Frisiavones
Encyclopedia
The Frisiavones were a Germanic tribe sometimes considered as a subdivision of the Frisii
, who in turn are traditionally considered to be ancestors of modern Frisians
. Pliny the Elder
, however, appeared to distinguish them from the Frisii. They also appear in inscriptions found in Roman Britain (dated between 103-249 AD). They appear to have lived in two different areas.
Frisiavones are mentioned first at paragraph 101, as being on the Rhine itself, along with the islands of the Batavians
and the Cananefates, stretched out along 100 Roman miles, between Helinius
and Flevus. The Helinius is understood to be a southern branch of the Rhine, connecting to the Meuse
(Dutch Maas), like the modern river Waal
. Flevus (or Flevum) was a Roman fortification, possibly north of the Rhine, mentioned in other sources such as Tacitus, and apparently here also refer to a branch of the Rhine, this time flowing more northerly than the main Rhine, possibly tracing a path similar to the modern Ijssel
, emptying into lakes, possibly the ancient Zuiderzee. The tribes of this stretch of delta islands are mentioned in this order: Frisii, Chauci
, Frisiavones, Sturii and Marsacii
. Of the listed tribes, only the Frisii (normally read as "Frisians") and Chauci are well known form other sources, as ancestors of the later Saxons
inhabiting a large part of northwestern Germany, north of the Rhine. About the Marsacii other records mention them being effected by the Batavian revolt confirming that they lived close to the Batavians. Also, like the Batavians and Cugerni, the emperors recruited their horse guard from both the Frisiavones and the Marsacii.
The second reference by Pliny to Frisiavones, in paragraph 106, located this people in the middle of the region which Caesar had described as being inhabited by Belgic Gaul
ish tribes. Pliny places them in the list between the Sunuci and the Baetasi. Although this particular listing is apparently not made in any exact way, these two tribes were in Germania Inferior
which covered the eastern part of modern Belgium
, the southeastern Netherlands
and the part of Germany which borders them, including Aachen
. The northwestern part of this area included the area where the Rhine and Maas converge, and also the "Civitas Batavorum", where the Batavians lived. Elizabeth Wightman proposes that the north of Germania Inferior, near the Batavians, is the most likely place that the Frisiavones lived. She mentions that in one inscription, the Bulla Regia
, the Tungri
, Batavians and Frisiavones are grouped together. She suggests that the Marsaci and the Sturii could be "pagi
" (smaller sub-populations) of either the Frisiavones or the Menapii
there is a notable similarity between the two tribe names, Frisiavones, mentioned twice, and the Frisii. This could be due to coincidence, to tribal relationship, or to a similar etymology. This raises questions about the Frisians being the only people with this type of name, and in turn also raising the question of whether the ancient Frisii can equated to the traditional inhabitants of modern Frisia
. So far all knowledge on this issue is based on deduction.
In his Germania the Roman historian Tacitus mentions two different populations of Frisii, maioribus minoribusque frisii, the major and minor Frisians, both having settled downstream the Rhine. This division of the Frisii into two populations is sometimes thought to explain the Frisiavones.
The Byzantian historian Procopius
(† 562 AD) referred to "Phrissones" being one amongst three tribes dwelling in Brittia, a distinct name from his more usual Brettania, together with Angiloi and Brittones.
Frisii
The Frisii were an ancient Germanic tribe living in the low-lying region between the Zuiderzee and the River Ems. In the Germanic pre-Migration Period the Frisii and the related Chauci, Saxons, and Angles inhabited the Continental European coast from the Zuyder Zee to south Jutland...
, who in turn are traditionally considered to be ancestors of modern Frisians
Frisians
The Frisians are a Germanic ethnic group native to the coastal parts of the Netherlands and Germany. They are concentrated in the Dutch provinces of Friesland and Groningen and, in Germany, East Frisia and North Frisia, that was a part of Denmark until 1864. They inhabit an area known as Frisia...
. Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
, however, appeared to distinguish them from the Frisii. They also appear in inscriptions found in Roman Britain (dated between 103-249 AD). They appear to have lived in two different areas.
Frisiavones are mentioned first at paragraph 101, as being on the Rhine itself, along with the islands of the Batavians
Batavians
The Batavi were an ancient Germanic tribe, originally part of the Chatti, reported by Tacitus to have lived around the Rhine delta, in the area that is currently the Netherlands, "an uninhabited district on the extremity of the coast of Gaul, and also of a neighbouring island, surrounded by the...
and the Cananefates, stretched out along 100 Roman miles, between Helinius
Helinium
Helinium is the latinized name of the rivermouth at the confluence of Rhine and Meuse that variously is located near the Dutch towns Oostvoorne or Hellevoetsluis...
and Flevus. The Helinius is understood to be a southern branch of the Rhine, connecting to the Meuse
Meuse
Meuse is a department in northeast France, named after the River Meuse.-History:Meuse is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
(Dutch Maas), like the modern river Waal
Waal
River Waal is the main distributary branch of river Rhine flowing to the central Netherlands for about before joining the Meuse near Woudrichem to form the Boven Merwede. It is a major river which serves as the main waterway connecting the Rotterdam harbor and Germany. Nijmegen, Tiel, Zaltbommel...
