Pourquoi la conquête romaine de la Germanie a-t-elle échoué ? [QdH#50]

Summary

En 1865, la France inaugure une statue de Vercingétorix, symbole de la résistance contre la domination romaine. Cette époque voit l'émergence de figures nationales épiques en Europe, comme Boudicca en Angleterre ou Viriate en Espagne. En Allemagne, Arminius devient un héro national avec l'inauguration du Hermann Monument en 1875. Le script explore l'histoire de la défaite des Romains par les tribus germaniques conduites par Arminius lors de la Bataille de la Forêt de Teutoburg, en 9 av. J.-C., et son impact sur l'Empire romain. Il décrit les tentatives ultérieures des Romains pour contrôler la Germanie et la fin tragique d'Arminius, montrant comment la défaite de Varus ébranla l'ambition romaine en Germanie.

Takeaways

• 🗽 Le 19ème siècle voit le développement de l'épopée nationale dans de nombreux états européens, utilisant des figures de l'Antiquité pour exalter le sentiment patriotique.
• 🏺 En France, Vercingétorix, en Angleterre, Boudicca et en Espagne, Viriate sont invoqués comme des figures historiques incarnant la résistance à la domination romaine.
• 📍 En Allemagne, Arminius est célébré dans le contexte de l'unification allemande, avec l'inauguration du Monument Hermann en 1875.
• 🏛️ La bataille des Forêts Teutoburges, au début du 1er siècle de notre ère, est une humiliation terrible pour l'Empire romain, forçant Rome à abandonner la Germanie récemment conquise.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Auguste, après avoir pris le pouvoir, établit le Principat et partage le contrôle du monde romain avec le Sénat, en s'assurant le contrôle des armées grâce aux provinces impériales.
• 🌳 La Germanie, terre étrangère aux Romains, est peuplée de tribus germaniques qui vivent dans des forêts denses ou des marais inexplorés.
• 🗺️ Les premières rencontres entre Romains et Germains datent du 2ème siècle avant J.C., avec des défaites importantes pour les légions romaines.
• 🛡️ Jules César crée le terme 'German' pour distinguer les peuples au-delà du Rhin des peuples celtes de la Gaule.
• 🏰 Auguste et ses successeurs tentent de conquérir et d'assimiler la Germanie, en utilisant des stratégies militaires et politiques, y compris la prise d'otages et la fondation de villes.
• 🔥 Arminius, ayant été éduqué à Rome et intégré dans l'armée romaine, trahira la cité éternelle en unissant les tribus germaniques pour la Bataille des Forêts Teutoburges.
• 🏹 La défaite de Varus à la Bataille des Forêts Teutoburges est un tournant, marquant la fin des ambitions romaines en Germanie et ouvrant la voie à une approche diplomatique plutôt que militaire.

Q & A

Qui est Vercingétorix et pourquoi est-il célèbre en France?

Vercingétorix est un chef gaulois célèbre pour sa résistance contre la domination romaine. Il est considéré comme un symbole de la défense de l'indépendance nationale en France.

Quel est le lien entre les statues érigées en l'honneur de Vercingétorix en France et d'Arminius en Allemagne?

Les deux statues sont des symboles nationaux représentant la résistance contre l'expansion romaine. Elles ont été érigées pour exalter le sentiment patriotique au cours du 19ème siècle.

Quelle est la signification de la bataille d'Alésia dans l'histoire de la France?

La bataille d'Alésia est un événement clé dans l'histoire de la France car elle marque la fin de la résistance gauloise et le début de la domination romaine sur la Gaule.

Pourquoi les Romains ont-ils considéré les Germains comme des barbares?

Les Romains ont considéré les Germains comme des barbares car ils étaient étrangers au système politique de la cité-état et vivaient en tribus ou confédérations, ce qui contrastait avec la structure sociale et politique romaine.

Quel est le rôle de Drusus dans l'histoire de la conquête de la Germanie par les Romains?

Drusus a joué un rôle crucial en conquérant la Germanie jusqu'à l'Elbe et en établissant une base solide pour les légions romaines. Il a été surnommé Germanicus en raison de ses exploits.

