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Silvius Brabo [ˈsɪɫviəz ˈbraːboː] was a mythical Roman soldier and the legendary founder and namesake of the city of Antwerp and Duke of Brabant. [1]
According to one version of the legend, the giant Druon Antigoon guarded a bridge over the Scheldt; [1] [2] another version has Druon guarding the port, demanding a tax from passing ships. [3] When a person did not pay, Druon would cut off a hand (Dutch: hand) and throw (Dutch: werp) it into the river. Brabo, a young Roman soldier, challenged Druon, cutting off his hand and throwing it into the River. [1] Thus, the City gained its Dutch name Antwerpen from handwerpen ( lit. transl. throwing hands). [1] [2]
This mythical story is depicted by a fountain in front of the Antwerp City Hall. [4]