Arminius

For the minor Southern Victory character, see Arminius (Southern Victory)

Arminius Historical Figure Nationality: Cherusci tribe (Ancient German) Year of Birth: 18 BC Year of Death: AD 21 Cause of Death: Assassination Religion: Polytheism Occupation: Chieftan, General Parents: Sigimerus Spouse: Thusnelda Children: Thumelicus Relatives: Flavus (brother) Fictional Appearances: Give Me Back My Legions! Set in OTL Type of Appearance: Direct POV Worldwar POD: May 30, 1942 Appearance(s): Second Contact Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference Gunpowder Empire POD: 12 BCE Type of Appearance: Oblique posthumous reference Date of Death: c.a. AD 9 Cause of Death: Combat

Arminius, also called Hermann, (b. 18 BC/17 BC in Magna Germania; d. AD 21 in Germania) was a chieftain of the Cherusci who defeated the forces of Roman General Publius Quinctilius Varus at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. His influence held an allied coalition of Germanic tribes together in opposition to the Romans but after decisive defeats to the Roman general Germanicus, nephew of the Emperor Tiberius, his influence waned and he was assassinated on the orders of rival Germanic chiefs.

Arminius in Give Me Back My Legions!

Arminius was a son of Sigimerus, a chieftain of the Germanic Cherusci tribe. He feared Roman conquest of Germany and so began studying them and their ways. He and his older brother Flavus enlisted with the German auxiliaries and helped put down a Pannonian uprising. This gave him first hand experience with Roman tactics and military organization.

Given his status among the Germans, Arminius was made an officer of the auxiliaries and given Roman citizenship without having served the full term of enlistment. He led a half cohort of auxiliaries into several battles and served with honor and distinction.

In AD 7, Chariomerus a distant kinsmen, arrived at the Roman encampment with a message from Sigimerus. Segestes, another Cherusci chieftain and the father of Thusnelda Arminius' betrothed, had broken off the engagement and betrothed her to another. Arminius was enraged at this slight to his honor but kept his wits. Rather than immediately return home, he sought out the senior Roman officer Titus Minucius Basilus. After explaining the situation and implying he would go home regardless, Basilus gave him permission to leave to resolve the situation.

Arminius and Chariomerus set off immediately. On the way Arminius thought about the matter. He did not want to start a blood feud with Segestes but still needed to avenge his honor. On arriving at his father's steading, he learned that Thusnelda had not yet wed Tudrus and continued to live at her father's steading. This simplified the situation and Arminius decided to elope with her.

Arminius in Gunpowder Empire

During the reign of Augustus, the insurgent German chief Arminius (18 BC - c.a. AD 9) was defeated and killed by General Agrippa, thus ensuring that Germania became part of the Roman Empire.

See Also

• References to Historical Figures in Turtledove's Work#Arminius for more minor references to Arminius in Turtledove's work.