Comment Arminius a-t-il réussi à unifier les tribus germaniques contre les Romains?

Arminius a réussi à unifier les tribus germaniques en jouant un double rôle, en rendant service à Rome tout en rasant des alliances secrètes avec les chefs germaniques. Il a également profité de la méfiance des Germains envers Rome pour orchestrer une révolte.

Quelle est la conséquence de la victoire d'Arminius à la bataille des Forêts Teutoburg?

La victoire d'Arminius a entraîné la destruction de trois légions romaines et a forcé les Romains à abandonner la Germanie. C'est considéré comme une humiliation majeure pour l'Empire romain.

Quel est le rôle de Germanicus dans la réaction romaine à la défaite de Varus?

Germanicus a joué un rôle clé en menant une campagne punitive en Germanie pour venger la défaite de Varus. Il a donné un sépulcre approprié aux soldats tombés et a finalement vaincu Arminius à Idistaviso.

Pourquoi Rome a-t-elle abandonné ses ambitions en Germanie après la défaite de Varus?

Après la défaite de Varus, Rome a reconnu que la Germanie était difficile à contrôler et a décidé de se concentrer sur la défense de ses frontières existantes au lieu de poursuivre des conquêtes en Germanie.

Comment Rome a-t-elle maintenu son influence sur les tribus germaniques après la bataille des Forêts Teutoburg?

Rome a maintenu son influence sur les tribus germaniques en utilisant la diplomatie et en distribuant des subventions et des cadeaux diplomatiques pour soutenir les factions pro-romaines parmi les tribus.

Quelle est la signification de la demande des Cherusques à l'empereur Claude pour un leader?

La demande des Cherusques à l'empereur Claude pour un leader montre que Rome avait réussi à intégrer les tribus germaniques dans son orbite grâce à sa politique étrangère. L'envoi d'Italicus, le neveu d'Arminius, comme leader des Cherusques est un exemple de cette intégration.

Outlines

00:00

🗽 L'épopée nationale et la résistance à Rome

Le paragraphe 1 explore le développement de l'épopée nationale au XIXe siècle en Europe, en particulier en France avec la statue de Vercingétorix, et en Allemagne avec le Monument d'Hermann. Ces figures historiques incarnent la résistance à la domination romaine. On retrace également l'établissement de l'empire romain par Auguste, et la situation géopolitique de la Germanie, terre 'barbare' aux frontières de l'Empire, avec ses peuples germaniques organisés en tribus.

05:00

🏰 Les débuts de la conquête romaine en Germanie

Le paragraphe 2 détaille les premières incursions des Romains en Germanie, les défaites subies contre les Cimbres et les Teutons, et la stratégie de conquête de Jules César. Il explique également les tentatives d'Auguste pour annexer la Germanie, les campagnes de Drusus et de Tibère, et les efforts de pacification et d'assimilation des tribus germaniques.

10:01

🔥 La trahison d'Arminius et la catastrophe de Varus

Le paragraphe 3 décrit la trahison d'Arminius, un chef germanique éduqué à Rome, qui retourne contre les Romains et orchestre une embuscade qui aboutit à la destruction de trois légions romaines sous le commandement de Varus. Cette défaite, connue sous le nom de 'clades Variana', est un désastre pour l'Empire romain et a des conséquences profondes sur la politique et la perception de la Germanie.

15:02

🏹 Les conséquences de la défaite et les tentatives ultérieures de conquête

Le paragraphe 4 relate les efforts de Germanicus pour venger la défaite de Varus et pour tenter de reprendre le contrôle de la Germanie, ainsi que les campagnes ultérieures qui aboutissent à l'abandon de la Germanie par Rome. Il explique également comment Rome a adapté sa stratégie en utilisant la diplomatie pour maintenir une influence sur les tribus germaniques, malgré la perte territoriale.

