Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
Part of the Roman-Germanic wars
View from the Hermannsdenkmal (not the site of the battle)
Date September , AD 9 Location Osnabrück County, Lower Saxony Result Decisive Germanic victory
Combatants
Germanic tribes (Cherusci, Marsi, Chatti, Bructeri and Chauci)	Roman Empire
Commanders
Arminius	Publius Quinctilius Varus †
Strength
10,000 to 18,000	3 Roman legions, 3 alae and 6 auxiliary cohorts, probably 20,000 - 25,000
Casualties
Unknown; but far less than Roman losses	15,000-20,000

The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest took place in the year 9 A.D. (probably lasting from September 9 to September 11) when an alliance of Germanic tribes led by Arminius, the son of Segimer of the Cherusci, ambushed and destroyed three Roman legions led by Publius Quinctilius Varus. The Germanic Wars is a name given to a series of Wars between the Romans and various Germanic tribes between 113 BC and 439 AD1. ... Image File history File links Blick-über-den-Teutoburger-Wald1. ... The Hermannsdenkmal The Hermannsdenkmal (German for Hermann monument) is a monument located in North Rhine Westphalia in Germany in the Southern part of the Teutoburg Forest, which is southwest of Detmold in the district of Lippe. ... For other uses, see 9 (disambiguation). ... Osnabrück is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, some 80 km NNE of Dortmund, 45 km NE of Münster, and some 100 km due west of Hanover. ... With an area of 47,618 km and nearly eight million inhabitants, Lower Saxony (German Niedersachsen) lies in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the countrys sixteen Bundesl nder (federal states). ... The term Germanic tribes (or Teutonic tribes) applies to the ancient Germanic peoples of Europe. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Marsi (German: Marser) were a small Germanic tribe settled between the Rhine, Ruhr and Lippe rivers in northwest Germany. ... The Chatti (also Catti) were an ancient Germanic tribe settled in central and northern Hesse and southern Lower Saxony, along the upper reaches of the Weser river and in the valleys and mountains of the Eder, Fulda and Werra river regions, a district approximately corresponding to Hesse-Cassel, though probably... The Bructeri were a Germanic tribe located in northwestern Germany (Soester Boerde), between the Lippe and Ems rivers south of the Teutoburg Forest, in present-day North Rhine-Westphalia around 100 BC through 350 AD. They formed an alliance with the Cherusci, the Marsi (Germanic) and the Chatti, under the... The Chauci were a populous Germanic tribe inhabiting the extreme northwestern shore of Germany during Roman times - basically the stretch of coast between Frisia in the west to the Elbe estuary in the east. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... The Hermannsdenkmal Arminius (also Armin, 18 BC/17 BC - 21 AD) was a chieftain of the Cherusci who defeated a Roman army in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. ... The Defeated Varus (2003), a sculpture by Wilfried Koch in Haltern am See, Germany. ... The Roman Legion (from Latin , from lego, legere, legi, lectus — to collect) is a term that can apply both as a transliteration of legio (conscription or army) to the entire Roman army and also, more narrowly (and more commonly), to the heavy infantry that was the basic military unit of... Ala, Alares, Alarii. ... A cohort (from the Latin cohors, plural cohortes) is a fairly large military unit, generally consisting of one type of soldier. ... The Germanic Wars is a name given to a series of Wars between the Romans and various Germanic tribes between 113 BC and 439 AD1. ... Combatants Roman Republic Cimbri, Teutons Commanders Marius, Lutatius Catulus, Servilius Caepio, Mallius Maximus, Papirius Carbo Boiorix, Teutobod Lugius Strength Varied, ranging from around 40,000 to over 80,000 Varied but estimated at around 300,000 maxium Casualties Estimated between 150-180,000 300,000, Both tribes annihalated The Cimbrian... Combatants Roman Republic Cimbri and Teutones Commanders Papirius Carbo  ? Strength  ?  ? Casualties  ?  ? The Battle of Noreia in 112 BC, was the opening action of the Cimbrian War fought between the Roman Republic and the migrating Proto-Germanic tribes the Cimbri and the Teutons (Teutones). ... Combatants Cimbri and Teutones Roman Republic Commanders Kings Boiorix and Teutobod Quintus Servilius Caepio and Gnaeus Mallius Maximus† Strength about 200,000 80,000 troops in 10-12 legions with up to 40,000 auxiliaries and camp followers Casualties Unknown, perhaps several thousand An estimated 112,000 The Battle of... Combatants Teutones Roman Republic Commanders King Teutobod Gaius Marius Strength over 110,000 about 40,000 (6 legions with cavalry and auxillaries) Casualties 90,000 killed 20,000 captured Insignificant, probably under 1,000 The Battle of Aquae Sextiae (Aix-en-Provence) took place in 102 BC. After a string... Combatants Cimbri Roman Republic Commanders King Boiorix † Marius Lutatius Catulus Sulla Strength 160,000 - over 200,000 50,000 (8 legions with cavalry and auxillaries) Casualties 100,000 - 140,000 killed 60,000 captured Insignificant, probably under 1,000 The Battle of Vercellae, also called The Battle of the Raudine... The Battle of the Lupia River was fought in 11 BC between a Roman force led by Nero Claudius Drusus and the Sicambri. ... Combatants Roman Empire Germanic tribes Commanders Germanicus Arminius The Battle of the Weser River, sometimes known as a first Battle of Minden, was fought in 16 between Roman legions commanded by Emperor Tiberius heir and adopted son Germanicus, and an alliance of Germanic tribes commanded by Arminius. ... Combatants Roman Empire Marcomanni, Quadi, other Germanic peoples along the Danube Commanders Marcus Aurelius The Marcomannic Wars were a series of wars lasting over thirty years during the reign of Marcus Aurelius from about AD 166 until 180, which pitted the Roman Empire against the Marcomanni, Quadi and other Germanic... Area settled by the Alamanni, and sites of Roman-Alamannic battles, 3rd to 6th century The Alamanni, Allemanni, or Alemanni were originally an alliance of west Germanic tribes located around the upper Main, a river that is one of the largest tributaries of the Rhine, on land that is today... The Battle of Lake Benacus was one of the decisive battles that marked the beginning of the Roman Empires emergence from the Crisis of the Third Century. ... The Battle of Plaentia was fought in January of 271 between a Roman Army led by Emperor Aurelian and the Alemanni. ... The Battle of Fano was fought in 271 between the Roman Empire and the Alemanni. ... Combatants Roman Empire Alamanni Commanders Aurelian  ? Casualties  ? entire army destroyed The Battle of Pavia was fought in 271 near Pavia (Italy), and resulted in the Roman Emperor Aurelian destroying the retreating Alamanni army. ... The Battle of Lingones was fought in 298 between Rome and the Alemanni. ... The Battle of Vindonissa was fought in 298 between the Romans, led by Constantius Chlorus and the Alemanni. ... The Battle of Reims was fought in 356 between the Roman forces of Julian the Apostate and the Alemanni. ... Combatants Roman Empire Alamanni Commanders Julian the Apostate King Chnodomar Strength  ?  ? Casualties  ?  ? The Battle of Strasbourg was fought in 357 between the forces of the Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate and the Alemanni. ... The Battle of Solicinium was fought in 367 between a Roman army and the Alemanni. ... Combatants Roman Empire Goths, local rebels, Alanic raiders, Hunnish raiders Commanders Valens, Theodosius Fritigern, Alatheus, Saphrax, Farnobius See also Gothic War (535–552) for the war in Italy. ... An anachronistic fifteenth-century miniature depicting the sack of 410. ... Combatants Roman Empire Visigoths Commanders Flavius Aetius Theodoric I The Battle of Narbonne was fought in 436 between Rome and the Visigoths. ... View over the Teutoburg Forest The Teutoburg Forest (German: Teutoburger Wald) is a range of low, forested mountains in the German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, which was believed to be the environ of a decisive battle in AD 9. ... For other uses, see number 9. ... The term Germanic tribes (or Teutonic tribes) applies to the ancient Germanic peoples of Europe. ... The Hermannsdenkmal Arminius (also Armin, 18 BC/17 BC - 21 AD) was a chieftain of the Cherusci who defeated a Roman army in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... The Roman Legion (from Latin , from lego, legere, legi, lectus — to collect) is a term that can apply both as a transliteration of legio (conscription or army) to the entire Roman army and also, more narrowly (and more commonly), to the heavy infantry that was the basic military unit of... The Defeated Varus (2003), a sculpture by Wilfried Koch in Haltern am See, Germany. ...

