Ariovistus

Ariovistus was a soldier of fortune of the Suebi tribe. In or around 60 BC, he was hired by the Arverni and Sequani tribes of Gaul to assist in their war against the Aedui. Ariovistus's company of 15,000 warriors proved decisive at the Battle of Magetobringa, after which the Aedui submitted to the Sequani. However, Ariovistus then turned on his erstwhile employers, driving the Sequani out of the strategically valuable Doubs Valley and repopulating that valley with Suebi loyal to him.

The Roman Senate recognized Ariovistus as King of the Germans, which is almost certainly a mistranslation of the title he used in his native language. The Senate also recognized Ariovistus as a Friend of Rome; however, the Aedui, from whom Ariovistus was extracting tribute, enjoyed the same status. In 58 BC, the Aedui appealed to the Roman governor of Gaul, Julius Caesar, to free them of this obligation. According to Caesar's Commentaries, he attempted to mediate the dispute, but sided with the Aedui after Ariovistus unwilling to accept his mediation. He attacked and defeated Ariovistus, driving the Germans east of the Rhine River.

Ariovistus in Videssos
When Targitaus explained to Viridovix why the khagans of Khamorth clans were extremely reluctant to support one another as junior partners in military alliances (for fear that they would enable their allies to form a Royal Clan), Viridovix was reminded of the Sequani's use of Suebi mercenaries in their war against the Aedui. This decision had indeed allowed the Sequani to triumph over the once-stronger Aedui, but had the unintended consequence of allowing Ariovistus the German to become the most powerful man in Gaul.