Keywords

💡Vercingétorix

Vercingétorix était le chef gaulois qui a mené la rébellion contre la domination romaine. Dans le script, il est mentionné comme l'un des personnages historiques invoqués pour exalter le sentiment patriotique en France, symbolisant la résistance à l'avancée de la domination romaine.

💡Boudicca

Boudicca, également mentionnée dans le script, est une figure historique britannique connue pour sa révolte contre les Romains. Elle incarne la résistance et le patriotisme, reflétant le thème de la résistance contre la domination étrangère.

💡Arminius

Arminius, également connu sous le nom de Hermann, est présenté comme un héros de la Germanie qui a défait les Romains dans la Bataille de la Forêt de Teutoburg. Il représente la figure unifiante de la résistance germanique et est célébré dans le contexte de l'unification allemande.

💡Principat

Le Principat est le système politique instauré par Auguste qui marque la transition de la République romaine vers l'Empire. Dans le script, il est lié à l'ambition d'Auguste de donner à Rome un imperium sine fine, c'est-à-dire un empire sans fin.

💡Germania

Germania désigne le territoire occupé par les peuples germaniques à l'est du Rhin. Dans le script, il est décrit comme un territoire vaste et peu connu pour les Romains, souvent considéré comme barbare et difficile à conquérir.

💡Deditio

La deditio est un terme romain qui désigne la reddition des vaincus à la merci du vainqueur. Dans le contexte du script, c'est le processus par lequel les tribus germaniques étaient incitées à se soumettre à Rome après la conquête.

💡Clades Variana

La clades Variana est le terme utilisé pour désigner la défaite subie par les Romains sous le commandement du général Varus dans la Bataille de la Forêt de Teutoburg. C'est un événement clé qui marque un tournant dans les ambitions de Rome en Germanie.

💡Tiberius

Tiberius est le successeur d'Auguste comme empereur romain. Dans le script, il est mentionné comme ayant repris le contrôle de la situation après la clades Variana et comme ayant abandonné toute tentative de rétablir le contrôle sur la Germanie.

💡Germanicus

Germanicus est le neveu de l'empereur Auguste et le fils de Drusus. Dans le script, il est décrit comme ayant mené une campagne en Germanie pour venger la clades Variana et comme ayant été rappelé à Rome par Tiberius après sa défaite d'Arminius à Idistaviso.

💡Segestes

Segestes est un chef de la tribu des Cherusques qui est mentionné dans le script comme étant un soutien de Rome. Il est le père de la femme d'Arminius et a tenté de prévenir Varus contre la trahison d'Arminius, en vain.

💡Maroboduus

Maroboduus est le roi des Marcomannes mentionné dans le script. Arminius a tenté de le gagner à sa cause après sa victoire, mais Maroboduus a refusé et est resté neutre, illustrant la complexité des alliances tribales en Germanie.

Highlights

Statue of Vercingetorix erected on Mount Auxois in 1865 symbolizes national epic development.

Ancient figures like Vercingetorix, Boudicca, and Viriate represent resistance against Roman domination.

The Hermann Monument of Arminius in Germany represents a challenge to France and unified Germany's hero.

The Roman Empire's humiliation by Arminius in the Battle of Teutoburg Forest is known as the clades Variana.

Augustus established the Principate and aimed for an imperium sine fine, an empire without end.

Germania was considered barbaric by Romans and was inhabited by Germanic tribes with non-hereditary leadership.

First Roman-German encounter in the late 2nd century BCE with the Cimbri and Teutons.

Julius Caesar's campaigns against the Germanic leader Ariovistus and the term 'German' was coined by him.

Agrippa's operations on the Rhine and the founding of Cologne marked Roman expansion.

Drusus's conquests up to the Elbe earned him the title Germanicus, later passed to his son.

Tiberius continued the Roman expansion and pacification in Germania after Drusus's death.

The process of provincialization in Germania aimed to transform it into a Roman province.

Arminius, a German chief's son, was raised in Rome and became a Roman citizen and military leader.

Arminius's betrayal of Rome led to the defeat of Varus' legions in the Teutoburg Forest.

The disaster of Varus shocked the Roman world, and Augustus feared a German invasion.

