Ampsivarii

thumb|300px|The approximate positions of some Germanic peoples reported by Graeco-Roman authors in the first century. thumb|right|Lower Ems The Ampsivarii, sometimes referenced by modern writers as Ampsivari (a simplification not warranted by the sources), were a Germanic tribe mentioned by ancient authors.

Their homeland was originally around the middle of the river Ems, which flows into the North Sea at the Dutch-German border. Most likely they lived between the Bructeri minores (located at the delta of the river IJssel) and the Bructeri maiores, who were living south of them on the upper Ems. It is supposed that their name is a Latin rendering of the Germanic "Ems-werer", meaning "men of the Ems". Reconstruction of the location of other tribes in the area places the Ampsivarii on the lower Ems. The names of least two modern towns reflect that of the river and tribe: Emden (in Germany) and Emmen (in the Netherlands).