9 he had penetrated as far as the Weser, and took up his quarters on the western bank of the river, probably not far from the spot where it is joined by the Werra. The tribes in the north and south of Germany took no part in the insurrection, but most of the people in the central parts of the country joined in the revolt : the Cherusci were at the head with their subjects, and besides them we read of the Marsi, the Catti, and the Bructeri. They were ripe for revolt and found a leader in Arminius, a noble chief of the Cherusci, who had previously served in the Roman army and had been rewarded by the Roman franchise and the equestrian rank. The Germans viewed with dismay and indignation the abolition of their own laws, and the introduction of the Roman jurisdiction, in consequence of which their rights, their property and even their lives would depend upon the decision of a Roman proconsul. His mistake was in the manner in which he carried his instructions into effect, and in his infatuation in supposing that a brave nation could be governed in the same way as a herd of Syrian slaves. For this he is strongly censured by Dio Cassius (56.18) and Velleius Paterculus (2.117), but without sufficient reason for there can be no doubt that he acted in accordance with his instructions and it must be recollected that he was the first governor of Germany, to whom the civil administration as well as the military command had been entrusted. In addition to which, he had for years received in Syria the servile obedience of a race, which had long been accustomed to the Roman government while in Germany he was called to rule over a brave and high-spirited people, who had only recently been subdued, and knew nothing of the jurisdiction of a Roman province.Īs soon as Varus had crossed the Rhine, he proceeded to levy taxes and to introduce the Roman jurisdiction in the newly conquered country. Varus was a man of moderate talents and fond of an idle and quiet life he possessed neither the abilities nor the energy necessary for the important task entrusted to him. The time appeared favourable to Augustus for introducing into the country the regular administration of a Roman province but he made an unfortunate choice in the person whom he selected to carry his purpose into effect. Drusus had conquered a great part of central Germany as far as the Visurgis (Weser), and the various German tribes between this river and the Rhine seemed disposed to submit quietly to the Roman rule and to adopt Roman customs and habits. 54.25.) Varus was subsequently appointed to the government of Syria as the successor of Sentius Saturninus, and remained in that province for several years, where he acquired enormous wealth.Īccording to the antithetical expression of Velleius Paterculus (2.117), " as a poor man he entered the rich country, and as a rich man left the country poor." Shortly after his return from Syria he was made governor of Germany (probably about A. Claudius Nero, afterwards the emperor Tiberius.
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