The first settlements by isolated tribes can be dated to around the year 2000 BC. Around 15 BC the Roman "castrum" or camp "" was created on the Fürstenberg near modern-day Birten. It was intended as a base for campaigns into Germania and until its destruction during the Revolt of the Batavi in 70 AD it was occupied by 8,000 to 10,000 legionaries, and was the main base of the Classis germanica.