The battle began a seven-year war which established the Rhine as the boundary of the Roman Empire for the next four hundred years, until the decline of the Roman influence in the West. The Roman Empire was never able to conquer Germania, and no further concerted attempts to do so were made. It has been suggested that River Rhine Pollution: November 1986 be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... Romulus Augustus was deposed as Western Roman Emperor in 476 while still young. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... Map of the Roman Empire and the free Germania, Magna Germania, in the early 2nd century For other uses, see Germania (disambiguation). ...

The battle (which is called Schlacht im Teutoburger Wald, Varusschlacht or Hermannsschlacht in German) had a profound effect on 19th century German nationalism along with the recovery of the histories of Tacitus in the 15th century, in which the Germans identified with the Germanic tribes as a way to give the (at the time non-existent unified) "German people" a common origin. Nationalism is an ethno- political ideology that sustains the concept of a nation- identity for an exclusive group of people. ... For other uses, see Tacitus (disambiguation). ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ...

In 1808, the German author Heinrich von Kleist's play Die Hermannsschlacht aroused anti-Napoleonic sentiment, even though it could not be performed under occupation. Later, the figure of Arminius was used to represent the ideals of freedom and unification - as supported by German liberals, and opposed by the reactionary rulers of the German states. A memorial - the Hermannsdenkmal - was begun during this period, and Arminius became a symbol of Pan Germanism. The monument lay unfinished for decades until after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, which unified the country. The completed monument was then a symbol of conservative German nationalism. Year 1808 (MDCCCVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Bernd Heinrich Wilhelm von Kleist (October 18, 1777 – November 21, 1811) was a German poet, dramatist and novelist. ... For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... Germany is a federation of 16 states called Länder (singular Land, which may be translated as country) or unofficially Bundesländer (singular Bundesland, German federal state). ... The Hermannsdenkmal The Hermannsdenkmal (German for Hermann monument) is a monument located in North Rhine Westphalia in Germany in the Southern part of the Teutoburg Forest, which is southwest of Detmold in the district of Lippe. ... Pan-nationalism is a form of nationalism distinguished by the large scale of the claimed national territory, and because it often defines the nation on the basis of a ‘’cluster’’ of cultures and ethnic groups. ... Combatants Second French Empire North German Confederation allied with south German states (later German Empire) Commanders Napoleon III Otto Von Bismarck, Helmuth von Moltke the Elder Strength 400,000 at the beginning of the war 1,200,000 Casualties 150,000 dead or wounded 284,000 captured 350,000 civilian...

Background

The Roman force was led by Publius Quinctilius Varus, a noble from an old family, an administrative official who, as governor of the Gaul, was assigned to establish the new province of Germania in 7 AD. The Defeated Varus (2003), a sculpture by Wilfried Koch in Haltern am See, Germany. ... Map of the Roman Empire and the free Germania, Magna Germania, in the early 2nd century For other uses, see Germania (disambiguation). ... This article is about the year 7. ...