Tiberius's stabilization of the Rhine sector and the triumph without battle washed away the disgrace.

Germanicus's campaign in Germania resulted in a proper burial for the fallen soldiers of Varus.

Arminius was ultimately defeated at Idistaviso, and Tiberius recalled Germanicus to Rome.

The disaster of Varus led to Rome abandoning its ambitions in Germania and focusing on diplomacy.

Emperor Claudius's appointment of Italicus, Arminius's nephew, marked Roman foreign policy's success.

Transcripts

France. August 27, 1865. A statue of Vercingetorix is erected on Mount Auxois, the presumed site

of the Battle of Alesia. The 19th century marks the development of the national epic

for many European states. To achieve this, figures from the ancient world are invoked

to exalt patriotic sentiment. The French have Vercingetorix,

the British have Boudicca, the Spanish have Viriate. Their commonality: these historical figures

embody resistance against the advance of Roman domination. On the other side

of the Rhine, the figure of Arminius is invoked in the context of German unification

. On August 16, 1875,

the ambitious project of sculptor Ernst von Bandel finally comes to fruition. The monumental statue

depicting Arminius, the Hermann Monument, is inaugurated in the presence of William I

in the heart of the Teutoburg Forest. The statue, facing west, poses

as a challenge to France. Unified Germany now has its own hero.

Indeed, at the beginning of the 1st century AD, the Roman Empire suffered a terrible humiliation

at the hands of Arminius' Germanic tribes in the Battle of Teutoburg Forest. Rome had to abandon

the recently conquered Germania. This event is known as the clades Variana - the

disaster of Varus, named after the Roman general who commanded the defeated troops. Let's revisit

this significant episode of 1st-century Rome, examining its causes and its

impact on the Roman Empire.

By the end of the 1st century BC, the Roman world had undergone profound changes.

Power struggles among the imperatores the great generals of the Republic

had been resolved through civil wars, and from this turbulent period, the nephew and

posthumously adopted son of Julius Caesar emerged victorious. Octavian, now known as Augustus, took advantage

to establish a more personal rule, laying the foundations of the Principate. In -27, he obtained from the senators

an extraordinary imperium for 10 years, granting him command over a number of provinces.

Augustus, as he was now called, shared control of the Roman world with the Senate.

On one hand, there were senatorial provinces administered by governors appointed for one year

by the Senate; on the other hand, there were imperial provinces over which Augustus exercised

tight control, as he appointed the governors for an indefinite period.

With this choice, Augustus ensured control over the armies since only the imperial provinces

were provided with troops. Furthermore, these provinces

on the limits of the Roman world, allowing Augustus to appear as an intermediary

that is essential to ensuring Rome's universal domination. Augustus now embodies

the ambition to give Rome an imperium sine fine, an empire without end.

On the right bank of the Rhine stretches a vast and unfamiliar territory

to the Romans, inhabited by "barbarians" taking refuge in dense forests

or impenetrable marshes.

Germania is bounded to the west by the Rhine, to the east by the Vistula,

to the north by the Jutland Peninsula and the Baltic Sea, and to the south by the Danube. This territory

is crossed by several major rivers: the Ems, the Weser, the Elbe, and the Oder.

Considered barbaric by the Romans, the Germanic peoples are foreign to the political system

of the city-state. Germanic societies organize themselves into tribes or at most confederations.

It is difficult to define their boundaries, as the Germanic world is in constant flux

and reconfiguration. A tribe is typically led by a chief, considered

the most capable, but whose power, limited in time, is not hereditary.

Tribal assemblies are where the chief is chosen, and where decisions

regarding justice, alliances, war, and peace are made.

The first encounter between Romans and Germans takes place in the late 2nd century BCE. The

Cimbri and the Teutons, coming from the Jutland Peninsula, reach Transalpine Gaul. The Roman legions

suffer several defeats, including the heaviest one in -105, opening the way to

Italy. However, Marius—the dominant political figure at the time—stops the threat. He crushes

the Teutons near Aix-en-Provence, then the Cimbri in Vercellae.

