Germans Flashcards
What was asked of Rome
Rome’s response
Cherusci asked Rome for for a king. Their only surviving royal prince was Italicus who was kept at Rome. Claudius subsidised him, provided an escort.
Cherusci’s response to their new king
The Germans welcomed Italicus he won prestige and respect, but men envied his power and said Rome was encroaching on Germany’s freedom
they decided they wanted a Home born ruler.
The battle that followed
Italicus won
result of the battle
ITalicus became arrogant (power makes you greedy)
and he was ejected
but he was restored through the backing of the Langobardi
The CHauci
Chauci under Gannascus took advantage of the death of the governor of Lower Germany and raided the province. Began plundering the Gallic coast
Roman response to the Chauci
Lower Germany governor’s successor Corbulo brought up warships by the main channel of the Rhine and up creeks and canals. Sank the enemy ships and ejected Gannascus.
Corbulo’s methods
evived traditional standards of discipline.
Executed for minor slackness, though exaggerated or perhaps invented, his strictness inspired them.
Corbulo helps the people
He allocated to the Frisians a senate, officials, laws, constructed a fort.
Sent agents to induce the Greater Chauci to trap and kill Gannascus
Upset the Chauci to rebellion
Why a war with the Chauci was bad
Tacitus suggests that Romans were saying that, by provoking the Chauci and winning it would offend the inactive emperor (and loosing offends Rome).
Claudius’ response
forbade further aggression, ordered a withdrawal
Corbulo, to keep his men busy
To keep his men busy Corbulo made them dig a 23 mile canal to by pass the hazards of the North Sea
Claudius congratulates (generous)
Claudius awarded him an honorary triumph although he had forbidden the war
-same honour was awarded to Curtius Rufus who had sunk a mine to find silver, its products were scanty but the troops suffered and toiled digging channels. The forced labour made them secretly appeal to the emperor beginning him to give commanders honorary triumphs before giving them their armies.
Tacitus dislike Curtius Rufus, hatred for the poor?
story about his origin some say he was a gladiators son, “would be embarrassed to tell the truth” “inglorious birth” governorship of Africa “his destiny fulfilled, he died”
