Gallia Belgica was a Roman province established in 27 B.C. that occupied part of modern-day France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. Gallo Belgic is the adjective historians often use today to refer to pottery and coins related to Gallia Belgica. The province lasted until 300, when emperor Diocletian created the new territories of Belgica Prima and Belgica Secunda.
Coins
Before the Roman invasion and the formation of Gallia Belgica, local tribes already minted their coins, which had more a social than commercial value. While day-to-day commercial transactions often happened without coins, some affluent people used coins as special gifts or for the payment of dowries. After the Roman invasion, the use of coins became more commercial. Both pre-Roman and Roman Gallo Belgic coinages are classified as A, B, C, D or E, according to the period of time and specific place where they were produced. Gallo Belgic A are the earliest coins, dating from about 100 B.C.
Pottery
Gallo Belgic pottery was produced from the 1st century B.C. to the 1st century A.D., when Roman emperor Domitian divided parts of Gallia Belgica to create new provinces. In Europe, Gallo Belgic pottery was the first to be mass-produced. Archaeological findings include cups, beakers and platters, often black or red. Gallo Belgic potters exported their production to other Roman provinces, such as modern-day Britain.
Roman Conquest
Emperor Julius Caesar led the invasion of the territory that Romans would later call Gallia Belgica in 57 B.C. More than 15 local tribes united to fight against the Romans, but did not resist the Roman cavalry. One of the last to resist, the tribe Bellovaci organized a large uprising against the Roman invasion to their territory in 52 B.C. The Roman army slaughtered all the rebels during a failed ambush.
Gallo Belgic Society
Soldiers, Roman governors, local elites, druids and common citizens were part of the Gallo Belgic society. While allowing the local culture to survive, Roman governors of Gallia Belgica introduced the Roman culture through the architecture, arts, language and political organization. Local elites were the first to adopt romanized names and to learn Latin, the official language of the Roman Empire.
Tags: Gallo Belgic, Gallia Belgica, Roman invasion, Belgic pottery, Gallo Belgic pottery