The Germania Board
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 Arminius and Teutoburger Wald
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In 9 CE, the Cherusci lead by Arminius liquidated 3 Roman legions under the command of Publius Quinctilius Varus in Teutobarger Wald. How and why did it happen?
In 9 CE the Romans Legions XVII, XVIII, and XIX as well as six cohorts and three squadrons of cavalry were nearly wiped out to the man. The Germanic tribe, the Cherusci as well as allies of theirs lead by Arminius were responsible.
According to some accounts, Varus had become governor to the frontier province of Germania in 7 CE. He then demanded tribute of some of the Germanic tribes. This lead to the killing of Roman tax collectors by the Germanic tribesmen. In retaliation, Varus lead his legions into Teutoburger Wald for a punative expedition. The Cherusci initially promised support. They did not accompany him however, as they claimed they need to gather warriors. This they did do, and for three days, the Cherusci and their allies made hit and run raids on the Roman columns and convoys before finally destroying them all together. At least two of the Eagle standards were captured, the third being lost with its bearer in a swamp. Publius Quinctilius Varus committed suicide, Roman soldiers were sacrificed, and Varus' head was sent by Arminius to Maroboduus of the Marcomanni. Maroboduus then sent the head to Augustus. According to other accounts the tribes north of the Rhine invited Varus north, and then the Cherusci attacked. Regardless of what lead Varus north, the results were the same.
This is thought by some to have been the worst defeat of the Romans since the Punic Wars, and as a strike for Germanic freedom by others. Regardless, many details are still unknown (such as the date of the battle, the exact location, and numbers of the Germans).
Created by: * Icel Scylding, Dec 30, 2002 - 13:24
Varus' Legions (* Catharina Grafeldr, Aug 22, 2008 - 17:41 )
Varus site found! (* mike Gepid, Aug 20, 2008 - 18:25 )
not ostrogoth but simular (* Cleowolf Sigurdsson, Aug 14, 2008 - 19:33 )
How were the Ostrogoths 526AD Armed? (* Justinian Caesar, Mar 24, 2007 - 04:53 )
Weapons (* Hermann Olafsson, Sep 3, 2005 - 21:48 )
Weser Revisited (* Horta Turcligg, Oct 30, 2004 - 23:16 )
New Arminius Board at Theudokuntho (* Thiudareiks Gunthigg, Aug 9, 2003 - 19:18 )
Ancient Military History Group Started! (* Spurius Aemilius, Mar 1, 2003 - 10:16 )
Very interesting, Widimir! (* Attila Valerius, Feb 26, 2003 - 15:35 )
Roman Administration Site (* Widimir Ostrogoth, Feb 26, 2003 - 15:03 )
National Geographic: Romans in Germania (* Yngvildr Scylding, Feb 15, 2003 - 16:01 )
Thanks, Rosslyn (* sari Curius, Feb 14, 2003 - 14:47 )
Author of that book for Sari (* Rosslyn Wuffing, Feb 13, 2003 - 14:32 )
Modern Comparison (* sari Curius, Feb 12, 2003 - 14:36 )
Fortified? (* Widimir Ostrogoth, Feb 12, 2003 - 14:13 )
Tactics (* Thiudareiks Gunthigg, Feb 6, 2003 - 23:36 )
Tactics or Weapons? (* Widimir Ostrogoth, Feb 6, 2003 - 09:42 )
Germanic and Roman Weaponry in 9 AD (* Thiudareiks Gunthigg, Feb 4, 2003 - 22:40 )
Weapons (* Widimir Ostrogoth, Feb 4, 2003 - 16:03 )
The Elbe and Augustus' (possible) intentions (* Thiudareiks Gunthigg, Jan 25, 2003 - 23:32 )
20 more 