Battle of the Sabis

Battle of the Sabis river
Part of the Gallic Wars
The river Sambre
Date 57 BC Location Gaul Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Roman Republic	Nervii Viromandui Atrebates Aduatuci
Commanders and leaders
Gaius Julius Caesar	Boduognatus
Units involved
Legio VII Claudia Legio VIII Augusta Legio IX Hispana Legio X Equestris Legio XI Claudia Legio XII Fulminata Legio XIII Gemina Legio XIV Gemina
Strength
30,000–45,000 men (8 legions plus auxiliaries and allies)	Caesar: 75,000 warriors[1] Modern estimates 30,000 warriors[1]
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Caesar: 59,500[2]

The Battle of the Sabis, also (arguably erroneously) known as the Battle of the Sambre or the Battle against the Nervians (or Nervii), was fought in 57 BC near modern Saulzoir in Northern France, between Caesar's legions and an association of Belgae tribes, principally the Nervii. Julius Caesar, commanding the Roman forces, was surprised and nearly defeated. According to Caesar's report, a combination of determined defence, skilled generalship, and the timely arrival of reinforcements allowed the Romans to turn a strategic defeat into a tactical victory. Few primary sources describe the battle in detail, with most information coming from Caesar's own report on the battle from his book, Commentarii de Bello Gallico. Little is therefore known about the Nervii perspective on the battle.