“How the Romans almost lost 3 legions in Germania”

“How the Romans almost lost 3 legions in Germania”

In 11 BC, Drusus, the Roman general, once again pushed into Germanic territory, advancing on the right bank of the Rhine. After encountering minimal resistance, he and his legions pressed forward, reaching the Weser River. However, their journey back would soon turn perilous. As Cassius Dio recounts, “Consequently, he proceeded no farther, but retired to friendly territory, encountering great dangers on the way. For the enemy harassed him everywhere by ambuscades, and once they shut him up in a narrow pass and all but destroyed his army; indeed, they would have annihilated them, had they not conceived a contempt for them, as if they were already captured and needed only the finishing stroke, and so came to close quarters with them in disorder.”

Using the element of surprise and the favorable terrain, the Germanic tribes—primarily the Cherusci—set a trap for the Romans in a narrow pass. Though the Romans were caught off guard, they managed to regroup and turned the tables during the Battle of Arbalo. The Germanic forces, overconfident after what they believed was an imminent victory, grew disorganized and began pushing into the Roman formations without any order. This led to a decisive defeat for the Germanic warriors.

Cassius Dio continues, “This led to their being worsted, after which they were no longer so bold, but kept up a petty annoyance of his troops from a distance, while refusing to come nearer. Drusus accordingly conceived a scorn of them in his turn and fortified a stronghold against them at the point where the Lupia and the Eliso unite, and also another among the Chatti on the bank of the Rhine.” Archaeological remains of these strongholds have been found in modern-day Germany.

Following this skirmish, Drusus ended his campaign in Germania for the time being and returned to Rome, where he was granted high honors for his achievements. However, this would not be the last time the Romans crossed the Rhine, as future campaigns would continue to test Roman dominance in the region.

If you’ve read this far, consider following me!

Art by Angus McBride!

.
.
.
.
.
.

.

.
.

Rome #RomanArmy #RomanLegion #RomanEmpire #SPQR #History #RomanHistory #AncientHistory #MilitaryHistory #greece #greek ##greekhistory #greekhistory #romeitaly #RomeoSantos #romania #romancebooks #vikings