His opponent, Arminius, had lived in Rome as a hostage in his youth, where he had received a military education and had even been given the rank of Equestrian. After his return, he was a trusted advisor to Varus.^[1] In secret, he forged an alliance of Germanic tribes that had traditionally been enemies (the Cherusci, Marsi, Chatti, and Bructeri), but which he was able to unite due to outrage over Varus' measures. Historians believe that these were no different from the measures used to establish any nascent province--which often resulted in revolts. For other uses, see Hostage (disambiguation). ... An equestrian (Latin eques, plural equites - also known as a vir egregius, lit. ... The term Germanic tribes (or Teutonic tribes) applies to the ancient Germanic peoples of Europe. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Marsi (German: Marser) were a small Germanic tribe settled between the Rhine, Ruhr and Lippe rivers in northwest Germany. ... The Chatti (also Catti) were an ancient Germanic tribe settled in central and northern Hesse and southern Lower Saxony, along the upper reaches of the Weser river and in the valleys and mountains of the Eder, Fulda and Werra river regions, a district approximately corresponding to Hesse-Cassel, though probably... The Bructeri were a Germanic tribe located in northwestern Germany (Soester Boerde), between the Lippe and Ems rivers south of the Teutoburg Forest, in present-day North Rhine-Westphalia around 100 BC through 350 AD. They formed an alliance with the Cherusci, the Marsi (Germanic) and the Chatti, under the...

While Varus was on his way from his summer camp somewhere west of the Weser river (its location remains disputed;^[1] sites near the modern cities Minden or Rinteln have been suggested by the historian Delbrück and the military writer Pastenaci, respectively) to the winter headquarters near the Rhine, he heard reports of a local rebellion, fabricated by Arminius. Varus decided to quell this uprising immediately and take a detour through territory unfamiliar to the Romans. Arminius, who accompanied Varus, probably directed him along a route that would facilitate an ambush. Another Cheruscan nobleman, Segestes, father of Arminius' wife, and opposed to the marriage, warned Varus the night before the departure of the Roman forces, allegedly even suggesting that Varus apprehend himself along with several Germanic leaders whom he identified as covert participants in the planned uprising. But his warning was dismissed as the result of a personal feud. Arminius then left under the pretext of drumming up Germanic forces to support the Roman campaign, but instead led his troops, who must have been waiting in the vicinity, in attacks on surrounding Roman garrisons. Recent archaeological finds place the battle in Osnabrück County, Lower Saxony. On the basis of Roman accounts, the Romans must at this time have been marching northwestward from the area that is now the city of Detmold, passing east of Osnabrück; they must then have camped in this area prior to being attacked. Weser watershed The Weser is a river of north-western Germany. ... Minden is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. ... Weser watershed Rinteln is a small town in Lower Saxony, Germany. ... It has been suggested that River Rhine Pollution: November 1986 be merged into this article or section. ... Segestes was a noble of the Germanic tribe of the Cherusci who played an ignoble role during the events surrounding the Roman attempts to conquer northern Germany during the reign of Augustus. ...

The Battle

Varus's forces included three legions (Legio XVII, Legio XVIII, and Legio XIX), six cohorts of auxiliary troops (non-Roman allies) and three squadrons of cavalry (alae), most of which lacked combat experience with Germanic fighters under local conditions. The Roman forces were not marching in combat formation, and were interspersed with large numbers of camp-followers. As they entered the forest (probably just northeast of Osnabrück (52 16'34"N 8 02'50"E)), they found the track narrow and muddy; according to Dio Cassius a violent storm had also arisen. He also writes that Varus neglected to send out advance reconnaissance parties. The Roman Legion (from Latin , from lego, legere, legi, lectus — to collect) is a term that can apply both as a transliteration of legio (conscription or army) to the entire Roman army and also, more narrowly (and more commonly), to the heavy infantry that was the basic military unit of... Legio XVII was a Roman legion levied by Augustus Caesar around 41 BC. The legion was destroyed in the battle of Teutonburg Forest (September 9, 9 AD). ... Legio XVIII was a Roman legion levied by Caesar Augustus around 41 BC. The legion was destroyed in the battle of Teutonburg Forest (September 9, 9 AD). ... Legio XIX was a Roman legion levied (drafted into military service) in 41 or 40 BC by Augustus. ... A cohort (from the Latin cohors, plural cohortes) is a fairly large military unit, generally consisting of one type of soldier. ... Ala, Alares, Alarii. ... Dio Cassius Cocceianus (c. ...

The line of march was now stretched out perilously long--estimates are that it surpassed 15 km (9 miles), and was perhaps as long as 20 km (12 miles).^[1] It was then suddenly attacked by Germanic tribesmen. Arminius knew Roman tactics very well and could direct his troops to counter them effectively, using locally superior numbers against the spread-out Roman legions. The Romans managed to set up a fortified night camp, and the next morning broke out into the open country north of the Wiehen mountains, near the modern town of Osterkappeln. The break-out cost them heavy losses, as did a further attempt to escape by marching through another forested area, with the torrential rains continuing, preventing them from using their bows, and rendering them virtually defenseless, as their shields, too, became waterlogged.

