History Hit - Battle Of TEUTOBURG Forest? - NO! NEVER!

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The Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 BC marked one of history's most consequential military disasters, fundamentally altering the relationship between Rome and Germania. In this devastating defeat, three entire Roman legions under Publius Quinctilius Varus were annihilated by Germanic tribes led by Arminius, a Cheruscan chieftain who had previously served as an auxiliary officer in the Roman army.

The roots of this conflict lay in Rome's expansionist ambitions east of the Rhine River. In 11 BC, Augustus Caesar had appointed Varus, an experienced but rigid administrator, to govern the newly established Roman territories in Germania. Varus's heavy-handed approach to administration and taxation created deep resentment among the Germanic tribes, providing Arminius with the perfect opportunity to unite various tribal groups against Roman authority.

Arminius, who had received a Roman military education and possessed Roman citizenship by 9 BC, masterfully exploited his unique position. He gained Varus's trust while secretly orchestrating a massive tribal uprising. When Varus received reports of a local rebellion, Arminius convinced him to divert his march through the unfamiliar Teutoburg Forest, rather than following the established Roman roads.

The forest proved to be the perfect trap. The Germanic warriors had prepared the battleground in advance, building earthen walls and choosing terrain that negated the Romans' superior tactical organization. As the Roman column stretched for miles through the narrow forest paths, Germanic warriors launched a series of coordinated attacks. The Romans, encumbered by their heavy equipment and unable to form their traditional battle formations, found themselves fighting a type of warfare for which they were ill-prepared.

The battle lasted several days, with the Romans attempting to break free from the ambush while enduring constant harassment from their attackers. The wet weather made their shields and armor heavier, while their bows became virtually useless. The Germanic fighters, familiar with the terrain and fighting in their preferred style, systematically destroyed the Roman forces. Varus, recognizing the magnitude of the defeat, took his own life, and nearly all of his soldiers were either killed or captured.

The impact of this defeat reverberated throughout the Roman Empire. Augustus, upon hearing the news in late 9 BC, reportedly banged his head against the walls of his palace, crying out "Quinctilius Varus, give me back my legions!" The battle effectively established the Rhine River as the empire's permanent frontier, ending Roman attempts to conquer Germania Magna. The lost legions' numbers (XVII, XVIII, and XIX) were never used again in the Roman army, a unique testament to the devastating nature of the defeat.

Archaeological discoveries have continued to enrich our understanding of the battle. Excavations at Kalkriese, near Osnabrück, have unearthed numerous Roman artifacts from 9 BC, including weapons, coins, and personal items, painting a vivid picture of the battle's final stages. These findings have helped confirm the location and verify historical accounts of the engagement.
The Battle of Teutoburg Forest represents more than just a military defeat; it marked a crucial turning point in European history. It ensured that Germania would remain independent of Roman rule, preserving its distinct cultural and linguistic traditions. This independence would later influence the development of medieval Europe and the eventual emergence of modern Germany. The battle also demonstrated the limitations of Roman power and the importance of understanding local terrain and warfare styles, lessons that remain relevant in military strategy to this day.

The legacy of the battle endures in both German and Roman historical consciousness. For Germans, it became a symbol of national identity and resistance to foreign domination, particularly during the 19th century AD. For the Romans, it served as a sobering reminder of the limits of imperial power and the dangers of underestimating one's opponents. The battle continues to fascinate historians and archaeologists, offering insights into ancient warfare, tribal politics, and the complex relationship between empire and resistance.

#history #controversyvideo #ancientrome

[metatronyt]

Join this channel to get access to more old school Metatron videos the algorithm wouldn't prioritize!

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[gehtdichnixan]

romans ... al gangsta untill the forest speaks germanic

[outdoorsythings]

Rumor Metatron woke up every night in a cold sweat, yelling out. " Varus Give Me Back My Legions".... after he discovered this great loss of the roman empire. Took him many many weeks to come to grips with this. I sir salute you for making what i can only imagine was a painful video.
Be interesting to see if my ancestors and yours were there. Different sides as im German.

[ferociousgustafson]

In France, a Teutoburger with cheese is called a Waterloo avec fromage.

[randomdude]

The point is: Even though Germanicus later won a series of battles against the Germanics, after the Battle of Teutoburg Rome never again tried to make Germania Magna a Roman Province and thus the Rhine became the fixed border of the Empire. If Rome had won that battle we might have seen a latinized/romanized Germany just like what happened to Gaul. And maybe Western Rome would have fallen way later because they would not have the trouble with the raids of Germanic tribes that would become a big problem for the late Empire.

So in this regard Teutoburg still is one of the mayor battles that changed/defined history.

[nicolaiby]

I like how you can tell Metatron is *ever so slightly* salty about it 2000 years later lol

Can't really blame him, that's 3 perfectly good legions rotting away in some German forest; that'd piss off any good Roman.

