Julius Caesar, waging the Gallic War, now builds a great bridge across the Rhine (between present Koblenz and Andernach) to punish the Sicambri, after which he withdraws and destroys the bridge, accomplishing little, but gaining great publicity.

Claudius Ptolemy located the Sicambri, together with the Bructeri Minores, at the most northern part of the Rhine and south of the Frisii who inhabit the coast north of the river.

Strabo located the Sicambri next to the Menapii, “who dwell on both sides of the river Rhine near its mouth, in marshes and woods. It is opposite to these Menapii that the Sicambri are situated".

This information places the Sicambri near the lower Rhine in or near what is now called the Netherlands.

 Otto gains some initial victories against the rebels but he is unable to capture the conspirators and end the rebellion.

Archbishop Frederick seeks to mediate a peace between the combatants but Otto rejects his proposal.

Under Otto's direction, Duke Herman of Swabia leads an army against the conspirators into Franconia and Lorraine.

Otto recruits allies from the Duchy of Alsace who on October 2, 939, cross the Rhine River and surprise Eberhard and Gilbert at the Battle of Andernach.

Otto's forces claim an overwhelming victory: Eberhard is killed in battle, and Gilbert drowns in the Rhine while attempting to escape.

Left alone to face his brother, Henry submits to Otto and the rebellion ends.

With Eberhard dead, Otto assumes direct rule over the Duchy of Franconia and dissolves it into smaller counties and bishoprics answered directly to him.

The same year, Otto makes peace with Louis IV, whereby Louis recognizes his suzerainty over Lorraine.

In return, Otto withdraws his army from France and arranges for his sister Gerberga of Saxony (the widow of Gilbert) to marry Louis IV.

As a reward for Duke Herman's loyalty during the rebellion, Otto arranges for his son Liudolf to marry Herman's only daughter, Ida.

Duke Lothair has to attend Henry's wedding with Matilda of England in a hairshirt.

Subdued though not deposed, he has continued intriguing against Henry, who sees himself confronted with the increasing opposition of the Imperial princes.

Tthe conflict again culminates in violence in October 1114 when Rhenish insurgents led by Archbishop Frederick I of Cologne attack the Imperial troop at Andernach.