Reconstruction of the improvised fortifications prepared by the Germanic tribes for the final phase of the Varus battle near Kalkriese

They then undertook a night march to escape, but marched straight into another trap that Arminius had set, at the foot of Kalkriese Hill (near Osnabrück). There, the sandy, open strip on which the Romans could march easily was constricted by the hill, so that there was a gap of only about 100 m between the woods and the swampland at the edge of the Great Bog. Moreover, the road was blocked by a trench, and, toward the forest, an earthen wall had been built along the roadside, permitting the Germanic tribesmen to attack the Romans from cover. The Romans made a desperate attempt to storm the wall, but failed, and the highest-ranking officer next to Varus, Numonius Vala, abandoned the troops by riding off with the cavalry; however, he too was overtaken by the Germanic cavalry and killed, according to Velleius Paterculus. The Germanic warriors then stormed the field and slaughtered the disintegrating Roman forces; Varus committed suicide.^[1] Velleius reports that one commander, Ceionus, "shamefully" surrendered, while his colleague Eggius "heroically" died leading his doomed troops. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 545 pixelsFull resolution (1001 × 682 pixel, file size: 93 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) de:Die rekonstruierten Wälle auf dem Varusschlachtfeld bei Kalkriese photo taken by: de:User:Markus Schweiß first upload: July 30, 2004 by the photographer File... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 545 pixelsFull resolution (1001 × 682 pixel, file size: 93 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) de:Die rekonstruierten Wälle auf dem Varusschlachtfeld bei Kalkriese photo taken by: de:User:Markus Schweiß first upload: July 30, 2004 by the photographer File... Kalkriese is a 157-meter high hill in Lower Saxony, Germany. ... Osnabrück is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, some 80 km NNE of Dortmund, 45 km NE of Münster, and some 100 km due west of Hanover. ... Marcus Velleius Paterculus (c. ...

Around 15,000 - 20,000 Roman soldiers must have died; not only Varus, but also many of his officers are said to have taken their own lives by falling on their swords in the approved manner.^[1] Tacitus wrote that many officers were sacrificed by the Germanic forces in pagan ceremonies. Others were ransomed, however, and the common soldiers appear to have been enslaved. For other uses, see Tacitus (disambiguation). ... ROSIE IS A GERMN LADYGermanic paganism refers to the religion of the Germanic nations preceding Christianization. ...

All Roman accounts stress the completeness of the Roman defeat and the extremely heavy Roman casualties; also the fact that the Germanic troops apparently suffered only minor losses. That account is confirmed by the finds at Kalkriese, where, along with 6000 pieces (largely scraps) of Roman equipment, there is only one single item — part of a spur — that is clearly Germanic^{[citation needed]}. Even allowing for the fact that several thousand Germanic soldiers were deserting militiamen who wore Roman armor (which would thus show up as "Roman" in the archaeological digs), and for the fact that the Germanic tribes wore less metal and more perishable organic material, this indicates surprisingly slight Germanic losses.

The victory over the legions was followed by a clean sweep of all Roman forts, garrisons and cities — of which there were at least two — east of the Rhine; the remaining two Roman legions, commanded by Varus' nephew Lucius Nonius Asprenas, were content to try to hold that river. One fort (or possibly city), Aliso, fended off the Germanic tribes for many weeks, perhaps a few months, before the garrison, which included survivors of the Teutoburg Forest, successfully broke out under their commander, Lucius Caeditius and reached the Rhine.

Aftermath

Upon hearing of the defeat, the emperor Augustus, according to Roman author and historian Suetonius in his book Lives of the Twelve Caesars, had a nervous breakdown with symptoms of semi-insanity, banging his head against the walls of his palace and repeatedly shouting Quintili Vare, legiones redde! ('Quintilius Varus, give me back my legions!') (sometimes rendered in English as "give me back my eagles," as in the BBC series based on the Robert Graves novel I, Claudius). The famous statue of Octavian at the Prima Porta Caesar Augustus (Latin:IMP·CAESAR·DIVI·F·AVGVSTVS) ¹ (23 September 63 BC–19 August AD 14), known to modern historians as Octavian for the period of his life prior to 27 BC, is considered the first and one of the most... Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus ( 69/75 - after 130), also known as Suetonius, was a prominent Roman historian and biographer. ... The Twelve Caesars is a set of twelve biographies of Julius Caesar and the first 11 emperors of the Roman Empire. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Denarius minted by Mark Antony to pay his legions. ... I, Claudius, 1976 was a BBC Television adaptation of Robert Gravess I Claudius and Claudius the God. ... Robert von Ranke Graves (24 July 1895 – 7 December 1985) was an English poet, scholar, and novelist. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

The three legion numbers were never used again by the Romans after this defeat, unlike other legions that were restructured — a case unique in Roman history.

The battle abruptly ended the period of triumphant and exuberant Roman expansion that had followed the end of the Civil Wars 40 years earlier. Augustus' stepson Tiberius took effective control, and prepared for the continuation of the war. Rome gradually slid into a period of tyranny and oppression lasting much of the rest of the first century. For other persons named Tiberius, see Tiberius (disambiguation). ...

The Germanic tribes, on the other hand, profited greatly from the plunder of their victory, and gradually began to move to a higher stage of development, although they were still a long way from political unification. This was apparently the goal of Arminius, however, who immediately sent Varus' severed head to Marbod, king of the Marcomanni, the other most powerful German ruler, with the offer of an anti-Roman alliance. Marbod declined the offer, sent the head on to Rome for burial, and remained neutral throughout the ensuing war. Only thereafter did a brief, inconclusive war break out between the two Germanic leaders. Marbod or Maroboduus (died in A.D. 37), was king of the Marcomanni. ... The Marcomanni were a Germanic tribe, probably related to the Suebi or Suevi. ...

During the next centuries, the Germanic tribes were able to profit from trade with Rome, without suffering the Roman yoke, and to absorb those elements of Roman culture which they wanted.