[TetsuShima]

Courier: "I was in the 19th Legion with Varus in Germania, Caesar..."
Augustus: "Was? Have you been transferred?"
*Top 10 moments before Absolute Rage*

[chatnoir]

As a barbarian born in today's Germania Magna, I have to say that I am quite delighted by this Roman's saltiness persisting about 2000 years later. Still hearing the dark forest's spirits whisper and seeing the trees suddenly having eyes...;)? I am thankful for the courage and intelligence of Arminius the cheruski, son of Sigimir.

Lībiþ þu wiðerstanda þēra frījōnō mannō gegn thām galōnskundaz þes gadulgīs guda reikiz!

Joke, love you mate <3

[goldenhawk]

It should be noted that this defeat was a major factor that led to Rome deciding Germania was not worth conquering, and thus the Germans keeping their culture and language. Eventually the Germans brought their language to England, where it evolved into the English we speak today. The effects are even felt to this day... with Metatron speaking on Youtube in a GERMANIC language.

[lingling]

As a german from cologne, I have grown up with stories of the roman empire and history of my home, I feel a deep personal connection to this city and therefore also feel a connection to the roman society that founded this city. I loved watching this and I loved learning more about our ancestors. Them being german, roman or maybe both (since the roman population mixed with franks when they took over). St. Martin, a roman legionaire that converted to christianity is one of our culturally most important figures, celebrated every year on november 11th. where children carry lanterns, enact his deeds as a legionaire, and sing songs about him in our local ripuarian dialect. I hope you found this interesting and that I could give a little bit back for all the passionate content you put out there that I love.

[TheColonelKlink]

"Quintilius Varus, Give me back my legions!"

[Konterfeit]

In the Asterix comic, whenever someone asks the conquered gauls under roman occupation about Alesia, they all respond with something like "Alesia? What is this Alesia? Never heard of it! What even happened at Alesia?". That's the vibes I'm getting here.

[nLocky]

Als die Römer frech geworden, Sim serim sim sim sim sim

[abcdef-csjj]

It's not a betrayal. The Romans conquered these lands and these people fought back. If Carthage had conquered southern Italy and there'd have been a revolt, would we call it a 'betrayal'?
A betrayal would have been for Arminius to fight his own people alongside their enemies.

[derskalde]

I mean, to my knowledge, they never used the Numbers of those Legions ever again. So I'd say it was quite the catastrophic defeat and left quite a scar on the Romans.

[patrickomeagher]

When I studied in Kassel, Germany. my roommate was from Paderborn, not far from the Teutoburger forest. I remember him and some of my other local friends talking about the battle after a National Geographic article on it was published. They affectionately refer to Arminius as 'Hermann the German' and he's considered a local hero. There's even a grandiose statue honoring him near Detmold (3:05). I visited Mainz and Cologne and remember seeing many Roman relics. There's a museum right next to Cologne's famous cathedral built over the remains of a Rman villa, with a very well preserved mosaic on display in the basement that's in it's original place. You can even tour the Roman ruins under the cathedral and some of the larger medieval churches. I remember a guide stating that there aren't many tunnels, basements, or underground garages in Cologne because it is impossible to dig anywhere without coming across ruins and relics. I've really got to make it to Italy some day because the Roman empire was amazing.

[Thunderbird]

You know, the Teutoburg-Forest is very near where I live. Back in school, we learnd all about the epic battle of Varus and Arminius. If you ever plan to take a trip to Germany, you should definetly visit the Teutoburg-Forest. Sometimes you can still feel the magic of the ancient cheruscan druids there :D

[frankhainke]

The German tribes did not want to have a state or a leader. They accepted them only in times of war. But Arminius was in Rome. And he thought he could become a Germanic Caesar. But when the battles was won they did not want him as leader any longer. So for Arminius it was a victory and a lost at the same time.

[attewoode]

Metatron’s reactions in the first few minutes reminded me of Geriatrix in the Asterix comics. “Alesia? Never heard of it! I don’t even know where it is! So there!”

[GermanicDutchEnjoyer]

Tacitus wrote: So long has Germany withstood the arms of Rome. During this long interval many mutual wounds have been inflicted. Not the Samnite, the Carthaginian, Spain, Gaul, or Parthia, have given more frequent alarms; for the liberty of the Germans is more vigorous than the monarchy of the Arsacidae. What has the East, which has itself lost Pacorus, and suffered an overthrow from Ventidius, to boast against us, but the slaughter of Crassus? But the Germans, by the defeat or capture of Carbo, Cassius, Scaurus Aurelius, Servilius Caepio, and Cneius Manlius, deprived the Roman people of five consular armies; and afterwards took from Augustus himself Varus with three legions. Nor did Caius Marius in Italy, the deified Julius in Gaul, or Drusus, Nero, or Germanicus in their own country, defeat then without loss. The subsequent mighty threats of Caligula terminated in ridicule. Then succeeded tranquillity; till, seizing the occasion of our discords and civil wars, they forced the winter-quarters of the legions, and even aimed at the possession of Gaul; and, again expelled thence, they have in latter times been rather triumphed over than vanquished.