Condensed History

The image is "The Revolt of Julius Civilis" by Rembrandt. Google has "Gaius Julius Civilis" whereas Poul Anderson in "Star Of The Sea" gives us "Claudius Civilis." I think that Anderson has invented Civilis' Germanic name, "Burhmund." (Later: Google confirms "Claudius Civilis" as name as well. Complicated.)

Anderson condenses a lot of history into a few summary passages and into a conversation between Burhmund and Everard. There are details that I have totally forgotten despite rereading "Star Of The Sea" several times.

Trying to extract some facts from the dialogue:

the Batavi rioted against Nero's tax collectors;
Civilis (Burhmund) and a brother were arrested for conspiracy;
the brother was beheaded;
Civilis was taken to Rome;
Nero was overthrown;
Galba pardoned Civilis and sent him home;
Otho overthrew Galba;
legions in Germany proclaimed Vitellius emperor;
legions in Egypt proclaimed Vespasian -

- it gets more complicated and I have to attend a book launch!