S S Engle

Osning S S Engle

In the year 9 CE the conquest of the Roman Empire suffered its greatest defeat in the forested hills of ancient Germania, known as the Osning. This defeat came at the hands of Arminius, a man born into the Cherusci tribe of Germania, but cowardly sold into Roman slavery by his father. Having spent his formative years gaining a Roman military education, Arminius rose through the ranks rapidly to become a lieutenant, and trusted advisor to the Roman Governor of Germania, Publius Quinctilius Varus. Although respected by the Roman Governor, and suspected as fiercely loyal, Arminius never had any intentions of letting Rome control his homeland. For years and years Romans had been spreading their empire throughout Europe, but Germania provided a constant struggle. Varus thought he could make strides where his predecessors had routinely failed, thanks in part to his Germanian born advisors at his side. But Arminius had been making plans of his own for Germania. Over 50 some odd tribes called the forests and cities of Germania home. It was Arminius' grand plan to unite a majority, if not all of the tribes one day, and declare Germania free of any and all Romans. The problem though was his Roman upbringing, and time spent away from the tribes. Warlords, chiefs, and former allies had become bitter towards one another, with trade and political accords deteriorating with each passing moon. To rally anti-Roman support and foster cooperation amongst the Germania tribes was a battle in and of itself, but Arminius was graced with helpful efforts from a few interesting individuals. This is their story. The story that picked up where so many had failed. The story of how in September of 9 CE, Arminius and his roughly assembled tribal allies made sure Rome knew what they were up against in the Osning; a resistance the likes of which Rome had never seen before.