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

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

Among them is the defeat of the Roman legions in the Teutoburg Forest (9 AD). This battle immortalized the name of the leader of the tribe of the Cherusks - Arminius, who for more than three millennia is considered the national hero of the German people.

Background of the battle

The beginning of the first century of the new era is the heyday of the Roman Empire, which successfully captured all new territories, subjugating numerous tribes and nationalities. And it's not just the military might of the legionaries, but also the organization of the tight state power and bureaucratic apparatus on the annexed lands.

The conquest and submission of the scattered and warring Germanic tribes was not a difficult task for Rome.

During the reign of Caesar Augustus, the power of the empire spread to the territory from the Rhine to the Elbe. Here, a province was founded, called Germany, the Roman governor appointed court and administered affairs, and 5-6 legions were quite sufficient to maintain order.

Changing the situation

The Roman governor, intelligent and far-sighted Sation Saturin, managed not only to subjugate the majority of the Germanic tribes, but also to attract the leaders of the empire, who flattered the attention of a powerful power.

However, at the post of governor of Saturin was replaced by Publius Quintilius Var, who arrived in the German province from Syria, where he was accustomed to pampered life, servility and veneration. Considering the local tribes not dangerous, he dispersed his subordinate legions around the country and was more concerned with collecting tribute. It was his short-sighted policy that led to the fact that the Teutoburg Forest became a grave for thousands of select Roman soldiers.

The consequences of the imprudence of the Roman governor

Var, not paying attention to the discontent of local residents, introduced predatory taxes and Roman laws, in many respects contrary to the customary law of the Germans, whose norms were considered sacred.

Unwillingness to follow foreign laws was brutally suppressed. Violators awaited the death penalty and insulting for free Germans sentencing birches.

For the time being, the indignation and protests of commoners were invisible, especially since the chiefs of the tribes, deceived by Roman luxury, were loyal to both the governor and the imperial authorities. But soon their patience came to an end.

Initially unorganized and spontaneous protest was led by the ambitious leader of the Cherius Arminius tribe. It 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 citizen, as distinguished by courage and intelligence. Quintilius Var was so sure of his devotion that he did not want to believe the numerous denunciations about the upcoming mutiny. Moreover, he liked to feast with Arminius, who was an excellent interlocutor.

The last campaign of Vara

About what happened in the year 9, when the legions of Wara entered the Teutoburg Forest, we can learn from the "Roman History" of Dion 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.

In the autumn of this year, Var left his cozy summer camp and with three legions went to the side of the Rhine. According to one version, the governor was going to crush the mutiny of a distant Germanic tribe. On the other hand, Quintilius Var usually took his troops to winter quarters, so he was accompanied by a large train.

Legionaries did not hurry, their movement was delayed not only by loaded carts, but also by roads washed away by autumn rains. For a time, the army was accompanied by a detachment of Arminius, who allegedly intended to take part in the suppression of the insurrection.

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

The heavy rain and streams flooded into the torrential streams, forcing the soldiers to move in unorganized detachments. This is what Arminius used.

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

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

During the next two days, the Romans who managed to leave the Teutoburg Forest reflected the enemy's endless attacks, but either because of the inability of Vary to take decisive action, or because of a number of objective reasons, they did not go on the counter-offensive. The weather also played a role. Because of the incessant rain, the shields of the Romans were soaked and completely unaffordable, and the bows proved to be unsuitable for shooting.

Defeat in the Dales Gorge

But the worst was yet to come. The point in the long beating of the Roman legions put the fight in a dense forest overgrown with Derskoe gorge. Numerous German detachments, pouring from the slopes, ruthlessly destroyed the panic-stricken Legionnaires, and the battle turned into a bloodbath.

The Roman attempt to break through the gorge back to the valley was unsuccessful - the way blocked its own convoy. It was only the cavalry of the legacy of Vala Numonius that managed to get out of this meat grinder. Realizing that the battle was lost, the wounded Quintilus Var committed suicide by throwing himself at the sword. His example was followed by several more officers.

Only a few of the legionaries 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 not be overestimated. The defeat of the Roman legions in the Teutoburg Forest was so intimidating to the Emperor Augustus that he even dismissed the German bodyguards and ordered the expulsion of all the Gauls from the capital, fearing that they would follow the example of their northern neighbors.

But the main thing is not this. The battle in the Teutoburg Forest put an end to the conquest of the Germans by the Roman Empire. A few years later, Consul Germanicus made three campaigns for the Rhine in order to suppress the insurgent tribes. But it was, rather, an act of revenge, rather than a politically justified step.

Legions never again risked basing on Germanic lands permanent fortifications. Thus, the battle in the Teutoburg Forest stopped the spread of Roman aggression to the north and north-east.

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

The film "Herman Herusky - Battle in the Teutoburg Forest"

According to the history of the battle, many books have been written, among them art ones, for example, "Legionary" by Louis Rivera. And in 1967, according to the described plot was filmed. This is to some extent a symbolic picture, because it is a joint production of Germany (then Germany) and Italy. The importance of cooperation will be clear if you consider that Italy, in fact, - the heiress of the Roman Empire, and in Germany at the time of fascism, the victory of Arminius, considered a national hero, was extolled in every possible way.

The result of the joint project was a very good movie from the point of view of historical certainty, in which the battle in the Teutoburg Forest is shown. It is attractive for the audience not only this, but also the talented play of such actors as Cameron Mitchell, Hans von Borsodi, Antonella Lualdi and others. In addition, it is a very dynamic and spectacular picture, and shooting numerous battle scenes is admirable.