Roman Times
For the first centuries of their existence, the Frisians didn’t make too much history. They were content to till their farms, sail their ships, and try not to be gobbled by the next big storm. The first definitive mention of the Frisians is in the year 12 BC. The Roman general Drusus swept through Frisian lands and exacted a tribute. Although Tacitus implies that the victory was easy and decisive, the Frisians didn’t seem too concerned about winning. In fact, they even accompanied Drusus on his campaigns further up the North Sea. And when his boat ran aground because of the extreme tides, the Frisians came to his rescue.
For the next thirty years, Frisia and Rome had a good relationship. Frisia remained friendly as Rome battled neighboring tribes, and Frisia gave Rome a yearly tribute of ox pelts. But in the 20’s AD, things started getting ugly. Olennius, a former centurion, was appointed the new governor. He demanded an absurdly heavy tribute from the Frisians. So heavy that many had to sell their wives and children just to pay it.
As you may imagine, this made them angry. They petitioned Olennius to lighten the tribute, but he ignored them. So they revolted.
Their first step was to assemble a mob and storm the residence of the Roman tax collector. Although we can’t be sure, I imagine torches and pitchforks were involved. After hanging the tax collector, the Frisians prepared for war.
Frisia fought the Roman armies under propraetor Lucius Apronius at the Battle of Baduhennawood in AD 28. Although the outcome of the battle itself was indecisive, it was a de facto win for the Frisians for a couple reasons. First, the Romans suffered far greater casualties than the Frisians did. Second, the Romans stopped exacting a tribute, and Emperor Tiberius did not try to punish the Frisians for their rebellion. Frisia was free once again. In case you’re keeping score at home, that’s Frisia 1, Rome 0
For the next thirty years, Frisia and Rome had a good relationship. Frisia remained friendly as Rome battled neighboring tribes, and Frisia gave Rome a yearly tribute of ox pelts. But in the 20’s AD, things started getting ugly. Olennius, a former centurion, was appointed the new governor. He demanded an absurdly heavy tribute from the Frisians. So heavy that many had to sell their wives and children just to pay it.
As you may imagine, this made them angry. They petitioned Olennius to lighten the tribute, but he ignored them. So they revolted.
Their first step was to assemble a mob and storm the residence of the Roman tax collector. Although we can’t be sure, I imagine torches and pitchforks were involved. After hanging the tax collector, the Frisians prepared for war.
Frisia fought the Roman armies under propraetor Lucius Apronius at the Battle of Baduhennawood in AD 28. Although the outcome of the battle itself was indecisive, it was a de facto win for the Frisians for a couple reasons. First, the Romans suffered far greater casualties than the Frisians did. Second, the Romans stopped exacting a tribute, and Emperor Tiberius did not try to punish the Frisians for their rebellion. Frisia was free once again. In case you’re keeping score at home, that’s Frisia 1, Rome 0
