Gaius Julius Civilis
Gaius Julius Civilis was the Leader of the Revolt of the Batavian against the Romans in 69 AD. According to his men, he was a Roman citizen descended from either Caligula or Caesar Augustus.
Aulus Vitellius accused Civilis of being unfaithful when the latter was named emperor in January 69. Later on in the year, a defender of the rival emperor Vespasian pushed Civilis to stop the German troops from getting as far as Vitellius. In order to fight the Roman troops, Civilis persuaded the Batavi, who were then joined by German tribes from beyond the Rhine. After Vitellius's death, he maintained his hold over the area and led an uprising against Vespasian. As a result, in addition to 24 ships being taken in, the Roman garrisons around the Rhine were forced away. At Castra Vetera, close to present-day Xanten, two armies led by Mummius Lupercus were routed and encircled. A Gallic empire was declared by the Gallic tribes that joined Civilis's troops. Veterans from eight Batavian cohorts joined their compatriots, and Vespasian troops dispatched to rescue Veteran people joined them as well. Along with all the Roman camps to the north of Mogontiacum, Vetera was destroyed (now Mainz). While some Roman troops were executed, others were made to pledge loyalty to the new government. However, as additional troops arrived in Mogontiacum, the situation began to swing in Rome's favor. On the Batavian "island" that was located across the Vahalis (now Waal) River, Civilis and the other rebel generals made their final stand.
Not long afterward, Quintus Petillius Cerialis' presence with such a substantial army led to Civilis' loss at Augusta Treverorum and Castra Vetera, and he was compelled to flee to the island of the Batavians. He ultimately reached a compromise with Cerialis, which allowed his people to benefit from some privileges and reestablish cordial ties with Rome. To maintain a safe distance between the combatants, the bridge across the Nabalia has been split in half. Civilis is positioned to the right, while Quintus Petillis Cerialis is positioned to the left. Following the defeat of the Batavian uprising, Civilis and Cerialis are in the midst of peace talks. The Batavians entered a time of immense wealth once a new treaty was reached.