Roman Retaliation

Though the shock at the slaughter was enormous, the Romans immediately began a slow, systematic process of preparing for the reconquest of the country. In 14, just after Augustus' death and the accession of his heir and stepson Tiberius, a massive raid was conducted by the new emperor's nephew Germanicus, followed the next year by two major campaigns with a large army estimated at 70,000 men, backed by naval forces. After initial successes, including the capture of Arminius' wife Thusnelda, the army visited the site of the first battle. According to Tacitus, they found heaps of bleached bones and severed skulls nailed to trees, which they buried, "looking on all as kinsfolk and of their own blood". Burial pits with remains fitting this description have been found at Kalkriese Hill. Events First year of tianfeng era of the Chinese Xin Dynasty. ... For other persons named Tiberius, see Tiberius (disambiguation). ... Germanicus Julius Caesar (24 May 15 BC–October 10, 19 AD) was a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty of the early Roman Empire. ... Thusnelda (* about 10 B.C.; † 17 A.D. in Rome?) was the daughter of the Cherusci prince Segestes. ... For other uses, see Tacitus (disambiguation). ...

Thereafter, however, Germanicus suffered two defeats, and withdrew to his original positions on the Rhine, Lippe and Ems. A further, even more massive invasion the next year was inconclusive (see Battle of the Weser River), although Germanicus managed to reclaim two of the three standards lost under Varus; a subordinate Lucius Stertinus recovered the Legio XIX Eagle from the Bructeri in 15 AD; the hiding place of the second eagle was told to Germanicus from the captured leader of the Marsi after the Battle of the Weser River in 16 AD. An image of a coin of Germanicus with a recovered standard can be seen at [1]. After these setbacks, Tiberius decided to stop all further operations against the Germanic tribes, and reassigned Germanicus to Asia, after letting him celebrate a triumph. (Tacitus: Annals: Book 2 {Chapter 32 in this version}) Combatants Roman Empire Germanic tribes Commanders Germanicus Arminius The Battle of the Weser River, sometimes known as a first Battle of Minden, was fought in 16 between Roman legions commanded by Emperor Tiberius heir and adopted son Germanicus, and an alliance of Germanic tribes commanded by Arminius. ... Legio XIX was a Roman legion levied (drafted into military service) in 41 or 40 BC by Augustus. ... The Bructeri were a Germanic tribe located in northwestern Germany (Soester Boerde), between the Lippe and Ems rivers south of the Teutoburg Forest, in present-day North Rhine-Westphalia around 100 BC through 350 AD. They formed an alliance with the Cherusci, the Marsi (Germanic) and the Chatti, under the... Centuries: 1st century BC - 1st century - 2nd century Decades: 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC 0s - 10s - 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s Years: 10 11 12 13 14 - 15 - 16 17 18 19 20 Events Valerius Gratus is appointed Prefect of Iudaea. ... Germanicus Julius Caesar (24 May 15 BC–October 10, 19 AD) was a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty of the early Roman Empire. ... Silver denarius of the Marsian Confederation, during the Social War (89 BC). ... Combatants Roman Empire Germanic tribes Commanders Germanicus Arminius The Battle of the Weser River, sometimes known as a first Battle of Minden, was fought in 16 between Roman legions commanded by Emperor Tiberius heir and adopted son Germanicus, and an alliance of Germanic tribes commanded by Arminius. ... Centuries: 1st century BC - 1st century - 2nd century Decades: 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC 0s - 10s - 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s Years: 11 12 13 14 15 - 16 - 17 18 19 20 21 Events A Roman army commanded by Germanicus manages a victory at Idistaviso over the... A Roman Triumph was a civil ceremony and religious rite of ancient Rome, held to publicly honour the military commander (dux) of a notably successful foreign war or campaign and to display the glories of Roman victory. ... For other uses, see Tacitus (disambiguation). ...

The third standard was recovered in 42 AD by Publius Gabinius from the Chauci during the reign of Germanicus brother Claudius, according to Cassius Dio in Roman History Book LX {Book 60} Chapter 8. Possibly the recovered aquilae were placed within the Temple of the Avenging Mars, (Tempio di Mars Ultor), the ruins of which stand today in the Forum of Augustus by the Via dei Fori Imperiali in Rome. Events Romans take control of Ceuta. ... The Chauci were a populous Germanic tribe inhabiting the extreme northwestern shore of Germany during Roman times - basically the stretch of coast between Frisia in the west to the Elbe estuary in the east. ... For other persons named Claudius, see Claudius (disambiguation). ... Cassius Dio Cocceianus (ca. ... History - Ancient history - Ancient Rome This is a List of Ancient Rome-related topics, that aims to include aspects of both the Ancient Roman Republic and Roman Empire. ... Denarius minted by Mark Antony to pay his legions. ... Mars was the Roman god of war, the son of Juno and either Jupiter or a magical flower. ... Mars was the Roman god of war and the son of Juno and a magical flower (or Jupiter) and initially was the Roman god of fertility and vegetation, and protector of cattle, but later he became associated with battle. ... Forum built by Augustus in Rome, including Temple of Mars Ultor. ... The Via dei Fori Imperiale is a road in the centre of the city of Rome that runs in a straight line from the Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum, which is itself situated in the Piazza Colosseo. ... Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5...

