TRIBE: Cherusci REGION: Germania ROMANS KILLED: Over ARMINIUS 30,000 The Germanic barbarians had a strong connection to nature, worshipping and performing rituals in sacred groves and other natural locations rather than in temples. After Arminius’ defeat in the forest the highest ranked centurions were ritually burned as a gift to the gods who had given Arminius victory in battle. A stolen son of Germany becomes a betrayer of Rome Born in Germania around fighting in campaigns began to think of rebellion, 18 BC, Arminius and his throughout the Eastern but with loyalties on both brother Flavus were heirs provinces, and was sides, Arminius would have of a high-ranking Cherusci eventually promoted to the to tread carefully. He family. Like many German elite Equestrian Order, the secretly gathered support tribes, warfare was a way most exalted group in from neighboring tribes in of life for the Cherusci, but Rome besides the Senate. order to form a German after the tribe’s defeat, coalition to stand up to the Around AD 7, Arminius was the boys were both sent to occupiers. Arminius had the dispatched back to his Rome as hostages, per advantage of knowing the homeland in Germania to custom designed to strengths and weaknesses of help keep the peace. Romanize the barbarians. the Roman army, but that There he found his people In Rome, they were would not be enough to heavily taxed by the educated, trained as Roman governor, Varus, soldiers and given Roman Physically massive wild and treated as slaves. It citizenship. Arminius rose tribesmen: bearded, pale wasn’t long before he skinned, dark-haired and through the military ranks, ruggedly dressed in wolf furs. face legions of trained centuries-long barbarian River, where the opposing soldiers. He needed a rebellion against Rome armies prepared for a clever plan; what followed that was spreading pitched battle. was an epic double cross across Europe. After the In the ensuing fight, that completely changed battle, Arminius became Arminius was injured. the game for Rome in leader of the Cherusci Realizing that he was being Germania. and returned to the life targeted, he smeared of a true German. But Arminius and his allies blood from his wound the Romans desired designed an ambush that across his face, masking his revenge. The great would give the barbarians appearance, and general Germanicus, an advantage against the withdrew to higher ground. and Arminius’ own legions that outnumbered With Arminius in retreat, the brother Flavus pursued them. In the Battle of Romans had won. Many Arminius through the Teutoburg Forest (AD 9), Germans were slain and forests of Germania for Arminius’ guerilla tactics others tried to flee by over 2 years. A series of caught Rome off guard. It swimming across the river. bloody clashes were was one of Rome’s most indecisive. But then This defeat marked the humiliating defeats, and it Arminius’ wife, end of Arminius’s rebellion, turned the tide of the Thusnelda, was and at the age of 39, he kidnapped. Incensed, was murdered, betrayed Arminius brought his by a member of his own soldiers to the Weser family. About the Actor Tom Hopper Black Sails (Starz), Merlin (BBC), Doctor Who (BBC) .