A typical Belgian story (English version)

How did the city of Antwerp got his name?  - Hoe de stad Antwerpen aan zijn naam kwam?

Because I am originating form Belgium and I live in Antwerp, it seemed logical that I would chose a story related with my hometown. That is why I have chosen for this story.
My story in English; 

When the famous ruler and military commander Julius Caesar, embarked himself with his legion on the road to Britain, he left many of his friends and followers behind in the provinces on the mainland, in order to defend te conquerend areas.

Among them there was the courageous Salvius Brabo, who established in Ghent. After a while the area was named after him. People began to call the area Brabant.
Just as Caeser, Brabo also wanted to increase Rome s fame and power by conquering important areas in the barbaric country. That is why he sat in the sadle every day without sleeping neither deprivation.

On one day, with his armed consequence, he left the city of Ghent and continued his way through bare plains and densely populated heathlands. The western wind, as usual, caused fog and low-lying clouds, and when it began to rain for a long time, the roads for the horses became almost impossible. Only with the greatest effort they could free themselves from the dragged soil.

Then Brabo gave the command: "Get up." He went on exploration in the immediate vicinity, which was densely covered with reeds, and upon his return he said: "There must be a river or stream here somewhere, we have to find a passage." "Yes, Lord, the Scheldt flows here and the passage is not far from here," said one of the men. "Well, take us there, so we can pursue our way," Brabo ordered.

"Dear Sir, but the ford is guarded by the terrible giant Draon Antigonus. From his tower on the banks of the river, he can overlook everything and discover everyone who wants to reach the other side of the road. A heavy toll must be paid if you want to cross the river, they want your hand. It is almost impossible crossing the river without losing one hand." "And no one is doing something about it?" Asked Brabo outraged, "does not anyone try to fight the giant?" "Such vagaries have indeed been, but the giant has killed them all and threw their heads in the Scheldt," replied the man. Salvius Brabo was determined: "I will measure my powers with the giant, and then we will see who will overcome."

Soon, the Romans came to a large stone tower, and the river was flowing exactly at this point, and the ford was well visible. However, before they could reach the shore the nearest by, the tower was so despicable that It seemed like the rocks would split into two.

And there appeared Draon Antigonus, his sword threateningly raised. Draon Antigonus was really giant size, so big that the horses did not reach him beyond his center. And when he began to speak, it drew the men into the ears. "If you definitely want to go to the other side, just put your hand on the chopping block so that I can beat them, because that's the toll to be paid for the crossing. Or is there anyone who wants to fight with me? "

Instead of answering, Salvius Brabo drew his sword, gave his horse the tracks and drove towards the monster. With terrible power, the giant wanted to hit, but Brabo's horse jumped to the last nip aside and the sword broke deep into the ground. This was the moment the Roman needed to intervene. But before he realized what happened, Antigonus his right hand was laying down, shopped off, in the grass. The giant screamed out of pain and the tower sank on its foundations. But it wasn’t over yet. The giant tried to pull the sword out of the ground with his left hand. He had to bent deeply towards the ground. But again, the Roman was too fast. He grabbed the weapon with both hands and knocked the giant in the neck. The giant head was chopped of and flew into the river, the Schelde.

Now the road was free. But before they crossed the river, Salvius Brabo threw down the hand of the giant in the Scheldt and shouted, "There, where this hand will reach the river Scheldt, there will be the border of Brabant."

And so, Salvius Brabo had enlarged the boundaries and freed the land from distress and misery. But with that, our story is not over yet.

Salvius Brabo went to Julius Caesar in Britain and reported his fight with the giant. After hearing his words, Caesar said, "Return to this place and build a city about which you must rule. I myself will make it a flourishing and famous city." Brabo did not say this twice.

In the same year, around the stone tower at the Schelde, the houses shone like mushrooms from the ground, and more and more came along. Thanks to the many privileges and privileges received by Brabo of Caesar, it soon became a city of great significance, which was in no way necessary for the cities of the ancient Roman Empire. How was she called? Antwerp! Originated from ‘’Hand-throwing’’

 Still, the name of the town reminds Brabo's battle with the giant Draon Antigonus. And when the inhabitants of Antwerp gave their city a weapon after many centuries, the drawn hand of the giant Draon Antigonus was shown.

*   *   *