The last punctuation mark on the story of the battle is recounted by the historian Tacitus, in Annales (xii.27). Around 50 AD, bands of Chatti invaded Roman territory in Germania Superior, possibly an area in Hesse east of the Rhine which the Romans appear to have still held, and began to plunder. The Roman commander, Lucius Pomponius, raised a force from the Vangiones and Nemetes supported by Roman cavalry. They attacked the Chatti from both sides and defeated them, and joyfully found and liberated some of the men from Varus' legions, who had been held in slavery for 40 years. For other uses, see Tacitus (disambiguation). ... The Annals, or, in Latin, Annales, is a history book by Tacitus covering the reign of the 4 Roman Emperors succeeding to Caesar Augustus. ... The Chatti (also Catti) were an ancient Germanic tribe settled in central and northern Hesse and southern Lower Saxony, along the upper reaches of the Weser river and in the valleys and mountains of the Eder, Fulda and Werra river regions, a district approximately corresponding to Hesse-Cassel, though probably... Categories: Historical stubs | Ancient Roman provinces | German history | Germany | History of the Germanic peoples ... The Vangiones were a tribe of the Belgae originally from the Upper Rhine valley. ... A map of Gaul showing the position of the Nemetes The Nemetes or Nemeti (German: ) were a Western Germanic tribe living at the Rhine between the Palatinate and Lake Bodensee where Ariovistus had lead them, the Suebi and other allied Germanic peoples in the second quarter of the 1st century...

Significance

Traditionally, the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest was seen as having caused Augustus to give up his plans for the conquest of Germania. The view was that the later military actions were merely punitive face-saving measures. The current consensus among historians is that this is untenable, especially in light of recent archaeological finds, and not only those at Kalkriese Hill. For one third of the entire Roman army was repeatedly mobilized at great expense and risk for the Germanic campaigns, and its incursions were massive. Moreover, infrastructural measures were undertaken east of the Rhine which would have made no sense unless a full reconquest had been planned. Tacitus is unclear on the subject in Annales 1.3, but clearly his interest is in making Germanicus look good by comparison to his uncle, the emperor; and although Germanicus was definitely defeated, Tacitus tries his best to avoid saying so.

This does not, however, reduce the significance of the battle, since it is clear that without the massive advantage won in the Teutoburg Forest and in the ensuing weeks, the Germanic tribes would have been unable to resist the renewed Roman assault. This victory, on this completely one-sided scale, was not sufficient to ensure the ultimate victory in the war of independence, but it was definitely necessary for that purpose.

The Detmold Memorial

Main article: Hermannsdenkmal.

The legacy of the Germanic victory was resurrected with the recovery of the histories of Tacitus in the 15th century, when the figure of Arminius, rechristened "Hermann" by Martin Luther, became a nationalistic symbol of Pan Germanism. In 1808 the German Heinrich von Kleist's play Die Hermannsschlacht aroused anti-Napoleonic sentiment, even though it could not be performed under occupation. The Hermannsdenkmal The Hermannsdenkmal (German for Hermann monument) is a monument located in North Rhine Westphalia in Germany in the Southern part of the Teutoburg Forest, which is southwest of Detmold in the district of Lippe. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk,[1] priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. ... Year 1808 (MDCCCVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Bernd Heinrich Wilhelm von Kleist (October 18, 1777 – November 21, 1811) was a German poet, dramatist and novelist. ... For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ...

As a symbol of unified Romantic nationalism, the Hermannsdenkmal (Hermann's monument), a statue in Detmold paid for largely out of private funds, was completed in 1875 to commemorate the battle; similar statues also exist outside of Germany in German-founded communities including New Ulm, Minnesota. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Hermannsdenkmal The Hermannsdenkmal (German for Hermann monument) is a monument located in North Rhine Westphalia in Germany in the Southern part of the Teutoburg Forest, which is southwest of Detmold in the district of Lippe. ... Detmold is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with a population of about 80,000. ... 1875 (MDCCCLXXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Parking meter checker stands by his police vehicle which is imprinted with the German word for police (Polizei). ...

In 1847, Josef Viktor von Scheffel wrote a lengthy song, "Als die Römer frech geworden" ("When the Romans started to misbehave"), relating the tale of the battle with somewhat gloating humour. Copies of the text are still found on many souvenirs available at the Detmold monument. 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Site of the Battle

For almost 2000 years, no one knew for certain where the battle had taken place. The main hint as to its location was an allusion to the saltus Teutoburgiensis in section i.60-62 of Tacitus's Annals, an area "not far" from the land between the upper reaches of the Lippe and Ems Rivers in central Westphalia. Gaius Cornelius Tacitus Publius or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus (c. ... The Annals, or, in Latin, Annales, is a history book by Tacitus covering the reign of the 4 Roman Emperors succeeding to Caesar Augustus. ...

During the 19th century, theories as to the true site of the battle abounded, and the followers of one theory successfully argued for the area of a long wooded ridge called the Osning, around Bielefeld. This was then renamed the Teutoburg Forest, and became the site of the Detmold Memorial. View over the Teutoburg Forest The Teutoburg Forest (German: Teutoburger Wald) is a range of low, forested mountains in the German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, which was believed to be the environ of a decisive battle in AD 9. ... View over the Teutoburg Forest The Teutoburg Forest (German: Teutoburger Wald) is a range of low, forested mountains in the German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, which was believed to be the environ of a decisive battle in AD 9. ...

