[The following takes place during The Battle of Idistavisus, in 16 AD.]
The legionaries stood in their ranks, waiting to meet the German rush, stock still, like statues, the sun glinting on their standards and military decorations, the horsehair plumes on their helmets wafting in the morning breeze.
[…]
One of Germanicus’ aides then pointed to the sky. ‘Look, Caesar!’
Germanicus looked up. Eight eagles were flying overhead – one for each of Germanicus’ legions. As the Romans watched, the birds dipped towards the forest. Germanicus called to his troops: ‘Follow the Roman birds, the true deities of our legions!’, then ordered his trumpeter to signal the front line to charge.
With a determined roar, the auxiliaries surged forward. Behind them, a line of foot archers loosed off a looping volley of arrows at the oncoming tribesmen. Soon, Germans and Roman front line were locked together.
Stertinius and the cavalry drove into right flank and rear of the German horde. The impact of this cavalry onslaught drove a mass of Germans away from the trees, where they collided with thousands of other Germans running towards the forest to escape the cavalry attack from the rear. Cheruscans on the hill slopes were forced to give ground by their own panicked countrymen.
Source:
Dando-Collins, Stephen. “Part III: The Battles – Battle of Idistavisus.” Legions of Rome: The Definitive History of Every Imperial Roman Legion. Thomas Dunne Books, 2012. 268. Print.
Original Source Listed:
Tac. A, II, 17.
Further Reading:
Germanicus / Latin: Germanicus Julius Caesar
The Battle of Idistaviso, sometimes known as a first Battle of Minden or Battle of the Weser River
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