History of Belgium
This is the history of Belgium. See also the history of Europe, history of the European Union, and history of present-day nations and states.
Belgium derives its name from a Celtic tribe, the Belgae, whom Julius Caesar described as the most courageous tribe of Gaul. However, the Belgae were forced to yield to Roman legions during the 1st century BC. For some 300 years thereafter, what is now Belgium flourished as a province of Rome. But Rome's power gradually lessened. In about A.D. 300 the Germanic tribe of the Franks penetrated into northern Belgium. About 100 years later, they took possession of the rest of Belgium and started their conquest of Gaul.
From then on the history of Belgium, the grand-duchy of Luxembourg and the country The Netherland/Holland are the same up until 1585 : they formed the country/region of The Netherland/The Low Countries/../latin.html" title="Latin">LatinBurgundyHabsburgsSeventeen ProvincesSpanish15191713Austrians1713179412th17th centuryYpresGhentBrugesBrusselsAntwerpEuropeanVan EyckBreughelRubensVan DycktapestriesFrench RevolutionNapoleonicFrance1795United Kingdom of the NetherlandsCongress of Vienna18151830monarchy1831GermanyLeopold II18651909colonyCongoCongo Free State1908Belgian Congo
