19 Facts About Arminius

Arminius was a chieftain of the Germanic Cherusci tribe who is best known for commanding an alliance of Germanic tribes at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, in which three Roman legions under the command of general Publius Quinctilius Varus were destroyed.

Arminius learned Latin and served in the Roman military, which gained him Roman citizenship and the rank of eques.

Etymology of the Latin name Arminius is unknown; confusion is further created by contemporary scholars who alternately referred to him as Armenus.

In German, Arminius was traditionally known as Hermann der Cherusker or Hermann der Cheruskerfurst ("Hermann the Cheruscan Prince").

Arminius learned to speak Latin and joined the Roman military alongside his younger brother Flavus.

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Arminius served in the Roman army between 1 and 6 AD, and received a military education as well as Roman citizenship and the status of equite before returning to Germania.

Around the year 4 AD, Arminius assumed command of a Cheruscan detachment of Roman auxiliary forces, probably while fighting in the Pannonian wars on the Balkan peninsula.

Arminius began plotting to unite various Germanic tribes in order to thwart Roman efforts to incorporate their lands into the empire.

Arminius saw this as the perfect opportunity to defeat Varus.

Arminius faced opposition from his father-in-law and other pro-Roman Germanic leaders.

Arminius died two years later, in 21 AD, murdered by opponents within his own tribe who felt that he was becoming too powerful.

Tiberius allegedly had refused an earlier offer from a Chatti nobleman to poison Arminius: "It was not by secret treachery but openly and by arms that the people of Rome avenged themselves on their enemies.

Arminius deeply grieved the capture of Thusnelda and did not marry again.

Tacitus recorded that Arminius was "driven to frenzy" by the loss of his beloved wife.

Arminius flew hither and thither among the Cherusci, demanding "war against Segestes, war against Cæsar.

Arminius was not the only reason for Rome's change of policy towards Germania.

Italicus, nephew of Arminius, was appointed king of the Cherusci; Vangio and Sido became vassal princes of the powerful Suebi, etc.

In Germany, the name Arminius was interpreted as reflecting the name Hermann by Martin Luther, who saw Arminius as a symbol of the German people and their fight against Rome.

In East Germany, Arminius, based on a Marxist reading of history, came to be seen as a revolutionary figure of sorts, leading German tribes in a fight against the Roman slaveholder society.