The Nervii or Nervians were one of the most powerful Belgic tribes of northern Gaul at the time of its conquest by Rome. Their territory corresponds to the central part of modern Belgium, including Brussels, and stretched southwards to Cambrai in French Hainaut.

The Belgae attacked with the Atrebates forming the right wing, the Viromandui in the centre, and the Nervi on the left. Traditionally it was believed that the battle was fought on the banks of the river Sambre, near modern Aulnoye-Aymeries, but in 1955 Turquin showed that it was fought on the west bank of the river Selle, near modern Saulzoir. [9]

Fearless warriors, the Celto-Germanic Nervii inhabit northern Gaul. Renowned for their bravery, these Spartan-like people eschew all luxuries, especially alcohol, which they believe make a person weak. Venerating the heroic warrior tradition, Nervii leaders are chosen for their martial prowess and wise leadership.

Discover the rich history and meaning behind the Nervi family crest and coat of arms. Uncover the heritage of this ancient emblem.

In the eastern half of the empire, the fifth of the legiones palatina listed (9.21 in Ingo Maier's numbering scheme) under the command of the first Master of the Soldiers in the Imperial Presence (i.e. the Magister Militum Praesentalis I) is the Nervii.

feta armis. Pueri circum innuptaeque puellae sacra canunt, funemque manu contingere gaudent. 240 Illa subit, mediaeque minans inlabitur urbi. O patria, O divom domus Ilium, et incluta bello moenia Dardanidum, quater ipso in limine portae substitit, atque utero sonitum quater arma dedere: instamus tamen inmemores caecique furore, 245 et monstrum ...

His traditis omnibusque armis ex oppido conlatis, ab eo loco in fines Ambianorum pervenit; qui se suaque omnia sine mora dediderunt. Eorum fines Nervii attingebant.

Examples from nervus ...plurimum domi atque in reliqua Gallia, ille minimum propter adulescentiam posset, per se crevisset ; quibus opibus ac nervis non solum ad minuendam gratiam, sed paene ad perniciem suam uteretur. Sese tamen et amore fraterno et existimatione...

Id temporis duces principesque Nerviorum qui aliquem sermonis aditum causamque amicitiae cum Cicerone habebant colloqui sese velle dicunt. Ipsi commemorant: omnem esse in armis Galliam; Germanos Rhenuam transisse; Caesaris reliquorumque hiberna oppugnari.

Quibus rebus cognitis, Caesar, cum undique bellum parari videret atque certior per exploratores factus esset Nervios, Aduatucos, Menapios, adiunctis omnibus Germanis Cisrhenanis, esse in armis, Senoneas ad imperata non parere, mature se ad bellum parare putavit.