Late 20th-century research and excavations at Kalkriese Hill (52°26'29"N, 8°8'26"E.) were sparked by finds by British amateur archaeologist Major Tony Clunn's discovery of coins from the reign of Augustus (and none minted later), and some ovoid leaden Roman sling shot. Clunn was casually prospecting with a metal detector in hopes of finding "the odd Roman coin." The excavations soon turned up more scraps of weapons and equipment, the helmet mask of a Roman officer, the bone pits, and the remains of the Germanic fortifications. As a result, Kalkriese is now perceived to be the actual site of part of the battle, probably its conclusive phase. Kalkriese is a village administratively part of the city of Bramsche, on the north slope fringes of the Wiehengebirge, a ridge-like range of hills in Lower Saxony, north of Osnabrück. The site some 70 km from Detmold was first suggested by 19th-century historian Theodor Mommsen, one of the "founding fathers" of modern research into ancient history. Archaeology or sometimes in American English archeology (from the Greek words αρχαίος = ancient and λόγος = word/speech) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains, including architecture, artefacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. ... Home-made sling. ... Bramsche is a town in the district of Osnabrück, Lower Saxony, Germany. ... Wiehengebirge The Wiehengebirge is a low mountain range in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony in Germany. ... With an area of 47,618 km and nearly eight million inhabitants, Lower Saxony (German Niedersachsen) lies in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the countrys sixteen Bundesl nder (federal states). ... Osnabrück is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, some 80 km NNE of Dortmund, 45 km NE of Münster, and some 100 km due west of Hanover. ... Detmold is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with a population of about 80,000. ... Christian Matthias Theodor Mommsen (November 30, 1817–November 1, 1903) was a German classical scholar, jurist and historian, generally regarded as the greatest classicist of the 19th century. ...

While the initial excavations were done by the archaeological team of the Kulturhistorisches Museum Osnabrück under the direction of Prof. Wolfgang Schlüter from 1987 onward, after the dimensions of the project became apparent, a new foundation was created to organize future excavations, to build and run a new museum on the site, and to centralise publicity work and documentation. Since 1990 the excavations have been directed by Susanne Wilbers-Rost. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...

The Varusschlacht Museum ("Varus' Battle Museum") and Park Kalkriese include a large outdoor area with trails leading to a re-creation of part of the earthen wall from the battle, and other outdoor exhibits. An observation tower allows visitors to get an overview of the battle site. Most of the indoor exhibits are housed in the tower. A second building includes the ticket center, museum store and a restaurant. The museum houses a large number of artifacts found at the site, which include fragments of studded sandals legionaries lost in flight, spearheads, and a Roman officer's ceremonial face-mask, which was originally silver-plated. Coins minted with the countermark VAR, distributed by Varus, support the identification of the site. Excavations have revealed battle debris along a corridor almost 15 miles from east to west and little more than a mile wide. A long zig-zagging wall constructed of peat turves and packed sand apparently had been constructed beforehand: concentrations of battle debris before it, and a dearth of finds behind it, testify to the Romans' inability to breach the defense. Human remains found here appear to corroborate Tacitus' account of their later burial. (Smithsonian, p 81) Peat in Lewis, Scotland Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter. ...

Alternate Theories on the Battle

Although the evidence is overwhelming that the 3-day battle took place in the area east and north of Osnabrück and ended at Kalkriese Hill, some scholars and others cling to older theories. Moreover, there is controversy among "Kalkriese-adherents" as to the details.

The German historians Peter Kehne and Reinhard Wolters believe that the battle was probably in the Detmold area after all, and that Kalkriese is the site of one of the battles in 15 AD. This theory is, however, in serious contradiction to Tacitus' account.

A very large body of opinion, including the scholars at the Kalkriese Museum (Susanne Wilbers-Rost, Günther Moosbauer; also Historian Ralf Jahn and British author Adrian Murdoch, see below), believe that the Roman army did not approach Kalkriese from the south of the Wiehen Mountains (i.e., from Detmold), but rather from roughly due east, from Minden, Westphalia. This would have involved a march along the northern edge of the Wiehen mountains, and would have passed through flat, open country, devoid of the dense forests and ravines described by Cassius Dio. Their explanation of this contradiction is that Romans had a stereotyped view of Germany: Just as most Europeans and Americans, hearing the word "Arabia", think "sandy desert", so, they argue, to most Romans, the word "Germany" meant "swampy, rainy forest"; thus, Cassius Dio was, they believe, not really describing the situation, but only reflecting this stereotype. Historians such as Gustav-Adolf Lehmann and Boris Dreyer counter that the description is too detailed and differentiated to be thus dismissed.

Some scholars dispute the theory that the battle ended at Kalkriese; Dreyer thinks, on the basis of Tacitus' account, that it must have ended several hours later, somewhat further west. Jona Lendering, the Dutch historian who runs an English-language homepage on the topic, goes even further: He believes that the Romans were first ambushed at Kalkriese and then made their way further west over the next two or three days. Recent finds have made these theories less likely; Lendering's theory also suffers from the fact that three full Roman legions, with all their supplies and artillery, would have had no problem overcoming the wall discovered at Kalkriese, which is in any case less than half a km long - far too short to have served as an ambuscade for the entire Roman force stretched out over 15 km or more. Jona Lendering is a Dutch historian and the author of books on antiquity, Dutch history and modern management. ...

Tony Clunn (see below), the discoverer of the battlefield, and a “southern-approach” proponent, on the other hand believes that the battered Roman Army regrouped north of Ostercappeln, where Varus committed suicide, and that the remnants were finally overcome at the Kalkriese Gap.

Finally, there is a quite a number of persons opposing the Kalkriese theory, which is not really supported by facts but assumptions. They base their theory on Roman historian Florus, who claimed that the Romans were all slaughtered in a camp while listening to Varus pass judgment in a court case. Peter Wells, author of a recent book in English (see below) offers one explanation; the German author Peter Oppitz another(see below).

Ancient Sources

The following is a list of all known references to the battle from the literary sources of classical antiquity. Though the account provided in the Roman History is the most detailed of these, Dio Cassius' almost two century removal from the time of the event, as well as his use of detail mentioned by no earlier author, render it much more likely to be a literary re-imagining of the battle than a reliable historical record.

