The History of Belgium goes back to the earliest named inhabitants of Belgium who were called the Belgae (and on whom the modern name Belgium was coined). This people lived in the northern Gaul during Roman occupation and they had their important role to play in the History of Belgium.
Julius Caesar extended his rule into the region of Europe which is now Belgium in the beginning of 57 BC. He encountered the Belgae who were a Celtic tribe of early Gaul. Romans called the new province the Gallia Belgica. With the decline of the Roman Empire in the fourth century, the control of Gallia Belgica was given to the Franks, who were a Germanic tribe and they were employed by the Roman employers. With the flourishing of the German tribe, the Romans were dispensed and by 431, an independent dynasty was established. The name it the Merovingian and had its capital at Tournai. Shortly afterwards, the Merovingians under Clovis I (466-511) succeeded in throwing out the last Romans from Gaul. A large part of the present day France and Belgium and also southwestern Germany were held by them. Christianity was also adopted by Clovis and this helped in gaining the support of the Church.
After the death of Clovis, the kingdom of Merovingian began to disintegrate and the Frankish lands only came together under the reign of Pepin III in 751. The last King of Merovigian was deposed by Pepin and he founded the Carolingian dynasty and which was named after his son the Charlemagne. On taking the throne in 768, Charlemagne ruled for about half a century and made an empire which covers most of all continental Europe, excepting Spain and Scandinavia. He was made the Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III in 800. Charlemagne made many conquering of the various parts of Europe as well as foster commerce as well as arts.
After the death of Charlemagne in 768, the empire he created was divided and there were feuding which led to the Treaty of Verdun in the year 843. According to the treaty, three of the grandsons of Charlemagne split the empire between themselves. Under Charles the Bold, West Francia was formed which is the basis of France. The middle kingdom was given to Lothair, though it disintegrated soon after. The east Francia became the basis of Germany under Louis the German. According to the History of Belgium, the narrow strip of land north and west of the Scheldt River in today's Belgium was the West Francia. The rest of the present day Belgium was first incorporated in the Middle Kingdom under Lothair and later it came under the control of the German kings.
Authentic online information on History of Belgium as well as Belgium offered at travel.mapsofworld
| 