. Flevus (or Flevum) was a Roman fortification, possibly north of the Rhine, mentioned in other sources such as Tacitus, and apparently here also refer to a branch of the Rhine, this time flowing more northerly than the main Rhine, possibly tracing a path similar to the modern Ijssel
IJssel
River IJssel , sometimes called Gelderse IJssel to avoid confusion with its Hollandse IJssel namesake in the west of the Netherlands, is a branch of the Rhine in the Dutch provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel...
, emptying into lakes, possibly the ancient Zuiderzee. The tribes of this stretch of delta islands are mentioned in this order: Frisii, Chauci
Chauci
The Chauci were an ancient Germanic tribe living in the low-lying region between the Rivers Ems and Elbe, on both sides of the Weser and ranging as far inland as the upper Weser. Along the coast they lived on artificial hills called terpen, built high enough to remain dry during the highest tide...
, Frisiavones, Sturii and Marsacii
Marsacii
The Marsaci or Marsacii were a Germanic tribe in Roman imperial times, who lived within the area of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, under Roman domination....
. Of the listed tribes, only the Frisii (normally read as "Frisians") and Chauci are well known form other sources, as ancestors of the later Saxons
Saxons
The Saxons were a confederation of Germanic tribes originating on the North German plain. The Saxons earliest known area of settlement is Northern Albingia, an area approximately that of modern Holstein...
inhabiting a large part of northwestern Germany, north of the Rhine. About the Marsacii other records mention them being effected by the Batavian revolt confirming that they lived close to the Batavians. Also, like the Batavians and Cugerni, the emperors recruited their horse guard from both the Frisiavones and the Marsacii.
The second reference by Pliny to Frisiavones, in paragraph 106, located this people in the middle of the region which Caesar had described as being inhabited by Belgic Gaul
Gaul
Gaul was a region of Western Europe during the Iron Age and Roman era, encompassing present day France, Luxembourg and Belgium, most of Switzerland, the western part of Northern Italy, as well as the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the left bank of the Rhine. The Gauls were the speakers of...
ish tribes. Pliny places them in the list between the Sunuci and the Baetasi. Although this particular listing is apparently not made in any exact way, these two tribes were in Germania Inferior
Germania Inferior
Germania Inferior was a Roman province located on the left bank of the Rhine, in today's Luxembourg, southern Netherlands, parts of Belgium, and North Rhine-Westphalia left of the Rhine....
which covered the eastern part of modern Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, the southeastern Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and the part of Germany which borders them, including Aachen
Aachen
Aachen has historically been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne, and the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, ...
. The northwestern part of this area included the area where the Rhine and Maas converge, and also the "Civitas Batavorum", where the Batavians lived. Elizabeth Wightman proposes that the north of Germania Inferior, near the Batavians, is the most likely place that the Frisiavones lived. She mentions that in one inscription, the Bulla Regia
Bulla Regia
Bulla Regia is an archaeological site in northwestern Tunisia, a former Roman city near modern Jendouba. It is noted for its Hadrianic-era semi-subterranean housing, a protection from the fierce heat and effects of the sun. Many of the mosaic floors have been left in situ; others may be seen at the...
, the Tungri
Tungri
The Tungri were a tribe, or group of tribes, who lived in the Belgic part Gaul, during the times of the Roman empire. They were described by Tacitus as being the same people who were first called "Germani" , meaning that all other tribes who were later referred to this way, including those in...
, Batavians and Frisiavones are grouped together. She suggests that the Marsaci and the Sturii could be "pagi
Pagus
In the later Western Roman Empire, following the reorganization of Diocletian, a pagus became the smallest administrative district of a province....
" (smaller sub-populations) of either the Frisiavones or the Menapii
Menapii
The Menapii were a Belgic tribe of northern Gaul in pre-Roman and Roman times. Their territory according to Strabo, Caesar and Ptolemy stretched from the mouth of the Rhine in the north, and southwards along the west of the Schelde. Their civitas under the Roman empire was Cassel , near Thérouanne...
Connection to Frisii?
In Pliny's account in Book IV of his Naturalis HistoriaNaturalis Historia
The Natural History is an encyclopedia published circa AD 77–79 by Pliny the Elder. It is one of the largest single works to have survived from the Roman Empire to the modern day and purports to cover the entire field of ancient knowledge, based on the best authorities available to Pliny...
there is a notable similarity between the two tribe names, Frisiavones, mentioned twice, and the Frisii. This could be due to coincidence, to tribal relationship, or to a similar etymology. This raises questions about the Frisians being the only people with this type of name, and in turn also raising the question of whether the ancient Frisii can equated to the traditional inhabitants of modern Frisia
Frisia
Frisia is a coastal region along the southeastern corner of the North Sea, i.e. the German Bight. Frisia is the traditional homeland of the Frisians, a Germanic people who speak Frisian, a language group closely related to the English language...
. So far all knowledge on this issue is based on deduction.
In his Germania the Roman historian Tacitus mentions two different populations of Frisii, maioribus minoribusque frisii, the major and minor Frisians, both having settled downstream the Rhine. This division of the Frisii into two populations is sometimes thought to explain the Frisiavones.
The Byzantian historian Procopius
Procopius
Procopius of Caesarea was a prominent Byzantine scholar from Palestine. Accompanying the general Belisarius in the wars of the Emperor Justinian I, he became the principal historian of the 6th century, writing the Wars of Justinian, the Buildings of Justinian and the celebrated Secret History...
(† 562 AD) referred to "Phrissones" being one amongst three tribes dwelling in Brittia, a distinct name from his more usual Brettania, together with Angiloi and Brittones.