Teutoburg Forest: battle and defeat of the Roman legions by the Germans

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Since the dawn of mankind, people have constantly fought each other for power and we alth, for new lands and someone's political ambitions. But among the huge number of large and small battles, there are those that not only influenced the history of individual peoples, but also changed the very vector of civilization development.

They include the defeat of the Roman legions in the Teutoburg Forest (9 AD). This battle immortalized the name of the leader of the Cherusci tribe - Arminius, who has been considered a national hero of the German people for more than three millennia.

Background of the battle

The beginning of the 1st century of a new era is the heyday of the Roman Empire, which successfully captured more and more new territories, subjugating numerous tribes and nationalities. And the matter is not only in the military power of the legionnaires, but also in the organization of a rigid state power and bureaucracy on the annexed lands.

The conquest and subjugation of disparate and warringthe Germanic tribes were not a difficult task for Rome.

During the reign of Caesar Augustus, the power of the empire extended from the Rhine to the Elbe. A province called Germany was founded here, a governor appointed by Rome ruled the court and managed affairs, and 5-6 legions were enough to maintain order.

Changing the situation

The Roman governor, the intelligent and far-sighted Secius Saturinus, managed not only to subdue most of the Germanic tribes, but also to attract their leaders to the side of the empire, who were flattered by the attention of a powerful power.

However, Publius Quintilius Var, who arrived in the German province from Syria, where he was accustomed to pampered life, servility and reverence, replaced Saturin as governor. Considering the local tribes to be harmless, he dispersed the legions subordinate to him throughout the country and cared more about collecting tribute. It was his short-sighted policy that led to the fact that the Teutoburg Forest became the grave for thousands of selected Roman soldiers.

Consequences of the imprudence of the Roman governor

Var, ignoring the dissatisfaction of local residents, introduced predatory taxes and Roman laws, in many respects contrary to the customary law of the Germans, the norms of which were considered sacred.

Unwillingness to follow foreign laws was severely suppressed. Violators were awaiting the death pen alty and insulting for the free Germans punishment with rods.

For the time being, outrage and protestscommoners were invisible, especially since the leaders of the tribes, seduced by Roman luxury, were loyal to both the governor and the imperial authorities. But soon their patience came to an end.

The initially unorganized and spontaneous protest was led by the ambitious leader of the Cherusci tribe Arminius. This was a very remarkable person. In his youth, he not only served in the Roman army, but also received the status of a rider and a citizen, as he was distinguished by courage and intelligence. Quintilius Varus was so sure of his devotion that he did not want to believe the numerous denunciations about the impending rebellion. Moreover, he liked to feast with Arminius, who was an excellent conversationalist.

Vara's last hike

About what happened in the 9th year, when the legions of Varus entered the Teutoburg Forest, we can learn from the "Roman History" of Dio Cassius. According to historians, this area was located somewhere in the upper reaches of the Ems River, which at that time was known as Amisia.

This autumn, Varus left his comfortable summer camp and set off towards the Rhine with three legions. According to one version, the governor was going to suppress the rebellion of a distant Germanic tribe. According to another, Quintilius Varus, as usual, simply withdrew troops to winter quarters, so he was accompanied by a large convoy during the campaign.

The legionnaires were in no hurry, their movement was delayed not only by loaded carts, but also by roads washed out by autumn rains. For some time the army was accompanied by a detachment of Arminius,who allegedly was going to take part in the suppression of the rebellion.

Teutoburg Forest: defeat of the Roman legions by the Germans

Heavy rain and streams that spilled into turbulent torrents forced the soldiers to move in disorganized units. Arminius took advantage of this.

His warriors lagged behind the Romans and, not far from Weser, attacked and killed several scattered groups of legionnaires. Meanwhile, the lead detachments, which had already entered the Teutoburg Forest, faced an unexpected obstacle from fallen trees. As soon as they stopped, spears flew at them from the dense thickets, and then Germanic soldiers jumped out.

The attack was unexpected, and the Roman legionaries were not used to fighting in the forest, so the soldiers only fought back, but on the orders of Varus, who wanted to get out into the open, they continued to move.

Over the next two days, the Romans, who managed to leave the Teutoburg Forest, repelled the endless attacks of the enemy, but either because of the inability of Varus to take decisive action, or because of a number of objective reasons, they never went on the counteroffensive. The weather also played its part. Due to the incessant rain, the shields of the Romans became soggy and completely unbearable, and the bows were unsuitable for shooting.

Defeat at Dere Gorge

But the worst was yet to come. An end to the protracted beating of the Roman legions was put by the battle in the Der Gorge, overgrown with dense forest. Numerous German detachments, pouring from the slopes, ruthlessly destroyed the legionnaires rushing about in panic, andthe battle turned into a carnage.

The attempt of the Romans to break out of the gorge back into the valley was unsuccessful - the way was blocked by their own convoy. Only the cavalry of the legate Vala Numonius managed to escape from this meat grinder. Realizing that the battle was lost, the wounded Quintilius Var committed suicide by throwing himself on the sword. Several other officers followed suit.

Only a few of the legionnaires managed to escape from the terrible German trap and go to the Rhine. The main part of the army was destroyed, the same fate befell the women with children who were traveling with the convoy.

Results of the battle

The consequences of this battle can hardly be overestimated. The defeat of the Roman legions in the Teutoburg Forest frightened Emperor Augustus so much that he even disbanded the German bodyguards and ordered all Gauls to be expelled from the capital, fearing that they would follow the example of their northern neighbors.

But that's not the point. The battle in the Teutoburg Forest put an end to the conquest of the Germans by the Roman Empire. A few years later, the consul Germanicus made three campaigns across the Rhine in order to suppress the rebellious tribes. But it was more an act of revenge than a politically justified move.

The Legions never again risked establishing permanent fortifications on German lands. Thus, the battle in the Teutoburg Forest stopped the spread of Roman aggression to the north and northeast.

In memory of this battle that turned the course of history, a statue of Arminius 53 meters high was erected in the city of Detmold in 1875.

Film "Herman Cheruska - Battle in the Teutoburg Forest"

A lot of books have been written on the history of the battle, among them there are fiction books, for example, "Legionnaire" by Luis Rivera. And in 1967, a film was made according to the described plot. This is to some extent a symbolic picture, because it is a joint production of Germany (then still Germany) and Italy. The importance of cooperation will become clear if we consider that Italy, in fact, is the heir of the Roman Empire, and in Germany during the fascism, the victory of Arminius, who was considered a national hero, was praised in every possible way.

The result of the joint project was a very good film in terms of historical accuracy, which shows the battle in the Teutoburg Forest. He is attractive to the audience not only for this, but also for the talented play of such actors as Cameron Mitchell, Hans von Borsodi, Antonella Lualdi and others. In addition, this is a very dynamic and spectacular picture, and the shooting of numerous battle scenes is admirable.