From the middle of the first century a Roman military road connected it to the capital of the Roman province of Nervii in Bavay (Bagacum Nerviorum).
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.