502 Ursula Rothe
increasingly centered atoppidum Batavorum(Nijmegen, later themunicipium Ulpia
Noviomagus), the cult places at Elst, Empel, and Kessel continued as key sanctuaries,
highlighting the centrality of the Hercules cult to Batavian identity (Roymans 2004,
103–48, 235–50).
The privileges enjoyed by the Batavi in their relationship with the Romans (singling out
for the imperial bodyguard, freedom from tribute, native leadership of auxiliary units)
contributed to what Roymans has called “the illusion of a partnership based on mutual
respect” (Roymans 2004: 229). It was of fundamental importance for their sense of
identity and self-worth. In this light, it is not surprising that the Batavians decided to
revolt in 69–70AD, at a point at which the terms of the “special relationship” were
repeatedly broken by the Romans (e.g., Galba’s dismissal of the German bodyguard, the
imprisonment of the Batavian nobleman Julius Civilis and execution of his brother, and
ill treatment in the war against Vespasian). The role of the Batavi in the Roman army was
not just an aspect of their ethnic identity, itwastheir ethnic identity. Perhaps it was for
this reason that they got off so lightly at the end of what, for Rome, was such a disastrous
rebellion. The ringleaders disappeared from history, but otherwise, apart from the fact
that native auxiliary units were henceforth stationed away from their homelands, the
military arrangement of the Batavi with the Roman state was maintained. The Batavians
could thus continue as a clearly delineated ethnic group, evidenced, for example, in their
preference in epigraphy well into the third century for the designationBatavi, as opposed,
for example, tocivesofUlpia Noviomagus(Derks 2004; see CIL 13, 7577; AE 1924, 117;
1952, 146–149; 1983, 56 and 58; CIL 13, 1847; AE 1938, 125). Most importantly,
the Batavians could continue to draw their ethnic self-image from the role they played in
the Roman military apparatus.
The Treveri
The Treveri were a large tribe of northern Gaul, and played a key role as one of the more
defiant elements during Caesar’s conquest (e.g., Caesar,de Bello Gallico1.37; 4.6; 5.2–3;
6.2–8). Their territory was the area around the lower Moselle River between the Meuse
in the west and the Rhine in the east (see Caesar,de Bello Gallico3.11; 5.24; 6.29–32;
6.44; also Strabo 4.3–5). It is especially in the style of dress that we get an insight into
the collective identity of the Treveri after Roman conquest (see Rothe 2012a for a more
comprehensive treatment of the discussion to follow). The first Roman-style gravestones
set up by Treveri in the vicinity of the Roman army camps on the Rhine show women
in a distinctive outfit consisting of a round bonnet, a rectangular cloak, a long-sleeved
undertunic, and a loose, tube-shaped overtunic. The latter was fastened using three large
brooches, two at the shoulders, one at the chest, together producing a W-shaped fold. In
the most detailed image we have of this garment (see Figure 33.1), however, its wearer,
Menimane, has let one side slip off her shoulder. Her husband wears a generic male dress
ensemble worn throughout the Roman northwest in the Roman period: a sleeved, ungirt,
calf-length tunic, and a hooded cape with scarf. A number of depictions of Menimane’s
ensemble have survived, all of which are from Treveran territory, apart from one from
Xanten on the lower Rhine, but according to the inscription, this also depicts a Treveran
brother and sister (LUPA 15531; CIL 13, 8655).