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Man of War

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For those who are keeping track, this is somewhat connected to the events displayed here: Battle of the Teutoburg Forest - 9 AD

Arminius (18/17 BC-19 AD), in German tradition called Hermann, was a Germanic chieftain of the Cherusci tribe and a former officer in the Roman army under the command of general Publius Quinctilius Varus (46 BC-9 AD). The origins of the latinized name Arminius is unknown but the 16h century reformist Martin Luther (1483-1546) insisted that it was from the German name Hermann, which in German means "Man of War". This theory is today seen as less likely.

Arminius was born sometime during 18 or 17 BC and was the son of the Germanic chieftain Segimerus (unknown). He was later taken to Rome by the imperial legions and was trained as a Roman militarian commander alongside his brother Flavus (unknown), who would in turn continue serving under the Roman Empire. He and his brother had therefor lived in Rome as hostages in their youth, where Armonius had received a military education and obtained Roman citizenship as well as the status of equestrian (petty noble) before returning to the Germanic areas.

Around 4 AD, Arminius assumed command of a Cheruscan detachment of Roman extra forces, probably while fighting the Pannonians in what is now known as the modern day Balkan peninsula. He returned to northern Germania in 7-8 AD where the Roman Empire had established secure control of the territories just east of the Rhine, along the Lippe and Main rivers, and was now seeking to expand eastwards towards Elbe. This campaign was led by the previously mentioned Publius Quinctilius Varus, general and governer appointed by emperor Augustus (63 BC-14 AD) himself. Arminius began plotting against the Romans and got in contact with various Germanic tribes to unite them and repell the Romans. During the autumn of 9 AD, Arminius and the Germanic tribes won a descicive and crushing victory against the Romans in the Battle of Teutoburg, which led to the total annihilation of the 17th, 18th and 19th Legions and the suicide of Varus.

The sweetness of the victory in the Teutoburg forests wouldn't last though, as new battle campaigns would be launched into the Germanic areas between 14 AD and 16 AD, led by Germanicus Julius Caesar (15 BC-19 AD) of the imperial family, where Germanic managed to defeat Arminius twice. Arminius also faced opposition from his father-in-law and other pro-Roman Germanic leaders. However, after these Roman attacks, the emperor Tiberius (42 BC-37 AD) denied Germanicus further more campaigns against the Germanics. With the end of the Roman threat, a war broke out between Arminius and Marbod (unknown), king of the Marcomanni tribe. It ended with Marbod fleeing to Ravenna and Roman protection, but Arminius failed to break into the "natural fortification" of Bohemia, and the war ended in stalemate. According to Tacitus (ca 55 AD-120 AD), Arminius died between 19 to 21 AD, murdered by fellow tribesmen who believed he was becoming to powerful.

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yamakbats's avatar

I enjoyed the read :)