Reader

I find it stated by some writers and senators of the period that a letter from

Adgandestrius

, chief of the

Chatti

, was read in the Senate, promising the death of

Arminius

, if poison were sent for the perpetration of the murder, and that the reply was that it was not by secret treachery but openly and by arms that the people of

Rome

avenged themselves on their enemies. A noble answer, by which

Tiberius

sought to liken himself to those generals of old who had forbidden and even denounced the poisoning of king

Pyrrhus

.

1

Arminius, meanwhile, when the Romans retired and Maroboduus was expelled, found himself opposed in aiming at the throne by his countrymen's independent spirit. He was assailed by armed force, and while fighting with various success, fell by the treachery of his kinsmen. Assuredly he was the deliverer of Germany, one too who had defied Rome, not in her early rise, as other kings and generals, but in the height of her empire's glory, had fought, indeed, indecisive battles, yet in war remained unconquered. He completed thirty-seven years of life, twelve years of power, and he is still a theme of song among barbarous nations, though to Greek historians, who admire only their own achievements, he is unknown, and to Romans not as famous as he should be, while we extol the past and are indifferent to our own times.