Thusnelda in Rome by Anton Romako 1853

"An auxiliary lieutenant to the Roman general Publius Quinctilius Varus, Arminius used his knowledge of Roman tactics to lead an allied coalition of Germanic tribes to a decisive victory against three Roman legions and their auxiliaries in the historic Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, in 9 AD. The defeat would precipitate the Roman Empire's permanent strategic withdrawal from Magna Germania, and the Romans were to make no more concerted attempts to conquer and hold Germania beyond the Rhine river. Modern historians have regarded Arminius's victory as "Rome's greatest defeat" and one of the most decisive battles in history. After subsequent defeats by the Roman general Germanicus, nephew of the Emperor Tiberius, Arminius′ influence waned and he was assassinated on the orders of rival Germanic chiefs. During the Unification of Germany in the 19th century, Arminius became hailed by nationalists as a symbol of German unity and freedom. Following World War II, however, schools often shunned the topic since it had become associated with the militant nationialism of the Third Reich, and many modern Germans have not heard about Arminius. The 2000th year anniversary of the battle was not commemorated by the German government."

Sadly, anti-German attitudes and modern day propaganda have contributed to Germany's abandonment of her national history. From Spiegel Online: "The old nationalism has been replaced by an easy-going patriotism that mainly manifests itself at sporting events like the soccer World Cup". Tillmann Bendikowski, has gone as far to say Hermann's story is a fabrication of history: "The myth of Hermann will continue to wane," said Bendikowski. "What will remain of him will be the experience of how a historical myth was created, and how a nation sought to invent itself by fabricating history. It may help us to understand ourselves and other nations better."

Even the Romans disagreed; Tacitus called Hermann the liberator of Germany in "Annals Book 2 - section 88" (sourced below).

Thusnelda in Rome by Anton Romako 1853

Source:

http://www.artnet.com/artists/anton-romako/thusnelda-in-rom-HPPlBJCBTiKT_PQvSBIJiA2

 

Quote:

https://web.archive.org/web/20200107053755/https://peoplepill.com/people/arminius/

https://web.archive.org/web/20190106165242/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/battle-of-the-teutoburg-forest-germany-recalls-myth-that-created-the-nation-a-644913-2.html

http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Tacitus/Annals/2C*.html