Abdale, Jason R. Four Days in September. The Battle of Teutoburg

For twenty years, the Roman Empire conquered its way through modern-day Germany, claiming all lands from the Rhine to the Elbe. However, when at last all appeared to be under control, a catastrophe erupted that claimed the lives of 10,000 legionaries and laid Romes imperial ambitions for Germania into the dust. In late September of 9 AD, three Roman legions, while marching to suppress a distant tribal rebellion, were attacked in a four-day battle with the Germanic barbarians. The Romans, under the leadership of the provinces governor, Publius Quinctilius Varus, were taken completely by surprise, betrayed by a member of their own ranks: the German officer and secret rebel leader, Arminius. The defeat was a heavy blow to both Rome's military and its pride. Though the disaster was ruthlessly avenged soon afterwards, later attempts at conquering the Germans were half-hearted at best. Four days in September thoroughly examines the ancient sources and challenges the hypotheses of modern scholars to present a clear picture of the prelude to the battle, the fighting itself and its aftermath.

The Romans, led by the governor of the province, Publius Quinctilius Varus, were taken completely by surprise and betrayed by a member of their own ranks: the Germanic officer and secret rebel leader Arminius. The defeat was a severe blow to the Roman military and Roman pride. Although the catastrophe was ruthlessly avenged soon afterwards, later attempts to defeat the Germanic tribes were half-hearted at best. This book thoroughly examines the ancient sources and challenges the hypotheses of modern scholars to paint a clear picture of the battle's prehistory, the fighting itself and its aftermath.