#battle of the teutoburg forest

[illustratus]

Arminius' Triumphal Procession

[uncleclaudius]

Some Roman metal artifacts uncovered in Kalkriese, Germany, a place now believed to have been the site of the Battle of Teutoburg forest.

[hedge-witch-tales]

Battle of Teutoberg Forest

[blueiscoool]

The Roman 19th Legion Identified at Teutoburg Battle Site that shook Rome in AD9

Researchers in Germany have identified the metallurgic signature of the Roman 19th Legion in artifacts recovered from the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in Kalkriese, Germany, using a new chemical analysis method.

The Roman defeat by Germanic tribes at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in AD9 was such a disaster that it sent shockwaves throughout the empire. Three legions, totaling up to 20,000 men, were lost.

Now scientists used chemical analysis methods to track down the destroyed legions in Kalkriese and were able to identify the 19th Legion in Kalkriese.

The characteristic composition of trace elements in an artifact can be identified by mass spectrometer analysis of non-ferrous metals like bronze and brass.  Because each Roman legion had its own blacksmiths who worked constantly on the campaign to repair and replace weapons and equipment, even legions that fought together had a distinct chemical signature in their metals.

When dating and identifying complex battlefield remains like those at Kalkriese, the fact that this method can be used to conclusively link an object to a specific legion is a major archaeological breakthrough.

The discovery of coins and slingshot ammunition in a field in northeastern Germany in 1987 by Tony Clunn, a British army officer and amateur archaeologist, fueled speculation that the battle site had been discovered. However, for decades it was only a plausible theory.

Since then, Kalkriese has unearthed more than 7,000 artifacts, ranging from complete horse bridle fittings to everyday items to the oldest set of Roman plate armor ever discovered in Germany. Undoubtedly, a significant Roman battle from the first century took place there, but it took decades for the Teutoburg battlefield to be identified, and there is still some scholarly disagreement on the matter. For instance, it might have been a battle that happened during Germanicus’ campaign six years later. The archaeological finds cannot be dated within a six-year range by any scientific dating method available to us.

Let’s introduce the metallurgic signature. 550 samples were taken for the project from non-ferrous metal artifacts found at Kalkriese.

The metals used for repairs in the camp forges contain trace elements in such small amounts that the Roman forges did not notice them, and they were not intentionally manipulated. These elements entered the metals through the original ores, various additives used during processing, and tool adhesions. On-site processing has caused the legions to develop a distinct pattern in the composition of trace elements over time.

“In this way, we can allocate a legion-specific metallurgical fingerprint to the legions, for which we know the camp locations at which they were stationed,” German Mining Museum Bochum researcher Annika Diekmann continues. Based on this, all Roman non-ferrous metals from Kalkriese were sampled and compared with non-ferrous metals from numerous Roman locations where it is known from written records which legions were stationed here.

After the analysis is complete, it is evident that the 19th Legion in particular, which perished with Varus and was stationed in Dangstetten in southern Germany years earlier, stands out from the other legions, which were only deployed later in Germany in the Roman vengeance campaigns. This is based on the composition of the trace elements.

“When comparing the finds from Kalkriese with the finds from the other sites, we find that the finds from Dangstetten and Kalkriese show significant similarities. The finds that come from legion sites whose legions did not perish in the Varus Battle, on the other hand, differ significantly from the finds from Kalkriese and thus show significant differences to the finds from Kalkriese.

[corvidacryptida]

While men are busy thinking about the Fall of the Roman Empire, I'm still thinking about my lost legions.

Quintili Vare, legiones redde!!!!!!

[alkibiadessuperfan]

I got the ultimate best compliment at work today: I was told I look good with a weapon in hand and that I look like a true barbarian woman.

[meditando-en-paris]

My friend (@helldava): You may leave the Teutoburg forest, but the Teutoburg forest does not leave you.

Me: You don't come out of the Teutoburg forest, my friend.

[stressedbeetle]

I find it really funny how the romans who a lot of people have this perception of being the best and having really good military strategy didn't expand into germanic territory because they lost a fight (maybe multiple but idk) against these people who are often considered to be uncivilised and inferior compared to them

[liberty1776]

The Battle of Teutoburg Forest 9AD

[ernestdescalsartwok]

PINTAR-ARTE-PINTURA-BATALLA-BOSQUE TEUTOBURGO-GERMANIA-LEGIONARIOS ROMANOS-COMBATE-GLADIUS-FOTOS-ESTUDIO-PINTOR-ERNEST DESCALS por Ernest Descals Por Flickr: PINTAR-ARTE-PINTURA-BATALLA-BOSQUE TEUTOBURGO-GERMANIA-LEGIONARIOS ROMANOS-COMBATE-GLADIUS-FOTOS-ESTUDIO-PINTOR-ERNEST DESCALS- Pintar las escenas de los combates en la Batalla del Bosque de TEUTOBURGO en GERMANIA, el LEGIONARIO ROMANO luchando con su espada GLADIUS para salvar su vida ente los feroces ataques de los germanos de Arminio. Fotos del artista pintor Ernest Descals pintando en su estudio artístico la debacle de las tres Legiones Romanas perdidas. Momentos de la historia del Imperio Romano, pintura sobre papel de 50 x 70 centímetros en la que la acción se muestra con expresión plástica. Colección de Arte sobre Teutoburgo y el ejército aniquilado del Legado Varus.

