location and place of it. For one of them places it at Bavais, a town in Henault, another at VELTSICK, a village near Oudenaarde. They who think the name comes from the city of Belgis (which is not found elsewhere in the writings of any good author, either a Geographer or a Historian) refer to Isidore in the 4th chapter of the 13th book of his Origines {not in 1584G3Add{as their example, where he writes like this: Belgis is a city in Gallia from which the Province Belgica took its name}not in 1584G3Add}.
197.7. The same is found in Hesychius' {not in 1584G3Add & 1584L{the Greek [who came] before him, in his Lexicon}not in 1584L}: [in Greek lettering:] Belgaios apo poleoos Belgas, that is, Belgi was so named after the city of Belges}not in 1584G3Add}. Iustinus in his 24th book cites{not in 1584G3Add{from Trogus Pompeius}not in 1584G3Add} one Belgius, a captain of the Gauls, from whom it is likely that they took the name {not in 1584G3Add{if you believe Berosus, that turncoat. For he writes: {not in 1587F{Beligicos (sive Belgicos) appellari a Beligio (aut Belgio) Celtarum rege}not in 1587F} [that is] The Beligici or Belgici were so named after Beligius (or Belgius), a king of the Celts}not in 1584G3Add}. Well, let us leave this to the censure of the learned}1587F ends here}, and proceed to certain testimonies of ancient writers {not in 1584G3Add{which we think will be both pleasant and profitable}not in 1584G3Add}.
197.8. Cæsar in his first book of the wars in France {not in 1584G3Add & 1584L{speaks like this}not in 1584G3Add & 1584L}. All GALLIA is divided into three parts, of which the Belgæ inhabit one, the Aquitani another. The third [is inhabited] by those who in their own language are called Celtæ, but in Latin Galli. Of all these, the Belgæ are the most stout and hardy because they are further away from the quaint behaviour and manners [typical] of this province, and because they have no traffic with merchants or others who bring those things which effeminate men's minds, and also because they are neighbours to the Germans who dwell beyond the Rhine, with whom they wage war continually.
197.9. {not in 1584G3Add{The Belgæ dwell in the outskirts of Gallia. They belong to that part which is within the river Rhein. They are on the North and East sides of it}not in 1584G3Add}. The same author in his second book has these words: Cæsar found that many of the Belgæ came from the Germans, having long ago traversed the Rhein and having settled themselves there because of the great fertility of the area, that they had driven out the Gauls, who formerly had dwelled there. And that these were the only men who in the days of our fathers, all Gallia being sorely troubled, had prevented the Teutones and Cimbres from entering within the bounds of their territories, after which it came to pass that the memory and record of these famous deeds have made them proud and conceited because of their great power and skill in martial affairs.
197.10. {not in 1584G3Add{In the 9th book of Hirtius [we find] The Belgæ, whose courage was great}not in 1584G3Add}. Strabo, in the 4th book of his Geography says The Belgæ wear cassocks or cloaks, their hair [is] long and they wear side breeches. Instead of coats or jerkins they use a kind of sleeved garments, hanging down to their waist or as low as their buttocks. Their wool is very coarse and rough, yet has been cut close to the skin. Of that they weave their coarse, thick cassocks which they call lænas, rugs or mantles.
197.11. Their weapons according to their height are long swords, hanging by their right side, a long shield, lances to measure, and a javelin {1606E only{(meris or materis, as some read it)}1606E only}, a kind of short pike with a barbed head. Some use bows and slings, others have a staff like a dart which they do not cast with a loop or thong but with the hand only, and further than one can shoot an arrow. They use this especially in hunting and fowling.
197.12. They are all used to lying on the ground, even to this day. They dine and take supper sitting on matrasses {1584G3Add instead{heaps of brushwood}1584G3Add}. Their food generally consists of milk and all kinds of meat, especially pork, both fresh and salted. Their hogs lie out in the field night and day. In size, strength and swiftness of feet they surpass those of other countries, and if a man is not used to them, they are as dangerous as a hungry wolf.
