Arminius

Arminius
Chieftain of the Cherusci
Hermannsdenkmal memorial
Born	18/17 BC Germania
Died	AD 19 (age 35/36) Germania
Spouse	Thusnelda
Issue	Thumelicus
Father	Segimerus

Arminius (German: Hermann; 18/17 BC – AD 19) was a chieftain of the Germanic Cherusci tribe and a former officer in the Roman military. An auxiliary lieutenant to the Roman general Publius Quinctilius Varus, Arminius used his knowledge of Roman tactics to lead an allied coalition of Germanic tribes to a decisive victory against three Roman legions and their auxiliaries in the historic Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, in 9 AD.

The defeat would precipitate the Roman Empire's permanent strategic withdrawal from Magna Germania, and the Romans were to make no more concerted attempts to conquer and hold Germania beyond the Rhine river. Modern historians have regarded Arminius's victory as "Rome's greatest defeat" and one of the most decisive battles in history. After subsequent defeats by the Roman general Germanicus, nephew of the Emperor Tiberius, Arminius′ influence waned and he was assassinated on the orders of rival Germanic chiefs.

During the Unification of Germany in the 19th century, Arminius became hailed by nationalists as a symbol of German unity and freedom. Following World War II, however, schools often shunned the topic since it had become associated with the militant nationialism of the Third Reich, and many modern Germans have not heard about Arminius. The 2000th year anniversary of the battle was not commemorated by the German government.

The origin of the Latin name of Arminius is unknown.

The origin of the name "Hermann" dates from the 16th century, possibly first by Luther, the name Arminius was identified as a Latinized form of the name Hermann. As a consequence, Arminius is traditionally known as Hermann der Cheruskerfürst in German. Hermann is also German for "Man of War". Coming from the Old High German "heri"-war, and "man", man.

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