The Roman soldiers were in relatively good spirits as they marched through Tudorburg Forest in the new province of Germania.

The path was narrow and surrounded by forests, bogs, and one inexplicable stone wall.

But they were in good hands. Their commander, Publius Quincilius Varus, was distinguished for his excellent service in Africa, Syria, and Judea, and furthermore, they had a strong local ally and guide, Arminius.

He had served with the Roman legions on the Danube frontier.

He was a Roman citizen and a good soldier.

They were marching to battle, and battles were always dangerous,

but in the dozens of years the Romans had been fighting Germans,

nothing led them to believe that a German force could defeat an organized, competently led Roman army.

And then they heard a noise that sent chills down their spines.

The soldiers froze.

Then another sound.

That of thousands of spears flying through the air.

Most missed their target or glanced off

of shields or armor. Even so, dozens of men fell with German spears protruding from their

backs, chests, necks and faces, and then another volley of spears, and then another. By now,

soldiers were crowding together, trying to get into defensive formations, but the narrowness of the

path and the obstacles all around made that nearly impossible. But the narrowness of the path and the

obstacles all around made that nearly impossible. In addition, the rear of the army had not heard

the commotion and had continued marching, often bumping into those who were under attack.

In some places, small clumps of four or five soldiers did what they could, while others,

driven by panic, simply froze or dashed for the woods. Then there was another shout,

and now they were coming. The Germans were lightly armored and wielded enormous long swords.

...