[illustratus]

Hermann's triumph after his victory over Varus by Johann Heinrich Tischbein

[norfloxacin1]

After centuries shrouded in mystery, the actual site of the decisive Battle of Teutoburg Forest has finally been uncovered. This pivotal clash in 9AD saw Germanic tribes led by Arminius destroy three Roman legions, altering the course of history. While long assumed to have occured by the Hermann Monument, archaeological work in Kalkrich in 1988 uncovered decisive evidence that pointed to this remote village as the true location. Coins and artifacts prove this was the site of the three-day engagement, contradicting previous myths. Visitors can now walk the true grounds where the Germanic revolution against Rome was ignited.

[sforzesco]

BROTHERS

The river Weser ran between the Roman and Cheruscan forces. Arminius came to the bank and halted with his fellow chieftains:— "Had the Caesar come?" he inquired.​ On receiving the reply that he was in presence, he asked to be allowed to speak with his brother. That brother, Flavus by name, was serving in the army, a conspicuous figure both from his loyalty and from the loss of an eye through a wound received some few years before during Tiberius' term of command. Leave was granted, and Stertinius took him down to the river. Walking forward, he was greeted by Arminius; who, dismissing his own escort, demanded that the archers posted along our side of the stream should be also withdrawn. When these had retired, he asked his brother, whence the disfigurement of his face? On being told the place and battle, he inquired what reward he had received. Flavus mentioned his increased pay, the chain, the crown, and other military decorations; Arminius scoffed at the cheap rewards of servitude.

They now began to argue from their opposite points of view. Flavus insisted on "Roman greatness, the power of the Caesar; the heavy penalties for the vanquished; the mercy always waiting for him who submitted himself. Even Arminius' wife and child were not treated as enemies." His brother urged "the sacred call of their country; their ancestral liberty; the gods of their German hearths; and their mother, who prayed, with himself, that he would not choose the title of renegade and traitor to his kindred, to the kindred of his wife, to the whole of his race in fact, before that of their liberator." From this point they drifted, little by little, into recriminations; and not even the intervening river would have prevented a duel, had not Stertinius run up and laid a restraining hand on Flavus, who in the fullness of his anger was calling for his weapons and his horse. On the other side Arminius was visible, shouting threats and challenging to battle: for he kept interjecting much in Latin, as he had seen service in the Roman camp as a captain of native auxiliaries.

Tacitus Annals 2.10-11

there's a lot going on in there! Arminius switching to Latin is a detail that always makes me feel a deep kind of sadness, especially with how it's preceded by mention of their mother. I wonder what she thought of what became of her sons, on opposite sides of everything but still, inescapably, brothers. even when they want to kill each other. there sure are a lot of fucked up and unhappy brothers around. and Arminius asking about Flavus' injury............I also had a whole thing typed out about the horror of imperialism and colonization and the trauma of assimilation but I think this sets the tone better

Rome's Greatest Defeat: Massacre in the Teutoburg Forest, Adrian Murdoch

and also this, just for fun

(ibid)

this post is already a mile long, so lets add another mile to it: a little scene at the start of their conversation! tfw you go in for a hug and your younger brother who also ended up being taller starts roasting your hair style

bsky ⭐ pixiv ⭐ pillowfort ⭐ cohost ⭐ cara.app⭐ko-fi

[memories-of-ancients]

Roman cavalry mask recovered from the Teutoburg Forest in Germany, site of a battle in which the Germans ambushed and a annhilated three Roman legions in 9 AD

[catgirlforeskin]

It’s so funny how everyone’s a culture war guy now, from Putin getting interviewed by Tucker Carlson today, to Taliban fighters being Andrew Tate reply guys on Twitter and complaining about feminism in movies.

Do you think this was always a thing or is this a new type of guy? Like when Putin went “the Russian people are like J K Rowling, because we are being unfairly cancelled by the woke left,” were we always doing this?

Do you think 2000 years ago the Cherusci were going “much like the saint of the Christians, unjustly put upon the cross, I too am being wrongly persecuted for my warrior prowess displayed during the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest”?

[bobmorane]

A scene from the Battle of Teutoburg Forest, via Imperium Romanum