In 55 BC, Julius Caesar was preparing for an invasion of
Britain, when several Germanic tribes, including the Ubii, crossed the Rhine river. This movement included the
Usipetes and
Tencteri tribes, who wished to relocate to avoid contact with the
Suevi. Caesar, concerned that fighting might break out in the region and draw troops away from his planned invasion, marched toward the Rhine. He met with ambassadors from the Germanic tribe and offered them land with the Ubii and an alliance against the Suevi; however, Caesar soon became worried that the tribes were delaying until their cavalry could return. Together with the
Batavi, the Ubii furnished soldiers for the
Germanic bodyguard, the personal bodyguard of the early Roman emperors. ==See also==