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It is conceivable that the self-confident half-roman was inspired by a contemporary. Marbod the Markoman had shown that a mighty Germanic kingdom could be built within the shadows of Imperial Rome. In this way, perhaps, Arminius wished to seek his salvation. This salvation, which is important for Germans in all times, was bound up with victory, with success. For him, the gods held it in the balance. And so the ambitious Cherusker decided on a career other than service to Rome. He chose to become a Germanic king, after the fashion of the Romans, ruler over many tribes, if possible, ruler over the unruly nobility and successor to Marbod. And so he sent the head of Varus as a gruesome sign of his victory, as a sign which was to say: Look here! My salvation and my renown are greater than your deeds! I have met the battle, and I have been triumphant! But since the sign was perceived as the head of a governor, the Markoman knew that, in addition to Rome, another, more dangerous enemy had arisen: Arminius.

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