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Toward the end of Summer, the Cherusker sent him a message to the effect that remote tribes on the Weser had risen up and were the source of substantial unrest. To Varus, such an offence to public order seemed more alarming than the approaching dark, cold and rainy time of the year. He set out to the east in order to secure peace, once and for all. From the beginning, Arminius had been with the Roman army along with other German chieftains and accompanied Varus as advisor. But then he took leave, for the unrest to the east was part of his plan. For this reason, the Romans were supposed to remain back for a short while after his departure, ostensibly for the allies of Rome to join them and, if necessary, to come to Varus’ aid as quickly as possible. But they were scarcely out of the view of the front of the army, when they killed any remaining Roman soldiers.

On the way back from his surprising expedition, – he found no riots, of course – Varus remained unsuspecting. Meanwhile, it was September, and circumstances had accordingly become difficult, as the historian Cassio Dio described:

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