Territory: Northwestern Gaul (east of the river Scheldt).
Capital: Bagacum (modern Bavay, France)

The Nervii were one of the most powerful Belgic tribes and considered by Julius Caesar as the most warlike of the Belgic tribes, with a Spartan-like view of life. Strabo wrote that the Nervii were of Germanic origin. This was confirmed by Tacitus in his book "Germania", adding: "they say that this noble blood separates them completely from the Gauls, and from the Gaul laziness". Their culture however was Celtic.

Caesar claimed they had no trade or merchant class and were probably not very rich or advanced. However, all of Caesar’s information is contradicted by archaeological evidence. The Nervii were well-known for their export of grain and their production of ceramics (terra nigra).

They were part of a Belgic alliance that resisted Julius Caesar in 57 BCE. After the alliance broke up and some tribes surrendered, the Nervii, aided by the Atrebates and Viromandui, came very close to defeating Caesar in the Battle of Sabis. Caesar says the Nervii were almost annihilated in the battle and is excessive in his tribute to their bravery, calling them "heroes". When Ambiorix and the Eburones rebelled in 53 BCE, the remaining Nervii joined the uprising and besieged Quintus Tulius Cicero - brother of the orator - and his legion in their winter camp until they were relieved by Caesar in person.

Inscriptions found on artifacts recovered along the Antonine Wall in Scotland indicates that in the 2nd century the fort was the base for 500 men of the Sixth Cohort of Nervii, an infantry unit. According to Tacitus, the Nervians also served in cohorts based along the Rhine border.

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