It was now A. D. 9 and the Emperor Augustus had ordained and encouraged a mighty expedition to the north-east of the river Rhine with the prospect of adding the further lands of Greater Germania to the Roman Empire and join the present client state of Roman Germania to the south of the river. These lands to the north-east were not only occupied by the mighty and vast Teutoburg Forest but also contained many German tribes with their Kings and Princes.
To ensure victory and success the three strongest legions were designated together with Roman and Auxiliary cavalry and Syrian archers and a vast baggage train.
The Commanding General would be the former Governor of Syria and conqueror of Judea, the present Governor of Germania, General Publius Quinctilius Varus.
He had chosen as Commander of the Auxiliary cavalry a Romanised Teuton, Arminius, who, unknown to the Romans was a Prince in his original homeland which was now faced with invasion. And also unknown to them was the fact that he was more than beginning to have thoughts and changes of mind towards the Roman cause. All this before the footfalls and tramp of Roman legions towards the Teutoburg Forest in the most mighty expedition in history.
To ensure victory and success the three strongest legions were designated together with Roman and Auxiliary cavalry and Syrian archers and a vast baggage train.
The Commanding General would be the former Governor of Syria and conqueror of Judea, the present Governor of Germania, General Publius Quinctilius Varus.
He had chosen as Commander of the Auxiliary cavalry a Romanised Teuton, Arminius, who, unknown to the Romans was a Prince in his original homeland which was now faced with invasion. And also unknown to them was the fact that he was more than beginning to have thoughts and changes of mind towards the Roman cause. All this before the footfalls and tramp of Roman legions towards the Teutoburg Forest in the most mighty expedition in history.
