The Cherusci noble Arminius (c. 18 BCE - 19 CE) led the resistance to Roman conquest of Germania during the years 9-16 CE. Likely raised as a child hostage in Rome, Arminius gained command of a German auxiliary cohort in the Roman army. Posted on the Rhine, Arminius served under the command of Governor Publius Q. Varus. Varus' task was to complete the conquest of Germania but his rough-handed methods and demands for tax incited the tribes into revolt. Seeing his countrymen oppressed by the Romans, Arminius became the leader of the rebels. In 9 CE Arminius lured Varus into an ambush in the Teutoburg Forest. Varus fell on his sword as his legions were decimated around him. It was one of Rome's worst defeats and caused Emperor Augustus (r. 27 BCE - 14 CE) to abandon the conquest of Germania.
More about: ArminiusDefinition
Timeline
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c. 18 BCE - 19 CELife of Cherusci noble Arminius.
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15 BCE - 19 CELife of Roman general Germanicus.
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6 CEPublius Quinctilius Varus is made governor of Germania.
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9 CEThe Rhine River is established as the boundary between the Latin and German speaking worlds, following the defeat of the Roman army, under the command of Varus, at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.
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15 CEGermanicus leads 12,000 men across the Rhine to attack the Chatti.
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26 May 17 CERoman emperor Tiberius grants Germanicus a Triumph for his military victories across the Rhine.
