Timeline of History

[tenderlands]

600 B.C.E. - 58 B.C.E. - 69-70 - 200 - 300-400 - 400s-700s - 600s-700s - 1568 - 1579 - 1581 -

Settlement Peoples turn from a nomadic lifestyle to permanent settlement. The land is settled by Celtic and Germanic tribes, most notably the Batavians. The Batavians are regarded as the “true” forefathers of the Dutch. Roman Conquest The Low Countries are conquered by the Romans under Julius Caesar. Roman rule stretches only as far north as the Rhine River. Germanic peoples, the Frisians, inhabit the land beyond the Rhine. Batavians live peacefully amongst the Romans. Trade flourishes. Batavian Rebellion The Revolt of the Batavi against the Romans occurs under the leadership of Gaius Julius Civilis, due to Romans violating Batavian rights by taking young Batavians as slaves. Some Roman soldiers aid the revolt, causing a split in their army. The Batavians are ultimately defeated by commander Petilus Cerialis. Emergence of Franks The Batavians merged with other Germanic groups to be known as the Franks. They raided the shores and disrupted transportation to Britain, and they were feared as pirates. Depopulation A sudden shift to cooler weather, mass flooding of the coastal lands, and the collapse of the Roman Empire causes a large population decline. Frisians As climate improves, a mass migration of Germanic peoples into the land occurs. Half of those peoples move on to England to become the modern Anglo-Saxons. The other half that remained on the coasts of the Netherlands came to be known as Frisians and established the Frisian Kingdom (of note, Frisian dialects are the closest related languages to contemporary English). During this time, Dorestad develops as the largest settlement in northwestern Europe, around an old Roman fortress. It flourishes as a trading centre and has its own currency mint. Franks As climate improves, Eighty Years' War Revolt of the Seventeen Provinces against Spanish rule and king Philip II of Spain. Union of Utrecht The northern half of the Seventeen Provinces gave their word to support each other against the Spanish army. Considered the founding of what is the modern Netherlands. Act of Abjuration Formal declaration of independence of the northern Dutch provinces from king Philip II of Spain. Became the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.