Flavus

The title of this article is ambiguous. For the Roman consul and dictator see Titus Larcius Flavus , for the Roman tribune Lucius Caesetius Flavus , for the conspirator against Emperor Nero see Subrius Flavus .

Flavus ( Latin "the blonde") was a Germanic prince's son in Roman service. He was the younger brother of Arminius , who defeated the Romans in the Varus Battle .

Flavus' actual Germanic name, like that of Arminius, has not been passed down. Both were the sons of the Cheruscan prince Segimer . Flavus and Arminius were presumably handed over to Rome by Segimer as hostages , received Roman training and served as officers of the auxiliary troops.

In contrast to his brother, who became the leading figure in the uprising against the Romans in Germania and defeated a Roman army in the Varus Battle, Flavus remained true to the Roman way of life and became an officer.

From the famous dispute with Arminius at the Weser crossing in 16 AD during the Germanicus campaigns it is known that Flavus lost an eye in the fight for Rome. He had a son named Italicus who grew up in Roman territory, probably in Ravenna .