These events traumatize the Romans and firmly establish the negative image of the Germans

in the Roman imagination. The Germans are feared for their ferocity and brutality; in the eyes of

the Romans, they lack sobrietas, meaning self-control. Then,

at the beginning of the Gallic War, Julius Caesar defeats the Germanic leader Ariovistus, who had

crossed the Rhine to aid an allied tribe. Caesar repels them to their homeland

for the first time. A few years later, Caesar leads legions across the right bank of the Rhine. This lightning campaign of only 18 days allows the imperator

to appear to the Roman public as a conqueror venturing to the edge

of the known world. He repeats this feat in -53 to punish the Germans who support

a rebellion. It is Caesar who is responsible for the term "German." This invention solely

The term "Germanic" was used to classify the peoples living beyond the Rhine in order to distinguish them from the Celtic peoples of Gaul. This Germanic threat allowed them to justify their actions.

In Gaul in order to establish themselves in Roman politics. Around -38, Augustus' right-hand man, Agrippa, carried out operations on the Rhine and founded

a city, present-day Cologne. At the end of the century, tensions were palpable: the

Germans massacred Roman citizens who came to trade, prompting the Gaul's legate to

intervene. In -16, a defeat against the Germans pushed Augustus to

go to Gaul and establish an action plan to annex Germania. He entrusted his

son-in-law Tiberius with the mission of subduing Rhaetia, Noricum, and Pannonia to

secure the Danube borders. Tiberius's brother, Drusus, on the other hand, was based

on the Rhine to successfully conquer Germania, at least up to the Elbe.

He first established a solid base on the Rhine by founding numerous legionnaire camps.

He also had a canal dug, connecting the Rhin to Lake Flevo: the fossa Drusiana, and

ensured control of the river mouths with a fleet. He penetrated

Germania by following the river valleys, subduing the tribes one by one. In just

one year, Drusus reached the Elbe. But on the way back, he was injured in a

horse fall, a fatal injury. - His exploits earned him the title of Germanicus, the great

conqueror of the Germans. This nickname is passed on to his eldest son, who is also destined

to bear arms in Germania. Tiberius, who during these years had subdued the Pannonians

and led the legions to the Danube, replaced his brother on the Germanic front.

He continued the work of expansion and pacification. Tiberius urged the remaining tribes

He continued the work of expansion and pacification. Tiberius urged the remaining tribes to surrender - a deditio, a surrender

where the defeated surrender to the mercy of the victor. After 5 years

of conquest, Germania seems to be on the verge of being subdued, and Tiberius returns triumphantly

to Rome.

After the conquest, Germania enters a new phase: provincialization,

a process that leads to the transformation of a foreign country into a Roman province. This process

is slow and can take several decades to be fully stabilized. For example, in Gaul, between Julius Caesar's conquest and the organization of the provinces by

Augustus, nearly 35 years elapsed. In order to unite the Germans around imperial worship,

an altar is erected in Cologne. This altar serves to gather delegates

from each tribe to pay homage to the emperor, thus marking their allegiance

to Rome. In order to keep the tribes peaceful and win over their elites, Rome demands

hostages systematically, who are sent to the capital to receive an education

in the Greco-Roman tradition. This practice aims to assimilate the tribal elites

into Latin culture, to make them more obedient to Roman rule. The establishment

of a new city in the heart of Germania following Roman urban planning

highlights the imperial power's desire to make the city model the framework for

the lives of the new provincial populations. However, the need to conduct campaigns

to maintain control over Germania is still relevant. Troubles regularly erupt

regarding tax demands to which the populations refuse.

to comply. Therefore, Tiberius returns to Germania to restore order. His

success allows him to consider a vast offensive from Germania and the Upper Danube

against the Marcomanni established in Bohemia. But a major revolt breaks out

throughout Illyria. The uprisings push Tiberius to hastily conclude a treaty

of peace with Maroboduus, the Marcomanni king, and to turn back.