197.13. They build their round houses of boards, planks and rafters, covered by a large roof. They have so many and excellent herds of cattle and hogs that they do not only provide Rome with those cassocks just mentioned, and with salted bacon, but also many other places in Italy. Most of their cities and regions are governed by the Nobility and gentry of wisdom. In former times the common people yearly used to elect one Prince, and one General captain for the army. They are mostly subject to the command of the Romans.
197.14. They have a kind of custom in their councils which is specific and peculiar to themselves [only]. If any man interrupts or troubles another, the sergeant will come to him with a bared knife in his hand and commands him to keep quiet. This may be repeated a second and third time. If [the offender] will still not be quiet, so much of his cassock will be cut off that the remainder is no longer of any use.
197.15. They have in common with many other barbarous nations that the services of men and women are requested in a way which is quite different from the customs and manners we use here. {not in 1584G3Add{The same [author] in another place: The nearer the Gauls are to the North and to the Sea, the more brave and valiant they are. The Belgæ are particularly to be recommended, divided as they are into 15 nations {1606E only{(in Cæsar I find 31 mentioned)}1606E only}, so that the Belgæ alone sustained the assault of the Germans, Cimbers and Teutones. What an infinite number of men they were able to put together may here be understood because they enlisted a long time ago as many as 30,000 Belgæ, only [consisting of] able men, fit for war, {1606E only{(this number is increased by another 27,000 by Cæsar in the beginning of his second book of the wars of France)}1606E only}.
197.16. There are some who divide the Gauls into three nations, namely the Aquitani, Belgæ and Celtæ. The Belgæ possess the places near the Sea, even as low as the mouth of the Rhein}not in 1584G3Add}. Diodorus Siculus in his 5th book [says] A nation mostly inhabiting those places towards the North. It is a cold country so that in winter time instead of water it is all covered with deep snow. The ice also, in this country, is so heavy and thick and their rivers are frozen so thoroughly that they may be walked on, not only by a few, but even by whole armies with horses, carts and luggage.
197.17. Plutarchus in his Life of Cæsar [says] But after that, news reached us that the Belgæ, the most mighty and war-like nation of the Gauls, who possessed the third part of all Gallia had gathered many thousands of armed men, he attacked them with all possible speed &c. Appianus in his history of France [says] Cæsar quickly directing his army against the Belgæ at a narrowing of the river slew so many of them that the heaps of dead bodies served as a bridge. {not in 1584G3Add{Ammianus in the 15th book of his history [says] Of all the Gauls the ancients considered the Belgæ to be the most valiant and stout, because they were far from those who lived more court-like and comfortable. Neither were they corrupted or effeminated with foreign delicacies, but they were fully exercised in wars against those Germans who dwelt beyond the Rhein.
197.18. Florus in his 3rd book [says] The next was a far more cruel battle, for then they fought for their liberty}not in 1584G3Add}.
197.19. Plinius in the 20th chapter of his 35th book [says] In the province of Belgica they cut a kind of white stone with a saw (as they do more easily for wood) to make slates and tiles as coverings for their houses, {not in 1584G3Add, 1584L & 1592L{not only flat and plain, but also hollow and crooked}not in 1584G3Add, 1584L & 1592L}, to serve as roof tiles, {not in 1584G3Add{and when they like, as those kinds of coverings which they call pavonacea like a peacock's tail, in such a manner as they may be sawed}not in 1584G3Add}. {1584G3Add only{Near Rome, at Gentile Delphinio, one finds a fragment of an ancient column Licinij Suræ which mentions these peoples and their land. The same is true for Graitz in Styria and in Naples}1584G3Add ends here}. {1584L{Again, in the 36th chapter of his 16th book: The Belgæ stamp the tufts of this kind of reed and put them between the joints and planks of ships to seal them as with pitch and tar. {not in 1584L{In the first chapter of his twelfth book he says that The plane tree has come now as far as the Morini, into a tributary soil, so that these nations may pay customs even for their shade. In the 25th chapter of the 15th book: In Belgia and on the banks of the Rhein the Portugal cherries are most esteemed. In the 14th chapter of the same book, where he speaks of various kinds of apples: which, since they have no kernels, are called by the Belgæ spadonia poma{[= spade apples]. Silius Italicus in book 10: As when a Belgian dog chases hidden boars, he searches cunningly by nose the meandering tracks of the wild beasts in hidden and untrodden areas}not in 1584L.
