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| The Catastrophe in Teutoberg Forest | <table of contents> <previous page> <next page> page 3 of 4 |
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| “The mountains were cragged and full of gorges, the trees stood thick and had grown very tall, so that the Romans had already grown tired, even before the hostile attack, with cutting down trees in order to build roads and bridges wherever it was necessary. They had many wagons and transport animals with them, as if they were at peace. In addition, there were not a few women and children along, as well as a huge amount of odd baggage. They had therefore already drawn far apart as they marched. And then strong rains and thunderstorms broke out and dispersed them even more. The ground, which had become slippery around the roots and branches of the trees, made each step dangerous, and the tree tops which had broken off and fallen created great confusion. While the Romans were in that desperate situation, the barbarians, who knew all the paths, surrounded them and suddenly burst out of the forest from all sides. At first, they shot only from afar, but when no one put up a defense and many were still startled, they closed in. The Romans could not march in an orderly fashion in those conditions; they marched between the wagons and the unarmed baggage carriers and could not take a defensive stance. They therefore suffered many losses, without even organizing themselves, as they were attacked by the enemy again and again. When they came to a suitable place, to the extent that this was possible in the mountainous forest, they set up camp. They burnt most of their wagons and everything else that was not necessarily needed, or left it behind. On the next morning, they broke camp in somewhat better order, so that they were able to move up to a glade; however, the withdrawal was not without casualties. From there they broke out and rode further into the forest. To be sure, they defended themselves against their aggressor; however, just this caused their casualties. Whenever Horseman and foot soldier came together in order to attack, it came to nothing, for either trip over a root or one another. As the fourth day of their march began, harder rain and fiercer storms blew up. So, instead of advancing to a place where they could stand firm, they were not even once able to raise their weapons. Arrows, spears, even their shields were of little use because they were thoroughly soaked. On the other hand, their enemy, who were generally lightly armed, and who were not open to the possibility of attack and retreat tactics, were not as hindered by the weather. In addition, they were easily able to surround and pound the Romans. For their numbers increased incessantly, while that of the Romans decreased. There and then, Varus and his top officers, for fear of being killed or even captured alive by this bitterest of enemies, especially since they were already wounded, decided to carry out a horrible but necessary course of action: They killed themselves. When this became known within the Roman army, others abandoned any resistance, even though they were still strong enough to resist. Some followed the example of their leader, others threw down their weapons and thought it best to allow themselves to be killed, for flight was unthinkable, even if one wanted to do so. And so, without significant risk to their enemy, the Romans were massacred.” |
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