history

Teutoburg Trap
Military History » Great Battles »

Trap at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest

by Andrew Curry

Arminius, it turns out, was a traitor. He had lured the Romans into a trap: under the pretext of scouting the way, he had ridden ahead to rally the German tribes against the invaders. Thetribeskept harassingthe Romans for days, drawing them deeper and deeper into the forest. On the third day -- some historians think it may have been Sept.11 -- Arminius made his move. The Roman legions were pushing forward along a narrow path between a huge hill and a thick swamp when screaming German warriors appeared on all sides.

Arminius had planned things to perfection. Rome's legions were used to fighting on their own terms, and did best on open ground where they were able to make full use of their superb organization. Unnerved by days of hit-and-run attacks and unable to rally in the tight confines of the German wilderness, the Romans panicked. Varus and his top commanders, anticipating defeat, fell on their swords in mid-battle, leaving their troops leaderless.

Continuing reading about the Battle of Teutoburg Forest with Teutoburg Slaughter