The Battle of the Sabis, also (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 Wallonia, between the legions of the Roman Republic and an association of Belgic tribes, principally the Nervii.
When Julius Caesar first entered this area and took it under Roman control it was inhabited by a group of Belgic Gaulish tribes, the Condrusi, Eburones, Caeraesi, Segni and Paemani, who were referred to collectively as the Germani cisrhenani.
In the pre-Roman and Roman times the area of the town was located along the border between the Menapii and Morini Belgic tribes of northern Gaul and later the border between the bishoprics of Tournai and Thérouanne.
The prefecture of Marne is Châlons-en-Champagne, formerly called Châlons-sur-Marne - with the name "Châlons" being etymologically derived from the local Catalauni Belgic tribe.
Earlier residents of the site may have included Iron Age settlers since excavations of earthworks on the estate in 1825 and 1880 revealed evidence of possible Belgic fortifications.
SS Belgic (III) was launched as the freighter "SS Mississippi" on the 15 Dec 1902 for Atlantic Transport Line and transferred on 7 July 1906 to the Red Star Line as "SS Samland" .