It is in this context that Publius Varus succeeds Tiberius to manage the affairs

of Germania. Close to the imperial family, he has already proven himself as a proconsul

of Africa and legate of Syria. Varus sets out to fulfill his role as governor: he

imposes taxes, administers justice, and establishes Roman law as the sole source

of law. He stations garrisons throughout the country to maintain order

and subject the population to military recruitment in order to integrate them as auxiliary

troops into the Roman army. He is thus in charge of a veritable

fiscal, judicial, and military arsenal, in essence, a full-fledged administration deployed

to anchor Germania to the rest of the Roman world. The governor is surrounded by

an officium, a council composed of numerous officials mainly from the ranks

of the army.

Among the officium is a young German named Arminius, who has the governor's ear. Arminius is originally a Cherusci,

a Germanic tribe settled along the Weser River. He is the son of

the tribe's chief. As part of his alliance with the Romans, his father sends his two sons - Arminius and Flavus - as hostages,

to be raised in Rome. The two sons distinguish themselves in their careers

within the army. Arminius is given command of an auxiliary regiment during

the wars in Pannonia. He is rewarded with Roman citizenship

and even joins the equestrian order - one of the two highest orders, along with the senatorial

order, which holds the highest positions in society. The second son, Flavus, reaches the rank of

centurion within the legion. Thus, through the hostage policy, Arminius' entire family is drawn into the Roman orbit.

However, despite his education and integration into power networks, Arminius will make a radical choice: to betray

Rome. This choice is still debated: was Arminius motivated by a genuine desire

to free the Germans from Roman rule? Or just driven by consuming personal ambition?

One thing is certain, Arminius' acculturation failed to make him

a pure product of Romanization attentive to Roman interests. On the contrary, it

provoked the opposite effect: a strong anti-Roman sentiment.

Back in Germania, he plays a double game. On one hand, he seeks to rally

Germanic chiefs against Rome, while continuing to serve and advise Varus.

To ensure the support of his own tribe, Arminius marries Thusnelda, the daughter of Segestes, a Cherusci chief

who is a pro-Roman supporter. The rivalry between Arminius and

Segestes leads the latter to futilely try to warn Varus of the uprising being prepared

by Arminius. But the governor has complete trust in his advisor and decides not to

pay attention to the warnings. Arminius manages to unite the tribes,

Arminius. But the governor has complete trust in his advisor and decides not to

pay attention to the warnings. Arminius manages to unite the tribes,

and devises an ambush to defeat Varus' legions. In the late summer of

the year 9, Varus and his legions, while touring the province, seek to return

to the safety of the Rhine legionary camps for the winter. The trap is sprung when

Arminius convinces the governor to deviate from their initial route to suppress a

supposed uprising. Arminius then takes the lead of Germanic cavalry scouts

to open the way for the three Roman legions. In reality, he alerts

the Germans lying in ambush in the Teutoburg Forest. The Roman line

stretches for several kilometers due to the terrain, trapped between marshes

and wooded hills. The meticulously planned trap set by Arminius closes.

The Romans do not see the hidden Germans suddenly attacking them. The terrain

and the element of surprise prevent the legions from reorganizing and maneuvering.

The battle lasts for 3 days during which the 17th, 18th, and 19th legions are massacred.

The Romans face incessant waves of enemies lying in wait

along the narrow forest path. Some attempt to flee but drown in

the marshes or are ultimately caught and executed. The disaster is

so severe that Varus commits suicide on the spot.

The losses are considerable: 3 legions, approximately 20,000 men, are killed or

captured. The losses are not only military, as civilians were also present. Families of the legionnaires,

were also present. The families of the legionnaires, freedmen, slaves, merchants, and artisans,

all these people who were part of the soldiers' daily lives, were part of

the column. Following their victory, the rebellious Germans assault and annihilate

the few remaining Roman garrisons in Germania. The Romans are pushed back beyond

the Rhine. After his victory, Arminius seeks to involve the Marcomanni in his revolt

and sends Varus' head to Maroboduus, hoping to win his support, but he refuses

and remains neutral.

