The Romans have been in the
Netherlands for sure. Where, because of the cold, men were believed to be far braver but lesser intelligent (than in Italy). This made them proud to have it conquered.
We were part of the Provincia Germania Inferior, capital was Colonia Claudia Ara
Agrippinensium (Cologne). In what currently is called the Netherlands there was only 1 Castra
Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum (Nijmegen) which held (as castra did) about 5.000 soldiers. Ofcourse having a Canabae (camp village) in it's vicitiny.
For the rest we only had Castelli (holding about 500 men). When speaking of a Castellum we call the camp village a Vicus.
Around AD 270 (give or take a decennium) most settlements were already in a very low state. The steady infighting and plagues had taken a heavy toll already. Meanwhile we had become part of the Gallic Empire, which in all reality, wasn't doing so bad. It defended us quite good against the ever bothersome barbarian. But the final curtain (for us Dutch) came in AD 274 when practically ALL limes soldiers were called up by his imperial majesty Tetricus. To defend the proud Gallic Empire against the usurper Aurelian. In the battle of Châlons-sur-Marne (not exactly a days walk) 'we' lost. This 'battle to end all batlles' at least ended any effective defense of the Roman Empire against barbarians from the north. There wasn't enough manpower anymore. Having now lost half his world (orbis) the independent politicians of the day then named Aurelian 'Restitutor Orbis' (Restorer of the World).
The winner saw us as loosers and 'heretics'. We were good enough for heavy taxation but essentialy left undefended. But barbarians being what they were, soon from Utrecht to far away Paris all was burning and pillaged. (Aurelian at the same time also gave up on Dacia).
Further away, the road from Amiens through Belgium to Cologne was used to create a 'fall back line' around. This proved to work well for a long time. It is still the border were Flemish (mainly a Germanic language) changes into French (mainly a Latin language).
After having been a 'no go area' for along time, around Constantine's day the defensive system of Limes changed to Mobile Army Units centered in the remaining and bigger cities. These remaining cities were Noviomagus (Nijmegen) and Traiectum (Maastricht). It was to be a long time before any real civilization returned.