197.20. In Vergilius' Georgics 3 {?? only{4}?? only} [in fact 3, 204], we find: or he will with an obedient neck pull the Belgian chariots}1592L ends here} {1584L3Add & 1584L only{and in Lucanus' first book [§426] the Belga, a docile driver of the scythe chariot.
A fragment of a pillar base in Rome at Gentile Delphinio of Licinius Sura, where you can read:
EMPEROR CAESAR. ///////////////////////////////////////// DACICUS [honorary title granted after his vicory in Dacia]. HAS SUBDUED THE DACIANS AND THEIR KING DECEBALVS IN WAR UNDER THE SAME COMMANDER AS A LEGATE WITH THE RANK OF PRAETOR AND TO THE SAME HAVE BEEN GRANTED: LANCES WIHOUT IRON SPIKES [donated as a sign of their bravery], 8 STANDARDS, 8 WALL WREATHES [a sign of honour for who first climbed the wall when storming the city], 2 WALL WREATHES, 2 FLEET WREATHES, 2 GUILDED WREATHES, 2 LEGATES [in the rank of praetor] OF THE BELGIAN PROVINCES, A LEGATE OF THE LEGION, 1 MINERVA, CANDIDATE FOR THE RANK OF CAESAR IN THE PRETORIAN AND IN THE TRIBUNATE OF THE PEOPLE, AND QUAESTOR OF THE PROVINCE OF ACHAIA, MEMBER OF THE COMPANY OF FOUR OVERSEEING THE ROADS. THE SENATE HAS DECIDED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF EMPEROR TRAIANUS AUGUSTUS GERMANICUS DACICUS TO AWARD THE TRIVMPHAL ORNAMENTS AND HAS DECIDED TO ERECT A STATUE AT PUBLIC EXPENSE.
197.21. In Graecius (vulgarly Graitz), a city in Styria:
TO TITUS VARIUS CLEMENS, BECAUSE OF THE LETTERS OF THE AUGUSTI, PROCONSUL OF THE PROVINCES OF BELGICA AND BOTH [= upper and lower] GERMANIES, RAETIA, [and] MAURETANIA, BELONGING TO THE EMPIRE, LVSITANIA, CILICIA, LEADER OF THE BRITISH TROOPS OF A THOUSAND HORSEMEN, LEADER OF AUXILIARY TROOPS, ULPIA, PREFECT OF THE COHORT OF THE MACEDONIAN GAULS.
THE CITY OF THE TREVIRI [Trier], FOR THE EXCELLENT LEADER.
197.22. [In] Naples:
TO PUBLIUS AELIUS, SON OF PUBLIUS AGRIPPINUS, HORN-HOLDING [sign of honour] PROCONSUL OF THE PROVINCES OF BELGICA, MOST BELOVED AND AMIABLE TO AELIA, [erected] BY HER DEVOTED MOTHER. VICTORINUS, A MAN FREED BY AUGUSTUS, HAS MADE THIS}1584L3Add & 1584L only}.
{1584L3Add, 1584L & 1592L only{A silver coin of mine.
[Two sides of a coin are shown, one with a rider on horseback, the other with three portraits, all facing right].
The placenames which you can read on this map have been published in our Thesaurus Geographicus}1584L3Add, 1584L & 1592L only, which end here}.