• Ovid, Tristia (Sorrows), poetic verses written in 10 and 11
• Marcus Manilius, Astronomica, poem written in early 1st Century
• Strabo, Geographia 7:1.4, geographic-themed history written in perhaps 18
• Marcus Velleius Paterculus, Roman History 2:117-120, history written 30
• Tacitus, Annals 1.3, 1.10, 1.43, 1.55-71, 2.7, 2.41, 2.45, history written 109
• Suetonius, Lives of the Twelve Caesars: Augustus 23, Tiberius 17-18, biographies written 121
• Florus, Epitome de T. Livio Bellorum omnium annorum DCC Libri duo 2:30, history/panegyric written in early 2nd century
• Dio Cassius, Roman History 56:18-24, history written in the first half of 3rd century

For other uses, see Ovid (disambiguation) Publius Ovidius Naso (March 20, 43 BC – 17 AD) was a Roman poet known to the English-speaking world as Ovid who wrote on topics of love, abandoned women and mythological transformations. ... Tristia (Sorrows) is a work of poetry written by the Roman poet Ovid some time after 8AD, during his exile from Rome. ... Events Differentiation of localized Teutonic tribes of the Irminones. ... This article is about the year 11. ... Marcus Manilius (fl. ... The Greek geographer Strabo in a 16th century engraving. ... ˑ This article is about the year 18. ... Marcus Velleius Paterculus (c. ... Events The Sermon on the Mount (according to proponents of the 33 theory) April 7 - Crucifixion of Jesus (suggested date, but it is also suggested that he died on April 3, AD 33) Births Quintus Petillius Cerialis, brother-in-law of Vespasian Deaths April 7 - Judas Iscariot, disciple of Jesus... For other uses, see Tacitus (disambiguation). ... The Annals, or, in Latin, Annales, is a history book by Tacitus covering the reign of the 4 Roman Emperors succeeding to Caesar Augustus. ... Events Tacitus completes The Annales of Imperial Rome. ... Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus ( 69/75 - after 130), also known as Suetonius, was a prominent Roman historian and biographer. ... The Twelve Caesars is a set of twelve biographies of Julius Caesar and the first 11 emperors of the Roman Empire. ... 121 is a traditional clan of RA3 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. ... Florus, Roman historian, flourished in the time of Trajan and Hadrian. ... A Panegyric is a formal public speech delivered in high praise of a person or thing, a generally high studied and undiscriminating eulogy. ... Dio Cassius Cocceianus (c. ...

Portrayal in fiction

The battle and its aftermath are featured in both the novel and television series, I, Claudius. I, Claudius is a novel by Robert Graves, (ISBN 067972477X) first published in 1934, dealing sympathetically with the life of the Roman Emperor Claudius and the history of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and Roman Empire, from Julius Caesars assassination in 44 BC to Caligulas assassination in 41 AD...

A movie, named: "Die Hermannsschlacht" / "The Hermann Battle" (Hermann is the popular German name of Arminius) was realized between 1993 and 1995. The first public screening of this work took place in Düsseldorf in May 1995. In 1996 the opus was honoured by an international jury in Kiel, where it was presented during an archaeological film festival. "The Hermann Battle" was successfully shown in arthouse-cinemas in the whole of Germany. Since 2005 a DVD with bonus tracks and recently filmed documentary footage is also available. The actors speak German and Latin, with German subtitles. Famous British artist Tony Cragg has a brief role as a Roman citizen in the palace of Augustus. The Battle of Teutoburg Forest is also a historical battle that can be played in the video game Rome: Total War. However, it is not an accurate depiction of the historical battle. The scenario is difficult due to the fact that the Roman troops are heavily outnumbered, not due to the superior Germanic strategy. Ferryman. ... For other uses, see Augustus (disambiguation). ... Rome: Total War is a grand strategy computer game where players fight historical and fictious battles during the era of the Roman Republic, from 270 BCE to 14 CE. The game was developed by Creative Assembly and released on September 22, 2004. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Sources

• Adrian Murdoch, Rome's Greatest Defeat: Massacre in the Teutoburg Forest, Sutton Publishing, Stroud, 2006, ISBN 0-7509-4015-8 (review)Account of the battle, "eastern approach" to Kalkriese
• Peter S. Wells, The Battle That Stopped Rome. Emperor Augustus, Arminius, and the slaughter of the legions in the Teutoburg Forest, W.W. Norton & Company, New York, NY 2003, ISBN 0-393-02028-2 Strong on archaeology, but extremely weak on the ancient sources; controversial "Florus"-based theory
• Fergus M. Bordewich, "The ambush that changed history" in Smithsonian Magazine, September 2005, pp. 74–81. "[http://www.smithsonianmag.com/issues/2005/september/ambush.php
• Tony Clunn, "The Quest for the Lost Roman Legions, Spellmount, Oxford, 2005, 371 pp. ISBN-13: 978-0-9544190-0-4Combination of the account of the discovery and his theory about the course of the battle, recounted in fictional style.
• Rochala, Paweł. Las Teutoburski 9 rok n.e. Bellona, Warszawa, 2005.
• Peter Oppitz: „Das Geheimnis der Varusschlacht“, ISBN 3-00-010073-X. Preis: 9,80 Euro im Buchhandel oder beim verlag unter „zagara-verlag@ngi.de“

External links

• An English website featuring the newest movie and presenting film history: http://www.die-hermannsschlacht.de/_eng/index.html
• Fergus M. Bordewich: "The Ambush That Changed History" Smithsonian Magazine, September 2005
• Official site of the Kalkriese foundation
• Extensive article on this battle and related events by Jona Lendering, with photographs, pictures, and maps
• Student project site by Universität Osnabrück, in German
• Varusbattle in Netherland,in German

Coordinates: 52°24′29″N, 8°07′46″E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...