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Avenging Varus - The Germanic Wars [FULL DOCUMENTARY]

Invicta・84 minutes read

Romans sought vengeance for the defeat at Teutoburg by launching retaliatory campaigns against the Germanic tribes, eventually achieving victory despite internal political tensions and strategic challenges, with the legacy of Germanicus influencing Roman history and politics.

Insights

The defeat at Teutoburg had a lasting impact on Rome, fueling a desire for vengeance against the Germanic tribes.
Roman communication relied on the cursus publicus, enabling news to travel swiftly, such as Varus' severed head reaching Rome.
Tiberius' cautious retaliation against the Germanic tribes laid the groundwork for future Roman vengeance, despite facing criticism for being slow.
Germanicus' successful campaigns against the Germanic tribes led to significant Roman victories, but his recall marked a shift towards diplomacy over strength in Roman-German relations.

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What was the outcome of the Roman-German conflict?
Roman victory over Germanic tribes.

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Summary

00:00

Revenge: Rome's Response to Teutoburg Defeat

The defeat at Teutoburg haunted the Romans for centuries, leading to a desire for vengeance against the barbarians.
A documentary, "Aerial Odyssey Germany from Above," available on Magellan TV, showcases the Germanic landscape that shaped history.
The defeat's news reached Rome through a communication network, the cursus publicus, with riders traveling around 60 kilometers per day.
The severed head of Varus was sent to Rome, causing panic and fears of a barbarian invasion.
General Lucius Nunes Esperance repositioned legions to secure fortresses, while Arminius plotted with Germanic tribes.
The Germanic tribes attacked Roman outposts, with one garrison at Eliso holding out until a stormy night allowed their escape.
Rome reinforced defenses, and Tiberius, a trusted general, was chosen to lead the retaliation against the Germanic tribes.
Tiberius adopted a cautious approach, stabilizing the frontier and launching retaliatory raids to deter further attacks.
Tiberius' efforts faced criticism for being slow, but they laid the foundation for future vengeance against the tribes.
Tiberius was recalled due to Augustus' declining health, and upon his return, he celebrated a triumph, reassuring Rome of its strength.

14:04

Roman Victory: Germanicus' Triumph Over Germanic Tribes

Winter months spent planning next moves, processing reports from patrols, scouts, spies, and informants.
Strategy for the campaigning season of 15 AD focused on dismantling the united Germanic confederation.
Roman legions split into two groups: Alaska Kina Severus led a diversionary attack towards Arminius and the Terushi tribes, while Germanicus targeted the Chatti.
Chatti described as fierce opponents, but Roman planning and tactics led to a successful surprise attack.
Germanicus ravaged the Chatti, capturing or slaughtering all in his path, causing chaos in the region.
Germanicus then marched towards the Rhine, facing resistance from the Marsi, whom he defeated.
Phase 1 of the 15 AD strategy achieved, with the Chatti destroyed and other tribes cowed.
Phase 2 involved rescuing Sagestes, a pro-Roman chieftain, and his daughter, thus Nelda, from Arminius.
Roman victory in the battle before Sagestes' fort, leading to Sagestes and allies finding refuge.
Germanicus acclaimed Imperator for the successful rescue, but the operation also rallied Germanic tribes to Arminius' cause.

28:48

"Roman Legion Faces Peril, Triumphs"

Legionary work crews faced wet and muddy conditions, enduring constant attacks from slingstones and javelins.
Roman fortifications were targets for attacks, leading to dwindling defenders and progress setbacks.
General Kaikina's leadership was crucial in navigating the challenging situation.
Food supplies were dwindling, wounded and dying soldiers were accumulating, and morale was plummeting.
Kaikina called a meeting with senior leadership and engineers to devise a plan for progress.
The decision was made to march across partially completed bridge works to reduce enemy attacks.
A nightmare haunted Kaikina, hinting at impending danger.
The legions marched out in a square formation, facing challenges with the supply train getting bogged down.
The defensive square broke apart, leading to a devastating assault by Germanic forces.
Kaikina's quick thinking and counter-assault strategy turned the tide, leading to a Roman victory.

