Dutch History: I - Ancient Multiple Choice Quiz | European

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The earliest form of Dutch culture is that of the "hunebedbouwers". This were people who lived in the northeast of the Netherlands around 3000 BC. They were famous for building dolmen. What was the use of these dolmen?

Answer: Burial grave

The dolmen were used as burial graves. We don't know much about the hunebedbouwers, but they didn't have the skills to devise a calendar or ride horses. They had farming skills, but they didn't live in a very fertile area.

2. During the Roman Era, the Netherlands were split between Rome and Germanic tribes. What important river was the border between Germania Inferior and the "barbarians"?

Answer: Rhine

The Rhine was also a very important trade route for the Romans. The Rhineland also has some of the most fertile land in the Netherlands.
The Seine is in France.
The Elbe is in Germany, but much further east.
The Danube is the longest river in Europe (outside Russia). It was also a Roman border but it flows eastwards, from the Black Forest to the Black Sea.

3. Many "barbarian tribes" lived in the Netherlands. Which of these was NOT a Dutch-barbarian tribe?

Answer: Heruli

The Heruli lived in Denmark. The Frisii were the predecessors of the Frisians. Who now live in Friesland. The Chamavi were a known enemy of the Romans they lived along the Rhine. The Chauci were of minor importance. They lived between the Elbe and the Ems, and on both sides of the border with the Netherlands.

4. The Romans built the first cities in the Netherlands. Which cities were founded by the Romans?

Answer: Nijmegen, Maastricht, Voorburg

Nijmegen was known as Ulpia Novimagus Batavorum. Maastricht was known as Mosa Traiectum, and Voorburg was known as Forum Hadriani. All these cities claim to be the "oldest city in the Netherlands".

Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Alkmaar, Amsterdam, Haarlem, Dordrecht, Eindhoven and Tilburg were all founded in the Middle Ages.

5. Roman legions and architecture made a major impact on the early Dutch culture and fashion.

Answer: True

The early Dutch had never seen men dressed in shiny metal. The Romans also made amphitheatres, bathhouses and many other buildings in the Netherlands. This really impressed them.

6. In 69 AD a barbarian tribe called the "Batavi" revolted against Roman rule. Together with their allies, the Frisii and the Cananefates, and their great commander "Gaius Julius Civilis" they destroyed many Roman forts along the Rhine.

Answer: True

It was very strange, because the Batavi were under Roman rule for a long time. The Batavi dressed like Romans and they even fought in the Roman Army. The revolt almost succeeded because all the Roman legions in the region (who were Batavian) fought alongside Julius Civilis.

After a couple months the Romans finally defeated the Batavians. All the Batavian Legions were now placed far away from the Netherlands. Thanks to this event, the Batavians are seen as the true ancestors of the Dutch.

7. The Batavi revolted against the Roman Empire, because there was much chaos in the Roman Empire. Why was the Roman Empire in chaos?

Answer: Emperor Nero died

The death of Nero caused great chaos in the Roman Empire. Many tribes revolted against their Roman oppressors. He died in 68 AD and the revolt of the Batavi began early in 69 AD.
The Revolt of Boudica also caused a major disturbance of the peace in the Roman Empire, because she was initially so succesful. However, this revolt was in 60 AD.
The Great Fire of Rome was in 64 AD.
Saint Peter died around 68 AD, but the Catholic Church didn't yet had much influence in the Netherlands.

8. In 358 AD a new tribe settled in the Netherlands. Soon they became the majority and drove the Romans out the Netherlands. Which people started settling in the Netherlands in 358 AD?

Answer: Salian Franks

The Salian Franks started living in the Netherlands in 358 AD. The Romans allowed them to live in Toxandria. The Salian Franks and Ripuarian Franks fled to Roman lands, because they were attacked by the Saxons.
The Angles migrated to England in the 5th century.
The Scoti were Irish barbarians who attacked the Roman-British coast.
The Huns attacked Rome in the late 5th century.

9. In the 5th century Attila attacked the Western Roman Empire many times. Attila had to cross the Frankish lands. Why could Attila so easily cross this land?

Answer: The Salian Franks weren't powerful enough to stop Attila.

The Salian Franks were both scared and angered by the Huns. When Attila attacked the Roman Empire the Franks send many troops to help the Romans.
Some "barbarians" were allied with Attila, but the Franks were allied with Rome.
The other two are just made up.

10. At the end of the 5th century, a Salian Frankish king crowned himself king of the Ripuarian Franks. This started a new era in the Netherlands. What was the name of this king?

Answer: Clovis I

Clovis I was the first king of all Franks. He controlled France, WesternGermany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Southern Netherlands.
Theuderic I was a son of Clovis I and was King of Rheims.
Childeric I was the father of Clovis I.
Charles I lived around 800 AD. He was also known as Charlemagne.

Source: Author Dcape5

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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Dutch History: I - Ancient Trivia Quiz

The Netherlands were inhabited from the end of the Ice Age. However, Dutch culture started flourishing under Charlemagne. What happened before that era?

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