Original: Gaul ( Latin : Gallia ) is a historical name used in the context of Ancient Rome in references to the region of Western Europe approximating present day France , Luxembourg and Belgium , most of Switzerland , the western part of Northern Italy , as well as the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the left bank of the Rhine .
Simplified: Gaul ( Latin : Gallia ) was the name given in ancient times to the area of Western Europe that included northern Italy , France , Belgium , western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river .