43:43

Germanicus Plans Roman Invasion of Germania

Germanicus led celebrations and award ceremonies to boost morale among Roman troops, fueling their desire for battle.
Germanic tribes to the east were also preparing for conflict, but were hindered by injuries and lack of resources.
Germanicus planned a two-pronged assault for the upcoming campaign season in 16 A.D.
A massive armada of over a thousand warships and transport vessels was constructed for the Roman invasion.
The Roman invasion force required a significant amount of supplies, equivalent to feeding a sizable city daily.
Germanicus sent a lieutenant to engage and neutralize the Chatti tribe, taking the warchief's wife hostage.
Germanicus relieved a Roman fort siege on the German side of the Rhine without bloodshed.
Roman forces built infrastructure for an overland assault while the fleet navigated the waterways of Germania.
The elite Batavian cavalry faced an ambush by Arminius' forces but were rescued by Roman cavalry.
Germanicus called for a retreat after a challenging battle, receiving crucial intelligence from a deserter in the German camp.

59:00

Roman Victory Over Germanic Tribes: Battle Summary

A Roman army consisting of Gallic and Germanic auxiliaries, archers, four legions, two Praetorian cohorts, light troops, and allied units, totaling over 100,000 men, prepared for battle.
Germanic tribes initiated an attack on the Roman front lines, with Arminius and the Trireushi leading the charge, but Germanicus anticipated this and used disposable troops as a breaker.
Germanicus then sent forth cavalry to assault the flank and rear, with elite riders smashing into the melee by the forest's edge, causing chaos among the Germanic forces.
Eight eagles, symbolizing each legion, flew over the battlefield, inspiring Germanicus to lead the Roman army in a mass advance, overwhelming the Germanic tribes.
The Roman victory was significant, with many Germanic soldiers slaughtered, and the Romans covering 10 miles with arms and dead bodies.
A massive trophy was constructed by the Romans, adorned with the gear of the defeated, shields, spears, swords, chainmail, and helmets, with plaques bearing the names of the defeated tribes.
Despite the Roman victory, surviving Germanic tribes, led by Arminius, burned with anger and planned a final attempt at victory, retreating to marshy, forested terrain near the Weser River.
Roman scouts reported the Germanic fortifications and plans to Germanicus, who saw an opportunity to end the conflict decisively, leading the Roman army in a frontal assault on the Germanic position.
The battle ensued with Roman artillery fire, followed by legions assaulting the earthworks, Praetorian cohorts advancing on the right flank, and ranged units providing support.
After a fierce battle, the Roman forces broke through the exhausted defenders, causing the Germanic tribes to flee, leading to a Roman victory and the construction of another trophy dedicated to Mars, Jupiter, and Augustus.

01:14:52

Germanicus' Campaigns and Recall: A Turning Point

Tacitus recounts Germanicus' sense of responsibility for the starvation and ruin of distant islands, where he almost took his own life.
Rumors spread across Germania about the destruction of the fleet and army, leading to renewed hope for victory.
Germanicus swiftly mobilized forces, sending Chiacilius with infantry and cavalry against Ikati while he invaded the Marcy.
Germanicus advanced energetically, devastating the enemy who couldn't face him, leading to their defeat.
The soldiers, compensated for sea disasters by successful land expeditions, were led back to winter quarters.
Tiberius, displeased with Germanicus' aggressive campaigns, recalled him from the front despite Germanicus' plea for one more year to conquer Germania.
Tiberius emphasized diplomacy over strength, recalling his own successful campaigns in Germany under Augustus.
The recall of Germanicus marked a turning point in Roman-German relations, impacting the fate of Germania, Germanicus, and Arminius.
Arminius, after the defeat at the Angrivarian Wall, retreated to the northeast, seeking refuge and new allies.
Arminius' rivalry with Maroborus escalated into a major conflict, culminating in a battle where Arminius emerged victorious.

01:30:35

Germanicus: Journey, Power, Tragedy, Legacy

Germanicus was granted imperious mayos, giving him significant power, as a reinforcement of his status as the emperor's right hand and heir apparent.
During his journey to his new post, Germanicus visited various significant locations, including Nicopolis, dedicated to Augustus's victory at Actium, and Olympia, where he competed in the Olympic games.
Germanicus toured several famous cities across the Aegean and the Ionian coast, including Troy and Rhodes, where he consulted the oracle of Apollo at Claros.
In Armenia, Germanicus focused on diplomacy over force, causing annoyance among Roman political appointees, but he was embraced by the masses as a touring rock star.
Upon returning to Syria, Germanicus clashed with the Roman administrator Piso, who was later accused of poisoning him, leading to Germanicus's death and causing mourning in Rome, leaving behind a legacy that would influence history, notably through his son Caligula.

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