The disaster of Varus is a terrible shock to the Roman world. Legend has it that Augustus,

grieved by the news, let his beard and hair grow for months, sometimes banging his head against the walls and screaming, "Quintilius Varus, give me back my legions!"

Augustus now fears that the victorious Germans will cross the Rhine and threaten the Empire. Tiberius is

immediately sent to the Rhine to stabilize the situation. He carries out several

operations aimed primarily at reorganizing the Rhine sector. This allows him to achieve

a triumph intended to wash away the disgrace. In reality, Tiberius doesn't go far

and doesn't engage in any battles. Upon Augustus' death, there is no official renunciation of Germania.

In his political testament, Augustus still claims to have "pacified the provinces

of Gaul and Spain, as well as Germania, those bordering the Ocean, from Gades to the mouth

of the Elbe."

Tiberius succeeds Augustus. He confirms the command of his nephew and adoptive son,

of the Elbe."

Tiberius succeeds Augustus. He confirms the command of his nephew and adoptive son,

Germanicus, on the Rhine. In 15 AD, Germanicus arrives in Germania with eight legions. He

comes to the aid of Segestes, the Cheruscan chief who married his daughter to Arminius, and who is

besieged by members of his own tribe. After the revolt, Arminius' family

falls apart, with Segestes openly opposing his son-in-law. Cornered, he seeks help

from Germanicus. As a sign of submission, Segestes hands over his own daughter and Arminius' wife

to Germanicus as a hostage. Germanicus then goes to the battlefield

of Teutoburg to give a proper burial to the fallen soldiers. He witnesses the horror

of the battlefield, with the ground strewn with bones and altars where tribunes and centurions were sacrificed.

As for Arminius, he engages in several skirmishes. He attempts to replicate

the feat of Teutoburg by surprising the army during the Battle of Pontes Longi.

Germanicus then embarks on a new campaign. This time, he travels by sea

and reaches the heart of Germania by sailing up the Weser River. The decisive encounter between the Roman army

and the Germanic forces takes place at Idistaviso. Arminius is ultimately defeated. It is then

that Tiberius recalls Germanicus to Rome, choosing to abandon any further attempts to

reassert control over Germania. On May 26, 17 AD, Germanicus enters Rome and

celebrates a triumph, during which he exhibits among the prisoners Thusnelda,

and the son she bore to Arminius.

Despite his defeat, Arminius takes advantage of the Roman retreat to turn against Marobod, whom he

accuses of being "a satellite of Caesar." Marobod is defeated but manages to find

asylum in Rome. Arminius, empowered by his victory, is, however, accused of aspiring to monarchy.

Members of the Cheruscan aristocracy refuse to accept that one man can monopolize

so much power. He is assassinated by his own tribe in 21. His successes, which

had brought him glory and prestige, ultimately became the cause of his downfall.

The disaster of Varus definitively undermines Rome's ambitions in Germania. Rome had not

experienced such a defeat since the one at Carrhae in 53 BCE, where Crassus and

his army were crushed by the Parthians. The mistake was underestimating the ability

of the Germans to unite under the leadership of a commander who was, nevertheless, from the ranks of the Roman army.

Tiberius brings the legions back to the Rhine and creates the province of Germania

on the left bank of the river, from a military district straddling Belgium

and the Lyonnais, in order to compensate for the territorial loss. However, while all conquest

was now excluded, diplomacy became the preferred instrument of imperial policy

towards the Germans. Through the distribution of subsidies and diplomatic gifts,

Rome sought to exert its hegemony over the Germanic tribes. It knew how to manipulate

divisions by skillfully supporting pro-Roman factions within the tribes. The tribal elites

were thus kept within the Roman orbit. In 47 CE, Emperor Claudius received

a request from the Cherusci tribe: they demanded a leader. Claudius sends Italicus, the nephew

of Arminius, to reign over the tribe. This act marked the success of Roman foreign policy,

which diplomatically managed to bring the Cherusci into the sphere of Roman influence.

218 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:19,790 I hope you enjoyed this video! As usual, if you want to support the channel, you can purchase

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