They were justly proud of paying no tribute, but it was, perhaps, because they had nothing to pay.

They had few cattle, they could give no hides and horns like the Frisians, and they were therefore allowed to furnish only their blood.

From this time forth their cavalry, which was the best of Germany, became renowned in the Roman army upon every battle-field of Europe.
It is melancholy, at a later moment, to find the brave Batavians distinguished in the memorable expedition of Germanicus to crush the liberties of their German kindred.

They are forever associated with the sublime but misty image of the great Hermann, the hero, educated in Rome, and aware of the colossal power of the empire, who yet, by his genius, valor, and political adroitness, preserved for Germany her nationality, her purer religion, and perhaps even that noble language which her late-flowering literature has rendered so illustrious--but they are associated as enemies, not as friends.
Galba, succeeding to the purple upon the suicide of Nero, dismissed the Batavian life-guards to whom he owed his elevation.

He is murdered, Otho and Vitellius contend for the succession, while all eyes are turned upon the eight Batavian regiments.